Session 092 Breaking, entering, and nearly dying
<templatestyles src="Template:Module/Style.css" />
03 February 2023
17 Morning Flocktime 31, CY621
Good Lord! Not again...
The party stares in disbelief as the portal closes, a wry look upon Margarete's face as she looks down at a child in her arms is the last thing Lanalor see's. They quickly split up to search the area, Mourn and Lorme to the wagon, while Galinndan, Horin, and Ragnum inspect the coach house. Mourn and Lorme take a closer look at the bodies, the blood still running warm down the wagon, and find the wounds look more like those caused by a large animal, the armor is ripped like cloth. Mourn recollects it looks like similar to the bodies attacked on the demi-plane
Besides the town bum sleeping under the window the coach house is empty. The pot of porridge smells like its started to burn and Galinndan notices its been emptied. To the back of the kitchen along the east wall a rickety stair, really more of a ladder leads upstairs to a loft. Lanalor heads inside to help search while Mourn and Horin take watch just outside the coach house. They skies to the west begin to darken like a storm is coming.
Lanalor now upstairs begins rummaging about in Adious and Margarete's bedroom. Rustic and unadorned it has a large footlocker at the base of an old 4 poster bed while an armoire stands against the far wall. The footlocker is locked with a simple iron padlock which he is unable to pop open with his sword hearing the commotion magnum heads up the stairs and pushes Lorme outside as he breaks the lock off in one fluid hammer strike. There's a slight sound of glass tinking together which causes both of them to step back and look at eat other with trepidation.
Downstairs Galinndan notices a curious mix of old flan and infernal tongue scratched faintly into the doorway which doubled as a portal though unable to read it he does recall seeing similar marks on the blue standing stones outside the Sorgen Abbey in the Demi plane as well as the by the old mill just west of town. He notices the heavy footfalls upstairs buts goes back to his reading of the runes but get then sense something is amiss upstairs.
Mourn continues to watch the sky to the west which is now seemingly beginning to move against the prevailing winds and more catches a glimpse of green flashing against the darkening sky. Thinking it perhaps the dragon they encountered near Wanborne he points out the area to Horne and neither of them are able to see it again though clouds I've begun to get darker and traces of lightning can be seen flashing in it
Upstairs Lanalor has used his sword to pry the chest open from arms length at which point an explosive burst of noxious green gas floods the room. The poison gas nearly overcomes the both of them before Lanalor makes it to the window, looking back he sees Ragnum still in the cloud of gas but forgets he's somewhat resistant to the effect being a dwarf he rushes back in and collapses as the poison sears his lungs. Ragnum starts to drag him back to the window to get some more fresh air just as Galinndan who having caught sight of the green gas drifting down the ladder and through cracks in the floor - lightening bolts the floor blowing a 5' hole right near Ragnum embedding wood in his back. Angered for being injured by Galinndan yet again - but grateful that the hole allows most of the gas to drain out of the room the two of them spot the oncoming storm as they gasp for breath out the window.
While watching the clouds warn Mourn notices a point is forming that is aiming seemingly directly towards the town and the clouds themselves begin clearly moving in a circular fashion fanning out to the north and south is though they are going to encircle the town. His hair on the back of his neck stands up as he realizes this storm looks the same as the one at the courtyard of Sorgen Abbey when Lord Velor first attacked them. Grabbing Horin who now also recognizes the situation is getting dire, runs back inside alerting the rest of the party and the guards shouting to prepare to flee on the horses. Mourn says the storm will overtake them before they can have everyone mounted up and be on the road so the decision is made to head to the guard tower. With everyone streaming towards the tower, Lanalor and Ragnum make one quick pass through the room before running down the ladder - Ragnum grabs some vials filled with green & white liquid, scroll-cases, and a leather jerkin from the chest. Lanalor searches the rest of the room noticing the armoire is locked with a delicate key that should be quick to pick, but shaken by the trap on the footlocker he follows Ragnum down the steps grabbing a few more potions from the foot locker on his way out.
Securing themselves in the basement of the tower they take shelter amongst the crates are planning a rapid defense. Gallinndan, Lanalor, and Mourn sprint upstairs while Ragnum and Horin guard the entrance. As to the troops; some cower in fear as the effect of the demi-planes aura permeates the air, while others look upon the door spears raised awaiting whatever is outside to force its way in. Mourn having made his way upstairs hear's something loud and heavy crash onto the roof of the tower, moments later the trap door and part of the floor disappear in a cloud of dust as a large demonic figure bursts through. Shooting out scintillating rays of color the demon attempts to strike Mourn before he escapes back down the stairs and runs into Lanalor gathering weapons on the floor below. The demon makes its way down the stairs attacking trading attacks with the two of them before disappearing through an orange portal. Moments later the terrified yells of the guards in the entry room below mark it's reappearance.
The unexpected entry of the Demon magically appearing within the building catches Horin, Gallinndan, and Ragnum somewhat off guard. They recover quickly but not before the the demon seriously wounds them. The party deals as good as it gets with a volley of spells and magical weapons they beat the demon back. Realizing it's possibly on the losing end of the battle, but as it retains the initiative for the moment - it gates in two more demons while it escapes behind them. Apparently not as concerned about the party as the one that summoned them, the first demon takes more notice of the guards that the party, and wading into the panic'd troops starts a skilling spree with nasty swipes of its tail. The second demon leaps forward with a snarl engages in what sees like gleeful melee combat with the party. Their spells exhausted - the entire party gathers at the base of the stairway, backs to each other, and with a war cry from Ragnum forms a shield wall to ward off the second demons attack. Taking a moment to contemplate how to best help their beleaguered troops on the other side of the tower the party feels a shockwave as the main doorway explodes inwardly sending debris scattering across the floor. A shadowy figure can just barely be seen through the swirling mist and smoke of the former doorway...
Experience
Milestone 1700 - Making it to Bexley, learning more about the Barons buildup and threats to the realm. Party Experience
Treasure
Major NPC's
Oleme Gilren Member of the Red Company