The Strangers returned to town and spent some time catching up on Keep business. Hugin reported that the new guards we improving in training, although one was disciplined for falling asleep on watch. Patrols were conducted around the Keep, for the farm families safety and possible threats to the Keep. While they didn't see anyone on the lands of the Keep, they did see fires off in the distance, as if someone was camping in the forest around Cillamar. They also saw prints for some large animal, near the north part of the forest of the Keep, but hadn't seen the animal it belonged to yet.
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Nora reported that supplies were still good and should last until the first crops are ripe. The farmers went out hunting and brought in some deer meat to contribute as tithe for the land they farm. She had been busy with butchering and the cold storage was filling up again. She reported the farm famiies were settling in and helping the refugees to also settle and help with farming. More land was cleared of trees to support new fields. The refugees reported they were grateful to be at the Keep and out of Cillamar. It was reported that the True Men were attacking more often and most of the Lantern Watch is turning a blind eye. The Nobles are blaming the rogue's guild and the refugees, but the families we have here don’t look like they’d know which end of the sword they should hang on to. The refugees are full of rumors, if you have an ear to listen, don't know if they are worth anything. Also, the children reported seeing some large beast on the north side of the forest. They weren't supposed to be playing that far so I just found out about it today. They were frightened, probably just a deer but thought you should know.
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After getting the reports, the group added gold for the maintenance of the Keep and pay for Hugin, the guards and Nora and her kitchen helpers. They also looked over their equipment and spent a day upgrading their gear and buying new things that would help them in exploring Castle Whiterock. After getting their gear squared away, they decided to investigate the reports of campfires and a beast. After some discussion, they decided they could split up and give the guards some experience. Kaylord and Qui'sAri went to check out the mercenary campfires. While looking over the area, they found three separate locations where someone had made an effort to cover up a campsite. After some searching around, they found tracks of humanoid, shod feet and mountain lion tracks mixed in with the humanoid. They also found something spilled on the ground that looked like spell component materials. During the search of one camp, they could tell that a dwarf had been in with the others and the others were humans or elven. There was also a partial piece of paper that Quis'Ari's sharp eye was able to read. She found a note, “Prepare troops for Erastus 1 for attack. Meet at usual spot on Sarenith 18 for information on target.” which someone had tried to destroy but hadn't completely succeeded. It looked like there was more to the note, but she was only able to make out the short text.
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After the search, Kaylord and Quis'Ari made their way back to the Keep. While there, Kaylord inspected the additional wall and the covered stable the dwarven clan had built for them. At the time, the leader of the clan, Kotri, was inspecting the work. Kaylord and Quis'Ari invite her in to talk about the work on the Keep and find out if she has seen anything unusual. She hasn't seen anything but she had heard a rumor of an evil wizard hiding in Cillimar, behind people to his will so he can take over. He is supposed to be powerful enough the Lantern Watch and Magn'gard won't be able to stop him.
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During the same time, Aramil and Coravel went with Katana to explore the northern forest and the tracks. While searching, they found a herd of dire boars which attacked the group. Katana was struck and injured severely, so Coravel took her and started back to the Keep. Aramil stayed back to distract them and flew up above them. Most of the herd stayed with Aramil, one boar went after Katana and Coravel.
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Around this time, Kaylord and Quis'Ari were wondering where Aramil and Coravel had gone to. Kotri mentioned she needed to get back to work, so they headed up and outside of the Keep. While out there, they heard shouts that boars were attacking people. Kaylord and Quis'Ari started running, Theraga also heard and headed towards the shouts. Kaylord and Quis'Ari's troll hounds also went with them.
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Coravel protected Katana who had been severely injured while Aramil dropped a fireball on the other boars. As he was using fire on them again, Kaylord and Quis'Ari came up to the clearing. Coravel killed the one boar, then went to attack another that had run from Aramil's fire. Kaylord joined in while Quis'Ari healed Katana. Aramil finished off the other boars. The group got help from the farmers to bring the boars back and butcher them for meat. Nora was happy to have more meat available. A celebration was had the next day with the meat.
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The group was starting to get restless when two messages were received at the Keep. One was for Quis'Ari and reported her parents had sent a birthday present to her in care of the Sarenrae temple in Cillamar. The other message was from the Patriarch and asked for the group to meet with him. The group decided to go and meet with the Patriarch and then check in at the temple of Sarenrae.
