Session 171 - A Petty Dispute Among Lords

General Summary

17^th and 18^th of Kelan (Third Month of Spring) 723TR

The story so far

Jolanta, and her trusty bodyguard Blaine, are agents of the mysterious Order of the White Hand, hunting down unscrupulous mages and covering up magical mishaps.

This is the continuation of Session 169 - Digging up the Roots.

Part 1 - Mission 11 - A Diverted Stream

Jolanta learns that two lords are coming to blows. Lord Rythal of Lurim Manor claims that Lord Eldaran of Ridian Manor has used "witchery" to redirected a stream that provides water to one of his most valuable crops. Lord Eldaran fields are now benefiting from this water.

Jolanta travels to Ridian Manor and observes the new stream is indeed supplying welcome additional water to several barley fields, helping overcome the effects of a dry spring. Jolanta asks around and finds a pig herder, Dickon, who is not benefiting from this good fortune and hires him to act as a guide while she investigates this waterway.

Part 2 - The Blockage

Dickon leads the heroes along the stream up into the hill until they find the diversion. Huge rocks block the natural course of the stream, redirecting it. To Jolanta's eyes, this looks like someone has moved the rocks, likely by magic. But where have the rocks come from? Jolanta finds out soon enough, Dickon while walking across the shallow stream, suddenly disappears. The stream has very deep holes, and the poor peasant finds himself trapped in one and drowning. Jolanta blindly swims down, finds his hand, and activates the Water Walking power of her staff to propelling herself and Dickon to the surface. Blaine helps Dickon expel the water from his lungs. He has had experience with drowning people.

Apart from the hazards of deep holes, Jolanta also spots magical Glyphs on some of the rocks. A spellcaster is responsible.

Part 3 - The Angry Lord

Part 4 - Earth Elementals

Jolanta returns to the blockage. She uses her magic staff to Control Water spell and starts moving the smaller rocks to assist in creating a channel to restore the original flow of the stream. Making some progress, she accidentally triggers the glyphs. Rocks begin to move and form vaguely humanoid shapes, which attack Jolanta and Blaine. They deal with these four Medium Earth Elementals and then rest for the night. The following day Jolanta completes her work and successfully returns the stream to its original route. Jolanta and Blaine conceal themselves among the trees and wait and see what will happen.

First to arrive is Lord Rythal and several of his men at around midday. He has no idea of what happened, viewing the removal of the obstructions; he returns Lurim Manor a satisfied man.