Dalic becomes giddy, "Dragon? Please tell me we gets ta kill a dragon!"
Bofor chastises him, "Dragons are not to be trifled with odd-kin."
Dalic braces himself against the wall ready to pounce at the opening in the barricade.
Bofor readies his mace and states, Cirdan Saralonde, ye best get back here quick before Dalic has to save you." The jovial nature of the statement seems odd but speaks to Bofor's dwarven taste for battle.
Peylae listens to the dwarves banter, “Dwarves certainly fear not battle. Cirdan will return for who shall see him?”
Bhut continues to impatiently watch intermittently between the tunnels. He appears anxious to get back into battle.
A few minutes pass before Cirdan comes creeping back up the hallway, now visible. He quickly briefs the group. The orcs are assembled in the large chamber. There were about two dozen of them along with two ogres. The alarm has been raised. They were mobilizing at the SE and NE entrances to the room. He hit the SE group with a ball of fire wounding an ogre and an orc leader. The fireball also took out more than half dozen orc soldiers.
Cirdan looks among the few party members in the room. We should split and close on the large chamber from the troll room and the ogre room. I will fireball the NE group as we approach. That will be the signal to attack.
Cirdan waits for Dalic, Bofor, Peylae and Bhut to process the plan. He awaits their reply.
Grimlock quickly looks through the scattered weapons and armor for anything in better than good shape or items that are not corroded. He finds nothing special among the discarded items. A sudden flash of light illuminates the SW passageway softly. The flash is followed by cries of pain and the sound of erupting flames.
Grimlock heads out the SW corridor extinguishing each lit torch as he passes by it. Jogging down this hallway, he makes it about 280 feet down the 330 foot hall, extinguishing all three torches along the way. He can see several orcs beginning to set up barriers near the center of the room. One has a single orc armed with crossbow. The second contains two orcs.
Grimlock slows and begins to move silently, trying to stay in the dark as he creeps forward towards the room. He slows even more as he nears the final 20 feet to the chamber. In the room, Grimlock can see there are at least five sniper hides near the center of the chamber. The chamber itself is over 300 feet across, lit dimly by torches around its circumference. The domed ceiling is 60 feet above. A central column, 20 feet in diameter, holds up the ceiling. The dwarven artwork on the walls, as with all the chambers so far, have been defiled.
As he approaches the edge of the room, now only 15 feet away, he can heard the rustle of armor just beyond the entrance. It appears orcs, or something else, may be hiding right around the corner. Just as he pauses, his scabbard brushes the wall giving off a faint sound.
At that moment, a human voice from just inside the chamber in front of Grimlock calls out in orc. Old soldiers begin to pour around the corner, charging Grimlock’s position. Each orc is armored in ring mail and carries a halberd. Two by two they come. First two, then four and they continue into the passageway from each side of the passageway.
The human voice calls out a second time, this time in the common language, “Surrender or die!”
Southar and Breymeer guide the group safely to the western slopes of the hill. Looking up, the foursome is unable to see any such ledge or opening. Searching the area, Southar finds another well-hidden dwarven marker. The stones lead up the western slopes revealing more markers at the foursome climbs. Following the dwarven markers, the group begins to climb, searching for an entrance.
The orcs come around the corner and then stall as Grimlock begins to flee back down the hallway away from them. They appear to have been temporarily surprised by his sudden movement. Grimlock quickly outdistances them. The human voice begins an incantation behind Grimlock. Grimlock’s ear picks up enough of the spell to estimate its intent. Grimlock comes to a quick stop just as a mass of webbing forms in the hallway ahead of him. Grimlock stopped running in time to avoid becoming stuck in the sticky mass. The web wall begins about 40 feet down the hall NE from the chamber and extends to a distance unknown.
The orcs reassemble at the beginning of the hall. They begin a systematic march up the hall three orcs wide and two rows deep. They have their halberds out before them as a pike wall. Three orcs remain at the entrance. Two with halberds and one with a spear and shield. It has a short sword on his belt. He is giving orders to the spear wall moving towards Grimlock. The orcs have moved 15 feet up the hall, 25 feet from Grimlock.
Bofor speaks, "Splitting is a fool’s task. Best stick together. All file through the barricade and if need be we can retreat behind it."
Dalic looks oddly disappointed, speaking to Cirdan he comments, "So you were the dragon? I agree we stick tagether. I be leading tha charge. Keep yer distance from me. Battle is calling an we will need tha strength o Dalgur. Fire ball em at entry an I will begin tha slaughter." He grins. He begins pysch himself up for the battle.
Bofor looks at Dalic slightly bemused. Bofor has not been witness the Dalic’s berserk behaviors. The dwarves line up at the barricade and prepare to enter. Bofor calls back through chamber to roust the others back together.
Shortly thereafter, Tathar and Ide arrive. They escort one of the orcs into the chamber. The orc’s hands are bound behind it. They report putting the other orc prisoner to the knife.
Bhut joins the dwarves at the barricade.
Ide and Peylae are briefed on the plan. Ide joins Bhut and the dwarves. Peylae offers to watch the prisoner in this room until the group returns to get her. She will attempt to question it while she waits.
Cirdan advises he will go through the NW passageway towards the troll room and then come down into the main chamber from the north. He will start the fight with another fireball. The others are to charge in from the southern passage when the eruption clears.
Dalic has already started to work himself up into a sweat. Spittle begins to form on his lips and his eyes are becoming wild. His hands wring the hilt of his bastard sword as he chants to himself.
Bofor grips his mace and readies his shield.
Bhut, battle axe in each hand, looks eagerly down the hall. Battle awaits. He wears a grin on his face.
Ide, tests her leg and finds it not yet able to fully support her weight. Tathar comes up behind her. He lays his hands upon her leg, “Sehanine shall help.” Ide’s leg warms and strengthens. Ide finds she can now fully stand on it (+7, 26/35).
Tathar takes his bow in hand and nods to Cirdan.
Each group exits the bugbear chamber toward the battle to come.
Grimlock pulls out a bit of webbing and repeats the spell. Webbing shoots forth filling the hallway between Grimlock and the main chamber leaving Grimlock 10 feet of space. The orcs are enveloped with webbing and only the tips of the halberds are sticking out. Quiet falls around Grimlock and darkness envelopes him.
Grimlock works quickly to remove his tinder box. He sparks away until he is able to get the other mages webs alight. Once lit, they are quickly engulfed in flames. It takes them a moment to burn down as the sticky mess drops from the walls and ceiling leaving the previously extinguished torches now relit.
Grimlock moves up the hall and retrieves the nearest torch. He turns and throws the torch at his webbing. The torch sticks to the webbing and sputters a bit before the webbing ignites and bursts into flame. Grimlock takes careful aim and throws his oil flask for good measure. It strikes the webbing and quickly spreads the flames in both area and intensity. The pike line of orcs quickly succumbs to the flames. They cry out in agony.
Grimlock takes his crossbow off his back and sprints up the hallway towards the troll lair. He stops about 2/3 the way back to the troll room and checks for pursuers, finding none. The webs are still burning and dripping down from the walls and ceiling. The torches down the rest of the hall have relit. Grimlock can see the three orcs at the entrance to the room had freed themselves before the webbing was engulfed in flames.
As Cirdan makes him way from the bugbear chamber to the troll lair, there is illumination from the chamber ahead of him; possibly from the hall between the troll lair and the main chamber. The illumination appears waving as if made from a fire. It is continuous. There are cries of pain floating down the passageway.
Grimlock retreats back to the troll lair. He enters the room opposite Cirdan as the Celene elf enters the chamber from the direction of the bugbear chamber. The sudden appearance of Cirdan catches Grimlock off guard. Grimlock reacts by raising his crossbow but quickly lowers it as he recognizes friend from foe.
Cirdan says, as he passes Grimlock in haste, "Come my half-elf friend, let us give them some serious fire. Prepare your weapons, and prepare to charge." Cirdan begins to dig out spell components.
Grimlock calls for Cirdan to halt, which he does. Grimlock briefs Cirdan, informing him of Grimlock’s encounter with the mage and the orcs. Grimlock inquires if Cirdan had conjured up a fire ball.
Cirdan replies to Grimlock, "Do something productive when you hear the fighting start." With that, he will sprints back towards the bugbear chamber.
Grimlock follows with his crossbow out.
At the bugbear chamber, Cirdan turns into the SW tunnel attempting to catch up to Dalic and company and inform them of the change of plans. Peylae, standing guard behind the makeshift barricade in front of the SW passage, looks a bit worried as the two elves run past her. She holds the remaining orc captive at swordpoint.
Grimlock turns east and runs off towards the initial room with the orcs; where the troll died.
Grimlock finds the troll dismembered and burned badly in a still burning bon fire. The troll appears deceased. The entire wooden box and contents have been used to build the fire. The room stinks of burned flesh. The second orc prisoner has been put to the knife in his sleep.
Grimlock sprints back to the bugbear chamber and turns back towards the troll chamber. Peylae wishes him good luck as he passes by, “Fall back to this chamber if trouble finds you.”
Grimlock passes through the troll chamber and slows as he creeps up the tunnel towards the main orc chamber. Reaching the center of the tunnel, he hides and waits. He only has to wait a few seconds before the orc chamber begins to illuminate with signs of a fire from the southern end of the chamber.
Cirdan sprints up to the group from behind, coming to them from the bugbear chamber they had just left. “Grimlock has taken out the north group. That ought to brighten your day Dalic, we can charge straight in instead.”
Dalic barely registers Cirdan’s update as froth forms at the corner of his mouth. Dalic’s eyes are becoming bloodshot and his skin glistens with sweat. Dalic continues to chant himself into a rage. Dalic fades toward the back of the group as they near the end of the tunnel.
Tathar prepares his bow, “I will try to keep the archers pinned down until the group can clear the tunnel.”
The group finds the end of the tunnel choked with large strand spider webs. The webs clearly resemble the same type of web Grimlock conjured up at the boathouse in Lake Farmin on the last adventure.
Bhut inquires, “Can the web be burned down? Maybe get some fire to clear the way.”
Bofor has already moved off to retreive a torch from back in other chamber. Upon his return, he tells everyone to back up as he tosses the torch into the webbing to burn it away. "Once the fire clears begin the assault!" Bofor calls as he throws the torch.
The webbing quickly catches fire. The fire spreads rapidly among the threading as it burns and melts away. The flames make their way down the tunnel and approach the main orc chamber.
The group prepares for the fight ahead. Bhut and Ide get ready to charge into the room, axes awaiting orcish victims. Tathar peers through the final flames, his elf eyes seeking a target for his bow. Bofor prepares his mace and Cirdan stands next to the near berserk Dalic at the end of the line.
As the final flaming strands of web fall the group begins to get a glimpse of what stands against them. As the group sets for the final charge, a stray ember streaks into the hall from the center of the orc chamber. Cirdan recognizes the flaming ball of guano immediately and screams to the group, “Fireball! Take cover!”
Grimlock gets past the last torch and tries to hide in the fringe of the light near the end of the tunnel. He appears to have avoided prying eyes. He gets into position in time to see a small burning ember fly from near the central column towards the SE passageway. It explodes into a fireball. Cries of pain follow the burst of flame. A man, human in form, appears behind the defensive structure on the east side of the column. He is shrouded in a dark, dull green hooded robe with strange sigils on it.
Grimlock begins to remove spell components when he hears the sound of crossbows releasing bolts. He looks up in time to see the two orcs in the northern hides have spotted him and are firing upon him. The first bolt flies wide but the second strikes with deadly accuracy. The bolt rips through Grimlock’s left forearm (12, 10/22). The injuries creates a wound but does not disable his arm. Grimlock’s armor spell remains in effect.
Grimlock, grimacing through the pain, completes the spell and disappears from view as two more bolts whistle harmlessly past.
The fireball bursts in the passageway engulfing the entire party in a rush of scorching flames.
Dalic ducks into a tight ball, holding his breath until the flames subside. He is burned lightly but survives (12, 12/30). His small tailored pouch, a small belt pouch and his rations are consumed in the fire. He pats out the small flames remaining among his possessions.
Bhut does not react in time and the explosion catches him fully (24, -3/28). He is blown forward and drops face first onto the stone floor with a fresh wound. He does not get back up. One of his axe is destroyed as the handle burns away. He is not on fire.
Next to Bhut, Ide is also taken off guard. She remains standing but is burned across much of her body (24, 2/35). She is also wounded. Her leather armor strapping burned away enough to destroy her armor. Her spear is consumed along with a chest in her backpack that contained oil. She reacts quickly to dump the chest and extinguish herself by rolling on the floor.
Cirdan is able to shelter himself as well and only gets lightly burned (12, 12/26). He loses his tasloi net, rations and the pouch recovered from the bugbear in the Hepmonaland jungle in the flames. Cirdan pats out the remaining flames on himself.
Tathar is able to protect himself (12, 12/24) but the blast burns up his coil of rope. The string of his bow sizzles and then snaps. He dumps the burning rope and checks to make sure he has no other flames on him.
Bofor takes the entire blast without protection (24, 17/41) causing a wound. His tough dwarven gear remains intact but his fancy beard is badly singed.
Light smoke wafts along the passageway slightly adding to the misery.
The small chest Ide drops begins to burn with some intensity. It becomes a small campfire.
Bofor pats at his smoking beard and takes the slow approach forward keeping as much of himself behind his shield as possible.
Dalic suddenly enlarges to the size of a large man and charges up behind Bofor spitting some of the last tactical advice he can muster before losing his senses, "Take the cover ye need. Dalic draw fire. Take out magicmen."
Ide grits her teeth to the pain and moves forward to check Bhut, “P’innr is down? He is beyond my help! Tathar, Bofor, someone help him.” Bhut is not responding.
The orcs begin firing their crossbows at the party as the flames subside. One hits the wall near the tunnel but the other grazes Bofor’s right arm (3, 14/41).
Three orcs to the north of the passageway begin a charge towards the group as the smoke clears. The leader has ring mail, shield and a short sword. His is followed by two in ring mail with halberds lowered for the charge.
A man, human in form, appears behind the defensive structure on the east side of the column. He is shrouded in a dark, dull green hooded robe with strange sigils on it.
Tathar recovers from the blast and immediately acts to counter the mage, “May Sehanine hold your tongue!” <Mage makes ST>
Cirdan steps behind the moon-eyed elf pulling a small black item from a pouch. Verbalizing he launches the palmed item forward. It catches fire and begins a straight trajectory towards the mage and orc foxhole.
The green robed mage blips out of view; vanishing into thin air just as the flaming streak airbursts just above the foxhole. Flames engulf the defensive position. <Mage made ST, orcs did not>. The two orcs are immediately burned to death. The fate of the mage is unknown. The flash of flame briefly lights the room brightly and then fades back to a smoky darkness. Strangely, as the flames mushroom up towards the ceiling, all sound of the eruption vanishes and remains unheard.
The orcs express dismay at the momentary brightness of the chamber.
The two northern orc snipers had been firing into the northern tunnel. One continues to fire into the tunnel and the other turns his sights on the southern tunnel.
The one focuses from north to south. It sights in Bofor as he moves in to give aid to Bhut. The bolt buries itself in Bofor’s right thigh nearly causing him to collapse (6, 8/41). With dwarven stubbornness he forces himself forward. He drops next to Bhut and prays, “May the strength from the surrounding dwarf hewn stone give you strength dear P’innr Bhut.” Healing energy flows through Bhut’s body (+7, 4/28). Bhut’s eyes pop open searching for his axe, “I’m okay, I’m okay. Bhut remains a bit confused as his body and mind reconnect.
The third orc fires a bolt at the party’s fire throwing mage. Some sort of magical aura deflects the bolt to Cirdan’s side just before impacting his chest.
The fourth orc sniper fires at Dalic striking him center mass. The bolt pierces his plate mail armor and dives into his chest cavity causing a wound (10, 2(7)/30; Dalic is at +5 hp for Berserk). Dalic’s armor is visually damaged and the enraged dwarf is almost knocked over. Only his increased size keeps him afoot.
Dalic prepares for melee as three orcs slam into the party’s ranks. Ide rises from Bhut to block the orc charge from the recovering axe man.
The lead orc, with sword and shield, holds up and guards against Dalic, the oversized dwarf. The halberd wielding orc charging behind the lead orc was unprepared for the sudden change of plans and the blade of his halberd splits the lead orcs head open; killing it instantly.
The other orc charges up to Ide but fails to deliver a hit upon her. She side steps the blow while swinging her axe back at the orc, cutting the halberd in half with the first blow and splitting it’s chest with the second. It drops dead at her feet.
Dalic, at Ide’s left, steps past the halberd’s blade and drives his bastard sword through the orc’s chest killing it.
The charging orcs all lay dead at the tunnel entrance.
The sound of heavy footsteps are heard to the party's direct left (west) but nothing is seen there. The heavy footsteps are closing fast; only a few feet away.
The orc aiming toward Grimlock's tunnel takes a bead directly at Grimlock even though Grimlock has disappeared from view. The bolt hits him in the abdomen and burrows into his guts, chewing at his organs (8, 2/22). Grimlock receives a second wound as he cries out lightly from the pain barely holding onto consciousness.
Grimlock stumbles forward out of the tunnel trying to remove himself from the killing fields. Blood slowly drips from his abdomen. Grimlock barely makes it into the chamber from the passageway, slowly making his way to the west.
With a sudden, unseen impact, Ide doubles over and is immediately flung backwards ten feet into the chamber wall behind her (22, -20/35). The blunt force trauma crushes her body from chest to pelvis. Her body lands in a heap upon the floor as she lets out her final breath. The half orc from the streets of Highport dies among the only friends she had even known.
As Ide’s limp body falls helpless to the ground, an ogre materializes to the left of the party, just ahead of Dalic. The ogre shows signs of burns and its hair is charred off. Its oversized club is stained with Ide’s blood and soot from Cirdan’s previous fireball.
Dalic steps into melee with the ogre, “The sneaky runner be MINE!” He slashes the ogre across the left knee (22, -3/27) and then spins quickly, rotating around his center and allowing the blade to gather centrifugal force. Coming in with the blade elevated, Dalic removes the head from the humanoid beast (28, -31/27). The ogre’s leg collapses and the headless body falls lifeless to the stone floor.
Bofor quickly heals himself, calling upon his deity for aid, (+8, 16/41) and positions himself to follow Dalic. "I don't know exactly what makes you what you are duergar, but I will aid you in this fight," Bofor scowls at the word duergar escaping from his lips.
Cirdan draws his dagger, and braces himself. He appears to be scanning and listening for signs of the green robed mage. While observing, Cirdan prepares spell components in the event he may need them quickly.
Tathar goes into defensive mode keeping an eye on the arches while evaluating the scene for the mage. While doing so, Tathar removes the bowstring from his now burned back up bow. He restrings his ornate bow, replacing the burned bowstring. Tathar smiles as he fits the string to bow.
The northern orc sniper has his crossbow loaded and is scanning to its northeast looking for a target.
The other three orc snipers all fire upon the southern party but none of them strike their target.
Grimlock begins to hear heavy bipedal footsteps behind him accompanied by sniffing. Whatever is making the footsteps is much, much larger than a man and many times as heavy. It appears, whatever it is, it is beginning to follow him. Grimlock, fighting through the pain, picks up the pace a bit. The bolt in his abdomen sends near overwhelming pain to his brain.
Having removed his backpack as he was moving from the tunnel, Grimlock tries to quietly dig out a healing potion.
Even pushing himself, he is barely outpacing whatever hunts him. Whatever it is, it remains completely unseen and only about 20 feet to his general west.
The northern orc sniper watches, crossbow armed, for Grimlock to show himself. It appears the orc has lost track of where Grimlock has moved as it is scanning the area near the tunnel.
Dalic’s image fades from view. The sound of his plate mail armor betrays his course. He is advancing on the sniper positions at the center of the room. He appears to be moving slow and cautiously.
Bofor steps to follow Dalic but finds he has vanished before his eyes. He mutters something about evil dwarven tricksters and crouches behind his shield, "A forward melee! Fall in behind my shield and we may attempt to rid the scene of the remaining scourge".
Bhut struggles to regain his feet. He is able to rise to his knees and he crawls in behind Bofor and his shield.
Tathar tests his bow on the nearest orc sniper. His first arrow flies high. Tathar makes a few adjustments, takes a deep breath, and sends a second arrow at the orc sniper as it releases the bolt from its crossbow. Tathar’s arrow strikes the orc in the center of his chest dumping hit dead as a doornail behind his defensive shelter (5, 0/5).
Cirdan moves forward carefully in order to avoid disturbing Tathar’s bow work. While doing so, the dead orc’s final bold strikes Cirdan at the edge of his chest. It fails to cut him deep, instead it cuts across his side (6, 6/26). Cirdan takes position behind the corpse of the ogre for extra protection. Cirdan ducks a second bolt as he reaches the ogre’s corpse. A third bolt buries into the ogre’s flesh just ahead of where Cirdan conceals himself.
From the far western end of the chamber a clamoring rises. From the thirty foot wide by twenty foot high passageway opening charges two separate groups. Each group is led by a bugbear, follow by four orcs; all wearing chain mail. Three have crossbows and axes and the remaining one has spear and shield with a short sword at his side.
The creatures are charging in as fast as they can. They are fanning out and scattering as the come. They are generally charging the SE tunnel where the party is currently sheltering.
Grimlock continues to move northwest along the outer wall. He is roughly half way between the NE tunnel opening and the 12 o’clock position north of the central column.
Whatever bipedal beast follows him, it is slowly starting to gain on him. It is no more than 20 feet behind him now.
Grimlock remains in misery from his injured arm and guts.
Both orc snipers continue to fire at Cirdan. Both quarrels stick into the ogre corpse. The tip of one pokes through stopping inches short of Cirdan.
“Fall back!” shouts Cirdan to the others. “Fall back to the next chamber. It is a more sound, defendable position! Make them come to us!”
Cirdan then turns to Tathar, “Would Sehanine show her blessing upon me? I am in need of her healing hand.”
For the moment, the quiet elf continues to string arrows; firing upon the orc snipers. Tathar’s first round strikes the second orc sniper in the guts causing it to cry out in pain (4, 1/5). His second attempt is a rare miss.
Bofor repositions to account for the newly exposed flank. He continues to hide low behind his shield as protection from the archers. He prepares for melee as he faces down the charging horde.
The charging horde continues to fan out as it crosses the room at a sprint. One of the orcs, wielding a crossbow, stops at the central column and begins to take aim at the party. A second orc with a crossbow was able to outpace the group and takes up a position behind the barrier where the first orc sniper died. The rest of the group, consisting of two bugbear and four orcs, continues their charge as they pass to the south of the central column.
Dalic stops and faces the bugbear parade and holds waiting for them. He positions himself to give himself the greatest chance to attack both bugbear as they pass. If he could be seen, one would note his eyes behind his helm are nearly rolled back in his head with fury and delight.
Grimlock drinks his potion and tosses the flask toward the wall to the north and slightly east. The liquid tasks mildly sweet, with a hint of honey (+7, 9/22). It warms his body and the bleeding slows around the bolt remains in his abdomen.
Grimlock immediately starts moving to the SW, hobbling along while listening to the heavy footsteps close in on the sound of the flask hitting the wall.
Cirdan, seeing Bofor has no intention of retreating, yells again to the group, “FALL BACK!” Cirdan then verbalizes an incantation and disappears from view.
Tathar, still in the passageway, turns and retreats. “Cirdan, you shall have to wait for a safer area for Sehanine’s blessings!” Once removed from the threat of crossbow fire, he turns and sprints away.
Bhut crawls forward, taking shelter behind the dead ogre next to the disappearing Cirdan, “My head is nearly clear. I will delay the horde.” Bhut takes ahold of his sole remaining axe.
The orcs fire upon the group. Bolts deflect off the stone walls, floor and stick in the ogre but now hit their mark hiding behind the body. The third sniper seems to have some type of malfunction with his crossbow that he is trying to remedy.
Bofor is not as lucky. The last bolt nicks the side of his abdomen just outside the protection of his shield.
The lead bugbear closes in on Bofor with a loud roaring battle cry. It lowers its spear level with Bofor’s chest.
The lead bugbear’s left arm suddenly opens up; the flesh is hewn as Dalic’s sword cuts into it upper arm. Dalic reappears next to the bugbear about 25 feet west of Bofor.
The bugbear continues through the attack. As it closes on Bofor, he heaves a war hammer striking the bugbear splint mail. It bounces off harmlessly. The bugbear reaches Bofor and drives its spear into his right shin.
The second bugbear continues its charge past Dalic. Dalic attempts to quick side step into its path to get a strike upon it but slips upon blood and drops supine onto the stone floor. He strikes his head hard inside of his helmet and rings his bell. He is completely stunned bordering on unconsciousness.
The bugbear ignores the suddenly appearing oversized dwarf and lunges forward with his spear towards Bhut. He misses Bhut completely.
The two orcs behind the second bugbear stop and begin binding Dalic’s arms and legs.
The final two orcs continue to close but have not yet reached the melee.
Grimlock continues moving in a southwestern direction, limping along in pain as best he can. He is dripping less blood as he moves.
Whatever had been following him appears to be stalled for the moment. He does not hear it moving after him.
Tathar continues his flight and nears the empty ogre chamber. It is assumed Cirdan, as was his indicated intent, has joined Tathar.
Bofor ducks out of the reach of the first bugbear to join the route. As he passes by the bugbear facing Bhut, it sticks its spear into Bofor’s back. The force of the blow from the powerful bugbear penetrates his armor. The chain mail protects the dwarf from the worst of the blow but the spear tip still finds flesh (3, 2/41). Bofor maintains his feet and scurries out of the room into the SE passageway.
The orc snipers take careful aim at Bofor as he flees but only one is able to make contact and that bolt deflects harmlessly off his armor. The third orc sniper is still having trouble with his crossbow.
Bhut, regaining control of his body, stands and takes a mighty swing at the bugbear. It parries the blow with its spear. Bhut recovers from the first swing and takes a wood splitter’s stroke at his foe but misses. The blow buries deep into the dead ogres body and gets stuck.
Seeing his weapon stuck, the second bugbear moves in and grapples Bhut. They both tumble to the floor over the bodies of the orcs and ogre. The bugbear remains on top of Bhut as he struggles against its heavy frame.
Dalic’s, in his mad fury, refused to submit to the blackness covering his mind. Finding his sword hilt he attempts to strike at the orcs. Alas, they are too quick for him and one pounces upon his sword arm while the other puts it weight into Dalic’s enlarged frame. They pin Dalic to the ground. As Dalic struggles to free himself, two more orcs arrive and join the scrum.
Grimlock digs out his last healing potion and quaffs it (+8, 17/22). Again, the flavor hints of honey as the curing warm flows across his body. He retains both of his wounds. The hole in his forearm is nearly closed and is not bleeding. The bolt in his abdomen remains in place but the wound is no longer bleeding.
The heavy creature tailing Grimlock appears to have temporarily lost track of his. Grimlock can hear its careful footsteps moving south but slightly east. It is moving somewhat farther away from him. It is now far enough away Grimlock does not hear it breathing.
The western expedition continues their approach. Breymeer suggests someone watch from below with bow ready till entrance found. Southar volunteers to scout ahead for traps, sentries and the entrance. Breymeer takes overwatch, covering Southar’s movements with his bow.
Southar moves ahead with his golden shield and sword. He has his shield covered with burlap at the moment to aid in his stealth. He remains very adept in moving through the wildlands.
Southar returns after a few minutes and reports there is a hidden ledge as on the eastern side. This ledge is slightly larger and the large, flat stone blends in with the overall appearance of the surrounding rock. For whatever reason, the ledge cannot be seen at much distance. The abilities of the dwarves with stone are remarkable.
Southar could not detect any guards, traps or sentries.
The rout continues as Tathar, Cirdan and Bofor flee back towards Peylae. The elves are quickly outpacing the short legged dwarf.
Tathar holds up at the ogre’s chamber for Cirdan in order to ask Sehanine to mend his wounds.
Bofor huffs and puffs his way down the hall.
Grimlock veers wide around the most northern orc sniper heading for the central support pillar. Grimlock has draped his backpack across his shoulder and secured his shield to his arm for protection from the snipers should they detect him and fire upon him.
Bhut is buried under a bugbear pile. Struggle as he might he cannot fight free.
Dalic struggles with the orcs but the next two pile on pinning him to the ground.
Southar and Speck begin their sneak back up the hill towards the ledge. Kuba and Breymeer follow shortly behind with their bows out in order to return fire should they encounter resistance.
Grimlock works his way painfully back to the north wall and follows it easterly towards the NE tunnel. He moves cautiously, noting any odd sound or smell. He keeps his shield out ahead of him. His left forearm and abdomen injuries continue to haunt him.
He watches in horror as Dalic and Bhut are both overcome by the enemy. Both are bound tightly. Bhut is quickly rendered unconscious.
Dalic struggles continuously, albeit in vain. The orcs remove his helmet but find they are unable to punch him out. The string of dwarven profanities is endless. He appears to have gone completely insane.
The orcs begin to drag Dalic’s flailing body to the west. One of the bugbears is dragging Bhut’s limp body. Ide Otneaux remain in a heap near the SE tunnel exit.
The elves reach the ogre chamber and find it still unoccupied. Tathar heals Cirdan on his arrival (+6, 16/26).
Tathar asks Cirdan to run and get Peylae. Agreeing with the idea, Cirdan bolts off to the NE to retrieve the elf maiden.
Tathar, having doused all of the torches in the passageway to the main orc chamber during his flight, prepares his bow and watches the dark tunnel with his dark vision.
The only thing coming down the tunnel is the huffing and puffing dwarf. He breaths so loud, Tathar could shoot him in the dark.
On arrival, Bofor Barrelmace prays to his dwarven god for healing (+7, 9/41).
Cirdan bursts into the bugbear chamber and is greeted by Peylae. She has been interrogating the orc with no luck. She does not speak orc and it either does not speak elf or common or it simply refuses to speak.
Grimlock moves along the north wall and approaches the tunnel. He walks carefully trying to keep his movements silent. As he reaches the tunnel he gets an uneasy feeling. His nervousness is justified as he begins to hear the large nemesis begin sniffing the air again; it appears to have smelled the rogue.
Grimlock does not tarry. He moves into the tunnel and hurries up the tunnel as fast as he can. Heavy steps move in on him quickly.
Grimlock continues up the tunnel preparing to run if necessary. The footsteps stop at the tunnel entrance and the creature appears to be sniffing the air. It appears to have stopped near the center of the opening.
Grimlock limps his way up the tunnel to safety.
Arriving at the troll’s chamber, Grimlock sneaks his way across the room to take the final tunnel to Peylae. As he gets close to the SW tunnel entrance, he begins to feel like he is not alone. Something comes up the tunnel towards him.
Cirdan, unseen to Peylae, greets Peylae and she acknowledges his return. Cirdan updates Peylae on the party’s condition and advises dispatching the orc prisoner. “We need to decide if we run or try and hold off the horde until the reinforcements arrive from the other side.”
Cirdan moves up the north tunnel towards the troll chamber. He moves up and quiet and quick as he dares. He pauses at the entrance to the chamber to examine it before entry. All appears in calm but he can’t shake the idea that he isn’t alone.
Tathar and Bofor gather up what wood they can quickly locate. Tathar gets an armload from near the fire and Bofor drags two of the ogre clubs. Both head at their own pace back towards Peylae in the bugbear chamber.
Peylae listens to Cirdan’s footsteps quickly disappear to the NW as he heads off to the troll chamber. At the same moment, Tathar dumps an armload of wood in front of Dalic’s makeshift barricade at the SW tunnel entrance.
Tathar prays for his own healing (+3, 15/24) and then walks up to the orc prisoner and sticks a blade into it, killing it without emotion.
Bofor arrives next, dropping the ogre clubs on the armload of wood before the barricade. He walks into the room looking defeated. Dwarves are not used to fleeing from a fight.
Cirdan identifies Grimlock’s voice and Grimlock verbalizes his spell. Cirdan walks quietly past Grimlock and enters the troll’s chamber. Grimlock calls out, “Cirdan?”
Cirdan greets Grimlock back, “How do you fair?”
“I have faired better and I still have a bolt in my gut, but I am alive. The mage bailed after you fire balled him. I didn’t see where he went but he likely took off severely injured. I hope his spellbook is intact. There is an invisible ogre still running around. Where be Tathar?”
“Continue down the corridor. Tathar, Bofor and Peylae are in the next room preparing defenses. Do you need help?”
“Just a dab of healing would help.”
“Quickly down the passage then. I will make a quick search of this room and follow if enemies come.
Grimlock departs with neither elf laying eyes upon each other.
Grimlock arrives in the bugbear chamber unnoticed. Bofor is chopping the benches into smaller pieces as Tathar and Peylae are piling them up in the eastern passageway leading to the exit.
The table still lays on its side mostly blocking the SW passageway. In front of the passageway is a small pile of wood and two wooden ogre clubs. Bofor, Peylae and Tathar have stacked what oil they have behind the table for emergency use.
By the time the defenses have been prepared, the torches in the attached hallways slowly burn themselves out. Only the bonfire in the center of the room illuminates the room.
Cirdan, searching through the troll room, notes the presence of a wooden table, three chairs and three straw pallets. Two of the pallets have been ransacked. Human and demi-human bones and offal are spread around the chamber. Smashed and broken weapons litter the floor, as do torn armor and battered shields.
Cirdan looks through the various bones, under and around the table, and the straw mats, starting with the unransacked one. He also checks on the various pieces of armor but finds they are all near worthless. The ransacked straw mats are just that but in the unransacked one, Cirdan locates a large leather pouch. Opening the pouch, Cirdan locates gold pieces (140), electrum pieces (220) and a decent sized pearl (800 gp). The muscular elf takes the 30+ pound sack with him.
Bhut has no memory of how he arrived where is when he wakes up. This was not so uncommon when loitering in the hard drinking dock districts of Harby, but it is very uncomfortable in the confines of the orc lair.
Dalic is near Bhut. He has finally stopped struggling and now is little more than an exhausted lump. He remains enlarged to human size making Bhut regret all the short jokes he has delivered at Dalic’s expense.
They are in cells, each their own. It is really not more than an iron cage. The entire south end of the room is lined with similar cells. There are eight total cells. Each rests next to the southern wall. There are five other prisoners, each in their own cell. Each prisoner is secured by their wrists and ankles with manacles. The manacles around their wrists are attached by a stout chain to an iron ring bolted to the wall. All the prisoners are injured in one form or another.
The floor of the room is strewn with straw, offal, and rotting feed for the orc’s mounts. There are six horses tethered to iron rings bolted to the floor. The horses look frightened and bray in complaint.
The room itself is circular with the common defaced dwarven images on the walls. The room’s diameter is 150 feet and the domed ceiling rises 50 feet above. Eight iron brackets are set into the walls of this room, four per side. All but one bracket, one in the north wall, contain a lit torch.
Passages cut with dwarven precision enter and exit the chamber to the east and west. Each passageway is 30 feet wide and 20 feet high; rectangular in shape.
A bugbear and five orcs remain in the room formulating a defensive plan.
Southar and Speck sneak up and scout the landing. Finding it clear, they slowly move onto it keeping a keen eye out for traps. The area appears safe.
They call Breymeer and Kuba forward.
The western entrance is similar to the eastern entrance only grander in scale. The landing in front of the tunnel is roughly 60 feet across. The passageway is 30 feet wide and 20 feet high. It is carved with precision.
The tunnel extends into the hill beyond what the two humans, the snake man or the halfling can see. It is certainly at least 30 feet into the hillside.
Dalic’s chest wound bled some while he was being taken into custody (-1, 1/30). After being shackled, Dalic returned from his fighting craze and fell into exhaustion. While lying on the floor, his chest wound plugged and stopped bleeding. Dalic stays on the floor playing possum.
Bhut looks around but remains silent. The chains binding him to the wall are stout. The bars, spaced too close for a human to squeeze through, are sturdy but Bhut reasons it would be possible to bend them apart enough to slip through. Certainly so if unarmored.
Bhut’s cage is empty other than himself. Dalic is fetal in the cage to Bhut’s west. It appears Dalic is breathing.
The duo’s gear was moved across the room and placed somewhere past a secret door opened on the north wall. The door was triggered by pulling down on the torch sconce on the north wall.
Two orc guards, armed with their crossbows, move into the exit tunnel to the west. The tunnel is 30 feet wide and 20 feet high; rectangular shaped.
Two orcs remain in the room guarding the cages. One has a crossbow and the other has a spear and shield ready.
The bugbear and the final orc have moved to the eastern tunnel leading to the main orc chamber. They remain at the cusp of the prison chamber but seem to be watching mainly to the east.
In the eastern cages are three human males and a female elf.
The first human male is in his late 40s and appears to be a commoner. He is of average build and has short cut red hair along with a full beard partially hiding the swelling in his face from a recent beating. He looks defeated.
To his east is a mid-teen age male. He also has red hair; longer than the others. He has a family resemblance to the older man; likely his father or uncle. He is fit but also injured from a recent pummeling. He is dressed as a commoner.
The final male, east of the teenager, is a 30-something male. He is stronger in appearance having a fighter’s build. He has a light colored mustache and blond hair shaved close. He wears chain mail armor. His leg is swollen, possibly broken, from a severe bludgeoning strike.
Finally, the easternmost cage contains a female elf. She wears a skin tight grey bodysuit chased with gold threat and covered with a hoodless scarlet cloak held around in place by a thin but sturdy gold cord. The gold trim accents her body lines and curves. The material consists of something very shimmering. She wears tight elbow length gloves of similar material. Her blonde hair falls to mid back. Her hair parts in the middle and is held off her face by her long ears. Her eyes appear green and her skin, as with most elves, is as pale as fresh cream. She is obviously pretty even through the bruising on her face.
Grimlock vocalizes a request, “I have a bolt in my guts. Please aid me.” Grimlock pulls aside his clothing covering the bolt and the bolt alone materializes. Half of the shaft and tip remain invisible as they are within Grimlock’s body.
Bofor approaches and feels around for Grimlock’s body. He says a prayer and just prior to completing it, he yanks the bolt clear of Grimlock’s body. The immediate rush of pain is quickly replaced by the warmth of the dwarf’s healing (+5, 22/22). Both of Grimlock’s wounds clear.
Grimlock remains invisible as he discusses the defensive plan with Bofor, Peylae and Tathar. They share their experiences in the recent battle.
During this discussion, Cirdan arrives, announcing his presence although remaining unseen.
Grimlock suggests, “Cirdan and myself can go scout the northwest tunnel to see what is going on in the big room again.”
Cirdan concurs, “It is my thought as well.”
The two invisible elves bid farewell and work their way back towards the main chamber.
Bofor heals himself (+6, 15/41).
Southar, with eagerness, suggests, “Let's sneak in and see what we are up against.”
Speck quietly says, "This looks like the main entrance. Why isn't it guarded as much as the back door? Is there some unseen force or guardian around that negates the need of sentries?"
Breymeer agrees with the other ranger, “Let's sneak in. I have a magic torch. I can be ready to throw, or use, it as a surprise tactic in case of a fight.”
Speck says, "Maybe someone small and stealthy can sneak in the shadows and see if there is any danger lurking."
The halfling looks to the two rangers to see if his wisdom will prevail over their bravado.
Kuba asks, “What shall it be? Speck sneak or ranger?”
Cirdan stops, having only traveled a short way up the NW passage. “Let’s try the south, that is the room with the secret door in it, I believe. I want to keep an eye on that. If need be, I suggest holding hands so we know where each other are.”
Grimlock agrees, “Sure, I will go southwest but the northwest tunnel has had less action and likely less attention. It's logical to pay more attention to the tunnel where our party attacked from.”
Cirdan still votes for the southwest tunnel so the two elves change direction. Heading through the bugbear chamber, they see Tathar is healing himself (+7, 22/24).
Cirdan and Grimlock, speaking softly and occasionally reaching out and checking each other’s position, move as quickly and quietly as the elves dare. Grimlock, the half elf wanderer from the Wild Coast, quickly demonstrates he is near silent while moving. Grimlock’s stealth impresses the Celene nobleman.
The duo arrives at the ogre chamber finding it appearing to be empty. The smokey fire still burns in the center of the room.
Southar, appearing very eager and fearless, slurs, “Tanksss going in. Have rogue sssstay ssssneaky to be prepared to take out any sssurprisesss.”
Breymeer adds, “By all means, let speck look around. We'll come running if we hear trouble.”
Speck agrees about sneaking in. He initially agrees to follow one or both of the rangers, keeping as hidden as he can. After Breymeer speaks, Speck agrees to take lead.
Southar assures Speck he will be no more than 40 yards behind him.
Kuba volunteers to take the rear guard. Breymeer joins Kuba, bow in hand.
The halfling tucks into the shadows at the exterior of the tunnel and disappears up the trail quieter than a mouse in a cottonfield.
Southar, Breymeer and Kuba slowly count down waiting to enter the tunnel. They give speck a 50 count head start. That should put Speck about 125 feet ahead of the rest of the three humans.
The three humans will have no vision once they are into the tunnel and away from the exterior ledge.
Speck makes it into the tunnel about 40 feet. His eyes are just adjusting to the lack of light. His dark vision picks up movement at the very end of his vision. He sees two figures standing in the hallway. Both hold loaded crossbows pointing toward the exit. The crossbows are held at the low ready. They appear to be alert to activity at the end of the tunnel but have not seemed to notice Speck has snuck up on them. Speck is only about 60 feet from them.
Something hangs on the north wall next to the orcs. Hanging next to it appears to be some type of small hammer or striker.
The three fighters plan to enter the tunnel in roughly 30 seconds.
The thought of taking out the guards with his sure aim with a bow comes and quickly leaves as Speck considers that a thought out plan of attack is better.
Speck makes a careful but quick sneak back toward the entrance. Just as the fighters are about to enter the tunnel, Speck pops out and the the side.
Speck inform the others of the waiting guard and alarm, “My dark vision helps me and I am deadly with my bow but I don't know if I can take them both out before they sound the alarm.”
Southar quietly voices a plan, “Let’s have Speck take out the person with alarm and have the tanks barrel in and end it quick.”
Speck nods in understanding, while trying to cover a wave of anxiety over what is about to unfold. He prepares to make another stealthy approach with his short bow at the ready. “Remember, you need to come running as soon as it starts.”
Before Speck goes, Kuba gives his little companion a nod & thumbs up. Kuba wields his shield and bastard sword in preparation for the assault.
Southar points out the obvious, “We will need some source of light.” He lights and prepares one of the hooded lanterns. Once lit, he completely hoods it. He loosens his long sword in the scabbard and readies his golden shield, “I will set down the lantern when the melee starts.”
Breymeer adds his suggestion, “I will throw in my magic torch to aid with vision as soon as it starts.”
Speck darts back into the passage. The fighters begin a rough countdown waiting to hear the string of the bow.
Speck is able to make his way back up the corridor stopping just at the edge of his vision. Speck quietly pulls the string back on his bow. Hoping Kuba and his companions get to him in time, Speck releases his breath, takes aim and releases the arrow.
The first arrow takes the humanoid shaped creature directly in the chest. It remains standing and instinctively reaches out for the alarm knocker. With aim practiced since childhood, Speck puts the second arrow into the creature’s right arm as it reaches out. The creature succumbs to the combination of arrows and falls lifeless without reaching the alarm.
“GO!” yells Kuba.
Breymeer, torch in his throwing hand and bow in the other, tosses the magic torch up the hallway. It skids to a stop about 40 feet up the corridor as Kuba and Southar are already charging up the hall. The torchlight illuminates the hall to a distance of 100 feet. At the cusp of the torchlight, the guards are revealed to be two orcs. The first orc is dead with Speck’s arrows in it and the second is moving for the gong striker.
Breymeer takes careful aim at the remaining orc and sends his arrow up the passageway. The arrow streaks between Southar and Kuba as they run up the 30 foot wide hall. The orc, acting quickly, reaches out to the alarm knocker and is able to ring one solitary peel of the large bronze gong. Breymeer’s arrow rips through the orcs heart as the sound of the gong reverberates though the hollow stone hallway.
The orc gong ringer drops dead with the striker still in his hand. No enemy are not within sight as Kuba and Southar reach the gong and dead orc bodies.
Cirdan asks Grimlock if his spell to detect those not visible is still working, and if so, if the room is clear.
Grimlock unfortunately advises Cirdan he can see no more than the nobleman. He did not cast a detection spell.
Cirdan takes a quick peak down the NW tunnel leading towards the main orc chamber. Seeing nothing, he suggests a quick search of this room, then they should continue.
Looking around the room, the two elves can see six large straw sleeping pallets, some cured skins on the sleeping pallets, animal bones, broken weapons and smashed armor. They begin to look closer at the objects.
A few minutes into searching the room, prior to gathering up any specific treasure, the peel of a bronze gong echoes through the stone passageway. It is hard to pinpoint the exact directions of the sound.
Tathar informs Bofor and Paylae that they should maybe move up and use this as a fall back point, “It doesn't seem that we are being immediately pursued. Maybe Southar and company have reached the other side, and have drawn the attention of the orcs. We may be able to help with a rear attack, it that is the case.”
They agree. Tathar recovers the oil flasks and hands one back to each. Tathar notches an arrow and moves out through the northwest tunnel, opposite than the passage the mages took.
They move slowly and in the darkness; all taking advantage of their darkvision. They reach the troll chamber.
As they advance into the troll chamber, the peel of a bronze gong rings through the hollow stone dwarven halls.
The orcs do not refresh their torches and make a point of extinguishing those that still burn. Dalic can see when enough as his darkvision takes over but Bhut is left straining to listen as his vision fails.
Dalic and Bhut have been prisoners for roughly twenty five minutes when a peel of a bronze gong rings loudly out of the western exit tunnel. The sound of pounding footsteps softly echo in the lofty passageway.
Dalic and Bhut, now accustomed to the darkness, notice a bright light a short distance down the western passage. It is not enough to illuminate into the room but it is obviously visible in the tunnel. The sound of bowstrings, cries of agony and pounding feet are heard.
Dalic shrinks back down to his normal size. It becomes immediately obvious the shackles can now be slipped from his wrists and ankles within a few seconds. He continues to play possum; his size change goes unnoticed as the battle breaks out to the west.
The two orcs in the chamber are scrambling towards the western passageway.
The orc and the bugbear at the eastern passageway stand fast.
Tathar inquires, "An alarm for Southar and company?" He continues moving to see what he can see down the hall towards the great room. Peylea and Bofor accompany Tathar. The two elves have to deliberately slow their walk to match Bofor’s in order to keep the dwarf from being too loud.
Cirdan will continue searching, but ask Grimlock, "What do you make of that? I would think they would have sounded an alarm already, with the fight we just ran from...Some sort of ritual?"
Grimlock hopes, “Could it be our reinforcements? Let's go see quickly.” His footsteps and Doppler of his voice indicate Grimlock is moving quickly towards the NW passage and back to the large central chamber.
Speck moves up to the dead orcs and prepares to take shots at oncoming enemies.
Kuba examines the dead orcs, “These loaded crossbows can be used against any oncoming foes.”
Southar bids, “Let’s continue. Let the halfling check what is ahead, or not, if he so chooses.”
Breymeer chimes in on the situation, “Here are my two coppers, let's find a defendable spot. Dark out, hide, wait and listen for response to the gong. If they come running with torches we can sure unleash hell on ‘em with arrows.” He speaks only as loud as he dare to get the group’s attention. He stands ten feet inside the passageway and the halfing and other two humans are 100 feet east down the hallway; 90 feet from Breymeer.
As the foursome is planning, footsteps are heard to the east. The steps indicate there are few in number; maybe two or three. They sound like booted bipeds. It is too dark to tell exactly what is happening. Speck’s dark vision does not aid him as he stands within the illumination of Breymeer’s torch and his eyes have not yet adjusted as he strains to see into the darkness east of him.
Cirdan finds the scattered equipment to be old and ruined. He begins to rifle through the sleeping pallets.
Kuba quietly says, "We may have to defend this position. Whatever a single chime of the alarm means I don't know, but here comes a greeting party."
Kuba takes the two dead orcs and props them into a seated positing facing up the hallway. He leans them together so they stay and takes cover behind them.
Speck moves ahead slightly to the shadows and prepare for his next shots. Trying to secret himself into the darkness, with his bow at the ready, Speck peers ahead and is barely able to identify the adversary. Two orcs stand at the entrance to a room. They have taken partial cover, one on each side of the passageway, and are firing crossbows at the party.
One bolt drills into one of the dead orcs before Kuba. The second one nicks Kuba’s right shoulder giving him a bruise but failing to break the skin after striking and penetrating a hard leather plate (2, 18/36).
It is obvious the enemy advance has stopped. The reload from their defensive positions.
Southar unhoods one side of the lantern, illuminating the passageway east of the party. He charges forward with sword and shield.
Kuba sits behind the two dead orcs and prepares both of the loaded crossbows to fire.
Speck takes aim at the orcs and lets his arrows fly. Both arrows fail to hit their mark as the orcs are taking considerable cover around the corners of the hall. The second arrow deflects just inches past one of the orc’s face as it peaks out to fire.
The orcs return fire.
The first bolt cuts along Kuba’s side causing a scratch (2, 16/36).
The second bolt strikes Southar’s left shin bone causing a wound (12, 26/52). The bolt deflects off and does not remain stuck in his leg. The impact is enough to through Southar’s timing off. Southar closes in on the orc sniper. Southar arcs his long sword forward missing his adversary.
Breymeer move up the tunnel to his torch. He recovers his torch and places it back into his pack to keep the party from being illuminated. The tunnel quickly darkens, other than Southar’s lantern, as the bright magical light is covered. Breymeer continues up the hall and takes cover next to Kuba.
Both Kuba and Breymeer can now make out the orcs as they play peek-a-boo around the corner. Southar has closed on the southern sniper.
Grimlock slows fearing his footsteps have been heard by the sniper. Grimlock moves to the side and finds the orc does not track him with its crossbow. It appears to be whispering to something to the north.
Grimlock sneaks forward, slowly. He moves to the orc’s south side and quickly sees the participant of the orc’s conversation. A bugbear wielding a spear.
Cirdan continues to search the room. The animal skins used as blankets seems rather used and dull with the exception of two leopard skins that may yet be intact. He finds nothing in most of them but finds scattered gold pieces in two of the pallets. He has collected nearly three dozen gold pieces from one and over five dozen from the other (30 gp and 65 gp respectively). Within a few minutes of searching, Cirdan begins to get an itch in his nose and throat. He also finds his hands and arms itch fiercely.
Tathar does not like the slow pace of the dwarf. He and Peylae increase their speed. Tathar tells Bofor, “Continue at your speed, as quietly as he can. Paylae and I will move ahead. If you hear trouble, run."
Tathar and Peylae quickly outpace Bofor, who grunts something under his breath about elves.
The bright white light in the eastern tunnel goes out but is replaced by a dimmer lantern light. A missile battle has erupted in the tunnel.
Dalic and Bhut can now see the shadowy figures of two orcs firing to the east as they hide at the edge of the passageway; using the stone walls as cover. Arrows deflect off the stone walls and skid into the room in return.
Suddenly, a great helmed human sized warrior rounds the corner and engages the southern orc in melee. He wields a long sword and a shield. He can be no other than Southar.
Kuba raises the first crossbow to his shoulder. He is not proficient in its use but figures it is worth a shot. He aims at the northern orc using dead reckoning and pulls the trigger. As if guided by fate, the bolt flies true. The bolt flies through the orc’s left arm as it raises its own crossbow. The bolt comes to rest in the orcs head.
Breymeer sends his first arrow high and it flies harmlessly into the chamber beyond.
Speck’s first arrow also flies harmlessly into the chamber.
The northern orc drops stone dead upon the floor with Kuba’s bolt lodged in its face. It did not get its shot off.
Southar battles the second orc and it makes an error of stepping forward during the melee giving up its cover from the stone wall. It attempts to butt-stroke Southar with its crossbow stock.
Breymeer and Speck both sink an arrow into it, one in the shoulder and the other in the guts. Kuba picks up the second crossbow and lets the quarrel fly. Strangely, as if blessed, this bolt also flies true and buries itself into the side of the orc’s chest; striking its heart.
Southar then steps up and strokes off its head. It too drops dead upon the floor.
The sound of footsteps, closing quickly, are heard to Southar’s east. At least two creatures are charging. One sounds to be the size of an orc. The second creature sounds a bit heavier.
Cirdan removes a waterskin and attempts to wash off his arms, hands, nose and mouth.
Dalic slips his bonds and moves towards Bhut’s cell. There is a common wall between them. Dalic finds he is just too stout to fit through. He begins looking for a weak bar to bend.
Speck moves close to Kuba feeling safe alongside his warrior friend. Speck recovers two of his arrows from the dead orc sentry. Kuba finds they each have a small coin purse with a few gold pieces (20 gp total). In addition to their crossbows, they have hand axes and ring mail armor.
Breymeer moves up from the sentry point to where Southar was just in melee keeping his bow ready. The blackness of the large chamber repels the light from Southar’s lantern keeping whatever approaches a mystery.
Southar’s scaly face turns to a demonic grin. He pulls his shield up and awaits his next unworthy victim.
Out of the inky blackness comes a large spear, hurtled with great strength. Southar easily stops the shaft with his gold shield. With a loud metallic ring the spear drops at his feet. Southar’s grin widens and his forked tongue licks the air with excitement.
He does not have to wait long until an orc comes charging in on him.
Breymeer, while advancing, attempts to stick the orc with an arrow. The missile flies wide.
The orc’s charge reaches Southar and it attempts to shield bash Southar but fails to knock him off balance. However, as Southar swings his longsword ‘Bloodletter’ in defense, he steps on the spear shaft. It rolls under his feet and nearly drops him to his knees. Only Southar’s superior dexterity keeps him erect. The orc now grins as it prepares its sword and shield for melee.
Dalic finds a loose bar and he is able to bend it out enough to slip into Bhut’s cell. Bhut, although still chained to the wall, is pleased to have his friend and the possibility of escape Dalic brings.
The eastern guards have charged across the room to engage Southar in the western tunnel entrance.
