Episode 23
Two Souls
General Summary
After having activated another Pyre and defeating its related Beholder, the group was feeling quite confident with their endeavours here, but were very ready to leave. Korva insisted on exploring the labryinthe that was this Beholder's layer. Turning into the form of a bird, he flew up to see the many varied pathways. Exploring one, he discovered what seemed to be some terrible undead beings guarding a passageway that lead up long vertical treks. He decided this wasn't to his abilities, and retreated into the main column. Deciding not to explore further above, he did his best to light some torches he had discovered on the walls of the large pitfall, which seemed to create an ominous smoke. Having entered this smoke soon thereafter, he found himself overcome with exhaustion, and chose that this was no longer a discovery he was willing to explore for, for risk of his life. The group made their way back out of the cavern and into the tower, before summarily leaving, their explorations throughout the entire structure having not been fulfilled.
The group returned to the ship helmed by Dyvel and his son, and they made their way back west toward the town of Lost Harbor, the group recovering from the various bouts of exhaustion that were inflicted upon them during their adventures. Despite the treacherous waters here, they were able to avoid any explicit danger and make their way back to the coast. From here, they conducted a slight bit of business in the small town before making their way off to the west on the rumour of a troll that they had been given back at Vale Academy.
Going on directions they had been given to capture and bring a troll to Vale Academy for various research purposes, they came to the craggy mountain pass where this giant beast was said to live. Upon arrival at a small cave in the ground, they discovered the fearsome beast. But after some negotiation with Maul, it was soon learned that this evil beast was actually a lover at heart. Rog the troll moaned about the loss of his lover Matilda, a fellow troll who was chased to a different mountain pass by some local villagers who had been terrorizing them. After some negotiation, Maul led the adventure to reunite Matilda and Rog.
Finding their way to the small village near Rog's home, finding that the people were fearful and skeptical of strangers after having been terrorized by the two trolls in recent times. The group quickly realized they wanted no involvement in the trolls, and after insisting that they were going to confront the troll that had been chased into the mountains - and the villagers expressing their eagerness to help - the party insisted that they should remain behind while the adventurers handled the hard work.
As the group convenes on the mountain pass, they decide to rest before engaging with Matilda. Awakening in the morning, they began venturing toward Matilda, then coming across several of the villagers with various spears and pitchforks, coming from within the valley. They had been severely roughed up, and expressed that they were filled with hope that adventurers would be dealing with the troll threat they had faced, and wanted to work in tandem with the party to defeat the troll, despite it being expressed that the party did not want to do this. Maul and Jack went to confront Matilda, knowing that the recent attack would not make her much more keen to listen to them. Although she was aggressive, still standing among the slain bodies of several villagers, Maul was able to convince Matilda to come with them on the promise that they would reunite her with Rog, using a large emerald they had gained from him as evidence of his trust.
It took a lot of navigating, particularly around the town, but they were able to lead the semi-hostile Matilda to Rog's valley, reuniting the two stinking creatures in their loving embrace. For this deed, they decided that recovering the emerald was more than enough, and had moral disagreements with separating these trolls again for the sake of potential imprisonment at Vale Academy. They instead took Matilda's emerald, which was offered gladly to them, and went on their way. Returning to Vale Academy, they discussed payment as well as some concepts for magical implements with the mages before traveling back down to the Dubious Daggers.
Prior, Altone had promised to Jack that he would "send out his little birds" to try to find someone who might have interest in joining the circus. It seems some of his attempts were successful, having recruited a young, foreign lady named Jezebel, renowned for her pyromancy and acrobatics. After a display of her talents, the group decided to give a performance in Willow Creek again, garnering a sizable audience, including some from the Vale Academy itself. Now with the Dubious Daggers taking a more solid cohesion with a slowly altering team, things were looking up for the party moving forward as their next destination is perhaps none other than the capital in Odessa.
Rewards Granted
Money for completion of quests, a large emerald gemstone, various magical items.
Missions/Quests Completed
Defeat the "dragon," "capture" the troll.
Character(s) interacted with
Rog and Matilda; Dyvel and Wallace; Jezebel Jyune.
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