Session 105: No One of Note

Morning arrived and the party began readying themselves for the Frostbrand Forging. As Levi and Blue were preparing breakfast, Easóg arrived in her white coat and proudly sported a rabbit as a kill. While the first batch of Levi's food was not of particular note, it was better than anything Blue had ever eaten before and so she happily packed it up as Levi began to work on a second breakfast, which turned out much better.   Aurielle Sunweaver and Ashwyn Mariglow arrived at the villa and the party prepared themselves to head to the villa for the Court of Snow and Ice. As the autumn trees gave way to the winter trees bare of leaves and the tall coniferous pines, a freezing rain and whipping wind began to blow. They found a golem, sculpted in the form of a woman--Gundrun. Wordlessly, the golem lead the party to Sneachda who led them through a tunnel that ran through the snowy mountains. As they walked, Sneachda shared a bit of her past and her fondness for Winter, believing it to be not a season of death, but rather one of memory. Snow and ice keep their forms forever. She shared her story of working the forge for her village--the heat of the fire on her face with the cold of the ice at her back. The heat bends metal, makes it pliable--allows it to change. But when it is shaped, it is thrust into the snow to cool--as the cold lets it remain in its new shape. She said she hopes that the Forging does that for her Court and the Frost Prince, that the warmth of the creations will make change that will last forever.   They exited the tunnel into an open-ceiling chamber that was protected from the wind, but it was still remarkably cold, forcing everyone to try to keep warm from the snow. Tertius, Ilbryen, and Aisling all suffered from the cold, gaining exhaustion.   The area was set up with several glowing forges, where people also gathered for heat. But there were tools for sculpting, parchment with ink vials suspended over candle flame to keep the ink from freezing, and all sorts of crafting equipment.   Representatives from the other Courts were already present, many gathered near the forges for warmth.   Ilbryen saw Mitch who was freezing. Ilbryen offered a coat to Mitch to keep warm, but he initially declined, saying that it was the Goblin King who instructed him not to bundle up because they were a Winter Court, and therefore should just suck it up. After Ilbryen pointed out that they would violate the Goblin King's rule by wearing the coat, Mitch agreed that breaking rules is in the spirit of the Goblin Court, and he took the coat. He thanked Ilbryen for the letter, but admitted that he could not read, so they read it to them and offered to teach him to read.   Aisling Hollowthorne saw Aisling and immediately went to her and hugged her, thanking her for the letter explaining the difference between kisses and warning her about Sir Hearts Aflame's motives in his kiss. She said that even though they are the same, it is like they are looking out for one another like they are each the other one's big sister, as she tells her that she threatened Illevaere for being mean to her. Aisling talked Almost-Aisling from making Illevaere disappear to just annoying them. Almost-Aisling then invited Aisling to join her and the Fractured Princess in making snow angels, and reassures her that it isn't like it sounds--they are not killing snow. Aisling agrees to join them later.   Illevaere speaks with Squamulose, who has grown tubular white tendils of fungus--clavaria fragilis--a fungus that thrives in arctic cold. Illevaere spoke with them to ask about their sprouting of Psilofyr's spores on their cloak, asking what they were allowed to do with it. Squamulose said that Psilofyr entrusted them, so they are free to do as they will with the sprout since it is not connected to the great network of Mycelium. Illevaere asked it Psilofyr was edible and, while Squamulose herself has not eaten any form of Psilofyr, some mushrooms are poisonous and others are completely edible, but poison should not be an issue for Illevaere.   Illevaere began to make some tea as their craft, considering using some of Psilofyr to create the drink. As they crafted their tea, they were approached by No One.   Levi set up a cooking fire to begin to cook up a warm meal for those who were interested, with Tertius assisting.   Ilbryen began to compose an epic poem of the party's exploits as Bolvaic joined to regail in the stories and Mitch assisted by telling Ilbryen to draw snails in the margins and creatures that are supposed to be cats but look nothing like actual cats. And, while the poem itself was only fair, the calligraphy was amazing.   During all of this, the Iron Swan had been pacing and looking anxious and finally sent Anwyn Brookmist to deliver a letter to the Frost Prince. He opened it and read it, offering a small amused smirk. He then rose and stepped forward from his throne and read the poem aloud to all:   A Sonnet From A Swan Unseen

My heart was forged in calm, unshaken air,
A sentinel whose pulse knew no desire;
No whispered charm nor beauty bright or fair
Could rouse a spark to kindle into fire.
Yet thou—whose silence holds a deeper cry,
Whose quietness weighs heavier than grief—
Dost bid my stern resolve to bend and sigh,
And offer longing neither soft nor brief.

