Sx20 — Wait! Fuck, He's Hot!

***Wait! Fuck, He's Hot!*** is the 20th session of the campaign*.* It is preceded by Sx19 — I Wouldn't Call it a Massive Success, and followed by Sx21 — Lucky Rabbit's Throat

This session takes place over a single day: Tetarti, the 18th of Akamentes. Notable moments of this session are meeting Queen Ione, all of the Imperum Crescent Council, and Neleous.

## A Morning in Posttown

As everyone assembles in the tavern of the Posttown Tavern, the party notice there are more people in here than there were the previous night. It seems to be a number of adventurers, likely also here to travel to Posttown on their way to the castle. The group begin to argue about whether or not they are actually going to go to the castle to complete the mission given to us by the Queen.

As they argue, a young man comes and stands by us and asks if we are planning to go to the castle. This is Neleous, who is described as looking to be an average looking seventeen-year-old. He has brown and purple hair and instead of ears has wings with purple feathers. On his person he wears a purple sash with a symbol of a dove holding a myrtle branch on it, which Oto learns is associated with Aphrodite. After being questioned, Neleous says that he has also been contacted by the Queen to complete the mission that the group is apart of. Neleous also tells us that he has a full time job as someone that oversees the distribution of matches made out of Myrtle wood.

Meanwhile, Theobald goes outside and plants a bean, which produces a large harp. When played the harm causes plants to grow and sprout creating difficult terrain. Theobald attempts to sell it in Posttown, however he is unable to get the money he wants and instead sells a single bean for 30gp. The shopkeeper plants the bean and gets the skull of a dire wolf. They also learnt that the shopkeeper's cousin is a wizard.

Theobald returns and gives Neleous a bean. He later plants it, summoning an Earth elemental. This elemental obeys the commands of Neleous and would follow him anywhere. Neleous names him Clay, with the translating help of Khantos' understanding of Primordial.

Adrasteia and Oto head to the town hall to talk to Sevina Minou, who has become the Mayor. She is there with her wife. Sevina confirmed that Ebian Hobblepot had been executed and that they held him in anti-magic shackles.

From there, the group reunites and finally persuades Khantos and Adrasteia to go to the palace. However, he says he would not be participating in the task of the Queen. They also allow Neleous to travel with us at his request.

### Back in Artemis Cove

On the road Oto and Adrasteia talk about their family and having siblings, which causes Oto to have a crisis about what if he's related to a chair.

> **Oto:** "I'm bad at emotion but have you met Leoven?"
>
>

When they arrive in Artemis Cove, the group splits up and complete different tasks.

Oto goes to Petros's Bookshop and fetches books on the *History of Dexicos*; Scylla and Charybdis; The Palace and the Court. He stays for a while and asks Petros about his family, to which he replies saying he has kids and grandkids. One of his kids, named Petros Jr, works in the palace, but he doesn't get to see him because he's always working. Petros then gives Oto a friends and family discount.

Oto then goes to the magic shop with Theobald and purchases the Medallion of Thoughts for 230gp. He borrows 40gp from Theobald — who purchases a +1 shield and Goggles of Night, selling the harp to afford it.

Adrasteia visits the Jewellers, owned by a dwarven woman, and purchases the Moon Ring (now known to be the Ring of King Lykaon) for 300gp. This ring gives her a +2 to Constitution and Dexterity.

The rest of the group go to the Hero's Rest and met up with Odysseus to hang out. Ody tells them that he recommended us for the job. They further learn that after saving Ishin, Phena is giving us free drinks and free board. After collecting, they begin to travel up to the Zeus District and to the Palace.

At the gates of the Zeus District, they are checked for magical items as well as names and reasons for being there. Guards check again at the door to the Palace, initially being suspicious of Neleous. Neleous seems to be somewhat uncomfortable about being there. All the summoned adventurers collect in the courtyard and a butler appears to announce that the groups that would be invited to stay would be: "The groups associated with, Leoven; Neleous; and Ansteia." However, the group associated with Ansteia did not turn up for whatever reason. The Primal Seven and Neleous are led through the Zeus temple, which seems to be a private temple that is hardly used. It appears to exist out of respect for the God, but there are few who chose to follow Zeus directly. We were then invited in to get changed and meet the Queen. On the walk in, Leoven notices Quintus' Tower which is attached to the west side of the castle.

