Victory of Sorts

"**Victory of Sorts**" (1x18) is the 18th episode of Dun-Johns and Dragons.

### **Previously on *Dun-Johns and Dragons***

After infiltrating the home of Lord Stanton Owsley, the Baelor Butcher, the party attacked what they thought was Owsley but turned out to be some sort of construct made of ice. They explored the mansion further and discovered a trapdoor leading to a massive underground cavern, where they encountered a Black Dragon. Assisted by Shadowscale, whom they'd met while imprisoned in the Netherkeep, and a canary-cum-Gold Dragon named Phillip given to them by a mysterious beggar, they fought a significant battle, but just as it seemed they might prevail, the Dragon spat acid at the roof of the cavern and managed to claw his way out, leaving the party next to the entrance of a submerged tunnel as the cavern began to collapse.

### **Part I**

Yoolna, being very opposed to underwater travel, takes the Potion of Gaseous Form they found in the Arcanist's lair, turns herself into a cloud of vapor, and floats up and out through the now-crumbling roof of the cavern. Stone, meanwhile, still under the effect of the Haste spell, has dived into the tunnel ahead of the others and runs across the Black Dragon's massive treasure hoard. They snag an ornate glass bottle, a metallic puzzle box, and as many coins as they can stuff into their pack. They also spot what seems to be some kind of giant mechanical crab, apparently magical, but they don’t have time to figure out how it works before the rest of the party come zooming by, hanging on for dear life as Phillip, their Gold Dragon friend, swims for the exit. He manages to grab Stone just as Stone’s Haste spell wears off, leaving them exhausted, and Phillip gets them all safely to the tunnel exit in a seaside cave.

Phillip bids them farewell, saying his business is finished for now and he must return to his Divine compatriots. Before he goes, Magpie pulls him aside and reveals a patch of golden scales on her neck; she asks why she can speak Draconic and what the scales mean. Phillip tells her, "You are blessed to be a descendent of both a troubled race and perhaps a more hopeful one. Those in your ancestry with demon blood and those with the more golden hue — perhaps it is that internal struggle within you that leads you to greatness. Do not shy away from what you might become."

Yoolna, still a cloud of vapor, wafts herself over the city and finds the others in the cave. When the potion wears off, she tells them what she saw: with the collapse of the massive underground cavern, large parts of the Silver Sector are falling into the hole, plunging the area into chaos; even the Halcyon Spire is starting to tilt.

The group takes a short rest and Stone tells the others about the Dragon's hoard and shows them the bottle and the puzzle box, which Dugluss identifies as an Efreeti Bottle and a Cube of Force. Shadowscale asks if Dugluss is a scientist, and they talk briefly about Shadowscale’s background: they are a scientist and wizard from Faltash, and they particularly study how the Weave interacts with the world. Dugluss suggests sharing research notes with Shadowscale and they exchange addresses for corresponding. Shadowscale also mentions they have a particular aversion to dragons; indeed, the reason they were imprisoned in the first place was for desecrating a statue of Bahamut, the dragon god. The others ask if Shadowscale would like to join their party, but they decline, saying they will see where fate takes them.

The group also discusses the possibility of going back to reexamine the giant mechanical crab. Stone wants to check it out, and Dugluss *really* wants to check it out; they think with enough speed spells, they might be able to make it.

### **Part II**

[2:01:18 - 2:10:02 - technical difficulties/Dave sorts out the audio - no game content during that stretch]

Stone casts Guidance on Dugluss, and Shadowscale casts Haste and Longstrider on him, and he dives back into the tunnel. As he heads back the direction they came from, he finds the way completely blocked by rocks and debris from the cavern’s collapse. He casts Shatter on the rocks, but to little effect. He turns and swims back to the others, reaching the entrance just as the Haste spell wears off and he's overcome with fatigue. The others pull him out of the water and he fills them in on the blockage; they decide to leave it for now, with the possibility of coming back to investigate further in the future.

They discuss where to go, and Dugluss expresses interest in the tower in Crystaria Shadowscale mentioned. Since this would involve sea travel, Yoolna suggests traveling north first, where the crossing would be much narrower. Zander large portion of it.

The first bridge over the river leads to Saltstone Landing and the Mercantile Quarter. It is quite busy, and they decide to sneak under and continue on to the next bridge toward the coast, thinking it might be less busy farther from the main road. However, when they reach the second bridge, people are queuing up to cross and guards are checking them as they go. There also isn’t a way to get under it without being noticed. They decide to go back to the first bridge.

They spread out and try to blend in with the crowd, but about halfway across, there's a commotion and they see Shayne Ironsprinter striding through the crowd, speaking loudly to a tall person wearing a long, flowing cloak. The party keeps their heads down and the two walk past, but just as they breathe a sigh of relief, Ironsprinter turns and spots Father Buckitt. He opens his mouth to say something; Magpie tries to Charm him but the spell fails and he notices her as well, then looks around and recognizes the rest of the party. He runs at Father Buckitt and the group rolls initiative.

The fight is quick and dirty, with several people being pushed into the river (though they all manage to scramble out without much trouble). Ironsprinter spends most of the fight throwing punches, and early on manages to push Father Buckitt off the edge of the bridge. His companion, meanwhile throws daggers with psionic power and at one point force-pushes Dugluss off the bridge. Zander lands a couple hits with Eldritch Blast, once pushing Ironsprinter off the bridge, and also attacks the second antagonist with Carrot. Dugluss uses his lightning attacks and Yoolna swashbuckles with her rapier, while Father Buckitt makes some hammer attacks and Stone focuses on defense with Sanctuary and Spirit Guardians. Magpie and Shadowscale both try to cast Sleep on Ironsprinter, but initially fail; Magpie also makes multiple fire attacks, eventually setting the whole bridge on fire. When she lands a significant hit on Ironsprinter’s companion, the man dives into the river and flees; Shadowscale then manages a successful Sleep spell on Ironsprinter, and the group flees as the bridge burns behind them.

## **Featured Characters**

### **Player Characters**

* Dugluss Deep-Forge
* Father Buckitt
* Magpie
* Stone
* Yoolna
* Zander Brushspark

### **Returning**

* Phillip
* Shadowscale