Gatecrashers

The expeditionary force continues on to make their explorations, only to find the other two shrines sacked as well (they salvaged the Elder Signs from them). The destruction of the Nemesis-stone from the Earth Shrine has destroyed all the Zombies in the Valley (leaving the area littered with now-rotting corpses). Checking the Mouth/Portal that exits the Valley with Analyze Portal determines details as appropriate for “Environment”, and that it has been used within the last week. They also determine the Cart was taken through it.

Meanwhile – back at the House: Holden & his men are caught in an explosion in the Carriage House – an explosion caused by the Wraith-hands to cover up the Manitou dragging itself off to eat corpses to restore it’s host’s strength. Platinum Blonde comes to their aid, organizing a fireman’s bucket line to put out the fire. The rest of the party arrives to help, and eventually they track down the Hands & keep them from setting off another box of Dynamite in the Main House. Reorganized & healed, they set out for the Portal through the Manticore Mountains.

The Party finds itself coming out of a cave overlooking the walled town of Bloodswash, where they travel to rest and re-supply. It is winter, and a massive orange sun is setting on the horizon. None of the stars that come out that night are familiar, but two moons (one small & red chasing the larger) rise that night. The inhabitants are a mix of Human, Dwarf & Elf (attired warmly, with a renaissance period flair) – the party (particularly halflings, half-orcs, and more unusual characters draw stares). Local guards are tattooed like the Maori, and are armed with flintlocks & muskets. In town characters find they can purchase most items available, along with some oddities. They also marvel at the massive SteamJacks doing manual labor about town.

The local Inn & Tavern, the Clock Tower is just what it says, and commands a reasonable view. Locals tell about how the town was settled as a trade outpost 60 years ago, and other common items about the Iron Kingdoms; they also find out that a band of entrancing foreigners came through a few days before the party arrived, matching the descriptions of Genevieve, Roxxan & Eric. They aren’t staying at the Inn, but may be up at Darkholm Manor, an estate at the edge of town. In the corner of the room sits a mysterious but oddly familiar stranger - they recognize him quickly as Godarii of the 7^th Hand. He is dead (poisoned) & his eyes have been changed to match the Destante trademark. The other patrons say he arrived yesterday, had a meeting with the strangers at the manor, sat down in the corner & hasn’t moved since. They soon find someone has poisoned their food with Knockout-drops. As those who have had the drugged food collapse, the handful who haven’t speak with the innkeeper & find the new serving wench has also gone missing.

An estate of a local noble (dead conveniently from a heart-attack), only recently inhabited by the Destantes. They already took off, hearing that the Party was in town, and left their allies to deal with our heroes. Roxanne, Sambo & Ringo, along with the dubious help of Tallywog lay in wait, recently empowered by the Deck of Many Things. Luckily, Ringo & Sambo had seen the error of their ways (via the Balance/Rogue cards), & switched sides. Roxxane leads them all on a merry chase, hasted and using dimention door to apear and vanish, throwing fireballs willy nilly until driven off. Ringo & Sambo tell our heroes the Destantes have headed on to the Tomb.

The Troll Bridge Gang has abandoned their Bridge, having heard about Hobb’s Tomb from Eric choose to follow him. Not to worry though, as a band of a dozen Nyss have decided to take over and charge tolls in there place. They claim to have driven them off, but there is no sign of a fight. They demand 100gp per person (or other suitably expensive booty), but some successful negotiation brings the price down.

A d20 Campaign

The 11th Hour: Beyond the Manticore Mountains

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