Session 29-A: Burning Bridges

Key Plot Developments
Two weeks pass as Gracklstugh rebuilds (prior to Anna's entrance). Glyn uses this time to send various messages through his Stonespeaker Crystal. His key interactions are summarized below:


 * Day One: He reaches out to Trix; Trix responds cautiously and concisely. Tremble ignores his message. Anna confirms receipt of her message and begins her journey to Gracklstugh.
 * Day Two: Pyrite doesn't respond to his message. Rufus says that the town of Durhlong is safe but that Mayor Pierce has traveled to Mantol-Derith for supplies. Trix, again, is evasive. Pix ignores his message. He prays to Tempus at night and receives a dream where they pass around tankards on a huge stone table and try to throw objects in, drinking if they miss.
 * Day Three: Zeks says he's on the way back to Anna's grove. Shuushar expresses a vague fear that he and Trix have been betrayed by Misu. Bogtooth ignores a message. The Dark Prince is proud of Glyn's necklace-sharing and reminds Glyn to watch out for the cultists of the Demogorgon. He also begins to drive a wedge between Glyn and the rest of his family based on the family's lack of response to Glyn's sending.
 * Day Four: Shuushar confirms he and Trix have been taken to Menzoberranzan and says Misu has sold them out. Rotgut responds to a message and says he's with Persemone. He doesn't recognize speaking to Glyn earlier. The Dark Prince says the cultists should be killed and warns Glyn about Grazilaxx, the mind flayer from the Society of Brilliance.
 * Day Five: Slagathor is asked to join Glyn in Gracklstugh. Rotgut is messaged again; he doesn't remember the message from the previous day. The Dark Prince encourages Glyn to keep spreading necklaces as Gracklstugh rebuilds.
 * Day Six: Shuushar expresses how Misu is forcing him and Trix to denigrate themselves in front of their captors. Glyn reaches out to Kalama, the kobold bartender from Fire Fest, for Lady Shakasshta's name. Slagathor confirms his plan to visit Gracklstugh and set up a new bed and breakfast. The Dark Prince denies being a demon named Nicholas Ice Cream and convinces Glyn to to rout all devils from the material plane together.
 * Day Seven: Slagathor says he'll bring some orcs with him. Lady Shakasshta rejects the offer to join a slave-holding city. The Dark Prince, at Glyn's request, says he's sent scouts to intercept Misu, Trix, and Shuushar.
 * Day Eight: Mug Goro confirms he'll stay at Slagathor's bed and breakfast as Slagathor joins Glyn in Gracklstugh. Shuushar explains how he's been taken by Ilvara, Asha, and Jorlan. Glyn receives messages from the Dark Prince and gets a dream of Tempus.
 * Day Nine: Glyn gets a concerning response from Mayor Pierce; she seems mad. Shuushar says he saw a group of humans and a strange creature with many eyes heading North. The Dark Prince implies her madness may have been the result of not being protected with Glyn's necklace.
 * Day 10: Shuushar confirms they'll be killed when they reach Menzoberranzan.
 * Day 11: Glyn tries to speak with Rotgut, who doesn't recall speaking with him before. The Dark Prince implies it's a mind flayer's fault.
 * Day 12: Glyn speaks with Rotgut multiple times, confirming general ideas about his location - he's in the Underdark in a place with a lot of mushrooms and someone named Persemone.
 * Day 13: Glyn reaches out to Spindlelegs, who doesn't trust the message; he thinks it's a trick from a gnome. Slagathor is on the way. The Dark Prince keeps turning Glyn against Misu.
 * Day 14: Glyn finally hears from his family, all of whole speak very vaguely and curtly to him; they seem to be safe, but they're not being forthcoming with him. The Dark Prince takes the opportunity to make Glyn believe his family has turned on him and may have been corrupted by Misu.

At the end of the two weeks, Glyn reflects on his situation: the kingdom is being rebuilt, but he's been steadily distanced by Lady Harmond from the inner circle's dealings as the kingdom's power structures regain their footing. Miss Anna has set up a crystal grove in the center of the city; some citizens appreciate the hospitality she gives, while traditionalists are suspicious. Zeks and Edsel have re-entered the city to protect Anna and Glyn; with the Deepking dead, they are less concerned about being court-martialed. Gridier and Armneil explain the changing politics of the city: some higher-ups are afraid that Anna's kindness is interfering with the discipline of the troops.

