Baron Vintorvas (The Ballad of Bo & Gal - Part 4)

**Baron Vintorvas (The Ballad of Bo & Gal - Part 4)** is the thirty third episode in *Another Bad Side Quest*. The party and their new companions, Boreal Khrist and Galatea Nostru, hatch a plan to bring down the Baron of Cessunaler.

## Baron Vintorvas (The Ballad of Bo & Gal - Part 4)

### **Synopsis**

**Pre-Show Shenanigans**

* ABSQ's main character art is done by @laniekun, the world map of Palamoa by @TheBrassBailey and ABSQ logo commissioned by @KacperGilkaArt
* Music and sound made possible by Syrinscape and Epidemic Sound!
* Haelley to remind you GMDice also makes “domesticated arsons” (candles)!
* We've been re-joined by our second special guest Krissy! A self described local friendly ttrpg mercenary who can be found on twitter or tiktok!
* Tell your friends about the show! Spread the love and get together to watch and enjoy the chaos

### **Part One**

A few hours after Sterling had created his tower, currently named *Tower of To Be Determined* as he had yet properly named it, Quincy sat within the lower level in one of the rocking chairs in front of the fireplace and scribbled in their journal very quickly, while Sterling sat in one of the rooms, with Tollanessa hovering above him in her incorporeal form while he made pamphlets and argued aesthetics with Tollanessa as he worked. RX maintained watch over their strange camp from the top of his three story igloo, while Galatea stood at the top of Sterling’s tower and looked up to the sky as the two suns set and the three moons rose. RX soon spotted a dot of light in the far distance that moved across the snow and promptly activated *Ob’s Charm* and warned the others of his sighting. Quincy asked what they looked like and their direction and RX described the light he saw and that they were roughly two hours north of them, which concerned them because *Krak* was to the southwest. Alaerith asked Sterling to contact his mother to see how far off she was and Sterling complied, cast *Sending* to her and received a vague reply that she was close. Quincy headed upstairs with their rifle and when Sterling asked told him they would scout locations to defend the camp from above, before they headed up the ladder and found a place to post up.

Sterling asked why everyone was getting so concerned and Alaerith explained RX spotted someone coming in the distance. Sterling recalled that the trade route across the tundra was to the north before Sterling wondered if they should go and scout ahead as there was still time before the approaching caravan arrived. Yashani suggested they send out the fox, as she had found them before and could possibly do the same, but Nubbi was outside the tower with Bo and unware. Alaerith suggested he could go alone as he would be faster and unseen if he did, citing his lack of footprints and on agreement. Alaerith stepped outside of the tower, cast *Invisibility* on himself and confirmed the direction with RX, but was stopped temporarily by Sterling who placed a hand over him and cast *Enhance Ability : Cat’s Grace*. As Alaerith ran off, Sterling asked Tollanessa about the spell Alaerith used and Tollanessa noted she could ask him when he returned, citing it could be multiple causes. Sterling recalled that magic didn't always work the same for everyone, but Tollanessa reminded him that Alaerith’s magic was innate, not learned, so he could not teach Sterling it, which Sterling begrudgingly agreed and the two returned to their work in the tower.

Alaerith continued to run through the tundra, and when his *Invisibility* was nearly used up spotted the light RX mentioned in the distance. Alaerith approached the roadside cautiously and saw two ornate carriages made their way down the road towards him, each with the symbol of the Puhan Trading Company, upside down triangle topped with a crown and the silver snowflake, emblazoned on the side. Alaerith also saw that the source of the light was from a man at the front of the first carriage who spouted fire from his hands and that each carriage had a driver and three foot soldiers on either side that jogged to keep up, but looked exhausted. Alaerith ran to keep up as the carriages moved at high speed and was quickly outpaced by the horses and trained soldiers. As he tried to think of a way to arrive before they would, Alaerith pushed through with his magic, cast *Polymorph* to turn into a giant owl, dropping *Invisibility* and flew back to the camp*.* A half hour later he arrived back as RX saw the giant owl incoming from his tower and greeted it in a friendly manner as he perched on the tower's edge. Alaerith, aware enough to recognize him, dropped *Polymorph*, though RX had to catch Alaerith before he tipped too far back and over the edge. As he thought on his new experience a second Alaerith quickly activated *Ob's Charm* and told them his sightings.

