Freaks & Facades: Session Thirteen - Clashing Ideals

    Come in, my pretties.  Come in from the blazing sun!  It's time for another story of Freaks & Facades.  We are at unlucky? Session Thirteen - a story of Clashing Ideals!  

    Our party of Freaks are becoming immersed in all that celebratory Port-a-Lucine has to offer.  The city, the beating heart of the western Core, is full of activity for the Primeur festival!  A festival of bountiful harvests, wine flowing freely, and many gatherings promoting the city's greatest achievements.  

    But can our Freaks enjoy themselves with all that they have experienced?  Can they throw themselves fully into the Primeur fun despite the darkness staining their souls?  

    Was that morning in the Port-a-Lucine suburbs making connections enough to assuage their worries?  Let us find out!


Warning: this is a horror campaign setting, so please bear that in mind before reading on.  This is a very tame session overall, but it may mention triggering topics from previous sessions.  There are also mentions of drunk people and weaponed dueling...


*starts projector*



    • With a homecooked lunch in their bellies, and warm feelings provided by the Charron family (Solange's amazing dads); our party of Freaks make their way back into the city.  Their next goal for the day is to deliver their friend Vincente's letter to his cousin Jean-Louise Lumare.  Fenri holds the letter close, her promise to Vincente burning in her heart.
      • Madame Lumare runs a cafe called The Blooming Rose according to his cousin, situated along one of the Public Quarter's thoroughfares.  The letter is Vincente's goodbye to his only family; now that he is being dissolved into the Claudine's cagey secret society.  
      • Solange uses her knowledge of the city and chooses the best route back into the urban sprawl.  She deliberately avoids passing Saint Leonburg's Cemetery as they travel.  Being with her beloved parents once more has set doubts in her mind: is a life among the dead going to fulfill her?  
        • Was it ever going to fulfill her?  Or was Solange merely following the whispers of Maman like a child wandering a dark crypt?
    • The streets through the Public Quarter are much cleaner and more cosmopolitan than the Merchant's Quarter where the LaFitte Boarding House resides.  Streets are paved much more evenly, with trees planted evenly along them.  Shopfronts and government offices with aesthetic fronts sit with friendly distance between one another.  There is no crowding here, like those other quarters.
      • This district is everything the Merchant's and Worker's Quarters are not.  Clean and proper, maintained and restrained.  But the streets do have their signs of chaos for this period of Primeur revelry.  Strings of lanterns, flowers and pennants crisscross the thoroughfares.  Stands are manned by cheerful procurers of fine food, wine aplenty and celebratory attire! 
    • The Blooming Rose is a lovely establishment, with a large pink rose sign swinging above the street.  The small plaza the cafe spills out onto is full of people strolling about.
      • The cafe itself is full of people dining and clinking glasses together.  A band plays on while its leading troubadour strolls between the tables, pestering patrons with an accordion.  Above the diners a troupe of halfling acrobats swing and tumble on tightropes, hung from the building's high-vaulted ceilings.  In the back a group of students and rabblerousers debate over cups of wine.  The wine bar is tended to by a gorgeous half-elven man with gold-brown curly hair.
      • The male host by the outdoor seating, wearing a pink rose colored vest like all the servers, welcomes the party as they approach.  Upon asking to speak with the owner, said grand lady strolls over.  Her auburn hair is piled high with pink ribbons and roses, and she wears a truly extravagant low-cut gown fit for a ballroom.  She leans hard upon a rose quartz-headed cane--Jean-Louise Lumare welcomes them.  There is a family resemblance to Vincente, so Fenri tells her that they are delivering a letter from her cousin.
        • Madame Lumare pauses at the mention of Vincente but she accepts the letter.  The party stands awkwardly at the host stand while she saunters off to read it in the kitchen first.  
          • Except for Fenri, who goes over to the bar for a drink and some appetizers.  The bar has high seats with small steps for halfling patrons, which she appreciates.
        • Sitting alone at a table outside, an older man in a squashed tophat quaffs from a tankard and sings old along with the band inside.  Loudly he sings for all to hear.  His cheeks are so rosy with drink but he spills so much that you wonder if any actually gets into his mouth.  
