Session 71: Wait. This is what you call retirement? Report

General Summary

Still in combat with a group of gopblins, ruffians, and bandits, almost all of the thugs, including the leader, began choking as Roisin Marshfield threw choking dust into the air. [Roy ] conjured a dark globe to trap several thugs then moved closer to a fleeing halfling and told them to run towards [Jeeves ]. A few, who were still aflicted with Black Mist poison, continued to struggle. Most of the rest, including the leader, managed to clear their lungs and breathe again. One thug, who was not choking, used a mace to bash in the head of Roisin Marshfield's relative, killing them instantly. The goblins took a cue from this, and one tried to kill the remaining one of Roisin Marshfield's relatives still trying to run away, but missed. Four goblins surrounded Cerberus, and managed some decent strikes, but they meant little to the massive fiend. A couple shot at Roy , but he deflected their arrows with a magic shield. A few others shot at Roisin Marshfield, and one connected with a poisoned arrow that did not seem to wound her badly, but she suddenly vomited blood and fell to the ground dying. Two more shot at Jeeves , one connected with another powerfully poisoned arrow, and Jeeves nearly died, but his indomitable will and natural fortitude enabled him to resist enough to remain in the fight, shocking the goblins. Meanwhile Boris' glowing spirit gavels battered the leader and the one thug still in the area of his spell; the fate of thugs within the black globe remained uncertain. Jeeves expended his healing power to recover from the recent impacts, and conjured the longbow from his magical hands, then did his best to take cover. Boris rushed to Roisin Marshfield and administered a potion to bring her back to consciousness, partly counteracting the poison killing her, unfortunately the magic mingled badly with the poison and Roisin Marshfield's left arm suddenly migrated to her back. Boris conjured a spiritual hammer to bash the leader of the ruffians on the head, denting the helmet. Cerberus quickly dispatched two of the goblins. Roisin Marshfield tried to get up, and discovered the change in location of her left arm. Roisin Marshfield ordered Roy to attack, and he struck the nearest thug twice, staggering the thug. Boris reacted by striking the leader with his warhammer, but missed, despite the blindness of that enemy. Jeeves used a divine boon to transform Roisin Marshfield into giant sloth for the next couple hours. Roy conjured a blast of lightning in a sphere that killed three remaining thugs, blasted a goblin into ash, and set a few trees ablaze. Some of the ruffians suffocated to death, others, including the leader, were beaten to death by the spirit gavels. One rushed to attack Cerberus and struck twice; the last rushed over to Roisin Marshfield's cousin and murdered her brutally. Two of the goblins attacked Cerberus, injuring the fiend slightly. Two shot arrows at Sloth Roisin Marshfield, striking twice, but the massive sloth barely noticed. One goblin shot Boris with a solid hit. Two tried to sneak up on Jeeves , but failed miserably to hide and one broke his bow while the other missed. The last goblin likewise failed to hide and also broke a bowstring, so it dropped the bow and rushed up to Roy with a scimitar ready. Jeeves shot the goblin nearest him, killing it with a shot to the head, and shot another in the shoulder, gravely wounding it. Boris chased down one of the murderous thugs and threw his hammer at it, striking solidly, and the return strike killed the criminal; delivering justice for Roisin Marshfield's cousin. Cerberus attacked the enemies harrying it one per head, tearing through a thug and a goblin, and killing the other goblin thanks to its necrotic saliva, then rushed over to two other goblins nearby. Roy then turned to the goblin behind him, and in a demonstration of massively excessive force blasted the goblin into a fine mist with a phasing bolt of eldritch force. The goblins struck Cerberus with their scimitars, one ran away from the giant sloth, and another seemed to disappear. Jeeves clambered up the small rise beside him, and discovered that a goblin had hidden at the top of the rocks. The goblin struck suddenly and knocked Jeeves back down, but Jeeves still managed to dodge the sudden attack and stood up then used his magical power to toll a bell that caused the goblin to suffer divine retribution that left it bleeding out its ears and dead on the ground. Boris threw his hammer with the Might of Borelius, missing the initial strike, but hit with the return strike and nearly ended the goblin right there. Boris followed up with his spiritual hammer, but missed that as well, and moved off closer to Roisin Marshfield. Cerberus attacked the goblins adjacent, killing one and injuring the other. Roy could see no threats and waited to see if any appeared. The goblin facing Cerberus attacked, striking solidly, and the more hidden goblin shot an arrow at Roy , which missed, but disappeared back into the undergrowth before Roy could react. Jeeves looked thoroughly to find an enemy, but didn't see any and moved through the shrubs nearby to get better position. Boris threw his hammer again, missing with the initial strike but tore the head of a goblin off with the return strike as Cerberus turned and growled in complaint. Cerberus, lacking anything to attack, wandered closer to Roisin Marshfield the Sloth. Roisin Marshfield the Sloth remained in the tree and dodged anything that might cause her harm; the limited mentality of the sloth preventing much more. Roy ordered Cerberus to hunt more goblins, then held a cantrip to kill any targets that might present themselves. A goblin struck Roisin Marshfield the Sloth, poisoning it, but the Sloth was, fortunately, hard to harm with poison and merely became angry at this small enemy. Boris tried to strike the goblin, but was unable to connect. Cerberus rushed to the tree where the sloth and goblin were, and said something in Infernal after the sloth roared at it, which nobody understood. Roisin Marshfield the Sloth attacked the goblin with its claws, jamming it through the goblin's chest, crushed the creature in its arms, then bit off the head and settled in to consume the remains. Cerberus moved over to Roy and sat panting and wanting to be petted like a big dog. A few moments later Cerberus disappeared, the dark globe dissipated to reveal several dead bodies, and Jeeves used a divine boon to put out the forest fire Roy had started. The group searched the bandit bodies to recover their stolen items.

