Session 12-A: The Ichabond

## Key Plot Developments

Trix, Shuushar, Lemon, Glyn, Pyrite, Zeks, and Edsel return to Annarei's Grove. Anna is elated to see Glyn again and happy to be introduced to his cohorts. Suortin, the Umber Hulk, ingratiates itself by cooking fresh mushrooms for his guests. Trix is immediately suspicious of the circumstances, but is still (falsely) convinced that he must speak in rhyme or be damaged. He separates himself, trying to pray for guidance; nothing happens. Ichabod reappears, recognizes the area, and tells Trix that selling his soul will help bring together his entire family far more efficiently than relying on the tricks of beings like Annarei. Trix is steadfast in his refusal to sell his soul.

Miss Anna explains that she has a special ritual to offer Glyn and his friends. Trix opts out of it, Shuushar follows Trix, and Lemon is not eligible, but the others agree to participate. The first stage simply involves braiding each other's hair. The second requires a deeper commitment, including imbibing Gresyl wine, declaring their allegiance to the Dark Prince, receiving a prophetic vision, and wearing a necklace produced by Miss Anna.

As Shuushar and Lemon speak with several party-goers, including Giggles the ogre, Glyn and Pyrite ask Miss Anna for more Gresyl wine. They see flashing images of their family, but the over-exposure to the chaos magic inflicts multiple levels of madness onto each.

The two Goblins, now reeling from the wine, are greeted with a pair of inscrutable prophecies from Anna.

* Glyn is told that he will become a conqueror: **"The banquet. The mountain. The sickness. The eldest will weep for the sins of his kin."**
* Pyrite is told that she will be able to sacrifice others for her power: **"The tunnels. The circle. The tributes. Seven must fall, that you may rise."**

Glyn now believes two things: **"There's nothing in the world more important than me and my desires"** and **"I will not rest until I have made someone else mine, and doing so is more important to me than my own life--or the lives of others."** He immediately decides to abandon the quest to seek out his family, preferring to live in the comfort of the garden and the support of Miss Anna.

Pyrite, too, is now convinced of two truths: **"Anything that can bring me happiness should be enjoyed immediately. There is no point to saving anything pleasurable for later"** and "**Anyone who doesn't do exactly what I say doesn't deserve to live."**

As the former goblin stays in Anna's care, the latter fervently seeks out Trix. She summons Ichabod, and immediately begins the process to sell her soul for power. Trix objects, arguing that Ichabod's contract is null and void if it is signed under impairment or duress. Ichabod replies that there is no such provision or judiciary body to support the objection, but that, if he sells his soul in her place, he'll ignore any offers from her for at least 24 hours, giving her time to recover from any temporary flight of fancy.

Trix is caught. He panics, thinking of what Pelor would do. Pelor, he believes, would simply destroy Ichabod...but that would break their earlier contract, potentially undoing his boons and separating him again. So what would Shuushar do? Shuushar, he thinks, would sacrifice himself to help others.

Trix agrees. His soul departs from his body in a flash of white and green; it is devoured by Ichabod, who briefly manifests in a grey, mottled, obese devil form to consume the spirit. The goblin cleric of the light turned over his fate to a create of darkness to save his family member. **The clan's blood is my blood.**