Session 2 – April 1, 2025

Summary

Dead Moms Club

Leads to Follow

Notes

We begin with King Caneius preparing his ceremonial armor for tonight. As he’s getting ready, Caleroy Cruller is—as always—in his shadow, and he’s running through final preparations. Caleroy asks about the rumors that there will be travel to Comida soon — King Caneius says no decision has been made, but prepare the Meeps in case they do travel.

Tonight’s event will be a who’s-who of Candia, and Caleroy warns that many people have been waiting to leave the realm, and will probably be talking his ear off trying to get an invite to join the traveling party. “My king, it’s going to be a lot of ass kissing.”

Lady Judith wakes up, and King Caneius throws open the curtains. He mentions the ass kissing that awaits, and she says, “well you certainly do like the ass kissing.” She also sips some specially-medicated tea from her tea set. Their relationship is awkward, it’s not as though they don’t care for each other, but it just doesn’t look like there’s much of a spark.

As King Caneius puts on his armor, a lightning flash of memory reminds him of the last time he donned this suit of armor. He remembers the Ravening War, and the upcoming anniversary of the death of his late sister, Queen Caroline. He’s sad and disappointed that his sister is no longer there, he’s disappointed in how he never truly became close with his niece, Cherry. He was almost raised by his older sister, because he, like Cherry, didn’t have his parents. He feels her absence most in these big moments, and maybe getting out of the castle would do him some good.

A three-note chime signals for Queen Caramella, sending her attention to the forest that stands just next to Castle Candy. She’s not afraid doing this walk—but she’s annoyed by the timing of it all. Why now?

She enters the Glen of the Sugar Plum Fairy—it’s a well-kept yet overgrown meadow, almost like Willy Wonka’s chocolate room. Everything is sugarcoated and sparkly, making it feel very distinct from the surrounding areas. There’s gumdrops instead of rocks and boulders, it smells sickly sweet—and maybe it even feels too sweet, like you’re not supposed to be here? But she is here, and she’s all alone.

Queen Caramella walks over to a rock that has been well-used for sitting, and she’s waiting for something. A wisp of wind comes by, and the Sugar Plum Fairy and her alien face are there. There’s a familiar but cold tone that Queen Caramella and the Sugar Plum Fairy speak with each other. Her slightly alien features are just a little disconcerting to Queen Caramella even after many encounters.

SPF: “I hear you may be leaving the protection of my glen soon.”

Caramella: “Nothing is confirmed yet, but yes, it does seem that way.”

SPF: “Not trying to run away, are we?”

Caramella: “No, it’s not done with excitement.”

SPF: “Well then why leave?”

Caramella: “Well, I don’t think I have much of a choice, given my duty to the crown.”

As Queen Caramella says “duty,” the Sugar Plum Fairy floats away, “duty, duty, duty. I never understood you mortals and your commitment to duty. Why have duty instead of love?”

Caramella: “Well sometimes we follow our duty because of love.”

SPF: “Well, remember what allows us to have our love.”

Caramella: “Of course, always.”

SPF: “I love you, my dear sister.”

The Sugar Plum Fairy says her powers and protection will weaken with distance, so it won’t be the same level of stewardship as near the Glen of the Sugar Plum Fairy.

As Queen Caramella returns to the castle, Cookie runs up and joins her. Cookie is like a Samoa, put in Yorkie form. Things often stick to her caramel fur, but she’s a very energetic puppy.

Queen Caramella heads for The Crypt beneath Castle Candy, feeling that her most important duty for today lies there.

We flash back to the kitchen, with Forrest Black. Now that everyone has filtered out of the kitchen, he can get back to preparing for dinner.

As he’s flipping through the cookbook, Chancellor Lapin intrudes, trying to read it. Lapin tells him that as a mentor for Princess Cherry, he wants to make sure that she is being taught the right things.

Forrest chops an onion, making Lapin cry.

The Bulbian Church was founded in Vegetania, so they really push a pious, vegetable-heavy diet. It really lines their pockets. There’s always a heavy request of lettuce for Chancellor Lapin, he doesn’t really eat Forrest’s food (bullshit).

Chancellor Lapin says he hasn’t seen Forrest at Bulbday service lately. Forrest makes a dig at the Bulbian Church, saying that there’s no time for rest when you have an entire castle to feed.

Forrest isn’t threatened by Lapin, and he can respect that he wants the best for Princess Cherry. He knows that Lapin wouldn’t even bother coming down and speaking to him if he didn’t truly have the ear of the princess.

After Lapin leaves, Forrest can focus back on the feast. He’s very excited, it’s not often that he gets to feed so many people, from so many places.

We head into the dark, dripping underground in The Crypt, with Sir Rulean leading the way for Princess Cherry as they head down. The royal crypts hold the bodies of Sacchariuses for generations, dating back to when written records aren’t reliable. It’s also a reminder that the House of Saccharius is more than just the royal bloodline, it’s also the ones they held close. Sir Rulean’s mother is buried there, as are many other members of the royal house. The most well-decorated crypt is the one for Queen Caroline Saccharius. The people of Candia even brought pieces of their homes, pieces of themselves, to decorate it. The sarcophagus itself has been carved in the late queen’s likeness, though not as a warrior as in some of the castle’s other artworks, she appears more pious, more virtuous. This was done to appease the Bulbian Church, who Queen Caroline worked closely with. It was easier to let the Bulbian Church have its way.

