A Lack of Silver Spoons

Gris, the Loxodon Scout

A Lack of Silver Spoons is the fifteenth session of Campaign 1. In the session, Arine of Riveryew, Lord Darcy Hall, and Orion Brightward deal with the aftermath of their deception and continue their quest.

The following contains spoilers for the Tale of Locksmith's Bane.

## Plot

Pray Day 21 Chauntoro 1021 TE

In the dead of night, Darcy finds himself surrounded by the odour and beady eyes of nine salivating Were-Rats. Claire, before him, asks again what he thinks of joining The Flaming Hand as Eliza. Darcy responds in a fearful tremble, informing Claire that she is scaring him with her rats, and that he simply had a change of heart. The nobleman takes a piece of bread from beneath his cloak, having been given it from the buttery by Yremi, and displays it before a were-rat to his left, with a discoloured eye and crooked ear. Giving the food a good sniff, the creature sinks its front teeth into the bread, and munches away in delight. Claire remarks that this is exactly why they need Eliza's skills in horse-taming, and guides her colleague into a back room.

Listening in on the conversation, Orion puts down his rocks and Arine lowers her bow. In the back room, Claire lights a match and candle to reveal the long corridor of were-rat cage, each containing creatures in different stages of transformation. Much to the interest of Darcy, the rat-whisperer discusses the need for training with the Dark Stone gone. She present him with one particular Rat-Woman, asking him to show his techniques on the creature. The woman, an attractive soul cursed with rat-like features (eyes, ears, teeth, and tail), looks to Darcy for aid, but he casts 'command' upon her, asking her to bow to Claire, and stroking her head like a horse. The woman, through reluctant strain, performs the bow, her eyes even forced to stare into those of Claire as she does so. Claire declares Darcy's ways a success and leaves to collect some paperwork for him to sign to join the Hand. With two were-rats on guard, the rat-woman grasps at Darcy's leg, asking how and why he did that, and calling for his aid. Darcy remains silent through the process, pitying the poor creature.

When Claire returns she shares the document with Eliza-Darcy, which mentions Mortund, and describes the ties Eliza will have to the organisation. Essentially, should Eliza break her word, there will be consequences. Likewise, should the Hand fall, Eliza shall fall with it. Darcy quickly signs, forging the horse-merchant's signature. Claire thanks her colleague and shows Darcy outside, where he walks past his companions, order them to follow before removing his disguising spell and elaborating on his findings: rats love bread, he sort of made a friend, and created serious problems for Eliza. On their return to the carriage, Locksmith's Bane discuss the Flaming Hand, how large they might be, and that they were-rats on their side too. Perhaps Lord Rosen himself is being controlled. Orion suggests the group should remain in Pontoporea for one more night at least, to visit an explorer's guide or something first and learn about cave-systems in Tyr's Pass before leaving. Darcy is surprised with Orion's quick thinking and lack of stupidity, wondering if Tyr's Pass might have a tourism office. Confused at their noble friend's ignorance on civilisation outside of the city, Orion and Arine have a chuckle at Darcy's expense. Returning to their memories of the inhabitants of Tyr's Pass, the trio recall The Barbarian Brothers, Edhron the Mighty and Fentos the Cruel, as hailing from the region, and conclude the area filled with barbarians.

With their conversations, the adventurers decide to continue on to Tyr's Pass by their fancy carriage, passing through more of Wolbeth as they exit the city. On their extensive tour, the group are greeted to the Wolbeth Town Square, and the poverty which has stricken this side of the city. At the West Gate, Kristopher displays their papers from the Mayor and the group are lead outsideby the numerous guards protecting the passage, glared upon by those up this time of night. Outside they pass through even more dire settlements, which Darcy recognises as 'Tyrton', a refugee camp made of scrap resources when Saqaris had been taken over years ago. The ghost town is seemingly abandoned now in this night. Into the hills of the Pass, the group find the night colder and darker than they had experienced before. Surrounding them, for the first time, are not endless fields of wheat and pumpkins, nor the inifite shade of trees, but the open, hilly regions of purely wild lands. The moonlit skies illuminate the heather around them, with few trees in the distance, and rows and muddy, rocky terrain to the north and south. Ahead and behind the group runs a dry path, likely once a river in the distance past, and more recently a road between Saqaris and Pontoporea. Now it is nothing more than a dirt road in a vast valley.

