Return of the Rat Queen

//Game Master

After the creeping horror of the Pale Consumption, the sudden return to normality felt almost abrasive. Cottonmouth didn’t stop to catch its breath; it simply resumed its frantic, soot-choked rhythm. The docks churned with merchant vessels, the taverns spilled over with rowdy sailors, and the coin changed hands just as rapidly as before.

For the crew of *All In a Days WORK*, the aftermath brought a rare, heavy purse. The city’s reward was more than generous, and the immediate instinct among the ranks was to watch it vanish into the local taverns and supply shops.

Jessica, however, stepped in with the sharp pragmatism that kept their enterprise afloat. Standing in the center of their office, red pigtails swaying as she tapped her ledger with a quill, she firmly redirected the bulk of the gold into the company bank account. Expansion required capital, and Jessica had no intention of letting their hard-won momentum dissolve into standard mercenary revelry.

With the unnatural blight lifted, the natural world—or what passed for it in Cottonmouth—reclaimed its territory. The ordinary, mundane rats returned to the shadows and sewers, a sign that the balance had restored itself. For Carlos, this meant the trail was warm again. The relentless hunter slipped back into the cityscape, his mind consumed once more by the scent of his elusive quarry, Carmen Cordell.

As for their eccentric employer, Dr. Abraham Frog, he had vanished back into the obscurity of his work. No eccentric visits, no frantic summons. The only acknowledgment of their near-fatal heroism was an indirect delivery: a formal, chillingly polite thank-you note from the *Silver Wolf* organization. It praised their services to the protection of Cottonmouth and the broader expanse of the Great Continent, ending with a sparse, ominous promise that the organization would be in touch when the time was right.

For a few precious weeks, the silence was absolute. Wounds knit into scars, the mental exhaustion of figh

//Game Master

ting an insidious plague slowly lifted, and the daily routine of breakfast and business became a comforting anchor.

Until this morning.

The scent of chicory coffee and frying bacon usually defined the morning descent into the main shop, but today, an unfamiliar smell hung in the air—the sharp, pungent odor of cedar shavings, damp hemp, and a metallic tang that made the hairs on the back of the neck stand up.

Jessica was the first down the stairs, her leather boots clicking softly against the floorboards, her hand instinctively resting near the hilt of her rapier. The office, usually organized to her exacting standards, had been subtly intruded upon.

Sitting squarely in the center of the floor was a massive, reinforced wooden crate. It hadn't arrived through the front doors; those were still securely barred from the inside. Yet there it sat, heavy and silent. Thick iron bands wrapped around the dark timber, held together by heavy rivets, but it wasn't the construction that drew the eye.

Stamped aggressively across the rough-sawn wood of the front panel was a symbol in thick, dark crimson paint.

A heavy, stylized rat’s paw.

The paint was dry, but the jagged edges of the emblem looked remarkably like dried blood under the weak morning light filtering through the shop window.

There was no shipping manifest, no courier's note, and no address. Just the crate, the heavy silence of the room, and the unmistakable feeling that their brief period of rest had officially come to an end.

//Jessica

"Oh I don't like the looks of this, no, not one bit."

//Fidget

"Probably best not to touch anything yet."

I study the crimson rat's paw, in hopes that maybe some sort of memory might come up. Have I ever seen this symbol before?

//Game Master

Fidget recognizes the symbol as the mark of the Red Scarves.

The last time the group saw this was in the smugglers cave under Highstone Lighthouse.

//Game Master

As Fidget investigates the crate he can see that it is not trapped or dangerous, and from the sound it makes when tapped it is full.

Looking through a knot hole in the crates planks, Fidget sees that the crate has apples inside, and something else which looks like paper, but other than that he can't tell.

//Jessica

"Is it safe to open Fidget, what can you see?"

//Fidget

"Hmm, it seems to be full of apples. I'm gonna carefully use my crowbar to pry it open."

I then retrieve my crowbar and do exactly as I said, and carefully pry open the crate from the top.

//Game Master

Fidget carefully opens the crate with his crowbar.

As the side falls away, green apples topple out over the floor, along with a rolled up scroll, the scroll is tied up with a yellow handkerchief, and marked on the side with a red rats paw.

//Jessica

“That yellow handkerchief looks really familiar for some reason, where have I seen it before?”

//Fidget

I pick up the scroll and untie the handkerchief.

“The mark of the Red Scarves.”

I say as I hand the handkerchief to Jessica. I then unroll the scroll and begin reading it.

//Game Master

*Fidget reads the scroll, it isn’t very long, but it is very concise.*

Dear All In a Days WORK,

We have the Apple Lady.

Come to the abandoned cheese factory in Tollwin, or she dies.

Hoping you are well,

Carmen Cordell

Rat Queen

P.S. Bring my chest.

//Jessica

*Jessica grips the yellow handkerchief tightly*

“Oh No! That’s why I recognized this handkerchief, it’s Abby’s!”

//Game Master

Right on cue, as if he sensed trouble was brewing, Carlos Montoya jumped down from the windowsill into the shop.

//Carlos Montoya

“Morning Everyone, I thought I smelled a rat!”

//Jessica

“Thank goodness you’re here Carlos, that horrible rat Carmen Cordell has kidnapped Abby the Apple Merchant!!!!”

//Carlos Montoya

“That rotten rat! Where is she hiding?! Is there a ransom?”

//Jessica

“There’s no mention of a ransom, although the note does say to bring her chest....you know the one with the weird lock that we can’t open, that we took from her docks warehouse..... The note says to come to the abandoned cheese factory in Tollwin.”

//Carlos Montoya

“Another Docks Ward.....why does everything always happen around the Docks?”

//Fidget

“Whatever is inside, must be worth more than gold to Carmen. Maybe we should figure out what’s inside the chest first. We might get the upper hand.”

//Fidget

“We also should be very careful. Us going to the cheese factory, with the chest sounds like a possible trap.”

//Fidget

I then go and inspect the lock and the chest.

//Game Master

Bringing out the chest and inspecting the lock it is as Jessica had said, a very strange lock.

The chest itself isn’t very big, but it is well made and reinforced, the lock is built into the chest and is not a separate part, it has two keyholes slightly spaced apart by about two centimeters, connected to a seven digit alphabetical combination lock.

//Fidget

“Wow, this is a beautiful chest with an even more beautiful lock.”

I get closer to the lock and inspect it closer. I investigate the seven digits for any letters that look worn more than the others. I also look at the lock for any possible fingerprints or any hidden symbols or engravings.

