#DitDW

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(More from final dnd session)

Previously, drinking at a tavern...

Paladin to group: "It would be my honor to call you all friends!"

To Bard lawyer npc: "all of us."

Party nods in agreement

Bard: "I don't have friends. I have clients and associates."

Wizard: "need it in writing?"

Fighter: "there doesn't need to be a contract for everything."

Bard: "it helps, yes"

Ongoing joke of this guy having a contract for everything and it sometimes gets him into trouble. The wizard takes out a piece of paper and writes "We are friends" in big letters. The party all signs it and hands it to the Bard, who sighs and files it away.

This session, the party has completed their mission and returned home. They are relaxing at an upscale bar.

Fighter to party: "Living as a gith in the Astral Sea, I know very little about friendship. But, I'm very happy with the bonds I've made, with 3 new friends."

Everyone happy and hums in agreement.

Fighter, to Bard: "4 friends...?"

Bard: "no no... I--"

Sorcerer: "oh come on. After everything?"

Fighter: "at least admit we are friendly."

Bard thinks for a moment, then pulls out the "contract" the party had written.

He tears it in half, and the party gasps

Bard: "maybe...there doesn't need to be a contract for everything."

Cue awwwws

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Friends

Wrapping up a D&D game, an escort mission sidequest. The characters are sentimental and drinking. The party is the goodness good guys. Honor bound, virtuous.

Lykas (gith fighter, worshiper of the Silver Flame): "It's a shame we have to part ways."

Scratch (npc): "That was the mission. I'm eternally grateful you all were here to protect me. You will be compensated accordingly on my return."

VerDan (elf necromancer): "we've all become much closer for it. I like to think of you all as friends."

Lykas, to Scratch: "we consider you a friend, too."

Scratch (npc): "what?"

Archibald (human paladin, worshiper of the Silver Flame): "of course! You may not be coming with us after this, but if you ever need anything!"

Scratch (npc): "I don't have friends. I have clients and associates."

Lykas: "and now, 4 new friends!"

Scratch (npc): "you literally just hired me as your legal representation. I think this is a conflict of--"

Archibald: "we stayed in contact these relived 10 years! That makes us friends."

Scratch (npc): "why?"

VerDan: "we like you."

Scratch (npc): "I literally just psychically killed someone while sitting in this bar. Because he was a little rude."

Lykas: "you can be close to people, you know? Open up."

Scratch (npc): "I'm literally lawful evil. I'm turning into a bonified fiend. A deity just spoke through me to announce the coming of the Age of Demons--"

Geneshan (kalashtar divine soul sorcerer): "do you want a hug?"

Scratch (npc): "a hu--?"

Geneshan, hugging them: "physical connection can be nice."

Scratch, not hugging back, but not fighting: "isn't this a little inappropriate? I'm your lawyer--"

Lykas, joining in on the hug: "awww cmon group hug!"

The rest of the party jumps in

Scratch tries to misty step out of it

VerDan counterspells

Scratch (npc): "what the fuck is wrong with you all?"

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GUYS I’M DOING IT I’M ACTUALLY DOING IT SOMEBODY STOP ME

@rabi-en-rose if this is too silly and should be left alone speak now or forever hold your peace

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Before the Bleak Council

Scratch stands in a room before a round of greater fiends, many Prahkutu (speakers) for Demon Overlords.

One white Rakshasa speaks first: "You stand trial before the Bleak Council for your meddling in the Draconic Prophecy, despite not being a scholar or of any significance in it, and your continued contact with Khyber."

Scratch, a tiefling dwarfed in the setting: "To the accusations that I am insignificant, and mistakenly gotten involved in business so much greater than me, I am guilty. However, allow me to make my case to reduce my sentencing. A plea of insanity of sorts."

Rakshasa: "We have already discussed it extensively. Your punishment is death."

Scratch, rushed: "I'm not mentioned in the Prophecy. I do not know why Khyber has chosen to speak with me. But you know she does. That isn't being questioned or you wouldn't be sitting here."

The Council murmurs a bit: "This may be true..."

Scratch: "I am no threat to you, but I could be an asset. I can ask her any question, if you provide me years of mortal life. When was the last time any of you spoke with her directly? Based on your jealousy, I'd say it's been a while."

