Shades of Gray: Session 2
Wherin we bathe in the glorious blood of of the foul orcs!
General Summary
Emerging from the cave where Orc-Reaver had been found, the party retrieved their horses and continued to follow the trail to the orc camp. Many in the party were skeptical of the intelligent sword and it's obsession with the reaving of orcs. It did seem a tad obsessed.
The party soon reached the valley floor. Lightly forested and broken by uneven ground conspire to limit their vision making the surroundings a perfect terrain for an ambush. Which is exactly what a scouting band or orcs had hoped to do. Sensing orcs nearby hiding in the bushes and trees, Orc-Reaver commanded Agnes into a charge. She tried to argue for stealth and a battle of wills ensued. Agnes lost and was forced into a charge. At least the party had the advantage of surprise.
Orc-Reaver proved a mighty weapon in the short, bloody battle. All the while yelling out in ecstasy as he effortlessly sliced through orc after orc. When the battle had been won the party realized they had a serious problem on their hands. A few hours journey brought them to the orc camp, a plume of smoke clearly marking the spot. Tunde scouted ahead while the rest remained a good distance back. Once he had the layout of the orcs encampment and verified there were prisoners, he returned to share the details with the rest of his band.
Brandt and Tunde secretly discussed what to do about Agnes. Already in a weakened state from the recent battle, Brandt cast a spell and knocked Agnes unconscious. As she fell her hand moved swiftly to grasp the hilt of Orc-Reaver. Even in unconsciousness it was clear the sword would not be taken from her so easily. They bound Agnes in rope and secured her sitting upright against a tree. After making sure Agnes was no longer a threat, the trio headed towards the camp.
At the camp Everleigh surprised one of a pair of guards at the perimeter of the encampment. Half-asleep, he never saw it coming. Within seconds the first guard was down. Tunde charged the remaining guard. While he and Brandt kept the guard busy, Everleigh repeatedly pelted him with bullets from her sling. Together they made quick work of him. They quickly made their way to the prisoners who were sleeping but otherwise alive. The party woke them while Brandt applied healing magic. A lieutenant appeared from the tents near the bonfire and spotted them, immediately yelling out an alarm of "TO ARMS!". He kicked the nearest sleeping orc while screaming orders. With only seconds to spare the party ran back towards the sport where Agnes was being held. Once there they were faced with many decisions, not all of them pleasant for Agnes. It was, after all, her fault for grabbing Orc-Reaver. And let's not forget it was her and Orc-Reaver that had saved them from the cave of darkmantles. Then there were accusations of who followed the will-o-the-wisp in the first place. As the sounds of the orcs grew near Agnes was freed from the tree, but still bound tightly with rope. The prisoners and Agnes were hoisted up on horses. Just as javelins from the orc's began to fly through the air between the horses, the party made their escape back towards Palmer's Field.
The prisoners were Surovy Donegal a bard, Markham Dorrestal a priest of Talana, and Mara an elven ranger who also served as a priestess of Talana. The party learned that the prisoners were from the Forest Kingdoms and had been sent to investigate the plague as well. When the plague suddenly appeared in Palmer's Field the priest Markham had ordered the dead piled onto a pyre and burned to prevent the plague from spreading. Unfortunately that was how they learned that the plague was spread from the vapors given off by the dead. Burning them had only hastened the spread of the disease and the trio was chased out of town by the remaining living townsfolk. As they fled into the hills north of town, they were captured by an orc party and carried off to the encampment where they had been rescued.
The group made their way east to Donegal where Karn and his partner Wicarbon were believed to be heading. On the way Markham mentioned he would be staying at the House of Secrets, a temple dedicated to his goddess Talana. Upon arriving the rescued prisoners headed their own way. The party rode into town, Agnes still bound in rope and tied to her horse like a sack. When the party visited the House of Secrets, Agnes was unbound at the priest's request. The group was invited inside the foyer to discuss matters related to their investigation, or so the priests believed. A book related to the forest to the north, and the journal of a spy working for Talana had both been stolen from within the temple. Considering the temple has no normal entrances it is hard to believe anyone could have infiltrated the temple at all. Agreeing to help, the priest passed out tokens of Talana to each of the adventurers. When his hand touched Agnes' waves of healing energy filled her removing the curse bestowed by Orc-Reaver. Agnes grabbed the sword and threw it to the ground as it cursed and yelled. A young priest arrived with a shimmering bag that he used to gather up the sword without touching it with his hands. With a new task, and the curse broken, the party went into town to find a place to stay.
