Festival of Merit

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Some of them are walking a bit slow after all those pies, so they’re not going far. The riddle table is closest. Jonas steps forward from the group, I thought sure one of the others would want to do this one. He studies the box, and doesn’t even get a shock, picking the right key the first time. Ugh, boring. Guesses the moon riddle right off. Takes a bit of time on the bottles, but gets that one right, too. I guess that “proper” upbringing taught him enough doublespeak to understand riddles.

They’re headed to the Maze now. All the little gnomes take their turns. The metal one doesn’t make it, though it is a bit sneaky, and doesn’t get caught the first time. Did Jonas just bribe the judge? Strange, the little guy already lost. Ah well, even exiled nobles have more money than sense.

Down to the river to go swimming with the sharks now. Looks like the traitor is getting volunteered. At least fighting over here has put some meat on those bones. Getting stronger every day, and not a bad swimmer either. Though that genasi girl is keeping up. Did… did he just puke? Oh man, that orc swam right into it. And he got the spear. Quite a scrum up there. And here come the sharks. That orc is just done and out. Looks like that goblin might be done for, too. The traitor just leaves him behind. The genasi tries to keep up, but… Yes, I think he just used his echo to teleport. Wow, he’s really learning to control it! The traitor wins, and everyone rushes to save the dying goblin. Should have just let the failure die, he can’t even fight a shark.

They’re headed for the young tortoises, now. This oughta be good, some of them are snack-sized. There’s that genasi girl again, might have to have a chat with her. Everybody, even the fancy-pants drow mount up on tortoises. Guess I should grab one too, if I’m going to keep up and not get trampled. This isn’t so bad. Oh, the freaky gnome just fell off trying to get out the gate. He caught up, but the other little freak just fell off hers. Seems she made it mad, maybe kicked it in the eye on the way down or something. It is not interested in moving anymore. The lead herder had to go back and help her. I like this tortoises. Completely impractical in battle, though.

Back into town we go, they’re headed for the final game – arm wrestling. The hobgob made a good show, but the traitor nearly bested all three soldiers! None of the others even came close. I best be careful, he’s definitely getting stronger. Maybe I can join the genasi’s team, keep an eye on things. They’re headed to the temple, I guess I’ll go find her now.

Success. The final is a head-to-head event, and Ayo’s Crew looks strong to compete, and given the numbers difference, it was easy to get her to let me in. Glasariad seems interested in what I know about the others, as well. As I thought, Ayo and the “noble fragments” are the chosen teams. An underwater race for a prize.

An octopus? Who sends folk into an octopus den without warning!? The rest wasn’t so bad, and the sharks were nearly dead by the time we caught up with the fragments. The hobgob looked like he’d been bitten in half though. Dermot helped heal him back up. Ugh, I don’t know about this group. At least we go the kills. No amulet? Where’s the prize? Dammit, they got it before killing the shark. Another cave, though, another amulet. The traitor grabs it, of course. The fragments all fall unconscious and there’s a weird voice! Ayo won’t let us take the amulets from them. Not sportsmanlike. Ugh! Calm, must be calm. A vision? Hmm…

Cheers and gold for the victors, but they’re not even going to keep it? Feed and water the whole town? Amateurs, but I’ll drink on their coin. After I convince Ayo that we should find out what they know. Galsariad doesn’t take much convincing. A powerful artifact that gives visions? He’s already in.

In the morning, that elder talks to the fragments. Something about Bazzoxan, and a Vestige. Ayo is now all in. She’s ready to invite herself right along with the fragments, and they’re surprisingly up for sharing their glory. But they want to stay in town to help clean up and get supplies? Ayo is not about that. I guess I can let them out of my sight for now, they’ll catch up in Bazzoxan, and if he dies before he gets there. Well, I’ll get to go home with a good report.

~FS

On the Road Again

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What’s this? The traitor and the locals are headed to the Cuddly Snake Inn? Are they going to turn the little thief in or run the bounty out of town? I know what I’d do. They’re not even talking to her? Ugh! Oh, there we go, she’s giving them another poster and the hobgob is nodding. I don’t think they’re going to do it. How boring!

Back to the Take. What are they Doing in there? I hate boarded up windows. Gathering up the horses now. I think that goblin’s probably the little thief, or maybe it’s the walking goblin, never can tell with magic. They’re skipping town? Cowards!

What? Why are they going to the off road? Walking, along the river? Just take a boat if you’re not going to take the roads. Gotta be careful, stay far enough back. At least there’s only two horses so they can’t outpace me. I should have packed better, no telling how far they’re going.

Toads? They’re on the riverbanks because of toads? If I hiked all the way out here just to watch them kill some freakish toads!! Oh, what’s this? It worked?? He just… he made an echo! It looks a little small, though. But it is an echo! Oh, they’ll be so thrilled! And it’s gone. That wasn’t much of an echo. Now they’re cutting out the tongues and chopping off legs. Well, gotta eat something in this wasteland, I suppose. Maybe I can get some of the leftovers when they move on.

