Winedark, Chapter Twenty-Eight

General Summary

Wherein the Blasters confront the horrors of an astray coven, meet a Patron of the Drowned, and recruit a new member to anchor the crew

Hag's Eye and Horror

It was fortuitous that, as Kasula Neristina dove overboard to attend to her own pressing business, The Vast decided to deliver another crew member to the Vastblasters. Burdin, a large tiefling barbarian who seems like he knows his way around an axe, came to the VastBlaster aboard a makeshift raft. His previous vessel, The Furious Bishop, was destroyed by the infamous Razorfin. Kharlo Chondricht decided to keep mum about his familial connection with the Fin for now, welcoming the sailor aboard with a lovely lunch. Pleasantries were exchanged and it was revealed that Burdin's role aboard the Bishop was to "keep it anchored." It was unclear whether he meant that literally or more metaphorically. His skill set also includes the ability to get really mad and hit things with a great axe, and those attributes are always in demand by the Blasters.
That skillset would soon be put to the test as the Blasters followed the Hag's Eye to complete the task requested by Pitch's patrons. The Eye led them to a small island with a cove that surely held the coven they sought. Before they could see how right they were, another threat loomed its head. Well, three heads, as three tough hobgoblins stomped toward our heroes as they made their way toward the cove. A brutal fight commenced, with Kharlo taking quite a beating. Ultimately, the hobgoblins regretted their decision to confront the Blaster with their dying breaths.
It turned out that the hobgoblins were here to sell captives to the hag coven for unknown reasons. The captives, Eirril and Gwinva Bloodbranch, were very thankful to be rescued from what promised to be an unpleasant fate. Good deed done for the day, it was time to see some hags about a coven.
Most times a "hag coven" refers to three or more hags who have joined forces (and powers) for some reason known only to them. This time, however, the coven turned out to be three hags fused together in the same body--a truly horrifying creature to behold. With little to no chance of a peaceful parlay, it was time to get to fighting. The Coven Horror utilized both its tremendous capacity for claw attacks and--perhaps more troubling--the vile effects of the cauldron to wage war on the Blasters. It was a bloody affair, but, again, the Blasters won the day and decided to get the hell out of this gross place while the getting was good.

The Fate of the Flagon

Back aboard the ship, our adventurers received a distinguished guest. Maisie, Patron of the Drowned, a powerful member of the hag coven providing Pitch with its powers has graced the vessel with her presence. After a polite back and forth, Maisie directed Captain Pitch to follow the Hag's Eye as it led them to something they desperately sought--another component of Instrument. Nice!
A little less nice is where the component is--in the wreckage of the Half-Drunk Flagon, an unfortunate fellow participant in Otuna's Favor that did not make it back to Awa Harbor. Worse still was what Water beheld as they snuck toward the wreck--several corrupted former crew members of the Flagon milling about mindlessly. Nothing can ever be easy.

And That's Where We Left It

We'll see how the Blasters treat erstwhile competitors during our next session.

Various & Sundry Details

• The wheels of Water's sick and cool skateboard are now fermenting, thanks to a "gift" from Pitch's patron.
• The Blasters rode the anchor down to the Vast floor to confront whatever remains of the Flagon. It was pretty rad.

Character(s) interacted with

• Gwinva Bloodbranch, captive
• Eirril, captive
• Maisie, Patron of the Drowned, powerful member of a hag coven and one of Pitch's patrons

Report Date

13 Feb 2022

Primary Location

The Vast