📝6/10

Thworping through time and space, one adventure at a time!

"The Baron Robbers: A Historical Romp That Plays It Too Safe"

The Bad Influences set closes with The Baron Robbers, a medieval caper that brings Missy into the court of Baron Rufus as a scheming physician plotting to steal a ruby from the Black Prince. While the premise leans into the historical hijinks that Missy excels at, the execution feels more serviceable than standout.

Missy's dynamic infiltration of the medieval court promises the sharp wit and mischief we’ve come to expect. Her alliance with a band of thieves sets up some comedic interplay, but the constant undercutting of their plans by Missy, while amusing at first, grows repetitive without much narrative escalation.

Solaire's return as Sir Floris is a welcome connection to the broader arc. This marks the first chronological encounter for him but the second for Missy, adding layers to their antagonistic relationship. The reveal of what drives Floris' eventual grudge against Missy is satisfying and ties the two stories together, but it doesn’t quite elevate this entry on its own.

The story’s major drawback lies in its pacing and stakes. It leans heavily into being a light-hearted romp, but the humor and antics don’t quite compensate for the lack of tension or urgency. While there are a few entertaining moments—Missy’s mockery of medieval medicine is a highlight—the overall plot feels like it's stalling until it can deliver the necessary climax for the set.

Final Thoughts:

The Baron Robbers is a decent historical romp that doesn’t quite reach the energy or cleverness of Missy’s best outings. While it ties up the Solaire storyline and offers a few fun moments, the lack of substantial stakes or fresh twists leaves it feeling like an adequate but unremarkable finale to the Bad Influences set.

This story is such a weak one to end the set on the ending is a fun cliffhanger though