Joaquin and The Freaquinox

Joaquin and The Freaquinox is currently comprised of Joaquin Tickleknuckle, Bura, Marée Detorve, Skelen Veloro, Teddy Sturgeon, and Wynphira. They met in Millridge, a town the sits at the base of the mountain pass into Amaranth. Along with a few others, including the Yolland's, they decided to caravan together for the final stretch to Amaranth City.

## **Overall Summary**

The Temple of Mer'ith'irem

* A group of travelers decides to go together from Millridge to Amaranth, and our characters meet
* Other members are
	+ Cook (guy with jerky) and Tenny (his donkey)
	+ Mordan, an old man who turns out to be a wizard
	+ Elliretta (Daughter) Collet Yolland(Tanner/Father) Arawende Yolland(Tanner/Mother)
* The group rescues Elliretta from cultists just after a strange ritual had begun on her

An Issue in Bourne

* Group finds out about the Stone Guard from Mordan and got a introductory job from them
* Arrive at Amaranth, the Freaquinox stay at the Come for Tables Inn
* At the Gilded Crease Teddy buys a mysterious mask and Joaquin orders a sex mask
* At the Owlbeer Skelen shockingly beat Broufrick Oakhead in an arm wrestling match

* The group met the Roaming Hearth, Maree’s Family, including Sica the druid, and Dorrin the sort-of official leader who gave each person a prize from his drawer, including a strange idol, a vest of 100 pockets, and torn corner of an unknown flag.
* They followed the the contract, staying the night outside of Sturbridge, on their way to Bourne.
* The group fended off an attack of living scarecrows at the farm where they were staying.
* Then the group killed off the scarecrows outside of Quellen's the barn, and then killed a plant mass monstrosity that nearly swallowed Teddy.
* The group found a ritual table Quellen had used to try and create servants to harvest his crops.
* Suddenly a disembodied head talked to each of them, named Baba Raja.
* The group saved a few villagers captured by the scarecrows, including Tuck who gave Teddy his fishing rod, the Evercaster in gratitude.

* With the case closed, they spoke with Stephan Gillion, the mayor of Bourne and his wife.
* The group traveled back through Sturbridge, where they learned about the an underground Prize Fight in Amaranth.
* During the visit you met the Mayor and visited the temple of the town.

* The travel back to Amaranth was less eventful, and you saw the standing stones left by the Roaming Hearth that they had moved on.
* Maree purchased a retired mule

CURRENT ARC

* After returning to the stone guard office, Teddy found a coin, that had a design on it that made it look like it was spinning, after a series of odd events.
* The group met the Storm Knights at the Owlbeer, then went shopping at the Meandering Magical Menagerie
* The group then watched the prize fight of Tickleknuckle, who sadly lost. Afterward they met the fallen idol, who turned out to be the successor, his son, struggling to live up to his fathers reputation.
* The group also received a job from the Pit King to retrieve a package from Tourney Breakstep, but as they approached the meeting place, it exploded and killed several people.

* Questioned by Sergeant Brent Qamor, you convinced him of your innocence and he sent you off to find the culprit.
* Speaking to survivors you learn that a figure had argued with tourney prior the explosion. Then you learned that a villager had bet his “lucky” stone to try and win back some earnings from him.
* The group followed clues towards Naustra, but at her apartments in the warehouse district you found the Merc’less. After thoroughly trouncing them you sent, some, of them on their way with a new name, the Mercifull.

* The group paid a toll to enter the Skyline District and spoke to then went searching for information at the Gollegium of the Temple of Lugh.
* You met Naustras old teacher, Vatisse, who pointed them to an archeological dig.
* At the dig site, an old runic circle came alive and the Freaquinox fought off some monstrosities.

* You then found out that Naustra had funded some failed digs looking for an artifact. The digs had put her in debt with the Pit King
* When meeting with him, they made a deal to have Bura fight in a non-deadly match.
* At the tower of the Magi, you met a group of Half Orc soldiers, and their leader, a large human, Aed. They were escorting a group of the Temptless, and met Lorion and Drystan.
* They met Drystan who told them about Naustra. She was a student at the Collegium, who wanted to learn the arcane arts of wizards, which for the most part is not taught at the Collegium-she specifically took to Alchemy. Naustra seemed to be a friend, which Drystan was otherwise lacking, and he continued to teach her spells and alchemy, even as she started to become more and more unhinged.
* With journals found at the apartment, you learned that she had become obsessed with an old legend, and believed that she was heir to some promised power.
* He agreed to bring you to Naustra, who was staying at his apartment.
* At the apartment, you fought Naustra but she fled when she saw she was getting overpowered.
* Then the group went to Skyline District to meet with a woman with a similar last name to Naustra, paying a toll to go through.
* With clues decyphered by Drystan and a coded map, you went to chase after Nuastra to the Carn of Rathcroghan.

