Session 43

After a good night's rest and some breakfast, both Typhon and Bloodbane headed back to the Envaris estate from Elderburgh. As before, it was a relatively short trip there, as the compound was just a few miles outside of town. Also as before, the air felt stale and still. Oddly, there was no sound of life in the nearby forest. Still, having slain the banshee from the night before, the pair felt emboldened to explore the house. They entered the decrepit manor, finding little more than burnt drapes and broken vases throughout the area. They explored the parlor, discovering a hidden door underneath the area rug. Unfortunately it was locked and they were unable to open it. Typhon realized that the key he found on the banshee would likely open it, but they felt it best to explore the rest of the house first.   They entered the study where they had retrieved Lady Envaris' body from the night before and looked around. There, they found some manuscripts written in what appeared to be the language of the long extinct Phasnosh Civilization. Curious about this, Typhon tucked it away in his bag of holding. The searched the house some more, finding tomes, novels, and trinkets. They encountered several giant spider eggs, which they promptly smashed open enthusiastically thanks in part to Typhon's disdain of the creatures. They ventured upstairs where they found the grizzly horrors of Lady Envaris' machinations: She had sacrificed her two children using ritual daggers. At this point, it was unknown what she was trying to do.    In an empty room at the end of the hall, they came across the creature that had layed the eggs: a giant spider had taken up residence inside and had barricaded itself in the room. Typhon polymorphed into a giant ape and began throwing large candle holders at the cornered spider, dealing tremendous damage. The spider lunged out and injected massive bouts of poison into the beast. Typhon jerked his hand back and then grabbed another large candle holder. This time he threw it with such force that it impaled the giant spider against the wall.    Typhon transformed back into himself and the two returned to the parlor where they had found the trap door. They unlocked the padlock and entered a small dark cellar underneath the floor. There was a dead body chained to the floor, and more bones scattered throughout the room. A strange, unfamiliar symbol was drawn on the floor with blood. The work table held another book and a crudely drawn map with a depiction of the Underdark. The notes on the table suggested a ritual designed to curry the favor of the goddes Lolth, which was curious as Lady Envaris was an Elf, and Elves typically don't worship Lolth.   Their journey complete, the pair returned to the Gruesome Hamsters tavern back in Elderburgh. They rested for a bit, and then as the sun set, they noticed that the bar had begun to clear out and a noise could be heard coming from outside. This must have been the fight club that they had heard about. The two adventurers headed outside and joined the throng that had formed behind the tavern in the street. Standing in the center with a fine hat and a bright red feather sticking out of it was a youthful looking human with a strong black beard. He spoke with a barely imperceptible lisp and confidence. This was Graysen Cuttlescar, the magistrate for Elderburgh. He was acting as the master of ceremonies for the event this evening. As they geared up for the next round, Bloodbane threw his proverbial hat in the ring. Typhon took a one gold piece bet as the barbarian faced off against a local farmer.   The fight was short and brutal as Bloodbane proved more than a match for the thin man. He finished off the farmer with such brutality that the crowd became silent... for a moment, then the crowd erupted into cheers. Ten minutes later, Bloodbane did it again, this time wiping the floor with a half-orc tanner. Between the next round, Typhon saw Magistrate Cuttlescar having a conversation with Whim Silverfin, the silver-haired halfling from the barfight the day before. While he couldn't hear what was being said, Typhon sensed that there was something amiss. Just then, the crowd began chanting the name "Gullscream". Even Bloodbane began chanting his name. A mountain of a man approached the crowd and shoved his way through. He stood close to seven feet tall and was built like a brick house. He had this crazed look in his eye that was off-putting to most, even Bloodbane.   Typhon pulled Bloodbane aside momentarily and urged him to drink his potion of storm giant strength. The barbarian agreed, given the fact that this Gullscream fellow was extremely physically imposing. Typhon pulled out the concoction and Bloodbane drank it down as fast as he could. No effect. The potion did nothing. Bloodbane would have to face his opponent on his own. He approached the behemoth, and Magistrate Cuttlescar gave the command to fight.   Gullscream tackled Bloodbane and hit him square in the jaw. Bloodbane managed to stand up, swinging wildly at his attacker. The blow connected, knocking him back. Bloodbane seized the initiative and tackled him to the ground and began the "ground and pound." The combatants continued to fight for what seemed like an eternity, but eventually Bloodbane emerged victorious. Bruised and battered, but victorious.   The crowd roared in excitement at their new champion. They chanted his name and raised his arms in victory. Money was exchanged, including the 500 gold pieces that Typhon had placed on Bloodbane to win.    Whim could be seen arguing with Magistrate Cuttlescar, gesturing wildly at Bloodbane and Gullscream. He stormed off, collecting the defeated fighter, and headed eastward. When asked, one of the onlookers told Typhon that the fights are rigged and that Whim take a cut of the winnings, bringing them back to their employer in Silverward. Cuttlescar stormed off, giving the pair of adventurers a foul look, suggesting that he was in on the scam. The group had apparently interrupted a long running money making venture from a Silverward-based criminal, and now his minions were headed back to inform him of the loss.