GOLD Fever

 

3rd of Reaping, High Summer

The Fellowship look into a large cavern with a flowing river of gold. This is still being mined by the BlackRunes. The temperature is searing hot, even standing at the doorway and the adventurers are getting burned, armour heating up and more. The Fellowship recall some type of magic was at play previously to affect room temperature. No longer it seems. [DM BlogPost]. The entranceway the party looks through appears to be partially blocked with blocks of stone and two cracked and broken large doors lying on the ground. 

Scanning the room, the complex has changed since the party previously were here. New mining carts with tracks are still in use to transport the liquid gold. It is still being bucketed out of the river. Now though, into mining carts along a track and then over a bridge. The area has been excavated and cleared out further by the BlackRunes. On the far bank a camp area near where the mining cart track exits the cavern. There is a shimmering blue glow around the camp, a number of tents have been erected with bustling activity all around. The majority of figures in camp and around the cavern are dwarf-sized, all  wear what appears to be blue and silver full metal plate armour. A giant sized figure similarly suited up stands on a tower overlooking the molten river. Two smaller figures - man-sized confer with the giant. 

The one difference noted is figures in the camp area under the blue shimmering dome wear standard clothing. Some in short sleeves walking around the camp working or resting and eating.

There appears to be some type of excavation into a ruin, steps lead down amongst some pillars. A sarcophagus sits nearby with a skeleton on top of it as well as what appear to be relics being looked at by a female tiefling with black skin wearing a white shirt, red leather vest and tanned leggings.

The party decide to do a covert mission to fill a Box of Holding with liquid gold. Gothi steps up for this mission making herself invisible. Moving out towards the river the heat is nearly unbearable even for the Foreclaimer whom is resistant to heat. Striving forward she notes one of the nearly full mining carts with liquid gold. Better plan, she takes the box and dips it into the cart. The extra dimensional space fills while the cart slowly empties!

One of the workers comes by and notes the level of gold has gone down.. and then is going down! Raising an alarm, Gothi with burning - gold covered fingers retreats into the passage, very thankful for the still hot but much cooler air. The rest of the party had retreated down the passage. Six bolts of energy slam into Gothi as she retreats. A floating wizard has come out from the camp area and appears to be able to see invisible creatures.

Fighting a slow retreat as more and more BlackRunes start to come down the passage the party destroy many and then block the passage with magic Spike Growth from Gothi and Wall of Stone from Graxxuzazz. These amongst the deadly attacks from the Fellowship stop and delay the BlackRunes.

Injured and tired the party comes to the crossroads. One route back to the inn - the way they had come - or the other down into the old dwarven city. Both options had pros and cons but in the end the decision
was to go back to the inn. As they moved the reptoids again attacked the Fellowship. Coming out of multiple holes in the walls and ceiling. The
creatures were not tough, but in a swarm could be deadly. Wearing down the party, the continued attacks were bothersome. Area effect spells and ranged attacks from the party decimate the reptoids until they once again retreat into the holes in walls and ceiling. Just glinting eyes peeking out at times.

Arriving at the large chasm, Graxxuzazz draws on his sorcerous magic again to create a wall of stone. Chittering and clicking echoes through the chamber. The creatures are frustrated and hungry. One wonders how big their hive has become in the old dwarven city even though the matriarch had was killed by the Fellowship. Perhaps a new leader was once again in charge, spreading further and further from the ancient underground fortress city ruins..

This time though making a bridge across the chasm to avoid the multitude of holes around the cavern - eyes of many reptoids glinting in the torchlight. The stone bridge forms and the party, one by one cross over successfully. 

Then the rotund but athletic lizardfolk snaps his clawed fingers and the stone bridge vanishes again. 

The Fellowship move on, leaving the reptoids and the BlackRunes behind. Both no doubt frustrated - once again at being out-maneuvered by the heroes!

The Fellowship had other plans and decisions now..:

• Go to Greyhawk? 
• Go to Fax? Multiple tasks/quests
• Where is their flying tower..?
• Go to Wayberry? Recently re-captured by Overlord Romack's forces

In the end, the party decide on travelling to Wayberry. Hoping.. praying.. that the teleportation circle in the Guild of Arcane Lore was still operational.

Graxxuzazz invokes the spell and a portal forms in front of him. It appears to be operational!