* On the way to the Carn you met a fortune teller in a wagon rolling by on its own, Joaquin fell into a sunken building with murals, and finally found an abandoned shack with a fortunate stash of booze.
* Then the group encountered a magical pool of water that gave visions to each person.
* Finally you found the entrance to the Carn, and where the shadow fell, the plants died.
* Inside you fought hands and statues, and were struck by bolts of lightning coming from the columns.
* After destroying some circles, and burning some bodies, you went to the throne room.
* You fought Naustra, and then Rathcroghan, but managed to come out on top.
* On the way back Bura was slowly getting sicker, and when Drystan caught up you all rushed back to Amaranth. With Bura almost turned fully to stone, Lorion provided a potion to heal her.
* In some down time, the group learned about the Order of Valor, a group that had defeated a Lich King, but only two survived. Evor Kicry (who is believed to have passed) and Della Harsign, whose whereabout are unknown (expected to have retired quietly).
* An earthquake occurred, and Maree found a gem in the water.
* Wyn got mugged, but killed the guy and took his teeth.
* Enwyn from the Stone guard office gave you an urgent task, attend a party. And find out about fraud.
* Bura had her prize fight, where the old champion she fought turned out to be the Pit King.
* Soon after monsters made of rock attacked through a tunnel leading under the city which the Pit King had been using for smuggling.
* At the party, the group successfully infiltrated and stole document and/or got high and partied.
* The group went through the documents, and followed clues to Lyres Gulch.
* There, a few members had some strange dreams.
* In Lyres Gulch, the party found Manacar Shippings warehouse, and fought Creux, before he fled on a ship. Creux seems to have some connection to Maree.
* The party split up, with half of them going to the Spinning Coin, a gambling den where some money was supposed to be paid off by Manacar Shipping. There they met Nausika, who was excited to meet Maree and invited them to the Temple of the Great Sea Goddess.
* All together again, the group went the temple, heard more from Nausika, after she was half drowned in a box. She called Maree a Foundling.
* Then the group heard a job auction and heard a riling speech from a recruiter for the Sullied.
* Hoping to head to the Half Sunk Haven, based on a map found at Manacar Shipping. With some advice to went to seek out Singer, a captain who might be willing to take you to Halfsunk Haven.

## **Temple at the Sea and the Call of the Sullied**

Maree started off with an unfortunate dream of drowning.

Went to the Temple of the Great Queen of the Sea, a glistening temple at the very edge of a Jetty. The water of the surf constantly trickling down it. Inside was a woman drowning in a glass box.

After she came out, the group spoke to her, and she talked once again about Maree being a Foundling.

Heard the job auction, and its disgruntled reaction.

Followed a man making his way, and speaking through the crowd to a clandestine meeting

You overheard a speech that spoke of the greed of the rich, how the people have been taken advantage of, and it ended with a call to join the Sullied.

You went to the docks to Singers Ship.

...

After the session there was a short sequence where Bura explored a cave.

## **Half a Party, Double the Fun**

* Found 30gp, and a note to meet Nausika at the spinning coin off of Sturshill
* Teddy chased the ship at a distance as a jellyfish
* Bura and Wyn went to check out the book
* Took some nautical maps from Cyrils office
* Found all levels of stuff in the crates, including a very fine short bow in a case.
* Tuck the drunk showed them the spinning coin
* Met Bart and Arla the down and upstairs bartenders at the spinning coin regardless
* Arla small gnome girl with a deep voice
* Black rose Spike - licorice/star anise flavored strong small drink
* Boulder Parchment Shears
* Gambled and won a good amount of gold. Got some information about the goings on the lyres gulch
* Spoke with Nausika, she grabbed Mares head, told them to come to the temple, north side of the gulch, at the end closest to the water. Spinning coin and black hand stills are both on that side as well.

