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Message: <blockquote data-quote="aartvb" data-source="post: 9622532" data-attributes="member: 7035557"><code class="bbCodeInline">It's been a while since I posted an update here. I haven't been feeling so well, so we played less D&D, and I didn't have the energy to post here. But less is not none, and I'm startimg to translate the session notes to English again. So there will be updates on the WotBS amd Zeitgeist threads!</code>Session 26 (11-01-2025): Fire, Ice, and Foolhardy PlansThe group meets Kyra, an elf of about 30 years old. She has green eyes and wears wilderness-themed clothing. After a short conversation, it becomes clear that she is both a follower and a (former) paramour of Lord Gallo. She has extensive knowledge of the wilderness in and around Gallo’s lands. Because of this, she will guide the group on their journey through the Alydi Gap.<code class="bbCodeInline">In case you're wondering who this Kyra figure is, Elio's player's girlfriend wanted to try out D&D, so she joined for a few sessions, playing Kyra the elf.</code>Before departing, the group takes some time to shop in Gallo's Fend. They purchase healing potions and some magic items. Barracus temporarily gifts Kyra and Elio two platinum rings, claiming that they will provide temporary protection against harm. He mentions that he also has a gift for Athoz, which he will give later.  They enter the mountain pass with two extra horses (for potential witnesses/torture victims). They also carry diplomatic papers from Lord Gallo to gain the trust of the guards at the various outposts.  Along the way, the terrain is sometimes treacherous. However, Kyra, as an experienced scout in this region, guides them through with little trouble.  The first outpost appears normal, with nothing unusual. The group takes the opportunity to learn more about the structure of these watchtowers. Each consists of a large tower in the middle of the pass, blocking the road. There is no outer courtyard; instead, it is a multi-story tower with ballistae on the roof. They swap horses here to ensure they have fresh mounts for the journey ahead.  Outposts two through five are similar, with no remarkable events. The guards say that nothing of interest has happened, just that it is extremely cold.  Lord Gallo had, of course, warned that there were issues at the last watchtower. As a precaution, Barracus casts Augury to determine whether the guards there are as reliable as those at the previous outposts. The response: "woe".On high alert, the group stealthily approaches the western side of the watchtower. They climb up via some hills that provide cover. At the base of the tower, they (excessively) discuss their options for infiltration and gathering evidence. Their ideas include but are not limited to: kidnapping, arson, local genocide, wyvern hunting, covert infiltration, and impersonation.Growing bored and irritated, Barracus finally takes action, leaping onto the rooftop of the outpost. Elio follows closely behind, flying and casting Invisibility on both himself and Barracus to scout ahead.  Of course, Barracus and Elio had not thought about communication signals, methods for relaying information, or even a single plan for collecting evidence.  On the roof, an orc guard is keeping watch, with a wyvern resting in one corner. They sneak past and descend the stairs, moving quietly through the corridors. They manage to distract a guard using the light from a door that swings open due to a (magical) gust of wind.The next hallway has multiple doors. From one, at least four voices can be heard speaking Orcish. Another room is mostly filled with the sounds of writing. The wind trick pushes open a door slightly again—this time unnoticed.  Inside, a woman in combat gear is reading a book, surrounded by multiple documents.  They drop a knife, causing the woman to walk away to investigate. Seizing the moment, Barracus and Elio scan the documents and hurriedly steal as much as possible in a brief panic. They hear the woman returning and teleport away.  Of course, Barracus and Elio had not considered that teleportation sets things on fire. The stolen documents also catch fire. Fortunately, most of them survive and remain legible.  Desperate to flee, Elio and Barracus panic. Vashera, in an effort to help, casts (an obviously inconspicuous) Darkness to obscure the guards' vision (in the middle of the night).  As they escape, they hear a wyvern take flight, but they seem to get away unnoticed.  Naturally, the group had not considered that horses are still just horses, meaning they struggle in the dark. Two of the horses stumble on an uneven path and break their necks.  In the freezing cold, the group takes a long rest in Elio’s cozy magical sphere.March 15They return to Lord Gallo, walking through the cold to the fifth watchtower. There, they take two of their fresh horses with them because they are too lazy to walk.  Upon arriving at Lord Gallo’s, they inform him that the fifth outpost is now in need of replacement horses.  They report the Ragasian infiltration to Lord Gallo. He assigns them new tasks: convincing the Lords and Ladies of Dassen that are in doubt, to support him in the fight against Steppengard, so that they can defend the pass against the Ragasians. Their primary targets are Lord Dashgoban and Lady Timor.  March 16The group first heads south, planning to travel through the Pitchwood to Lord Dashgoban. They are tasked by Lord Gallo with melting a river near the village next to the Pitchwood, to delay Steppengard’s forces. Kyra remains with them due to her expertise.  March 17Upon arriving in the Pitchwood, they are confronted by Pitchlings (forest-fairy-like fey) attempting to ambush travelers. Negotiations are brief—the Pitchlings are swiftly and thoroughly cut down by the group.  In a brief discussion afterward, they begin planning how to melt the river. At this point, Barracus finally presents Athoz with his promised gift: a gem containing a Fire Elemental, captured by Barracus’ order. If Athoz helps defeat the Fire Elemental, his magical ring (from Balan) will grant him more powers.However, there is one catch: if the Elemental proves to be loyal or friendly toward Barracus’ order, then the group will have to fight it without Barracus’ support.</blockquote>

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