Prequel: the festival of the Basted Beast

Fact sheet

Players present: Dins, Ecchima, Tuur and Vinnie. Meinhart was GM. Marty was excused.  

Date: 07-06-23

Date in-universe: a random Sunday

Major developments

• We learned a little about Kharkhorin culinary culture (see image below)
• Fyllion and Storm join the crew of the Young Kraken, Storm with an NPC’s eagerness to help out & Fyllion with a boatload of red flags (hah)
• Mysteries abound!
  • Where is Bris? Who and what was she? Same questions for her companions Berling and Eilif, and for her "cat"?
  • Who was that swan & why was it with Bris? Where did it go?
  • What will the crew do with their prisoner Eilif?
  • Does Captain Magpie ever tell any of his adventures to Anastasia's parents? If yes, why oh why do they still allow her to travel with him??

Previously: undefined

Possibly up next: after Captain Magpie picks up his goddaughter Anastasia, the Young Kraken runs into the Flensed Servant. We're not exactly sure how all the prequels fit together...

Notes

The Young Kraken has been galivanting around for a while now, the ship’s even wandering into the White Sea up in the North beyond the Bay of Beasts. It’s fortuitous timing: in a few days, captain John Magpie is supposed to pick up his polecat goddaughter Anastasia from her boarding school in North-Rosaria: she’s finally allowed to spend spring break with her pirate godfather.

Since they’re in the area, captain Magpie figures he’ll attend the Festival of the Basted Beast in Lowell’s Hollow. The renowned gastronomic restaurant The Basted Beast has been hosting this yearly event for several decades now. Captain Magpie has recommended it several times, but hasn’t yet had the opportunity to participate himself.

Basting is a culinary technique of pouring melted butter over roasting, grilling or pan frying meat. After weeks of hard tack and gruel (since the Young Kraken doesn’t have a dedicated cook at the moment), Captain Magpie is eager for a food festival!

In the rowboat headed for shore, we find:

• Captain John Magpie (played by Dins)
• Ezra (played by Ecchima)
• Archibald (played by Vinnie)
• Sigurd (an NPC who loves shibari)

When they make port, Sigurd draws the short straw (what a co-incidence) so captain Magpie orders him to remain with the rowboat, keeping their exit strategy safe. That’s just good sense as a pirate.

As soon as they near the festival area, they’re welcomed by a jovial 30 year old man. Balar heartily welcomes them to “the best thing that’ll happen to your mouth this year”. To set the mood, he immediately offers them a free sample of the festival’s signature cocktail, the DESPERADO! It’s a deliciously dirty martini, but instead of salty olives complementing the gin & vermouth, it’s got a clove of brined garlic on a tiny skewer.

Captain Magpie is delighted and thanks Balar. Archibald is also happy and makes quick work of his cocktail. Ezra quietly reminded their crew mate they’re garlic intolerant. Archibald doesn’t find it a hardship to help his crewmate out by drinking their cocktail too!

Balar gives a quick explanation about the festival

• There are food stalls and food-adjacent stalls (like high quality knives or elegant tableware)
• Each food stall has an array of dishes, as well as a chef’s special which was developed and approved by Bris, the current owner and head chef of the Blasted Beast

Archibald is eager to hear that Ignace is both a barbecue pit master & an aficionado of hair-raising rum! They enter the jaunty festival, mingling with the happy visitors, eager to explore the different stalls, looking at the fluttering banners, embroidered with the symbol of a golden sun.

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Meanwhile in the heart of the festival, we see Galar in action. This 32 year old man is Balar’s brother. Currently, he’s busy with the last minute preparations for the Bharatanatyam, meant to be performed in half an hour as a central showpiece at high noon.

• The instrumental tune falls between Vivaldi’s Four Seasons & the main theme from the movie Jurassic Park, celebrating the cycle of the seasons, dictated by the sun
• The accompanying ballet piece is Indian-inspired, in which four dancers synchronize their arm movements, to evoke the sun’s movement from dawn, through the sweltering heat of noon, till the soothing gloom of dusk

Amid the hired performers, we spot 2 familiar faces (familiar to the players, not to the characters):

• Fyllion (played by Tuur)
• Storm (an NPC for the occasion)

As soon as Galar has finished his explanation of the final details (including their expected payment of 15 gold pieces), Fyllion springs forward to offer a special performance: though the Bharatanatyam is typically an instrumental piece, he wrote some lyrics. He’s totally willing to offer the Basted Beast the honour of the première.

Before Fyllion can even extend his showman spiel or activate any magic persuasion, Galar happily agrees: they can plan an encore at 15 h, when Bris will leave the kitchen of the Basted Beast and mingle with the guests and stall holders.

As they shake hands, Galar recommends Fyllion find Ignace for a swig of his rum. Let’s really clear those sinuses and open that throat ahead of the performance!

