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It’s been a while. Since the last aborted attempt the group kind of drifted apart. I hung around in Gloomhaven trying to make ends meet before dragging together a couple of locals to try and carry out Jekserah’s wishes for these Caravan Raiders.

The two new comers were rather reticent, but after a few drinks, ok, many drinks, they decide to join me. So much so that when an old woman comes into the bar asking for help trying to find her lost daughter, they offer to help her. The old womand hands over a scroll with an upside down blackbird on it. The Ravens. Outside she hands over a bag of gold as says “My father saw the whole thing, but then went mad and ran towards the Silent Bridge. Please find him and he’ll help you find my daughter.” (City Event #31 - Unlock Scenario #83, Party Acheivement “Bad Business”)

On the Road we saw some vermlings attacking a caravan. Fortunately our Brute knew how to see them off and roaring into battle he was instrumental in driving them away, for which the caravan drovers seems extremely happy and they promised to tell of our fame far and wide. (Road Event #31 - Gain +2 Reputation)

So this merchant wants to make an example of some caravan raiders? Seems reasonable enough. For the right amount of money, almost anything can be made reasonable.

You enter the Dagger Forest and begin to track down the encampment using Jekserah’s crude map. It is well-hidden, but following the signs outlined on the parchment, you find a dense cluster of huts in a small clearing of the forest. All that’s left is to head in and make that requested example.

Scenario : Inox Encampment

The Inox Encampment was relatively easy to find, We rush in and took them by surprise, so much so that for the first couple of rounds the guards were essentially grabbing their weapons and readying their defences, but they did seem like they could hit back at us if we attacked them. So they just stood there daring us to attack… which we did from a long range.

The first few dropped quite quickly, but we could hear lots of movement from the other side of a set of three totems so we knew that more were coming. After a while a a few more guards dropped, I dashed over to one of the huts and opened it to my great satisfaction. But inside was an extremely competant looking Brute of a guy. He slashed me across the face. I fell back and quickly scoffed a potion to help me cope with the pain. But as I did so, suddenly the new little vermling guy dashed around behind and took the guy by surprise with a superb quick attack that dropped him stone dead on the floor. The Vermling flashed a cheeky grin at me and ran off again.

The Totems meant that it took a while for the Inox pouring out of the huts to get around to us. The way was tight and they ended up bunching together. So the Brute took the left hand side, and the vermling and I the right. But there were a couple of archers as well who managed to get in a few good hits. But one of the Guards didn’t seem to be having a good day. The vermling threw something in his face and he got all muddled up, I stabbed him and I think my posion got him, soon after the vermling got him again and he dropped his sword on the ground. Meanwhile I dodged an arrow and stepped back. There was a sharp whistle from the vermling and suddenly a swarm of rats appead out of the trees and blocked the way through. The vermling left them there and ran off to help the brute.

The rats then swarmed the unfortunate Inox whilst he was still trying to find his sword and the poor guy went down under their biting teeth. Although sadly the rat swarm didn’t last much longer as the Shaman killed them all with a mighty blow. I ran back up the other side behind the Brute and Vermling so that we were all bunched together and could deal with the swarms of Inox as a team.

We fought our way up as more and more guards rushed out of the hut at the end. The Vermling and I were panting heavily totally exhausting from the onslaught, but the Brute stood tall powering his way forward. However, we managed to kill so many that eventually the remaining Inox turned and fled into the trees. Some were females carrying small children. We didn’t really feel happy about this and took what spoils we could and headed back towards Gloomhaven again.

Running through the forest, fleeing the smell of burning flesh, you now find more than enough opportunity to contemplate your actions.

How your actions sit with you must be visible on your face as you meet once more with Jekserah, this time in her manor. She hands you a sack of coins with a frown. “They were thieves and murderers,” she says blankly. “They deserved what you gave them. And that is all I will say of the matter. I have one more task I would like you to perform. I require a diamond of considerable size for a customer, but I cannot find one anywhere in the city.

“There is a diamond mine, however, in the southern mountains long since lost to the wilderness. I’ve heard reports that it is now overrun with Vermlings, no doubt with some other more intelligent force behind them. If you can fight your way in and grab the biggest diamond you can find, I will give you a considerable reward. (Unlock Scenario 9)

“Now leave me in peace.” Jekserah’s two massive Inox bodyguards step forward, directing you to leave the manor.

Outside, contemplating your new task, you hear a small voice behind you. “She’s not looking for profit, you know.”

You turn around to see a female Quatryl step out of the alley beside Jekserah’s house. She’s clad in dark leather armor and holds a conspicuous contraption full of whirring gears and topped with a conical metal piece connected to a tube.

“Argeise, city guard,” she says, introducing herself. “I know, I don’t exactly look the part, but if anyone isn’t what they appear to be, it’s that Valrath you’ve been talking to. Sure, she’s a merchant, but she’s up to something far more sinister.

“She’s been trying to overthrow the military in Gloomhaven for as long as I’ve been here, and we’re all very curious about what her current machinations are.”Look, you can go do her bidding like a good little puppy if you want, but if you’d rather actually help this town keep the peace and not get overrun by the wilds, I have a different idea. We’ll get to the bottom of Jekserah’s plans and expose her for who she really is.” (Unlock Scenario 8)

So now we’re conflicted. Do we trust Jekserah and go get the Diamond, or do we go to the Warehouse and find out what she is up to? But in the meantime, I guess we can spend her money.