Session 0037 : Something Wicked This Way Comes

Trapped at 4 p.m.

Down in the sealed well, time blurred. After a short rest, Cathlynn recovered enough magic to try a climb. Plan: cast spider climb on Lev; Cathlynn would wild shape into a spider and follow. If that failed, plant growth was the fallback to fortify a camp.  

The escape

The plan worked. At the top, the wooden cap gave Lev a three-inch lift—just enough to see out. Brannick was already hundreds of feet away, walking Thann toward town. Cathlynn slipped through and reverted; both emerged into daylight with no alarm raised.  

Confronting Brannick

They mall-walked him down on the road. Brannick stammered about “protecting Thann” and “outsiders bring trouble.” Lev demanded three reasons not to end him on the spot. When Brannick turned to bolt, Lev stepped forward and cracked him once—down he went, bloody and pleading. Cathlynn rooted him to the ground with entangle, then turned to Thann with soft words. The boy hesitated, saw Brannick bound and battered, and fled home. They shadowed him at distance to ensure he arrived safely, then let the vines wither. Brannick ran.  

Back at The Merry Mug

Farrah took in their shredded state and offered supper with a measured “all right.” She didn’t buy everything Lev said about Brannick, but she didn’t argue either. They ate, slept, and reset.  

Queen moves first

Morning. The drow woman from prior nights—leather-clad now, white hair braided, eyes like knives—caught Cathlynn’s gaze and invited a private word in Elvish. In the washroom she set a black leather pouch on the counter; heavy clink of coin.   A thousand gold for the book you hid. Or I take both of your pretty hands and the book besides. You have twenty-four hours.   Cathlynn asked why she wanted it.Queen's answer: it belongs to me. The only concession she gave was time. On her way out she finally offered a name: Quave. Friends call me Queen.  

A wary scholar

Malrick slid over after, rattled. Queen had grilled him yesterday about “the busy little bees” in the bar, then casually revealed his own lead: the man he seeks went east on a hunt, and he shouldn’t travel alone. He asked if Lev and Cathlynn were heading that way today. Not today. Too much heat in town, and Lev needed armor.  

The tail

On the walk to the armorer, Lev spotted Queen shadowing the street traffic. She didn’t interfere; they let her watch.  

Boros Armory

Boros’s shop was a dwarven jewel box—walls of steel and hide, a forge-bright idol of Rugen, the Star-Tempered Flame, looming over the floor. Cathlynn knew the name; Lev admired the work.   Purchases and fittings:   Cathlynn: Earthbind Scale (studded lizardhide leather, etched with forge-prayers), a Doomglore hardbark shield reinforced with dwarven resin, and ochre traveling boots. Boros promised lifetime repairs. Total: 900 gold.   Lev: used scale mail known as the Red Mantle and a veteran’s shield called the Stormlit Bulwark—good bones, honest scars, fair price. Total: 61 gold.   They left better protected and a little lighter in purse.  

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Consequences and currents

  Brannick’s betrayal is public now by rumor if not confession; Farrah is unconvinced but careful.   Queen has set a 24-hour clock for the hidden tome and threatened loved ones if crossed.   Malrick’s eastward thread exists but is tabled until the heat dies down and the party is whole.   Lev’s gear is restored; Cathlynn now wears lizardhide in quiet defiance of iron.  

Leads and loose threads

  Queen’s ultimatum: decide in 24 hours—payoff vs. protection vs. a third path.   The book: where it is, who it truly belongs to, and why Queen wants it back.   Brannick and Thann: the farm knows a version of events; what spreads next?   Rugen’s idol at Boros Armory: a forge-guardian with a story still to learn.   Eastward hunt: Malrick’s quarry, timing, and whether to escort him later.   Ikiri: Cathlynn still intends to see her about the promised help.