While Alaerith left Gal watched Quincy set their rifle at the tower's top, before they sat together while Quincy wrote in their journal. Sterling also came to the top of the tower to wait and quietly edged away from Bo every time he stepped a little too close to him. Eventually Sterling questioned it and Bo said he needed to ask something, but started by apologizing for his attempt to shoot his tower, admitted that he didn’t fully understand magic, that he was still figuring it out and only curious. He then explained that he overheard that Sterling and his mother were from *Krak* and that he had questions about there and when Sterling confirmed that was correct asked if he heard the name Ostence Bronte. Sterling noted that Ostence was a strange elven man whose house had exploded not too long ago and added that each time he saw him something about his appearance always changed, but in small ways that were hard to pinpoint. Bo questioned the circumstances of the explosion and if he was alive to talk to, but Sterling only knew that it was out of the blue. Quincy suggested if they knew why Bo was looking for him it might help them help him with his search and Bo replied he would tell them if he actually knew. Sterling explained on his behalf that Bo didn't remember where he came from and passingly apologized for divulging the information. Sterling suggested he could ask someone that someone who was currently on the Trade Council and worked with his mother, but used to work under Ostence Bronte, named Alixndir Kelingd and wrote her name down for him.

At that point the incoming light started to get closer as the man spouting fire came more into view. Sterling suggested they should prepare to defend themselves in case, while Galatea pulled up her hood to hide her face. RX watched the carriages draw closer as Sterling asked Quincy to cover him from above while he would head down to greet the newcomers and they agreed. Sterling headed outside, cast *Minor Illusion* causing two spectral hands to cup around his mouth and make his voice boom as he called out to the approaching carriages and asked them to stop and identify themselves. The carriages continued as the individual with flaming hands extinguished his , leapt over the horses and quickly walked to Sterling. As Sterling saw the well-dressed dark red genasi man approach he recognized the figure was Jask Hellcrow, a member of the Puhan Trade Council and Lysandra's boss. Jask admonished Sterling for his form of greeting and Sterling pointed out they could never be too safe these days. Jask told Sterling his mother was in the back carriage and Sterling immediately broke out in a full sprint to greet her, thought he stopped temporarily, cast *Minor Illusion* again and asked everyone to come down. Quincy came down from the tower along Galatea, Bo and Yashani, noticed that Jask’s fingertips were apparently always stained black with soot and that he wore 3/4 cropped sleeves which Quincy commented must be useful for when he had his flames active.

While the party made introductions with Jask, Sterling made it to the second carriage, opened the door and helped out an older woman in very fine, dark green robes, with light blond hair going white at the roots and similarities between the two as mother and son. After greeting each other happily, Sterling asked after his father and after hearing he was preparing to retire led the two as they walked towards the group, all while the two caught up. RX did one last look over the area and deciding it was safe led Alaerith down through the igloo tower to the others. Gal, seeing Jask and Lysandra closely and recognizing them from political parties when she was younger, determined they were not a major threat and pulled her hood back. Once Sterling and his mother were near, Lysandra Myleheart introduces herself and the group went around to introduce themselves in kind. When RX introduced himself with his customary wave, Lysandra recognized him as a denizen of *Vayilcor* and told Sterling to remind her to look into where he was from, which RX seemed happy with. Sterling explained RX’s mysterious existence along with RX's unique features and Lysandra noted her desire to utilise someone like him. Hearing this Quincy cut in to explain that RX was fully autonomous and that he be seen as a person to Lysandra's surprise. Sterling noted that RX dreamed, which RX corrected that he had slept but not quite dreamt, and Lysandra once again noted it was a conversation for later.

Galatea stepped forward to introduce herself and Lysandra recognized her though not entirely sure how and Gal assures her she did. Lysandra asked if she was she was there and Gal quickly mentioned her family’s name was Nostru. Jask bowed to Gal in greeting before he caught sight of Bo at the back of the group and Bo suggested he ignore his odd transparency before he introducing himself to Lysandra. Lysandra then turned to Yashani who introduced herself, took off her mask and bowed in a formal greeting, as she assumed it would be considered respectful. With introductions completed, Sterling said it was time to start and when Jask asked if they would talk out in the snow suggested the tower. Jask explained in surprise and asked who built it, but when Sterling said he made it Jask explained he meant the igloo tower. RX told him that he made it and when Jask asked to see the inside showed him around gave him a tour, while the rest headed to the top floor of the tower. Quincy asked if Alaerith could fix the remnants of the table upstairs and he agreed, proceeded to move ahead of the group and cast *Mending* repeatedly to repair it. Sterling took the rear as he showed his mother around the tower and pointed out the items and magic items he had collected. Lysandra pointed out the *Eldritch Scarf* and Sterling demonstrated it's ability by pulling out a partially slobbered shovel. Lysandra seemed amused by her son, but reminded them they were on a mission and all headed upstairs to sit around the fixed dining table.

