Session 4 - 2/28/2020
A re-rescue of the dry-good merchant
General Summary
Huren (the 9th month) 18, 1610 (continued) - New PCs re-fill the party ranks
Egon Spenglyr and his faded to black companions have been following the trail of the group of adventurers that had found the downed merchant ship of Quincy Delatain. The party had plans to head west in pursuit of Kobolds who likely captured the merchant, and their tracks indicate that this was indeed acted upon. Soon Egon and his party spot the Bescartha. They approach carefully and lurk outside the ruins using the low decorative wall for cover. As they look about the find the same scattering of weapons (just the metal parts) overgrown and rusting in the damp thick grasses. They even find signs of bones... it looks like a war was fought here.
The remains of war
In addition to bones they find a greatly rusted partial "shell" of perhaps some metallic construct, or possibly something broken off from a much larger structure. Either way what they find is roughly 3 feet long on one side. Gears and rusted rods are part of the debris. A glass lens is also discovered as well as some glass pieces that were tear-drop shaped. As Egon ponders what this may have been, the best he can come up with is that in some ways it echoes the skills of gnome builders. At that moment he and his group hear shouts for help from within the ruined cities confines.Meanwhile, Sigmund and company exit the central structure...
Sigmund Vaylen, III fades from black and Unlander fades to black as they emerge from a central structure in the Bescartha. Distraught, Sigmund carries the lifeless body of Felpip. He's recovered the ring the gnome found, a glass vial and charcoal rubbing found by the others. Knowing they are in a Kobold infested area and suffering from party losses, they decide their best plan of action is to leave quickly the way they came and then head for the tent city. As they prepare to make a mad dash away, they hear shouts for help along their intended escape route. They break into a run heading to the voices that sound very much like Quincy Delatain.Two parties join forces...
Sigmund's group approaches from the west and Egon's group approaches from the east. Between them are Quincy Delatain, his son Quarton Delatain and the fiery red-headed Janadine Travis. They are hunkering down and squaring off against a trio of Kobolds who are pursuing them. While the Delatains hunker in the ruins, Janadine throws rocks.A battle with 3 Kobolds
During the fight, Egon hits one Kobold with a spray of acid that instantly reduces it to sludge (another Kobold unceremoniously fetches the dead Kobolds dagger). The Kobolds appear to be disadvantaged by the sunlight and are soon dispatched (one is left alive by the merciful Sigmund).Reunited with the Merchant and their Pilot
Quincy is so happy to be rescued he hugs Egon and raves at his rescuers prowess. His accolades however are loud and it is clear Janadine is quite fed up with his inability to move with out drawing Kobold attention. She snips at him to "shut-up" and he rapidly "fires" her as his pilot. Distant yips forces the party to quickly move out of the ruins.
Back at the downed ship...
The travelers take a short break at the wreck of Quincy's ship. The militia has indeed liberated the remaining supplies and are surely en-route to the Tent City as none remain here. While resting it is noted that Janadine was bringing up the rear due to a leg injury but she was intent on not slowing the party down. Sigmund proceeds to bury Felpip and Egon aids in digging. Sigmund blends two spells (goodberry and grasping vines) to make a small bush grow as a tomb marker. Signund's fallen companion is laid to rest, words are said and Egon sings. The Delatians consume rations and water given to them. As the group collects themselves to leave, Janadine begins to rummage in the cockpit of the crashed ship and Quincy demands she cease as that is "his property". she ignores him, pulls her lucky rabbit's foot from the cockpit and drapes it on the goodbery/grappling vine produced by Sigmund. Egon has some harsh words for Quincy and is told to come along and keep quiet or be left behind. Sigmund suggests constructing a make-shift stretcher to carry Janadine, but the proud and independent and recently laid-off pilot insists she can walk, but that perhaps a crutch or walk stick would help... instead Egon and Sigmund each take to her sides and they help her limp back to camp. The Delatins are sheepishly in tow. A a brief stop, the merchant does apologize to Janadine, Egon and Sigmund. He tells Janadine she has a job with him as long as she wants it... she nods as if this scenario has played out many times before. Egon accepts the merchants apology and the group makes the final leg home to Tent City.The return home...
