Session Four of "The Horrors Beyond the Crypt!"

General Summary

The party, upset about all the circumstances they've witness thus far, manage to make it to Dawnbury, a town much larger than Oceania. It's around 3PM on May 26th when they get there, traveling from Oceania after the battle (around 6am is when they were resurrected, Noon when they get to Tuskar's Tavern, and 3PM when they get to Dawnbury). They immediately notice that it is incredibly busy, due to a magic shop that has reopened. It opened about a year ago, but there is a new grand opening where prices are cut in half. Before stopping there, they head into the Dame of Flame building, speaking with Aqualis Boulderbrew, the Dame of Flame herself. She informs them that she received a letter from Taldek Breithiem in the past hours and knew they were coming. The letter stated that Taldek had to take a detour for some unknown reason and that he wants the group to meet him at Daggerveil now, where he will be with blacksmith extraordinaire, Kognec Bittermace. Before heading out to Daggerveil, they decide to stay in town for a while, as the next train there leaves in the morning at the earliest. William stays with Aqualis as the others decide to check out the town.
Bianca and Kimball head to the Ghosts and Phantoms building, the newly reopened magic shop in town. They notice that the line is out the door and wrapped around the block, so they decide to sneak in through the back. While doing so, they enter what appears to be a barrier around the shop. They make a note of it, but enter anyway. They will soon figure out what this barrier is and how it affects people. When entering the shop, they notice that there are several dozen people inside the shop, buying things and taking them to the far counter, where an older gentleman who has typical wizard getup and a long white beard is standing, checking the patrons out. He speaks very loudly and proclaims that he is "Cindertalon the Magnificent!" The party ignores him for the time being and looks up at the ceiling. There are swirling stars illuminating the building. There are no lights inside, just this planeterium-like display of magic. They also notice that there are bouncers letting people into the building from that massive line that leads out the door. The group looks around and starts questioning the stuff for sale. There are a lot of items for sale that seem to be a scam for exhuberant prices. People are eating it up, however, buying things that clearly seem like bullshit. Like potions that are just liquor, or items that don't do what they promise, but instead take a very literal approach to what they are called. 
Bianca starts to make a commotion, stating that this guy is just scamming people, and Cindertalon, in good faith, has them leave, but before doing so, gives them a little doll called "Little Steve." They exit the building and examine the doll. It acts really oddly when you press a button on it and spits confetti out of its mouth. Forming an idea, the party tries to sell the doll to someone in line, again, for a ridiculous price. They manage to get some patrons that would like to purchase it, however, Cindertalon realizes what they are doing and asks them to bring it back into the store and to give it to him. They do so, being unable to sell it, but are promised that they can make some coin if they do him a favor. He needs them to sort papers in a backroom for him, and once they do, they'll receive compensation. However, what he doesn't tell them is that they have to organize several stacks of papers in alphabetical order in 30 minutes or less. This is an impossible task, so he eventually comes in, berating them and asking them to leave. Of course, Bianca and Kimball notice on some of the paperwork that Stefan Ondum, the man who owns the tavern in Oceania, apparently owes Cindertalon around 300 Platinum. Thinking the man is dead, they question it, but don't think too much of it. They also notice there are payments from Cindertalon to a group known as the "Cinder-Gang." They assume that these are the cronies he hires to guard the building, but are ultimately unsure. 
Bianca, not liking Cindertalon at all, for good reason, steals back the doll, Little Steve. Kimball walks out of the building just fine, however, she is stopped by that barrier that they walked through when entering the Ghosts and Phantoms. This barrier traps thieves inside the building so that they cannot escape with the item they might have stolen. In this case, Little Steve. Cindertalon recognizes this and tells Bianca to empty her pockets, revealing the stolen doll. He tells her to follow him into the backroom, and against her better judgement, does so. There, he berates her as a thief and informs her that she has three options. The first is that he can go to the guards and tell them that she stole something, which he assumes they'd believe him because she is a "Street Rat," as he calls her. The second is that she can do him a favor... A mission of sorts. Or third, his associates can break her legs and maybe a couple fingers. She obviously chooses the second option. Cindertalon then asks her to get the money back that Stefan owes him. She states that he is dead, but Cindertalon informs her that he isn't that he faked his death at Oceania to erase his debts. But Cindertalon knows this and won't allow him to get away with it. Which is where Bianca comes in. She has exactly one month to get his money back in one way or another, or option one or three will happen to her. 
