Lessons Learned

[Killian makes his way to the edge of the crevasse and casts level 2 Misty Step to reach the other side and engages the enemy wizard in melee combat. Lairion engages the other bandit across the crevasse in ranged combat with his bow. Krod uses the Wand of animate dead to resurrect two of the fallen bandits as reanimated skeletons]
 
... excellent! Killian's managed to get to the other side. Engaging the enemy wizard in melee will help us not suffer another fireball to the face.
 
Ugh! I know this will upset Lairion but needs must... I find no joy in this but now I can use these two skeletons as cover and weapons to engage with.
 
[Krod moves the newly animated skeletons towards the edge and commands them to fire their cross-bows at the last two enemies. Lairion continues to fire his bow from range. Killian manages to pull off a shove and trip attack against the enemy wizard. Whilst the wizard is prone, he lands the final blow with his long sword and cuts the wizards head off. After the killing blow Killian engages the final bandit and ends the battle]
 
I hate to boost his ego any further but I have to admit that final blow was one for the history books... Right now we need to try and cross the crevasse without falling in... Oh Gods! Why am I doing this?
 
[Krod throws his grappling hook across to Killian and he ties the hook securely to a rock as a life line. Krod then makes his way across using the ropes to traverse the gap. This endeavour almost failed, but he makes it to the other side]
 
Right! Time to see who this bloody wizard was! Some interesting belongings...
 
...oh ok that's helpful. No insignia, no documents and not a clue why they are down here...Dammit!
-Note- the remains of the wizard are as follows:
-A block of red wax which bears the impression of a strange key.
-Magic black leather glove.
Interesting to find a mold of a key to an unknown lock, the enemy wizard having no association with any organisation known to us. When I get some spare time, I shall make a mold of this key. We might need it in the future, especially if we come across bandits like this again in the future. I suspect the leather glove has magical properties that I will have to investigate later.
 
Ah a chest! Now that might contain more information about what is going on down here... yes Killian, I will check it for traps!
 
Blast it! Still no information! However the spoils of our encounter, more than make up for it... I suppose the only thing I can take away from this is to remember the psychic influence placed on these bandits minds. If we come across it again, I know these groups will be linked.
-Note- the contents of the chest are as follows:
-110 gp
-240 sp
-Potion of Gaseous Form
-Potion of Supreme Healing
-Oil of Sharpness
-A pewter oil lamp which is missing three gemstones
This oil is something I'm not familiar with, however, it does intrigue me. If it is what I think it is, I wonder if I can replicate this process in the future to produce different properties of oil. Despite it's mundane use the function provides me an opportunity to replicate the magical properties of a similar lamp I have already come across, belonging to a certain Orc within the town.
 
Right! I need to get back across now... Oh great! just leave me hear why don't you. Then again the two of them supporting me is better than just the one... I really need to develop a way of teleporting myself.
 
This was a lot easier last time... Oh Shit! Ahhhhhhh!
 
[Krod attempts to cross the gap again using the same technique as before. This time he fails half way across and falls. Killian and Lairion manage to save him in time, but not before Krod takes some damage, being smacked into the side of the crevasse, before being pulled up]
 
Can we not do that again please! I want to go!
 
[Killian, Lairion and Krod make their way out of the sewers with the bandits they captured in hand. They make their way to the forest guard headquarters and report in on their findings. After they hand in the bandit, they make their way to the Mayors house and speak to Lady Marielle Tomlin who gave them the quest to uncover both her lost heirloom and to explain the reasons behind the pickpocketing]
 
I just realised we've come from the sewers. Not very formal when addressing Lady Tomlin. So I shall let Killian take the lead on this one as he is so good with his words. Lady Tomlin thankfully sees through some of Killian's bullshit to the heart of the matter. Hopefully our reputation within Rel is getting a lot more recognition.
-Note- I don't normally comment on the reputation within a community but as mentioned in previous entries and our encounter in Blazingdell, gaining favour has never been so important as a resource.
 
[Killian, Lairion and Krod decide to go back to the Broken Axe Inn to clean up, eat, drink (special reserve wine from the Mayor) and rest for the night]
 
Food and drink...just what we need after a slog through the sewer. As usual we pay a little extra to Gerra to have our clothes and equipment cleaned. Killian brings out the notices and mentions the assassin Silent Whisper. I think after our engagement in the sewer, we're not quite ready to go after an accomplished assassin just yet. Oh! Interesting! Duror seems to more information about this assassin. It seems in his travels, he has picked up a thing or two. We encourage him to sit with us and share this information with us while he joins us in a glass.
-Note-The information Duror knows about The Silent Whisper: Dephine Vess, a half-elf, known far and wide as "The Silent Whisper," is a legendary assassin whose name strikes fear into the hearts of nobles and criminals alike. Her moniker comes from her flawless ability to move unnoticed and leave no trace behind—her victims often described her as a fleeting whisper in the dark. Trained from a young age by a secretive guild known as The Nightblades, Elara specialized in high-profile assassinations, often targeting corrupt nobles and political figures.
Her life took a drastic turn after her most infamous contract—the assassination of Lord Fenrick Althorne, a powerful noble with ties to influential merchant guilds and political factions. The killing of Lord Althorne shook the entire region, but this time, something went wrong. Elara was betrayed by her own guild, framed for crimes beyond the contract, and now finds herself hunted by both the law and her former allies.
 
