Pheargas cheers heartily at Mal's tale. "Excellent! Now here is my story.
"Now, it all began one sun-dappled morn as I frolicked in the glens, twirling and dancing amidst the wildflowers. But, as fate would have it, a whimsy struck me. 'A grand adventure awaits!' I thought, and off I went, leaving the familiar hills behind.
"Before I knew it, the sun dipped low, and I found myself quite lost. The trees whispered secrets I could not comprehend, and the winding paths twisted in ways I could not fathom. Just as despair began to creep in, I stumbled upon a shimmering portal, glowing with the hues of the cosmos. Curiosity piqued, I stepped through, and lo and behold, I found myself in Cynosure—the divine realm among the constellations of Desna, the goddess of dreams!
The air was thick with starlight, and the gentle hum of celestial melodies tickled my ears. It was then that I saw her—Desna herself, resplendent in her gown of night sky, adorned with glimmering stars. I could hardly contain my delight! We shared afternoon tea, an exquisite blend of stardust and dew, and as we sipped, I mused aloud, 'If only travelers could navigate by stars, none would ever be lost!'
Desna's eyes sparkled with mischief, and she replied, 'What a splendid thought, Pheargas! But tell me, how would you achieve such a thing?'
With a wink and a flourish, I had an idea that could rival the brilliance of the cosmos itself! 'I shall shift the North Star to Cynosure, dear goddess, so all can find their way home!'
'Ah, but can you convince the North Star to stay?' she teased, her laughter ringing like chimes in the night.
'Challenge accepted!' I declared, puffing out my chest. So, armed with nothing but my wits and a knack for riddles, I summoned the North Star, a glimmering entity of light that twinkled in curiosity.
'Now, listen here, North Star,' I proclaimed, 'we shall have a contest of riddles! If I win, you must move to Cynosure!'
And so we battled with riddles under the vast expanse of the heavens, each one trickier than the last. Finally, with a riddle about the moon and the tides, I claimed victory! The North Star, laughing in the glow of defeat, agreed to take its place among the constellations in Cynosure, shining bright to guide all wayward souls.
With that glorious gift bestowed, I felt as if my heart was soaring through the stars. I turned to Desna, my feelings bubbling forth like a spring bloom. 'Oh, radiant goddess, will you marry me? We could weave dreams together, a tapestry of starlight!'
But alas, dear friends, fate is often a fickle mistress. Desna's expression softened, and she replied, 'Oh, Pheargas, you are as charming as the dawn, but my heart belongs to the vastness of dreams and the freedom of the cosmos. I cannot tether myself, even to one as enchanting as you.'
My heart sank like a stone. The laughter of stars became a chorus of sorrow, and I, feeling the weight of unrequited love, fled underground, seeking solace from the world above, where every glimmering light was a reminder of what could never be. But who knows? Perhaps one day, I’ll find my own path among the stars once more."
Pheargas is quite tipsy at this point as he polishes off yet another beer. He hiccups and laughs. "Alright, friends. Anyone can boast about themselves. So I challenge you now to compose some tribute to me, your competition!"
"My goodness! I've never heard such entertaining stories. You are certainly a talespinner for the ages. You metaphors dance across my brain and your imagery transports me to the very meadows you describe," Gig compliments as he gives a little bow of thanks.
Pheargas beams at Gig's performance. But, then, he hesitates, becomes sheepish, and then visibly droops. "Kind words, kind words, yet even kind words can't buoy a heart anchored by sadness," he admits before breaking convention and telling a different kind of story.
"This is a tell of a clever lass—a leprechaun, full of charm and cunning—who danced amid shadows even her radiant spirit couldn’t banish. Her village, once alive with laughter and song, was shrouded in the heavy cloak of oppression. An immortal tyrant ruled with a heart as cold as the stones beneath our feet.
"When despair wrapped its tendrils around her, she sought solace in her grandfather, a man who once spun the grandest of tales but now found comfort only in the bottom of a whiskey barrel. His wisdom was lost to the ages, his spirit dulled by drink, leaving her to wander through the shadows alone.
"As the days turned into a grim parade of sameness, the earth itself trembled one fateful night. A great cave worm—an ancient beast—burst forth from the mountains, its roar echoing like thunder, shaking the very foundations of the tyrant’s reign. In that moment of chaos, something stirred in our nameless lass.
