Session 3x2

Session 3x2 occurred on 7 March 2021. The players were Zoltan (Menegard), Noel (Mez), Ghost (Harlac Wayfinder), Nordin (Otzi the Grey) and PsychoXer0 (Romeron). Their goal was to return to the Dread Keep.

## Summary

The party traveled to the Dread Keep by sticking to the Begrand Valley, building peasant's bridges along the way that are noted on the map. They defeated a griffin in 016.025, bringing back 5 special pelts that can be used to make studded leather armor without the need of iron or a forge. In the same hex, they discovered a deep dwarf in old clothing from an unfamiliar clan, carrying a dragon scale (which Mez now has), in the river flowing down from 018.025.

The party investigated the Dread Keep and found it empty except for the previously-discovered demonic altar and a huge, Stoneshaped door leading further into the keep. This door is held closed by magic that has now been corrupted by the dark enemy. It will not be able to be opened until the demon is dealt with.

## In-character tales

### Otzi's griffin encounter

We travelled to the dread keep. It was a long but uneventful journey. We got attacked by a griffin, and by we I mean mostly me, that's my luck. I dodged all of its attacks, bloodied it with my axe before Romeron finished it.

In the Dread Keep we came across a door which is magically sealed by the demon of the dread keep. Sensing this magic made me long for alcohol. This intense longing should fade with time. But that was pretty much it, uneventful and only a little bit fruitful.

### Harlac's tale

We built a couple river crossings, but in the morning see some of the black robed flagellants coming down out of the mountains, so we break camp to avoid them. They don't have their wagon, so why bother? Dealing with them? [They are traveling from 15.23 to 14.24]

[16.25] As we cross the river Menegard falls in. Then, the Gryphon swoops down out of the sky! It lashes out at Otzi, but they nimbly dodge the triple strike!

Spell and song, arrows, staff and a pair of axes, and the griffon falls. Not so scary as the Refugees made it sound. Also, it's hide can be used to make some pretty good armor.

[17.24] We build another crossing, but Romeron heroically falls into the river to avoid breaking it immediately.

We see a body floating down the river form the southeastern mountains. It is a dwarf - it's attire is similar to the ghost I saw in the hold south of Dryvault. Not quite the same, and obviously not a ghost. Romeron identifies them as being from the Dwarven clan that lives in this region. The body is burned, and bears a scale from a dragon. There must be a dragon somewhere in the mountains southeast of here.

[17.23] We push into the Dread Keep and proceed past the room that we know not to open. There are massive stone doors at the end of the great hall. Otzi detects that they are magical... but upon investigating more discovers that the magic has been corrupted by the demon. It seems no forward progress can be made here without dealing with it first.

### Mez's poster

Help Wanted

Druid, healer, demon banisher. Please speak to Mez for further information. Dread Keep possibly habitable once an arrangement is reached.

Tanner, leatherworker. Dangers along the way have been dealt with - thank Romeron for the dead griffin, but now there are some pelts that need curing and crafting. Very strong, very useful.

Warriors, scouts, wizards. Further investigation of the Dread Keep will be required in the future - please keep a lookout for further developments.