Rounding out their most recent adventure, our heroes took a pause from the arena and worked more directly for the Guild. While awaiting word from the Tusks on the nature of the derangement happening in nature (research the party enabled by delivering remains of crazed monsters), First Quill Qwand decided to be proactive. Offering the heroes significant renown and reward, Qwand relayed that word had reached the Guild of a new drug in the city specifically being marketed to mages, and a cult of unknown origin but decidedly evil nature was peddling it. Qwand critically wanted a sample of the drug for testing, and if possible the dealer captured (or killed, if capture proves impossible). A dealer was known to be operating in an area called the Wizards Pleasaunce, a park across the Bridge of Size from the Mage Guild.
Our party took careful plan: splitting up around the park, they scouted the area. A few tough looking characters were enjoying drinks around a makeshift fire, what seemed a romantic couple were enjoying each other's company under a tree, and a small gnome was enjoying making pretty lights with cantrip magic. Varis hid himself behind a central tree, and Thyrsus flew into said tree to also hide...a bit. The occasional crunch of his favored snack, a pine cone, betrayed his presence. The tough characters were fascinated, but still just enjoying their fire. The party split up between various bars in the area, and Cade showed he was more than a spinning blade of electrical death, casting a spell to make himself look like a ragged human. After waiting (and a few missteps trying to investigate the park), Cade saw a human in mage robes, accompanied closely by what clearly seemed a bodyguard. The 'mage' approached the gnome, accepted some coin, and pat him on the back, causing the gnome to wince in pain, then clearly relax in pleasure. Cade played his part, and was approached by the suspected dealer, "Ton Massa". Ton offered an amazing experience at a cheap, introductory price, and Cade accepted. Rolling up Cade's sleeve, Ton held his hand to the inside of Cade's arm, and a long barb shot out, stabbing Cade, causing instant heat and pain. Almost instantly, Cade felt the world come into bright focus (almost painfully bright in some light sources), and a very dry, thirsty feeling. Literally feeling smarter and with a stronger sense of self, Cade was amazed at the feeling (possibly TOO amazed at the feeling...) Things quickly escalated. Communicating magically, the group was aware of of Cade's actions, the arrival of Ton Massa, and raising suspicions. The party quickly pressed attacks, almost instantly slaying Ton's bodyguard. The pair enjoying the fire quickly drew weapons, revealing themselves as hired extra muscle planted to protect Ton. The lovers quickly ran, and the gnome just enjoyed the pretty lights (being rather out of his mind at the time). Amidst furious battle, and the rapidly clear picture that our party was too much for Ton and his guards, Ton abruptly cast a spell, vanishing from the field. Unwilling to abandon their prey so quickly, Cade rushed forward and tackled the place Ton had occupied, and managed to land on the invisible mage. As the party cleared out the remaining guards (with one in full terror running away), Noggal rushed to help cade, binding the invisible mage in rope as best he can. Nymeria proved herself a capable offensive spellcaster again, and Varis silenced the mage (who was forced into visibility by the struggle). Ton, smiling, and uttering a curse in a language none struggling with him could understand, suddenly sustained an injury without obvious source. A spine of bone exploded from his neck, instantly killing him. Cade found himself grappling with a terrifying giant eel that had been hiding under Ton's robe, holding it by the neck, as the unknown length of the eel remained inside Ton's robe. Varis rushed to the body of Ton, and with the magic of Deep Sashelas, healed the neck wound, and returned Ton to consciousness. This leaves our party in a complex situation, however. Ton and his Eel 'familiar' (that doesn't seem to behave as a normal familiar) are both gravely injured, at the brink of unconsciousness, but Ton, at least, seems ready to take his own life to prevent capture, and without knowing the nature of the Eel, the party cannot predict what it will do next: Cade wrestles an Eel he cannot gauge the size of (and may have another problem now, having taken the drug). Varis has stabilized the dying Ton, but unless the party moves quickly, Ton will simply kill himself again. They SEEM to have accomplished their mission, but action will resume quickly when next we meet... ...and a strange party of adventurers has been seen approaching the city, apparently headed towards the Guild... ...and a hooded figure on a strange horse, being guarded by a dangerous looking party, is also headed towards the Guild... ...and, out of nowhere, a new tavern had appeared in New Adtham. Literally, it just appeared: wasn't there one day, was there the next... What happens next? Where will our heroes journey take them next? Stay tuned for the next adventure in the NEW ADTHAM TIMES: 'the truth shall make ye fret'
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Crider's CampaignThe journey of a first time DM in season 2 of the Casual Gamer ArchivesCategories |