### A Meeting with the Queen

The throne room (which is situated to the back of the castle) has high vaulted ceilings and tiered seating for viewing on either side. However, apart from Queen Ione, who stands in front of her throne, the room is completely empty. The Queen is a tall human woman with golden hair and blue eyes. She has tanned Grecian skin and is more athletic than we would expect of a Queen. At her side she carries a golden Xiphos, but it appears quite ornate and ceremonial.

She informs us that the King (her brother) has been suffering under bizarre magical effects that have prevented him from sleeping for 9 days. The palace healers have been casting restoration spells but their effect is waning and it is predicted that in 3 days the spells effects will completely cease and he will die. She also says that they have attempted to put him to sleep via magical effects however it just puts him to sleep briefly and he is awoken after a *terrible nightmare*.

She states that the monarchy has many known enemies however the palace is shielded from most magic, meaning that the assassin is within the castle. Because of this they have kept all the staff and the council within the castle for the past seven days, preventing them from leaving. She does not suspect the staff, believing it to be a member of the council. The Queen is most suspicious of Bane Sarreas she also gives us various information about the council:

#### The Council Members

* Trechon: > Honorary position, son of Poseidon. Queen makes a face, doesn't like that he has a position. Hot.
* Chione: > Artemis representative. Queen believes she hasn't done it.
* Turnic: > Not in the palace (never here, huntress of Artemis).
* Stellina Orama: > Honorary position, chief profit of Apollo. Detected good. Queen believes she is not culprit.
* Braxion Malleas: > High priest of Athena, chief researcher. Detected neutral.
* Lirit Bassilin: > Chief researcher, credited as producer of myth ender units. Detected evil.
* Quintus Pterygas: > Not in the palace (resolving an issue in Hecate's Ravine - Mistwater Edge) - Leader of Athena group, specialist researcher, chief strategist. The queen seems to hold a lot of respect for him. Mixed emotions.
* Eltin Burrowheart: > High priest of funeral commission, in charge of most earth matters.
* Auto: > Warforged priest. Moral calculator for funeral commission. A young robot. Detect True Neutral.
* Bane Sarreas: > Director of funeral commission. Detect Neutral in room but Evil in person.
* Briphina Palteas: > Leader of international trade, merchant - pissed with Artemis, losing money. Detected neutral.
* Stergio Dalleas: > Chief wine brokers, best sommelier. Richest merchants.
* Vasia Ballou: > Final merchant. Deals with ships and their trade - most pissed with current affairs. Losing money fast.

The Queen also informs us that various rooms are warded from enchantment and divination. These rooms are the communications room; the throne room; the council room. Meaning within those rooms these spells will not work. This is done through the use of runes.

Finally, the Queen tells us that is anyone asks to tell them that we are here to assist in council affairs. She also tells us that there is three hours until the next council meeting and we can use the time between to complete any tasks or talk to anyone we like. With this information the group splits up. The plan is for Oto and Theobald to go and see the King; Adrasteia and Khantos will find and talk to Chione; Leoven and Neleous will talk to another council member.

### The King's Chamber

Theobald and Oto enter the chambers of the King and see that all the windows have been covered to make the room entirely dark. On the bed, the covers have all been pushed to the side clearly in fitful sleep. The King Eugamon himself is wearing sleep clothes and has golden hair and blue eyes like his sister, however his are more faded. He also has massive bags under his eyes. His eyes are also incredibly blood-shot. He appears to be wasting away. Upon us entering he yells out about spiders and seems to think we are going to attack him. Theobald casts *Charm Person* to help calm him down.

Using the Medallion of Thoughts, Oto casts *Detect Thoughts* on the King. In his surface thoughts I can see that he sees himself as covered in spiders and due to the charm person spell he sees Theobald as a friend, but see's Oto as a bronze knight come to kill him. No evidence of any spells or magic or any other person within his mind.

