Session 3 - Part 2 - The Riviera encounter and an Arrow in the back

There it stood in its entire splendour. It was most probably the 2nd tallest building in the city, second only to the royal castle and it was obvious that it wasn't well kept to the same high standards as the castle. Scorch marks ran up and down the large tower, blackened holes from what appears from explosions from with in do here and there with the occasional head popping out and looking around. The old codger was right you couldn't miss the mages guild tower even if you tried.

The group enter the guild tower to find a single room completely barren apart from an old large oak ornate desk and an elderly Halfling sat behind the desk, the Halfling was bent over the desk his nose deep into the large oversized tome sitting abreast the desk.

*Ahem!* Govan coughed, as the Halfling almost jumped out of his skin at the sudden noise.

"What! What! What! Who?" shouted the confused Halfling, then taking a minute to take in the group of rag tag adventurers standing before him.

"Ooh! What do we have here then hmmmmmm? New test sub...I mean new academic Volunteers?"

A worried look then appeared over the group standing in front of the Halfling, Govan sheepishly responded..

"Haha...err no we're here to deliver these research documents as requested", Govan slaps down the heavy bundle of re-sealed papers on to the Halflings desk.

"I see, yes! ok then that's fantastic we appreciate your assistance I'll make sure these get to the right person." the Halfling smiled and nodded at the group.

The group turn to leave when they suddenly remember that they could have milked the guild for some financial gain, Ox turned back towards the Halfling "Erm sorry but we were promised a reward for delivering those documents."

"What documents?" The Halfling questioned waving his hands over the ornate desk gesturing to the now empty spot where the documents sat moments ago.

"Err...the documents we gave you like two minutes ago!" Ox responded.

"Sorry, I haven't got a clue what your talking about" responded the Halfling.

Bewildered and now confused the group left the mages guild and returned to the city streets. Determined to get to the bottom of the exact purpose of the research documents they make their way from Tavern to Pub and Pub to Inn enquiring about the mages guild its members and current politics.

The responses were not promising, the guild is exclusive to only Mages and they look down upon any sorcerer. The guild doesn't talk about it's members to any non guild member and the current politics of the guard is in an uproar as two members are currently trying to out do each other for the position for the Grand Master title and control of the guild.

Eventually Govan's enquiries pay off and one of the city guard informs the group of a weirdo on bakers corner who was performing to the crowd with what looked like spells. Hoping that maybe this sorcerer might have some information they need on the guild the group decide to swing by bakers corner as they make they're way to the adventurers guild hall.

The guard was right, standing on bakers corner stood a dashing slim gentleman who with a combination of music and magic was attempting to entertain the citizens of Azelton. Upon closer inspection of the entertainers collection hat a total of 2 copper could be seen...it seems maybe the crowds just aren't as easily entertained as he would have them believe.

Govan approached the entertainer and whilst depositing a whole silver coin into the hat he looks at the gentleman and greets him with a "Hail!".

Shortly afterwards the entertainer finishes his performance and walks over the high tipping group and engages them in conversation.

The entertainer introduces himself as "Epiphonopolis Riviera" the talent and much underrated Bard!

Govan introduces himself to Epiphonopolis (Epi) and then proceeds to introduce the rest of the group or as he put it "My loyal followers". Leonid taking the followers comment personally wandered over to Govan and swiftly raised his boot to "accidentally" collide with Govan's crotch, there was a short groan as Govan grasped his groin and resisted the urge to drop to his knees in agony.

After a couple of minutes re-composing himself, Govan continued his conversation with Epi and explained that they were in need of a "unique" spell caster like Epi to help the group in their professional adventures. Epi not being completely sold on the idea of signing his time to an rag tag bunch of adventurers.."There'll be plenty of gold and treasure to loot!" Govan mentioned.

With the lure of promised treasure Epi only took moments to gather his items from the street and join the group as they made their way towards the adventurer’s guild. On route the group remembered that they were running a little low on rations, a discussion then broke out after Ivan and Leonid suggested the group should procure some Elven bread instead of normal bread, worried about the price of Elven bread Epi announced that with his Bardic silver tongue he could negotiate any price down.

