Session 21 Report

General Summary

Start with a review of the post-combat conversations.   The party is standing around in the cavern with the freed prisoners, Duke Guias, and the bodies of the Drow Shadowmancer, Drow Guards, and the Priest of Moradain.   The party took some time to examine the obelisk and the chamber surrounding it. They discussed the sudden new information. They began a debate about where they need to go to find the children. They realized they have two choices, one to the north, and one far to the south across the Strait of Babel. Yemtoc raised concerns about the new threat, and wondered if there might be others better suited to tackling that problem. The group had mixed feelings, some leaning voicing concerns that this threat is imminent, and other agreeing with Yemtoc that they were hired to find information on the attack on the Royal Procession and to find lost children. Deciding to table the discussion until they don’t have a group of rescued captives in tow, and have an ale in hand they decide to avoid the Duke’s Manor and return through the catacombs to the Church of Moradain entrance that Ava and Huugar had previously used. Appearing from the Catacomb entrance in the back of the church the party comes across a group of started Priests and Acolytes. Ava recognized a healing Nori, and approached him. Ava asked him for advice on getting to Silverquill. Nori suggested connecting with the caravans to travel the trade road. The priests began to tend to the recovered people. As Ava checked in with the priests, they offered words of thanks and asked if there was anything they could offer to help. She declined, but said they would return if they had a need.   Returning to the Garrulous Cauldron, Grim Eye offers to cover food and drinks for the group. He approached the group, concerned that Zairus was taking control of his body. Mid-battle with the Drow Shadowmancer he seemed to lose control to Zairus. He was concerned that this new unknown might make him a threat. The group suggested keeping a night watch on Grim Eye.   The party decided to try and leave in the middle of the night. In order to give Grim Eye an face to help with his Sending, Zita sketched a picture of Prime Minister Ajax Praghood. She then kept watch over Grim Eye as he powered down for a rest. Ava and Huugar headed back to the church of Moradain to negotiate for supplies. Huugar is able to secure two horses from the Church, and is directed to the caravan camp to the north to find a wagon. He and Ava locate a sturdy wagon and have it prepared for departing in the early morning.   Yemtoc slipped away while the rest of the group was talking, and headed to the Leaky Aristocrat. Inquiring about a private place, he is led back to the back room where he pulled out an artifact and he had a private conversation. Exiting the room, he sat down at the bar and began getting drunk.   Nedda headed out through town to search for travel supplies.   Yemtoc caught the attention of Raymond Lillie, with whom he spent the rest of the afternoon and evening.   Grim Eye awoke in the evening, heading to the roof of the Garrulous Cauldron he sent out a message to Prime Minister Ajax.   SENDING   “GE: I’m with the mercenaries who seek children. Children in Silverquill and Tarim. We go to Silverquill. Danger – Death God Orcus returns, cultists rampant. Be Ready.   Ajax: A new voice. The wedding proceeds, but this news is worrying. What proof? How can we assist in your endeavors? No new news on attack?”     Grim Eye brought this information to Ava seeking guidance on the conversation.     “SENDING 2   GE: Send investigative forces to Tarim. Death Cultists are kidnapping children. Death Cultists are trying to bring back Orcus. Possibly related to Rael Family. Be Ready.   Ajax: Contacting Spymaster in Tarim. Cannot risk outright war. Watching reports for missing children. Will send occupying force to arrest Rael.”     Concerned that they may have not send enough clarifying information, Ava and Grim Eye decide to talk things over with the party in the morning and send either another message or a letter.     Late in the evening, Yemtoc returns to the Garrulous Cauldron and the group decides to get up early the next morning to leave under the cover of darkness. Some of the party notice that Yemtoc has some interesting scratch marks on his neck. Retrieving their wagon from the caravan camp, Huugar and Grim Eye take the front of the wagon, with the remaining members curling up in the back of the wagon to get some more rest and have a casual conversation. They started discussing their sexual escapades. With Yemtoc giving lectures to the Druids.   During the first day of travel, Huugar and Grim Eye see a trio of knights approaching them in shiny armor with a giant sun emblazoned on the chest. Huugar and Grim Eye attempt to speak in Dwarvish to the knights. Cedric, the leader of the knights inquired about what the group was doing. Upon learning that the group is a troupe of mercenaries, he asked to hire them as guards. Huugar interjects that they don’t want work. They are given directions to the main road, and given a hastily sketched map that will lead them to the main trade road. Redirected, the party continued until they found a sheltered area to set up camp for the night. Ava told the group a story of teenage Hansel and Gretel and their exploits to lose their virginity.