Lysandra said she was told what happened in their last encounter with Baron Vintorvas, that she knew what he did to their friends and noted it was not the first time he had done such things. She that she brought it to the attention of the Trade Council, that the majority voted against making a move against him as the Baron paid good money to several people to be left alone. She explained the vote was split two to three, herself and Jask Hellcrow who wanted change while Alixndir Kelingd, Kristof Lischgen, and Eska Lun voted to leave the Baron to his ways. She noted that she and Jask did not say what kind of business venture they left on to come there, but explained they would not be able to bring the Baron down through a usurpation as they had hoped. Sterling asked if they couldn't pin him with murder or treason, but when Lysandra asked how they could prove it and asked Quincy to confirm what they saw in his collection. Quincy explained the tapestry with the mark of the Ruin Moon, which Lysandra recognized as a doomsday prophecy but one that had been around for some time. Quincy also noted the device, the Archinatum Textor, that Elzagerick claimed caused the Day of the Black Sun which concerned Lysandra. She confirmed that they intended to murder the Baron and Quincy explained they have been disappointed by politics in the past and the situation might require more action. Lysandra noted politics were useless now, as they were already voted against, even if the politics in the PTC were more dirty than other places.

Lysandra asked what their plan might be and Sterling noted it was all written in the pamphlets he made. Yashani noted that they had written proof of their plan to kill him, but Lysandra explained he had done this since he was little and was a way for him to process information, which Sterling tried to politely end the talk on. He passed a pamphlet to each person, which had their name at the top in nice calligraphy and their plan to kill the Baron neatly laid out. Bo said the pamphlets should be burnt as soon as they left camp and Sterling noted he had thought of that already and activated his *Wizardly Quill* and waved it over his copy erasing the writing from it, much to the relief of the group. Sterling used RX’s copy to read over since the ink could not be brought back the same way.

At the same time, in RX’s igloo tower, Jask asked about how RX created the tower, specifically getting the snow and ice up so high. RX activated *Telekinetic Movement* to demonstrate by lifting his snow desk and moving it across the room and amazed Jask. He continued to ask details on the construction of the spiral stairs as the tour and conversation continued.

Back in the tower, Quincy asked Sterling what the purpose of the pamphlet was and Lysandra noted it was to get everyone on the same page. Inside were diagrams of the castle, made with RX’s knowledge, and notes on how to go about things. Yashani pointed out that Sterling had already planned for their plan to usurp not to work and Lysandra noted that was unsurprising as Sterling was very good at making plans for every scenario before they happened. Yashani then asked, as it appeared Sterling’s plan included entering the castle under the guise of mutual aid between the Baron and the Mylehearts and if it would be believable. Lysandra explained that the Baron has mentioned to others his castle was broken into, but had not reported it as being robbed, as they all were aware it has been. Lysandra added that it was not unusual for political powers to travel and need places to rest, and while Lysandra personally avoided *Cessunaler* because of its unsavory ruler, it would not be questioned for her to do so now. Sterling pointed out that since Garrith Nostru also visited them meant that the Vintorvases had already opened their doors to visitors recently. Galatea noted that it appeared they planned to possibly gain entry by asking for a dinner party and warned heavily against eating or drinking anything that was offered, which both Sterling and his mother took into consideration. Lysandra said the plan had the possibility to work, but when Quincy wondered if it did, which they hoped it would, if it would reflect badly on Lysandra after she recently was voted against for taking on the Baron Lysandra insisted she could handle whatever repercussions came along. Sterling asked his mother to note Galatea’s involvement in all of this before Gal gave a brief overview of her history as Garrith’s adopted sister, that she survived Garrith murdering their parents and was to be wed to Tristan before she fell in love with a guard who Garrith and Tristan murdered and framed Galatea for. Lysandra pointed out Garrith and Tristan had associated more recently as it appeared the Baron intended to retire soon. Gal suggested once Garrith was dealt with she had a family member who could help prove Garrith’s trespasses, which would take the heat of the group for killing him at least, if not Tristan whose crimes would be harder to prove.

Lysandra stated that she thought if the plan was to work, it needed to happen soon and if they intended to take him down they had to go the whole way. Yashani wondered why the Trade Council did not agree to take down the Baron and take what was his and Lysandra explained that the Baron’s family had been in the area for a very long time, that the land they owned was wealthy, that they had tried contesting the Vintorvases in the past with Vintorvas's father, but since it didn’t work they instead came to an agreement and the Baron simply paid people to turn a blind eye. Lysandra said she very much wanted the Baron gone, that she thought taking him down would send a ripple out through the PTC as his money would no longer go where it is currently going and could be redirected to better things. Sterling wondered if Lysandra meant to buy out the Baron’s current forces, the Cold Iron, and Lysandra agreed and explained that she brought a lot of money to get them to turn a blind eye for a little bit. Yashani noted that it sounded like they only need a night before they made it all happen.

Sterling asked how long his mother intended to stay for and she explained that, as to not look suspicious, she would go with them tomorrow to *Cessunaler,* but before the fighting began would make her exit and head back to *Krak* to have a reasonable alibi. Sterling seems relieved to hear this, stated that he had learned some destructive abilities and pointed out Alaerith specifically as terrifying and very powerful. Sterling asked how much time they had till she had to leave and Lysandra noted a day at best or it would be suspicious as to how long she and Jask had been gone for. She added further it would be better for their plan to occur in the night. With planning concluded, Lysandra excused herself to bed and headed back to her carriage, which she insisted was her favorite one to travel in as it was the most comfortable. Sterling offered the tower to her foot soldiers and he traded goodnights with his mother before she left the tower.

