Session 92: Speeches and Exploding Men
General Summary
- N'nchyk hosted the first meeting of the Flametide Circle, and it was much, MUCH more crowded than he had imagined. He frantically scrambled to obtain refreshments, and realized he did not have a method of speaking to such a large crowd. He requested the aid of a cleric, and the cleric Red Oath stepped forward, bravely volunteering to transmit N'nchyk's words via Thaumaturgy. N'nchyk began a lecture on the ideals of druidic belief, specifically the values that the Flametide Circle represents - celebrating differences, refraining from categorizing between "natural" and "unnatural", embracing cycles, accepting change, and the importance of things like foraging, first aid, and tracking. By the end of the 8 hour lecture, N'nchyk was ready to Awaken a nearby oak tree, which he called Firstday. As Firstday lifted N'nchyk atop one of his tallest limbs, N'nchyk spotted an individual that gave him a start - a Gaunt Man. Once he approached, he spoke in a horrid voice, saying, "You seek to plant a Circle anew, new yet old, extinguishing the fire. No pure plant rises from rotten roots. Seedfather, Firstroot, Rotten One. Your lichen will taint this world with flesh." He then exploded in a revolting mix of flesh, lichen, and fungi. Ashpin stepped in to cast Calm Emotions, and a large portion of the crowd quickly dispersed and departed.
- Ashpin spoke to the Sharn Council once again. He asked Bianca about Hruitt, the owl that Ashpin had taken the place of. Bianca said sweetly (and dishonestly) that she did not know where he was. Gavinathyx then approached Ashpin about what he knew about Droaam, and Ashpin hit her with the "lemme loop back with you offline".
- Viribus went to Glyphwork Foundry, but changed his mind and left.
- Several members of the Crew went to speak with Professor Quillicarious, unfortunately for them. Many things were discussed - mushroom aphrodisiacs, bone flutes, Calsalonia, golden constitution mushrooms, and the offer of Fortuna Fortinaticus,. Njord was left with the Professor, who revealed a brief, tiny, rare display of sanity when presented with Njord.
- Bagan revealed to the Crew what he had been working on for the past couple weeks, amidst a fit of mountain giant-sized stomach problems. They were cloak brooches, made of the scales of Zorvoth, as a reminder that the Anvilbenders were with them wherever they went.
- Ashpin went to the King's Citadel base located in Sharn to speak with the warforged and shifters that had been apprehended under admission of being Droaam agents. Ashpin was confronted by Captain Mara d'Kundarak, a heavily armored dwarf, who was unwilling to let Ashpin in any further without any further identification or documentation. Commander Thaleon, a tall, silver-haired officer, stepped in to bring Ashpin to the prisoners. Ashpin seemed rather preoccupied, and could not get much from the prisoners. They did not know the Sophists, but said the Harbingers' place in the Prophecy was true but displaced. The warforged, M1T1, recalled a quote from Sora Teraza - “The wind from Breland carries more than war drums… it stirs the dust that coats forgotten seals. Ancient dust rises not on its own”. He said there was more valuable information he wished to share, but could not in their current situation. In a last-ditch pitch of desparation, M1T1 implored Ashpin to ask about the Kings Lanterns Gala.
- Upon consulting Professor Quillicarious about the mushroom-origin disease outbreak, he provided a piece of advice that seemed obvious to him, and quite brilliant to N'nchyk - flumph ink. When combined with the existing tincture of the Jorasco medics, it worked extremely well in curing the disease. In fact, individuals who consumed the flump ink cure began to "spread" their cure to others who had not consumed it, allowing for the rapid removal of the disease. Ashpin used this as a platform to secure the mycology department an entirely unprecedented grant - and a generous one at that. Ashpin also credited the work of Jorasco medics in helping cure the disease.
- Finally, to cap off the Crew's return to Sharn was the speech, requested and hosted by the Sharn Council. To formally introduce the Crypt Crew, Gavinathyx welcomed to the podium Brucos, Guildsman Emeritus of the Sharn Civic League, Chairman of the Sharn Urban Renewal Initiative, Citizen Laureate of Breland’s Capital. "It is with the highest honor that I welcome back the fated Crypt Crew. Our long-lost champions are living proof that even in the most isolated exile, one can still dream of making a difference. Their achievements truly exceed themselves, for they are far greater than any of their parts.It is with pleasure that I have chosen to establish the Crypt Crew Foundation: a charitable organization dedicated to defeating the evil force that conquered them. Any and all donations will be dedicated towards the Crypt Crew’s true legacy.And what a legacy indeed, for it is only through struggle that cities like ours are forged anew. In chaos, we find clarity. In war, we find truth. We must never forget that the greatest power lies in those who endure the flame, who break their chains to return to us stronger than ever. I turn now to the Crypt Crew themselves. In the coming speech, and in the weeks ahead, we will hear many things. I urge you all to keep your hearts open—and your ears sharper still. Let us celebrate their return now, for who knows what the coming days will bring? Let us now welcome to the podium, the men of the hour — the Crypt Crew!"
- Brucos and Ashpin passed each other on their way to and from the podium. They engaged in a steely, cold handshake, and locked eyes. Ashpin shot him an impassioned message telepathically, and Brucos riposted in kind.
- Ashpin then proceeded with his portion of the speech. He proclaimed the importance of the Silver Flame's values in these dark times. He denounced the war, said they were bested by an enemy that sought to weaken Breland, but it was not Droaam. The crowd, and the army of press, erupted into confused, angry, and chaotic yells and shouts. Viribus, quickly stepping forward, made a proclamation - procuring the head of Zorvoth, saying this was the dragon responsible for the attack against the 594th Annual Congressional Discourse of Breland - and the Crew has hunted and killed the beast responsible, thus explaining their absence.
- Thiccok Nigrix escorted the Crew off the stage.
Report Date
19 May 2025
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