51 - The Boys are back in town

Previous session: 50 - Tropical Thunder

The second round
...

The giant stands in front of us, looking pissed.

Axel
We don't have to fight, we don't have to do this.
Giant
Sometimes, it's not a matter of having to, it's about to want to.
Axel
Like the way to pass your time? Like Samir promised you?
Samir
You know, that's really none of your business.
Axel
You made it my business when you dropped here.
Dieterich
You said it was Fjendra?
Fjendra
Yeah that's right.
Dieterich
Fjendra, daughter of Una? Chieftess of the Auroch's clan?

[Grapple contest - Lost ❌] She lifts Dieterich and whispers to him:

Fjendra
How do you know that name?
Dieterich
I may not look like it, but the soul that inhabits this is a half-giant from Wundera.
Fjendra
You're a robot.
Dieterich
Yes, at the moment. It's complicated.
Fjendra
So did my mother turned you and sent you all after me?
Dieterich
No, but I'm glad I found you.
Fjendra
Ok?
Nesvalyn
Can we call a truce at least?
Fjendra
Why?
Axel
We found remains of the Auroch clans.
Dieterich
After the Wyrd, we found their remains.
Fjendra
What do you say?
Dieterich
After that, you kind was scattered. The Giants, they all went searching for their lost kin. You included of course. You were all that your mother thought about.

[Acrobatics] Dieterich takes 1 point of damage after being dropped
She lets out a roar and scream, she leans over Dieterich.

Fjendra
WHAT PROOF DO YOU HAVE OF THIS?!

Dieterich takes out the portable hole.

Dieterich
If you give me a moment, I can show you.

Dieterich shows the journal.

Samir
What are you doing? I'm not paying for this.
Nesvalyn
We're trying your advice, we're discussing.
Dieterich
I'm sorry about this. I only found out about this
Fjendra
I haven't... seen my mother in 40 years. I can't believe this.

Fjenda puts the book down gently, gets up and turns to Samir, and looks up, and let out a primal scream of rage as energy goes through her. She rushes to Samir and jumps to grab him, but he waves and she is slapped back away.
She yells and fall back into the pit.

Samir
IT'S SO HARD TO FIND GOOD HELP THESE DAYS! BOYS!

He waves his hand, and all the Rakshasa boys turn invisible, leaving only Ludwig, Samir and the black cloaked figure. Dieterich puts back the journal in the hole quickly to avoid to damage.

In the meantime...

After a while, Loyal starts to lose desperation, and tries a last jump, and is standing in front of him, a Rakshasa dressed in a lavish silk clothing, standing up next to a railing, talking down to some people.
He just sees the top of a head that seems to be... Nesvalyn?

Samir
That's it! I'll get down to deal all with you and-

[Athletics - Success ✔] Loyal shoves Samir into the pit.

Fjendra looks down walks down and stomps on Samir. While looking at the railing, we see Loyal where Samir used to stand.

Nesvalyn
... Loyal?
Axel
HEY LOYAL!
Loyal
I finally found them.

The spirit of Father Thatch gets down, and then Loyal joining us by sliding down.

Dieterich
Is this a friend of yours?
Nesvalyn
Yes.
Axel
Yeah.
Loyal
We need to have a lot of catch up.
Nesvalyn
Yeah, we should get to safety first.

Loyal looks really old now, and more muscular, his hair is grayer, his gear changed, with a polearm crafted, with a heavier plate armor with some trinkets from different places he went through.

Axel
It's been a long time since we saw you, but it seemed to be good on your side.
Loyal
It's been 10 years guys.
Nesvalyn
Really? We really need to catch up, do you still feel like you can fight?
Loyal
I got older, but I can still catch up.
Nesvalyn (smirking)
I'm still older than you, don't bother playing on that field.
Loyal
What are you doing there?
Axel
We're saving Ludwig.
Loyal
He's still around?

We notice Fjendra stomping Samir again and again until he gets barely recognizable.

Loyal
Did I shoved the proper guy?
Nesvalyn
You did right.
Taurus
And good.

By looking where Ludwig is, he's standing up next to the black figure, which holds him by his chains.

