Conquering the Barbarian Altanis: Session 156
Adventurers
| Character | Race | Class | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deigos | Human | Thief level 3 | Oily dark hair, slightly mustached, youthful expression, feels the call of revolution. |
| Alaric | Human | Paladin level 3 | Big, doe eyed country boy with wavy blond hair and willingness to do the right thing. Paladin of Tyr. |
| Ambros | Human | Cleric level 6 | Follower of Aniu, Lord of Time. |
| Ignaeus | Elf | Fighter level 5 / magic-user level 4 | A slightly weathered looking elf with dull blonde hair and chiseled features. Seeks wealth and knowledge. |
| Tikatu | Human | Druid level 3 | A dirty little ma with dark and dirty skin, wearing loincloth with no back. “What will be, will be” is his favourite aphorism. |
| Andvar | Dwarf | Fighter level 2 / thief level 2 | A standout amongst dwarves with clean shaven chin and two large braids hangings from the sides. A scruffy looking redhead. |
Warmshade 16th, Airday
Adventurers spent the day asking around in Ketche. They hadn't learned much, for this is a secluded fishing village which is rarely visited by civilised folk from Hara. Queen was nowhere to be seen, and Ambros did not feel compelled to follow her command anymore. Deigos, a thief full of dreams joined the party. Tikatu convinced a team of fishermen to transport them to Ahyf.
Warmshade 17th, Waterday
Adventurers sailed out of the Vigil Sound bay and towards Ahyf. The fishermen dropped them off some two leagues west of the village, per adventurers' request.
Seren and Tikatu found a nice wooded gully where the party could sequester to and rest. It was evening and adventurers decided it'd be best to stay out of Ahyf before less known adventurers scout it out. Tikatu and Deigos volunteered to do so.
They reached Ahyf in two hours of brisk walk.
“No weapons in Ahyf. King's orders.” They were stopped by three armed brigands. Nearby cart had a small pile of weapons in it. Duo gave up theirs. As they walked towards the village they could see brigands take Deigos's knife.
They quickly learned that a throng of brigands led by a man named Bandles marched into Ahyf just three days ago. Bandles seized control as the new Sheriff appointed by the Wizard-King Klekless Racoba. At that time a manacled man dressed in a wizardy robe, with a bruised face and scab-covered palms, was forced to read the proclamation:
“Peoples of Hara, rejoice! The reign of tyrannical Red Bitch has come to an end! His Regal Magnificence, Majestic Munificence, Wizard-King Racoba, has liberated Hara and all of its lands! A new era of prosperity is about to begin!
People of Ahyf, rejoice! You too shall enjoy protection from Hara, effective immediately! You shall fear no more! You shall suffer no more! You too shall prosper!
His Regal Magnificence, Majestic Munificence, Wizard-King Racoba, has great plans for Our Kingdom. Therefore, all men of talent, foresight, and gumption are invited to Hara and seek employment at the Court.
Gifted and loyal men will be greatly rewarded, for few are as generous as His Regal Magnificence, Majestic Munificence, Wizard-King Racoba!
What greater evidence of his generosity than Royal Pardons for Chief Crook Ambros, Incompetent Castellan Marlon, Selfish Mavis, and number of others who have actively worked against the wellbeing of peoples?!
Peoples of Hara, rejoice! People of Ahyf, rejoice!”
All Altanians residing in Ahyf were captured, enslaved, and sent to Hara. Bounties for Earani Cor, alive Altanian men, dead Altanian men, and dead Altanian women, were hammered by the docks and on the gates of Elders' house. They are 18 000 gold pieces, 20 gold pieces, 10 gold pieces, and 50 gold pieces respectively.
Tikatu and Deigos also learned that everyone residing at the Belching Vicar tavern and Swordsman's Citadel were kicked out so Sheriff's men can stay there. This was where their injured friends Somniel, Amari, and Drokh were recovering.
Camus, cleric of Thoth, and a friend of Ambros, took the injured adventurers in. They are currently resting at his temple, while Mepheus is helping the cleric with daily tasks. Two brigands charged Tikatu and Deigos an “entry donation.”
“Are you happy with this turn of events?” Tikatu asked the cleric.
“Tyrants come and go. People are forever.” the man shrugged.