Kristopher and Charlie bid the group farewell, and Darcy claims the Mayor's papers from them, in case they prove useful on their return into the city, not to be seen as spies for the empire. And thus, the trio are alone in the dark night. Unsure of what they are able to achiece in the pitch-black darkness, the group decide to take a rest until morning, with Arine and Darcy finally able to sleep for a few hours. Orion keeps watch during the night, scared of the kinds of people who might be lurking in the hills. As the hours pass, and the winds howl through the heathland, the paladin hears uncertain laughter echoing in the distance, crossing from hill to hill with no discernable origin. Figures seem to roam the very tops of the hills to his south. They laugh again before letting out the screech of injured, wild dogs. Through the night, Orion squints into the darkness.

During the night, Darcy dreams of himself confined to a metal cage, with were-rats and Eliza clawing at him from outside. Within, a dark crimson rat approaches, squeaking and hissing away. Darcy greets Lillith. She could feel the warlock calling for her, and asks what he wishes from his patroness. Darcy confesses that he wishes to know where the Dark Stone is. The red rat is unamused, not agreeing to help on his current quest, and just reminding him to go West and not die, scurrying away. Darcy calls to Lillith and she returns once more with no further assistance, leaving Darcy in his nightmare, unable to wake himself up.

In the morning, Arine awakens to a nervously-praying Orion, yet a beautiful autumn sky, and begins to prepare her spells for the day. The hulking adventurer awakens his noble friend with a gentle nudge of his shoulder, scaring Darcy into the material world, jumping into action. Orion is eager to hear Lillith's aid... With no help, the group walk up the nearest tall hill, and the sight of blood from the injured creature of the night. Darcy collects a sample of blood, should Lillith be calling for more soon. Where Orion discovers wolf-sized paw prints, Arine finds some larger trails further south: many, small, humanoid feet, and a large set of round pints. Darcy jokes that there must be elephants in the pass. As Orion notes that they are more likely to find the cave of Mortund going north or south, the group follow Arine's keen eyesight and the footprints for hours under the morning and noon sun. Soon, from a heathered hill away, Arine finds a collection of barbarians in her view, ordering her boys to follow her behind some bushes to their right.

Unseen, Arine describes the troop, including a human sits cooking some food, as the rest lay on the ground. A smaller figure is unable to be identified, but two larger figures can be seen more clearly: another well-built human; and a giant humanoid with large ears, tusks and a magnificent trunk, trumpeting softly in slumber. Darcy is shocked to see such creatures existing, but Orion recalls their existance. They are Loxodons, elephant-folk who dwell in the lands of Olcosia, sharing the prime diety of Savras, god of divination, with human settlers and native Tabaxi. Arine lights up at the mention of divination, having not foreseen this conversation earlier.

As Orion suggests plamn to sneak up on the group with magical fog, and Darcy is angered by Orion's mischaracterisation of him as a rogue, Arine hears a rustling in the bushes behind her, and comes face to face with a Goblin, pointing an arrow between her eyes. The goblin speaks to them in a goblin dialect before switching to typhrenian. She calls to the group to declare their business on this land, to which Orion attempts to talk her down. Aiming at Orion's crotch, she calls for "Gnal" to "get "Gris" and the adventurer's cover is blown. Orion questions the goblin about being a member of the Flaming Hand, earning an arrow to his shoulder, which bounces off his hidden steel armour beneath his cloak.

The rest of the goblin's party soon make their appearances from the other hill: Gris, the Loxodon; Gnal, a goblin scout; Erith, the cooking watcher; and Peter, a silent, lurking man, who peaks Darcy's interest. Gris, towering over even Orion at 8ft tall, looks down upon Locksmith's Bane, repeating, with a booming voice, the desire to know what the group's plans are in what she calls "The Valley". Darcy begins to explain the mission slowly, interupted by Gris asking if Darcy is the group's leader. Worrying of the consequences, Orion answers yes with an uncomfortable swiftness, simulatneous to Darcy's cries of no. The lord continues to deny this claim, but Gris returns to the matter at hand. As Arine stays silent in the midst of these giant people, Orion speaks up, asking once again if Gris and her crew are members of the Flaming Hand. With immediate reaction, Gris, with her left hand, clutches the nape of Orion's neck, and with her right, slowly brings her curved blade to his throat. Fresh blood of the weapon fills Orion's senses. He has offended Gris and her team by associating them with the Hand. Orion relays to the group that they should be able to trust these people, and confidently mentions that they are searching Tyr's Pass for the Flaming Hand, and the Cave of their leader 'Mortund', in order to prevent the war and the army of Larsinian creatures coming through this territory. She ultimately releases him, only meaning to the frighten the boy. She is unsuccessful as Orion takes the threat in his stride. In response she turns her attention to Lord Darcy Hall, amused at the display. She grasps his left arm in one hand, placing her scimitar upon his wrist. "Kinky" Darcy proclaims.