Stepping through, each adventurer disappear from Enstad.. and appear in a circular room with no exit. A single. The Guild of Arcane Lore. Appears to still be intact. Graxxuzazz is able to teleport out of the chamber as a member of the guild. Unfortunately the rest of the Fellowship are not - do not have the amulet given to all members upon joining. Stepping into a circle glyph covered stones, the sorcerer vanishes and starts to search for a way to release his friends as well. It appears now though the guild is in ruin, no members walk the long hallowed halls or research in the stacks. The demons it seems have utterly destroyed much of the circular college. inside and out. Graxxuzazz searches up in the what looks like an office section and finds a large chest - locked and possibly trapped AND bolted to the stone floor. Then finds a box of amulets - yes! These may allow his comrades to leave the teleportation room. Reappearing in the teleportation room again, the party had started to become apprehensive of being stuck in the exit-less room! All donned an amulet and were able to successfully leave, appearing in the foyer of the once magnificent arcane guild. Heading out, a figure coughs behind. One of the regulators.

Using his charm and persuasive abilities Graxxuzazz advises the Guildmaster of the situation and after handing back the guild amulets, the party were allowed to move on heading out into the city of Wayberry.

Wayberry was now.. a desolation.. one building in twenty still stood. Total destruction had been wrought upon the once fair city by the demonic horde.

The party headed out. At this point Gothi realized Jawbone and her Griffon were both still outside Enstad! With Thograa's help - casting sending to Jawbone - Gothi instructed the monstrous friend and wing-clipped griffon to head to Dragonkeep. The ranger would meet them there.

Thograa, totally understanding the value of a friend as he summons his skeletal hydra - FLUFFY -          

advises Gothi he could check in on Jawbone over the next few days using his god's magicks. Traveling along, the party look about. There are no people in the ruins, only some rats and other carrion eaters. A patrol of winged griffons could be seen to the South - near the docks, so the Fellowship head South to meet up with the forces of Overlord Romack and Royce. As the party moves along a cobble-stoned road, the box of holding that Gothi used to scoop out some liquid gold was getting heavier and heavier until the point she had to drop it. The magic of the box it appears had been slowly destroyed by the EXTREME high heat.  Now it was a box.. with a SOLID gold cube inside. As it fell to the ground, the box broke apart and what was sitting in the cobble-stoned road was a solid.. gold.. cube.. about 1'x1'x1'.

All stared down in wonder.. trying to calculate the wealth sitting in front of them. This was PURE gold.. and EXTREMLELY heavy. none could budge it.

All types of plans and ideas came up on what to do with it how to move it.. how to melt it down and more.

GOLD fever hit the Fellowship. 

In the end, the party buried it right in the middle of the street. Hoping to figure out a way to come back and retrieve it.

Gothi headed out into the wilds around Wayberry to find a new companion monster. She found a rust monster and then a massive cave bear, the bear now comes along to assist her.

Heading South once again, the group is ambushed from the sky. Griffon riders! They had seen the undead skeletal hydra and of course assume the group were allies of the demon horde led by IUZ.

After some shouts and yells back and forth, Thograa invoked the magic to turn Fluffy back into a stone cube figurine. The 1/2 orc rogue/priest then faded into the shadows letting the Fellowship know he would come find them. 

This appeased the very wary griffon riders - who upon hearing who the group were and saviours of the Overlord and allies to Lord Royce [DM: BlogPost] agreed to take the Fellowship down to the army's HQ - upon a warship in the harbor of Wayberry. 

News was passed on both ways and then the group arrived at a large 4 deck war galleon anchored at the half destroyed docks. The group were brought before the leader under Lord Royce - an admiral who met them with a tall gaunt frail looking woman. After negotiations and introductions were made, the admiral was quite willing to assist the Fellowship in many ways depending on what they planned to do next. Supplies? Yes, within reason as they were at war. Teleportation to Greyhawk? Yes, if they wish, Romack's younger son was in charge. Overlord Romack was on campaign yo the North and West of the Nry Dyv lake against the forces of IUZ.

Lord Royce was also on campaign but nearby last heard, Southwest of Wayberry fighting against giants allied to IUZ.

Gothi - with bear friend along - tracking down Thograa and then the two rejoined the party in the audience with the Admiral.

What did the party wish to do? Options once again..

