Into the Woods Report

General Summary

As the Defiants approach the roper's cave, they pause to rest. As they take stock of their resources and general apathy, the Defiants soon realize that no one in the party is truly eager for this hunt. Instead, they are all more eager to make their way to Castle Nimue. So instead, the Defiants make their way back into town.
They stop by at Clio's Crystals in Brenbrooke to browse her artifacts, finding amongst them:

• Mobius Scroll
• Septum Ring of the Great Minotaur
• Medusan Signet
• Riptide Katana

Though the Defiants are drawn to the scroll, the price is above what they're willing to pay. Instead, Marianne begins to sweet-talk Clio, the orc shopkeep, while Rickee attempts to distort the value of the Medusan Signet - this ends up working, and Clio agrees to knock 150 gold off the price.
While the others are busy, Rickee sneaks off. He wraps the rest of his gold up and sends it back to his mother with only a one line message: "I'm sorry."
Rex takes Dimitri's ring and begins to tinker with it, eventually transforming it into a Ring of Spell Refreshment. While he is doing so, Dimitri shows Clio the Ring of Mind-Shielding that they took off the vampire who attacked the party in Tafeld , and asks her if she sold the ring originally, or knows where it came from. Unfortunately, the spellsmith is unable to tell them much about the ring - other than it was made by a home smith, not a professional. Rex and Dimitri, resigned, buy their spell components and Rex also procures a Wand of the War Mage. 
The party leaves Brenbrooke soon afterwards in high spirits. It's a sunny afternoon, and only a two-and-a-half day trek to Hydrus.
Once the Defiants reach the dreary capital, they ask a citizen for directions to Castle Nimue. As the citizen hesitantly points out the correct route, a passing guard overhears. He walks away, presumably to inform someone of authority, but the party is unaware that their presence has been noticed.
They rent rooms at the Golden Dragon Inn, and during the night are awoken by knocking at their doors: Scaled Guard members wait outside the rooms and usher them all to the ground floor where the mayor of Hydrus, Edric Drake , awaits. He tells them that he is aware of their plan to visit Nimue, and implores them not to, saying its dangerous. Rishaa , in a moment of inspiration, takes out the Natharan signet ring they got in Tafeld. She manages to convince Drake that she is an agent of Count Nathara as well, and Drake apologizes profusely for the miscommunication.
Rex asks to talk with Drake alone. The mayor agrees, and once they've stepped away, Rex asks for permission to peruse the Nimue library. Drake refuses, but Rex warns that his family's influence will lead to his death becoming an international scandal, should he be murdered or "done away with." But quite unexpectedly, Rex suddenly finds himself entranced - charmed by Drake. While under his thrall, the mayor presses Rex to agree to his terms: to stay away from the castle, and keep his mouth shut of any of the goings-on in Vespmar. Unable to refuse while enchanted by the elf, Rex agrees.
Drake leaves, and Rex rejoins the party. The Defiants discuss their master plan: to assassinate Count Nathara. Rex, unaware of this goal, immediately backs out of the whole affair. He refuses to do anything that would cause political unrest. Rishaa argues that killing the count would be a net gain for Vespmar, but before the arguement can continue, they notice as one that Rickee is gone.
Dimitri realizes suddenly that the unicorn blood from Avoracious Pim is also missing. The party leaps into action, knowing immediately that Rickee has left for Castle Nimue to open the door himself... without them.
To escape without being noticed by the Scaled Guard, Dimitri casts invisibility on himself and Rex, while Rishaa strolls out. Once they are far enough from town to not be seen anymore, they begin to sprint. Hopefully they are not too late.

Character(s) interacted with

• Clio of "Clio's Crystals"
• Edric Drake 

Campaign

Our Last Best Hope

Protagonists

Rishaa Parbat

None Wood Half-Elf (Monastic Learning)
Monk 6

51 / 51 HP

STR
8

DEX
20

CON
16

INT
12

WIS
16

CHA
13

Rickee Trail

None Tiefling (Urchin)
Bard 5
Warlock 1

33 / 33 HP

STR
9

DEX
16

CON
10

INT
12

WIS
15

CHA
18

Dimitri Markov

Zombie (Acolyte)
Wizard 5

32 / 32 HP

STR
11

DEX
14

CON
15

INT
18

WIS
12

CHA
11

Rex Dynamio Xenetar

Chaotic Neutral Rock Gnome (Sage & Noble)
Artificer 6

35 / 35 HP

STR
8

DEX
11

CON
16

INT
20

WIS
11

CHA
10

Marianne Snowden

Lawful Good Shifter (Sage)
Barbarian 6

71 / 71 HP

STR
19

DEX
18

CON
19

INT
18

WIS
16

CHA
9

Report Date

06 Jan 2023

Primary Location

Brenbrooke

Secondary Location

Hydrus

Related Plots

• Brenbrooke Blues

Related Characters

• Dimitri Markov
• Edric Drake
• Marianne Snowden
• Rex Dynamio Xenetar
• Rickee Trail
• Rishaa Parbat