Session 1 Recap
A strong blizzard greets Oeriubo as she's attempting to set up camp at a crossroad en route to Two Towns. Evidence of a failed campfire, a dim glowing light from her tent, and varying cart and horse tracks are the only signs of life this far north. A curious Goliath Hakan approaches with caution, seeking aid in his direction of travel. As the minutes passed and the storm continued to coat the area, a shivering tiefling Xaemar meets the pair mid conversation. Still learning her powers, Oeriubo takes another attempt at lighting her fire, through a guiding hand or a mistake, a thunderous wave drops from above and, while slightly singed, successfully lights the wet logs piled sloppily. The final piece of this gathering, Vargosk, a stubborn Harengon, is drawn quickly to the spectacle.
Attempting to orient themselves, realizing they all have the same direction of travel to Two Towns, it is revealed that Vargosk does technically have a map, however crude and simple looking, and even with this map, all that can be discerned is a smudge near where the town might be. Amidst the arguing the map is blown from Vargosk's hands and lands near a bush on the treeline. Hakan, upon investigating, learns the group is not alone. Before a decision could be made, Oeriubo became the first to get contact from a large swarm of medium to small sized spiders.
The sudden speed of the first half of the swarm made its way up Oeriubo's legs, searching for a spot to bite at. In a desparate attempt to help after Oeriubo's swatting failed, Xaemar forcefully kicked the panicked Oeriubo towards the campfire. A semi-successful attempt allowed only her right leg to be consumed by the fire. While this did help with a few, the remaining spiders on her clung and bit at her. After getting up and being unable to help herself further, a desparate Hakan began to cast a spell towards her, and whether by luck or determination, radiant energy strikes found its mark and destroyed all but a single spider which was quickly dealt with. A new rustling approached.
Inspecting its source, large front legs and the outline of large black bulbous eyes were found. Tired of the danger, the party heavily focused and dealt with the giant spider before it had the chance to seek revenge. Stillness took the air and sent the party northward, towards Two Towns. Not far up the trail, Xaemar found a lifeless and mangled body of a human. Knowing the likely source of such a wound, Xaemar warned against facing the Axe Beak, at least for now. Hakan spent the time to preserve the body and help it be prepared for a proper burial. From the bushes, after listening in on the conversations, Berdam, a human female sprung out as the party turned their backs, demanding to know what sorcery had been done to her friend's dead body.
An agreement was reached that the party may help Berdam complete her task in exchange for gold, she would just need to consult with her master. Overhearing the name "Scarlet Serpent" as means of entry by Berdam to the city, the mystery was only just beginning. Two Towns came with the rumors that either it was thriving and nestled in its ways or it was being overrun, with the question being by what. Entering the eerily quiet tavern revealed the latter being true, this place was nearly a ghost town.
A tense scene was split by Vargosk seeking ale from the female human barkeep, an inspection of whom revealed the vast array of swords and shields along the back wall behind the bard, including a closed door she never strayed too far from. Conversation with the dark figure who called herself the Scarlet Serpent showed the players the porcelain white skin, deep red eyes, and long streaking black hair accompanied only by a staff with a deep blue gem atop it. An offer was made to capture in exchange for gold of the creatures in the area to which a timid acceptance was made by the party. Leaving to explore the rest of the nearby town, 2 of the local guards seen roaming the area told them, in quiet to beware whatever the creepy porcelain lady offers, despite not knowing specifics, the concern was genuine.
Only making it a few hundred feet presented a scattering of a group of guards, previously rebuilding a section of the wall that was badly damaged. Amongst the screams Vargosk and Xaemar recognized a terrifying sight of something only from their fables, an Ankheg, crawling its way over the rubble, crushing and devouring the guards it caught. Running back to the tavern, the guards reacted to the commotion by barricading the front door with chairs and tables. Searching for an escape, Vargosk found 3 rooms upstairs with only a small window above each bed. No obvious escape could be found. At that moment the front door pounding began, something large was just outside and the wooden door can only last so long. Acid green liquid begins to pour under the gap of the doors as the party plans their next move.