We head toward Amber.
Gemma yells out in surprise – we look over she has a dog near her, like a terrier – she’s delighted, it’s licking her and she’s giving it a hug.
Rh: “This dog familiar to you?”
G: “Yes! He’s a stray who’s been following me but dissapeared after we left * – I call him legs. Just having the dog there kept my spirits up.”
The dog is not magical – the dog looks healthy, but looks like it’s use to being out in the wilds, but in good health. Liandan puts on the funky glasses on and it looks like a dog. We find it has a bit of transmutive magic on it.
R’: was there when you got there?
G: Yes it showed up after I got there.
We return to BB, walk right up to the gates – all our liberated, saved people have a bounce in their step. Our approach was sited, and some of the lookouts are surprised to see the people we’ve saved. Dessa Appldore is there to greet us, with wide eyes – “Eyed”
Dessa: “Greetings and welcome back, adventurerers – I see you’ve had some success.”
Zarbanius: “Adventurers? Heroes! They saved me from a curse”
The released folks “helped us too! And that ranger too!”
The guards looks at us hearing that.
Dessa: “Come – rest. Cronen and Stephano are out looking for Heminile. They left yesterday morning.”
Rem’e: Have you seen anything unusual?
Dessa: No – prospectors have come in as usual.
Re: Anyone from the mine?
Dessa: No – a shipment from the mine is missing, but no.
We decide to rest for a few days. Ariza is going to check out Wu and make some alchemist’s fire. Rem’e is going to work on his Dragon Pistol. Liadan and Rhun work on scrolls. We discuss what to do about the strongbox which is in Ariza’s room. We decide to talk to Dessa (not Wu) about it.
In the common room, there’s a lot of hustle and bustle. People are celebrating. We ask to speak with Dessa in Cronen’s office. Dessa: “Yes – please, tell me your tale.” We go to the office and she pours us shots of whisky. She knocks hers back, and then listens to us. We tell her about the strongbox and Heminile. She’s delighted about the strongbox.
L: “Has anything else happened in our absence?”
D: “No – we have guards watching the house. I can’t believe Heminile would do this. I have a great deal of respect for her.”
We explain that we believe we have evidence against the proof used against her. Liadan reveals Vervinia – and hands it to Dessa. “Oh! You have the blade?” She has Dessa draw it, “My name is Dessa” and draws the sword half way, and it doesn’t glow. Then Dessa asks Liadan, “Are you an elf?” L: “Of course!” and she draws it, and it glows.
Dessa is surprised. “We didn’t know about this. Could we keep my husband’s sword hidden here?” We can tell she’s devoted to her husband and intends to do the best by him. “That tale is incredible, and I’ll be sure to let it be known that you are those who safely recovered it. When Cronen returns, I’m sure we can find some kind of reward.”
L: “We’d like to speak to Cronen as well.”
D: “Oh – Rem’e – you are Rem’e? A letter came for you.”
Rem’e reads the letter: http://www.dogenmedia.com/ambergrist/journal/kainos-warning/
We find the dog in the common room getting pet by some of the guards. Liadan and Ariza go looking for Gemma – who had come looking for Liadan. “Mistress Liadan, may I speak with you?” L: “Certainly – would you mind if my friend accompanies us?” Ariza gives her a big smile.
They go to Gemma’s room. Gemma is hoping Liadan will help her continue her studies in magic. Liadan asks, “Have you noticed anything special about Legs?”
G: “Well he’s not really mine…I haven’t noticed anything about him.”
L: “How about we start with detect magic…”
G: “Oh I can already do that …”
L: “Well why don’t you go cast that on Legs.”
Gemma goes out to do so – Ariza stealthfuly follows her to make sure there is no danger to Gemma, Liadan quietly follows Ariza in case she’ll need any help.
Rem’e goes to the smithy. Lexera sees him arrive. He shows subtle appreciation for her excellent armor. She raises her eyebrow and muscular right hand. “It’s great to see you – I’ve been working with your materials. Your device is so interesting, I thought I could replecate it.”
In the workshop, she shows Rem’e a partially created copy of a gun. Rem’e thanks her – the work she’s done is beautiful. Rem’e works with her to complete it as a dragon pistol. Rem’e looks into how much black powder he has.
Rhun goes to visit Habistaw to get some scroll making materials. Maybe eight blank scrolls. Habistaw shows up behind him as Rhun knocks on the door – “Oh! Rhun!” He has a basket of nuts. “Would you like a nut? How can I help you.”
Rhun: “I’m taking up the art of scribing my divine spells, and have come to collect materials.”
Habistaw: “Sure! You might need some of this, and some of this…” He knocks the nuts off the table — he steps on one, and begins to look at the crushed nut, enraptured. He closes his eyes.
