Session 137

General Summary

• The party discussed whom to pick to install into The Hounds Guild for Queen. Theran suggested Aathu, and the rest agreed.
• They got some more information about The Alizarin Woods from Alfalfa.
• Axecut (Elven: Fhaorn'Shaalth, literally "The Transformed Axe") is essentially the capital city of The Alizarin Woods.
• For some time now, dwarves have been going down as part of a "prospector rush" to mine out the new resources that have started appearing in the area.
• BFI are capitalizing on this as well, and their "research" business in the area is booming.
• Riley Ellasandra is a "kind-of younger" charismatic ice wizard, seen in Ashport "bothering the House of Crystal".
• Maedia Widelove has actually been reported "ghost", haunting the same area where the unusual minerals have started showing up.
• They do some more shopping the rest of the day, and the next day after a rest, and then they settle down for one more long rest before the journey down south.
• During that night, Queen showed up with Li'l Joker. She had tried to uphold her end of the deal by having an open and honest conversation with Jack — but, as she tells it, he had participated in bad faith, and got her to agree to a "deal" where she would have to cut off from all communications with her Family members.
• "Queen" — whom we probably can't call "Queen of Hearts" anymore — lashed out and kidnapped Li'l Joker, and seems to have gotten into a scuffle in doing so.
• Dazki offered to hide her out at The Party's Estate overnight.

Full Recap

They plan to do final preparations before leaving for The Alizarin Woods. Theran apologizes for his friendly fire incidents over the past couple of days. Dazki also apologizes to Dwardazik for his behavior over roughly that same time period, giving him Baxton's Ring of Mind Shielding. Theran tries to sense Baxton's thoughts in the ring, but he gets nothing.   After a lot of discussion about plans, the plan is to talk to Alfalfa about the people from Annu's list. They also discuss how to deal with upholding their end of the deal with Queen: Theran suggests installing Aathu as the new leader of The Hounds Guild, which the rest of the party generally agrees with (Theran: "I had a good idea! Suck it, mom!"), including Barry himself ("...and then I don't have to go on all the super-dangerous missions where we all almost get eaten by chaos? ooooh... decisions...") He ultimately accepts, and Dazki lets him know to stay on the lookout for any letters addressed to Dazki from Olivia Gold, as they will pertain to the quest to get more information about his history.  

Underneath It All

They go to the Undermart. Alfalfa is here. She seems excited to see the whole crew as she excitedly waves her hand towards you all.

