RangerWickett
Legend
Did they seriously use that pun in character?
ZEITGEIST [ZEITGEIST] The Continuing Adventures of Korrigan & Co.
gideonpepys
Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.
No, that was me, throwing it in once they'd worked it out. If they'd used it independently you can be sure I'd have made a bigger deal out of it (maybe even doled out some bonus XP). Then I'd have got suspicious that whoever said it was reading the adventures.
gideonpepys
Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.
Session 51, Part Three - The Winter Culling
Dusk was approaching when they arrived. They could hear cheers from within and learned that the event taking place was the Winter Culling, when enfeebled, insane and sickly fey of no fixed abode were rounded up and slaughtered, to save them from undue suffering during the coldest months. (It didn’t seem all that cold right now; as a matter of fact it was positively summery – but this was the Dreaming and nothing following Waking logic.)
Balder Norther was one such fey, and once the unit had established their credentials, they were allowed to speak to him through the bars of a large holding cell. Once the nature of their visit was established, two more fey came forward and said they too had witnessed strange events that night, (one for each entrance of the tunnel, conveniently) which they would only share if they were released. As soon as the unit agreed, almost a dozen more ‘witnesses’ stepped forward and it was necessary for them to weed out those who were making their stories up.
In the end, they settled on the bedraggled Norther, as well as Thanriff (a one-hoofed satyr) and Beetlecurse (a sorry-looking dryad who had managed to survive after her tree was eaten by beetles). By now, their activity had attracted the attention of Lord Karrest the Fire, who was on hand to take part in the executions. He agreed to release the three witnesses if a champion could best him in combat. Quratulain said she would do it for the fun of it, and followed Karrest out into the arena. Karrest became outraged when she took out her pistols. “Put those away, you metal monster! This is a civilized duel. Have you no sword?!?” Quratulain shrugged, stowed her guns and produced a blade from her forearm.
She bested Karrest during their initial exchange. He came at her in a flurry of robes, but her blow caught him with surprising force and he fell back, prone. The crowd cheered and expected Quratulain to take advantage of Karrest’s position, but she stood still, suspicious of his behaviour. Eventually, Karrest sprang to his feet and came at Quratulain again. Again, she bested him, and he fell forward onto his knees, where he awaited her ‘killing blow’. She was not fooled. “Cut out the nonsense. Let’s get on with this.”
Karrest was infuriated when his ruse did not work, and now he rained down blow after blow on Quratulain. Each time he hit, her metal shell shrugged off most of the damage, although she did end up on fire for most of the rest of the fight. But her ripostes were so keen and so swingeing that Karrest soon found himself worse off. He held up an imperious hand and offered to end the duel if Quratulain agreed to serve as Champion for the Unseen Court, to replace the absent Asrabey (who it seems had not returned to the Dreaming as he proposed).
Korrigan was having none of it and stepped in to remonstrate with Karrest. There would be no changing of the terms. Either the combat continued to its conclusion, or…
Before Korrigan could name the alternative (submission) Karrest threw his hands up in the air and shouted, “I care not! Take the wastrels if it pleases you, and be gone!”
Outside the stadium, they confirmed that Balder Norther had indeed seen Rock enter the Krog Tunnel from the north shortly before his body was discovered. Thanriff reported having seen Thisraldion leave by the southwest exit; Beetlecurse saw Olazdor leave the southwest exit at the same time.
Curiouser and curiouser!
Not long after that they tracked down Aric de Rocha, an elf-like fey who found the body. He felt sure he had nothing to add until close questioning encouraged him to recall two bits of evidence he a previously dismissed as inconsequential: First, there were bits of cracked eggshell on the ground near the body. Second, there was a huge orb of spider webs hanging from the ceiling, picked out very clearly in Aric’s lantern light.
When they left the humble dwelling Aric occupied, they found Lady Atsla and her retinue of Ice Trolls waiting for them outside. With a voice like an arctic breeze, the Lady demanded a word with them.
End of Session
Dusk was approaching when they arrived. They could hear cheers from within and learned that the event taking place was the Winter Culling, when enfeebled, insane and sickly fey of no fixed abode were rounded up and slaughtered, to save them from undue suffering during the coldest months. (It didn’t seem all that cold right now; as a matter of fact it was positively summery – but this was the Dreaming and nothing following Waking logic.)
Balder Norther was one such fey, and once the unit had established their credentials, they were allowed to speak to him through the bars of a large holding cell. Once the nature of their visit was established, two more fey came forward and said they too had witnessed strange events that night, (one for each entrance of the tunnel, conveniently) which they would only share if they were released. As soon as the unit agreed, almost a dozen more ‘witnesses’ stepped forward and it was necessary for them to weed out those who were making their stories up.
In the end, they settled on the bedraggled Norther, as well as Thanriff (a one-hoofed satyr) and Beetlecurse (a sorry-looking dryad who had managed to survive after her tree was eaten by beetles). By now, their activity had attracted the attention of Lord Karrest the Fire, who was on hand to take part in the executions. He agreed to release the three witnesses if a champion could best him in combat. Quratulain said she would do it for the fun of it, and followed Karrest out into the arena. Karrest became outraged when she took out her pistols. “Put those away, you metal monster! This is a civilized duel. Have you no sword?!?” Quratulain shrugged, stowed her guns and produced a blade from her forearm.
She bested Karrest during their initial exchange. He came at her in a flurry of robes, but her blow caught him with surprising force and he fell back, prone. The crowd cheered and expected Quratulain to take advantage of Karrest’s position, but she stood still, suspicious of his behaviour. Eventually, Karrest sprang to his feet and came at Quratulain again. Again, she bested him, and he fell forward onto his knees, where he awaited her ‘killing blow’. She was not fooled. “Cut out the nonsense. Let’s get on with this.”
Karrest was infuriated when his ruse did not work, and now he rained down blow after blow on Quratulain. Each time he hit, her metal shell shrugged off most of the damage, although she did end up on fire for most of the rest of the fight. But her ripostes were so keen and so swingeing that Karrest soon found himself worse off. He held up an imperious hand and offered to end the duel if Quratulain agreed to serve as Champion for the Unseen Court, to replace the absent Asrabey (who it seems had not returned to the Dreaming as he proposed).
