Save or Die: Outcasts: Episode 27

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==Synopsis==
Ren returns separately from the party to Valebrook. On the road he finds the body of a dead noble which disturbs him in the rotesque way he was killed. Ren reports to Magistrate Zerrah he saw Fireflies but they got away.
The rest of the party arrive in Valebrook the next day and deliver the lodestones.
The party travel north to Jaedyn and start to plan the killing of the Voraci Captain there.
==Recap==
===Making Plans===
February 14, 1524. The party are on the road from Arkveld to Valebrook with their supplies of lodestones. The party have agreed to help the The Fireflies assassinate Magistrate Zerrah. Arachis wonders how helpful the Fireflies will be as they didn't go into specifics. Also there is a worry of how much Magisrate Zerrah knows about Grau's past and the party's connections with the fireflies. Auguste thinks this is just paranoia. Arachis recalls the invasive mind-reading spells that teachers used back at the wizard tower. Renatus thinks that Grau's view is the most important in this matter. Grau wants to fight the Voraci Empire for the sake of the Forest Gnomes killed by them.
The party decide for now how to handle the 2 missions Magistrate Zerrah had given them. Ren will return to Valebrook first and report in that he found the Fireflies but spooked them. Then a few days later the rest of the party will arrive with the loadstones.
Arachis suggests they kill the Captain of the Guard in Vayle for the Miffed to get the Miffed help with escaping Valebrook after killing Magistrate Zerrah. The party agree to this idea. They know their dreams of freeing the kingdom entirely from the Voraci Empire won't happen as these actions will just result in the Army of Voraci coming back and enforcing totalitarian rules.
===A Strange Death===
February 20, 1524 Ren is on the road alone with the rest of the party staying in an inn a few days behind him. He is alone and comes across a body of a young noble man in the middle of the road. The young man has his ribcage ripped open. The man appears to have died that day. There is a trail leading to the body. A set of footprints small begin at a a stump, walk to the body, then larger (bandaged) footprints lead away from the body into the woods. The bandaged footprints are much bigger than Ren's feet. Ren feels it could be an angry forest spirit, but decides to leave, being out of his depth.
February 24, 1524 The rest of the party come across the dead body. The footprints are more faded away by now. Arachis looks at the larger footprints and estimates someone 7 to 10 feet tall. Grau sees the heart, liver and thymus are missing from the body. Arachis sees other organs have been damaged. Grau tries to identify by smell what did this and just gets the memory of terrifying danger. Grau is unable to track the scent. The part convintue to travel.
===Ren's Return to Valebrook===
February 24, 1524 Ren returns to the city of Valebrook. Ren puts his animals into the stables and goes into a tavern to get drunk. He is trying not to think of the dead body he saw on the road. Ren sends a message to Magistrate Zerrah and receives word back he is to see her tonight.
Ren goes into Zerrah's complex, forced to leave his cat and weapons outside, but Ren is able to smuggle in the shadow dagger. Ren meets with Zerrah in her office. Ren is preoccupied with talking about the body he found, but Zerrah is far more interested in the fireflies he saw. Ren tells how he found 3 fireflies, but he fled them after he was spotted. 
Zerrah isn't impresses Ren wasn't able to capture a firefly, but he points out he was alone. He also shows he was able to smuggle a weapon past the guards on his way in to see her. Zerrah escorts Ren out, and then takes care of her guards.
===Party's Return to Valebrook===
February 25, 1524 The rest of the party arrive in Valebrook. As the party enter the city they are met by Ren. Ren says Zerrah wasn't happy that no Firefly was captured. The party, except Ren, head to meet with Zerrah. They wait their turn in the audience hall to speak with her.
Eventually it is the party's turn to talk and the approach Zerrah at her desk. They report they retrieved the loadstones. Zerrah thanks Arachis, using his real name. Auguste tries to get Lady Zerrah to pay for a new horse for him, but the magistrate doesn't take the bait. Arachis offers to pick up some spell components from Holy City Ember Stone for Lady Zerrah. Zerrah says that is a good idea and she'll have a list for Arachis in 2 days.
The party is paid 400 gp for the delivery of the lodestones.
The party meet back up with Ren at the tavern and catch up on what they told the Magistrate.
In the evening Ren heads back to the Voraci Camp to see Zerrah again, as planned. After messing with the guards again at the entrance, Ren heads inside to meet with Zerrah. 
Zerrah says she is worried about Renatus's mental health. The Magistrate says she will try to call for Renatus's wife as soon as possible to try to cheer Ren up. Within the month Zerrah will send a letter. Zerrah is doing this because of all the good work Ren has done for her.
Ren is paid 50 gp for his previous mission.
The party wait in town for the next two days. Arachis examines the they found in Father Hinton's Crypt. 
February 27, 1524 The party meet with Magistrate Zerrah and receive the shopping list of items.
* Bloodhound Fur x5
* Rare Dust x5 (400 gp each)
* Sulphur x 20
* A glass rod
* Undead bones
Arachis knows these are components for fireball, lightning bolt, locate creature. 
Magistrate Zerrah says to contact Censor Weld while in Holy City Ember Stone in order to procure the supplies. Zerrah gives Arachis a sealed letter to give to the Censor of District 5. Zerrah recommends being very polite to the Censor, and to just get in and get out. 
===The Dwarven Stall===
The party travel north towards Jaedyn. On one of their days of travel they stop at a road-side stall tavern run by 3 female dwarves. The party get a meal at the stall.
Grau asks the dwarves how they are treated by the Voraci Empire. They are from Falaror City in the Falaror Kingdom. One dwarf says that they keep a low profile, and can live life long enough to wait for the Empire to die out. If things get worse, they got distant cousins they can go to. The Army of Voraci doesn't recruit dwarves typically.
The dwarves ask Grau about his family. He doesn't know how to answer. Arachis chimes in that it isn't a happy subject.
===Scouting out Jaedyn===
March 3, 1524 The part arrive in Jaedyn. The town has a population of 3,500, smaller than Swampside and Keygate. It is significant because the Army of Voraci have a warehouse in the middle of town they have turned into a fort & depot to supply the nearby areas. The Captain is assigned to the fort, but where the captain lives is currently unknown.
==Treasures==
* Party is paid 400 gp for the lodestone quest
* Ren is paid 50 gp for the fireflies quest
==Experience==
No experience given this episode.
Category:Save Or Die: Outcasts Episodes
Category:Save Or Die Episodes
Category:Save Or Die: Outcasts