Meet 42, Adv 10, 1/28/23

One of the players had a holy symbol taken from him at a bad wandering monster check with a dragon in the first 10 sessions with this group back in 2017. Today, he revisited that dragon and arranged to get his symbol back. :)

Follows:

By 5 Am the party was up. The weather was dry, but cold. Wind was coming up from the southwest promising a biting chill for us. Gryg referred to the map often as we left the main road and made our way into the wild mountains of the Moratian Range. We travelled up and down various paths and stretches, the sun climbing higher into the sky. The dwarves in the party occasionally called out the various heights we were above sea level and many times we were trudging up and down rough terrain, 3, 4 thousand feet up but still staying on what roadways the Thakian dwarves had carved into the hinterlands.

By the time 12:30 came and we stopped to rest, Eoghan’s legs had been cramping up. The ranger was curt, rubbing his shins and thighs. Connal tried to help him out, coaxing him to get up and stretch but was rudely rebuffed, Eoghan grumbling as he sat with Grin and ate his rations in poor peace. By 1 PM we were up and pressing on. Gryg was feeling pretty good, guiding us around places where the paths split. Eventually we found ourselves subject to much of the mountains winds. Connal refilled the skein again and the group linked up to cross a pass of stone some 300’ or so in length between two adjoining cliffs.

Once safely across we were on the north end of that mountain and out of the wind. Our reserves were spent and it was time to find somewhere to rest. Gryg and Wilhelm managed to find a cave for us to stay in. It was a hollow in the rock with more than enough of an overhang to keep the weather out as well as gird whatever light we had. We got more than enough dried brush and fallen branches to keep a fire going, and Dizzy supplied a 5# base of the coal we had gotten from House Darbeard as the heart of the fire.

We were tired, Eoghan the most. We laid out bedrolls and blankets. Dizzy heated up a shirt and had the ranger wrap his legs with it. Watches were set and the party drifted off to sleep. At some point there might have been dwarven voices in the ranges above where we were camped, but the distance and obscured cave made sure that they didn’t find us and moved on.

The morning moved on, more cold air. A few Endure Elements were handed out to make the travel less overwhelming. Somewhere after 9 AM, Wilhelm’s mountain lion grew anxious at something ahead. A Speak with animals followed and Wilhelm gave Frontari (yes, he named his mountain lion after Dizzy’s mother’s boyfriend) orders to go and take a look and then come back. Grin went with him, the two of them doing their best to stay out of sight.

We waited and then heard a roaring and calling. Giant voices. And coming fast. Frontari and Grin were first and we gathered that we had company. We ran back down the path around the next turn and then raced up the side of the mountain to the trees there. Once in place, Dizzy called out a summoning and a hobgoblin appeared. He ordered it to run back and it took off – just ahead of 2..3..5 fomorian giants! Damn. They chased after the hobgoblin and eventually knocked it off the mountain with some thrown stones. They then argued a bit and decided to go into the ravine to find it and eat it.

We moved on from here. The day moved to after noon and later in the day arrived at Fingelt…Stoutbelly mine. The guards waited for us and then they got Wharen Stoutbelly. We came in (they were sad we had no mail) and looked around. Dizzy and Connal had been here over a year ago and could see some changes and fixes to the place. Money has been spent here. We explained we were passing through and Wharen confirmed kobolds were pretty heavy around the area, but they were safe enough here.

Welcome to stay, everyone works. They could either shovel the slag pile of peel potatoes. We split the duties and fit in. Dinner came and we ate, sharing with the locals working here some of our stories, trying not to go into the dangers we faced under the kobold attacks. Resting that night we were up early enough on the 26th and Wharen led us through the mines, down 5 levels, and then eventually out of the blast doors they had installed at the bottom to the ravine we had travelled though so long ago. We thanked him and wished him well.

It took us 3 or so hours of walking the uneven ground and steep deep ravine until we came to the cave maybe 30’ above the ravine floor. We climbed up – 14’ tall, 30’ tall – odd smell from within. We proceeded with care. The dwarves could tell there was a faint slope (5 degrees), going in. It was almost 100’ to the 1st split and we listened, opting to go west. Then another 100’ feet in the dark to another split and we went right this time. Then it was over 100’ to a huge cavern.

A few hundred feet in diameter, 60 to 80’ tall. Crystals and gypsum abounded. Pools of hot steaming burning water. A 70’ long copper dragon was sleeping on a loose hoard of treasure. A wall was behind him with 2 or 3 dozen assorted busts, necklaces, and symbols upon it. We tried to attract the dragon’s attention and it took a few calls before it awoke. Gems, coins, and rocks fell from its huge horse sized head as it turned to look at us. “Who are you and what do you want?”

Heroditis (as its name it had given to us) talked to us for a while. He remembered Dizzy and was willing to be entertained at our request to get the holy symbol back. He offered up the earrings, eventually the dragon agreeing. We talked about its time, getting a brief glimpse on what dragons do and their place in the scheme of things. He did not know of the Terror dungeon and was dismayed to learn about Grues – he and his other dragons eradicated them over a century earlier – they have no place here and if left unchecked can wipe out a decent sized province in a short while.

Then we talked about the dungeon, showed it a copy of the rune stone, and were surprised when it transformed itself into a human with an inrushing of exploding air. He suspected that mountain dwarves, the Gorokian empire, might be involved in the dungeon as it doesn’t make any sense. Also, where was it? And more importantly – when was it. Heroditis let us know that the amulet didn’t just let them into the terror dungeon, but it also brought them to a particular time. Some 200 years ago.

They gave us a bit of concern and answered a few questions about our thoughts of the cosmology of the dungeon. Heroditis wanted a little something from everyone, as a token of appreciation of his time. Something interesting, religious even. One by one we traded various items to the dragon and it came up in casual conversation about the Sovereign Lands and the kings there.

And then we mention Lord Emberwine and how the dragon was a sovereign as well. And was most likely still there and stuck in his kingdom/prison. And this got Heroditis very interested. He transformed back to a dragon, told the group thanks, and wished them well. Then he went to the cave entrance and flew up and away.

Most likely to go to Emberwine’s 4 or 5 year abandoned dragon’s lair hidden somewhere – and now open to another dragon who might know exactly where to go.

We felt pretty good and made our way towards the entrance, it was 11:15 Am on the 26th and we were a good 2 days or so from Thak at least.

Youth Group! TOEE - Meet 20, 1/11/23

 Right after this I threw my back out and had to take 2 weeks off of playing either group. Welcome to your 50's!

While we bashed the last guy to submission, the party took stock of the chamber. Chambermaid and archivist crying on the way to the stairs going up. Pestle had snatched the candle from their hands with the mage hand spell and we were debating on going upstairs or down. We could hear voices coming from both. Albert had gone to the two and were yelling at them to let them know where Burne was when someone from up the stairs shot down – slamming an arrow into the wizard! The party ran to get away when another arrow slammed into the chambermaid, killing her.

Unable to see up there for sure, and knowing that some archers were up there waiting on us, we felt we were at a standstill. Pestle and Aredhel hatched a plan and the gnome used her mage hand to force the candle up the side of the steps until it made it to the top. And then Aredhel firebursted it, burning the archers up there.

