Session 5: Monologue-off with Finklestein, and a Moral Dilemma
General Summary
Session 5: 7/5/25
An unavoidable conflict
The party break into Finklestein's workshop, to find him hard at work with his machines. He does not take kindly to their intrusion, and after his "Full House Protocol" fails to have the desired effect, he decides to deal with the party himself.
It initially looks like Finklestein's dastardly gadgets may get the better of the party, as he in turn immobilises both Pin and Volko in preparation for his ZOT. Quick thinking in the form of a wicked combo move by Volko and Tadashi, coupled with some acrobatic (if not pretty) dance kicks from Burra grounded Finklestein, allowing the party to eventually (after less than half a minute) defeat him. Finklestein is dead... despite repeated pleas to Burra to side with him in subduing and immobilising the party. During the fight, his suit was also damaged. A large "plasma ball" like device in the ceiling got the party's attention, though they could not divine it's function.
Bring back Keiko!
Realising the fuzz are inbound, Volko immediately dashes around the workshop scooping up all the notebooks he can find. He cannot decipher them, but realises Finklestein was transferring life essence from humanoids into his constructs to make them act autonomously. The party find Keiko's intact remains, and realise the other 3 victims are probably not salvageable.
The Fuzz do indeed arrive, and are dispatched to fetch the councillor and College of Hanabi rep. Ashton Diggs arrives and sees Keiko dead but immediately sets to work casting raise dead on her. In that time, the party argue amongst themselves about what to do... and decide to break the plasma ball, thinking it would free Keiko's soul to be rejoined with her body. Wrong guess... and Ashton's spell fizzles. He preserves her body and tells the party that he will arrange to transfer her and Finklestein's equipment to Ryovinika in the morning. They will keep Keiko on ice and decipher how Finklestein did what he did then reverse the process. Ashton leaves the party in the workshop to go make arrangements for tomorrow.
Volko was the Loot-Goblin????? Burra is a Tinkerer?????
The party again are in conflict over what to do with Finklestein's equipment and notes. Burra suggested keeping it and selling it. Volko was uncertain if anyone should have knowledge of what Finklestein was doing, and wondered about destroying the notes. In a bizarre role reversal, Burra manages to repair Finklestein's suit and control pad. Volko and Pin decide to try and activate the suit (based on intel from Mrs Nakamoto) to see if they can bring Keiko back. The suit almost works.... but Pin seemed immune and Volko managed to resist having his life essence ripped from his body... then the suit exploded, apparently downing Pin. Healing salves did not work, and it became clear to Burra that Pin had not been "alive" in the traditional sense for some time.
Pin's Big Reveal
At that point, the party discover that Pin is just a convenient meat puppet, under the control of a drider named Tulip, now exiled from the Underdark for over a hundred years. A cordial détente is struck and the party agree to continue working with Pin/Tulip. Pin will be with the party in civilised areas, while Tulip may join them in rural/wilderness areas. Tulip explains that unfortunately, only they can "re-animate" Pin if he is downed. Tulip can either be in control of Pin or be itself... not both.
So we end the session with the party alone (including Tulip and a now re-animated Pin) in Finklestein's workshop. Volko is in possession of all Finklestein's notes. Much, but not all of his equipment has been destroyed, but the remains are still there. Keiko's body is now in "Gentle Repose" and Ashton Diggs is making arrangements for its collection for transport. The party have a moment to decide what they are going to do with the notes and equipment... a Big decision!
Comments