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Episode 17: A Date with Death
You began in the woods of Mab, close to the workshop of Yannik. Still unsure of how to deal with Petra (the remaining tiefling under the thrall of Dolly’s Suggestion spell).
Raidion and Kelnys attempted to convince her that her companions had been killed by gnomes. They swiftly failed in this objective, but Petra (seemingly resigned to the idea that chaos would follow the deaths of the Virtuous) was willing to talk. She shared a strange conversation with Raidion as the wood elf helped her bury her tiefling companon.
Meanwhile, Quincy (savant of the workshop) headed back inside with I (tCntM) to make the necessary repairs to I’s Grēnweard crossbow. As the gnome and the kobold tinkered, the first tentative bonds of trust emerged between them. With Quncy coaching I through the process.
Dolly set to reading the tome that Torian gave her, as Raidion attempted to gain more information on Iago (the leader of the gang that Petra was a member of). She revealed that he ran card games and was an expert at winning games of chance by whatever means necessary. She also explained that the gang had raided the gnomish workship hoping to find funds that would cover their costs while they waited for a substantial debt to be paid. Petra told him that they did not plan to return to the gang, instead striking out on her own, greeting Raidion’s idea that she should relocate to Mouse with scorn. The burial complete, Petra headed out into the woods alone.
Meanwhile Quincy and I had completed their renovation of the crossbow and the kobold shared his plans for a high chair with the gnome, the two of them riffing on more ways the design could be optimized. Quincy agreed to try to created a formal schematic that I could take to a carpenter needing a day in her home in Yannik to finalize the design.
Having rested that night, you headed towards Yannik, deciding on some extraordinary pseudonyms, including Missy, Pebble, and Steve Chase. Now, sure to avoid detection, you reached the farms that bordered the town. You were initially concerned that there were no signs of life in the fields, though Quincy reassured you that the populace would be gathered in Oratory Square in the center of Yannik (where the people meet to vote on matters of great importance in a tradition called “The Right of Common Voice”). This proved to be the case when you reached the town center. All the folk of Yannik gathered as a single elf stood atop a fountain pontificating and philosophizing to the frustration of the assembled crowd. You learned that this elf was called Penick Winter von Ven, a member of a group called “The Learned Friends” (a glorified debating society and educational institution who often hijack the Right of Common Voice to practice their debating skills).
The reason for the gathering of the people seemed to be the attack on the workshop and the gnomish community’s desire for the watch to be dispatched to rescue Quincy. When Quncy revealed herself to be alive and well, the crowd began to disperse before Elowen spotted a familiar face making her way through the crowd towards your gnomish friend. It was Aeris (mother of Isolde and ‘Reeve’ of Yannik).
Elowen asked Quincy to make introductions and Aeris attempted ot hid her surprise at Elowen’s appearance, inviting you all to the official residence where you could talk in private.
Spotting I’s newfound proximity to Quincy, Raidion and Dolly attempted to interrogate the kobold on whether any romantic feelings had begun to develop. I was genuinely baffled by the insinuation (not understanding the first thing about romance), yet he still somehow managed to get himself politely turned down by Quincy (who remained none-the wiser throughout the interaction).
In the house of the Reeve, Elowen told Aeris of Isolde’s wish (that the people of Yannik relocate to Mouse). Aeris agreed that it would be wise, but the traditions of the town decreed that she cannot issue an order, only invite people to vote. She told you that the main obstacle to such a vote being cast was the Learned Friends, and chiefly Penick Winter von Ven (who choked any chance of a decision being made by monopolizing the debate). He made multiple offers to kill various members of the House of Learned Friends, all of which were politely rebuffed by Aeris.
Raidion recalled Iago being owed a debt by a highborn elf and came to the conclusion that Penick could be the elf in question. So you headed to the Black Cat Tavern (which Aeris had told you was located at the southern edge of the town). It was a run-down establishment owned by a surly dwarf called Tommen (who was reluctant to buy spoons, but quite happy to sell information). He told you that Iago might be found at the card table at the Tipsy Scholar. So that was where you headed next. Workshopping a name for your new spoon-selling company on the way.
You found the Tipsy Scholar to be a far salubrious establishment with its halfling landlord Broderick starved of conversation by his haughty clientele. Dolly successfully schmoozed him and secured a few spoon sales until he offered her a seat at the exclusive card table that his son Finley runs in the back of the tavern. As Dolly secured rooms for the night, the rest of you occupied a table and waited for the card game to start. The conversation drifted to relationships and romance with Kelnys becoming distant as the focus turned briefly to him.
After some time passed, the door to the tavern opened and a tiefling entered and spoke to Broderick. It was Iago himself, searching for someone. Having told Broderick to do what he could to ensure a certain acquaintance of theirs sat at the table that evening, Iago left the tavern, followed by Raidion and I. They snuck across Oratory Square, watching as Iago stared at the House of Learned Friends, only moving when a scholar emerged. He tracked the scholar down a quiet side street; Raidion and I managing to keep pace without being seen themselves. Reaching his prey, Iago forced him up against a wall where he threatened him, cutting him with a whip carried at his side and telling him to make certain that another scholar attended the card game. Deciding against attempting to steal Iago’s whip, Raidion and I (tCntM) headed back to the Tavern where Broderick led you through to the card room at the rear of the Tipsy Scholar.
There you found Iago waiting, along with Finley (Broderick’s son) sat at one of the tables. Dolly joined them and they played a few hands in anticipation of a third party. As the rest of you busied yourselves with books and took your seats at the remaining table, Dolly and Iago traded wins and losses with Dolly realizing that her fellow tiefling was forcing cards and cheating (though she decided not to call out this trickery). After the second hand was played, you heard the noise of someone approaching the card room. It was Penick Winter von Ven. Iago changed in an instant, insisiting that everyone leave. Broderick and Finley did so (the rest of you remaining) as Iago struck Penick with his whip before Dolly stepped in. Elowen closed the door, leaving the five of you alone with Iago and Penick, the tiefling smiling as he considered his options.
Roll Initiative
Iago has just watched you shut the door, Elowen (with Kelnys nearby). Dolly, you’re directly in front of him with Penick nearby, prone on the floor. The other three of you are 15 feet away towards the far wall where the other table is located near some bookshelves.
Iago looks at you, Dolly. Takes in your friends and says,
“You made a very big mistake.”
You watch as he lifts his hand, and from his palm spreads a sphere of blood-red mist.