Session A06 — The Road to Old Owl Well

Summary

The party continued east toward Old Owl Well, navigating a flooded stretch of trail, sharing camp with an eccentric druid, dealing with an aggressively territorial talking squirrel, and finally reaching the ruins — where a failed stealth approach triggered a battle with zombies and a tense parley with the necromancer behind them. Roland privately opened the Neverember letter in secret. The zombie battle left Othorion critically infected with necromantic rot (permanently lost fingers), and the session ended with Hamun Kost healing the party and offering 50gp per head to explore the Netherese ruins below.

The Flooded Crossing — Brian Tastyfish

A recent change upstream had turned part of the trail into a wide river, blocking the road entirely. On the far bank sat a blind halfling ferryman named Brian Tastyfish, fishing from a stool and smoking a pipe in front of a small shack, apparently oblivious to the party's arrival.

Roland hailed him. Brian crossed over — an hour and a half of slow hauling, alone — and arrived at the near bank. He was blind, feeling his way by hand but clearly experienced. He quoted the fare: "Two per person, one for the caht. I don't count cows — they didn't mean nothing to me." Roland paid two gold and told him to keep the change.

The party loaded onto the ferry. Brian chalked the cart wheels himself by touch to prevent them rolling into the river. When it became clear the crossing would take three hours at his pace, Roland and Kelvin grabbed the rope and began hauling alongside him. The ferry moved faster — but during the crossing, the hull began taking on water through failing planks. The caster on board used Mending repeatedly to seal fresh leaks as they sprang. Three leaks total were mended before the party safely reached the far bank about half an hour after departure. Brian sat back down, picked up his fishing pole, and resumed smoking.

Brian Tasteyfish: "Me and the river have an understanding"

Camp with Earp Wyatt

That evening the party shared a rainy camp with an eccentric travelling druid named Earp Wyatt (he clarified unprompted that "Earp" was his first name and "Wyatt" his last). He recognised Kelvin as a fellow druid — making it plain that Kelvin truly was one, even if he had not fully understood this about himself. This was a formative moment — Kelvin had no formal training or knowledge of his own nature.

Wyatt told Kelvin that if he ever found himself east of Triboar, he should "ask the plants and the trees and the animals for the way for a druid who is a friend of Earp Wyatt" — and they would guide him to the Evermoors Grove.

He also offered the party Goodberries (restoring rations) and spoke of having heard about the party's deeds from his "forest friends and woodland creatures," noting: "It sounds like there's going to be quite a hubbub about Phandalin in the coming years."

Roland Opens the Neverember Letter

The party debated opening the sealed letter found on the dead boar. Majority voted no — Jonah argued: "Even if we open this and learn the information inside, it is unlikely to be of any use or versatility to us." Roland privately agonised over his oath obligations — his paladin's oath compelled him to investigate anything that might contain knowledge of supernatural threats. Two powerful individuals corresponding in a secured manner might qualify. Roland concluded the oath at minimum permitted opening the letter.

He broke the magical seal alone, read the contents privately, then wrote his own response note and resealed the envelope without sharing the contents with the group. When he attempted to restore the letter's magical protections, the original enchantment failed completely. The Sealed Neverember Letter is now mundane and vulnerable. The contents remain known only to Roland and the DM.

Snakes in the Night

During the night watch, seven snakes slithered into camp. Kelvin used Speak with Animals and learned that Earp Wyatt had been talking in his sleep — in snake-speech — accidentally inviting them in for warmth. His exact sleep-mumble: "Come, my slithery brethren, and share your warmth with me."

Kelvin accepted the snakes into his own sleeping bag (comfortable with nature). Othorion initially threatened to kill them but was dissuaded. By morning a snake had bitten Wyatt in the face, leaving him paralyzed. Roland used Lay on Hands to neutralize the venom. Wyatt opened his eyes immediately: "I was wondering if any of you would notice." He apologized with good humour and departed.

Squiffy and the Blocked Road

Farther along the trail (roughly four hours of travel), a fallen log blocked the road. When Roland approached to move it, a tiny talking squirrel named Squiffy launched itself at him and furiously attacked — biting and climbing up his front, down his back, at full speed. Squiffy landed two critical hits on Roland in rapid succession.

Squiffy spoke Common. His opening words: "You will be away from my tree!" He refused all negotiation. When Kelvin offered him nuts: "Fuck your nuts! I don't like your nuts!" When Roland suggested they just needed to move the log and meant him no harm: "For you to fuck off! Leave my home be!" When Othorion held him aloft in a Mage Hand: "I have never been bested in combat. I am not afraid of heights, I am a squirrel! Bitch!" When threatened: "You better hit me! Because you got one shot! And if you miss it, I'm gonna fucking kill you!" And: "I will have your balls for this. I will have your nuts, and I will bury them in my little tree."

