We are taking a break from the Lion Castle Colony Scenario. Same players, new characters, new setting.
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This is not an official SFABC event, but almost everyone in it is in the club, so I am listing it.
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RECAP: JULY 25, 2026 SESSION
Note: Work from May 30, 533 to July 1, 533
Character (Player): Queller Machinson (Charles Garofalo), Sioned (Anastasia Warden), Dartyen (Gregory Warden), and Keith (David Willison). Oliver (NPC played by Scott Krupa). Jeremy (NPC played by Ishie Bey). Luna (NPC played by Philip De Parto). Dog # 6.
JUNE 1, 533
Lookouts reported the approach of a dozen or so giant insects approaching the stockade from the north. This was not a return of the Giant Ants, but rather larger, deadlier giant Stag Beetles. They were feeding on the waist-high grasses in the once-cultivated fields.
Since most of what was in the fields was grass and not grain (which had not been planted as the farming community had been killed, or captured), the adventurers decided to try to steer the creatures in a different direction. Dartyen employed two castings of Pyrotechnics, one from his memory, the other from his rechargable ring. The plan worked. Instead of continuing their advance towards the Bailey, Stag Beetles changed the direction of their grazing and eventually departed into the woods to the west.
Late in the afternoon, the Motte Watch reported a figure walking along the trail to the east. The traveler turned out to be Flon, a 4L Dwarf Fighter from the Bandit Camp. The death of Snidely set off a power struggle among the surviving Bandits and he became the odd Dwarf out. He had become slightly acquainted with Queller during the adventurers' captivity and knew that Players treated their non humans fairly, so he came to offer his services. Oliver and Jerome spoke on his behalf, Harold and Froggy did not badmouth him, so Sioned granted him provisional membership in the community.
MAY 31, 533
The following day was Laundry Day. The adventurers accompanied a group of civilians to the stream and stood guard as the clothes were washed and cleaned. They were attacked by a Fardel's Bear, a three-headed ursoid which had been created by the mad wizard, Fardel, in ages past. The creatures had escaped, interbred with the local brown bear population, and had spread throughout the land.
The players killed the creature without too much difficulty and used the laundry wagon to cart the corpse back to the Bailey for butchering and cooking. Helen claimed the hide for a bearskin cloak. Dartyen and someone else claimed teeth to fashion into a bear tooth necklace. The rest of the day and night passed uneventfully.
MAY 30, 533
Luna woke up and excitedly announced that she had received a vision of an oak leaf in her sleep and that she had progressed to the status of Initiate of the First Circle. Doubling up on the good news was that none of the civilians was ill. The joy slowly stilled as one-by-one the assembly realized that there was someone in their midst who was not of the company.
A number of people recognized the man as Jim Gordon, a high-ranking Royal Officer of the Kingsmen. Continuing the party's tradition of behaving stupidly in the presence of the high and the mighty, Helen marched up him and grabbed him by the lapels saying, "You're the reason we are stuck out here in the middle of nowhere surrounded by hordes of Giant Ants. And where is the money we were primised from guarding Mr Zarth?"
In an instant, Helen was knocked off her feet and smtted for 20 hit points, although this transpired so quickly that no one was sure precisely how this had happened. Sioned and Ro were able to calm the waters, though at one point she had to put her hand over the mouth of Dartyen to prevent him from mouthing off.
Jim Gordon revealed that Bandit Chief Snidely Whiplash had sent a few of his crew to Oceanside City. They went to the Cobblepot Insurance Agency to bargain for a Finders Fee for the whereabouts of the Players. However, double agents of the Kingsmen intercepted the Bandits and had them brought to Jim Gordon. Gordon then went to the Bandit Camp and killed Snidely and his bodyguard Gus, informing the remaining Bandits that he trusted that no one would need another reminder about keeping this quiet. He then came to Piermont Fort.
He then interviewed the Players, was unsurprised to learn that Zeno was dead, and inquired about the circumstances of their departure from Protective Custody. Several of the group intervened when it appeared that Helen was preparing to answer in her usual diplomatic manner.
After interviewing everyone. Gordon said that he was convinced that none of you knew anything about anything. But having you out in the boonies served his purposes, he was content to leave you there. You never knew when someone might remember something significant.
He noticed Luna, who he had not interviewed as she was not part of the original party but joined later, and asked, "Do I know you?" Luna replied that she did not recall having ever spoken to him. "No.I never forget a face. It was a long time ago. You were only a child, but even then it was clear you'd be a knockout. I've got it! You're Peter and Janice's kid. You have an older brother. What's his name? Oh, Theodore. There was some sort of scandal about him. What was it?"
Luna looked to the ground. "He walked away from the Holly. He was seduced by the light side of the Force and became a Paladin. Mom and dad were mortified. I really don't want to talk about our bleached laundry in public."
Sioned walked over to Luna and patted her on the back. Gordon sighed, reached into his pocket, and handed her a a small tube declaring that a small amount of magic ink, enough to write one spell, would materialize in it on the first of the month. Sioned handed the tube to Dartyen. Gordon also said that he would make arrangements for the group to receive 40 pints of oil. He would see what else might be done when he returned to Oceanside City. He then vanished.
The visit and news were a big disruption from the usual, so Ro kept everyone close to the base to handle routine matters. The day and night passed uneventfully.
