In the dimly lit arena of the Blood Circus, the air crackled with tension as the party found themselves entangled in a dire mission to save Torsten, a hapless goblin marked for execution by the Red Mantis Assassins. With Kaida Arashi absent due to illness, the remaining members huddled together, crafting a plan amidst the laughter of the crowd as Torsten, blissfully unaware of his impending doom, attempted to bribe onlookers with a mere “2 gold.”
As the spectacle unfolded, Kaznail Fancy Pants, the quick-witted Wayang, corrected Pato Loco’s misunderstanding of Torsten. The tension mounted when the handlers unleashed three colossal Black Scorpions into the arena. Aguta the Dreadice responded with a strategic Freezing Rain, transforming the ground into a treacherous battlefield. The battle erupted with one scorpion delivering a venomous sting to Prince Bernard the Third, who, despite valiant attempts to retaliate, struggled to breach the scorpions’ tough exoskeletons. Meanwhile, Torsten summoned his magic from a distance, and Aguta the Dreadice continued to manipulate the weather, slowing their foes while Pato Loco, after a harrowing grapple, struck back with poisoned weaponry. Kaznail Fancy Pants, seizing the moment, landed a critical backstab and shielded his allies with Dance of Darkness.
In a climactic showdown, Torsten’s decisive blow felled the most damaged scorpion, while Aguta the Dreadice unleashed a devastating elemental blast, obliterating the last of the menacing creatures and securing victory for the group. However, their triumph was met with the arena handler’s begrudging praise, tainted by disappointment that Torsten had survived. Afterward, they encountered Nasha the Nasha the Gnasher, a lizardfolk gladiator who confirmed their suspicions of betrayal by the Vernai and offered her assistance for discretion. She pointed them toward Torvald, a figure possessing a ledger that could unveil critical information about the Vernai, but Aguta the Dreadice cautioned that Torvald had seen Kaida’s true form.
As night cloaked the docks, the party initiated a stakeout, only to find themselves pursued by Red Mantis Assassins. Aguta the Dreadice spread false rumors to divert attention while Kaznail Fancy Pants sparked chaos with an impromptu dance brawl. Yet, in a moment of clumsiness, Torsten knocked over a door, jeopardizing their cover. The group managed to evade their pursuers through stealth and intimidation, locating Torvald’s sleeping quarters. However, when Kaznail Fancy Pants posed as a dock worker, suspicion arose, leading to a confrontation as aquatic monstrosities surged from the water and Torvald revealed his monstrous form.
Threads to Watch:
- The implications of Torsten’s survival and his fate with the Red Mantis Assassins.
- Gnasha’s potential betrayal or loyalty as they navigate their alliance.
- The significance of Torvald’s ledger and its contents regarding the Vernai.
- The dangers lurking in the docks and the true nature of Torvald’s monstrous transformation.
- The party’s strategies for maintaining their disguises and avoiding exposure.