Axel
It seems to be the guy we need to beat to get Ludwig back.
Fjendra
MANAL!
Axel
Manal, you know we do not need to fight? You can leave Ludwig as Samir paid you-
Nesvalyn
I think that's the other way around...
Manal
Oh darling, I'm not here for the money. I'm paying him. But what I want mostly...

The figure removes their hood, which reveals under Or it.

Or
I DO LOVE TO SEE YOU SUFFER!

They pick Ludwig and toss him over the railing, but lands safely on the ground.

Dottie
Oh, it's you, Sedh.
Or
How did you get out of the house?!

Dottie Lombardo shrugs, and Or holds the eye contact.

Or
Gods, you're insufferable!

Dottie Lombardo drops dead and explodes, while the last word echoes. From the corpse, Senri raises and reconstitues from the remains.

Senri
NOT AGAIN NOT AGAIN! Oh, thank god.

Or looks over at Loyal.

Or
Well, it took you long enough. I was hoping you figured how it work by then.
Loyal
Are you gotta be fucking kidding me?
Or
All right, gang's all here! Expect your invitations here... Wait, who to fuck is that?

Or looks to Taurus, then the rest of the party.

Taurus
Do I need to find a beef to fight them?
Axel (pointing Nesvalyn)
Just having a fiance is enough.

Nesvalyn goes to unshackles Ludwig, who let a growl.

Nesvalyn
Hey, it's ok, we're here for you, we're here with you, it's going to be fine now.

Dieterich checks Fjendra.

Fjendra
Thank you, that must not be easy to be a half giant already, abd furthermore a robot.
Dieterich
We may be able to help you, get back to Wundera?
Fjendra
I'm not getting back, there's nothing to get back and it's pretty useful to be here to kick ass. But you'll need my help to get back.
Axel
And why is that?
Fjendra
Well Samir was the top dog, and since we took him down, that means there's a power vacuum. That means that his boys mentioned they're trying to say they killed him and becoming the next big one. We'll have to fight 150 people.
Axel
Why?
Fjendra
The Law of the Jungle.

Taurus wants to cure Ludwig with magic about his boldness, and suddenly, Ludwig is fully back with fur everywhere.

Ludwig
You know, star girl, you may not be able to cure baldness with magic, but I can cure mine with magic.

Dieterich pulls the book back and presents it back to Fjendra. She picks it up.

Fjendra
Thank you. Now, we should get off the island.
Nesvalyn
Couldn't have said better.
Taurus
I got the cigarettes, so it should be good.
Axel
Do you make them?
Taurus
They're just here, that's all.
Senri
Guys, where are my drugs?
Axel
Dottie got rid of them.

Senri screams for that drug being gone.
After we caught up and all regrouped, we're walking through the Jungle to reach Eklima again.

Old friends, new problems
...

Nesvalyn
Do you think Manal could be part of Or's full name?
Axel
It could be something to throw us out.
Taurus
Pardon me, is this some Fey going after?
Nesvalyn
Long story short, yes.
Axel
They orchestrated something bad in our collective life.
Dieterich
Nesvalyn?
Nesvalyn
Yes?
Dieterich
That one is the one keeping my daughter right?
Nesvalyn
Well... it could be, as the first time Anria possessed our friend, when she saw we had a way to reach Or, she was furious and tried to reach it... but I can't say if it was for revenge or to get more power.
Senri
Wait, you're Raina's dad?
Dieterich
Yes.
Senri
I just wanted you to know, in my opinion, she's a piece of shit.
Loyal
We really need to get safe, I have a lot of questions.
Nesvalyn
That's why we're trying to leave so we can catch up.
Dieterich
I'm sorry for any pain my daughter caused.
Senri
Sorry is the only thing I've ever had.
Dieterich
I'd prefer you blame her mischiefs on me.
Senri
It's not your fault.
Dieterich
It is.
Senri
It's her decisions, not yours.

More banter happens, mostly to catch up with Loyal, and especially resuming what happened to Reylynn and Persy since.

