STATIC 16: Feast!
General Summary
Wherein the Blinkertons partake of ratfolk hospitality and brave the dark woods once again
First, a Feast
The monarch of the Ratfolk, King Scravnetz, apologized to The Interdimensional Blinkerton Detective Agency for their escort to his court, but he had an matter to discuss with them. But, tomorrow was for business. Tonight was for a feast to welcome the Blinkies as Honored Guests of the Dusk Warrens. It quickly became apparant that Ratfolk love to feast (and, perhaps, love any excuse to hold a feast), as a cornucopia of mushroom and mushroom-based delights, along with a robust selection of a sumptuously prepared mammal called an illmink was arrayed before our heroes. They wasted little time digging in. During the feast, Fritz Himmelswander, when pressed to declare which was better--eating or sleeping--declared sleeping to be superior. That resulted in the friendship of the ratfolk arguing for sleep's supremacy and he answered a few of Fritz's questions. It seems likely that the king summoned our adventurers here to deal with the Lizardfolk that have recently arrived in the Bastion. They fight over the scarcity of resources available in the dark wood and it would make sense that the king would seek out a third party to deal with the situation. Nero Rubicant, however, did not make friends as his inelegant manners offended one Arrviz, who challenged Nero to a duel at dawn. The ratfolk did this though handing Nero a business card that said as much. Nero, of course, accepted. With Hypatia as a perhaps reluctant second, Nero arrived at the appointed place at the appointed time. Then, they dueled. Nero emerged victorious, knocking Arrviz unconscious and taking all of his "dueling cards" as a prize. Apparently this is Arrviz' "whole thing" and the rest of the ratfolk are growing tired of it. Perhaps Nero just did them a solid? After the duel, the King asked to see them in the Hall of Contemplation. Fritz's sleepy friend was right--King Scravnetz asked them to eliminate the lizardfolk threat by killing their queen. He is certain that the lizardfolk will then disperse. Privately, Scravnetz's cheif advisor Kragstil has her doubts about this course of action. She asked the Blinkertons to see if they could find a more peaceful solution, perhaps by locating a sympathetic lizardfolk to meet with her. This may be treason, so the Blinkies will need to tread lightly here, but she is confident this may avoid the all-out bloodbath that is sure to follow if our heroes commit regicide. Tridge seemed particularly sympathetic to this rationale. Speaking of Tridge, she also noticed that the god that the Ratfolk now worship, and whom they call Zikmirsorsil--or the One Who Leaves Life in his Wake--bears a striking resemblance to Elaugzar Wyrdloom--the scholar that they seek. It turned out that he had been through these woods about a "generation ago," and his Displacement left a fountain that the ratfolk have used to grow and prosper their settlement. Thus, he is revered. Interesting! Sensing that this is, perhaps, the key to getting back to their own world, the Blinkertons agreed to solve this lizardfolk problem. It remains to be seen, however, if that solution will be to kill the queen or some other scheme.Back in the Bastion
With a map to the lizardfolk's territory in hand, the Blinkertons returned, once again, to the gloom of the Bastion of Wolves. Here, they immediately encountered some vile creatures called "bloodsappers" and the fight that ensured was, well, bloody. A golem made from old armor also attacked our gumshoes as they moved through the forest, declaring that "THIS AREA MUST BE SECURED." Another fight commenced, and it was good that this golem was by itself, because it was brutal. As the golem was defeated, it had just enough time to whisper "FOUR EGGS, THE AREA IS NOT SECURE" before the magic was holding it together dissipated. If the Blinkertons had questions about who or what is a Four Eggs, those were answered by an alchemical skunk named Froggi that hopped down from the trees and asked for food. Having been fed a delicious mushroom, he offered some answers--Four Eggs is a wizard in these woods and the Golems (there are more than one) are his security system. They can be overzealous, so our heroes should probably just stay clear. And, yes, Four Eggs is technically the skunk's "dad," as he conjured Froggi into existence. If they want to visit Four Eggs, then they are in luck, because his house is just a little ways off the path to the lizardfolk territory. Froggi then scampered away and left our heroes to consider their next steps.And That's Where We Left It
We'll see what else Dhib'ma'qulm holds for the Blinkertons during our next session.Varied & Sundry Details
- During the feast, Tridge made a friend with a fellow aficionado of spice and gave him one of the DaBomb peppers. Truly, an exceptional cultural exchange.
- Also at the feast, Hypatia refused the romantic gestures of an amorous ratfolk.
- Fritz was also interviewed by a ratfolk bard for his tale. It is sure to make an inspiring song.
- Tridge bought a bell made from a gibbering mouther. It is disconcerting.
- Fritz bought a "singing stein," which is an appropriate thing for a boy to have.
- Our adventurers also stumbled upon a tree that demanded meat to eat. They fed it a rabbit and it was thankful.
Rewards Granted
- Gibbering Bell
- Singing Stein
Character(s) interacted with
- Scravnetz--King of the Ratfolk
- Arrviz--Dueler of Nero
- Kragstil the Finder--wisewoman and advisior to King Scav
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