Session notes 25-1-2020

Late in the day on the 20th of Aestrun
 
After hearing the story of the dragon and the conversation the men had, we decide to try and find signs that the black sheep have been here as well. Ferrum and Liya track their tracks and we find their footsteps towards the road we followed, going north towards Penthill. We follow and make our way to Penthill. During our travels, Thalmiir plays some (rather nice!) flute, he has really picked up the skill rather well! I talked with Liya about going for a 'Dry Iasluin' a full month without drinking. She is going to try it, but not after getting wasted one more time when we get to Penthill.
 
We arrive in Penthill on the 23rd of Aestrun, somewhere halfway the afternoon. After going around the city for a bit, we notice that it is a lot quieter than we remembered. Asking around about the Black Sheep, and if they have passed through here. It becomes clear that they were here about a week ago, and started their travels northwards over the hills towards Volheim. Thalmiir has some contact with his connection-amulet with The Keepers (they are apparently custodians of important magical artefacts), to inform them, and the Black Sheep that the dragon is our ally now (he gets some strange reactions, as Vistra wonders how we managed to do it).
We make our way to The Drunken Albatros, were Ferrum, William, Erky, Liya and I sit down and talk with Gerrick about how he is doing, what happened around Penthill and provide Liya with some well-deserved ale. Thalmiir walks around for a little more. As he returns, he tells us that he bumped into a guy (Merklin?) trying to convince him to join the army. Apparently it had been a somewhat awkward conversation.
 
Thalmiir joins us again as Liya is trying to sell her Maple Beer to Gerrick while being highly intoxicated. This does not go very smoothly, just like William pouring some ale into Ferrums shoulder? Overall, and interesting afternoon. We take some time to ourselves and regather in the evening to discuss the plans for the following days.
 
After some conversation, in which we had a brief interaction with Karazoth via a sending spell, we decide to continue our plan to go to Baferton. The sending spell was to ask Karazoth to perhaps move more towards the south, but this was quickly cut off. He mentioned the name Varadil, a blue dragon that calls the location we mentioned his home. They are not friends. I am concerned about the land that is currently being slowly reverted to the inside of a volcano in the middle of Jurtal. Especially with Halcon and Pluumore relatively closeby, they will probably notice the effects of this dragons new nest.
 
William cures Liya of her intoxication, I hope feels better, it is probably at least two more days of travel towards Baferton.
 
Another topic we discussed was the rumours we heard about the strange island and tower that have risen upon the island north-west of Jurtals mainland. A strange tale that piqued our interest, but something that, with current pressing matters, will be set aside for now.
 
Ferrum asks Gerrick about several things, sightings of strange mists and wolves on the road towards Baferton, but also his tattoos, where he got them and what they mean. Apparently some are from Takatiki, a cluster of islands far east of here, while others are from when he was in Ikadosh. He also tells a story about a man whose tattoos exploded when he died! It was told it was a sight to see, and frankly, I am quite curious and I think it is kind of a badass way to go. Still, I really hope that my tattoo does not do that, I have been knockout a few times, and I've seen Erky die and it will not be easy to revive a person who has exploded.
 
Enough rambling, we are leaving early tomorrow, luckily no more strange tales of time and space shifting mists and wolves roaming around, so we should be able to travel safely.
 
 
24 & 25 Aestrun
 
We are back on the road. It is quite calm, perhaps we will see Bombyx again.
Thalmiir and I try to play some music. Liya did not want to join in, I think the after-effects of the alcohol are not removed with Williams healing hands. Anyways, Thalmiir plays very well once again, whereas I do not seem to have my day, a dreadful sound came out of my nice flute while strange greenish(?) runes appeared around me. I suppose I should ask Ferrum about what happened, but it was quite entertaining actually, and Thalmiir sounded even better after that!
 
26th of Aestrun
 
It is drizzling the entire morning, the first signs that autumn is approaching. We arrive in Baferton a little before noon. William, Ferrum, Liya and I decide to visit "De Gouden Soeplepel" (The Golden Ladle in common) the tavern that we sold to Sisadi before we left for Beidon. Apparently business is going well! A new storey and a fancy new paint job show that Sisadi was the right man for this place. Some small talk later we are invited to stay the night in the tavern, free of charge, which we happily accept.
 
During our trip here, Thalmiir and Erky went towards Thalmiirs old forge, in the Artisans District of Baferton. Thalmiirs forge was burned down by a group of ravaging orcs, who's one-eyed leader murdered his brother. That was the main reason for travelling back here, to finish that business.
 
When they also arrive at De Gouden Soeplepel they tell us they went to the blacksmiths guild, where Thalmiir talked a bit with an old friend and gave him his rights to the land on which the remains of his forge are. He promised to use it well. After this, they go to Kira, a lady who is said to be interested in buying gems. Thalmiir and Erky both got to sell some of their gems, and Thalmiir hands us all around 200gp that go got for selling some of the 'party gems'.
 
Erky was very clever to ask about current rumours and about a herd of orcs who was supposed to be around somewhere. He obtained information on them: They attack military convoys who are travelling south, they do this with a group of around 50 men and always on strategically significant points such as the places where the road becomes narrow or when they can attack from above.
 
Later in the afternoon, we go our own ways for a bit. Ferrum and I go to the bookstore to buy some journals, ink and an 'alchemy for beginners' book! I am really looking forward to trying some things out with Ferrum from this book. It can only go well, as we both will have no idea what we will be doing.
She also had another book for sale which contained the recipe for universal solvent, which may be handy if we are going to try to make universal glue. Maybe I will go back for it, I have some gold to spare.
Ferrum is very sweet and bought me some very nice inks with which I think i can transcribe the spell Alarm, which I also bought at this shop. He is spending a lot of money on small things for everyone, I will set some money apart for him to save.
 
After this trip, we join Liya, Erky and Thalmiir on a trip to a clothing store to buy some warm items for the cold season that is rapidly approaching. Picking up some extra cloaks and warm bedrolls for William, we make our way back to De Gouden Soeplepel. On our way there, Thalmiir addresses one of the guards and asks them about the current situation with Ikadosh and its military movements. We are informed that the south is indeed on the move, and that the north is currently focussed on the defence. Trained soldiers are sent south for backup, as well as supplies such as weapons and commodities, which are often attacked by marauders.
 
At the tavern we see William again, who has been to a lovely play about a group of 'adventurers' who are on a trip through their world. They talk with dragons and do amazing things. There were powerful rings, and there were many of them. I did not catch the entire story of it. But I understand it was a very elaborate performance, with beautifully crafted decors and outfits.
 
Liya gave me a small trinket, I know we sometimes have our disagreements, but this was really kind. I have tied the red thread to my belt along with the trinket.
 
In the evening we all again take some time to ourselves. I took some time to write my journal and I have copied the spell I bought in the shop into the book I have gotten from the Bard. It took quite a while, but while I was busy the time simply seemed to fly, as if my pen and mind were guided by something beyond me.
I thought I might also read a bit in the new alchemy book, but I had forgotten that Ferrum was kind enough to carry it in his magic backpack. I will ask him in the morning, perhaps we can look at it during our travels to the next city.