Session 5: The Meeting

General Summary

21st Sharali 234 4E   In the morning, once Willum had scouted the path to the fortified camp ahead, he and Tawny retraced their steps back to where they had encountered the small group of bandits the night before. There they investigated the site of their camp and Willum managed to find a source of scent to track them later on if it was needed.   In Brombie, the others had their meeting with Turoc, the bailiff of the village, that had been arranged by Gwann. Fallili 'Ironbringer', a dwarven woman who the party had been told owned many of the mines around the village, arrived at the bailiff's house, stating that she might as well cut out the middle man and meet with the newcomers herself. The three party members present aimed to use this conversation to solidify their cover story, probe as to the exact situation the village was in, and test the waters on if Turoc was wanting help in getting rid of Hrefna and the bandits. While Meridas' smooth-talking and charm didn't go as well as hope at the start, the questions and statements raised by Avina and Odhran managed to overwhelm the bailiff and thrust him on the backfoot, where Meridas swooped in for the final thrust. By the end three things were clear - the party's cover was solid; Turoc was in over his head and desperately didn't want to be in charge at this moment; he likely would accept help if it was offered, but would not be the one to ask for it; Fallili 'Ironbringer' was precisely the kind of person who would do anything to remove this threat to her business.   The party decided that it might be wise to talk further with Fallili directly so under the ruse of talking more on the specific mines and such, Meridas convinced her to continue the conversation over a drink at her place, leaving Turoc to matters that were more in need of his attention. As soon as the doors to Fallili's house were shut, the party dropped their charade and stated their true reason for being in Brombie - to take down Hrefna. After a moment of surprise, an amused smile spread across the dwarf's face.   "Ah, this all makes so much sense now."   Over the next few hours and a bottle of fine liquor, obtained by Fallili from a familiar pair of dwarven brothers before they fled Elderen for safer residence in Argen, the party and Fallili came to an arrangement - Fallili had a dozen swords in a nearby town that she would call for and put under the party's command, but only once the party obtained adequate support amongst the key figures of the village to provide a decent hand to play against Hrefna. Fallili walked the party through who these figures were and possible approaches to take with each of them.  

Session Log - Odhran

My dear darlin' Sif, I pray this letter finds you in good health.   We arrived at the border of Brombie yesterday evening, one more step closer to finding our quarry.   When morning came, Tawny and Willum decided to remain in the camp while Meridas, Avina and I took to the streets to learn more about the village. The streets are eerily quiet, nothing like any other village this size I've encountered before. We went under the the guise of associates of a minor noble, interested in some stakes in the region's mines. I'll admit, I was terrified. I have never been one for deception, but Meridas said that I was more than capable by just... standing there, looking fierce. I'd laugh, but that would ruin the illusion, wouldn't it?   Didn't take us long to find a rather quaint looking wooden home belonging to the Bailiff of the village, his name escapes me for the moment, I apologize. As I am writing this, my friends and I are currently having ourselves a nice bottle of wine, so my mind is cloudy.   Meridas tried... and failed rather miserably, to smooth out a conversation about the situation within this village with the nervous bailiff. Wasn't until yours truly stepped up, alongside Avina, that the man finally broke. He did not tell us much, but referred us to a lady by the name Fallili, a fel kin, from the Gildur mountains like myself! . A pleasant surprise to say the least... although she did seem a bit taken aback with my accent... I really have been among them humans for far too long haven't I?   The night draws to a close, Fallili invited us over to discuss further and here we are. My friends discussing the details, and telling her the truth about our arrival and about our target.   Yours from dawn till dusk, till the soil takes me, and the gods call me home.   Odhran Daer Hanoth   Ps. I look forward to the day I come back to see y'all.