Session 41 – Forgive Us Our Trespasses

Written by KoshcheiBessmertnyi

General Summary

The party of six, joined now by Aster, who hurries to relieve himself of Amando’s company, departs the farmhouse encampment after dark, and heads east, toward Claymore. They soon double-back, and proceed west, toward Neverwinter Wood. Led by Adrie, Glitterstem, and Balam, they chart a course straight for Toothymaw, the Dire Wolf village, though they only know of its location on the map. Balam leads the way, joined by a huge centipede once outside of the Brotherhood’s compound. Having bad experiences with such creatures back in Saltmarsh, Aster and Brandon steer clear of it.
Along the way, the travelers from overseas share their experiences in the new land. They learn that both were set up in similar ways by people likely working for the White Hand, who tried to get both groups to transport iron nails into the hands of the goblins. Both have encountered (or are aware) of Esteleth. Theobald and Glitterstem also discuss the drow elves’ customs and appearance, though they do not seem to be directly aware of the disease Adrie is seeking. She and her companions from Saltmarsh also learn that Theobald and Glitterstem know the priestess Lainel Coronnim, and that their companion Miletus and she were close.
Shortly after a downpour begins, they reach the line of the woods. It seems to be marked with a sort of “fence” made of vines, needles, and webs – not stopping access, but clearly marking territory. The party heads in deeper, trying to stay under trees to avoid getting soaked, and soon find themselves in a muddy depression. Here, they are set upon by a pack of half-dozen or so monstrous cow-sized dire wolves, though several of them appear a bit smaller. The pack is joined by a mounted goblin, who stays out of the fight. Theobald and Aster attempt to converse with him, telling him they come in peace, and are returning items belonging to their shaman. Aster adds that they are also friends of the Dragon Turtle tribe. The goblin appears unperturbed, charges them with trespassing, and scoffs at the Dragon Turtles as worthless and weak. Meanwhile, Glitterstem and Balam, both of whom have facility with animal speech, charm two of the beasts, and try to get them to convince their pack-mates to lay off to avoid a slaughter. The remaining wolves feel like they have the advantage and press on, so the party proceeds to put the hurt on them. Brandon kills one with necromancy, and after Adrie pushes two away with thunder magic, Theobald engulfs two in a fireball. The belligerent wolves, along with the goblin, flee, apparently toward Toothymaw, and fortunately, given the dampness, the forest does not light on fire.
The party discusses proceeding to the village, but Theobald objects that they are clearly not welcome at the moment, and not prepared to face a full village of angry goblins. After it is decided not to send a lone scout, he writes a note with symbols of peace, prosperity, and well-being learned from the Owlbears, and includes the symbol of the Dire Wolves; Glitterstem and Balam send the friendly wolves bearing this message to Toothymaw. The party then retreats back to the edge of the woods, and makes camp. As they settle in, Glitterstem sends a bird to Mount Hotenow with a message for Miletus, saying that they have left the Brotherhood’s encampment, and are camping near the forest line, just north of the Dire Wolves old hunting camp.

* * *

In the Brotherhood’s fortress, Miletus stays in what has been dubbed a “medicine cave” at the base of the outcropping that serves as the external wall of the compound. He was carried up the mountain on the way up, and given his injuries, he was left in possession of his weapons, and not really treated as a threat. He is not particularly well taken care of after his companions depart, and his wounds do not heal much. He is also troubled by dreams and voices. During Hursag’s and Rahab’s funeral ceremony, he felt the presence of a powerful being inside the volcano, and it addressed him in his mind, asking who he was. He keeps hearing the voice in his head, when he is not too dizzy.
He also watches the orc activities in the camp. There appear to be ten of them left behind to guard the fortress, though two dire wolves are also with them. Most of the time, they are engaged in training, fighting with one another, and gambling. He toys with the idea of joining their games and winning something, but owing to their lack of a common language, and the seeming lack of rules to the game, he ultimately decides against it.
Two days after his companions depart, a bird speaking in Glitterstem’s voice delivers a short message about his companions plans and whereabouts. Miletus decides that this is his chance. After most of the orcs turn in for the day, he manages to creep out of his cave, and fights through the dizziness to put up an illusory rock screen, concealing him. He then sends arcane missiles at one of the compound guards atop the pilon-like pillar at the entrance to the fortress, and makes it appear that they come from outside the compound. The orcs are confused, and begin to look for attackers down below. Making a concerted effort to fight through the fog in his head, Miletus brings one down, and then wounds another, whom he finishes off with one of his arrows. He then quietly walks out of the compound.

Report Date

17 Mar 2018