Session 12: The Assassination Report

General Summary

Session 12 – Wednesday September 21st, 2022 – The Assassination

4 Hour Role Play session 5:30 PM to 9:30PM

The Stone Bearers. Party of 5:

It is the 20th day of the month of Marpenoth (Leaffall) in the 50th year of the Age of Enialis (Mid October.)

• Abrash – Wood (Dessert) Elf, L3 Druid – Jacob Munson
• Ajani– High Elf, L3 Wizard – Nathan Gioconda (Remote)
• Gazlowe – Goblin, L3 Artificer – Josh Pozsonyi
• Thomas – Human, L3 Blood hunter – Ryan Armstrong (Remote)
• Isabella – Forest Gnome, L3 Barbarian – Jackie Armstrong
• Gurthen – Dwarf, L3 Paladin – Spencer Armstrong (School)

Goals:

• Gazlowe to find out about Adventurer’s guild
• Gazlowe and Abby to complete the armor.
• Find out about the Red and White Ladies and report back to The Lord’s Alliance.
• Find out about mysterious slave trade in the High Forest.
• Locate the Shield of Niptu and find where they’re hiding Niptu’s Body
• Disintegrate Niptu’s Body and let Revalor Miadi know. Revalor is hiding with family at cottage along the Delimbiyr River between Zelbross and Loudwater.
• Go to Niptu Shrine #1 to learn about Niptu’s magic
• Train the Hellhound Johny Cash
• Purchase the Firestone Keep and rebuild it.
• Zoreene’s Trial on the 23rd of Marpenoth
• Gazlowe not happy with helm purchase
• Party to utilize the herbs Abrash and Ajani found.

Finishing up in the Firestone Keep

The party searched for the Lizardfolk Flicktongue and discussed what to do with the eggs. Thomas led them to the Hatchery where the eggs were. Abrash suggested they hire someone to try to incubate the eggs and keep the kobolds to maintain the keep. Gazlowe pointed out that it could take up to 6 years to do that and it didn’t seem to be a good investment. Thomas counted the eggs and saw that there were only 12 remaining (2 had disappeared.) Thomas suspected Flicktongue had been snacking. Abrash paid the group 7gp and took responsibility for the eggs.

Thomas led the group towards where they had last met Flicktongue. Thomas knocked on Flicktongue’s coffin and found him. The Stone Bearer’s explained that Flicktongue isn’t permitted to eat any kobold eggs and they’ve killed all the kobolds and taken over the place. Flicktongue expressed his sadness that “First the kobolds came and took my home and now people come and take away my food.” Gazlowe gave Flicktongue some mayonnaise and he loved it.

Wanting to give Flicktongue the whole 2 gallons of Mayo, but not seeing any place to put it, Gazlowe went to the next room and opened the coffin there. He found the body of Rowan Quickford. Finding nothing on Rowan other than an empty pouch with his initials, Gazlowe took the body out of the coffin. Isabella and Abrash took the body to the acid pit where they dumped it (without even checking for a pulse.) Gazlowe cleaned out the coffin only finding a broken mirror and a worthless bracelet. Gazlowe promised Flicktongue mayonnaise if he promised to not eat any eggs and protect them. Gazlowe then began to think how he would make another mayonnaiser for Flicktongue and the party left. Thomas stopped the room filled with dead kobolds and his Hell hound Johnny Cash resting on the top of them. Thomas left Johnny for now telling him to rest and that he’d be back.

Regrouping at Blackmoor’s

Arriving back at the manor Abrash immediately went and found Ajani. Ajani was sitting amongst some burnt out incense and looking frazzled. Ajani said he had a vision of dark and twisted trees casting strange shadows in the forest and he became lost in an endless dream of darkness and shadow. Ajani said, “There’s and experience worse than blindness, it’s the certainty that your vision is perfect and there is no world around you to see. How long as it been?” Abrash talked him back to the present and settled him and brought him back to the party.

Gazlowe mentioned his desire to go and talk to the Adventuring guild. Thomas pulled him to the side and privately told him of his concern about him joining such an organization. Gazlowe then started to head to the lab to work with Abby on finishing his armor. Lord Blackmoor approached the party excitedly and proclaimed that there will be a feast tonight as it is Willet’s 11th birthday, and he becomes an adult and official lord and heir to the manor. Lord Blackmoor was very excited for the smothered steak! The party asked Willet what he wanted for his birthday, and he expressed an interest in the same weapons his aunt Zoreene used (Crossbows.)

