Lemuralia & The Feast of Lanterns: Chapter 8 Anghor Gastronomy - 11.25.20

General Summary

Anghor Gastronomy

After arduous travel and miserable battle, the sights and sounds of the Aviary's fall weighs heavy on the heads of the heroes. They pull into Greater Anghor and for the first time, rest their tired eyes on Smaug's Lair, their newly purchased but fully stocked saloon. They envision it as home base, a place for calm and revelry, and of course, a coin making business. Meager Mike, the trusty barman from Summershaw, and Salinger Sue, his oft offended sweetheart are already manning the bar, and have set the shop up for business.
Eschelon hands over a note from Bitterchin to Mike, who thanks him kindly. Mike then tells them he needs some supplies down at the market. The heroes oblige, and once at the market, they get a look, and taste, of the local Anghorian flair and feasts. Of particular note is braised Giant Spider, a delicacy known for its bitter but flavorful crunch. Vandre and Escelon haggle with cook named Themarlun Drakespine, who also challenges them to a cookoff. Vandre accepts, and Drakespine is kind enough to lend them one of his spider cages, and the tip that in order to properly prepare Spider Leg, the spider must be roasted alive.
The heroes shop some more, meeting a weapons merchant named Toothless Clifton whom Vargas offers to play music for at his daughter's wedding if they get a good deal on his wares. Dark tidings emerge however, as Araphant notices hooded figures following them throughout the market. Wary of a Circle of Dragons ambush, the party approaches with caution, only to immediately be thrust into a confrontation with Easterling knights who seemingly begin to fight with the cultists! The normally bustling market explodes with the sounds of battle, as the party takes down the armored knights and their crossbow brethren.

Ivory Congregation

Thankful for the help, the Dragon monks reveal they are not in league with the evil Talwart, who has taken control of the hearts and minds of their people. Instead, they follow the teachings of the Ivory Congregation, a reformation movement that seeks to take back the Dragon Circle and return it to it's roots as a religious organization. As a show of good faith, they lead the group back their place a worship, The Failing Sun's Light Church on the edge of town.
There they meet Isador Barlow, High Priestess of the order, and they also reconnect with Mace Maelficum, the reformed Dragon Cultist they previously released after he was severely burned in the woods and promised to better his life.
Isador tells the group two significant things. One, that Easterlings are now roaming the city and possibly planning a larger attack. And two, after a request from Eschelon to translate The Book of Letters - a mysterious book found in the Grey Mountains - Isador reveals the identity of a one Grady McCready, a business man from Summershaw who is buying up land and artifacts. He has the only tome that can translate the book. It had previously been kept in Mantor's library, but McCreary bought it, like so much else of the town since he arrived.
The heroes thank Isador and vow to help the priests get their book back and forge a new alliance to ensure Talwart's defeat.

Anghor Marketplace

Report Date

18 Jan 2021