The Collective - Session 35

This is the thirty-fifth session in The Collective campaign and the second and final in the Meeting Lofy, Divine Intervention sub-arc of the Treasure of Captain Lofy Arc.

Summary
MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 1001: The party stood aroud upon the docks in the freezing wintery weather, waiting and watching as the members of Lofy's crew began to pass supplies off to Simpson, Bilby, and the other crewmembers to bring down to the hold. Wanting to expedite the process, Gorrn and Gnorbitt managed to intimidate their way past a crewmember and into the warehouse to assist in the loading (Gorrn did all the work). Inside, they met an incredibly greasy pirate and a completely deadpan one struggling to lift a crate and guarding a store of gunpowder respectively. The duo began to rummage through some crates, leading Gorrn to find a small isolated crate that fit in both of his hands. Outside, Badger began to check every third crate brought onto the boat to ensure that there was no foul play being staged. Lofy waltzed down to check on the party's progress, reminding them that he'd be spending some time soon with his mistress to learn of the location of the three other map pieces that he did not possess, bragging to Rosanhi, Calhoun, Flynt, and Roscoe that it was wonderful that he was able to communicate so frequently with his patron deity, saying that it must be awful if one did not have such an intimate connection with theirs. Noticing Rosanhi's uncomfortability at the statement, he laughed and said that perhaps she could not relate wiith him, prompting her to flip Lofy the bird. Lofy was incredibly amused by this, saying to Calhoun that "I see why you like her! She's fiery.", causing him to look away in shame.

Continuing to watch the crew load cargo, Rosanhi was suddenly struck by an intense pain in her head and incredibly fatigue. Roscoe and Calhoun, wrapped up in their own conversation, were quickly notified of this. Concerned, Calhoun and Flynt helped Rosanhi down to the floor so that she may sit down while the three and Badger attempted to determine what was wrong with her. Badger was unable to discern any physical issues, but Roscoe elicited the the help of Feydrid to identify her malady. Feydrid immediately told Roscoe fearfully that they should simply back off and allow "her" to do her work, stating that he was not as powerful as "she" was. Calhoun, panicking at this point, attempted to help Rosanhi as she focused as hard as she could to dull the pain in her mind. Successfully dispelling the pain, she was still overcome by the fatigue and quickly passed into unconsciousness. The party collected her and her belongings and brought her into the captain's quarters to ensure her safety while they worked to figure out what was wrong with her. Gorrn and Gnorbitt entered the room as well, and Gorrn managed to breach into her mindscape, finding himself in a black void. A woman's voice spoke out to him and claimed to him that there was nowhere safer that Rosanhi could be than with her. Satisfied by this, Gorrn exited her mindscape and informed the party that Rosanhi was safe and sound. Satisfied by this, everyone but Roscoe and Calhoun departed to begin playing cards.

Rosanhi awakened in a soft field of grass, overlooked by a gargantuan stone fortress guarded by two large, angelic beings. After briefly speaking with them, she entered into what the beings referred to as The Ward. Inside, as far as the eye could see, were rows upon rows of medical beds all occupied by people of all shapes and sizes and monitored by more of the angelic beings that she spoke with outside. After wandering amongst the resting beings foor a time, she came upon the resting body of Calhoun, attended by a half-dozen angelic guardians. She frantically attempted to identify what was wrong with him before being addressed by a voice from above. Looking up, she gazed upon the radiant beauty of the gigantic Matron of the Ward, Arabella herself. After some quick introductions, Arabella notified Rosanhi of her situation. Lofy's father, Dann, had stolen an artifact called the Heart of Armogan from a Triton temple long ago and was granted near-eternal life by the Heart, but was actively pursued by Armogan's followers for decades afterwards. Seeking to evade his pursuers, he discovered Gayle and Gwynn in Paradeen and enlisted their help to seal away the Heart until he could learn to wield its full power. After it was sealed away using the twin's powers, he sailed for many more years searching for ways to use the Heart before being poisoned by his son, Edward, known to them as Captain Lofy. After further discussion, Arabella informed Rosanhi that the twins were the real secret to acquiring the Heart, but that Dann's ancient pursuers had returned upon sensing that the twins had been revived. She also informed Rosanhi that, if Calhoun were to die, Arabella could bring him back for a time while they acquired the Heart, severing his connection with Captain Lofy and allowing them a headstart. Rosanhi was told that she would have to convince Calhoun herself, as he trusted her more than anyone else, even Arabella. Rosanhi agreed to this and prepared to return to the Material Plane.

Back on the Material Plane, the situation quickly turned sour. The Collective & crew were alerted by an alarm bell and ran out onto the deck to see strange fish people and conscious water begin their assault on Lofy's hideout. Water Elementals tore into Lofy's roaming ships as the Tritons swam up wrapped tentacles of water. Soon, the entire pirate army was engaged in heavy battle against the fish people. Some of the Collective crew began to defend the boat from these fish people, while the Collective themselves started to do battle against two Water Elementals that had boarded the boat. Entrusting Cal with the Staff of Eeling, Roscoe went out to join Gorrn, Flynt, Gnorbitt, and Badger in the battle. Rosanhi woke up from her spiritual journey and, after Calhoun enquired if she was okay, quickly brought him into a tight hug with tears streaming from her eyes. Rosanhi explained the situation to Calhoun, who was at first incredulous but soon understood that this course of action was necessary. There was a kiss on the cheek somewhere in this heartfelt moment but I don't remember when so whatever. Preparing to literally kill himself, Cal and Rosanhi shared a quiet moment together ("I trust you") before cutting his own neck. Lofy, at that point, had made his way onto the boat and had felt the cut on his throat, but before he could reach Calhoun, he was smashed and thrown off of the boat by a Water Elemental, killing both him and Calhoun.

After defeating the Elementals, the Barchetta sailed through a small gap in the wreckage of two ships, making its escape. Gorrn and Gnorbitt fired a cannonball into the warehouse as they sailed away, igniting the stores of gunpowder and causing the hideout to erupt into a ball of fire. Rosanhi burst out of the room, visibly shaken and attempting to hold back tears (and vomit, she literally just watched her friend just fucking kill himself then get randomly crunched out of nowhere) and headed to the side of the boat. Oh, and they got David, Cal's foster father on board, too. Hell yeah. Running in, David cradled the dead body of his boy in his arms as the rest of the Collective mourned Calhoun's sacrifice, not knowing of Arabella's plan. Luckily, Arabella was true to her word and Calhoun was brought back, hugging his father and granting everyone a modicum of hope. He excused himself outside of the room. He softly called to Rosanhi, telling her that the plan worked. She offered up a quiet affirmation and the two shared a tight embrace. #calsanhi :)