Session 66, Get the Bitch!
Paldegora
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Session 66 – 2026-01-31
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Summary
The battle was winding down as Eryn and Cassandra jumped into the thick, swampy jungle to chase a fleeing enemy. As they plunged deeper into the brush, a horrifying stench struck Cassandra—an odor so foul it was beyond anything she had ever experienced. Just as the smell hit her, a frantic scream of terror rang out from ahead but was abruptly cut off. Eryn caught up to her but was immediately overcome by the vile odor; all the energy was drained from her body, leaving her as weak as a small child. Cassandra, using her ogre-like strength, had to pick up Eryn and carry her out of the jungle.
They stumbled back to the group, where Cal-El, Symon, X'or, Angelique, Captain Ambrose Percival Hurst, and Jesse Jack Johnson were assessing their wounds. Eryn explained that she was completely drained of energy, and Cassandra recounted the scream they heard, though they could not be certain if the person they had been chasing survived the encounter. Jesse Jack Johnson urged everyone onto her ship, *The Blade*, to finalize their plans.
During the meeting on deck, Jesse Jack Johnson laid out a map and explained that the exact location of the Rook’s Eye had been determined. Her plan involved sending evidence of Silas Umbridge's crimes to her husband, Captain Jacob Smythe, while she took *The Blade* through a narrow channel to intercept a slave ship from Nox. The Company’s mission was to capture Ishmael Curizon’s ship, the *Sea-Bitch*, within a three-hour window while she navigated the swamp. If they were successful, they were to strike the colors and raise a white flag as a signal; otherwise, she would blow the ship out of the water upon her arrival in the harbor. The group also discussed the necessity of securing Captain John Laroque to be handed over to Valdernost troops for trial.
The Company headed back toward the harbor, but as they marched through the swampy area, they were ambushed by a group of undead, including Juju Zombies and Ghasts. The source of the terrible stench they had encountered earlier revealed himself as Lord Zorin Von Toth, a Zombie Lord. The ambush was devastating; Symon was knocked unconscious by the stinch, and Cal-El suffered a horrible bout of sickness and a permanent drain on his constitution. Angelique successfully turned several ghasts and zombies, while the rest of the party engaged in a brutal melee. Angelique eventually landed a killing shot on Lord Zorin Von Toth, with an arrow striking him in the temple and causing him to crumble to the ground.
After recovering, they reached the harbor and discovered Ishmael Curizon’s crew keel-hauling Seaman Gumby. X'or charged onto the ship to pull Seaman Gumby back up while Cal-El and Eryn attacked the crew members holding the other end of the lines on the opposite side of the ship. Moab was huge like X'or and attacked him with a magical glowing scimitar. This attack was brutal. Cassandra arrived to join the fight with Moab. As the others finished off the group on the opposite side of the ship, X'or had managed to pull Seaman Gumby partially out of the water only to collapse from a vicious hit from Moab. Symon used his magic to create a massive illusion of fire on the *Sea-Bitch* to distract the pirates, then cast a spell that transformed the powerful fighter Moab into a large-mouthed bass. He used a web spell on the deck of the *Sea-Bitch*.
The party secured the ship, and Cal-El successfully struck the colors just as *The Blade* was making its turn into the harbor, with its crew prepared to fire a magical device. Seeing the signal, Jesse Jack Johnson held her fire and signaled the Company as her ship picked up speed and headed out to sea. Cal-El then jumped down to the dock to confront the bound Captain John Laroque. He approached him, kicked him over, faced him, and said, “Hello father!”
This is where the session ended!
Please start the recorder!
Exp: 2779 + 278 =3,057
Detail
The battle was winding down as Eryn and Cassandra jumped into the thick, swampy jungle to chase a fleeing enemy. As they plunged deeper into the brush, a horrifying stench struck Cassandra—an odor so foul it was beyond anything she had ever experienced. Just as the smell hit her, a frantic scream of terror rang out from ahead but was abruptly cut off. Eryn caught up to her but was immediately overcome by the vile odor; all the energy was drained from her body, leaving her as weak as a small child. Cassandra, using her ogre-like strength, had to pick up Eryn and carry her out of the jungle.
They stumbled back to the group, where Cal-El, Symon, X'or, Angelique, Captain Ambrose Percival Hurst, and Jesse Jack Johnson were assessing their wounds. Eryn explained that she was completely drained of energy, and Cassandra recounted the scream they heard, though they could not be certain if the person they had been chasing survived the encounter. Jesse Jack Johnson urged everyone onto her ship, *The Blade*, to finalize their plans.
During the meeting on deck, Jesse Jack Johnson explained the plan.
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DM's own words!
Lay all the documents and evidence on the table. Hurst and I have a plan. It’s bold and it's dangerous.
I will first send all the evidence you found regarding Umbridge to my husband, Captain Smythe. I have included a detailed letter informing him of our plans and this should give Lord Valoris the grounds to arrest Umbridge, seize his merchant house, and end his operation. The location of the Rook's Eye is included, and I will include a request that Captain Smythe sail his ship the Hurricane and, if Lord Valoris agrees, the royal fleet to the Rook's Eye with all haste. We will also ask that Lord Valoris send a company of soldiers by land to secure Laroque and return him to Port Ahn in chains for trial and hanging.
