When haflings have a bee problem ... they call the Coopers

Gorzan 20, 4711

On a bright and sunny morning, Darelle is woken up by her aunt. She tells her that she has a visitor who wishes to see her, and it’s rather urgent. When she comes downstairs, she is greeted by a small Halfling wearing a green tunic and brown trousers. He introduces himself as Shim Longbranch, and tells her the tale of his small village of Dimsdale, about a half day away from Fort Inevitable. Giant bees have taken residence in the covered bridge, which is the only road link for miles around. This has stopped commerce and prevents the village’s residents from reaching their fields on the other side of the bridge. Having heard of Darelle’s abilities with animals, he’s been tasked by the village mayor to see if she would come and help them solve this stingy problem.

Dimsdale is known for the quality of its wines and its winery, Zelnaux Wines. These are traded throughout the northeast River Kingdoms and are appreciated even further afield. The lack of an accessible road is blocking the delivery of wine and other merchandises.

Accompanied by Daryle and Gerald, Darelle and Shim head back to the village, where they meet Dunleaf Appletop, the mayor. Another Halfling, the mayor tells them that the small detachment of Hellknights charged the bridge two days ago and got themselves killed in the process, except for one survivor currently being cared for in the town hall. He is worried that if the plight of the village reaches Fort Inevitable, the Hellknights will be happy to intervene, but it will cost the villagers even more money than what is being raised in taxes at the moment. Appletop wishes to avoid this possibility at all costs.

The Coopers interview Alexus Longleaf, the only surviving Hellknight, but are unable to get much information from him. He has been stung repeatedly, however, and even his armor is punctured with two holes the size of a child’s fist.

Gerald and Darelle take a trip to the bridge just outside of town, and see that the entire inside of the bridge is covered in wax, with a small entry guarded by a giant bee about three feet tall. Gerald sketches the bridge and the bee, while Darelle senses that the bee is not hostile but will protect its home.

Daryle, meanwhile, heads down the river and comes up the other side, facing a similar wax wall with a guard. She returns to the village, and the Coopers begin hatching a plan. They will locate the fields in which the bees spend most of their days. There they will ambush them and kill them, thereby reducing the number of bees left at the hive. Once there, they will also build two large piles of wood and they will attempt to smoke out the bees.

Before they are able to put their plan into motion, however, the vineyard is attacked by the bees, which come and feed off the nectar in the large grape vats. Darelle is inspired by what she sees. What if she could somehow poison the bees? 


Gorzan 21, 4711

Darelle heads into the woods, and discovers some longwart she can use. She spends the morning preparing her potion, and in the afternoon mixes it with the vats' contents. Meanwhile, Daryle follows the worker bees to a field a few miles away from the village, and eventually returns to the village by way of the vineyard's vats. That evening, Gerald notices something that chills his very soul. A hill giant comes down the river, and stops at the bridge. He takes off the roof, and collects honey in a large pot before replacing the roof and heading back up river. The Coopers now know who owns the hive.



Gorzan 22, 4711

In the morning the Coopers execute their plan. They follow the bees, who travel to the field with difficulties, and are quickly disabled. Nevertheless, the fighting is fierce and Gerald feels the sting of the giant bees several times before the battle is won and all bees are slaughtered.

They quickly return to the village, and cross the river to find the other bees. Daryle takes this opportunity to search the body of the Hellknight still left at the bottom of the bridge, and she discovers a healing potion which Gerald uses immediately. The Hellknight also has a wet map that shows another location where the bees were originally located.

Searching on the other side they are unable to find the working bees. They however discover the former site of the hive. It looks like it has been moved recently, and, strangely, the hive was smoked before it was moved, and some of the wood remains in good condition. Investigating the wood, the Coopers realize that the wood was originally Zelnaux Winery barrels. What would these barrels do all the way out here?

Darelle discovers the giant's tracks. These lead over the ridge and down a ravine. The Coopers follow the tracks all the way to the giant's underground lair. There they find a large distillery where the giant has been processing his bees' honey into mead. There is also further evidence here that links the giant to Zelnaux.

The Coopers immediately return to Dimsdale and inform mayor Appletop of their discoveries. They confront Zelnaux, who claims not to know how his barrels ended up in the giant's possession. Attacked once again by bees, the Coopers decide to return to Fort Inevitable and notify the Hellknights of their discoveries. Maralictor Wirt tells Daryle that she will send a detachment immediately to surprise the giant as he retrieves honey from his hives. If everything holds up, there should be a financial reward for them since both the winery and the giant are currently avoiding taxes on their operations.


Gorzan 24, 4711

The Coopers return to meet with Maralictor Wirt in the morning. She tells them that due to their dilligent efforts, the hill giant, who is named Byrsag, was "convinced" to work for the Hellknights, and will continue to provide the vineyard with his honey. For their efforts and as a reward for securing this deal, the Coopers are awarded 113 crowns, which have been deposited free of charge at the Chancellery.