Session 6x2

Session 6x2 occurred on 18 Apr 2021. The players were LaurenDanger (Bea Naturalis), StEsteban (Aravor Enfiel), PsychoXer0 (Romeron), Ghost (Harlac Wayfinder) and Ivy (Otsa). Their goal was to visit Deerscar and scout Feywater.

## Summary

Our intrepid adventurers headed for Deerscar to make alliances and find out if they need help. There are mysterious deaths but they take place around the full moon, and we can do little to investigate. A trade agreement is now in place with Deerscar and we can send them stone and have a militia unit to support us for a month. Also, the Duchess Katrin of Deerscar is of the Orthos family line! Solving the ghost snake or retaking Alderkeep would be to her benefit and maybe there would be a reward? Certainly the gratitude of a noble would be useful.

We then decide to scout near Feywater and it's obvious that the Rust Brothers are heavily reinforcing it, with supplies coming from Deadhook as well as Alderkeep, and a garrison of about 50 in the town. We were unable to do anything against such numbers but we did ambush a foraging party of eight that included undead. We fought well, swiftly dispatching them and burning the remains. They did not have much of value on them but it was a good message to the Rusties that they cannot expand as they wish. They will be countered.

## In-character tales

### Aravor's tale

We set out north to reach Deerscar, where Saskia had told us we would be welcomed. It would be good to have allies in these dangerous lands; with Rust Brothers about, among all of the other myriad threats we have faced, it only makes sense to band together. Bea Naturalis, Harlac Wayfinder, and my new friend Otsa are of similar minds in this issue. Romeron, I believe, only joined us on this expedition in the hopes of killing some Rust Brothers on our planned scouting trip to Faywater. I certainly can't fault his enthusiasm.

Said eagerness may have gotten the best of him, however, as he antagonized some goblins traveling down the river during the night. He threw his grappling hook at their boat, and they returned some parting shots with their bows, but thankfully nobody was harmed. Sister Avella showed up in the morning to give us an earful - the goblins had been delivering a halfling child into the care of Ravenshrine, and truly meant no harm. I tried to calm her with news of spreading the healing arts to Mez, but had little to no effect. Somewhat chastened, we continued on our way.

The rest of our journey passed largely uneventfully. Harlac proved himself a consummate professional, our previous difficulties a fluke. His skills in the wilderness surpass my own, and it brings me no shame to acknowledge that. Clay saw fit to provide us with a valuable ally in him. Outside of Deerscar we met a ferryman by the name of Kaivan. In addition to ferrying folk to the town, he was attempting to sell some sort of mysterious bottle of wine, which he thought may be magical. Romeron jumped at the opportunity. Kaivan still seemed to be eyeing us somewhat warily, so I mentioned our friends Saskia and Sister Avella. He took us to Deerscar immediately after hearing their names.

We arranged for rooms at the local public house, the Man and the Maid. Oddly enough, we spotted lavender above the doorways of every building we passed - some sort of warding charm, it seems. The twin heads of a Balathorp were mounted on the wall within the inn, a curious and impressive trophy indeed. We did not stay long before seeking out Saskia, who warned us that something ancient was hunting the people of Deerscar. I asked her to introduce us to the Duke and Duchess so we could offer our aid, and while she seemed unsure she had that sort of pull, they did agree to hear our group out.

I told the tale of our adventure to the Orthos Family Crypt, including our encounter with the ghostly serpent. It was not until the Duchess Katrin fled from the room that I realized my tale had disturbed her - I later learned she is the last descendant of House Orthos. An awkward and unfortunate blunder, on my part, but also a useful reminder that as much as I learn, my knowledge will always be incomplete. Clay presents us with trials to prove our worth, and how we face them is what matters. That is the way of things.

The Duke was not particularly forthcoming with information, and did not seem to want our help. We learned that whatever creature Saskia feared struck during the full moon, and its victims had no signs of wounds. A peculiar thing indeed, but with the full moon so far away and the Duke not exactly jumping at our offer of aid, this is a problem for another time.

