Category: Graveyard of Empires: The Islands of Curabel: Session Summaries

Session 26 – Sep 26, 2014

On the 18th Lauredldon, after the Long Night’s march and a quick repast, our band of refugees encountered a lone man. He burst from the northern verge and introduced himself as Orion, a Shaman from an Islander community not too far from where we are resting. After some discussion, it was learned that after a surprise militia raid upon his village, a “golden panther” lead him to us. We were sadden and angered to learn that he is thought to be the only survivor from his entire community. Even more disappointingly, not a soul among the refugees hail from his home. We offered him succor and were blessed with a steady and stalwart companion.

Our band determined to rest in place a few watches so that our arcane might would replenish, it would not come to pass.

During the first watch manned by Axel, Ealdred, Tesco (two former militia under the command of Haldor the Vile) and Seral the Dwarf, a party of gnolls were espied by the rearguard Chuq. The gnolls were forcefully marching westward. 

Alerted, Axel and the watch organize an armed response. The gnoll leader exclaims “There he is!” when Chuq is seen ducking into the northern verge but his group doesn’t take the bait and continues to threaten the refugees. Ashton mirrors Chuq by slinking into the southern verge while the dwarfs form an archery line and Axel anchors a melee front.

Finkelmur attempts a parley. The Gnoll leader yells “Tyranah does not get fooled!”, a fight is inevitable.

Blows and arrows are exchanged, our band is hard pressed but holds! Ashton delivers an artful backstab but his target fights on. During the fracas, a second fighting line of militia was rallied by Chuq but their flanking maneuver doesn’t break the Gnoll’s line and an attempt to rally the more peaceful refugees into a third charge falls on deaf ears.

As Chuq and Starchie are felled, Finkelmur spins a spell of friendship upon Tyranah. The Gnolls stop to talk. 

Ashton aids Starchie and Chuq while Tyranah demands the slaves. His mission is to return with Grim Tooth’s rustled cattle and he isn’t taking no for an answer. Apparently frustrated by our wrangling, Tyranah gives an order in gnollish to kill everyone except Finkelmur. Ashton overhears and raises the alarm, the melee resumes!

Emboldened, Axel takes down Tyranah in short order. Then our newest friend, Orion, entangles all but one gnoll in twisting, creeping grasses and weeds. A few of our militia were caught by the spell, but survived the fight unscathed, only Ealdrid is unconscious after. Two of the gnolls lived beyond the fight, they were bound hand and snout then secured to one of the wagons.

From our foes, we reaped: a long bow with 12 shafts, a morning star, two battle axes, a two-handed sword, two halberds, 10 long swords, 20 gp, 530 sp. Tyranah had militia symbols in her kit. The long swords were dolled out to the militia and the battle axes handed to the dwarfs. The dead gnolls are beheaded and their heads lofted onto shafts posted into the ground. Perhaps other raiding gnolls will pause when they see our totems.

The surviving gnolls are Rena and Myrna of the True Fang pack. Finklemur strongly interrogates a Gnoll and learns Haldor discovered our party’s ruse and sent this group to capture the escapees. We learned that Grim Tooth left with most of the packs and other slaves. The Shadow pack stayed behind in the fort. The gnolls talked of a Dark King (possibly human) driving the Gnolls and Flinds into the lands of civilized men. The Dark King’s soldiers fight without feeling, don’t bleed and never yield. Tales of the Dark King were heard from Grim Tooth but our prisoner has never seen the Dark King himself. Grim Tooth lead several packs from the Dark King’s threat then partnered with Haldor to escape the militia patrols and earn some wealth. 

For some, persistence is everything. The group decides, again, to rest in place for at least 4 more hours. Sturloc and two militia keep the first hour’s watch. Thorfus, Walter & Percival (militia) keep the 2nd hour – they feel they are being watched but do not investigate. 

Cromwell, Basewin and Elisota keep the 3rd hour. Cromwell’s blood curdling screams wake the group! Basewin and Elisota lie bloodied on the ground. The camp is beset by large tailed simian creatures, several stand over Basewin and Elistota, within the camps’ perimeter. Without pause, Axel attacks!