We charged up the steps to the 2nd level. Furd was up there and tackled one of the archers with Elmo and Rowan and his animals followed next. Clubbing and hitting followed and the archers were hit and hit hard, with Furd kicking one of them over and down the stairs. The party followed up until everyone was on the 2nd floor. The stairs continued up but there were two doors on this floor. Aredhel and Ophelia thought the south of the 2 doors was Rufus’ chamber. The other door we didn’t know. We suspected and could hear voices on the 3rd floor up so we figured briefly to check out this floor.

The north door had something moving faintly behind it, the south door did not. We opened the door and it was indeed the fighter’s chamber. A look around showed a few things, some coin, but under the bed was a dead woman. Dead for a week. And in the armoire was a dozen or so fetishes that Rufus had taken from other women. OMG – he was indeed a monster. We had to take him down too.

Before going up, Aredhel fired a Flare up the stairs and we could see a barricade up there and a number of people well placed and waiting. As for the north door, there was a bang on the door – and we figured – let’s go. From up the stairs they lit a fuse and let a 3 gallon barrel with burning bounced down at us. Elmo caught it, and then hurled it up the stairs where it went over the barrier – and then it exploded. It set others up there on fire and burst another bomb – and we charged up. A few guys were dead and 2 were still there, one blown on the next stairs up.

Elmo’s invulnerability potion and Furd’s potion of Stoneskin kept both men at the forefront and alive. The group charged up and brought the combat to the 3 guys hurt but still alive. Rowan’s animals Hamburger and Snookums hit as well. Damage and hurt flowed around and when it was over, some healing was given. We could hear Burne and Rufus upstairs but something was coming out of the closed door downstairs and heading its way to us.

We looked down – and it was a 11’ tall stone golem. And it was heading up the stairs towards us. Crap. Plans were given and Pestle said that she’d stay here on this level and run around the center of the tower (were 2 small rooms were) – attracting the golem and keeping it from going up to the next level. Meanwhile we were going to hit the stairs hard and Furd, Elmo, and Rowan (riding Hamburger) would strike hard and first.

The group slammed the top where Burne, Rufus, as well as the captain of Burne’s mercenaries and another 2 as well. Combat ensued with Rufus holding the front line with the Captain off to the side. Screams and cried followed and Burne fired 4 magic missiles at Furd – hitting the fighter hard. We did note that the Captain was the guy yelling “Hooray” earlier and a few times. Rowan summoned a bear to the fight and Elmo got sliced and struck. Aredhel’s spells ripped into the enemy. Pestle was running ahead of the golem, coaxing it to stay on the 3rd level and chase her.

After dimensioning dooring the bear attacking him away, Burne made 4 mirror images appear around him. Furd then grappled the Captain, begging him to stop fighting and just stop. They wrestled about as the party hit and slashed. Rowan went down from a hit by Rufus and Elmo hit the fighter back. Ophelia healed Rowan, getting him up again. More acid splash was tossed about and Albert tried to get around the battlefield. Pestle was still running but she was getting tired and her pulse was pounding. She was still running for now, but it wasn’t going to last. Hurry up guys!

The battle continued on and Rowan had summoned 2 animals to join the fight – and the bear again! Speaking of the bear, Snookums got a triple critical on Rufus, ripping his throat open and killing the fighter instantly! Huzzah! Burne’s images were being popped away when Albert drank his potion of Keen eye and hurled it at the wizard – striking him dead on! We pushed on and Burne dispelled magic, banishing both of the summoned monsters. And Albert hurled another knife, and the Keen eye potion was still working, slicing the wizard open and killing him. The Captain and his 2nd both lowered their weapons and agreed to work with the party. The Captain (Charles), sent his 2nd down to help Pestle to lure the golem into the center room and then out the other door – once it was unable to see the gnome, it just stopped giving chase.

Finally done – we took stock of what was going on and where we were going to go next. Like Rannos Davi – and end the threat to Hommlet!

Meet 41, Adv 10, 1/14/23

One by one, the party arrived at Shebara Dizzrae’s home, got a warm breakfast, and gathered themselves up for the trip to Thak. Dizzy’s mom and Frontari made sure that the party was as ready as they could be and after a round of hugs and well wishes, invited everyone to come back at any time if need be. Dizzy and Frontari traded some harsher words, quietly and apart from the others, and ended it with a threat and some promises.

As the group met up with Vigmilrud, a caravan leader who was going to hire the group to make the trip westward to Thak, Wilhelm and Gryg went off to the Hunter’s Guild where they had the chance to look over the animals there. After some time looking about, they each made the purchase for the mountain lion and a wild boar respectively.

Once all together, we left on the 21st and along with the caravan. Multiple wagons, laden with trade goods. We made our trip slowly and with care. Vigmilrud stopped the wagon often, making sure the mountain ponies were fed and watered. Everyone took their turns and we made good time. The weather stayed dry and the road was in good repair. It took 2 solid days to get to Thak and upon arrival, we got paid for our efforts. We made our way throughout town to the Darbeard Demesne and eventually had a chance to go in and meet with Donna Donnegarten.

She remembered us (Dizzy and Connal) and welcomed us in. Conversation meandered about and we learned that Fingelt’s Mine had been reopened – paid for and overseen by Wharen Stoutbelly. We were hoping to get a map to lead us to the Mine as we were looking to go to someplace near it. She demurred and said that she could not do that, and would have to be kicked up to the Darbeard’s to make that call.

She put us up here at the Demesne for tonight as Tropor and his family had gone to rest. We showered and washed up, getting to the mess hall where we had a good hot meal and some company with the locals. Laughter and jokes followed and then we rested getting a great night sleep.

We met with Tropor the next day and caught him up on our lives and activities over the last year plus. We did ask about the mine and he balked a bit about getting us a map until we managed to convince him that we were not going to interfere with the mine or its operation. Eventually he agreed and on the end of it all, gave us a copy of the map, and on Airmonth the 23rd, we were on our way.

It had been 5 days now with no rain and we knew it was going to be 2 hard days travel (3 if we were with a caravan), with a day and a half going off the main roads. We left Thak after getting rations and made our way into the Moratian Mountains, travelling further westward and upward. Gryg was the main reader of the map and was sure that by the later afternoon arrived at the proper turnoff. Not wanting to go into the wilds now, we camped here and rested.

Watches were set and even though some weird zombie wandered towards our camp fire before falling into a ravine and dying there. It was 5 AM on the 24th and we were going to get ourselves into the mountains and head off to Stoutbelly Mine.

Meet 40, Adv 10, 1/7/23

 After taking the month off for holiday and year end game, we came back to the table and there was a ton of LARPing at the table. At 1 point, we had a 4 way split and we had a chance to interact with a number of the party's extended family. Which made most of the players say, "Ah - now that makes sense why "X" is the way he is."

Follows:

We were hanging out at the local tavern discussing what the plans were next. Grendel had a dinner with Byrag Maexoff and Dizzy was happy to go with him. Connal wanted to go to dinner at his family and Eoghan was going to go with him. Gryg of course was invited back to his family for a dinner as well. That left Wilhelm, who honestly, was going to go back to Dizzy’s mother’s house and have dinner with Shebara and Frontari.

