Session 47: Do Squids Have Butts? (5/24/26)

Desnova 28

The PCs travel by folding boat through the Jaggerhead Lake, destined for Borgabosk. En route, they learn from some fisherfolk that Svodnikha has been under attack from some bears, and not for the first time! They next encounter something serpentine and frightening in the waters, which turns out to be some sort of naga which considers herself the guardian of the river. After a brief communication, they are sent on their way, and eventually arrive at the dwarf town.

The PCs split up to exchange some gems and jewelry, including some of the jeweled crab bits from the Lost Isle of Skorbi, and pick up any orders that they had at the Smeltworks, including a shield made from the carapace of Old Marrow. Aldren purchases a jade ring. They rent some rooms at the Hammers Rest for the evening, and meet an old soldier named Chainpike, who peer pressures them all into gambling on some brawls in the inn's fighting pit. Chainpike actually surprises them and ends up winning a round and some money, before wisely retiring with his earnings. At night, the PCs magical squid air bladder is lifted by some local thieves, but they track it down in short order without murdering all the perpetrators.



Desnova 29

The party treeports back to Svodnikha. The population is now thinner than normal; due to some wild animal attacks in the area and the encroaching winter months, it's about halved. They visit the Obylensky Farm and the Meek & Marrow to see some old friends, a few of whom are still around. They get over to the Soverat barracks and meet Private Polgar, the sole soldier left in the village, who has spent most of his time providing care for bear-attack victims. Some smaller bears have been spotted about the area, and a few larger, they seem to be sweep-hunting in this region of the Tzarswald. Though he claims to be a 'triage' officer, Polgar also appears to be fornicating with any of the single (and maybe a few married) women left in the village!

Speaking of single women...the PCs visit Tanka to notify her of her Old Shard's passing, and exchange some parcels. Though saddened, she deals with the loss practically. She also tells the PCs that she recently spotted a carriage coming through the village bearing an eerie red lantern en route to the Halfwynter Lodge up north.

PCs: Aldren, Bjork, Nebol'shoy, Rucia

NPCs

Chainpike (human male): A tall man in his 60s with the bearing of a soldier, he has a large, drooping gray moustache below a blunted nose and deep blue eyes with flecks of gold. His hair hangs thinning and shoulder length below the hood of a forest green cloak that he wears, and he huffs smoke-rings from a lacquered birch-wood pipe, the flashiest thing about him. There’s a hobble in his step which seems to indicate some knee or foot injury he once sustained, and he appears armed only with a humble short sword tucked into a leather sheath.

Private Polgar (human male): A tall man in his late 20s with a straight black beard and excess of chest hair on his skinny frame. A newly appointed soldier in Svodnikha with 'triage' skills' that may or not included sleeping with every local woman he can find. Currently the sole Soverat appointed to the village.