The Lady & The Wyrm Session 13

Deciding as a group to leave the relic behind with the Pirate King Immurk, and continue sailing to the northern kingdom of Impiltur, the Heroes Of Darromar see before them new lands, new opportunities, and as what seems like second nature to them now, new dangers. The Northern Lands lie before them, filled with the unknown as they continue their march towards Dead Tree Hollow, and their next efforts to put a stop to the Step-Queen...

 Sailing north through the Sea Of Fallen Stars, passing The Lone Rock, the final landmark before exiting the sea and approaching The Dragon Reach fjord, in sight is the land known as Impiltur. Some call this western half of the landmass the party is arriving at The Vast, but that is just a regional name. Impilturian royalty has always laid claim to the entirety of this northern realm. Some even call it the door step to the north. Their docking target is the city of Ravens Bluff, on Impiltur's southwestern shore. As they approach the new country ahead, the first thing they see stretching eastward on the southern end is the smaller southern arm of the Earthspur Mountain range, the Earthfast Mountains. A short time later the ship's crew and Capt Morsho come alive as they prepare to dock as they arrive at the territory of Ravens Bluff. And what a sight she is.

As they disembark onto the docks, they all immediately catch a lovely sea breeze coming off the waters they left behind. And they are also leaving behind their Captain. Morsho is at the top of the bow watching them depart. He just gives that "I'm a Sea Captain, and on the seas I shall be!" wave of his hat as he climbs down and starts barking orders at his crew to make sail for the only home they know. The welcoming embrace of the sea…

It's a pleasant morning, albeit there is a barely noticeable chill to the air here. Even though it is shortly past the Summer solstice around the continent, nights and mornings retain their chill in these northern lands. It is bustling as well here at the docks, sort of in the same vein as those in Darromar, as the group are surrounded in the usual dock activity shared by most cities in the world. They do see various ships unloading things they've not seen before, such as exotic animals, & giant looms of fabrics in vibrant and dull colorings. They also see the first signs of the law of the land as there are City Guard on patrol in a couple small groupings scattered about the docks district. Which here this dock district is considerably larger than the one back home. Its able to host multiple lanes of ship traffic, as well as various types of ships that included the larger, and…ermmm the abstract types. Like, why does that ship have wings? Its a ship….Anyways, lets now take a look at this new city and see what happens next!

The port city of Ravens Bluff. A true gem of the north, and maybe a new home for our heroes

As the party start making their way up the main road out of the Docks District and through the gate to the city proper itself, marching his way, or some might say strutting his way, down the road towards them, boisterous in both voice and appearance, is the party's Ravens Bluff welcoming committee. "Ahh, our Heroes of Darromar have arrived!" boomed the voice in front of them. Standing astutely and proudly in front of the five, with a toothy grin, is Sgt. Decimus!

And you thought hippos in the wild were amazing, they have nothing on the Giff!

Sgt. Decimus is what is known as a Giff(hard G). Or Giff(soft g) if preferred. Do be prepared to defend your opinion on that particular matter in a shouting contest, or more popular amongst these Hippo folk, a friendly head-butting contest, a Giff's favorite activity to settle an argument. Although sadly sometimes bravery wins over brains, & that ends lethally for some, and never for the Giff. They are widely known to be space-faring, gun-slinging, militaristic mercenaries. They strictly follow their chain of command, and obeying orders is a life long goal of any Giff. And they are also good natured of course. So good in fact they arrived here in Ravens Bluff long ago at just the right time to fend off an Orc horde from sacking the then young & growing city. In kind, as is the way in Raven's Bluff, they were awarded property and station in the city as thanks for their efforts. They number about thirty to thirty-five currently, and will often change their roster with others of their kind, depending on what's happening out there amongst the stars. There have been a few over the ages that have…devolved and made their way out into the Wild Lands(nickname for The Vast) never to return. Now considered feral & disowned by their own kind. And extremely dangerous.

Sometimes a Giff just needs to run free. The result though, is unadulterated and uncontrollable savagery.