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When they met with the Patriarch he told them that he was stepping down as Lord Mayor of Cillamar in order to help out the Sablewing Council. There were reports of an assassination attempt for the king and the council felt he could provide good help because of his experience. He had been asked to help before but did not feel he could leave Cillamar. With the recent actions and the assassination attempt on him, he felt it was time to leave and that his grand niece, Lady Lewis, would win the election for Lord Mayor. He said the group should check with Lady Lewis to see if they could help her. Count Ismae was busy trying to get a vote of no confidence in the Patriarch. If an election was held, a year would have to pass before a vote of no confidence could be held, which would give Lady Lewis time to deal with issues in Cillamar. If Count Ismae is elected, he could call a Lord's Quietude which would allow him to declare martial law in Cillamar. He announced that he would hold a council meeting the next day and announce that he is stepping down. In the meantime, Torg Fistheart was helping the Count run his household and various properties which allowed the Count more time to visit the other lords and ladies to try and get support.
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After this meeting, the group went over to the temple of Sarenrae and Quis'Ari received her gift of an elemental gem. While there, the group helped out in soothing an old man who had been attacked and dragged through the streets of Cillamar by the True Men. The temple had healed his physical wounds, but the old man was still frightened. Aramil was able to talk to him and give him a way to protect himself if he was attacked again. The old man seemed calmed by this. Before leaving, Quis'Ari is reminded that the Burning Blades festival will occur in two days in the town commons.
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The group also visited Lady Irien Talbusk in order to see if she knew anything about the sword Damarel. While talking to her, Galadriel, the paladin turned kobold they had rescued, came in and saw the sword. She said it had been her sword and asked for it back so she could take vengeance for her village. The group returned the sword and the Lady Talbusk rewarded them for the return.
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They also talked to Lady Talbusk about the election and voting for Lady Lewis. Lady Talbusk was feeling some doubt because of some of the actions of the Strangers and the writ the Patriarch had given them. Her paladins had gone down and killed an evil druid that had been dealing drugs with the underworld which the group had left behind to do her business. Aramil apologized for this and the group pointed out issues with the Count. The Lady heard their story and was persuaded to vote for Lady Lewis.
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Next the group visited Batard Ost to see if he had any news. Batard knew that the Patriarch was stepping down but that Count Ismae seemed very confident he would win an election. Batard reported “He was stirring support for him with the claim that the Patriarch had allowed a lawless adventuring group to entice his daughter into leaving Cillamar. In addition, I've heard that Torg, his advisor is also visiting Lords and Ladies of Cillamar. After the Count or Torg visits, the Count seems to have gotten support somehow. If I didn't know the Count better, I'd wonder if he is using information or money to get the votes. Lady Woden supports him and it's also rumored she's keeping the Lantern Watch from going after the True Men. My rogues have seen visits to Lord Dawson, Nigel the Bald and Lord Merrick, who know who else the Count or Torg have visited.”
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The group left the Warrens and as they left they saw several thugs and two men on horseback beating on a commoner. A woman was on the ground who the commoner was trying to protect. The men on horseback had their faces covered like True Men. When the Strangers investigated, they were told to mind their own business and the thugs and horsemen started to attack. The group went into action took down several of the thugs. The horsemen rode off when they saw how the attack was going. Aramil turned invisible and flew after them as they rode towards the Gaol building. Kaylord and Coravel chased after one thug who tried to get away. After a chase through the shacks of the Warrens, they found him and gave him a chance to leave peacefully. The thug did and they went back to deal with him.
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Aramil followed the two and identified the insignia on one horse as that of the house of Whitney, a friend of Lord Dawson. The two riders jumped off the horses and ran into the Gaol building before Aramil could follow. Aramil attempted to lead the horses away and Quis'Ari had joined him and helped out. The Lantern Watch came out and headed towards the thugs. Kaylord and Coravel were checking on the thugs while the Lantern Watch came up. Quis'Ari helped the commoners while the Lantern Watch took custody of the thugs. Aramil came up with the horses and turned them over to the Watch as well. The group reported to the Watch who said they couldn't get involved because of who was involved. They suggested the group check with the guard Brian for more information. The Lantern Watch cleared away the bodies and took custody of the horses while the group left the area. The session ended here.
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