Session 23

General Summary

23rd Day of Julista

The party returned from Rutzburg and immediately headed over to the The Acastus Consortium for payment of another contract completed. Their 100% success rate assured once again, the party thought it best to celebrate with a long rest. However, when the party returned to the Princess Inn, Balthazar was greeted by a large Half-Orc asking him to meet his associate. Intrigued, Balthazar agreed and headed into the bar. There waiting for him was Estee Dubois ; a long time acquaintance of his during his Corsair and Perfume Bay life. She was surprised to hear he was "slumming" it as an adventurer; but had a contract for him. She knew he was pursuing Falstagg and informed him of a stronghold Falstagg had created on Lake Pruessmount. In exchange for the information, she asked him to retrieve a "precious stone". Balthazar agreed, and went to bed. However; restlessness consumed him that night; the uncertainty of what was ahead festered.

24th Day of Julista

The next morning The crew decided to follow up with Bob and see if he had uncovered any more info about Klaus and his murder. The hungover Bob; surprisingly did have valuable info. Before his murder, Klaus was seen often with a Half-Orc named Ezrell Brognov. Apparently, she was a well known confidant of a man named Kreigal Harhast; and member of the infamous Ortag Faction. Bob suggested Dirt chat with the Merrimores at the Temple of Lliira, Goddess of Joy . This was the last thing Dirt wanted to do at the time; and the party decided to track down the Falstagg stronghold. They headed over to the docks where Balthazar was greeted by Tithie; the former crewmate of Balthazar that had been seen drowning his sorrows into endless mugs of ales back in Platzburg . However, he seemed to have cleaned himself up working for Madame Estee. He along with two of Estee's hired help, guided the party to the abandoned fishing village where the stronghold was hiding.
There the party was meet by a group of fishers who did not take kindly to strangers wanting to look around their village. Balthazar was able to convince the group they were... tangentially a part of whatever shenanigans were going on; and they led the party to the "mayor". Instead of continuing the masquerade; Balthazar informed the Mayor and his lackey's they were there for the stolen goods. This caused a fight, which revealed on of the humans as being a nasty sea monster. The party made quick work to the enemies; taking the "Mayor" named Dyne as hostage. He like many of their antagonists, he spoke in vagaries, and offered little concrete information. A search of the building uncovered communications between Dyne and Falstagg, providing insight as to what was going one and why. It all hinted at a cult which seemed intent on creating havoc in Primose. It also seemed like the item Estee wanted was in the basement; so the party headed down.
The basement was partially submerged in deep dark briney water. It also housed a large statue of a tentacled humanoid monster which Balthazar realized was Caerulithia; nemesis of Umberlee, Goddess of the Sea and Trade . The party also found an ornate box, but before they could open it a loud ear piercing shrike rang out; and the party was soon ambushed by grotesque fish monsters. Things looked bleak for our heroes; however, a perfectly placed fireball tipped the scales back in the favor of the party; who eventually struck down the monsters. Inside the box was a large round gemstone; ice cold to the touch and reeking of the ocean.

Report Date

10 Mar 2024