Session 3

09/18/23

## Episode 3: A Bone to Pick

The gang begins their journey in the basements of Sall a Secrete in search of their seals. The Rat's Chorus offers two jobs, one is to work in the kitchen doing odd jobs such as peeling potatoes, prepping vegetables, and folding pasta. Unfortunately, Ten-Hun and Poe struggle with their tasks, causing oil and blood to cover their workstations. Money is offered as a way to compensate the group for their labor. During this time, as part of their initiation, the group is hazed and made to eat paper by the host of Sall a Secrete. Everyone complies, except for Tarlok, who refuses.

During their tasks, the gang meets Preston Peppermill, an orc with achondroplasia and a scratchy voice and large tusks. He is a new member of the Rat's Chorus an helps the group with the odd jobs around the kitchen. Preston is the only non-group member to join the tasks assigned by the Rat's Chorus

While in Sall a Secrete, the group comes across a drawing of Jean Paul, the leader of the Hollowlanders. They learn about the "Order to Brawl," a local tradition used to challenge other guilds to competitions or petty fights, often involving rival guilds. The Rat's Chorus, after seeing the productivity of the the gang's ability in the kitchen makes a deal with the group. They will help find our seals if we can make Jean Paul use his Order to Brawl on Preston. It is learned that there is a Guild recruitment event for the Hollowlanders happening this evening at their Headquarters, a large upside-down mountain. Our job is to infiltrate the event and then cause a commotion that will provoke Jean Paul into action. He is typically a calm and stoic individual who keeps his composure and cares about what his perceived image is.

Their journey takes them to an Steal Morring. As they hand over their tickets for admission, Tarlok remains cautious, having been robbed before. The bouncer is initially skeptical, especially when Tarlok requests his ticket back. Surprisingly, Poe manages to convince the bouncer to trust the group but the bouncer insists on searching them for weapons and other secret belongings, knowing that anyone entering could be an agent for a rival guild. It so happens that Preston wears a pendant distinguishing himself as a member of the Rat's Chorus around his neck. The team narrowly escape a tense situation when Poe stumbles, and Preston accidentally drops his pendant.

As they step onto the Steal Morring they are greeted by a variety of buildings, the largest being a sweet-scented observatory. Inside, they discover a lavish high-class party. The scene is set with floating food, toasts, and an enchanting dance floor illuminated by living flames. A grand buffet beckons with delicious offerings, while floating trays of hors d'oeuvres gracefully drift amongst the guests. Elaborate fountains adorned with brilliant sculptures add to the grandeur.

Amidst all this splendor stands Jean Paul, also known as Father Nature. The unique mission in this extravagant setting is to intentionally provoke and irritate him.

1. Poe and Tarlok venture to the buffet, but Poe becomes entranced by flickering magical lights, leading him to the dance floor where he dances with the living flames.
2. Bellamy "accidentally" spills a drink on the ground, drawing attention to the mishap. He then uses his foot to wipe the mess, spreading the spilled drink further and intentionally provoking the ire of the host
3. Fletcher disrupts the concentration of a 1-star member, causing them to drop a tray of hors d'oeuvres they were floating with magic.
4. Tarlok informs an initiate that they can only enter if they have two stars on their cape, adding to the confusion of the event.
5. Honey Heart causes a commotion at the buffet by taking two forks, using one for serving, and making a mess by wiping them off on the pristine tablecloth.
6. Preston, provoked by the team's comments about Jean Paul, begins to create a scene, marching, ready to confront JP. He is halted by Honey heart and Shuupo. However, his reaction takes an unexpected turn when he ends up vomiting on Jean Paul's boots, leaving everyone horrified.

After Preston's unfortunate vomit incident, Jean Paul delivers a monologue, expressing his displeasure at the disruption and emphasizing his expectation of perfection at his event. He makes it clear that their transgressions won't go unpunished, and the gang anticipates his anger, prepared for him to lash out physically at Preston. Jean Paul produces the "Order to Brawl" and offers them a choice: to receive their punishment in front of the guests or in private.

