Session 04

General Summary

19th - 23rd of Coldeven, year 595
The party continues to Settleton after dealing with the bandits. Just past the forest line, they encounter a barely constructed stone wall as far in both directions as can be seen. After that, farmland with many small farms and houses. They notice traveling the road and in the fields and around the houses, are the occasional armed sentry, apparently protecting the farmers as they work, watching out for threats.
The city proper is surrounded by a massive stone wall with battlements, the likes of which none in the party has ever seen before. In fact, the entire city itself is constructed by mostly stone and masonry with very little wood construction at all. The actual and well-armed guards at the gate, who don't seem to be too concerned about the ordinary people passing to and fro, stop the party, then escort them and the bandits to Captain Thokk. Captain Thokk is also half-orc and cousin to Shrump, the bandit. He gives the standing 10gp reward for the Day Road Bandit capture.
Thokk, while questioning the party's intentions, invites them to join as mercenaries to help protect the farmers from the significantly increased creature attacks, overnight crop rot and missing livestock that's been happening the last couple weeks.
The party then visits the Arcanists Guild tower, meeting the elderly and friendly Samuel the scribe, who vets their story before summoning Magus Varius, who is sincerely curious and intrigued. From him, the party learns:

• two weapons, a couple enchanted items, and a couple locations have had the same writing as they found on the lighthouse statue (which Varius had once visited but never saw the writing). He is unable to read the writing, it is magical in some way.
• many legends exist regarding Hasturton's history; he believes the most accurate is that of a demon that in turn served a god named Hastur, was fought and banished where Hasturton was founded.

Varius agreed to come investigate and close the portal, asking for Guild-retained stonemason Fallthra, but was informed she'd returned to the dwarven kingdom of Thenloduhr. And so had her apprentice. Samuel eventually finding Eberk to accompany them.
From Samuel, they learn Irina's mysterious stone is Fey in origin. In fact, it is similar to the stones Settleton was gifted to allow emissaries to pass into the Seelie Court when needed.
Malex also learned the stone he received from Roselind is Water Fey in origin, and provides +2AC against water attacks as well as resistance against water damage.
Also learned the tale of Settleton and the Fey:
Back at the founding of the city, a bargain was struck between the villagers and the Fey -- the Fey would protect the town from monsterous attacks provided the humans did not harm the forests. True to their word, the city never did, and in exchange for food, the dwarven kingdom Thenloduhr to the east provides Settleton with ample stone and expertise to build their city.
Best Malex could surmise, the monsterous attacks began at the same time the lighthouse in Hasturton went dark. It seems the Fey have disappeared (harkening back to Balgor the werebear's rantings that his "friends were gone, the fey have gone.") A town delegation to the Seelie Court left some days ago, but has not been heard from since.
Also not heard from, from Walrick's investigating of rumor, is city Administrator Rolo Malikus. He had left a week ago to visit the dwarven kingdom Thenloduhr by river, and has not been heard from either. His son, Pascual. is rumored to have had some business deal go sour recently.
Irina confirms that Sariel is not wanted by the law of Settleton, at least, although, she may be by other organizations like the mercha nt's league or the shipping guild.
The party spends the night, and just 1gp, in the Frozen Axe Inn (where they feature Portville's own Wizard Tower Brewery's "Demon's Bane Ale.")
The party returns to Hasturton with Varius and Eberk. They unseal the cellar and cavern to find an accumulation of creatures since their abesnse. Varius dispatches them with a fireball. Then helps with an attack from a water elemental. He confirms the party's guesses, that there was a very powerful protection and sealing magic once here, and the ritual which required the sacrifice of a tiefling, dispelled that (along with, likely, the ancient enchantment illuminating the statue above). Varius informs the party that he will require a few days to seal up the portal.

Character(s) interacted with

• Captain Thokk
• Shrump, the bandit
• Samuel the scribe
• Magus Varius
• Eberk (dwarven engineer)

Report Date

10 Jul 2018