//Game Master

Looking over the intricate lock Fidget doesn’t find anything that would help in solving the lock, it is a masterwork in design.

Fidget does however see that the two key locks need to be turned at the exact same time, but he doesn’t find any symbols or fingerprints.

//Jessica

“This is obviously a trap, but it seems too elaborate to be only about killing us, it is a little unnerving”

//Fidget

I rub my chin, as I think...

“I’m thinking that there are two locks because two different people are supposed to open it at the same time... Maybe she can’t open it either. Which would give us some leverage.... But it’s just a thought.”

//Carlos Montoya

“She’s been in hiding for some time now, you can guarantee she’s got something big planned, her motive and goal is revenge, and although she wants whatever is in that chest, I think it’s more of an after thought, since she could have easily taken it when she delivered this crate, or wait until we are out of the picture then easily stroll in and take it.”

//Jessica

“Either way we need to get to Tollwin, before something terrible happens to Abby.”

//Fidget

I adjust my new Camouflage Cloak, that I happen to find in the surplus store.

“I agree we don’t have time to waste. Maybe we can trick them with our own trap... When we reach the cheese factory, maybe I should scout ahead. If I can stay hidden, I might be able to find Abby , count the enemies, and spot an ambush. What’s everyone else thinking?

//Jessica

“But what if they see you, then that rotten rat will have two hostages!”

//Carlos Montoya

“I’d have to agree with Jessica, and I can see you are itching to try out that new cloak you found at the surplus store in the markets.....but I’m sure there will be other.... less reckless opportunities for you to practice your craft.”

//Fidget

I nod

“That’s a very good point. Getting caught, will almost certainly cost Abby her life.... I say we put our eyes on the cheese factory and see what we’re working with, before we make any decisions. If there’s a safe way for me to scout, without risking Abby’s life — I’ll take it. If not, we’ll stick together.

//Jessica

“Ok well let’s take this chest and get moving.”

//Game Master

The group collects their equipment, and the strange chest, and prepares to head for the factory district of Tollwin.

//Game Master

As the group prepares, there is a high pitched ringing as the shop door opens, ringing the entry bell.

The group turns unsure what to expect based on the start of their morning, and are greeted by what looks to be a priest.

//Boran Vespera

“Good day! I’ve just made my way into town and am looking for some work and a place to stay. Do you know of an opportunity for either?”

//Jessica

“Oh hello”

*Jessica waves to the person in the doorway*

“This is All In a Days WORK, my name’s Jessica, if you are looking for work we would be happy to oblige, in fact we were just on our way out for......work I guess.”

//Carlos Montoya

*Carlos jumps up onto the table a site strange to be sure as the two foot tall blue black cat stands paws on hips in his boots, a swashbucklers hat with a purple feather on his head.*

“My name is Carlos Montoya, what she means is, we are off to rescue a dear friend from a villainous rat!”

//Fidget

I give a polite nod...

“Names Fidget. We don’t usually hire someone while on rescue, but right now we can use all the help we can get.... So tell me, are you willing to risk your neck for someone you have never met? If so, then you are exactly where you are supposed to be.”

//Boran Vespera

“I am happy to help. What’s this about a rat?”

//Jessica

“Carmen Cordell.....We may have ruined her plans to poison the City’s milk supply, and burned down her warehouse.”

//Carlos Montoya

“And rescued hundreds of cats she had catnapped and was milking against their will”

*Stomps his boots on the table*

//Jessica

“That to”

//Game Master

With Boran now officially on board to assist *All In a Days WORK*, the group wastes no time. The task ahead is clear: infiltrate the factory district, bypass the perimeter, and rip Abby from the tightening clutches of Carmen Cordell.

As they march, the strange, intricately locked chest they recovered remains a lingering puzzle. Despite its intimidating size, it weighs next to nothing in their hands—a jarring lack of heft that leaves the team quietly wondering if they are carrying a priceless secret or an expertly crafted vacuum.

Their path takes them straight through the teeth of the early morning rush. They weave through crowded market streets, navigating a chaotic sea of shouting hawkers, stacked stalls, and coin-pinching merchants. The air hangs thick with the smell of salt and dried fish as they skirt the wharfs, pushing past weathered seafarers bustling along the docks of Cottonmouth.

But as they cross a final network of stone bridges and sluggish canals, the vibrant, noisy chaos of the markets begins to bleed away.

They enter Tollwin, the city’s grim industrial heart. Here, the cramped apartments and colorful shopfronts give way to monolithic warehouses and soot-stained factories. The frantic foot traffic of the docks is replaced by the heavy, rhythmic grinding of industry: massive cargo wagons rattling over cobblestones, iron-hulled canal barges low in the water, and towering freight vessels groaning against the piers.

Leading the way is Carlos. To navigate the human-dominated sprawl without drawing unwanted attention, he has pulled a deep, shadowed hood over his face, keeping his feline features thoroughly masked. He guides the party off the district’s main thoroughfares, slipping down narrower alleys until the looming silhouette of their destination appears.

The old cheese factory sits tucked away between a sprawling scrap yard and a cluster of towering industrial silos. It was once a crown jewel of the local dairy trade before mysterious new owners

//Game Master

bought it out and promptly shuttered the public operation.

Though the exterior is visibly run-down—its brickwork crumbling and windows caked in grime—a low, mechanical thrum vibrates through the walls. It is still very much active.

Any doubts about who is running the interior disappear at the sight of the loading docks. Stacked high along the courtyard, every single wooden crate and transport wagon bears the same aggressive, freshly painted mark: the crimson paw of the Red Scarves.

As the group pulls back into the shadows of an alleyway to plan their approach, they spot the frontline of the trap. Standing dead-center at the factory’s main entrance are two massive, imposing figures. They are entirely shrouded in heavy, dark cloaks, their faces completely lost beneath deep hoods, standing in eerie, absolute stillness as if waiting for the company to arrive.

//Jessica

“They are obviously waiting for us.....but do we try and sneak in? Or do we just walk up and introduce ourselves?”

Fidget

I study the two cloak figures for a good while, and then I glance at the surroundings of the building and its rooftops.

“Before we decide on anything, let’s make sure these two aren’t just a distraction from what we’re not seeing.”

Game Master

The group looks closely, there doesn’t seem to be a trap, no hidden forces laying in wait, but they can tell the two large forms at the entrance are not human, there is a hint of a tail poking out from ones heavy cloak, and their ankles are covered in brown fur, also they aren’t wearing shoes, instead their overly long feet are wrapped in cloth.