Regrouping, they rejoined Roisin Marshfield's family, and took a couple hours' rest to wait for Roisin Marshfield to return to normal. As they finished their rest, an old halfling woman walked up, and greeted them, asking why they were in this dangerous place. Roy claimed they were seeking a friend, named Wilderin. The woman claimed to be Wilderin, and cast a spell on Roy who tried to counterspell it, but she countered him. Roy found he could not lie or fail to answer as fully as possible. She then asked why they were seeking her, and Roy explained about Kolarti/The Cold Heart of Justice. Wilderin reminded them not to start forest fires, and suggested they follow her. Every member of Roisin Marshfield's family stood and followed in lockstep without resistance. Roisin Marshfield and the rest of the party also found themselves unable to resist, following along in perfect lockstep with the rest of the group. Wilderin led them up a mountain path to a high cliff top where Roisin Marshfield found herself standing to the side watching as everyone walked off the cliff, many of them weeping openly, and fell to their deaths as the bodies piled up below. Wilderin and Roisin Marshfield then stepped off the cliff and fell, finding themselves just fine standing at the entrance to a well kept town. Wilderin ordered everyone to clean the town, and when they finished, about 6 hours later, apologized explaining that the alternative was to have everyone just stand around looking like dolts, so cleaning the town was a better use of their time. Wilderin welcomed them to the "Refuge" and greeted them, also cryptically apologizing in advance for what she would have to do to Roisin Marshfield when they left. Wilderin asked Roy about the "property to return" he had mentioned, and Roy took out the strange spellbook he'd been carrying for so long, and Wilderin suddenly wide-eyed rushed over to the book, calling it "Billy Bob", and thanked Roy for returning this book that she began to hug and kiss. The book lifted up and refolded into a paper-and-leather halfling boy. Wilderin and Roy talked a bit about her book and his similar book. In the meantime Roisin Marshfield's family were beginning to find places to stay the night and there was talk of building permanent housing. As Roisin Marshfield and her uncle discussed that only 12 were lost (a small loss indeed for travel in even settled lands for such a large group), Wilderin heard and with another individual performed a magical ritual that, apparently, recalled those who appeared to have been lost along the way, causing them to step out of mist near the edge of the town. Wilderin explained that the journey from the nearest accessible point to the town was not truly deadly, being a test of sorts. Anyone who died was actually shunted to a pocket dimension, a kind of holding cell, and if the bulk of a group "died" or the group as a whole proved to have ill intent, they would all, eventually, find themselves in a far distant place, unharmed but unable to ever find this protected refuge. Jeeves , on learning it was a test seemed to struggle for words and finally just gave up trying to express his dismay.

