Session 11: Bros before Crows

General Summary

The gang resumed at the bodies of the dead trio. Arete Tryphon incinerated the remains with sacred flame and the gang sets up camp 30 minutes away from the battle. As day broke, we made our way along the path toward Kernow. After trekking across Taas' Grip, we were ambushed by a fallen tree requiring a dex save. Elgin and Daz dodged in time but Arete and Miranro were hit by the brunt force of the rolling tree. Elgin extended a hand to Arete and the dual teamwork of Daz and Virgil saved Miranro.
As we continued on our journey, we noticed an oddly placed feather on the floor. This feather was rather similar characteristics with the black feathers of the cloaks we looted from the dead trio. Close inspection revealed that the feather is an illusion, ethereal in nature, and a nearby secret entrance into the mountains was guarded by a similar illusion. Virgil scouted the top of the mountain. A deafening cacophony of crows emanated from the peak of the mountain.
The secret tunnel was surprisingly well maintained. A well trodden path, boot markings could be made from earlier travels. A spiraling ascension to the peak awaited us at the end of the tunnel. After hours and hours of hiking, a lone human figure greeted us: Arete’s good ol’ patron, Dask'El! Dask'El instructed us to continue our path and to give the amulet to the individual named Talek.
At the end of the tunnel we saw a sleeping individual, snoozing on guard. He wore an eyepatch that piqued Miranro’s interest, and a cape of crow feathers matching the capes worn by the trio killed in the previous session. A comrade of the lost optical! Miranro tripped an Alarm spell warning, which woke the “guarding” individual. A long friendly exchange of words, this fool was just wearing an eyepatch for a fashion statement. Elgin asked for his name, referring to him as an "interlocutor". Liking the sound of it (and mishearing it a bit), the guard took on the name of "Intercutor". Now named, the odd man informed the group that he may be able to procure a replacement eye for Miranro and led us into the Crow camp.
Intercutor guided us across the plateau at the top of the mountain. Thick pine trees surrounded us, each filled with hundreds and hundreds of crows. Not a single sound of cawing could be heard. This is clearly an operation base, a handful of halflings could be seen at various training arenas and archery ranges.
Our journey ended in a clearing in the pines. On the opposite side of it, a hobgoblin sat on a poorly made wooden throne reading a book. To his left, a halfling playing around with minor illusionary magicks. This hobgoblin is the leader of this entire operation, Talek. A brief negotiation lead to the purchase of a new eye for Miranro which lets him perceive depth! And it lets him see in the dark, which I guess is cool. Arete passed Heavensfyre to Talek, which he pocketed. With the Necklace of Mass Destruction in his possession, Talek proclaimed that he had an agreement with Dask'El to uphold: Arete would not leave the clearing alive. The gang is surrounded by a team of melee fighters and archers in the back and Talek and his magic-wielding friend in the front. Our main plan is to continue onto battle, taking down Talek as quickly as possible.

Report Date

09 Jul 2020