It’s getting late and the party is tired from all of their activities. They decide to head back to the grove to get some rest. When arriving at the grove they see that the Halfling found at the goblin camp is awake. The Halfling introduces himself as Ander and the rest of the party exchange names.

Ander remembers very little of what happened to him, he tells the group he has no idea why he was kidnapped. The party talks for a while longer as Ander picks from some game fowl that is roasting. Finally exhaustion sets in and everyone decides to get some sleep.

Seven Hammer, 1370 Dales Reckoning

A new day has dawned and this day is even colder than the last. The party agrees to help Dolgrin figure out what happened to him. They decide to head back into Thunderstone and after a quick stop to pick up warmer clothes begin a more thorough investigation. Andraste asks the party to pick her up some seeds to start a fruit garden. They debate whether or not there will be any available this time of year and Andraste remains hopeful that the group will find some. Nysillis heads off into the woods.

Back in Thunderstone the party makes a quick stop at “Hot Buns” a small bakery that has poorer than average muffins and overly sugared tarts. The proprietor is dressed in formal attire that is far too extravagant for a baker. Dolgrin buys the entire batch of baked goods and the party heads off to the Dragons Den.

Another round of info gathering at the Dragons Den and the party is questioned about why their weapons have not been peace bonded. They are told they should head to the Crown Office immediately and register themselves before the Purple Dragons realize that they have no papers. The group heads to the Crown Office to get the necessary documentation and learn about the laws of Cormyr. They also learn that with the Goblin War still not 100% settled the Peace Bond requirement for weapons has been temporarily suspended to ensure citizens and visitors can defend themselves.

The party heads to the Shrine of Tempus. At the Shrine they are just in time to witness the Battle Chaplain giving a sermon to a small group of Purple Dragons who are about to start their duties for the day. Ander decides to wait outside with Fairybell while Volodar and Dolgrin go inside. The Battle Chaplain introduces himself as Isaac Black. He has little information to offer the party but he does inform them that the Dwarf in question would frequent the Dragons Den and the Brothel in town. He also reconfirms that the Dwarf has a brother in town that owns the Bears Den Inn.

Most of the party heads to the Bears Den while Ander says he needs to handle something else in town. The party agrees to meet up at the brothel later. At the Bears Den the party finds that the place is closed. There are no lights and the door is locked. Shortly thereafter they all reconvene at the Brothel.

The Mistress of the establishment, a sultry elven woman with long curly blond hair and trendy glasses greets the group as they enter. Before any discussions can be had she demands that the Dwarf takes a bath. Bathing services here are already high and she states given the amount of grime on the dwarf she will need to charge extra. The party pitches in the five gold she is asking to clean Dolgrin and he is ushered back into a room for cleaning.

A round of questions here reveals that Borris the dwarf they are searching for has not been here for over a month, although he was a regular. It seems there was a disagreement about prices during his last visit with one of his regular girls Alex. Soon Dolgrin comes out all cleaned up and the party learns that the Bears Den never closes.

The group heads off to the Bears Den again to see if there is a way inside. They head around the back where Ander uses some tools to get inside. The place is clean and everything seems to be in order save for the fact that no one is here. The group finds what appears to be the Innkeepers room. The room is full of Dwarven bobbles, clothes, and ledgers. The Armoire is full of clothes and there is no  sign that anything violent happened here. The party cracks open a chest in the room and finds a bit of coin which they debate taking. In the end they decide to leave the money. Fairybell sniffs around and stumbles upon some familiar scents. One is the smell of rodents and the other is the smell of the donkey that they acquired at the goblin camp.

The party debates their next course of action and decide to head back to the Brothel to talk with Alex. By this time customers have started to arrive at the Brothel. Many of them seem to be Sembian Merchants. The Group talks with the Mistress about Alex and she agrees to let one of them talk to her so long as they pay for her time.

Alex comes into the common area. Dolgrin and Fairybell attempt to enter the room with her, but Alex states she isn’t into animal stuff and only Dolgrin is permitted to join her. Alex charges Dolgrin a fair fee for her time. She explains that Borris was haggling prices with her claiming that if she didn’t agree he would just start going to this other brothel that has recently opened in town and is charging half the price. Alex was upset by this as she was already giving him a great discount.

This is the only Brothel that is licensed to operate in Thunderstone. They pay their taxes and if another Brothel is opened in town it has done so illegally. Alex is not aware of where the place could be. When their conversation ends she Dolgrin on the neck leaving some lipstick then sprays him with perfume.

Dolgrin asks Ander if he knows any way to find out about underground activities in town. Ander takes offence to this and the party debates whether it’s even something they should be following up on. Reasoning that this could be a ploy by the brothel to eliminate potential business competition monopolizing the pleasure palace industry.

Ander remains “upset” about the stereotype that a Halfling should know about shady organizations, but suggests that the docks might be a good place to start. The group heads to the docks where many of the Fish Mongers have already set up their stands. They meet a Rock Gnome Fishmonger and witness him exchanging japes with a Sun Elf.

