Campaign Journal #22: Gathe, She of Too Many Nicknames

Our heroes have finished talking with Kajh Falkor, so the manor's caretaker, Ahlsid, shows them to the back garden and mountain cliff. A narrow switchback path descends thousands of feet into the mist below. Sentie casts feather fall and the party jumps....

Not long after landing, our heroes stop four merfolk from abducting a boy and girl. Barclay scares the merfolk with the illusion of a tentacled sharknado, which the merfolk unsuccessfully attempt to command. Renn guards the children while Kodrak, Raehendra, and Sentie defeat the merfolk. After the short battle, Kodrak and Raehendra are exhausted—no doubt because of their curse.

The party returns the children to their village. On the way, they spot a familiar-looking runic writing on some gravestones. The children explain that a neighboring village was overrun by lizardfolk and a handful of survivors made it to their village. This was before their time, however, and they don't know any more details.

In the village, our heroes meet the mayor and an older healing woman. They send signals to another village and an impromptu elders' meeting is called. The elders seem convinced that Kodrak and Raehendra can be healed by the Merewaif ("lake wife"), the Gyrgrim ("fen witch"), or the Wolhaeg ("pestilent hag")—though it turns out this is one person. They are given directions and warnings to avoid the lizardfolk.

They encounter Hazephas, who says he will try to arrange a meeting with Rixiilliandrias.

Our heroes finally meet Gathe, an ancient healing woman (of unclear lineage) living in the bones of an ancient dragon. She removes the cursed blood from Kodrak and Raehendra, and then she is told about the party's adventures. Gathe reveals and/or gives advice:

• The Scymrelde was an awful time. Our heroes must destroy the runic spell pages or those days could return.
• A resurrected god's powers will be limited—though still exceptionally powerful—until the ritual is complete. However, that god will also be unkillable until the ritual is complete.
• The blue-eyed being has attempted to spy on Gathe, but could not because she is closed off from the world.

With Kodrak and Raehendra healed, the party heads west, across the river. Gathe has given them two potions to protect them from the felmana, blue-feathered dire centipedes that live in the grasslands. Our heroes also wear vine crowns, which allow them passage across the lizardfolk's lands. The lizardfolk are not happy about this, but they refrain from attacking. A mortally wounded (poisoned) lizardfolk warrior is spotted and healed, and the lizardfolk appear grateful.

Our heroes leave the swamp and head into the grasslands....

Soundtrack:

Austin Wintory, The Banner Saga (2014), The Banner Saga 2 (2016), The Banner Saga 3 (2018)

The Main Cast, our player characters:

• Barclay Stone (he/him), human bard (college of eloquence)
• Aevyr, his imp familiar
• Kodrak Kukkerlun (he/him), dwarven fighter (battle master)
• Raehendra Tiddlybumpkin (she/her), gnomish ranger (hunter)
• Renn Summerstar (he/him), elven cleric of Lioris (twilight domain)
• Sentie Rancis (they/them), human wizard (school of transmutation)

The Supporting Cast, non-player characters:

• Ahlsid, human, caretaker of House Falkor
• Gathe the Grove-Ward, healer
• Hazephas, imp, familiar of Rixiilliandrias, friend of Harold
• Kajh Falkor, human vampire, once Earl of Falxmed
• Unnamed healer, human
• Unnamed mayor, human
• Children and elders, human
• Lizardfolk villagers

See the full cast list at Campaigns in Elsemorn—now with photos of the miniatures used in the game!

Campaign Journal #21: The Conversation with Kajh Falkor

We return to our heroes as they leave Falxmed in a Bartholomew & Company wagon, along with Heyzzzel, Ainen, Gilles, and the (still) unnamed kitchen/scullery maids. Once they are clear of the city, Gilles and the maids are let out, while our heroes continue on. The driver suggests that they seek shelter at the home of Kajh Valkor.

Barclay opens the chest he took from Vict Falkor's desk, revealing many documents. After much discussion and sleuthing, here they are (with redacted sections filled in):

2 pages of runic text:

• An early/original version of the spell shield, labeled "SKELD" in common Forefast.
• An early/original version of the spell unseen servant, labeled "THRALL" in common Forefast.