Prahkutu grumble: "Did you intend to come here to insult us?"

Scratch: "You all speak with your Rajah (overlords), and attempt to interpret the Prophecy. As I understand it, Khyber is the most knowledgeable in it. Instead of interpreting the prophecy yourselves, allow her to read it to you. Using me as her mouthpiece. A speaker. A sort of Prahkutu, if you will."

The Council gets a bit riled up: "Enough of this, gnat! Where do you get the gall--?"

Scratch: "I have nothing to lose! But you have much to be gained. You could have a direct line to the Progenitor now. You should be seeking to ally with me rather than threatening to kill me. But please-- if any of you believe that you know more than Khyber-- strike me down where I stand! It would be exceptionally easy for you..."

The Council begins arguing amongst each other: "Do you even have proof? How can we even be certain of your claims?"

A crack forms beneath Scratch's feet, spreading across the floor and splitting the Council's seating in two. He opens his mouth and two voices speak.

Khyber (through Scratch): "Fiends! Children of my children! Welcome. Your work has been much appreciated. The fruits of your labors are coming. The new Age of Demons approaches, and the Overlords will soon be released. Rejoice, for you will rule Eberron once again!"

The energy cuts off, and tension lingers in the room. The Council begins celebrating, and tempering their excitement, keeping composure.

Scratch, startled, shaking: "Is that proof enough for you?"

part 1

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Chosen One

The party arrives at Ashtakala, escorting Scratch to his meeting with the Lords of Dust.

Scratch (tiefling npc): "Should be easy enough for me to get into Ashtakala. I'm a fiend, and not important or powerful enough to draw the city's attention."

Lykas (gith fighter): "Wait, I thought you were some 'chosen one' being summoned by the Bleak Council..."

Party murmurs in agreement and confusion

Flamewind (gynosphinx npc): "Oh no. He's a nobody. Meaningless truly. I cannot overstate how insignificant this gnat is."

Scratch: "Yes. Thank you."

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Trial of the Devil Lawyer

Scratch was summoned by the Bleak Council in Ashtakala to defend his right to life. He is insignificant to the Draconic Prophecy, and yet Khyber, the progenitor dragon, speaks directly to him in his dreams. She taunts him and takes years of his life in exchange for answers about the universe. While Khyber sees him largely as a gnat, or a lab rat for her to toy with, the Council considers him a sort of interloper, meddling in places he has no right to be.

Days before the trial, after as much preparation as he could do, Scratch reached out to Khyber in his dream.

Khyber, blue incorporeal humanoid form, leaning back in a luxurious chair: "Ooh, do you have a question for me? You're so stingy with your life."

Scratch, sitting in a comfortable, plain chair, pouring two drinks and passing one to her: "What do I need to say to the Bleak Council in order to win my case?"

Khyber: "What makes you think you can?"

Scratch: "I didn't ask if I could or could not. I asked what I need to say. You see the timelines. If you want the years, hold to our agreement and give me the words for my trial."

Khyber hums thoughtfully, then leans forward: "How about I do you one better?"

part 2

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Sparring Match

Feeling great about their mission near-success, having fought fiends, dragons, fleeing to space for a decade, and surviving a demon city, now only needing to return home alive, the party celebrates at a tavern.

Archibald, human paladin: "You know, you really held your own in that dragon fight. You've certainly gotten a bit of an upgrade."

Scratch, tiefling bard: "Ah yes. I learned a few new tricks while you were in the Astral Sea."

Archibald: "Well, shall we test those tricks and that new sword of yours?"

The party, all buzzing, negotiates an anything goes sparring match in the street. Sorcerer (healer) on stand-by. First person to unconscious loses.

Scratch runs up, swings (miss), and runs the rest of his movement, misty step away.

Archibald: "Excellent try!" Haste, runs up, stabs (hits). His attack does extra damage and he realizes that Scratch is a little more than fiend-ish now.

Scratch swings again (miss), Far Step 60 ft.

Archibald, yelling: "Don't worry! You'll get the hang of it!" Runs up, swings three times (two hit).

