Session 136
Wolves of Mall Street
General Summary
- The party learned that Queen was making a drug deal in the marketplace, so they headed that way.
- When they got there, they were called over by some folks who turned out to be werewolves, members of The Hounds Guild.
- A fight ensued, during which a random commoner was killed by a werewolf, and Queen escaped with Li'l Joker.
- The party discussed what had happened with Jack, and next steps.
- Queen claimed that she had been responsible for getting him to go to their house as a "gift", since this had put him at a disadvantage, but she had not accounted for Dazki's father being there.
- She said that she has been trying to tell her father straight that she wants out, but he refuses to hear it. She's more concerned about the Hounds Guild, since they're apparently flipping out and killing people now... and also, it distracts her father, which is a nice side benefit.
- They made a deal: she will have a twenty-minute direct Heart-to-Heart conversation with her father about her feelings, if the party installs some agents into the Hounds Guild who are less dangerous, while still being distracting.
- They then went to Annu to discuss next steps in the main quest.
- Annu was already deep in discussion with a guard captain in fancy armor, insisting that he send troops to the Alizarin Wood before a problem breaks out.
- In this discussion, Annu threatened the guard captain, who began the process of putting Annu back into "storage" while Annu told the party what they needed.
- The documents Annu provided them identify four people of interest in the Alizarin Wood and detail some strange economic activity that's drawing dwarves to the area who are extracting minerals that shouldn't possibly be able to come from that region.
Full Recap
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This Little Wolfie Went to Market
The party decide to just press forward and head towards The Paradise Casino to try to find Queen, but the bouncer doesn't help them, so they try the Undermart, starting by asking Deuce where she might be.Deuce: Said she had some errands to run up top. Probably messing with the guard captain.Marvin offers to use a Sending spell to talk to her, which Dazki accepts and dictates. Dwardazik orders a drink while they go through this.
Dazki (through Marvin): Got a visit from your father. Some discussions ensued. Can we meet to talk? It's fairly important. Queen: Out for a walk about town, lookin' into some real estate. Got a real sweet tooth for some cake. MISS ME!
The rest of the party shares more of the rest of the plan with Dazki, as Theran hesitantly approaches the bar to figure out what the big deal is with these drinks. Following Dwardazik's lead, he puts 10 gold on the bar and waits expectantly. Deuce looks at him inquisitively, and — deciding not to take his money — hands him a small paper box with a purplish liquid inside. It's grape juice.
Queen's message means that she's making a drug deal. There's a dropoff in the trading district. They walk all the way there so that they're seen while on their way. On the way to the marketplace, the party can't help but attract attention from the general public. Getting closer to the marketplace, a couple of "shadier figures" notice them in a "less-than-savory manner". Not tieflings, but scraggly-looking human figures, scurrying from one alleyway to the next as the party continue to ignore them, eventually trying to beckon the party over. The party doesn't take the bait and proceeds further. Eventually, they do see Queen, out in the open by herself, busy distracting a guard captain. Unbeknownst to the other party members, Dazki spies Li'l Joker sneaking around on a rooftop above the alleyway. He spies that one of the guys in the alleyway might be about to blow her cover, and so he makes up an excuse to go have a conversation with them. They have a meaningless chat that goes nowhere, until someone notices Kesmet and says "Yo, dude, it's him!". They start treating him with reverence, as long as he can "hook [them] up". As it turns out, these are werewolves from The Hounds Guild, who seem to believe that Kesmet is their leader, "the Alpha Wolf". They move to the outdoor section of a small café, where the scraggly guys make it clear that they really need their drugs. Kesmet bluffs, trying to convince them that he's not "the Baker" or "the Alpha Wolf". It seems to work, but it also creates a new problem: now the Hounds realize that they've said too much, and so they aren't too keen on letting the party just walk away without giving them "drugs or a portion of your money". Dazki offers them some silver pieces. When one takes the bait, it sizzles on their flesh, and Dazki calls the guards.
Combat Summary
- One of the werewolves bit Dazki, and it got infected immediately.
- Queen also distracted the guard captain, who called the guards towards him instead of towards the hostile werewolves. Some followed.
- Dazki shot a werewolf point-blank and knocked it off the roof — but didn't actually harm it directly, because his gun is mundane. Which didn't matter, because the point was to make the noise anyway.
- Marvin locked down one of the werewolves, forcing it to dance uncontrollably until Dwardazik took it out.
- Early on during the battle, werewolves murdered one commoner. The guards and the party were quick enough to stop them from getting anyone else.
