1. Journals

44. The Festering Holt

May 24, 2025

22nd Nymm, 999 YK

  • They make their preperations for the journey ahead.
  • Rotrak catches up with his brother, Fulgrun. Fulgrun expresses his concern about Rotrak being murdered by the rest of the group once they've left the camp, left in a ditch.
  • Fulgrun asks what Rotrak thinks of the gnome? They've never seen one before. Rotrak talks about the dragonmark, do all gnomes have these face markings?
  • They also comment on Mirnac, the strangest one. Why wasn't she just killed? Fulgrun muses that the meat probably isn't very good.
  • Speaking of Mirnac, she's gone back to where she was being kept prisoner and prays. She is stressed out, because she has not been provided a candle with which to pray. Kalok Shash could be asking anything of her. She steals some tallow and starts a small fire so that she can pray correctly.
  • She updates Kalok Shash on what's happening, and gives her thoughts on the rest of the group. They're strange people, she has plans if things go sour, but for now they're useful. She considers the possibilities of shaking their beliefs and pushing them towards Kalok Shash.
  • Someone happens upon her, and unsure what to do, fetches Xander. "The Ghaash'kala is starting fires"
  • Xander goes to talk to Mirnac and find out what's going on. Mirnac explains that she's praying, and to pray she needs a fire. Does Xander not pray?
  • Xander asks if she plans on burning more things? Mirnac says not right now, she prays every night. Xander tells her to be careful, the others around are not familiar with her beliefs and just see her starting a fire. Mirnac says that's okay, she's not afraid.
  • "You should be. But okay. I'll tell the others it's fine."
  • "See you tomorrow Xander! :)"
  • Xander leaves.
  • Szfalka is being a snakey spy and just wandering the camp, listening. His reputation precedes him, because once his presence is noted, people stop talking. The Razor Wind want nothing to do with him.
  • "Ah yes, the Wind, the opposite of snakes."
  • He slithers around, sadly. He sadly slithers his snakey self. Nobody wants to let him into their tent to sleep, so he has to go to Xander to ask where he's gonna sleep. He considers using his hypnotic glare, but thinks he'll get in trouble if he does.
  • Okor wanders around, getting into fights. He's sizing up the Razor Wind, and they don't disappoint. Even though they are physically weaker than him for the most part, he respects that they try. Not one of them turns him down.
  • He has a great time of it, because they're super feisty. Their god tells them to fight, even if they can't win. It does make Okor wonder why the rest of the team got chosen, rather than just Razor Wind getting sent.
  • He speaks to Bagda and complains about the group. They didn't really fight? They just kept looking at Bagda and muttering. "Aww yer gonna bleed! What's that gonna fuckin do?"
  • "It was confusing, right, cos when he bit me wif dem knives, it burned. I didn't see no fire but watch it Okor, he's got fire in his knives"
  • They discuss how Mirnac is weird. She got balls to try and gently stroke Fulgrun's arm mid-combat though. Some psy- psi- mental warfare taktics.
  • Bagda mentions that she's also going on a trip! Her group have another task to do, but she doesn't know what it is or where they're going. She doesn't remember.
  • They decide to go find Szfalka and get him to share the secret of putting fire in their knives. Imagine fire in Bagda's hook?
  • They corner Szfalka and ask about the fire. He's confused, and they say "when you stabbed Bagda, it burned"
  • Oh, poison!
  • What's that?
  • Bad liquids
  • "Don't fuckin joke with us, man. How's a bad liquid make the fire burn?"
  • "There's no fire"
  • "But it burns?"
  • "Oh maybe you're allergic to the poison?"
  • "What's that?"
  • "Like when Carver got stung by them wasps"
  • "Oh yeah"
  • Szfalka sneaks away while they're distracted.
  • They decide to go look for the G-nome to ask about poison.
  • Xander gets cornered by Bagda and Okor. He looks up at them, they stare back.
  • Okor says they want some poison.
  • Xander asks if they're asking for alcohol?
  • "Uhhh, yes, but also poison"
  • "Why?"
  • "Wanna put it on Bagda's hook"
  • Xander says they don't know who told them to come to him, but they don't do poison. They should talk to the Dusk Vipers.
  • "We tried but he just buggered off. Not very nice of him"
  • "Yeah he doesn't have much team spirit"
  • Oh, while they're there they raise concerns about Rotrak. Xander says he's good at what he does.
  • "At least the other one has a spear" "Ah that's true, he does"
  • They ask what it is that Rotrak does?
  • Xander explains he's magic, he does debuffs and healing and stuff.
  • "Right"
  • "So I have to trust the ones that attacked me?"
  • "Oh, don't trust anyone. But sometimes we have to work together to get things done. Take your own precautions."
  • Xander explains that the only limits he's putting on their behaviour is not to kill or main each other. He wants them functional. He'll look the other way if fights break out.
  • "Now if that is all, I have preperations to make. Can you kindly fuck off?"
  • They walk away but they're unsure if they've fucked off "kindly", so they go back to ask how they need to do it.
  • Xander is looking at his maps when they stand over him again. "Did you forget something?"
  • "We just wanted to make sure that we fucked off kindly?"
  • "Yes."
  • "okay, cool, see you later"
  • They go and find Druhk. Okor walks up to him and tells him he fought well. Okor then asks where they're going, Bagda forgot?
  • "Oh, we're going with the dwarf, Dragomir. Into Khyber"
  • Oh, but they're not allowed in Khyber? Don't they need to ask the chief?
  • Ah, but the Razor Wind chief said so? So it's fine.
  • They kinda trail off, thinking about how the small people are weird. Okor then asks if Druhk has any more food, and then takes some meat from him.
  • Like, from his hands. There's a brief stand off, before Druhk goes and gets some more.
  • Okor goes and repairs his shield before going to sleep.

