Session 6: Terror or Interrogation?

General Summary

After returning to the keep the party settled down for a rest, they were absolutely exhausted after fighting all night and some were struggling to keep their eyes open. As a few of them nodded off under the eaves of the battlements, the rain started again. A heavy drizzle fell, seemingly intent on destroying what lingered of the townsfolk's morale. A door banged opne and Governor Nighthill emerged from the tower, stomping towards the party across the muddy courtyard with an angry expression on his tired and drawn face.  

"We've had no luck with the prisoner, do you think you can do any better?!"

  He spat in a frustrated and disappointed voice. The party reluctantly stretched their tired muscles and trudged after the Governor. They were led down to the cells below the tower and a dank, dark room in which sat the Dragonclaw prisoner. Several guards and a large, muscular, moustachioed man was cleaning his red knuckles on a dirty rag as they entered.   Nighthill once again asks if the party could try to get some info out of him and left the room with his entourage. The Dragonclaw was either asleep, pretending to be asleep or not aware that the party had entered the room. Citrus walked forward and slapped him across the face, he looked slowly up, his face bruised and one-eye shut, a thick lip dripping blood down his underclothing. He grinned and chuckled, showing his bloodied teeth and bringing up some blood as he did so causing him to cough and spit bloody phlegm onto the already wet and bloody floor of the cell. Clearly he had suffered some internal injuries during his interrogation. Under some intense questioning from the companions he continually repeated several phrases; that he was:  

"Awaiting the return of the 'Queen of Dragons'"

....   and that her enemies would:

"Pay in blood and fire!"

....   when she returned. Initially he refused to speak to Citrus or to any 'mutants' present and seemed to have little fear for his own life. However, as the interrogation went on he gave into the pressure.....   The Giant spoke to him in Draconic and at first he just ignored it but The Giant's persistence along with Picasso's bizarre actions and a devilish spell from Citrus loosened his tongue. Although he did not say it, it was clear Frulam Mondath was indeed the representative of the Dragon Cult who commanded the forces in Greenest. He also appeared to be calling to a 'Rezmir' through the small, barred grate at the back of the cell. Under intense pressure frm the companions he cracked and revealed that the raiders were indeed part of the Dragon Cult and were raiding the town and the surrounding area for the 'Dragon Queen's hoard'. He also revealed that the Dragon Cult camp was to the south-west of Greenest. Khorg put an end to his inane ramblings with his handaxes and the companions had finished with their interogation.   At this point a unfamiliar voice was heard calling to the keep from outside:  

“Defenders of Greenest! This has been a successful night, and I am feeling generous. Do you see these four pitiful, useless prisoners? We have no need for them, so I will trade them back to you. Send out your best warrior to fight me, and you can have these four in exchange.”

  The party made their way out to the courtyard and saw that most residents were up on the battlements peering off to the West. On climbing up to the battlements the adventurers saw a large gathering of kobolds in the darkness beyond the keep. The kobolds surrounded a hulking dragon-headed figure and it was clear he had spoken, four prisoners huddled in the darkness beyond the figure. One of the senior soldiers on the battlements stepped forward and pleaded with Governor Nighthill to let him face the creature, one of his family members was amongst the prisoners, but he was rebuffed for his own safety.   Governor Nighthil approached the party:  

“My friends, you’ve demonstrated your prowess all through this frightful night. I realize this is an awful burden to ask you to bear, but any of you has a better chance to defeat that horror than my militia have.”

