Session 05 Report
General Summary
[session 05: 08.02.2024]
21st of Deepwinter / Hammer moon 1489, year of the warrior princess
the moon is waxing
As Annie finishes her message, A figure dressed in gauzy white approaches the party. In contrast to what you’re used to seeing, the mysterious character is only wearing a flimsy garment made of gauzy, white material and what seems to be a mask obscuring their facial features. The mask is in the shape of an owl, its large, round eyes dark. You watch as they approach the front doors of the building, above which hangs a frozen emblem in the shape of a geometric snowflake. It takes them a while, but eventually, they open the doors wide open, letting in the freezing wind. Once you peer inside, you notice the walls have snow gathered against them, making it seem as if the building might be without any warmth.
She asks about whether they’ve seen her brother, and the figure promises to take a closer look at the portrait if the party decides to join a sermon that is soon starting. Kindly, the party declines and instead heads back to Triglio’s to talk with Morven about the murder and possibly other things.
In front of the temple is also what looks like to be the cold remnants of a pyre. Annie discovers what seems to be human bones, or what’s left of them. They leave the charred remains alone, although Viridian does say a prayer to Mielikki to respect the departed.
At Triglio’s, Morven takes precautions to not be overheard when the topic of the Targosian government rises up. He shares his opinion on the new speaker of the city, Naerth Maxildanarr, who has risen through ranks in popularity, and generally seems to be well-liked. However, the taxes in Targos have gone up since he started in office, but there has been no improvement in either town safety measures or the general upkeep. Morven also tells the party about how the town partakes in human sacrifices to appease Auril’s wrath . Every new moon of the month, the temple of Auril in conjunction with town officials carries out a lottery for all those residing in town at the time, and the lucky winner is then sacrificed on a pyre in front of the shrine to keep the winter at bay. Morven also keeps a personal log, and the party asks about the previous victims and what he knows about them. Curiously, several of them seem to be related to the speaker’s seat, including the previous speaker himself, Fenwick Chaucer.
Targosian sacrifices to Auril, according to Morven Duskbrook
♦ 1 (mirtul 15, 1488) Hildegard Drake, old half-elven commoner. Morven remembers her, she used to be a regular. Wife of the innkeep at Luskan Arms
♦ 2 (kythorn 15, 1488) Fenwick Chaucer, previous town speaker. Elven
♦ 3 (flamerule 16, 1488) Fredrick Wheatflow, old speaker’s friend. Half-orc
♦ 4 (eleasis 15, 1488) Flintfinder, goliath sailor. Rumours of people seeing her around
♦ 5 (eleint 15 ,1488 ) Krea Morningfall, human bodyguard of current speaker
♦ 6 (marpenoth 15 , 1488 ) Endwell. Morven is unsure if they're a local
♦ 7 (uktar 15, 1488) Hulda Sternstuff , old cleric of Torm.
♦ 8 (nightal 15, 1488) Falk Stonesworn, sailor’s guildmaster. Half-drow
♦ 9 (hammer 15, 1489) Kelvin Redstream, human dockworker.
Morven also offers the party a place to stay for the night, if they do not already have somewhere to go. You notice that the kettle he uses to brew his nettle tea seems to fill by itself as well as keep the liquid a perfect temperature to keep enjoying your fill. Annie asks about a possibility to purchase magical scrolls, and Morven promises to search for a scroll he might have lying around here or there - his resources are limited, but he might be able to craft something for her.
The party decides to stop at The Luskan Arms for dinner. Although Targos is normally quite bustling with life, the narrow streets remain mostly empty, likely due to the news of a murder spreading around. However, despite the attack happening right on The Luskan Arms’ doorstep, there are still quite a lot of people at the establishment. In the corner, a bard is playing a solemn tune, two gnomes are enjoying their dinner, and what seems to be non-local fishermen or sailors occupy one table at the center. Which is quite curious, as there is another establishment usually favoured by sailors nearer to the docks. Primrose heads to order smoked salmon for the crew and buttered waffles for herself. The innkeep is a gruff old man, not familiar with the concept of waffles, and turns her away before she gets a chance to ask for rooms for the night. He however, does deliver the waffles, so despite the lack of hospitality, the party gets to enjoy their food and the atmosphere.
Viridian, curious as she is, goes to talk to the sailors who are getting somewhat rude looks from some of the other patrons, and learns from a handsome half-orc named Turnburrow that he is considering finding a new career that offers less risks than being a Bremenian sailor does right now. The sailors talk about a monstrous beast that haunts the lake, but only seems to attack ships from Bremen. Turnburrow’s ship, the Laughing Caterpillar, had been delivering a shipment to a drow, but lost it when the monster attacked, the sailors themselves being the only survivors. Viridian learns that the beast smells of rot, and attacked the ship in the dead of night. It also had strong jaws and a mouth full of sharp, sharp teeth, but in the commotion, Turnburrow can’t tell her much more than that.
When the party returns to Triglio’s, they chat with Morven a little more, and ask about the lake monster and whether he knows anything about it. Morven mentions his dislike of water, so he’s not particularly well-wersed in the comings and goings of Maer Dualdon or its residents, whether bestial in nature or not. He has heard rumours of people seeing a swimming dragon, but personally he does not believe the rumour to be true. There’s also talk of one of the precious sacrifices having been seen around even after her death, but Morven’s own belief is that the folks of Ten-Towns simply cannot quite tell goliaths apart as well as they perhaps should. Vilu asks whether Morven has any elfroot to share after a long day, and you partake in some relaxing pipeweed and chill.
Morven’s big orange cat, Albert, joins you when you set up camp on the floor of the store. Morven lets the hearth remain on as he bids you goodnight.
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