Carlos Montoya

“I recognize that smell.... it’s Bill and Ben.... Although they are a lot bigger since last we met”

Boran Vespera

“So…who are Bill and Ben?”

Jessica

“Bill and Ben, Carmen’s want to be Rat Men, but Carlos is right, last we saw them they were just big rats, now......they are looking bigger and buffer, maybe they are juicing?”

Carlos Montoya

“So .... What’s the plan......we going to walk up and say hello, since they are waiting for us, or are we doing this a different way?”

Boran Vespera

“I defer to you on this. You know them…”

Fidget

“It does seem as if they’re expecting us.... If Abby is alive, then the chest is our leverage. Starting a fight at the front door doesn’t sound like a good idea to me... I suppose we should walk up carefully, and see how they react.”

Game Master

The group make their way towards the two large sentries, as they approach one turns towards them, between his large paws the party sees a little black sign with gold lettering which reads ‘All In a Days WORK’.

Now that they are looking directly at the group, the party can see slightly under their hoods and can confirm that they are definitely oversized rodents of large proportions.

Large incisors protrude from their open mouths, their nose and whiskers twitching as they watch the group approach with beady little eyes, their ears flattened down inside their hoods framing their rat features in a comical fashion.

Game Master

The two large man sized rats look at the group and squint.

Carlos Montoya

Carlos removes the hood of his cloak

“Bill and Ben, let’s not keep Carmen waiting, hurry up and show us the way!”

Game Master

The two large rat’s eyes grow wide when they realize who it is, and lean back in shock.

Then once they had calmed down, they stepped aside and opened the door for the group to enter.

Jessica

“I guess this is it, no turning back now.”

Boran Vespera

“I’ll be ready…whatever happens.”

Game Master

As the groups eyes adjust to the gloom of inside the abandoned cheese factory they realize they are not alone.

Inside is not as rundown as they expected and seems to still be producing cheese, although it doesn’t look or smell like cows cheese.

But the most shocking sight within are the rats. They are everywhere, wall to wall, of all shapes and sizes, some even have little hats, and clothes, some are working the machines to produce the cheese, but most are just sitting and staring at the party.

The floor is absolutely covered in rodents, yet as the group moves forward they part to allow the group to pass through them, in fact they seem to be guiding the group in the direction they need to travel.

Space opens up before the group as they move forward clearing the way, but closes in behind them.

All the while the sound of squeaks and little paws across the stone floor, while Bill and Ben follow slowly behind the group.

Game Master

The group is led down into the basement of the factory, then through a tunnel into the city sewers below, and all the while in every direction over every available space are rats.

Jessica

“It’s like every rat in the city is here!”

Carlos Montoya

“Carmen and her theatrics”

Game Master

The party follows the rat swarm through the sewers, past rusted gates which they hear Bill and Ben lock behind them, every step they take meticulously designed to instill the knowledge that they are within Carmen’s domain, where she is queen, her word is law, and they are alone.

Soon the sound of scraping of claws, squeaks, and running sewer water begins to fade, drained out and replaced by a high frequency rolling round, soft at first but building with each step until it is all the group can hear.

Ahead an archway of moldy stone looms up, covered by an old tattered ship sail with the red paw of the Red Scarves printed on it.

Bill and Ben move ahead and standing to either side pull back the curtain to allow the party to enter.

Passing through the curtains the group enter a large amphitheater, perhaps once a storm water catchment area, Carmen has spared no expense in transforming the area into a large colosseum style arena.

Rats of all shapes and sizes fill the seats, there are some humans, some human sized rats, and wererats in varying stages of transformation.

There are some rats with clothes, hats, uniforms, while others just look like rats from all parts of the city.

And then the group sees her, Carmen Cordell.

Sitting on a large leather recliner, in a white flapper dress, and wearing an expensive looking necklace and fur wrap.

Bill and Ben have taken up position behind her seat as all eyes now turn to the party.

A clank behind the group confirms that their entrance is now locked and sealed.

Game Master

The squeaking and clambering dies down slightly as Carmen raises a hand.

Carmen Cordell

“Welcome honoured guests, I hope you enjoy this special party I created just for you, to celebrate our history together........did you bring my chest?”

Jessica

“We have your chest Carmen, now where’s Abby!?”

Carmen Cordell

“Why she’s right there.”

Carmen Cordell smiles and points upwards, as she gently tucks her short red hair behind her ear and stares down at the group with her piercing green eyes

Game Master

There high above, the group can see Abby the Apple Merchant inside an iron cage suspended from the ceiling by a thick iron chain.

Carlos Montoya

“Let her go you rotten rat!!”

Carmen Cordell

“Gladly.....but first my chest if you wouldn’t mind.”

Boran Vespera

“I am truly sorry, but I’m unsure why you would have anyone in a cage like that. It is highly uncouth.”

Carmen Cordell

Carmen raises an eyebrow and laughs

“You must be new, look around, you’re in a sewer surrounded by my family, and you’re worried about, etiquette.....I like this one, kill him last, if they resist......now, my chest, where is it?”

Jessica

“We have your chest right here Carmen....now let Abby go!”

Game Master

A chain with a hook on one end is lowered down to the party.

Carmen Cordell

“Attach the chest to the hook, then I will allow you to free Abby and be on your way.”

Boran Vespera

“I was born at night, but it wasn’t last night.

I have a spell that will guarantee that everyone is telling the truth. If you agree to allow this spell to be cast on you and do not offer resistance AND I am confident that all parties will get what they agree to, this deal can proceed. Do you consent?”

Carmen Cordell

“I’m a lot of things, but a liar isn’t one of them, I have no need since I always get what I want, here’s my counter proposal, put the chest on the hook, and I will allow you to free Abby and be on your way, or we fight it out here and now”

Looking around at the thousands of rats, and wererats clambering around the arena

“Personally I think the odds are slightly in our favour in that regard”

Jessica

“I’m inclined to believe her......if she just wanted us dead, it would have already happened, this feels more like some kind of entertainment”

Carlos Montoya

“I hate to admit it but Jessica is probably right”

Jessica

Jessica produces the chest ready to attach it to the hook and chain

Fidget

I keep my sights on Carmen — waiting to see if she honors her word.

Jessica

Jessica begrudgingly attaches the chest to the hook and yanks the chain

Game Master

The chest is quickly retrieved as the chain rattles up into the high ceiling above, moments later a large wererat scuttles up to Carmen and presents the chest.

