The chess game has started

Desnus 4, 4712

Daryle is on Hellknight patrol in the middle of the night walking with her sister Darelle and two other soldiers when the sisters notice suspicious activity near one of the wells. A man is sitting by the well holding a keg of wine singing Hooray, it was inevitable softly to himself. Daryle talks to the man and he is clearly intoxicated. In the conversation, the drunk reveals that he got the keg from Thorne, but he was told he wasn't supposed to say that. Daryle arrests the man and orders the Hellknights to escort him to the drunk tank and to place the keg in evidence. She quickly examines the keg and notices that it is from the Zelnaux winery. They shackle the man's hands, and leave with him and the keg.

Meanwhile, Darelle smells the well and it resembles the plant hoya carnosa, take a sample of the water and notices it is very waxy. This well, much like many others in Fort Inevitable, has been contaminated with a waxy substance. She packages the water in a jar for further study.

After some waiting for the two soldiers to return, the Coopers decide to head back towards the Citadel. They discover the prone figures of the two soldiers. Daryle checks for vital signs but she sees severe puncture wounds. There is no sign of the drunk, but the keg lays on the ground. The wounds are similar to those inflicted to the Juliver Gate guards a month back. Daryle sounds the alarm, and as soldiers arrive on the scene she reports the incident, and she requests that Commander Roscoe be notified as well, even though he is on patrol with a party of Hellknights in the mountains, searching for the giants.

While examining the Zelnaux keg that has been left behind, Darelle discover that the keg has a secret hinge that opens a hole in the top. When leaned over, this hole could be used to dump the contents of the keg out of it without being noticed. Unfortunately the keg is empty, but it still smells like hoya carnosa.

Wanting an explanation, Darelle and Daryle decide to go and find their younger brother Thorne. They locate him in Braddon's General Store as he is about to open his doors. After a headed conversation he reports that he doesn't know anything about the water being poisoned, but he suspects the poisoners from Daggermark. He also acknowledges that he did sell kegs of Zelnaux mead, and his most recent sale, of 7 kegs, was to the Hunters' Lodge. When asked by Daryle, he produces a liquor license he obtained from the Hellknights. He also tells her that he actually doesn't own the mead but acts as a broker between Mayor Dunleaf Appletop and other parties interested in this rare beverage, so even if he did not have a liquor license, which he did, he never owned any liquor himself and therefore would not be in violation of any Hellknight ordinances.

Daryle informs him about the millions of board feet missing. Thorne professes not to know anything about it, and for some unknown reason Daryle believes that his surprise is genuine. Thorne had not heard about the wood being stolen, and he vows to investigate and find out how he can get a cut. Perhaps Gerald has discovered something since he was asked to look into the topic.

Darelle decides to bring the sample of the water she collected from the well to Dr. Mordel. The good doctor agrees to investigate the waxy water and perform alchemy checks. Darelle wonders if there's some illegal dumping going on. It does seem like a strange way to get rid of whatever this substance is. Dr. Mordel tells her the local priests are treating the water, but they can't keep up. Clearly someone is still contaminating the water. In Fort Inevitable, most wells are about one hundred feet deep and reach the water table, but in a few cases the wells had to be dug to about one hundred and fifty feet. It is believed these wells tap a different water table. However, wells from both depth have been contaminated.

The Coopers decide to head over to the Hunters' Lodge, on the outskirts of the forest. The place looks as it always does, but there are now three very mean looking and well trained dog, as well as two men on the deck who appear involved in casual conversation but are in fact guarding the place. Daryle approaches and asks to speak with the owner. The lodge's president introduces himself as Vorkstag and listens politely to Daryle's inquiries. After some back and forth he agrees to let her look at his wine cellar even though she doesn't have a search warrant. In the cellar Daryle discovers the lodge only has two barrels and not the seven Thorne claims to have sold. Was their younger brother lying to them?

