Session 11 4/8/23

Today is the day we have decided to break into the blacksmith and retrieve the dragonshard gem. Subterfuge has never been my strong point, but one of the qualities of a strong leader is knowing when to delegate a task, and Verna will be able to sneak in to the back quietly while Rex makes a fool of himself up front. I can't think of a more perfect job for the two of them. Wabnuc and his pet will be backup with Veran, and I'll be the rearguard.
 
The three of us make our way casually to the back while Rex goes in the front after hitting the bar. We give him a short while to do his thing, and then Verna nimbly climbs up with a rope. Wabnuc shimmies up quickly after, and I'm left to tie the armadillo to be pulled in and climb up myself. By this point the automated guards had started to notice and close in on our position, there seemed to be more than normal today. Before one turned the corner I managed to signal to the others to pull up the rope. Just in time! I command the guard dog to "Flee" and it runs in the other direction. Before I can signal back to get the rope, a floating automaton shocks me. To any passerby I was simply walking my armadillo! Why would it shock me? The blacksmith must be in with the corrupt guards in this town and thinks he can get away with anything.
 
I come to several blocks from the blacksmith being dragged along in a net by the floating automaton. Another simple command "Release" and I am free. It's been too long, and I was spotted. I'll just go to the rally point. Going back would put the others in danger if their cover is intact, and if their cover is blown it's too late for me to help. Another couple names to avenge if necessary.
 
Fortunately, it's not necessary. Everyone meets up at the well as planned. Unfortunately, the plan failed. Wabnuc was nearly asphyxiated by a rug somehow. I allow him to recover and use lay on hands. Verna spotted the gem, but then had to run a mile after being magically marked. They aren't the best with sharing details, and it looks like her coin purse is heavier than it was this morning. Not important, the key is that now we know the smith is up to something.
 
Our cover blown, we decide it's best to lay low at the inn and go on a night hunt. There were reports of bandits and the townspeople will love us more if the hero of the festival is able to cleanse the town of their bandit problem.
 
Tracking them isn't difficult, and we set up a quality ambush. The signal to attack is Verna firing the first arrow. Her shot rings true and drops the first bandit. I move through their ranks and take out one, then another and another! Their cook seems a little too obsessed with his dinner. Rather than surrender he would rather defend his pot. No matter. I dispatch the rest of them while the others take their time with one of the bandits on the other side of the battlefield. These are lowly bandits, don't the others know better? A quick kill and move on, much more honorable. Reinforcements arrive and I defeat them as well. Just about the time I finish out the last of them, the others decide to end the one they were working on.
 
We take stock of the merchant wares that we must return to town as proof of the completed job, as well as other good the bandits had on them. I acquire a useful gem that will summon a water elemental. I'll need to save that for the right time!
 
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Gained:
Gem of Water Elemental