DC Modern - Timeship

 Achilles tells Elizabeth that she should just get married. She tells him that she has all the benefits of marriage without any of the complications. He doesn’t understand and tells her that she should get on with having babies. Edward and her grandfather have both made the same points, but she’s only 25 and not ready to pop out babies. 

Black Diamond shows up. He’s excited about a show called, Eyes of Gorilla City. Achilles is in it. They banter. He annoys Achilles who does not kill him. 

Chinatown now has the Triad working there. 

Achilles calls Mr. Terrific and explains the situation succinctly. Mr. Terrific tells him the Justice League will get on it. Achilles notes that he doesn’t sound very confident. Mr. Terrific assures him that since he’s the third smartest man in the world, he will figure it out. Achilles does not feel confident in his response. 

The group conducts research on the computer to see if there is a previous case in which the end of the world was imminent. There are several cases. They all find the villain and then destroy him. They don’t find the villain; the villain finds them. This event is not manifesting itself like the others where there were mini-crisis. 

Achilles thinks about possible living prognosticators: Madame Xanadu, WaveRider, and Lilith. He looks into the orb. Now the end is four months and twenty-seven days away. Madame Xanadu has had contact with Achilles in the past and is currently in New Orleans. 

Achilles, Akasha, Elizabeth, and Orichalcum hop into the plane and fly to New Orleans. The cards told her they would be there. The cards have also told her that the future is disappearing. She doesn’t know much, but she reads the card. “The Emperor reversed seems to be behind it. It’s somebody who is all powerful.” Achilles lists possible candidates. The cards cannot say which of them is the emperor. “The reversed Emperor is opposed by the Hermit, which is a character of contemplation, deep study, and scientific knowledge.” Achilles thinks this sounds like Orichalcum. Achilles asks how the hermit can defeat the emperor. Madam Xanadu indicates that a Legion may be needed to fight him. Alas, the Legion no longer exists. 

Mr. Terrific calls. He greets Hawkgirl and tells her she should be Hawkwoman.  “The future is indeed disappearing, but now it’s five months. It seems to be accelerating.  The future is now being destroyed; it’s being rewritten. More accurately, it’s being overwritten.” 

Mr. Terrific continues, “All the pieces of the templar are still there but in a different order. The players in the play are still there but playing a different role.” He also believes that it will eventually catch up to the now. Achilles asks a list of questions, but Mr. Terrific doesn’t have many answers. Hourman’s ship no longer goes beyond four months and twenty-three days. Hourman’s time ship is immune to being rewritten. It’s from the distant future. Elizabeth wonders if something can be taken from the ship that would allow them to also be immune to being rewritten. Mr. Terrific says no. Hourman is a static point in time. If the group can find another person who is a static point, they can try to send him beyond the veil of time. Right now, they plan to use Hourman to protect the present time. 

Orichalcum has figured out that the gift from Harmonia Lee would send her to a place that is protected from the time deletion, but if she exits the place, she will be rewritten. 

Achilles asks Madam Xanadu if she is a static point in time. She does not know. She turns the cards. A mad man, the unfortunate, the lost, and the insane are the four static points in time. Achilles could possibly be one. He asks if Hawkgirl could possibly be a static point; Madam Xanadu does not know. Achilles asks Madam Xanadu, “Based on what you know of the hero community, could you hazard a guess on who these people are?” She cannot. Achilles wonders if Psycho pirate is the madman. There is also pariah, who may be the lost. 

 Achilles asks Akasha if any of his mystic knowledge could give him information. Akasha and Orichalcum find it odd that it’s four and not three and five. 

Elizabeth investigates to see what she can find. One of the first things that pops up is insane Superboy. He is currently in a psi-cell in Ioa. 

Achilles uses the orb to find static points in time that are people. The Monitor’s records do not seem to discuss anybody who is a static point in time. 

Achilles directs Orichalcum to speak to her grandmother. Orichalcum does not feel comfortable speaking with Harmonia Lee. 

Achilles asks Madam Xanadu if Hawkgirl could be the unfortunate. Madam Xanadu thinks that if that were the case, it would be the unfortunates. Elizabeth has the sudden desire to ask a question, but she is uncomfortable asking it. Madam Xanadu picks up on this and asks her if she has a personal question. Elizabeth asks if Hawkman is already a part of her life. Madam Xanadu reads the cards and informs Elizabeth that one of the triad is already in her life. She is unable to tell Elizabeth which one has awakened.

Achilles looks into the orb to see when the wedding is now showing as taking place in three months and sixteen days. Hawkman is now waking up in three months and sixteen days. 

Achilles searches for the unfortunate one in the orb. He scans for some time, but he only finds one repeated reference with any kind of moniker. There is a little-known hero in Gateway city who has had some exposure to timelines. It is Donna of the Unfortunate name. 

Achilles hands Elizabeth his phone so that she can call Donna of the Unfortunate. Achilles leaves a voice message. 

Harbinger, Lady Quirk and Pariah explored the confines of what was the new universe. 

The orb believes Psycho Pirate is dead because Black Adam 3.5 years ago pushed the Medusa head through his skull. 

Elizabeth asks Orichalcum what they need to do to get Donna to the other side of the veil. You would take them to the end point and the end point would eventually take them. Then she would fix the timeline on the other side. If Achilles is one of the static points, they could try to go through with him. If he isn’t though, bad things would happen. 

Achilles calls Rachel but gets her answering machine. 

Orichalcum proposes that they use Quantum’s abilities to attach themselves to Achilles. Achilles wants to use Hourman’s timeship. He calls Mr. Terrific to ask permission to use the ship. 

The group returns to the mansion to pick up Katrina, Donna, and Quantum. They travel to Gotham City and pick up the time ship. They quickly reach the wall of time. It’s an imovable white wall coming towards them. Hourman slips out of the ship and says he will appear at the right moment. 

Preview of the weird temporal stuff that happened: 

Achilles remembers being an eternal hero from the war. He arose fifteen days after his Greek funeral. He’s run across Hawkman and Hawkgirl in at least four lifetimes beyond the Old West. One time it was Cinnamon and Nighthawk in the Old West. In one time, he was Vandal Savage’s general. Savage got jealous and eliminated him. He has intersected with Vandal Savage three more times. 

Elizabeth remembers two more Hawk lives. E will provide two, or I can create them. The known lives are the OG, World War II, Thinagard, the Old West, Mermadon, and ancient Krypton. 

Hawkman and Hawkgirl led the Mermadon’s home after the death of Achiles and the sacking of Troy. They were both killed when they returned home by Hath-Set who had usurped the ruler. 

Akasha – E needs to think. 

Orichalcum – can give herself an expertise science! of nineteen. She has been blending magic and science while making her suit. Bob can also invent some new memories where she had visitations by Harmonia Lee. 

Legion of Super-Heroes - sort of....

 Ian is attracting a lot of attention as he walks in the corridor. Servants are doing double takes and there is hesitancy. There is a lot of excessive bowing, more than usual. Ian double checks himself to make sure nothing is off about his attire or appearance. 

The group walks into the room. Sitting there is the wife of the director of council of peace, Katrina. Ian is surprised to see her. Jean recognizes her. 

A woman with a red and white leather mask walks in. She has long flowing blonde hair and elaborate and richly embroidered robes. No one can see her face.  She introduces the entire group: Gardener Skid, Master Ian Wayne, Maria .., Jean Snell, and the Quatro. She then introduces Katrina Gupta. She tells the group that they are going on a little mission for the sake of the emperor and the empire. A very powerful and dangerous artifact has disappeared from the palace vaults where it was kept for safe keeping. 

Ian inquiries as to what special skills Katrina brings to the group. She rattles off the square root of some high number. Ian asks how that will help with the retrieval of a magical artifact. The masked woman assures the group that Katrina brings many talents that will come in handy. 

The amulet of Nanazemene. When worn it produces dangerous visions and delusions that makes the wearer act erratically. A thief stole it and has made it to a country outside the city. The last time he was scryed, he was about to enter a villa owned by the Wayne family. All this happened yesterday. Ian proposes that they may find the thief incapacitated by one of the house traps. The masked woman warns that the thief is one of the imperial guardsmen and may have tricked the serfs. 

The guard’s name is Olafsson. He’s worked here for years. He’s of a middling family who worked his way up. There is no known link between the family and the rebels. There was a scandal that the youngest, Javier, wasn’t willing to get married. There were whispers as to why he refused to be married. It would be preferable to question him to see if this is part of a larger conspiracy. A public trail and execution is always to the benefit of keeping order. 

A carriage will escort them all the way to the Wayne estate. The keyhole on the manacles is fake. The manacles are magical. She informs the group that Ian is running the mission and everyone is to report to him and follow his orders. She also tells Ian that he can magically remove the manacles by simply touching it and willing it so. Ian observes the group as they are given this information. No one seems upset or annoyed by Ian being in charge. Maria, however, is annoyed that a gardener is accompanying them but not as a servant. 

Jean recognizes Maria as Maria Ramirez, the daughter of Calypso, the great hero of the battle of Ion. He knows that she has been training at the council of magic. The son is working a simple role there. Calypso’s husband has drunk himself into oblivion. 

The group is provided healing potions and other necessary items such as antitoxins. 

Ian infers that this woman is the second or fourth wife. Jean inquiries as to the guardian’s abilities. He’s from Ghoran Prime. He is able to heal. Maria knows that Ghoran Prime has a favored status for not resisting the emperor when he first started to consolidate the chaos of the galaxy into a unified peaceful empire. 

A serving girl brings a tray of goodies. Ian notices that she subtly cringes when she sees him. She returns with a glass of mead and looks over at Ian as though expecting him to beat her. 

Maria asks Katrina what crime she committed. She says she’s allegedly a rebel. Ian point blank asks her if she’s a rebel. Katrina says no. Maria and Ian agree that she is a very gifted liar. 

Jean brown noses Maria. Ian observes everyone’s interaction and takes note of what they say. 

The masked woman gives Jean a wand. He then hands Ian a bag full of ten nonlabelled flasks. She undoes Katrina’s leg manacles. Ian wonders if they were sent to dispatch Katrina, but he quickly realizes that is not the case. 

The masked woman leads the group down the hall. They all (minus the Quatro) notice that the servants do double takes when they see Ian and they appear scared. The group is led to the carriage that is run by two trolls and a man with a whip. Katrina says, “Hi, Bob,” to the man with the whip. He nods. 

Maria offers to fly from a distance to keep an eye on the carriage. The masked lady tells her she prefers Maria inside with the others, the third eye can keep an eye on things. Ian, Katrina, and Quatro sit facing back and Maria, Jean, and Kid Skid sit facing forward. 

The rumor is that if you mention the emperor’s name, it brings his attention to you. 

The group passes the noble district, the mid-level district, and then the servant’s level. Jean’s eye notices that someone is about to stumble into the way of the carriage. The carriage jolts to a stop and the driver yells at the man to get out of the way. Jean sees that the man has no weapons and only a deflated wineskin. Jean throws him a silver to get him to move out of the way. The man dives for the silver. He reeks of alcohol. Maria recognizes the man as her father. 

