Session 13: The Return to Barakimb
General Summary
Following the epic battle against Cindralisk, the party found themselves amidst a sea of riches and treasures. Among the loot were a diverse array of magical items, glittering gold, and the most enigmatic find of all, a dragon egg. An immediate attachment formed between Grabble Grasp and the egg, designating him as its guardian until a later determination could be reached.
With their business in Cindralisk's lair concluded, the party faced the formidable task of transporting their newfound wealth back to the humble village of Redwater. This challenge was not to be underestimated, for the mountain of gold exceeded the capacity of their pockets. However, Vulcan, ever the resourceful inventor, ingeniously devised wheelbarrows to convey the heavy load. After some initial miscommunication among the party members, they eventually managed to transport the treasure back to Redwater.
Upon their return, the generous spirit of Jumbalaya shone through. In a gesture of gratitude for the village's hospitality and support in their battle against the dragon, he bestowed a considerable portion of their newfound wealth upon Redwater. This act was met with both appreciation and a touch of guilt from Elder Willowbark, who confessed the village's culpability in the deaths of previous adventurers. In a grim admission, it was revealed that the village had been warning Cindralisk of impending attacks as a form of appeasement to avoid the dragon's wrath. Despite the unsettling revelation, Jumbalaya, though deeply troubled, chose forgiveness over retribution and generously left the gold with the village.
In return, the village hosted a grand celebration in honor of the dragon slayers. The festivities included a time-honored game where the village hunters ventured into the waters to stand upon small rafts and spearfish, competing to catch the most and the largest fish. Orion, Kaval, and Jumbalaya joined in the aquatic challenge. Jumbalaya displayed his skill, while Orion, employing illusion magic, attempted to deceive with his catches, and Kaval, initially afflicted by seasickness, later redeemed himself with a surprising victory. His reward was a nameless bottle of delectable sweet rum, locally brewed on the island.
As night descended upon Redwater, a tumultuous event unfolded. Grabble Grasp, driven by an inexplicable urgency to retrieve the dragon egg from a magically crafted stone tower by Orion, triggered a cataclysmic explosion. The blast, with its thunderous roar, nearly obliterated the tower's front door, jolting the entire village awake. In the aftermath of this shocking event, the village, displeased with Grabble Grasp's actions, returned to their slumber, while Grabble Grasp lost his privileges of petting Orion due to his transgression.
Time flowed onward, and after an additional week of anticipation, the Order of the Scribes' ship finally graced the island's shores. Accompanying them was a scientific exploratory team, eager to investigate Cindralisk's lair. Titas, upon learning of the dragon egg and the party's intentions, declared that a council of scribe peers would convene to decide the egg's fate—an announcement that left Grabble Grasp disheartened.
During the return journey to Barakimb, Orion sought a private conversation with Titas. Their dialogue centered on the events that transpired on the island, with Orion daring to broach the subject of a potential promotion for his role in slaying the dragon. To his astonishment, Titas dismissed such aspirations, explaining that killing the dragon alone held little merit in the eyes of the Order. Titas emphasized that Orion had failed to study or learn from the dragon, rendering the achievement less valuable. Even the dragon egg, the most precious find, was claimed by Grabble Grasp, beyond the Order's jurisdiction. Dejected, Orion left the discussion with a heavy heart.
Upon their arrival at Barakimb, the party sought a magic shop to spend their newly acquired wealth, only to discover that most shops, including the magic emporium, had already closed. While passing by a tavern called "The Broken Chair," a half-elf was unceremoniously thrown through a window by a towering orc named Milleadh. In spite of Milleadh's intimidating appearance, it was soon revealed that he was a friendly but boisterous drunk. The bar's owner, weary of Milleadh's antics, expelled him and directed him to the Seabreeze Inn for lodging.
The party, finding compassion for the displaced orc, picked him up and escorted him to the Seabreeze Inn. Here, they settled in for a night's rest, with the looming prospect of the Order's court proceeding on the morrow.
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