The party went north to find their next quest, much to Al's displeasure. With a mild party split, one group bought out ANOTHER bar (from a poor man tho, so its k) while the others scouted on. Eventually they'd regroup at Freilhold's great hall. Trying to get the lord's attention they decided to have a round of poker. After a thrilling round (with Skelly ALMOST losing herself to Brazo....fuck, that came out wrong) they got the attention of Bradok the Sly. He quested them to bring him back something alive, but it was uncertain what... This is where Brazo, Silaka and Chook decided to sit this out as they descused important things. However, thrilled at the thought of disobeying someone and killing something, Lucius led the party to go kill whatever it was was ahead of them. When they arrived, they were greeted with a throne. When one sat on it, they were filled with what they felt like ultimate control and power, though it was just a trick of the minds. Naturally, this did nothing to Jann and Lucius... That's when Al decided to look around....and promptly run back with bad news. Nasties lurked beneath them! At first it seemed fine; a giant rat, a couple of orkish zombies, nothing they couldn't handle. But as the fight started three more figures emerged. One was the throne guardian, a mage sent to protect the throne from theft. One a goblin, her sidekick to scout ahead. And her pet....a 60ft snake. This creature naturally ruffled a few jimmies, attacking the party members. It would've likely ended in blood had Jann not stepped in to tell the mage to stop. Naturally, he crits the persuasion check, so most of the living beasts stand down. The two zorks (yes, that is how I will refer to zombie orks from now on...) and the snake are still pissed though. Al and Lucius do slay the zorcs, but the snake was a problem, flinging Magnus across the room and badly wounding Al. However, they were instructed NOT to kill it. So the weapons were dropped and they tried to punch the snake (after Jann used some well placed snowballs to get it to 1HP, of course)... Al drops his sword and swings...MISS Magnus runs, he can't make it in time... Lucius drops his blade and swings twice ....MISS Snake turn. It eyes up Jann, lunging forward. Could this be it?! ... The snake critically misses and bites its own tail, knocking itself out. VICTORY! After getting the snake to not kill itself the party was awarded 700XP and 30 extra GP (for a non-lethal win). That's were I cut the session. The story of that round isn't finished though, as I ran outa time =P You are told by the mage that the throne is a living being, and in the hands of Bradok he could control everyone he sees fit. Even though he's neutral in the war, this would leave the other 5 kingdoms in peril, so she tells you to leave Winterhelm before Bradok's mercs find you. She and her pet/s will protect the throne from unwanted guests. So the party shall head south, back to the Iron Kingdom. With giant beasts like these being in these dungeons at any point, who knows what you'll fight next.....
