Spa Humbug

**Spa Humbug** is the 18th Session of the Second Season in Where Shades Rule. This session marks the Six's first interaction with the notorious Black market known as the Barricade.

## Recap

After getting the aid of the Three Magickos to cleanse their remaining party members of the Curse of Malite, the party return to dealing with the source of these infections creating unknowing spies in the CIty. The party choose to find Wulf and discover that he is indeed behind their poisoning and manage to free him of the Curse as well. It was here they discover that Wulf now remembers that it was not an Undead Runner that corrupted him but Knight-Captain Loe himself; a memory the curse suppressed. They go and confront Knight-Captain Loe who Vandor discovers is corrupted and that the bar's patrons are also corrupted. Loe realising that they know chooses to attack and leave no witnesses.

## Summary

Engaging the patrons of the bar in battle, Tore goes into a rage invoking a Wild Magic effect that causes dark tendrils that shoot from him and immediately slaw several of the infected patrons. Sir Davion faces off against Sir Prescott as the battle g3ets chaotic. Dame Dagmar casts burning hands to deal with more of the enemy as Loe uses dark magic to raise slain patrons as Sword Wraiths causing a small fire to spread near the fireplace. As the battle continues, Davion strikes down Loe who as he dies mocks the Knight and pledges to see them again.

As the battle begins to come to a victorious conclusion a Sword Wraith that was *turned* by Vandor's Divine magic broke through a window and left the building quickly pursued by members of the party that knew they could not let one escape. Eventually after a couple more were slain and another fire stamped out they were successful. The Six called for nearby guards and ordered the scene to be cordoned off. The guards began the clean up operation as the party began to catch their breath and recover from the wounds they had received.

Leaving the guards with instructions, they returned to Bragna House to recoup after another stop at the Three Magicko's Home to be cleansed of yet another curse infection.

The party choose follow up on another lead of theirs regarding the Barricade and its possible possession of the final ingredient they need for the Magicko's bomb who seem to be sharing a celebratory evening and even show the design of the Bomb to the party, albeit briefly. The next morning they go Castle Valour and have Daniel released into their custody in order to use him to make contact with the Black market group.

Daniel is more than pleased to be released and true to character simply talks too much. Yet, the party tolerates him so long as he gets them what they need. He takes them to a Spa in the City where he requests a full service and inquiring about a particular concierge "Andrew". As the group enters the spa room, Daniel helps himself and begins to relax without a care in the world. Members of the group become somewhat agitated as an increasing amount of time passes they press Daniel on what is holding up the Barricade contact.

Daniel insists that all is well and everything is happening according to Barricade protocol. However, he admits that the Barricade chooses to show up when it wants which can be any amount of times and sometimes determined on what they consider 'priority' or 'risk'. Such as if they think the contact is a guard in disguise. The party notes that Dagmar is with them in Halassey Legion colours.

Tully instead chooses to go out and speak directly with the Concierge. She is greeted by Andrew with Daniel in tow. She is very direct with the Concierge and he decides to outline what will happen. Their 'friends' will arrange a deal for the item that Tully requests, the Saliva of a Blink Dog. However, this will happen according to a strict dead-drop acquisition that if the Six fail to follow, will be immediately abandoned. Tully agrees to follow this plan and returns to the party.

## Featured Characters

### The Six

* Sir Davion Phylund
* Tore Wolfram
* Tully Tanglefoot and Basil
* Vandor Tah
* Dame Dagmar Woodfang

### Returning Characters

* Wulf Phylund
* Knight-Captain Loe
* The Three Magickos