      • Madame Lumare returns and thanks the party for bringing the letter.  She seems to know more of her cousin's circumstances now, and she graciously promises them a grand meal on the house.  The party is seated at an outside table, so Schrödinger goes to bring Fenri over. 
        • The two are quite awkward having this moment alone.  Schrödinger believes Fenri heard him traumatize the young Isaac Montagne back on the roads of Campanula.  But Fenri, in fact, did not hear his willing step down towards evil; so she's overly friendly as ever.
      • Jean Louise notices the discomfort about the old drunk next to them, but she attempts to assuage them.  That is Old Albert, a local tramp who is noisy but harmless.  He seems to have gotten enough coin to enjoy the festivities today. 
    • The group is given an incredible feast by Madame Lumare's staff.  The food is elevated beyond the simple but delicious fare they received in Campanula.  And pastel, miniature desserts come around on a small cart too!  They watch the crowd pass by, heading for the plaza's dueling tourney stage.  
      • Many gendarme soldiers of the plaza barracks patrol the area.  The guardsmen often check in with an incredibly tall and muscular capitan, a handsome soldier with a strange-hilted rapier at his side.  Both Fenri and Schrödinger are in awe watching this specimen of charisma and peak physical strength (each for very different reasons).  The waiter, when asked, reveals that is Capitan Reynard of the City Watch, and last year's winner of the annual Descartes Dueling Tourney.   Schrödinger recalls those types of swords are a unique Dementlieuse weapon called a Parthian Rapier--having a pistol built into the hilt.  Very tricky firearms to master.
        • Upon the pavilion overlooking the plaza and dueling stage, a group of guards wearing House Descartes' sigil (two crossed golden axes) stand beside a covered chair.  A dour nobleman with a stern brow and a pointed widow's peak, the mogul Baron Descartes himself, sips wine nonchalantly while waiting for the tourney to begin.
          • Everyone among the Freaks is quite nervous at the mention of another Baron so soon.  So far the consequences of their actions in Campanula have not caught up with them, but the murder of a Dementlieuse Baron is certainly going to ripple out in gossip sooner or later...
          • Solange is aware of House Descartes for another reason.  Across from The Blooming Rose is one of House Descartes' many armaments stores, in fact.  The Descartes are a supplier of weapons such as firearms to both Port-a-Lucine's city watch and the national Armee de colline.  Quite rich and powerful.
          • Pryrrish, with her powerful sight, notices the Baron Descartes is speaking with his guards an awful lot.  The patrols are also suspiciously vigilant, even for a crowded event.  Almost as if they are looking for someone...
      • Suddenly, turning their attention from the plaza, a large tankard rolls messily beneath their table.  The strange singsongy man at the next table apologizes through an ale-soaked beard and tries to grasp his cup while on all fours.
        • Fenri, being the shortest, hops down from her chair and easily walks under the table to hand it to the old fool.
        • The man appreciates this small kindness, apologizing for the inconvenience of his lonely revelry.  
      • Fenri, of course, is overwhelmed by the spirit of Primeur and invites Old Albert to join them.  And he accepts wholeheartedly, clinking his empty tankard with her half-full one.  (She drinks with gusto, of course).
        • Practically everyone else at the table disdains this idea, especially Channa and Schrödinger, but it is a holiday of letting loose.  And no one has the heart to disagree with Fenri or kick out this lonely old man..
    • Old Albert introduces himself with a tip of his squashed tophat.  He's been coming to the Blooming Rose for years and years, but he admits he is in especially good form.  Primeur is the most glorious holiday in Dementlieu to him.
      • The tramp is loud and excitable.  Schrödinger tries not to engage since he's barely got a handle on dealing with his friends being non-nobility.  He has never engaged with an unhoused or outright poor person before.
        • Old Albert, with a twinkle in his eye, shakes his head sadly and declares the poor gentleman must not deal with people well.  Being that the Lamordian is obviously an only child.
      • A pregnant pause occurs as the old man sips from his tankard, forgetting it is empty except for beer foam.  Fenri is afraid that she's leapt to conclusions about inviting someone to their table, afraid Old Albert is actually a rude person.
        • Everyone who isn't a trusting person like Fenri (aka the rest of the party) eyes the old man with more suspicion.  Schrödinger tries to ask how the old man knew that fact.  Old Albert says it is common for Lamordian noble families to have only one living child--even if they may display obviously diluted redheaded Darkonese traits as.  The climate geographically and politically overall does not agree with the practice of large families of well-loved children.