Back in Fort Inevitable, Daryle and Darelle pay a visit to Karlyle the Butcher. He tells the sister that the last time he had contact with the lodge's president, Peter Dusk, was about two months ago. Come to think of it, he has not seen any of the hunters for at least a month. The sisters consult the tax rolls. The quarterly taxes were paid by Vorkstag, the new club president. Darelle writes down a timeline in a her notebook:

• 73 days ago, Karlyle claims that this is the last time he saw Peter Dusk, the hunter also known to Daryle.
• 36 days ago, an assassin kills Hellknight guards at the Juliver Gate. There are reports that many of the wells in Fort Inevitable have been poisoned, and there's a confrontation between Roscoe and Karlyle the Butcher. An assassination atttempt on Roscoe's life results in the destruction of a newly erected apartment block.
• 34 days ago, all of the ruffians and workers from Daggermark are tricked into leaving Fort Inevitable on rumors of a gold rush in the hills.
• 30 days ago, paperwork is filed with the Hellknights indicating that the Hunters' Lodge has a new president.
• 7 days ago, the Cooper sisters resolve the confrontation between the Hellknights and the villagers of Dimsdale.
• 5 days ago, Thorne brokers the sale of 7 kegs of Zelnaux mead with the Hunters' Lodge.
• Today, the sisters discover that one of these kegs is used to poison at least one well in Fort Inevitable.

Daryle thinks the wells should be locked. Darelle thinks the wells should be guarded. Both of these measures should be implemented to stop the contaminated process. Plain clothes officers should be placed next to wells. These ideas are suggested to Maralictor Wirt, who agrees to the measures and dispatches soldiers immediately.

Darelle goes back that evening Dr. Mordel's neighborhood patrol could guard the wells. Mordel tells her that his sources report a master alchemist from Daggermark is involved in the plot to poison the residents and the Hellknights of Fort Inevitable. Dr. Mordel says that his agents will keep an eye on the wells. When Darelle questions whether an alliance of assassins and poisoners could truly take place, Mordel responds that if their target was a common enemy, they may be able to put aside their differences.

Daryle tells Mordel about the missing members of the hunter's guild. Mordel replies that he will try to find out as much as possible.

The sisters meet again with Thorne, who claims not knowing why both guilds would want him dead. He speculates that the presence of demons indicate that Duke Mosley, who is a member of the Order of the Nail, and has an not-so-secret interest in demons, might be behind the overall plot, maneuvering pieces like the assassins, the poisoners, the Mistress of Thorns, the giants, and Greenhide and his goblins like so many pieces on a chessboard.

Darelle then talks to Falandra about manufacturing evidence against Thorne to get him demoted. Falandra replies that it shouldn't be too hard, but maybe the sisters should address themselves to Maralictor Wirt while Roscoe is gone first. They do so, and Wirt is more than happy to immediately suspend Thorne's access to the treasury.


Desnus 5, 4712

Passing through town in the morning, Darelle finds a message waiting for her at the Juliver Gate. Dr. Mordel urgently needs to see her. She goes over to his house, and he tells Darelle that there are 22 members of the poisoners' guild in the hunter's lodge. He also shows her the prisoner he captured in the night. The demon is currently captured behind a series of walls of forces in Mordel's basement, and the good doctor will attempt to get as much information as possible from it.

Leaving the house, the sisters run into Gerald who tries to hide that he is carrying a spellbook. He was coming from the direction of Abernard's house, and he looks suspiciously guilty, as if he had borrowed the book without permission.

In the evening, the sisters trek to the Hunters' Lodge. The sisters fire arrows and slay the guard, then Darelle entangles the dogs under the porch. They break into the lodge and interrupt a card game, only to let one of the guards escape. He returns with a team, but in no time the Coopers dispatch them all. Exploring the lodge, they discover an alchemy lab on the second floor. Darelle finds a jar of cloud.

In the basement they discover over 40 barrels of Zelnaux mead behind a secret wall. They then find another trap door leading downward. The latter takes them about 150 feet below ground, in a series of tunnels. Someone has been mining crystals. They locate the rest of the poisoners' crew, who are running away. The sisters manage to eliminate them all, then they track what had scarred them. In a wall at the end of one tunnel, they discover a clear crystal window, and on the other side is a frightening outsider who appears to be trying to break free. The sisters wisely decide to withdraw, and they return to Fort Inevitable.

It's not only porridge boiling over in the giants' lair

Gozran 1, 4712

Five days after their return to Fort Inevitable from the mountains where Byrsag dwells, the Coopers decide it's time to head back to the giants' lair to investigate whether Greenhide managed to secure an alliance with them. Since it's the three months mark, and the merchant caravan, accompanied by hundreds of Hellknights heading to the Mendev Crusades, has stopped by Fort Inevitable, the Coopers go shopping to acquire much needed supplies. The merchants also brought several wagons of foodstuff which they sell at exorbitant prices, along with building materials.