After being denied entry into the upper scale Golden Goblet, and finding the dwarven sized accommodations of the Rolling Keg, the party settled in at the Inn of the Golden Goose. After paying for meals, baths and rooms the team settled in for the first good night's rest in many days. In the morning as they made their way across town to investigate the Commons, they noticed crowds gathering at the town green, and on every road going in and out of Donegal. The guards were announcing the death of Surovy Donegal and the related arrest of Markham Dorrestal as prime suspect. Each of the party members were rounded up for questioning and only released after many hours in the town's dungeon. Having entered the town with the suspected murderer, all were suspects.
The team spent the rest of their evening following several rumors overheard in town though so far none have been fruitful.
The party soon reached the valley floor. Lightly forested and broken by uneven ground conspire to limit their vision making the surroundings a perfect terrain for an ambush. Which is exactly what a scouting band or orcs had hoped to do. Sensing orcs nearby hiding in the bushes and trees, Orc-Reaver commanded Agnes into a charge. She tried to argue for stealth and a battle of wills ensued. Agnes lost and was forced into a charge. At least the party had the advantage of surprise.
Orc-Reaver proved a mighty weapon in the short, bloody battle. All the while yelling out in ecstasy as he effortlessly sliced through orc after orc. When the battle had been won the party realized they had a serious problem on their hands. A few hours journey brought them to the orc camp, a plume of smoke clearly marking the spot. Tunde scouted ahead while the rest remained a good distance back. Once he had the layout of the orcs encampment and verified there were prisoners, he returned to share the details with the rest of his band.
Brandt and Tunde secretly discussed what to do about Agnes. Already in a weakened state from the recent battle, Brandt cast a spell and knocked Agnes unconscious. As she fell her hand moved swiftly to grasp the hilt of Orc-Reaver. Even in unconsciousness it was clear the sword would not be taken from her so easily. They bound Agnes in rope and secured her sitting upright against a tree. After making sure Agnes was no longer a threat, the trio headed towards the camp.
At the camp Everleigh surprised one of a pair of guards at the perimeter of the encampment. Half-asleep, he never saw it coming. Within seconds the first guard was down. Tunde charged the remaining guard. While he and Brandt kept the guard busy, Everleigh repeatedly pelted him with bullets from her sling. Together they made quick work of him. They quickly made their way to the prisoners who were sleeping but otherwise alive. The party woke them while Brandt applied healing magic. A lieutenant appeared from the tents near the bonfire and spotted them, immediately yelling out an alarm of "TO ARMS!". He kicked the nearest sleeping orc while screaming orders. With only seconds to spare the party ran back towards the sport where Agnes was being held. Once there they were faced with many decisions, not all of them pleasant for Agnes. It was, after all, her fault for grabbing Orc-Reaver. And let's not forget it was her and Orc-Reaver that had saved them from the cave of darkmantles. Then there were accusations of who followed the will-o-the-wisp in the first place. As the sounds of the orcs grew near Agnes was freed from the tree, but still bound tightly with rope. The prisoners and Agnes were hoisted up on horses. Just as javelins from the orc's began to fly through the air between the horses, the party made their escape back towards Palmer's Field.
The prisoners were Surovy Donegal a bard, Markham Dorrestal a priest of Talana, and Mara an elven ranger who also served as a priestess of Talana. The party learned that the prisoners were from the Forest Kingdoms and had been sent to investigate the plague as well. When the plague suddenly appeared in Palmer's Field the priest Markham had ordered the dead piled onto a pyre and burned to prevent the plague from spreading. Unfortunately that was how they learned that the plague was spread from the vapors given off by the dead. Burning them had only hastened the spread of the disease and the trio was chased out of town by the remaining living townsfolk. As they fled into the hills north of town, they were captured by an orc party and carried off to the encampment where they had been rescued.