Carmen Cordell produces a strange two pronged key, she inserts the key, as her slender nimble fingers quickly dial in the combination on the cypher, then with a turn of her slender wrist the chest is unlocked.

Another large wererat crouches down on all fours to the right of her leather recliner, as reaching into the small chest impossibly up to her shoulder she retrieves an ornate crystal wine glass and places it on the wererats back, using it as a table.

She then reaches in once more up to her shoulder retrieving a large bottle of red wine covered in dust.

Carmen Cordell

“I was saving this for a special occasion...... I think this classifies.”

Game Master

The group notices her hand has changed slightly, now sporting vicious looking claws, as she stabs and removes the cork from the bottle using her clawed finger.

She then pours a large slosh of wine into the glass.

Carmen Cordell

Raising the wine glass to her lips and taking a sip

“Now as promised I will allow you to free your friend.”

She waves a hand

Game Master

The Grand Unveiling

The heavy, grease-caked gears of the factory floor groan to life with a deafening, metallic screech. Suddenly, the entire chamber is a buzz of violent motion. The ground beneath your feet violently trembles, vibrated by the sudden awakening of ancient, rusted machinery deep below the stone foundations.

With a series of jarring stops and explosive starts, the flat, colosseum-style arena begins to collapse and reconstruct itself before your very eyes.

Stone slabs recede into the walls. Towering iron platforms hiss as they grind upward. Within moments, the open floor has completely transformed into a jagged, multi-leveled labyrinth of pure lethality:

Below you, wide pits yawn open, filled with bubbling, rancid industrial oil and grease that radiate a sickening heat.

To the flanks, shadowy, pitch-black enclosures expose the silhouettes of hidden nests, while tangled webs of fractured copper pipes begin venting violent, screaming jets of superheated steam.

Cutting through the center, stone aqueducts roar to life, suddenly flooded with a raging, chest-deep torrent of filthy sewer water.

And at the apex, high above the madness on a rusted gallows platform, two hulking rat-man enforcers throw their weight against a massive wooden turnstile. The iron chain rattles and groans, and the iron cage holding Abby the Apple Merchant sways precariously over the lethal drops.

From her leather recliner, Carmen Cordell throws her head back, her laughter cutting sharp and clear through the mechanical roar.

Around the arena, the shadows come alive.

Hundreds of rats, agile wererats, and massive, mutated horrors in-between stomp their feet, rattle weapons against the pipes, and roar in savage excitement.

The trap has been sprung. The gauntlet is set. And now... the Rat Queen’s game must be played.

Carmen Cordell

“All In a Days WORK,”

Carmen purrs, swirling her crimson wine

“let’s see what you’re made of. Go!”

Carlos Montoya

“That rotten, two faced, double crossing RAT!”

Jessica

Sighs

“Let’s not pretend like we didn’t see this coming.”

Game Master

The air hits you first—hot, rancid, and thick with the overwhelming stench of scorched dairy and industrial lubricant.

Your first step on the path leads you to the lip of a yawning pit that spans the entire width of the passage.

Looking down, the surface is not water or shadow, but a viscous, slowly boiling lake of opaque, amber-colored industrial grease. Sickly yellow bubbles burst across its surface, splashing the grimy stone walls and radiating a wave of oppressive heat that immediately makes the sweat prickle on your skin.

The only way across is a treacherous path of moving iron. Three colossal, rusted gear shafts—remnants of the factory’s old curd-pulverizing system—rise vertically from the boiling grease.

Their flat, toothless upper faces spin in lazy, heavy alternating rotations: the first turning clockwise, the next counter-clockwise.

They are close enough to leap between, but slick with damp mold and fine spray from the grease below.

Adding to the complexity, the ceiling overhead is a chaotic tangle of heavily fractured copper piping. Steam screams through tiny hairline cracks, and at random, unpredictable intervals, a valve busts open, unleashing a dramatic, blinding burst of scalding white vapor that completely engulfs one of the spinning gear-platforms in a searing cloud.

Game Master Studying the scene, the group realizes they need to cross the gears to the other side to continue to the next area.

They see the gears moving, the boiling grease below, and the steam pipes above which randomly spray boiling hot steam over the gears.

From the looks of things it may be possible to, repair the steam pipes above using tools, removing that particular hazard, but it would have to be done from on the gear.

It looks like cooling the grease below may be possible reducing its effectiveness.

It may also be possible to jam the gears with a large measure of strength or damage, but doing so would cause the overhead steam pipes to trigger continuously as the pressure builds.

And of course the obvious tactic of running as fast as possible to clear the obstacle, although the area does look slippery.

Jessica “This looks dangerous..... what’s the plan?”

Carlos Montoya “Seems we can manipulate some of this area to make it less treacherous, but I’m not sure if the time and risk in doing so will pay off in the long run.”

Carlos Montoya “I’m going to try and get to the first cog, maybe see if I can fix that pipe!”

Game Master The nimble feline jumps onto the spinning gear and with incredible dexterity is able to repair one of the overhanging pipes.

Game Master With the pipe repaired the steam seems to no longer be a problem over the first revolving cog.

Game Master The pipes rattle and groan as pressurized steam builds up, but the quick repair job Carlos had made seems to hold.

Jessica “I don’t know what’s worse the heat or the smell.... here goes nothing!”

Jessica jumps across to the first cog next to Carlos, as the gears spin around and around

Fidget Jumps to the first gear where Jessica and Carlos are.

Fidget I land lightly on my feet.

“One down. Time to keep moving. We don’t want to give her too much time.”

Game Master With a little luck, Boran is able to jump safely over to the first cog.

Game Master Sylo jumps across to the first gear, just making it over the gap.

Game Master As the group makes their first jump they can hear the crowds of rats and wererats cheering and hollering at the spectacle below, some are even placing bets on who will fall into the boiling oil first.

Game Master Fidget quickly jumps to the next cog as it spins around, and carefully adjusts the steam pipes over the second gear making the area safe for the others.

Carlos Montoya Carlos Montoya quickly follows behind Fidget jumping on to the second gear as it turns

Jessica Jessica steadies herself then jumps on to the next gear behind Carlos and Fidget

Game Master Boran leaps across towards the second cog, but lands precariously at the edge, Jessica reaches out to assist as the cleric wabbles back and forth trying to get his balance, but is unable to steady himself slipping down into the boiling grease below.

