Session 29
It is nearly 11 at
night, when the party trudges back up the path to the small camp by the side of
the road. Kaleb greets the party with a
hopeful "Hallo? How fared ye?"
JOHAN D’ALMENTA:
Johan stands there with a solemn look on his face as they stand before the
Crooked Kin. "I fear we bear some most unfortunate news about poor Aleece.
We tracked her quite some distance into the surrounds which took us to the edge
of a marsh lands." Johan takes a deep breath with a look of sadness in his
eyes, "We entered the marsh before being attacked by what we identified as
a phase spider which while we seriously injured it, it was able to vanish
before we could get revenge against it for Aleece who fell to it's deadly bite.
I am sorry for your lose."
JOHAN D’ALMENTA:
Johan presents the sack to Kaleb, "We wanted her to have a proper
burial." Johan carefully places the sack before Kaleb before standing back
with his companions.
SOLAR CE’NEA: My
Condolances Kaleb, we tried to get to Aleece as soon as we could but we were
too late, we were lucky with four of us to be able to hold off the phase
spider, poor Aleece was not so lucky. It
was a strong monster so I can honestly say She would not have suffered, it
would have been a quick and clean death, that does not replace one as fair as
her, but it is unfortuantely all we can offer you. I am so sorry.
GRUNDIG: Grundig
offers a prairie to Abadr and conveys his sympathy’s.
DUNGEON MASTER:
"Oh.. Sweet Pharasma, I knew something was terribly wrong... but
this!" he gasps as Johan unveils the body.
Several other faces
materialize in the semi-dark around the fire--her two sisters, the other
"pinheads"; two multi-limbed midgets; the beareded woman; and the
four armed princess. There are tears and
murmered oaths of disbelief. At last,
Kaleb's voice rises above the others.
"Aleece died as
she lived, seeking the wonders of the open road. We will bury her nearby, and commend her
spirit to Desna in the morning. In the
meantime, I bid you all rest this night, and welcome our brave guests who
sought her out in the treacherous swamp."
He ends with a grand
gesture. Aleece's fellow pinheads are
overcome with grief and return to one of the wagons, but the others bid the
party welcome and offer them their dinner of stew and roasted hare.
SOLAR CE’NEA: Solar
walks around to the rest of the crowd and offers his condolences and and tries
to offer comforting words to those most affected by the you ladies loss. Solar also takes this time to casually check
out the group to be sure they are what they claim to be (he alreadys suspects
they are) but also on the look out for things that strike him as unusual for
this eclectic group. Percpetion
1d20+4=10
DUNGEON MASTER:
Solar discovers nothing out of order.
JOHAN D’ALMENTA:
Johan and Shadow quietly finish they stew meals before they prepare their
bedrolls and winter blankets for the night ahead. Johan regards Kaleb after he
had finishes comforting those in need. He whispers over the camp fire,
"Where abouts are you heading too in the morning?"
GRUNDIG: grundig
takes a small portion of the stew with a solas look on his face and offers his
condolance to those that need it. grundig speeks to his companions that he will
take first watch as usual.
DUNGEON MASTER:
"Why, to Leipdstadt! The Greatest
Center of Knowledge and Learning in all Ustalav!"
DUNGEON MASTER:
"And you folk?"
SOLAR CE’NEA: SOlar
nods to Grundig in aggreement, and says he wll take his usual watch, Solar
walks over to Kaleb to let him know that the Phase Spider has a mimicing skill
and that is what is likely to have draw Aleece away. Solar gentle suggests Kaleb let his troop
know and that we will assist with the watch as the Spider can appear out of
no-where.
JOHAN D’ALMENTA:
Johan replies to Kaleb, "It would seem we are heading to the same
destination then. I only hope the roads are free from trouble as we head
further away from the town just past."
DUNGEON MASTER: [400
xp each]
DUNGEON MASTER:
"As do I, my fellow travelers! As
do I!"
SOLAR CE’NEA: Total
party xp to date 14036
DUNGEON MASTER:
"We have but a day's journey left to us, would you care for our company to
this road's end?"