Glyn speaks with the stone giants at the eastern gate with Anna. At first, they are friendly. However, Anna's attempt to win them over by invoking the Dark Prince's name upsets them; they now believe Glyn to be potentially under the sway of a demon prince. They retreat from the eastern gate without provoking a fight. Glyn is confused--isn't the Dark Prince a benefactor, not a demon?--and Anna affirms the Prince's good intentions. Before he can reflect on potentially losing an alliance with the giants, Glyn receives a sending: '''We have the other goblin. Come alone or he dies. We have invisibility wards. Talk shit, and get hit. You have one hour. Northwestern docks.'''

Glyn asks the Dark Prince for advice. The Prince thinks this is a message from the cultists of the Demogorgon; they don't know that Glyn has the information necessary to disprove their claim about having other goblins. He asks Glyn to call their bluff and draw them out.

When Glyn goes to the bridge (after alerting Anna), he finds Pliinki, the derro cultist from the tunnels. They trade threats on a stone bridge overlooking some magma.

Pliinki blames Glyn for the derro genocide ordered by the late Deepking and for disrupting her plans to summon the Demogorgon, who she wanted to blow up the corrupt slave systems of Gracklstugh and plunge the social order into chaos. She draws comparisons between the mistreatment of the derro by the duergar and the mistreatment of goblins by adventurers.

Pliinki explains how she overdosed her fellow cultists on pygmywort, the mushroom from the tunnels; she calls them her pocket palls and throws a series of rapidly expanding cultists (and the hydra!) at Glyn. Glyn is quickly overwhelmed and calls Anna for help. Anna comes to the rescue with Suortin, Zeks, and Edsel.

As the fight rages on, Anna charming and frightening many cultists, Glyn is gravely wounded. Anna gets him out of harm's way, leaving Zeks, Edsel, and Suortin to take a flurry of blows. Glyn heals his friends. Slagathor and the orcs arrive and enter the fray on Glyn's behalf. Finally, Suortin decides to tunnel into the bridge to collapse it and plunge the enemy combatants into the magma below.

Glyn tries to help Suortin with a thundering strike--a critical failure. His blow pushes Suortin into the collapsing bridge. Suortin tries his best to grab on to something, but is too far away.

Glyn watches Pliinki, the hydra, the cultists, and his friend Suortin fall into the magma. The bridge burns, his enemies burn, and a member of his adopted family burns--dead, at his hands.

Memorable Quotations

 * Glyn (day 3): Shuushar, Trix stopped responding, you okay? What happened to you all? What happened to the egg?
 * Shuushar: I am sorry, little one. I believed we had been deceived by Misupheles. Now, I am not certain. I pray for your soul.
 * Glyn (day 4): What happened? Is Trix okay? Was he taken by Ichabod?
 * Shuushar: We are being taken to Menzoberranzan. Misupheles appears to have sold us out, but her behavior is inscrutable.
 * Glyn (day 6): I’m working to get you and Trix help. Stay strong! Have Trix message me if you have updates/need anything.
 * Shuushar: He is trudging along. Hearing your name upsets him; he shows regret. Misupheles has forced us to denigrate ourselves in front of our captors.
 * Glyn (day 13): Landmarks? Updates?
 * Shuushar: I fear the end may come soon. Misu laughs with the drow as we starve. She braids Ilvara's hair. We've reached an expanse. I crave--
 * Glyn (day 14): Trix replied. But is not talking again. Is Misu with you? Are Pix and Bogtooth okay? Can you make it back to Gracklstugh?
 * Shuushar: Know that we are safe. That is all I am allowed to say.

Dark Prince: Great job, Glyn. You're doing so well. What a great idea to give them necklaces! No more badges and ranks--just an easy way to see how all citizens are equal.


