Session 19 – The ‘Dealing with Devils’ Score
Also known as Season 2 Episode 7.
It’s hard to know what to call this session. There was no Engagement Roll, no real Score but a bunch of stuff was done and the Crew progressed a number of plots such as improving their relationship with the Circle of Flame, finding out what The Dean and Strangford are up to, and also dealing with Clan Vulk. There was something ‘for everyone’ in this session. A lot of setup for Session 20. This Season will end with Session 24, and it looks like the group wants to take a break before embarking on Season 3.
The player who plays Bas couldn’t attend this session, so he was ‘busy’ with The Dean until the very end of the session.
Part 1 – Information Gathering (Between Sessions)
- Bas
– When Bas returns to work, The Dean is very pleased to see him. Scooping him up, The Dean wants to hear everything about what Bas has in mind with his prosthetics project. The Dean listens but quickly steers to conversation towards mechanical augmentation. (Consort = ‘5’) He is wondering if some of the mechanical arms that have been created with specialist capabilities (drilling, heavy lift etc) could be added to some of selected members of his workforce.
– As an offhand comment, The Dean does mention that Bas’ work on reviving the Leviathan Spawn has gained him a lot of attention ‘in the right circles’. The Dean is interested in seeing if this technique could be attempted on something ‘bigger’. He wants to know the amount of electroplasm that would be required to reanimate something larger.
– Sub-basement 2 is a hive of activity. A lot of the workforce are human (including scientists from Charterhall University) but there are some non-humans (hybrids), and there are hulls being tested for underwater work. The hulls are clearly meant to operate in inky blackness / murky waters. Bas would note that one of the two submersibles is currently absent – it appears to have been moved. When he asks where it has gone, no one seems to know exactly. The people around him assume it has gone for some sort of ‘field testing’. - Hal
– Hal heads out with Ruskin and the other Deathlands Rovers to check out North Port. (Gather Information = ‘4’) It takes considerable time to stake out North Port and find out what it is going on. The Deathlands Rovers are able to identify these creatures as Void Spiders, and they are unusually well fed, as if someone has been feeding them. The Void Spiders not only consume bodies but also spirits as well – that is why there are no ghosts here. Who is behind this and why remains unknown….
– Talking with Nessa (Consort = ‘6’), it sounds like the Greycloaks’ vendetta against Lord Strangford is going slowly. Strangford himself is at sea on one of his Leviathan Hunters and isn’t due back for a few weeks. Two of his lieutenants (Dass, Horroway) went to Whitehollow a few days ago. She doesn’t know why. Her best lead at the moment is Belloc-as-Becker (who is based at Blackpier in the Docks area). Apparently he reports that Becker has recruited a number of sailors – effectively a special crew. It looks like some of those individuals have been turned into hybrids – a real freakshow. The carrot to be hybridised seems to be Coin – it makes them more effective Leviathan Hunters. She still doesn’t know how the Greycloaks are going to restore their old jobs and get even with Strangford. Killing Strangford isn’t going to necessarily help them get their old jobs back. She seems a bit sad.
– It’s pretty clear to Hal that Nessa and the Greycloaks need help – either to find evidence to undo their convictions, or manufacture evidence. (This is the Entanglement that was rolled up at the end of last session). In talking to Nessa, he finds out the presiding magistrate for their trial was Lady Drake – whom he knows is a member of the Circle of Flame. - Veretta
– Poor Quellyn is still recovering from her difficult time in the Deathlands. Veretta decides to seek counsel with Lord Scurlock. (Consort = ‘Critical’) It is a pleasant conversation. Veretta is even offered tea and biscuits (he can’t remember the last time that Scurlock was so welcoming) Veretta explains about the Circle of Flame and handing over the Heart of Kotar to them. He also explains a little of what has been discovered about Lord Strangford and the dwindling supplies of electroplasm across the empire. (He doesn’t mention The Dean or any of the activity going on at Charterhall University)
– Lord Scurlock is aware of Kotar although he never met him. Kotar was a scholar/sorcerer who existed about the same time as when the world ‘broke’. When the end of the world was prophesied, there were a number of individuals who were exploring and experimenting with different forms of immortality. From what Scurlock understands, Kotar achieved immortality but there was a cost. He doesn’t know the circumstances but Kotar’s physical body was destroyed and only fragments remain. However, there are disciples of Kotar who believe that Kotar could be revived, and there are those who believe that Kotar’s secrets could be copied. The Heart is said to have the power to heal and revive. Scurlock is aware of the Circle of Flame – he thinks that they don’t understand what they are meddling with. Even the Heart in their possession is dangerous. He would prefer that it were recovered if possible (he tries to sound Veretta out as to whether he could recover it) but alternatively, he suggests joining the Circle of Flame (clearly Scurlock would appreciate an ‘inside man’)
– Veretta mentions to Lord Scurlock that the Circle of Flame want the Eye of Kotar. Scurlock suggests that the relic to be given to him and he offers compensation. Veretta says that he’ll think on this.