The walls next to the city gate have fresh heads on the spikes. The carriage passes a slum area outside the city. It reeks. Starving people beg for coin. Maria snarls at them in disgust. The carriage eventually makes it to the noble land with serfs working the land. Through the arcane eye, Jean spots a large group lurking in the shadows. They appear to be pulling out weapons. Jean warns that there is an ambush up ahead.  ‘

Ian jumps out of the carriage, pulls out his batwings, flies to the first goblin and punches him in the jaw. Despite punching him hard, the goblin rubs his chin but remains standing. Ollie gives Quatro bark skin. Jean teleports across the field to the other side of the goblin mob. Maria flies out and casts a green ball of flame. Surprisingly, the goblins are fine. One pulls out a staff, a beam of fiery energy shoots out and engulfs the carriage driver. Quatro jumps out of the carriage and heads toward the mob. 

Katrina gives Ollie a weird look and vibrates for a moment. Meanwhile, Ian continues punching the goblin in front of him. He knocks him out. One of the goblins yells, “Gobber. They took out Gobber.” He turns and punches another goblin, taking him out. Another goblin yells, “Gobber. They took out Gobber two.” 

Ollie steps outside of the carriage to find the driver enveloped in flames. He douses him and the fire goes out. Jean gestures and mirror like shards fly toward the mob of goblins. The goblins are now burnt and bloodied. Jean asks, “Are you willing to surrender?” 

One of the goblins turns to the others and says, “I thought she said they were going to be easy.” Maria shoots a fireball at the mob of goblins, taking out a bunch of goblins.

The goblins yell, “Gobber, Gobber, Gobber, and Gobber two are out. It wasn’t supposed to be this hard.” They turn and run. Ian knocks one unconscious so they can interrogate him. 

Quatro runs toward a running goblin and swings his axe at him. He misses because he recognizes the goblin as a part of a troop of touring goblins. They released half a dozen lions in the stadium with the goblins. They supposedly left and moved on. 

Katrina continues trying to use her powers. The manacles suppress everything she tries. Ian ties up the goblin he knocked out. Ollie heals the driver. Jean casts a spell to block the goblin’s withdrawal. The goblin spellcaster casts a spell that undoes Jean’s spell, and they continue running. The goblin with Quatro recognizes him and runs. 

Ian calls Ollie over to rouse the tied goblin. Jean casts a final spell on the retreating goblin with the staff. The goblin nimbly avoids the daggers flying toward him. 

Ollie places his hand on the goblin, waking him up. Ian uses intimidation to interrogate the goblin. He discovers that a woman paid each goblin 10 gold to ambush them. The woman wore a veil. 

Ian and the group discuss the circumstances. Ian speculates that either someone tried to frame one of the wives or one of the wives wants to prevent them from getting the artifact. Quatro adds that the goblins were gladiators. Maria asks Ian if the Madam recruited him. Upon finding out that his father was the one who recruited him, Maria turns a suspicious eye on Ian. 

The carriage rumbles as it enters the Wayne estate. When he steps off the carriage, the ground shakes. He sees a dozen of his servants gathered around the shed with guards who are drawing their swords. 

Maria casts light on the group. They are startled, but one servant notices Ian and runs over to him. Ian is told that there is an intruder in the shed. The group decides to go investigate in case its Javier. As the ground shakes, Ian asks the spellcasters if they can identify what is causing the quakes. Ollie wonders if it’s something big burrowing underground. Jean knows that arcane spells can be cast that quake the earth, but it is usually more 

Katrina tells Ian that she is a Derlen and can shape change. Ian thinks she’s deluded. Maria is invisible and can walk through the door. Ian asks her to scout ahead. Maria blinks into the room and casts light on the other side of the room. She sees Javi and casts hold person on him. Maria calls the others into the room. 

Ian and the others walk in. He ties up Javi who is suddenly very happy to see Ian. Ian has never seen this man before. Maria becomes instantly suspicious. Javi becomes distraught that Ian doesn’t recognize him. Ian intimidates Javi and finds out the artifact is under a specific pumpkin patch. Katrina and Javi discuss the fact that time and space is not the way it’s supposed to be. Javi recognizes all the others. Maria flies back and prepares to attack. She stops Ian from looking for the artifact. She wants Quatro to go with Javi instead. The two quarrel. 

The shaking intensifies. Then something erupts right under Quatro. Out comes a purple worm. 

Legion of Super-Heroes - Catching up

Previously on Legion of Super-Heroes

The group accident killed Time Trapper. This takes place immediately following that...

The New Empire

The Emperor’s Champion, The Quatro, is in the arena. His opponent is the very last Stone Golem in the galaxy. Quatro sees movements inside the Imperial box. Either the Emperor or one of his wives is inside the box. The golem says, “We don’t need to fight. We don’t need to listen to the emperor.” Quatro’s axe can’t seem to hit the golem, so he grapples the guy. The stone golem doesn’t resist. Jed, Quatro’s fighting partner, runs into the arena. Jed tries to stab the golem but misses. Quatro kills block with an upper cut. Quatro throws some of the rubble to the crowds who fight over it. He looks up at the Imperial box. There is a robed woman in red and blue with a light blue veil over her face. It is traditional for the first wives to hide their faces. She is wearing the sigil of a curled snake. She holds out a flower toward Quatro. He bows and kneels. She praises him and hands him the flower. It is a beautiful red rose with tinges of blue along the tips of the petals. It looks like there is something hidden among the petals. When he looks at it later it says, “I’ll see you tonight.” This is the third wife.

We appear at the office of the observers where newly minted John Snell is familiarizing himself with some cases. He’s the third eye. A woman clad in blue and red robes with a sigil of a snake arrives with an elvish woman. He has no doubt that this is the third wife, who has never encountered before. “We owe you thanks and congratulations for rooting out the traitor.” Snell is responsible for catching Focult,( Invisible Kid). Before he was found to be treacherous, he was fulfilling a duty for the third wife. She was hoping he left files behind for her. He finds the files. One is filed: Glorith and the other Katrina Veldar. She was involved with Focult and involved in his treachery. Katrina is the wife of Director Veldar who is the head of the peace council. John offers to research the director, but she says it’s unnecessary because the director is loyal to the emperor. Both files glow as magical and are set with a wizard lock of some sort that are keyed to specific individual to be open. He studies her; she has magic of the protective variety on her. Her broach is also magical. The elvish woman has a faint glamor on her. It is there to provide proof against mind reading. As she leaves, she refers to the elven woman as Allesandra.

Ian’s father instructs him to go on a little mission that he is going on. He tells him that since he’s being trained for a better role in the council of magics, he wants Ian to come and observe as he confiscates a forbidden artifact that an unauthorized item is in the possession of somebody. Ian’s father is wearing his best robes and all of his best jewelry. Ian dresses appropriately and wears the Wayne family crest. They head to the greater noble neighborhood. House Spiffiny is one of the lesser houses that has designs upon being a greater house. The patriarch of the family recently died in a very tragic accident involving a sword and a tub. The eldest and only son, Lester, has taken over the house. Everybody puts up with them but pays them little mind. The previous patriarch came into possession of a rare artifact that is far too dangerous for somebody as unskilled in the ways of magic as them. They are there to take the magical device. Ian is to watch and do nothing.

An attractive wench escorts them into the house. In the sitting room there is one item that stands out among all the others: it’s a huge tapestry. It shows a battle, two forces opposing one another. The one on the right is imperial forces, and the enemy side are all clad in variation of the same green uniform. Floating over the head of the green army are small figures with blue skin and red robes. This is a representation of the battle of the green in which the emperor’s forces overwhelmed plant Io. Most notably, at the head of the charge of the emperor forces is a very attractive woman with a darker skin tone than the others. She has greenish glow about her (like Dynasty). A pimply faced kid comes out. He greets Ian’s father with too much familiarity. He congratulates them on the marriage into the McCulley family. He vocalizes interest in the youngest daughter. Ian tries to keep his face still, but his eyebrow twitches a little bit. The kid draws attention to the tapestry. The tapestry is woven with the robe of the guardians of the universe. There’s even threads of the lantern corp. Ian’s father vocalizes that he is there for the hourglass. He stammers, “What hourglass?” Its possession is outlawed by the emperor, and he has been sent by the council of magic to confiscate it. Ian’s father sighs, fiddles with his ring, lifts his fingers, and incinerates the tapestry and the wench. Lester beats at the flaming tapestry, but it’s futile. Father says, “The hourglass that is in the safe that is located behind what used to be your family’s tapestry.” He asks for the hourglass again and threatens to burn down the load bearing wall. Lester twirls the combination on the safe; it’s the equivalent of 1,2,3, 4. He grabs a teak box that looks classy. He stumbles back to Thomas and offers it. Thomas snaps the lock on the box and rested inside is a golden hourglass about the size of a drinking glass. Thomas looks at it and closes the box. Once inside the carriage, Thomas asks Ian what lessons he has learned. Ian shares his insights and his father appears pleased. Another forbidden artifact has come to light and Thomas has convinced the council to send Ian.

Ollie is spending his day, as he does every day, in the imperial gardens. He is tending to a very rare flower that will be worn by the new fifth wife. It will be ready just in peak condition right before the wedding next month. The third wife approaches Ollie with her handmaiden. She sends away her handmaiden. The flower is from Ollie’s home world. She asks him to tell her about his world. He does. It was one of the first worlds to bend its knees to the emperor. Saplings were given as gifts to the emperor. Ollie is one of those saplings. He shares about the Serpant or Mother-in-law plant. The emperor’s mother is long gone, so the third wife has never had to deal with her. She asks Ollie if there are any medicinal plants and shares, “My handmaiden Allessandra has confessed to having troubles with her memories lately. Might you have medicinal plants that might enhance the memory in some way?” Ollie gives her some suggestions. He crafts a poultice in moments. It should be spread over the forehead when one wakes in the morning. She lifts her veil, leans over, and gives him a kiss on the cheek.

Maria is in the council of magic. Master Antonio Stefanagi (can’t spell) walks in. She recognizes him as her master. The council of magic has been tasked with working with the other councils to ensure a smooth celebration and a joyous one. He nudges her. She says it’s only rumor. Antonio has placed a wager that it will be her. Maria thinks it will be the Wayne girl because she is pliable. He wants her to be the liaison with Director Valdar in the council of peace to spread the message of peace. General Laro had to put down a rebellion by the heroes of the planet and the lightning clan of … The door to the chamber opens and Kyle (Dynasty’s brother) walks inside. He’s dressed in simple robes. Someone is here to see his sister. Kyle whispers in his ear. It’s the third wife. Maria greets the third wife. At the third wife’s request, Kyle takes the handmaiden elsewhere. The third wife has heard rumors that Maria will be the fifth wife. She acknowledges Maria’s beauty and asks about Maria’s study. Maria lists some of her powers and skills, including not having to breath. The third wife jokes that this particular skill will be helpful as fifth wife. She asks Maria to answer honestly if she wants to be the fifth wife. Maria bluffs that she will be honored to do whatever the emperor wants of her. Maria asks the third wife if she’s interested in history. The wife asks what period Maria is interested in studying. Maria is obviously interested in the reign of the emperor but honestly, she is interested in the emperor’s battle in the 20th century against leagues and society of heroes. The third wife is interested in reading more. Maria will gather scrolls and information for her. The third wife extends an invitation to dine at the palace. Kyle looks disheveled but the handmaiden looks perfectly put together.

