Cocoa Craze: Judge of Mystics One Shot

A system agnostic TTRPG

All is right with the Realms. Karisma's father Caleb, Judge of Mystics, went camping with Finnegan & Ares, leaving Karisma and friends in the care of Icarus, Seraya and Icarus' brother Lou. In a sequestered zone of Finnegan's Bluff Public House, Seraya constructed the best blanket fort imaginable, for Kari's first sleepover. Dash it all, these kids would have a monumentous night, if Sera, Icarus & Lou had anything to say about it!

Now is the time.

Sneak around the sitters, to make the best hot cocoa with Top Shelf Treats.
Have the best night of your lives, all before Dad gets back or Icarus & Lou call bedtime.

All within 60 minutes

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Now a booklet from Blade & Banter Press!

A Timed One-Shot TTRPG

2 - 6

Play Time: ~ 60 - 90 minutes

2 Play Modes: Non-Combat & Light Combat
Base played with 2D6

Top Shelf is system agnostic & meant to focus on role-play & creative problem solving.

Each of the 6 rounds lasts 10 minutes of real time.

For a Seat at the Bar:

The party for Karisma is lit, her first since relocating to live with her Dad. Finnegan and Ares Mars Olympia took Caleb Mauthisen for some 'dude time', and left Lilith Mischeva & friends in the care of the Cosmos's most lit adults Icarus Areides & Lou Areides. And hey! Icarus' friend Seraya Rosethorn tagged along! She must love fun, and hot cocoa.

The same hot cocoa Amma's never tasted. What!? No hot cocoa!? It's time to remedy this, in the most spectacular way.

Gather your heroic hooligans, choose a plan of 'attack' and venture forth to make the best hot cocoa + toppings in the entirety of the Cosmos. All under Icarus & Co's nose.

Six Rounds. Six chances. Sixty minutes until Finnegan, Ares & Caleb return, or the adults call for bedtime & foil your attempt at utter, and spectacular, frivolity.

Dessert Menu (Players):

Playable Characters | Top Shelf Treats | Intro Round

VIP Section (GM):

GM Only | Treat Toppings | Top Shelf Tricks | Party Beats

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Playable Characters

Cocoa Craze is meant to be played within a TTRPG system of choice, where characters have a specific Class (Level is GM Dependent) + Trick or Treats. Meant to be ridiculous & light-hearted, Cocoa Craze is the perfect place to let loose and flex some story muscles. The number one rule is don't take things too seriously, work together to build a nifty story & enjoy.

Combat is meant to be pillow fight or dodgeball related, with zero lethality.

Up the Stakes

Increase game difficulty by using one Trick or Treat or the other, not both.

Karisma Calebdottir

A Rogue Speciality

Karisma Bio & Treat

New to her demi-god nature, Karisma is the precocious daughter of Caleb Mauthisen, and future Judge of Mystics. For years, her mother never let her plan a party without a con involved. With Delilah out of the picture, now is Karisma's chance to make friends & prove she belongs in the Mystic Realms.

Kari craves a fudge brownie baked by Harmonia Ourania-Areia & Aphrodite Venus Ourania in one of their Mother-Daughter spa days. Each bite is said to taste like Harmonia's calm, and Dite's motherly love... and chocolate... they... they're almost entirely chocolate...

Story Trick or Treat: Hidey Hole

2 Uses

Karisma can hide in the most unlikely places. Doubles the likelihood of Kari successfully hiding, even in plain sight.

Combat Trick or Treat: Hammer Time

2 Uses

Karisma doubles their ability to evade a strike, and throws a foam hammer with the strength of an almost-adolescent vigour. Deals double damage.

Enguerran Tambourwing

A Bard Speciality

Enguerran Bio & Treat

A juvenile gryphon, Enguerran is learning the turntables and took DJ ChillFeather as a stage name. Fastly becoming one of the best kiddos to hang at Finn's Pub, Enguerran has a boisterous caw and loves to be the centre of attention.

