Session 13: A Bridge Too Close

Ambushed Again!

Winter 37, 6840 CA

It's the next day. Percy stops by. Yuri gives him the all important task of collecting bacon. Zed gives him a secret mission to setup a meeting between herself and Valia's mom. After getting some business at home settled, the group make their way towards Donnell Gideon's home to discuss business. Along the way, Zed challenges Yuri to a race. Despite Zed being faster in small bursts, Yuri follows the doctrine of Slow and Steady wins the race. The others trail behind.

Zed hears a disturbance in the alley and finds a man trying to mug a woman. She decides to intervene and stop the mugger. However the mugger and victim turn on Zed and attack. Zed strikes at one and suddenly it's no longer a mugger - it's some kind of mechanical construct! She dips out of the alley and her friend quickly run to catch up. Once they're all together, the group is able to put down the five constructs. But not before Wally grosses everyone out by covering the constructs with a swarm of insects. Gross

One of the heads suddenly starts talking with the same voice as the mugger. The voice congratulates them all on a well fought victory. It turns out that this was actually a job interview to make sure the party was up to task. They are invited to carry onto Gideon's home, but only after helping to clean up the mess in the street.

Enter Hobbes

They arrive on the 24th floor of the 25-story Abalian Heights, an extremely posh apartment near the center of the bridge and overlooking the channel. It's the highest up any of them have ever been and it's a little nerve wracking, especially for Wally who is much more comfortable being subterranean. Inside, they find Donnell Gideon, as well as the Brass Whispers contact Robbo. A goblin by the name of Mr. Hobbes is there, as well as a mute woman named Darcy. Zed is enamored by this young woman, but is concerned that this is just another robot. She pokes the woman's shoulder. It's a shoulder, at least.

Mr. Hobbes is impressed by the group's work so far and is willing to work together to continue searching for the Eye of Aureon. He has a potential lead, but it requires finding any remaining evidence in Lightbottle Warehouse. The group had previously heard about the warehouse from the notes Wally found at Norwind Manor. According to that, Bilmin Pebbledust was the last person in possession of the Eye of Aureon.

The group considers having Yuri get a job at the factory as their way inside to snoop around. Robbo mentions he used to work for Lightbottle and knows one of the guards there. From what they know of the building, it's four stories high and has a basement of interminable size. The warehouse typically employs humans and orcs for security above ground, but the basement is guarded by constructs similar to the ones that the party just fought in the alley.

Hobbes asks the party what they charge for their services. This question catches everyone off guard. They negotiate for 300 gold each, but also for Aetherstones for infusions. Hobbes notes that the factory will have constructs that can resist nonmagical weapons and agrees to provide them the stones they need as well as paying for the infusions at Julia's Infusion Emporium.

The group are eager to get their upgrades. They stop off at the Emporium to cash in their Aetherstones. Ursa gets a standard magical infusion and Valia opts for a Returning Weapon for her spear. Wally decides his weapon doesn't need enchanted and instead springs for a Bag of Holding. Julia seems worried about them getting mixed up with the likes of Mr. Hobbes and warns he's not someone you want to get on the wrong side of.

It's Called Family

The group split up on the way back. Yuri and Zed head off to the Wanderlust, while the others pay a visit to the bakery.

Yuri and Zed talk to Ava a bit. It's another painful experience for Yuri as he interacts with his mother who seem oblivious to his existence. But the real reason Zed is visiting is to go talk to her mother, which is not a situation she often finds herself in. Zed and Limaera slip into one of the side rooms for a one-on-one talk. Zed asks about her father and what Limaera remembers. Limaera recalls he was a handsome human man that she was smitten with. They spent some time together and he stayed well into her pregnancy until he abruptly disappeared. She recalls him always regaling her with silly stories, like slaying the dragon of Deep Burn and treating with Water Elements from somewhere or other. Limaera never really believed him, but he was a fantastic storyteller.

The name Deep Burn registers with Zed, thanks to Wally's description of a certain thief at the Norwind Manor. She asks if Yuri remembers seeing him. Yuri seems to recall this event clearly (or at least as much as he can one year removed) and recalls the Baron was an elf. It's still a lead, though. Zed asks Ava if she recalls Zed's father. Ava admits she doesn't remember much. He was cute for a human, but she prefers a good dwarven man who she can get a good tug with. Yuri is horrified and broken by this traumatic experience.

Ursa drops in to see her father since she has not, in fact, disappeared forever! This is good timing as it turns out that Ursa's mother is back in the city. Nasznag is a fullblooded orc and even taller than Ursa and nearly a good foot taller than Roph and Valia. Ursa and Nazsnag briefly discuss in Orcish, one of the most beautiful languages in the world.

Nazsnag is pleased to see Ursa and is pleased at Ursa being a bit more adventurous, though she has doubts about Valia's traveling companions. She especially seems disgusted by Wally. Valia is bemused by the entire situation. They make arrangements to all have dinner together so they all get to know each other better.

Zed and Yuri make it home first. Percy is there and he's carrying a huge helping of bacon! Yuri happily pays the bill for it and is eager to have all the bacon. Percy quietly tells Zed that he did talk to Cora Maralys. She thinks Zed is a criminal and will only meet her outside the Watch Hall if she's serious about talking. Zed agrees to do so tomorrow.

The rest of the group arrive at the house next to gather everyone for the dinner party, only now there's a bunch of bacon and no freezer! Ursa thinks of all kinds of amazing bacon recipes, but Yuri just wants hands full of bacon to stuff into their mouths. Everyone eats copious amounts of bacon in preparation for a meal with the Douglas family. There's no way this can backfire.