Crisis of Static Thoughts

Aldrean/Pandora

Iris Fargon

Spudley

Judgement

Zenolea Answer

Khamsin Fargon

Shoal Zahak

Tendent

Marin Moonsung

Lhao Moonsung

Sequitor Bludhaven

Naomi Visenbelle

Winger

Maximillion Lazuli

Storyteller

> *"Dreams Must Wake Up"*
>
>

**Crisis of Static Thoughts**, is the fourth Dungeons and Dragons campaign in Le Buddies Play D&D. The story oversees the quest of Austere Ewer, Cinnamon, Pandora, Iris Fargon, and Spudley as they attempt to aid the mysterious organization known as STATIC, a hidden group that had manipulated the world from the shadows until an unforeseen Crisis leaves both their lives and the future of the organization at stake. The group is aided by Gavin Espen and the remaining members of STATIC, as they venture into the mysterious Dreamscape to manipulate the minds of others, and uncover what had lead to their current predicament.

The setting of Crisis of Static Thoughts is isolated to STATIC's secretive headquarters which is unable to be left. The Interparty must traverse a mysterious realm known as the Dreamscape where people's minds and consciousness manifest as islands in an endless sea of clouds. It takes place concurrently with the events of A Heart of Sorrowful Power.

## Campaign

### Prologue

It is the year 1432 of the Age of Nerath. Whilst the world is currently cowering in fear of The Dark Lord’s machinations, it remains unaware of another crisis developing in the midst of the chaos. STATIC, an organization that has lived in the shadows for many years, was undergoing an unprecedented situation.

Decades ago, The group’s founder Zenolea Answer was determined to tip the scales of balance to society, creating a sort of X factor to keep some defense over any particular individuals who grew irresponsible or destructive with their power. With the ability he and other Psions possessed, they'd managed to refine and develop access to an unexplored realm of existence known as the Dreamscape, a realm where one’s own thoughts and personality took form as islands in a sea of consciousness.

Many years have passed since then, and the organization has more than left its mark on history. Etching the future’s path and asserting themselves as the checks and balances of the world. However, despite their great power, they were still limited. Over time, they made up for any weaknesses by taking contracts with significant enough people, so as they could not only gain resources for further developing their research, but information to allow easier access to new targets.

And thus now, it's the present day. The organization has seen a surge in new recruits, each with their own reasons for joining them. The most recent recruited squad were assigned their first mission a mere twelve hours ago. Yet in those mere twelve hours, a crisis had brewed. A crisis of unbelievable form, not by sheer destruction, but by how incomprehensible it had all turned out. The Squad finds themselves in a dark, empty room, their memories in a blur, and their futures a blank canvas. This is the story of their Crisis, their battle to overcome it, and their consequences for doing so.

### Introduction: Awakening into Crisis

#### Interrogation

Awakening into the dark room, 5 people find themselves restrained to their chairs. A scruffy looking Shifter resembling a coyote glaring up and down at all of them. He'd begun interrogating each party member one by one, attempting to see if any of them had some connection to a horrible event that had just occurred.

First was an elderly Tiefling by the name of Austere Ewer, who calmly explained his position, getting the scruffy fellow to back off. He moved on to Cinnamon, an Autumn Nypmh, who despite the Shifter's efforts, seemed to get more information out of him than vice versa. The man then moved onto the unremarkable fellow Aldrean, being more hostile towards him as Aldrean had absorbed a priceless psionic artifact into him a week prior, giving STATIC a whole new set of headaches. As he'd moved on to the next chair, he'd adjusted his attitude to be more gentle, as he spoke to a Kalashtar with an intense psionic aura emanating from her, and daughter of a STATIC high councilor, Iris Fargon. Finally, he spoke briefly with a more familiar member of STATIC, Gavin Espen, who'd reaffirmed that they had all lost their memories, and are unaware of the situation.

