Session XIV: A long awaited return Report
General Summary
Arrival at Ban Grond
The Journey
The adventurers start travelling toward Ban Grond, taking their newly acquired Manticore heads with them. They spent the night at an earlier encountered cave in Session III: Gnel's Return Report, when Tristan Zabaleta starts developing his kidney stones. Although in agony, he manages to continue his rest. The next day, they continue their travels to reach Ban Grond by noon, to be met by a familiar face. Shluk comments the adventurers on their help in Zulk the Wise's conquest. By removing Sloniz from the Shire of Sloniz earlier on, and clearing the path through the jungle with the decapitation of the Troll King, they opened up Zulk's line of attack on the shire (for recap read Session VII: The End of the Shire Report and Session X: Revenge on the Troll King Report respectively). As such, Zulk has lead his army to the shire, leaving but a small force behind in Ban Grond, with Bokun in charge. Through his leaving, tensions have risen between Aard's brown chests and Azaroth's black hands. A conflict in the mines has lead to this point and both sides are preparing their battlements for war.Diplomacy, oh Diplomacy
As Tristan's kidney stones start to worsen, he seeks for a cure and starts asking around at the market place, while Balin Thornbow starts asking about the conflict in a local tavern. While Tristan learns that likely only Azaroth can help him along, Balin talks about their offering for Aard, upon which some goblins leave the tavern. He quickly realizes the urgency and contacts his friends. Tristan and Oswald Fleetfeet decide to go meet Azaroth to find a possible cure and see what he may offer them, while Balin & Nalan go to Aard to deliver the manticore heads. Oswald and Tristan are followed by two Black Hand Templars the minute they pass their battlements and continue their path to the central church. There they are met by Azaroth and multiple templars lining up in salutation formation. Azaroth asks whether they may support his cause and offers his magical knowledge. In addition, he ensures them he is the most wealthy chieftain of Ban Grond. He also questions their possible allegiance, as he claims he has spotted their friends leaving for Aard's encampment just a moment ago. They admit to this and are warned to not give off a wrong signal again if they wish to win his trust. In the end Tristan asks for a cure for his kidney stones, which Azaroth may grant him if Beliar is pleased with an offering of 30 gp. Reluctantly they accept and return to their huts near Zulk's. In the meantime, Nalan and Balin are halted shortly by a kobold slave asking for their aid. They explain their need for equipment, in particular weapons, and a way to arm their stronger brethren in the mines. He says now is the time as Zulk's attention and army has shifted from Ban Grond, giving the perfect opportunity. Balin & Nalan agree to discuss details at a later time with the kobolds, deciding on the meeting spot after smithy closure. They continue their way to Aard's encampment where they are greeted with much enthusiasm. Bringing fort the manticore heads has truly impressed the Brown Chests and Aard. Balin tells about their hunt through his Pipe of Remembrance after which Aard tells his personal story about the battle against the last giant of Rhunaar. Then, Aard turns serious as he starts asking about their allegiance and whether they fight for honor or coin. In the end Aard tells them they can share their decision with one of his captains in the local tavern tomorrow morning after sunset.Moving gears in Motion
Alliances
Upon returning to camp a long discussion between the party members ensues, sharing thoughts on who to join for what reason. Nalan is deeply rooting against joining forces with Azaroth, as his Beliar preachings conflict with all he is. Balin feels akin to the kobold craftsmen and wish to better them through "aiding" Aard. Tristan firstly has the strongest feelings for Azaroth, as he can likely offer the largest reward to the party. Similarly, Oswald is tempted by Azaroth's offer as he grants magical support to their cause. The adventurers reach a consensus on allying themselves with Aard, scheming to steal weapons from the Black Hands, and in secret deliver these to the kobolds. The details on the cooperation with the kobolds are not yet worked out, as some vie for starting a new "clan" in Ban Grond, even wishing to institute the Innos religion for this group. In addition, Oswald ties a letter to Geest Uil, which he is to deliver to Gnel's Hold. In it, they ask for support in form of weapons and people in the coming battle. He does not declare to whom they give their allegiance, writes the import info in Dwarvish, and casts Invisibility on the familiar so he is not seen flying off in Ban Grond.