However after digging for what was keeping him awake, I see a nightmare version of the Lighthouse on Hecate's Crag. It is clear that someone is projecting the image of the lighthouse into the King's mind in the form of a nightmare to keep him awake. Someone is perhaps using the dream spell. This would explain why I can't see anyone in there or any spell effects when he is awake - because the spell is only being cast on him when he is sleeping, as per the rules of the dream spell.

I then begin to investigate how the King views Quintus Pterygas and Bane Sarreas. This is because Bane is the top suspect and because Qunitus is a person of interest for us. Despite his fractured memory, when digging for Quintus I see that the King trusts Quintus and seemingly admires his strategic mind. There is a fractured memory of Quintus advising the King.

Also then see a faded memory of someone holding an audience with the King and Queen, holding a Xiphos. Later on Oto would see a Xiphos in Trechon's room, and though it was not Trechon in the memory this would trigger an understanding that the person in the memory was Odysseus (Ody). Was this memory in relation to Quintus or to Bane? Or was in unrelated to the two people I'm looking at? What is the significance of this memory. Should go and talk to Ody.

When investigating Bane I see there are a lot of negative emotions associated with him. However, it is also clear that Bane and the King have various dealings. Interestingly there is also a deep sadness associated with Bane in the King's mind. This is due to the fact that it is Bane that deals with the funerals of the royals. Could this be effecting the opinion of the King and Queen. The Queen told us that she believes Bane is the most likely suspect, is this fact effecting her decision making. Why is Bane the biggest suspect actually?

We decide that it is very likely that he has been effected by a spell but there is no certainty in this fact. As we exit the chamber Oto and Theobald pass Leoven and Neleous. Oto casts *Message* and gives a brief rundown of what happened in the chamber to Leoven.

### Chaos in Quintus' Room

After leaving the throne room Adrasteia and Khantos immediately go off task and travel to Quintus Pterygas' room to try and find some information about him. Meanwhile Leoven and Neleous are talking and planning to do the same thing. They quickly pick the lock and enter the room. Khantos casts *Arcane Lock* on the door to prevent them being walked in on.

They cast *Detect Magic* to try and find any magical items in the room, but there is no magical items or magical effects in the room.

**The Lounge:** In the lounge, Khantos finds a pack of cigars (which he takes) and various reading materials. The majority of the books are about past wars and strategy across the continent. (This is consistent with his characterisation in the court as chief strategist. Also demonstrates an obsession with war.) There are however also books on the work of artificers. The most worn book is on weight displacement engineering - it is clear from the amount of notes in this book that this is his specialty. (How does this relate to the bags of holding and the immovable rods? Presumably the immovable rods are important in weight displacement engineering, having a very peculiar relationship with space and weight, but what is the relation to bags of holding. Both items are related to the dimension of space).

**The Bedroom:** The bed in the bedroom has been recently cleaned and made, has been unused? In a place like this there would be cleaners doing this regularly. On the desk there are notes about a theory of an \*\*improved immovable rod\*\* and a series of bills and invoices. (He has clearly mastered this in some regard as they are mass producing a celestial bronze in 1 - The Snowbrook Facility. It is also safe to assume that because this is clearly an important concept to Quintus there is a secondary location producing them as Snowbrook has been destroyed).

**The Bathroom:** There are a collection of shampoos and oils next to the bath. (Does Quintus groom hard?) Adrasteia does an insight into the shampoos and oils and figures out they are likely a woman's. (Quintus fucks?) The oils smell of lotus (or maybe jasmine).

**The Kitchen:** In the fireplace there are clearly ashes of some paper that has been burnt. (Has someone been writing to him that he doesn't want people to know about. Could this be related to his work or correspondences with the woman he is seeing?)

