Session 7: 14/04/2024
General Summary
Asterlynn 19th (late afternoon) until the 25th of Quildarynn (early morning) in the year 333 AI
Ruins of Thundertree
We find a relieved party at the outskirts of Thundertree, about to set out again into the wilderness. Having successfully survived the encounter with the young dragon and gained the gratitude and information needed from the druid. They spend the rest of the day making the treck back to Phandalin, to regroup and set out again. Come nightfall our treesome, and of course the couragious Aphrodite, is well under way and starts making camp. Our Orcish friend Stone Head is the first to keep watch. The whole trip our friend has been even more taciturn than usual. Keeping the rear all day and barely acknowledging anything of the surroundings. What demons might be haunting him? With a bit of grumble it is then, that Stone Head drops his backpack/bag of holding and starts his watch duty. Soon he is surrounded by the sounds of snoring and now and then a grumble from the sleeping wolf.
Meanwhile in Phandalin
The air in Phandalin seems filled with hope and new found courage. It is to a whole different village Numot returns after his training and exercice in the forests surrounding Phandalin. The ranger has long been a citizen of the town, but had found the scourge of the Redbrands unbearable and was dead set on taking action! Going it alone, however, he knew to be a suicide mission. He needed to gain experience! The woods and forests with it's wild creatures and dangerous wild-life would become his new playground. It is thus our party and Numot are as of yet strangers to each others. Upon his return the inn and the taphouse offer a vast library of information. So soon, he knows well about everything about these heroes that got rid of the Redbrands.
Nonetheless, events would soon prove that other dangers are still present and alive. All of a sudden a man bursts into the tavern: "Orcs!! A whole band of them!" Message delivered the man turned on his heels and was gone, probably spreading the message. For short it may be, the intent was clear as day. Everyone rose to defend their village, it would not be the complacent village led by a fool that these Orcs would find! No, Harbin Wester was relieved of his duties. It was Sildar that now led the village, and surely he would rise to the occasion! Obviously he would, for when they arrived at the village square many people had already gathered and the new Townmaster himself stood armed over a makeshift table dividing tasks to those willing to help!
It is a well-known fact, that most Orcs aren't that bright... Not surprising then that their attack was less than convincing, outnumbered and outmatched they were easily fended of, no harm no foul... Altough, there was one victim. A poor animal with no way to defend itself and no one to defend it... The poor dumb goat had been taken, surely to be eaten! When Numot heard of this he could not let it slide. No one seemed to care, not even the owner, but he did. That damn animal offered some of the best, prize winning milk he had ever tasted! Putting his skills to the test yet again, he set out and tracked the band of Orcs into the forest... Hours later, he arrives at a little clearing in said forest. The tracks seem to imply that the band of Orcs had been joined by another group and then set out in another direction... Just while he is pondering the meaning of this he spots some movement in the corner of his eye and jumps behind a tree...
A camp in the forest
It's in a peaceful and sunny forest our party wakes up in the morning. Our treesome... Treesome? Unless we count our dear Aphrodite something seems amiss! It seems Stone Head has gone missing sometime during his watch, at least Resnalore was never woken up for her shift and tracks and traces around the camp point to a struggle! Expect for his belongings, it seems Stone Head has been taken captive. Orc tracks! In all haste another tracking party sets out in hopes of finding their friend alive.
Ruins of Thundertree
We find a relieved party at the outskirts of Thundertree, about to set out again into the wilderness. Having successfully survived the encounter with the young dragon and gained the gratitude and information needed from the druid. They spend the rest of the day making the treck back to Phandalin, to regroup and set out again. Come nightfall our treesome, and of course the couragious Aphrodite, is well under way and starts making camp. Our Orcish friend Stone Head is the first to keep watch. The whole trip our friend has been even more taciturn than usual. Keeping the rear all day and barely acknowledging anything of the surroundings. What demons might be haunting him? With a bit of grumble it is then, that Stone Head drops his backpack/bag of holding and starts his watch duty. Soon he is surrounded by the sounds of snoring and now and then a grumble from the sleeping wolf.
Meanwhile in Phandalin
The air in Phandalin seems filled with hope and new found courage. It is to a whole different village Numot returns after his training and exercice in the forests surrounding Phandalin. The ranger has long been a citizen of the town, but had found the scourge of the Redbrands unbearable and was dead set on taking action! Going it alone, however, he knew to be a suicide mission. He needed to gain experience! The woods and forests with it's wild creatures and dangerous wild-life would become his new playground. It is thus our party and Numot are as of yet strangers to each others. Upon his return the inn and the taphouse offer a vast library of information. So soon, he knows well about everything about these heroes that got rid of the Redbrands.
