Session 20: Beer, Broads, and Bags of Finholding

Report by Desiree :)  

23 Calithra 1356

  On her own, Fina‌ heads back outside the city walls to a nondescript, seedy shop--the place where she bought her disguise kit before ever meeting the party. Fina‌ removes her disguise before entering, and the shop's proprietor, a halfling woman, immediately recognizes her. Fina‌ presents the stolen goods from the palace in Orbwick, and agrees to a trade with the woman, taking a set of enchanted lockpicks, a landmine-like gadget that creates an antimagic field (the shopkeeper getting a bit shorter when she shows how the device works), and a scroll of Dispel Magic.   Fina‌ also presses the woman for some information about recent going-ons in Hennebrück; the shopkeeper explains that there has been a string of disappearances "of people who wouldn't be missed" that halted after the attack; all the victims were linked by a cloaked figure or figures seen handing people envelopes before the victims vanished. There have also been rumors of peasant uprisings and shadowy groups organizing to overthrow the Prince; the shopkeeper asks if Fina‌ is some sort of revolutionary, to which Fina‌ answers "No, no... not here, anyway."   Elsewhere in the city, Feliks‌ and Star‌ go to a strudel stand outside the city walls, and Nyandrea‌ disguises herself as a cloaked woman and gets in line behind the pair. Feliks‌ is indecisive, and Star‌ buys one of every flavor of strudel the stand has. Nyandrea‌ in disguise tries to gets Feliks‌' attention through eye contact, who misconstrues the attention and offers the woman a strudel. Nyandrea‌ declines, then orders a peach strudel and walks away slowly, though remaining within eyesight. Star‌ picks up that there's something suspicious about this woman, who has a specific interest in Feliks‌.   Star‌ quickly comes up with a plan, pulling Feliks‌ into an alley and shapeshifting into a duplicate of Feliks‌ before the woman pursues them. Nyandrea‌ launches into a performance where she pretends to be Alex, and Feliks‌ immediately turns and flees, at which point Star‌ casts Dispel Magic on her. Star‌ and Nyandrea‌ get into an argument about whether this was mean or necessary, and Nyandrea‌ argues that it's important that Feliks‌ be able to deal with his anxiety about Alex before they catch her, and the group might need to modify their tactics. Feliks‌ returns from where he was hiding around the corner and tells Nyandrea‌ that was "kind of fucked up." Nyandrea‌ apologizes, explaining why she did it, and Feliks‌ agrees, calling it a "good test," but asking her never to do that again. Nyandrea‌ agrees, as long as it's never needed. At that, they realize they should find an inn and a Fina‌. Star‌ shares the strudels with Nyandrea‌, and Nyandrea‌ encourages Feliks‌ to disguise himself, since both Alex and the Inquisitor‌ may be able to recognize him. He isn't worried about Alex recognizing him, but disguises himself anyway—with Star‌ following suit—and the group goes looking for a tavern that Nyandrea‌ is a fan of from her time in the city: the Bay, Beer, and Broads.   Feliks‌ asks if they're going to get complimentary service; Nyandrea‌ is unsure, then reminisces about how this place was where she had her first drink (at age 14). Location decided, Feliks‌ casts Sending to Fina‌ to apologize about earlier, saying they're at "The Triple Bs", and the tail end of the message running long. Fina‌ does not reply.  

Grey: I played a character once who was the only person in the party that had Sending. He was a nobleman, and so every single time he would do Sending to anyone, he would start with, "It is I, Ivan Roth von Duke Istenian the XIV." Which is ten words.