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Operating the barbecue pit is Ignace, a strapping young half-orc. He’s wearing a tight white tank top and short-shorts, which makes some guests uncomfortable when he’s bent over his grill, while others take great delight in this different kind of meat on display. He’s wearing a leather half-apron, with a rag tucked in.

He wipes the sweat off his forehead when he hears Archibald ask about his rum. Proudly, he shows off the barrels he uses for his home distilled gin, as well as the baby-Björn-like contraption of leather straps and buckles he uses to carry his barrel of choice on his chest as he walks (and maybe raids, wink-wink).

Fyllion quickly joins the conversation when he hears they’re discussing rum!

Ignace offers the fruits of his barbecue pit: a southern platter with grilled tomatoes, a fluffy biscuit with gravy, corn on the cob with garlic butter and a few sliced of a hunk of grilled triceratops marinated with sage, thyme and garlic.

As they enjoy the food and drinks, Captain Magpie isn’t shy about the Young Kraken’s adventures on the high seas. Thoroughly charmed, Fyllion expresses his interest in potentially joining the crew. That’s bound to inspire a lot of new songs!

• Captain Magpie is always up to adopt another baby-faced adventurer, better they’re with him than with some random bad captain!
• Archibald is just looking out of himself & his mate Sigurd, they’ll be able to make a new crew member do all the rowing
• Ezra is a little hesitant, but they can’t really express why

None of them really notice Fyllion’s bagpipes, they’re still unaware of that instrument’s true nature.

Ezra follows their nose, having caught the scent of some Kharkhorin dishes – might some stall offer a taste of their home?! The others follow Ezra, as Fyllion hustles off to the central stage, it’s time to perform!

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During the performance, Fyllion performs extremely well (with a NATURAL TWENTY). Unable to stop himself, he belts out his lyrics:

I want to baste the beast, let me baste the beast. From the dusk until the dawn!

The other musicians and dancers are a bit confused, but Storm rises to the challenge & manages to improvise a more fitting version of the Bharatanatyam, focussing on the passage of time, rather than strictly on the movement of the sun across the sky. The improvisation might look a bit weird under the banner spanning the stage with the symbol of the golden sun, but their synergy more than overcomes that.

Fyllion uses his dazzling performance to magically enhance his new friendships:

• Archibald, Ezra and Magpie are enthralled, sealing their friendship with Fyllion (Archibald is completely won over, thanks to a NATURAL ONE)
• Galar is not enthralled. Even though Fyllion is upsetting the planned performance of the classical Bharatanatyam, he merely smirks at Fyllion, whispering to another worker.

None of our friends notice the elegant woman observing the Bharatanatyam from the door of the restaurant The Basted Beast. In the gleaming midday sun, her hair shines like a golden helmet, closely cropped to the nape of her neck and leaving her forehead free. Her pale skin is taut over her wide, Slavic cheekbones and her bright blue eyes seem to glitter with the same intensity as the glowing sun symbol over the door of the restaurant (see images). This is Bris.

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Aware he violated his contract to perform the traditional, fully instrumental version, Fyllion hurries away from the other musicians, and more importantly, from Galar and his burly co-worker. He re-joins the others & hidden by Archibald’s bulk, he shifts into Tommy Lutish without Galar noticing.

Fyllion decides to keep hanging out with the crew he’s decided to join, for safety and fun during the festival!

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Ezra leads the group to Vestri, an older human woman. Her stall sells a wide array of vegetarian small-plates. One selection does indeed offer a taste of Kharkhorin (see images). That’s not an issue, because in the prequel there is no overt political tension between the realms yet. Alas, I missed Ecchima’s cue, so we didn’t really explore Kharkhorin cuisine, I’m sorry!

Delighted by the group’s appreciation, Vestri invites them to try her stall’s specialty: vegetarian dumplings with a gulyas filling of tomatoes, peppers, onion and garlic, with a trademark blend of spices (see Images). They can taste some cumin, but are unable to guess the rest!

Fyllion enjoys them, while Captain Magpie can’t finish the small-plate (he’s got the stature and stomach of a toddler, after all). He passes the rest to Archibald. Ezra nibbles one dumpling politely, but because of the garlic, they also pass the rest to Archibald. Bolstered by the fresh white wine complementing the dumplings, Archibald doesn’t mind & indulges!

None of them notice that, on a nearby flower box between two stalls, a slender white cat pricks up its ears and tilts its head sideways to observe the group with interest.

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Gloria, one of the festival’s bussers, picks up their empty glasses and plates and urges the group to wander on & explore more stalls.

Happy with their success so far, they are agreeable to the idea.

I tried to tempt Ezra with a stall full of fantastic tablecloths, but Ecchima saw through the appeal of the silk and lace fluttering in the mid-afternoon breeze.

