Dugby, winded and tired, dregs his way to the outskirts of town, finding Tormin on the way to the [[Rooted Burrow]]. They were discussing their whereabouts when they noticed a small white dot flying from the shire-like pub, carrying a large orb with a guy lounging on the inside. Flying higher and higher… 50 ft, 100ft, 150 ft…. At 180 ft, the orb fluttered and went out, dropping the well dressed man to the ground. Shortly after the moment of impact, the duo jogged up to [[Carlo Mascari]] in a discussion with a man named [[Michelios]]. As [[Dugby Bagel VII]] and [[Tormin Mascari]] make walk up, as does a woman named [[Melany]]. Tension is clearly on the rise, and the party clues in on the orb being important. Trying to cause a distraction, Dugby attempts to touch the orb, but ends up forcing a stand off between the two. The orb being held in place between the two with a gentle touch of their index and middle fingers, Dugby tries to move closer, but fails to unlock his arm from being rigid straight, breaking two of his fingers. During this, Tormin flies Solace high above, and instructs him to fly down and snatch the orb on command. Not wanting to play any games, Michelios lashed a hand out like a viper, snapping the head from Solace in the blink of an eye. Tension reached its tipping point, and everyone realized it in the same moment. Carlo whisking Violet inside, asking for the nearest exit. [[Violet Nocturn]] pointed towards the back of the pub, and Carlo took off… As did Emmy. ![[Pasted image 20260809182654.png]] All hell breaks loose. Michelios appears to be a monk style fighter, unleashing a flurry of blows over and over again on the party (mostly Tormin), each strike lighting up a gem on his gauntlets. He maintained connection with the Orb…. Until AAA encased the orb in his protective bubble, separating it from Michelios. Unphased, Michelios doubled his efforts to bring down the Half-Orc. Behind them, Dugby relentlessly cast spell after spell to inflict a condition, but Michelios’ legendary resistance kept him at bay. ![[Pasted image 20260809190241.png]] Mastering his timing of the protective shell, [[AAA]] descended from the skies and cancelled the orb just as he lunged out with a kick to send the orb flying out of reach. [[Rill Graff]] and [[Shadow Mascari]] were hiding in the shadows and shrubbery of the building when they saw the orb flying through the sky towards them. Shadow’s lack of catching ability shown bright, as the ball met his jaws and bounced loose, only to be picked up by Rill. Shadow, reading that he was faster than Rill, decided for Rill that Shadow would be his ride. After a few rounds, Tormin had his first run in with the threat of death. Activating his gauntlets for the first time, Tormin rose from the small crater created when Michelios activated his Gauntlets ability for the first time. ![[Pasted image 20260809190300.png]] Only to be immediately smacked down again. The fight continued between AAA, Dugby, and now Carlo as he emerges from the Hallowed Burrow, back tracking to find Violet back outside, chasing after Melany. Fists fly at insane speed from Michelios, denting armor, breaking bones, and Dugby’s spirit as the inflictions he tries to put on Michelios roll off of him like water off a very wet duck. Tactics change on both ends as Dugby switches to more damage based spells, and Michelios uses his legendary actions to inflict more harm. Another shift in combat happens as Carlo attacks with his sneak attack, and Tormin uses his race feature to remain alive as Michelios relentlessly beats him back down. But Tormin refuses to stay complacent. Refuses to give in to the onslaught of Michelios as he ![[Pasted image 20260809192217.png]] Immediately gets reintroduced to unconsciousness. However, the tides begin to turn as the AAA begins to unleash holy light bursts down onto Michelios… reavealing a horrific sight. Layers of skin are peeled free from Michelios as he bears the full weight of the Mascari Family. Melany asks if he’s ready, to which he responds no… a few more rounds. Another gear shift, AAA tries his best to restore Tormin to health, as Melany changes her tactics from healing… to offensive as she casts dominate person on Carlo. With her success, she issues a single command… to kill Tormin… Which with AAA’s healing abilities, she knew would be almost impossible. ![[Pasted image 20260809194320.png]] What sucks is that Melany is wrong quite a bit. As Michelios tries to make Tormin’s body become one with the dirt once again, AAA decides his main impact would come from his Holy Cone of damage. Slamming Michelios one last time, Underneath the skin where one would normally find flesh and bones, lies a churning abyss. In that abyss… the family sensed a presence… but were unable to investigate further as Melany and Violet made a formation behind Michelios and initiated a transportation spell. Reviving again, Tormin tries to reach out and stop them from leaving. Dugby even trying to counter the spell, meeting a counter-spell in turn… Tormin was nearly successful. ![[Pasted image 20260809194943.png]] If Carlo didn’t momentarily agree agree with making Tormin more dirt like. Under the effects of dominate person, Carlo brings Tormin to his final walk with Death. At this time, Tormin has to decide, does he want to live and heal his family? Or does he want to join Eldath in the River in the sky. This decision was made for him, as a Dagger finds its way into his ribs, forcing death upon Tormin. Michelios, Melany and Violet all teleport away… leaving the family to mourn their brother, as he laid his eyes to rest. ![[Pasted image 20260809201047.png]] This death lasted roughly 58 seconds, as AAA wanted to build the suspense and not interrupt the narrator. A tear almost even developed until the little white Autognome revived Tormin with his final spell of the day… and the family rushed themselves to another Inn in the area to rest and discuss the events of the night. Before the family left to the other Inn, a drow by the name of Saia made her presence known, and said that Tormin and her would speak when he is back to full health. The group ends the evening feeling 5600 XP stronger. And apparently now have an orb with super cool etchings in it.