The grease is thick and difficult to move in while it burns the clerics skin, the fumes causing his eyes to water and partially blinding him. Above the crowds cheer and holler at the humans misfortune.

Game Master Sylo takes a run up, jumping across to the second cog.

Fidget I look at the next cog — wait for the steam, and then take a running start before I leap.

Fidget I land on my feet effortlessly. I then turn around very quickly and get to work on the pipes.

Game Master As Fidget quickly gets to work on the steam pipes, he is able to repair them well enough that steam does not erupt out over the final gear.

Carlos Montoya Carlos follows behind Fidget, jumping across to the last gear

Game Master Sylo easily jumps across with the others.

Jessica Jessica reaches down to Boran as the cog turns around and around

“Here take my hand Boran!”

Boran Vespera “Thanks Jessica!!!”

Game Master Reaching up Boran grabs Jessica’s hand and is able to pull himself out of the boiling grease, then together they jump across to the final gear with the rest of the team.

Game Master

Boran leaps off the cog to the other side, quickly followed by Carlos, Jessica, and Sylo. Lastly Fidget leaps from the gear to join the others, but is slightly short landing on the grease slick edge of the platform.

But the experienced rogue drops to his hands and knees, and lays prone.

The crowd cheers as Fidget drops hoping he had fallen into the grease, but once they see he has skillfully avoided the trap there is a collective groan, this is exasperated by the fact that the team from All In a Days WORK have all reached the far side and have bested the obstacle.

Jessica

“Nice save Fidget”

Carlos Montoya

“One down, but we must hurry, for Abby”

Game Master

The group moves forward ready for the next challenge, as they enter the loud calling and yelling from above by the crowds is suddenly hushed. It seems this area is under some heavy enchantments which prevent noise from entering the area, it is also extremely dark, which doesn’t bother Carlos, Jessica, or Sylo, but for Fidget and Boran they have a hard time seeing their hand in front of their face.

In the darkness a low creaking can be heard and the quiet shuffling of bodies.

Jessica

Whispering very softly

“It’s a rickety old bridge, but there is a ton of sleeping, giant bats”

Carlos Montoya

Whispering

“How should we do this? If only half of us can see?”

Game Master

The group begins to move out, Fidget sets off first, feeling his way across the bridge, his nimble rogue fingers and agile footwork guiding the halfling through the darkness.

The others take it a little slower, ensuring they all make it across in one piece, Jessica and Carlos acting as Boran’s eyes and Sylo bringing up the rear.

Game Master

The group continues to move across the rickety bridge.

Fidget continues to move across ahead of the group, while the others continue their flow and steady crossing, yet as they reach the 30 foot mark Boran steps on a rotten board, the board breaks and Boran scrambles to keep his footing, but in the darkness the noise had startled two Giant Sewer Bats which swoop in buffeting the cleric as they try to regain their footing and return to their rest once more, luckily the heavily armoured human was not injured by the startled bats.

Meanwhile Jessica, Carlos, and Sylo continue on their way across the bridge silently.

As Fidget nears the end of the bridge, with only 30 feet left to go, he feels as though something is moving ahead in the darkness, but he can’t be sure.

The others seem too preoccupied with crossing quietly and don’t notice the forms now gathering at the far end of the bridge.

Game Master

As Fidget crosses over to the other side he sees shapes in the darkness moving towards them, and the glint of eyes shining in the dark.

Jessica, Boran, Sylo, and Carlos continue their careful crossing, yet, again Boran miss steps the rotting wood breaking and clattering as it falls away.

Once more the Giant Sewer Bats are disturbed, swooping down and clawing and buffeting Boran as they scramble to return to their roost.

The human cleric is now looking bloodied and beaten after his second brush with the Giant Sewer Bats.

Game Master

Carlos and Jessica quietly continue along the bridge, but as Sylo makes his way across his foot goes through a rotten board, startling the Giant Sewer Bats, which swarm around him causing serious injury before returning to their roost.

Fidget

I immediately freeze, and crouch low in the shadows. Without making a sound, I raise one clenched fist to signal everyone to stop. I then point two fingers toward my eyes, then I point out the figures moving in the darkness.... I then put my hands on my crossbow, keeping it ready just in case. I never take my eyes from the figures moving in the dark.

Game Master

Crouched down in the darkness, as the rest of the group slowly come up behind him, Fidget hears the familiar whistle of a hand crossbow bolt as shots from the darkness begin to whizz past him.

The shadows in the darkness ahead reload ready for another volley as the group nears the end of the bridge.

Game Master

Boran successfully moves ahead now with Carlos, Jessica, and Sylo almost at the end of the bridge.

Through the darkness they can see Fidget crouched down, while the darkness ahead shifts.

Peering through the murky blackness with their night vision, Jessica, Carlos, and Sylo can see three Wererat Rogues loading their hand crossbows for a second volley.

Game Master

Carlos, Sylo and Jessica finally reach the other side of the bridge, joining Fidget as he crouches down in the darkness.

Meanwhile the Wererat Rogues are preparing to attack once more.

Fidget

I move about 10 feet south, crouch, and with my crossbow I attack Wererat Rouge C.

Fidget

After I attack, I disengage and attempt to hide behind the stones by the end of the bridge.

Game Master

Fidgets silver bolt strikes the Wererat Rogue hard in the shoulder, but the Wererat is able to control the urge to cry out as it suffers in silence.

Game Master

Fidget slips away into the darkness, the Wererat Rogues don’t seem to be able to see him so instead, target Carlos as he comes off the bridge with Jessica and Sylo.

Game Master

Carlos is struck as bolts fly through the darkness, the swashbuckling feline grits his teeth and doesn’t make a sound, fighting through the pain as he draws his silver rapier and dagger.

Game Master

Boran carefully reaches the end of the bridge stepping off to join the others, as the Wererat Rogues load their crossbows for another volley.

Fidget

I peak my head up just enough just to line up another shot at Wererat C. I attack with advantage with my crossbow. After my attack I quickly try to hide back behind the rocks.

Game Master

Fidgets bolt whistles through the darkness like a sparkling silver star, hitting the Wererat Rogue hard.

The Wererat looks badly injured but manages to suppress the urge to cry out.

Drawing their weapons Jessica and Carlos move to the left to close the distance with the other wererats, but their attacks are easily dodged by the nimble Wererat Rogues as their keen eyes pierce the darkness.