  (In an alley somewhere outside the city's walls, Fina‌ is halfway to getting a little sleeping nook set up when she receives Feliks‌' message; she gives an exasperated sigh, pettily refusing to reply, but packing her bedroll back up and setting out to wander aimlessly through the streets looking for this tavern, which she has the wrong name for.)   The group then discusses how many rooms to get again; after some discussion, they decide on two rooms: one for Feliks‌ and Star‌, one for Nyandrea‌ and Fina‌; Nyandrea‌ mentions she can't sleep by herself, and Star‌ comments that it's also good because someone needs to keep an eye on Fina‌. Feliks‌ mentions that the group fails at this last point all the time, and there's some reminiscing about the time Fina‌ murdered someone right in front of them. Feliks‌ mentions that he wishes he hadn't seen that, since it complicates his friendship with Fina‌, and Nyandrea‌ chimes in that the past couple of weeks as a whole have been "kind of crazy." There's some discussion on whether the group has committed two or three murders, and whether Reinhold‌ counts as a murder or self-defense.   The group arrives at the tavern and goes in; Nyandrea‌ approaches Olrik, the dwarven proprietor. They greet each other heartily, and after some confusion, she orders the two rooms, and Olrik puts them on the house—as long as Nyandrea‌ tells a story. Feliks‌ asks Nyandrea‌ to tell the story about the murder-birds, but Nyandrea‌ says she has a new story to tell...  

...a really old one that I just heard recently. Gather 'round, punks!
...Oh, I'm solo with a special performance tonight. See, I've recently gotten to travel far and talk to many mystical beings... and I have new stories. It won't be usual Worshipper fare, but exciting nonetheless.
See, back when the world was young, before the countries grew and rose into their formidable current selves, before the light of the Seven graced this fair continent... there were yet very mystical beings, vying for control over the land. Large beings, as large as mountains—snakes that could wrap the whole continent in their bodies. Others that rose from the grounds, whole ranges in themselves. Yes, that was a time of great conflict: all around the world, the continent was set into uproar by the descent of a dark, dark ruler.
I'm sure you've heard of that country? That one that you don't hear much about? But what you might not know is the one they praise. Ooh, a shadowy legend... Zaphaqui'rem. Yes, a fallen star, one obsessed with ruling the skies and the lands alike. One that imposed his will on our young land—or at least tried to. See, in his arrogance, in his desire for power and glory, so full of himself, he could not see that he had been deceived and betrayed. By one so small, so—apparently—weak. A random... nothing, who nonetheless, upon roving the land, had found a way to banish him. If only it were for all time.
Anyway, that's all oooold news. Nowadays, we bask in the light of the Seven.

  Nyandrea‌ finishes by chugging her entire drink, and the room erupts in laughter and clapping. Feliks‌ leans over to Star‌ and whispers that he likes the murder-birds story more. Star‌ agrees, noting that they don't like that Nyandrea‌ is using people and creatures that they know as stories to entertain Isserians‌—though also points out that, the more people know about Zaphaqui'rem, the better. Feliks‌ agrees, but decides he'd like to go to his room. Just as he's saying this, Nyandrea‌ brings over a round of drinks, and Feliks‌ decides to stay a bit longer. Nyandrae waves off Star‌'s praise, saying she's just "cool by association" with the Worshipers. Star‌ points out that everyone here knew her by name, and Feliks‌ adds that she's a really good storyteller in her own right, and that he enjoys her stories. Nyandrea‌ thanks him, and comments that the story wasn't as detailed or accurate as it could have been, but that she'll refine it with time and practice. Feliks‌ mentions he's tired, so Nyandrea‌ hands over one of the room keys and decides she'll stay up here until Fina‌ arrives—and keep all three drinks for herself.   [Out of character, there is some discussion about what the name of the tavern is, and it morphs into "Bay's Best Beer and Broads," which makes the "Triple Bs" moniker from earlier even more inaccurate.]   Feliks‌ sends Fina‌ another Sending, asking for a reply so they know she's safe. Fina‌ finally replies, bitterly saying she's lost and that she'll see them whenever she finds the place. Feliks‌ tells the other two that Fina‌ is good. Nyandrea‌ asks if Fina‌ has directions, and Feliks‌ mentions he told her it was the Triple Bs and that Fina‌ should be able to figure it out from there. Nyandrea‌ mentions that someone will be able to point it out if Fina‌ asks, and Feliks‌ realizes Fina‌ definitely won't ask for directions. With that, Feliks‌ thanks Nyandrea‌ for the story (and earlier trauma) and heads up the stairs with Star‌ close behind. Nyandrea‌ calls up after them that they're going to talk more strategy later.   Fina‌ rolls a 7 on her Investigation to find the place, and after an hour of fruitless searching, casts her own Sending to Nyandrea‌.  