## **Paperwork! Investigation! Lyre's Gulch!**

Paperwork! Investigation!
A few members had dreams:

* Skelen - Really liked his arm
* Teddy - Heard a great voice
* Wyn - A queen, a throne, and a bloody scepter
* Mare - Winning a pie baking contest!

Talk to PK,  he is tired, hungover and has competition in Sullied. He also said that Dardara, the councilor of commerce, is on her deathbed, and it could be suspicious.

* After that the group travelled to Lyre's Gulch

*(Robert renames Lares gulch to the clearly better, Lyres Gulch. Named such after the strumming of the ropes in the wind.)*

* Bought muktuk from Mark
* Tuck, a drunk outside of Cupper Cuppah
* Arrived at the Manacar Warehouses
* Met Sturshill Hedgewhistle, a gnome, who asks if they are sullied
* Skelen summons a Pelican familiar

## **A Party, a Heist, and New Drugs**

The party! Ran into a familiar Halfling bard at the Yawning Portal. After successfully talking Joaquin up around her, he flirted and played music together. She left with an open invite for him back at the Crossed Rose Inn.  Various gifts arrived in the morning, including a box of promised drugs from PK(Cake, Crick Water, Jaw Rock, Dragon Spice).

Everyone dressed up in their various, in some cases questionable, outfits for the party, except for Teddy who went as a small black ferret and disguised himself as a fur trimming on Bura’s outfit. You met what turned out to be Nonde sister Allie, the biggest courtesan mistress in the city.  You also met Cyril, and his courtesan Enni.

Mare used her telepathic powers to get a vague direction of Cyrils office. Wyn then faked being sick with Bura taking care of her to slip the wildshaped teddy past, who then leapt down the hall to find their goal. Mare made a new friend in the guard Bunk, and got him some finger sandwiches. While Joaquin and Skelen were outside doing drugs, Teddy snuck into the office, and found a secret altar behind a self portrait.

Bura and Wyn barely kept their ruse up so they could act as backup, and Teddy furiously searched through documents for evidence Eventually Bura and Wyn were ushered outside with Maree to fulfill their over-inebriated friend ruse. Teddy, wildshaped again and fled out the window to meet them. Rolling out down the street, Joaquin and Skelen met them on the road back after some unusually stealthy behavior.

## **A Rocky Entrance**

Battle with monsters from the deep! Joaquin illusory waterfall. They caused some destruction, but you all dispatched them quickly enough that they didn’t break anything too vital. You found that they came from an escape route that led to dungeons under the city that has in recent history been walled off and the Pit King uses as a subtle way in and out of the city. Drystan was helping people above, but did not make it down to help. However he did try and help by scaring off some of the Sullied that had ambushed you all as you left.

## **The Pie Prize Fight**

* Maree found a sliver of a gem, calls Teddy into the water where he becomes a flounder on the deck and goes in.
	+ Teddy was unable to help, but enjoyed the swim
* Maree made lots of blueberry pies, and has come up with a name of “Upper Crust Bakery” for her shop-to-be
* Skelen summoned a black ferret familiar
* Joaqin makes a hand catapult and 10in shoes
* Met with Anora the contract representative
	+ GME and various interested people
	+ Given a few items
	+ Ships have been over-insured
* Blue ribbons in Don Quays hair and he carried all your stuff to the fight
* You came in and were caught in a bit of a confrontation between the Pit King and Minister Carlow
* Bura fought the previous champion who turned out to be the Pit King, after a heavy damage bout she ended it by punching through a blueberry pie and snagging the amulet around his neck.
* Before the celebration could continue, the entire place shook. It wasn’t another earthquake, but three monsters made of earth and rock swarmed into the room destroying supporting beams. They quickly grabbed Nonde and they both sunk into the ground.
* In the face of new enemies, Bura tossed the revived and healed Pit King, and he joined you all in the fight.

## **An Interlude in the City**

* Library - Dreadnaught Order of Valor. Two Surviving Members
	+ Evros Kicyr (Kai sir)
	+ Della Harsign last living
* Earthquake, didn't see until next day that part of the cliff face fell away
* Heard about some gems that were being found by fishermen
* Wyn got mugged, but killed the guy and took teeth
* Bura received a letter about her match on WCE
* Enwyn from the Stone Guard Office found you, and told you about an urgent job requiring you to go to a party. She also is setting up a meeting with you and the contractor
* Rented apartments from \_\_\_ at \_\_\_\_.