As the party stands and admires this magnificent creature before them, he notices and give his spiel. "Yes, yes you do see before you Sgt. Decimus of the Giff 33rd regiment." Decimus stands at attention and salutes them, then continues. "We had received word of your arrival just two days ago"(via Odyeus). "We were expecting you a day earlier in fact. Did something happen on your way here?" he asked them quizzically. You see, Giff are also very curious creatures. Whether it be from roaming freely, or strategically moving, through the cosmos will open up that part of an individual's mind once given the chance. So the party should expect lots of questions. After hearing their tale of their beginnings in Darromar(but not every detail, just in case), to sailing the high seas bringing them here to The Living City, Sgt. Decimus states loudly, "well Capt Morsho sounds like a fine leader and he'd be welcomed to join us in a fight any day!" Sgt. Decimus reaches down to his hip and pulls out of a holster a massive sized weapon of sorts. it appears to be one of those "guns" the party heard about before. It was hand held sized, but the effects were much, much bigger. What the party didn't hear is the next few words the Giff spoke because as proud Giff do, he let loose a shot from his weapon into the air, which its black-powder explosion cracked through the air temporarily deafening the group. Once their hearing returned, they heard the proud Giff say, "Now, how about we get you to your lodgings. A place among us has been reserved for you, albeit temporarily, as I hear also you will be making your way to Dead Tree Hollow, hmm?" he again asked quizzically. The conversation is loud and full of Q&A as the party are led out of the Docks District and into the Temple District where the Giff are based inside the neighborhood known as Swordspoint.

On their way, they do notice without a doubt that the tales they were told about the King of Tethyr and his travels here to Impiltur to attain a new wife after the Queen's passing were true. Every single woman they've seen so far, regardless of race, from the young adults to those of seasoned age, are absolutely stunningly naturally beautiful. So much so they almost seem not real, but they are. Must be something in these cold waters of the north they guess. Eventually they make their way to the lair of the hippo-folk. This residence is a modest and modern looking regal building. Three floors, painted well and defended even better. A twelve foot tall spiked gate surrounds the property. A couple different looking hippo-folk make their way around the outside of the property, as well as one or two peeking out a window at the new arrivals.

Sgt Decimus brings the group inside and guides them to the 2nd floor where their lodgings are. Once he gives them the rundown of the place, including his sworn duty to provide them with anything they need within his best abilities, in his best militaristic version, he playfully "orders" them to convene downstairs on the 1st floor for dinner tonight at sunset, where they will meet the current station commander, Commandant Myron. Until then, they have the day in their hands to do what they wish in this new city. So let's have at it! This is Ravens Bluff. The Living City. So much to see! So much to do! There are numerous attractions, such as: DeVillars Park, a zoo, an arena, the theatre, fancy schmancy shopping, this popular new restaurant called 'The Golden Arches', famous for its meat sandwiches, hot salty potatoes, and a cold treat known as 'Shakemilk'. The party thinks about this all carefully, and decides on an itinerary for the day. And it all starts at the Ravens Bluff Zoo & Aquarium.

Making their way north through the city, they climb the pedestrian footpath leading up a large hill and to the entry gates of the zoo. Strange sounds and scents surround them as they make their way, observing all the odd & fantastical monsters, devils, animals, beasts, creatures and...things, that call the Ravens Bluff Zoo home. Each exhibit contained an educational factoid describing the beings in the enclosures. For example, the Abishai were described as draconic devils. They even got see one of their former foes, an Allip, who just hovered in a corner of it's enclosure. This brought a slight shiver to the party, particularly Sendak and Alystn who both had the worst encounter with one of these spectral beings. There was a vile looking Amnizu, a fiendish flier that commanded devil armies at the gates of the Hells. There was a display of Flinds, the most savage and beastly Gnolls chosen by demon lords to be...transformed into bloodthirsty fiends. As they made their way through the further various ghastly exhibits, they began to think, "is this what zoos are really like? Where are all the monkeys and big cats and dolphins? This is hands down terrifying! How are they even capturing and taming these beings for such a display?!" This unnerved the group enough that they had seen enough, and decided it was time for lunch. And what better place than the most popular spot in town, The Golden Arches!

They made their way back into the Temple District and into the doors of the quite busy meat and potato joint. At the counter stood the most stereotypical " I hate my job, I hate my life" mop-headed young man behind the counter. He droned with effort, "Welcome to The Golden Arches, what can I get you?" The group, as hungry as they were curious of the local fare, decided to order the house special. This contained the place's trademark meat sandwich(bun, meat, lettuce, special sauce), a potato cut in half(with just plain salt poured on top of the exposed half) and a THICK milky drink so cold, it was misting out of the cup. They all seemed to enjoy this food, in particular Inka. One gulp of this 'shakemilk' and her eyes went wide. She immediately turned around to the crowd and immediately started letting the entire establishment of just how great this treat was! Sherrinford, small in stature but apparently huge in appetite ordered three house specials and instantly devoured them with glee. Sendak on the other hand, well, lets just say he has never tasted something so damn salty. He licked mountain rocks with less salt! The look on his face would've sold out a comedy theatre performance. One other thing that was peculiar. Alystn who had been focusing on the operations of the place, happened to lean over the counter a bit and get a peek behind one of the walls that contained the innards of the place. He saw there was a line of shakemilk in a row, and then a blue humanoid hand appeared just briefly and shot forth a cold burst at each of the milky treats. "Ah, that's how they do it!" he thought. Then he immediately forgot what excited him so in the first place. Oh, Alystn...

