Session 2 – A Sled Chase in the Dark

Written by KoshcheiBessmertnyi

General Summary

Elst gives the order to two of his men to prepare a foray out of town to recover the stolen property. A veteran of the Goblin War, he fears that the huge shipment of nails is on route to the goblin encampment. The ostensible Firehand employees are the aggrieved party, and may follow him if they like. Within the hour, seven men leave Claymore through the Furrier’s Gate. Enkidu, an expert tracker, has little trouble following the sled tracks through the snow. Soon, a sled is sighted off in the distance, and after a short pursuit, it is apprehended. The sled is driven by Mim. It is empty, containing only a strange tarp, and it is drawn by two strange horses, not Duit, who made the trip from Neverwinter. A brief examination reveals familiar knife markings on the railings – this must be the right sled. Commander Elst presses Mim, who first denies having taken anything, then breaks down. When asked why, or who ordered him to do so, he merely shakes his head, and says he has a family in town. Mim is bound, and his captors proceed to follow his trail.
In a short while, they come upon a clearing with more tracks – two snowshoed humanoids, and another, smaller, sled, apparently drawn by some sort of canine. A hand-off likely took place here. The party continues its pursuit, and soon, the second sled is sighted. It is significantly smaller, and is carrying a cargo of some kind. Two figures jog alongside the sled. They fire off warning shots with their bows, and when pursued, fire at the party, while shouting to their wolf to make haste while they cover his retreat, and scatter. A firefight ensues amidst the trees, and the two goblins (for that is who they are) begin to target the horses in hopes of slowing down their pursuers. The party gives chase on foot. One goblin is brought down and bound, but the other manages to outrun Enkidu, and escapes. Miletus, blessed with the fleetness of the wood-elves, manages to run down the wolf sled. When the wolf makes to turn and counterattack, he drops back, but before long, he brings the wolf down. His companions catch up and inspect the sled. It contains two of their crates – the contents are the same. The crates and the captive are loaded on the horse sled, and returned to town. Elst clearly wants to pursue the goblins to their encampment, but says doing so may trigger armed conflict, which the town authorities do not want. He suggests that the party may want to pursue the matter privately and quietly after the cargo is returned. Along the way, the captive goblin is resuscitated by Glitterstem, and questioned. His name is Mrax, and he and his partner had just left the town after being informed by an Elias Amando that Mim had gone to meet them at the rendezvous point in the clearing. Elst informs the party that Amando is the town’s apothecary. After a brief search of the clearing, the other 18 crates of nails are recovered, and loaded on the sleigh. Back in Claymore, the party releases the sleigh to Elst’s custody for safe-keeping, and proceeds to turn in for the night at the Sword and Satchel Inn. Elst interrogates the captives and informs the authorities.
In the morning, at the town arsenal, the foursome visits a stone-faced Elst, who informs them that they have a meeting with Bester. Bertram Bester – the local Director of the Zhentarim Trading Company that runs the Neverwinter Colony, is a well-dressed, attractive, and rather inebriated young man this morning. He is also the scion of Alferd Bester, the Director General of the whole colony. Bertram thirsts for news from the larger city. Lhyr – a gnoll hostage and servant, dispenses early morning brandy as Bester makes small talk with his guests. When the conversation finally turns to business, Bester deflects questions about Amando. The town is small, and filled with petty rivalries and jealousies. If someone is rumored of supplying contraband to the goblins, the matter must be handled carefully, and the party is made up of outsiders. Taking it upon himself to conduct an investigation in town, Bester offers to pay the party 20 guilders to instead investigate what the goblins might be up to with the nails, and to supply them with necessary equipment. He warns the party to tread carefully, so as to maintain the peace – the town depends on the goblin fur suppliers. Perhaps they could offer to trade liquor, and to snoop around. The party accepts the offer, and is directed to Klim Meerlinda – Bester’s subordinate and the Company manager to fill any provision requests, and to receive payment.

Report Date

31 Jan 2015