The Restenford Journal #1 (19 FEB 2024)

 Well, I had thought to make a third adventure zone for this quasi-open table; I gatekeep the hell out of my games now, and had about four folks signed up originally but on game night it was down to two. One had not made a character but negotiated to play a character from a former game I had run a few years ago so I allowed it. Davon Yadderson Magic-User 5th level & Tashuab Human Ranger 1st level. They had arrived in Restenford aboard the Salty Tart vessel. There is some minor bookkeeping where Gold from his previous adventures were converted to Platinum Pieces for Davon and we go along with the story they had become fast friends on the voyage from the main land. A 1 month journey with the Salty Tart heading out to sea for another 3 month journey to a remote outpost on a savage island filled with giant monsters nearly 20' tall. SO basically setting up Isle of Dread for later on after making a solid base in Restenford, if they live that long !

  Having them put ashore they learn basic information about Restenford from the ship's crew. And fortunately they have a dock at the rear of Falco's Tavern on the Restin River. They find a rowdy crowd of fishermen in the tavern with lots of brew and a game of darts happening. Davon pays for rooms for the pair of them with a single platinum piece and these draws long stairs from the patrons. There is hushed whispers as the wealthier visitors to Restenford usually lodge at the Inn of the Western Wind. 

  After settling up for the next two days for lodgings they drink with the locals and ply lips with liquor for information learning several things, the sorcerer Pelltar has several Magic-Users working for him at his house in Restenford. This pairs well with learning that Pelltar was the wealthiest man in the barony from the sailors upon the Salty Tart. Others gossip that he Baron-Champion is nearly penniless and that's one of the reasons the old Guard Tower was never repaired even as they built a palisade which is slowly being upgraded to a stone wall. Many suspect it was Pelltar's wishes that the wall be crafted and not the Baron-Champions. They also learn that there is another Druid besides the one residing in Restenford that lives in the Dweomer Forest who comes to town periodically for Beer & Wine. This brings up the matter of religion with the majority of fishermen are Chaotic believing in the old gods; Xerbo particularly, and the farmers being more Lawful in the new gods. There is an Abbey to Phaulkon in town, there are several Druids, and the wife of the Baron-Champion Grellus is a Cleric of another deity ? They are not sure specifically. And lastly for rumors gained from an afternoon of drinking that Lark Hill is a haven for Bandits. This brings up the incident last year of a missing fisherman's daughter with no explanation given what happened to her and where she went. If this had been Baronette Fairwind you know something would have been done quickly, I Roll a reaction Roll for the Tavern and it is low so they are getting fired up about this then bring up the missing fishermen. A few fishermen have gone missing on calm seas, there is something amiss with the ocean and there be a Blood Moon coming soon ! I allow the PCs to make assumptions that the predominant alignment in West Restenford is definitely Chaotic with a penchant for mob justice.

  Since one of the players is a Ranger they pop right out of Falco's Tavern, a bit tipsy, and start searching for Rat Tracks. They run afoul of an angry old man who did not like them so close to his home but eventually after going down the river's edge they find Rat Tracks. Eventually finding a burrow where a single rat was found, firing an arrow but doing minimal damage Tushaub finds himself in a life and death struggle with the Giant Rat. They win and then examine the burrow to determine it is too tight for a man sized character but think it leads towards the Burnt out Guard house. Closing the exit with large rocks they inspect the burnt guard house.

 I have had one of the players in a previous Restenford game that failed to go anywhere so ignore the straight shot to the secret door. They inspect the burnt guard house and then find a secret trap door that leads down into a hidden complex 30 feet below ! They decide to retire to Falco's and hire some retainers. Now, this is where I am poorly prepared and have been pushing back the NPC list for possible retainers for a good bit. I got adventures rounded out but have been lax on making more NPC retainers.

  They hire on old One-Eye & Killer Kelg Barrelgut. Discussion with hiring these two reveals they are in the area looking for an old lost Dwarf Mine. Rumors of its location they have discovered in archives and thought they would scout the area somewhere North West of Restenford somewhere in the Farmin Mountains. This is another plot hook and this entire session has been setting up lots of future adventuring locations. At first I was worried about the level discrepancy between the Magic-User and the Ranger but its not been much of an issue. OSE gives fewer spells to memorize so options are limited but I expect this to unfold allot as they begin to plunder the old Castle Ruins

   Returning to he secret trap door they have the Dwarf pair descend first and then they are all in a 20 square room with a burnt out torch in a sconce, a skeleton in tattered clothing and a single door exit. No one searches the corpse or room for that matter and just head on out into the hall beyond. I allow a Listen at Doors check in the Hall and scratching is heard in the walls. Standing next to the wall everyone can hear the scratching then it quiets. They check out a door and kick it in only to find an old gambling room. A hexagonal table with several piles of coins at the chairs, cards face down and spilled or toppled earthenware mugs. They advance into the chamber and are assaulted from blind spots by a single skeleton and a ghoul ! The Dwarf cleric One-Eye goes down due to paralysis then as they form up the ghoul kills the other Dwarf and our pair of intrepid adventurers flee. They win initiative and then slam the door closed. Hurriedly rushing to the iron ladder they leave the complex and return to Falcos without the Dwarf pair. That bit of info will be added to the rumor table shortly ; )

  And that was it for this first session. Not any real XP, nor loot but lots of Plot Hooks and about 8 rooms explored. That's more than I had gotten down with a full group and 3 hours of play time in the past recent months so we chat up a bit. Plan for Tuesday time slots and then I schedule next Tuesday for another session. My throat is sore, there were some technical issues with Discord but I have core of two PCs for the Restenford Journals. This should be fun but I am disappointed no one got the Lovecraft ref, shrug.

Game Well, Game Often Y'all