Episode 114 - The Grungtown Getaway

## Synopsis

Seeing the Ivory Masked Woman’s ship crashing into Grungtown, SWIM all agreed to leave ASAP. Mira Marchand and Integrity Idleberry, however, said that they couldn’t leave as they had made a deal with the Ivory Masked Woman (henceforth IMW). Ferdinand said not to worry, and that deals were made to be broken, but an insulted Mira told her to shut up. While Grungtown burned from the impact of her ship, IMW approached SWIM, wielding her cleaver sword and giant crossbow. Integrity suggested letting the different parties looking for Ferdinand fight over her, as Winsler Wallaby climbed into the newly opened door. Laud and IMW exchanged taunts, both asserting that they would be the one to get their hands on Ferdinand. Serinepth Sinderman suggested giving Ferdinand to Laud, IMW *and* Seltie, but Laud objected, calling out that Ferdinand was “slipperier than you give her credit for, BOUNTY HUNTER” to IMW. IMW responded that while Laud might find Ferdinand slippery, it was no problem for her, the professional, who also had gotten a tip-off to Ferdinand’s location, while pointing to Integrity, drawing a hard stare from Laud.

Winsler ran through the magical door to Pitter, where the lake and Seltie’s hut still shone bright, even as everything else was desaturated and bleak. He pulled himself over to Seltie’s hut, and when he opened the door, Seltie frantically yelled “DO YOU HAVE HER??” Winsler told her that there was a problem, since they had found Ferdinand, but promised they wouldn’t betray her. After trying to catch Seltie up on the situation, she interrupted him, crying “WHERE IS THE SHEEP WOMAN! WHERE IS FERDINAND?? YOU CAME HERE WITHOUT HER!? WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?!?” Winsler grabbed her hand, trying to make her come help figure the situation out, but the Woods Witch jabbed her finger hard into his chest and said she was busy brewing potions, telling him to do the job he had agreed to take, leaving Winsler to leave angrily on his own.

Back on the outskirts of Grungtown, Integrity and Serinepth saw swarms of Will-O’-Wisps rushing towards them, as well as IMW, the Grungs and Laud. Integrity tried in vain to confuse the Wisps with her Dancing Lights spell, and the Wisps attacked the group, zapping Serinepth and Ferdinand, and doing massive damage to Mira. IMW told the girls to hand Ferdinand over, and did not fall for their lies and entreaties, all the while calmly approaching them, and firing warning shots, taking out the Wisps. Ferdinand said “I know I’m dodgy, but don’t trust any of these guys! I don’t want to die again.” Serinepth said that they couldn’t escape back to Wildcliffe, because the pursuing trio would just chase them there, endangering everyone else. Serinepth pulled the group towards the door seed, prompting Ferdinand to invite the group to join her in seeking solace with the gods in order to atone for her sins. Laud used telekinesis to summon his greatsword out of the remains of Grungtown, narrowly missing Integrity and pairing a threat with the deadly projectile. SWIM and Ferdinand jump through the portal, which Winsler tries to burn down to prevent anyone following them. Fearing a larger fire, Integrity and Serinepth co-operated to put the flames out. Ferdinand kept bargaining for her life. Integrity asked if she could match Seltie’s offer of a Fanny-pack of Holding, and Ferdinand non-committally told her to save the parley for the Sanctuary of the Gods.

The final scene of the episode followed SWIM’s mentor, Artis Artesian, terrified, running beneath the greenhouses, being followed by menacing voices. Luke asked the players to roll 1d100 each, and laughed as they all got very high numbers, telling them that the higher the number, the worse for Artis. Approaching the exit, Artis did not find an elevator, only an unshaven Aaltine Allen. With no time for the now unemployed Elf’s base accusations, the two spun around to face their foe while drawing their wands.