Monster Attacks Sucks When Restrained

Summary

In Session 7 of the campaign, the party prepares to infiltrate a canal but faces a complication: Monster the kitten poses a threat to Safia's plan to scout ahead in pigeon form. After debating who should restrain the dangerous animal companion, Sucks Benedict volunteers to hold Monster, delivering a farewell speech in which he declares his love for the party and ranks them by importance—Goober and Gerald the pig taking precedence. Sucks attempts to use Defy Danger with Strength but rolls a 5, resulting in Monster going "absolutely feral" and dealing 2 damage through biting, clawing, and spitting. The session also features an earlier incident where Kat attempts to use the Saffron Mask on Monster to detect canal odors, only for the mask to crush the kitten, prompting threats of future revenge delivered through Kat's Talk to Animals ability.

Details

The incident begins when the party plans their canal infiltration and realizes Monster will attack Safia while she's transformed into a pigeon. After discussion about who should manage the feral kitten, Sucks Benedict steps forward: "All right, guys, I didn't want to have to do this, but I'll take one for the team. All hold monster. Okay? And whatever happens, happens."

Before attempting the restraint, Sucks delivers a heartfelt speech: "I just want you guys to know that I love you all. And I see all of you as members of my family and the closest people to me that I've ever known." He ranks the party in order of importance, placing Goober first, followed by Gerald the pig, then the other party members.

Sucks attempts to Defy Danger using Strength to restrain Monster, but rolls a 5 total. The GM rules: "You'd have to take two damage because monster goes absolutely feral. It just starts spitting and clawing and biting." The damage represents the animal companion's base damage plus 2.

Sucks responds to the mauling with profanity: "Dick faced cat with its dick legs and dick tail."

Earlier in Session 7, Kat had attempted to place the Saffron Mask on Monster to check for suspicious odors in the canal. The mask proved too heavy and crushed the tiny kitten. Monster speaks through Kat's Talk to Animals ability, expressing mounting irritation: "I'm quickly losing patience with this situation. You wait until I'm a full grown cat, then you'll see. Then you'll see."

Despite the injury, the party continues with their infiltration plan.

Participants

• Sucks Benedict — Volunteers to restrain Monster and takes 2 damage from the kitten's feral response
• Monster — The kitten goes feral when restrained, dealing damage through biting, clawing, and spitting; earlier threatens future revenge when crushed by the Saffron Mask
• Kat — Attempts to use the Saffron Mask on Monster and serves as translator through Talk to Animals
• Safia — Plans to scout in pigeon form, which necessitates restraining Monster
• Goober — Ranked first in Sucks's speech
• Abdul — Present during the incident
• Brad — Present during the incident

Consequences

• Sucks Benedict takes 2 hit points of damage from Monster's attack
• Monster's dangerous nature is established, foreshadowing potential complications when the kitten reaches full size
• The party completes their canal infiltration despite the setback
• Monster harbors resentment toward the party for both the restraint and the earlier mask incident