The Stew of Tiamat

[Ridai]

The baking process is well underway as the party (sans Eleanora) and Akimbold enter a flow state, to the point of being first to the oven and out of it again. If there were any further attempts at sabotage, they frankly came too late, as Team Spoon just hilariously outperforms Team Munchking, who are starting to literally stumble over each other trying to keep up.

Jesstar is commentating her heart out, drawing attention to each member of the heroic team in turn like they are olympic performances, and there is much glinting to boot, between Vesper's glasses, Santokumaru's whisk, Tourna's seemingly soulless(...er) eyes, Akimbold's wooden spoon (what?), and Eleanora's maniacal good-natured grin off to the side.

Soon, the upside-down cake is out of the oven, turned around, and basically perfect in form. Now comes the final sprint. Decorating the cake, and presenting it to the judges.

Round 3: Presentation

You are at 9 out of 8 necessary successes, so you are most likely in the clear. Still, this is a three-rounder, and more successes mean more better.

Once again, you can roll whatever you want to decorate the cake, to be the presenter (only one person presents, and if no one does, Akimbold will do so), or otherwise help the process.

Taste is now locked, there is no changing that now. Decisions made may affect the judgment process. Rolls can and will not replace whatever decisions you make. If you keep things vague/non-commital, it won't count.

Eleanora gets no turn because of being busy storing the deadly plague apple slices.

 

[Zashuan]

With the cake finished, Santokumaru was assigned to do the part of cutting the cake, much to everyone's surprise. Merely cutting the cake would not be enough; to adequately impress the judges, the plan was for him to cut the slices while the cake was in midair, via the efforts of one of his teammates.

He waited patiently, for the proper moment. As his blades exited the knife block with a tone like a ring, he reflected silently on how cuts were like the rests of a song; a form of nothingness that gave the notes structure, and texture, and form.

[Dodgeson]

Everything had come together with clockwork precision like any good kitchen and Vesper couldn't be prouder, truly they were a culinary force to be reckoned with and now with the final stage of the competition upon them it was Vesper's time to shine. As a butler, presentation and showmanship was part of his craft just as much as cooking and cleaning, they had a plan and it was his job to deliver the coup de grâce.

Metaphorically speaking of course.

SHOWMANSHIP! (WILL+WILL)

[Ridai]

The cake is popped out of the form, turned around, decorated with Sylvan Sprinkles, thrown into the air, cut, plated, served, judged. Well, judged after the Winny Cake. Which certainly gets good reactions from the judges, as at the end of the day, despite mostly baking a cake for himself, Munchking Sdroodl still is a great baker.

However, then comes the unnamed creation by Team Spoon. Akimbold, proud of the work they accomplished, adds a little whipped cream to each plate as a final touch, and says "We have always been living in fear of the humans of the Kingdom of Entrée and their violent children. Not too long ago, we robbed them of the Super Tasty Apples they took from the forest. I thought we were taking back what was ours, to make the humans understand we are to be taken seriously, that we aren't to simply be stepped on as others pleased. Then I learned the Entréeans are already willing to talk, and that we stole the apples simply so our Munchking could sell us out to a dragon, trading fear for a giant heel to live under. This is not the way. With this cake, I want to show what can be accomplished through cooperation. We do not need to live apart. Even if the humans still have violent children they really need to raise better shouting about experience while they chase us. Dig in."

Now, you need to understand that to vote against Sdroodl is to vote against the ruler of the Ramena Bowl, which usually ranks as a Pretty Risky Move. Plus there being an outright royal guard on the panel, and Jesstar who will quite brutally vote for whatever she feels is better, no matter how much help she gave Team Spoon. Stakes are high, and-

Eight successes were needed. Twelve were scored. The JODGE HATTs add one success from swaying Clanko and Kremly. The Sylvan Sprinkles with their colors and sweet flavor add one success from especially pleasing Kremly and the Ramenooze. The overall sweet taste profile of the cake add one success for meeting Kremly and Jesstar's favored taste profiles. The upside-down cake with its additional accompanying flavor notes add one success for pleasing Jesstar's like for dishes with some amount of uniqueness and complexity to them.

