We resume where we left off. The PCs are in the wizard's lair, having killed him and his imp familiar. They search the building, finding potions of healing, fire breathing, and storm giant strength. The return home for a long rest.
The next day they return to Rivas Greel's home to tell him what happened. They are let in by his goblin doorman and meet with him. He thanks them for their help. He leaves the room briefly and returns with the statue the retrieved for him. He holds it up, then he smashes it on the floor, breaking it. He explains that he staged the whole thing to draw out anyone plotting against him. The magic aura that Simon detected on the statue was in fact Nystul's Magic Aura spell cast on the statue.
Debi is unhappy that they have been used. Rivas apologizes, and tells the trio that he owes them all favors now, and he will make things right by them. Debi reluctantly accepts this apology as do Mick and Simon.
Debi tells Simon and Mick about her recent encounter with Raxilliah the Merchant, and that Rax tasked her with bring them a whisker from the giant blue feline, Bubastis, on Castle Island. The other two agree to accompany her on this task.
They go to the World Library to research Castle Island and Bubatis. They find that until about 25 years ago the island, site of a ruined castle, was the location of an insane asylum where the most crazy of Langwon were sent. At some point people started disappearing and rumors of evil began to circulate. It is now the home to the remaining patients, humanoid beings (like ogres), and the legendary cat Bubastis. Debi finds the account of a man who encountered the cat on the island, saying that Bubastis was about 10' long and spoke directly into his mind.
They go to the port of Langwon, and the harbor master directs them to dock 42, where he says they'll find a ship and captain that may be willing to take them to Castle Island, which about a 1-day sail out into the ocean.
Going to doc 42, they see a somewhat beat-up ship and a single goblin crew member swabbing the deck. They address him, and he calls the captain - Captain Klank -- also a goblin. They negotiate passage - only 120 gp IF Simon will heal his infected tooth. Simon heals him. They set off the next day, sailing through the night on the Troll's Tooth. Debi and Mick entertain the crew.
Arriving at the island, Klank takes them to the north side, gives them a rowboat, and tells them he'll wait three days for them.
The trio rows to shore, pulling their boat on to dry land.
They follow a trail into the woods, and after a while are attacked by 8 local humans. Debi is hit by two primitive spears. Mick uses and illusionary roar in the woods to scare three of them away. Simon fries one with Sacred Flame. Debi blasts with Thunderwave. Mick crossbows one. Debi uses Detect Thoughts to read the surface thoughts of one of them, and finds him to be 100% insane and thinking "They're back to get us! Kill them!". The PCs dispatch those who didn't run and continue on their way.
Up the trail they avoid a village of ramshackle huts and a woman tending a garden. They continue toward the castle ruins.
Arriving, they find a castle that has been mostly destroyed. They creep up, and hear two ogres inside the walls eating and talking. Sneaking around the side, Mick uses Mage Hand to place his line and grappling hook over the edge or the top of one of the towers. The trio climb.
Quietly looking over the grounds from the top of the tower, they see the ogres. They also see, in the rubble, two stone staircases going down under the ruins. Debi fires a crossbow bolt with a little catnip down by one of the stairs. Nothing comes up. They come up with a plan.
Going back down, they sneak to a hole in the outside of the wall not far from the ogres. Mick uses Minor Illusion to create the roar of a big cat. Failing morale rolls, the ogres drop their meals exclaming "Bubastis! RUN!". They run out the front gate to escape their perceived enemy, and go out into the woods.
The team enters the ruins. Debi retrieves her crossbow bolt.
End of Session.
