The Life and Times of a Dead Man - Episode 19 - WE ARE LEAVING!

The companions watched as Hendra climbed the ladder into the attic. It was pitch black, so she pulled out her ever-burning torch rock. In the attic, heavy drapes covered a large window, and dust coated the trunks and other items including the toys that covered the floor. As Hendra pushed back the drapes, she heard a voice behind her say, "Hello, want to play?" When she turned around, she saw a small humanoid skeleton dressed in rags.

Hendra asked the skeleton for her name, and the skeleton introduced herself as Naboomi. She didn't know how long she had been there. Hendra ran downstairs to tell the others about the child. The companions suggested that Tweetie Bear investigate the skeletal child, but Dol refused. Sabrina climbed the ladder instead.

Sabrina introduced herself as Allie, and Naboomi said she was up there because her mother had put her there. Naboomi was going to teach Sabrina the rules of the game and indicated that Shadow wasn't good at playing the game and told Sabrina he was behind her. The attic was filled with the sounds of children, and Sabrina felt ill immediately after hearing the children's screams. Naboomi reached out for Sabrina, but Sabrina yelled, "Bad touch. Bad touch."

Tweetie Bear laid Dol on the couch and climbed up the stairs. As he did this, Dol cast an enlarge spell on him. A shadow appeared and stroked Sabrina, causing her to feel weakened. Audrey Rose drank her mutagen and climbed up the stairs. Sabrina yelled that she couldn't hurt them and ran away.

Hendra muttered, "Oh for god's sake," and readied an action. Naboomi tried to bite Tweetie Bear, and Tweetie Bear became fatigued. Zita continued readying an action. Tweetie Bear shrank and disappeared. The shadow attacked Audrey Rose and drew out her strength. Audrey Rose withdrew back downstairs.

Sabrina ran out of the house and lit a torch. Bosley followed Sabrina out of the house. Zita high-tailed it out, and Dol worked with Tweetie Bear to get outside. Audrey Rose followed suit. Hendra guided Sabrina to specific points of the house to light them up, but nothing happened. She tried to light up the couch, but it didn't work, and when she threw a flask of oil, it blew out.

The group had a lengthy conversation on whether to stay or go, and they decided to go back home with the graduate students. The group retraced its steps. It rained that entire night as they made camp, and they stayed under the tree line the next day and avoided most of the rain. During Audrey Rose's watch that night, she saw something flowing on the outskirts of the camp. About twenty small bipedal lizard creatures were running around the camp. The next day it was cloudy with no rain, and they eventually found themselves back on the road between Sharn and Wroat. They eventually flagged down a coach heading back to Sharn,

The adventurers stopped at a House Jurasco clinic to get Hendra restored to full strength. The companions then headed back to the university and tracked down Professor Rightsen. Sabrina explained the situation, but they ended up talking in circles. Professor Rightsen still wanted to know what happened to the professor and was disappointed that the companions didn't know and could only speculate why the professor was selling graduate students.

Afterward, they each went their separate ways to indulge in their various interests. Bosley visited Vlodex, a bugbear bartender, to share the story of the professor selling graduate students. Zita and Audrey Rose went to a luxurious spa to pamper themselves with various treatments, while Dol enjoyed a night out in the theater district.

The vigilante searched for information on Black Sugar, but could not uncover new information.

Later, Sabrina returned to the party's home, where she was greeted by the "new" butler, Barnsworth, who had prepared a delicious breakfast for everyone. The adventurers were pleased with the food.

Dol asked if anyone had any knowledge of the underground theater circuit. Hendra had extensive knowledge of it and shared their experience. Charlie gathered input from everyone on the events at the house of the hag. They all had dinner and got a good night's sleep. However, the next morning, they discovered that Hendra was nowhere to be found.