Session 44 - The Committee

19/06/5-10

The party headed down to the inn and the barkeep beckoned them. From behind the bar, she pulled out a large box, which was delivered to the establishment, addressed to them. Inside was a small envelope placed on top of a leather bag. They tested it, before reading the envelope. Inside was a letter signed by Dr Stanov, thanking them for their help and enclosing the writ they asked for, as well as an additional tool to help spotting things. Otto flipped the bag inside out and from within 2 scrolls dropped, one was the writ and the other a Scroll of Truesight.

After a few minutes of conversing, they decided to gather their possessions and head to Otusta. The road there was well trodden and they prepared for the 4 day journey to the Atanasoff lake house. On the way they talked about the things they had to see to in Skalenvru - the Baron, the Book, Yorhaza Klapul. Milivoj told them what he knew of the city. It had been built into the cliff face, it's multiple tiers being a daunting sight, entering from the south. They decided to worry about the city, once they get to it and continued onward.

23/06/5-10

Ahead was a branch from the road to the west. A sign could be seen saying "Private road, no through access.". A few hours later, Sapphira noticed deep footprints into the soil, made by something heavy. Getting a closer look, she saw that the footprints were significantly bigger than a horse's and like no animal she had ever seen before. The prints seemed to be headed north, having just crossed the road. Knowing this damage to the surrounding foliage became obvious. The prints themselves were made by something with 2 forward facing claws and by the spacing she could tell the creature was bipedal with a long tail dragging behind. Further aside from the prints were cuts to the plants and the glass made by other sharp claws. Sapphira made the others aware of her findings and they continued onwards.

Eventually they saw someone standing in the road a few hundred feet away. Upon approaching, a couple of other things. The man in the road remained unmoving and Sapphira noticed more signs of this creature, as there was more damaged plant life to the north. Getting closer to the man, she noticed that from halfway up his thigh to above his shoulder was an enormous gash, as if his body was ripped apart lifeless stood there, their features an unnatural grey. A book was dropped at their feet. Sapphira tried to move the man, but his body was like stone. This is when she noticed the large footprints originated there, as if the creature materialized there. Two more pairs of clawed prints was also present, one more akin to those of a frog or a toad, headed south-west and another like those of a wolf also going south-west. She opened up the book and found it to be "Stories and tales of the Kingshit Zelik Chernov", the book was signed by the man itself.

They continued quickly onward, Valeyo worried that the creature might have attacked the I.C.M. Eventually they could see the lake house against the setting sun. Trees and decorative bushes were planted around the large building at the lake's shore. They suddenly heard a loud scream and the sound of glass shattering. Running in, Sapphira saw a sickly looking, white furred wolf, with spike protruding from its spine and where its tail would be, instead it had that of a scorpion.

As Milivoj rushed in, the other heard a large thud from the right. There Shiek saw a large frog-like creature. As he rushed to the house, Valeyo saw through the window a stunned looking goliath, an older human man and a familiar white tiefling. Moving to the balcony he could see a female minotaur, a female half-orc and a male elf. Tents were also pitched inside. The group defeated the demons and headed inside.

Valeyo let the others in and asked when the creatures arrived. Vasil walked up to him and shook his hand, asking who they are and why they were there. Valeyo gave a brief summary of them defeating the Emisar and the elections in Stendolin. While there Milivoj recognized the goliath man as Shirok, the younger brother of their chief. Valeyo asked them about Glasya, but none of them seemed familiar with the name. When asked about if they were the leaders of the I.C.M. and they said that Vasil is the man really in charge. He then asked who exactly they are and Vasil introduced them:

• Thalia - White female tiefling bard, trained in diplomacy and history.
• Patricia Coll - Female minotaur, leader amongst the her people, who were displaced by Dragomir.
• Shirok Onihayek - Tall, strongly built male goliath, brother to the Oniroden clan leader.
• Obrand Dokruka - Elderly male human, head of the Otusta docks.
• Bronka Yellin - A female half-orc, from a wealthy family from Dragomir, which has been ostracized for working to better people's conditions. She recognized the name of the Dragotaina and was surprised the party knew of it.
• Vasil - A middle aged male elf. He was born a dwarf during the time of Dragomir the First and he died when his forces took Stendolin. He was later reincarnated into this body and has watched as their people suffered.

Before continuing their discussions, Valeyo asked to speak to Thalia alone and the two of them went outside.