sXI: Sole Survivor
General Summary
As the freshly recruited mercenaries Dùghall and Dr. Ceaser spent their first (and potentially last night) in Hommlet relaxing in their respective circles. Dr. Ceaser immediately made his way to Terrigan's Taproom with his pockets jingling with fresh coin from Verena. It wasn't much, but it was enough to buy himself a bottle of cheap wine. Sitting at the bar for a long while he eventually noticed a small gnome in the back corner of the taproom eyeing him up. Ceaser, two wine glasses in hand, stumbled over to the gnome, only to sit down and proceed to drink both glasses himself. The gnome introduced himself as Nierethi Poscurian, employer of Verena, Brog, Finn, and Eduardo Mangoseed. Upon entering a lengthy conversation with Dr. Ceaser, it was eventually made known that three of the four had died investigating a ruined structure that has gained the attention of the local lords, resulting in full sponsorship of adventurers to take on the challenge that might be threating the region once again. Hearing this, Nierethi was saddened by the loss of most of his 'financial investments', but took solace that at least one survived (even if it was the one he most certainly thought to die first). Upon feeling out Dr. Ceaser, Nierethi was confident that there was still information to be gained and a use for the mercenaries to him still, so confident that he offered to continue funding the mercenaries in secret, giving a large sum of coin (800 gp in various coins and gems) upon Ceaser's departure from the taproom.
Wandering the town, Ceaser would eventually find himself knocking on Zerosh Nubric's door inquiring about his special stock of items. Ignoring the time of night, Zerosh let Ceaser into his home and showed him his secret stash of illegal goods. Ceaser wouldn't buy anything, but would find a missing scroll that Zerosh had misplaced months ago, to his own dismay, leading to the shady merchant to giving Ceaser a minor discount to his goods in the future.
While Ceaser was at the taproom, Dùghall had received a nice meal at the Inn of the Welcome Wench, and had found himself retiring to the First Church of St. Cuthbert for his nightly prayer. While the doctor was walking through town he happened to spy into the window of the church and spot the demonic looking hellspawn that was to be his new comrade in arms. Deciding to get to know the beast, Ceaser entered the temple, and was confronted by Calmer who demanded Ceaser strip and wear proper robes before entering the church proper. Doing so, he progressed through a large doorway of bronze, and took a seat next to Dùghall, who was mostly alone expect for the two priests at the far back of the room. Dùghall, sharp with his forked-tongue, would enter a conversation with the buzzed Ceaser and learn about his past and what landed him in jail. Apparently, the good doctor had turned to thievery and crime at some point during his career (details where vague and only hinted at if best), and as a result was kicked out from the Surgeon's Guild and sentenced to work in one of the prison mines that rest on the side of the Themmit Rift. How he escaped one of the most heavily armed places in the Dalelands was never explained, but his recent activity and failure were. The doctor finding himself off the commonly traveled path, and deep into the swamps, found the very young blue dragon Utreshimon the day it had set up in the moathouse. In awe of the power of the creature before him, Ceaser begged for his life, promising to be the dragons person master thieve and leasane for the civilized world. This would cause Ceaser to go on a drunken fueled thieving spree one night, where he got just a bit too greedy when he attempted to steal Burne's wand right out of his pocket. It was this blunder that ended him in the dungeon beneath the keep of the town. Upon hearing what would amount to a grand confession to thievery and probable murder, Dùghall proposed a prayer between the two, which to even Ceaser's own surprise, he accepted.
Later that night Dùghall would join Ceaser in retiring to the Welcome Wench where they ran into Verena, and had a nice dinner and drink. During this the three talked about the events to come, when they collectively noticed Xaod the Slayer and his greataxe. It was at this instant, money in hand, that Xaod would be hired for a month, and granted the honor of calling himself a Mercenary of the Wheel. Xaod was more than happy for the coin and work, as he had become restless over the last few days.
Operation: Rotting Lama
The next morning, Verena, Dùghall, Ceaser, Xaod, and five of Burne's Badgers would make the two and a half day trek to ol'Del's farmhouse and to the moathouse. This trip would be cut drastically short however, as upon entering the Ironwood the group spotted a wagon toppled over and a dead horse being looted by two hobgoblins. The mercenaries would learn this to be a false assessment of the situation, but only after a horrific fight with the creatures which resulted in the loss of all 5 guards and Verena's right hand. In reality the horse and cart belonged to the hobgoblins, who themselves belonged to the Cult of the Crushing Wave, a sect of the The Elder Elemental Eye recognized by Dr. Ceaser through his travels and shady dealings. Upon this realization the chest on the cart was confiscated and opened by the mercenaries, where they found enough silk rope to attach Verena's sickle to his arm stump, as well as a grand sum of 31,000 silver pieces. With a princes ransom in hand, the mercenaries returned tail between legs back to Hommlet where they proceeded to hire Ingrith, Questin Himmble, and Spugnoir for the next outing to the ruined mansion known as the moathouse.Rewards Granted
800 gp in various coins and gems
50' Silk Rope
31,000 Silver Pieces (~3,100 Gold Pieces)
50' Silk Rope
31,000 Silver Pieces (~3,100 Gold Pieces)
Missions/Quests Completed
Take over a section of the moathouse with the supplied detachment of Burne's Badgers.
Character(s) interacted with
Related Reports
Report Date
26 Dec 2021
Primary Location
Secondary Location
Comments