Session 52 - Trollclaw Ford (recap)

In this session, our party continued north, fought a troll, and learned that dragons are really fucking scary…

Caravan - Day 14 (cont’d): Aegar’s dreams

  • That night, Aegar dreamed of fire
    • The caldera of a long-dead volcano rising from an ashen plane ahead.
    • Below, it was dark
    • Then a pair of eyes, glowing red, looked up.
    • A moment later, the man on who’s shoulder the tiny dragon stood looked up too.
    • He raised his hand wordlessly, palm outstretched, fingers wiggling.
    • And then Aegar felt the blaze of fire. Searing. Crisping. Through every nerve, through every bone, his entire body was engulfed in flame… and turned to dust.
    • He woke. Sweating. And realized he was with friends, in the camp, and everything was fine.
  • Aegar climbed out of his blankets, took a quick loop around the camp, confirming that nothing seemed amiss, and headed back to bed.

Caravan - Day 15: The Trollclaws

  • The next day, the caravan continued its climb into the Trollclaws.
    • They called them the Trollclaws because a seemingly endless band of trolls lived there. No one knew why the trolls thrived in the area, but there was lots of conversation about the dangers.
    • Generally speaking, smart people avoid them, except that to get from Baldur’s Gate to Waterdeep, it was the Trollclaws or risk a ship and pirates and sea monsters.
    • For this and the next few days, everyone would be on edge.

Caravan - Day 16: Trolls

Trollclaw Ford

  • There were ruins near the ford where the Coast Way crossed the Winding Water. Several attempts had been made to settle near the ford, but all ended in ruin.
  • At the Ford, the Winding Water was shallow and rocky, which made for an easy crossing of the sinuous river. But the water itself was black and stinking, still carrying the stigma poisoned by the death of the deity Bhaal north of Boreskyr Bridge.
  • As the ford came into view, the Looting Luters’ wagon was in the lead of the caravan.
  • Asleep on the riverbed, with his feet in the cool waters of the Winding Waters, laid a troll. His lanky body blocked the path almost completely.
    • Pliny looked for any weapons the troll might have lying around, and spied only the troll’s sharp claws.
  • A conversation ensued between Pliny and Zoyana about whether Aegar would approve of tying up the troll… within Aegar’s earshot.
  • Aegar prepared for their shenanigans to go south and edged closer to the troll (stealthily, Stealth 16 with disadvantage).
  • Pliny used his Mage Hand to stealthily (Stealth 15) to tie the troll’s hands with rope (Sleight of Hand 15).
  • The troll almost immediately rolled over, and its bound hands woke it up.
  • Time seemed to slow…
  • Zoyana cast Confusion on the troll
  • Aegar charged with his warhorse, missing the confused troll, then circled around and charged again. The second hit landed a Searing Smite infused blow (23 hp damage), spinning the **troll* in a circle with a scream in pain.
  • Pliny busted out a Motivational Speech, heartening his allies, and then provided some bardic inspiration to Zoyana.
  • Fang called the troll “Ugly”, and that Vicious Mockery blasted the troll with pychic damage (10 hp).
  • The troll looked about in Confusion, and did nothing.
  • Zoyana wildshaped into a cave bear and charged, mauling (12 hp damage) and slashing (12 hp damage) the troll.
  • Aegar charged again with his warhorse, whiffing the first shot again, and again landing the second charge (13 hp damage), causing the Confused troll to roar in frustration.
  • Pliny sent Dissonant Whispers into the mind of the troll (15 hp damage), who was stopped in its Confusion from running away. And then Pliny provided bardic inspiration to Aegar.
  • The troll’s head nearly exploded from being called a “Fart Face”, as Fang’s Vicious Mockery (11 hp) landed. The troll fell over dead.
  • Zoyana hung out as a bear.
  • Aegar: “I was told of the dangers of trolls.”
  • Pliny and Fang both shrugged.
  • And then the troll stood up, some of its wounds closed. Free now of the Confusion, it tore its way out of the bindings, and then slashed the Zoyana bear twice (for 7 and 10 hp damage).
  • Zoyana the bear responded with a roaring bite (7 hp damage) and slashing claw (13 hp damage), jump on it and dragging it down into the water, where she ripped its face off, and turned around and dropped big shit into its open face wound.
  • Aegar, Pliny, and Fang watched in disgust and didn’t intervene.
  • After a moment, the troll stood back up with the skin of its face hanging limply, and lunged at Zoyana the bear, biting (6 hp damage) and clawing (8 and 11 hp damage) in a frenzy.
  • Zoyana the bear bit back (crit, 25 hp damage), and it collapsed back down into the water, dead again.
  • Aegar, finally realizing that mundane damage wasn’t going to do it, spurred on his warhorse, cast Searing Smite, and stabbed the troll corpse heavily with his fire-inflamed lance (14 piercing and 6 fire hp damage). It sizzled, and the twitching of the corpse stopped.
  • Aegar turned to the group and said, “There was a campaign in the forests of my own town, and we ran into some trolls. You need fire to put them down.”
  • Pliny walked over while Aegar was talking and noticed that among the rags the troll was wearing, it had a very nice fanny pack on.
    • Pliny realized it was too nice to be anything but magical
    • Aegar asked him to look inside, but before he could, he recognized it as a fabled Bag of Holding.
  • Aegar immediately started looking through his things to see what he could pawn off to Pliny.
    • He handed off the Cult of the Dragon Regalia from Frulam.
  • Pliny also reflected on the power of his spells, and had an insightful recollection of the tales he knew about beasts (Grandpa Barley, telling stories of Chult and the dinosaurs that lived there…). Next time, he was definitely going to try to Polymorph Fang into a T-Rex.
  • The party then took a short rest to get the caravan moving and re-took the lead.

