Thankfully it's all been smurfed to a positive and smurfy conclusion.
To celebrate, I am back to continue my recap of the Smurfs TRPG adventure/mini-campaign The Smurfs and The Palace of the Silver Princess (based on the classic D&D Module B3 Palace of the Silver Princess).
I really enjoyed playing in this game and there are only three installments of my retelling remaining [including this one] so, without further ado, here we go with...
Session Four, Part 2
Master Mirabillis, Court Magician of the Kingdom of Haven, now freed of the influence of Arik the Vile by our heroic Smurfs, explained what had transpired between himself and the evil of the Eye of Arik.
"I escaped being petrified by the initial crimson glow of the so-called 'Lady's Heart', that cursed gem thanks to the wards I placed upon my staff. Unfortunately, each time I tried to escape the confines of the Palace, it became harder and harder to resist the corruption. A sinister voice, distant but always whispering, was constantly gnawing at my mind.
Realizing I couldn't hold out forever, I hid the key to my Workshop and left clues on how to find it in hopes that, after my increasingly inevitable fall, some great hero would come along and find a way to free the Silver Palace and its inhabitants."
"And that's exactly what happened!", said Brash Smurf, puffing up his chest and placing his fists on his hips. The other Smurfs gave him a disapproving glare. "That is to say...", Brash began a bit sheepishly, "We Smurfs came along, sent by our Papa Smurf, and we aim to free your nation!" The group smiled and nodded in approval.
"Hmm", Apathy wondered aloud, "How did you hide the clues and key from...yourself? Surely you would know where you put the key, no?"
"No strangely enough! I was essentially possessed by the evil of Arik, maybe even by the spirit of Arik himself! While the foul spirit could control my body and use my arcane skills, it could not read my mind or use my memories. I surmised this might be the case before I was completely taken over as it often felt my own thoughts were at war with those of the dark presence. It did not feel as if I were actually becoming evil myself", explained Mirabillis.
While the party wanted to explore what this could mean and if there was anyway we could use it to our advantage, Cornflower suddenly blurted out, "The Sword of Arik! It can destroy the Eye, right? Any idea where it might be Master Wizard?"
It took a lot of concentration but Mirabillis was able to recall that during his possession he recalled that the Sword was located in the castle's Royal Armory. It is protected by a mighty Ogre.
An Ogre?!?
Yes indeed, an Ogre. Standing much larger than a Human let alone a tiny Smurf, the muscular creature was armed with a spike mallet, a short sword, and perhaps more. "Huh? But not the Sword of Arik itself? I mean, it's right there y'all?", questioned Honeysuckle.
"He can't use it", Apathy whispered under his breath. "The ghost of the Royal Cleric we saw on the stairs coming up here said something like, 'the sword is guarded by one who can not use it." Suave and Cornflower nodded, remembering the words. Brash and Honeysuckle exchanged glances, sort of recalling this but still wondering...why?
The Smurfs decided it was best that they proceed to the Royal Armory, while Master Mirabillis returned to his Laboratory to obtain any spells, potions, or items that might be useful in the final battle. "Final battle?", he said, knowing what was meant but unsure what the plan was in dealing with the Eye.
"Once we have Sword, we will go to where the Eye is being kept and touch the blade against it, destroying both!", Brash exclaimed triumphantly, punching his right fist into his right palm.
"Assuming we know or can figure out where the Eye of Arik is being kept", Suave pointed out.
"It is near...", Mirabillis muttered, closing his eyes and putting out one hand. He looked as if he were feeling out for something unseen. "The Princess's bedroom! I can feel its menace there!"
"Excellent!", said Suave with a flourish, "Ha! Who knew it would be so simple."
"Simple except for the Ogre. Remember the Ogre", grumbled Apathy.
"And the Dragon", Mirabillis pointed out.
All the Smurfs' jaws fell open. "DRAGON?!?"
"Egads", said Mirabillis, "Did I forget to mention the Dragon?"
You did Master Wizard. You did.
Continuing soon...
AD
Barking Alien
Notes regarding this session:
Session Four was the longest session of the five we played. As depicted in Part 1, it started with reaching the Court Magician's Lab/Workshop, unlocking and entering it, Cornflower brewing new Potions, finding the Pertrification Counterspell, and then [after exiting back into the second floor corridor] battling a possessed Master Mirabillis.
After freeing the Wizard, the rest of the session was largely exposition, out-of-game discussion, planning, role-playing, and rules talk. I have edited and embelished on the session here and there but essentially there was a lot of conversation and not a lot of action. To be clear it was nonetheless very fun.
Smurfcornflower (my character) created 5 new Potions while in Mirabillis' Workshop. While I did not tell the other players/PCs what I had concocted, I did give a list of my magical drafts to Stephen, the Gamemaster. I used one of them almost immediately to face off against 'Evil Mirabillis'. This elixir was a Potion of Heroism or as the other players teased, 'Liquid Courage'. lol
I'm not telling you what other Potions I made either. Ha! It's a surprise!
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