Session 07
General Summary
The journey from New Keep to Melinas was more dangerous than anticipated but finally the
group reached their destination. Melinas mostly looked like a typical village - its houses, inn,
church, etc - apart from the strangely-built keep that looked like it was designed by a child, a
haphazard mishmash of fanciful flourishes. After heading into the inn to seek accomodation and
refreshment, disappointing news was received - the missing Baron's daughter (Melinas - the
village was named after her) had recently been found. The group put on a brave face and tried not
to mention that they'd travelled to Melinas specifically for this reason. The rumour was that it was
the Baron who was guilty of holding his own daughter captive. Her rescuer was a resourceful local
lad named Colby. Melinas was now ruler of the area and her father had been despatched to
Thistledelve to stand trial. Enquiries were made as to the surrounding area and it was discovered
that the elven lands were perhaps half a day to the west while the dwarven lands lay a day away to
the north east. Perhaps it hadn't been a wasted journey after all as these were both places Ermenred
was keen to visit. There was also talk of a mysterious area known simply as "The Gap" which lay
between the forest and the mountains with little knowledge of what lay that way, though someone
mentioned a sea.
Having travelled so far on her behalf, the Albioners decided to pay a visit to Melinas to see if she,
in her position as ruler of the area, had any tasks they might help with. They were granted an
audience and, while disappointed to hear that Melinas had no jobs for them, heard a little more of
recent events. Melinas had gotten engaged to be married to a young noble named Jacobius
Cranshup. Her jealous and overly protective father had not wanted anybody to take his daughter
away from him and hence had imprisoned her. Although the Baron was now en route to
Thistledelve for trial, this was a complicated legal issue. If it were decided that the Baron legally
owned his daughter, then he'd be well within his rights to lock her up or do otherwise as he
pleased. At this point the group were introduced to Colby. Colby was a resourceful local lad who'd
solved the mystery of what had happened to Melinas. He mentioned he was concerned about the
ramifications if the Baron were to be found innocent. Undoubtably he'd be in big trouble were he
to remain in the village. He asked where the group intended heading next and asked if he might
join them on their travels. Figuring that there was strength in numbers he was welcomed into the
group.
Colby had a harsh introduction into life as an adventurer. Not far east out of Melinas a large group
of orcs of the Limbrender tribe had set an ambush. As had happened so many times before,
Ethulwulf and Heremod leapt into the fray, took down a couple of opponents before being injured
and dropping themselves. Meanwhile stalwart Zandrill aided and abetted by Ermendred saved the
day. This time they were ably assisted by Colby who demonstrated cunning and new tactics which
involved merely threatening your opponents with a beheading rather than actually doing it. What
was strange was that it really worked, even though he wielded nothing more dangerous than a
knife?! After the fight was over the survivors beat a hasty retreat back to Melinas dragging their
injured companions with them. Ermenred was thrilled to have discovered a Magic wand in the
possession of one of the dead orcs. Subsequent study and magical research revealed it to contain
magic which boosted people's strength.
While the Albioners remained in Melinas, resting and recovering from their latest wounds, some
curious visitors arrived in the village - dwarves. This was one of the Dwarven Trade Missions,
licensed by the King, that travelled round Albion on an irregular basis. The dwarven leader was
Nolo and he struck a deal to enhance several of the group's weapons, in return for fat bags of gold
and plenty of stories and items of interesting news that he might take back to his dwarven
stronghold. Nolo's men soon set up their portable forges and temporary workshops and Melinas
was filled with the sound of metalwork and smithing. Nolo was informed of the magical sword
and armour left in New Keep. He was interested enough to suggest that some kind of deal could
be made and arranged to meet in New Keep in a couple of days time. The dwarves would make
their own way to New Keep, via secret underground tunnels which humans were not permitted in.
It seems no journey through this region of Albion would be complete without being attacked, this
time it was orcs of the Darkdelver clan followed by a band of goblins. As promised, the dwarves
were in New Keep. Nolo was impressed with the magical sword and armour on offer for trade and
came up with a deal which resulted in both Ethulwulf and Heremod being the proud owners of
magical armour, though it would take a day or two for the master smith to weave the necessary
enchantments.
Feeling much better equipped than before they'd met the dwarves, the group pondered their next
move. The consensus seemed to be to head to Waymeet and then perhaps to the East, as Zandrill
had druidic business to attend to, Heremod seemed eager to return to his adoptive home and of
course much adventure might be had along the way.
Report Date
10 Apr 2024
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