Darelle buys the belt of the fair lady, and after some arduous negotiating she brings the price down to 10,000 crowns. But since she doesn't have enough money on hand, the merchant agrees to a price of 12,000. Darelle pays 5,000 now, and will pay the other 7,000 in three months when the merchant returns. She also buys the corset of the fair lady for another 10,000 crowns. She puts down 4,000 crowns as well as various magical items she no longer needs and will owe 5,800 in three months. She overhears a rumor that a caravan led by devils from Cheliax was ambushed a month ago a day after entering the River Kindgoms.

Daryle, meanwhile, purchases a plain old bow +2 for 6,500 crowns with half deferred in three months. And despite several tempting offers, she refuses to purchase a dress, remembering what happened the last time she purchased such a garment in the caravan. She overhears the rumor that Duke Mosley led an assault upon a demon fortress in the Worldwound and he suffered a grievous injury.

Gerald takes more time to purchase various items throughout the merchants on the greens outside of the town. He buys parts to make scale mail, a plain earring, an ear cuff, a few plain gold and copper rings, and two short bows. He plans on using these various purchases to create new magical items he can use. Gerald decides he will craft magical bows for his sisters. He overhears a rumor that the former Lady Commander, Audara Drovust, appeared at the Thrice Damned Court of the House of Thrune and was granted the title of Marquess of a minor domain in the Menador Mountains.

Because it is tax day, the Coopers report to the Chancellery and settle their tax bills. Darelle in particular feels bittersweet about her tax bill. On the one hand it is lower, but that's because her house burned down in the great Fort Inevitable fire. She still plans on rebuilding her house when building materials become available.


Gozran 5, 4712

Sixteen days after encountering the giants' lair, the Coopers trek return to the scene. The last snow fall occurred two days ago, and the tracks outside the giants' stronghold indicate that many people have walked around the compound. Daryle suggests that they wait. Around dusk they notice the stone giant from the previous time, accompanied by his orc slave, come out and fill water buckets in the frigid water before returning inside and closing the doors behind them.

They sneak to the outside door. Darelle falls into the door, but Gerald manages to catch her before she falls to the ground. The barn is almost empty, with only a few horses and three wagons. It is clear that the party has been over for some time. Daryle takes a peek up the tower, but she cannot see anyone up there. The Coopers decide to risk entering the giants' lair.

Inside they find that the giants are feasting, and in the room the Coopers spot a barrel of Zelnaux wine. Gerald drinks a potion of invisibility, and after Daryle opens one of the side door he steps through it. The hallway is empty, so Gerald heads to the end, and he leans on the door to listen. He can hear the lively conversations of the various cooks working in the kitchen. He returns to his sisters and he reports what he overheard. Daryle comes up with a clever plan. Let's put horse manure in the food, which should make the giants sick. Gerald heads back to the stables, and he harvests some before returning to his sister without spilling any on himself.

Daryle quietly opens the door, Gerald enters the kitchen. A giantess is currently belittling five orc cooks and two servants, so she doesn't notice the open door. Gerald goes to the first roaring fire and does his deed before leaving the kitchen. Hopefully this pot will be served tonight. With this accomplished, the Coopers decide to retreat to one of the empty rooms and wait for the giants to pass out or be poisoned.

Four hours go by, and eventually the party wraps up. A few hours later, when all is quiet, the Coopers emerge from the armory and begin exploring. They encounter a few rooms with slumbering giants. Then, they come across another giant's room, but this one is richly adorned. As they caucus and discuss what to do, an orc carrying linen walks in the room from a hallway. For a second the orc is paralyzed with fear, and Gerald uses this opportunity to try to keep the orc quiet by making hand gestures. The orc signals back that they are standing in front of the chief's room, and it is not safe to be here. Eventually the Coopers agree to follow the orc, but they suspect a trap.

Fortunately, the orc takes them to the kitchen, where the giantesses have retired for the night. Only orcs are present. The orc introduces himself as Gord, and he explains to the Coopers that his bretheren are prisoners in the basement, but some of them have freed themselves and are waging a rebellion against the giants. They have no weapons and they are guarded by bugbears. The Coopers agree that freeing the orcs would cause pandemonium among the giants, so they agree to help Gord and his troops. Gord shares the password the orcs below use below, "Ugly Eyes," with the Coopers. Daryle tells the orc Gord to wedge the door shut behind them, so no bugbears escape.