– In terms of the Hand of Kotar, Scurlock says that it cannot be reached. It is behind a door that cannot be opened in a place deep within the Deathlands. He does mention that there is a Key, but he doesn’t say who currently possesses it. (Veretta assumes that if Scurlock doesn’t have it then he probably knows who does)
– In terms of Strangford, Scurlock refers to him as a very smart man, perhaps too smart. Strangford is ambitious and if the Leviathan Hunters are struggling to produce the amount of electroplasm that the Imperium needs, he would no doubt have a plan to take advantage of that situation. Scurlock would also mention that Strangford’s ‘star rose very quickly’, and that marks him as a dangerous man with powerful friends (and many enemies). Scurlock appears to be ambivalent regarding Strangford – he’s been useful to the Imperium so far. But Scurlock says that it will not take long for the Ministry of Preservation to figure out there is a problem (they do not currently appear to be aware). Strangford’s enemies will multiply when they do become aware. Scurlock gives Veretta the impression that what helped Strangford amass so much power so quickly could have ‘tainted him’ (suggesting that he may have been meddling with something arcane).
– Lord Scurlock has heard that Veretta has recently been out in the Deathlands. He thinks that this is good for him, but tells him to stay away from North Port in future as it is a dangerous place. Scurlock reminds Veretta that he would like an artefact recovered from the Lost District. He can suggest other targets if this would be of interest. - Nia
– Becker’s house is in Blackpier (at the Docks) which is incidentally adjacent to the wharf where Strangford’s ships berth when they come to Duskwall. Strangford’s flagship is currently at sea.
– Nia decides to follow Belloc-as-Becker’s minder, and she successfully tracks his movements back to an ‘accommodation’ in Fishmarket (still in the Docks). (Prowl = ‘6’ – Improved Effect) There seem to be multiple hybrids here and she notes that they have access to the canals from this house – so they have freedom of movement using the waterways.
– A figure cloaked in deep purple comes to the Fishmarket premises. Nia spots a glint of metal – possibly a bracelet. There is something unusual about the hood, suggesting that the individual could be Tycherosi or a hybrid. Nia is able to track this individual when he (she?) leaves. He travels on foot to a house in Foghollow (in Crow’s Foot). The figure seems to avoid crowds/groups of people. There are a couple of occasions where the figure seems to pause as if unsure as to whether he is being followed or not, but Nia is sure that she remains unseen. Nia wonders who this individual is – she didn’t get a glimpse of his (her?) face. Nia does realise that the townhouse that this individual went into looks out across towards Strangford’s manor house. Just as Nia is about to give up, The Dean of Charterhall University arrives. He stays for about an hour and then leaves. - Leander
– Leander is still recovering from his ordeals in the Deathlands. He has terrible nightmares (as per the Devil’s Bargain that he took). Nyryx tries to comfort him as best she can (difficult given the hull body).
