Session 33: The Mountain Port Report

General Summary

The party leaves Freeport behind, paying the sailor from the Pilot's Guild extra as hush money to make sure he does not mention they were there. They now begin the long 25 day trek towards Cloudbreach to meet up with Rothgar.   Their passage through the Yearning Sea is quite pleasent, they stop at as many small islands as they can to harvest as much fruit as they can possible manage. Between this, the fishing, and their rations. They just barerly scrape through making it to Cloudbreach. Good thing they made it to Cloudbreach when they did, hungry sailors make for some terrible employees. That said 3 of them do end up quiting once they make it to port. The party will have to hire replacements in the future.   At port they are approached by a couple guards there to do a routine inspection of any vessel entering the docks. The party with nothing to hide allows the guard to search the ship, the guards fill out some paperwork. Hand it to the party. And direct them to the Docking Authority where they can pay their docking fees. The party makes their way to the largest building within the Public Docks. Here they find a very busy reception. They pay for an entire month, getting a discount in the process. The young woman working the counter suggests if they need a place to stay. The Brimmstone Tavern would be a good place. It mostly caters to the adventure types.   The party makes their way to the tavern. It is only about 15 minutes down the street through the crowded square, mostly filled with sailors and adventurers. Here they find a single story modest inn. Inside they also find Rothgar. Rothgar pays for a private room where they can talk in private and he fills in the party on what is going on. His mates have been captured by a mercenary company known as the Raiders of the Stout. They are going to collect a bounty on the two Dragonborn and a Knight of the Rose, (the highest Knight Order of the Vimor Empire) is on the way to collect them. The journey to the keep known as Wildecrest Keep is 8 days one way. The party spends the night partying, with their crew. They then spend the night at Brimmstone Tavern.   The next day, they pick up all the supplies they will need, including Cold Weather Clothing given the fact they are heading high into The Silver Troll Peaks. They also manage to find a bag of holding and a climber's rope for sale at the Genie's Lantern. Grabbing both of those the party finishes their day of shopping a preparing of gear. They spend another night at Brimmstone Tavern.   The next day they begin the first part of their journey that takes them to Forstford. A smaller town that sits on the Dumminster River. The first day is quite uneventful, with almost half the day traveling through farmland, the other half within oak, and elm forest. They end up at an area that is quite often used by caraveeners, Diala shows off her new spell that summons a magical tower. Here the party has a tight, but very comfortable place to sleep for the night.   The next day after washing up, they continue their way towards Forstford, about midday after taking a quick lunch. The party begins to hear a deep bassy chirp coming from the forests around them. As it gets closer a large predator steps out of the trees. A Tyransauros Rex they later come to know it as. One of the largest, and most dangerous non-sentient predators on the continent. The party is quick to try and drive it off, however it is not alone. T-Rex's are a pack hunter. It has friends that come out at different directions. The party is already surrounded. Thankfully to their defenses both mundane and magical they are able to prevent the worst case scenario of one of them eating a party member. They manage to kill the three of them. They realize a predator that is suppose to only live in the most remote regions would be out this far near civilization. To many T-Rex's have forced it to move to new hunting grounds. Or a larger predator has forced them out of their current territorry. Given the scarring from claws and burns. It leans closer to the former.   The party moves on, taking a couple souvineers and proof of kill with them. Arriving at Forstford 5 hours later they report what they had found. The guards are thankful for killing the beasts and guess that is what has been causing disapearances on the road as of late. The party hits the general store to purchase any extra supplies, then spends the night at the local tavern the Windy Magpie. A modest inn that servers delicious and well priced food.   They awake the next day, ready to hike into the mountains...