Oliver: Who are you Sending?
Desiree: Not Feliks, he gives poor directions; not Star, because Star'd definitely just use it to fuck with her; so Nyandrea gets it.
Grey: God dammit!

  Fina‌ Sends that she's been lost for an hour and cannot find the place, asking for directions or landmarks. Nyandrea‌ responds, clearly very drunk:  

Clock... tower. Eight o'clock. Go east. Find sign, "BBB." Redfish.

  Fina‌ heads to the clocktower and goes east, apparently misconstruing the intended directions entirely ("Face east, put the clocktower at your 8:00 position, then walk in that direction"). Some above-table conversation occurs about how the dark esotera of Vector Geometry, and it is concluded that Fina‌ is entirely lost, so she finds an alley near the clocktower with some boxes she can tuck up behind, sets up her bedroll, and goes to sleep there.   With Fina‌ never arriving at the tavern, Nyandrea‌ eventually drunk-stumbles her way into the other bedroom, and falls asleep halfway on the bed.   Feliks‌ and Star‌ settle in to go to sleep; Feliks‌ comments they could have gotten a nicer room, and Star‌ complains that the view would just be of the "shitty city." Feliks‌ sits up on the bed and apologizes for running away earlier, explaining that he knew Alex wouldn't hurt Star‌ and that he doesn't feel like he should be here at all, that Alex wouldn't want him here. When pressed, Feliks‌ admits he's only here because he wants to help her, even if she doesn't want his help... and admits that he's more than likely mostly just scared. He goes on to say that it wasn't great the last time he saw her, and that he doesn't want to hurt her or put her in more danger than she's already in, and that he thinks he does that even when he's trying not to.   Star‌ asks what the solution is; Feliks‌ says he just has to suck it up and figure out how to help her, even though it hurts. Feliks‌ admits Alex is the one who set the boundaries on their current relationship, but he doesn't know why. Star‌ comments that they have a very unhealthy relationship, and Feliks‌ agrees that it's been since Alex murdered his mother and almost murdered his brother—but it was very good before that. Feliks‌ admits he thinks this is his fault for bucking his father's plans for his life—if he'd married Isaac, it would have at least happened differently.   Star‌ hesitates, then asks if this was always Alex plan, manipulating Feliks‌. Feliks‌ immediately dismisses the idea, saying she wouldn't have known, and wouldn't have done this on purpose, bringing up the vampire thralls in Clara‌'s chambers. Star‌ asks if Alex is under someone's control, and Feliks‌ says the was, but probably isn't any longer. Star‌ asks why she would be avoiding Feliks‌ at this point; Feliks‌ replies that there's no way he can trust her after what's happened, and that she can't trust herself around him. He then explains that after Alex was arrested, Feliks‌ spoke to her, and she said she didn't remember what happened, and didn't know what was going on; Feliks‌ believed her and helped her escape. Feliks‌ pauses, then says he does trust her, but doesn't know if she's safe to be around, or if she's safe in general.   Star‌ says that they need to find her, not because of their orders, but because it's important to Feliks‌. Feliks‌ says he's not sure if he can handle figuring it out, and Star‌ says that Feliks‌ will spend the rest of his life like this, uncertain and afraid, if he doesn't do it. Star‌ says they know what that's like, and don't want it for Feliks‌; if there's a solution, Feliks‌ should be running towards that, not away from her. Feliks‌ explains his anxiety, the knot in his stomach, and the dreams, and the loss of everything that could have been.   "That's dumb!" Star‌ stands up on the bed and looks Feliks‌ in the eye, lambasting Feliks‌ for thinking that it'll never be good again; they've lived for a thousand years, and sees that "it always gets good again, and nobody ever knows." Star‌ goes on to say that Feliks‌ needs to find her and say, "I love you and I forgive you." Feliks‌ says he already forgives her, but that maybe Alex doesn't know that. Star‌ asks why Feliks‌ is so afraid, and he explains that it wasn't just his mother who died that night, and that he should have been able to protect them both. Star‌ asks how. Feliks‌ then explains that, when he rebelled from his father's plan for his life, Feliks‌' father said that Feliks‌ would regret it—maybe not now, but eventually. And that he was right, and that all of his happiness collapsed in a single night—his wife, his daughter, his brother, himself. And that he feels he mostly is the cause of all of this.   Star‌ consoles Feliks‌, saying that it wasn't his fault, and that he needs to stop thinking of it like that, because he can't help her if he thinks that way. Feliks‌ says he isn't sure he can help her at all, and Star‌ reminds him that he's not alone. Star‌ says everyone is going to do the best they can, but that Feliks‌ has to, too; Feliks‌ promises not to run away the next time. Star‌ and Feliks‌ share a hug.   Feliks‌ says Alex is a good person, and that he thinks the two of them would get along, because they're both "sneaky little bastards." Star‌ draws a dagger and holds it to Feliks‌, telling him to take that back. Feliks‌ laughs and refuses, and Star‌ stabs him. Feliks‌ is taken aback and asks what that was about, grabbing at the wound. Star‌ deflects and makes an excuse, casting Cure Wounds on Feliks‌; Feliks‌ easily forgives Star‌, thanking him for the healing.  

