The Time Has Come is the third and penultimate episode of season 17 of Dimension 20, Dungeons and Drag Queens.
The queens journey to the Tower of Tombs, where their intertwined destiny awaits.
Introduction Recap[]
Last we left off, our four heroes, each for reasons of their own, some secret and some shared, had travelled down the Gallows Road after having met before the adventure even began in the city of Darktide where you all came together, and realized that it was safer to travel to the Underworld together than separately. You went to the village of Greeley where you began to see some strange conspirings. Villains were approaching the entrance to the Underworld as well. Rumors of a merfolk, possibly your cousin, Keena of Everdeep. We had the smell of cedar on the breeze, a strange smell, not smelled since the massacre of the Foehammer family so long ago. Rumors of a witch hunter that had driven Gertrude from her lakeside home. And in a burst of mist after you defeated a disguised undead, the face of Zaria Hex, the Blood Queen and architect of the downfall of Titania and the fairy realms.
Many eyes gazed on the entrance to the Underworld, and many feet tramped their way to that fabled realm. However, you swiftly ascended the mountainside, got to Gargrim the Guardian of the gate to the Underworld, and descended into the lands beyond. You journeyed to the River of Sorrow. We summoned a dead whale. We quickly dispatched a small army of the undead that sought to make their way to the lands of the living once more. ... We also met your uncle, Kerwyn; the spirit of the long lost Duke Kerwyn Foehammer of the Foehammer family. Kerwyn suggested, 'cause you were one soul short, as Troyánn must deliver a certain amount of souls for what she believed what the cause of keeping Everdeep safe from dark forces at work within the deep sea. [T]hat is what you have been told by none other than your mother the queen, Inira of Everdeep. ...
You journeyed to the Longshadow Bazaar outside the Archive of Forgotten Things ... to meet Nyruth, the jackal-headed demon. Successfully managed to steal a soul for a short time before some towering Genari demon snatched it once again out of your hand, and easy come, easy go. You ended up showing up a little bit short on your quota to the Inn of the Empty Glass where D'Hamia, your old vampire friend, agreed to sell you sort of a temporary soul that can fool some of the servants of the Goddess of Death, but probably not the goddess herself. Princess kindly offered up some of her own blood, you got your soul, Gertrude made a wonderful tea that sort of revivified everybody, and you talked to Shalila, the sort of half-masked servant of Thanara, Goddess of Death and the Underworld. Shalila agreed to take the soul, but not before spilling the beans that it seemed that Inira of Everdeep wasn't protecting her people. She was selling souls to live forever, and some quick spellcasting from Gertrude saw that your father had been in that role before you, and paid a heavy price to free the souls that he had brought to the Goddess of the Underworld.
The four of you, your Uncle Kerwyn, now face an endless waste, crimson storm clouds, and red lightening. In the far off distance, the Tower of Tombs; the realm and lair of the goddess Thanara herself. Shalila and her entourage marched out into the wasteland, and, for your plan to work, you need to get there before they do, 'cause that soul there is not a worthy one. (That is the seventh soul in her amulet.)
What could await you in the Tower of Tombs? Miracles? The ability for things lost, family and realms, to come back once more? Answers about a long-lost father, and secrets kept within a family? Or even answers concerning the gift of magic and immortality itself? All of this awaits as you delve finally ito the very heart of the Underworld.
