Sequence of Events
The group realized they needed a new password to gain entry to the Stag Lord’s Fort, as the old one had likely expired. The hunt for a living bandit to interrogate began with a walk that, thanks to Aurelio‘s sense of direction, mostly went in circles until they finally found tracks. The tracks led to a rocky terrain where Gassi, instead of climbing, conjured an enormous magic staircase (level 2!) that allowed the group to comfortably reach a strategic vantage point above a bandit camp.
Down there waited not only bandits but also a terrifying Bismatic Ogre. Zogg opened by casting a spell that caused the giant Ogre to collapse into an uncontrolled fit of laughter, which made the battle significantly easier. Aurelio and Nym cleaned up the foot soldiers while Linzi contributed with inspiring murderousness. After the battle, the group found some loot, including a finely forged silver mace that Aurelio immediately claimed.
The most important moment, however, came during the interrogation of the sole surviving bandit. While Zogg scared the life out of the prisoner by eating meat in a particularly unpleasant manner and threatening with fire, Gassi played “good cop.” The tactic succeeded, and the bandit revealed the password: “Mariana” (The answer to the question “Who goes there?”).
The group later encountered a group of zombies at the palisade. Aurelio enthusiastically tested his new silver weapon, convinced that “undead hate silver,” but learned the hard way that zombies apparently don’t care about the denomination of the metal. Gassi had to step in with healing magic.
With this information, the group marched straight up to the Stag Lord’s Fort. The password worked! They were let in and led to a large hall where bandits sat playing cards. But the bluff didn’t last long. When Gassi pointed out a specific, dangerous man among the bandits and ordered them to surrender, chaos broke out. Tables tipped over, weapons were drawn, and Zogg was brusquely thrown across the room by the mysterious, strong bandit.
Great Mysteries & Clues
- The Strong Bandit: Who is the man inside the fort who seems significantly more dangerous and competent than the other bandits? He tossed Zogg around like a rag doll. Is this the traitor Kesten spoke of, or some other high-ranking lieutenant?
- The Monster in the Cage: At the far end of the hall, there is a large portcullis. Someone is desperately trying to open it during the fight, and Linzi notes that the sound of the lung capacity from within suggests something enormous.
Cliffhanger
The battle rages inside the fort’s main building. The group is surrounded by bandits interrupted in their card game, and the Stag Lord himself has just made an entrance and approached the group! While Zogg tries to recover from his flight, the heavy portcullis at the end of the room slowly slides up. A dark roar and the sound of heavy claws against stone echo out. Something big, hungry, and not human is about to join the party.