Korrigan was having none of it and stepped in to remonstrate with Karrest. There would be no changing of the terms. Either the combat continued to its conclusion, or…
Before Korrigan could name the alternative (submission) Karrest threw his hands up in the air and shouted, “I care not! Take the wastrels if it pleases you, and be gone!”
Outside the stadium, they confirmed that Balder Norther had indeed seen Rock enter the Krog Tunnel from the north shortly before his body was discovered. Thanriff reported having seen Thisraldion leave by the southwest exit; Beetlecurse saw Olazdor leave the southwest exit at the same time.
Curiouser and curiouser!
Not long after that they tracked down Aric de Rocha, an elf-like fey who found the body. He felt sure he had nothing to add until close questioning encouraged him to recall two bits of evidence he a previously dismissed as inconsequential: First, there were bits of cracked eggshell on the ground near the body. Second, there was a huge orb of spider webs hanging from the ceiling, picked out very clearly in Aric’s lantern light.
When they left the humble dwelling Aric occupied, they found Lady Atsla and her retinue of Ice Trolls waiting for them outside. With a voice like an arctic breeze, the Lady demanded a word with them.
End of Session
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gideonpepys
Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.
A few questions about the alterations the Ob ritual makes to the multiverse, [MENTION=63]RangerWickett[/MENTION]:
At the end of adventure #9 it explains that the Green Knight loses her powers because of a disconnect with the Dreaming. I wondered how this might impact on others, including the PCs.
One of our characters, Leon is a Dreaming Warlock (and now a member of the Unseen Court). Half of his skill-set derives from his ability to 'awaken dreams'. How far should the changes that affect Dame Jillian affect him, do you think?
Another character, Korrigan, is connected to all of the planes that previously governed Lanjyr. Would his powers vanish, change to connections with the new planes that replace the old, or remain the same?
Whatever you think, I intend to implement only those ideas which make the game more fun, I'm not looking to nerf these players but challenge them. I just wanted to know what the intention was.
Also, are the fey titans wholly in the real world during adventure 10? And how does Beshela get to Lanjyr (given how hard it was for the players)? Can she come and go still or is she stuck?
At the end of adventure #9 it explains that the Green Knight loses her powers because of a disconnect with the Dreaming. I wondered how this might impact on others, including the PCs.
One of our characters, Leon is a Dreaming Warlock (and now a member of the Unseen Court). Half of his skill-set derives from his ability to 'awaken dreams'. How far should the changes that affect Dame Jillian affect him, do you think?
Another character, Korrigan, is connected to all of the planes that previously governed Lanjyr. Would his powers vanish, change to connections with the new planes that replace the old, or remain the same?
Whatever you think, I intend to implement only those ideas which make the game more fun, I'm not looking to nerf these players but challenge them. I just wanted to know what the intention was.
Also, are the fey titans wholly in the real world during adventure 10? And how does Beshela get to Lanjyr (given how hard it was for the players)? Can she come and go still or is she stuck?
RangerWickett
Legend
Well, the Green Knight change is because the Dreaming goes from being 'life' to being 'death,' so no more popping back to life after being ventilated by bullets or swords.
The Dreaming still has 'dream' magic, though. Leon should be fine.
Korrigan would keep Jiese and Av powers, but if you don't think the player would object, some new powers might be interesting, and he could figure them out during the first few days of adventure 10 while the whole world is adapting. If you want to keep the same suite, maybe intermittently when he uses a power linked to a world that is now in the Gyre, a cloud manifests nearby, spinning inward and making a grinding sound, and it will seriously hurt anyone who touches it, then fade out after a minute or so.
Beshela is buddies with She Who Writhes, so that fey titan popped her across to the real world the same way the Voice of Rot does to the PCs. Thereafter she's stuck.
The Dreaming still has 'dream' magic, though. Leon should be fine.
Korrigan would keep Jiese and Av powers, but if you don't think the player would object, some new powers might be interesting, and he could figure them out during the first few days of adventure 10 while the whole world is adapting. If you want to keep the same suite, maybe intermittently when he uses a power linked to a world that is now in the Gyre, a cloud manifests nearby, spinning inward and making a grinding sound, and it will seriously hurt anyone who touches it, then fade out after a minute or so.
Beshela is buddies with She Who Writhes, so that fey titan popped her across to the real world the same way the Voice of Rot does to the PCs. Thereafter she's stuck.
gideonpepys
Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.
That's the bit I didn't get. Thanks.
gideonpepys
Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.
Session 52, Part One - The Show Trial
Session Soundtrack:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGNILpVcgz4
Atsla had sought them out to tell them that on the night of Rock’s murder, Thisraldion ordered his servants to burn a blood-stained coat. One of them brought it to her instead and she performed a divination on the blood, confirming it to be Rock’s! She told them they could have the evidence if they visited her chambers, then departed. When she had gone, Gupta said, “She’s trying to frame Thisraldion. Whether the evidence is real or not, her motive is to displace him.” They did not bother to retrieve the coat.
Overnight, in their lodgings, Korrigan considered all the evidence. While a lot of it pointed towards Copperhat, he was unhappy at the idea of accusing him without hard and fast proof, simply to be done with it and earn passage back to the Waking. It would be necessary to interrogate Copperhat first, but that presented a problem, as Copperhat was very much on his home ground and had demonstrated a knack for disappearing at will.
One thing Korrigan knew was that the fey liked to judge things on the basis of their entertainment value rather than their intrinsic merits, and this gave him the idea to present their findings in the form of a dramatic spectacle. Despite her initial reservations, preferring a more serious approach, Gupta nevertheless lent her support and advice, having accepted Korrigan’s decision. As requested they invited Copperhat to attend and, at Uru’s insistence, the Borenbog too!
The following day, the Unseen Court faced off against the Hedgehog Court in the grand foyer of Thistle Palace. Chairs were laid out, but no one save Darbony was seated. The Unseen Court was drinking to celebrate the first public appearance of their newest member: Leon the Clever. His mask was bright red and entirely smooth and featureless, save for narrow eye-holes and quite dramatic curved horns. He acknowledged the others with a nod, holding his wine glass aloft with a gloved hand.
