User blog:MMetzner/Session 3 - On the Trail of Dogs

Bringing Mannaphi Home

 * The Adventurers, having rescued Mannaphi from the Dun Din tribe of cannibals, make plans to get him back to Hogstone  along with the bodies (and heads) of the goblins they killed on the rocks on their voyage.
 * Kyanna added the details of rescuing Mannaphi  into her journal, hoping this heroism would be accepted as one of her 12 deeds. Although holding out little hope as she had been disappointed before, the words lit up and remained in the journal.
 * Inga was shocked and relieved that Mannaphi had survived, and with the wizard safely aboard the Jagged Pelt the Adventurers headed safely back to Hogstone. Ronan  stuffed the heads of the goblins into her bedroll.
 * Just before pulling into the docks, the Adventurers spotted a large three-masted galleon on the horizon to the north-west and sailing north. Inga identified the sails as being a Mutt Clan ship.
 * On disembarking the Jagged Pelt, Maiya and Farrus decided to take Mannaphi back to the Sleeping Stag Inn, while Ronan, Kyanna and Gauner searched the warehouse at the dock to look for needle and thread to sew a second goblin head onto one of the goblins.

The Tale of the Poisonous Two-Headed Noble Aquatic Goblin

 * Kyanna found everything they needed to act on Ronan's plan. Ronan  made some space in the warehouse before attempting to sew a second and third head onto the goblin. The first attempt managed to get the head to attach to the shoulder of the goblin, but the workmanship was poor, the second attempt was somehow worse, with the head immediately falling off to the floor. Ronan fashioned two cravats from leftover sailcloth and tied them around the necks of the goblin to hide the poor stitching. After throwing the discarded head into the sea, and discovering that it floated, Gauner  volunteered to bury the head.
 * Maiya and Farrus  carried Mannaphi  to the Sleeping Stag inn, where Helena helped them to get the wizard up to spare room on the first floor of the inn. She vowed to look after Mannaphi and to keep the information to just herself and her sister Britta.
 * Back at the Hall of Beasts, Ronan hatched an elaborate ruse to fool Symond  into thinking that the aquatic goblin with the second head sewn on was in fact a rare two headed aquatic goblin. Symond  was stunned at the revelation that such a thing could exist, and was excited to see this unique specimin, thinking that his profits would soar.
 * At that moment, Kyanna ran into the Hall of Beasts, screaming "It's coming, it's coming". Symond  saw the two-headed goblin chasing Kyanna, and got a strong smell of the sea. Kyanna  and the goblin ran behind a pillar where Ronan  pounced on it, dispelling the illusion and leaving herself holding her makeshift monster just as Symond  reached them.
 * Symond proposes placing the two-headed aquatic noble goblin in his prized display case, which sits next to his desk at the back of the hall. Ronan  suggests she should place the goblin inside herself. While doing so the stitching of the second head begun to come loose, hanging limply off of the body. Kyanna  tried to distract Symond, telling him that the skin of the goblin was poisonous, but that Ronan  was immune. Symond  was alarmed, but believed what he was being told. Meanwhile Ronan  desperately tried to restitch the goblins head, making a poor job but doing enough to deceive a man who saw fortune in the opportunity he was being sold. Ronan and Kyanna received the 200 gold they were promised and promptly left the Hall of Beasts.

Pirate's Craving

 * Farrus and Maiya  headed to Merchant's Wharf to see if any of the stalls were still open. Maiya  started looking around an abandoned stall once owned by Vyra, when Big-Bellied Nik called out for her to stop. He explained that for anything other than meat and fish they would need to go to Sailor's Wyk . Farrus bought some cured sausages, some beef, and salt. while Maiya bought some dried fish from Petra.
 * The Adventurers reconvened at the Sleeping Stag Inn, where they saw Britta and Harrald playing Pirate's Craving. Harrald was clearly losing badly, a stack of turnips stacked on Britta's side of the table. He slammed down his deck, vowing 'Fuck this game'. Britta invited the Adventurers to take his deck and learn how to play.
 * Ronan, who was no stranger to the game, recognised immediately that the deck was no good at all, but played a game against Britta anyway. Upon being defeated by Britta's deck of undead characters, Britta thanked Ronan and offered her a card from her deck.
 * The Adventurers ate their dinner at the Sleeping Stag before resting there for the night, having decided to hunt for a Blink Dog the next day. Early the next morning Gauner bought a round of drinks for the group before heading to the docks.

