Session 4: The Gaudy Cloak Report

General Summary

As you enter the tavern a voice from behind the bar welcomes you: "Welcome, Welcome adventurers!" A tall, pale-looking man stands behind the bar wearing a colorful cloak. "Come closer the first round is on me!" he continues.   The man behind the bar introduces himself as Anthep, the proprietor of the Gaudy Cloak inn. A place he created himself so weary travelers could rest during their travels.   The party taking a seat next to an older fellow try the brew served in front of them "Golden Wheat Stout"  tasting a beverage unlike anything they ever tasted. As Rhogar presses Anthep  for some food as well they are served toast with a poached cockatrice egg. After an inquiry about their lost friend Yulius, the party decides to talk to one of the patrons, A lone man sitting at a table with a game of chess in front of him.   The old man, a wizard named Thorborg Paol, challenges Azubuike and Dena to a game of wizard chess, a game unknown to Dena. Thorborg promises them the game as a reward if they beat him, but if they lose they have to play another round... Unable to beat the wizard Dena and Azubuike are shrunk to the size of pawns and have to defeat the animated chess pieces on the board.    Rhogar observing all this wanders over to the game and looks on as his friends try to survive the challenge put before them. Not wanting to lose out on the fun Rhogar asks the wizard after a short while if he can join the game. Not a moment later Rhogar finds him amidst the combat.   The fight is fierce and the party manages to slay two pieces. But they are too weak. With a final strike, the queen manages to knock-out the party completely. As the wizard returns the party to their regular size they are treated to a new round of golden wheat stout paid for by the wizard.    After their bout with the chess pieces, the party takes a well-deserved rest before heading out again. Obtaining some information from Anthep as where they should head next the party sets out again.   Leaving the inn the party finds themselves in the loggers camp again. Per the direction of Anthep they follow the road out of the camp and into the forest. Somewhere along the road, Rhogar notices a dried river bed where he relieves himself. As his pee hits the ground green grass grows and grows until golden wheat comes up and, just as quickly as it came, it dies out. Wanting to benefit from the Golden wheat Rhogar and Azubuike try to harvest the wheat before it dies off but as they pluck the wheat it dries out and changes to dust. As the party progresses through the forest the quartz in Azubuike's backpack starts to tremble. Not sure what is happening they bind it on a stick in case it explodes. Not soon after the crystal stops moving as if nothing happened. As evening falls the party starts looking for a suitable place to camp for the night.    As the party is setting up camp a herd of sheep approaches. Giving Dena some more information on the type of people going up and down the road. The sheep continuing on their way leave the party, now alone in the forest.   As they decide on the guard the party notice a weak, white light coming from further in the forest. Deciding to investigate the source of this the party makes way through the trees, slowly and silently. With luck, Azubuike escaped a beartrap lying around.   As the party reaches the source of the light they discover a ghost dwarf standing next to an opening in a mound. Not saying anything only pointing them inward. Rhogar tells the party that there are stories about a white dwarf and that this could maybe be the one talked about.