The party also come across a far past his prime Dwarf. He struggles to keep his posture and looks to be far too old to be fishing. Dolgrin speaks with him in Dwarven and learns that the old Dwarf’s daughter usually runs the stand, but she has gone missing. The fish currently available is a few days old and after today he won’t be able to keep them out. He mentions that the last time he saw her she was on her way to the Bears Den to have drinks as she did on most nights after work. He tells Dolgrin that most of the Dwarves in Thunderstone go there for relaxation. She never came home afterwards. He’s worried about her and begs for her safe return.

He agrees to let the group come look through her things if they wish, and gives Dolgrin his address. The group decides to spend the rest of the day asking around town about the missing Dwarves.

~*~End Session~*~
Length: Four Hours
Platform: Fantasy Grounds
Player Characters (4): Dolgrin (Dwarven Battlerager), Fairybell (Totemic Druid), Volodar (Ranger), Ander (Shadowdancer)

The group once again meets outside of the Brothel to discuss what they have discovered about the missing dwarves.

Ander has learned that the new brothel in town has been catering to members of the mining community. His contact does not know the location of it but they are certainly interested on knowing its location.

Fairybell talks with many of the townsfolk around the docks. Most of the citizens aren’t even aware that the Dwarves are missing. With so few in the town to begin with, some people just assumed they left town. Some think that the Dwarves are all working at the mines and are probably just too busy to come into town. One lead states that Fairybell should speak with Wan Mai at the house of Iron, as she relies on the mines for ore that she smelts for the local smiths. Fairybell is also given the name of the Dwarf that runs the Thunderpeaks Mining Company.

As it’s pretty late the group decides to stay in town for the evening, being that they forgot to pick up Andraste’s seeds. They make their way to the Sign of Thunder Inn instead of heading back to the grove. The Inn is packed, partly due to the fact that right now only one Inn is operating in town, but also that this is where all of the Chartered Adventuring companies gather to obtain rumors, drink, higher help, and brag about their exploits in the Vast Swamp and Infested Hills.

Upon entering the establishment, Fairybell produces a divine aura that catches the eye of a Paladin seated near the door. The paladin motions towards the party. Fairybell decides to sleep outside while the group moves towards the Paladins table.

Dolgrin has a brief conversation with the Paladin who seems a slightly interested in the dwarf. He expresses that he is looking for recruits for the Golden Gauntlets. Dolgrin begins enthusiastically explaining his thirst for vengeance and the Paladin decides he’s had enough of the conversation and decides to leave, but not before his traveling companion makes a comment about the lack of class and order in this part of Cormyr.

Dolgrin takes offence to this and attempts to confront the man. Suddenly a feeling of fear burns in Dolgrins stomach. One that brings back memories of his childhood and he collapses to the floor. The Golden Gauntlet members leave the Inn.

Volodar makes his way to the bar to see about a room and some drinks. Finding it difficult to get the bar tenders attention, he is noticed by a snaggle-toothed woman with strawberry blond hair sitting at the bar. She introduces herself as Bulma and hails the bar tender for him. Volodar makes his way back to Dolgrin to keep him company.

Ander makes his way up the Loft that overlooks the bars common area. He witnesses a Gnome arguing with what appears to be a Sembian merchant. He tries to listen in, learning that the leader of this group known as the Emerald Swords apparently owes money to this Merchant for supplies bestowed prior to full payment being obtained. The Gnome explains that their leader has gone missing so any deals that he made with the Merchant are void in their eyes as the charter is not responsible for the transactions of individual members. They argue a bit longer and the Merchant leaves.

Ander attempts to trail the fat merchant but finds it hard to move through the crowed. He causes an altercation between two patrons by having one of them smack the other in the junk. This opens up a bit of room when the two men begin fighting on the stairs. Ander “bumps” into the merchant just outside of the Inn and attempts to lift his purse. He is almost successful but the man steps back at the last second. He then berates Ander thinking he is just a young boy. After a short conversation the Merchant heads down the street.

Ander stalks him from the shadows and as soon as he is sure no one is around dashes by slashing into the back of the man’s calf with his Sax. He cuts much deeper than intended, opening a huge gash in the calf. The merchant passes out from the pain and Ander quickly relieves him of his purse and heads off to the Inn. The Merchant lies unconscious bleeding out in the cold muddy road of Thunderstone.

Ander removes the gold pieces from the purse then stashes the remainder under the table that the Emerald Swords are sitting at. He then goes to the bar in an attempt to find out where the rest of the group went. He runs into Bulma who mistakes him for Volodars son. She escorts him up to the room. Volodar thanks her for returning his son the slams the door in her face.

Eight Hammer, 1370 Dales Reckoning

Ander heads out to get some sticky buns, while the rest of the group makes their way to Wan Mai’s House of Iron. Wan Mai an elderly Shou woman that has burn scars all over one side of her body to include her face. Much of the hair on that side of her hair is gone and one of her eyes is milky white.

Dolgrin explains that he is here to join the Mining Company. Wan Mai confused as to why he would come to her shop for this, she is simply a customer of the Mining Company. They supply her with ore that she smelts down for the local smiths. She has not seen any supplies from the mining company for at least a ten day. She thinks the Sembian merchants in town are buying up all of their supplies before she can get any.