Blink Dogs
Day 4 - 19th September 420
 * The Adventurers asked Inga about the black sails with the red stripes they saw on their voyage yesterday, she identified the ship as belonging to the Mutt Clan . Inga explained about raiders that had come to Hogstone  to scavenge from the iron mines underneath Hogstone Keep.
 * During the voyage the Adventurers tried to find out more information about blink dogs from Farrus, who had hunted them previously.
 * When they landed on the island of Strand Farrus began looking for tracks. With the morning's rain they were not difficult to find. The size of the two sets of prints they found leading into a forest surprised Farrus, who had not seen blink dogs of this size before.
 * As they delved into the forest, some of the Adventurers could see what looked like a campfire past the tree line. Gauner scouted farther ahead, making out figures by the fire. It was then that the blink dogs attacked....
 * Separated from the group, Gauner found himself surprised by one of the dogs, and was attacked before he could even react. Quick to react, Maiya  had her greatsword at the ready, dealing a viscous wound to a second blink dog that materialised in front of the rest of the group. Ronan  and Farrus, up til now so deadly with their long-range weapons, fired far over the dogs.
 * Farrus was wounded by one of the blink dogs, before Kyanna  morphed into a direwolf, biting at the nearest blink dog to her and ripping out a chunk from the back of its neck, killing it instantly.
 * Maiya laid her hands on Gauner  to heal a wound on his leg, before Ronan  again fired high and wide. Farrus  this time fired accurately and powerfully, sticking an arrow deep into the body of the remaining blink dog. After being hit, the blink dog blinked again, rematerialising behind Farrus . However the Blood Hunter's instincts were sharp, and he was not caught off guard by this.
 * Ronan blasted a spray of poison at the last blink dog, leaving it clinging to life. In a final burst of energy the blink dog blinked away across the forest, making a charge for the wounded Gauner  and injuring him further.
 * In a last ditch attempt to save Gauner, and to the surprise of everybody, the Aasimir Maiya spouted two large wings, and with eyes glowing and greatsword drawn she lunged directly at the blink dog, killing it swiftly and effectively.
 * Kyanna changed back to her elven form, before Gauner  relayed the information about the humanoid figures ahead by the campfire. Maiya  flew above the trees to scout the figures before landing back down again. She saw four men who upon seeing her, drew their bows and demanded to know if she was a friend or foe, when Maiya  indicated she was a friend, the men beckoned her to come closer.

The Deserters

 * The Adventurers approached the men at the campfire, discovering that they were archers who had fled the Sack of Hogstone one year earlier. They were surprised that some of the people survived, and recounted the story of how they survived to The Adventurers. Maiya persuaded the archers that Hogstone  was still their home, that they were still needed, and that they should come back. Some of the men were worried that as deserters they wouldn't be welcomed back, but one by one they agreed, finally cheering in unison.
 * The Adventurers worked out the logistics of getting the extra four men and a blink dog, deciding to split the group and take two trips. Maiya, Farrus and Gauner  took the blink dog in the first trip, with the four archers, Ronan  and Kyanna  in the second.
 * Upon arriving back at Hogstone, Maiya, Farrus, and Gauner checked in on Mannaphi at the Sleeping Stag, to find that there had been no change in his condition.
 * On their way back from Strand, Ronan asked the archers about their knowledge of Sailor's Wyk , and talked about the people of Hogstone  who had survived the Sack. On their return to Hogstone The Adventurers treated the archers to a meal and drinks at the Sleeping Stag . Wanting to get everyone together, Kyanna went to find Steffon Sea-Tamer and Jussi , and brought them to the inn.
 * The Adventurers visited Symond back at the Hall of Beasts, on entering, Symond  was staring proudly at his poisonous two-headed noble aquatic goblin. On seeing the blink dog, Symond's eyes lit up again. Although the Adventurers tried to hint at a larger purse for the larger than average blink dog, with Maiya  pitching the idea that the radiant energy that killed it may help preserve the beast, Symond stuck to his guns and refused to pay more. Symond paid the Adventurers 120 gold pieces to fulfil the contract, and Ronan  managed to garner another 5 gold before they left.
 * After a discussion, the group decided Sailor's Wyk should be their next destination, to follow up on the notes from Royston found in Thirdson Mutt's quarters in Hogstone Keep . However coming to the end of the day and with celebrations at the Sleeping Stag ongoing, the Adventurers decided to join the party.