In the meantime, Dizzy wanted to…thought to…figured it was time…to go to the Reetersbeard Tradehouse and visit with his father. A high level manager and organizer in the Reetersbeard organization, Korok had little love or recognition of his son. Dizzy felt weird going back after 2 plus years but eventually made his way to Korok’s office. There was some sheltered banter in the beginning, and Korok had 5 other daughters (from 3 other women) that he identified and recognized. Their pictures and the like were displayed in the office.

As for Dizzy, words started flying and it was learned to the group that Korok never forgave Dizzy or Shebara for Dizzy’s attitude, and he claimed his tough love was for Dizzy to finally rise up and actually claim something, be a man so to speak. Since he never did, he was a disappointment. And then after he got him a job with the organization, placing him a decent enough level with the skills he had (writing), Dizzy eventually manifested touched powers from his goddess – and Korok felt that he was wasted and duped. He couldn’t move Dizzy again in the organization; it would look like nepotism and Dizzy would not be given a fair shake in his new place. Words were exchanged, more so than usual and Dizzy left a few years ago.

He belittled his estranged son and his “adventuring” party job. Thug, criminal, loser. If he begs, he could have his job back. Then it was going to leave and Korok threatened to have Shebara fired at her job as retaliation for having such a piece of shit son. It might have been bluster or not, but Gryg (as a Reeteresbeard as well) waited behind to invite Korok to his family house tonight after dinner to talk and not make any decisions now.

Meanwhile, Wilhelm and Eoghan had not gone to the Tradehouse, instead they had gotten directions to the Hunters’ District up on the western slopes of Mount Doverfjell. He was hoping to learn where maybe a bobcat or lynx could be found for hunting and the druid and ranger walked around, marveling at not only the dwarven hunters, rangers, and the likes here doing their business, but also the animals that had been gathered near and far. Birds of all types, squirrels, rabbits, elk, caribou, dogs and many breeds, wolfhounds, wolves, indeed a number of mountain lions and cats, including a 16’ tall wooly mammoth and a sabertoothed tiger.

We spoke with Arnskar, a doughty dwarven woman and seemingly guildmaster up here. She did talk about the tiger, most people are interested. Was captured 3 years ago when it was caught in a landslide. Captor hadn’t sold it yet and wanted 350 gold crowns for it – no exceptions. Wilhelm was tempted, but it was a princely sum. He did look at a few mountain lions, pleased with what he saw, and was willing to talk about getting one – 210 nobles for it.

We reconvened and discussed what was to follow. A few of us bought new clothes (our current garb were getting pretty worn out and dirty) and just before 5- we broke up into…fours…(sigh) and went on our way!

Connal and Eoghen arrived at Connal’s family home where Karl and Feli greeted them and invited them in. All of Connal’s elder siblings were here. From Kindy and her husband and kids, who had in her youth been a high wire act but a bad fall or two turned her off and she switched out to ticket sales and organization. Then there was Kenny, on his 3rd wife, the new Strongman of the troupe, he was working out now, buff and thick (shredded is the word!) and playfully bantering with Karl. Kloe the next sister with her husband and kids, she was still actively acting as a light contortionist clown back up. Then there was Karen – she was there with her two kids, and had a bit of an attitude and might have been miserable – but was a perfect straight man for the family. And then there was the youngest (ahead of Connal), Kay who was the troupe clown and also turned tricks now and again with what marks she would pick up at the circus.

There was food and laughter and cursing and jokes and more food. Feats of strength, flipping (who isn’t flipping? Get flipping!), kids all over. The house was a bit of a mess, the yard was a bit of a mess, and kids were everywhere – but it was a lively get together that promised to overwhelm Eoghan who was not at all used to anything like this, and a breath of nostalgia for Connal who got a chance to revisit home after being gone for so long.

Gryg had gone to his dinner, alone, where his father Porfan and mother Tila were happy to have him back. The two older siblings were out now but his 3rd, 4th, and 5th youngest siblings were there. Thor was 36 (16 est h/a) and had missed his brother tremendously. He was proud to have joined the local chapterhouse of the League of Odin on his 35th birthday and wanted to follow in Gryg’s footsteps and learn how to fight. He was already skilled enough with a hammer and had been given a tin badge indicating he had achieved the first level of needed skill to eventually get his graduation degree.

The next youngest, Wodan was 31 (14 est h/a) and also wanted to be a part of his elder brother’s circle – Gryg’s sure, but with Gryg gone these last 2 plus years, had turned his focus to Thor. Not allowed to join the League yet (Porfan’s orders), he did practice with Thor at home, often taking the position of “random attacker with a knife” that Thor could practice his attacks and moves on. Wodan had gotten pretty good at carving (thanks to Tila, his mom who worked at the Reetersbeard Tradehouse in the Wheelwright area as a carpenter and spoke maker) and would make a number of carved wooden knives. Thor liked them so much, he would bring a few in and sell them to other League members and share the profits with his brother would make more. He gave one to Gryg.

Then there was Baldoral. At 25 (11 est h/a) he was a bit of a loner and wanted to be a part of something more. His studies were poor, he had a penchant for not listening and going his own way if at all possible. But he was fascinated with Gryg and just wanted some sort of connection with his almost legendary elder brother.

Dinner was weird – Porfan and Tila although married and with a number of kids, had a gulf of years between them (30) and it seems that Tila had grown a bit tired of her husband and his conservative ways. Porfan tried to stop any conversation about Gryg and his experiences and Tila was expounding on them. Eventually he went to the yard with his 3 brothers and let them hold his weapons, and even gave Baldoral a chance to shoot his crossbow. It sailed up well over the target and was lost somewhere 4 blocks up. It changed Baldoral’s life at that moment and everyone went inside.

Dinner kept going and Gryg defended his life and choices. 50 is an important year for all dwarves and Gryg was serious about his current career choice and path. He did let the group know about Korok Reetersbeard before he showed and when he did, the charismatic older dwarf had Porfan on the back foot, Tila swooning over him, and the 3 other kids fascinated. Gryg tried to intervene for Dizzy and Shebara and had questionable success. Tila was invited to Korok’s office tomorrow, bring Baldoral – he looks like a young man with some promise. Porfan was very much not…anything and was getting looked over.

A bribe was eventually offered to Gryg to poison Dizzy with a magebane elixir but for clerics, and even though the price was noticeable, he demurred. Korok respected that and thanked the family for their time, let Tila walk him to the door (with accompanying hug and see you tomorrow) and left. Needless to say, the rest of the dinner was much less interesting.

Wilhelm arrived at the Dizzrea home and had a nice dinner with Shebara and Frontari. They talked a bunch and Frontari decided to get his cousin, Raschel to come over. She worked for the Hunter’s District as a leather worker and shared her thoughts about the place and some of the pricing involved. Conversation moved about, was flirty and friendly. She liked his cats and the entire family was huggy and appreciative. It was after 9:30 and getting late when Wilhelm offered to walk Raschel home. They two of them left amidst hugs and giggles, inviting him to come back any time, and took the long way to her home. Where eventually she invited him in for a drink and to talk some more. And the elven druid did. And boot scene.

Meanwhile Eoghan was so overwhelmed by Connal’s family – worried that Kay was going to have her way with him or Karen would. Connal covered for him and Eoghan left, eventually going back to Dizzy’s mom’s house – where he learned that Wilhelm had been here for dinner and company and left a short while ago. They shared some cheese and crackers and ale with him and then it was getting late and the tire ranger decided to turn in and Shebara set him up with a place in the living room and her and Frontari went off to bed. Also boot scene.

