Campaign Journal: On the Road Again

 The Usual Suspects last Sunday:

• Frederick
• Slick
• Bonk
• Stumbleduck
• And a Player to Be Named at a Later Time

(Jax got introverted and went flower hunting, Rondel stayed to babysit 'his' gnolls, and Fulvus was suddenly absconded with by some extended family).

The gang stood at the town gate of Mithlonde as dusk fell. One of the guards asked them business and chatted about recent fires and increased humanoid raids in the area. He gave them the quick run-down of the town's amenities, and welcomed them in. Mithlonde is a modest walled town situated around a 'Y' in the trade road. 

The party approached the town square, where a number of caravans were parked. They recognized a certain odiferous wagon, that of the peddler gnome Hugo. Hugo greeted them and was relieved to find out that his potions had mostly worked, and no harmful side effects had occurred. He sold a few remaining healing potions to the gang for a slightly inflated price (most had been bought out, demand was up). He also had a few smoke bombs available to experiment with. Fred bought these for later use.

Hugo also introduced the party to a fellow gnome, Orzu Donpompon. Orzu was new in town, and seeking his fortune. He was intrigued by the party's adventures, and invited them to a local tavern for further conversation.

In the meantime, a raven arrived with a note tied to its leg. The bird carried a missive from Thefri, back at his tower. More muties had been spotted, although Brutus had handled a few. Thefri had also noticed the cracked lens flickering when Chaos forces were near. The party sent back a brief message of their latest finds.

Everyone gathered at the "Murdered Pirate" to carouse and celebrate ill-fated Mareth. Carousing rolls were made, and a significant amount of cash was spent. 

Waking hungover and in disarray at the local inn, the party blearily made their way to the local town council head, currently a half-elven rugmaker. Bonk made some ineffective haggling efforts, buying a couple of prayer rugs for inflated prices. The party talked more local rumors with the half-elf, and offered to keep communications open between Mithlonde and Neuforde. Mithlonde had also been offered vassal status from the two regional powers and had so far refused their offers, secure with their wall and town guard.

The party bought out the local farrier's supply of riding stock and headed south.

Meeting locals on the road, Orzu inquired as to crypts or other similar ruins (he's dead broke). Pointed to some hummocks in the woods, the party cleared a couple of small barrows, with only minor ghoul paralysis. Modest coin was recovered. 

By dusk, they had reached the hamlet of Lany, a settlement about the same size of Neuforde. The colorful halfling tavern keeper sported a dragon-scale cloak, only admitting it to being a family heirloom. The party drank in moderation, and paid a few coins to sleep on the floor. 

In the morning, they spoke with the town head, Aldith Biru, a retired mage recognized by her animated broom sweeping in front of her residence. 

She exchanged pleasant banter with the party, also noting unexplained fires in the region. The party had a sense of their cause by this point, and general concern. Aldith stated that she had accepted an offer of protection from Hougon, who were sending a small detachment to watch the town. She sent her greetings to the Herquinal twins in Neuforde, and the party departed.

Riding south in good humor and looking forward to getting back to their home base, the party cleared a rise to see smoke rising from Neuforde...

Because of course I'm dropping that cliffhanger....

DM Notes:

Not much to add to this - We needed a low-stakes session, with some roleplay and social encounters. As well as to introduce our new PC to the party. The group got a couple more towns to add to the geography, as well as a few names to potentially refer back to for future communication or coordination. 

(more non-session reports in the works)