Katrina wakes up in a prison cell. She got her memories an hour ago. She is trying to figure out where she made the mistake and what she missed. Based on what she remembers on the last moments in the other timeline, she’s pretty sure that blowing up time trapper and trying to rescue the person from the hourglass, Dynasty did weird magical shit that interfered with the chrono artifact of the hourglass further messing things up. From all of her research and what she had gleaned from herself when she was the embodiment of the time trapper, she knows that the time trapper was instrumental in putting the legion together in the first place. With no time trapper, there is no legion. That has obviously had a cascading effect on everything else. She tries to manifest energy, but it feeds into itself. A masked man, Persuader, walks into the cell to take her. As she passes a cell, she sees Jacque chained to the wall, not looking well. She is dragged into an extravagant room. Sitting on the dais is the emerald empress. Little green stones float around her head. She asks Katrina how long she’s been working with the resistance. Katrina confesses that she has indirectly worked with them for a very little time. The Emerald Empress asks who else is in the resistance. Katrina says she doesn’t know but that the Empress would not believe anything she says. The Empress pulls out a dagger and licks it. She wants to use it on Katrina but can’t leave any marks because Katrina is still the wife of the director of peace. The Empress threatens to hurt Focurt. Katrina admits that she doesn’t want him hurt but she doesn’t have anything to share. The Empress stares up at her stones and admits that Katrina is surprisingly telling the truth. The emperor wishes no more executions until the anniversary of his ascendency at which point there will be a public execution to celebrate his wedding. Despite all her efforts with her eyes and ears, she has no idea who the emperor has chosen. As she continues talking, a hidden side door opens. Another woman walks in. She is wearing a red mask with a big white stripe in the middle of it. She has long flowing blonde hair and is dressed in a simple but stylish red gown. She has need of the prisoner because the emperor has another need for Katrina. The Empress is pissed and embeds her dagger in a pillow. The new woman takes Katrina away. She is respectful and polite. She doesn’t drag her but instead loosely holds the chain. Katrina suspects that this is one of the wives. She says, “The Cherry trees in the garden are beautiful this time of year.” Katrina knows that this is one of Jacque’s resistance expressions.

Ian is back at Wayne manor later that night in the drawing room after dinner. Tjere has been another artifact that needs to be confiscated. It has fallen into the hands of one of the palace guards. The item and the guard have disappeared. It is known as the amulet of Namazone. It is incredibly dangerous and threatens to disrupt his majesty’s peace. It must be reoptained by any measure. Normally for a simple mission, one would send one agent but given the danger of this artifact they want to send him with others who have particular skills that might be helpful. They want to make sure Ian is well protected so they will be sending along the emperor’s champion. The emperor’s profetress indicates that some wild creature might somehow be associated with this palace guard, so they are also going to send one of the gardeners. And of course, one of the eyes from the council of eyes and ears will be accompanying them. One of the hero of the green left behind two children; one is a student at the council of magic. She will be joining. Another will be joining but Ian cannot be told who. It is somebody else who is in the palace right now. Thomas will escort Ian to the palace where he will meet with one of the advisors who has been the one to best interpret the profitress dreams in this situation. She will be able to explain more and introduce him to his fellow travelers. The item is beyond the city walls. It is believed it is somewhere on the Wayne estates; fifty miles beyond the metropolis. He will be on higher ground there. Of them all only the Ramirez needs to be kept safe. Ian asks if the others are aware that they answer to him. Thomas says that it will be made clear.

Quatro has been careful all day. He’s saving himself for that night’s festivities. His trainer eventually shows up to tell him a noble woman is there for him. When Quatro walks in and finds a woman in red robes with a leather mask. It has a red stripe. She has no sort of identifying sign. She assures him that the third wife has no interest in pursuing anything with him. He bluffs that he wasn’t expecting anything. She tells him that the emperor is impressed with him and wants him to complete a mission. She asks him to gather his supplies and magical weapons. He will be debriefed later.

Snell is closing up for the evening when the door opens. A woman in red robes with a red mask with a white stripe down the middle of it walks in. She is there to summon him for the emperor. It involves a mission to retrieve an artifact. A small group will be sent to retrieve it. He offers to gather information for her. She asks that he find out how loyal they are to the emperor. One of them is disloyal but the others is unknown. She can answer further questions once they are all together. If he discovers disloyalty, he is not to take action but to provide it in his report.

Ollie is finishing up the garden when he sees a woman with red robes with a red mask with a white stripe down the middle of it. She tells him that the emperor has need of his services. The emperor thought he had the particular talents needed to retrieve an artifact of importance. He will be escorted to the palace within the half hour. It is especially important that he be prepared to deal with potentially dangerous wildlife.

Maria is visited by the woman in the red robe with the red mask with a white stripe. The master has approved for Maria to go on a mission to retrieve an artifact that has been stolen. Someone will be there within the half hour.

Everyone is escorted to the castle. Katrina is left waiting in the room manacled and chained but the doors have been left unlocked. She looks around the room for something to unlock the manacles. She finds a thin set of tongs with an ice bucket. She manages to use them to unlock the manacles. Electricity courses through her body and the manacles stay locked. There is no guard outside the door. Katrina decides to wait. The robed woman returns twenty minutes later. The rest of the group enters. Katrina recognizes them.

DC Modern - The Collapsing Timeline and Mayoral Maneuvers

The session opened on a bright, sunny afternoon at the Embassy, a welcome respite after the chaos of April Fool's Day. Ferdinand, the Minotaur vegetarian, was already at work, preparing everyone's favorite breakfast. Despite his own dietary preferences, he had no qualms cooking meat for the team, humorously noting that his distant relatives (the beef) couldn't talk anyway.

The morning papers arrived, and with them, a curious sidebar on the front page. Elizabeth Abigail Bennett, known as Hawk Girl, discovered an announcement hinting at her impending engagement. Furious, she immediately called Edward, her supposed fiancé. The conversation was a comical dance of denial and misinterpretation. "While I was in a coma, Edward announced that we were engaged?" she demanded, to which he replied, "Well, I mean, it was going to happen anyways, and I didn't want people to block me access from being able to see you." He even revealed a new "Bennett-Carlton Birds of Prey Aviary" that she knew nothing about. Elizabeth's frustration was palpable, especially when Edward's casual mention of a new ring with a hawk symbol further complicated matters. "Does that symbol mean anything? To me," she asked, eyeing the ring.

Meanwhile, a strange individual in a red unitard with yellow pants and a domino mask delivered a small box to Achilles. Inside, a note from "Flamebird" explained the unusual delivery method via a friend who could "breach the barrier." The box contained a wrong-colored Green Lantern ring—a blue one—along with a note hoping it would work despite dimensional differences. The note read: "Sorry to deliver this, not in person. I was unsure I would be able to get back. But my friend has the ability to breach the barrier. I knew he would be able to find you and get back presuming that he didn't get distracted and deliver this to somebody else. If so, could you please forward this to Achilles of the Myrmidons at the former Themysciran Embassy gate wasted? Indeed. Uh, Achilles. I hope this will work. I don't know about the dimensional difference. Because there's a chance since it's from my home and not yours. It may not work at all. But I know how it is to be separated. Signed. Flame bird."

Across the Embassy, Orichalcum (Lin Xinwei) received a series of increasingly frantic calls and texts from her grandfather, now residing in a metallic construct body. He was on a quest for a "disintegrator" from the Embassy's workshop or armory, intending to use it on the mayor or the corrupt police commissioner to protect Orichalcum's parents. "I'm going to discriminate the person that endangered your parents that corrupt police commissioner," he declared. Orichalcum patiently, and humorously, explained the concept of murder and the legal system to her exasperated grandfather. "Okay, Grandpa. This, that's called murder in this country and every other country," she stated. The conversation also revealed that Orichalcum's brother, Black Diamond, was recovering well and had even received a power boost, sponsored by the mayor's office.

Adding to the morning's odd deliveries, a cat wandered into the Embassy and presented Akasha with a small note and a pressed, dried four-leaf clover. Akasha's magical awareness immediately sensed an "insane amount of potent magic" within the clover, a mechanism designed to transport the user to a safe place if a massive wave of entropy affected the arrow of time. The note simply said: “I didn't know you existed. Please keep this on you at all times."

A little later, Rachael was relaxing in the pool, listening to music with her earbuds in. Quantum, needing to get her attention, threw a lawn chair into the pool. "You get soaked together with water if something else is thrown at you," he warned. Rachael, startled, pulled out her earbuds. "What do you need?" she asked. Quantum then informed her of the mayor's meeting, and she agreed to accompany him.

Quantum and Rachael attended the meeting called by the new mayor, Angus Miller. The mayor, eager to assert his authority, informed Quantum about the ongoing investigation into former Commissioner Hall's corruption. He emphasized that Quantum, as the superhero liaison, worked for the mayor's office and was responsible for coordinating superhero response for Gateway City. "You're our liaison, too. The superhero Community," the mayor stated. "So, when the mayor's office needs things from the superhero community and we contact our liaison who works for us and you make sure it happens if there's a disaster. You know you're in charge of coordinating superhero response for Gateway City, understood?" The mayor also made it clear that the superhero community's support for Hall was putting them on "thin ice." The discussion then veered into the contentious topic of the Chinatown redevelopment zone and the mayor's problematic views on the immigrant community and gang violence. "The gang violence is happening there, not anywhere else in Gateway City. Thank thank God," the mayor remarked, to which Quantum retorted, "Well, some of your facts are wrong, but I understand, they said, you've been misinformed." Quantum attempted to navigate the political tightrope, trying to ensure any press releases accurately reflected the situation.

Following the meeting, Quantum's tax issues came to light when he reached out to Elizabeth for a referral. He had been under the impression that Ferdinand handled his personal taxes. However, when Elizabeth asked, Ferdinand quickly dispelled this notion, "I prepare your meals that I cleaned the house." Elizabeth wondered how a superhero could file taxes without revealing their secret identity. "Oh, oh, wow, okay, uh, this is gonna require some research," she said. Quantum admitted he owed "about two years worth of back taxes," having been "unemployed for two years" before joining the Myrmidons. He had received three paychecks, totaling $2000 each, but without proper tax forms or direct deposit information, the city payroll was holding his money. "They're paying you without you providing them with identification. Isn't that illegal?" Elizabeth pressed. After much deliberation and a call to her network, Elizabeth found a potential contact: Kate Spencer, a lawyer specializing in superhero law.

