Encouragement

Panel 1

A tall bookcase filled with books, potions, and a jar that seems to be filled with floating eyeballs dominates the left side of the panel. The inhuman figure of a pale man [Frank] with pointed ears, sunken cheekbones, a black triangular void where his nose would be, and blue glowing eyes surrounded by black emptiness peeks out from behind the bookcase.

Frank is wearing a dark grey cape held together with a blue clasp. Below the cape, he wears a tailored lighter grey jacket with light blue trim, with a dark black shirt underneath. He is not human, and it is questionable if he is even alive.

“Hey Vee! Are the PC’s not here yet?” he asks. “The skeletons weren’t supposed to be that hard.”

Panel 2

GM stands in front of the right half of the exit to the balcony, with Frank facing him on the right, standing in front of the open door.

GM glares at Veronica, his arms crossed over his chest.. Only Veronica’s hand is visible, as she gives GM a rude gesture.

“Oh they were here,” said GM coldly.

Frank raises a hand to his head, flustered, eyes closed. “GM!” he exclaims. “What a lovely surprise to see you! To what do we owe the pleasure?”

Panel 3

Veronica, GM, and Frank stand in front of the exit to the balcony. Veronica and Frank look happy to see each other, and are actively smiling at each other. Meanwhile, GM stands between them and slightly further back, a resigned expression on his face as he shrugs.

“Veronica decided to throw one of the PCs off the balcony,” explains GM.

“He’s bleeding out as we speak!” says Veronica excitedly, as she gestures with a thumb behind her and towards the balcony.

Frank is equally excited. “Wait, really?” he asks.

Panel 4

Frank has rushed the balcony, and is excitedly looking over the railing, GM and Veronica stand behind him. GM looks at Veronica with a disgusted look on his face, as Veronica smirks smugly back.

“This I gotta see!” says Frank as he observes the PC below.

Below him, Horbin’s voice can be heard as he yells “You call this helping!?”

Panel 5

Horbin is still lying on the grass, a bandaid haphazardly attached to the side of his face. Behind him, Xavros is kneeling, holding a staff, and looking down at Horbin with visible frustration. Further behind, standing up so his face is cut off by the top of the panel is Thog, his arms crossed.

“I told you, I don’t have Spare the Dying, this is literally the best I can do,” says Xavros.

“Well your best is crap,” says Horbin.

“Thog help?” Thog offers.

Panel 6

Back on the balcony, Frank and Veronica are giving each other fistbumps as GM stares at them with open dismay.

“First PC kill as an NPC? Way to go Vee!” congratulates Frank.

“Don’t encourage her!” demands GM.

“Sweet, right?” says Veronica, completely ignoring GM.

Below the trio, Horbin’s voice can be heard as he says “Great, that’s just what I need. A barbarian who thinks he’s a healer!”