"Welcome to The Golden Arches. Would you like a shakemilk with that?"

The next tourist trap that got the group excited, in particular Inka, was the Arena of The Bluff. They all had never been to one, but they had read stories of them from some books in Odyeus' library. So they made their way a bit further east, and up, into the city to the grand building known as The Arena. Even from The Golden Arches, you could hear the roar of a large crowd, signaling there was an event going on at the time. There were long lines at the three entrances at the front of the arena, but no line at all at that smaller, out of the way side entrance they spotted near the curve of the building, almost out of sight. "Hmm," they pondered. That might be a side entrance. Or an employee entrance. Or worse yet, the competitor entrance. After some "hey lets not die on day one, OK?" thoughts, they decided to wait in line at one of the three main front entrances. After paying their entry fee and receiving tickets, the group made their way up into the nosebleeds. The crowd was raucous and wild, and even bloodthirsty. And they were chanting what sounded like "Grolantor! Grolantor!" This was due to the current arena battle occurring in the blood-absorbing sands below. A hill giant, the current Arena Champion, the aforementioned Grolantor, was facing off against a fellow yet fearsome two-tower shielded infernal Fire Giant Dreadnought. The battle was raging and violent and loud. The current champ seemed to be holding his own, until the Dreadnought brought forth its powers of dark forging, and used its two massive shields to entrap Grolantor, their spikes piercing deeply into the giant's flesh. It howled and began roasting alive until it was filled the forge fires of the Dreadnought, becoming something akin to a meaty lantern, and grew so hot it exploded in a shower of bits and blood all over the Dreadnought. That is, the new Champion of The Arena, The Fire Giant Dreadnought! The crowd was going wild. Frenzied they were as the next event was broadcast. The main event of the show. One lucky contestant would be chosen from the audience to face-off against a randomly chosen foe for all the glory in the world as Amateur Champion of the Arena. Some poor schlep from the Market District, who clearly had more bravado then brains, was chosen. He was then immediately engulfed, devoured and absorbed by a Mindwitness.

After that day filled with food, frights, and frivolous violence, the sun begins to set in the west, giving the city a lovely glow of orange, thanks to the setting Sun's reflection off of The Dragon Reach. It also heralds the dinner bell for the party back at the Giff compound. Upon arriving the scene is a bit different than earlier. At the entrance gate and up to the steps of the building there are two rows, parallel to each other, of Hippo officers in full uniform and at attention. They are all wearing various versions of military type uniforms, their explosive weapons slung and or holstered on them. They all in sync salute the party as they walk past and enter the compound. The first friend they see is Sgt Decimus, who guides them into the grand Feed Hall where there is a room length table full of all the local foods you could think of. There are also a staff of Elves and Half Elves, dressed keenly and also at attention, ready to serve. This is the hired help for the evening. There are five seats in particular with black napkins set on the plates, these seats being assigned to the party. They are all seated as the rest of the room fills up. Each Giff that makes their way in greets and salutes our heroes before sitting. All notice that the head of the table is empty, as Sgt Decimus takes the foot seat. A few moments later, a smaller but still very stout Giff walks in and announces the arrival of the Giff compound leader, Commandant Myron. This is easily the most impressive statured Giff they've met so far, and he walks with the air of respect and leadership you'd expect of a Commander of such a fine race of beings. The large hippo-man sits and adjusts in his chair, it itself easily accommodating the near 1,200lb Giff. Yes they do get that massive. The dinner proceeds with more Q&A from the various attendees about the party and their adventures Laughs and shrieks and silences are abound as the tale unfolds. Even a couple young Giff, barely aged two or three years try to sneak in, but they are quickly shooed away back to what must be the kid's table in another room. Adorable little big things they are, giving anyone they could those hippo eyes to try and sit with the adults and their new guests.