Meanwhile, back at the Embassy, Achilles, disturbed by the day's events, consulted the Orb. What he discovered was chilling: all recorded history in the universe abruptly ceased six months from the current date. Future heroes and events he knew to exist were simply gone, erased from the timeline. "The orb records the last in the collapse of the space-time Continuum," he reported. This stark revelation prompted Achilles to call an emergency team meeting in the dining room.

During the meeting, Achilles shared his grim findings from the Orb. The team grappled with the implications of a collapsing timeline and the disappearance of future figures like Booster Gold and the Legion of Superheroes. "You're married in the league married two weeks later. The universe ends," Achilles summarized grimly. The discussion turned to Harmonia Lee, Orichalcum's grandmother, as a potential expert on the time stream, though her possible involvement in the disruption was also considered. "Is there a possibility she's the one responsible for all this?" Achilles pondered. Amidst the gravity of the situation, Orichalcum also revealed that the package her grandfather was supposed to deliver to her contained a fake Eclipso diamond, with a note from Harmonia Lee stating it was for her "favorite" grandchild's protection. The note read: "While my newest grandchild will be getting something later and of lesser efficacy. I wish to make sure that you, my favorite, are protected. Keep this on you at all times."

The session concluded with the team facing the daunting reality of their impending temporal doom, a problem far more pressing than any personal dramas or tax woes. The mystery of the collapsing timeline and Harmonia Lee's role in it became their immediate, paramount concern.

The Life and Times of a Deadman - Episode 42 - A Harrowing Pursuit: The Hunt for Sally on Hook Street

The air in the dreaming version of Sharn hung heavy with the scent of ozone and the metallic tang of fear as London, a determined figure with a keen nose, tracked the elusive hag. The cobblestones beneath their feet seemed to watch with unseen eyes, and a sudden, sharp smell of dogs prickled London's senses. Just as the pursuit intensified, Bosley, ever the free spirit, became momentarily entranced by a majestic elk, while Audrey Rose gasped, remembering a forgotten class, a nightmare vision of missed attendance. It took the collective effort of the group to snap her back to reality. In the distance, a cackle echoed, a chilling confirmation that London was indeed on the right track.

Suddenly, the very cobblestones they trod upon sprang to life, attempting to ensnare their feet like monstrous bear traps. A horrifying howl tore through the air, forcing the group to steel their minds against an unseen terror. At the end of the alley, two canine figures, wreathed in smoke, faded away. But not before a spectral dog lunged at Audrey Rose, biting her leg and trying to trip her, while another savaged Sabrina. Audrey Rose retaliated, throwing a bomb that phased harmlessly through her attacker, only for a second, electrically charged bomb to shock it. London, seizing the moment, unleashed a Searing Light, illuminating the shadowy creature. The battle was on. These were no ordinary foes; the adventurers soon discovered they were pitted against four Nightguants and two Shadow Mastiffs, creatures of pure nightmare. After a brutal struggle, the monstrous canines fell.

Their perilous journey continued, the pursuit of Sally unwavering. Yet, the strange energies of this place began to take their toll. Zita, a usually grounded member of the party, hunched on the ground, seemingly eating imaginary mushrooms and claiming they were calling to her. This place was not right, twisting perception and sowing strange hallucinations.

Finally, their quarry led them to a splendid house on Hook Street. London, ever at the forefront, moved towards the door, the group close behind. Without warning, a deadly vine lashed out, coiling around London. Then, the very grass beneath their feet erupted, trying to ensnare them, but the agile adventurers dodged and tumbled out of the way. Audrey Rose, quick-thinking, sprinted up the stairs and hurled a bomb at the vine constricting London. As one vine tightened its grip on London, another reached out and grappled Audrey Rose. Sabrina, seeing an opening, dashed into the house, followed closely by Zita, who deftly avoided a grasping root. Bosley unleashed a Ray of Frost upon the aggressive flora. Audrey Rose, her eyes scanning the terrifying scene, realized the massive tree was staring at her with malevolent intent. A root burst through the floor, aiming for Sabrina, but she slipped away just in time. Another root lunged for Zita, who dodged it, but a third secured its hold on London. The very trunk of the tree then attempted to bite London, narrowly missing.

Audrey Rose, a scholar of the arcane, recognized the monstrous assailant as a Quickwood, a gargantuan plant immune to electricity and fire, possessing all the inherent traits of its botanical kin. She quickly ingested her mutagen, sharing her knowledge of the formidable tree with her companions. Above, Dol and Tweetie Bear circled, Dol casting Haste upon the group, invigorating their spirits. The desperate battle raged on. Audrey Rose recalled her studies of assassin vines, a realization dawning that her bottled lightning, usually so effective, would be useless against these particular adversaries. At last, after a grueling fight, the adventurers triumphed, destroying the Quickwood and its deadly tendrils. London, ever the healer, tended to the badly injured party members, allowing them a moment to catch their breath before they turned their attention back to the seemingly innocent house on Hook Street.

The Life and Times of a Deadman - Episode 41 - Into the Dream: The Shard, the Spider, and the Hag

In the morning after their grim discoveries, Audrey Rose gathered the team to share what she had uncovered from the Paginarum Lethargica. They spoke at length about the ritual that would allow them to enter the dream realm, the importance of the Dream Shard, and what would be required to defeat the growing threat. The conversation was thick with tension and debate—the path ahead was perilous, and time was quickly running out.

Key pieces of the puzzle were coming into focus. The Brotherhood of the Spider, led by a man named Nahum, currently held the Dream Shard. The house on Hook Street, now a crumbling ruin, had once belonged to Nahum and was originally a temple to the Sovereign Host before the family had built a manor house atop it. The group also learned of a place called Mogul Tar, located in the Baesch Mountains, which might prove significant later.

While Audrey Rose was urging Zita and Sabrina to speak with the magistrate and secure official backing, Bosley quietly slipped away with London. Zita, catching on, followed discreetly. Together they negotiated terms with the magistrate: the group would be paid 1,500 gold per person upon delivery of the Dream Shard and proof of Nahum’s death.

Meanwhile, Audrey Rose continued analyzing the grim mathematics of the dream corruption. At the current rate, the entire city would fall under its influence in just thirteen days. Learning the ritual to counter it would take six. The odds were grim.

The group began attempting the ritual, but their first attempt failed. On the following night, however, they succeeded. It was now Day Eight.

With the ritual complete, the group stepped into the dreamscape. A dense fog surrounded them, and an eerie, oppressive silence hung in the air. The twisted landscape mirrored the Fallen District, distorted and uncanny. Shards of corrupted dreamstuff began to swirl, slowly forming into a towering spire.

A faceless, winged gargoyle flew silently overhead as the party suddenly found themselves standing before Lady Kerrington’s house. A crashing noise tore through the dream as metal groaned somewhere nearby. Movement flickered in the corners of their vision—shadows and half-seen horrors.

Audrey Rose gave a warning, moments before a bloated, dog-sized flea with a drill-bit proboscis lunged from the shadows and slashed into them. As the group rallied to fight, the creature vanished into the mist—only to be replaced by six grey-skinned humanoids: cultists of the Spider, closing in with blades drawn.

A chaotic battle erupted. Blades clashed and spells flashed through the dream-fog. Eventually, the cultists and their monstrous companion were vanquished, their forms crumbling into fragments of nightmare.

Then came the cackling.

From the mists emerged an old woman with curling ram’s horns—Sally Scrabblebones. She held Lady Kerrington by the hair, her form limp and unconscious. With a crooked smile and a mocking tone, the hag sneered, “Do you want to make more money? Sure, we all do.” And with that, she vanished into the sky, taking Lady Kerrington with her.

The group stood in the dream-fog, bloodied but alive, realizing they had only just begun to uncover the true horror of the dream realm—and that Sally Scrabblebones now held one of their few allies captive.

The Life and Times of a Deadman - Episode 40 - Whispers in Waking: The Dream Key and the Book of Secrets

After a restless night, Zita gathers the group to share a vivid and troubling dream. Audrey Rose suggests that the benevolent rainbow-horned creature in Zita’s dream might be a baku—a rare fae that feeds on nightmares and offers peaceful sleep in return. She also identifies the dream’s sinister orange-horned presence as a night hag, extraplanar entities from the Astral Plane that trade in mortal souls and wield powerful magic.

Later, after their morning practice, the party visits Madam Kerrington’s estate in the Fallen District. The area is now crowded with tents and lean-tos. Dahl observes that most of these makeshift homes appeared within the past two months. When Zita asks one of the squatters why they’re camped there, he explains that it's the safest place to sleep—elsewhere, people’s dreams are under attack.

Audrey Rose recalls something from a previous meeting with Madam Kerrington: a name—Sally Scrabblebones, a night hag active in the area. When Manored, Kerrington’s butler, lets them in, Audrey Rose whispers to Zita that Kerrington herself might be Sally in disguise.

Inside, Kerrington waits for them in the drawing room. She admits to attempting to summon Zita through dreams, seeking to instill urgency. As Zita recounts her dream, the group discusses the baku again, especially its role in shielding against natural and drug-induced nightmares.

Zita confronts Kerrington, asking why she appeared as a night hag in her vision and whether there is a connection to Sally Scrabblebones. Kerrington acknowledges that Sally is real and known in the region but denies any personal dealings with her.

When the conversation shifts to the Clavis Somnus—the mysterious dream key—Kerrington expresses interest in performing a psychometric reading on it. Zita agrees and takes her hand, triggering a vivid psychic vision:

• Scene 1: Zita finds herself back in the submerged dome temple, but it’s dry. Mira, the woman who gave them the key, is at the altar. Forrest Greevely approaches her, apologizes, and hands over the Clavis Somnus in hopes of resolving a misunderstanding.

• Scene 2: In the wreckage of the now-fallen house on Hook Street, Fral Tan—the missing nephew they were hired to find—uncovers the Clavis Somnus and a dark tome bound in silver.

• Scene 3: The house appears intact again. A bald, heavyset man is being pulled by tentacles through a portal. As he escapes, he drops the Clavis Somnus.

• Scene 4: That same man is later seen in a library, gleefully studying the same silver-bound tome.

Zita recalls that Fral Tan had indeed stolen a book along with the key. Audrey Rose connects this to a previous lead: a religious book taken by Josef Barvasi, one of Mira’s associates. Kerrington suggests that Zita may be developing the rare "gift of dreaming" and recommends they find the missing book. Audrey Rose proposes questioning Myra about Josef, while Zita is eager to return to the submerged temple.

During a group huddle, someone remembers the gang they dealt with in earlier shiver dealings—the Barvasi family. Audrey Rose links Josef Barvasi to the stolen tome. They set out, but when they arrive at the old house on Hook Street, guards tell them part of it remains flooded and under investigation. Zita identifies them as members of the Townsend Agency, and after recognition, they’re allowed limited information.

