2319

## Episodes

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## **DINNER AND A SHIT SHOW**

* **GABBING IN THE GARDEN**
	+ MADAM MIDNIGHT explains the situation to the PCs in the GARDEN
	+ She shares that she is of a house in the WINTER COURT
	+ The PCs won roles as 2nds for the FEY LORDS who will compete in the COURTS CASTING
		- The HOUSES of the FEY will go up against each other to win an audience with EDIN and THE WINTER QUEEN
		- EDIN is offering up not just TERMALAINE, but a powerful SUMMONING ARTIFACT
		- The victor will gain access to the door that allows access to the BELL TOWER
	+ CLAYMONT inquires about if she knows of AZERAH
		- She shares she knew of him but did not meet him personally
		- He was a well-known bounty hunter who has not been seen for decades
		- AZERAH had been hired by
	+ GORIN asks about EDIN of the GLOWWER
		- MIDNIGHT explains that the GLOWWER is a lesser realm of AUTUMN
		- To impress a lady of the WINTER COURT he performed a ruse on his own COURT
		- This obviously created enemies for him in his own COURT, but also the WINTER houses
		- Those of the GLOAMING/UNSEELIE COURT in WINTER sought to banish him from the FEYWILD
		- She believes AZERAH was hired by them for just that end
	+ MIDNIGHT informs them that they must not know her when they enter the DINNING ROOM
		- She has a potion for all of them to drink
		- They will forget about her and each other for 1 hour allowing MIDNIGHT to manipulate things with the LORDS
* **MY DINNER WITH HIGHBORN FEY**
	+ As the PCs enter the DINNING ROOM, they trust their strange companions, but do not recall them
	+ MADAM MIDNIGHT greets all in the room and leads the COURTS CASTING with:
		- “These mortals, who did not know me or each other when entering this room, are, as I deem, the most fit to serve as 2nds to the LORDS & LADIES of this COURT CASTING
		- They are of the realm from which the offerings were acquired
		- They, by my word, willingly wish to act as 2nds to insure their 1sts success in an invested effort
		- If the LORDS & LADIES are satisfied, then present their BOONS”
	+ They are drawn to their LORD at the table, introduced to their FIRST, and offered a BOON for their services
	+ The Six COURTS of the FEY are
	+ DAWN represented by LORD LONGLIGHT who CLAYMONT is drawn to
		- Their first is a NILLIAN (STATS: Water Elemental Myrmidon)
	+ DUSK represented by RAINWING who SKITTER is drawn to
		- They are a trinket decorated KENKU
		- Their first is  THE GLOOMHOUND (STATS: Fluxchanger)
	+ SPRING represented by WESTIA FERNSWIRLS
		- They are an elegant looking woman with a dress made of butterflies
		- Their first is  THE FIRST OF THE FERAL: GRIMBARROW
		- They are willing to enter the challenge without a 2nd
	+ SUMMER represented by LEMONY ELDERBUZZ who GORIN is drawn to
		- They are a lady with a beehive for hair
		- Their first is MAL FILMIA (STATS: Booyahg Slave of the Fiend)
	+ AUTUMN represented by LADY LASTLIGHT who GROVER is drawn to
		- They are a reddish androgynous figure in wooden armor
		- Their first is MILES (STATS: Dusk Hag)
	+ WINTER represented by NATTERPLUME who BEHLEN is drawn to
		- They are a grim looking treant
		- Their first is BOWBREAK (STATS: Tree Blight)
	+ The BOONS are
		- BEHLEN - “Mark of the Long Branch” - Shadowfell Brand Tattoo (Covers half a limb, or scalp)
		- CLAYMONT - “The Broods Edge” - DaggerSword (Longsword = Shortsword + Dagger) +2
		- GORIN - “Bruenor’s Belt”- Belt of Dwarvenkind
		- SKITTER - “A Corvian Coat” - Elven Chain +1 (Auto Proficiency)
		- GROVER - “Eye of Laeral“ - Amulet of Health
	+ CLAYMONT, watching WESTIA, feels there is something familiar about her
		- Something about her reminds him of SAHRA
	+ The RULES OF THE CHALLENGE are laid out for everyone
		- The competition will start with the 1st competing in insults
		- Only HUMANOIDS may enter the FIELD
		- Direct attacks on the ARENA SHARDS will mean a forfeit
		- Leaving the arena will result in a forfeit (only 40 feet high, water is 30 ft deep)
		- Subduing will win over a kill.  A tie from 2 kills will be decided based on who can stand with the least healing magics (resurrected)
		- The opportunity to bid against the WINTER QUEEN will go to the house with the LAST MAN STANDING
* **WELCOME TO BLUNDERDOME**
	+ The PCs suddenly find themselves in THE BLUE ROOM, not sure how they got there from the DINNING ROOM
		- They are now remember each other and converse
		- All agree that the GRIMBARROW should be dealt with first as none of their party are WESTIA’s 2nd
	+ Eventually each is brought up to a balcony of the ARENA to sit with their FEY PATRON to watch their 1st below
	+ ARENA SHARDS, elemental ice soldiers, are positioned around the inside of the grounds
	+ After insults are thrown, combat begins
		- MAL FILMA engages GRIMBARROW immediately
		- MILES makes for NILLIAN first
		- GLOOMHOUND prioritizes BOWBREAK
		- Eventually BOWBREAK takes down the GLOOMHOUND bringing in SKITTER with a MISTY STEP like of magic
		- MAL FILMIA finally takes down GRIMBARROW, leaving its deformed body writhing on the ground
		- MAL FILMIA then moves on to take on BOWBREAK
	+ SKITTER moves through the ARENA and gets a look at WESTIA through the glowing AURA in the center of the field
		- WESTIA appears to have a GHOST hovering over within the same space as her
		- The GHOST is gorgeous and hard to look away from
		- His mind goes to what he knows about ZEX of the MALIGNANT SIX
		- He grabs his spell stone and messages CLAYMONT: Oh fuck, oh fuck, dude, Westy Zexy. I think uh, send
		- CLAYMONT responds with: Lol. wait... WTF? You mean the ghostie? oh fuck. We don't have a trap. oh fuck
	+ The combat continues
		- NILLIAN taking down MILES, summoning GROVER into the battle
		- MAL FILMIA uses her PLANESHIFT ability to banish  BOWBREAK from the challenge
	+ SKITTER gets on the SPELL STONE again to BEHLEN: Yo Behlen. Ferngully is possessed and stuff. It's a Zexy Ghost. No bueno. Sus
	+ Suddenly, GRIMBARROWS convulsing corpse ruptures
		- Out of the burst of guts arises a much larger REMORHAZ
		- There are protests from the LORDS, but WESTIA smugly reminds them all that “only humanoids my ENTER the arena”
	+ SKITTER, looking at the REMORHAZ, messages GORIN: Gor-bae, I found Zex. lols. Hold my beer. Wait... wtf is that?
		- GORIN response with: OH NO --- I FELT SOMETHING B4. --- 4GOT HOW2 USE LOL

