An Enclave of Handmaidens Pt1
General Summary
Session took place on 3-22-2025
Players present: Sam, Mo, Katie, Kelly
(In game: August 3rd)
After speaking with Holger Blackhand, the group decides on trying to ask around about the Handmaidens of Freya. Word has not spread of Alina's death.
The blacksmith, Asbjorn, stopped his morning work to take a break when Witcher Bas approached with the rest of the group. He mentions that the Handmaidens seem to be a bit odd in their beliefs around Freya. He barks a laugh when asked if anyone had sailed out to their isle recently. He tells the group that Haldor's wife had left him to join the group and that they had been giving him a rough time about it. Haldor, drunk and enraged at their jibes, left the tavern, hopped in a boat and began rowing towards the island. The group asked if anyone around knew more about the Handmaidens in particular and he directed them toward Eydis, the herbalist.
Eydis was a bit reluctant to share what she knew, but something about Duno's demeanor seemed to put her at ease enough to share her painful tale.:
Lindell, her daughter, had found her calling with the Handmaidens and Eydis went to visit her after a few weeks of joining the group. Her daughter insisted on her witnessing one fo the new moon rituals that was occasionally used to induct new members. Eydis mentioned how she was a devout follower of Freya and what she witnessed seemed to be at best strange and at most something sinister. The new moon ritual took place in open air with torches lighting the immediate area. However, the leader, Selvianne, stayed just outside the light of the torches so that shadow seemed to enshroud her. The potential member approached and Selvianne. Selvianne placed her hands on the recruit's shoulders and whispered in the woman's ear for several seconds. Then the leader stepped back and the new member stepped into the torchlight. The joy on her face was apparent. The ritual at an end, Eydis approached Selvianne. She began to express her concern at the seemingly out of place ritual. Selvianne, raising her voice to the Handmaidens present, accused Eydis of questioning Freya's blessing being bestowed through her. The cult members, including Lindell, began to close in on Eydis. The woman, realizing the situation, turned and walked away. The members followed making sure she departed the island as the sun began to rise.
Eydis never saw her daughter after that. Two years have passed and she received word that Lindell was sent on a pilgrammage to Hindersfjall and then on to The Continent to spread the teachings of the Handmaidens. The party questioned the herbalist regarding when Selvianne had appeared and Eydis said that Selvianne had been on that island for many years. She was not aware of anyone who may have known Selvianne prior to her status as leader. Eydis mentions that if the party is going to the island and if something nefarious is going on to make Selvianne pay for what she did to her and her daughter.
Leaving Eydis' shop, the group speculates on what this could all mean. They think it prudent to brew necropahge and vampire oil if possible. They pay a visit to the local alchemist. Bas has a recipe for necrophage oil and the ingredients are present and the alchemist, fortunately has enough skill to produce two vials of oil are able to be brewed.
The group agrees it is time to sail to the isle that the enclave is found on. They notify Saliyah of their imminent departure. She mentions to them that they have a couple of days as she's waiting on a rendevous with another ship to transfer cargo as well as unloading some of the supplies taken from Ard Skellig to Faroe.
They meet Floki in the small shipyard in Lublow. Floki, the head shipwright, asks that a note be taken to a friend of his on the small island enclave. The handmaid the note is for is named Myenna. They rent a boat and set sail.
Zune pilots the small longboat. They arrive about 2 hours later around midday. There happens to be only one spot on the tiny island that is suitable for making landfall. They pull up to another boat that is beached on the shore. The Witcher detects a whiff of booze and vomit. Further inspection shows less than day old boot prints in the shoreline heading north. Xeneva and Zune stay with the boat to ensure no harm comes to it and to await what they find as the others scout ahead. A 10 minute walk inland reveals a settlement. The group approaches and two of the settlers come out to greet. They ask who they are and one of them turns out to be Myenna, who seems delighted to receive a note from Floki. She wryly smiles, and says, "He's still tryin' huh?". They then reveal to the two ladies that they are there to address the situation with Haldor. They are led to a stone hut and find the man inside. Wolfface and Avallach stay outside, while Bas and Duno enter. Haldor begins to panic upon seeing the Witcher. Duno tries to calm him, but is unsuccessful. Bas casts Axii and sign calms the man long enough to get his side of the story:
He recalls losing his temper with the patrons in the tavern and taking a boat in the dead of night. Miraculously, he arrived in one piece. He approached Alina's cabin hollering out for her. He pulled up, and recalled seeing a strange mist wafting out of the cabin. He thought it must be his drunk, tired eyes playing tricks on him. He entered and a cat sprung out scaring him, but the fright was quickly replaced with shock as he saw Alina by lantern light lying on the floor, pale as death. He tried to wake her, but she was dead. Between his previous shouting and now loud sobbing, the other handmaidens who were quartered nearby find him over the body and have now accused him of killing Alina. He swears he didn't do it. When the Witcher asks where her house iss so they can investigate, he begins to thank them profusely, realizing he will not be hauled to his near certain death just yet.
Wolfface and Avallach meanwhile strike up a conversation with the two guards. Wolfface requests that the group meet with the leader. The guard seems reluctant, but eventually agrees to try and arrange for it.