– The highlight of Leander’s convalescence is when Nyryx brings him some takeaway food from a high quality establishment to cheer him up. (ie: indulging his vice) - Nyryx / Quellyn
– Nyryx seems frustrated. She is no longer locked into the hull body but he doesn’t have an alternative. She goes to see Lady Tesslyn, trying to smooth things over between them but Tesslyn is frosty towards her (Fortune = ‘4’). Tesslyn is still angry with Nyryx for helping to abduct her (it’s a betrayal of trust given that they have been friends for a long time). On the way out, Nyryx talks with some of the Red Hand (Tesslyn’s personal ‘hit squad’) – apparently the creatures in the catacombs are a bit quieter for the moment, but they are continuing to increase in numbers. They would like to see her back on their side.
– Meanwhile, Quellyn is still feeling exhausted/rattled by her encounter with a Void Spider. When Veretta leaves to go and see Lord Scurlock, Quellyn decides to ‘go home’ and Nyryx offers to make sure that she gets home safely. The two talk (they’re not friends and they don’t often talk).
– When Quellyn arrives home, she discovers that her residence has been burgled (Fortune = Triple ‘1’). She bursts into tears – even her spirit jars are smashed and the spirit jar containing her mother is gone.
Part 2 – Bas is Absent (Bas)
- The session opens and we see Bas looking very harassed. His hair is stuck up. He hasn’t bathed in days. He is busy busy busy working for The Dean. He’s been given a larger leviathan spawn to work on (this one weighs over 3000 pounds) and his goal is to reanimate it as he did with Black Medusa. He knows that he can do it using electroplasm but the trick is to use just the right amount and the right concentration without side effects. The Dean is pushing him for success and he hasn’t slept in days. He is drinking a lot of klava to keep going and he hasn’t been allowed to go home.
- We see Bas take a few minutes to scribble down some notes, figuring out how much candy is left in the Emporium inventories and how long it will last. Bas seems concerned that the Emporium will run out of stock. He satisfies himself that there will be enough for a few more days and he gets back to work. We see the size of thing and it is huge – like a Volkswagen Beetle with an armoured carapace. The viewers are left wondering why he is being asked to reanimate such a creature.
Part 3 – Regrouping at the Cat’s Cradle (Hal, Leander, Nia, Veretta)
- Bas is conspicuously absent. No one has heard for him for a few days but no one is yet worried about him. Erik went to look for him but isn’t back yet. The Emporium business seems to be almost back to normal – the damage inflicted by the Circle of Flame has been almost repaired and the customers are coming back. (after all, they are addicted to the candy)
- The Crew discusses what they have learned and what to do about the Circle of Flame. Do they hand over the Eye of Kotar, and what do they want in return? Also, what should they do about the Greycloaks?
- Hal points out that there is no point finding out what The Dean is up to whilst Bas is working directly for him – it may put him danger.
- A newcomer enters the Cat’s Cradle. It is Mercy. She looks uncomfortable but she orders a drink and waits for Hal to come over to talk to her. Mercy tries to talk to Hal, suggesting that the war is over and they should bury the hatchet but Hal isn’t interested. He tells her to get out and Mercy leaves, abandoning her drink. She is met outside by three other Red Sashes and they leave without incident.
- The conversation returns to what to do about the Eye of Kotar, the Circle of Flame and the Greycloaks. Should they hand over the Eye, or keep it and use it? Should they involve the Spirit Wardens?
- After a while, the group comes up with a list of what they would want from the Circle of Flame in order to part with the Eye. No one is interested in Coin – they want other things. Nia wants the Circle of Flame to use their influence to get rid of Clan Vulk. Hal wants a pardon for the Greycloaks from Lady Drake. Veretta sees value in making the Emporium Crew the ‘preferred supplier’ of arcane items for the Circle of Flame and improving relations between the groups. Leander points out that in order to pardon the Greycloaks, they’ll probably have to sacrifice Harvale Brogan, the last Umbra Hunter. If that happens, the Centuralia Club will need a new owner/manager. Leander wants to run the Centuralia Club, if that’s an option. The others point out that this will probably put him in danger but Leander isn’t dissuaded. He likes the idea of working towards an alliance with the Circle of Flame, starting with a normalisation of relationships between the groups.
- At last, the crew decides to return to the Keep to discuss the matter further.