A Night of Celebration

 * The Sleeping Stag was on this night a place of joy, with drinking and dancing. Kyanna and Maiya went to check on Mannaphi again, but found no sign of improvement.
 * Back at the celebrations Gauner saved Jussi from the unwanted attention of Britta, and discussed with him about purchasing a new weapon, or improving his current weapon.BorrowedBrazierCheers2.jpg
 * Ronan went on a hunt for incense and herbs and searched for a brass brazier, eventually finding one in Ranulph the Old's chambers. Maiya attempted to follow her, although Ronan was aware of her presence from the start. Knowing she was being watched by Maiya, Ronan waved candles she had found around, taking a bite of one and gagging on it. She conjured an illusion of a kraken above her head, but Maiya instantly saw through the subterfuge.
 * Farrus approached Jussi, asking if he could forge arrows. Jussi let the Blood Hunter know that there was an excellent fletcher on Sailor's Wyk, but that he can forge arrowheads himself, and would make some for Farrus.
 * Not everybody was happy with the return of the archers. Harrald, after having had a couple too many drinks, bemoaned the archers as deserters that should have done their jobs and fought to protect the people of Hogstone.
 * One by one the Adventurers went off to bed, where Ronan performed a ritual....

Sailor's Wyk
Day 5 - September 20th 420
 * The next morning the Adventurers headed down to the docks, banging on Inga's door, who was not pleased to be awoken so early after a long night of drinking. They convinced her to travel to her home island of Sailor's Wyk . On the voyage Inga gave the group some advice about places to go on Sailor's Wyk, including a tavern named the Galleon where they could potentially stay.
 * On arriving at Sailor's Wyk, the Adventurers headed to the Galleon, where Ronan booked three rooms at 4 silver each from Brandon  the landlord. The group discuss Sailor's Wyk with Brandon, why they're there and how things have been affected by the Mutt invasion and governorship of Landon Mutt.
 * While the rest of the group enjoyed a round of drinks, Brandon beckoned Gauner closer, hinting that he might have information that could help the group. Gauner gave the landlord a gold piece, prompting Brandon to tell the tiefling that Thirdson Mutt was also on Sailor's Wyk, along with his guard captain, Royston . Gauner discovered from Brandon that Royston had been in the Galleon several times over the past year, asking questions about the whereabouts of a smith, or a group of archers, and that Thirdson  had stayed at Landon's mansion the previous night, and had been seen at the Stranger's Rest Temple this morning. Maiya  gave Gauner 2 gold pieces to give to Brandon in exchange for keeping his silence about their meeting.
 * The group headed down to the bustling Trader's Square . Realising that as a group they may look noticeable to strangers, Ronan cast disguise self and Farrus  undid his hair. They then split up into smaller groups.
 * Kyanna and Gauner  headed to the BUY FRUIT NOW SHOP, where as soon as they walked in they were confronted with Goreg, the proprieter, who offered them fruit. Gauner  bought a melon, before Goreg asked them to leave.
 * Farrus visited Darryn the Fletcher, where he stocked up on arrows, as well as buying some hard hitting broadhead arrows, and some shafts and fletching.
 * Ronan entered the Lost Canvas, meeting the proprieter, also named Lost Canvas , an old Tabaxi explorer and trader. There she purchased maps of Sailor's Wyk , the Islands of the South, and the Islands of the North, as well as an expensive and ornate brass compass. She challenged Lost Canvas to a game of Pirate's Craving, which he readily accepted....
 * Maiya visited Caedwella's Cauldron, an alchemy shop that boasted Sailor's Wyk's largest collection of potions and herbs. Kyanna  met her there later, where the two of them purchased three healing potions.
 * Gauner went into Bryndell's Boutique where he was immediately under the eye of Bryndell himself. After enquiring about the price of some very fine cloaks, the tiefling boy was asked to leave.