Session 7: Port Maraisa and the White Skull Fortress

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 Omlarandin Mountains. We 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 stops that may be interesting in Port Maraisa:

Session 08 - Greg

Last time

Last time we started fighting the orcs in the cave network. After a rough fight, we left the network and went down the hillside a short way to take a short rest and come back into the network to finish the job.

The Orc Fortress

The party decided to re-enter the orc fortress through the same entrance. There has been no effort to clean up or address the wreckage we left behind during our short rest. Investigating the wreckage, we did discover a number of orcish trinkets that were worthless to us are missing. There has been a second wave of looting in the piles of corpses. Barrick discovered sooty, goblin footprints in the area, suggesting goblins looted the corpses and the fortress is certainly aware of our presence.

Session 1 (May 24, 2024)

It has now been 2 months since the Calishite Campaign finished.

Last week, we all received orders to report to The Twisted Axle Inn from Armitage del Veign.

We start at the Twisted Axle, where we’ve all arrived in 1s or 2s.

Twisted Axle

Alessio Salvatore tells us Armitage is ready to see us

Armitage Del Veign - 30, scarred, we know him from the campaign. He was up there in rank. Corsi’s second. We respect him and know him to not be useless. He’s wearing traveling gear, clearly working. Loyal retainer of The Corsi family.

Session 02 (2024-06-30)

The session beings on the morning of Eliant 24 (similar to September).

Last time: Session 01 (2024-05-24)

Potential next steps:

• Visit The Vintner’s Frolic with Gavin’s wooden coin
• Visit the Night market
• Figure out who Rowan really is and why he attached himself to the party
• The Missing Moray: Ask around about Hesse agent Albrecht Moray. Possibly bribe the Innkeeper of The Gold Coin to learn more.
• The Missing Moray: Talk to the Mayor - Magistrato Dominico Falcone
• A Lighthouse Divided: Visit the River Guild / Lorenzo Varisi
• A Lighthouse Divided: Visit the [[Merchant Consortium]]
• A Lighthouse Divided: Learn more about the Southern Beacon
• Dermal Dilemma: Learn more about who gets sick from the rotting disease
• Dermal Dilemma: Visit the The Lazaretto to talk to some of the diseased folks.

Port Maraisa

We were sent to the city to purchase wine from Ankhapur, to the east. The wine would be poor quality, but that’s ok because it’s our cover. We woke up in The Gold Coin and went downstairs to get some breakfast.

Session 02 (2024-06-30) Brian’s Notes

Session 01 (2024-05-24)

Potential Next Steps:

• Visit The Vintner’s Frolic with Gavin’s wooden coin
• Visit the Night market
• Figure out who Rowan really is and why he attached himself to the party
• The Missing Moray: Ask around about Hesse agent Albrecht Moray. Possibly bribe the Innkeeper of The Gold Coin to learn more.
• The Missing Moray: Talk to the Mayor - Magistrato Dominico Falcone
• A Lighthouse Divided: Visit the River Guild / Lorenzo Varisi
• A Lighthouse Divided: Visit the [[Merchant Consortium]]
• A Lighthouse Divided: Learn more about the Southern Beacon
• Dermal Dilemma: Learn more about who gets sick from the rotting disease
• Dermal Dilemma: Visit the The Lazaretto to talk to some of the diseased folks.

Port Maraisa

Reminder: we were sent here to buy wine from Ankhapur. This this gives us cover to be in town waiting for the wine.

Session 03 (2024-07-21)

The session begins at midnight on the morning of 25-Eliant.

Last time: Session 2

Next steps:

• Meet with Delridge Berryroot at The Big Tree and head to the boat
• Take the boat across the river Ith River
• Restore the Southern Beacon
• Talk with Mother Verduna

The Big Tree Tavern

After midnight, we meet Delridge at The Big Tree to head to the boat. He’s wearing a sexy dad leather jacket and hurries us downhill toward the halfling quarter harbor at the eastern edge of Port Maraisa. Delridge has booked us a ride with Dander, the best river navigator for folks our unusual size. Dander’s boat also has a cover, so we won’t be obvious on the river as we cross.

