Kantor S1E6 Helping Helm's Hold

After managing to defeat the group of undead that were attacking Drisden, our adventurers now need to figure out what they must do to stop the Curse of Morloch.

### Synopsis

Recovering from their recent encounter with undead, the party spots and heads to the local inn and tavern to rest before continuing on to speak with whoever was in charge. Finding the motif of a red rabbit, and the words, Red Hare Inn below it, the party stepped into the inn to find a roundy group of halflings enjoying ale like no attack was even taking place outside. Gino approaches the bar to find its owner, a halfling named Swanson Caskhands, ready to take the party’s orders and answer any questions they may have. Listening as the halflings exchange money for bets they made on the fates of the guards, our adventurers eat and drink their fill taking a much needed breather. As they delve deeper into the mystery of the curse of Morloch and the plague of undead that has befallen this region, Swanson tells them of the continual attacks from the undead, and how a mercenary group had been bought to defend the town.

Confident they will find the answers they need at the manor of the Mayor’s at the top of the hill the group began the short trek up the hill, a dwarf peaking from the temple across the way before ducking back inside. Upon arriving they are allowed through the gates and into the manor proper where they are given an audience. Entering the mayor’s office, Art beelines it to a nearby bookshelf, finding a strange story of folklore without a character missing. A book called The Three Little Pigs, but the third pig was missing from the entirety of the short story. As the party introduced themselves, they learned that the mayor, Caddoc Morren, was the great-grandson of the King of the High Moors who once resided in his castle The Overlook, above the city of Morloch. He tells the party the story of the fall of the city, of how a mysterious plague spread throughout the city eventually getting to the point where it could not be contained. The city gates were shut and barred as those who weren't infected fled and established the town of Drisden.

Caddoc paid for a mercenary company, The Heroes of the Meek, to take up residence in the small keep of Helm’s Hold and be the boundary force protecting the town. What started as a staunch force has now been seldom heard from and thought to have deserted the people of Drisden. The mayor asked the party to go and see what has become of The Heroes of the Meek. Additionally, if they could make it into The Overlook and retrieve the crown of the King so Caddoc could claim the relic of his ancestor. The party agreed to do what they could before heading back to the Red Hare.

On their way, Nessa and Thea turned to the temple across from the manor. As they entered they were met with the smells of fire and the clanging of steel. They found the dwarf they saw earlier and learned his name was GrandCrafter Denmar, the leader of this temple to the Allhammer. Asking questions of religion, the plague, and the Heroes of the Meek, they have a brief before joining with the rest for the party and bedding down for the night. Their rooms, food, and drinks on the house courtesy of Swanson.

In the morning, the party loaded up their wagon again and set off to Helm’s Hold. As they approached Gino and Viago noticed a group on the horizon. Soon noticing them as undead, changing course and rapidly heading toward the party, they decide to hunker down and fight it out with the latest group of undead. Getting some good shots in before they meet face to face these undead stronger and faster than the others quickly swarm the party and have them on their heels, after a strenuous and fight, the party manages to overcome these undead though bloodied and exhausted. As they take a second to survey the area, they see another group, larger than the first pour over the hillside on the horizon. The party decides to risk an all out wagon dash to the gate of Helm’s Hold. As they approach, the horde almost upon them, the gates of the hold are opened and the cart rushes in to the sound of the gates being slammed shut.