Before Episode Nine

### The Journey Back

After defeating Osmund, Father Odium helped the party gather up what valuables could be scavenged in the abbey proper. But his complaints about the dangerous demons Osmund loosed in the abbey were intractable, and the party agreed to ferry him back to the mainland and conduct some business before attempting to penetrate the catacombs.

Pushing the corpses of Orelous and his guards into the sea, the Chainbreaker retrieved the party and plunder. Back on board the crew were horrified at the story of what happened in the Abbey and kept a wide superstitious berth from the bundle of books and artifacts Captain Pickels wisely directed to be stored in one of the secret storage areas of the ship.

Undersail back to Nicena, Thamas Bebry explained to the party one more deception of Father Osmund. He did not seek the services of Mr. Bebry as a guide to a temple, but to a lost eleven stronghold in the Chelhu Wood knows as Aellyn Rynass. Bebry’s family traded with these elves generations ago, but his great uncle Sivron’s mission into the jungles of the Chelhu never returned and the Bebry clan abandoned their trade route to Aellyn Rynass. Thamas does not know Osmund’s intentions, but the retainer he offered was handsome. The stories of his childhood passed down through his family only speak of the elves of this stronghold as mystical ancient sages with no rumored ties to dark magics.

### Nicena News

Upon arrival in Nicena, mayor Eliandor meets you at the docks asking what’s been learned of the Abbey and the missing expedition of engineers. He listens to the tales of the dark priests and offers his support if new provisions are required for the return trip to finish the job. Eliander shares that a Caliphate Tribunal from Rastenfeld arrived two days ago, reviewed the evidence against Primewater and Capt. Sigurd, and made quick ruling on their guilt. The captives were transported back to Rastenfeld where Eliander suspects they will be made an example of before the Kennefel trade emissaries who have been complaining loudly of piracy in the south reaches of the Fell Zee. He notes that while in Nicena, the Caliphate Tribunal enquired about your progress clearing the Abbey Isle for a future Lighthouse, and he notes they will be anxious for an update.

Eager to celebrate the hero’s return to port and sending news to the Caliphate of progress on Abbey Island, Eliander proposed a feast. He tells the hero’s he will gather the villagers for a party at the central market in five days in their honor. Nestor bids his friends a temporary goodbye heading back to Rastenfeld to check in with his monastery, and the remaining party sets out upon several errands. Pickles sees to Father Odium having a proper set of clothes to blend into the town, and cautions the crew of the Chainbreaker against spreading rumors

**[Pickles, deduct 4gp for their silence and another 5 for general good will]**

At The Dwarven Hammer, Bamya was frustrated to find Mafera, the harried proprietor, and her befuddled spouse Jasker still had not begun work on the modifications to his armor, after an exchange that tested the temper of the heroic swamp hobbit, a finely dressed nobleman with an accent sounding vaguely Artoverkian entered the shop and with a sly wink to Bamya suggested that if Mafera could move the hobbit’s order to the front of the queue as well as complete an alteration of his own leather armor and finish the task in three days time, he would pay a handsome down payment and a premium for the service.

**[Vin, deduct 5 gp for your order and another 5 for the expediting fee]**

Mafera’s eyes lit up as the heavy coin purse hit the counter. “Jasker!” She says, “those winches for the Primewater ship can wait. They won’t be coming for them anyhow... Let’s get this armor turned around for these fine men!”

**[Bamya, you can deduct the remainder of your commission and both Bamya and Vin can update their armor]**

As the day of the Festival approaches, the party begins to wonder where Nestor is, and if they will see their errant Wizard again. As the villagers are putting the final touches on the market square, the Elf appears in the main hall of the Wicker Goat, a fancy new rapier at his side and brimming with stories of his visit home to his Eladrin stronghold in the Saevalwood. The party barely got a word in edgewise between his excited tales of training in the ancient ways of bladesinging and description of the caravan he saw on the road between Rastenfeld and Fentastrok. A massive wagon train carrying stone fortifications and long spans of timber are headed towards Rastenfeld accompanied by a large contingent of Dwarves from the Dromir Peaks. He notes that passing through Rastenfeld, the site of the dig is now partially filled with water and construction efforts appear to have stopped. Finally gaining his attention, the party explain the necromantic cult they discovered and the promise of a treasure filled catacomb and the elf shifted his demeanor landing somewhere between grim determination and arcane curiosity.

We will open our next session at the Feast in Nicena, and play out the remaining elements everyone has been shaping up this week

Session Summaries