SixSessionSquad

The party left the house seeking a place for a long rest. While heading southeast for the rocks where they had come from. As they trudged through the rough terrain, Mordrath noticed a glint of metal in what appeared to be a silhouette of a structure no bigger than small hut about 30 mins of travel to the east.

The party debated on traveling to the hut but as it was getting dark, they chose to head for the rocks. Mordrath and Juliote had swayed the decision as they were exhausted and low on magical ability. Juliote was busy reading the book she had obtained in the basement and when the party moved along she was left behind. Lyrinus had to tap Juliote on the shoulder to catch up.

The party fortified the rocky area and took shifts for the night’s watch. Dredhork suggested that Lyrinus being an Elf could watch the party after trancing for a few hours like he had seen some do in the army. Lyrinus laughed saying that although his ears were longer than the average half-elves his father was a human but that he would happily take watch with him in the dark.

Mordrath took first watch. All quiet and good. Lyrinus took a second watch – with his darkvision in the dim light of the stars found nothing. Dredhork took the third watch and best he could tell, nothing happened. While Juliote was on the fourth and final watch while she continued to read her book in the dim starlight. Lyrinus was stuck with a vision that wracked his sleep; however because Juliote was reading her book she didn’t notice something was wrong until the night sky lit up with a bright orange light. Looking up at the sky she saw a massive meteor streak though the sky towards the west. The resounding boom woke up the rest of the party. Lyrinus woke up drawing his longsword and mumbled about some great portent of doom. Dredhork had heard the Elders recount local legends of weapons made from the ore of stars that have fallen from the sky. Juliote used her vast knowledge to calculate the distance of where the meteor had fallen was 20-30kms (about a day’s full travel without breaks for heat.) Mordrath recalled a small village called Buul that was located near an old river bed in that direction

Lyrinus was struck with an odd sensation that he was forgetting something very important and a vague memory he couldn’t quite remember. While he was puzzling this out, Dredhork mentioned feeling a breeze that seemed to be getting stronger. Looking to the west a large explosion cloud was looming in the air. Mordrath sheltered himself and Juliote under his shield. Lyrinus and Dredhork also came and reinforced the side and huddled near the rocks and readied for the impact of wind. The wind was so strong it buffeted both Lyrinus and Dredhork back. Mordrath was pulled up by his shield like a kite dragging Juliote with him. Lyrinus and Dredhork attempted to grab them but were forced down into the sand by the force of the blast. Thankfully they tumbled only a few feet away and were able to pull themselves out after the worst had passed overhead.

Juliote was completely covered and wiggled her way out like someone would out of a snow pile. Mordrath was laid flat on his stomach, after pulling himself up to his knees he pulled out his hat and put it over his head with a shake.
The sand that covered them seemed to have an appearance of glitter being mixed into the sand. It was shiny and light. Mordrath was able to use some water to separate the material out by weight. Finding this to be lighter than the sand. It appeared to be lighter than water metal. The party vaguely recalled some legends of weapons of great power being forged with sky metal. Lyrinus brought his arms onto Juliote’s shoulder and channeling the warmth of the divine healed her bruises from being buried under the sand. He then helped Mordreth with his slight injuries. After talking for a bit the party started coughing feeling that perhaps all the metal in the air might not be good for breathing in. Using spare clothes they were able to fashion some masks to keep further harm from happening. Looking for shelter and to finish scouting out the house they made their way back to the house. The whole first story of the house had been covered with sand on the west side.
Dredhork was on point with Mordrath as secondary, Juliote was in the middle with Lyrinus bringing up the rear. (WIzard HOT-POCKET~) They entered the front entrance hall, new footprints in the dust showed that multiple people had been in the area. The suit of armour that Dredhork had moved in front of the nailed doors had been moved back to where it had come from. Although a bit hastily as it was not exact. The nails in the door had been removed. Lyrinus Sized up the armour and asked Mordrath if he would be able to use it. (Switched from heavy armour to Medium losing the disadvantage to the heat as well as the movement penalty.) While he doffed and Donned the armour Dredhork watched the hallway and the door from the front entrance. Lyrinus french braided Juliote’s hair to keep it out of her eyes and took one of the four flowers in his hair and put it into hers with a smile. Once that was done Dredhork and Mordrath entered the room that had been sealed off.
Inside there was a study with an Astrolabe/Armillary Sphere that Juliote and Mordrath were able to determine was used for divination, the item being too delicate to move was left alone but Juliote took the book on the study table nearby. Near the study was a chest that was checked for traps. Inside were some pink fuzzy slippers that Dredhork desperately wanted but didn’t fit him. Mordrath was able to wear them and took the blanket under them as well. Juliote got her unseen servant to sketch out a selfie of the group while they explored the study.

