Do you know how dangerous he is? No, we don't

Session 74 (take 2)

In Raokan's stronghold, we’re now closer to the Twistspire, to the east. Gates stand at other parts of the wall, with one nearby leading us into an inner courtyard filled with outbuildings. This place is buzzing with preparations for tomorrow's race. Contestants, devils and otherwise, are hard at work on machines of various shapes and sizes. Among the chaos, one vehicle stands out: a small cockpit with two wheels above it, serviced by a fey — a leprechaun with a big red mustache, driving goggles perched on his hat, and a cigar hanging from his lips.

We also spot Raokan's vehicle, a tank-like monstrosity that could carry additional motorcycles or heavy machinery. No sign of Raokan himself yet, though.

On the ramparts, Æsheryn notices guards watching mostly inward. One stands out — an Eladrin with bronze skin and ginger-golden hair, clearly autumnal in appearance. He watches intently, his gaze sharp and calculating. Briya scans Twistspire and notes that most of its windows are stained glass, meaning that if a bird or small creature wanted to enter, it would need to break the glass. However, there are arrow slits that might be useful.

Cass attempts to recognize the Eladrin or the leprechaun. Despite rolling a 24, she doesn’t recall the Eladrin, though she’s annoyed at Maltheo for suggesting that all fey know each other. The leprechaun, however, seems familiar — perhaps from the Queen of Luck and Ruin's court, though it’s hard to place.

Imps fly about the courtyard, hanging banners and livery in preparation for what will likely be a grand cocktail party. Discussions turn to how we’ll infiltrate the castle, with options like polymorph and stealth being tossed around.

Lotus, Cass, and Briya approach the leprechaun, and Lotus casts detect thoughts. His surface emotions reveal that the vehicle he’s working on is the best he can manage for the race, but he knows it's still junk. Lotus offers a compliment, which earns a begrudging "thanks" in return. The leprechaun asks if Lotus has any magic to spare. He explains that infernal machines run on a strange energy. From the base of the castle, long metallic cables extend to different vehicles, including Raokan’s. It’s some devilish technology, forbidden by the Queen. He opens a compartment in his vehicle, revealing a large spell-storing ring. He offers to help us if we have each other’s backs during the race.

Lotus agrees, giving a little magic, while Briya contributes more. The leprechaun, introducing himself as Warwick, pulls out a gold coin shaped like a four-leaf clover, granting us a fortune’s favor. He explains that though he can make such charms, he can never use them himself, and tells us to count him as a friend from the Unseelie Court.

Meanwhile, the Eladrin continues observing, paying little attention to us but focusing on a bone devil nearby. Æsheryn and Maltheo decide to speak with him. The Eladrin explains that he’s merely curious, watching the racers to see who might be a threat to Raokan. He belongs to the long-fallen Court of Fate and Flow, which hasn’t had influence in centuries. He tells us he’ll introduce us to his driver during tonight’s party.

The devils continue their work, the courtyard humming with energy. Guards oversee the power cables that feed into Raokan's chosen vehicles. One devil, who reeks of bureaucracy, holds a clipboard made of stretched skin. We inquire about entering the race, and Lotus — disguised as Blanche — signs us up under the team name Cheep-Cheep. By afternoon, Popovsky and Monica have also signed up as independent racers.

Our motorcycles seem to have their own reservoirs of soul coins, most likely fully stocked. Monica mentions that Cass and Lotus’s bike is equipped with a grappling harpoon, a short-range mortar cannon, and elemental shot — lightning, fire, and cold. Each motorcycle requires four soul coins to operate, while the duo car needs eight.

A goblin with pearlescent white skin arrives — possibly with a moon elf in his ancestry. He signs up as well, racing for the King of Fate and Flow. His vehicle has caterpillar-like wheels and spider arms, giving it a steampunk vibe. He introduces himself as Doobie Dewdrop, delivering a pompous speech about his loyalty to his king.

As the party begins, a red glow from strange infernal lights illuminates the courtyard. Devils play live music as an amplified voice booms across the space: "Devils, imps, and other guests, we declare the first race of our Lord Raokan officially begun. Welcome to the opening ceremonies!" The voice belongs to a devil named Clif Board, who waves his clipboard in the air. It disappears in a flash of infernal light, while red glyphs mark each registered participant.

The grand reveal comes next: Raokan the Bloody steps out, looking more powerful and devilish than ever. Tall, muscular, and draped in infernal majesty, his red-orange wings and golden crown demand attention. His mere presence makes the crowd fawn.

While Raokan basks in the admiration, Maltheo investigates a secondary entrance with a nat 20. Disguising himself as a spine devil, he accidentally spills cocktail sauce on himself but manages to bluff his way into a service door. Cass joins him as they sneak inside, following the power cables deeper into the castle.

Meanwhile, Lotus tries to find some betting action, seeking extra soul coins. He encounters the same greed demon from before, who recognizes him. The demon hints at extracting Lotus's soul or loosening Vesh’s grip — but only if Lotus is willing to barter his own soul as a coin. Realizing the demon is probing too deeply, Lotus pulls away, unnerved by the intrusion.

Back inside the castle, Cass and Maltheo follow the main power cable down a spiral staircase to a large metal door. After a brief encounter with an incubus guard, Maltheo convinces him to let them through. Inside, they find the source of the power — a massive dodecahedron of inky blackness, suspended in a pool of silvery light. It’s draining souls directly from Luxon beacon itself, larger than a beach ball. Cass quickly casts reduce, shrinking the beacon to the size of a basketball and halting the power flow.

Suddenly, the incubus grows suspicious. "What kind of maintenance are you doing?!" As lights flicker and cables fall inert, Raokan’s fury explodes outside. He flies into the air, glowing with rage, shouting in Infernal, "WHO DARES?!"

From the top of Twistspire, a flash of purplish-blue light heralds the arrival of Truush, who descends in full demonic form. Taller and more powerful than before, he lands in the courtyard on his goat hooves and a exudes a commanding presence. Raokan, meanwhile, radiates pure devilish anger, but Truush’s power is palpable, leaving the gathered crowd in awe.