After the Farm

On the way back from the farm, Pete pulled Ravina aside. He apologized for jumping into battle and getting in over his head to the point where Ravina had to jump in to save him. He told her he loves and appreciates her friendship, and is glad he’s got someone who has his back.

It was afternoon, and most of the party had business in Nottinghill. Besides, Jay was very eager to get back to his job. Ravina an Pete chose to skip town and make their way separately back to the ruins.

5A: New stuff and old acquantances

Arrival at Nottinghill

When Nottinghill came into sight, Bean turned into a cat to avoid being recognized. Jay’s alcohol-fame helped him gain easy entry for the party. After entry, they decided split up and meet back up at The Real McKaw for diner and rest. Odds and bean would go to the Church of Sol, while Jay would take Petalfoot on a shopping spree.

Church of Sol

On the way to the church, Odds stopped by the hedgehog family that was living in an ally. He found the children, Pinefreeze, Flower, and Thorn, and he thanked them for their help. He gave them some dried fruit, and left a not for their mother, Sunseed, that contained a job offer and a promise to stop by in the morning. With mouths stuffed with food, the hoglets solemnly promised to keep the note safe for their mom.

Continuing on, Odds asked Bean if he would be willing to teach Petalfoot some basic medicine and first aid. Bean eagerly agreed.

At the Church

The church was packed with the sick and injured. Odds and Bean (dressed as a member of the clergy) found Father Tucker and caught him up on Turnip’s encounter with the cult and with Sir Hiss. Bean went off to help where he could as Odds stayed to discuss more.

Odds brought up Turnip’s offer to take in up to 3 families that had been vetting by his brother, startling Tucker, who had no luck sending refugees that way before. Odds mentione that Sir Hiss’s threats may have been a catalist, and dropped some hints that ths sherriff wasn’t doing his job well. Tucker thanked him for this information, and gave Odds the pearl he had promised, telling him it was a magic item.

Suddenly, there was a ruckus outside. Tucker looked and was startled to see a good dozen previously dying people skipping out of the morgue, followed shortly after by Bean. Bean had created a healing feast, curing the hopeless, and had followed up by distributing many good berries. People were shouting his praises. There were those who witnessed this miracle who even started a song about the powerful healer at the church of sol.

Bean overheard one of the refugees recognize him as someone wanted by the sherif, but other refugees quickly shut down any talk of turning him in.

On their way back to the Real McCaw, Odds gave Bean the magic pearl, as Bean could probably put more use to it than Odds could.

Very Important Games

Jay and Petalfoot when to the market, where Jay had a delightful time spoiling the young mouse. Petalfoot was particularly focused on getting a set of ‘Stones’, a game similar to bocce ball. Jay helped her pick out 5 entire sets – one for her and 4 for their new community. Jay also got her a bag of candy.

They then headed back to The Real McCaw and put the cart away. Jay got rooms, then found the sad (ans smelly) ex mayor Raddish. Jay gave Raddish news of Turnip and the new suit they’d been sent with. Raddish went for a wash and to change, and Petalfoot came over and joined Jay. Jay had to get to work, so he called out Windi to watch the young mouse.

When Raddish emerged, clean and presentable, he was promptly tackled by the large ghost dog who recognised a previous master. Raddis hfinally had a smile on his face.

Jay spread the word that Ravina shroud was was the one behind the tainted barrel of beer that showed up at the guard house.

Odds and Bean at the McCaw

Odds and Bean arrived at the Real McCaw to find Petalfoot hanging out with Radish, drinking sweet drinks and chatting. Odds was about to make his way over, when he heard someone loudly singing a tune that made his blood run cold. Someone was singing a royalist anthem.

Carefully, he moved towards the backroom and looked inside. To his surprise, he saw an old acquaintance of his – Dalmoth. Dalmoth had known Odds from his days as a solder, long before his memory loss. Dalmoth became a royal guard when Odds was a beekeeper, and became a staunch royalist after the fall of the king.

Visibly uncomfortable, Odds asked Bean to escort Petalfoot to bed. Then he stepped into the back room to greet Dalmoth, a massive Badgerfolk. Jay and Bean, sensing Odd’s discomfort, joined him to keep an eye on the situation and provide support.

Dalmoth was delighted to see his old friend, and glad to see that he’d picked up the sword again. Odds, stiffly conversed with him, learning that Dalmoth was planning on heading towards the great battle against the rats in less than 2 weeks. He mentioned that he was looking for a group, and he’d noticed that Odds seemed to have one. He asked to join up.

Odds told Dalmoth he would have and answer in the morning. Then he left, bringing Jay and Bean with him to his room, where he woke up Petalfoot. Together, they discussed the possibility of Dalmoth joining the group. Odds was reluctant to let him know about the bastion and Petalfoot. He said the Dalmoth was a good man. He knew more about Odd’s history than Odds himself knew. But… Dalmoth threw himself at glory and adventure. He might endanger what Odds protects.

