Campaign: Dominion of Adventure 24/8/2023

Trudging through the wilderness alone Gunnar was lost, still looking for the rest of his companions since they’d been unceremoniously ejected from the Nearith transport network when he caught sounds of battle carried to him on the wind. Quickening his pace he scrambled across the empty landscape before finally cresting a brow and seeing his friends, battered and bloody slowly moving aroung and recovering from what looked like a serious battle. Hurrying to join them he helped gather their scattered supplies and then make camp for the night.

He took the first watch, and was joined by Luther and at the Bard’s request, Dorian. After sitting in companionable silence for some time Luther looked around to ensure that the others were sleeping (or at least out of earshot in the case of Iivan and his strange trance state) before leaning closer to the others.

“I need to tell you something important” whispered Luther, grabbing the other’s attention but then paused…Dorian and Gunnar were unaware of the internal struggle the young half elf was waging with the Gentleman in his mind. Despite the Bard’s evident effort the Gentleman was able to prevent him from telling his companions the truth about his condition.

“I….am worried that I might be a danger to you all” stammered Luther, forcing the warning out through gritted teeth

“What’s the matter?” asked Dorian with their typical compassion

“I..I can’t control my….emotions” gritted Luther “I get overwhelmed by anger sometimes since….well since my brother died and I don’t know if I’ll be able to control it”

Gunnar nodded understandingly “I know what you mean, the rage comes and is a great help in battle”

“No, it’s not like that” Luther tried again “It’s…” he trailed off, unable to shake off the Gentleman’s control

“Are you ok?” asked Gunnar

“Yes…yes I’m fine, don’t worry about it – it’s just all been a bit much” prevaricated Luther awkwardly

Gunnar and Dorian shared a look “Well, if you’re sure” continued the barbarian “If you need help or anything just let us know”

Luther nodded miserably, then brightened as a thought struck him “Gunnar, I think you should talk to Kevin about it – he’ll be able to tell you”

Gunnar’s brow furrowed in confusion “Kevin?” he asked sceptically “you mean Hamlet’s cat?”

“Yes…..he’s a….magic cat” replied Luther, finding he couldn’t even divulge the nature of Hamlet’s patronage through the Gentleman’s vice like grip

“He’s just a cat Luther, I spoke with him before remember” persisted Gunnar

“That cat is magic, how many times has it died and then come back since we first met it?” argued Luther

“Ha, that’s just what cats do Luther – like the saying goes, they have nine lives remember” he paused reflectively “they’re a bit like us Half Orcs in that way, we don’t stay dead long either”

“Trust me Gunnar, that cat is not what it seems – it’s an agent of a greater power” gasped Luther, the effort needed to blurt out even that information leaving him sweating and panting for breath.

Gunnar eyed the Bard carefully, he knew for a fact that Kevin was just what he appeared, a cat….more aloof than was usual for even such self assured creatures maybe, but a cat nonetheless….but Luther clearly believed what he was saying and it was obviously upsetting the young Bard

“Ok, I’ll talk to Keving the next time I see him Luther, it’ll be fine” he agreed, hoping it might relax the grief stricken Bard

“Thank you” whispered Luther, before Dorian suggested it was time to wake the next watch and that they should get some rest. After waking Sylas and Hamlet they curled up around the fire as best they could and slipped into troubled dream filled sleep.

“Sylas, I need to ask you something” began Hamlet as he began the ritual to summon his familiar Kevin back into existence

“Sure – what is it?” replied the warrior

“In the battle I saw your hawk was helping you in combat – how do you do that?” asked the Warlock

Puzzled, Sylas replied “It’s a familar…I control it with my mind like you do with the cat” he gestured to the freshly materialised cat that was currently grooming itself

“You don’t have to ask it to do anything?” persisted Hamlet, curious

“No, just send the command in your head – try it” suggested Sylas

Hamlet reached out with his mind and ordered Kevin to jump, the cat stopped preening itself and turned it’s head to meet the warlock’s eyes

• Jump?