As for Grendel, he and Dizzy went to the Maexoff Demesne where Byrag met them along with his wife Fadia (69 human, silver haired Goldie Hawn looking) and daughter Vyer (49 human Elizabeth Hurley looking). The place was rich, also carpeted, and the dinner was delicious. They talked about his youth, his life, meeting Fadia, and then making the step up and growing up. Silas Maexoff was adamant that the young wastrel make something of himself and helped groom Byrag over the years to the man he was today until his passing.

They saw his memorabilia of his time in the Stivil Arena and learned about his years earlier and the hard times he had. He took them to his “man cave” where they saw other trophies and items there. It was a chance wood carving and painting of him with a distinctive looking sword that turned the conversation that way.

Silas Maexoff demanded a large dowry for his daughter, Fadia, and Byrag who was spending his winnings as fast as he was making them, was hard pressed, eventually selling/pawning his family blade to a broker in Stivil for 90 days. To the tune of a thousand gold crowns. If he didn’t come back at that time to pay the loan back plus 25%, the item could be sold again to anyone else interested. Byrag was out of Stivil before the 90 days were done, already up here in Ironcamp and working at a lower position in the Maexoff organization. He had written numerous times to find out if the weapon was available and then was sad to learn it was no longer “there” and must have been sold.

He was sad, but tried to say that the elven way of things being that sometimes things go on for a better reason and as long as the weapon was being used by someone who needed it – it was worth it. It was his great grandfather’s blade and he was able to trace its ownership and lineage back some 312 years to its forging – at a time when the Randari Empire was still climbing.

We talked a bit more and then Grendel came clean. He had the blade (not here, back at Dizzy’s mom’s house) and that he had come here to talk to Byrag about it. And that he paid 140 crowns for it. 140? 140!? That’s…an insult! I had to pawn it 50 years ago for a thousand crowns! Byrag was very mad. And Silas said it was long gone and doesn’t know where it went. That that that old…he LIED to me! We talked about the gems and Byrag sort of clammed up about it, not fooling Dizzy or Vyer. Dizzy tried to trip him up by saying it was missing a blue gem. Byrag knew it was missing a green one but was so overwhelmed, that he went to his office and shutting the door, opened his safe to look.

Fadia was next, and she told the two friends that she did NOT want that sword back in the house. At all. It was back of Byrag’s past, not his present and to not give it to him. Vyer met her father in the hall when he came out of the office, satisfied it was STILL the green gem he had, they had to be lying. He was upset with the lie from Dizzy, and the lies from Silas, and so wanted his sword back. Vyer had to talk with him a bunch until he calmed down and came to realize that mom was mad and that the sword was part of his youth, it was time to move on  - just let it go.

At the table we discussed the gem and passing it on to Grendel. It would need to be remounted to the blade – it would need his blood to fuse it – and it would need the heat of a dragon’s fire to melt the flux to allow the gem to once more sit properly. Money was spent and we left the Maexoff family one step closer to Grendel getting his sword re-enchanted again.

Youth Group! TOEE - Meet 19, 1/4/23

 The Druid had his time to shine this meeting and might have a new animal companion - a bull. :)

The group rested, waking up about 4 AM on Restmonth the 14th. We had a choice – wait for Black Jay to get up and go with him to Rannos Davi, or sneak away before he awakens. We opt for the 2nd. The priests give up on praying for now, hoping to get someplace else, the wizards have no spellbooks still, but Aredhel has all her spells (hooray sorcerer!).

We figured, let’s go and go now. Rowan distracted the dogs as we snuck out, made our way westward and hit the woods away from town. It was cold this morning and we traveled at least a half mile from Hommlet. From there we turned south, Rowan and Elmo guiding the party. Eventually we came to the Nyr Dyv river and had to cross, but didn’t want to go near Hommlet and use the bridge. So Elmo went looking for a place to ford and once there, we made our way across. It was over 40’, moving fast, and a least a foot and a half deep. We carried Pestle and the rest of us linked up by 2s and 3s.

Once there it was slow going, Rowan was pretty hurt, feet super cold. It took us until at least quarter after six to get to a place that Elmo figured was pretty much south of Jaroo’s grove. From here Ophelia and Rowan prayed while we could hear distant noises in the town. Nothing distinct. It was a bit after 7:30 when they were done. The plan was to have Rowan sneak up to Jaroo’s home, grab the potions that were there, and maybe get the bear if it was still there.

Rowan cast a Camouflage on himself and snuck north. We came out of the trees and walked through the tall grass. He could see people moving about town, and was going through the field behind the farmer’s home. The bull had noticed Rowan and snuck over. Nervous, Rowan cast speak with animals with it, and learned the bull was willing to go with him to the druid’s area. The bull was sure the farmer hated him, was afraid of going blind, and loved having sex with his cow/wife. They had kids, but the farmer either ate them or sold them off. Rowan felt bad.

They came through the grove and saw the place was closed up, two of Rannos’ guys were here. Snookums was here as well, the bear was muzzled, and chained face down. It had a number of superficial wounds across its flanks and back and seemed to be in some peril. The two guards were snarling at it, hitting it with the back of their spears and idly chatting. They hadn’t seen Rowan or the bull yet.

So before the spell ended, Rowan gave the bull his directions and they ran into the fight. Rowan used the club that had been fashioned earlier, laying into the lead brigand, hitting him and holding his own. The bull though had pawed the ground a few times, building up a head of steam, and then ran at the other merc. He was hit hard, both horns slamming through his midsection. Then while gasping and yelling was lifted and dropped to the ground where the bull ran him down and trampled him to death. He then turned, pawed the ground again, and charged once. Rowan sidestepped out of the way and the bull gored, stomped, and trampled the other brigand.

Snookums was freed and the bear seemed appreciative. It looked like everyone was together and the front door was opened – setting off a Wyvern Watch spell with screamed loud and tried to stab Rowan. From outside the glade, other Mercs called out to “shut the fuck up,” to the presumably still living 2 mercs within.

The group heard the shrill cry even in the woods and were getting worried for Rowan. They moved a bit further north but trusted the druid, opting to wait still.

Unable to open the locked door, Rowan convinced the bull to do so and it charged the door, smashing it open. Speak with animals had been cast again and besides learning the bull wanted to be called “hamburger” and that Snookums was willing to go with the group to free Jaroo, they also discovered Cheddar the Jack Russel Terrier was still inside and terrified at the smashing noise and the bull’s entrance. Rowan grabbed what potions he could find (some healing, a beastmaster, a potion of invulnerability, and a potion of stoneskin), as well as a scroll with the 6th level druidic spell – summon weather!

Leaving the house he went south, across the glade, through the trees, and a clip over the field. The dairy cow saw the bull leaving and gave chase. And the farmer saw the cow leaving and also gave chase. Damn it.