Dazki: Alfalfa! Surprised you're so happy to see us...   Alfalfa: I thought you guys had, like, completely abandoned me and stuff — because, y'know, I'd become, like, an unreliable person, and then you guys were like, arguing with, like, every single mafia and angry person that has ever existed on the entire planet.   Marvin: You've kept yourself well-informed, as always.   Dwardazik: That's what it seems like, doesn't it?   Dazki: That also seems like a bit of an exaggeration...   Alfalfa: Well, I mean... accurate?   Dwardazik: Here's a gold coin to spread the rumor that that isn't true, and that we're on good terms with most "mafia people".   Alfalfa: Oh come on, you know I don't lie! What kind of information broker is going to give mistruths? (Marvin: HA!) They'd have my head for that, wouldn't they!   Dwardazik: I'm just saying, maybe don't exaggerate the sections that don't need to be exaggerated, and emphasize the little details of good! ...unless someone asks for it, of course — I wouldn't want to put you out of business...   Dazki: Anyway! We are looking for some information on a few individuals. They're from way, WAY south of here, down in Axecut. I don't know anything about the goings-on there?   Alfalfa: I dunno, never heard of it?   Theran: Wait, hang on... is this how it works? (He takes out five gold pieces and puts them in front of Alfalfa.)   Marvin gives him a disappointed frown.   Dwardazik: Prices are negotiable. I gave a gold because that's a pretty high... what are you gonna ask?   Alfalfa: Yeah, little fella! You gonna ask about any bounties on your head or somethin'? What's up?   Dwardazik: (but I would start with silver first...)   Dazki: That's the five gold there. Everything you can tell us about Axecut and a few specific people we're looking for there.   Alfalfa: "Everything"?! That seems a little bit ridiculous — 'cause, y'know, it's kinda been around for a while.   Dazki: So you do know the place!   Alfalfa: Well, yeah, it's kind of, like, the most important — like, if The Alizarin Woods had a capital, then this is, like, their Ashport, right? And it's weird that you guys are elves and you're calling it by its, like, human name? That's kind-of weird. So, y'know, it just took a bit for me to, like, translate. Is all. Y'know? I know it all, so...   Editor's note: sometime later, she clarified: the elven name of the town is Fhaorn'Shaalth, which literally translates to "The Transformed Axe". It's a large elven city built around the trunks of giant trunks of logged trees that were logged before protections for the forest were put in place.   Dazki: Sure. Sure. So, rumors of unusual goods coming out of there. Metals that aren't from that area. Anything substantial about those? Who's standing to profit from that?   Alfalfa: Oh, a bunch of dwarves and stuff have been going down there. Because, like, there's been a bunch of, like, caves and mineral deposits kinda showing up out of nowhere. The Alizarin Wood is usually known for all of its, like, wood production, obviously, right? But then there's been all these regulations about, like, chopping down "too many" trees, chopping down "the right" trees — y'know, you gotta do it "sustainably", and dwarves have never been very sustainable in that matter. But there's no real laws about mining in that area, because there's really nothing to mine — except now, they're coming up with all this stuff!   Dazki: Any particular families looking to score big? Or "clans", I guess is the way the dwarves call it?   Alfalfa: Well, I know there's a lot of mostly independent prospectors and stuff, although those Rubymist fellas have gone down there too — probably sniffing after BFI, because their research facility is booming down there right now! They have caravans going out there all the time, hiring out additional workforces for the dwarves.   Dazki: All right, that sounds like our ticket in.   Dwardazik: So it would...   Dazki: As much as I don't want to deal with BFI.   Dwardazik: Do we have to necessarily work for 'em? We could always tail 'em...   Dazki: Yeah, I just figured an easy way to get down there might be to hire ourselves out as caravan guards or something.   Dwardazik: Not a bad idea, actually. We might be able to make a penny along the way. We give up some flexibility not having our own cart unless we add it to the caravan, but... not a bad idea.   Dazki: And then a few people that others have taken interest in down there —   Alfalfa: I think the woods are completely uninhabited, unless I hear otherwise.   Dwardazik, putting down 5 silver: Do you hear otherwise?   Alfalfa: I know there's been a bit of a prospector rush down there. A lot of little towns popping up, so a bunch of new and friendly faces that you wouldn't normally see there.   Dwardazik: But what about the Woods?   Alfalfa: I'm talkin' about the Woods! Towns are springin' up left and right there. All temporary for this whole "prospector" thing, though.   Dazki, putting down 5 gold: All right. Two people we're interested in learning about. A woman, "Riley Ellasandra". Heard anything about somebody going by that name?   Alfalfa: Yeah, I've heard of this Riley.   Dazki: What do you know about her?   Alfalfa: Super charismatic. Ohmigosh, she could talk your ear off for a million years about stuff you just don't care about, y'know? Ice wizard.   Dazki: Ice wizard, huh?   Alfalfa: Yeah.   Dazki: Particularly strong?   Alfalfa: That, I'm not entirely sure. I do know that she had it really rough, but she seems to have really come around to it. I mean, she was even dealing in Ashport for a little bit.   Dazki: Really? What was she doing in Ashport?   Alfalfa: Mostly bothering the House of Crystal.   Dazki: Ahh.   Alfalfa: She doesn't really respect, like, personal secrets, so I haven't wanted to deal with her personally.   Dazki: OK.   Theran: Do you know if she tried to interact with Baxton while she was up here?   Alfalfa: Oh, probably. I would bet so. She's kind-of younger, but I think Baxton was into that sort of thing.   Dazki: And then, Maedia Widelove? Some dwarven woman. She's been reported missing, but we're interested in finding her as well down there.   Alfalfa: Well, she's reported "ghost" is what she's reported.   Dazki: Oh, so, reported dead?   Alfalfa: Well, that's usually what ghosts are...   Dazki: Yeah.   Alfalfa: Well, I've been hearing stories, and all of the dwarves are like, "there's this spirit, like, it's all 'protecting the land' and stuff", and then all the elves are like, "yeah, because you're, like, 'raping the land', you're taking all this stuff, and we already have all these reasons why you shouldn't be doing that", but they're like "it's progress, and nobody else is claiming these crystals, and why would they be here in the first place? it's gold! it's free money!", and I dunno, it's all —   Dazki: Is there a specific location that she haunts? Like, just one area, or a lake, or an abandoned tower, or anything like that? Since ghosts tend to usually be stuck in a location.

Alfalfa sighs, jumps off her desk, and starts rifling through papers really slowly. Dazki adds five gold to the table, and she speeds it up, popping back up with a rough map of the area which she circles.

Alfalfa: It's right where the two rivers kind-of fork off. Right there. I know that's a pretty wide area, but that's honestly where a lot of the minerals and towns started showing up, so, I mean, it makes sense.

They pore over the map a little bit, Alfalfa showing where "Tenderlove Research Facility" is when they take interest in a certain spot that they mentally cross-reference from a different map (without pulling it out). While they do, Kesmet hesitantly asks the other party members for some help with money, as he has his eye on buying some explosives, totaling up about 2,000 gold (Dazki: "What, are you planning on dynamiting an entire mine?!" Kesmet: "...not all at once..."). Some people pitch in, interested in seeing where this will go.

