8.2 Castle Rend

SESSION DATE: December 07, 2024
PRESENT: Rory, Renaldine, Kemurial, Freya

Deep Dive

![[Rory - 8.2 Castle Rend.wav]]

Adventure Photos

Adventure Song & Lyrics

![[Castle Rend.mp4]]

World Anvil Journal

sooo... we wint awound tha cathle but cudnt find a nuther way in. but thin we thaw thome thmoke comin fwom the cathle and i wath wike WAT IF THEY R BURNIN PINNA WE GOTTA GO GIT HER NOW tho i took off to tha dor. it wath wokd tho tho i wooked for a kee or a wever or thomethin to unwock the dor but cudnt find won. i did find a cuppel twapth tho and i awmotht fel into won of them that wath cwothe. fwaya weminded uth that she cud maik her own dor and we wath all wike oh yah i fowgot u cud do that tho she did it and we got in.

she thaw thomewon thtanding owthide the woom tho she towd uth to git weddy and kimiweel wath gonna gwab won if they wath owtthide but win wondaline opind tha dor tha guy wath faw away. tho we thtawted fitin but won of tha orkth in anuther woom caim owt with a boy and a nife to hith nek and thin i herd a voithe that thaid they wath pinna and it thowdid wike her but i wuthnt shure. awitha akthd her a kwethchin onwy she cud no the anther to and she antherd it wite tho we new it weewy wath her. wondaline towd uth not to put down are wepinth but i dont want them to hurt pinna tho i dont put mine down but i put it away inthted. wondaline wathnt hapy wike she wanted to kil tha orkth but im wike they got pinna dont do it wondaline and wuckiwy she withend to me. the ork with the boy thaid her naim wath bonebwaker dorker and she akthed uth to eet with her tho we wint in to the woom.

we all that down at tha tabel but wondaline wint off into tha corner to thtand. dorker thaid if she find owt we therv thakthtin well die fatht but were liek gud thing we dont therv him tho u dont haf to wory abowt that. n e way wong thtowy short she pwomitheth to take her ork peepel away fwom hear and we can hav tha cathel if we giv her thomethin powerful. i twied to giv her tha dorf thkull that thkweemth win u wook at it but she wantid thomethin she cud hit thomewon with inthted. wondaline thaid well u can hav thith thtaff that maketh ur enemeeth week win u hit them with it and she wath wike oh yah thath cool ill taik it. sheth wike okay take the boy and the gurl and take the cathel and kil thakthtin and well git outta hear and were wike u got it. befowe they weft she gaiv wondaline a horn and thaid bwow thith if u need help and if we can heer it well come help u owt and were wiek ooh thath cool and thin they weft.

i maid shure pinna and the other guy wath okay and thin i gaiv pinna her poshinth and her pendint. she twied to giv uth bak the poshinth but we towd her to keep them becuth she cud thell them to help her git bak on her feet with tha shop and thtuff and she thtawted to cwy and thankd uth for thavin her. the boy thaid hith naim wath edmin begedar and he ith now tha akshul weeder bawon guy of thith pwathe and he thanked uth for thavin him. he wath tho thankful that he akshuwy maid wondaline a nite wich wath vewy cool of him to do. we towd pinna she cud thtay hear in tha cathel and maik a wizerd towr tho she can pwactithe her thtuff win her teecher tathe cometh bak wike she minchind and she wath thuper ekthitid abowt it but furtht she thaid we gotta go bak to gwavethfird cuz they thtill need her.

we wath gonna thweep but edmin thaid that the orkth alwayth thtayed away fwom tha cwumbeld towr and anuther woom becuth ther r unded and gothth. jutht to maik shure they dont find uth wile we r thweepin, we dethide to take a wook at tha woom acwoth the bonfier. fwaya and awitha and me thtaid in tha dinin woom to maik shure edmin and pinna are thaif and wondaline and kimiweel wint to wook awound the other woom. i dont no ekthakwy wat hapind but they thtawted yewwing abowt thome unded tho i wan to thee and shure nuff they wer fitin thome unded thing and a bwue gost. i helpd them kill them and thin kimiweel wath wike hay thith thtatchoo is weerd cuz ith on thome wood inthted of thith thtone tho can u help me move it and im wike ya shure but wet me chek on the otherth firtht.

