Session 055 - Home, Dark and Evil

General Summary

30 Peonu to 2 Kelen (3) (Spring) 721TR

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The story so far

Acheron is a member of the secretive Argent Order investigating a missing member of his organization.

The trail leads back to his home City of Golotha and the Leather Merchant Hanak Arnost. He has arrived and is looking forward to a reunion with his family and old friends.

Part 1 - Acheron's Home

Mendiz, Art by Attacus

Acheron enters at the Crimson Hands Surgery, the business of his physician father Kiron. His father and brothers give him a warm welcome, and he spends the afternoon catching up on recent events and gossip. He learns that the escalating war is expected to be good for business, and his father's dislike of nobles hasn't changed.

That night he makes his way down into the secret Shrine to his Patron Mendiz, under his fathers surgery. He attempts to pray overnight, and perform the Vigil of the Hidden Banner, but again, sleep overtakes him. This time, his Patron is watching and is not pleased.

Campaign

The Uncivil War - Campaign Complete

Protagonists

Avon

Acheron

Sabretooth

Report Date

03 Nov 2019

Primary Location

City of Golotha

Part 2 - The Trident Inn

Hygith, art by Attacus

Meanwhile, Avon and Sabertooth visit the Trident Inn, located next door. The Innkeeper objects to Sabertooth, bringing in his Dog, Cujo, but he pretends that he is blind and Cujo is his guide dog. Surprisingly everyone falls for the performance. Inside are also a contingent of Order of the Cohorts of Gashang Knights. The city is filling with these troops.

The Tavern's common room contains the Blood Pit, a sinkhole, about 7ft deep, filled with remarkably clear water, and its floor with animal and human bones. Swimming in the pond are dozens of small bizarre-looking armored fish. These are Hygith, a species of Aquatic Ivahu. Sabertooth hears murmuring in Ivashi and believes the little Piranha like monsters are content and anticipating a meal.

As the night progresses, the Innkeeper invites people to plays The Crown Game, an event where the Innkeeper throws in a Gold Crown into the Blood Pit, and a brave soul dives in to retrieve it. Tonight there are no takers; however, one of the Cohorts, somewhat drunk, suggests that Sabertooth throw Cujo in and starts a brawl. He is easily grappled and convinced to behave.

Part 3 - One-armed Man and the Leather Merchant

Hanak Arnost

The next morning, the team assembled at the Trident Inn, and Acheron meets with his old friend Ald, the eldest son of the Innkeeper. Ald runs the Seamans hostel but is missing half his arm. He explains it was bitten off by a sea monster. He goes on to tell Acheron that the god Edar saved him, and he has become his disciple and granted powers. He seems enthusiastic about this new relationship. Ald knows where the merchant the party is looking for lives and gives directions.

Hanak Arnost, the leather merchant, is somewhat suspicious and well protected. Acheron learns the mysterious guard he traveled with was the Smiler, a man with a scarred face, and may well be a Navean Assassin. Arnost owed the Smiler money and had no choice but to travel with him and sneak him into the City of Coranan but did not travel back with him. He thinks the Smiler lives on a ship docked under Northaven Wharf.

Part 4 - The Northaven Underworld

Under the wharf are dozens of tightly moored boats, one of the largest is the Bargepath Tavern. The party visit and ask around for the directions to the Smiler's boat. A thief tries to pickpocket Acheron and is caught and interrogated. After some threats, they learn that the Smilers Boat is not far away.

The party then cross over to a few boats onto one filled with three drunk old men. Acheron convinces one of them that he is long lost, grandson, and borrows his rowboat. On the Smiler's vessel, are several guards, and a fight starts. These are quickly killed, and Avon jams one of the hatches shut slowing reinforcement. Around the remaining hatch, the party creates a bottleneck and kills four more guards as they emerge.

Part 5 - The Smiler

The Smiler

The party drops into the hull of the boat and find a remaining guard and the Smiler. This man proves deadly attacking with a long chain one end with a blade and the other a hook. He also was able to step into the shadows, appearing elsewhere.

Soon, both sides were severely injured, and the Smiler strikes at a nearby crate, smashing it, releasing huge giant fleas that leaped onto the heroes sucking blood. As a last desperate gasp, Sabretooth called on his Ivashu heritage and exhales a Cone of Frost over his weakened enemies, killing them all.

The party spends many hours thoroughly searching the inside of the boat, breaking every crate and barrel. They find a map to Caer Chaftar, a skull mask, Naveah assassin outfit, and dagger. More importantly, there is also a note written in Dwarven with a symbol of a Gemmed Black Knife. This is the Symbol of the Sons of Abbathor, a dwarven criminal syndicate.

Part 6 - The Scholars

Not being able to read Dwarven, the party visits the city's Temple of Save-K'nor, the Library of Lost Merethos. One of the priests, a young man called Manard, happily translates the note for them.

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Mr. Smiler

Please find your Diamond.

As requested, it has not been exposed to sunlight.

Pleasure doing business.

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Where to next? Acheron will continue investigating the Smiler. Avon remembers a possible connection with the Commander of the Red Guard back in Coranan. Meanwhile, Sabretooth has found a Church of Ilvir and plans to visit.

NPC Interactions

Kiron Osiris - Acheron's father.

Acheron's Brothers.

Ald - Acheron's boyhood friend.

Hanak Arnost - The leather merchant.

A bad thief.

There old men, including "Grandfather."

Manard, Priest of the Church of Save K'Nor.

Challenges Overcome.

Sabretooth prevented a Barroom brawl.

Peacefully gained information out of Hanak Arnost.

Killed the Smiler and 6 members of his gang.

Reward Granted

Superior Disguise Kit (+1 to checks).

2 Potions of Cat's Grace.

Map of Castle Chaftar.

Created Content

The Crimson Hands Surgery.

Shrine to Mendiz.

The Trident Inn.

Hygith - the Barer of Bones.

The Bargepath Tavern.

Temple of Save K'Nor - The Library of lost Merethos.

Related Reports

Larani Masses and Vigils - Updated with the Vigil of the Hidden Banner.

Sons of Abbathor.

City of Golotha - Updated.

Players Character Status

Avon - Level 3 Thief.

Acheron - Level 2 Paladin and Level 1 Warlock Disciple of Mendiz.

Sabretooth - Level 2 Barbarian and Level 1 Monk.