        • Schrödinger blinks hard.  That was... quite an apt but cutting observation on his family.
        • Pryrrish and Solange both try to get the measure of Old Albert through their powers of observation.  And with the elf's powerful eyesight and the caliban's always-near ghostly guide, they recognize something: the old man is faking his drunkenness.  All the ale he's seemingly consumed has been spilled upon his beard, clothes and the ground.  Old Albert is stone cold sober.
    • Breaking up the tension of the table, a stout man in tweed and a bowler hat approaches.  He automatically begins by apologizing through huffs and puffs.  Old Albert uproariously acknowledges this man as his doctor, which the gentleman confirms.  In a Mordentish accent and chilly politeness, the doctor apologizes for letting his patient intrude upon the party's fine meal.  He is the attending doctor on call for the dueling tournament, but he must get this old man home before it starts.
      • The gentleman gives the closest person (Solange) his card and invites them to visit some afternoon if they wish.  He isn't seeing patients during Primeur outside of emergencies, and would love to host them for tea.  He takes the old man by the arms and shuffles him off; Old Albert thanks the table for their hospitality loudly.  Madame Jean-Louise Lumare checks in with the party, apologizing for her guest's behavior.  The odd pair head off and out of sight.
        • Solange looks down at the card of the doctor.  "Doctor Arthur Sedgewick: 221B Rue du Boulangers.  General Medicine, Emergency Surgeon and Psychiatry."
        • Solange excitedly reveals that the gentleman was Doctor Arthur Sedgewick--the writer and companion to the Great Detective Alanik Ray!  It's his published works of the genius detective's case history that has captured Dementlieu in its current detective fiction boom.  Fictional detectives, such as Professor Fortescue whom Channa has been reading all this time; are all based on the genius elf from Darkon!
          • Everyone looks to one another in shock.  Channa recalls what they have heard of Alanik Ray, suddenly giving it extra weight.  Alanik Ray is a supposed master of disguise and social deduction.  Could Old Albert possibly have been the famous detective undercover?!
          • Needless to say, many of the party are suddenly very eager to take the doctor's offer for tea.
    • Our party's supper at The Blooming Rose finishes; but rather than depart for their next Primeur excursion (the famous House of Wax), several of them wish to partake in the dueling tourney!
      • Channa, Fenri and Schrödinger want to duel and win the prize money!  Solange and Pryrrish are eager to see their companions compete.  Our band of beloved Freaks bid farewell to the generous Madame Jean-Louise Lumare and go off to sign up.
      • The handsome Capitan Reynard stands by the sign-in table, and they see he wears last year's winners pennant upon his broad chest.  While the Freaks sign up, the crowd by the tourney stage begins to whisper.  Two separate groups are now arriving for the tourney, belonging to two distinct dueling schools.
        • From the southern corner, a band of fur wearing duelists stride in.  They bear a pennant symbol of two knives before a junglecat's paw.  The Cat's Claw Dueling Pride have arrived.  Overhearing gossip, the group learns they are a strange group who teach their methods of dueling alongside large captive junglecats!  From their weapons it is clear they fight with shortswords and daggers in hand.  Though some among them have strange claw-like bracers on their hands as well.
          • Their leader, a mysterious shrouded figure, is at the head of this small pride.  The mysterious Sri Rajian warrior, Nijani the Striped Blade...  They came from a far away jungle realm beyond the Sea of Sorrows.
        • At the same time, another school of dueling has arrived.  Bedecked in more classical dueling attire, with rapiers at their side, The Flashing Rapier Academy strolls in with much fanfare.  They are an established dueling school in Port-a-Lucine that strides to teach the dueling style from southeastern Richumelot.  However, the Academy has fallen on tough times due to the Dementlieuse most preferring to duel with rapier and relying upon pistols--rather than the Richemuloise style of single rapier.
          • A handsome woman leads this proud school, wearing men's dueling clothes and having a brazen hairstyle of a shaved sidecut.  The renowned duelist Catherine d'Addario, daughter of one of the school's late founders!
        • The two schools immediately claim areas surrounding the stage seating, their enmity obvious to all watching.  