Fiddling with the straps on my bag for the umpteenth time, I heard the sounds of horses in a pasture, and decided to take a look at the market. I wound up purchasing a fine brown gelding they had for sale. I named him Clayhoof, and he has proven to be a fine horse so far. It will be a relief not to have to carry all of my possessions everywhere I go, and he's a friendly sort to boot.

On our way back to Ravenshrine we found a newly formed oxbow lake. It seemed to be the work of an abyss wyrm, and we decided to steer well clear of it - at least, as much as one can while rowing down a river. Romeron spotted a strange creature which looked like a lion but bore a mane of snakes, which seemed to be watching us. When we noticed it, however, it ran off into the distance. Our vigilance had saved us from two potentially dangerous encounters.

Returning to Ravenshrine, we found the mood considerably more subdued, as the settlement was in the grips of some sort of religious conflict. The others took some passing interest, while I was merely amused. In any case, we were not the group to deal with this strife, and pressed onward. We still wanted to scout Faywater before returning to Dryvault, after all.

The situation was worse than I had hoped, but Clay will provide us a path forward. Over fifty Rust Brothers were encamped within the city walls, with undead labourers bolstering their numbers. Reinforcements were arriving by way of Alderkeep, and Iron Guard were escorting carts to and from the city from Deadhook Fortress. The groups guarding the carts were too formidable a target, but I suggested we still bloody the Rust Brothers' nose before leaving. We set up an ambush for one of their foraging patrols.

Despite my best efforts to remain still as they approached, their sentry called out an alarm, and the enemy drew arms. Four marauders and four undead were among their ranks - none of the elite fighters, and they foolishly thought they could fight us due to superior numbers. We showed them the error of their ways. Before they could even move, Harlac dropped two of the undead with well placed arrows, while Romeron's charge accounted for both of their archers. The rest of them charged Otsa and Bea. Otsa was quite capable of handling herself, parrying both enemies that attacked her, but Bea fell to the ground while dodging her attackers. I stepped in to protect her, but it was largely moot, as Otsa cut down both of her attackers and our concentrated efforts put an end to the stragglers.

While the real prize was sending a message and impeding the Rust Brothers' work here in whatever small way we could, we also scavenged a fair bit of gear from the dead foragers. All in all, a successful trip.

### Bea's tale

We set out from Ravenshrine along the river, canoes serving us well as we headed for Deerscar. We had camped for the night north of the shrine’s site, and the next morning it was unusual to see Sister Avella arrive with goblins on a boat. She was displeased with Romeron for some reason, and the stress of her own situation in the settlement was evident upon her face, but we did not press too deeply for information.

The next day we travelled the river and arrived across from Deerscar in the early evening, but felt it unwise to approach with darkness upon the land. But thankfully, a farmer named Kaivan saw our setup and came to speak with us. After Romeron bought some wondrous, magical bottle from him, it was agreed that he’d vouch for us and get us into the small town.

We stayed at the Man and Maid, a wonderful inn where upon the wall was the trophy head of the Balathorp, a two-faced reindeer said to be part wyvern. We feasted on crawfish and passed the night uneventfully.

The next day we were able to speak to the Duke and Duchess after much waiting around. We discovered that something is indeed plaguing the residents of the small town, but the answer as to what is not clear. The citizens die without any real sign of what has taken their lives, as if their souls are simply drained from them. It occurs around the full moon, so we cannot investigate until the next week.

The duchess is of the Orthos line, and she is troubled by the push of the Rust Brothers as well as tales of the spectral snake from her family’s crypt. Assisting her in setting right such tragedies would certainly earn great favour. We experienced a small taste of it with good food and comfortable beds for an evening.