"In the heart of darkness, she saw her new role model: the cave worm, fierce and untamed. She longed to channel its wild spirit, to become a force of nature herself. Others felt the same as her, and together, they formed a cult dedicated to the worm's might.
"But, my friends, this story doesn't have an ending yet. Months have slipped by since I last laid eyes on that talented lass. What became of her, I cannot say. Did the beast consume her, body and mind? Is there a tale of redemption to tell?"
Pheargas shrugs somberly, not knowing what else to say. "You've won the contest, friends. Congratulations."
"You're quite the storyteller yourself! May your throat never parch and your imagination never run dry," Gig bows to the leprachan. "Do you have any idea where we might find the lass from your tale? We'd like to seek a happy ending for it."
"I cannot say for sure," Pheargas says. "I have heard that the cult experienced a resurgence recently and is planning some kind of gathering. Membership in the cult is a dangerous secret, but that hasn't stopped one mitflit in particular from loudly proclaiming his allegiance. Nobody dares speak to him, fearing the queen’s enforcers might execute him at any moment, catching bystanders in the crossfire. His name's Yakazak. You can probably find him in the markets."
Before you leave, Pheargas offers you a gift for winning the storytelling contest. He undoes his necktie and gives it to you--it is a caterwaul sling.
"Oh, how sad," Brijetta says, wiping away a tear as the leprechaun finishes his tale. "I wonder what the grandfather would do if he found her now. Would he stop drinking and try to live up to what she needed? And what name would he call her?"
Uhe dabs his red tears running eyes with his handkerchief. The dwarf embraces the leprechaun.
A sadder tale told I think not heard in many a time. Well played.
The Investigator does accept the prize of a magical sling for the group.
Most kind. Market, you say. Yakazak, you say....
Uhe begins to Pursue a Lead.....
A slight shiver runs through Mal. She keeps most of her thoughts to herself, but can't help but murmur, "A beast like that... Seeing one can change your life."
"The grandfather would not know until he was in the situation," Pheargas says. "The girl's name was Veavieve."
***
You head into the market to search for Yakazak. However, you haven't gotten far when you spot the leader of the redcap guard, Interhoff, whose top hat you knocked off into the depths of the Darklands. He is surrounded by a group of other redcaps who are teasing him mercilessly as he clutches a plain brown hat to his chest. "You'll see. I'm going to make this the best cap ever! Better than my last one!" he says with false bravado, eliciting more laughter from his peers.
When Interhoff spots you, his face contorts with a mix of hatred and shame. It quickly transforms into a sly grin, and he announces, "It will be the best, because it’ll be dipped in Cap-Killer’s blood!" The gathered redcaps fall silent, each taking a few steps back and looking around warily. One of hecklers asks Interhoff how he’s going to kill Cap-Killer, and in response, he snags the closest Uhe by the arm and boasts, "I’ve already gathered a hunting party!"
This appeases the other redcaps. They pessimistically wish him luck, as if sure he’ll be dead soon. Interhoff grins confidently as his detractors leave, then turns to you. "Great! When you can start the hunt?"
"We're a bit preoccupied with our own research right now, my good fey," Gig tries to put off the redcap. "Who's this Cap-Killer, and why should we help you hunt it?"
"Why? Because you owe me a new hat!" Interhoff bares his teeth in a menacing smile, adding, "You can help me make a new hat with something else’s blood, or I can mark you for murder and dip my hat in one of your corpses.
"Cap-Killer is a serial killer. Kills redcaps, bleeds them, and leaves their hatless bodies for others to find. I’m pretty sure it lives in the roosts. Could be a rogue bat, a vampire, or something worse. We kill it, though, and we’ll be famous."
"Well, not to be rude, but it seems like your other friends have left you, and last time we met you didn't end up spilling much of our blood," Gig notes. "If you want us to help you, perhaps you should offer us something enticing."
"Yeah, err, do we want you to have a murder hat?"
Brijetta keeps quiet. Dealing with Cap-Killer doesn't really sounds like anything she wants to do. Then again, she's not a redcap, so maybe it wouldn't be so bad.
Interhoff scoffs. "What's in it for you? Beyond staying alive?" He thinks a moment, adding, "Help me out, and I can pay you. Maybe get you some information? I know lots of folks, and they’ll listen once I have a great hat."
Uhe snorts.
Unhand me my good, man. The notion of us working for a hatless wannabe would simply not be good for our reputation. Just to be seen here talking in public. The shame. Beat it kid.