Wilderin led Roy into her tower, which was quite small at 20 feet tall and perhaps as much in diameter. The froyer alone, once he entered, proved to be larger than the tower could possibly contain. Roy expressed his amazement, and Wilderin replied that yes, it was rather small for a wizard of her stature, but she was more comfortable in less expansive surroundings in retirement. Entering a massive library, Roy was again impressed; Wilderin explained that it was but a small shadow of the library she used to have, but in retirement she only kept her most important books and sold the rest to a local guild library before leaving. Roy noticed that the shelves were very short, only 3 inches tall, and the books were all laid on the backs with bottoms to the outside. Wilderin explained that the books were so much happier when laying flat like this, and if you kept books on compatible subjects together, and gave them privacy (the shelves all had doors), and if they get along extremely well, they would do something amazing. Wilderin opened a closed shelf and showed two large tomes on a shelf, with a couple of small pamphlets between them. Wilderin explained that she had started with a library only a quarter full, and as the pamphlets were produced and grew into fine tomes she now was running out of space. Roy and Roisin Marshfield both expressed amazement and Wilderin explained it was simply a matter of paying attention and offering the right environment. Wilderin went on at some length about the art of literary husbandry to enable books to grow and reproduce effectively. Roy came to a conclusion that there must be far more involved and Wilderin must have far more going on, but probably had forgotten the real source of the incredible magic of this place. Wilderin finally brought Roy to an empty shelf, and explained that her "Billy Bob" and Roy 's new book might get along very well. Roy demured, explaining he couldn't stay long. Wilderin then explained they were stuck in this realm for a while, at least a month, as the means of travel was not open all the time. Wilderin addressed a few more objections from Roy , and he agreed. Wilderin then placed the books carefully, spoke to them quietly for a bit, and finally closed the cabinet doors so the books could have some "privacy". Wilderin explained that Roy could also visit the library and make use of her study to work on books and such if needed. Roy asked for a few minutes for the party to discuss things, and Wilderin brought them to her parlor where there were some comfortable chairs, small tables, and a huge 10 by 8 foot glazed window; a thing of wonder in itself as glass of that size was nigh impossible to obtain. The group discussed a few matters, including Wilderin's "special" library. Wilderin finally returned, but seemed confused and wondered who these strangers were in her parlor. After a short bit of confusion her servant reminded Wilderin she was holding her "memory tea" and after she sipped this for a bit she seemed to recover her ability to remember things. Wilderin suggested to the others a few people to check in with, including a famous alchemist who had recently joined the town and whom they had recently encountered, perhaps. Wilderin then suggested they find a comfortable place to rest as it was getting quite late.

Outside they noticed a big barbeque in progress with three whole hogs on the spits. They looked about for where to conjure a place to rest. Roy asked a passer-by where they might find the leader of the town, the passer-by explained they could knock on a door and ask if an open space adjacent might be used, or if there was space in a barn or elsewhere. The human, who's name turned out to be Winston, also asked Boris his preferred aspect of The Source, and when Boris replied "Justice", Winston explained he was the priest of the local church, and fond of Justicars, so Boris was welcome to come visit the church in the morning. Roisin Marshfield then walked up to the nearest house, and knocked. A dwarven child answered. The child explained there was no space in the house, but as Roisin Marshfield asked about space in the nearby yard space, shook themselves and expanded into a very old dwarf, explaining that they preferred to be a youth when engaging in physical tasks, but it was easier to talk in their normal form. Roisin Marshfield and Roy asked about a space to conjure a shelter, and the dwarf pointed to an open space where no plants grew on flat, hard, rocky ground. The dwarf asked them to not break anything or harm any plants, and Roy agreed to be careful. The dwarf closed the door then, explaining it was late and they needed to rest. Roy began a ritual to summon a secure shelter. Roy conjured a 4 story square base tower in a 20 foot square of barren ground. Meanwhile Jeeves noticed someone watching stealthily through a window from the house they were just at, so Jeeves waved cheekily. A crossbow bolt shot forth and struck Jeeves , exploding in flames and golden radiance; severely injuring Jeeves , then the window closed, although nobody else noticed where the attack came from. As the shelter arose from the ground, it took the form of a highly well made black granite tower with geometric carving throughout and some fine murals on the walls depicting some of the group's adventures. Entering the structure, Boris conjured a faithful hound at the door, and the group made their way to the floors above to rest. Before retiring, however, Roisin Marshfield mentioned her many family and Roy , realizing he hadn't thought of the others, went out and conjured a few more towers, two floors each, to provide basic lodging for about 60 persons, and they invited a few more to sleep in the bottom floor of their tower.

