The Hags of Öppick County

Inside the tavern, other recent travelers waited. Most tourists were already en route to the lighthouse for the traditional viewing of the Lights of Godfall. The night sky lit up with a vast array of colors, all emanating from the dead island at the center of the Gulf of Esteraue. Left at the tavern were the traveling pair of Walton and Zelus--human and half-elf, cantankerous locals Cabrella and Johann, and the quiet and studious human named Ilbert. The Two Georges, of course, were there, along with a boy and his mother resting upstairs after a shark attack had left the child near-death. The boy's screams of pain could be heard in the common room, so Zelus, a cleric, and other patrons checked to see if they could lend assistance. What they found was troubling: the window was open, the mother was missing, and the boy was being carried out the window by a sahuagin--a fishlike humanoid, warlike and aggressive.

Grit, Taelysara, Walton, Ilbert, and Zelus quickly fought off the sahuagin and rescued the boy from outside. An explosion rocked Cabrella's pier just a few hundred feet away. The angry old woman ran out to inspect, but she was pulled into the water by a creature, barely seen through the fog by Walton. Taelysara dove in to help, but was quickly driven out of the water by swarms of sharks. Inside the tavern, more sahuagin appeared, but again were killed by the travelers. With the life of the boy, Alex Kitner, in danger, the group of travelers decided to seek out Morgana, the village healer, who was supposed to have returned hours ago, but was now missing.

Through thickened fog, the five strangers follwed the Georges' directions towards Morganna's hut at the edge of Yarcroft Woods. Atop a merchant's and performer's stage in the village square, they were surrounded by sahuagin, but managed to fight their way into the nearby Sunbearer temple. There, they founded the Priestess Amser, who agreed to accompany the group to the tavern in hopes her magic might help the boy. Back the strangers traveled across the square and into the Two Georges Tavern. There, they hunkered down in the cellar for the night, hoping that Lord Josef Hetz, leader of the village, might come to their aide.

21st of Moln, 207 AF

The group woke in the Two Georges' cellar the next morning to find that help had not come. To everyone's surprise, the shark-bitten boy survived the night.

Grit, Wilton, and Zelus went upstairs to investigate the state of the town, finding that a thunderstorm raged and the sahuagin remained, accompanied by a hideous humanoid woman who disappeared shortly moments later. After some discuss, the five strangers decided to seek out Lord Hetz directly and planned to skirt around the outskirts of the village proper, using the Yarcroft Woods as partial cover, and reach the lord's manor. Amser, the boy, the two Georges, and the fishmonger Becker remained in the cellar.

They exited the tavern waterside, finding all ships had been destroyed in the night, and then headed north along the promenade, fighting off sahuagin as they traveled. Many homes and businesses had been ransacked, but they eventually found the house of Alun and Cilly Schreiber--the village blacksmith and carpenter. They had barricaded themselves inside, waiting for relief. The strangers to Luttentorf provided it by clearing a group of sahuagin off their front stoop.

After a brief rest inside the Schreiber home, the strangers continued eastward towards Morganna's hut. Along the way, they found a dead horse and rider--a Warden from Lord Hetz's estate carrying a request for aide to Werpenwald. The rider had been caught by sahuagin, killed, and then infested with rot grubs--swarming maggots that nearly killed Taelysara.

Near the forest's edge, they found Morganna's hut, already searched by sahuagin sometime in the night. There was no sign of the healer, but the strangers grabbed a few useful items from her crafted goods. Less than a mile away, sahuagin were beating down the door into another hut. Inside lay Morganna, having taken shelter in a structure she used for growing mushrooms.

After healing the wood elf and bring her back to consciousness, Morganna led the group to Hetz's manor. The two-story structure had been set upon by sahuagin, including a spellcaster capable of attacking from range. Using the element of surprise, and some of the items salvaged from Morganna's hut, the Grit, Walton and company beat back the sahuagin and were welcomed into the manor by Helga, Hetz's housekeeper.

Morganna helped the group find their way to Lord Hetts' manor. More sahuagin were attacking the front gate, and the group fought them off. After the coast was clear, the group was let in by Suzanne Hoffmeister, who runs the local general store with her husband and was currently tending to injured townsfolk. Ilbert and Taelysara went upstairs with Suzanne and Morganna to speak with Joseph Hetts. Injured, he wanted to go back outside and resume the fight, but was in no condition to do so. Worried about the whereabouts of his sister, Mara, Lord Hetts was unable to provide much information about where she could have disappeared to. Ilbert went into Mara's room and found her journal, learning that she had been planning to meet up with the stableboy, Oscar, for a date at a cove to see the lights. Taelysara spoke with Helga, who works for the Hetts, and learned similar information that Mara might like Oscar, and that she missed her friends from school in Kliebau.

