Episode 8: "Circle City Shenanigans."

Leaving the village of Zion Hills behind, The Animal House heads off for Circle City in their journey for Eisenstadt…

## **Synopsis.**

### **On The Road Again.**

After a long rest, our party decided to pack up and head out, leaving Vuzara for another day. With a beautiful day ahead, The Animal House set off towards the region’s capital of Circle City, passing a variety of travellers on the road.

### **Deplorables!**

During their journey to Circle City, the rather peaceful trip was interrupted by the sounds of hooves and hollering. These sounds belonged to a group of odd looking centaurs and their riders, dragging a nearly dead Half-Orc behind them.

These creatures, known as Trumplins, claimed this Half-Orc infringed on their rights of religion, trying to bring back “The Great Orator”, and were teaching him a lesson.

As the pack of Trumplins were leaving, a comment that Bea and Sythia “Don’t have rights”, as they were women, earned them an arrow through the neck, launching into a fight.

Whatever beating the Trumplins dished out, the Animal House took it and dished it back harder, wiping the floor.

Freeing the Half-Orc who introduced himself as Yuri, explained he got separated from his caravan in Slugger City and was interrupted by the Trumplins while he was trying to pray to The Changebringer. Davyd gave him some money to get him back to his people, and in return, Yuri gave them his necklace, “The Kiss of The Changebringer.” The Animal House also offered Yuri that he travel with them to Circle City to remain safe.

### **Welcome to Circle City!**

Finally arriving in Circle City, the Animal House decided to have a bit of downtime and explore the capital city, stopping at the home of famous poet, Riley Whittlecomb, whom Bea was a large fan of.

Touring the home, Bea and Spoons bought some drip from the gift shop and overheard some kids who were dared to stay the night in The Kreishaus, the rundown sanitorium on the outskirts of town.

After much discussion, the conversation changed to the matter of “Dr. Despair,” a slasher who was responsible for the deaths of many in the region, his most recent had gone missing several days ago.

Hearing a fresh mystery, Detective Frog and Sythia were eager to explore, much to the relief of Spoons who was not interested in their previous plans of visiting The Necropolis, a crypt and haunted house attraction.

### **Becoming Insane.**

Arriving at The Kreishaus, our party instantly noticed the smell of blood in the air and the disarray of the building.

As Colby-Bo decided to head back into the main hallway, he came face to face with Dr. Despair who immediately lashed out at him, throwing The Animal House into their first fight with a Slasher.

This fight got dicey with several members of the party taking a significant amount of damage before putting Dr. Despair down for the count. Unfortunately, the Nine Hells weren’t too keen on keeping the doctor and soon enough he sprung back to life and attempted to gut Davyd, with Bea taking his place at the last second, sending her crumpling to the floor.

Things were finally ended after Davyd sent the doctor flying through the wall with a well placed Eldritch Smite, stopping Dr. Despair.

In the calm after the storm, Sythia discovered a body of a young Halfling woman in the other wing of the building as Davyd discovered her missing liver in the doctor’s coat.

In a moment of respect, Sythia took time to seal the woman’s major wounds to appear more presentable and carried her to the entrance where she regrouped with her friends.

### **A Somber End.**

With Dr. Despair stopped and his latest victim found, the Animal House somberly set off for town to find the police.