Ironguard Sessions 6 and 7

Making cryptic notes readable is a fun challenge for me.  Apologies if I misremember any particulars, members of THE GROUP.

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Original Session 5/25/20

Avalon the Bard

Klayton the Warlock

Yelrah the Barbarian

Svetlo Sudco the Cleric of Odin 

Fineach the Sorcerer

Having passed the evening in the safety of Ironguard Keep, our heroes awoke to a bizarre discovery: Yelrah's arm was missing! 

The arm from the shoulder down was just gone; speculation about the mystery ring he donned in the rat-house and its involvement was rampant.  Oddly enough, Yelrah could still feel his arm (and at one point, someone tickling it), yet it wasn't there.

Lacking anywhere else to go, Yelrah asked Constanzo in the Oddities Shoppe, who could only shrug his shoulders and state, 'I have no idea.  Good luck!'  While there, Klayton took an interest in an odd voodoo head that seemed to stare at him from a shelf.  He did not purchase it, though.

Not the image from the game, but close enough.

Before setting off to continue explorations of the area and to 'hold back Chaos,' THE GROUP was joined by a man of faith, Svetlo Sudco, Cleric of Odin.  Understanding both safety in numbers and the importance of a local healer, THE GROUP welcomed him and they left Ironguard Keep together.

Movement to Wyrmsback Ridge means being outside the walls and away from the road, which means random encounters.  Sadly, all they encountered were some hunters and a patrol from the Keep.  Both groups warned of strange footprints and other signs of rising Chaos.  The PCs boldly ignored said warnings and continued on.

Wyrmsback Ridge was aptly named, being formed by the skeleton of a massive (green) wyrm, now slowly going back to nature.  Its skeletal mouth gaping open, forming a cave of sorts.  Entering the mouth-cave, our bold explorers found themselves in the Pod-Caverns of the Sinister Shroom! (although they didn't know this until reading this post and my secrets were revealed!).  

Exploration of the Pod-Caverns witnessed combat with a Shambling Mound, weird plant things, and some pod-people that were feeding someone into a click-clacking person-shredder over the water, creating an EVIL fertilizer.

The Group was victorious over the pod-people, and freed a pair of humans from a cage, leaving a strange growling shape-shifting humanoid in a separate cage.  The humans were grateful, especially after having seen their companions fed to the person-shredder. 

When asked, the captives said their names were Merenthea Favarro and Ulster the Guard.  They had been enroute to Ironguard Keep when ambushed and taken captive.  Their friends now dead, they just want out of the caves.  

The Group armed Ulster with a spare crossbow and dagger, then agreed to take them both back to Ironguard Keep.

They exited the caves with no issues but giant centipedes (which are disappointing in 5e), to find the sun setting.  Being wise to this DM's thinking, Klayton unrolled the rug and cut himself. 

As the Group prepared for bed, there was a knock on the cabin door...

And that is where we closed for the night.

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Original Session 6/1/20

Avalon the Bard

Albrecht the Sorcerer

Klayton the Warlock

Svetlo Sudco the Cleric

The knock at the door was followed by a voice, a soothing voice asking for permission to enter and have some tea.  In response, the party snuffed the fire and pretended they weren't home.  Eventually, the knocker went away and the Group returned to their slumbers.

In the morning, Yelrah was thrilled to find his arm had returned! Granted, it now wore a different ring and sported a bitchin' tattoo.

Verily, a bitchin' tattoo! Other bands play, Manowar kills!

Back on the trail, the dice indicated an encounter with a mounted patrol from Ironguard Keep, led by a rude Knight-Lieutenant, Sir NAME.  They exchanged words and went their separate ways.  

Upon returning to the Keep, Klayton went by himself to the barracks to level a complaint about the lieutenant. As that was happening, Albrecht escorted the captives to Mario, who welcomed them with open arms. 

Since he was nearby the Oddities store, Albrecht bought a Turks-head meerschaum pipe (not haunted!) and a piggybank.  Klayton met Albrecht at the Shoppe after lodging his complaint, and bought an odd voodoo head that seemed to ... speak to him.

As this happened, Avalon went to the Lion's Den and broke out her Hurdy-Gurdy to sing a song that only slightly exaggerated the Group's deeds.  She earned as much as she could drink as payment.

While the PCs were gathering at the Lion's Den for dinner, a servant arrived, bringing them an invitation from Mario Favarro to come and dine with him.  The PCs gladly did so. 

In addition to thanking the party as a whole for rescuing his cousin and her guard, he asked them if they would make a delivery and pick up for him.  The Group agreed to the task and said that they would leave in the morning.