Sleeping Giants Game 15

Intro

Nil's Justice

Before you left the citadel, you had to make sure that orders were communicated properly and that the kobolds knew what to do in your absence. It is your citadel now, after all, and it won’t repair itself. You were speaking with Zelda directly, informing her that the citadel needs repairs and the Underdark access should be removed. It was then that Resk approached you, and reminded you about their one remaining prisoner: the goblin that your party forced to watch his friends and family die slowly in front of him.

It wasn’t long before the kobolds gathered to witness the coming spectacle, the din of excited barking filling the ceremony chamber. A hastily constructed pile of stones in the center of the room affixes a large wooden beam salvaged from debris from elsewhere in the citadel. Tied to the beam is the last remaining goblin, looking indignant, if a little desperate. Ordinarily, he’d take this opportunity to curse and spit at his captors, but a large ball of soiled cloth is stuffed into his mouth, gagging him. Finally Nil steps forward from the crowd, accompanied by Zelda and Resk.

“Esteemed denizens of the Sunless Citadel, I have gathered you here today, for today is a scarlet day. Today marks the day when the rightful and true heirs of this remarkable place come together and at last inherit the legacy so cruelly cast aside by lesser men.”

Most of the kobolds looked around to each other, a bit confounded; they weren’t used to such flowery pomp and were trying to work out what she was on about.

“This goblin, this thing, has befouled this fortress, your home, with its disgusting presence. The crimes the goblins have committed against you all are too numerous to name, but now the time for justice and honor to be restored is upon us.”

Nil turns to the goblin and holds out her hand.

“I sentence you to death by immolation, effective immediately.”

Flames erupt from her hand, engulfing the base of the pile. As the flames climb the wooden beam the the goblin’s flesh, his muffled cries of agony are barely heard over the elated barking and whoops from the crowd. The acrid smell of boiling fat and burnt hair fills the room. The cacophony dies down as Nil speaks once more, gesturing to the crowd.

“Rulers of the Sunless Citadel, I have pledged to be your protectorate. All who serve me will find themselves richly rewarded. All who raise sword or spell against me, our enemies, will find themselves in the same, inescapable fate as this goblin. This I promise you, for this the promise of House Nile, the heirs of Nileraxxemon!”

Sparks explode from the pyre like fireworks. Some of the sparks rearrange themselves and seem to hover in mid air, forming the crest of House Nile, a fierce red dragon. The kobolds erupt in ecstasy.

Recap

• ~8:00 pm. Journey back to Oakhurst goes uneventually.
• Ford properly makes memorials for the dead girl, boy, and caracas.
• Ford also helps the Kobolds to dispose of the goblin and hobgoblin remains in the Citadel.
• Nil also sticks around to help.
• Stratton isn't inerested in helping, but plays some music to help pass the time.
• Lyla stays to read a book while Elliot also helps. (It all takes about 2 hours.)
• Jordan, Ana, and Erki return to town immediately. They arrive at 8pm.
• The rest of us that stayed arrive at Oakurst at 10pm.

.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.

• Ana introduces the boop-a-groops (Boop-a-groot and Two-a-groot).
• Jordan interupts by casting a shadow on these proceedings; wants to talk with Ana. She says she's busy... what?

Jordan: "It's about Elliot..."

Ana: What of him?

J: I'm asking you the same.

Ana says both should be dead so Elliot was brought back by unnatural means.

J: What magic and how do you know this?

A: You have your gods and I have mine... and mine actually answers...

J: You know this for certain?

A: Yes. Confident.

J: What kind of magic?

A: Call it divine intervention. Not sure who intervened - question the boy and girl about who they serve.

J: I appreciate the info... (walks away)

• Ana returns to boop-a-groot introductions. Seems to go well - they bond over a worm.
• Ana checks into the inn after this - still free thanks to the mayor. Some rooms appears to be closed. She asks the bartender what's going on? States some rooms are being refurbished due to a bad review (Nil's)
• Jordan goes to the church after this interaction. Erki is already there, praying. no one else is there as it's pretty late.
• Jordan lights a candle. Erki doesn't register his presence due to being deep in prayer.
• Jordan bars the front door from the inside (locks it) so no one can get it.
• Erki is no longer in prayer and asks if something's wrong? Jordan asks her what he should know? Erki says she can't discuss details of her mission - ordered by "a cardinal".

J: Who is Ana?

E: I don't know anyone by that name.

J: Who is Caras?

E: Caras is under the same amount of secrecy - I can't discuss that with an acolyte I'm afraid. We can discuss it in Skyhammer in a few days at our debriefings...

J: We won't both be present during that...

E: I mean... probably not. I understand wanting to know the mystery, but not everyone can know everything...

Jordan thinks of his brother, who left for reasons not well-known.

J: Ana follows another god, I don't understand why this would sit well with you or the cardinals.

E: I've never thought to question my orders. I'll work with others who don't believe in or worship Thalos.

J: Remember - our job is to keep the doors to Hell shut. Sorry to interrupt your prayer. We'll talk again in Skyhammer later I guess.

• Jordan is feeling like he didn't get the answers he wanted. Goes back to the inn.

....

• Rest of the party return to town. Now 10pm.
• OSIS decide not to interrupt anyone's evenings...? Nil decides to go right to bed, but not before editing her review of the inn first - made it better.
• Ford goes to Lady Hucreals' house and knocks lightly... no response. Tries again slightly louder - no effect.
• Ford dramatically smokes a cigarette, then heads back to the inn - Stratton joins him.
• Nil meets the tavern owner/barkeep Leslie at the inn. She tells Nil they were making improvements based on her recommendations. Nil says she'll amend her review to be nicer...?

Leslie: What would you like the new Master Suite to be called?

Nil: I'm not sure...

L: Maybe we'll call it the Nil Suite?

N: Uhhh.. sure?

L: The usual food tonight?

N: Just a glass of wine then I'll call it a night. ... Actually, the suite should be called... "The Red Dragon Suite."

.........

• Lyla enters and orders a beer. Elliot sits next to her at the bar - thinks it's "so cool" that Lyla is drinking?! and orders a beer with her.
• Convo continues with Elliot, Lyla, and Nil - Nil's a little bit catty towards Lyla.
• Leslie doesn't have anymore rooms available. Elliot doesn't have a room!
• Lyla offers the floor in her room. Elliot looks over at Nil... suggesting maybe there are alternative options? ... none seem available.
• Stratton and Ford enter - Stratton in fantastic acrobatic form. Stratton orders a bunch of shots - with Nil, Lyla, Elliot, Ford, and Stratton.
• Leslie sneaks upstairs and informs Jordan that Lyla arrived (as Jordan asked). He asks that she send Lyla up to his room. Leslie thinks it's kind of weird (as Lyla has been drinking) but says she'll suggest it to Lyla.
• Leslie returns downstairs and whispers to Lyla that Jordan wants to see her in his room.
• Lyla decides to go - is stopped by Nil who overhead and decides to go with her.
• Elliot asks what's happening - they say it's a girl thing - going to go powder their noses.
• Stratton is busy failing at card tricks with Ford at the bar.
• Elliot believes their story and stays at the bar.
• Jordan meets Lyla and Nil at his door when Lyla knocks...