i wint and wookd and they wath fine tho i caim bak but i notithd there wath a chetht that we mithd tho of corthe i gotta thee wath in it. win i wint to opin it THE CHETHT CAIM AWIVE AND BIT ME AND GWABBD ME. it kinda thcawed me onethtwy but i wath abel to take cawe of it eethiwy enuff. win it died it thpit owt a thak with thome gimth in it tho that wath cool.

i wint bak to the woom with wondaline and kimiweel to help them move the thtachoo. it took a wot of wurk to move it but we did. thereth a big hoe down ther but inthted of goin down ther im wike u guyth i gotta wetht im totawy tierd. they thot that wath a gud idea tho we wint to wetht.

we eech took a woom to arethelf and wondaline thtayed up wike nowmal. win we woke up wondaline towd uth that thome thadowy guy caim and vithited duwing the nite and towd her that heth fwom the cwock or thomethin and heth bin fowwowin uth for a wile and im wike thath kinda cweepy. he thaid they cant be theen by thakthtin or they wud be ded. she thaid he warnd her that pewwitin nothe abowt thith cathel and that heth comin in a week to taik it but he doethnt no the orkth are gon alweddy. he thaid we need to be weddy for a hyuge fite with their awmy of peepel. i dont no who the cwock ith or who thith guy ith or why he ith helpin uth but im gwad he ith evin tho i dont fuwwy twutht him. id wather no abowt thith attak than not no abowt it u no wat i meen.

n e way we make are way bak to the town with pinna and edmin and go thtwait to tha church. father baldenrone wingth the bell and evwywon cometh to the church to thee wath goin on. wondaline tawkth to them abowt wat happind and she bwingth owt pinna and evwywon cheerd and wath happy. thin she towd me to bwing owt edmin and they were all wike who that and win we towd them it wath bawon edmin begedar they were thupwithed and dint no he wath awive and thtuff. wondaline ekthpwaind evwything and towd them wat wath gonna happin at the cathel.

we r gonna hav a wot of help for thith fite. dwaugnir we cud altho uthe ur help.

