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Session 16, Stonebridge, Harris, and Roger

Paldegora 

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Session 16 – 2023-03-25

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==== Summary ====

We start this session off in Elmer’s home. Cal-El showed his broken sword to Elmer in such a way as to indicate he wanted to know if Elmer might have a replacement he could acquire. Elmer went into another room and brought back a bundle which he rolled out on the floor. Within it was a Short Sword, Short Bow, Girdle, and a Wand. He told us that this was what he had left of the equipment he recovered from his former party. After a little discussion and the casting of an identify spell, we learned that the Wand was a Wand of Petrification. The Short Sword was a Short Sword of Quickness +2. The Short Bow was a +2 Short Bow. And the Girdle was a Girdle of Hill Giant Strength. Cal-El took the Girdle and a Elven Short Sword +1 that Eryn had. Eryn took the Short Sword of Quickness and the Short Bow +2, Angelique took Cal-El’s Long Bow +1, and Symon took the Wand. The company spent another full day and a night there helping Elmer and Emma get pack and prepare to head south. Angelique prepared some snacks and meals for the road for them. On the morning of the3 third day that they were at his home, Elmer and Emma set out South. The Company decided to go north to Stonebridge. They needed to get a feel for what was going on up here, especially with regards to the goblins and the so called goblin army. 

They set out north. The first day was uneventful and that evening found them another half days ride from Stonebridge so they set up a camp and spent a rainy night off the road. The next morning they continued north to Stonebridge. Around noon, they came across a bridge that had seen better days. It had not been traveled on much recently and four towers that framed it were all dilapidated and rotting. They were careful but encountered no traps or problems crossing it. They moved further up the road and came to the Two Tails Tavern. There was activity inside and a couple of horses outside. The building across the street was collapsed while the one north of that appeared to be okay and had a smoke coming from the chimney. Cal-El checked the horses as the group moved towards the door. There were no indications of the wyvern patches.

As they entered and found several patrons and a gentleman that seemed to be running the place. Elmer had told them this man would be Lucas. As they came in, the room grew hushed and the people all turned to see the newcomers. The gentleman working approached the Company, and kind of ran off the few people at the biggest table. He asked if we wanted anything. He provided Tea and eventually some potato soup. Symon got a chance to ask some questions. When asked if he was Lucas, he was surprised but Symon told him that Elmer had told us that Lucas would be running the place. He was untrusting as Symon threw out the Elmer’s name so he tested us to see if we really knew Elmer by asking us his wife’s name. Angelique told hi it was Emma and he seemed to relax some after that. He told them a little about the goings on around town, about a woman that had come here looking for this party, and how a local thug, Roger, and his men grabbed her and took her away. While discussing this, Sergeant Harris came into the tavern, bloodied and weak, and collapsed into Cal-El who gently laid him down. Angelique stablized him and Cal-El put an portion of his extra healing  potion into him and he revived and seemed more with it.

He explained that after we left Frosthaven, Sir Evan got with Warden Blackmore and asked him to release the prisoners that were being held because the used magic. The Warden sent Theo in to get them. He returned and told Blackmore that they were all dead, blaming their deaths on Mott. Sir Evan issued the order to arrest everyone but was attacked and killed by Theo and his merry men. Apparently he had paid off most of the guards and they joined him in trying to remove the leadership and killing or imprisoning anyone that opposed him. Lieutenant Wright and a few men escaped south. Harris and a few men headed north. They tried to circle around to the south but were ambushed again and injured. He fled north after that. He was looking for the Company to catch up to them and get their help. While Lucas was getting the food, a couple of the men in the tavern left. They ate some and then a rock came through the window. A man came in and told us that’s Roger needed to see them outside. That was all of the party you and Sergeant Harris. He told us the place was surrounded and there was no escape. Eryn took the count of those outside. We decided to go outside and see what they had to say. They did, Eryn had an arrow notched and ready but kept the bow pointing downward. Symon thought any dialog might help us to know what is going on around here.