Kelvin diagnosed the creature: Squiffy was afflicted with Arcane Fury, a magical beast-borne disease transmitted through bites, prevalent in creatures with strong connections to magical energies. Kelvin had known a creature named Thistlefoot who went the same way — same progression. The disease required rare herbs and 10 days of treatment to cure, making a field cure impossible. The carrier was dangerous and could not be safely released. The party debated its fate before Othorion executed Squiffy with a hand crossbow sneak attack (19 damage — massively overkill). Jonah buried and burned the corpse to destroy the disease. The party cleared the road.

Approaching Old Owl Well

Around 5 PM the party reached Old Owl Well: a broken Netherese watchtower, rubble-strewn courtyard, and a colourful tent pitched inside the perimeter. The smell of rot and undeath was overwhelming before they were close. The cart and oxen were hidden at a distance. Othorion was sent ahead under Cloak of Elvenkind and a Potion of Invisibility.

The Scout Is Discovered

Othorion crept close enough to observe the tent entrance. A voice immediately challenged from inside: "This which I claim is my own — who dares sneak upon me in the evening's respite without announcing themselves?" Rather than answer, Othorion withdrew. He heard spellcasting begin behind him and used Dash + Action Dash (120 feet of movement in 6 seconds) to sprint back to the party. His warning on arrival: "Mage of battle, gentlemen!" Combat erupted before a parley could be arranged.

Battle at the Ruins

Waves of zombies (6–8 total) emerged from the tower and courtyard. Initiative: Othorion rolled 25, acting first.

Round-by-round highlights:

• Kavu opened with Bless on three allies before combat began, then anchored the battlefield at a chokepoint with his high AC (22)
• Kavu used Channel Divinity: Turn Undead — 2 zombies failed their saves and fled into the tower, 2 succeeded and continued fighting
• Jonah held his action waiting for the boss or 3+ zombies, then unleashed Magic Missile (upcast to 2nd level) on a zombie cluster
• Kelvin Wild Shaped into a bear and positioned on the ruined wall for advantage, deploying Moonbeam across multiple zombies
• Roland fired from range with his longbow initially
• Hamun Kost cast Hold Person from the tent, briefly paralyzing Roland (failed save, then freed)
• Kost used Misty Step to escape upward into the tower when Kelvin pursued
• Kavu used Draconic Cry, Burning Hands, and Purifying Flame throughout
• The two turned zombies were last seen retreating down interior stairs into the ruins below

During the fighting, both Kavu and Othorion were struck by the zombies' necromantic rot. Kavu was bitten twice without a crit — infection risk was present but early (would lose 3–6 max HP over time without treatment). Othorion took a critical hit: the infection spread immediately into his bloodstream, his maximum HP dropping from 28 to 25, and black tendrils of rot visibly spreading up his veins. His finger nerve was severed, leaving a gnarled scar on his hand. Roland used 5 points of Lay on Hands to arrest the spread — but could not cure it. Without greater restoration, Othorion would lose 3 max HP per day and eventually die and rise as a zombie.

Kost's Tent — Papers and Chests

After combat, Jonah and Kelvin entered the tent while the others retreated to the cart. Inside: two chests and a dresser scattered with papers. Jonah grabbed all the papers to read later — they turned out to be missives on Old Owl Well and its history. The left chest was locked with no physical traps but potentially magical wards (not investigated further). The right chest was unlocked but appeared to have a necromantic trap/ward — it blasted necromantic energy when disturbed. They attempted to carry the locked footlocker out bodily — at which point Kost appeared behind them.

Parley with Hamun Kost

Kost stood waiting outside the tent, magic coursing in both hands. He was a stout, red-robed figure with sallow skin, a shaved scalp, and a black tattoo on his forehead — a Wizard of Thay. He ordered them to drop the chest or a friend would perish, referring to the infected party members.

Kelvin asked if he could save their friends in exchange. Kost: "That entirely depends if you're willing to show a bit of good manners. It is not wise to anger a wizard of Thay." They dropped the chest. Kost acknowledged the party's apology and proposed formal parlay — no further hostilities on either side.

He introduced himself: "I am Hamun Kost. Might I ask what your names are?" (One party member said "Freddy Fazbear." Kost: "That's one of you.")

When Roland explained the party had come to investigate the undead reports from Phandalin, Kost's response was measured: "So yes, I, a necromancer, have raised the dead to guard my prospect. A perfectly reasonable thing for such an individual to do, yes? Notice that your stories say they were chased off and not mauled to death. Anyone smart enough to run away from the undead will survive. My undead are not instructed to chase indefinitely." He pointed out that Othorion had snuck up on him and the party had fired first: "I attacked in self-defense from someone sneaking around my tent at the cusp of the eve." He added: "I ask, who struck first — my undead or you?"