23rd Nymm, 999 YK

  • Mirnac tends to their wounds before they head out. Rotrak offers to, but nobody wants to be touched by him.
  • "Sorry, I can't RP until I've done all of my daily preperations"
  • Rotrak prepares a little bag of herbs for Xander, to protect him, of course.
  • Xander asks, to be clear, if this is part of some kind of mating ritual?
  • "Hahaha, you're funny, no"
  • It's some Plaguebearer magic to protect against...bad things.
  • "I've also been busy this morning if anybody would like any of these" before holding up the potions he made.
  • He hands each of them an Elixir of Life. Mirnac says she appreciates presents, she doesn't get many.
  • They head out.

26th Nymm, 999 YK

  • On the 3rd day, as they walk, they have time to reflect and they all ruminate on their prejudices. Rotrak realises they're being influenced by something, amplifying these prejudices.
  • He tries to communicate this to Xander. "Tell me, do you feel a little resentful of our companions right now?"
  • "Why? Do you?"
  • "A little, but something else is going on here"
  • "Smart, or maybe it's you doing it?"
  • "If you think he's doing something Xander we can kill him, right here and right now"
  • "Okay Rotrak, if something is happening, what do you propose?"
  • Rotrak says he can detect magic, will they allow him to do so?
  • They agree, but they're keeping an eye on him.
  • As he begins casting, the Haunt triggers.
  • Rotrak sees the others shed their disguises, revealing themselves to be demons! He flings acid in Mirnac's face.
  • The effect then immediately ends, and Rotrak realises he's just attacked Mirnac.
  • Okor hits Rotrak in the face and almost kills him.
  • The effect triggers again, causing Szfalka to see the same thing. Mirnac goes invisible and runs.
  • Szfalka attacks Xander, but he parries the first hit and then takes the second.
  • Xander realises what is happening, and begins creating a ward to protect them. Rotrak finishes the ward, shielding them from the spirit's influence.
  • They then have to hurriedly explain what happened to Okor, who is about to kill Rotrak.
  • "I told you there was something!"
  • "You attacked first, Rotrak! Think of the optics!"
  • "Where the fuck is Mirnac!?"
  • Mirnac is humming to herself, whilst invisible.
  • Xander asks Mirnac what she's doing?
  • "Oh, I'm healing."
  • "Why are you invisible?"
  • "Because I turned myself invisible."
  • Mirnac treats their wounds, whilst invisible.
  • "Can you be visible?"
  • "What would be the fun in that?"
  • They ponder the situation, and identify that they're likely in a region influenced by Eldrantulku, the Oathbreaker. They'll need to maintain that ward, and be aware that it's going to make them feel bad things about each other.
  • Okor says he's not good at that kind of introspection.
  • Xander tells Rotrak to help maintaining the ward. "Yes, I don't want to get hit in the face for a third time on this journey"
  • Okor asks for a cloth to clean his hammer, since it now has tainted blood on it.
  • Rotrak says he can take care of that, and uses Prestidigitation to clean the hammer.
  • In the evening, the village of Festering Holt comes into view. It's small, maybe enough space for 200 people? That's tiny, how is this village allowed to stand?
  • Xander suggests they push through and get to sleep at the inn!
  • They head into town, and come up to what Xander assumes is the inn. There's a stall outside with a dirty looking human woman (Honest Lyla) outside, selling a single wooden spoon.
  • They are suspicious, they check if the spoon is magic or cursed. It's not.
  • They ask how much. She says "whatever you think is fair"
  • Okor just takes the spoon. Rotrak gives her a copper piece.
  • She then calls out that she has a copper piece for sale. Okor takes it. This repeats with a silver and a gold coin.
