Wrath of the Flesh Eaters - Part 1
General Summary
Overview
The coldly logical Horned Society rarely involve themselves in the dealings of Kapital. However, when news reaches the guild of lizardfolk war bands brutally murdering farmers in still-recovering Piper's Ferry, a party forms to investigate and assist Maximus in the town's defense before the people finally riot and seek vengeance. Founder Mizzryn is joined by new recruits Suture and Henry McOak, who is now hunted by the Order of the White Stag. While Mizzryn and Suture are concerned with protecting the town, Henry can't help but wonder: why would the Horned Society suddenly get involved? Will Kapital save Piper's Ferry once again? Will they discover the secret behind the Horned Society's sudden aggression?Treeborne Terror
Departing from the Caves of Chaos, the party traveled along a dusty path, reminding them of the infrastructure still needed for Kapital's pursuits in trade. Soon after, the party found signs of a gruesome attack; dried blood trailed away and into the surrounding woods. Upon inspection, Suture realized the blood had been spilt in the past hour, and the medic sprinted away, determined to save anyone who still drew breath. Small earthen clumps lay scattered on either side of the blood-slicked trail. Then, it shifted into a heavy groove with massive pawprints sinking into the earth and trailing beside; realizing some large beast had dragged the victim away, the party redoubled their efforts and followed it to the mouth of a tunnel. Mizzryn cast dancing lights and slowly descended into the tunnel with Henry, while Suture armed himself and stood watch on the surface. Mizzryn and Henry found an elven woman, delirious from blood loss, with her left leg absolutely shredded. Fearful as she was, she calmed down when Mizzryn spoke softly in Elvish: "Sister, we've come to help you." Meanwhile, Suture scanned his surroundings, unaware of the slavering giant sloth above him; he screamed as the ambush predator dug its razor-sharp claws through his torso. While Mizzryn rushed to Suture's aid, Henry carried the now-unconscious woman away from the battle and hid her behind the cover of nearby trees. Meanwhile, Mizzryn freed her ally from the beast's grasp and withstood its vicious attacks, while Suture created separation and fired bullets from a distance. Unable to pierce Mizzryn's plate mail, the now-bloodied sloth leapt into the trees and fled the tenacious party. Quickly dressing the woman's wound, Suture worried about operating in the wilderness, where more beasts may catch the strong scent of blood. After crafting a makeshift stretcher, the party carefully carried the elven woman towards the rolling golden fields of Piper's Ferry.First the Blight, Now Slaughter
Spotted by Maximus's guards, the party were directed to a nearby medical tent where Suture began operating in earnest. Ignoring his own injuries, the doctor shook slightly as he worked; luckily, Speaker Aldwin "helpfully berated" Suture. The surgery was successful, and the elven woman introduced herself as Elena. She told the harrowing tale of her Kapital-sponsored caravan being ambushed by bugbears and their gold-faced leader. The brigands questioned them about Kapital's founders, specifically Mizzryn, and tortured them to force answers out of them; only Elena survived. Seeing Mizzryn's sorrow, she reassured her with the same Elvish words, then asked that she be left to rest. Seeking to learn, Henry wandered to the ruined chapel of the River Goddess. The priest, impressed with the investigator's reverence, gifted him a scroll with directions to the mythical Salmon of Knowledge. The party gathered in Maximus's command tent, where the general briefed them on the town's defenses; although he advised against needlessly warring with the Horned Society, he also said Piper's Ferry was on the verge of revolt. Because there were hundreds of small lizardfolk factions, including the Green Gazers, Maximus suggested further investigation to see if the Horned Society were really involved at all; he mentioned Villek Halfscale, who knew much about the lizardfolk and had earned their respect. Suddenly, Gambus Longfellow rushed the command tent and wailed, "They're attacking White Sparrow Farm!"The White Sparrow's Call
Joined by the soldier Antonius, the party found the farm on the outskirts of the unwalled town. The air was thick with the iron scent of blood; Suture quickly broke formation and rushed inside, while the others followed, their shields raised with caution. The stable floors were slick with blood. A glassy-eyed farmer hung from the rafters, somehow breathing while lizardfolk tore the flesh from his carved-open torso. In unison, the warriors turned and locked bloodshot eyes with Suture. Raging and howling, each rose their ceremonial knives and swarmed the doctor. While Mizzryn and Antonius rescued Suture and worked together to fell the frenzied lizardfolk, Henry's owl familiar noticed someone hiding in the hay. Henry fired his crossbow, and a startled bugbear leapt out the window and fled on horseback. Luckily, the party's tactics were more than a match for an equal number of maddened warriors, so Antonius slew the horse with a javelin before the bugbear could escape. The soldier left to report to Maximus, while the party remained for an interrogation. Suture attempted to save the farmer, but he quickly succumbed to death. Strangely, he was stuffed full of stimulants... as if the lizardfolk wanted him alive as they devoured him. One of the Zealot's soldiers, the bugbear welcomed death, believing he would join the forces of the brother-gods Hruggek and Grankhul. However, Henry cleverly threatened sacrificing him to the altar in the Chapel of Evil, and the now-fearful bugbear agreed to cooperate if he was given a warrior's death; Henry promised to slay him by his own hand. Since the Zealot had allied with the Poisoned Cup, Goldface had been sent with a small contingent of soldiers to sow discord within the Horned Society. Specifically, they were tasked with aiding the Flesh Eaters, who were acolytes of Malar. The ultimate goal was to drive the people of Piper's Ferry to attack the Horned Society, weakening them and Kapital at the same time. With their questions answered, Henry kept his promise and cast gallowtree, hanging the bugbear in the farm's front yard, where his familiar pecked out his eyes.Three Birds With One Stone
Justifiably, the townsfolk swarmed Maximus's command tent and demanded he attack the lizardfolk. Only Aldwin, who personally berated everyone in the crowd, was able to disperse them, but even he was growing impatient. Perfectly calm, Maximus assured him it would be resolved in three days or he would resign, which Aldwin accepted. The stoic general realized the Poisoned Cup likely had a standing army nearby, ready to seize control of resource-rich Piper's Ferry while the armies of Kapital and the Horned Society killed each other. "Three birds with one stone," he said quietly. Impressed by Henry's report, he offered the investigator a place among his outriders. Meanwhile, Mizzryn and Suture, joined by capable Antonius, called for back up from the Caves of Chaos.Rewards Granted
Map to the Salmon of Knowledge
Report Date
15 Apr 2023
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