Feliks: I'm very distracted from the other trauma by this new trauma.

  They joke a bit about Star‌ cutting Feliks‌' heart out and replacing it with something cooler, like a teleportation stone, then as Star‌ says they should get some sleep, Feliks‌ asks for a favor: if they run into Feliks‌' father, he asks Star‌ to stop Feliks‌ from doing something stupid. Star‌ asks, "Stupid how," and Feliks‌ insinuates he would attempt to get answers from the man by any means necessary, despite how he's a powerful wizard. Star‌ comments that, even though she isn't just a tool for the group to use, but they could totally use Fina‌ to get info from Feliks‌' father, without a fight. Feliks‌ mentions he's worried about Fina‌, since she'd be a target for his father if he knew about her talents; Star‌ interrupts, saying that he probably already does, since it feels like everything is somehow connected in a giant evil conspiracy. Star‌ says they should kill him, and Feliks‌ says he'd rather not, that he wants to make him feel powerless and small. Star‌ mentions they could shrink him, and the pair share a laugh. Star‌ then sums up the conversation:  

Star: I just want to say, focus on Alex, and focus on the good that you can do. You think about that bad too much, you're just going to end up bad.

  They share a little bit more light banter, and one more giant eagle summon in the bedroom, then they agree that they need to go to bed, and get their rest.      

24 Callithra 1356

  (Happy birthday, Oliver!)   The next morning, Feliks‌ gets up early goes for a walk to get more strudel. Fina‌ buys some bread and disguises herself as an old man going to feed the birds, then casts Sending to Feliks‌, saying that he should meet her at the clocktower. (Both Feliks‌ and Fina‌ fail Perception checks and notice nothing out of the ordinary.) Once they rendezvous, she uses her Telepathy to tell Feliks‌ she'll follow behind is secret to keep an eye out for Alex, which Feliks‌ agrees to once Fina‌ promises not to try to Telepathy at Alex. Feliks‌ returns to the tavern with Fina‌ trailing behind, and Feliks‌ goes in to eat breakfast and explain the plan for today to the others while Fina‌ sits outside keeping watch. (As Fina‌ settles in to keep watch, she fails to notice anything out of the ordinary.)   During this time, Nyandrea‌ has woken up with a hangover and gone straight to the tavern for a stiff drink ("hair of the cat"), while Star‌ sleeps in, as usual. Feliks‌ walks in and spots Nyandrea‌ at the bar, asking how she slept. Nyandrea‌ replies that she's fine testily, then asks if Fina‌ ever arrived. Nyandrea‌ says she was just about to order breakfast, and Feliks‌ mentions he bought more strudels, to which Nyandrea‌ comments she's not really in the mood for sugar today. Feliks‌ mentions that Star‌ summoned another giant bird in their bedroom last night, to which Nyandrea‌ says, "Makes sense" nonchalantly. There's an awkward pause, and Feliks‌ heads upstairs to wake up Star‌, and Nyandrea‌ says she'll meet him upstairs after she eats.   Outside, Fina‌ is sitting on a bench, crumbling bread up to feed to the birds, one of whom picks up a chunk of bread and flies back up to a nearby rooftop, landing next to a cloaked figure who is watching the tavern (thanks to a ridiculous natural 20). As Fina‌ steals glances, she is able to make out that the figure is a woman with a deep blue braid, almost like water. Rather than notify her allies like a sensible person, Fina‌ shuffles off to an alleyway, scribbles a note that she rips from her journal, and magically tosses it up to the rooftop before returning to her bench. Alex notices the note and picks it up, reading:  