Meanwhile back at the Delicatessen Ander arrives just in time to see an attractive girl on her way out of the establishment with a tray full of hot pastries. He goes in and sees what must be the girl’s sister judging by the resemblance is behind the counter and an older woman running the shop. He buys a dozen sticky buns then makes his way back to Wan Mai’s.

After arriving at Wan Mai’s, Ander is brought up to speed on what the party has learned. At an impasse they discuss their next move. Dolgrin wants to go up to the Mines which is about a day’s journey up the Thunderflow River via boat. Fairybell on the other hand thinks they should go talk to the old fisher dwarf as he said they could search his house for clues about his missing daughter.

The group decides to head to the fishermans house, maybe they can use his boat to head up the river. When they get to the house, Dolgrin knocks on the door and it opens on its own. Realizing something is probably not right everyone draws weapons and Dolgrin pushes the door open. The smell of feces and urine permeates the air and the room is dark. A figure is seated on the opposite side of the room. Dolgrin approaches and lays a hand it the man’s shoulder.

The old dwarf from the docks slumps over in his chair and the party sees he has a single stab wound right in the center of his chest. The group proceeds to look about the place. Aside from a messy bedroom the place is largely un-molested. Ander finds a dwarven locket and the group also finds a pile of documents on a table.

Dolgrin looks at the rune on the locket, he explains that it will only open by reciting the words on the locket. Unable to read very well he admits he doesn’t know what it says. Volodar being the only one able to read common looks over the documents on the table. The only non-dwarven paperwork in the pile is what appears to be a Deed for a boat and some past due loan paperwork from the crown office of Cormyr in the amount of 55 gold pieces.

The group heads down to the docks to find the man’s boat. Being that only one of the boats has dwarven runes on the side of it, they come to the conclusion this must be his. The boat is a rather large fishing barge, at least it is for this area. It would require at the very least a four man crew to operate. The group then decides to just buy a canoe from the shipwright. They also buy a couple more ores.

With their new sea fairing vessel they head up the river. Towards the end of the day Volodar and Dolgrin struggle to keep rowing while Ander it seems has no trouble at all. Despite his slender frame his technique is solid and he seems to use very little energy while producing the most efficiency. As the group starts to make it into the foothills the water’s current becomes much stronger and the exhausted group decides to camp here before it gets too late.

Volodar attempts to make camp for everyone but is unable to find dry wood suitable for starting a fire without tools and it turns out no one brought blankets, bed rolls, a tinder box, or even any flint & steel. Fairybell curls up in a ball while the rest of the group flips the canoe and sleeps under it.

Nine Hammer, 1370 Dales Reckoning

After a not so great rest the group wakes to find that Fairybell caught a Muskrat for breakfast. A quick meal of Muskrat and beef jerky and the party continues their trip back up the river.

A few hours later the party comes across a clearing on the shore that seems to have a well-used trail going up into the Thunderpeaks. The party drags their canoe to shore and hide it with some foliage. They make their way up the mountain trail

Thunderpeaks

A couple more hours into the trip the party hears an angry beast roaring and what sounds like yipping and squealing pigs. Dolgrin recognizes the sounds of a bear and they continue cautiously. Coming around a bend in the trail the party sees that a band of goblins has a mother Black Bear cornered as she desperately defends two cubs. Two of the goblins have spears pinning the mother bear in place while several others fire arrows into her.

The party quickly moves in on the goblins. Fairybell casts entangle ensnaring all of the goblins making for easy pickings as Volodar hurls arrows and Ander slings stones into them. Dolgrin begins to rage and smashes to goblins heads open before becoming entangled in the magical vines.

The party makes short work of the goblins and the bear stands its ground protecting its cubs but does not move closer to the party. The party steps away from her to ensure she does not feel threatened by them.

~*~End Session~*~
Length: Four Hours
Platform: Fantasy Grounds
Player Characters (4): Dolgrin (Dwarven Battlerager), Fairybell (Totemic Druid), Volodar (Ranger), Ander (Shadowdancer)

After defeating the goblins the party has a disagreement on what to do about the mother black bear. Dolgrin wants to fight the bear and use its pelt and meat. Volodar and the others are heavily opposed to the idea and the group eventually is able to talk Dolgrin down. Volodar attempts to approach the bear to remove the arrows from her but she is too on edge. The party leaves some Goodberries for her and continue on their way.

A few more hours up the mountain trail the party approaches a mining camp. The place is completely abandoned. Three buildings that look as though they were once living quarters. All of the bunk beds in the buildings have been smashed and there is excrement everywhere. The largest structure has had significant floor damage and looks as though it once had lots of shelves that have all been smashed.

A building closest to the cave has been carefully disassembled. There are large holes in many support beams indicating large equipment was once in this building. The final building is a kitchen/dining area.

In the kitchen the party sees a group of goblins scavenging through the wrecked room. Dolgrin quickly attacks. Soon more goblins come pouring out of some of the other buildings that were left unchecked. The party makes short work of the majority of them while the remaining goblins escape down the mountain path.