Overlooking them all was a decorative dragon made from floral wreathes and purple silks. In the same place in Torfield Palace, there stood the skeleton of a dragon tyrant. The skeletal version would have been more in keeping with the brooding, tense atmosphere. Though Thisraldion tried to maintain a sense of levity, it was clear that bringing all of these rivalrous nobles into one room was asking for trouble.
In keeping with tradition, Thisraldion had forbidden anyone else to be present during the unit’s presentation. No guards or gawkers were allowed even within earshot of this vital business. Rangale stood a respectful distance away.
When Korrigan told them he was waiting for Copperhat to arrive, all the courtiers groaned in unison and Thisraldion objected in the strongest terms. Korrigan explained, “he will assist us in our performance”. This piqued their interest and, as if on cue, Copperhat arrived, skipping up the steps excitedly, followed by the damp slapping footsteps of the Borenbog, who for reasons best known to itself carried a truly enormous amphora strapped to its back.
All eyes were on Copperhat now and he relished the attention, producing a bottle of truly exquisite eladrin wine. This proved irresistible to the members of both courts, and Copperhat was asked by several of them for a refill. The unit, however, declined. They were already having trouble shrugging off the oddly stupefying aura that had followed the Borenbog into the chamber. The creature now sat slumped against a pillar well outside the central circle, swigging from a noxious gourd. Once he had ingratiated himself with the vintage wine, Copperhat moved to join the Borenbog, whereupon Korrigan surprised him with his central role in the forthcoming drama:
Uru would be playing the part of Rock, transforming himself through magic to re-enact the disappearance. Korrigan and Gupta would present their findings in dramatized form, and Copperhat would play the part of the ‘murderer’. Copperhat was horrified. “It’s too much for me,” he wailed, “I can’t bring myself to do it. Please, I…!” But Thisraldion and the other courtiers loved the idea, and Copperhat was compelled to join in. He whispered to Korrigan that his performance would be better if they told him who their prime suspect was, but Korrigan was not to be drawn.
Once the audience was hushed, Korrigan presented the information they had gathered in the most dramatic way possible, pointing at each courtier in turn with, “You might have done it...!” before presenting evidence to contradict that conclusion. As the noose tightened, the courtiers who had not yet been dismissed began to squirm uncomfortably. When they reached the point where they re-enacted the ‘murder’ in the tunnel, Quratulain watched Copperhat closely, and drew her own conclusions (as she had for so many clergy hierarchs five centuries ago). Uru, too, up close, noticed something he had never noticed before – that wisps of cobweb clung to Copperhat’s hat, cuffs and coat tails…
Korrigan reached and dismissed the final possibility, ruling out both Olazdor and Thisraldion simultaneously. Then he announced their key finding: “No one can be guilty of this murder, as Rock Rackus is not in fact dead!”
There was uproar. Chaos. Thisraldion was outraged with this outcome, but his remonstrations were lost in a tidal wave of bitter recriminations. Members of the Unseen and Hedgehog Courts were on their feet, yelling and threatening one another. Furg and Sallin were toe-to-toe with Lerina and Lavac; Karrest was assailed by both Atsla and Beshela. Olazdor breasted his way through the crowd to come face-to-face with Thisraldion. It was evident that violence could break out at any moment, and once unleashed, it would be difficult to stop. Copperhat stepped out of the limelight and leaned against a pillar near the Borenbog, watching the mayhem with apparent relish. At the centre of it all, Leon stood looking at Korrigan and his impassive mask seemed to say, “What have you done?”
Quratulain stepped up to Korrigan and whispered in his ear, as did Uru. Now he had all the information he needed, and raised his voice above the tumult to command the nobles’ attention. Taken aback by the force of his command they turned to regard him collective outrage. “This had better be good, mortal,” said Thisraldion, offended by his tone.
“One more thing…” Korrigan began. ...
Session Soundtrack:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGNILpVcgz4
Atsla had sought them out to tell them that on the night of Rock’s murder, Thisraldion ordered his servants to burn a blood-stained coat. One of them brought it to her instead and she performed a divination on the blood, confirming it to be Rock’s! She told them they could have the evidence if they visited her chambers, then departed. When she had gone, Gupta said, “She’s trying to frame Thisraldion. Whether the evidence is real or not, her motive is to displace him.” They did not bother to retrieve the coat.
Overnight, in their lodgings, Korrigan considered all the evidence. While a lot of it pointed towards Copperhat, he was unhappy at the idea of accusing him without hard and fast proof, simply to be done with it and earn passage back to the Waking. It would be necessary to interrogate Copperhat first, but that presented a problem, as Copperhat was very much on his home ground and had demonstrated a knack for disappearing at will.
One thing Korrigan knew was that the fey liked to judge things on the basis of their entertainment value rather than their intrinsic merits, and this gave him the idea to present their findings in the form of a dramatic spectacle. Despite her initial reservations, preferring a more serious approach, Gupta nevertheless lent her support and advice, having accepted Korrigan’s decision. As requested they invited Copperhat to attend and, at Uru’s insistence, the Borenbog too!
The following day, the Unseen Court faced off against the Hedgehog Court in the grand foyer of Thistle Palace. Chairs were laid out, but no one save Darbony was seated. The Unseen Court was drinking to celebrate the first public appearance of their newest member: Leon the Clever. His mask was bright red and entirely smooth and featureless, save for narrow eye-holes and quite dramatic curved horns. He acknowledged the others with a nod, holding his wine glass aloft with a gloved hand.
Overlooking them all was a decorative dragon made from floral wreathes and purple silks. In the same place in Torfield Palace, there stood the skeleton of a dragon tyrant. The skeletal version would have been more in keeping with the brooding, tense atmosphere. Though Thisraldion tried to maintain a sense of levity, it was clear that bringing all of these rivalrous nobles into one room was asking for trouble.