From the next stall over, the twinkle of copper pots and steel blades does ignite a similar twinkle in captain Magpie’s eye. The tiny knives attract his attention: a paring knife to peel potatoes not so much, maybe, but a wickedly hammered boning knife would make a wonderful addition to the Young Kraken’s kitchen, as well as a deserving dagger for Captain Magpie! Leon, the stall holder, convinces Captain Magpie to test his knife on a full serrano ham, bone in.

While Leon expected Magpie to merely try slicing a few slices, Captain Magpie’s DIRTY TWENTY ensures he twirls the knife with great flourish, slicing several wafer-thin slices of dried meat. Leon laughs in delight and hands out garlic toast and tiny cold glasses of ice cold gin to toast to this successful sale. Just the fact that Leon still has ice cold gin available at the beginning of the afternoon is a tribute to the Michelin-level of this festival.

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As Archibald’s eyes open wide to fully appreciate the cool burn of the gin going down, he notices the cat observing their group with cutely tilted head. It’s a very elegant animal, sleek and slender, with a wonderfully soft white fur. Its bright blue eyes, shining with intelligence, blink up at Archibald.

How can he resist? Archibald drops the rind of his serrano slices on the ground for the cat.

Disappointment speaks from every line of its body: the rind? In the dirt? As the cat is morosely pawing at the food on the ground, Archibald listens to his buccaneer’s heart and slices some fresh serrano. As soon as the cat spots that, it twines eagerly between and around Archibald’s legs. Purring, it rubs its head and shoulders against his boots, so it’s with eager anticipation that Archibald kneels down to hand feed the serrano.

Daintily, the cat eats the cured meat off his fingers. Archibald revels in the feeling of that rough rasping feeling a cat’s tongue gives, till suddenly he feels a sharp and stinging pain! The cat has pierced his finger to the bone! It leaves a single circular mark, welling with blood.

Before anyone can even react, the cat has dashed off between the legs of other visitors. Our friends lose track of the cat, and none of them notice that the cat joins Bris, leaping up into her arms.

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When the group notices Galar is mother-henning around the stage at the centre of the festival, they reckon it’s time for the second performance. Disguised as Tommy Lutish, Fyllion has no problem getting backstage, and as soon as he’s out of reach of Galar, he finds a quiet corner to transform back.

With a flourish he leaps onto the scene, but alas, after chit-chatting with his new friends so much, his voice has gone hoarse and though he tries to sing his made-up lyrics for the Bharatanatyam, it’s clear they’re inaudible. Undeterred, the polecat Storm keeps his promise and performs a classic version of the accompanying ballet. This time, the graceful flicks of his arms and wrists lyrically evoke the journey of the sun through the sky. In the golden light of the afternoon, it’s a magical moment.

From the door of the Basted Beast, Bris observes the ancient movements and tune with deep satisfaction.

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As soon as the show ends, Galar accosts Fyllion backstage – this second performance was impressive, but that was mainly thanks to Storm. Galar refuses to pay Fyllion the 15 gold pieces the other performers received: Fyllion didn’t hold up his end of the bargain, since he ruined the mid-day Bharatanatyam with his blasted lyrics about basting!

An argument ensues between a grumpy Galar and a delightfully charming Fyllion. Galar insists on the point that the Bharatanatyam has a deep and personal meaning for Bris, in its full and unmodified version. As he nods over to the restaurant where his employer is at work, Fyllion and the others spot Bris in the doorway of the black marble building. She’s wearing a chef’s white jacket and a long white apron, cradling the white cat in her arms. Next to her stands an elegant white swan wearing a thick gold collar in which the same symbol of the glowing sun is engraved. Bris’ hair glows in the afternoon sun, which also glints off the swan’s golden collar.

Galar suggests they head over to the restaurant to discuss this payment issue with Bris. She’s the host of the festival and the owner of the Basted Beast, and of course she’s the one who insisted on the Bharatanatyam after all.

As they’re nodding at Galar, agreeing with his suggestion, Archibald is surprised to feel the cat twining around his legs again. How did that beast get here so fast? And how does it get away so fast, again, when Archibald tries to kick it for biting him?  

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Bris invites Fyllion and his new friends into the (closed) restaurant, as she explains her abiding personal attachment to the classical version of the Bharatanatyam, even mimicking the central motif of the ballet with an understated movement of her hands.

As they walk a little deeper into the restaurant to gather near the bar, Galar remains outside and closes the door behind the group. No one notices he locks the door as well.

Fyllion tries to charm Brys, but with a cheeky side-eye, she resists his magic spell. He does manage to lie Galar’s instructions were unclear. He did suggest Fyllion drink Ignace’ rum before the first performance, after all.

