Session 20
General Summary
After partaking in the Rose Throne Tournament, Rani went with Ezra and Noel to the theater where Marigold immediately descended upon them. Marigold reprimanded Ezra for not coming sooner, before quickly acquiring Rani's measurements and getting her costume requests. Noel stayed and observed the two practice for their upcoming performance. She seemed enamored by the Theater. They don't have anything like that back in Ragna.
Newt took Zephus back to the Temple to grab his art supplies before flying him to the top of the Guild Council Hall. Zephus, once his supplies were set up, asked Newt if he had ever wanted to change his appearance or be something different. After receiving the sage-old wisdom of twenty-something year-old Newt and with a little encouragement, Zephus asked about Newt's "parents" and brought up his own. Newt wasn't sure if he'd be angry at his father or want to kill him, but Zephus seemed set on killing his father... Or, at least, he thinks he'd like to. Zephus admitted to being an illegitimate child. His mother detests him for it so he hides the scales that mark him. Newt encouraged Zephus to embrace his differences. You should define yourself and not live for someone else. Zephus asked Newt to bring him some Golden Wine and let Rani know he'd like to talk... but no rush.
Moira, Belle, and The Widow made their way to the floating festival to partake in the drinking contest. Golden Wine was the drink of choice for the competition. After some convincing, Moira agreed to join - especially after she saw the large jar of Golden Spice. As the five shot glasses were poured, Belle and the Widow made a bet. After two extra rounds, Belle eventually won, shaking off the effects of the wine unlike the Widow (and also Moira) who enjoyed visions of unimaginable beauty... until they were harshly ripped away. The Widow now has a new pet name and has bene reunited with the true love of his life... the barrel.
After Newt attempted to pickpocket some drunkards... he was given a pink scarf by an attendant so that he may participate in the actual pickpocketing competition.
Rani, Ezra, and Noel (REN) went to the Hall of Illusions. Rani quickly made her way through, but was sidetracked for a moment in the middle. She believed that her brother was there taunting her about swordplay. Still, despite the distraction, she emerged on the other side shortly before Ezra and secured herself the top spot. Noel arrived later, apologizing for possibly breaking some of the mirrors.
With some of them intoxicated, the rest of the Deep End (and co) made their way to the Hall of Illusions. The Widow was berated by Six – the dumb, stupid, idiot boy has made the home tree sad. He then saw a familiar, beautiful woman whose gorgeous singing voice enticed him. Still, he managed to make his way through despite being intoxicated.
Upon entering, Moira was immediately distracted by a familiar green dragonborn who offered her cookies, inviting her to sit and eat. A moment later, a familiar set of twins asked her to join them after she finished eating - its been so long since they'd had some fun together! Lost in the maze, Moira saw a hooded figure with the tides lapping at his feet. Will you decide your fate, Moira? Or will you let fate decide for you?
Belle got quite distracted in the Hall of Illusions. First, an chiseled aasimar male wearing nothing but decorative metal pieces conveniently placed. Then, a strong gold dragonborn with a slick jacket buttoned only at the navel exposing a broad glittering chest. Finally, a gorgeous elven woman with a long flowing white gown and silver drapes.
Newt was only momentarily distracted by a familiar, elderly tiefling man who invited him to walk across the bridge as they often used to. Upon emerging at the exit, Newt saw his name light up second on the leaderboard... seems Rani was just a bit faster.
REN made their way through the grounds and played some carnival games. Rani won two bouquets of flowers after managing to strike through two targets with one arrow, despite their being some sort of magical trickery on them. Noel tried her hand at a test of strength, getting irritated when the game seemed rigged against her. Rani, in response, sent some of the swarm up the attendant's legs, which made Noel calm and laugh.
Newt and Moira went on a pickpocketing spree... teamwork makes the dream work.
Until you get distracted... Moira was enticed into a dark blue tent - a start contrast to the red and pink tents surrounding it. Inside, she met Ikaris, a middle-aged tiefling diviner who claims to receive his abilities from the God of Fate. After taking a seat in front of his crystal ball, Ikaris described Moira being abandoned on the steps of a temple... ah yes, there is a green dragonborn? Her name is Yue, correct? Ikaris saw her being abandoned again in the future. Has Caliban been silent? Would you desire greater abilities... the ability to control the strings of fate that Caliban has denied you? Moira, thinking that she's made enough shady deals, declined and walked out... forgetting most of the conversation, but vaguely recalling a tiefling and a crystal ball and a tent.
Noel and Rani walked the festival grounds, getting a lay of the land before heading to the theater. Shortly after arriving, Rani stealthily pulled Noel into the theater to avoid a clearly intoxicated Widow and trashed Belle. A silence spell was effectively cast in the nosebleed section to keep the rowdy drunks from disturbing the performance. After the performance ended, The Widow face planted and slid down the stairs.