- The party quite easily dispatched the werewolves. Queen bolted to grab Li'l Joker and exited.
A Queentessential Misunderstanding
It's some sort of herbalist's shop, but the shop keeper "seems to have run off for some reason". Queen sets Li'l Joker on the counter.Dazki: Is everything OK? Apologies for the interruption, we did not know there were werewolves in the area. Queen: Hah. Right, right, because they totally wouldn't've been here. Problems just vanish as soon as you stop thinking about them. Dazki: I mean, we didn't know there would be werewolves right here that were going to fixate on Kesmet. Queen: Ooh! That's a fun, interesting twist I hadn't considered! Dazki: Oh? Queen: "Oh"? Was that not part of the plan? Dazki: No, that was not part of the plan! Dwardazik: There were a couple of things we wanted to talk about, Queen. Dazki: After making sure that everyone's OK. Queen: Well, ehh... I don't think that old man is OK. Dazki: That's... ...entirely fair. Marvin: I should've cast the spell on that werewolf, instead of one near us... Queen: Tricky taking care of a group of animals without any sort of leadership quality, but they seemed attracted to you! So, that was cool, right? Marvin: "Cool", you say?! Dazki: Yeah, it's probably a way that they could be "directed", should that be Kesmet's desire. Queen: Well, I mean something has to be done. All those poor wolves out there without their sharp sugar are going to have a very unfortunate — and very short — lifespan. Marvin: So, was that still the Hounds Guild's prerogative? To keep all their underlings... with a "sweet tooth", let's say? Queen: Well, it's kind of a necessity, to keep that whole lycanthropy in check. Marvin: It actually keeps it in check? Queen: In control. Marvin: Ah, sure. Get them addicted, get them dependent, they do what you say now. Gotcha. Queen: No, I mean... I wouldn't want to know what would happen if some brain-addled, drug-addict-who-also-happens-to-be-an-indestructible-to-most-werewolf would not be able to get his fix. All of a sudden. Dazki: A lot of rampages in the city. Queen: It seems like removing the sugar causes them to become overwhelmed. Dazki: All right! Wonderful. Queen: But I'm sure that's not what you came here to talk about! Dwardazik: Seems like something that the city guard will have to take care of... Queen hops onto the countertop next to Li'l Joker excitedly and crosses her legs, eager to hear some juicy gossip. Queen, giddy: He made quite a fool of himself, didn't he! Please! Please, share all the juicy details! Dazki: ...all right, sure. He managed to march his way into our own home, knocking out our guard on the way in — or, you know, having Seven do it or something. Comes in, basically gives us the whole "stay away from my daughter" speech, and threatens my dad with his gun!They go to the church and get his shoulder healed, conveniently avoiding Alice, and then continue on towards House of Crystal to talk with Annu about their next steps. Dazki gives him a heads-up through the cellstone, and Annu very (abnormally) tersely replies that he will be available before sundown.(Insight 22) She was excited — giddy, even! — throughout most of your story... right up until mention of your father. Queen: That... that... that wasn't the plan at all! What do you mean, your father? Dazki: I mean, we had guests. Queen: Aww, fuck. Dazki: What do you mean, "that wasn't the plan at all"? Queen: ... ... ...OK. I may — MAY! — have done a little favor. ...And, ...um... hmm. Dazki: It's all right, we're all friends here, and we're trying to work together. No judgment is going to be made. Queen: ...So! Brilliant plan. Manipulate Jack into making a fool of himself, selectively give Ten information, Ten dutifully reports this to Jack, Jack reacts wildly and unpredictably to inaccurate information, Jack displays weaknesses towards you... ...um... it's supposed to be a gift, right? Um... the floundering still must have been hilarious! ...in theory! Dazki: How was that supposed to — Queen: I know, OK! He would be on the back foot for the discussion he was already going to have about getting those pieces from you, and you would've been able to negotiate a better deal. Marvin: "A better deal", for what?! Dazki: For not being able to give him the pieces of the Orrery of the Wanderer back. Marvin: Ahh... Queen: He can't do anything lethal to you in your own house, so having him go there already puts him at a huge disadvantage! It's a gift! And hilarious! ...well, it was supposed to be... Dazki: And things started out working well. But then, the whole "stay away from my daughter" thing, and he realized my dad was there, and my dad and I don't necessarily get along... we have a relationship a lot like you and Jack. Queen, lost in her own thoughts, mostly muttering to herself: The dad, the dad, the dad!, why was the dad there! How did I not figure that out?! Dazki: Well, he sent a private message that we did not get until about three