Session 32 - The Pub That Crawls: The Long Middle

Roster

Atudark,Cyinth Agora,Lyra Everlight,Suraax Smith,Vigilius Palamas

Session Overview

Session Status: Occurred

In Game Date: 15th Tarsakh 1509

Group Cup Points

NPC's

Vani,Baz,Ricard Ruanad

Summary

The crawl continues at The Frothing Flask, where the party must navigate a magical bridge puzzle overseen by a many-armed construct bartender. After successfully solving the challenge through a mixture of ingenuity and mild rule-bending, they receive guidance for the next stop: The Lucid Dreamer. There, the students must command the stage to earn their drink. What follows is an unforgettable performance involving purple transformations, Russian roulette, heroic storytelling, and a captivated audience — until Academy constructs abruptly shut the establishment down. With disciplinary action looming, the party makes a hasty escape through a secret exit into the Neverwinter night.

The Frothing Flask

• The party arrives at The Frothing Flask, a tavern overgrown with moss and glowing blue runes.
• Inside, the room is divided into small islands separated by flowing streams.
• Waterfalls veil narrow bridges, briefly parting only as travellers pass.
• At the centre stands the construct bartender Vani, a four-armed automaton serving drinks.
• Vani explains the challenge:
  • Each bridge must be crossed once and only once.
• The party begins navigating the puzzle:
  • Cyinth uses flight and T.1.T.4.N to bypass some of the waterfalls.
  • Suraax discovers a passage through an upstairs storeroom that allows the rest of the group to complete the route.
• With the puzzle completed, Vani congratulates the party.
• When asked about the next location, she advises that at The Lucid Dreamer they must command the stage with a captivating performance.

Arrival at The Lucid Dreamer

• The party travels to The Lucid Dreamer and finds a long queue outside.
• Preparing for the evening’s performance, they change into their outfits.
• Suraax steps down the side of the building where a staff member is smoking and asks for privacy.
• Shortly after, strange tearing and chewing sounds are heard.
• When Vigilius looks back, Suraax has transformed into a vibrant purple, her shed skin nowhere to be seen.

Bypassing the Queue

• The group realises they will not reach the stage quickly if they wait.
• Suraax attempts to convince the bouncer they should be let in because they are participating in The Pub That Crawls.
  • The bouncer refuses.
• Cyinth creates a distraction using alchemist’s fire, allowing the group to slip inside.
• They are required to check their belongings at the entrance.
  • Suraax manages to keep her axe.

Commanding the Stage

• Inside, the tavern is packed so tightly that moving through the crowd is difficult.
• Cyinth attempts to intimidate the crowd using Thaumaturgy, but the effect is undermined by her small stature.
• Suraax offers to lift her up — giving Cyinth the height needed to reach the bar.
• Cyinth orders a Sunset Liquor.
• The bartender calls the manager, Baz, who reiterates the rule:
  • To earn the drink, the party must command the stage.
• Cyinth takes the stage:
  • T.1.T.4.N joins her.
  • She draws her revolver and begins playing Russian roulette with herself.
  • After the first round she confirms gambling is legal, then invites the crowd to place bets.
  • The crowd becomes fully invested as the spectacle continues.
• Baz declares that Cyinth has successfully commanded the stage.

Suraax’s Story

• Baz invites Suraax to perform next.
• Suraax tells the story of how she acquired her axe.
• The audience reacts with awe as she recounts the tale.
• Satisfied, Baz invites the party back to the bar and prepares a Sunset Liquor for each of them.

Academy Intervention

• As the drinks are served, screams erupt from the main room.
• Ten large constructs enter the tavern.
• In unified metallic voices they announce:

“Due to reports of activities disruptive to the academic institution, this pub is now closed by order of Vice Head Teacher Ricard Ruanad. Please halt immediately so you may be processed for proper disciplinary action.”

• The constructs form a perimeter as patrons attempt to flee.
• Several are restrained as the constructs begin enforcing the closure.

Escape into the Night

• Baz quickly gathers the party.
• He offers them an escape route through a secret storage-room exit.
• The party follows him through the hidden passage.
• Moments later, they emerge back into the night air of Neverwinter — ahead of the pursuing constructs.

Ongoing Threads

• Vice Dean Ruanad’s Order – The Academy is now actively intervening in the crawl.
• Construct Enforcement – The golems appear to be targeting disruptive students specifically.
• Baz’s Assistance – The Lucid Dreamer’s manager may now be implicated in helping them escape.
• The Crawl Continues – Two pubs down, but the remaining challenges may grow more dangerous.
• Cyinth’s Performance – Public Russian roulette may have drawn more attention than intended.
• Suraax’s Transformation – Her sudden purple coloration and shedding raise new questions about what exactly happened outside the tavern.