DJ Chillfeather's favourite treat are Annapurna's Gulab Jamun, because they bring the party in, no negative vibes.

Story Trick or Treat: Look at me! Look at me!

2 Uses

DJ Chillfeather can mount a distraction so creative & intense everybody (including Icarus and Co) has to turn around. (Whether the distraction works is up to the GM's discretion, based on entertainment value)

Combat Trick or Treat: Dubstep Mosh Pit

2 Uses

It's DJ Chillfeather's turn at the turntables! They put on a rousing set so epic it emboldens the kiddos and any damage received that round will be halved.

Kaho no Minato

A Druid Speciality

Minato Bio & Treat

A Kitsune, Minato met Karisma in her first adventure with her father, Caleb (Book of Revels). Ever since, the Kitsune cub tags along whenever they can, ready to shapeshift Kari into or out of trouble.

Minato's top shelf treat is a glass cloche of chocolate eclairs baked by legendary Olympian Hestia. These delicious eclairs never sour and one bite has the capacity to cure what ails.

Story Trick or Treat: Shift

6 Uses

As a kitsune, Minato can shapeshift. Once per round, Minato can decide what form they want to take.

Combat Trick or Treat: Spry Evasions

2 Uses

Spry and light on their toes. Minato is a martial artist, and knows how to breakfall. Once activated, Minato takes half-damage for an entire round.

Liam O'Riordan

A Barbarian Speciality

Liam Bio & Treat

Carolee's son, Liam was blessed with Fae magic in early childhood. One part bodyguard, one part best friend, Liam is the personal companion of Princess Astraea, and the reason Princess Astraea demanded she get to go to Human School in Midgard.

Liam's treat of choice is toffee crunch! He loves caramels and toffees, the stickier the better, but nothing's better on a hot cocoa than some crunchy caramel gold.

Story Trick or Treat: Say Hello to my Lil Friend

2 Uses

Using intimidation tactics taught by his Mum, Liam coerces an NPC to help with one task that round.

Combat Trick or Treat: Sucker Punch

2 Uses

Liam winds up a mighty punch which is nigh unblockable! It will strike the target, and evade evasion, hitting for double damage!

Princess Astrea

A Mage Speciality

Astraea Bio & Treat

The High Princess of the Fae Court, Astraea will be Queen like her mother Selyka someday. But not this day! Today there's nothing Astraea would rather do than enjoy the frivolity of a sleepover with Kari, Liam and their friends.

A glitter fiend, and self-titled Princess of Sparkle, Astraea's Top Shelf Treat is edible glitter made from the laughter of stars.

Story Trick or Treat: Five Fingers

Once

Astraea casts a spell which halts time for anyone not holding hands. This gives 5 extra minutes for gameplay in a single round.

Combat Trick or Treat: Vines and Roses

2 Uses

Astrea releases a torrent of magic vines, which bind up to 2 enemies for the round, or until they use their strength to break free.

Amma Barda

A Cleric Speciality

Amma Bio & Treat

One of the first Bardagi to use Finn's doors, Amma stays with her uncle Minitron, when not home on Bardaga. A fish out of water, Amma's learning what life is like when your gods aren't throwing glitter meteors at your head for target practice (Wax Wing).

This confection called 'hot cocoa' seems the best to try, and Amma's secretly excited about it. She may even smile.

Story Trick or Treat: Transcendant Treat

Once

Should Amma get a hot cocoa with more than 4 toppings on top at any time in the game, she cracks the biggest grin imaginable, and teaches the Kiddos how to play Meteo-Bop-Bop, the best game in the Bardagi universe.

Instant Win.

Combat Trick or Treat: Glitter Patches

4 Uses

Amma can heal one character to full health using rainbow shaped glitter patches.

The Top Shelf

Glorious treats, desserts and confections kept up top under lock, key, and illusion. Each treat holds its own secrets, attempt them if you dare... or... or if you're tired of Swiss Miss and those tiny dried 'marshmallows'...