The Investigator seems to be standing straight and even his beard is combed....
"We need to find the Cult of the Cave Worm. Can he help with that?"
Interhoff seems unfazed by Uhe's threats, but he does remove his hand from the dwarf's arm. He turns to Brijetta. "The cave worm cult, yeah. I know some stuff about that. Help me out, and I'll help you. But refuse me, and I will have my revenge..."
"Maybe we should help?" she suggests to her companions, not wanting to know what his revenge might look like here. A redcap almost killed her not long ago.
Mal blows a long breath out her nose. "Fiiine. But you watch yourself Interhoff. It's even less of a fairer fight this time around, an' don't think we'll take it easy on you if you get outta line!"
Interhoff cackles with glee. "Excellent! There's no time to waste. Let's go!"
The redcap leads you across several bridges to the main roost for giant bats, located in one of the outer stalactites. The irregular cave spans roughly 150 feet in diameter, with a ceiling about 30 feet high. Bats with wingspans ranging from 5 to 20 feet hang from the ceiling, with some clinging to stalactites that leave the bats nearly touching the floor.
"Cap-Killer's got to be lurking somewhere around here. Well? Don't just stand there! Look for clues!"
Gig shrugs. "Never looked for a serial killer before."
He starts searching the cavern for blood spots and murder weapons.
"Maybe if we all put on hats, or caps, it will find us?" Brijetta suggests quietly as she looks around at the bats to see if any of them might have a red chapeau in their mouth.
Uhe nods at Brjetta's idea. The Investigator walks up to Interhoff, grabs his redcap and puts it on!
Ollie, Ollie, oxen free! Come get me! I'm a stupid redcap!
The brilliance of the idea is only detailed by how suave he looks dancing and prancing about ...
Interhoff scowls when Uhe takes his hat. He draws his scythe and begins to fidget with it. Meanwhile, neither Brijetta nor Gig are able to discover any pertinent clues. All the bats look normal enough.
There's plenty in plain sight, so Mal tries to study what she can already see for what might not be as plain as it seems...
Mal notes that, though most of the bats huddle together as expected, a few are isolated, as if unwelcome by the roost.
Interhoff continues to fidget in agitation.
Mal lets her shape grow more diffuse, then sets a gem floating around herself like an aeon stone.
"I reckon that's it right up there."
"We should give him his hat back. Especially if there's a cap killer in here," Brijetta observes to herself as she watches Mal. She begins channeling her forge spirits, just in case.
Uhe absently tosses the redcap to Interhoff. The Investigator staring at the ceiling.
Anyone got a bomb?
The dwarf then begins inspection of the Cave.
It appears to be made of some type of rock.
As Mal approaches the bats, something seems to change with Interhoff. He grips his scythe with grim determination as he menacingly stalks towards Uhe. At the same time, one of the giant bats drops from the ceiling, changing shape as it lands on the cave floor. It transforms into a blue-skinned, horned humanoid spotted with large rashes and boils! It snarls and flexes its claws!
Before you can react, the monster rushes at Mal, slashing with its claws. Interhoff rushes up to Uhe and stomps on his foot before slicing him with his scythe!
"Hey, we were just trying to help!" It's possible that Gig is too innocent for this fey nonsense.
"Come on, team!"
He inspires his allies and heals up some of Uhe's wounds.
HP 72/72
AC 22
Fort +13, Ref +12, Will +11; sonic resistance 3
Hero points: 1
Infused regents: 5
Thermal nimbus: fire resistance 4 in kinetic aura (10-foot emanation); enemies take 2 fire damage
Effects:
"What is that?!" Brijetta exclaims as she sees the new horror. She's torn between trying to attack it or Interhoff.
"Give him back his hat and maybe he'll stop!" she calls to Uhe as she decides, turning her attention to the cap killer.
All the pieces of metal suddenly surrounding her coalesce and streak toward the newcomer.
Uhe waves his hands in the air just like the dwarf don't know what is happening!
I already gave him his cap! I can't give it to him anymore!
The Investigator sizes up the Big Blue Mutant Smurf!
+1 circumstance bonus to Recall Knowledge about ancient history, peoples, and cultures
The Investigator frowns.
Seems that a direct strike has zero percentage of success.
The Alchemical Researcher decides to Quick Tincture (stupid name) a Numbing Tonic(5) and drinks it.