Session 03 (2024-07-21) - Brian

After midnight, we meet at the Big Tree Inn. Halfling Warrens don’t have great access to the water - no infrastructure, docks, etc.

Delridge meets us, and we head to our ride with [[Dander]] aka (Pemrose Dandelion) on his covered 20’ fishing boat. We meet [[Dander]] at the boat.

We get on board and shove off. We notice that the middle of the river has a strong current (east to west), with cross-currents and eddies - a dangerous crossing.

Session 04 (2024-08-09)

The Southern Beacon

We gathered enough information to speak with a smith or professional for an assessment. Barrick learned that the glass floats were broken but repairable, and that the flame eruption likely damaged the lenses. Bikke investigated the boat near the Southern Beacon, which was sufficient to get us back to the dock but not across the river.

The mist retreated as the sun rose.

The Lazaretto

We walked back to the fork in the trail and met Lepett, a deformed half-elf guard suffering from the rot. He offered to let us into The Lazaretto to see Mother Isabel Verduna. The Lazaretto was surrounded by a basic wooden palisade with carts of bodies out front. Inside, we saw a burn pit being used for garbage and several buildings. Mother Verduna led us to the Temple of Ilmater to rest.

Session 04 (2024-08-09) - Brian

Lighthouse

Barrick learns that in order to fix the lighthouse, glass floats were shattered, flames erupted from top damaged the lens - specialized.

The boat could take us to the dock on the same side of the river, or maybe two people at a time to cross back over.

We return to the Lazaretto.

Lazaretto

We meet the half-elf guard [[Leppett]] at the entrance - he didn’t know Julietta. He has a well made Bastard sword. He takes us to Mother Verduna.

Session 04 (2024-08-09) - Greg

Last time

Last time we met up with Delridge after midnight and crossed the river with Dander, navigating some dangerous currents. Dander told us about the magical plants on the south bank and warned us about the unpleasant fog. We reached the Southern Beacon, a haunted lighthouse with a tragic history involving Agostino Barlucci and Julietta Barlucci.

Inside the lighthouse, we discovered letters and a diary that revealed a story of descent into alcoholism and depression. We encountered a poltergeist throwing bottles around and struggled to open a hatch as water filled the chamber under the beacon. After breaking out, we found Julietta’s corpse and theorized that her death and Agostino’s guilt were keeping his spirit there.

Session 05 (2024-08-30)

The Mirefen Swamp and Omlarandin Mountains

As we approached Bad Doric, the ground grew more solid, and the Mirefen faded behind us. We found ourselves on a road, or a well-made path, and following it south, we came across the banks of a fast-flowing river, likely a tributary of the Ith. Lepett informed us that we were entering the foothills of the Omlarandin Mountains. Kira instructed Lepett to return to the Lazaretto, and he agreed after confirming that we could find our way back.

Session 05 (2024-08-30) - Brian

Road to Bad Doric

On the road that final morning of travel, Barrick approaches Kira and tells her that he had some strange dreams last night. When he woke, he noted that a network of thin, green roots had grown out of the mucky soil and curled around his fingers. Those weren’t there when he went to sleep. The roots themselves are young and though Barrick can’t identify the plant specifically, they look native to the swamp. Fresh and bright green, perhaps a vine. He shows a sample to Kira to see if she’s seem them before or if she knows anything about them

Session 05 (2024-08-30) - Greg

Last time

After capturing Giotto, the Sling Company camps in a serene glade. They enjoy a hearty meal and drinks, with Gavin sharing a song about their exploits. However, the night turns sour as everyone suffers from food poisoning. Kira wakes to find Bikke severely ill, and Giotto dead from the same sickness. The party decides to return to Port Maraisa, where Magistrato Falcone arranges for Bikke to be taken to the Lazaretto. Mother Verduna and Sister Nightsong care for Bikke, who is stable but weak. With Bikke in good hands, the party decides to continue their journey to Bad Doric.