Part 4 – Nyryx’s New Disciple (Quellyn, Nyryx)
- Quellyn wails as she surveys the damage to her apartment. Everything is either gone or has been destroyed. Who would do such a thing? She had kept her mother safe and secure (in a spirit jar) and now the jar is smashed and her mother’s spirit is out there somewhere. Nyryx tries to comfort her.
- Quellyn’s cries alert one of the neighbours. The door opens and Malista walks in. (Last seen in Session 12, Malista was the chief priestess of the Shining One and it was she who organised for three of the possessor spirits to be summoned into the bodies of powerful hulls. She was last seen with a knife in her chest from where Leander had stabbed her.) Malista shows concern for Quellyn (they are friends, that’s why she was at the party in Session 12) and tries to comfort her, but her jaw drops when she sees Nyryx in her hull body. Nyryx was confused when she was first put into a hull body but she remembers Malista.
- Nyryx draws a stiletto and prepares to use it. But Malista stuns Nyryx by dropping to her knees before her. Referring to her as ‘Lady Nyryx’, Malista says that she is Nyryx’s humble servant. Nyryx isn’t used to having anyone treat her this way and it takes her completely by surprise. She looks for some sort of guidance from Quellyn, who suggests with a sniff that she needs some help to clean up the place.
- Between them, they start to clean up the mess. Tea is brewed. Malista explains that Babel left the Cult of the Shining One and joined another Cult. He took Balthazar (the dollmaker) with him as well as Velarum. So this leaves only Nyryx as one of the Shining One’s three ‘chosen’. Malista decides to stick with Nyryx as she believes this is what the Shining One would want.
- Quellyn asks for help to find her mother’s spirit and the others agree.
Part 5 – Plans into Motion (Hal, Leander, Nia, Veretta)
- Returning to the Keep, they find Erik waiting for them with pleading eyes. He begs some money from them, saying that he hasn’t eaten in ages. Hal gives him some money and Erik passes on the message that he’s seen Bas but that he simply can’t get away. He’s doing some stuff for The Dean. He passes across a handwritten note which is practically illegible but it gives clues to Veretta that what he is being asked to reanimate is really, really big and that Bas is having trouble calculating the right amount of electroplasm to inject in order to revive it. With additional money in his pocket, Erik leaves.
- The conversation returns to how to get the best deal for the Eye of Kotar. To Leander’s surprise, Veretta and the others seem okay with selling the Eye, and making a play to Lady Drake to sell out Harvale Brogan, thus ensuring a pardon for the Greycloaks and potentially a chance to manage the Centuralia Club (and hence earn some serious Coin – Leander is very greedy). Leander is given the task of meeting with Lady Drake and making a deal.
- The next day, Leander doesn’t have to hunt for Lady Drake. She sends two uniformed officers (Imperial military) to politely invite him to meet with her. He is escorted to Brightstone and meets her in one of court offices. He notes that she is younger than he thought she would be. She wears an eyepatch which appears to cover a severe injury. Lady Drake starts by pointing out the consequences of not handing over the Eye to her. Leander very quickly gets the impression that it’s not just a matter of handing over the Eye to the Circle of Flame, it’s important to figure out which of them should receive it. Leander listens to her and then offers to make a deal. (She’s heard about Leander and is distrustful of him)
- Leander makes a Consort roll (and gets a ‘6’, pushing himself for Greater Effect). Lady Drake listens to what the Emporium Crew want – a pardon for the Greycloaks, action taken against Clan Vulk in Duskwall, preferred supplier to the Circle of Flame, control of the Centuralia Club and a normalisation of relations between the two groups. Lady Drake is willing to accept all of these terms but she says plainly that she doesn’t trust Leander and putting him in charge of the Centuralia Club would be valuable insurance for them. Being in charge of the Club doesn’t make him a part of the Circle of Flame. She warns him not to overrate his importance. However, she acknowledges that the Emporium Crew have been exceptionally skilled in locating two of the Relics of Kotar and improved relations between the groups could be valuable to both groups.
