Session XXXI : Escape from near Death Report

General Summary

Turmoil in Ban Grond

An unpleasant surprise

Having barely escaped the recent combat with their lives, the adventurers return to the outside world for a short rest. Continuing their journey rested, they are met by two Bugbears on the goat plains. The adventurers reveal themselves to the bugbears, asking what their business is here so far from Ban Grond. Oswald appears very nauseated at this time, with the bugbears keeping their distance. The bugbears tell the adventurers they are members of the Brown Chests and were sent by Aard to inform them Zulk the Wise has moved the Alliance meeting to take place in two days. Frustrated, the adventurers make haste to Ban Grond.
Arriving at Aard's tent, the adventurers manage to hide the fact they befriended the giant, instead of slaying it. They do mention they sighted Rosar and did converse with her. When asking about Zulk, Aard tells he does not know Zulk's true motives on moving the meet. He only knows he has conversed with Sabulah recently. They ask Aard if things would go awry, he would support the adventurers with his Brown Chest army. Although hesistant, Aard will aid them should open conflict arise. Satisfied with this answer, the adventurers return to their Mansion for a Long Rest.

An audience with the Wise One

In the following afternoon around 2 p.m. the adventures have an audience with Zulk. They are confronted by Bokun who asks them to hand in their weapons. At that time, Oswald Fleetfeet has already made himself Invisible, and the adventurers decide to leave their weapons at their Mansion, instead of in Bokun's care. There, they give their most important weapons to Oswald who makes himself Invisible once more.
Returning to Zulk's Retreat, they are allowed to enter upon being searched for weapons. They enter Zulk's throne room where multiple guards are situated near the walls. Furthermore, four goblins with black hoods are found closely to his throne near the throne platform. Zulk invites them closer and asks Shluk to fetch chairs for his guests. It doesn't take long for the adventurers to confront Zulk on the moving of the meeting. Zulk explains he moved the meeting on Sabulah's insistence, claiming "One should never decline a request made by the lady of Arachnids". Although not entirely persuaded, the adventurers continue to tell Zulk about the locking away of Vex in the interior of the Conflux Mountain, protected by a Blood Seal likely partially made by the Gundyrs. Zulk claims to know nothing of this Vex nor his connection to Sabulah. Although non of the adventurers can detect whether Zulk speaks the truth, Oswald uses his Insight to perceive Zulk is sweating way more than normal while discussing the Gundyrs. Alas, he is not able to inform his felllow adventurers on this with his Invisible nature.
Zulk proposes the adventurers return to Gildin to retrieve the information on the Gundyr bloodline there for him. In return, he will postpone the meeting once more and vote them into the Ban Grond Alliance. This is the moment Balin Thornbow snaps, and confronts Zulk they have done plenty for him. Only through their actions Zulk has grown in his position. His persuading arguments cause Zulk to propose a different deal:
Zulk will tell the adventurers why he seeks the information on the Gundyr bloodline and will vouch for them in the council. In return, the adventurers promise to travel to Gildin after the meet to retrieve the information on the royal bloodline. Furthermore, Zulk believes the Mountain may hold many riches and proposes he and his army can march on the mountain to claim its riches. The adventurers concur, especially believing Zulk's aid in war may prove worthwile against the Red Armors.
Zulk shares he requires the information on the Gundyr bloodline to open an ancient tomb of theirs in Indolis. Zulk seeks the treasures and tomes likely found in this tomb. The adventurers are a bit more convinced by Zulk's motives and ask if he will share info on the Conflux Mountain with them, should the tomb hold this information.

A nearly perfect intrigue

Nalan & Balin are however still not completely convinced by Zulk's words and ask if Zulk would answer the following questions while being under the influence of Zone of Truth:

1. If Zulk intends to release Vex from the Conflux Mountain?
2. If Zulk will share the contents of the tomb or the name of the last Gundyr king with Sabulah?

Thinking about their requests, Zulk concurs and willfully puts himself under the influence of Nalan's "Truthserum". Upon being asked, Zulk answers no to both questions gaining the trust of all but Balin. Balin asks a third question, not agreed upon:

Balin : "Will you diclose the name of the last Gundyr King to the Red Armors?"

It is at this moment Zulk's intrigue becomes apparent, as the four hooded goblins return to their true identities : Uthramians.

Combat

From the goblins, an Uthram Demoncaller, a Soldier, a Ward and a Gifted appear. Furthermore, 3 goblins, 3 bugbears and a Bugbear Chief charge toward the adventurers who are at the Throne Platform. With all but Oswald surprised, Zulk manages to use a Smoke Bomb to get himself away from the battlefield. This leaves the throne platform largely heavily obscured by smoke. Oswald conjures a Wall of Fire to disconnect the goblin reinforcements from the throne platform and returns the collected weapons to his fellow adventurers.

Representation of the battlefield
Combat continues and the Demoncaller uses his powers to summon a Capra Demon to his aid. Things do not appear good for the adventurers, with Balin at 13 HP...

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

24 Oct 2021

Primary Location

Ban Grond