The Ratcatcher’s Revenge 5/30/18

Our penultimate session begins with the dragon chasing our heroes down the hall, followed by a small legion of invisible, puppet-armor assassins. At the end of the dormitory hall, in the dean’s private study, Deamon Chord awaits their attempt to escape via the Statue Gate. Outside the windows one observant student spotted a displacer behemoth pacing the grounds. Fear rose in all their hearts at this news, for the ferocious regenerative powers of the creatures has so far proved unstoppable…

Alamazoo the celestial beetle and his swarms of vassal scarabs attempt to slow the charge of the enraged dragon.

The dragons breath sent scorching hot beetle corpses sailing down the dormitory to pepper our heroes and their foes alike. Alamazoo’s celestial light was seen to flicker and spark as he collapsed beneath one of the beds.

With their celestial allies scattered like coals from an overturned brazier, our heroes dash between the towering puppet-armor, whose whirling blades broke through more than one hero’s defenses.

The ophidiman fighter was picked up by the dragon and flung down the hall, falling unconscious for the third time during this escape.

A few straglers try to catch up, pursued by the thundering steps of the puppet-armor and the skittering of invisible assassins creeping around the sides of the room.

Meanwhile in the office, two students previously knocked unconscious are being dragged by the head to Deamon’s work bench, where he donned shoulder length white gloves. He placed his hands on the halfling sorcerer’s chest and pushed them inside his body, without a trade of blood or harm. A moment later, he pulled out a small crystal that had been embedded under the halfling’s sternum.

One by one, those already captured are dragged to have strange crystalline objects removed from their chests by Deamon and his eerie gloves. When asked what the crystals are he only answered: “The price of loyalty.”

The second victim woke up during the procedure and tried to question Deamon. The rogue in question was convinced the extractions were meant to be helpful to them somehow… Deamon would say so, but the players will likely not.

With the last of our surviving heroes making their way into the office, the battle becomes fierce, as the limited space, and still locked cage around the Statue Gate, prevents actual escape. Will they be able to break the heavily enchanted cage and escape Deamon’s clutches at last?

Next Time: We’ll let the dice decide.