Session 270 - Rewards and Grave Robbers

General Summary

6^thto 15^th of Peonu (Second Month of Spring) 726TR
The Story So Far

The rugged bounty hunter Cassius and his sidekick Salvador, a wandering cleric of Ilvir, have brought the notorious bandit Reinwald Three Finger to justice. On his corpse, they have retrieved a stolen holy artifact, the Turquoise Aimiru, and rescued a young dwarven woman, Berda. Berda is from a wealthy family and is on a quest to find a husband in the faraway dwarven Kingdom of Kuzjera. The pair decide to help her as her escorts have been murdered.

This is the continuation of Session 268 - A Curious Bounty.

Location - The wilderness North of Castle Nenda in the Kingdom of Kaldor.

Part 1 – A Night's Rest

After the dramatic rescue, Cassius, Salvador, and Berda attempt to rest up for the night. Berda remarks that they must travel on to the City of Tashal as soon as possible. At Tashal, the Captain of the Company of the Golden Eagle should be informed that the men he assigned to guard her have been murdered. Besides, this organization owes Berda the deposit she paid for their protection.

Unfortunately, hungry predators are lurking nearby, wolves. The beasts sneak up on the camp, easily escaping the notice of Salvador, who is praying. Regardless, Cassius sleeps lightly and springs into action when the camp is threatened. Unfortunately, he is dragged to the ground and savaged by a huge predator, nearly having his throat ripped out. Salvador applies magical healing at the last moment, and the wolves are slain.

The next day, the travelers make their way to civilization and then on to the City of Tashal.

Location - The City of Tashal in the Kingdom of Kaldor.

Part 2 - Rewards For A Job Well Done

At the City of Tashal, Cassius leaves his pet Bear in a nearby Orgael Wood, unaware of its evil reputation.

Yrech Sturil, Highpriest, Art by Attacus

Once in the city, the party immediately travels and visits the local Temple of Ilvir to return the stolen Turquoise Aimiru. A meeting with Kelapyn Seer (High Priest) Yrech Sturil of the Order of the Yellow Hand goes well. The appreciative cleric is delighted that the relic has been recovered and is more than happy for Salvador to hold on to it for the moment as a reward for the heroes for dealing with the thieves.

Salvador also catches up with his old friend Acolyte Goat, a recent recruit to the Yellow Hands and an innovative alchemist specializing in infusions made from Ivashu body parts.

Acolyte Goat, art by Playground AI

In gratitude for recovering the Turquoise Aimiru, he provides the Heroes with Infusions of Life and Vlasta Infusions, a recently invented concoction made using ground Vlasta bones. This will give the imbiber lighting speed, but they will bruise easily. Acolyte Goat shares the formula for his new invention with Salvador and offers to make other potions if the party can supply unusual raw materials, preferably from Ilivir's creations (the Ivashu).

Captain Mayda, art by Playground AI

Next, the heroes visit the Company of the Golden Eagle to inform their leader, Captain Kayldor Mayda, that the guards he dispatched to protect Berda have been murdered. Sir Kayldor is taken aback by the news and apologizes to Berda for failing to complete the contract. Kurgan is given a composite Longbow from the company armory for dealing with the murders.

Sheriff Conwan, art by Artbreeder

Last, Cassius visits Sir Conwan Elendsa, the Sheriff of Semethshire. The straight-laced Sheriff is pleased to learn that the Bandit Reinwald is dead. Unfortunately, Cassius does not provide proof of the deed beyond his word. Luckily, Salvador intervenes and presents evidence that the artifacts stolen by the bandit have been recovered and persuades the typically inflexible Sheriff that the bounty has been honestly claimed. Sheriff Conwan pays Cassius the agreed bounty.

Part 3- A Grave Robber

Unfortunately for the newcomers in the city, Berda's wealthy appearance attracts the attention of local cutpurses. One insults Cassius, making a distraction, allowing another to steal Berda’s money pouch, which contains a fortune. Cassius is not so much distracted by the loudmouth but by another man he notices in the distance down a side alleyway. Salvador spots the criminal activity and raises the alarm. While Cassius faces off with the thugs, Salvador Commands the thief to drop the pouch. The thief hesitates under Salvador's divine compulsion, then drops the loot. Confused, the thugs run away, and violence is avoided.

Diggin Whetson, art by Artbreeder

With this annoyance dealt with, Cassius focuses his attention on the man he spotted down the alleyway. This is Diggin Whetson, wanted for questioning by the Church of Halea for grave robbing. While Berda books into one of the city's best Inns, Cassius, and Salvador go back around a side alleyway, attempting to ambush the thief. Unfortunately, clumsy Salvador knocks over a barrel alerting the unsavory character. He bolts and gets away, warned that he has a bounty hunter close on his trail.

To be continued.

NPC Interactions

Yrech Sturil and Acolyte Goat.

Captain Kayldor Mayda.

Sheriff Sir Conwan Elendsa.

Challenges

Killed 2 x Mangly Wolf, 1 x Wolf.

Defeated 2 x Thieves.

Lost a Chase Challenge with the grave robber. Diggin Whetson got away.

Rewards

Some basic infusions.

Created Content

Vlasta Infusion.

Company of the Golden Eagle.

Player Characters

Cassius - Human - L1 Ranger.

Salvador - Human - L1 Cleric of Ilvir (Change).

NPC Character Status

Berda - Dwarf - L1 Fighter.

Next Session

Session 272 - The Busted Nut.

Campaign

Blood in the Snow - Campaign On Hold

Protagonists

Cassius

Salvador

Report Date

16 Feb 2023

Primary Location

City of Tashal

Related Characters

Berda

The inquisitive and idealistic daughter of a wealthy Dwarf.

She plans to travel to the lost dwarven Kingdom of Kuzjera in the Viking northlands of Ivinia to find a husband.

Berda, art by Artflow

Company of the Golden Eagle

Golden Eagle, art by Attacus

Turquoise Aimiru Figurine

Figurine, art by Foundry