A slight detour was then made to the Elven bakers, Govan and Epi went to the stall whilst the others mingled around the market. What followed was an embarrassing couple of minutes of accidental slurs and slips of the tongue on Epi's behalf which resulted in a steep raise in price of Elven bread from the standard market price of 4 gold per loaf to 8 gold per loaf.

Realising that both Govan and Epi have taken a large amount of time at the bakers stall, Leonid wondered over and enquired into acquiring a couple loafs of Elven bread which just added salt to Govan and Epi's wounds as the bakers were happy to sell the loafs to Leonid at 4 gold a loaf. With bruised ego's Govan and Epi conceded to Leonid who then returned to the bakers stall to acquire enough Elven bread for the entire group.

The adventurer’s guild was a long 2 story building, the ground floor was an almost completely open planned Tavern, with tables and booths scattered around the place, other rooms consisted of a large galley (kitchen) and restrooms. The upper floor contained a varied number of rooms with beds of different standards for weary adventurers to lay their heads after a long slog. The purpose of the adventurer’s guild is to give a place for adventurers to call home when on the road, a place to eat and drink amongst fellow adventurers and to find work and rumours fairly.

The guild works on a reputation basis, if people know the group are good then the better the jobs that are handed out but alas the yester-year gang are new to the guild and therefore their capabilities are not known leaving them the trash work that no one else wants to do.

Before enquiring about any current quests the group could take on it was decided to enjoy a little bit of down time, looking to make a good impression on his new team mates Epi offers to get the first round of drinks in. Govan insists on helping Epi at the bar where a bit of dust annoys his nose leading him to sneeze, whilst at the bar Govan takes a fancy to the barmaid and attempts to try his luck unknowing that whilst he flirts a dirty great big booger dangles from the wizards nose. Seeing Govan's failed attempt to flirt with the barmaid Epi attempts to "show" Govan how it is done by a professional but as he finds himself tongue tied he also fails to woo the barmaid.

Whilst mugs were drank and mockeries were made at Epi's and Govan's earlier wooing attempts, Ivan made his way around the other customers of the guilds tavern talking to them about any rumours they had heard around the city, especially any to do with the thieves guild. One of the rumours he hears is that Bob the gate guard may have ties to the thieves guild but the official line from all the guards is that there is no guild in the underbelly of Azelton, eventually Ivan found himself sitting at a table with a self proclaimed representative of the cities Thieves guild who after much negotiation would be willing to work as a contact between Ivan and the guild for fencing and acquiring items of a questionable status.

The group then decided that they should sort out membership to the guild so they could get some jobs rolling. It was agreed that each group member would pay they're own fees and so each threw the required gold pieces into the centre of the table. Epi took the coins and forms and went to register the group, when he handed over the gold to the guild Epi only handed over half the amount he had collected and convinced the guild manager that the group was short of cash but was good the remaining amount which would be paid upon their next visit...reluctantly the guild manager agreed.

The first official guild quest they were given was to travel 4 days to the west of the City to an old abandoned cave complex that is decades old and was used previously as a place for emergency storage by the city in ages past. It is rumoured that the cave may be required yet again but as it has been neglected for years someone is needed to go into the complex and clear out any squatters or monsters that lurk within.

With a job in hand the group rest for the night and then begin their 4 day journey the following morning. Luckily for Bob he wasn't on duty when they left the city gates this time round. With peace ties removed from all their weapons they set off to the cave complex with no idea what awaits them.

After an uneventful 4 day travel the yester-year bunch find themselves standing in front of a moss covered cave mouth, the cave was shallow and small but towards one side of the cave a slim crack could be seen which lead into a passage. The group followed the passage which eventually opened into a chamber of worked stone the only other exit was the 2 doors on the Northern and Eastern walls of where they stood.