The grounded simians toss the bodies upwards and we see more hanging by their tails from over hanging branches. 6 of the foul beings drop to the ground and tackle members of our group. Refugees are being tossed kicking and screaming from the ground up into the waiting “hands” of more of these base treacherous monsters. This is happening in broad daylight! 

Desperately, Finkelmur releases our captive gnolls after they agree to fight on his behalf. He arms them, then they flee with the weapons as soon as they can. Lost! Before a true interrogator could wring all they knew about Haldor, Grim Tooth and the Dark King from them. Tragic.

Axel encourages the refugees to fight in a tight formation, to shore up our defense. When he can, Chuq flees westward, yelling “Keep your hands off me you damn sticking apes!” From afar, he watches about four minutes of furious fighting, the monsters begin to withdraw, absconding with their prey. Valiant efforts score against one of these Su-Monsters, which drops his captive to the ground. Unfortunately the falls kills him… 

All is not lost, Finkelmur magically webbs three Su-Monsters and a refugee held by a fourth. The fourth releases his victim and flees.

The three held are abandoned by their troop.

Cromwell, Basewin, Virgil, Aymeri Griffyth, Gebldus Buckland, Waldive Pesyngton and Orsolla Cartwright are lost to the Su-Monsters. Those that can be are buried off the road away from the gnoll totems. 

About an hour before midday, everyone loads into the wagons (except Chuq) and the march continues west to Vargen. Later, the clouds open and rain falls most of the day.

Near sunset, we arrive at the ruins of abandoned Vargen, the original settlement to have this name. In the distance a giant stone Dwarf stature can be seen. Among the ruins, we find a wooden wall with a maintained building behind. A match to the first giant Dwarf statue can be seen further in the distance. Saunders explains the Punters control the ferry launch at this point on the river and warns that kobolds have harassed travelers near the fjord  that is further up the river.

Session 23 Summary (don’t worry about it being called 24)

Here you guys go,

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByTofrM2t5FRUjU4MURZb1Nhd28/edit?usp=sharing

Worked hard on it though there was too much to be able to polish everything so forgive some incoherence here and there! Do comment, I love feed back 😀

*Download it if you can’t load all the pages.

Session 22 – August 27, 2014

That accused pounding in my head finally stopped! Thank the roots of the mountain!

We delayed too long to get all the platinum imperials, the grey cloaks beat us to them. Get the loot at all costs first from now on, I say!

We spoke to captain Gosprin and learned that pear-shaped Apidius spiked the portcullis shut and ran off across the rooftops with a story and hasn’t been seen since.

We got over to Dell Gate and hired a street boy, Flan, who showed us to the alchemist shop of Tobertus.

We pretended to rent the room over Tobertus’ shop. It was very clean. Virgil, the young cleric paid 5 sp for a week’s rent to get Tobertus out of the way. We found where a chest of something had been and an area where loose boards had been repaired. We did find 15 platinum imperials in the cupboard.

That old wizard Finklemur magicked Tobertus, the Alchemist to make him friendly and tell us what he knew. That his renters disappeared and that the gray cloaks ransacked the place and took all the furniture and gave him enough money to buy a new bed.

I offered gold to Flan for information on Apidius the pear-shaped man and to leave a message with Tobertus.

We then visited Thornton’s place. He was out and we dealt with Perrette. He gave us 75 gp for the platinum imperials. He said that they found about 200 imperials and a couple of spell books. As it was all evidence, poor Finklemur couldn’t get the spells for his own books.

We traded the two tapestries and 3 large sacks of 50 books  and the caretaker’s notebook to Aldus Runnelbrook and gained over 7,000 gold to split amongst us.

We returned to the shop of Tobertus and found we had a message from Flan. We found Flan and learned that Apidius and the archer from the ambush Saiden fled the city. Flan gave us the impression that it was too dangerous to ask about Richie and Aliva.  We paid him 3 gold for his information and offered more to keep his ears open and stay out of trouble to get us more information on the imperials, including Vardin. Flan is to leave a message with Tobertus. Who knows how long until we get back?

We then returned to the town house and made arrangements to rent it from Elspeth for four additional months, just in case our efforts at Xen Kel take longer than expected. She will stay in there occasionally to make it look like we are still in town.

