Sequence of Events
The session launched right into the heat of battle where the group faced off against a swarm of poisonous Centipedes. Gassi got a taste of the insects’ poison but managed to withstand the worst effects thanks to a strong constitution. Nym, in an attempt to score “cool points,” tried to catch a rock thrown by Zogg to sling it further, but the laws of physics and the dice gods had other plans, and the rock flew completely off course. Aurelio, on the other hand, was mostly worried about dirtying his new armor but still managed to contribute to the fight with his torch/club.
After defeating the vermin, the party discovered a camp with a dead elf. It was a morbid sight; the man had died with his trousers around his knees and a Small Shovel in hand—obviously in the middle of a toilet visit. The cause of death, however, appeared to be a large tree branch that had fallen on him. This led to a long and philosophical debate regarding ethics and morality. Aurelio, ever the gentleman, insisted on pulling up the corpse’s pants to preserve the man’s dignity (“Do you want to lie dead with your bare butt?”). Meanwhile, the group was quick to loot; they seized the man’s goods and, most importantly, the small shovel which was quickly renamed The Shit Shovel (Skitskyffeln) in the inventory. “Everyone shits except the dead,” reasoned Nym, and the shovel went to the living.
Among the belongings, Aurelio also found a Wrapped Poetry Book containing dried flowers. They decided to hitch the man’s handcart to their own wagon and take it along, rather than leaving it to the forest.
The journey continued north toward The Medicine Woman’s Hut. The tranquility didn’t last long before the road was blocked by two massive Spider Swarms. Aurelio tried to squash them with his shield, while Zogg and Nym used magic and fire to disperse the creepers. It was a battle not only against arachnids but also against the web of reality (technical issues), yet the heroes stood tall. The session was defined by discussions about Brevoj, diplomacy, and the fact that no one really knows what Nym‘s last name is.
Great Mysteries & Clues
- The Dead Elf: Who was the merchant, really? Was the fallen branch an accident, or is there something more sinister behind the “tree attack”?
- The Burial Ground: The group is aware that there is a Nameless Burial Ground (No Man’s Burial Grounds) to the east. Will they head there to give the elf a dignified rest?
- The Medicine Woman: What awaits them in the hut they are heading toward? Is she a friend or a new threat?
- Identities: It was revealed that Aurelio is titled (“Sir”) and has connections to the court in Brevoj, but Nym‘s background and surname remain shrouded in mystery.
Cliffhanger
With the spider swarms dispersed and the storm of technical problems subsided, the group stands once again on the road north. The wagon is laden heavier with both stolen goods and the memory of a dead merchant. Ahead of them awaits The Medicine Woman’s Hut, and the question is whether they will find a cure or new dangers within. Darkness is falling, and the forest is far from silent…