The chronicle record
Session recap
The air in the Bright Embers Orphanage crackled with tension after the defeat of The Attic Whisperer. Suddenly, the doors in the eastern corridor slammed open, hinting at a new danger. Kuippana scanned the area for magical auras but found only the residual enchantments of his companions. Mielikki uncovered a crumpled Half-Written Letter, an unholy Asmodean Text, and a robe capable of animating and delivering a poisonous bite. The letter revealed that the sisters had departed for a place called the Lucent Mission on a mission to bring glory to Asmodeus, and that the last two orphans had been sent away under the guise of adoption. The party reported their findings to the local authorities, who expressed concern for the missing sisters.
Determined to build goodwill for Hellbreakers League, the party chose to remain in Vordia for a day, selling their recovered goods, including the Asmodean text and the poisonous robe. Kracka took on the responsibility of carrying the party's bombs and spent the evening gathering information at an inn, learning that the townsfolk had fond memories of the nuns and were worried about their fate. Lexx Rennde attempted to spread propaganda through her art, though reactions were mixed, while Kui engaged locals in gardening and voiced his concerns about Cheliax and the destruction of Chitterwood, only to find that many viewed the orphanage positively. The next morning, a thick fog enveloped Vordia as the party set out for Fernsby, where they noted signs of recent vandalism in the village green, with townsfolk suspecting goblins. Kracka and Khar'gan examined the area for tracks but found only sinuous impressions, which Lexx identified as belonging to large snakes. Following the trail into the nearby woods, they descended into a moss-lined ravine, where they encountered a horde of snakes, including grotesque goblin-faced varieties.
The battle commenced with Kracka taking the lead, but the many-headed goblin snake quickly retaliated, unleashing a foul vapor that left Kracka reeling. As the fight escalated, Lexx utilized her magic to eliminate one of the goblin snakes, while Khar'gan and Kui engaged the remaining threats. After a fierce struggle, the party emerged victorious, with Kracka discovering a soothing tonic in the ravine. They returned to Fernsby with the goblin snake's corpse, earning the gratitude of the townsfolk, who rewarded them with a runestone and requested they inform Stumpfield of the true nature of the attacks. In Stumpfield, the party was welcomed warmly and contributed to a communal sculpture, further solidifying their goodwill. As they prepared to leave for Umok, they encountered Sister Sylve of the Golden Erinyes, who warned them of a deceiver named Viro Ahala, falsely claiming to be a Hellknight and seeking to summon a powerful devil. She directed them to the Lucent Mission, where her superior, Sister Endreah, might have more information. The party decided to prioritize their journey to Umok.
Upon entering Umok, a gnomish town known for its harmony with the Chitterwood, the party learned of recent small fires in the woods, suspected to be the work of goblins or hobgoblins. Their inquiries were interrupted when a badly Burned Goblin stumbled into town, collapsing before them. Kracka rushed to assist her, administering an elixir of life, while Samantha noted that the burns appeared to be from a sustained attack rather than a forest fire. As the townsfolk gathered, a guard-like figure accused the goblin of causing the fires, but Lexx intervened, arguing for the goblin's treatment until her guilt could be established. The goblin regained consciousness long enough to utter the words “Fire Dog” before collapsing again, leaving the party with more questions than answers.