Uhe glances at Interhoff, as the remaining wounds seem to clear up.
We found him!
Mal rolls with the hit, her struck shoulder briefly dissolving into sand when struck. Horrified by the fiend's sudden appearance, and fearing for what it might do to her friends if it caught them, she pounces on it, snatching and tearing with sinewy hands.
Mal grabs a hold of the blue-skinned fiend, landing a hit with her fist. Uhe is unable to identify it. Brijetta sends a barrage of metal at the creature, eliciting a roar of pain as it is battered and impaled.
Though injured, the monster continues to claw savagely at Mal. Interhoff attacks Uhe again, his eyes glazed over.
Gig draws on a glimmer of power to identify the creature, sustains his anthem, and draws his wand of fear.
or
HP 72/72
AC 22
Fort +13, Ref +12, Will +11; sonic resistance 3
Hero points: 1
Infused regents: 5
Thermal nimbus: fire resistance 4 in kinetic aura (10-foot emanation); enemies take 2 fire damage
Effects:
Brijetta resummons her forge spirits, blasting the blue meanie with metal again and again as she tries to kill it quickly in hopes it stops Interhoff's aggression too. He wanted them all to kill this thing, after all.
Uhe just shakes his head sadly at the poor deluded redcap. As his wounds begin to heal a bit, the Investigator sizes up his opponent.
Nodding to himself in expected success, Uhe takes out his Scorpion whip and attempts to Trip his opponent!
Probably best if you stay down.
Mal keeps yanking and tugging on the dreadful fiend, shrieking as she scrambles all over it to wrench its limbs aside to open it up to Brij's strikes!
Gig recognizes the fiend as a div known as a pairaka. Often charming, sometimes even seductive, pairakas worm their way into mortal relationships, subtly destroying the ties of friendship and love through emotional and physical corruption and plague. The bard remembers that pairakas hate the color red. That may be why Cap-Killer has been murdering redcaps!
The fiend avoids some of Brijetta's shard strike, but Mal manages to pummel it twice, leaving it badly hurt. Uhe does his best to trip Interhoff, but the nimble redcap avoids the whip!
The pairaka continues to claw at Mal, scoring several critical hits that lay the druid low! Interhoff slices Uhe again with his scythe.
"Torag's trousers!" Gig shouts as he sees Mal go down. He continues his anthem and channels his strongest healing to the fallen druid.
Uhe considers his options....!
The Investigator smiles.
Uhe snarls and tackles the annoying Redcap!
Woozy and incoherent, Mal's fists lose some of their force as they keep piffling out into sand, but perhaps her desperate fury will win out?!
HP 72/72
AC 22
Fort +13, Ref +12, Will +11; sonic resistance 3
Hero points: 0
Infused regents: 5
Thermal nimbus: fire resistance 4 in kinetic aura (10-foot emanation); enemies take 2 fire damage
Effects:
"Mal!" Brijetta cries, spraying metal at the div.
[ ooc]◈ Kinetic blast; ◈◈ Shard Strike[/ooc]
Uhe trips Interhoff, causing him to fall hard to the ground. The impact seems to snap him back to his senses, and the redcap shoves the investigator off of him as he tries to grapple the fey. "Hey! Get off me! That's Cap-Killer! It must've whammied me!"
Mal punches Cap-Killer, and Brijetta grazes it with her shard spikes. The pairaka attacks Mal again, getting a critical hit!
Interhoff gets to his feet and rushes over to help Mal. He leaps into the air and comes down hard on Cap-Killer's head with his iron boots, crushing the fiend's skull!
"Ha, yes! We did it!" Interhoff cackles. He wastes no time, eagerly dipping his drab brown hat into the pairaka's blood. The hat turns a sickly blue rather than red. "Blue? Ugh, what? It's supposed to be red!" The fey thinks a moment, then he laughs. "Ha, well, that just means I'll have a special hat! Oh, uh, sorry for trying to kill you," he half-heartedly apologizes.
"Well, what an unusual day! I never thought I'd hear a redcap apologize, for one thing," Gig comments. Now, you said you had some information about the cult of the cave worm?"
Uhe stands back up, brushes his pants off and smiles.
Finally knocked sum sense into yee.
"I think he's a bluecap now. Maybe they're more apologetic?" Brijetta says to no one in particular.
"We can only hope..." Mal mutters along.