While getting Rinn down from the entanglement protections Stubby had put up at the front door, the trio was beset upon by an assassin! He was targeting Stubby specifically, saying his actions were for the good of Vasselhiem.
While severely outclassed, the trio managed to use their wiles to defeat and capture the assassin, who was revealed to be Abe the Apple Thrower from the Fair. He happened to be a member of the Thieves’ Guild, and after some pressure explained he was trying to kill Stubby specifically because the Empress wanted her alive.
Unwilling to attempt further investigations alone, the assistance of the Xhorhassian Embassy was enlisted, and Ambassador Krynn herself came over with a guard. She quickly determined that the Thieves Guild was working on some incorrect information. Killing Stubby would not stop the Empress from whatever her plan was, and Abe was perp-walked back to the Guild (where no doubt he’s getting demoted…). The Ambassador went on to explain that she had done further research, and was certain that the Empress’s beef was with the de Rollos, yes, she knew who Stubby really was, and the Empress’ goal was for Stubby to suffer while she killed everyone in Subby’s family (probably through the Blue Sick).
Ambassador Krynn felt that if there was any way to foil the Empress, it may be found in Vasselheim. While everyone who went to Old Vasselheim tended to go crazy, she believed that was actually the work of the Empress rather than the rogue magics surrounding Isslyra. She also confirmed much of what the Vonns (Ivan, Olivia, etc) had explained, in that yes, Victor did start the rebellion, but while he did betray the Empress, she still named a fort for him (Fort Victor, on the way to what remains of Pyrah).
When the group introduced the Ambassador to the stone of Flynn, she recognized it as a trapped pre-Calamity Mage, and said she would encase it in a lead box, in stone, in another box, in another stone, and shunt it as far into the earth as possible, and then wipe her own memory. And she would still be afraid of it. The best place for it would be Whitestone with their ziggurat, which prompted Stubby to use the Communication Stone to call home. After all, her next stop after the collection of the Luxons was meant to be Whitestone.
The time difference being what it was, the early morning in Whitestone meant they were greeted by a sleepy Pike (and an actually sleeping Grog) who quickly got the still bed-rumpled parents of Stubby. They clarified the tree-yeeting plans, arranged for a time the next day to use the communication stones to let Local Victoria and Keyleth see the trees for themselves and try to use them as planned. (According to Percy, the last time Kiki tried, the Sun Tree bonked her in the head with the box — Keyleth swears the Sun Tree apologized).
Finally … it dawned upon Tāmarai that the Empress looked very much like Percy and Vex. She quickly sketched the woman and held it up by the communication stone, where everyone relalized ‘Oh shit, she’s right.’ The Empress looks most like Stubby’s second-oldest sister, but a much less ‘elfy’ version.
Oh Mighty Nein, now what?
Players
- Rinn Shrike – Half-elf Sorcerer/Rogue (Storm Sorcery)
- Stubby – Half-elf Artificer/Artillerist
- Tāmarai Shikomi – Gnome Bard (College of Lore)
The players made Level Four at the end of this session.