Session 8
General Summary
The party headed out of the gates of Eastward into a strong cold easterly wind. Within miles they
had lost sight of the town and were well and truly in the wilds. They headed on into the
wilderness, fighting against the bitterly cold wind. As the sun began to make it's way towards the
horizon behind them they were starting to think that the wilderness was not such a dangerous
place as they had heard when they were jumped upon by two strange and evil looking creatures.
Looking almost like massive pumas with violet fur, these six legged felines had two thorny
tentacles sprouting from their shoulders. They lashed and bit the barbarian and monk, but our two
heroes were swiftly aided by their companions. Traubon took the wagon to safety whilst the others
attacked the beasts. They were especially hard to kill as the air round them shimmered making it
hard to tell exactly where they were sometimes causing a well struck blow to whistle harmlessly
through the air. Soon our intrepid heroes had felled the foul beasts though.
A little way ahead they found a battle site. There lay the bodies of two more of these creatures and
the half eaten remains of what looked like an eastern patrol. They buried the dead and headed on.
As night was falling, through the deepening gloom they could see a ruined farm house ahead.
They decided that would make a good campsite with some protection from the cold wind. They
settled down, built a sheltered fire and set a watch. About half way through the night the guards
spotted men approaching with torches. There were a dozen or so of them and they were dressed in
the tattered uniforms of both armies. Deserters! The bandits demanded tribute and the party
refused so the inevitable fight ensued. It was a tough one but with the help of Nakkarra and Sensei
Osaka they overcame.
The next day they reached and passed across the Eastern Bridge which was guarded by the red
army. They were now in the lands of the easterners! Nakkarra continued their education about the
culture they were entering as they continued on. That night they stayed in a way house with no
chairs - they had to kneel and sit on the floor, on cushions. This was all a bit strange but they were
coached through it by Nakkarra and Osaka. That night their hosts brought out lovely mattresses
for them to sleep on.
The next day they were travelling along the road when approaching them was a big column of 40
cavalry led by a stern looking man on a beautiful horse, wearing ornate armour. Nakkarra pulled
the wagon off to the side of the road and the heroes joined him. The man was none other than
Lord Taranaka - the local Daimyo or lord. He stopped and briefly demanded some information
from Nakkarra. He then looked at each of the heroes, but having been schooled well they did not
meet his gaze, staring obediently downwards. He then rode on, his cavalry column following.
That evening they reached Sapporo village and were welcomed into the inn. They enjoyed another
comfortable evening here. The next morning some of them went shopping and for a wander
around the town. It was an interesting place. Kai relaxed at the inn, practising his meditation in
preparation for his up coming visit to the local monastery - he had been told he would be expected
to fight one of the local Sempai in a test of the two monasteries. Flek bought a new bow of
wonderful construction, made from some woods he had not seen before.
Later that morning the group all went to the local monastery where they watched Kai defeat a
local sempai. He was definitely getting better! Kai, Osaka and Nakkarra chatted to Sensei Tekki,
the local Shidoshi, about many things. The rest just enjoyed the peace and serenity of the
monastery. Tor practised with his great sword. Sensei Osaka took Kai aside and had a private
sparring session with him and gave him a sound beating. Kai still has some work to do!
The next day the group decided they needed to head home as Fortuna had to get to the Abbey
before the end of the month. They headed out, passing through the village once more. They
noticed the friendly and happy atmosphere that used to be here was gone, replaced by a sombre
almost fearful one. They guessed Lord Taranaka was back in town. A few miles down the road
they came across about 500 soldiers of the red army doing drills in a local frozen field, overlooked
by Lord Taranaka. They took note and headed on. When they passed over the bridge they noticed
the guard here had been increased. They feared the Easterners were preparing a spring offensive.
The weather was definitely improving. So, when they finally reached Eastward they decided they
would tell Prince Jake what they had seen.
On the way they stopped at the same ruined farmhouse they had fought the bandits at. In the
middle of the night a monstrous winged reptile swooped out of the air and attacked the group,
trying to kill Fortuna's horse. It stung it with a massive tail injecting poison into the horse.
Fortunately it was a very sturdy war horse and it just survived. Meanwhile, the party peppered it
with arrows and Tor struck it with his blade. Kai jumped on it's back and it took for the skies, so
he leapt off, landing, rolling and coming straight back to his feet. Traubon hit the wyvern with a
crossbow bolt as it tried to fly away and it died, plummeting to ground and just missing the party.
Finally reaching Eastward they were taken to see Prince Jake with their news about the easterners.
He was not surprised but a little concerned that it was happening.
From there they raced cross country to Castle de Belame and then on up into the mountains. They
reached the Abbey with one day to spare and Fortuna told the assembled knights and monks the
tails of her adventures over the last month.
The next morning Sir Caelon gave Fortuna another test of Knighthood and this time she passed!
She was told she only had one secret test to take and she would be ready to be knighted.
That evening a few of the knights were sitting around the dinner table with the heroes when the
alarm bell sounded. Barbarians of the Fireaxe clan were attacking! This would normally have not
been a great issue as there were only about 30 or so of them and they'd be unlikely to be able to
get through the front door, but they were led by Hymir Fireaxe - a great warrior standing some 7
feet tall and a powerful warrior. His name was feared through all The Jagged Peaks! The
barbarians tried to smash the door down with trees to no avail as the defenders peppered them
with arrows. Then suddenly the door broke open and as it did the portcullis in the entrance arch
mysteriously opened! Fortuna rushed to the control area to see what was happening, to find the
controller slumped over the controls, a dagger between his shoulder blades. She just caught sight
of the brown shape of a cassock disappearing down the steps to the library but had no time to
chase him as she had to get the portcullis back down. Tor, Sir Mades and Sir Caelon stood in the
corridor attempting to hold the barbarians back. Knights poured boiling oil through the murder
holes onto the on rushing hordes heads. It was no good - the knights line was breached as Hymir
Fireaxe himself charged into their ranks, axe swinging in deadly strokes. Then Fortuna got the
portcullis down and the rest of the barbarians were cut off. Hymir laid about him with his axe, but
he was overwhelmed by the knights, Tor and Kai, whilst being peppered with arrows by Flek and
Traubon. The barbarian leader fell and his cohorts fled the scene.
An investigation of the monks of the library followed but they were unable to ascertain who might
have been the assassin. The information was passed onto the abbot and he interviewed the monks
who were in the library. He found no answers there.
The next day Sir Caelon informed Fortuna that she had passed the tests set for her and she was
ready to become a knight. She would have to travel to Littlebrook with him to meet Cardinal
O'Connor and to be knighted by the king!
The group set off, travelling across the quiet lands of Albion until they reached the massive capital
of Littlebrook - almost twice the size of Thistledelve. On they way the met Marik who repaid their
kindness with giving him a wand of entangle when last they saw him. He gave them a wand of
curing in return.
Upon their arrival at Littlebrook Fortuna was taken off to the Chapter House for two days of
fasting and meditation in preparation for her knighthood. The others enjoyed the sights and sounds
of a city for the first time ever....
Report Date
10 Apr 2024
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