Session 34 – The Road to Arbuzum

The band of Sand Pirates having been soundly defeated, the rest of day two of the journey ends without incident. But Muuta is a bit concerned about not having spotted a single oasis. There should be just enough water to reach Arbuzum, a caravanserai where he plans to stop for resupply, but it is still at least a couple of days away.

The second day of Secondus Mensis, and the third day since leaving Xanathar City starts off like the day before ended – a long trek through the dessert with the Lady Ba'maiya continuing her complaints about the heat and seemingly every bump in the road.

Near mid-day, though you find yourself face to face with a group of orcs blocking the road. The lead orc announces himself, “Halt and pay tribute to War Chief Zul’Jin!” He is flanked by an orc dressed more like you would expect a wizard to be dressed than a dessert raider, but the other four orcs with him are clearly outfitted for battle.

“What kind of tribute?” asks Feebs. “Will this do?” He tosses a silver piece at Zul’Jin’s feet. Zul’Jin scoffs, opens his trousers and pisses on the coin. “Since you insult me with such pittance, now I’ll just take it all! If you’re lucky I might let you keep the wagons and camels.”

Sylbella rushes forward to confront Zul’Jin, but this results in her quickly being surrounded by him, the orc conduit, and two of the bloodrunners. The other two bloodrunners charge at Gunkyn, and Fees (who is still atop the lead wagon).

Thinking you may need help, especially when Sylbella is severely wounded, Muuta even comes up from the middle of the caravan and surprises you all by killing a bloodruner by casting acid arrow.

A timely casting of mass healing word by Gunkyn keeps everyone in the fight and War Chief Zul’Jin, along with his entire raiding band are soundly defeated. Feebs asks for help laying out the bodies in a centipede like pattern he hopes will serv as warning to other raiders, then casts prestidigitation on the coin Zul’Jin pissed on to cleanse it before putting it back in his coin pouch.

Muuta notes that it is close enough to mid-day that this is a good time to stop for a short rest and a small meal before continuing on.