Crom Critically Fumbles again (and then again, actually), followed by Gary's second Critical Fumble on the day. Arnie, in desperation, makes his way to the feet of the beast and lays hands on him, casting Inflict Critical Wounds. The entire party wonders what that feels like. Ewwww...
There is more demon-slap damage, answered by a sweet fireball from Eva. Gary the Ranger fumbles again and plugs an arrow into Arnie the Cleric. Again. At this point, several of the players notice the darkness is dissipating. More punching, axeing, and chopping ensues. Vanya's Heal check discloses that Hrunchuk is dead. But...
the arrows are still flying. WTF? Gary, Eva, and Arnie continue attacking the archer off in the distance. Everyone is in for the shock of their lives as the archer finally falls, and it is revealed the assassin is none other than...
POPORI! Gary's Ranger friend! Turncoat! Traitor!
As Gary was the one who fired the fatal shot, he is quite overcome with disbelief. Eva's attempt at solace goes like this: "So, who's the better ranger now?"
Gary Searches the body (of course) and finds a note on Popori's corpse. Essentially, he and Nadima were in love and planning to run away together (after he'd killed her rescuers/protectors first, of course). An interrogation of Nadima is pointless as she is stricken with grief at the loss of her soulmate. Discussion then transpires about what to do. Leave Nadima here? Take her back to her father? Take her to Campbell?
Eva comes in with the quote of the day: "We need to kill this bitch and get the hell out of Dodge!" However, nobody else has quite the same level of enthusiasm, so no action is taken. Until the group hears shouts - someone is calling their names. Someone wearing the attire of the House of Campbell. The messenger asks the company to bring Nadima to the General Assembly. There is a general sense of incredulousness as the party wants to know: WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!
In what Tordek describes as "continuing down the rabbit hole", the party finally opts to escort Nadima back to town - if only to see where this all ends up. As the group crosses a large bridge, a group of green-tuniced soldiers make their way towards them. The green tunics are of the House of Estercari, and the party suspects they will try to make off with the princess. But, nothing could be farther from the truth. One of the archers steps out of the group and fires an arrow at...
PRINCESS NADIMA?! WHAT? Her own father is trying to have her killed! It is Eva's dream come true!
But, before they can kill the princess, a troop of blue-tuniced guards arrive to take on the greenies. The party, refusing to engage in the battle themselves, enjoys a little leisure time here as they watch the two groups kill each other.
Within a few moments, the battle is over, and the Campbell messenger and the party make their way to the General Assemblage. Four hundred and eighty of the city's most important personages...and it takes every ounce of self-restraint on Eva's part not to launch a Fireball into the throng. Essentially, here's how the meeting shakes out:
1. Campbell addresses the Assembly. Presents the Princess to the men.
2. The Codifex seems quite put out his supposed-to-be-dead daughter is alive.
3. Princess tells of her father's betrayal.
4. Assembly decides to execute current Codifex.
5. Assembly executes current Codifex.
6. Campbell crowned new Codifex.
7. Party is offered the job of: Chief City Wardens.
8. They accept. For the most part.
And with that, the adventure of Beneath Two Suns has now come to an end. But...for motives unknown to only Gary the Ranger, the following conversation with Princess Nadima unfolds:
G: Hi.
PN: No response.
G: Sorry about your father. (Who was executed JUST NOW!)
PN: I'm not! That rabble! That rast!
Gary pulls out his Ring of Swimming and offers it to the Princess.
G: Will you marry me?
(DM has him roll a Charisma check. Gary Critically Fumbles.)
PN: How dare you? (She slaps him soundly)
G: Well, how about a coffee sometime?
(Another Charisma check. Another Critical Fumble.)
PN: Ahhhhhhhhhhh! (She flees, utterly repulsed)
Meanwhile, Tordek has gone off in search of Wanek, of the House of Eward, who happens to own the group money for a job done earlier in the week.
T: We've killed a lot of people today. So pay up.
Wanek: Okay.
Because of the new job descriptions, Tordek is now finally able to purchase and wear metal armor. And Vanya puts a sweet new monk's belt on layaway at the local monk belt store.
And with that - REALLY - the adventure ends:
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