Summary
The party formed an alliance with a group of Traldar, a race of short, squat humans rebelling against their former coyote-headed masters, the Hutaakan (referred to derogatorily as ‘mutts’). While traveling to meet the Traldar leader, they shared food and camped in villages, learning disturbing news about Golthar, a yellow-robed wizard allied with the Hutaakan. The Traldar displayed a palpable terror of the night, and the party discovered evidence of a mysterious slime creature that appeared to be taking Traldar victims.
Upon reaching the valley, they met with Guri Ben-Kaal, the leader of the Traldar rebellion. He requested the party’s assistance breaking the curse of ‘Nightcrawlers’ by retrieving water from a magical singing pool, offering amethysts as payment, and promising additional treasures upon completion. Through conversation with a local child, the party uncovered troubling information suggesting that Guri Ben-Kaal might have seized valuables from his own people. They also learned that another group of outsiders, led by Golthar and including Asmodie’s former apprentice Kaarlag, had formed an alliance with the Hutaakan.
The party received supplies for their journey, including rations and a distinctive silver flask featuring a Hutaakan-head stopper that carried the scent of mulled wine. As they traveled southwest down the valley ravine during daylight hours, dusk brought a dangerous encounter with four undead Hutaakan wearing tattered saffron robes, who emerged from the rocks. The party engaged in battle, defeating the zombies through arrows, melee combat, and oil.
Scenes
Traldar Village Rest Stop
- Party arrives at Traldar village with about a dozen inhabitants
- Party shares salted jerky and rations with the Traldar
- Traldar are amazed by salted food, suggesting they lack access to salt
- The vocal (elderly Traldar) warns against making noise at night
- Learn about outsiders in yellow robes helping the Hutaakan
- Discover Golthar, a yellow-robed man who can cast web spells
- The vocal reveals they believe the party are spirits sent from the mists
- Party hears piercing human scream in the night
- Traldar appear terrified but refuse to explain
- Morning reveals evidence of slime creature attack
- Find dissolved clothes and slime trail leading south
Ronkan and Meeting with Guri Ben-Kaal
- Party approaches 15-foot stone wall with guards
- Guards perform distinctive vocal calls
- Gate opens and party enters settlement
- Local children excitedly interact with party members, particularly fascinated by their hair
- Party enters Guri Ben-Kaal’s ornate house
- Guri Ben-Kaal explains conflict with Hutaakan
- Reveals information about rival outsider group
- Offers six amethysts as down payment for help
- Requests party retrieve water from singing pool
- Party explores village and observes living conditions
- Conversation with local child reveals Guri Ben-Kaal’s seizure of valuables
- Observation of lizard mounts and village infrastructure
- Party receives up to 6 days of rations each
- Given a silver flask with Hutaakan-head stopper
Valley Ravine Journey and Undead
- Party travels southwest up valley ravine
- Journey takes most of daylight hours
- Approaching a gorge near their destination
- Four undead Hutaakan emerge from rocks at dusk
- Togg douses zombies with oil
- Gondwin and others take out zombies with arrows
- Togg engages in melee combat
- Party defeats all four zombies
NPCs
The Vocal
An elderly Traldar leader who is more thoughtful and authoritative than his younger companions. Acts as spokesperson and maintains discipline among younger Traldar.
Guri Ben-Kaal
Leader of the Traldar rebellion, a very big, brawny, hairless Traldar who led them to overthrow Hutaakan control. Lives in luxury while his people live modestly. Shows signs of being potentially untrustworthy and vengeful despite claims of only wanting freedom for his people.
Golthar, Yellow-Robed Man
A mysterious outsider helping the Hutaakan, wears yellow robes and has a long black beard. Capable of casting web spells. Leader of a rival outsider group who has allied with the Hutaakan.
Kaarlag
Servant to Golthar, identified as former apprentice to Asmodie.
Undead Hutaakan
Four decaying corpses dressed in tattered saffron robes, emerged from rocks at dusk.
Locations
Byxata
A settlement still controlled by the Hutaakan, about half a day’s travel from the party’s route.
Traldar Village
A settlement of about a dozen Traldar, with buildings, farmland, and livestock. Serves as a rest stop for the party.
Ronkan
A former Hutaakan city now controlled by the Traldar, it features 15-foot stone walls, about 20 stone buildings, stables with lizards, and a central well. There is a notable contrast between Guri Ben-Kaal’s ornate house and the modest dwellings of other inhabitants.
Singing Pool
A mysterious location two days’ travel to the south features crystal clear water that sings. It is said to hold the key to breaking the Nightcrawler curse.
Valley Ravine
A southwestern valley with a river flowing through it, leading up into hills and mountainsides. Contains hidden caves where undead creatures lurk.
Spells
Web
Spell cast by Golthar the yellow-robed man to capture a Traldar scout.
Items
Salted Jerky
Valuable preserved meat carried by the party, particularly prized by the Traldar who lack access to salt.
Amethysts
Six thumb-sized, well-cut amethysts given by Guri Ben-Kaal as down payment for the party’s help. Cut by Hutaakan hands before their overthrow.
Silver Flask
A silver flask with a Hutaakan-head stopper, smelling strongly of mulled wine.
Dubious Heroes 
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