Session 051 - Unwanted Visitors

General Summary

21 to 23 Peonu (2) (Spring) 721TR

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The story so far

Acheron, a member of the secretive Argent Order is investigating the fate of his fellow Paladin, Brother Tien and recover his lost Silver Sword. He was last seen at Themeson.

Avon, of the Thardic Republic's elite Red Guard has been ordered to gather information on the Themeson region for the Thardic Republic Senate.

Meanwhile Sabretooth has a more personal mission, find a way to peacefully remove a pack of Vlasters, also called Eye Eaters, from a Tin Mine. The heroes have been hired by Borin Cyman to investigate this Mine for Ghosts, but have not found any, only traps, Vlastors, vermin and an attractive Priestess of Agrik.

Continuation of Session 50 - Portents.

Part 1 - Hunting.

Borin Cyman

While Acheron "entertains" the Order of the Eight Demons Priestess Sephira, Sabretooth considers his options to remove the Vlastors from the Mine. He decides to tempt them with fresh meat.

He and Avon go hunting with some success, quickly killing a couple of wild boars. Taking the Boars carcasses back to the Mine, he tempts the Vlastor pack with food. He drags the bodies through the tunnels, and the Vlastors enthusiastically following behind, picking off bits of meat and squabbling over choice parts like the eyes and tongues. Sabertooth leads them far from the mining operation, then assembles a barricade to prevent them from returning.

Outside the Mine, Avon, and Sabretooth they encounter its owner Borin Cyman. Borin is assured that the Mine is free of ghosts, and they send him to a nearby village to rest.

Part 2 - The Skin Bats.

Aperani Sephira, art by Attacus

The heroes camp in the mine, but their rest is cut short by two flying undead horrors. These creatures, shaped like bats, are crafted out of human skin, and bones. One flys at and then locks onto Acheron and the other Sabretooth. Their bites are very deep, poisonous, and painful. At the same time, they generate high-pitch sounds that attract all nearby bats. These undead monstrosities were quickly dismembered, but their attached heads continue to bite as hundreds of bats swarm the party. Eventually, the heroes painfully tear the dead bat pieces from their bodies and disperse the bat swarms. Acheron again receives the healing flames from the somewhat enamored Priestess Sephira.

Next morning the party leave the Mine and travels to Castle of Themeson. Sephira then goes on to the nearby Gerdel Abbey alone.

Campaign

The Uncivil War - Campaign Complete

Protagonists

Avon

Acheron

Sabretooth

Report Date

06 Oct 2019

Primary Location

Castle of Themeson

Vlaster - the Eater of Eyes

Vlasta, art by Attacus

The Maermalites

Part 3 - Arguments at the Inn.

At Themeson, the heroes visit the Burning Ember Inn, a very rough establishment. Acheron decides to discreetly ask the locals if anyone has seen a person matching Tien's description, but no response is forthcoming from the unfriendly crowd. Impatiently he announces to the entire tavern that he is a Bounty Hunter. One of the Inn's patrons, a strong-looking man, says he may know something and asks what the information is worth? Acheron, who has little in the way of funds, attempts to extract this knowledge via intimidation but only ends up angering him. The man tries to start a brawl but is outclassed, and Acheron quickly embarrasses him. Any locals who attempt to join the fight are promptly discouraged by Sabretooth.

The humiliated Thug reluctantly informs Acheron that a traveler of that description was seen meeting with Golris the Ploughman. However, from his angry looks, Acheron is sure that he hasn't seen the last of him.

Part 4 - The Bullman.

Golris the Ploughman

The party meets with Golris, the Ploughman. Noticing the ox horn symbology around his dwelling, Acheron immediately recognizes him as a Maermalites. This secretive brotherhood of Priests of Peoni travel the evil Kingdoms offering aid and spiritual support to the oppressed peasants and slaves.

He informs Acheron that Tien was indeed here last summer, and he was following a Golothian Leather Merchant Hanak Arnost, who was on his way to the City of Coranan. He believed that one of the merchant guards, a tall man with a scarf over the lower part of his face, was a Navean Assassin, delivering something important. The merchant returned on his way back to the City of Golotha, a month later, with different guards.

Part 5 - Ambush.

Jaens Firin

The heroes leave the settlement, but Acheron believing that the Thug he embarrassed may still be a threat, decides to check if they are being followed. They are. Six men are trailing behind, so the party prepares an ambush. Acheron feigns an injury, while Sabertooth and Avon hide.

The gang is made up of the Thug's father, the village Woodcutter Jaens Firin, his two equally large-sized brothers, plus two other ruffians from the Inn. Jaens suspects trickery and spots Sabertooth. But he is more than a simple Woodcutter and his gang attack, and they prove to be very tough and extremely lucky opponents. Acheron and Sabertooth are quickly knocked out, so Avon runs and barely escapes with his life after being wounded with missile fire. The unconscious bodies of Sabertooth and Acheron are dragged away.

Avon stealthily makes his way back to the village and contacts Golris, the Ploughman. Golris informs him that the woodcutters are also the local Thieves Guild, which is an open secret in the village. He has seen them lurking near the ruins of an old temple on many a night. Golris believed this might be their base. What is Avon's next move? Can the heroes escape?

To be continued next week......

NPC Interactions

Borin Cyman - Owner of a Mine previously thought haunted.

Sephira- Priestess of the Order of the Eight Demons.

Golris the Ploughman - Member of the Maermalites.

Jaens Firin and Sons - Woodcutters and thieves/bandits.

Challenges Overcome.

Sabertooth removed the Vlasters from the mine.

2 Skin Bats.

Acheron embarrassed a Thug and gained information.

Avon escaped bandits.

Created Content

Burning Ember Inn - A rough Inn in Themeson.

Maermalites - A secret congregation of Peoni Priests.

Golris the Ploughman.

Sephira - Priestess of Agrik.

Related Reports

Castle of Themeson - Significant Updates.

Players Character Status

Avon - Level 2 Rogue.

Acheron- Level 1 Paladin and Level 1 Warlock Disciple of Mendiz.

Sabretooth - Level 1 Barbarian and Level 1 Monk.