As the scruffy fellow was about to get more intensive with his questioning, the room was suddenly barged in by a work formal Half Elf, telling the Shifter to let the party go, as another more trusted squad had been found in the same condition as them. Obliging her orders, he released the group and lead them to the Auditorium STATIC normally uses for ceremony and mass meetings. However, the sight they saw layered across the room was truly horrific. Dozens upon dozens of people, either completely brain dead or grasping out in pain and agony. A mental force of some sort had taken their minds, and they were all but dead at this point. They'd also learned that any exit from the headquarters had been completely sealed off by a powerful barricade of some psionic nature, leaving them completely trapped inside. It was clear that the situation was dire, as they were lead to the briefing room to meet the rest of the survivors.

#### Formation of The Interparty

There they were reintroduced to Naomi Visenbelle, the formal Half Elf from earlier and head organizer of STATIC, along with Sequitor Bludhaven, the investigator who'd been snarling at them earlier. They also met the AlphaTeam, STATIC's top ranked squadron. The leader of the AlphaTeam, a regal Triton by the name of Shoal Zahak, immediately introduced himself to Cinnamon and Iris. While Cinnamon returned his flirtatious nature, Iris revealing herself as the high councilor's daughter made him immediately stand down his advances. The nearby Dragonborn had also introduced himself has Tendent, assistant and attendant to Shoal. The other two members remained distant from the conversation. Meanwhile, Naomi had instructed Gavin to go fetch another survivor by the name of Winger.

The high councilor in this time, spoke to Iris about his displeasure that she had gotten wrapped up in this, though Iris coldly responded with simple acceptance of the situation. Banter between Aldrean , Austere, and Cinnamon ensued from the tension, though Cinnamon did take note of Khamsin's legitimate concern. At this point, a scientist burst into the room with a small child. Naomi introduced the scientist as Winger, their only surviving researcher. While Winger was erratic, he was excited to introduce the small child, an anomaly they'd found in the Dreamscape shortly after the Crisis. The child introduced himself as Voex, a protector of the Dreamscape. He'd mentioned having a companion, which Gavin soon burst into the room trying to keep a hold of. Out of Gavin's arms leapt Spudley, a corgi warrior and self proclaimed greatest swordsman in the Dreamscape. Spudley was excited to introduce himself to the party, insisting he assist them with their plight. Naomi then designated that Voex were to take over as the AlphaTeam's navigator, and Spudley as additional support in the new Squadron's plight.

Austere had suggested the official name War on Psych 2 for the group, which Naomi interpreted as warriors against the psionic plight they were in. Accepting the name, she'd handed out folders to the two groups, containing the only two files for targets found in the entire headquarters. The Interparty's file contained one for Luggsy Thumbscrew, an Orc working for a notorious mafia. However, the client seemed to also be working for this mafia, stating Luggsy may be targeting the boss and plotting a takeover. With no leads to go off of, the group ventures into the Dreamscape to see what clues they can find at their first Mind Island.

### Chapter 1: Castles of Grandeur

#### The Sea of Consciousness

Arriving in the Dreamscape, the Interparty finds themselves on an obsidian like tower, sticking out from a sea of pink clouds. The sky above them flickered and shifted rapidly, and glass like constructs of creatures made of pure thoughts were roaming the air surrounding them. As awe inspiring the sight was though, it did not tend to distract them from what was happening to Aldrean, as his skin begun to combust and his cries of pain turned to maddening laughter. In a flash, Aldrean had transformed into a skeletal shadow, surrounded by green raging flames. The new form introduced himself as Pandora, his personality wild, unpredictable, and erratic. He did however, seem interested in cooperating with STATIC's goals still, thus leading him to continue on in this new eerie figure.

Gavin at this point, had created a airship like construct, made for transporting them to their destination. With everyone aboard, they sailed through the endless sea of consciousness, witnessing the wonders of the Dreamscape first hand. A short while had passed before they came across a swirling vortex of clouds surrounding an island. Upon Gavin speaking of a secret Luggsy possessed, an opening appeared, allowing them to approach the grand sight before them. A large and imposing evil fortress, fit for a dark lord. Lacking a safe place to land on the castle proper, the group found an opening in the base of the island, infiltration through the caverns below.

