2012-10-08
Part of the Story So Far.
Having avenged the death of Keldren, the party left Storinth, continuing on their way to Eathe.
A few days into the journey they spotted a pillar of smoke, and Brannock Genji mounted atop the trusty Bhetsy, flew ahead to investigate. He discovered several overturned caravans, one of which was on fire, but no signs of any survivors of an attack. It was quickly decided that the party would see if there was anyone who needed their help, and on approaching the wreckage the carriage was left behind with Bill and Ben minding it while our brave heroes searched for clues.
While searching one of the overturned carriages with Ulfgar Firehands, Brannock Genji discovered a piece of parchment on to of a crate, and immediately exited the vehicle, pausing only to grab a chunk of spiced sausage while calling out to Tyrus that there was some sort of note. The Cleric entered the caravan and on seeing the parchment picked it up to examine it.
The blast caused by the Explosive Runes spell left Ulfgar Firehands feeling significantly worse for wear, and Tyrus himself did not get away lightly. The air was filled with goblinoid screeching as the raiding party who had previously been hidden off the road came charging towards our brave heroes. Initial relief at an absence of goblin shamans was immediately shown to be unfounded as three shamans became visible around the trap. Then goblin shamans de-cloaked and joined the fray, covering the Carriage containing Ulfgar Firehands and Tyrus with magical webs and then igniting them. Luckily for Ulfgar Firehands he had the forethought to cast Resist Energy which left the flames ineffectually lapping at his skin without causing damage.
In the end the party was victorious, in no small part due to Brannock's habit of swinging his Dwarven Waraxe so hard that it would pass through more than one of the vicious creatures in one blow, and on examination of the gear the Goblins were wearing spotted several instances of a strange sigil.
Brannock Genji asked Ulfgar Firehands whether he'd ever heard of the Azers, and apparently he wasn't very familiar with them. Brannock commented that seeing Ulfgar standing wreathed in flames reminded him very much of them, a sub-race of Dwarves with a strong connection to the element of fire. He explained that they are also strongly tied into why Brannock fell into work as a mercenary. A large number of the slaves that his family kept were [Azers]], and it was trying to free them that earned him the brand "Traitor" across one half of his face. Ulfgar was left rather speechless, but commented that this gave him a lot to think about.
Searching through the belongings of one of the goblin shamans, Gerrant found a prism of pink stone and asked Tyrus what it might be. The Cleric examined it thoughtfully then held it up and released it, sending it orbiting around his head, which excited Gerrant as he assumed (correctly) that he had found a magical item. Tyrus advised that he recognised it as an Ioun Stone, though the knowledge of creating these particular items was lost generations ago. Gerrant asked for the stone back but Tyrus advised that he wanted to hold onto it until he could identify the effects.
It was about this time that Gerrant and Sero Flek noticed a Spider Eater in flight in the far distance off to the West, it was flying due South. As they considered this mystery the party checked the fallen goblins for signs of life and found that two were unconscious but alive. They dragged them together and began to consider the questions they would ask when their vanquished attackers woke up...
