Session 1x5

Session 1x5 took place on 13 Feb 2021. The players were Ivy (Otsa), wizefool (Bert), ThatGuySteve (Alwyn), Primarch (Marr) and GinoKaye (Wolfkiller).

### Summary

1. The party made a makeshift bridge (Flow's Crossing) to aid in river crossings from 012.024 - 011.024.
2. The party found a broken marble statue in 011.024.
3. The party made camp in an abandoned cabin in 010.024.
	1. The cabin is a trap set by harpies. The party fought off the harpies, taking great mental damage in doing so.
	2. While recovering, Wolfkiller noticed a galloping horse without a rider. They got hold of it and brought it back to camp.
4. The party encountered a small band of Rust Brothers in 009.023. They bore slaves, but the party was in no position for a fight.
	1. The party decided to make camp and wait for the Rust Brothers to leave.
	2. That night, an avatar of Rust and death attacked the party.
	3. The party fled, losing some items (including Bert's large tent).
5. Before they could fully recover, the party was attacked by harpies.
	1. This time, however, the harpies were put down.
6. The party returned to Dryvault.

### In-character tales

#### Camembert's tale

Well... that could have gone a lot worse I suppose? This mottley little crew began by setting out west, didn't seem too bad of folk. Reasonable and capable. First thing we did was build a crossing to make fording the river simpler. Lord that Otsa can carry a boulder, as for the druid spending his time praying instead of working... well I can argue with the results but it did seem a tad lazy.

All was well until we made it a days march west (010.024) where we found an old broken to hell cabin. When I checked it out I didn't find much but a few strange feathers and a broken lamp. Sure enough when we settled down for the night I missed those damn harpies when they snuck up on us. Nasty creatures harpies, they attack the mind with their taunts and cries, luckily they are cowards or they would have had us that night... brought up all sorts of things I don't want to think about, thank the gods for the booze at this inn. Otsa got the worst of it poor woman, the cries really rattled her.

Luckily nothing else came that night, but we had a rough go of it in the morning. Day started out lucky enough with Wolfkiller catching some unlucky rich saps horse fleeing with no rider. We split the coin and followed its trail until we caught wind of the rust brothers out ahead (009.023), we decided to lay low, rest to let the group recover from the previous nights ordeal and come at things stronger in the morning. We had no idea the night would only get worse.

I don't even know how to describe the thing that came up on us, It was there with great rumbling and stomping and all the sudden the great fuck off pile of armor was just there... If Otsa hadn't recognized it when it set flame we might have been dumb enough to try and fight the thing. BEWARE THE KNIGHT WREATHED IN FLAMES, for it is an avatar of the rust and not something we are capable of fighting. we ran and thank god we did, I lost my tent and the sling Marr gave me and Otsa lost her sword, woman cant catch a break.

Once we regrouped by the river we thought we were in the clear... that's when the harpies came back around. Can't say i was much help but the group fought splendidly and managed to bring the flock down, it was tough cus the group made it so we had to whittle em down little by little (harpies as a flock only take 1 damage per attack no matter how much they are hit with). WE decided it was time to head home from there. All in all we came out a bit richer and a bit wiser and no one died... that's a win out here.

#### Otsa's Tale

Be it known to any and all who wish to go west, south of the river:

The way is hard, but manageable. Flow's Crossing now makes the start easy, but be careful on those slick stones. Also, be warned that the abandoned cabin up in the hills <at 010.024> is a trap set by harpies. I would not wish a night in that place upon my worst enemy. If you intend to venture there and kill the beasts, don't give them a moment to speak. They are weak enough toe-to-toe, but they will drive a soul to madness if they get the chance. I can promise you that. And if you hear a thunder upon the ground and notice the stench of burnt flesh, run. Run as fast as you can. There is a great and terrible thing that haunts this land, a creature of Rust and flame. You have not known fear until you come upon it. There is no hope, no grim chance of victory. There is only flight and prayer. It is my wish that death takes me before I am put before this fell avatar again.

Blessed is the Flow of the world that we all returned alive. Alwyn, you have my eternal gratitude for the miracles you worked on my shattered mind.

#### Alwyn's sermon

Spoken by Alwyn, sermon like to any who listen:

Praise Flow, her mercy and wisdom guide us. She gave us her blessing for our journey after we bestowed her name on the ford we secured to the South of Dryvault, Flow's Crossing. Say a quick prayer as you cross and she shall surely look on you with kindness too.

We did her work in slaying a flock of monstrous harpies that plagued our nights. Those creatures were once Raven Sisters but twisted by terrible magic, there is no kin left within them. Their foul threats troubles the minds of my companions. Otsa especially was affected by their words, but because she had opened her heart to Flow, so Flow channeled her power through me and settled her thoughts once more.

We also encountered a terrible demon of fire and iron, too great a monster to face that night. We fled, seeking the protection of the river. The demon did not follow, so again, I raise thanks to Flow for watching over us. Otsa recognised it as a creature of Rust and we saw more Rust Brothers in the Western valley. I am troubled that they turn so much attention in our direction but faith makes us strong and I don't doubt we shall face them victoriously.