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Session 32, A Celebration With Dame Gold

Coins End 

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Session 32 – 2024-08-10

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==== Summary ====



==== Detail ====

The party was still very weak from the battle with Daresh, the Gnolls in the castle, and the escape. They stayed in the camp for a few days and recovered. Banderas thought that Darromar would be a great place to recover but they stayed here at first. Though everyone was up to full strength, Kipp still had some issues. He fought things and did things that weren't really in his nature. He was having a difficult time trying to sort through all of it. Though physically he was fine, mentally, he was questioning himself. He saw himself doing things he never thought he would do. 

Also, while they were resting for those few days, Elenor tried to explain to Brandy just how much Oglesby was not in control of himself while Selson held him under her charm. Brandy said, that she understood that but that what he said, the words he chose to say, were within his control and that what he said made her feel that all this time, she was just being used. They finally set out for Darromar

They reach Darromar by the end of the day. It had seen better days. The ouskirts littered with the ravages of the siege of Daresh's forces. The once well-organized gnoll camps are now an environmental hazard of rotting corpses and garbage. Shallow graves, burn pits, fire scarred fields, shredded, collapsed tents and rusted gear clutter the entire area outside the city. Much of it getting stacked into piles to be destroyed. 

Banderas said, "Alas my friends.. I have brought you to the once grand city of Darromar. You will be welcome here. I am afraid this is where we must part ways. I and my companions have another path to take. You are resourceful and courageous beyond measure and should our paths cross again perhaps we can aide you as you have aided us." When asked why they needed to go there separate ways, he replied, "I would not be welcome here. Quite the contrary.". Asked again, why, and he looked conflicted about speaking. Then he said, "My father was a notorius highwayman in Tethyr and Calimshan.". Tony spoke up at this saying, "Oh Shit!! Oh Shit!! I knew it! I fuckin knew it!".  A wry smile crossed Banderas face. He said, "You have guessed correctly. My father was Bartimus the Bloody, or more famously Bloody Banderas.". Tony reponded, "I fuckin knew it!! When you said your name was Banderas.. But you were way too young to be THE Bloody Banderas"

Banderas continued, "My father and his group were killed a few years ago by (nodding toward Darromar) Duke Colin Viloth of Darromar after a massive manhunt. Father was skilled but against the Duke's forces it was a short battle. They took his head as a trophy. Curiously he had sent me away a few hours earlier to a small village to acquire provisions. The news was a shock. He had seemed invincible to me. Anyone not slain immediately were summarily executed. On a whim or on foreknowledge I was not there and am the last survivor. In Darromar, I am not forgotten however.".

He continued, "Father was responsible for the death of the Duke's eldest son. A dashing military man cut down by a gang of thugs for a chest of coins on the coach in which he rode, with three others. The coins were not his, he only sought to defend his fellow passengers. But true to his name .. Bloody Banderas killed them all. Yes I admit it. I was there. Terrified out of my wits to be honest. I was a young man, but found my father to be merciless and cruel to his prey. I had known nothing else. Only savagery. I thought it normal. I had seen how they dealt with cowardice or betrayal. The die had been cast and this was my lot.

After the demise of Bartimus Bloody Banderas and his gang, I fled to Zazesspur and the bottle. That was no good so then to Athkatla. During my time there I made friends. Learned there was more to life than greed and treachery. In the end the sheer number of people was too much and I longed for the solace of the open road. For the next few years I wandered. Then I met Scoots. She has been my companion ever since. Scoots is of stout heart and honorable spirit. We sought to help the less fortunate. That tended to be small communities being bullied by those entrusted to protect them. Many communities were taxed or extorted to the point the people were starving. They were defenseless. We became their defenders. Skullduggery and simple banditry became our trademark. Steal from the rich bastards and give to the meek. Avoiding harm to all involved as best we could. We gained followers and our number grew. Soon I had a troop. But I would not be like my father.