Together, the 4 decided to invite him to meet the team at the battelfield, where he could fight under their banner. It was also quickly decided that Petalfoot would stay at the bastion.

That Night’s Quest

After others had turned it, Jay decided to go to The Cracked Wheel to search for under the counter items. On his way there, he was accosted by a group of assholes who attempted to mug him. Jay curled into a ball and rebuffed their attacks. DIsgruntled, they went on their way.

Jay arrived at his destination and met Ravina’s ferret friend. Jay asked if the ferret could track down Petalfoot’s ring, taken by Cherla. The ferrat wasn’t going to risk himself by stealing from Cherla, but would try to track down her camp for a cost.

A New Day

The next day, the team ate breakfast together. A herald strode into the tavern and invited all to come to the courtyard infront of the manor house to hear a grand announcement at noon. After breakfast, The team split in two, with an agreement to meet up at the west gate after the announcement.

Odds tracked down Dalmoth, and told him to meet up at the battlefield to fight side by side. Dalmoth was overjoyed. Then Odds snuck Petalfoot out and went to find the hedgehog family. Sunseed, the mother, was overjoyed to be taken someplace where her family could work and be fed. After she met Odds and determined that the offer was real, she excitedly agreed to meet the group at the gate. She and the kids were packing up even before Odds was out of sight. Odds and Petalfoot then went to get a good spot for the upcoming announcement.

Scars and Shopping

Bean and Jay had large to-do list. There was serious shopping to be done, and Bean had an idea of how to permanently disguise his scar. Their first stop: a scarification parlor. There, Bean got a floral facial scar that went horribly wrong. Bean healed it with a spell and took a second try, only for it to go worse. Bean sighed, then decided to keep it for the time being.

Next, Jay picked up a few odds and ends at teh market, and then went to the Busy Beaver, run by Runny Springs, and places a large lumber and tool order.

A visit to the alchemist was after that. Bean bonded with Wanda Grassvale over alchemy, and picked up herb seeds and an alchemist kit. They discovered that selling herbs here could be a potential income stream. They also picked up a potential job: Wanda will pay 250 gold for a live dreamshade plant (grown by the cult up north).

Finally, the went to the armory. Jay spotted some mole-trinkets and stones. He also set up an account for tools repairs. Bean, meanwhile, places an order for a custom brand so that he could scar himself. They wet back to the Real McCaw to get the cart.

The Announcement

The sheriff walked out onto the balcony overlooking the gathered crowd. He puffed his chest and announced that Lady Blackberry had asked him to marry her. They would be wed in 2 weeks, on the new moon. He would be stepping into the role of Lord Protector, as there is no king to watch over the country anymore.

The Return

Jay and Bean picked up their orders, and Odds and Petalfoot picked up Sunseed’s family. They left town with a full wagon, and with Bean as a draft horse pulling a sledge. Jay found a bit of peace and calm by spending time with Petalfoot and the littles – spoiling them with Candy. Odds took the chance to talk with Sunseed. He was immensely glad to finally have someone to talk parent-stuff with.

After several hours, they reached camp, and found it had been expanded by 2 rows of tilled soil and a pole building. The ruins had also been opened up – slightly.

Jasper was grumpy about children being brought to camp, but Gillian was beside herself with glee.

Jay, Bean, and Odds took a moment to explore the ruins. There was one open room, a library. Bean and Jay accidently destroyed the first books they found. Odds, even with his shaky hands, managed to find 3 books that could be opened. He couldn’t read them, but Bean and Jay discovered that they could each read 1 or 2. Bean and Jay started to read, learning a few secrets of those who used to live in the ruins.

Bean got distracted by hearing whispers in primordial. Jay’s flask was speaking! It told Bean there was something very useful far below.

Meanwhile, Odds broke down a door to a second room, a large storehouse. There was a large statue with dusty stone armor that Odds carefully took ( thanking the statue as he did so.

Then Bean came to fetch Odds. He called a team meeting and sat down with Odds, Petalfoot, and Jay. Bean told them that Jay had a primordial spirit in a flask, and that it was speaking, and that there was a powerful tool lurking below their feet.

Episode 5B: Stuff, Stuff, Boom, Boom

Ravina and Pete skirted around the wall of Nottingham. The reached the West gate, when they overheard a pair of lizardfolk talking loudly talking. A short grey lizard with pink burn scars was called Fizzboom and a taller green lizard with a stubby tail was called Ferminbrine. the lizards were talking about a job, one which paid good money and didn’t sound particularly legal.

Ravina and Pete walked up and asked about the job. Ferminbrine promptly recognized the famous Ravina Shroud, and vouched for her. Fizzboom, the mastermind, loudly agreed to have them help. It was soon apparent that Fizzboom had hearing issues.

Walking towards Fizzboom’s secret lair (a shed in the woods), a few other things became clear:

1. Fizzboom was planning on robbing the sheriff’s tax cart tomorrow and needed accomplices
2. Fizzboom liked explosives
3. Fizzboom’s previous accomplice, Brutus, was suddenly no longer able to assist

They argued over cuts of the prize as they walked, eventually settling on 35/25/20/20, with Fizzboom taking 35% for his experiments and Ravina taking 25%.