The larger group discussed how best to find Mara and deal with the sahuagin infestation of the town. The five decided that there were no more potential allies here, given everyone's injuries, so they would go to the cove to try to find Mara and then continue on for assistance from Werpenwald/Gesebruk. Lord Hetts provided a new scroll with this request, and the group looked through the barracks for weapons for the travel ahead.

After a few hours, they began to smell smoke, and came across the meteor crash site. Purplish/whitish chunks of rock covered a 100-200 foot area. In trying to inspect on small chunk of the rock, the group discovered that they were actually creatures rolled up in a ball, and another fight ensued. The crew took a short rest, and then continued on toward Urgle's Ponds. Coming to a small ridge, they climbed down, with Ilbert falling into a bed of poisonous snakes. Ilbert and Zelus went down to the snakes before the they were able to regroup and eventually reach a lakeside campsite. No one was to be found, so the group settled in for a night's rest.

On 2nd watch, the group was attacked by two incredibly large frog creatures. Taelysara tried out her newly learned Wild Shape and turned into a panther, but even that wasn't enough to prevent a disastrous battle. The frogs were so large they could swallow medium sized creatures, and both Tae and Walton were swallowed, with Walton dying from the poison. Luckily, Zelus was able resurrect Walton, and the group continued their rest.

24th of Molni, 207AF

The next morning, the group continued on around the lake, and followed the roadsigns to Werpenwald. No horses were in the stables, there was blood in the barracks, and the guard's loghad no entries after 4 days ago. Investigating the fur shop, herbalist store, carpenter, and tailor, no one was to be found, but the town smelled highly of poop. At a Sunbearer's fountain, Taelysara dropped in a copper, and out jumped a snake creature. After fighting the creature, the group continued on toward the Crossed Axes tavern. Inside an older woman, Gelda, was whistling and making soup. The crew was fairly incredulous that she seemed unaware of the disappearance of the townsfolk around her, happy to keep cooking for herself and a Henry that she said was resting upstairs. Walton and Zelus ate the soup and pie that Gelda offered, though Zelus noticed that his piece of pie included a wedding ring. Insisting on meeting the Henry upstairs, the crew turned toward the stairs to see a large snake slithering their way.

The group plus three - Gus, Duck, and Trevor - went first to the barracks to obtain weapons for the newly freed men, and then went to the apothecary shop. The locked chests proved difficult to open, and some damage was done to the shop and chests in order to obtain three unidentified potions. Their next destination was the manor of Ebalt Frucht, but on the road there the group noticed a light was flickering at Meininger Hoff Theater. The group went to the theater, and found the door blocked from the outside. Opening the door revealed that the theater was full of snakes, on the ground and falling from the balconies. The light was coming from atop a statue at the center of the theater. Wary of snakes, the group quickly closed the door, not before 4 snakes slithered out and back toward town. Three are killed, and one got away.. The group continued on toward the manor.

The door to the manor was open, but a thorough investigation of all the rooms revealed no people, no blood, and no poop. Stumped, the group returned to the theater. They let out one snake, Taelysara tackled it, and Wilton talked to it, though the discussion proved unhelpful. Releasing the snake, the group followed it back to town and into a house, which Gus identified as Anton's home. Beginning to wonder about the snakes, and whether or not they meant to do harm, the group returned once again to the theater and decided to enter this time. They opened the doors to sneak in, and disregarded any snakes that slithered past them and out the door. Not long after entering the theater, Ilbert, Taelysara and two of the loggers were turned into snakes. Most of the snakes disregarded the newcomers, but some turned on the group. Wilton was separated from the group on a balcony, and went down, as did Trevor. Gelda appeared in her hag form, and a large snake that the group killed was identified as Matilda. When Gelda looked in poor health, she disappeared. Ilbert and Grit used all their might to topple the statue, and push both it and the crystal off the ridge. When the crystal broke, the snakes were turned back into humans.

The group accompanied the townsfolk back to town, and explained the recent events along the way - leaving out the detail of killing three small snakes, which were children of the town.

