GoS Session 23: The Massacre at the Mill Report

General Summary

Last time we met our heroes they had agreed to travel to Ander Solmor's Sawmill to discover what had happened to the original inhabitants and two subsequently patrols. Anders offered nine hundred gold for solving the issue, and the party bartered an additional one hundred if they had to deal with anything other than Lizardfolk. Leaving the town council, the group decided to investigate the 'serpent'—the unusual barge of Saanthas design. The party had learned from Eliander that this barge belonged to Consul Xendros. Speaking to the guards, they asked for an audience with the Consul, as they had information about the package she was due to be delivered. They were granted their audience, and as they walked up the gangplank, they encountered Kellar. A sizeable muscular guard. Kellar asked them to leave their weapons and introduced them to the intricacies of dealing with Xendros. She should be afforded respect and deference.

As they entered the stern of the ship, they noticed how quiet it was. The walls were lined with thick tapestries, and a heavy aromatic smoke permeated the air. Kellar removed his helmet, revealing a young face, with long dreadlocks. He bowed deeply and introduced the party. Xendros was sitting crossed legged on a chair, a crystal goblet in one hand. She smiled warmly and welcomed them. They explained about the loss of the package; explaining that it had become damaged in transit and had contained an ancient vampire. Xendros thanked the heroes, apologising, and explained that she had acquired it for a benefactor. She knew it simply to be an Aedessi artefact, and while she imagined it to be enchanted, she did not anticipate how dangerous it would be. Xendros explained that she was there on the behest of the Duke of Saanthras. She was establishing a consulate to support relationships between the Duchies. She also explained that she had the means to acquire magical items. Should they be interested. Shiloh explained that they had a cursed object in their possession, and would like to sell it for the right price. Xendros seemed very interested in this proposal. William asked is Xendros knew of Adara or Keledek. She had heard of both and referred to Keldeck as 'the Planewalker'. The following day the party started their journey to Dunwater Sawmill. The journey would take three days and would be largely uneventful. Theseus took to the opportunity to contact a fellow priest named Thalia, and a senior priest named Leonidas. The Triton was specifically looking for information regarding the use of a person's shadow in ritual magic. Unfortunately, neither of the Triton's had heard of any such enchantments. The terrain changed on the third day; as the surrounding landscape gave way to swampland. As they entered the swamp, they noticed a group of lizardfolk stalking them. Our heroes attempted to communicate with the lizardfolk; however, unfortunately, they didn't speak common. The lizardfolk seemed very suspicious and fled when William started to cast magic. Later in the day, they arrived at the sawmill. Shiloh scouted the complex and discovered it to be void of life. The mill was a large stone building surrounded by several small wooden outhouses. A large waterwheel turning frequently. As Shiloh investigated one of the buildings; discovering it to be an empty bunkhouse. They noticed several bloodstains on the dishevelled bunkbeds. All of the inhabitant's belonging appeared to be still untouched. Shiloh noticed an unusual number of flies buzzing around the stables. Inside where multiple bodies, impaled on spikes. It looked as though they belonged to the original workers, and the patrols sent to investigate. Theseus reached out to the souls of one of the bodies and asked what had happened. It informed him that he was the cook and had been stabbed by something while preparing dinner. The unfortunate man remembered a strong smell of fish before dying. The party headed into the mill and discovered that it seemed untouched. They headed to the foreman's office and found a diary and unfinished letter. After reading the letter, they investigated the storeroom and had discovered the floor had been damaged, revealing the Dunwater directly underneath the storeroom. Deciding that they should wait to see if the murder would make an appearance; the party hunkered down. William cast a mystical alarm on the storeroom door, and Theseus drew a sign indicating that they wanted peace.