Meino, Malinda, The Orb, and a Luther reveal

Game Session: 16-May-2020
Group: Luther, Kursk, Uvarum, Putz, Imlazor, Narcan, Cymbaline, NPC Brand
 
Anansimon 14 to 29 Year 219 of Human Arrival
After checking on more info on Meino, Narcan and Putz head to Hastsel library and spot Meino walking into a store. Narcan watches the back door as Putz approaches Meino stating the group is looking for him and just wants to talk. Meino stares at Putz and says "Alas for the Haldorian elves, fallen into darkness they have, I can say no more". Meino slowly ambles back out of store, like he has no will to live and Putz asks what can help. "You cannot help me... I cannot help you" and Putz lets Meino wander away. Luther tries to gather information from locals about Meino but no luck there. However, at the same store Meino was at, Luther discovers they sell Gnomish Clover, 13 silver for 1.5 pounds of good Gnomish Clover Gold. Store said they would have more delivered in a few weeks. Luther gives 25 silver to Liesl to buy more clover when it comes in, then has another tryst with her.
 
Anansimon 18th, party decides to head north to Skodorak to talk to Khadahk. (Why we thought this, notes say for naught). On the road, come across carriage with five people under a sleep spell, including daughter of Lady of Heatherton(small village). Putz and Uvarum discover five "Robin Hoods" hiding in the woods, robbing the rich, corrupt, high taxing nobles. They give up without a fight and voice complaints of Hastsel/Heatherton/Thresh's Cove nobility (all 3 leaders are friends). Send them on the way to not do this again. Reach Ramoth Creek evening of the 18th with no other issues. Settle in at favorite inn, latest news/rumors are:
-No reported/known raids around Ramoth Creek
-Supposedly a few raids north of Boggs Landing
-Baron Welton has increased number of patrols but no encounters with any raiders.
 
While getting this news, a message is delivered inviting the group to meet with Baron Welton the next morning.
 
Anansimon 19th
Chat with Baron was short. His requests to other barons regarding the raiding issue have been scoffed at by other barons or no reply at all.
Once we tell him on way to Skodorak, asks party to deliver a formal letter to Khadahk. Luther takes the letter for safe keeping. Group leaves immediately and reaches the Halfway Inn on trail between Ramoth Creek and Skodorak.
 
Anansimon 20th
Make it to Skodorak and give letter to Khadahk, ask about Haldor. He knows little but his green female dragon might. Need to wait three days to get and arrive with his green dragon, named Malinda. Khadahk makes grand entrance flying in on Malinda. She provides following information about Haldor:
-Haldor elves did exist in region close to Aginor.
-Aginor did not wipe out Haldor.
-Goblin tribes did the attack and massacre about 80 years ago but had help.
-Knows approximately where Haldor may exist but swamp has crept over it.
-She does not know of Meino.
 
Luther gives Malinda 80 silver piece ruby as thanks for her information. Always good to keep in good graces of a dragon.
=================================
Game Session: 30-May-2020
Group: Luther, Kursk, Uvarum, Putz, Imlazor, Cymbaline, NPC Brand
 
Anansimon 24
Leave Skodorak and head NW to Great Swamp to chat with Evanora or Swamp Witch Hattie as Luther calls her. <after Jim Stafford song. lol> . That day, just off the trail a campfire is spotted but no one around. Group sneaks in to check it out when the fire speaks to us, "Hello, who are you". By the smokey beard of Aule, Luther nearly comes unglued, a talking fire, what madness is this as been no smoking of any gnomish clover. Group has found a fire spirit or elemental named Balag. Ummm, he???? or it tells it wandered from fire plan thru this portal and found itself in a dark evil place. Saw other nasty things come thru or already there and it left the area. This was about 100 years ago. For giving us this information, we each had to tell stories of ourselves and lands. Luther gives Balag a potion of alchemists fire to help protect itself.
 
On 26th, find a well traveled trail that let group to orc town of Zabad Tor. Luther in the lead, gets challenged first by orc gate guards and Luther snarks back rolling -1 for diplomacy, and the orcs kick us out. So sleep under the trees and march around Zabad Tor.
 
Traveling on 27th, mid morning, let a pack? troop? freaks? of giant ants crossing the trail, group decides to wait for them to continue without disturbance. However, just after lunch, see a party of 20+ goblins with six orcs as captives heading in direction of Great Swamp, obviously a raiding party. Get in ambush position and wipe out all but two of the goblins. During the fracas, Luther notices the six orcs trip and curb stomp a fleeing goblin. This triggers a faint disturbing memory of something familiar and significant. The rescued orcs are from Zabad Tor and tell us to visit and they will buy us drinks. The orcs told us the goblins were from the Jenks tribe.
Evening of 27th see landmarks and find Evanora's home.
 
=================================
Game Session: 13-Jun-2020
Group: Luther, Kursk, Uvarum, Putz, Imlazor, NPC Brand
 
Anansimon 27th evening
Explain to Evanora of our search and information. She says many kobold tribes loyal to Aginor, not just the "Black Kobolds". She agrees with Balag story that something evil is in the Great Swamp but its not Aginor. During the discussion and unnoticed by group, Luther is drinking lots of ale and smoking his gnomish clover, which he never does out in the "wild". Luther has nightmare of his past about the attacked mining expedition, he sees a dwarf friend try to run but is caught by goblins/kobolds, still hazy memory, and kicked to death. Luther half-awake and still drunk/high, attacks the kobold servants and Kursk, who is on watch. After a couple rounds and several good whomps from Kursk, Luther comes back to reality just before Evanora is about to cast a spell at him. Luther reveals guilt and shame at surviving that stills bother him. Luther apologizes to all. The next morning, he leaves sapphire gem(10 silver) and a pouch of Gnomish Clover for Evanora as recompense for disturbing her hospitality.
 
Anansimon 28th
With vague directions from Evanora, head into swamp to find this "evil area" and hopefully Haldor. Group captures a goblin and questioned, this goblin does know of such an area and will lead us there if promise to let him live. We do so. That night 10 undead goblins attack the party, all are destroyed.
 
Anansimon 29th
Trail given by goblin leads us to some ruins, covered in vines, overgrown and some building partially submerged or flooded. Attacked by multiple zombie goblins, fight goes on until an elf spectre appears and stops the zombie goblin attack. This elf spectre is a Haldorian elf. Talks of Erde, was creating an "Orb" to close the demon gate portal when wiped out. Possesses Imlazor, who states has knowledge to finish the "Orb".<??? is this right??> However, only Uvarum can retrieve the "Orb" from the center of the guardian tree.<???? correct ???> Need to throw the orb thru the portal which is south of Aginor's lair about 5-10 miles. You will know when you are close as it "feels like hell". Demons helped goblins destroy Haldor. Elf Spectre thinks Aginor is allied with demons but believes the demons serve Morgoth.
 
==========