- Lady Drake says that she can’t simply pardon the Greycloaks, however she does have some files that might help them prepare a case for a pardon, and if it were presented to her, she would be able to rule on it. She also makes it plain that she’s happy for Harvale Brogan to be eliminated (he has outlived his usefulness), but he knows too much and he must ‘not talk’. Lady Drake makes it clear that the Emporium Crew need to take Harvale Brogan out of the picture so that he doesn’t threaten either group in the future.
- Leander gets the impression that Lady Drake wants the Eye very badly and she’ll play a straight deal for the time being. Even though she might be tempted to kill him, she won’t do it while the Emporium Crew is useful to them, especially if they can find the Hand of Kotar.
- Leander leaves with the files that Lady Drake thought could be useful and an agreement that the Eye will be turned over to her.
- Upon his return, the Crew discusses what was said and they agree that they should proceed. Hal tells Nessa about the deal, and then he approaches Inspector Severin with the paperwork provided by Lady Drake. He makes a Consort roll (a ‘5’, and takes a Devil’s Bargain that Severin will ask something in return in the near future). Severin takes the file and agrees to work on it, but says that a case like this may take a little time to prepare (this is the consequence).
Part 6 – Other Offers (Hal, Leander, Nia, Veretta)
- Meanwhile, Veretta accepts an invitation from his Aunt for tea. Lady Penderyn is also a member of the Circle of Flame and she also makes an offer for the Eye of Kotar. She wants it delivered to her, and she says that she will be ‘quite miffed’ if Veretta to give it to another party. She offers to open her libraries to Veretta (tempting) and also to share what she learns about the Eye with Veretta (very tempting). Veretta makes a Consort roll (and gets a ‘5’) – as such, he is successful in convincing his Aunt that he will consider her offer, but the consequence is that she sends a servant to tail him. Fortunately for him, the servant fails to locate the Keep (Fortune = ‘6’).
- Hal, Nia and Leander decide to go after Harvale Brogan. They stage an ambush and take him out, using their Akorosian goat-drawn carriage to conceal as they take him across town and deliver him to the Greycloaks. Harvale is never heard from again.
- Severin files papers which argues that a miscarriage of justice has occurred and that Harvale Brogan and the Umbra Hunters committed crimes for which the Greycloaks were blamed. The Emporium Crew confirm that these papers have been delivered to Lady Drake for her deliberation.
Part 7 – Dealing with the Devil (Hal, Leander, Nia)
- Hal goes with Leander when he travels with the Eye of Kotar to meet with Lady Drake and make the exchange. Nia follows along, making sure that they are not being trailed.
- Lady Drake is very cool when she sees Leander. She comments that it’s good that Leander brought Hal with him as she’s heard that he is ‘the honest one’. She sent some military officers but wasn’t able to find him, so she had to settle for Leander. (Failed Fortune roll earlier). Drake asks Hal whether this deal is legit and whether he says any problem with it. Hal says that his word ‘is good’ and they want to ‘square this’.
- Lady Drake asks to see the Eye and it is shown to her. She explains that she will honour her end of the bargain. She’ll organise the pardons, she notes that Harvale Brogan has gone ‘missing’ and there will be a need for a new manager at the Centuralia Club and this will go a long way to rebuilding the relationship between the two groups. She expresses surprise about the Emporium’s request to make Clan Vulk ‘unwelcome’ but she will do what she can.
- The Eye is handed over to her, she coolly wishes them a good day and they depart.
- They do not have to wait long. Lady Drake is as good as her word. She organises pardons for the Greycloaks. Nessa and the Greycloaks are stunned by this but they are overjoyed. Coin is spent for a big party. Only Nessa seems a little sanguine, pointing out to Hal that the pardon only covers them for crimes committed in the past, and she hasn’t finished committing crimes. She wants Strangford to pay for what he’s done.
- A few days later, the three members of Clan Vulk who are in Duskwall are convicted of trumped-up charges of sedition and thrown into Ironhook prison. (Fortune roll = ‘Critical’) This makes Nia very happy indeed.