## **Stuck between a Rock and a Timeline**

* Woke up and started traveling back, north by the river.
* Bura grew stiffer, and became more gray.
* Met with Drystan who had rushed after you the Crossed Rose Inn
* He realized something was very wrong, and by the end of the trip Bura had to be carried on a sled
* Drystan confronted his teacher, who after initial anger and showing some inner conflict, decided it was time he start teaching Drystan the battle side of magic. And let Drystan keep his old staff.
* An old tortle(Mkowa) who had been leaving the tower, confronted Teddy and stormed off.

## **A Handsy Welcoming Party**

The Freaquinox a battle with lots of hands and people made of stone. The pillars shot lightning at them. They fought their way through.

* Took a short rest and explored under the stairs.
* Found bodies, many handless.
* Destroyed the runes and belayed down Joaquin.
* Then you used mage hand to rip off an ancient hand, then you burned the bodies.

Found naustra who started to fight, but finished the ritual prematurely when she saw she was going to lose. This brought back Rathcroghan. Defeated at the last moment as he was about to kill Wyn. The Freaquinox looted what they could find and decided to take a long rest here in the Carn.

## **Entering the Carn**

Finding a cache of alcohol, the group played a bonding game that Teddy proposes “from the deserts of his youth” (never have I ever).

* Never have I ever been banished from a kingdom.
* Live in a home growing up where I had my own bed
* Met my father
* Been to monastery
* Drowned anybody yet
* Gone a day without a meal

This prompted a bit of sharing across the group and let the Freaquinox get to know each other and grow close as a group.

Waking up to various levels of hangover after finding a cache of alcohol in an abandoned fishing shack, the crew continued to follow Naustra. Wyn climbed a tree to point the group in the right direction. Afterwhich, you saw an owlbear you promptly named Ollie, but decided to leave be. Extending their arcana senses, Mare felt a few presences in the forest, but was able to determine which would be Naustra. At this point you came across a magical pedestal, with a pool of water on top. Each of you took a turn to look in, seeing different visions. You can’t say for sure, but you think if you tried to find it again you wouldn't be able to.

A manticore attacked you all, but was quickly dispatched by the group.

Drystan messaged you with the information he was able to gather and distill. Telling you to look out for Necromancy, Traps, Trickery, and maybe some hint about bodies being a clue to defeating the monster.

Maree then was able to properly identify the flower that signaled the entrance to the Carn. However, you found it already open with the first runestone set in the entrance. Darkness and death seemed to be slowly seeping out of the door. As you entered you saw a grand entrance hall, deep in shadow and threw up the driftglobe to alight it. There are statues down the center, mosaic between them and two grand columns on either side.

Bura and Joaquin scouted a bit ahead. When they moved down a bit, the columns flashed with runes, and lightning struck them. The rest of you at the door watch helplessly as you see your friends reel in pain. Then the sound of scuttling emerges.

## **4/2/2022   The Race Begins**

Drystan revealed more information as he translated and deciphered the notes Naustra left as she fled. Drystan was also able to translate the runes on the stones.

JatF learned that Naustra planned on taking revenge on people throughout the city, after expanding her magic with dark powers she thought her birthright. She needed three keys, two of which she already had, and the third was owned by someone in the city, Minique Leeshale.

JatF spoke to Minique, and Joaquin gave her a clockwork bird, which delighted and won her over. JatF learned that the last nexus had already been stolen.

Wynphira got a letter, as well as a letter of introduction to Mimbly for the apartments

Maree got a good deal on the horses with charm and a promise to bring them back. Joaquin is riding a pony named Cheshire.

Drystan is going to try and contact Lorion and will message JatF with any more information he gets.

JatF are now chasing after Naustra, trying to meet or beat her to the Carn before she either releases or takes control of evil powers.

Up the road JatF stayed at the Crossed Rose, an inn Run by Antomine Weatheron, a middle aged female goliath. They met Conall, a wrinkled sunburned drunk and Garan a boisterous sailor. After the road, JatF are planning on crossing the open hills to the mountains and enter the forest there to the Carn.

Teddy made a careful inspection of the horses and took good care of them as they crossed the fields south of Gleann Athain, to follow a mountain path to the carn site. JatF encountered a wagon trundling along without a driver. Inside JatF met a fortune teller who told each of them a short fortune in exchange for a small fee.