#### Storming the Fortress

Making their way through the dark and dank caverns, they soon came across a large group of soldiers keeping watch. These guards were shadowy and featureless individuals, mental forces that protect the individual's mind island and maintain their sense of self. While not threatening individuals, the group did not wish to be caught so early on. Austere quickly took the guise as one of these individuals, with him and Cinnamon working together to convince them that Luggsy wishes to speak to them. This allowed them easy access through the dungeons, giving them ample time to move closer to the upper half of the castle. Yet a figure suddenly dropped from the ceiling, and unlike the shadowy figures from before, this one resembled an actual person.

The figure appeared as an assassin made to protect Luggsy. While Austere's guise convinced him, his story did not. He'd ended up attacking the rest of the party, leading to them resorting to a quick and silent fight, ending in the Assassin's defeat at Spudley's skill. Austere did not miss the opportunity to disguise himself as the assassin for future use however. Utilizing this, they proceeded further into the castle, crossing a bridge and ascending a tower before coming across an Unpleasant Figure raising another bridge. The unpleasant man whined and moaned about not wanting to lower the bridge, before finally the interparty had enough of their nonsense and did it themselves, via teleportation, much to the figure's own disdain.

#### Against the Mad Tyrant

Finding themselves in the upper halls, the party looked between a kitchen and a library as their ways forward. Deciding on the Kitchen, the two came across a few more cognitions, though these did not seem very intelligent and ended up having them pass though without much of a hassle due to some quick excuse thinking. The throne room lied beyond a set of stairs, where the mad king Luggsy sat upon a throne next to piles of bones. His own personal jester entertaining him, the party used the distraction to make a plan. With some going invisible, some acting as prisoner, and Austere leading as the Assassin, they got into position. Austere showed the "hostages" to Luggsy, Cinnamon using the chance to lure him seductively. Iris peered into Luggsy's mind as he was distracted, not only learning of his disturbing fantasies, but the names of people who may be involved in the Crisis.

With Cinnamon's charms having effect, Luggsy was lured beneath a large chandelier hanging overhead. The now slightly disgusted Iris took advantage of this and shattered the chains suspending it in an instant, causing the fixture to crash down onto the mad king. Pandora and Spudley jumped into action to wail on the tyrant, with the rest of the party laying hit upon hit after him. Luggsy did not take kindly to this, entering a blind fury, shouting threats of torment and anguish as he mauls them. In retaliation, Austere assumed his nightmarish form as the aspect of the Red Dream, with Pandora following suit as a raging beast of fire. With support from Cinnamon, well placed strikes from Spudley, and a final decisive blow from Iris, Luggsy begun to dither away, confused as how he lost before fading from existence. This, of course, begun the collapse of the island. Gavin wasted no time in arriving to retrieve the Interparty before the entire castle crashed into the sea, and the island vanished without a trace.

#### The Cauldron Armor

The group soon arrived back at the tower they spawned from, this time greeted by an imposing and living suit of armor. The armor resembled a cauldron with a pitch black body, eerie violet fire burning within him. The being spoke, making himself known as a non hostile observer. Introducing himself as Judgement, he saw the great potential the Interparty held and showed great interest in where their actions would lead them. With his introduction settled, he vanished into the static sky, with the group left to wonder his intentions and nature.

#### Back to HQ

Teleporting back into reality, Pandora was transformed back into the now slightly disturbed Aldrean, and the group is lead back to Winger's lab and encounters the AlphaTeam discussing matters with the scientist. Winger gleefully announces his artificial familiar, Flashback, was left unharmed from the Crisis, allowing them to be capable of using the names they discover in the Dreamscape as ways to recover lost memories, particularly by reviewing events that Flashback had witnessed. With the name "Knocksworth" discovered by both The Interparty and AlphaTeam, the group was able to discover the whereabouts of Narcis and Guston Knocksworth, brothers leading a crime family that may have intentions to interact with Static. While the AlphaTeam took on the more notorious Narcis, the Interparty was tasked with seeing what they can find within Guston.

