Session XXVIII: Returning Inland Report

General Summary

Venturing to Ban Grond

Savior's Landing & Gnel's Hold

After staying for the night the adventurers restock on supplies and discuss a course of action. Bibbling and babbling for a while, the adventurers decide to venture to Gnel's Hold to inform Captain Lennard Rye of their progress and discuss their plans. First Mate Mercer gives them a nice set of rations, as the temperature grows colder and colder.
After spending the night in the wilderness, they arrive next day around noon at Gnel's Hold to find many of the broken walls reinforced by wooden planks. Furthermore, a small encampment covered in black sheets is found near the Hold newly built. Upon questioning Watchlanders they find out The Scorpions and their leader Rafael de Scorpión are staying here to keep the trade thriving between both factions.
The adventurers share their findings with Rye, who agrees with their plan to first investigate the Giant's Hold before descending the lost halls of Khazat with Soren. Having decided to travel on at dawn tomorrow, the adventurers each take to their own:

• John Doe finds a strong drink from the local moonshine brewer, haggling for its price and fetching a decent price for the quality rum.
• Nalan meets with Yarpin Mc Gillan discussing whether he could forge a "Tower Shield" for Nalan similar to the shields he encountered in Gildin carried by the Berenike Knights. For a 100 gp, Yarpin offers to take the job.
• Oswald Fleetfeet decides to take the night to read through the newly collected "Book of Initiates" retrieved from The Grand Archives of Gildin.
• Balin Thornbow decides to pay the Scorpion encampment a visit. Interested in their motives, Balin attempts to loosen their tongues rolling a barrel of ale their way. Although Rafael does not discover the true purpose of the Uthramians, he assures for the right price he and his company may be persuaded to switch sides.

Arrival at Ban Grond

The adventurers arrive early in the morning, two days later, at Ban Grond and decide to drop their supplies at their mansion, now maintained by Piorek. They task Piorek with acquiring food to flock the purposeless kobolds to them, filling up the refinement market the kobold slaves once occupied. Afterwards they venture to Aard, informing him about their adventures in Gildin. When Balin tells of their magnificent battles there using his Pipe of Remembrance, he mentions slaying a Giant which causes Aard's eyes to open widely and his voice to grow agitated. The adventurers discuss among themselves whether they truly fought a giant or a Troll, before Aard firmly insists to not further discuss this here in his tent. Instead he asks the adventurers to join him in the The Pits at dusk. Although confused and unsure about Aard's intentions, fearing this may result in combat, the adventurers accept Aard's invite.
They continue their way to Zulk's retreat through the Craftsmen's Quarters & Temple Quarters to find them sacked. Furthermore, the residing kobolds are being plagued by spiders climbing through a break in Sabulah's wall. Unsure how to fix this, the adventures continue to Zulk's to speak with him. Although Zulk is dissapointed at their inability of retrieving the document on the royal Gundyr bloodline of Gildin, he does neither confirm nor deny his support to them. He announces their position within the Ban Grond alliance of goblins will be discussed in two weeks by the council, offering to persuade Sabulah to their cause if they manage to retrieve details on the Gildin royal bloodline on their travels before the meet. Distrustful, the adventurers accept Zulk's request questioning Zulk's true intentions with the bloodline information.
At dusk, the adventurers meet up with Aard who is surrounded by his most loyal Bugbear warriors. Preparing for assault, Aard asks them if they truly fought a giant in Gildin. In addition, he sensed earlier they lied to him about their findings in Gildin, insisting they come clean now. After briefly consulting among themselves, they reveal their findings on the Conflux Mountain with Aard and the secret passage located at Khazat to travel to the Conflux Point. Satisfied with their true answering, Aard reveals his secret tale on the slaying of the last giant.

It was in the early days of the Brown Chests, before our warring with the Black Hands. Seeking glory in battle, I was contacted by Gnel to help him in his revenge. Gnel told me of his past, being the third son to Azulon the Storm Lord. Azulon and his wife Yzlith sought help from the vile lich Thorlok long ago. Thorlok made his Azulon's wife Yzlith fertile once more, promising them however their third son would become their doom. Azulon & Yzlith agreed to the deal and they would first birth a son, Naas. Thinking to outsmart Thorlok's prophecy, they decided to only create one more child and afterwards stop their heritage. Unfortunately they birthed twins, the beautiful female giant Rosar and their twisted half-giant Gnel. Before Azulon got the chance to break the prophecy, Yzlith allowed Gnel to leave the giants sparing his life.
Having heard his tale and hearing of Gnel's plan to poison the mighty giants, I decided to join campaign seeking the might and glory it may bring. We fulfilled the prophecy, murdering Gnel's father Azulon, although we never encountered either Naas or Yzlith. It is here I found the ancient Dovah scriptings and decided to study them, learning some of the Thu'um from these writings. When I returned, I challenged to former chief to single combat and beat him blindfolded to arise to my current position.

Most of Aard's reputation is built around his encounter and slaying of the last giant of Rhunaar and he urges the adventurers to never speak of this to anyone else. He allows the adventurers to follow the river up north to find answers at aptly named Giant's Demise, as long as they would not share their tales with others from Ban Grond. The adventurers agree and prepare for their travel into the northern mountain range of Rhunaar.

Campaign

The Island of Runaar

Protagonists

Nalan

Oswald Fleetfeet

TN halfling(gnome) (cloistered scholar)
wizard 5

26 / 26 HP

STR
8

DEX
15

CON
13

INT
19

WIS
16

CHA
10

John Doe

Lawful Neutral Wood Elf (Inheritor)
Ranger 6

63 / 63 HP

STR
9

DEX
18

CON
14

INT
18

WIS
16

CHA
13

Report Date

17 Aug 2021