While crossing the hills at the base of the mountains, Joaquin fell into a sunken building with murals embossed into the walls. As JatF entered the wild forest, Maree used her survivalist skills to lead the group through some rough dense forest and found an abandoned shack at the edge of a natural spring. In it was a cache of alcohol. The group has settled down to camp beside the natural spring with a fire, warmed by the flames and the alcohol in their cups.

## **1/23/2022   Naustra the Taciturn**

JatF rested, spoke to Bruster, the innkeeper at Come For Tables. He suggested a place to rent if the group planned on staying for a while, and said he would write a letter of introduction for them. JaTF also purchased a couple of bottles of red Zoquesh wine that he had just had in.

The next morning they went fairly early to the Spire. Joaquin noted the stone of the tower and as they entered a group of Half Orc soldiers came in as well as a handful of knights. The knights were unadorned and are known as the Temptless, an order dedicated to removing evil and dangerous magical artifacts from the world. The head of the Half orcs came and revealed himself to just be an enormous human, Aed Ion’Loch.  He said he was an emissary from the Verden Empire, adding extra security to the Temptless since they recently had a theft. Lorion the Magi arrived and took to his business with the other visitors and the group spoke to Drystan about Naustra.

Drystan agreed to  bring them to his apartment where Naustra was staying and talk to her. When she saw them, she immediately became aggressive and summoned three shadow mastiffs and attacked. The group destroyed the three dogs that evaporated into smoke. Cornered, Naustra fled by turning into mist, appearing outside, and flying away.

A distraught Drystan has been translating and decoding various clues from Naustras notebooks and papers.

## **1/16/2022   Tolls and A Broken Relic**

After the defeat of the Mercless, henceforth to be known as the Merciful, the Freaquinox evaluated the clues and objects they found. They went to Skyline district after paying the toll to enter through the gate. Here they found Leshaale Manor on Heron Street which seemed to correspond to the map they found.

They paid Runovic to keep an eye on the apartment and let them know if they saw Naustra.

Afterwards, they went searching for more information at the Collegium of the Temple of Lugh.  Here they met a beatboxing boy named Bricet, the son of Stephan Gillion the mayor Bourne. Realizing these were the people who saved his town, he answered their questions about Naustra, and brought them to Vatisse Olonelis, her old teacher. Vatisse described Naustra as a good student who spiraled after becoming obsessed with an old Legend. Professor Olonelis gave her account of the story which differed a bit from the version found in the apartment.  She pointed them towards  Lennin Gallish, a person who leads a group that acts as protection during archeological digs.

They found the site easily, but as they began to question Lennin, the site erupted in green putrid lightning. Where they struck portals from which fiends from another realm clawed their way up. After a fierce battle, the Freaquinox defeated the monsters. Lennin gratefully invited them to food drink and rest in his camp.  He described failed digs, one of which they abandoned because of a lack of funds from Naustra. She had approached him again, but he had heard she was dealing with the Pit King and didn’t want to do business with her anymore.

They returned to the Pit King and made a deal to see the contents of the bag they acquired from Tourney, in lieu of payment, and for Bura to perform in a non-deadly fight in the ring.

## **9/12/2021 - Not All Phoenix Rise**

After a night of carousing at the tickleknuckle fight, you followed up on a task given to you by the Pit King, to retrieve a package from Tourney Breakstep. He promised it was all above board and that Tourney worked for him.

You left Donn at the Come For Table’s Inn and went to the Water’s Envy in the Gate Ward to look for Tourney. As you approached, there was an explosion. You managed to get a bag off of what was presumably Tourney before the guard showed up.

You were questioned by Sergeant Brent Qamor. After realizing you were in fact bystanders, and stone guard hopefuls, he recruited you to follow up on the explosion investigation.  You spoke to the bar patrons and Samel Caulwader and learned about an encrypted stone that Tourney had which the suspect was interested in.

Teddy intimidated an urchin and received a bracelet with two glowing baubles on it.

Skelen learned about the warning horns from the Fort of Wings.

You also got a sketch of the markings  on the stone.

Afterwards you followed clues to the Warehouse District. Runovick recognized the description and pointed you towards a place he was renting above a warehouse to a human woman, Naustra.