Haunted by Gnel's heritage
While Balin and Nalan go off to meet the kobold revolutionist at the Craftsmen's Quarters, Tristan and Oswald decide to check on the status of Gnel's Mansion. They see it has been home to recent conflict, deducing from the blood marks, and spot 15-20 goblins inhabiting the place. Oswald casts Invisibility on himself, while Tristan gets a barrel of ale. He rolls this ale to the goblins offering them the barrel to talk. Before he has finished his sentence however, the goblins already take the barrel from him. The hobgoblin in armor talks with Tristan, emphasizing the murder of his boss Gnel by their hand. He starts removing equipment from Tristan's body together with a big bugbear behind Tristan. Oswald first attempts to talk to Tristan using his Minor Illusion to whisper in his ear, but to no avail. When a goblin jumps Tristan's backpack and starts throwing stuff out of it, Oswald decides to hit the goblin with his quarterstaff and turn visible. In the meantime, the hobgoblin draws his sword, with which he deals a powerful blow to Tristan (now at 30 HP), Tristan decides to cast Fog Cloud on his location. The bugbear jumps to the location Tristan was at last and successfully grapples him. Oswald casts Sleep on the bugbear but does nearly get hit by a reckless swing from the hobgoblin, defending himself with the Shield spell. Now free from grappling, both run with all their stuff out of the fog cloud and Oswald casts Invisiblity on both of them to disappear. The goblins spend a good while searching the area for them but to no avail.
Alliances
Upon returning to camp a long discussion between the party members ensues, sharing thoughts on who to join for what reason. Nalan is deeply rooting against joining forces with Azaroth, as his Beliar preachings conflict with all he is. Balin feels akin to the kobold craftsmen and wish to better them through "aiding" Aard. Tristan firstly has the strongest feelings for Azaroth, as he can likely offer the largest reward to the party. Similarly, Oswald is tempted by Azaroth's offer as he grants magical support to their cause. The adventurers reach a consensus on allying themselves with Aard, scheming to steal weapons from the Black Hands, and in secret deliver these to the kobolds. The details on the cooperation with the kobolds are not yet worked out, as some vie for starting a new "clan" in Ban Grond, even wishing to institute the Innos religion for this group. In addition, Oswald ties a letter to Geest Uil, which he is to deliver to Gnel's Hold. In it, they ask for support in form of weapons and people in the coming battle. He does not declare to whom they give their allegiance, writes the import info in Dwarvish, and casts Invisibility on the familiar so he is not seen flying off in Ban Grond.Haunted by Gnel's heritage
While Balin and Nalan go off to meet the kobold revolutionist at the Craftsmen's Quarters, Tristan and Oswald decide to check on the status of Gnel's Mansion. They see it has been home to recent conflict, deducing from the blood marks, and spot 15-20 goblins inhabiting the place. Oswald casts Invisibility on himself, while Tristan gets a barrel of ale. He rolls this ale to the goblins offering them the barrel to talk. Before he has finished his sentence however, the goblins already take the barrel from him. The hobgoblin in armor talks with Tristan, emphasizing the murder of his boss Gnel by their hand. He starts removing equipment from Tristan's body together with a big bugbear behind Tristan. Oswald first attempts to talk to Tristan using his Minor Illusion to whisper in his ear, but to no avail. When a goblin jumps Tristan's backpack and starts throwing stuff out of it, Oswald decides to hit the goblin with his quarterstaff and turn visible. In the meantime, the hobgoblin draws his sword, with which he deals a powerful blow to Tristan (now at 30 HP), Tristan decides to cast Fog Cloud on his location. The bugbear jumps to the location Tristan was at last and successfully grapples him. Oswald casts Sleep on the bugbear but does nearly get hit by a reckless swing from the hobgoblin, defending himself with the Shield spell. Now free from grappling, both run with all their stuff out of the fog cloud and Oswald casts Invisiblity on both of them to disappear. The goblins spend a good while searching the area for them but to no avail.Rewards Granted
80 gp for manticore heads
Missions/Quests Completed
- Finished And so the Hunt Begins.
- Learned of the rising tensions between the Black Hands and Brown Chests
- Were almost robbed by old members of the Skull Crushers, Gnel's former goblin tribe.
Created Content
Roger, the hobgoblin captain of the Skull Crushers.
Tristan Zabaleta
Level 5
Human
Neutral Ranger (Monster Slayer)
(Innkeeper)
(Innkeeper)
/ 38 HP
Nalan
Oswald Fleetfeet
TN halfling(gnome) (cloistered scholar)
wizard 5
wizard 5
26 / 26 HP
STR
8
8
DEX
15
15
CON
13
13
INT
19
19
WIS
16
16
CHA
10
10
Report Date
24 Nov 2020
Primary Location
Secondary Location
Comments