Episode 11: "The Town's End."

***"The Town's End."*** (MMx11) is the 11th episode of **Murkan Misadventures.**

The Animal House receives a shocking package delivered to them in Kissenpreis from The Redbrands , they set off to investigate. But what will they turn up?

## Synopsis.

### **Bad Press.**

Awaking the following morning in Eisenstadt, the air of the Kissenpreis was rather sullen.

The people of the tavern were reading the paper which featured a horrifying tale; Dr. Despair had risen back to life and killed Alexandra Brushhollow's surviving family before walking away into the forest outside of Circle City. Several people of Circle City voiced their concerns that The Animal House were to blame for such a tragedy.

### **From Bad to Worse.**

To make things worse, Hugo, the barman of the tavern approached the group, informing them they had a package that was delivered during the night. It bore no address or return, only the name "The Animal House" on its lid.

Opening the box, among a packing fill of hay were three objects, wrapped in familiar red cloth; A dented and scratched helmet belonging to one of the guards of Bea's kingdom, a single Owlin feather, and the dirty collar of Cheddar.

The Animal House sat there in quiet contemplation as they read the note found at the bottom of the box reading **"Your move."**

Taking action, Bea and Davyd left the tavern to begin to investigate this package. Upon leaving the tavern, the duo could see that Eisenstadt had beun ramping up their defenses, complete with increased guard patrols and checkpoints being set up.

Davyd, asking the nearest guard about the package gained some insight; The guards at the main gate checked in a Courier late last night, and their increased security is due to a third person from the nearby village of Baileyville going missing. Citizens of Eisenstadt are concerned that the Redbrands are encroaching into the region which Governor Valorean is taking very seriously.

Moving on to the Courier Office in Eisenstadt, Davyd asked around to check on the mysterious package, learning that no courier was set to deliver to the city last night.

Meanwhile, Bea stuck near the tavern, investigating the tracks, trying to pin down the Courier's current location. After a few minutes, she was able to find the boots belonging to the Courier which led out of town.

### **Next Steps.**

After debating what their next move should be; go to Circle City and clear their names with Dr. Despair, or investigate the Courier's bootprints. The gang decided to set off after the Courier's tracks.

The 7 hour trek through the forests were uneventful much to their relief, finally leading them to the small village of Baileyville.

### **The Town's End.**

Arriving to Baileyville, it was a scene out of a nightmare. The town had been razed. Houses were smoldering from fire, glass and debris littered the street, and bodies were scattered about, some of which hung from trees.

As The Animal House looked in horror at the sight, a large projection appeared in the center of town as Scragg himself addressed the group.

### **Scagg's Choice.**

Scragg welcomed the Animal House to Baileyville, or what was left of it. He explained that they have become a thorn in his side. A thorn that he was willing to ignore after their "heroic" actions in Hawk's Point. However, their interruption of his sabotage of Sin City's Lightning Rail has forced his hand. He goes on to say that the package he sent them this morning was a warning; He's offering them the choice to walk away. To stay out of his operations and forget the Redbrands ever existed, and people they cared about won't die. He can't promise the same otherwise.

### **Game on, Animal House.**

After some angry retorts from Sythia, Scragg simply replied "Shame. Game on, Animal House." and the projections vanished as the group caught sight of Redbrands on the hill, moving a Ballista into position as other Redbrands appeared from cover, one of which was unchaining a very large, rabid-looking dog.

Thankfully, The Animal House managed to lock down the Ballista early, keeping them safe from the dangerous siege weapon. Their teamwork paid off in this fight, as the Redbrand went down fairly easily, except for one that Bea beat/stung into unconsciousness.

### **The Calm after The Storm.**

Finishing the fight, investigations were done on the large dog the Redbrands had unleashed, finding out that it was incredibly sick and diseased, which attributed to its large size. Chestnut went on to give the animal a proper burial while the others woke the captured Redbrand.

The remaining Redbrand explained that the remaining people of Baileyville are kept in cages in Shelter Caverns, around an hour's walk from the village, but they don't go there after sunset due to something very large hunting them. While he isn't sure what Scragg's plan for The Animal House is, he knows it wont be fun for them or the one's they're close to.

The hostage began to laugh at the sight of Spoons, explaining that it's fun to see the reason why Scragg has sent people hunting for entrances to the DownUnderdark.

The Redbrand also informed them that he and his assault force were sent from the nearby Fort Harold.

During this interrogation, Bea set off to explore the town and search for survivors. In Highland Manor, the mayor's home and office, she discovered quite a bit. Firstly, a set of rough drawings were stuck to the far wall, each of them bearing crossed out eyes and a single word written on them. "Orphan, Deserter, Derelict, Fraud, Rash, and Inferior" for Davyd, Spoons, Bea, Chestnut, Sythia, and Colby-Bo respectively. On the desk, Bea found a letter from Redbrand Commander Parok who was the one responsible for the delivery of the Ballista, and said if he doesn't hear from the group in Baileyville, he'll begin Phase 2. There's also a mention of the unsuccessful collection of "The Variable."

The biggest clue Bea discovered was a rolled up map, marking several locations in the region as Supply Caches. The closest of which was "Fort Harold." around 2 hours walk from there. On her way out, Bea also found a guard rotation sheet, declaring that guards rotate at the caverns one hour prior to sunset.

### **Wendigo-No!**

Launching a rescue mission for the people of Baileyville, the group set off into the forest. However, the closer they got to the cavern, the sound of snapping twigs and leaves followed by someone calling out was heard. Deciding to reply to the voice, the group heard the same phrase repeated again, identically. Realizing that whatever was out there was mimicking its last prey, the group picked up the pace as whatever creature stalked them began to mimic them as well.

During their swift trek, the group came across the disemboweled body of a Redbrand as a Wendigo launched from the woods and attacked Davyd.

Thankfully, the Animal House were incredibly swift to react to the creature and put it down before it could do considerable damage and hauled it to the caverns.

### **Shelter Caverns.**

Arriving at the caverns, the group found that behind the limbs and netting to hide the entrance was a massive cave system. Exploring the caves, the ground found to their relief, the people of Baileyville.

The people of the village were incredibly grateful to see the Animal House and explained further about the Redbrand's assault on their homes. After receiving medical aid from Chestnut, the townsfolk suggested they spend the evening in the caverns and return home at dawn. An elderly man in the group said that the original native settlers of this area slept in these caverns and the Wendigos do not come near them.

### **Dawn of a New Day.**

As dawn broke, the now large group began their 8 hour trek back to Eisenstadt where they were welcomed by relieved guards who began getting the injured and tired on wagons.

Meanwhile, Spoons hopped atop the captured Redbrand, delcaring people could punch him for only 1 copper. The nearby guards stopped him, explaining that if he wanted to do this, they would cover the tab, tossing 15 gold to him before getting in the line.

The captured Redbrand, after having been punched by numerous people, got his punishment as Kyran arrived to the courtyard, learning that a Redbrand had been captured. After noting that the safe word was "Pineapple" the arcanist drug the now terrified terrorist away back to his lab.

Before heading back to the tavern for a much needed rest, a young boy from Baileyville informed the group that the leader of the assault force was a yellow skinned tiefling.

With the people of Baileyville safe and Scragg making them a direct target of his forces, The Animal House plan their next move.

## Trivia.

* By the end of Episode 11, The Animal House reached Level 7.