Session 06 (2024-09-13)

Under The Temple in Bad Doric

After taking Amelia back to Lepett and resting, we returned to Bad Doric the next day. Evidence suggested that The White Skull had used the town, not the temple, as a temporary camp. Kira, curious about the springs in the Order of Hospitalers Temple, transformed into a fish to explore the spring under the temple. She discovered a bound shadow elemental from the [[Shadowfell]], likely the source of the corruption. Kira speculated that creature seemed to be fed through the well in the tunnels, possibly via herbs or other offerings, and was immobile, indicating it was bound.

Session 06 (2024-09-13) - Brian

Under the Temple in Bad Doric

In the unhallowed spring water, Kira finds a bound shadowfell (shadow elemental) - likely source of the corruption.

At Camp, near Bad Doric

Lepett is suffering from the rot.

We return back to the Lazaretto, and kill some goblins on the way.

Lazaretto

[[Bikke]] is still in the infirmary.

We show Mother Verduna the Order of Hospitalers Journals and ask about [[Viola Laguna]].

Session 06 (2024-09-13) - Greg

Last time

After taking Amelia back to Lepett and taking a long rest, the party returned to Bad Doric the next day. There’s evidence that the white skull have mostly used the town, not the temple, and it isn’t indicative of a permanent camp. Rather, it’s a place they stay a few days and leave.

Kira decided to explore the springs in the temple, so she transformed into a fish to explore the spring and see where it goes. Under the water, she discovered some sort of shadow elemental, something from Shadowfel. Her guess is that the elemental was being fed through the well, perhaps via herbs or other offerings. The creature is also immobile, so it must be bound somehow.

Session 07 (2024-11-03) - Brian

Returning to Port Maraisa

This section derived from group chat, with retcons in session.

DM summarizes the situation based on what he sees as your interests:

• Orcs: You know the remains of White Skull (including their Laguna-kin shamans) are at a fort in the Omlarandin Mountains, and though you don’t know where exactly it is you have reason to believe it would be easy to back-track from Bad Doric. The Orcs are known slavers and raiders with some sort of connection to Albrecht, but not an immediate threat to Port Maraisa or Aurelian.
• Riatavin: You also know Albrecht’s target was Etienne Auttencort, who is in Riatavin. Etienne has an interest in chattel slavery which connects him to the White Skull. He doesn’t seem like a shining pillar of Aurelian nobility, though he is a lesser son and firmly outside the Aurelian territories.

Folks available to you in/near Port Maraisa include:

Session 07 (2024-11-03) - Greg

(Took these on my phone, so there’s plenty of autocorrect problems in these notes.)

Port Maraisa

The Auttencourt family made their money on shipping, including River shipping.

Elena Delphino is an Auttencourt vassal who may be working with the Hesse to undermine the Auttencourt.

We prepped a message in advance and sealed it to send information to Armitage del Veign.

Dominico Falcone was surprised by the news of the White Skull slaving, so he’s ok with our help. It doesn’t seem he was aware of the nearby activity impacting folks traveling through Port Maraisa.

Session 08: The White Skull Fortress

Battle Aftermath & White Skull Fortress

After our intense battle with the orcs, we took a short rest and then retraced our steps back up the mountain. Radovan stayed with the prisoners while the rest of the party repentered the fortree. We discovered that goblins looted knickknacks from the corpses of the orcs after we left. Pressing on, we discovered strong mead in the kitchen and ventured into the cave’s village square.

Session 08 (2024-12-01) - Brian

Battle Aftermath

We go back down to a safe place back the way we came, and take a short rest. We then come back up the same path up the mountain (before the fork in the road) and decide if we want to go up to the same cave, or take the fork we passed up the first time.

We decide to go back to the same entrance.