GMs: Details on Traps, Shields & Mystic Iinterventions

Gulab Jamun

Annapurna's Gulab Jamun are spheres of festive sweet, milky perfection with a hint of saffron. Each sphere holds the magic and wonder of festivals (like Diwali), bringing an atmosphere of purely good vibes.

Sif's Salmiak

Black liquorice candies in a glass jar, it seems innocuous until one taste gives the saltiest, strongest flavour even Gjengangers can enjoy.

Eclairs of Hestia

The healing food of the Olympians combined with Hestia's heavenly flavours. There is no dessert more divine, nor pastry more unctious.

Toffee Crunch

Toffee made from the honey of Thor Odinson's Bees. Each crunch pops in the mouth like mini lightning bolts, and tastes of rare perfect spring days.

Whipped Cream

Whipped from the finest cream in Iat's divine herd, this whipped cream is both sweet and never loses its perfect consistency or peak. Brings good luck to the one who consumes it, and washes away the bad.

Baba's BonBons

Chocolate confections crafted by Baba Yaga, who was so pleased by the work ethic of two children, she not only let them live, but gave everlasting treats to satiate. One bite, and never be hungry again.

Harmonia's Brownies

Fudgy brownies with ruby, dark, milk & white chocolate made by Harmonia and Aphrodite, when they have mother-daughter time. Said to taste like caramel, chocolate and bbq smoke, with motherly love and a hint of catharsis.

Star Glitter

Edible glitter crafted from the laughter of stars. It has the power to brighten anyone's day for years, and help alleviate the mind from any stressors by gifting clarity, rectification and hope.

Which of these mythic mouthfuls intrigues and entice? Are you going for all of the Top Shelf Treats, for the best hot cocoa in the Cosmos, or one? A few? How many do you dare descend upon?

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Intro Round

Congratulations on surviving Lou's dodgeball game, kiddos! I brought ice cream, so get over here! Yes you, too DJ Chillfeather. Haha! Yeah, your jokes are hilarious! Take this time to have a dessert on me and keep the party hopping, before we send you to your vine-hammocks for bedtime. Or worse… the party stops. We are so totally watching you lil snippets. I mean... hah! Like I'd ever screw up watchin' over the Judge's kid! Hah! Or! Or the Princess of the Fae! Haha! right! Or ya know, all 'a you muppets... eheh.. heh... heeeeeh Lou guard the door.

Yeah, yeah! Come get your dessert. Choose wisely.

Up the Stakes

Collect 8+ of the Top Shelf Treats in a single game.

Rainbow Sorbet

Story Mode

The party is hopping and you fancy yourself skalds. A story-and-rp adventure with no combat. Success/failure depends on how convincingly you tell your story.

Goals & Win/Lose

Successfully capture 3+ Top Shelf Treats

Avoid alerting Icarus, Seraya or Lou

Cookies & Cream

Story & Light Combat Mode

Sure the party's great, but we wouldn't mind a bit of a brawl. Maybe a dodgeball rematch. May or may not include a boss fight in the course of RP. The choice for a mix of story & combat.

Goals & Win/Lose

Successfully capture 4+ Top Shelf Treats

Avoid alerting Icarus or Lou, for long

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GM VIP Section: Players Stay behind the Velvet rope! Stay!

VIP Section (GM Only):

Treat Toppings | Top Shelf Tricks | Party Beats

Rainbow Sorbet Mode

Purely story driven, with non-combative solutions to problems which come up, Rainbow Sorbet mode includes more puzzles and riddles to solve.

Whether the players succeed in their objectives is up to you. At its most pared down, the win mechanics are based on whether you had fun and follows the natural progression of the story. At the most intricate, objective success can be a series of dice rolls. Dealer's choice.

