Episode 12 - Raiford's Keep and Arnon's Bane

General Summary

The party emerges from the damp well as they look upon the freed villagers who run into the arms of their loved ones. The party feels a sense of accomplishment as they return to The Battered Beetle  for a free night’s stay and a round on the house. The party continues their journey towards Raiford"s Keep, only a day’s ride away. As they approach the city, Akorah Kilsik senses the presence of evil amongst several destroyed farmhouses while Judy flies ahead to scout. She sees multiple villagers crossing the capital’s draw bridge, attempting to seek shelter from their infected pursuers.
The party charges forward, easily defeating the infected farmers, saving the civilians on the bridge. While Davwyn successfully convinces several onlookers that he is the true “mayor” of Raiford’s Keep, the party is attacked by two infected hill giants. The party quickly dispatches the bulbous puss filled giants, saving the city from certain doom, earning the party a certain amount of respect from onlookers.

After being granted access to the city, the party settles into The Bedpost Queen Tavern. Quickly realizing they are in a skeevy establishment, Davwyn bribes the bartender to identify him as “Mr Hound” and buys the patrons’ drinks for the night, making the party rather popular amongst the locals. A rather handsome human, identified as “Aaron Frost,” approaches the party. He advises that he is Veg Corp's contact person in Raiford’s Keep. He tasks the party to get to the docks and inspect Veg Corps’ product, due to the fact that the company is unable to export any produce to the mainland. He fears that someone is tampering with the product, keeping Veg Corp from expanding their profit margins. Knowing that the party will need assistance getting across the gates, Aaron advises the party to seek out The Urban Goose for assistance.

The party spends their afternoon drinking, relaxing, and investigating the Adventurer’s Guild. The party is provided with a list of several missions that serve the city while providing the party with money, experience, and city prestige (the currency necessary to gain access to other parts of the city). Davwyn entertains the patrons of the low-end bar with booze and good company, earning the attention of those present, as well as purchasing a pewter stein. Those present are ready and willing to identify Davwyn as Mr. Hound, while Aaron looks on with a grin on his face.

Aaron asks the party to create a group title that he can sell to the general public, in order to assist them in developing their heroic profile. The party spends several long discussions arguing over the merits of different hero titles, eventually landing on Arnon’s Bane, The Horse Pissers being a close second. The hodge-podge collection of adventurers then bed down for the night, awaiting the trials of the next morning, unsure of what dawn will bring. How will they navigate past the guard gate to The Trader's Quarter? What is causing the hold up at the docks for Veg Corp? How will Raiford’s Keep shape the destinies of these intrepid heroes? How can these simple heroes defeat such an impossible enemy like Arnon?!

Report Date

18 Apr 2022