Grimlock sneaks past both the orc and the bugbear to survey the room. The orc and the bugbear appear to be very alert and nervous as if they know something is nearby. It is obvious they are at a loss to Grimlock’s location. Grimlock can see a very faint light down western corridor. He can hear the metallic sounds of melee echoing from the west; the distance is undeterminable. Grimlock leaves the orc and bugbear behind him and moves west towards the sound of battle. He moves west across the massive chamber passing just within view (55 feet) of the southern orc sniper post. It appears to be unoccupied save the dead orcs behind it. The orc and bugbear at the tunnel entrance do not appear to have noticed Grimlock passed them by. Checking over his shoulder, he can see they are still at the tunnel. They are at the very edge of his vision behind him.
Cirdan is concerned about what he may have contracted. He moves up the passageway towards the main orc chamber following Grimlock’s last known move. Cirdan does his best to not sneeze and itch.
Tathar & Peylae approach the main orc chamber. Sixty feet ahead of them they can see the passageway opens into a very large chamber. The outer walls out are of view to their dark vision.
Dalic is able to bend the pin holding Bhut’s arm restrains. He quickly slips them off Bhut’s arms. Bhut is free of the wall but his legs remain shackled.
Furthermore, Bhut cannot see anything other than the faint light illuminating the western passage. Shadowy figures melee there.
Dalic, with his dark vision, can see the other prisoners in their cells and the final enemy, a bugbear, close in ranks and join the melee in the west passage entrance The prisoner resembling a mercenary tries in vain to break his bonds.
Southar and Breymeer team up on the remaining orc. Southar removes a leg with ‘bloodletter’ and Breymeer an arm with his broadsword. Breymeer chops the orc to the ground with a final blow from his hand axe.
They just recover as a bugbear arrives. It does not slow as it barrels into Southar with its shoulder. Southar, shield in front of him, is knocked flat on his back on the stone passageway floor. The bugbear goes down with Southar, ‘bloodletter’ sticking out of its back. Southar is buried under the large hairy but unmoving bugbear.
Kuba runs up to assist, shield and sword at the ready. Speck is trailing behind with his bow in hand; arrow to string.
Grimlock continues to cross the large chamber. The sound of melee to the west stops.
Tathar and Peylae hold their position as Bofor continues up the tunnel behind them.
Cirdan continues up the passageway.
Breymeer aids Southar in rolling the dead bugbear off of him. Southar stands on his own, ignoring the hand Breymeer puts out to aid him, “Thankssss anyway. I’m able to sssstand on my own.” His snake transformed eyes show no emotion.
Kuba grabs the coins purses from the bugbear and orc (50 gp total) while Speck recovers the hooded lantern, bringing it up to the group. He also finds one more of his arrows.
Breymeer suggests, “Lets recover that lantern and hood it again. We can go dark and have our scout, Speck here, go ahead of us while we follow.”
While the foursome are discussing their plans, a rattle of chains followed by metal clanging onto the stone floor is heard to the southeast. It echoes through the chamber.
Dalic is able to break Bhut completely free of his bonds. The metal shackles and chains fall to the ground with an echoing clang made all the louder now that the melee to the west has ended.
What appears to be Breymeer, Southar, Kuba and Speck are gathered in the chamber near the western passage.
Cirdan continues up the passageway. His skin itches and burns but does not seem to be blistering or causing him and harm other than irritation. He continues to clear his throat to keep for coughing out loud.
Tathar and Peylae, using their elven stealth, move up to the edge of the chamber and peer into the massive room. Peylae’s elvish dark vision picks up no sign of anything but empty room out to the limit of her sight. Even Tathar, blessed with greater distance by Sehanine, can only make out the northern orc’s sniper post. It is unmanned.
With only the warning of a rush of air, the invisible ogre steps from the northern side of the passageway and swings his great club. The club hits Tathar square in the chest (13, 9/24) laying him out supine. The moon-eyed elf luckily survives the blow by superior dexterity alone. At the very last instant, Tathar was able to contort his body to deflect some of the powerful blow. He remains conscious and able to move.
Peylae is caught flat-footed and only manages a loud shriek, staring wide-eyed as the massive ogre materializes in front of her.
Grimlock has nearly crossed the southern portion of the large chamber. He can see the western wall as it curves slowly to the western exit. The exit remains out of view but Grimlock figures he cannot be more than 70 or 80 feet from it.
A metallic clang is heard to echo the west just before the sound of a shriek is heard to the northeast. The shriek is too soft to be that of these barbarian races, sounding feminine as well. It really could only belong to Peylae. It came directly across the chamber to the NE; approx. where the tunnel from the troll room enters the main chamber.
Tathar, calling upon the power of Sehanine, orders the ogre, “Flee!”
Peylae utters a spell and brings forth an electrical energy jumping back and forth between her fingers. She attempts to lay her hand upon the ogre but misses as it turns to flee. She leaps forward as it turns its back on her and lands the palm of her hand upon its lower back. A snap of electricity transfers between Peylae’s hand and the ogre (11, 14/25). It cries out in agony. The smell of ozone is present.
The ogre continues to flee from Tathar into the chamber, running generally south.
Cirdan continues to scratch and sniffle his way up the passage.
Dalic instructs Bhut to assist him in bending the exterior bars. Both the dwarf and man are strong; the dwarf noticeable more so. The bars relent and bend far enough apart to allow escape. Once on the exterior, Dalic pulls a dagger from each of his boots. He hands one over to Bhut with a wry smile that Bhut cannot see.
Bhut, taking the dagger being thrust into his hand, requests, “Dalic, help guide me through the dark, and alert me so that I do not to stumble over anything that might be in the path.
“Honorable dwarf. Kind sir,” a voice from the closest cell calls out. It belongs to the older, non-warrior, man. “We are merchants from Loreltarma area. Me, my boy and one of our guards. Would you kindly free us as well?”
The elf in the easternmost cell remains quiet, studying the situation.
Speck sets down the lantern, now shuttered, along the north edge of the tunnel where it meets the room. He continues into the room using his sneaking abilities and carefully make his way towards the sounds.
Speck thinks to himself, “I hope it's just a gate being shut or something like that, rather than some great creature being loosed.” He holds his bow at the ready.
Breymeer transfers to bow and finds a spot to set up to be ready for what's coming although he cannot see his own nose after Speck shuttered the lantern.
Kuba and Southar hold in the tunnel entrance.
Grimlock turns to the sounds of Peylae’s shriek. He begins to run towards the sound, forgoing all stealth. The sounds had to have come from the northeast tunnel. Damn that ogre.
Grimlock quickly closes in on the center of the room. The massive column comes into view along with the orc’s sniper posts. Three of them are occupied.
Tathar, still supine, sits up and arms himself with his bow. He tries to take aim on the fleeing ogre but it has gone beyond the limits of his extended vision.
It is gone only a moment though as it has turned and is now charging full speed back towards the tunnel entrance.
Tathar fires two rapid shots, the first cutting its leg (4, 10/25) and the second deflecting off its armor covered chest. The ogre bears down on Tathar with incredible speed; faster than Tathar can string another arrow.
Peylae, in an imitation of her father, creates an illusionary mirror image of herself.
The ogre passes both images of Peylae and stops in front of Tathar. It raises its club above its head preparing to smash the elf into jelly.
Bofor, on a dead sprint, runs in front the passageway screaming a dwarven war cry. He runs between the ogre’s legs, delivering a fatal blow to the groin of the oversized beast (10, 0/25). Its pelvis snaps and it drops dead to the floor. “These are dwarven halls!” Bofor declares in a huff.
A bolt, fired blindly from an orc sniper in the dark to the west/southwest, flies into the group striking a nearby wall.
Just after, the bugbear arrives, spear tip forward. It lays a fatal blow into Peylae’s chest. Its victorious grin turns to confusion as the image of Peylae blips from view leaving the real Peylae standing nearby.
Cirdan pauses and removes a scroll from his belongings. He reads off of it a magical spell giving him the power to see those otherwise invisible.
Bhut tells Dalic that we should wait and clear the area of any hostiles before thinking of helping them. Then we can come back.
Dalic responds to his companion, “We be injured and could use da help.”
Dalic asks the prisoners if they can fight mumbling something about the enemy of my enemy.
The older man speaks again, “We are but common folk and our guard has a broken leg. If freed, we will do our best.”
The elf adds, in a very eloquent and pretty voice, “As I can, I shall aid you.”
He moves to free the mercenary type requesting Bhut's help.
The horses chained in the center of the room become more anxious as Speck moves easterly towards them in the dark. Dalic can track his movements in the dark but Bhut cannot.
Speck moves out towards the center of the room where he comes across several horses chained to the floor. They are very nervous and easily spooked. The get agitated as the halfling nears.
Those in the western entrance chamber begin to hear an echo of combat from the east again. Cries of pain and surprise along with clang of armor and weapons; even a snap of an electric shock. Several heavy boots steps are soon added to the mix.
An unmistakable dwarven war cry rises crisply echoing like that of a mighty champion in the hallowed dwarven halls. The sound of hammered metal is heard and then softer, but undeniable thud of a large body striking the stone floor.
Grimlock slows as he stealthily makes his way between the snipers. The westernmost sniper appears to be looking around for something but fails to track Grimlock as he sneaks his way past. The north sniper appears to be taking pot shot at the sound of the melee.
Heavy footsteps can be heard running south as Grimlock moves between the snipers. Grimlock guesses it is the ogre. The steps stop and then run just as fast back north, this time accompanied by slightly softer steps; a very large orc or maybe a bugbear.
The steps reach the area of the northeast passage and a frantic melee restarts followed by a loud thud of a very large body striking the stone floor.
Bhut assists Dalic but mumbles his disagreement in so doing. They both lay into the mercenaries cell bars and quickly pry open a large enough space to gain entrance in order to free the soldier from his chains.
The elf maiden informs with a whisper, “Find me a couple short, stouts poles and I can fashion a splint for Errius’ leg.”
A sudden change of status draws the attention to the company in the western passage. Southar has taken up the lantern and unhooded it, illuminating the area around them. He charges eastward toward the sound of battle. Southar exits the room charging into the eastern tunnel.
The illumination from the lantern was not enough to light up the southern prison cells or the occupants therein.
As Speck looks cautiously around for anything other than skittish horses, Southar takes the lantern, unhoods it, and charges eastward across the room towards the sound of battle. In so doing, he illuminates the center of the room as he runs.
The floor of this circular room (approx. 180 feet across) is strewn with straw, offal and rotting feed. There are six horses tethered to iron rings bolted to the floor in the center of the room. The horses are frightened. The north and south extremes of the room remain shadowed in darkness and reveal nothing of detail. The ceiling is domed above reaching 50 feet. The walls are decorated with intricate bas-reliefs depicting scenes of dwarven heroics. The dwarven artistry has been defaced.
Southar quickly passes by Speck, crosses the room and enters the tunnel beyond leaving his companions once again in the darkness.
The occasional metallic sound comes from the darkness in the southern portion of the room.
Grimlock uses his stealth to sneak up behind the westernmost orc sniper. He eliminates the sniper with a deadly thrust of his blade across its neck.
The other two snipers do not appear to have noticed Grimlock as they are now both firing blindly into the melee.
Tathar fires his bow from the seated position seeming as if he were comfortable doing so. Tathar takes caution so as not to strike Peylae or Bofor. The bugbear dodges one of the missiles and the other deflects off of its splint mail armor.
Peylae conjures up another electrical charge on her hand but fails to grasp the dexterous bugbear. Bofor misses it as well with his war hammer.
The bugbear skillfully jabs its heavy spear over the top of Bofor’s shield striking him square in the chest. Although the tip does not break through the armor, the force of the blow is damaging enough (8, 7/41). Bofor is barely able to keep from having the wind knocked out of his lungs. The tenacious dwarf remains standing.
Two more bolts deflect off of stone in the general area of the melee as the snipers fire blindly into the fight.
Cirdan moves up the hallway until a barricade of bodies comes into view at the entrance to the main chamber. An orc sniper hides behind the bodies. Piled before it are an ogre, several orcs and Ide. Cirdan is roughly 60 feet southeast of the orc, still in the passageway.
Tathar regains his feet and steps back into the tunnel slightly to try and get some protection from errant quarrels.
The bugbear lunges forward attempting to skewer the dwarf. Bofor deflects the blow with his shield. Using his advantage, Bofor steps in and smashes the bugbear’s face with his war hammer (5, 12/17).
Simultaneously, Peylae lays her sparking hand upon its right thigh discharging the pent up charge (8, 4/17).
The bugbear cries out in pain through broken teeth. Showing elite fighting skill, it engages Bofor one handed with its spear while backhanding Peylae with its heavy fist (3(1), 15(13)/16). Peylae is knocked back a step but remains in the fight.
The orc sniper gets off a lucky shot. The bolt streaks into the battle and bites deep into flesh. To the bugbears demise, the bolt strikes him in the left ribs and punctures both his lungs (8, -4/17). It drops to the ground dying from the mortal blow.
Cirdan Saralonde moves up the hallway doing his best to be quiet. He reaches the main chamber and slides around the piles of bodies the orc is using for cover. Something catches the orcs attention and it spins towards Cirdan and lets a bolt fly in panic. The missile flies just wide of Cirdan, striking the wall and deflecting harmlessly away.
Grimlock sneaks up behind the southern orc sniper and efficiently and quietly brings death upon it. The other orc continues to send bolts into the battle without noticing Grimlock.
Southar clears the tunnel and runs out into the main chamber.
Kuba asks Breymeer, “If you can get that torch out so we can see, let’s join the melee ahead.”
Breymeer is already doing just that. Removing the torch, the room illuminates with more light. Breymeer’s face betrays his displeasure with the party always splitting up and running off without warning.
Breymeer has his sword in one hand and torch in the other.
Speck, slightly surprised by Southar running past says to Kuba and Breymeer, "Come on guys." Speck takes off after Southar, attempting to keep up with his little legs.
Dalic and Bhut, working together, free the mercenary. Dalic addresses the other prisoners, “We'll be back fer da others.” Needing a better weapon, he points Bhut to the north, “Secret door. We are ta retrieve our gear.”
The mercenary tests his leg and finds it will not hold much weight. He nods to his rescuers, “I shall give it a try.”
The room becomes brighter as Breymeer removes his magical torch. Speck, Kuba and Breymeer cross the room and enter into the eastern passageway to join the other melee seemingly having not seen or heard the prisoners in the still dark southern section of the room.
The elf, watching the others run past, petitions, “Master dwarf, Honorable Man, I am not some hapless wit. I am certainly of more use than this hobbled caravan guard. Free me and I can aid you and then assist the soldier’s mobility issue.”
Cirdan sees the orc sentry put his guard down. It appears in a panic. It clambers over the bodies in an attempt to flee southeast down the passageway.
Cirdan pounces upon the orc stabbing his dagger deep into its back as Cirdan materializes. The orc succumbs to the blow and collapses onto the dead pile.
Cirdan immediately uses his magic to return to invisibility.
The sound of the melee to the north has ended.
From the west comes a charge. Southar, holding a lantern and sword, leads the charge. He nears the center column of the room. Behind him is Breymeer, holding a torch with a brilliant white light, also enters the room with Kuba and behind them, Speck.
Grimlock sneaks up behind the final orc sniper with ease and eliminates him while he is reloading his crossbow.
The sound of the melee at the northeast tunnel has ended.
From the west comes a charge. Southar, holding a lantern and sword, leads the charge. He nears the center column of the room. Behind him is Breymeer, holding a torch with a brilliant white light, also enters the room with Kuba and behind them, Speck.
Tathar quickly calls upon aid and is healed some (+2, 11/24). Peylae collects herself and Bofor also calls upon aid for healing (+8, 15/41).
From the west comes a charge. Southar, holding a lantern and sword, leads the charge. He nears the center column of the room. Behind him is Breymeer, holding a torch with a brilliant white light, also enters the room with Kuba and behind them, Speck.
The light from Southar and Breymeer fades into the eastern tunnel.
Dalic nods, forgetting Bhut is relatively blind and replies, “We make it so.” Dalic and Bhut free the elf as well.
Once free, Dalic instructs the others to wait in her cell while he retrieves their plundered weapons.
Dalic and the elf cross the room. By turning the norther torch sconce, they open and then enter the secret door on the north wall.
Southar and company find the room dark and now quiet. Coming past the large central column, Southar slows, ready for a fight. Kuba, Breymeer and Speck all catch up in turn. Breymeer’s magical torch casting light much farther than the lantern.
There are five trap doors opened 90 degrees with shallow pits revealed. The doors were obviously being used as cover for sniper pits. Over half dozen dead orcs are scattered in the area of the pits, some shot with arrows, some cut down by sword.
Peylae, Tathar and Bofor call out and approach from the northeastern passage. They are all injured with Peylae fairing better than Bofor and Tathar.
At the northeast tunnel entrance are the bodies of a bugbear and an ogre.
By exploring south, the southeastern exit reveals a pile of orc bodies, an ogre body and Ide Otneaux’s broken body.
Peylae quickly brings the western exploration group up to speed. All known enemy have been slain with the exception of a wizard who turned invisible in this room a while back and has not been seen or heard from since.
Grimlock and Cirdan were to have come to this room by the southern passage but have not been seen since either.
Dalic and Bhut were captured by the orcs and are now missing in action. It is believed they were hauled off to the west.
Breymeer advises the eastern group of their encounter entering from the west. A small group of orcs and a bugbear were slain. They did not take the time to search the chamber well as they ran through to aid with the battle here. There were several horses tied in the center of the chamber but the northern and southern tips of the room remain unknown as the light sources were not powerful enough to reveal them as the western crew ran through.
Cirdan, looking around from the southeast area of the room, sees no further enemy nor any invisible mage.
The secret door opens revealing a smaller northeast corridor. It has a nearly 10 foot high ceiling and is roughly 8 feet wide. The tunnel is roughly carved and obviously not the work of dwarves. It is unlit.
Dalic and the elf move about 90 feet through the passage before it splits straight north and straight east. To the east, it continues roughly straight out of the range of Dalic’s vision. To the north, it continues north about 75 feet to a wooden door. A side tunnel to the west brakes off the corridor about 20 feet north of north/east split.
Dalic leads the elf to the western branch. They walk down to the end of the hall and check on the door. It is stuck fast. Dalic tries to shoulder it open to no avail. Dalic attempts to pry the lock. Nothing seems to be able to circumvent the door.
Pausing, Dalic speaks to the elf, “Are you able to aid me with my health or this door?”
The elf responds confidently, “Your health, yes.” She takes the dagger from Dalic and cuts strips from his cloak. She applies them to his injuries. “The door? Not at the moment.”
Dalic receives his dagger back and leads the elf to the northern door. To their surprise, the door opens easy enough.
The room is roughly rectangular. It is 60 feet east/west and 45 feet north/south. The floor to this room consists of three raised tiers, each tier approximately 5 feet above the one beneath. The effect resembles a ziggurat. The top is 10 feet long and 5 feet wide. The ceiling is 30 feet high.
The room is dimly lit by some mysterious illumination.
A voice calls out, speaking the non-common human Suel language. The voice is coming from higher up the pyramid. The voice is coming from somewhere up the ziggurat.
Sorry. Been meaning to post for some time. I really like how you run your campaign. Is it doable FtF game? So much good dialogue that I assume it is online. I just re-read the Bone Hill adventure. I actually read part of it, adding pictures from my MM, to my son. He loved the zombies!
I thought the necromancer was great. Some of the best stuff I've read. I have to start the LLL part of over as I forgot what was happening. Anyway, keep up the great work!
It is play by post email. It is a very slow way to play but it can add a lot of detail. I have a mix of players. Some add a lot, others are too busy to add much. I am just glad they are playing. Currently there are 8 players running 10 characters.
We did a table-top session with some other characters in February. They were created to go to Garrotten and assaulted the keep in attempts to overthrow the Mayor and her minions. I will not be posting that entire adventure as I did not take notes. There will likely be a summary at some point. The party did pretty well but many of the bad guys got away. As a result, the bad guys and their orc allies raided Restenford and burned many parts of it (set up for L4).
This is my first crack at DMing Lendore Island. It has been really fun so far.
At that moment, several glowing missiles appear and streak down towards Dalic and the elf. The first bolt strikes Dalic in the back as he goes for cover followed immediately by a second (4, -4/30). He gasps as the energy pulses through his body driving him to the stone floor. He sees a final bolts strike the elf (4, 3/8). Dalic remains conscious long enough to see the elf withstand the assault. On the second tier of the ziggurat appears the green robed wizard sneering at his advantage. Dalic then slips into oblivion.
The elf runs to the dwarf’s aid, trying in vain to bring him back to consciousness. Grabbing a dagger, the elf turns to face the green mage.
The green mage laughs with a deep evil grin. It pulls itself up onto the top tier of the ziggurat as the elf throws the dagger at him. The dagger strikes the mage in the back but falls harmlessly away.
As the mage reaches the top tier, his bellowing laugh fills the room. His body begins to de-materialize as his voice calls down in the common speech, “Leave now or lose your soul!”
The words hang in the air as the mage, in a swirl of color, blurs into a green mist and then disappears.
Tathar calls upon Sehanine to heal himself (+2, 11/24).
Tathar addresses Bofor in what is long-winded for Tathar, "My brother cleric, I am exhausted and will not have the strength to heal our friends until I pray to Sehanine and enter the reverie. Please do what you can for them."
Tathar sets about searching the bodies for anything the party can use. During which time he rubs some ash upon his face reapplying his black face paint.
Grimlock rises from one of the orc sniper pits where he had secreted himself. His sword is bloodied. It is clear that he had worked his way through the sniper pits and eliminated them.
Cirdan’s voice calls out to Peylae, “I am here as well. I took out an orc trying to sneak off towards the ogre chamber <sneeze>.” Cirdan appears to have been affected by something as he routinely coughs and sneezes or clears his throat. He remains invisible. “I am searching for the green mage. I should be able to see him, even hidden though he may be. Cover me.”
With the lantern open and Breymeer’s magical torch out, the group searches the large main chamber and then moves off into the western chamber.
The western chamber, 150 feet across with similarly designed dwarven images on the walls and a 50 feet high ceiling.
The western group crossed the room in a hurry. Coming back now and searching slowly shows the horses remain tethered to iron rings bolted into the floor. Scattered around them is straw, offal and rotting feed. The southern wall contains eight cages serving as cells. Four of them have bent bars.
Bhut stands nearby. He appears to have escaped the cages. His weapons have been taken. He stands with a dagger. “I have been unable to free the rest of the prisoners. Dalic and an elf went north through a secret door.”
In the third cage is a human male is in his late 40s and appears to be a commoner. He is of average build and has short cut red hair along with a full beard partially hiding the swelling in his face from a recent beating.
To his east, in cell four, is a mid-teen age male. He also has red hair; longer than the others. He has a family resemblance to the older man; likely his father or uncle. He is fit but also injured from a recent pummeling. He is dressed as a commoner.
Both of the above prisoners still have their hands and feet shackled. Their hand manacles are chained to an iron ring secured into the wall.
The final human male, east of the teenager in cage five, is a 30-something male. He is stronger in appearance having a fighter’s build. He has a light colored mustache and blond hair shaved close. He wears chain mail armor. His leg is swollen, possibly broken, from a severe bludgeoning strike. This man’s cage has bent bars and he has been freed from his shackles. He leans heavily against the iron bars resting his injured leg.
The other cages are empty and intact excepting the final cage which has the bars bent.
From the north, pulling open a concealed door, enters an elf. She is very winded as she drags Dalic’s body into the doorway. She collapses, “He needs aid. We were ambushed by a mage in a green robe. He is gone. He disappeared atop some type of strange pyramid.”
The elf wears a skin tight grey bodysuit chased with gold threat and covered with a hoodless scarlet cloak held in place by a thin but sturdy gold cord. The gold trim accents her body lines and curves. The material consists of something very shimmering. She wears tight elbow length gloves of similar material. Her blonde hair falls to mid back. Her hair parts in the middle and is held off her face by her long ears. Her eyes appear green and her skin, as with most elves, is as pale as fresh cream. She is obviously pretty even through the bruising on her face.
The party finds Dalic unconscious but stable. The elf reports, “We were hit by magical arrows. I was able to keep him stable after he fell.” The party can see she is also injured and in significant pain.
Bofor comes to the aid of the dwarf. Praying, Dalic’s injuries are eased (+6, 2/30). Bofor also prays for aid for the elf that saved Dalic (+3, 6/8).
Cirdan and company move north and explore the secret passage. The passage is crudely excavated and obviously not the work of the original dwarves. It is nearly 10 feet high and 8 feet wide. It is unlit. The party finds it travels northeast before splitting straight north and straight east.
The eastern passage parallels the tunnel to the south between the chamber with the horses and the main central chamber. Where the tunnel meets the main central chamber, there is another concealed door, obvious from this side, that enters to the northwestern arc of the room. The passage continues around the circumference of the room, gaining elevation as it travels east. This tunnel terminates at an observation post. Cut into the southern wall is a 3 inch slit. Looking through the slit, one can observe the main chamber.
The northern passage terminates in a door with one side passage going west to a door.
The northern door is opened to reveal a 60 foot wide room east/west and 45 feet deep. The floor of the room consists of three raised tiers, each tier approximately 5 feet above the one beneath. The effect resembles a ziggurat. The top is 10 feet long and 5 feet wide. The ceiling is 30 feet high. The room is dimly lit by some unknown source.
The top of this ziggurat is where the elf maiden says the green robed mage vaporized. She said he did not just blip out but instead spun into a green mist and then just vaporized. The description appears similar to what happened to Grimlock and Cirdan when Horan the mage would teleport them to and fro in the Hepmonaland jungle.
Cirdan can see the mage is no longer in the room, visible or invisible.
The group moves to the western room finding the door completely unmoving. Speck steps forward with a grin and a few small metal tools in hand. He goes to work on the locking mechanism and soon has the door swinging inward.
The sight in the room brings glee to the group. Inside the room is the orcs treasure room. There are two large chests, a weapons rack and a small pile of gear.
The gear belongs to Dalic and Bhut. The weapons rack contains Dalic and Bhut’s confiscated weapons. In addition, there is a hand axe, a bastard sword and a long sword. The axe is a metal head mounted on a bronzewood shaft. The metal head is engraved with the dwarven rune for strength. The bastard sword has a steel blade mounted into a leather wrapped steel hilt. The leather appears well cured. The sword retains a keen edge. The long sword has a silver blade mounted upon a steel hilt. The steel grip and pommel are designed with images of wolves.
The two chests are examined and appear clear of traps. Opening the chests reveals a mass of treasure.
The first chest contains copper coins, thousands in count (7,940 cp), a golden circlet and a book chased with gold and scarlet coloring. The book appears to be a spellbook and is quickly seized by the elf. “These are mine.” She places the golden circlet on her head. It fits perfectly and completes her outfit.
The second chest contains electrum (643 ep), silver (697 sp) and gold (1,470 gp).
In addition to the treasure room, the party collects up the remaining coin purses from the dead enemy. Cirdan advises to use caution in the sleeping pallets as he came across one trapped with sneezing powder. He continues to suffer from hives, sneezing and coughing. In addition, the weapons are piled in the main orc chamber for possible use or later sale.
The group frees the final two men and discovers they are father and son. They earn their keep by making deliveries between Loreltarma and the Lake Farmin/Restenford area. The solider is one of their men-at-arms. The elf had paid them to allow her to accompany the caravan to make a delivery of specialty goods to the house of a mage named Pelltar in Restenford.
The caravan was attacked by an orc raid. Most were slaughtered. The horses were taken along with the caravan survivors. The wagons were broken up for firewood and torches. The four prisoners and horses in the chamber are all that are left.
The father’s name is Lidulf, his son is Ernald, the soldier is Errius and the elf is Aravae.
The party agrees it needs to set guards and rest and recuperate. It is around mid-afternoon.
Grimlock, standing before the treasure horde and weapons rack, declares, “I could use the long sword. I have been looking in each city for something like this. I would not be so ill equipped to deal with the undead with this I think.”
Grimlock takes the silver wolf sword from the shelf and examines it, “Is everyone okay with that?” There is no objection.
The axe catches Breymeer’s eye. He hefts it and check out the feel, "If no one objects I think I can put this to good use." The hard wood of the bronzewood tree feels good in his hand. The bronzewood is one of the hardest woods known. There are no objections to Breymeer claiming the axe.
Dalic claims the newly found bastard sword as his own. He straps the blade of Dalgur to his back and sets the new blade to his hip. There is no objections to Dalic claiming the blade.
Dalic travels back to retrieve his daggers and caltrops which had been strewn about in battle. As he departs, he requests the healers assist him with his wounds upon his return as their deity allows.
Bofor looks with disgust at Dalic as he leaves but says nothing.
For the time being, the treasure chests are left in the treasure room.
Tathar, with some assistance, recovers Ide's body and searches her stuff for all that can be used or sold. She has already been plundered by the orcs and the whereabouts of her things is unknown except her giant axe.
Tathar creates a funeral pyre out of wood and other combustible material he scavanges and places her on it. It is unknown if she had any reverence for a particular deity.
Tathar holds a small ceremony for any who wish to gather in which he calls upon the gods to take her spirit to the next plane. All who fought with her show their respect. It is obvious, her strength in combat will be sorely missed.
After the ceremony, Tathar offers to give a once-over physical assessment to the caged persons. They accept his help. Aravae and Peylae both assist having skill in first aid.
Tathar searches around for bow parts but only finds crossbow material. He recovers the arrows he can find and then waits for nightfall to pray.
As the day drifts into late afternoon, the party forms a conference.
Grimlock requests Cirdan, “While you remain unseen, will you return to Belina and advise her we will need at least two days to work deeper into the fortress.”
Breymeer suggests, “I will find Belina so she knows all is good in hopes she'll stick around with horses. After meeting with her, I’ll be back to help clear this foul place of slave taking bastards.”
Cirdan makes his observations known, "It is clear to me that clearing this mine of the evil that inhabits it will take longer than Belina will wait. I am guessing Lindulf and Ernald have no desire to enter the delve with us, but Errius and Aravae may be eager to seek revenge for the wrongs they have been caused and wish to join us. I do not speak for anyone but myself; my suggestion is this: We take the horses, loaded with the treasure, and send Lindulf, Ernald and a couple others back to Belina. Belina can get these gentlemen back to Farmin and get them on their way. The treasure she can leave at the castle for our return. We can also let Belina know that we will find our way back to Farmin, and if we do not return to assume the worst. We should rest here for a day, tomorrow our healers, their gods willing, can restore our health and on the second day we enter the delve."
Lindulf, Ernald and Errius decline the offer to enter the delve. Lindulf and Ernald claim to be simple merchant and Errius is their hired guard.
Aravae accepts the offer to continue into the delve, “I have lost the goods I was responsible for getting to Restenford. I would be happy to join this expedition in order to recoup my losses. I intent to travel to Lake Farmin with whomever travels there prior to returning to aid in the expedition.”
After some discussion, the party decides to send the treasure, under guard, back to Lake Farmin. Not having full trust in the castle administration, the party finally agrees to secure the money on the Ungohling under the security of Comus and the crew. The Ungohling will stay docked or weigh anchor at or near Lake Farmin until the party’s return.
Peylae, Breymeer, and Aravae agree to travel with Lindulf, Ernald and Errius to find Belina and bring the treasure to Lake Farmin.
The away team begins to organize to leave and the others begin making defensive positions before nightfall. Cirdan ensures the gong is recovered. The party has the use of the gong and the horn in the event of trouble.
As the party is preparing defenses, an interesting interaction occurs. Dalic, having returned from recovering his equipment, takes a rest near the party. He leans up against the wall, letting out a sigh.
Bofor grimaces at the sight of Dalic. No longer able to hold his tongue, the dwarven priest unleashes on Dalic, "I don't know or much care how you came into the company of these good folk or how they would even have you, but I know what you are! Your fancy skin coloring cannot hide your duergar nature. Your evil, self-serving and barbaric kind have no purpose above ground with the good folk of these islands. I have half the mind to either pile you up with the rest of the enemy or drive you from these honorable halls you disgrace with your presence."
Dalic remains silent. There is not much to say to this and certainly nothing he can change as he is indeed duergar.
Bofor begins to lay into him again, but for some reason makes no physical motion toward Dalic to fulfill his aforementioned threats, "More puzzling than your origins is the fact that you indeed fight well alongside this party." Bofor scoffs, "As if it would even be possible for your kind to form the bound I might confuse you as having with this crew!" He stammers, seeing no response from Dalic. "How could this be? I would have said I knew better had I not seen you with mine own eyes. I'd call it a ruse if I hadn't seen you fight. The way you battle leaves no room for dishonesty."
The air rides tense with the lingering phrase left apparently unmet in its tone.
Dalic breaks the silence, "I belong nowhere but here with these'n. I be duergar. Dalgur Steelcoat be my given name. Me family was killed by mine own clan and I be sold as a slave ta tha drow an' others. Placed in tha fightin' pits and wagered on ta kill or die was tha only life I knew 'for bein' bought an' freed in Restenford. I travel now wit these'n a free dwarf. Free of tha duergar, free of the pits an' free ab me clan. By birth I be duergar. By choice I be Dalic."
The last words are clearly satisfying to the gray dwarf as he closes his eyes and lets his head fall back to the chamber wall he is sitting against. Unafraid of the consequences of being outed as a duergar the fighter clearly is more at home now than he has ever been in his life.
Bofor's shoulders relax a bit. He says nothing for a while, pondering the simple yet extremely revealing information about Dalic. Finally, he relents, "I have never met a creature the likes of Dalic Steelcoat. You force me to change my position in a most surprising manner."
And thus the mysterious powers of the strange dwarf are revealed. Yet, the party does not appear to be anymore uneasy with the duergar dwarf then they had been before knowing his origins. The duergar dwarf is battle crazy and completely lacks caution but he has been nothing but loyal to the group and has given his blood freely for them.
Thus, Dalic Steelcoat, in the presence of the similarly strange snake-skinned Southar, finds himself completely at home with this party.
The away team departs. Their intent is to stay in Lake Farmin overnight and return the following day. The horses, calmed by Breymeer, travel with the away team.
Bofor Barrelmace, calling upon his deity for aid, brings healing to Bhut, Tathar and himself. Then, he approaches Dalic, “If you have indeed turned from your evil ways, may the deities of the dwarves shine upon you and keep you true.” With that, Bofor brings some healing to Dalic as well.
After the sun sets, Tathar walks to the outside open air to pray, he finds peace on the eastern platform in the light of the moon as it peeks often between the scattered clouds.
The away team rendezvous with Belina without problems and makes their way to Lake Farmin without incident.
The following day, Harvester 25th, brings more clouds and some rain.
The away team secures the treasure upon the Ungohling and returns to the dwarven complex without trouble. Their only encounter was with a watchful cougar that spied them as they climbed the central hill towards the eastern entrance to the mines.
Those in the mines take the day to rest. The elf and dwarf priests continue to bring aid at the blessings of their respective deities.
The day passes without any issues. The entire adventure group is reunited when the away team returns.
The party prepares to penetrate deeper into the delve upon waking.
Harvester 26, 577 arrives peacefully. After rising and preparing for the day, including meditation and study for the spellcasters, the group prepares for its next expedition being ready by 8 AM.
Even though the party made significant defensive positions and preparations, including several traps set by Southar, no counter attack is made. In fact, the dwarven halls remain quiet during the day and two nights of rest.
The party, with the blessings of Sehanine and Fortubo, are near fully healed and prepared for the trek into the lower level.
The temperatures outside have fallen into the mid to low 60s as the broken clouds are blown about by a moderate wind. They spit occasional rain.
Inside the delve, the stone walls are cool; roughly 60 degrees.
Breymeer, torch in hand, Southar with one of the hooded lanterns (unlit), and the rest of the group gather at the secret door in the ogre’s chamber.
The door itself is well concealed into the wall. Bofor walks over to the wall and feels around carefully. A small stone sinks into the wall under the pressure of Bofor’s hand. The door swings silently inward at a slow, constant speed.
Musty air and swirls of dust greet the party as the door opens. Beyond the door is a ten foot wide tunnel that descends at a 25 degree angle downward to the west out of view. A quarter-inch thick layer of dust coats the floor. It is obvious nothing has passed this way in a very long time.
Just beyond the door is illuminated some ancient dwarven runes scratched in the wall just inside the arc of the door on the tunnel wall. Below the writing is a desiccated skeleton of what appears to be a dwarf. The skeleton wears the same layer of dust.
The center of the tunnel has a set of rusted iron rails, about three feet apart. The rails run continuously west into the darkness. Bofor comments, “They are for the ore cars that once worked here.” Dust covers them as well.
Bofor looks down at the skeleton while muttering a prayer. He then steps forward and reads aloud the writing on the wall:
Curse the darkness that lies below
And all the horrors it hath spawned
Foesmiter tried and Foesmiter died
His foolish bravery has doomed us all
The tunnel appears carved from seamless stone by the dwarven miners. At the edge of the torchlight, an iron sconce is set into the wall on the left side of the wall. An unlit torch remains in the sconce.
The passage beyond is still and quiet.
Grimlock and Cirdan are both invisible; their presence only detected by the sound of their voice and the soft falling of their steps. Often, they walk so silently their footfalls go unnoticed.
Grimlock wants to take rear guard.
Cirdan, looking over the corpse of the dwarf, chooses to walk near the middle.
Tathar, examining the ceiling, also chooses the middle of the group.
Breymeer steps to the front of the group, torch and sword in hand.
Bhut, needing the light of the torch to see by, steps alongside Breymeer in the front row.
Dalic gravitates towards his companion Bhut and steps in front of him, “Ye can see o’er me head.” Bhut takes the second rank instead. Dalic has his new found sword in hand. He has taken to calling his new sword "the Delven Bastard" and thinks himself clever for coming up with the name. For the fact his weapons are two-handed in nature he does not carry a light. Besides, his duergar eyes find little need for extra lighting.
Southar comments, “I wisssh we would have had Belina return inssstead of sssssstaying in Farmin. Ssssssshe would have ssssstayed with the horsssssesssss in the horsssse chamber. Now we will have to carry the plunder oursssselvessss.” His voice carries some contempt. “I ssssshall lead assssss I posssssssesssss the greatesssst sssskilllsss.” Southar scouts out ahead of the group with his lantern in one hand and shield in the other. His long sword ‘Bloodletter’ sits loose in his scabbard.
Bofor steps in line behind Breymeer.
The elves take up the center, Tathar, Cirdan, Aravae and Peylae.
The next rank is covered by Kuba and Speck.
Grimlock, as stated, takes up rear guard.
Marching Order:
Southar
Breymeer Dalic
Bofor Bhut
Tathar Cirdan
Aravae Peylae
Kuba Speck
Grimlock
Southar steps into the passageway. His forked tongue licks the air in quick repetitions. He moves ahead of the group by about 25 feet. He carefully checks the floor, walls as ceiling. He moves slow enough to allow Speck to keep pace.
The party files in behind Southar and follow him down the passageway.
The passageway drops sharply. The seamless walls only broken up by unlit torches in sconces every 60 or 70 feet. Very occasionally the stone walls have cracks or chipped stone. They in no way effect the structural integrity of the mine shaft.
The rails continue on ahead of the party.
After nearly 300 feet, the party approaches a chamber. The entrance to the chamber remains about 50 feet ahead of Southar and therefore 75 feet ahead of Breymeer and Dalic.
The size of the chamber is hard to estimate but the glint of some type of metal objects reflects in Southar’s lantern light. The metal objects appear to be at floor level or within a few feet of the floor.
Southar and the front ranks move closer to the room. Dalic continues to check for traps and anomalous formations. Dalic, never one to show fear, moves up slowly behind Southar; keeping a reactionary space between them.
Breymeer hands his magical torch back to Bofor, “Hold this a moment.” Breymeer then switches to his bow and calls forward to Southar, “If anything attacks you Southar, arrows will find their mark.”
Bofor takes the torch and advances up with Dalic, staying about 20 feet behind Southar. With his free hand he palms a throwing hammer.
Bhut, having Breymeer halt with his bow in front of him, takes a step to Breymeer’s left in case a charge is in order. He slowly drifts forward in anticipation.
The elves hold back for now as Tathar holds out his hand to pause them. Tathar whispers to the elves, “The last time I entered a cavern not knowing what was there, I got hit in the gut by an invisible ogre. The time before that was a fireball. Let’s wait.” They wait for what Southar uncovers.
The elves holding up prevents forward movement from those in the rear. Speck readies his bow and Kuba watches with his shield and bastard sword in hand. Somewhere behind them, Grimlock is presumed to be. If necessary, those behind the elves can move through their ranks as needed.
Southar fearlessly moves up to the edge of the room and illuminates it with his lantern. He calls back over his shoulder a description of the room and its contents.
The 90 ft diameter room is circular with a 30 ft high domed ceiling. Strewn about the room are picks, shovels, and other digging equipment; none of which is salvageable. In the center of the room is an ore car mounted on the rusty rails. Along the walls are ten wooden beds upon which lie ten stout skeletons.
From the eastern entrance Southar stands near, he can see a north-northwesterly passage leading out of the chamber.
Southar sets down the lantern and pulls out Bloodletter. Shield and sword in hand, Southar glides into the room. The chamber’s far walls are too distant to be defined by the lantern light. Southar can make out about half of the room with detail.
Dalic watches Southar’s movements, prepared to aid him if necessary.
Behind them, Breymeer stows his bow and takes out both of his dwarven hand axes. Breymeer eyes the room suspiciously.
Bofor asks quietly, “Does it look to be more of my kinfolk?”
Bhut remains alert, muscles tense.
The elves begin to creep forward.
Southar moves into the room towards the nearest skeleton. His sword is out before him as he approaches to molest the skeleton to test if it will animate. Southar walks to the north as it is the closest arc to the exit on the NNW portion of the chamber.
As soon as Southar enters the room, in perfect unison, ten dwarven skeletons sit up on their beds. The skulls upon their boney shoulders each turn to glare at Southar. Each wields a hand axe with a bony hand.
Southar backs up to the entrance of the room in attempt to funnel the skeletons. Hearing Dalic charging up behind him, Southar leaves him room to join the fray.
Dalic indeed joins Southar at the entrance to the room, “Stick ta-gethah, don’t split off!”
Bhut calls forward, “I have never encountered such things, what is the best way to destroy these skeletons?”
Bofor calls back to him, “Bludgeon them if you can. Just don’t try to stab them. Won’t do you much good.”
Bhut looks at his axes, “I like to slice and dice!” He grins as he moves forward to battle.
Both Bofor and Bhut move forward. Bofor places his throwing hammer back on his belt. He tucks the magical torch into his belt as well and then arms himself with his mace and readies his shield. The light of the magical torch, though somewhat blocked to the rear, continues to shine forward illuminating the darker parts of the room to some degree.
Hearing the enemy is skeletons, Kuba arms himself with his war harmmer while Speck, and presumably Grimlock, remain at the rear. Kuba does not yet try and move up past the elves; keeping rear guard instead.
Tathar moves up quickly at the first indication of undead. By the sounds of the light elvish footsteps, Cirdan has done the same. They both bypass Breymeer on their move forward. The party starts to bottleneck in the hallway.
Tathar, seeing the undead, stows his bow and draw his staff. Being log jammed in the hallway, he takes a defensive position and awaits the fight.
Aravae and Peylae hold their ground for the time being.
As Southar defensively steps back into the hallway, the skeletons stop their advance. They remain animated but only stand and watch the party. Tension builds as Southar and Dalic find themselves in a standoff with the ten undead dwarves.
Breymeer, convinced the rear is secure, and having his pride hurt the elves moved into battle ahead of him, switches one axe out for a mace and moves up to attack.
Kuba and Speck move past Aravae and Peylae as they fall in behind Breymeer with Speck falling behind a little and hugging the shadows along the wall. Aravae and Paylae do not advance. They monitor the rear.
Bhut, confused, asks, “Why did they stop?” He tries to relax his muscles in preparattion for combat.
Dalic holds his attack. Seeing the skeletons not advancing tests a theory, “Lemme try somethin’,” he tells the party as he walks calmly into the room.
The skeletons do not advance on him even though two are within striking distance.
Bofor steps in next to Dalic, “These are my kin. They do not appear willing to attack their own kind. Even a duergar it appears.”
Dalic motions for Bofor to join him, “We will scout tha room. Iffen there be a way ta pass without a fight, we’ll fine’ it.”
Dalic begins searching the room for some type of barricade or item to form help form a safe path across the room. Bofor joins him.
The skeletons at the eastern passage block the entrance to the rest of the party. The skeletons make no further hostile actions. Their hollow eye sockets stare at the group endlessly.
One item appears to be an obvious solution. Bofor points it out first, “That ore cart. Maybe we can use it to shuttle the others.” It sits upon the rails the group has been following. The rails bend through the room and continue down the NNW passage.
Inspection shows the cart is currently held in place on the rails by a large chunk of stone. The rails have a significant downward slope to them. It appears the cart, if not restrained, would naturally pass through the room under the power of gravity.
Southar comments, “We will want to go across the room. We either have to coordinate killing the skeletons or you dwarves will have to figure out a way to get us across. Some testing may be in order.”
The cart appears to be able to hold up to three man sized persons comfortably.
Dalic suggests another option as well, “We could try’n tie ‘em together wit’ rope.”
As the debate continues at the front ranks, Grimlock’s bodiless voice calls forward, “I vote for just whacking them to release them from their bony prisons.”
Tathar’s voice competes with Grimlock’s, “Bofor, these are no ordinary undead skeletons. If they were, they would attack with mindless abandon. The fact that they won't attack dwarfs suggests that your kin put them here as a protective device, which is highlighted by the fact that there were no tracks in the thin layer of dust. None of the mine's recent inhabitants have been through the secret door we just passed through. Perhaps dispelling magic will do the trick?"
Dalic steps ahead of the cart and pulls the stone from the front of the ore car. Bofor joins him, holding the car in place. The cart groans against its still wheels. Dalic, using his strength, breaks the cart free of its eternal rest. The car moves with annoying metal on metal squeaking that levels off after about ten feet of movement. Dalic moves around to the front and begins to drag the car back to the group, "Anyone spry enough ta try a test run? Hop in. Up ta three."
Bofor pushes and Dalic pulls the car into the corridor out of the apparent reach of the the skeletons.
Bofor palms his holy symbol and prepares for the worse. Bofor answers Tathar, “I know not what keeps my kin from our hero’s halls. If this does not work, do as you see fit.”
Southar removes his great helmet and casts it uncaringly to the side. He wears a grin upon his scaled face, “Letsss give thisss a try. I will be the tesst sssubject." Southar climbs skillfully into the ore cart.
Whether it is a distrust of the ore cart or Southar, no one else jumps into the cart.”
Dalic asks Southar for his rope to secure the ore car just in case. Southar complies.
Dalic suggests to Southar, “Use yer shield ta wall off or cap tha cart fer protection er concealin' an we be off.” Dalic gives the car a running start and launches it toward the other side of the room. The rope trails behind the car. The car moves at a slow but steady pace; about that of a walking man.
The moment the car enters the room, the skeletons focus on it. They move away from the walls towards the car. It rolls too quickly between the two skeletons watching the eastern passage. The two skeletons on the NNW passage step in front of the car’s path.
Bofor boldly holds his holy symbol out before him, “Rest my kin!” The two skeletons at the eastern entrance, the two along the northern wall and one of the skeletons blocking the NNW passage come apart and fall into piles of bones.
The three of the four southern skeleton cannot reach the rails in time to attack. The fourth reaches the car as it approaches the NNE exit. It hammers downward with his hand axe. The axe strikes the golden shield and busts into several pieces.
The echo of a hearty laugh echoes up from the rear as Grimlock laughs at the goofiness of the predicament. Aravae and Peylae each move forward and catch up to the rear of the group. Even though Grimlock appears to be behind the two elf maidens, they remain vigilant to a rear attack.
The ore cart and Southar reach the edge of the room. The ore cart runs over the skeleton guarding the far passage. It blows apart into numerous shards of bone.
A light glows from under the golden shield as Southar had grabbed the lantern moments before jumping into the car. The passage on the far side of the room continues its downward slope. The car lumbers along.
Dalic calls to arms, “They be chasin’ the cart, we be free ta fall in. All ta arms an’lay ‘em to rest. Take advantage ab tha new flank!" Dalic charges the second closest skeleton to him and turns his sword blade sideways using it like a club against the skeleton. The sword bashes the bones apart and it collapses to the floor.
Breymeer follows Dalic’s charge, working his way past Bhut and Bofor. Using an axe and a mace Breymeer knocks away part of the rib cage of the closest skeleton; the one Dalic bypassed. It remains standing (5, 3/8).
Tathar steps into the room and presents his holy symbol to the remaining skeletons, “By Sehanine, let us pass.” The remaining skeletons begin the back away towards the outer walls.
On Tathar’s heels comes the sound of running feet. Cirdan skillfully steps between the other party members as he runs into the room attempting to catch up to the car. He is able to overcome the trailing rope.
Grimlock’s banter continues from within the eastern passageway, “Our mage is chasing down an ore cart with the golden shield in it in an attempt to out muscle the ore cart! A MAGE NO LESS! Sounds like the tall tales we hear at the inn!”
Cirdan’s running into the room caused little dusty explosions every time his foot fell upon the ground. The rope dragging behind the ore car left a line upon the dusty floor. Just before exiting the room, the rope mark disappears and Cirdan’s dusty footfalls turn into two foot drags. The rope becomes taut and level with the ground. It appears Cirdan is skiing behind the ore car.
Grimlock continues to boil with laughter.
The ore cart, lit by the light of the lantern, continues down the passage with Southar, and apparently now Cirdan, along for the ride.
Tathar begins to look about the room, examining it with his elf eyes for anything that may have been overlooked with a cursory glance.
Dalic moves about the room bashing the skeletons to bits with the ‘Delven Bastard’. Dalic has moved straight south and destroyed the bony animation as it back steps. Dalic turns his attention to the western remaining two.
Breymeer begins to run after the ore car with Bhut entering the room and running with similar intent some 30 feet behind Breymeer. Both head for the far passage.
Kuba and Speck enter the room carefully. Speck has his short sword out and stays close to Kuba.
Peylae and Aravae also move up but hold in the passage just shy of entering the room.
Grimlock, as given away by his voice, is still roughly 100 feet east of the group in the eastern passageway.
The skeletons do not advance, overpowered by Sehanine.
Peylae and Aravae make notice of Grimlock as he enters the room between them. They continue to hold at the eastern entrance.
Tathar continues to move about the room exploring. All the while, he keeps the two remaining skeletons at bay.
Kuba and Speck are still monitoring for trouble along with Bofor who holds the magical torch.
Meanwhile, down the passageway, Cirdan, still dragging along behind the car, calls ahead to Southar, “Do you really want to risk going off a cliff?” Southar appears to be enjoying himself.
Breymeer overtakes Cirdan and catches up to the car. Bhut is only moments behind Breymeer. They grab onto the rear of the car. The added drag on the car begins to slow its momentum. Dalic, running hard behind them, soon closes to within a few paces of the slowing Cirdan.
The walls of the passageway open into a chamber as the car comes slowly to a creaking halt. Southar, smiling, holds his lantern aloft illuminating most of the chamber. The room is large, appearing to be of similar size as the previous chamber; a round chamber 90 feet in diameter with a domed ceiling 30 feet overhead.
The rails continue through this chamber curving slightly to the right as the pass into the darkness of a northeastern tunnel. The room contains the crumbling remains of wood benches, tables and two large bellows. The bellows, which point down along the track, appear to have been used to circulate air as opposed to fanning flames. They are somewhat tattered and age appears to have rendered them inoperable. The room contains a similar undisturbed layer of dust.
Back in the chamber with the skeletons, the remaining party members hear the cart come to a slow halt. Looking down the passageway, they can see Southar’s lantern illuminating a new chamber. The passageway between the chambers is 150 feet long.
Grimlock’s voices, “Looks like it’s time to fall back into line and catch up.”
Tathar addresses Bofor, “Bofor, I think we need to aid the bones of your kin to their eternal rest. It is right to do that for them and we do not need undead behind us when we know not what is in front.”
Bofor agrees. He presents his holy symbol again and speaks, “My kinsman, you have done your duty with honor. We will route the evil from this mine. Go now and rest with our fathers.”
The remaining skeletons pause for a moment before coming apart and dropping to the floor into piles of loose bones.
Bofor and Kuba lead the halfling and remaining elves deeper into the mine. Moving to the next chamber, they find it secured already.
Dalic questions the disposition of the remaining skeletons. Discovering their fate, he appears content.
Bofor returns the magical torch to Breymeer.
Cirdan chocks the wheels of the ore car to keep it for rolling downward into the dark passage. He uses some of the rotting wood from the tables and benches. Once the weight of the car pins the block of wood to the rail, it appears to hold.
Southar unties his rope and stows it in his pack.
Taking a moment to look around the room, the party finds nothing more of interest. As before, it appears nothing has disturbed this room for hundreds of years.
The party reforms its columns and continues its descent. Bofor comments, “We are already over 300 feet below the main level above. I pray our luck holds out.”
The group moves cautiously down the perfectly cut stone passageway. The rails and floor remain dust covered. Tathar, and others, keep vigilant of the walls and ceilings as well.
After 300 feet, the passage opens into another room. It enters from the southwest. After carefully approaching, Southar exclaims, “I am sssssscertainly glad I didn’t go in there!”
Peering in, the room is revealed to be another large circular room, slightly bigger than the last. The room’s diameter is 120 feet. The magical torch illuminates a large crevice running across the room from southeast to the northwest. The rails are broken and twisted as they end at the crevice. On the far side of the nearly 10 foot wide crevice, the rails begin again. A second ore car sits upon them. It is significantly rustier and does not reflect light as well. The crevice extends beyond the domes ceiling 30 feet overhead and also into the southeastern and northwestern walls. The rails do not extend more than a foot or so from either side of the crevice. What used to span the crevice appears to have fallen long ago. Nothing spans the gap to allow travel across.