As they all lined up outside, the leader of the group spoke up and told them his name was Roger and that this was his town. Theo now held Frosthaven. He told them that Theo wanted them back in Frosthaven and that we were to drop our weapons, allow them to tie us up and escort us back to Frosthaven. Eryn cut the conversation short by firing at Roger. Unfortunately, she missed. A fight broke out and the party was rushed by Roger’s men, 7 in total. It took a few moments but the Company out down 6 men. A seventh escaped and so did Roger. The party found out that Roger was holed up in an old hotel on the east side of town, near the docks. Symon cast invisibility on Eryn and she went down the road to check the place out. She couldn’t get a look inside as the windows were all either dirty or boarded up. There was smoke coming from a chimney on the west side of the building. She returned to the rest of the group and told them what she saw. They moved east behind the buildings facing the road from the south. Eryn went down the road and met them near the Grimm Brothers Apothecary, Proprietors Fred, Freddie, and Fredrick. Fredrick’s name had a red “X” over it. 

Cal-El indicated that maybe Eryn should checkout the docks. She moved down there and as she approached the fence surrounding the docks, she stopped to check for a trap and found one. It was a tripwire that reached all the way back to the two trees behind her. Meanwhile, Angelique and Symon entered the apothecary after hearing   a minor explosion and the sound of glass breaking, followed by some sort of heated discussion going on inside. They found two identical gnomes having this discussion. They stopped after a seeing that they had customers and introduced themselves. They seemed confused as to which was Fred and which was Freddie. Floor them, they learned that Roger and his crew to hang out in the old hotel across the road from them. They learned that Roger doesn’t like them. He doesn’t come into their shop. 

They learn that Fredrick went just outside the north part of town and into the woods to find some spider silk for a potion they were making that would turn rocks into chickens. They’d plan on replacing the missing chickens that way. The explosion they’d heard before entering had something to do with using spider web instead of spider silk. The spider web wasn’t a strong enough binder. He had gone searching for the spider silk but hadn’t come back after about a week. They continually asked if Symon would be willing to go find him and if freed, a reward. They eventually asked about buying some healing potions. They didn’t have any money between them so Angelique negotiated a deal where she traded the singed winter wolf pelt for 5 potions of extra healing. After that, they asked if Fred or Freddie happened to know Tinkle or his associate, Barry. They didn’t know them. Symon and Angelique left the shop. Angelique gave Xor, Cal-El, Symon, and herself each one of the potions. She held the other for Eryn.

That is where the session ended.

Turn on the recorder!

==== Detail ====

Well, in that last session, there were several fights. More goblins and winter wolves, a couple of gnolls, bugbears, and a hobgoblin. They did find and rescue Emma after liberating Elmer’s farm. They all gathered i onside the farm house and beating to fire over. That;’s when they realized that the assassin had struck during the fight, killing the bugbear that was attacking Angelique. They still had to idea why he was killed except that maybe the assassin was protecting Angelique. That’s about where they left off. Let’s see if I can remember what happened next. 

The Company Clandestine rested at Elmer’s home with he and his wife Emma. Cal-El got Elmer’s attention and pointed to his broken sword. Elmer looked at the sword and at Cal-El, seemingly understanding his unspoken question. Elmer got up and moved to another room. The party heard him rustling about. After a few minutes he returned, carrying a bundle. He laid it on the floor and said, “These are the only things left from my former team. You are welcome to any of it that you want.”. He untied it and unrolled it. There was a very nice looking short sword. He told them that this belonged to one of his group who was very good with it. “You might find that this will come in handy!”. Eryn asked if he knew the specific magic on it which Elmer indicated that he didn’t know. Also, as part of the bundle, was a girdle, a wand, and a short bow. Angelique asked if he knew what power, if any, these items possessed. Elmer said he didn’t use them and didn’t know. Symon inspected the wand but couldn’t tell what it did. Elmer told him it was a wand of paralyzation(5 charges). He told us he had seen that one used. He said the girdle makes you strong, I know that much. He said the short bow is pretty accurate. Angelique determined that Eryn used the short bow. They’d have to cast the identify spell to determine all of their characteristics.