## Behlen's Log

**The Courts Casting** – Those that have arrived tonight look to pledge part of their court’s reputation. Offer a knight / first to show their stature. Edin offers not just the town of Termalaine but a summoning item that provides a chance to share an audience with the Winter Queen of the Feywild.

The victor will gain access to the door that allows access to the Clock Tower. Can then show their friends the way to the location.

Midnight explains that they will have to win the confidence of the lords and must forget about Iceily for 1 hour. This is so that she can manipulate things where they need to be.

Six of the most powerful courts are here at Pucknix’s Dive right now. The four seasonal courts, Dusk and Dawn. Iceily / Madam Midnight is of the Winter Court, a lesser lady of the court but still powerful.

Lord Longlight is of the Court of Dawn.

In the presence of Madam Midnight you feel a level of power but not quite up to Gadrinikin’s strength.

Skitter asks Claymont if he thinks Madam Midnight might know his father. Claymont plays it down but the high-functioning autistic that is Skitter keeps bringing it up. Claymont asks if she’s heard of the tales of the Eye of Odin to which she agrees. When Claymont asks if she’s heard anything about the guy who retrieved said item from the son of a demi-god she says she is familiar with the story. The two then begin playing coy on the topic for a bit. She does state that she had no quarrel with the man since he was a bounty hunter and had no cause to encounter him. Claymont does ask if she might know how to contact the man but is told that he had many hunting grounds, the Feywild being simply one of them. Madam Midnight seems to twig on to the fact that he is probably related to him but doesn’t follow up on that.

Gorin then asks if she knows anything about Edin of the Glower. The Glower is a minor realm among the Autumn Court. Edin was of this court. Madam Midnight states that he was banished from the Feywild and that Ezrah had something to do with it. Edin performed a ruse on the lords and ladies of the Autumn Court, trying to earn his name for love. He was trying to win over a member of the Winter Court. Members of the Gloaming Court, the Unseelie, sought to have him banished from the Feywild for this. They sent Ezrah after Edin. Other members of the Glower are rumored to have been part of this.

Gorin asks if the drink contains booze and is mocked by Behlen for it. Behlen then complains about never finding Sahra before downing his drink.

As the drink settles in, the party no longer sees Madam Midnight nor do they recognize each other.

Claymont recognizes that he is supposed to second Lord Longlight.

Gorin recognizes that he is supposed to second Lemony.

Claymont makes a very good point about how people say goodbye and then walk away in a group. Why the hell do we do that? Super awkward.

The group slowly filters out while Skitter stands around leaning against the wall like the reprobate that he is. They slowly make their way into the hoity toity higher up room. The room has thinned out, leaving only six behind.