2 sketches by the artist Rathas:

• A beach scene with rock arches.
• An underground scene with a column missing a brick.

2 pages with sketches and runic text:

• Scene: Two women in traditional dress. Text: A Harvest song played on a flute. A sickle and axe feed the home. A girdle hides an empty belly. Each bucket will soon be full. Hoods shade us from the sun. A ram's head is a proper offering. Feathers will be plentiful now. Wear your finest cap and sandals to the dance.
• Scene: A man in traditional dress. Text: The Four Peoples meet at Midsummer. A family from Woley, tinnersbell on all their garments. A couple from Oandmere, dress and shirt of palest shadeberry. A couple from Measburn, floddoc-dyed trim and a cardinal feather in his hat. A family from Hulderford, cloaks of weld and woad.

3 letters to Vict Falkor, with coded/abridged sections filled in when appropriate:

Vict,

I must say that we are very interested in your council and wish to know more about it. Tell us all, in great detail! We have many volumes of the pages you reference—thousands of them, maybe more! We will sell them for 5 gold pieces per page. Forward as much as gold as you wish and we shall promptly deliver them to you. P.S. We are very serious!

Galix & His Delver Horde

Earl Falkor,

I trust this giantsblood will suit your needs. It was taken from a three-headed faxthurs that my soldiers captured in the southern Rustwood.

My entourage heads towards [Pallistae], the next most-likely location. Will talk about [Hhurtik] when we can meet.

[Taldir Falsteloj, lord of the Havil Pallis]

Earl Vict Falkor of Falxmed,

My lord, Aldus Patrox, wishes to accept your invitation to observe such an extraordinary and unprecedented event. He and I shall arrive via circle as suggested.

I have sent two journal fragments and two drawings as payment. How you knew they were in the grave of Jocosa in Caedsmoor is a mystery that my lord would like to discuss. In any case, you have my lord's word that, should your plan come to fruition, you will be paid handsomely in gold, land, and title.

Cole Varlet, squire-assistant to Aldus Patrox,

Cardinal of the The Church of the Adamant,

Lord of the Garnet Sword,

Advisor and Cousin to His Majesty, Andel Patrox

4 notes to Vict Falkor from Jasny, Chancellor of Falxmed, with coded/abridged sections filled in when appropriate:

Sir,

D. reports that he suspects a colleague owns several pages in her library; he will research and report when possible.

-[Jasny]

Sir,

A representative from the [Havil Pallis] reports that they have begun raids into [Pallistae]. They are now quite confident that the [Ryn]/[Urtik] premise is incorrect.

It appears that [Taldir Falsteloj] has been taken ill and it is quite serious.

-[Jasny]

Sir,

[Wendlaf] reports that the framework is stable and the runes are active and holding; flesh is materializing although differently than anticipated; rituals are ongoing.

Personnel are tying up loose ends and relocating to [Nevriath] outside [Suriidae].

-[Jasny]

Sir,

A man arrived from [Casseval] bearing these two pages. He claimed to be a messenger but was clearly an official of some rank, though he would not give his name. The man demanded to speak with you but I refused, as instructed. He said these were the last two pages in his land as a third had recently been stolen. It seems that [Casseval] initially believed we were involved when they received your first letter. I assured him that we were not. I also explained more about the upcoming event, what his land stood to gain, and, of course, our assurances for the safety of any guests. I trust I have not overstepped. This seemed to put him at ease and he verbally confirmed a guest "of sufficient status".

-[Jasny]

The party takes a long rest in the wagon, save for Barclay. He casts sending to Ilyavoe, saying he had concerns about Vict Falkor. She sends an assistant/familiar, a winged cat named Amphe. Barclay shares what he recently discovered and Amphe/Ilyavoe helps fill in the gaps. When the conversation ends, Amphe curls up on Ainen's lap and teleports both of them back to Ilyavoe.

The rest of the party wakes; Kodrak and Raehendra are still down hit points. They all arrive at House Falkor, situated in a cliffside depression with crops and livestock, and surrounded by a forked river. Our heroes meet Ahlsid, the caretaker, and then Kajh Falkor, a vampire and once Earl of Falxmed.