Commandant Myron, of the Giff. He is the local leader, the guide, and the rock for all of Ravens Bluff's Hippo-folk.

After most of the food and drink had been ingested, Cmdt. Myron stands, and requests a toast. All the Giff present stand as well and raise their mugs in unison. This is the first moment the party realizes they are all wearing the same black armband on their arms. And also that all their uniforms, in their own ways, all have a black theme, Cmdt Myron included. As this realization hits, the Commandant speaks to his kin: "My fellow Giff, this meal, mighty and nutritious, is eaten not to sustain ourselves, but the memory of our brother, Marshall Lovella. He should be here with us, continuing his efforts to contain his unique gift. Yet that was not his fate among these cosmos, they as cruel as they be. Tomorrow, we send him off, back into the great unknown…& then we find those responsible!"

So, clearly Marshall Lovella did not die peacefully an old hippo in his sleep. Not that a Giff would ever want to die that way. No, no they die in the joy of massive explosions and showers of gunpowder. The Giff Glory its called. No, this particular Giff died by the hands of a coward's poison. This was the opening gist of the conversation Cmdt. Myron was having with the party in the Grand Study after dinner when he requested they follow him so he could speak to them in private. With the sting of personal loss out of his voice, he asked, "Are you studied up on the local events of Ravens Bluff of late? Of the Shadowborn and their untimely demise?"

Cmdt. Myron walks over to the window and looks out at the darkness blanketing the Reach and the city, his snout breath fogging the glass. He begins to tell the tale to the party of The Shadowborn. "Ravens Bluff is an old city now. Settled ages ago after being an uninhabited land of wilds and Nature's strife. Yet still at random to this day, clouds of unsettled fabrics of what you call The Weave, make their way over the city. And over the generations, locals began giving birth to young that in time, and under very stressful situations it was discovered, began exhibiting the sudden and unexpected use of powerful magics, albeit uncontrolled and chaotic. They call it the Shadowfire, for the slight green and white flame surrounding the poor soul just as the outburst begins to occur. And so those with this ability, are called the Shadowborn. There were enough instances of unintended death and damage that Ravens Bluff's Wizards decided to build a safe haven here in the city for those afflicted to live safely. Some of those very wizards saw it as a way to make a quick buck, while others have dedicated themselves and their studies to harnessing this uncontrollable power. Our fallen comrade, Marshall Lovella was among the Shadowborn. He lived & loved studying the world of magic. He thought he could harness his abilities, but an accident landed him in the safe haven. Even though we Giff have no natural magic ability. Yet for some reason, our Gods gave us a high resistance to all of it, restorative included. There was no stopping the poison. Alpha Protocol-33 was not enacted in time. The chambers built by the city's wizards to house the Shadowborn is well guarded and ran efficiently, yet someone, or something, has been killing off Shadowborn. our Marshall the latest victim. He is now the seventh victim overall."

With a melancholic tone, yet also welcoming, Cmdt Myron honorably invites the party to join him and his kind at the funeral tomorrow at high noon for their fallen comrade. It will be held in DeVillars Park, which is located here in the Temple District. It is the city's largest and best maintained public park. The Cmdt just requests that they wear black. he lets them know they can find funerary wear over at Dressed To The Nines, a haberdashery here in Swordspoint. And not to worry about the tab. It will be taken care of for them. So now the rest of the night is open once more to the group. They decided its time to go wind down with a drink at a local tavern. they ended up at a local hole in the wall called The Singing Sword Inn. It was charming enough, just loud enough, and just packed enough to make it a comfortable time. Each of the group ordered a random drink off the menu and began to enjoy the end to their first day in town. One patron did not see, but sensed Inka coming up behind him at the bar to get a drink, and he looked over his head and yelled in a drunken constraint "Ohhhh oh, I aint...I ain't ever drinking again!" and proceeded to march himself out into the night. The man sitting next to him though, was instantly enamored by the Firbolg. And even the Gnome chilling out on her shoulder didn't phase him. This man had enough liquid courage to even ask Inka(and her friend) to dance! And so dance they did. Sherrinford added to the mystique by creating a triple projection of themselves on the dance floor, which had the bar patron enamored even more! Inka danced and swayed through the room, her robes and arms and feet flowing like sheets of magic in beat with the bardsongs being played by the house band. At one point, maybe it was the alcohol, maybe it was the magic of the night, this bar patron, who we will call Steve the Bar Dude, ended up with Sherrinford in his hands. Holding him up like the greatest prize he ever won, even if he wasn't exactly sure what the prize was. And then he just started making his way for the door, gleefully! Luckily in this version of the story, Sherrinford has a big Goliath friend who always has his eyes on his friends. He was able to grab the puny human by the scruff of his neck, stopping him from kidnapping our favorite Gnome to go who knows where to do who knows what! And with that, the last drops of tasty beverages were swallowed, and the group semi-drunkenly made their way back to the Giff compound for a night of sleep. Tomorrow would not be as cheery as today they thought as they slipped into the warm embrace of oblivion.

