As our group retired to the inn for the night, outside of town a half-orc champion approached. Seeing that the doors were closed, he started walking around the walls seeing what was available. As a guard called out to him, asking what he was doing, he indicated he was looking for a place to relieve himself. Strange, not the first time the guards heard something along those lines today. The half-orc then said he was also looking for a place to stay. He was told he would be allowed to stay at the inn for the night but must leave immediately the next day, and to make his way to the gates. Once in, he was escorted to the Blade’s Inn, he paid for a room and went to sleep.
In the morning, our adventurers questioned why there was someone here, when they were told they were the only ones. They were told he checked in very late. The half-orc, Kernoff, was not allowed to go to the Tavern, as two guards were ready to escort him out of town. Kernoff did manage to convince them to escort him to the tavern for a meal before being forced to leave. Meanwhile, Dave and Fang happily went to the tavern to get some food. Upon arrival they were warned about pulling any further trickery like their companion pulled the night before.
Xavier was planning on heading to the keep, and after learning Kernoff was investigating certain rumours, tried to take him to the keep with him. The two guards stopped him, and said he was free to go but Kernoff was not. After some arguing with the guards, Xavier paid Kernoff two silver to work for him. Upon then trying to go again and telling him that wouldn’t work, at least not without them checking with higher authorities, Xavier still would not have any of it. He grabbed Kernoff’s arm to pull him away from the guards. Having not listened, they prepared to arrest him. Planning on just knocking him out, they accidentally hit too hard and severely injured him. Kernoff then tried to heal him with his lay on hands, but due to Xavier’s vampiric nature injured him further. Finally, the guards tried to heal him by getting a random vial from his person, but it exploded when they opened it, killing Xavier.
Some additional guards came over, and arrested both the guards and Kernoff while the situation would be investigated. They also informed Xavier’s travelling companions of what happened. They were told they could get all of Xavier’s stuff after the investigation was over, which should take a few days. Upon learning that Xavier may be some sort of undead, and with some convincing, Kernoff was given permission to go around town as long as he was guarded. He went to the tavern where he tried talking with Dave and Fang. Fang wanted nothing to do with him for having killed his friend. Dave told him to come back after Fang has had a few drinks and calmed down.
Kernoff listened and ate a bit of food while waiting for Fang to cool off. He talked to them about following the recent rumours of how the noble Blades have turned to shady dealings, including assassination and slave trade. They talked with him a bit and agreed to work with him. They were after all going to wait until their dead comrade’s belongings were returned to them post investigation. The 3 decided to do some work until they heard back. Kernoff, who was not allowed to leave the city did some farming work, while Dave and Fang decided to go out hunting. Each of them made a bit of coin. Kernoff was questioned during these days as well, although his story did not quite match up with what they had previously gathered, at the end of the investigations they still determined that he was innocent as he had after all killed an undead.
They then went to the keep, where they were greeted by the receptionist and accountant for the Blades. Upon realizing the undead killer was here, and feeling he could trust him, he sought to employ him in secret. He wanted them to find Porvel Willowblade, the missing leader of the blades. He did mention how WIllowblade has actually been the one taking the dirty requests, along with some of his trusted members. Ducai saw the records in the books. He believes that Willowblade needs to be brought to Justice. He also asked if he could be escorted to be kept safe. Both he and his wife. Our travellers agreed and spent the night with Ducai and his wife, planning on talking with Akkar, the second in command the next day.
The next day as they went to Akkar, they saw a very handsome, blonde elven man. This man was Akkar, he welcomed them and was willing to have them look for Willowblade. He told them to ask any questions they had. As they started to ask, a woman, a beautiful blonde elf, started answering. Our travellers realized she must have been Willowblade’s lover. She informed them that he left about a month and a half ago, heading to Pescaria. He went to pick something up but was not sure what.
Our travelers then headed out, and upon reaching the fork in the road saw a group of people pulling a wagon. They heard sounds of humans struggling within. Thinking these might be slavers they prepared for combat. The 4 men moving with the cart came at them. Out of the cart came a woman who was using magic to assist our travellers. They took 2 of the men down as the other 2 fled in opposite directions. Dave killed one while Kernoff ran off and captured the second one.