Session 2

**Session 2, A Snake in the Grass** took place on Monday the 2/10/2023. The name of this session has a double meaning. It is a reflection of the apparent revelation of a mole in the Thessian Freedom Fighters, and a reference to the combat encounter at the end of the session being one with a snake charming Parthian Beast Master.

## A Snake in the Grass

The party takes on snakes at the Thessian Freedom Fighter Camp Hollows

## Fireside Chat

The Thessian Freedom Fighter Camp sits nestled in the cover of darkness, illuminated only by the crackling campfire at its heart. The party have returned from their mission and beaten the the raiding party back to camp. Oui Leaghas, Althea, Lowen, and Gul-ik-Garak-Po'Dar sit on make-shift benches around the fire and chat about recent events. Po'Dar voices the opinion that they had done their best with the tools provided and that there was a chance the whole thing was a setup. Lowen attempts not to hear Po'Dar's psychic link in the voice of their late sister and fails miserably, taking psychic damage. They then validate Po'Dar's theory citing the goblins' gold and silver coins, highly unusual as goblins are known to use buttons as currency. It also transpires that these coins are Parthian ones. Po'Dar decides to pick some flowers while the conversation continues and throws them on the fire, a sacrifice to their god.

## The Boys are Back in Town

As the banter and chatter continue, there's a sudden shift in the camp's atmosphere. The quiet murmurs and laughter of the freedom fighters die down, replaced by the low murmur of anticipation and tension. All eyes turn toward the camp's entrance as Achilles of Thessia, the esteemed general, and his loyal right-hand man, Bram Iron-Eye, return from the ill-fated mission to Castrum Popularis Sanctuarium. They are followed by the 5 elite fighters who accompanied them on the mission, each one of their heads hangs low. As Achilles approaches, the party notice the glowing reflection of the firelight in the back of his eyes, reflective like cat eyes. He, like the members of the party, has darkvision. A rare trait for a human.

Achilles first asks about what happened at Ambush Bridge. He wants to know if the party encountered any Parthian soldiers and if they were responsible for the botched mission. He also wants to hear about the goblins and why they were at the bridge. Lowen is singled out when he points out the fact the goblins had gold and silver. Lowen gives his full report of the mission and Achilles praises him for sending the warning flare when the elite Parthian soldiers left their patrol to return to the castrum. Lowen's quick thinking saved lives. Bram cuts in then and is surprisingly nice, praising the party's actions and resolve, the insightful party see thatThey are truly covering his own ass for leaving them to fend on their own and disobeying Achilles' orders. Bram gives a big speech concluding that he believes there to be a mole in the organisation. Just then Achilles remembers to pay everyone and Bram retrieves the small brown envelopes containing various amounts of gold drachma from the officer's tent.

Upon Bram's return, he and Oui Leaghas have an argument. Bram blames her for the party's missteps in the mission and when she looks to Achilles for some word of praise or reassurance, she instead finds a deeply disappointed general who remains silent, his usual warmth and support absent. Lowen and Althea attempt to stand up for Oui Leaghas, showing great camaraderie and loyalty but their attempts are futile. Bram takes Oui Leaghas aside and Achilles speaks to Lowen. "Lowen, you may be new to our ranks, but today you've proven yourself to be quick-witted and resourceful. When that goblin scuffle erupted, it was your decision to send up that flare, and that single action may have saved lives."

"In the heat of the moment, your actions showed leadership. We need officers who can think on their feet, adapt to unexpected situations, and make decisions that benefit the team."

Achilles then turns to the assembled group and declares, "Effective immediately, Lowen is promoted to the rank of Commander. I have no doubt he will serve with distinction and lead by example."

The other Thessian Freedom Fighters applaud and cheer, some offer hearty congratulations to Lowen asThey are officially recognized for his quick thinking and promoted to a position of leadership within the ranks.

Meanwhile Bram continues berating Oui Leaghas, his voice lowering but the intensity remaining:

"We need unity and competence. We're facing a Parthian garrison with experienced soldiers, not some ragtag band of goblins. We'll deal with this mess, but we can't have another slip-up. You've got to do better, Leaghas."