The party splits up to gather intel. Sabrina learns that the Barvasi gang has gone into hiding following a bloody purge of their associates. She arranges a meeting with the remnants of the gang for 100 gold—and a vague threat involving his vocabulary.

At dinner, the group regathers at a bar, where a street urchin, pale with fear, tells them to follow her to Rook’s Roost. Inside, Shroosh—the gang’s contact—sits in a daze, turban in his hands. The place is wrecked. Around ten Barvasi gang members lie dead, killed within the last day.

Sabrina comforts Shroosh, who reveals the gang had come to hide. He left briefly and returned to a massacre. Audrey Rose inspects the bodies, noticing strange puncture wounds the size of small drill holes. Sabrina takes a severed leg and arm, convincing Audrey Rose to store them in the bag of holding for analysis.

Back at Kerrington’s, they ask her to psychically investigate the remains. Zita touches her hand and experiences a sudden vision: A man at a door says he’s heading to a bookshop on Winding Way. Then chaos—flashes of violence and sickles shaped like spider legs. A mangy, flying creature with a metallic growl flits through the carnage.

Following this new lead, the group travels to Winding Way. The bookstore is trashed, its door kicked in. Behind the counter is a freshly killed body with similar wounds. Bosley hears whimpering and finds a 15-year-old girl hiding in a cabinet. She describes how someone burst in and slaughtered Diogorgio with a spider-like blade. She never saw a special book.

Searching the store, Bosley finds a crate of unsorted books, including a suspiciously old ledger that seems unrelated to the shop’s current business. Audrey Rose and Bosley investigate magically. They discover a bookmark of deception—an item that conceals both a book’s content and magical aura. When removed, it reveals the silver-bound tome they've been seeking. Audrey Rose quickly restores the bookmark to hide the book again.

The next morning, after a night of rest, London returns Zita’s constitution. Audrey Rose begins studying the mysterious tome. The group has finally recovered both the Clavis Somnus and the long-lost book—but the mystery only deepens, and dark forces seem to be one step ahead.

The Life and Times of a Deadman - Episode 39 - The Maw and the Medani: A Journey Through Shadows and Celebration

After narrowly surviving the events at the tower, the adventurers embarked on a perilous trek back to the train. Their path was plagued with crumbling buildings, treacherous terrain, and relentless hordes of ghouls. Exhausted but determined, they reached the train and delivered the horn to Uncle Jonathan.

Unfortunately, Sabrina, Dahl, London, and Audrey Rose all fell ill with ghoul fever. Thankfully, London was able to cure the entire group. After a debriefing with Uncle Jonathan and Erix, the party prepared to continue their journey.

Audrey Rose requested that London learn Restoration by morning, intending to question the enchanted painting about the mysterious book. She and Uncle Jonathan began cataloging the artwork recovered from the tower. Meanwhile, Zita attempted to bond with the Warforged, hoping it would imprint on her. Sabrina went to sleep, London gnawed on a shoe, Dahl scanned the train with Detect Magic before heading to the weapons cart, and Bosley examined the mysterious titan.

Zita and Sabrina observed the location where they had first acquired the weapons cart. A nearby warehouse glowed with unnaturally bright light. Then came a deafening roar. Alarmed, Audrey Rose urged Uncle Jonathan to accelerate the train. He hurried to the front cart to assess the situation.

Sabrina climbed atop the train to investigate. In the distance, she spotted a fast-approaching light—revealed to be a monstrous train-like creature, crawling on countless centipede legs with a gaping, tooth-filled maw. She hurried to the rear cart and tried to disengage it. Casting Glitterdust, she exposed a massive glowing eye on the front of the creature. It lunged and bit off half the train, pausing to chew.

In a frenzy of chaotic improvisation, the group used black powder, a ballista, and a storage cart in a makeshift trap. The resulting explosion bought them precious time, and the adventurers left the wreckage behind. They took shifts watching from the rear of the train. During London’s watch, the creature reappeared. Zita fired the ballista, striking the creature’s front car.

Sabrina proposed a bold plan: destroy the conductor stones beneath the tracks to slow the pursuing monster. Audrey Rose convinced Uncle Jonathan to stop the train. In ten frantic minutes, they dug up 30 to 40 feet of stones. It worked. The creature never reappeared, and the party finally reached Braelin safely.

The next morning, they debriefed with The Dead Man, Charlie. Dahl recounted their harrowing experience, and Charlie asked whether they had encountered any of the green worms seen in the Mournlands. They had not.

Barnsworth distributed their accumulated messages. London subscribed to the local newspaper. Later, three well-groomed young men—Barnsworth’s nephews Tar (a House Kunderrack bookkeeper), Elain (a sleep-deprived university student), and Jerrain (a muscular House Cannith apprentice)—brought food to the group. Their appearance and behavior suggested Barnsworth was attempting some matchmaking. Sabrina suspected as much.

Audrey Rose chatted with Elain about becoming an alchemist. The group settled into Braelin life, enjoying weeks of celebration, shopping for magical items, and brewing alchemical potions.

One morning, Sabrina arrived at breakfast completely plastered, having spent the last three days in Velvet—the dragon-themed red-light district. She brought extravagant gifts: a gem-encrusted collar for London (100 gp), a fine perfume for Zita (300 gp), and a bottle of luxury wine for Audrey Rose (300 gp).

Audrey Rose raised the topic of the Medani offer. Initially hesitant, Zita was swayed by the revelation that the Medani seal would grant them access to noble circles. The group agreed to meet the Baron to negotiate the price, hoping their recent fame would give them leverage.

Shortly after, Audrey Rose and Dahl received an invitation from Jamey Rook, a mystery writer, for lunch at Beef Hooked, a restaurant in the Grayflood shipyard district. Audrey Rose asked Zita to tail them in disguise, just in case. London, meanwhile, was distracted by the sound of sweeping. Curious, he followed it to two ratfolk: Purchase and Daz. After a brief exchange, London purchased their lunch—an artisanal pastrami sandwich—and took a glorious nap.

Elsewhere, Bosley discovered Vlatex, a bustling café and tea shop in Goblin Town. Its sign read (in Goblin), “You want coffee, maybe you get coffee, maybe you get punched in face.” The seven-foot-tall bugbear Vlatex, impressed by the agency’s exploits, offered to buy rare cultural artifacts from Darguun. Bosley gained a new contact.

Back at the agency, Zita prepared for her undercover assignment with lipstick and disguise help from Dahl. Audrey Rose consulted Sabrina about Beef Hooked. At the restaurant, Jamey—modestly dressed but stylish—invited Audrey Rose and Dahl to lunch, hoping to base characters in her next novel on them. She saw through Zita’s disguise, but the meeting ended peacefully, albeit strangely: they neither asked many questions nor paid any fee. Zita remained suspicious. Audrey Rose explained that Dahl simply wanted to talk.

A few nights later, as Zita left the agency, she began to float—an experience she found oddly unimportant. She drifted above the Fallen district and spotted Madam Kerrington’s house, surrounded by tents and shanties. A rainbow-colored wooly mammoth flew circles above it. Inside, the house was in ruins. In the sitting room, the autowriter sat idle, and a couch had been overturned. Zita inserted paper into the autowriter. It began to scribble: Help, help, help—and drew a familiar key.

Beneath the couch, she found a disturbing figure: Lady Kerrington’s body, but with a hideous hag’s face adorned with orange horns.

Trouble was stirring once again.

The Life and Times of a Deadman - Episode 38 - Echoes of the Horn: Siege of the Ghoul Tower

The adventurers pressed onward, following the eerie sound of a horn through the thickening fog until they reached a towering ten-story structure. Outside, the air reeked of decay, and the ground swarmed with enthralled ghasts and ghouls. These horrifying undead were known for their paralytic, flesh-eating bites that could turn victims into ghouls, and the ghasts emitted a nauseating stench that made the party uneasy.

Zita slipped forward stealthily to the building’s entrance, with Audrey Rose close behind, moving quietly to avoid disturbing the undead sentinels. The rest of the group followed cautiously. Audrey Rose took her mutagen as they entered the tower, where no doors or traps barred their way. Inside, the structure was a chaotic patchwork of narrow, twisting passages and cramped rooms, seemingly constructed by merging dozens of different buildings. The ghoul infestation was everywhere, filling the corridors with their sickening stench and eerie presence. Even Tweetie Bear’s fur stood on end, his discomfort palpable.

They paused to decide who would play the horn once they retrieved it. Audrey Rose suggested Sabrina, but Sabrina was hesitant. On reaching the ninth floor, Audrey Rose fortified herself with a shield spell. The floor was an expansive, open area with many doors and windows that looked out into the void. There, in the distance, stood a strange woman surrounded by a crimson aura. She wore a professor’s uniform and was undead—but unlike the others, she wasn’t enthralled. She smiled at the adventurers, revealing an unsettling surplus of teeth.

Sabrina boldly announced their intent to ascend to the horn’s resting place. The woman introduced herself as Belleth Zenden, petting Barry the Barrel, a mysterious companion she trusted to watch the others. Audrey Rose speculated whether Belleth was a victim of the horn’s power or already dead before its call. Belleth explained she had tended to this undead flock for months, having learned the horn’s location in Calisart’s vault from the hag Iron in exchange for two university students. The horn had been sounding for weeks, drawing the undead flock to her. Belleth, a native of the region, revealed her dark ambition to take over the world.

Spotting a staircase, Audrey Rose and Zita moved upward, with the rest following except Sabrina, who remained behind to distract Belleth. Sabrina attempted to bluff her way into favor by performing a fake fire bolt spell, which was actually a cleverly disguised dispel magic. The unexpected magic caused some spells to fade, startling Belleth who vanished with a scolding “Naughty girl,” and then commanded the undead to attack.

A horde of undead surged forth, inflicting damage on the group. Zita was paralyzed; Audrey Rose retaliated with a flesh-eating bomb, while Bosley unleashed burning hands and Dahl cast haste. London channeled healing energy as the undead continued their assault. Zita grew nauseated and Audrey Rose was also paralyzed under the onslaught.

Sabrina cast glitterdust, revealing the swarm and blinding many. She called for the group to gather the paralyzed and retreat upstairs. Bosley carried Audrey Rose to safety, and Tweetie Bear rescued Zita, enlarged by Dahl’s magic to aid the escape. London healed the party as Barry watched Sabrina, smiling ominously. Sabrina cast glitterdust again, this time including Barry, drawing the creatures’ attention toward her.

Bosley and Audrey Rose reached the tenth floor, finding an empty room except for a plinth holding a green and gold horn that played on its own. Sabrina hung off the side of the building, blinding the undead below. Audrey Rose checked the plinth for traps before grabbing the horn. Zita attempted to play it, producing a terrible sound. Dahl tried next, but nothing happened. London hurried downstairs where Barry was eyeing him; the undead swarmed him. Audrey Rose tried to play the horn but failed, while Sabrina climbed a window to join the others.