“Yes jump for me cat” persisited Hamlet

• What do you mean jump? Why don’t you show me what you mean answered Kevin over their telepathic link

Hamlet stood and began jumping, much to Sylas’ confusion and concern “See! Jump! Like this”

“Are you feeling alright?” asked Sylas, trying to ignore what sounded like a snigger coming from the warlock’s cat

“Yes, I’m showing Kevin what I want him to do” answered Hamlet

• Jump for me cackled Kevin in Hamlet’s mind

“That’s not how that works Hamlet…are you sure he’s your familiar?” joked the warrior

-JUMP! JUMP! JUMP! came Kevin’s voice wreathed in uncontrollable laughter now

“YES! He just doesn’t act like your one” snapped Hamlet

“Maybe you two need therapy to work out these problems?” said Sylas, oblivious to the cat’s mocking

“Kevin! For real – why don’t you help me like his bird?” screamed Hamlet at the sanguine feline

• I’m not like that bloody thing, I work for the Lady, not you remember

“No but I summoned you, you must do as I say!” screeched Hamlet in mounting frustration

• Jump for me Hamlet, then I’ll see what I can do

Reluctantly the warlock jumped again, provoking more laughter from the cat in his mind

“Are you SURE that you’re not the familiar and the cat is the master?” asked Sylas, only half joking now

“Kevin, pleeeease can you help me like his pidgeon?” begged Hamlet, clearly broken by Kevin’s mockery

• That pidgeon won’t last the night replied Kevin

“Sylas – do you talk to your pidgeon?” asked Hamlet in desperation

“Pidgeon? Why would I talk to a pidgeon?” asked Sylas, beginning to hold some serious concerns about his companion’s mental state

• Ok, how about I help you shoot that tree over there? sighed Kevin, then allowed Hamlet to see through his eyes and launch an Eldritch Blast across the empty grassland to smack straight into the target

“Ahh thank you Kevin” cried Hamlet in delight “what else can you do?”

• One trick at a time Jump Monkey answered Kevin before pouncing onto Sylas’ magical Falcon and trapping it under his claws with evident satisfaction

Sylas turned and looked at the cat, snapping his fingers to dismiss his familiar into a pocket dimension to save it from the unruly feline.

• See? I’m different to that bloody bird – try doing that to me said Kevin in Hamlet’s mind

“Dismiss!” called Hamlet clicking his fingers and concentrating on Kevin…who remained entirely coporeal

“DISMISS!” yelled Hamlet clicking his fingers repeatedly

“For Helm’s sake will you stop bloody clicking already!” called out Dorian angrily “I’m trying to sleep!”

Kevin turned to Hamlet and grinned, raising a paw and, in defiance of all normal rules of feline anatomy clicked his fingers

Hamlet vanished, Sylas sprang to his feet in shock, eyeing the small cat warily in surprise but before he could do anything the cat clicked again and the Warlock reappeared where he’d been standing

“The cat just dismissed YOU!” gasped Sylas in shock

• Told you I was different said Kevin smugly

Hamlet was too surprised to reply to either of them and just stood there in confusion

• Come on Jump Monkey, let’s get some sleep….I’ll be the big spoon shall I? purred Kevin, before following Hamlet to their bedroll and settling himself in for the night

“Oh, I’ll wake up the Drow myself then shall I?” called out Sylas as he roused Iivan from his trance

“Nothing to report, though you might want to keep an eye on Hamlet and Kevin….there’s something strange going on there” explained Sylas by way a of a handover

“Just watch the fucking trees and keep quiet!” yelled Dorian forcefully from his bedroll before rolling over and trying to get some rest

Iivan took watch and the rest of the night passed without further incident until morning.

The sun crept over the horizon, revealing the party’s camp in the vast emptiness of the wilds. While the others broke camp and made ready Gunnar sought out Hamlet and his cat to try and work out what Luther’s cryptic remark from the night before had meant. Stilling his thoughts Gunnar closed his eyes and reached out his senses to find a connection with nature, satisfied, he opened them and addressed the cat which was currently cleaning itself and watching Hamlet pack away his bedroll

“Hello Kevin” began Gunnar in a series of feline mews

Kevin stopped preening and turned his head to stare at the half orc, after holding his gaze for a moment the cat nodded with his head and trotted away from the others, Gunnar rose to his feet and followed him until they were out of earshot from the others

“Kevin?” tried Gunnar again

“Yeah yeah, what it is it….meow” replied the cat in perfect common

“Ummm, Luther said to talk to you because you’d know what’s wrong with him?” continued Gunnar….not quite sure whether to continue speaking in cat’s meows or not

“How would I know what’s wrong with that pointy eared twat?”