Emboldened and wishing to make amends for the deeds of my father we came to Tethyr. Our methods and principles the same as before. But to my surprise I quickly found that their is a high price on my head in Tethyr. Even greater reward in Calimshan. Unknown to me, father apparently double-crossed a conclave of powerful nobles there. They knew of me and after a few close calls I was ready to vacate the area. Then the witch comes along. A useful distraction at first, to ease my escape. But her minions quickly blocked me at the river.".

Tony spoke up, "I never heard of you or any reward.". Banderas replied, "The nobles hired bounty hunters. They would not want their dealings opened to public scrutiny. It would seem Zazesspur and then north is where I will go for now. Once beyond the Wealdeth I will either continue North, Turn east, or possibly sail west to the Moonshaes. I don't have a clear plan at this point. I just can't stay here.". Brandy said, "That explains why they don't like you here.". Banderas said, "And rightfully so! Were the shoe on the other foot, I would feel the same as they do!". They had their goodbyes and Banderas and his crew left. 

Brandy asked Tony if he was staying with them or heading back to Calimport. He told them he needed to head back home. Sooloe will not be happy if I stay gone too long. He was coming into the City and taking a few days there to rest up before heading back.

There were guards at the gate but they were busy and didn't see the group as a threat so they were not stopped. Within the walls, the city was recovering. Homes and merchants were being restored from the ravages of siege and nightly raids. The storehouses were low after weeks of being cutoff. The people however welcomed visitors, largely unaware of your deeds, that you are heroes. Oh ,they know the witch Daresh is destroyed.  The humanoid armies, no longer under her control have fled to the forests, caves and mountains and resumed their disorganized tribal feuding. Commerce is resuming, though slowly. Riverboats and fishing boats can be seen on the water. Tradesman resuming their crafts.

It seems for the moment only you know how Daresh was destroyed along with the coins of power. Many believe that the Witch Queen who started the war was simply overthrown by the combined forces of the duchies. Maybe it's better that way. If the people realized the deeper power it may cause a groundswell of groups even more radicalized than the Sentinels of the True Way, seeking the destruction of all things mystical or divine. The coins are gone. That is enough. For now let the wounds heal..

You consider that there were other evils afoot though. You think back to the captured individuals being transported into slavery. You liberated some yes, but not all. Who was the man that was with Daresh when you found her? Mordrammo she called him. What of the jagged counterclockwise dark spiral medallion he and the pig-man wore? The symbol of some unknown god perhaps. But evil is everywhere you suppose. You feel certain new opportunities will present themselves to you. Where to now? Calimport? North toward Athkatla or even Waterdeep? East into the Dalelands? For the moment Darromar feels comforting. A well deserved rest is in order.
  
They moved in to the town, asked about and found a tavern called The Hidden Wolf Inn. They made their way to the tavern, entered, and found a table. It was then that the party's treasurer passed out the gold they had accumulated recently. They each received 276 gold. They asked about for a place to buy and sell some magic items. They were told about Baldricks Blood Bath and Beyond and went their to do a little shopping. They sold a couple of cloaks of protection and then a lot of miscellaneous items. When it was all said and done, they each received 1502 gold. Brandy and Kipp each bought a set of the plus 1 arrows and Audra bought 10 plus 2 arrows for Brandy.

They shopped and bought a few things. At Dispel and That Spell, Elenor bought Bracers of Defense Armor Class 6. Pyreece bought a Ring of Holiness. They also bought a lot of healing potions.  Brandy bought several potions. Elenor found out that it would cost 1,000 gold to recharge one charge of her wand of frost. Audra bought two charges for her. 

The game skipped ahead about a month in time. Pyreece spent some of that time at the temple communing with Selune and the priest of Selune. She had gained experience and as such, been gifted newer powers. She learned more about her new powers and more about her goddesses expectations of her. She also donated 1,000 gold to the temple.