Thus, double the necessary successes were accumulated.

Yeah so the judges are literally crying as they eat the cake. Rainbows and stars burst up behind them. The judges are shipped straight to the Flavor Dimension.

"Winner! Akimbold and Team Spoon are the winners! I declare you the new Munchking!~" Jesstar, tears still flowing and just completely swept up in euphoria, does not care a little bit that she just declares Sdroodl deposed and Akimbold crowned. Kremly nods enthusiastically. And so does Clanko! And the Ramenooze, despite not getting what is going on, but it seems very happy. Both Akimbold and Sdroodl seem very caught off-guard by the sudden development, and the "Spoonking! Spoonking!" chant spreading like wildfire, wanting to end the ancient tradition of the Munchking (sample size: 1) and start a new spoony era.

Sdroodl seems very upset at this, as you may imagine, beginning to shout and protest, but also grabbing a leftover slice of the upside-down cake, ready to tear it to shreds and-

Yeah so Sdroodl is also crying in euphoria and handing his Crown-Hat to Akimbold. "Just Sdroodl now, not even mad. Makey more cakey, please."

And that was that. The crowd cheers, for Akimbold, and for the party that brought forth what is now known as the Winniest Cake.

As for the party, they are able to bag the entire pile of Emeraldia. The bag meant for the apples handed to them by Anise clearly is bigger on the inside, as the entire pile effortlessly tumbles safely inside.

Before the party departs, Santokumaru is stopped by the newly hat-crowned Spoonking Akimbold. "I do not know how to thank you. The prospect of having become a monarch is... intimidating, but it is a skill that surely can be studied like the spoon. And your knife block, in a way, is much like a spoon, holding its blades in place, unless it is tilted unfortunately. It requires skill and dedication to wield such an instrument to perfection. Thus, I will impart what Spoon Lore I have learned, for you are the only one who could wield such knowledge."

Akimbold retrieves a fresh new spoon, holding it back and at the ready, while his free hand is pointed at his face, fingers spread out.

"Hear me, great ancestors remembered by the blood of koboldkind." A dramatic breath is drawn, as the winds kick up from sheer Fighting Spirit.

"You who wield the might of draconic blood, minds unclouded by arrogance." Energy collects in the spoon, making it glow and crackle.

"Bless the vessels of our birthright," The free hand moves to the side forcefully, now holding a second spoon, which also erupts into crackling energy.

"for a future without hunger or fear." A mighty arc of light connects the two weapons as winds kick up into a storm. The muscles in Akimbold's arms are protruding, shaking from barely contained power.

"Divine Blessing of the Celestial Liberators!"

And Akimbold rushes forth, disappearing, then reappearing past Santokumaru, spoon-wielding arms crossed. Only Santokumaru was barely able to even glimpse the speed at which the kobold moved. The impacts of the akimbo spoons appear as glowing marks on Santokumaru's knife block, but instead of damaging it, the marks burst into blinding golden light. When the light subsides, the knife block is in perfect condition. All the marks of past battles were preserved as golden lines in the glossy finish. Its weight is perfectly balanced, even accounting for the disparate knives held by it, feeling like an extension of Santokumaru's body. The true power of this storied companion has been unleashed, and Santokumaru knows that any blade drawn forth from it will strike at the heart of evil, as long as he stays true to the path of good.

Akimbold has no further words for the party, simply giving Santokumaru a strong handshake. Manly tears flow.

Emeraldia, Apples of (Former) Plague retrieved!

First Course finished!

+7 XP

 

On the way back, each of you feel a tug at your souls. Retrieving the insignia given to you by Princess Blanche, the crossed grains on a wreath of laurels, you collectively hear a beautiful voice in the depths of your selves.

