Session 214 - Sands of Life
General Summary
10th to 15th of Azura (First Month of Autumn) 724TR
The story so far
Jolanta, and her trusty bodyguard Blaine, are agents of the mysterious Order of the White Hand, hunting down unscrupulous mages and covering up magical mishaps.
The characters have traveled to the Dwarven Kingdom of Azadmere and recovered a lost magical artifact, Saint Rebiak's Staff. As they plan to return home when they get a business proposition from a local Apothecary.
This is the continuation of Session 211- Loud Thoughts.
Location - Pedwar Hamlet, Kingdom of Azadmere City of Tashal.
Part 1- The Apothecary
The duos are resting up in the small village of Pedwar, not far from Zerhun Fortress, when an elderly dwarf, Artaen Grymok, approaches Jolanta. He is a master apothecary and would like Jolanta's help acquiring ingredients for special preparation. The Sands of Life. Unfortunately, the primary ingredient is Troll's Blood!
Luckily, recently there have been reports of a large nasty troll raiding trade caravans. This brute said to breathe clouds of noxious poison is believed hiding among the ruins of the lost Barony of Axxon, settlements abandoned hundreds of years ago. Crown Prince Khazar Tarazakh, the commander of Zerhun Fortress, has placed a bounty on the creature's head. The reward is a superbly crafted battleaxe; however, all the apothecary needs is the monster's blood, as much as possible. Jolanta and Blaine agree to do some monster hunting.
Location - Lost Barony of Axxon, Kingdom of Azadmere.
Part 2 - The Troll
They arrive at the ruins of the Barony, and Jolanta methodically begins searching for the monster. Soon she notes a strange discoloration, a sticky, poisonous smear among one of the ruins. Investigating further, Blaine is surprised to find the Troll has companions, huge blobs of black ichor. Two Black Puddings emerge from a nearby stream. Their corrosive pseudopods nearly ruin his metal armor, and only the alchemical oils he previously treated his armor with prevent his protection from being destroyed. The Black Puddings are eventually cut into smaller blobs and individually destroyed.
Meanwhile, a massive, fat, hideous green-skinned Troll sneaks behind the heroes and expels a cloud of venom. The creature proves very resilient and pushes Blaine and Jolanta to their limits. On several occasions, the cunning Ivashu outwits Jolanta as she tries to magically stay out of its range. Blaine is overcome by fumes; however, Jolanta disintegrates its poisonous heart.
The duo drains as much of the blood from the creature as they can. All too soon, as is typical for many ivashu, its soft body tissue quickly begins to liquefy.
Location - Zerhun Fortress, Kingdom of Azadmere.
Part 3 - Sands of Life
Master Apothecary Artaen Grymok is grateful for the bottle of troll's blood and uses them in a complex alchemical process, crafting a large quantity of black sand-like crystals. He gives some to Blaine and Jolanta as payment for their efforts. Blaine also claims the Crown Prince's bounty, a finely balanced battleaxe.
Location - City of Tashal, Kingdom of Kaldor.
Part 4 - Return Home
The duo returns home via the dangerous Silver Way Trade Route. Luckily this time they avoid any hazards.
Back in the City of Tashel, Jolanta visits the guild of Arcane Lore. She delivers the Staff of Saint Rebiak to the Artificer Antolim Nephlim, and in return, the craftsman agrees to create a magical Necklace of Infravision for her as agreed.
To be continued.
NPC Interactions
Antolim Nephlim - Artificer
Artaen Grymok - Master Apothecary
Challenges Overcome
Killed 2 x Black Puddings.
Killed 1 x Venom Troll.
Rewards
Blaine gets a Superior Quality Battleaxe.
Both characters receive some Sands of Life.
Created Contact
Sands of Life - Item card on Foundry VTT.
Necklace of Infravision - Item card on Foundry VTT.
Related Reports
Stimulants - Updated.
Player Character Status
Jolanta - Human - Level 11 Evoker.
NPC Companion
Blaine
Jolanta's loyal and often drunk bodyguard.
Comments