After sustaining some minor wounds the party decides to head into the cave. They evidence that there use to be a rail system but all of the ties and rails have been removed. Further in there is a large wooden platform that looks as though it had some large device attached to it that has also been removed. Many of the planks on the platform have been torn away.

In another wing of the mine the party comes across two female goblins diligently working a line of boxes. The wood and materials used to construct the boxes is not in good shape and the craftsmanship is pretty bad. Before the goblins notice the party Dolgrin springs into action killing both of them.

Further into the mine the party enters into a huge open cavern that has ore and stone littered on the ground haphazardly. At the far end of the cave is a large pool. The party debates for a while on how to best approach this situation figuring that they need to go in the water. Fairybell dives in and swims around before submerging himself.

Under the water he finds a tunnel that goes on farther than he is able to hold his breath. He decides to head back and notices a large pile of humanoid bodies at the bottom of the pool. All of their ankles have been bound to large stones with short ropes.

The party spends the next hour bringing up all of the bodies and attempting to explore the underwater tunnel. Dolgrin suggests that they use their rope to leap frog up the underwater tunnel. Ander explains that’s not how it works and the party laughs at Dolgrins expense.

They also find a massive boulder near the wooden platform that seems ab it out of place. After several attempts the party is able to move the boulder and find a humanoid body underneath. Although smashed and more or less unrecognizable, it is obvious he is no miner. He is still clutching a dagger and has a coin purse.

None of the dead miners are dwarves. Dolgrin comments that it would take months for this mine to be disassembled as it has, at least by normal means. The party toss around ideas about what they think happened. Realizing pretty quickly the goblins are probably not responsible for this. It’s mentioned that maybe the Dwarves themselves killed all the miners. The group decides to sleep in the mining camp for the night before heading back to thunderstone.

Ten Hammer, 1370 Dales Reckoning

On the way back Volodar notices that some of the wagon tracks have deeper ruts than the others. They follow these tracks which lead down to the shore where they hid their canoe. The tracks go up river a little further where they stop at another shore line. Here there are deep groves in the ground as if something massive pulled up to shore.

The party gets in their canoe and heads back to Thunderstone. They decide to push on through the night and finally make it to the docks very early in the morning.

Eleven Hammer, 1370 Dales Reckoning

Fisherman are starting their day, loading their boats, and about to head out. The Party heads back to the Sign of Thunder Inn and gets the last available room for some much needed rest.

~*~End Session~*~
Length: Four Hours (Thirty Minutes of Character Advancment and Rules Q&A)
Platform: Fantasy Grounds
Player Characters (4): Dolgrin (Dwarven Battlerager), Fairybell (Totemic Druid), Volodar (Ranger), Ander (Shadowdancer)

Rangers in the wood

It’s been five weeks since the group has had any real leads. Nysillis takes Volodar into Hullack Forest to continue the training that was interrupted so many months ago. After a few weeks in the dark forest the two see something large moving through the tree line. The two rangers trail the creature and see a line of hobgoblins leading dwarven prisoners through the dense wood. Nysillis tells Volodar to go inform the others and he will return once he knows where they are headed. Volodar heads back to the grove.

The Grove

In the Grove Fairybell does what he can to make things more stable. Andraste explains to him that the grove is missing key features that are crucial for maintaining the balance required of a true Druids Grove. She inquires how the grove was actually made and comes to the conclusion that this is not actually a grove bur more of a sanctuary. Never the less Fairybell is determined to protect it.

He sets out in search of the wounded bear in the Thunderpeaks. After finding her he manages to convince her to come back to the sanctuary with him where she will be safe with her cubs. He spends the remaining few weeks working on a berry garden and bottling up good berry wine.

The Contract

Dolgrin runs into Marumak, the wizard responsible for creating his metallic limbs. Dolgrin attempts to rush him filled with rage. Dolgrin’s magic limbs seize up with little more than a word and he finds himself unable to move. Marumak explains there is still a debt owed for services rendered. He offers Dolgrin the opportunity to fight as one of his prize fighters until the debt is payed. Dolgrin refuses at first but later comes to his senses and seeks out Marumak to finalize his contract with the mage.

Ander has things to do

Ander has gone missing, the party has not seen or heard from him in at least five weeks. Nysillis has also not returned for about two weeks since Volodar returned to inform the party of what was witnessed in Hullack Forest.

Fight Night

It’s the first fight for Dolgrin, he has been training for weeks in preparation for his first fight. He is very ambitious exclaiming to the others that he will be the champion of the Thunderstone Fighters Circuit. The rules of the circuit prohibit killing and thus all weapons are blunted and only arena equipment is allowed. As his arm is a literal weapon, a pad is tied to the fist rendering it less lethal. The first fight is quick as Dolgrin is matched with a very novice fighter that he makes quick work of.

The group watches many of the other fights then decide to get back to a more thorough investigation of what they all learned in the past few weeks.