We have also secured a trade agreement with Deerscar, and they will lend us a militia unit for a month in exchange for 100 stone. Our labourers will be busy in the quarry to prepare for this. This is when Aravor purchased a horse and named it Clayhoof, a sturdy steed to honour the god.

As we returned to Ravenshrine we spotted a Helion Gorgon which fled from us, camped in a grove surrounded by the strangling vines which somehow left us alone, and then returned to a very tense Ravenshrine where many militant followers of Huntress were not as pleased to see us. Sister Avella was tending to a halfling baby, brought there by the goblins Romeron apparently encountered at the beginning of our journey.

Unsatisfied with our adventures, we decided to scout toward Faywater, and the news is grim. The Rust Brothers are reinforcing the city, which boats arriving from Alderkeep, and Iron Guard accompanying carts of supplies from Deadhook. Our guess is that a garrison of 50 soldiers defends the site. We decided not to sabotage the town but took on a new plan.

A small dent in their number would help, and we waited to ambush a foraging party. They spotted us and we lost the element of surprise, but we made quick work of their number including undead warriors. Harlac was keen with his bow, Romeron cleaved two with great axe, Otsa parried and struck down opponents with a greatsword, and even Aravor slammed an undead with his staff.

I delivered a vicious war cry to inspire my companions, screaming death to the slavers and deftly dodging attacks which allowed others to defeat our foes. A tiny blow against the plans of the Rusties, but a sign that none will roll over to their evils. They expand all the same, and I worry for Ravenshrine and even Deerscar in the future.

### Harlac's tale

Glain asked Romeron about the kobolds and if the people who fought there found any "interesting treasure." From what I've heard about him and the thing in the kobold camp, I think I know what 'interesting treasure' he is looking for. Not that I would tell him about it. I'm getting more and more convinced that he is a demon, or at least demon tainted as others have suggested.

I think Romeron sold the big mirror from the hydra lair to Glain. I saw him moving it and now it is gone... I wonder what he did with the money from it.

We head out from Ravenshrine along the river towards Deerscar and set camp in the woods. In the morning Romeron tells us that a boat of goblins traveled during the night, and he was suspicious of them because they wouldn't tell him their business. In the morning he asked me if I knew what they might be up to... which I mean, it's not like I know every goblin just because I am one. We have a heated discussion as we pack up camp to head out. Before we do the goblin boat returns... with Sister Avella. As frustrated and exasperated as *I* had been, Sister Avella was even *more* furious with Romeron. The goblins had a baby on board the boat, and he had thrown his grapple at them to try and drag the boat to shore! Not that he would understand the implications of goblins having a child away from our homelands and I'm not about to try and explain it to him.

We continue on to Deerscar. We are almost there but decide to camp across the river rather than risk making a bad impression arriving at night. As we're setting up camp, a farmer or some such approaches on another boat. His name is Kalvan and he is from Deerscar. He recently found some weird magic potion or something. I wasn't really paying attention, busy setting up camp as I was. I think Bea or Romeron bought it.

Kalvan asks if I was the goblin that slew the hydra. I told that I contributed but certainly couldn't claim sole credit. He's excited and says he will vouch for us in Deerscar, so we pack up and head to town for a night in the inn. There's a stuffed and mounted two-headed beast on the wall, something called a Balathorp. Weird. I don't really like things with too many heads.

In the morning Aravor speaks with some Raven Sister that he knows and before I know it we are being presented to the 'duke' and 'duchess' of Deerscar. I do my best to keep my mouth shut and not embarrass us while Bea and Aravor speak to them about the rumored disappearances.

I don't really follow the conversation terribly well, but Aravor mentions the Orthos crypt and and the duchess is visibly shaken and excuses herself. I don't really get it, but later Aravor explains that she must be the last of the line of Orthos, driven out of Alderstone so many years ago.

We are treated to a luxurious night in the fortress - a meal, the biggest damn bed I have ever seen, and I didn't have to share it - or even the room - with anyone! Being away from Romeron's snoring was almost enough to make up for not being able to see the night's sky before sleep.

