Session 3: 27/08/2023

Asterlynn 12th, noon until the afternoon of Asterlynn 17th in the year 333 AI

Phandalin

After getting some rest, Liberty and Stone Head return downstairs to find Resnalore flirting with Pip and gossiping with some of the townfolk. They manage to drag her away from Pip long enough to get a rundown of the issues in town and set out to look into Sister Garaele, the keeper of the Shrine of Luck, who apparently is a bit down on her luck as she was seen returning to town after a few days away in a pityful state.

The shrine of Luck is devoted to Tymora, goddess of luck and good fortune. It's a tiny little thing made of stones taken from the ruins in Phandalin. Here they meet Sister Garaele. She's as eager as any to get rid of the Redbrands, but has some other cause for trouble, she tells our party that she is part of a group called The Harpers and that she was ordered to find the whereabouts of a spellbook that belonged to a certain "Bowgentle". She explains that they are looking to make sure that it stays out of evildoers hands. A bit of insight tells our adventurers that she is sincere and they decide to help her. So it is they learn about a banshee named Agatha who resides not far from the ruins of Conyberry, which is about a 2.5 days travel up the Triboar trail. They receive a gift to present to Agatha, in the hopes flattery will get her to present herself to the party. Since it's a bit of a journey the party decides to look into more rumours before setting out. They go and check the woodworkers house and found some vague evidence and traces to concur with the general consensus that the Redbrands have taken the family. A bit disappointed they walk to Edermath Orchard in the hopes Daran edermath, the old adventurer can provide them some help or information and to make sure Peppermint (Resnalore's horse) is doing fine. Arriving at the orchard the first thing they see is... no Peppermint. Instead they find a post with a piece of rope dangling sadly. While Liberty takes the rational method, being checking for tracks and evidence, Resnalore takes the more emotional route: shouting at the top of her lungs. Both yield results: Liberty finds the rope bitten through and tracks leading to Daran's cabin, Resnalore manages to reach Peppermint's ears and hears his reply from behind the cabin. As they walk towards the cabin Daran, who heard the commotion, steps outside and greets them. He seems a bit out of sorts, turns out Peppermint broke free and enjoyed herself dearly on his orchard. Multiple kilos of his delicious and wonderful fruits fell victim to this savage blitzkrieg before he noticed and managed to capture the assailant. Peppermint meanwhile is still taken care of, as he's no monster. He tied her up behind his cabin with some hay in reach. Safe to say he will teach Pip how to tie decent knots, but first there's a matter of payment for his precious apples. The price for the apples is steep, negotiations lead to our party agreeing to find out what is going on at Old Owl Well. He's been hearing stories of undead running around and is eager to know if he should worry. Moreover, this would not only pay for his apples, he might even agree in assisting the party. From Daran they learn that Tresendor Manor is the base of operations for the Redbrands. Liberty manages to persuade Daran, not only to look into the tunnel Carp foud, but should the party prove themselves he will join them in liberating the manor and will find other villagers who will help.

Before setting out there is one thing left to do: go on a shopping spree! Looking for new armour, Resnalore leads the party to the Lionshield Coster. When all is said and done a deal is struck, a new armour and a gem in exchange for the old one. Stone head managed to persuade Resnalore to take the gem as he needs it for his masterpiece. Turns out it's a great deal since the gem is rather valuable! Afterwards our party sets out into the wilderness!

On the road

While travelling our party is set upon by a couple of Stirges, unfriendly creatures that prove no match for our heroes. After a short rest they soon arrive at Conyberry and find the path to Agatha's Lair. After some persuasion the Banshee shows herself. The mention of a gift and some serious flattery later, the party is allowed to ask one question before she throws them out. Thus they find out the spellbook is no longer in her posession, she tells them that she traded the book to a necromancer named Tsernoth from the city of Iriaebor more than a hundred years ago. She does not know what became of the book afterward. Sensing the answer is truthful and not willing to overstay their welcome the party leaves her in peace and sets out to the Old Owl Well.

