In reply to DM (msg # 329):
OOC: The following one-shot occurred IRL last week, and is considered to be IC knowledge
The P.A.R.T.Y. -- minus Keef, Ivy, Glenn, and Cassie, who disguised themselves as animals in order to slip off and explore a building entitled 'Lion Menagerie' -- arrives at the Council without incident, and is immediately dragged before the triumvirate of speakers present at the head table. A heated back-and-forth takes place concerning what (or who) the Fairtheora might be, with Boreas pleading ignorance at every turn.
Eventually, the Council relents and reveals its true purpose for summoning the P.A.R.T.Y.
"We've been plagued by a rash of robberies lately," one of the speakers says. "Human bandits have grown more bold now that our attention is fixated on the encroaching treefolk. It's common knowledge that we've been assembling an artifact of considerable power to end this war once and for all, but the last piece was stolen in a raid that took place just yesterday."
The Councilor narrows his eyes.
"These thieves did not get away cleanly, however; one of our warriors followed them to their den, but was unable to pursue them further. He returned to us for reinforcements... and I dare say I'm looking at them now. Retrieve the missing shard -- the Thorn of the Sea -- and we will give you the empowered symbol of Le'lothriel you seek."
The aforementioned elven warrior, a surprisingly sturdy fellow named Laen, leads to P.A.R.T.Y. to a small grotto to the northeast, in which they find the bandits in question and plenty of loot to go around. On their way back, they are attacked by a demonic creature seeking the Thorn of the Sea, as well. An invisible man was trailing the demon, and also asked for the Thorn of the Sea.
Battle ensued, in which Zuriel was nearly slaughtered by the horrible demon. (Un?)fortunately, the paladin survived and the threats were soundly crushed beneath the iron heel of justice.
Ultimately, three of the five bandits were killed (one escaped prior to battle, one escaped during battle), a demonic creature was killed, and a fifth would-be seeker of the Thorn (not the same as the escaped bandit) was captured and dragged back to the Council. The bandits also had a pet dire panther named Fluffums, who was freed and tailed the P.A.R.T.Y. at some distance the entire way back to the village. He likely lurks nearby even now.
quote:
Recovered items:
- 1x Thorn of the Sea
- $18,000
- 3x Unstable Potions of Flying
- 24x Doses of Magical Kelp (Breath Underwater + Freedom in Water, 1 hour/dose)
- 1x human prisoner
- 1x +1 longsword
- 5x Unidentified Items
-- tarnished copper ring
-- spiked choke collar
-- pair of metal kneepads
-- foul-smelling lumpy sponge
-- cask welded shut by an iron stopper laced with runes
Recovered knowledge:
- Fey'driel is much larger than the map you have of it indicates
- Everyone seems to want this Thorn of the Seas: the humans, OSA, demons, the elves, and the treefolk. It is unknown how the centaur, beasts, or faeries feel about it.
Keef, Cassie, Glenn, and Ivy rush out of the village to greet the P.A.R.T.Y. as it approaches the village's gates, laden with the loot recovered from the bandits and towing a rather unwilling prisoner behind them.
[
Private to Keef: Gain 2 free ranks of Knowledge: Planes from your time in the menagerie.]
"I shall go on ahead to tell the council about our victory," your guide, Laen, says stiffly. "They shall be eager to see you, so make haste to follow."
The P.A.R.T.Y. watches Laen amble off, pausing to glance at one another. After all, there had been some debate about whether to give the Council the Thorn of the Sea or not... and the presence of Laen precluded conversations about it up 'til now.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:19, Tue 09 Sept 2014.