Session 2 - The Hunt for Zachary LaVaud
General Summary
After a short rest, the adventurers Sunjar, Org, Terra, and Thimbleswipe continued through the small caverns underneath the city of Dert. Terra scouted ahead, and came across writing on the walls say, "RATS RATS RATS RATS RATS RATS..." and then spotted a bald-headed man with a dagger tending his rats. The ratman rose to his feet, demanding for Terra to turn back. However, she convinced the ratman that she meant no harm, and managed to befriend him. Though things felt tense, the ratman allowed them to pass without a fight. The adventurers came thus into a windmill, where they confronted a few of the thieves. One thief, named Monroe, scoffed at the party, and declared,
In the midst of the night, Sunjar came into a strange, trance-like state. At least, he thought it was a trance. A whisper came into the wind where he was staying at the inn. "Follow me..." the voice told him. Sunjar, at first, was unsure of what he was hearing. After some contemplating, he followed the voice. He came to the streets, hearing the whisper of the wind within a deep fog. Soon the streets disappeared, and Sunjar found himself standing on water within the fog. The sky above him had the sun and moon at full brightness together, the stars swirling, and the northern lights as a beam around the cosmic objects. This was the realm of Vivian. The Lady of the Lake approached Sunjar, holding a strange sword. She showed him Fatebender, and declared it was the time for Sunjar to be knighted, for he had passed the initial trials. "You have been valiant, child of Boldur. You have shown bravery and courage, as well as responsibility, in these dire times. A rarity. Now, however, you must choose your doom, as all the sons and daughters of Boldur have done in times past." Sunjar bowed before the Lady of the Lake. Then, Vivian took Fatebender and made Sunjar declare solemn oaths of devotion. Sunjar swore to all of them. Then, Vivian crossed the sword before Sunjar's shoulders, and declared him a Knight Errant and Paladin of the Devoted. Soon, Sunjar came out of the realm of Vivian, and wondered if what he experienced was a dream, or if it was real.
The next morning, Org was also visited by someone. A strange old druid with plenty of forest animals around himself. The druid called himself "Nilrem" and held a sword in his hand. As a crank, he was annoyed that Org forgot him already. However, he still had Org swear his sacred oaths. Org was then knighted as a Paladin of the Ancients, a Knight of the Green, and was told to be a light in the world of darkness. Then, Nilrem mysteriously left. The party first thing in the morning headed toward the Fey Forests where Zachary LaVaud was said to have hidden. Terra began to track the bandits. Thimbleswipe scouted ahead as well, and came across a very nice looking tree. He tried to sit in it. Soon, however, the branch hit him, and slammed him to the ground. The tree grew angry seeing Org approach with an axe, and tried to attack the party. Terra realized they had disturbed an awakened tree, a mark of a druid. Org was injured by the tree but managed to cut down the tree with his battleaxe, and then he collected it as kindling wood. Soon Terra found one of the feathers of the bandit caps, and used that to find their base. The group came across a small waterfall with tree houses built around the place. The group tried to sneak up to it, but unfortunately Org alerted one of the guards, and then made a battle cry to attack the bandits. The four bandits on the stairs around the waterfall readied their weapons. Sunjar then cast sanctuary on Org, who rushed toward the bandits, and Sunjar trailed behind them. Terra and Thimbleswipe remained behind the trees, trying to snipe the bandits while their front runners distracted them. Org proceeded to use his shield to try and shove many of the bandits down the waterfall. He got into a tussle, and Sunjar assisted them. Evidently, one of the bandits nearly had Org go over the ridge, but Sunjar's protection kept that from taking place. Eventually Org overpowered the bandits, throwing them down the ledge one by one. Terra shot down one on her own (and finished one they fell), and Thimbleswipe snipped a bandit trying to make his way to Org, That battle was victorious. Next, the party came to the first tree house, where the bandits were dining. Instead of being sneaky, Org slammed his axe through the door to try and frighten the bandits. The bandits held their ground, until a small scuffle proved otherwise. The party then was met by two bridges, but Thimbleswipe's scouting showed it was an ambush, with two groups of bandits hoping to layway them. Org proceeded to destroy one bridge with his axe, sending the bandits to plummet to their doom, while Terra and Thimble killed the rest