Episode 05: Of the Cock the Cutter and Cluckthulu

Wherein Gundar & the Beacon Finders decide to interfere in the bond retrieval of the goblin named "Of the Cock the Cutter" once they learn that his chicken is named "Cluckthulu". They encounter bullywugs and bugbears, then enter a demiplane inside a crystal ball.

The Newbies & Cluckthulu

It has not been a week since the first successful double-beacon retrieval by our newest guild grouping. They were celebrating in the guild bar, discussing Gundar's many marriages while experimenting with Psychic Beer. I believe Veoric is now blue as a result of their antics, and there was much talk of beer and cheese. Amid their revelry, they expressed interest in one of the captured bonds—a goblin named Of the Cock the Cutter. Laszlo, in particular, was keen to learn of the poor creature's fate.

I informed them that the Grave Order had already apprehended the goblin and his male chicken. I further relayed intelligence that the wizard who had claimed the bond was reported to be practicing dangerous magic, the kind strictly forbidden in the Zone. The wizard had since traveled to the Eladriel border with both the goblin and his peculiar chariot mount, Cluckthullu. Concerned that the pair were about to become ingredients in yet another twisted magical plot, the group discussed their options.

Taela voiced her concern that saving the goblin might simply result in a new bond being placed upon him. However, Veoric pointed out that the guild itself holds the authority to absolve bonds. Our dear bartender confirmed this. They resolved to recruit the goblin and his mount into the Guild and their group. Once they sobered up, I lent them a magical club and sent them through a magical portal straight to Hartshome Forest.

Battle on the Border of Hartshome

Upon arrival, they found a desperate goblin named Knock, an associate of Cutter who wants them to help free Cutter's giant demonic chicken, Cluckthulu. An evil mage has cut off the chicken's magic comb and is using it in a ritual.

Cluckthulu has been captured by frog-like bullywugs who are led by a bugbear named Grump.

Gundar embraces the chaos, surrounding himself in shadows and rushing into battle. He quickly dispatches several bullyugs. Taela the rangers new panther companion, Salamin, manages to take down a pair of frog-men as well.

Meanwhile Veoric, wielding the borrowed club, used it to dispatch another group of bullywugs. Laszlo charmed the bugbear leader with the sultry sounds of his bagpipes. He convinced Grump to go retrieve Cluckthulu's comb and bring it back. The bugbear disappeared into a nearby misty portal, leaving his froggy soldiers demoralized and fleeing.

Taela freed the panicked chicken and managed to calm him down. She earned some affectionate, if unsettling, chthonic chicken kisses.

Into The Crystal Ball

The Finders followed the bugbear into the misty portal and found themselves inside an immense crystal ball. Once inside, they came across a blink dog pup named Sneezey who was being hunted by more bullywugs. In the ensuing scuffle, Gundar's shadow arts along with Salamin's ferocity quickly dispatched the froggy hunters. The bullywugs shouted warnings to their king as they fell.

The group followed the path of the bullywugs and found their king Gurgle in conversation with Grump and another bugbear named Grouch. The king was impatient for his wishes to be granted by the mage, who's name was Kelek. He also demanded the blink dog pup was supposed to be his supper.

Veoric stepped out with a bold offer to assist. He said that he would deliver where the mage had failed to deliver. Surprisingly, the King was open to negotiation, but demanded an offering of food to allow the group to pass.

Luckily, Gundar still had the dragon cheese that he had created earlier while under the influence of psychic beer. Appeased by the offering, King Gurgle agreed to allow the group to continue towards the ritual chamber, where they prepared to confront the tardy mage.