Session 3: A Trade Gone Wrong

General Summary

Hacket (our Tiefling Artificer) and Whisper (the party striker) with the aid of new found adventuring partners, Androxos aka “Andy,” a drow sorcerer/warlock from Roshona; Cal, a goblin druid from parts unknown; and Malegg, a dwarf rogue from Roshona, are able to return Startisha home to her father Naeem.   The goblin village of Broonbobah is situated in the treetops of a small forested area of Igrathad. Huts and homes are connected via a series of rope and wood walkways. Savannah like plains surround the oasis of trees in all directions.   As Naeem promised, he graciously rewarded Hacket and Whisper with the promised gold, as well as their choice of items from the pile of magical items the goblins have acquired.   While Hacket chose a breathing bubble, Whisper identified a rather intriguing looking katana engraved with an intricate pattern of skulls and possessing a necrotic energy to it. Once she attuned to it overnight she learned that it was Corpse Slayer Katana, with magical powers for fighting the undead.   After settling their business Hacket and Whisper rejoin their new party members in a treetop tavern simply called “The Bar.” As they enter, they notice it has a horrible sports bar vibe to it. The drinks are rather dull and there is no whiskey on hand. Regardless, they all drink late into the night and retire to their rooms for a full night’s rest.   As they awaken late the next morning, some members stumble out of bed later than others and more hungover than others. They gather downstairs to the main tavern for a rather bland breakfast only a goblin could concoct. With it they enjoy breakfast ale which helps with the hangovers.   Andy approaches Whisper, who has been awake for some time and shows no effect from the debauchery the evening prior. She’s clean, her clothes freshly pressed, and she actually smells as though she was able to find a bath filled with the loveliest of bath scents. It’s clear Andy is in poor shape, and has had a restless night of sleep. He asks Whisper what she might know about the Calamity and she shrugs, indicating that she doesn’t know much more than anyone else.   “Why are you asking?” Whisper quietly replies.   “Nevermind,” You looked like someone who might have studied such matters,” Andy answers as he stands up and walks over to the bar for another round. Whisper knocks twice on the table and signals for him to purchase two.   As Andy returns with the ale and sits back down Whisper who lights a hand rolled cigarette. She downs her ale with near a single gulp. She notices Andy not drinking his, and asks if she might have it. Andy’s gaze lingers off into space, and doesn’t seem to notice her silent question, causing Whisper to help herself and take his untouched ale.   As the group finishes up their breakfast they head outside with the intent of meeting a goblin law officer known as Ramin (pronounced Rah-meen). Ramin supposedly has information about a missing supply caravan that the group has interest in possibly assisting with. The caravan was to bring food and supplies to the goblin village from Aruuth, an orcish village roughly four days' journey to the northwest. The group, seeing this as an opportunity to make more gold, takes interest in the work and plans to visit with Ramin first thing.   While the village is clearly not rich it does seem there is money to be made here and the village seems willing to outsource their more dangerous work, the newly formed party chooses to take advantage of the opportunity presented.   They make their way into the jail, and immediately Andy spies a table full of a white powdery substance. Unable to control himself he runs his finger through it, and brushes it over his gums and teeth only to discover it is nothing but powdered chalk.   Ramin is the head of security in the village, and is a hulk of muscularity, shredded and ripped as if he had just finished a rigorous workout. He doesn’t seem to notice, or at least ignores, Andy’s behavior as the group approaches him.   “You the ones looking for bounty hunting work, eh?” He asks the group, flexing his biceps clearly impressed with himself.   “If that’s what you’re calling it,” answers Malegg. “What can you tell us?”   “It’s been four weeks since we’ve received a caravan of outside supplies and we’re in a powderkeg situation. Our supplies come in from Aruuth, to the northwest, but we haven’t heard anything from them. Without those supplies, we’re done for.”   “And you haven’t heard anything at all?” Hacket asks.   “What if they up and left?” asked Andy. “Orcs aren’t known to put down roots, as you have here.”   Ramin answers that this is a well-established village of around 80-100 orcs, and that while some may come and go, that it’s been there for long enough to establish a steady and reliable transport of supplies. But there’s been no word. They have been using sending stones to communicate, but all lines have gone silent.   The group considers what Ramin says and at Whisper’s suggestion Andy attempts to negotiate for a percentage of what is recovered.   