At the same time, back in the igloo tower after RX had finished his tour, Jask complimented his work and insist if RX’s current path was no good he should come to *Krak* and Jask would happily give him a job in construction. RX noted that Jask must be rather knowledgeable, asked if he has been to *Vayilcor* and Jask said he has, but it was over 14 years ago. RX explained he was looking to get answers that he believed were there and Jask agreed, noting he saw similar, if more rudimentary versions of RX when he was last there. He added that RX being fully conscious was new and meant either the crafters really stepped up or someone discovered something they shouldn’t have, possibly people outside of the technomancers who did their own testing. RX asked if Jask knew of Twynn and Jask recalled he was the first technomancer and record keeper of *Vayilcor,* who was supposedly dead since he went missing over 200 years ago, though no one had found his body. Jask said he didn't have much more on the matter but offered RX to visit him in *Krak* sometime, as he had a few smaller things from his time there he would be willing to give him. Jask also reminded RX of his offer of a job and RX noted he wasn't sure when if ever he would be able to with the party’s current situation, but appreciated the offer. Jask attempted a handshake, but RX gave him a hug instead. Jask asked if RX slept and when RX explained he had several ways to rest that he knew of. Jask, spotting Lysandra heading to her carriage, said they would have to get a recap on their discussions and left RX at the top of the tower, who stayed to look up at the stars.

Back in the tower, the moment Lysandra left Quincy admonished Sterling for not telling her his mother was hot. Sterling offended failed to cast *Vortex Warp* through Tollanessa’s incorporeal form on Quincy in response, and failed to again. Quincy threatened to shoot him if he tried again and Tollanessa complained that Sterling was abusing her power. Sterling noted he was nervous as he had never planned to murder someone before and Quincy replied that wasn’t why they wanted his attention. Sterling called her out Quincy calling his mother hot and Tollanessa pointed out Quincy wasn't wrong, which only served to continue Sterling and Quincy’s bickering until Quincy managed to quiet Sterling enough to make her point. Quincy explained they knew someone who could put magic into bullets, had reason to believe they could do as well and needed his help. Sterling and Tollanessa became a flurry of thought as they discussed the implication of spells with the range of a bullet before Tollanessa insisted Sterling help Quincy while she took a lot of notes. Quincy suggested they do it outside and not potentially blow up the tower and Sterling instead flipped through his spellbook, recast *Galdur’s Tower* causing the partially destroyed top half of the tower to shift around them and reconstructed into a modest lab space, with a center table for working, several firing dummies shaped like the Order of Ruin, along with anything they needed for firearms crafting.

Quincy, Sterling and Tollanessa sequestered themselves away in their workspace, while the rest of the party headed downstairs to prepare for their night’s rest. Yashani meditated before bed as usual and Alaerith checked on the horses, Ashton and Ludwig, before he returned and did his *Trance*. Bo took Nubbi outside for a game with sparring, where Bo practiced firing at Nubbi while she teleported and dodged around him playfully, and RX watched over the camp from the top of his igloo tower as he took his *Sentry’s Rest*. The rumbling of gunshots and explosions went on late into the night until finally everyone eventually finds rest in the night.

Galatea found her two tethers in her realm of dreams, one connected to Tristan, another connected to Garrith and connected a final one to Elzagerick Vintorvas. Gal looked in on Garrith first, found him dreaming of the day their parent’s brought Galatea home for the first time and could tell this was a memory he loathed. She learned he was still at *Castle Vintorvas* and left the dream quietly, not wanting him to become suspicious of her presence. She visited Tristan's next, found was is also still in the castle, and that his dream was the first time he saw Galatea and felt his need and obsession to have her. She left quickly, disgusted, and leant into the Baron’s tether, but the moment she did was overwhelmed with images of blood, ruthless murder, pain and agony and all the worst things until she was thrust from sleep and into wakefulness with a white hot headache from the mental imagery. Gal reflected that what she saw were wants and desires, that weren't generally human, and shook it off before she eventually fell back to sleep.

### **Break!**

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### **Part Two**

The scene opened as the party, crammed in Lysandra’s carriage, made their way to *Cessunaler* with their preparations completed. Lysandra confirmed that a few of them would head in first before the rest joined and brought up the associates they talked about bringing. Quincy activated *Ob's Charm*, said it’s *“show time”* and was instructed for someone to move over before a purple line appeared and Ob and Bolton came through before the purple tear in space disappeared. Sterling noted that he recognized Velix and immediately asked about his library. RX told Sterling now was not the time he printed out a copy of the pamphlet Sterling had made and handed one to Ob and another to Bolton to catch them up on the plan. Quincy removed the *Ob’s Charm* from her ear, handed it to Sterling and Ob told him all it took was a flick to activate it and speak to him.