In a moment on uncertainty, a smile appears behind the tusks of the loxdon, and she states to her group that she likes this one. With the mention of the war, the scouting party seem angry with Locksmith's Bane. Erith, the dual wielding chef of the company whispers to Gris that they should bring the group to Isgaroth for questioning. Gris agrees. Before the group can ask where Isgaroth is, Bune, the first goblin, orders them to stay still, no sudden movements. Gris tells the group that they will head south to the Rei-Peak, home of Isgaroth, their chief. Orion is happy with the idea, moving south may help them in their search, as their world map suggests that there is more to discover in this half of the region. Furthermore, they can ask this Isgaroth person for aid. The group agree to join the scouts to the Rei-Peak, and Gris thanks them for their co-operation. Out of interest, Orion questions what would happen if they had declined and what they do with people they find here. Gris wipes the fresh blood from her sabre. Orion's question is answered.

Peter grabs what is shown to be a hyena corpse from their earler hill-camp, and the group head south. The walk takes the better hours of the day, only arriving at the settlement by the setting sun. Keen to understand why a Loxodon has chosen to travel this far east, Orion questions 'Miss Gris.' Eager to tell her story, Gris goes into fine detail on her life's excursions, leaving her family and religion in Olcosia, and moving further and further away, stumbling upon note of The Valleyfolk (typhrenian: 'Reisurans' in Goblin, and 'Zagh' in Orcish), and choosing to live a nomadic lifestyle in the region. Arine and Orion are transfixed by the conversation, listening for hours upon hours. Arine forgets that she is wearing platform boots. Meanwhile, Darcy recalls his life story to Peter, the perfect audience for his shenanigans. Peter has no reaction, continuing with his hyena, and taking a bite of cooked meat on occasion. When asking Erith of the mute brute, Darcy learns that Peter's tongue was cut out. Darcy asks no further questions.

Eventually, the party arrive towards the southern point of the Valley, and, despite being unable to see the Stormy Sea, Orion feels its familiar breeze and enjoys its salty scent. Before them, on the highest-most peak of the hilly lands, lays a majectic community in the setting sun. At first glance, an expansive community of Valleyfolk, but has they approach, they find that the settlement is made of scrap parts, mammal fur and skin, bone, and spiked logs from the few trees of the region. Inside the community is a mixing pot of cultures: humans, goblins, and orcs populate the so-called city, cooking meaty meals, and raising families in fur-coated huts. Locksmith's Bane are guided down the peak's main passage to a large tent. For Darcy, this structure is recognisable as a circus-like structure, with billowing smoke arising from its central chamber. Orc-guards usher the parties inside, where they are greeted to lustful orcish odours, and several half-clad bodies, of a variety of genders, laying down in seductive poses. Behind the fire in the hearth of the home, sits the obvious chief Isgaroth, a bug-bear, with a large mace in both hands, enjoying the view before them.

Their gaze upon the bodies before them is lustful, but polite, the performers seeming to enjoy the sauna-esque atmosphere and each other. As Locksmith's Bane approach the chief, Isgaroth speaks to them in a harsh goblin dialect, to which they cleverly refuse to respond. Isgaroth seems confused, turning to an orcish woman to his left for guidance, she wears far more clothing than her neighbours, dressed in a beautifully placed bone tunic. She greets the travellers as Ba-Ek, one of many consorts of Chief Isgaroth of Reisur (the Valley), and asks Gris to explain their being here. As the loxodon responds, Ba-Ek translates to Isgaroth.

In a needlessly long conversation, Locksmith's Bane explain their intentions through the language barrier, with Ba-Ek's voice getting softer as she has something in her throat. Forutnately she is able to cough is out and return to her rough speech. As Isgaroth and Ba-Ek speak, the name of Mortund can be heard, lighting up the eyes of the party. Isgaroth turns to Orion, the most vocal of the bunch this day, and asks in goblin a question that ends in "Mortund". Orion says yes. They ask the paladin yet another question, now incomrpehensible. Orion says no. He doesn't speak goblin. Ba-Ek then translate's the community's relationship to the Flaming Hand, describing the bandits coming to the Rei-Peak to discuss working with the Valleyfolk. The people refused, but an attack was launched on scouting members. The group of the Flaming Hand were easily slain, but members of the Valleyfolk were killed. They wish for no part in this war of civilisations, and plan to leave them to do as they wish through the long road in the region. However, Isgaroth would be interested in showing the adventurers the location of Mortund's cave, should they do something on the community's behalf. Ba-Ek asks them if, by ending the war, Pontoporea will re-open its gates, and let people out, as they have valleyfolk in the city. Darcy recalls the Barbarian Brothers, and Ba-Ek shivers in anger at their offensive name, disclosing that these are children she raised, her boys, and asks the adventurers to ensure their safety from any harm if the Reisurans guide them to Mortund. Darcy also mentions their failure in the tournament, only lasting 15 seconds. Ba-Ek is ashamed. The group agree, but Ba-Ek makes them swear no harm will come to the brothers, no missing limbs. An armless, beautiful orcish man is glanced upon in the conversation, as he leans back in the sweltering heat.