I watch thee move as moonlight shapes the snow,
Untouched by all, remote as winter’s star;
And crave—against all vows I claim to know—
That thou might look on me from where thou art.
To be but once the object of thy sight
Would thaw the guard I’ve held my whole life tight.

The Frost Prince then let out a single, small chuckle and dropped the letter, letting it fall to the floor. The Iron Swan seemed mortified and embarrassed over its reading out loud and stormed out, but not before casting glares toward Levi. Anwyn watched her storm out and asked Myohn for advice, asking if she should challenge him to a duel for her knight's honor. Myohn told her that it would not do any good to get killed. She ultimately agreed, also realizing that it would be rather improper for a squire to challenge a prince. She settled on instead writing "dick" on the wall on her way out. Myohn asked if she meant to draw it as well, but she admitted that she hadn't gotten a good look at one yet, but had only felt one through the pants. Myohn told her to head back and write "dick" then hang out with Porter, to which she agreed for the purposes of research.   Myohn and Aisling performed their duet, using mage hand to play multiple instruments and prestidigitation to make snow fly from their instruments. Myohn sang:

In the hush of the north where the cold lights gleam,
Where the stars ring soft with a silver dream,
There’s a throne of rime on a hill of blue,
And a prince crowned bright with the morning’s dew.
Oh the winds all bow when he passes by,
And the moon holds still in the frozen sky.

(Pre-Chorus)
So gather round, all hearts aglow
The Frost Prince calls through the drifting snow.

(Chorus)
Raise your cups to the winter’s might,
To the ice-bound fey in the pale moonlight!
Dance and spin ’mid the swirling white,
For the Frost Prince rules tonight!
And at his side with thundered tread,
Sneachda, guardian vast and dread
But fear her not, for she’s honor led
At the Frost Prince’s festival tonight!

From the crystal boughs hangs a gleaming choir,
Every icicle sings with fey desire.
And the Frost Prince laughs as the children play,
Painting snowflakes new in a wintry way.
He commands the storm with a whispered tune,
And he carves a path for the silver moon.

(Pre-Chorus)

(Chorus)

(Bridge)
Hear the frost giant’s thunder-voice roll,
A vow carved deep in ancient soul:
“No harm shall come to prince nor hall
By my hand alone shall the stormwind fall!”
And the revelers cheer as the snowflakes rise,
Twisting like stars in the midnight skies.

(Final Chorus)
Raise your hearts to the winter’s grace,
To the fey court’s wild and wondrous place!
Spin with joy in the prince’s space,
For the Frost Prince smiles tonight!
Let Sneachda guard with a frozen roar,
Let the music shine to the forest’s core
And we’ll sing this song forevermore
Of the Frost Prince’s festival today!

Their performance was exceptional and caught the attention of those gathered, save the Frost Prince who still did not show much interest.   Aisling went and made snow angels with Almost-Aisling and the Fractured Princess, getting even more exhausted from the cold in the process. The party took their leave, though Aralmeni remained, continuing to craft a new maul for Bolvaic, using the metal and wood elements from the party, and melting down Grudgetaker.   Returning to the villa, some of the members took a bubble bath from Aisling's magical bubble bath in order to recover their exhaustion, though it was not able to allow Aisling to fully recover.   The party then set off for the villa of the Goblin Court to begin the Goblin Heist.  

At the Casino

  The party found themselves in a casino--Gnik's Grand Hall of Glorious Losses and Occasional Wins. Illevaere and Levi were seated at a blackjack table with another patron and Mitch was dealing cards in a tuxedo with a nametag that read "Parsley". Mitch had a ten showing while Illevaere had 13. The other patron had 17 and Levi had a K and a j-- neither of which were numbers. Mitch looked at Illevaere's cards and asked "Another?"  

Flashback

  All of the champions were in the Goblin Court's villa in a smoke filled room. The Goblin King stood before a table that the champions gathered around with crude blueprints laid out of the casino and he started to tell Illevaere and Levi their part in the plan.   "Right. Gnik will be up in the high roller's lounge on the second floor. No one can get up there unless they're on a winning streak, so Gnik can get his money back. So, one of new blackjack dealers, 'Parsley' will have... a little accident and Mitch will take his place. Illevaere. Levi. You two will be at Parsley's table and with a little slick card work, he'll make sure that you two have a profitable winning streak."  