Hi Alex. My name is Fina, and I am a frend of Feliks. I think we should talk. Feliks told me what hapened to your family, and I think I can help figur out who fucced fuked with your mind. I am disgised as the man feeding birds. Talk to me when we have a chans alone.
I will have to tell Feliks you are folowing, but not yet. We can speek first.

  Feliks‌ barges into the shared room in the tavern and yells for Star‌ to get up; Star‌ remains motionless. Undeterred, Feliks‌ shoves a strudel into Star‌'s mouth. Star‌ whines softly, and Feliks‌ says Nyandrea‌ is waiting on them for something, and Star‌ remains recalcitrant. They joke a bit that the plan is to destroy the clocktower, then Star‌ reluctently sits up and starts rubbing her eyes. Feliks‌ explains the situation with Fina‌, and Star‌ comments that that's just what Fina‌ does: "she's creepy and likes to follow." They joke a bit more, then shift to talking about Nyandrea‌ and how she's drinking downstairs. Star‌ seems a little confused and asks about what happened last night, only remembering something about birds, which Feliks‌ elaborates on. Feliks‌ heads downstairs to wait with Nyandrea‌ while Star‌ "gets ready" (goes back to sleep).   Downstairs in the meantime, Nyandrea‌ is enjoying a nice sausage and eggs breakfast, hunched over, eating very slowly and deliberately. Feliks‌ joins her and says Star‌ will be joining them soon. Nyandrea‌ seems skeptical, and Feliks‌ says he trusts Star‌ not to lie to him. Nyandrea‌ comments she's never going to drink again, then swigs from her mug. Feliks‌ mentions that Fina‌'s here sort-of, but waits until they're back in the bedroom before elaborating. Nyandrea‌ finishes her food and follows, and the two of them find Star‌ back asleep. Nyandrea‌ comments that maybe Star‌ is just a Kitsune child who needs the extra sleep. Not bothering to wake Star‌, Feliks‌ explains the plan for Fina‌ to tail the group, and Nyandrea‌ puts together that Feliks‌ shouldn't disguise himself, as he's playing the bait today. Feliks‌ agrees, mentioning he stands out. They decide they will head to the home of Frederick von Burka first, and that Fina‌ will definitely let them know if she notices anything out of the ordinary. Feliks‌ wraps Star‌ in a sheet and straps her to his back to let her sleep in; Nyandrea‌ objects, and Star‌ objects to the objection, having been awake the whole time. Star‌ insists on wanting to be carried, and turns into a baby so carrying her around is inconspicuous. There's an altercation over whether a baby can have strudels, and the group heads out.   (Cutting back outside, Oliver asks Dess if she's certain of this potentially catastrophic course of action.)  

Rory: Out of character, I am so stressed. When I made my wife an assassin, I did not think she would murder my friends. That was clearly my fault.

  Alex reads the note, then watches Fina‌ on the bench for a moment, standing there. Alex turns and takes a running leap to the next rooftop before turning and looking at Fina‌ expectantly. Fina‌ takes that as her cue, getting up and following on the ground into a dark alleyway without mentioning where she's going to the others.  

(Oliver, quietly to themself: Oh, you don't stand a chance.)
Oliver: Okay... This is fine. Ooooh goodness...
Kabena: Nyandrea's specifically said, "I'm sure she'll let us know if anything changes."
Rory: Every time Oliver says, "This is fine"...
Grey: It's not fine!
Rory: ...both Feliks and I age about 47 years.