Since their stay here, They have seen the villagers change. They had gotten to know many of the folk in town and even shared meals at the homes of some of them. The place was beginning to feel like home. One evening as they stretched out at the tavern, they spotted a stranger coming toward the tavern. Boolio, a man they had befriended, leaned over and said, "Now, what do you make of that? That’s a man wrapped in some colors of some lord strolling through our little hamlet like he was on some grand business.". He liked the idea of having a fancy lord spending the night there and spending some money. As the person got closer, they realized that he was a her.  They'd wondered just what business this woman would have in this part of town. 

The stranger took a purposeful path into the inn, stopped and looked around the room, then continued up to their table. As she stepped up, she pulled back her hood and said, "Good people! I bare a message from the most worthy, Dame Gold of Darromar. She is, as you may know, a young woman endowed with dignified subdued beauty.". She handed an envelope to Oglesby which had the words, "To the saviors of Darromar", written across the front of it. The envelope was closed and pressed with a seal. The young lady then turned and walked away. Boolio commented on how fancy the group must be to have received such a visit. The name Dame Gold really impressed him. Kipp asked about what was written in the envelope. Oglesby opened it and found it was an invitation. It said;

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To those brave and worthy, 

May it never be said that the courageous undertake valor for the hope of reward nor the righteous seek purity and thus may aspersions of evil never fall upon thy name. But as ye know too well, the rewards of virtue are painful and cold. Our advisors, through wisdom and sagacity,  have proclaimed thy actions good and virtuous and done for the wealth of the people of Darromar, Tethyr, and greater Tethyr. Those so noble as yourselves would grace and ornament the presence of any gathering and we beseech you to kindly honor us with your presence during the feast of renewal at Windy Cragg in the town of Darromar. 

Dame Gold 

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Kipp was confused by all the fancy talk in the letter. Brandy agreed, "What a bunch of shit that was! I still don't know what the hell it is!". Boolio said, "I think that was fancy talk for saying you guys are brave and you got invited to party at the fancy house of Dame Gold.". Kipp asked, "Who's Dame Gold!". Boolio told him that she was a very wealthy trade merchant in town. "She and her husband built a very large import export business on the river. He died 15 years ago. She's pretty much run the place every since and has done very well. Well respected, super rich! Single! ", he added as he looked at Oglesby. The event will be held in about a week. Boolio suggested that it would be very fancy and that they might want to get some fancy clothes for it. Boolio suggested that there would also be a lot of influential people there as well. None of the party were interested in dressing up for the occasion though. 

Pyreece wondered aloud, "We haven't shared with anyone about what we did so, why does this invitation say 'to the saviors of Darromar'?". Everyone seemed confused about that as well. Kipp suggested that it could be a trap and maybe Mordrammo would be there. Audra said, "Maybe this Dame Gold is the lady that Deresh and Mordrammo were talking about.". They decided as a group that they had to go to this thing. A few days passed and the day of the party was upon them. They made their way to Dame Gold's home. They met Dame Gold just inside the door along with some of her servants. Dame Gold said, "Greetings wayfarers, welcome to my hearth and home. Most guest will not arrive until later, some tonight, some in the morning, but some have already arrived. I am Dame Gold and I welcome you warmly to Windy Cragg. If you are weary and would like a hot bath, you are welcome to it.". She claps her hands and servants appear. She added, "You have two rooms among you, here at Windy Cragg. We'll be crowded this week. These servants can show you the way. Please be well.". She turned and bustled off to other tasks.

There was a healthy number of servants, a couple of children. Thaddeus greeted them and they introduced themselves. The house was very nice, everything around looked very expensive. The guest were dressed in their finest clothes. There was a large spread of food on a table and servants delivering drinks and hors d'oeuvres. There were stables outside and the house sat on a huge piece of property. There were tents set up outside. Most of the doors in the house were open except for the ones to the kitchen. The guest didn't seem to react to how the group was dressed. 

They found out that the event was to last over three days. Firstly, they went to the rooms designated to them on the second floor. The rooms were well appointed with everything they would need. The girls got the suite with it's own bathroom. Oglesby scoped out his room for any leftover coins or such that he could pilfer. He found no items or traps or secret doors. Elenor took a long hot bath.
 
