Session 23: The Duelliste

General Summary

As combat broke out, the group quickly dispatched twp of their attackers, and were able to control several of the opposing spellcasters as well as the drow leader with a well-placed Slow spell from Luca, giving them the upper hand. However, one of the female wood elves somehow managed to escape by slipping into the shadow of the drow after he called for them to "return to mother." During the battle, Jess spent a round cowering in the cart until Firion and Luca persuaded her to join the battle. After Vaegon cut the drow down and victory seemed assured, the drow somehow rose again, moving as if he was being puppeteered. Shadowy copies of the drow rose from his shadow, and he attacked once more, even with his body broken as it was. The drow and his shadows drained Vaegon and Tif of their strength, but finally fell after Luca set him ablaze with a Scorching Ray. AS the drow finally crumpled, those around him noticed an almost gossamer-like thread connected to his chest dissipate into the air, followed by the faint echo of female laughter. After taking a moment to recover and investigate their camp, they confirmed that the demi-humans had been Merry Men, evidenced by the trademark cloth sacks found on their bodies. The drow, however, was in possession of a different mask resembing a bird's beak. They took these items as evidence, along with the stolen loot in their bloody cart. They burned the bodies and left the bloody camp behind, with Tiblamir taking the Merry Men's surviving sickly horse along with them.

The rest of the journey to Weingarten was uneventful, but they discussed ways to cure Vaegon's curse and ways to acquire a "cure component" necessary to that end. Vaegon also opened up to the group about his past with the Faceless Ones and the reason why they cursed him. They also further discussed their plans to hunt the Smiling Knight in lieu of their recent battle, and the possibility that their faces were now known by the Merry Men thanks to the elf that had escaped. Ultimately, they decided to visit Herbstende, the castle of Countess Alisanne Penrose.