Session 25 – Session Tracker

Summary

The period after the battle with the chimera carried a strange sort of triumph. The party had carved the beast apart, roasting and eating pieces of it with the reckless curiosity that adventurers often mistake for bravery. The effects arrived soon after. Talmirr found his senses tangled; the others fared worse. Their mouths had swapped between them in a bizarre magical mishap. When one spoke, the voice came from whoever currently bore their mouth. Wisteria’s beak perched on the half elf’s face like a misplaced ornament.

They lied to Oberon about the chimera, insisting all was well and that Parthus had killed it. Oberon was not fond of this news. He said it was a creature of magic forever lost to the Feywilds. He understood Titania’s view that it needed to be removed to restore order, but he still saw the potential it once held. He checked on them through the rat phone, the tiny creature beeping and blinking colours to signal it was on loud speaker.

When they returned to the Summer Court, a small celebratory gathering awaited them. Lanterns glowed with warm light and Oberon stood at the centre, Titania at his side. Thwracker, Marwracker and Trwacker were also present, eager to see the party again before they departed. Their smiles were wide and genuine as they spoke fondly of the earlier celebration, reminding the group how much fun they had dancing together. Oberon listened with amusement, though there was a tension beneath his own smile. After a few pleasantries, he and Titania mentioned they needed to speak in private. The party took the hint and retired early, leaving the trio of fey to say their goodbyes with Oberon.

Talmirr, ever curious, disguised himself as a servant. Falkos followed, determined to help him spy. Talmirr stole a sheet from the laundry room and entered the royal chamber, pretending to change the bed. His noble upbringing betrayed him. He had never changed a sheet in his life and the result was a loud, clumsy struggle with fabric that refused to cooperate. Between the rustling and muttering, he caught only a fragment of the conversation. Titania said that Falkos was ready to hear it. Oberon disagreed. Before Talmirr could hear more, Oberon, irritated by the commotion, ordered the fake servant to leave.

Meanwhile, Helka and Wisteria retired to their room. Helka drifted into sleep, only to find herself standing in a cold, dim space. Beshaba appeared before her, the air around her heavy with misfortune. She berated Helka for failing to further her doom, scolding her for ignoring the path laid out for her. If she did not act, her friends would suffer. Helka listened, expression unreadable. Beshaba demanded she desecrate sacred objects and places as atonement. Helka agreed, her voice steady, neither defiant nor fearful.

Morning arrived with soft golden light pouring through the towering windows of the great hall. Foliage climbed the walls, catching the glow. The table was set with fey delicacies. Cinnamon buns dusted with shimmering sugar, berry tarts and much more. The party continued their lie, insisting everything was fine.

Oberon asked Falkos to walk with him. Away from the others, he spoke quietly. He told Falkos that on the day he adopted him, it had not been only because he saw himself in the boy. The mischief, the pity, the spark. There had been more to it, but he would explain in time. He placed a hand on Falkos’s shoulder and asked if they were good. Falkos answered with uncertainty, but honesty. Oberon gave him his old dining coat before they parted. He mentioned that Titania had left on urgent business, though he did not say what.

Oberon then gathered the party once more, joined by Thwracker, Marwracker and Trwacker. The trio were delighted to see them again before they left, insisting they wanted to dance with them once more someday. Oberon agreed warmly. He declared that the party deserved a holiday, a proper break from danger and duty.

A holiday in a strange fey park awaited them, one filled with autumn colours and eerie delights. A perfect place for whatever came next. Continued in Halloween one shot 26!

Turning to Wisteria, Parthus examined the magical items the group carried, particularly the lion’s eye. She explained that she could help unlock its potential, but only if Wisteria allowed it to be grafted directly into her skin. The procedure had to be done immediately. Wisteria agreed. Parthus worked with swift, precise movements, cutting and grafting the eye into Wisteria’s chest while the others watched. Before this, she had offered to move the strange markings each of them bore, but none accepted.

When her work was done, Parthus stepped back. Without ceremony, she vanished in a swirl of magic, leaving the party alone once more with the battered remains of the chimera and the quiet that followed.

Things of note

⬥ Talmirr tried to change a bed sheet for the first time in his life and nearly blew his cover doing it.

⬥ Helka agreed to desecrate sacred objects after being scolded by Beshaba in her sleep.

⬥ Oberon hinted at a deeper reason for adopting Falkos, but refused to explain it yet.

⬥ Titania left on urgent business, without explaining the nature of it.

⬥ Oberon was quietly upset that the chimera had died, believing it was a creature of magic forever lost to the Feywilds, even though the party lied and said Parthus killed it.