“I’ve got it – I’ve got it … it’s in celestial, but here:
Hopeless it may seem
To face abandoned shadows
Faith must be your light
R: “Where did that come from?”
H: “You know… I’m gifted.” and pops a nut in his mouth.
Rhun thanks Habistaw and returns to his room to work on scrolls. 2 scrolls of Eagle’s Splendor (150gp x2), 3 scrolls of Cure Light Wounds at level 3 (75gp x3) — about 10 hours of work.
Gemma casts the spell on the dog. Ariza watches her – and then withdraws as Gemma turns to return. Gemma knocks on Liadan’s door – Ariza and Liadan greet her.
“Mistress, you’re right! The dog is magical! It’s transmutive.”
L: “Good work Gemma. You’re right.”
A: “What did you tell the dog?”
G: “I cast the spell from afar …it was playing with some of the soldiers.”
A: “When you were away – did you speak in front of the dog?”
L: “Did you practice magic in front of the dog? You need to be on alert. You need to perhaps speak with him.”
G: “Yes mistress. Can we have a lesson? Will you continue to teach me?”
L: “Well, I need to think about that. I don’t know what the next days will bring.”
Gemma looks a little crestfallen.
L: “Look – Why don’t we meet after breakfast tomorrow.”
Rem’e and Lexera talk about smithing … she gives Rem’e lots of tips about his crafting. He spends the next two days talking to her. Lessons in metallurgy and weapon smithing.
Ariza makes smoke sticks, 2 tanglefoot bags, and a refill on alchemist’s fire.
Liadan goes to visit Habistaw. “Ah – Liadan. Had a feeling.”
“I want to take you up on your offer of looking at your scrolls. I want to investigate your vast knowledge. Do you have..”
H: “I do have vast knowledge. Wait! Have a thought…have a thought… Oh no I guess not”
L: “Do you have a scroll of invisibility”
H: “You’re not going to steal anything are you?…. oh wait, I don’t care. Sure! I have that.”
Liadan joins Rhun at scribing scrolls. One scroll of invisibility (150gp), two 3rd level magic missiles (2 x 75gp).
The next day – we head back to the common room. There’s a lot of buzz about us, and lots of buzz about Heminile. The farmers are firmly in Heminile’s court. About us – “They found the strongbox and returned it!” We eat and drink for free. Gemma is out with her relatives.
Rem’e looks out for any ruffians, but we see none. Rhun asks Dessa if she’s had any thoughts about who harmed her family — but it’s definitely not the right time to discuss it.
Rhun dreams that night about the crone. He’s on the rack, she’s sharpening the implements – just before she cuts in, he wakes up — kicking the blankets off, in a cold sweat. Rem’e asks, “What’s going on.” Rhun confesses his recurring dreams about the crone from Boulderham. Rem’e has a worried look. He pulls out his ocarina and plays a pleasant country tune. Rhun teaches Rem’e a few melodies from the church of Sarenrae. Rem’e learns these with the hope of helping to sooth Rhun.
We spend the bulk of the next day working on crafting. Gemma meets Liadan in the morning. Gemma’s posture is timid. “When I was in Boulderham, it was the first time I was alone – and if I’m going to survive out here, I need to learn more. The way you and your friends brought us all home, handled everything and brought us all home…”
L: “What about your family? Do you want to protect yourself and others”
G: “My family understands this — and I want to help others too.”
L: “Ok – we may be travelling.”
G: “I’ll do what you wish.”
Ariza attempted to track down the dog, but didn’t have much success.
A boy comes to tell us that Dessa would like to speak with us. We attend to it.
Dessa: “It’s been several days since Cronen and Stephano have been away – would you be willing to go check on my family at the farm?” We agree to go. “Thank you – that gives me comfort. If you wouldn’t mind checking on my Aunt too, but definitely check on Vintas and Dalla.”
The four of us head out. As we go, we see Legs crossing the road from one side to the other. We try to call the dog, but the dog doesn’t come back. As we get close to the farm, three guards see us, and recognize us as guests at the bluff. “Hail travellers.”
L: “Hail and well met. Were you at the farm by chance?”
“Yes – Cronen came and relieved us. He’s at the farm now. We’re looking forward to sleeping in our own cots.”
L: “His wife was concerned – would you mind checking in with her and telling her about Cronen?”
“Sure we can do that.”
As we head forward, suddenly a hail of arrows falls down on us and call of “GET EM!!” comes out in goblinoid.
BATTLE!
- Rem’s is surprised!
- Rhun casts a firebolt at an archer goblin – it drops!!
- GOBLINS (4):
- Fire another volley of arrows – all goes missing over our heads
- Liadan runs to the side of the goblins and casts gusts of wind – one of them gets knocked over.