Cookies & Cream Mode

A combat-light, mostly story adventure, combat works on a simplified adventure mechanism, where story can influence combat result.

Fight encounters are pillow fights or dodgeball, and meant to follow a prediscussed level. Dice will likely be required.

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The Top Shelf

Glorious treats kept up top under lock, key, and illusion. Each treat holds its own secrets, attempt them if you dare... or... or if you're tired of Swiss Miss... A list of potential tasks, puzzles & searches for the PC's to unlock and claim their prizes.

Feel free to add your own creativity.

Riddle Answers

Gestum-riddlini: Swan & Egg; Gestumblindini: River; Gestrumble Riddle: Fog

Gulab Jamun

Holy-Days

Invent a festival celebrating something important to the kiddos. The festival must include a task, which challenges either strength or intelligence.

Gestum-riddlini

Answer me this: White-haired women, servants two, bore ale-tub to the larder. No hand turned it nor hammer beat it. But there, outside the islands, the upright one who made it. (If answered incorrectly, an angry swan waddles in from a secret door, catches sight of the interlopers, and makes a petulant racket, while flapping their wings)

Sif's Salmiak

Just BEat It

To take down the lauded glass container of Salmiak, all PC's must create an impromptu advertisement for salted liquorice rousing enough to make the GM clap and want to try some for themselves.

Keystone

Venture out of the sleepover blanket fort the Pub unti you find an ancient & quiet room given to contemplations and deep conversations, where a fleck of the cornerstone shears off, without being seen. Take the fleck and use it as a key on the Salmiak lid.

Eclairs of Hestia

Poke Her

Delicious eclairs? A PC must steal the pot holder being used as a doggie bed by Nimba the War Hound & Pookums the Pomeranian, Icarus & Lou's dogs. Coerce, tame or trot it off, stage right.

Menu Selection

The Eclairs are guarded by a fraction of Hestia's spirit, who demands all PC's discuss their most sentimental meal... or show a feat of magic so delightful it inspires her.

Toffee Crunch

Riddle & Rhyme

Answer me this: From home I went, from home I made my way, I saw a road of roads, and a road under them, and a road over them, and a road on all sides. (If answered incorrectly, three bottles on the second to top shelf smash open, and a geyser of water pours out, with enough power to sweep them away to a liminal space in the pub)

I'm Thor, It Hurts

Challenge Karisma's Great-Grandpa, the Mighty Thor Odinson to a contest of strength and skill (GM's choice of pillow fight, whack-a-mole or another festive carnival game) for a chance to hold the bottle. Before Lou sees Thor and swats him back to the mead hall.

Whipped Cream

Ivan the Mildly Annoying

Hark! In the breath it took to reach Iat's legen-dairy whipped cream, a rather diminutive Domovoy named Ivan rolls out from behind a secret panel in the bar, mounts his mighty steed (the Eskie known as Mish'ika the Turribl-y Fluffy) and charges across the counter!

Give or Take

To take some of Iat's blessed whipped topping, the Kiddos have to make the perfect light and fluffy whipped cream with nothing but a whisk they must procure from Seraya's kitchen set up, sweetened by the purest sweetener of all, laughter. Find the whisk & make one of the Kiddos (and the GM) laugh!

Baba's BonBons

Mimic

Baba's BonBons will instantly grow chicken legs, run through the bar & scream to alert Seraya.

Mortar & Pestle

A mortar & pestle the size of Astraea swings through the air at the party. The pestle knocks one of the PCs into the mortar & carries them off to a completely different area of the Pub. Go get them before they're crushed into Baba Yaga's stew paste.

Harmonia's Brownies

Ask Politely

A secret code-word must be learned from Icarus, Seraya or Lou, without them knowing why you needed it.

