Plunder Siege

**Plunder Siege** is the 6th Oxventure episode, in which the Guild partake in a unique challenge.

## Synopsis

Following their recent ordeal with an order of shushy paladins, the Oxventure heroes Corazón, Dob, Egbert, Merilwen and Prudence travel to Redcastle for a spot of relaxation.

Only instead of a resort and spa, the Oxventurers find a fancy mansion gearing up for an annual criminal free-for-all, in which the duke of the manor invites violent thieves from across the land to try burglarizing his home. So then they do that instead.

## Summary

After their adventure with the Owlbear and the Fyengeh Bus, the Guild heads to Redcastle, a town where the eponymous castle has been transformed into the manor of Duke Kabayo. Their intention is to enjoy a meal and some relaxation as they make their way to the popular tourist spot. However, their leisurely plans take an unexpected turn when they encounter a group of brigands while on the path. The gang asks the brigands why they are walking alongside them, and they explain that it's All Crim's Night—a day during which Duke Kabayo assesses his guards by permitting anyone to attempt a robbery of his castle.

The objective of this unconventional game is to navigate past all of his guards and reach the duke's bedchamber. The victor, upon achieving this feat, is rewarded with a handshake from the duke himself and the freedom to take whatever they desire as a prize. However, over time, the quality of the rewards has significantly diminished due to the prolonged duration of the game. Seizing the opportunity, Corazón engages the brigands in conversation using Thieves' Cant, a language he rarely gets the chance to employ.

Upon arriving at Redcastle's castle, the Guild is taken aback by the fact that the castle is, in fact, beige. A bustling scene unfolds before them, as numerous thieves converse much like teams before a sporting event. Corazón searches for concealed clues left behind by past thieves in Thieves' Cant, but only discovers ominous warnings directed at them, foreshadowing potential danger. Dob proposes an alternative course of action—instead of attempting to steal from the duke, they could open the house to the public.

Just as Corazón begins to consider whether there's a registration process for the competition, Duke Kabayo himself emerges, adorned in reddish robes. He proceeds to outline the rules: while killing guards is prohibited, eliminating competing thieves is permissible. With that, he leaves the assembled thieves to await the signal to commence.

Dob devises a plan involving catapulting Cat Merilwen to the first floor, enabling her to lower a rope for the group to bypass the other competitors. While Corazón, hindered by his inebriation, struggles to gauge the number of guards on the first floor, he is confident in their presence. Faced with no superior alternatives, Merilwen transforms into a cat and Dob readies himself to execute the plan. At this very moment, a brigand approaches, extending his well-wishes and assuring them he won't pursue them if they opt to flee.

As the whistle echoes, all the criminals dash forward. Dob hastily hurls Merilwen, but his aim falters, sending her into an unintended flowerbed instead of the first floor. Simultaneously, Corazón propels a grappling hook toward the first floor, preparing a route for the team to ascend. However, Egbert interjects by igniting a bomb, though not intending to demolish the wall. Instead, he positions himself atop the bomb and his shield, launching himself over the wall. Impressed by Egbert's flamboyant approach, the others concede and opt for a more conventional entry through the front door.

Upon entering, they confront the aftermath of the competition: a deceased individual discarded from a window and the foyer plundered by thieves content with their takings rather than victory. Corazón seizes a candlestick holder and a couple of oil paintings. Dob takes initiative, forcibly breaching a door, alerting guards in the vicinity. Employing stealth tactics, they promptly retreat to another door, leading them to a library. Surveying the surroundings, they ascertain the presence of three guards—two on the lower level and one on a mezzanine. A strategic plan forms to neutralize them.

Cat Merliwen lures the guard on the upper level, while Dob executes a swift leap behind him. Employing a sleep spell, Dob incapacitates the guard who succumbs to slumber. Unfazed by Merilwen's adorable presence, Dob restrains the sleeping guard. Meanwhile, Corazón engages in more thievery, procuring additional oil paintings. He advances stealthily toward one of the guards downstairs, subduing him through a choking maneuver until he loses consciousness. Corazón pickpockets the guard and discovers a note from the duke, expressing gratitude for his contributions to bolstering security, with the caveat that the duke would pursue him if the guard were deceased. Fortunately, the guard survives.