Back to the Mines

The party share what each of them learned and then decide to head back to Wan Mai’s House of Iron to inform her that the miners are all dead and that she is not likely to receive shipments of ore any time soon. Wan Mai asks the party how they came about this information. When they tell her she asks if they are part of a charter or if they are working directly for Cormyr.

When the party explains that they are not affiliated with any organization she warns that there are strict penalties for groups operating in Cormyr without a charter or contract with a mercenary company. She gives them some contact information to the Red Shield Mercenaries and ensures that they will be taken care of there. She thanks them for the information and asks that they leave her to her business as she now has to figure out what she will do about supplies.

She is worried that she will have to deal with the Sembian Merchants now, and is not very sure that she will be able to pay their steep prices and still make enough to live. Dolgrin exclaims that he might have a solution and takes the group to see Marumak.

Marumak and Dolgrin have a bit of back and forth over the idea of helping the old woman. Marumak says he may be able to help but there will need to be a new contract which will take him some time to draw up and he will need to find a contact. Dolgrin agrees and Marumak sends for a merchant.

A merchant arrives and Marumak produces the contract for Dolgrin. Dolgrin unable to read places his thumb on the scroll finalizing the pact. The merchant reads the contract and is over joyed taking it with him. To his credit he delivers the Ore to Wan Mai without issue and goes about his merry way. The rest of the party feels a little uneasy about what has just happened but Dolgrin is indifferent.

With Wan Mai’s shop now operational again, at least for a little while, the party heads off to the Red Shield Mercenaries. Here they explain what they already know and that Wan Mai sent them. The Mercenary office here is small and only tended by one man. He has the group sign some enlistment paperwork then asks them to bring back evidence of the murders in the mines while he opens an official investigation into the matter with the office of Cormyr.

The party heads back to the mines and collects up the heads of the dead miners, including the head of the “non-miner”. After returning the group is payed for their work and given their first real assignment. A farmer by the name of Dro has been having some issues with his eggs going missing. Normally this wouldn’t be a matter for the company but he is a rather large supplier for Thunderstone and many of the shops are suffering.

The Chicken Farm

The party heads to Dro’s farm. The meet with the farming gathering the details and looking about the area. Both Fairybell and Volodar notice that there are goblin tracks. They follow the tracks to the outhouse where they seem to be the most abundant. Fairbell investigates inside the hole and notices that there is a tunnel under the muck.

The group dismantles the seat, grab some shovels, and prepare to head inside.

~*~End Session~*~
Length: Four Hours
Platform: Fantasy Grounds
Player Characters (3): Dolgrin (Dwarven Battlerager), Fairybell (Totemic Druid), Volodar (Ranger)

The Goblins

The party finds themselves in a series of small cavernous rooms. The first of which is full of ropes and sacks. None of the supplies in the room are of goblin make and the sound of creatures snoring is heard in the distance.

The party quietly goes through the rooms finding more and more human made equipment before finally coming upon the sleeping chamber of several goblins. These goblins have made blankets out of canvas and pillows from some of the burlap sacks. Each of them have their clothes neatly folded and stacked near their sleeping areas.

Dolgrin and Volidar waste no time in dispatching the sleeping goblins. Killing or at least mortally wounding all of them before completing a thorough investigation of the place. The only other things of note are a series of small holes at the end of a tunnel and a room that has several chickens in well-made cages.

The group climbs from the muck and explain to Dro that goblins were responsible for this. He thanks the party and explains that his son use to be an adventurer like them. He vanished some years ago in the Vast Swamp but left behind some potions before he left. He has no use for these and so gives them to the party.

A new companion

When the party reports back at the Red Shield Mercenary office they see a Halfling in the office. He introduces himself as Golby and states that he knows Ander. He mentions that Ander sent him to meet up with the party in his absence. Golby also informs the party that Ander had went off with some men who appeared to be of some religious significance. He doesn’t know where exactly Ander went or if/when he will return. In the meantime he offers up his assistance. The party agrees and also report their findings to the Red Shield.

Cleaning up

As the group is particularly filthy now they decide to head to the Brothel for a bath and some relaxation. They also discuss the fact that the goblins must have had a way to get all of that equipment into those tunnels. Dolgrin is convinced that they were mining, the rest of the party is not so sure due to the lack of actual mining equipment.

The party decides to head back to the Farm for a more thorough investigation. Dolgrin senses a good spot to dig down where he things the tunnel might continue and they proceed to dig down. After a good amount of time they break through into the tunnels but don’t find any evidence that it goes deeper. Walking back into the tunnels they see that one of the Goblins is still alive, but barely.

Fairybell tends to the wounded goblin while the party questions her. The group is surprised to find the goblin is well spoken and knows common. The goblin explains that they were brought here against their will and that their tribal princess has been taken prisoner by humans. Fearing for her safety they agreed to steal the eggs from Dro’s Farm. The eggs are delivered each night to the small holes at the end of the tunnel. She fears that since they are no longer going to be able to do this that her princess will be killed.

The goblin introduces herself as Texee and offers to show them the way to her village if they agree to help save her princess. The party agrees and after grabbing their boat they head off for the flooded forest known as the Vast Swamp.