Ugh, so boring, but at least they’re still heading north and I didn’t waste my time. Not a simple hunt, they must be running for sure. It’s just a little gnome and dwarf, they could have taken them. Dynasty cowards.

Lighting a campfire at night? In this wasteland. That’s just asking for trouble, and it looks like trouble has come calling. Fortunate that they passed by me first. Keys? they’re looking for keys. Good job I didn’t have any, I guess. Oh, of course, now they’re fighting. I guess the hobgob doesn’t like unhinged cultists talking at him. Guy didn’t even move forward. Shot him anyway. Another echo! This one’s big! Hasn’t quite got it down right, but it’s fighting without him being outside his tent with it. That’s some control at least. They were harmless, well, for monsters. Two down, and three running away.

Spooky little gobbo keeps pointing at the hobgob, I guess he has keys. The Many? What are they even talking about? And why? Just kill them and be done with it, you start a fight, you finish it. He’s just babbling about keys and prisons and going away. That drow fellow is far too reasonable. They didn’t even kill the orc they downed. Put his own friend on the fire, well, I suppose he was mostly burned up already. Note: don’t make the creepy gnome mad, he shoots sticky fire. Now they’re talking religion and redemption?! And off the crazies go, into the night. Easy prey, but not worth the trouble.

Finally! A town! Map says Jigow. Interesting place. Houses on stilts, major trade hub it looks like by the amount of docks. Bet they’re happy the toads are dead. A festival, eh? This could be interesting. Easy to stay out of sight in the crowds. He is such a rube, can’t he see those goblins are just getting him to do their harvesting? Who can do it fastest? You probably, but you’ve convince all these folk to do it for you. Nice grift. Pie eating contest? Of course he going to stuff himself now. Hobgob won, tied with another human, and a halfling. Pathetic.

Wonder what else they’ll get up to, that swim in the river looks a bit dangerous, I swear I saw a shark fin.

~FS

Candy and Cultists

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They were gone such a long time, I should have followed them. Hard to do when your quarry is literally hunting. Just be patient, she tells me, it’s just a hunt, can’t follow them in the wastes, can I? But they all made it back, the whole blasted pack of them.

Shopping again. What IS their fascination with that strange little man and his junk shop? I was in there once, and he has a ring that will literally Kill You if you get knocked out. Ilse thinks it’s a good idea, but No Way, I’m not dying just because I trip and hit my head after a night out drinking in this godsforsaken waste.

The little traitors are really on a shopping roll today, but everyone else is arguing about taking a group name! For Hours! They argued about it All Over Town! Seven Seekers, WOLVERINE, Folly’s Hammer, The Bold and the Beautiful??? The littlest traitor keeps shooting down every idea they have. The tall fancy drow wants something his mother would be proud to hear. Ugh! Jonas seems stuck on WOLVERINE for some reason. It’s definitely capitalized by the way he’s saying it. No one else likes it though, thank the gods. Noble Fragments? Well they certainly have a fragmenting noble with them. That’ll make writing reports easier at least.

Finally back in for the night, wish I could get inside. Oh, the littlest traitor is out to the stables, maybe she’ll have something interesting. No, just some sick little gobbo. Good! She’s getting the metal one, can automatons be traitors? They usually just have programming. Maybe we could fix it. Kid seems better though, off and running, and everyone’s in for the night. Or not. The local boy’s off to his brothers’ for the night, asks them about sick kids – poison. Well, now that’s interesting.

The little traitors are up and out early today, best wait for Jonas. He’s with the drow and the waste girl today. They go to talk to the priests and some healers, asking about the kid, or is it kids? Poison again, visions of horrible tentacle monsters. Well, that’s just creepy. Down to the Creets and now they’re talking to children. Taking candy from strangers? Who Does that? Now they’re talking to an old Hag fortune teller. I can’t really hear her, thick mud walls and all. The rest of the folk arrive and he fills them in – an old gnoll preacher who is here on weekends. Well, I guess that’s why they take it. Local boy wants to go to the guard and heads off, but everyone else just goes back home. Well, except the littlest traitor – she’s down with the Crazy Harpy. Not really a harpy, I think she’s a Draconian survivor, actually.

So boring over the next few days. They stay home and train or read or whatever the hell they do inside there. Until it’s finally the weekend. I almost missed them Saturday. Up so early and heading right back for the Luxon’s Favor. Hiding around the space. The little traitors turning into gobbo folk, the autognome heading in to have his fortune read. Jonas and the Drow wait in a side street while the other locals hide up in the alleys.