The gang opts for the punishment to be carried out in front of the guests. Jean Paul raises a magical barrier that conceals the true nature of the impending events from the onlookers. He instructs a member of the Hollowlander to bring forth a chest containing Scrolls of True Resurrection, one for each party member. Surprisingly, he reveals his intention not just to inflict pain but to kill them outright in the most excruciating manner possible. Following this, he plans to use the scrolls to bring them back to life. Additionally, he peers deep into the minds of each party member, looking for their greatest fears in hopes to use this information against them.

In a dire sequence of events, each member of the party has a moment before their punishment is executed:

1. Ten-Hun, filled with fear, implores JP not to harm them and apologizes. He is then met with an unyielding barrage of magic missiles, rendering him unconscious.
2. Fletcher, in a final act of desperation, draws his bow and pleads their intent to join a guild and that the gang is just doing a job. He releases an arrow, narrowly missing JP but falling victim to another relentless round of magic missiles, rendering him unconscious as well.
3. Poe, overwhelmed and terrified, breaks down into hysterical tears as JP conjures a Blizzard in his hand, knowing it's one of Poe's greatest fears — the cold.
4. Bellamy, displaying an act of defiance, kneels and unveils JP's true personality as a power-hungry tyrant who exploits the vulnerable. He hurls a dagger at JP, missing but tearing a hole in his fine clothing. JP retaliates by casting Hold Person on Bellamy.
5. Honey Heart, consumed by rage, charges toward JP in a desperate attempt to reach him but is struck down by magic missiles before reaching his target.
6. Shuupo, facing certain execution, takes matters into his own hands and attempts to end his own life with a knife in an act of defiance.
7. Preston, instead of facing punishment, chooses to flee. As he dashes past Bellamy, Jean Paul employs Misty Step to catch him. JP holds Preston firmly, saying, "I may not know what you are afraid of, but I know who you are," hinting at Preston's cowardly nature or his affiliation with the Rat's Chorus. In a brutal act, JP slams Preston's head into the ground, instantly ending his life. JP then turns to the chest containing the Scrolls of True Resurrection, rips them apart, and places the Order to Brawl into Bellamy's front pocket.

With the horrific ordeal concealed behind the magical veil, JP returns to his cheering party guests, hiding his bloodied hands and disposing of Preston's remains with dark magic. He seamlessly transitions back into his role as the composed guild leader, leaving the party-goers blissfully ignorant of the sinister events that transpired. It is revealed at this time, the scrolls of resurrection are fake and cannot be used to help.

As the rattled gang departs from the party, the cool night air of Lumberlight surrounds them. Descending a grand staircase outside, they are suddenly confronted by none other than Jean Paul himself, determined to finish them off for their perceived transgressions in a more private setting, to safeguard his reputation. However, before the confrontation escalates, the sound of feathered wings and the familiar voice of Cornelius Feathers pierces the night. Cornelius inquires about their well-being and offers assistance, suggesting that they could use the Order to Brawl to have him battle Jean Paul on their behalf.

This unexpected intervention distresses Jean Paul, a formidable figure in Lumberlight, to the point of retreat. JP reluctantly agrees to spare them and returns to his party, seemingly shaken. As he departs, Bellamy confronts him having the last words, vowing to remember what transpired with Preston and insisting that they see through his façade, proclaiming, "We won't forget what you did to Preston; we know who you are."

Cornelius, displaying a genuine interest in the gang despite their unofficial status, urges them to return to the Hummingblade's guild hall for the night. When the gang says they may not go back tonight and that they arn't official members of the guild, Cornelius becomes flustered and is given bread to help ease his nerves. He departs with a flourish of feathers, leaving the group to contemplate their next steps. They agree to find a place to rest, and Poe conjures a bonfire in an alleyway to provide warmth and aid their recovery after the harrowing encounter with Jean Paul.

Bellamy, grappling with his unease, absentmindedly scratches at a furless spot on his left arm, a visible manifestation of the anxiety that lingers after the incident. Fletcher steps in, offering a piece of cloth to cover the area and prevent further irritation. The cloth is stained with a small amount of blood once secured in place, a stark reminder of the violent encounter and the emotional burden of these events.

The gang proceeds to Sall a Secrete to report their findings. At the entrance, they are met by **the bouncer and host,** who informs them that they will receive a free meal and information about the stolen seals the following day. He advises them to dress in fine clothing to maintain the restaurant's ambiance during their visit. Additionally, no one seems upset that Preston Peppermill died in action, murdered by John Paul.

End Session