The Caged Elf and the Crown is the third episode of season 2, Escape from the Bloodkeep.
Recap[]
"Last we left our dastardly friends off, you guys were in theScary Volcano of Ro-ro-ro-ro-ror-kin-drath. You had retrieved the anvil of Gogmoth, although 'retrieved' is a funny term here, 'cause it's heavy. You have defeated many of the heroes of the forces of light. However, according to what they said at the very beginning of the battle, the Door of Doom has fallen, and the armies of men, elves, and dwarves now march freely in the lands of Gorgar. That is scary news, 'cause it means that the good guys know that something's up. It doesn't necessarily mean that your guys know that something is up. However, you are here with the anvil. You are also here with Percival, son of Paraval, aka 'Stalker', who's the husband of Efink Murderdeath, and the last king of Tyriath, who is holding a badly injured, but stabilised, Galfast Hamhead. The only other person of note who has joined your party is an eagle, is a big talking eagle."
Synopsis[]
Leiland and Efink begin to research the anvil using Legend Lore and the arcane book, but are interrupted by a conversation with the giant eagle, whose name is John Feathers. Markus St. Vincent attempts to enlist John in their endeavour with a business proposition, which is quickly derailed by the other Lieutenants' offensively stereotypical offers of eggs and giant salmon. John, instead, requests a golden nest, and clothes, so that he can dress like a human. Focus returns to Leiland and Efink, who learn that the anvil that forged the Crown of Shadows can also bind a soul into an object that it forges. Leiland considers sacrificing his circlet (which holds a shard of the Shadow Lord), and, thus, himself, when Sokhbarr suggests that, alternatively, they use another member of the Vinguri, specifically Declan, instead. Lilith's brood come to the caldera, and inform her that the armies of men and elves have broken through the gates and are on their way.
Leiland calls the Vinguri, and, with Markus, convinces all of them but Declan to monitor the advancing armies of men and elves. The Lieutenants then convince Declan that Zaul'Nazh wants him to serve a higher purpose, before proceeding to attack him when his guard is down, killing him and taking his circlet. Realising that none of them have proficiency with blacksmith's tools, they seek out an elf, called Avanash, with the necessary skills in an oubliette in Karradkar. The Lieutenants travel via Lilith's 'interweb' to Karradkar. Efink uses Divination to speak with Gogmoth, who is sitting with a crying Zaul'Nazh. She tells them that they are working on getting Zaul'Nazh back. Gogmoth tells her where to find Avanash. Maggie also takes the opportunity to tell her father and boyfriend that she is pregnant. When Gogmoth sees that Maggie does not have a wedding ring, he gets very angry, and attacks Zaul'Nazh, before the Divination spell ends.
The Lieutenants find Avanash, the elf they are looking for, who seems inordinately concerned about his bones being taken care of, which the Lieutenants promise to guard for him. Markus enlists Lilith's brood to spin silk clothes for John and Avanash, causing Leiland to develop a moral compass (he is not a fan of child labour). Avanash and John are dressed in fine silk clothes, and the group travels back to the Scary Volcano.
Avanash begins work on the crown, and Maggie goes on the promised shopping trip with John. On the trip, she buys him some food, and a hat in which he looks wonderful. On their return, they learn that Stalker healed Galfast, and that Avanash gave her the crown, believing that she was one of their friends. Now, both Galfast and the crown are gone. Avanash is summarily shoved into the lava, whilst Efink saves Stalker from Markus's murderous rage.
The group smells the crown's presence, and they begin to search for it. Markus discovers that his speaking stone is missing. The group continues their search, and finds that the wyverns have broken free of their enchantment to return to their mountain home. Sokhbarr releases a swarm of bats and uses Beast Sense to see through their eyes. By doing so, he sees an orc army retreating from the armies of men.
Failing to find Galfast outside the Bloodkeep, they turn their search inwards. They find Stalker, who was tracking Galfast, but stopped because he was distracted by Efink. Olag returns from the battlefront, and rallies the orcs and goblins, informing them of the fall of the Doors of Doom, and the death of the Lord of Shadows. He turns the mob against the Lieutenants. Just in time, the Siren, Markus's ship, returns, having presumably been called to return by Galfast. In fact, Ol' Pickering brings news that the orc army sent to the Battle of Tor Kellin fell, and a million ghosts subsequently appeared from an unknown source. The Lieutenants board the ship, and Efink, after Markus threatens to leave her behind, shoves her husband off the ship to his death.
The ship sets sail, and giant eagles begin to descend upon them. In the eagles' claws are a dwarf, a treant, and Tavian St. Vincent, Markus's older brother and heir to the throne of Kaelstoop.
Locations[]
- Gorgar
- The Bloodkeep
- Scary Volcano
- The Siren
- Karradkar
- Market of Spines
Featured Characters[]
The Lieutenants[]
New[]
Returning[]
- J'er'em'ih
- Stalker
- John Feathers
- Galfast Hamhead
- Anne of Kilkathery
- Bad Henry
- Ol' Pickering
- Jason
- Jessa
- Russell
- Hobbert and Frod
- Olag
- Keldriel
- The Vinguri
- Master Ipskix
- Gogmoth
- Zaul'Nazh