Campaign 2, Episode 9: Horseplay

Episode 9: Horseplay (2x09) is the ninth episode of the first arc of the the second Venture Maidens campaign.

Synopsis
Twinkle, twinkle little star

Lead our Toni near and far

She will need help indeed

To free a captive steed

Starlit Dreams
Toni stands alone in the living room of the chicken hut, everyone else having gone to bed. The fireplace has dwindled to embers that cast a faint glow across the room. The occasional creak can be heard from upstairs, and Toni asks, “Anyone home?”

She does not see any decorative pumpkins, or any other sign of Gordon. An eerie silence is all that answers her before it is pierced by a giggle from behind her bedroom door. She creeps towards the door to investigate, slowly opening it to get a look. The creak of the hinges is almost enough to wake her companions. A figure sits on her bed, its skin of dusty rose and eyes of swirling stars and hair that tumbles down her naked form. She holds a finger to her lips in a gesture of silence.

Toni tilts her head and looks expectantly for an explanation. Selene wags her finger in invitation before being joined by the fighter. She glances around the room and Toni follows her gaze to the open window. The fey winks at the orc and reaches into her body and pulls a tiny silver light. She holds the silver mote of starlight and lets it hover above her hand.

Toni, awestruck, blurts out her surprise and is quickly shushed. The fey blows on the star like it were a dandelion, sending it to land on Toni’s chest. The light is absorbed in a shower of sparkles.

Toni blinks and finds herself waking up to the sound of a closing window, realizing that she has just awoken from a dream. She can hear Lu moving around in the kitchen. Toni picks up her shield and holds it to examine the area where the star touched her. The only sign that something happened is the now dissipating warmth of the light.

Sick Day
She feels confident that the dream was a continuation of their previous conversation and that she was gifted the star to guide her to the horse she had previously seen. She decides that she needs to stay home until she gets another signal in what to do. She quickly comes up with an excuse to stay back, allowing Lu, Rook, and Aoife to handle the bounty hunter business.

Toni waits until after she is sure they are gone before going back to her room, ensures Gordon is not present before locking her door, and then escapes out the windows. Toni heads for the direction of Coven, trying to stay in the areas that she is most familiar with. She listens in on various conversations and recalls the area of town that Tandy referred to as the shady side of town. She learns that the area is called the Midnight Quarter.

She spends the day walking around, waiting for night to fall in hopes that the stars will give her a sign. She wanders to the Witch’s Brew, packed with mid-afternoon customers. She doesn’t spot her friends and nods her head at Tandy in greeting. The dryad tells Toni that her friends already left for the bounty hunter gig, but the satyr next door has been trying to hook up with her bar-back so she has been kind of busy and doesn’t know where they went. Toni questions Tandy on the Midnight Quarter and Tandy admits that the witches that run Coven don’t have a tight grip on that area, so a lot of illegal things happen over there. The dryad drifts away in her ever-mercurial dance of half-finished conversations.

I Gotta Pocket, Gotta Pocket Full of Starlight
Wandering outside, Toni sees that dusk has begun to descend and she can see some stars in the sky. Her pocket begins to warm and she reaches in to find a small heated object the size of a marble. She carefully pulls it out and covers the silver light with her hands. She shoves her hand back in her pocket and lets the star pull her along.

The star drags Toni to the shadier side of town. The dark purple lanterns lead the way as businesses give way to grungier territory. Trash litters the streets and alleyways and night hangs like a thick smog. Toni comes to an intersection with no light, and she can hear voices chattering and conversing from around the corner. She turns the corner to see a large warehouse building. A line snakes out the door with various fey waiting for something. Toni heads to the end of the line, trying to blend in.

The glow in the fighter’s pocket catches the attention of an ettercap, Lorenzo, and his wife, Beasley, who happens to be an giant badger. They watch her saunter to the end of the line, but she does not carry a letter of entry like everyone else. He steps out of line to get Toni’s attention. She asks him what he wants and Lorenzo assumes she is looking to get stabbed with the shine coming out of her pocket. She covers the star with her cloak and says that she is there for the same reason as everyone else. Lorenzo presses her, asking what everyone is here for. She answers that they are obviously all here to catch a show.

Found Family
Lorenzo says that something isn’t right and asks for Toni’s invitation. Toni attempts to brush him off, but Beasley steps in to ask if the shiny thing in her pocket is her invitation because it is much nicer than the one she and her husband received. She admits that theirs is usually pretty terrible and holds up soiled bloomers. Toni looks around to see that everyone in line is holding various broken and stained items.