Eryn asked Elmer if they would be heading south soon and he told us it would take a couple of days to pack and then yes, they would go south. Eryn asked if he wanted the company to return with him and he replied that they should be fine to return that way. He told us that our commitment to him was done. Symon said, “I’m not sure where we should go next. There are still a bunch of mysteries in Frosthaven.”. Eryn asked, “How are we supposed to communicate with the guild to get more assignments. Do we have to travel all the way back to Three Points Inn just to find out what they want us to do next, or do we go ahead and start investigating north of here?”. Eryn also asked, “What’s Stonebridge like?”. Elmer told us it was north of here and that it’s a shadow of it’s former self, “There are not a lot of people there any more.”. Eryn asked if they would have equipment like specialty items, magic weapons, potions, and components. He said he thought there was an apothecary there. He doubted there would be someone there able to purchase the winter wolf furs. He told them that they were welcome to stay here and rest up until they decided where they wanted to go. They discussed their options and what they should do next. Go north to Stonebridge? Return to help Sir Evan? Scout north to and see what’s up there besides Stonebridge. Elmer told us that the tavern owner in Stonebridge was a friend of his named Lucas. Symon checked on Persephone, his cat. She’s doing fine. Symon asked if Elmer needed their help to get back to Frosthaven, to which he indicated that he thought he would be okay. 

The party decided to identify the remaining items they possessed. Symon casts the spell and we determined the girdle was a girdle of hill giant strength (strength 19, +3 to hit, +7 damage, 16(8) to open doors, That’s score of 16 to open doors with 8 tries at it.). The short sword is a short sword of quickness (+2 blade, enables wielded to attack first in every combat round unless his opponent has a like weapon then they both strike simultaneously). The short bow is a short bow +2. The girdle went to Cal-El. The sword went to Eryn while she passed on the +1 magic short sword she had been carrying to Cal-El. Eryn also took the short bow +2. Cal-El passed his +1 long bow on to Angelique. They turned in for the evening, getting a very restful night’s sleep. The next morning Angelique cast several healings. Everyone helped Elmer and Emma pack. Eryn, early on, took a run up the hill to look over the valley and see if anyone was moving into the area. She didn’t see anything. The rest of the day was spent helping them pack. Angelique prepared lunch and Eryn helped. Angelique also prepared food for the road. Symon rested the day, recovering from the Identify spell  he’d cast the night before. They spent another evening resting. They saw Elmer and Emma off close to noon the following day. They headed south while the party headed north to Stonebridge. They would not arrive until afternoon the following day. It got colder and a misty rain fell on them. They found a spot that evening to rest. Angelique got a fire going, even in the rain.They set watches, Eryn took the first watch. Cal-El gathered some small rocks to use to wake people on his watch. Xor offered a small tent to Angelique and Eryn to use. Xor took the second watch. The night passed uneventfully.

The group got up, ate a small breakfast, and then headed out to Stonebridge. Around noon, they spotted the beginnings of the town. The road is not well kept or well used. There were two towers flanking the road. They appeared dilapidated. There were holes in the roofs, and debris strewn about. It didn’t look like they’d been used in a while. Beyond that was a bridge made of stone, crossing a river. Xor suggested watching the towers for potential ambush. Eryn moved forward, carefully, and examined the towers. Xor kept close behind. The towers were empty. The bridge continued across to two more towers that appeared to be in much the same condition. Cal-El moved up to the edge of the river and looked across. He also spied nothing. Eryn carefully watched for traps as she moved across the bridge. She spotted some buildings up ahead. There were some horses out front of a building with smoke coming out of the chimney. It appeared to be the tavern. Across from it was a collapsed building. There is a building beyond that one that had smoke coming out of it’s chimney. The sign out front of the tavern read, Two Tails Tavern. They headed in. Cal-El looked at the horses as they went by, they seemed to be normal horses, no wyvern symbols or anything to indicate military. 

As they entered the tavern, everyone turned and hushed. They saw several patrons and one man who seemed to be working. He came over and the people at the big table moved away, leaving the table for our hero’s. They made a quick glance to everyone in the room for the wyvern patches and weapons. They all looked like farmers and regular citizens that seemed surprised and a little concerned to see the group. The gentleman that approached them welcomed them to the Two Tails and asked if he could help them. Angelique asked for something hot to drink. He offered to put on some tea for them and went into the back to do that. Eryn moved over to the fire to warm up. The gentleman came back out and asked if there was anything else he could do for us. Symon looked at him and said, “Lucas, right?”. Lucas replied, “How do you know my name?”. Symon replied, “I don’t, but our friend Elmer told us we might find you here!”. Lucas asked, “Elmer? Elmer Sallistar?”. Symon answered, “Yes!”. He asked if we knew him? Symon said, “Yes, he spoke very highly of you!”. Lucas asked them if they had met his wife, and what her name was. Angelique answered, “Yes, her name is Emma!”. That seemed to calm him a bit. She told him that they had just been with him the day before.