on the remaining bridge. Finally, the party arrived in Zachary LaVaud's quarters. A cocky man, Zachary seemed to be impressed by the party's killings, but would not budge when the party told him to surrender. Zachary was thoroughly convinced he was right in killing the tax collector, whom he called "a greater thief than I." Zachary stated he was merely reclaiming stolen money and bringing it back to the people of Dert. Sunjar threatened Zachary, but the thief was not scared. Then, the thief pulled out his rapier, stated "ENGARDE, dwarf!" and attacked the party. Zachary was joined by some of his fellow bandits. Zachary first significantly wounded Org, and then wounded Sunjar. Thimbleswipe used his fey powers to get through small crevices around the tree house and shot at some of the bandits with stealth attacks. Terra used her bow to also take out some of the goons. Sunjar and Org both got up from being knocked down, as both were given bursts of adrenaline. Zachary tried to corner Terra, but Sunjar cast Sanctuary on Terra to avoid her being wounded. So, Zachary was forced to hurt Sunjar more, but missed his attacks. Sunjar then smited the swashbuckling thief, breaking some of his ribs. Zachary saw his allies now dead (thanks to Thimbleswipe) and thus ran across the bridge. Over the bridge, the party saw him look down the waterfall. Then he tipped his bycocket hat, and said, "as they say in Tallia, 'audios amigos!' and jumped down to the waterfall to attempt a daring escape. That was the end of his days. The adventurers, glad to see that the thief was now dead, took some of the gold and valuables (as well as Zachary's head) and returned to Dert for their award. The sheriff awarded them 500 gold after Org noted they also had the tax money from the thief (which ticked off Thimbleswipe who wanted all the cash). Then, the sheriff took the adventurers to a back room. In the room, they met the mayor, Thomas Sordeu, the sheriff Hector LeBlanc, and the hooded Sournat. Sournat, however, revealed that was not his true name. "I am actually Henri Bumonte, spy for the great King of Larian! Apologies for the deception, but it was nessecary. Those bandits weakened our border here in Manneruck, and the queen of Halfia plots against us even now. You have all proven yourselves worthy of the task at hand." The adventurers agreed to take on the mission given to them. "Go to the city of Manneruck," Henri instructed them, "and give this referral to the Duke there. He will give you a secret mission. Tell no one of what you are doing. Keep this information secret and safe, and make haste!" It was then that the adventurers parted from the small town of Dert, heading north to the town of Dunkoff to take the road to Manneruck...
"If you were going after Zachary Lavaud, you are too late! He is long gone. Instead, ya will just have to contend with me, Monroe, and my fellow thieves!”
The party made quick work of Monroe and some of the thieves. They kept one, Robert, alive and proceeded to question him. Robert revealed the location of LaVaud's base. The party then sent him toward the Sheriff's office. At first, the Captain of the Guard, Milet, wanted to put Robert in the stockades, Sunjar insisted mercy on the thief and only place him in prison. He managed to convince Milet, who passed on word to Sheriff Hector to have the thief stand trial instead.
In the midst of the night, Sunjar came into a strange, trance-like state. At least, he thought it was a trance. A whisper came into the wind where he was staying at the inn. "Follow me..." the voice told him. Sunjar, at first, was unsure of what he was hearing. After some contemplating, he followed the voice. He came to the streets, hearing the whisper of the wind within a deep fog. Soon the streets disappeared, and Sunjar found himself standing on water within the fog. The sky above him had the sun and moon at full brightness together, the stars swirling, and the northern lights as a beam around the cosmic objects. This was the realm of Vivian. The Lady of the Lake approached Sunjar, holding a strange sword. She showed him Fatebender, and declared it was the time for Sunjar to be knighted, for he had passed the initial trials. "You have been valiant, child of Boldur. You have shown bravery and courage, as well as responsibility, in these dire times. A rarity. Now, however, you must choose your doom, as all the sons and daughters of Boldur have done in times past." Sunjar bowed before the Lady of the Lake. Then, Vivian took Fatebender and made Sunjar declare solemn oaths of devotion. Sunjar swore to all of them. Then, Vivian crossed the sword before Sunjar's shoulders, and declared him a Knight Errant and Paladin of the Devoted. Soon, Sunjar came out of the realm of Vivian, and wondered if what he experienced was a dream, or if it was real.