Newt and Moira picked up Zephus and reunited with REN on the floating docks. Zephus showed Rani a portrait of her that he had painted and, surprisingly, rolled up his sleeves. The golden scales glowed and glittered as he pulled the artwork from the page, bringing it to life in his palm. The figure of Rani moved seamlessly through a series of sword-dancing steps. Rani immediately hugged him, telling him that she was proud of him. Zephus almost immediately collapsed to the ground and cried. The teenage genasi doesn't wish to return hom because his mother sees him only as a mistake. Rani thinks otherwise and there are places in the desert where differences are applauded. There are people in the desert - like her sister - who emphasize their differences, wearing them like badges of pride. Differences make us beautiful and unique... they should be admired, not hidden away. Rani hopes that Zephus will be able to wear short sleeves all the time. He hopes to work on it. For now... his sleeves remain rolled up.
Meanwhile, Belle and The Widow went skinny dipping and eventually got back to Cali's.
Newt was enticed into a small dark blue tent while pickpocketing. He, like Moira, sat in front of Ikaris' crystal ball. The older tiefling saw a young Newt walking with an old tiefling man... walking across the bridge from Ah'Shal. Ikaris sees great glory in Newt's future... if he chooses to seize the right opportunities. Do you desire to define a legacy for yourself independent of your... appearance? To show Thyron that you were worth raising? To surpass Diavolo? To be untouchable by those in power in Ah'Shal? Ah'Shal has been as silent as the grave hasn't she... Newt didn't even ask what the price was before he accepted the deal.
On the morning of the second day of San Futas, Rani and Ezra went to rehearse, leaving Noel to escort Zephus back to the temple. Noel promised to meet up with Rani later that day after she checks in with her own group.
Meanwhile, Moira made The Widow an apology breakfast of biscuits and gravy - it was much better this time around. Newt boldly tied his pink scarves to his horns and, shortly after leaving Cali's, he felt someone tugging on it. Callon gave Newt props for his bold display of the silks. After taking a quick power nap, he promised to meet up with Newt for "So you think you can lie...?"
The Deep End tried their hand at the Hall of Illusions once again... The Widow currently holds the leading position.
Rani was enticed into a fortuneteller's tent. Upon gazing into his crystal ball, Ikaris saw a younger Rani dancing with her younger brother and younger sister. They both seem so delightful... but there is danger in the future for both of them. Tatya... corrupted, skin peeing away. Lakshmi... eyes clouded over and glossy... magic, perhaps? You want to be a good older sister, yes? To keep them safe from the horrors that lurk in the world? Perhaps with the ability to pull the strings of fate, you can. Rani turned down the offer, leaving and reunited with a slightly confused Ezra.
The Widow convinced everyone to get in on a bet for the bull-riding competition. Ezra and Rani chose to "dance" along the top of the bull. Ezra - who seems to have done this before - had a decent showing, though Rani was not far behind. Moira and Belle both got almost immediately launched into the water, but Newt caught both of them at the last moment. Newt then also got thrown off. The Widow managed to ride along with relative ease, winning the bout.
The Widow was enticed into a fortuneteller's tent, though Belle was oddly left outside. After pausing, Ikaris invited The Widow to take a seat. Ah yes... a great monstrosity with four arms, how peculiar. And yes, this must be your fiancé... wife? How easily ehr head was ripped from her shoulders. Ikaris saw more death and sorrow in the Widow's future... caused by the creature the Widow hunts... wouldn't you like to be able to prevent that? Truly, what has Therarask offered beside saccharine words to seduce you to their whims? After asking a barrage of questions, The Widow accepted the deal. As Ikaris led him to the entrance, he whispered the name of his patron... before shoving The Widow out. Odd, The Widow remembers a deal, a tent, a crystal ball, and a tiefling man. Something about fortunes and fate... but the details are fuzzy for the moment.
As The Deep End made their way to the public fashion show, Moira caught sight of a vaguely familiar face... a Yuan Ti man, slender build, bald, with three piercings on his left ear was entering Dragon's Den. Moira immediately turned and booked it to Cali's for her apron.
The Widow strutted down the runway in a gold cape that he dropped to reveal a set of gold armor underneath - looking quite like C-3P0 (whoever that is). Moira chose to wear only the Dragoleé apron, a pot on her head, and oven mitts. Apparently, Moira was born to be a model... and then she booked it off the stage towards Dragon's Den. Belle draped himself in a conveniently placed ribbon before ripping it off to thunderous applause. Newt - still donning the pirate captain's clothes - stopped at the edge of the runway to draw the bedazzled rapier from his pants. Ultimately, Belle won.
Moira stumbled into Dragon's Den – the pleasure house known for providing the optimal drug experience. Immediately, she noticed the Yuan Ti man sitting close to another Yuan Ti woman. On the other side of him was a tiefling man already partaking in a smoke. Porysis Sozsatos invited Moira to join them for a smoke.
Rewards Granted
The following rewards were acquired from the San Futas Festival:
- Rani won two bouquets of flowers (yellow roses and pink and red lilies) after crushing two targets at a rigged carnival game.
- Belle won a barrel of golden wine and a heft jar of golden spice from the drinking contest
- The Widow won a free service from Haven after holding onto a mechanical bull for dear life.
- Rani also won 1 free hour with the True Mirror of Therarask from having the fastest time on the 13th in the Hall of Illusions
- Belle won a free piercing and makeover from the most splendid fashion show performance
Report Date
30 Sep 2021
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