Lucas asked, “So, what brings you to Stonebridge?”. Angelique told him that we had just assisted Elmer with a delivery and decided to have a look around the north. Lucas said, “Well, I’m not being very hospitable and I apologize, but welcome to the ass crack of Paldegora. You’ve found it!”. Symon said, “Based on what we‘ve seen coming up here, you may be having it kind of ruff. Is that right?”. Lucas answered, “Now-a-days, yeah! Once upon a time, no but, right now, people who come here do so for two reasons. One is you are hiding, or two, you’re looking for somebody. You guys look like you are looking for something.”. Symon said, “Well…there may be an element of truth to that I suppose. It’s more of a scouting mission, we’re just trying to see what’s going on in this area because there has been activity south of here from people that seem to have come from up here. We’re just here on a kind of fact finding mission. Seems like the further north we go, the more troubled the area becomes. Frosthaven was, kind of on their guard, and as we came north to here, we encountered goblins and creatures that we had to fight. Then we got to Elmer’s house and once we left there, we decided to go north and see what else we see. Now we’ve arrived here and we weren’t attacked along the way but obviously the town, based on Elmer’s description, is in a bit of disrepair compared to what we expected.”. 

Lucas cleared his throat and spoke up, “It’s not what it used to be. But you’re right, people keep there doors locked here. There’s things moving about in the night! No one dares go out after dark. But, as far as the reset of the town goes, a few of the old hands still live here. I’m still here, the merchant and the stable owner, the three crazy guys still have their shop. And a few others, a few farms outside of town. But mostly,”, he looks around the room and looks back at the other guys and continues, “mostly, it’s ran by Roger and his bunch! I wouldn’t go messing with Roger and his bunch! As a matter of fact, I’d avoid them if at all possible, if I were you!”. Symon replied, “The rate our luck is going, Roger will probably find us. Can you tell me about Roger?”. Lucas replies, “Well, they’re scum. They’re thieves and murderers and they run this place know. There isn’t a lot that the poor folk can do about it, ya know!”. Symon asked, “How big is Roger‘s entourage?”. Lucas told him, “He’s got quite a few guys. They spend most of their time at the big house or dorm down the street and down at the docks. By the way, you were originally in Frosthaven, right?”. Symon replied, “Yes!”. Lucas asked, “Any trouble down that way?”. Symon answered, “Yes, a bit, Sir Charles was assassinated!”. Lucas said, “Hmm, I’ve heard about him!~”. Symon continued, ”Sir Evan Murdock is now Mayor and is working through solving that mystery and will hopefully bring those killers to justice.”. 

Lucas told us, “Somebody was here looking for you, a couple of days ago.”. Symon said, “Looking for who, our group?”. He replied, ”For you, and your group, apparently. At least you fit the description of what she said.”. Angelique responded, “She!”, He described her as a big girl with lots of muscles. Eryn asked if she had a name. He didn’t remember her name. Eryn asked, “Cassandra?”. He thought a moment and said, “Cassandra…that might be it.”. Eryn told him that’s she was a blacksmith that they had run into. He said, ”I can believe that. Looks like she could break you in half!”. Symon wondered out loud, “Why would she be here!”. Lucas replied, “I don’t know, but Roger’s people grabbed her and that’s the last I’ve seen of her!”. Symon said, “Oh…well…that’s not good!”. Lucas said, “I think your tea is ready, let’s me check!”. He disappeared for a minute. Symon noticed that the other people in the tavern seemed a little nervous, like Lucas was saying too much. Lucas returned with some tea and said, “Not the best in the world, but it’ll warm you up! Is there anything else I can get for you? I made some potato soup if you want some, It’s not the best in the world but at least it’s hot.”. Eryn and Angelique took him up on the soup and some bread. While he was gone to the kitchen to get the soup, a couple of the guys from the bar, got up, and moved towards the door, nodding politely in their direction as they take a wide path around the group. As they exited, Symon said, “You know where they’re probably going?”. Lucas returned with the soup and bread. He looked over at the others and asked, “Where’d them two go?”. One of them replied, “Home!”. Lucas said, “Well, can’t say’s I blame them!”. He asked if anyone else wanted something? Xor and Symon asked for some ale and he brought it over to them.

