Realms S1E6 Crossroads

The party is attacked by unseen foes. Who are they and what do they have against Goliaths?

Player Characters Present
Jeidobii, Torq, Denahi, Burakubuu, Venus

Synopsis
The party recovers from the fight with the giant demon. Torq has stowed his biggest trophy yet in the back of the cart, happily. All things seemingly safe, they make camp for the night. As the others sleep, Jeidobii and Denahi keep watch. Jeidobii asks Denahi about her magic. Suddenly they hear something on the approach. They find cover and observe: it’s Venus, riding atop her direwolf, Eva. After a brief greeting, Venus also takes respite for the night after a long journey.

In the morning, the party begins their journey again. Jeidobii catches Venus up on recent events, and that they’d encountered her brother. As they travel, Denahi spots a fire ahead to the north side of the road. They disembark and search the area, finding nothing initially but seeing in the close distance a decrepit fort. They make a cautious approach, thinking that at the least they may find some useful supplies or treasure within. The party makes a slow survey of the interior while Julette waits outside.

Without warning, Burakubuu and Torq both experience a sudden stabbing pain. Then the others experience the same. No enemy in sight, Burakubuu acts on a gut feeling and empties his canteen on the floor and immediately sees wet footprints retreating. He thinks fast and, reflecting on his encounter with Phici and his monk training, makes an estimation of position on his enemy. He tosses some spare clothing from his pack and it lands upon an invisible foe. The threat located, the party begins lashing out around their immediate area until the enemy reveal themselves: a number of drow, previously invisible.

Torq is enraged at the sight of those like the ones who ransacked his village, killing his wife and daughter. He strikes back violently and the party makes quick work of the drow within the fort but there was an oversight: outside, Julette has been seized by the leader of the drow attackers. He calls to the group to relent. In that moment, Eva the direwolf bursts forth from the woods and distracts the drow leader.

The party prevails against the powerful foe but not without injury. Seeing her beloved wolf hurt, Venus leaves her friend Denahi’s side and goes to heal her pet. Julette and Jeidobii help the party recover. Upstairs, they discover and free a bound goliath, Lerg. The goliath recognizes Torq, giving him a very official greeting. He explains how he’d been surprised and bound by the Drow, who were part of a larger group headed Northeast. The party offers to take Lerg along with them on their way to Rheragord, but he opts to stay, expressing that should the Drow return they will not surprise him again.

The party makes their way back to the road to find Carlox awaiting them, safe. They make camp and settle in the for the night. While Denahi keeps watch, Venus awakes and makes off upon Eva without a word. Exchanging only a knowing look, Denahi understands her friend must go to her brother, Farlan. And with that, she leaves the group.