      • Our three duelists prepare for the tourney to begin.  They are taught the rules of the duel: it is a touch duel upon the torso and no other area, first to ten points wins.  Wounding your opponent is not the goal and is in bad form, but contestants may wear one another down nonlethally.
        • Each duelist will wear three pennants upon their chest, and removing one is worth two points instead.
        • Special techniques in fighting are allowed, but use of magic and firearms result in outright disqualification.  Weapons must be checked before each duel, and spellcasters will constantly be scanning the contestants for magical effects.
        • Disarming an opponent is worth two points but the disarmed opponent must be allowed to reclaim their weapon honorably before continuing.
        • Lastly, impressive and special maneuvers (critical successes) double the normal points rewarded.
    • The Baron Descartes steps forward upon the stage, handing off his wine cup to an attendant.  He welcomes all to the annual Descartes Dueling Tourney, and wishes the contestants good fortune.  The winner of the day's tourney will receive a thousand coronas and an invitation to the Descartes Primeur Ball tomorrow as their prize.  
      • Capitan Geoffrey Reynard, the winner of last year's tourney, will referee the duel.  With the number of duelists initially in play, Reynard will join in the second round, seeking to maintain his title.
      • The contestants are as follows: Channa Devir (scimitar), Fenri Sunwillow (two daggers), Ludwig Hossler Schrödinger (rapier), a Dueling Pride contestant (shortsword and dagger),  a Flashing Rapier contestant (rapier and dagger), and a young Capitan of the City Watch named Elizabeth Thorne (rapier).
        • Capitan Thorne is a spry and enthusiastic woman who appears eager to face Capitan Reynard, her idol.
        • The champions of the Cat's Claw and the Flashing Rapier schools are not competing themselves in this amateur's duel--their own tourney is set for the last day of Primeur, more an entertainment showcase rather than outright conflict for glory.  
    • The Tourney Begins!  The First Round of fights goes as follows:
      • Fenri faces the female Cat's Claw duelist first.  Upon the ceremonial handkerchief touching the ground, the two clash!  Fenri utilizes her smaller stature to avoid her opponent.  The Claw duelist lunges and leaps across the small stage like a wildcat; however, the stage's limited size does them no favors.  
        • Not weighed down by her normal heavy armor, the halfling cleric easily weaves to avoid the Claw duelist--Fenri tiring her opponent out and making pennant disarms until she makes an impressive dodge and critical final touch!  Capitan Reynard calls for Fenri's victory.
        • Fenri graciously helps the weary Claw duelist to their feat, and the two shake hands before leaving the stage.  
          • Fenri wonders though, if she was unarmored like this upon a larger arena--would she have survived against such a quick opponent hunting her?
      • Channa's first opponent is the Flashing Rapier contestant, a wary young man.  They cross blades almost immediately, their fighting styles and defensive expertise quite similar to one another.  The two parry and thrust, scimitar and rapier sending sparks.  However, Channa has been tested more from real-life experience; she knows when to take chances the other doesn't dare.
        • Pennant after pennant flies off the two duelists.  The battle is long fought, Channa feeling the walls built around their hungry inner child coming down bit by bit as the fight stretches on. Channa draws upon a last ounce of inner strength to deliver the final victory touch.  Reynard declares Channa the victor and the duelists immediately collapse.  
        • The Rapier duelist congratulates Channa, impressed with their swordplay.  They recommend speaking with Master d'Addario--their school would be a  good fit for Channa's dueling style.  Channa shakes hands and thanks them for the compliment, pondering the offer sincerely.  
          • They also ponder the brazen d'Addario as well, impressed by their fashion and hairstyle in such a populated city...  What would it be like to duel such a pioneer of style?
      • It is finally Schrödinger's turn, facing the enthusiastic Capitan Thorne.  The barracks upon the tourney's plaza erupts with cheers from the capitan's peers.  The two duelists cross rapiers, Schrödinger relying upon his so-called "Plausible Deniability" since he cannot utilize his bone weapons in public.
        • Like in Channa's bout, Schrödinger and Capitan Thorne display very similar dueling styles.  They dodge and parry one another gracefully.  Schrödinger recalls his pitifully easy duel against Lord Isaac Montagne only ten days prior--this woman facing him is ten times the duelist that young now-traumatized lordling ever was.
