Don't rock the boat - Rise of the Runelords campaign session 26

In attendance were;

Kumak Morudall: Half-Orc Bloodrager

Thaddeus Whisperheart: Gnome Bard

Kronk: Human Haunted Life Oracle


Tim and Susan's players were away this session so they ran mostly in the background.

In the morning the captain sets off. None of the Redeemers are paying enough attention to their journey so it comes as a surprise when they arrive to a secluded cave village of Biston. The captain ducks their inquiries as to where they are and how long they are intending to remain. Kumak busies himself with the local fish platter, which tastes like so much sawdust. Thaddeus causes several minor incidents to keep himself occupied, and Kronk just has a run of terrible luck (the player couldn't roll above a 7 for most of the night, he was usually throwing out 3 or less).

Eventually Thaddeus is told that basic repairs will be completed on the ship by the evening and they may resume their journey. The ship sets off close to dusk heading north but with an hour or so left of light come to a stop. Shalelu has spotted 2 boulders jamming the river ahead, the captain suspecting a trap has chosen to let the group off here and turn back rather than proceed further up, even if the Redeemers had cleared the way. Thaddeus and Kronk try guilt, threatening, and coercion but nothing will sway him so the group disembark and send Tim stealthily ahead to see what lies in wait. An hour or so later the halfling returns and indicates that on this side of the river there is on Bog Giant hiding by the boulder and another a hundred or so feet further north at a small camp. Assuming that a similar set up is on the other side there is a brief discussion about facing 4 bog giants, but Kumak eagerly wanted to finally test his mettle against something larger than himself, and Thaddeus just thinking how delightful this will be sways the group.

Kumak borrows Thaddeus's hat of disguise, enlarges himself and attempts to pass himself off as another bog giant. Asking Thaddeus how to say a few phrases in giant he steps into the clearing at the camp further north. The ruse doesn't seem to be particularly effective but all caution is thrown to the wind when Thaddeus leaps forward screaming in giant that he will cut off all their faces and wear the skin like a mask. The lone giant falls easily to the group, as does the one from the neighboring camp, however the 2 giants from the ambush site start hurling rocks towards the sound of battle and some strike true. Kumak advances far ahead of the group and engages the final 2 suffering some noticeable wounds but dropping one and crippling the other until Tim puts a final arrow into it. Finding nothing of note other than the corpses of 2 unfortunate humans the group heads north to the nearest settlement to seek shelter, the thorpe Pendaka.

Situated on the southern end of Clay bottom lake not much is remarkable of the thorpe. The group manages to secure a few rooms in the Walleyed Wife. Come morning Kumak searches for a blacksmith to purchase a spiked gauntlet in case he is swallowed by anything again. Kronk finds himself in a competition with the Inns baker, whose Cranberry and Turtle-egg pies are surprisingly delicious. Thaddeus asks around and finds that there is a giant fish called Pinkeye people are discussing as well as the wreck of the Paradise gambling barge. Speaking to one individual he finds that one of the members of the Black Arrows had been seen there from time to time as well. The ferry which would take the group across had already departed for the day when the Redeemers arrived so Kronk enters into a baking competition, and places second and third against the cranberry and turtle-egg pie. The group spends the remainder of the day as they see fit and come dawn are first in line to board the ferry. A number of children accompany them across, it seems that school is taught only at Turtleback. Thaddeus and one of the children bicker during the passage.


Thoughts: Not a great session. The DM was pretty distracted and it was noticeable. Further it really really felt like he did not want us to arrive to Turtleback without the full party present. All in all it was a bit disappointing, should have probably called the game and played Pandemic Legacy instead but oh well. DM has told me that this next bit is going to be a little Hills have Eyes-y so I'm looking forward to seeing how gross he can get.