Gal wondered about the item the group hoped to locate and offered that she could help but needed to know what it looked like. Bo and Sterling pointed out the tapestry was moved from its position in the vault, so they knew for sure it was not where they last saw it, while the Tollanessa's arcane focus was more likely still with the rest of the collection. Gal asked if she was trying to retrieve the items and was told they only needed to know where they were for now. Ob said he could get the sapphire if he knew it was there, commented it was painful when Tollanessa used it and Tollanessa appeared in the corner of Sterling’s vision and marvelled that Velix was alive. Velix noted he was aware of the little conundrum being in the vicinity of one of the Aj’Snaga. Sterling offered if Ob allowed him into his library they could “hash it all out over afternoon tea” and Ob after confirming he wanted access to his *Mansion* agreed when their plan was done they could talk. Ob returned to talk of the plan and admitted he hadn’t let emotion guide him in some time so he wasn't sure how this would go. Ob checked with Bolton how he felt about all of this and Bolton stated he would follow him, but reminded him that he didn't like to kill people he didn't need to.

Sterling mentioned that they did not need to kill the Baron, but Ob interrupted and said he wanted the Baron dead so he would die. Sterling specificed that they might have the opportunity to look into the Baron’s mind for information, that he needed to be alive to do that and Ob agreed that would be useful but the Baron would die afterwards and Sterling agreed. At that point, the carriages came to a stop and Ob, realizing he had not made his introductions to those he had not met, introduced himself with his real name Velix Rex Ignis, then asked Gal to find the object for them. Gal agreed and Quincy cast *Minor Illusion* to create the image of the tapestry from their memory. Lysandra told them it was time to go and Gal activated *Mind Link* with Sterling so they could speak telepathically for an hour, asked that he not squish her in his pocket when she transforms and Sterling assured her she would be fine and created a pocket in the folds of his *Eldritch Scarf* to keep her secure. Gal cast *Locate Object* to find the tapestry, then activated *Wild Shape* to turn into a mouse and allowed Sterling to gently tuck her away. Sterling, starting to hyperventilate, turned to Quincy and reminded them to shoot the ground and after Quincy in turn reminded him to breathe left the carriage to his mother and Jask. Lysandra said she hoped he had planned as well for this as he had for other things and he assured her he had before he took their pamphlets an activated *Wizardly Quill* using his quill to erase all the writing on them.

As Lysandra, Sterling, Gal and Jask headed for the castle in the front carriage, the second carriage took the rest of the group beyond the castle and along the main wall and waited for the signal out of sight of the front gate. As he walked, Sterling activated his *Awakened Spellbook* to ritual cast *Detect Magic* in an instant and keep an eye on their surroundings. Gal noticed a ping from her *Locate Object* and became aware the tapestry was on the second floor of the castle, towards the back of the structure and told this to Sterling. The two agreed that it was definitely not the collection room and when Gal asked if the tapestry could be destroyed Sterling replied he didn't know. As their carriage came to a stop Lysandra, Jask and Sterling exited, found themselves in the front courtyard of the castle and looked at the imposing, black marble walls. Lysandra encouraged them to head inside as if they weren't there to kill a man and when Sterling expressed his displeasure at hearing his mother speak such a way noted there was a lot she had said that he had not heard before. Elzagerick emerged from the castle, came down the front steps to greet them and said he was not expecting them. The Mylehearts greeted him and Sterling asked if Tristan was in the city since he had not seen him since their time in school and the Baron told him he was and that he was in the back courtyard with Garrith, an associate and friend from the Skorian Empire. The Baron turned to Lysandra, asked why they where in town and Lysandra explained they were on a business trip and in need of a place to stay. The Baron said his doors were always open, suggested they chat in his office and offered them food and led the group inside.

As the view came over the outer wall and to the second carriage. Ob complained that he didn't like the quiet tension in the silent carriage and Quincy nervously called for Bolton’s attention, showed him the bullet they made and explained they tried because they knew it was something he could do. Bolton seemed impressed, but warned not to go shaking the bullet lest it blow up in their hand. Quincy said they had Sterling’s help and Bolton replied he always had Ob’s help with his own bullets since he wasn’t too magical himself. Bolton asked how long they were to wait in the carriage and RX told him until they received a signal. Quincy asked if it would be inappropriate to start a game of dice and when Bolton said not they started a game, while Ob said he wanted to stretch his legs and stepped out of the carriage to pace quietly.