Nonetheless, events would soon prove that other dangers are still present and alive. All of a sudden a man bursts into the tavern: "Orcs!! A whole band of them!" Message delivered the man turned on his heels and was gone, probably spreading the message. For short it may be, the intent was clear as day. Everyone rose to defend their village, it would not be the complacent village led by a fool that these Orcs would find! No, Harbin Wester was relieved of his duties. It was Sildar that now led the village, and surely he would rise to the occasion! Obviously he would, for when they arrived at the village square many people had already gathered and the new Townmaster himself stood armed over a makeshift table dividing tasks to those willing to help!
It is a well-known fact, that most Orcs aren't that bright... Not surprising then that their attack was less than convincing, outnumbered and outmatched they were easily fended of, no harm no foul... Altough, there was one victim. A poor animal with no way to defend itself and no one to defend it... The poor dumb goat had been taken, surely to be eaten! When Numot heard of this he could not let it slide. No one seemed to care, not even the owner, but he did. That damn animal offered some of the best, prize winning milk he had ever tasted! Putting his skills to the test yet again, he set out and tracked the band of Orcs into the forest... Hours later, he arrives at a little clearing in said forest. The tracks seem to imply that the band of Orcs had been joined by another group and then set out in another direction... Just while he is pondering the meaning of this he spots some movement in the corner of his eye and jumps behind a tree...
A camp in the forest
It's in a peaceful and sunny forest our party wakes up in the morning. Our treesome... Treesome? Unless we count our dear Aphrodite something seems amiss! It seems Stone Head has gone missing sometime during his watch, at least Resnalore was never woken up for her shift and tracks and traces around the camp point to a struggle! Expect for his belongings, it seems Stone Head has been taken captive. Orc tracks! In all haste another tracking party sets out in hopes of finding their friend alive.
Somewhere in the Forest
It is a while later our party sees something that seems like a clearing in the distance, with a lone figure standing near. Stealthily, our duo and Wolf friend close in. "Who goes there!?" So it is our friends meet Numot and vice versa. The air is quickly cleared of hostility and explanations are made. Seeing there is a common goal in finding the band of orcs, they set their attention to the small clearing. It is with a bit of legendary tracking and investigation that Liberty finds tracks going a different direction than most of the Orcs. Strangely these tracks are very well hidden, and they belong two only one Orc and two creatures wearing boots... What is going on and what tracks to follow? In the end it's the toss of a dime, the tracks containing goat marks is followed!
Ambush! Up ahead, two barely hidden Orcs! Nothing our heroes can't handle, stealth, subterfuge and brains. No more than two sleeping spells later and two Orcs are bound, sound asleep. Quincy and Phluvius, better known as Quick and Flupke, since no one can pronounce their real names anyway. When questioned by Resnalore and Liberty and later by a disguised Numot, a lot of info is gained. They were left by their leader to fend off possible followers. Someone paid the Orcs to raid Phandalin and then meet at the clearing... They have the goat, and they know of 'another Orc' that was at the clearing. Brughor wouldn't like knowing how loose lipped his buddies are. The party now also knows where the Orcs are headed: Wyvern Tor. Quite the detour! Numot sets our buddies free, and together they head to Wyvern Tor, followed from a distance by Liberty and Resnalore. As camp is set and the Orcs fall asleep, a decision is made and our buddies are tied up again and left with some water.
Wyvern Tor
In the afternoon our little band catches the first glimpse of Wyvern Tor. Calling it a tower is actually pushing it. The only evidence a structure once stood there are some shaped boulders leaning against a cliff. The top of the cliff still shows, what could be called evidence of a towering structure. However, the only thing even resembling living quarters is a cave in front of them. Twenty feet in front of said cave, barely hidden, a lone Orc is visible behind a boulder, standing guard.
Being outnumbered our three new-found friends, choose strategy, stealth and planning over recklessness. They use the rest of the afternoon to lay out traps on the way out of Wyvern Tor, in hopes of catching the raiders unawares. Once done, positions are taken and the wait is on. A wolf howl splits the night! Finished with a little cough, Aphrodite needs some water it seems. The answer? A couple of Orcs set out to investigate. The trap is sprung! Everything happens so fast not even a shout of alarm reaches the cave! Seems the planning paid off...