Darelle is first down, and she throws a few copper coins down to see if it attracts the attention of any of the guards. No one appears at the foot of the stairs, so the party heads down. They come upon a series of cells containing orc prisoners, as well as a hallways that has been closed by debris. Two bugbears are shouting arrows through slits into the hallway beyond the debris. The Coopers engage and the bugbears are quickly eliminated.

They continue their exploration, and they come upon a small room with two orc prisoners chained to the wall being tortured by four bugbears and one ugly ogre. Itching for a fight, the Coopers engage and are quickly triumphant. Gerald frees the prisoners, but they are too far gone to be of any use. In the next room down a short hallway they come upon another series of cells, with more bugbear guards. The combat is brutal but quick, and the bugbears do not manage to raise the alarm.

Gerald finds more orcs in cells. He tells them the passphrase. These orcs are ready to fight back even if they don't have any weapons. They are willing to join with the Coopers. The orc chieftain tells them about One Eye, a giant who wanders the corridors with his two carnivorous apes. Daryle tells the orcs to stay behind. The Coopers will clear the rooms heading back to the stairs, and the orcs will then be able to escape. Darelle sends her tree bird with a message to the rebels to let them know help is on the way and to assist in any way they could. The Coopers are now ready to move on and confront One Eye.

Where is the money?

Lamashan 28, 4711

Two days have passed since Fort Inevitable was attacked, and the town has slowly recuperated. The bodies of goblins, frogmen and the undead have been gathered and burned, and work has begun on fixing the collapsed part of the north wall.

The Coopers have been "invited" to the Chancellery by Lady Commander Drovust. Daryle brings small games, while Gerald brings a box of sweet treats. They are led to the Commander's office, where Drovust is waiting for them, many guards well armed and armored lining the walls.

Drovust tells the Coopers that during the assault the Chancellery's vault was broken into, and 431,567 crowns and gems and precious items worth roughly 200,000 crowns were stolen. This fact is not widely known throughout town at this point, but were this knowledge to spread it would cause chaos in the town as the bank could not make its financial obligations. And though she considered charging them with dereliction of duty, she has ultimately decided not to do this.

However, since in a very real way the Coopers have an obligation to the town, she tasks them to head to Mosswater, the ghost town, and recuperate the treasure that is rumored to still remain in the dead down. Each Cooper is provided with a small gem that contains some magical healing, and are then escorted to their residence before being guided to the Mosswater Gate. There they encounter their brother Thorne, returning to Fort Inevitable from a business trip.

Daryle berates Thorne for having skipped the battle, but then tells him he has to come with them to Mosswater. Grudgingly he agrees to follow them. Darelle and Daryle explain the reason for their trip to the ghost town, and Gerald provides background information on the events that took place over one hundred years ago.

On their way to Mosswater they stop by Shadowborn Manor for supplies. The property and the building have not suffered during the most recent green storm. They provision themselves and grab a few weapons and more gear.

Lamashan 29, 4711

The Coopers arrive in Mosswater late in the morning, after an uneven trek on a well-trodden path. The deserted town stretches in front of them. The buildings have been whitewashed by the relentless sun, and thousands of objects glitter in the streets. To the Coopers' dismay, these objects are the bones of the violently deceased about a hundred years ago. They look like they have been lovingly and patiently polished so that they glow under the sun's rays.

The Coopers enter the first large building their come upon. The building is abandoned, and there are bones scattered about. It looks like it has been ransacked several times over. Thorne searches the building but finds nothing of interest. It appears that years have passed since the last time someone was in here. Finding the location fairly decent, the Coopers decide to remove the furniture and bones and pile them in the house next door. Gerald's plan is to fill up empty buildings and burn them as they go along so that they don't search them again. 

Next, the Coopers head to Mosswater's town hall. A three-story fortified structure, the building may have been architecturally interesting in its heyday, but damage done from generations of looters as well as the ravages of time have tarnished the structure. Access to the building is easy and shows that it could not be used as a safe base. The ground floor holds the reception area as well as several offices. The second floor holds more offices and the town archives and library, while the third floor is composed of the mayor's personal quarters.