The morning sun rises and the party are all pulled from sleep by the rumbling and bumbling of a manor house full of Giff making their way into this solemn day. The only thing they have to do is run by The Nines and pick some funeral wear. Once arrived, it is a fancy clothing shop. And run by the flamboyant Jordan Whipt. He eyes them all up one at a time and then asks "so what can I wrap you up in today?

You need custom threads with a professional flare? This is the man you need to see.

Decked out in cloaks and robes of black(and rhinestones on Alystn) the party make the short hike over to the park. It really is a beautiful park. Its green grasses cut low and in pattern, many topiary statues stand tall. And in the middle there is a large and pristine lake, known to the locals as…The Lake! At its shore is a large gathering of folks, all seated in rows of chairs, all dressed in various forms of black. The first three rows of patrons are all Giff, while the remainder of about 100 or so attendees are a mix of many races such as Elves and Dwarves and Humans and…is that a bird-person? There also is a beautiful portrait painted of Marshall Novella. Beyond them all, a couple hundred yards out in the lake is a stack of barrels. There's eight, then six, then four, then two. And on top of the funeral pyre, lies in death, Marshall Lovella. The party stands together at the back of the crowd, getting a full view of the serene proceedings. Within moments, Cmdt Myron gets up and makes his way to the water's edge. He is then joined by a smaller, most likely younger but still large Giff at his side. Cmdt Myron says to the skies "Our Brother Marshall Lovella, we send you forth into the ether, so the hunt for home may continue. And here what you leave behind, will not stop. Will not falter. Your work will continue!" And with those passionate words, the secondary Giff leans down and withdraws his black powder gun, aims it at the lakeshore, and fires. A loud cracking boom echoes across the park as his shot seems to have ignited some sort of coil that was out of view at his feet. Then the party could see the tether out to the barrel pyre as it burns its way across the water until it reaches the barrels. It doesn't take a fire wizard to know what's gonna happen next, even for new arrivals to the city like themselves. Just as they remember, "oh yea, these guys love big explosions!" they cover their ears just as the barrel pyre explodes in a brilliant and powerful explosion, professionally contained to the lake itself, as the fiery plume makes its way to the skies above, and so too goes Marshall Lovella. All attendees lastly see all the Giff in attendance stand up and each unholster, shoulder prep, and two hand aim all their weapons to the sky, as they all let forth their goodbye shot to their brethren. And with all this racket, the last scene of today's services is a flock of ravens, launching away from the far side of the lake, & making their way into the midday skies.

Marshall Novella. He didn't understand his ability, yet he lived to embrace it the best he could. Rest easy now, friend.

Now the party had a decision to make. Do they stay local and continue to familiarize themselves with Ravens Bluff, their possible new home away from home? Sort of establish a new home base? Do they continue on their adventure immediately, and push forward towards their overall goal, & reach the enigmatic locale known as Dead Tree Hollow? Or do they stay behind a bit and help their new Giff friends catch a killer? It took not even a second for the group to look at each other and say in unison "let's catch a killer." As the service was winding down and pleasantries were being exchanged in the crowd, the party are approached by a young man. He is partially disheveled, yet has a keen set of black eyes. He doesn't introduce himself, but hands Sendak a card and then just waltzes away into the departing crowd, with a little giggle while saying "heh they're gone be so proud of me." Sendak and the gang examine the card in his large hands. Fine stock. Big card, its about tablet sized. An invite it is. The Mooney family is having a fund raiser tonight for the Ravens Bluff Home for the Gifted. It doesn't take a flame wizard to see that is the official name for the safe haven for the Shadowborn Cmdt Myron told about yesterday. The invite specifically invites the Heroes Of Darromar to the event. Wizards? Rich families? Progress! Who wouldn't want to show up to that! The Mooney Estate is located in the Tentowers neighborhood of the Uptown District, the most affluent of all districts in Ravens Bluff. The most rich and powerful families lived in that part of town. They even had their own branch of the City Guard assigned to their streets, the City Watch. So now its time to get ready for a gala in probably the absolute fanciest neighborhood the party has strolled yet. And they know the perfect place to go to get all fancied up. A trip to their new colleague Mr. Whipt at The Nines.