Kajh hosts the party for the day. At lunch in his dining room, he demonstrates a contraption that moves a light source behind a stained glass window—a recreation of the window in the Thyrre dungeon house. Kajh tells what can about:

• The time known as the Scymrelde or Scymralth, when magic and spells were being developed. These early spells lacked safety mechanisms and were often harmful to everything around the caster. Unfortunately, they were written down and held in some sort of library—which could prove disastrous if it were located.
• Rixiilliandrias of Pallistae Starling-on-Tinsley, an equally long-lived magician, but through magic rather than vampirism. Rixiilliandrias loved Kajh's sister, Miela, who died around 200 years ago. Rixiilliandrias hasn't been the same since. Kajh also reveals that Hazephas is the imp familiar of Rixiilliandrias.
• An (almost guaranteed) teleportation circle to the River Tinsley (near Rixiilliandrias) perhaps 10-14 days' walk to the west. There is another teleportation circle perhaps 7 days' walk to the west-northwest that could perhaps be used to visit Rixiilliandrias. (It is located beneath an abandoned watchtower and may no longer exist.)
• A healer woman of some repute lives near the bottom of the cliff. Kajh says to speak with the first villagers that they meet.

Our heroes ask a variety of other questions, many of them comical. Kajh displays a great amount of patience. Raehendra asks about Greebles, and Kajh recites a poem he read by Valyric Paega:

Beyond the veil where Greebles bide,
In seas of shadow everlast,
Their hunger for the timeless vast,
Beyond the veil where Greebles bide. 

 

Beyond the veil where Greebles grin,
Their uncanny shapes do devour
That which dares pass its final hour.
Beyond the veil where Greebles grin.

Barclay tries casting a sending spell to Rixiilliandrias, which fails. He then tries casting a sending spell to Hazephas, who says that he will be there when he can—which is where we ended the session.

Soundtrack:

None

The Main Cast, our player characters:

• Barclay Stone (he/him), human bard (college of eloquence)
• Aevyr, his imp familiar
• Kodrak Kukkerlun (he/him), dwarven fighter (battle master)
• Raehendra Tiddlybumpkin (she/her), gnomish ranger (hunter)
• Renn Summerstar (he/him), elven cleric of Lioris (twilight domain)
• Sentie Rancis (they/them), human wizard (school of transmutation)

The Supporting Cast, non-player characters:

• Ahlsid, human, caretaker of House Falkor
• Ainen, kenku, former assassin
• Amphe, winged cat, assistant of Ilyavoe
• Gilles, human, lackey
• Hazephas, imp, familiar of Rixiilliandrias [via sending], friend of Harold
• Heyzzzel, gnome wererat, artist
• Ilyavoe, human, witch general of Fellsdare [via sending]
• Kajh Falkor, human vampire, once Earl of Falxmed
• 3 unnamed kitchen/scullery maids

See the full cast list at Campaigns in Elsemorn—now with photos of the miniatures used in the game!

Campaign Journal #20: The Confrontation with Vict Falkor

We return to our heroes as they hide in one of Earl Vict Falkor's offices, only to find that it's guarded by mimics: an armoire-mimic, a bed-mimic, and a crate-mimic. They are minions, so the party makes quick work of them. During the battle, Sentie locates a switch to a secret door. Our heroes quickly decide to take the secret door and evade the guards searching the mansion.

The door opens on a tight stairway headed up. It leads to a room where the governess, Shammura the Blood Witch, is draining bodies of their blood—which is being pumped into an adjacent room. Shammura is aided by three cloth-and-flesh constructs, no doubt made from earlier victims. Two of the constructs are quickly dispatched, while Shammura launches bolts of necrotic energy at our heroes and the larger construct batters them around. Kodrak drops to 0 hit points but is saved by Renn. Eventually, Shammura is slain and the construct is doused in oil and set alight, which destroys it. A door opens to the adjacent room.

