Session 1: Introducing Aster and Elysa

General Summary

In this session we opened with Elysa and Aster heading traveling north from Taer Elladorn towards Gatherhold after having spent the past few weeks keeping a low profile among the former Cyrenian Elves and Humans. Elysa and Aster left the city when their detection lantern began to indicate a large disturbance in the mournwall almost due north. Over the course of two days the two are able to make occasional observations of the grey mist of the mournwall cutting an unnaturally straight path across the waters of Lake Cyre . Approaching Gatherhold the Elysa and Aster are met with a city seemly swamped in hundreds of teepees, yurts and tents, the traditional homes of the nomadic halfling tribes. Sprinkled throughout the city and the tents beyond smaller dinosaurs (mostly Clawfoot or Fastieth ) can be seen tethered in the same manner as one might find horses in another place. The city is centered on a large, high walled estate set on an island in the lake. Most of the buildings appear to be built into the arc of cliffs fronting the lake and their roofs are all covered with brightly colored tiles.

As the pair approach the east gate of the city a guard pulled them aside and asked them to wait while his captain returned from an errand in The Gatherhold . After some persuasion the pair learned that an intruder of some sort from Karnath had been apprehended attempting to breach the Gatherhold and the captain would return shortly.

Cut to Thokk Wilbur Here we return to Thokk Wilbur now a prisoner in the The Gatherhold after a frightening trip down the Cyre River narrowly escaping the grasp of the mournwall . See Session 0: Introducing Thokk Report for details. Thokk Wilbur awakens exhausted and only partially healed in a small room, not a cell exactly but will with bars on the doors and windows. After attempting to punch through the wall and disassemble the bed Thokk Wilbur settles in to heal his wounds and await more details about his situation.

Cut to Elysa Lonne and Aster After the guard captain returns the pair learn that the "intruder" was found washed up on the shore of the Gatherhold island. The captain make it clear that the intruder was no sort of threat whatsoever seemly having been washed down the Cyre river and clearly resented her time being wasted trekking back and forth across the city. They also learned that the intruder was likely being held for healing in the former teaching hospital of House Jorasco with The Gatherhold proper. With this information and the readings from their detection lantern settling more and more towards the The Gatherhold the two set off the see if they can locate and speak with the "intruder". Attempting to cross the bridge with to the fortress the two are rebuffed by a pair of halfling guards set on denying them access to the bridge. After failing to persuade the guards and learning little more then that they will at least need the permission of the Medic Garrin dJorasco Elysa Lonne and Aster resolve to find lodging for the night and return in the early morning to scope out The Gatherhold and intercept the medic.

After lodging for a night at an House Ghallanda inn run by Wilrich dGhallanda an unnaturally perceptive halfling host, the two scope out the access to The Gatherhold . Aster found a possible method for crossing the water to the island and found the fortress largely unguarded aside from the main entrance and it's strangely sculpted high walls. Elysa Lonne met the medic, Garrin dJorasco , as he approached the bridge only to find that he was a medic in the The Last War and none-too-fond of members of House Kannith . Saving the situation with a critical persuasion role Elysa Lonne was able to convince the medic to grant her access to the "intruder" at least for a short time after he completed his round. The medic also informs Elysa that the intruder seems to be healing faster then expected and that the leader of Gatherhold and the tribes of the Talenta Plains Lathlon Halpum is likely to try to make a public example of the intruder to aid in his border conflicts with Karnath , at least after he is fully healed. After meeting back up and reporting their relative findings, the two resolve to find a way to poison the intruder long enough to speak with him about the Mournwall.

Cut to Thokk Wilbur Thokk is awoken by a knock at his door and the entrance of the Medic who seems to be surprised and a bit dismayed at his quick recovery. After a fruitless discussion with the Medic Thokk Wilbur is once again locked in his room.

Cut to Elysa Lonne and Aster Elysa and Aster are easily able to find ingredients sufficient to produce a stomach turning concoction to suite their purposes. After this they decide to once again split up as only Elysa is known to the medic and the appearance of a Warforged in the medic's hospital might lead to more problems than solutions. Aster stays behind to see if she might earn some additional coin by playing her lute at the inn. After speaking with Wilrich dGhallanda she learns that and additional custom she might bring to the inn would be rewarded with a cut of the innkeepers profit. Wilrich also hints at some additional job prospects if she plays her lute right. It appears that everyone love a lute playing Warforged, after a critical performance success Aster is richly rewarded by the innkeeper and further learns that Wilrich dGhallanda is the head of a chapter within House Ghallanda and is seeking remove some rogue members, a cabal of vigilante Dragonmarked members known as the Black Dogs . Wilrich dGhallanda would pay well for any word she might be provided regarding the location and operations of the Black Dogs and might contact them from time to time if she locates any that need to be dispatched or otherwise dealt with. Not sure that they are the best people for this offer Elysa and Aster nevertheless keep the information in mind for later use.

Meanwhile Elysa heads for the fortress and is granted access across the bridge and into the hospital. A guard brings the intruder, Thokk Wilbur out the meet her for a few short minutes. They are able to talk very little but Elysa is able to pass Thokk her potion which he is able to stealthy consume as their visit is cut short by the arrival of Lathlon Halpum. Elysa makes a quick escape and cannot help but feel that maybe the medic leaned on the guards to delay the Lathlon for a while as she is escorted back over the bridge.

Cut to Thokk Wilbur After being rushed back to his room and palming the potion bottle Thokk is confronted by the overly imperious Lathlon Halpum. The Lathlon explains his plans and after a successful insight check Thokk is able to surmise that he is part of some plan to keep the Lathlon in power by prolonging some kind of dispute with Karnath .

End Session.