Session 17

← Session 16 | Session 18 →

The party learns some information, meets some people, and checks up on a few old friends.

## Characters

* The Party
* Ramona Walz
* Kitty Vance
* Silas Vance
* Valefor
* Zaida Loch
* Na'arisiel
* The Sculptor
* Hollis Tucker
* 0-771534
* Legacy Byrnes
* Giles Winsett

## Rumors

Sam doesn't trust Nyx; he is given Wild. He has a visit from Valefor, a demon.

Nyx doesn't trust Colby; she is given Power. The Vances let her know they're concerned about folk from Power going missing.

Asa doesn't trust Kuno; he is given Power. He runs into Zaida, who is looking for Ollie.

Colby doesn't trust Nyx; he is given Wild. He finds bad vibes block again.

Kuno doesn't trust Asa; he is given Power. He stumbles across the Sculptor, and has a conversation.

## Summary

##### **Thursday, January 14th, 543:**

There is a new story running on every news source: the Sculptor has been caught. They are reluctant to share more information, since the Sculptor has gained a cult following that sources suspect would be willing to commit crimes to free him, but they assure the public that the serial killer is safely behind bars. This story is on every site, and every reporter and news anchor has their opinions on the story.

### **Packages from Problems Inc.**

##### **Tuesday, January 4th, 543:**

Kuno has been spending time at home, working on his memoirs and not knowing to worry about the rest of the party. He has tried to listen to Dusk Radio, but they have been off the air for the past few days. He is working at his desk when his door is kicked in, and his apartment is torn apart by a group of people lead by a woman with a pipe slung over her shoulder. The woman is here to ask Kuno where he learned to poke around her accounting firm, and to warn him off sticking his nose in her business again. Under this duress, Kuno tells her they got their information from Pax, and that she can find him in a dumpster somewhere. Her associates refer to her as Walz. They threaten to burn down Kuno's apartment building, but do not, settling themselves with breaking everything they can and giving Kuno a very sharp warning.

##### **Saturday, January 9th, 543:**

After Pax leaves, Nyx discovers a plethora of missed calls and voicemails from Kitty Vance. Nyx visits promptly, assuring Kitty that she's still alive. She learns Kitty was worried Nyx had disappeared, which other members of the Vances' magical network have been doing.

Since the events of the Gala, Colby's church has received a flood of new wealthy patrons. With this money, Fells has provided for him an apartment in the upper-class part of the City, which includes an effective security system. Fells has also commissioned a new church for the parish, which is an old building actively being renovated, and started referring to the original members of the congregation as Colby's apostles. Colby's role in services has increased, and while he is still able to attend college and leave his apartment Fells has made it clear she disapproves of anything he's doing that doesn't further his role as the "messiah".

### **On a Scale of One to Ten**

##### **Friday, January 15th, 543:**

In the time since Sam returned home, Ben has mostly been avoiding him. One day when Ben is out, Sam receives a visit from a demon who gives their name as Valefor. They are here to make sure Sam has been having a satisfactory experience with what they refer to as his "liason," in reference to MacLaughagan.

Sam invites them in, and the two have a pleasant chat, which Sam uses to get information about demonic politics. Valefor explains some things about the Lower Plane company comprised of demons, namely that said company exists and has a monopoly on what they call "power exchange and harvest." They also explain that MacLaughagan is one of the company's oldest employees, and as such has been known to be discontent with the power balance in the demonic chain of command. Valefor is here to ensure Sam hasn't gotten involved in demonic politics on MacLaughagan's behalf, and Sam says the relationship has been less than ideal but makes no real complaints. He mentions he's apparently involved in politics to some degree, making reference to the cult his caul is against, which Valefor says he has no need to worry about. Valefor leaves him with their contact information, urging him to get in touch if anything comes up, or even if he just wants to chat.