We tracked down Kottar and Sturloc. They have four friends that they will try to convince to join us. We agreed on a price. 5 gp per week each plus meals for Kottar, Sturloc and Talon, their former commander. 5sp each plus meals for their other three friends.

We agreed to meet by the Low Gate the next day to head out.

We bought supplies a cart and animals to help with the journey.

We then went to the Seven Brass Tavern and spoke to Roger Salford, who Elspeth directed us to.

Roger suggested we talk with Saunder Worksworth owner of Worksworth Hauling. We plan to meet him the next day with our men. he is paying each of us who met him 1 gp per day, and at least 5 sp per day for the others. We have no problem letting our men get paid again by someone else for the same job, it should make them even happier to work with us.

We returned to the city, 7sp to go in and out of the Low Gate, what a racket!

I look forward to one last night for a while in my own bed.

Fresh bread sounds good, but it is late. I wonder how the baker and his family are doing?

Adam Stommes Quick Summary of Faldspar’s Training [Some of this will require a quick role-play when you return next week to explain/contextualize]:

Faldspar meets Edis Apilby at the Marlborough Gambling Hall. Edis spends the entire week sleeping there in the thieves’ secret rooms and you never see him leave. He is terrified for his life and jumps at every shadow thinking it might be “the faceless man” who stole one of his spell-books and gouged out his left eye.

By the way, he is willing to trade either 2 first level or 1 second level spell for Phantasmal Force and Hypnotism (two of the spells in the book stolen from him).

Kim Ho  Quick Summary of Tarion’s Training:

Tarion’s trains one week with the elderly Ouse, who teaches him quite a bit about uses his looks to the best effect (whether that be avoiding attention or attracting that of those with too much money and too little judgment). She never really warms up too much, but is a competent teacher.

One day during training, Garthrum drops in and watches Ouse’s lessons. He speaks briefly with Tarion during a break, asking that the elf keep his eyes open if he finds himself in Vargen anytime soon — paying particular attention if anything about a new hallucinogen competing with the Mad Dogs’ “Dog Froth” comes up. He promises a generous reward for any information about the origins of this new drug. 

Session 21:The party starts in rough shape and immediately head to bed. Tarion is left alone at Thortons , Axel waves to the crossbow men at desric’s. The party stops in the cock and bull to pay rent for this month. The local islanders are staying at the cock and bull for the riots. Sthorm is still being pursued by a man with a scared face we return to our townhouse untouched. finklemur heads over to the apothecary. Makes a deal for 1700gp But cant carry it all so he get faldspar to help him. They split the watch and finklemur sent a message over to his former master Clemm (insert last name) about training. Tarion is still knocked out and Finklemur pays 170 gold to thorfus for gold storage. INCOMING public annoucement Citzens of midmark let it be know that lord thorton has solved the mystery of the death of the lordmayor it was caused by talisan.We head to thortons for our reward and a new party member who joins when the clerics enter alessta and a young boy there relationship seems strained the boy introduces himself as Virgil , Thorton decides to just spill the beans on our crimnal background with the ark. Tarion is healed. Em is brought up again is still messing it turns out she was picked up at the gate. The party then left to go speak with dead talisan and got some great info. I was then referred to alvis thiddlebrook For mage guidance and the party was denied by thorton on fighters . Abhrams heals the party and everyone was happy ever after. Then we went and trained jk we then went go take some Imperial crowns from the imperial spy house except we didnt and now everyone is going for training except this time we everyone was swindled 1250gp for training for tarion 1500gp for faldspar 3000 for the dwarves. after the dwarves went to see about resizing there chainmail and then we went to desrics, the party speaks with desric about the key they found we tricked desric into giving us more gold we end with training.

And session summary. Little rushed, but everything important is in their I think. Also realised we completely forgot about the fact that Apidius is likely involved with the traitors…

Getting the damned assassin’s head is perhaps the easiest thing we’ve since we arrived in this damned city, and Drays was happy enough with it. Happy enough to even reward that old mage Finklemur with a book of spells and a promise to personally feed his bloated corpse to Lysander one day. Bloody devilfish. All I got was an eyeful of something that’ll haunt me the rest of my days, us dwarves are too close to crotch level.

