This session was partially consumed with an update of Redemption’s story line – which will be detailed elsewhere.
The continuation of the existing timeline including the Redemption… what? dont you remember she was always there…. sees the reveal of the knight on the white horse as Lord Dummas – the baron responsible for Fort Palco, Sorø and all surroundings on behalve of the old continent… yes the guy’s family basically funded the shipping of all of the people and goods to this new continent. Lord Dummas is a paladin of Istus (Goddes of Fate and Destiny)
The group is escorted for safety reasons back into the Fort, and they quickly realise that many of the inhabitants seem to be twisted in some manner – either physically or mentally… A few lucky inhabitants have escaped this corruption-based influence (about 7 including Lord Dummas).
Some investigation reveals that Lord Dummas distrusts Sergeant Davins
Some investigation reveals a Priest (Mana) of Vecna in the midst of the Fort
Some investigation reveals a small pub-like environment where the bartender and a dwarf are planning some sort of heist of a diamond embedded lizard-eye symbol.
Some investigation reveals that the inhabitants of Fort Palco are trapped by the forest – all paths seem to move around and sometimes people are able to find their way back to the Fort – usually the worse for wear.
Some investigation reveals the presence of a large lake and some humungous fallen tree trunk straddling the island in the center of the lake
Some investigation reveals a female Dragonborn paladin of Fharlanghn (God of horizon’s and travel)
Some investigation reveals that Lord Dummas was not always himself. He eventually reveals that there was a period of time that he was lost to himself and was selfishly busy with greed and lust. But he has come back to himself since then.
Some investigation reveals that Lord Dummas believes they have been trapped for more than year at the Fort without reinforcements.
Garritas drank something interesting and had a REALLY good time during the night they spent in Fort Palco – the following morning his shield is missing; but it was an epic game of frisbee after all!
Redemption and Esk discover the existence of another dangerous priest in the Fort during their interrogation of Mana the Priest – he had some sort of reptilian symbol and could cast magic.
Redemption kills Mana execution style – avoids notice while doing so.
Party heads out to the lake the following morning. Some false starts – but eventually they find a path that seems to head in the correct direction. When following it they eventually (and surprisingly uneventfully) arrive at the lake. The fog is much denser here, but due to the openness of the lake and occasional gust of wind reveals the presence of tree of immense proportions that whose ends rest in the water of the lake. The center of the tree seems to be balancing precariously on an island in the center of the lake.
Garritas taking the initiative jumps into the lake for a swim to the island. Dusk is approaching and the group determine that to be the best place to rest.
The lake is immensely cold.
Romero and the rest quickly follow. Romero spots a large serpentine shadow in the deep lake (not clear how deep or easy to make out distances, but shadow darts into one end of the tree stump.
The group eventually makes land at the island. They discover the tree is very hard and seems almost petrified. The island is covered in dense shrubbery, but beneath the shrubs they find many, many many bones of different shapes and sizes. The ones they recognise seem to be leg bones.
Esk transforms Ara into a fish and sends her off to explore the entrance of the tree… When Ara returns she seems shocked and encourages the group to leave as this is the domain of a Dragon. Almost immediately a large serpentine head breaks the water near the island and rises up into the dark night sky…