Coming over the crest of a hill they can see the ruins before them and smell an air of death wafting towards them. An old tower partly destroyed is the source of the smell, a tent is set up in the center of some sort of courtyard bordering the tower. Hiding themselves it is Resnalores who sneaks towards the tent and recognises a symbol as that of the school of necromancy. Unfortunately, when sticking her head out to see inside the tent she is spotted by someone who introduces himself as Hamun Kost. In a move that baffles everyone, Resnalore just throws out an excuse about 'just having a look', 'being lost' apologises and leaves. This is so unexpected that Kost himself has no answer and just lets her go. However, not much was learned outside the fact he is a necromancer. Liberty wonders what's in the tower though and sets off to have a look. Almost getting caught by the zombies hiding inside the party flees and heads back to Phandalin. Once more disturbed by stirges on their way. Nonetheless, they arrive safely back in the village.

Phandalin

When they return to Phandalin, they inform Sister Garaele who is certain that it's enough to set the Harpers on the track and pays them, 3 potions of healing received! Next they set off to Daran to give him the news a necromancer is living at the Old Owl Well. Although not really impressed with how they dealt with it, or better yet, not dealt with it, they completed their contract. The apples are paid and he will join them in their visit to Tresendor Manor. Furthermore he informs them they will be joined by Sildar. He wasn't able to convince Halia Thornton, he advises the party to pay her a visit to try and win her over.

Arriving at the Phandalin Miner's Exchange they find Halia working hard, with barely a minute to spare. They notice right away that she's very ambitious and calculating, she is willing to join if she's allowed to keep any and all correspondence they find during the raid. Seeing no issue the party agrees. Rendez-vous is set the next day 14:30 at Daran's cabin.

Having learned of free lodgings possibilities at Alderleaf Farm, they decide to see if they can stay there the night. Here they meet Qelline Alderleaf and her son, Carp. Seeing how hard at work Qelline is Liberty and Stone Head immediately set out to help out a bit the rest of the day. Resnalore on the other hand pays Pip a visit and kidnaps him to play with swords. Showing of her sword dancing skills, Pip feels like giving it a try since he's impressed. Unfortunately he stumbles and all of a sudden they're lying in the grass. Flustered before Pip knows what is happening Resnalore gives him a kiss. The poor boy is lost!

Aftwerwards they go their separate ways and Resnalore returns to the farm, where Liberty and Stone are hard at work. Peppermint taken care of by Carp the party discovers that Qelline's husband, Carp's father was a less than great man that is hardly missed. He turned to abuse, mishandled a visiting wizard and was led astray by a succubus. No later had he disappeared or a goat wandered on the farm. The goat meanwhile is an annoying piece of work that bleats at everyone. During the discussion he got louder and louder, Liberty has a vague suspîcion, the goat might actually be the father... The party shares a meal and gets some rest. The next day they meet their allies at Daran's orchard. Having discovered that there is no movement around 15 by the tunnel, Daran's intel led to the party going around the same hour. They infiltrate the tunnel!

Tresendor Manor

The search for the Dendrar family and the leader of the Redbrands starts in the tunnel, each with their own goals the party moves along. At the end of the tunnel the party encounters a Nothic, who after being fed and with a promise of more, decides that it's time to change allegiances. He merrily follows the party and even informs them of the place he thinks the prisoners are held. Exploring further the party runs into some redbrands, a clever sleep spell and a bit of violence and rope later the Redbrands find themselves stuffed in barrels. Although not before spilling some info about the key to the prison... Following this info the party finds Mosk, the bugbear that holds a key, in a room bullying a Goblin. Using one of the Redbrand cloaks they try to lure away some enemies. It's a good thing Mosk isn't too bright for there are no Orcish Redbrands! Whatever the case, drunkeness, stupidity or laziness. They send out Droop the Goblin who faints the moment he sees it's a trap.

Finding no other way the party then deposes the three bugbears and finds the key.

Phase one of the infiltration so far is successful!

 

Experience:

- 7 stirges

- Struck a bargain with Agatha

- Found the necromancer for Daran (quite original)

- Bargained with Linene, Daran and Halia

- Deposed of 3 bugbears

- Got the Nothics allegiance

- Defeated some Redbrands (made them into barrelriders)

- Infiltrated the Redbrand hideout