Down below with the recent burials, it’s candle-lit, but as you go deeper, it gets deeper and dustier. Princess Cherry feels strange being down in The Crypt, but she says something sweet to her mom, “thanks for the birthday.” She thanks Sir Rulean for guiding her down through the labyrinthine crypt. As the pair heads out, they stop by Sir Rulean’s mother’s crypt. Her father’s name is also on the tomb, but his body was never found. Sir Rulean lays a hand each on her parents’ names, lighting up a piece of her armor, but she’s feeling very emotional. She never really knew her father. Princess Cherry can sense how Sir Rulean is feeling, and lays a hand on her and presses a small piece of candy into her hand. It’s a sweet, sad moment.

Princess Cherry and Sir Rulean meet Queen Caramella as they leave The Crypt. Queen Caramella wanted to check on them, make sure they’re okay, but she was going to visit her sister as well.

Sir Rulean tries to hide her emotions, but it’s really obvious with sour crystals streaming down her face. Princess Cherry is also not able to hide her emotion. Queen Caramella sees two women who were forced to grow up too fast. Cherry is annoyed by Caramella, even though it’s nobody’s fault it’s just one of those young adult things, and she’s suspicious of her because of the letter.

Queen Caramella is glad that Rue had Cherry in that moment, she wishes she could be there for them both. Caramella does visit her sister’s grave often, usually in secret, not wanting the prying eyes of the castle to see. It’s a rare place for solitude for her.

After Queen Caramella leaves The Crypt, Poppy C. DeMuffin catches up with her, “my Queen, are the rumors true?”

“Wait, what rumors?”

“That there will be a convoy to Comida!”

“...Yeah. I haven’t talked to my brother yet, but yeah. But this is NOT to be spread.”

“Rumors have already been shut down, my queen. But travel will take 7 days, if you wish to make it there in time, decisions must be made at once!”

Princess Cherry tries to listen in on this conversation, but Queen Caramella spots her and also knows that she’d be trying to eavesdrop. Cherry peaces out after she’s been discovered.

Queen Caramella goes to find her brother.

It’s mid-day, and King Caneius heads to the kitchen for a snack. Forrest’s got a whole bunch of snacks for him, and some club soda.

King Caneius broaches the subject of the letter and a journey of an indeterminate length to Forrest. Forrest gets excited and begins planning out an elaborate traveling kitchen, which Caneius is all too eager to indulge and fund.

30 is probably the most people that could go on this journey to Comida, inclusive of everyone in the traveling party, the Tart Guard, etc.

Poppy C. DeMuffin, Caleroy Cruller, and Sir Rulean arrive to start working out logistics, and they all plan to discuss with Princess Cherry until tomorrow. If we are to make it to Comida in time for the ceremonies, we need to leave bright an early in the morning, so they’ll have to discuss with her tonight.

Caleroy Cruller reminds Queen Caramella that someone will need to stay behind and rule in their stead, and also adds that choosing a duke or duchess to take that role may be seen as picking favorites.

Queen Caramella suggests that Lady Judith stay behind—an idea to which King Caneius feigns opposition, which Caramella sees right through.

Caleroy Cruller also suggests that one of him or Poppy C. DeMuffin stay behind to ensure the castle doesn’t go under. King Caneius jokes that maybe they both should stay behind to—wink wink—take care of business. Sir Rulean detects Caleroy’s embarrassment because they actually are romantically involved, but nobody else catches it.

The Traveling Party:

Queen Caramella talks wardrobe strategy with Poppy C. DeMuffin, making sure everything is ready before they’re separated. Then she heads to Princess Cherry’s quarters, and knocks on the door respectfully.

Princess Cherry welcomes her in, she’s sitting at a really pretty vanity where she and Caramella used to spend hours getting ready together. Cherry’s studying.

Queen Caramella acknowledges that today is a big change in Cherry’s status within the royal family, but it’s also her birthday. Lots is going on, but she wants to hold all discussion of that until after the party, because she wants tonight to be special for the princess.

(Nat 20 insight!) Cherry catches that there will be princess duties coming up, and that Caramella is trying to do something kind in honoring her birthday, but it shows the disconnect between their characters because what Cherry would really love the most is the formal princess duties, not a birthday party.

Stepping out of mom mode, Caramella is like, “well, what are you wearing tonight?!” And she and Cherry go on a fashion montage.

King Caneius studies the letter more deeply alone in a part of the castle that he and Caroline would spend time together. The letter is clearly coming from an ailing emperor, and he really, really, wants to make sure that King Caneius personally will be there. Gustavo Uvano must name a successor. He can’t name a Fructeran, the Ceresian senators are corrupt. King Cabbage of Vegetania is super old himself. The Dairy Islands are led by a 16-year-old, The Meat Lands by barely-Bulbian barbarians. Who does that leave? The Candians, who even have a monarch to spare. King Caneius suspects that Gustavo Uvano wants to name him the next Concordant Emperor. Caneius enters a 1,000 yard stare as the weight of this trip dawns on him.

The feast happens, it’s a huge hit, the food is wonderful. As Queen Caramella is about to rise to make an announcement, Princess Cherry taps on her glass, and everyone’s attention turns her way. She thanks the people of Candia for giving her such a warm welcome, and sets up the announcement by turning it over to Queen Caramella and King Caneius. Big power play from Cherry, but Caramella plays it off as something planned. Queen Caramella announces that the royal family (the Snack Pack) will be traveling to Comida by invitation of the Concordant Emperor in the coming days. A toast is raised to “Semper Saccharum!”

Some NPCs!

As the crowd filters out of the castle, Queen Caramella hears people talking about how charismatic Princess Cherry is and what a great queen she’ll be one day—and she can’t help but note that she used to be the one people talked about.