Asking more about the disappearances, we learn that they happen roughly monthly, on the full moon. Of course we come on the new moon so there isn't a whole lot to investigate at the moment. Apparently the victims are found dead without a mark on them - as if their soul were just ripped from their body.

We depart to return to Ravenshrine. Something is weird with the river though. The river has been *split*. Aravor says it must have been a large and elder abyss wyrm - some kind of unintelligent demon. We pick up the pace, just in case.

We decide to scout out the rustie activity around Feywater before heading back. It is a lot. Maybe half their forces are in Feywater or carting supplies back and forth from Deadhook. Worse yet, we could see ships bringing in reinforcements form Alderstone. Bloodbeak was right, that skeleton attack was a feint...

### Otsa's tale

Well we had a productive few days! We made way down river to Deerscar and arranged a trade agreement with the Duke and Duchess. [Deerscar now counts as one of our settlements and we can "fast travel" there at the start of sessions.] Be warned, though, if you intend to journey there. Some foul spirit, older than stone, they say, haunts the place. Every full moon, more souls are taken, but not much else is known.

Furthermore, the journey there is plagued by a great creature. Aravor called it an Abyss Wyrm. Says it's *old*. Perhaps from the Fourth Alder War. It carved a new bend in the river near Deerscar. We never laid eyes on the beast, but nothing that large can be harmless. We also heard tales of a Black Mill, north of Deerscar along the river. Folk say ill lights dance in the window on New Moons. After our venture in Deerscar we paid a visit to the Rust Brothers at Feywater. They are gathering there in force. Looks like they intend to move on Ravenshrine, but we don't have much more information than that.

### Romeron's tale

Glain had arrived back in town and kept his word and brought back the items I had asked for, a shiny new spyglass and a Great Helm. The Great Helm did not fit me so instead bought another helmet Glain had on him and gave the Great Helm to Otsa since they had none, also sold the mirror to Glain and deposited 5 gold pieces into Dryvault.

The trip on boats from Ravenshrine felt strange, traveling on the rivers is not my favourite way of travel. Harlac set up camp next to the river and I kept watch during the night, a ship floated down the river during the night and when I asked them where they were going, they refused to tell me we had a small exchange of words which went how it always goes when I have to speak to other kin. The next morning Avella came up the river with the same folk that had gone to Ravenshrire and was angry at my actions towards them and everyone got annoyed and angry with me, i'll never truly understand other kin and their need for soft words and no action.

After a few days of travel we approached Deerscar and chose to camp outside it's walls. During the evening a man called Kaivan came close to us with a boat, I ignored the man since seemingly saying anything to anyone offends them. Bea talked to Kaivan and he offered to give his word to the guards and we could enter Deerscar during the nighttime, as long as we bought something. So I bought a Bottle, no idea what it does but it has blue mist like thing in it and the mist had a face when I stared long enough into it.

In Deerscar we talked to one of the druids in town and she told us there were some mysterious deaths happening to people, according to her caused by a malevolent being. We also chatted to the nobility of the place they tried to be coy about the deaths but had alot of interest on a trade deal, rest of the conversation was extremely boring to me so I stopped listening half way through.

Next day Aravor decided to buy a horse and then named it Clayhoof, I guess for some kind of reverence to Clay. He left the horse in Deerscar and we traveled back to Ravenshrine. The populace of Ravenshrine have different looking eyes now more suspicious and clearly they are more militant which either makes them a useful ally or another enemy. After the night in Ravenshrine we went to scout out Feywater, the Rust Brothers are in charge here and not in a small force either at least 50 heads we could see, living and the undead also they are seemingly getting reinforcements from across the lake. We need to stop this sooner then later before we get cut off from access to the north and they start pushing their methods even to Deerscar and Ravenshrine. We also ambushed a small patrol they were pushovers and fell easily, we took some of their gear and silver back with us to Dryvault.