Conallgen Session P2a

The next set of “one-shot” adventures involved Bridgett, Rachel, and RJ. They are all still playing the characters from this so introductions are in order. Shory is a human ranger played by Bridgett. Bryn is a halfling rogue played by Rachel. Drogar is a dwarven fighter played by RJ. All three were on their way to Conallglen. Drogar was heading to Carrickton to join up with a cousin who works in a brewery. Shory was “hired” by Drogar as a guide since he didn’t really have much of an idea of how to get to Carrickton other than just following the road. Bryn, well Bryn, apparently, is something of a treasure seeker who delights (I think) in the hunt as much as in the prize and went along for the “fun.”

Our trio had been traveling from the lowlands for a couple of weeks (why was a dwarf in the lowlands…you’ll have to ask RJ) and less than a day from Conallglen when the excitement started. Keep in mind that I’ve got no notes from this and Rachel didn’t take any either so this is going to be a bit rough. Shory spotted a body lying in the road ahead. To one side of the road was a river and to the other were mountains. Arrows, I believe, were sticking out of the body.

As expected, when the heroes got closer, an ambush was sprung. A trio (or was it a quartet?) of orc archers popped up from behind some bushes and rocks and started to shoot. The orcs had a pretty defensible location and it would be quite difficult and slow to head up the steep ground to reach them so Drogar hunkered down holding his shield in front to provide cover for the others as they returned fire.

Before either side could prevail through firepower, at least one orc charged down the slope to engage in a more up close and personal form of bloodshed. Another party arrived as well. A masked man rode down the road, approaching from the Conallglen direction, and shot at the orcs. With his aid, the heroes defeated the orcs. The rider introduced himself as Oscar and, being the epitome of manners, introduced his horse, Desperado, as well. Oscar explained that he only wore the mask because he was so handsome that both women and men could not control themselves around him and that he was from Broadwater. He roamed the roads and hunted orcs and bandits and that it was fortunate that he had come along to save all of their lives.

Oscar had a camp not far and, since it was starting to get on in the day, he suggested that they all retire to it. He had some good wine, a warm fire, food, and shelter. All agreed but, before going, they gave the orcs a quick search (finding little, if anything, of value) as well as the body that had already been lying in the road. The body was a human who, from the dust and grime, looked as though he had been traveling for some days. Of most interest was a letter. A letter from someone named Cadoc to, apparently his son, Ithel. It spoke of having discovered to location of the treasures of someone named Ednowain and that they weren’t all that far from the town of Broadwater.

Yes, yes, it is that same Ednowain as Clarissa had learned of in her adventures. I was, after all, trying to tie together a bunch of one-shots into a longer campaign. Bridgett and RJ had no prior knowledge of the name Ednowain or anything about him but Rachel did (not that Bryn did).

Everyone headed off to Oscar’s camp and enjoyed a nice dinner and some nice wine. The mask never came off, however. The heroes decided that they should keep a watch even though Oscar assured them it would be safe. Everyone, however, found it very difficult to keep their eyes open and stay awake…they’d been drugged!

The last thing they remembered seeing were Oscar and Desperado but it wasn’t clear which was responsible for the drugged wine…the masked man or the horse (or so the running joke has become).