Heroes, can you hear me? Before your minds' eye, you can see the face of the princess, speaking in hushed tones despite transmitting mentally, as if fearing discovery by Haxenspargilis. You can glimpse part of the massive silhouette in the background, busy trying to feast, but the growl of the dragon's maw and stomach seem rather displeased with the offerings. The princess appears mostly unharmed as she smiles to the party, though there are still signs of worry and exhaustion she tries her best to hide for your benefit.

Rewards

For finishing the episode, as mentioned above, you all receive 5 XP, plus 2 XP for spending a total of 8 Fabula Points throughout the session, for a total of 7 XP each.

All of you get your IP refilled for free. Vesper can roll five random ingredients he receives (your choice if you want them to be ingredients you already have or had, or entirely new ones).

Because replacing Santokumaru's knives would be extremely awkward due to being tied to his skills and whatnot, his weapon is instead buffed indirectly via a knife block blessing. It becomes:

Liberator Carving Katana Set, martial one-handed, melee, [DEX+INS]+2, [HR+10] physical damage. As long as the weapon is wielded with the Oversized Knife Block in the other hand, whenever Santokumaru uses Protect, he takes 1 less damage from the attack, to a minimum of 0. This stacks with Defensive Mastery.

 

We are now in a resting scene. You are all restored to maximum HP and MP. Due to the appearance of Haxenspargilis in the telepathic transmission by the Princess, you all receive +1 Fabula Point.
You all can create a bond with a single emotion of your choice, to a single other player character of your choice.
Additionally, you all develop a bond to Princess Blanche, likewise with a single emotion of your choice.

 

Edited June 20 by Ridai (see edit history)

[Zashuan]

Santokumaru is taken aback by Akimbold's incredible display of spoonsmanship. As he reciprocates Akimbold's strong handshake and thanks him profusely, a poem darts across his mind:

~ How does a spoon cut?

With calm softness, it can part

The hardest desserts. ~

He silently thanks his ancestors that he was able to encounter and befriend such a skilled warrior, and that he can now add the techniques of a spoon fighter to his arsenal.

*****

After witnessing the vision of Princess Blanche, Santokumaru turns to the other party members.

"It would seem that while the Princess is safe for now, she is not free of peril. Clearly, we have much more to do and precious little time in which to do it. That being said, I have seen the things we can accomplish when we work together. All of you fight valiantly, cook excellently, and risk everything in the name of the Princess and the kingdom."

With a flick of his wrist, Santokumaru brings his knife block around to his front, and kneels.

"When we left the castle, we were but runners-up for champions, united by a quest and a cause. But now, we are united in deed, in conflict, and in heart. I thank all three of you for making this possible, and swear an oath that I shall stand by you until our adventures are at an end. On my blades, I swear it."

[Dodgeson]

All's well that ends well, at least that's what Vesper thought anyway, watching the judges explode in to paroxysms of joy as they sampled the team's offering with a satisfied smile. Perhaps this could be the start of a new chapter in relations between the kobolds and the Kingdom of Entrée? They didn't seem so objectionable when they weren't trying to knock him into pools of scalding water.

The appearance of the Princess did put a little damner on things, not that he wasn't glad that she was still okay (for a given value of okay), but it was still a reminder of the dire nature of their mission.

"Indeed your Majesty" He didn't know whether he could reply to her but there was nothing to be lost by trying it, though he did probably look just a little bit silly bowing to thin air.

[Ridai]

Thank goodness. Are you all well? Opportunities to commune with you will be unfortunately few and short as Haxenspargilis' temper grows more tempestuous and in need of soothing. How fares your quest? Princess Blanche whispers, a look of relief crossing her face when the party makes contact.

There is the sound of clattering trays and cracking plates in the background. The view shifts ever so slightly as the Princess looks over her shoulder, seeing terrified servants cleaning up as fast as they can the mess created by Haxenspargilis discarding what is left of the latest meal.