“Because he said you’re a magic cat…” said Gunnar trailing off slightly at the sound of his own voice

Kevin paused for a moment, then seemed to sigh “Ok, yeah – I’m a magic cat, but don’t tell the others right? I have enough trouble with Hamlet”

“I just want to know about Luther” persisted Gunnar

“Luther? You mean you can’t see that fucking shadow wolf stalking him all the time?” asked Kevin in surprise

“Shadow wolf?” said Gunnar spinning around and staring across the camp at Luther, who seemed to be entirely free of any lupine haunting as he pottered around the camp

“Yeah, big black bugger – it’s been following him for a while now”

“What is it?” asked Gunnar

“It’s his patron innit, like the Lady is for Hamlet” explained the cat patiently

Gunnar’s brows furrowed “the Lady?” he asked

“Yeah, the Lady” purred Kevin, his paws coming up to trace the curving outline of a gravity defying woman in the air

“Umm, and where’s this Lady now?” asked Gunnar hopefully, Luther’s problems momentarily forgotten in the face of such tantalising potential treasures

“She’s everywhere, her love is the source of Hamlet’s magical power – just like that bloody wolf thing is for Luther’s new powers” he added archly “Look, I don’t mean to be rude but are we done here?”

“No wait, how do we get rid of this wolf ghost thing?” asked Gunnar refocusing on the matter at hand

“You don’t mate, maybe Luther could but that things got it’s claws in him good….so, anything else you want to know?”

“Uhhh, no I think that’s it….thanks Kevin” added Gunnar, still struggling with the notion that he was talking to a cat….albeit a magic one

“Alright then” said Kevin before trotting back towards the others meowing loudly, Gunnar just catching a sotto voiced “Oi, Jump Monkey – feed me” as Kevin sauntered up to Hamlet.

The barbarian shook his head, talking cats, ghostly wolves…it was all very confusing…maybe Dorian would know more – he understood magic, and Luther pretty well. Either way, it could wait til after breakfast…and with that settled in his mind Gunnar sloped off in search for some food.

Back by the smouldering remains of their camp fire Sylas and Hamlet were chatting over their breakfast as Gunnar sat down to eat.

“…It’s a good trick” said Hamlet clearly still impressed with Sylas’s control over his own familiar

“Yes, very useful…now, tell me – how did you get your power? What’s your earliest memory of magic Hamlet” inquired the warrior

“Oh I’ve been able to do the pew pew thing since I was little” replied the Warlock gesturing as if to launch an Eldritch Blast

“You never studied or trained?” persisted Sylas

“No, it just happens – how did you get yours?”

“I trained for years, I studied – it’s how we all got our powers, Dorian – how do you get your magic?” Sylas called out to the Dwarf as they walked past

“Oh, study and devotion to Helm of course” replied the cleric

“Fucking nerd!” cat called Luther from across the camp with a grin at the Cleric

“I was sat under a tree I think, and an apple fell on me” said Hamlet in a vague tone

“Ha, when I was little I was sat in the forge and a hammer fell on me once” added Dorian with a ruefui smile “I was wearing my helmet though so it was all fine thankfully”

The party finished their breakfast and began the long trek across the moors, as the day passed Sylas approached Dorian and explained what he’d learned about Hamlet and his fear that Kevin might actually be the master in their relationship

“I’m telling you Dorian, I watched Kevin snap his fingers and dismiss Hamlet”

“Interesting” murmoured the Dwarf thoughtfully

“He might not be real, I think the cat might be his master and he’s the damn familiar” persisted Sylas