Heading to that room, our heroes discover a sack of blood hanging from the ceiling. It rips open and a massive clotted ball of blood falls to the floor. Some of it falls away to reveal Vict Falkor, now twenty feet tall, his body covered in horns, patches of hair, and additional faces. It's clear that he and Shammura were dabbling in vile blood magic, hybridizing Vict with the body parts of other creatures—bringing to mind the chimerical wolf-dragon the party had fought nearly two (in-game) weeks earlier.

Vict Falkor stands in the blood in the center of the room. Around him are four columns; as they become saturated with blood, they fall apart and empower the villain. Additionally, animated blood minions periodically drip from the ceiling, and Vict has a variety of legendary and lair effects. Our heroes battle Vict while (mostly) avoiding the blood and dodging necrotic gas clouds and other attacks. When the fourth column falls, wings erupt from Vict's back and a window opens in the ceiling. However, the party manages to dispatch the villain before he can take flight. During the battle, both Kodrak and Raehendra are doused in blood, causing damage that seemingly cannot be healed. Our heroes take Vict's head and move on to the next room.

This is a neatly organized study, with little more than a chest and a desk with parchments, quills, ink, and similar tools. The party puts the chest in their bag of holding and takes the sole door down to the kitchen, where three maids are cowering.

Here, our heroes discover that the mansion is on fire. There are two doors available to them, one to the dungeon and the other to a basement storeroom in the city—but it requires crossing a bridge, which has been destroyed.

The party investigates the dungeon and frees Gilles, a lackey imprisoned for daring to brush the Earl's horse. Also, the imp Hazephas is there, hiding inside a Modron's body. He admits that he was sent there to keep an eye on our heroes. But when Hazephas won't reveal his master's name, Barclay "kills" him, sending the imp back to his home.

From there, our heroes call on The Catamount to rescue them. In return for teleporting the party (along with Gilles and the three maids) to safety, Renn offers to kill a demon or devil of The Catamount's choosing.

The party is safer, but there is a riot in Falxmed and much of the city is on fire. Barclay contacts Muire, the Bartholomew & Company agent, who picks them up in a wagon. As our heroes leave town, the last thing they spot is a partially completed statue of Kodrak, the Lord of Backtooth Mountain.

Soundtrack:

• Atreyu, A Death-Grip on Yesterday [instrumental version] (2007)
• Hashshashin, nihsahshsaH (2016)
• Converge, "Jane Doe" from Jane Doe (2001)

The Main Cast, our player characters:

• Barclay Stone (he/him), human bard (college of eloquence)
• Aevyr, his imp familiar
• Kodrak Kukkerlun (he/him), dwarven fighter (battle master)
• Raehendra Tiddlybumpkin (she/her), gnomish ranger (hunter)
• Renn Summerstar (he/him), elven cleric of Lioris (twilight domain)
• Sentie Rancis (they/them), human wizard (school of transmutation)

The Supporting Cast, non-player characters:

• Gilles, human, lackey
• Hazephas, imp, familiar
• Muire, human, Bartholomew & Company agent in Falxmed
• Shammura, human, the Blood Witch of Falxmed
• Vict Falkor, human, Earl of Falxmed
• 3 unnamed kitchen/scullery maids

See the full cast list at Campaigns in Elsemorn—now with photos of the miniatures used in the game!

Campaign Journal #19: The Assassin

Our heroes have just spotted (or perhaps interrupted?) the assassin, a figure dressed as a plague doctor. The figure leaps from the window and opens a glider to escape.

Barclay follows the figure through the window, casting misty step to safely reach the ground. Kodrak jumps and falls, taking damage. Renn casts faerie fire at the figure, illuminating him for those giving chase, before turning back to investigate the room (along with Raehendra and Sentie).

The room searchers find a scrying device hidden on a high shelf. Sentie casts identify and learns that it must be paired to a receiving or watching device. Renn leaves to find another priest in the temple complex, to explain Tverdim's death and make sure they are not blamed for the murder.

Meanwhile, Barclay and Kodrak chase the assassin. Their pursuit leads them to a roomful of actual (plague) doctors attending night class; they helpfully point to where the culprit went. The assassin is quickly cornered and Barclay incapacitates him with suggestion, after which they return to the temple.

