Session 024 - We're not in Phandalin Anymore!

Escaping

”All of you barring Illsaiim and Mike are contained in a strong metal wire netting that restricts your movement and holds some of you in awkward positions.” - The opening quote for the session.

Samira Farrow taunted Illsaiim and Mike on the ground while Fill attempts to warm the netting at the weakest point and the others in the netting identify other potential weak points.

”Illsaiim and Mike, you see the dark skinned woman in front of you; who had introduced herself as Samira Farrow, standing in front of you with an imposing look.” - Illsaiim and Mike’s POV, as narrated

Illsaiim shot at the netting where he had been told a weak point was and it managed to loosen it somewhat. This was followed up with Mike jumping on the netting and yanking it down further to let his commrades attempt to break out of the net.

They Brought Swords to a Gun Fight

Samira Farrow pulled out a Hand Cannon and fired a clean shot at Illsaiim and two more at Mike - dealing significant damage.

Illsaiim then noticed a red beam of light hit his shoulder and he traced its location to somewhere on the uppermost floor of Casino Cillian. In an attempt to get closer towards the figure and out of its line-of-site; Illsaiim teleported to a balcony towards the top of the housing complex next to the casino - which led him right to the mechanical device that had been pulling the netting before being jammed by some of the loose netting it seemed. It also gave him a vantage point over the combat area.

We’re Breaking Free!

Graxious managed to free his arm and use Wu Tang’s short sword; enchanted with his divine energy, to slice the netting around it’s circumference. Graxious, Wu, and Fill landed prone on the ground.

Pushing Them Back

Alberic immediately rushed Samira Farrow in self-defence and landed two quick critical hit the the temple before Samira dodged an uppercut for the third hit.

Salvador and Mike worked together to tag-team one of the grunt and deal a significant amount of damage to him. At the same time, Illsaiim used his vantage point to deal a massive amount of damage at the other grunt. After Wu used only the wind to redirect a bullet back at one of them, the two grunts fled back into Casino Cillian. Samira was left to fend for herself amongst the members of The Bussy Knights until she retreated using a Grappling Hook; elevating towards the top floor of the casino. Mike and Salvador followed after the two grunts into the ground floor of Casino Cillian.

Old Friend

Illsaiim scouted and found a fire escape to attempt to follow after Samira Farrow - picking the lock to open it where he ran into a figured dressed in tan robes adorning the symbol of the Alagondar Family. Having deduced this person was a member of the Alagondar Trust - he spoke with them about helping his friends.

”Go. GO! Get out of here. The place is crawling with Oskar Kryme’s men. I nearly lost a comrade of my own trying to get out of that place.”

- The Figure to Illsaiim

The Figure told Illsaiim that his friends were goners for entering the casino and that he should just escape. Illsaiim dropped his guise after this and a look of recognition came over The Figure’s face - leading them to take off their hood and cloak as well. Illsaiim recognised an associate of his, Marsha Corn; seemingly now a member of the Alagondar Trust. She instructed him to be careful when rescuing them before dashing out the fire escape and away from the commotion.

”Be careful while inside there - it’s not as you would remember it.

If you get out safe; meet me at the usual place at dusk. If you’re bringing your friends - make sure they aren’t followed.” - Marsha Corn to Illsaiim

Illsaiim called out to his friends to join him through the fire exit to save Mike and Salvador.

The Casino

Graxious ignored Illsaiim’s call for a quiet entry and rushed at the casino door - breaking it cleanly down the middle.

”You see a luxurious purple carpet lining the floor of the grandiose room around you. There are marble columns holding up a secondary level with in the extended ceilings of the room.”

- Description of the bottom floor of Casino Cillian

Graxious was greeted by at least 20 other people wearing the same outfits as the grunts and noticed a large man across the room, sitting in an ornate chair with a silver mask over his face. He taunted them all after throwing his sword into the carpet before The Masked Man spoke.

”Get ‘im boys.”

- The Masked Man

All of the grunts in the room pulled out Hand Cannons and other dangerous looking weapons that sapped Graxious of his bravado quite rapidly.

Retreat!

Salvador and Graxious made their way out of Casino Cillian quickly while the grunts seemed content just to hold their position. Mike took a moment to capture of the grunts he had been fighting as a human shield.

As Graxious exited the doorway, he noticed The Masked Man app

Each member of The Bussy Knights made their way to cover and away from the casino. Mike knocked the grunt unconscious to attempt to take a hostage to get information from later, only to be shocked when the grunts head exploded following the sound of a projectile being fired from above.

”You look up and see Samira holding a larger weapon that her Hand Cannon with smoke expelling from the barrel. She is smiling as she walks away after grabbing your attention.”

- Samira’s headshot, narrative retelling.

Mike quickly grabbed the Hand Cannon the grunt was holding before fleeing with the other party members. The party avoided traps along the way to the Starling Library where they entered from the rear entrance.

The Library

Illsaiim picked the lock on a rear entrance to the Starling Library and entered with Mike. They believed to be in a darkly lit storage room and had a visual on the main chamber of the library.

Illsaiim recognised a Fire Genasi woman inside the library; later revealed to be Alison Starling, and called her over to help them after he invited the other party members in with him.

”You see a large circular chamber with grey marble walls. You see hallways that probably lead to storage for books.

You see a variety of people of different races, social classes, and ages. There are makeshift beds scattered around the floor and a variety of people getting medical care.”

- Description of The Starling Library

Alison Starling promised to help them, which Illsaiim and the party to rest in his hideout within the library.

The Telltale Brothers

During their downtime; Fill attempted to solve the puzzle of the Mysterious Book he had found earlier. Combining his knowledge with that of the party, they deduced the title of the book was likely to be The Telltale Brothers - specifically the 0th edition.

Illsaiim and Fill recalled hearing about The Telltale Brothers - a group credited with being the forefathers of history itself. Their key creations being the creation of timekeeping including the calendar system and era system still used to the current day.

Mike joined in and deduced the twelve slots on the cover of the book were likely connected to the twelves months of the year. They spent the next few minutes aligning the gemstones Illsaiim had found into their respective slots but the book didn’t open.

Shortly after this, Alison Starling entered the hideaway.

The Hand Cannon

As part of a bold introduction by Mike; Alison Starling was shown the Hand Cannon that had been used against them earlier - and she was upset to hear how the grunt had died by the hand of one of his own.

”This is a Vaa’Ruulian Hand Cannon by the looks of it - an older make for sure.

Vaa’ruul has been exporting a lot of their older technology to fund development of dangerous new weaponry.

This was smuggled over the border and through Hockton I imagine.” - Alison Starling’s comments about the weapon

”You’re a long way from home, aren’t you?”

Graxious introduced himself and the mention of his surname brought a look of recognition over Alison Starling’s face. She took a moment to privately share some information with him - unbeknownst to them both, Fill, Mike, and Alberic were all paying attention to the conversation and overheard parts or all of it.

Session Close

The session closed as Illsaiim and Fill asked Alison Starling about The Telltale Brothers - 0th Edition.