Campaign 1, Episode 3: Axe to the Knee

Episode 3: Axe to the Knee (1x03) is the third episode of the first chapter of the first campaign of Venture Maidens. Three adventurers have completed their mission and set off back to town to await word from The Sisters of Sorrow.

Martin's Exit
Standing in Ethan's cave, Martin looks at the Maidens and congratulates them on behalf of the Sisters of Sorrow, hoping that they continue to have good results.

He promises to contact them soon and departs into the woods.

Arrnodel collects the books and remnants of Ethan's belongings left in the cave. She hopes to return them to Thomas, going so far as to 'search' his dead body to make sure that she didn't miss anything. Sawyeh rolls Ethan's  body in a carpet and the group carries it back towards Middleton.

During the trek a crow lands on a nearby branch, coughs up some maggots, and then flies off. Kara feels good that the local wildlife is returning to normal

The townspeople are rejoicing at the animals getting better, and cheer for the Maidens heroic return. Sawyeh and Arrnodel  are strutting gracefully into town but Kara, rolling a NAT 1, fails a Charisma check and trips over a rock to faceplant in the dirt. The townspeople help her to her feet while Mayor Reggie Prospect heads in their direction.

Mayor Reggie Prospect inquires about the cause of the trouble. Arrnodel reveals that Ethan  was the culprit and apologizes for his death. She requests a proper burial on his behalf. She lectures the town that a community is about being more inclusive, and this situation could have been avoided had they been more accepting of those that were different.

Reggie thanks the Maidens with an invitation to a celebration in their honor and tells them to rest. As he turns to leave he remembers that ravens showed up for them and have refused to leave his office, much to the dismay of Laura.

Arriving back at the office, there are 3 ravens hopping on the desk. Each raven has a cylinder tube tied to its leg and Kara calls one over to her. She removes the tubes from the ravens and the birds fly off through the window.

Laura grabs the Maidens' payment, presenting three small pouches. Reggie also extends the offer for free room and board if they ever pass through Middleton again.

The Maidens go to LuLu's Lounge, which is packed with celebrating townspeople. Kegs are being rolled in and music drifts out, drawing the group forward. Upon entering, they have drinks shoved into their open hands and guests swarm them with questions and appreciation.

Late into the evening, a drunken patron asks where the dwarf comes from. Kara answers him in the drunkest way possible before challenging Sawyeh to an arm wrestling competition. Sawyeh rolled a Nat 20, slamming Kara's arm onto the table. They continue drinking into the night.

The Maidens wake up the next morning to a wrecked bar full of broken glass and people sleeping off the party. Kara, nursing a hangover, pulls out the cylinders to inspect the contents. Each cylinder contains 5 gp and a message that reads:

''"Madame Fortuna has a secret. Find it out." ''

                                                       -Rem 

Debts are Due
Kara orders ale and questions the bartender, but he doesn't know who Madame Fortuna is. The group, deciding their work is done in Middleton, heads back to Hogshollow to pay Charlie Saltman what they owe him. On their journey they run into trouble an hour from their destination. Kara and Arrnodel hear squabbling around a bend in the road. It sounds like an ambush is being set.

Arrnodel mentally reaches out to Kara and grabs Sawyeh to prevent her from venturing too far ahead. She asks if Kara knows what kind of creatures they are, but Kara isn't sure just from the sound of their voices. The Maidens crawl stealthily through the trees, attempting to get the drop on whatever is setting up the ambush.

They see a bunch of orange and green creatures that they instantly recognize as Goblins. The feisty band of creatures are surrounding a cart and appear to be arguing about something. Kara's rage builds at the site of the Goblins, jumping up and rushing towards her perceived enemy.

It is here that the adventure ends, until next time... -Venture Away

Player Characters

 * Arrnodel Ithil - Played by Brittany Quintero . Arrnodel is a Moon Elf Warlock
 * Kara Brynhilde - Played by Sage Stafford . Kara is a Dwarf Barbarian
 * Sawyeh Noor - Played by Naseem Etemad . Sawyeh is a Human Monk.

Non-Player Characters

 * Martin- Local game hunter that works out of Middleton and the surrounding area.
 * Reggie Prospect - Mayor of Middleton.

Mentions

 * Rem
 * Charlie Saltman - Owner of the Sleepy Sow inn, located in Hogshollow.
 * Ethan - Assistant to Thomas. He ran away a few weeks ago.
 * Thomas - Librarian of Middleton.

Locations

 * The Forest
 * Ethan's Cave
 * Middleton
 * LuLu's Lounge

Inventory
Arrnodel grabbed the books that Ethan stole from the Hoghollow library.

Each Maiden received a small pouch from Reggie Prospect containing 10 gp.

Each Maiden received 5 gp from the Sisters of Sorrow.

Arrnodel has the note from Rem.

Quotes

 * "Butt darts a thing now, you've made them a thing." -Brittany to Naseem

"I'm not good, I'm neutral. Fuck it, whatever." -Brittany

"For tuna and for ale" -Kara

Trivia
Episode 3 and 4 are a combined Youtube video, but separate podcast episodes.

Celeste upgraded her audio setup starting in this episode.