In keeping with tradition, Thisraldion had forbidden anyone else to be present during the unit’s presentation. No guards or gawkers were allowed even within earshot of this vital business. Rangale stood a respectful distance away.
When Korrigan told them he was waiting for Copperhat to arrive, all the courtiers groaned in unison and Thisraldion objected in the strongest terms. Korrigan explained, “he will assist us in our performance”. This piqued their interest and, as if on cue, Copperhat arrived, skipping up the steps excitedly, followed by the damp slapping footsteps of the Borenbog, who for reasons best known to itself carried a truly enormous amphora strapped to its back.
All eyes were on Copperhat now and he relished the attention, producing a bottle of truly exquisite eladrin wine. This proved irresistible to the members of both courts, and Copperhat was asked by several of them for a refill. The unit, however, declined. They were already having trouble shrugging off the oddly stupefying aura that had followed the Borenbog into the chamber. The creature now sat slumped against a pillar well outside the central circle, swigging from a noxious gourd. Once he had ingratiated himself with the vintage wine, Copperhat moved to join the Borenbog, whereupon Korrigan surprised him with his central role in the forthcoming drama:
Uru would be playing the part of Rock, transforming himself through magic to re-enact the disappearance. Korrigan and Gupta would present their findings in dramatized form, and Copperhat would play the part of the ‘murderer’. Copperhat was horrified. “It’s too much for me,” he wailed, “I can’t bring myself to do it. Please, I…!” But Thisraldion and the other courtiers loved the idea, and Copperhat was compelled to join in. He whispered to Korrigan that his performance would be better if they told him who their prime suspect was, but Korrigan was not to be drawn.
Once the audience was hushed, Korrigan presented the information they had gathered in the most dramatic way possible, pointing at each courtier in turn with, “You might have done it...!” before presenting evidence to contradict that conclusion. As the noose tightened, the courtiers who had not yet been dismissed began to squirm uncomfortably. When they reached the point where they re-enacted the ‘murder’ in the tunnel, Quratulain watched Copperhat closely, and drew her own conclusions (as she had for so many clergy hierarchs five centuries ago). Uru, too, up close, noticed something he had never noticed before – that wisps of cobweb clung to Copperhat’s hat, cuffs and coat tails…
Korrigan reached and dismissed the final possibility, ruling out both Olazdor and Thisraldion simultaneously. Then he announced their key finding: “No one can be guilty of this murder, as Rock Rackus is not in fact dead!”
There was uproar. Chaos. Thisraldion was outraged with this outcome, but his remonstrations were lost in a tidal wave of bitter recriminations. Members of the Unseen and Hedgehog Courts were on their feet, yelling and threatening one another. Furg and Sallin were toe-to-toe with Lerina and Lavac; Karrest was assailed by both Atsla and Beshela. Olazdor breasted his way through the crowd to come face-to-face with Thisraldion. It was evident that violence could break out at any moment, and once unleashed, it would be difficult to stop. Copperhat stepped out of the limelight and leaned against a pillar near the Borenbog, watching the mayhem with apparent relish. At the centre of it all, Leon stood looking at Korrigan and his impassive mask seemed to say, “What have you done?”
Quratulain stepped up to Korrigan and whispered in his ear, as did Uru. Now he had all the information he needed, and raised his voice above the tumult to command the nobles’ attention. Taken aback by the force of his command they turned to regard him collective outrage. “This had better be good, mortal,” said Thisraldion, offended by his tone.
“One more thing…” Korrigan began. ...
gideonpepys
Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.
Session 52, Part Two - The Borenbog
And so Korrigan declared that, although Rock was not dead, there was in fact a culprit – a person who was responsible for the chaos that had afflicted the Dreaming in recent days; who had abducted Rock, most probably against his will, and left a trail of misleading clues designed to bring the Unseen and Hedgehog Courts into conflict. The guilty party was…
“Copperhat the Headless!” (Rhubarb, rhubarb, rhubarb.)
By now, Copperhat had retreated out of the limelight, and lingered near the Borenbog. The sound of his own name caused Copperhat to emit an unbidden squeak. He poked the Borenbog to get its attention. It looked up, sensed a change in the atmosphere, and began to clamber to its feet. Copperhat cleared his throat quietly explained that the unit would never get home to the Waking without his help. Perhaps they would rather pin the blame on Thisraldion, who after all had lied about knowing how to send them home? When Korrigan persisted, Copperhat tried again, loudly declaring that there was plenty of evidence in Thisraldion’s chambers, linking him to the crime.
“I’m sure there is,” said Korrigan, “but I don’t think…”
Without warning, the Borenbog smashed its huge amphora on the ground, revealing a spherical gate to the Webway. Before anyone could react, Copperhat dived into it. The unit still struggled to respond as the Borenbog took a swig from its gourd and suddenly grew to a huge size, whereupon it stomped on the Webway gate and rendered it completely flat.
By now they realised that their slowness was a result of the aura of stupefaction that surrounded the creature. It was difficult to do anything at all, and impossible to do it fast. Still unopposed, the Borenbog launched a gob of sticky spit at Korrigan, but it missed.
All Gupta could think of to do was draw a dagger and wave it rather lamely. She remained stupefied. Korrigan issued a challenge to the Borenbog, to draw it away from his allies, then shrugged off the befuddling effect of close proximity to the bog monster. Quratulain stabbed at it half-heartedly, but her anger at this ‘betrayal’ caused her to easily win free of the muddling effect. Uru tried to summon the words to bamboozle the Borenbog, but realised it was pointless on clearing his head. (The Borenbog didn’t care about Rackus, so there was no point pretending to be him.) None of the assembled courtiers, nor Leon could shrug off the stupefaction, thanks to the wine they had been drinking. The rangale moved up to the edge of the aura and stood there, stupidly.
The Borenbog grabbed Gupta and stabbed at her with a pitted, rusted and bloodstained knife of the kind ordinarily used to gut fish. Korrigan shouted encouragement to his wounded officer and she stabbed back with the Third Blade of Srasma (for the dagger she had drawn was now the form the blade took). The Borenbog grunted and released her, and she was now free of stupefaction too.