- Quellyn returns to the Keep. With help, she’s been able to find her mother (Fortune roll = ‘5’) but it took a while and she is not quite as she was. She tells Leander that she has a surprise for him. Leander follows Quellyn and is surprised to meet Malista (whom he thought was dead) at the Cat’s Cradle. Malista calmly explains that Nyryx will be inhabiting her body from time to time until they can find another alternative. She understands that Nyryx has been finding it very hard in a hull body but the tether between hull and spirit has been weakened such that Nyryx can now leave the constraints of her that hull body. Malista then relaxes and Leander can tell that Nyryx has taken over. She takes his hand and smiles a familiar smile. Commenting that she hasn’t had ‘real food’ in a long time, she asks him to take her out for dinner, which he does.
- Later still, Leander receives a letter inviting him to the Centuralia Club for a special event. There is he received as the new manager, replacing Harvale Brogan. Lady Tesslyn is there to welcome him – she is courteous towards him, but she makes it clear that the Circle of Flame will be watching him. She asks after Nyryx and Leander answers that she is well.
Part 8 – The Leviathan Spawn (Veretta, Bas)
- Veretta is worried about Bas. He makes his way across Duskwall in the pouring rain to visit him, taking food with him.
- Bas is pleased to see Veretta but he is clearly overworked and exhausted. Bas wolfs down the food and Veretta takes a look at the huge creature which Bas has been tasked to revive.
- Curious, Veretta starts going through his notes and make some suggestions that Bas hadn’t considered. (Tinker = ‘4’, which is a success put it then puts Bas in a Risky position) Bas thinks about Veretta’s proposition. If it works, it will work really well but if it doesn’t, the creature could wake up and go berserk. Tiredly, Bas decides to put Veretta’s ideas into action. (Tinker – ‘Critical’) As such, it works perfectly, and the Leviathan Spawn is revived. Bas and Veretta are overjoyed by this success.
- The Dean is quickly alerted to this and his eyes take on an almost insane gleam. He tells Bas to go and get some sleep – but he has done very well. Veretta finds The Dean’s smile most unnerving.
Part 9 – Behind the Veil (Nia)
- Now that Clan Vulk are no longer operating freely in Duskwall, Nia decides to visit The Veil – the Tycherosi-run club in Nightmarket which is directly above the statue of the Night Queen where Bayer’s Gold is hidden.
- Nia knows the reputation of this place. It is supposed to be discreet and friendly to Tycherosi. She greets the Iruvian guard on the door and asks to be admitted. (Consort = ‘Critical’ – ie: they recognise her as Lady Farros and give her every courtesy) They wave the admission fee and she is quickly introduced to Isiah, the floor manager who reports to Volaris, the proprietor. Isiah has large bulbous eyes and chameleonic skin. She is led through the premises, past many gossamer veils that seem to magically muffle conversation. She smells food and pleasant scents that reminds her of home.
- Nia (Lady Farros) is introduced to Volaris. He appears human but she has heard that his lower body is serpentine. He conceals whatever his true form is under a desk. He has a gaunt face, a small amount of slicked back hair and he speaks in whispered tones). He greets Lady Farros warmly and says that he is at her disposal. After pleasantries are exchanged, she explains that she would like access to his basement for a ‘project’ for an indeterminate period of time and would appreciate his discretion in this matter. Volaris happily agrees to this and suggests that she enjoy a meal at his club.
- She enjoys the meal. One of the servants does a double-take when he sees her, suggesting some recognition, but she pays it little mind.
- The ‘Acquiring Bayer’s Gold’ is now 8 of 12 (thanks to Nia’s Critical Success).
Part 11 – Discerning The Dean’s Motives (Veretta, Bas)
- Returning to work at Charterhall University in the Subbasement, Veretta and Bas start trying to figure out what all of this equipment and research is for. (This is a 6-segment Clock) Veretta attempts to Study all of what is happening here to make a deduction. He gets a ‘6’, putting 3 segments on the Clock. He figures out that all of this equipment would not be much use on the Void Sea – it wouldn’t be rugged enough. Leviathans are big and powerful, and the submersibles that he has seen wouldn’t be practical at anything but a very shallow depth.