Gestrumble Riddle

Answer Me This: Who is that great one who grasps the earth, swallowing wood and water. Bad weather he dreads, wind, but no man, and picks a fight with the sun. (If answered incorrectly, a sticky fog coats the Top Shelf & billows down the bar, hardening in a few seconds to a tacky, hard to move mess)

Star Glitter

She's a Screamer

The moment any fingers touch the bottle, it opens a set of hidden lips and shrieks like an off-pitch aspirational Opera Soprano. Glass will shatter, if the bottle screams too long.

Blanket Fort

In order to use the star glitter, the Kiddos have to create an epic blanket fort... using Icarus & Lou's blankets without getting caught.

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Timed Rounds

Roll for Treat Toppings

Start the Timer

Roll for Party Beats

GO!

Top Shelf allows a maximum of six 10 minute rounds per playthrough. The round system is a guide, and includes as many turns as your players can feasibly do in 10 minutes time. Talk about what to do next is part of the timer. Anything not completed by the end of the 10 minute 'last call' mark, is a failed attempt, and can either be re-attempted next round (plus the new Treat Toppers & Party Beats), or ditched.

Each round starts with the random selection of a Treat Topper & Party Beat.

The GM decides on the length of time between rounds, and any Time Outs, for bio breaks, snacks, rules checks & chatter.

Up the Stakes

Keep time between rounds to 3 minutes or less.

Hey, don't get lost in Finn's Pub, eh? Stay in the blanket fort we made ya, it's in this super cool spot that'll keep our party free of them buzz kill adults. Let us know if you're going anywhere and always use the buddy system. We'll have a special snack before bed time, so keep whoopin' it up... heh.. kinda impressed. You kiddos lasted longer at Lou's dodgeball game than I thought. Heh. Good on ya.

We'll be over here, but, ya know, entertain yourselves for five fuggin' minutes. Whoo! Baby I'm tired, my gosh these lil nippers can run...

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Treat Toppings

Before the timer starts per round, the party rolls for 1 Treat Topping they must use in-round. The only exception being Gimme a Minute! & Pickle Juice, which are one use only.

Up the Stakes

One Use Only: Re-roll any Bar Snacks you've already had.

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Party Beats

Rainbow Sorbet Party Beats

Fun, story-based random encounters a party can talk, joke & puzzle their way through, a combat-free option.

Cookies & Cream Party Beats

A mixture of pillow fights, dodgeball & puzzle fun, with a greater focus on story than combat.

SIXTH ROUND

The last round is a countdown to when Finnegan, Caleb & Ares return to the Pub, or Icarus, Lou & Seraya decide the lil nippers had enough and ought to shoo to bed. There are no new Party Beats, only the mayhem of the last ditch effort to get the Top Shelf Treats in time. The GM's discretion is tantamount in choosing which victory or defeat option is won.

Alright you party animals... eheh... sorry DJ Chills, oh you're good? Awesome! Thanks! It's getting late and your collective parents and or guardians would be hella mad if we let you stay up all night. So hit the hammocks! Seraya spent time making them perfect for you and there's a ton of pillows I think we didn't destroy in the battle damage.

Yeah, yea, I know the adventure's over but we got a special treat for ya...

Sugar Crashers

Icarus

The resurrected child of Daedalus, Icarus is a technological genius, and loyal sibling of Lou Areides. After promising to watch over the kiddos for Caleb, et all, Icarus pulled Lou & Seraya into babysitting duty. Heck, maybe it'll help with that strike on Iccy's record.

GM Only

Icarus is a Mage Class meant to be played in combat several levels (up to triple) above the party.

Daedalus.AI

Iccy's AI sees all. Regardless of magic, divine call, or temporal displacement, Icarus is aware of their surroundings and can check where Folk are through their smartphone.

Worst Case Scenario

Sent into an overstimulated tizzy from the kiddos' antics, Icarus tosses the lot of them into bed. Early. How will they mount their hot cocoa rescue from the blankie fort!?

Lou

The good-natured Lou is a great-grandson of Ares and looks the part. Muscular and tall, he's an officer in the Kopis Industries Mora, and Icarus' brother & best friend. A goofball who spoils kids rotten, Lou is also big and strong enough to take charge.