Trolls and Dragons

  • Later that day, the caravan crossed a saddle at the top of the Trollclaws.
  • As they rounded a corner, the party saw a couple hundred feet in the distance to the North two trolls and a giant two-headed, four-armed troll knocking over trees, hucking rocks, and making a bunch of noise as they moved straight to the West.
    • Pliny tried to put himself in his bag of holding, before realizing that would probably be a bad idea.
  • The party was at the head of the caravan, the other wagons not too far behind, and the trolls seemed to be moving parallel in a way that they might be avoided if they trolls didn’t happen to look the wrong way.
    • Álvaro’s wagon was immediately behind the party, followed by the rest of the caravan.
  • The party discussed whether to engage with the trolls or try to get around.
    • Pliny considered Hypnotic Pattern to freeze them in place.
    • Aegar considered holding watch and gathering guards to let the caravan pass and defend if they attacked.
    • Zoyana considered getting Sabrina and Ash in particular.
  • While the party talked and tried to figure out a plan, they heard a roar. The trolls all turned and looked the other way.
  • Aegar: “We should move now. Let us get into position. Let’s tell everybody. Zoyana, can you…”
    • Zoyana called out, “What the fuck is that?” as she pointed to the northeast.
    • Pliny: “Oh shit.”
    • Aegar: “What?…”
  • A red dragon, the same one they had seen two days before (Blas Iwan), flew into view and roared again.
  • Álvaro’s wagon pulled up behind the party as the trolls started throwing boulders at the dragon.
  • Zoyana: “We need to book it. We need to book it. While they are all distracted, we need to book it.”
  • Aegar: “Let us let them beat each other up. Our job is to protect the caravan. We make sure the caravan is through and protect them should anything come with us.”
  • The party started preparing to hurry the wagons in the caravan and passing along the message of what was happening.
  • The red dragon swooped in and traded its fiery breath weapon for a couple of thrown boulders, engulfing the trolls in flame, and then circled away.
  • The caravan then started to move as quickly and quietly as possible.
  • The dragon returned, this time grabbing a troll and carrying it up and away.
  • The party watched as the troll took a good bite out of the dragon, which let go and then roasted the troll in fire as it fell. The troll splattered as it hit the ground.
  • Pliny got visions of a painful and fiery death.
  • Álvaro and the guards in his wagon were watching intently, clearly wanting to go bask in the glory of the dragon and fight, while also wanting to live through the encounter. While the caravan kept moving, they seemed to be following the party’s lead.
  • The caravan timed their progress to be as hidden as possible when the dragon was in view, and moved as quickly as possible while hidden.
  • Zoyana cast Pass Without Trace, causing the party and wagon to basically vanish.
  • The dragon roared a happy roar and returned to grab a second troll. It flew up ad out of rock-throwing range.
    • The troll tore a chunk out of the dragon, which screamed, dropped the troll, and shot it with its fiery breath. The party lost sight of the troll as it fell, but they could feel the sympathetic sound of the thud as the body hit the ground.
    • As the dragon wheeled about, the party got hit by a wave of its power. Supported by Aegar’s Aura of Protection, everyone was able to shrug of the need to run and cower in fear, thought for Zoyana and Pliny, it was close. Timothy Dexter wasn’t seen for a couple of minutes.
  • The whole caravan moved in these spurts and starts, keeping as quick and hidden as possible.
  • Once the pass to relative safety came into view, Zoyana stopped to wait for Sabrina and Ash. Aegar and the others stopped once in the shadow of a big boulder to watch and wait for her.
  • While waiting, they saw the big troll grab a rock, perfectly aim it, and checked the dragon in the chest. The blow caused the dragon to breath fire up into the air. It roared at the troll but was obviously done with the fight.
    • The dragon wheeled about and flew off to the North-Northwest.
  • The troll turned, all four arms in the air in celebration, and roared at the retreating dragon, and then started walking off to the West.
  • Sabrina and Ash rolled up soon after, and Zoyana cast Pass Without Trace on them, just in case (extending the spell Ash had already cast).