Scratch stows the sword, Far Step 60ft, run 30ft, up-cast Synaptic Static. Archibald passes the save, but it still does significant damage. Scratch is panting, bloodied, and hoping he put enough distance between them.

Archibald, shouting: "Better! Much better!" Archibald runs up, hasted dash, attacks twice (Scratch casts Shield. One hits).

Scratch, spitting blood, opens leathery wings out of his back, and Dimension Door 200ft into the air.

The party, watching with their drinks, clenches up a bit. If Scratch is knocked unconscious, that is a long way down.

Geneshan, kalashtar sorcerer: "Careful, Archie. I can save him, but don't splatter the poor guy!"

Archibald, activating his winged boots: "Don't worry, I'll catch him." Archibald takes off, using his full turn to make his way towards Scratch. The next round, he'll have a guaranteed win. Unless Scratch keeps running.

Scratch, hanging on by a thread, knows nothing he could do would knock Archibald out in this one turn. Except maybe...

Scratch casts Sleep at the highest level he can, just enough to render Archibald unconscious. He starts plummeting to the ground.

The party squinting and looking up, gasps when they see Archibald falling.

Scratch casts Feather Fall, and Archibald falls delicately onto the dirt road. Scratch flies back down to the party.

Geneshan, running up to heal Scratch: "I knew you weren't such a bad guy. That was really sweet to keep him safe."

Scratch, dizzy, drunk, and bleeding out: "It was certainly that, and not because, if he hit the ground, he would have survived the fall, come back to consciousness, and continued the fight."

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A Twitchy Tiefling

After time together, Scratch in a moment of sentimentality told the party they may refer to them by their birth name, Gearradh. Now 10 years later due to time shenanigans and reliving those years avoiding their past selves, the timelines are aligning and they can return home to complete their escort mission.

After a combat where Scratch was the weakest, but far less pathetic than before

Lykas (fighter): "Wow! Gearradh, you have certainly grown more skilled these years!"

Scratch twitches: "ah yes. I was due for a bit of an upgrade."

After convincing some druids to let them pass with the tiefling because they were "on a mission" for him to "seek atonement"

Geneshan: "I had no idea you were such the actor, Gearradh."

Scratch twitches: "years of practicing in my daily life."

Sitting at a tavern, discussing logistics of Scratch being their legal representation for a play they want produced, as well as the band they formed (they were very bored in the Astral Sea for 10 years).

VerDan (wizard): "thanks for all your help, Gearradh. We appreciate the support."

Scratch twitches: "my pleasure. I truly think this is something special people will want to see."

As they are returning to Sharn to re-assimilate to their previous lives

Scratch: "I know I told you all you may refer to me by my Infernal name as a show of trust, but now that we have returned to the city, please only refer to me by my proper legal name."

Party confused and slightly offended

Geneshan: "I have noticed your twitching. Did we do something wrong?"

VerDan: "is my pronunciation cringe?"

Lykas: "you can trust us. Gearradh, tell us what's up."

Scratch twitches, and compulsively gives a little bow: "an unfortunate side effect of my upgrade, I'm afraid. I'd rather others not use it against me."

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Security Detail

After a time mishap and 10 years in the Demon Wastes, the party escorts Scratch back home to Sharn. As soon as they return, he goes to report to the Baroness of Phiarlan, the person who hired the party to protect him, and the woman he admires most.

Scratch, wistfully as soon as he sees her: "Elvinor..." (he never uses her first name)

The Baroness, confused, looks around at the group. Scratch had completely forgotten that, to her, they had only left a week ago for a several month long journey. For Scratch, he has been locked in the Wastes for a decade. Coming home looking more fiendish and significantly different.

Scratch casts Lightning Lure to pull her closer, just out of range of the electric shock, and closes the distance with Misty Step.

Scratch looks her in her eyes and very gently places a hand on her cheek: "It's good to see you again, ma'am."

The tiefling is immediately stabbed by two invisible security guards. He falls to the ground unconscious. The party springs into action, fighting the guards, then reviving Scratch.

The Baroness looks down at Scratch, who she had recognized despite the confusion. She then moves to stands over the barely conscious head of the security detail.

