08/23/2017 Malta Session 2: Blood on the Swords and The Third Tit

Garamaldi's Eye Window

We begin this week’s session heading to Garamaldi’s half tower, our identification badges ready. The man offers breakfast and coffee at the early morning. After eats we retreat to the upper area and find the art room in a mess with some of our renderings ruined (Lete and Lex) or at best damaged (Marco); however, we do not find Jabari’s or Carlos renderings.

Geramaldi says there are also others missing besides ours (including one of a Halfling), furthermore a valued commission is missing- Wassier. Garamaldi states this must have happened within the last hour. A short time later a servant explains how he was getting water, he does remember a noise however and the sound caused him to check the ceiling window’s latch but it didn’t appear to be opened. This was a half hour ago.

In regards to our current task Garamaldi warns that in some cases between here and Zebbug are hills that may contain hidden entrances home to under races and perhaps rat-folk and where there are rat-folk, there are bugbears. He has also heard of night creatures and monsters, so travel during the day. Garamaldi gives us a signet ring to use at our discretion Marco carries the ring.

We eventually make our way out of Garamaldi’s half-tower when Lete sees a figure a block away in the shadows. Lete uses the bonded mind to alert Jabari who tarries behind. Eventually the form emerges from the shadow and seems to follow the group, albeit across the street. Jabari follows in suit.

The Curious Tengu

Lete and company sets up an ambush with perfect timing. “Can I help you friend.” The individual is was a surprised tengu, black plumage and all. “Why are you following me.” Lete demoralizes him, but the Tengu does well to hide it. The tengu is seen to have a variety of daggers and a hand crossbow and after some brief words realize the tengu works for somebody who ‘wants to know things about Garamaldi and who works for him’ but in all likelihood was really interested about our characters and our business.

We set for Zebbeg with a song. The path changes from paved stone to rural road then to trail a short time later. Several landmarks make travel easy. About two and a half miles our characters crest a hill and see a driverless wagon being pulled by (trained?) oxen. The trail they are on leads to what is likely a farmhouse; there seemed to be no blood or foul play so we continue on another half hour.

Eventually we come across stone structures akin to an old unused oven. Jabari finds three loose bricks and leaves behind images of an eye in each one and through a series of connections discover Garamaldi’s signet ring is an Eye. During this some of us see a feathered serpentine shape in sky far off in the distance.

We continue travel to what is known as the third tit and find a blood splattered humanoid lying on the ground. Some of us see the third hill has an abnormality and a flash of movement. Characters approach, Lete wary for the imminent ambush. Seeing movement Carlo points this out and the trap is sprung. None of us really surprised by a ratfolk and two bugbears Merd the turd and Gnasher. After some shitty dice rolling we drop Gnasher but the ratfolk and Merd got away.

Jabari

We recover a stolen masterwork falchion with markings of Bayaloynian origin (reward?), 6 javelins, and a fine (possibly magical cloak), a vial separate from the rest of this equipment; a breastplate, and on a leather thong he has a brass skeleton key. 21 gold pieces, each coin uniquely stamped (a coin collector) including one of Egyptian coinage.

Shortly after our character investigate ‘the third tit’ and find a rat warren tunnel. Introducing a lit torch triggers scraping sounds while also revealing a dirt tunnel. With the help of a rope Lete lowers Lex into the tunnel followed by the rest of the characters. Our characters follow the tunnel to a resting chamber where we happen across sleeping ratfolk; we continue on to find a naked and drunken bugbear and with some stealth we continue to an upper level. Eventually we decide to retreat from the bugbears, ratfolk and possible disaster.

We emerge and begin to pass through hills and farms and the closer we get to Zebbug we see the emergence of an active civilization. Early interactions with the populace are filled questions on the dangers of the road including any unusual weather. We are directed to Nebettawy or Gamon the Green for our healing needs. We report ratfolk which is confirmed by the Zebbuggians.

Upon entrance to the walled city we are asked our business (‘requisition of property’) by a guardsman who politely explains the sense of the city layout. Investigations lead us to west side Chomstop. When we arrive the awning of the store has caught on fire as four cloak humanoid individuals race from the store.

We begin with this scene next game session. We gain 400 xp.