25th of Molni, 207AF

The group decided to rest the night at the Lord's manor, after learning that he had gone to the quarry to investigate a cave-in. In the morning, the group mets up with Sergeant Turner and Alex to head toward the quarry. Taelysara first stoped off at the apothecary to apologize to Daalna for wrecking her shop while gathering supplies. On the way, the group is updated regarding the recent events - some teenagers were lost in the quarry as a result of a cave-in, so three guards and Lord Frucht went to the quarry.

Arriving at the site of the cave-in, the group finds an impassable entrance piled with rubble. A cart nearby had boom sticks, which the group used to slowly make their way into the quarry. Inside were 200 or more people, including the Lord and his wife, Edna (?).

26th of Molni, 207AF

During a much-needed rest after rescuing the rest of the townsfolk of Werpenwald from a cave-in at the quarry, Ilbert had his sleep interrupted by an encounter with a glowing yellow snake. He followed the snake, an unfamiliar voice in his head, and a series of glowing symbols through a moonless night to Meininger Hoff Theater. A large yellow mass appeared on the stage, and after Ilbert walked through the mass, he found a book of spells, with many names crossed out and his name at the end of the list. He felt the snake again on his chest, harder this time, losing consciousness, and awakened back in his room, drenched in sweat.

In the morning, the group split up to take care of their own business. Grit and Wilton hunted quail for breakfast, Ilbert summoned his familiar, and Taelysara took a stroll by the lake to gather some grass for a new bracelet. At the lake, was a sign that said "no swimming - troll", and in the middle of the lake stood the ruins of a building. The group reconvened at Frucht Manor, and met with Lord Frucht and Sergeant Turner, and the lord's butler Ekhard. The group learns that a woman from a traveling minstrel show brought the crystal for a magic show for the children. Lord Frucht also shared that they are well aware of Gelda, who lives on the island in the lake and generally leaves them well enough alone. Ekhard brought out a box for the lord, with a goblet and a special potion for the lord. Taelysara asked if there were anything for the group for the road, and the lord presented an axe that Grit took as an upgrade for the battles ahead.

Back in town, Wilton paid the apothecary for the damage to her shop, and the group recruited five wardens for the trip ahead. They headed toward the coast and to the south, observing yet another ship sailing forward the north. As the sun set, the group was attacked by two waterleapers. After the battle, the group camped for the night, and continued on in the morning, passing the fateful cave where Oscar met his demise.

27th of Molni, 207AF

Coming upon the Hetz manor, they found it in shambles. The sahuagin's battering ram and catapult had clearly been used in the attack, and were damaged in the stand by the townspeople. Ilbert's owl companion counted 11 sahuagin still in the rubble, trying to make their way into a central area. The group swung wide and took out two by the catapult, and the other two on patrol, before entering the rubble and fighting the remaining sahuagin. Clearing away the rubble, the group rescued Helga and the injured survivors. The update was that the sahuagin were taking boys with nets, and there was also a large creature with three arms and a trident. Heading back to Luttentorf, the group finally rescued the survivors holed up in the Two Georges.

28th of Moln, 207AF

Wilton and Ilbert awoke to find themselves and their companions locked in cages afloat near the islands. Surveying their friends, they tried to keep each one hoisted above the water line to breathe until they came to on their own. Ilbert tried to dispatch with the bars above with a laser shot, which was unsuccessful at breaking the bars but was successful at drawing the attention of a nearby sahuagin. The sahuagin threw a rock at the cage, which hit Ilbert and downed him. As more of the group started to wake up, Taelysara was able to do some healing while the group planned their escape. Pulling the cage toward the island by the chain, they were able to strongarm the bars open and climb out onto the island.

Meanwhile, the ferryman, Adelar, and his newly rescued companion were planning from a cove off the lighthouse island. Making their way toward the lighthouse, they saw a commotion on the far island and cleared sahuagin along the way there. Together, the full group was able to kill the remaining sahuagin, and spend some time mourning Zelus. Each member of the group said their goodbyes, and Zelus' body was observed to be taken in by oddly fertile soil where he laid.

The newly expanded group made their introductions with Adelar and Zephyr, and moved toward the lighthouse. Inside, the group found a tortured and weakened Josef Hetz, Alun, and Cabrella. After informing Lord Hetz as to the current state of his town, he shared that he was being tortured for the location of a family heirloom, an ivory walking stick. He disclosed that it was not at his home, but was with his uncle, in Oxstetton or at their family estate in Kleibaue. As the group was starting to question how Cabrellla made it from the pier to this location safely, she turned into a hag form and ran into the water. Concerned for their safety in the water, the crew let her escape.