Back in the castle, the group was led to a large office, with a desk in front of a fireplace, a few plush chairs, a couch nearby and a decent library of books along another wall, all demonstrating the wealth of his room. The Baron offered them places to sit on the opposite side of the desk from him and offered to get food and drink from the kitchens, but Sterling stopped him, offered a wine of his own and pulled out a bottle of wine from *The Underdark.* The Baron impressed said he would get an aerator for it and left the room. Lysandra asked Sterling how he was doing and Sterling admitted he might have peed a little and when she admonished him for it argued this was the first time he had spoken to a person that might be dead soon. Sterling noted his cast of *Detect Magic* had picked up on Enchantment and Illusion magic from the Baron himself. Gal asked Sterling over their *Mind Link* that Sterling not pee himself when she needed to climb down from his scarf and Sterling helped by fixing his scarf, grabbed Gal and place her on the floor gently. As Gal scurried away, the Baron returned with glasses and an aerator, asked how they had been before he realized "Morgana" had not seen them in some time, that she would like to see them and left to fetch his wife. Lysandra didn't seem pleased by this, explained Morgana Vintorvas was a bitch. Sterling offered to pour them some wine, but warned it was strong, that it knocked out two guards that had betrayed him and would tell that story later. Gal reassured Sterling as he shakily poured wine and when he asked her to find the tapestry explained she already had and it was in the room above them, within 30 feet of them.

The Baron soon returned with his wife, a woman with long black hair tied up in a nice bun and clouded purple eyes that Sterling and Gal both recognized. Morgana greeted Lysandra and pulled her aside to converse quietly, while Gal asked Sterling if he could find a way to move everyone outside where Garrith and Tristan are, warning that some of her spells could catch the tapestry if they remained there. Sterling enquired about the Baron's library and was told the real library was across the hall and this was only the most used information the Baron kept on hand. Sterling called himself a bookworm, lamented his lack of conversation in the past and wondered if they might find Tristan so they could catch up, but the Baron assured him Tristan and Garrith were on their way inside now, having come inside from the back courtyard when the Baron went to the kitchen. Sterling pressed that he would love to go outside, that he remembered the Baron’s garden from the last gala he attended at the castle, explained he had been adventuring and didn't want to be cooped up. The Baron, noticing Sterling was acting odd, asked if he was alright as he saw he was sweating, but was interrupted as Tristan and Garrith entered the room which allowed Sterling to brush off the question.

Tristan greeted Sterling as a “skinny piece of shit” and laughed as Sterling called Tristan “brawny and strapping lad” and the two shook hands. Tristan said it had been some time and when Sterling commented that he heard Tristan had a wife last he heard called it a lost cause before he accepted an offered drink from him. Lysandra called out to Sterling to say she and Jask were headed off to talk with Morgana, gave him a hug and a kiss before they left the room. Once alone Sterling asked if he could be honest with them and the Baron asked what he was thinking about. Sterling noted he was terrified, that he heard what happened to the Baron’s vault and that he as an archaeologist knew the value of such things, but the Baron suspicious of his words noted that was not something Sterling should know about. Sterling lied poorly that everyone knew about the Baron’s collection and the Baron agreed, but retorted no one knew the collection was kept in a vault. Sterling insisted it only made sense to have a vault for valuable things and quickly pressed on to say he had a historical item of value he wished the Baron to see, asked about how best to protect it, offering to show him now and even offered to let him hold on to it. When the Baron asked more about it Sterling pulls out *Tollanessa’s Spellbook* and opened it, as his felt something attempt to probe at his mind. Sterling activated *Ob’s Charm* to prepare the others for his signal, told Gal to be ready through her *Mind Link*, then activated *Manifest Mind* to call out Tollanessa as a distraction for the three men. The Baron asked where Sterling found the book as he looked at the spectral Tollanessa and Sterling explained he fell down a sinkhole for it. He spoke a little more and quickly gave the signal to Ob to arrive, then activated *Metamagic :* *Subtle Spell* to cast *Slow* on the three of them, with only Elzagerick able to resist his magic, while Gal deactivated her *Wild Shape*. A loud cracking sound was heard Ob cast *Teleport* causing everyone to appear into his office and Ob immediately said it was about time before he stopping his words in mid sentence.

Bo used his reaction to cast *Seer’s Reaction* to raise his initiative making him first to act and decided to ready himself until he saw an area of effect spell go off. Tristan, slowed by Sterling’s spell, smacked his own chest and cast *Stoneskin* on himself, as Sterling used his reaction to cast *Counterspell* to negate it, then cracked his knuckles, made eye contact with Sterling and caused as a glaive to appear in his hand and burst into fire. Ob froze as he said Lunala was in the castle with them and the Baron looked at Ob, confirmed she was there and said none of them would be seeing her as his bones cracked and popped and quickly shifted from an elf into a hulking monstrosity, with a necklace of severed hands, a large cow skull over his head, a cleaver in one hand and a wicked claw on the other as he revealed his true demonic form. At that sight, Ob failed to cast *Banishment* on the Baron, now the *Herald of Slaughter* who resisted it. A *Legendary Action* from an unknown source and caused Ob and Bolton to disappear in a puff of moths.