The next morning, Org was also visited by someone. A strange old druid with plenty of forest animals around himself. The druid called himself "Nilrem" and held a sword in his hand. As a crank, he was annoyed that Org forgot him already. However, he still had Org swear his sacred oaths. Org was then knighted as a Paladin of the Ancients, a Knight of the Green, and was told to be a light in the world of darkness. Then, Nilrem mysteriously left. The party first thing in the morning headed toward the Fey Forests where Zachary LaVaud was said to have hidden. Terra began to track the bandits. Thimbleswipe scouted ahead as well, and came across a very nice looking tree. He tried to sit in it. Soon, however, the branch hit him, and slammed him to the ground. The tree grew angry seeing Org approach with an axe, and tried to attack the party. Terra realized they had disturbed an awakened tree, a mark of a druid. Org was injured by the tree but managed to cut down the tree with his battleaxe, and then he collected it as kindling wood. Soon Terra found one of the feathers of the bandit caps, and used that to find their base. The group came across a small waterfall with tree houses built around the place. The group tried to sneak up to it, but unfortunately Org alerted one of the guards, and then made a battle cry to attack the bandits. The four bandits on the stairs around the waterfall readied their weapons. Sunjar then cast sanctuary on Org, who rushed toward the bandits, and Sunjar trailed behind them. Terra and Thimbleswipe remained behind the trees, trying to snipe the bandits while their front runners distracted them. Org proceeded to use his shield to try and shove many of the bandits down the waterfall. He got into a tussle, and Sunjar assisted them. Evidently, one of the bandits nearly had Org go over the ridge, but Sunjar's protection kept that from taking place. Eventually Org overpowered the bandits, throwing them down the ledge one by one. Terra shot down one on her own (and finished one they fell), and Thimbleswipe snipped a bandit trying to make his way to Org, That battle was victorious. Next, the party came to the first tree house, where the bandits were dining. Instead of being sneaky, Org slammed his axe through the door to try and frighten the bandits. The bandits held their ground, until a small scuffle proved otherwise. The party then was met by two bridges, but Thimbleswipe's scouting showed it was an ambush, with two groups of bandits hoping to layway them. Org proceeded to destroy one bridge with his axe, sending the bandits to plummet to their doom, while Terra and Thimble killed the rest on the remaining bridge. Finally, the party arrived in Zachary LaVaud's quarters. A cocky man, Zachary seemed to be impressed by the party's killings, but would not budge when the party told him to surrender. Zachary was thoroughly convinced he was right in killing the tax collector, whom he called "a greater thief than I." Zachary stated he was merely reclaiming stolen money and bringing it back to the people of Dert. Sunjar threatened Zachary, but the thief was not scared. Then, the thief pulled out his rapier, stated "ENGARDE, dwarf!" and attacked the party. Zachary was joined by some of his fellow bandits. Zachary first significantly wounded Org, and then wounded Sunjar. Thimbleswipe used his fey powers to get through small crevices around the tree house and shot at some of the bandits with stealth attacks. Terra used her bow to also take out some of the goons. Sunjar and Org both got up from being knocked down, as both were given bursts of adrenaline. Zachary tried to corner Terra, but Sunjar cast Sanctuary on Terra to avoid her being wounded. So, Zachary was forced to hurt Sunjar more, but missed his attacks. Sunjar then smited the swashbuckling thief, breaking some of his ribs. Zachary saw his allies now dead (thanks to Thimbleswipe) and thus ran across the bridge. Over the bridge, the party saw him look down the waterfall. Then he tipped his bycocket hat, and said, "as they say in Tallia, 'audios amigos!' and jumped down to the waterfall to attempt a daring escape. That was the end of his days. The adventurers, glad to see that the thief was now dead, took some of the gold and valuables (as well as Zachary's head) and returned to Dert for their award. The sheriff awarded them 500 gold after Org noted they also had the tax money from the thief (which ticked off Thimbleswipe who wanted all the cash). Then, the sheriff took the adventurers to a back room. In the room, they met the mayor, Thomas Sordeu, the sheriff Hector LeBlanc, and the hooded Sournat. Sournat, however, revealed that was not his true name. "I am actually Henri Bumonte, spy for the great King of Larian! Apologies for the deception, but it was nessecary. Those bandits weakened our border here in Manneruck, and the queen of Halfia plots against us even now. You have all proven yourselves worthy of the task at hand." The adventurers agreed to take on the mission given to them. "Go to the city of Manneruck," Henri instructed them, "and give this referral to the Duke there. He will give you a secret mission. Tell no one of what you are doing. Keep this information secret and safe, and make haste!" It was then that the adventurers parted from the small town of Dert, heading north to the town of Dunkoff to take the road to Manneruck...
Thus the first chapter of the Crusade of Larian was finished. Onward the adventures go, to the second chapter of their quest.
Date (in world)
September 3rd - 5th, 4282
Report Date
30 May 2021
Primary Location
Zachary LaVaud, infamous bandit within the duchy of Manneruck, seen laywaying a group of foresters.
Player Characters
Org Orgenson, righteous Half-Orc Paladin. He seeks equality between monster and men and is willing to crusade for his cause. Though he appears to be a dumb brute, he has a heart and soul of gold, and a great sense of right.
Terra, fair and kind Wood Elf Ranger. She seeks to find her long-lost love in the lands of Larian, a knight whom she once met but knows not the name and face to.
Thimbleswipe, mischievous Fairy Rogue. Long ago chased out of the fey lands, he now seeks a new life of mischief within the lands of men. But look beyond his heart of guile and greed and one will find a hero fitting of the fey.
Sunjar, proud Dwarf Paladin. He has come from the lands of Bolderun to uncover more about the mysterious Vivian and uncover more truth about dwarf religion.
Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
Comments