Session 15: Back to the forest Report

General Summary

Session 15 – Wednesday October 19th, 2022 – Back to the Forest

  5 Hour Battle / Role Play session 5:30 PM to 10:30PM

The Stone Bearers. Party of 6:

It is the 21st day of the month of Marpenoth (Leaffall) in the 50th year of the Age of Enialis (Mid October.)

• Abrash – Wood (Dessert) Elf, L4 Druid – Jacob Munson (Remote)
• Ajani– High Elf, L4 Wizard – Nathan Gioconda
• Gazlowe – Goblin, L4 Artificer – Josh Pozsonyi
• Thomas – Human, L4 Blood hunter – Ryan Armstrong (Remote)
• Isabella – Forest Gnome, L4 Barbarian – Jackie Armstrong
• Cedrik – Human, L4 Bard – Dan King
• Gurthen – Dwarf, L4 Paladin – Spencer Armstrong (School)

Zoreene meets her end?

Several members of the town’s guard lay dead along with some civilians. Some people cautiously looked out, but the town square was still a scene of pandemonium and destruction. Ajani gave Thomas his dagger and Thomas pulled Zoreene completely out of her jail cell window. He then removed a part of her spine so that she wouldn’t feel any pain. They quickly gathered wood from the smashed jail and gallows and placed her on top. Thomas woke her up and read her some verses from Revelations. Zoreene cursed Thomas and said, “I will hunt you down from the depths of Hell.” Thomas nodded at Gazlowe who ignited the pile of wood. Some of the people in the square said, “FIRE!” The party walked towards the fountain where some were gathering buckets to make a fire brigade.

Bringing along a financial consultant

Walking in their general direction was a flamboyantly dressed, tall, lanky human man. Looking a bit unsettled by the chaos surrounding, he noticed the corpse in the fire and asked if she had her last will and testament in order. He introduced himself as Cedrik the Edutainer and he was there to spread the good news of all the economic benefits that can come from sound financial planning. Gazlowe was intrigued by the concept of making more money and asked for a demonstration. Cedrik pulled out his magical puppet stage from his backpack and put on a very convincing sock puppet show. Several people gathered around and Ajani and Gazlowe were nodding their heads in agreement by the end of the show. Gazlowe asked Cedrik to join them to help with convincing Willet to extend their contract and perhaps get access to the Blackmoor estate.

As they left, Thomas shot one more bolt into Zoreene’s head. Abrash searched one of the dead hobgoblins and took a crude map of Zelbross that had the courthouse circled with the word Gufta written on it. One of the town’s guards (named Carin) wearing a robe, chased down the Stone bearers and gave them a “Certificate of assistance” for aiding in the defense of Zelbross. He assured them that it enhances their reputation within town.

The Judge’s children

The party decided to check back in on the doppelganger and Barty Crotch whom they left unconscious at the Judges house. They contemplated turning over the shapeshifter to Willet, but Gazlowe and Isabella expressed concern that they’d just be contributing to the delinquency of the child.

At the judge’s house, Ophelia greeted the party and thanked them again for their assistance. She asked how her husband is and the party realized they never bothered to check on him. Ophelia said, “Watch my children” as she ran down the street to the courthouse. The two children were peeking around the wall at the bottom the stairs and pointing at the unconscious shape shifter in the middle of the room.

Cedrik quickly distracted the children and lead them upstairs where Cedrik found the headless body of one thug and anoother body with its jugular ripped out by a wolf. Quickly taking the children and turning around he suggested to the kids that they go out back. Thomas was quick to warn him that there’s another body in the Dining room. Cedrik distracted the children while Tomas cleared the Dining room of the body. Cedrik then took the children into the kitchen to explain to them the importance of saving money early due to compound interest. Isabella went along to keep an eye on Cedrik.

Scribbleskin

Gazlowe woke up the shapeshifter and started asking him questions, but the shapeshifter said nothing. Thomas shot it in the leg and Gazlowe put his foot on the wound. The shapeshifter passed out from the pain. Gazlowe revived him with some flammable grease and Thomas stood over him with his whip on fire and they started questions again. The shapeshifter was, at that point, quite agreeable to talk. He first asked if they were going to kill him anyway and they didn’t answer directly.

