016 07-12-2025
016 07-12-2025
Session Summary
In Grud-Thrak’s Cradle, the party aided Merillian Cinderglass, an emissary from Weldalath, in his attempt to forge trade with the orc chieftain Ugmarn One-Tusk. With Merillian’s men imprisoned and diplomacy faltering, the party worked to restore trust and agreed to locate a missing herbal shipment. Amidst this tension, they bonded with locals at the Hollow Ember Tavern, and Alias charmed Tizra, a half-orc bard, adding a rare note of warmth to an otherwise grim outpost.
Recap
Obold's Regards
AI Summary
Following the bloody encounter on the road, the party arrived in the orcish trade stronghold of Grud-Thrak’s Cradle, a fortress carved into black stone cliffs amidst ash and dust. There, they met Merillian Cinderglass, a refined emissary from the Forest Kingdom of Weldalath, who hired the group as his protection during delicate trade negotiations. His mission: to convince Ugmarn One-Tusk, chieftain of the Cradle, to open trade routes between Velen and Weldalath for access to rare materials.
Merillian’s situation was dire. His previous escort had been imprisoned after refusing to partake in a local orcish ritual requiring them to drink scorpion venom to prove their worth. Seeking diplomacy and assistance, Merillian enlisted the party to strengthen his bargaining position and recover Ugmarn’s favor.
Upon meeting Ugmarn, the orc leader agreed to consider trade—on one condition: that Merillian and the party retrieve a missing shipment of medicinal herbs from Velen. During their stay in town, the group spent time at the Hollow Ember Tavern, befriending its orcish owner Ketzrak, and later visited the Cindersink Bathhouse, where Alias met the half-orc bathhouse keeper Tizra. After an impressive performance, Alias persuaded Tizra to perform as a bard for a night at the Hollow Ember, leaving a positive impression before the group prepared for their next venture.
Log
After the events on the road, we traveled to Grud-Thacks Cradle, where we met a merchant named Merillian Cinderglass. He hired us to act as his protection and muscle while he attempted to negotiate trade between Velen and the **Forest Kingdom of Weldalath.
Before meeting him, we stopped to take care of a few errands — picking up supplies and visiting a local magic shop — before finally joining Marillian to begin the journey.
Merillian Cinderglass
Merillian is a well-spoken emissary from the Forest Kingdom of Weldalath. He was sent by the king and queen to persuade Ugmarn One Tusk, leader of Grud Thrak Cradle, to open trade relations between their two nations. They require rare materials from Velen and the surrounding lands.
However, Merillian and his men had been asked to drink scorpion venom as part of an orc tradition during trade talks. When they refused, his men were imprisoned leaving him desperate and short-handed. Merillian hoped that we could aid him in talks with Ugmarn and helping release his men, and strengthening Weldalath’s trade position.
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Ugmarn = Orc leader of Grud Thrak Cradle
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Marillian’s mission: secure diplomacy and mutual trade routes between Velen and Weldalath
Grud Thrak Cradle
Upon arriving at Grud Thrak Cradle, we met Marillian outside its great hall. The orc settlement was a fortified trade post carved into black stone cliffs, surrounded by ash and dust.
Marillian introduced us to Ugmarn and explained his purpose. Ugmarn agreed to speak further — but only if Marillian helped him recover a missing shipment of medicinal herbs from Velen.
The Hollow Ember Tavern
During our stay, we spent some time in town. We befriended th e owner of the local tavern, the Hollow Ember, whose name was Ketzrak.
Later, I visited the Cindersink Bathhouse, where I met a half-orc, half-orc woman named Tizra who worked as the bathhouse keeper. After spending the day there, Alias successfully talked her into becoming the tavern’s live-in bard for a night. My performance was apparently convincing enough that she promised to sing if he ever returned to Grud Thrak Cradle.