Session 200 - A Burning Woman
General Summary
10th of Nolus to 03rd of Larane (First and second Months of Summer) 724TR
The story so far
The heroes have learned that the mad priest of Ilvir, Xantosa, is hellbent on collecting relics (body parts) of the Crab-Titan Obsidapor. What are his nefarious plans? Does he intend to resurrect this ancient monster? And why are the covert priests of Agrik, the evil god of fire and war, interested in him?
Meanwhile, the Heroes plan to travel to the Earl of Sarkum's Colony on the Island of Anfla. Odin is looking for a master weaponsmith who is questing after meteorite iron, while Remy would like to locate a certain band of pirates.
This is the continuation of Session 198 - Deadwood Reef.
Location - Ternu Heath in the Kingdom of Kanday.
Part 1 - A Lord Passes By
The party had met the knight before, running into him when he was hunting a month ago. Remy made quite a commotion at that time, potentially scaring off the game. Odin and the knight cordially discuss pleasantries, and soon, the travelers part way.
Part 2 - A Woman Aflame
Not sure what to do, Remy gives her one of his healing potions, which seems to help, but she remains incapacitated. Abaddon is confident this is a dryad; he has met a few in the elven forest. He believes she is bonded to a tree, likely aflame to cause such ongoing injuries. The heroes glance around and spot the smoke from a fire a few hundred yards away. The fire must be put out, or she will almost certainly die. Leaving the unconscious Dryad, they rush to investigate.
They spot a group of men with flaming torches led by a knight. They are surrounding a burning tree.
Sir Tobar spent almost a year with the Dryad. He fell deeply in love with her but has been cruelly rejected, and she wants nothing to do with him. In a fit of wrath and spite has decided to burn her tree down. Odin is aware when Remy's spell ends he will likely return to igniting the tree. He has to convince him to relent, or as the last possible option, physically stop him.
Meanwhile, Remy uses his Thunderwave Spell to blast the river water onto the burning tree, putting out the flames. Then Abaddon prepares natural salves to cover severely damaged parts of the tree to prevent rot or fungal infection and help regrowth.
Odin does his best to appeal to Sir Tobar's better nature and honor, but it is fruitless. He is a petty man. Attempts to convince him that he should spend his time with women of higher station also fail. Remy offers a wager, a game of cards, and some of his enchanted items on the line to divert his attention, but he displays no interest.
This looks grim; the heroes may have to murder the knight and his men to save the Dryad. If discovered, this will be a capital crime, and the moral Odin is desperate to avoid such complications. In a final effort, he decides to leverage his reputation as a dangerous, seasoned Order of the Checkered Shield veteran, Odin makes implied threats to Sir Tobar. "If you burn this tree and kill that Dryad, it will have serious ramifications for your honor and health." Sir Tobar cannot meet Odin's eyes and relents. He agrees to leave, but he will not forget the insolence of this common soldier, Odin has made an enemy.
The Dryad, Apricoris, thanks the Heroes and promises to reward them the next time she sees them again, but she must return to her tree to heal.
Location - City of Aleath in the Kingdom of Kanday.
Part 3 - The Downtime
After saving the life of the Dryad, the heroes make their way to Aleath. They briefly encounter a half dozen giant insects; however, these Anhegs are efficiently dealt with.
At the city, the characters learn that the Earl of Sarkum's ship is expected to depart to Anfla Island on the 3rd of next month, in just under two weeks.
In the big city, they now have the opportunity to offload the gems and jewelry they have accumulated over the last three months of adventuring. The jewelers at the Glorious Gemstones and Brooches appear honest. Odin topaz is found to be particularly valuable, and the party also sells the silver brooches and a Silver-Gold Torc they looted from a burial mound (refer Session 185 - The Eye of Obsidapor).
The heroes undertake a few downtime activities.
Remy - Spends most of his time gambling.
Abaddon - Brews herbal potions and consulting the Pharmacopeia Lythia. A superb book on herbs and natural potions is located in the Guild of Arcane Lore.
Odin - Stays at the Order of the Checkered Shield chapter-house at the city's temple among many familiar faces, fellow battle-seasoned veterans from the Rethemi border.
While Odin is training with his fellow soldiers, one runs in. The newcomer informs the group that the jewelers, Glorious Gemstones and Brooches, have been robbed. A Silver-Gold Torc has been stolen, the same object the party sold to them a week ago. As the jeweler designs religious relics for the church, they have asked for help. Furthermore, the Checkered Shield soldiers have a "friendly" rivalry with the City Guard; getting credit for solving this heinous crime first would make their day and embarrass the guards. The culprit is believed to be a man in a heavy jacket, matching the general description of Remy. The squad of soldiers heads to the Inn Remy was last seen gambling at.
Odin convinces his soldier friends that Remy, who vigorously denies involvement in any such crime, is not guilty and takes Remy to the jewelers to sort out the problem. At the jewelers, Odin learns that the only witness has only a suspiciously hazy recollection of the thief. Remy, due to Odin's support, is dismissed, as a culprit. With the crisis over, the parties return to their duties. Strangely by coincidence, they bump into Sir Beroldus Himaldy again, as the party leaves the business. He is shopping in the same street.
Remy returns to his Inn for the night and finds in his backpack the missing Torc!!
Part 4 - The Thief
Suspecting that someone is trying to frame him he returns to the jewelers. Using sleight hands he places the Torc on the floor behind one of the display cases. The delighted jewelers find it later on that day and inform the town guard of their good fortune, apologizing for their mistake.
With all the unpleasantness over these strange events finished the characters board the Earl's supply ship, the Cockerel, to the Kingdom's colony on Analfa Island. Not long after the good ship makes it to the open sea, Remy finds something in his backpack, the strange Torc. It has returned. "You are cursed," Odin tells Remy.
To be continued.
NPC Interactions
Sir Beroldus Himaldy, the Lord of Derula Manor.
Sir Contarani Tobar, the Lord of Haloren Manor.
Quanil Menden, Jeweler.
Apricoris the Dryad.
Challenges Overcome
Saved the Dryad Apricoris.
4 x Anheg Hatchlings, and 3 x Adult Anhegs.
Returned the Silver-Gold Torc.
Rewards
Sold treasures from previous sessions.
Created Content
Glorious Gemstones and Brooches.
Related Reports
Order of the Checkered Shield.
Player Character Status
Odin - Human - Level 5 Gloom Stalker and Level 1 Fighter .
Abaddon - Elf - Level 6 Open-hand Monk.
Remy - Half-Elf - Level 6 Bladesinger.
Clan Himaldy
A minor ruling clan of Derula Manor form the Earl of Sarkum.
Clan Tobar
A minor ruling Clan of Haloren Manor from the Baron of Gimon.
Order of the Checkered Shield
Torc-amata! No one expects the Kandayian Inquisition! Well this sounds interesting, looking forward to the next installment.