GM Only

Lou is a Fighter Class, who has the best dodgeball & pillow fight skills of anyone in the Realms. He's meant to be played in combat several levels (up to triple) above the party.

Worst Case Scenario

You manage to piss off Lou, the night's over. All you little misfits are goin' ta bed! Now!Instant Lose

Seraya

The Princess of the Changeling Court, who left the The Fae Lands to go to university, Seraya is a good friend of Icarus'. She also used to live in the Pub when she first got to Midgard, and knew the best ways to set up the perfect blanket fort.

GM Only

Seraya is a Mage Class meant to be played up to triple levels above the kiddos.

Worst Case Scenario

Sugar is out for the night. You little ones are too wild, no more sweets.

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Feel free to create an ending which fits with the story you built, or if you want, there are pre-written endings you (the GM, players be gone) may use.
Pass or fail, I hope you had fun and you can play again.

VICTORY

Top Shelf Treats

GM:

Choose which PC gets their prize, by calculating who was the most fun/most successful of the game.

The Top Shelf. Icarus is distracted and the locks, puzzles & tasks are done. One of the PC's gets their Top Shelf Treat, and a table at which to sit at to enjoy it.

"Well, go on! What's it like!? Was it worth it?"

One of you Won!

Amma Sips

GM:

Everybody wins! Congratulations!

Amma sits at the nearest counter, as a calm shrugs across her shoulders. This, was it. The first sip, her first hot cocoa. "It looks... amazing. Wooooow."

A brilliant sunshine light swathed Amma, setting the room aglow in multiprismic rays. The music swelled, as for some inexplicable reason, a song and 3D image popped up on Icarus phone, painting synesthetic images of delight and joy.

"You could've done way more with your night than make me a hot cocoa."

"Girl, you're only saying that 'cause you haven't tried it yet. Go on! Goooo." Karisma gently knocked shoulders with Amma, a giddy laugh in her throat.

She drank the first sip, got whipped cream on her nose and in a wash of divine, glorious light, Amma giggled. The entire sleepover space quieted, the song on Icarus' phone stopped.

And then, cheers exploded from the gathered throng. Cheers of happiness and glee, of catharsis and joy.

"Hey now, that's what you kiddos were up to this whole time!? Dudes and dudettes! Why didn't you tell us. C'mon, line up! Hup! Onto the chairs! Time you all got some cocoa before bed."

You Won. Time to Party!

Worthy of Song

GM:

When the antics are wild & entertaining enough to declare victory, or they completed their goals.

"Good Grecian Urns, you lot did a ton and a half to get in the pickle you're in." Icarus groaned as they surveyed the damage, the sprinkles alone would be a hard clean-up.

"Ey, lil shi-ah-sugar plums didn't wreck anything... whadaya say?" Lou winked at the kids, wracking his brain to think which of his squad he could call in to help with clean-up duty. Hand on their hip, Icarus gurgled out another sigh.

"I know how to make it fun. One round, each kiddo gets a chance to shine. The top two get a Top Shelf Treat to go with their hot cocoa. Whose up!?" Seraya grinned, and the kids hopped up. "But only after we clean up this filty mess. Aaaaaand... go! Go! Go! Clean up!"

"You're my saviour." Icarus grinned, as the kiddos scurried about with Lou to clean up. "I think we're actually gonna survive this."

Bonus Round: Each PC gets a chance to entertain, the top two get their Top Shelf Treat!

DEFEAT

Time Out

GM:

The PC's didn't complete their goals before the final round timed out.

A rustle from upstairs.

Grin plastered ear to scandalous ear, Icarus trots down shirt backwards with Seraya, while Lou perks his head up from behind the bar. The smile doesn't last, when the children of Daedalus sees the shenanigans taking place at his Pub.