The Baroness: "he was able to cast two spells, and even touch me, before you neutralized the threat. If he had been trying to hurt me, he easily would have. You're all fired."

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(From the game last night)

At a safe enough point to teleport back to their city to turn in their mission

Wizard: "Okay, everyone ready? We'll go back to the guild."

Bard (tiefling escortee): "actually, I'd like to go a more direct route." He is the legal council of the woman who hired them. He pulls out her Last Will and Testament to use as an object to teleport directly to her home.

Party (ooc): "oooooh dramatic."

Bard: "ready?"

Wizard: "Everyone hold hands!"

Party (and players) all join hands

Bard: "no I don't think we have to--"

Fighter and Paladin grab Bard's hands anyway.

Fighter: "cmon, what's the harm?"

Bard, pausing: "It has been lovely working with you all. Our time is coming to an end, but I do fully intend to get your play going (fighter wrote a play during the journey). And promote your band. (Party started a band during 10 years of down time in the Astral Sea, while being pirates, due to time shenanigans)."

Realization.

Bard: "what is the name of your band?"

Players spitballing.

Sorcerer ooc: "TPK?"

Wizard ooc: "an acronym?"

Fighter: "Time Pirates of Khyber"

Collective oohs

Paladin ooc: "that's kinda like saying 'sea thieves of Satan'... oh wait. That's so metal. It's good."

Players still holding hands with each other and the DMs: "woop! Party name in the last session!"

Bard: "lovely. I'm going to....teleport us now."

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Tiefling, psychically to Paladin: "these druids worship a power regarded as the same as your Silver Flame. You and Fighter as holy men may be able to find common ground."

Paladin, boldly, sitting majestically on a horse: "We have been instructed to take this fiend! Turn him in for...crimes."

Party nodding: "yeah. Crimes. We are taking him to a place to be punished for things."

Tiefling to self, crouching in the corner of the tube: "I'm so fucking dead..."

Druids suspicious: "you seemed friendly with this creature."

Tiefling starts hissing and cursing in Infernal, clawing at the cage. Tries to teleport out and intentionally fails.

Wizard: "quiet you!"

Druids more convinced: "here. Take these cuffs. They will help with its fiend magic."

Paladin takes cuffs and goes to the tiefling: "aha! Try to escape us now!" Quietly to tiefling "I need to put these on you."

Tiefling whispering: "ask nicely."

Tiefling is shackled. Sorcerer quietly to self: "hot..."

Party makes a big show of taking in the tiefling, throwing him on the horse. They all roll shit for performance, but the tiefling rolls a 30, and the druids roll shit for insight.

Tiefling lashing out aggressively

Paladin: "don't kick my horse."

Tiefling: "if you were all more convincing, I wouldn't have to be so dramatic."

They ride off, getting about an hour away.

Tiefling: "Okay, we aren't being followed. Can you remove these from me?"

Sorcerer: "I dunno. Maybe a couple more hours to be sure."

Wizard: "I'm sure this is nothing new for you."

Tiefing: "usually I'm the one doing the cuffing..."

Wizard: "always good to try new things!"

Part 1

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(From the game last night)

Trying to escape the labyrinth of a desert called the Demon Wastes in the most direct path, climbing a mountain to get to the country over so they can teleport home.

Powerful druids guard the borders to ensure no fiends escape. The party is escorting a tiefling.

As they walk, suddenly a tube surrounds the tiefling: "hm... oh no."

Druids pop out: "who goes there?"

Sorcerer: "we are just trying to get back home."

Druids: "this fiend is home. It stays. The rest of you may be infected..."

Fighter: "he's not that bad. Just a little guy."

Wizard studying tube. It is a magic circle to trap fiends, and a wall of force to prevent magical attacks.

Wizard to escortee: "hey bud. You want me to get you out of there?"

Tiefling shrugs: "not yet? I think I'm pretty safe in here right now."

Druids, preparing to fight: "are you in league with this fiend."

Paladin: "he's a tiefling. That's hardly a fiend. Just a little fiendish."

Tiefling who has been going through some transformation stuff: "ooh, actually...."

Paladin: "oh. Oh dear."

Part 2

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(From the game last night)

Party getting ready to leave the tavern. Heading back home after a dangerous escort mission.

