The Lazarus Expedition: Episode 08

__NOTOC__
==Synopsis==
The party arrive in the city of Scalesvale in search of a way to cross the river. They meet with Julia Farseer who gives the party 3 options on how to proceed. The party decide the path of justice and retribution and attack the town of Cork which is run by a slaver.
On the way to Cork they party recruit an archer who works in Cork to work for them instead. The archer, Mitts, gives the party more detailed tactical information on where things are stationed in the town.
==Recap==
===Scalesvale's Seer===
The party, during their multiple day trip from Bellwind to Scalesvale, try to decide on a new team name: Stormtide Stalions OR Scions of the Stormtide. Vasher is adamant the name has to refer to horses in some way. The reason for the name change is the party believe since the events in Bellwind they cannot use the name "The Waystars".
The party approach Scalesvale and see the walled city, and outside the city are bandit camps. The camps give no notice to the party as they approach the city gate. At the gate the party is approached by a map merchant named Big Jim who sells them a map of the region as well as a map of the city. Big Jim them reveals he works for Julia Farseer who as sent him to collect the party to meet with her. The party agree and enter the city, after paying 11 gold to enter (1 gold per head: 4 heroes, Plax, Scamp the horse, and 4 camels, and one mule).
Big Jim walks the party though town to Julia Farseer's Estate and are let inside. The party are led to a darkened room with a window to another room where Julia Farseer is sitting. She offers the party a trade; she gives the party information that will help them on their quest and she wants to send an emissary to King Arnold. The party agree to the deal. She gives the party a small crystal square pyramid that will allow communication with her. 
In Scalesvale there are 4 major powers:
* The Acropolis
** The Clerics & Priests, the temples,
* Lady Farseer
* Cashius Silverbars (Female Dwarf)
** Former Gladiator who has become politically powerful, and founded the city of Cork.
** Slaver & Trader
* Magda the Bandit Queen (Female Human?)
** Leader of various bandit gangs, including the one the party defeated
Julia Farseer claims there are 3 paths forward:
* Path of Peace and Tranquilly - Slow
** Meeting with the Dwarves up river in Rithraheim and take the time to make friends with them and get their aid to cross the mountains.
* Path of Compromise - Fast
** Working with Cashius Silverbars would be this path.
* Path of Rage, Fury, & Righteous Destruction of everything in the lands you hate
** Attack Cashius Silverbars's well defended town of Cork
** Cork is defended by 3 hill giants, 1 ogre-magi named Grimstrax, some good archers, and some minions.
** Julia Farseer provides the party with a map of Cork as well as information on what is stationed there.
** Going this route will equip the party with much needed gear and money.
Styrmir asks about simply getting a ship from Scalesvale, and Julia Farseer claims the local ships work with or for Cashius Silverbards. 
The party debate for some time what path to take. Roy and Cassian are for meeting the Dwarves of Rithraheim. Vasher and Styrmir are for assaulting Cork. The party decide they need more time to talk it over and leave the Farseer estate and go to a tavern recommended by Big Jim, the Serpent's Drink. 
On the way to the tavern they finally sell the goods they have been hauling around for some gold. They discover however their bags of spice are actually mostly sawdust with spice on top. The bag was full when the party were given them. The party also sell their camels. Plax also sells his camel. 
At the tavern the party get meals and drinks and talk. Vasher talks about Ogres and his family's experiences with Ogres, as his family is in Ogre territory freed by Good King Arnold.
After much debate, the party decide they will attack Cork. The party then begin the long process of making plans for their assault. The party decide to go scout out the town for themselves to help make their plan. It is a day and a half travel to get to Cork by the twisting road though the hills
===Encounter on the way to Cork===
On the way to Cork in the afternoon the party hear the sound of people and falling rocks. Cassian goes to scout it out. He finds that there has been a rockslide that is blocking the canyon path with some people trying to clear it. Cassian offers to help out. Francene the leader of the group accepts the help. The party all come over to help. Francene's group has a pack of Goblin Slaves being transported from Cork to the north.
Francene asks about who the party work for and Styrmir tells a bad lie. Francene grows suspicious of the party. Cassian looks at the goblins in the cart and they snarl at him.
The path is cleared and the 2 groups go their separate ways. 
That night, while Cassian is on watch, he is ambushed by a giant Spider.
:Combat: Party vs Giant Spiders
Round 1: Cassian is Webbed then bitten by the giant spider. Cassian yells to alert the party. Styrmir casts sacred flame on the spider. Another Giant Spider arrives and webs Styrmir. Roy Firebolts the damaged Giant Spider. 
Round 2: Cassian is bitten by the first Giant Spider again. Cassian fights back. Vasher gets on his horse, Scamp, but misses his attack on a spider. Styrmir tries to break out of the web but fails, and is bitten again by the 2nd spider. Roy casts Dragonbreath on Vika, then casts Firebolt on the web holding Styrmir, freeing him.
Round 3: The first retreats up a cliff. Cassian misses his attack. Vasher misses his attack. Styrmir lands a hit with his flail. The other spider retreats as well. Vika breaths dragonbreath on a spider. Roy misses with his firebolt.
Round 4: The spiders continue to retreat.
:Combat Ends
The party go back to sleep.
===The Archer===
In the morning the party wake up. As they break camp they spot one of the Cork archers, like the one they saw with Francene's caravan. The archer sees the party and flees. Vasher gets on Scamp and rides after the archer and captures him.
The archer, Mitts, was on the way to Cork. He admits Francene sent him to go to Cork to warn the people that the party were on their way. Mitts is threatened to reveal the locations of the stationed archers and giants in the town, and where the Ogre-Magi lives. The gold and magical items would be with the Ogre-Magi, Grimstrax. The party recruit Mitts to work for them in exchange for 50 gold. 
Mitts, now on the party's side, explains how the "colors" system works, that certain colors indicate in what capacity you work for Cashius Silverbars, and will allow entry into the city. Every week there is a caravan that leaves from Cork.
If the Ogre-Magi, Grimstrax is slain, Mitts says the rest of the town will fall into line. He says a slave uprising wouldn't work since the slaves know if it fails all the slaves will be executed. The main issue is that Grimstrax can turn invisible.
The party make their plans.
==Experience==
No experience given this week.
Category:The Lazarus Expedition Episodes
Category:Save Or Die Episodes
Category:The Lazarus Expedition