Behind the second ore car, at floor level, is a small glowing ball of light. It is initially very faint but appears to be growing in size and intensity.
In the very shadowy eastern wall, the group can barely make out what appears to be another passageway exiting the room. Only the large dark spot on the wall hints at its location.
Grimlock pauses in the passageway, turns, and begins watching the rear.
Breymeer boldly walks into the room towards the eastern exit. He pauses at the edge of the chasm and looks towards the other passageway. His torch illuminates the room fully in its bright white light. The tunnel is only partially lit; enough to discover it appears to be similarly constructed as the other tunnels within the hill. The rails continue downward into the eastern tunnel.
Dalic pouts a bit as he laments the loss of his rope to the fireball. He awaits further ideas.
The rest of the group remains in column formation waiting for a plan.
Meanwhile the light behind the rusty ore car appears to have gone out or been overpowered by the pure white light of the magical torch.
Speck, trying to peek around others and standing on his tippy toes, pipes up from the rear of the group, “Shouldn’t we go in and face whatever is in the room together rather than crowding this cramped corridor?” He starts to walk forward among the others.
Kuba adds on Speck’s behalf, “The halfling is right. Let’s get moving.”
Cirdan and Tathar move up next to Breymeer at the end of the trench. Cirdan lights a torch and drops it into the trench. The torch falls for a couple seconds revealing the depth to be over 50 feet. The torch remains burning at the bottom of the chasm displaying a bottom full of jagged and busted rocks.
Tathar quietly sighs, “Too bad all the wood we have come across is rotted beyond use.”
Tathar hands his backpack to Cirdan and steps back from the ravine. Running forward he leaps across the 10 foot gap in an elongated dive. He immediately tumbles into a roll and comes up behind the ore car prepared for trouble. The glow appears to have vanished from behind the car.
Cirdan throws Tathar’s pack across to him.
Cirdan suggests to Breymeer, “Cover that torch a moment to see if the glow is still there.” Breymeer complies and covers the bright white light of the torch. The glow of the burning torch in the chasm only dimly lights the room above and there is no glow behind the rusted ore car.
Southar, seeing Breymeer cover the torch, guesses at the intent and shutters his lantern.
It is then the glowing sphere becomes clear. The sphere has somehow shifted in both location and form. What was once a glowing ball behind the ore car has become a translucent image of a dwarf warrior in full battle armor standing directly before Bhut. Helmetless, its hazy visage depicts not fear or hate; but instead an intensity of purpose in its nebulous eyes.
The ghostly apparition has grasp onto Bhuts arms, one in each hand. Bhut remains mute and unmoving. Bhut’s eyes show no thought. He appears to lack the will to react.
Speck has advanced up to directly behind Bhut. He stops his advance at the sudden appearance of trouble.
Bofor exclaims in disbelief, nearly under his breath, “Khorliss Foesmiter, the great dwarf warrior!”
Dalic quickly positions himself behind the figure and places an aimed slash at the base of the figure’s skull. The hazy apparition fades and wisps just below the stroke of the blade. The stroke of the blade passes by the chest of Bhut without hitting him.
Cirdan moves to the north to gain a reactionary gap as he watches the spirit.
Tathar, looking across the ravine, speaks, “We should retrieve the other mine cart so we can anchor a rope to each side and have a way back.”
Breymeer lays his torch down and takes a hand axe in each hand. He moves up on the battle with the spectre. He keeps an eye out for other danger.
Bofor takes his holy symbol in hand. The symbol is a silver hammer with a golden head; the symbol of Fortubo. “Klorliss Foesmiter, step back. We continue your mission. Do not harm us.”
The spirit lets go of Bhut and begins to float backwards along the southwest wall.
Bhut drops to one knee and inhales a gasp of air. He appears slightly pale and weak of will but otherwise unharmed.
A low voice calls out from the spirit, speaking in the dwarven language. Bofor quickly translates as it speaks, “He says, ‘I know you not’”. Bofor continues to summarize Klorliss: He is very angry it took us so long to return. He wishes not to harm us but he has a great desire to slay Frelpic, the twisted dwarven priest who slay Klorliss. He will not rest until Frelpic is slain.
Grimlock says nothing and continues to watch the rear.
Breymeer stands ready. He watches as the encounter with the spirit plays out and gazes about for other possible threats.
Cirdan suggests, “Maybe he will accompany us and give guidance or help.” He addresses Dalic, “Can you get more information out of him?”
Dalic is bemused at the idea of having a spirited comrade. “Fight wit us not against, great warrior. Let us finish this fight tagether!” He stands down his attack on the spirit.
Bofor interjects, “I fear if I release this spirit, it may again prey upon us.” Bofor continues to hold it back with the bold display of his holy hammer symbol.
Bhut, meanwhile, regains his composure and continues with the group, unsure of what just happened to him. He looks about, “Anyone have some ale to drink to aid in my recovery.”
Klorliss Foesmiter, continuing to slowly float in retreat from Bofor, switches to the common language, “I am bound here by death unless you give me the aid of one of your bodies. The man warrior is my choice. I will relinquish the body when the swine Frelpic joins the dead he commands.”
“Warrior man,” Klorliss looks directly at Bhut, “shall I have the aid of your body?”
Speck takes a very large halfling step away from Bhut.
Bhut appears shocked at the request as all eyes fall upon him. “I am afraid of this spirit not releasing my body after the quest is complete. I am compelled to refuse. How do the rest of you feel?”
Dalic gives and immediate answer by stepping in front of Bhut. Dalic points his sword brazenly at the spirit. "This 'ere be a good man. I will nae let ye take inta 'im. I shall put ye ta rest wit this blade should ye try it! Rather, I challenge ye. Fight me. If ye shall win ye can take this fine dwarven body till the foe be slain. I hab more'n 'nuf evil days behind me ta be deservin' such a fate; after ye be bound ta release me or face the wrath ab tha priests. Iffen ye lose, me blade shall gib ye rest. These are tha terms iffen ye will not or cannot help us otherwise."
Dalic glances harshly to the others indicating not to interfere yet.
Bofor continues to hold the spirit at bay as the situation plays out.
Klorliss hisses in what appears to be a laugh, “It appears I chose a warrior that is close of heart to this deep dwarf. I am known for slaying the dark elves,” he glances the way of the Tathar and Cirdan as the other elves have not yet revealed themselves, “but I have laid low many a duergar as well.”
Klorliss continues to slowly float away from the dwarven holy symbol. “Put away your hammer, Priest of Fortubo, and this duergar shall be your guide.”
Curiosity gets the better of Grimlock. Unseen he moves forward to witness the battle to come.
Breymeer pipes in, “Spirit, you say you want Frelpic and his evil gone so help bring us to them or get out of the way.”
Cirdan’s bodiless voice adds, “Dalic, we need information. If you defeat this spirit, we lose possible vital information.” From the sound of his voice, Cirdan has moved north of the group yet still on the west side of the crevice.
Bhut takes a step back and gives a nod to Dalic as a thank you.
Dalic nods to Bofor indicating his wish to have the spirit released.
Bofor pauses, considering the wisdom of the party. “Dalic, I do not doubt your heroism but Cirdan is correct. Master Foesmiter may have more to share. I only fear what death may have done to his soul.” Bofor continues to hold the spirit at bay.
“Priest of Fortubo, this I know. Frelpic smote me here with a magical hammer and I am forever bound to this chamber. I singularly desire Frelpic’s demise. You are no more a tool to this end than my great sword. I know not what political reason humans and elves have been allowed into our clan’s mine, nor do I care anymore.”
The shimmering image of the dwarf morphs back to a ball of light as the spirit continues, “If you are so great priest, release me from my hell. If unable or unwilling, stow your symbol and allow me to humble this too proud duergar. If you fear for his heartless soul, then continue on.”
The light floats over the ravine alone the southern wall, now more difficult to see in its ball form among the bright light of Breymeer’s torch which lies upon the chamber floor. “Be warned, I carried a sword of great power. It is nothing to trifle with. Without me, should you find it, may Fortubo and the great dwarven deities have mercy on your soul.”
As the parlay continues, Tathar walks off to the eastern tunnel while being observant of the contents of the room on the eastern side of the ravine. Finding nothing of interest other than the rails and the ore car, he peers into the tunnel. It continues easterly without interruption past the edge of his vision. As the spirit gets towards his side of the ravine, Tathar prepares again for trouble.
Bofor tells the group, “Master Foesmiter indeed carried a great weapon of power. If the enemy now has it, we may very well be in dire danger. Either way, legends record how Master Foesmiter and his band of followers independently ravaged drow enclaves without the support and often guidance of the clan. He forsake the can’s council and would answer to none. Whether it was the sword’s will or Master Foesmiter’s, none now know; except him.” Bofor Barrelmace points to the glowing ball hovering above the chasm.
Breymeer returns to his torch and picks it up. He begins to examine the chasm for a way across.
Dalic relaxes his stance. “We have found swords, yes?” He holds out the Delven Bastard. “We must check all weapons for magic.” He continues to present his sword for inspection.
Grimlock blurts out, “Why not let Dalic have a go at the spirit? It seems like a fitting tale to tell and a benefit to us all when he wins. I say let him have a go if he desires it.”
Bofor thinks for just a moment, “I believe I can drive him back should things turn sour. Ready yourself Dalic! You’re free to give it a go.”
“Offer accepted!” exclaims the spirit.
A grin of pleasure crosses Dalic’s face. He drops a foot back from his inspection stance and readies his blade for combat.
Bofor releases the spirit as he lowers his symbol. The spirit ball moves quickly towards Dalic and settles upon the floor half way between Dalic and the ravine. The ball changes back to the image of the great Klorliss Foesmiter. With a similar grin on its face, Klorliss raises his arm and beckons Dalic’s assault with the waving of his hand, “Come duergar. Make your move. We will finish this adventure together. Literally.”
“May Fortubo guide your blade,” encourages Bofor as moves farther into the room towards Breymeer.
Dalic charges the spirit as Grimlock advises Bofor, “You must not intervene if Dalic falters. He accepted the terms of their duel and it would leave him honorless if you stepped in. The ghost never said he would harm Dalic but only to use him as a vassal. Unless the ghost intentionally puts Dalic in a suicidal situation, we must not intervene.”
Dalic cries out a dwarven battle cry as he rushes into battle. At the last second he side steps the spirit. The spirit lurches forward, grasping at the air from which Dalic just vacated. Dalic slashes through the spirit’s torso with the Delven Bastard (2, 19/21). The illumination of the spirit shimmers where the blade cuts through. The visage of the ghost shows a flash of anger.
Dalic moves in a circular pattern around the spirit. He continually works his feet to gain a flanking attack. Dalic pounces in and out, strafing at the spirit with his sword. The ghostly apparition deftly avoids Dalic’s blade.
The spirit anticipates one of Dalic’s strikes and grabs the duergar around his neck with both hands (-6 wisdom, 7/13). For a moment Dalic’s eyes flash concern until he realizes he can breath fully. Dalic chops through both arms of the ghost causing a disruption in the translucent haze (2, 17/21). Dalic recovers but appears slightly slouched in his posture. He shows no sign of physical injury but lacks the fearless confidence he possessed just moments ago.
Having stepped back from the spirit, Dalic straightens himself while twirling his blade menacingly.
The spirit makes a bold rush at Dalic who side steps. Dalic brings his blade across the spirit’s shoulders in a level arc. The blade passes between the shoulders and the head. Its neck shimmers in a visual disruption (2, 15/21). The results are not as Dalic had envisioned.
The spirit pounces, grabbing Dalic’s primary sword arm momentarily before Dalic tactically breaks free (-4 wisdom, 3/13). Dalic rolls to the side but remains on one knee. Again, he appears uninjured but lacks the will to stand.
“You’re foolish arrogance is costing you dearly, duergar.” The spirit sneers as it mocks Dalic.
Dalic, grunting as if under a heavy burden, stands. Determination fills his eyes and no fear is seen within the deep dwarf. Dalic grips the leather wrapped hilt of his sword and charges forward. He raises he blade level with the spirit’s heart and prepares to stab it through as if with a spear. At the last moment, the spirit dodges the piercing blow so Dalic steps to the side and brings the sword through the spirit from the rear in a slash that would have removed an ogre’s head (2, 13/21).
The ghost does not turn, its hazy image simply reforms facing Dalic.
Dalic looks dejected as the spirit pounces. It wraps its hands around Dalic’s neck again. This time Dalic’s will can hold out no longer. Dalic falls backwards upon the cold stone floor and the image of Foesmiter turns to translucent mist and floats into Dalic’s nose and open mouth.
Dalic gasps as a seizure takes hold. It lasts but a moment and a stillness falls across the room. The other party members realize they are now holding their own breath in anticipation.
Slowly the body of Dalic begins to move. He rolls onto his side and pushes himself up into a seated position, “Well, that was certainly fun. Now then, let us find this Frelpic shall we?”
The dwarf stands and picks up his sword. He takes several practice strokes with it. Seemingly finding it acceptable, he returns the blade to its sheath.
The voice and the body appear to be Dalic but the speech pattern and accent is no longer the duergar’s. It appears the spirit has taken over.
Kuba, with caution in his voice, voices a general statement to anyone listening, “The help of a spirit guided dwarf will help our situation.” Speck, looking up at his friend, nods in agreement.
Cirdan is the first to address Foesmiter, "Master Foesmiter, my name is Cirdan Saralonde, a High Elf from the land of Celene. You cannot see me because of the spell of invisibility that shrouds me, but I want you to know I am here. I and my companions have been hired by your clan, under the guidance of Bofor, to rid the delve of the evil that slew you and your warriors. Please do not be angered at our presence here, it is an honor for us to see such craftmanship with stone. What can you tell us of the evil we face?"
“I can tell you it shall suffer me before the life is drained from this body,” replies the spirit as it checks its new body over. It feels for weapon locations and checks Dalic’s packs and pouches for items.
Breymeer throws several of his items across in order to lighten his load. With a running start, he leaps the chasm. His foot reaches the very edge and slips downward. The momentum of the jump takes his body forward but he drives his knee into the ground hard as he crashes to the ground (2, 45/47). He stands, testing his leg as he winces in pain. He finds himself still stable and the initial pain soon ebbs.
Southar shakes his head at Breymeer’s haste. Southar removes his rope from his pouch, walks to the edge of the chasm and points to the rusty ore car on the eastern side of the void, “Wrap around the axle and return to me.” The rope does as commanded. It snakes out across the void staying taut above the open space below it by using is leverage off the western floor. The rope wraps around the closest axle of the ore car and returns to Southar. “Get the other ore car.”
Breymeer throws an additional length of rope across that is secured across the top of the ore cars giving a bit more stability to those crossing the lower lengths of rope.
Breymeer and Tathar then covered the eastern exit. They walk partially down the tunnel and set up a forward observation post.
The initial ore car is gathered by the strong men and brought to the room where the wheels are re-chocked to stop its movement. Southar orders his rope to secure itself and before a half hour has passed, there are three rope lengths spanning the void.
Another 15 minutes pass as the remaining party members take their turn at crossing the makeshift bridge. Many do it on their hands and knees. The more dexterous walk across. The slender rope proves to be incredibly strong and reliable.
With the crossing completed, Grimlock warns Dalic, “Lead on spirit as we wish to aid you as we has conjoining goals, BUT, be it known to you, we will not stand by and allow you to recklessly jeopardize the vassal you possess. We will allow you to be as reckless as you have already witnessed of OUR duergar but no more. Do we understand each other?”
“Do not threaten me elf-man. It is the dwarves that battle under earth and stone. You may sing and dance a merry song glorifying my victory once complete. I have a great respect for your dark cousins that dwell below the earth, for they are truly a challenging foe. The rest of your lot, tip-toeing through the treetops, are not so well suited for delves such as this.” It appears Klorliss Foesmiter is no more friendly than the duergar whose body he possessed.
The party enters the eastern tunnel and joins Breymeer and Tathar who have nothing to report other than the temperature seems to be decreasing slightly as the depth increases.
Bofor estimates the party is now nearly 400 feet below the floor of the main orc chambers above.
Once reunited, Breymeer asks the spirit "Which way to rid this place of evil? Lead the way.”
Dalic steps to the front of the group and takes point, removing the Delven Bastard from its sheath. A grin crosses the duergar’s face in such a way that causes his companions to reflect upon the possessed dwarf plunging through Bone Keep with his ‘fear lantern’.
Peylae questions, “I can’t help but ponder what ill lay ahead that is more concerning than that which now leads us?”
Aravae finds herself comforted by those around her as she steps into her place in the column.
Bofor, keeping his holy symbol very accessible, keeps an unblinking eye upon Dalic.
Dalic’s mind drifts off as the spirit overwhelms him. His body goes numb as his mind fades. Voices and sounds around him are muffled as if through a curtain or hearing it from another chamber. Dalic’s vision goes dark. In Dalic’s mind, now completely disconnected from his body, he ponders, “W’at er da true intentions once ta final foe is smitt’n herein?”
“Do not interfere!” Dalic’s mind cowers at the strength of will Foesmiter presents. His voice overwhelming Dalic’s mind.
“Tell da others I am intact and at peace.” Dalic wishes. The voice of Foesmiter does not respond. Dalic feels a great sadness as loneliness envelopes him. He realizes his fondness for his traveling companions. He also becomes very aware of how much despair this new loneliness brings him.
Breymeer, Southar, Kuba, Dalic and Bhut approach the chamber finding it another circular room with a 90 foot diameter. The domed ceiling rises to a height of 30 feet overhead. The party approaches the room from the east/northeast. There is one exit to the west/southwest.
The ore car rails continue into the center of the room where they terminate at an iron stop raised from the floor and spiked into place.
The floor is covered with an unbroken layer of dust.
The sound of water dripping echoes from the west/southwest passageway.
Grimlock holds a small conference with Bofor, Cirdan, Tathar and Peylae as the lead element approaches the next chamber.
Aravae and Speck stand between the two groups watching for danger while the others hold their conference.
Grimlock questions how to deal with the spirit if and when the group wants it out of Dalic. “We can’t assume turning it will work,” Grimlock warns Bofor. “Is there any way to hold Dalic by spell or otherwise? If we are able to hold Dalic, will the spirit leave him? When the spirit leaves him can we kill it if we are presented with no other options? What does it take to kill it? Did Dalic even injure it during their duel?”
Bofor responds, “I believe the spirit can be kept at bay by the power of Fortubo’s symbol. As for holding Dalic, Fortubo willing, I should be able to hold him as well. The result on the spirit is uncertain.”
Peylae adds, “As far as killing it, I believe the spirit was affected by Dalic’s Delven Bastard. As for other weapons, I dare not guess. If it comes to it, I plan to use magic over steel.”
Grimlock nods, “I would rely on magic prior to steel as well. A barrage of magical missiles from Peylae, Cirdan and myself should make decent work on it.”
“That being said,” Grimlock continues, “if things go bad and we need to act against the spirit, what should the plan be?” Grimlock answers his own question, “Bofor should attempt to turn the spirit out of Dalic. If he is unsuccessful, Bofor should try and hold him by spell. He should make repeated attempts if need be. That should not hurt Dalic. When the spirit leaves him, we will hold attack to see what it does.”
Bofor agrees, “I will do as advised. It sounds like sound counsel to me.”
Grimlock finishes with, “If anyone fires upon the spirit, I say we all let loose immediately. We can figure out if we are wrong later but I won’t be too upset if we just send another undead back to the dead.”
Cirdan adds, "Right now we have little choice. I think we must see this through to its end. If it does not release Dalic when it has finished its task, I think we need to destroy it, even if it means destroying Dalic. He would not want to live like that."
Tathar nods in agreement to Cirdan.
Peylae gives her consent to the plan as well. She cautions, “Let us be prudent in our attempts to save Dalic.” He voice lowers and she looks over her shoulder before completing her thought, “But if Dalic must be sacrificed to save others, so be it. His recklessness is hardly outdone by his courage.”
The council is ended. Speck and Aravae join the foursome in entering the room with the warriors.
As the elves, Bofor and Speck enter the room, Breymeer addresses them, "Anything we should be aware of before we proceed?" Breymeer appears a little annoyed with the lack of group brotherhood and separation.
Bofor quickly interjects while letting Breymeer see him give a very slight nod towards Dalic, “We were formulating our attack strategies as we continue forward should any unforeseen danger arise.”
Bhut, unconcerned about the council, curses under his breath at another domed room. He looks around the room for any signs of danger as Dalic Foesmiter saunters over to the exiting passage and carefully peers around the corner to make out what he can see with his dark vision; Delven Bastard in hand.
The shaft before Dalic continues straight beyond the limits of Dalic’s eyes.
Bofor, seeing the end of the rail line, exclaims, “Search the southern walls! I was told our clan secreted a passageway at the end of the rail line.” He walks purposefully across the chamber and begins to inspect the southern wall.
Dalic tries to call out to his friends but the inky darkness absorbs the sounds before they leave him. Nearly crippled with depression, Dalic searches his mind. Lost in a black void, his internal voice is all that tells Dalic he yet lives. At least Dalic hopes he yet lives. Dalic concentrates, making an attempt to read Foesmiter's thoughts. Only deafening silence can be found. Dalic calms himself. This is a fight he has never prepared for. He longs for some recess in which he can find comfort, shelter or knowledge. There is only quiet blackness to be found; broken only by his own thoughts.
Dalic Foesmiter perks at the direction from Bofor and eagerly strafes along the southern wall feeling for abnormalities in the rock, grasping at any protrusions. He says nothing. His sneer is constant and somehow deeply troublesome even more so than the grimaces Dalic was known for.
Speck and Grimlock join Dalic in his search, each taking their own section of wall.
Breymeer and Kuba stand guard, watching both passages for trouble.
Bhut also walks over to the southern wall and begins his search
Bhut asks Tathar, “Does pressing on the wall open it or is there another method?” Bhut puts up his arm and rests his weight upon the torch sconce mounted near him on the wall. It pushes into the wall away from him. A distinct ‘click’ is heard and a previously concealed portal pushes slightly into the southern wall just west of center.
During the time in the chamber, word is passed among the party members.
Cirdan walks by Breymeer and whispers to him as he passes, “We have a plan to defeat the spirit should the need arise.”
Peylae passes the information onto Aravae and Speck, who appears to have ease dropped, gives the update to Kuba.
Tathar moves next to Bhut to search the southern wall. While doing so, he gives a similar update to the warrior, “If the spirit turns on us, we will do all we can to save Dalic.”
The information is not yet passed onto Southar.
Dalic Steelcoat, with the only tool at his disposal apparently being his thoughts, tries to visualize the structure of his mind taking painful measure to account for the separate categories he holds dear. He visualizes these manifesting through the void in hopes to create for himself a more comforting environment if only imagined. He thinks of his training and what he would imagine the library of these thoughts to look like. He pictures the pathways of thought as hallways that lead to other knowledge bases such as dwarven history, engineering, tactics and intimidation. He falters at the realization that the majority of his mental faculties have been dedicated to strife and destruction. A natural side effect of his time in the pits and his slavery, true: but somehow hauntingly lonely.
He grasps now for memories in hope that they might somehow adorn this imaginary fortress of bloodshed and battle that structures his mind. He thinks of Grimlock and the pain he felt each time he looked on Dalic with suspicion. He thinks of Cirdan and his willingness to pass over doubt in Dalics motives. He thinks of Southar rescuing him at bone keep. He thinks of the silent kinship he has found in his fellow warrior Bhut. He mourns the loss of Ide, Tarstar and all the others that have passed. He opens his mind to evaluate the darkness again. Would his thoughts whether through the structure of his mind or the emotion of his memories change his surrounding or impact them at all?
He finds it impossible to located any connection with his body.
He bellows out without direction to see if one mournful cry, with all the emotion he could muster, might pierce his inky prison. He calls out vainly as if lost in a great valley between snowcapped mountaintops. For some reason, he calls a name, “Bofor.”
Tathar, in an uncharacteristically humorous tone, replies to Bhut, “Normally, you say ‘speak friend and enter’ but your way works as well.”
Dalic Foesmiter simply states, “Onward and downward.” He wears a nasty grin upon his face, clearly eager to doll out his vengeance. He enters the secret passage cautiously.
Bhut walks over and enters next.
Grimlock falls back to his rear guard position as the remaining party members begin to fall into place and enter the secret passageway.
The passageway appears to be made by the dwarves as it is nearly identical to the previous passages. It is carved from the surrounding stone. Old tarnished torch sconces continue to line the left side wall at roughly every 60 to 70 feet. Most no longer hold torches. Those that do are badly rotted. It is very straight in construction and travels just west of directly south. As with the other passages, this one angles downward.
“We are roughly 500 feet down now,” notes Bofor, “From here the mine tunnel should continue to spiral downward. Be on guard, I know not what the dwarves uncovered in the depths.”
The passageway is nearly 250 feet long. The party moves carefully down its length and examines the room at its end. The room is circular with a domed ceiling. The diameter is 60 feet with a ceiling height of 25 feet. There are tools and digging equipment heaped upon the floor. The items appear rusty and useless.
The room itself appears to have a general glow to it; much less intensity than Breymeer’s torch but present none the less. The light intensity is similar to that of a quarter moon. A passageway leads west northwest from the chamber. The chamber travels straight, albeit sloping downward, past the limits of the torch illumination.
Dalic begins a drudging campaign through his mind, shuffling through the darkness in hopes he might find something. He notes that this kind of darkness is unlike any he has ever encountered. As a duergar, even in the darkest tunnels, he was always able to make some sort of visual sense of his surroundings. He grasps for any details of his surroundings inside his mind that he might use as aid in his fight to regain control of his body or at least the ability to see through his physical eyes again.
Finding neither his body nor his vision, Dalic takes the smallest amount of solace from the fact he has himself. Dalic thinks of his blind fighting skills. Sadly, without his hearing or awareness of his body, the skill fails to aid him.
Dalic Foesmiter strides across the chamber towards the next tunnel. He is indifferent to the tools and other debris in the room.
The party follows Dalic. While doing so, Kuba inspects the floor and finds only the party has disturbed the layer of dust. Also, Breymeer falls to the rear of the party, “The dwarves are better suited to lead this expedition. My talents lay in the wilderness.” Breymeer takes up rear guard behind the elves along with Kuba, Speck and the invisible Grimlock.
As Dalic moves westerly along the passage, he suddenly holds up a hand indicating the others to stop. Obediently, the group halts and becomes quiet and attentive.
Dalic probes the ground ahead of him with the blade of Dalgur finding a very thin crack running perpendicular across the entire length of the hallway. The crack also runs up either side of the hallway. For whatever reason, a large section of the stone floor has been separated from the otherwise solid rock.
Bofor comments, “Good eye there dwarf.” The comment appears to have been made showing honest respect. “The elder clansmen told me of this pit although I did not know its exact whereabouts. A dwarf’s eyes ought not to miss it I reckon. Anyway, there should be some type of locking mechanism beyond if we can get to it. No one knew what condition it was left in. I will follow Dalic ahead and signal back should we find it safe to continue.”
Bofor looks at Dalic Foesmiter with a grin, “You first.”
Dalic Steelcoat, if only for the briefest moment, catches a glimpse of Foesmiter’s thoughts. Dalic can only ascertain a few details and even at that he can only believe them to be true. First, his body is well. He continues to be with his friends. They are still deep underground. They are continuing to travel deeper into the mine shafts. And finally, Foesmiter still seeks his nemesis.
Dalic Steelcoat tries to latch onto the senses in order to learn how to reconnect to them at will. He does so quietly, hoping to avoid the wrathful bellows of the symbiotic spirit. Only darkness is to be found but Dalic is somewhat comforted that Foesmiter did not detect his attempt.
Dalic Steelcoat tries to latch onto the senses in order to learn how to reconnect to them at will. He does so quietly, hoping to avoid the wrathful bellows of the symbiotic spirit. Only darkness is to be found but Dalic is somewhat comforted that Foesmiter did not detect his attempt.
Dalic Foesmiter proceeds cautiously across the cut stone. He looks on Bofor with suspicion. Bofor walks just behind Dalic. Both appear ready to react should the floor shift. The dwarves certainly do not have the reflexes bestowed upon the elves, or even Southar for that matter. Dalic’s plate armor gives him no further advantage.
The duo makes it to the far side of the cut stone without it making so much as the slightest movement. Dalic runs his blade along the fine crack marking the far side of the cut stone. It measures roughly 20 feet. No change to the sound of their footsteps can be heard. The party is unable to determine if the cut stone spans any openings below.
Odd as it is. No dangers can be determined. “Bofor warns, be careful crossing. I am not certain how this stone may move should it do so.”
Dalic smugly smirks to himself and begins searching around the floor and walls on the far side of the cut stone. Bofor joins him.
Speck pipes in, “It may be sensitive to anything different from the average dwarven weight.”
Bhut suggests, “Only one crossing at a time.” He steps to the side hinting at the fact he does not want to be the next to cross.
Speck sheepishly volunteers to go next, “I am very light footed. Maybe someone can tie a rope around my waist just in case something goes bad.”
Southar does just so using his magic rope.
While Southar is retrieving his rope, Kuba, with concern in his voice, tells Speck, “Maybe I should go first with the rope tied to me.”
Speck insists he go first. Kuba, without walking onto the cut stone, looks at the side walls and ceiling near the cut stone, “This may be a trigger stone that will drop something from above or collapse from the side.”
Speck nimbly crosses the cut stone without incident.
His success is repeated by the elves, Peylae, Aravae.
Cirdan, Grimlock, Tathar, Breymeer, Kuba, Southar and Bhut remain. They looks at each other to see who will be the next to test fate against the cut stone.
Cirdan and Tathar each take their turn crossing the cut stone without incident.
Grimlock, the half elven, holds from crossing. Breymeer and Bhut also wait as Kuba moves forward to Southar.
Southar ties the rope to Kuba and he begins carefully crossing the cut stone.
Kuba move very cautiously knowing full well he weighs more than any of the previous stone crossers.
He reaches the half way point and takes a deep breath. He takes several more steps when the cut stone moves.
The dwarven engineering operates smoothly. The cut stone rotates around a central axis point. The western half that contains Kuba begins to drop quickly as the eastern portion raises.
Below the cut stone is a 20 foot deep pit.
Grimlock leaps partially onto the raising east end of the cut stone, throwing his weight onto it. His attempt is in vain so he quickly drops back onto the solid stone floor. The sound of gears indicates some type of mechanism is tilting the floor.
Southar holds tight onto the rope, keeping his balance as the raising cut stone pulls stiffly on the rope.
Kuba’s feet quickly slip out from beneath him and the rope around his waist goes taut. He is quickly hanging in the air over the open pit as the cut stone drops out from below him. The pulling of the rope leaves Kuba nearly 25 feet above the pit floor. He dangles only 5 feet from the passageway ceiling.
The cut stone continues its quick rotation until reaching the 90 degree point. An audible click is heard as the cut stone stops. It now completely blocks the passageway. The magical rope holding Kuba maintains its integrity as it is pinched by the cut stone.
Grimlock, Southar, Breymeer and Bhut are east of the cut stone. Kuba hangs upon the rope on the western side of the cut stone. The rest of the party is on the ledge on the western side of the cut stone.
The pit is a cut rectangle, 20 feet long, 20 feet deep and 10 feet wide. Fifteen feet above the pit floor are two circular holes in the northern wall. Each hole is 18 inches in diameter. There is one hole on the east side of the now vertical cut stone and the other on the west side. The holes are centered between the ledges and the cut stone. Two holes in the floor, of similar size, are covered by heavy steel grates. Each floor hole is located below the wall hole and centered on each side.
From the large holes in the wall are grating sounds followed by gurgling water. Seconds later, both tubes begin dumping clear water into the pit as a very fast rate. Both tubes are dispensing water full tube with significant pressure. The water shoots nearly across the 10 foot width of the pit.
The holes in the floor echo some type of grating as well. They appear to have been sealed as the water level is quickly raising.
Grimlock grabs onto the rope with Southar and pulls in vain. The rope is pinched too tightly between the cut stone and the ceiling to budge.
Bhut begins to panic slightly, “I cannot swim!”
Grimlock looks around. The east side is the high side. About 40 feet of passageway remain between the last room and the pit. Nothing blocks the retreat.
“You won’t drown.” Southar dryly informs Bhut.
The both look down as see the east side of the pit continues to fill with water; now about 10% full.
Kuba remains hanging from the rope. He appears to be calculating his options. He watches the water and the stone closely.
The water continues to rise. It has filled about 10% of the western side of the pit.
Bofor and Dalic search the nearby walls in vain for some type of level or mechanism. The walls remain unbroken and smooth; carved from the natural rock.
Peylae observes, “I hope this passageway continues for some distance if this water continues to rise. We are on the wrong side of this cut stone should the flood continue.”
Kuba, once the cut stone locks into place, loses all vision as the western passageway goes black. Both the lantern and Breymeer’s torch are on the east side of the cut stone.
The sound of the turbulent water rages below Kuba although he remains dry and safe at the moment.
Dalic’s dark vision adjusts to the lack of light. He laughs, finding humor in the vision of Kuba suspended from the rope. He continues working his way westerly down the passageway while looking for some type of release mechanism.
Speck, Tathar and Cirdan aid in the search.
Peylae and Aravae remain near the edge of the pit and talk to Kuba over the sound of the rushing water. The female voices help reassure Kuba.
The four searchers work their way down the passageway trying any variance in the stone and all torch brackets. The cracks in the smooth wall are few and far between and reveal no secrets. The torch brackets do not aid them either.
After 270 feet, and nearly an hour of searching, the passageway opens into a 90 foot wide circular room. The 30 foot high domed ceiling is illuminated by some type of magical dweomer. The illumination is equivalent to dim moonlight. Set in the northwest and northeast portions of the room are niches. Each is 10 feet wide, 20 feet tall and 10 feet deep. On the back wall of the northwest niche are two iron levers, about four feet above the floor.
The floor is covered with undisturbed dust.
An exit passage leaves the room to the north-northeast.
Grimlock’s bodiless voice is nearly drown out by the sound of the rushing water, “I bet the trap will reset after a set time. Kuba is safe assuming he is just dangling there like a worm on a hook. I question whether the water will stop when it reaches floor level. I will check the rear.”
Grimlock runs off to the rear and sets up guard on the far side of the previous chamber.
Bhut recommends letting go of the rope, “It is stuck against the ceiling. It won’t be going anywhere.”
Southar holds the rope, his forked tongue darting from his mouth as he speaks, “If the ssssstone moves again, Kuba would drop into the water.”
Breymeer waits cautiously.
The water rises higher and higher. It eventually rises to a point about 5 feet below the floor level. A sudden wave, several feet across and nearly 10 feet high, rises from the turbulent water. It resembles some type of pseudopod. It appears to be made of water.
The pseudopod rises and forms rapidly. It lunges out at Southar like a snake. Only Southar’s exceptional dexterity keeps him from being engulfed by the wave.
Breymeer sets his torch on the ground and grabs his mace. With axe and mace in hand, he stands ready. He closes on the creature for an attack being mindful of the edge of the water filled pit.
The wave sloshes across the edge of the corridor floor attempting to pull Breymeer in. Breymeer is able to jump over the wave. Doing so keeps him from making any accurate attack. Both of his blows fail to strike the pseudopod.
During the pseudopod's sweep, Breymeer's torch is knocked into the water and begins bobbing around like a cork.
Southar and Bhut begin to back away from the pit. Southar lets go of his rope and arms himself with his longsword.
Meanwhile, the sound of the shouts and excitement reach Grimlock’s ear. Something is amiss back at the pit.
Dalic moves directly across the room as Cirdan asks Bofor, “Would these be the levers to reset the trap?”
Bofor nods in the affirmative, “I am guessing so.”
Tathar follows Dalic across the room but heads instead for the exterior passage. As the two reach the point where they can see into the northeast niche, they notice the glitter of gold. Reflecting from the rear of the niche, exposed in the back wall, is a thick vein of gold. Eight mining picks stand against the walls. At the base of the wall are various-sized chunks of rock and small nuggets of gold. The picks appear to be rusty but solid. The floor of the niche is covered in a undisturbed layer of dust.
Dalic, mission driven, ignores the gold and marches directly to the left lever and pulls it down with vigor.
The muffled sounds of mechanical gears and grinding stone are heard to the east. Peylae’s voice, though softened by the distance, can be heard shouting, “The wall is lowering!”
As the wall lowers, the rope is freed from its bonds. Now unheld on the eastern end, it quickly begins to slip to the west. Kuba begins an immediate descent towards the water.
Aravae shouts something mystical and Kuba’s descent is immediately slowed buying him considerable time to react before being deposited into the deep water filled pit wearing armor.
Breymeer continues to battle with the wave as Kuba and Southar move in to aid him. Axe, mace and sword cut and smash away at the water. The three warriors appear as three tots at the beach contesting to make the biggest splash.
The wave fails to pull anyone into the water.
Grimlock appears in the passageway standing at the edge of the eastern room. Two missiles appear next to him and streak unerringly into the wave depositing their energy into it.
The wave lowers back into the water.
The water level stops rising near the top of the pit. The warriors back away from the pit although they remain wary of attack.
Ten then twenty minutes pass and the water calms a bit.
Without warning, gears are heard and the wall begins to lower back to the east. The rope that held Kuba whips into motion and Kuba begins to drop to the west. A wave of water sweeps across the edge of the pit but the warriors have backed away. The creature returns below the surface as the cut stone lowers down upon it.
Aravae’s voice is heard as she casts some type of spell.
As the cut stone settles back to level, Kuba is seen being half pulled and washed out of the pit and onto the solid stone floor. The rising cut stone boosting him out of what promised to be a watery grave. The elf maidens, Peylae and Aravae, both aided in Kuba’s rescue. Southar’s magic rope remains tied to Kuba and is safe. Breymeer’s magical torch is lost under the cut stone.
Dalic, Cirdan, Tathar and Speck are not near the western side of the pit. It appears they have gone west along the passageway.
A new set of gears goes in motion and the floor drains become open. Water begins to drain away from under the cut stone.
Finally, a loud click is heard from underneath the cut stone.
Kuba attempts to push off and jump from the cut stone to the solid tunnel floor on the west edge of the pit. He stumbles during the attempt falling forward and looking to be crushed or drown as the cut stone closes level with the floor. Thanks to Aravae’s spell, Kuba’s tumble appears in what looks like slow motion. Peylae is able to reach out her hand and Kuba grabs at it frantically. Clasping palms, Peylae tries to pull Kuba up while Aravae holds her by the shoulders trying to keep her from being dragged downward with the muscled human warrior.
The two elves lack the muscle to yank Kuba to freedom. Just ahead of the closing cut stone, water boils upward from the closing cut stone as it rises from the depths. The upward push of the water raises Kuba up enough to where he is able to scramble to safety.
As the cut stone stops level with the floor, a second series of gears are heard. The floor drains in the put are unstopped and the water begins to drain from the pit.
Breymeer, Southar, Bhut and Grimlock appear on guard. The floor is soaking wet as are the three human (or once human in the case of Southar). It appears they fought with something that rose out of the watery pit. They appear relieved the cut stone has put a lid on the pit.
Dalic, seemingly satisfied with his first attempt, gleefully pulls down on the second lever. A loud click is heard underneath the cut stone. Logic suggests the cut stone has been locked into position. This logic is, however, untested.
Cirdan, Tathar and Speck watch the exit tunnel. Tathar, having abnormally good vision in the dark, even for an elf, reports a long, dull hallway ahead. Speck eyes the gold in the northeast niche while Cirdan remains alert for trouble.
Hearing what appeared to be the floor locking into place, Breymeer orders, “Let’s move on and get the hell out of here.”
Grimlock is already ahead of him. The nimble half-elf runs across the cut stone trying to be light on his feet.
Breymeer is the next across. He reaches the safety of the passage beyond.
Southar and Bhut cross as well without incident.
The group moves forward to the next chamber.
It is a similarly circular chamber with a domed ceiling. There is one passageway leading from the room in a north-northeastern direction. One either side of the exit passage, two niches accent the room, one to the northwest and one to the northeast. Each is 10 feet wide, 20 feet tall and 10 feet deep. Dalic is in the northwest niche where two levers are located on the back wall. Dalic has moved them both to the down position. In the northeast niche is an exposed vein of gold along with chunks of rock and gold scattered upon the floor. Lining the wall are several picks. Speck has moved forward to inspect the gold there.
Bofor cautions, “The gold in that niche belongs to the mine and therefore is the rightful property of the clan.”
The halfling appears to ignore Bofor completely. Strangely, instead of picking up the loose gold nuggets, Speck picks up a pick and begins working at chipping more nuggets of the stone wall as the rear of the niche. The small framed halfling struggles a bit with the pick but works diligently at his task.
Breymeer again relinquishes his front position to the dwarves and takes up rear guard ahead of the invisible Grimlock. Having enough light to see by from Southar’s lantern, Breymeer readies a torch in his pack but takes two weapons to hand, his mace and the hand axe with the dwarven rune. While the party assembles, Breymeer takes a final sweep of the room finding nothing else of interest. He has little interest in treasure and doesn’t dispute Bofor’s claim to the gold.
Dalic sneers at the halfling and confronts him. “Get back to the task at hand you greedy speck of a thing!” Dalic forcefully grabs the pick to halt its motion for emphasis.
Kuba steps forward in defense of his little friend as Dalic pries the pick from the halfling’s hands.
Kuba guides his confused little friend out of the niche, “What happened Kuba? I care not to mine gold!” Speck appears to have been seduced somehow. Kuba continues to drag him along and joins the rear ranks as the party enters the exit passage heading north-northeast.
As the group continues down the sloping passage, the rock strata changes to a lighter shade. “We are nearly 700 feet below the main chambers above,“ advises Bofor. As the depth increases, the temperature slowly decreases. It is now roughly in the low 50 degree range.
The party approaches the next chamber and is surprised to find it cut into a hexagonal shape as opposed to circular. The chamber is a full 100 feet across and boasts a 60 feet above. The chamber appears to have been chipped from the inside of a monstrously huge quartz crystal. The walls are faceted in great reflecting planes. A large 10’ diameter pillar of transparent crystal supports the ceiling above. Embedded in the sides of the pillar are hundreds of fist sized glowing stones that are reflected and seemingly multiplied in the myriad facets of the room. The room has a magical glow to it that seems to emanates from the stones of the central pillar.
Southar’s lantern causes the lighting of the room to intensity to a painful glow. Dalic shields his eyes, wincing painfully. Southar hoods the lantern as the group enters the chamber.
Flanking the southeastern exit are two crystalline niches measuring 8 feet wide, 8 feet deep and 16 feet tall.
Built into the back of the southernmost niche is a shelf, upon which rests seven crystal statuettes depicting dwarves. Each statuette stands 2 feet tall.
The northernmost niche contains a green crystal alter dedicated to dwarven deities.
Neither the statuettes nor the altar appear to have been desecrated. The dust on the floor remains undisturbed prior to the party entering.
Bofor looks over the shrines, “This is a holy room. We should not disturb it.”
Dalic Foesmiter avoids the pillar and moves across the room to the exit passageway. The group falls in behind him.
In what seems to be the rough standard, the passageway continues a little over 300 feet as it descents to nearly 750 feet below the upper chambers. The floor of the passage is covered with an undisturbed layer of dust.
Within the first 100 feet, Bofor and Foesmiter stop the group. A measured, metallic ringing can be heard in the distance echoing up the passageway from the darkness beyond Southar’s lantern. A faint glow can be seen from the distant chamber. Roughly 200 feet separate the dwarves and the distant chamber.
Dalic Foesmiter pushes onward confidently entering the next chamber. The dwarf, even in possessed form, appears to pride himself on his bravery even though the elves perceive it as foolish recklessness.
Bofor Barrelmace keeps step with Dalic and the rest of the group hesitantly follows suit. Breymeer appears more and more uncomfortable in the alien deep dark much preferring the open air of the wooded realms. Southar, the transformed Gnarley Forest Ranger, in contrast, seems to be more at home now in the sloping cool stone chambers.
The elves continue to take up the center of the column as Breymeer, Kuba, Speck and Grimlock remain as rear guard.
The metallic ringing continues and grows louder as the party nears the next chamber. A glow from inside the room shows it is slightly illuminated. The glow is consistent with that of a fire or similar source.
The group reaches the chamber and the dwarves peer in. The room is a very large circular chamber some 120 feet in diameter with a 40 foot high ceiling. The room is lit by the fitful glow of a forge in the center of the room.
A dwaven smith stands over an anvil next to the forge and pounds on an ornate long sword. The hilt of the sword consists of intertwined dragon necks terminating at the pommel where several dragon heads reflects light from there ruby eyes.
The smith holds the sword up and examines it. He mutters over some imperceivable imperfection and thrusts the blade back into the forge. The smith, although facing the party, pays it no attention. He is solely focused on his work.
Looking around the room, an eastern tunnel appears to slope upward while a southwestern tunnel slopes down from the room.
A continuous layer of dust coats the chamber floors and as much of the exit passages as can be seen.
Dalic Foesmiter grins fiendishly. “Mine enemies will find doom at my touch once again! Zalco, old friend, ignore my appearance I beg you; it is I, Klorliss Foesmiter, come to fight along your side once again!” The air has become cool enough to see Dalic’s breath as he speaks.
Bofor becomes very concerned. He raises he shield and tightens his grip on his weapon while taking a step away from Dalic preparing to take action against him or the smith.
Southar steps into the chamber and moves to the west holding the lamp aloft while Bhut moves in to the east while he watches for the next action, eyeing the southwest tunnel.
The column moves closer to the chamber. Cirdan and Tathar hold in the passage entrance not wanting to expose themselves to any more danger than necessary. The elves watch anticipating trouble.
Dalic takes a step forward, reaching out his hand while demanding, “Ghostly smith, relinquish this blade to the only one worthy to wield it! I am The Foesmiter! You will render the sword unto me!”
In a blink of an eye, the smith disappears from view only to reappear in front of Dalic and Bofor. The smith appears to be a non-corporal wearing semi-transparent dwarven mail. Its eyes burn as bright red orbs in the blackness beneath its great helm. A shadowy braided beard hangs from underneath the helm. Its body disappears below the torso into a wispy blackness. It hold Zalco menacingly if front of itself. A deep voice, speaking very articulate common, emanates from where the smith stands, “You keep strange company of late my old friend.”
The undead smith lashes out at Bofor Barrelmace with Zalco. The blow cuts through the chain links of Bofor’s mail cutting across his chest (10, 31/41). Bofor reels a few steps backwards but stays on his feet. The spirit is upon him instantly; its eyes burning brighter with hate. In a shadowy motion, the spirit lays its left hand upon Bofor’s face. He screams out in pain as his face burns at the cold touch from beyond the grave (1, 30/41 touch, 5, 25/36(41) energy drain, -2 Wisdom, No Con loss). Bofor’s life force weakens as he desperately grasps for his holy symbol.
Dalic Foesmiter moves in to support Bofor. Whether he is intent on helping the dwarf or recovering Zalco is unknown. Dalic furiously swings the Delven Bastard; placing a very targeted slice aimed to decapitate the spirit in one fail swoop. The blow cuts just below the darkened helm of the spirit. The Delven Bastard cuts straight through the inky black form spewing forth black vapors (12, 11/23).
Dalic is unable to take his symbol in hand as he begins to call out to the stone hall making deities for aid.
The spirit ignores Dalic and continues it savage attack on the dwaven priest.
As a side note: I use a houserule for energy drain. Each "level" lost is 1d8 permanent hit points and 1d4 ability score points (most often wisdom). Some undead drain more than wisdom. The ability scores come back slowly on their own over time. (1 point a week for full rest).
The hit points take on a new look. (damage taken, hit points left/total hit points(original hit points if restored by magic)). There are some notes I kept as well for the energy drain and saving throws, etc.
Speck and Kuba remain in the rear on guard after allowing Grimlock to pass forward past them. His unseen presence betrayed by a slight rush of wind as he slips past before going completely into stealth mode.
Cirdan passes by Bhut on the eastern side of the passageway; whispering to Bhut as he passes to ensure Bhut does not take him for another spirit.
Tathar steps in to the west, removing his holy symbol and holy water as he side steps past Southar.
Breymeer, axe and mace in hand, begins moving up the column towards the melee.
Peylae holds at her position as Aravae prepares spell components.
Bofor remains on the defensive, using his shield and flail for cover. Using Zalco, the spirit hacks away at the dwarf in vain. It slams the long sword repeatedly into Bofor’s shield sending echoes through the chamber.
Dalic Foesmiter expertly cuts through the air with the Delven Bastard. The blow passes through the spirit’s right arm. Zalco, the ruby eyed dragon sword, tumbles from the undead’s grasp and clatters to the stone floor at Dalic’s feet.
With a follow-up blow, Dalic pulls his arm back and drives his bastard sword into the misty spirit’s neck at the base of the helm. Within the helm, they eyes glow brightest red and then fade to points. The blackness of the body trembles at the edge of cohesiveness, darkness twisting around the offending blade. As the red orbs blink from view, the swirling mass blows apart into wisps of black shadows escaping into the cool chamber air.
The blade of Dalic’s sword is transformed to a non-reflective dead black shade. The sword is all that remains where the wraith once was.
“Well struck warrior! Now, who shall claim me if not one such as you Master Dwarf!” a voice calls out to Dalic.
Bofor drops to his knees on the stone floor in relief. He watches Dalic while grasping his deity’s symbol.
Bhut walks towards the southwest passage and says, “I wish to explore this way.”
Dalic Foesmiter triumphantly inspects the newly blackened Delvin Bastard, quite pleased with himself, before stowing it. He reaches down to grasp ahold of Zalco. While doing so he reads aloud the inscription upon its blade, "Master of order, I beckon you to slay my foes! Let disorder fall in my wake and enemies find doom at my touch!"
Tathar, is a shockingly commanding voice, yells to Dalic, “STOP!” Dalic, either by choice or otherwise, holds perfectly in his position just inches from grasping the sword’s pommel.
“You are not of the living Foesmiter. And the undead have no care of the living. I will not stand by and watch you become even stronger. Kuba, Breymeer, Grimlock or Pinn’r; one of you should claim that sword.”
Bofor takes the opportunity to pray for healing upon himself (+6, 31(36)). The cut on his chest closes and heals considerably.
Dalic Steelcoat feels something similar to the energy of an approaching thunderstorm. The darkness pulls at Dalic harder threatening to pull him into the void.
Tathar approaches Bofor, “I do not like this, my cleric cousin. What are your thoughts? I think we should be rid of this spirit and give Dalic back his body. Do we yet need this spirit or should we find our way on our own?”
Bofor spits, “I think it is all coming to a head as we speak.” He motions to the sword as he prepares his holy symbol.
Bhut stops walking across the chamber turns towards the sword. Breymeer moves forward a step. Kuba tries to move through the crowd but it is obvious Grimlock and Dalic are going to reach the blade first.
Dalic chuckles wryly. "Good luck to you all in that endeavor. I have kept to my word and shown no cause for such hostility. This sword is right for my wielding and mine alone . . .” As Dalic reaches down for the blade a body rushes past him like a breezes. In a tumbling roll, the invisible Grimlock, having snuck upon the group during the melee with the spirit, grabs the blade and rolls away. The sword remains visible. Dalic, with pit fighter skill, grabs quickly for the blade and also gets a hand upon it. As Grimlock completes his roll, the sword rips from Dalic’s hand and Grimlock, judging by the sword’s elevation from the ground, rises triumphantly with the blade.
Dalic Foesmiter immediately draws the dwarven bastard and challenges Grimlock.
“Withdraw Foesmiter! I can sense you have joined yourself with one I would oppose.” The voice comes from where Grimlock stands. “I have now chosen this warrior to be my vassal. With this vassal, my dear Foesmiter, we shall kill the dwarven priests. Starting with that one!”
Zalco, parallel to the ground, turns like a compass needle until it points directly at Bofor Barrelmace.
Bofor, having prepared a defensive plan, quickly prays, “Deities of stone. Hold these two as still as the mountain rock.”
Zalco holds steady in mid-air. It does not move further to strike at Bofor. It shouts out something in elvish.
Dalic stops moving as well as if turned to a statue. The image of Khorliss Foesmiter, transparent and ghostlike, appears and drifts from Dalic Steelcoat’s body. “The blade is as much a spirit as I am and nearly as charismatic. You will not be able to control it. Relinquish Zalco to me so that I might control it.” Khorliss Foesmiter drifts over to where Zalco floats in the air, his hands held out before it as if searching for the one who wields Zalco.
The blade give a dire warning, “Stop the dwarven priest before he claims you all!” It then shouts something out in elvish.
Tathar removes his serpent staff and moves to the west away from Bofor.
Elves hear – “Elf yet unseen behind the priest, act now and slay the dwarven priest! Allow the elves to become the champions of this campaign!”
Dalic Steelcoat – A sudden rush of wind blows Dalic into the void. Falling, falling, his mind races for anything real in the inky blackness. The faster he falls, the more illuminated the air becomes until the deep, dark chasm glows bright; blindingly bright. In a flash, the light lessons and focuses until it becomes a vision. Dalic finds himself in a large circular chamber with his friends around him. Foesmiter moves away from Dalic towards a floating sword. Bofor looks upon Dalic with anxiety. There are sounds. Threats and warnings. Shouts in elvish. Dalic realizes he is back among the living only he still cannot control his body. As much as he wills to move or speak, he is held fast.
Kuba enters the room ready for melee, his bastard sword and shield are poised for action. He stops just inside the room on the north side of a line formed by Tathar, Southar and Breymeer. Bofor takes up a defensive posture, looking around for who is likely to come to his aid. He moves in just behind Kuba in an attempt to distance himself from those that may do him harm.
Bhut backs away, moving closer to the wall near the southwest passage he had originally been heading towards.
Cirdan and Tathar speak over each other.
Tathar asks Bofor to release Dalic in order for him to reclaim his body before Foesmiter returns to it.
Cirdan calls back to Zalco in the common language, “I will not kill any person on the command of a talking sword that I have just met. Especially when the sword has not told me why.”
Bofor, finding wisdom in the Sehanine priest’s words, releases Dalic from the spell.