Sterling pointed at the space between the Herald, Tristan and Garrith, cast *Web,* as he dropped *Slow,* causing a causes a spray of sticky webbing, which the Herald avoided, but left Garrith and Tristan *Restrained* and made the area 20 feet around him difficult terrain. Seeing the spell Bo used his readied action to cast *Chronal Lance* as he slapped his hands together, pulled them apart to reveal three purple shards, fired it on the three, which the Herald resisted, but slowed Tristan and Garrith by half. Bo finished by activating his Temporal Points to increase Yashani's AC by two temporarily, Sterling lamented that *Slow* was now gone, ran behind the bookcase in the back of the office and effectively hid himself. Quincy pulled out the *Fireball* bullet she and Sterling made, loaded it carefully into *Panache,* aimed for a spot between the three as she stepped to the front of the group to fire causing the chairs, couch and webs in the area to go up in flames, while the Herald avoided the brunt of it, but Garrith and Tristan took the full fiery explosion. Following Quincy, Gal ran forward, faced her brother as she cast *Ice Knife* at him, then the shards of ice hit him again, along with the Herald. Garrith told Gal she had always been a bitch and should have killed her when he had the chance, pulled out two daggers, hurled them at Gal, activated *Rain of Daggers* to multiply the daggers and pierce her with four of five attacks, as RX used his reaction to activate *Protective Field* to reduce the damage, and Gal noted he had always been a “back stabbing little fuck”.

Alaerith looked between the targets nervously, decided that he could handle attacking the Herald, missed as he activated *Metamagic : Quickened Spell* to cast *Fire Bolt* at the Herald as a bonus action, then cast *Invisibility* on himself before he moved positioned himself closer to the Baron's desk. The Herald of Slaughter stood taller as he activated his *Corrupting Aura*, looked to Quincy, activated *Kindled Hatred* to engulf them in fire that left them temporarily *Blinded,* but managed to resist a secondary unknown effect, but was left gasping from the damage. Yashani, seeing Quincy badly hurt, activated *Hand of Healing* to heal them while also activating *Physician’s Touch* to relieve her blindness, then ran to Tristan, who missed with his readied attack on her, and punched him twice in his face. RX took out his sword, muttered that he grew tired of this, rushed beside Yashani and struck him with one of his two sword strikes to swing on Tristan twice while he activated *Psionic Strike* to enhance his slash. The Herald activated a *Legendary Action* to fill RX with rage, forcing him to use his reaction to make an attack on the nearest target, but missed the nearby Yashani.

Bo, remembering RX’s diagrams and what the others said of the castle, instructed Nubbi to find the Baron’s collection vault and the sapphire, which the fox immediately disappeared to go do, then cast *Zephyr’s Strike* on himself causing his glow to increase, rushed to the Herald and and slashed him twice with *Passus*. The Herald activated a *Legendary Reaction* to use his cleaver on Bo, who used his reaction to cast *Anticipate Attack* causing him to appear 15 feet away and causing the slash to miss. Tristan, seeing Bo and Gal in a row in front of him, cast *Lightning Bolt* as a streak of red lightning lances through them, and the still *Invisible* Alaerith who also was there, while Alaerith avoided the brunt of it, but Gal and Bo took the full lightning energy. Sterling peeked from behind the bookcases, looking as though he had been crying, pulled out a piece of parchment that looked like it had a star chart on it, bounced it off Tollanessa to the three, cast *Fireball* as it became a ball of light that shrunk in size until it imploded and became a red giant, which all three failed to avoid, but brought Tristan to an end as the fire burned him to death.

With Sterling's *Web* entirely consumed by the original *Fireball*, Quincy pointed out to Gal that Garrith was close and to finish it, fired twice at the Herald with *Panache* and *Soul Piece* which ripped into their soul, as the Herald merely huffed in annoyance at the radiant energy, then activated *Deed :* *Bite the Bullet* to regain some health. Gal’s resisted the Herald's *Corrupting Aura* before she looked to Garrith, announced she had enough, which even Sterling using his reaction to cast *Silvery Barbs* on him resisted the brunt of the necrotic energy, but was left on one knee as he breathed heavily, then activated *Starry Form : Chalice.* Garrith spat out black blood as he crawled towards Gal, pulled out his rapier, swung wildly and struck her twice bringing her close to the brink of death, then activated *Disengage* and stepped out of her range. Alaerith approached closer to the Herald and when he noticed the Herald could see through his persistent *Invisibility,* dropped *Invisibility* as he *cast Dragon Breath,* breathed out lightning at the Herald who took the full lightning energy, but was unmoved, then activated *Elemental Affinity* to gain temporary resistance to lightning energy.