  Fina‌ follows her into a crowded marketplace, where she briefly loses sight of Alex before spotting a copy of Nyandrea‌ making eye contact before pressing into the crowd. Fina‌ follows, but finally has half a pang of common sense and Sends to Feliks‌: "Slight change of plans; I will meet you at the house that Ana‌ sent us to." Feliks‌ responds: "Hey Fina‌, are you going to get more bread? Can you maybe pick up some milk for the baby? And a cherry strudel bottle. Are—" Fina‌ seems extremely confused, but presses on with her (very smart) course of action.  

Rory (to Desiree): Feliks is going to be utterly destroyed by the end of this week, and it's all your fault.
Grey: If I have my way, absolutely.

  Fina‌ follows "Nyandrea‌" through the crowd and is lead into a large greenhouse. Fina‌ hesitates, getting an idea of her location, then heads into the building. Inside, a kindly old lady offers Fina‌ a flower, which Fina‌ reaches for with trepidation—the old lady grabs Fina‌'s hand and twists her fingers back, pulling Fina‌ in close for a whisper, demanding to know how Fina‌ knows Feliks‌; Fina‌ replies that she's been traveling with Feliks‌ for about three weeks. Alex mentions she knows that the group is looking for her, then questions what kind of spellcaster doesn't know how to spell common words. Alex lets her go, and Fina‌ steps back and removes her disguise. There's a hint of recognition in Alex' eyes, and she sighs and frowns. She looks Fina‌ over, commenting that this complicates things while she considers what to do. Fina‌ fails to get a read on the situation, beyond some general hostility. Alex makes her decision, and starts walking out of the building, reaching for the flower in Fina‌'s hand—as a feint as Alex stabs Fina‌ in the side with a knife hidden in her other hand.  

Oliver: Cool, so uh, at this point, I say, do we want to end the session here?
Rory, Kabena, and Grey simultaneously: No!?

  Fina‌ grasps at her side and curls over, commenting that "She tried this their way; time to stop being nice" as she casts heightened spell Suggestion... to no effect. Fina‌ scurries toward one of the exits, trying to get away. Alex seems to almost play with Fina‌ as she throws another dagger at her, which strikes Fina‌, though the wound bleeds black ichor before rapidly closing itself, leaving no harm and a very confused Fina‌. Alex frowns a little at that, hopping up from her casual sitting position and blocks the nearest exit. Fina‌ uses this opportunity to twin cast Sending to both Feliks‌ and, urgently scrambling for anyone who can help her, the Teacher‌:  

This is Fina; I'm the greenhouse in Hennebrück. I'm under attack from Alex. If you want me, come get me.

  Feliks‌ quickly replies to Fina‌, saying, "Tell her you know about Nico, and want to help." He then immediately casts Sending to Alex:  

Forget the tiefling. I want to talk, now. I won't give you another chance if you hurt her.

  Alex replies:  

I can't. Feliks, I can't. You need to leave the city. The tiefling is lost. The princess wants her. I don't know why, but she--

 

Rory: Oh no, Oliver.
Oliver: You're welcome.

  Feliks‌ suddenly does an about face, demanding from Nyandrea‌ to know where the greenhouse is, explaining that Fina‌ is being attacked. Nyandrea‌ and Star‌ both quickly try to identify nearby greenhouses, and Star‌ quickly remembers two from their time here previously. Star‌ summons giant eagles, and the group takes flight toward one of the greenhouses. Feliks‌ casts another panicked Sending to Alex:  

Feliks: She is not lost. She is my friend. i promised i would help her. Please. I can’t fail another person i care for.
Alex: Feliks, I'm trying. I... She wants her alive. But you should run. If you come after her... Feliks, I can't... not you. Please. I can't--

  At the other greenhouse, where Fina‌ and Alex are, Alex pauses and carefully aims a dagger, slashing Fina‌ across the throat. Fina‌ collapses to the ground in a pool of blood. Alex walks over to her, staring down at the body for a moment. She pulls Fina‌'s Bag of Holding away and sets it aside, then places a strange mask over Fina‌'s mouth and nose before pulling her into Alex' own Bag of Holding. Alex stands up, pauses, and places one of her daggers very deliberately in the center of the pool of blood before turning and walking out of the greenhouse.