### **Friends New and Old**

##### **Thursday, January 7th, 543:**

Asa, who was only in the hands of the revolutionaries for a few days, has been occasionally trying to convince himself to visit them again. He's on one of these walks when he runs into Zaida Loch, who says she is out looking for her brother, asking if Asa has seen him. She gives the name of the person she's looking for as Oliver, and a brief description that resembles Ollie. Asa lies and says he hasn't heard anything, but that he will keep an eye out. Zaida thanks him and gives him her phone number, in case he sees anything

##### **Monday, January 11th, 543:**

Colby is out on a walk to get groceries when he comes across a patch of ground that makes him viscerally nauseous and has the same battery acid soul-taste as the block in the poor district did. He looks around to see if he can learn anything more, and notices that his phone's time and date displays are spinning through random numbers. Colby also sees a flower pot in varying degrees of falling off a window, with different states more prevalent as Colby watches. Overwhelmingly nauseous, and unable to see any obvious source, he continues with his grocery run.

### **A Completely Normal Evening with Not a Single Flesh Tree**

##### **Sunday, January 17th, 543:**

Kuno is out on a walk late at night when he hears an odd keening, slithering-rustling noise. Going to investigate, he finds a fleshy construction in roughly the shape of a tree. The rustling is coming from a black gooey, flowing mass, which is covering the floor of the alley as well as helping to hold a figure on the side of a building. Kuno recognizes the figure as the Sculptor, and takes a few photos of the alley. He hails the Sculptor, who doesn't respond. Once Kuno gets in his eyeline, the Sculptor startles, and takes out his headphones.

The two have a brief conversation, in which Kuno resolutely avoids acknowledging the fact that the Sculptor is the Sculptor (though not the fleshy tree-like shape), resulting in the serial killer being concerned for his well-being. The Sculptor says he isn't currently employed, and mentions having some medical knowledge, though he isn't really a doctor. Kuno notices the serial killer is using a voice modulator that overlays his voice on top of itself in several pitches at once. After thoroughly confusing the Sculptor, Kuno introduces himself, to which the serial killer resolutely avoids giving a name in return. The Sculptor leaves, taking a duffel bag with him. The black ooze is no longer anywhere to be seen.

##### **Monday, January 18th, 543:**

With this, Kuno goes to visit Nyx at her apartment. She is surprised her late-night visitor is Kuno, and even more so to hear he saw the Sculptor, who is supposedly in jail. The two visit the scene of the latest atrocity, and Nyx notices a pair of business casual clothes on the ground--unusual in this part of town. Without much else to go on, Nyx has a vision of where the Sculptor is now: she sees through his eyes for a moment, catching a glimpse of a dark, cavernous space with a table in the middle. The table contains several sleek cases, and is dominated by a rat in a cage, which the Sculptor is feeding. Nyx and Kuno return to Nyx's apartment, having learned what they can from the alley.

Back at her apartment, Nyx texts the group chat, asking them to meet up as soon as possible. However, it is nearly 2 in the morning, so the two settle down to wait. Kuno fills Nyx in on recent occurrences, namely the fact that someone broke into his house, as well as his experience at the Gala. He asks what she was up to, and Nyx turns off every device that might contain a microphone before saying that legally, Kuno heard none of this, and explaining the attack at the Gala by the revolutionaries.

### **First Annual Convention of Clowns and Jesters**

Asa arrives at around 6, and hears from Nyx what Kuno did, after turning off his phone. He explains being kidnapped, mentioning that it was by fey, dropping Lyric's name in particular. Asa also mentions Ollie's presence with the revolutionaries.

Sam gets to the apartment at about 8:30, and is promptly told to turn off his phone. Asa re-explains the revolutionaries, and while Sam protests their methods he lets the issue slide. Kuno tells everyone about his apartment being attacked by Walz, which Sam recognizes as similar to what happened to Ben.

Colby shows up later, about 9 or 10. Everyone explains what's happened to them again, and Colby mentions that he's ended up with a place in the upper class, more or less. He tells the party about his latest experience with bad vibes block, which Sam recognizes and everyone else is confused by. Sam suggests visiting Hollis to try and get any answers, which Asa protests to, but Colby agrees with. Sam also mentions that he had a visit from demonic customer service, which Colby replies to by being miffed he doesn't get customer service from heaven. With all recent occurrences laid out, the party splits up: Sam and Colby go to visit Hollis, Nyx goes in search of Zacharie, and finally Asa and Kuno head off to visit Ollie.