“He is a strange man for sure” replied Dorian, thinking about some of Hamlet’s more erratic actions over the past few months since he’d joined their group “We’ll need to keep an eye on him”

At the rear of the line Gunnar approached Luther, eyes straining for any signs of a ghostly companion lurking nearby

“I talked to the cat”

“Oh?” replied Luther feigning disinterest under the watchful gaze of the Gentleman striding easily alongside him

“You were right, he IS magic” continued Gunnar, unaware of the Gentleman’s presence “He said there’s a ghost haunting you, some kind of big black wolf thing following you everywhere”

Luther snorted derisively “Ha, no – I’m fine honestly”

“But last night..” began Gunnar before Luther hurriedly interrupted him

“Look, I’ve been through a lot recently, with Fayd and my brother…I was just feeling a bit low. I feel fine now, honestly”

“Oh well played” added the Gentleman, offering a sarcastic round of applause that only Luther could hear

At the mention of Fayd something tickled at the back of Gunnar’s mind, but he couldn’t quite place it “Are you sure you’re alright?” persisted Gunnar, concern for Luther palpable in his tone

“Yes, look I’m sorry but I don’t like to talk about what’s happened” he paused, eyeing the Gentleman before blurting out “But you should probably talk to Dorian about what the cat said”

At this the Gentleman’s languid smile hardened into a frown

“I can’t say anymore” added Luther hurriedly “I’m ok, really”

Gunnar looked at Luther for a moment, sensing there was still more that the bard wasn’t telling him but unwilling to press the matter while the young half elf was still grieving for his brother

“There’s a town up ahead, I think we should go for a drink – have some FUN” whispered the Gentleman in Luther’s ear

“Ok, well if you’re sure then….I’ll talk to Dorian soon”

“We, we should go for a drink when we get to the next town” suggested Luther “I know I could use one” he added

Gunnar smiled and nodded, yes a few drinks might be just the thing to help the bard relax and share what was bothering him.

“Agreed, but fuck knows where we’ll find a town out here though” answered Gunnar gesturing the sweeping vista around them

“There’s one close by, just a few hours ahead of us” said Luther

“Really?” asked Dorian, who’d caught the end of their conversation “How do you know that?”

“I…I looked at a map before we set off” stammered Luther under the suspicious gaze of both Dorian and the Gentleman

Dorian nodded thoughtfully but said no more and they continued on their way in companionable silence, their mind filled with concerns over Hamlet and his familiar as well as Luther’s strange behaviour and newfound knowledge.

Eventually as dusk fell the Renegades set up camp for the night, as the other’s slept Dorian, Hamlet and Sylas took the first watch while Sylas and Dorian probed Hamlet for clues as to his nature Dorian agreed to an arm wrestle with the Warlock. Dorian’s Dwarven stout build helping them to a comfortable victory over Hamlet, despite the Warlock’s best efforts. Eventually, Hamlet grew tired and crawled into his bedroll leaving Dorian and Sylas still unclear as to whether he was a Warlock or a cat’s familiar, with no solution in sight they gave up and woke Luther and Gunnar for the second watch.

Gunnar gently pressed Luther again to talk more about the ghost wolf Kevin had warned him of but again the Gentleman’s presence kept Luther from confessing the truth to the barbarian and instead he deflected their attention to focus on going for a drink when they reached civilisaion. Eventually they woke Iivan from his trance and left the Drow to finish the night’s watch alone, after some time the Drow was bothered by a hard lump that prevented him from getting comfortable. Annoyed he dug around until his hand closed on a cold metal object, holding it up to the campfire he saw it was a large calibre bullet, confused he peered at it more closely and saw that someone had scratched his name into the side of the shell casing. He prowled the campsite looking for any tracks of signs that someone had infiltrated their camp to plant this ominious warning on him he could find nothing and eventually gave up, keeping a sharp watch for the rest of the night until the sun showed over the far hills.