They could hear people downstairs talking, drinking and laughing. They cleaned up and went back down to the main room. They got drinks and loaded up on hors d'oeuvres while they mingled and listened in on the conversations of others. Kipp went to the main table of food and ease dropped on the conversations nearby. Dame Gold's group was nearby and they mostly discussed the business and it's dealings. It was mostly boring. People tended to crowd around Dame Gold. She was obviously the center of attention. 

Pyreece looked for things that were religious in nature, trying to get a feel for what deities were worshipped in this home. She came across a gentleman name Derish. He was extremely well dressed in his religious finery. He had all of the trappings of a high priest. He was a priest of Waukeen, the god of commerce. Another much older man, Bernaldo, was talking to him and he was dressed in a formal military outfit. He had the markings of Helm, the god of protection. Another person that caught her attention was Joseph. He was an interesting character. He mumbled to himself a lot. He seemed to be very standoffish. He had the markings of Lathander but didn't seem to be a priest. She couldn't determine from his attire just what he was.

Oglesby moved over to speak to Randallson. He told them that he is called Randallson the Neat. He asked if Oglesby was an practitioner of the arcane arts. Oglesby told him no, he was more of an entertainer. Oglesby introduced himself by his haughty full name, Oglesby Percifull Hawthorn the Third. The talked a little about the event. Apparently, Dame Gold likes to throw these events every three months or so. This particular event is extra special because of the witch and her being defeated, and the town being renewed. So she was throwing this festival of renewal for the next three days. Celebrating the fact that our town was spared, that heroes came along and slew the witch. He said, "I think they are supposed to be here.". Oglesby told him that he thought this was a wonderful idea. 

Oglesby asked how the witch was defeated. Randallson told him that they'd heard, through rumor, that a band of heroes infiltrated her keep. They overcame her Gnoll guards inside the walls. Keep in mind that the keep was surrounded by an army of beasts outside the walls. They managed to get in her presence, alone, and slayed her. They were eager to here their tale and how they did that. Oglesby said that was a remarkable thing. Randallson said, "The details are a little vague but that's how the story had come down to them through interrogation of prisoners and things like that. 

Oglesby shifted the conversation to Dame Gold, trying to learn more about their benefactor. Randallson told him that she'd married Sir Godwin Gold when she was about 18 or 19 and she was now in her late 40's but still looked quite young. He'd had a successful trade business and over the next several years it grew and grew. He became sick with the wasting disease and died over the course of a year or two. They had only been married about 7 years when he passed. From then on, she ran the business, and raised the children. They are grown and moved off now. She has proven herself to be a very successful business person in her own right. 

She gives to the town, helps the orphanages and the needy. The displaced refugees have been a huge burden on the city and she's been great, providing places for them to stay, donated money to the officials to help fund getting them food and housing, helping them get back home. She had been a wonderful person all her life. He told Oglesby that she hasn't remarried, has had a few suiters over the years but they haven't worked out. He said, "When you are someone with her means, who do you trust to not just be after your money.". Oglesby then tried to extricate himself from the conversation. Randallson asked if he would be performing during the event. Oglesby said told him he wasn't planning on it, "But you never know!". He left to rejoin the Elenor and the others.

He told them what he was able to find out about Dame Gold. He also told them what he'd said about the heroes that slayed the witch. Apparently someone told them some of what had happened. Obviously Banderas' group knew about it but they aren't here. The refugees may have carried some information here but not the details that they seem to know. There is also Big Tuna, he might have spread some of the news. Audra suggested that they'll have to wait and see if some people come along later that claim they did that. They decided that there were many ways that the story could have gotten around. 