Synopsis[]
Nyruth is rather surprised to find Gertrude enter his shop once again, the Questing Queens behind him. Before he can react, the sorceress pleads their case, even casting Detect Thoughts on herself to show him her honestly. She starts by apologizing for stealing from Nyruth three hours before, even stating it was her idea. However, she explains that they did it because they were made to believe they needed his soul to save Everdeep. She then offers the salesman anything in order to get the soul they had tried to take, as well as a way to intercept Shalila to make sure the unworthy soul is replaced by it. Nyruth comments that it is a rare person that shows a demon that which most keep hidden. He then goes to Gertrude, offers her his hand, and gets on one knee. He tells her there are few sorceresses that can wield the power of both Kelvorda and the Underworld. Since he had been so insulted by her earlier, but so honored by her now, he is willing to offer them one, and only one, bargain. In exchange for the soul of Oliver Leiber (which he had killed three Genari soldiers to get back), he wants their corrupted wraith clasp. Troyánn immediately gives it. For a means to outpace Shalila of the Half Mask on her way to Thanara, the demon has a selection of magical carpets. With a snap of his fingers, a floral, spicy smelling, 15"x16" carpet covered in geometric patterns flies towards them. For that, Nyruth wants Gertude's curse of immortality. He takes out a deep green vial with a sigil on the bottom. He explains, while he does not have the power to remove her curse, if it ever is removed, it will be sucked in the bottle, and sent back to him. If Gertrude carries the vial with her until it is filled, the carpet is theirs as well. After Nyruth pops the bottle into her open satchel, the carpet slinks out the door, and waits for the group outside. With a farewell, he watches the group leave his shop.
With their magic carpet, the Queens (and Kerwyn) fly on their newly acquired magic carpet to intercept Shalila and her entourage. Within minutes, they have caught up with the emissary on her journey across the wasteland. After some casual banter about the carpet, Troyánn asks Shalila, in revelation of Queen Inira's true intentions and the fact that the Queens all have requests they wish to present to Thanara, if they can deliver the seven souls to the goddess themselves. Shalila is insulted by the request, pointing out that the living are not meant to travel further than Hollowgrave, and that Thanara had not interacted with living beings since the mer's father. However, Troyánn is unfazed, and, somewhat more forcefully, asks for the souls again. After Gertrude's insistance, she also invites Shalila to join them for game night (something that was initially Kerwyn's suggestion). Shalila is incredibly moved by this gesture. She even cries a little over how nice it is to feel included as that doesn't happen very often. Excited at future revelries, Shalila admits that, while she doesn't know how Thanara will react with them bringing the souls instead of her, a living person coming to see her isn't unprecedented. Therefore, it wouldn't be unallowed. With that, she gives Troyánn back the amulet of souls. She then warns the group that there are already people at the Tower of Tombs entreating their desires to the goddess. She ends by telling Troyánn how much she has always appreciated her and respected her. In response, Troyánn thanks her by putting her fist over her heart, and saying, "As we say in the Everdeep, 'Malaso kano.'" Again moved, Shalina says it back, and wishes them all farewell.
As they continue on their way to the Temple of Tombs, Princess notices what looks like a field of crops in the barren sand, which is impossible as nothing grows in the Underworld. Looking closer, she see that it is a field of hundreds of weapons: swords, spears, and axes, each planted in the ground, point down. The hilts and handles of the weapons are wrapped in things like leaves, vines, and holly branches. Motes of starlight surround the swords, and seem to dance around the field which gives it an eerie beauty. It is a field of the weapons of fallen fey soldiers. When Princess realizes this, she points it out to Twyla. When Twyla looks down, she is flooded with sadness, knowing that the memories of her people are all that she has left of them. The carpet slows, floating over the field. As Twyla reaches down to the weapons, several of the balls of light begin to dance around the deck of cards she carries in her pocket, the cards that contain the memories of late lights of soldier comradery and kinship. She realizes these lights are actually will-o'-wisps ie the souls of fallen fairies uncorrupted by the Underworld. The group descends into the field where the will-'o-wisps surround the group like butterflies. Twyla sees the ax of Captain Martha, and the sewing needle and button shield that was used by Lieutenant Alvin during the war with Zaria. Sad that there doesn't seem to be any kind of spell that can help them, Twyla takes out her cards, and lays them on the ground to play. As she does, every fey spirit enters the deck, filling it with light and warmth, comforting Twyla knowing that her people are now back with her.