Caravan - Day 17: Cultists of Loviatar

  • On Day 17 of the trip, the caravan made good progress down the north side of the Trollclaws. Where the southern face of the range rose over many miles, the northern face dove down more steeply. Pines led to oaks and scrub, and finally to a smattering of plains.
  • After the past few days, the party had become the de facto wagon on the point of the spear in the caravan. The party tried to get in the middle, but Timothy Dexter had no interest in that, “The cheese leads the way.”
  • At a narrow spot in a rocky section of the Coast Way, the party came around a bend, and the road was completely blocked by 200 followers of Loviatar, stripped to the waist. flogging themselves with whips and thorns in worship of the Maiden of Pain and walking extremely slowly while chanting in low, religious tones.
    • Aegar (Religion 22) immediately recognized the standard and the cultists for what they were. where Ilmater was the patron saint of goodly wish to end suffering, Loviatar was referred to as the Maiden of Pain, and her followers considered suffering holy. While not explicitly enemies, Ilmater and Loviatar certainly worked in opposition.
  • The cultists completely blocked the road and there was no way past. They had no other weapons, but looked like they were enjoying the suffering they inflicted upon themselves.
  • They inched forward in a disorganized mass, only giving each other enough space to swing their whips.
    • “Join us! Join us in the worship of pain!”
  • Aegar Channeled Divinity as an Emissary of Peace (Persuasion 22), addressing the crowd, “You are right that suffering can be holy, but it must be in the protection of those who do not deserve it. Let us pass…”
    • As he spoke, Aegar could see that the leaders may not have been embracing the pain quite as much as the majority of the flock, but many were clearly zealous in their beliefs.
    • From the crowd: “The Lady of Pain, Loviatar, teaches us that pain is the most powerful and sacred sensation. And should our pain delight her, should we embrace such a gift, she will grant her most sacred blessings. Join us.”
  • Aegar’s words didn’t pull any of them out of their pain-induced fervor, but it did get the leaders to realize that a confrontation was not in their interests.
    • They started calling out, “Make way! Make way! We must let them past, so we can get to the trolls and embrace the pain.”
    • The crowd starting parting, making room for the caravan to pass.
  • As they passed, Aegar silently prayed to Ilmater to show them the way as well.