- Bas decides to simply ask The Dean what is going on. He hopes that The Dean likes his work so much that he’ll simply confide in him. Bas accepts a Devil’s Bargain that The Dean will want Bas on the expedition for when this equipment is used ‘for real’. He then rolls a ‘Critical’ on Consort, so The Dean tells him everything. The Dean thinks Bas is wonderful – he offers him a glass of wine and tells him his Master Plan. (ie: the villain ‘monologues’.)
- The Dean explains that Strangford is finding it harder and harder to find the Leviathans in the Void Sea, so they hatched a plan to revive one. A long time ago a Leviathan was slain in shallow waters off the coast of Whitehollow, and its bones have made a very strange reef. That one is almost certainly dead-dead, but there was another incursion about ten years ago – a second Leviathan (nobody knows why) attacked Whitehollow but was slain before it destroyed the city. That Leviathan limped out and beyond the reef and sank in waters that are still relatively shallow. The Delvers’ Guild in Whitehollow say that it’s not dead-dead. There are still signs of life as if it is slowly regenerating. The Dean and Strangford have the idea of ‘giving it a bit of a kick’ so that it is possible to increase the rate of regeneration without bringing it completely back. That way, Strangford can routinely harvest something that isn’t going anywhere. Pump something in, take more out.
- Then the Dean points out, laughing maniacally, that if their calculations are off that the Leviathan will probably be completely restored and will try to destroy Whitehollow again. Bas is left with the impression that this may actually be The Dean’s goal.
- The Dean then changes the topic and asks if Bas would like to be hybridised. Then he could ‘water breathe’ under the Void Sea and see for himself. Bas says that he’ll think on it.
Part 12 – The Purple Robed Emissary (Nia, Hal)
- Nia and Hal decide to follow the purple-robed figure who seems to be operating as a go-between The Dean and Strangford. After a successful Group Survey (‘6’) and a Group Prowl (‘6’), they trace this figure from one point to another and confirm that the purple-robed figure is entering Charterhall University and the sub-basement where Bas works (even though the entrances are secret, Hal has escorted Bas there in the past)
- They decide to break into the house in Foghollow where the purple-robed figure has been observing the Strangford residence. Hal surveys from outside (he gets a ‘5’, placing Nia in a Risky situation) and believes it to be clear. Nia then tries to pick the lock. (Finesse = ‘3’) As such, she manages the pick the lock but Hal was wrong – there is another of the 7-foot tall Lamprey-headed creatures inside. As such, Nia makes a resistance roll (due to one of her special abilities ‘Shadow’ which she makes) and she avoids the consequence. She abandons the break-in and then just slips away into the night (Prowl = ‘6’), leaving the creature wondering who may have been trying to break into their house.
And that’s where we left Session 19. Next session will be Thursday 6th May.
Session (not Score) Results
- Turf: They managed to acquire access to (and management responsibilities for) the Centuralia Club which is a Vice Den. Hence ticking this on the Crew Sheet.
- Reputation: +2
- Heat: +2 (for the abduction of Harvale Brogan) = total 4 (reduced to 3 because of Crew Special Ability)
- Coin: 0, however the gemstones that they received in payment for the Heart of Kotar (worth 16 Coin) were pawned, enabling them to give 3 Coin to each of the Emporium Crew and retain 1 Coin in the kitty.
- Individual XP: Veretta (3xp), Leander (2xp), Bas (2xp), Hal (3xp), Nia (5xp)
- Crew XP: +2
- Side Business Action (The Centuralia Club): 0 Coin (because Leander has only just started there)
- Side Business Action (The Emporium business): 0 Coin (mostly because they are still getting back on their feet)
- Faction Adjustments: now 0 with Circle of Flame (improved from -2 Hostile footing)
- Active Clocks
– The Enemy of My Enemy Is My Friend - 5 of 8 (up 2 ticks)
– Bodies in the Canals (Gondoliers) - still 0 of 6
– Avenge their Expulsion (Greycloaks) - 5 of 8 (up 3 ticks)
– Acquiring Bayer’s Gold (new clock) – 8 of 12 (up 5 ticks)