Session 1x2

Session 2 of the first block happened on 8 Feb 2021. The players were Big Spoon, Squeeq, Silvyr, PsychoXer0, and Theos.

### Summary

The party set out towards the west, covering hex 010.023. They were attacked by four undead corpses. The party then spent two days in the same hex, gathering water, fishing and hunting. An armed and armored party of Rust Brothers passed by on the second day, led by Brother Bhaalim. The party discovered a path up into the mountains.

Harpies attacked on the third night but were driven off. The party returned to Dryvault via hex 011.023.

### In-character tales

#### **Big Spoon#7934's Tale**

Day One 011.23, 10.23- we began hiking with Olear cutting the trail and Skarn keeping his eyes open for enemies in the flurries of snow that began to drift out of the bleak early morning sky. As we traveled over the rocky snow covered plains, we nearly blundered into an ambush by four undead corpses, left neglected in the snow banks by some group of Rust Brothers. The shambling corpses immediately charged us, the first biting deep into my shoulder, ripping part of my leather armor there, it’s sickening fangs digging in deeply as I pushed the corpse off me, drawing my blade and relieving them of their head in the same motion. Valdenar avoided the snapping mouth of the zombie that rushed them, notably by dropping to the ground and leaving the undead to bite his oversized pack. Olear and Skarn also avoided their foes, but Gregor, leapt upon by one of the undead gnawing his face, but the stoic half-elf did not cry out even in the face of death. Olear landed shot after shot from his longbow and Skarn caused the very earth itself to strike our foes, acting quickly we moved to save our endangered companion and then quickly dispatched the remaining two undead.

Day Two and Three 10.23, We spent the next couple of days camped in an excellent spot, near a river to fill up our canteens and spent the next two days hunting and fishing, Olear downing a rabbit, a fox and then a deer! I spent my time alternating between helping Gregor fish and exploring the area, a well-armed and well armored party of Rust brothers passed near our camp the second day, Skarn recognized the beast their leader was riding on, a six legged scorpion creature, and identified him as Brother Bhaalim. I found several paths and bridges leading up into the mountains, all well constructed and wide.

Night 3, 10.23- Our rest was interrupted in the night by Gregor waking the group to the cries of harpies! Drawn in by the amount of food we had been cooking and gathering these twisted creatures swooped in out of the night cackling and throwing insults, but we all held our nerve. Olear fired up into the night wounding one and Gregor used our campfire to cast a spell, but somehow it went awry and he bathed himself in flame. The harpies swooped in trying to claw out Olear’s eyes as I rushed to Gregor’s side and put his conflagration out, saving his life. Day 4, 10.23, 11.23, Dryvault- Regarding Gregor’s injuries we decided to return to the safety of Dryvault to heal our wounds and share the knowledge of our expedition. The Rust Brothers are preparing for something with those bridges.

#### **Squeeq#5185's Tale**

Travelled NW w/ Gregor, Valdenar, Skarn, and Tyriok on a hunting trip. Nearly ambushed by undead in the morning, Gregor was bit badly. Should heal to handsome scar. Found good camping spot [SW of anvil-shaped rock by where river bends east] and decided to rest. Spent rest of day & next hunting. Missed rabbit, took crow, fox, & deer. Skarn noted Rust Brother activity around bridges & paths coming down from mountains. Bhaalim sighted. Camp was safe, but area cld be dangerous. Harpies attacked at night. Drawn by cooking. Gregor attempted some spell and caught self on fire. Give wizards room in a fight. Didn't kill any harpies. Next time. Returned next morning to handle pelts. Hope poor luck does not leave Gregor sour on camping.

#### **Silvyr#6731's Tale**

*A missive, unsigned and with no salutation, dated Fifth of Springrise*

As per your instructions, I have arrived at Dryvault. Never before have I been among so many of strange kin, not least working together towards common goal. We have begun to split into small groups to explore the nearby Lands. My own group went to the north-west. We had barely left the safety of our settlement before we were set upon by the restless dead, carelessly left there by their Rust brethren. I would have thought even those heretics would know better. I must report that the Iron Guard seem to have a heavy presence in the area. One of my companions spotted the notorious Brother Bhaalim astride his fearsome boar-scorpion mount leading a patrol onto the plains down out of the mountains. We found many well-kept paths leading into those same mountains, and the river is spanned by several bridges. These were solidly built, well kept, and large enough that three men marching abreast could cross them. I believe these bridges present both a threat and an opportunity. Our settlement has need of wood - perhaps others can be convinced that the value of the quality timbers that could be stolen from these bridges would be worth the risk of sabotage.