Dalic appears extremely confused and struggles to take in the scene. He takes a defensive position, drawing the Delven Bastard. “I’m back,” he says sheepishly with an apologetic grin.
Grimlock, or at least the hovering sword remain in place. The sword does not reply to Cirdan as Foesmiter begins an assault on Grimlock (-5 temp wisdom 7 (12(13))).
Grimlock, Grimlock can feel his will to resist Foesmiter fading quickly. Zalco forces Grimlock to release his will allowing Foesmiter to enter him.
The standoff continues.
Breymeer struggles to make sense of the chaos. He keeps his back to the wall waiting to see what happens.
Dalic positions himself between Zalco and Bofor in a defensive position.
Tathar directs a statement to Bofor, “You should release Grimlock too now, and let him defend himself against the spirit. We can attempt to hold him again after Foesmiter has been dealt with.”
While Tathar is making his request, the spirit fades from view.
Bofor answers, “I dare not release him, especially now. I fear the spirit has overcome Grimlock.”
Zalco breaks his silence, “The half elf will do. He has nearly the strength of the dwarves and will serve my purpose just the same.”
The sword appears to be retracted and it disappears from view as Grimlock’s voice calls forth, “Nice try priest. You have no power over me.” His voice grows louder as he addresses the group, “I shall let this dwarven priest survive only if you aid me in my quest. I have no need for him but it appears you may. Aid me in slaying the priest that slew me and your priest shall live. His protection shall not be my concern. We must now head deeper into the mine.”
Grimlock’s footsteps are audible as he strides confidently towards the center of the room. The forge has faded from view leaving only an aged anvil and Zalco’s gem scabbard.
Grimlock seizes the gem encrusted scabbard. Grimlock’s footfalls and the visible scabbard make their way towards the western entrance, “Fall in and follow me!” With an incantation, the sword and scabbard disappear from view
The group appears uneasy. Most members appear willing to follow Grimlock’s voice but several remain unconvinced.
Tathar announces, looking toward Bofor, “What just happened here? What has become of Foesmiter?”
Bofor looks downtrodden, “I fear Grimlock has been seized by Foesmiter.”
As Bofor begins to answer, Tathar looks upon Dalic, “Are you well? Can you continue or do you need some time or aid?”
Dalic scoffs, "Spirit takes Dalic and grabs a sword, everyone attacks. Spirit grab Grimlock, evil talking sword, tries kill Bofor, takes shiny scabbard and all follow. Me thinks not. I fer one be tired ab this'n nonsense. Fer all'n we known this coul' be tha evil tha' haunts tha delve an' it be playin' wit us as meat suits till we kill each oth'r. Bind Grimlock fer his own sake and remove tha evil talking sword. Dalic goes no further wit Foesmiter an' Zalco at tha helm." Dalic is clearly beaten. His voice is defeated and weak. He is steady only in his resolve to no longer be controlled by his former captor.
Kuba speaks out, supporting Dalic, "We are here to rid this place of the orcs, are we not? These ghostly dwarves are more of a hindrance than help."
Speck observes the discussion as he moves into the room saying nothing.
Bhut hails the group, “Something comes up the passage!”
Looking past Bhut, several skeletal and corporal undead walk towards the group. They are only about 20 feet down the passageway from the chamber. They appear to be the remains of dwarven warriors wearing what is left of their rotting armor and weapons. They number nearly a half dozen.
Cirdan hears an unknown voice calls out, “The dwarves have tricked you. Leave while you still can.”
The dwarven and orcish undead continue to make their way up the passageway. What animosity they had for each other in life has long since passed in death.
The lead two are skeletal dwarves. They wear the remnants of chain mail shirts and carry small shields and rusty short swords.
Following in behind the animated skeletons are four orc corpses. The remains of their scale mail armor adorn their mummified bodies. Pure hate burns in their dead eyes. The move forward with clawed hands reaching forward to rend the bodies of the living.
Bhut, with a mild smirk on his face, takes out both of his axes and slowly begins to walk down the southwestern passage towards the approaching undead.
Bhut greets the dead but 5 feet into the passageway. He swings away at both skeletons. His first blow falls upon the aged steel helm of his adversary. The helmet collapses crushing the skull down into the ribs. The body falls apart in turn, scattering the bones to the floor. Bhut’s second blow takes the remaining skeleton’s spine from its pelvis causing a similar collapse of the creature.
Before he can admire his work, the zombie-like creatures scramble upon him with speed; much faster than the zombies of the Bone Hill courtyard.
Bhut is able to deflect the first blows but the second zombie give him a five finger death punch to the guts nearly knocking the wind from Bhut (1, 25/28, 4 hit points drained, 21/24(28), -2 Wisdom).
Dalic, quick to fade back, attempts to lead a retreat. "Let us fall back to tha previous room, pinch them off in the corridor back there."
Breymeer is of Dalic’s persuasion, "If our goal is not to rid this godforsaken place of undead let's remove ourselves from this evil place. What say all we back out and if they follow we can prepare for them where we are closer to getting out of here."
Peylae and Aravae hold their positions alternating from watching the northwest passage behind them and the events in the chamber ahead of them.
Bofor moves instead to the west to gain a line of sight on the approaching dead. During his move he calls back to Dalic and Breymeer, “You have signed a contract with our clan to aid in the defeat of the evil that inhabits this mine. If you leave now, you will have violated that contract.” Turning his attention back to the incoming dead, he points his hammer shaped symbol towards the southwest passage, “Back vile dead! These are dwarven halls!”
Kuba stows his sword and arms himself with his war hammer.
Tathar moves ahead and takes cover behind the anvil with his moon shaped holy symbol out.
Southar readies his golden shield and slides along the western wall to give himself more space for melee.
Grimlock moves silently to the southern wall and waits to see how the battle plays out.
Cirdan can see Grimlock’s footfalls moving south to the southern chamber wall at the most southern portion of the room some 25 feet west of the southwest passage.
Dalic hears an unknown voice call out, “You are wise in your tactics. That shallow dwelling dwarf knows little. It is not a violation of the contract to have superior battle tactics.”
Dalic calls forward again, "Retreat not! But regroup for better position in the other room. We are ta engage them there!" Dalic takes a few steps into the corridor checking to see you will follow.
“I don’t think they are going to back out of here Dalic,” Peylae calls to the druegar as she moves past him into the chamber with Aravae in tow.
The two elven maidens move into the chamber and take up a position between Bofor and Tathar. Both prepare spellcraft should the creeping dead break through Bhut’s defense.
Bofor unclasps his hammer from his belt and readies his shield while watching the east flank of the group. He continues to persuade them to honor their commitment.
Tathar holds his position by the anvil.
Southar holds against the west wall.
Speck is crouched against the west wall between Southar and the northwest exit.
Cirdan yells, “P’innr, move back and let them come. It looks as if others want to have fun too!” Cirdan’s voice comes from near the eastern passageway.
Bhut continues his melee but heeds Cirdan’s voice and takes a short step back to allow any allies to enter the battle. He holds the line at the entrance to the room. Bhut swings one axe at the dead while parrying their blows with the other. Neither the living nor the dead were able to land a telling blow in the flurry of arms and axes.
Kuba crosses the chamber and enters into the melee on Bhut’s right side. Kuba uses his shield to fend off the powerful blows of the undead. Seeing an opening, he swings his hammer and smashes his foe’s head in popping out an eye (11, 2/13). It continues to fight on.
Breymeer is torn between decisions. He looks to back out with Dalic but he cannot get himself to leave his comrades fighting the dead. He sighs, longing for the fresh air and open wilderness of his homeland. He grips his weapons tight, shakes his head and follows Kuba into the fray.
Kuba and Bhut have the passageway held so Breymeer takes a position nearby to give aid should either of them falter.
Dalic hears the voice continue, “The dwarven priest is playing you for a fool. He will get you all killed! Take him out and save your friends.”
Bofor takes aim with a war hammer and heaves it towards the melee in the southwest passage as he prays for aid. The hammer makes several rotations before disappearing completely.
Bhut continues his attack. He focuses both axes on the target to his left. His first axe blow falls directly upon the chest of the creature’s chest. The force of the mighty blow knocks the creature to the ground but fails to penetrate the dead orc’s skin. Immediately, the dead orc in the second rank claws it way forward over its downed companion.
Bhut calls out as he swings his other axe, saying, “Dalic, if you were half the size and half the man of me, then you would aid in the fight.” The second blow catches the incoming corpse across the left thigh but it fails to cut the mummified skin.
Breymeer steps in between Kuba and Bhut and attacks the advancing orc corpse. His mace catches the creature on the right shoulder while his dwarven hammer smashes into the left side of its neck (9, 12/21). There is an audible snapping sound as the spine breaks and its head begins to flop like a rag doll.
The creature continues its relentless attack on Bhut clawing him on the left thigh in the process (1, 20/24(28), 1 hit point drained (19/23(28), -3 wisdom). The graveyard touch is cold upon his skin although it fails to do much damage. Bhut begins to look less confident.
The corpse Bhut dropped with his axe begins scrambles to regain its feet behind the orc with the broken neck. As it does so, Bofor’s hammer reappears out of thin air appearing now as a translucent greyish colored hammer. The head of the hammer glows slightly as it begins bludgeoning the rising corpse on its exposed back cracking ribs (5, 16/21).
Kuba, meanwhile, finishes what he started. Another blow from his dwarven made war hammer finishes crushing the head of the corpse upon him. It drops to the stone floor, lifeless again.
The final corpse quickly scrambles up and engages Kuba. Using his shield, Kuba is able to keep the blows at bay as he engages his new enemy.
Tathar leaves his cover behind the anvil and goes to Dalic’s aid finding him of broken spirit. Normally the taunt from his axe wielding companion, P’innr Bhut, would have rallied the duergar warrior.
Dalic speaks aloud, in fragmented sentences, to no one in particular, "Dalic will not harm 'im, ...friends need me to... Bofor has trapped us all..." He crumbles a bit falling to one knee, head down. He appears weary, bearing almost no semblance of a willingness to fight any longer. He looks more defeated than ever. He pays no attention to Tathar as he arrives to aid him.
Southar remains still against the wall. Speck remains crouched just north of Southar watching the battle. The elf maidens remain in the center of the room waiting for the next development.
Dalic, finally succumbs to the calling voice, “Indeed Bofor has trapped you all. He plans to add you to the vile dead that guard his chambers. He has tricked you all. Kill him now. You do not want to lose your only true friends to this trickster.” Dalic steels himself to his new task.
Cirdan moves a few more feet closer to Grimlock. He is now less than 10 feet away from the half-elf.
Grimlock remains stationary evaluating the situation and waiting for an opening to head down the southwest passage. The sword whispers to Grimlock, “The invisible elf is creeping in on you from the east.”
Grimlock can see there are fresh footsteps in the dust covering the floor. The steps move along the wall towards him from the eastern passage entrance where Cirdan was last known to be.
Tathar asks Sehanine Moonbow to restore strength to the broken duergar warrior (+6 wisdom, 9/13).
Dalic, showing improved will, stands and takes the Devlin Bastard in hand. He turns his attention to the chamber and marches forward. Strangely, instead of turning south towards the battle with the undead, he turns east and charges Bofor, “Da’ vile trickster shall taste da blade o’ justice.”
Aravae shouts a warning to Bofor who turns to face the rushing Dalic. Bofor’s magical hammer fades and disappears.
Dalic, eyes red and mouth foamed, closes in as Bofor calls for aid against him, “Stop as still as the stone beneath your feet.” Dalic comes to a stop just before Bofor; frozen with his sword raised above him in a mighty stroke.
Peylae shouts a warning, “Something vile is working against us!”
Speck, more worried than normal, holds his positioning.
Southar also holds.
The melee continues in the southwestern passage.
Kuba introduces his new foe to his dwarven hammer striking it in the abdomen (8, 12/20). Quick use of his shield protects him from harm.
Breymeer continue to hack at whatever appears a threat. He pounds the one facing Kuba with his mace, hitting it across the left arm. It remains in the fight. Next, he brings his dwarven hand axe against the orc body facing Bhut. This blow takes the creature in the neck severing it from its body. The undead monster drops unmoving to the floor.
The creature Bhut had previously de-cleated, clambers past the falling corpse as Breymeer is recovering from his axe stroke. Bhut steps ahead swinging his axes. He misses clean with the first blow but the second catches if full in the shoulder. The axe fails to cut the tough hide but does knock it flat the ground a second time. It fails to strike Bhut as it falls supine.
Southar hears a voice calling to him, “Snake warrior, come and guard the eastern hall. Let no one pass.” Southar resists the idea and holds his position.
Speck continues to watch the events unfold.
Southar remains still and unmoving against the wall. His golden shield has dulled to the color of the stone. Moments later, Southar is all but unnoticeable where he once stood.
Bofor defensively backs away from Dalic towards Aravae looking for assistance, “How can we control Dalic and bring him back to himself without doing permanent harm?”
“I know not!” Aravae admits. “Let us bind him for now. Take out a rope.”
Peylae watches for danger as the elven mage and dwarven priest search the duergar warrior for rope.
In Dalic’s eye one can almost read the stubborn but vain attempt his brain makes to break the hold upon his body.
In the southwestern passageway, the orc facing Breymeer rakes him across the abdomen (1, 45/47, 4 hit points drained (41/43(47)), -2 wisdom 14/16). Breymeer recoils from the cold gravetouch.
Breymeer gains his footing and returns to bash and hack at the dead orcs. With his mace he smashes his opponent across the shoulder. The blow nearly knocks the creature to the ground. As it recovers from the blow, Breymeer fails to follow up with a successful strike with his axe.
The zombie before Bhut remains on all fours and claws out towards the human warrior. The thick fingerclaws cut into Bhuts left hip (2, 17/23(28), 1 hit point drained (16/22(28)), -3 wisdom 5(11)). The blow creates a physical reaction in Bhut beyond the pain. He steps back, shoulders slumping. He calls out, “Maybe we should retreat to the room with the statuettes while we can.” He swings his axes. His first blow, enfeebled by his waning inner strength, is ineffective. He digs deep and brings his second blow with more fury forcing the creature to remain down upon its knees.
Kuba waits for a gap to re-enter the melee.
Kuba hears, “I need your help, please cover the eastern passage and do not let these fools in.” The voice sounds friendly and inviting. Kuba feels a compulsion to act but decides to stay and aid his friends in the battle instead.
Aravae and Bofor cannot find rope in Dalic’s gear. It then dawns on Bofor, “Dalic was in the fireball attack and his rope was likely burned.”
Bofor then falls silent as if thinking. Without speaking, he rises and walks towards the eastern chamber.
Peylae shouts at the dwarf priest, “Where are you going?” She then calls out a general warning, “Something foul is at work here!” She moves to the anvil for some form of cover.
Tathar evaluates the party member’s actions trying to make sense of the situation and the strangeness of some of his companions.
Speck stays small and huddles near the northwestern passage.
Southar has disappeared having completely blended with the wall.
Seeing Bhut’s condition Breymeer states, "Back out of here Bhut!"
Bhut is already on the move. Breymeer covers Bhut’s withdrawl from the battle. Bhut retreats to the center of the room and drops to his knees. On top of the pain he feels and evil force starting to flow through his veins. He calls to the group for medical aid as Bofor walks past.
Ignoring Bhut’s calls for aid, Bofor continues to the eastern passage, turns, and takes up a defensive position there saying, “You shall not pass!”
Breymeer makes a fighting withdrawl into room allowing Kuba to rejoin the attack. As he retreats, the zombies move forward on him; one standing and one crawling forward. Breymeer hammers the standing enemy with his mace knocking it back a step as he backs into the room. Using the dwarven hornwood handled hand axe, Breymeer splits the back of the head open on the one crawling towards him (9, 7/21).
Even with a split head, it lunges forward, on hand and knee, clawing Breymeer across the right foot (4, 37/43(47), 4 hit points drained (33/39(47)), -3 wisdom (11/16)). Breymeer cries out in pain. The injury does not appear to cut his flesh too deeply but the blow shutters the human warrior.
Kuba, seeing the opening, re-enters the battle alongside Breymeer. They are now a few steps back into the room. Kuba strikes the standing orc as it bounces from Breymeer’s mace. The blow breaks completely through its sternum shattering ribs and dead organs (5, 7/20). The vile undead orc punches Kuba square in the face (1, 32/36, 2 hit points drained (30/34(36)), - 1 wisdom 13/14). The gravetouch is like ice on his soul.
Tathar removes a coil of rope and advances to the anvil. He hands the rope to Peylae, “Tie him firm, feet and arms, then keep watch over him. I will see to Bhut.” Tathar moves over to Bhut, “What is the matter?”
Bhut is bruised and cut but none of the injuries appears life threatening. Bhut’s will to fight appears much more battered than his body would indicate. A defeated look has started to form itself upon his face.
Peylae moves to tie Dalic but as soon as she turns toward him, she finds he is already on the move somehow. Bofor is motioning to Dalic, “Come my dwarven brother.” Dalic jogs over and takes a guarded position next to Bofor. They both stand in the entrance to the eastern passage facing inward toward the chamber.
As Peylae takes in the turn in events she throws the rope over her shoulder. Suddenly, she shrieks in shock, “I can’t see!” She drops to her hands and knees and begins to back up searching out the anvil for cover.
It appears Peylae is the only one affected. The room remains dully light by whatever magical illumination it contained as well as the hooded lantern that Southar must have placed on the ground at the entrance to the northwestern passage.
Aravae runs to Peylae’s side to check on her condition.
Kuba yanks his hammer from his adversary’s chest cavity with all his might. Ribs, organs and gore are torn out as Kuba frees the hammer. At the same time, he bashes his shield forward into the body knocking it away from him to avoid any possible retaliation. None comes. The orc falls supine and remains unmoving.
Breymeer gives what he can as well. He bashes the zombie on the back with his mace driving it downward. It pounces forward as Breymeer cuts at it with his axe. The axe blow swings high as the corpse gets tangled with the body of the one Kuba just finished off. It can only manage a weak forward lunge before ending up prone at Breymeer’s feet. It scrambles to recover but continues to slip on the gore on the floor, unable to immediately rise up to attack.
As Tathar begins to help Bhut, he suddenly freezes and holds his hands in front of his face as if blinded. He feels around for several moments realizing he has suffered the same fate as Peylae.
Peylae, sensing something happened to Tathar, cries out, “This is starting to go very poorly. What bedevils us?”
Bhut remains silent, either unwilling or unable to speak. He has a look of sorrow on his face.
Aravae tries to calm the others, “Let’s think this through. We obviously need to change tactics.” The elf is clearly concerned.
At the melee, the final grave menace clambers to its feet to better fight both human warriors. In so doing, it exposes itself to their wrath. Breymeer smashes it across the jaw with his mace. It just grins at him. Breymeer tries to stroke it with his hand axe but the creature deflects the blow harmlessly off with its arm. It lunges at Breymeer only to be met with Kuba’s hammer. Swinging from the rear as it passes him by, Kuba catches the creature at the base of the neck dislodging the head. The head flies end over end into the room and comes to rest to the south of Bhut.
Breymeer gives out a call of victory, a deep chested barbarian cry. Kuba nods affirmatively to him. The human warriors have prevailed. The sight of the fallen dead give Bhut some encouragement and he sighs in relief.
Next to Bhut, with the calm of a devout priest, Tathar stands, removes his holy symbol and starts to pray to Sehanine. "Sehanine, my goddess, I ask your aid in removing the magic that is plaguing us! Mistress of illusion, I beg you, remove this blindness and reveal all that is hidden!"
Tathar’s vision returns. He catches the glint of the lantern light reflecting upon his crescent moon symbol. Sehanine has answered him.
Peylae as well. She looks over to the elven priest with seeing eyes. “Thank you! Sehanine’s light is a true blessing.”
Aravae looks at the other two elves showing more confidence at the return of their sight, “What shall we do? Where is our foe?”
Even Bhut, although not blinded, has the energy to fight on should an enemy be discovered.
Speck holds his position. He is very relieved Kuba has survived the encounter with the walking dead.
Dalic and Bofor stand imposingly in the eastern passage.
Southar, Grimlock and Cirdan remain unseen.
Kuba watches the southwestern passage during the reprieve from battle.
Breymeer moves east further into the room. He puts his back against the wall and catches his breath while taking inventory of his wounds, “What do we do next?”
Grimlock’s voice is heard directly between the two human warriors, “Congratulations my comrades on the victory well fought. We must hurry. Quickly, our goal lies beyond this room.” Grimlock begins to head down the southwestern passage.
Cirdan directs a question at Bofor and Dalic. "Bofor, WHAT shall not pass? And Dalic, why are you now standing side by side with a priest you wanted to kill moments ago? SPEAK, for you know more than you have heretofore said!" Cirdan’s voice puts him just a little east of Breymeer.
Tathar, showing a bit of anger says, "The undead have been sent back to the abyss, but something or someone is casting spells on us! Cirdan, Grimlock, Southar! Why do you not help?"
Suddenly, from the dark eastern passageway, three greenish colored missiles come darting out of the darkness beyond Bofor and Dalic. The missiles fly by the dwarves.
The missiles streak straight and unerringly, striking the three elves near the anvil. Aravae is struck in the left thigh (5, 3/8), Peylae in the lower right leg (5, 11/16) and Tathar square in the chest (5, 19/24).
Tathar runs to the northwestern passage where he is out of the line of sight from the eastern passage. He goes to Southar's lantern and begins to cover it. The room darkens some before he realizes the light from the illusionary forge has disappeared when the forge faded from view. Tathar allows a low level of light to escape the lantern and gives his reasoning, "When Foesmiter was in spectre form we could not see his green orb unless the light was low...look now for such signs now."
No such illumination is seen.
Meanwhile, Aravae takes cover by the anvil. Peylae joins her while she tries in vain to see up the eastern passage, “I cannot see much beyond the dwarves.” Aravae begins to dig out components for a spell.
Bhut is confused by the sudden attack and stands momentarily flat footed. He had just been waiting for an opportunity to thank Tathar Surion for his aid to the party when the missiles struck the elves.
Dalic and Bofor, hear a voice just before the missile strike, “The elves are plotting to take the dwarven relics from the mine. The sneaky fairy pixies must be stopped. Keep them from this passage at all costs!”
Despite the elves being trusted allies in the past, the voice makes sense and is believed in full. There is no doubt they have duped the dwarves. They have already seized Zalco! The elves must not have any dwarven treasure!
Bhut, struggling in the low light, watches the passageways for activity.
Aravae stands and quickly works her way through a spell. The floor of the eastern passageway, roughly 30 feet past the dwarves, begins to glow with a magical light similar in strength to a torch. It shows the hall extending further into the darkness. Just past the edge of the light, it appears the room may widen and two large objects, large bellows by the look of them, are mounted facing easterly. They are similar to the previous bellows encountered on the way down.
Just after Aravae casts her spell, three more missles fly in from the eastern passage. The originated on the north side of the bellows. Bhut shouts a warning but the missiles strike their targets.
Bhut is struck in the right hand (2, 14/22(28)) but he is able to keep his grip on his axe. Peylae is struck in the left thigh (4, 7/16) and Aravae is struck in the chest (5, -2/8, missed system shock - dead).
Grimlock quietly slips down the southwestern passage. His footsteps quickly fall silent and the disturbances in the dust continue off into the darkness.
Speck makes his way along the western wall where he joins up with Kuba who in turn moves into the room and joins Breymeer against the southern wall just east of the southwestern passage.
Breymeer calls Bofor out on his previous comments in regards to Breymeer’s plan to move tactically to a previous room, “Bofor, your lack of trust and assumption that I would consider leaving my comrades in battle is unacceptable to me. If your trust in me is lacking, tell me now.”
Cirdan yells forth, "There is a mage somewhere up the eastern passage and Bofor and Dalic are under his spell. Fall back to the previous room. If he sends a ball of fire into this room, it will engulf us all. Make him come to us, so we don't have to fight through Bofor and Dalic to get to him."
Cirdan move to the north wall by way of the west wall. As he is passing where Southar was last seen he quietly say, "Southar you stay here, if you will, and attack from the back if he follows us."
Cirdan, still invisible, leaves Southar and moves towards the northwest tunnel where Tathar has picked up the lantern ordering, “Follow me.”
Tathar, lantern in hand, heads up the northwestern passage dropping the chamber into near complete darkness. Only the residual light from Aravae’s spell illuminates the room.
Peylae grabs onto Bhut’s arm. “Help me stabilize Aravae and I will guide you as we get the three of us out of the line of fire. With any luck, whatever is down that hall can’t see us.”
Dalic speaks aloud to the elves. "Comrades, we hab come far enough. There be nothin more for ye ta steal from tha dwarves. None tha I be lettin ye anyhow! Return Zalco and leave this place or we will take ye from it.”
Bofor says something to Dalic assuring they are working together. Bofor readies his weapons to defend the passage from any incursion. He repeats the statement, “You shall not pass!”
Dalic and Bofor hear the voice. It continues to encourage them and adds, “The humans. The humans are turning on us as well. Let us charge out and take them now before they can regroup! Now, kill them all now or drive them from our mine!!”
The order again seems plausible. The humans and elves do indeed appear to have joined together against the dwarves. The duergar and the dwarf priest, in a very strange alliance, feel the need to destroy the usurpers or die trying.
Dalic turns to face Bofor while backpedaling towards the anvil, “I will not harm me friends Bofor!”
Bofor removes a war hammer from his belt and throws it towards the anvil. It begins to radiate a dull grey light as it animates to attack. The hammer gets caught up in a mass of stringy webs shooting across the room from just north of Southar where Cirdan was last heard to be. The webbing connects floor to ceiling about 5 feet into the room from the eastern chamber. The mass is 20 feet wide but narrows as it enters the eastern passageway blocking any passage and binding Dalic and Bofor within.
Bhut, seeing the eastern threat temporarily removed, scans the other two passages for threats. The light from Southar’s lantern increases in illumination again as Tathar unshutters it in the northwestern passage. Tathar set the lantern down in the passage outlining the exit for the humans still in the near dark room. Bhut stows one of his axes as he prepares to drag Aravae out of the line of fire.
Peylae tries in vain to stabilize Aravae. She is soon helped as Tathar jogs up and kneels next to the downed elf. The Sehanine priest quickly ascertains the elf maiden has passed from this world. He quietly shakes his head confirming Peylae’s fear. Aravae has died.
Kuba comments to Breymeer, “This is getting out of hand. Do we stay here, follow the elves or head deeper in?”
As an answer, Breymeer slip around the corner of the SW passage trying to hide while others retreat. He puts away his melee weapons and takes out his bow and the obsidian arrow.”
Kuba follows suit with Speck quickly taking up the rear. They move as quietly as they can with Breymeer and Speck moving soundlessly.
Speck gives the visually challenged human warriors and update in regards to the web being cast.
Southar materializes from the wall where he had stood. He pulls a torch out of his pack and gets it ignited. The torch sputters to life giving the room a little more illumination. The western portion of the room, from northwest passage to southwest passage and out to the anvil are generally illuminated.
Southar, hears a voice telling him to burn the dwarves within the web before they can free themselves.
Grimlock, moves down the southwestern passageway. He jogs cautiously but trying to be silent. He can slow as needed. He has covered approx. 300 feet and has reached the chamber.
It is 120 feet across, has a 60 foot high domed ceiling and is illuminated by some magical light that seems to concentrate at a rock ledge in the NW corner.
The walls are decorated in alternating sections of bas-reliefs and bare rock. The carvings depict acts of dwarven heroes.
On the NW wall of the chamber, a ledge is carved from the rock about 25 feet from the floor. The glow seems to concentrate here. The rock supporting the ledge rises sheer and smooth from the floor, as do the immediate surrounding walls. Once a great majestic stone staircase rose to the ledge from the floor of the room, free standing like a flying buttress, but is had fallen, and large pieces of rock litter the floor.
Plainly visible upon the ledge is a throne carved out of granite. Upon it sits a dwarven skeleton. Upon its head rests a great helm.
The SW exit is blocked by five huge timbers. The timbers are braced with piles or rubble and held in place by other timbers.
The webbing contracts and distorts as Dalic rips and cuts his way through; cursing Bofor the entire time. Dalic comes into view as he fights his way through the final bits of webbing.
Bofor is nowhere in sight. His location in the webbing is unknown.
Tathar stands up from examining Aravae and, with an angry look on his face, asks Paylae, "Can you make me invisible?"
Peylae quickly answers, “No, I cannot.”
From near the NW passage, Cirdan inquires, "What is your plan?"
Tathar goes to Cirdan’s voice. Finding the elf nobleman, Tathar explains, "When those webs are gone, I am going to take a cone of silence to the spell caster in the next chamber. Let the others know so we can eliminate this threat as a group."
Cirdan does not hesitate. He pulls a few components from his pocket, encases one in the other, and completes the intricate magic. When finished, he touches Tathar. Tathar vanishes from sight.
Southar passes by Tathar as the snake-like ranger crosses the room. Southar bypasses Peylae and Kuba, bee-lining towards the webs. “I will take out the webssssss,” he hisses as he tosses the torch into the webbing.
The magical web ignites and the fire begins to spread very quickly.
Dalic, seeing the danger, puts more energy into his struggles. Before the flames can reach him, Dalic frees himself and steps safely into the chamber; free of the burning webs.
Breymeer, black arrow nocked, watches the webbing burn. He waits for a target to appear.
Kuba stands next to him preparing the shield the ranger from melee should it come.
Speck watches the southwestern passage for any possible ambush of approaching undead.
Grimlock quickly and quietly crosses the large chamber. He moves to the east corner where the ledge meets the wall. Using the two walls for leverage, Grimlock begins a slow ascent up the sheer side of the ledge towards the throne.
The fire spreads across the webbing as if it were a jack pine forest. Bofor screams in pain from the center of the webbing (5, 20/36(41)). Flames and smoke billow into the air illuminating the room with wavering firelight.
Tathar moves far enough away from Cirdan to keep the elf nobleman out of the elf priest’s spell range. He calls upon Sehanine to bless him with silence. Instantly, the area around Tathar falls quiet.
Cirdan also works his magic. Cirdan cancels any magical spells upon Bofor and Dalic. The burning web instantly disappears leaving only the smoke and soot hanging in the air of the chamber and eastern hall. The magical light Aravae placed in the hall appears to have flickered out along with her lifeforce.
The room remains lit by Southar’s still burning torch. It lies on the chamber floor just ahead of him near the wall just north of the eastern chamber. It casts some light on the eastern end of the room but the hallway remains hidden in shadow and smoke. Southar stands perplexed for a moment.
Bofor, seemingly confused at his sudden change of heart, finds his animosity towards his elven friends has faded. Unfortunately, he does remember the pain of the fire. He beats the flame out of his cloak calls upon Fortubo for aid (+5, 25/36(41)). His burns mend leaving him with scorched hair, beard and cloak.
Dalic grunts his frustration about feeling like a meat suit and focuses his gaze down the hall toward the direction the missiles came. He pulls out two of his throwing daggers and looks down the hall for a target. Not finding one, even with his blind fighting skills, he begins to enlarge himself.
Southar also appears stunned for a moment contemplating why he just lit the webbing on fire with his friends so encapsulated.
Breymeer calls out to the others, “Draw out whatever this thing is and I will ambush it!” He stands ready with his magical arrow nocked.
Kuba holds his position as Breymeer’s first line of defense while Speck continues to monitor for other threats; his halfling ears checking for the slightest sounds.
A rattle of bones brings attention to the eastern hall. The skeleton of a snake, some 12 feet in length, comes slithering out of the darkness. Its skull resembles that of a human except it has fangs. A bluish electrical charge arcs between its teeth. A cold, cruel light burns in the creature’s eye sockets giving it an air of unspeakable hatred and malice. Its tail ends in a wicked barb nearly the size of a short sword.
The creature appears to be some type of dead version of the snake-beast some of the party members encountered in the jungle city warehouse.
The creature jets past Bofor uncoiling as it does so. Dalic faces the danger while forcing his body to enlarge to that of a very stocky man. The undead snake strikes Dalic on the front left shoulder. Its teeth puncture his plate armor but barely break the skin (1, 29/30(39), immune to poison). The pent up electrical charge conducts through Dalic’s body and armor causing him to cry out from the painful shock (13, 16/30(39)). The force of the shocking impact knocks Dalic off his feet. The oversized dwarf is knocked supine in front of the now coiling skeleton.
Bofor is dumbstruck as the creature’s tail whips into his chest stabbing him through his armor (8, 17/36(41), made poison save).
Breymeer finally has the target he has been holding for. His bowstring sings as the obsidian arrow streaks across the room. It strikes the snake upon the skull, cracking the cranium plate (9, 44/53). He removes a normal sheaf arrow from his quiver on his second shot. This arrow ricochets off the tail barb chipping a small amount of bone as it does so (2, 42/53).
Southar is unable to immediately gather himself for a counter attack. He raises his long sword and shield defensively in reaction to the sudden attack.
Peylae and Bhut are also both caught off guard by the sudden appearance of this vile critter.
Dalic scrambles to his feet under the coiled threat of the snake creature.
Bofor, being temporarily ignored, quickly calls for healing aid (+8, 25/36(41)). The injury to his chest closes considerably.
The creature ignores Dalic for the moment and turns towards Southar. Its demon-like eyes stare at the snake-warrior and some type of exchange takes place.
Southar suddenly charges Dalic yelling, “Stop!” Southar attempts to knock him over with a shield rush. Dalic stands and takes the rush in stride. Both dwarf and snake-man retain their feet. Southar attempts to wrap his sword arm around the dwarf’s neck, “Stop attacking it!” With his increased size and strength, Dalic breaks free from the ranger.
Cirdan calls to Peylae, “Give it everything you have.” He runs up the northwest passage. He returns quickly with the un-shuttered lantern illuminating the room significantly more than Southar’s torch.
Bhut asks the party for advice on attacking such a thing, feeling the mild embarrassment from the previous monsters he was unable to destroy.
Peylae casts her defensive spell creating five duplicates of herself. She then answers Bhut, “Have at it Bhut. Use your axes. Breymeer’s arrows are damaging it, magical or otherwise.”
Bhut charges forward attacking its north flank with both his axes. He strikes it once clearning several ribs off its left side (7, 35/53)
Kuba, telling Speck to stay put and keep alert, advances defensively toward the melee with shield up and hammer in hand. He stops short of the area lit by the torch being some 10 feet from the snake creature finding he has suddenly lost his hearing. He holds for an opportunity to strike when the creature is unprepared.
The sounds of the battle disappear. The actions continues but nothing is heard of it.
The explanation of the lack of sound becomes evident when the elven priest, Tathar, appears suddenly at the snake’s south flank. He has struck it with his yuan-ti cobra staff (6, 29/53).
Breymeer continues to fire arrows across the dark chamber into the snake creature. The first arrow misses its mark and strikes the chamber wall above the eastern passage. The second arrow strikes the creature in the ribs knocking one off its spine (4, 25/53).
As the snake creature stares into Southar’s snake eyes, he hears a voice telling him to halt the dwarves assault. Use whatever force is necessary if they do not comply. Southar feels a strange bond with the fellow snake like creature.
Bofor Barrelmace backs away from the serpent, “Fortubo, hide me from this monstrosity.” Bofor boldly holds his hammer symbol between himself and the serpent.
The skeletal serpent ignores Bofor and instead stabs its tail barb at Bhut as he moves in to attack. The piercing blow luckily deflects off his armored helmet leaving Bhut’s ears ringing but unharmed.
Missile fire rains down upon the creature. Both of Breymeer’s arrows fly errantly but Cirdan, materializing by the northwest passage, sets down the lantern and conjures up two glowing arrows. He sends them forth and each strikes the creature at the base of its head (5, 20/53 and 3, 17/53).
Bhut swings for the fence with both axes. His first strike severs the barb from the tail (7, 10/53) while his follow-up blow misses.
Southar swings Bloodletter at Dalic. The blow bounces harmlessly off the metal shoulder plate of Dalic’s dwarven armor.
Dalic ignores the snake-faced ranger and attacks the undead serpent. Dalic slices as it uncoils to bite at Tathar. Dalic’s first blow takes the snake just below the head (13, -3/53) and his follow-up stroke strikes the creature upon the top of its neck cutting through the spine (12, -15/53).
The head drops in front of Tathar unable to bite him. Tathar cracks it across the skull with his yuan-ti staff (4, -19/53) and Kuba steps in, repeating the blow to the skull with his dwarven war hammer (16, -35/53) and his hand axe simultaneously (6, -41/53). The skull shatters into a multitude of pieces. What remains of the eye sockets are empty. The cold light has vanished.
Southar stops his attack on Dalic and looks down upon the slain undead serpent creature, “I am ssssorry dwarf. It did not have to be dessstroyed sssso calloussssly.” Southar appears upset by its loss.
Cirdan approaches Aravae’s body. He asks Peylae, who is still surrounded by mirror images of herself, for help. It appears Cirdan, who has removed his blanket from his pack, intends to have Peylae strip Aravae of her possessions but Peylae is in disagreement, “Noble Cirdan, I know you mean well so I shall secure her tiara and her spellbook but I will not dishonor her by disrobing her. Aravae said she was bringing Pelltar supplies. Maybe he can aid us with information on her family to return her items. Until then, I agree the spellbook may be useful to many of us.” Peylae secures the tiara and book. “I am afraid we can not take her with us further into the mine.”
Cirdan changes subjects, "I need to rest and study. If we run into magic like this again, I will not have the ability to dispel it, as with this battle. We will be fighting each other, instead of our enemies."
Peylae, hoping the matter is settled, advises, “I need some time to restore my armor. It was lost when Tathar returned my sight.” She begins a lengthy incantation. This has been known to take the mages up to 10 minutes to complete.
Tathar picks up Southar’s dropped torch and walks into the eastern tunnel to investigate a small chamber some 50 feet down the tunnel. As he exits the chamber, Peylae requests, “Tathar, would you aid Aravae on her journey should we be unable to remove her body from the mine. This is no place for an elf maiden to remain.”
Bofor regroups near the anvil at the center of the room, “I have some strength left to aid those that are injured.”
Dalic inquires aloud, "Where be da Foesmiter? Bofor, hab'n we completed our task? Grimlock, where are ye and what of Zalco? We must protect ourselves from its charms." He begins searching the area keeping diligent for more signs of trouble.
Bofor answers Dalic as the dwarf warrior watches Tathar move up the eastern passage. “This should not be the end of the mines. The is certainly more to be explored.
Grimlock makes no comment in response to Dalic.
Kuba informs the group Grimlock appeared to have gone down the southwestern tunnel during the battle. Breymeer concurs, “He left just after the felling of the undead.” Breymeer taps one of the orc corpses with his foot for clarity.
Speck has been watching for activity in the passage. The halfling has not heard nor seen anything indicating Grimlock’s location.
Bhut expresses his interest, “I still want to go down the southwest passage, but after encountering those beasts, I am hesitant to do so without more help.”
Southar stands but remains silent. He displays no aggressiveness towards Dalic or other party members. He appears to be burdened mainly with his thoughts.
Tathar, walks soundlessly up the eastern passage. After 50 feet, it widens into a room 25 feet across. Mounted in the room are two very large, eastern facing, bellows. They are mounted just north and south of the room center allowing passage between them. Both are torn and tattered. They are similar to the ones encountered earlier and are likely part of the old ventilation system. Beyond the room the eastern passage once continued. It is now completely collapsed and blocked by large rocks and debris. The collapse does not look recent.
In the small chamber is a large barrel on the north side of the north bellows. The barrel is old but intact. The barrel is missing its lid. Looking into the barrel, Tathar can see it contains many hundreds of coins. Nearly half the coins are silver with the other half being gold and electrum. Tathar estimates there are nearly 1500 coins in total.
Grimlock, continues to climb. As he nears the top, he hears a voice. It speaks first in dwarvish. It says several sentences and then speaks in the common tongue, “Continue on your quest. You have no rightful claim to this throne.” Grimlock cannot see the throne and cannot ascertain which direction the voice came from. He simply heard it.
Once Grimlock reaches the top, he can see the skeleton is that of a dwarf. It is dressed in what used to be a royal robe of earthen color. The robe is mostly rotted and useless. A royal cloak drapes is shoulders. It is of a greyish color and rotted. The helm upon its head however is intact.
The great helm is made of fine steel. Laid over the top of the steel is a gold ridge running the rear of the helmet to the front. The ridge is designed to look like a hammer's handle. The face shield, also made of gold, is in the shape of the hammer head, like a Crockett mallet. The face shield is designed to slide up. It is currently covering the skeletons face. The helm is etched in intricate mithral designs and dwarven runes.
The skeleton sits unmoving on a stone throne of granite. As Grimlock gains his feet and stands upon the ridge, a reddish glow appears behind the hammer styled visor and he hears, "You are no rightful heir to the throne. Continue on your quest with dwarven blessings. Come closer and die."
Breymeer wonders the chamber looking for his spent arrows. He locates his obsidian arrow and two other sheaf arrows. The other three are lost or broken.
Tathar is in the eastern passage checking the area around the bellows and a bit further east for anomalies in the walls, floors and ceiling.
Dalic is visibly frustrated with the situation. "I be weary friends. Just one hit from tha last beast has left me wit likely with little ability to withstand tha same torment. I am drained of my resolve yet in part for me encounters wit spirits. Any help woul' be taken as a great kindness..."
He crouches letting the blackened Delven Bastard rest haphazardly in front of him, still in hand but tip grazing the dusty floor. He remains enlarged so the sight is truly an oddity to behold due to his duerger proportions.
He chuckles lightly, "Master Bhut, you must teach me the ways ye use two blades ta fight. Within this'n size," he gestures to his current form, "me swords should truly be put ta tha same use as yern axes."
"We hab few choices. We mus' go after Grimlock. Tha sword be a danger ta him an' us. Someone made mention ab alters in another chamber. Let us rest there lest we find our quest falters 'fore finality. I will nae abandoned Grim ta this place, but we need ta regroup. How long has it been? My memory fails with Foesmiter ta blame."
Bofor Barrelmace approaches Dalic and lays his hand on the duergar’s shoulder while whispering a prayer. Dalic appears a bit better (+3, 19/30(39)).
Peylae looks to Bhut and then Dalic, “If you two wish to continue just a bit farther, I will go with you to see what has become of Grimlock. I know we are battered but before we rest I would like to see if anything has befallen him. Maybe one of the trackers could aid us.”
Peylae continues, speaking now to Cirdan, “When Tathar returns to the chamber, those not coming with me can rally back at the altar room and await us.”
Cirdan seems surprised she wants to continue on.
Tathar, finds nothing among the stone to indicate a hidden portal. The fallen stone blocking the passage appears to be solid and complete. No easy means will get the stone out of the way.
Grimlock, standing at the edge of the ledge, calls upon magic to levitate his body upwards. Reaching the domed ceiling, he pushes himself to align himself with the edge of the ledge and prepares to levitate the crown off the skeletons head.
It responds to his actions, “You were warned.” A reddish light illuminates brighter under the helm and the world becomes blurred to Grimlock before fading away completely.
An immensely bright light replaces the darkness. Grimlock begins to ponder if he has somehow been slain by the skeletal creature. Before he can draw his conclusion, the brilliant white light illuminates a chamber below Grimlock.
The circular chamber is 90 feet across with a 30 foot domed ceiling. It appears consistent with the other dwarven carved rooms. Grimlock must still be in the delve somewhere. The white light appears to emanate from above Grimlock, magical in nature. The entire room is brightly lit.
Arranged about the walls are twelve decrepit wooden beds that have more or less collapsed upon themselves. At the foot of each bed is a wooden locker.
Directly below Grimlock is a sight that makes his blood run cold. Three dwaves stand in a line facing another creature. The dwarves are obviously long since dead, their bodies essentially mummified within their chain mail armor. They have shields upon their backs depicting the clan. Hammers adorn their belts. They appear to stand attentively listening to the other creature give orders.
The other creature stands larger than a man and is bipedal. His body is heavily muscled and covered by barbs and spiny projections. I has a long thick tail, also covered in barbs. Its fingers end in unusually long sharp claws. Eyes darting eyes give it a nervous appearance.
At Grimlock’s arrival, the fiend looks up at him and snarls. The evil sounds that permeates the room tells Grimlock a quick death would be an answered prayer at the hands of this beast. Grimlock levitates just below ceiling height at the center of the chamber.
Cirdan attempts to counter Peylae’s request with wisdom, “Let us camp here. There is only one passage behind us that we have not explored, so we can be almost certain that we have no enemies that way.”
In total silence, Tathar re-appears room from the eastern passageway. He starts talking, but he makes no sound. Looking surprised and somewhat foolish, he pauses for a moment as if in prayer and the dead-silent area surrounding his immediate vicinity comes alive with sound again. "Sorry, forgot about that. There is another room with bellows, and a passage that has caved in. It looks impassable and solid by my untrained eye. I found no secret doors or passages, but there is a barrel with about 1500 coins of silver, gold and electrum. I believe we can consider it ours as it seems to be the treasure of the snake creature we just defeated, and not property of the Dwarves." He moves over to the anvil and sits. "I need to rest and pray to Sehanine. If we can do this, I can ask Sehanine now to help heal the company's wounds. If we cannot, I will save what healing Sehanine may grant for more dire circumstances."
Peylae, mustering help, places Aravae’s body just into the eastern passage. She lays Aravae upon her own wool blanket, “We shall return here for her.”
Tathar, realizing the party's intent to split, shares his thoughts, "I think it folly to split the company again. I think we should all go, or all stay."
Finishing placing Aravae in the passage, Peylae looks to the group, “I agree Tathar. We are stronger as a group. But I will not leave the half-elf to the sword without checking a little farther. We can retreat as needed. This damn delve has cost us two lives already. I wish not to make it more in hasty decisions but I would like to think if it was any one of us off alone others would come to our aid.”
Dalic steps forward and reluctantly agrees to accompany Peylae. Bofor also steps forward to which Peylae comments, “For all the faults of the dwarves, bravery and honor are not one of them. Your kind has my eternal respect.”
Breymeer, the bearded northman, steps forward, “I will go but I prefer rear guard and let our more dungeon skilled and night visioned experts lead the way.” It is obvious the man is not afraid, simply giving the honor to others.
Bhut replies with a grin, "I will go with pleasure, my oddly looking short friend." Bhut pats Dalic on the back.
Kuba and Speck, seemingly inseparable, both give their intent to continue.
Cirdan just shakes his head and joins the group.
Tathar joins as well. He steps to one of the dwarf skeletons felled by Bhut and picks up its rusty small shield.
Gathering up, the group moves together down the southwestern passageway. They cover approx. 300 feet without incident before reaching the next chamber.
It is 120 feet across, has a 60 foot high domed ceiling and is illuminated by some magical light that seems to concentrate at a rock ledge in the NW corner.
The walls are decorated in alternating sections of bas-reliefs and bare rock. The carvings depict acts of dwarven heroes.
On the NW wall of the chamber, a ledge is carved from the rock about 25 feet from the floor. The glow seems to concentrate here. The rock supporting the ledge rises sheer and smooth from the floor, as do the immediate surrounding walls. Once a great majestic stone staircase rose to the ledge from the floor of the room, free standing like a flying buttress, but is had fallen, and large pieces of rock litter the floor.
Plainly visible upon the ledge is a throne carved out of granite. Upon it sits a dwarven skeleton. Upon its head rests a great helm. The skeleton is dressed in what used to be a royal robe of earthen color. The robe is mostly rotted and useless. A royal cloak drapes its shoulders. It is of a greyish color and rotted. The helm upon its head however is intact. The great helm is made of fine steel. Laid over the top of the steel is a gold ridge running the rear of the helmet to the front. The ridge is designed to look like a hammer's handle. The face shield, also made of gold, is in the shape of the hammer head, like a Crockett mallet. The face shield is designed to slide up. It is currently covering the skeletons face. The helm is etched in intricate mithral designs and dwarven runes.
The skeleton sits unmoving on a stone throne of granite its skeletal hands resting on its lap.
A passage once exited to the southwest. It is now blocked by five huge timbers. The timbers are braced with piles or rubble and held in place by other timbers.
The layer of dust upon the floor has been disturbed in places. Several tracks appear to either come or go from the passage and scatter into the room.
Grimlock releases the energies that maintain his levitation before he has a chance to think of an action. Zalco’s voice encourages the half-elf, “You are a great warrior! Slay this vile devil!”
As Grimlock freefalls, it becomes apparent the sword has taken control. He inverts the blade and grips the hilt with two hands. The fiend fans out its arms and hisses, “You shall die slowly!”
The overconfident fiend underestimated the half-elf. Grimlock cries out as the tip of the blade bites into the fiend’s flesh where the left arm meets its shoulder, “I slay you with Zalco, the mightiest weapon ever forged!”
The sword buries itself to the hilt into the vile creature. Grimlock can feel pure evil from the hellish beast.
Grimlock tumbles away from the creature ripping the sword from the wound as he does so. Grimlock tumbles and rolls along the stone floor battering and bruising himself (5, 17/22(25)).
“Your last thought shall be of the might sword Zalco, you foul spawn of the hells,” Zalco calls out in triumph.
Grimlock comes to his feet to see a look of shock on the fiend. From where the wound struck the devil a blackness is quickly spreading. Within seconds it creeps across its body like water across a hard surface. As the blackness spreads, it leaves and absent void behind it. The devil begins to issue a curse upon Grimlock but it fades to nothingness with a look of horror and shock in its evil eyes. Nothing of the beast remains.
The three zombies stand flat footed just 15 feet from Grimlock, the devil slaying half-elf, weilder of Zalco, the greatest sword ever forged.
“Now lay low these vile zombies and lets find the hammer wielding priest!” Zalco spurns Grimlock to action.
Bofor looks upon the throne with reverence, “There sits Brakuk of clan Thesdrorlum, Lord of Khoulgumlir.” As the group looks upon Bofor, he adds, “Khoulgumlir is what the clan named this mine. Brakuk was the overseer. It appears he, and all others, were lost with the mine.”
Dalic, though not of the near-surface dwelling dwarfs, feels a sense of respect for the overlord. Wary of the undead, Dalic eyes the skeleton for any sign of animation. He holds his blackened bastard sword at the ready.
Southar begins examining the tracks in the dust. Breymeer quickly joins him.
Peylae verbalizes, “Dead end. What became of Grimlock?”
Bhut moves into the room, happy it is not unlit.
After a quick survey, the room appears to be free of dangers other than the skeleton.
The rangers report there are seven sets of tracks. Six belong to the undead that moved up the passageway and attacked the party in the previous chamber. It appears they had been stationary in this room, lying upon the floor until the moment they rose and walked to their final melee. The final set of tracks belongs to Grimlock. He traversed the room heading directly to the northeast corner of the ledge; where the outcropping meets the outside wall. It appears he scaled the wall for the tracks end there. There is not other sign of him.
Little Speck follows the rangers to the base of the ledge. He begins to scale up the wall.
Kuba follows his little friend. Kuba stands near with his war hammer in hand watching for any sign of danger.
Bofor, seeing no further exits, suggests falling back and for rest before digging out the next passage and possibly awakening something worse than they just faced. He watches the ascent of the halfling towards the throne.
The sight of the dwarven skeleton strengthens Bofor's resolve. The fallen dwarves here shall have their honor returned. The mine shall be liberated. Bofor can’t help but feel honor being of the same clan as the great dwarves of Khoulgumlir. Bofor watches the halfling to make certain he is only looking for Grimlock. Should the halfling disrespect the Throne of Khoulgulir or Lord Brakuk, and armed response from Bofor will be required.
Grimlock discovers he is able to battle with the wills of the Zalco and Foesmiter. He begins to finger for a bit of webbing for a spell but Foesmiter takes over and Grimlock is bent to his will.
Grimlock forgoes the spell and charges into the line of zombies, concentrating on the right flank. With his elvish speed and human strength, emboldened by the magical sword and spirit of Khorliss Foesmiter, Grimlock hacks the head clean off the first standing corpse. Kicking the body out of his way, Grimlock turns to face the final two as they begin chanting in an unholy prayer.
Grimlock feels the evil energy surround his body, he grows sluggish but overcomes the feeling. As he turns to slay the second creature a wave of fear strikes him. Again, his internal resolve wins out and the empowered half-elf presses his attack.
Cirdan advises, "Southar, why don't you just use your rope?"
“Ssssssure.” Southar walks over to the corner near Speck and begins to remove his rope.
Tathar accompanies Southar to the wall and starts feeling around the ground and walls. While doing so, he removes his bow; keeping it ready for any sudden surprises.
“You have no right to this throne,” A voice calls out from above, first in the language of dwarfs and then in common. All are held fast by the voice.
The light, previously concentrated around the throne, begins to pulse brighter and brighter until it is unbearable causing all to shield their eyes. A rush of energy envelopes each adventurer and a sound similar to rushing wind is heard. As the light fades in intensity, the dwarf’s voice calls out again in both languages, “The gods may aid you in your quest but, like your companion, you tarry here too long and meddle where you do not belong.” The volume of the voice trails off as the light fades.
<Breymeer - Room 19> The light fades to black and Breymeer finds himself completely in the dark. He can determine he stands on a hard, likely stone, floor. Within seconds, the sound of boots upon the stone floor is heard. There are two unknowns walking towards him. He can pick out the sound of chainmail shirts rustling as they approach. Breymeer has a sense that unless these two approaching are party members, he is now alone.
<Bhut & Bofor - Room 20>, The light fades to black and Bhut and Bofor find themselves completely in the dark. Some form of illumination can be seen ahead. It is several hundred feet away and only gives enough light to show the duo stand in a chamber of unknown size. The light betrays the location of a passageway leaving the chamber they stand in. It is very dark otherwise. The air of the chamber seems a bit less stale than the previous chambers. The cause is undetermined. None of the other party members can be seen or heard.
Bofor is quiet for a few seconds and then, as his eyes adjust, he informs Bhut, “We stand in the center of a chamber some 120 feet across. The passage that leads to the light goes to the SW. There is a passage behind us leading to the east-southeast. We are slightly deeper than we were before. This chamber has smooth carved walls, a circular shape and domes ceiling as the other chambers. We certainly are still in the delve.