The young boy and girl nearby caught Kipp's attention. They seemed interested in Kipp being an Elf, or Half-Elf. Then they turned their attention to Brandy and the fact that she was a Halfling. When asked, Brandy told them that she was, with her usually colorful language. A man nearby heard the children giggling at what she'd said. He told them that language was not the true measure of a man and something about Brandy being quite brave and notable. Brandy gave him quizzical look and the man simply said, "Oh, I know who you are!". He added, "I am afraid I do not know your name though, but the reputation of you and your companions precedes you.". The boy and girl ask, "Are these them?". The man told them, "Yes!". 

The children ask if they'd killed the witch. Kipp answered, "Yes, we got rid of the witch!". They wondered what she was like, if she'd had a big wart on her nose and cast spells at them. Kipp said she didn't have a wart but did cast spells at them. Brandy, with her usual tact said, "And she got an arrow up her ass!". Oglesby introduced himself to the man who outed them to the children and asked his name. He was Ko. Ko suggested that he was a little out of place at these sorts of events. The name next to him told them that Ko was a monk. He told them, "Ko doesn't live in the city. He's not used to this sort of thing. He kind of keeps to himself.". Ko told them that his training and studies were generally his focus. He thought that this event, with the group that slayed the witch in attendance, well, his curiosity got the better of him. 

He told them that they pulled off an amazing feat, with her army marching across the kingdom, pretty much unfettered, and then suddenly the news came that she'd been slain. It was hard to believe other than the fact that the Gnolls outside their walls just went crazy and began killing each other. It was a sight to see. They were interested to know what power she wielded that could bring together so many Gnolls who were naturally tribal and enemies even amongst themselves. They don't socialize, tribe A would kill tribe B, yet here they were, working together. Then they suddenly didn't.

The man looked to them and asked how they knew Dame Gold. Kipp told him that they didn't, they just received an invitation and came. The man told them the children were Christopher and Yvonne and that they worked in the stables. 

Everyone finally trickled off and turned in. They rested well without being on watch. The next day there would be games. The first day is a drinking day. They met outside to more people than were there the previous day. Derish led a simple morning blessing and invocation. He introduced a gentleman named Mitgan who invited everyone back at noon for a presentation of a new statue that he'd been commissioned to create for the Temple. There were to be a few statues but this was the first one, a statue of Waukeen. He was to present the statue officially in the garden area. There will be a moonrise banquette being hosted by Winifred Sylvain. Pyreece recognized her as the head of the church of Selune. There would be dancing and moonlight festival and then a drinking contest. In the morning there would be an egg hunt. 

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There were several contestants in the drinking game. Of their party, Kipp and Oglesby competed. Oglesby fell out on the third drink. Many others fell out on the same round. Kipp fell out on the fifth round. Jack 2, a dwarf was the last person standing. He made it though 7 rounds falling out on the 8th round. In the morning they had an egg hunt. You had to find and stomp on eggs until you found the egg with a dragon. Stomping on this egg made a dragon appear. It took 4 rounds but Kipp finally found the egg. When stomped, it produced a huge black dragon. It roared and looked at Kipp then choaked and fell over dead. Kipp had a purple glow around him. It was the result of a Fairy Fire spell. They spotted Duke Viloth talking to Dame Gold. Bernaldo gave demonstrations in different battle techniques. Brandy offered to help in the demonstrations. They went through many different moves and techniques. In the end Brandy put the hilt of her sword to her head and bowed in respect to the Paladin. He bowed in return. He thanked her for her assistance and then thanked the whole party for their service in dealing with Deresh. There was much clapping as those present acknowledge the group. It was an awkward moment for them. 

Acrobats came out and worked their way around the crowd performing lots of challenging and exotic feats. They shot off some fireworks as it grew dark. They held a riddle contest run by Randallson. 

There were 4 riddles. The missed riddle 1, got riddle 2 right, got riddle 3 right, got riddle 4 right, and they missed the 5th one. 