After being gifted their best gala attire, they as the Heroes of Darromar make their way into the ritzy part of town, and follow the directions provided on the back of the invite to Mooney Manor. Upon arrival at the front door, they are greeted asked for their invitation by human manor staff. The party does notice these staff members, both male and female, are NOT as beautiful as the rest of the citizenry. They must be from the Foreign District of town, where outsiders of Ravens Bluff make their home, in hopes of snagging these lucrative high paying jobs. They do make up a substantial percentage of the overall population of the city. And its expenses. Well the party for the first time are now entering the absolute lap of luxury. Just imagine the finest of the fine and you'd see it. From construction to design to application to food and drink and wardrobes and property, this place has it all in excess. There are many different folk milling about. Laughing it up, talking it up, drinking it up, dancing it up, whispering it up, etc. There is a large signboard placed off the edge of the central balcony of the second floor advertising the gala event. There are more staff walking around with trays of food and drink, most of which look familiar, and some absolutely do not to the group(damn, no shakemilk it seems). There are some folks in full regale. Dresses, and suits. Some are in their armors and battle gear. In another room, clearly a ballroom, there is a rather large stage setup, and standing on this stage are ten individuals, all of different races and different styles. The only thing that really separates them from everyone else at this party that cold be observed, is that none of them are smiling. They are just standing there, observing the crowd around them in silence. They also mostly are not dressed all that proper as most of the attendees are. They really seem out of place. 

Mooney Manor. Ultra-luxury has nothing on this place. Or it's familial residents.

After a couple hours of the usual schmoozing, the main event of the evening is about to begin. On the second floor balcony, appear the Baron and Baroness Mooney. Two of the most immaculate and beautiful people the party has ever seen. Nothing is perfect, but these two demanded the next closest thing and they certainly received it. They quiet the room just by making their entrance(anyone could hear the ooh's and ahh's in the crowd). The power couple go through the usual spiel of thanking everyone for coming. How proud they are to be a part of something so great. With the recent scare of losing yet another Shadowborn, how important it is to really dig deep and help out the wizadry organization responsible for housing and helping(err, studying) the Shadowborn. They then invite everyone into the main ballroom where they will present the newest members of Ravens Bluff's House For The Gifted, i.e. the folk seen standing on the stage. The ballroom fills up quickly as everyone comes to see the main attraction, like tourists at a zoo. And even as this gawking is happening, the collection plates are out in full force. Even two-wheeled coin carriers are dispersed for the heavy hitters who are donating. The hired Bard band breaks into song as each of the newest Shadowborn are introduced as the lovely new members of The Living City. They are humans, elves, half elves, etc. All brought here tonight by the Wizards in charge of the Home. The Baron steps up onto the stage to announce that one of these lucky new members of the local populace are going to be chosen to be known as the Uptown District's 'Shadowborn Representative'. In a way to help these folk assimilate back into normal life in their new home of Ravens Bluff, their uncontrolled gifts be damned. Eventually according to the Baron, the plan is to have a Shadowborn Representative in every city district that will help ALL Shadowborn learn to live normal lives.

Suddenly, all the flame and magic light in the manor house go out! It's pitch black. Screams. Shuffling and shoving happen. Yelling voices. Plates and glasses breaking. It's pandemonium. And then, there's silence. And in the silence, a distant…reverberation. Its slight, but almost tangible. Anyone conscious can feel the air around them sort of…pulsating for a moment. And then from what feels like the bellows of the very world itself, a ferocious roar rumbles through the house. As if it were rushing through the very walls of the house itself and into the skies above. And then silence once more as one by one, all the candle lights in the house begin to re-illuminate. Coming into view, are all the party guests. Some are on the floor, getting up from getting stepped on. Some minor injuries the party is guessing. There are other folk holding each other tight, even strangers. There are others, just standing there, eyes wide, mouths agape at what just occurred. And upon the stage, Baron Mooney is himself getting up off the stage floor, as he stares at the Shadowborn. They all too are scared witless, asking each other if they are OK. None seem hurt from here. Then, the Baron himself looks out amongst the crowd with eyes wet, and with a shaky hand he points to the state and cries out…"there's only nine!"

FIN