Sylo, now on solid footing and in range unleashes a beam of crackling Eldritch Energy towards Fidgets badly injured target, the bright glowing beam striking the Wererat hard knocking it to the ground, but the casting of the spell was too loud, and the beam too bright startling the Giant Sewer Bats which swoop down on both Sylo who made the noise, and on the Wererat where the bright flash of energy from Sylo’s spell had terminated.

The startled bats scratch at Sylo and the Wererat causing serious injury, especially to the Wererat who was already badly hurt, and now lays bloody and battered on the cold stone its breath ragged and shallow.

Seeing that the tables have turned the Wererats choose to disengage from the combat making their escape into the darkness under sewer grates, and pipes.

Jessica

Whispering to the ground

“Rotten rats......we gotta keep moving this place is horrible, and we have to save Abby”

Boran Vespera

“I need to work on this moving quietly thing…”

Game Master

The group quickly and quietly make their way out of the area moving towards the next obstacle in their way towards freeing Abby.

As they exit the bubble of silence and darkness, their senses are immediately assaulted by the yelling and calling out from the crowds of Red Scarves above them, who had been watching the whole time.

As they get closer to the next challenge they can hear the sound of rushing water, and the rhythmic clanking of wood, and gears.

Game Master

The group enters a well lit, narrow stone channel which looks as though it was once used to divert runoff to cool the cheese factory’s heavy pasteurizing machinery.

Now, the Red Scarves have converted it into a brutal test of endurance.

At the far end of the 50-foot-long, high-walled stone sluice sits a massive, iron-grated waterwheel.

A team of giant rats are forcing the wheel to spin backward, churning the sewer runoff into a raging, chest-deep torrent that rushes directly toward the party.

To make matters worse, Red Scarf Brutes stand on elevated walkways 15 feet above the channel, actively dropping heavy, discarded iron gears and machinery parts down onto anyone attempting to wade upstream.

Game Master

At the far end in front of the waterwheel, the group can see a rusty old lader which leads out of the channel to the exit of the obstacle.

Carlos Montoya

With loud meow of shock Carlos leaps up onto Sylo’s shoulder

“I don’t like the water”

Game Master

The height of the water is inconvenient for Boran, Sylo, and Jessica, but for Fidget it is almost up to his shoulders making it difficult to move his arms.

Game Master

The group notices alcoves along the walls of the canal, moving inside would shield them from any falling debris, but moving in and out would definitely slow progress.

The group also notice that if the wheel is destroyed or the Giant Rats incapacitated, then moving up the canal to the exit ladder, would be a lot easier.

Carlos Montoya

With his dreadful distaste for water, and his short stature making moving up the canal impossible, Carlos can only hold on to Sylo and hope for the best

“Come on Sylo weigh anchor and set sail!”

Game Master

The giant rats continue their head long race turning the wheel which is forcing water down the canal, while the Wererat Brutes above pull out large crates filled with garbage and machine parts ready to begin throwing them at the group as they attempt to move ahead to the exit ladder at the far end.

Jessica

Jessica is unable to make any progress but is not pushed back by the torrent of water, she quickly casts her spells causing one of the Brutes to drop to the floor laughing uncontrollably

“If I can get close enough maybe I can stop the rats from turning the wheel!”

Sylo

Sylo tries to move up the canal but is pushed back

Carlos Montoya

Carlos meows in distress and leaps on to Boran’s back to save himself as Sylo is swept away

“I hope you’re made of stronger stuff my friend, I really don’t want to get wet”

Fidget

I plant my feet as best as I can. I raise my crossbow above the water and take aim at the middle rat working on the far wheel.

Game Master

With a burst of power Boran storms through the rapids as he stretches out his hand to the far wheel radiant light pours down disintegrating one of the giant rats.

Fidget’s silver bolt flies through the air striking a giant rat which topples out of the wheel dead into the waters of the canal.

With only one rat remaining the waterwheel slows and the raging torrent of water loses some of its strength.

Carlos Montoya

Unable to do much from his position on Boran’s shoulders Carlos waves his silver rapier in the air yelling curses at the Wererat Brutes on the platforms above

“Come down here ya cowards, and get what’s coming to ya!”

Game Master

The last Giant Sewer Rat continues running on the waterwheel as the rapids continue to flow albeit with less ferocity.

The Wererat Brute which Jessica had charmed stops laughing as the other Brutes hurl large barrels of rubbish, and machine parts into the canal, aimed at the group.

Game Master

Boran and Fidget are able to move aside in time dodging the barrels as they bob through the water, but Jessica fails to act in time, and is knocked off her feet into the current of the canal.

Fidget

I take aim with my crossbow at the last rat on the wheel.

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Game Master

Fidget fires a silvered bolts at the last of the Giant Rats running on the wheel, but misses his target.

Boran moves the Moonbeam over the Giant Rat, which squeals as it is disinterested in the radiant light.

As the last of the Giant Rats is destroyed the wheel slows to a stop, and the waters become calmer.

With the way forward clear of obstacles the Brutes job is done.

Jessica picks her self up out of the now calm waters and looks around in time to see the Wererat Brutes disappearing into the shadows.

Carlos Montoya

“That’s right! Run away to Mummy!”

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Game Master

The group easily walks up the canal now that the wheel has stopped, and mounting the ladder they look up towards the final challenge and the location of Abby the Apple Merchant.

All around the cheers, cries, and booing of the Red Scarves as they jostle and swell for a better view of the final challenge, only Carmen Cordell seems unimpressed and calm as she sits in her armchair swirling a Brandy glass, yet her brilliant green eyes show that she is watching intently and with expectations of a grand finale.

Game Master

Entering the area the group sees that this narrow, circular stone chamber sits directly above the Great Cistern’s primary drainage pool.

Spanning the center of the room is a towering vertical mechanical winch assembly. Thick, grease-coated iron chains run from a massive ceiling pulley, down through the center of the chamber floor, and out to the hanging iron cage holding Abby the Apple Merchant over a swirling, toxic whirlpool below.

A pack of hulking, muscle-bound rat-men, Giant Dire Rats similar to Bill and Ben, but less animated, are actively throwing their weight against the wooden handles of the turnstile crank.

With every rotation, the chains clank and rattle, lowering Abby closer to a gruesome demise.

The team must work rapidly to neutralize the Wererat Brutes and Rogues guarding the crank and physically jam the driving gears before the timer runs out.

Fidget

“Let’s keep our focus on the rats that are lowering the cage.”

I aim at the nearest Giant Dire Rat with my crossbow, and shoot.

