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Message: <blockquote data-quote="aartvb" data-source="post: 9540228" data-attributes="member: 7035557">Session 25 (15-12-2024): Shadows of War: The Path to Gallo's FendThe group kills the guards (and knock some out). After this, they search the adjacent rooms. In those rooms, the party finds their belongings as well as Balan's gear: a stone of alarm, an accordion, a pouch containing 150 platinum pieces and 300 gold pieces, and a ring with a red stone. There is also a scroll of Mass Healing Word. They lock the guards in a cell.In another room, they find Balan's body. It appears to be a torture chamber. On him lies a notebook written in Orcish. The torture chamber also contains a kind of grate that seems to connect to the outside world.As soon as the grate is lifted and the party attempts to enter it, a secret door opens, and they are attacked by a skeletal figure. This turns out to be the remains of a criminal from 50 years ago, named Jutras. After defeating him, the party enters the tunnel. They cross a frozen-zombie lake and emerge outside.The party surfaces in a grassy field. Janis suggests heading to Lord Gallo.Shortly thereafter, the group passes a graveyard and requests permission to bury Balan there, paying 20 gold pieces for the service. Using Comprehend Languages, they read Balan’s notebook. It appears to be a gift to Torrax from an inquisitor named Guthwulf, containing the message: “The path of learning is painful. Enjoy it.” The notebook details information extracted through torture, including methods used and what was revealed about Gate Pass’s defenses. It also contains information about Seaquen, some of which Balan fabricated.Jutras, it turns out, instilled fear in anyone who entered the castle and its prison. He had a phobia of chickens.Later, the party passes through a village called Makon, where they acquire horses and a sleigh. They begin their journey north.March 9thThe next day, the party notices they are being followed by mounted guards and a griffon. This continues for two days.March 11thThe party passes the Pitchwood, home to creatures called Pitchlings, known to speak Sylvan and to be highly resistant to fire damage. They approach the border, and then the pursuing guards quicken their approach. However, at the border, guards of Lord Gallo are waiting, causing the other group of guards to retreat.Lord Gallo's guards, led by a dwarf named Commander Hertiage, have been told to escort the party to Lord Gallo. Hertiage wears a helmet adorned with a phoenix with its wings to the back, Lord Gallo's symbol. Along the way, Hertiage alerts village mayors to prepare for war. He explains that Duke Gallo is not planning to allow the Regasians to invade.March 13thAfter five days of travel, the party arrives at Gallo’s Fend, a well-fortified city. Duke Michael Gallo welcomes them and is particularly surprised and pleased to see Janis. Roger, his servant, is assigned to guide the party around the city.Michael and his commanders want to hear everything from the party. Gallo believes Steppengard's armies are preparing to march north and besiege Gallo's Fend. He also suspects Ragesia intends to conquer not only Gate Pass but also Dassen. He does not trust Empress Leska or her inquisitors.The party stays in a villa shared with about five other individuals.March 14thThe following day, Gallo summons the party and rewards them with 4,000 gold pieces for rescuing Janis. He requests their assistance. Steppengard's advancing army consists of 10,000 soldiers. Though Gallo has an equal number of troops, he fears an additional attack from Ragesia. Snow in the mountains is currently the only barrier to the Ragesians.Gallo proposes engaging Steppengard in open battle. However, because Steppengard has the support of three other nobles, Gallo doubts he can win. He hopes to convince neighboring lords, Lord Dashgoban and Lady Timor, to aid him. For this, he needs proof of Ragesia's hostile intentions.The party is tasked with investigating the Alydi Gap mountain pass, where Gallo has lost contact with his last outpost. Gallo suspects Ragesia has captured it and asks the party to gather evidence. Baraccus suggests visiting Lady Dene, who might also be persuaded to join their cause. Gallo agrees to consider this option.<code class="bbCodeInline">Note: Our next session will be an IRL session! We usually play D&D using voice only. We have done this twice before in the last few years, but the group has changed a bit since then, so I'm excited to meet our new group members. We will play a one-shot in the homebrew setting I have been working on lately, so no update on this forum. But of course we'll continue our campaign in the new year. Merry Christmas and a happy new year everyone!</code>[ATTACH=full]390253[/ATTACH]</blockquote>

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