 * Glyn (day four): Uncle Rotgut, this is Glyn from the clan. We got cut off last time. Who else was there? Are you safe?
 * Rotgut: Glyn! Little glyn? What do you mean, last time? I'm with Persemone. On strict business. How can you speak with me? Where're Spindlelegs and the rest?
 * Glyn (day five): Uncle Rotgut, it's Glyn again! Who is Persemone?
 * Rotgut: Glyn! Little glyn? What do you mean, again? And how do you know about Persemone?! This is strict business. How can you speak with me? Where're Spindlelegs and the rest?
 * Glyn (day 11): Uncle Rotgut, it’s Glyn. I’m using magic. Spindlelegs and rest are missing, you don’t remember when I talk to you, who is Persemone?
 * Rotgut: Glyn? Little Glyn? Persemone is--she's keeping me safe. Serious business. This is the first time we're speaking. How do you know what's happening?
 * Glyn (day 12): Uncle Rotgut, it’s Glyn. I’m using magic. Trying to find you, can you give me details about where you are and what it looks like?
 * Rotgut: Glyn? Little Glyn! You learned magic! Did Spindlelegs teach you? It's so nice and green here. Mixing business with pleasure, you know; your uncle's way!
 * Glyn: Are you in the underdark? What are the plants like? Can you see the sun? Water?
 * Rotgut: Underdark business, that's right! I've found a great group. Lot of mushrooms. No sun, but good water. Keeping a sunny disposition!
 * Glyn: What group? What do they do? Can they lead me to you?
 * Rotgut: Can't say--trade secret! But we work together to help keep things safe for everyone. I'll visit you tomorrow!

Dark Prince: The necklaces are being shared? Beautiful. How wonderful that Anna is coming-she likes to party, that one! Be wary of those Stone Giants, though. You encountered cultists of the Demogorgon in the tunnels--what happened to them? And I wish I know about why your family wasn't speaking with you. I don't know, Glyn. It'd be so easy to respond--they'd just have to think about the words and send them.


 * Glyn: Slagathor, this is Glyn the goblin. I stayed at your BnB. You’re invited to set up one in Gracklstugh. Many customers here, bring orcs too!
 * Slagathor: What? How this in Slagathor head? Is this bird friend playing funny joke? Where you go?
 * Glyn: Glyn again, I’m using magic to talk. Come to Gracklstugh, you will have lots of customers! Tell Orcs, Cragmaw invite them, make powerful alliance.
 * Slagathor: Ooh. Slagathor, what you think? Slagathor think Slagathor has fun idea. Time to leave home Slagathor love. Bring snacks for road.
 * Glyn: Glyn again, glad you’re coming, are you bringing the orcs? Do you know how to get here to Gracklstugh?
 * Slagathor: Mug Goro stay. Work at B&B. Me come with Slagathor and three friend.

Dark Prince: Nicholas Ice Cream? That's maybe the most ridiculous lie she's ever told. I swear to you on my life that I am not a demon named Nicholas Ice Cream.


 * Glyn: I met an ogre and a tribe of orcs who I might be able to convince to come here to Gracklstugh. An orc tribe would be very helpful with defense, but the ogre said he made a deal with the devil Ichabod, He doesn't seem very smart, but seems to have a good heart. Do you think it is worth it/safe to try and get them here to help?
 * Dark Prince: Glyn, if you gave up on everyone the devils have tricked, you would also have to give up on Trix. And I don't know why Trix won't respond to you, but even if he gives up on you, are you comfortable giving up on him? I'm not so sure.
 * Glyn: Right! I won't give up on them. It's not their fault they got tricked and it's our job to help them, just like the people in Gracklstugh. They are my last connection in the Underdark who could help. Besides them, Ms. Anna, and the town, do you have any other connections I could reach out to, to bring here?
 * Dark Prince: Of course, Glyn. Scores of reinforcements. But I want to show them you at your very, very best. I want them to see what happens when a lordling has turned a whole kingdom around. They're hard to please, you see--but I think they'll be pleased as punch when they're able to come by and see what you've done with the place.

Dark Prince: Demons are beings of chaos. Chaos is a fluid concept -- it's destruction, it's freedom, it's all things that aren't predictable. Devils are beings of law. Of course, law and order are meaningless inherently - they're justification, Glyn, for consistently doing bad things. If we have laws that say, "Let's kill children!" you'd be breaking the law if you disagreed. There's nothing more dangerous than a devil, because they're unyielding in their savagery, but they're convinced they're right. They persuade weak minds to follow them.


