The Cereal Box:Log/Session 20
Session 20 "The Elsewhere Tale"
Sandusky Joe, Eevie, Nikolai and Ernie found themselves in a storm of increasing fury an intensity. Joe confessed that he had done something WRONG that created the storm - he knew that his new companions would understand that what he did was strange, but had its own purpose. He thought that to understand his life, he needed to create more life, but he had created it wrong, and made some things that brought about the storm, and he needed "to lay those things to rest." They found a secluded spot on the side of the road and Joe cut himself to attract the creatures.
The creatures emerged from the woods. They were indescribable, but I'm going to describe them because that's how words work. The creatures resembled dogs that ambled on footless unbending limbs that resembled bones with skin pulled over them. They had jaws with rows of asymmetrical teeth that opened to a pair of rheumy yellow eyes that beadily peered out. Their backs were scaled with ridges of human fingers that rustled like feathers on the backs of shivering birds.
Meanwhile, in Battle Creek, the second half of the motley was intruded upon by the King of Autumn, who tippity tap rap-rap-rapped upon their window until they let him in. He told them that it was time to rescue Mary Kingman because not only is it the right thing to do, but the last thing he wanted was for an Ensorcelled mortal to be going around with Vampires with no further deals to consider. He explained that, through his sources, he was able to determine that Kingman was supposed to meet with the vampires that had his wife at a secluded tomb at the cemetery. He further explained that Mary is most likely enslaved by one or more vampires, and that the only known way to break the spell of a vampire is to kill that vampire. He also explained that they must be exchanging something for Mary Kingman, so whatever booty they find is theirs to keep. Jeremiah further explained that he would do this himself, but for political reasons, it's not expedient.
Hestia, Sephie, April and Alana went to the cemetery and, with some stumbling and difficulty, they managed to break into the cemetery and find the tomb, which bore an arcane symbol on its door that they decided must relate to a mystery cult or other secret society. They took up residence in the tomb, which was a sepulcher containing vaults for ashes as well as a large sarcophagus. They all took up positions of hiding except Hestia who waited for the vampires' arrival. Eventually, they heard the door open.
Meanwhile, the dog creatures attacked in the Ozarks. They storm grew more intense and they had a struggle with the creatures, in which Nikolai and Ernie were seriously wounded. The creatures were defeated and suddenly a great firestorm rose up around Joe, creating huge, sweeping blasts of flame, which were eventually captures by Evie in the tempest teapot.
The two vampires and Mary came down the stairs. Mary was wearing a dark cloak and the two vampires were a nasty looking Nosferatu with a rat-face and a crumpled, ugly half-tucked shirt and slacks combo, and a beautiful woman in a flowing white dress. After some questioning, they realized that the changelings weren't there to negotiate the continuance of the pledge with them (and, therefore, did not care about the rosary full of vampire blood that they were going to give them as an exchange). A fierce battle ensued, and Mary Kingman was knocked unconscious, while both vampires were killed. They called the Pumpkin King, who told them that they should bring Mary Kingman to him, primarily because she would give him power over the vampires of the city. Hestia rejected this because she wasn't going to turn Mary Kingman from one person who was "using" her to another person who would also "use" her. The Pumpkin King admitted that he wouldn't FORCE them to turn Kingman over to him, but said ominously that they were making a big mistake and might find her much harder to protect that they expect.