The Herald approached Alaerith, attempted to gore him, as Alaerith cast *Shield* to repel the attack, then slashed into his chest with one of his two cleaver attack causing black blood to flow from his chest and recoiling from the blow. Yashani resisted the Herald's *Corrupting Aura* but still feeling something boil inside her, pictured what she imagined Killian’s dead body must have looked like, remembered Tabernacle’s bullet riddled body in the snow, and *Kra’Kash* as it burned, leapt over Tristan’s dead body, rushed the Herald and activated *Rage*, released a primal scream as she struck him twice with the first two with brutal accuracy, then activated *Flurry of Blows* and struck with one of her two unarmed strikes. The Herald activated a *Legendary Action* and missed with his cleaver attack against her. RX fails to resist the Herald's *Corrupting Aura* and was forced to use his reaction to approach Yashani and slashed her.

Bo resisted the Herald's *Corrupting Aura* as he stepped beside Alaerith and Yashani, activated *Passus* and struck the Herald twice with his glowing purple while he activated *Anti-Magic Strike* to enhance his slashes. The Herald activated a *Legendary Reaction* to use his cleaver on Bo, who used his reaction to cast *Anticipate Attack* causing him to appear 15 feet away, causing the slash to miss. Sterling stepped from behind the bookcase, cast *Magic Missile* as one dart came from him and three from Tollanessa that slammed against the Herald, then stepped further from the group. Quincy, resisted the Herald's *Corrupting Aura* as she stumbled to Gal, places their left hand on her shoulder, activated *Life Drain* using her Ruined Moon mark to help heal her, told her to finish Garrith, then replaced *Panache* with *Peril & Pain* and prepared *Barrage*. Gal resisted the Herald's *Corrupting Aura* as she cast *Cure Wounds* on Quincy while her *Starry Form : Chalice* automatically healed herself partially as well, then pointed to the space just behind Garrith, shook her head as she activated her *Star Stone* to cast *Starburst* at Garrith causing bright starlight to engulf him and left only a pile of dust as the light faded. The Herald activated a *Legendary Action* and missed with his cleaver attack against Yashani.

Alaerith failed to resist the Herald's *Corrupting Aura*, as Yashani nearby saw his right eye shift into it's slit shape, looked to the Herald as he activated *Metamagic : Quickened Spell* to cast *Polymorph* as a bonus action to turn into a giant blue ape that towered over the Herald, struck him twice with his fists and stared him down with his right eye still in it's slit shape. The Herald missed Alaerith with his gore attack in response, but struck him twice with his cleaver. Yashani resisted the Herald's *Corrupting Aura* as she refused to move out of the way at RX’s request, struck the Herald with one of he two unarmed strikes as she activated *Bloody Smite* to plunge a jagged shard of red energy into him, then activated *Flurry of Blows* and struck with one of her two secondary strikes. The Herald activated a *Legendary Action* to slash Yashani with his cleaver, as RX used his reaction to activate *Protective Field* and reduced some of the damage. RX failed to resist the Herald's *Corrupting Aura*, slashed the nearby Yashani and once free of the anger sighed and sat down in disappointment.

Bo ran to the door of the room, but finding it was locked cursed as he fired his hand crossbow at the Herald with one of his two shots, while activating *Anti-Magic Strike* to empower his attack, then cast *Shield of Faith* on Alaerith causing him to glow a light purple. Sterling made a joke to Tollanessa from the back of the room, as he held up his two shrunken heads to cast *Tasha's* *Hideous Laughter* on the Herald, who resisted at first, but as Sterling used his reaction to cast *Silvery Barbs* the Herald cackled as he fell to the ground and left *Prone*, though not *Incapacitated*. Quincy resisted the Herald's *Corrupting Aura* as she stepped from behind Alaerit and seeing it would be difficult to hit the Herald *Prone* on the ground, channelled the vibration of *Peril & Pain*, siphoned the power and pushed it out as to cast *Bless* on Yashani, RX and Alaerith causing lightning to coalesce over them protectively, then activated *Deed :* *Bite the Bullet* to recover some health. Gal resisted the Herald's *Corrupting Aura* as she followed Quincy from behind Alaerith, cast *Cure Wounds* on them, while her *Starry Form : Chalice* automatically healed her as well, then cast *Tidal Wave* at the Herald and being *Prone* was unable to resist while he was with the wave of water.

Alaerith, still in his glowing lightning covered giant ape form, failed to resist the Herald's *Corrupting Aura* and returned the anger the Herald wanted from him as he punched the *Prone* Herald repeatedly until there nearly only a bloody smear left, then, in a fit of primal anger, grabbed what was left of the Herald in one hand, his body in the other and tore his body apart in a gory display as blood sprayed across him and the room.

**END OF EPISODE, LEVEL UP TO LEVEL 8!**

**Rolling for hitpoints for Level 8:**

* Alaerith rolled a 3
* Quincy took another level in Warlock and rolled an 8
* Bo took another level in Martyr and rolled an 11
* Galatea rolled an 8
* Sterling took another level in Wizard and rolled a 6
* Yashani muticlassed to Barbarian and automatically got a 12
* RX-5284 rolled a 3

1. ↑ Prior to the episode, Yashani had dropped one level of Monk to take one level of Barbarian