Toni said that her friend is on the way with their invitation and Beasley says that its a good thing, because if she tried to get in without one, she would be killed. Sensing the lie, Lorenzo offers for Toni to join them and Beasley nudges people out of the way, introducing her niece, “Franny”.

A goblin behind them begins to complain but is quickly quieted by Beasley. Lorenzo, supposing that they are family now, asks what Toni is really doing there, especially wearing armor and a sword. Everyone else in line is dressed in their nicest clothes. Toni tells him that she was told they were in the bad part of town and she wanted to be prepared. She admits that she doesn’t really know why she is there, or what is happening.

Lorenzo informs her that they are going to the races and asks Toni if she has ever heard of the Slithering Court. Toni denies knowing what they are, but would like to learn. Lorenzo turns the conversation over to the more knowledgable Beasley. Beasley informs Toni that the Slithering Court puts on races, but the Slithering Court is bad news and the Badger thinks that the Court may have kidnapped some of her friends.

They hear the scraping of the metal doors being dragged open. A tall figure steps out, swathed in a deep cloak that hides most of its features. They catch a flash of orange eyes as the figure drags out a stool and sits by the door, conversing with the people at the front of the line. Slowly the line begins to trickle into the building. Toni offers a trade; she will help them if they will help her. Lorenzo agrees with a hug, leaning into the lie of family.

The creature sitting on the chair has angular goblinoid features and asks for their “ticket”. The creature nods them in after seeing the bloomers. As they begin to enter, the bouncer questions if Toni is with them and they explain that Toni is their neice and this is her first time at the races. The creature removes his hand from Toni’s chestplate and waves them in.

Friends in Low Places
Music washes over the group as they walk through the curtains just beyond the door. They enter a large lobby. Immediately opposite them are a set of closed double doors and the room is strewn with lounge chairs where people gather and converse. Windows are set into the longest walls of the room, each barred, and queues are formed to exchange money with the people opposite the barred windows. Posters with flashy names and colors have been posted along the walls of the lobby. Excitement hums in the air as a bartender slings drinks for the patrons.

Toni scans the room and notes that the track is probably behind the double doors. There is another door behind the tellers, and another door behind the bar where the waiters are bringing food and drinks from the kitchen. She nudges Lorenzo and Beasley and they step to the side to hash out a plan.

Lorenzo reveals that he can web people and Toni suggests that they try and find some uniforms to blend their way into the back without a scene. A brief conversation ensues, in which Lorenzo reveals that he used to work for the “Slithers” before he layed his eight eyes on Beasley and left the game. He knows that the jockey’s locker room, administrative office, and stables were all downstairs, and they could use an entrance in the kitchen to get down there but it would be tricky. He suggests that they wait until they get inside the arena to find a more direct route down.

Toni agrees to wait until the race starts to make a move and Lorenzo orders a round of white wine spritzers. He suggests that Beasley go check the posters to see if her kidnapped friends would be racing tonight. She can see that tonight’s race will feature a griffin, a drake, an axebeak, a dire wolf, and a Yeth Hound. She doesn’t recognize any of them as her friends. Toni admits that she is looking for something else but doesn’t see it on the list.

Toni asks about Lorenzo’s contact and if they are betraying their court but Lorenzo assures her that he has been well payed and stuff like this happens all the time. The sound of a loud bell interrupts their conversation as the double doors open and people begin to file in. They find themselves at the top of a tiered seats that lead down to a painted horse racing track. People push past the group, clutching their bet tickets. Music funnels in, adding to the ambiance and buzz of the festivities. They can spot darkling attendants moving through the crowd, tending to last minute preperations.

Lorenzo scans for an entrance to the basement. He spots the darklings entering and exiting from a door near the bottom of the seating area. He turns to his wife and “niece” for a plan to enter. Toni suggests that they fake that they are being escorted in and, having no better idea, they all make their way to the bottom of the steps. Lorenzo practically vanishes before Beasley bumps into a darkling that rounds a corner. The fey questions why they are back there.

Beasley scoops some gold from her bag and bribes the darkling so that she may see her favorite jockey, Albatross. The darkling rolls his eyes and directs her to the jockey’s lounge. Fortunately Beasley managed to block Toni from being seen. Lorenzo drops from the ceiling and compliments his wife on her deception.