Settled on their new targets, the conversation was interrupted by the sound of Bludhaven and Naomi being able to break down the door of the chairman's office. Rushing to see the commotion, the group came across the intense sight of the room trashed and chairman Answer's body chained to the wall, maimed and gashed beyond any hope of recovery. A telepathic message rang in the group's minds, that they must be the ones to end this Crisis. With that the body hung still, and one of the world's most powerful psions dangled dead before everyone.

### Chapter 2: A Shattered Identity

#### No Path but Forward

While everyone else present was left shocked at the state of Answer, The Interparty made some investigations of their own, noting that the scene was primarily set to be as shocking as possible, almost to an impractical degree. AlphaTeam Members Marin and Lhao Moonsung show great distress at this, as they adamantly believe nobody in Statics would be capable of overpowering Answer directly. Proceeding with a newfound caution, the Interparty proceeds back into the Dreamscape to acquire any information they can from Guston Knocksworth. Pandora alighting again, Cinnamon seems to get him to act more cooperatively after giving him some leaves to continuously burn. Arriving at Guston's mind island, Gavin says another secret to open the way, this time the words becoming far more distorted as they echoed through the clouds. Opening the way, The Interparty find themselves at a small humble village near a waterfall, close to what seems to be an active volcano.

#### The Mighty "Krakatoa"

Landing on the island the group is near immediately greeted by a boisterous and overwhelming individual by the name of Krakatoa. Iris notes that the man of this name and description is merely a fictional folk hero told in many stories and legends. Guston himself however, remained to be unseen. What's more, the island itself seemed completely dedicated to Krakatoa, with a statue, museum, and even giftshop dedicated in his likeness. Finishing his welcoming, Krakatoa heads off to continue training on the other side of the island. The group decides to investigate the nearby giftshop, finding immediate distress upon running into the same Unpleasant Man as they did in Luggsy's island. Cinnamon realizes this is a man so notoriously unlikable, that just meeting him will leave psychological scars on an individual. Despite this, Cinnamon and Austere begun to banter with the Unpleasant Man acting as a shopkeeper, and after a distasteful negotiation, were able to acquire a book about Krakatoa and all his great accomplishments. Inspecting it however, the group noticed it looked quite distorted when peered closely at, giving the Interparty a lead on what to investigate.

#### Cracks in the Guise

The group had decided to split up, Cinnamon, Pandora, and Spudley would speak to Krakatoa to keep him busy, while Austere and Iris would investigate the museum of the great hero. Krakatoa was delighted to see the group approach him, Spudley seeming to return the admiration, seeing Krakatoa's ideals of heroism and justice being amazing to behold. The two eventually agreed to duel one another to test each other's limits, inspired by one another. Seeing a great chance to spice things up, Cinnamon rallied the village folk up and begun to sing a wonderful musical number of the hero's clash. Pandora also wanting to get in on the fun, added some of his own "pyrotechnics". The two engaged in battle, reflecting each other's blows and praising their ability. Meanwhile, Austere and Iris used the book to slip into deeply sealed backroom of the museum, seeming to hold an individual prisoner. Resembling a nightmarish distortion of a rich nobleman, they introduced themselves as Narcis Knocksworth, speaking venomously of his brother's worthlessness and lack of any self value. What was happening hear was clear to Austere, they just needed a way to force Guston out. Narcis seemed to offer an easy way to get Guston to show himself, so long as he's let free. Seeing this as their best choice, Iris breaks Narcis' restraints and the three head towards the bombastic showdown that'd broken out.