A soft voice speaking dwarvish comes to Bofor’s mind, “Do not fear honorable servant of Fortubo. I surround you like the very stone of the oerth. I am here in your time of need. Now see this task to completion.” A rush of warm energy passes through his body and although he still shows his injuries, his spirit and reverence feel as refreshed as a spring day. <Back to 14 spell points>
<Dalic - Room 25>, The light fades to black and then in an instant flashes to brilliant white light. As the duergar shields his eyes, they begin to adjust. He stands in a 90 foot diameter chamber with a 45 foot domed ceiling above. The room is smoothly carves as the other chambers of the dwarven delve. Dalic stands in the center of the chamber. He quickly determines he is facing south. A passage behind him leads to the northeast. A second passage in front of him leads to the southeast. The room is illuminated brightly by some magical source. It feels slightly colder here than it did in the throne room.
In the southwestern portion of the chamber, the smooth walls have been mined away. Dozens of chunks of mithryl lay about the floor at the base of the wall. Three dwarves work tirelessly with picks chipping stone from the wall. They are dressed in chain mail armor and have hammers on their belts in addition to the picks they work with. Their true identity is given away by the tight rotted skin, missing patches of hair and poor condition of their armor. These fellas are walking dead.
<Speck - Room 26> The light fades to black before slowly returning to a soft, magical glow. Speck finds himself alone. A brief moment of horror runs through him before he is able to calm himself. He looks around nervously attempting to get his bearings. He unconsciously moves backward to a wall and gets quiet and low.
He finds himself in a very large natural chamber. Gone are the smooth dwarven worked walls. The room appears to be some 150 feet long and 120 feet wide. It is very irregular shaped. The ceiling rises to an average height of 30 feet with little variation.
The wall behind Speck feels cold to the touch, as does the air. Speck can see his breath. Looking behind him, Speck realizes he stands in front of an iron door molded in the shape of a dwarf. The door is barred from his side.
From somewhere further into the cavern, Speck’s halfling ears pick up the soft sound of someone chanting. He cannot make out the language or what is being said. There appears to be only one voice. Speck does not recognize it.
From the other side of the door, Speck can make out the sound of metallic objects striking stone repeatedly. The strikes appear to be random without any noticeable rhythm.
<Tathar - Room 27> The light fades to black and Tathar finds himself standing in complete and utter darkness. In darkness such as this even the eyes blessed by Sehanine can not pierce the inky blackness. The air is becoming more chilled here.
A soft voice speaking elven comes to Tathar’s mind, “Do not fear my child. I am with you even in the deepest, darkest holes of the oerth.” A rush of warm energy passes through his body and his spirit and reverence feel as refreshed as a spring day. <Back to 11 spell points>
<Cirdan, Kuba, Southar - Room 28> The light fades to black as gravity begins to pull at the bodies of Cirdan, Kuba and Southar. They are falling. It lasts but a brief moment when impact occurs. The trio lands on a pile of rubbish by the smell. In fact, the horrid smell quickly becomes overpowering. Stomachs begin to turn and it is a fight to keep from vomiting. The trio’s sight returns, illuminated by Southar’s lantern. They quickly determine no one else is with them.
They are on a huge trash and dung heap in a naturally formed cavern. It is some 60 feet wide and longer than the lantern will illuminate in either direction. About 40 feet away, a natural passageway leads out of the room. The pile of filth increases in depth the farther into the room one goes from the passageway. The trio, being about half way across the room, are about 15 feet above the level of the door. The air is chilly made worse by the wetness of the dung pile
The trash and dung heap appears relatively fresh, at least on the top layers. It appears the orcs have somehow managed to transport their excrement and garage to this chamber. All three of the adventurers are now smeared with orc dung.
Just as they are getting their bearings, there is movement in the dung heap some 30 feet from the characters; almost straight in from the door. The rubbish pile is rising in an area nearly 8 to 10 feet in diameter!
Grimlock, with the backstroke, removes the head from the second zombie. He side-steps the collapsing corpse and drives his shield down onto the right thigh of the final zombie shattering the bone (6, 4/10). The zombie latches onto the shield for balance and reaches around the side of it with its dead hand striking Grimlock on his left thigh while cursing the half-elf to its vile undead deity in its dwarvish tongue. Pain shoots through Grimlock’s leg as the blow causes a deep bruise (8, 9/22(25)).
#19 Breymeer slowly back-peddles trying to move to get his back against wall. "Identify yourselves." He readies his dwarven axes, one the finely crafted battle axe and the other the hornwood hand axe.
The creatures come closer and closer. The smell of death and decay betray their identity in the darkness. Breymeer defends himself as they move in for melee.
#20 - Bhut asks for assistance in navigating the dark room. As he tries to walk with his arms extended to make sure he doesn't walk into anything.
Bofor reaches out and touches Bhut to reassure him. “If you wish, can bring forth light should Fortubo bless us with our request.” Bofor looks around for a few more seconds before adding, “It appears there are several wooden trunks along the north wall . . .”
Bofor’s comment is interrupted as the sound of footsteps and chain mail can be heard approaching from the downward passage.
#21 <Peylae arrived in room 21. She has followed the zombies north towards Bofor and Bhut.>
#24 Grimlock forces the creature back with his shield while setting it up for a stroke from his Zalco. The zombie is slow and easy to outmaneuver. Before it can utter another foul curse, Grimlock cuts it deep across the abdomen spilling its long dead contents. The dwarf body collapses to the floor unmoving.
“A battle well fought!” congratulates Zalco. “With my supreme power, let me aid this mighty new warrior.” Grimlock feels a rush of energy course through his body. To his amazement, his body quickly heals of all injury.
Grimlock’s confidence grows along with the healing energies.
Grimlock’s eyes dart around the room. He sees no more threats. His elvish ears quickly pick up a pounding of metal on stone coming from the passage that travels deeper down into the mines. It does not sound as if it is coming closer. It does not sound like a melee. It sounds like metal on stone.
The other passage appears to climb in elevation. As Grimlock faces the passage leading up, the downward passage is nearly 90 degrees to his right.
Grimlock pulls the required components from his pouch and elicits the magic that renders him invisible.
A quick survey of the dead shows the still each have a coin purse. He quickly collects the purses and finds dozens of gold coins between them (61gp).
Moving to the footlockers, he ransacks them finding gold in just over half of them. Including the purses, he gathers up a total of over 300 coins (318 gp).
As Grimlock is placing the last of the gold into his pouches, he hears the clanking of armor approaching from the downward passage. It sounds to be only one individual moving at a brisk pace but short of a run.
#25 Dalic is confused and disoriented and resolves to find his friends or escape. Stubbornness tells him to slaughter all enemies but experience has shown that he will continue fighting until downed and he has no backup to save him at this point.
Dalic wills himself invisible and heads for the passage leading up. He moves at a brisk pace. The sound of the pounding tools covering his footsteps as he heads away from the miners.
He moves up the passageway towards another well lit chamber of identical size to the one he just left. The brightness of both chambers being enough to cause the duergar great discomfort.
The room is carved from the stone in a circular shape with the common domed ceiling. As he nears the chamber, he can see several dead and rotten dwarf corpses near the center of the chamber. They wear chain mail armor in poor condition. Strangely, dispite their decay, they appear recently defeated.
Along the outer walls are lined twelve decrepit wooden beds that have more or less collapsed upon themselves. At the foot of each bed is a wooden locker; each having been ransacked.
Dalic is yet 40 feet from entering the room. From where he is now, he cannot see any other passageages connecting to the upcoming chamber.
#26 Speck draws his short sword very slowly and begins to move towards the voice with stealth. He moves counter-clockwise around the room, staying in the darkness and moving as quiet as a pad footed halfling can. Like a mouse, he sneaks along, keeping the wall on his right, until he comes to a small encampment among the numerous stalactites and stalagmites. He has travelled almost 150 feet.
From his vantage point, he can see several things.
First off, there is a passageway leading away from the room on the opposite site of the encampment. It is over 60 feet away and partially screened by the natural rock formations.
Secondly, the encampment itself shelters only one man. There is a rough pile of clothing laid upon the ground for a bed. A small firepit, currently extinguished, is placed near the bedding.
Sitting on the bedding is a green robed individual. A large book is open in the it’s lap. He appears to be a man; or at least a biped and man-sized. He sits facing nearly away from Speck making it difficult for Speck to see underneath its raised hood. The humming and chanting sounds are coming from the green robed man.
#27 Tathar drops to his knees and prays, thanking Sehanine for her gifts and guidance. He listens for a few moments but hears nothing. Feeling secure enough, he pulls a torch out and light it with his flint and steel.
Looking around, Tathar quickly notices the torchlight is greatly stifled in this horrible darkness. He finds he can only see the length of an outstretched arm.
Tathar does note he is in a narrow natural passageway. It is not more than 10 feet wide. The air has a chill and the elf can see his own breath. The passageway continues into the blackness both ahead of his and behind him.
#28 Kuba declares, “Oh dung! This can't be good.”
Cirdan climbs across the rubbish with all possible haste toward the cavern opening. He heads directly down the rubbish embankment towards the stone floor before angling to the natural opening.
Southar grips his shield and Bloodletter, waiting for whatever may rise out of the filth.
He doesn’t have to wait long. As Cirdan reaches the stone floor, the filth erupts into the air and a foul beast scrambles across the debris heap towards the wallowing fighters. The terrifying creature moves along using three thick legs. Its bloated body is over six feet in diameter with grey, dung smeared, skin. Three eyes are mounted on a leaflike stalk, nearly two feet long, that grows up from its body. Two other longer tentacles end in leaf shaped, spiny pads. Most horrifying is the creature’s mouth. Mounted in the center of its disgusting body, the huge mouth opens to expose two rows of long, razor sharp teeth.
The fighters feel an overwhelming sense that this creature has found its next meal as it closes in for the kill.
#19 Breymeer bellows out a battle cry and calls, “Give me light!”
Breymeer’s request is met with a hammer fall upon his left thigh shooting pain across his leg (3, 30/37(47)).
A second blow deflects off the dwarven battle axe which Breymeer quickly swing offensively. His battle axe makes contact with a shield.
With his hand axe, Breymeer battles the other attacker. His axe bounces off a body covered in chain mail armor. Breymeer is unsure if he damaged it.
Breymeer battles courageously using smell, sound and feel. As he battles, the faintest of lights comes into view. It appears to be far off and gives Breymeer no help in his current battle.
#20 Bofor touches the exposed handle of one of Bhut’s throwing knives and calls for Fortubo’s aid, “Bright light from this darkness.” The knife handle begins to glow and quickly brightens bringing with it light to the chamber. The handle glows bright enough to essentially illuminate the large chamber. Since the knife is sheathed near Bhut’s abdomen, the area behind Bhut is greatly shadowed.
The now lit room reveals two dwarves, both in chain mail armor and carrying shields, entering the room from the downhill passage. The first removes a war hammer from its belt and continues purposefully towards Bofor and Bhut.
The second stops and mutters something in the dwarf language to which Bofor warns, “It is a vile priest!”
The dwarves move very stiff and clumsy. It appears they may be walking dead.
From the passage behind the zombies, a twang is heard. An arrow pierces the spellcasters throat disrupting whatever vile power it was calling forth (1, 14/15). A second bowstring is soon heard and an arrow strikes the zombies thigh (1, 13/15).
From the uphill passage, a war cry echoes through the passage. The two immediately recognize it as coming from the barbarian of the northland, Breymeer. The voice indicates the warrior is some distance up the passage and not close enough to help the dwarf priest or fellow human warrior. The clang of metal on metal hints that Breymeer is in combat.
<Peylae has stopped and is shooting arrows to keep the spellcaster busy>
#24 Grimlock waits by the entrance where he heard the movement coming from hanging back a few feet against the wall.
The metallic footfalls continue and grow closer and closer. Just a few feet into the passageway they pause. Grimlock sees nothing. To his surprise, the footfalls suddenly start up again.
Something in heavy metal armor, likely plate mail, jogs into the room and, by the sound of it, heads for the other exit from the chamber.
Dalic continues forward in search of a continued route or evidence of who or what has slain the enemy and where they have gone. Upon entering the chamber, Dalic immediately sees a second passage leading from the room. That passage continues a slow ascent. Dalic heads across the chamber towards the other tunnel. The tunnel extends well past the limits of Dalic’s vision.
#26 Speck stops, remaining motionless. He watches the person closely.
For several minutes the person continues its chanting and sing song speech. Dalic can not understand the language. Speck does make out the burn and soot marks on its green robes.
The group that entered the hill from the east spoke of a green robed wizard. Could Speck have stumbled across him? If so, the party spoke of the wizard’s ability to conjure up balls of fire that it threw at Speck’s comrades.
If this is truly the mage, as Speck is convincing himself, the man is most likely studying his book of spells and regaining his powers.
#27 Tathar puts a hand out in front of him so he does not run into anything, and holds the torch closer to the floor so he doesn't fall or step into anything, and move approx 20' down the passage testing to see if the thick darkness goes away. It does not.
Tathar continues slowly and carefully. He commits himself to listening; trying to use his keen hearing to make up for his retricted vision.
After another ten feet, Tathar comes to fork. The tunnel he follows has a second tunnel that opens to the right travelling nearly 90 degrees to the right.
#28 Kuba, having heard dark tavern tales, shouts, “Double dung! An Otyugh!" Kuba begins to scramble down the embankment, "Cirdan wait!" Making ground away from the creature, Kuba shouts back, "Let's get out of here Southar!"
Meanwhile, Cirdan stops and removes a scroll from his possessions. Cirdan opens it and reads some magic from the parchment that Kuba could never hope to understand. Cirdan appears satisfied with the result even though Kuba saw now results himself.
The dung creature attacks Southar. Its first barbed tentacle bounces harmlessly off Southar’s golden shield. Its gnashes its teeth as its second tentacle wraps Southar’s right thigh, the barbs cutting into his flesh (5, 45/52). Southar’s leg is grappled and the creature continues to flay at his flesh (4, 41/52).
The snake-man responds, hacking at the offending tentacle with Bloodletter. The longsword cuts a deep gash in the tentacle spilling blood upon the dung pile (17, 33/50). The otyugh re-doubles its efforts, moving slightly to its left trying to cut Southar off from his companions. Southar’s thigh remains trapped by the creature.
#19 Breymeer, fearing he may have slipped in over his head, hacks away with fury. Not knowing if his opponents can see in the dark, he feints with his hand axe and drives his battle axe down. It makes contact, severing through muscle and bone. The sound of a shield hitting the floor indicates Breymeer has severed its arm. The thud of a body striking the floor soon thereafter gives the warrior hope.
His building confidence is held in check as a war hammer grazes his forehead (2, 28/39(47)).
#20 Bhut, using both axes, quickly slashes at the dwarf zombie. He slashes with his off hand striking it in the chest (10, 15/25). Chain links and bone fly from the impact and the force of the blow knocks the skeleton flat to the stone floor. Bhut follows up with an overhand attack with his strong hand. The blow would have proved fatal but the dead warrior pulls its shield in harms way at the last moment. The axe cuts through the shield crushing ribs and dead organs (11, 4/25).
Bofor presents his hammer symbol and commands, “This is Khoulgumlir! And it belongs to the Dwarves of Thesdrorlum! Back now, back to your graves!”
Both zombies turn away from the Bofor and try to escape away.
As the wounded zombie tries to clatter away, Bhut presses his attack. He slams his axe onto its back severing the spine. The body stops moving.
The other zombie disappears down the passage from whence it came. Shortly thereafter a much relieves and grinning Peylae enters the chamber with her bow in hand, “That vile thing ran past me towards a well lit chamber. It contains several large basins filled with foul smelling liquid.”
“Airweed,” comments Bofor, “It is used to help give good air to deep mines. Not the prettiest to smell however.”
Looking around, aided by the light from Bhut’s knife handle, the three can see several storage trunks on the north wall. Next to them is a wooden rack holding a half dozen pole arms.
The sound of metal on metal combat can be heard some distance downt he passage nearly opposite from where Peylae entered.
#23 Dalic pushes on while looking for disturbance in the dust and dirt of the floor. He finds telling layer of dust is gone. There is enough traffic to cause the center of the walkway to be free of obvious tracks. Giving a grunt, he continues away from the lit chamber into the dark passage. He allows his eyes to adjust thankful to be back into a duergar friendly environment.
Dalic jogs down the long corridor all the while ascending a slow slope. After nearly 500 feet, he approaches another lit chamber. Slowing, Dalic approaches to assess the situation.
The chamber is the common circular design with a high domed ceiling. The room is 90 feet across. It appears this room was once used as a barracks. Arranged abou the wals are seven decrepit bunks. Each bunk has a footlocker located at its base.
There are two other exits from the chamber. A passage to the right continues uphill. There is a stairwell to the left. It appears to rise sharply in a series of short switchbacks.
Near the stairwell, the bodies of three deteriorated dwarves stand as if ready for an attack. Their armor and weapons show they have been here for a long time. Across the room, two other dwarves, long since dead, stand and watch the stairwell as if waiting for something. All have chain mail, shields and war hammers. The three by the stairs have their hammers at the ready. The other two do not.
Grimlock quietly follows the heavy footsteps nearly 500 feet up a dark passage to another illuminated chamber.
#26 Very carefully, Speck quietly sheaths his sword and prepares his short bow. He then continues to sneak along the wall behind the mage towards the exit using the rock formations as additional cover.
The mage, appearing to be lost in concentration, ignores the halfling.
Speck continues past the mage successfully and enters the tunnel. It is of natural formation with a chill in the air. The halfling can see his breath.
A shriek of pain echoes from somewhere in the tunnel ahead of Speck.
The mage looks up from his studies.
#27 Tathar continues slowly forward, keeping to the same passage. He creeps forward another 100 feet before coming to a fork in the road. Both passages continue on in his general direction of travel, one on the left side and one on the right.
While he is deciding which way to go, the faint sound of a struggle ahead of him reaches his ear. It is too difficult to tell much from the sounds.
In addition, a black blob drops from above striking mainly his shield and shield arm. A heavy smell of acid accompanies the attack. His shield and armor immediately begin to dissolve and his skin burns with excruciating pain causing Tathar to shriek with pain (17, 2/24). With his extreme dexterity, he tumbles clear of the creature.
Tathar comes to his feet freeing himself of the shield as he does. The creature is only about 6 feet away. The torch Tathar had in his hand dropped to the cave floor during the attack. It now sits between the elf and the nearly 5 foot in diameter black blob.
The blob begins to rotate around the torch clockwise.
Tathar’s arm screams in pain but the damage seems to be running its course. The shield continues to dissolve on the floor. Tathars armor has been destroyed from the shoulder down.
#28 The thorny tentacle continues to rend Southar’s leg (5, 36/52) until another slash from Bloodletter cuts Southar free (10, 23/50). The tentacle severs and falls to the trash pile.
A sense of anger comes from the creature as it lashes and bites at Southar without effect.
Cirdan removes a blanket from his pack, "Come on, Kuba, he's gonna need our help, and he won't run. He probably thinks he's invincible. I blame that cursed shield of his."
Kuba, having stashed his sword while navigating down the heap, turns with his bow in hand. He begins sending arrows into the creature. Both arrows penetrate the thick hide (7, 16/50 and 8, 8/50).
A sudden shriek of pain is heard from the passage out of the room. Its echoing causes direction and distance to be distorted beyond calculation.
#19 Breymeer continues flailing away in the pitch darkness while bellowing another war cry. His hand axe meets rotted flesh, busting through the chain links just below the ribs (8, 17/25). The blow from his battle axe is deflected by the dead creature’s shield. Judging from the size and reach of his opponent, Breymeer calculates he is fighting dead dwarves.
Just as the undead warrior is deflecting Breymeer’s battle axe, it drives its own war hammer down onto Breymeer’s exposed left thigh (3, 25/37(47)).
A faint light begins to creep towards the room from a passageway as Breymeer battles. Something with a bright light is closing on the room. I can be no more than one minute away.
#20 Bofor celebrates his successful turning of the undead!
Another war cry echoes into the chamber. The sound carries with it a sense of urgency as if the warrior is fighting for his life. Peylae calls the priest and the warrior forward, “Our comrade needs us. Let us not tarry.”
Bhut, snagging the coin purse from the defeated undead warrior (19gp), walks to the storage trunks and tosses the lids off them, “Rotted weapons.” He looks disappointed. Taking a breath and spinning his axes in his hands, he takes off after the dwarf and the elf who are now jogging forward at the edge of Bhut’s magical light.
Paylae has her short sword out now and Bofor readied his shield and hammer.
#23 Dalic plans to continue by taking the path of least resistance and starts for the passage up away from the enemies. He gets only a step when he hears Grimlock’s voice maybe 15 or 20 feet behind him, “Dalic, are your wits about you? It is grim!” Grimlock is not visible.
#26 Speck stops and tries to remain out of sight. Speck is 60 some feet from the mage and has a screen of natural rock formations partially obscuring his movement. The halfling quickly ducks out of sight.
The mage stands and laughs to himself, “Devour it my little pet!” Unless Speck is mistaken, the mage appears human and vile at that.
The mage’s voice changes to a dialect Speck does not understand. The mage begins some type of magic spell or conjuration.
#27 Tathar circles the far side of the torch and blindly moves down the tunnel he thinks the sounds came from while trying to put some distance between himself and the black blob.
To keep from getting lost, Tathar keeps to the wall on his left as he has since he started. He travels about 90 feet before he stops and removes an oil flask from his possessions.
Tathar pours a line across the floor and partially up each side wall. He is relieved to find the passage is yet only 10 feet wide. Using his flint and steel, he puts spark to a torch and torch to the oil. His defensive line comes to life. It creates only a dull light.
He can see nothing close behind him. Ahead of him, the passage forks again. One half remains travelling in his general direction of travel. The other departs at a 90 degree angle to the right. He can not see more than 5 feet from burning fire line and 3 feet from his torch.
Seeminly secure for the moment, Tathar puts his hand to his symbol and prays.
#28 Cirdan, seeing that Southar and Kuba should have this trash-monster under control, heads towards the tunnel at speed. He moves 75 feet down the passage until it comes to a tee. He pauses for his eyes to adjust having left the illumination provided by Southar’s lantern.
Cirdan stops and listens hard. All has fallen quiet, other than the battle on the dung pile. Nothing is visible other than natural passage to the right or left to the extent of Cirdan’s vision.
It is noticeably colder in the passageway.
Southar drives his sword into the beast just above its mouth. The sword sinks to its pommel and blood sprays out when Southar removes the blade.
At that moment, the garbage pile erupts some 40 feet from Kuba; just past the passageway opening. A second creature, a little smaller than the first, has burst through the dung pile onto the stone floor. It lumbers forward on three short stout legs; its mouth open. Its tongue licks the air as it moves forward. Southar and Kuba can feel the creature’s blood lust for fresh meat.
Like a skilled hunter of great beasts, Kuba releases two arrows into the creature as it bears down on him. Both streak unerringly into their target (14, 16/30 and 8, 8/30).
The temptation of having a fresh meal is too great for the severly wounded creature. It continues its attack, seeking to make prey out of the hunter before it.
It rakes Kuba across the neck with its left tentacle (3, 38/45(47)) and grapples him around his waist with its right. The thorny pads cut into his skin as the creature lifts the warrior into the air above its mouth (4, 34/45(47)). The toothy mouth bites down at Kuba’s flailing feet. Kuba’s boot takes the blunt of the blow but his ankle is cut and bruised none the less (2, 32/45(47)).
#19 Breymeer’s attacks become more focused fearing whatever may be coming. He drives his battle axe through the leg of his opponent (9, 8/25). As gravity takes the creature down, Breymeer hacks it in the chest (7, 1/25). The vile undead is heard to fall upon the floor yet it sweeps its hammer at Breymeer. They blow carries no energy and Breymeer’s boot protects him from damage.
The light grows steadily closer as the final undead warrior scrambles upon the ground to continue combat with Breymeer.
#20 The sound of combat continues while the trio jogs closer. Bhut and Peylae keep a slow pace as Bofor can not run as fast as them. For now, none appear willing to separate. The security in numbers outweighing the urgency to investigate the battle ahead.
#23 Dalic turns abruptly whispering back, “Aye Grim it is, as well are you.” Dalic’s voice shows pleasure in having a companion but he quickly falls silent again knowing they are not alone and must remain quiet.
Grimlock, also playing mute, does not return a comment.
#26 Speck’s first arrow strikes a stalagmite half way to the spellbinder as it completes its spell.
Speck takes a fine bead and lets the string sing a second time. As the arrow flies the gap between the halfling and the mage, the mage disappears from sight. The tactic is in vain as Speck’s arrow strikes hard into an invisible object, stopping in mid air (12, 0/20; awesome crit). The tip of the arrow and the feathers can be seen but the shaft disappears as it is stuck in the mage’s head. The arrow takes an arc towards the floor and bounces once before coming to rest.
#27 Tathar administers aid to his arm while watching for the pudding to be coming via wall or ceiling! (+2, 4/24). As he is binding himself, Cirdan’s voice is clearly heard through the darkness in the direction Tathar is travelling. Cirdan is calling out, “TATHAR! GRIMLOCK!”
The distance to the echoing voice is hard to judge in the underground darkness but it seems to be only a few hundred yards ahead of him.
#28 Southar charges down the hill to aid Kuba. His blow bounces off the thick hide of the dung creature. It tries to bite Southar in return but Southar shoves his golden shield into its mouth instead fouling its attempt. With its free tentacle, it rakes Southar across his good leg. The spiny barbs are unable to pierce the ranger’s scaled skin. With quickness and strength, Southar avoids being grappled like Kuba.
Kuba drops his bow and pulls his sword. The room is getting darker as the creature squeezes the air out of his lungs all while digging its barbed pad deeper into his skin (5, 27/45(47)).
Cirdan, standing outside of the room in the hall, calls out loudly, “TATHAR! GRIMLOCK!”
<Skirpus, a bone devil, hears Cirdan calling. Skirpus turns invisible>
#19 Breymeer swings his hand axe at the downed foe but strikes the stone floor instead. In a retaliatory strike, the dead dwarf smashes his hammer into Breymeer’s forearm causing a wound (8, 17/39(47)), stunning the arm and causing Breymeer to drop his hand axe.
Breymeer cries out in pain. His cry quickly becomes another war cry as he smashes the dwarf’s skull to pieces with his battle axe.
The echo of his war cry dies off and there are no other sounds in the chamber other than Breymeer’s heavy breath.
#20 The trio moves forward to a tee. Another cry of pain calls out, echoing in from the right side of the tee. There is nearly no doubt the sound comes from Breymeer. The cry of pain turns into a war cry and heavy smashing is heard along with the ring of metal on stone. Then, all falls silent.
Peylae heads to the right and Bofor and Bhut follow suit. They slow and approach the chamber cautiously.
The chamber is similar to the others. This one is 90 feet across with the now common domed ceiling and smooth walls. In the center of the room are two lumps in chain mail. They appear to be the remains of dwarves recently laid low.
Peylae calls out softly, “Breymeer, do you yet live?”
#23 Grimlock suggests Dalic work their way back to where Grimlock stands. Dalic does just that, reaching out and grasping onto Grimlock’s shoulder; a feat that is quite easy to do as the duergar is still enlarged and considerably bigger the half elf in height and girth.
Grimlock whispers, “I am going to levitate you and push you along. Do not move or make noise as we sneak past the zombies and climb up the stairs.
Dalic agrees, “I’m game.”
As Grimlock prepares his spell, he adds, “If need arise, I will surround the three by the stairs in a mass of webs so we can attack the other two.”
Dalic vocalizes an understanding.
Grimlock completes the spell and Dalic feels his stomach turn as he rises a foot off the floor. He signals to Grimlock and the half elf begins to push the duergar through the air towards the chamber.
#26 Speck stows his bow and once again take out his stout dwarven short sword. He makes a careful advance back to the Mage. Speck feels for the mage's invisible body with the sword. He finds it and run it through just to make sure he is dead. The mage’s body gives no hint of life.
Speck looks around to confirm there are no other immediate threat. Finding none, he starts a careful search of the place looking for things of value.
First thing, Speck locates the mage's spell book and secures it in his pack for his magic using companions. Next to the spell book, Speck locates a small coin pouch. It is tied shut but appears to contain several dozen coins.
#27 Tathar responds to Cirdan’s hail, "I'm here, are you alone?"
Cirdan calls back, "No, Southar and Kuba are here, but they are fighting a creature Kuba called an otyugh. Can you come to my voice?"
Tathar pauses, looks around for the black oozing death and prays for healing (+4, 8/25).
<Skirpus teleports up behind Cirdan>
#28 Kuba hacks away at the tough hide of the otyugh nearly severing the tentacle that holds him aloft. Southar lunges forward and drives his sword to the hilt into the creature. It collapses to the ground unable to deliver a bite to the ranger with the golden shield.
Kuba hits the ground with a thud. The debris and feces softening the blow. Kuba begins to vomit at the smell. Southar appears to be handling it better.
#19 Breymeer responds, “Yes, I’m still with the living, though I’ve been better.” Peylae walks into the chamber, backlit from the passageway. Breymeer continues, “And you are a pleasant sight. An update on the rest of our party would be appreciated.
On cue, Bofor Barrelmace and P’innr Bhut walk into the room behind Peylae. “Counting you, we are only four strong. I know not where the other seven are.”
The foursome are all injured to some degree. Breymeer appears the worst of the four. He appears to have significantly injured a hand as he does not use it.
Bhut has a brightly glowing knife handle sticking out of his belt. It illuminates the room. The room is 90 feet in diameter, circular with a domes ceiling. Some wood debris hints at the room previous usage being that of a barracks. The two dead dwarf zombies are all that remain in the room.
There is another passageway on the far side of the chamber. It leads to a set of winding stairs that drop swiftly downward. Each step is one foot wide and one foot down. The stairs appear to take a series of switchbacks and landings similar to that of a modern building stairwell.
#23 The sound of battle ceases as Grimlock pushes Dalic silently across the floor. Stealthier than a farm mouse and quieter than the hunting owl, Grimlock passes first one and then the other two dead dwarven warriors guarding the flight of stairs.
The half elf and the duergar are nearly holding their breath as Grimlock concentrates to elevate Dalic as Grimlock begins to ascend the steeply banked narrow stairs. Each step is a foot wide and raises a foot.
Progress is slow but steady. Still, not further sound of battle comes from above.
#26 Speck, finding nothing much else of interest at the camp site, moves to the body. He quickly re-locates it by the arrow sticking vertically into the air, half invisible.
Speck pats the body down and finds the mage appears to be a human male garbed in robes. Speck finds some adornments on the body. It carries a dagger in a sheath, two rings (one per hand) and thick metal bracelets. The ring on the left hand appears to feel generally smooth and plain. The ring from the right hand has some type of large round generally circular protrusion rising from it. The footwear is in very poor cond1ell of smoke and soot to it.
Being that all the items are invisible, Speck can not make out many details from them.
#27 Tathar, still secure from the black acid blob, cures his wounds again (+8, 16/24).
#28 Kuba empties his stomach a final time and recovers from his retching. He does his best to tidy up as good an orc feces covered person can, and grab his bow off the floor. As he limps away from the dung pile he says, "I fear some kind of disease may overtake me if I don't find a way to clean up and get healed of these wounds."
Southar looks concerned as he glances over his own injuries.
The two warriors begin to exit the room. Cirdan has gone past a little wiggle in the exit passageway. He is not visible in the lantern light. He most certainly had yelled for Tathar from a little farther down this passage.
Cirdan’s hair stands up on his neck as he feels a sudden presence just behind him. A foul odor of decay and rot surrounds the elf nobleman. This smell overpowers that of the orc dung and trash. Cirdan fights off an overwhelming wave of fear as he turns to face this new devilry. He finds there is nothing to be seen.
His elf ears pick up a slight rattle of bone as he hears in his head, “Come with me now or I shall torture you until the very end of time.”
A horrifying creature materializes from thin air. It stands nine feet tall, bony and wretched. It appears to be a dried husk of generally human form. Its skin is stretched tightly across its frame. Its nearly human shaped skull is fearsome to behold. A long barbed tail extends from the back of its hip structure. It resembles a tail of a scorpion. Its eye sockets glow red with the flames of hell. Pure evil, malice, hatred and rage emanate from them.
Cirdan can see out of the corner of his eye, the light from Southar’s lantern is approaching from the garbage dump. They must only be 50 or so feet away, just barely screened by a little wiggle in the passageway between the elf mage and the human warrior and once-human ranger.
#19 Bofor walks up to Breymeer as Peylae begins addressing his arm wound (+3, 20/39(47)). Bofor prays for Breymeer’s healing (+5, 25/39(47)). Feeling returns to Breymeer’s arm and the wound goes away.
Bhut has crossed the chamber. He stops at the top of the steep downward stairs and looks over the shoulder to see if anyone is following him.
Now that Breymeer’s arm appears functional, the human, the elf and the dwarf join Bhut.
The Bhut and Bofor take the lead with Breymeer and Peylae taking position behind them. The stairs are very steep, dusty and appear unused. They are designed similar to a hotel stairwell with a series of switchbacks and landings. Each step has a one foot tread and a one foot riser.
#23 Grimlock continues to elevate Dalic up the steep stairwell. He safely arrives at the first landing up, then the second.
As the two make the turn up the third flight, the sound of activity above reaches their ears. Also, something is creating white light from few flights above. Because of the switchbacks, the direct light does not reach the duo.
From what they can make out, a group of several individuals are a few landings above them. They have some type of white light. It is not a lantern or torchlight.
#26 Speck finishes stripping the mage of whatever he can find. He leaves only the singed robe so as not to denude the body.
Speck returns to the camp location. He searches the area for unusual features like freshly refilled holes or rocks placed in piles to conceal objects. He remains ever silent alert to the surroundings.
#27 Tathar continues forward another 40 feet or so. He reaches another side passage. This one cuts off nearly 90 degrees to his right. The passage he is in appears to continue forward as well. Tathar cannot detect anything that would indicate the ooze is following him.
Cirdan’s voice suddenly calls out, "Kuba, Southar hurry up, there is a big, scary, evil-looking creature here that says we have to go with it or be tortured for all eternity!"
The voice is coming from just ahead of Tathar and to the left. The voice sounds relatively close. Maybe a hundred yards or so at most. Tathar cannot see in the dark far enough ahead to decipher what exact path to take. He can safely eliminate the new passage to his right. His only real choice at this point is to move forward if he wishes to locate Cirdan.
#28 Kuba sticks with Southar as they move down the passage. They make it around the little wiggle in the passageway and can see Cirdan standing at a tee intersection about 15 feet in front of them. Kuba had been in mid sentence talking to Southar, but he trails off, “Hopefully we can find a way to regroup with everyone and find some water to wash wi . . .”
Cirdan is facing down a 9 foot tall skeleton of pure evil. It is bony and wretched. It appears to be a dried husk of generally human form. Its skin is stretched tightly across its frame. Its nearly human shaped skull is fearsome to behold. A long barbed tail extends from the back of its hip structure. It resembles a tail of a scorpion. Its eye sockets glow red with the flames of hell. Pure evil, malice, hatred and rage emanate from them.
Cirdan and the creature are conversing. Southar and Kuba have walked interrupted to hear Cirdan say to the creature, "Okay, I'll come with you, but can we wait for my friends? They are almost here, and I would hate to get split up in this place."
Seeing the warriors arriving, Cirdan yells, "Kuba, Southar hurry up, there is a big, scary, evil-looking creature here that says we have to go with it or be tortured for all eternity!"
The creature snaps his fingers and a wall of crystal clear ice appears between Cirdan and his companions in the passageway. “You are brave my elven toy. This shall give me much enjoyment. Please, call more of your friends.”
#19 Bofor and Bhut lead a slow descent down the steep stairwell. Not halfway down the first flight of stairs, Bhut steps down and the stair tread drops about one inch under his weight as he mutters, “Uh oh!”
A nearly imperceptible click is heard behind the party as the back wall of the initial landing swings forward under the weight of a very heavy, ten foot in diameter, perfectly round stone.
The stone drops to the floor with a thundering ‘thud’ that is nearly felt in the very stone itself. Its inertia moves it across the landing and over the cusp of the first step.
The stone immediately begins a descent of the stairwell toward the party. The chipping of the stone steps as it falls betrays the weight of it. The stone quickly gains momentum.
“Run!” shrieks Peylae as she tries to push Bofor into a run.
#23 Grimlock and Dalic are but a few steps into the third flight when something above gives them a start. A very loud ‘thud’ is heard and nearly felt in the stone itself. A grinding of stone, like that of a massive millstone, is heard from above. It is quickly followed by a deafening noise.
Peylae’s voice is heard echoing down the stairwell, “Run!”
It takes but a breath for the multi-talented half-elf and the dark dwarf to figure out the situation. Something immensely heavy is coming down the stairwell and it is gaining speed as it comes.
#26 Speck continues his cautious search.
#27 Tathar whispers a final prayer to ease the pain of his acid burns. Sehanine grants his prayer (+5, 21/24). His injury from the ooze is all but healed.
#28 Horrified, Southar and Kuba find the wall of ice is nearly a foot thick. They are unable to aid their noble elf friend. They watch as the events unfold.
Cirdan looks at the ice wall then back at the creature. He drops his blanket and put his hands on his hips. "Okay, I guess we're traveling alone. Let me call and see if any of the others are in the area." Cirdan hopes his movements distract from his real objective as he plots to get at his spell components.
Cirdan, in an attempted slight of hand, pulls out a piece of string and a bit of wood. He attempts to hide the semantic movements in his calling for friends, "LaLa, Tinkie-Winkie can yo hear me? Any of my servants, unseen out there?”
Cirdan, sensing he has conjured his servant, looks at the creature, “You better be careful one may grab your tail and smack your head, repeatedly."
The creature is not so easily fooled. As something grabs its tail, the creature springs an attack. Cirdan weaves and dodges as its left clawed hand sweeps harmlessly past his cheek. Its right hand claws Cirdan across the left upper arm opening a small wound (2, 24/26).
The tail lashes lighting quick and Cirdan knows his unseen servant has been destroyed.
The skeletal face opens and a hellish hiss sounds followed by its teeth snapping shut inches from Cirdan’s face as the elf backpeddles to create distance. “Don’t toy with me elf. You live by my leave.” The voice in Cirdan’s head shows its anger.
“Now walk past me or I shall rip out your heart and eat it with your friends as my audience.” Cirdan senses it has no further patience.
#19 Breymeer drives to the side of the chamber and tries to find shelter in the space between the round edge of the boulder and the squareness of the stairwell. Amazingly, the boulder passes by him without harm; bouncing just enough to allow him room against the wall.
Bofor and Bhut flee around the corner and begin their descent of the next flight of stairs.
Peylae, trying to slow her stride behind the dwarf, stumbles and sprawls out, very un-elflike, onto the stairwell. She tries to roll to the side out of the way of the boulder. She pins her body against the wall but the boulder goes over her left leg (13, -2/16). The boulder leaves her unmoving on the stairwell, her left leg badly damaged.
Dalic calls out, “Release me and run!”
Grimlock lowers the duergar to the ground. As soon as gravity is working again, Dalic begins running down the steps. His powerful legs carry him down the flights of stairs and into the chamber where the zombies, now alerted to trouble, prepare for melee.
As the duergar retreats, Grimlock pulls a bit of webbing from his pocket and begins his spell. Webbing begins to shoot from Grimlock’s fingertips as he coats the stairwell with thick heavy webs.
Bofor and Bhut round the corner. They can not see the fleeing duergar or Grimlock as they are both still invisible. They can hear sounds of Dalic’s plate mail as he charges down the stairs. They can see the strands of webbing coming at them from Grimlock’s unseen hand.
Bofor and Bhut are both able to avoid getting caught in the webbing. They continue to flee down the stairwell arriving in the next chamber just behind Dalic.
Grimlock completes his spell and turns to flee.
The boulder slams into the webbing shredding it as the strands are unable to contain the mass of the boulder. It continues around the corner from the 4th flight to the 3rd. Its momentum begins to slow from the webbing and the change of direction.
Strands of webbing pop and pull loose. The boulder is slowed significantly but gravity pulls at it continuously. It continues to churn through the webs. Grimlock turns the corner from the 3rd flight to the 2nd as the webbing loses the battle. The boulder rips free and begins to gain speed somewhat hindered by the stinky mess that encompasses it.
The first thing to enter the chamber at the base of the stairs is the invisible duergar. The only thing giving him away is the pounding of his feet and the clanging of his plate mail.
Next enter Bofor and Bhut. Grimlock can be heard, but not seen, coming down the last flight of stairs just behind the dwarf and human. A flight behind Grimlock, the aweful weight of the boulder continues to crash down.
The chamber is brightly lit. It is 90 feet across, has a domed ceiling and adorned with bunks. At the base of each bunk is a foot locker. All are in poor shape.
Three long dead dwarven warriors guarding the stairwell charge into combat. They have chain mail armor, shields and hammers. Two other dwarves in chain mail armor, stand farther back from the melee.
#26 Speck continues his search.
#27 Tathar continues cautiously towards Cirdan’s voice. He follows the wall another 40 feet. It opens to a small chamber or wide part of the passageway. He is unable to see very far. He knows Cirdans voice came from his left so he continues to follow the wall at it turns gradually 90 degrees to his left.
To Tathar’s surprise, he can suddenly see again. It is generally dark. There is a passage directly on ahead of him. The passage has a slight bend to the left. It is enough that Tathar can only see out about 60 feet ahead of him.
He can hear commotion farther down the natural passageway. It appears to be just a short distance out of view. It is close enough he can hear Cirdan speaking but can not decipher the words.
#28 Cirdan picks up his blanket and apply a corner of it to his cheek to stem the bleeding, "Which way, your smelliness?" Cirdan moves past the unholy creature and waits for a direction.
Kuba says to Southar, "A pile of dung behind us and sure death in front. We may be safe on this side of the ice wall but there is no honor in that. We can't just let that hellish creature kill him. We should break this wall of ice and aid in the battle. Better to die fighting."
Kuba takes out his war hammer to tries to break the wall.
With a wave of the fiend’s hand, part of the ice wall sheers off and tips towards Southar and Kuba, breaking into a multitude of pieces as it does so. They are unable to escape completely from it. Kuba tries to dive out of the way and is knocked to the ground in the process (8, 19/30(34)). Southar keeps his feet protected partially by his shield although he still takes a partial impact (9, 27/52).
“Now go, elf. Walk towards the death that awaits you or I will continue to torture your friends.” The fiend’s eyes shows no empathy.
#23 Breymeer rushes to Peylae’s aid. He finds her body convulsing. Her eyes are rolled back in her head and she is no longer breathing. He leg is completely crushed. Her heart stops and her body twitches a few final times before becoming still.
Breymeer removes his bow and obsidian arrow and begins to descend the stairs.
Grimlock’s footsteps pattern off into the room between the dwarven zombie warriors.
Dalic side steps out of the tunnel and into the chamber to escape the boulder.
Bhut runs forward as well, both axes whirling. He meets his opponent with a frenzied attack. His first axe is deflected by its old, rusty shield. The second axe blow cuts into its right shoulder (6, 17/23).
Bofor steps to the side of the stairwell in attempt of avoiding the boulder. He removes his hammer symbol and faces the fallen dwarves, “Back you twisted souls. Get back!”
All of the fallen dwarves begin a march towards the downward sloping passage that exits the room to the right of the stairwell.
Bhut takes advantage of the situation and lays another blow upon the zombie, striking a nasty gash upon its left thigh (8, 9/23) dropping the dwarf to its knees.
The boulder makes its entrance into the room as the dwarven zombies attempt to cross its path to flee. The zombie Bhut knocked to its knees is the first to be crushed. As the boulder continues to roll, the residue of the webbing pickups up the body. A second dwarf warrior is crushed beneath the boulder and it too is picked up. Like a rolling dwarf fly paper, the boulder picks up a third dwarf zombie as the two that had been along the near wall attempted to cross in front of it.
The boulder rolls over and over the bodies stuck to the residue crushing them repeatedly before it smashes into the far wall, crushing a cot and footlocker in the process.
The two remaining zombies continue to flee towards the downward sloping passage.
#26 Speck continues his search.
#27 Tathar holds tight listening for the dialog to continue. He prepares for actions should a scuffle break out. For now, it appears the dialog does indeed continue.
#28 Cirdan says, "Aren't we always walking towards our death? I mean elves don't really die, they just move on, but sooner or later we all come to the end of the road." As he speaking, Cirdan moves slowly to the right past the creature.
Kuba gets to his feet, draws his sword and with shield on his other arm, prepares for battle. Southar moves forward as well. The remnants of the ice wall come crashing down upon itself. The passage is back open to Cirdan although the footing has become treacherous.
The bony devil looks with disgust as the two warriors move forward for the attack. “You will soon all die very painfully.” It disappears from view, vanishing into the cool cavern air.
#23 Breymeer appears at the edge of the stairs and takes survey of the situation. Seeing the dead fleeing the room, he releases the tension from his obsidian arrow he has half drawn with his bow, “Peylae is down on the stairs above me. She was crushed to death by the boulder.”
Bofor turns to head up the stairs, “I will check on her, who is with me?”
Dalic, unseen, stands his ground, staying prepared for any sudden counter-attack.
Bhut also pauses, catching his breath.
The footlocker lids start opening on their own, one and then the other. It appears something, or someone, is pilfering them. A collection of old sacks is collected. Each sack disappears suddenly once lifted out of the locker.
Grimlock, Inside the sacks are gold coins, nearly 300 in all (285 gp total).
#26 Speck continues to filter through and inspect items and questionable areas. He continues his surveillance for wandering critters and possible booby-traps.
#27 Tathar, now able to see better, monitors the walls, floor and ceiling behind and above him for the ooze while listening to the activities further up the hall. A light illuminates ahead of him as he can hear quiet talking. He is near certain it is his comrades. The hissing voice of Southar appears to echo down the passageway although Tathar is not able to make out the words, just the drawn out ‘s’.
#28 Cirdan intently listens to try and detect if the horror moved off while invisible or if it teleported in some way. He smells the air, finding the scent of it is fading. It appears it has moved off, for now.
Kuba and Southar, who retrieves his lantern again, join Cirdan at the intersection of the two passages.
“Have I ssssssscared it off?” questions Southar as his forked tongue licks the air.
#23 Bofor turns his attention to investigate what appears to be the looting of the foot lockers which belong rightfully to Bofor’s clan. Bofor calls out a warning, “Those footlockers belong to the Thesdrorlum clan of Khoulgumlir. I am Bofor Barrelmace of clan Thesdrorlum. I demand you stop your pilfering and return what is not yours.”
The sacks are dropped to the floor, “No bother, I seek the priest not treasure.” Grimlock’s matter-of-fact voice passes by the group and his footsteps indicate he is heading deeper down into the mine. His footsteps quickly fade from hearing as he turns to stealth movements.
Dalic suggests the group keep moving. "Let's put tagether a map in tha sand ta see where everyone has been an go from there." He traces what he can on the floor of where he has been.
Dalic points just to the left of the staircase. “That is north.”
The group compares notes for several minutes and comes up with a rough idea of what they have covered so far.
Grimlock moves down the downsloping passage into the darkness. His eyes quickly adjust. He continues down a long, arrow straight passageway arriving back at the original chamber he fought the fiend and zombies in.
Turning to his left, Grimlock crosses the room and continues deeper into the mine down another dwarven carved passageway.
#26 Speck finishes ransacking the camping site. It appears this is a makeshift arrangement. It does not appear the mage was here more than a day or two. Speck assumes the party must have displaced him from the upper chambers with the defeat of the orc stronghold.
#28 Kuba tries to find some humor in his battered condition. He replies to Southar, "I think you stunk it away."
Cirdan adds, "I wouldn't give you all the credit," motioning to Kuba, "but yeah, I think it knew it couldn't defeat us all. Don't worry 'Snakey-licks' I am sure you haven't seen the last of that guy. Which way do we go?"
As the company of three converse and try to determine the next course of action, a light from the left side of the tee intersection can be seen fast approaching. Cridan whispers, "Tathar. I was talking to him before Senior Stinky arrived."
In a moment, Tathar wordlessly joins the group, hands his torch to Kuba and pulls the blanket away from Cirdan's cheek. He dresses the wound as best he can, sewing the wound shut (+1, 25/26). He eyes Southar and Kuba, "Either of you hurt?"
They both look worse for wear. Tathar begins to address their injuries while he speaks (Kuba +3, 22/45(47)) and Southar +1, 28/52).
Gesturing to the way he just came from, Tathar warns, "There is a blob that drops acid back there and some unnatural darkness covers the area."
Accenting the truth to Tathar’s words, his left arm has no clothing, armor or shield and his skin is red from a newly healed injury.
He takes his torch back from Kuba and stands silent waiting to see how the group wants to proceed. The passage remains quiet; the air quite cool now like a crisp autumn night.
#23 Dalic looks clearly annoyed at Grimlock’s disappearance and suggests the group go after him.
Bofor also feels inclined to follow the unseen Grimlock as best they can. “Grimlock continues in the correct direcdtion. We should continue on to accomplish this mission.”
Bhut will follow his little friends.
The going is slow as the two stocky-legged dwarves slow the human warriors greatly. No doubt, the half-elf is outdistancing the trio quickly.
#24 Grimlock moves swiftly down the passage. He can detect the sound of metal on stone but Foesmiter pushes the half-elf forward. Grimlock battles internally with the spirit. Although Grimlock seems to have some control or influence over the sword, the spirit is a tyrant. Grimlock can not get his brain to slow his body.
Grimlock enters the next chamber and stops to look around. It is a 90 foot diameter domed chamber. The chamber is illuminated by some magical bright light. Three dwarves, zombies by the look of them, are working tirelessly at mining ore from the southwestern wall. The zombies wear the tell-tale chain mail armor and have hammers on their belts. They pick away at the stone with picks.
Many chunks of rough mithril ore lay upon the floor near the zombies. They continue to chip into the ore in the wall without appearing to notice the arrival of Grimlock.
A passage is visible across the room and slightly to Grimlock’s left. Foesmiter spurs the half-elf to move again. He bee-lines for the next passage. Foesmiter intentionally moves with rogue stealth.
#26 Speck arms himself with his short sword and sneaks his way down the corridor. “The door to the room is barred for a reason,” the halfling concludes. The passage twists and turns but seems to generally head in the same direction. The air is chilly. Speck is encumbered a little from the booty. Although keeping a keen ear, he detects no sounds of his companions or any potential danger. The poor halfling appears to be alone.
A sudden blackness lies ahead of Speck. His eyes can not pierce it. “I am brave, but not that brave,” thinks Speck. He backtracks away from the darkness and finds a spot among the natural rock formations to keep well hidden. He chooses a spot where he can keep and eye and ear open for dangers, “or hopefully a friend.” He misses his companion Kuba very much.
Speck tucks in just a little away from the green robed mage’s camp. He is sheltered by several stalagmites near a jut of rock between two alcoves. In this manner, Speck can stay concealed and watch his flanks. If need be, he can retreat into one of the alcoves.
Speck takes out some rations and picks at them. He misses a good home cooked meal. While he eats, he checks out some fo the loot he has discovered.
#28 Tathar, seeing Kuba and Southar are both more injured than the manly warriors are indicating, prays for the repair of some of their hurts (Southar +6, 34/52 and Kuba +7, 29/45(47)).
There is no indication the evil fiend is nearby.
#24 The two human warriors follow the dwarf and the duergar slowly down the passageway. A distinct sound of metal on stone can be heard echoing from in the distance.
Dalic advises the others he had been in the two chambers ahead. There should be three dead dwarf zombies that someone else slew in the first room. It appears to have once been a barracks. In the next chamber, Dalic reports there are several zombies mining. It is them that make the sounds the group can hear.
As stated, the party eventually reaches the 90 foot diameter domed chamber and finds three slain zombies. The room is illuminated brightly by some mystical source. Arranged about the walls are twelve decrepit wooden beds. At the foot of each bed is a ransacked foot locker.
Bofor curses, “Grimlock, that thief! We need to pick up the pace before he pilfers the entire mine my clan’s possessions.”
A passage leads generally southeast from the chamber. Bofor picks up the pace and the others fall in line. He is near a jog as he enters the passage. He continues his pace.
Dalic, still invisible, can be heard next to him as his plate mail armor gives his general location. His heavy footsteps hint that he has enlarged himself. He has no trouble keeping pace at a quick walk.
The two humans are at a fast walk.
The sound of the mining tools gets louder and louder as the foursome makes their way through the passageway ever sloping downhill.
#26 Grimlock clears the chamber with the mining dwarves and heads down the next passageway. He travels nearly 300 feet before an obstacle stops him.
The corridor ends at an iron door molded in the likeness of a dwarf. The figure holds a trident and wears a seven-pointed crown. There is not lock mechanism.
#27 Speck starts to munch some rations while he begins to organize his loot.
#28 An uneasy quiet surrounds the four adventurers. Nothing ominous, just quiet. Tathar described the horrible darkness and acidic creature down the left passage. The other three did not see any exits in the foul smelling garbage dump.
The only other known route is to the right. Southar’s lantern lights it to a distance of 60 feet. Tathar can make out just a bit farther. Either way, the passage appears to continue generally straight.
#24 The two dwarves continue to lead the two humans toward the undead miners. Kuba’s illuminated knife handle lighting the way.
As they approach, the sound of the picks on stone gets louder. The room ahead is lit brightly by some type of magical light. The foursome makes last second plans before entering the room.
#26 Foesmiter’s will is nearly overpowering on Grimlock, “Open this door with whatever means you have.”
Grimlock, being nearly depleted of energy, counters the spirit in his head, “Use my scroll and save our store of energy for the battle ahead.”
“Make it so!” Foesmiter orders. Grimlock removes the scroll from his possessions and reads the magical runes and inscriptions. With a final word, a bar raises on the eastern side of the door and Grimlock Foesmiter pushes his way into the chamber beyond.
He finds himself in a very large natural chamber lit by a soft magical glow. Gone are the smooth dwarven worked walls. The room appears to be some 150 feet long and 120 feet wide. It is very irregular shaped. The ceiling rises to an average height of 30 feet with little variation. There are many huge stalactites and stalagmites adorning the chamber.