~*~End Session~*~
Length: Three Hours
Platform: Fantasy Grounds
Player Characters (4): Dolgrin (Dwarven Battlerager), Fairybell (Totemic Druid), Volodar (Ranger), Golby (Rogue)

Goblin Prisoners

The Vast Swamp, a massive flooded forest just west of the infested hills. The group paddles their canoe for a few hours before they start to smell smoke. The smoke becomes thick as the group presses on and they find the source of it on an island where a row boat is currently beached.

Raucous laughter is heard from somewhere within the trees so the party decides to investigate. After bringing their canoe to shore Volodar suggests that they push the other boat out into the water, but the party decides against it and they move up a trail.

At the end of the trail is a large clearing with several huts. A needlessly large bon fire is roaring with several humans sitting around it on barrels and other make shift stools. In the center of the clearing several cages surround a large tree. Inside each cage is a goblin.

Dolgrin steps out into the open followed shortly after by Golby. Volodar, Texee, and Fairybell remain hidden. Golby attempts to convince the humans that they are here to pick up the prisoners for their ransom. The humans not fooled by this immediately advance on the dwarf and Halfling.

Fairybell ensnares many of them with an entangle spell and thus cutting off a large portion of the attack route allowing Volodar to pick off many of the humans as they attempt to advance. The group is able to dispatch all of the slavers with little to no effort thanks to superior positioning and strategic use of spells. The rescue nearly goes poorly when Dolgrin fails to snap out of his rage seeing the goblins as his enemy. Dolgrin attempts to smash one of the cages to kill the goblin inside but gets himself tangled up in it in the process. The party uses this to free the rest of the goblins, and moments later Dolgrin’s rage finally subsides.

Texee explains that this is the majority of her tribe but that the princess is not here. They are still a few days away from the village. Volodar finds a book that says the goblins were to be shipped to various locations in Thunderstone. Unnamed business are also noted that are simply mentioned as a Baker, Butcher, Alchemist, and Jewler.

When the group tries to leave they find that a large hole was smashed in their canoe and that the other boat is gone. Volodar kicks himself for not trusting his gut, and the goblins offer their help by constructing rafts for the group. The party decides to sleep here for the night.

The Swamp

The party wakes up the next day to find several rafts have been completed. Though small there are enough for the party. Volodar nearly breaks his ankle falling in a hole. He finds a broken wooden shield with some sort of gold painted symbol on the face of it. He decides to hold on to the shield and the party heads into the swamp.

The next day is uneventful and the group finds another island to set up camp for the night. During Volodar’s watch growling and the screams of some animal being murdered not far away from the camp site wakes everyone. Though on edge the party makes it through the night unmolested.

The next day as the group heads off they see a boar carcass on the shore very close to where their camp was. It has been mostly eaten though strips of flesh remain. Fairbyell nibbles on the boar before they continue on.

As the day concludes the group finds another island to camp on. As Volodar is setting up camp Dolgrin notices something glint near a large rock. He walks over to and finds a gold piece on the ground. The earth around the rock has been disturbed recently and Dolgrin immediately starts digging. As soon as he does this the party hears something crashing through the trees behind them.

The party turns to find a huge creature over 7 feet tall lumbering at them. Its features are comingled mess comprising of Man, pig, and some large beast. Voloadar fires an arrow into the beast and it bites into his shoulder before ripping him open with its massive claws.

Volodar goes down in an instant and Dolgrin rushes the Beast while Golby tries to sneak around it. Fairybell rushes to Volodar and examines his wounds quickly before turning into Halfling form and dragging the elf towards the rafts.

Dolgrin and the Beast exchange blows and the group watches in horror as the wounds inflicted become to close over rapidly. Golby frantically tries to stab the beast but his weapon does nothing. Finally succumbing to his bloodlust Dolgrin lands a devastating hook to the creature’s jaw causing it to flee into the trees. Dolgrin then manages to control himself and snaps out of his rage preventing a dangerous chase into the forest.

His rage subsided Dolgrin nearly passes out from the pain. His chest has been ripped open and a couple of his ribs are exposed and broken. The group makes their way to the rafts and push them self away from the shore. There they sit as darkness falls.

~*~End Session~*~
Length: Four Hours
Platform: Fantasy Grounds
Player Characters (4): Dolgrin (Dwarven Battlerager), Fairybell (Totemic Druid), Volodar (Ranger), Golby (Rogue)

Night time in the swamp

The group sits staring at the shore for a while from their goblin rafts. The two warriors of the group on the brink of death. Fairybell quickly heads back to the shore in order to collect up the majority of Volodar’s things. He is able to get everything save for the tent as it’s too large to fit on the raft with so many bodies currently on it. Fairybell works as best he can to patch up the injured dwarf and elf. He successfully resets Dolgrins Ribs which causes the dwarf to pass out.

They then decide to continue on towards the village. Its normally about a 6 hour trip but with the lack of visibility and weighted down raft it takes the rest of the night. As morning approaches the group comes into an area where the trees around them have various wooden children’s toys hanging from them. Texee explains that these toys were put here by the goblins to keep the spirit children of the swamp happy. The intent is that the mischievous spirits will play with the toys rather than venture into the village.