The doppelganger introduced himself as Scribbleskin and offered his services. The party started to consider the possibilities. Scribbleskin quickly admitted that he is a freelance mercenary, and Zoreene hired him to kill Blackmore and Willet and try to frame the Stone Bearers or kill them. He told them that Zoreene is clearly not in a position to pay him now and so he’s looking for new employment. They asked him if he knew about the shield of Niptu. He said, “Yes, I know of them and the opposing organization, the Sword of Niptu.” The Stone Bearers were surprised to learn about the Sword of Niptu and asked if he could introduce them. He said his one contact, “A man named Revalor, has gone missing.” Scribbleskin said he may be able to track down another, but it might take some time.

Ajani asked Scribbleskin if he knew about “Gufta” that was written on the map they found. Scribbleskin told them that was Zoreene’s last ditch effort. He explained that he had impersonated a goblin and was able to convince the Hill Giants that their Queen Gufta (who was on a pilgrimage) was captured in Zelbross and being held prisoner in the Jail. Scribbleskin seemed to be proud of this accomplishment.

The asked Scribbleskin to find them a contact with the Sword of Niptu and to meet them at the old Firestone keep in a tenday. Scribbleskin changed his appearance to that of a long faced human and said in a snooty voice, “I’m the town’s record keeper, perhaps I can obtain for you the official Deed to the abandoned keep.” They agreed and let Scribbleskin go.

Barty Crotch

Being in a good mood after the redemption of Scribbleskin, Gazlowe suggested they let Barty go also. Thomas warned that some deeds may come back and bite them. Ophelia came back, out of breath, and pointed to Barty saying, “Don’t kill him, we need his testimony to free my husband.” The party all agreed. Ophelia retrieved a bucket from the latrine and dumped it over Barty. She then got on her knees and grabbed his bloody groin. The party all winced, and Barty woke up paying full attention to his former captive. She dragged him up telling him, “You’re coming with me.” She turned to the rest of the party and said, “Watch the kids, I’ll be back, and please clean up your mess.”

Gazlowe went with Ophelia back to the courthouse. The rest of the party a bit surprised by Ophelia’s forcefulness did collect the dead bodies and wrapped them up in the large rug from the front room and put it outside. Ophelia and Gazlowe returned after 15 minutes, and she expressed a deep gratitude to the party for saving her and helping to clear her husband. She then told the party that with her husband in jail they don’t currently have much, but she did have 1 Greater Healing potion remaining. She gave it to them and thanked them again.

Willet

The party made their way back to the Blackmoor mansion on the chilly autumn day. Mr. Homn greeted the party, and they introduced him to Cedrik. They found Willet in the training room in the basement, exhausted and continually practicing with his crossbow. Gazlowe suggested that Willet get something to eat and hopefully it won’t be poisoned. Willet, exhausted, finally broke down in tears. Mr. Homn and the party brought Willet upstairs where some beef stew was prepared. Mr. Homn tested the food to be sure it wasn’t poison and they all had a hearty dinner.

Ajani asked Willet what he wanted to do. Willet explained that he wanted to be “An Avenger.” Ajani remined him that he needs to do things for the right reason, keep his father in his heart and remember, “Life has an end, but Love does not.” Gazlowe took some notes and updated his flashcards. The party informed Willet that his father’s killer has been avenged and they told him, at a high level, what had happened in town, leaving out some of the specifics.

Exhausted, but somewhat satisfied by what the party has told him, Willet invited the party to spend the night and asked them their intentions. The party told Willet that they intended to go into the High Forest in the morning. Willet told Mr. Homn to pay them, and they are always welcome to stay at the manor. Willet told them that he would consider renegotiating a contract when they return. Mr. Homn escorted Willet to bed. The party agreed they would head into the forest in the morning. They spent some time studying, training, repairing and generally leveling up before their long rest.

Into the forest

Before they left, Cedrik left a letter of intent for Victor Rathmore informing him that they would return but that they had to take care of some other items. In addition, Cedrik wrote up a letter of recommendation to help persuade Willet to bring on the Stone Bearers as trusted advisors when they return. The party purchased rations for a tenday and clothes for colder weather. Thomas gathered some blood from the other Stone Bearers. The stone bearers took off into the woods and walked for 3 days sharing stories.

About an hour before sunset on the 3rd day, the Elf Flael’ jumped out of his hiding spot and greeted the Stone Bearers with much excitement. He looked very nervous and begged the party to follow him to the Tribe of the Bear camp. He encouraged the party to be quiet as they were in Gnoll territory. They made their way to the camp where the Wild Elf Tribe had setup some crudely made spike traps. Once inside they were greeted by ‘Ehlark the leader and Symare’ his wife. Sylmare’ took abrash aside to fit his hide Armor.