Korrigan ordered Quratulain to attack again. She did so, this time with gusto, only to realise that the attack had done no good. She studied the matter closely, while Uru shadow-stepped behind the Borenbog and slipped into the shadows. The Borenbog hacked at Quratulain repeatedly with its gutting knife. “All of ye are bums,” it muttered as it did so. “Makin’ me ‘afta come out in the daylight. Bugger ye. I’ma eat ye, and I don’ even care if ye give me the
.” Quratulain was too fast for it and parried its blows. During this exchange she completed her calculations: the Borenbog had to be attacked with a different weapon, or source of damage each time! She sheathed her arm-blades and drew her rifle. Already she was becoming quite adept in its use, and taking a lead from Matunaaga, she took steady and careful aim.
Gupta drew a bone wand from her jacket, pointing it at the Borenbog and afflicting it with a psychic curse. The Borenbog yowled. Korrigan drew the Sword of Maur Granatha and struck at it with radiant light, encouraging his teammates as he did so. The Borenbog took a swig from its gourd. Suddenly the marble floor beneath them was transformed into the stinking noxious swamp of its homeland. One of the severed hands at its belt shrivelled, absorbing Gupta’s curse. Then it lashed at her again with its knife, saying, “Gimme yer hand. I needs another one fer me belt.” Gupta staggered back out of range, but she and everyone else in the ‘swamp’ felt their life drain out of them through contact with the vile water.
Now it was Uru’s turn. With an assassin’s precision, he stuck a shuriken right in the back of its neck. The Borenbog stumbled. Gupta stabbed it with spear she had picked up during the Siege of Alais Primos (it came in useful, after all). Then Quratulain fired her rifle and the Borenbog fell, face first into the swamp it had created.
And so Korrigan declared that, although Rock was not dead, there was in fact a culprit – a person who was responsible for the chaos that had afflicted the Dreaming in recent days; who had abducted Rock, most probably against his will, and left a trail of misleading clues designed to bring the Unseen and Hedgehog Courts into conflict. The guilty party was…
“Copperhat the Headless!” (Rhubarb, rhubarb, rhubarb.)
By now, Copperhat had retreated out of the limelight, and lingered near the Borenbog. The sound of his own name caused Copperhat to emit an unbidden squeak. He poked the Borenbog to get its attention. It looked up, sensed a change in the atmosphere, and began to clamber to its feet. Copperhat cleared his throat quietly explained that the unit would never get home to the Waking without his help. Perhaps they would rather pin the blame on Thisraldion, who after all had lied about knowing how to send them home? When Korrigan persisted, Copperhat tried again, loudly declaring that there was plenty of evidence in Thisraldion’s chambers, linking him to the crime.
“I’m sure there is,” said Korrigan, “but I don’t think…”
Without warning, the Borenbog smashed its huge amphora on the ground, revealing a spherical gate to the Webway. Before anyone could react, Copperhat dived into it. The unit still struggled to respond as the Borenbog took a swig from its gourd and suddenly grew to a huge size, whereupon it stomped on the Webway gate and rendered it completely flat.
By now they realised that their slowness was a result of the aura of stupefaction that surrounded the creature. It was difficult to do anything at all, and impossible to do it fast. Still unopposed, the Borenbog launched a gob of sticky spit at Korrigan, but it missed.
All Gupta could think of to do was draw a dagger and wave it rather lamely. She remained stupefied. Korrigan issued a challenge to the Borenbog, to draw it away from his allies, then shrugged off the befuddling effect of close proximity to the bog monster. Quratulain stabbed at it half-heartedly, but her anger at this ‘betrayal’ caused her to easily win free of the muddling effect. Uru tried to summon the words to bamboozle the Borenbog, but realised it was pointless on clearing his head. (The Borenbog didn’t care about Rackus, so there was no point pretending to be him.) None of the assembled courtiers, nor Leon could shrug off the stupefaction, thanks to the wine they had been drinking. The rangale moved up to the edge of the aura and stood there, stupidly.
The Borenbog grabbed Gupta and stabbed at her with a pitted, rusted and bloodstained knife of the kind ordinarily used to gut fish. Korrigan shouted encouragement to his wounded officer and she stabbed back with the Third Blade of Srasma (for the dagger she had drawn was now the form the blade took). The Borenbog grunted and released her, and she was now free of stupefaction too.
Korrigan ordered Quratulain to attack again. She did so, this time with gusto, only to realise that the attack had done no good. She studied the matter closely, while Uru shadow-stepped behind the Borenbog and slipped into the shadows. The Borenbog hacked at Quratulain repeatedly with its gutting knife. “All of ye are bums,” it muttered as it did so. “Makin’ me ‘afta come out in the daylight. Bugger ye. I’ma eat ye, and I don’ even care if ye give me the
.” Quratulain was too fast for it and parried its blows. During this exchange she completed her calculations: the Borenbog had to be attacked with a different weapon, or source of damage each time! She sheathed her arm-blades and drew her rifle. Already she was becoming quite adept in its use, and taking a lead from Matunaaga, she took steady and careful aim.Gupta drew a bone wand from her jacket, pointing it at the Borenbog and afflicting it with a psychic curse. The Borenbog yowled. Korrigan drew the Sword of Maur Granatha and struck at it with radiant light, encouraging his teammates as he did so. The Borenbog took a swig from its gourd. Suddenly the marble floor beneath them was transformed into the stinking noxious swamp of its homeland. One of the severed hands at its belt shrivelled, absorbing Gupta’s curse. Then it lashed at her again with its knife, saying, “Gimme yer hand. I needs another one fer me belt.” Gupta staggered back out of range, but she and everyone else in the ‘swamp’ felt their life drain out of them through contact with the vile water.
Now it was Uru’s turn. With an assassin’s precision, he stuck a shuriken right in the back of its neck. The Borenbog stumbled. Gupta stabbed it with spear she had picked up during the Siege of Alais Primos (it came in useful, after all). Then Quratulain fired her rifle and the Borenbog fell, face first into the swamp it had created.
gideonpepys
Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.
