Episode 3: Worst Case Scenario

"'The Fated Five retire to the inn to discuss their plans, what could go wrong? Mountain gets a visit from a mysterious robot, Br'aad and Sylnan find something unexpected inside their father's briefcase, Velrisa gets a haircut.'"

Episode Events
The party enters the tavern, Taxi wrapping his new quarterstaff with flowers and vines, the rest of the party grabbing food. Hera tells Taxi that a metal being came in search of Mountain, and the party plans what to do, debating between leaving quickly or staying. Suddenly, a man approaches the table, delivering a wrapped item to Sylnan. The man says the item is from Tristan.

The package contains a small leather journal and a note explaining that the journal is Ugarth's and that the party should return it to him. Sadly, Br'aad sends a telepic reply to Tristan explaining of the passing of Ugarth, and Tristan says not to return to the wharf, as it is in a hellish state.

Mountain and Velrisa get their much desired hair cuts.

Br'aad attempts to open Brendon's briefcase, finding it sealed by magical energy. When Mountain attempts to open it, he hears Brendon's voice in his head that says "No, don't open that". When Sylnan tries he hears Brendon ask to speak in a more private location. Lastly, Br'aad tries again, hearing Brendon suggest to speak in the garden behind the tavern. Br'aad kindly asks for the Wand Of Wonder back from Velrisa, who returns it to him.

Br'aad and Sylnan take the briefcase into the garden, sitting on the bench, the briefcase next to them. As they set it down, the briefcase kicks off the bench and onto the path, flipping open. Inside the briefcase is blackness, a void. A thin strand of energy spirals, and a shadowy figure made of dark energy sits between Sylnan and Br'aad. The shadowy figure, a silhouette of Brendon. The figure expresses that he is not Brendon, simply an echo of him, and tells the brothers that Brendon originally went by the name of Allowen. The Echo explains that Allowen gave up his mind, body, and soul in return for power. Allowen gave himself to a being from another plane of existence, who merged with Allowen's body and became Brendon, taking away Allowen's sense of love and compassion. Frustrated, Sylnan tries to close the briefcase, but the echo intercepts. Br'aad tries to sneak around to close the briefcase, succeeding. The echo does not disappear, and instead walks over to Br'aad. The echo insults the brothers before choosing to go back into the briefcase.

Mountain, Velrisa, and Taxi debate over whether or not to send a message to the king regarding the death of Brendon. Br'aad and Sylnan finish their conversation, and Slynan walks inside. Br'aad hears a familiar ticking, and a mahogany door appears on the pathway, Ob'nockshai coming out of the doorway. Ob'nockshai picks up the briefcase and throws it through the doorway, and offers Br'aad to play a game. Ob'nockshai tells Br'aad that he must rob the upcoming play and will receive a reward from Ob'nockshai, or he will lose Liveclock.

Br'aad enters back into the tavern, explaining briefly what occurred, excluding his conversation with Ob'nockshai. Suddenly a loud sounds of clunking metal footsteps approaches the tavern. Stomping into the room is a metal figure, nearly 7 feet tall, and begins moving towards the party. It beings insulting the party, describing their flaws and how he could kill them, but in a seemingly friendly demeanor. The automaton introduces himself as Chirp, and states he is in search of a dwarf named Thorhund, and was sent by the Stormbraids to find the heir to the throne. Mountain attempts to push Chirp out of the door, but Chirp beings to follow Mountain again, refusing to leave.

The party retires for the evening, unsure of what to do with Chirp. Taxi sleeps in the forest that evening, but is awoken by the sounds of heavy footfall. Taxi sees Chirp walking nearby, and follows him from the treetops. Chirp sits in a clearing, a deer joining him, sitting for several hours. As dawn approaches, Chirp stands back up, waves goodbye to the deer, and begins walking back.