About that time, the front door opened and stumbling in, was Sergeant Harris. His face was bloodied, dirty and sweaty, and holding his side. He looked half dead. There was a blood stain down his side and down his leg. He kind of walked toward them trying to say something. As he collapsed Cal-El tried to break his fall and lower him gently. His wounds consisted of deep sword thrusts in his side. He looked like he’d been in a fight and gotten hurt. Symon called out, “Angelique?”. Eryn asked Lucas if Harris has been here for a while. Lucas told him that he had’t seen him before. Angelique used her healing proficiency to try and stabilize him. She also spotted a sword thrust in his back. The wounds looked to be a couple of days old. He had a fever and was muttering. She stabilized him. Cal-El administered one portion of his potion of extra healing. That seemed to help him quite a bit. He looked up at the party and said, “I’ve fucking found you! Everything’s gone crazy!”. Symon said, “It was dangerous to come looking by yourself!”. Harris said, “I didn’t have a choice! Everyone’s dead, just about! Theo’s took over the whole damn town! After you left, things just went freakin nuts. Sir Evan went to meet the Warden, to get the prisoners released that were being held for using magic and everything seemed to be fine. Sir Evan was standing outside with us Lieutenant Wright and some of our guards and Warden Blackmore. Blackmore sent Theo in to get the prisoners and bring them out. He went in and came back out and looked at the Warden and said they’re all dead. Blackmore looked at him and said, “What do you mean they’re all dead?” Theo said, “Mott got a little too crazy and they’s all dead”. Sir Evan ordered them all arrested and I went to grab them and the next thing I know, I take a sword from behind! 

A battle broke out. Theo killed Evan! From around the corner, all these ruffians and stuff came running in and we were over run. Looked like half the guards in town were being paid by him. We were all hard pressed. I got separated from Lieutenant Wright. He made his way out of Frosthaven to the south. Me and a couple of lads broke north. We tried to circle around to make it south but we got ambushed and I got hurt again. I was forced to flee north. I thought I would try to find you! But the place has gone crazy. Blackmore went down, the last I heard, Theo put him in prison, locked him up. The last I heard, Theo was calling himself some kind damn Baron or something! It’s crazy, the town is lost!”. Symon, “Oh, he’s calling himself a Baron is he? Does he have a last name that he associates with the Baron title, maybe it starts with a ‘B’”. Harris said, “If he does, I didn’t hear that!”. Symon also reminded everyone that Elmer was headed in that direction. Symon asked Harris if he was being pursued. He didn’t think so. Angelique mentioned that we had heard some girl, fitting the description of Cassandra, was looking for us. Harris, told them that she was there when all the fighting broke out. He didn’t see what happened to her, “Perhaps she headed north to.”. Eryn told him that this town has it’s own issue as well, with a band of ruffians in the town. She told him that according to Lucas, pointing him out, that the lady that came looking for us was captured by them. We should probably do something about that. Harris said, “I’m not surprised!”. Lucas brought more food over for Harris.

About this time, one of the windows on the west side of the build broke as a rock came through it. The front door opened and a guy popped in and said, “Hello! Now that I’ve got your fucking attention, Roger would like to speak with you lot, outside, and that one right there, that just came stumbling in. Take your time, no one is in a hurry. Don’t try to sneak out the back, we’ve got it covered. We’ll meet you outside.”. He backed out and closed the door. Eryn moved to each window and started getting a count of the people outside. She saw quite a few, 7 or so, people out there. One appeared to be in charge with all the others around him. She looked for a way to reinforce their position in the tavern. They healed Harris some more and were able to provider him with a battle axe and an extra shield +1. Eryn suggested that we step out and just take out Roger in the first wave of shots and see who steps up as the leader after that. Symon said, “These guys tend to monologue a lot, why don’t we just let him talk and see what we can learn.”. Eryn headed out the door and her bow drawn and an arrow notched. She kept it lowered, pointed at the ground. She moved to one side. Symon looked to Lucas and said, “It was nice to know you!”. The rest of the party followed Eryn out and lined up along the west side of the building. 