There was to be an archery contest on the third day. Little kids played in their section and the adults had to sit through a discourse on the brevity and fragility of life. It was given by the weird guy, Joseph of the Light, who was a priest of Lathander. He claimed he had a recent vision of righteous wrath that shall descend upon the foolish and the weak present at this celebration. It ruined the mood for those assembled. He went on a rant about things like, "The witch may be gone, but evil is still inside the walls.". He would walk around shouting things from time to time, like, "Treachery and doom!", or "Bondage and torture!". Brandy commented, "He's a fuckin buzz kill!".

Next they start the archery contest. It w2as called, "Kill Zacharoon the Black Dragon Before He Kills You!" They had to use their bows and arrows. Across the field, they had a painting of a black dragon. It had crude dartboard markings and a bullseye. For one copper, you can fire two arrows. Brandy, Audra, and Kipp participate. Kipp and Audra got one shot each just off the bullseye, the other shots were wide. Brandy missed both shots and was heard grumbling something as she left the match. Bernaldo got two good shots but both were just outside of the bullseye. Yvonne fired just outside the bullseye. David fire and hit the bullseye and made the second shot just outside the bullseye. He was cheered. 

They had a strength contest. Kipp participated, with Brandy, Kipp, and Audra competed. The object was to throw a big heavy log. Jack Knob had the lowest score and won the contest.

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They had a closing ceremony. Afterward, Dame Gold requested some time with the party. 

There was a gap in the recording. Dame Gold made a request of the group during the outage. 

I seem to remember something about someone ill and they were to carry this cure to them. The cure is susceptible to being ruined if exposed to any release of great energy. Fireballs, Teleportation were two spell examples mentioned.  

The recording picked up with: Audra asked if it could be stored safely in a bag of holding. Dame Gold seem to think that might work but we should check with Black Kerr who had already left. She was the Alchemist who created it. They need to find a ship to take them somewhere. They stopped by the council house to see if they could talk to Fright but he had already been put to death. They had questioned him before they killed him which is how they learned about how Deresh was ended. 

They spoke to the Duke about him. They'd learned that Fright was a mercenary. He was the leader of the mercenaries. He was employed by Deresh. He was human. His real name was Frake Fishson. He was also a Lycanthrope, or a Wererat. When they captured him, he was running from your group. He told them the story of how they'd got into the keep and fought their way to Deresh, and killed her. He saw the top of the keep explode from a good distance. He was certain Deresh was gone.  The Gnolls went crazy. 

He wasn't sure if their party had lived through it though. He knew basically who they were because she had been watching them for some time, through scrying and such, keeping track of their actions. Duke Viloth said, "I don't know how you managed to escape being killed even before you made it to the keep.". This Fright fellow was responsible for the death of hundreds, or even thousands, of our citizens. As such, he was executed post haste. 

The Duke asked if there was anything they wanted to know about Fright that maybe he could answer. Audra asked if there was any mention of Mordrammo. He was tightly linked to Deresh. The Duke told them that they didn't get any information about who he was or were he is. The Duke told him that Fright had mentioned his name. Mordrammo was a slaver. They'd never heard of him prior to Fright bringing him up as he tried to give them anything that might commute his sentence. He told us about Mordrammo and this slaving operation they have. How several of the people that we believed were dead were actually sold into slavery. We decided that he was lying through his teeth. Either Mordrammo didn't exist or he was making up a story about him to save his own scrawny hide. 

Audra told the Duke that Mordrammo existed and that they were selling people into slavery. At least part of that story was true. He would make up names like a … he'd tell us that they would take them through the city of Elrad. We'd tell him, there is no city called Elrad. He would then say he'd heard them say it. He'd suggest it was maybe a code name for some other city. He was babbling and saying all sort of things that didn't make since. 

Audra asked if they'd written it all down to which the Duke said, yes. Audra asked for a copy of that so she could spend some time reading through it. He said he could get that together for them but it would take a little time and it probably won't include anything more than he'd already told them. She thanked him for his time. He asked if they were leaving. Audra just told him they had an errand they had to tend to but that they'd likely be back. 

They left that meeting prepared to make their way west.

That is where this session ended.

Start the recorder!