Realms S1E23 Choices

Our heroes have stumbled into the Underdark where it turns out you can get arrested for just taking the gold that was lying around. They have no respect for adventurers.

Player Characters Present
Jeidobii, Torq, Denahi, Burakubuu

Synopsis
Face to face with a strange and fearsome-looking creature deep in the darkness beneath the mountain, the party makes one last attempt to communicate their intentions. The creature scurries away and as the party ventures deeper in they find themselves surrounded. As the unseen creatures close in, Denahi unleashes a fireball and our heroes enter a mortal melee with four-armed, acid-spitting beasts. It looks dire when suddenly a new warrior comes to their aid.

Together, the beasts are vanquished and the party sees now that their unexpected ally is a stunning drow woman. Burakubuu tries to calm Torq as the woman calls her guards over and takes the party prisoner. She gives her name as Reeta, and it would seem our heroes have accidentally stolen her king’s gold and must answer to him. She leads the party to Athuun where the gates are guarded by Goliaths and within, below the roots of a great tree, a melting pot of races go about their lives. As they walk, Reeta explains that here the many races of the realm exist in relative peace, though not without resentment at times. Some were forced to take up residence here, others chose to, and yet others more came to profit for the uniquity and freedoms of the Underdark.

Jeidobii tries and fails to convince Reeta to allow the party some rest. She counters that they will have plenty of rest once they are locked in the royal jail. Surprisingly, it is Torq who wins Reeta over. Eager to prove the superior merits of her home and people, she detours the party to a tavern to sample the local ale. It is there that Burakubuu spots a bull-headed creature alone at the back. Heedless of the situation, Buu rushes to the creature and shouts:

“Minotaur!”

The creature grumbles and rises, showing himself to be not only twice as wide but many times taller than even Torq.

“Cerotaur!!!”

Luckily, the massive creature is amused by Buu’s enthusiasm and invites him to sit. The cerotaur introduces himself as the very king they were being taken to see, King Maxtheald Bethegar. Buu calls his friends over to join, extolling their many virtues and even some of their quirks. The party explains the misunderstanding and the King tells them to keep the gold. He also seems to take quite a liking to Denahi.

Tensions are resolved, and Reeta releases the party so that they may all enjoy a feast and libations together. The King is pleased to hear that the party has slain the dragon Nevries, and expresses that the Trevyll, too, have been a thorn in his side from time to time. It is then he spots and recognizes the mysterious mark upon the wrists of our heroes. This marks them as of his family’s very own Cerheim Order, he explains. Further, he takes a look at Burakubuu’s book, explaining it is in fact Thyce’s personal journal, and written in a language only the King himself and Thyce should understand.

With that, the King arranges lodging for the party for the night, promising much more to discuss in the morning.