#### Battle with a Hero

Despite the highly energetic battle between Spudley and Krakatoa, the arrival of Narcis immediately brought the event to a halt. Krakatoa broke down at the words Narcis spoke to him, his escape into a fantasy where he wasn't a worthless member of an acclaimed family. He took the form of an average man merely in a costume of Krakatoa, the real Guston Knocksworth. Before the group could begin questioning the man for information however, the volcano on the island erupted, shooting out a glowing, absurdly powerful cognition of Krakatoa. While the cognition spoke of justice, his words were just as vicious towards Guston as Narcis', proclaiming a worthless identity theft like him should be destroyed quickly. Needing to defend Guston from the powerful hero, the Interparty engaged in combat. Krakatoa's blows were brutal, striking into individuals with insane force, and obliterating Narcis with a single strike. The hero appeared invincible at first due to Guston's perception of him being unbeatable. Being struck by Pandora's flames however begun to distort the Krakatoa cognition, making him slowly turn more monstrous in appearance, yet easier to strike back against. Despite some overwhelming attacks which ruptured the earth beneath them, the group eventually managed to fall the distorted hero, with Iris' beam of disintegration eradicating him entirely. Guston, now able to thank the Interparty properly, offered insight of who may be the best lead they could get towards finding who'd be targeting Static, a close friend and soldier by the name of Quinceal. Giving information on him so that they could earn Quinceal's trust, Guston's only other piece of information came with comparing Spudley to Krakatoa in many ways, claiming that interacting with him had the same impact as reading tales about the mighty hero.

#### Judgement's Appraisal

Gavin escorted the group off of the island, flying back to the entry point from whence they came. On their way back however, Judgement begun to approach the ship, seemingly walking on thin air. He spoke to the group with praise, seemingly impressed at their combative abilities and their will to survive an unstoppable force. Seeming intrigued at what they may do going forward, he also mentions a feeling of faint familiarity with Spudley and Voex's presence, though they don't seem capable of placing exactly why. With that, Judgement leaves the group to travel out of HQ back to their base. Curious on the matter, they ask Voex if he and the Alphateam had encountered Judgement at all, though Voex is unable to say they had, despite Judgement's acknowledgement of him.

### Chapter 3: Distorted in Death

#### Little Time to Waste

The lead given by Guston had lead the Interparty to using Flashback, seeing what they can dig up on this Quinceal. Confusingly, while Quinceal was referred to still having a Mind Island, intel had suggested Quinceal was slain in battle not long beforehand. Seeing as how the dead would surely have their island destroyed, this lead to suspicions rising for what may be going on here. With the AlphaTeam occupied in a private meeting with Khamsin, Bludhaven spoke of wondering if Voex is doing his job well as a navigator, his wording seeming to confuse Naomi and Winger. Deciding it'd be best to leave the more personal business to higherups, The Interparty decides to hop right back into the Dreamscape proper. As they head to Quinceal's Dreamscape, the sky begun to severely darken, a storm begun to rumble around them. Suddenly, a horrendous flash of energy burst out from the island, a dragon-like streak of lighting crashing directly into the ship. As the group held the beast off, Gavin quickly descended the ship onto the island, coming in for a rough landing.

#### A Maiden of Suffering

With nobody hurt, the Interparty looked out onto the island laid before them. The area was shrouded in dark cold forest, dead trees and a chilling wind howling through the air. Another dragonlike roar rung out through the area, shaking the skies above them. Before the group could investigate further, they'd be greeted by a ladylike voice, offering an explanation. The voice was introduced as an Aspect of The Rook Maiden, a "lady of suffering" under the Raven Queen. The Rook Maiden was known for reviving the recently deceased who'd died in a horrific manner, giving them a chance to enact further suffering on her behalf. Quinceal, after being slain in battle by a absurdly powerful force, had agreed to take on the mantle of one of her servants, but the incredible trauma he received in death was more than expected for the Rook Maiden, leading to her Aspect not having enough control to quell the nightmares running rampant in his mind. Not wanting to have to discard him, The Rook Maiden asks the interparty to clear the nightmarish beasts from the island, and in turn she will offer any information Quinceal may have. Cinnamon, seeming to have experience with servants of hers before, is able to speak on very good terms with the Maiden, seeming to acquire some respect from her.