Abrash talked to Isabella and Ajani and suggested they make a “safe” crossbow for Willet to use. Gazlowe went to work on a deadly explosive tip crossbow bolt for Willet. Abrash, Isabella and Ajani went out into the woods and found the necessary components to make a crossbow. They harvested branches and vines and worked diligently to create a functional (and yet safe) crossbow.

déjà vu

With about 5 hours before dinner, Thomas went into Zelbross to talk to Zoreene in the prison. When he arrived the guard at the front desk said, “Back so soon?” Puzzled, Thomas asked what he meant, and the guard indicated that he had just left about 5 minutes ago. Thomas ran outside looking for any clues but saw no one looking like him and no discarded bandages. Thomas went back into the jail and found Zoreene.

Zoreene confirmed that they just finished talking about the trial and the fact that Thomas (the other one) was convinced that her brother (Lord Blackmoor) was not going to drop any charges. She told Thomas that he had said he would talk with Lord Blackmoor again to try to convince him otherwise. Thomas asked her when the last time was, they discussed scripture. She told him talk about every day but haven’t discussed scripture in about a week (about the last time the real Thomas was in town.)

Thomas explained that he had been gone for a week. Zoreene told Thomas that they had been talking defense tactics, how to act, how to talk and that she was shocked. Thomas believed her as she seemed to be very convincing. Thomas removed the bandages from his hand and told Zoreene that whenever they meet, she needs to ask him to repeat that task. Thomas ran back to the mansion.

Back at Blackmoor’s

Thomas made it back to the mansion with over an hour left before dinner. He found Lord Blackmoor and asked if he’d seen him recently. Lord Blackmoor confirmed that the only time they met was when he announced dinner plans. Thomas told him, “If you see me again, alone, shoot me in the face.” Blackmoor, startled, reluctantly said “uh… okay.”

Meanwhile, in the lab in the basement, Gazlowe finished up his armor with Abby. They finished fitting the optical interface in the helmet and Gazlowe inserted Abby in the helmet. Abby was able to see for the first time in a long time. Abby was surprised to discover that Gazlowe was a goblin. Excited, Gazlowe got into the armor and expertly navigated upstairs in his new amor. Thomas came in and explained that someone had impersonated him and has been advising Zoreene. Gazlowe suggested they should have a secret way of identifying each other each time they meet. Gazlowe suggested that if Thomas simply gave Gazlowe a gold piece each time they met he’d know it was him. Thomas suggested a verbal exchange where Gazlowe says “How’s the flesh?” and Thomas replies: “Slightly roasted.”

The rest of the party arrived with the homemade crossbow and saw that Gazlowe had a bow on a real Light Crossbow. Gazlowe showed him the bolt he had made and abrash looked very concerned. Abby told him: “It only has a 5% chance of exploding when loaded, which is quite safe by Gazlowe standards.” They then told the others that Thomas has a body double impersonating him. Thomas told the others what he discovered. Thomas wanted to go back to town, but the others encouraged him to stay for Willet’s party.

A Mess in the kitchen.

Mr. Homn motioned to the Stone Bearers to go find a seat in the dining room. The party moved on as the guard Frodrik passed by them and went towards the kitchen. Abrash ran out to grab some sticks to be used in the crossbow. Isabella convinced Thomas to at least come into the Dining room to celebrate the birthday. Ajani heard a commotion in the kitchen and went to investigate.

In the kitchen Ajani saw Chef Gheefieri yelling at Frodrik who had a think creamy sauce spilled on his chest. The Chef smacked Frodrik on the head and pointed to the basement stairs and told him to go get out of his kitchen. Gheefieri turned back to Ajani and begged him to stall them, as he just needs to remake the sauce. Gheefieri went to the basement to get some more supplies.

Happy Birthday Willet.

Ajani rejoined the party in the dining room where everyone was seated around the table. He told them that dinner will be another 5 minutes and Gazlowe and Isabella suggested it was time for birthday gifts! Gazlowe gave Willet the light crossbow with some bolts. He told him, “This was taken from a real bandit who’s not alive anymore!” Ajani said, “Willet don’t shoot your eye out with that thing.” Gazlowe then presented the explosive bolt and Willet was very excited. Lord Blackmore asked that someone be with him when uses it.