We got escorted back out of that foul-smelling warehouse. That far too happy female cultist hoped she’d see us again, I think I hurt her feelings. Crazy woman.

The rest of the party was far less hostile, but we leave, heading straight for New Gate so we can report back to Thornton and hopefully save his hide. I don’t like how quiet it is out on the streets, little more than a few groups of gathered men around has me worried, and my hand doesn’t leave Face-Cleaver’s handle the whole time.

Naturally, we run across a snag. Someone has dropped the gate’s portcullis and there’s a puddle spread across the approach. Faldspar confirms it’s oil. Looks like the guardsmen are preparing for a siege. Not in the mood to be hanging out in the open, I shout for Apidius.

The mob on the other side seems to be drowning me out though.

Of course, this is where yet another ambush hits. Three people are walking towards us, spreading out to surround. They’re confident, and with good reason. It isn’t hard to recognise the mage and cleric from the previous night, which means the swordsman in the middle is none other than Nigel.

“Last time it seems I underestimated you. Not 24 hours and you’re up and meddling,” he says in a poncy accent.

The bastard seems genuinely surprised to see us, but his confidence is more than a little scary. We outnumber them almost two-to-one, but he spouts promises of enacting righteous vengeance upon us traitors. What a loon. We answer in kind, me and Thorfus preparing to fight, though Tarion wants to talk and Finklemur seems to be wanting to just flee. Of course, before I can even move, the cleric locks me down with her foul magic, as if in revenge for my numerous attempts on her life last time we met.

There is nothing worse than being unable to act as your friends battle around you, but all I can do is rage internally. At least the guards in the gatehouse seems to have noticed our plight, but I can hear thier confusion. The portcullis is locked down and Apidius is missing. Seems the pear-shaped fool was rotten. I watch as the others meet our would-be assasins. Old Finklemur, out of spells goes right for the mage and starts beating on him, interrupting the mage’s spell. He well and truly fights like an old man, and somewhere down the line they actually end up knife-fighting, but the old man is unable to do more than nick his foe, and takes a spell that somehow makes him look even older in reponse. Somewhere along line the crazy mage actually started lecturing his opponent on proper use of his charm spell!

Nigel goes right for Thorfus, and falls upon him like a whirlwind with a pair of scimitars. My brother dwarf fights well, even getting in a few good strikes, but is forced to hide behind his shield until a lucky strike finally cracks it.

I couldn’t see Faldspar for a while, but I feel the heat of the flames on my back. He appears moments later to help Thorfus, looking like a barbarion warrior and wielding a flaming scythe, though he’s unable to land a blow on Nigel. Tarion tries to help too, throwing up clouds of sand in an effort to blind the Imperial, but takes a blow from the cleric’s mace before Faldspar can intervene.

Feeling it to be well worth the use, Thorfus tosses aside his ruined shield and activates sword of his, moving faster than should be possible. I saw him strike Nigel four or five times, and the Imperial’s face becomes one of shock. He had those weird red tattoos on his head like our old friend the goblin, and they glow brighter with each wound until his bloody head catches fire! I could swear I saw a dragon in the flames before his head exploded, throwing me and Thorfus back.

This where I’m working on secondhand information as Faldspar and Finklemur filled me in one what happened whilst the rest of us slept. With the death of their leader, the mage and cleric fled. The guards finally got through to us, and they convinced Gosprend to let us get out of New Town. He sent us down the canal with an escort. They had to avoid a few mobs near the paper bazaar, but found Perette and got us all back to Thorntons, along with Nigel’s corpse.

At Thornton’s, the two magic-users explain what they can whilst clerics are fetched to wake us up. As the two remaining members of our group, myself and Thorfus are able to clear up the story. Talessin had been playing us all along it seemed, though I wanted to believe he’d been under duress from the Imperials wanting to use his research to kill the mayor. Thornton seemed tired and defeated at the news, but gathers together a troupe of greycloaks to pay a visit it to Talessin.