- Ariza runs into the fray and takes out another goblin!
- Rem’e comes to – runs forward and uses deadly aim and point blank shot: and hits against the remaining Goblin – it screams and is covered with flames.
- The goblin takes off in a dead run
- Liadan shoot with her crossbow, but misses.
- Ariza runs forward, throws a dagger and hits, and down the goblin goes.
The goblins all dead, have nothing on them worth keeping, but the smell of burnt goblin is strong. Rem’e throws the bodies off the road.
We approach the farm – we all listen. Off in the distance we hear “woof! woof!” At the farm, things are eerily quiet. There is a light on at the farmhouse. Ariza and Rem’e stealthily approach the house as quiet as mice on snow. Ariza climbs on Rem’e’s shoulders, and she looks into the main room of the farmhouse. She sees Cronen in the farmhouse and he’s got knives in the fire with Vintas and Dalla tied up.
Ariza drops down and shakes her head …I can’t have seen what I think I just saw … She lifts Rem’e up and he looks in. He sees Cronen with a very cruel look on his face … but as he looks at his features, he sees something is not right. As he looks harder, he pierces the illusion and sees broad hunched shoulders, broad shoulders, and pointed ears, and recognizes this creature as a bugbear!
Rem’e looks to see if Cronen himself is nearby and if the couple has been tortured. The couple look terrified, but not yet harmed. Vintas is kicking against his bonds without effect – and Dalla has a wet puddle under her stool.
Ariza hastily cautions us to quiet and urges us over. She and Rem’e circle around to push open the door and shoot.
BATTLE:
- Liadan sees Ariza and Rem’e make a dashing move towards the door, ready for action. She prepares a magic missile, and moves up towards the door.
- BUGBEAR – is behind the door
- Rhun runs forward and casts Eagle’s Splendor on Rem’e
- Rem’e prepares his shot ready to take a reaction
- Ariza shoves open the door steps forward and shoves a dagger into the bugbear. As the door opens, both Liadan and Rhun see through the illusion, recognizing the bugbear for what it is. Liadan releases her two prepared missiles into the bugbear, and Rem’e fires into the beast entangling it in a goopy resin and hurting it.
- Liadan casts a force missile on it! The bugbear is not happy. “War-ky crush you!!”
- BUGBEAR
- hits Ariza with just a scratch, but something feels wrong about the wound … she gets sleepy and feels bad (-1 con).
- Rhun calls to companions, “Do we want to question this beast??” They respond with a resounding, “no!” – so he casts a firebolt at it.
- Rem’e focuses his aim and blasts the beast point blank, and BOOM blows a hole through the beast, though not quite enough to kill him.
- Ariza slashes with her dagger — she hits, and steps back.
- Liadan blasts the bugbear with a scorching ray, and it goes down in smouldering heap of smoking bugbear ash!!
Ariza shakes off her bad feeling. Ariza cuts the farmer’s bonds. Rhun asks if they are hurt.
“Oh my god, oh my god! We thought it was Cronen! What is going on? What is that??”
Vintas has a terrible shiner. Rhun heals him, “May the light of Sarenrae heal you.” Rem’e goes and checks the barn to ensure things are secure.
Looking at the bugbear’s remains, both Rem’e and Ariza are fairly certain this is the bugbear we saw in Boulderham. Rem’e: “I’m 99% sure this is the one we saw in Boulderham.”
Rhun to Dalla and Vintas: “Did he ask you any questions?”
“No – he just looked like he was going to enjoy harming us.”
Rem’e: “They just came in and overpowered you?”
“Yes – it just burst in and tied us up.”
Rem’e suggests he and Rhun step out and give Dalla and Vintas a chance to collect herself. Ariza and Liadan suggest they come back to town to stay at the inn. As they step out, we investigate the bugbear’s body. It has a necklace and a pouch in a pouch on its belt. Liadan senses that the necklace is magical. The bugbear’s morning star has something dark and noxious on it, but we can’t tell what it is. We take both. Liadan drags the bugbear out of the house, and to the side of the road, and and head back towards the town. It takes a few hours to get back.
Dessa and Dalla greet each other with big hugs. We tell Dessa what happened and encourage her to send soldiers to go check on the aunt. Liadan: “And word of warning – the bugbear impersonated Cronen – be forewarned.” Dessa calls to the solider Ben and they dispatch four soldiers out to the aunt’s house.
We study the items. The potion is of “Disguise Self”. The amulet is … we’re not sure what it is. There’s magic on it, but it seems like a mix of magics on it. Ariza puts it on. She feels like there is something about it, but she can’t quite make out what it is. There’s something she can’t reach. It seems it has some evil to it. Liadan sense that it’s infernal … “Take it off, Ariza … let’s put it in this pouch.”
435xp apiece.