        • Capitan Thorne is eager to impress the referee Reynard, which is her ironic undoing.  Schrödinger, having trained under the tutelage of his parents' Quartermaster for years, easily spots vulnerabilities in her defense.  Like an expert surgeon he accurately picks away at Thorne, removing her pennants one by one until Reynard declares his victory--ending with his rapier right at Thorne's throat. 
          • Thorne is shaken more from disappointment though.  She shakes Schrödinger's hand in acquiescence, but brightens up when Reynard himself compliments her initial maneuvers.  He also gives Schrödinger a respectful nod towards his technique.
    • A break commences.  Solange and Pryrrish approach their competing friends and congratulate them for making it to the second round.  
      • While their friends competed, Solange has been hearing all the oohs and awws of the crowd from their flourishes and maneuvers.  Thankfully she has also been enamored with the fights, which helps her forget how crowded the plaza is.  So many living people all around her...  
      • Channa is hesitant about continuing, just for a moment.  From Solange's report they are attracting quite a bit of attention, which she does not want.  
        • Fenri seems to thrill in it actually
        • Schrödinger ponders if he should have given a false name as a contestant, due to his uncivilized departure from Ludendorf.  His departure's circumstances with the Syndicate of Enlightened Minds could easily have been misconstrued and carried on ship to Port-a-Lucine since his reappearance in Campanula.
      • While their friends have competed, Pryrrish's gaze has seen so much going on outside of the duels.  She noticed the guards switching rotations between bouts.  Passersby rubbernecking on their way to watch the other competitions for firearms and spellcasting.  And the Baron Descartes seeming to be preoccupied from the duels, whispering to his house guards as if expecting an update.  
        • What is the stern-eyed Baron so upset over?  The patrolmen may be searching for someone in particular...  
        • The elf puts up their cloak out of muscle memory, just to avoid being noticed.  Elves are quite uncommon even in this large city it seems...
    • The Second Round is called, and the duelists return to stand by the stage.  Capitan Reynard switches to a simple rapier rather than his Parthian/firearm-hilted one for this bout.  With the strapping champion in his dueling clothes, his physical form is almost scandalously impressive!  (Fenri struggles not to stare at his bulging muscles).
      • Capitan Elizabeth Thorne, eliminated from the competition, is set to referee in Reynard's stead.  She is delighted to witness her idol compete so up close!
      • Beginning this round are Channa and Fenri, facing one another!  The two take their places, Fenri publicly wishing Channa good luck before the handkerchief is thrown down.  Fervently the halfling rushes Channa, almost catching the reserved mage off-guard.  But Fenri lacks the patience to break through Channa's stance.  The sunny halfling barely gets more than one pennant off of Channa, while Channa retaliates at opportune moments--removing two of Fenri's pennants in one maneuver and winning upon the third's fall.  The fight between reason and faith is over: Channa is victor here!
        • But there are no hard feelings.  If anything Fenri is proud of Channa going on to the next round!  Channa welcomes the halfling's hugs once they are off stage; then immediately focuses on the outcome of this next battle.  Either Channa will face the group's science-minded lordling, or the past champion of the entire Descartes tourney!
      • Schrödinger and Capitan Reynard prepare for their duel.  The crowd is most definitely on the guard captain's side, since he is a local figurehead and favorite.  But he bows respectfully to the Lamordian and wishes them an excellent duel.  Schrödinger uses his knowledge of the human skeleton (and other sciences) to anticipate what the champion duelist will do.
        • Unfortunately, our Lamordian friend was facing someone of incredible strength, who had trained in fencing and disarming opponents for years.  He easily parries Schrödinger's brazen moves, recognizing his Lamordian swordsmanship (and its faults).  It ends with Capitan Reynard winning expertly with all pennants removed from his opponent.  This is not like the other duels, Reynard wins by a large margin due to his technical mastery over the rapier.
        • As the two shake hands, Reynard actually provides Schrödinger some practical advice with his technique.  He recognizes the scientist utilizes swinging weapons more (such as his bone weapon's bladed whip form), but he has the fundamentals down for swordplay.
