- Vera, Female Half-Elf Shaman + Jethro, Wolverine Spirit Companion
- Thun Thunderfoot, Male Goliath Warden
- Arwyn Weatherbee, Male Halfling Wizard
- Peaches, Female Tiefling Paladin
- Rain Du Fran, Male Half-Orc (Orc and Halfling) Bard
- Major Canis, Male Gnoll Paladin
Editor’s note: This session was run by Darby (Usually playing the PC Garrus). Jumping to the other side of the screen, I will be playing Major Canis, the Gnoll Paladin.
Upon explaining their mission, the captain agrees to take them to the commander of the outpost: Maester Frances. Rain asks if he can perform for them. Despite the captain’s protest, Rain plays a mournful rendition of Hot Cross Buns on his 12" foldable flute.
There is a large stage in the center and seated behind a large table on the opposite side is Maester Frances flanked by members of his retinue. He seems to be deliberately ignoring them. Peaches snorts: “How rude.” Rain begins to clear his throat louder and louder until he looks up. Gaining their attention, Rain again offers to play his flute for them. A stunned Frances is somewhat speechless as he gains his composure after the performance.
Frances is skeptical of the motely warriors standing before him. He scoffs at the thought of a Gnoll Paladin. A growling Major reminds him that they were sent to aid them. Vera diplomatically steers the conversation and asks Frances why they were sent to help. Frances replies that many of his soldiers have begun to disappear while on patrol. Search parties have either found no trace of them, or have vanished themselves. Major asks if it is possible they deserted. Frances scoffs and seems offended.
As the sun is setting, The Companions offer to search the area for clues at day break. Frances tells them to take advantage of the camp and rest and restock. Dinner will be served shortly, and they shall be the guests of honor. Rain seeks out the quartermaster’s tent and gets a new bugle. Vera searches the perimeter of the camp for clues.
The entertainment consists of a bevy of beauties of many races who dance before the troops on the stage. At the end of the dance, an excited Rain asks to play for the troops. Frances reluctantly agrees. Rain plays a tune to the stunned silence of the crowd. At the end of his performance, there is complete silence. Then slowly, a smattering of slow claps. Claps that erupt into a raucous round of applauds and cheers.
The festivities are suddenly interrupted by a commotion from outside. The perimeter guard’s call to arms causes everyone to evacuate the assembly hall. The Companions see the guards fending off unseen foes on the walls. Traenor quickly escorts Frances to a secured, solid building toward the rear. Rain follows and attempts to open the door but finds it locked. He tries to pick the lock with his flute but fails miserably.
The Companions and the outpost garrison inflect much damage to the invading undead hoard but for every foe they vanquish, another seems to take their place. The endless undead army unmercifully assaults the eager emissaries of the Empire for an eternity.
Lead by a Flesh Golem named George and a Cyclopean Skeleton named George (pronounced Hor-Hay), a fearsome force of undead troops threatens to breach the main gates. An excited Thun rushes down the stairs so he can be the first to engage them in battle. Arwyn scampers to the overlook atop of the main gate and unleashes a torrent of flames upon them.
As the gates are battered down and the undead army floods the courtyard, Peaches rallies the rest of the outpost’s defenders and flanks Thun to charge into combat.
And that’s where our session ended.
Thoughts on this Session: This One-Shot adventure has now become a four-part epic. Finally reunited, The Companions reach their goal: Vol’Cainath. A rather chilly reception leads The Companions to believe that there may be more to this mystery than Maester Frances is letting on. A fact that an injured Vera realized first hand in combat. Rain’s zany antics dominated much of the role playing. A truly outstanding performance by Tucker. A lot of role playing at the beginning concluding with an action packed invasion at the end allowed players to show off both their role playing and battle prowess. Bravo to all!!!