Dramatis Personae
Alizander - Human (Varisian) sorcerer
Carlos Santiago - Half-orc (Alkenstarian) wizard
Croso Galen - Human fighter
Nagiphax - Cyclops-kin rogue
Orem "The Ser" Galt - Human (Chelish/Kellid) fighter (formerly in the service of Iomedae)
Slavé - Tiefling (appears human) rogue
Tavo - Human cleric of Pharasma
Vaeden Corleone - Human rogue
Sunday, 8 Rova, 4708 A.R.
The party continues through the sewers of Westcrown, following the faded path illuminated by the marks left by Janiven and Arael and moving in a generally southwest direction, according to Alizander’s wayfinder. A few hundred feet down the maze of passageways, the party enters a large junction with a number of tunnels and sewage channels running into it. Several members hear the telltale skittering legs of torbles before eight of the gelatinous, vermin-like creatures come into view. Nagiphax gives a fearsome shout and waves her arms at the torbles, stunning them into quivering uncertainty. Four of them scuttle away, while the other four are joined by more torbles from behind and merge into a rolling swarm of acidic ooze bugs. Meanwhile, three undead skeletons rise from the sewage and attack with rusty scimitars. A battle ensues, the skeletons mindlessly swinging their swords, the torble swarm rolling over everything in its path. Vaeden and Alesandre are overrun by the swarm and tumble into the sewage channel while trying to remove the biting, acidic creatures. Tavo commands one of the skeletons to attack the other undead, and Orem and Corso attack the uncontrolled skeletons. Carlos attempts to slow the swarm with a force missile, while Slavé and Janiven protect Morosino and manage to burn the torbles with a well-placed oil lantern and thrown torch. Alesandre, once out of the sewage, makes a desperate manoeuvre by jumping into the torbles and casting a shocking grasp spell, jolting the swarm and ending its attack.
The party quickly moves on, and Tavo sends the commanded skeleton to draw out any enemies ahead of the group. The party avoids an encounter with a mysterious creature in a side passage, something Vaeden believes might be something called a gibbering mouther from the faint muttering sounds echoing down the passage. Finally, the group arrives at the exit indicated by Janiven’s and Arael’s mark, and manage to escape the sewer. The party moves quickly down the alley, which grows dark as dusk turns to night, and enters an old temple to Aroden that appears to be abandoned. Slavé, however, takes his leave and heads back to the dottari guardpost in the Adventurers’ Quarter, staying to the lit streets in order to avoid the ever-present shadow beasts that stalk the streets of Westcrown.
Back at the dottari guardpost in the Adventurers’ Quarter, Slavé finds his contact in the Order of Scourge, Pontia Runario, and learns from her that Arael, the half-elf cleric of Iomedae, was captured by the dottari earlier that afternoon. The dottari have agreed to transfer Arael to the custody of the Hellknight Order of the Rack, who plan to move Arael in an armoured wagon from Westcrown to Citadel Ravid the following day. Pontia indicates that it is well-known that there are groups of bandits operating in greater numbers within and outside of Westcrown, and that she feels the criminal element within the city is becoming more brazen. Perhaps by infiltrating a group like the one led by Janiven and Arael, Slavé will be able to get closer to and be able to expose the more dangerous and organized criminals operating in the city. She tasks Slavé with continuing his investigation into Janiven’s and Arael’s organization, and then takes her leave.
Meanwhile, within the temple to Aroden (which has clearly been in use for some time, despite its decrepit exterior) is a group of people that Janiven introduces as the Children of Westcrown. At least, she explains, that is one of the names they have been calling themselves. Several of the members are familiar to the party from the Adventurers’ Quarter. The party talks to the Children of Westcrown for a time, most of whom are inexperienced citizens of Westcrown who seek to make changes for the better in the city. Arael’s capture by the dottari is discussed, and the party agrees to assist in rescuing him from the dottari. Meanwhile, the party becomes quite involved in the discussion of bringing about change in Westcrown and doing something about the tyranny of the House of Thrune and the local government. A new name is chosen for the group – The Returners – and the members agree to identify themselves with a white armband featuring a stylized ‘R’ in red.
Experience Awards
