S4 (8/15) : Sildar's Transition, Kerianna's Demise, a Cryptic Dragon, Thug BBQ, Eve Noir, and the Journey to Phandalin

General Summary

The group of five strangers begins to feel more like a group of friends.....for the most part.  Jun Sheng and the two dragonborn still don't trust Kerianna Mithraill, and sentiments of distrust towards her flow freely as the group travels towards their destination of Phandalin with their bounty from the Cragmaw hideout.  Sildar Hallwinter continues alongside the group and seems to be growing ever more comfortable in his underwear after being mugged by the Cragmaw goblins.

(Sildar feeling himself in his new duds)
After fending off a few pesky wolves in the forest underbrush, the adventurers managed to come across the cart and cargo they had left behind in pursuit of the Cragmaw goblins.  Warhun The Great tore through the wreckage to be completely sure that there were no hidden flasks of ale left in the wagon to be seized.  The parties oxen were no nowhere to be found, and left no trace except a few faint tracks heading Eastward.  Upon closer inspection of the cart, the party came across a bloodied note warning yet again of the treachery of the Redbrands.
Hearing what sounded like a bonfire and rustling nearby, Kerianna, Cassidy Ore, and Jun traveled West towards the racket on a reconnaissance mission while Warhun searched for the missing oxen and Tector labored to push the cart back towards town.  While seeking out the location of the bonfire, Kerianna was ambushed...by a vicious band of thugs!  Before Jun and Cassidy had time to react, Kerianna had been eviscerated, and the thug had disappeared back into the rain and darkness from which he had sprung.  Shocked by the demise of their new acquaintance, but not so attached as to not be morbid, Cassidy and Jun ruthlessly pillaged Kerianna's corpse and didn't so much as glance back as they took after the murderous thug.

(Kerianna appreciating her friends concerns for her health and wellbeing)
Prying the gold from Kerianna cold dead hands made Jun extra sleepy all of a sudden, and he thought to himself "Mid-battle is as perfect a time as any for me to get a little nappy in!".  Jun hoisted himself into the slow moving cart near Sildar and Tector for a little well deserved shut-eye.

(Sildar making sure Jun's nap is comfortable for him)
The remainder of the party banded together in finding the fleeing assassin, discovering a second thug in tow.  A battle of revenge ensued, and the adventures seemed to be getting the best of the villainous thugs.

(The adventurers braving the elements and in pursuit of the enemy thugs)
Suddenly a flutter of crossbow bolts rained down upon the thugs.  Not so much a volley the party noticed......more of a sprinkling of sorts.  Looking towards the woods the party noticed an unfamiliar female tiefling throwing bolts by hand at the the thugs (apparently unaware of how the crossbow hanging from her belt functioned).  As the our adventurers and the thugs exchanged blows, a massive black dragon swooped low and perched atop the large oak tree above them.  Without warning the massive dragon spewed foul smelling black acid upon both thugs, melting them down to nothing but bones and ooze in the blink of an eye.

(The black dragon gazing down threateningly upon the battle below)
With little time to properly introduce herself, the party welcomed the tiefling Eve Noir (and her two horses) to join them....the enemy of my enemy is my friend after all!  The dragonborn looked up to the great dragon upon the oak, and asked of it why it chose to help them.  The dragon divulged that it was ridding the land of a terrible evil, but would not say more about the nature of this evil.  Seeing the great might of the dragon before them and knowing the path ahead to Phandalin may be riddled with more of these thugs, the party nervously requested the aid of the dragon in reaching their destination.  The dragon agreed, with the condition of being handsomely paid in gold for his assistance.  This dragon had no patience for negotiations it seemed though, as it upped its "fee" while the party debated if they could afford the dragon's assistance.  Not wanting to make the same mistake twice, our adventurers agreed to the dragon's toll. With the dragon's help they made their way safely to the Northern border of Phandalin, but not before seeing their new acquaintance Eve showcased some Tiefling trickery on the unsuspecting thugs along the way.  After paying their dues and thanking the dragon for its assistance, the dragon spread its monstrous wings and departed, but not before whispering something to Tector in an unknown draconian tongue.

(The welcoming glow of Phandalin's Stonehill Inn)
Their bodies stiff and cold from the night air, rain, and battles fought, our weary travelers tied the two horses and carriage (and Jun snoring soundly within it) to the rail outside Phandalin's Stonehill Inn, and stepped into the warm and welcoming building.  After booking two rooms for the evening, all but Tector retired to their respective rooms, while he remained in the hall to have a drink.  After a long, hard, cold, and battle-ridden day.....our weary heroes were finally able to rest their bones, and breathe easy.

Report Date

24 Aug 2020