#### Chaos Ensues

MEANWHILE, Neleous and Leoven approach the door to Quintus' room. They fist notice evidence of an *Arcane Lock* on the door, they also check the other doors to figure out that this door is the odd one out. (there are no other arcane locks on the other doors in the hallway) (This is because it was Khantos who cast the *Arcane Lock)* They consider for a while breaking down the door. (Jas asks about using Leoven's binding chains on the door to silence it so when she breaks it down it makes no noise - interesting to bring up later). Their final conclusion is to use the gap under the door (something we confirmed to exist when Conor used his kitchen door to check for a gap under it and did find one). to cast *Misty Step* to get into the room. (Remember this, it could be used and abused in future). IN THE ROOM, Khantos and Adrasteia hear someone talking outside. In response Khantos casts *Invisibility* on himself, while Adrasteia turned into spider and hid in Khantos' clothes, and move into another room to hide from the person about to enter. As Neleous *Misty Steps* into the room, he hears armour and throws a candlestick at the sound. It doesn't hit Khantos but Khantos does hear Neleous yell out the door: "Leoven, someone is in here." Everyone drops their spells and Leoven is let into the room as they all argue about not being on task. (Cut to Oto and Theobald walking to the King talking about how good it is that everyone is on task). They argue outside the door before splitting up to continue their respective tasks.

### Leoven Passes Bane in the Corridor

In the corridor Leoven does her divine sense to detect for good and evil. The results were the following.

* In Trechon's room detected good.
* In Stellina's room detected good
* In Lirit's room detected evil
* In Auto's room detected neutral %%True Neutral%%
* In Bane's room detected neutral
* In Briphina's room detected neutral
* In Braxion's room detected neutral

In the walk between corridors, Leoven passes someone she quickly figures out is Bane Sarreas; Bane is a bald elf man with dark intelligent eyes. He wears a black and silver robe with embroidered images of mist and bone, but as he moves the images seem to move independently across the robe. As he passed Leoven performed another divine sense and sensed him as evil. However if Bane is here, who is in his room? (Make sure there is complete attendance at the council and later ask for staff attendance, has anyone gone missing today. I doubt that Bane is going to let someone in his room live).

### Oto and Theobald talk to Auto, The Moral Calculator

Conor made me roll perception when door opened. "Perception check might change a perspective on him loving himself as a robot" (Is there an anxiety with this character. Maybe Oto should have a real sit down with Auto?)

Oto and Theobald approach the door of Auto, who is known to be a 'moral calculator'. After knocking on the door we hear the sound of slow clicking as the being walks to the door. (We can already tell that this is a very old being). As they reach and open the door, we see a black and platinum Warforged wearing simple black and silver robes. We can see that their head is fixed to his shoulders, with a long neck showing the cogs and gears that allow them to work. They have all the features of a face (jaw; mouth; nose; eyes) and we can hear a ticking coming from their torso. He appears fairly unusual but bares little to no resemblance to Oto. They also cover up the majority of his robotic elements but makes no effort to hide their robotic features - they clearly holds no shame unlike Oto.

Oto (went full robot)and asked Auto about what they know about affairs within the council. They say that they have knowledge of events but is only willing to share this information with a colleague.

They do however offer a numerical ranking of all the council members: the important ones are as follows (from highest moral ranking to lowest): - Chione - Eltin Burrowheart - Quintus Pterygas (dead middle) - Lirit Bassilin - Bane Sarreas

They offer very little other information and Oto and Theobald leave.

### Adrasteia and Khantos talk to Lirit

Before entering the room, Khantos casts *Detect Magic* to look through the wall into the room. He sees the shape of Lirit Bassilin floating off the ground (perhaps meditating). Also through the wall, see a mask on the floor. (It is a phantom of the opera mask (half face)). As they knock they can see through the wall, Lirit land and pick up and put the mask on.

Lirit is a golden blonde haired woman with a scholar's physique, with intelligent eyes. We also see her to be the woman we saw walking with myth enders at the Sentry (1 - The Map Room of Artemis Keep) After she askes Khantos and Adrasteia what they wanted, Khantos responds by saying she's a big fan while Adrasteia attempted to get a look into his room.