GoldRiver Inn & the Thieve's Guild of Enstad

 3rd of Reaping - High Summer

The Fellowship wake up at Azuul's Rest, the smell of burnt wood hanging in the air, but well rested and ready for taking on the many potential tasks for the day. Entering the main room which while cleaned up has two large holes in the wall. Dwynn - the barkeep sets a large meal out for the Fellowship, including eggs, bacon, ham, sausage, fresh bread, 

The BlackRunes appear to be focused on other priorities instead of following up on the bounty - 20,000 G.P. - which is strange to some.

The Fellowship get a daily update with great tidings from the BETA Crew, Sending spells from Skrit: 

Wayberry freed!

News has come that a small strike force of high level adventurers came FROM the Abyss through a portal it is said priests of IUZ created in the city.  through this portal to the Abyssal layer 692(one if a number of levels the cambion demigod has taken control of) these heroes led by a high level warrior priest of Tempus named Royce - THE same Lord and son of Overlord Romack who had been trapped there in a battle on the flying fortress.

Leading a party, including: Sark, High priest and avatar of Dionysus, Rory Dragonbane warrior/archmage and a master thief who goes by the name... Sleet.

A massive battle took place, and it is said the forces of IUZ were taken by surprise and many were destroyed, including a rumour of the leader killed or captured, one R’alaagishar Moondrake Yn’slyy

This news is a delight to the Fellowship, wondering if the verbal contract they had made with the demoin general was still in place. Graxxuzazz checks his bag of holding - the rod given to the Fellowship to teleport the group to the demon general once they secure the Heart of Enstad  has crumbled to dust!  The verbal agreement appears to be  null and void..? [DM: Blog Post]

Further news from Skrit:

No signs of demonic forces from west or north. Small numbers of refugees still are arriving and assisting joining the town. It seems that Dragonkeep has gained notoriety as a safe haven in the area! One potential issue is feeding the burgeoning town through coming winter. Welcome negotiations with the monks from the monastery nearby as well as the kobolds whom still work with Poet [DM BlogPost] and her allies the stone giant brothers. All are welcome to make Dragonkeep their home. 

 At this point more fields need to be planted. Obaz the druid will help Skrit in this area. As well Sir Raknell fallen paladin [Former Dragon Marshall] of St. Cuthbert has headed out on personal quests to regain his god's goodwill.

Rumours come that the BlackRunes have retreated East from the mountains. IUZ forces continue to move East as well as into the mountains.

• Pyra continues to scavenge and explore the mines, finding some interesting items and minor treasures with her kobold crew
• Valoran works with the town militia training and scouting the nearby areas as well as hunting for game
• Irakul works with the militia as well but takes time to discuss the demonic contract he will soon face supposedly one day. [Contract states Irakul and his next 7 generations of relatives' souls
  
  belong to the demon] There may be a way to get by this, learn the demon's true name.. or offer him something worth more than the souls.] Irakul mulls over giving his 8 generations of souls and NOT Irakul's! The lawyer looks surprised, but agrees that may be an option. Or the Shadow Lantern..
• Faust interested in researching in the tower power source, but with no library or the tower there, was for naught. The war-forged warlock then decides to try and contract his patron
• Vencer studies the the verbose and complex engineering tome
• Skrit is fully focused on rebuilding, planting and ensuring the town is ready as new refugees continue to show up
• Fighter's guild is 85% complete

The Fellowship return to their breakfast. Interest in checking out the black sludge that slowly oozes down the riverbed/canal in Enstad. Graxx decides to wait for the BlackRune messenger from the BlackRune administration branch. The rest of the party decide to head off to the GoldRiver Inn - the
gold greed taking them over to fill a box of holding with gold!

Kantif under disguised and persona of Odell Karr - merchant travelling with the Fellowship.

Tibaltuous creates a new ballad on Graxxuzazz name and titles. After trying it out with the Fellowship and Dwynn.. a work in progress. Doc searches for black power doe his weapons, but it appears the BlackRunes have taken ALL stores of it in town. Kantif visits Dreegle's Poisons and Sundries. The rogue/monk engages the draconic proprietor about acquiring poison as well as using Thieves' cant, after some back and forth [and buying a sleep elixir] it appears the Thieves' guild is based in the GoldRiver Inn! The guild it seems is a shell of it former self, the old shopkeeper advised Kantif - or Odell - the guild had or is allied to the BlackRunes, and reminding of the downfall of Enstad was due to the guild working with the BlackRunes a year past. The rogue takes his leave and rejoins the Fellowship while the bard continuers to practice his new song. Hearing of the guild and GoldRiver Inn, the party are pleased as they were planning to head there already.