Our heroes interrogate the assassin, discovering that he is a kenku working for someone with glowing blue eyes. This person (being?) promised the kenku a name, but is likely stringing him along. Barclay gives him the temporary name Ainen, and he agrees to help the Iron Witch in Fellsdare. Ren casts speak with dead on the body of Tverdim, who confirms all of the information they know so far.

Barclay, Kodrak, Raehendra, and Sentie return to their inn room and introduce Ainen to Heyzzzel. Renn speaks with Dara, Grann's girlfriend, and advises her to lay low or leave town. He then returns to the inn room, where a letter is waiting for him:

Renn,

Good news! One of my agents has located and made contact with Liliani in Nevriath, a town near Suriidae on the Galdor Sea. She was with Decius and several guards—my man recognized a couple as former rangers. She may have been leading them, but my man could not be certain. Liliani would not speak with him, and in fact, urged him to stay away for his own safety. He is keeping his distance and will report immediately if the situation changes.

Bartholomew, via Muire

I shall prepare a coach in case you require one.

Muire

Renn casts speak with dead on the body of Grann, who also says that he was hired by someone with glowing blue eyes. He has little information about his final explosive statue, as he merely carved it and applied the magical runes but did not control it.

Our heroes rest at the inn and make for the Earl's manor around noon. They are shown to a waiting room, where they...wait. For hours. In time, they notice a mob of citizens outside the gates and an equal number of guards plus Dimir inside the gates, holding pikes. Everything is peaceful so far, though it won't last.

Sentie, who can read lips, spots a conversation between Dimir and a high-ranking guard. It seems that Earl Falkor has "begun his experiment" and Lady Shammura, ostensibly the governess, is keeping everyone out. The guard is given orders to kill our heroes, and he gathers a force to head inside. At that moment, a giant statue is seen running toward the manor—the final device. The citizens scatter as the statue dives at the gate and explodes. Dimir and many of the guards are killed. The high-ranking guard and his force were knocked down, but they get to their feet and head inside the manor.

The party leaves the waiting room and sneaks into another room, a bedroom/study, to hide. Sentie notices a secret door and they begin to look for a switch or button, as a crate licks Kodrak's leg—revealing that it is a mimic. An armoire-mimic and a bed-mimic also drop their disguises. We'll begin the next session with that battle!

Soundtrack:

None, due to "technical" issues (I forgot to hit play)

The Main Cast, our player characters:

• Barclay Stone (he/him), human bard (college of eloquence)
• Aevyr, his imp familiar
• Kodrak Kukkerlun (he/him), dwarven fighter (battle master)
• Raehendra Tiddlybumpkin (she/her), gnomish ranger (hunter)
• Renn Summerstar (he/him), elven cleric of Lioris (twilight domain)
• Sentie Rancis (they/them), human wizard (school of transmutation)

The Supporting Cast, non-player characters:

• Ainen, kenku, assassin
• Dara, human, Grann's girlfriend in Falxmed
• Dimir, viceroy of Falxmed
• Grann, human, sculptor/assassin in Falxmed
• Heyzzzel, gnome, artist
• Rana, frog jinn
• Tverdim, human, priest of Gaelid

See the full cast list at Campaigns in Elsemorn—now with photos of the miniatures used in the game!

Campaign Journal #18: A Tale of Two Taverns and a Tiefling

We return to our heroes immediately after the viceroy, Dimir, leaves their room. They discuss if they should do something about the Earl of Falxmed, and decide that they must. Paranoid about being watched, they look for sources of magic and find only the party's magical items—including a whistle that Kodrak picked up in Thyrre.

Raehendra and Sentie leave to buy Raehendra a dress. The others examine and experiment with the whistle, eventually blowing it and releasing a "frog jinn", Rana. She isn't much help to them, as she can only grant wishes to frogs. Rana begs not to be put back in the whistle and they free her.

The party splits up again, with Kodrak and Renn visiting a working-class bar (the Curious Crow), Raehendra and Sentie visiting a moderately well-to-do bar (the White Chariot), and Barclay searching for a local thieves' guild.

