The Restenford Journals #13 (17 JUNE 2024)

    Well it is time for another recap for Restenford Journals. Our party left off in the dungeon below Telvar's Tower in the Ruins atop Bone Hill and rested behind barricaded and then Wizard Locked doors cast by Davon the Magic-User; we need to get that character a proper title ! Telvar's Wizard Locked door was Dispelled and they have magically secured an operating base within the ruins. Reading through the slain evil magic-users journal they believe he was looking for lost lore and magical wealth left behind the original castle occupants, the Maure Family of Magic-Users. Referring to the defenses of the ruined central keep as being a pair of Stone Golems and that at night ethereal skulls which were in reality Spectres roam the halls of the old manor slaying all who enter but that below the towers exist servants halls that would allow access to the hidden vaults and dungeons below the ruined keep. A Ruined Tower and Tower of the Wraith Lord are mentioned as well with the other Tower being the Spider Tower wherein below dwelled a spell casting creature. All of these areas he had a truce with and was working on defeating the Manticore but after suffering a hail of Manticore bolts had paused his intrusions waiting for an opportunity to strike. A pair of Tome allowing for a reduced cost research into a limited list of potions as well as his personal research on the Maure Family and the Ruins atop Bone Hill.

    Being more concerned with falling back to Restenford and believing further investigations of the Ruins too dangerous they flee after 3 days of rest with the released Women. As they journey down hill with no horses they encounter undead which Davon hits with a Fireball, then shortly after and maybe attracted by the fireball itself they were set upon by skeletal squirrels ! This battle dragged a on bit longer than one would think with half hit die creatures but they emerged victorious and returned to Restenford reuniting one of the freed women to her family and offering positions as servants at Flacon's Rest to the others whom heartedly accept. While securing lodgings at the Inn of the Dying Minotaur travelers from the regions of the Coastal Road relay information of a shipwreck on the Giant's Throne near Har's Point. Rumors have circulated that a fortune in Silver & Gold awaits those brave enough to claim it before the shipwreck is destroyed by the pounding of the waves in that dangerous stretch of sea. The Jonkheers of Falcons Rest decide to act !    

    The interactions are allot of NPC reaction rolls.

    Leaving out after bartering away a Peridot and Telvar's Ornate dagger for horses they load up on supplies and travel quickly along the Coastal Road to Har's Point. They have no encounters on the trip so I describe the natural terrain. Leaving the Coastal Road they go upon the bluff that is Har's Point and the place is drab but ha amazing views of the Ocean from the cliffs. Copses of trees are plentiful and fields of local farmers are easily seen but most notably all homes appear to have fishing nets and nautical gear about, this is a hamlet of fisherman. The hamlet is small prolly only 100 folk living here and they head directly to the center of activity and that appears to the local tavern, The Cod's Mouth Tavern. Davon and Eldrin begin buying food and drinks for all inside and soon more gather. As spirits rise in the feasting that is taking place they begin to inquire about the shipwreck. Learning that 8 bodies were found upon the beach, these were laid to rest in the Sailor's Cemetery by Holston the local Priest. Shortly after folks began combing the beaches for loot or treasure from the wreck and some was found and dispersed amongst the hamlet. A boat is chartered for the next day to take them to the Giant's Throne so they can explore the shipwreck before it is claimed by the sea but with some light left in the day they head to the Church to speak to Holston.

    The tavern visit is allot of reaction and rumor rolls. Davon is rolling very high in Har's Point and is instantly a minor celebrity.

    Greeting Holston in the Church they begin to ask him about the drowned sailors and he informs them he laid them to rest. After conversing with him they learn that another stranger was spotted in Har's Point shortly after the shipwreck. 4 folks coming to Har's Point is quite unusual he had mentioned so they inquire more and he directs them to Bowstaff's General Store. They leave coinage for the Church and depart.

    Reaction rolls are midling but Holston is a very old half-elf and refuses to hire on as a retainer. Davon's spiritual advisor retainer courtesy of the Church of Ygg is due to arrive in Restenford within the month. Th PCs have been without a Cleric character for a bit but Davon having access to Telvar's Alchemical Journal will be able to produce Healing and Extra Healing Potions if they are willing to invest the time and coinage todo so.

    Arriving at Bowstaff's General Store they see a few local women complaining to Bowstaff about missing laundry. They inquire about nets and Alchemist Fire which he does not have but does have regular fishing nets. asking of the stranger they get a better description of a beautiful auburn haired woman who purchased boots ( she was barefoot), belt & a short sword from him a few days ago and paid with odd coinage. The Jonkheers ask to see the coinage and he produces it and they are indeed ancient coinage with verdigris. They inquire about other happenings and having previously heard of Rory and Gibble some local fishermen temporarily giving up fishing to comb the beach for treasure decide to ask them some questions too. They depart and head to the Beach.

    Arriving at the beach they find some local fishermen beaching their boats and collecting their catches for he day to carry up the slope to Har's Point. They point them North on the beach to where they last saw Rory and Gibble. They seek them out. They head up the beach and do indeed find the pair poking sticks into the sand and digging around in seaweed. They inquire about Davon's dress and he exclaims "They are Robes !" they exchange confused looks and simply nod in agreement. They say they have seen spirits walking on the beach bandy legged like old deckhands but they fled to higher ground rather  than interfere with the spirits looking for heir lost treasure and then they excitedly tell the PCs about things they have found and when asked about a woman with Auburn hair they tell them they saw a nude wet women with auburn hair walking down the beach a few days ago, they seem really excited to have seen a naked woman. The PCs decide to check for tracks but since it has been days they hold no illusions of good luck but, Tushuab the Ranger does discover clawed webbed humanoid tracks in the wet sand leading to and from the ocean. This is a good point to leave our game and we lost a bit of time chatting about politics and current events but it is bound to happen with grognards who are as long in the tooth as we are.

    There is some minor disagreement on me not allowing a roll to see if hey can recognize the type of creatures tracks it is but it sis rare and would spoil the sense of the unknown and maybe the diminish the big reveal. The PCs dived into the asking questions quickly and gathering info as quickly as possible which is a neat change of pace for their normal tactical approach.

    Scheduled for a week later and we should pick up and complete this little side adventure I had found digging through old adventures. It will fit nicely into other adventure hooks I have for the party and possibly prepare them for a future side quest series. Lotsa of fun as usual.

    Game Well and Game Often Y'all, git joor game on