Speck is only one bite into his foot and has only begun to pull out his treasures when a sound gives him a sudden start.
The bar on the steel dwarven shaped door on the western end of the chamber suddenly rises on its own. The door itself opens by itself. Past the door is a smooth walled passageway leading away from the door into the darkness. There is nothing in the passage beyond except the sound of mining tools upon stone. The sound is much louder now with the door open. It must be coming from only a few hundred feet down the passageway beyond.
#28 Kuba states the near obvious, "Well? Onward?" Kuba motions towards the "safe" direction away from the darkness and trash pit. "We need to regroup before we are all killed. I hate to imagine what little Speck's fate was."
Cirdan supports continuing in that direction, but first he removes a few small items from his pocket and melds them together. With a few strange words, he disappears from view.
Southar, shield and lantern, leads the way forward into the cold darkness. His sword, ‘Bloodletter’ rest loose in his scabbard.
Kuba takes up his flank while the two elves fall into rear guard.
Tathar is back to his quiet self. He keeps peering at the walls and ceiling nervously.
The passageway continues over four hundred feet slowly bending to the left. The last one hundred feet made a more significant sweeping turn. One could estimate the entire passage length has changed the foursome’s direction by 90 degrees to the left.
The passageway continues to get colder and colder. A bit of frost begins to appear on the exposed stone of the passageway.
At the edge of Southar’s lantern light, some 30 feet ahead, the passage begins to quickly open into a large frigid chamber. Frost covers exposed rock. The studs on Kuba and Southar’s armor frost over and Tathar’s armor become cold to the touch.
#25 As the chamber nears, Breymeer ensures he has an arrow strung, “I will weaken them as you close for melee.”
Bofor readies his hammer and shield, Dalic has the ‘Delven Bastard’ out and Bhut has a battle axe in each hand and a sly grin on his face.
The group charges into the chamber fanning out so that each dwarf and Bhut each have a miner in their sights. The dwarves go right and Bhut goes left leaving room for Breymeer's archery. Breymeer begins to send arrows at the chain armored miners.
The miners turn to face the charge. The one on the party’s left wiilds a great hammer, the middle miner grabs a second pick and the third grabs a shield off the ground. With weapons in hand they ramble across the chamber to meet the attack head on in true dwarf style.
#26 Speck shrugs off the strange movement of the door but keeps an eye and ear keen for movement. He lays out his spoils from the Green Mage. The spell must have wore off of them for they are now visible. He has four gems, an aquamarine (500gp), two corals (100gp each) and a onyx (50gp) and 35gp in loose coins. Also, there is a gold ring with a raised skull, a second gold ring of plain design, thick metal bracelets and a sheathed dagger.
Speck munches satisfactorily at his find.
Grimlock creeps his way across the center of the strangely lit chamber. When he reaches the center of the chamber, he can make out three observations.
First, Speck is to about 30 feet to Grimlock’s right with his back up against a stalagmite watching the open door and inspecting a collection of treasure in front of him. There appears to be gems, coins, and possibly some jewelry. He munches on some rations as he fiddles with the treasure. Speck does not give any hint that he is aware of Grimlock.
Second, there is a campsite on the other side of some stalagmites farther from the doorway. It appears to be some type of bedroll and other items. It appears it has been well ransacked.
Finally, there is a passage leading away from the room on the opposite end of the chamber from the door Grimlock entered.
#29 Unseen, Cirdan pulls his blanket tighter around him, and volunteer to sneak up a peek into the room.
Tathar removes his blanket from his pack and wrap it around himself.
Kuba and Southar brave the chill air.
Cirdan moves ahead to the edge of Southar’s lanternlight. As the expanse of the chamber begins to open, the temperature plummets stinging Cirdan’s exposed cheeks. Some malign power effects the very air. It is as cold as a mid-winters day. The frost on the rocks is a constant. The temperature hovers just below freezing.
#25 Breymeer’s bowstring sings it song as the ranger from the north begins sticking arrows into the zombies.
His first arrow flies between his charging companions and strikes the central miner in the right arm (2, 15/17). The second strikes it in the right ankle (2, 13/17). The zombie continues unfazed; arrows sticking out of its appendages.
Dalic, completing his wide arcing charge, slams into the center miner. The echo of Dalic’s armor the only warning given of impending doom. The zombie’s chain armor splits open exploding in a shower of rings as the dwarf’s abdomen opens up, spilling its contents onto the floor (13, 0/17). The duergar warrior reappears before the mortally wounded zombie, gore covering the ‘Delven Bastard’. The dwarf zombie looks small next to the enlarged duergar as it tips forward unmoving.
Breymeer’s third arrow streaks past Bhut striking the miner in the head (2, 19/21). Bhut finishes his charge. His right hand is extended behind him with his arm fully extended, axe flailing in the air. His left hand is across his body, axe gripped tight.
The dwarf raises both of its picks, crossing them in front of itself menacingly.
Bhut begins his swing as the miner brings the picks into play. Bhut’s left battle axe slashes sidearm and opens a huge gash in the dead dwarf’s left leg (8, 11/21) dropping the creature to its knees. It nearly dodges Bhut’s right axe but it takes the dwarf lightly across the top of its left shoulder (3, 8/21).
The miner retaliates by driving one pick into Bhut’s groin (5, 17/30(36)). The second pick comes overhand down into Bhut’s neck (5, 12/30(36)). The human warrior is staggered but remains in the melee.
As Bhut is recovering from the blows, Breymeer’s last arrow streaks in and sticks the miner in the chest (2, 6/21). With an arrow sticking out of its gob and one in its chest, it moves to finish off Bhut.
Meanwhile, Bofor charges wide to the right flank. Hammer and shield meet pick and shield. Bofor feints high and swings low, smashing his opponent’s foot (3, 20/23). The blow throws the zombie’s timing off and his blow is easily avoided by Bofor.
#26 Grimlock tells Foesmiter the halfling is an important ally. Grimlock convinces the spirit to sneak over and observe the halfling. Grimlock sneaks up behind the partially hidden halfling, finding a good observation point behind the stone just west of the halfling.
Grimlock watches the halfling for a few minutes while the diminutive rogue finishes his meal and toys with its treasure. Grimlock wonders how he got separated from the group. Could Speck have been enspelled somehow?
Grimlock wills to removes a copper coin from his pouch and tosses it near Speck to gauge his reaction.
“What is your purpose for this?” asks Foesmiter. The two engage in a mental discussion until Foesmiter is convinced of Grimlock’s purpose. “Do not delay more than necessary. I will seek the priest alone if necessary but having your henchmen will aid in dealing with other foes.”
Grimlock Foesmiter tosses the coin about fifteen feet to the east of Speck.
Speck wraps up his lunch and finishes admiring his loot. He secures the dagger to his belt and begins to place items back into his pouches when a slightly metallic clatter is heard. Something small, such as a stone, bounces a short distance across the floor. Its location is not visible to Speck although the sound indicates it is close by. Speck quickly finishes stowing his treasure and shrinks back farther into the shadows and looks around.
Grimlock’s voice cuts the suspense, "So Speck, by the size of your loot pile you must not have heard we aren't to take loot from the mine. What say you?”
#29 Nothing appears to be moving in the cold darkness ahead. Kuba, Southar and Tathar await Cirdan’s return.
#25 Breymeer, seeing Bhut in trouble, removes his obsidian arrow from his quiver and takes careful aim. He looses the arrow and it flies true, piercing the dead dwarf’s armor center chest (4, 2/21). The force of the arrow knocks the miner flat on his back.
As the zombie struggles to get back up, Bhut removes its head with a swipe from his battle axe. He breathes a sigh of relief as the undead miner drops to the floor.
Bofor changes his battle tactics and goes after the zombie with shield and hammer. He tries to shield bash his opponent but the blow is met with the zombie’s shield. A loud clang, like a bell, echoes through the chamber.
Bofor shifts his body to his right and hammers the dwarf in the side of its thigh shattering its femur (5, 15/23).
Dalic steps in on the wounded zombies exposed flank. He runs his blade through the creatures guts then quickly removes the blade returning it in a sweeping motion that cuts through the miner’s neck. Body and head drop to the floor.
Breymeer holds his last shot. He stands in the passage opening looking for more targets.
#26 Speck, a little startled by the voice from nowhere, responds, "Ummm.... This stuff came from that mage over there." He motions to the side of the cavern with the exit tunnel. Upon realizing what he is pointing at is not visible Speck continues, “What is with you guys always making yourselves unseen?" He pauses as he realizes that is what he does all the time just without magic. "Ummm.... OK.... Look, that guy wasn't very nice. He seemed to be one of our enemies. So I sneaked up and put an arrow into his head. I couldn't leave all the goodies he had just laying there. I also got this." He pulls out the mage's spell book. "It is no use to me, but you magic minded folks might find it useful."
Grimlock asks to examine it. With some difficulty, Speck finally locates Grimlock’s invisible hands. The book seems to float in mid air as Grimlock examines it. While paging through the book, Grimlock continues his questioning of Speck, “How did you get down here all by yourself?”
"We entered a room with a throne in it up on a platform. The throne had a dwarven skeleton sitting on it. I was climbing up the platform when suddenly a voice called out saying something about not having any right to the throne and that we stayed there to long and POOF!, I found myself here alone. I have no idea where everyone else went. I wasn't about to go through that door,” Speck points at the now unbarred and open door, “and I heard some chanting over here. The chanting I heard was the Mage. I was just going to just sneak by but he said things that showed he was no friend of our group and then started casting a spell so I shot at him hoping to disrupt his spell. My first shot missed but the second shot hit true just as he vanished from sight."
Grimlock and Speck walk over to the body of the mage. It is still invisible. Its location is marked by a vertical arrow. Only the back half of the arrow is visible and it appears to float a little off the ground.
Grimlock examines the body by feel. The arrow indeed pierced the mages head. His skin is bubbled and burned as are his robes and what remains of his boots. The garments are basically destroyed.
As the half-elf and the halfling kneel next to the body, the sound of a melee breaks out. The sounds echo down the chamber beyond the steel dwarf shaped door. The sound of metal on metal, shouts, painful cries and the twinging of a bowstring. A very loud bang, followed by a few more seconds of combat finish out the battle. In less that 30 seconds, the melee ends.
#29 Cirdan returns to those waiting. He shivers slightly. He explains the room opens into a large cold cavern. There are no threats detected.
The foursome begins to move into the chamber.
The cold is immediate but stabilized. It cuts through the clothing and armor. Southar and Kuba, both still damp from the feces pit, begin to shiver noticeable more than the elves who are draped in their wool blankets.
Grimlock wishes to investigate the sound of battle knowing it is likely his companions. Grimlock greatly desires their aid for he does not wish to explore along.
Foesmiter, wishing to continue forward, relents but only long enough to see if the priest was involved in the battle. Foesmiter will only give the others a moment to join forces and move on. Foesmiter warns Grimlock he is tiring of his delays.
Zalco adds, “You are a great warrior when you wield me, fear not being alone.”
Grimlock, losing the battle of wills against the dual threat, know he will soon be overborne by the will of the spirit and the sword to a dark void in his own mind.
Speck says, "Sounds like there's some action to avoid down that corridor." He will turn his attention towards the steel door keeping an eye out for any trouble coming through.
Grimlock, to Speck’s disappointment, counters, “Let's head towards the battle. I will go ahead a few and make a click sound if you are to to move forward. Two clicks means stop and hide. One click to move again. I will move towards sounds and click every 10 feet ‘til I see or feel anything is off.”
Grimlock moves towards the sound of the battle with Speck in tow. Both move with stealth. Grimlock suddenly pauses to add, “Oh, keep what he found to yourself as will I. I would like to examine the loot later to see if it has magical properties. We will figure it out later or back at town.”
With that the two rogues make their way past the steel dwarf door and back to the room with the undead dwarf miners. Speck follows the click sounds by Grimlock. They move into the smooth dwarf carved passageway. They make only 90 feet before the encounter some of their companions coming towards them; their arrival given away by the light from Bhut’s illuminated knife handle.
Dalic motions for the others to follow into the next chamber as he walks toward the corridor.
All three warriors and the priest show signs of battle.
Bhut, the worst off of the group, warns he needs aid and will not be able to continue much farther without it.
Breymeer, bearing numerous cuts and bruises, suggests, “We should heal best we can and get as much of the group back together as possible and finish clearing this godforsaken place in force. Anyone know where rest of our party is?”
Bofor, looking to his companions, halts Dalic momentarily and begins to tend to the injured before moving on. (Breymeer +5, 30/39(47), Dalic +6, 25/30(39), Bhut +11, 23/30(31), Bofor +6, 31/36(41)).
The two humans and two dwarves begin their descent into the far tunnel. About 120 feet down the passageway they have an encounter.
Grimlock’s bodyless voice hails the Breymeer, Bofor, Dalic and Bhut as they move in formation down the passage, “I assume the vile priest was not among those you battled. To me now, we must move deeper into the mine. The voice is coming from a short distance further down the descending passageway.
Grimlock remains unseen as the halfling Speck steps from that shadows at the edge of Kuba’s magical light. He looks very relieved to have found so many of his traveling companions although the look of sorry at not seeing Kuba can be interpreted from his eyes as the halfling surveys the group.
The two groups mingle together feeling an improved sense of confidence. They inform each other of what has transpired since being separated. Breymeer, Bhut, Dalic and Bofor have been moving from chamber to chamber working their way down. They have slain many dwarven zombies in the process. Grimlock was just ahead of them with Foesmiter forcing him ahead in search of the priest. They lost Peylae to a boulder trap along the way. Speck advises he encountered some type of spellcaster and slew him as he tried to enspell the halfling.
There are now only four missing from the group not counting the two elves that perished. Grimlock Foesmiter pushes the others to continue on. Only deeper into the delve will their friends, and the vile priest, be found.
Speck warns they will soon encounter some type of impenetrable darkness ahead.
The group continues on to the end of the dwarven carved passage where an iron door, molded in the likeness of a dwarf and wearing a seven pointed crown while holding a trident, sits open into a natural chamber beyond. A bar for the door lays upon the floor unbroken.
The roughly hewn chamber is lit by a soft magical light. The cavern ceiling is roughly 30 feet high. Many huge stalactites and stalagmites adorn it.
Speck leads the group through the chamber. He passes by a bedroll and small campsite. He identifies it as belonging to the mage he slew. He also points out where the body is reported to lay although nothing is visible save an arrow. Only the back half of the arrow is visible seeming to levitate about 8 inches off the group. Speck solves the puzzle by explaining the mage was going invisible when he put an arrow between his eyes. He fell dead here.
To the east of the mage is an exit tunnel. It is also rough stone; gone are the smooth walls of the dwarf chambers previously encountered. Speck warns the eternal darkness begins just a short distance down that tunnel.
Bofor identifies the direction toward the tunnel as easterly. He give the depth at about 1300 feet below the orc chambers above.
Kuba quietly makes a statement of the obvious, "This is really starting to suck. Battered, bruised, covered in dung, and now freezing. I would say it can't get any worse but that would only ensure that it does."
Feeling the same dejection as Kuba, the group continues to move forward crossing the frigid chamber, staying towards the middle. It takes a little over a minute to cross the approximate 350 foot distance. The chamber widens to roughly 120 feet across before narrowing down again. This neck seems to twist its way into another chamber.
True to Kuba’s prediction, things get worse. The temperature begins to drop and ice replaces frost in the neck between the chambers. The ice clings to the floor, walls and ceiling. The icy floor causing poor footing and any further travel will be at a slower, more careful rate. The air stings exposed flesh. Kuba and Southar are visibly shaking as their bodies try and counter the cold. Even the blankets Cirdan and Tathar wear and giving less protection in this icebox.
Grimlock struggles to speak to his companions but the spirit has shut him out. Grimlock can hear his voice speaking in his own head but his will to speak outright is smothered before the words can reach his own lips.
Grimlock desires to know more about Peylae’s fate. What of her spellbook? It is possible one of the others carries it but none of them mentioned it.
Grimlock begins to fear this quest may be the end of him. He trusts not the spirit and can only hope the sword’s power is enough to keep the half-elf alive.
“We must press on,” Grimlock Foesmiter encourages, “We have slain all that this mine could muster. Let the priest lay ahead!”
Grimlock leads the group east through the remains of the chamber and into the rough passageway beyond. The passage is nearly 10 feet wide with a ceiling heigh that varies from 9 to 13 feet as the generally natural passage winds its way along.
True to Speck’s warning, after almost 200 feet, a wall of utter blackness can be seen. As the part approaches closer, Bhut’s magical light cuts into the blackness but only about 10 feet. Enough that the party can see the passageway continues on the other side.
Tathar’s eyes go blank. He becomes unsteady and must be helped to the ground. By all estimations, he is healthy but he appears to be in some type of trance or enspellment.
He remains in this state for nearly 30 seconds. Cirdan lifts him from the ground to keep the extreme cold from setting into Tathar’s body.
Consciousness returns and Tathar is again able to stand under his own power.
While in the trance, Tathar suddenly hears a soft elven voice in his head, “Tathar, two of our kind have begun their journey in this dwarfhome but countless more shall perish if you fail. You must persevere.”
The voice fades and a series of images flash through Tathar’s mind. First, the grandness of a large natural cavern with sparkling ice coating the walls, floor and ceiling. The walls reflecting light in a gorgeous display. Next, a descending stone stairwell opening into a natural cavern of bare stone with several large pools of liquid. Tathar next sees a vision of a huge statue at the end of a large rectangular room. The statue is cut from a redish hued stone. It depicts some type of a devil. It is humanoid shaped with huge ruby eyes cut to those similar to a fly. Horns sweep back from his head.
A final vision jars Tathar from his trance. The image in Tathar’s head is that of his companions, Grimlock, Speck, Dalic, Bofor, Bhut and Breymeer entering the magical darkness oblivious to the dangers its twisting passages hold.
Bofor runs his sleeve under his nose and strokes his beard as the party contemplates how to continue.
Bhut remains silent while his duergar companion steps forward. Dalic asks the group how they feel about him working himself into a near battle frenzy so he is at his fiercest when they next encounter the enemy.
Speck remains armed with his short sword and quietly finds a comfy position in the middle of the group.
Grimlock Foesmiter orders, “On me, stay with me through the darkness. Keep in close contact.”
The group has fallen into a rough marching order. Grimlock is in the lead followed by Dalic and Bofor. Speck and Bhut take up the third rank. Breymeer tails along in the rear.
The group moves forward into the darkness. It is oppressing. It cuts visual senses down to nil and appears to have some sort of deafening effect on sounds, muffling them a bit.
The moment Bhut reaches the wall of darkness, the brightness of his knife handle begins to flicker. The illumination is then pulled from the handle and is smothered by the darkness.
Grimlock, Bofor, Dalic and Speck can see in the blackness with their darkvision but only to a slight degree. Anything past an arms length is lost in the sea of ink.
Bhut can not see his own nose.
Breymeer remains on the lit side of the column as it comes to a stop to analyze the new situation.
Tathar manages to regain his feet, then immediately drops to his knees. Bowing his head, as if praying, he mumbles, "I serve thee, my queen." He then pops to his feet and looks at the small group. There is an excited look on his face that borders on wild, the moons around his eyes almost seeming to glow. The look of a zealot. He removes a second blanket from his pack and hands it to Kuba. "Sehanine, whose beauty and grace shines like the moon, has seen fit to guide us!"
"Paylae has perished," he states softly and flatly, "and the rest of our friends are behind us, coming this way. We must go to them!"
Without waiting to see if the others follow, Tathar turns and starts moving at a fast walk that borders on running. His torch is out before him and the excitement of having been contacted by his deity is evident in his body-language.
Cirdan looks at the yuan-ti and the human, "Well, there you have it, then." The elf nobleman turns and follows Tathar.
Kuba and Southar, shaking with cold, follow suit. Division now seems to spell certain peril. They put their hope in the moon-eyed elf and cross the large cavern as quickly as their cold legs will carry them. Southar appears to be struggling more than Kuba in the cold now.
Tathar reaches the entrance to the large chamber and stops. The rest of the group catches up to him and witnesses the dilemma for themselves.
At the edge of Southar’s lantern light, some 60 feet away, the smaller garbage beast, showing all of its scars and cuts, slowly trudges towards the large chamber. One of its spiked appendages remains severed near the end. It and the intact appendage flail before its body. Its eye stalk looks about with dead eyes. The smell of gore, dung and filth filters up the hallway.
The party checks their supplies for illumination. Both Grimlock and Breymeer have torches. Bofor remembers he had stowed one of the hooded lanterns offered for the adventure. The beacon lantern was discovered to have been destroyed at some point along the way.
Bofor, removes a lantern and an oil flask from his pack, “Didn’t think we would need this.” He has the lantern sputtering to life within a minute. In the blackness, the light it provides is muted. Instead of illuminating a 60 foot radius, the lantern only dimly gives 15 feet of shadowy light.
Exploring ahead, the party can see the passageway quickly splits into three tunnels.
Kuba prepares to once again fight the now undead otyugh. Armed with his bastard sword, shield at the ready, he prepares for melee, “Oh great! This thing again. And where is that bony devil we ran into earlier?”
Southar also raises his sword and shield for battle, “Gone to hell for reinforsssssmentssss! Bring them all, I fear them not!” Southar’s golden shield reflects the Tathar’s torchlight.
Tathar sets his torch down, undrapes his blanket from his shoulders and draws his bow. The arrow streaks down the passageway. It bounces harmlessly off the thick hide of the dung covered creature.
Unseen, Cirdan takes a position behind Kuba and Southar, hand on his dagger.
The dung-eating otyugh covers half of the distance between it and the party. It continues to amble forward, teeth bruxing as it comes.
Grimlock begins to go straight. Bhut wishes to go right. Dalic, holding off on psyching himself up, wants to go left.
Speck sighs, saying quietly, “Great, we just got back together and now another opportunity to get split up.
Bofor holds, “Are there any signs that any of the paths are more or less used?”
Breymeer, already checking the floor, answers, “What ever is causing this unnatural darkness obviously knows we’re here and we’ll be in a bad way. They’re probably just waiting for us. Let’s go carefully and my suggestion is we don’t split up.”
After making a quick examination a short distance down each tunnel, Breymeer concludes, “There are recent tracks in the right hand tunnel. They are almost non-existant. Only an occasional disturbance could I find on the stone floor. I saw nothing to indicate travel in the other passages.”
Grimlock gets pushy, “Fine. Let’s go.” He changes direction and begins to head down the right tunnel.
Tathar releases two more arrows as the dung eater comes closer. The first arrow again bounces off the thick hide but the second arrow pierces the creature (8, 22/30).
Appendages flailing, it lumbers into the front rank of Kuba and Southar.
Kuba slashes it across the already sliced up torso (15, 7/30) spilling filth and gore upon his hand. The numbing cold and gore cause Kuba to loose his grip. His sword drops to the floor near his feet.
Southar takes a step ahead to protect Kuba so he can retrieve his weapon. Southar smashes the dead menace with his golden shield (2, 5/30) before burying ‘Bloodletter’ up to the hilt into it. Its triple stout legs fail and the creature collapses to the floor ahead of the snake-skinned ranger. He withdraws his sword triumphantly until the smell wafts into the group.
All four adventurers become nauseated and begin throwing up. Kuba can only dry heave as he has given up all he had in his stomach during the first encounter.
The consensus is to follow the tracks to the right.
The passage goes only about 60 feet before it forks. The path you are on appears to continue forward while a second tunnel opens to the left.
Breymeer begins looking for tracks again. He curses. It appears he can no longer find the previous track. He is unsure which tunnel the tracks go into; if any.
Speck is the first to hear a sound, followed by Grimlock and then the humans. The dwarves struggle but cannot decipher what it is the others hear.
Faintly, something calls from the darkness beyond. It seems to come down both tunnels ahead of the group. It is certainly not coming from behind. It sounds as if someone were shouting through water. The source can not be guessed.
Grimlock Foesmiter gets excited, “Forward now! My prey may be near!”
The four adventures recover from their nausea. Kuba collects his dropped sword. They move around the otyugh and make their way quickly but carefully towards the garbage pit room. Once there, Tathar begins calling out to Grimlock.
Kuba spits as he passes the garbage pit. His mouth waters in preparation to vomit. He is able to hold himself together and the group makes it past the foul dump.
Tathar continues to call out as the group continues, backtracking Tathar’s travels to the mystical darkness. As he stated, a sheer wall of darkness is encountered in the passageway. Southar’s lantern cuts only about 10 to 15 feet into it.
The group stops as Tathar continues to call out to Grimlock. He calls out the half-elf’s name and shouts warnings about the vile acidic black ooze that inhabits the darkness.
Breymeer suggests, “Grimlock, why not call your foe and taunt it out to us while we back off the to four way passage area behind us where we can set up and be ready. We will have room to attack as a party instead of all of us cramming down this tunnel where we’re we have limited fighting ability as we walk headfirst into whatever?”
“We have no time to pander here!” replies Grimlock.
Bofor shares his wisdom, “Breymeer, tactically, that is wise but I fear we must continue on. Therefore, I think the wisest plan is to continue to stay along the right tunnel at each intersection until we reach the end and must explore a different branch. It will be easier to track what we’ve explored that way.”
Dalic steps behind Grimlock Foesmiter, “Not a great plan but it be tha only one we hab.”
Bhut falls in and follows the group while Speck remains secure in the middle, his ears searching the air to try and decipher the sounds.
The group moves farther down the right hand passageway, traveling some 75 feet or so. The passage they are in continues bending to the right. A second tunnel opens to the left but travels only about 15 to 20 feet before making a tee to the left and right.
Breymeer begins scouring the ground but struggles to find any sensible tracks.
The noise continues from the east. It can now be made out more clearly. It is someone shouting. What they are saying appears a bit clouded and muffled yet. It does seem that someone is calling into the darkness. The noise echos in from both the tunnel the party stands in but also from the tunnel that now branches off. It appears to drift in from the easterly side of the tee intersection.
Speck struggles to hear more clearly but the darkness smothers any of the words carried along the stone walls.
Grimlock Foesmiter leads the group forward, “Yes, we must stay to the right for now. Stay silent to not give our position away.” The spirit possessed half-elf remains invisible but his voice leads the way.
The muffling effect of the darkness aids in keeping the parties movement quiet. It is not without sound as a few of the party members are in metal armor.
The party continues to stay to the right wall passing an additional 3 left branches from the passageway. Breymeer does not pause to check for tracks as the party appears to be committed to the right branches for now. The party remains on a general easterly course.
The darkness weighs on the party like a heavy blanket as they continue along. The voice in the east grows slowly louder and clear. Speck makes out the voice. It is that of Tathar the moon-eyed Priest of Sehanine!
For several minutes the group continues forward and the voice gets stronger. Tathar is calling Grimlock’s name and giving dire warnings about an acidic black ooze-type creature that inhabits the darkness. Tathar’s voice and the warning of the dangerous predator push the party on, moving slowly and cautiously. Six sets of eyes watch in vain in the darkness for a strange oozing creature.
Tathar’s voice gets stronger and stronger until the darkness ahead gives way to a fuzzy greyness. There in the passageway before the group is Tathar, Kuba and Southar. Kuba and Southar have various degrees of filth covering them. It is a combination of dung and garbage. They smell of sewer and filth.
The party moves forward and the greyness gives way to normal vision again. Hearing becomes normal. The path of darkness has been overcome.
Tathar and company spend less than five minutes at the eastern edge of the darkness. Tathar calls out to Grimlock giving warnings about the black creature in the darkness. The calling appears to pay off as the blackness suddenly surrenders to a dull gray that becomes a lantern light. Through the wall of darkness steps several of the missing party members.
First through are the dwarves, Dalic and Bofor. Bofor carries a hooded lantern. Next is Bhut and Speck followed by Breymeer.
Cirdan, invisible, makes his presence known when he verbalizes, “Is Grimlock with you?”
Grimlock Foesmiter answers but is very blunt, “Indeed. You stand in the way of progress. Move aside and fall in if you wish. I seek to eliminate Freplic the traitor!”
Tathar gives his wisdom, “Let us move away from this unnatural darkness, we have much to discuss; I have much to share. There is a more defensible spot behind us where we can rest and decide on how to proceed.”
Tathar turns to head up the passageway. Grimlock pushes his way to the lead next to Tathar, who holds a torch. Cirdan and Southar, carrying the first lantern, turn on their heels and fall into the 2nd rank. Speck, despite Kuba’s overpowering stench, comes up and takes the 3rd row. His happiness at rejoining Kuba can not be hidden. Dalic, his enlarged human sized self, and Bofor, carrying the second lantern, take up the 4th row. Bhut and Breymeer take up the rear.
No sooner has the group turned to move down the passageway, when Southar’s lantern light illuminates a shadowy figure standing at the very edge of the illumination. Standing where the passageway makes a slight curve to the left is a dead dwarf in chain mail armor. He holds a shield and has a hammer upon his belt. He stands in the center of the passageway mumbling something to himself. The distance between the group and the undead dwarf is nearly 60 feet.
Zalco, the long sword, urges Grimlock forward at the same time Foesmiter’s spirit easily overcomes Grimlock’s will, “Move forward! Now! Frelpic can not be much farther! Slay all the traitors in your path.”
Foesmiter, not relenting control over Grimlock’s body, searches Grimlock’s thoughs for his stealth tactics, “We shall slip forward unnoticed while we can and slay all we can!”
Zalco sends a surge of energy through Grimlock’s body, “Kill the vile zombie!” Foesmiter relents to Zalco and forces Grimlock into a run, blade out. The half elf quickly closes on the dead dwarf.
Breymeer, bow in hand, shouts, “Move left and allow me room to shoot the undead dwarf!” Before anyone can respond or comply, chaos erupts as Bofor removes his holy symbol, “Back my fallen cousin!” The dead dwarf sentry cowers and sulks away into the darkness.
Grimlock’s blade, Zalco, lurches forward and Grimlock breaks into a run chasing down the dead sentry. The half elf rampages around the corner and into the darkness beyond.
Dalic gets excited at the progress and nearly pushes the rest of the group forward in anticipation for battle.
The party tries to muster but a wave of energy washes over the front ranks effecting Southar, Kuba and Speck. Southar and Speck strain to overcome their muscles locking rigidly in place. They are vicorious in willing themselves free of the spell but Kuba is not so fortunate. He is held fast and unmoving; standing in his upright position.
A voice, unspoken but heard by all but Grimlock, threatens, “Give up the noble elf-blood and you shall be allowed to leave. Refusal and his fate shall be shared by all.” The voice, low and slow spoken, issues hates and malice upon every word. It is spoken in the common tongue.
The clacking sound of moving bone alerts the party to the rear of the column. The smell of death, decay and rot wafts into the ranks of adventurers. From the utter darkness comes a shadowed figure in the greyness between the void and the shell of illumination that surrounds the group.
The figure grows in height as it stands generally erect and enters the light. Standing all of nine feet tall, the generally human shaped creature consists of nothing more than skin stretched tightly over a bony frame. It is wretched to behold. Its spine continues through the hip to form a long, scorpion-like tail that ends in a sharp bony barb. It carries a six foot ‘wishbone’ in its hands. Both sides of the wishbone end with sharply barbed protrusions. Its eyes burn white hot with hatred and pure evil.
Grimlock reaches the fleeing zombie and bashes it with his dwarven made shield. The undead dwarven warrior is knocked flat to the ground (5, 14/19). Grimlock follows up with a slash from Zalco cutting a long stripe across its lower back (10, 4/19).
Grimlock becomes visible standing over the wounded zombie. It begins to rise, spinning to face Grimlock as it does so, hammer in hand.
Tathar comes running up to aid Grimlock just in time to see a second zombie moving into the battle. It is only 30 feet behind the one Grimlock de-cleated.
Southar watches the battle begin with the large skeletal fiend while keeping an eye toward the open corridor.
Cirdan remains invisible and quiet. His actions pass unnoticed.
Speck remains by Kuba’s side unsure of what actions to take next. Kuba remains fixed in his unmoving position.
“So much fer keepin’ quiet!” Dalic mutters as he begins to work himself into a battle frenzy. He watches intently for a way to move up on the foe but Bhut and Breymeer block his advance at this point.
Bofor prays as he casts a hammer forward towards the towering skeleton. The hammer begins to glow and dance as if under Bofor’s control. The hammer strikes at the advancing fiend but is parried to the side by its hook shaped bone weapon. The hammer returns to harry the fiend.
It stabs its barbed hook as it advances into Bhut and Breymeer. The barbed bone hits Bhut across the left arm cutting a gash from shoulder to elbow (10, 13/30(36)).
Bhut advances a step, “Hack its legs and bring this enemy to a more friendlier height!” Bhut chops at its bony legs but neither of his axes make a clean strike.
Breymeer, who had been shouldering his bow during the initial rush, removes his axes and hacks at the skeleton. His battle axe misses its mark but his hand axe strikes it on the left shin chipping the bone (6, 34/40).
The scorpion tail, with lightning speed, strikes forward and cuts into Bhut’s leather armor covering his heart. The leather is damaged but is strong enough to shelter Bhut from harm. At the same time, it bites down on Bhut who wisely moves his metal helmeted head into the bite to protect his neck and shoulders. Bhut again avoids harm.
With the creature engaged with Bhut, Breymeer attempts to skirt by it. Breymeer slams his battle axe into its left hip but the dwarven blade fails to cut the hide stretched over bone. It appears to have done no harm what-so-ever. Breymeer’s dwarven rune carved hand axe does cause harm. He drives the axe down on the creature’s left foot as he bobs and weaves his way past the fiend. The axe cuts away several of its toes (6, 28/40). Breymeer succeeds in achieving the creatures rear flank.
As Breymeer slides to the flank, Bhut attacks with one axe while keeping the other for defense. His blow misses its mark as he falls into a defensive crouch. The creature’s barbed bone hook is stabbed forward towards Bhut’s right shoulder. Bhut’s tactic works. He is able to parry the blow with his free axe. His victory is short lived. The fiend bites down again aiming for Bhut’s neck. Again, Bhut uses his metal helmet to protect himself from harm. The impact of bone on metal is enough to distract Bhut from the tail. In a flash, its tail is brought forth. It darts into the open face of his helm cutting a gash in the soft skin (8, 5/30(36)).
Dalic slips carefully between Bhut and Bofor to take Breymeer’s place. He continues to chant and rage, escalating his fighting spirit.
Bofor helps cover Dalic’s move by striking the beast across the face with his spiritual hammer (2, 26/40). “How do you like it spawn of hell!”
Tathar removes his moon shaped symbol and orders the incoming zombie to retreat. Both zombies scramble to flee from Sehanine’s power.
Grimlock easily dispatches the one that scrambles at his feet. The other turns before coming into range of Zalco and Grimlock Foesmiter.
“Come priest! Surely the undead must lead to the dwarven cleric. Your aid will speed the evil priest’s demise. Come now!” Grimlock Foesmiter hastens down the passageway once more nearly tripping in his excitement as his shield gets caught on the downed zombie. The shield is freed quickly and Grimlock continues on.
Tathar responds to Grimlock in Tathar’s quiet but zealous tone, “The evil priest needs to be dispatched, I agree! But we face a more sinister and powerful evil down here! A Demon, I think, and we need to proceed with all possible strength! I will help our friends and then we will proceed as a group!” He turns to see how the battle fares behind.
Grimlock, unconcerned at being left alone, runs down the second zombie and chops off its right foot with Bloodletter (14, 8/22). He collides with the zombie attempting a shield bash. The zombie, reacting to the attack, had spun to face Grimlock. In so doing, it drops its hammer as it grabs onto Grimlock’s shield as it falls backwards onto the floor. The weight of the zombie pulls the shield from Grimlock’s arm.
The fiend has allowed itself to be surrounded and the slaughter begins. Breymeer smashes his battle axe into the creatures tail effectively knocking its scorpion-like strike out of whack (7, 19/40) while hacking into its right thigh with his hand axe (8, 11/40). The bone snaps under the blow.
Dalic, spittle flying from the corners of his mouth, lays into the fiend with Delven Bastard. Following Bhut’s tactics, Dalic slashes the creature across the right thigh (11, 0/40). The right femur snaps as well.
Bofor commands his hammer to strike but it fails to make a telling blow. A throwing knife also flies harmlessly by.
As the creature totters on broken legs, a second throwing knife strikes home, sinking to the hilt in the fiends left eye. The hellish creature falls to its left in front of Bhut. Bhut smashes its skull to pieces with his axes.
Bofor’s spiritual hammer floats over the bony corpse as Bofor stands ready for further trouble.
Tathar rejoins the group as the creature is dispatched back to hell.
The prone zombie, holding Grimlock’s shield against its chest and its own shield in its left arm, creates a virtual shell over its head and torso. It kicks wildly at Grimlock with its good leg. It is punished for its effort as Girmlock hacks off its other leg at the shin with his mighty longsword (7, 1/22). The zombie thrashes about beneath the shields.
A sound of moving bones alerts the Grimlock to a presence in the tunnel to his east. The smell of death, decay and rot drifts in the air. Appearing in the darkness on the far side of the fork, in the left passage, is a shadowed figure. As it stands, all of nine feet tall, the generally human shaped creature appears made of nothing more than skin stretched tightly over a bony frame. It is wretched to behold. Its spine continues through the hip to form a long, scorpion-like tail that ends in a sharp bony barb. Its eyes burn white hot with hatred, malice and pure evil. Its hands end in horrible claws.
Grimlock faces a second fiend. Zalco goes mad with rage overwhelming Grimlock and Foesmiter, “Kill the vile devil!” Grimlock’s ego is shuttered and his consciousness holds on for the ride as Zalco forces Grimlock forward into battle. The handicapped zombie rolls to its knees and block’s Grimlock’s advance momentarily.
Zalco stabs between the shields and drives the zombie back to the floor unmoving.
At the sight of Zalco, the fiend visibly recoils. Grimlock hears a voice although the fiend’s sharp toothed mouth does not move, “You shall die beneath the weight of the dead!” With a wave of its arm a cold draft spins behind Grimlock. Snow and ice spin tightly as the draft becomes a whirlwind. Within moments, a solid wall of ice has formed across the passageway just behind Grimlock cutting him off from his companions.
A vile laughter fills Grimlock’s mind as the half-elf bends to retrieve his shield and advance on the fiend.
As Grimlock closes on the fiend, a creature crawls out from the right fork, blocking Grimlock’s advance.
The terrifying creature ambles along on three stout legs. Its bloated body is over six feet in diameter with grey, dung smeared, skin. Three lifeless eyes are mounted on a leaflike stalk, nearly two feet long, that grows up from its body. Two other longer tentacles, one of them nearly severed in half, end in leaf shaped, spiny pads. Most horrifying is the creature’s mouth. Mounted in the center of its disgusting body, the huge mouth opens to expose two rows of long, razor sharp teeth. Two arrows protrude from the creature’s body and a large hold hints at a deep sword puncture.
To make matters worse, the sound of booted feet and metal armor can be heard approaching from the left passage. The exact number is not clear to Grimlock’s elven ears but two or three slowly marching foes seems reasonable.
Southar watches the tunnel, his lantern held aloft.
Speck retrieves his throwing knife from the gore that was the fiend’s head. The halfling begins to survey the body. Speck’s ear tells him that Cirdan has joined him, although the elf noble remains unseen. Cirdan, using a dagger, works the barb free from the end of the scorpion-like tail. It disappears as he secures it in his pack.
Kuba’s will battles with the enspellment that binds him so. Fighting, despite his drained inner strength from fighting undead, Kuba detects a fluctuation in energy that holds him. He wills his body free and to his amazement, he regains the ability to move.
Tathar, appearing jazzed up for some reason, assesses the group for injury. Bhut cuts through the crowd to Tathar, “Please aid me.” Bhut looks disappointed in his performance and constant abuse from the enemy. His face and left arm showing recent cuts.
Tathar looks at Bhut but fails to see the damage to Bhut. Tathar only sees Bhut’s smooth face under the open faced helmet. The cut to Bhut’s left arm does not, to Tathar, appear to exist.
Cirdan recommends burning the carcass, "We don't need this thing coming back to unlife on us.” Tathar, for the moment, steps away from Bhut without aiding him. Tathar approaches the fiend’s body and puts his torch to it. The flames appears to have absolutely no effect on the creature.
Bofor looks quizzically at the Sehanine priest and then heals Bhut himself (+6, 11/30(36)).
“You will make a might warrior when I raise you from the dead to serve our cause!” With that, the bone fiend disappears.
The strange three legged, tentacled creature moves in to devour Grimlock. The shuffling of booted feet continues from the eastern darkness.
Grimlock hastily slips his shield onto his arm as the creature closes in on him. The end of each tentacle is leaf shaped and lined with sharp spikes.
The creature’s gaping mouth comes at Grimlock. He covers the attack with a shield bash knocking out a few teeth (5, 37/42). The creature attempts to wraps its tentacle around Grimlock’s shield and shield arm but is unable to bind them.
Grimlock slashes at its body, Zalco cuts deeply into the tough hide (18, 19/42). The blow opens a large gash in its body.
The creature lashes out and its remaining tentacle wraps around Grimlock’s head. Its spiked palm cuts deeply into Grimlock’s skin nearly scalping him (8, 21/29(32)). The creature continues to hold its grip. Grimlock can feel the creature begin to try and lift him into the air.
“We have it where we want it now! Slay the beast!” cries out Zalco. “And then after that devil!”
“And the dwarven priest!” adds Foesmiter.
Grimlock only wishes to slay this abomination. If only he could have cast his spells instead of melee. Grimlock wills his body to fight on through the pain.
“Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em,” declares Bofor. Speck thinks longingly of his pipe.
“Breymeer nearly orders, “Let’s finish searching this dung hole. Anyone know what lies ahead? I’m ready to finish this feces nest and feel fresh air and sun on my back.”
Suddenly, a second bone fiend appears east of Southar some 35 feet. This one does not carry the barbed hook in its hands. It points to Cirdan Saralone with its right index finger extended from its hand. Telepathically, in a dark broken form of the common language, the creature threatens, “The elf noble shall be my sacrifice or you shall all be thrown in the pit of hell!”
“Toying with you has grown dull. I wish to taste blood!” It turns its palm upward and beckons Cirdan forward with its index finger. “Come hither!”
Southar sets his lantern on the ground, “He hassss ssssspellworksss! I am invincssable, I’ll keep him occupied!” With flash of golden shield and steel, Southar charges the fiend.
At the sight of Southar’s charge, the creature goes into a trance and calls forth, “Rise! Rise up and feast upon their flesh!”
Dalic follows Southar, now nearly berserk with fury and rage. In this condition, he easily parts the group as they give him plenty of room to pass. Dalic calls upon them as he passes, “On me!” He charges the fiend as well.
Breymeer, taking advantage of the parting of the group, stows his axes and removes his bow and obsidian arrow. Tathar moves to the north side of the passage as Breymeer takes several steps forward for a clear shot. Using quick but deadly aim, Breymeer looses the arrow down the passageway. It zips past Kuba and flies true striking the fiend in the abdomen. The arrow darts through the tight skin and sinks into the spine where it meets the hip (10, 30/40).
As Dalic charges past, Bofor engages the fiend using the blessed hammer. Bofor wills it to attack the fiend. The hammer streaks like lightning down the passageway past Dalic, Kuba and Southar. The hammer strikes true hammering away at the left side of the fiend’s hip (3, 27/30).
Kuba turns to face the foe, bastard sword and shield at the ready. He does not charge forward but remains in place slightly advanced from the rest of the group.
Speck removes two throwing knives and moves up behind Kuba. The halfling awaits a clear target.
P’innr Bhut holds his ground. The last battle with the now dead fiend took a toll on the sellsword from the Wild Coast. Although able to fight if needed, he chooses to stay on the defensive for now. He joins Breymeer in the rear defense.
Cirdan studies the situation remaining somewhere near the west edge of the party. As the two elves, Cirdan and Tathar, are not as engaged in the battle, they are the only two that notice the dead fiend begin to stir. Its head patches itself back together as the body becomes whole and alive!
The charge reaches its destination. Both warriors slow as the near the fiend; filled with apprehension and doubt. A wave of fear rocks both of them like and avalanche. Both steel themselves and find the grit to fight on. They power through and, Southar with Bloodletter and Dalic with the Delven Bastard, lay into the devil much to its surprise as it comes out of its trance to defend itself.
Bloodletter hacks off the creature’s left arm (7, 20/40). Dalic, working on the injured hip, cuts clean through felling the fiend (20, 0/40). It falls in two parts to the ground. Its hate filled eyes go dark as the abysmal life force leaves it. The skin vaporizes and the bones turn to dust in an instant. The obsidian arrow rests among the dust on the stone floor.
As the devil dissolves to dust, Dalic goes berserk with a fury beyond control. Southar steps back as the battle raging duergar sets about his next task of destruction.
Back among the group, the original fiend, now whole again begins to rise. Tathar and Cirdan are forced against the wall of darkness while Bhut backs up into Bofor who gives him space. Breymeer is also moved to the east as the foursome prepare to meet the challenge.
Breymeer prepares his axes for some work.
Grimlock smashes his shield into its mouth again knocking out more teeth (6, 13/42). Rotating his hips, Grimlock buries Zalco into the dung monster a second time. The steel digs deep into its center (14, -1/42). Its legs wobble and then fail. It drops in place and its tentacles droop to the floor tearing at Grimlock’s skin as the one peels away from Grimlock’s face (2, 19/29(32), infected with fatal disease).
Grimlock has no time to tarry as two zombies close on him. One charges with its hammer and shield and the other stops and begins to chant.
Cirdan, having kept an eye on the creature, removes his blanket from his pack the moment the fiend’s head begins to reassemble. The elf noble drapes the blanket across the center of the body and throws himself upon it attempting to grapple the creature’s arms and tail. In so doing, Cirdan’s body becomes visible during the struggle. In a frenzy, the elf noble struggles with the creature but quickly finds its strength far superior to his own impressive strength.
Quickly drawing forth the snake shaped dagger he plundered from the yuan-ti, Cirdan cuts the fiend across and flailing arm as he rolls off preparing to defend himself (7, 33/40).
The fiend rakes him lightly with its claws across the back of his head during the retreat (2, 23/25).
To help aid in Cirdan’s retreat, Tathar takes his snake staff in hand and pummels the fiend across the back, “By Sehanine and all that is holy, back to hell with you!” (5, 28/40). After delivering the blow, Tathar steps back to allow the warriors to fill in the fighting ranks.
Bhut, pressed into service by the proximity of the threat, wields his axes as the threat of an early death rises from the stone floor. He chops the creature across a femur as it rises (8, 20/40) and his second axe takes the fiend across the arm that struck Cirdan, severing it (8, 12/40).
The scorpion tail flashes forward darting behind Bhut and stabbing him in the back (6, 5/30(36)). It pulls him forward as the devil bits down into Bhut’s shoulder tearing away muscle (7, -2/30(36)). The hellish beast drops Bhut’s limp body to the floor as it tears its barbed tail from Bhut’s back.
Breymeer steps between Bhut and the fiend swinging his hand axe to create space. The creature grazes the northman across his neck (1, 29/39(47)). Breymeer steps towards the nightmarish beast and drives his battle axe into its wounded leg breaking the bone (4, 8/40).
Speck lets fly a throwing knife hitting the foe in the right shoulder (3, 5/40) as Kuba moves past the halfling to protect his little friend. Bofor’s spiritual hammer zips by and strikes its bony head dazing it. Using his shield as protection to gain ground, Kuba slashes across the good leg severing it at the knee. The fiend again drops to the ground quivering as death retakes it.
Dalic and Southar charge back towards the newly rising fiend. The fiend is destroyed by the time Southar stops to get his lantern.
Dalic stops his charge. His eyes are bloodshot. Foam and spittle circle his mouth. His veins are pulsing with energy. Dalic looks around, searching for anything threatening that needs to be killed. His face is red with fury.
Southar, seeing no sense in speaking to the duergar and fearing being this close to him, runs off to the east in pursuit of Grimlock. His lantern light illuminates his progress as he disappears around the corner from view.
Southar, shield in one hand and sword and lantern held in the other, runs speedily down the passageway, passing a fallen dwarf zombie on his way. He slows as he comes to a sheer wall of ice completely blocking the passageway. It appears as thick as the covering on a mid winter’s pond.
A warm impulse comes over him radiating up from his sword arm. Unconsciously he sets down the lantern and raises Bloodletter to the wall. He touches the tip of the blade to the ice. Using his shield hand, he grasps the end of the pommel to touch the ruby encrusted there. The ruby pulses once with red light sending the pulse up the grove in the blade. The grove, normally glowing a soft red, displays the pulse as it travels from handle to tip. When the energy pulse reaches the ice wall, the wall cracks entirely. It then breaks apart into millions of small crystal pieces resembling snowflakes. They swirl into a tight whirlwind and as absorb into the tip of the sword. The processs takes just seconds to complete. The central groove illuminates a bright red for a moment as the energy is transferred back down to the ruby which glows red in turn. The sword returns to its normal soft glow as Southar picks up his lantern and continues up the passage.
Grimlock, sword and shield in hand, ducks down behind the fallen dung soaked creature and waits to jump the charging zombie and shield himself from whatever enspellment the second foe is conjuring.
A numbness begins to creep over Grimlock’s body and he squats. His elven resistance to the magic is overcome and Grimlock’s joints and muscle lock rigid. He finds himself unable to move.
Zalco screams at him in elvish, “Noooooo! Fool. Your weakness will cost us.”
Foesmiter seconds Zalco’s opinion, “Never trust an elf!”
If Grimlock’s mind wasn’t burdened enough with the spirits plaguing him, his day turns for the worse as the charging zombie rounds the fallen corpse and sees the immobile Grimlock. It lays into the half elf with its hammer and shield. Its hammer blow is low into Grimlock’s legs to unsteady him (2, 17/29(32)) and the shield bash completes the mission as Grimlock is sprawled out helpless (3, 14/29(32)). The dwarven zombie moves in above Grimlock intent on smashing the half-elf’s brains out of his head. Grimlock is unable to will his body to move. Death appears certain.
Tathar rushes to Bhut to give him aid and finds him unconscious but in stable condition. He tends to his wounds with bandages and care.
Cirdan removes the regrown tail stinger from the dead creature and places that with the other in his pack. He also retrieves his blanket.
Breymeer chops the head off the twice defeated devil. He turns up the passageway to follow Southar and Grimlock stopping to collects his black arrow from the dust of the other defeated fiend.
Speck retrieves his throwing knife.
A sound of combat echoes from the east. It appears to be coming from the intersection with passage to the garbage chamber (for those of you that had been that far).
Kuba, upon hearing the melee, calls to Speck, “We better go help over there. Hurry Speck!” As speck takes his knife to hand, the human and halfling duo turn to move up the corridor.
At the sound of combat, Dalic perks up. He frantically and blindly rushes towards it rounding the bend in the passage, disappearing from view.
Shortly thereafter, the sound of the combat is accentuated by a loud metallic ring. This is quickly followed by Dalic’s insane war cry.
The spirit of Foesmiter, displayed as a ball of light, floats from Grimlock’s body as Grimlock feels Foesmiter’s hold upon his will disappear. The spirit has left him. Zalco remains in his sword hand. Still held, Grimlock is dejected. His will to fight is gone. He feels like an empty shell of himself. He is broken.
Helplessly, Grimlock watches as the zombie turns and cocks back the swing that will end his life. The room begins to lighten with an unsteady glow as Grimlock prepares to take his final breath.
With a minimal sense of relief, Grimlock realizes the significance of the illumination. Southar, with golden shield in his left hand and a lantern and Bloodletter in his right hand, is running up the corridor as fast as his legs can carry him. The bouncing lantern creates dancing shadows on the passage walls.
The zombie ignores the helpless Grimlock for the moment and turns to face Southar chanting a prayer as it does so.
A wave of fear washes over Southar but in his state of overinflated ego, he brushes the feeling aside. His momentum carries him strongly into the dwarf. Southar tucks behind his shield and tries to protect the lantern he has gripped along with his sword in his sword hand.
The force behind the impact is immense (4, 15/19). The blow knocks the dead dwarf soldier/priest several feet backwards onto the floor next to Grimlock. Unfortunately, Southar gets tangled in the two bodies and looses his own balance bouncing off the dead garbage creature and falling to the floor himself. Southar protects the lantern as he falls and is able to keep it from breaking or spilling burning oil.
To make matters worse, the second dwarf soldier/priest steps around the garbage beast corpse and lays into Southar with his hammer. The hammer ricochets off of the golden shield with a loud metallic ring.
The standing zombie looks up the corridor as it realizes a second threat is coming its way. It is a fierce sight. The plate mail adorned duergar, eyes blood red, with foamed lips cursing out a battle cry, is coming into the lantern light at full charge. His Delven Bastard gripped as the berserked warrior prepares to lay death and destruction upon all who oppose him; friend or foe.
Foesmiter’s spirit transforms from a ball of light into the spirit form of the great dwarven warrior.
Zalco beckons Southar, “Great warrior! Grasp me and win the day!”
Grimlock, enspelled, remains still upon the floor his eyes open and alive but unfocused.
Southar sets his lantern on the ground and returns Bloodletter to his scabbard. He rolls nimbly towards Zalco and removes the sword from Grimlock’s grasp. Southar rises to his feet to resume the melee.
“Yes!” calls out Zalco. “Let’s roll! Invincible without me, together we shall be all conquering!”
The proned zombie gets to its knees. It prays as it throws its hammer at the charging Dalic. The hammer flies through the air sounding with the buzzing of a cloud of flies. The hammer deflects harmlessly off Dalic’s shin plate. Instead of falling to the ground, the hammer rises to continue combat with Dalic.
Dalic, ignoring the hammer, turns his berserked rage against the spirit that had possessed him. He ignores the dwarf zombies and releases his worst on Foesmiter. Dalic runs the ebbon bladed Delven Bastard through the spirits incorporal chest. The spirit reaches for Dalic, wrapping both its hands around his neck (-2 wis, 7(13)) as the duergar removes the blade slashing through Khorliss Foesmiter’s neck.
