Session 4: The Firefighters’ Rise#

Summary#

The party returns to the Rat’s Nest Tavern warren to extract a delerium crystal and rescue the captured Lieutenant Petra Lang. After defeating a burrow warden and smaller ratling forces, they confront the warren’s leader — an imposing ratling sporting delerium crystals for teeth and a crown too small for his head. Through negotiation and payment, they secure Petra’s freedom. The party then travels to Shepherd’s Gate Garrison, where they forge an alliance with the Hooded Lanterns and take the name The Firefighters. After a long journey back to Emberwood and an awkward encounter with their mysterious contact River, they rest and begin exploring business opportunities at Caravan Court, including learning of the witch Zoya north of town.

What Happened#

Scene 1: Return to the Sewers and Burrow Battle#

After resting briefly following their earlier encounter with the ratling warlock, the party re-enters the sewers through the familiar grate beneath the tavern. They advance toward the barricaded tunnel where burrow warden ratlings have taken the opportunity to reinforce their defenses following the party’s first incursion.

A brief, intense battle erupts. Theobroma’s Sleep spell incapacitates the smaller ratlings instantly, leaving the large burrow warden commander, a scarred veteran, isolated and outnumbered. The creature fights desperately, landing a poisoned spear strike against Heda that nearly drops him, but the party’s combined efforts: Margareta’s maul strikes, Cory’s precise crossbow shots, and Theobroma’s manifested flaming sphere bring the warden down.

With the remainder of the guards eliminated, the party spends 15 additional minutes extracting the delerium crystal from the cavern floor, securing a two-pound specimen. As they prepare to move deeper into the warren, they hear voices—a handful of terrified small ratlings, trapped and cowering. Heda attempts to coax information from them through a combination of persuasion and intimidation, eventually learning that hostages (including Petra) are held deeper in by the “boss,” and that the ratlings are too frightened to return to him.

The party advances cautiously into a larger chamber, where a towering ratling stands guard wearing scavenged armor, tattered blue rags, a crown that sits awkwardly on his head, and bearing unmistakable delerium crystals embedded in his front teeth. He holds a blade to Petra’s throat.

The ratling prince demands gold in exchange for Petra’s release. After tense negotiation (during which the party offers everything from ball bearings to small amounts of gold), they eventually settle on a payment of approximately 100 gold total. The trade is made: Petra is released, wounded but alive. She reveals that her other companions were killed — one the first day of captivity and another this morning — and asks to be escorted to Shepherd’s Gate Garrison to rejoin the Hooded Lanterns.

Scene 2: Shepherd’s Gate#

The party escorts Petra north through the ruined city and arrives at the massive, imposing gates of the inner wall, a 30-foot sheer barrier with a garrison tower. Petra identifies herself, and the gates open.

Margareta makes a formal pitch on behalf of the Frost Giant Ordning, pledging support for the restoration of order in Drakkenheim and the reclamation of Castle Drakken. Petra thanks the party and offers to put in a good word with Commander Elias Drexel but notes that further missions and trust-building will still be required before they’d be granted access to the garrison.

When asked for names, the party stumbles through a discussion of what to call themselves—considering various ideas before settling on The Firefighters, a name that ties together their use of fire magic, their fighting spirit, and the Sacred Flame that some of them venerate.

Scene 3: The Long Road and Red Lion Hotel#

As the sun sets and time grows short, the party departs the city, making a harrowing night journey through the surrounding wilderness. They arrive safely in Emberwood Village late in the evening. Theobroma insists on visiting the Red Lion Hotel to meet their mysterious contact River before the end of the night.

The encounter is awkward. The party, covered in mud and blood from their journey, attempts to act “normal” (with mixed results). River, visibly irritated at the party’s continued use of the hotel for clandestine business, asks they stop coming to meet her in public. She instructs them to leave messages at the front desk and offers to meet them at Eckerman Mill at noon the following day.

The party apologizes and retreats, but not before they splash water on their faces to appear somewhat more presentable.

Scene 4: Caravan Court and Crafting#

The next morning, after a restorative long rest at the Bark and Buzzard, the party collect payment from Ansom (250 gold split among the party for rescuing Petra) and visits Caravan Court to purchase four potions of healing from Aldor the Immense at 100 gold each. They also place an order for a Scroll of Darkvision worth 200 gold on delivery in a fortnight.

During conversations at the caravan, Aldor mentions a witch named Zoya who lives north of Emberwood, describing her as an eccentric follower of the “old gods” but a skilled potion-brewer. Theobroma crafts a spell scroll of Mage Armor during her morning downtime while the others prepare. Margareta expresses interest in finding a smith to craft upgraded armor, having remembered the training in smithcraft she had picked up from some of the other giants. The party discusses the various components they’ve collected from their battles and considers crafting opportunities.

At noon, the party meets River at Eckerman Mill, where she examines the delerium crystal and provides payment of 1,250 gold for its delivery. With this injection of gold, the party’s coffers are significantly replenished and the rest of the day is spent researching some of the monster parts that had been collected.

Key Discoveries#

  • Warren Leadership: The ratlings are organized under a singular leader—a large, ambitious creature who controls them through fear and wears symbols of power (the crown, the delerium teeth).
  • Petra’s Fate: Petra was the sole survivor of her original expedition. Her companions were executed by the ratlings.
  • Hooded Lanterns Strongholds: The Hooded Lanterns are actively working to reclaim order in Drakkenheim, operating from a fortified outpost at Shepherd’s Gate and a garisson deeper in the Inner City. They have magical protections shielding parts of their garrison from the delerium haze.
  • The Firefighters: The party has formally chosen a name and recognized as allies of the Hooded Lanterns.
  • Zoya the Witch: An eccentric potion-maker lives north of Emberwood, practiced in druidic magic and alchemy. Accessible for crafting and research.
  • Business Opportunities: The party has capital, contacts at the caravan, and access to crafting facilities for smithing and alchemy.

Loot & Rewards#

  • Gold: 1,250 gold from River for the delerium crystal + 250 gold from Ansom for rescuing Petra = 1,500 gold total
  • Potions of Healing: Four potions from Aldor (100 gold each) and one from Zoya (50 gold)
  • Delerium Crystal Shard: One small shard retained by Theobroma (later sold for 10 gold)

Memorable Moments#

“We’re creatures too. And as fellow creatures, we’d love to find a peaceful solution to this.” — Cory, attempting to negotiate with the ratling boss despite the tense standoff

“Guys, you still have a chance. Just tell us where the hostages are and we’ll let you go.” — Heda, trying to turn the small ratlings to the party’s side before encountering their leader

“Kill some monsters that want violence.” — Margareta, cutting through moral debate about the ratlings’ fate with direct pragmatism

“Be normal this time.” — Theobroma, muttering to herself before entering the Red Lion tavern to meet River, having learned from previous awkward encounters

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