We get no answer, and the Lucky Gam’s barkeep hasn’t seen Talessin for weeks, so Finklemur (yes, the old man is more than you’d think) smashes the door open and we enter. I lead the way with the wizard at my side, up through tower. It smells foul in here, like rotting meat and death and we discover why when we reach the workshop. It looked more like a morgue now, machine parts replaced by six cadavers, each and every one of them with thier skulls open to the air.

We are attacked then by the very same ape Galron slew in the sewers, but with the Greycloaks help, we cut it down, only one poor soul getting battered in the process. The also sported an open skull, an ancient dwarven cube within. The room alone is pretty damning evidence, and it seems we found Nigel’s kidnapping victims. We conduct a short but frantic search for Em, who is luckily not a victim, and climb up to Talessin’s quarters.

The tinkerer’s room is a mess, books strewn around, and Talessin himself is lay on the bed, blue with clothing wrapped around his neck. The only movement in the room is a naked woman, systematically ripping pages from books and burning them, oblivious to everything. Finklemur puts her to rest, removing them cube from her skull. The books turn out to be a collection of journals, spellbooks and automaton research, she’d been trying to destroy evidence. A note in the margin of one of the surviving journals implicates Talessin and Jardin irrevocably. Our knowledge of Automatons makes us a threat to his plans, and he is responsible for the ambushes.

We search the room, finding Imperial Platinum and an odd crown. After some discussion, Finklemur puts it on. He engages in conversation with someone mentally, learning little other than that they want to kill Faldspar for some reason, before they leave. Any further attempts to converse simply causes our two robed friends to faint.

Thornton is somewhat pleased with the outcome of the day’s endeavours, planning on calling a council meeting in the morning. We gather evidence, raiding the potion store in the process, which makes Finklemur happily reckless.

It feels good to be through with it all, even if there are still a few untied ends, it’ll be nice to spend a few days not having to look over our shoulders and uncovering plots. Might even be able to get some training in, which I feel we’ll need down the road if Nigel is any indication of the strength of our enemies.

Session 19 – August 6, 2014.

Oh my head…. I can’t believe we still live. We managed to live through that damn tomb, only to die by a second ambush.

I suspect that Grell is getting serious and returning the sword wasn’t enough. He wants my head and those of anyone associated with me, I just know it.

I was so surprised to awaken in Thornton’s kitchen. Never thought I’d be glad to be there….

Somehow that strange old human wizard managed to survive and convince the guards to bring us here.

It’s a small comfort that the two who downed me only did so because of their magic armor and swords. I really wanted their heads, but I know that we need information from them.

Thornton questioned us pretty thoroughly about what we found out and who we talked to. He doesn’t seem to think Grell is involved, but I’m not so sure.

We got lots of information about what appears to be an imperial spy/assassin named Nigel who supplied them with magic weapons and platinum. I sure want some platinum. It would be a big help in my plans.

We got the names of others who attacked us, all stooges of Nigel.

Nigel had them kidnapping people, we later learned why. Poor souls.

It is some small comfort that the two would-be assassins are left in Thornton’s dungeon. They just might be wishing I’d made a quick job of it with my axe, or my new sword.

At least I got a new magic shield and some nice armor, and now most of us at least have a magic weapon.

I was sad to see Ir’Alle leave us. Not many humans truly understand the way of dwarves.

Thornton liked the idea of the devil fish to steal the imperial roll and destroy it, as it was a weapon that would destroy enemies, allies, and the food supply. I think that is a good idea. Keep it out of the hands of the imperials too.

Thornton has a nephew who is an acolyte in the Ark cathedral and Thornton convinced him to help us. Thornton provided us with priestly robes of the Ark for the humans and the elf, and for Xen’Teler for Axel and I. Mother always wanted me to join the priests, like her brother, but I have other plans.

It was into the sewers again then up into the cathedral with a man on the inside to get us in. Poor lad, will be in a lot of trouble.

We managed to get all the way to the reception room to the vault and that old man, Finklemur, is at least a good enough wizard that he charmed the priest with the keys. That poor fellow never knew what hit him, and got us the volume we asked for and we managed to walk out with it.

I had just relaxed the grip on my club under my robe, when we were found, but Thornton’s nephew managed to think quickly on his feet and convince them he was the lad who helped us in from the sewers. 