Alfalfa: So, you guys buying information from me again — does that mean you guys, like, trust and forgive me and all that stuff? 'cause that would be, like, super useful to me on, like, a psyche sort of level. So...   Marvin shakes his head.   Theran: Well, I've personally never had a reason not to trust you, so... —   Alfalfa: You definitely should have, like, so many reasons not to trust me, because I totally know who you really are, and I know that that bounty's going to get, like, really really big, so...   Theran: How much is it right now?   Alfalfa, ignoring the question: I think it's in your best interests to remain good friends with me.   Dazki: I'm gonna say... "pending".   Marvin: Oh, don't buy it, Theran. Don't buy it.   Dazki: No, I completely believe that there's a bounty.   Alfalfa: Will be. There definitely will be. Because there's just — (she giggles) — there's no way that this — y'know, obviously, this — like, you should really be more careful. Like, because the more people who know who you really are, like, the less valuable it is for me to sell that information. So you're really, like, eating into my profit margin.   Theran: Here's the thing: if you really know who I am, then you should know what my bounty actually is by now?   Alfalfa: Well, so far I've been pretty well paid — and, y'know, I'm not really into the whole "bounty" business, I'm more into, like, information and stuff like that. So if you could just, like, I dunno, wear a disguise or something? Because the more people that know who you are, like, it's gonna cause you trouble. Which, I guess, if you're, like, into that sort of thing, then fine, but it's really gonna start, like, causing me trouble, because I kinda want to, like, sell that information, y'know?   Dwardazik, putting five gold coins on the table: What's the situation with my bounty and the Rubymists?   Alfalfa: Oh, those guys? Those guys seem to have, like, completely forgotten about you ever since this whole thing has been going on down in the woods, because there's, like, way more valuable stuff down there than just, like, what your bounty's worth at this point. Like, if you think about it, you could mine, like, two of those nodes, and you could easily get the, like, twenty-five gold needed to, like, not murder you. So.   Dwardazik: It's down to twenty-five gold now?   Alfalfa: I mean, that's just what I've heard, y'know. I personally think you're worth a lot more, if that makes you feel any better?   Dwardazik: Do you have any information regarding the letter and everything I had you transport to the south to my family, regarding the Boulderhearths?   Alfalfa: Hmm. I don't remember doing any of that, so, y'know, it's really weird, so —   Dwardazik, putting down five more gold coins: You remember now?   Alfalfa: Yeah! Turns out that, depending on whom you ask, the letter said something different! So I think there was magic involved that changed, like, the letters? Y'know, there's, like, special inks and spells and stuff that can change what a letter is after it's been fully sealed and stuff like that, and then, like, time passes and the text, like, changes? So, you definitely have some sort of a problem with somebody back in your home town.   Dwardazik, putting five more gold coins down: What information can you tell me about the current situation regarding the Rubymists and the Boulderhearths?   Alfalfa: I think, mostly, it's just... you're the current situation, right? Like... I don't really need the gold 'cause I don't really know this one?   Dwardazik takes the gold back.   Alfalfa: Because that's some really distant politics stuff, and I have been trying to keep track of that as close as possible, but I think they still hate each other just vaguely... and the fact that you still have a bounty, that's gotta count for something?   Dwardazik: I appreciate it. And to answer your question, I think you mean well. Take that for what it is.   Alfalfa: That's great at all — the compliments and everything don't really get you a discount or any more information, but — I guess it's really great to know.   Dazki: Well, you asked! So, where did Kesmet disappear off to?

Kesmet had just finished purchasing a very large amount of dynamite. Dwardazik asks Alfalfa to point him towards someone down here who could sell a potion to use during interrogations. Marvin makes it clear that he's still angry and upset with Alfalfa, and they all leave her to do a bit more shopping (Marvin trading the mandolin that Alfalfa had given him for a +1 Rhythm-Maker's Drum) and they head back.

Back at the Mansion

Dwardazik raises the concern that they might not be able to pass themselves off as caravan guards, given their relative fame within the city now. They talk about alternatives like maybe sending out a false message that they might be going to the capital, ultimately concluding that the subterfuge is too much paranoia — but they do need their own carriage. The plan is to spend most of the next day doing final shopping preparation before heading out.   Dazki allows Theran to read some of The Book of the Mirage, insisting that he make a copy of the chapter that he reads to give it away once he's finished with it.   They spend the next day mostly just shopping. Kesmet chooses to attach his name to a bunch of his daggers so that he can sell them for more, capitalizing on his name to recoup as much of the cost of his new dynamite purchase as possible. Dwardazik gets a ballista mounted on top of the carriage.