The apparent leader said, “Let me introduce myself, my name is Roger! Stonebridge is my town, I run things here, and now Theo runs things down in Frosthaven I hear. He sent me word to watch for you guys and to offer you an invitation to return to Frosthaven. He has something very special planned for all of you, especially you Harris.”. Harris said, “Just try to fucking drag me back down there. I’ll put all of you in your damn graves.”. Rogers crew laughed at that. Roger continued, “We can do this the easy way or we can do this the hard way. You wanna drop your weapons? We’ll cuff you up, and tie you up and escort you back. Or you can do it the hard way, we can…”. Eryn fired at Roger, trying to put her shots into his neck, she missed. The battle was started. Eryn was hit and Cal-El was hit as many of their people ran up to attack. Cal-El and his new strength cut down one of his attackers immediately. Xor missed. Eryn dropped her bow behind her and drew her sword and shield and hit the one in front of her. Roger and another of his men fired bows at Harris and Eryn, both missed. Angelique missed her attacker. Symon used his wand of paralyzation on Roger but it seemed to have no effect. Cal-El finished off the one on Eryn. Xor hit his opponent and Angelique missed again. Sergeant Harris hit his opponent. Roger and the other bower fired at Sergeant Harris. He was hit by the second guy.

As he watched his men fall, Roger decided it was time to preserve himself and backed out of the situation, rounding the building and disappearing. The party took out the remaining crew members. One of the other guys ran off. Eryn grabbed her bow and followed Cal-El as he chased after Roger. Once around the building, they could no longer see him. Cal-El attempted to track him north. Eryn continued following him. Xor searched the fallen. Angelique healed Harris some then she moved around the building where her opponent had run away to, with her bow notched and ready to fire. Cal-El lost Roger’s trail but saw that he was headed east. Looking east, he saw a row of buildings stacked along the road. They finally return to the rest of the group. Eryn moved around behind the tavern to see if there were people behind it and found none. Symon asked Sergeant Harris if he was able to continue but Harris felt he was spent and needed some rest. Xor found short swords, short bows, leather armor and various coins. The total coins were 130 copper pieces, and 100 gold pieces. We gained 85xps each for 6 combatants downed.

Symon poked his head into the tavern to see if there if everything was clear. The two men were still sitting at the bar, not interested in getting involved in the goings onoutside the front door. He checked with Lucas on where Roger’s hangout was. He told him it was the old hotel building on the east side of town. Symon said, “Thanks!”, and backed out. He cast invisibility on Eryn and she began making her way down the road. The rest made their way around the back of the tavern to wait. Eryn passed a mercantile shop to the north, the next building on the northern side of the road seems to be a livery shop. To the south was a food store and a building that was collapsing. Further east on the southern side were some stables. Further east on the northern side was an old hotel. Just beyond the stable to the south was a little building with a sign that read, Grimm Brothers Apothecary, Proprietors, Fred, Freddie, and Fredrick. There is a red ‘X’ over the Fredrick. The shop looked active and well maintained.  Just past that was the gate where the road continued on out of town. She moved back to the hotel. She made her way to the main entrance. The door was shut. She began going around to the windows and couldn’t see inside. They were either too dirty or the rooms inside were dark and she couldn’t make anything out in them through the dirt and peering between the boards. There was a metal door on the back but it was closed with no windows. On the west side of the building was some firewood stacked up. A building with livery supplies sat just to the west of the building. She moved back down the road to meet up with the others.

She approached Cal-El and told him to follow her back to the others. She told them about the buildings around it and the building itself. Symon asked Xor if any of the people we killed had keys on them. Xor said, “No!”. They decided to go behind all of the southern buildings and come up by the apothecary, approach the building that way. They went that way while Eryn moved down the street again. They spied the docks and it was quiet but there looked like there had been a lot more traffic that way. As they met up again, Cal pointed toward the river and docks. Eryn said she would go down there and check that out and headed that way. As they passed by the apothecary, they heard raised voices inside that they couldn’t quite make out. Eryn made her way to the docks and got to the gate and stopped to search for traps. She found one. It’s a trip wire. She started studying the trap and discovered it reached back to the two trees behind her. Meanwhile, Symon got closer to the apothecary and listened. He couldn’t clearly hear the argument but did hear a small explosion and some glass breaking. He summoned the rest of the group to join him as he moved to the door. After looking it over a little, he finally opened the door. Angelique and Symon went in, Xor stayed outside keeping an eye on things. They spotted two identical gnomes as the entered, arguing. One exclaiming, ”I told you that wasn’t going to work!”,  while the other answered, “No you didn’t!”, and the first one responded, “Yes I did, I told you that. You were just going to make a mess.”. They other responded, “No, I did not make a mess.”. 

