Skaflocs Blog: Session 85: "The time for rest is over........." or "Let's get back to doing what we do............."

Dates: 1491 4TH SOLSTICE - 1492 1ST DAY OF FROSTMOOT - MOONDAY

Mission: Return to the Tomb of Moving Stones

Campaign: Elemental Cult Campaign

Location(s): Waterdeep, Red Larch

Present: Aerie, Anor, Aramil, Bandur, Fabien, Fenn, Garet, Grog, Karion, Zindra

Leaving Field: None

4th Solstice of the Year 1491:

The group welcomed back Aerie. Outwardly she seemed fine. Inwardly, that could be another matter.

Fabien introduced his new companion.........the tale of which had to be recounted in true bardic fashion. Garet just spread his arms wide again in silent exclamation......

Fabien: "Twas the middling of the dark watch when 2 furtive figures dressed in dark clothing slid along the side wall. The taller of the 2, by a scant inch or so and the topic of many friendly disagreements in the various taverns and inns; pointed to the wall climber and offered a hand to his companion. Helping each other they lay flat on too to ensure there were no guards, not that the taller of the 2, by a scant inch or so, knew there could be, for it was a long while since he had been here.

Rolling off the wall and landing softly on their feet the furtive two stealthy went from shadow to shadow. The smaller of the two, by a few scant inches, seemed to dart unseen ahead before appearing beside his companion and indicating all was clear.

The building was grand, imposing and was 3 stories high. Nearby a stable block, and some other out buildings which formed a courtyard. A large formal garden was on the far side of the house with a maze if the taller by a scant inch or so remembered.

Entry was gained by use of The Key . A special key. Leading the way the taller of the two stopped by the grand fireplace, grand....everything was grand, opulent and vulgar, of tasteless expense. Hanging above the family great sword, emblazoned with the family crest.

The taller watched the smaller move odd ornaments, turn odd pictures to face the wall, an item here an item there as they moved silently from room to room.

A noise, the padding of familiar feet on the wooden floors. A familiar face nuzzling into his leg. Decision made, the smaller, by a scant few inches, looked at his Co conspirator and raised his arms in silent exclamation.

Leaving the main house, locking the door behind, the taller, by a few scant inches, led the smaller and the dog to a different side wall. There amongst the bushes was a small locked door. Producing the key he opened the door. Slowly they inched it open for fear the hinges were rusty. It opened silently.

Locking the door they made their way back to the Inn. The taller, by a few scant inches, happy now the offspring of his childhood friend was safely with him. Their bond when the pup had been born was instantaneous.

The shorter, by a few scant inches, smiled as he closed the door. What would tomorrow bring."

Aerie: "Ah, he's cute, whats his name?"

Fabien: "Fenn".

Aramil: "Fenn?"

Fabien: "Yes, Fenn."

Grog: "Ok then, I'll ask, why Fenn?".

Fabien: "To upset my parents, it's another tale, It's a grand reminiscence of a lowly peasant, Elroy Earnest, who by luck slipped in a pile of horse manure and jostled young prince Fenthick, causing said prince to fall to the side of the curb just in time to miss being trampled by a runaway carriage. In a dramatic turn of events, thinking the hapless commoner had pushed him out of the way and thus saving his life, Fenthick knighted the terrified chap on the spot, and Sir Earnest (as he became to be known) went on to become a champion of the people, saving many a unfortunate soul from the unfair retribution of those holding a higher social title.

Widely frowned upon by nobility far and wide as a song encouraging commoners to attempt to rise in social status to their elevated ranks; most royalty unofficially blacklist any Bard who is heard recounting this parable and from ever singing in the high courts again. Sadly this has made the tune all the more popular amongst the peasantry and poorly skilled Bards who know they will never have the skill to play for the royal houses anyway."

Fabien then broke into song:

"Earnest the just

was never full of pride,

known and loved

by commoners far and wide!