They make their way to the jockey’s lounge, housed off of a long concrete hallway. They can hear conversation beyond the lounge doors, and can spot a set of stairs, through a set of double doors at the end of the hall, that appear to head lower. They push through and head further below. Toni’s star is pulling her lower and glowing brightly enough to draw too much attention. Beasley asks if it were possible to turn it off, but Toni doesn’t think there is. They head down to the bottom of the stairs, which deposits them in a dimly lit hallway that reeks of hay and cleaning products attempting to cover up the stronger smell of animal refuse. They can hear the distorted sounds of scuffling and growling, but can only see the stone walls around them.

The star pulls Toni to an intersection and then left around a turn where they are met with a locked door. Toni pulls the star from her pocket and attempts to place it on the lock in an attempt to unlock it. The star just keeps smacking against the door uselessly, like a firefly. Lorenzo is taken aback by the sight of a Sentinel Star from the Heavenly Court. He drops to the ground and confronts the half orc and her involvment with the Heavenly Court. He presses her for answers and Toni explains that she is there to help her friend just like they are here to help their friends. Lorenzo warns her not to double cross them and Toni assures him that she has no intention to do so.

Tilde and the Bearon
Beasley makes quick work of the lock by shoving her index claws into the lock and snaps it in half. Toni opens the door to the overwhelming smells and sounds of animal stables. She is hit by an intense sense of deja vu and feels compelled to walk down one of the rows to a door that is being kicked. Beasley, with her elevated sense of smell, catches the unmistakable scent of Ascended Greater Beasts. Toni’s heart pounds against her chest as she dashes through the area, peaking into empty stalls in her pursuit of her vision. Beasley tracks the smells to the end of one of the halls, and peaks in to see a miserable brown bear, twice her size, in one stall and a giant white rabbit in the other. Beasley calls out to Tilde, the rabbit, and The Bearon. She says that she and Lorenzo are there to break them out.

Tilde asks how she found them and Beasley explains that they got word from the Court and they were sent undercover to rescue them. Tilde says that they were captured when they were on their way back from the ball and admits to being a little inebriated. She laments her treatment in this facility, having been forced to eat out of a bucket. A. Bucket! Beasley calls Lorenzo over to inspect the cages.

Toni, compelled by the star, finds the door from her vision. An extra layer of security has been added since she last saw it in her dream. She can see a shining green horse eye staring at her through an open slot in the door. The Great Beast’s pained breathes are heavy and Toni presses her hands against the door, hardly able to believe that the creature is real. An unspoken connection between the two snaps taught and the Great Beast steps back from the door, looking at Toni. The half orc can now see that a spiraling horn rests in the center of the horse’s forehead. Toni pulls the star from her pocket, and it begins to flicker and fades into silver dust. She mentally pleads with the unicorn for a sign on how to release it.

Beasley and Lorenzo make short work of the lock holding The Bearon captive, but hear a slam and the sound of barking. They turn to see a tall hooded figure, similar to the bouncer from before. It asks what they are doing here since nobody is supposed to be in this area. Toni lies that they were told to get these beasts ready for the next race, but the Elder Darkling sees through her deception.

Baying of Hounds
The Darkling Elder extends a hand and the group can hear the baying of hounds. He takes a longbow from his back and shoots two arrows towards Toni, who manages to dodge out of the way. Lorenzo’s jaws open wide and begin to ooze and he skitters across the floor at the Darkling Elder, causing the Darkling to become frightened of him through use of Disturbing Aspect. The creature tries to dodge out of the way of the frightening Ettercap, but Lorenzo is too quick and his poisonous bite finds its mark.

The dim light of the room coalesces into the form of a hunting dog that lunges for Beasley, tearing into the Giant Badger’s hide. Another dog materializes out of the shadows nearest Toni and knocks her prone when it latches onto her leg. Toni regains her footing as she pulls her sword and plunges it through the creature, but the blade passes through like smoke. She pulls back and attempts to stab again, gaining purchase on whatever holds this creature together. The door beside her bulges as the unicorn attempts to break free and help the half orc.