The door was ajar and when you entered you were confronted by several rough looking people. You quickly, and in one case brutally, dealt with them. They surrendered after one of them was killed and took your offer to leave with their lives, and promised to change their name to the Mercifull.  You investigated the place and found a few things of interest.

## **6/12/2021 - The Bathos of Tickleknuckle**

As Teddy left the Stone Guard office a figure stared at him from across the road. A smile revealed pointed golden teeth and a toss of a coin caused a series of events that lead to a bird defecating on his head. He quickly retrieved the coin and brought it into the Stone Guard to be identified. No magical functions were revealed, but it did seem to be of divine origin.

They went on their way to their old watering hole, the Owlbeer. The Storm Knights, high on their recent success against the manticore, were celebrating. Gary gave an attempt at charming Wyn.

The group went to the Meandering Magical Menagerie and made a few deals, which resulted in Skelen receiving a rod of the pact keeper and Teddy commissioning a magical spear. The Frequinox also stopped by the Gilded Crease for capes to represent and support the Tickleknuckle.

At Hot Crossed Buns Wyn charmed the workers there and received a round of free drink tickets.

Joaquin bet some money on his idol, but after an epic battle, the Tickleknuckle fell to the Sultans of Stone. The boss requested an audience with Bura, but first the group snuck their way to meet Tickleknuckle. He revealed that he was the son of the Tickleknuckle Joaquin had known and was struggling to uphold the mantle. He appreciated the groups kindness and signed all of the capes. Shortly after, upon meeting the boss known as the Pit King, he offered the group 50gp each to go retrieve his money from Tourney Breakstep. As they went to the Waters Envy an explosion ripped through the street killing most of the people on it.

Most importantly Tenny Jr. has been renamed to Donn Key.

## **5/31/2021 - Minds and Money**

* Talked to mayor, Stephan Gillion and his wife Belli
* Detect thoughts on Quellen
	+ Baba, ritual, and then in the scarecrow
* Stayed to rest at Gillions, then traveled to Sturbridge
* Stephan asked about what to do with Quellen, they left it mostly unanswered
* Then the group travelled back through Sturbridge
* Talked to Pranna, the Mayor of Sturbridge and Aliseeya, her assistant
* Make bet with Gaulter Fendrillaun for location and the password for the prize fight
* Marée gets info beforehand with detect thoughts, but Joaquin wins anyways
* Location: Bakery called Hot Crossed Buns, password is “Where God’s Eye Blinks” to enter the hemorrhage hollow
* Joaquin reveals his past info
* Stay night at Stumble Inn
* See stand of stones left by roaming hearth
* Marée purchases a retired mule which she names Tenny Jr.

## **5/1/2021 - The Rescue of Tuck Evercasting**

* Finished off the scarecrows outside the barn
* Killed 7 minions and pinned down a stronger one with earth bind, and let it burn with moonbeam
* Joaquin had run into the barn
* Found the pile on plants and unconscious animals
* Searched the house, found 3 Molotov cocktails and journal entry with Baba Raja
* Slept in the house - bell at the bottom of the stairs
* Attacked at night, but managed to recover
* Entered the barn, found ritual table, attacked by amassed and sentient plant matter
* Marée used thorn grown to block the path of additional scarecrows that were coming to attack
* During the fight, Teddy was knocked unconscious and swallowed by the monstrosity
* Luckily the group finished off the monster and were able to save Teddy
* Before they could catch their breath, an ethereal giant floating head appeared to them and spoke to each person in turn before giving one last message to the group.
* On the table, the group found an inky black candle, a ruby seemingly filled with slowly moving liquid, and a horn with obviously magical properties

## **3/28/2021 - If the Vandals only had a brain**

* Met with Sica and Dorrin of the Roaming Hearth
	+ (Saw Tortle and Human speaking as well)
* Sica gave Marée 3 Moss Balls and her journal of plants. Also warned of confluence of the magics at Samhain.  Half and Half of each moon (opposite).