Barclay finds Vare, a Sanaj (tiefling)-run guild friendly with Whitsleaf and speaks with their liaison officer, Tyesca. She warns him that Falxmed has gradually descended into authoritarianism under the rule of Earl Vict Falkor. It only got worse after a "blood witch", Shammura, arrived and became the governess to his three children. The city is teetering on the edge after the guard kidnapped and murdered several townspeople, supposedly for being involved in the attempted assassination of Dimir. Kidnapping seems to be a feature of the Earl's rule, unfortunately.

Raehendra and Sentie visit the White Chariot and speak with its proprietor, Vencek. Raehendra examines the tavern's artwork, a veritable history of Falxmed:

Paintings in the main room:

• Earl Nathye Falkor and Kater Falkor, First Lord and Lady of the Falconmarch [painted in later style]
• Miela Falkor, Lady Falconmarch [painted in later style]
• Earl Kyril Falkor, Third Lord of the Falconmarch [painted in a much earlier style, and perhaps 500 years old]
• [and so on]
• More paintings of earls, sometimes interspersed with stewards (viceroys and chancellors).
• [Most of the artwork features falcon motifs, but this changes to wolf motifs in the most recent several generations. At this point, Raehendra notices that the tavern is mostly wolf-themed, but all of these pieces appear newer.]
• [more paintings]
• Earl Beris Falkor and Olig Falkor, Twenty-Second Lord and Lady of Falxmed; their child, Vict; Vict's governess, Elena Tesar [Raehendra confirms that Elena Tesar was her own governess.]
• Earl Vict Falkor and Tomil Falkor, Twenty-Third Lord and Lady of Falxmed; their children Vseve, Yaro, and Casim; their governess, Shammura

Paintings in the parlor:

• Kajh Falkor and Jehan Falkor, Second Lord and Lady of the Falconmarch; their sons, Kyril and Miros [a painting removed from the main room]
• Miela Falkor and R. of P., Lady Falconmarch and Court Astronomer [a painting removed from the main room]
• Several other Earls who had fallen out of favor
• This room also features all sorts of falcon-themed wood and stonework, much of it moved here from the main room.

Sentie eavesdrops on the Falxmed guardsmen also in the tavern. They are apparently aware that our heroes are not friendly to the government of Falxmed. A plot is underway to kill them if they visit the Earl. However, if they don't visit the Earl, innocent prisoners will be murdered instead. The victims will get blamed for the attempt on Dimir's life. After the guards leave and citizens arrive, Sentie makes some drinks for the crowd.

Kodrak and Renn visit the Curious Crow and listen for information from Kendruta, the proprietor, and the crowd—loosening their lips with rounds of free drinks. They hear many of the stories that Tyesca told Barclay, albeit from the perspective of the working class. Kodrak wrestles a series of dwarves. Renn talks with Dara, a young woman whose boyfriend, Grann, has been missing for several days. He agrees to look for the man.

Our heroes come together to investigate the disappearance of Grann. He is a successful sculptor who apparently gained a mysterious benefactor. The party breaks into his workshop and is creeped out by all the humanoid statues. Barclay and Renn enter Grann's bedroom, only to find the man dead, hanging from a rope. A suicide note is nearby. Raehendra enters the display room, where a statue animates and explodes when it gets near her. This explains the mysterious method of attack against Dimir, which had previously been believed to be "kids throwing rocks".

Barclay stashes Grann's corpse in his bag of holding and everyone returns to their inn. They cast Speak with Dead on the body and learn/clarify that Grann did die by suicide, that he sculpted the statue that was used against Dimir, that he has carved his "largest work ever", and that he confessed to Father Tverdim, a priest of Gaelid in Falxmed.

Our heroes rush to the Hallasar temple and break into Gaelid's room, only to find the priest dead and desiccated on the floor. The presumed assassin, someone in a plague doctor costume, throws a dagger (which misses Renn but sprays him with acid) and leaps out the window!