The next day they broke camp and continued on their journey, Hamlet delivered a rousing speech to his comrades to try and lift their mood. Setting off again Gunnar sought out Dorian and again pressed the Dwarf for help with Luther

“He wants to go for a drink – get something off his chest”

“We can’t stop for anything Gunnar, we don’t have the time”

“But it’s important, he’s being haunted!” pressed Gunnar

At this Dorian paused and looked at the barbarian’s concerned face

“How do you know he’s being haunted?” asked Dorian

“Hamlet’s magic cat told me” replied Gunnar earnestly

Dorian didn’t reply, just turned and levelled a flat gaze at the half orc

“The cat can talk – I’m telling you” said Gunnar defensively

“Ok, but what good will it do to stop and have a drink?”

“Ummm, maybe spirits will help him talk about this ghost?” tried Gunnar with a grin, before continuing “I think Luther wanted to talk about you know, his brother and stuff….and that’s more your thing than mine” awkwardness radiating from the barbarian.

“We’ll have to see, but I just don’t think we can afford to stop right now” said Dorian kindly, before continuing on their way.

Gradually the desolate landscape began to show signs of habitation and eventually they crested a rise and found themselves looking down on a bustling town. Fearing the town might not be held by the Obsidian Order Iivan scounted ahead and slipped into the town, learning it was Zargocotl – a name familiar to some of the party as they’d travelled through it along the mighty river on their way to Yocan before meeting each other.

Scouting the main square he realised there didn’t seem to be any guard on the town’s monolith and no sign of the Powder Rats, a few Obsidian Order operatives were visible, keeping a watchful eye on the area from the shadowed alleyways. He also noticed a lot of goblins in the crowds, all seemingly engaged in the river trade, loading barges or carrying supplies to the docks. Returning to the others he led the Renegades through the streets to the square. The sound of laughter and music could be heard spilling out from a yellow painted building off the square, a sign hanging above the door proclaimed this to be the Lewd Bard and was evidently a thriving tavern.

Luther eyed the door to the pub hungrily “Come on, let’s go” he called to the others and made his way towards to welcoming sounds of the inn

“We need supplies not beer” said Iivan to Gunnar, signalling to him that they needed to speak with the local representatives of the Order, Gunnar replied in kind saying he needed to look after Luther

“We don’t have time for this!” insisted Dorian as Luther walked away from them

• We don’t need them, purred a voice in Luther’s mind
• Let them goooooo, then we can have some fuuuun the Gentleman continued

Gunnar looked at the Dwarf imploringly “Come on Dorian, we need you, HE needs you” and then turned to follow Luther towards the pub.

“We need to get supplies” replied an increasingly frustrated Dorian

“We’ll be in there, come find us when you’re done” said Gunnar over his shoulder

As the others gathered and prepared to see what the town had to offer by way of supplies, Hamlet eyed the tavern and then, with Kevin perched on his shoulder also made his was towards the door. Dorian sighed and then turned away looking for local merchants.

While chatting with the proprietor of the Prancing Unicorn Dorian learned more about the monastary they were searching for, it served as more of a training camp for aspiring knights more than a traditional monastary. It also became clear that while many of the locals relied on the young trainee’s visiting the town to shop they were often held in low esteem by many of the residents for their arrogance and mischief making after they’d availed themselves of the local taverns. From there they proceeded to another shop, Bachum’s Emporium where Iivan managed to annoy the owner and got himself thrown out of the shop before being able to buy any armour. After that encounter they headed to the Town Hall, meeting a guard named Jamie who revealed that there was a regular wagon train which took supplies to the monastary which hadn’t arrived and was a few days overdue. Dorian thanked Jamie for this information and paid him a few gold coins for his help, the young guard immediately abandoned his post and hurried off to join the Legion thanks gushing from him at his change of fortune.

As Gunnar entered the tavern he peered over the heads of the other patrons until he caught sight of Luther slipping through the crowd, moving to his side he caught the bard seemingly whispering to himself

“You ok Luther?” he asked

Luther turned, flustered and then smiled “Oh, hi Gunnar – yeah I’m fine”

• What’s he doing here? Get rid of him husked the Gentleman

“I think he’s cottened on to us” whispered Luther, disassembling as best he could to keep the Gentleman from taking more direct action

• How did he find out out our little secret Luther? Have you forgotten the rules?