Lowen manages to perceive Oui Leaghas literally shrinking during this encounter. He also overhears Bram talking about Oui Leaghas' origins, saying that when she escaped the Dwarven Unpaid Intern Mine at Rust Ridge and came to the Thessians, that they should have turned her into the Parthians straight away. Achilles cuts Bram off before he goes too far. He turns to Oui Leaghas simply saying "We can't afford any more setbacks. We'll talk later." and retreat to his tent

## Introducing Elmo

Just then Elmar Barthen, a flamboyant & charismatic dragonborn bard and merchant, makes his entrance into the Thessian Freedom Fighter camp with an air of theatricality. His emerald scales shimmer in the campfire's glow, and he's dressed in purple, embroidered robes that look more suited for a noble's party than a battlefield. A lute hangs from his back, and a satchel full of what appears to be various trinkets, potions and scrolls swings from his side. Elmar is recognised by three out of the four party members as the travelling merchant who owes them money. Elmar owes Oui Leaghas 100 gold galleons for her private services. He owes Lowen 12 silver for their tinkering abilities as they made Elmar a product to sell on. Elmar owes Althea 1,000 gold drachma for a commission on an item which would amplify the signal on her sending stone allowing her to receive messages from a further range. Althea charms Elmar and he immediately pulls an item from his bag of trinkets. Po'Dar recognises the item as a part scavenged from the transmitter on the console in front of the Spelljammer Helm on his ship. Elmar explains that the item is a Magical Antenna that will boost Thea's signal strength! She need only have it installed by someone with a deft hand in the arts of artifice. (So he's not even going to install it for her) Perhaps one of her capable companions... Elmar casts a wink and a smile toward Po'Dar who instantly feels a strong romantic connection with the dragonborn bard!

Elmar then turns his charismatic charm towards Lowen, who enquires about their unsettled debt. "Sadly, the coffers of Elmar Barthen remain, shall we say, rather empty. However, fret not, for I bring you something far more valuable—a message from your father." Lowen takes the letter to read in private later.

Meanwhile, Po'Dar approaches Thea and asks to inspect her newly acquired antenna. Po'Dar offers to send Thea's sending stone into orbit with a powerful 4 armed throw to try and increase its signal. They then explain that the antenna is in fact a stolen part of their ship and that they would rather keep it themselves. Po'Dar attempts to build something similar with the scraps they've gathered around the camp and is unsuccessful. Thea is unimpressed and this breeds conflict.

Lowen brings Oui Leaghas some beer to cheer her up after being scolded by the commanding officers.

Althea is particularly apprehensive of Po'Dar when suddenly she hears the distinctive sound of hissing. Lowen also hears the low hissing sound that fills the air, and notices the ground beneath the players starts to shift as snakes emerge from the shadows.

## Combat

The players roll initiative. The other soldiers at the camp, not having night vision, remain oblivious to the snake attack, only our four heroes and Achilles of Thessia. The general just then rides out on a beautiful white stallion, a Parthian Warhorse named Pesto that he stole from the Parthian Centurion in a prior battle. Achilles and Pesto ride out of the officer's tent and into the night air, attempting to trample some of the snakes as combat kicks off. In the distance, a lone Parthian soldier materialises from the shadows, a Parthian Beastmaster is controlling the serpents with his snake charming prowess.

###### Round 1

In round 1 of combat Althea is intimidating but ineffective. Po'Dar Fire bites a snake and eats it's head off. Oui Leaghas kills a snake with ease. Just then, Pesto the Horse is bitten by another snake and bolts, activatinng a number of opportunity attacks from the rest of the snakes and getting bitten twice more. She just about survives. Lowen gets brutally attacked by one of the serpents like Nagini attacking Arthur Weasley in Order of the Phoenix, The poisonous snake decimates Lowen's remaining hitpoints, revealing themselves to be glass cannons, high damage, low hit points (like wizards). Elmar Barthen flees on his turn like a coward. Achilles kills one snake and hurls the pickled head of a Parthian officer at another.