Abrash gave Willet the practice bolts and Isabella, Abrash and Ajani presented him the crossbow they had made. Willet dropped Gazlowe’s crossbow and admired the one the others made. Abrash emphasized responsible use of the weapons while Gazlowe encouraged him to blow things up. Willet suggested that at first light they can blow up the bush out back that has rabbits in it. Abrash ran outside casting Speak with animals to warn the rabbits to flee.

Dinner surprise

As the servants brought out the food, Thomas said to Ajani, “Something doesn’t seem right, test the food.” Chef Gheefieri stood in the corner and watched his creation being served. Lord Blackmoor quickly cut into the steak expressing is great enjoyment of the succulent Ribeye smothered in a rich mushroom sauce. Satisfied at his Lord’s enjoyment, Chef Gheefiere left the room. The others (except Thomas and Ajani) dug into the steak, and it was delicious.

After a few minutes, Lord Blackmoor declared, “Willet is now eleven and is officially of age. He is the official heir to the Blackmore mansion.” Lord Blackmoor lost his train of thought and started to sweat and shake a bit. The others looked concerned, and Thomas immediately ran to the kitchen. Abrash got up and went to his side he felt for a pulse and realized it was very weak and his skin was very sweaty. Abrash cast Detect Poison and Disease and detected a powerful Assassins’ poison over all the table. He tried to prepare some sort of tincture of herbs to counteract the poison. He yelled at the others, “Stop eating, the steak is poisoned.” He felt the pulse of Lord Blackmoor stop. Isabella handed Abrash an “Elixer of health.” Abrash poured the potion down his throat and felt no change. Abrash then cast Healing word on Lord Blackmoor, but it was too late. Gazlowe jumped into his armor and ran to the kitchen.

Searching the house.

As soon as Lord Blackmoor started to sweat, Thomas ran to the kitchen looking for the Chef, but he wasn’t there. Realizing that the Chef hadn’t left the room through the normal servant’s hall, Thomas ran to the front door. Frodrik was outside guarding the front door and seemed startled. Thomas asked where the Chef was. Frodrik told him that the Chef hasn’t come outside. Thomas got very close to Frodrik and examined him with his Blind Sense, trying to peer through any illusion. Seeing no difference, he told Frodrik, “Make sure no one leaves.” Frodrik whistled to two other guards who walked over. Thomas ran back inside and began searching the house. Thomas ran back into the kitchen and then into the basement.

Gazlowe quickly followed Thomas, Thomas ran towards the training room and lab but found nothing out of the ordinary. Gazlowe ran into his lab, and it seemed undisturbed. Thomas opened the door to the food storage area and found the Chef’s dead body on the floor. Thomas ran back upstairs. Gazlowe examined the corpse and found a paring knife in his pocket. Gazlowe took the knife and the chef’s hat. He noticed that the Chef had been bludgeoned to death by a blow to the head.

Reviewing the crime scene.

While Thomas and Gazlowe went searching, Abrash and Isabella tried to comfort Willet. Abrash then closed Lord Blackmoor’s eyes and covered the body. The two of them then took Willet into the safe room and made sure he was okay. Willet seemed unaffected by the poison. They stayed in the room with him to be sure he stayed safe. Willet’s anger seemed to grow. Abrash tried to teach him how to use his crossbow and Willet practiced with it until all the bolts had been broken.

Ajani worked with Mr. Homn and was able to cast “Encode Thoughts” on him. With Mr. Homn’s permission Ajani was able to view Mr. Homn’s memory from what happened in the kitchen. Ajani was able to observe that Frodrik seemed to intentionally cause the kitchen incident and then went downstairs with the Chef. When the Chef came back, he needed to use his cookbook to finish the sauce.

Looking for Frodrik.