In the morning, after a good night's rest, people began to discuss how to create more permanent structures, and Roy offered to assist them. The local builder asked if he was a skilled laborer, but Roy explained he could magically construct structures with the guidance of a skilled craftsman. The builder agreed to at least make an attempt, and the two moved to a nearby area where there was room to build and stone for material. The two spent about a half hour discussing the process and agreeing on a process. Roy then conjured the first corner of a structure made entirely of a single stone in the space of a 20 foot cube, and continued to eventually produce a cube 40 foot on a side representing 5 floors with a large communal cooking area on the bottom floor and 40 stone beds on the upper floors. Two more hours were spent constructing four more such structures, enough to provide living space for everyone in Roisin Marshfield's family and some to spare so they would have room for the next several months until they could build individual homes. Roy finally asked the builder's name and learned that he was Torgaan. Roy then mentioned he was a wizard of some skill, and happy to help where possible to fill in gaps left by Wilderin's memory issues.

While Roy was working, the group, mostly just observed the process, although Boris instead went to visit the local church and Winston. When Roy was done they went in search of the local alchemist, and approached a massive stone structure with no windows and a very heavy steel door. They banged loudly on the door, but there was no response after a quite long wait, so Jeeves banged on the door again. A minute after the second attempt, the door opened to reveal a surprisingly familiar halfling, the last time they saw him he was naked and they had just saved him from a Cyclops. The halfling introduced himself as "Severasen", and explained that after the Cyclops encounter he decided to retire, and passed the trial with only the loss of a hand. He explained that Winston was praying over the wound daily and it would grow back in a couple weeks. Jeeves , in his usual stumbling, bumbling, confused, and fragmented way, tried to ask about learning some recipes or such, but Severasen interpreted it as an apprentiship, explaining it would be about 5 years just to start. Roy asked where Severasen teleported before. Severasen explained there was a circle across the river from Triliobarn, and that it was a deep secret. Roy explained he had caught the symbols, and Severasen panicked a bit that someone had learned this secret from him, then explained he had to run before closing the door and rushing inside. Roy went on about his business, but Jeeves waited around and a couple hours later Severasen came out at lunch time, and after learning that Jeeves waited for him, he explained that he was just panicked a bit and eventually realized that he was overreacting and nobody paid any attention to who might go there, and he didn't really expose the secret because the contracted consequence, his head exploding, didn't happen. As Jeeves continued to stumble and bumble through words awkwardly, Severasen suddenly interrupted him to ask if he had lunch yet. On learning Jeeves hadn't eaten, Severasen dragged him to another building with a very wide and short window above an exterior shelf that Severasen explained was Xolo's shack. Severasen also explained that Xolo was the greatest cook in the world before retiring, and it was good Xolo was in town because Severasen couldn't cook to save a life. Jeeves seemed further confused when Severasen noted the charge wasn't too large. Severasen explained that this was a normal community and people did expect to be paid for goods and services. Severasen stood on a short stool to holler through the window "Hey Xolo, I'll have the usual", then moved along the line along the shelf. Approaching, Jeeves heard a question about what he wanted with his Cheesteak. Jeeves asked for a "Red White and Blue". Further down Jeeves paid with a gold and received 9 silver and 5 copper in change. At the end of the shelf Jeeves received a plate made of hardened paper with a loaf of bread split in two and stuffed full of meat shavings, white cheese, and linibian blue cheese. A voice asked if Jeeves wanted sauce, and Jeeves finally agreed to some "green" sauce. Sauce was poured on his food, and given a cup, also made of paper, filled with water. Jeeves and Severasen took seats at a table outside in front of the building. Jeeves tried to eat without a major mess, but found it impossible, fortunately he noticed there was a metal basin of some sort with odd spouts above it and when someone placed their hands above the basin water sprayed out and cleaned their hands. Jeeves began eating and discovered that the "green" sauce was like eating living elemental fire, and while the water helped a bit, it was not enough. Jeeves tried several ways to gather water from the hand cleaner, failing miserably. Xolo noticed and called him to the window for something. Jeeves headed over and Xolo offered him a wooden stein filled with goat milk, telling him to sip that, charged a silver for the milk, and told him it was a gold if he kept the stein. When Jeeves got back to the table Severasen was laughing uproariously, but the milk was enough to enable him to finish the surprisingly delicious and incredibly filling meal.