We managed to walk out into the streets unopposed, and hopefully, unobserved.

We split up and doffed our robes and made haste back to Thornton’s.

I neglected to mention earlier that that pear-shaped lieutenant of the city guard at the gate to new town raided the tavern with the printing press and started a riot. The new town area was locked down. Thornton was given until tomorrow to have proof that the rebels with the printing press were not behind the assassination of the Lord Mayor.

Thornton gave us his coach with Perrette to drive.

Perrette drove through the streets like a madman and got us as close to the gate as possible. The angry crowds of natives trying to get home, but locked out and more rabble rousers like that fool Grell’s nephew were about with more fires.

That old mage who joined us yesterday convinced Perrette to give him his gray cloak, so that he wouldn’t be picked out as helping the colonials. 

We found the outer portcullis and the gate closed and archers on the wall and at every arrow slit and murder hole of the gate.

That foolish lieutenant, Apidius, dared to not let us in. I challenged him by asking if he cared to tell Lord Thornton in person that he was the one who wouldn’t let us in.

He opened the gate just enough for us to crawl in and lowered it before the crowds decided to rush it.

We asked to see the captain, who chewed us out for letting Apidius in on the printing press in the tavern. We did get the captain to send word that if we had to go to the other gate to let us out.

We then entered new town and went to the area where we first met the woman who took us to the devil fish. She showed up and took us to meet him and that foul creature entered our minds again and was satisfied that we had done as agreed. 

It lead Finklemur to the head. It was most likely the head of Barron, but what we learned is that it had its skull opened like we have come to see all too often with a cube inside.

Now it appears that either Talisin and/or his new apprentice Jardin are in league with Nigel.

Now all we have to do is get this rotting head back to Thornton.

I hope it’s not too late and that we have time to hone our skills before we have to flee the city. I’d also like to sell our loot so we can afford to go elsewhere.

I have a feeling that going off after the item(s) in the other tomb for Desrick is in the cards now.

I could use a large amount of fine ale to ease this aching head.

Wanted to write out Axel’s perspective of our almost party-wipe. I have taken some small liberties with the events, but it’s mostly on point. Enjoy!

Axel sat sombre and quiet in the back of the wagon as the party made it’s way across town to Lord Thornton’s. It had been a long day, wandering all over Newtown in search of answers, and the dwarf felt they had perhaps gained more problems than answers. The night grew dark, and a light rain fell upon them, souring his mood yet further. A commotion up ahead caught the party’s attention and they looked up as Minitius, thier wagon driver, slowed his horse to a halt in the middle of a bridge.

Looking over, they could see a cartload of cabbages spilled across the road, a man and a woman arguing amongst the scattered vegetation. Tension spread throughout the group, and they all looked around warily out of pure instinct even as an arrow landed amongst them from across the canal. Someone shouted ambush, and Axel moved instantly, rolling off of the side of the wagon to the street, as the wizard Finklemur ducked for cover, Faldspar readied a spell,  and Tarion drew his bow.

The elf’s keen eyes spotted the target, but his return shot missed it’s mark. Following his lead, Axel drew his longbow and nailed the archer with a powerful shot. Shouting begins, and the once-arguing cabbage farmers turn and advance on them, drawing weapons. Finklemur dove for cover behind the wagon, dragging Minitius behind him, but is dismayed to see yet more attackers closing in from behind.

Seeing Thorfus engage the two in front, Axel readies himself to join his dwarven brother only to feel a surge of power splash against him. Whatever the magic wanted to do to him, the young dwarf resisted it, and he spun around to see a cleric step up alongside the shocked looking mage. The woman spoke, a prayer, and once more magic hit him, this one stifling and oppressive. He sees Tarion release another arrow and freeze up, Finklemur doing the same even in the face of an advancing swordsmen. With a defiant roar, Axel pushes through it and draws Face Cleaver, tossing the longbow aside.

Realising that the two magic-users were perhaps the biggest threat to them, he charges, warcries issuing forth from his lips. Shouldering past the mage, he swings his axe at the cleric, reasoning that killing her would free his allies. The cleric is surprisingly nimble however, and Face Cleaver sparks off of a concealed vest of chainmail.