Speaking of rum, a slightly older woman with blond hair plaited and braided into a crown on top of her head glides from behind the bar. With an elegant gesture, Berling starts distributing little glasses of rum as well as tiny amuse-bouches: puff-pastry squares with toum (a creamy Lebanese garlic-based sauce) and small prawns, decorated with allium flowers. With a soothing smile, she suggests everybody chill and talk this over.

• Archibald slams his drink back
• Magpie crushes a pearl on one of his earrings, creating a shimmering whisp near his ear. Mentally, he asks it if this rum (in this gloomy restaurant served by this creepily smiling front-of-house hostess on behalf of this creepily intense dance lover) is poisoned… the whisp responds that the rum is just rum, but have you seen… the nail polish… on Berling’s fingers… or no, wait, it’s just nail polish, I guess. So Magpie starts sipping his rum too
• Fyllion refuses another drink
• Ezra laps at their drink, like a tiny kitten, how adorable!
• Archibald drinks Fyllion’s drink

As Archibald leans back to go bottoms-up with the second glass of rum, Berling attacks, slamming him down into a chair, hard! Before anyone can respond, she tilts his chair back and starts dragging him off, deeper into the restaurant!

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The first round surprises our friends, so they’re not doing very well. I was a little freaked out because all the players were clumped together in the turn order, meaning my baddies were also all together. I had a hard time balancing that.

The new friends realise that there’s a bartender present, Eilif is his name and slinging cocktails is his game. But if Bris asks, he’ll slam your skull in with a beer stein! Fyllion and Magpie's bruises can attest to his effectiveness.

Berling gets hurt & her glamour fades: her dark and dangerous side is revealed as we discover she’s a blood slave! Everyone panics: are they all blood slaves, is there a vampire nearby, is this a demon cat, will we have to fight a swampire?? How did everyone manage to walk in the sun?

Captain Magpie and Fyllion are badly hurt, but when it’s the swan’s turn, the swan spreads its wings and in a magical girl moment, a wave of white light shines from its feathers, healing our friends!

With a disdainful gesture, Bris throws 15 gold pieces at Fyllion’s feet.

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As the fight continues, captain Magpie unmasks the cat: it’s not a cat! This creature is a kamaitachi: it’s face looks like an evil grinning skull and it’s got paws like a praying mantis. No wonder it hurt captain Magpie so badly when it attacked.

Archibald manages to kill Berling, despite having to hack at her blindly, since she’s still behind him. With an inhuman screech, she falls down. Bris and Eilif give a similar howl.

Fyllion picks up the gold. He notices it’s got the same sun symbol engraved. He feels a deeply uncomfortable feeling of malice as soon as he touches them, so he drops them again. Bris taunts him she doesn’t care about the gold, it’s that lovely vain in that golden throat she’s interested in!

Seeing no one urgently needs healing, the swan sends our friends a vision: they see how the sun symbol is present everywhere in the restaurant and the festival, they feel the same evil feeling Fyllion’s already experienced. At the end of the vision, one image lingers: the thick golden collar, securely nestled that the base of the swan’s well-muscled long neck.

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As Archibald and Ezra find their feet, the tide of the fight turns: Archibald manages to kill the kamaitachi by slinging it against the wall very hard, causing Bris to wail in dismay. Ezra hurts Bris enough to cause her glamour to fail: it’s clear she’s an actual vampire, undoubtedly the one who enthralled Berling and Eilif.

With some skilful lockpicking, Magpie opens the lock on the swan’s collar. It’s got barbs driven into it’s skin and muscles. When Magpie takes off the collar, the swan spreads its wings once more and blasts a white hot ray of sunlight through the restaurant!

Bris flees & abandons Eilif.

Magpie hesitates over Eilif: he looks young but how old is he? The festival has existed for decades, people Magpie sent here lost contact… in the end he orders Archibald to arrest him. Archibald knocks Eilif unconscious & they citizen-arrest him.  

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Our friends manage to open the door, since Galar noticed the fight wasn’t going well for his employer.

• The festival seems abandoned: benches are overturned, plates and napkins were left everywhere, all the visitors and all the staff operating the stalls have gone
• Galar and Balar are nowhere to be seen either
• As soon as the door opens, the swan takes flight. Our friends track it’s flight across the sky until it wings towards the setting sun & they can’t see it anymore in the glare.

Sigurd and Storm are waiting for the crew near the rowboat in the port, a bit bemused by the sudden turn of the festival…

Fyllion uses his last spell of the day to convince Sigurd to row. Hazing can wait! From the prow Captain Magpie shouts “homewards, to the Young Kraken”.

Images

Lowell's Hollow	a cheeky study of Ignace, a character I borrowed from Wouter	a glimpse of Kharkhorin cuisine
	image credit: https://danbooru.donmai.us/posts/4646146
the symbol of the glowing sun	Captain Magpie's new boning knife	Dins calls this final shot a "doodle" ??