Searching the building Daryle discovers a large bulky ledger indicating that on the day before the town's death there were roughly 300,000 crowns in the town's coffers. The town generated on average about 10,000 crowns of dye business a month. Gerald discovers that all books dealing with religion are missing from the library, but he also comes across A Very Detailed History of Dyemaking in Mosswater, written by Charles Ludwig.Though it does not contain the specific recipe for creating the famous Mosswater dye, Gerald believes the instructions are precise enough to derive a close process in a short time. He also gets his hands on two more books, A Philosophy of Magic and Orcish Erotica Poetry Part 2. Thorne, meanwhile, discovers the mayor's appointment book in a false bottom. Interestingly, two days before the town's destruction there is a cryptic entry. The name Baron Katkil is written and underlined twice. No other name in the appointment book has a similar treatment.

Gerald recalls reading something about Baron Katkil. He was an infamous pirate a century ago who would ransom towns and villages near rivers throughout the River Kingdoms. Those that did not pay were attacked and some of them were destroyed. The presence of the Baron's name in the appointment book a few days before Mosswater falls indicates a probable cause for its destruction.

Meanwhile, Darelle spots five soldiers and a priest from Razmir. Standing by the cathedral, they appear to be consulting a map. After several minutes, they head out towards the manufacturing district and the Coopers lose sight of them by the lighthouse in the middle of town.

Carefully, the Coopers creep out of the town hall and head towards the cathedral. Dedicated to Abadar, the building's spires stretch to the sky, but, like the town hall, its majesty has been severely diminished due to battle damage and years of weather. Inside, all religious symbols that could be carried have been removed, but those carved in the stone remain, glaring down at the visitors. There are dead bodies everywhere, and clearly many of the town's original inhabitants took refuge in vain here.

Searching the vestry, Thorne comes upon a series of letters exchanged between the head chaplain and the town's mayor regarding the ransom demanded by Baron Katkil. Dated four days before the town's demise, the exchange indicate that the chaplain strongly urged the mayor to resist the pirate and make a stand against corruption in the name of Abadar and the inhabitants of Mosswater.

Noticing that the sun was slowly drifting towards the west, the Coopers decide to head out of town and find refuge for the night. However, they are attracted to a building next to the cathedral which has a restaurant on its ground floor. Called Food to Dye For, it appears well fortified, with an exterior that hasn't been breached. Thorne successfully picks the lock, and inside the Coopers find a nicely decorated main area. Furniture and dishes have been pushed to the side and piled against the windows, but otherwise the room looks undisturbed. It is clear, however, that many people have used this place as shelter.

Gerald is attracted to several cookbooks inside the kitchen, but he falls in a trap. Daryle almost become the trap's victim, but Darelle joins her brother down the pit. With Thorne's help Daryle is eventually able to rescue her siblings.

Exploring the rest of the building the Coopers come upon the wine cellar. All bottles but one have been smashed. The surviving bottle, buried under a pile of broken glass, is a fine vintage from Zelnaux Winery in Dimsdale, indicating some trading between the halfling village and Mosswater over one hundred years ago. Behind the walls Thorne discovers a secret passage leading to the real wine cellar. Inside they find a large collection of fine wines, many from Zelnaux, as well as thirty crates of dye and an elevator to another building behind the restaurant. These crates do not sport the town's tax seal, meaning that they are contraband crates. Someone here was involved in smuggling. In total, the cellar's contents are worth an estimated 30,000 crowns.

Given that no one has found this place in the last century, the Coopers feel reasonably safe in spending the night here.

Lamashan 30, 4711

In the morning, having survived the whining and the steps outside throughout the night, the Coopers head back to Fort Inevitable with two jugs of dye and a few wine bottles. Their plan? Returning to Mosswater with a wagon and begin hauling the merchandise out of the cellar.

Never buy a dress at the caravan clothier

Sarenith 21, 4711

Roscoe is on maneuvers with a Hellknight company. Originally dispatched to secure the route to Mosswater, the Hellknights encountered a large pack of dire wolves led by a trio of mean-looking ogres. The company suffered through two months of chasing the pack and the ogres over hostile terrain, and after countless casualties and sleepless nights the Hellknights at last engaged the ogres, and Roscoe was the one who delivered the killing blow to the female ogre.