Here comes their target – a ragged old gnoll, tattered robed, sundered chain shirt, a drooling mess. “A Vision to Change the World, A Purpose for Everyone” and “Destruction is coming, stand safe with Them” “Through Unification we can live forever” and “Some who wander, Are lost. We can help you find your way.” You can tell this is the extent of his common, clearly memorized sounds not words. Jonas and the Drow approach him and he hands them flyers. The silly sot tries to talk to him, but he has no clue what he’s saying. Seems to understand the preacher at least, if not able to speak his language. Looks like a lot of growling and spittle from here, but he stands it. Jonas just stares uncomprehending. Why am I even following this simpleton? “No, I don’t want to eat the children.” Wait, what? What are they talking about. Oh, he’s trying to figure out how to join this guy’s cult. It doesn’t seem to be going well. The gnoll gives him a bunch of candy, though, and they walk away.

Guards? They were waiting on guards? This guy is poisoning kids and recruiting to some weird cult and they’re talking to guards? Ugh! I’d kill him myself if we were home. Look, see, he’s running now. What did you think was going to happen? Jonas is FLYING? What? How? OH! Ouch! Headfirst into a mud hut. Moron, I tell you. Oh, well, the locals caught him at least, beat him up good, but he looks like he’s still breathing. Shame. They’ll probably kill him anyway, all legal like.

Oh! What’s this? The littlest traitor has a price on her head? 100g? Eh, not really worth it unless she goes wandering down to the Harpy on her own again. Easy money. Damn, the drow noticed, now they’ll probably keep a closer eye on her. Oh well, stay on mission. Watch the traitor and Report.

~FS

An Old Friend

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It was so good to see Jonas, but I worry about the boy. On the run from his own family? That’s no way to live. Well, he’s Take family now, and glad to see he’s doing so well here. He has quite the group around him, too. Warriors, a decent bard, even a set of strange gnomish folk. Never seen the like myself.

Mother Sagku says they are progressing nicely, Jonas is turning to the light, too. Perhaps that will help him. I cannot believe those Assembly bastards tried to force Echo magic on him. With no proper training! I hope Jumzah can guide him more appropriately.

They sure are making a reputation around town. I saw Gnamboll taking them excitedly below, I hope they’re careful what they buy down there. Most of the previous owners of Gnamboll’s things ended up worse for wear if not dead. I visited Shaksa, and she mentioned they’d been by there, as well. Shaksa’s potions are always an interesting time, hopefully they got the good ones. Rajot said Shak’Nul wants to make a deal with the Ugly Anvil for a discount, but I don’t know if Rajot’s greed or paranoia will allow it.

And off they’ve flown after some Shadow Mastiffs this time. I hope they come back safe.

~Slayer Patrin Yarastin VaSuun

Choices and Consequences

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Let’s see how our new crew is doing, shall we?

They seem to be getting on well in Asarius, meeting all the various shopkeepers. Oh, I do so enjoy looking in on Gnamboll’s Grand Galleria, that little man has quite the collection. Good to see Zyn is doing well, alchemy and enchanting keep her in good stead. Filx and Flihiz are adorable as ever, I see a few more shelves have tumbled since we last looked. Oh, that little Undek is quite exuberant, I hope he follows his brother to us some day. Hot young blood is always welcome.

Two contracts at once? Well, they are ambitious. Those Skulks will be quite the handful, but how are the planning on getting the cubs I wonder?

Good, careful planning on their approach of the farmstead. Candles lit, but still quiet. A good first attack, but oh, here come the rest. Nice try with the faerie fire, Kai’Osh, but they’re fast folk. Harvest a little faster, my friends, they’re melting away. Oh, dear, they’re starting to fall. That little autognome has got his work cut out for him. Almost, so close. Oh good. They’ve managed them all. Some slips of that axe, though, quite unfortunate harvesting. Good, looking around, making sure it’s all clear. Thorough, we like that.

Oh the Sorrowseep Marsh, it’s so dreary down there. These fine folk don’t seem bothered though. The dear boy helping the little ones through the muck and mire. They’re moving quite quickly for a swamp. Seems almost like they know where they’re going. Not a bad day’s tracking.

What’s this? Music to tame the wild beasts? And why not, it’s quite a lovely beat. Oh, and it worked, good job Kai’Osh. He has gotten them all under his spell. Someone to keep a closer eye on, a young man with all that power. Food and song, yes, the way to anyone’s heart. Ah, but it is night, and they don’t want to leave. I wonder how long he can keep up that song?

It’s quiet this morning, that could spell danger. Oh, but they awaken first, and the song begins again. That poor man’s hands have got to be raw. Breakfast makes everyone happy and out into the sun. The rest of the group has been restless all night, swords and bows in hand, but he calls them up. The pack is wary, but it seems to be play time for the young ones. Urzutha and Kai’Osh seem to be trying to lead various moorbounders out of the clearing, but not too successfully.

Oh my, they’ve realized the conundrum. Discussing killing this family to steal their babies. Or just injuring them badly enough. They really should have thought this through. Poison? They’re talking… oh… sleeping poison. Put them all to sleep and steal the cubs. Well, that’s one way to go. Hopefully nothing comes upon the den while the family is out cold.

Oh, look at them run now. Running all the way home. This group is one worth watching.

~Osysa