Session 19: Replicants, it had to be Replicants... Report

General Summary

The party began preparing to head north out of town, but as they gathered their belongings, and completed a modest breakfast, Mayor Penrose wandered into the tavern. Somewhat surprised to see the mayor, whom they had killed the night before. The mayor seemed completely unaware of any reason for concern, and complained that the party had not been given proper accommodations as befits the status of the princess. Apologizing profusely, the mayor noticed their preparations and asked them to wait a short time while they rushed off. After they left the party discussed if the encounter the night before might have been a magical construct; and a bit of careful thought led them to the belief that this was likely. A few minutes later, the mayor returned, and gave Roisin Marshfield a bag of 40 small wrapped packages, and explained these were "Levron's Loaf" packages, each sufficient to feed two persons for a full day. Roy carefully visually examined the mayor; discreetly so as to not arouse undue suspicion, and determined this version was most assuredly a living being, although Roy remained distrusting. Thanking the Mayor, and promising to return for a longer visit soon, Roisin Marshfield and the party left with Boris scouting ahead and Cigfran leading the party.

A few hours later, Boris noticed a halfling waiting in the narrow forest road near a small crossing. The halfling seemed uninterested in Boris or Cigfran , and ignored them as they passed by until Roy came near. The halfling then stepped up to Roy and he recognized Carina; whom he had encountered before. Roy again insisted on treating the woman badly; refusing to listen to her and speaking harshly. This time the result was rather different as the ghost; for this was the unliving remains after Carina had died, transformed into a horrifying visage which had little effect on most; except that Cigfran and Jeeves were both terrified. Jeeves was so frightened he actually aged; instantly aging 40 years; the strain further exhausting the already tired and exhausted man. Roisin Marshfield directed Cigfran to attack; and he struck the ghost powerfully; but the bolt passed through the phantom without effect. Quirico struck with his morningstar and echo, then attempted to grapple, but both efforts failed. Roy launched magical bolts of force that slammed into the ghost; staggering it. Cigfran chose to prepare for other dangers; looking about to see what else might arise. This proved prescient as a group of unliving shadows appeared, and Cigfran struck one with a crossbow bolt; this proved partially effective. The shadow responded with a masterful strike which dealt significant damage to Cigfran and drained his strength; leaving him very weakened. Another of the creatures passed Boris , taking a good hit which was, again, partially effective, and struck Roisin Marshfield; draining her strength nearly completely. Quirico struck in reaction; dealing a mild strike. Boris then summoned a magical hammer to strike the ghost; then called forth a burst of divine radiance that utterly destroyed two of the shadow creatures. The ghost struck out at Roy , and disappeared. Roisin Marshfield directed Boris to strike, and the priest called forth divine radiance to strike the shadow, but the creature dodged it. Jeeves then mirrored Boris action, calling forth divine radiance, and this time it connected; utterly destroying the shadow creature. Roy then spoke loudly "I acknowledge that Carina's son is my own, and I pledge to save my son from the evil forces that have captured his mind and heart". Roy then fell to one knee.

Boris looked closely at his friend, then called on The Source to bless the companions. Quirico healed Cigfran , Jeeves healed Roisin Marshfield, though neither could restore the lost strength. Meanwhile Roy used some magic to play a bit with Quirico and also gave Cigfran a bit of magical good fortune. Cigfran sat nearby to keep watch while everyone took some time to recover. Cigfran also noticed a small reflective item in the grass, and pointed it out to Roy , who identified the item as magical. Roy then spoke, to the rock, "Who are you" but did not tell anyone how the rock responded and simply handed the stone to Cigfran , telling him it was named "walter". When he did so; some internal stress and horror struck him and he fell to the ground screaming in pain and agony while a vision of the suffering of others filled his mind. Quirico and Jeeves both examined Roy , and concluded he must be afflicted with some terrible inner malady; a terminal condition for which there could be no cure. Roy and Roisin Marshfield shared one of the "Levron's Loaf" packages, finding the meager food to be experienced like a gourmet feast; incredible, delicious, extremely filling, and over far too quickly. Cigfran noticed something approaching in the far distance; something which caused the tree tops to move slightly. Jeeves and Roisin Marshfield settled in atop the fabulous floating disc Roy had conjured earlier, and Quirico attempted to carry Roy , but Roy proved too heavy to carry easily.

The group began making their way slowly, as many were overburdened or weakened by their encounter with unliving horror, to the North. After a short distance, moving much too slowly, they decided to hide for a time instead. Roy conjured an extradimensional space, and they all climbed inside to wait. Quite some time passed, and the magic was nearing its end, before an incredibly loud series of footsteps were heard, shaking the ground. A giant figure approached, looking about, and sniffing the air. This giant asked after Roisin Marshfield, claiming to be here to help. Cigfran believed he was sincere and stepped out of the hidden refuge. The giant did not threaten, and asked if Roisin Marshfield was in the invisible place. It claimed to be a friend. Roisin Marshfield stepped out. The giant, who's name was pretty unpronounceable, but could be said as Borgharsh, claimed to be sent by her aunt Selveinah and uncle Harinti; friends of this giant who once ruled in the city of Arenfell among the Green Wood north of the Ardenford Gap. The group stepped out, and he offered to hide them from their enemies, send them where they need to go, or offer wisdom. Roisin Marshfield asked to be sent where they need to go, and specified a place marked on a map that Cigfran had won in a game of chance. With Cigfran 's help the giant was able to scry near the destination, and opened a mystical gateway that everyone jumped through; arriving somewhat near their destination. With a few hours effort, and Cigfran 's wilderness skills, they found the mine entrance marked on the map (and found the map was quite inaccurate), and entered within; traveling through the narrow entrance tunnel until it opened out quite some distance within the mountain. Arriving at the first adequate space, they settled in and Roy conjured again the protective dome as they prepared to rest.