Nyx goes in search of Zacharie, but he isn't at any of his usual haunts. Concerned, but with nothing to go on, she heads in the direction of Ollie's apartment, to join that section of the party.

### **Apocalypse Soon**

Sam and Colby drop by Hollis's apartment, where Hollis is more displeased to see them than usual. The two explain the odd occurrence they've had twice now, and that they thought they would ask him since he is the closest thing to an expert on extraplanar nonsense they have. Hollis wants nothing to do with them, and doesn't let them in.

They do manage to pry out that these kinds of things are ripples, and if they're being this affected just by proximity whatever is causing it must be immensely powerful--and thus, something to ignore and leave alone, in his professional opinion. He mentions he would have had some idea 20 years ago, but that has been dealt with, and was the occurrence that left him down seven roommates. According to Hollis, there is no way the party could have gotten into something as big as he and his friends were dealing with before in the amount of time they've been active.

In an effort to get him to give any more information, Sam mentions that Nyx had a vision indicating the universe was going to end. Hollis brushes this off, saying he's been up against the end of the universe twice before, and is about half certain several of the powers that be are actively tired of it. There is a possibility, according to him, that said powers have started taking active steps to end things, and Hollis reportedly agrees with this decision. With this, he closes the door on Sam and Colby, leaving them with more questions than answers.

### **A Nice Afternoon With Terrorists**

When Asa and Kuno arrive at Ollie's apartment, Ollie welcomes them in, mentioning Legacy and Clovis are here as well. He is in the middle of securing everything in sight, and says that if Kuno and Asa are planning to stay they should lock up their valuables. The two are confused, at which point Legacy enters, and introductions are made. Legacy says their lead engineer is dropping by soon, and that said engineer has sticky fingers.

Asa mentions to Ollie that Zaida is looking for him, and Ollie is less than enthused to hear this, but not surprised. He has a low opinion of Zaida. Legacy says the revolutionaries are planning on breaking into Paragon Towers to distribute the footage from the Gala, and while it's a difficult plan he thinks they can pull it off. Asa and Ollie have a short conversation about his morals, in which Ollie emphasizes the fact that he couldn't sit by and do nothing, and has run the numbers that this course of action has the greatest chance of success.

Just about when everything is secured and double-checked, there is a knock at the door. Apprehensively, Legacy answers it, and is surprised to see Nyx. Nyx is let in, and introductions are made, as well as the party explaining to Legacy that they helped Ollie out once. Legacy asks if there are any other friends he should worry about, and Nyx explains that they also know Colby and Sam. Legacy, having seen the religion boys at the Gala, is less than enthused, but the party vouches on their behalf. Nyx mentions something about having visions, which is cut off by another knock at the door.

### **Don't Think About it Too Hard**

Enter the whirlwind that is Giles Winsett, who provides a lot of food for the gathering as well as introducing himself to the party. He asks after Lyric and Rain, and Legacy explains they're off doing other things. Having been reassured the plan for breaking into Paragon is going well, he proceeds to stick around for several hours. Nyx is confused by his general existence, which is only exacerbated by his ability to create engineering marvels out of spare parts and belief. Eventually, before nightfall is really upon the City, Giles leaves. The party finds that nothing of theirs has been stolen, and head out as well.

Over the next week, Kuno offers just about minimum wage to help him move house, which Sam and Asa take him up on.

## Quotes

**Kellen:** "Enjoy a full stocked supermarket, you capitalist scum."

**Kellen:** "Kuno, you ever go walking alone at night? I know I told you not to, but do you ever?"

**James:** "Kuno’s not known for making good decisions."

**Abby:** "Nyx will speak ill of whomever she pleases."

**Colby:** "I don’t get customer service from heaven, is all I’m saying."

**Nyx:** "I’m not sure I’ve ever believed in myself, but I can still do magic." | **Asa:** "Yeah, ditto."

← Session 16 | Session 18 →