Back to Hillsboro - Putting the Pieces Together Report
General Summary
Defeating the Bonebreaker goblin clan, the four companions headed back to Hillsboro. Arriving at Lucky Landon's, they found the inn full, and any items they left in their rooms packed up. Landon sheepishly admitted that he had more than a few well-paying merchants heading through and needed the rooms, but he had an alternative.
Leading the four returning heroes, Connal, Crasock, Abebane, and Gymno, Landon brought the down the road south to an newer building. He welcomed them to the Black Quartz Inn, which he explained, started as a tavern opened by a dwarven miner, Vester Stonehew, when he discovered a profitable silver vein. Unfortunately, the silver vein dried up, and Stonehew couldn't really compete with Landon's. While he was still ahead, Stonehew took the rest of his coin and headed to the capital. He left the Quartz with Tostig Moonstone, the dwarven adventuring cleric, to rent out when needed.
Landon explained that the rent here was 5 sp per day, or 15 gp per month. Since it was the end of Harvester, and there were only a few days left in the month, he would start a new balance in Brightleaf. Already at the quartz were Balan, Brannon, and Elyot, who were sharing the place with a new arrival introduing herslef as Adrea Ravensworn.
After a few introductions, Connal brings up the point of treasure. As only a mercenary bodyguard could, he pointed out that the group had picked up treasure both at the ferry and the goblin caves. He was grateful for his freedom at the ferry, but he wanted a share of the treasure from the caves.
Brannon was elected (or elected himself) treasurer and soon began the task of sorting out the varied treasures. After some time, he divided the coin, but left the bulkier treasures at the Quartz. Adrea made a comment that maybe joining up might be a lucrative prospect.
Later that night, a few of the companions headed over to Landon's for a night of revelry. Called over to Maleon and Reynulf's table, they told the story of the goblin lair and the ferry. At Maleon's table was an older man who introduced himself as Garym Ashstaff. Garym gave them a brief history lesson. Seems that about 40 years ago, when Garym was an aspiring druidic initiate, a cult began to grow in the Korlon Hills. Calling themselves the worshipers of the Elemental Chaos, they began gaining influence. Bandits and humanoids raided those sites not under the influence of the cultists. Many who started investigating the cult turned up dead until one band of adventurers discovered that the cult had summoned demons, including a greater demon in their newly built temple.
Calling for aid, the people of the Korlon Hills began fighting back. The forces of Brineven defeated the cultists, destroyed their outpost and drove them back to their temple. However, the army couldn't truly cleanse the labyrinth and the demonic forces beneath the temple. So the forces of good did the next best thing, they sealed and warded the temple.
The fact that the goblins told the party that they were being approached by a "pretty blonde" operating out of the ruined temple outpost, and that the orc's tribe was also approached sounds like the forces of chaos are once again growing. Maleon, Reynulf, and Garym suggest that the party speak with the blacksmith's brother Eldwinn, who spends his spare time scouting the hills. But they also ask the party to investigate the temple outpost.
After heading back to the Quartz and getting a good night's sleep, Crasock and a few companions head to Hrun's Smithy. There they meet Hrun, a big bear of a man, obviously from the Rhoven Lowland clans. Watching him work is a slim alfar male who gives the companions a once over as they approach. Crasock purchases some hide armor from Hrun, while Abebane questions the slim alfar, who turns out to be Hrun's brother Eldwinn.
Eldwinn tells them that the ruined outpost often host's bandit gangs, but it also functions as a lair for creatures of the hills. He believes that there's a bandit gang in residence now, but he hasn't seen anyone entering or leaving, which could just be timing.
The next day, Crasock, Adrea, Elyot, and Balan headed out to explore the outpost. Approaching the ruins, Elyot used her familiar to scout the area who discovered a few of the threats through arrow slits and crumbled walls. Heading towards the fallen drawbridge, they were surprised when five blobs turned out to be giant frogs laying in the muck. After a brief fight, Balan charged into the courtyard. Heading through a door in one of the guard towers, he was attacked by a giant spider. When the rest of the party engaged the creature, Crasock was knocked unconscious with one poisoned bite. Taking some time to heal, they entered through the large stairway into the ruined great hall.
Certain the bandits were behind the door to the northeast, they headed south to make sure they wouldn't be fighting off an attack from behind. Exploring a ruined conference room they entered the far southern room, where a giant snake, at least 20-feet long slithered out of the rubble.
The battle was fierce, but soon the snake was defeated. Heavily wounded, the team took refuge in the conference room and spent some time resting and healing up.
Crasokk
Gymno
Connal Ravenshill
Balan
Abebane Morrel
Brannon
Elyot
Report Date
29 Sep 2021
Primary Location
Secondary Location
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