Session 14: The Fractured Family

Key Plot Developments
It's a new morning in Miss Anna's grove. Pix and Bogtooth wake up, curious about what the new might bring; as Pix has begun to confront the status conferred on female drow and compared it to the more gender-egalitarian goblin society, she's curious about what embracing her womanhood might mean with regards to goblin tradition. Bogtooth, whose definition of what being a real goblin means has shifted considerably since the start of clan Cragmaw's journey, reflects on his growth.

Pyrite waits outside of Suortin's house, intent on casting a fireball and trapping Suortin inside. Before she's able to, Trix intervenes and explains how Pyrite's plan will likely fail. Suortin, an Umber Hulk, can burrow; he cannot be so easily trapped by mushroom and crystal. Pyrite asks for Trix's help in breaking Glyn free from Anna's dominion. Trix, completely uncertain about his decision to impulsively sell his soul to preserve Pyrite's, approaches his task with a grim and unenthused sense of duty.

Glyn, grinning as he descends from Miss Anna's chambers alongside the presumed Succubus, approaches Tremble and once again asks that he stay in the grove. Tremble refuses, explaining how he needs to get stronger to save Jimjar from Ilvara's grasp. Glyn, maddened but impatient, moves towards Suortin's corner to eat. Miss Anna suggests that he should find more supportive friends; he remarks, looking at her, that he already has.

As Glyn approaches, Pyrite springs into action. She confronts him about her connection to Miss Anna. Suortin, sensing the tension, ushers some of the other guests away (using his Confusing Gaze to mollify Shuushar). Miss Anna gives the goblins the chance to surrender and give in to Glyn's desires or leave; she now clearly smells the stench of Ichabod, a detestable devil, on Trix. Pyrite refuses. Trix tries to take advantage of the confusion to cast Remove Curse and break Miss Anna's hold on Glyn. Primed by the elf to reject Trix's influence, he instinctively rejects the Twilight magic; his curse remains.

The battle begins! Miss Anna calls on the powers of her grove and her Dark Prince, summoning a series of crystal wraiths. These creatures, gliding around the garden and pummeling the goblins with life drain attacks, quickly overwhelm the heroes. Suortin's Confusing Gaze further prevents the Bogteam from successfully intervening.

Pyrite fires blast after blast against an insurmountable display of force from Annarei. Despite multiple warnings to stand down, she refuses. Glyn, still maddened, sides with Miss Anna over his clan. Pyrite is life drained to death, but Trix summons Ichabod and asks for a diamond in exchange for a favor. Ichabod appears, insults Annarei, delivers the diamond, and vanishes. Anna shrieks in rage as Trix brings Pyrite back from the grave.

Finally, Pix diverts Suortin's attention via bardic enchantments and declares their surrender. The goblins all attempt to leave--except Tremble, who wants to stay to talk Glyn out of his insanity. After a tense, heartfelt stand-off, Glyn refuses to budge, and asks Miss Anna to charm Tremble into staying.

At the grove's edge, a humiliated Trix calls on Ichabod for help. Ichabod is happy that Miss Anna is incensed and requests that Trix verbally insult her on the way out. As Ichabod prepares to grant another daily wish, Suortin snaps out of Pix's enchantment. Seeing his mistress's hated enemy in her grove, he launches into action, biting and instantly killing Ichabod.

The harm to Ichabod immediately breaches his contract with Trix. The Ichabond is broken and its boons are reversed. Clan Cragmaw is teleported and misty stepped across the Underdark, leaving Trix alone in Annarei's grove.