In the room Adrasteia sees scales that have been shed like a snake. We assume that this is what is under the mask (she has some kind of reptilian skin).

Khantos, while peaking into the room sees that she is reading a book on human anatomy - this is presumably related to her role in The Owl and Spear Sect. Later learnt she is a chief surgeon and one of the most prevalent in the Imperum Crescent.

They also ask Lirit for an autograph, but she does not sign her last name (perhaps she doesn't like her last name). She does it quickly and is unafraid of showing how annoyed she is of being interrupted. She also gives off a weird hiss/rasping sound - has she experimented on herself and damaged her throat/voice.

After she closed the door on them Khantos went to the cafeteria.

### Leoven Talks with Stellina

After seeing Bane in the corridor, Leoven heads to the room of Stellina Orama, the head prophet Apollo.

Stellina wears a golden dress and veil, suggesting her status and relationship with her God. Leoven also notices that unlike any other room, this room is carpeted, because she is barefooted. On her bare arms are a series of tattoos that depict music notes and suns going all the way up her arms. She also carries a ceremonial dagger.

Leoven asks for guidance and out of thin air Stellina pulls Necromancer Card from Oto's pocket and reads it. She begins to glow golden, alighting all of her tattoos and her eyes. Then in a voice not her own spouts a prophecy to Leoven:

> **\*"A boy anointed by the flock >To get revenge for stranded rock >Upon the stones to shed the golden blood >And finally release the darkest flood."\*** *- Stellina's Prophecy of the Necromancer Card*
>
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In lew of all this information Leoven gains a madness, which we later find out is an extreme paranoia and the belief that she is always being watched by enemies. She leaves the room and presses against the wall opposite.

### Neleous Makes a Deal with Vasia

Neleous splits away from Leoven to go and talk to the merchants, beginning with Vasia Ballou, who is found in the insectarium. Before entering the insectarium, Lenile gives Neleous a warning that Vasia is somewhat unsettling and not to give him any sharp objects.

In the room, Vasia slides down the tree. He has glowing ted eyes with snake slits as pupils. The lower-half of his body is a snake. Vasia is a Yuan-Ti. He has very dark hair and wears a green half-toga. Across his body are serpentine tattoos.

Neleous asks what Vasia knows about Briphina Palteas on the council. He says that Briphina complains to Chione for trouble about shipping being stopped due to the troubles in the water. He does state that it has left his "scales unshattered" - he is fine

Neleous then asks if Vasia was on the west coast around Lattea 12 years ago. Neleous also stated that this is where he is from. Vasia states that 12 years ago there was a dispute about a jeweller's shop, but refuses to say more for free. Instead Vasia proposes a trade: "a secret for a secret" He asks is Neleous is aware of Stergio Dalleas. Vasia states that Stergio received his place on the council after the death of his father. Stergio's father died on a boat trip and some people believe that Stergio may have had a hand in it. Vasia states that should Neleous get information on this Vasia would give him the information he asks for. Neleous agrees, shaking Vasia's hand. A scarab bug, with an arcane marking on it's back, then digs it's way into Neleous' skin as he makes a magical deal with Vasia. Neleous then leaves to go and speak to Stergio and get the information out of him.

### Oto Talks with Trechon

Oto goes to speak to Trechon, the son of Poseidon. Trechon is in his room and his guard and friend Petros Jr (Grandson of Petros Macgroglou) is stood at the door. Petros Jr warns that Trechon is a little bit drunk.

Oto enters the room and sees Trechon. He is covered in scars and tattoos all across his arms clearly from years of adventuring and fight. He has dark hair and is fairly muscular. Most notably he has "pretty sea green eyes."

On the wall hangs a Xiphos, Oto makes a check and realises that the Xiphos he saw in the King's mind (4 - The King's Chamber) was Odysseus' and it was him who had an audience with the King and Queen.

Oto talks to Trechon about the other people in the council. Trechon comments that he doesn't like Quintus Pterygas. This is because Quintus forced him into the council as a way to control Trechon. He comments that Quintus knows Trechon was too powerful to control, (or to be stopped by The Myth Enders) so instead Quintus put him in a place where he can no longer adventure.