Behind the door to the North small stifled coughs could be heard, in attempt to gain the jump on anything on the other side of the door the group rapidly barged through the Iron door. The room beyond was dark and dank but yet the stifled coughs could still be heard off into the darkness, with the lighting of a sunrod the room was soon illuminated. The source of the coughing was shortly thereafter discovered, huddled in the top north eastern corner of the room were 3 Orcs whom looked a little worse for wear.

A short stand off began between these Orcs and the yester-year bunch each not willing to make a move in case the others mistook it for a hostile motion, eventually Govan braved the silence and attempted to talk to the Orcs. The conversation was short between the 2 groups the only response the Orks seemed to give to any question was "You'll see soon enough" followed by a thick chuckle after a while the group grew tired of the conversation and helped the Orcs overcome their illness.

The next room the group then made they're way to lead was filled with piles of dead bodies, the door to the next room was locked or at least that’s how it appeared to be. As the group examined the door a spell was slung through a tiny hole in the door at the group, barley avoided Ox then broke the door down in time to see a shadow run round the corner of the corridor beyond. In haste to capture the scoundrel half of the group rushed through the doorway and through some mouldy sacks which released spores into the air instantly infecting a number of the group which started to zap away their strength and health.

The Orc was soon caught and dispatched with viciousness and the group reassembled, the mould was then treated but damage done would still linger for a while and would slowly return our heroes to full strength, Govan was hit the worse by the mould and looked very pale and weak. Now worried about progressing further until he felt fitter Govan argued that the group should stop and rest but was shortly convinced by Epi to continue as he promised to watch over Govan and prevent anything bad from happening to him.

With Epi's promise to Govan the group moved forwards with Govan keeping to the rear incase the group encountered anything in the next room. A long corridor with a single door was all that was insight so it all looked safe, the group approached the door in a single file and as Epi reached for the door handle there was a click. Govan cried out in pain just before he fell to the floor with a poisoned arrow sticking out of his back...it seemed that Epi's promise to keep the Wizard safe was done in by the Bard himself.

A large number of rooms were frequently empty and bare, the most common sight within this cave complex it seemed was the horde of rats that ran around the place. As they continued through the complex it soon struck the group about the size of the place, amongst the rooms only 2 others are worthy of note. In one room Epi boldly entered assuming all was clear unknown to him attached to the ceiling of the room was a number of Darkmantles (Flying Octopus') one of which managed to land on and cover Epi's head combat was quick when dealing with its brethren but slowly the one attached to Epi was suffocating the bard, one by one each member of the group attempted to "gently" attack the attached darkmantle until Ox's turn when the oaf managed to batter the darkmantle to death whilst given Epi a couple of new bruises to remember the incident.

The other creature of note they have encountered so far was in a large room with 4 pillars where water trickled down each into a small pool at the base of each pillar. This was the room of Bragdor the Ogre, this giant whom could no longer fit through the door to escape had been stuck in this room for as long as he could remember with only his little camp fire as comfort. Food was scarce apart from the occasional rat so it was no surprise that the oaf was willing to just sit in front of the fire and wait for the group to enter the room for he had the patience for his next meal to walk through the door.

Little would Bragdor know that the group would take almost an hour to discuss and set up a plan to take the brute down, the plan was for Leonid to walk into the room and throw an flask of oil in-between the fire and the ogre whilst Ox would throw another flask into the fire which when it exploded would light the other oil spill and in turn scare the ogre...that was the plan.

Leonid and Ox walked into the room and both threw their flasks at the intended locations only to have the flasks slip out of their fingers and smash only a couple of feet away from their feet. The plan in shambles Govan took it upon himself to try and talk to the Ogre and maybe enlist his help in some manner to the group which appeared to be working until Epi unknowns to the new plan came rushing into the room and started the fight with the big brute. The fight was long and the Ogre packed a wallop almost bringing the mighty Ox to his knees twice but eventually the brute finally fell to the ground.

The group now exhausted in will, health, spirit and spells decided it would be a good idea to find a room that is easy to defend incase of intruders and rest up for a period till they were all fit and ready for the next set of exploration within the complex.....