They continued North and reached Fizzboom’s shack, rebuild from previous shacks that seemed to have blown up. There, Fizzboom reveled his master genius plan:

All thought it was brilliant. Especially Pete. In a fevered brainstorm session, multiple additions were added, Resulting in a final plan that included:

• Cover existing holes (from test run) to make pit traps
• Dress Ferminbrine in Reverdale guard outfit and have him lure the real guards to where Ravina lay in hiding
• Fizzburn’s explosives get planted at the end of the bottleneck on on the side of the ravine
• Fire crackers and a stink bomb privided to Ferminbrine to help with distractions as needed
• Weaslefire provided to Ravina to provide fire as needed
• Snare spell planted.
• Tree almost chopped down – to be knocked down to prevent escape.

The crew got to work, rigging the bottleneck and praising their genius. Then they turned in for hte night.

Respectfully, I don’t think you have to ask us how to fuck this up,: Pete said.

The “Robbery”

They finished prep in the morning. To judge timing, Ravina slipped off one her own to scout. She encountered the tax caravan, and found it to be larger than expected – 5-9 guards, a wagon, and a hand-drawn cart. She failed her sneak, cutting her spy mission short and almost being discovered. She pulled some clever trickery and avoided being spotted, then dashed back to take her ambush spot.

This, my friends, is where the shit-storm started.

Ferminbrine walked out onto the road in front of the guards. Instead of trying to lure them forward, he challenged them to an inspection… out in the middle of nowhere. No one bought his deception, and Sir Hiss slithered out to confront him, sending 4 guards forth to arrest the fraud.

Ravina, not waiting for any of the traps to trigger, sprung – shooting Sir Hiss between the collarbones. What happened Next was a masterpieces of chaos: explosions, flammable sting bombs, more explosions, murder, walking flamethrowers, stabbing someone inf half… and that was all from the “good” guys. The guards mostly managed to die or get incapacitated.

Ravina, to her dismay, discovered that Sir Hiss had escaped! Telling Jay to stay behind, she ran after him, pursuing him relentlissly until he ran out of breath. In a last-ditch effort to save himself, threw a magic illusion card and summoned forth the image of a giant fire bird. Ravina saw through that and ran at him. She was hit by a minor spell Hiss squeezed out of a magic hat, but that didn’t stop her from killing Hiss.

Hiss, with his last breath, told her she had doomed Nottinghill. He spoke a few more final syllables that Ravina didn’t hear because she was already looting his body. As an after though, she shot a burning arrow into his corpse.

Ravina returned to find Ferminbrine tending to the traumatized cart horse and Pete tending to an unconscious guard. Fizzboom was moving ‘packing’ moss out of the carts. She learned that the taxes was a load of food, a few emeralds, and some antitoxins. Ravina bartered to keep all the food, then let the two lizards go on their way.

Ravina learned that while she was chasing down Sir Hiss, Pete and Ferminbrine had let a guard go, after telling the guard the names of everyone involved in the heist. She didn’t learn that Fizzboom had stollen a few extra emeralds and that the ‘packing moss’ that he took all of was a valuable alchemy agent.

Ravina looted the remaining guards bodies, not checking if they were dead or alive. Pete pointed out the injured guard and told he she could kill him if she wanted but that would be a waste of good bandages. Ravina consented to keeping him alive.

The two friends sampled the food to celebrate their victory, and discovered the hard way that it was poisoned. Only then, did Ravina remember Hiss’s dying words – that she had doomed Nottinghill.

“I know, I bet Odds can solve this,” Ravina said. They loaded the unconcious guard, then took the stolen cart full of poisoned food and started making their way back to their camp.

“We can put up a sign that says ‘don’t eat’ on the cart.” She said to Pete. The 2 best buds then began the long road home, and started talking about the amazing job and how it had been a good thing.

Dead Guards: 5

Escaped Guards: 2

Kidnapped Guards: 1

Notes:

Clay can be harvested by the lake

Dawn Count: 3 out of 14 dawns till the great battle.

Throom, god of earth: His armor was found, he was mentioned in a book

Mole skeletons were found with a symbol of 2 pyramids within a circle – probably representing mountains

Bastion:

Workshop:

Garden: Bean’s Herbs

Store room:

Bedroom: Dry, sheltered bedspaces for all (via box beds made by Odds)

Courtyard: Bean will sleep in a burrow under the central tree

Kitchen:

Ravina’s Hero Tally:

Heroic: barter for food to take back to camp

Stuff > People: murder for stuff, ignore Hiss’s last words to loot his corpse, Loot guards without seeing if they were alive or dead

Strangers who recognized Ravina: Ferminbrine

	# of Heroic Acts	# of Stuff > People Acts	# of strangers who recognized her
This Episode	1 (ish)	3	1
Running Total	8	7	6