Cutting through the emotional scene, Kerwyn points out that they are in danger. Soul storms, thick, green-white sandstorms filled with the screaming souls of ghosts, have the power to suck away a living person's lifeforce, and one is currently headed their way. While they try to escape the powerful winds, the storm ultimately catches up to them. Just as they are about to be consumed, a dragon of shadow appears being ridden by a warrior. She casts Rope Trick, and lowers the rope to the group on the carpet. When they grab it, the Queens (and Kerwyn) are transported to a safe pocket dimension as the storm envelops them. The warrior introduces herself as Norelle Blaze, and mentions that Gertrude had met her great-great grandson, Johan Trembly (though Johan referred to her as Norbert). Gertrude then realizes that, in her scry, the person she thought was a gay man was actually a trans woman. Norelle goes on to tell Gertrude that Johan found the treasures he had been looking for. When he found them, due to the magic Norelle had used when hiding the treasure, she found a treasure map of her own. Norelle takes out an Underworld version of the map Gertrude drew, explaining that some of the treasure had the magical ability to exist in both Kelvorda and the Underworld. She then takes magical items and weapons out of her dragon's saddle bag, and gives them to the group; her thanks for the help given to her great-great grandson. Blaze then warns the group that Zaria Hex's forces are already at Thanara's castle, and that there are bad dealings, such as bargins of immortality, happening between the Blood Queen and the goddess. She says Zaria is waiting for two mortals to arrive, given magical aid to help them traverse the Underworld. Norelle knows that she could never assail the Thanara's castle herself, for, as a dead being, the goddess could simply banish her to the furthest depths of the Underworld. However, four living beings might have a chance. Knowing they wouldn't have the ability to get past Zaria's forces in their present state, the Queens put on the wraith clasps they carry, making them appear as just another of the undead. Once the soulstorm passes, Norelle wishes the group good luck on their journey, stating, "If you are lucky, than more than just Kelvorda might be saved by your actions."
The group arrives at the black monolith that makes up the Tower of Tombs. It is surrounded by the undead soldiers of Zaria Hex. Like most undead who have some sense of self, these are completely in her thrall, their existence entirely dependent the magical life of their master. Acting like zombies, the disguised Queens make their way through the crowd, creating a Thriller flashmob as they go. They get to a dais where they can see a seam acting as an entrance into the tower. As they make their way towards it, they find Zaria at the top a staircase made of the skeletons and zombie bodies of her horde. Addressing her minions, she says, "The time has come," explaining that their mission is "so close" to completion. She goes on to explain that, while they were so good at destroying the fey realm of Arcadia, one seed of the Allblossom still exists. Until it is destroyed, there is a chance that they fey may live again. Zaria then tells them to listen to her allies as they would her. At the introduction, two figures join her on the undead platform: Troyánn's cousin, Keena, carrying the Canolin Hook of Death, and a woman they hadn't seen before. This woman, hidden by a dark cloak, with light shining from beneath it so that her face can't be seen, speaks to the undead crowd. She tells them that, while she wouldn't normally work with a Queen of Death, but she has this time because she needs help finding Gertrude. As a servant of the God of the Sun, she feels Gertrude's immortality is blasphemous against the forces of life and death. She knows that Gertrude is currently in the Underworld, and asks the undead to help her catch the witch. However, Morgan doesn't want them to try and destroy her. She has long dreamed of catching someone so wicked to be cast into the fires of Hell to burn forever. After the introductions are made, Keena leaves into the Tower, which Morgan extends her wings, and flies around, her glowing eyes acting as search lights through the crowd.
