Session 17: Shopping Around

Date: 12th of September

Participants:
Allen - Ryan G
Anaris - Brian H
Azool - James T


Vilroy and Dundee decided to ride behind the convoy and protect the cattle from the rear leaving Allen, Anaris and Azool to watch for danger at the front of the convoy.  For most of the time, Vilroy and Dundee begin praying to their respective Saints for guidance to bless the return trip to Stromford.

The journey back was just as dangerous as the journey to the village of Longfield.  Along the way the party fend off a pack of hungry Dire Wolves that tried to devour the precious black cattle the party is escorting.  In the ensuing Chaos, two of the cattle was bitten to death by the Dire Wolves. 

Following that, the party came across a group of marauding ogre and almost certainly would have lost several of the cattle if not for Allen's clever use of pass without trace that allowed them to escape the notice of the ogres. 

Next the party came across the same group of mercenaries that were patrolling the roads.  The mercenaries extorted valuables from the party and demanded to take at least two cattle off them.  Not wanting trouble and fearing that they may lose more cattle if they start another fight.  Anaris decided to negotiate with the mercenaries to accept only one cattle instead.   After sometime haggling, the mercenaries decided to accept Anaris's offer and made off with only one cattle.

Days passed by and party finally passed by the same hamlet where they encountered the Ankhegs and the City of Stromford is in sight over the horizon.   A few more hours of travel stood between the party and the safety within the stone walls of the City itself. 
But as the party got closer, the sky darkened with shadows. The party looked up and saw monstrous creatures with bat-like wings and spiked tails flying above them.  These monsters known as the Manticores circled the party's position before flying lower to taunt at the party.   The malevolent creatures unleashed the spikes at the convoy and killed off another farmer.   Azool the fearsome Barbarian could only stood by and watch.  For his strength is in melee battle and range was not his forte. 
It was down to Anaris and Allen to bring the flying monsters closer to ground.   Anaris unleashed a fireball that exploded in midair, hurting both of the flying monsters.   One of the manticores enraged by the audacity of his puny prey landed hoping to tear Anaris into pieces. 
It grossly under estimated the prowess of the Barbarian as Azool ran at it.   Swinging his greatsword left and right, Azool cleaved through the wings and body of the monster ensuring it will never again fly.   Allen and Anaris in the mean-time turn their attention to the other manticore still up in the fire and pelt it with arrows and firebolt.   The remaining manticore seeing its hunting mate taken out like that, decided that it has had enough and flew off in the distance. 

With the manticores dispatched, the party finally arrived in the City of Stromford.  The trio decided to leave Dundee and Vilroy with the herd of cattle and decide to go about their own business.  The first thing that the trio did is to sell the weapons and armors they looted from their conquests. 

Later Anaris visited the bookstore known as "Happy Fun Reads" and looked at the catalogue but did not find anything that he was looking for.  Perhaps he was looking at it wrongly?   He next approached the White Unicorn and spoke to Arianna Moonsong about the cipher he received.  Because of the way it is worded, the Bard thought Anaris is here to prank her and her deposition changed to that of a less receptive one. Although Arianna reluctantly agree to meet the person Anaris is going to recommend to her....  the party finally left the White Unicorn and decide to head out on their own.

Allen visited the Adventurer's Guild and found that it contained several items that intrigued him and went about purchasing some of it.   Anaris and Azool visited Nissa Woodbank and was introduced to her mentor, Adarion Lightspire.   The two asked what function the Arcane Crystal served.  Adarion explained to the duo that the Crystals can be used to charge arcane objects and also imbue mundane objects with magic temporarily.  Adarion also recommend that utmost care be taken with the Crystals as it is considered somewhat volatile if not handled properly.

Satisfied with the answers and the seeing that the day is coming to an end, the duo decided to return to the Horny Goat for a proper rest... but along the way they witness bright blue flashes emanating from the dark alley....



Campaign logs with details can be found here.