The Heavy Standard: The Standing Emperor

[Part of the Party Time journal]

The next tower they visit is the Library of Truth, which is in the shape of a book but constantly burning, as they were told the lord librarian here was actually helpful to the rebel cause (and they couldn't work out how to kill him). He is indeed a font of knowledge, sharing weaknesses of the others that he knows of and mentioning Emperor Hiatus is now known as "the standing emperor" as he no longer sits down but only after telling them that all of them are actually unwitting caretakers to an evil race sleeping beneath the plateau, and that the old battle standard still carried by Dr. Qwek Qwek actually has parts that can fold out to turn into a key that can be used at the main floor of the Emperor's spire.

After that info dump he takes a vial of poison and offs himself while the team heads next to the confront Bun Bun, the long haired and bearded master builder in a dress who they know they need to drop from a great height. The dice aren't with them here and Bun Bun escapes to (finally) warn the guards while they slink off to rest and head off to their next target, Admiral Sea King Glory on his exploded boat. Eagle just uses an exploding arrow to kill him and then snipes Lord Commander Hasner Been in the back (the only way to kill this back stabbed champion) as he rode around in his chariot.

The soldiers manage to catch up with them afterwards for a brief scuffle but they're soon on their way again to the Argilatory Prison to take out the Emperor's brother, Never. As his guards are busy fighting the apes who have climbed up from the hills they manage to catch him alone, Juris paralyzes him, Agrellon strip searches him, and then Eagle and Dr. Qwek Qwek take turns stabbing him in the heart to finish him off. Reading his scattered papers they learn he had previously attempted to kill his brother with a spear trap that launched up through the throne, but was confused when the Emperor survived it. Eagle rightly surmises this is why he no longer sits down! Armed with this knowledge the party head to his spire to break the curse once and for all.