Ramin shrugs. He’s not sure what the adventurers would want with food and alcohol, but if that’s what they are asking for then they can take it up with Naeem.   With the details set in place the group thanks Ramin for his time and information, and they depart for a final conversation with Naeem. However, upon leaving the jailhouse Andy decides to take a bit of a walkabout. Whisper informs Hacket she will tail him to see what he’s up to. He already tried to skim gold from the group, and has shown intentions of possibly stealing from the goblins stash of loot.   “Come let us know at first sign of any trouble with Andy.” Hacket says to Whisper. She nods and heads off.   The rest of the group meets up with Naeem. Cal, the goblin pirate, seems as though his hangover has magically disappeared. The goblin begins a series of clever negotiations with the village chief that result in a pact that upon successful completion of this quest, all the villages will pay the party an equal share so that Broonbobah is not left destitute and left stuck with the bill. Caravan lines being restored will be beneficial to all, and for that all should pay.   Naeem, pleased with this arrangement, lets Cal, Hacket, and Malegg know that Dodafir is having some issues as well. Dodafir is a village to the far south, composed of hill giants. If we are able to accomplish the task at hand he is sure they will be impressed and that we will be able to work with them.   “We are the greatest bounty hunter adventuring group you’ve ever met.” Cal assures him before leaving the chief with a bit of insight regarding Startisha.   “Your daughter Startisha is down on herself about everything that’s happened. You should probably talk to her about that.”   The chief acknowledges this. “She’s struggling right now, she’s one of the only magical beings in the city. There’s a lot on her plate right now, being heir to my crown.”   Cal nods. “Out there in the big old world with goblin folk you have to delegate. See that she’s well.”   The chief thanks the group and they depart.   Meanwhile, across the village Whisper has trailed Andy to a magic shop, Yazmine’s Fortune’s and Tonics. The shop has a vibe about it that reeks of fraud, as though its the sort of place one goes to get hustled. But even in this there is a very real magical quality. Further, they have potions of healing and other sundries which Andy seems to take particular interest in. Whisper hangs back by the door, doing her best to blend in and go unnoticed while still able to overhear the conversation.   Yazmine is a young goblin with beautiful silvery hair, and moves in a silky smooth way, as though there is a fan constantly on her. One would almost think she is using an enchantment to create this effect.   Andy steps up the the counter and attempts to flatter her with his charm. To Whisper’s astonishment, it appears to work. Andy’s words are like butter dripping off a hot biscuit as Yazmine swoons at his words. “You’re so charming, and good looking.” Andy feigns humility. “I don’t know about charming. I just read a lot of derro poetry.” This seems to amuse Yazmine and she laughs with the most heinous laugh anyone has ever heard. Andy wishes to have a magic item crafted that can be imbued with an illusion spell and kept it active at all times. In order to do so Yazmine tells him she requires sap from a vine tree near Aruuth. She lets him know the tree will put up a fight. It looks like any other tree, but has vines hanging from it and as we approach it will attempt to catch us with the vines and eat us. However, he can get the sap, she will create a potion that will more than compensate for the trouble.   Other than that she only has two potions of healing to offer Andy.   Andy, continuing to charm Yazmine, negotiates to purchase both potions for forty gold. Yazmine agrees with the stipulation that Andy engage in long, hard, sweaty physical labor on her behalf, to which Andy agrees knowing that she most likely wants to ride him like a stallion.   Andy pays forty-two gold, which makes Whisper curious. “Why two more than he needed to? What a weird fucking number.”   As Andy takes the potions and puts them in his bag he leans over the counter one last time. “I promise you one thing, Yazmine. I’ll be back with your sap,” as he winks playfully.   Yazmine is very disappointed. She meant for him to pay in labor here and now. Whisper considers ditching Andy to let pay off his debt, wanting nothing to do with overhearing what is sure to be a loud and raucous affair, but instead enters the store, and intervenes by pulling at his sleeve indicating that it’s time to go. Andy promises to fulfill his end of the deal upon the party’s return and Yazmine gives him a not too subtle threat that should he not hold up his end of the deal he will regret it. Debts must be paid.   