This week’s Game was the first day in the city of Five Fingers. A couple characters (especially the alchemist, Dr. H) have background in this city, so they stepped up to do a lot of the running about and talking to people. Their objectives were to find the mysterious Aserath Scarrow and get them to tell the Players about the Dragon’s Throat. The trick was to be getting time with Scarrow, as they are one of the chief movers in the Five Fingers criminal world.
First they needed to confirm who Scarrow was, then figure out a way to get to talk to them. If they wanted to be official and above board, they would be able to arrange a private meeting with Scarrow next week. If the Players chose to wait, they would have missed Fallingblood at the Dragon’s Throat, and thus be playing catch-up. This is fine, and the campaign story can handle this. Fortunately, the party chose to look for more expedient methods.
One way to try to meet Scarrow would by by breaking and entering, or forcing their way through Scarrow’s guard and employees. It is unlikely for this to go well, and even if they meet Scarrow, Aserath will probably be enraged. Again, the party chose not to try this.
One other way to meet Scarrow was using the message that was taken in a previous episode. The Party had intercepted the Cygnaran dispatch which was delivering a message to Scarrow. The party’s alechmist examine the message closely, and found a hidden second message, written in invisible ink. This new message was written in a strange, spirdery script that none of the Players could identify. The Players may be able to use this message to get closer to Scarrow than they normally would.
The main way to meet Scarrow was by impressing the heck out of the black market merchant. The party learned that over the next two days will be the annual underground Five Fingers Fight Club. Singles, pairs and groups will enter the Killbox and duke it out for the title of the Badass of Five Fingers. Scarrow is heavily invested in both the games and certain fighters, so if the Party enters the competition and kicks total ass, then Scarrow will certainly want to meet these guys.
The first night of the competition did go well for the party. only one loss in the Single Competition, and a resounding victory in the Small Group round means that they are well in the running for a win. The next night will be the Large Group and Grand Melee, so we’ll see how the party forms up.
Several Plot Complications are also brewing. Lt. Ohmz, the Cygnaran officer from the first Toll Booth, is in town and looking for them. The Cygnarans discovered the remains of the military dispatch, and remember the party as the last large group to go through. While he does not have proof, he does suspect that the Party is responsible. Bosh the Ogrun had also exchanged a few words with the Lieutenant, so he remembers the group and wants to talk. Strictly speaking, Five Fingers is in Ord, so Ohmz has no real authority here.
Right now, Fallingblood is entering the Bay of Stone, and heading for the Dragon’s Throat. She has a good two days before arrival.
Cast of Non-Player Characters
The main competitors for the event is the large group of reigning champions, made up of mostly Trollkin. They are led by a charismatic Human with one hand. His left hand has been replaced with an iron pike, and he leads the group known as the Panamon Kriel. This is an intentional pun and poke at certain Players who have a grudge against the book the Sword of Shannara.
Panamon (Intelligent Human Military Officer/Duelist)
SPD:6 STR:5 MAT:7 RAT:6 CMD:9 Full Life Spiral: 6P 6I 5A
Iron Pike
Hand Cannon
Keltset (Mighty Trollkin Man-at-Arms/Pirate)
SPD:5 SRT:8 MAT:7 RAT:5 Full Life Spiral: 8P 4I 5A
Shield
Sword
Urg (Mighty Trollkin Soldier/Pugilist)
SPD:5 STR:7 MAT:7 RAT:4 Full Life Spiral: 7P 4I 5A
Great Axe
Arg (Gifted Trollkin Stone Sorcerer/Man-at-Arms)
SPD:5 STR:6 ARC:4 MAT:5 RAT:5 Full Life Spiral: 7P 5I 4A
Spells: Earthquake, Stone Strength, Solid Ground