Session 5: Tymon with Darkness on their heels

Lythar and Thistle had noticed that dawns had come later and evenings earlier each day on their trip, yet it was spring and the days should have grown longer. Their unease only accentuated by the Cleric of Cayden's intensifying night terrors of a dog headed demon rising from the shadows and calling him by name.

Vognar foolishly dismissed such portents as drunkenness or mental instability yet the group dallies to investigate the terrified young half-elfs’ dreams, much to the frustration of Vognar who wished to reach the town of Tymon and unload their dangerous package.

Upon investigation of the battle where they killed the drow, Thistle, Lythar and Kyle found a hungry female griffon gorging herself on the dead forgotten horse, a favorite meal, for the huge half lion half-hawk creature. Although a magical beast Thistle, to the astonishment of Vognar, spoke to the griffon and it seemed it understood and talked back.

"Gorum's beard"!

The ulfen swore, queitly to himself, from a distance, 'the little runt wasn't lying! He really could talk to animals, a powerful skill". The large warrior stood amazed an a bit humbled by his companions growing powers.

Upon returning from his conversation with the griffon the group decides there are no clues to be found, and decide with the growing darkness to head with haste to the river crossing and straight to Tymon.

***

The following night Kyle's nightmares returned waking in a cold sweat, sheer panic on his face, Vognar's calm began to melt insisting the, "crazy old drunk is having delusions". Secretly, his own fears surfaced and he now longed to be rid of the book and be safely in the walls of Tymon.

Lythar and Thistle understood the cleric's dreams as something more important decide that they should keep an increased pace but not at the risk of fatigue should they be caught unawares.

During the days travels, each hero finds himself looking back behind them, at the dark clouds, seemingly looming over them, like sinister claws reaching for each of them.

***

Dusk of the second day they all breath easier with the site of Tymons' walls in the distance. Their spirits renewed by civilization they quickly make their way to the city gates.

Tymon:

The city-state of Tymon lies southwest of Daggermark on the very western borders of the River Kingdoms, next to the kingdom of Razmiran. It is renowned for its gladiators, as Tymon boasts both a huge arena and many prestigious gladiator colleges. Ullorth Ungin the cities leader has to contemplate turning his valuable gladiators lose on the field of battle, against their covetous neighbor nation Razimr, supported by the bloodthirsty priests of Gorum. Each year Ullorth asks that any on the Outlaw Council who value freedom step forth to help him, and each year one or two petty lordlings offer their help, postponing Razmir's invasion for another year.

Learning the local laws and customs at the gate the group goes straight to Halgarin Smene a Master smith, dwarf and pathfinder. Vognar blurting out he has a book for him, quickly clams up after receiving a stare from Lythar, the others however, cautiously approach the dwarf and after some talking find that this book is extremely important to the Pathfinder society and to the cause of light against Nocticula and her dog headed demon lord consort.

Eventually agreeing to give Halgrin the book he, congratulates the heroes on completing their quest, rewarding their bravery with gold and information, asking if they would be willing to take the book to its final destination... Absolom. Nearly a thousand leagues away the headquarters of the Pathfinder society could easily protect the book and the dwarven pathfinder promises great payment in return for their efforts.

The group, realizing the gravity of the situation and importance of this book, agrees to this new journey. During the conversations Kyle gets pissed drunk on dwarven stout, and beings to sing loudly and out of tune, Vognar having reached his limit snaps punching the cleric. Not to miss a brawl Kyle calls upon the power of Cayden to strengthen him for what he hopes is a good fight.

Vognar noting the clerics drunken orison of strength acquiesces to Lythar and Halgarin's request for the two of them to 'take it out side'. Vognar motions for Kyle to lead the way out, to which the cleric stomps outside and where Vognar does not follow instead shuts locking it behind him to finish the conversation minus the annoying drunken cleric.

Kyle forgetting that he came outside to fight, begins to sing and drink again, badly, unfortunately other dwarven smiths, decide the cleric is too, drunk, tone deaf and loud to be conscious. A crowd gathers to take bets on the outcome of the fight; surrounding the Cayden acolyte with saps and clubs several men strike him. In reply to his wounds, Kyle miraculously recovers from the blows with calls to his god. Further he calms the crowd with the power of Cayden and his gods’ mighty will.

Eventually a well-placed sock breaks the carousing, preventing anyone but Vognar from hurting the cleric. Carrying his overly drunk companion to an in to be tended by a cute and amorous bar wench.

***

Among the calls of the crowds in the early evening, Lythar and Thistle can hear a set of wolf howls and go to seek out the sounds origin, eventually Vognar, who senses trouble, joins them.

The trio arrives at the gladiatorial arena of Tymon whose current participants are three worgs against a lone wolf.

Lythar and Thistle are incensed at the spectacle for different reasons. Looking toVognar the elf shrugs as if there is no choice and leaps over the railing to aid the outmatched wolf.

The crowds roar, a renewed excited frenzy of howls and bets ripples across the stadium. Thistle also leaps over the side with Tazjh in tow hoping to intervene in a less confrontational way where no creature need be killed.

Wounded the wolf fights on; Lythar hastily approaches a worg, snarling the evil canine bites deeply into the elf warriors leg pulling him to the ground.

Visibly sighing Vognar will not let his elven companion die. Leaping over the rail and to the ground in one motion with amazing ease, the big man covers ground quickly.

Thistle attempts to pin the irate Lythar with Tazjh who over shoots his mark and misses the elf.

The elven warrior dispatches two of the three worgs with blinding fast archs of his deadly weapon. Thistle is no happy.

Vognar uncaring of the religious machinations of druids finishes off the last worg, accentuated by the crowds’ elated roar of being entertained.

***

Several guards come out to greet the heroes who interrupted the fight to save a single wolf. Lythar protectively bandages his canine brother and drinks a curative potion handed to him by Vognar.

Thistle stands and accesses the dead worgs sad at there loss as well. Infuriated that no one understands.

The arena manager calls out to the heroes, praises, greets and thanks them for the unexpected and excited outcome of the fight. Sending his men to retrieve the wolf, Lythar stands protectively in front of the growling wolf. Seeing his battle brother in danger of dying for a wounded animal, Vognar negotiates with the lead of manager to let him pay for the damages and talk business.

Nodding deviously at the large warrior, “Let the executions commence”, the area leader shouts and leads Vognar off to his office to discuss price.

To be continued…