At the Casino

  When Mitch asked if Illevaere wanted another card, they said yes. They got a nine, giving them 22. Mitch asked if they wanted another card, and eventually Illevaere held at 36. The confused patron held as did Levi. Mitch revealed that he had 18, and said that Illevaere had more than him, so they won. The other patron had less, so he lost and Levi didn't even have numbers, so he lost as well. It became very apparent that Mitch did not understand the rules of blackjack.   Meanwhile, Bolvaic was walking toward the kitchen carrying a small leather case with glass tubes in it. Yegor Sokolov walked with him, dressed nicely and wearing a pair of spectacles without lenses. A Pit Demon, Ba'alance, stood 18 feet tall and lead them to the kitchen area. He growled out to Bolvaic, "It's right in here, Proofreader Foamforge."  

Flashback

  Bolvaic was at the crowded table with the other champions. And the Goblin King let him know the plan.   "I've heard that you know your way around a drink, Bolvaic. You will be arriving as the local alcohol integrity specialist--a proofreader, because with just a drink, you can read the proof of the alcohol. Now, Gnik doesn't just have pit bosses working is casino. He also has a pit demon. You are going to stick near him and keep him occupied with your inspections. You are the muscle if it is needed. Once the high rollers move upstairs, you will want to inspect the upstairs bar. I've been planting stories of people getting sick on the brew in his casino, so you are there to test its integrity, but really you are there to step up if trouble brews and they need some muscle. But if you can also taint the kegs and fine Gnik for bad brews, all the better. But you won't be operating alone. You'll be with junior taster, Danny Hops."   He gave Bolvaic and Yegor each badges for their role and gave Yegor a pair of spectacles without lenses. Yegor asked what they were for, and the Goblin King told him they were to make him look smarter.  

At the Casino

  Ba'alance led Bolvaic and Yegor to the kitchen, telling them that they were just inspected last month and all their paperwork was in order. He tried to excuse himself to get back to the casino floor, but Bolvaic told him to stay. Unimpressed, he still readied to return to the floor, but then Bolvaic threatened to get his boss and Ba'alance sighed and remained, telling him that it should be a quick inspection since they don't have to worry about paperwork, but he was kept off of the casino floor for the time being.   Meanwhile, Ilbryen was sitting at a roulette table. They had a small bet on 18 red. The ball bounced and stopped in 28 black and Ilbryen felt a small trinket in their pocket.  

Flashback

  Ilbryen was at the table with the champions as the Goblin King looked at them and told them their part.   "Cobb, I've got something special in mind for you. I need you to get to the high roller's table. Since you are my herald, you will be delivering a special message to Gnik. But to get you up there..." He revealed three small silver lockets that Ilbryen recognized. Minet Reed, the Chronomancer, offered one to them before. They are Echoes of the Lost Moment, trinkets that can be destroyed to rewind time by 6 seconds to retake an action that has been taken. The King continued, "I stole these from the Court of Yestermorrow. I figured they're fine with it, because if they weren't, they would've undone my robbery. Anyhow, with these, you can make a killing at the roulette table. Be bold. Win enough to get up to the high roller's table. Don't be too suspicious. Make sure to spread out your wins to appear lucky and not back to back. But make sure you still have one left when you get up there."  

At the Casino

  As the ball landed on 28 black, Ilbryen glanced up at an empty space along the wall where a decorative suit of armor should have been.  

Flashback

  Around the table, the Goblin King pointed out the decorative standing suits of armor and told the Thorned Knight, "You see these suits of armor here. Well, one of them has gone missing, and that's where you come in. You are going to sneak in and stand in this empty space, pretending to be just an empty, decorative suit of armor and--" The Thorned Knight shook his head and turned to walk out, saying, "This is stupid. I'm out.  

At the Casino

  Ilbryen noted the empty space where the armor should be and let the losing bet stand for the moment.   Meanwhile, Aisling and Myohn arrived in the casino foyer. Two well dressed hobgoblins were standing with them, one looking at a paper on his clipboard, "So... you two are the performers... the, uh... Boom Boom Brothers?"  

Flashback

  Around the planning table, the Goblin King looked at Myohn and Aisling.   "Gnik likes his entertainment. He's hired entertainers to come up and perform in the high roller's lounge. This is how the two of you get up there. We'll make sure that the... entertainers don't show, so the two of you step up and take their place. Play it cool. You two performing in the high roller's lounge is vital. Do what you need to do to make sure you get up there on the stage."  