I think I'll turn in...Now that I have a moment to myself, it's time to identity these unknown items we've acquired.
 
[Krod identifies the black leather glove as A Sinister Glove (Wondrous Item): While wearing this black leather glove, you become left-handed. In addition, you can use an action to cast the spell Protection from Evil and Good. The glove can't be used this way again until the next dawn. The Protection from Evil and Good spell:
Until the spell ends, one willing creature you touch is protected against creatures that are Aberrations, Celestials, Elementals, Fey, Fiends, or Undead. The protection grants several benefits. Creatures of those types have Disadvantage on attack rolls against the target. The target also can’t be possessed by or gain the Charmed or Frightened conditions from them. If the target is already possessed, Charmed, or Frightened by such a creature, the target has Advantage on any new saving throw against the relevant effect.
Krod also identifies The Oil of Sharpness (Rare item). This clear, gelatinous oil sparkles with tiny, ultrathin silver shards. The oil can coat one slashing or piercing weapon or up to 5 pieces of slashing or piercing ammunition. Applying the oil takes 1 minute. For 1 hour, the coated item is magical and has a +3 bonus to attack and damage rolls.]
 
I bid my companions a good morning and inform them of my findings. I think that Killian would make the most out of the Oil of Sharpness. We're all unsure on who should take the glove. Something to think about later. Right now, I have another thing on my mind. The Eldrich ring!
 
I inform my companions that I'd like to take a visit to the Thunderfall Cascade General Store and speak with Elowin Ironwood about the specifics of the ring Killian purchased for me. As it nearly killed me, I deserve an explanation.
 
We meet Eldrich Ironwood at the front of the store and I enquire as to where Elowin is. He directs us to the curiosities and oddities section at the back of the store. We all go to the back of the store and meet with Elowin Ironwood. Killian informs her of our escapades, naturally. Right! Time to extract some truth from this Elf.
 
I can't believe she is actually questioning me... Bloody Elves ! All I want to know, is what it is and she's being condescending and evasive. I think I'll I give her something to think about! ...Don't test me girl!
 
Arrrggghhh!
 
[Krod using his new found telepathy attempts to intimidate Elowin through her mind. In response, Elowin reacts by inflicting psychic damage back to Krod with little effort. Killian and Lairion are not wise to what is happening]
 
Ugh! That was horrible! Can you two please leave? I want a private word with Elowin.
-Note- My encounter with Elowin has taught me a valuable lesson about using my gifts wisely. I think it's a good idea to share our story with her, as making allies is more important than making enemies. Thankfully she is patient and understands my impatience as I explain our story to her, without Killians's aid. Thankfully she does reveal the origin of the Eldrich ring. The sentinals - a race that existed before the Gods themselves. Now I know why it almost killed me.
I show her all our collected items from when we started this adventure hoping her experience and time on this earth will help glean some information. Interestingly, she draws my attention to the vampiric skull we found beneath the inn in Blazingdell. Her insight errs a warning but doesn't fill in the gaps I am here for. I must study this vampiric skull further to ascertain it's secret.
 
[Whilst Killian and Lairion wait for Krod they overhear Eldrich Ironwood telling a tale to a child about his adventures and meeting his wife Elowin]
 
I think it's safe to say I've learned my lesson today and no doubt there'll be more to learn in the future. Why are people so complicated and magic isn't? Anyway moving on, I think it's time we all payed another visit to the Thunderfall Hideaway. It's time we unlocked it's secrets as it is now ours.
 
Thanks to our research in the eternal library, we've managed to piece together some of the riddles that blocked our entrance. The mystery behind the keystones specifically.
-Note- the key to the entrance still remains a mystery, but we're certain the statue that Killian carries is key. The last riddle remains a mystery. Let's hope we don't die trying to solve it.
 
-Note- Rune sequence Moonstone, Sunstone, Waterstone, Earthstone, Windstone and Firestone. The physical Key riddle solution was The Statue that Killian possesses actually used as a key and the final riddle password was Windchime.
 
The Thunderfall Hideaway - we finely made it in! I wonder what mysteries lie within these grounds. Definitely needs work. I can't help but feel a magical influence here, surrounding the house, the garden. My companions and I, don't know where to start... Ah! I think the Hideaway has answered for us.
 
[As Killian, Lairion and Krod enter the Thunderfall Hideaway a robed figure with a long beard and magical staff, from the gardens approaches the party and addresses them in a welcoming manner]