The agreement settled, Locksmith's Bane are offered Gris' scouting party as guide tomorrow morning, and a good-sized tent beside Isgaroth's for the night. Gris leads them inside, and asks them to enjoy their evening. In the tent, there is one large bed at its center, surrounded by numerous clay pots of various shapes, which the heroes dump their belonging into. At the sight of the one bed, Arine giggles between her masculine companions, with a scheming smirk. The group change their attire and get comfortable for the evening. As they leave the safety of their tent, they find a crowd illuminated by a large bonfire in the center of the settlement. Many activities occur across the space, with adults teaching children to cook around the fire, an orchestra and drums and bone-flutes begin to the group's right, and a goblin hands out bowls of liquid to all members of the society on the left. The trio immediately head to what they assume is a drink, and are offered the beverage with no explanation from the goblin-speaking goblin. Orion is the first to brave the stew, delighted with its alocholic content and gravy-taste, sharing with the group. Although Darcy and Arine are hesitant, they slowly drink their bowls, attuning to the flavour. The goblin repeats "Muck" to the group, hoping they enjoy the delicasy.

However. Once Arine finishes her bowl, she falls flat on her face, unable to hold her liquor. The already tipsy Orion and Darcy are amused by their smaller friend, and hoist her up upon their shoulders, carrying her back to the tent, and throwing her upon the bed, before returning to the festivities. Enjoying their muck and grub, the two split off. Darcy heads towards the instruments, bequeathed a bone-flute, by a handsome woman. The little lord plays gloriously for the crowd, as the drums beat in rythm with his magnificent fingering. Orion returns with more booze to Darcy's performance and cheers on his companion. In the clear skies, the moonlight is overpowered by bursts of flames in the crowd. Looking to the smoking act, Orion and Darcy find a fire-breather, flanked on both side with performers waving pelts. More and more members of the community pick up skin clothes and join in a line, extending a fine dancing dragon.

Arine wakes up not soon after in the boy's bed, and pokes her head out of the tent. She watches as Orion and Darcy enjoy the dance, continuing their cheering and playing respectively. Content with enjoying a peaceful night, and still poisoned with muck, Arine takes out her bedroll, listens to the jovial melodies, and begins to read. Every now and again, the wizard checks in on her boys with a quick glancing out of her abode. In her second outing, she finds Orion having joined the now wider dragon, breathing fire alongside human and orc companions with proficiency, as Darcy performs various ballroom dances with a goblin behind the paladin. Her subequent checks find Orion and Darcy closer and closer, and the crowd thinner and thinner, until only the boys remain dancing with faint flutes and drums orchestrating their performance. As the music climaxes, Orion almost trips into the fire, but the action elegantly shifts to Darcy lowering his companion in a dip, before returning him upright, chest to chest. Although plastered, Orion appears proud of his personal training regime with the noble lord. In one final peak outside, Arine finds Darcy and Orion alone, beside the dying fire, gazing upon the stars. Orion shows Darcy his favourite constellation, one named "The Sea of Fate", with a close connection to Ilmater.

The drunk boys, happy with their shared night, adjourn to the bedroom, as Arine quickly rushes to her bedroll, pretending to sleep and leaving the gentleman in their romantically torchlit space. The lads stumble inside, removing their heavy boots. Unaware of Arine's deception, Darcy kicks a boot at Arine, who lets off a small squeak in pain and shock. Her position remains uncompromised. Unfortunately, Darcy and Orion then collapse on opposite side of the spacious bed, fully clothed, above the covers. Arine finally goes to sleep.

Feast Day 22 Chauntoro 1021 TE

In the night Darcy sees fire, a tall shadowy dancer before him. A passionate scene.