The adventurers head out, all except Graxxuzazz and Thograa. A light drizzle coming down. Tibaltuous was interested in checking out the black sludge flowing down the canal. Coming to a bridge, they see a bridge over the canal. At the bridge is a BlackRune patrol. Waiting for them to move on, the party heads down and approach the sludge. The stench coming from the area is horrendous and nearly makes all gag and cough and eyes watering. It slowly - very slowly - moves. Gothi notes a orcish clawed hand slowly moving down the riverbed. Gothi holds her breath and moves up and pulls on the hand and out comes a partially skeletal arm and hand. There is a bracer on it, well made but coated in the sludge. Tibaltuous cleans it with prestidigitation on the bracer to clean it. There is a rune on it in orcish: Cloud.  Gothi's hand is stained black and even though she cleans it extensively, it appears to be stained black.. 

The party hear a voice from above and look up. A dwarf peers over the stone railing of the bridge. "Hey what're you doing down there?"

Tibaltuous yells back, "Your mother!" The Fellowship all laughs at this.

Growling, the dwarf hurls a smoking bottle at the party before anyone can react, it explodes as shards of metal cut through the group.

"How ya feeling now, Mother?" he continues to peer down at the group. The party prepare, and then a horn blast - which the party knows is an alert for the BR "enemies nearby".

Gothi goes invisible and leaps across the sludge and heads up to the road. Odell/Kantif moves up the stairs and on to the bridge. Tibaltuous casts invisibility on himself and Doc and jump across and move away.

Meanwhile, a BlackRune messenger arrives at Azzuul's Rest and meets up with Graxxuzazz. The message, the party have a window of time the next morning to use access the Teleportation circle at the BlackRune HQ!

The BlackRune raises a heavy crossbow and aims at the rogue as Kantif approaches him. The dwarf tells him to drop his weapons and gear. "Where'd your friends go? They are all gone! Put yer hands behind your head."

Kantif does this, trying to assuage the BlackRune but it appears he is not having any of it, waiting for patrols to arrive. Gothi behind the dwarf, moves on and heads down the street!

Doc and Tibaltuous come up the stairs - invisible -and decide to head to the inn. Tibaltuous sends a message to Kantif/Odell - "They are heading to the inn."

The patrol arrives and then decide to take the rogue/monk in for questioning as it appears the group the "merchant" was with is WELL known by the BlackRunes. They take his weapons and pack and interrogate him as a part bounty. Odell/Kantif is to be 'escorted' towards the BlackRunes HQ. Finally he casts darkness, the rogue decides to escape, using misty step he then goes invisible. The BlackRunes shout and fire crossbow bolts into the dark. Kantif tails the group and then as they cross the bridge he surprises them able to grab his pack and jumps off the canal rail. Two more patrols arrive both with robes BlackRunes both appear to cast spells. The rogue then moves to catch up to his fellowship, down a rapier and shortbow, as the BlackRunes shout in frustration and sound the horn again.

Meanwhile, the party arrives at the GoldRiver Inn. Doc recalls this was once a prosperous and busy locale, famous in Enstad. No longer, the place is rundown, one swinging door hanging half off its

hinges, windows broken. No one nearby, no noise coming from inside. The 3 adventurers approach and still invisible, head inside. The main room is dusty and empty except for a single human sitting at the only still standing table. A set of stairs heads up to bedrooms as well as behind the bar is an open door to a backroom. The heavily tattooed male, bald appears to be having some breakfast with tea and or coffee. Gothi, Doc and Tibaltuous sneak by into the backroom where Doc knows holds the double doors that go down to the river. There are some supplies there - new weapons - and then the double doors that are double chained and barred. Using his rogue skills, Tibaltuous is able to take care of three of the four locks. At this moment, the tattooed man walks in and picks up a box and takes it out to the main room. Then Doc using his strength of a giant to wrench open the 4th lock on one of the bars. With a bending cracking sound, the metal breaks and the lock is broken off.

