What kind of market sells lost bejeebers? The team turned to an expert scavenger and traveling mage named Dog Tinker (aka Pete Kautz, a friend of mine from my Ithaca days). He told them about a goblin fair called The Market at Wits' End -- a notorious and tough-to-locate market that moves from year to year.
This year, the market's entrance was hidden in the sewers of London -- and only a ghost from the Spaniards' Inn could help the detectives find the secret way into those tunnels. The innkeeper was a bit alarmed to see a team of kids descending on her business, but there was no shortage of ghosts around the building. The white lady was walking her loop, and the ghost of the highwayman stole their pouch of jewels. Finally, it was the highwayman's horse ghost who helped the detectives, leading them into the gully where the sewers began swallowing the Fleet Street river.
Oliver Van Soest took over the reigns of the story as the detectives entered the sewer. The adventure played out like one of his delightful cartoons that summarize our mysteries each week. A rat provided the detectives with boats, yet omitted the oars that would allow them to steer down the sewers, so their travels took a turn for the worse.
Lacking jewels, they followed a trail of jewels into a dark tunnel, where the team split into two. The brave ones dove into the darkness; the wise ones stayed behind and watched for signs of what would happen. When there were none, the team used multiple magical artifacts to scry and then free their teammates from a very sticky situation. I can't provide the full details, in case we do this case in the future, but the rescue team received glowing reviews for their heroic actions.
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Oliver kept the suspense going by immediately plunging the team into more trouble, thereby proving that he understands the Dragon's Eye world so well! One challenge after another, each more difficult than the one before it. Fortunately, the team found a solution, proving that the detectives are up to the tasks at hand!
A visit to the Rat Queen ended with a proposal that was apparently too good to turn down -- and the detectives gained safe passage through the rat queendom to their destination.
The portal to the Market at Wits' End was guarded this year by a family of black boars, the legendary creatures said to haunt the sewers of London. New York may have its alligators, but London has its boars -- and they put up a fierce series of magic battles before the detectives were allowed an audience with MKB (Momma Knows Best).
Unexpected changes were afoot, however -- the Market was under knew management, and the Ladies in Grey made their appearance. These are two sisters, Lady Pestilence and Lady Alleviation. One sickens; the other heals. Fortunately, our team was under the protection of Dog Tinker's lantern of magic.
The detectives entered the market with powerful spells to disguise their human souls. The Soul Snatchers were looking for those tiny glowing Moon Souls, but theirs were carefully hidden under Dog's illusions.
I'm happy to report that the team did find Burke's bejeebers -- and gave up every last jewel they had to buy them from a merchant who kept increasing the price every time they suggested something lower. A side quest was also achieved, involving a ring and a djinn. Does anyone hear the word "sequel" echoing in their head?
Special thanks to Oliver for a day's worth of writing his own adventure--he created top notch challenges and characters that we'll all remember! Next year, Oliver will have the chance to write a whole week's adventure!
Thanks also to Pete Kautz, who returned as Dog Tinker. Pete is an experienced gamer, so he's starting to feed us new games and ideas for adventures! Future collaborations will build on what we did this summer!