“He spoke to the cat” Luther replied

• That cat’s a fucking dick, now get rid of this one and let’s gooooooo insisted the Gentleman

“Say, Gunnar why don’t you go get some drinks in?” said Luther to the barbarian

“Sure, you grab us a table” replied Gunnar easily, turning to head for the bar.

Behind him Luther snapped his fingers and his form shimmered as he disguised himself as a nondescript commoner and tried to sneak toward the tavern’s rear door hoping to ditch Gunnar so he could have a proper talk with the Gentleman but the sharpe eyed half orc spotted him creeping away and shot him a puzzled look. Luther smiled desperately and pointed to the door. Assuming the bard just needed a piss and the disguise was just to keep him free from eager fans Gunnar nodded and made his way to the bar, eyeing a tall and stunningly beautiful elven maiden in a form fitting golden dress who stood to one side who watched the crowd with a cold gaze.

Slamming the wooden door behind him Luther emerged into the alley behind the Lewd Bard gasping for air against the pressure building in his head and chest

“What do you want!?” shouted Luther when he’d regained a modicum of control

• It’s not what I want that matters now does it, I just want to have some funnnnn leered the Gentleman

“What?” asked Luther confused

• What do YOU want Luther?

“I want my fucking brother back” replied Luther his voice cracking with emotion

• Remember, my deal is still on the table…..if you want it answered the Gentleman, almost compassionately

“Deal?” panted Luther

• Yes, don’t pretend you’ve forgotten what was offered for your help, you can get him back Luther….. you can get them all back

Luther began to reply then hesitated as the Gentleman’s words sunk in “Wait…who, who can I get back?”

• Your brother, you can save him…….but I like you – if you agree to help us then I’ll make sure Lady Coberg brings back your mother too

Luther’s eyes filled with tears “How?” he whispered, hunching over with his hands on his knees

• The terms haven’t changed dear boy, just help free us from the stones…get us out of the stone and our power is yours to command

“We don’t know where it is” explained Luther in a pained voice

• Ohhh but I do grinned the Gentleman

“Where is it?” asked Luther

• I’ll take you there, IF we go now

“Now? But I need the others help”

• Why, what possible use would they be to us?

“I’m not much good in a fight” admitted Luther reluctantly

• Darling, you might not be but WE…. WE can do anything we bloody well please, they’ll only slow us down and get in the way anyway

“I don’t know, this doesn’t feel right” protested Luther “What are you going to do when you’re free? Are you working for THEM?”

• Oh no no no, THEY want to destory the world my boy, but I LIKE the world – it’s so full of such fun things to do, we just want to enjoy the world again

“But..” began Luther

• It’s time to make your choice Luther, come with me now and save your family or go with your friends and try to save someone else’s family…or are you so keen to sail the seas of chaos?

Luther screwed his eyes shut as he weighed his decision

• and you know… HE will be there too, I’ll give you revenge on Di Fiore and you get your family back, but we must go NOW

With those words Luther’s eyes snapped open “Di Fiore?”

• Oh yes, he has the stone now….we can take it from him

“Deal” gritted Luther his eyes hard “I just need a moment before we go” he added

• If you must agreed the Gentleman with a wave of an elegant hand, anticipation loud in his tone

Luther took a breath and raised a hand to point at where he thought Gunnar might be inside the tavern

Inside the Lewd Bard, Gunnar was lounging easily against the bar waiting for his friend to return when he suddenly heard Luther’s voice in his mind

• Sorry, I have to go – not sure when I’ll be back

Familiar with Luther’s magical communications the big orc shifted on his seat and frowning with concentration replied

• You still want those drinks?