There is a sound from the main room so the party hide, weapons ready. Doc on onside of the door to the main door and Gothi on the other. As the man looks in calls out, "Who's there!?" All three try to motion for him to be quiet. The man jumps back and runs away. The party come through the door and see the tattooed man 1/2 way up the stairs.

Doc calling out, "Freeze or I'll blow your legs off!" scattergun at the ready.

Hands up, "Whoa hey.. why ya tryin' to go down there! there's monster down there!" The tattooed man calls out. 

"There's the thieves guild down there and a river of gold." doc replies.

"There is no guild down there.." and then the man jumps up the stairs as quick as lightning.. Doc is faster and a massive boom as the scattergun goes off. The man's head is blasted to a fine red mist sprayed on the stair's wall.

Meanwhile, Gothi and Tibaltuous open the double doors and peer down a wide passage, cobblestones and walled it ramps downwards into the dark. 

Quote of the day: Gothi: "Are we not being bombastic?" as she was about to run down the passage. The two head down into the dark, Tibaltuous' flaming sword held aloft.

Doc awaits what he is assumes is either thieves or BlackRune patrols.

Doc is surprised by a hobbit at his back while a young girl comes in through the main door. Doc goes for his pistol while the hobbit jabs him in the neck, taking extensive damage, he trickshots and kills the hobbit with a single blast. Then turns and shoots the girl taking out her leg. She falls over unconscious.

The group then discuss and heal up the girl and realize the guild is mostly disbanded except for a few members - two dead by Doc. They let her go and she limps out into the street.

Kantif - now no longer in disguise arrives, heads up to the 2nd floor of the inn looking for signs of the guild, but fails to look for traps to his detriment as he stealthily moves into the halls between the rooms normally rents per night. After hitting a slashing blade trap, and taking extensive damage, he returns to Doc as Graxxuzazz with Thograa arrive and join up all four head down the passage.

All notice tiny tunnels or 1 foot holes at various heights on the walls and ceiling. The creatures, the party all recall these reptilian insectoids - except Tibaltuous - and how deadly they were before. Perhaps now the Fellowship is stronger and more skilled not a real threat...? 

Making their way down passages Doc, Kantif and Thograa remember they come to a large cavern with a winch hoist and platform to swing people across. Gothi using her Boots of spiderclimbing walks out to climb over to the winch but the the insectoids attack!

The Ranger defends and kills some, while a large group comes down the passage as well. Between Graxxuzazz' fireball, gunshots from Doc, Gothi tossing some into the depths as well as Kantif attacking with dagger and Thograa firing his crossbow the swarms are defeated and remaining reptoids retreat clicking and screeching in their strange language.

The Fellowship then traverse across the chasm using the lift. Moving on the party come to the crossroads. One passage heads down to the old dwarf city under Enstad. [DM BlogPost]  The other, leads to the GoldRiver.

The party head to the GoldRiver. They come down a familiar passage, and then a blast of heat washes over them, the river of gold! Ahead, a yellow light lights up the passage, and then they reach the doorway into a large cavern. Where the river of gold still flows... BlackRunes once again, working it. The hear is nearly unbearable - gold becomes molten at a high temperature.. and this room has a river of it!

BlackRune dwarves and workers appear to be taking buckets of gold and onto mining carts and then across a bridge. There is an area where it appears a camp is setup, a slight shimmer blurs the vision in that area. All the BlackRunes both guards and workers wear heavy blue metal armour as they work in the area -except some in the camp area do not, wearing normal clothing.

The Fellowship peek in and ponder on their next move..

Intrigue in Enstad

2nd of Reaping - High Summer

The meeting at BlackRunes HQ.

A bland long narrow room, windowless. Two doors facing each other. A row of chairs along the one wall facing the 2nd door flanked by 2 heavily armed BR dwarves. Wearing what appear to be ebony face-like black masks. After waiting for what feels like an eternity, about close to an hour.

Kantif mumbles to Doc and Graxxuzazz these primary unit guarding BR elite or HQs. Called the Centurion. Supposedly numbers only 100 at any given time.

Nearby are 3 large chests, appear to be well made, wood, iron bound. To move on, one of the 2 Centurions advises, bored, "Leave all weapons AND magic in the chest there, they will be safe." Pointing to the middle chest. Graxx mentions his Bag of holding, which one Centurion takes in hand, rather than putting in what appears to be a similar magical space in the chest.

