Session 5: Hunting the Hunters Report

General Summary

Recap:

1. Walking around and getting an idea of who might be best to assist with the party's quest, everyone's attention turns to Tadrel, who's been battling it out against a gemstone dragonborn in a game of Earth, Water, Fire. Tadrel ultimately emerges victorious, and the dragonborn, Orion, begins to pack his things.
2. The party asks the dragonborn if he'd be willing to assist in the rescue of Brooke Payne, a girl who's been stolen by the merrow raid at the dock. Orion is happy to join, due to his respect for Tadrel's formidable strategy. After the party helps Orion in putting his setup away, Orion offers to meet the party wherever they're resting in the following morning.
3. Looking for a place to sleep, the party asks Father James for any local lodging, to which he offers to have them rest in the large cathedral within Westerbrook. The party accepts his offer, much to the dismay of Nutae.
4. After resting up, the party heads off to begin their search, coming across Orion, who'd been waiting outside the cathedral for them. Sam and Nutae briefly head off to gather some herbal supplies, and the party eventually reconvenes back at the Westerbrook dock. The dock's run by an old man who rents to them a keelboat, as well as the nautical services of his grandson, Timmy.
5. The party headed upstream to the north, where the girl's father, Abbot, said he last saw the merrow headed. During the first day, Lia discovered some fecal remains left by the merrow within the last day, assuring the party they were on the right path.
6. The following night was mostly uneventful, save for Tadrel's watch, which was briefly distracted by the appearance of his guide. After asking about Tadrel's well being and thoughts on recent events, Tadrel's guide offered him "the first hint" towards a personal goal, and disappeared off.
7. In the day after, Lia barely managed to scope out the entrance of a cave a little ways off, with clear signs of nearby activity. The party came closer to the cave entrance, and discovered unmistakable merrow tracks delving deeper inside, signifying that this was where their quarry had gone.
8. Making their way inside, doing well to keep as silent as possible, the party discovered a pair of merrow patrolling within the cave, which they quickly dispatched of. As they descended further and further, the party encountered more merrow, as well as larger and larger pools of water, partitioned by crude blockades.
9. The penultimate cavern seemed to be skittering with giant spiders, whom after being calmed down by Sam and Nutae, let the party discover the unfortunate fate of some lone guard.
10. In the final cavern, lit by a dim greenish-turquoise light, was plentiful patrolling merrow, whom were quickly alerted to the party's presence, due to the lights of Erika and Tadrel. The merrow scattered in preparation for the party's entrance, and immediately rushed upon them when they entered.
11. Now seeing the cavern's interior, there was also a strange gelatinous blob, in a similar color to the light it emitted, with some sort of demonic, goat-humanoid creature reveling in front of it. After a long, chaotic brawl, the party emerged steadily victorious, now turning their attention towards the huge greenish blob.

Notes

In Game Date (dd/mm/yyyy): 16/05/1195—02/06/1195