The Moon Maidens
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In this episode of Third Action, the party returns from the Thrall Keeper's Acropolis with the coveted Thrall Keeper's mark, having survived an ambush by Red Mantis assassins and narrowly escaping a massive eldritch creature lurking in the central pool. After a tense reconnaissance of the campsite left behind by the assassins, they uncover clues pointing to a mysterious figure named Cinnabar and a large firepelt cougar, suggesting a deeper conspiracy. The group then heads north toward the House of the Moon, where they are met by the Moon Maidens—Shawanti warriors guarding the sacred site from a territorial Red Reaver, a massive, red, gorilla-like beast drawn to beauty and art. The party must decide whether to fight the creature, attempt to reason with it through music and art, or use deception to lure it away. Tensions rise as the group debates the ethics of killing a creature that is not inherently evil, but whose presence has already claimed several lives. The episode ends with the party choosing to delay action, opting to plan their next move during a night of downtime, setting up a dramatic showdown in the next session.
The Red Reaver is not evil by nature—it’s drawn to beauty and art, making it a tragic figure rather than a mindless monster.
The group’s reputation precedes them; the Red Mantis is actively hunting them, likely due to their repeated interference with contracts.
The House of the Moon is a sacred site tied to the Lyran Kwa and their annual dream ritual, which only occurs during the full moon.
Trinia, the bard, is the only one with the artistic skill to potentially distract the Red Reaver through a masterpiece.
The party must balance their goal of gaining Shawanti respect with moral choices—killing a creature that only wants to protect beauty.
Welcome Back from the Land Down Under
Jason returns from a trip to Australia and New Zealand, sharing humorous anecdotes about his accent and a bizarre assassination request. The party is reintroduced, and the episode begins with a quick recap of their last adventure.
The Thrall Keeper's Acropolis and the Red Mantis Ambush
The group recounts their harrowing escape from the Acropolis, where they fought Red Mantis assassins and narrowly avoided a monstrous eldritch entity. They secured the Thrall Keeper's mark and are now assessing the threat level of the creature below.
Tracking the Red Mantis and the Firepelt Cougar
“Cinnabar might be codenamed for a person too. That would also explain why we wouldn't know it. Someone important enough to go by their mononym.”
The Red Mantis: Contract Killers with a Code
The party debates the Red Mantis’s motives, realizing they’re not petty but contract-driven. The assassins likely targeted Blackjack due to a hit on Vencarlo, and the group may have been collateral damage.
The House of the Moon and the Red Reaver
“It's not evil. It's just that it's taken up residence in the wrong place.”
“It's not evil. It's just that it's taken up residence in the wrong place.”
“We're just trying to get it to leave. It seems like the only reason I'm even entertaining shenanigans is because it seemed like they were a little regretful that it might have to die.”
“Cinnabar might be codenamed for a person too. That would also explain why we wouldn't know it. Someone important enough to go by their mononym.”
Host
Felix Milos
person
Regan Belladonna
person
Shawanti
organization
Blackjack
person
Red Reaver
other
Trinia
person
Jason
person
House of the Moon
place
Thrall Keeper's Acropolis
place
Eats What He Kills
person
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