The incorporeal spirit’s form looses cohesion and vaporizes into the air. Foesmiter’s voice, fading with the image, calls forth, “Finish this for the clan . . .”
Footsteps proceed Breymeer’s arrival as he comes into view of the lantern light. He is charging into battle with battle axe and hand axe flashing.
Seeing reinforcements arriving, the second dwarf soldier/priest calls upon vile powers directing the energies against Breymeer, Dalic and Southar.
Southar, in his increased might and domineering will, brushes off the spell.
Dalic, in a battle rage, is also unaffected.
Breymeer, closing in on a charge, is overcome by the power called forth by the dead warrior/priest. He stops running and stands still, axes posed for an attack that Breymeer cannot deliver. His charge stops 10 feet from his enemy.
Speck, Kuba, Cirdan and Tathar, torch and staff in hand, all move farther east along the passageway following the sound of battle.
Bofor attends to Bhut. The dwarf priest calls upon Fortubo to aid the fallen warrior not wanting to leave him in such an unconscious state. Healing energies course through Bhut (+4, 2/30(37). The human warrior opens his eyes, strength quickly returning to him. He finds he is able to stand and continue. The duo is lit by the lantern light from Bofor’s lantern that sits on the floor next to them.
Bofor’s spirit hammer has disappeared.
Bofor and Bhut watch the rear as they move towards the battle. Bhut, although showing injury, moves very well. He remembers a killing blow fall upon him and then blackness. Once he gained consciousness, his vigor returned immediately.
Dalic, in his enlarged form, uses his unnatural strength to cut clean through the zombie’s pelvis from right hip to left thigh. It drops without getting off another spell.
Southar runs Zalco through the kneeling zombie’s abdomen (9, 6/19). It ignores the injury as it concentrates on commanding its hammer to continue attacking Dalic. The hammer catches Dalic in the side of the head (2, 33<38 berserked>/40(49)) causing a wound and knocking him to his knees. The blow would have knocked out most mortals but Dalic, in his battle fury, rages on.
Kuba arrives. Seeing Dalic’s opponent down, he engages the kneeling spellcaster with his bastard sword. The dwarf attempts to deflect the blow with his shield. Kuba drives the length of his bastard sword over the top of its shield. The blow catches the spellcaster full in the face turning it back into a lifeless corpse as it slides backward off the blade.
In an act of bravery, Speck steps between Breymeer and the melee. The halfling keeps his short sword at the ready. He gives a sigh of relief seeing all the zombies are down and unmoving.
Tathar and Cirdan also both arrive. Tathar brings out his holy symbol to drive off the undead but pauses as he watches the last one perish.
Cirdan moves up to Grimlock to give him aid. He finds the half-elf alive but unresponsive. He is conscious but paralyzed or held in some magical fashion. Breymeer is in a similar state.
The sound of moans and shuffling footsteps are easily heard as the symphony of combat falls quiet. The sound comes from the darkness to the east, beyond the garbage creature’s corpse that partially blocks the center of the passageway.
Southar, Zalco, lantern and the golden shield before him, moves up the passageway towards the approaching horde.
Dalic jumps up from his knees. Tathar carefully approaches Dalic. After hearing the sound of the enemy, Dalic charges forward seeking combat. Tathar is wise enough not to try and stop the battle raged duergar.
Cirdan tries to wake Grimlock but the half-elf does not respond. In a display of his strength, Cirdan lifts Grimlock and throws him over his shoulder.
Kuba, in the lead element of the group holds his ground and prepares for battle.
Speck stays near Breymeer who appears yet unable to fend for himself.
Bofor and Bhut arrive from the rear.
A sound echoes down the passageway that raises the hairs of one’s neck. An immense impact of iron on stone is heard. Every few seconds the sound is repeated as if the gods themselves were hammering the stones of the mountain.
The distance to the sound cannot be judged for it is too far off and echoes through many chambers. There is one thing that is certain; it came from deeper in the mine.
Southar & Dalic cannot hear the sound of the approaching horde over the heavy footsteps of the charging duergar and considerable softer snake-man.
The pair round a slight jog in the passageway that takes them a little right and then back to the left.
Quickly thereafter, Southar’s lantern light glitters off the dull chain armor and shields of three dead dwarven soldiers/priests. They are positioned in a defensive wall, one up and two behind. All three are chanting or praying in some fashion.
The attack is immediate. Southar and Dalic are met by a flying hammer. Dalic handily deflects the missile with Delven Bastard. The hammer turns and continues to harry Southar and Dalic.
A sudden fear comes over Southar at the same time both adventurers feel a sluggish pull on their muscles.
Dalic remains unaffected by the spellcasters. He throws a seemingly unintentional wild elbow in Southar’s direction and then rampages on. The hammer follows Dalic like a barn fly. It hammers in vain upon his plate mail armor. The undead dwarf at the lead of the trio controls the hammer.
Southar fights the power that stiffens his muscles. After a few hard fought steps, Southar regains his vigor, sets down the lantern and charges ahead just behind Dalic.
“Did I not speak the truth! We are invincible!” cries Zalco.
The dwarf soldier/priests attempt a shield wall.
Dalic smashes into their line slashing with his bastard sword. His first blow is blocked by the lead dwarf’s shield. Sliding between the shields, his follow up strike cuts deeply into the head of the second dwarf who stands on Dalic’s left (16, 8/24).
Southar attacks the third dwarf. Zalco cuts through the rusty shield and it’s the dwarf’s neck (12, 5/17). The blow exposes the dwarf and Southar brings his shield into play, swinging it sidearm. The edge of the shield catches the dwarf at the eyebrows and its head is destroyed. It flops over unmoving. “Another one bites the dust!” cries Zalco victoriously.
The dwarf ahead of Dalic reaches out and touches him on the left shoulder while cursing the duergar. The evil touch causes Dalic pain (4, 29<34>/40(49)).
The heavy pounding sound, nearly rhythmic, continues but does not appear to be coming noticeably closer. It resembles immense footsteps.
Kuba leads the charge up the passageway. He moves carefully to avoid an ambush or trap.
Bofor, Tathar and Cirdan follow. Cirdan still fireman carries Grimlock.
As they move forward, over the sound of combat, Zalco’s voice can be clearly heard, “Another one bites the dust!”
They can see Southar’s lantern light just around the bend.
Breymeer cannot move yet and Speck stays behind to protect him. Bhut also remains behind but moves ahead of Speck to the tee intersection to watch both ways. The halfling watches the rear.
The heavy pounding sound, nearly rhythmic, continues but does not appear to be coming noticeably closer. It resembles immense footsteps.
Dalic continues his onslaught, chopping through the right shoulder of the zombie before him. The body and arm fall separately to the floor; defeated.
The sole remaining continues to command its floating hammer against Dalic who easily blocks it with his shield.
Southar engages the final zombie. He strikes, leading with his shield. The zombie steps away from the force of the blow. Southar swings Zalco but the blow is defected off the zombie’s shield.
The battle continues while Kuba comes into the lantern light. He moves carefully up towards the battle.
Behind Kuba, Tathar appears. Then Cirdan carrying an unmoving Grimlock. They are followed by Bofor.
Down the northern tunnel, deeper into the mine, the heavy pounding sound continues.
Bhut remains vigilant at the tee intersection. The sound of the melee continues up the passageway.
The heavy pounding sound also continues but much farther away.
Speck watches the rear as Breymeer remains fixed and unresponsive.
The heavy pounding from deep in the mine continues as the battle comes to an end.
The final zombie falls under the blows of Delven Bastard and Zalco. Southar is careful to keep his distance from the battle crazed dwarf; he keeps the golden shield up in case the berserker sees the snake-man as a threat.
As the zombie drops, its spell-enchanted hammer disappears.
Most of the group begins to re-organize near Southar and Dalic.
Speck and Bhut remain with Breymeer guarding the helpless warrior.
A strange thing happens next. Those harmed by the hook armed bone fiend have their injuries fade until the hurts are gone completely as if they had never happened. Breymeer, Cirdan, and Bhut all have injuries disappear.
Bhut is the most affected. He now stands completely healed.
Cirdan feels a strangeness among his belongings. Checking, both of the tails from the hook armed bone fiend have disappeared completely leaving no trace.
“Illusions!” guesses Cirdan with his spellweaving background, “The damnation was an illusion!”
Over a period of several minutes, as the party deals with the changing events, Tathar’s torch burns out leaving the illumination to the lanterns held by Southar and Bofor.
Dalic shrinks back down to his normal size. Exhausted, and having no more enemies to face, the duergar collapses against the tunnel wall, physically spent from his fighting.
Grimlock slowly regains use of his body and comes out of the enspellment. Breymeer soon follows; again standing under his own power.
Kuba, Speck and Breymeer join the group in the passageway.
Finally, the heavy pounding ceases. It never appears to have come much closer and certainly does not threaten to approach now. Somewhere, deeper in the mine, whatever caused the sound has come to rest.
Dalic stands, wipes the foam from his mouth and checks himself over. For the most part, he remains relatively healthy suffering a few minor cuts and bruises. “Aye!” he speaks, announcing his readiness.
A calm and quiet settles upon the passageway. The only sounds are those of the party; a creak of leather or the shifting of chain or plate armor. The rest of the mine is a quiet as death.
Dalic approaches Tathar and asks the elf priest to administer whatever aid he can to his head wound (+2, 31/40(49)). Grimlock gets in line to have his head bandaged as well (+3, 17/29(32)). The priest quickly has the two wrapped in strips cut from cloak and blanket.
Looking over the party, Tathar can see everyone is relatively healthy. Only Cirdan and Grimlock have wounds and they are not severe.
Bofor, appearing to analyze the party as well, states, “I suggest we continue exploring under the initial plan. Keeping to the right most tunnels.”
Cirdan counters, "I recommend we rest, regain our strength, study our spells then continue, fully prepared to meet this creature and destroy it. I have no desire for my body to find its eternal rest in this place!"
Kuba seconds the motion, "I agree, now that things are quiet we might want to take time to rest."
Speck adds, as he plugs his nose and waves his hand fanning the stink of Kuba away, "Yes, and maybe clean up a bit." Moving away from Kuba and towards Grimlock he says, "I'm hungry. Maybe we should stop a while and have something to eat and figure out our next move."
Grimlock, looking dejected, is the most beat up looking party member. He questions the duergar, “Dalic, how long for his will to return after Foesmiter left you?” He looks to the party in general, “I need a few minutes to rest. I wish to rest and eat some rations.”
Grimlock sits against the passage wall. He looks to the snake-man ranger, “Southar, thank you for your help although I wish you to return Zalco to me when my will has returned. Will you do so?”
Zalco answers in elvish, “I choose to stay with Southar. Should you find yourself worthy again, half-elf. You can pry me from his cold, dead hands! There is a priest to slay in vengeance for Foesmiter. One of you, should you be brave enough, shall fulfill this destiny.”
The elves translate the statement for the rest of the adventurers.
A pause follows and the group settles in for food and a breather. Speck drops down next to Grimlock looking at him with concern. He pulls open his pack and pulls out food and water for the half-elf.
In the quiet that follows, with each adventurer silently contemplating the current situation, Tathar uncharacteristically speaks. In a quiet voice he states to no one in particular, "I have seen what the dwarves uncovered." His eyes close for several moments as if recalling his thoughts. "We will continue through a cavern of sparkling ice. We will descend a stone stairwell that enters into a cavern with large pools. In a rectangular room we will find a statue cut from reddish stone. It is of a devil. A huge statue with huge ruby eyes and horns that sweep back from its head." He pauses a moment and then opens his eyes. He looks at the party members with a primal fire burning in his eyes. "This, Sehanine has shown me! Her message is this: If we do not persevere and rid this delve of the evil that inhabits it, many will die.”
Dalic, unfearing, offers his sword, “I am prepared to continue.”
Bhut, Bofor, and Southar pledge to continue.
The group is refreshed some by the rest but it is cold in the tunnel and once the group pauses, it causes the sweat to chill and the adventurers to get a chill.
The group spends about ten minutes at rest, eating, changing bandages, etc.
As the group packs up and prepares to move out, Grimlock voices a complaint to Tathar, “I do not understand what got into you but I hardly agree with you abandoning me when I was alone fighting zombies. You left me alone. Why? It almost cost me my life if not for Southar. I was alone and you returned to aid eight companions.”
When Speck opens his pack to give food and water to Grimlock, he slyly motions into his pack indicating the loot and give a quizzical look to Grimlock. Using thieves cant, the halfling hints that he wants find out if he has some magic items.
During the muster to continue, Cirdan approaches Grimlock and questions him privately. Cirdan asks Grimlock how he fares and finds the half-elf weak of will but otherwise normal. Cirdan asks Grimlock if he recovered Paelae's spellbook.
Tathar looks calmly at Dalic, “When you were drained by Foesmiter. Did the power of Sehanine give you strength of will?”
“Aye,” answers Dalic.
Tathar approaches Grimlock, “When I left you, you were in no danger. I am not obligated to follow you to death because you were possessed. Hold still . . .” Tathar takes a hold of Grimlock and prays to Sehanine, asking that his strength of will return to him (+4 wis, 8/12). Grimlock is noticeably improved.
Tathar backs away from Grimlock, “I am now of little use to the company as a healer. I must rest and pray to Sehanine. I vote for falling back to a more defensible position and taking an extended rest.”
Grimlock, standing straighter, asks the entire group but specifically calls out each member who was with Paylea when she died. “Why was she left behind? She was incredibly important to us and a friend. In addition, her spellbook was not retrieved which would have served us well now. We seem to not care what happens down here. Are we under some kind of enchantment? We are leaving companions behind! There are illusions of injuries and walls, how can we trust images from gods? This all sounds to be something too powerful for us to deal with especially in our weak state; by which I mean our ability to use magic. Both Tathar and Bofor are sapped of spiritual strength. I vote we return to the first level and fortify and rest. If we are worried about a black blob then ready any fire we have. I would rather fight it now and clear out our retreat then proceed and have to flee through it in even a weaker state.”
He next focuses on Southar. “For the matter of Zalco, Southar, I am not asking Zalco to return to me . . . I am asking you if you will return it when I am able. If you are choosing not to, I would ask you to do two things for me. First, place it out the ground and all of us should step back from it. I have had the pleasure of both Zalco and Foesmitter being in my head; I know a great many things about both of their plans and how they intended to carry them out. Even more interesting is they did not always agree on the ultimate goal they each have. This I will comment on further after Southar responds with his actions.”
Southar looks coldly at Grimlock, “You were too weak and now your greed wissssshesss the blade’ssss return. Zalco and I will be moving deeper into the mine to finisssssssh thissss tassssk. I fear not devil nor priest.”
He begins to walk slowly backward heading north down the sloping passageway.
Bofor cautions, “I am for pressing on, but would warn those who would want to stay and rest, the treasure belonging to the dwarves and the mine are not yours for the taking.” The looks from Speck to Grimlock before breaking his gaze and following Southar.
Dalic concludes, “I fear there will be just as much resistance back up the mine facing undead. I am steadfast to make the final leg.” Dalic joins Bofor and Southar.
Speck votes, “I will happily go back for a day's rest.”
Kuba looks at his dung covered clothing, “I need to clean up a heal a bit but if the majority wants to continue, I am able to fight on.” Speck shugs, “I will follow the big guy, he has kept me safe so far.”
Bhut, having come into friendship with the crazy duergar, votes to continue on.
Cirdan has already voiced his opinion to rest and regroup.
Breymeer holds his tongue and watches how the scenario plays out.
Dalic quickly interjects having seen the decision go a certain way in the past, "Whatever the decision, we must not split up. I fear we will all fall victim to the Delve should we not stick together. We can make quick work of nearly anything we encounter if we remain together, just look at the enemies we have faced since regrouping in this lower section. No more than a few moments pass from their appearance before they are no longer a threat when we focus our efforts. The same will be true of what lies ahead. Those unable to contribute but save for the most dire situations must and should do just that. Save your strength if you must, but destroying the evil ahead may be the only way to grant safe passage back to where we came from. We have able bodies for melee and range, armed with weapons that can kill the mystic vile things that lurk here. Let those able to cut through to our final safe return. The magicks can be spared for the final push iff'n need be but we must finish ahead if we are ever to make it back.”
Grimlock, putting off Dalic’s words for a moment, lowers his voice so that Southar cannot hear him, “We must be quick as he will charge on as Zalco has taken control of him. We cannot abandon him but we cannot proceed as it will be to our doom.”
“Does anyone have anything to hold him and if not I suggest we take him by surprise and overbear him. That sword must be removed from him and stowed. It will be needed for the final tasks to be completed.”
“I vote we overbear him if there is no magic which can hold him. All those in favor, say Aye.”
Dalic continues, calling after the snake-man as he walks away from the group, “Southar there is no point in hiding the fact Zalco is swaying your actions. Grim and Dalic hab' both felt it an' I know more than I ever knew how ta tell a possession when I sees it. We will free you yet but that cannot be tha fight of now. Fight it if ye can an we can shield ourselves from whatever Zalco has in store fer us, but iff'n ye cannot free yerself, embrace Zalco for his power and help us finish this.”
Dalic then threatens the sword, “A warning ta ye as well Zalco. Foesmiter was strong enough ta control yer sway before he was extinguished by mine blade. Remember this. Twas by my blade your master perished. You are outmatched should anythin' befall me friends.”
Lastly, Dalic addresses Grimlock, “Grim, leavin Peylae was not ideal. We must retrieve her at once when the time is not ill-fitting our survival. Let us make an accord to ensure we all escape this Delve in life or death. Our comrad's remains will not be left to this evil pit. I will stake my life to fulfill this accord."
Dalic takes a breath. Winded from probably the most he has ever spoken in a group in his entire life. Instead of cowering at the exposure now though he smirks as if he just defeated a foe in speaking so.
Grimlock replies soberly, “Dalic no one questions your might of arms or will in battle, but I do not choose to go into battle with such foes. We are talking about DEMONS and DEVILS, without magic on our side. Our healers are spent on their ability to render aid. Do you warriors feel our chance of victory is great with no healing and magic? If you do, then you don't truly appreciate and understand the powers outside of muscle and steel. I was stopped dead in my tracks due to magic of which a novice priest can cast and with no ability to dispel the effects our many can be reduced to few in a heartbeat. I will not continue under the circumstances. Your wisdom is true with staying together but if I proceed further with you we will be together in death. I have chosen my course, if you choose the same we need to stop Southar now! If not, I will take my leave."
Dalic after exchanging words with a few party members and watching as the party splinters, becomes agitated.
Breymeer supports Grimlock, “I believe it would be best for our healers and spell casters to rest for us to finish off our devil foe.”
Bhut, Bofor and Southar continue down the passageway. Bofor calls back, “Dalic is correct. We must press on.” Bhut pauses momentarily to see if Dalic follows deeper into the mine.
Grimlock watches the group carefully.
The others are gathered together as the situation comes to the cusp of a decision.
Kuba and Speck begin prepare to withdraw.
The elves hold a quick conference. Tathar advises, “I can hold him but only for a few seconds and that is only if he is overcome by the spell’s effects. If his will is too strong, there will be no effect on him at all. We will have one chance to overpower him if the spell is successful.”
Tathar removes his hemp rope and gives it to Speck. “If we are able to get control of him, and if he will not come with us, threaten to take his shield. I believe it is cursed and he will do anything to keep it. Everybody get close, and if he stops moving, pounce on him at once.”
Cirdan adds, “If Tathar cannot hold him, I may be able to hold him with webs. I say we let Tathar try, and if he keeps moving, I will cast webs directly in front of him, where he will have little chance of escape. I am, maybe, the strongest, I will get him from behind. Others grab his legs and arms. If I see the spell has had no effect, I will call forth the webs.”
Breymeer cautions, “I stand by the belief that our only hope is to get our magic folks what they need. I will stay with them. I believe it is the only way to accomplish our mission successfully. The others may continue if they wish. Those continuing on and splitting up the group have made their choice and fighting them is not productive.”
Bofor stops, seeing the discord, he gives a dwarven version of a rally speech, “You elves are spreading cowardice at the final leg of the journey. You very own god said we are near and even shows your cleric the way.” Bofor is obviously showing his bias towards elves.
“You pointy-eared forest sprites cower in the face of danger. Fine then. I release you from your contract. It was a fool’s errand to employ the elves in the first place. Keep the non-mine treasure you have acquired so far as payment. If your fragile bones can carry it that is. Run to your forests and strengthen yourselves.” He spits upon the floor and directs his attention to the humans.
“Don’t let the gentle fairies dissuade you men. I have seen strong men and you are among that rank. Come Dalic, let us who belong in the mountains lead these brave men forward to victory before the elves have them singing, painting and planting gardens. You are suppose to be the heroes of Restenford. Stiffen your spine and see this through.”
“Come Dalic, if death shall find us, it shall be in glorious battle not in dishonorable retreat!”
The appearance of the dwarf priest calling upon the duergar warrior for aid would seem odd any any other time and place.
Grimlock walks with a purpose towards Bofor as Tathar looses an arrow from his bow. The arrow passes Bofor near his head; an obvious intentional near miss. Tathar immediately nochs another arrow. “If you question my loyalty to Sehanine again, or call me a coward again, only one of us will live! If it weren’t for the elves, you would have died in the cages on the first level! Or have been overcome by the magic with the skeletal snake! You are the coward if you count the dwarves abandoning this delve and hiding behind your forges in Farmin, waiting for humans and elves with enough spine to come here! By my count, two elves have already died for your cause! Take back your words!”
Before Bofor can speak, Grimlock walks up and punches Bofor hard in the face with a right fist. “For insulting me and my kin.” Grimlock prepares for Bofor’s counter.
Bofor speaks through a split lip and blood washed teeth, “Well, ya see lads, the elves have some fight in them yet. And I insult not your god. It is ye who appears to tarry when the way has been shown.”
Bofor turns and catches up to Southar.
Dalic replies, "It is my greatest honor to travel with these, my now brethren. I have a duty to you all in a sense for I don wan ta see another man fall. I trust any of you ta make it ta safety back that way without me as well. I would be cursed by thought iffen even one should fall moving forward should I not join to aid them. If there be any of my company going forward I will too. This includes the demon stricken Southar. I will join Southar into battle to hopefully save him for the day he is free of Zalco."
Bhut nods in agreement to his little friend. Dalic and Bhut fall in behind them. The foursome leave the rest of the group to withdraw in peace.
Southar looks back at the group, his snake eyes showing a strong will and his forked tongue licking the air through a large grin, “Do assss you wisssshhh. We ssshhall be fighting and winning!"
Dalic chuckles at the sight of bofor being struck in the face. "Ha. Sorry. Should have seen that coming. An by tha way dear Bofor, ye be much less kin ta me than these'n elves. Don't be so quick ta count me in mutual opposition ta them."
Breymeer can hold his tongue no longer. “Bofor, your mouth has irked me to a point where I can take no more. We’re obviously not retreating, just taking time to finish this contract, as you call it, properly. And I believe your attitude needs an adjustment!” Breymeer begins to stride towards Bofor with his axes in hand. “Your option dwarf, fists or steel?”
Bofor spouts back, “If you still have fight in ya, bring it into the mine. That is where I will be if you wish to fight me.”
Breymeer pauses as the dwarf appears to back down.
Bofor takes a few steps and pauses. He looks back to Breymeer and the elves, “I fear my tongue has spoke too strongly my bearded friend. I thank you in advance should I never see you humans and elves again. You have fought hard to this point. I suppose someone should clear the path out of the mine for us. Should you remain in the hill upon our completion, I will consider your part of the bargain upheld.”
Kuba calls to Bofor, “When we return, we will know where to find you. We can just follow the trail of defeated dwarf zombies.”
“Sssseee you ssssssoooon!” Southar grins, checks his shield and grips Zalco.
Bofor sets the second lantern down upon the floor, “You may need this.”
Passing for a fairwell, the short burst of insults and a solid punch to the nose represent the splintering of the group.
Bofor puts his hand on Dalics back and allows the duergar to pass. Dalic steps up to Southar’s side. Dalic has the black bladed Delven Bastard in hand.
Bofor, taking Southar’s lantern from the ranger to free up his sword hand, steps behind Dalic. Bhut, axes at the ready, steps in behind Southar.
Dalic gives a look back to his only friends and, with a nearly imperceptible nod, he turns his collar toward the task at hand.
The foursome walks down the passageway and eventually the lantern light slips from view.
Grimlock waits until the foursome are beyond sight before speaking again. “I suggest we follow at a distance; unknown to them. Maybe us being split is not a bad option. We can act as rear guard and back them up. I do have some magic left but would like more health restored if any can aid me.”
Grimlock pauses to study the group. Breymeer interjects, “If we follow, Bofor gets his way. This is bull.” He looks more disturbed than normal. “But I will do whatever we decide.”
Grimlock encourages support for his idea, “Tathar you still are a dead shot with your bow. We have two fighters. Anything the others engage, we can judge if they need assistance. I can go invisible and track them, reporting back to our group. We will live if we leave but without them we cannot finish this mission.” Grimlock gets a grin on his face, “But then again, we are not under contract and now can take what we wish.”
Speck’s ears perk up.
Tathar watches the other group leave with an arrow still notched, a fire still burning in his moon-eyed face. “Bofor has paid me a mortal insult. He has questioned my loyalty to my deity and has not retracted his words. For anyone to do this is inexcusable, but for a fellow priest, it is . . . unforgivable. If he will not take back his words, I will push on in hopes that I may help him pass on.”
Tathar walks over to Grimlock and states, “By anyone going to heal Grimlock, you mean Tathar? Will you help me with Bofor? He owes me an apology.”
Grimlock agrees to accompany Tathar but he wants to follow his plan of stealth.
Tathar lays his hands on Grimlock’s shoulders and mutters a prayer, “May Sehanine ease your pain my half-brother (+7, 24/29(32)).”
Cirdan watches the other group depart, knowing one is cursed, one is a warmonger, one is stupid and the last is going along for the glory. “I am still for falling back and resting. They seem to have forgotten there is a mage to be dealt with besides this demon Tathar talks of. I trust Sehanine. She is a beautiful, illusion-filled elfin deity. If she says we must prevail, then we must, but I am the only one truly able to deal with the mage, and I have no, well, almost no ability to call upon magic. I need rest and to study.”
Speck tugs on Cirdan’s arm. “I have slain a mage. A green robed fella. When everything went poof in the throne room, I found myself alone in a cavern. I had no idea where everyone else went. There was a door that I wasn't about to go through and I heard some chanting from near by. The chanting I heard was the Mage. I was just going to just sneak by but he said things that showed he was no friend of our group and then started casting a spell so I shot at him hoping to disrupt his spell. My first shot missed but the second shot hit true just as he vanished from sight. I only found him because half my arrow was still visible. He lays dead in the chamber on the far side of the magical darkness." Speck points back in the direction of the black ooze layer and chamber beyond.
Cirdan looks pleased at the defeat of the enemy mage but still shakes his head, looking to the north, deeper into the mine. “We’re all going, aren’t we?”
Looking about the group, it appears the elves are fully intending to continue after the dwarves. Kuba lets out a sigh and Speck steps closer to his warrior friend. Breymeer just shakes his head, “This is madness. But, I will remain at your side.”
With a quick spell, Grimlock vanishes from sight.
The foursome moves north down the passageway. The temperature continues to fall as they move deeper into the mine. The walls soon become white with hints of frost. The passageway opens to a very large cavern. The walls of the cavern are completely frosted over. The temperature hovers at freezing sending a chill through the adventurers.
Following Bofor’s wishes, the group moves up keeping the east wall within sight. The western wall quickly drops out of clear view. The lantern light flickers off the shadowy western wall showing the cavern varies from 120 to 150 feet wide. The ceiling rises to the edge of the latern light at 60 feet in height.
The eastern wall is very uneven, jutting into the room and retreating again to the east several times creating unseen pockets the group is forced to tactically work their way past. It makes for a long 350 foot walk. The temperature grows steadily colder and the frost turns to ice as the chamber necks back down to a wide passageway bending to the northwest. The connecting chamber is generally about 30 feet wide and 100 feet long.
The foursome moves carefully through the transition from one cavern chamber to the next. The room is very irregular shaped but essentially the same size as the previous expanse. It stretches over 300 feet heading generally northwest. The ice-coated cavern is filled with stalactites and stalagmites, some of which have joined to form columns that support the 60 foot high ceiling. Icicles clinging to the ceiling occasionally fall to the floor, shattering like glass.
The walls and the floors are very slick. The temperature is far below freezing. Southar, appearing to be more susceptible to the cold, shivers like his human companion Bhut. Dalic also is beginning to show a reaction to the cold; frost coats his beard. Bofor, stouter that the others, only now begins to show his discomfort. He, too, has a white frost on his beard.
The foursome take their time crossing the treacherous icy coated chamber. The footing is very slick and the many stalagtites and stalagmites offer many hiding spots for ambush. Dispite the obvious tactical advantages offered by the icy chamber, no attack comes. In fact, they place seems vacant.
The cold begins to take its toll on the group as they get half way across the chamber. Exposed flesh stings and becomes red. Numbness creeps upon fingers, ears and noses. Dalic’s plate mail has frosted as have the rings of Bofor’s chain mail and the studs on Southar’s leather. The metal armor acts as a conduit for the cold as it easily crosses from metal armor though sweat soaks padding.
The party begins to contemplate a retreat until an illumination radiates bright enough to be seen to the north although the far end of the chamber is mainly screened by an outcropping of wall and a large pillar of ice. The group is unable to make out the source of the light.
Grimlock lays out his plan, “I will stay back bout forty or fifty feet, moving silent. The rest of you stay back about 150 feet. I will move back and forth to report. If I throw one stone, keep coming, two stones means stop and hold and a handful means run up at full speed. I will make clicking sounds when I approach you. Hood the lantern so the dwarves do not see your light. Kuba will have to cope; help guide him if he needs it.”
Speck arms himself with his bow while Kuba keeps his sword and shield ready for melee. The halfling walks beside his human friend with his free hand helping to guide the warrior. Kuba holds the handle of the hooded lantern in his sword hand. He shutters the lantern to keep the light all but out. The human can see only a few feet of floor in front of himself as he relies on his companion for guidance.
Tathar moves behind Grimlock with whomever wants to join him. He looks in vain for the arrow shot past Bofor. He will keep his bow out.
Cirdan moves to the middle. He drapes his blanket across his shoulders warning everyone, "It's gonna get cold."
Breymeer has his bow in hand. His vision is lost at the shuttering of the lamp so he moves up directly behind Kuba; keeping very close.
Grimlock, unseen, moves ahead of the group. Tathar falls in next, staying slightly ahead of Cirdan, Speck and the humans. Cirdan walks just ahead of the humans.
Following the path north. The temperature continues to fall as they move deeper into the mine. The walls soon become white with hints of frost. The passageway opens to a very large cavern. The walls of the cavern are completely frosted over. The temperature hovers at freezing sending a chill through the adventurers. The foursome continues on through this chamber, staying to the right. The elf led group follows.
Grimlock watches the dwarf led group move across the chamber. The western wall quickly drops out of clear view. The lantern light flickers off the shadowy western wall showing the cavern varies from 120 to 150 feet wide. The ceiling rises to the edge of the latern light at 60 feet in height.
The eastern wall is very uneven, jutting into the room and retreating again to the east several times creating unseen pockets the group is forced to tactically work their way past. It makes for a long 350 foot walk. The temperature grows steadily colder and the frost turns to ice as the chamber necks back down to a wide passageway bending to the northwest. The connecting chamber is generally about 30 feet wide and 100 feet long.
As the dwarf led group exits the cold chamber, Grimlock returns and throws one stone toward Tathar advising him to continue forward.
Grimlock moves up to the wide passage between chambers as his companions begin to cross the large cold chamber behind him.
Dalic saunters on, keeping a steady pace while avoiding risk of falling. He shows steady determination to take the chamber while avoiding any unneccesary exposure to the cold.
Passing by the obstructions, the far end of the chamber comes into view. The ice covered walls are a constant excepting the glowing light illuminating a descending stairwell moving slightly to the north-northeast. The stairs are long and steep traveling down nearly 60 feet at a 45 degree angle down. The stairwell is only about 10 feet wide. At the bottom, it opens up to the right and begins to widen.
The foursome gathers near the top of the stairs trying to steal a peak into the area below but it betrays nothing. The press of the cold forces the foursome to make a hasty decision; go down the stairs or risk injury from extended exposure.
The dwarves, stout people by nature, have resisted the cold better than the humans. Even with the metal armor on, they shiver but remain unharmed by the frigid temperatures. Bhut, in non-metal armor, rattling like a baby toy, is very cold but yet unharmed. Southar, on the other hand, has begun to show more problems from the cold. He shivers uncontrollably and he is becoming more sluggish (4, 30/52).
Up the stairway radiates a warmth although the cause of the warmth does not appear to be related to the magical radiance that illuminates the stairs in a powerful white light. Dalic is forced to shield his eyes as the light bites painfully at them. The others are forced to pause until their own eyes adjust. The foursome moves ahead, reaching the bottom of the stairwell. They pass by a distinct line of frost near the ceiling level of the chamber at the base of the stairs.
The stairway gives way to a wide passage to the northeast. It quickly opens into a generally square chamber. As the group moves to the edge of the chamber it becomes apparent this chamber is also illuminated by some similar magical light. The light of the chamber is dimmer, much to Dalic’s relief.
The room is bare rock with a 25 to 30 foot irregular ceiling. A narrow natural passageway, some 8 to 10 feet across, leads into the darkness to the northeast.
A large iron statue of a dwarf warrior in full plate armor and a great helm stands as a sentry near the northwest side of the room. A might sword is sheathed upon its back. It faces the center of the room. The surface of the armor is smooth and finely crafted by the hands of the dwarves. This fact is accentuated by the dwarven runes that adorns it.
This room appears to be the source of the increasing temperature. This chamber is well above freezing again. In fact, with each step away from the stairwell, the warmer it gets.
Grimlock returns to tailing the dwarves as the rest of his companions bundle up for the cold chamber that lays before them.
As they make their way across the chamber, Grimlock watches the dwarves cross an ice covered chamber. The room is very irregular shaped but essentially the same size as the previous expanse. It stretches over 300 feet heading generally northwest. The ice-coated cavern is filled with stalactites and stalagmites, some of which have joined to form columns that support the 60 foot high ceiling. Icicles clinging to the ceiling occasionally fall to the floor, shattering like glass.
The dwarf group moves slowly. The walls and the floors are very slick. The temperature is far below freezing.
Grimlock shadows them long enough to see them reach a descending stairwell at the north end of the chamber. As they descend, Grimlock returns to his companions.
The short time he was in the ice filled chamber betrayed the extremely cold temperature in the chamber. His fingers and toes began to numb and the bite of the air threatened to frostbite his face. Only by wrapping in his cloak did Grimlock avoid the damaging effects of the air.
Grimlock sees Tathar and the others as they gather in the area between cold chambers. They await a signal from the half-elf.
As the group slowly presses into the room, multiple low basins come into view. Each circular stone basin is 20 feet in diameter and rises about a foot from the floor. An unpleasant odor fills the air yet the air seems fresher here than other chambers. Each basin is filled with a low, tangled, lichen-like plant. The sickly purple stuff grows in a brown sludge that fills the bottom half of each basin. Dalic recognizes the trick immediately as Bofor explains, “For those that do not already know, that is Airweed. It helps to make the air less stale. It does carry an odor unfortunately. It is a harmless smell anyway.”
Dalic speaks, “If the swords we know this, many be evil in tha pit here. Bofor, can you sense evil in it? Is it likely trapped? I say we ignore the sword for now and press in avoiding the statue.”
“You would perish without me,” calls Zalco. “I am the greatest sword ever forged and he who wields me shall fear nothing. But if you do not want my help. I shall give you none.”
Bofor tries to interrupt Zalco, “I can ask Fortubo to show me the presence of evil here if you wish. I am getting near exhaustion though and fear I should say my power for any dangers we may encounter. If need arise, I can try and counter the evil by asking Fortubo to bless us.”
Bhut redirects the conversation, “Dalic, I agree we need to avoid that statue, it has a foul look to it.”
“Let’sssssss prossseed, ssssshall we?” asks Southar. The snake-man appears to be gaining his strength back now that the temperature is more reptile friendly.
The sound of steel rubbing on steel is heard to the north drawing the adventure’s attention to the statue. Its head, once staring directly forward, has moved slightly to the right and it now appears to stare directly at the group.
Grimlock’s whispered voice warns of his approach. He brief’s the group and warns them to bundle up for the next chamber.
Once briefed, Cirdan says, “Let us cross quickly to avoid the cold as much as possible, but watch vigilantly for falling ice and monsters.”
Grimlock moves ahead of the group as the halfling’s pace slows the difficult crossing of the ice coated passageway.
Although bundled, the frigid air of the room quickly begins to take its toll on exposed flesh or partially covered bodies. Those in metal armor find it a conductor for the heat sapping air. Fingers go numb, noses sting painfully, exposed flesh reddens. The desire to speed up creeps into the conscious but to do so would invite falls and possible injuries.
As the party crosses the room, a faint light appears from around a small outcropping on the east wall. Drawing the group in like insects to light, they round the bend to see a very well lit stairwell descending deeper into the mine. The stairwell is roughly 10 feet wide with a little larger head clearance. The source of the light is unknown but it is a brilliant white light that just seems to be everywhere on the stairwell.
It is assumed Grimock has descended to scout ahead. There has been no other obvious other paths to follow.
Grimlock moves slowly down the brightly lit stairwell. It radiates a warmth although the cause of the warmth does not appear to be related to the magic that illuminates the stairs. Grimlock passes a distinct line of frost near the ceiling level of the chamber at the base of the stairs.
The stairway gives way to a wide passage to the northeast. It quickly opens into a generally square chamber. The dwarf group has moved to the edge of the chamber. The chamber is also illuminated by some similar magical light although it is dimmer than the stairwell.
The room is bare rock with a 25 to 30 foot irregular ceiling. A narrow natural passageway, some 8 to 10 feet across, leads into the darkness to the northeast.
Grimlock steps soundlessly up behind the group to examine the room. The group has been conversing quietly as the half-elf arrives. Grimlock does not hear what it was they were discussing as he stays a fair distance from Zalco remembering the sword was able to sense Cirdan even while the elf was invisible.
Looking around the room, Grimlock sees a large iron statue of a dwarf warrior in full plate armor and a great helm stands as a sentry near the northwest side of the room. A might sword is sheathed upon its back. It faces the center of the room. The surface of the armor is smooth and finely crafted by the hands of the dwarves. This fact is accentuated by the dwarven runes that adorns it.
The room also contains four stone basins. Each circular stone basin is 20 feet in diameter and rises about a foot from the floor. An unpleasant odor fills the air yet the air seems fresher here than other chambers. Each basin is filled with a low, tangled, lichen-like plant. The sickly purple stuff grows in a brown sludge that fills the bottom half of each basin.
The air is much warmer in this chamber than above. This chamber is well above freezing again. In fact, with each step away from the stairwell, the warmer it gets.
The sound of steel rubbing on steel is heard to the north drawing Grimlock’s attention to the statue. Its head, once staring directly forward, has moved slightly to the right and it now appears to stare directly at the group.
Grimlock stealthily watches the dwarf group’s reaction.
Dalic quickly quips, "Based on tha statue coming to life, I thinks it be evil . . ." His statement trails off as he readies his daggers for a ranges attack. "Goin' in we shoul focus on ranged attacks when possible and gang up our melee when necessary."
Southar bangs Zalco on his golden shield, “Finally, a worthy opponent!” Southar moves forward a couple steps and then breaks into a charge with a hissing war cry.
Zalco joins the shout, “Vengeance!!!”
“I will flank it to the right!” Bofor offers. He skirts along the east wall.
Bhut follows his companions lead. He stows his axes and withdraws a throwing knife in each hand.
The statue squares is shoulders to Southar’s charge. Its right hand reaches to the hilt of the great sword sheathed on its back. Its left hand forms a fist as it drops its right leg slightly back, squatting a bit in preparation to strike. It moves with a ponderous yet smooth gait.
The elf group arrives at the top of the stairs awaiting the return of their spy. They remain flanked on either side as the powerful light shines brightly on anyone looking down the stairwell. The precaution is taken even though the dwarf group is not visible at the bottom.
Breymeer shakes his head, “I am an idiot for following.”
A warmth appears to drift up the stairwell. It is all the group can do not to break cover and move down the stairwell to avoid the extreme cold. Everyone shivers and fingers and toes have started to if not already gone numb.
The quivering is interrupted as Cirdan mumbles a short song, just loud enough for the group to hear,
"Ohhhh, how I love the feywine!
It's the only good glass of cheer!
Once we go in to the bright light,
We'll drink it every day of the year!"
It is obviously an elven celebration song and Cirdan is making fun of going into the lighted stairs as he thinks they are going to their deaths.
Tathar, trying in vain to shake off the cold (1, 20/24) snickers a bit at the joke.
The sudden sound of a sword banging on a shield catches the elf group off guard. It echoes up the stairwell from below; just out of sight. The group next hears Southar shout, “Finally, a worthy opponent!” Southar then gives a hissing war cry. By the sound of the cry, Southar is running generally away from where the elf group now stands.
Grimlock throws a handful of stones up the stairwell toward his waiting companions. He then turns and moves forward to watch the melee.
While Southar charges wildly ahead, Bhut stays put and throws both knives from where he stands. He is at the limits of his arm so he is forced to put a significant arc to the blades. Neither blade connects with its target.
Dalic runs a wide arc to the right toward the exit and juts back left calling to Southar to flank left. Southar adjusts accordingly.
The statue turns towards Southar as he closes in from the left flank. As planned, this exposes the iron statue’s rear flank to Dalic. The duergar positions himself where the statue’s back faces him within accurate throwing range for his daggers.
Bofor continues to move up the right flank.
Southar reaches the towering animated statue as it draws its sword from its sheath. The thick blade is eight inches wide and nearly six feet long. The blade is made of sharpened steel set into an iron pommel. Fearlessly Southar drives Zalco into a joint near the creature’s waist. Shockingly, the blade cuts into the iron being (13, 79/92).
“Watch it!” warns Zalco.
As if shooing away a fly, the iron behemoth swats at Southar with its free hand. Southar blocks the blow with his shield while spinning away from the forceful impact. His shield rings and the impact stings the ranger’s arm but he remains upright and unharmed.
Cirdan looks at Breymeer and Kuba. "Well, it's warmer in the light and there sounds like entertainment to watch, shall we?"
Tathar rallies to Cirdan, "We are not dead yet, noble elf, and Sehanine has charged us with prevailing over this foe. Get moving."
Cirdan, being sobered by Tathar's words, nods and starts down the stairs. Tathar follows. Two small impacts on the stairwell are heard as two invisible stones are thrown, one after the other, as a signal to stop. The two elves cease their descent. Grimlock has signaled a stop.
Cirdan signals the two human warriors and the halfling sneak to halt. Cirdan remains halted a few steps down from the top.
Tathar continues to descend carefully. Staying to the right, Tathar makes it to the bottom few steps before he stops his advance to study the room.
A loud clang rings from out of view in the chamber below. Judging from the sounds of previous encounters, something very large has struck Southar’s golden shield.
Tathar can see Bhut standing about forty feet in front of him. He has just launched a dagger at a target. Judging from the angle of departure, the target is near maximum range (roughly 90 feet). The wall of the stairwell prevents Tathar from seeing further into the room but it also acts to hide him. He slips slowly forward along the final ten feet of wall hoping not to be spied by anyone. Tathar is unsure where Grimlock went after tossing the stones up the stairwell.
Kuba and Speck remain in the upper chamber peaking down the stairwell. Now that they have quit moving, the arctic cold of the chamber creeps into their body relentlessly.
Cirdan remains a few steps down from the top. It is obvious the cold is not as invasive where he stands.
Breymeer, the bearded northman, is not one to pass on a fight. He moves quickly down the stairwell, “We choose to come here. Let’s get into this battle!” The stairwell warms as Breymeer descends. The line of frost ends just above the level of the ceiling of the chamber below. The chamber below is well above freezing and illuminated evenly by some unknown source of light. It is dimmer than the intense illumination of the stairwell.
The sound of the battle increases in intensity. The ringing of steel on iron along with shouts and orders. It appears the dwarf group is becoming fully engaged with something or someone.
The stairway gives way to a wide passage to the northeast. It quickly opens into a generally square chamber. The room is bare rock with a 25 to 30 foot irregular ceiling. A narrow natural passageway, some 8 to 10 feet across, leads into the darkness to the northeast.
A twelve feet tall iron statue of a dwarf warrior in full plate armor and a great helm battles Southar near the northwest side of the room. A might sword in its hand. The thick sword is the length of a man and 8 inches across the blade. The surface of the dwarf’s armor is smooth and finely crafted by the hands of the dwarf craftsmen. This fact is accentuated by the dwarven runes that adorns it.
Scattered about the room are four circular stone basin is 20 feet in diameter and rises about a foot from the floor. An unpleasant odor fills the air yet the air seems fresher here than other chambers. Each basin is filled with a low, tangled, lichen-like plant. The sickly purple stuff grows in a brown sludge that fills the bottom half of each basin.
Tathar remains in the stairwell on high alert.
Bofor moves up the east wall carefully. He has reached the northeast basin and uses it for partial cover as he skirts around its eastern arc.
Bhut charges from just ahead of the stairwell towards the giant iron dwarf. As he runs, he removes both of his axes.
Dalic lets two daggers fly and strafes to his right to get a more direct line at the statues back. The first dagger strikes the statue clean in the back of the neck but deflects harmlessly off. The second dagger deflects off the back of the right shoulder. Neither appears to have had any effect on the iron dwarf. It completely ignores the attack.
Bhut arrives as the iron dwarf releases a blast of noxious orange gaseous vapors from its mouth at Southar. The vapors billow out filling about a ten foot cube ahead of the statue. Using his superior dexterity, Southar dodges to the side of the gas and drives Zalco into the iron dwarf’s left ankle damaging the joint (6, 73/92).
The gas hangs heavy in the air being slow to disperse further into the chamber.
Bhut, keeping one axe to parry, brings the other axe down upon the back of the dwarf’s left thigh as the statue brings its leg forward while swinging a killing stroke towards Southar. The blade rings as it deflects off the solid iron leg. Bhut’s hand stings from the impact but he retains his grip of the weapon. Even though the blow does not seem to harm the leg, it is not without effect. The blow throws off the balance of the iron dwarf just enough to cause its swing to come across too high. The nimble snake-man easily dodges the cutting stroke. The iron dwarf regains its footing and fights on, continuing to face the scale skinned ranger. The step of the iron giant creates a small shock wave that reverberates through the chamber nearly stunning those close by.
Grimlock turns his attention to the closest basin. He sneaks quietly along the southern wall to the protection of the small rock outcropping near the edge of the southeast basin.
He ponders what the basins are for. He guesses they have something to do with defeating the iron dwarf. Seeing the ineffectiveness of everything but Zalco so far, he assumes he has no ability to harm it. Grimlock contemplates how to prevent the others from walking into a death trap.
Fearing a trap within the basin, Grimlock stands ten feet from the stone basin. He tosses an invisible bolt towards the large interior of the basin. The shaft lands and quickly sinks metal tip down. Grimlock can see the pressure the bolt puts on the vegetation. The amount of vegetation prevents the bolt from falling far beneath the surface.
From where he stands, Grimlock detects no reaction to the wood, quill or metal.
Grimlock draws his sword and sticks it into the vegetation testing to see if it grabs the blade. Nothing happens. He places his sword into Zalco’s scabbard and moves forward towards the melee rounding the raised pool in the process.
Breymeer’s deep war cry alerts his companions of his charge. Not having a clear shot, Breymeer charges with his dwarven made battle axe and hand axe. Tathar remains behind near the base of the stairwell.
The cold finally takes its toll on Kuba and Speck. They can no longer resist the comfort offered by the warm radiating from below. Kuba decides to follow Breymeer into the battle. Speck follows closely on his heels. They pass Cirdan as the move down to the base of the stairs. The air warms as they descend. They pass by a distinct line of frost near the ceiling level of the chamber at the base of the stairs.
Kuba moves slowly to allow Speck to keep up. As they near the bottom of the stairs, Tathar comes into view. The elf stands at the bottom of the stairs looking into the room. The sound of battle spurns the human and the halfling to hurry to the base of the stairs.
The stairway gives way to a wide passage to the northeast. It quickly opens into a generally square chamber. As they move to the edge of the chamber it becomes apparent this chamber is illuminated by some similar magical light. The light of the chamber is dimmer than that of the stairwell.
The room is bare rock with a 25 to 30 foot irregular ceiling. A narrow natural passageway, some 8 to 10 feet across, leads into the darkness to the northeast.
A twelve foot tall iron statue of a dwarf warrior in full plate armor and a great helm stands as a sentry near the northwest side of the room. A might sword is sheathed upon its back. It faces the center of the room. The surface of the armor is smooth and finely crafted by the hands of the dwarves. This fact is accentuated by the dwarven runes that adorns it.
This room appears to be the source of the increasing temperature. This chamber is well above freezing again. In fact, with each step away from the stairwell, the warmer it gets.
The room also contains four low basins. Each circular stone basin is 20 feet in diameter and rises about a foot from the floor. An unpleasant odor fills the air yet the air seems fresher here than other chambers. Each basin is filled with a low, tangled, lichen-like plant. The sickly purple stuff grows in a brown sludge that fills the bottom half of each basin.
They move up next to Tathar.
Bofor approaches the iron dwarf from the rear closing half the distance from the eastern wall to the melee. He moves carefully around the low stone basin deciding what his next move should be.
Dalic, seeing common steel does little damage to the iron dwarf, charges in for a direct assault on the giant’s back. He draws the Delven Bastard during the charge.
The gas cloud expands outward away from the statue forcing Southar to move a few feet counter-clockwise around the iron dwarf. The iron dwarf turns with pounding footsteps to match Southar’s move. The vibrations can be felt in the solid stone floor.
Southar darts in and drives the point Zalco into the dwarf. The blade slips into the molded beard cutting deep into its throat (28, 45/92). The iron dwarf’s head reels back as it swings wildly at the Gnarley Forest ranger. The great sword arcs toward Southar and he instinctively pulls up his shield. Steel meets gold. The overwhelming strength of the blow drives Southar back hard into the wall crushing him painfully (15, 15/52). If not for the magical shield, Southar would have been hacked in half.
“We are invincible!” cries Zalco as Southar remains standing. The blow has rocked the snake-man but he brushes off the pain to remain in the fight.
Bhut chops at the rear of the statue but fails to do more than put small scratches into the hard iron foe.
Breymeer’s charge closes in at the same time as Dalic’s. With the new positioning of the statue, both warriors slam into the rear of the enemy while staying to the east of the gas cloud.
Breymeer hacks with both of his axes. He delivers two telling blows. The dwarf forged battle axe puts a faint mark across the iron dwarf’s back. The hand axe cuts deeper into the back of the left knee joint (1, 44/92).
Dalic drives Delven Bastard into the dwarf’s back with both hands (4, 40/92). The black blade cuts through the iron dwarf and sticks out its chest. The iron figure kicks its foot back to crush the duergar. Dalic tries avoid the blow but is partially caught by its crushing weight. His plate mail armor saves him from death. Instead of turning Dalic into a gore stain, the armor deflects much of the blow knocking Dalic away from the smashing step. The duergar is badly battered and knocked back five feet but he remains alive, conscious and on his feet (24, 7/40(49)).
Kuba catches a glimpse of the massive iron creature. He stows his sword and takes out his war hammer. Telling Speck to stay put, Kuba enters the chamber to join in on the attack. He moves up carefully as he studies the battle and the large iron dwarf’s movements. Kuba reaches the western basin.
Bhut continues to hack away in vain behind the left knee with one axe while defending with the other.
Zalco begins a continuous string of shouts and chants; all designed to steel the nerves of the embattled warriors.
Dalic, reeling from the blow, knows there is no way to survive unless the giant is taken off kilter. He targets the legs of the beast hoping to slash completely through at least one of them. The Devlen Bastard slashes a deep trough in the right ankle of the iron giant (9, 31/92).
After hacking at the leg Dalic strafes with the body to ensure he isn't hit by the falling giant showing his experience gained in the fighting pits. While moving, he catches a glimpse of Breymeer and grins. "Welcome ta tha fight!"
Dalic silently prays that he doesn't catch another blow like the last one and trusts his size will work to his advantage in dodging another blow.
The iron adversary spins to face those to its rear. Using the force of his spin, it brings its gargantuan blade around in a massive descending arc. The sword cuts the air just above Bhut’s head. Dalic, moving to his left, remains under the stroke. Breymeer is caught fully by the blade. The bearded ranger reacts to the attack with an attempted parry bring both of his axes up to deflect the blow. The haft of his dwarven crafted battle axes is cut in two but his dwarven runed hand axe takes the blow as it impacts into the side of Breymeer’s head. The dwarven metal holds strong keeping Breymeer’s head attached to his body. Unfortunately, the blow still impacts the side of the ranger’s head causing serious blunt force injuries. He is instantly thrown back and to his left; nearly 10 feet. His body is as limp as a boned fish. His stout hand axe drops five feet to the left of where the ranger had previously stood. It comes to rest at the edge of the slowly expanding gas cloud.
Breymeer lay in a pile on the chamber floor; unmoving. The expanding cloud of gas threatens to overtake the northman’s body.
Southar, emboldened by Zalco’s encouragements, steps forward renewing his attack. He drives his blade deep into the left hip joint (16, 15/92).
Bofor, holding up by the eastern basin stands ready with his shield and hammer poised. Seeing Breymeer go down, he rushes over to aid him. He reaches his fallen comrade and checks for signs of life.
Tathar moves over to his right and inspect the southern basin while keeping an eye on the action. On high guard, he visually inspects the basin’s contents finding nothing alarming about it.
Cirdan keeps an eye on the fight and an eye on the staircase. Speck remains at the base of the stairs as suggested by Kuba.
