And You Makes Four

Carly Strait

McKenzie Wilkes

Our heroes have brunch with Lyco Sidae, then return home to meet a new team member. Will they gel well enough to continue in the Gauntlet?

## Summary

### **Brunch in the Vineyard**

It is the day before the Tourney. That morning, Griana goes and does an audition for Monster of the Musical and feels pretty good about it. Lyco Sidae is waiting to take the trio to brunch, fitted with a picnic basket on his arm. The party exchanges greetings with Lyco and they all hop in his carriage to head off to brunch.

On the carriage ride over, Lyco inquires how the trio's recent trip to retrieve the soldiers went. They tell him that though it was difficult and strenuous, they feel it prepared them for the Tourney tomorrow morning. They are heading South, what those local to Burnfort refer to as "Down Cliff," an area full of wineries and vineyards at the far South side of the city. They arrive at their destination and it's a cold and cloudy day. Lyco pulls out a staff that unfolds and he uses it to cast something at the sky. From the ground around the party, a wall of thorns builds around them as a protective dome and magical sconces appear. Everyone settles to enjoy brunch.

> *"What a coincidence, Zil is wearing their 'Gays Love Brunch' shirt!" -Griana*
>
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Griana asks why Lyco has taken interest in them, he replies that Lavinia informed him that the party was in town and he wants to see that they're taken care of. They apologize to him for skipping their first plans with him and he accepts the apology, instead shifting the conversation to the party. He asks if they were the ones to find the body, Zil quickly asks if Lyco has any updates about the investigation. He says he knows very little, but Zil attempts to get a better read on him with an Insight check, noticing that Lyco is brushing it off a bit. Zil tries a different tactic to get Lyco to talk, but it does not work. Lyco responds that as a helper of the state and not an official member, he is not permitted to know things. When asked about what kind of helper he is, he responds that it's a freelance gig as he is a business owner in the city, and that some of the council members are some of his closest friends.

They ask Lyco what his suspicions are and he replies that he has none. He is attempting to poke around to find his own answers but has come up short. Lyco then shifts the conversation, asking the party how they're enjoying the city. He asks them if they're considering a permanent residence in Burnfort and the party evades, not willing to commit to living in the city long term quite yet. The party asks Lyco what businesses he owns and he responds with Authenticity and The Refuge, but before he can continue Kai makes a comment about her experiences with Marjiani at The Refuge and they shift the conversation once more to wanting to get to know Lyco better. He insists he has a boring life.

Lyco asks if there's any way he can help the party in the Gauntlet. He tells the party that in order to be successful in the Tourney tomorrow, they should prepare their best wrestlers. Griana asks how the team can improve their reputation and gain more of the people's vote. Lyco says Burnfort's language is power moves, they don't have the time to subtly improve - they need to go big or go home.

## Trivia

* Marks the first appearance of Dylan Rose.