Discarded, On Trumped-Up Charges

The next night, Dazki, Jersey, and Theran are awakened / alerted to the presence of an intruder, when a bit of glassware shatters loudly. Running to see who it is, they see Queen and Li'l Joker. Dazki and Theran seem relieved to see the pair, so Jersey settles down.

Dazki, rushing over: What's going on? Are you OK?   "Queen": It's all fucked. All of it.   Dazki: What happened?   "Queen": Well, for lack of a better term, I've been... discarded.   Dazki: I'm sorry...   "Queen": I attempted to do what was promised, OK? I did!   Dazki: Yeah, I believe you.   "Queen": I spoke open, I spoke honestly. No tricks, no leverage. And, in return for laying the cards all out on the table, it seemed like he expressed concern, but it turns out I've just made another bad deal.   Dazki: What do you mean?   "Queen": After I've said all the things, I tried to explain how his pressure's been oppressive, I want to be my own person, how I'm disinterested in running parts of the House, all of it, all right? And he gave me a choice... I thought. He's never given me a choice before, that should've been a big hint! I could either stay with the Family, do what the Family needs me to do — which, yada yada, I was never gonna pick that option, nobody ever picks that option! — or I could leave the Family and then not get its benefits anymore. Which is kinda what I wanted anyway! But the wording, I should've listened to the wording!   Dazki: Got it.   "Queen": "Very well", he says. So now, he wants to completely cut ties. I care about the people in this Family, damnit! And I'm not going to leave them! ...not going to leave all of them! I'm not excommunicated. Not if I choose!   Li'l Joker: I'm kidnapped! Shh, don't tell!   Dazki, with a chuckle: We won't... OK, Theran, can you do something about "Queen"'s horn?   "Queen": No, I — ... just ... — I just need some stuff, OK?   Dazki: Look, we're here for you. Whatever you need.   "Queen": 'cause I'm definitely not obeying my end of this "deal", and that is not going to be OK.   Dazki: Look, this is an agreement between friends. Nothing is binding about it, it's not some contract that we're going to enforce like Jack would. This is friends trying to help out, OK?   "Queen": I just didn't want to let Jack's way of thinking corrupt another person! I'm not going to let it happen!   Dazki: All right, so what are we gonna do about it?   "Queen": I don't know what we're gonna do about it. I didn't even know if there was still a "we" going on here!   Dazki: Well, I think the first thing is, we're gonna get some sleep, lick our wounds, —   "Queen": There's no time to sleep here. I have to keep moving. I just need some ... something! Did you at least get me something?   Dazki: We've got you someone who's going to be infiltrating the Hounds Guild, yes. But if you do this... he's forcing you to do the thing you don't want to do. The thing he thought you were going to do in the first place.   "Queen": Well, he abandoned me, all right? I tried to be open and honest with him, and he just turned it into another one of his stupid games!   Dazki: Then be the bigger person, don't play his games. You have people here who will support you.   "Queen": I can't stay here!   Dazki: Well, we're leaving tomorrow. Leave with us.   "Queen": I definitely can't do that. Are you kidding? Like, the first person he's gonna go after is you!   Theran: Yeah, so he's not gonna think you're gonna come with us!   "Queen": Listen, man, I don't know what to do. I can't stay here, I can't go.   Dazki: You're staying here, at least to get some sleep. I'm sure Li'l Joker needs some sleep too. We'll make sure you're safe tonight.   "Queen": You can't promise that! This is way too close!   Dazki: I will stay up all night watching over the two of you if I need to. I will do everything in my power to make sure of that!   "Queen": This is the first place he's gonna come for, man. We can't do this.   Dazki: Well, then why did you come here?   "Queen": Because... ... ...because I don't have anybody I can trust anymore. Not even Jack.   Dazki: Then trust me. We will do what we can to keep you safe tonight.   Li'l Joker: Does that mean he's going to be our new Jack?   Dazki: Oh, no! No-no-no! No, young one. No. I'm just a friend who cares.   "Queen": Well, I don't... — you don't have, like, any secret passageways or anything, do you?   Dazki: Not that I'm aware of.   Theran: We have a cellar.   Dazki: Cellar's no good. One way in, no ways out.   Theran: Hmm.   "Queen": Great.   Theran: I could stay awake as well and keep watch from the roof? That might get us a bit of extra time.   "Queen": This is all going to heck.   Dazki: Well, worst option: turn state's witness? Go to the House of Steel and ask them for protection in exchange for information. It's a bad choice, but it might be the only one to protect you and Li'l Joker. If you really won't accept our help.   "Queen": And what are they going to do, arrest a demon?!   Dazki: I don't know what they could do, what they would plan on doing. I'm just trying to throw options out there to help.   "Queen": This is not the game I want to play. I'm sick of playing games. I don't know what to do.   Dazki: I don't know what to do either.