Sarenith 30, 4711

Roscoe and the remaining Hellknights return to Fort Inevitable at the same time as the new company from Cheliax arrives at the fort, accompanied with the merchant’s caravan that comes by every three months. He reconnects with his siblings, and they are happy to see him.


Erastus 1st, 4711

On the first day of the quarter all residents of Fort Inevitable and surrounding areas are invited to come to the Citadel field and participate in the quarterly celebration of Hellknight rule. A large contingent of Hellknights flanks the field in their dress uniforms, and flags and banners flutter in the wind. The scaffold has been built, and as the crowd gathers for the enforcement of the rule of law and the punishment of crimes. The Coopers are in the crowd and applaud as the Lady Commander Audara Drovust takes the platform.

The Lady Commander reports that this has been one of the most peaceful quarter in recent memory, with only two criminals to be punished. The first is Jeremy Zelnaux, former owner of Zelnaux Winery, for fraud, extortion and willful rejection of the legitimate authority of the Hellknights. The halfling is quickly hung.

The second condemned is a bugbear named Grunk, whom the Coopers encountered in the Emerald Spire. Brought out covered in chains and gagged, Grunk is condemned to death for trespassing and assaulting a representative of the Lady Commander in the course of his legitimate duties, an offense that automatically incurs the penalty of death with extreme prejudice. Grunk is lowered in a pit and then buried until only his head sticks out. The citizens of Fort Inevitable are then invited to throw rocks at his head until death occurs. The Coopers happily participate in the stoning.

The Lady Commander then asks the Cooper triplets to come to the platform. For their services rendered at the Zelnaux Winery in Dimsdale, they are awarded the First Level of the Crow. And they are invited to attend the Lady Commander’s Grand Ball, held tonight outside on the Citadel grounds. Not having appropriate clothing, the Coopers need to go shopping for ball outfits.

Gerald, Roscoe and Darelle go to Mirelinda the clothier in Fort Inevitable. Darelle purchases a pink puffy dress with an equally pink shawl and a pink hat adorned with a bird’s nest and a live pink bird. Gerald gets a plain but stylish grey and black outfit. He also buys a nice lilac scarf for Daryle. Roscoe purchases black fineries which include a puffy shirt and a large gold cod piece, a cape, black shoes adorned with gold buckles. Finally, he gets a large brimmed black hat with three gold feathers.

Daryle decides to go shopping outside of the walls to the merchant’s caravan. One of the clothiers that rides in the quarterly caravan is back, and he offers her two different outfits. One was worn by a noblewoman but she returned it because it did not fit properly. Made of the finest lilac silk, he is willing to part with it for a modest sum. The dress fits perfectly, so Daryle decides to take it. She also goes to Gertrand Yeldun, the moneychanger, and rents a silver necklace with a large amethyst set in the middle for the night.

During the ball each Cooper is approached by the Lady Commander, who thanks them for their hard work on behalf of the Hellknights. Darelle dances with other teens, while Roscoe regales young ladies with stories of his military exploits. Gerald and his turtle eat food at the buffet, while Daryle hangs out near the bar. When the Lady Commander begins speaking with Daryle, the latter’s dress peels off her and attacks the Commander. Both Roscoe and Darelle notice, and begin heading that way. For all intents and purposes, it looks like Daryle is attacking the Lady Commander, and Hellknights react as such, charging towards their Commander. The Coopers are eventually able to convince the Lady Commander, who came out bloodied from her battle with the dress, that they didn’t know anything about it. Daryle tells them where she bought the dress, and Hellknights are immediately dispatched to arrest the merchant. Unfortunately, said merchant has already fled the area, departing by himself soon after selling the dress to Daryle.

When haflings have a bee problem ... they call the Coopers

Gorzan 20, 4711

On a bright and sunny morning, Darelle is woken up by her aunt Alina. She tells her that she has a visitor who wishes to see her, and it’s rather urgent. When she comes downstairs, she is greeted by a small Halfling wearing a green tunic and brown trousers. He introduces himself as Shim Longbranch, and tells her the tale of his small village of Dimsdale, about a half day away from Fort Inevitable. Giant bees have taken residence in the covered bridge, which is the only road link for miles around. This has stopped commerce and prevents the village’s residents from reaching their fields on the other side of the bridge. Having heard of Darelle’s abilities with animals, he’s been tasked by the village mayor to see if she would come and help them solve this stingy problem.

