9 - Soggy Courtliness and Counterclockwise Clues
| Session 1 | Session 8 | Session 9 | ||
| ◀◀ | ◀ | ▲ | ▶ | ▶▶ |
| Ashira Brolin Frostbite | Ashira Brolin Frostbite | Frostbite |
Widdershins!
The party arrived at a crossroads of their growing quest, the bullywug kingdom of Downfall somewhere before them in its still invisible soggy splendor. The marshland air was thick with the scent of algae and damp wood, and Frostbite’s frosty breath formed small clouds as he exhaled. The ever-proud Zephyr, now sporting his self-appointed title of “Baron von Summerbreeze,” led the group with his usual air of confidence, flanked by King Brolin, who, despite the absurdity of the situation, had fully embraced his monarchical act. Frostbite watched them with mild disdain but followed along - better this charade than dealing with yet another self-important bullywug.
As the group made their way across the rickety planks toward the palace, Frostbite couldn’t help but reflect on the absurdity of this kingdom. Everything here - from the patchwork balloons to the ridiculous courtly titles - felt like it was teetering on the edge of parody. But still, there was an undercurrent of danger, one Frostbite couldn’t ignore.
On top of Rocky’s Head
Crossing stepping stones across a river proved more eventful than anticipated. Frostbite’s frustration with the slow pace of his companions led him to leap ahead, only to awaken the Galeb Duhr known as Rocky. Rocky's demand for a song showed that Frostbite’s attempts at rhyme were, as ever, lacking in artistic merit, but the party’s enthusiastic applause convinced the stone guardian otherwise. As they convinced Rocky to cross by tossing stones into the river, Frostbite noticed the water’s odd behavior. Something about the stream’s reaction to the stones felt unnatural - like a puzzle waiting to be solved.
Ballooning Troubles
At the balloon factory, chaos awaited. Duke Ichrind’s frantic efforts to extinguish the fires were met with the party’s combined magic and Frostbite’s icy breath. Though the fires were doused, the strange, stubborn coals hinted at a malicious origin. When they learned of the escaped bullywug prisoners and the fate of the balloon thief, Frostbite’s sarcastic remark about the factory’s questionable craftsmanship earned him a sharp glare from Ichrind.
The Duke’s gift of a brooch for their audience with King Gullop marked a small victory, though Frostbite couldn’t shake the feeling that they were walking into yet another trap.
Clapperclaw’s Lament
The bridge to the palace brought the group face-to-face with Clapperclaw, the melancholy scarecrow. His rattling gourd head and mournful tale of his stolen deer skull tugged at the group’s collective sense of duty - or perhaps just their curiosity. Frostbite, ever practical, saw the scarecrow’s plight as a potential distraction, but Dhanell and Maeve assured Clapperclaw they’d retrieve his head from Agdon Longscarf. For now, they pressed on, leaving the forlorn figure behind.
King Gullop’s Court
At a gazebo they met King Gullop XIX, resplendent on his algae-covered throne, greeted the group with exaggerated pomp. Maeve’s performance with her lute once again stole the show, and the group’s fabricated titles earned them the king’s favor. But when it came to the purpose of their visit, the king’s condition was clear: only members of the Soggy Court could meet Bavlorna.
With the book of bad blood in hand, and under the guidance of Splop they left for the palace. The palace - if it could be called that - was a ramshackle hall of wood and marsh, its grandeur entirely imagined by the bullywugs within. The group prepared to embrace their temporary roles as courtiers. Frostbite, reluctant as ever, begrudgingly donned the ridiculous attire Dhanell insisted him to wear. The absurdity of it all gnawed at him, but he reminded himself of their goal: Bavlorna and the answers she held.
The Blue Elf’s Song
As they made their way through the court, past courtiers and oddities, the group encountered Octavian Melianme. The blue-skinned elf’s mournful music on his double-piped flute cast a somber spell over the group. His tale of heartbreak - and his literal goat heart - left the party both horrified and intrigued. Frostbite, ever suspicious, noted the repeated mention of the lake’s clockwise path. A memory stirred: Bavlorna’s rumored allergy to widdershins movement. He filed the thought away, waiting for the opportune moment to act.
Widdershins Revelation
As the group prepared for their audience with Bavlorna, Frostbite finally voiced his realization. If Bavlorna was indeed vulnerable to someone running counterclockwise, this could be the key to gaining the upper hand. The group mulled over the implications, weighing the risks and rewards of testing the hag’s strange weakness.
For now, their path lay clear. With the book of bad blood in hand, their absurd new titles secured, and the promise of Clapperclaw’s aid once his head was returned, the party pressed on toward Bavlorna’s lair. Frostbite, ever the skeptic, couldn’t help but wonder: was this another step toward recovery - or more disaster?
| Session 1 | Session 8 | Session 9 | ||
| ◀◀ | ◀ | ▲ | ▶ | ▶▶ |
| Ashira Brolin Frostbite | Ashira Brolin Frostbite | Frostbite |
Updated on: 10:55
