Session 060 - Elves, Dwarves and other Scumbags
General Summary
19th of Nolus (4) to 8th Larane (5) (Summer) 721TR
The story so far
Avon is a member of the Elite Red Guard, who specializes in interrogation and intelligence gathering. He is often used to investigate potential threats to the Thardic Republic.
He has been ordered to investigate The Company of Dead Men, a large mercenary band closely associated with the Church of Morgath, who are acting suspiciously. Avon, aided by his friends, has infiltrated the Company as posing recruits.
The Company appears to be preparing for an expedition into the wilderness.
Continuation of Session 59 - The Company of Dead Men.
Location - The Wilderness in the Kom District in the Thardic Republic.
Part 1 - Short Visitors
The companies camp has some new arrivals; a thirteen man squad of Archers escorting three Dwarves. The Dwarves are lead by Gatgruir Craggip, who is closely guarded by two obvious criminals. They have the Black Dagger tattoos indicating that they are members of the Sons of Abbathor Crime Syndicate. One wears a belt filled with what looks like Bombs or Grenades, and the other is a well-armored warrior.
Avon overhears a conversation between the Company Quartermaster and the Dwarves discussing the Izora Mines, recalling that this was originally a rich Dwarven Gold and Silver deposit but was overrun by Orcs decades ago.
The party has succeeded in gaining the trust of the Company leadership and is briefed on the mission. They learn.
- The expedition is to travel to the Izora Mines in the mountains.
- They are to assist in the recovery of a treasure, an ancient weapon.
- Bring it back to civilization.
- The Company of Dead Men is to supply security and deal with problems.
- The main threats are the two Orc nations of Qustup and Gedyf.
- There are human tribesmen the Kabloqui in the region, but these are travel in small bands and are no more than a nuisance.
The Company starts heading slowly north, limited by the speed of the wagons. While traveling, the party continues it's undermining the expedition leadership, with some success. The soldiers are starting to see Avon as a better leader than Sergeant Argonary.
Avon
Acheron
Sabretooth
Red Guard
Company of Dead Men
Location - The Wilderness North of Lake Benath.
Part 2 - The Last Stand of Cujo
They find a small gang, with half a dozen warriors and a similar number of archers concealed up a ridge. This was an extremely close battle, with the party pushed to the limit. Sabretooth is enraged when his dog Cujo is killed by one of the Orc brutes.
Part 3 - Ambush
Eldashara demands Acheron to quickly identify and explain himself, which Acheron does inform him that he is a member of the Argent Order in disguise. The Elf tells Acheron to meet with him at midnight tonight in the forest and disappears into a tree just before a Guards and a Morgathic Priest arrive.
That night Acheron sneaks into the woods and is met again by Eldashara. He explains that this expedition's mission is to recover a powerful weapon that he does not want to see the light of day.
After the Battle of Sorrows over fourteen hundred years ago, King Aranath, abdicated the rule of Hârn to the humans and withdraws to the Elven Forest. A Dwarven weapon crafter of great renown was so enraged at this perceived betrayal he swore he would bring great vengeance.
He was not alone, many among the Elves, the Morsindari, who later became the Dark Elves, also felt betrayed by their King, and together they forged a weapon which would lay waste to all their enemies both Human and Elf alike.
Even the Demon Klyss, the Necromancer, Morgaths chief agent, was said to be intrigued with the project and gave the weapon the spark of eternal death. Anywho wielded it would lose their soul, but be forever victorious in war. The plot was discovered, and the Dwarves sealed the weapon away forever, under earth and stone, deep under the Izora Mine.
The Morgathaic Church seeks to recover this weapon and give it to a worthy warrior, start a war, to bring the destruction of the civilized world. They learned of this deadly weapon from the Morsindaer Elexiendra. Eldashara believes this female dark elf will be likely watching events and hidden nearby. The Dwarf, Gatgruir Craggip, is a descendant of the weapon's creator and may have magical bloodline abilities, which will aid in finding or the recovery of the artifact.
Eldashara tells Acheron he is a member of an organization dedicated to stopping the plots of the Morsinder and intends to destroy this expedition, with the heroes' help. He will be attacking again in a few days.
Part 4 - Ankhegs
As the expedition makes its way along a mountain pass, rockslides have made it difficult to move the wagons. The heroes are instructed to guard the workers who were clearing away loose boulders. Suddenly the earth shakes, and bursting from the canyons are three giant insect monsters, Ankhegs. These kill two of the workers, but the heroes easily dispatch the monstrosities. Sabretooth finds a large hole giving access to their lair, which the party explores.
This leads to a warren of narrow passages. Ten small Young Ankhegs attacks from out of the walls, but they were all cut to pieces.
Further in the party reached the nursery filled with eggs and the Angheg Queen. Avon uses the last of his Magical Ice Arrows to freeze the gigantic insect in place while the heroes pummel the helpless monster. It is quickly dispatched. In the lairs is a scattering of minor trade goods, but the party does find a magic Potion of Healing.
To be continued.....
NPC Interactions
Gatgruir Craggip - Dwarven Sorcerer.
Eldashara - Elven Archer.
Challenges Overcome
12 Orcs (6 Archers, 3 Soldiers, 3 Warriors).
14 Ankhegs (10 Young, 3 Adults, 1 Queen).
Created Content
Eldashara - Elven Archer.
Morsindari - The Dark Elves.
Related Reports
Sons of Abbathor - Dwarven Criminal Organisation.
Players Character Status
Avon - Level 4 Thief.
Acheron - Level 2 Paladin and Level 2 Warlock Disciple of Mendiz.
Sabretooth - Level 3 Ivashu Lord and Level 1 Monk.
Comments