The Gnoll problem

‘Ehlark invited the brothers of the Bear to stay with them and explained the situation. Apparently, the tribe had settled their camp in Gnoll territory and these Gnolls are being unusually insistent on attacking every night demanding a child to be given to them as payment for the trespassing. The tribe wants to leave but Eren’driel is great with child, and they can’t move yet. The Stone Bearer’s agreed to stay and help. Isabella said, “It’s for the baby.”

The sun hadn’t quite set, and a horn was heard in the distance. They knew the Gnolls were approaching. Knowing that one of the Gnolls speaks common the party decided to attempt a parley. Thomas used his ability to amplify his voice and called out to the Gnolls. A Gnoll Leader approached and demanded the Child. The party questioned him, and he explained its payment for trespassing. The party told him that it’s not going to happen and the Gnoll said, “We’ll get it ourselves.”

Taking a hostage

The party decided to dishonorably end the parley and attempted to attack the Gnoll. Gazlowe missed, Thomas Missed, Ajani shot a chromatic orb, but it missed. Isabella cut the Gnoll a little with a hand axe. Finally, Cedrik cast Hideous Laughter and the Gnoll Leader fell on the ground laughing hysterically. With the leader on the ground laughing, the other Gnolls did not think he was in danger.

The Gnoll Leader, unable to stop laughing (thanks to Ajani’s portent) was escorted into a tent by the Stone Bearers where they bound him, and Isabella stripped him naked. The party roughed up the Gnoll with a kick circle until the Gnoll was within an inch of his life. They then took him outside to show the other Gnolls that they have their leader and will kill him if pressed. Meanwhile all the children were put inside a center tent and the Elven guards were inside as the last line of defense for the children.

Battle

Three groups of Gnolls burst in from different directions. Thomas took out 2 Gnolls with a single crossbow bolt. Isabella took out 2 with her axe and then swung again and took out 2 more. Gazlowe put a large smoky cloud in between them and the 3rd group of Gnolls. Cedrik put 3 of the Gnolls in a cloud of Nathair’s Mischief. Ajani took out 2 more with his dragon’s breath. The 3rd group of Gnolls moved around the smoke cloud.

Thomas granted Ajani a +2 to his AC and then critically shot one of the Gnoll leaders. Isabella went into a rage and killed the last Gnoll near her. Gazlowe recast his smoke cloud on the 3rd group of Gnolls completely obscuring them. Cedrik hit one of the Gnoll leaders and then encouraged Ajani to find good portfolios with high rates of return. Abrash took out another Gnoll. Ajani shot an orb directly through the Gnoll leader, killing him.

The last group of Gnolls came out of the smoke cloud. Thomas caused the leader to miss his attack on Gazlowe and Cedrik caused the minions to miss their attack on Ajani. Thomas took out 3 with a single bolt. Gazlowe walked into the group and cast Thunderwave killing the last two minions and hurt the last Leader. Cedrik used his boomerang and hit the leader. Abrash and his little bear buddy brought the leader down to 1 HP. Ajani walked up to take the final shot but as he walked into Cedrik's cloud he succumbed to the laughter. Sighing a bit, Thomas took inspiration from Isabella and from Cedrik and just barely hit the leader, but Thomas believed in the power of the bolt, and it was enough to kill the last Gnoll.

What’s Next:

• Go to Niptu Shrine #1 to learn about Niptu’s magic
• Meet Victor Rathmore at Blackmoor’s on 23rd to return gem and hand over Revalor
• Gazlowe to find out about Adventurer’s guild
• Find out about the Red and White Ladies and report back to The Lord’s Alliance.
• Find out about mysterious slave trade in the High Forest.
• Locate the Shield of Niptu and find where they’re hiding Niptu’s Body
• Disintegrate Niptu’s Body and let Revalor Miadi know. Revalor is hiding with family at cottage along the Delimbiyr River between Zelbross and Loudwater.
• Train the Hellhound Johny Cash
• Purchase the Firestone Keep and rebuild it.
• Gazlowe not happy with helm purchase
• Party to utilize the herbs Abrash and Ajani found.
• Gazlowe to make a permanent mayonnaiser for Flicktongue