Blurb

Brenda, Orm, Ray, and Ringo hunted plague rats at the docks, battled a horrifying weeper that gave Brenda a debilitating phobia, and captured a New Dawn watcher who had been looking out for tall ships.

Lilly, Farknell, Edithe, and Harry infiltrated New Dawn by convincing a guard of their loyalty, hid in a supply cart bound for the enemy mine, and fought off bandits during the journey while maintaining their cover.

Synopsis

Weeks passed after the eventful journeys of Alan, Jugo, Harry and Ulfgard. Ulfgard and Harry took their payment from Grower’s Division for delivering samples of strange plant growth, and went their separate ways. Alan and Jugo returned to their normal lives after their job to gather some crystal for the Artificers Guild.

One night while relaxing in the Iron Anchor Tavern after a day’s work, some rowdy drinkers got louder and more aggressive. Brenda told them to shut up, with enough aggression that Orm felt the need to steal her weapon. She ended up slapping the drunkard. Lilly joined the argument when she heard that they were actually New Dawn guards, but lost interest after it came out that they were fired for stupidity.

Harry, Edithe and Ringo noticed the flash of a familiar symbol outside, and went to investigate with Ray and Farknell trailing behind, alert but slow to act. Stepping into the foggy night, Harry and Edithe found themselves in the Void and talking with The Outsider, who gave them some advice about dealing with New Dawn and encouraged them to try out their powers. Returning to Auschental City, Harry and Edithe found a suspicious Ringo who fell over himself in trying to ask questions about what he just saw, or thought he saw.

Harry and Edithe were suddenly motivated to tackle New Dawn, finding agreement with the Artificers Guild members present. Sadly they were told that no one would care much about that problem until the rat plague was less of one - that is, no one in the tavern that night. The group dutifully agreed to go rat hunting.

Brenda, Orm, Ray, Ringo

Next morning, half of the group started to probe for information. Orm had some success with his shady contacts, and the others gathered a bit more from locals. Heading to the Docks District they asked some very detailed questions of some fairly simple folk, learning only that sick people tend to be chased away and there were indeed aggressive rats in the area, and possibly more at the abandoned pier. Ray, his ferret and Ringo teamed up to scorch, slice and chase some off, and headed toward the pier - although not without a few rat bites. More rats and a horrifying sight were found: A groaning, skin peeling weeper, which Brenda found so nauseating she spontaneously developed a debilitating phobia. Admirably, the battle was still won, with Brenda decapitating rats, Orm and Ringo running around stomping on them, and ultimately Ray putting on a show of weeper carving with his humble chisel.

The group also noticed someone watching them fight from a hideout on the pier. After a short chase and some enhanced questioning, the group learned that oddly enough he was looking out for tall ships, where there had been none for years. They also noticed a symbol on his pendant, which they suspected to be the New Dawn logo. Being a so-called officer of the law, Brenda considered killing or banishing all of those bitten by rats, but for the moment dragged the watcher away as dusk fell.

Lilly, Farknell, Edithe, Harry

Meanwhile the other group had a change of heart, as Lilly began a day of highly convincing talk. Farknell, Edithe and Harry agreed to find New Dawn and deal with them directly, although each with different motives. Farknell had no luck with his social network, but Lilly learned that evidence of New Dawn had been seen near the south gate.

They headed there, and after the City Watch moved them on from one area, they managed to find some carts owned (or stolen) by New Dawn. The idea was to somehow use a cart to get to the mine where they were ensconced.

Lilly attempted to sneak up, but a New Dawn watcher noticed her approach and confronted her. She did however have a good look through the pilfered supplies within. After a scuffle, the group restraining the watcher, Lilly convinced him of her genuine interest in joining New Dawn, and curiously he allowed the others to be included. In return for getting rid of some of the rats threatening to overrun the area, they would hide in a cart and be delivered to the mine under cover of darkness.

Farknell used the remaining daylight hours concocting some poisoned rat baits.

Upon returning to the gate, the group were chased by a swarm of chittering rats. Harry used one of Farknell’s baits to lure and kill some of them, but the remainder threatened to overrun those who had stayed behind. Harry blinked back and set about reducing their numbers with his staff, while Lilly unleashed an arcane explosion with her six-bow, decimating the remaining rats.

Free of the rats they hid in the cart and were soon taken out of the city. Lilly tried to cut a spyhole in the cart’s canvas, and while she failed badly and revealed herself to the guard, she managed to convince him of her loyalty to New Dawn and ended up walking alongside the cart.

Soon they were attacked by a group of bandits, while those in the cart debated the merits of giving up their hiding spot. When they eventually emerged, Lilly’s wit shone again in convincing the guards they were friend not foe. Harry backed this up by engaging the bandit leader, while Edithe summoned black tendrils from the cover of darkness, fully restraining him. Farknell was surprised at the effectiveness of his creations as a vial of acid thrown at another bandit proceeded to melt his face. Meanwhile, Lilly’s arcane bolt obliterated a third bandit, leaving the guards thankful for the presence of the group, and only slightly disturbed at the surprises emerging from the cart.