Once the party divests themselves of magic and weapons, the Centurion holds up a small loop and appears to scan party [detect magic]. The dwarf nods to the other. The 2nd Centurion unlocks and open the door and a long hallway stretches out of view. Multiple doors on both left and right.

The 2nd Centurion motions and says "Follow me." Walking, they pass by probably over 30 small doors.

Coming up to another non-descript door on right, the Centurion opens without knocking or waiting. Motions party in.

The 3 adventurers see a small room, windowless - only the one door. A globe of light slightly greenish hangs above the small desk, a plain wooden chair is occupied, with two more small chairs facing. The occupied chair has what appears to be a BlackRune dwarf in black robes. An insignia on his chest - right side - of the BR emblem with a crossed quill and scepter. He has long black hair neatly and tightly pulled back in a pony tail. Dark brown eyes behind silver glasses with small round lenses stay focused on a large stack of papers with only the sound of his quill scratching across parchment.

Without looking up, his distracted voice says in a monotone:

"Have a seat citizens. I will be with you.. Soon".

The click of the door closing behind, the Centurion presumably heading back to the waiting room.

The dwarf ignores the party until finally finishing his writing, he carefully and neatly puts it aside. Now, giving full attention to the Fellowship, he states,

"Greetings, citizens. I am Lower-Sub-Commander 2nd grade Axibahn Creinteros Trentis." He emphasizes "2nd grade" as if with pride.

Taking up a quill, the dwarf pulls out a yellow card and dipping the quill, says, "Citizens, please provide name and place of origin." scribing down these details, if true or not, will set the card in front of him, noting each of the Fellowship - Graxxuzzazz goes through his LONG list of titles, and the dwarf appears to be able to note them all down! After a few more entries the dwarf looks satisfied, then once completed carefully puts quill down. Looks at the heroes with a raised eyebrow and says, "so what can the BlackRunes do for you today, citizens?"

The trio - at first seem interested in why they are called 'citizens', but quickly move on to the real reason to be there. After producing the BlackRune passes given to them by the Commander of the GreySkulls mercenary crew, ask to have access to the rumoured teleportation circle located in the former palace.

Requesting to see the passes, the dwarf looks skeptical. Studying them closely with a magnifying glass, takes out a small vial and opens it, letting a single drop of black liquid on the back of each copper inlaid pass. Waiting, he hums quietly to himself. He then looks at the passes again, with a sniff and with a somewhat dismissive gesture, places them before him. 

The minor bureaucrat in the BR Administrative Yellow Tier, LSC2 Trentis responds following BlackRune policy and rules to the LETTER. 

"These passes you were given? They ahem.. " - the LSC2 advises - "may be good in the field but in the BR-EHQ..? It is no better than a cup of salty water to a fisherman. In Wayberry they allowed access to 2nd tier. But here..". The dwarf shakes his head and continues, "they allow entry to the city but other than that, are worth little more than the copper created from." 

With a bland smile, the dwarf thumbs through a large stack of forms, pulling out a small bundle probably 15 pages of parchment attached with a black-ring in one corner. 

"You will be required to fill out - in triplicate - Form 19.x2.4.Delirn version, sections A through J. Ensure to NOT fill out 'K' or it will invalidate the whole application and you will have to start over."

Pushing the forms over to the Fellowship, the dwarf continues, 

"Once completed, return all 3 forms to BRHQ. Ask for a LSC3 [Lower Sub-Commander 3rd grade] who will take for processing. Expect a response within 5-10 days. We will find your at the Inn - Azuul's Rest?" Doc and Graxxuzazz agree to this.

"Now," standing up, the bureaucrat rings a small bell. "I have much work to do, is there anything else I can assist you with, Citizens?" he does not look very eager to help.

The Centurion opens the door and waits for party to exit and escort to waiting room to gather their belongings - which do appear to be all there.

The young bored human is still there. He starts as if coming out of a daze, at the Fellowship's entry and then sits back with a heavy sigh. 

The trio leave as they came meeting up with their friends later.

***

Meanwhile.. sitting in the Red Pumpkin Tavern. Tibaltuous and Gothi kick back and take a table with a good view

of the heavily guarded bridge over to the BlackRune HQ.