As a show of good faith, Kost treated the infected party members. He examined Kavu first: "Ah, it has not progressed yet — you are a simple matter to fix." He drew necromantic energy out with his bare hands and Kavu's wounds closed completely. Then he turned to Othorion: "On the one hand, I am going to halt the progression of this disease. You will be impacted by its progression no further. However — as penance for your transgressions against my property and your lack of manners — I will not restore those fingers of which you have lost. That will be up to you to deal with. Allow it to be a lesson learned, my drow friend."

When asked about his plans: "I tire of the politics of the Thaymount. I will likely investigate and introspect the items I find here, increase my magical knowledge using them, and then retire somewhere in the countryside. Practice my necromancies. Maybe I will make a corpse bride to keep myself company."

He then issued the party their task: "Please return to your town and inform them that I, Hamun Kost, am claiming Old Owl Well and all of its contents for my own use."

He also made a business offer: 50 gold per head (250 gold total for five members) for anyone willing to venture into the ruins beneath the tower, report back on what they found, and bring out any items or information they discovered. If they found something of substantial value and didn't attempt to hide it from him, he would cut them in on eventual profits from its sale. The session ended with the party considering whether to take him up on it in the morning.

Final words as the party left: "Get the fuck out of my tent."

NPCs Encountered

Loot / Discoveries

Combat & Encounters

Encounter 1 — Squiffy the Squirrel

• Enemy: 1 magically-afflicted squirrel
• Outcome: Restrained via Mage Hand, executed by Othorion (19 damage hand crossbow); body burned by Jonah
• Note: Two critical hits on Roland before being restrained; Arcane Fury disease (10-day cure, rare herbs required — impossible in the field)

Encounter 2 — Zombie Battle at Old Owl Well

• Enemies: 6–8 zombies + Hamun Kost (mage)
• Location: Ruined Netherese watchtower courtyard
• Key Mechanics: Kavu AC 22 anchoring chokepoint; Turn Undead (2 failed, 2 saved); Kost cast Hold Person on Roland; Kost used Misty Step to escape
• Outcome: All zombies destroyed; 2 turned zombies fled into ruins below; Kost parlayed
• Casualties: Kavu bitten twice (infection minor, fully cured by Kost); Othorion critical hit — permanent finger loss, arm scarring, max HP reduced from 28 to 25 (halted but not restored by Kost)

Party Notes

• Roland: Privately opened Neverember letter against party vote — oath obligation reasoning; wrote response note; letter's magical seal permanently broken; temporarily paralyzed by Hold Person during combat; generous tipper (overpaid ferryman)
• Kavu: High AC (22) made him the battlefield anchor at the chokepoint; bitten twice by zombies but infection fully cured by Kost; tactical positioning throughout
• Kelvin Fairlight: Learned he is truly a druid from Earp Wyatt — formative identity moment, no prior formal training; accepted snakes into his sleeping bag during camp; Wild Shaped into bear for combat; deployed Moonbeam effectively; pursued Kost into tower
• Othorion: Scouted with Cloak of Elvenkind + Potion of Invisibility; discovered by Kost; Dash + Action Dash (120 ft in 6 seconds) to escape; critical zombie bite — permanently lost fingers, gnarled arm scar, max HP reduced from 28 to 25; executed Squiffy; Kost refused to restore his hand as "penance for lack of manners"
• Jonah: Held action intelligently during combat; upcast Magic Missile (2nd level); used Quicken Spell for Frostbite; grabbed historical papers from tent; buried and burned Squiffy's corpse to contain disease

Threads Opened / Advanced

OPENED

• Othorion's necromantic infection: Fingers permanently lost; requires greater restoration minimum to restore max HP and tissue; Kost halted progression but withheld full cure
• Ruins beneath Old Owl Well: 2 turned zombies fled downstairs; Kost's 50gp/head offer to explore; Netherese artifacts expected below
• Neverember letter contents: Known only to Roland and DM; letter now mundane (enchantment destroyed); consequences unknown

ADVANCED

• Kelvin's druidic identity: Confirmed by Earp Wyatt; Evermoors Grove offered as future druid community contact
• Old Owl Well investigation: Arrived, fought, parlayed; Kost identified as occupant, not a general threat to Phandalin
• Party reputation: Earp Wyatt heard of them through animal and woodland networks

Unresolved Threads

• What was in the Neverember letter? What consequences follow from Roland reading and annotating it?
• Will the party report Kost's claim to Phandalin — and what happens if they do or don't?
• Will they take Kost's offer of 50gp per head to explore the ruins below Old Owl Well?
• What is Kost excavating beneath the ruins, and what will he find?
• Can Othorion's hand be restored? Requires greater restoration minimum
• Will the Evermoors Grove matter to Kelvin later?
• What do the Old Owl Well historical missives contain?