  • They then go into the inn, and see Karbal behind the bar. He greets them, tells them to sit and come order food at the bar. General store is that way, speak to him for a room.
  • They try to place Karbal's accent. Rotrak's vulture familiar whispers in his ear that it sounds like his first language is Goblin.
  • Xander goes up and speaks to Karbal in goblin. Asking how payment works.
  • Karbal explains they don't have to pay, just don't make trouble. He set this place up as a waystation in the Wastes. He grows the food himself, gets meat donations, and grows some of the food himself.
  • Xander orders a drink (a strong goblin whiskey made from Suur) and food for the group. Karbal explains that they have meat pies today! But one of the chefs will need to come out and "meet" them. They insist.
  • Xander explains to the rest of them the process, and they wait for food. Xander analyses Szfalka, who is fiddling with his knife. Mirnac goes to sit by the fireplace and stares into it.
  • Xander's analysis identifies that one of Szfalka's daggers is cursed. Xander asks where he got it, and he just says "a place. A person. A person in a place"
  • "Who?" "Just a guy, no longer with us unfortunately."
  • "Are you aware that it's cursed?"
  • "No it's not"
  • "No no it is, it totally is"
  • Szfalka successfully deceives Xander into believing he was unaware of the curse. Xander tells him to keep his hands off the knife until they're getting into a fight.
  • "Oh yeah sure. I wouldn't pull it out unless I was going to use it"
  • Teresa comes out to take their order, and asks who is having a pie. Xander asks if that's all they have, and she explains there is also a perpetual stew but they don't often have pastry so she recommends the pie.
  • Szfalka asks what's in it. She says it's better not to ask.
  • Xander orders a pie for everyone except for Okor and Rotrak. Okor orders the stew.
  • She takes their orders and goes. Okor doesn't like this, so he says he's going to leave. As he's walking out, Karbal calls out to him and says they have a stable if he wants to get brushed or something. Just go round the side and Knobby Rowan can see to him.
  • Okor goes and meets Rowan, who asks if he can take his bags, prepare some hay, or brush him?
  • Rowan speaks with the voice of a murdered victorian child. There is something very wooden about their whole demeanor. Okor thinks it's a bit weird, but he's doing a good job of the brushing!
  • Okor asks him what he is? He says he's a "half-orc boy on the cusp of manhood"
  • Okor asks how long he's been on the cusp of manhood? "A normal amount of time"
  • Hmm. He's doing a good job with the brushing though.
  • Back in the tavern, their meat pies come out, and the pastry has been sculpted to look like their faces. Hmm.
  • Teresa also came out, she's Teresa's mother! The group are creeped out by the pies.
  • Xander checks if there is anything magic about the pie. Szfalka has his knife out again. Xander is gonna kill this guy.
  • There doesn't seem to be anything weird about the pies, and Xander even consults the nearby fiendish spirits, who also confirm the pie is not a danger. It's just a meat pie that looks like his face.
  • Szfalka asks if he can go to the little snake's room, and Xander tells him to hold it in. He's not going leaving Xander's sight.
  • Xander has to re-heat his pie with Prestidigitation.
  • Mirnac grabs a fork and just stabs herself in the thigh. She then takes the blood and paints a triangle on the pie.
  • "Did the Ghaash'kala kick you out, Mirnac? Is that why you're here?"
  • Mirnac says it's a symbol of Kalok Shash. Haven't they ever dreamt of the flames?
  • Mirnac says some weird, cryptic shit about the flame. She also mentions that a place in the soft lands is calling to her.
  • Xander says if she tries to leave, one of them will kill her. "Oh, I don't mean right now. Isn't that why the tribes are gathering together? To try and leave?"
  • That's weird, if she's Ghaash'kala shouldn't we want to keep them in?
