Session 7 Journal: Our Return to Port Maraisa and Beyond

Returning to Port Maraisa

After considering our options, we decided to return to Port Maraisa. We noted the key figures and issues at play:

• Orcs: The White Skull orcs, including their Laguna-kin shamans, are fortified in the Ormilandrian mountains. We have reason to believe they can be tracked from Bad Doric.
• Riatavin and Etienne Auttencort: Albrecht’s target, Etienne, is linked to the White Skull through his interest in chattel slavery. He operates outside Aurelian territories.

We identified our allies in Port Maraisa:

• Falcone: An Auttencourt agent with access to Humboldt’s Ravens for secure communication with Armitage.
• Albrecht: Currently in a fever-dream at the Lazaretto.

Visit to Magistrato Dominico Falcone: We briefed Falcone on our discoveries without revealing too much about slavers or Albrecht. We sent a raven to Armitage del Veign. Falcone was persuaded to place a bounty on orc scalps and rewards for proof of routing the orcs out of the area. Gavin managed to negotiate better terms, emphasizing the orcs’ threat and political implications.

Supplies and Preparations:

• Barrick secured health potions from various merchants.
• We purchased five health potions (one each) and Gavin got fishing line for scalps.

Journey Through the Mirefen Swamp to Bad Doric

We traversed the Mirefen Swamp to reach Bad Doric and from there, tracked the White Skull into the Omlarandin Mountains. Our tracking led us through rugged switchbacks with sparse signs of habitation.

Encounter in the Omlarandin Mountains

Upon hearing suspicious noises, we discovered a dwarf, Radovan Rytir, hiding from orcs. A battle ensued, and we defeated the orcs, acquiring their weapons. Radovan informed us about the matriarchal structure of the orc group and the shaman matriarchs’ control.

Strategizing and Further Battles

We debated our strategy—whether to attack the group of orcs or the matriarchs first—and chose to engage the nearby orcs.

• Short rest taken.
• Kira summoned a fey familiar, a black and white striped meerkat.

We killed several orcs, including a caster, and gathered their scalps. We used the familiar to scout inside the cave, revealing forges and more orcs.

Our exploration continued with strategic stealth and combat, eliminating threats and securing key positions within the orc fortress. The journey is tough, but our resolve remains firm as we carve our path through the stronghold.

Conclusion

In essence, we successfully briefed Falcone, secured supplies, tracked the White Skull, and made significant progress in the orc stronghold. The road ahead is perilous, but our determination to dismantle the White Skull and return victorious is unwavering. Until our next session, this is the account of our endeavors and triumphs.