Once the conversation with Haldor ends, the group is led to Alina's cabin and they prepare to examine it.
The blacksmith, Asbjorn, stopped his morning work to take a break when Witcher Bas approached with the rest of the group. He mentions that the Handmaidens seem to be a bit odd in their beliefs around Freya. He barks a laugh when asked if anyone had sailed out to their isle recently. He tells the group that Haldor's wife had left him to join the group and that they had been giving him a rough time about it. Haldor, drunk and enraged at their jibes, left the tavern, hopped in a boat and began rowing towards the island. The group asked if anyone around knew more about the Handmaidens in particular and he directed them toward Eydis, the herbalist.
Eydis was a bit reluctant to share what she knew, but something about Duno's demeanor seemed to put her at ease enough to share her painful tale.:
Lindell, her daughter, had found her calling with the Handmaidens and Eydis went to visit her after a few weeks of joining the group. Her daughter insisted on her witnessing one fo the new moon rituals that was occasionally used to induct new members. Eydis mentioned how she was a devout follower of Freya and what she witnessed seemed to be at best strange and at most something sinister. The new moon ritual took place in open air with torches lighting the immediate area. However, the leader, Selvianne, stayed just outside the light of the torches so that shadow seemed to enshroud her. The potential member approached and Selvianne. Selvianne placed her hands on the recruit's shoulders and whispered in the woman's ear for several seconds. Then the leader stepped back and the new member stepped into the torchlight. The joy on her face was apparent. The ritual at an end, Eydis approached Selvianne. She began to express her concern at the seemingly out of place ritual. Selvianne, raising her voice to the Handmaidens present, accused Eydis of questioning Freya's blessing being bestowed through her. The cult members, including Lindell, began to close in on Eydis. The woman, realizing the situation, turned and walked away. The members followed making sure she departed the island as the sun began to rise.
Eydis never saw her daughter after that. Two years have passed and she received word that Lindell was sent on a pilgrammage to Hindersfjall and then on to The Continent to spread the teachings of the Handmaidens. The party questioned the herbalist regarding when Selvianne had appeared and Eydis said that Selvianne had been on that island for many years. She was not aware of anyone who may have known Selvianne prior to her status as leader. Eydis mentions that if the party is going to the island and if something nefarious is going on to make Selvianne pay for what she did to her and her daughter.
Leaving Eydis' shop, the group speculates on what this could all mean. They think it prudent to brew necropahge and vampire oil if possible. They pay a visit to the local alchemist. Bas has a recipe for necrophage oil and the ingredients are present and the alchemist, fortunately has enough skill to produce two vials of oil are able to be brewed.
The group agrees it is time to sail to the isle that the enclave is found on. They notify Saliyah of their imminent departure. She mentions to them that they have a couple of days as she's waiting on a rendevous with another ship to transfer cargo as well as unloading some of the supplies taken from Ard Skellig to Faroe.
They meet Floki in the small shipyard in Lublow. Floki, the head shipwright, asks that a note be taken to a friend of his on the small island enclave. The handmaid the note is for is named Myenna. They rent a boat and set sail.
Zune pilots the small longboat. They arrive about 2 hours later around midday. There happens to be only one spot on the tiny island that is suitable for making landfall. They pull up to another boat that is beached on the shore. The Witcher detects a whiff of booze and vomit. Further inspection shows less than day old boot prints in the shoreline heading north. Xeneva and Zune stay with the boat to ensure no harm comes to it and to await what they find as the others scout ahead. A 10 minute walk inland reveals a settlement. The group approaches and two of the settlers come out to greet. They ask who they are and one of them turns out to be Myenna, who seems delighted to receive a note from Floki. She wryly smiles, and says, "He's still tryin' huh?". They then reveal to the two ladies that they are there to address the situation with Haldor. They are led to a stone hut and find the man inside. Wolfface and Avallach stay outside, while Bas and Duno enter. Haldor begins to panic upon seeing the Witcher. Duno tries to calm him, but is unsuccessful. Bas casts Axii and sign calms the man long enough to get his side of the story:
He recalls losing his temper with the patrons in the tavern and taking a boat in the dead of night. Miraculously, he arrived in one piece. He approached Alina's cabin hollering out for her. He pulled up, and recalled seeing a strange mist wafting out of the cabin. He thought it must be his drunk, tired eyes playing tricks on him. He entered and a cat sprung out scaring him, but the fright was quickly replaced with shock as he saw Alina by lantern light lying on the floor, pale as death. He tried to wake her, but she was dead. Between his previous shouting and now loud sobbing, the other handmaidens who were quartered nearby find him over the body and have now accused him of killing Alina. He swears he didn't do it. When the Witcher asks where her house iss so they can investigate, he begins to thank them profusely, realizing he will not be hauled to his near certain death just yet.
Wolfface and Avallach meanwhile strike up a conversation with the two guards. Wolfface requests that the group meet with the leader. The guard seems reluctant, but eventually agrees to try and arrange for it.
Once the conversation with Haldor ends, the group is led to Alina's cabin and they prepare to examine it.
Comments