Soundtrack:

Robin Carolan & Sebastian Gainsborough - The Northman (2022)

The Main Cast, our player characters:

• Barclay Stone (he/him), human bard (college of eloquence)
• Aevyr, his imp familiar
• Kodrak Kukkerlun (he/him), dwarven fighter (battle master)
• Raehendra Tiddlybumpkin (she/her), gnomish ranger (hunter)
• Renn Summerstar (he/him), elven cleric of Lioris (twilight domain)
• Sentie Rancis (they/them), human wizard (school of transmutation)

The Supporting Cast, non-player characters:

• Dara, Grann's girlfriend in Falxmed
• Grann, sculptor/assassin in Falxmed
• Kendruta, proprietor of the Curious Crow Tavern in Falxmed
• Rana, frog jinn
• Tyesca, liaison officer of Vare in Falxmed
• Vencek, proprietor of the White Chariot Tavern in Falxmed
• [unknown], assassin

See the full cast list at Campaigns in Elsemorn—now with photos of the miniatures used in the game!

Campaign Journal #17: Finally at Falxmed!

Our heroes reach the toll bridge into Falxmed and pay the tax/toll collector, an ogre named Harold, and his "old friend" imp, Hazephas. Sentie takes a liking to Harold and wants to chat, but Barclay urges the party onwards.

Almost as soon as they arrive in Falxmed, the heroes begin to hear wolves, ever closer throughout the day. They even spot the wolves on a far-off mountain cliff, and they appear larger than the wolves our heroes have encountered.

While they travel, Barcley uses sending to gain more information about Raehendra and her parents. Her parents were put on trial and found guilty of enslaving kobolds in their shop, along with a handful of subordinates. Wendlaf, the cultist of Eltheodir who Raehendra remembers her parents once discussing, was strangely not mentioned at their trial. Raehendra also remembers an instance when her parents don't remember Grindhalf, a manager who was also found guilty at the trial. It seems unusual that they wouldn't remember, although Raehendra is known for her flightiness and perhaps her parents are the same?

Barclay and Sentie discuss religion, and Barclay suggests that Sentie's god, Corus, is not the positive force that Sentie believes he is. Sentie walks into the woods and prays to Corus—and a being answers. However, Sentie understands that it is a being of darkness, not light. Two celestial messengers, Hyathe and Sorvelle, arrive to warn Sentie about Corus, explaining that he is a god of death and deceit. They urge Sentie to scrutinize Corus before putting his faith in Him.

Our heroes reach the peak of some foothills and find the Top o' the Hill Inn, a place that Gerne recommended, burned to the ground. Aevyr quickly investigates the smoldering ruins and finds evidence of arson but no bodies. A sign indicates that this was punishment for "harboring terrorists", signed fancifully "J".

The party hears movement in the woods and prepares to fight the wolves they've heard all day, only to be surprised by a buck, which is immediately slain by a hunter, an older woman named Radya. She invites the party to her home, where she runs an orphanage. Radya recounts stories about Falxmed, about how the land is cursed, about a recent attack on the viceroy Dimir, and about the tyrant Earl Vict Falkor. She also mentions the Earl's governess, Elena Tesar; Raehendra remembers her own nanny, also named Elena—an intriguing coincidence?

Sentie again visits the woods during the night and disfigures his tattoos of Corus. Raehendra, Kodrak, and Radya find him and bring him back to the group, where Renn binds the wounds.

The next day, our heroes continue their journey, first riding through a village that closes their doors and windows, and finally into the capital city. Once inside the gates, they immediately see some dead bodies, strung up for the attack on Dimir.

The party continues to the Bartholomew & Company offices, where the local agent, Mousek, thanks them for their efforts. As promised, he gives Kodrak a well-crafted axe and a Ring of Proof against Detection and Location to Barclay. Mousek gets them a set of rooms at the inn next door, where they discuss what to do next. They mostly agree to investigate the Earl, Vict Falkor, and stop him if possible.

At that time, they are interrupted by soldiers and the viceroy, Dimir. He welcomes them to Falxmed, and quells any concerns that they are being investigated for the attempt on his life. He also invites them to meet the Earl at their convenience. Dimir then goes on to say that he recognizes Raehendra, and he knew her parents—in fact, he had tried to get them to expand into Falxmed but they chose Lyrum and Myruna instead. Dimir closes by implying that he can't believe Raehendra got away with the crime of slavery.