Zita, wearing slippers, descended the building’s side as angry growls followed her. Belith cast a spell at London, which failed, while Dahl rushed to Audrey Rose to retrieve the horn. London retreated upstairs as the undead stormed upward, with Bosley attacking first with fiery breath, igniting several foes but quickly overwhelmed.

Audrey Rose identified the artifact as the Horn of Quintus—an ancient magical item requiring a high skill check to activate. It could enthrall certain undead through performance or device use but risked turning its wielder undead if exposed too long. The horn also carried specific instructions for its destruction.

After deliberation, Dahl and Tweetie Bear took the horn, flying under the cover of fog toward the train station. Meanwhile, Zita used a ghoul’s voice to command the undead inside the tower, signaling it was safe to descend. London healed the weary group and moved to protect Bosley, preparing for whatever awaited next.

The Life and Times of a Deadman - Episode 37 - Echoes in the Ash: The Lung Creatures and the Haunted Horn

 The adventurers’ journey aboard the lightning rail continued under an eerie, pink-tinged mist that grew colder with each passing hour. London was found quietly chewing on a shoe, a small sign of the tension mounting among the group. When the train halted for repairs, the adventurers disembarked to protect the engineers and mechanics at work.

Sabrina heard something shuffling nearby and warned Zita that undead might be approaching. London instinctively dashed toward the sound, prompting the engineers to retreat behind the party for safety. Suddenly, from the thick mist emerged eight grotesque creatures resembling human lungs with legs and an attached esophagus. One lung-creature aimed its esophagus at London, releasing long, hairy strands that flopped onto the ground behind him. Two creatures ensnared engineers in painful tangles of hair, while others narrowly missed the party members. Tweetie Bear was caught in the tangled mess as well.

Sabrina cast confusion to disorient the attackers. Zita tried sawing through the hair while attempting to tumble past the creatures, only to be kicked as she slipped by. Dol enlarged Tweetie Bear, but he was still unable to break free.

Bosley responded with a fiery blast, setting two of the creatures writhing on the ground. The attackers tried to spit and kick at Audrey Rose, who retaliated with explosive bombs. The kobold, Snacko, added his own fire attacks to the fray. Meanwhile, London, Sabrina, and Zita fought the lung-creatures on another front, while two of the creatures bizarrely battled each other.

Zita was the first to fell one with a precise strike from her double daggers. Audrey Rose’s bombs took out two more, and Zita shredded another before Tweetie Bear finally broke free. The remaining creatures attempted to vomit hair on Audrey Rose, Bosley, and Dol, but an explosive bomb thrown by Audrey Rose decimated one more. Bosley finished off the last lung-creature.

In the aftermath, the injured gathered around London for healing, while Zita examined the remains of the strange creatures but could not identify them. None of the group had ever seen anything like them before.

Back on the train, Dol noticed the pink mist thickening, and when she picked up a piece of ash, she realized it was actually a scab from some unknown wound or affliction. The group ate and traveled for a few more hours before another stop.

London spotted a horse-drawn carriage in the distance. Dol sent Tweetie Bear to investigate. The horses were collapsed on the ground, and the two riders slumped lifeless in their seats. Among the luggage were canvas bags filled with mail, including an unopened package wrapped in brown paper and twine. Tweetie Bear brought the package to Dol, who opened it to reveal an oil painting of a pair of six-sided dice, showing the numbers 4 and 3.

As Dol held the painting, her hands burned painfully, causing two points of Constitution damage. Suddenly, she understood the painting’s magic—it granted her the effect of an augury spell once per day. Testing it, the painting shifted to show a happy crowd reading mail. Confident it was safe to bring the mail aboard, she instructed Tweetie Bear to gather the rest and stow it in the equipment car.

The night passed quietly, and the morning was uneventful. Sabrina inquired if Erix could scribe a teleportation scroll, to which he responded affirmatively. The engineers soon announced their approach to the remains of Kalasar, once a city now swallowed by the Mournland. The ash in the air thickened noticeably.

Dol explored a nearby switching station and found a couple of abandoned lightning rail cars on a sidetrack, separated from their train by dead conductor stones. One car was a flatbed carrying a wrecked mechanical device, which Bosley identified as a war forge titan — a massive, mecha-like war machine. The adjacent cart was open and partially loaded with pristine crates. Sabrina pried one open to reveal paintings, which both she and Bosley recognized as government artworks intended to be moved to safety but abandoned too late.

From the fog, London heard faint music—a horn’s call drifting eerily through the ash-filled air. The engineers and technicians continued their repairs while Erix and Uncle Jonathan stayed behind to protect them. Drawn by the mysterious sound, the adventurers moved toward the source, stepping deeper into the uncertain and haunted heart of the Mournland.

The Life and Times of a Deadman - Episode 36 - Into the Mournland - The Lightning Rail Journey

The adventurers boarded the train and headed east, accompanied by Uncle John and Professor Erix Wrighten. Their destination was Vathirond, located on the northeastern edge of Breland. The town had suffered heavily since the Mournland’s emergence, with many residents fleeing as strange and dangerous creatures appeared from the ever-present mist.

At Vathirond, the group was transferred beyond the barricade to a shortened rail line with a single cargo and passenger carriage. They met their engineers, Tabin and Isti, who would operate the train between the barricade and the Mournland’s interior. Their goal was to reach Talastart, a central hub within the mist-shrouded region. The team also encountered three mechanics—Talina (a gnome), Elun (a goblin), and Snacko (a kobold)—who had been maintaining the lightning rail for years. Sabrina learned that these three were seasoned and knowledgeable, invaluable to the expedition’s success.

Zita recommended the party set up four-hour shifts for vigilance and rest, with shifts assigned to Dahl, Zita, Sabrina, Audrey Rose, Bosley, and London.

Before departure, Uncle John gifted Zita two potions of Shield of Faith. Dahl and Bosley joined the technicians at the front of the train to learn how to monitor the tracks and systems.

While on watch, Bosley overheard a chilling tale of a trio of creatures—eight-legged, hyena-like beasts—that had once charged from the mists, emitting thunderous roars that shook the ground and caused widespread destruction.

Uncle John handed Audrey Rose a Type 2 bag of holding, capable of carrying 500 pounds and 70 cubic feet of gear. London cast Consecration on the passenger car, a protective ward that would last fourteen hours. The train was moving steadily at top speed—about 140 feet per minute.

During the first watch, Dahl noticed ghostly faces drifting outside the windows. “Souls of the lost ones,” Tweetie Bear murmured. Zita observed the fog thickening and the temperature dropping. Sabrina passed the time reading a paper.

Suddenly, the train slowed. Isti knocked on their cabin door to report they had reached their first stop for repairs—five conductor stones needed replacement, a task expected to take a few hours.

Audrey Rose, London, Dahl, Bosley, and Uncle John headed outside to guard the engineers during repairs.

Out in the mist, London and Bosley heard metallic clattering. Animated barrels rolled toward them. Uncle John and Audrey Rose threw bombs at the advancing threat. Then, fiery tendrils surged over a nearby hill, engulfing Tweetie Bear and Dahl with electrical damage.

The barrels barreled forward—one struck Bosley, another clipped Uncle John, and a third missed Audrey Rose. Uncle John destroyed a barrel, and Audrey Rose threw a frost bomb at the tendrils-creature, which retaliated by spitting out Dahl and attacking London with an electrocution blast. Dahl quickly cast Haste, while Tweetie Bear attacked the ooze-like entity.

Erix Wrighten fired an acid arrow, but it seemed ineffective against the creature’s magical resistance. The battle continued fiercely until the ooze exploded, scattering the barrels, which then abruptly stopped rolling.

Later, Bosley and London spotted a glowing draconic rune suspended in the air. Bosley recalled stories of creatures capable of manifesting such runes on expeditions in Xen’drik.

That night, Bosley kept watch while others ate. He noticed strange, rune-covered creatures—about the size of great Danes—with large faces like dinner plates, running alongside the train. Fortunately, nothing further happened during London’s watch.

The next morning, Dahl kept watch while London cast Consecrate on the train again. London spotted a massive, menacing structure just off the rail line. Audrey Rose guessed it was a former lightning rail workshop—where carts and carriages were built and added to the line.

Around noon, the train slowed once more. Tabin informed the group that more conductor stones required repair, but a rail car was blocking the track and had to be moved.

Uncle John proposed investigating the contents of the obstructing rail car first. Zita picked the lock, and London pushed open the door. Upon inspection, Uncle John shouted, “Great Scotts!” and summoned Erix. The professors quickly identified the cargo: components for crafting magical staffs and wands—dragon scales, black powder, and other arcane materials. While valuable, it would take significant effort to move and reattach the car to the train.

Taking their time, the group carefully lifted and secured the cart back on the rails. Thankfully, the conductor stones under it remained functional.

While the engineers continued repairs, Sabrina, Zita, and Bosley explored an abandoned station nearby. Inside, they found benches and seats pushed aside, forming a large blood circle in the center of one room. Uneasy, they avoided stepping inside.

Sabrina tossed a clump of dirt into the circle. Suddenly, disembodied voices calling “Mommy! Daddy!” echoed around them. Five small figures emerged from the blood pool, each with an animal skull for a face.

The group backed away cautiously as one figure approached Bosley, asking where his father had gone. Bosley’s bluff failed to convince the spectral child, and the others advanced. Sabrina called for Audrey Rose, who came quickly. Though these were undead children clutching stuffed rabbits, Audrey Rose refused to attack unless provoked and instead withdrew along with the others. The figures did not follow.

London sniffed the air, suddenly sure he had been there before. Memories flooded back of a sunny day on the platform, his master’s presence nearby. Exploring the station further, London found the ticket booth, where a skeleton lay—familiar by scent. He recalled the ticket master telling him he was a good boy and his master praising him as the best boy.

With the cart reattached, the group boarded the train and resumed their journey. London’s somber mood weighed on the team, and they did their best to lift his spirits as the train carried them deeper into the mysterious Mournland.

The Life and Times of a Deadman - Episode 35 - Preparations for the Mournland

The adventurers turned their attention toward Vathirond, a city perched at the edge of the Mournland—what was once the nation of Cyre. Ever since the Day of Mourning, strange and terrifying things had emerged from the mist to attack the town: undead, rogue constructs, living spells. Occasionally, the skies even rained blood… or fish. Vathirond lived in the shadow of catastrophe, clinging to the edge of normalcy.

Meanwhile, Audrey Rose amused herself with her magical hat. She reached inside—and to everyone’s surprise, 160 gold coins flew out. Then, for reasons known only to her, she pulled eight children from the hat as well. Eventually, the children found their way home. Afterward, Audrey Rose settled in with the Necrotic Manuscript, quietly reading. The others watched closely, wary for any changes in her demeanor. So far… nothing alarming.

In less than two days, the group arrived in the sprawling city of Sharn. After a much-needed night of rest, they headed to the University to update Uncle John on everything that had happened. He listened intently and recommended they speak with Erix Stritland to prepare for future incursions into the Mournland. The goal was to obtain anything that might help the group navigate its twisted landscape safely.

