The session recommenced with the team hot on the heels of the ghoul-infested van. Rather than igniting a high-speed pursuit, Aubert decided on a stealthy approach, successfully tailing the ghouls to a graveyard. At this juncture, The Bro, who had previously diverged to seek police assistance, arrived with a cop in tow. A tense standoff followed as Jeremy and Aubert tried to warn the unsuspecting officer about the imminent danger. Unfortunately, their intervention provided the female ghoul an opportunity to launch a savage attack on the cop.
Suddenly, the team was engaged in a ferocious skirmish. Amidst the chaos, Aubert opened the van to reveal a grisly scene: the half-devoured body of Homeless Bob, an unfortunate acquaintance of The Bro. Despite valiant efforts, Gigi and Aubert were unable to incapacitate the male ghoul, even with Gigi’s transformation into a gator form. The female ghoul, largely unaffected by the cop’s defensive gunfire, continued her onslaught and brutally killed the cop. Gigi, wounded, retreated from the van.
Their performance during the conflict was a clear testament to the toll their sleep deprivation was taking on their abilities. The Bro, locked in the back of the cop car, cleverly used the PA system to distract the ghouls and alert the team.
Using his changeling magic, Aubert disguised himself as the Erlking, an entity the ghouls revered. He exploited their fear to quell their aggression. However, a distraught Jeremy, still processing the cop’s gruesome death, continued to fire at the female ghoul, dealing significant but temporary damage. The ghoul’s injuries began to heal rapidly until Aubert, still posing as the Erlking, managed to halt her.
Through a conversation with the ghouls, the party discovered they were enforcers for the mysterious man with the black sword and his nun accomplice, first mentioned in the inaugural session. While they failed to provide a name or location for the man, they did mention the woman’s affinity for “the dead that walk.”
Aubert, still maintaining his Erlking guise, provided the ghouls with one of Sato’s burner phones and instructed them to contact his “follower,” Aubert, whenever their masters surfaced. He permitted the ghouls to leave with their victims’ bodies, much to the horror of The Bro, who witnessed his friends’ corpses being hauled away.
In a desperate attempt to stop the ghouls, The Bro positioned himself in front of the van, only to be run over and briefly carried on its roof before falling off. Despite a heated exchange, The Bro was eventually persuaded to rejoin the group in the car.
The tension heightened when Aubert noticed they were being followed by an unmarked police vehicle. In a fatigue-induced decision, Aubert initiated a frenzied chase through the streets of St Augustine. Despite their best efforts, they were ultimately pulled over. The resulting confrontation saw Aubert knock the officer to the ground, causing him a severe head injury.
The group abandoned their vehicle and engaged in a heated argument, resulting in Aubert giving an ultimatum – it was either him or The Bro. Exhausted, they sought refuge and much-needed sleep at Jeremy’s bookshop, while The Bro was forced to sleep on the street.
The following morning, Jeremy received a secretive voicemail from an old Cuban woman, while Gigi was contacted by a detective investigating the illegal activities associated with her car. Gigi managed to buy some time, while The Bro insisted they meet Alicia’s uncle, believing he could resolve their problems.
Gigi and Jeremy decided to follow The Bro’s lead, leaving Aubert behind. The session concluded as they arrived at a grand estate, identified by an ornate “C” on its double wrought iron gate – the Caruso Estate. Announcing The Bro’s presence seemed to be the magic key, granting them guest rights and admission. As they walked down the beautiful, well-kept driveway, the party found themselves minus one member, deep in the jaws of the unknown, their troubles mounting with every step.