Session 52, Part Three - Webway Chase
Freed from the Borenbog’s stupefying aura, Furg waved a hand and the chamber returned to normal. The Borenbog shrank back to dwarfish proportions, groaning as it did so. It was still alive! They hastily disarmed it and Korrigan snatched away its gourd.
Quratulain administered her own swift justice, with no objections from anyone present: “You have two hands too many,” she told the Borenbog, before hacking off both of his.
Meanwhile, Uru fluffed up the webway portal with his ghostly entourage. Leon made to come with the unit, but Thisraldion placed a restraining hand on his arm. The fey monarch then told the unit that he had cut off Copperhat’s escape route through the Webway, and that he would have to exit close by. It was evident that there was still tension in the room. The Unseen and Hedgehog Courts were still itching to abandon formality and have at one another directly.
Korrigan raised the Borenbog’s gourd and proposed a toast to the nobles. “I hope to find you in good health upon our return,” he said, before drinking deep of his chosen draught. Kai looked on, astonished. “You drink?!?” he marvelled.
With Mista Nyves in the lead, they jumped into the Webway. Inside was a network of tunnels formed from thick fibres, curving, branching, widening and narrowing. To their surprise, they found a clear trail. Copperhat had scattered dozens of shiny and/or edible trinkets all along the way, and they had attracted the local denizens: huge spiders, and gangs of ettercaps. Mista Nyves ran ahead. “Make way, make way for the Lord of Crawling Fey!” he called. To their even greater surprise, the arachnids complied, withdrawing to a respectful distance and bowing their heads!
They ran on in pursuit of Copperhat. All of a sudden, the Webway ended and they emerged from a spherical portal, nestled high in the branches of a tree. Uru sailed down harmlessly, catching Nyves with a web. Quratulain predicted the exit, and Gupta guessed it would be at a high elevation – both reacted accordingly and began to clamber down. Korrigan flew out, thanks to the Lightness of Being he had learned from Kai.
They found themselves in the Chessboard Forest at the junction of four squares – two forested and two clear. Copperhat was nowhere to be seen, but close by was a troop of rebel soldiers flying the banner of the Hedgehog Court. Suddenly, Olazdor appeared in the clearing, and ordered the troops to attack the unit.
Gupta wasn’t fooled and understood immediately that this was a trick. She fired Reason into the air and soldiers held fast. ‘Olazdor’ became furious and stamped his foot, ordering them to open fire, but none of them dared do so.
Korrigan at first tried to dissuade ‘Olazdor’ before Gupta suggested it might be an illusion, so he turned his attention to the soldiers themselves and warned them that they would be acting against the interests of both courts if they attacked.
Again, Olzador remonstrated with his minions, and this time, the soldiers rediscovered their nerve. Centaurs and a lightning-split treant advanced towards the unit, while a whole squadron of satyr archers launched their arrows into the air. The first of them to open fire took Gupta’s bullet between the eyes.
‘Olazdor’ crowed in triumph: “Kill the intruders from the Waking! Defend our ally Copperhat the Headless!”
End of Session
Freed from the Borenbog’s stupefying aura, Furg waved a hand and the chamber returned to normal. The Borenbog shrank back to dwarfish proportions, groaning as it did so. It was still alive! They hastily disarmed it and Korrigan snatched away its gourd.
Quratulain administered her own swift justice, with no objections from anyone present: “You have two hands too many,” she told the Borenbog, before hacking off both of his.
Meanwhile, Uru fluffed up the webway portal with his ghostly entourage. Leon made to come with the unit, but Thisraldion placed a restraining hand on his arm. The fey monarch then told the unit that he had cut off Copperhat’s escape route through the Webway, and that he would have to exit close by. It was evident that there was still tension in the room. The Unseen and Hedgehog Courts were still itching to abandon formality and have at one another directly.
Korrigan raised the Borenbog’s gourd and proposed a toast to the nobles. “I hope to find you in good health upon our return,” he said, before drinking deep of his chosen draught. Kai looked on, astonished. “You drink?!?” he marvelled.
With Mista Nyves in the lead, they jumped into the Webway. Inside was a network of tunnels formed from thick fibres, curving, branching, widening and narrowing. To their surprise, they found a clear trail. Copperhat had scattered dozens of shiny and/or edible trinkets all along the way, and they had attracted the local denizens: huge spiders, and gangs of ettercaps. Mista Nyves ran ahead. “Make way, make way for the Lord of Crawling Fey!” he called. To their even greater surprise, the arachnids complied, withdrawing to a respectful distance and bowing their heads!
They ran on in pursuit of Copperhat. All of a sudden, the Webway ended and they emerged from a spherical portal, nestled high in the branches of a tree. Uru sailed down harmlessly, catching Nyves with a web. Quratulain predicted the exit, and Gupta guessed it would be at a high elevation – both reacted accordingly and began to clamber down. Korrigan flew out, thanks to the Lightness of Being he had learned from Kai.
They found themselves in the Chessboard Forest at the junction of four squares – two forested and two clear. Copperhat was nowhere to be seen, but close by was a troop of rebel soldiers flying the banner of the Hedgehog Court. Suddenly, Olazdor appeared in the clearing, and ordered the troops to attack the unit.
Gupta wasn’t fooled and understood immediately that this was a trick. She fired Reason into the air and soldiers held fast. ‘Olazdor’ became furious and stamped his foot, ordering them to open fire, but none of them dared do so.
Korrigan at first tried to dissuade ‘Olazdor’ before Gupta suggested it might be an illusion, so he turned his attention to the soldiers themselves and warned them that they would be acting against the interests of both courts if they attacked.
Again, Olzador remonstrated with his minions, and this time, the soldiers rediscovered their nerve. Centaurs and a lightning-split treant advanced towards the unit, while a whole squadron of satyr archers launched their arrows into the air. The first of them to open fire took Gupta’s bullet between the eyes.
‘Olazdor’ crowed in triumph: “Kill the intruders from the Waking! Defend our ally Copperhat the Headless!”
End of Session
gideonpepys
Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.