In pursuit of the most eerie book within the library, Prudence targets a heavily guarded volume. Egbert, who has been absorbed in recollections of his earlier audacious feat, receives Dob's instruction to dislodge bookcases to aid Prudence. However, during the execution, Egbert miscalculates the force, inadvertently causing harm to Corazón and incapacitating the guard. Egbert makes a lackluster attempt at healing Corazón while Prudence obtains the Grimoire, eliciting praise from Cthulhu.

Corazón systematically pilfers the remaining valuables within the library, and the group assembles to exit via an upper-level door. Calmly, Corazón disables a booby trap from the door before they proceed. This entrance leads them into a grand feasting hall occupied by eight thieves. Attempting to communicate using Thieves Cant, Corazón encounters resistance from the leader who dismisses the Cant's efficacy on All Crims Night. Asserting that the Guild won't be permitted to leave, the leader rejects Corazón's plea to avoid a confrontation, asserting his group's intent to thwart them. Corazón endeavors to convince them of a secret passage in the library, but his efforts are rebuffed.

With confrontation on the horizon, Dob devises an enigmatic strategy. He invites the leader to share a bowl of stew from a pot by the fireplace. Puzzled by Dob's intentions, both the leader and the fellow brigands are left in the dark. Oblivious to Dob's actions, the leader agrees. In a surprising twist, Dob covertly dumps Prudence's new book into the stew after receiving his own portion. Unbeknownst to everyone involved, this triggers the leader's transformation into a Goblin upon consumption. Seizing the opportunity, Dob endeavors to convince the thieves that their leader had concealed his true Goblin identity, commanding them to attack him. However, his ruse fails to convince them, and a battle ensues.

In a split-second reaction, Corazón conceals himself, utilizing Mage Hand Legerdemain to manipulate one of Egbert's bombs. He ignites it at Egbert's nose and propels it toward the rear of the room, resulting in the deaths of three thieves. The ensuing chaos prompts Merilwen's transformation back into an Elf. Dob employs Heat Metal, heating one of Merilwen's arrows which pierces through two more thieves, leaving one dead and the Goblin leader affected. Prudence taps into her power, delivering lethal Agonizing Blasts to the now-exposed Goblin leader, who previously held racist beliefs against Tieflings. The remaining thieves, witnessing this devastation, opt to flee. Egbert Commands them to vomit before their departure, adding an additional twist to their defeat.

Dob successfully rescues the book from the stew, employs Prestidigitation to restore it, and even infuses it with a hint of hot sauce flavor before returning it to Prudence. Prudence licks the book, unexpectedly revealing a concealed passage, a shortcut to the duke's bedchamber. Investigating further, they navigate the passage, and as they enter the duke's private chamber, Corazón exhibits a stylish door-kicking entrance. The duke, present within the chamber, remarks on the rarity of someone discovering the hidden book-licking passage, congratulating them on their triumph. A celebratory toast follows, and the duke drinks from his goblet, but a sudden cough transforms him into a rat.

Recognizing the implication, Corazón urgently calls out the name "M. Channail." Swiftly, the Gnome appears before them. The truth is revealed: the brigands encountered before the competition were Channail's operatives, tasked with surveilling the Guild. Channail discloses his motives—he seeks retribution for the Guild's disruption of his potions enterprise and his logging machinery.

Before the Guild can react, Channail commands weeds and vines to ensnare them, successfully capturing Merilwen, Corazón, and Dob. Yet, Dob's Hideous Laughter spell takes effect, causing Channail to lose control and confusing his subordinates. Prudence adds to the chaos by casting Vicious Mockery on Channail, causing psychological turmoil as he grapples with mixed emotions. Egbert employs Divine Smite to amplify his Breath Weapon, resulting in Channail's demise. Even in his final moments, Channail defiantly declares his satisfaction with his actions. With Channail defeated, the brigands yield, Corazón engages in a thorough looting (even of Channail's remains), Dob permits entry for the rest of the thieves, Egbert surfs down the staircase upon his shield, and the group departs with their spoils.

## Notable Events

* The guild kill M. Channail, ending their rivalry.

## Guild Hijinks

* Eggbert uses a bomb under his shield to propel himself in the air and surpass the wall instead of using the rope how everyone one else was doing.
* Dob turns a man into a Goblin, through a very complicated plan.

## Trivia

* The name "M. Channail" is based off of Mike Channell's name, and he ends being killed by Eggbert that is Mike's character.

## Behind The Scenes Trivia

* During the final confrontation with M. Channail an announcement about the end of the event was played twice and the crew jokes about Chtulhu wanting to end the battle already.