From the study they found an animal trophy room with an animal pelt larger than many desert lions sticked together. (It was a bear rug) on the wall were skulls of an animal that was a cousin to the local fauna instead of having the long horns of an antelope. It had many points to the horns. Lryinus was adamant that it was a pronghorn. (It was an elk.)
They exited from the den into the hallway stairwell. Dredhork entered the door to the right. It was an unclosed bathroom reeking of unpleasant things. So He backed up, closed the door and shook his head. Before checking under the stairs, there was a small hidden button that opened a small compartment that appeared to be empty. With those areas explored the party debated on going up the stairs or back through the kitchen where Lyrinus had heard noises coming from the day before. They passed through the sofa waiting room again and the carpet was placed back where it was before. The sofa chair was put back and repaired the best it could be.

In the dining room the plate settings from the day before were gone. Mordrath pointed out a door that had been missed the day before. The small storage room was empty. So they continued into the kitchen. Dredhork found every cupboard and opened them all and ate random food against the warning of Lyrinus who asserted that everything in this house was cursed and needed to be cleansed. In the first cupboard there were dried berries and nuts that not one recognized from the area. The berries were a brilliant blue. The next area had cooking ingredients, such as honey, flour, salt and sugar. Dredhork dipped his fingers and ate from a jar of honey while Mordrath pocketed one. Lyrinus looked on in horror, who started to dole out the cheese and meat begging everyone to eat the supplies they could trust. Dredhork smiled looking at Lyrinus dead in the eyes as he dipped the meat into the honey and continued to snack as he looked through the cupboard. The next row had cooking pans. Mordrath seemed interested in the fine pans. The area after that was a cool feeling cupboard filled with raw meats, and fresh fruit. Dredhork found a container of Alcohol that was flowery smelling but tasted rather fruity. It wasn’t wine. (Brandy) Dredhork seemed interested in the small keg of alcohol.
The next door led to a staircase. Under the staircase there were six 2’x2’ crates Mordrath opened one of them and found an assortment of jade carvings ranging in size between 8 – 12 inches. Mordrath packed an 8 inch one into his bedroll. Dredhork made a mental note of the placement of the hidden jade boxes. Afterwards he was starting to climb the stairs as he did a crossbow bolt flew past him sinking into the wall behind him. Lyrinus drew his sword, raised his shield and Lyrinus pushed Dredhork out of the way on the stairs. (which was really Dredhork 6’3″ moving to the side for Lyrinus. 5’10” )
Lyrinus dashed up the stairs, finding a humanoid shape running from him he drew a javelin and hit the figure in the shoulder giving chase.

Initiative Order
Lyrinus
Juliote
Mordrath
Dredhork
Human #2 (Stairs)
Human #1 (Hallway)

There was a staircase where a second humanoid was waiting to trap Lyrinus.
Juliote couldn’t move up all the way up the stairs but was able to stand on her tippy toes to see what was going on. Mordath moved up to the landing and tried to be able to sacred flame the running one.

Dredhork rushed to Lyrinus’ aid and attacked the one on the stairs. Hurting him badly. The human then disengaged and ran up the stairs. Both Dredhork and Lyrinus were unable to take attacks of opportunity. The other one sprinted down the hallway out of sight. After deliberation of a further trap and not wishing to repeat his earlier mistake. Lyrinus ran up the stairs and cornered Human #2 hitting him with his longsword. Juliote was able to toll the dead on Human #1 before he rounded the corner. Mordrath placed himself at the end of the hallway so if Human #1 came back he would be able to hit him with sacred flame. Dredhork used the butt of his great axe to knock Human #2. Lyr cleared the top floor no other people found and the rooms were empty. They called down to Juliote and Mordrath while with assistance from Lyrinus, Dredhork used his rope to secure the man. Juliote instructed her unseen servant to wait at the bottom of the stairs and to throw the flour up and then attempt to summon the party if anyone else but them came by.

The party met up top and waited for the man to come too. While Dredhork helped him, Lyrinus was surprisingly rough. Grabbing him by the collar and asking him who he worked for and what he was doing. The man refused to answer until Lyrinus pulled his longsword and held the blade in one hand and the handle in the other and held it against the man’s throat. Speak or die
The man intimidated said that he worked for an individual cleaning the house when pressed again he let slip he worked for madame Lao to dethrone usurpers from the realm like the party. He then clammed up. Mordrath could tell he was stalling. Lyrinus said that if he had nothing else to say that was useful that he should be killed on the spot to prevent him coming back against the party. Mordrath was sufficiently horrified. Saying this man was innocent, Lyrinus disagreed saying that he gave his innocence once he attacked them. Mordrath passionately argued that the man was just doing a job. And that as an emissary of The One True God Lyrinus should understand. Lyrinus bristled, saying that he was the divine will of The One True God and that Mordrath should understand that and that nature is just as wrathful and brutal. What’s the difference?