Another howl, and again, Orcs are sent out. Disguises are used, subterfuge, deception! Luckily Orcs are famously dumb... However, this time an Ogre joins the fray! More traps, spikes! Stabby stab! Bite! Smash! Firebolt! Arrows! Relatively unscathed our party again emerges victorious. The Ogre's warcry has gone unheard. It seems drunken Orcs are rather deaf. The party takes a chance, acting as the Ogre, Gog, they call out to Brughor Axe-Biter himself!
With a mind full of booze and stupidity, but also of grandeur. The leader himself emerges, along with two bodyguards. Sending them out first they reach the edge of the forest wondering where the ogre could be. When asked, a voice answers from deeper in the forest. Suddenly, Brughor sees one of his companions disappear in a hole, while the other is dragged prone. An ambush! Surprised, but miraculously untrapped he prepares for battle. Flying arrows, dancing scimitars and blasts of Eldritch power! Aphrodite manages to grab Brughor's arm, but is unceremoniously pummeled for it.
Soon the Orcs are dispatched, it is Brughor who remains. The finishing blow comes from Aphrodite, an,d it's gruesome... Angered by being pummeled he jumps and goes for... The Orc scrotum... A piercing howl alarms the last of the band of orcs, but Brughor dies painfully. While Aphrodite munches on the Orc's balls. The party finishes off the last two Orcs. Silence returns. Their winnig strategy left them victorious and unharmed.
A little looting finds our party richer and a bit wiser. As in the cave the yfind a missive that seems to have come from the Black Spider. Orders to raid Phandalin as a sort of diversion. Of the identity of the Tieflings that seemed to have taken Stone Head little clue, accept that they would be paying the Orcs for their service. Whom are the Tieflings working for, the Spider or yet another power? Did Stone Head go willingly, or was he taken with force? Our party is left with some healing potions, some weapons, and many many questions. Yet also, with a goat!
Here, with some speak with animals. Numot learns the true identity of the goat. Dear Bobby begs for help, but finds little to no attention. After what our friend sheard they have little love for him. Numot still wants his milk and after insisting our party decides to return to Phandalin. Returning the goat and getting their promised gold for dealing with the Orc menace. Their way home only spoilt by a damn band of stirges that nearly kill our wolf friend. Luckily the worst can be evaded. The wolf's gratitude is endless.
Phandalin
First stop, the Alderleaf farm to return the goat. Numot tries to inform whether the goat's identity is known and finds little surprise in the farmers reaction. There really is no love lost for the abusive bastard that once was Bobby Alderleaf. Nevertheless, the next 10 portions of milk are free! After, Resnalore checks out Peppermint, who seems more than healthy and is even gettting a bit rounder than needed. Obviously Pip his doing his duties well! Resnalore decides to visit him.
Next stop for the others, the Town house. Here they find a dreary looking Harbin Wester, and the new town master: Sildar Hallwinter. After some convincing by Sildar, Harbin pays the party out of his own pocket, as it was a job for him the party just finished. Sildar also promises to look into the fate of Bobby the goat. Meanwhile, Resnalore and Pip have sweet little meet. Hugs and kisses galore! Diligintly practicing and taking care of Peppermint is making him quite the adventurer. Even his mother has to admit he was helpful during the raid. Nevertheless, she still refuses to let the young adventurer set out into the setting sun.
Worried for the fate of Stone Head our friends try to not prolong their stay too much, one final stop and off to Cragmaw Castle! It's the return to the Sleeping Giant taphouse! Here they are handed their share of the profits, but also a letter left by previuos guests. All Mirna Dendrar found out about them, since finding the letter in their 'room', is that they were two Tieflings who arrived some time after the Redbrands took over. They kept to themselves and to the shadows. Unclear about their goals and when and why they left, Mirna decides to hand over the letter to our friends, as it seems to talk about them.
"Set out to Phandalin. Keep an eye on the situation with the Spider. Main goal, retrieve our Orcish partner. Remind him of the stakes. Keep him alive and unharmed, he'll come around. Return with due haste." More questions than answers. With renewed vigour our party leaves and arrives soon at Cragmaw Castle. What will await them after sending a dragon there? The few stirges that try to harm them, soon find the error of their ways! After a night's rest. The Castle is in view!
Report Date
15 Apr 2024
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