The islands now cleared and with a few townsfolk rescued, the group traveled by boat and raft back to the town. The water levels had continued to rise, and there were still sahuagin in the village square. Once more, the group mustered their courage and cleared the square of the sahuagin forces, including their three-armed leader.

28th through 30th of Moln, 207AF

Having made their way back to Luttentorf from the lighthouse island, the group cleared the town of the remaining sahuagin, who were either killed or ran away. The townsfolk searched for any remaining survivors and began preparations for a memorial service to remember the 200-300 of their family, friends, and neighbors who were lost in the attack.

Lord Hetz asked for an audience with the group, and after thanking them for their assistance, he pressed them on whatever details they left out in reporting on their search for his sister, Mara. Unprepared for such questions, the group stumbled through their responses. Taelysara informed him of his sister's turn into undead, and Ilbert detailed the offering of Oscar to appease her. Stunned, angered, and appalled, Lord Hetz ordered them out of his sight.

Soon after, wardens arrived with a wagon train of help and supplies from Werpenwald, Gus and Duck updated the group with new information - Gesebruck has been similarly under siege with odd weather and flooding damage and tentacle creatures. Sergeant Turner brought a letter from Lord Frucht, requesting the group make their way to Werpenwald and help him with a job.

Tired from the days of unexpected fighting and near-death experiences, the group shared some drinks and finally found the time to make proper introductions. Each shared how they came to be in Lutterntorf and why they were on the road. Taelysara pressed Walton for information about his seeming alter-ego, and Walton explained the presence of Wilfred, his son.

In the morning, the group made final preparations for their travel to Werpenwald. While walking past a puddle, Walton saw his reflection in a puddle, realizing that the reflection was of Wilfred and not himself. He heared a familiar voice, offering help, sharing images of Cabrella, focusing on a round metal item that hangs from a chain around her neck. The voice suggested a course of action: "get this." Taelysara went to the Sunbearer's temple, and shared her recent experience of the Sunbearer's guidance with Amser. Amser was quite busy tending to the injured, now that she had the most healing powers in town after the passing of Morgana. Amser was happy to share a prayer of guidance with Taelysara in preparation for the group's departure.

That night, the group participated in the town's memorial service for their departed, on the last night of Godsfall. Before departing for Werpenwald, in the morning, Taelysara wrote an apology letter to Lord Hetz, offering support if ever needed.

1st of Unau, 207AF

The group had not been on the road long when they were approached by two reeves out of Kleibaue, in search of a halfling on warrant. Promising to keep an eye out, the rest of the daytime travel was uneventful, with the exception of passing a dead ox who was laying half in and out of the river, and an empty boat floating downstream. In the cart, Zephyr and Ilbert passed the time engaged in dice games of chance. After nightfall, the group heard singing nearby, and soon were approached by five children, asking to be taken home. One of them attacked Walton, and though the rest of the group tried to avoid attacking the children, a battle seemed unavoidable. Ilbert sent Severin ahead to scout, and he eventually saw a crater, with bodies nearby, chunks of crystal, and two figures moving around. The children had the ability to control and move members of the group, and Ilbert eventually went along to avoid further attack. Ilbert was then the first to come to the crater, finding adult and kids' bodies. Once the children and shadowy figure controlling them were taken care of (DID WE GET RID OF THE OTHER FIGURE OR DID THEY ESCAPE?), the group examined the bodies. Walton recognized that the crest on the school clothes was for the Pentarch School for Antiquarians. Ilbert examined a found amulet, which had on it the Schaeffer family crest. Finishing their trip into Werpenwald in the late evening, Zephyr stayed the night at the Crossed Axes, while the rest of the group refused to set foot in that establishment again and instead spent the night at the Half-Full Flask. The group were welcomed as heroes, and their night's food and drink were on the house.

2nd of Unau, 207AF

In the morning, the group reconvened at Lord Frucht's manor, finding the lord in surprisingly good health, looking several years younger than their last encounter with him. News from Gesebruck was that they were attacked by sea spawn and lower-lying areas were underwater. Unsurprisingly, the job that he had summoned them for was to take care of the troll and the hag on the island in the lake. Lord Frucht provided some further history of their coexistence, and Usett's fortress as the last bastion of the Drusic tribe of Cheru as the blood monarchy were taking over. The group was offered 500 gold for the troll and another 500 gold for Gelda.