Those We Lose Along the Way

**"Those We Lose Along the Way" (1x12)** is the second session of the second chapter of A War On All Sides. Within the swamps of Lake Kas, the party is met with an unexpected departure.

## **Synopsis**

After the party had rescued a few survivors from the wreck of the Arc Rail, they departed towards the swamp. Crawmi began things by saving a poor woman, Patricia Tuck, from getting her leg stuck in the mud. After being chided by the rest of the group for his heroism, they departed. Led by Freynor, the group descended into the swamp, avoiding pockets of murky water where they could. Freynor decided to investigate a particular bubbly section of water, only to discover a decayed corpse. Naturally, he tried to tell Crawmi it was his.

After traveling for some time, and having Ivantar clear them a path, the party began to slow. The dwarf they had rescued was met with an issue as he got himself stuck into a pocket of deep, sinking mud. Ivantar was able to pull him free, though the ruckus attracted a Mire Ozoa, a poison-filled jellyfish like creature which rose from the murky water. A quick battle ensued, with Ivantar piercing, Ronwe freezing, Crawmi conking, Nowun stabbing, and Freynor whacking. Though the creature was quickly felled, it was able to do major damage to Freynor with its electric tentacles. In its final moments, it emitted a thick cloud of poison, which took Freynor down. The obscurity meant that the party could not find Freynor in time, and he could not fight the poison that was now clogging his airways. As life left him, the party found his body and tried desperate measures to bring him back, with Nowun even attempting to pull the blood from his veins through a spell. Crawmi was in disbelief as his friend lay motionless on the ground. Ivantar took his body and made a grave for him, a colorful and vibrant area amidst the murky swamp. As the party paid their respects, they eventually went on their way, finding the path of the Arc Rail, and heading towards the destroyed town.

As the party neared their destination, Roesock was sent to investigate. He saw demons in the streets, people cowering in fear, and a large chapel in the middle of the town which appeared to emit a reddish hue. Ronwe conveyed this information to the party as well as Tyrael Mynteres. Tyrael, appreciating Ronwe's openness, told him about some issues they are dealing with in The Wayward Isles related to the portals. Despite this, he would try to send some Arcane Conservatory members to assist in their assault on the town.

Meanwhile, after the party had setup their camp, Crawmi departed to the lake's edge where he cut his hand in an effort to communicate to his patron. His vision blurred as he entered into a weightless state, his gaze meeting the bulbous, hideous face of his new "master". Crawmi expressed his disappointment that this entity was unable to save Freynor, to which the entity replied that it was not the main goal. "The anger you feel can be channeled!" he argued. Crawmi eventually fought free from his grasp and came to his senses, hours later in the real time. As he came back to camp, Ivantar was in his own enclosure writing a letter to his fellow guild members using his Span Reed. He expressed concern about the dangers ahead in Kaspalia, and that help would be needed in Silvertide once a foothold was made. The guild thanked him for his diligent work, and told him to press on. As the party finished their evening, they eventually fell into a much needed sleep.

## **Featured Characters**

### **Player Characters**

* Ivantar
* Ronwe
* Freynor
* Crawmi
* Nowun

### **New**

* Patricia Tuck
* Dick Harrison
* Leif Almagon
* Pietre Sinjak

## **Inventory**

* Nowun Knuthing: (+)257gp
* The Menagerie Group: (-)Freynor