I managed to miss another D&D session but I'm lucky Sam the GM enjoys writing a synopsis for those that couldn't make it.
So Andy and Phil and update for you both. After a long rest at the drow encampment during which time Tom stole the dark elf mage’s shoes, and Andy found a magical panther statuette, the guys investigated the area discovering a cavern that led down to the underdark, to a Drow household. The guys decided wandering around in the underdark was probably not a good idea but Tom, being the klepto he is swiped 3 of the phosphorous mushrooms growing nearby. The team ventured out of the drow encampment following the coastline to the port town of Mason. When they arrived it was nighttime and the guards were under orders to not allow anyone in (except if bribed). Tom managed to convince the guard the dark mage shoes were magical. He was pleased and allowed passage into Arnoch.
The team, having been travelling for 2 days went to the local tavern to get a room and food. The tavern, The One Horse Open Sleigh run by Helga, was busy everyone ordered food and drink. Tom spotted some sailors playing dice in the corner and joined in. Turns out they were loaded dice. Tom managed to swipe them and sneak off. The team had a discussion with a locale who they overheard talking about the St Anne being hijacked by pirates and taken to Ship Wreck Cove.
Meanwhile Paul spotted a rich looking merchant in the corner eating. Patrick used his magic to create a small disturbance knocking the merchant’s drink over. Paul fluffed the pickpocketing and the merchant wasn’t too happy, threatening Paul with a butter knife. Paul swiped it causing the merchant to draw his sword. He struck Paul. Happy he’d drawn blood he offered a truce. Paul wasn’t having any of this and decided to throw a severed drow head at the guy (they cut the head off the mage). He missed and the head rolled into the corner. Tom tried to diffuse the situation by staggering into them ‘drunk’ then throwing himself onto the table. The table collapsed and the man’s food was sent flying.
Paul hit the merchant. Two town’s guardsmen approached to break up the fight. Patrick, being a priestly cleric, managed to convince them the fight was started by the merchant who was dragged off.
Helga, not too pleased with the mess and destruction demanded payment for the damages. Paul gave 2 gold pieces. Helga was happy and offered to let them break another table. Everyone retired to the room (only Patrick sleeps as you’re all elves).
In the morning after breakfast, the team decided to visit the marketplace.
Tom, wanting to flog his phosphorous mushrooms went to the alchemist. The Korean gnome greeted them. After haggling the gnome was only interested in buying them if Tom brought him 500 by tomorrow. Tom wasn’t happy and pushed over a display on his way out.
They went to the nearby blacksmiths, Paul bought some throwing daggers. Tom tried to dazzle and amaze the smith into a good deal by producing a magical glowing mushroom. The only problem, the mushrooms only glow slightly and it was broad daylight next to a roaring fire. The dwarven smith was not impressed.
The team then got an Uber carriage to South Ridge (where the cave was). It took 2 days (they got back roughly a week after they left to investigate the drow encampment). As they approached they could smell burning and arrived to find the whole town burnt to the ground with fires still raging. Everyone was dead.
Tom, distraught about Florin’s death, stole his shoes.
They noticed a huge trail leading out of the mines, as though something big had been dragged out of the mines. They followed to find the cave stripped of all the crystals and the silvery liquid gone. Leaving only a big well like hole.
From behind them approached a high elf called Azreal. He claimed to be the guardian of he cave. He’d been there for 200 years protecting it from discovery; however roughly a week ago he’d had to leave for supplies only to come back to a defiled cave.
He warned that great evil had been unleashed and wasn’t convinced when the team demanded he help them as he ‘failed in his job’. He disappeared into the shadows.
The guys followed the trail from the cave back out. Tom then decided to break into the remnants of the keep (which was still burning). He ran in looking for stuff to loot and fell through the weakened floor. He landed in a room where some money was stored a bit injured. He grabbed 33 gold pieces and a ruby before he place started to collapse around him. He took more damage.
They left the town to follow the trail that was leading to Arnoch (the main citadel). They didn’t get far before a group of 10 knights from the citadel rode up to investigate the distraction.
Initially they thought the team were the cause until they were shown the drow head and told about Hayder’s mission for them.
The knights agreed to escort them back to Arnoch, but first they needed to rest. Everyone started a long rest when they were interrupted by a roaming band of 10 orc worg riders and a chieftain. Combat ensued. One knight was killed by a surprise arrow to the neck. The guys put up a good fight, with support from the knights killing all the orcs. Another Knight fell in combat and the pitiful orc chieftain, barely put up a fight being killed pretty quickly.