Save or Die: Outcasts: Episode 08

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==Synopsis==
The party are on a quest to locate Shadow Mage Sigris Shadowhand's abandoned tower in the devouring marsh.
Arachis gets an infected found on his foot so the party return to Autumn's tower for treatment. The party then head north into the neighbouring kingdom to the town of Roseluck. The lord of the town, Lord Sackmoore and Arachis made a deal regarding the loot of Sigris Shadowhand's tower.
The party the head southward to the village of Wikish, back to the Hornstead Kingdom.
==Recap==
===The Giant Toad "Battle"===
April 10, 1523: The Devouring Marsh. As the end of last episode Garp was accosted by a giant toad's tongue as part of a swamp gremlin prank. Garp cuts the tongue off, freeing himself. The toad jumps away into the water, with Renatus getting an opportunity attack, but the toad manages to escape. Grau, with a pre-existing grudge against the swamp gremlins, turns back into a bear. Grau tries to track the gremlins and fails to get their scent. 
The party end up camping overnight on the island in the swamp, but do make sure to take up watches.
===Infected===
In the morning Arachis's wound on his right foot has become infected, and he has all his attributes reduced by half, and is feverish and unsteady. The party detour to Autumn's Serenity Tower to get Arachis some aid.
Grau goes into the tower alone and spots a hole in the floor to a secret basement. Grau growls to announce himself, and Grau hears the sound of breaking glass. Autumn comes out of the basement to hug Grau. The two then head outside to meet with the others in the party. 
Autumn inspects Arachis wound and says she can help, but it'll be tomorrow when she can memorise the appropriate spell.
The party rest at the tower overnight. Garp prefers to be outdoors in Autumn's garden after his 18 months of confinement, but will rest with the others inside.
The next day Autumn casts on Arachis and he is cured. The party set out back on the road to Roseluck, on the trail of infomation about Shadow Mage Sigris Shadowhand.
===Pipari===
April 12. The next day the party arrive in Pipari, at the northern end of The Maw. The guards wave the party inside. Roseluck is a a 5 day journey by foot from Pipari. The party will rest in Pipari overnight before heading out.
The party look into escorting a caravan to the next town, but as they aren't an official bonded mercenary company, no one will trust them with such a task. The party check out the jobs board. There is an infestation in the farmlands between Pipari and the Thordin River. 
While at the inn the party talk about creating a reputation for themselves, but don't want to detour from their journey to Roseluck first.
Garp also asks the party to refer to him by his actual name, Auguste, from now on. Renatus ends up being an alias, but he doesn't reveal to the party his given name.
Before leaving town Arachis talks with some town guard about the safety of the road. The guard assumes Arachis the Army of Voraci have made the roads safe to travel.... except for the odd group of horse-riding bandit. These bandits aren't abandoned members of the army but consist of the unpacified tribesmen.
Auguste asks about Ren about stealing a horse. Ren points out a horse is a very notable thing to steal.
Arachis talks with Grau about the fact they have left the Hornstead Kingdom and have entered the Falaror Kingdom. Speficially there is no Autumn or Magistrate Zerrah to vouch for him as a druid, so if he changes shape in this new kingdom he'll be hunted down again like he was in episode 6.
===Road to Roseluck===
April 14. The party leave Pipari and head north along the road for their 5 day journey to Roseluck. 
On the 2nd day of traveling they encounter a wounded human laying beside 2 dead goblins. The party are unsure if he is dead or asleep. Grau is very suspicious, so turns into a bear to spell the situation out, but only spells goblin and the human. The party carefully approach and confirm that the human is dead and had died a few hours ago. The money pouch contains 2 gp 30 sp 10 cp which Ren takes, as well as taking the arming sword & wedding ring. Ren wants to use the sword and ring as items to identify the dead man with.
Ren lays out the body respectfully, puts a silver coin on each eye, and gives a prayer to Voraci for the soul. Auguste gives a prayer to Chis. After the ceremony Grau asks about the gods. Ren explains the purpose of the pray to Voraci is to put the soul of the dead at peace so they can move to the next life without regrets. Grau then asks about Nadinis who is linked with his powers as a druid.
When the party get to the next village (Lestead) they report the body they found, and keep traveling onward. As they travel though other villages, Ren makes sure to keep spreading the infomation, saying that he'll leave the sword and ring at Roseluck. 
At the village of Raj, a day from Roseluck, Ren is talking about the dead man they found, when a local town guard warns against leaving the sword and ring there. Roseluck as a bad reputation, it has fallen from grace. Roseluck's population is in decline, and the local lord has outsourced the local policing to a squad of hobgoblins and dogs.