They both stopped as they realized there were customers in the store. They welcomed them and introduced themselves. They did not appear to know which of them Fred and which was Freddie. They could however agree that neither of them was Fredrick. They ask the two customers if they’ve seen Fredrick. Angelique told them that they hadn’t. One of them said, “Well, he went to find something for us, something we need,”. The other stated that he’d told the first one he didn’t need that anyway. The bickering began anew and then one offered to show them what they’d been working on. The other one told him, “It won’t work!”, while the other responded, “Yes it will!”. He went back into the back and pulled out something and came back and said, “Now watch this!”. Angelique wisely backed away quite a bit. He picked up a rock and poured the potion on it and it smoked a little and then crumbled. As it did, it turned into a chicken. He yelled, “See, it worked this time!”. In about a minute, the chicken lost it’s shape and basically turned into a blob. The other said, “I told you it wouldn’t work!”. The one performing the trick said, “I tried a different kind of web.”. The other responded, “It never worked, that’s why Fredrick left!”. The other said, “Where did Fredrick go?”. The other one replied, “He went to get spider silk! What you have won’t work!”. The other said, “Oh yeah, that’s right!”. 

They turned to Symon and Angelique and asked, “Have you seen Fredrick?”. Angelique answered, “No, you’ve already asked us that! Sorry!”. The gnome replied, “I’m sorry. Can you help us find Fredrick? He’s been gone for a while now. We need the spider silk to make this potion work.“. Symon asked how long Fredrick had been missing. Fred looked to Freddie, stuttered a bit and replied, “A week?”. They both looked to each other trying to determine if they answered correctly and decided that a week was the right answer. Then one said, “If this works, we’ll replace all the chickens with rocks.”. Symon asked if they needed spider web or spider silk. One said that what he had wasn’t strong enough and that Fredrick went to get the bigger stuff. “He hadn’t come back.”. Symon told them that he had some spider web that he used. He pulled it out and showed it to them. They told him that spider web isn’t strong enough, they need the big stuff, spider silk. Fredrick told them he knew where there was some and went to find it. “Can you help us find Fredrick?”, they pleaded. “We’d like to have him back.”, they continued. Symon replied, “Yeah, we might be able to help you!”. They told him they’d be happy to reward him if he did. 

Symon asked if they knew they knew Roger. One of them said, “Roger? Oh, the guy! He didn’t come in here much! He don’t like us!”. Symon told him that Roger doesn’t seem to like us either, we’re not sure why. Then he asked, ”So he lives across the street?” One of them said, “Yeah, him and that whole bunch over there. They came in a couple of years ago. Business has not been good since they came in. We specialize in making all kinds of stuff, potions, stuff like that, yeah! If we can get this potion to work, we can replace all of the chickens that have disappeared.”. Symon replied, “Oh, that would be amazing! This from spider silk.”. They replied, “Yeah, it’s the binder we need to make it strong enough but regular spider web doesn’t work. It’s not strong enough! Fredrick said it had to be from a big spider!’. Angelique responded, “Big spider? I don’t lIke spiders!”. In Symon’s mind, being a transmuter, that sounded correct. 

They continued, “We’re kind of worried about Fredrick!”. Symon asked, “Do you think you know roughly where he went?”. They replied, “He said they are on the north side of town!”. Symon asked, “In town? Maybe in one of the buildings?”. They replied, “He didn’t say! He said it was outside the walls! Just a little ways. If you could find him, we’ll give you a reward.’. Symon said, “That sounds like an amicable deal. We’ve got our hands full right now but we’ll go looking for him momentarily.”. They replied, “Oh, that would be great! We need Fredrick back! Without Fredrick, we don’t really know what we’re doing! He was the smartest one!”. Symon asked, ”Francesca, do you need anything from these fine people?”. Francesca replied, “I was just looking to see what kinds of things you have for sale!”. They asked her, “What kind of potions do you need! We’ve got all kinds”. Symon asked, “Do you make things that explode?”. They replied, “Yeah, we’re still working on that!”. Angelique asked, “What about healing type potions?”. They had those for the regular price. They have the regular potions and the extra healing potions. Angelique whispered to Symon, “We can’t afford any of those!”. They both looked through their pockets and pouches and determined that they are basically broke. 