Caravan - Day 18: Chicks can be adventurers

  • The next night is the first one down into the flats.
  • The caravan gets to a really nice stopping ground, with a meandering stream and open space. Clearly, this is a spot where caravans regularly stop.
  • When the caravan arrived, a pair of women were already there setting up their camp with a tent, their gear, saddle bags, and they each had a horse.
    • The women greeted the caravan, “Welcome! Join us.”
  • Aegar (Insight 18) sensed an edge to their welcoming. Whatever it was that they had planned seemed to have some sketchy to it, but the caravan wasn’t in danger.
  • Aegar: “Thank you, your invitation is most kind. We are the first of a caravan and, if you allow us, we would wait for the rest of our caravan to arrive. If you so wish, you can shelter in the protection that we offer as well.”
  • The first of the women, Arietta Innevar, replied in her soft voice, “I thank you. That is a lovely plan. I appreciate it.”
  • They introduced themselves. The other woman, with a much deeper voice, was Zelina Innevar
  • Aegar tried to sus out who they were and what they were doing, but only succeeded in disclosing that he came from much further east than the Forest of Wyrms and that they were going to sell luxurious cheese wrapped in silks to the rich people of Waterdeep who were easily parted with their money, while inferring that Arietta and Zelina were from Neverwinter and their next stop was Daggerford.
    • He started to press the issue, “I do not believe that you answered my question, however. How do two sisters find themselves out here all alone? How does that happen?”
    • Arietta looked at Aegar as if he was being a bit rude. She waited a second then replied, “Adventure.”
    • Zoyana started heckling, “Aegar, just because they’re chicks doesn’t mean they can’t be adventurers.”
    • Aegar: “Indeed. I have known many women who hear the call of adventure.”
  • After a bit more banter, Aegar introduced Arietta and Zelina to Timothy Dexter.
  • Timothy walked off, chatting with Innevar sisters.
  • The night passed with nothing particularly of interest.

Caravan - Days 19-21: Quiet on the road

  • The next few days passed pretty quietly, as the caravan traveled across the plains and rolling hills.

Caravan - Day 22: The Golden Stag

  • On a beautiful, sunny afternoon, a herd of deer was spotted grazing on a hill near the road.
    • The travelers often took such opportunities to hunt fresh meat for the larder.
  • But before anyone started out, they spotted a magnificent stag climbing up to the top of the hill. It shimmered in the light as if its coat was spun with gold and its antlers plated with platinum.
  • Nearly everyone in the caravan who could handle a bow wanted to bring down that beast.
    • Its pelt would be worth a fortune, even if it was not real gold.
  • As the caravan started bustling with people getting their gear ready and getting going, the session ended…

Loot

  • Fanny Pack of Holding

NPCs Interacted With

  • Robed figure in Aegar’s dreams
  • Senator Timothy Dexter
  • Frulam Mondath (mentioned)
  • Grandpa Barley (mentioned)
  • Blas Iwan, red dragon
  • Álvaro, teamster of wagon from Foxtraveler Outfitters
  • Baines, guard of wagon from Foxtraveler Outfitters
  • Dorian, guard of wagon from Foxtraveler Outfitters
  • Dretris, guard of wagon from Foxtraveler Outfitters
  • Ash Muh’Çtek (Moosh-steak), half elf druid
  • Sabrina Verdemata, half elf paladin.
  • Ilmater (mentioned)
  • Loviatar, the Maiden of Pain (mentioned)
  • Arietta Innevar
  • Zelina Innevar

Locations Visited

  • Trollclaw Ford
  • Trollclaws
  • The Coast Way

Experience Per Character

Session Task or Accomplishment Day Aegar Pliny Zoyana Fang
52 Dreams of fire 59 200 - - -
52 Travel 60 0 0 0 0
52 Troll 61 450 450 450 450
52 Motivational Speech 61 - 200 - -
52 Searing Smite 61 200 - - -
52 Trolls vs Dragon 61 1218 1218 1218 1218
52 Shrugging off dragon fear 61 100 100 100 -
52 Faithful of Loviatar 62 300 - - -
52 Innevar sisters 63 200 200 200 -
52 "Aegar, Chicks can be adventurers" 63 - - 200 -
52 Travel 64 0 0 0 0
52 Travel 65 0 0 0 0
52 Travel 66 0 0 0 0
52 The Golden Stag 67 100 100 100 -
Total Total 2768 2268 2268 1668