or four days ago. He didn't arrive until just recently. So, important question: what do you actually want from Jack? Do you want out? Are you actually trying to take over — what is it that you really want? Queen: What do I want?! What does it matter what I want... Dwardazik: It's pretty much the whole reason why we're here. Dazki: Just because someone wants to force you into a position that you don't necessarily want or desire — Jack still loves you, you're his daughter. He wants what he thinks is best for you. He cares about you. That's why what you want matters. Queen: Uh-huh... well, if he could "care" a little less, that'd be great! Dazki: What do you mean by that? Theran: He obviously cares enough about you to walk into our house and flounder a lot. Dwardazik: It means that it's stifling. Which is kind of what we came here to resolve, anyway: what do you want? You want to build an empire? That's fine with me, I just want to know — Queen: NO, I don't want to build an empire! Marvin: Well, maybe you should have a talk with him, then! Because he's very much under the impression that you're going to, uh... let's say "aggressively usurp" him! Queen: No, he thinks I'm going to "aggressively usurp" the rival — Dazki: Yeah, and he thinks you're gonna do that to take over what he has. Queen: Oh, he would, wouldn't he? He can't even stop to think for a second that I would want anything different! Theran: Well, it seems like you haven't been sending him the clearest of messages? And I guess, in return, he hasn't been sending you the clearest of messages... Dazki: So, how can we resolve this in a way that is beneficial for you? Queen: ...do you think if I had the answer to any of this, we would be having this conversation? Dazki: No, but I think you know Jack better than we do, so your ideas might be a good springboard. Queen: Apparently, I don't! Theran: You don't want to tell him that you want out, right? Queen: No, I've told him this! He just doesn't hear it. Theran: You've been extremely direct with him, then? Queen, looking around at the others: Am I getting lectured by a child? Kesmet: No, you're getting interrogated by a child! Dazki: We're just trying to ask the dumb questions so we don't miss something. Dwardazik: Is Jack into theatrics? Dazki: Have you said to Jack, "I want out of this organization to pursue my own life"? Queen: Yes, of course I've said these things. Dazki: OK! Queen: He doesn't hear them. Theran: Then what does he hear? Or what do you think he hears? Dwardazik: Just saying — I don't know why, but I'm getting the feeling — Jack probably likes theatrics. Queen: Jack hears what he wants to hear, OK? And if he doesn't want to hear it, things suddenly go silent. Dwardazik: Then make the message that you don't want to be involved so loud that no one could ignore it. Queen: Or, we continue to distract him, and then I can actually do what I want to do for a little bit longer. Marvin: There's a problem with that. It sounds nice in theory, but then Dazki's dad might just get axed out of nowhere if he thinks we haven't helped resolve this situation. Dazki, moving to sit next to her: I know, I was in that exact situation. I still kind-of am. I guess I'm a bit lucky in that my dad is more willing to listen to me. Queen: And, it seems, a lot easier to kill... Dazki: Uh... ...I don't know if he's necessarily a lot easier to kill. He's tougher than I thought he was, but... he's still my dad, so of course I'm worried about him. Queen: What are we going to do about this guild situation? Marvin: Oh, so it is "we" now? Dazki: Of course it's "we"! Dwardazik: What's the major issue with the guild, from your perspective? I don't know of any new leadership. The minions we saw today seemed absolutely drugged, tweaked out of their mind. They seemed desperate for instruction. Queen: I think we still need a Hounds Guild. Kesmet:Dazki: It doesn't necessarily have to be a "Hounds Guild", it just needs to be something that will oppose Jack to keep him from being the sole player. Theran: If he's the sole player, then the organization breaks down, because the only way to oppose him will be from within. Queen: If it gains a new leader, it can continue to distract Jack, it keeps the werewolves high on drugs, so that's always a benefit. The relationship between those two — real or fake — combined with the perceived threat... Dazki: But how does that get you out? Dwardazik: That's kind of what I wanted to ask. So, why do we have to keep distracting Jack? That's the part I don't understand. Queen: If Jack has nothing else to do, Jack is going to deal with Family matters. Theran: What does that entail? Dwardazik: Is it, like, sending you to do jobs you don't want to do? Is it, like, having... dinner... together? Dazki: When there are no enemies from without, you look for enemies from within. And Queen right here is clearly the heir apparent, so she would potentially be a threat to his power. All sorts of scrutiny. Am I