People flock out from the tent city as the heroes arrive... eager for news. Many are saddened by the loss of Kasimir Voronov, Aequus and Felpip. Soon Harlon Olead, Lord Pike Bellweather's man-at-arms, joins the crowd and has in impromptu discussion with the adventurers. A runner is sent to fetch healing goods for Janadine. The Kobold problem is discussed... which is timely for in the morning the whole tent city is going to depart for one of the selected village sites. The PCs offer their aid to scout beyond whatever site is selected. Harlon Olead thanks them and says he well speak to Bellweather.
A meeting with Lord Bellweather
Lord Pike Bellweather and Harlon Olead arrive seeking Sigmund Vaylen, III and Egon Spenglyr. He thanks them for their help and expresses his condolences. Talk shifts to the Kobolds and he is eager for information. He decides to alter plans and to use a second site that is further from the Kobolds rather than the first choice which was closer. The second site is a small copse of trees to the east (Where Jargon Burley Sr. is). There is talk of holding off the move until more scouting can be done, but Bellweather admits the settlers are growing increasingly restless with some threatening to set out on their own. It's all he could do to keep them here one more night. It is a risk, but one that seems less-so than letting settlers run amok. The PCs volunteer to scout further east beyond the copse of trees. Lord Bellweather is grateful for their help. Jargon Burley (who returned earlier) says the tree there (Walnut) is good for firewood and small wood projects, but not exactly what he was looking for in terms of long straight hardwood. He and the city planner (Gowler Bluetips) and some militia went there to investigate the quality and type of wood (seems like some type of walnut).
Evenings rest - investigating found items
That evening Egon spends time investigating the ring that Felpip had to see if its enchantments can be discovered. Sigmund spends time studying and experimenting on the glass vial of liquid. The half-orc Jagbar strolls into tent-circle #33 and inquires about Felpip. When he learns the gnome died, he mumbles something like "Don't that take the friggin' cake".
That night... a storm rages and prisoners escape
An intense thunderstorm shatters the night's quiet. Rivulets of water turn the camp into a mud field. During the night, while guards were hunkered in shelters from the storm, the eight penal-labor prisoners apparently escaped (one did not and claims to have seen nothing).Huren (the 9th month) 19, 1610 - Eastward to the new village site!
In the morning the tent-city is being dismantled as people pack up for the migration east. The PCs trek out ahead of the settlers following Jargon Burley's path from yesterday (easy to follow).Evidence of a blight
Along the way the ground is lush, green and fertile - perfect farm land. But a quad of 4 dead bushes catch Sigmund's attention enough that he stops in his tracks. The party halts. Egon has concerns. Sigmund moves forward to investigate and as he gets adjacent, the bush animates and attacks! Combat ensues (in which Sigmund transforms into a wolf!). The PCs decide to move off the trail (to the south about 50 feet) in case there are more. At a hilltop they spot a gnarled, and burnt dead tree surrounded by a patch of dead / burnt grass. They consider the settlers that are soon to follow and decide that this must not be bypassed in case it is a danger... they move to investigate with Sigmund setting the already burnt tree on fire anew. Moving closer, two bushes animate and attack! Also vines twisted around the base of the tree untangle and slither towards Sigmund! He transforms into a bear and more combat ensues. The strangely animated bushes and vines are seemingly destroyed.
Jargon Burley found a variety of Walnut trees near Tent City.
Walnet consists of fine-yet-open grain which produces unique grain patterns. Walnut lumber is a bold dark color. Walnut is easy to cut, shape and sand. Jargon estimates that any milled walnut lumber will be about 4 ft. in lengh at best as it is not a long-straight growing tree (like pine).
Report Date
01 Mar 2020
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