The Blade will sail within the hour and make her way out of Bilge Harbor with all haste. This hideaway is no longer of any use to us. It’s not secure. We are at the endgame now and I don't need it.
You see, Ishmael's attack has provided us with an opportunity. It will take three hours to clear the swamp and exit into the main harbor. During that time it’s up to you to have secured the Sea Bitch. Most of its crew is dead and there should only be a few left on board. If you are successful, strike her colors as a signal to me. If not I will assume she is still hostile and not under your control, and I’ll blow her out of the water without hesitation when I arrive in the harbor.
In either case, it’s up to you to make sure Laroque is secured to be handed over when the Valdernost troops arrive. Then take one of the two vessels and sail after me. It is completely up to you which one you sail and the circumstances you face after your assault.
You will not be able to catch or keep up with me, but that is not a problem. Here is the plan. (Pulls out a map) I will sail to the Rook's Eye and pass near the island through the narrow channel here and by first making my approach and presence known well in advance to the fortress. Hawthorn will most likely be anchored there with his mocked-up pirate ship Vengeance awaiting the arrival of the slaver from Nox.
My target and objective will be to intercept the slave ship Nights Mercy from Nox before it gets there. She should be on a downhill run from Taniqua. All ships from the far east stop there to resupply. It’s a neutral port and open to all vessels. The downhill should make her easy to find. Karn can also scry for her if needed.
You see, Hawthorn will be forced to follow after me to protect the slave ship due to his alliance with Nox for the slave trade. Without this alliance, Umbridge’s whole operation falls apart. He will simply have no choice.
If I can catch her en route to the Rook’s Eye I will sink her and turn back on Hawthorn. This time he will not be able to flee and will be forced to face me. He can't run this time and I'll give the bastard the deep six.
On the other hand, if we are late and the slaver is already heading back to Nox. Sailing back will be much slower against the trades. I will easily catch up to her with the Blade, board her, save the princess and captives, and then turn to face Hawthorn the same way. Once I’m done if that is indeed the case I’ll return to The Rook’s Eye with the princess. However, your team should completely assume and strike as if she is still being held at the fortress awaiting transport. The odds are she will still be there.
By the time I engage with Hawthorn, you should have already arrived at the rook's eye and taken the fortress by force. My earlier showing will have drawn Hawthorn away and left the docks clear for you and your assault. Take the Rook’s Eye and rescue the princess if she is there. Once I arrive back the Royal Navy should be close behind. After Valdernost forces have secured the Rook’s Eye, Captain Hurst can then return the princess to Valdernost under the protection of the Royal Navy.
If for some reason Hawthorn's ship is not present at all, then I will lie in wait on the leeward side of the island after dealing with the slave ship and await your signal of his approach. Wherever he is, he again will be forced to respond with haste to take back the Rook’s Eye and I’ll catch him when I swing around the island and sink him.
He will face me alone this time win or lose. If he survives the encounter he will suddenly have the whole royal navy on him, one way or the other this thing ends.
Your job is to secure the rook's eye no matter what. What you may face inside there I have no idea. I doubt it will be easy, it's an alliance of Cultists, Necromancers, pirates, and slavers, but you must succeed. This is the final gambit and we win or lose it all on this. What say you? Can you handle the job?
If successful the princess will be returned to her father and I will then take you all to Tim’s island to acquire the Heart of the Dragon and then we sail onward to Nox to rescue my sister.
Any questions?
Do we have a deal?
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The Company agreed and headed back toward the harbor, but as they marched through the swampy area, they were ambushed by a group of undead, including Juju Zombies and Ghasts. The source of the terrible stench they had encountered earlier revealed himself as Lord Zorin Von Toth, a Zombie Lord. The ambush was devastating; Symon was knocked unconscious by the stinch, and Cal-El suffered a horrible bout of sickness and a permanent drain on his constitution. Angelique successfully turned several ghasts and zombies, while the rest of the party engaged in a brutal melee. Angelique eventually landed a killing shot on Lord Zorin Von Toth, with an arrow striking him in the temple and causing him to crumble to the ground.
After recovering, they reached the harbor and discovered Ishmael Curizon’s crew keel-hauling Seaman Gumby. X'or charged onto the ship to pull Seaman Gumby back up while Cal-El and Eryn attacked the crew members holding the other end of the lines on the opposite side of the ship. Moab was huge like X'or and attacked him with a magical glowing scimitar. This attack was brutal. Cassandra arrived to join the fight with Moab. As the others finished off the group on the opposite side of the ship, X'or had managed to pull Seaman Gumby partially out of the water only to collapse from a vicious hit from Moab. Symon used his magic to create a massive illusion of fire on the *Sea-Bitch* to distract the pirates, then cast a spell that transformed the powerful fighter Moab into a large-mouthed bass. He used a web spell on the deck of the *Sea-Bitch*.
The party secured the ship, and Cal-El successfully struck the colors just as *The Blade* was making its turn into the harbor, with its crew prepared to fire a magical device. Seeing the signal, Jesse Jack Johnson held her fire and signaled the Company as her ship picked up speed and headed out to sea. Cal-El then jumped down to the dock to confront the bound Captain John Laroque. He approached him, kicked him over, faced him, and said, “Hello father!”
This is where the session ended!
Please start the recorder!
Exp: 2779 + 278 =3,057