Author: John Carlson

Originally shared by John Carlson

The party’s first foray into the tunnels beneath Kaligan’s fort has earned the adventurers a fair bit of treasure, although this success has come at the cost of a loyal companion’s life. Questions remain, though: why were these chambers sealed? Will the hirelings demand a raise? What was that creature that refused to die? How much more is there to loot?

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Axel and Thorfus’s (roll d4: 1-2 Excellent; 3-4 Bogus) Adventure in Midmark

1. Thorfus and Axel depart Kaligan late in the afternoon of the 13th of Denrilden, arriving in Midmark after sundown without incident. There was a quick scare just before reaching the Tarwater Harbor, though, when the Bawdy Bachelor seemed to hit something very large (ominous shuddering and creaking from below decks); this was accompanied by Thorfus and Axel simultaneously experiencing the strong feeling that someone was watching them – although neither could spot anything unusual.

2. Given the hour of their arrival, the two dwarves make their way to their townhouse behind the Cock & Bull Tavern in the Outlander district. The only excitement on their journey there is stumbling across a vicious fight involving five dogs – four half-starved strays savagely mauling an older native woman’s pet; she begs Thorfus and Axel to intervene [I will need your response].

3. Elspeth at the Cock & Bull is delighted to see you, quickly handing over the key to the townhouse and assuring the dwarves that she has kept the place safe during the group’s absence. She is sorry to hear that Baldric’s Boys are not coming back for a longer stay – and to report that Faldspar has been gone the last few days after receiving word that an elf matching Tarion’s description was trying to sell a life-like piece of garden statuary depicting an oversized warrior caught in the midst of a strike against some foe. He hasn’t returned since then to the townhouse. Thorfus and Axel spend the night safe and comfortable in the townhouse – confirming that the treasure left under the floorboards is safe [Let me know if you are retrieving anything].

4. The next morning, the two travel just up the road to Roland’s jewelry shop. As usual, he pops up beside them almost magically as soon as they enter the shop. He is delighted to see some of his best customers return, excitedly sharing news about his newfound success since becoming secretary of the jeweler’s guild in Midmark. In fact, he is preparing to close up his shop in the Outlander district and move to High Market (near Aldous’s bookshop). He offers the dwarves 700GP for the two turquoise gems, which he identifies as Aquamarine stones [Let me know if you accept his offer or haggle].

5. After Roland’s, Thorfus and Axel continue on to Newtown in order to inform Em’s parents about what the group has discovered. They are delayed, though, upon discovery that the gate into Newtown is closed due to rioting by islanders after the discovery of Arden Grell’s perfidy. These riots were apparently quite bloody, leading to the deaths of several guardsmen including Captain Hendrick Gosprend (who was left strung up near the canals). Thorfus and Axel finally speak to the acting captain, Edony Shadelok (one of the guards interrogated by the party after the mayor’s assassination), and convince her to let them into the slums. She says to take care in Newtown to not exacerbate the current tensions, reminding the two about what happened with the underground press.

Once in Newtown, the dwarves hurry to the apartment of Honora and Henry Wystow (Em’s parents). There is a moment of danger when a small group of toughs begins to tail them, but the ruffians lose interest after getting a better look at Thorfus and Axel’s weaponry. Honora and Henry are happy to see the dwarves and begin sobbing from a combination of joy and grief upon hearing what they’ve learned about Em’s fate. They beg the Starchie Boyz to continue their search for Em, attempting to give the dwarves a small bag of coins and promising that they can get more if that’s what it takes for the group to rescue their daughter. [Do Thorfus and Axel take the purse?]

6. After extracting themselves with as much grace as possible from the meeting with Em’s parents, Thorfus and Axel make their way back out of Newtown and then grab a cart ride up into High Market to visit with Aldous Runnelbrook – on the way out of Newtown, they encounter a bereft man seeking someone to take vengeance on a traveling apothecary selling fake potions that killed his wife [let me know if you want to follow-up on this]. They make their way via the harbor, stopping to see if Ir’Alle is available at the World Forge Community House, but find that he left for Xenilum’Khel a couple of weeks previously but that his ship was lost before arriving in Vargen. He is assumed dead at this point.

With that heavy news, the dwarves make their way to Aldous’s shop. Aldous is happy to see them – and their dwarven tapestries. He is willing to pay 500GP each for the two pieces of art (or 700GP + an item identification, if that is more agreeable [let me know if you accept either of these offers]). He remarks on the fact that it has long been known that winged dragons were enemies of the dwarven empire, but that these pieces are the only depictions of their wars that he has seen.

7. At this point it is late afternoon on the 14th of Denrilden and Thorfus and Axel are in High Market. Nearby are Lord Thornton’s estate and the Ark Cathedral (Galron and Kilmar’s last known location). You can also head down to the harbor and board the Bawdy Bachelor – although Amis Junkyn will want to wait until the morning to leave. Please let me know your response to the questions above in the square brackets and anything else you will like to do before returning to Kaligan. Follow-up questions/actions on anything above are also fine.