Loyal
Look, I went to look for you. We're missing the moon, the sun hasn't stop shining. I think I've been going old.
Axel
What do you mean it's been missing?
Loyal
It hasn't been night since, like, the moon has been gone.
Axel
For how long?
Loyal
8 years.
Nesvalyn
Ok, now that would make sense back with Logarius when... well there's only Senri and me back, but when we discussed with Death Inc. CEO who's basically a God, or could be the equivalent of the Wonder of Undead, he mentioned we had a Greater Evil to deal with, so... that could be that?
Axel
We need to deal with Or ASAP then.
Taurus
Sorry to butt in, but this Or fella, is he throwing fish people?
Axel
Basically, they're the prime of Selkies, so it would be what they do around.
Taurus
Well, no. But I can't stop thinking about one of them, as in one of the stories I know, it ticks so many boxes. But maybe that's not Or, but it was Ix.
Axel
Maybe that's why they're after you?
Nesvalyn
I think they're more after my trinket than me personally...
Axel
Maybe Paildreo gave it to you?
Nesvalyn
That's not really possible, as I got a bit after waking up back on Wundera, and with how I got it... I don't think that would be their bidding...

Loyal is centering the conversation back on dealing with Or as soon as possible so we can get back on Wundera to help with the missing moon, to with Axel mentions that knowing the full name may summon them, but we're not sure what the source is from, which we realize it's an assumption.

We finally approach the edge of the town, and Fjendra puts her hand so we shut up and stop moving.

The gang is back in town
...

[Perception - Pass ✔] Several of us notices that the town is really empty

Fjendra
It's best that you go straight to the docks, I'll grab someone and meet you there.

Axel casts [Pass without trace].
[Stealth] We all start sneaking and moving quietly, then we hear some footsteps from Fjendra behind us and passes us, and we hear at the intersection, and hear some guns being cocked.

Fjendra
Oh boys, good to see you!

We hear gun shots, and we're going to help her, meaning we'll have to fight our way through the whole town.

Showdown in Eklima

[Round 1]
Taurus runs to the intersection, and attacks the group (hits thrice and deals 39 dmg), and activates her [Radiant Consumption] (deals 4 radiant damage).
Loyal moves to the group, sends his echo to attack (hits twice and deals 40 dmg), then swap places with the echo.
Fjendra keeps running and smashes the houses beside her, and blocks the path yelling "Meet me at the dock!" and runs away.
Senri casts [Synaptic Static] for 35 psy dmg and enables her [Form of Dread]
Dieterich activates his [Eldritch Claw Tattoo], and attacks recklessly (hits then crits for 56 dmg)
Axel casts [Beacon of Hope] and goes toward the docks
Nesvalyn attacks people near party members (hits then crits for 44 dmg)
Balnorin casts [Fireball] in one of the house (dealing 42 fire dmg)

We manage to clear the block, and people are fighting between each other and some of us are caught in the general brawl:
Dieterich takes 10 dmg, Taurus takes 11 dmg, Senri takes 4 dmg, Balnorin takes 8 dmg
Loyal attacks an enemy that gets nearby (crits for 44 dmg and nearby enemies take 5 dmg)


[Round 2]
Taurus attacks the crowd (hits twice for 30 dmg) and uses her [Second Wind] to heal 22 HP (and deals 4 radiant to nearby enemies).
Loyal attacks the crowd (hits thrice for 61 dmg)
Senri casts [Hex] then [Eldritch Blast] (hits once for 13 dmg)
Dieterich attacks the crowd (hits four times for 73 dmg)
Axel attacks the crowd (hits twice for 21 dmg), and heals Taurus for 15 HP
Nesvalyn attacks the crowd (hits once for 35 dmg)
Balnorin casts [Spirit Guardians] (upcasted lvl 6) and deals 29 dmg

We fight our way, and we make our way to a narrow street, and we notice a giant boulder crushing people.
[Acrobatics/Athletics check] Balnorin and Taurus don't manage to escape the boulder and takes 17 dmg.
↪[CON Save - Pass ✔] Balnorin keeps the concentration up.

[DEX Save - Pass ✔] Everybody (except Nesvalyn) takes 17 fire dmg
↪[CON Save - Pass ✔] Axel and Balnorin both keep their concentration.

We see Fjendra holding someone going to the docks as we start to reunite to the ferry.


[Round 3]
Taurus switches to her shotgun to clear the way (hits thrice for 37 dmg) and reloads.
Loyal summons another echo, then attacks his way out (hits for times (crits) for 125 total)
Senri casts [Eldritch Blast] (hits three times for 49 dmg) and it allows us to reach the dock safely.

