Session 10 Report

General Summary

As the party prepares to leave Northhope, they see the survivors that Big Richard had rounded up outside the inn: a husband and wife in their 20s named Kenneth and Barbara, and an old woman Milda and her granddaughter Jan. Together, they all begin the trek towards Cressen. Kenneth and Barbara leave at the crossroads, to head south towards family in Farhaven. They offer to treat the party if they ever come down that way. After hours of silence, Milda speaks up and forgives the party for whatever role they had in Hubert's death, having figured something happened to him when there was no one else at the inn. She explains that she is Hubert's wife and that the source of Hubert's disdain for elves comes from an incident years ago. Their son, Hubie, and his wife had gone on an expedition to the elven lands in the duchy of Aldora and apparently trepassed in lands they were not permitted. Milda and Hubert had discovered this because an elven envoy had returned with Hubie's ashes. They had to raise Jan in absence of her parents. Milda says she has to believe the gods have some reason for these things, as the world would be too cruel otherwise. Arriving at the city, Milda and Jan are given gold by Valqinor to start anew and they enter the city with gratitude. The party returns their rented horses to Shyra's son Simon at the stable near the gates and Simon gives them the lay of the land. He points out the large building in the distance-- the Hall of Plenty-- which is the central place of worship in the city. For lodging, he says the Innocent Doe is the high end for travelers-- featuring great food, hospitality, and rooms. Meanwhile, the Lying Goose is the other end, a seedier place but cheap. Simon says if they go to the Doe, that the barkeeper is a beautiful elven lady who he unfortunately has never been able to convince on a date. Before they head to the gate, Simon thanks them for their business and recommends not to rent or buy any horses from his brother Sidney, who is trying to undercut the family business after having gotten a headstart from them, and has branched out into his own competing service. At the gate, they are stopped for entry protocol by the gatekeeper, who is apparently very new on the job and admits that his father is the captain of the guard, but insists he can do the job himself. This is quickly proven wrong when he has to consult his lengthy manual for every question and procedure and is thrown for a loop when the party doesn't comply well with his questions. When asking if Little Dickens is a druid in wildshape, Big Richard pretends he is but is cursed into remaining in bear form in an attempt to not have to register the animal. While the gatekeeper is busy consulting his manual on how to proceed, Big Richard unsummons Little Dickens, tricking the guard into thinking that his efforts have killed the bear. Aghast and trying not to cause a scene, he quickly allows the party into Cressen. The party heads towards the city square with the plan to visit the Innocent Doe for the night. They notice a surprising amount of refugees and homeless around, survivors of goblin raids that have fled to the city for safety. They talk to one of these vagrants, the halfling Corbin, as he seems to be more cunning and useful than the others. He agrees to be their eyes and ears for a while in exchange for some coin, commenting that it's not the first time he's spied around. He gives them some advice for the city and after hearing that they are heading to the Innocent Doe, remarks that he once had a date with her-- to the party's surprise. At the Innocent Doe, they are indeed greeted with great accommodations and food and find that the elven hostess Anissa is as beautiful as described. Valqinor is smitten and after talking to her, learns that she gets off her shift at 3 AM. Meanwhile, the others talk to others around the bar and meet the dwarven brothers Varrick and Olrick who are playing dice. The dwarves invite them to play and the night is spent in good company, food, drink, and gambling where Jett wins big in multiple rounds.