Game Master

Fidgets aim is true as the silvered bolt strikes the Giant Dire Rat, but the damage isn’t enough to stop it from its task.

Game Master

Jessica moves up and with a strum of her lute casts her enchantments on the two Giant Dire Rats, the first rat instantly starts laughing uncontrollably, releasing its grip on the chain crank, the second looks like it might not find things so funny but Jessica quickly interrupts the beast with a wagging finger, sending the Rat into a laughing fit.

Carlos Montoya, with a loud MEOW dashes across the room, striking the Wererat Brute with his silvered rapier, the silver burning the Brutes skin.

Sylo summons a forth from the murky deep a massive tentacle which hits the ground with a wet THWACK, the slippery wet mass lashes out at the second Wererat Brute, but misses, while Sylo follows up with a ball of Eldritch Energy which slams into the Brutes face.

Game Master

The first Brute swings its pipe at Carlos, but the agile feline swashbuckler easily dodges the blow.

The second Brute moves to the crank, but alone it cannot crank the chains.

The Two Giant Dire Rats continue to laugh uncontrollably.

Meanwhile the Wererat Rogues come out of the shadows firing their crossbows at Sylo, the first whizzing past his head, while the second strikes him hard in the shoulder.

Game Master

Boran tries to cast command on the laughing Dire Rats, but they pay him no mind as they continue to roll around on the floor laughing as only rats can laugh.

Fidget

I go as far north as possible, so I have a clear shot at the Wererat Brute that Carlos is in engagement with. With my crossbow and sneak attack I attack.

Game Master

Fidget’s silver bolt strikes the Wererat Brute hard dealing massive damage as the silver burns the werecreature, while Carlos Montoya finishes the job with a strike from his silver rapier and dagger.

The massive Brute drops to the grease slick floor in a heap, bleeding out onto the cobblestone.

Carlos then leaps over to intercept the second Brute, but swell placed burst of Eldritch Energy, and a mighty swing from a cold wet tentacle of the deep, lays the Wererat Brute out cold on the floor.

Jessica plays her lute sending the two Wererat Rogues into fits of uncontrollable laughter, while one of the Giant Dire Rats is able to resist the laughter, the second continues to roll around on the floor in stitches.

The sober Rat attempts to push the crank but alone it cannot turn the device to lower the cage.

Abby rattles the bars trying to escape, “You can do it! Thank the Earth Mother you’ve arrived! Show them what for!“.

Game Master

Boran stretches out his hand commanding the Giant Dire Rats to flee, the first continues to laugh hysterically and pays the cleric no mind, but the second becomes compelled by Boran’s command.

Game Master

Above the group can hear the crowds booing and causing a ruckus, looking up they can see that Carmen Cordell is not happy about how the competition has turned out.

Fidget

I rush toward the winch mechanism, and pull out my crowbar, and look for an opening between the driving gears. I then attempt to wedge the crowbar deep between the gears to jam the mechanism and to prevent Abby’s cage from being lowered.

Game Master

Fidget jams his crowbar into the crank and chain mechanism, with a violent CLANK the whole system is rendered useless as Abby cheers from her cage that she won’t be lowered into the bubbling toxic soup below.

The crowd realize the writing is on the wall as they his and boo, teams of Giant Dire Rats with little nurse hats and aprons rush in to drag away the injured and incapacitated creatures in the chamber, disappearing into the wall as the group release the cage, helping Abby the Apple Merchant out and back on to solid ground.

Amidst a rain of toilet paper streamers hisses, name calling, and boos the group hear a familiar sound as the mechanisms which had lowered them down creating the obstacle pit kick in and the colosseum style surroundings return to their original formation when the group had first entered.

As the final gear and lock clicks into place and the stadium is returned to normal the boos and hisses slowly recede, and the last of the toilet paper streamers are thrown, as quiet falls over the arena, all eyes, ears, and whiskers are now turned to Carmen Cordell, in anticipation of her verdict.

The Rat Queen sits in her chair, a look of dissatisfaction on her face as she swirls her glass and finishes her brandy in a single gulp, she leans forward slightly her slender fingers interlocking as her slender features perch behind her hands as she considers her next move.

Jessica

Gives Abby a big hug

“Thank the gods you’re ok, we were so worried about you”

Abby the Apple Merchant

“That was quite a terrifying experience, I can’t believe you do this kind of thing for a job!”

Jessica

“All in a day’s work dear Abby”

Winks

Carlos Montoya

Silver rapier and dagger still drawn and at the ready

“We’re not out of the woods yet”

His tail twitches agitatedly as he nods in the direction of Carmen Cordell as she glares down on the group from her seat in the grandstands

Boran Vespera

“I am hurting here! What else do we have to do?”

Carlos Montoya

“Aren’t you a cleric Boran? Can’t you just like, wave your magic wand and ‘Hay Presto’ you’re healed?”

Jessica

“I think you’re mixing up your stereotypes there Carlos”

Fidget

I grab my crowbar, and put it back in my pack.

“You think she’s gonna give us a trophy?“... I say laughing.

Sylo

“I don’t think so..... That is not the face of someone who is happy we succeeded.”

Jessica

“Trophy? I’ll be chuffed if she just lets us go without trying to kill us”

Carlos Montoya

“Ok Carmen you had your fun, now let us go as promised!”

Carmen Cordell

Carmen laughs

“I didn’t promise I’d let you go....cat!”

Game Master

Carmen looks to the two large rats Bill and Ben by her side.

Carmen Cordell

Carmen covers her mouth in a vain attempt to cover what she is saying to Bill and Ben

“Did I promise that?”

Game Master

The two large rats shrug and tilt their heads as if thinking long and hard, which looks painful to the two oversized pets.

Fidget

I raise my hand..

“Actually, you promised to let us go, give us a trophy and pay us. I remember it very clearly.”

Carmen Cordell

Carmen looks down at Fidget and raises one eyebrow, then leaning forward her expression changes to a wide grin so devious and calculating it sends shivers down the group’s spines

“I’ll give you a 10 second head start”

As she says this the group hears a crack as a bone dislodges from her back, then her jaw cracks as her facial features begin to change, and fur begins to break through from under her white skin, it looks incredibly painful, but Carmen’s eyes never faulter, instead they remain fixed on the group as she begins her transformation

“One”

Jessica

“Definitely time to go, does anyone remember the way out?”

Game Master

The group desperately looks around the arena for an exit until Fidget spots a point of interest that he remembered from the journey in.