Rage fuels him, and Axel presses the assault, but the mage snarls a word and he is engulfed in a torrent of flame. Battlecries turn into a roar of pain, the fire heating up his mail, scorching his skin and hair and clothing. The dwarf rolled out of the fire, putting the cleric between him and the mage, renewing his assault. The woman meets his axe with a mace and they dance back and forth, neither able to hit the other.

Periphally, Axel is aware of the rest of the party. The distant clatter of weapons beyond the wagon where Thorfus fought, the heavy splash of Minitius diving into the canal and the sickening meaty impact of a sword impaling the frozen Finklemur. He realises that this is no mere assault by desperate bandits, and unlike the group devestated by Thorfus in the sewers, this group was made up of consummate fighters. As if to punctuate the thought, the cleric cried out, seizing an advantage to bring down her mace in heavy blow that shattered his shield. The dwarf cries out in pain, his arm numbed by the attack.

There is another splash, someone else had jumped into the river, and a groan signals Thorfus falling to their attackers.

“We’re going to die here,” Axel realises forlornly. Outnumbered and outmaneouvred, thier best warrior down and half the party unable to act.

As if to assauge his fears, a chanted prayer echoes out and he sees Ir’Alle directing the holy energy at Finklemur, healing the old mage of his wounds. The cleric leaps down from the wagon, racing to meet him, calling out encouragement. They fight together against the two ambushers. Passing over his shield, Ir’Alle heals Axel’s wounds and the dwarf surges forward with renewed vigour.

A third attacker charges through the rain, skillfully ducking under the Midnight Star to deliver a fatal blow to the cleric. Crying out in rage and grief, Axel plants himself of his fallen friend’s unconcious body and engages the three with desperation. For all his skill however, the young dwarf was tired and hurt, fighting three humans alone. Ir’Alle’s shield is wrenched from his arm and the world goes black as the woman laughs triumphantly, striking his brow with her mace.

session 18:

To start off connection issues……Coming back from the devilfish the party decides to head to the guard house as a light rain starts to fall. Apidius the pearshaped man is seen and called out to he asks if we have had luck with our investigation and then asks if we would like to speak with the surviving guards. The first to  be  interviewed was a older looking half-elf with massive strength …the party drilled him with questions one after another about barons facial features.  Oswel Poer was the half elfs name. The party asks possibly about drugs being involved, Jennon and Edony two human female guards , Jennon has a neck like a bull and has been a guard for a year she mentioned albertis a pigeon chested coward guard. Tarion talks her up, she apparently spoke with Jennoen recently about barons wife.  Edony dark haired human girl who we allowed to sit , the women seemed to find Baron attractive ,the mayor was oneshoted blood everywhere. None of the guards seemed to care for lysender. The party then interviewed Apidius ,and was allowed to see the body. Talisan had cast a spell or two on the body to preserve it but otherwise the body was pretty putrid and rotting. Asks about the pure silver ring. we the head up to talk to the captian gosprend, tarion refuses to shut the door. They ask about perhaps arden grell having something to do with the death of lord mayor. A reason for the impeirals possibly being in charge of the assassination is to incite chaos and distrust between natives and colonists ,  Cecilie Pilla fishes in the canal reported the body of baron.The party heads over to the lucky gam and then to talisans where the palor is found to be just for show and talisan is asked about the strange blocks inside of the head of baron possibly being an a reason for his power. Questioning talisan about lysander and baron aswell as illusion spells. the party after speaking with talisan the heads over to albertsis for further questions.  Albertis works for the silver throne now run by dwarves. the party then heads to thortons and on the way there is a bunch of cabbages on the street they get advanced upon on arrows attacked by the cabbage people and then 3 more  enemies advance upon the party finklemur defending the driver is soon to be wrecked and is very scared . Tarion ,finklemur are held by a oncoming clerics spell then the wizard casts burning hands on axel bring him near death  iralle is sprinting to axel to help heals him and then is dropped by a arrow axel fights and defends ir alles body near death everyone thinks there done for  and then guards approach maybe saving the party i cant tell im to scared there is a nat 20 rolled for the guards and they take down a enemy and  they take down another we all survive and live to fight another day.