·        A reddish androgynous figure in wooden armor. Lady Last Light of the Autumn Court.

·        A fancy looking Kenku. Rainwing of the Dusk Court.

·        Smug ass Long Lordlight of the Dawn Court.

·        Sexy Treebeard. Natterplume of the Winter Court.

·        A lady with a beehive for hair. Lemony Elderbuzz of the Summer Court.

·        An elegant looking woman with a dress made of butterflies. Westia Fernswirls of the Spring Court.

Lord Longlight acknowledged Claymont as his second the minute they walked into the room. The androgynous figure seemed confused why the seconds were here already and asked where Madam Midnight was. Madam Midnight appears and seems surprised to see the butterfly woman whom she names as Westia. Introductions follow, clap clap.

Madam Midnight states that she deems the present mortals that are “unknown to her” as the most suitable to represent the court in the Casting. She then tasks the Court to present their boons. Each mortal then moves towards the Fey that they are to represent.

Claymont has moved to Lord Longlight. Longlight is quite taken with his strength and wordiness.

Gorin moves to stand with Lemony Elderbuzz. She starts fondling his muscles and praises him for beating up her minotaur. She wants some beard.

Skitter moves to sit near and fist bump Rainwing. Rainwing seems rather fond of Skitter bringing chaos where he goes.

Behlen moves to stand near Natterplume. The giant plant rises and leans down to Behlen. He touches the plant that had integrated with Mr. Stones while praising Behlen taking care of others in need. The monk nodded but said nothing.

Last Light praised Grovers familiarity with death and what comes with it.

Madam Midnight stated she was surprised to see Westia who stated that she has employed another and will have no second. Midnight quizzically asks who will be her first. Westia names the Grimbarrow. A strange, distorted salamander-type creature emerges from what used to be the kitchen door. The group seems to be confused about what this is.

Lord Longlight then states this his first will be Nillian. A humanoid water elemental creature.

Lemony Elderbuzz states that her first will be Mal Filmia. A winged creature emerges from the rafters of the room. Warrior princess vibes.

Natterplume names the Bowbreak. A humanoid tree blight rises from the floor near Behlen.

Ravenwing introduces the Gloomhound. A murder puppy monster thing. Enters on four legs but Skitter starts petting it, causing it to rise on two legs like a cuddly electric bear.

Lady Last Light names her first as Miles. A mostly human gentleman walks in and shakes Grovers hand.

Madam Midnight explains that the competition starts with the first’s competing and supported by the second. Explains that the lords and ladies should be offering their boons to the mortal who helps to win this competition. Encourages the nobility to provide that boon regardless of a win.

·        Natterplume rises and turns to Behlen. States he will impart upon him the Mark of the Longbranch. This tattoo acts as a Shadowfell Brand Tattoo but appears as a series of dark branches running along his arm.

·        Lord Longlight offers Claymont the Broods Edge, a +2 longsword that can be pulled apart to be a shortsword +2 and dagger +2.

·        Gorin is offered Bruenor’s Belt. Acts as a belt of Dwarvenkind. Increases his constitution, gives bonuses to his Charisma rolls against Dwarves. Non-dwarves get advantage on saving throws against poison, dark vision and give them the ability to speak, read and write Dwarvish. Also grow a beard each day at dawn.

·        Skitter is given a dark coat covered in trinkets. Called the Corvian Coat, it functionally serves as Elven Chain +1. This is medium armor of AC13 that gives you proficiency in it.

·        Grover is given the Eye of Laeral. The Eye serves as an Amulet of Health. This magical item sets your constitution score to 19.

The party beefs their insight checks as usual except for Claymont who rolls a natural 20. His eyes are drawn to Westia, currently petting the salamander thing. He notes that there is something familiar about the way that she is moving. It reminds him of Sahra.

Madam Midnight unseats Skitter from his position who makes it as awkward as possible. They then begin talking about how Edin is trying to get the Winter Queens attention and that his having this artifact is impressive. They are talking amongst themselves, leaving the firsts and seconds to their own devices.

DM Dave sends sneaky links to everyone regarding their first and how the Lord / Lady feels about the other competitors.

The rules are then laid out.

**Rules of the competition.**

·        Only humanoids may enter the field.

·        The combat starts with roasts – this determines initiative. May choose to offer your charisma score in place of your first.

·        May not attack the guards – they’re there to enforce the rules.

·        Leaving the arena is a forfeit. May do it to save your life but it’s still a loss. May only fly 40 feet up. May go 30 feet down into the water.

·        May choose to do lethal or non-lethal damage. Non-lethal is encouraged as a subdual is worth more than a kill. A tie from two kills will be decided on who can stand with the least healing.

·        No summoning others once in the competition excepting your second.

·        Opportunity to bid against winter queen goes to man from the last house standing.