Rowan went south, riding the bull…Hamburger, leading Snookums the bear, the dog Cheddar running ahead and back, and then the dairy cow and the farmer calling entering the woods. The group all convened and we spoke to the farmer, Wayne, about keeping silent. He suggested if we were doing something “damn foolish and heroic” then to keep the bull. He didn’t want it anyway, was going a bit blind and was going to get a younger bull soon to keep Bessie happy. Rowan felt like shit for the bull, who fought with him and murdered two people! And agreed to take it with him, and would pay Wayne when this was all over. Wayne agreed to keep the party’s presence a secret but he wanted them to get his matter resolved before Burne and Rannos Davi killed more kids this afternoon.

We divided up some potions, did some healing, and came up with a plan. We wanted to hit Burne first. And we were going to use the scroll of Summon Weather to do so. So it was a bit after 9 when we walked the long way around and over to the treeline south of the tower and there it was that Rowan spent the 10 minutes casting the complex spell from the scroll. It was a cloudy day already, and he caused a drop in barometric pressure, cooling the air and keeping the ground warm, and the cloud cover just…fell. Coating the entire town in a humongous fog blanket (minimum 3 miles diameter). Visibility dropped to 10/20’ tops and this was going to negate the archer issue as well as distance spells.

It was time.

We moved quickly through the pea soup to the slope at the base of the tower and climbed up the 20, 30’ to the first plateau. We could hear worry throughout the town and maybe some people looking about? Hard to tell. We went higher to the next slope, bear and bull doing well. But it was Furd who was having problems. He kept slipping down and had to climb again. And again. And again. Minute after minute he made his way up the slope and slipped down again exhausted, dirty, and more frustrated.

Finally he made it to the top where he gave a “hooray!” and the party was like, “what the hell man?”

Surprisingly, from somewhere in the tower, we heard another voice yell hooray back. Neat!

We snuck through the fog to the tower’s base and then followed it around to the front where we all got together, and then ran up the stairs. We hit the landing and open front door where two guards were positioned. Overruning their place we charged into the tower and saw a few servants running away, welcome area, fireplace, and set of stairs going up and down. We poured it, Aredhel hoping to fireburst someone but the room was pretty full fast. Furd and Elmo had each drunk a potion and Hamburger had driven one of the men into the flagstones of the fireplace. There was one left but we needed to figure out – upstairs or down?

Meet 39, Adv 10, 12/10/22

This was the last meeting before the YEG and break. This year I had a large group of players (15 for dinner, 12 to play) - and we split up into two random groups - minor gods and their paladins - they had to the Mt Olympus and get the Ambrosia while beset by Hera and her minions. Gods had their part, paladins had theirs. Was lots of fun.

No pics - sorry this time! Pics return on the following posts

Follows:

We were on our way on Airmonth the 17th by 8:45, making fairly good time. The roads had been dry for a few days now and the mud had hardened in many places, giving the wagon better traction and the group a faster land speed. The road continued to rise and fall as we moved northward through the Passian Hills to the Gorokian Range. At some point we were approached by a Randari wandering troupe and made some trades. They were looking for forged metal knives if possible, trading us skins and the like. The rest of the trip went on without issue and we came to the waystation in a timely fashion, setting up camp and lighting a fire.

The 18th was another good travel day and with no real issues we made good time getting closer to where we needed to be.

During the evening a group of mounted travelers that had the look of brigands upon them asked to share the waystation, their leader was named Terrance. We felt pretty good about it and invited them along to stay. They took the far end of the station and we rested up again. And then another group came, a series of religious nomads coming south from Ironcamp wanted to rest here. Their leader was named Annor and the Waystation was more than large enough even for the new visitors.

One of the nomads was a woman named Irene, a follower of Sif who Dizzy had spent time with during his time years ago training at the temple. They caught up with each other and the group was surprised to see Dizzy and his interaction with a person he referred to as a friend. We had a good night and the next day the 19th we wished everyone good travels. We made great time eventually coming to the lower mountain range and by 4:30 that afternoon, IronCamp.

The home of the Reetersbeard dwarves, IronCamp was built on the sloping base and side of Mount Doverfjell. Some 50 thousand souls made their home here, with 20 plus thousand of them being dwarves, at least 15 thousand related in some way to the Retersbeard clan. Gnomes, humans, and orcish people made up the next largest contingent with a surprising robust elven neighborhood as well. The roads were clean, well spaced out, buildings were well made, and the city was fairly clean.

We came in and after getting the layout of the rules, we made our way through, Dizzy wanting to take the party to his mother’s house. He hadn’t seen her for a few years and invited us to come along. Finally outside the home, well maintained, good, small garden of herbs, flower boxes. Dizzy was not happy on seeing a second rocking chair outside on the porch and muttered that his mother might have a friend come visit.

A knock on the door had it open and Dizzy’s mom came out. She was an attractive buxom dark haired dwarven woman, Shebara Dizzrey, and she wrapped her arms around her son’s neck, sobbing and crying .”Dizzrey! Dizzrey! Blessed Sif you’re home!” Introductions were given about and we were all invited in. We learned a bit about Dizzy’s life and where he came from. His name was also Idela. A girl’s name. Forced upon him by his father an upper level trade manager with the Retersbeard caravan – a person who never wanted to acknowledge his son’s birth.

We also had a chance to meet Shebara’s good friend, a fellow dwarven herbalist named Frontari. Dizzy was not enamored with Frontari and was ill-mannered to the earnest dwarf. Dinner was shared and the group was invited to stay the night to avoid spending money at an inn. Dizzy did not like the idea of his mother sharing a bed with Frontari, or anyone for that matter. They had been together for 7 months and Shebara was not going to let her son put a damper on her life.

We rested well and the next day we all split up to hit a few places that were important to us. Darius and Rhyger were on their way and wouldn’t be back through here for 6 or 7 days at best. Dizzy learned that his father Korak Reetersbeard did have an office at the Reetersbeard tradehouse – and might be prudent to go there.

Connal was next. He went to visit his family. The Sifian monastic was  the youngest member of a circus family. His father and mother, Karl and Feli, were a strongman and contortionist. They were getting on in years and even though Karl was still the family patriarch. They were happy to see their prodigal son returned and he regaled them about his travels and what he’s done. His sister Kay was home and the other siblings were out doing whatever they were doing with their own families.  Connal could see that his father was getting older, his body was getting worn out, and he seemed to be in pain. The visit was loving and they didn’t want him to do anything that was too dangerous, was always welcome to come home and rejoin the family circus business.

As for Grygmiir, he went to visit his family. His mother was out working, but his father Profan was home and was very pleased that Gryg had come to visit. He too wanted his son to do whatever he wanted to to find his place in the world. The 50th birthday was an important milestone for dwarves, it’s when they were supposed to figure out what they wanted to do for the rest of their lives. Make a good choice and live it. Porfan and Tila had a large brood, 7 kids in all, with Gryg as the eldest.

Gryg tried to explain what he did but Porfan didn’t quite know what being a Ranger meant, just hoped that Gryg did a good job at it and made a difference. Can he ranger here? The Terror Dungeon was dropped at some point and Profan was rather upset. Risk? That much? Isn’t worth it! Just think about going along to get along. And come back tonight for dinner.

That left Grendel who went to House Maexoff where he managed to get an audience with Byrag Dragonbreath, now Maexoff, by posing as a student of history. They talked for a bit and he was invited to come back to the family home @ 5 PM to meet with Fadia. We all left and regrouped, it was a bit after 2 PM and we were going to figure out what our next steps were.