Session 53, Part One - Pawn’s Gambit
As the satyrs opened fire, and the centaurs set off in a charge, Leon the Clever appeared, hovering above the battlefield. Arrows rained down around them. Korrigan was hit, but the arrow started smouldering and crumbled to ash. Leon could see Copperhat, hiding in a tree about a hundred feet away. He teleported closer and cast mire the mind. Copperhat gave a cry and leapt out of the tree, running towards the combat he had caused in fear of imaginary pursuers. Uru pinned him down with a web and then, together with Little Jack, sprang to flank him.
The centaurs bore down on Gupta and Quratulain. Quratulain blocked their lances and hooves dispassionately. “You bore me,” she said. “Cease your attacks.” Gupta dodged a lance in such a fashion as to enable herself to spring up and mount the centaur! Quratulain thought this looked like a good idea and she followed suit – jumping on the back of a centaur she had just wounded. She pressed her armblade into its back and said, “Take me to that man over there,” steering he centaur towards Copperhat. Gupta took a more direct approach and decapitated her mount with Lya’s rapier. She dismounted neatly as it crumbled into the turf.
With his icon of urim, Korrigan threw up a stone wall to shield his officers from more arrows, all the while shouting at the enemy to desist. Uru took out a small pouch of id moss powder and blew it in Copperhat’s face. Copperhat began to babble incoherently and the image of Olazdor vanished. Before the Hedgehog troops even noticed it was gone, Leon teleported to the very spot and became Olazdor himself. He ordered the troops to stop fighting.
In the confused aftermath, Leon told Korrigan that they needed to handle their return to court carefully: the two sides were itching to resume direct hostilities. The only thing stopping them was Korrigan’s toast, which in typical fey fashion had bound them until his return. They approached Copperhat and were about to slap mage cuffs on them, when Leon interceded. He had always wondered why he wasn’t able to see Copperhat’s ‘invisible’ head. Close up, all he could see was the gaping hole of the suit’s collar. Now he reached down into the hole and yanked out a delirious, squirming, spider-like fey, no bigger than a pixie. This was Copperhat’s true form – his suit nothing more than a puppet!
Without further ado – with assurances from Leon that he felt sure he had a means of distracting the courtiers from their quarrel – they teleported back to Thistle Palace before Copperhat could recover. The nobles were pleased that Copperhat had been apprehended; Sallin placed him in a golden cage. Before the other nobles could resume their quarrel, Leon announced that he had a theory as to where they might find Rock, proving that he was still alive.
(What he did not say was that, while he meditated during the creation of his mask, he was visited once more by Lavanya. She told him she was trapped in the Bleak Gate, having ‘made a mistake’ when she snuck into the Ob Convention in the body of Erskine Haffkruger. She hadn’t found a way to return to her own body in the Waking; but that didn’t matter. She offered Leon her thoughts on his previous adventures in the Dreaming, and the fact that his companions then no longer seemed to recognised him. With the help of the Weaver and the idols of space and time, they had ‘cut those threads’, it seemed. But these matters were very delicate, which is why she had always to be careful when offering advice, lest it affect the future too dramatically and cause all her hard work to be undone. All she felt able to tell him now was that he was right – Rock was not dead; in fact, he was “within arm’s reach”. …)
Without further ado, Leon reached into the absurdist web and pulled out… Rock Rackus! (Rhubarb, rhubarb rhubarb!) Even the other unit members were astonished. Leon reminded them that he had been given the web by Copperhat himself.
Rock was still woozy and unsteady on his feet. When he had been placed in stasis, he had been under heavy sedation. They helped him to a chair and Sallin worked to free him of its effects. This brought the fey nobles back from the brink of immediate violence, but now their enmity was fully exposed and blood was running high, they needed further persuasion to cease their conflict. Leon offered the theory that Copperhat had done all of this precisely to bring about the internecine strife they now engaged in, but that was not enough to satisfy the fey (especially not the Hedgehog Court who now regarded Leon as a rival).
Copperhat had now recovered enough to chip in from his gilded cage: “You're such fools. If you'd listened to me I could have helped you. Thisraldion lied. He doesn’t have the power to send you back to the Waking.” Thisraldion confirmed this accusation with an airy wave. He said that matters had changed – worsened still further since his offer was made. Korrigan brushed this off. He focused on Copperhat, demanding to know the reason for his trouble-making. Copperhat refused to say more, fearful of a greater power – far greater than any of them.
Leon fought fear with fear and evoked his terrifying presence, causing Copperhat to quail within his cage. He sobbed and confessed that his master was none other than the Voice of Rot!
(Rhubarb, rhubarb rhubarb!)
“But the Voice of Rot slumbers, along with the other titans”, said Furg. Not so, the unit explained – the titan had been disturbed from his slumbers by the Obscurati. The fact that the Courts did not know this was disturbing because it meant the Voice of Rot had worked to conceal itself. (Uru muttered a reminder that there had been rumours that the titan’s cultists had infiltrated the Ob convention.)
Korrigan chose to capitalise on these revelations by reminding the fey that, since communications with the waking were cut off, he was the highest ranking representative of the Risuri government, and it was in this capacity which he now spoke: He was keen to ensure that their strongest ally was forewarned about the machinations of the Ob which went far beyond accidentally waking fey titans. The Ob meant to alter the world in such a way that the Dreaming would no longer share contact with Lanjyr. In order to oppose this threat, Risur would need the Unseen Court at their side.
Of course, this served only to rile the Hedgehog Court. Olazdor declared, “What does the Hedgehog Court care for this lecture? You are the emissary of Aodhan, who has filled your world with metal and steam! It is Thisraldion’s slavish devotion to Aodhan that we so vehemently oppose!”
More bickering erupted. Karrest interposed himself between Olazdor and Thisraldion; Beshela moved the to Olazdor’s side; Atlsa and Furg flanked Karrest. In their shadow, Thisraldion lounged in his throne, and heaved a heavy sigh. “It is just as you say,” he said to Korrigan, his words almost lost to the shouting of the other courtiers, “I foresee great changes that we can do nothing to forestall. I fear for my friend King Aodhan. I sense a dark shadow will fall over Torfeld Palace.”
