Session 4: Let’s Make a Dope Deal, the Bogshade

After a surprisingly pleasant breakfast in the main room, during which Tonibore scrutinized the game master Serg from afar but gathered little of import, Ren Jorik's daughter told them to speak to her father.   She also mentioned that the Waylen festival was in less than a fortnight and asked if they would be around for it. It wasn’t a huge event there like it was in the larger cities, but they tried to bring cheer. It was the time when fall officially turned to winter, a tradition which unsurprisingly came from Waylan. It wasn’t officially outlawed, as it pacified the common folk, but it had repeatedly been declared a nuisance by the nobility and was not recognized within the capital.   They found Ren in his room, still in his bedclothes.   He said Lena had vouched for them all, which went a long way with him, and his instincts did as well. Still, he appeared cautious. He asked the group what they thought of “Belgarion and all this witchhunter business.”   They gave a vague answer that nevertheless expressed distaste for the King, such as might be punishable by years in the mines in some places.   Accepting this answer, Ren told them that later he would introduce them to an “interested party.”   During the afternoon, the group visited Lena. Danyar, the young boy they had helped rescue was resting in the back room, and Lena introduced them to ‘Mad’ Yanla, who claimed she had flown there as a raven. They recognized her tattoos and features as being of Old Oblidan.   After a brief discussion, in which Yanla seemed quite even-minded and sane, if a bit peculiar, she scrutinized Rolandus' wounds.   She said she knew of a creature, often called the Bogshade. It frequented swamps, and Yanla had evaded one on her way there and knew its general whereabouts. Its body could be utilized for several things, including a salve that conveyed some of its regenerative abilities (accelerated healing), and a concentrated perfume from its hallucinogenic pheromones. The Bogshade was known to trick young youths and lead them to their doom... Or so the rumors went.   That evening, Ren led them back into the kitchen, then used a key in the storage room. A long room full of crates and casks with stone walls.   Three people were waiting there: a mysterious, child-sized individual in a full cloak introduced as Orian (Aubrey’s character), Eiran Ilya again, (“Han Solo played by a long-haired young Steve Buscemi”) and Arsen the Younger. Arsen was a broad, fairly short man with blond hair. He was as young as his friend Eiran but had the hands of a blacksmith.   Ren introduced and vouched for them, and then abruptly left.   Eiran and Arsen upfront said they were interested in the offer Tonibore made, that is, an ongoing deal they wanted to broker with some stalwart monster hunters and alchemists, and the “organization they represent.”   Zenscha's lore knowledge indicated previously hearing that the Circle was something like a coven of ‘witches’ with some revolutionary political agenda. Tonibore recalled they funded themselves primarily through smuggling and banditry, specifically against those they saw as aligned with the Chernayan royalty. They were far more supportive of Rostova, although that did not mean they were welcomed by the establishment.   Eiran said, “I am only a junior member in this organization, but I have been granted permission to speak for the Circle in this limited capacity: we are interested in what you have to offer. In exchange for the silver, and a tentative ongoing relationship. Whatever you can supply that can be used in aid of our cause...”   The group was taken somewhat aback when their third member was told to stay with Orian most of all. It was tacitly understood this was at least in part to keep an eye on them, as well as to have a member of the Circle involved so all reports were not hearsay.   Planning for their hunting trip:  

• A Pincushion "siberian bear hunting" suit? Needs to go to blacksmith if they want to pursue that further.
• Zenscha acquired fungus that can be made into an emetic.
• Zenscha found the body of a small aberration in the forest, that is highly toxic.
• Needs to craft them in any case.
• Tonibore and Orian discuss a pulley system to attempt to keep hold of him after he's been eaten, if they take that approach.