Reaching the bottom of the Tower of Tombs, the Queens enter, and a strange feeling overcomes them, as though the wind is moving indoors. They realize that it is the raspy breath of Thanara who lives in the center of the tower; breath wanting to take their life away. The hallways lie in strange, odd angles that make it difficult to traverse as they are not made for the living. There are twisted staircases and strange inclines, and chambers are carved to look like the inside of screaming faces. Everything is sinister and morbid. While there are noises of movement throughout, the Tower gives an atmosphere like that of an abandoned mausoleum. The Queens travel through the tower, finding a place where the corrosive wind doesn't reach. In this safe pocket, Kerwyn suggests they find the throne room, and using her new crystal ball, Gertrude scries the area to find someone that they can beat the information out of. She sees the familiar form of Wallace mopping the floors nearby, and decide that he would make the perfect target. He doesn't recognize them in their undead disguises, yelling that them for stepping on his newly cleaned floor. They take off their wraith clasps, revealing their living forms. Wallace screams, and begins to run down the hall. Before he can get too far, Troyánn catches him in a net, and drags him back to the group. The proceed to interrogate him. He tells them that Thanara is currently in her throne room waiting for an audience with Zaria. The two have a history together, but now is the first time she has brought other people. On top of that, there's someone else working with Blood Queen that has a longstanding deal with Thanara as well. However, he has never met them. In the meantime, the goddess waits, having prepared the throne room for later entertainment. He continues that the door to Thanara's throne room is locked with three different locks, but he knows where the keys are. One key is in the Pool of Morning Light, another is in the Pit of Suffering, and the last is in the Hall of Fairy Tapestry. In order to get the keys before Zaria has her meeting with Thanara, the group decides to split up. They decide Troyánn and Kerwyn will go to the Pool of Morning Light, Twyla and Princess will go to the Hall of Fairy Tapestry, and Gertrude and Wallace will head to the Pit of Suffering.
The Pool of Morning Light is a chamber made of bathhouse marble where the black rock fades into a white. Caryatids, columns carved into the shape of beautiful robed women, hold up the ceiling. Deep pools fill the room, and when Kerwyn and Troyánn arrive, they see a pool that ripples from its center. It shimmers in a way that the depths can't be seen beyond a light eminating from the source of the ripples. However, there is enough of a shimmer to indicate something like a key at the pool's bottom. Looking into the water, Troyánn knows that entering the pool will likely be like how it was in the River of Sorrow, having to confront a source of pain. As they approach the pool, a voice warns them about entering the sacred waters wearing clothing covered in the dust of the outside. They must purify themselves if they want to get in. Troyánn disrobes, and shoots a Seeking Arrow towards the key. Her quarry marked, the mer dives into the water. As she swims down, the assassin begins to see the faces of everyone she has killed in service to her mother's deal. Repeatedly, they ask her, "Do you regret now?" As they surround her, Kerwyn jumps into the water, grabs her, and pulls her outside of the pool. Once safe outside the pool, he tells her that she's probably not going to be able to leave without dealing with the (literal) ghosts of her past, and goes to get the key himself. Lost in thought, Troyánn understands the grief of her father, and knows she must reconcile with the lost spirits just as he did.
Meanwhile, Gertrude and Wallace arrive at the Pit of Suffering, a chamber containing a circular chasm that goes on forever. Gertrude uses her crystal ball to to look for the key that is likely in the pit. As she skries, she hears Thanara in her head say, "What are you coming to wish for, Gertrude? You don't think I know who skulks around my lair?" Gertrude decides to be truthful, explaining that all she wants is for the curse of immortality to be lifted so she can have a normal life, and die when it is her time to. Thanara replies, "Not so lightly are my gifts thrown aside." She goes on to explain that she was the one that gave Gertrude her immortality, insulted by the request of taking it back. As the goddesss speaks, however, Gertrude realizes, as menacing as Thanara may be, she is either unable or unwilling to strike Gertrude down there and then. She then wonders if there a magical quality being able to resist death like that. She looks into her crystal ball, she seeing a light approaching, beating like a heartbeat. As Thanara's voice leaves her head, the ghostly figure of Roy of Karkyn appears to Gertrude from out of the pit. He extends to her a key, which she takes, all the while shadows pull at his legs to take him back into the pit. He tells her, "Take care of my girl," before he's finally pulled back into the abyss.
