Rise of the Runelords, Session 17 - The Skinsaw Murders

When we resumed, Vic made his way to the door of the Seven's Sawmill and knocked. The door was answered by a man in an odd, jester-like robe and funny mask, who then questioned Vic about his purposes being there, to which the guardsman stated that he was meant to make the drop, and that the "Master" that the man had mentioned in the questioning was dead.

The man led Vic to the work floor of the mill, where a dozen more figures were assembled, all in the odd robes and masks, to a man with a slightly different mask, who also asked Vic a few more questions, then suddenly cast a spell that made the warrior attack himself. At this, the man who had led Vic in ran back up, doffed his robe and mask, then ran out into the street, yelling to the rest of the party that Vic had suddenly began acting funny and that "something was wrong."

This prompted the group to rush to their friend's aid, and they heard a scream for help from Vic as they hit the door. The man that led them in slung his robe and mask on and began to engage the party in the door, but a few made it past to try to get to Vic's side, surrounded as he was by the cultists. Walt took the man trying to bar their way down and Walt and Elspeth mopped up with area spells; Walt calling down the judgment of his god upon those without virtue and the wizard incinerating the group with a fireball, which also killed the seriously wounded Vic.

The leader of the cultists had gone invisible, and tried to take advantage of the group's letting down of their guards after the spells had dropped and they had seen their friend dead, but short work was made of the man.

After this, the group went out and found a patrol of clerics to Abadar who were working as guards and reported what had happened. One of the men, however, had a loose tongue and blurted out that the leader of the cultists was Justice Ironbriar, a prominent city lawmaker with strong ties to the Watch. The sensitivity of the information was impressed upon the party and a "gift" of cooperation was given in the form of spoils as the clerics began to take care of the crime scene.

One of the Abadaran priests had rushed to take Vic to the temple, Rissi and Elspeth in tow, since he was a follower of that faith, for preparations to do what could be done for their fallen comrade. Once there, the group decided to have Raise Dead cast, bringing back their friend at a heavy cost of gold and goods.

Deciding to collect themselves and regroup, the party obtained lodging and got rest, then investigated what information they had to lead them to the heart of the matter, going back to the sawmill and purchasing a raven from the rookery there then turning it loose, with Walt following it in flight to Underbridge, one of the most dangerous districts of Magnimar.

Here, we left off, and our newly-raised fighter has uttered nary a word since his ordeal. What will this mean in the coming days?




Cast of Characters
Walt Thrune, Chelaxian Human Cleric 7 (Merciful Healer) of Sarenrae - Paul
Rissi Scuttle, Ratfolk Alchemist 7 - Angela
Vic Alvaraz, Varisian Human Fighter (Mobile Fighter) 7 - David
Elspeth, Elf Wizard (Evoker) 7 - Tami
Hyrum Vassal, Chelaxian Human Tyrant (LE Antipaladin variant) 4 of Urgathoa/Monk 1 - David (secondary)
Natasha Caine, Chelaxian Human Rogue 5 - Angela (secondary)