At the top of the fourth floor, the Menagerie is confronted by two closed gates blocking entry to different sets of stairs. One set of stairs leads to Benzhali, while the other leads to somewhere unknown. Each gate has a spool of chains leading to a pair of spools on either side. It became clear to them using the cranks at the same time lifts one gate at a time.
Cecillia and Persivus lifted the east gate allowing Cor-Auri to climb through and hover over the staircase. The gate slam closed when Cecillia and Persivus let go of the cranks. Faelyn inspected the area and found metal rods that they could use to lock the crank in place. It became evident that these gates’ mechanics were annoying.
They proceeded up the stairs into what looked to be a derelict alchemy laboratory. Other than finding broken beakers, glass tubes, and vials, they found nothing remarkable. However, something outside the laboratory window caught their attention. It was a Benzhali performing an ominous blood ritual.
Sensing the dire urgency, they hurried down the stairs to release the cranks and repeat the same tedious action on the west gate. They made their way up the stairs but soon stopped when an elite Drow warrior stood between them and the door to a room they suspected Benzhali was there.
The two bounty hunter Elves, Rolen and Tharamir, engaged in combat with the elite warrior exchanging fierce, quick clashes of weapons. Tharamir pinned the Drow against the wall allowing the Menagerie to the landing where the door was locked and not budging by conventional means where two heavy busts stood in front of it. Faelyn spotted two circle inconsistencies on the floor. Using logic, the party placed the heavy busts on each plate, which activated the door to open a little.
They burst inside the room where Benzhali cackled, unsettling the party. Benzhali’s victorious cackling was not alone as outside the spire in full view where winged Daevonic creatures migrated toward the main continent where everybody, except Cor-Auri, was from. It was too late, Benzhali successfully merged the two planes creating a devastating event that will forever change the world.
Although the Drow priestess was filled with confidence, the party took her head-on into combat. Cecillia threw three magic darts that exploded in Benzhali’s chest while Faelyn ensnared her in constricting vines. Adeqwyn, using his magical bagpipes, conjured a cloud of spinning blades that cut Benzhali up. At the same time, Persivus jumped in and delivered two devastating slashes. Cor-Auri climbed up the ceiling over Benzhali’s head and hurled a mass of energy. The magical attack ravaged Benzhali’s mind, preventing her ability to perform her own magic.
Cecillia prepped her magical energy in what she hoped to be the final blow when a sharp object whizzed by her and everyone striking Benzhali. Protruding out of her chest was an axe thrown by Judge Gen Dalijar standing at the door.
He marched inside, brushing past everyone without any regard or notice, and yanked his axe from Benzhali’s chest, knocking her down the ground. Coughing up blood, she laid on the floor and close to her end. “It’s too late now,” she said with a blood-filled speech, “We are s–” And she died.
Judge Dalijar didn’t greet everyone with effuse as much as some of them did, for the world’s situation has shifted into a grim world. The only thing to do now was return to JUST headquarters in Reedis and formulate a stronger offense on all Daevon.
The Menagerie reconvened with the Orcs, who’ve taken casualties during their victory. Chief Oswak must take what forces are left back to their Orcish territory.
The party departed to Tohwa City, where Rolen and Tharamir attempted to take Cecillia back to her parents. As the city guards show up, Cecillia accuses the two Elven bounty hunters of non-consensual touching, which is a crime leading to imprisonment until proven innocent.
One guardsman informed the party because of the recent Daevonic invasion and destruction that the city is on lockdown until further assessment and repairs are finished.
The party split up with no other choice where Faelyn and Persivus helped around the city while Cor-Auri played with fire. Adeqwyn seized this opportunity to drink at the Suk-Q-Bi Tavern and Inn and finish his memoirs. Persivus sent a hawk with an urgent message to his family near Reedis.
A paranoid-stricken Cecillia tried to incorporate the help of her friends to break the two Elven prisoners and hope they go away forever. She argued why she needed to do it, but Adeqywn stressed how it was asinine because they were imprisoned and posed no threat. They went back and forth until the owner, and bartender, a Succubus chimed in. Explaining that foreigners are held in severe punishment until their home country sends an ambassador to handle their crime in court. The explanation calmed Cecillia’s nerves and decided they would be better drowned in alcohol.
The party regrouped at the Inn and decided to drink in merriment, for it could be the last night ever. Cor-Auri bothered Persivus trying to read a book and gave up so he could get some sleep. Adeqwyn, Prince Liam, and the Succubus engaged in heavy drinking leading to more intimate fun times. Even Faelyn engaged in a profound bonding with Inspector Vilmer and went back to his private quarters.
The next day, the party gathered at the tavern to discuss what to do next, but Persivus hadn’t come down yet. After waiting a while, they knocked on his door, but no answer. Cor-Auri and Cecillia kicked down the door to find the only thing left of Persivus was plate mail. There was no sign of a struggle, no open window, nothing except the lingering smell of sulfur that Faelyn smelled.
Still Foxes 