    • The Final Round comes all too soon, as Reynard is ready for the final bout right away.  Everyone else in the party attempts to bolster Channa's confidence.  Their techniques are similar and both are well trained to fight; Fenri wishes Channa good luck (but secretly also wishes the handsome champion luck as well).
      • The pair square off.  Everyone in the plaza watches the duel take place with full attention.  The champions of the two attending schools ponder the fighters' techniques as they begin to clash scimitar to rapier.
      • Channa, her fighting spirit still wide awake from dueling Fenri, goes after Capitan Reynard and parries many of his blows.  He pursues her and lashes back upon her with incredible strength, a hunter not giving up his quarry.  
      • Channa is disarmed by Reynard but only once, but the blow to her confidence as she refits her weapon upsets her concentration.  But she gives as good as she gets, yet Channa's technique finds itself limited by her becoming exhausted against an unbending warrior.
      • In one final flourish, the last pennant flying from Channa's chest and caught in the air, the duel is ended!  The champion of the Descartes Dueling Tourney takes Channa's hand and raises it up with his own, praising her skill as he is declared the victor.  
    • Capitan Reynard is met with uproarious applause.  And Channa is also congratulated by the tourney watchers.  Fenri rushes up and nearly headbutts into Channa's stomach to give them a hug.  Schrödinger applauds Channa's moves, seeing how well they did against Reynard.  Solange and Pryrrish applaud and congratulate their friend as well but more subtly.
      • Channa is given half the winner's purse by Reynard, and the Baron rewards Channa the prize invitation to the Primeur Ball in consolation (since Reynard was already invited to the ball).  With this invitation, Channa may bring up to three people with her to the Descartes estate for an incredible, lavish party.  It is on the final night of Primeur in two days time; the dress code is a masquerade.
        • Social anxiety kicking in, Channa accepts but groans at the sudden expectation to show up and rub elbows with nobles.  Their attitudes towards the aristocracy have not improved as of late--the prejudice has ironically been reinforced what with happened in Campanula.
        • The invitation is stowed away, to be ignored until the group can talk over who is and isn't going... 
    • The group waits for their tourney friends to replace their armaments and clothing.  But Channa recognizes a boutique in the plaza is open late for Primeur.  With newfound determination (or rather attempting to be confident after their defeat), Channa leads the group to purchase some new clothes.
      • Channa has the boutique's barber give them a more masculine haircut.  They also acquire some clothes that better fit the Dementlieuse sensibilities: a stylish masculine coat in dark wool, red slacks and a dark shirt.  
        • This is an important purchase for them, as they feel more comfortable to express more masculine fashion with the party.  Port-a-Lucine is also more accepting of the daring styles, as seen by the Flashing Rapier's leader Catherine d'Addario.
      • Everyone else in the party browses while Channa acquires some new affirming clothes.  Schrödinger purchases some sunglasses for himself.  He hopes to hide his current dark-eyed condition in social situations, until he can potentially uncover a cure.
    • The brief shopping excursion over, our band of tired but happy Freaks decide to further push on into the night.  There is one attraction in this quarter that they absolutely must visit.  With the sun down it is the perfect time.
      • Our band of friendly Freaks walk into the night for a few blocks.  They are going to the Hall of Wax exhibition and nothing is going to stop them!  
    • Unbeknownst to our Primeur-addled party, a set of eyes watches them pass by from a darkened alley.  A figure, short and dirty, follows their path...  
      • They tail our group through the streets of Port-a-Lucine, unseen and motives unknown...  Even Pryrrish's powerful eyes are helpless to notice this mysterious figure, since the elf is ironically only looking forward to their destination...
      • Towards the lifechanging, bonechilling House of Wax...

        What a day our party has had!  A full, fun day exploring Dementlieu's capitol!  And the night is shaping to be just as impressionable and exciting!

        But who could this mysterious hanger-on be, chasing our friendly Freaks after they displayed such skill before all of Port-a-Lucine?  What do they seek in following our unsuspecting Freaks?

        Join us next time, dear readers, for Session Fourteen - The House of Wax!  Until then, friends and foe alike, be safe walking through this dark night...

        You never know Who may be watching You from the shadows...

    Aboleth Eye