Gaping Maw of Sound #24

The Gaping Maw of Sound rushed to Banner Plaza, concerned they already may be too late to stop the Church of the Sacred Flame from disrupting the Wing Guard ceremony and hurting people

Upon arrival, the saw Riddel, a kenku wizard, along with a Wing Guard general named Tracia, giving a speech and special demonstration to send off the Wing Guard regiment stationed in Caim

The ceremony was interrupted by Flavana taking over the voice amplifying magic, announcing the burning righteousness that would soon be visited upon those assembled, and placing a symbolic phoenix of fire in the sky

• However, due to Oby and Kit not taking part as planned, there was no explosion, and Flavana was apprehended

The rest of the hidden Sacred Flame members emerged in an attempt to save Flavana, but the Wing Guard made them hesitate

• That hesitation seemed to be overriden by a wisp of black energy flowing through the air around them, and a black feather left behind in its wake

  • The members of the Church of the Sacred Flame ran at the Wing Guard in an attempt to save Flavana, but were all cut down

The Gaping Maw of Sound showed compliance during the battle, and were ushered into Lucidan Keep for questioning

• However, they were almost immediately released as the Ionlann, 009, who the group had met the previous night at the religious meeting, vouched for them and set them free

  • Apparently the entire attack had been a setup from the Ionlann to get potential attacks out in the open. They hadn't anticipated hostility, and regretted the death of the Sacred Flame branch in Caim

Acting boldly, the group approached and spoke to High Prince Mathan Cauld as he passed by in the atrium, demanding reward for their part in capturing the terror cell

• Entertained by their antics, the High Prince promised them the ability to play their music for an assembly the following day to finish the Wing Guard send off. He also instructed 009 to give Sydni his magically cursed drums back

The next morning, Oby was able to dispel the magic on the drums before Sydni woke up, remove the curse that killed people when the drums were played

The band practiced all day, and that evening found a servant within the keep to announce them to the stage setup in Banner Plaze, a man who wished to be known as the "Herald of Fire."

The Gaping Maw of Sound, with Sydni on his skull drums, emerged from backstage to begin their performance in front of thousands of people in Caim.