JOHAN D’ALMENTA:
"I am glad to hear it is a place of learning as two of my companions are
keen researches and studies of lore that is quite beyond my understanding. I am
a simple ranger more at home on the land rather then in confined libraries and studies."
DUNGEON MASTER:
"I have a love of both, personally--as do many of my companions. The road and a trunkfull of books! Is there no greater pleasure in the
world?"
SOLAR CE’NEA: Solar
hears the conversation, I agree my friend, there sights to be seen and
knowledge to be learnt from different places, It makes the long road attractive
to me also
GRUNDIG: books is
not something that i am good with reading the land is more for me i have some
understanding of magical simbols but for the most part i cannot read
SOLAR CE’NEA: [take
2 - current party xp is 144036 xp]
DUNGEON MASTER:
"No shame in that my esteemed gnome!
Does not nature hold as much wisdom as all the libraries ever
built?"
SOLAR CE’NEA: Ahhh
but an understanding of nature is knowledge itself, whether you read it in a
book or experience it as the gods made it knowledge and lore is an
understanding of withr the past present or possible future, Nature provides
teaching of all three if you have your skills!
GRUNDIG: what nature
dose not tell me is not worth knowing
JOHAN D’ALMENTA:
"Myself and Grundig share your passion of the road however I think Kendra
and Solar would share your love of knowledge. I do not see why we could not
share the road, surely would would be safer in numbers." Johan turns to
Mesodias and quietly asks, "Before we rest could you call apon Gorum's
blessing to heal our injuries while facing the dangers of the marsh?"
Mesodias, while
uninjured isn't bothered with a channel of positive healing burst. 2d6 = 7 hps
healed
DUNGEON MASTER:
[Watch order: grundig-johan-mesodias-solar.]
SOLAR CE’NEA:
Percpetion 1d20+4=22
GRUNDIG: perception
1d20+11=31
JOHAN D’ALMENTA:
Johan Perception check: 1d20+9 = 11
Shadow Perception
check: 1d20+5 = 25
Mesodias Perception
check: 1d20+6 = 21
DUNGEON MASTER: This
night too passes without incident. Morning dawns pink and gray against the
cloudy skies.
The Crooked Kin
conducts a brief ceremony for Aleece, burying her in the midst of a meadow
filled with yellow flowers. Several of
their number sob as Kaeleb completes the service.
JOHAN D’ALMENTA:
Mesodias under takes his morning ritual, waking with the sun before praying for
his daily spells. Breaking for morning tea before doing several exercises and a
light work out. When the party is ready to continue he prepares his heavy crossbow.
SOLAR CE’NEA: Solar
tires to identify simple little thinks that help the morners, such as carrying
things, setting thinks up for their cermemony, he simply ties to lessen burdens
for the people of the camp
GRUNDIG: grundig
listens to the ceremony with his head bowed in respect. then has a light
breakfast before preparing for the days travels
JOHAN D’ALMENTA:
Johan tries to avoid getting involved in The Crooked Kin's ceremony, knowing
when to keep a healthy distance especially in times of sorrow which he isn't
all that comfortable with. He helps clean up the camp site fire with dirt
before finishing his morning meal. He arms himself with his longbow before they
are ready to set off.
SOLAR CE’NEA: As
they are ready to go Solar prepares his weapons and heads out with his Crossbow
in hand
DUNGEON MASTER: Soon
the ceremony is complete and the group sets out on the road. The traveling troupe travels at a pace
approximately equal to what the party was making with their wagon.
The heroes' wagon
takes the lead, with the others following behind. Most of the troupe rides in their own wagons,
although a few--including the pinheads--choose to walk along outside.
DUNGEON MASTER: The
remaining leg of their journey goes smoothly, and the land transitions from
rocky hills to the soggy land of the Moutray River basin. It is about evening when the troupe reaches
the outskirts of the walled burg of Lepidstadt.
*** DUNGEON MASTER
sent lepdistadtplayer.png,... ***
DUNGEON MASTER:
There is an air of festivities about the place--people are heaving pints on
street corners, and several women are dancing a raunchy jig in in a square near
the outskirts, to the tune of several fiddles.