Youth Group! TOEE - Meet 18, 12/07/22

Aredhel’s cell was open and after crawling out from the shadowed area, bypassed the three guards that had passed out. She could hear Furd in the next cell and after stepping out shut the cell behind here. There were 2 more here unconscious in the hall and she could see in the distance another down into the next room. Looking at the 2 guys here she found a set of keys but the angry half ogre ripped the door of his cell open.

Reconnected together they looked in the next 4 cells, eventually freeing the remainder of the party. Ophelia was missing.  Everyone was pretty beat up, battered, bruised, and they took the time to look over Aredhel’s many injuries – including the half elf’s missing ear. We suspected that we were in the basement level of the Church of St. Cuthbert. And at this time, the other temple guards were waking up. Furd picked one of them up and throttled him against the wall. Rowan and Albert were trying to get the other one to relax and answer questions but the blade to the neck and the gyrating only served to get his throat nicked – followed by a deep puncture to his chest. Fight went out of him.

We wanted some answers, where was Ophelia, what was going on, where was our stuff. The guards didn’t answer much but something went wrong when we could hear the other guard that had been down the hall had also woken up and was running. Calling for Calmert. Calmert? Terjon’s leader – the Cannon, and master of the Temple. Shit.

Furd dropped the guy he was holding and took off as fast as he could in pursuit. The party was going to shove the last guys in the cells, some choice words from Aredhel and Albert left with them.

Furd ran hard, racing to the west he looked left and right, spying a set of stairs going up. Charging there he took them two at a time, clawing and racing, hearing the other person running ahead, calling Calmert’s name. The top of the stairs was a private set of rooms, he ran to the swinging doors, misjudged the swing, and slammed into them, ripping them down and hurting himself in the process. He could see another set north of here swinging and 2 temple workers looking scared. He ran on, hitting the doors the right way and spied another set of stairs going up. And the fleeing temple guard running up them. “I’ll get you!”

He hit the stairs and ran up, 2 other temple guys here and the guard making his way to the east and through the last door. Here was Calmert, another temple guard – and Ophelia – tied in effigy on an “H” frame and set to dangle over the railing to the ground beyond. “Blasphemer!” Calmert cried out. “You shall PAY!”

Furd swung in, chains flailing, flashing and banging around. Ophelia slipped a bit but hung there, ropes in place. The half ogre tried to choke out Calmert but could not get a decent loop with his chains. The party meanwhile had caged up the last of the guards and were now running, 4 minutes behind Furd, to help their friend out.

The combat was brutal and Furd was on the losing side. The Cannon was a competent fighter and things went poor when he critically hit the half ogre in the skull with his enchanted cudgel, cracking his skull and dropping him to the ground – at 0 hit points. The other temple workers were here and they were trying to tie him to the other H frame – Calmert wanted them both to dangle over the balcony and then burn.

And from there, the rest of the party arrived. Clad in underwear, on single digit hit points, sporting stolen daggers and little else, they hit Calmert’ chamber like a wave. Albert’s knife flew out and struck one of the workers in the chest. Aredhel snatched up a metal tripod and waded in, beating and smashing the closest priest found. Pestle was scavenging for items to throw and Rowan called out to Demeter. A hyena appeared and he ordered it in and the canine charged. But it misjudged the floor and leapt…over the rail and down to the floor below where it screamed and laughed and it hit the ground broken and dying.

Albert summoned colored lights to block Calmert’s view and the priest called a blessing out, filling his followers with glory and banishing their fear. Ripping a mirror off the wall, Elmo ran in to smash one of the followers down but slipped and catapulted over the railing! Catching the end of the “H” frame where Ophelia hung, making her cry in pain as her leg was twisted. But he hung there – 15’ off the ground and managed to get a solid grip.

Pestle summoned dancing lights and then also blinded Calmert as best he could, bringing them together into a effigy of burning man. We brought the fight closer, hitting and smashing. Calmert did get a series of good hits, slamming Albert hard, the wizard brought to a single hit point. Rowan managed to get closer and poured a single Cure Minor wound into the hurt Furd – and the half ogre went to 1. And up he came. Chains flailing around he smashed one of the helpers to the group and then continued on, felling another in his effort to close to Calmert. Elmo meanwhile climbed up over Ophelia, kissing the priestess once for luck, making his way unseen to the top again.

And then the party attacked the last temple servant and Calmert in force. Knives stabbed, clubs were smashed, chains flailed. The Cannon staggered and then finally fell over. Dead. Wasting little time we dragged Opehlia back up to the ledge and cut her free. She was overcome and hugged Elmo hard. Furd took Calmert’s cudgel for now as we looked him over. We could hear other temple followers running out of the Church. Pestle wanted to get to a window to see where they were heading. Aredhel discovered a silver key behind a badge of office on Calmert’s neck.

There was another chamber that we went to look in, assuming it was Terjons. Pestle could see out a window that those who fled the temple were bee lining for the Sword and Cheese trade post. Rannos Davi. “Guys! Make it fast!” There was a desk with a small lock in the back and Aredhel went to use the key to unlock it- but triggered a trap – was pricked- and passed out.

Fuck.

It was still locked and Pestle used her Mage hand spell to turn the key – opening the top of the desk. We found some serious coin, 3 vials of healing potions, and a scroll. Healing potion went right to Elmo, Albert, and Furd who were all the worst off. The set of vestments we had picked up we tied into a bag and tossed the coins in. Albert broke the seal and it was a scroll of protection versus Demons. It seemed that Terjon before he was turned by Lareth had some suspicion but couldn’t put defenses in place before he was turned.

We had to go and now. So we left the Church of St. Cuthbert where we had defended ourselves to be sure – but also inadvertently killed some innocent and good men. Things we would have to square up with at a later date. Right now we had to avoid Rannos Davi and getting recaught.

The herdsman was close to the Church and he had a flock of some 75, 100 sheep. Rowan led the group through the gathering gloom to the field where we hid amidst the sheep. Plenty of time as we watched Rannos and some FIFTEEN of his mercenaries make their way to the Church where they eventually entered. Voices were raised and angry calls came out. Our actions were discovered. They freed the church workers from the cells and they in force, left the Church. Rannos wanted us found and his men fanned out, going door to door, looking for us.

We waited as they tried to cow the herdsman but it sounded like he was not a fan of what has been going on. Also, we discovered that 5 of the town’s children had been slain as we had not been brought to them. Once they were long gone, we went off to the Herdsman’s house and Elmo managed to get us through the door. Black Jay was an older grizzled man who had lost his wife and kids some time ago. Elmo’s father had been sent this morning along with the watch to the Moathouse to find out where we were. Auva had then been taken into custody and Burne, Rannos, and Terjon were consolidating power in the town.

He wanted us to go to Rannos in the morning but was willing to let us eat and sleep here tonight. So we were exhausted and agreed (in theory) for now and would address the issues tomorrow.

While we slept two things occurred – Albert woke up – and had the dice and had rolled it! In his sleep. It was pulsing and warm to the touch. Three rolls and then there was a flash. And found himself dreaming he was in a tower, looking over the blasted plains of Tartarus. And Lareth, broken, burned, was talking to him. He was upset with what had happened and wanted Albert to know that if he could, take his dice and eventually make it to Nulb. There, he will learn where to find the Temple of Elemental Evil would be – hidden from the world of men by Lolth and Zuggotomy. And once there – the room that has signs of his dice – roll them. Roll all of them. And if he does, great rewards and magic would be given to Albert. Albert was seriously tempted.

