The Pickle Lady

Year, Season, Month, Days: 5990 F.Y. Frinle, Novulu 1

The Poisoned Claw continued on their journey toward Raven Rock, even though, according to Felicity’s map, the mountains were moving from where they should have been; Felicity knew magic of this scale existed, and the vampires could be powerful casters.

The GM realized they forgot to give the party a document, and the party quickly found a letter of passage stating they were in Ravenrock at the behest of the sigil.

Some distance off the road, there were several lights, which, based on Felicity’s map, would potentially be Sentinel, one of the political partitions the party was to seek out at Cosovo’s recommendation. Molly, knowing this map was wrong, chose to look through the map, and it was a 50/50 chance it was the correct mountain anyway. Molly convinced Felicity, with little difficulty, that vampires were building roads after moving the mountains.

While attempting to communicate with Ruth and verify they were moving in the right direction, Molly winked, which was actually blinking as she only had one eye. Ruth advised they follow the road and make themselves known instead of slinking about.

The party examined the path ahead, and Felicity noticed a glittering purple object in a crevice while Molly noticed a vampire watching, appearing to observe the party or anticipating some action from the party. Molly approached the vampire, who openly admitted to hunting for an unlucky food source. After flashing the sigil to the vampire, they paused and agreed to let the party pass in exchange for feeding on their prana. Molly and the vampire lightly threatened back and forth before the party was allowed to pass without providing prana.

Advancing further, the party found a woman clutching her wounded shoulder and hiding behind a rock. After startling her, she claimed she was being chased by swarms of undead. Molly offered to let this woman, Calliope ride in the cart, much to Felicity’s dismay as blood might be tracked onto the cart. She hid under a blanket and revealed a vat of vinegar, which was “all she had”. After hiding the vinegar, Molly spoke to Calliope and attempted to negotiate her involvement in a potential “blood tax”. After relenting, Molly introduced Calliope to Han, who, upon seeing her, yelled to get her out of the caravan. Felicity pushed her onto the road and watched her head and entrails rise from her body.

During the battle, the creature grappled and lifted Felicity at least 60 feet in the air; after gaining control of the grapple, Felicity leaped from the lungs while holding the intestines, using them as a rope to swing themselves down and onto the top of the caravan. Molly took the vat of vinegar and turned it into Molly’s Brain Wine. Eventually, Felicity slew the creature, and Molly recovered Ruth’s husband’s dagger that was thrown during the fight. A hat was recovered from the creature and given to Han to shield his delicate complexion from the sunlight.

Molly spoke with Ruth and convinced her to wait before thinking about retirement but also encouraged her to pursue whatever she needed to pursue her happiness. The party celebrated with Molly’s Brain Wine while continuing on the road toward what the party hoped was Sentinel.