Angelique thought for a moment and then asked, “How many potions do you have?”. They replied, “Just name it! We can make it!”. She said, “I’m sure you can! We have some things that maybe we can trade for some potions!”. They respond, “Okay, what have you got to trade?”. She showed him a slightly singed wolf pelt saying, “maybe you could fix our whole group up with some potions for this?”. They looked it over and Freddie replied, “Hmm, too bad it’s singed, what do you think Fred?”. Fred replied, “Yes, we could use that for some of our stuff. I know Fredrick would like to have it!”. Freddie replied, “Okay, we’ll trade you this for three potions! His does that sound?”. Angelique asked, “Three? How about five? Five potions of extra healing!”. They replied, “Three regular healing and two extra healing!”. Angelique said, “No, five extra healing!”. Freddie appeared to struggle a little with that trade. Angelique said, “I know these wolf pelts are worth more than that. You’re still making a profit!”. 

They pulled out their books and shuffled through them while they discussed it, one thought it would make him mad. She assumed they meant Fredrick! Then they seemed to be confused which one of them was which again as their voices raised a little. They finally accepted the deal and made the swap. One of them took the pelt and put it in a trunk and close it up. They said, “They think Fredrick would be okay with that!”. He asked if there was anything else she needed? She asked Symon and he replied, “I think we need to go find Fredrick!”. They thought that would be great. She asked again where he might have gone. Symon told her that they said the north east side of town. They reiterated that it’s just outside of town in the woods, there’s some spiders there. Angelique said, “Okay!”. He said, “I don’t know, Fredrick’s brave, we’re not so brave!”. They asked if there was anything else they needed. Angelique told him no and they headed back out. Angelique turned, as they were exiting and asked, “Do you all happen to know Tinkle?”. They answered, :”No, we don’t know him!”. Angelique said, “Okay, I just thought I’d check. We’d run into a gnome named Tinkle and his associate named Barry.”. They replied, “No, we don’t know them!”. The left! Angelique gave each member of the party a potion of extra healing, holding one for Eryn for when she returned. 

That’s where we’ll leave it this week. Next week promises to be very challenging. They still no little about Roger’s crew and what they’ll be getting into. I’m off to get some dinner and a show. The Brandywine Sisters, a singing halfling group, are performing tonight. It should be very special. I wouldn’t want to miss it. Have a good week! 

= = = = =

Everyone received 102 exp’s plus 10%.

Everyone got 26 copper pieces, and 20 gold pieces. 

Dm asked, what have we learned tonight.

Chris - Theo is Baron Beckmole, or he wants us to think he is. 

David - Theo has taken over Frosthaven, Roger must be answering to him 

Chris - Cause Theo is the Baron, they all answer to his ass. If that’s who he is, then he is the big dog.

DM - Sergeant Harris told us that half the guards turned. It was one of his own guards that ran him through from behind. Some of them didn’t get involved. 

Chris - He said they killed Sir Evan, did they kill Lieutenant Wright as well?

DM - No Lieutenant Wright escaped south with some men.

Chris and Deb - He might be held up with Dan.

DM - That would be a very good assumption, Cassandra was there when it happened, Sir Evan was killed, and Warden Blackmore wound up in his own prison, and apparently a lot of thugs showed up from all over the place. They’d poured out of the prison, they were all in the yard out front. Theo told them that Mott went a little too far and wound up killing them all. If you remember, there was a discussion between Blackmore and Theo that you overheard, that mentioned Roger. When Eryn was sneaking in the warehouse. Dm assistance here, Roger’s name was mentioned when they were having their discussions.

Chris - There is a Roger’s Merchantile. The journal just said “The boys up north”, meaning Roger and his crew.

Dm said, there is a connection there. “Tell our boys up north, they did a good job. 

= = = = =