  • "Not everything is black and white"
  • Xander comments that Mirnac is somehow creepier than Rotrak, which isn't what he was expecting.
  • "But I just want to be friends with you, Xander. Don't you want to be friends with me, Xander?"
  • "Say my name again and I'm going to stab you"
  • Xander tells her to eat her pie.
  • She says she was going to, Xander. She then says "If you wanted to stab me, you'll have to do so, but I think you'll look hypocritical after complaining about Szfalka's knife."
  • "This isn't a democracy so I actually don't give a shit what you think"
  • Mirnac comments that all empires are destined to die.
  • Mirnac then starts separating the bits of her pie out, eating her eyes first.
  • Back in the stable, it is far less tense. Knobby Rowan asks Okor what brings them to the Holt, and if they're having a good time? He says he is, and he can't answer the other question. He asks for food, and Rowan goes to get him a bowl of stew.
  • Rowan enters the tavern, goes up to the bar, and requests a bowl of stew for his good friend Okor. Karbal points him to the table where the others are sat, as Okor ordered a bowl of stew.
  • Rowan then goes to the table, introduces himself, and asks for the bowl of stew.
  • Mirnac says she likes him, he's friendly.
  • Rotrak casts Organsight, which fails, because Rowan has no organs.
  • Xander isn't sure exactly what is going on, but does identify that Rowan is made of wood.
  • Xander asks who created him? He says "I don't understand sir, my parents created me, in the normal way."
  • Were his parents trees? "No, normal half-orcs, like me"
  • They ask how long he's been here? "A while, Karbal took me in"
  • "Nice of him"
  • Rotrak states that Rowan has no organs. "Incorrect, sir, I have all of the normal biological organs for a member of my species. Which is Half-Orc."
  • Of course
  • Xander tells Rowan to take the stew, he does so and leaves.
  • Rotrak comments that Mirnac needs to eat more fiber. Mirnac comments that Rotrak hasn't had a shit in five years.
  • Xander waves at Karbal to come over.
  • Xander asks about Rowan. Karbal explained that he just showed up one day, naked. He doesn't seem to know he's made of wood, and any attempt to explain it to him just results in some kind of mental block. He believes he's a normal, half-orc boy on the cusp of manhood.
  • Xander compares him to Warforged, but he's so different. Did House Cannith make him? and then leave him here? Fucked up
  • Karbal asks if they need a room? Xander wants one. The others also say they need rooms. Except Okor. So 4 rooms.
  • Karbal gets the keys, and wishes them a good night. He then tells them to drink up, as we'll "all be dead by morning"
  • Aha! The name of the inn!
  • Xander then goes to tell Okor they're getting rooms.
  • Okor asks Rowan to warm up the stew, since it's now cold. Rowan walks in Xander as he goes to leave, and Xander warms it up with prestidigitation. And then again, and again. Until Okor is happy with the temperature.
  • Xander explains that they're getting rooms, does Okor want one?
  • Okor doesn't want to go back into that building. He'll stay in the stable.
  • "Oh, how joyful! We can have a sleepover, like normal boys on the cusp of manhood!"
  • Okor says that at sleepovers, they brush each other. Oh, how joyful!
  • Okor asks Rowan if he's set on staying here?
  • Rowan explains that adventures are for adults, and he is on the cusp of manhood! Karbal has been good to him.
  • Okor asks for some water, and Rowan mentions that Karbal has an infinite supply. Oh, he's not meant to mention that!
  • He goes to get some water, and Karbal helps him carry it out.
  • Okor is getting waited on hand and hoof! What was their mission again?
  • What was the mission again, actually? They can deal with it in the morning.
  • They go to their rooms, and they go to sleep.
  • Xander locks his door and then props his room's cuck chair against it.