SOLAR CE’NEA: You
shpould do well here Friend Kaleb, there seems to be a celebration in town,
they should wlecome a troop of fine entertainers like yourself
DUNGEON MASTER:
Kaleb immediately notes the bustle of activity, and loses no time in hurrying
off into the crowd to mingle.
JOHAN D’ALMENTA:
Johan regards the party in general, "What a plesent change of atmosphere
to the last town we stopped at on our journey here."
GRUNDIG: grundig
looks in awr at the city befor him "this is going to be interesting I hope
i don't get into any troble
JOHAN D’ALMENTA:
"Why would you get into trouble my friend?"
SOLAR CE’NEA: SOlar
is curious to know what is going on so asks one of the passerbys who looks
ameinable to talking, "what are the celebrations in aid of friend?"
DUNGEON MASTER:
"The celebrations-hic! Why, they've
captured the terror of the countryside, they have! He'll burn in a fourday! Here have a toast with me, my good
minstrel!"
GRUNDIG: "ho
just something about me and citys its not the sarroundings im use to being
in"
SOLAR CE’NEA: Solar
joins in the clebrations (careful to not dirnk to much but look like he is
partaking as much as the others in the brief time he is talking) The terror of
the Countryside, sorry my friend we are new to town, who or what is the terror?
JOHAN D’ALMENTA:
While Solar gathers information regarding the towns celebrations, he queries
Kendra, "My lady where did you want us to unpack your belongings before we
investigate what is going on in town? It seems quite a celebration is
occurring? Perhaps another opprtunity to shake off the dust from the road and
geta few cold drinks under our belt?"
DUNGEON MASTER:
"Ha! What is the terror! Come with me, good traveler and hear it from
the voice 'o the city itself!"
He beckons Solar
down the street to a public square where crier stands yelling the news to the
entire burg:
"Burghers of
Lepidstadt, rejoice! The Beast has been captured! Soon the abomination will be
tried for crimes against the good people of Vieland. The Punishing Man now
rises in the square outside the courthouse! The logs have been stacked against
his flanks and the oil has seeped into his veins. The Punishing Man waits to
take his passenger to the depths of Hell! And soon, he shall have his feast!
... Burghers of Lepidstadt, rejoice! The Beast has been captured!"
GRUNDIG: grundig
lsitens intently to the speaker
SOLAR CE’NEA:
"come my friend," Solar says to Grundig, "let us go back to the
others and relay what is happening. We
must decide our next move". With
that Solar yells back to the person that gave him ythe inofmration, Rejoice
friend we go to tell others the good news...fair the well!"
GRUNDIG: grundig
asks where he can find the courthouse curious as to what this creature might
be.
JOHAN D’ALMENTA:
"What did you think about investigating this Beast once we have unpacked
and perhaps make an evening of it to celebrate travelling without
incident?"
DUNGEON MASTER:
Kendra stares wide-eyed at the festivities.
"What? Why, I have an
address of one of father's friends--here.. the name of Adrissant--a Count, I
think--has a house here in town that I may use for the time."
GRUNDIG: "yes
thats fine with me"
SOLAR CE’NEA:
Perhaps we could attend to what Kendra's needs to do first, then we could
investigate the celebrations. It appears
nothing is to happen for four days.
plenty of time to get done what needs to be done and find out the finer
details of what is happening around us.
SOLAR CE’NEA: but I
am certainly ameinable to celebrating our journey with a drink tonight if
Kendra is up to it
DUNGEON MASTER:
Kaleb reappears from the throng to speak with the party. "You have heard the news? The beast!
I--am not so fond of mobs myself, but the thing certainly seems as
guilty as the dark tyrant himself... we
will be off to the Inn, then, to our first appointment for the night.
SOLAR CE’NEA: Thanks
you friend Kaleb, may your coffers flow over!
No doubt once we have finished our business, we will come and see you
all perform again
JOHAN D’ALMENTA:
"Forgive my ignorance but which inn might that be if there is infact more
than one in town? We would like to catch up with you once we have had chance to
attend some urgent business if you don't mind."
