Session 33 - The Pub That Crawls: Last Orders

Roster

Atudark,Cyinth Agora,Suraax Smith,Vigilius Palamas,Vith Pahlok

Session Overview

Session Status: Occurred

In Game Date: 15th Tarsakh 1509

Group Cup Points

NPC's

Grayson,Kask,Bellana

Summary

The crawl descends into true chaos at The Rambling Toad, where riddles, rituals, and reckless experimentation culminate in a dangerous elemental encounter. Through trial, error, and brute force, the party uncovers the correct sequence to complete the challenge and distil their next drink. From there, they proceed to The Beauty’s Mirror, where artistry — not violence — is required. After missteps and broken mugs, the group discovers the true nature of the “vessel,” unlocking the final draught. With minds altered and purpose revealed, the party learns the location of a mysterious sixth pub beyond Neverwinter… and sets off in pursuit.

The Rambling Toad

• The party arrives at The Rambling Toad, a ramshackle structure of mismatched, decaying extensions.
• A warped veranda wraps around the front; croaking and buzzing fill the air as silent patrons watch.
• Cyinth drunkenly waves at the crowd.
• Suraax attempts to order a “Screwball Swill.”
  • The barkeep claims no such drink exists.
• Vigilius corrects the name to “Skewball Swill.”
  • The barkeep confirms and explains:
    • The drinks are free.
    • The party must complete a task in the garden out back.
• Cyinth is mistaken for a child:
  • The barkeep produces a massive tome to verify Aarakocra drinking age.
  • Her explanation fails to convince him.
  • She escalates by threatening him (unsuccessfully) and demonstrating the shrinking potion via a homunculus.

The Garden Trial

• In the garden:
  • A stone-lined pool sits at the centre.
  • A bullywug strums a guitar, singing cryptic lyrics: “Pass it along, drink it down to make you strong.”
  • Five pedestals surround the pool, each depicting a different creature:
    • Carrier Crawler
    • Dragon
    • Kobold
    • Otyugh
    • Shrieker
• The bullywug offers only one clue: “Kask.”

Trial by Error (and Combat)

• The party experiments with pouring liquids into the pedestals.
• Incorrect sequencing triggers consequences:
  • An otyugh appears behind Cyinth.
  • A malformed ooze wyrmling manifests, initiating combat.
• The fight quickly escalates:
  • Vigilius retreats, taking a hit.
  • Cyinth is knocked unconscious by the wyrmling’s breath.
  • Suraax is heavily wounded.
  • Vith uses ice breath, weakening the creature.
  • T.1.T.4.N charges in and deals significant damage.
  • Suraax revives Cyinth with Lay on Hands and grapples the wyrmling into the pool, dissolving it.
  • Vigilius finishes another creature by slamming it into the water.
• The bullywug provides a clearer hint: kobolds eat mushroom bowls.

Solving the Sequence

• The correct order is discovered:
  1. Shrieker
  2. Kobold
  3. Carrier Crawler
  4. Otyugh
  5. Dragon
• As each step is completed, the liquid changes.
• At the final stage, it becomes golden with the scent of ethanol — the completed drink.
• Cyinth, still disoriented, mistakes her homunculus for a fairy and thanks it.

The Beauty’s Mirror

• The party travels to The Beauty’s Mirror.
• Suraax attempts to order in Draconic and is told to speak Common.
• She is initially denied entry due to her appearance and quickly changes into her formalwear.
• Inside, they meet Bellina, the barkeep.
• She presents them with a poem:

A pub that crawls, to enter, a price must be paid,
Along this crawl, its five pieces we laid,
To craft a draught that will take you to the end,
You must depict the vessel, these pieces, to mend.

Missteps in the Studio

• Cyinth ends up in the kitchen, requests mugs for painting, then immediately breaks them.
• She rejoins the group in the art studio with the remains.
• The room contains many depictions of bottles, and two of a bearded man (a charcoal drawing and a broken bust).
• The significance is not immediately understood.
• The party begins painting:
  • Suraax and Cyinth attempt to decorate mugs.
  • Vith has Folass run through paint across a canvas.
• Bellina intervenes, explaining:
  • The potion is only complete when all five drinks are finished.
  • Their current approach is incorrect.

Becoming the Vessel

• Realisation dawns:
  • The “vessel” is not an object — it is a person.
• Suraax begins a self-portrait.
• Cyinth questions whether she qualifies, having not consumed all prior drinks.
• Upon completion, a hidden mechanism clicks:
  • A portrait swings open, revealing an alcove.
• Inside:
  • A bottle of dark red liquid.
  • A cup for each party member.
• The party drinks without hesitation.

The Sixth Location Revealed

• A warmth spreads through them.
• As it reaches their heads, they gain sudden clarity:
  • The location of a sixth pub, far north beyond Neverwinter.
• Bellina provides:
  • A Decanter of Endless Spirits
  • Tin cups
  • A sealed envelope
• The note inside reads:

  “When you find it, drink until the pub stops spinning.”

The Final Chase

• Cyinth has T.1.T.4.N carry her, enhanced with Longstrider.
• The rest of the party uses Grifft transport to pursue.
• In the distance, they see it:
  • A ramshackle pub on long legs, spinning wildly.

Ongoing Threads

• The Sixth Pub – A moving, spinning structure beyond Neverwinter. The final destination of the crawl.
• The True Nature of the Crawl – No longer a rumour or hazing ritual — this is something real and magical.
• Bellina’s Role – She knowingly guides participants toward the final stage.
• The Decanter of Endless Spirits – A powerful magical item tied directly to the crawl’s completion.
• “Drink Until It Stops Spinning” – A cryptic instruction that likely defines the final challenge.
• Accumulated Chaos – Theft, destruction, public disturbances, and Academy intervention are all catching up to the party.