Fighter to sorcerer: "you can hover, AND have wings now. Do you really need your legs?"

Sorcerer: "I quite like them attached. I'd rather not return home so drastically changed. We waited out a decade in the Astral Sea to avoid just that."

Fighter: "yeah, but here I'm sure they'd fetch a good price."

Multiple bar patrons start piping up and bidding for her legs.

Paladin: "we don't really need the money. We just discover a space vault and are getting paid handsomely for returning our charge."

Fighter: "just an idea."

Sorcerer: "one in going to have to disagree with."

Escortee, cheekily aside to the fighter: "If she removes her legs, she won't be able to spread them for her husband when she gets home."

Ace af fighter who does not understand sex: "what?"

Sorcerer slamming her head on the table

Wizard in the corner reading a trashy romance novel cracking up.

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Just had a final session of a D&D campaign last night. It went so flawlessly, and by that I mean it was a mess but everyone enjoyed themselves.

I'm about to get so annoying about dnd today. It will all be tagged #ditdw if you get tired of me.

I've never finished a campaign before, and this was a co-DMed game (a character of mine from another game acting as an npc for an escort mission).

It was wholesome and chaotic. Emotional.

And everyone wants to come back for a future adventure! So we dropped a plot hook. Though I may be an actual player in that one.

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The City of Fiends

The party arrives at the bounds of Ashtakala. They can't make out the city inside of the whipping sandstorm. They all hold their breath as they enter, not sure what to expect. Scratch, the tiefling they are escorting, leads them in. He lived in the city for years what feels like a lifetime ago.

Flamewind, the gynosphinx and scholar of the Draconic Prophecy, steps forward beyond them all: "Finally, the City of Fiends."

The path opens beneath her, trying to swallow her up.

The party jumps into action, but unsure of how to fight the literal ground. Geneshan (sorcerer) uses vortex warp to get her out.

Flamewind flies into the air, but black sands surround her, forming into spikes and collapsing around her.

Flamewind: "No, please! Sovereigns save me!"

Scratch pulls out his contract with her and burns it.

The party fruitlessly tries to free her, then watches on in horror as the sands crunch down around her, then dissipate into the air.

Geneshan: "What happened?"

Party frantically murmurs.

Lykas (fighter for the Silver Flame): "Did you do this?!"

Scratch, a bit too gleeful: "No, but Dust I wish I had."

part 1

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Mom and Dad are Fighting

The Party is escorting Scratch (tiefling) and Flamewind (gynosphinx) through the Demon Wastes to Ashtakala. Scratch is going for a summons, Flamewind is a scholar of the Draconic Prophecy and wants to see the center of the city of fiends. She and Scratch have a contract that he deliver her as safely as possible.

On the way, they fight an androsphinx, Onyx, pressed by Flamewind to kill him. Later it is revealed that it was for petty personal reasons. Now a month away from the instance, they find out that Onyx had shifted them back 10 years in time, but hadn't noticed in the largely unchanging Wastes.

Flamewind and Scratch have a bit of a disagreement...

Scratch: "Did you know?"

Flamewind: "I know many things, little fiend."

Scratch: "Enough of your bullshit cryptic answers. Did you know he could do that? Did you know when it happened and didn't tell us?"

Flamewind, after a pause: "I did."

Scratch: "You forced them into that fight, for a petty revenge. These people have lost much of their lives! But you don't care about them, because they aren't mentioned in your precious prophecy..."

Flamewind: "You of all people would know about ruining people's lives for petty revenge."

Scratch: "Damn me for agreeing to bring you!"

Party watches on, drinks in hand

Scratch: "But I did agree, didn't I."

Flamewind: "You did. It is in our contract. You'll honor that."

Scratch: "I'm a man of my word. I'll take you there, as safely as I can. But the fiends there won't be so gracious. They'll rip you limb from limb, pluck out each of your feathers, cut off your head and mount it on the library wall. They'll leave what's left of you for the vultures. Or maybe the merciful sands will shred you to bits before you can set a paw inside the city."

Scratch, getting into Flamewind's face, she towers over him: "I hope Ashtakala tears you apart before you get a damn thing you wanted."

Part 2