DUNGEON MASTER:
"We stay in our wagons, out of habit, but we'll be performing this night
at the Twisted Jack, uptown from the trade district."
SOLAR CE’NEA: I hope
you have a bumper crowd! break a leg!
DUNGEON MASTER:
Kaleb smiles at this farewell and the troupe disappears into the throng.
SOLAR CE’NEA:
"Well my Lady, we are now completely at your beck and call, lead on fair
lady"
DUNGEON MASTER:
After asking a passerby, Kendra directs the party to a quieter, richer part of
town where a large house overlooks a clean, well-lit street. A butler and porter greet her knock, and soon
her belongings are being carried inside.
"Mr... Ah,
Count Adrissant is not here--he comes in only rarely..." she smiles a
moment. "Have you plans for your
lodging?"
SOLAR CE’NEA: Not
yet my lady, we were waiting to see what you had intended to do
GRUNDIG: "we
can make arrangements in due time knowing that you are safely delivered to your
desternation."
DUNGEON MASTER:
"Me? Well, I intend to stay here for the time--get my bearings, I
suppose. We have several free guest
rooms here if you would like..."
SOLAR CE’NEA: We
would be honoured my lady, perhaps after we are settled we could escort you to
see some of the celebrations?
DUNGEON MASTER:
"Why--tonight? Yes, I suppose, why
not?" she says with a slight blush.
Once her belongings have been unloaded, she disappears into her room for
a time, and comes out an hour later wearing an elegant white dress, with her
hair let down to her waist.
DUNGEON MASTER:
[It's about 10pm.]
JOHAN D’ALMENTA:
While Kendra is getting prepared for the nights entertainment Johan regards his
companions, "Best we clean up and leave some of our weapons here? I'm not
sure if the city guard will entertain us walking around in our full adventure gear?"
What do you think?":
SOLAR CE’NEA: Solar,
looking forward to a night out with Kendra cleans the grime of the road off of
himself and gets out his finest dress clothes that he brings whilst traveling
and is eager for an enjoyable night after all the undead and mosterous beings
they have encounters lately
SOLAR CE’NEA: SOlar
agrees with Daniel. however mentions
that a long sword cleaned can look like a fine accessory for some clean clothes
GRUNDIG: grundig
looks astonnished at the buety of kendra and says "my lady there are few i
have seen that match the beauty of yourself standing before me for a
human."
JOHAN D’ALMENTA:
"Well that is a relief, I feel naked without being armed as I'm sure I'm
not the only one who feels this way." Johan will leave his backpack at the
homested before heading into town.
SOLAR CE’NEA: My
friend you are looking at beauty that goes beyound human, Miss Kendra is a
beauty in any race and with that Solar offers his hand to to the elegant beauty
to escort her into the town
DUNGEON MASTER:
"Why thank you, Grundig," she says with a smile.
GRUNDIG: grundig
cleans himself and puts on some fresh cloths and takes his quater staff as a
walking stick and heads into town with the rest of the party.
JOHAN D’ALMENTA:
Mesodias sighs as he unstraps his heavy mace and leaves his backpack in the
room before cleaning up and washing away the dust from several days journey.
DUNGEON MASTER:
Kendra takes Solar's hand and follows his lead into the city.
SOLAR CE’NEA: SOlar
has packed with him his two wands, and his mitheral +1 dagger, two alchemists
fire and two Alchemist greases
DUNGEON MASTER:
Kendra smiles politely as the intrepid heroes discuss how to spend the evening.
JOHAN D’ALMENTA:
"Let's check out the Ventriloquist's Pulpit before joining in the
celebration for a few drinks at the place our Crooked Kin are at."
SOLAR CE’NEA: Sounds
like a wonderful idea, My Lady are you interested in that
DUNGEON MASTER:
"Why of course," she says smiling and the party climbs into the
carriage which clops through the street toward the place chosen.
The Ventriloquist’s
Pulpit proves to be a gothic style hall situated near the city's heart. A small sign nearby indicates that the
Ventriloquist’s Pulpit once served as the central hall and north wing of
Mandaleat Court, seat of administration for Vieland’s former counts. During the
hall’s demolition, workers discovered strange acoustic properties beneath the
dome that caused their voices to echo back in unpredictably angelic or demonic
tones. Charmed, the ruling council had the remaining structure preserved as a
museum of local history and offices for councilors.