#### Hunted, or Hunters

Agreeing to the task and venturing into the darkened forest, the group eventually comes across a campsite of soldiers seeming to be hiding from the beasts. Austere and Cinnamon try to learn of what may be lurking out there, but unfortunately, The Unpleasant Man appears to be present here too. Refusing to allow anyone to disclose something to the outsiders, The Unpleasant Man's garish voice is eventually cut off by an arrow to the back of the head. Soon after, a rain of arrows lays waste to the camp, forcing the Interparty into cover. A Nightmarish humanoid figure appears, resembling a Deadeye Archer. Engaging in a battle of misleading shots and surprise attacks, the group eventually overpowers the archer, dispersing him into nothingness. Checking The Unpleasant Man's body, the group discovers a glowing azure crystal, one that seems to emanate a power similar to Iris'. Austere, seeming to hatch an idea, leads the group out of the forest and asks Pandora to set the entire area alight. Pandora, ecstatic to burn it down, setting ablaze all that he can see. Before long, a couple more figures come bursting out of the woods to escape the flames, an Illusive Rogue, and an Axe Wielding Hound. Thanks to being heavily distorted by Pandora's flames however, the two went down without much difficulty on the party's end. Impressed by their ability, The Rook Maiden offers a bit of her own power to Cinnamon, letting her use her charms to siphon the life from others. Heading towards a lake on the far end of the island, Pandora pushes the tide back and forces another 2 beings to emerge, resembling a Nature Priestess and a Guardian Angel. Upon slaying the Priestess, the angel seemed to begin charging up a dangerous amount of kinetic force within them, though the Interparty's focus fire along with Spudley's skill managed to slay the angel before it could be properly unleashed. The greatest source of the trauma waiting atop the cliffs overlooking the island, the party makes their way up to face off in "the dragon's den".

#### The Beast

The figure standing atop the cliffs was immediately a formidable force, able to tear through the summons of Austere and Cinnamon without much difficulty. While Pandora's Flames and Iris' energy were effective at harming it, the damage it received only seemed to empower it further. Even Spudley's display of skill was ultimately matched by the beast's own swordsman ship. Whatever mental image Quinceal built of this figure in his death, he saw it as utterly unstoppable. Thinking quickly, the group managed to lure the beast over to the edge of the cliff face, and with a well timed shatter from Iris, managed to fall the beast into the depths below... For a moment. The Beast, refusing to die, grew massive in size, climbing up the cliff face and towering over the rest of the party. With a single strike from this thing looking unsurvivable, one of Austere's strongest demons held the beast at bay, while the rest of the group weakened its grip onto the edge. With Cinnamon unleashing an overwhelming charming energy, the beast was forced to release itself from the cliff, and fall into the sea of clouds helplessly. With that, the storm finally settled over the island, though the darkness remained unchanged.

#### Rook's Promise

Quinceal, finally able to show himself, thanked the group from ridding him of those monsters, allowing him to finally work under his mistress. The Rook Maiden showed herself to the group and applauded them, and keeping true on her promise, let Quinceal speak of who he may think would have a grudge against STATIC. The weapons provider he and his fellow soldiers have been receiving arms from had actually been rumored to once be a part of a very powerful group of psions before, a man by the name of Maximillion Lazuli. Iris immediately recognized this name, and seemed to understand what the crystal they'd found earlier actually was, an extension of Lazuli's own influence. Knowing that Lazuli would be exactly the type to force his own will upon STATIC, it became clear that he'd be the best lead into finding the truth of their situation. Gavin arrives to escort the Interparty back to headquarters, The Maiden and Quinceal giving their farewells.

#### Another Like Us

As the group leaves, another strike of lightning emerges from the cloud sea, a dragon preparing to strike the ship once again from the nightmare that fell below. However, Judgement intercepts the strike and disperses the beast, leaving it no longer a threat. Judgement speaks more seriously than before, primarily to Spudley, speaking of feeling a sensation that he, Spudley, and Voex are all the same kind of being, and all come from a similar place, almost feeling as if there's something else out there similar to them, but with voices much less clear than any of theirs. Judgement warns the group of something being very off with the surrounding dreamscape, before taking his leave.

## Trivia

* This is the first full campaign in Le Buddies Play D&D to use Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition, rather than 4th.
* It also serves as the first campaign where the party starts at a significantly higher level rather than 1st, in this case being 11th.