We see a Tiefling woman on top of Fjendra who sprints towards us.

Tiefling
Who has the keystone?!
Taurus
I do!

Taurus calls the ferry, and we leave just in time before the whole town explodes.
We have Ludwig, Fjendra and this mysterious Tiefling, and we get back to our ship, where another ship is decked next to it.

Family reunion
...

A man dressed in butler is waiting near that Astracom ship, then starts to speak to us.

Butler
Pick up for Dottie Lombardo.
Nesvalyn
I guess that's for us?
Axel
She's out of commission, so we'll have to accept in her name.

Before dismissing or taking any further action with the butler, we're doing a rundown on how everybody is going, starting with Fjendra.

Axel
Does someone needs some healing?
Fjendra
Oh, most bullets don't pierce my skin, I'm fine.
Tiefling
Yeah! Thanks for that one there, you did a huge favor.
Dieterich
Who is this?
Tiefling
Oh, I should introduce myself. I'm Melody!
Nesvalyn
Wait, are you Persistance's sister?
Melody
How do you know me?
Nesvalyn
If you're looking for him, it's... how to say? You should stick with us in that case.
Loyal
He's right here.

Loyal points Dieterich, which Melody walks towards him and put her hand on his face.

Melody
Persy?

[Insight - Pass ✔] Dieterich is still in control, but suddenly remembers a childhood memory, one that Persy had with Melody.

Dieterich
There was that one time, your mother said them, I mean you and Persy were not to go into town for the festival. It was a busy time at the shop, but you convinced him to sneak out with you, and almost get yourselves killed... I'm not even sure how I know this.

Melody hugs him.

Melody
I know you're in there somewhere.

After this information, Melody decides to stay with the party until Persy is back.
Senri casts [Sending] to Persy to get more information.

Senri
Hey Persy you in there?
Persy
Not really sure where am I, my sister is here?
Senri
OMG YOU'RE ALIVE, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SAY?
Persy
Tell Mely she's an idiot, coming out here. And sorry for leaving. Tell her I love her.

Senri repeats the message from Persy.

Melody
I'm surprised that the rabbit can talk.
Nesvalyn
...really?
Fjendra
Well, as much as I'd appreciate what you've done for me, I'd like to never speak to you and never get back to Wundera.

Fjendra is getting on the ship, Dieterich stops her and points towards the graveyard ship.

Dieterich
She's over there if you want to talk.
Fjendra
Thanks, half-blood.

Fjendra gets on the ship, and Ludwig starts to head towards it.

Ludwig
Ah, fuck it, I'll go with you.
Axel
What about the noodle shop?
Ludwig
Everytime I run into you guys, there's always trouble.
Nesvalyn
You're going to be always running in trouble with us if you stay.
Ludwig
Yeah, and sorry for killing my father or your friend, whatever.
Nesvalyn
That's a you thing mostly, as long you're in peace with that.
Ludwig
And I also hope to never see you again.

Ludwig embarks on the ship.

Nesvalyn
What about you, Taurus?
Taurus
I think I'll stick with them.
Dieterich
It was nice having you, as we're going to fight an Archfey, we may not survive.
Taurus
Fair enough.

Fjendra, Ludwig and Taurus leave to get their own adventures, as their ship sails away.
The rest of us hear a wet thud from behind, and we turn and look, there's just a bag of fabric of nice gold threads.

Nesvalyn was about to open it, but Axel convinces him to stop, thinking it could be a trap and he has still to lose.
They open the bag, and dig through to search what's inside.
They pull out some hair, and then realizes they hold the head of Anria, with a parchment in her mouth.
Dieterich literally rages at the sight of the head, and his ghost version grows bigger and engulfs Persy's corpse, revealing how Dieterich looks like originally, and keeps screaming for a while.

Axel picks up the parchment and reads it:


Dear comrades (and Nesvalyn):
You are all invited to the union of Or (importance: highest) and Paildreo (importance: unknown) to a specific date and time, but to facilitate the time differences, a way will be open for your convenience, so I would expect you all (even Nesvalyn) to be there on time.
You are all allowed to bring a +1 to the party (except Nesvalyn).
Gifts are necessary (especially expensive ones).

- Or