Session 8-A: Bed and Breakfast

Key Plot Developments
Shuushar, Trix, and Lemon wander away from the now-inaccessible temple of oozes. Trix reasons that his family should find it impossible to find him now; he misled them by planting his boat on the opposite side of his true path, went into the temple, collapsed its ceiling, and swam his way through the diverted river. However, he grows paranoid that the Demogorgon might still be able to find him, so he insists that the group keep traveling South.

Lemon, a tiny ooze, cannot move very quickly. It relates how happy it is to experience the world but how, despite having two inexplicably undissolved eyeballs in its gelatin, it cannot "see" anything (only "sense" it). Trix solves the problem by helping Shuushar to carve out large slices of Zurkhwood and training Lemon to slither up to them without automatically dissolving and eating the mushrooms. It expresses joy at the notion of being chauffeured.

The group, emerging from tight tunnels, wanders into a huge gallery of mushrooms. They fail to notice two cultivated Shriekers, who alert the gallery's residents to their approach. A hulking, large-tusked Orog stands on a limestone ledge and demands that they pay a toll for entering the territory of the Goro clan without leave.

Trix, following Shuushar's advice, favors diplomacy. He introduces himself to the Orog (an axe-wielding brute named Mug Goro) and asks if he can offer his services as a negotiator or cleric. Mug Goro accepts his offer, clarifying that his clan's Southern territory has been stolen by a two-headed ogre named Slagathor.

Trix is reminded of how his people were treated by the invading hobgoblins back in the Sunless Citadel. Now, once again, he must serve as a scout and fodder for larger creatures. Isolated from his family, stalked by a demon lord, and now coerced into servitude, he briefly contemplates a defiant suicide, but suffers from a twinge of guilt: he doesn't want to leave Shuushar behind.

Trix intructs Shuushar and Lemon to remain at a distance for their own safety, and sneaks his way through the caves. After traveling for a quarter-mile, he sees rocks scattered about the otherwise featureless gallery floor. Finally, he draws close to a 30-foot pile of large rocks, which he recognizes as the entrance to Slagathor's lair.

Trix, terrified but resolute, climbs into the waiting cavern. There, he meets a hideous two-headed ogre. Slagathor, sitting attentively on a Zurkhwood-cap bed, introduces himself (and his second head). He says that he would be delighted to have Trix for breakfast. Trix, accepting his doom, bears for the worst--but is pleasantly surprised.

Slagathor clarifies that the rocks were thrown as part of a game; he wanted to play catch with the Goro clan, but they didn't throw the ball back. He also announces his intent to treat Trix as a guest. He feeds Trix edible Ripplebark fungi, attempts to create a calming mood by throwing ornate candlesticks haphazardly around the room, and warms a bowl of stew that Trix could use as a bath. Slagathor expresses his deep desire to create a bed and breakfast that any creature can enjoy. He thanks his "bird friend" for making such a meeting possible and wonders where his avian benefactor went.

Trix realizes that the Goro clan is likely to kill a largely peaceful and innocent creature (not entirely; Slagathor freely admits to murdering and eating a passing drow merchant) if this feud is not mediated. He returns to Mug Goro and brokers a peaceful meeting between the Orog and the Ogre.

Shuushar expresses his admiration towards Trix. Lemon, completely clueless about what's happened, follows suit. Trix convinces Slagathor to aid in the Goro clan's territorial ambitions by conquering new areas (that could be used to make additional bed and breakfast locations).

Trix, finally proud of his accomplishment, rests in a private area of the gallery. Then, he hears the flapping of wings. He turns to see a normal-looking raven approaching. The raven, speaking in Common, introduces himself to Trix as Ichabod.

New NPCs

 * 1) Mug Goro, chief of the Goro Clan
 * 2) Slagathor, two-headed ogre
 * 3) Ichabod, talking raven

Memorable Quotations
Slagathor: Me Slagathor. This also Slagathor.

Mug Goro: Hooh! Hooh!

Lemon: I can ride on something tasty WITHOUT eating it? Amazing.

Ichabod: My name is Ichabod, but you call me Icky.