Dimsdale is known for the quality of its wines and its winery, Zelnaux Wines. These are traded throughout the northeast River Kingdoms and are appreciated even further afield. The lack of an accessible road is blocking the delivery of wine and other merchandises.

Accompanied by Daryle and Gerald, Darelle and Shim head back to the village, where they meet Dunleaf Appletop, the mayor. Another halfling, the mayor tells them that the small detachment of Hellknights charged the bridge two days ago and got themselves killed in the process, except for one survivor currently being cared for in the town hall. He is worried that if the plight of the village reaches Fort Inevitable, the Hellknights will be happy to intervene, but it will cost the villagers even more money than what is being raised in taxes at the moment. Appletop wishes to avoid this possibility at all costs.

The Coopers interview Alexus Longleaf, the only surviving Hellknight, but are unable to get much information from him. He has been stung repeatedly, however, and even his armor is punctured with two holes the size of a child’s fist.

Gerald and Darelle take a trip to the bridge just outside of town, and see that the entire inside of the bridge is covered in wax, with a small entry guarded by a giant bee about three feet tall. Gerald sketches the bridge and the bee, while Darelle senses that the bee is not hostile but will protect its home.

Daryle, meanwhile, heads down the river and comes up the other side, facing a similar wax wall with a guard. She returns to the village, and the Coopers begin hatching a plan. They will locate the fields in which the bees spend most of their days. There they will ambush them and kill them, thereby reducing the number of bees left at the hive. Once there, they will also build two large piles of wood and they will attempt to smoke out the bees.

Before they are able to put their plan into motion, however, the vineyard is attacked by the bees, which come and feed off the nectar in the large grape vats. Darelle is inspired by what she sees. What if she could somehow poison the bees? 


Gorzan 21, 4711

Darelle heads into the woods, and discovers some longwart she can use. She spends the morning preparing her potion, and in the afternoon mixes it with the vats' contents. Meanwhile, Daryle follows the worker bees to a field a few miles away from the village, and eventually returns to the village by way of the vineyard's vats. That evening, Gerald notices something that chills his very soul. A hill giant comes down the river, and stops at the bridge. He takes off the roof, and collects honey in a large pot before replacing the roof and heading back up river. The Coopers now know who owns the hive.



Gorzan 22, 4711

In the morning the Coopers execute their plan. They follow the bees, who travel to the field with difficulties, and are quickly disabled. Nevertheless, the fighting is fierce and Gerald feels the sting of the giant bees several times before the battle is won and all bees are slaughtered.

They quickly return to the village, and cross the river to find the other bees. Daryle takes this opportunity to search the body of the Hellknight still left at the bottom of the bridge, and she discovers a healing potion which Gerald uses immediately. The Hellknight also has a wet map that shows another location where the bees were originally located.

Searching on the other side they are unable to find the working bees. They however discover the former site of the hive. It looks like it has been moved recently, and, strangely, the hive was smoked before it was moved, and some of the wood remains in good condition. Investigating the wood, the Coopers realize that the wood was originally Zelnaux Winery barrels. What would these barrels do all the way out here?

Darelle discovers the giant's tracks. These lead over the ridge and down a ravine. The Coopers follow the tracks all the way to the giant's underground lair. There they find a large distillery where the giant has been processing his bees' honey into mead. There is also further evidence here that links the giant to Zelnaux.

The Coopers immediately return to Dimsdale and inform mayor Appletop of their discoveries. They confront Zelnaux, who claims not to know how his barrels ended up in the giant's possession. Attacked once again by bees, the Coopers decide to return to Fort Inevitable and notify the Hellknights of their discoveries. Maralictor Wirt tells Daryle that she will send a detachment immediately to surprise the giant as he retrieves honey from his hives. If everything holds up, there should be a financial reward for them since both the winery and the giant are currently avoiding taxes on their operations.


Gorzan 24, 4711

The Coopers return to meet with Maralictor Wirt in the morning. She tells them that due to their dilligent efforts, the hill giant, who is named Byrsag, was "convinced" to work for the Hellknights, and will continue to provide the vineyard with his honey. For their efforts and as a reward for securing this deal, the Coopers are awarded 113 crowns, which have been deposited free of charge at the Chancellery.