Audrey Rose showed her uncle the mysterious hat. He issued a stern warning about fae artifacts, advising her to lock it away and forget the combination. London, meanwhile, negotiated five minutes of petting in exchange for half a cinnamon roll.

Audrey Rose and Zita spent time researching the Mournland in the university’s vast library. What they found was disturbing: ten years ago, the nation of Cyre—roughly the size of Belgium—was obliterated in a single, inexplicable event. Ever since, the land had been shrouded in a constant, unnatural mist. The vast majority of Cyre’s population vanished that day. No group has claimed responsibility, and to this day, no one knows what really happened.

The land is now haunted by living spells, undead creatures, and the infamous Lord of Blades, a renegade warforged general. Healing magic is unreliable there, and danger lurks in every ruined city. They located a detailed map, and Audrey Rose sketched a copy for the group. They traced the lightning rail line running through towns like Meterol and Eston, and noted its passage near Vathirond.

They reviewed what they knew of warforged: though similar to constructs, they aren’t immune to mind-affecting effects or ability drain. They don’t eat, drink, or sleep, and they may be vulnerable to rusting effects. Zita, however, remained deeply uneasy about the undead. She voiced serious doubts about joining the expedition. Audrey Rose, too, questioned whether their agency was equipped to handle such a perilous mission. Unfortunately, Charlie had no new information to offer.

During downtime, Sabrina spent freely—on good wine, fine food, and the care of war orphans.

Ten days later, during breakfast, Audrey Rose heard her uncle’s voice inside her mind. Come see me at once, he urged. An expedition is afoot.

She hurried to his office, where both Uncle John and Erix awaited her. Together, they outlined a bold proposal: a funded expedition into the Mournland. Both men would be joining the journey—John bringing his expertise in bombs, and Erix as a powerful wizard. They planned to requisition a lightning rail and assemble a repair crew. The team would ride the rail as far as Vathirond, then transfer to a private expedition rail designed to run directly into the Mournland.

The rail would serve as their base of operations as they followed the tracks deeper into the unknown, searching for clues about Professor Zendor. Erix believed she may have followed the rail either to avoid becoming lost, or because the Horn of Quintus lay along its route. If they didn’t find her along the rail… she might be gone for good.

The adventurers were to serve as security for the mission. Uncle John offered to brew potions to protect Zita from the undead. Sabrina, ever practical, asked about payment. The group would be granted first claim on any spoils discovered during the expedition, and the university would supply them with a superior bag of holding. The horn itself, if recovered, would belong to the University.

Most of the party agreed to 10,000 gold as their payment. Zita requested protective magic—either against the undead or to remain invisible to them.

The team was ordered to depart immediately. Bosley secured goblins to staff the expedition train. Audrey Rose made arrangements to ensure that high tea would be honored aboard the rail.

The following morning, the group gathered at the station. With the sun rising behind them and the threat of the Mournland ahead, they boarded the train—and set off toward destiny.

The Life and Times of a Deadman - Episode 34 - The Monster Above

The group pressed deeper into the asylum, moving cautiously down a dim corridor. At the end, they discovered another hidden door. Without hesitation, London stepped forward and kicked it open, revealing a secret study.

Inside were two more of the strange, "basket-headed" men—and with them, an older man wearing a worn leather apron. The moment they crossed the threshold, combat erupted.

Audrey Rose acted on instinct. As the old man shifted, she hurled a bomb at him, seizing the moment for an attack of opportunity. The explosion rocked the study. The rest of the group surged into the room, weapons drawn. Sabrina unleashed a Glitterdust spell, coating the enemies in sparkling motes of magic and briefly blinding them.

Then, in an instant—Crowe vanished.

The team fanned out and scoured every inch of the basement, searching frantically. But Crowe was nowhere to be found.

Suddenly, the ground rumbled beneath their feet. A tremor. Then another. Dust shook loose from the ceiling. Sabrina’s eyes widened—she realized with dread that the creature was upstairs, and Crowe was likely with it.

They sprinted back up through the asylum, bursting into a main chamber. There, it waited.

A terrifying monster loomed before them: a twisted amalgamation of nightmares. It had four gnashing heads, six legs that scraped against the ground, and eyes—so many eyes—glistening and malevolent. It radiated chaotic energy.

Acting quickly, Sabrina cast Suggestion on the beast, whispering calming words into the weave of magic. Against all odds, the creature halted, momentarily pacified.

Breathless and on edge, the party debated their next move.

Sabrina urged retreat. The creature was too dangerous, and Crowe was nowhere to be seen. But Audrey Rose stood firm. She argued that they had a moral duty to destroy the thing—a creature of pure chaotic evil that had slipped through the broken seal. If left alive, it might return to ravage Carrion Hill again.

Tension gripped the group. The decision loomed. Fight… or flee?

The Life and Times of a Deadman - Episode 33 - The Asylum of Madness

The interrogation of Hyve began with Sabrina casting Suggestion to loosen his tongue. Under the spell’s influence, the sage admitted he believed another of the ancient seals had been unearthed—this one in the Lazar Principalities. Pirates had found it, though Hyve didn’t know much more.

He also offered some insight into Crove, the asylum’s administrator. Hyve suspected Crove was a spellcaster; he’d once seen him unleash a beam of light at an ogre. The mention of Professor Zenden came up again—Zenden had asked Hyve about the Horn of Quintus weeks ago. Hyve recalled being told it was aboard a rail car traveling through the Mournland.

That name stirred unease. The Mournland had once been Cyre. Bordering Breland to the north, it was transformed five years ago when a magical cataclysm swallowed the entire nation in a thick, unnatural fog, killing nearly everyone. Now, nothing truly lived within its borders.

Audrey Rose collected a few tomes of personal interest while Hyve, visibly shaken, revealed more. The ritual he and the others had performed bound fragments of their souls to the seal. The creature they had awakened believed it could reclaim its full strength by hunting them down and murdering them one by one.

Sabrina gently convinced Hyve to remain under the town’s protection—a sort of sanctuary-prison. He reluctantly agreed.

Back on the streets of Carrion Hill, something felt off. The townspeople were panicked, many hastily packing carts and fleeing. Sabrina stopped one dwarf to ask what had happened. The dwarf, wild-eyed, said that several newly built houses had been crushed, Meyer had been cut in half, and one of the guard towers had been flattened.

Sabrina turned to warn Hyve—only to find he had vanished.

Nearby, a small boy named Ches Mortalbea tugged on the end of her robe. He clutched a stuffed owlbear and explained that his father worked for the mayor. They pushed their way through the crowd and reached the mayor’s office after an hour, but found it abandoned. Ches's father arrived shortly after and led them to the destroyed guard tower.

The tower was utterly leveled. A familiar blood spiral had been painted into the stones. The air stank of burnt electronics, and Myre’s lifeless body lay nearby—coated in slime. He had been killed recently.

The group immediately set out for the asylum, a large, one-story rectangular structure. Its main double doors hung open ominously. Sabrina noted that the building had no windows, and she spotted side entrances at both far ends. A seal from House Jorasco was posted on the door—but it was a counterfeit. Sabrina removed it.

The party approached the left side entrance. A heavy wooden door barred the way, but Zita unlocked it. Inside, they found an empty chamber with several doors. From the shadows, a man in scaled leather armor with a cage on his head roared and charged at Zita, landing a blow.

Sabrina cast Daze to disorient him, Audrey Rose engulfed him in flames, and London knocked him out cold, then tied him up. The party pressed on, passing through a set of wooden doors to the left. They moved through a room and into a long hallway, eventually reaching a door at the far end. There, the corridor branched into a T-intersection, with another door straight ahead.

They chose the forward door and discovered the main office of the asylum. Sabrina knelt and inspected the rug, then searched the desk. Her efforts revealed a hidden compartment containing a twisted wand carved with an eye on one side and an ear on the other. It was a Wand of Suggestion, still holding nine charges. The command phrase was: “Going once, going twice, sold.”

Exploring further, the party moved through another door into a private lounge, then into a small library lined with shelves. The books focused on savage cultures and esoteric faiths—most of them referencing the Cults of the Dragon Below. Audrey Rose discreetly swapped out some of the duller history volumes for the more arcane texts.

Backtracking, they returned to the large double doors from the main office. These opened to a broad hallway with yet another pair of heavy doors ahead. To the left was a wide passage; to the right, a smaller one.

Two men in straightjackets stood before the central doors, chained in place. They shrieked and lunged but were held fast by their restraints. Sabrina quickly dazed one, and the group passed through the door into a stairwell descending into madness. Maniacal laughter and shrieking echoed from below.

At the bottom, two women in straightjackets stared silently. One lunged for Sabrina’s face as the group moved forward.

Searching the area carefully, London used his keen sense of smell to sniff Crove’s chair. Catching a faint scent, he led the team to a hidden door deep below the asylum.

The Life and Times of a Deadman - Episode 32 - The Descent Beneath the Chapel

The battle against Myre ended with the necromancer barely able to stand, his strength spent. He revealed what he knew: he and his allies had gained their power through the dalecure, a dark ritual that bound their souls to the Realm of Madness. Their deaths, he explained, would empower the horrific entity they served. Myre claimed he had been led to the necromantic manuscripts by Hyve. As for the hag or the Horn of Quintus, he professed ignorance.

The group examined the spells detailed in the Pnakotic Manuscripts. They found high-level conjuration magic: Teleport, Planar Binding, and Gate. Surprisingly, there seemed to be no ill effects from casting them, at least not immediately.

The investigators catalogued what they knew about the remaining cultists:

• Baskerwell, the hunchbacked hermit who brewed potions, was confirmed dead.

• Crove, the asylum director at the base of Carrion Hill, had been in place for over a decade. He was deeply invested in the Realm of Madness, with extensive research and a reputation for experimenting on the unwilling.

• Meyer was found to have kept detailed ledgers: transactions involving spell components, bags worth 100 gold, and expensive writing tools.

The group turned Meyer over to the town guard for incarceration. They planned to visit Arland Hyve the next morning.

That night, Sabrina dreamed of her childhood home. Her family was moving in again. As she stepped outside, she soared high over the skyline of Sharn, flying above buildings from which dinosaurs inexplicably emerged. As night fell, she continued to drift peacefully through the air. When she awoke, she felt calm and centered—the rest of her night was undisturbed.

In the morning, the group made their way to find Hyve. He lived in a deserted chapel. Though the building was worn, it remained structurally sound. The front door creaked open into a quiet hallway and chapel. Audrey Rose opened the first door: a bedroom, with a bed so cold it felt like ice. The next door revealed a well-stocked larder. Another led to an empty room with a strange puddle of water. At the end of the hall, they found a trapdoor. It wasn’t trapped.

They descended a ladder into an expansive basement. Two side chambers were rigged as alchemy labs—Audrey Rose, impressed, began examining the equipment. As she did, a crossbow bolt whizzed past her ear.

