The Aftermath

General Summary

Hobart Shaw found himself surrounded in an alley. The person in charge stepped closer to Hobart, but then he opened a secret door into a building and invited Hobart to join him. Once seated around a dimly-lit table, the man asked Hobart where he found his rapier. Hobart gave him a shifty answer, but it seemed adequate to the man. The stranger briefly rubbed his thumb across a ring on his scabbard and then on the pommel of his own sword. Hobart saw the familiar crest on the pommel transform into a clear etching of five black daggers shaped in a star.
The man explained they were part of a secret organization called the Ebon Stars. While not officially sanctioned as a part of the Confederation Arcanum or other government body in Winderia, the group was dedicated to the stability and security of the realm. They had members in all levels and groups in society, but they particularly worked from within the Guild. They made sure the Guild operated within reason while also using the its resources and connections for their own purposes. Based on Hobart's recent actions, the man — who identified himself as Fabian Hillmark — wanted to induct Hobart into the group, which Hobart accepted. Fabian told Hobart he would be called upon to serve the realm, and he presented Hobart with a gift of a new scabbard for his rapier. After placing his weapon in it, Hobart found he could now see in the dark. That's fun.
Meanwhile, Axelrod and Lyza visited Brighthall Castle for an update on things after the Midnight Mountain Incident. Upon arrival, only Melna Madz was available to meet with them. She told them there was much confusion and worry among the ranks, and the Holy Guard leadership had convened a council to choose the new General of Mystryl. She also told them that both Arth Evencrusher and Alec Codswallop were part of the council and unable to meet.
Without a clear direction, Axelrod chose to travel to Redmund to handle some affairs, and the rest of the Party joined him. Upon arrival, he hired Helga Thormunder to make some improvements to his spear. He also purchased a number of items for his keep, and he loaded up Dazmeat and his crew for their journey east. During their visit in Redmund, the Party spoke with their dear good friend Harbuck Tuthmar, the innkeeper Kyla Uskan, and several people at the all-faiths shrine. They listened to the rumors of the day, and deciding that replenishing their coin purses was the best course of action, they returned to Mystryl for more information on bounties for escaped prisoners.
Once back in the city, they learned that the council had finished, and both Arth and Alec were free and eager to speak with them. The Party returned to Brighthall, and Captain-turned-Major Evencrusher told them about the new General of Mystryl: Derrica Heartstar. Neither seemed very pleased with the result because of Derrica's aggressive stance on Zoreth, but they accepted the decision and would not speak ill of their new leader. Alec took Bartimus aside to speak more personally with his younger brother, making sure he was okay after the Incident. He also told Barty about problems in Eywell that could make things difficult on his parents and others in the west.
After confirming the bounties on the escaped prisoners, the Party trekked southwest toward Garrigill. As they approached the village, they were attacked by roggenwolves in the fields. The wolves' haunting howls made for a difficult battle, but the Party (and their new mounts) overcame the challenge. Once they entered Garrigill, they found a dilapidated settlement of poor residents. Shocked to find a tavern in town, the Party headed in to ask about bandits and any other goings-on in the village. The tavern keeper told them about bandits who had ransacked what little the citizens had, as well as about Old Jarvey, a man who might lead them through the hills for the right price. Hobart's excellent negotiating skills quickly bought the man's services and a night's stay in his barn, and they all headed out the next day.
Due to the heavy rains of the recent weeks, the group quickly found humanoid tracks and followed them out into the hills. After a bit of walking, the Party found a body that had been torn apart and mostly eaten. Barty uncovered a large spike in the corpse and guessed it was the work of a manticore. Old Jarvey panicked at the news, but the Party convinced him to uphold his commitment. Hobart took the body's head.
The Party eventually came upon a group of the bandits. Barty opened diplomatic talks with a fireball, but the bandits put up quite a fight. The Party overcame the criminals and took six more heads for the bounties, then briefly rested before continuing on. After a couple hours' travel, they heard a scream behind them as Old Jarvey was pulled below the tall grass. A manticore slowly rose to meet their eyes, and two more manticores crept out from around the low hills ahead. The Party was in the middle of a pincer. Will they survive to continue their hunt? Will they become more manticore food out in these lonely hills? Find out next time...

Report Date

01 May 2021

Primary Location

Mystryl

Secondary Location

Garrigill