Beasley shakes the dog off and whips her head back to catch the beast in her jaws before rending it with her claws. The Bearon bursts out of his cell and comes down on top of the hound in a burst of darkness. The dog whines and begins to back away from them. The Darkling Elder whistles and points at the Bearon. Beasley can see a glassy sheen pass over her friend’s eyes and he grunts at her, as if he has been reverted to a lesser beast. Lorenzo hears Beasley shrieking in rage and he turns on the Darkling, informing the creature that it has fucked with the wrong man’s wife. He bites out, letting his poisonous fangs sink into the fey’s neck as his barbed arms wrap around the creatures back to tear it open.

The dog nearest Beasley tries to bite her, but she bats it out of the way. The other dog bites between the gaps in Toni’s armor and thrashes back and forth. The half orc staggers back and manages to stave off unconciousness with her Relentless Endurance. She adjusts her grip on her sword and slashes through the beast, watching pieces dissipate.

Swift on Alicorn Wings
She vaguely hears the shattering of wood and a streak of green and gold as the unicorn dashes past her to plunge its now growing horn into the dog, obliterating it. Now able to see the unicorn in full, Toni sees that the beast has wings folded against its body and is actually an Alicorn. She can smell the scent of summer, grass, and late summer blooms wafting off of the magnificent creature.

Beasley, in her rage, hurls the dog aside and charges for the Darkling Elder. She bites down into it as the Bearon lumbers after her. His claw is about to come down across her, but the cloudiness in his eyes fades as the spell loses hold and the Darkling Elder slumps. Behind the Elder is another Darkling that Lorenzo recognizes as his contact, Vinny, who apologizes for running late. Beasley goes to break Tilde from her cage.

Toni stares at the Alicorn in awe. She lifts a hand towards the creature’s snout, but it pulls back. Toni takes a step back and waits until the creature is ready to approach on its terms. It slowly walks forward and butts his head into her shoulder. Toni says that she saw the alicorn in her dreams and knew she had to come. She pets the creature and notes that its hide has the soft fuzzy texture of a sage plant. It closes its eyes and rests it head on the fighter’s shoulder, allowing it horn to come in contact with her. A light and warmth spreads from the horn into Toni, healing her of her wounds, as the alicorn steps back and nods. Toni suggests that they get everyone out now and turns to see the confusion of the last few minutes.

Lorenzo snatches the keys and starts ushering people up the stairs. The sounds of the arena above masks their movements and Vinny runs interference with anyone that happens to cross their path. They burst out into the night air and gather themselves. Lorenzo thanks Toni for her help, and can look past the fact that she probably works for the Heavenly Court. Beasley offers Toni aid anytime she needs it and gives her intructions on how to find their home. Lorenzo extends an offer for Beasley’s pot roast and Toni thanks them all as they begin to take off into the night.

Toni tries to think of a way to get the Alicorn out of town without attracting too much attention and goes to throw her cloak over its wings, but it shakes the fabric off. It looks sadly at the half orc and puts its forhead against hers. Something inside of Toni connects with the creature and she knows that it is not the time for them to be together, but that day will come. She nods and steps back, telling the beast that she will be waiting for it, and watches it follow the couple into the night.

This is where our tale comes to a close, until next time! -Venture Away!

Player Characters

 * Fittonia 'Toni' Silvertail

Non-Player Characters

 * Aero
 * The Bearon
 * Beasley
 * Lorenzo
 * Selene
 * Tilda
 * Tandy
 * Vinny

Mentioned

 * Aoife
 * Gordon
 * Lu
 * Rook

Locations

 * The Chicken Hut
 * Coven
 * Midnight Quarter
 * Slithering Court Warehouse
 * Town Square
 * The Witch's Brew

Inventory
Toni obtained a Sentinel Star from Selene, but it was used in her pursuit of the Alicorn.

Quotes
“I don’t come into your house asking about who you’re related to, now snogger off!” -Beasley

“So, uh, now that we’re family...what are you really doing here?” -Lorenzo

“Nah, this is my battle fedora and we’re gonna bust these suckers out.” -Lorenzo

“I can’t believe it. You’re real.” -Toni

“Interlopers. You must die.” -Elder Darkling

“Beasley makes the best pot roast!” -Lorenzo

Trivia
Lorenzo used to work for the Slithering Court and calls them “Slithers”. He got the invitation to the races from his contact, a courtesy manager for one of the darkling jockeys. Katie gave him the name Vinny.

Lorenzo and Beasley work for the Forest Court.

Lorenzo thinks that Toni works for the Heavenly Court.

Toni has chosen to pursue a Symbiosis Destiny path.