Twyla and Princess make their way to the Hall of Fairy Tapestry. A thin shimmering waterfall flows down in front of the entrance archway. On the other side of the waterfall, what appears to be sunlight can be seen, a rarity in the dark of the Underworld, as well as the greenery of nature growing. It doesn't appear to be threatening. So Twyla turns herself into a umbrella for Princess to carry as they walk through the entrance. The orc hears voices as they step into the chamber whispering her name, and saying, "I am so glad to see you," before fading away. On the other side of the waterfall, what appears to be sunlight can be seen, a rarity in the dark of the Underworld, as well as the greenery of nature growing. The greenery is, in fact, massive tapestries of forests, meadows, green fields, and babbling streams. In the middle of the room is a polished wood table on which is the key. They decide that Princess would take the key in case of danger, and give it to Twyla who could then go invisible. She could then piggyback Princess, engulfing them all in invisibility. However, Twyla's 4'11" frame proves to be not enough to hold up the massive orc. During these shenanigans, Twyla also hears a voice calling her name. In the tapestry above the table, the threads begin to move as the magic of the tapestry begins to come to life. What initially looks like a bell made of vines reveals itself to be Queen Titania, trapped within the magic of the tapestry. When she finds out Twyla is still alive, she expresses hope for their people. Titania tells Twyla that, after Arcadia fell, she was taken by Zaria Hex, and presented to the goddess as a gift, and has been trapped in the Tower of Tombs ever since. However, there is a single seed of the Allblossom that wasn't destroyed, and, if it is found and planted, Arcadia can live again. She then goes on to explain that the key on the table is, in fact, charmed. Anyone who lifts it will be prevented from acting against Thanara, though she will help anyone resist the charm as much as she can. She says, though, the only reason she even has the ability to do that much is because of the spirits living within the waterfall who had moved there several years ago. That is, in fact, where the light of the room comes from, guarding the tapestries. At this news, Twyla is able to use the vines within the threads of the tapestries to summon Buddy Bear into the room. Being neither a living being nor a dead one, he is able to bypass the curse on the key. So, like cats do, he bats it off the table ending the curse within it. Thrilled that her soldier has managed to get the key, Titania tells Twyla that, while she is safe within the tapestry, if Twyla is able to meet with Thanara, the goddess would be able to grant her a boon that would release the queen from her tapestry prison. She then goes on to muse that the bravery of fairy has never left the world, and Twyla exemplifies that.
After complimenting Bubby Bear, Queen Titania turns to Princess asking if she is one of the spirits of the waterfall as she looks just like them. The orc and the fairy look to the water, seeing among their reflections, the images of Princess' family: her mother, Ronkaria, her father, Ronarian, her brother, Earl, and her sister, Duchess. Crying, they ask about her welfare, particularly wanting to make sure she hasn't been working like a commoner, something Princess quickly changes the subject on. They then explain that, after they were killed with the destruction of Castle Ravenspear, the Foehammers, using the power of their rage, battered into the earth of the the Underworld. They did so until they were able to find water deep within the land that they could use to escape the ire of Thanara. Since they couldn't escape, they decided to live inside the waterfall so that could protect "what good they could find" in the world. This turned out to be the light of imprisoned fairy queen, Titania. Twyla tells the Foehammers of their other comrades, and they then ask why Princess is there in the Underworld to begin with. She replies to bring them back to life. They then ask if she knows who killed them, to which Princess replies, "Zaria Hex." The Foehammers are confused by this answer, and tell her that that isn't possible, as Zaria was in the fey realms when they were killed. They then ask who told her that Zaria Hex killed them. She replies it was her uncle, Kerwyn, to which they excitedly exclaim that they knew he didn't die. This made Princess and Twyla realize he had been lying to them from the very start of their journey, and that he must have been the one helping the living allies of Zaria Hex navigate the Underworld.