getting that correctly? Queen, with a heavy sigh: There's a reason why I'm "The Queen" and he's just "Jack". Kesmet: Isn't he, like, "The King of Jacks", though? Marvin: Uh... er... Queen: We should get a new leader for the Hounds Guild. If we don't pick one, then — well, you know what happened last time. That Dennis fellow was not a great pick for that role. Marvin: Wait, hold on, "pick"? Queen: Well, not so much "pick" as "manufactured a scenario" — Dazki: We already knew that one of the members of the House of Cards was responsible for Dennis' ascension when he did. Dwardazik: I just think that you're both just trying to manipulate each other. You're trying to "manufacture scenarios" to distract Jack, and Jack is — well, I get the sense that he's a concerned father, but also somewhat obsessed with power. I think he's worried that you'll be too ambitious, and that it'll cause him to have to act against you. You're doing a self-fulfilling prophecy, here. By distracting him, you're acting as the thing he's most afraid of. Queen: Well, yeah. I mean, it's what he would want, right? If something doesn't fit into his mindset, it doesn't exist, right? If he wants me to be a pain in the ass, I'm gonna be a pain in the ass. He asked for it. Dazki: You don't have to play his game, though. You said you didn't want to. Dwardazik: It's really just, like, a matter of perspective, though. As Dazki's saying, you don't have to play the game. Queen: Look, can we just figure out what to do with all these tweakers runnin' around, turnin' into wolves and killin' old men? How about we just focus on that? Dwardazik: Why is that my problem? I'm just sayin'... Theran: What even does "setting up a new leader of the Hounds Guild" even entail? Do we just... pick someone who's already there, say "you're in charge now", and then walk away? Do we have Kesmet walk in there, say "I'm the leader now, just keep doin' what you're doin'" and then have him walk away? Kesmet: I don't want any involvement in this. Dwardazik: I'm just askin' the really blunt question here, Miss Queen. Why do I care about these werewolves runnin' amok in Ashport? Theran: Because... you'll... die? Queen: Eh, you don't have to care. I'm not some weird overlord looking to make everything perfect. And I'm not allowed to have you in debt to me anymore. Dwardazik: Look, we wouldn't be here if we didn't want to try and resolve this kind-of overbearing mess. We don't need to have debts in order to help each other here. As Dazki mentioned, we're... friends. Queen: Fine. Pay me. If you want to solve this problem badly enough, I'll do what you say — but you've got to pay me. And then, when it inevitably fails and blows up in your face, at least it will be mildly entertaining, knowing that I can go spend the money. Dazki: That's not what you really want, though. Queen: O, you who are so wise and grand to everything! Dwardazik: I'm just saying, I just was threatened by a father who seemed absolutely distraught about the safety of his daughter. That's all I've got to say. He probably doesn't make it very clear to you, but if there's one thing I've gotten familiar with over the past day, it's been father/offspring communication issues. That's what I saw. Queen: Well... listen. Do you want Jack to love you, hate you, or ignore you? Because I guarantee only one of those is worth the time. Dazki: Heh. And "ignore" is the one that's worth the time, eh? Queen: So let's distract him! Save people from the werewolves — Theran: "Ignore" isn't really an option for you, is it? Queen: Doesn't matter what's an option for me. Dazki: Yes it does. Queen: Let's make a trade, then! Make me a deal. Hire me to fix my own "problems", as I'm sure you think it is. Dwardazik: I dare you two to sit down on the same couch and talk out for twenty minutes. Queen holds out her hand. Dazki: What is the price of your services, then? Queen: I would like to insert a few agents into the Guild to make sure that — while they're distracting — they're not overly dangerous. Surely, you have competent connections outside of Jack's reach? Dazki: Potentially, yeah. Queen: And Jack isn't going to kill your father. Dazki: No, but the threat is enough to make me uncomfortable. Queen: Dear, that's the point of a threat. Dazki: I know. Dwardazik: So, install agents, and you do what? A conversation with your father? On the couch? Heart-to-Heart? Queen: Twenty minutes, as you said. Dwardazik: But you actually have to say what you're feeling. And no just small-talk games, that's coppin' out! You've gotta say that stuff that you don't want to say to anyone. You've got to say all those little things that you wish you could say to Jack, tell him how you really feel. Queen: All right. And you have to not obliterate the Hounds Guild and help me acquire agents to stealthfully sneak in there to keep them less dangerous. Dazki: Deal. Dwardazik: Well, I'm pretty sure we could hire some of those mercenaries from Bright Futures, Inc.? Hehehe. Queen: Fine. OK. Great. Hey, man. I didn't know your dad was gonna be there. Dazki: It's OK. I believe you. Queen: It's so hard to get things done with so many spinning plates. And dodging Ten whenever I can. Dazki: I get it. I mean, I don't "get it", but I empathize. And, for what it's worth, I really do want you to get what you want. That really is my goal with all of this. Hard or impossible as it may seem, you deserve to be happy too. Queen: "Deserve" is an interesting word. Dazki: Everyone deserves to be happy. Queen: I assure you that that is untrue. Dazki: I believe that it is true. Li'l Joker, popping up from behind the counter: I found two copper, on the floor! Dazki, laughing heartily: Ah, good job, there! Good job! You OK? Those werewolves had quite the keen eye on you. Li'l Joker: They'll not catch me, I'm invisible! Li'l Joker ducks behind the counter again. Queen: I'd better head off. Dazki: Yeah, I've got a bite that needs to be taken care of. Sooner, rather than later... Queen: Or, you know, you could just become leader of the Hounds Guild! And that would really piss off Dad. Me dating a werewolf?! Oh my gosh he'd be so upset! Kesmet: And, Dazki, I promise not to kill you. I'm for it. Dazki: Yeah, I'm gonna go ahead and say that I don't want to be a werewolf. Marvin: I'll be honest, I really did contemplate it that one time when I got bit. Dwardazik: Wut? Why?! Marvin: Man, all that power... I thought... but, clearly, I turned it down! Dwardazik: How would you wash yourself?! You'd be a dog! Theran: So wait, OK, OK, hang on, I can turn into an actual wolf. Maybe I should be the leader of the Hounds Guild! Queen and Li'l Joker leave at this point in the conversation, Queen not electing to return the hummingbird that Dazki had sent her. Dazki: Bad idea, Theran. First, I really want to take care of my shoulder, though. It itches like you wouldn't believe, and I really want that to stop.
Influencing Chapter Titles in Session Recaps Is Also A Thing I Can Do Now
It's really easy to find Annu, as he is currently in a very tense conversation with a very fancy-looking guard captain. Well... the people observing the conversation seem to be tense. Not Annu, of course, and the other guard captain — he's not so much tense as he is... irritated.
A younger human man, someone you've seen before as a guard captain, but now he's got nicer-looking attire since the last time you'd have seen him. And he certainly thinks he's got the authority to be part of this discussion.
Annu: You would agree to give your wellbeing to save several deserving others, correct? Even if they are outside your jurisdiction? Guard Captain ("GC"): What are you implying? Annu: I will do what I have to, to ensure the optimal outcome. If you will not, then you are in the path of the perfect choice. GC, putting his hand on his weapon instinctively: Is... is that a threat?! Annu, slightly tilting his head: Yes. Apparently, that is a thing I can do now. You will regain control for your safety, specifically, or you will agree to send aid as your creed demands. GC reaches inside his jacket pocket, as Biz steps out from the crowd. Biz: You don't have to do this, man! Annu, turning slightly to acknowledge the party: I calculate that I have six minutes and thirty-six seconds before my inevitable storage. I will submit to it without conflict. Until then, you will make the correct decision or others will fall. Others who deserve it less than — (He turns to face the guard captain) — less than you. This is the action that causes the most optimum outcome overall. Speak with me, my advisory committee.According to Annu, the Alizarin Woods should be sent support before trouble breaks out. Because nothing has happened yet, bureaucracy prevents him from getting full support over there at this time, and this Guard Captain guy won't do more than send the message down to Axecut. The way Annu sees it, there are four "persons of interest" all down there, and a relatively recent(ish) economic fluctuation has drawn his attention: the region is producing goods that should not be possible to produce within the wood. During the conversation, Annu's armored body suddenly slams down, landing him on his knees. The last few words he can utter before getting put "into storage" are to reiterate to the party that this decision is optimal, and to point them towards Biz, who has Annu's written notes supporting his beliefs. Biz gives the party the paper, the whole time making it clear how he is utterly, terribly, too busy to deal with these shenanigans right now, pointing to an intern and barking orders at them. Back at home, the party review the documents. Theran offhandedly remarks that Axecut is near where Marvin said he was originally born, which reminds Dazki that Siraye had sent him a letter a few months back from Axecut, saying that she had managed to avoid some weird things going on over there. Indeed, she appears in Annu's summary of the four people of interest.