Private Notes

• We take a lap around the castle, but find no alternative means of entry. We do spot movement and torchlight in the northwestern tower, so there is movement.
• Renaldine uses her ritual spell to grant us the benefits of a short rest, all the while watching out for anyone coming or going.
• After the short rest, Renaldine hears the sounds of what sounds like combat, but based on everything we see, she determines it's likely just some sparring going on inside the keep. She smells cooking meat, and smoke is coming from the center of the courtyard. Rory says "What if they're cooking Pinna?!" Renaldine says "If they are, we're too late." Rory takes off sprinting toward the front door of the keep. The others follow.
• The main entrance are banded iron on oak doors. There is a portcullis, but it's currently up, which means we can pass through the door if it were open. Who on earth would think that portcullises (portculli?) close upward? Definitely not me!
• Freya reminds us she can create portals to traverse tricky areas, which we completely forgot about. Awesome! Rory hurries toward the arrow slit in the wall to the left of the main entrance, but as he does so, he discovers a hidden trap that he has somehow avoided completely until now. Luckily he notices before it's too late, tells the group to watch out, and then immediately trips ANOTHER trap while stepping away from the first. Luckily once again, he avoids falling into the 30' deep pit, but not without the trap's surface falling and causing lots of noise. OOPS!
• Freya quickly casts her portals and we head inside. She notices movement outside the room, saying there's one just across the way from us, and warns us to take cover and be quiet. We all try our best.
• Kemurial readies his action to grapple an enemy should one exist just outside the door as Renaldine opens it. There is nobody to grapple, but we do notice at least one orc across the central bonfire in the courtyard. The smoke billows out of the hole in the ceiling above it. No Pinna-shaped figure in or around the fire, though, which is good. But, it's time for INITIATIVE!!!
  • As Rory rages, a door swings open. He sees an orc holding a knife to the neck of a human. The orc, in Common, says "Stop these hostilities or I'll kill him!" The human yells at us, asking us to put down our weapons, and that he's the rightful leader of the land, Edmond Bedegar. Kemurial feels they're truthful. Rory, in his rage, doesn't drop his weapon, but follows Kemurial's lead, holding his weapon away from the orcs and dire wolf that he is fighting. Renaldine suggest that we just let them kill the human, because they'd obviously have done it already if they didn't need them for something. She has a good point. Rory does not drop his rage throughout this scene, just in case things start to go south again.
  • Rory can't see her, but one of the captives is Pinna.
  • Alyssa calls to Pinna, asking "If you're really Pinna, what did you keep on the top right of your dresser?" Pinna responds, saying "It was a doll that used to be my sister's!" Alyssa accepts her response. We stand down, to Renaldine's dismay. Combat over.
• One orc says "I am Bonebreaker Dorokor, and I invite you to dine with me." Rory lets his rage subside.
• We enter the dining hall. Rory sits directly across from Pinna, as close to her and the orcs as he can get.
• Dorokor says we'll die quickly if we serve Saxton. We don't serve him.
• Dorokor asks if we're here for her life. We're here for Pinna. I don't think they necessarily know we're here for both.
• Renaldine explains what happened in Gravesford, including Pelliton's and the other guy's plans to claim her bounty, and that we're here for PInna, not knowing that one of the leaders were here. Dorokor says they were paid to kill the lord of Bedegar so that Lord Saxton could become leader. They don't trust the humans, though, and spared the life of this Saxton family member. She wishes to return the boy, reveal Saxton's treachery and she'll go on her way. But, they can't be seen or perceived to be weak. She needs something from us. She needs to show her people that she's stronger than us. Only an item of power will suffice. Renaldine suggests that they "kill" one of us. She offers herself as a sort of "sacrifice" since she's already basically dead. They could inspect her, where they'd find her without a pulse, and with no breath, thus probably persuading them they had bested a Doomguide of Kelemvor. Dorokor understands, but she must have a tangible item of power, which she claims does more for the power of her culture in the long run. Rory deceptively offers up the Bronze Dwarven Skull that screams when it's looked at. She rejects his offer, but enjoys it. She looks back at Renaldine, who offers her a staff. Dorokor inspects it. It's a Staff of Withering. She accepts, but on Renaldine's one condition that she not use it in aggression versus humans. She says "Take the boy, take the girl, take this stone house too if you wish. Kill Saxton, and we will retreat to the hills and bother you no longer." We will verify her claims that Saxton is evil as she says, but we will pursue it.
• Dorokor stands and says "We do not give man gifts lightly, but we have a common enemy." She produces a Ram's Horn from her belt and gives it to the closest of us. She says if we blow it, her clan will answer the call so long as they can hear it. Neat!
• Rory waits for the orcs and their companions to leave the premises, and then hands Pinna her pendant and potions.
• Edmond Bedegar, the rightful Baron of Bedegar now, knights Renaldine in honor of us saving him and promising to right this wrong.
• Rory asks both Edmond and Pinna if they're hurt, but they don't seem so. Rory hands Pinna her potions and pendant, and explains everything that happened. She says she can't remember the abduction, and her memories begin again while being carried through the forest. Rory mentions the explosion, and she says that does sound familiar. She tries to give us all the potions back, but Rory and Renaldine suggest she keep them to sell so she can get back on her feet again with her shop. As Rory hands her them and her pendant, she begins tearing up and thanks us. Rory asks if she has family that we could take her to check in with, but she has none. She lost her parents when she was very young, and she lost her sister a couple years ago. Rory expresses his sympathies. As we are now the owners of this castle we offer Pinna the ability to stay here and build up her wizard tower. She excitedly accepts, saying she'd love to tend to the castle and stay, and that she'll have merchants from all over coming here to buy her wares and make money and whatnot. But not before she goes back to Gravesford, as they still need her. We fully understand.