Lyrinus put his longsword away and reached out casting divine sense while the rest of the party decided what to do with the man. The party decided to gag and bound the man and put him into the farthest room. Just as Lyrinus sensed evil coming not from the man but just at the very edge of his senses. Mordrath attempted to speak to Lyrinus but he said that it would be done later when they were no longer in danger. He then thundered down the stairs saying they were being flanked and followed the sense down to the very bottom floor. As the party went past Juliote commanded her unseen servant to follow. The bag of flour slowly floated after them. As they opened the trap door under the rug in the sitting room. Lyrinus asked Julieot to ready her mage hand and bring the lantern down with her. Dredhork and Lyrinus used their darkvision and charged forward. There under the trap door in the dank room with the many beds Dredhork had found before was 3 undead beings stumbling around.

Initiative order
Mordrath
Dredhork
Undead abominations
Juliote
Lyrinus

Mordrath held his Holy symbol up and spoke word of power causing 2 of the undead abominations to turn away from him in fear. Only one stood and bore the brunt of his words. Dredhork closed the gap and dealt a clean blow. However perhaps the attack didn’t seem as effective as it could have been, it was hard to tell. The abomination did not like being hacked so it took a bite at Dredhork leaving him bloodied at (12hp) it appeared to leave a poison or disease that Dredhork shrugged off with his Half-Orc constitution. Juliote took a deep breath and steadied her hand as she cast Fire Bolt. it looked like a mighty blow as the fire blossomed around the abomination. (1 point of damage.) Lyrinus gripped his sword and focused the divine energy around him into his sword and smote the undead abomination. It screeched in pain and seemed to recoil from the radiant damage. Mordrath pulled out his mace and struck a clean blow. Juliote again used her fire bolt this time it brought the creature down.

Lyrinus checked the area where the abominations had gone and there was some dirt that they had burrowed into. Once combat had finished Mordrath placed his hands on Dredhork clearing all signs of injury. He then pulled out his holy water and consecrated the area. Where the abominations had entered. Speaking words of prayer while flicking Holy water. He faltered only a few seconds when a rotting hunk of goat had been brought to his attention.
Next the Party went back up towards the captive and found a master bedroom. With a walkin closet. Lyrinus thought about embracing his androgynous looks and picking out a dress that would fit him for disguises. And he checked that nothing would fit Juliote before he shrugged and left the closest. Then then quickly checked the rest of the rooms finding a long study part bedroom with an empty closet. In the study was a ladder that went up to an attic area. Juliote had her unseen servant put the flour down and climb up the ladder and open the hatch, while the unseen servant headed up the ladder she sent her mage hand finger walking up the side of the ladder. It put itself on the trapdoor side as the unseen servant opened the hatch to make it look like someone was climbing up.when nothing happened. Lyr climbed up and ran into the servant and then pushed the servant up to be able to see into the attic using his darkvison he was able to discern the area was empty.
Everyone followed the trail of blood left by the man who had been javlined; they then discovered that the man who had been bound and left alone had been freed and somehow escaped. Or they were held up in the last 2 unexplored rooms of the house.

Dredhork once again took point and entered the door to the right first. Inside was a room with 6 beds. 2 beds were perfectly made and the other four were disturbed and not remade. Dredhork then entered through the left door to the last room in the house. But the door was locked. Dredhork then collected his rage and shouldered the door with all his weight and strength behind it. The door shuttered against the hinges and lock breaking. However the door remained in place. Juliote and Mordrath determined that the door was spelled shut. Lyr waved his hand at the door asking if anyone was strong enough to dispel it. After a brief debate about using a spell in the new travel spell book Juliote had gotten like a spell scroll. Everyone went to the side wall shared by the bedroom instead. There the party spent 2 hours and Lyrinus’ Thunderous smite to be able to make a small hole that everyone could fit through for the area.

Inside the spell locked room was a large geometric pattern in the shape of a circle glowing with arcane energy. Mordrath and Juliote studied it before coming to the conclusion that it was a transportation circle. The party didn’t have the command word and walking along it didn’t trigger it. Mordrath spread his caltrops across the whole teleport so that if anyone entered they would hear them shout out in pain.

Out of ideas they decided to take a short rest in the bunk room in order to cover the small entrance they made. While they waited they debated what else to do. Dredhork guarded the door to the bunk area as if the party decided to take a long rest he didn’t need to recover spells. Mordrath prayed to The One True God for guidance. During this he was overcome with a feeling like a tickle on his brain that there were many objects from many different areas, at least 3 that he could think of. (The jade, the animals he didnt recognize, and the men speaking accented (welsh) common.)

While Lyr did his impression of a moody rogue sitting with his back into a corner. Juliote studied the Alchemy Lab book sitting in a bed. While the bag of flour was placed beside her after the unseen servant faded. Mordrath opened his eyes and shared this insight with the party. Whoever did this had great power to be able to invest the resources into making the circle and its connecting network. There were at least 3 connected to the network.
Lyr suggested they leave as they did not have power to fight a caster of that power. Mordrath reasoned that they should stay because they would be back and the party could ambush whoever comes through the portal. The debate raged on until Dredhork pointed out the 2 ogres with clubs who had just teleported into the room – the party scrambled for their weapons. Fortunately the ogres were separated by the small hole, giving the party a moment to prepare for the fight.

<End of Session>