* Dorrin had them all choose a drawer from his wagons many containers
	+ Teddy - Metal urn containing the ashes of a fallen hero
	+ Bora - Vest with 100 tiny pockets
	+ Skelen - Receipt of deposit at a bang from far flung country
	+ Wynphira - Scrap part of torn banner
		- Scarlet in the center, gold stitching, and brown outline
	+ Joaquin - A nightmarish small idol of creature

* Stayed night outside of Sturbridge and moved on in the morning
* Camped instead of pushing to the town - saw figure out in the woods
* Next day they checked out the tracks. Scrapes in the ground, no animal prints
* Hazel and Kip Trapper came out of their house, told them to talk to Stephan, gave a layout of the town.
* Met Stephan and Belli Gillion
* Skelen was suspicious of a magical aspect of Stephan
* Met Tunk and Iva Colebrook
* Moved through the woods and got to the farm
* Split the party, Bura/Joaquin/Teddy went to the house, and Wynphira/Marée/Skelen went to the Barn
* Scarecrows pierced the landscape around the barn
* Skelen went to do a lap around the barn, the scarecrows twitched and attacked
* They yelled out to bring Skelen Back
* Marée cast a radius of thorns around the three to protect them
* 3 scarecrows walked into it and died, Skelen walked through and got hurt
* Bora/Joaquin/Teddy searched the house were they found details plans and maps of the farm, then heard the shouts of the rest of their party and sprinted to help

## **3/7/2021 - Dwarvish Hospitality and Sex Masks**

(Begins Equinox, ends 8 days after equinox)

* Learned the story of Mordan and received his Stone Guard Pendant
* 7 Days of travel later passed to arrive at Amaranth
* Got rooms at the Come For Tables Inn
* Bora bought various items, including a Block and Tackle
* Trinket Shop - Unnamed, between two buildings, none of the beams are really straight
	+ Lady puts on an accent to sell “Amaranth” Crystals. Wyn buys them regardless after seeing through the disguise.
* Gilded Crease - Tailor/Costume Shop
	+ Teddy bought the mask of the Empty Heart
	+ Joaquin ordered a (sex) mask. Realistic painted wood
* Leatherworks
	+ Marée got the bag with insulation
* The Owlbeer
	+ After some drinks Skelen challenged and shockingly beat the dwarf Broufrick Oakhead in an arm wrestling match
	+ They asked after drugs and met with Ascer(Aw sher) Almer who offered Cake. They declined
* In the market, Marée sought out and found Finn Bakks, 10/11yr old boy who was hawking worthless trinkets in the market. He “sold” her a “magic” bell that he claims he found in a wizards butt

## **2/6/2021 - The Trials of Merithirem**

*Completely Occurs on Equinox*

* After a rest, at the end of the hallway the group started through what appeared to be a labyrinth
* Triggered one pit trap
* Found 2 chests, one after a creepy decaying statuary
* Found 1 scroll in a poison trapped cabinet
* Found a bunch of secret doors
* Following a light down one hall, were all teleport to the start
* Next, following a narrowing path into darkness, Skelen used his bat familiar to determine that it was a *leap of faith* test, and they all jumped a safe distance to the next door
* Frozen and betrayed by Siviril
* Siviril started a ritual with Elliretta, and fought the group along with 2 baddies and many skeletons
* Bura was enfeebled by Siviril
* Skelen went down and curb stomped, healed at the last second
* Skelen made killing blow on Siviril
* Saved girl, freed Mordan (tied up the whole battle)

## **1/30/2021 - Setting out for Amaranth**

*3 Days prior to Equinox*

* Met in Millridge
* Set off after a few small purchases at the goods store
	+ Beers
	+ Marée - Apples and sugar cubes
	+ Teddy - Fishing bait and tackle
* Many were suspicious of the jerky guy, Cook
* Skelen and Teddy sneaked up and checked the jerky to make sure if wasn't human, and everything checked out
* Marée eventually became friends with Cook and his donkey Tenny
* Joaquin got very drunk and Marée gave him shots of water she made with her create water cantrip. At this state Joaquin was unable to realize it wasn't more alcohol.
* Fought and defeated giant boar when they heard Elliretta's screams
* Poisoned during meal, everyone passes out
* Wake up to find Cook and Tenny killed, Mordan gone, and Collet stabbed in the gut
* Using located object on the apple given to the daughter were able to quickly follow
* They found a shear pit with a statue sitting at the bottom
* Met half clothed half elf whose son had also been taken, had been tied and tortured on an altar there, names Siviril
* They went inside, seeming to pass through some kind of magical threshhold
* Inside the text was seen to read "Mer'ithi'rem"
* Fought and destroyed Animated Armors in the first room
* A moon clock was slowly passing time
* The group, along with Siviril rested for the night in the next hall