| Session Summaries: |
Quarian arrived in Hollowfaust after tracking several of the coal goblins responsible for the murder of his coven members. A few miles outside the city he came across a group of murdered humans. All bore wounds of scorched flesh in concentrated points on their body. The druid left the bodies, apparently nothing more than marauding bandits, as they were not likely killed by the coal goblin band he seeks. After learning little during the remaining daylight and forced to obey curfew and return to The Weary Pilgrim, he was awakened in the middle of the night by a loud crash from the room across the hall. Not exiting the room, but listening to the commotion, he checks out the window and sees one of the sewer grates disturbed and returns to bed.
Across the hall, stayed Isarn, aide to Osmodel of Burok-Torn -- a diplomat seeking aid for his besieged city-state. Osmodel, also awakened by the crash next door, began to exit his room but was stayed by a Blackshield Guardsman. Following anyway, he witnessed Isarn arrested for soliciting murder of a Guildsman. In the room, the Blackshield found the murdered guildsman's finger and a small note indicating the job had been completed -- all evidence against the dwarf's aide. Forced by curfew to wait until morning to do anything, Osmodel reluctantly returned to rest.
Meanwhile, across town a half-orc named Feng and employed by a local human blacksmith is attacked in his sleep by two coal goblins. After slaying one and running the second off, the half-orc spoke to a summoned Blackshield and the body of the slain coal goblin was taken away. He returned to sleep and awoke in the morning to a day off.
Having never received a "day off", the Feng strapped on his great sword and began to stroll about town. He searches out some food and information, leading him to Ru'uthor -- owner of The Charnel Blade. From Ru'uthor, he learns of the nature of his assailants and of the death of one of the guildsmen, sending him toward the Third Gate.
At The Weary Pilgrim, Osmodel gets some breakfast and asks the innkeeper about where he might find a tracker. This gets the attention of Quarian and the two join together as they try to track down a mutual enemy and prove Isarn's innocence. After breakfast and checking the room, Quarian notes several claw marks, but nothing that would indicate conclusively that coal goblins were responsible. Returning downstairs, Osmodel inquires with the innkeeper about the situation and possible culprits and learns of the death of the guildsman near the Third Gate. Deciding to continue their investigation there, the Dwarf and Elf depart for the entrance to the Underfaust.
Here, they learn of the Bone Market and speak to several guardsmen, attracting Feng's attention, before going over to the crime scene and speaking to the Blackshields and guildsmen there. The guildsman in charge of divining some of the circumstances of the previous night was quite interested in what Quarian had to say and thanked him for his offer of help, promising to have temporary curfew tokens delivered to The Weary Pilgrim before dusk that day and allowing Quarian to look over the location of the murder.
During this search, he locates several scratch marks and, eventually, a heel mark in the dirt where a cobblestone had been removed -- confirming the presence of coal goblins. The group of, now, three exits the crime scene and return to the blacksmith shop for Feng's other equipment and then lower themselves into the sewers through the unlocked grate. After following the tracks to an apparent dead end, the group discovers a secret entrance to the coal goblin's lair.
Inside, a dozen of the creatures stood ready and a battle which nearly killed two of the members ensued. The Blackshields, having noticed the opened sewer grate, showed to put an end to the four remaining coal goblins, but not before three were able to escape with what appeared to be a book.
While Quarian and Feng returned to the Weary Pilgrim to rest and discuss things over some lunch, Osmodel tried to convince the Blackshields of Isarn's innocence using the presence of the coal goblins as evidence. Unconvinced, Osmodel returned to The Weary Pilgrim without Isarn.
Written By: Thoth
18 June 2003
Last Updated: 23 June 2003
