Winedark, Blood and Therapy: In the Tendrils of the Octobear

General Summary

Wherein the Therapists come together to traverse the undercurrent of Spentbrine, eradicate numerous troubling mutations, and search for a missing schooner.

The Vanished Ship

Strange things are afoot in The Vast. The notable schooner Evening Therapy has seemingly disappeared without a trace, along with the formidable Captain Ava Suresmelt. This troubling occurrence has left stranded some of that ship's crew, namely:

• Denbixtellrhys, called Dennis; a dragonborn barbarian. Has just rad dragonborn uncles (like they would absolutely give you a box of scratched up Bob Marley records that has a baggie full of fossilized weed in it). Brawn of the Dennis/Gnorbitt Experience. May be an extradimensional traveler.
• Gnorbitt Gnomebert; gnome rogue opportunist. Eager to find fortune from disaster. Brains of the Dennis/Gorbitt Experience. May be an extradimensional traveler.
• Salty; dragonborn fighter with bardic aspirations. Once once a captain of his own ship (don't ask). Has a cat, Pepper.
• Rainbow Runestone; dwarven celestial warlock. Devotee of Baena and Esphina, transdimensional dolphin. Appreciates a sick jam.
• Artag Overdale; human war wizard. Hails from Keshloam. Has an unsettling relationship with fire.

Without a ship or a role on said ship, these erstwhile crewmates were left, indeed, rudderless. Luckily, a new job soon presented itself. While bemoaning their fate in Varno's, a humble tavern in Spentbrine--a more rough-and-tumble area outside of the capital city of Awa, engaged in conversation with the amiable Varno, the owner/operator of the establishment. Over the pleasing music of Jexxam Visk, a charming bard, Varno relied the current circumstances of Spentbrine. It seems that there is a shortage of pretty much everything, partly due to rampaging creatures emerging from the labyrinthian network of tunnels, caves, and sewers that run below Spentbrine.
Varno discussed these recent events with the Therapists and then the object lesson of these events presented itself. Spiders, both giant and swarm, ascended from the grate in Varno's cellar and descended upon our barkeep. Our brave sailors ran down to the basement to help keep the ale flowing. After resolving the situation through violence, the Therapists agreed to investigate the matter further, especially since Varno agreed to pay them 100 gold a piece to do so.
With that, it was down to the tunnels below Spentbrine.

Of Eels, Brigands, and Mutation

It quickly became apparent why the Spentbrine underground system is referred to as a labyrinth--one wrong turn and who knows where you would end up. Fortunately, our heroes found their way. After dealing with some giant tunnel eels and some coerced bullywogs, a trapdoor to the surface was found, tell-tale signs of creature travel scattered around the ladder.
Climbing said ladder put our adventurers in a disheveled hut on the outskirts of Spentbrine, and in yet another fight--this one with hired bandits. This combat also became a sort of race against time as Artag set the hut entirely on fire, abducted a bandit, then ran screaming into the woods. That's probably fine.
After the fight finished, there was just enough time to investigate a locked study, full of notes about experiments in mutations and a distressing summoning circle, before the whole hut became fully involved with flame. Artag's bandit, a tiefling named Solace, offered some context. Apparently, this group had been hired to watch over both the hut and the entrance to the tunnels. He also offered more information about where the paying parties could be found before hightailing to parts unknown. Farewell, Solace, we barely knew ye.
Oh, and among the wreckage was found a nice greatsword that seemed to provide a neat flourish when used exceptionally well. Salty took this and named it "Curtains." Hell yes.
Rainbow decided to check in on Artag, who was having A Time. Rainbow gave one of his patented shoulder rubs and Artag seemed to shake off a bit of whatever he was going through. Solid crewmanship there.
Then, it was off to see what other nefarious business awaited them in the underground.

Octobears? OCTOBEARS

The location indicated by both Solace and the gathered notes was a hatch not far from the ruined hut. This one took them directly into the sewers. There, they met with some sentient fungal creatures who were eager to provide information to those looking to rid the sewer of the "interloper." Who, I wonder, could that be?
That interloper was none other than Jexam Visk, the quite literally charming bard from Varno's. And, worryingly, he's not alone. He's got a chained up octopus and a chained bear before a sewer water pit with an obscured summoning circle submerged in it. Visk seemed little bothered by the wandering heroes, viewing his now revealed plans as more of an inconvenience than anything else.
And perhaps there was a good reason for this, as two mutated octobears--brown bears with octopus tentacles--came roaring out of the sewer pit and battle was joined. It was a fierce contest, as the bard was able to exert control over the mutations and have them do his will. Ultimately, however, the Therapists proved victorious and eradicated the mutated bear/octopus befoulment, along with the conniving bard.
A possible reason for Visk's meddling emerged in the symbols of Hottim that the bard carried both on his body and in his pockets. No time to ponder that, really, as our gang headed back to Varno to get paid, son. And get paid they did.
Still, though, the question lingers. What was this follower of Hottim doing? Whose will was he enacting? And could there be other mutations, other creatures, ready to visit discord among the Isles?

And That's Where We Left It

Perhaps some of those questions will be answered when the chronicles of Blood and Therapy continue.

Rewards Granted

Level 4!
Curtains, a greatsword of Showmanship

Character(s) interacted with

• Varno, titular tavern owner of Varno's
• Jexam Visk, charming bard and acolyte of Hottim 
• Solace, tiefling brigand and roustabout

Report Date

09 May 2021

Primary Location

Awa