The group made their way east to Donegal where Karn and his partner Wicarbon were believed to be heading. On the way Markham mentioned he would be staying at the House of Secrets, a temple dedicated to his goddess Talana. Upon arriving the rescued prisoners headed their own way. The party rode into town, Agnes still bound in rope and tied to her horse like a sack. When the party visited the House of Secrets, Agnes was unbound at the priest's request. The group was invited inside the foyer to discuss matters related to their investigation, or so the priests believed. A book related to the forest to the north, and the journal of a spy working for Talana had both been stolen from within the temple. Considering the temple has no normal entrances it is hard to believe anyone could have infiltrated the temple at all. Agreeing to help, the priest passed out tokens of Talana to each of the adventurers. When his hand touched Agnes' waves of healing energy filled her removing the curse bestowed by Orc-Reaver. Agnes grabbed the sword and threw it to the ground as it cursed and yelled. A young priest arrived with a shimmering bag that he used to gather up the sword without touching it with his hands. With a new task, and the curse broken, the party went into town to find a place to stay.
After being denied entry into the upper scale Golden Goblet, and finding the dwarven sized accommodations of the Rolling Keg, the party settled in at the Inn of the Golden Goose. After paying for meals, baths and rooms the team settled in for the first good night's rest in many days. In the morning as they made their way across town to investigate the Commons, they noticed crowds gathering at the town green, and on every road going in and out of Donegal. The guards were announcing the death of Surovy Donegal and the related arrest of Markham Dorrestal as prime suspect. Each of the party members were rounded up for questioning and only released after many hours in the town's dungeon. Having entered the town with the suspected murderer, all were suspects.
The team spent the rest of their evening following several rumors overheard in town though so far none have been fruitful.
Character(s) interacted with
Surovy Donnegal, priest of Talana
Mara, Priestess of Talana
Markham Dorrestal, Bard
Mara, Priestess of Talana
Markham Dorrestal, Bard
"I would like to point out that Brandt attacked Agnes while she was *agreeing* with the plan to be restrained."
Andrea
Agnes feels the group has punished and humiliated her for being assaulted by the sword. She feels dehumanized by her friends. She especially fears Brandt who knocked her into unconsciousness *while she was speaking with him* and then acted as the strongest advocate for parading her as a captive through the streets of Donegal despite her being a victim. She is humiliated and feels betrayed by her group. In her mind, she knowingly put herself in jeopardy by acquiring the sword to save her friends from the dark mantle attack (which she feels was initiated by Brandt when he cast Burning Hands while they were sneaking through the cave), only to be treated as a prisoner when she needed their help in return. Her trust, especially in Brandt, is shaken to the core. Is Brandt someone to be trusted?
Brandt feels he went out of his way to keep her alive after being lead into a trap while following a willow-the-wisp she wanted to follow. Then she grabs a sword that everyone said not to grab and becomes under the influence of a crazy sword. And now we are all stuck with an undenyable quest to get rid of said sword. Brandt at this point feels that Agnes is being quit whiney and should buck up. you have to remember he has been through some shit and thinks she has gotten off easy it took him years to get over his situation and decide to go out again. She was tied up for a few days to keep her safe geez.
Agnes was riding on the horse with me, her being kinda side-saddle tied at the hands and legs. But sitting up riding, not draped across like a sack. We were protecting her from herself not treated as a prisoner. Therefore I assumed we were talking normal as we rode for days. Anytime she asked to be untied, I would inform her we can't until we find a way to help her help herself. To me she did arrive in town on the horse with me but still tied up. I treated her as a friend that I cared for that is addicted to booze or meth and we were on our way to Intervention and she suspected our intentions all along. Hence why she remained tied up as I didn't trust her with her own actions.
Most definitely a reason to be bent out of shape, dear Agnes. Things should have been handled differently, to say the least. But our situation was one plagued by a series of oddball events which were but harbingers of stranger things to come. Not to mention, POrk Reaver was an incorrigible loud mouth and a bad influence to any and all that fell under its spell.
Characters
PC: Agnes Dalleren
PC: Brandt Carter
PC: Everleigh Daigenheart
PC: Tunde
Shades of Gray is a 2006 d20 adventure published by Necromancer Games
PC: Agnes Dalleren
PC: Brandt Carter
PC: Everleigh Daigenheart
PC: Tunde
Report Date
22 Sep 2018
Primary Location
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