Meanwhile Aredhel had another vision from Hades while she slept – the lord of the underworld reminding her that he will support her. And to watch out for Albert. Be wary.

Youth Group! TOEE - Meet 17, 11/23/22

We made sure that any treasure was stored away before making our exit from Lareth’s chambers. We picked our way south through the guard rooms and at the post, decided to not go through the entire dungeon at this time, and instead head out the secret exit that sloped up and emerged some 200 yards away from the Moathouse. We waited in the gathering gloom to make sure that no one was watching us before sneaking back, limbering the horse to the wagon, and then leading it out of the courtyard and back to the main roadway.

It was after 6 PM and with only a single torch to light the way around us, made the slow slogging trip through the low road and back through the swamp heading on our way to Hommlet. We were all hurt, and tired. Spells were pretty much gone and we were struggling to stay up and awake. It was late, very late, when we finally arrived back at town. As we came down the short road to the main thoroughfare, standing outside the Watchtower and blocking the road 4 wide, were a handful of Burne’s men. They were standing there, spears at the sides, swords on the waists.

As we came to a stop and tried to address them, they were sort of slack jawed and oblivious. They didn’t reply but from the tower we could see Burne himself step out and address the party. Some barbs were exchanged and things were growing tense when he pointed at the party and said a few arcanic words…ending with “Ignitus”.

And a spray of sparks flew out, landed on the ground…and set the oil soaked earth ablaze. The fire raced across the wagon’s bottom as the fire sprung up. We were scrambling to make a decision when arrows flew from the tower – pegging Elmo multiple times and slammed into the ranger and down to 3 hit points! The spearmen were making steps forward and Elmo wanted to cut the horse free that was screaming and whinnying.

And then Burne cast a Wall of Fire and boxed the party in, walling off any escape out the back. They scrambled over the side, getting burned for their efforts. Furd charged forward to help Elmo who had gotten kicked by the horse and was stunned, falling out of the cart. More arrows flew and we were getting ripped apart. Rowan called to Demeter and summoned a Hippogriff! The eagle-horse creature flew through the hail of arrows, straight for Burne who was unable to turn the wall of fire this round as the hippogriff ripped, bit, clawed, and tore into the most wonderful mage of Hommlet.

Furd had Elmo up and they were running and he got speared for his efforts. More spearmen charged the party hoping to take them down. Burne was badly hurt before the hippogriff was torn apart and then we could see Rufus running across the field to come to us. Time to go. Rowan called a giant badger next and Furd took down one…and then a second spearman. Elmo helped kill another and we ran off north into the woods, leaving the fire and wagon behind. We hoped to find someplace to hide but the woods here were not too dense and Albert suggested using the dice to call the Hut.

At first nothing happened and then he rolled very low…and there was a sputter to all of us…And we found ourselves suddenly in day time in the woods again – but it was now 12 hours in the future. It was 10:30 on Restmonth the 13th, and we were all still exhausted, hurt, and no spells. It was obvious that someone had been in this area searching for us but did not find us. We needed to rest. It also sounded like the town was being overrun. Auva was captured? Maybe the rest of the council. Rannos’ men were convinced someone was hiding us and if we were not brought out by sunset (5:30), they were going to kill 5 children.

We were quiet and came up with a plan. In Jaroo’s home, there was a potion of Rejuvenation, also known as Sorcerer’s Balm. If drunk, would give the imbiber the equivalent of 8 hours of rest – and for a sorcerer, replenish all their spells. This would give us the entire repertoire of Aredhel’s spells once again which was the best bang for the buck. But we. Were. Fricking. Exhausted. Rowan was adamant that we needed to rest, even if just a few hours, before daring to sneak back into town.

So, we headed east outside of town almost 800 yards and then turned southward until we had a deep copse of trees to hide in. We set up a camp and the party rested, Elmo agreeing to keep watch. 2 hours. That was the plan.

Elmo did not hear the stalkers in his exhausted state sneak up to him and then strike him in the head, knocking him out. The rest of the party were similarly treated, hit and beaten, tied up, and we knew no more – captured.

It was some time later when Aredhel awoke first. She was in a dungeon cell, cold and damp stones. Terjon and 3 of his men were here. The Cleric was angry and wanted to know which person dared to kill Lareth. Do you know what you’ve done? The dark hope? The silver fair? Who dared? Tell him so he could instruct them on what they did.

Aredhel thought about it and then said that she did it. She struck the killing blow. Terjon was surprised and stunned. He thanked her for her honesty, and then hack the bound half-elf’s ear clean off. As she was bleeding and stunned, he told his men to beat her half to death and then have their way with her. He left her there, screaming, as we went down the hall to the next chamber.

Inside was Furd and 3 more guards. The half-ogre was also bound, but not just ropes, chains as well. We could hear Aredhel screaming and Furd was rocking and twisting. Terjon smacked him across the face with a cudgel but the half-ogre RIPPED the chains apart, used the free ends, and smacked Terjon in the head. The guards were surprised as he stood behind the priest and wrapped his chain around his throat, pulling it taut. “Back up! Now!” He commanded, grappling with the Cleric.

Terjon was pulling and trying to break the grapple but couldn’t do it. The guards made to step up and Furd pulled tighter! Terjon was spasming and kicking. Everyone was yelling. Next door, the guards were at the door, leaving off their abuse of Aredhel, wondering if they should step in to help or follow orders. Aredhel heard a voice in the gloom, a dark shadowy section of the floor, beckon her to come closer. “Come on, kid,” the voice whispered to her. “I’ve got you.” Hurt and bleeding, she crawled to the patch of night and could feel somehow that she was hidden. It was verified as the guards turned to look for her and she could see them but they could not see her. “Where is she?!”

“They’re not playing fair,” the voice said, “and we can’t really get involved,” it continued, “but that isn’t to say I’m completely without options. Thanks for praying to me Aredhel. Name’s Hades.”

Furd was keeping the guards away, dragging Terjon about, blocking blows with the priest’s body if possible. This wasn’t going to last forever and he had to finish it. The half-ogre redoubled his efforts, pulling and yanking and with a horrid crunching sound, broke Terjon’s neck and killed him. Some spiders and mushrooms fell off the dead cleric and the guards in the area all fell over, knocked out.

For now.

It was Restmonth the 13th, about 3:30 PM. We have no armor, weapons, equipment, healing, spells, or personal belongings. 4 of us are still unconscious and everyone has burns, cuts, lacerations, and trauma. BUT, we have taken out Terjon and according to the map we had seen in the Moathouse – that was 1/3rd of the foes here in Hommlet. If we could try and take out more, maybe we could free up some of the town citizens and overwhelm the last of Lareth’s people here. And we have an hour and a half before Rannos Davi and his men kill off 5 of the town’s children. It’s time to be heroes.

