Pugmire: Cat-Tastrophe!

I promise that's the only time I'll use that joke. Here's last time.

Our heroes have been primped and clean and their armor polished, and they've been brought in to the Ruling Council of Mau to receive medals for their heroism! They enter the chamber and see that most of the attendees are soldiers and guards from the six Monarchies, as well as some witnesses in the gallery. And there, at the end of the room, is a dais holding the seven Dynast of the Monarchies of Mau: Priscilla von Angora, Tirian Rex von Rex, Threnody von Mau, Kyr von Korat, Naiara von Siberian, Bricu von Cymric, and Dowe Tabby (the Shadow Dynast). 

The dogs line up in front of them, and Threnody von Mau addresses them, thanking them for their service and valor in protecting the citizens of the Monarchies. An aide descends with a box of five medals, and stands in front of Dire Newfoundland (who kneels down). 

"For your bravery and heroism in protecting the people of Mau, we thank you." He places the medal around Dire's neck.

He moves on to Gelert Sausagedog. "For your courage and style in protecting the people of Mau, we thank you." Sausagedog accepts the medal and doffs his hat. 

On to Petunia Pibble. "For your magical skill and wisdom in protecting the people of Mau, we thank you." Petunia beams, and the aide moves on.

He leans down to place a medal on Peppa Papillon's neck. "For your compassion and devotion to the Faith of Man, we thank you." Peppa's tail wags. 

Finally, he stops in front of Boomer Pitbull. "For your ferocity and bravery in protecting-"

Peppa and Dire have time to notice that the medal he is placing on Boomer is slightly different than the others - the markings aren't the same - but by then it's too late. Boomer flies into a rage and leaps at the dais, burying his ax in the chest of Bricu von Cyrmic!

Pandemonium erupts! The guards rush forward! The other Dynasts quickly move toward the door, except for Priscilla von Angora, who unleashes a volley of Seeking Stingers at Boomer, pushing him back. Two of the guards try to pull Boomer back, but he is far too strong for them.

Sausagedog leaps on Boomer's shoulder's and cuts the ribbon on the medal. It clatters to the ground, and Boomer regains his senses. The guards are still surging forward, however, and then another dog stands up in the center of the dais. It appears out of nowhere, and it wears full plate armor and has red glowing eyes.

The attendees gasp and stare...but Peppa knows a demon when she sees one.

The demon snarls, and the assemble cats start attacking each other! The dogs aren't immune, either - they are filled with rage and just attack the nearest being. Petunia unleashes a Sonic Boom and knocks a bunch of people back, and Sausagedog stabs the guard in front of him. Another guard, also nearby, drives an ax into that guard and fells him, but worst of all, several of the guards who were protecting the civilians in the gallery now turn on them, hacking about their weapons indiscriminately.

Boomer, somehow, manages to retain control and charges the demon, as does Dire. They strike as hard as they can with their weapons, but the demon is semi-corporeal and they can't tell if what they're doing is helping. And worse yet, the demon renews its mental attack, meaning that the carnage continues. 

Peppa casts Protection from Evil and frees the guards near her, and Boomer and Dire, while they aren't always able to keep the fury at bay, stay near the demon and let the rage work itself on it instead of a bystander. Petunia finally regains control, and in a brief moment of lucidity throws all of the magic she has into Seeking Stingers, erupting like a firework and sending a deluge of magic arrows at the demon.

The magic tears it to pieces, and the fury ends, but now the room is full of dead, bleeding and horrified cats, and no one has any idea what just happened. One of the guards standing near Peppa leans in to her: "Run."

Peppa quickly gathers the others and pulls them out - if they stay they will surely be arrested, at best. They flee out into the city of Mau, and Sausagedog remembers that Milkshake von Mau, a cat who used to live in Riverwall and who was his friend, returned to the city to open a barbershop. They move quickly through the city to the shop, and Milkshake welcomes them in. He's already heard the rumors - that the Lost Pitbull Prince became a demon dog and tried to kill the Dynasts, or something?

The dogs take a breather and sort through what happened. Clearly the medal was cursed, but how did it get there? The Dynastic security must be compromised somehow. Sausagedog points out that they already know the Seekers of Ubaste are about (last session), and this incident will certainly strain or break relations between the Monarchies and Pugmire, which is exactly what the Seekers want. 

And what about this "Pitbull Prince" thing? They've heard talk about some "prophecy," but Petunia, easily the most learned of the group, actually thinks carefully and she'd never heard of any "Lost Pitbull Prince" before Pickles von Shadow started ranting about it waaaaaay back in Pugmire. Peppa, likewise, has been studying the lore of the cats, and there's no mention of it in their stories that she can remember. Is it all made up? Or is it just that obscure? Dire points out that Amelia Fold hates Boomer enough to orchestrate something elaborate, but doubts she has the reach to do something like this.

They realize they need to know more about the Seekers of Ubaste, but Milkshake says that cats are loathe to give up secrets, especially now that the dogs are fugitives. He suggests going to Janus House, a gambling establishment run by rats. They might be able to help. He also suggests that dogs might go to the Welcoming Orphanage.

They all know the Welcoming Orphanage; it was founded in the aftermath of the War of Cats and Dogs to take care of orphaned pups and kits. It's run by Father Eddie Pug, and the dogs figure - hope - that he'll give them sanctuary.

They rest a bit, and prepare to move out into the city at first light.