Session 19 Recap

### PCs:

* Bertrand - (Human Scoundrel) A second-rate chancer and confidence trickster who'll go to ridiculous lengths for 'an easy short-cut to the good life'.
* Felix - (Catfolk Scout) Trained, since childhood in wilderness survival, he's discovered he'd much rather sleep in a comfy bed in an expensive hotel than on a bed of leaves with a rock for a pillow.

### NPCs:

* Pelton - A human ranger and member of Dragon's Heart. Renowned for his superlative tracking skills and for his animal companion, a massive dire wolf.

## Session:

   Our valiant heroes have found themselves in rather a sticky spot. An ill-advised scheme to sell bogus alchemical 'monster-bait' to the Scalemen of the Spear has resulted in them being press-ganged into joining the organization... as monster-bait. Fortunately, Felix is able to free himself and is in the process of rescuing Bertrand when a manticore appears.

Fleeing back towards the camp, they lead the manticore to the Scalemen who are surprised to see them. Our heroes take the opportunity to avail themselves of one of the horse-drawn carts (Oddly enough, it just happens to be the one with most of the group's expensive supplies and weaponry in it). Rather a shame that. It appears they could probably use some of this weapons while battling that Manticore. Still, never mind that. They have a far more pressing concern, as it turns out that neither of our heroes know how to drive a cart and the horses, startled by the monster are a touch out of control.

The cart ends up slamming into an elven rider (who really should be looking where he's going), who is flung from the saddle into the bed of the cart where Felix attends to his medical needs (while patting him down for valuables). Bertrand is, meanwhile, attempting to slow the horses, to no avail. The elf croaks out a few desperate words to the Catfolk, "Take this... sword...", he reveals an extremely well-made, ancient and, most importantly, expensive-looking blade which he's carrying bound up in cloth and slung over his back, "And make sure... (unintelligible) gets it... important... fate of (unintelligible) rests on it..."

But before Felix can come to grips with THAT mystery, he's informed by Bertrand that the cart is rapidly approaching a cliff.

They plunge over the cliff and fall a ridiculous distance into an ice-cold mountain river. Bertrand is washed up onto the riverbank, where he discovers the body of the Elf, who has not survived the fall. Bertrand is feeling quite bereft... largely because the wagon and all its cargo are being whisked away down the river, but, you know, the elf chap as well. Damned tragedy that.

All is not lost, as Felix emerges from the churning water and, what's more, he's still got hold of the Elf's sword!

The pair take stock of their situation. They're not entirely sure of where they are. Somewhere on the North-Eastern Tributory of the Morshan River, with the Mounts of Morshan behind them and the Applewood Forest in front of them. The nearest settlement is probably Aerendor Keep, but Felix would rather steer clear of that particular locale for the time being. Similarly, if they follow the river, that will lead them to Riverwatch, but Bertrand would prefer to avoid The Riverwatch Riders on account of a number of 'unfortunate misunderstandings'.

They decide to split the difference and plunge into the Forest, heading due south. Bertrand explains that, while he'd much rather deliver the sword to its rightful owner (speak for yourself, says Felix*,* who would appear to be more of adherent to more of a 'finders keepers' philosophy), he knows of a chap in Vynelvale, Earl Castigan, who'll be willing to fork out big cash for a sword of that vintage and craftsmanship. The pair warm themselves with the thought of what they'll be able to do once they get these massive piles of cash.

Unfortunately, nature proves itself unco-operative, and the forest goes from being merely obstructive to almost hostile. They encounter an abandoned woodsman's cottage which proves to be haunted (and the ghost is being a real pain in the neck!) 1. They also become convinced that someone, or something, is following them, a conviction which proves true when someone shoots at them from out of the woods 2.

They emerge into a clearing, and find a strange gate. On one side, it's still the middle of the night and there's a maniac with a bow (who may or may not be some sort of werewolf) prowling a haunted wood in search of them, and on the other, it's broad daylight in a pleasant-looking village and (if Felix's nose isn't betraying him) it's dinner time. He is hauled into a nearby house by said sniffer, and manages, with a little assistance, to wrangle an invitation to dinner for our heroes under, what an uncharitable soul might call false pretenses, but which our heroes prefer to think of as the boundless and bountiful kindness and charity of the human (and cat, of course) spirit.

There's some brief conversation where the villagers make mention of a mysterious stranger, a bearded archer with an immense dog who's been prowling about the village. Our heroes definitely agree with the villagers' assessment of this intruder and there seems to be some sort of implication that they might be prevailed upon to do something about him.

After dinner, there's a message that the Head of the village wishes to speak to them. He explains that everyone is under a curse and cannot die 3. And that time does not advance in the village. The source of this curse is some sort of artefact inside the village's church bell-tower and our heroes are being prevailed upon to help out. If not, their only other option is to return to the forest and the crazed archer who wants to kill them.

The pair exchange glances of considerable trepidation.

To be Continued...?

Or Proceed to Session 20...

*15xp*

*(260xp Total)*

**Notes:**

1. I don't 100% recall the encounter with the ghostly woodsman. I know he didn't want us sleeping in his cabin, and he certainly objected to our making use of his store of cash... which I think is jolly selfish of him, but I don't entirely recall the details.
2. Again, I don't recall all the details of this. I have a vague recollection of finding something else... an upturned cart? A woodland shrine?
3. Again a bit fuzzy on details. I do recall a villager with half his head hanging off who was still alive, but again...

**Quote of the Session:**

Felix: *"My mum always told me that you should never trust a dog person."*

Bertrand: *"While that's true, old man, it does have to be remarked upon that your sainted mother was, quite* literally, *a cat-person."*