"YOUR NEXT OFFERING. NOW!" the giant red dragon roars, his tail slapping the ground, causing the castle to shudder.

Princess Blanche turns her attention back to the party, hopeful for good news.

[Zashuan]

"We have recovered the first of the necessary ingredients, Your Highness," Santokumaru reports, with a bow. He's not sure if she can perceive the bow, but it feels wrong not to. "The Emeraldia Apples are now in our possession, and we may have brokered a peace with the kobolds of Burokori. We follow the trail of the next ingredient without delay."

"I presume the dragon has not broken his promise?" Santokumaru asks, his question sharp like the edges of his blades. "If he has harmed you, we will return and destroy him at once. Has he revealed any information, beside his usual vulgarity?"

[Dodgeson]

See! He was right to bow, Vesper allowed himself a small confident (never smug, that would be unbecoming for someone of his station) smile as Santokumaru did the same. The swordsman's question cut right to the heart of the issue at hand so he didn't see the need to interject himself unnecessarily when time could be of the essence, instead just silently standing by, ready for whatever answers the princess gave them.

[Ridai]

Princess Blanche seems... confused for a moment. "Oh, I am as well as one can be given the circumstances. Haxenspargilis has revealed little thus far, except that a dragon's hunger-driven anger after a long slumber appears to be a common phenomenon."

The Princess stops for a moment. "Excuse me, you said you acquired the Emeraldia and... brokered peace with the kobolds?" A beat. "The ingredients of the Stew of Tiamat are stored in the Grand Granary, surely. Have the kobolds come for peace talks while you are preparing the Stew?"

It occurs to the party that Princess Blanche had no way to learn about the unexpected lack of vital ingredients.

Edited August 12 by Ridai (see edit history)

[Zashuan]

Santokumaru ponders the best way to break the news to Princess Blanche, and is silent for a moment.

"Your Highness, forgive me for my error. When we visited the Granary for the ingredients, they turned out to be... out of stock," he explains, his tone heavy with apology. "Due to the absence of the true Party of Heroes, we were dispatched to recover these ingredients, so that we might satiate Haxenspargilis as soon as possible. We venture across the realm with all due haste, and we think of nothing but ensuring your safety."

[Ridai]

The look of the situation's severity dawning on Princess Blanche is readily apparent before she tries to collect herself.

It... it is good you already secured one of the ingredients then. I shall do everything within my power to delay Haxenspargilis' wrath. Please, continue on your quest as soon as you are able, for the good of the kingdom and its people.

Haxenspargilis growls, Princess Blanche turning to check for a moment before facing the party again.

I shall pray for your safety, heroes. I believe in you.

The mental connection ends, leaving the party with renewed sense of purpose.

[Zashuan]

Santokumaru bows again, even though the Princess' mental connection has faded. He mumbles a blessing under his breath, then turns to Vesper.

"You are more well-traveled in this realm than I, Sir Vesper. Where do you think our efforts might be best spent, following this forest?"

[Dodgeson]

Vesper followed suit with his companion and offered a refined bow to the Princess' fleeting mental presence, more out of a sense of propriety then any solid belief that she would see it. Straightening up his ears twitched pensively as he pondered Santokumaru's question...he really wasn't sure how he felt about being called Sir. He'd have to bring it up later when they didn't have more pressing matters to deal with.

"Might I suggest we pay Sage Knorkus a visit? He is allied with the kingdom after all, it might allow us to make up some time from our little diplomatic excursion."

[Zashuan]

"Your suggestion cuts through all the other options, leaving naught but our true path remaining," Santokumaru says. "We shall set out at once, unless you have cause to delay. Along the way, perhaps you might instruct me in the ways of courtesy, as they are followed in Entree. My homeland, isolated as it is, limits my breadth of knowledge."