Ep. 102 Wanted Dead or Alive

## Watch

Wanted Dead or Alive | Khyber Shards #102 | D&D 5e Actual Play

—Eric

The fight on the train continues. Pog, Shade, and Esri meet each other at various times throughout the battle, destroying skeletons and trying to salvage this. Under Lucan's influence, Ari teleports them both onto the airship, where Lucan bites into his neck, breaking the charm. Kael and Ari try to manage the vampire. The colorfully-masked person appears, searching for Lucan and the sword. Shade turns on Demise after being assured that Demise can't get them onto the airship.

Lucan bites into Ari, who falls unconscious.

## Synopsis

The Stryke Force has somewhat reunited on the train in Zilargo. Pog continues his attack on the skeletons, with his echo as backup. Esri makes his way through the cars and meets up with Shade, who hacks on of the hands off a skeleton.

On the traintop, Ari approaches Lucan, and shouts to him that Thora sent them to help. They talked to Mina, and they need to get rid of the sword. Lucan is furious that they've done anything to Mina. Lucan charms Ari into realizing Lucan is the only one who really grasps what's happening here, and knows what's needed with the sword. Everyone else is misguided at best, ill-intentioned at worse. Above all, he needs to help Lucan escape. Lucan orders him to call down the ship.

Much less gracefully than Lucan, Demise comes up over the side. She calls to Lucan to give up the sword, and shoots an arrow at Lucan. Ari magically assists with deflecting one.

Pog smashes at more skeletons. His echo appears next to him, holding a shadowy version of Fury's Edge. Little bits of flame wisp around it. Pog thanks it, and it disappears. Esri notices the lack of Ari, and checks through a latch on the roof. Ari says he's fine and is going to push ahead; Esri yells to the others that Lucan is up top.

Shade runs after Demise. She opens a door right as someone across the car does, and sees the colorfully-haired half-elf from the party. In one hand is a quarterstaff, in the other is wreathing flames. They're both confused at each other's presence, and Shade asks about Demise—they haven't seen her. Shade asks about Lucan, and the person says that's who they're looking for, too. Shade directs him to the top of the train, but says the sword is theirs. The person says they'll see.

Ari yells to Esri that he'll go after the sword; really, he's waiting for Lucan to get closer so they can teleport away. As soon as Lucan is within arms reach, Ari wraps him in a hug and they bamp out of sight. They appear on the ship, and Lucan takes the opportunity to bite Ari and heal off of him. That snaps him out of it, and he shouts in alarm as the fangs sink into his neck.

Demise runs in the direction of the disappearing Lucan and Ari. Stopping Esri, she remembers the communicator, and demands to know where they went. Ari admits mistakes were made and please help.

Pog joins Shade, and says they need to help Ari, then climbs on the roof. He tells Demise to stop killing everyone. Demise ignores that, being too focused on how upset she is that Ari stole Lucan. Esri runs back into the car and gets updates from Shade. Since Demise can't get them onto the airship and is no longer helpful, Shade attacks her.

On the airship, Kael attacks Lucan. Finally haven broken free of Lucan's charm, Ari attacks him with Remembrance. Lucan slashes back, and Mina screams.

Demise defends herself against Shade.

*"What are you doing, you little fool?!?
—Demise*

Pog's echo manifests behind Demise, moves closer, and joins the attack. Esri finds them. He tries to heal Shade, but thanks to Demise's spell, she doesn't heal at all. Esri gets angry, and the spores that were trying to heal Shade fly to Demise instead, causing necrotic damage. The Dragonhawk appears on the top of the train, and calls out if anyone has seen a vampire.

They all say no, and Shade adds that they're after the sword. The person casts a spell, but the result isn't apparent. Shade tries to shove Demise off the train, but she pushes her off. Shade is angry, so tries to stab again.

Ari and Kael continue their assault on Lucan. Lucan grabs Ari by the collar and bites him unconscious.

## Spells

* **Ari**
	+ Eldritch Blast (twice)
	+ Hypnotic Pattern
	+ Silvery Barbs (twice)
	+ Thunder Step (with Lucan)
* **Esri**
	+ Cure Wounds (2nd level, on Shade, fails)
	+ Infestation
* **Demise**
	+ Necrotic Burst
	+ Shield

## Quotes

"What if it's just spores in a skin container?"
"Can that be the name of the Stryke Force's first album? I think that's perfect."
"In the end, aren't we all just spores in a skin container?"
"I hope not."
*—Casey, Colin, R.A., and Philip, about Esri*

"The sword is for Daddy Lucan."
*—Eric*

"You take ten piercing damage."
"Huh, maybe you *will* go down."
*—Philip and Colin*

"Where in the hells did you go?"
"I'm up on the ship with Lucan now. Mistakes were made. Help, please, god, help, oh god, help, please."
*—Demise and Ari*

"Listen, that is the correct millennial mindset: I tried something once, I wasn't good at it, and I will never do it again."
"And I will cause you harm because of it."
*—Eric and R.A.*