As the satyrs opened fire, and the centaurs set off in a charge, Leon the Clever appeared, hovering above the battlefield. Arrows rained down around them. Korrigan was hit, but the arrow started smouldering and crumbled to ash. Leon could see Copperhat, hiding in a tree about a hundred feet away. He teleported closer and cast mire the mind. Copperhat gave a cry and leapt out of the tree, running towards the combat he had caused in fear of imaginary pursuers. Uru pinned him down with a web and then, together with Little Jack, sprang to flank him.
The centaurs bore down on Gupta and Quratulain. Quratulain blocked their lances and hooves dispassionately. “You bore me,” she said. “Cease your attacks.” Gupta dodged a lance in such a fashion as to enable herself to spring up and mount the centaur! Quratulain thought this looked like a good idea and she followed suit – jumping on the back of a centaur she had just wounded. She pressed her armblade into its back and said, “Take me to that man over there,” steering he centaur towards Copperhat. Gupta took a more direct approach and decapitated her mount with Lya’s rapier. She dismounted neatly as it crumbled into the turf.
With his icon of urim, Korrigan threw up a stone wall to shield his officers from more arrows, all the while shouting at the enemy to desist. Uru took out a small pouch of id moss powder and blew it in Copperhat’s face. Copperhat began to babble incoherently and the image of Olazdor vanished. Before the Hedgehog troops even noticed it was gone, Leon teleported to the very spot and became Olazdor himself. He ordered the troops to stop fighting.
In the confused aftermath, Leon told Korrigan that they needed to handle their return to court carefully: the two sides were itching to resume direct hostilities. The only thing stopping them was Korrigan’s toast, which in typical fey fashion had bound them until his return. They approached Copperhat and were about to slap mage cuffs on them, when Leon interceded. He had always wondered why he wasn’t able to see Copperhat’s ‘invisible’ head. Close up, all he could see was the gaping hole of the suit’s collar. Now he reached down into the hole and yanked out a delirious, squirming, spider-like fey, no bigger than a pixie. This was Copperhat’s true form – his suit nothing more than a puppet!
Without further ado – with assurances from Leon that he felt sure he had a means of distracting the courtiers from their quarrel – they teleported back to Thistle Palace before Copperhat could recover. The nobles were pleased that Copperhat had been apprehended; Sallin placed him in a golden cage. Before the other nobles could resume their quarrel, Leon announced that he had a theory as to where they might find Rock, proving that he was still alive.
(What he did not say was that, while he meditated during the creation of his mask, he was visited once more by Lavanya. She told him she was trapped in the Bleak Gate, having ‘made a mistake’ when she snuck into the Ob Convention in the body of Erskine Haffkruger. She hadn’t found a way to return to her own body in the Waking; but that didn’t matter. She offered Leon her thoughts on his previous adventures in the Dreaming, and the fact that his companions then no longer seemed to recognised him. With the help of the Weaver and the idols of space and time, they had ‘cut those threads’, it seemed. But these matters were very delicate, which is why she had always to be careful when offering advice, lest it affect the future too dramatically and cause all her hard work to be undone. All she felt able to tell him now was that he was right – Rock was not dead; in fact, he was “within arm’s reach”. …)
Without further ado, Leon reached into the absurdist web and pulled out… Rock Rackus! (Rhubarb, rhubarb rhubarb!) Even the other unit members were astonished. Leon reminded them that he had been given the web by Copperhat himself.
Rock was still woozy and unsteady on his feet. When he had been placed in stasis, he had been under heavy sedation. They helped him to a chair and Sallin worked to free him of its effects. This brought the fey nobles back from the brink of immediate violence, but now their enmity was fully exposed and blood was running high, they needed further persuasion to cease their conflict. Leon offered the theory that Copperhat had done all of this precisely to bring about the internecine strife they now engaged in, but that was not enough to satisfy the fey (especially not the Hedgehog Court who now regarded Leon as a rival).
Copperhat had now recovered enough to chip in from his gilded cage: “You're such fools. If you'd listened to me I could have helped you. Thisraldion lied. He doesn’t have the power to send you back to the Waking.” Thisraldion confirmed this accusation with an airy wave. He said that matters had changed – worsened still further since his offer was made. Korrigan brushed this off. He focused on Copperhat, demanding to know the reason for his trouble-making. Copperhat refused to say more, fearful of a greater power – far greater than any of them.
Leon fought fear with fear and evoked his terrifying presence, causing Copperhat to quail within his cage. He sobbed and confessed that his master was none other than the Voice of Rot!
(Rhubarb, rhubarb rhubarb!)
“But the Voice of Rot slumbers, along with the other titans”, said Furg. Not so, the unit explained – the titan had been disturbed from his slumbers by the Obscurati. The fact that the Courts did not know this was disturbing because it meant the Voice of Rot had worked to conceal itself. (Uru muttered a reminder that there had been rumours that the titan’s cultists had infiltrated the Ob convention.)
Korrigan chose to capitalise on these revelations by reminding the fey that, since communications with the waking were cut off, he was the highest ranking representative of the Risuri government, and it was in this capacity which he now spoke: He was keen to ensure that their strongest ally was forewarned about the machinations of the Ob which went far beyond accidentally waking fey titans. The Ob meant to alter the world in such a way that the Dreaming would no longer share contact with Lanjyr. In order to oppose this threat, Risur would need the Unseen Court at their side.
Of course, this served only to rile the Hedgehog Court. Olazdor declared, “What does the Hedgehog Court care for this lecture? You are the emissary of Aodhan, who has filled your world with metal and steam! It is Thisraldion’s slavish devotion to Aodhan that we so vehemently oppose!”
More bickering erupted. Karrest interposed himself between Olazdor and Thisraldion; Beshela moved the to Olazdor’s side; Atlsa and Furg flanked Karrest. In their shadow, Thisraldion lounged in his throne, and heaved a heavy sigh. “It is just as you say,” he said to Korrigan, his words almost lost to the shouting of the other courtiers, “I foresee great changes that we can do nothing to forestall. I fear for my friend King Aodhan. I sense a dark shadow will fall over Torfeld Palace.”
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