The duo snuck out and sought shelter in one of the stables at the edge of the village. They met Ivan the Slow, who happily welcomed new friends. They slept in hay with few of the horses. Ivan was happy.
Warmshade 18th, Earthday
Deigos and Tikatu left with first rays of sun. That made Ivan sad, and he waved them away with a tear in his eye. People are rarely kind to Ivan, so these two made an impression on him.
“Can we have our weapons back now?”
“What weapons?”
Tikatu looked at the cart behind the brigands. His spear was on top of the pile.
“That weapon, right over there.”
“I don't remember taking any weapons away from you. Do you?” one brigand asked the other.
“No, I don't. You must be confused little man!”
“I rolled that spear between my ass cheeks. It is rolled in my shit.”
“Bugger off, or we will drive something up yer ass!”
Tikatu and Deigos sulked off.
“Next time hide that dagger of yours better.”
They reached the wooded gully in some two hours of walking. There the party discussed what to do next. Ambros would surely be recognised wherever he appears. They wondered where the Queen went and what is she up to. There were fierce discussions about loyalty. Finally, the adventurers decided to appropriate an ogres' lair midway between Midway and Ahyf, on the northern side of Ghinarian Hills.
Adventurers travelled through the woods, avoiding the trail, fearing they might run into one of Racoba's patrols. Deigos daydreamed about revolution that is to befall this usurper Racoba. His dreams were shattered as he was shredded to death by fourteen forearm-sized iron spikes.
Other adventurers looked in horror as four huge, lion-bodied monstrosities with grinning man-like faces, horns, dragon wings, and tails full of iron spikes hovered above them. Two of them descended on Deigos, slurping his remains. Other two gave chase to fleeing adventurers. Tikatu ran into some brambles and buried himself like a little shit-stained bunny he is.
Everybody fled in their own direction, panting and sprinting as fast as they could. They eventually lost sight of the pursing beasts. After catching a breath, they proceeded with their plan.
“Brigands can't be worse than these beasts! Let's follow the trail!”
Indeed, they reached the ogres' lair by evening. There they met a serious looking dwarf called Andvar. He was delighted to join this band of adventurers. What a good day it was to delve into a lair!
Ignaeus cast Mirror Image, and the party descended. They confirmed that all the chambers were still empty. Then they explored west side of the cave, where they found owlbear faeces last time. They rushed on, waking up one owlbear. The beast, although not taken by surprise, was savaged by Ignaeus and Andvar. The latter killed the monster by driving his spear right through the owlbear's skull.
Owlbears' nest was a domed natural cave. Animal and humanoid remains were neatly tucked in the southern portion of the cave. Searching them revealed silver anklet adorned with jade fragments and a copper chain necklace with topaz gem.
An assortment of soiled furs, rugs, and carpets, covered with several thousand copper pieces, dominated center of the cave. Area indicated that at least three owlbears could fit on it.
The party spent hours arguing what to do next. Ignaeus decided to walk back to the entrance and watch guard. This paid off, for he had seen an absolutely massive owlbear slumber into the tunnel. Elf ran back to the nest and informed others of the sighting. They covered their light sources and prepared an ambush.
Owlbear cried out in pain as it sniffed the smaller, dead of its kind. Adventurers flashed it by uncovering the light source. The beast barreled at them, and vicious fight broke out. Andvar hit the beast, while the beast savaged Ignaeus. Elf retreated out of combat to take a sip of healing juice.
Beast turned its attention to the little bunny. It clawed him brutally, and then almost snapped him in half with its powerful beak. Ambros hit the beast as it threw Tikatu to the other side of the cave. Ignaeus rejoined the fight, and struck true, only to be struck in return.
Ambros made himself a bigger target, allowing Ignaeus to flee once again. He was rewarded by two mighty slaps. Andvar used the opportunity to hop on the beast, grabbing its fur with his right hand. Once on top he held on with his legs, whilst holding the spear with both hands. Then he drove the spear down with all his might, penetrating the owlbear's left eye.
The beast roared, and tumbled over. It twitched thrice, and then exhaled its last breath. Ambros rushed over to check on Tikatu. He flipped the shredded pygmy over. Druid was still alive!
Tikatu watched Ambros in the eyes and uttered painfully:
“A few weeks ago we had a keep, a townhouse, and a pile of cash. Now we have a cave that smells of ogres armpits and owlbear shit. But it is our cave.”
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