He waited, but there was nothing more from Luther so he shrugged and reached for the bard’s glass and settled down to wait for Luther or the others to return. Gunnar found himself relaxing more amid the sounds of the tavern, no doubt the steady stream of drinks had something to do with his ease but eventually his quiet reverie was broken by the arrival of the other Renegades

“Gunnar!” called Dorian

“Heya, drinks?” answered the half orc happily gesturing to a selection of bottles he’d accumulated during his wait

“Where’s Luther?” asked Dorian

“Oh he went for a piss out the back a while back” said the barbarian vaguely

“So where is he?” insisted Dorian

“He sent me a message, said he had to go and he wasn’t sure when he’d be back, probably a bad stomach is all… relax, grab a chair and we can wait for him”

“Fucks sake Gunnar, you were supposed to look after him” snapped the cleric irritably

“He’s been a bit low for a while now remember, he’s probably just outside having a moment – leave him be and have a drink” suggested Gunnar

“Gunnar we need to get moving, come on take us to him” answered the Dwarf

Scooping up one of the fuller bottles from the bar the half orc hauled himself reluctantly to his feet and led them across the tavern to the door he’d seen Luther leave through. Pushing it open they found themselves in a narrow alley, with no sign of the young bard anywhere

“You lost him” said Dorian accusingly

“Hey, you were supposed to be here too remember, offer him some uhh godding and sympathy” protested Gunnar beginning to worry that perhaps he shouldn’t have been so accomodating to Luther earlier.

“We need to find him” said Dorian

With that the Renegades quickly spread out to search the surrounding streets. After a fruitless search they found themselves gathered in the main square.

“The monolith” breathed Dorian, a sickening realisation beginning to settle in the pit of their stomach

“If he used it he could be anywhere by now” moaned Hamlet

Gunnar looked at Iivan and raised an eyebrow, flashing a hand signal to the Drow asking if the Order’s sentrys would have seen anything.

“I spoke with them earlier, the only person they’ve seen use the monolith was a local man” replied the Drow

“Oh, yeah that’ll have been him” replied Gunnar, forgetting that he’d not mentioned seeing Luther slip into disguise to the others before

“What? Did they see where he went?” asked Dorian

“No, they couldn’t make out the runes from where they were” explained Iivan

“He’s gone then” muttered Hamlet thoughtfully

“He played us like a gods damned flute!” snapped Sylas in frustration

“He was always good at playing” murmoured Gunnar, earning a sharp look from the others

— “Out of Character” Note on this session (*** Spoilers ***) —

This was Sam’s (who plays Luther, our resident bard and general agent of chaos) last session before leaving to pursue his education, and so while we the players all knew this would be his last session our characters didn’t….which I hope explains some of the (deliberately obtuse?) decisions made by various party members through the session.

We wish Sam well with his studies and hope that he’ll be able to pop back to join us further down the line as it’s looking likely the Renegades haven’t seen the last of Luther and the Gentleman. If he does return he’ll have come full circle, having first joined the group as an extra pair of hands to help control the undead hordes trying to kill us!

Below are a few notes from some of the other players in the group.

Gunnar: Personally, I’ve really enjoyed seeing Luther’s story arc unfold, from a bratty narcissist more interested in teasing Navarro than saving the world to a troubled lost soul being broken down by constant loss. I particularly liked the multiclass into Warlock with the Gentleman taking the role of his Patron after Fayd’s death and how that was kept under wraps for so long that now, when Luther was beginning to ask for help Gunnar and the other characters didn’t know enough “in character” to realise what was happening and prevent him making the deal. As an aside, this is now the second bard Gunnar has befriended only to see them leave the campaign (the first being Tad Hemlock)…guess bards are just too flighty to rely on.

Hamlet: “I understand why he left us – there’s nothing more important than love.” A surprisingly coherent and insightful comment from Kevin’s familiar I think you’ll agree

Navarro’s perspective: As my reluctant squire, Luther still had a few things to learn. But despite his griping, I know he relished the opportunity to serve a noble cause and sometimes he even managed to avoid disappointing me.

Rocinante’s perspective: that boy knew how to wield a horse brush!

Player’s perspective: sad to see Sam go! From the first session we had a fun antagonistic character relationship, and I love how it developed into a real plot point. Sadly Sam leaving ruined my long term plan of browbeating him in RL to be my personal valet. Best of luck in the North!

Sylas’ perspective (well….Fayd’s too): I’m gonna miss that bastard we had a lot of fun between the banter, squire apprenticeship and rescuing him from the suicidal panic attacks