Soundtrack:

Robin Carolan & Sebastian Gainsborough, The Northman (2022)

The Main Cast, our player characters:

• Barclay Stone (he/him), human bard (college of eloquence)
• Aevyr, his imp familiar
• Kodrak Kukkerlun (he/him), dwarven fighter (battle master)
• Raehendra Tiddlybumpkin (she/her), gnomish ranger (hunter)
• Renn Summerstar (he/him), elven cleric of Lioris (twilight domain)
• Sentie Rancis (they/them), human wizard (school of transmutation)

The Supporting Cast, non-player characters:

• Corus[?], sun god[?]
• Dimir, viceroy of Falxmed
• Harold, ogre, tax/toll collector
• Hazephas, imp, friend of Harold
• Hyathe, an aulxa [celestial messenger] of Vallo, god of light in the Hallasar pantheon
• Mousek, human, agent of Bartholomew & Company in Falxmed
• Radya, [human?], orphanage owner
• Sorvelle, errandthane [celestial messenger] of Currend, goddess of the day, knowledge, and light in the Sedeyr pantheon

See the full cast list at Campaigns in Elsemorn—now with photos of the miniatures used in the game!

Campaign Journal #16: Action-Oriented Ambush

 Addendum from the last session:

• Barclay's ritual spellbook has been updated to add new spells.
• Sentie gains a Mantle of the Hummingbird, a Cloak of the Bat but flavored after a hummingbird and based on light instead of darkness.

The party is still awake after inspecting their new or upgraded items. Barclay heads to the port to see if he can get their cargo available sooner; Renn and Sentie go with Barclay to keep an eye on him. Raehendra goes back to bed. Kodrak goes for a run.

Barclay gets the ship moved to the front of the customs queue. Gerne makes arrangements for their cart while Barclay sells his plundered spyglass to Eofra. Gerne tells them to watch for highwaymen, to pay the merchant rate of 20g per person when they get to Falxmed, and to stop at the Top o' the Hill Inn for the best food outside Fellsdare. Kodrak finds the three getting ready at the port. They pick up Raehendra and depart Myruna.

After a couple days of travel, the party fights highwaymen—or highway...persons? Their leader is a woman, after all, as are several of the bandits. [I used the "action oriented monsters" from MCDM's Flee, Mortals! book: a Knave, 2 Brawlers, 2 Trickshots, and an Owlbear!] It was a difficult fight: Renn is repeatedly knocked down and Kodrak ends the battle with only a fraction of his health remaining. One hostage, an archer, is taken.

Barclay and Kodrak investigate the bandits' camp and find a reluctant bandit practicing an "I quit" speech. He's sent on his way. They locate the treasure horde, which includes some gold, scrolls, a magical Wire of Comprehend Writing, and a runic spell page that heals. The hostage shows no remorse for his deeds and is slain.

Our heroes get back on the road and soon find themselves on a floodplain with a river in the distance—and the Falxmed border! As the afternoon passes, they come to the toll bridge and find an ogre toll-taker and an imp playing chess. The ogre introduces himself as Harold...where we'll pick up next time!

Soundtrack:

Basil Poledouris, Conan the Barbarian (1982) and Conan the Destroyer (1984)

Christopher Larkin, Hollow Knight (2017)

The Main Cast, our player characters:

• Barclay Stone (he/him), human bard (college of eloquence)
• Aevyr, his imp familiar
• Kodrak Kukkerlun (he/him), dwarven fighter (battle master)
• Raehendra Tiddlybumpkin (she/her), gnomish ranger (hunter)
• Renn Summerstar (he/him), elven cleric of Lioris (twilight domain)
• Sentie Rancis (they/them), human wizard (school of transmutation)

The Supporting Cast, non-player characters:

• Eofra, Captain of the Errandgull in Brass
• Gerne, Bartholomew & Company agent in Myruna
• Harold, ogre
• Unnamed imp
• Some bandits

See the full cast list at Campaigns in Elsemorn—now with photos of the miniatures used in the game!