###### Round 2

At the top of round 2, Althea torches a snake and heals Lowen for 5 Hp, stabilizing him. The Beastmaster fails a check to control the snakes under his command and clumsily falls over a guy rope being used to peg down a tent, falling prone and ending his turn. Po'Dar discerns that the Beastmaster is untrained. Po'Dar fails to grapple the Beastmaster but decides instead to hold an acid spell over his head so that he could not get up on his next turn and would be taken prisoner. The last of the snakes is finished off in one foul sweep.

## Aftermath

As combat ends, the party skin the snakes for their snakeskin and then begin looting crates and boxes around the camp. Althea gets some wire cutters. Oui Leaghas loots a crate on a pallet by the watchtower and finds a number of awesome items:

* A set of beautifully crafted Plate Armour bearing the crest of a Noble Thessian House,
* A Masterwork Greatsword so well made and so balanced that it gains a non-magical +1 to attack and damage rolls. A large ruby is set into the hilt, worth 100gp. If the ruby is removed, the weighting is ruined and the sword becomes a normal greastsword, the damage irreparable.
* A Holy Symbol that upon a succesful history check was revealed to be the symbol of the Great Guard, a flat stretched gauntlet with an eye emblazoned on it. This symbol was worn around the Champion's neck on a silver chain when they fought in the Cincian Amphitheater

Oui Leaghas strings the symbol of The Great Guard onto the chain of the amulet that she seems to always have around her neck. Lowen and Althea's visions of Oui Leaghas both seem to shimmer slightly when the symbol touches her Amulet. Meanwhile, Po'Dar pats down their prisoner, who they are affectionately nicknaming "Snake Charmer". Po'Dar finds some kind of ceremonial dagger that looks like it could be an heirloom of some kind, definitely not fit for use in combat. Its hilt is adorned with intricate gold leaf artistry and its hilt has a beautiful red gemstone pressed into it. When Po'Dar unsheaths the weapon, Snake Charmer lunges forward as if trying to impale himself on the blade, but Po'Dar restrains the clumsy Parthian with their additional arms. Back to Lowen, who fails a constitution saving throw, is poisoned, and takes some more damage, falling unconscious again. They are instantly stabilised once more by Althea, with the help of Elmar Barthen (who returned from his cowardice once the scuffle was over)

Elmo clears his debt with Lowen by giving them a healing potion that would restore all of their health and cure their posioned condition. Lowen will regret using this amazing healing potion forever. An alternative option could have been working to synthesize an antidote. Althea and Po'Dar harvested venom from the snake's fangs and added the useful potion ingredient to their equipment list. If only they could have used that instead.

Po'Dar continues searching and interrogating Snake Charmer and finds a letter on his person. This letter appears to be inviting a candidate to enlist and become the legion's new Beastmaster. The flipside has an image of Imperator Constans Caecillius Metellus I pointing outwards Uncle Sam Style and the big bold letters above and below him read "We Want YOU". Po'Dar notes that they now know what the Imperator looks like. They then decide to investigate the ceremonial dagger some more. With a flourish of their hand, Po'Dar produces a small, intricate device resembling a miniature, jewel-studded astrolabe. The contraption appears to be a fusion of intricate clockwork and ornate engravings, a true testament to the artificer's craft. In one hand, they hold this exquisite device aloft, while the other hand extends, fingers tracing intricate patterns in the air, magi-technological sigils.

As Po'Dar manipulates the device, tiny gears spin, crystal facets catch the light, and softly humming arcane energy intertwines with the complex machinery. The device's crystals shimmer with an ethereal glow, casting intricate patterns of light on the dagger, as if studying it. The dagger itself seems to respond, emitting faint, melodic vibrations that harmonize with the hum of the artificer's device. The hum grows louder and becomes more like a voice until, emitting from the device, in the soft tone of Sir David Attenborough, the Identify spell explains to Po'Dar what exactly the dagger is.