At the Casino

  One of the hobgoblins looked at a paper on his clipboard and asked with skepticism, "So... you two are the performers... the, uh... Boom Boom Brothers?" Myohn and Aisling immediately started to persuade the hobgoblins, assuring them that they were the brothers and one of the hobgoblins was convinced and said, "Yeah... I kind of see it" and began to escort them in.   The party looked around, seeing the pieces falling into place. The performers, Aisling and Myohn, on their way to set up on the second floor.

Mitch, was dealing blackjack and setting Illevaere and Levi up to win enough to be invited to the high roller's lounge.

Bolvaic and Yegor, wereoccupying the Pit Demon and inspecting the alcohol.

Ilbryen was at the roulette table, poised to get invited up to the high roller's table themselves.

Mira of the Shallow Pool walked along the casino floor, keeping everyone in eyesight.

Eirwen the Still-Breathing walked with Marlow Clyst, arm in arm, posing as a gambling couple.

Dr. Murk sat at one of the card tables, quietly watching everyone.
 

Flashback

  The Goblin King looked over the gathered champions and laid out the full plan once again.   "Okay, here's the plan. Illevaere, Levi, and Cobb get to the high roller's lounge by winning big down in the regular casino. The high roller take upstairs is poker. Gnik only bring up people getting lucky at the other games--he doesn't want people who know poker too well up there playing against him.

"Mitch will be sure to help out Illevaere and Levi at blackjack. Cobb reverses time to win big at roulette--but keeps one reverse time token for upstairs with Gnik.

"Bolvaic and Yegor pose as alcohol inspectors. They keep the Pit Demon occupied as the high rollers make their moves, but they go to check the upstairs bar once the high rollers move up there.

"Aisling and Myohn pose as the scheduled entertainers and get to the upstairs stage.

"Eirwen and Marlow pose as a couple and gamble lightly downstairs. Dr. Murk also gambles downstairs.

"Mira keeps an eye on everyone downstairs and uses 'message' to send secret messages to the team, making sure they are all on track.

"Hearts Aflame loiters about, just in case there needs to be a seduction.

"Black Bill is our eyes in the sky, circling the casino overhead to let us know if anything is coming.

"Mynki and Tertius arrive as a pair of high rollers. Tertius is a rich nobleman and Mynki uses her demonic connections to convince the pit demon that Tertius is a high roller. He will have a small fortune in his backpack that will need to be stored in the casino's vault. They'll look it over, think its just a regular bag of holding, and see nothing in it but gold and lock it away.

"Now, here is where things get real convoluted. Cobb is up at the high roller's lounge and discretely leaves the bag for Aisling. Aisling picks it up and says she needs to powder her nose. She heads out to the privy where the other Aisling is waiting. She pees if she has to, but then she slips into the backpack--the same one that is connected to the other backpack in the vault. Aisling 2 heads back to take Aisling 1's place. Aisling 1 then exits out of the backpack in the vault and finds the artifact--the Lucky Coin. But be careful! This is going to take feats of acrobatism. There are glyphs of warding on the floor.

"Aisling 2, meanwhile, returns from powdering her nose and joins Myohn in performing and everyone thinks its the same Aisling.

"Bolvaic and Yegor, meanwhile, 'test' the alcohol in the high roller's lounge, spiking Gnik's drinks to get him even more drunk and more sloppy.

"Everyone in the high roller's lounge find keep Gnik occupied and get as much information as they can from him. Aisling steals the coin and replaces it with the fake. Aisling then has the coin with them and switches back with Aisling.

"Aisling then slips the coin to one of the high rollers--but gives everyone else a coin, that way no one knows for certain that they had it or not and can avoid a zone of truth spell. The high rollers win against Gnik and he tries to earn his gold back with one last double or nothing bet. He tries to use his artifact, but it doesn't work.

"Then, Cobb, you use your herald powers and tell him, "Ha! Ha! The Goblin King stole it from you, sucker!" Get a good look at his reaction, then use your last token to undo that so he doesn't know that I did it, but you can describe what his face looked like to me later.

"Then, downstairs, Eirwen collapses. Marlow yells, "Is there a doctor in the house?" Dr. Murk comes over and says that Eirwen has a very contagious disease and the premises must be immediately evacuated. Then, on the way out, whichever high roller has the coin tosses it into the fountain to make a wish on their way out.

"Then, Zadock--you can breathe water, right? You've been waiting all this time in the drain system of the fountain. When it comes and falls down the drain, you collect it and swim away.