Gazlowe went outside looking for Frodrik and found 2 guards in the front of the house. The guards told him that Frodrik had called them over and then went around the side of the house. Gazlowe yelled up to Thomas who he knew was upstairs and then went exploring around the outside of the house. Thomas jumped out of the upstairs window and landed on the ground with only minor injuries. Gazlowe went a way behind the house but didn’t find any tracks. After a few minutes of not seeing any tracks, he turned around and went back to the house. Thomas began searching around the house and spotted some blood seeping from a bush. Reaching into the bush he pulled out the body of Frodrik. Gazlowe spotted Thomas with the body and ran back.

Thomas realized that Frodrik was killed today, but he couldn’t determine exactly when. They pulled out a 2nd body, the guard Jonas. Gazlowe went to the front and told the 2 guards out front that Thomas and Jonas were dead. The guards told Gazlowe that Jonas had left a few minutes ago. Thomas ran up and asked, “Where!?” The guards pointed to town and Thomas took off running. Gazlowe told the guards to protect Willet and the passcode to be let in is “Blackmoor’s Money.” He then ran back inside to get the others.

Gazlowe collected the others and told them that Thomas had left. Ajani explained what he had learned. Abrash mentioned the dwarves at the temple they had met and perhaps they can help resurrect Lord Blackmoor. Gazlowe said that the ugly one Abrash met wasn’t so fond of them but perhaps the other one would help. The party then went after Thomas carrying the 300lb Lord Blackmoor.

The traveling salesman.

Thomas, running down the road, came upon an old man pushing a relatively small, covered cart. Thomas stopped him and the man quickly went into his sales mode trying to sell pots and pans and a particularly nice skillet. Thomas questioned the man, and the old man told him he’s a salesman traveling from Loudwater to Zelbross. Thomas asked him if he’d seen anyone else and the man told him that some young fellow ran by him a few minutes ago. Thomas ran on.

About 5-10 minutes later the party came across an abandoned sales cart of pots and pans by the side of the road and fresh tracks heading down the hill. This was about the same place on the Delimbiyr Road where they first saw Revalor Miadi being kidnapped by bandits. They went down to the river and debated crossing. After a few minutes of running Thomas realized that the moon was not bright, and the salesman was human and traveling with no lantern. Thomas swore and turned around to go confront him again.

Into the woods.

Gazlowe tried to cross the river but fell and suffered a bit of damage. Ajani cast shape water to help and Gazlowe then made it across. Thomas was running by when heard a suit of armor falling in the river. He spotted the party down the hill and saw the cart. He hopped in the cart and rode it down the hill. Thomas made it most of the way across the river and fell out with a slight bang on his head, but he got up and ran into the woods.

Isabella carried Abrash across the water. They threw rope to Ajani who fell into the water holding onto the rope. They dragged a hurt Ajani out of the water and joined the pursuit. The party mostly worked together to trudge into the woods looking for footsteps or broken branches. They followed the evidence and Abrash pointed out that the person they were following was very stealthy.

Abrash saw that the trail turned left, and in the distance, he saw a campfire. He also saw Gazlowe barreling on in the wrong direction. Unable to get Gazlowe’s attention subtlety they called out to him, and he stopped. They then saw that their yelling had stirred up someone as shadows moved in front of the campfire.

What’s Next:

• Find Lord Blackmoor’s Assassin.
• Abrash: Go into high forest, find the Tribe of the Bear and pickup his hide armor.
• Gazlowe to find out about Adventurer’s guild
• Find out about the Red and White Ladies and report back to The Lord’s Alliance.
• Find out about mysterious slave trade in the High Forest.
• Locate the Shield of Niptu and find where they’re hiding Niptu’s Body
• Disintegrate Niptu’s Body and let Revalor Miadi know. Revalor is hiding with family at cottage along the Delimbiyr River between Zelbross and Loudwater.
• Go to Niptu Shrine #1 to learn about Niptu’s magic
• Train the Hellhound Johny Cash
• Purchase the Firestone Keep and rebuild it.
• Zoreene’s Trial on the 23rd of Marpenoth
• Gazlowe not happy with helm purchase
• Party to utilize the herbs Abrash and Ajani found.
• Gazlowe to make a permanent mayonnaiser for Flicktongue

Campaign

The Forest

Protagonists

Thomas Elliot

Abrash Asim

Chaotic Good Moon Wood Elf (Folk Hero)
Druid 1

9 / 9 HP

STR
7

DEX
10

CON
13

INT
8

WIS
19

CHA
14

Report Date

23 Sep 2022