Oto then asks about what Trechon thinks is happening with the ocean. (As Trechon is an expert). Trechon comments that he had travelled on the ocean for 7 years and believes that perhaps the sea of monsters has re-awoken. Petros Jr. agrees with this and suggests that there may have been another opening to Tartarus that has appeared.

Meanwhile, (because Trechon ticked off a number of criteria to be a love interest for Oto) Oto rolled to fall in love with Trechon and got a natural 1 - Oto has feelings for Trechon.

### Theobald Breaks into Turnic's Room

Theobald goes to investigate the room of Turnic, who is not in attendance at the castle. The room remains untouched and unaffected, but in the bathroom there are a number of porous stones that seem to react when they touch water. He also finds a collection of gold and receipts under Turnic's bed, hiding it here because she never uses this room. When Theobald drops it into water a mirage appears of a Dragonborn Woman with green and brown scales - Turnic. The woman carries a bow and is clearly a Huntress of Artemis. This stones are a direct way to contact Turnic in times of crisis.

Theobald questions Turnic about the council members.

- Trechon - shouldn't be on the council, he offers no valuable political opinions.

- Vasia and Bane - untrustworthy - Stellina and Chione - she advises to listen to their council.

Theobald also lets Turnic know about the gold and receipts under the bed and Turnic says they are not hers.

### Neleous Talks with Stergio

Neleous goes to Stergio Dalleas to complete his deal with Vasia Ballou. Stergio has dark hair and was a little bit short but thin. (A short twink). He is extremely average looking.

Before approaching Stergio, Neleous uses a subclass ability and shot him with a bow. This caused him to be charmed by Neleous and believe Neleous was his "true love." (The ability works by making them fall in love with the first person they see if they are the species and gender they are attracted to).

Neleous then goes to interrogate him.

Neleous learns that Stergio was not close to his father before he died, but when he died was incredibly distraught/surprised. Stergio says that he was at a vineyard when his dad's ship went down - however he is still vague on the detail. Stergio says that this is more the kind of thing someone on the council would do - he believes someone on the council killed his father.

Neleous also learns that he is researching Scylla and Charybdis. Stergio also says that he was home-schooled and somewhat unwilling to take his role.

After this Neleous promptly leaves and breaks down crying in the corridor - anxious about love (ironically).

#### Adrasteia Talks to Chione

Adrasteia goes to talk to Chione. (Adrasteia believes that their shared connection to Artemis would give them a better relationship).

Chione is in the process of planning a defence of her own home. She says that her crew were "plucked off the dock". They found acid damage and someone said they saw a whirlpool. (Scylla and Charybdis).

Adrasteia goes on to tell Chione about the condition of the queen (much to the chagrin of everyone else at the table - Adrasteia continues to fuck up social interactions). Chione however already had suspicions that something that may happen in 3 days (our deadline).

Adrasteia suggests that Chione talk to Iziquial

### Theobald Talks with the Queen

Theobald goes and talks with the queen. She informs Theobald that Odysseus had recently had an audience with her and the king in which he recommended us as an adventuring party. She also says that Ody gave advice about who she could trust in the council. This included advice to pull back the influence of The Owl and Spear Sect (and in tandem The Myth Enders) by giving them less funding.

### Hey... What's Wrong With Leoven?

Oto and Theobald run into Leoven who has just left her interaction with Stellina. Oto came looking for Leoven to help sober up Trechon as a way to make good on the promise he made to Petros Jr. However when he comes across Leoven she is acting unusual.

Leoven has her back against the wall and seems extremely paranoid and on edge.

Oto attempts to get her on side but she is afraid of using any resources because they may be attacked at any point - Oto notices this clear madness and paranoia.

He is unsuccessful in getting her on side.

(SIDE NOTE: Theobald (aka Jensen) vocalises that he wants Oto to attempt to charm her so that he could turn the charm on Oto. There was no reason or intention behind this it is genuinely just Jensen being a dick and a bad player).