The village itself is quiet and empty. The huts of this village rise up from the swamp on stilts suspended wooden walkways connecting each of the huts. The huts are well designed especially by goblin standards. In the center of the village a 15 foot rock stands the top of which has been flattened out upon which a large bell is perched on a pole.

A platform surrounds the giant rock where the party docks their raft. They venture into one of the huts as Dolgrin comes into consciousness. The party heads into one of the huts to rest after the long restless night. Texee finds some rotten eggs and powers them down before falling asleep herself. When the party wakes they leave Texee with Volodar and head up to the cave which is accessed via suspension bridge from the top of the giant rock.

The Cave

Inside the cave are several tunnels and large rooms. One of the rooms has a large pool of clear water that has a sweet taste to it. In another room a cage is suspended over a hole. Inside the cage a battered female goblin is resting. The group quietly moves through the tunnel and come across a group of humans sitting around a camp fire cooking up some stew and arguing about the process.

Dolgrin approaches the group stating that he needs help for his friend. The group of humans taken a bit off guard by the boldness of this odd looking group begin to harass the Dwarf and after a very short exchange of words Dolgrin Charges forward knocking the first man unconscious.

A fight ensues wherein Golby is stabbed near fately in the stomach with a short sword. He instantly drops and Fairbell rushes to his aid. Dolgrin finishes off the last of the humans then murders the first one that he knocked out by bringing his iron fist down on the man’s head smashing it like a watermelon.

The party frees the princess from her cage and she in turn helps heal Golby and she has the party take Volodar to the Pool. She explains that it is a sacred pool of Eldath and that given time it will heal Volodar.

In talking with the princess the party learns several key pieces of information. Most notably is that the humans that took her people had help from a nearby hobgoblin tribe. The hobgoblins had unsuccessfully made many attempts at taking control of the goblins, but with the help of the humans recently took her people prisoner, using her as leverage to keep them in line. She also explains that some of her people were taken by the humans for use in Thunderstone while the rest were taken in by the Hobgoblins.

The party rests up again and Volodar finally comes to. They decide it’s time to head back to Thunderstone. The princess asks the party if they would be willing to take Texee with them. She was an adventurer herself and would like someone in her tribe to experience what she did so that there is an understanding of why she has molded the tribe in such a manner. As a reward she offers the party all of the gear that the humans had left.

The group begins putting all of the weapons and coin into a crate, they then attempt to make a better raft from several of the barrels. Not the best work but it will have to do, and the group prepares to make the long trip back to thunderstone.

~*~End Session~*~
Length: Three Hours
Platform: Fantasy Grounds
Player Characters (3): Dolgrin (Dwarven Battlerager), Fairybell (Totemic Druid), Golby (Rogue)

Back into the Swamp

Volodar is awake and more or less healthy and so the party decides it’s time to see how sea worthy their new vessel is. Though a little lopsided the raft floats and they start the 3 day trip north through the swamp.

In the late afternoon the group sees the remains of Volodar’s tent on one of the islands. It has been shredded and the large rock where Dolgrin found the gold piece has been pushed over and the ground has been dug up. Dolgrin is rather upset believing that there was treasure there but does not want to go back to the island for fear of the creature that lurks there.

The first night the group decides to keep traveling, working in shifts to make it through the night. The night goes on pretty uneventful save for a swarm of bats overhead feeding on a cloud of insects. The Dawn arrives and with bats now gone the party is ravaged by mosquitos and other biting insects.

After a few more hours of travel a small house is spotted on one of the islands. The group decides to pull their raft ashore to have a quick look around. Fairybell takes this opportunity to seek out some fresh berries while the rest of the group heads to the house. The house has been all but consumed by nature. Branches from nearby trees have broken through the walls and vines creep up the side of the building. The inside is more of a mess. Broken furniture and an old stonework stove are all that remain along with some sort of small animal droppings in one of the corners which Golby decides to investigate. Dolgrin performs a thorough search and after finding nothing the group decides to get moving.

Can I have seconds?

After about four hours the party hears someone’s stomach growling and Golby begins to complain that he is hungry. The group takes a quick dinner break as they continue on. After another hour Golby once again complains of hunger. He consumes yet another full day’s meal. Volodar examines him but is not sure what to do as he sees no obvious signs of illness.

A few more hours go by and much of the same. It is getting late and Golby has consumed most of his weeks’ worth of rations. Running low on food and aware that this is going to continue until they are out of food, Dolgrin decides to knock Golby unconscious. The group is against it initially but when Golby gives consent Dolgrin attempts to lay him out with his normal hand.

The first two strikes fail to incapacitate the Halfling so Dolgrin in frustration lays into him a third time with all of his strength, this time he is successful. Volodar quickly tends to the Halfling and notices a clear liquid draining from Golby’s ear. The Halfling is breathing but quite unconscious.