Arine awakens to find her boys. Before her, the handsome lord and the gigantic paladin form a glistening crescent. As Orion's sleeping body looks towards the west, as does Darcy's from behind, clutching his blonde companion in his arms. Delighted with her pair of spoons upon the bed, Arine punches the air in victory and returns to her reading, only semi-focused on her spell-preparations. As the hours pass, Darcy is greeted to the morning sun through pelt-quilted walls, and familiar streaks of fair hair before him. Sandra smells surprisingly like the ocean this fine day as he holds her tightly. There's a musk to her scent also, as Darcy's nose glides through her yellow locks in a loving embrace. But her perfume does not smell like this... her arms are not... Orion. With the shocking revalation following his morning cuddle, Darcy leaps to an upright position, gaining the attention of a giggling elf-maiden by the edge of the tent. Even with his material daggers safely stored away, Arine is unable to avoid those of Darcy's eyes, pleading for her silence upon the matter. As the vulnerable little lord arises from his sullied rest, Orion's eyes gently open after a wonderful, if patchy, evening. He turns to greet his companions with a loving smile, before realising the mountain of light pressing upon his forehead and the ache in his belly. Darcy leaves with immediate effect.

The gentleman finds various Valleyfolk outside, and is handed some breakfast, the same meaty feast as the night before. Erith boils some water on the final remains of the bonfire, and Darcy picks up some stray cups to fill. Erith tells Darcy that they will be leaving when Locksmith's Bane are ready to go. Darcy brings the cups into the tent, placing some tea-bags inside and offering a drink to Arine, his eye-blades still drawn towards the match-maker whose own are shielded with pride and joy. As the trio recuperate, Orion does not recognise the awkward silence of his friends, merely enjoying their calm presence. Rejoining their scouting party, Gris announces their leaving, to head north, past the long road, to the Cave of Mortund, likely arriving at about noon.

Leaving their paradise, Locksmith's Bane head north. Orion and Gris have formed an unlikely comfort in speaking, as Orion asks the scout leader what she remembers of the entrance to the cave. Gris recalls a particularly large, stone door, with writing upon. Although she cannot remember the specifics, she believes the writing spoke of a creature. Gnal and Bune scout ahead of the party in perfect rhythm, Erith, speaking with Darcy and Orion informs them that the goblins are married. Darcy asks what the marriage process is like for the Valleyfolk, to which Erith describes that it is much like the night prior, with importance on the final couple dancing being the betrothed. Arine asks, with surprising mischief, who were the final dancing couple of last night. With Orion unaware, and Darcy worried, Erith is unable to remember, to Arine's disappointment, also ensuring that last night was not a marriage ceremony. A sigh of relief exits the warlock's chest.

Along the way, the noble also finds snakes, checking that none of them are red. As the sun ascends its highest throne, the adventurers gather before the entrance to Mortund's cave. In the craggy, heath-inhabited land, stands a sheer cliff, and a carved, stone door. The door stands thirty-feet tall, with a dark, stone border surrounding it. Upon it, in etched letters reads:

> “And thus, illuminated by the light of the glowing moon, he glanced upon the still water. The beast could not recollect the face which would be staring back before him. To its hollow eyes he called “BEGONE FOUL CREATURE, WHAT HATH THE GODS PLACED BEFORE ME?” Yet as he spoke, so too the foul creature. As he turned to his left side, so too the foul creature. As he sunk into himself, so too the foul creature.”
>
>

Gris and her scouts secure the perimeter, as Locksmith's Bane investigate the door. Arine discusses the idea of using the spell 'knock' upon the stone monolith, but the group worry that they will be heard. Darcy wonders from the extract if they perhaps should state their biggest faults to the door to see if it opens, remembering the password of Archmage Grennis's library collection. However, Orion picks some twigs from a nearby heather bush and gently throws them into black border on the left of the doorway. The heather falls, and nothing happens. However, it does indicate that the black border is merely a particularly dark stone (like the dark stone) which does not reflect the sunlight. He throws more heather down the passage, and finds that it fade into the darkness, but no more than usual. The passage appears to be safe enough. Orion asks Arine to use her lights to illuminate the space, and she sends some orbs down the left passage. They fail to light up the darkened stone. Darcy suggests the group go down the sides, they don't seem too dangerous. But they are particularly narrow. Orion refuses to enter, leaving the task up to his lighter-armoured companions. Arine, with one light, heads down the right, as Darcy, with another, goes left. They feel around the dark rocks as each make it to the end of their passageways. Arine finds nothing of interest in hers, but Darcy, on the left, finds a small crawl-space from the floor up to his chest, going into the hillside. He asks Arine to move her light into the space, where the darkened stone slowly shifts to a more reflective, regular rock. He messages his friends to join him in the passage. Arine goes in without a problem, but Orion is forced to squeeze through the uncomfrotable space. The passage is crowded. The adventurers confined. Darcy, croutching enters the small passageway before him, follow by the intrigued wizard, merely shifting her head down. Orion, with a gulp, begins to crawl into the tunnel, shuffling through with his warhammer chiming on the stone floor between him and Arine. The session ends there.