She leaves, unsure of how to get the money to him, when suddenly, Kimball reminds her of the Tin Can Telephone that the Dapper Dabber gave her and wonders if he could possibly help them. Of course, he answers, and in his satirical fashion, pulls her along with his shenanigans, until he finally attempts to help, eventually making Cindertalon and his gang forget Bianca and Kimball. What he doesn't tell them, however, is that the Dank Magic only will work for about a month. So on June 26th at approximately 6PM, they will remember them. They leave and don't go back to the Ghosts and Phantoms after that. They do, however, go to the General Turnip, a general store in town, as well as Gnome Depot, a carpentry/pet store, where Bianca manages to pick out a dog companion for the party. Getting the money from Kimball, she chooses a Labrador Retriever of gold color and names it Eve. They go back to the Dame of Flame and Bianca asks if Aqualis can make a set of armor for the dog. She agrees and, with some prodding from William, manages to inform them of something she'd like for them to do, in return for the armor. She states that it will take about till the morning for the armor, so, in the meantime, if they could try to set up a date with the Bard in the Ugly Badger, the tavern in town. They agree and go into the tavern, noticing a female Elven Bard by the name of Alyndra Elazana, a famous Bard of the Elazana family. They know that her family is full of musicians and that she is arguably one of the best Bards there is.
Kimball and William nonchalantly wander the tavern, getting drinks, while Bianca plays matchmaker. Now, both the Dame of Flame herself and Alyndra are strong willed, courageous characters, however, as Bianca notices, they get shy and nervous when talking about each other. Bianca managees to make friends with Alyndra and has her leave the tavern to go on a little date with Aqualis. This is successful and Bianca goes back, noticing that they are shy around each other. Once they hit it off a little, Aqualis asks Bianca to go back to the tavern to give them some privacy. Alyndra also gives Bianca a note to give to the barmaid to inform her that she won't be back until later in the night. Bianca goes back to Kimball and informs him of what happened. They also see William getting rip-roaring drunk, mistaking Bianca for a woman named "Eleanor." They are confused but leave him to it. Kimball wants to go back to the Dame of Flame and see the connection that the two are making. He leaves and Bianca follows, and they peak in through a back window instead of entering, hoping to see something. They do. Alyndra and Aqualis are seen making out on a table in the blacksmith building. Kimball gets a little teary eyed, remembering a love he once had, but was not allowed to pursue.
Bianca and Kimball talk awhile about their backstories, when William comes out of the tavern, apologizing to Bianca for his actions. In a drunken state, he relays his backstory to them, asking them for a favor, once they save the world, like they were chosen for, he needs help killing a man known by the name of Lautrec Tennenbaum. This man, a high ranking political figure in Emeraldia, supposedly had a hand in killing William's wife and daughter. He wants Bianca to help kill him, but to stop William from absolutely brutalizing and torturing the man. She agrees, relaying a bit more of the trauma she hides to him and Kimball. They all have a deep conversation and eventually William goes to sober up, alone, while Kimball and Bianca head to an inn room that was paid for by William for two days. This is where the session ended... Heavy conversations, but hopeful for the future.

Missions/Quests Completed

-Bring Alyndra and Aqualis together!

Character(s) interacted with

-Bianca Farless of Daggerveil -William Buyin' of Oceania -Kimball Cho of Sapphiria -Aqualis Boulderbrew of Dawnbury -Alyndra Elazana of Dawnbury -Cindertalon, the Magnificent, of Daggerveil

Report Date

31 Jan 2024

Related Characters

• Alyndra Elazana of Dawnbury
• Aqualis Boulderbrew of Dawnbury [The Dame of Flame]
• Bianca Farless of Daggerveil
• Cindertalon, the Magnificent, of Daggerveil [Ghosts and Phantoms]
• Eleanor Williams Buyin' of Daggerveil
• Esmeralda Viola Aratois of Oceania
• Kimball Cho of Sapphiria
• Kognec Bittermace of Daggerveil [The Rejuvenator]
• Lautrec Tennanbaum of Emeraldia
• Taldek Breitheim of Oceania [Iron and Shite]
• Viola Buyin' of Oceania
• William "Whaddaya" Buyin' of Oceania