Tibaltuous looks around the room and spots what appear to be two humans, related, probably father and son. The bard puts the charm into high gear and after getting them a drink starts to inquire on latest events, 

"Pa, remember those 2 BlackRunes cuttin' down those trees?" The father looks at the son and with a wave of a hand hushes him, "Don't talk about that.." 

Tibaltuous uses charm and gold to 'persuade' the 2 to open up. It appears that the two workers are part of a crew working on building riverboats.

Gothi and Tibaltuous glance at each other. This is telling for Gothi who recalls the river dried up due to the BlackRunes taking the Heard of Enstad into the Sea of Dust - for some expedition going on there.

The older man continues, at least 10 riverboats are to be built. They are in a warehouse down below the former waterfalls at the  East end of Enstad [DM: Right of E on the Enstad map - large red building]

"The BlakRunes are cuttin' down all the remaining trees!" Quaffing his beer, the older man wipes the beer from his thick beard onto one sleeve of his work coat.

Tibaltuous asks if they are under duress.

The two grin, "Hah! This is good business for me. I am a riverboat man." Smiling at his son, not thinking the impact has on the former elvish capital.

There is no river though, the bard questions. 

The younger worker shrugs and says, "Them BlackRunes say there is going to be a river again."

Now this was interesting to the two. More to Gothi with her and the Fellowship's previous visit to Enstad. [DM: Blogpost] At that moment a group of three BlackRunes and head over to the barkeep. They question her.. Gothi and Tibaltuous catch a few words, "Party.. group.. 6.. Azzuul's Rest".

Tibaltuous quickly starts signing and bringing the small group of patrons into a well-known song, stomping feet and clapping fills the room. "We got to get out of here," he says at a moment break to Gothi while the chorus lines and crowd keeps the tune going. Then the bard comes up with a new plan..

Expertly weaving the song along, the bard and ranger join in appropriately until a opportune moment as even the three BlackRunes sing along. Tibaltuous calls out to the crowd using his bardic charm to weave into it: "Go

into the streets the BlackRunes are in cahoots with he undead!"

All head out and start calling out across the area, yelling and calling out. "BlackRunes are working with the undead!"

The ranger and bard note Doc, Kantif and Graxxuzazz coming back over the bridge as bemused guards listen to the townsfolk spreading the rumours.

Discussion on how to destroy the riverboats go on as the party moves as quickly and covertly as possible down to the final giant tree and Azzul's Rest. Once it is said part of the walls was from a ship either flying or sea borne. 2BlackRunes sit at the bar, 2 merchants look at the Fellowship enters then return to their conversation. 

Dwynn Swordhound  - an orc - is the barkeep comes over and asks if the bard will be performing, and the 1/2 elf affirms this asking for a round of drinks. Gothi asks for the most high alcohol content drink - whiskey or dwarven rum.

As the party takes a table Tibaltuous enthralls [again] the small group. Weaving the charm into his songs. The barkeep and one BlackRune and the 2 merchants are all charmed and some start dancing with the bard! Gothi goes to the bathroom and casts invisibility on herself. Then starts to acquire high end bottles [7] of alcohol while the barkeep is enthralled and dancing.

"Take to the streets my friends, spread love and cheer!" As the group troop out, he adds quietly to one of the merchants - "The BlackRunes are in league with the undead! Tell all." Tibaltuous and Gothi escort the troop out.

While the crowd pushes out, a human in a wide-brimmed hat and overcoat is trying to push in to the bar. Gothi, invisible still recognizes the human! [DM blogpost]

Vicen confronts the party. "You owe me."

Doc replies, "need us to teach ya another lesson, again?" 

Battle.

Vicen charms Doc to stop Graxxuzazz from attacking the bounty hunter. Vicen weaves a spell and tries to hold Graxxuzazz. Doc then grapples Graxx hampering the sorcerer.

Gothi meanwhile is yelling out, "the BlackRunes are in cahoots with the undead!", as they walk down the ramp with the enthralled patrons.

Vicen points a finger at the sorcerer and a beam of black energy engulfs the lizardfolk. [Disintegrate]

Graxxuzazz tries to cast a lightning bolt but Vicen counts this. Then the sorcerer casts it again! The bolt cracks through blasting a hole in the side of the bar! This gets Gothi's and Tibaltuous' attention. The remaining BlackRune fires a crossbow bolt at the bounty hunter but misses and jumps the bar and hides in the back room. Meanwhile, Graxx, very injured moves into the back room hiding with the BlackRune as well.