Meet 38, Adv 10, 11/19/22

We got heads up that Jessie Underwood and her people were staying at The Rook in Eastview, a gambling and restaurant establishment. We eventually made our way there where we had a chance to talk with Micah, the Warrior of Jessie’s party. He was getting pretty drunk at the better table of the Common Room and was willing to talk to the party. He missed his friend, Darrien the paladin, who died during the assault on the Grues. They had a plan at the start of all things to pool their resources and lease out half or a mountain, using their skills to timber, mine, and use the place to generate an income. Without Darrien, he was a bit lost. And was wondering what they were going to do now? Jessie just dropped everything. Has no interest in any further adventuring, any further money making, any further anything.

We suggested to Micah that he take a few weeks off and then look us up at Erylond. Skilled fighter, capable, and they had the chance to work with him already. He agreed to do it and wished us the rest of a good day. Jessie? She was upstairs.

We went upstairs (mostly Eoghan) and talked to the Halfling sorcerer. She was pretty distraught. Did not know what she was going to do. Misses her family. Misses everything. She seemed pretty messed up. Was more than willing to go and bury the rings with Eoghan tomorrow before the party made their way north and out of Stivil.

We rested up and Darius and Rhygar met us early on – cart and horses all ready, dead Grue strapped in place. We started off for the Farmer (former Bowman) homestead where Bjagnar and Gretta were at. Again, Gretta was done with us, but Bjagnar ran interference. A marking stone was set up and once the rings were interred, Eoghan had a moment to swap out the real wedding wings with the fake iron rings he had commissioned – leaving the entire party (and Jessie) none the wiser. We buried them over and then bid farewell, making our way north.

Travel was miserably slow. The next town was Manoria and at best a day and a half away, but the mud and thaw had turned the road to a quagmire and the horse worked hard to pull the wagon, the rest of the group struggling along. Plus we found ourselves going steadily upland, not quite there yet, but heading with surety to the Passian Hills.

It was 4:30 when we realized we were not going to make the way station place between the two towns. So the two rangers and the druid worked on setting us a decent camp and then we lit fire, tried our best to warm up the food, and realized we had gotten soft from all the good and city living as of late. A troupe of merchants did eventually join us, heading south from Manoria. Headman was named Nivers and gave us a clean report heading north to Manoria. A tribe of orcish Firvanir were about and they did shadow them, but left them alone for the most part.

We rested and the next day, both Eoghan and Gryg woke up in a foul mood. It was Airmonth the 15th and to brighten things up, Wilhelm suggested we go and hunt for some fresh meat this morning. Eoghan wanted nothing to do with it, but Gryg agreed. The two of them went off and Dizzy was wondering what was up with Eoghan. “Nothing. What’s up with you?” Ok..gonna leave the testy ranger alone.

Hunting wasn’t giving them anything definitive for a while until maybe a half hour out, the two trackers came upon a game trail. It was pretty big and little else in the area, so they followed it down until they came upon a spot with overgrown brush. Some growling just ahead. And then a wedge shaped head came out. Fuck, a skunk.

A four and a half foot long angry GIANT skunk. The ranger hoped to charm it…it failed and then grey angrier. Gryg tried to scare it off, shots fired – and nothing fazed the now angry skunk. Wilhelm hoped to Calm the animal, but the spell fizzled and it was now foaming mad. It charged at us and Gryg went to climb a tree, smashed his head on a branch and fell down. Wilhelm was unsure what to do but then ran as the skunk closed, whirled around, and gave the dwarf a direct blast of the potent and cloying musk.

Oh. My. God.

Blinded and moaning, Gryg tried to run ahead and stumbled and sobbed as the skunk chittered and growled at him. Wilhelm stayed hidden until the skunk went back. He then took a length of rope and tossed it again and again to Gryg who eventually grabbed it. He asked the druid to go back for his crossbow which he did, but got musk on his hands for it. The two of them were hacking and choking, puking and spitting. And Wilhelm slowly led the dwarf back west to the party.

“They’ve been gone a while,” Dizzy commented after an hour. “Should we go look for them?” Eoghan was in no mood and suggested they wait longer. “How long?” Eoghan grunted a non committal answer and the party continued to wait. It was 10:30 when the sad pair returned. The smell was enough to get the group horrified. Plus it was noted that Gryg’s clothes were actually being eaten by the skunk’s spray, holes and rents in the fabric. We pooled our soup, had him strip naked, and then some hole was dug and create water was put in place. The two of them did their best to clean up but this was going to take a few days to get it all gone. Wearing a different set of clothes, we led the dwarf ranger again on the road, the party slogging through the mud northward.

We were going very slow. We arrived at the midpoint waystation about 3:30 and decided to just rest here. Without Gryg’s help, gathering for the camp took a bit longer but we eventually settled down – making sure Gryg was far enough away. Once more we ate poorly heated food and grumbled at the length of the trip so far and the mistroubles they’ve had.

And then the wandering orc tribe showed up. They were respectful and wanted to trade with us – good iron or steel knife? We had one and they gave us 3 pelts and 3 polished lapis lazuli stones for it. They went on their way and we tried to rest up.

Eventually a group of dwarves from Ironcamp came through, headed by a Contar Reeteresbeard. A distant cousin of Gryg, we shared some talk of the road and the parties pooled their watch together. Nothing else untoward happened and we woke up again heading north and on our way to Manoria. Eoghan and Gryg were even more frustrating today. In fact, the dwarf had gotten in a back and forth with Dizzy when he tried to climb on the wagon, tired of walking and being left behind the party. He got kicked off the buckboard for his efforts, slamming his chin to the wood before getting filthy. “I told you to stay off!” Gryg wiped himself clean and grumbled the whole way.

We pressed on and it was after dark, 7:30 on Airmonth the 16th, when we finally arrived at Manoria. Situated on a rise of rock and walled about, home to maybe 800 people, the place was pretty seedy. A stately Manor house sat at the highest perch in the place. The guards let us in even though curfew had closed the gates. The main inn in town was the “Dead Horse” and there might be rooms there. A few of us went to check it out but the Inn did not have a stables there- only a hitching post. We instead went to the stables here at the main gate and arranged to have out wagon and horse tended to.

Gryg meanwhile had spoken to the proprietor of the place and learned that there were no rooms right now. Lots of whores were about, Gryg rebuffed them. He did order a beer which the guy filled by DUNKING a mug into some open trough behind the bar and handed it over. Gryg held it, and refused to drink.

The group all got together, Gryg making sure the group did not order anything, and they learned that the Widow Percy sometimes has rooms to rent. We got her address and went to a well maintained upper class home just on the north end of Manoria. The Widow Percy was happy to rent to us, 3 rooms, 48 bits. We paid and she shared some dinner with us, regaling us of her past husband, Lars, who was a wyvern hunter in his younger days. She too participated, but mostly her skills were used in helping to harvest the reptilian’s tail venom. Seems that Lars was well liked and had sponsored lots of the building of this town. We also got the impression that the Widow Percy was more than capable of handling herself if need be. We shared back with her and the evening ended up being very pleasant.

We rested real well, even Eoghan and Gryg were in a fine mood. Wishing her well and agreeing to come back this way if need be, the group went off to the stables, made sure the horse, wagon, and cargo were ok, and then by 8:30 AM on Airmonth the 17th, left Manoria behind riding north through the Passian Hills, knowing it was 2 and a half days to Iron Camp assuming the road was good and no issues on the way.