As the group gathers together they finalize preparations for their four-day journey, descend from the treetop village and emerge into the wide open plains of the savannah. The weather is pleasant and the travel easy going. Whisper sparks up conversation with the group on where they are from and discovers that both Andy and Malegg are both from Roshona, same as she is. However, they hail from different neighborhoods, the Coronas. Andy in particular doesn’t seem to think much of those who left the Coronas to become city guards, referring to them as "shitbags." Whisper assures him that good soliders have come his neighborhood, and that she has fought alongside them on the Barbed Fields.   At this interesting news Malegg shares that he too served in the Kryn army, but more in an intelligence oriented role. Whisper shares that she joined the army at the age of sixteen by disguising herself as a male soldier and that much of her eight years of service were spent on the city walls, but that she was ultimately a front line fighter on the Barbed Fields. She shows Andy and Malegg the scar on her neck that extends from under her left ear to across her throat. It is why she can only speak in a whisper. “I got this serving The Kryn Dynasty. We’ve all lost friends.”   The discussion fades as does the sun. With only a short time until nightfall the group spots a stone windmill on the horizon, estimating it to be only an hour away. The group decides it could be good place to make camp, though Whisper shows signs of hesitation, mentioning it might contain a horrible beast such as a giant spider. Her warning isn't one of fear, but seems to be that from first hand experience. As it turns out, her premonition was quite true.   As the group walks in closer to the windmill Whisper is able to detect a throaty clicking noise coming from inside. The clicks are quick, and there seem to be more than one. As they approach the windmill Malegg and Whisper move ahead of the others stealthily in order to investigate. Malegg looks inside through a crack in the wall and is met with a beady yellow eye that sees him and lets out a roar. Both Malegg and Whisper make dexterous attempts to sidestep the impending danger. Whisper successfully gets out of the way, but Malegg is knocked back by the door exploding open and is knocked prone as six raptors emerge from the tower pissed off.   The group immediately engages in battle. Cal transforms into a massive powerful bear that does tremendous damage, while Hacket brings up his cannon and lets loose a volley. Whisper deftly evades the raptors that have surrounded herself and Malegg, but this leave Malegg alone and exposed to attack. Andy launches an eldritch blast that goes wide, but eventually hits.   Five rounds of combat ensue but it is halfway through the battle that the worst occurs. Malegg, alone at the center of the action is unable to break away from the raptors and is rendered unconscious. As the raptors continue to attack one takes him in his mouth and devours him in a ghastly and grim scene that almost brings combat to a halt. The raptor runs inside with what the group presumes to be their friend’s dead body.   More attacks are made as the groups dishes out everything they have. Whisper pushes closer to the entrance of the windmill hoping to save Malegg. Something inside her is ignited that no fighter will be left behind. The raptor must die.   Inside the tower Whisper is able to see that the walls are lines with shelves with nests and that each nest contains an egg. On the floor is a vivid life like drawing of a coiled snake, much like a cobra. It’s head seems to rise up, and gives Whisper pause. She realizes it’s a perspective drawing, but is incredibly lifelike.   To her surprise, Malegg has managed to regain consciousness and the raptor has stepped away. Malegg now holds one of the raptors eggs in his hands threatening to destroy it - and others - should the raptor come closer. This draws the other raptors in, changing the course of the battle. The party is able to launch a final assault, a round of combat that leaves the remaining raptors dead.   As they enter the tower Whisper notices a green glow from Malegg’s chest, one that fades away before the rest of the group can join. She makes a mental note to inquire about this later.   Unbeknownst to the group, Malegg did indeed die. And during his brief period of death his spirit was transported into a tower, with green glowing walls, poison sliding down the walls. He hears in his mind a voice that seems to echo from every space. “It’s coming back.” The voice has a quality of cold divinity, of malice. But there does not seem to be specific intent to the malice, as if it is indifferent to however Malegg may respond. The voice asks a question, as green poison consistently flows down to the floor, “Do you want to come back?” Malegg crawls to the center of the room as it slowly fills with poison, his ankles beginning to feel the stinging pain of the poison.   Malegg answers “Yes. I wish to come back.”   The voice responds. “Then find my lash.”   And with this Malegg awakens to meet his friends and finish the battle as the session comes to a close.