In Raj, Arachis also buys a battle-axe as well as a dark cloak. It to be used by Grau in Roseluck to prend to be an Orc bodyguard.
The night before arriving in Roseluck, Grau prays to Nadinis in the woods, sitting beside a tree. He sees no sign of Nadinis during the prayer, instead he just hears the sounds of nature. 
===Roseluck===
The party arrive outside of Roseluck.
: It's a town that has seen better days. It's a town where there are buildings standing, that would be perfect to live in, and yet you know they're clearly uninhabited, their doors shut or boarded up. It's the sort of town that you walk through. The fefuse is palpable, there are packs of village dogs walking around, chewing on bones and discarded scraps of this and that are left on the side of the road, no one's bothering to like pick up and make the place look nice. Gardens are overgrown and untended to.
Arachis takes the lead, with Grau acting like a Orc bodyguard (Arok), and Auguste & Ren acting as human bodyguards. They have no plan to cause trouble, but to look like they aren't worth the trouble to others. The codeword 'Human Time' will be used if they need to start a combat.
The party head to the wilted rose tavern and book a room, then head out to the keep. They party discover it isn't a keep, but a fortified house. Lord Sackmoore's residence looks well maintained, with fresh stonework laid. Guards standing top of the defences on top of the building.
:Sackmore Family Flag: Eyeball over a Field of Red with a Green board. Family words: Strength, Courage, Awareness, and Patience. 
The human guards are talking with some Baaz Draconians. Before Arachis approaches, he casts a to make his eyes glow green. Arachis interrupts the conversation and introduces himself as Sihcara the Red and seeks and audience with Lord Sackmoore. The party won't be allowed inside without their weapons or spell components. Arachis head in with just Grau. Ren and Auguste wait outside.
Arachis and Grau wait for a little in a hallway before a Bozak Draconian escorts them to the next room. The Bozak wears a generalist holy symbol.
In the great hall is a Lord Sackmore on a throne, and beside him is a pet . After introductions are made, Sackmore feeds a rabbit to the Chimera.
The deal Arachis proposes is to find out the location of Sigris Shadowhand's abandoned tower in the devouring marsh, and share the plundered knowledge with Lord Sackmoore. Lord Sackmoore wants to be there when the tower is explored.
Lord Sackmoore and Arachis debate how the loot is divvied out. Lord Sackmoore demands ownership of all magical items inside the tower, Arachis will have the right to copy the magical texts (as long as they aren't to be shared elsewhere). Arachis he wants a conversation in case a relic of shadow power is found. Lord Sackmoore and Arachis comes to an agreement.
The party head back to their inn. They talk about the consequences of the deal and what they would do if Lore Sackmoore betrays them or they betray the Lord. They decide it is for the best to work with Lord Sackmoore in good faith for now.
The Wilted Rose tavern seems to be used by locals and none of the monstrous races in the employ of Lord Sackmore. When a squad of 8 drunk goblins try to get service, they are rushed out, paid with a beer each to leave. Ren pickpockets the goblins and gets 20 silver.
Ren talks with Auguste about his fears for his wife's safety, and he takes risks like pickpocketing the goblins to feel alive.
That night Grau, outside, prays to Nadinis again. Grau sees a trio of centipedes climb on Grau's leg and just stand there in 3 parallel lines. Grau takes this as a sign he was heard.
The next day Auguste buys a suit of chainmail for himself, borrowing some gold from the rest of the party.
A messenger arrives at the tavern with a message to Arachis. It says that Shadow Mage Sigris Shadowhand's great-great-grandson, Halis still lives in wikish. Halis has revealed where Sigris true tomb was (but has already been looted by Lord Sackmoore). There could be clues to the location of the tower's location in the tomb. The tomb is in the swamp near Wikish in a stone temple to Felumbra. Halis has also "promised" Lord Sackmoore he will help in any way he can in locating the tower.
Arachis announces to the party they will head to Wikish to visit the tomb to find clues.
===Back on the road===
The party leaves Roseluck and heads south back towards the Hornstead Kingdom.
When the party can see to the west some dust out in the grass lands being kicked up by a group of horsemen several miles away. They are heading in the direction of the party.
The party hide except Auguste. Grau goes into bearform. Auguste sets up a camp to have lunch. The horsemen ride towards the party.
==Experience==
No experience this episode.
Category:Save Or Die: Outcasts Episodes
Category:Save Or Die Episodes
Category:Save Or Die: Outcasts