He'd take a stand,

or fight a duel quite grand

at any peasants' behest

no matter your standing

he'd bend an ear

and carefully hear

your humble request"

Garet: "Ok, ok, we stole a damn dog, puppy, whatever. Now what are we going to do, longer we stay here the quicker we......."

He left the rest unsaid. The others got the picture as Aerie and Fabien spoilt Fenn with tickles and hugs.

The group decided they had unfinished business in Red Larch, plus their horses were there. First thing in the morning they would depart for Red Larch.

1492, 1st Day of Frostmoot, Moonday:

Garet ensured that everything was ready, Fabien would carry Fenn in his arms. Garet knew the stable should be clear of people as the animals were fed well before their planned arrival. Garet disappeared. Arriving in the stables a scant 5 seconds before the remainder of the group appeared around him. They checked their horses were still there and made their way to the inn. The owner was really surprised and pleased they were back. He quickly recounted what had happened and sent one of his lads to fetch the constable.

Breakfast was ordered but no payment was accepted. The group thought this very generous. Shortly the constable arrived and began to fill them in, constantly having to stop as the inn owner added detail and pieces the constable forgot. The constable recounted that after a day he had led a volunteer party down the hole to find out what had happened. They had found 4 dead bodies in a small room off a side passage, one the group hadn't scouted. They also found Baragustas Harbuckler, he denied everything to do with the bodies blaming other Believers, the constable had rounded them all up and one by one they denounced each other for the murders and the person called Larrakh. He was awaiting a troop of soldiers from Amphail to arrive and transport them to Waterdeep for trial.

They thanked the constable and asked how much they owed for 10 days stabling and feed. They were again pleasantly surprised when they were told the payment was covered. The constable explained, not 5 days before a group of travellers had came to Red Larch seeking one Garet Jax, Garet indicated that that was he, he was astounded to learn that his friends, Mavrithan, Arwynne, Myst, Tor and Horst had been here. They left payment for the horses and a hearty breakfast, they also left a message and a package for Garet.

Wrapped in a fur, Garet unwrapped a finely crafted Short Sword. The message was simple:

'Spent your share of the dragon hoard, Arwynne thought you could do with this, bought from your temple for a hefty price I might add. It's a Ki Sword. Use it well. We're heading north, trouble on the border, sheltering in Silverymoon. Myst says have you found a good woman yet, Horst says f'k you, Tor says next round is on you, Arwynne sends her love. Be safe my friend.'

Breakfast finished the constable showed them the way into the tunnels via the hidden entrance in the north quarry.

The constable added they had gone as far as a door but no one would enter so they boarded it up. He confirmed it was at the end of a long tunnel just after some metal cages.

It wasn't long before they stood before the door of the room in which Karion and Aerie had nearly died. Grog ripped the planking away, the door had no lock, Bandur prepared himself and rushed into the room, Aramil followed him but hugged the wall heading to the right. Anor rushed in taking up position between Bandur and Aramil, Zindra moved off to the left. Garet darted forward to hide in the shadows, Aerie moved up behind Bandur as Karion and Fabien took position behind a large obelisk. The room seemed familiar but it was different. A structure no stood in the middle of the room, not random stone blocks, the obelisk had been furthest from the door was now closest. Grog activated 'Light Bringer', his mace.

The group moved forward, to scout out the structure, wary of the undead they had encountered before. Suddenly centred on the corner of the structure a vast cloud of poisonous gas erupted from nowhere. Garet, suing his skills evaded, Aerie, Bandur and Anor were not so fortunate.

Caught in the middle Anor and Bandur took minor damage whilst Aerie seemed impervious. As the cloud of poisonous gas cleared, Garet could sense the ground trembling, before he could shout a warning skeleton warriors burst from the ground.

Grog threw himself in a mad charge into the midst of 6 skeletons and was battered to the ground for his foolish effort, Bandur stepped in a smashed two skeletons with 2 swings of his battle axe. Aramil quickly cast a cantrip of acid splash and killed 2 more. Anor destroyed another 2.