Carmen Cordell

“Two”

Fidget

“This way everyone.” I say as I point towards the spot of interest.

“Best if we hurry.”

Carmen Cordell

“Three”

Game Master

Following Fidget the group makes a head long dash across the arena towards a sewer entrance.

Carmen Cordell

“Four”

Game Master

Entering the sewers the group looks around, trying to locate their next point of interest to get them out.

All around them the shadows shift across the sewer walls amidst the reflection of the water, the shadows seem unmistakably rodent shaped at times as they move and disappear, always just out of reach and out of sight.

Carmen Cordell

“Five”

Game Master

Boran remembers the path they took leading down from the abandoned cheese factory above.

Carmen Cordell

“Six”

The sound of Carmen laughing begins to echo through the sewers, accompanied by the sounds of scurrying behind the stone walls of the sewers

Boran Vespera

“Everyone, follow me!”

Carmen Cordell

“Seven”

Game Master

The group follows Boran through the dank, twisting tunnels of the sewer system, followed by the laughter of Carmen Cordell echoing through the passageways, and the sound of scuttling feet behind the walls.

“Eight”

Occasionally catching a glimpse of an eye through a gap in the brickwork, or a disappearing tail down a side passageway.

The group arrives at a locked gated exit, ahead they can see the exit up into the abandoned cheese factory.

Glancing behind the group sees are not alone, as just out of range a small group of rats sit watching their shadows stretched out over the brickwork of the tunnels in unnatural ways against the light play of the sewer water.

Sylo

“The gate is locked!”

Points to a rusted padlock

Jessica

“Fidget!”

Game Master

Fidget expertly unlocks the padlock, in a series of swift movements, swinging open the gate to allow his companions to ascend up into the abandoned cheese factory.

Carmen Cordell

“Nine”

Game Master

The group charges up into the abandoned cheese factory as behind them the sewer canal begins to froth and churn as the sound of hundreds of rats squeaking and cascading out of every drain pipe into the sewer tunnels drives the party forward.

Racing through the abandoned cheese factory the once bustling work benches and machines are now vacant, work has stopped, but the residents are still very much present as just out of range and above in the rafters rats are beginning to appear scuttling along.

The exit is fast approaching, the six companions leap forward out of the door tumbling into the streets.

Carmen Cordell

“Ten”

Game Master

The open doors to the abandoned cheese factory slam shut behind the group, a little sign swinging on the door handle, in fresh red paint ‘No Trespassing’ and a small rat paw stamped in the corner.

For a moment the group sits on the sidewalk, out of breath and stunned, just staring at the closed doors of the abandoned cheese factory and the little swinging sign, half expecting Carmen to come charging out at any moment, but knowing deep down, her game was over, she had proven her point, and had decided to let them live, this time.

Jessica

“Abby, are you ok?”

Abby the Apple Merchant

Patting her self down

“YES! umm yes, everything functioning and accounted for”

Jessica

“Great, let’s get out of here lickety split, before anything else happens”

Boran Vespera

“That was an interesting first job. I’ll be honest, I’m not suited for all this sneaking around. My twin sister might be a better fit!”

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Jessica

“I didn’t know you had a twin sister Boran...... actually we really know nothing about you”

Chuckles nervously

“But of course we want to meet her”

Boran Vespera

“I’m the quiet type. But she is a bit more outgoing. You’ll like her.”

Game Master

The group quickly collect themselves and depart, leaving the factories and warehouses of Tollwin behind, as they cross the canal bridges entering the docks, before making their way through the market streets back to their shop.

By the time they reached home, the sun had set and the markets were now alight with stall lanterns, and street performers, dazzling the crowds with brightly colored illusions, fire juggling, and song.

Jessica hummed a tune as she worked through a new song to commemorate their adventure, but the mood was heavy and the spirits low, yet again the team had found themselves dancing to the beat of someone else’s tune, having been manipulated by the Dempont Family, and now witness to Carmen flexing her muscles, what they needed was a win, sure the papers raved about their success, and Abby was returned safely, but it left a bad taste in the mouth, and took the spring out of their step.

Jessica

“Home sweet home, Abby won’t you stay the night, I couldn’t bear the thought of you traveling home at night after everything that’s happened”

Abby the Apple Merchant

“That’s kind of you Jessica, but I’m not gonna let this ruin me, or be scared of my own shadow, you saved me, and I’m ever so grateful, but I’ve never let a bully push me around, and I’m not going to start now”

Carlos Montoya

“You are made of strong stuff Miss Abby, and we will always be around if you need us”

Abby the Apple Merchant

Abby gives Carlos a big hug which lifts him off the floor

“Thanks Carlos, I won’t forget this, and you all know where to find me if you ever need anything”

Abby waves to the group as she heads out the door, the little bell dinging as it opens and closes

Jessica

“Well I’m glad that’s over with, let’s hope our next job doesn’t leave such a bad taste in our mouths”

Carlos Montoya

“Speaking of mouths, I don’t know about you, but I could use something to eat and a nice cool saucer of milk”

Jessica

“Food and drinks sound like a great idea ”

Fidget

“Food and drinks sound great. Let’s try and find somewhere with a minimum of rats, please.”

Jessica

Jessica laughs

“I think we’ve all had more than enough rat exposure to last a good long while”

Carlos Montoya

“For now, but I refuse to be intimidated, and will.....given a short respite, resume my hunt once more, for I am Carlos Montoya, and I refuse to let Carmen treat cats with such disrespect!”

Jessica

“And our friends!”

Game Master

The mood lightens slightly thanks to Carlos’s bravado, setting the team on higher spirits as they head out into the night markets for a bite to eat from the food stalls, and a healthy amount of beverage consumption.

Game Master

As the night draws on and the group enjoy their revelry a crowd gathers as Jessica begins to strum her lute, slowly at first, until a melody forms, and then the song.

Jessica

"A crimson paw upon the crate, a debt we had to pay,

Down in the reeking gloom of Tollwin where the iron gears play.

Through spitting steam and boiling grease, the vermin screamed our names,

We leaped and bled across the dark, mere pawns inside her game.

Suspended high above the muck, dear Abby in her cage,

While Carmen swirled her vintage red upon the colosseum stage.

A countdown ticked across the stone, ten seconds just to run,

We jammed the teeth and broke the chain, yet neither battle won.

Now lantern lights and circus fires dance across the bay,

The papers sing of bold success to wash the grime away.

We brought our apple merchant home, yet taste the bitter shame—

For every step we took tonight was dancing to her name."