Session 1: Loadin’ Up the Icebreaker

Dragonbait smiles as Izuhn mentions the mountain in the north, but then shakes his head when questioned if it is for someone like him. Instead, he points to the human bartender.The bartender turns to Agna. "Only as familiar as havin im her' fer a tenday. Came with a human but when the other left, this one stayed." He stops to remember more about Dragonbait's companion. "The human was the quiet sort. Tall, lithe and always kept his hood and cloak. Them usual shady types ye see in Luskan. But... " He continues, almost whispering. "...that fella never took his gloves off. If ye ask me, never saw nobody keepin them gloves by a fire before."

The bartender looks surprised by Agna's question, stuttering for a while. "Weh... well, it, it didn't cover all the face." Assuming they are not staying long, he looks around for other customer waiting to order something.

Dragonbait nods as Fizel summarizes what he is trying to communicate, whistling happily as the citric scent is replaced by that of tar, followed by wood smoke and then by a hint of roses. He gestures the mountain sign when asked for the map, and again points at the finger on his left hand to answer the name. He pushes the box across the table, and then lays 15 golden pieces on the table next to it.

The reptile smiles, grabs his brew and smells it, taking a moment to enjoy the warm steam. He stops before sipping, putting the mug down as a strong perfume of violets slowly floods the tavern. Dragonbait takes what looks like a holy symbol showing balanced scales upon a warhammer. His mood changes as he gravely looks at it. He puts on hand on his chest and another one on the symbol, and then looks back at each one of you.

Dragonbait looks confused, as none of you take part in the divine oath... but at least he thinks you know where to find his friend, so he patiently smiles and waves as you leave the brimstone smelling tavern. He knows communication is not easy in this world...

You leave the One-Eyed Jax and turn to cross the river, passing by the place where the three of you met. You finally cross the Luskar market and approach the entrance of the Ruins of Illusk. As you step closer, everyone around you suddenly stops, giving you the eerie feeling that time froze. Only the occasional whisper and stare in your direction let you know that time still flows normally. Unsure, you step into the labyrinthine ruins...

As you walk deeper into the narrow passages within the ruins, the light becomes dimmer; the remains of old buildings almost intentionally blocking the sun. Izuhn gets distracted with all the remains of the ancient stoneworks as he tries to find any evidence your next client is anywhere around here.As you discuss where Dragonbait's friend may be or question the way the mercenary company does its work, you start to get the claustrophobic feeling that you are suddenly surrounded by the shadows within the ruins. You grow uneasy as you notice movements from the corner of your eyes, shadows that you can't glimpse at, but never really manage to tell. Clacking sounds echo as the moldy smell of old rot becomes almost unbearable. You continue, mostly guided by Izuhn, turning around corners, going up- and downstairs, into old cellars and out of collapsed buildings. When you start to think you got lost, Agna notices something
Agna shouts as she notices a humanoid shape sitting before a simple campfire in a small corner of these twisting ruins. The figure turns away from the fire and looks up at you grimly as you approach, its yellow eyes almost shinning with an inner fire. As the they stand up, you notice the horns projecting from their forehead, while the campfire reveals robes that were clearly once splendid, but are now tattered and grimy. In their hands its something tightly wrapped in heavy cloth. The figure doesn't greet you; instead, they utter something in a strange language; they raise their free hand, gesturing something which ends with them pointing in your direction.

The person doesn't reply immediately to Agna's question. In fact, they continue to utter whatever arcane incantation they started. Suddenly, you all see an arrow fly straight at the horned figure. The projectile is incarcerated as a bolt of fire shoots out from the pointed finger and you feel the unbearable heat coming from behind you. You turn to see a skeleton falling to the ground consumed by flames. "What do you want with Vanifer?" The person asks as you notice four other skeletons moving out from the corridors to surround you.

The horned woman stops her incantation as Agna replies. "I like you already" she smiles as she waves to the campfire, rising the flames like a serpent to strike another skeleton that just turned the corner.