The lights are on in
this building--apparently it is open to visitors late into the night.
SOLAR CE’NEA: My
dear ldy would you like to go in, this seems like an intersting place to
explore, even at this late hour!
DUNGEON MASTER:
"I would be delighted," replies Kendra with a wide smile.
SOLAR CE’NEA:
Gentlemen shall we?
GRUNDIG: gundig nods
his approval.
JOHAN D’ALMENTA:
Johan sutbly rolls his eyes so that Grundig can see, "What a perfect
opportunity to delve into the cities history."
SOLAR CE’NEA: SOlar
says yes you are so right...how wonderful (Solar completely misses the eye
rolling in his excitment)
GRUNDIG: grundig
smiels as he catches Johan rolling his eyes "lets hope they don't turn the
lights out to soon"
DUNGEON MASTER: The
party heads into the hall. Numerous
glass-cased exhibits line the walls, cordoned off by scarlet ropes. Spiral stairs lead upward onto a pair of
platforms situated under the dome.
SOLAR CE’NEA: SOlar
in his (misguided) belief that everyone is interested in this building and its
histroy starts sprouting out every bit if knolwedge he knows about the building
and its history
SOLAR CE’NEA:
Knowledge histroy 1d20+11=28
SOLAR CE’NEA: Solar
although happy to pass on this information does make sure that only his
companions can hear him
SOLAR CE’NEA: There
is a sinster side to the story of this hall's preservation: some claim it
wasn’tthe haunting echoes that preserved the old court, but rather the
discovery of secret basement reeking of brimstone and adorned with trappings of
Garundi mysticism.
In point of fact,
this building was constructed well over four hundred years ago as part of an
agreement between the city fathers and the more rustic locals. The resulting building was used considered a
common "meeting of cultures" between the refined urbanites and the
superstitious locals
JOHAN D’ALMENTA:
"Hmmm, a secret basement with arcane and mystical symbols that smells of
evil, that sounds like an interesting place to explore."
GRUNDIG: grundig
looks arround at the glass cases as he listens to Solar. "i think we could
leave that for another night"
GRUNDIG: shell we go
check out the crooked kin now as riverting as this is.
JOHAN D’ALMENTA:
"Fine!" Johan acts as if he is disappointed. "But the only time
to explore evil secret basements is at night time, everyone knows that."
SOLAR CE’NEA: Solar
tarts to realise that the rest are probably not as interested as he is in this
facinating building, and says, yes my friends supporting the Crooked Kin would
be good idea
DUNGEON MASTER: The
party heads out of the hall and back into the carriage, which plods through the
street towards the Crooked Jack.
Crowds mill around
outside wielding peweter mugs filled to the brim with lager; within lies a
crowded stage where the members of the Crooked Kin are performing. At the moment, the Swarm of Clowns is on the
stage, juggling away with a vengance.
GRUNDIG: grundig
orders a drink a round of drinks from
the bar and hands them out to the rest of the party "now this is
entertainment"
DUNGEON MASTER:
Grundig comes out clutching a number of pint mugs nearly half his own height.
SOLAR CE’NEA: SOlar
sits down with Kendra content to enjoy the sights, and look around the inn
DUNGEON MASTER:
After downing their drinks the party heads back to the townhouse. Kendra smiles widely at Solar the whole way.
SOLAR CE’NEA: Solar
suggests that maybe Kendra could sleep in the middle room between Johan and
himself. That way the wolf could be on
Johans Balcony
JOHAN D’ALMENTA:
"Yes I think that would be for the best. Not much will slip by Shadow
including us keeping watch."
JOHAN D’ALMENTA:
"Did you think it worth setting up a simple alarm trap with some twine and
bells for anyone opening the balcony doors without knowing of the bells?"
SOLAR CE’NEA: SOlar
gives Kendra his stone of alram for the
nigth and gives her the instructions on how to use it
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