• We mention we should get some sleep. But Edmond says the orcs always stayed away from the crumbled tower and some other areas due to reports of undead or spirits. We decide it's best to investigate before resting.
• Renaldine and Kemurial venture out into the castle to look for any unseen enemies residing in Castle Rend. Renaldine has the ability to see the unseen spirits, so she takes the lead.
• In the middle of the southwest chamber, there's a defaced and defiled likeness of Saint Gaed, but it now crudely looks like an orc deity known as Groll.
• Rory stays back in the dining hall with Edmond, Pinna, Freya and Alyssa. He checks around the corner for anything out of the ordinary while they search. He can hear the various sounds of them rummaging around. Suddenly, he hears Kemurial yell out "UNDEAD!" INITIATIVE!!!
  • All of us who stayed back rush out to their assistance. Pinna and Edmond stay back.
  • We take care of them easily enough, especially with Renaldine's and Kemurial's Radiant damage. Combat over.
• Seems like all is well now. Kemurial is still interested in the fact that the statue sits on a wooden platform rather than stone like everything else in the room.
• Rory leaves the room to check on the others. Everything seems okay, but Freya looks ready to cast a spell. She just can't wait! On the way out of the wraith/statue/sarcophagus room, Rory notices a chest they'd missed. Rory checks it out. Of course it's a mimic. INITIATIVE!!!
  • Rory yells that he's found something that's not as it seems as the thing comes alive and grapples Rory. It then proceeds to bite the snot out of him. Ouch!
  • Rory is able to take care of it easily enough. The mimic spits out a sack with 500g worth of Sapphires. Combat over.
• Kemurial and Renaldine continue to investigate the statue, finding that it's able to be moved aside. They need help. Rory is willing to assist, but he's in need of rest at the moment.
• Even without rest, Rory assists in moving the statue, though it takes us all ten minutes to do so.
• We see a hole below the statue with moved rock and stone. It drops down 15' to a stone floor to a room below. Kemurial goes to jump down, but Rory strongly suggests we take a rest because he has exhausted his use of Rage for the day and needs some healing.
• We head up to the bed chambers these folks stayed in in order to rest. We each find a room.
• During the night, Renaldine sees a shadowy figure step over the dire wolf. Says he brings us news from an organization known as "The Clock". It's imperative they remain unseen to Saxton. Pelliton knows Castle Rend, and is preparing to attack the castle, not knowing the orcs have already been sent away. If he finds out, he'll be hellbent on destroying us. His army isn't big, but he has some nasty friends, particularly gnolls. The word is out there about us and this castle in the forest. Saxton isn't popular. This guy knows some foot soldiers who'd come to our aid, who don't like him. Pelliton's coming with a small army in about a week's time. He's coming for us personally. He can get in, but don't know how exactly. He's heard it from Ajax the Wizard. Renaldine mentions a secret passage into here. She mentions we have Pinna. We also have Baron Edmond Bedegar. He's aware. He thinks the plan we laid forth is our best bet, but we must move quickly. We'll be moving out in the morning. Renaldine asks if she is able to share with us about her encounter with this guy. She can share.
• Who is "The Clock"? Who is this person? Why is he sharing this information with us?
• TNGBU.
• Rory asks Renaldine several questions about her encounter with this mysterious figure. Rory thinks it's fishy that they've been tracking us all this time but only just now decided to make themselves known. Renaldine answers them to best of her ability. We head out back the way we came, through the forest, with Pinna and Edmond in trail.
• We go straight to the church. Father Belderone is happy to see Pinna again, and is completely shocked to see Edmond Bedegar alive and well. We explain everything to him. He thinks the council should be called urgently. He says simply ringing the bell is enough to bring the people around.
• He rings it. About half an hour later, much of the town is gathered at the church. Rory stays back with Edmond as the rest of the group goes out to greet the town with Pinna in tow. Once she has been introduced, Rory brings out Edmond as well. Kemurial uses his thaumaturgy to enhance the presentation, causing their voices to bellow. Seeing that, and not to be outdone, Rory comes out with his cloak dramatically billowing.
• Everyone's cheering as Pinna is revealed. Renaldine says that now that we have their attention, we have a surprise for them. She cues Rory to bring Edmond out. The crowd looks shocked. We introduce him as Edmond Bedegar. Carroc steps forward and asks how we can be so sure this is actually Edmond Bedegar. Edmond holds up a crest of his family. This leave no doubt in their minds that he is the real deal. Renaldine speaks, holding the attention of the crowd without issue as she tells the story of how Lord Saxton is sponsoring murders, and how Pelliton will be waging a small war on Castle Rend very soon. She says she can summon the army of the White Tusk orc clan's assistance, who she's sure would be happy to take out anyone who would side with Saxton. The crowd suggests we gather our own small army from around the region. Renaldine says she cannot, and will not, suggest that these citizens give up their lives, but help would be greatly appreciated from those who are willing and able. Many of the skilled tradespeople come forth, asking what they can do to make the castle ready. Edmond says he trusts us, and explains how we used our wisdom to stay our hand against the orcs and essentially broker a truce with them. He suggests we gather who and what we can. Riders should be sent across the land with discretion, and every able-bodied person should assist in repairing the keep. He looks at us, asking about those who can't fight. What should we do with them? We'll make room at the castle for them.

That's it for this session!

Adventure Loot

• Ram's Horn (Renaldine)
• 500g worth of Sapphires