The Wicked Spiral

After exploring the moor on top Hawek Mound for a bit and setting a bonfire to signal their readiness to return, the group made camp. Early the next morning a longship of Lord Alraeish’s pulled close to the beach and dropped a plank for the group to board. Besides several bags of dragon parts, the group also hauled the dragon’s head with them.

Once back in Talstye the group quickly sought out a taxidermist to stuff the head, who said it would take several days. They also met with the wizard who apologized for unknowingly sending them into a dragon’s lair, and welcomed them into The Society. After also meeting with Lord Alraeish the group was invited to a party in the town square that night.

When they returned to the inn to clean up and ready for the party, they saw the proprietor’s adopted daughter, a human bard, leaving for the party. The party got off to a good start, the Johannes and Vorliss mingling and telling their tales to whomever would listen, the fighters having their fill at the bar, and the Scoot trying to look cool at the edge of the crowd. The Duke came down to mingle for a short while, but had to be rushed out when several arrows were fired into the crowd. The fighters, having both been hit, noticed a man with a crossbow in a second floor window in a nearby house. Johannes, surprised as two partygoers on either side of him suddenly fell, bleeding profusely. Two other thugs, both wielding greatswords moved to intercept Vorliss from opposite sides.

Unfazed, the group managed save the innocents and dispatch all but one of the thugs, binding his wrists and wrapping him in a table cloth for later questioning. They took a few attacks from a nearby roof and ally, but were unable to find the assailants. The last thug later died of his injuries after thorough questioning in which the party learned nothing they didn’t already know.

Encounter 12: 4 of Lena’s Thugs (480xp)

Gained: potion of cure light wounds, gear and coins worth 230gp
Seized by the guard: chain mail x3, mwk greatsword x2, mwk longsword, mwk shortsword, mwk light crossbow, shortsword, studded leather, 541gp

The group checked up on Lord Alraeish and Duke Talstye to make sure they were unhurt; both were fine. They also made sure the partygoers who were injured were taken to a temple for healing and knew who to thank. Having saved the day, the little company retired for the night. Early the next morning the met Lord Alraeish by the docks and got passage on the next ship to the mainland, so they could travel to Krismorel in search of an armorsmith capable of working with the dragonhide they gathered.

They arrived in Darmorel that evening, found out that a local stable master served The Society, and purchased mounts for their journey. They were put up in a nearby inn for the night, and would head out towards Krismorel in the morning.

Upon returning to the Iron Tankard, the group met Phyur the Red, a wizard of the Timmoran Adventure Society. The wizard presented the group with an invitation and an opportunity. If they could determine what happened to the reporter the Society sent to a nearby island, and either return with him, or his insignia and report, they would be inducted into the Society, gaining all the benefits and privileges membership offered. The group also got their first look at Asilora’s new champion, Lena. Intrigued at this shady character, Scoot followed her towards the docks, but lost her before she had gone too far. On the way back he got a better look at the tattoo her henchmen had on their necks: a wasp. Before retiring to bed, the wizard offered what other help he could, a map of the islands and his knowledge of the area.

Gained: Johannes +2 knowledge (local)

A couple days later the group departed on a vessel the wizard chartered, one of Lord Alraeish’s. The captain dropped the group off on the southern side of the island, the same location the reported had requested. He told them travel to the northern side and light a bonfire when they wished to return, and they would be picked up the next day.

Seeing little else, the group ventured into a large cave, eventually finding a young red dragon, and after a long and heated battle, managed to take it down.

Encounter 11: Aughsulanth the Red (very young red dragon) (360xp)

Gained: 800 gp, 2000 sp, chain shirt, banded mail, masterwork greataxe, masterwork composite longbow (+2 Str), Adventurer’s Quarterly, Issue 1, Finwinkle Waydo’s pendant of counterspell (empty, insignia of Timmoran Adventure Society on back)