·        A first can call upon their second for aid. Can use their bonus action to call upon one of your abilities, actions or spell slots to help them out.

After giving the rules, the party is sent to the “Blue Room” to wait. The party speaks briefly and agrees that the Grimbarrow needs to go. Once he does the winner no longer matters. They must hope that their first follows through on this.

They are then brought out to the balcony of the arena with their lord and their first. There they have a short time to strategize with the first before they begin the battle.

Mal Filmia is the first to move. She immediately launches an Eldritch Blast at the Grimbarrow but goes wide.

Miles moves towards Nillian and enchants her with a Hypnotic Pattern, leaving her unable to defend herself.

The Gloomhound goes straight for Bowbreak and blasts him with two arcs of electricity that takes a large chunk out of him.

Grimbarrow goes in for Mal Filmia and slices into her repeatedly to little effect.

Bowbreak moves in and attacks the Gloomhound, smashing it with one branch and stunning it (using Behlen’s Stunning Strike). However, its grasping attack is completely useless on the living storm.

Mal Filmia uses a Finger of Death spell to grievously wound Grimbarrow, revealing chitin under the salamander skin.

Miles uses Nightmare Touch on Nillian and manages to greatly wound her. This has the side effect of freeing her from her daze.

Grimbarrow tears into Mal Filimia like a lunatic although her resistance to wounds is saving her from real injury. She uses Hellish Rebuke to burn the already wounded monster.

Nillian stabs at Miles repeatedly with her trident, stabbing him twice and freezing his body. This slow him down.

Bowbreak screams a wooden roar and smashes the Gloomhound to the ground. He doesn’t care enough to kill it, leaving it utterly unconscious but calling in Skitter.

Mal Filmia grabs Grimbarrow and shocks it to death with electricity. She then moves to meet Bowbreak.

Miles slashes at Nillian with Nightmare Touch twice, wounding her some more.

Skitter poofs into the arena, surprised. Seeing the scary things fighting all around him he takes off like a bat out of hell. As he does so he looks through the glowing orb in the middle of the field by accident. When he does this, he notes that there is an aura of power floating around the various fey in the arena. This also shows him the body of Westia with a ghost floating over her, that of an incredibly beautiful woman. He is reminded of the name Zex, one of the Malignant Six. She is the orchestrator of their escape from the prison and is known for her powers of seduction and enchantment.

Skitter grabs his Spell Stone and sends his message to Claymont. “Oh fuck, oh fuck. Westy Zexxie. I think… Uh… Send!”

Claymont responds with “Lol. wait... WTF? You mean the ghostie? oh fuck. We don't have a trap. oh fuck”

Nillian borrows Claymont’s Divine Smite before starting to stab at Miles with her trident again. After a flurry of weak but persistent blows the warrior falls unconscious.

Bowbreak moves in on Mal Filmia and smashes her hard with his branches before grabbing and biting the fairy.

In response Mal Filmia grabs his branch and uses her Planeshift ability to banish him from reality.

Miles dissipates and is replaced by Grover who is down on his knees begging for mercy. He loudly exclaims that they are being manipulated to fight.

Skitter turns the Spell Stone effect on Behlen. “Yo Behlen. Ferngully is possessed and stuff. It's a Zexy Ghost. No bueno. Sus.”

Grimbarrow’s corpse twitches and explodes, revealing an insectile Remorhaz. Westia then proclaims that “Only humanoids may **enter** the arena.” The various first’s proceed to opt out of the battle, running like bitches and dragging their second into the battle in their place.

Skitter looks from the Remorhaz to his Spell Stone and sends a message to Gorin. “Gor-bae, I found Zex. lols. Hold my beer. Wait... wtf is that?”

Gorin has a very Gorin response. “OH NO --- I FELT SOMETHING B4. --- 4GOT HOW2 USE LOL.”

## Claymont's Log

poses a threat. bounty hunter. Azerah pulled off a ruse on lord lady of (autumn glomen or unseely?) court. Azereah was paid to turn him in and stop this lova affair. bounty humter . glower under autumn court. edin trying to win over someone from anothe house nd shamed his own house (made fun of autumn). he autumn, loves winter. screws over autumn. winter hired ezerah.

rules

* 1sts compete in insults
* only humanoids, no summoning
* insutlts to start
* direct attck on shards forefeit

1sts can call on seconds for help.

brood's edge +2 longsword. pulled apart to shortsword and dagger. daggersword

westia petting 1st. familiar about the way she is moving. reminded me of Sahra.

https://5e.tools/bestiary/water-elemental-myrmidon-mtf.html

LORD LONGLIGHT is confident that NILLIAN will win, but knows and loves that taking out MILES first will piss off LADY LASTLIGHT to no end

lexia is Zex - the smart one, orchestrated the escape, enchanter - maybe manipulator, seducer