*"Ah yes, the dagger of a Parthian Officer, and pressed into its hilt is* *a rare gemstone known as "Cœur d'Arcane," a name that rings with whispers of extraordinary magical properties.*

*It is said that this precious gemstone, when properly embossed in a magic dagger by skilled artisans, can forge an item of incredible power. Specifically, a dagger that possesses the remarkable ability to transport the user back to a designated safe point, thereby providing an escape from perilous situations.*

*This has been another use of the Identify Spell!"*

With that, the process is complete, the astrolabe produces a triumphant chime, and the arcane glow around the object dissipates.

Over by the campfire, Elmar Barthen unveils a large barrel of ale and encourages the Freedom Fighters to grab a tankard and let the good times flow. Lowen brings Oui Leaghas a tankard but she declines. They then ask her to steal the Plate Armour that she found in the crate for them but maybe later. Althea goes around mingling with some of the soldiers and hears the following gossip and rumours:

* "Did you hear about that crazy brawl in the mess tent last night? One guy tried to challenge the cook to a duel over who makes better stew!"
* "Did you see that new druid recruit, the one who can speak to animals? I bet they've got some interesting stories to tell."
* "Word is, the quartermaster's been hoarding all the good ale. Some of us are thinking of staging a 'liberation' mission!"
* "Have you met that one soldier, Private Grumble? They've been acting all mysterious lately, sneaking around at night. Wonder what they're up to."
* "There's talk of a hidden path that leads to a magical hot spring nearby. Perfect for unwinding after a tough mission."
* "I heard Lieutenant Oui Leaghas has a mysterious amulet that grants her incredible luck in battle. Wonder where she got it from?"

Lowen is approached by one of the soldiers under their command around the same time and told about the hot springs, the soldier recommends them for recovering from the snake venom. Althea decides to pursue the Private Grumble lead and goes looking for the mysterious character. In the mess tent she encounters him and begins the interrogation. Oui Leaghas scolds Grumble for being so social and tells him to go to his tent, but then Gul-ik-Garak-Po'Dar (who outranks Leaghas) delays that order, telling Grumble that they have a special mission for him. Then both Oui Leaghas and Po'Dar begin trying to convince Grumble to take on the mission. It transpires that he has a granny who he writes letters to, he's a nice guy after all.

## Does Private Grumble want to go on a trip?

After some coaxing and convincing, Po'Dar prepares Private Grumble for the top secret mission. Althea is still a little pissed because she was trying to work Grumble to find out if he was the mole, but she reluctantly agrees to join the mission. So too does Lowen, and they use their tinkerer's proficiency from their custom Gnome background to help Po'Dar with the task ahead. Together, Lowen and Po'Dar design a relay so that Grumble can contact them through Althea's sending stone once behind enemy lines, and without further ado, they stab Grumble with the dagger. Grumble disappears on impact, unfortunately, the dagger teleports away with him. Seconds later a transmission comes into the sending stone from Castrum Popularis Sanctuarium, Grumble describes the interior of what seems to be some type of barracks or sleeping quarters but then... silence, the transmission goes dark. Mission failed successfully.

## Finishing Touches

Oui Leaghas decides to visit Achilles' tent before bed and has the balls to ask for the plate armour and great sword for Lowen. Some dice get rolled and Leaghas determines that they are not on good terms. Achilles explains that the sword and plate armour are family heirlooms and that it would not be appropriate to give them to Lowen. Then they get onto the root of the bad blood. Achilles loves Bram and wanted to keep him safe but Oui Leaghas sent him to join Achilles on the more dangerous mission. They talk about how Achilles' brother died. Oui Leaghas empathises with Achilles and talks about her losses. They make up and Oui Leaghas leaves. She goes to Lowen's tent then to ask them to go to Hot Springs with them. Lowen thinks about how they remembered Merryn and all their happy memories with her while crafting the transmitter with Po'Dar and when they sleep that night, they dream of their sister. Po'Dar doesn't sleep because of their alien physiology and while everyone else at camp sleeps, Po'Dar works on crafting a Cybernetic Eye for Bram 'Iron-Eye'. Once that is complete, they pool all their money to send a lump sum donation to Private Grumble's grandmother as a form of condolence. With that the session is over.