A couple hours go by and the group watches in horror as Golby’s body is wracked with violent convulsions and begins to quite literally feed upon itself. He is rapidly losing weight and color. His cheeks suck in, his bones become visible as muscle tone and fat fade, and his stomach sinks towards his spine. The Halfling now looking incredibly malnourished, the party scrambles to wake him in order to get some food into him.

While the party does this Fairybell works on a series of spells that will feed him. The party finally manages to get him awake enough with the use of a healing potion and Fairybell feeds him a magical stew. While these stews usually provide enough nourishment for an entire day, they only last about an hour for Golby.

Party Crashers

Another few hours go by as Golby finishes off the last of the stew and the remaining rations. The party catch a break as the sun rises when they smell meat cooking nearby. Without hesitation they pull up to an island and Dolgrin scouts ahead. He comes across a camp of Orcs that have 3 large Boars roasting. Seeing that there are roughly a dozen orcs and about 20 tents Dolgrin heads back to the party to inform them.

The group debates attacking the camp but ultimately come up with a diversion strategy. Fairybell circles around the back of the camp to create a distraction while the rest of the party prepares to snatch one of the hogs. Gobly is far too weak to assist and so stays back at the raft.

Fairy bell charges into the camp firing off an entangle spell on a group of the orcs before charging back into the trees. Three of the orcs manage to fire off arrows, one grazing the fox, while the third shot bites deep into his rear thigh. He makes it into the trees with a large group of orcs chasing him firing arrows into the woods.

The rest of the party makes their move. Dolgrin lifts one of the hogs by himself and they run back towards the raft. Golby waits with nervously hearing all of the commotion but unable to help. Finally Fairybell comes charging onto the raft just as the rest of the group arrives with the boar. They quickly shove off and the raft nearly sinks from the extra weight. Fortunately it holds and the group makes their way to Thunderstone.

There is something on his back

The Boar provides enough food for Golby, and they make their way to the Temple of Tempus in hopes of finding out what is wrong with Golby. Battle Chaplain Isaac Black takes the Halfing into a rear chamber of the church. The room is bare save for a massive statue of a man riding a gorgon wielding a massive axe in one hand. Issac has the Halfling strip to examine him but when he asks the Halfling to turn around Golby grabs his short sword and refuses.

Isaac leaves the room and informs the party that something is amiss. When Golby comes out he is still armed and Dolgrin rushes him. Dolgrin pins him down while Volodar strips him. Before they can roll him over the Halfling makes a break for the window, he jukes the dwarf and leaps passed the elf before jumping out of the window, only to be tackled by Texee who was waiting outside.

The group drags him back inside and they find that there is some sort of green substance that has attached itself to Golby’s back. Dolgrin tries to cut it free causing Golby to pass out, but realizes quickly that it might not be a good idea. Fairybell suggests that they head back to the grove to see if Andraste will be of use. The Battle Chaplain refunds their donation and begins cleaning up the blood.

Back at the grove they find Andraste talking with a large brown haired woman who sits with the two bear cubs. While Andraste is unsure as to what the parasite is the woman explains it is likely a parasitic slime of some kind, and while she doesn’t know what kind she does know that many of them are harmed by flame or extreme cold, though sometimes these too have no effect and are still potentially dangerous to the host.

Fire is the best medicine

The party weighs their options and begin making a large fire. Dolgrin and Fairybell go to retrieve water from the river just in case. On the way out of the grove Fairybell notices strange mushrooms that have begun to grow, he grabs a few before heading off. When they get back Fairybell shows the mushrooms to the new woman, who sniffs them and reals back exclaiming that they are not natural. The mushroom is thrown into the fire and the smell of rancid meat fills the grove.

Dolgrin and Volodar then hoist Golby over the fire. Dolgrin holds his hands and Volodar the feet, they slowly lower him down onto the flame attempting to only burn the slime. Finally the parasite falls from the Halfing landing in the fire. Three large holes are centered in Golbies back, the center one being the largest and deepest reaching his spine. The flesh on his back where the slime was attached appears as a large red chemical burn. Golby seems stable and the party lays him down and they all decide to rest up for the night.

In the morning Golby wakes sometime after the others. Though he is still hungry and looks completely malnourished, the hour after eating does not produce the desire to eat again. With that out of the way the group heads into town to speak with the jeweler since one was mentioned in the book they found, and also to sell some of the gems that they found.

Jewels and a Symbol

The Jeweler’s shop is a small narrow two story building which is ran by a Rock Gnome. The inside is little more than a narrow hall way the end of which the gnome sits so he has a perfect view of his entire shop at all times. The party ends up selling all of their jewels for 600 gold and even gain some insight about the book. While the book does not give names the gnome does manage to reveal a hidden symbol on one of the pages. With the use of some sort of black powder and a flame the image appears. A small flame with two eyes sitting atop a claw with four talons. While the Gnome has no idea what the symbol is it is the first real clue the group has found and they conclude their business at the shop.

The party leaves the shop ready to investigate the symbol.

~*~End Session~*~
Length: Four Hours
Platform: Fantasy Grounds
Player Characters (4): Dolgrin (Dwarven Battlerager), Fairybell (Totemic Druid), Golby (Rogue), Volodar (Ranger)