Recap: Quinari's Key

(Sorry for the late recap - it has been very hectic as of late and there was just a lot to type up. I think I'll be a bit more brief with my recaps from now on, as I already have another one to do and we've decided to play weekly).

Our adventure starts in the large town of Pashin , a major trading center for Khur nomads and the ogres of Blode. Pashin is one of the few permanent settlements of Khur, settled near the border of ogre lands and the newly minotaur-occupied Silvanesti Forest . Only ten days into winter, the ground is covered with snow. The Dark Knights have spilled into Khur, settling in Pashin, from the Silvanesti Forest because the minotaurs overran them. What used to be a somewhat lawless town, Pashin is now under somewhat of a martial law because the Dark Knights almost outnumber Pashin's citizens. In fact, the Dark Knights have enclave on the east side of town where they hold the most control over Pashin's citizens.

It is in this town where our adventurers embark on their journey. While sitting down to a mug of mead, the group enjoys the beautiful melodies of Athena's lute. She quickly took front and center stage entertaining the guests at the Five Dragons Inn. The sweet melodies were soon interrupted by a drunken man making threats a Kender named Kelwick and his daughter, Mayleaf. "She's stolen my coin purse!" The quarrel quickly gets the attention of Tetra and Laralis, who head over to assist. Asking what the problem is, they find out that this man is claiming that he has been robbed. Impatient with Kelwick and Mayleaf not coming forth with his money, the drunken man reaches out in attempt to snatch the Kender girl. He fails as Laralis attempts to pull him back and Tetra snatches the girl from his reach. Seeing that their buddy is outnumbered, two of the drunkard's friends come out to confront Laralis, Kelwick, and Tetra. While brandishing their clubs, Sang quickly steps in to intervene yielding his crossbow. Demanding they restrain themselves and put down their weapons, one of the two men began to charge Sang. Sang fires at him. He dies instantly from a direct shot to the head. Witnessing the quick takedown, the drunken man and his friend quickly submit. Sang demands that they leave, to which they instantly obey.

Kelwick thanks the group for their assistance. Claiming his daughter is innocent, he reveals that the drunk is just someone down on his luck looking to blame an innocent Kender child of thievery. Kelwick quickly offers that he can return the favor should the group need it. After their departure, the group then sits down to enjoy. Tetra decides to get some fresh air and heads out side. While outside, she sees several small groups of people running away from the Inn yelling, "Let's hurry, the Herald will be starting soon!" In the meantime, the Five Dragons Inn is quickly found to be desserted with the exception of our party members and two other patrons. Athena remembers that the Herald, a reknown bard known for his brilliant storytelling, is at the the Wounded Crow, a prestigious inn and tavern in Pashin. The group decides to head out to the Wounded Crow so Athena can satisfy her idol fix and the rest can pass the time.

The Herald tells the tale of the War of Souls and Mina, who as a prophet of the one god, led an army of the Knights of Nerakas to take down the Dragon Overlords and help Takhisis, who is "the one god". His tales; however, begin to upset the masses in attendance, especially the Dark Knights. As he begins to tell of the Dark Knights demise to the Minotaurs, a full riot breaks out and our adventurers are caught in the crossfire. Tetra immediately steps up to aid the bard and get him safe from harm. Sang, upon seeing trouble, throws caltrops upon the ground, near the entrance of the tavern. He and Laralis leave the tavern and avoid the riot. Jacob, in order to assist Tetra and Athena, uses his shield to bash through the masses. Shortly after getting the Herald safely in the kitchen, the local authorities break up the riot. It is then that the Herald recognizes our adventures, claiming that they are meant for the key. After Sang and Laraliss arrive back to the tavern, the Herald recognizes them as well. Sang reccomends private quarters after the Herald talks about a key that has been stolen, one that is meant for them.

The Sylvan Key, of the Silvanesti, is "not really a key" says the Herald. He dreamt of our adventurers and that they were meant for it. He knows that it has fallen into the hands of an ex-Dark Knight, Pegrin, who has turned to petty thievery and leads a group of bandits. Tetra, remembering that Kelwick promised his assistance should the group need it, heads to the Eastern district with Laraliss. It is there they learn that Pegrin has a camp east of town and he offers to scout the bandit camp. The group decides to retire for the evening while Tetra waits up for Kelwick. He returns with plenty of information such as where guards he has seen are located and positions of all the tents. He warns Tetra that it would be difficult to retrieve anything without getting into an altercation and she should proceed with caution. Tetra offers her share of dinner and retires for the evening as well.

In the morning, Laraliss and Jacob head to the temple to pay their respects and seek out more information about the key. Tetra heads to Kelwick and Mayleaf with half of her breakfast and makes sure they are doing fine. Sang pays the stable boy to retrieve more caltrops and find out how long the Herald intends to stay in Pashin. Athena sleeps. When everyone regroups, Tetra shares what she has learned. The group quickly begins to comtemplate their next move deciding that dusk would be most advantageous. With time to kill, they all head to the Wounded Crow to listen to the Heralds stories, now with the Dark Knights in a much better light. It is there that Tetra overhears two brute looking men talking about loot and the days spoils; the larger man is called Derg. As they begin to leave, she offers to buy them a drink; however not falling for her guise (and shortness) they leave the inn. Tetra and Sang follow the men who eventually leave town heading east. Sang, who is faster, manages to disguise himself within his cloak and later startle the approaching kender. Tetra heads back to the Wounded Crow to tell her comrades, while Sang returns to the Five Dragons Inn paying the stable boy to take his cloak and have it washed.

When the day begins to wane, the group takes to east in search of Pegrin's camp. The group finds a spot to hide off the beaten path while Sang and Tetra scope the place. Believing they have a more accurate view of the camp they head back to the group to discuss tactics. They eventually decided upon a more direct tactic. Sang and Tetra attempt to sneak in from the side and assault the sentries while Jacob, Athena, and Laralis head directly to the camp. Pegrin and his gang were not happy with the late evening visit and immediately attacked the group. What ensued, however, was a brutal fight. The group sustained a bit of damaged before the tides turned in their favor. Laralis, Sang, and Athena bring down a bulk of the group and make two others captive.

After the slaughter, they decided to stay for the night and also look around the camp in search of the key (and other loot). What they found was an elven music box with a note saying Quinari's Key hidden inside.