Session 3 - Group 2 Report

The session began with the Adventurers: Leopold the Halfling, Matryx the Human, Nosgoth the Orc, and Khiss the Taxlatl returning to the expedition base camp after their first day exploring the Academy. As they entered the camp, they were greeted by the various camp support folk that were about, but Nosgoth and Khiss could not help but notice that there seemed to be a bit of surprise in the faces they saw - as if the camp folk weren't really expecting to ever see the Adventurers again.

Even Cricktwo Longwhisker, the Chittiki "pathfinder" that led them to the Academy, seemed surprise - though quite pleased - to see them. Nosgoth immediately confronted the ratfolk guide about this. The party learned that they had been lied to. They were not the first adventurers sent forth from the camp; though they were the first to actually return.

Apparently two other groups had preceded them. Indeed, they had found evidence of one of these. The Marquis, arriving shortly after Cricktwo, explained that the deception was merely intended to keep from frightening the adventurers. He admitted that a group of three young, inexperienced dwarves had gone missing only a few weeks prior - likely the coccooned corpse of one and the backpack outside the academy were all that remained of them. Another group had gone out two months prior to that, but the Marquis had no knowledge of their fate, and the party had not encountered any evidence of their passing either.

The evening was spent in celebration. A feast of roast venison and some of the better ales, wines, and even mead from the private stocks of the Marquis were provided to commemorate the beginning of a successful expedition. Leopold made enough of a big deal over the cuts and bruises he had received fighting the spiders to attrack the healing attention of Shanna Fairbairn, the Halfling co-owner of the tavern. But after a quick assessment of his "wounds", Shanna shooed Leopold back to the dining table to join his friends.

After eating - the Marquis and the goblin Darkspark sat and ate with the adventurers while the servant/advisor Gregory stood just behind the Marquis' shoulder - the party began to display the loot they had acquired. All agreed that the party should keep possession of four of the talismans acquired in the Visitor's Reception area, but the other four were turned over. Likewise the candlesticks, the door plaques, the "visitor instruction" cards, and the lock mechanism from the key box were turned over and assessed by Gregory. Prices were set, and the party informed that accounts for each would be established. They would be given their gold at the end of the expedition, but could use these accounts to aquire supplies from the quartermaster or special services from any of the camp staff in the meantime.

When the two blue-silk-ribboned talismans were produced, the old goblin Darkspark seemed to suddenly take interest. Matryx explained that he had Identified the items and determined they were used to prevent a deceased wearer from being raised as an undead. Darkspark immediately took possession of these and promied "further study", after recommending a price to the Marquis.

In the morning, the group made their way to the quartermaster's pavilion to do some shopping. Nosgoth sold off a few common items he deemed to be unneccesary and collected a few coins. Nosgoth and Khiss wanted leather breastplates to enhance their armor; the Gnome quartermaster, Belgridane Cooligrood, took measurements and informed them that their breastplates would have to be ordered. It would take about four weeks for these to be delivered to the camp. Not wanting to be left out, Leopold ordered some brigandine armor for himself, requesting that it be fashioned in a turquoise color. This too, would be delivered in four weeks time. A few flasks of oil were in stock; Leopold purchased these.

After completing their shopping, the group decided that too much of the day had passed for them to return to the Academy; they would rest up a bit more and head out with first light the next morning.

The session ended here.