To Find a Captain

"**To Find a Captain**" (1x07) is the 7th episode of Dun-Johns and Dragons.

### **Previously on *Dun-Johns and Dragons***

Having successfully located and looted the arcanist’s lair as tasked by The Penumbra, the party returned to the city to fulfill their obligation and collect their reward. They kept certain items of the loot hidden from Makaria Quest, leader of The Penumbra, most importantly a crystal imbued with powerful arcane magic. With the party now in the group’s favor, Makaria promised to help them look into the disappearance of Captain Olo of the city guard, a task previously given to them by the guard’s clerk. After this meeting, the party retired to the Maiden’s Cellar to regroup.

### **Part I**

As the rest of the party enjoys their drinks in the tavern, Dugluss and Magpie take the Portable Hole out back to retrieve the crystal. Magpie also pockets a few handfuls of the gold coins still in the hole and upon going back inside, spends a silly amount of it buying another round of drinks for the party. The party decides to splurge on a nicer place to stay for the night and head to the Silver Sector. En route, Magpie enthuses about the beverage possibilities at a “posh tavern”, Dugluss buffs his armor, and Zander changes his Cloak of Many Fashions to look as fancy as he can imagine.

Stone grows increasingly uncomfortable as the group enters the Silver Sector, which is populated almost entirely by humans who aren’t nearly as armed as they are. Magpie, meanwhile, enthusiastically offers a piggyback ride to Zander, who happily accepts, pulling out a turnip to use as a pretend lance. Stone notices a shadowy, dog-sized figure that seems to be following them. They enter a very fancy tavern called The Merry Sage and procure rooms, drinks, and dinner. They notice a tapestry on the wall illustrating the royal family’s lineage; Dugluss expresses appreciation for the idea of remembering family history while Magpie scoffs; Zander appears very uncomfortable at the conflict; Yoolna seems forlorn at the mention of family and Stone, taking a moment alone outside, is exasperated at the bickering they overhear. Over dinner, the group agrees to take a day off in the city tomorrow. As they settle into their rooms for the night, Dugluss spends more time studying the crystal.

In the morning, as they sit down to breakfast, a grubby-looking little girl approaches Magpie with a message from their “mutual friend”: “‘he’ was seen on the southeast shore, climbing northwards on the Alabaster Cliffs.” Father Buckitt informs the group that these are located south of the city along the coast. Before leaving the tavern, they return to one of their rooms and distribute 200 gold from the Portable Hole to each party member and they each go off in search of their own ends for the day. Stone goes to an armorer and upgrades their armor. Magpie has a relaxing spa visit, although her hair dye fades badly. Dugluss finds a jeweler to begin teaching him jewelry crafting. Yoolna goes to a blacksmith and commissions a boomerang dagger. She, Stone, and Zander all visit a magic shop.

### **Part II**

At the magic shop, Stone inquires about an enchantment for his hammer, but is put off by the high prices so goes to wait outside. Zander considers a pair of height-increasing boots and some strength-enhancing gloves, but decides he doesn’t need them. Yoolna examines a poison-imbued dagger, a sculpture of an elephant that can transform into a real elephant, and a folding boat, but they are all too expensive. She also asks about ordering some kind of healing charm, but cannot afford it at the moment, and so they leave the shop. Zander then finds an armorer to upgrade his armor. Finished at the spa, Magpie visits a tailor and orders a new shirt, coat, and hat. Yoolna inquires about a mapmaker; she learns of a gnome cartographer named Glim Garrick, but no one knows where to find him, so she makes a note to keep a lookout for him.

Their shopping finished, the party begins the journey south, stopping to camp at the same place they stayed on their way back into the city. Stone casts Tiny Hut; as they check the area before settling in for the night, they catch a glimpse of Pebble, but he won’t approach. Dugluss has another session with the crystal. Yoolna checks over her tools. Stone sits watching for a few hours to see if Pebble will return, but has no luck.

Later in the night, Stone and Dugluss are awakened by rustling noises outside, and in their minds hear words in a language they don’t understand. Sitting up, Stone sees an antlered, gorilla-like creature in the brush nearby, and everyone is gripped by a feeling of death and decay; Yoolna, Magpie, and Father Buckitt fail their saves and take a hit of damage. With everyone now awake, they see there are two of the creatures. One of them jumps on top of the Tiny Hut. The feeling of sickness hits again, this time damaging Stone, Zander, and Magpie, and the group enters initiative. Each creature is finished off in a single round, with everyone landing attacks and Father Buckitt, last in the initiative lineup, landing massive final blows on each one, the first with Guiding Bolt, and the second with a hammer blow enhanced with both Thunderous Smite and Divine Smite [the players commented on the irony, since Buckitt had so many misses in previous combats, and now he was doing so well when JD wasn’t even present for this episode; other players were rolling for him]. Stone casts Prayer of Healing on everyone. They light a fire, set watches, and once again settle in for the night.

During the second watch, Magpie hears Pebble scavenging around the bodies of the creatures; she rolls a nat 20 on her animal handling check and he immediately comes to her call and lets her pet him while he devours his find. In the morning, Yoolna uses her medallion to detect thoughts on Pebble to check if he is a spy; his thoughts appear entirely consumed with food. They break camp and continue on toward the Alabaster Cliffs.

## **Featured Characters**

### **Player Characters**

* Dugluss Deep-Forge
* Father Buckitt
* Magpie
* Stone
* Yoolna
* Zander Brushspark