Episode 13: "A National Treasure."

Our heroes meet back up with the shifty Fennix to begin their heist on the First Bank of Murka, but what will they find in the vaults below?

## Synopsis.

### **The Drill, Go Get It!**

Awaking the next morning in the Pennagapis Commonwealth, our heroes settle down for a good breakfast before heading out to meet with Fennix, the fox they met the day prior to begin their heist they agreed on. Discussing the morality of this theft, Luke and GELF discussed the history of the First Bank of Murka with the concierge of the hotel.

### **Mr. Xanderton, Murka Waits For You.**

The concierge explained that the First Bank of Murka was, well, the first bank of Murka, established by Mr. Xanderton who based his concept off of the previous banking system set up by the Braggish Empire. The bank was the first to begin minting not only the traditional coinage seen across the Urth, but also the Murkan Buck, which is an exclusive coin only seen and used across Murka. However, due to its high exchange rate, it's really only used by the higher class.

Mr. Xanderton however, had a bit of a dirty history to himself, being a notable slave owner, despite what the recent musicals that Bards display.

### **Pre-Planning.**

Finishing the conversation, including some questions about the Murkan Historical Society, our group headed out where they were met by Fennix, who ran down the plan to them; Thanks to the parade happening today, the crowd and music would be enough to cover the sounds of the drill they were setting off to recover. Using the drill, they could then drill into the sub-basement of the bank and climb the service ladder to enter into the building proper.

### **The Sneaky Skull Gang!!**

Descending back into the sewers again, our heroes travelled down to an old flooding chamber where much to Fennix's dismay, several members of The Skull Gang had found the drill and were trying to steal it for themselves.

A fight quickly broke out between the two groups with many Skull Gang members meeting their demise to their own friends's clumsiness.

The fight took a turn when it turned out that the flooding chamber was a den for Giant Constrictor Snakes which lashed out at the intruding creatures.

### **Bank Approach.**

Finishing the fight, GELF intimidated Fennix to having him lead the way, with no tricks after this blunder, despite his unintentional blunder with The Skull Gang.

Setting up the drill, our group was through the sewer wall and into the sub-basement.

Climbing up into the first level, the group noticed that the majority of displays and items had been taken out due to the Xanderton Musical's popularity. However, a few items remained, allowing the party to gather some gold bars and Murkan Bucks.

Descending down into the lower levels, the gang discovered an old minting machine where regular coinage, Murkan Bucks, and bars were being procuded. When GELF and Luke explored a former library of old books, they found a letter to a "Mr. Burrsar", the man who shot Mr. Xanderton in a duel, from someone known as "Miss Ember Blackwood" from the city of N'awlinz. Her letter was urgent, begging Mr. Burrsar to return to her shack due to his tampering with a potion she had sold him, and that he had become cursed because of it.

Noting this could be a lead for his own problem, Luke pocketed the letter for further investigation.

### **Counterfeit.**

continuing the descent, the party found the actual former treasure vaults. However, after having one of Fennix's Crew, Scorpion, pick the locks to a room full of gold bars, it turned out that the gold was actual a Hoard Mimic waiting for prey. Leaving the monster behind, the party continued their investigation of the empty chambers, finding a hidden passageway behind a door leading to a massive cave.

### **And Called It Macaroni.**

In the massive cavern, the party laid eyes on the largest treasure hoard they have ever witnessed. But they also laid eyes on the sleeping creature atop the pile, Murka's National Animal, The Freedom Dragon.

In the midst of their shock and awe, Fennix began debating if they should kill it for both "clout" and its feathers while GELF debated opening his bag of holding to collect the money. During this discussion however, the Freedom Dragon woke up, amused by the scene in front of it.

The Freedom Dragon introduced itself as "Macaroni," the one whose feather resided in Yankee Doodle's hat. His job was to guard the treasure of the First Bank of Murka, and now he had thieves in his lair.

Knowing the dragon had them all red-handed, the party began to sheepishly backpedal their way out of a fight with the creature, explaining that they were only here to look for nefarious people or items, and if there were none, they were going to leave it as it was, even returning some of the stolen money from the upper levels. They also went on to say that they were brought here to supervise Fennix and his crew, and that they were going to leave them for dead if they didn't succeed.

Hearing this, Macaroni explained that the thing he hates more than a thief is a deserter, and froze Fennix and his crew in place with his magical breath weapon before sending them flying to their deaths with a flap of his mighty wings.

The party, now having lost their temporary companions, bid the dragon goodbye and that they'd be leaving. However, this didn't go as smooth, with Xus suggesting they return when they are stronger, and Meka calling Macaroni a chicken.

Cutting their losses, the party quickly left through the tunnel, betting on Macaroni not being able to fit through the passageway. But much to their shock, he could indeed fit and asked them to shut the doors on their way out.

### **Calling It A Day.**

Having survived an encounter with the most rare creature in the country, the party headed back to the Inn to get a much needed rest.