Meanwhile, back at the Pool of Morning Light, Troyánn looks over at the Kerwyn's pile of clothing, and notices a wraith clasp on top of it, as well as something poking out of the pocket of his jacket which looks like a little book. Secretly, she takes it. It's a book of matches, matches that smell like cedar. It's at this moment where she hears a voice behind her: Keena with her Canolin Hook of Death. Keena begins to reveal her jealously of how Troyánn is the preferred assassin of Everdeep, being able to travel on land and sea. She, however, as a mer, can only leave the water by magical means, and even then, needs to return to it every twelve hours. So it is very fortunate the Queens happened to plan their journey right outside the well of the Hero's Hall that she happened to be resting in. Meanwhile, Kerwyn has pulled himself up out of the Pool holding the key. He is fully alive, no longer wearing his clasp, and greets Keena from across the room. He tells her he has one of the keys to Thanara's throne room. He just needs the other two. Putting on his clothes, he apologizes to Troyánn, explaining that he had made a deal to be able to wield the power of death. The price of that deal was ensuring every other Foehammer ended up in the Underworld. He then asks for Troyánn to surrender, as it is two against one, in order to let him finish his job by taking out Princess. Troyánn replies she'd rather risk her life to protect her friend. She then casts Prestidigitation, freezing some of the water in the room to icicles, and, using Gust of Wind, hurls them at her enemies hoping to stun them enough to take the key and escape into one of the pools. She manages to get the key, but not without taking the brunt of Kerwyn's sword as he flies into a rage. Ribs broken, she manages to grab her clothes, and dive into one of the pools.
Around this same time, Gertrude and Wallace head to the central location that is the Hall of Fairy Tapestry meeting Princess and Twyla there. They get there just in time to the see pure water of the entrance waterfall start to turn red with blood. The Foehammers step back just as a badly wounded Troyánn falls from the waterfall into the pool below. After Twyla heals her, and, keys in hand, the Queens and Wallace run to the Thanara's throne room to try and beat those that wish them harm. Using the keys in the door's magical locks, the group enters. The room is filled with darkness save some glowing indigo crystals, and a single beam of light which falls on a stone platform that floats over an endless void. Thanara then speaks to them. "Disturbing the peace of me, an endless diety of unlimited power. This had better be good." A raised throne is lit up wherein Thanara sits, sensually petting a scorpion-taur. "You've come a long long way, darlings, just to die," she says. "You could have gotten here much faster by being a little more careless in the world above," and then asks them why they seek counsel with the Goddess of Death. Twyla asks for the life and restoration of her people. Troyánn tells Thanara she is the daughter of Roy of Karkyn and Queen Inira, and knows that her previous dealings with the goddess were based on a lie. Now, she wishes to know the truth. Gertrude proclaims that she wants her curse of immortality released, and Princess states she wants her family brought back to life. The goddess muses that good news, while she normally only grants three boons, she's feeling generous, and is willing to grant four. However, the bad news is, there are eight mortals present. Keena, Kerwyn, Zaria, and Morgan promptly walk out from behind Thanara's throne to meet the Queens. She continues that she hasn't granted anyone's boons yet, and doesn't plan on doing so before "the show:" a fight to the death, inviting the scorpion-man, Alacranos, to join the combat.
Locations[]
Kelvorda[]
- Arcadia (mentioned)
- Everdeep (mentioned)
- Greeley (implied)
- Hero's Hall (mentioned)
- Harper (implied)
The Underworld[]
- Hollowgrave
- Longshadow Bazaar
- River of Sorrow (mentioned)
- Tower of Tombs
- Hall of Fairy Tapestry
- Pit of Suffering
- Pool of Morning Light
- Throne Room
Featured Characters[]
Questing Queens[]
New[]
- Alacranos
- Keena
- Morgan
- Norelle Blaze
- Queen Titania
- Undead soldiers
Returning[]
- Kerwyn Foehammer (pretending to be undead)
- Nyruth
- Roy of Karkyn (†)
- Shalila of the Half Mask (undead)
- Thanara
- Wallace (undead)
- Zaria Hex (undead)
Mentioned[]
- Queen Inira
- Mark Ronson (†)
- Oliver Leiber (†)
Quotes[]
- You don't think Twyla, which all this baggage, can lift Princess? - Jujubee to Brennan Lee Mulligan