  The Giant bravely stepped forward and the Governor appeared to breathe a sigh of relief knowing his soldiers would have no chance about the fearsome beast. The Giant and his companions headed out of the keep, a large group of torch-bearing kobolds lined the path leading to the dragon-headed champion, whooping and hissing as the party moved past.   The champion and The Giant met in the centre of the gathering, the enemy champion was armed with a massive greatsword, The Giant relying on his reliable magical club. Although The Giant was of a similar height to the dragon champion he was of less width, the champion clearly a veteran fighter as shown by his muscular build and obvious expertise with his sword.   The noise from the kobolds grew as the combatants circled each other...The dragon champion graciously offered The Giant the first blow but nimbly stepped aside as the shillelagh whislted past his head. The Giant attempted to use his druidic powers to slip into the shadows as his opponent was off-balance but alas, this seemed to have little effect as the champion turned and struck out as The Giant with his greatsword.   The fight was over quickly, The Giant fought admirably but was no match for this hardened warrior and as he lay unconscious the Half-Dragon Champion and his kobold entourage withdrew leaving the prisoners behind. The fierce but honourable enemy had kept his word... Picasso and Citrus rushed to his side, managing to stabilise their companion and several figures hurried out to help. They bore The Giant into the tower and, under Father Eadyan's guidance, worked to save him through the night.   The other party members returned to the keep, a night's fighting and conflict had drained them all and they slumped down in the courtyard. Governor Nighthill told them to grab what rest they could, reports had come in that the raiders were melting quickly away from the town and into the darkness.   The remain party members headed into the tower for a well-earned rest, finding a spot amongst the other waifs and strays and, though worried about The Giant, they fell quickly asleep into a cramped but deep slumber.   On waking some 8 hours later the companions were welcomed by their healed companion, no worse off for his viscious combat. They found the keep to be alive with activity, the clouds had parted and rays of warm sunshine fillled the courtyard as people ran to and fro, the gates to the keep were open and all manner of persons were busy repairing the damage and rebuilding their shattered lives. Somehow, after a good night's sleep things did not seem so bad and the companions felt a renewed vigour. Many people whispered as the party moved past and it was clear from overheard conversations that they had gained a reputation amongst the townsfolk as heroes.   Governor Nighthill, now wearing his robes of office and who also looked like he had slept, cut a noble figure as he approached them....   He was followed by two guards, one of whom carried a small, wooden chest. Governor Nighthill priased the companions and thier courage during the conflict, the chest was open and contained 500 gold pieces, he also handed them two more healing potions. A cheer was raised for the adventurers, many hurrahs and thrown hats celebrated their achievements!   Governor Nighthill thnen turned to more serious subjects as the gathered celebrators dispersed. He spoke of the raiders camp hinted t byu the interrogated Dragonclaw and aske dthe party what they planned to do about it. Nighthill was willing to offer the party more rewards if they woud investigate the camp, rescue prisoners and vaulable items stolen during the raid. The party now rejuvinated and looking for further adventure agreed to his wishes.   As the party prepared to set off they were approached by a limping and dusty robed man, he stumbled along supported by an old staff and look exhausted:  

A young man walks up to you, limping heavily on his bandaged left leg. “ I hear that you intend to follow the raiders and see where they’ve gone. I’d like nothing better than to come with you, but in this condition, I’d slow you down. In the midst of all this tragedy, there's no reason you would have heard about the fate of my master, Leosin Erlanthar, but it’s important you know. He is a monk from Berdusk. He disappeared last night, after we fought a particularly savage battle against raiders. A few others and I fought our way to the keep, barely. Leosin didn’t make it at all. We went back this morning to look for him, but all we found was his broken staff and this choker, which he always wore."

 

“Leosin has been investigating these raiders for months. I fear that he might have tried to infiltrate their group when they retreated, or worse, was captured and carried away as a prisoner. No one understands these bandits better than he does, and his knowledge will be invaluable against them. When you find their camp, please look for any sign that Leosin is there. One of my brothers has already departed for Berdusk to bring back help, but it will be many days before help arrives. Anything you can do before then would be a godsend.”

  The party agreed to help the young monk, Nesim Waladra in finding the fate of his master and set off South out of town.

Missions/Quests Completed

Prisoners
Half-dragon Champion

Character(s) interacted with

Nesim Waladra