 * Glyn: This is Glyn of Cragmaw, Slagathor says you will stay at his BnB, did he tell you of my invitation to an alliance?
 * Mug Goro: HOOH! HOOH! Glyn of Cragmaw, I am Mug Goro, leader of my tribe and regent of the Slagathor B&B. The Slagathors left to conquer the-- (25 word limit reached.)
 * Glyn: I only got part of your last message, who are you going to conquer? Will you come here?
 * Mug Goro: --the hospitality industry! I will control my domain as the Slagathors and my best men lay siege to the competition!

"Tempus:" Little dude, you've gotta stick it to some chumps. Bro, rats might leave a sinking ship, but really gnarly stuff grows on it when it sinks. So you've gotta get that sunken ship and blaze it, bro


 * Glyn: I took your advice and told Lady Shakasshta to wait. I reached out to the orc leader; he said he has sent some of his best men. Maybe once they are here I can convince them to send more. Shuushar sent more information: He said: "We are taken by Ilvara Mizzrym, Asha, multiple male drow, and a monstrous thing they call Jorlan. North of the Darklake. No map. Little food."
 * Dark Prince: It's something, Glyn, it's something. Thank you. I'm getting worried about our friend Trix. He ran away, Misupheles is there...has he not responded yet? I know how much it would hurt you if he was lost to us forever. We can't let it happen. We just can't!
 * Glyn: He ran away from your followers? He hasn't responded yet, no. What can we do to make sure we don't lose him?!
 * Dark Prince: He ran away from you, Glyn. As everything burned. When you stood up to him, he ran away. Nobody is beyond saving. But we have to find him in order to save him.

Mayor Pierce: itmakesthesunshineitsprinkleswithdewitcoversitwithchocolate


 * Glyn: Something strange happened today when I tried to reach out to Mayor Pierce. I just got that weird response back...
 * Dark Prince: That's unnerving. Does not at all seem in character for her. She did promise to wear your gift, didn't she? It should help ward her against harm or madness...

Dark Prince: We can only control what we know. Keep showing strength as you lead your people. Thanks to you, I feel stronger every day. Thank you for everything, Glyn. From the bottom of my heart.


 * Glyn: I knew Misu was bad but I didn't realize it was she was SO terrible. I can't forgive her ever. Do you know where a "mean place" with dwarves could be?
 * Dark Prince: The duergar's reputation for ordered cruelty precedes them, hm? Could be anywhere...but perhaps an outpost, like Forgehome? And I don't want you to hate Misu, Glyn. Hatred is drinking poison and expecting the other person to suffer. I just hope you do what needs to be done
 * Glyn: Do you think we could even save Misu?
 * Dark Prince: Nobody is beyond salvation. I've always believed that. But this is...depraved. She fiddles as her friends starve. I don't want to pass judgment on her immortal soul--if she has one...

Dark Prince: Glyn, you and I will rout the devils. All of them.


 * Glyn: Spindlelegs! It's Glyn, are you still alive? You never came back, we left, ended up in the Underdark.
 * Spindlelegs: F*ck off, gnome. You had your bloody fun. Just end it.

Pliinki: Ya know, I was wondering if we’d get a chance to play ball again. Just you and me. Mano-e-derro. You really made a F*CKING mess of things, you little punk. Don’t worry. Pliinki’s gonna set things right. My DAD told me exactly how to handle child murdering BULLIES like you! Why’d you do it? You could have burned down any other city, wiped out any other group of worthy foes. But you chose us, the casteless, the unwanted. It’s not a hard question, pal. WHY?

Pliinki: LIAR! You looked down on us just like those f*cking racist Duergar, and decided that we were unlovable….worthless. That’s how it’s been for thousands of years! Millennia of being stabbed in the balls just for a scrap of food or F*CKING JOB cleaning out dwarven cesspools. They were doing it slowly. They’ve been killing us off a little at a time for generations. But you came in and took care of that shit lickity-split, didn’t ya? My brilliant husband, martyred and buried for trying to take back WHAT YOU STOLE! The Counsel of Savants, murdered. The mages cut down where they knelt begging for mercy. And every derro child bludgeoned and slaughtered in their beds. All because of YOU. A good derro is a DEAD derro, RIGHT goblin? But that’s not true. Demidaddy loves us. He’s the only one who does. We found a better way of life with him. He was helping us. And soon, you and your friends will know just how great of dad he is. You hear me, ya Flump F*cker!? HE WON’T STAND FOR THE GENOCIDE OF HIS CHILDREN!!