From deeper within, footsteps echoed. Sabrina gave chase but was struck by a thrown vial, suffering sudden weakness in both constitution and strength. Their attacker wore a leather strap across his mouth. Audrey Rose gulped down a mutagen and charged in after Sabrina, coughing as she entered a swirling purple gas cloud.

Tweetie Bear and Dahl maneuvered around the cloud, as did Zita, moving swiftly and carefully. Bosley cast Ray of Frost, while London missed his strike. Sabrina attempted Hold Person, but the enemy resisted, diving through an opening and disappearing down a chute.

Without hesitation, Audrey Rose slid down the chute after him. She ricocheted off a cliff face and landed in water, catching a glimpse of a dimly lit cavern to the side. Dahl flew after her, Tweetie Bear in tow. Zita, using her enchanted slippers, climbed down the wall and helped Audrey Rose into the cavern. Bosley attempted to follow. Meanwhile, London cast Touch of Glory on Sabrina to bolster her efforts.

Suddenly, another crossbow bolt zipped past Dahl. The group, now wading through scum-choked water, pressed toward the fleeing cultist. Dahl and Tweetie took to the air while Zita climbed along the walls, navigating the space with her usual agility.

The party engaged the enemy in a final skirmish. Sabrina cast Hold Person again—and this time, the spell took hold.

With the fugitive paralyzed, they hauled him back upstairs for interrogation.

The Life and Times of a Deadman - Episode 31 - Secrets of the Manuscript

The following morning, London used his divine senses to detect evil on the mysterious book recovered from the previous encounter—but found none. The tome’s exterior was a worn brown leather cover, with a musty smell and an inset purple gem. It did not appear to be made of human skin.

Audrey Rose received the will from Sabrina and examined the book herself. Bound shut by three metallic clasps shaped like cricket legs, the book radiated an eerie cold. Using improvised tools from her alchemy kit, she managed to open it, though the process was delicate. Sabrina, uncomfortable with the book’s presence, excused herself and sent Audrey Rose to Zita instead.

Audrey Rose knocked on Zita’s door and showed her the book. The title page read:

The Pnakotic Manuscripts
There may we, the Keepers of the Oldest, prevail over the scourge of simplistic thought and lesser minds.
— Signed by Rutman Meyer, Glen Baskerwell, Walder Crove, Soul Marshon, and Arland Hive.

Audrey examined the table of contents. The manuscript resembled a spellbook, heavily focused on conjuration magic, with numerous esoteric topics beyond her current understanding. The three women—Audrey Rose, Sabrina, and Zita—decided to seek out Bosley for additional insight.

They found Bosley entering the inn alongside London and brought him up to Zita’s room to examine the tome. Despite his scholarly knowledge, Bosley was just as mystified as Audrey Rose. However, he did recognize a key reference: “The Oldest” likely referred to the Eldest, potent fey entities—and potentially beings from the Plane of Madness.

With this troubling connection in mind, the group decided to keep the book’s existence secret. Audrey Rose tucked it safely into her bag.

The party then made their way to Carrion Hill’s Town Hall at its peak. Sabrina bluffed their way past the guards and into Mayor Heggry’s office, where aides bustled in and out with messages and reports. Though unfamiliar with the Townsand Agency, the mayor was open to hearing their findings.

Zita presented a concise report of their investigation. Impressed, the mayor rewarded them with a basket of potions: ten Cure Moderate Wounds and five Lesser Restoration. Each party member received one of each, with the extras added to the group’s shared inventory.

Mayor Heggry also provided information on the signatories of the manuscript:

• Glen Baskerwell: A hunchbacked potion brewer living a day south along the river.

• Walder Crove: Head of the local asylum in the city’s rough quarter.

• Rutman Meyer: Operator of the Mittenstone Mill, known to use undead labor.

• Arland Hive: A sage and historian.

• Soul Marshon: A recent arrival to Carrion Hill.

An older newspaper article mentioned a naturalist, Carsenni Rhun, researching local cattle mutilations, though the mayor hadn’t seen him recently. Unfortunately, the locations of the other magical seals remained unknown.

Intent on following leads, the group visited Meyer’s residence, marked with a sign reading “Rutman Vats.” A foul stench filled the air, and another sign declared the business “Closed Until Further Notice.”

Zita knocked—no response. She cautiously opened the door and entered. To their surprise, the interior was well-lit but reeked of decay. Three rotting ogres stood guard: two by the stairs and one patrolling the main floor.

Bosley immediately cast Raining Stones, initiating combat. Audrey Rose hurled a flesh-eating bomb at an ogre, while London brandished a radiant squeaky toy, bisecting another with a flash of light. Sabrina charged into melee, and Zita flanked and finished off the last of the three ogres with her twin daggers.

A fourth ogre struck London with a heavy blow, and four more undead lumbered in. Audrey Rose lobbed another bomb, hitting two of them. From the rear of the building, a shadowy figure—likely a necromancer—fired a blast of acid at Audrey Rose.

Zita performed an acrobatic maneuver, plunging her blade into one of the ogres. A zombie slammed into her, while another attacked Sabrina and missed. Bosley turned his attention to the advancing ogres. Audrey Rose responded with another explosive bomb, setting the zombies ablaze.

The necromancer briefly emerged to fire a spell that missed. London continued his assault, while Zita eliminated another zombie—mostly stealing London’s kills, to his amusement.

Audrey Rose incinerated two more zombies with a well-placed bomb and shouted at the necromancer, claiming they were investigating on behalf of the mayor’s office.

London surged forward to engage the final ogre. Audrey Rose invoked a bizarre chant—“Zap, zap, candy cane hat!”—and a bolt of lightning surged out, striking the ogre, Zita, and the necromancer. A voice from the enchanted hat erupted:

“Haha! Cheaters never win!” followed by a cacophony of noise.

London charged again. Zita landed a critical strike, doubling the ogre over and finishing it.

As the dust settled, Sabrina cast Suggestion on the retreating necromancer.

The Life and Times of a Deadman - Episode 30 - Shadows Beneath Carrion Hill

After a quiet remainder of their train journey, the party disembarked at the Carrion Hill stop and made their way up the winding road into the city. The settlement itself was divided into three districts: the lower hill, home to docks and less savory industries; the midhill, a marginally better area; and the upper reaches, shrouded in mist and mystery.

As they approached the city, the group noticed something troubling—an exodus of townspeople hauling packed belongings. Bosley stopped one of them and asked what was happening. The man replied grimly: “A part of town got smashed last night. Whole buildings, flattened.”

Unsettled but resolute, the adventurers continued on to Nobody’s Inn, a solid two-story building constructed from mitten stone. Inside, a simple system greeted them—money left in a bowl on the counter, keys hanging on the wall. Each member dropped in their coin and selected a room. Zita and Audrey Rose claimed accommodations on the second floor, which were modest but serviceable.

London paid for a meal and food appeared promptly. Audrey Rose ordered grilled fish and Barrel Roller ale, both of which were excellent. Sabrina scribbled "Sharn Broil" on the menu board and deposited two gold, only for the name to vanish mysteriously. Zita tried the Peacock Tongue dish—less than impressive.

The group began asking around about two figures of interest: Rupman Myre, a local baron with rumored ties to necromancy, and Arlen Hyve, a sage and historian who worked out of an abandoned church. A local warned them to avoid Hyve, citing his dealings in black-market items like poison.

The townsfolk also spoke of a recent victim: Old Man Marshon, a reclusive newcomer who’d bought a shop in the Slipper Market. No one knew what he’d planned to sell—now they never would.

Minus Sabrina, the group headed to the Slipper Market, now a field of crushed rubble and flattened structures. At the epicenter lay Marshon’s shop, collapsed entirely. London and Bosley cast Detect Magic, revealing faint traces of Illusion magic. Zita asked if this could be from Invisibility, and Audrey Rose confirmed it was possible with a powerful enough spell. London detected a sulfuric, sour stench beneath it all.

Zita investigated the perimeter and discovered a strange circular depression near the wreckage, about the size of a manhole and sunk six or seven inches into the earth.

A guardsman named Smive approached, initially wary, but relaxed upon learning the group was from the Townsend Agency. He confirmed the destruction had occurred the night prior. When Audrey Rose asked about Marshon’s body, Smive replied bluntly: “He’s paste.” Witnesses had heard someone shouting “Father! Father!” during the night.

Meanwhile, shepherds in the region had reported livestock being drained of blood, leaving gaping, dinner-plate-sized wounds—like those from tentacles. Zita and Audrey Rose speculated about the possibility of a loose, artificially-created creature.

Dahl summoned a bloodhound, which—along with London—traced the strongest stench to Marshon’s destroyed home. Inside, they discovered his remains and a blood spiral on the wall, which Audrey Rose recognized as a component of dark rituals. Slimy residue coated the walls—organic, decaying, but attempting to reassemble. Dahl summoned Tweetie Bear, who confirmed the residue wasn’t necromantic in nature.

While investigating, the group found a collapsed doorway leading downward. With Tweetie Bear taking point, they descended into an ancient gallery lined with ten niches, each housing statues of old goblinoid figures. Bosley noted that the current city had been built atop a goblin civilization. More slime coated the floor and statues.

They encountered two doors. Zita checked for traps, but the second door was jammed. Bosley, London, and even Tweetie Bear failed to force it open. Finally, Audrey Rose used three of her bombs to blast it down.

Inside were three small, cloaked figures—Caligni, dark-dwelling humanoids from Khyber, the Underdark. Armed with small knives and shouting in Undercommon, they pleaded to be left alone. Audrey Rose defused the situation with a bribe, and the Caligni scattered into the shadows.

London was sent to retrieve Sabrina, who reluctantly joined the group—after stopping for “rat on a stick.”

Together, the party descended deeper into the ruins, eventually arriving in a vast stone chamber. At the back was a dimly lit cavern, and scattered throughout the room were crates covered in more of the strange slime. Dominating the space was a colossal, leafless stone tree, holding up the wall. No one could identify any religion that would use such a symbol.

Among the crates, Bosley, Zita, and Audrey Rose discovered documents—military logistics and troop movements from the Last War. London cast Detect Magic on the tree and the platform behind it. The dais bore a magical seal featuring a tree with a gate in its trunk.

Audrey Rose and Bosley recognized it. In the age of goblins, extraplanar invaders had attacked. The Gatekeeper druids sealed gates across the region to protect the world. This was one of those seals—perhaps now failing.

Dahl recalled the invaders: the Daelkyr, foul creatures from the madness-infused realm of Xoriat.

Then came eerie laughter. A gaunt figure crept from the shadows, clutching a tattered book. His gray skin marked him as a ghoul. He offered information in exchange for something to fight undead—a weapon with undead bane properties. Sabrina bluffed an agreement, and Audrey Rose took the book. The ghoul warned: “Talk to Myre. He was down here with others.” Then he bolted down a side tunnel.

As the group explored further, they found more sealed passages and crates full of documents. Audrey Rose examined the book in detail, its secrets still waiting to be revealed.