Asked a lot

August 11, 2011

The group checks around and finds the family is still alive.  They were hiding and heard the bugbears doing some chanting but not what it was.  The group did find the remains of a summoning spell and after figuring out that the stuff burned was leaves of the crops as well as bugs that eat the crops, they think the bugbears were doing a ritual to summon more bugs to eat the crops. 

They are told that Helm's Hold protects them and the bladesinger is not impressed with their protection.  They see a smoke column from that direction and head that way.  When the get to Helm's Hold there is a lot of activity gong on there by bugbears.  Soon a patrol comes out and they are tracked back.  The group lays an ambush and manages to defeat this group of bugbears but it's a tough fight as it has a giant with them. 

They decide to go Neverwinter. 

Lady Ralee meets with them as they arrive.  The bladesinger again comments that the lord/serf fealty is not being followed by those high up as their people are being driven from their lands or killed.  The lady agrees and says she needs their help.  She wants to send them back to Helm's Hold on a scouting mission to see what they can.  She gives them some invisibility potions and a few mundane items and sends them on their way. 

This time, they get closer and see that it's hundreds of bugbears, twenty or more giants and Zhentarim agents.  Plus several score wolves and some cave bears, with probably clerics of Malar.  They back off and take this news back to Lady Ralee.  She makes a quick decision, as she shares with them that there are more troops coming from the east as well as ships from Luskan a few miles out.  She asks them to hide some important relics and artifacts and then come back and stay close.  And also to go to Helm's Hold and see if some relics and artifacts are still there.  If so, hide those as well.  Again, the group agrees.  She again provides them with invisibility potions and they leave. 

They head south a bit but then go to Helm's Hold to find it ruined, the bodies still piled up and being eaten by carrion animals.  They do find the relics, again held in bags tied with gold thread that seems to keep it quite tight, so then they have to figure out where to go.  They decide to head to the forest.  They make it by nightfall and make camp, only to find a tree has moved into the middle of the camp in the middle of the night. 

GM Notes

• The bladesinger did a great job of being haughty to NPCs but not PCs and not being rude, but stating facts in a haughty manner.  I was quite impressed. 
• Unfortunately, Drew didn't like his hexblade and what it could do.  We talked about about suggestions, such as going warlock instead, but not sure if he will change anything at this point.
• Berry was also unhappy with how quickly his character went down last time but didn't have as much trouble this time.  So, might stay a bit more and see how it goes. 
• I don't mind these changes.  It's interesting to see what they think of the character classes in play. 
• I still need to get my head completely wrapped around some thing but I do have ideas and plans about how this could work.  I'm hopeful I can work it all into the plot! 

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