"Ey! You lot! What in the Creatrix' castle are you doing?! Are you..." A large inhale, and Lou points. The entire sleepover area falls to a radical silence. "... thieving!? Be gone, you muppets! To bed! Sera help a dude out, eh?"

Vines grow from floorboards, ceiling and walls, as each of your party are pulled into their hammock for the night. The last sounds of Finnegan's Pub are the slow return of chatter and a lonely harpsichordist playing the kiddos to dreamland.

You Lose. Hope You Like Sleep

Clean Up

GM:

An alternate, less serious loss for those who didn't reach their goals, but also didn't damage the Pub or rile up the ire of Icarus, Seraya or Lou.

"Okay, enough already!" Icarus shouted, their smartphone magnifying their voice to shake the blanket walls. "Clearly we's given you too much sugar! What... what the heck is this!? What're you... oh you lil candy goblins thought you could pull one over on us, huh!? That's it! Clean up! No more sugar fr-did you just try to shove a candy in your mouth?! I can see you ya lil..."

"Sunspot! You little sunspot." Seraya grumbled, and started gathering up the bits and bobs of candy and toppings collected by the kiddos. "Sorry kids, but if you have any more you're going to have tummy aches and we're going to have mutual coronaries. Go on! Jim-Jams! Into your jammies and brush your teeth! No more sugar, do it quick and you might get another shadow puppet show. Off! Off with you."

"So much for making the lil muppets hot cocoa before bed." Icarus shook their head.

"Do you have any idea how hopped up they'd be with more sugar coursing through their veins? Once they're asleep, maybe... you could... make me something."

"Oh I am so there. Bed, kids! GO Go Go!"

You Lose, But It Could Be Worse

Daddy's Home

GM:

Caleb, Ares & Finnegan return!

"Whoo! Since when do kids run this fast?"

"Since they're magic and you stopped doing cardio, my sib." Lou chased after another of the kiddos, while Icarus caught their breath. "Yeah, yeah, you'll join my half-lethal hikes later, s'only gonna get worse ya goof troop."

"Can we n-" A door made of bric-a-brac trundled into the sleepover den and creaked open. Two tired, ruffled men sauntered out in front of Finnegan, who seemed to be wilting.

"Done so soon? We was just gonna get them a night night treat." Icarus pretended to whimper, instead up on the balls of their feet looking for Seraya. Freedom!

"Yeah, the co-ah...camping trip... went down with less fight than we thought. Honestly, I just want a shower and a place to crash... how'd they do? Any trouble?" Caleb groaned onto a bar stool as Ares stretched out his arm with a pop, then did the same. "Seems like you... almost... held things together."

"Dad?" Karisma gasped and looked up from her latest exploit. She bolted into her father's side at speed, eliciting a grunt from her father. "DAD! Daddy! You look dirty are you... did... did you fight something scary without me!? But Dad what if you got hurt, or what if you got stuck or or or..."

"Or maybe I was hoping you'd forget about all that and have fun with your friends for a night. Guess I lost track of time, sorry for cutting the festive part short, kiddo." Caleb rocked Karisma as they hugged, her legs swinging a few centimetres from the floor. "Why don't you stay? I'll bunk down the next room over."

"But you need me. When I don't come? You get all dirty and scuffed up. I can't leave you now." Wide blue eyes stared up at the Judge, and he heaved another sigh, setting her down on the floor.

"I'll be right here, with Icarus, Seraya and Lou. Promise. Hei kiddos, don't mind me... what's... for the last time, Enguerran! I know you're a Gryphon! You flying around isn't worth a strike! Oh for the... someone tell the lil guy they don't have to hide behind Minato, please? Oooh this is going to be a long night."

No Cocoa Obtained

Electric - 10 Minute Countdown by Jack Murphy under free to use. Art is edited & modified by Sapha Burnell, from images via WOMBODream. The Judge of Mystics Saga is a series of novels by Sapha Burnell, due to be released in 2023 by Vraeyda Literary.