A fireball blows out the backroom crisping the BlackRune as well as burning Graxx more.

By this time, Gothi dimension doors into the middle of the room with Tibaltuous right behind him, while Doc is now being held with a dagger to his throat by Vicen. Trying to bargain, the bountyhunter tells the group to stop.
Making an incredible maneuver,  the gunslinger pulls his gun and is able to trick-shot the blade out of the surprised bounty hunters hands. Then the raging 1/2 orc pumps 3 more shots into Vicen's gut. Graxxuzazz casts Destructive wave and does heavy damage on the bountyhunter. Tibaltuous tries to cast hold person but it appears to not affect him. Gothi fires her bow doing heavy damage more to bounty hunter. 

"I'll get you next time!" Screeching in rage then casts dimension door disappears into the glowing door.

After the dust of battle clears, the bar and backroom are on fire, a gaping hole in the wall and windows shattered and blown out. Graxx recovers the BlackRune - dead.

Gothi and Tibaltuous exit as people race to assist with putting the fires out. BlackRunes question the remaining party.

The BlackRunes courier arrives and takes the multi-pages form - for access to the teleportation circle. The party is able to rest and heal up. BlackRune spellcaster casts create water and douses the flames. The party are given a room for the night for free for appearing to try and save the inn.

During the night, Gothi and Tibaltuous venture to go spy out the warehouse where the riverboats are apparently being built. They move through the undead areas and encounter undead whom appear to - again - be able to see the two even if hidden due to the yellow glimmer.

Gothi is able to stealthily climb up onto the heavily guarded warehouse. moving some roof tiles out of the way she sees a large inner space, with canals and riverboats being build and loaded. A large chamber or hole in the centre of the area has a blue glow and throbbing come from it. The ranger is not sure what this could be.

Returning successfully from their stealthy exploration, the party come up with plans to destroy the warehouse, destroy all the riverboats, then thinking more on this realize that perhaps Robin and his undead army could well be all that holds back IUZ if the BlackRunes are leaving. So maybe it would be best to allow them BlackRunes to leave. Let Robin confront the forces of IUZ.. and the Fellowship deal with their other tasks, questions and problems.

At this time a sending comes in from Skrit in Dragonkeep town. The Flying tower is gone! It was seen flying South in Ulek by 3 refugees whom made it to the mountain town. Skrit tried to cast sending and messages to Lukan, but it appears the wizard is either using the tower's scrying block in place, or is dead.. who knows. Perhaps the demon general went back on his word and now controls the tower?! More sleuthing on this is needed, but the Fellowship don't have the skills..

Doc heads to his room after getting a nice bottle of wine. A hand grabs him around the throat with a blade in his back. "Ahh no going for the sidearm there, my friend Sigmund.." Says a gruff voice in his
ear. "you know how much you all are worth in bounty? Twenty Thousand gold!" 

Turning the gunslinger around with a laugh, he sees as old friend - Thograa! the 1/2 orc rogue/cleric [?] was able to escape from Wayberry far to the West. Hearing of the groups exploits and more the 1/2 orc was able to finally catch up to his old friends!

So the party have some decisions to make, one appears to still explore the warehouse - blue glow amongst other options and goals debating late into the early morning:

• Tibaltuous bounty for drow - Locations Fax or Nulb?
• Flying tower situation. Last seen flying south in former Duchy demons in control? Or.. Lukan?
• Contract for flying tower for Heart. Not relevant now or...?
• Request from Greyskulls commander and mate- save son in Fax?
• Elves in Bright desert east across sea in Bright desert (Doc personal potential quest)?
• Graxxuzzaz circus (potential personal quest)?
• Doctor in Fax - potential contact ally against BlackRunes?
• Robin's undead army - stop, leave, or..?
• Enstad, appears BR are planning to leave and use Heart of Enstad to 'restart' the river flow East. Destroy or not the riverboats.
• Portal to Sea of Dust (BR expidition) look into or not?
• Check warehouse where riverboats are being built. Blue glow from large hole in centre?

Beta crew

• Dragonkeep possible Demonic invasion?
• Irakul's Demonic contract - soon..