Cult Eradication - The Shifting Devil

*Game Scheduled: June 29, 2023*

*GM: Kiwi*

## **Synopsis:**

Third of three simultaneous assaults to rout a Cult of Avadon, and undo the machinations of the devil Tumdunaus, aka Mr Winch.

Do you have what it takes to dismantle a cult? What will you do to prevent an evil-doer's escape?

Some time has passed since a new swarm of devils have been released, and they were called to a higher power, fleeing to a cultist that has been growing in fellowship. A group, known as the Cult of Avadon, has been rising in ranks in the highly populated city of Ylan. Your group has been tasked with taking out the most high profile member of the cult: its leader. Can you stop their slippery escape? Or will you fail and bring more terror upon this land?

## **Vanguard:**

* Connor
* Tober
* Vor'uun
* Xantrix

## **Adventure Debriefing:**

In the Noblehome district of Ylan, a Gala is to be hosted by Baxer Fullmane the Third. Baxer is known to be a rich, but friendly philanthropist. Intel gathered via Vanguard El Cangrejo's spy network is that a Cult of Avadon leader will be in attendance. Unfortunately, no one has information on what the leader of this Cult of Avadon looks like.

Meeting at a nearby bar, the group discussed ways to get "invited" to the Gala. Vor'uun contacted his friend, Celeste, whom provides a stylist to help them be appropriately fashionable. As a courtesan with numerous connections herself, she's able to invite herself to the Gala and bring a plus one. Vor'uun would attend as the plus one, and with some clever magic and carefully adjusted clothes Tober was disguised as his belly. A silver paid for a perfectly sized potato sack to carry him in. Connor shall act as the duo's security. Xantrix will sneak in a back way by working together with a thief known as Joker.

Before the night of the Gala, two houses east of the estate, Connor, Vor'uun, and Tober meet Celeste. Vor'uun straps various gear to himself, including Tober in a makshift burlap baby bjorn, then casts disguise self to appear a bit taller and bulkier to conceal what he's carrying.

Xantrix met up with Joker, who suggested they try the skylights instead of the back door. Skillfully scaling the building and then EASILY arcing a grappling hook to the skylight the duo ascended.

Inside, no reveler is surprised that Celeste has brought a date and a body guard. The décor is OPULENT, everything is the most expensive you could buy. Lavish and Lush.

Vor'uun finds a restroom to \*dump\* Tober.

Upstairs Xantrix and Joker split. There are many, many rooms, but Xantrix hears an argument between a very masculine person and someone else happening behind closed doors. Meeting the others downstairs, Xantrix mentioned the skylight was already unlocked upon arrival.

Vor'uun worked his way towards the banister remarking on how great it was, but secretly watched to see who came downstairs. An attendant commented on how he must be new. Vor'uun bluffed that he's a noble from Sunward; and the attendant offered to give him a tour. On the second floor Var'uun noted various rooms including one that seemed to be Fullmane's office.

Tober checked out the musicians. Drummer is really getting into it, and is also acknowledging people in the crowd he knows. "Allison good to see you" \*more drumming\* "Drexel! Heyoo." Tober noticed a few lesser nobles and works himself into that crowd.

The moment for the host of the Gala arrived, Fullmane descended the stairs to a room filled with clapping. Apologizing for being fashionably late, Baxer encouraged all to enjoy themselves with food and drink and of course the talented musicians, and blew a kiss to them.

The attendant that was giving Vor'uun a tour comes down ten minutes later.

Xantrix mentions that Nobles take turns greeting the host. Perhaps they should as well.

Meanwhile, Vor'uun snuck upstairs, moving to check the office, incidentally where Xantrix heard an argument. Using makeshift thieves' tools he entered and saw a desk, chair perfectly sized for Fullmane, bookshelves, file cabinets, etc. Searching through, Vor'uun sees a calendar full of meetings. Everything gives the impression of being intentionally placed, nothing secretive to be found.

Tober mingles with the nobles and tries to listen in on any conversations with Fullmane.

Xantrix takes a lookout postion, eyes open for anyone going upstairs, ready to alert Vor'uun. Then greets with the host.

Connor checks on the Gala staff, noticing one headed upstairs, and silently alerts Vor'uun. To avoid detection, Vor'uun slides into the next room and listens, "hmm someone's been looking around." The voice similar to Xantrix' description. Vor'uun asks Connor if he saw what worker looked like. "Your previous tour guide," Connor replied. Vor'uun advised Connor to watch for guide coming back downstairs.

Vor'uun hiding in the room took in the surroundings, it's a sort of employee closet, and in the closet with him is a person tied up and gagged. It's the former tour guide! Vor'uun unties him but he's startled. Guide didn't know who it was that attacked him. Vor'uun starts to smell smoke coming from Baxer's office.

Connor acts the bodyguard and covers Celeste and started getting people out. Baxer starts getting nobles out.

Vor'uun used Disguise Self to appear as the tour guide.

Xantrix checked the skylight, sees Joker leaving with his haul for the night.

Upstairs, Baxer's office door is kicked open and a NEW Baxer comes out claiming the downstairs Baxer if a fake!

Both Baxers feel real. Vor'uun grapples second Baxer, but is Dominated and let's go. Tober attempts to Counterspell but fails. Connor draws his crossbow, Lebel. Firing a nice chunk of magical piercing damage into the second Baxer.

Second Baxer tells Vor'uun to drop his disguise, and he does. Domination ends on Vor'uun. Connor instructs the first Baxer to stay for his safety. First Baxer replied, "are you Vanguard? Excellent, thanks for coming!" Connor swaps to collapsable golden spear and strikes. Second Baxer takes a couple swipes at Vor'uun. Poisoning and cursing him. Tober hits Second Baxer with Firebolts while Xantrix throws daggers of psychic energy.

Vor'uun borrows Connors collapsable spear and stabs Second Baxer. Connor redraws Lebels and fires wide. Second Baxer summons illusory mirror images of himself. Tober attempts to detect the thoughts of the multiple Baxers to discern the real one, but is unable to read him, and tells every one to start backing up. Xantrix throws more daggers, connecting with one.

Summoning extra speed, Vor'uun strikes out at Second Baxer and then heads towards the exit where First Baxer has been directing people to escape the burning building. Connor hands Vor'uun a net as he passes, and readies to disengage from Second Baxer while taunting him. Second Baxer replies, "enough of these games" in his real voice; and fades from sight. Tober quickly fires a bead of fire where Second Baxer had been, briefly illuminating the invisible form in a wreath of flame. Xantrix, seeing the brief flame, moves forward, throwing a dagger but misses.

Vor'uun closes the distance to First Baxer, the real one. Shutting the exit door to prevent escape, Vor'uun quickly asks Baxer whom he was arguing with in his offce, because this fake Second Baxer is the same person, and they are attempting to burn down the mansion. Baxer gives the name, "it's Hashilon, he wanted something from me, and i tried to scare him off, but clearly that did not work," gesturing at the current situation. Connor, having lost visual on Hashilon (Second Baxer), moved closer to the exit while keeping low to avoid inhaling to much of the accumulating smoke.

---PAUSE IN PLAY---