Friday, 29 May 2020

Session 20: "There's a long, long trail a winding...." or " Tip toe through the tulips....what's a Tulip?"


2nd day of Highsun, Moonday
The group then made good speed to Phandalin. Sildar Hallwinter was still at the inn. He thanked the group for rescuing his friend, returning his sword and armour and for clearing Cragmaw Castle, which Gundrun confirmed. Gundrun thanked the group again and informed them he may have need of their services to get him to Wave Echo Cave, for which he would offer them a tantalising deal. The group informed Gundrun they would keep that in mind. They now turned their thoughts towards the Golden Sun Elf statue and possibly assistance from the young elf, Sister Garaele.

Sister Garaele was sought out and although she confirmed the Statue was indeed a statue of a Sun Elf she also thought there was something more about the statue, what she could not say.

The group decided to rest up at the Stonehill Inn. Talking that evening turned to spending some more time training. 34 days seemed to be the optimum period for some members to complete training with shield, whilst others trained in sweep, accurate bow aiming and parrying with Greataxe, which Sildar took a hand in training Bandur 1 on 1.

5th Day of Firemoot, Fireday
This was the last day of their training. The talk had turned to heading for Old Owl Well and completing the posted job related to Old Owl Well. They learned that the Old Owl Well was some 20 miles south east of Conyberry.

Sister Garaele turned up at the Inn and asked the group if they would carry out a delicate task. They agreed as it was just outside of Conyberry. Sister Garaele wanted them to visit a Banshee called Agatha, an undead Elf. If they played to her vanity and gave her a gift of this jewelled comb Sister Garaele gave them then Agatha might give them information about a spell book and its location.

The group departed early the next day.


6th Day of Firemoot, Swordsday
It was a good 60 miles to Conyberry along the Triboar Trail. The first day and night passed without incident. Although the group were slowed somewhat as Gimli kept wandering off looking for herbs. He didn’t find any.

7th Day of Firemoot, Saintsday
The group had an uneventful journey to Conyberry and arrived in the early evening. The Triboar Trail made the going easier. Conyberry was in ruins. At first they were shocked until they realised this ruination was not recent but must have happened years ago. Finding 2 of the better ruined buildings to use as shelter the group settled down for the night. A fire was made and Hagnulf took first watch. Looking up from the fire Hagnulf observed at least 5 pairs of eyes gleaming in the dark. He could make out the shape and size of wolves. He shouted “STAND TO, STAND TO”, hoping the others asleep in ramshackle, half ruined buildings would hear his call.

Lionel, first to awaken and respond, could see the shadow of a wolf outside the door of the building. He fired an arrow but was jostled by Heimund and the arrow flew wide, as Heimund pushed past to stand in the doorway. Hagnulf let fly and hit a wolf. The group burst from the ruined buildings and surprised the wolves who launhed into an attack. Fargrim was hit the worst. Then 4 of the 5 wolves ran off as the 5th fought to the death. They cut up the dead wolf and ate a hearty breakfast.

8th Day of Firemoot, Moonday
They headed along the clear trail north west out of Conyberry and the forest grew dark s the trail wound deeper into the trees. Heavy vines of moss drape the branches, and the air is noticeably cooler than it was in the ruined village. Rounding a bend in the trail, the group could see a screen made of warped wood from the branches of trees standing close together, woven into a domelike shelter in the shadows, a low doorway leading inside.
Fargim tried all his charismatic persuasion to lure Agatha outside of the dwelling, even laying the comb down so she could see the gift. After some time the group were afraid they were on a wild goose chase. Fargrim prayed and was rewarded by the feeling that something undead was near. He entered the dwelling, followed by Bandur (He who follows) and Beorwulf (He who rushes in).

Inside they found a home of sorts. Sparsely furnished with chests, shelves, a table and an old reclined couch. All of it old and of Elven craft.

No sooner had they entered when the air grew cold and a powerful feeling gripped them. A cold, pale light flickered in the air, rapidly taking on the form of a female Elf, her hair and robes waving in a spectral wind. She might have been beautiful, once, but a hateful expression twists her features now. “Foolish mortals” she snarled, “What do you want here? Do you not know it is death to seek me out?”
Fargrim started to explain very eloquently, for a Dwarf, very respectfully in his tone and level of voice as he spoke and he finished by offering the jewelled comb as a gift.

Agatha’s demeanour changed as she felt very flattered by the words, even if he was a Dwarf, but the comb sealed the bargain for she loved pretty things.

The ghostly figure smiled with cold amusement. “Very well”, she says. “I know that you seek many things. Ask me one question, and I will give you an answer”.

Fargrim stumbled with his words as he tried to remember the name, he was prompted by Bandur, and he carried on. “We seek Bowgentles spellbook, can you aid us?”
.
Agatha thought for a moment and replied “ I traded that book to a necromancer named Tsernoth from the city of Iraebor more than a hundred years ago, I do not know what happened to the book after that.” Once Agatha had finished, she simply said “Go, now”. And disappeared.

The group retraced their steps to Conyberry and headed eastward along the Triboar Trail. 

Setting up camp for the night, Gimli took 2nd watch. He soon grew bored and wandered off from the campfire in search of herbs, in the dark. Startled but ready for action he was ready when the Owlbear charged him but missed timed his swing trying to trip the creature up.
It’s beak ripped into Gimli as it passed. Gimli ran for the camp and managed to awaken them as the Owlbear charged into the camp. 
Gimli was badly injured but the Owlbear succumbed to the myriad of blows struck by the group members surrounding the creature.

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