Friday, August 11, 2023

Session #102: Mystery at Fort Bugeater

 Known players:

Sesel (Ftr 8)
Durham (Ftr 8)
Najm (MU 7)
Fa Min (Elm 3)


Hidden reserves:

Raoden (MU 6)
Heijo (MU 7)
Pako (Thf 5)
Mai (Ftr 3)
Demitrytus (Ftr 1)


With House Othmani taking a lead role in local politics, the threat of attack and mayhem from the Red Cloud has become a rather more serious issue. Case in point, the Souffets, recognizing a rising problem in the eastern forests – namely, the upstart K'Zin Eater of Bugs, and his eponymous Fort – recently advertised significant rewards for proven actions taken against Eater of Bugs. In response, citizen Sesel, and several of his barbarian compatriots, undertook an expedition to accomplish certain of those tasks. Interestingly, it was also noted that Durham, of the Ringing Anvil, was approached by a member of the Confraternity of Saint Inistas who asked a boon of him … to seek out and rescue a member of their order who mysteriously disappeared during the sacking of Iqta' al Zaytun, believed to be held captive by Eater of Bugs.

And so Sesel and Durham, accompanied by Najm (the Wyrm), and the mendicant Fa Min, girded themselves for combat, and were observed heading in the direction of Fort Bugeater, in hopes of glory and gold! In short order, Wasgo runners, known associates of Durham, returned breathless to the dual cities, and petitioned House Othmani to send warriors to garrison the local watch tower. Not long after that, Sesel's wife, Zaida al Rashid, was observed escorting the mad wizard, Bartholomew Pettibone into the upper city, and attending an audience with Lord General Dalinar of House Khalid. Within hours of their meeting, a small force of men-at-arms from House Othmani, together with a rather large contingent of seasoned warriors wearing the livery of House Khalid, departed in the direction of Fort Bugeater. Whispers immediately began making the rounds, wondering what might be in the works! Had the hornet's nest been kicked? Had war begun in earnest?!

Early the following day, Sesel and his compatriots returned to Cothon-Gadeed, and tales of their expedition began circulating throughout the common houses of the city. As well, conflicting rumors began to be gossiped and bantered about within the major and minor Houses of the political elite. Of particular note, Sesel claimed great deeds were accomplished, indeed, the pesky watch tower, as well as Fort Bugeater had been successfully assailed and commandeered! Both martial posts had been routed and control ceded to House Othmani and House Khalid – who now garrisoned said positions, respectively. As well, two bedraggled, and beaten individuals, who had apparently been held as prisoners by Eater of Bugs, were returned to the city. One of these was Sister Kyssa, the initiate from the Confraternity of St. Inistas, who was met with great joy after Durham's rescue.

But something seemed amiss. This small band of barbarians, who were claiming great deeds, appeared to be entirely unscathed … whole, hale, and hearty … oddly perky and unperturbed for coming fresh from some adventuresome skirmish or hard-fought battle. What was observed to be a small group of four barbarians, seen heading out to the environs of Fort Bugeater, were claiming to have infiltrated and conquered a well-fortified military structure, garrisoned by a force of what was believed to be well over 150 highly trained and equipped K'zin warriors, men, and giants! And curiously, unconfirmed rumors suggested that the watch tower and fort had been found abandoned, with eerie tales of piles of headless, burned bodies within the confines of the fort's walls; the severed heads being found weighted down within the river, below the fort.

While there was some small comfort in knowing that the fort and its supporting watch tower were now under local control (no matter the cause), there have also been questions raised. What happened to cause Eater of Bugs and his force to be routed? Were they actually routed? Are disease and plague running rampant? Perhaps a new, unknown enemy is on the prowl? Is there an expanding presence of undead from Tsur al'Qadim? Was Eater of Bugs recalled to Red Cloud's main war group in preparation for a new, major offensive? The mystery is on the lips of many. And with these questions swirling about, the Souffets have sent for citizen Sesel and his compatriots to bring themselves before their most imminent persons, to provide a full and accurate account of their expedition, answer pertinent questions, and to perhaps receive promised rewards.


The Learning (as of now):

2500 xp per main character
500 xp per minions


The Lucre

4 dinars (gp), 1298 dirhams (sp), and 606 fals (cp) each to Sesel, Durham, Fa Min, Najm, and Heijo
2 dinars (gp), 649 dirhams (sp), and 303 fals (cp) each to Raoden, Pako, Mei, and Demitrytus

5 50-gallon barrels of fine wine
8 50-gallon barrels of good ale
2 50-gallon barrels of hard cider
3 5-gallon casks of prime liquor

1 brick-ingot of chromium
2 brick-ingots of zortrium
6 brick-ingots of pure iron

1 large wall-map of the territory around Cothon-Gadeed, including south into al Zaytun



As always, players who write an in-character report, or produce maps or art representing the session may gain 100 xp per level.

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