Grimlock charges forward to the west side of the northern basin. His footfalls are unheard above the ringing and cries of the nearby melee. He sees Breymeer fall but also witnesses Bofor’s move to aid the ranger. Grimlock continues to his destination and continues to analyze the battle.
Bofor is surprised to find Breymeer’s head intact. The ranger is breathing shallowly and appears to have no mortal wounds. The dwarf priest calls on Fortubo to aid the fallen ranger and lays his hands upon Breymeer’s head (+5, 5/49(57)). The ranger’s eyes slowly open. He remains confused and very weak.
The dissipating gas begins to drift over the dwarf and man. Bofor begins to drag Breymeer away from the gas.
Grimlock’s voice carries over the battlefield. It comes from the north end of the room near the northern basin. “Southar, slide Bloodletter over to the north basin so that I may use it and join the fight!”
Kuba, seeing Breymeer nearly beheaded, makes a cautious approach. He keeps his shield ready to block any attacks. He moves in swinging for the knees. The human warrior catches the inside of a knee sending a ringing throughout the room as the dwarven war hammer finds its mark.
At the same time, Southar, ignoring Grimlock’s voice, drives Zalco, who is still shouting triumphantly, into the iron dwarf’s lower back (14, 1/92). The towering iron dwarf begins to teeter.
Dalic exploits the advantage. Dalic strikes with the Delven Bastard. The first blow deflects off the knee attacked by Kuba. Dalic weaves to his right.
The backstroke of the iron dwarf’s blade blow crosses above Dalic’s head, deflects off Kuba’s shield and catches P’innr Bhut full. Bhut, having kept one axe on the defensive, catches the great sword just below the head of the axe. The haft snaps like a dry twig. The deflection is enough to save Bhut’s life. Flattening his body with the force of the blow, Bhut is able to take the impact from the flat of the blade as opposed to the edge. The impact hits him in the left upper arm. The force of the blow knocks the sellsword a few steps back. To everyone’s surprise, the street fighter keeps his feet although the blow has knocked his helmet clean off his head. Bhut’s left arm aches greatly as the huge blade has wounded his entire upper arm.
After ducking the blade, Dalic slashes at the right knee and then rolls between the giant dwarf’s legs. Dalic’s black bladed bastard sword cuts the knee toppling the iron dwarf (6, -5/92).
The massive iron body falls forward just missing the frantically backpeddling Kuba. The body strikes the ground with a deafening clammer. The bonds of magic holding the construct’s life force fade and the creature stills itself in a massive iron heap.
Only Breymeer has fallen and he still draws breath. Dalic, Bhut and Southar all feel pain as the beating dealt to them begins to take hold. Only Kuba, arriving late to the melee, stands tall.
The brave warriors share a silent moment of triumph as they look each other in the eye with pride.
Bofor looks around at the group and bows his head. As the echo of the fallen iron statue fades, Bofor’s voice is heard, “I do apologize to one and all. Breymeer, I see now your willingness to lay down your life for your companions. I am glad that Fortubo has kept you among us. Your party deserves my respect and my respect you shall have.”
The dwarf priest looks truly moved as he raises his head. He speaks what others are already guessing themselves. “We must be near something important, this guardian is no trifle. Its presence here must signify something.”
Speck has moved ahead and taken cover behind a shallow outcropping of rock near the stairs. It is from this vantage point he catches the tail end of the victory.
Ciran remains in place on the stairs watching for an ambush and any sign of something coming to investigate the sound.
Tathar remains near the southeastern basin.
Meanwhile, Grimlock circles to the north side of the basin and dips his silver longsword into the basin. The blade strikes bottom before reaching the pommel. The water is less than 3 feet deep. Nothing out of the ordinary occurs.
Dalic looks around to ensure everyone is far enough away from the gas. Everyone appears safe. The gas is thinning quickly. Dalic mumbles a bit to himself almost shameful of his pride but definitely not shameful of his pride, just more conscience of the fact that self praise in this group is uncommon, "Not ta be so bold but.. Ahem... Dalic did notice that 'twas my blade that took down the beast. Just sayin'..." He inspects his finger nails nonchalantly with a smug smile across his face.
In the form of instant and comedic karma for his pride, he doubles over briefly as a sharp flash of pain forces a severe wince to replace his smirk. After a second, he regains composure, "I may need some aid meself. But you shoul' see the other guy."
Bhut, dazed and confused, inspects the damage to his arm. He asks for water as he feels dehydrated. He slowly walks around looking for his throwing knives. He picks up his helmet and returns it to his head. He only locates one of his knives. Also, one of his battle axes has been destroyed in the battle.
Cirdan advances and investigates the iron dwarf. Its structure is very ornate and full of detail. It appears to be made of solid iron. The only unattached part is the sword that was removed from the sheath. The sword itself is too large and heavy to be wielded by any other than those with the strength of a giant.
Tathar applies first aid to P’innr Bhut (+1, 17/40(46)) and then Breymeer (+3, 8/49(57)).
Once that task is completed, he turn his attention to Bofor. He strides purposefully to the Fortubo priest with fire in his eyes and shoves him. "Do you believe me now dwarf? Of do you still think me a coward who doesn't follow the words of his deity? I have fought many battles with these, my companions, and would die for each and every one of them, including that crazy duergar," he points to Dalic. "But you come late to the party, insult us, and lead us recklessly into unknown dangers. If not for sheer dumb luck, you would have gotten everyone killed!"
“Kill the rigid priest!” shouts Zalco in elvish trying to encourage Tathar to violence against Bofor.
Ignoring the sword, in a quieter voice, his rage seeming to have ebbed, Tathar says, "You still owe me an apology for calling my loyalty to Sehanine into question. Without it, you can consider me your enemy. I will not kill you, but I will certainly not help you live."
Tathar moves to Southar to give him aid as Bofor studies him. Bofor also looks to Southar holding Zalco. “I believe you have misinterpreted the intent of my statement. For that I do apologize. I did not mean to question your loyalty to Moonbow. I was only pointing out that Sehanine also wishes this task complete as you had stated. You should save your angst for the final push.”
Bofor, in a matter-of-fact-tone, explains, “I know the elves battle desperately upon Bone Hill. Whatever haunts that keep is tied to this hellish place. Without our victory here, the elves may not triumph. This is more your concern than that of the dwarves.”
“And do not think that we are blind to the ambitions of the elves. The short-lived men do not pay your kind enough attention but those of us in stone halls do. We shall not be moved or harassed from what is rightfully ours. You may crawl all over the surface of hill and dale but do no think you will drive the Thesdrorlum clan from the mountain’s deep halls.
While Bofor speaks, Tathar renders what aid he can to the snake-ranger (+3, 18/52).
Bofor walks over to the duergar and lays a hand upon him, “Fortubo grants your request. May he ease your suffering.” Dalic’s pain remains but he is grateful for the aid (+4, 11/40(49)).
Grimlock joins Tathar at Southar’s side not attempting to hide his normal soft footfalls. The half-elf requests, “May I have Bloodletter in case we run into another creature needing magic to harm it.”
Grimlock continues, more to the group, “I suggest I scout forward of the party.”
Grimock then turns his attention on Zalco, “Are you willing to work with us and not against us. By which we decide when and how to attack and cease charging into every encounter and to give us time to access each situation we encounter first.”
Zalco counters, “Be not ashamed you are not as brave as Southar the Defeater of Iron. You are as free to do as you please as Southar the Supreme.”
Southar appears to bask in the glory bestowed upon him by the sword.
Zalco continues, “However, Grimlock, you do speak with wisdom. Southar of the Scales shall relinquish you the lesser blade named Bloodletter; but only on this condition. You shall return him my scabbard.”
The snake-ranger looks to where the invisible half-elf stands and nods his approval of Zalco’s bargain.
With the tension between Grimlock and Southar and the elf and dwarf priest, Speck remains sheltered near the base of the stairs.
Breymeer remains on the floor, still waiting for all the cobwebs to clear from his mind. His head aches something fierce. “My axe,” he says weakly.
Kuba retrieves the hand axe and hands it to Breymeer. The northman appears more relaxed as he wraps his fingers around the hornwood shaft.
Tathar, listening to Bofor's words nods at Bofor's direct apology, and seems appeased.
Grimlock replies to Zalco, "Nah, your scabbard has got to be worth more than Bloodletter in coin. I will hold on to it ‘til I can turn it into new spell books. If Southar doesn't want to hand over an unused weapon which would benefit the entire party then me thinks he is not of free will and I would prefer not to give you what you want as you still do not agree to work with us. Lastly, You still haven't told us why you commanded me to kill Bofor and why now you wish Tathar to kill him. Why do you wish Bofor dead?"
Speck moves forward angling towards Kuba as Zalco argues with Grimlock, “You are correct. It is my scabbard and it is worth more than Bloodletter in coin. You are incorrect if you believe you will hold onto it. You know my strength. In fact, you only live because I slew a devil for you. I have worked tirelessly for this party to gain my revenge upon the dwarven priest. As far as Bofor is concerned, he is a dwarven priest and I trust them not.”
Southar attempts to defuse the situation, “Grimlock, I am willing to ssssssshort term loan Bloodletter to you if it is of necccesssssssity.”
Zalco continues his rant, “You see, the snake-man is in full control of himself.” Zalco appears to switch audiences and addresses the group. “I will aid you no further until this greedy mix-breed hands over my scabbard to Southar the Greater-of-the-Two-Warriors. The half-elf has all the greed for power of man but lacks the wisdom of the elves.”
Southar, Zalco in hand, approaches Grimlock unerringly even though the half-elf is invisible. With his free hand, Southar unbuckles Bloodletter, sword and scabbard together, as he approaches. The ranger hands the sheathed sword hilt first to the half-elf.
“Tis a shame the half-elf is so jealous of loosing possession of me. For I am able to show you the final hidden path that only I have detected so far. Enjoy the rest of your short lives without me.” With that, Zalco falls quiet.
Dalic has spent his time seeking out his daggers. He finds both of his and the one Bhut had lost. One of Dalic’s blades was broken in the toss. Hearing the argument end, Dalic pipes in, "We need to figure out how we are ta survive the rest of the delve here. If Dalic be hit like that again, there be no comin back fer me. We must finish here though. If what the priest is right bout tha Bone Hill, I fear tha islands stand to tab over run with evil and death if we don't succeed this night. Also, Bofor this would hab been good to know earlier on.”
Bhut approaches his fighting companion and collects his second throwing knife from Dalic.
Southar gives his concurrence to continuing, “I shall check the other exit next.” He waits for Grimlock to take Bloodletter.
Bofor answers the duergar, “It was more of a hunch when we started but both keep and delve suffer from a hellish influence. Everything seems to indicate one is tied to the other. Frelpic, the priest we seek, holds any further answers.” Bofor looks to Tathar as he finishes speaking, “I did not speak earlier for I do not trust the elves intent with the keep on Bone Hill. Nor do I now.”
Tathar allows a small smirk to appear at the corners of his mouth before it quickly disappears. The Sehanine priest walks away from Bofor while saying, “The room with the giant statue of a devil with swept-back horns and red eyes is next.”
Speck reaches his warrior companion. As he does, Kuba's stink catches him again and offers some advice, “May I suggests a quick splash of water from one of the basins to help with your odor?”
Kuba chuckles and agrees with his minute friend. Kuba approaches the nearest basin and take his axe and tries to clear off a spot clear of scum. In so doing, he checks the water for any undesirable critters and such.
“The airweed is not a pleasant odor but it will be better than your current condition,” Bofor informs Kuba.
Kuba begins to sponge bath the best he can.
Cirdan inquires to no one in particular, "What now? Do you all want to rest now, or continue to our deaths?"
The gas cloud has dissipated leaving behind a foul but harmless smell that mingles with the rankness of the dung covered party members.
The room is comfortably warmer than the chambers above. Having spent some time standing around, the group notices the room is warmer on the north end of the chamber. The illumination that magically lights the room appears to do so without heat. It does not seem to be the cause of the increased temperature.
Both Dalic and Bofor agree the temperature is above what would be expected underground without some heat source.
Dalic is irritated with the lack of progress. "Let us rest here and regain some strength in rest for the brawlers and learnin for the magical types. We will all perish pushing further like this. Also, shut up Zalco. Stop taking credit for the last demon anyhow. Southar, relinquish the sword to no one in particular but stow him. He breed deceit and in fighting. I will disarm you if need be but be gone with this for your companions' sakes!"
Cirdan inquires of Bofor about "airweed" and if the basins are indeed safe for use.
“Indeed, it is safe. Airweed is used by the dwarves to improve air quality. It smells not so kind but is very effective in deep mines. You may not want to drink of it but washing yourself is a good idea. You smell foul as well. As do you Southar.”
Cirdan joins Kuba in washing himelf.
Bofor turns his attention to Breymeer as the ranger tests his legs and balance. The bearded northman sways a bit and holds his head in pain but remains standing. He appears to be suffering a concussion. His stomach empties as the room spins. Slowly he continues to gain his bearings and footing.
Bhut chuckles to himself. He appears slightly amused that Dalic is once again shorter than himself. “You look like you could use some rest. Your wasting away.”
Southar continues to hold out Bloodletter to Grimlock.
Grimlock grasps the hilt of Bloodletter, “Thank you.” The sword hovers in mid-air remaining visible while Grimlock continues to be invisible. Grimlock’s voice continues, “We can really end all this untrust with a very simple act of goodwill. All I request is you place Zalco in the northwest corner of the room. Then you walk over to the fallen statue. I will remain here with Bloodletter out so you can see I have not moved. I will give you my word I will stand fast if you do this.”
“In doing so you will prove your will and control over Zalco. We can then have a conversation and, if you so wish it, at the end if our conversation I will return the scabbard and you can return to collect Zalco as your blade as I will not contest Zalco any longer.”
“Very well.” Southar releases his grasp on Bloodletter and walks to the northwest corner of the room. “How ssssstrange,” mutters Southar as he reaches the northwest corner. “It growsssss conssssssssiderably warmer over here.”
Southar, sidetracked from Grimlock’s request, continues to the wall in the northwest corner, “It appearssss to warm with each ssssstep.” Southar looks down as his blade as unconsciously nods.
To Southar Zalco whispers quietly that there is a door hidden in the wall to the west and slightly to the south of where Southar now stands.
Southar appears to be in contemplation and talking to himself. After inspecting the wall, he turns and sets Zalco down upon the floor. He analyzes the group and then walks to the fallen iron dwarf.
Dalic draws his Blackened Delven Bastard. He mutters under his breath something about barbarian humans and donkey sweat without facing or acknowledging Bhut but clearly in response to the comment about his height.
"I know little of these magix 'specially the evils we have faced these past weeks. But I know tha' it ain' right ta warm without fire this far down. Be ready men... also Bhut. We may not get a respite in any case.”
Dalic begins strafing to distance himself from the walls, basins and other characters. He moves about 30 feet to the southeast while watching Southar. As he passes Bhut, he looks up and indicates with a tilt of his head to follow if he is so inclined.
Bhut does decide to join Dalic, “I am thinking it would be wise to rest for at least an hour.”
After Kuba cleans as much of the Orc dung off himself as he can he lets out a sigh, "Ah... Fresh as a daisy. Hey snake face, you may want to try this. The water's fine.”
Speck hangs around those at the basin while remaining as alert as he can.
Southar reaches the iron dwarf and looks to the floating Bloodletter, “Are you sssssatisssfied Grimlock?”
Southar begins his return to the northwest corner, “I will be expecting Zalco’sssss sssscabbard.”
Breymeer gathers up his broken axe and stows it in his pack. He looks a little unsteady. “I will be wanting to rest an hour. I can continue on but won't be much good in a fight for a while.”
Grimlock hails Southar as Southar turns to the northwest. Southar pauses, looking suspiciously in the direction of the floating Bloodletter. Grimlock approaches the snake-man as given by Bloodletter floating through the air to the iron dwarf.
The snake-man and the half-elf lower their voices and have a conversations. By the look on Southar’s face, they are not agreeing with each other.
Grimlock tells Southar, “I would trade any interest in Zalco for Bloodletter and your magic rope. As a rogue, I believe it would be best suited for my skills as Zalco for yours. Bloodletter is of simple magic as is the rope for a very powerful sword indeed.”
Southar responds, “You can have Bloodletter. Use your own darn thieving ssskills to climb wallsss Grimlock you sssschmuck! I earned the rope with a sssnake bite and am keeping it. A powerful magic ssssword is worth way more than some gemssss on a sssscabbard. If you don’t like the deal I will keep Bloodletter and ssssell him later for an even better ssssscabbard. You can attack with ssssticks ya greedy elf.”
“That is fine. You can have Bloodletter and I will still contest ownership of Zalco. You did take it from my hand when I was held after all. That is stealing after all. I doubt anyone will argue if I took Dalic’s bastard sword from his hand in the middle of a battle while he was held I would not just get to keep it. You can return Zalco to me when we finish this thing. You obviously have no idea how powerful a weapon you have been offered. The thing healed me completely once even.”
“You will not take my preciousssss!” Southar’s voice becomes very stern.
“My offer is now rescinded.” Grimlock also becomes very serious. He hands back Bloodletter.
“Zalco has chosssssssen the ssstronger owner. You can trade the sssscabbard for Bloodletter or not. I don’t care.”
Grimlock warns, “I’m going for my sword back now since you no take my good deal I offered. You yellow bellied snake.”
Southar gives his counter offer again, “I get Zalco with his ssscabbard and you get Bloodletter. If you don’t give up sssscabbard, you can beat things with your fistssss. The fact I took it out of your frozsssen grasssp is moot. It wasss alwayss meant for the likesss of the great Sssouthar.” Southar ties Bloodletter back to his belt.
“You could have had both for a reasonable deal but you foolishly chose not to. Now you will just have to wait and see. I would rather have a fighter mad at me than a mage. I’m both.”
Southar turns for the northwest corner again. As he walks away, he watches over his shoulder while hissing, “Very well. Try me.”
During the conversation, Bloodletter is handed back to Southar who re-takes possession of it.
The conversation becomes heated and Southar turns to walk away. He watches over his shoulder as he walks towards the northwest corner spouting something towards Grimlock as Southar departs.
Dalic watches Southar carefully and silently. He watches for any commotion. As Southar separates from Grimlock, Dalic sits for a respite.
Grimlock’s voice calls loudly to the rest of the party, “So, I just offered Zalco to Southar even though I believe it is rightly mine to possess. I offered him Zalco in return for Bloodletter and the magic rope but he refused the offer. I didn't want to give up Zalco to start with but in the interest of getting a better trade I would have accepted both in return. This offer was more than generous and I was on losing end as Zalco is worth far more than a simple magic long sword and a rope we have used all but three times.”
Grimlock takes a breath and Southar continues walking away. “I no longer want to give up Zalco as the generosity of my offer has been thrown back at me. I would like to group to decide Zalco's owner. As Southar will state, Zalco wants to stay with him, but when do we care what a blade wants versus a living being’s right of choice? His wants are irrelevant and he would sooner jump ship to another if he though he could do an equal or better job as the weilder. Zalco has NO say.”
“I have waited and not claimed any weapons less a silver blade with no magical characteristics while others, including Southar, have claimed magic sword such as Bloodletter and the Delvin Blade for Dalic. It was my turn to have a choice on a magic blade and if it be a more powerful blade than the ones others have claimed it does not change my right in turn.”
“I did claim Zalco and had been using it quite effectively ‘til I was held by an undead creature. While I was held in battle, the sword was taken from me without my consent and never returned. If he had taken it to finish the battle that would have been acceptable but I believe unneeded. But he took the sword to keep the sword. I do know with all certainty if I took Dalic's Delvin Blade while he was held and did not return it upon his freedom, I would be dead or unconscious and he would still have it back in his hand. Cirdan, what if I took your staff? To any of you, if someone took your property from your hand and did not return it, would you just accept it? I think not.”
“I do not hate nor hold a grudge against Southar, but I do want the blade returned to me. A compromise I would be willing to consider would be to return Zalco to me. If I cannot set the blade down upon my will or I charge off into crazy mode, then by all means subdue me and take the blade from me.”
“Otherwise, I still believe the rope and Bloodletter are a fair trade if I cannot use Zalco. It is my turn for a magic blade. I was only under the control of Zalco because the spirit had reduced my will and I could not fight both and win.”
“Southar was of free will when he took the blade from my held hand. He already had a magical sword. He is able to put down Zalco and walk away from it which means he makes the choice of his own free will not to return what he has wrongfully taken.”
Grimlock finishes his speech, “I shall let all of you decide.”
Kuba listens to the rant, and without any opinion on who gets the loud mouthed sword he joins those taking a rest and says, " Just let me know when it's my turn to claim a magic sword."
Breymeer states, "Have we sunk to a level where we burn our energy whining over who gets the best toy? My head hurts as it is. It would seem it matters not as long as everyone has a hunk of steel in there hand and we work on getting out of here." Bremeer sits back down to eat a snack and drink some water with Kuba.
Tathar sits on the floor and spends some time praying.
Speck joins the resting group and shares some food with those who want it. He asks no one in particular, "How does one get to know if something is magical?"
Bhut watches as the events unfold seeming not to have a care over who possesses Zalco.
Cirdan, being a diplomat says, "He brings a good argument, Southar, what do you have to say in rebuttal?"
Southar does not respond. Southar reaches the blade and takes possession of Zalco once again. He begins inspecting the northwest wall while keeping an eye on the rest of the party suspiciously. Bloodletter is tied to his belt. Grimlock retains Zalco’s scabbard.
Dalic speaks again to the group, "Ye both squabble over a sword that neither has indeed earned the right ta wield. The irony of yer protest Grim is that ye stole tha vile thing from Dalic ta begin wit. I slew the smith that wielded the blade but ye tumbled by thinking it honorable ta snatch the blade now that tha enemy lay to waist at me hands. Even if Foesmiter were at the helm at the time, it would be of no consequence because it rightly belonged ta the demented dwarven Smiter who once again was smote at my hand. In any way of earning the thing Dalic has won it twice over. Now I prefer me my bastard sword as it be my specialty an wish not ta fight with friends over who ought own a demonic blade, but let us not speak of rightful ownership in this matter. Ye try to bargain a trade with a blade ye have not earned but stolen for the Bloodletter which was again not earned but gifted by me ta Southar after winnin tha thin at bone hill. This all be contrite and misrepresented at best. I will take the stand now, not ta wield it but ta shut it up. We can sort who wields tha beast later. For now, scabbard tha thing and relinquish it ta me for safe keeping. If ye should have an argument more logical than this then present it but I am at me last wit yer squabble and it ends now.”
“What say ye? Am I incorrect in assessment for who hab won or earned what? If I were anything but a Dalgur I'd be offended at your squabble over mine accomplishments."
Dalic demands the sword.
Cirdan, turning from his question to Southar, addresses Dalic. "I do not argue your abilities, Dalic, but claiming 'your accomplishments' is arrogant at the least. I suppose that is common for a dwarf. Your 'kills' are in actuality, party accomplishments, because if you had come here or gone to Bone Hill alone, you would be dead already, with no one to brag to, and no claims over any items."
"I feel that for that very reason, possessions and valuables found while on a quest should be divvied up fairly and honestly, or if not, agreed to by the entire company."
Southar, Southar asks Zalco about the swords healing ability as indicated by Grimlock. “Indeed I can heal if I so choose. The half-elf is truthful about that. He however lies about not possessing a potent sword. The silver blade he possesses has been infused with magical powers. He is slippery and deceitful. Quickly now, trigger this door, defeat this vile priest and let us separate from this jealous thieving rabble.”
Southar is still unable to trigger the door.
Grimlock gets his things in order. He keeps his scroll case slung to his back for quick retrieval. He prepares to scout forward down north hall.
Kuba and Speck are resting, eating, and checking equipment. They pay little attention to the argument about the ownership of Zalco. Kuba figures if who ever has it dies he may get a chance to get it.
Bofor moves over to the north basin and continues to rest and regain strength.
Breymeer does not comment. He continues to rest. He looks disappointed at the squabbling and greed.
The others continue to rest near the northern basin resting and checking equipment.
Bhut quibs, “Maybe Bhut should take it.” He laughs to himself.
Dalic, standing next to Bhut about 25 feet south of the basin, replies. "It is an easy and trusty way of handling things yes. I need the sword little but have a growing disdain for the claims of rightful ownership as well. This place is one a party best get out of yet we linger for what seems an eternity and that Zalco makes it all the worse.”
“Let us cut the rhetoric and finish what we can ta do. I agree with me friend here that as long as we hab steel in hand an work tagether all will work out.”
“Southar or Grim I take no ongoing claim ta the sword but simply wanted ta point out the idiocy in the argument. True ta words spoken recently we should all be armed well and work tagether.”
Dalic finishes with, “Southar, you appear less in need of the Bloodletter at present than our half eleven companion. Would you oppose he at least borrow it for the remainder of this quest? Zalco should proven to take your fighting hand and an enchanted sword wielded by Grimlock would help us all."
Southar suddenly turns from the wall, “Zalco says he would welcome the chance to correct the demanding half-elf.”
Zalco taunts the half-elf, “You discount me half-elf. If you feel you can control me, step forward and and lay your hand upon my pommel. I shall show you that no one owns me. The warrior that wields me does so only upon my blessing. Come if you dare and try and claim me. You shall see Southar alone has my permission to wield me. Only he is worthy.”
Southar turns the blade pommel out towards where Grimlock had last stood.
Grimlock is unseen so his approach to Zalco goes unnoticed by everyone but Zalco. “Keep coming Grimlock. We shall settle this here and now.”
Grimlock’s voice sounds bold, “You will know I do not control Zalco if I act any less reserved than my usual self. At which time, I now give you permission to wrestle the curse from me. Time to ride the bull!”
Southar releases the sword and it raises into the air as Grimlock takes ahold of it.
Grimlock’s sense of victory is short lived. He immediately feels the battle of wills begin between he and the blade. Grimlock realizes his will is still not fully recovered and the sword takes the upper hand. Grimlock’s ego succumbs to the sword’s will. He feels the blade invade his thoughts and is helpless to stop them. The thoughts turn to action as Grimlock places the blade into the gem encrusted scabbard. He then removes the scabbard and sets the sword upon on the stone floor. Speaking without thought, he relinquishes ownership of the blade to Southar and steps back. Grimlock’s mind and will become his own after a slight disorientation. Grimlock realizes he is unable to control the sword without first recovering from the drain of will bestowed upon him by the living dead.
A moment of baited breath. Several seconds pass and the sword slowly turns and is sheathed in an invisible scabbard. Only the hilt remains visible as it turns horizontal to the ground. It lowers to the stone floor. As it lowers, Grimlock’s voice, now weak and shaken, reports, “I now give the blade to Southar as Zalco, in his wisdom, has himself claimed as his wielder.”
The blade is set upon the floor and Grimlock’s soft footfalls indicate he has stepped back from the blade.
“It is settled,” calls Zalco. “Southar, come and let us find the vile dwarf priest that slew Khorliss Foesmiter.”
Southar steps forward and claims Zalco and his scabbard.
Southar again removes Bloodletter from his belt and tosses it to Grimlock who catches it as a reaction, “You can ussssse thissss unlessssss it sssssuitssss ssssssomeone elsssse better.”
The trade complete, the group settles in to rest and regain their strength.
The group finally reaches a unanimous decision. They all want to rest.
Dalic sits and remains slightly separated from the group. Bhut sits next to him. The warriors rest while they occasionally converse.
Cirdan begins reading his spellbook and practicing verbalizing the difficult words to his spells. Intermittently he stands and practices the particular physical movements required by his profession.
Breymeer remains at rest.
Tathar remains in prayer.
Bhut continues to rest, “I could hibernate for a week, but that is not an option at the moment.”
Bofor lazily begins telling a joke, while resting. "A human and an elf walk into a bar . . .” His voice tapers off and he gets lost in meditation and prayer. He finds solace in the solid stone that surrounds him.
Kuba rests and, like picking dog crap out of your shoe, he picks what remains of the orc dung off his armor, weapons and belongings.
Speck stows away the food and while doing so he will peeks inside his bag. He rummages around inside of it a bit. Speck sighs and begins pulling items out of his pack. Interrupting Cirdan for a moment, the halfling asks him about a few items he found. The halfling shows Cirdan two rings, metal bracelts and a sheathed dagger. Both rings are gold. One is plain and the other is designed as a skull. The bracelets are made of thick metal similar to what a warrior may wear. Speck appears guarded while showing the items. “What do you think? Are any of them special?”
Grimlock can be heard sofly approaching Kuba and Speck. Bloodletter hovers in the air as the half-elf walks to the basin where most are resting. He stops next to th Kuba and hands him Bloodletter. “I cannot hide it right now. You wield it.”
Kuba, appearing pleased, takes the enchanted long sword and ties it to his belt.
Southar continues to inspect the northwest wall casually.
After about a half hour, the first lantern sputters and then goes dark as its oil supply runs out. The second lantern continues to burn bright. In addition, the room carries some enchantment that illuminates the chamber completely without the lantern. Since everyone is comfortable, no one bothers adding oil for the time being.
Approximately one hour passes without interruption.
Cirdan looks at the objects without taking them from Speck’s hands. “These types of items are often enchanted. You are justified in asking. If we survive this place, I would be more than willing to cast a spell upon them to determine if they are magical or not. If they are, I would be willing to try and decipher what properties they contain if you, Speck, are willing to provide the financial backing for the materials as well as a small fee for my trouble. It is a very in depth process after all.”
Grimlock proposes to the group, “Let’s get a full day’s rest here. No need to push forward since Zalco isn’t forcing the push. We can hide and rest behind the basins. I can scout ahead in the north tunnels while we set up a defensive sleeping arrangement. Our warriors need healing and without rest for our priests, they will go unmended.” He pauses for a reaction then continues, “But that is just my suggestion. It matters not to me if we stay or push on.”
Bhut agrees, “I feel more exhausted now, but if the rest of the group decides to continue, then I will join in.”
Dalic catches a glimpse of movement in the northwest corner while everyone is resting. Or was it a sound that drew his attention there. He looks over and no longer sees the snake-ranger searching the wall. A very faint crack of less than ½ inch can be seen as it becomes lightly illuminated. Through the crack, on the other side of the wall, a slight illumination faintly flickers.
Southar pushes the stone quietly inward. A small section of wall becomes loose and Southar is able to push it in. He is met immediately with a significant increase in air temperature. It is not harmful.
Southar looks back and notices the group does not appear to see his discovery.
“Let’s go. You do not need them,” encourages Zalco.
Southar agrees with the sword and finds he is free to make the decision on his own. He slips through the opening and allows the door to shut quietly. He removes an arrow from his quiver and allows the door to shut tight leaving only a very small opening.
“The passageway is clear from any unseen beings,” reports Zalco.
Southar removes a torch and lights it. It illuminates a tunnel running out in front of him. It goes generally straight ahead as far as he can see which is limited to the distance of the torch light; 15 feet ahead.
The passageway is about 10 feet wide and is domed to about 15 feet. It is roughly cut from the stone although the dimensions stay relatively consistent. It is as if someone cut the tunnel but did not finish the stone smooth. The floor, however, has been laid with various shades of red mosaic tiles. Each tile is about six inches square.
“For glory and revenge!” declares Zalco. “Let us find and slay this priest once and for all.”
The party has settled into their rest and is finding it hard to continue their exploration. Tathar pays no heed to anyone; he continues to pray.
Breymeer, who sorely needs the rest himself, seems more willing than some of the others to move out.
“Let’s rest here long enough to recoup our spell casters,” comments Cirdan Saralonde.
Grimlock’s voice agrees, “I will scout a short distance down the passageway while you rest.” The voice comes from the entrance to the northeast tunnel.
The group settles in content to rest. Bofor, seeing no one is going to bite on his joke, finishes the punch line anyway, “The dward and the halfling walk under it.”
Suddenly, Dalic jumps to attention. "The wall! Southar!" He draws his sword and charges to the northwest corner. A thin sliver of light, approx. ½ inch wide, illuminates the faint outline of a door that was previously hidden from view.
Dalic pushes the door inward seeing Southar had blocked it open with an arrow. The duergar has the Delven Bastard poised for attack. Standing behind the door is Southar. He holds his golden shield and a torch. Zalco is sheathed. It appears he has just lit the torch.
The passageway is about 10 feet wide and is domed to about 15 feet. It is roughly cut from the stone although the dimensions stay relatively consistent. It is as if someone cut the tunnel but did not finish the stone smooth. The floor, however, has been laid with various shades of red mosaic tiles. Each tile is about six inches square.
A wave of hot air pushes past Dalic. The temperature increase is significant going from nearly 60 degrees in the room to roughly 100 degrees in the hallway.
Southar asks, “Can anyone aid me with my injuries before I continue to explore this passage?”
Grimlock says, “We have a plan to rest. Let us execute that plan. I can scout both tunnels if we like. I can set up a warning system if we have string and noise makers maybe.” His voice continues to come from the opening to the northeast passageway.
“Just because a secret passage has been reveal does not mean we should rush down it. We know it is there and that is enough for now. For all we know it’s a passageway to the Nine Hells and we are inviting more peril in our current withered state. Stay focuses and let us rest for now.”
Bhut jumps to his feet anyway and heads for the northwestern passage. He is still groggy from his sleep and not fully aware of what is going on yet.
Kuba and Speck ready themselves to continue. They stow their loose items, adjust their armor and wait for the scouting report.
Cirdan stops practicing his spell movements and looks at Southar. He inquires, "I thought you were invincible. Why do you need healing?”
Not awaiting an answer Cirdan continues, “You are being manipulated by a cursed shield and a talking sword. When you are healed of your injuries you will continue on your own with no regard for the rest of us." He then goes back to his studies.
Tathar stops his praying and comes to his feet. "If I understand correctly, we are still to face an evil priest of Fortubo with unknown abilities, but obviously powerful. Also, possibly, a demon or demons from the planes of Hell itself. We know not their skills or magical abilities. If we rest, Bofor willing, he and I can heal our injured and Cirdan and Grimlock will be able to regain their spells. We will meet our foe at our best and defeat it or die trying."
He looks at Southar. "I will heal you, but only with your sworn word that you will wait with the party until we have rested and recoup our spell abilities. If you break this word, Sehanine will never heal you again through any skill of mine."
Bofor corrects Tathar. “Frelpic does not pray to Fortubo, I assure you of this. Fortubo is the patron saint of stone and metal not devil worship. Freplic has turned to a new master, this is beyond question.”
Before Southar can answer Tathar, his torch bursts into a fiery show. Bursts of various shades of red, from near orange to almost purple, launch into the air from the torch. Each ball of flame bursts into a fiery explosion, glowing brightly for several seconds before burning itself out. The fireworks cause a sudden illumination. Involuntarily, the characters shield their eyes from the effect.
The torch turned Roman Candle continues to belch out balls of exploding light for over ten seconds. The showering sparks only cover an area five feet around Southar. Southar appears unburned by the flames and sparks. Southar’s eyes were stunned by the sudden light and his vision is nothing but a brilliant ball of light. He can not effectively see.
Southar’s torch is consumed in the display.
Southar stumbles back through the secret door and blindly finds the side of the door. He takes up a position there and waits. He allows the door to swing shut. It closes onto the arrow he had previously placed to hold it open. The arrow shaft holds and the door remains ajar approx. ½ inch.
“I will be your eyes Southar. Holding me, you are undefeatable,” rallies Zalco.
Dalic, being susceptible to bright lights, is caught off guard and blinded as well. He curses like a true dark dwarf.
Bhut, being quicker than the others to shield his eyes, comes through the brilliant display with his vision intact.
Bofor can see as well. He spreads out away from the basin towards the north wall. He readies his hammer and shield while watching the rest of the room for a threat. He does a quick check of the others to make sure no one is in dire need.
Breymeer, holding his hand up to block the light, looks around for a better position. He circles the basin counter-clockwise and puts his back up to the wall. He arms himself with his bow and strings and arrow. Experience has shown, with Breymeer playing overwatch, the group is a slight bit safer.
Cirdan recognizes the danger of such magics. Even so, he barely gets his eyes covered in time. The light hurts his eyes but after blinking several times he finds he can see for the most part.
Tathar, having gone back to praying, was completely unaffected.
Kuba finds himself watching the dazzling display. Upon its completion, Kuba struggles to see anything but bright spots in his eyes.
Speck, on the other hand, was able to shield his eyes and is unaffected.
Grimlock, on the far side of the chamber easily covers his eyes preventing any unwanted effect.
“Theeeere heeeere!” whispers Zalco in a poltergiestish way.
Several long, vicious looking claws creep around the edge of the ajar secret door. The clawed and barbed hand grasps the door securely. The hand is not much great than that of a large man or a small ogre. The skin of the hand is a very dull greyish brown. The claw of each bony finger is several inches long and very stout; resembling knives more than claws. With it comes a sense of foreboding.
“Priest of Fortubo!” Its voice booms from the other side of the door. It speaks clearly, with the haughty boldness of a butler. “The servant of my master requests and audience with you. You shall come with me now and speak to him in regards to this unwarranted invasion of his privacy.”
“You may bring with you one body guard of your choosing.”
Zalco whispers to Southar while the clawed creature speaks, “The beast beyond the door is your enemy. Trust in me and slay it when the door opens.” Dalic is close enough to overhear the sword speaking. Bhut does not appear to.
Dalic holds his position and calmly monitors his surrounding.
Bofor, appearing bold and calm, begins to approach the secret door from the northern basin. “Who will join me? I will speak to Frelpic.”
The clawed hand pulls the secret door open to reveal itself standing in the passageway.
The creature is a large humanoid, standing seven feet high. It is entirely covered with large, sharp barbs including its thick tail. It has an elongated face with sharp projections from its chin. Instead of hair, more projections jut backwards from its head. Its red eyes dart about attentively giving it a paranoid and nervous look.
The creature reacts to the warriors in the threshold of the secret door. It waves it spiny hand before itself while uttering some abysmal commands.
Southar blindly rushes past the duergar. “I will lead you Bofor!”
The snake-ranger slashes at the spiked fiend while Zalco shouts, “Back to hell with you!”
Southar raises the blade above his head and bring it down towards the fiend as if chopping wood. The blow deflects off the tough hide leaving it unharmed until reaching its left foot. The enchanted weapon cuts into the top of the creature’s foot drawing forth a dark colored ichor (5, 32/37).
The beast claps its teeth together, ending whatever arcane enchantment it was conjuring up as its concentration is broken.
A flash of panic is seen in its eyes before steeling itself to destroying Southar and his horrible blade. “I will return to hell. And I shall bring you with me!” It drops into a defensive position, its clawed hands menacing Southar. It clicks its long spike-like teeth together.
The creature does not advance on Southar. Its darting eyes study the ranger for his next move. “I will allow the Fortubo Priest to pass with one other than this,” indicating Southar. “This one’s fate now belongs to me.”
Grimlock pales slightly at the sight of the new adversary, albiet invisible to the others.
Bofor cautiously moves along the north wall towards the demon.
Grimlock yells, “I have killed this evil creature before with Zalco. It commands the undead as well! It is EVIL!! KILL IT, it must not escape!”
Kuba readies for an attack but stands his ground by the north basin as he is still partially blinded.
Speck circles the basin counter-clockwise and ducks behind it for cover. He is just west of Breymeer.
Speck throws caution to the wind and puts on the bracelets and rings. He prepares for an attack by taking out his bow.
Cirdan moves clockwise around the basin and takes up the position near the north wall where Bofor had just vacated.
Tathar calls upon Sehanine, “Sehanine, please silence this foul fiend.”
The fiend attempts to continue taunting Southar but all is silent. It looks outraged.
Dalic comes from around the door and engages the creature in melee uttering an unheard battle cry. The duergar attacks hard. Delvin Bastard slices into its right ankle nearly severing it. The fiend tries in vain to keep itself upright with its spiny tail. Clawing, the creature falls forward and to its right.
It rakes its right hand down the front of Dalic’s chest but the claws fail to penetrate the dwarven plate mail. Deep scratches remain on the breastplate.
The left arm comes at Southar like a hay-maker as the fiend’s mouth opens wide to impale the snake-ranger on its knife-like teeth. With the speed of a striking snake, Southar meets the blow with Zalco, catching it on the inner forearm. Zaclo, for once, cannot be heard praising himself as a result of Sehanine’s power silencing the area.
Southar continues his defense by shield punching the fiend in the face busting many of the teeth out. At the same time, Southar brings Zalco in from the parry, tilting the blade level as he does so. He drives the blade straight through the stunned face of his prey. The entire attack is over before the fiend hits the ground.
A look of hatred turns to horror as the fiend succumbs to Zalco. Nearly too fast for the eye to track, the beast crystalizes and explodes to dust. The dust in turn fades into dungeon air. Absolutely nothing remains of the hellspawn.
Bofor inquires to the group, "Why are you attacking the messenger? It means us no harm." The dwarf priest continues to make his way to the secret door. He stops and then backs up a few steps as he reaches the threshold of the door. He notices all sound has ceased. He steps back about 10 feet from the door until sound returns. Dalic enters the room and strides out of the soundless radius.
“This is madness!” Dalic strides blindly back into the main chamber calling for rest so everyone can heal and study. He indicated he will not last a full battle without healing. "I got lucky this time and me armor proved its worth"
Southar enters the room behind Dalic. Southar moves ahead to meet up with Dalic, Bofor and Bhut. Southar uses his sword and shield to aid him in locating the walls as his vision is still poor. “I am willing to let the mobs come to us. Guard the entrances and let the casters rest up.”
Bhut remains at the secret door monitoring the hallway beyond the door.
The rest of the group appears relieved to stay and rest. Kuba still suffers vision trouble.
Breymeer continues to stand ready with bow.
Bofor looks at the three warriors gathered near the secret door (Bhut, Southar and Dalic). “I am going to parlay with Frelpic.” Bofor, looking first to the warriors and then back at the group, “One of you may come with me. I am leaving now.” Bofor pauses to see if anyone volunteers.
Zalco observes, “Your bodies are so much weaker than the steel of my blade. But I understand, as weaker beings, you must rest. It appears even the mighty Southar desires it though I think going with Bofor would be a task more fitting our superior abilities.”
Surprisingly, the blade does not fight the plan, “I like the idea of resting. It seems that every time you sit down, some vile beast comes to attack and I get to display my dominance and destroy them. Good plan, let’s rest.”
Bofor waits for a companion. Otherwise, he appears determined to go through the secret door into the western passage.
Dalic immediately responds to Bofor, "Don't be daft cousin. You are too eager to 'parlay' with death. Consider the wisdom around you. We hab faced similar an know tha power needed ta survive tha next encounters. There be no room fer error when we are all injured or lacking magical reserves. Ye asked fer we ta assist you here. Let this wisdom assist you. Parlay ta tha Demons here means come quietly so they may steal your soul or body or both. I pray you, do not go. If you do, I fear you will go alone. What is tha point of yer asking us here if ye go off without us?"
Dalic pointedly sits down leaning against the wall facing the secret door.
Bofor hesitates for a moment as he contemplates Dalic’s words. He looks to the western passageway before straightening himself and resolving to stay. “You are correct my deep delving friend.”
A sigh of relief comes over the group and they begin to make plans for an extended rest.
Tathar prays (for healing +4, 28/28).
Speck huddles behind the north basin and Kuba takes up a watch next to the halfling. Kuba’s sight begins to clear.
Tathar visits Breymeer, Kuba, Bhut and Dalic; healing each of them in turn (Breymeer +8, 16/49(57), Kuba +5, 34/45(47), Bhut +5, 22/40(46) and Dalic +6, 17/40(49)).
After healing the four warriors, he rests and prays behind the north basin.
Cirdan takes up a position next to Tathar and tries to get some sleep.
Dalic offers to take first watch. He walks to the middle of the room where he can see all three entrances and begins to pace slowly in circles.
Bofor leans up agains the north basin and closes his eyes.
Breymeer cautions, "Whatever has charge of this place obviously knows we're here. I'm confident it will be sending more minions soon or coming itself prior to the end of our rest. I'll set guard inside the passage. I'm confident your rest will be short."
With that, Breymeer goes into the western passage with his bow in hand. He steps past the door and begins to quietly move down the passage.
Southar stands quietly inside the chamber near the secret western door.
Grimlock lays out a plan, “We should split into two groups. One group behind the southeast basin an the rest to the nearest north basin. We can divide up the spell casters. I will be by the north one. Guard duty can be divided up between the warriors. One awake in each group. They will sit at the outside perimeter of their group closest to each other so they can monitor each other. They could even walk back and forth with each other or walk a perimeter together. The rest of us can stash ourselves behind the basins attempting to conceal ourselves from view of each passageway.”
He looks at the secret door, “We can shut that door and lean the iron dwarf’s sword against it. It should make a lot of noise if it is opened.”
He looks back to the group. “What do you say? Who wants to be in the north group and who wants to be in the south group?”
The group listens to the invisible half-elf’s wisdom and splits into two groups, one south and one north.
Southar closes the secret door most of the way leaving Breymeer in the tunnel. The northern ranger withdraws back closer to the threshold of the door.
Southar, Speck, Kuba, Cirdan and Bofor take north.
Dalic, Grimlock, Tathar and Bhut take south.
After several hours of peace pass, Breymeer withdraws back into the room and shuts the door. He, with the assistance of the other strong warriors, leans the iron dwarf’s sword against the closed secret door. Having the alarm set, Bremeet joins the south group; keeping his bow nearby.
The group gains hours of rest. The length of time that passes is uncertain but a large share of the day is spent recovering. The rest is one of unease and uncertainty. The group remains on edge expecting another attack at any moment. The spell casters do their best to study and meditate along with getting some sleep. This is not aided well by the fact that the rest begins in the early afternoon.
All in all, the rest period is uneventful. There are a few false alarms and the icicles falling in the cold chamber at the top of the stairs are the cause of several alerts.
In the end, roughly eight or more hours pass. The party is tired from the late hour but recovered slightly from the grueling pace of the first half of the day.
Kuba, Southar & Grimlock all begin to feel sickly. They have a fever and their body is beginning to get the chills.
Kuba rises from his rest and approaches the basin. He splashes water on his face. Kuba is beginning to look ill. He looks at the rest of the group around him and says through his body shivers, “We are in a room near the fires of hell and yet I feel cold. I think the wound from the dung eater has poisoned my blood. Is there anyone in our party that has the ability to cure this? If this continues, I will be of little use to anyone in a short time.”
Grimlock, who had become visible to study, comes from a quiet corner where he had placed himself to study. His face is pale. He approaches Tathar and speaks to the elf priest quietly.
Cirdan, seeing people staring to mill about, suggests having Grimlock investigate the secret passage, “That is where the ‘messenger’ came from so it would stand to reason that is the correct direction to go.”
The other members of the group begin to get up, stretch and nibble a little food.
Bofor and Tathar have a conference in regards to this new sickness. Kuba’s diagnosis appears logical. Bofor takes Kuba in his hands and prays for the removal of the infection that has entered his system. Tathar completes a similar prayer for Grimlock. They advise the effects will not be immediately felt but recovery from the illness could come steadily.
Tathar surveys the warriors and chooses Breymeer and Dalic as the most in need for the healing blessings of Sehanine. Breymeer’s head injury is lightly improved (+2, 18/49(57)). Dalic’s body is noticeable more refreshed from the elvish blessing (+7, 24/40(49)).
Dalic nods a thank you to Tathar and addresses the group, “I think we are all ready to move out unless there are objections.”
Breymeer, obviously hampered by the significant head injury inflicted by the iron dwarf, takes up a position near the rear of the group. His bow is in hand.
He awaits the rest of the group to come together and move out.
Of the warriors, none appear to be fresh. All are battered and bruised. Kuba is in the best condition but it will take him some time to shake off the illness. Luckily, none of the warriors are out of the fight. All are healthy enough to yet battle.
The elves, having missed the battle with the iron dwarf, are all relatively healthy excepting Grimlock, like Kuba, is recovering from the trash monster’s diseased bite.
Bofor is healthy but spiritually spent. “I can still lay a whoopin’ with my mace and hammer.”
Grimlock does not move up to join the group mustering. He appears to be thinking. He remains visible and has not taken up Cirdan’s suggestion to scout ahead.
Dalic drops to the back of the group and begins his now familiar pre-battle preparations. The group is wise to the fact that he will soon be in a fanatic battle state waiting to explode.
Bofor moves toward the front but remains out of the front ranks, “I do not think I am the best one to take point.”
Kuba, being more healthy than most, moves up to the front. He carries his shield and Bloodletter. Southar takes his side. The snake-ranger, appearing somewhat worn down, shows no fear as he draws Zalco to face the unknown terrors ahead. His golden shield remains ever-present.
Speck removes his bow and joins Breymeer near the back of the line.
Bhut moves to the middle followed by Cirdan and Tathar.
The group pauses for Grimlock to join the ranks.
Grimlock regains his focus and moves to the rear of the group. He gives a simple nod to Kuba and Southar to indicate he is ready to move. His eyes are cold as they gaze at Southar.
Southar ignores the half elf. Kuba and the snake-ranger gain Bofor’s aid and removed the iron dwarf’s mighty sword from the secret door. Placing it quietly on the floor, Southar depresses a stone in the wall and the door re-opens.
Kuba pushes the door inward. The light from behind spills into the dark hallway illuminating the various red colored mosaic tiles upon the floor. The walls are cut from the surrounding rock but not left rough.
Kuba steps into the hall and Southar moves forward as Bofor gets a hand on the door.
Needing light, Southar pours a flash of lamp oil into his bullseye lantern and works his flint and steel until the lantern sparks to life.
The hallway illuminates far enough to see a shadowy curve in the passageway. It curves roughly 60 degrees to the right. It is here Breymeer declares he took his guard post the previous night.
Feeling secure, the party moves forward to the corner. After the curve, the passageway continues generally northwest beyond the lantern light. In the darkness beyond, it appears the passageway turns back westerly.
The passageway continues to grow warmer. The general air temperature quickly passes 90 degrees and closes in on 100 degrees.
Dalic continues to build himself into a battle crazed warrior.
Half way down the northwest passage a mark on the tile suddenly and rapidly begins to glow red, increasing in intensity. Within a moment, the glyph explodes like a land mine sending shards of tile and stone into the air. The explosion rips into the first two ranks engulfing Kuba, Southar and Bofor.
Kuba and Southar take immediate shelter behind their respective shields as bits of broken tile and stone pepper their bodies.
Kuba keeps his feet and is generally protected by his armor (8, 26(45(45)).
Southar remains standing and escapes major injury due to his scaled skin and armor (8, 10/52).
The blast catches Bofor unprepared and the debris strikes him full in the face and chest. The blast blows Bofor back into Cirdan and Tathar. Bofor lands supine on the mosaic floor (16, 15/35(41)).
Stones clatter across the walls and ceiling before raining down on the rest of the party harmlessly. Dust hangs heavy in the air irritating the throat. Bofor coughs to get his wind.
Dalic prepares for an assault on the explosion. Discovering the cause was a booby-trap, he fancies there is nothing he can do but drag the wounded away from the source of potential additional danger.
Bofor scrambles back to his feet.
Finding his companions all alive, Dalic continues to work himself into a frenzy.
Grimlock declares the obvious, “That is what is known as an exploding rune. That can only be cast by a more skilled mage than either Cirdan or myself. I would rather fight a tooth and claw beastie than an intelligent beast who can cast spells. Just remember to spread out if we have room so magic won't be as effective.”
Grimlock remains in the rear but seems to keep a closer eye to the rear and ceiling.
Bhut looks to see if anyone needs help. Seeing Bofor regain his feet and dust himself off, Bhut looks for any signs of danger.
The group is tense and on the defensive but nothing else appears to threaten the group as the sound of the scattering debris comes to a halt and the dust begins to settle in the air.
Bhut looks ready to continue, with a sparkle in his eye looking for a fight.
Speck, Cirdan and Tathar all follow Grimlock's lead and keep a careful eye open for any other troubles.
Speck mutters his thoughts, "Magic exploding runes. Not fair. I can't put an arrow into a letter scribbled on a rock."
Kuba is a little pissed off about the magic also. "Skilled the mage may be, but there is no honor in that." Motioning toward the blown up tile, "Let's find this coward and relieve him of his head." Kuba flexes his muscles and with a growl as he gets ready to continue with his shield at the ready to defend against any more threats ahead.
Southar bends down and collects a small supply of rocks and broken chunks of tile. Before moving forward, he tosses a piece forward down the hall to skid. He continues to repeat this process with a half dozen stone and tile pieces; collecting and re-throwing them as he comes upon them.
In this manner, the party continues down the mosaic tiled path. The group had walked nearly 150 feet prior to the explosion. They now round a bend to the left and move westerly and then turn slightly southwesterly another 120 feet before the passage corrects itself to a straight westerly path.
Nearly 90 feet ahead of the party, some thirty feet past the lantern light, the mosaic path opens into an immense chamber. The chamber is lit by some type of firelight, large in scope, at the far end of the chamber. The fire sits before a statue of some figure rises out of view at the end of the chamber. The statue is gargantuan. A large stain of darkness covers a huge circular section of floor near the entrance of the chamber.
No other details can be made out from where the party stands. As the party studies the scene before them, Dalic gives into his madness. His frenzied preparations leave him a foam spittled, bloodshot eyed raving maniac looking for a fight. The group subconsciously step away from the battlerager.
Dalic seems completely unaware of his comrade’s activities as he frantically looks about for an enemy. His eyes fall upon Zalco with more than a passing interest. He doesn't venture far from the group being that no enemy has presented its self. His eyes are wide with excitement. He makes obscene threats to no one in particular. Spittle has foamed on his beard.
Cirdan looks behind him down the hall. He nervously eyes the duergar before moving up as the passage with the others. “Keep spread out!” he warns.
The hallway widens to approximately 15 feet as it nears the entrance to the grand temple.
Bofor adjusts his shield before re-taking his hammer to hand. He moves forward forming the sole member of the second rank.
Kuba stops short of the chamber. He examines the large dark spot on the floor from a distance.
Breymeer bypasses Kuba and steps into the room. As he moves, he exchanges arrows. He strings the obsidian arrow. He slides to the left and places his back to the wall.
Southar moves carefully to the right and pauses.
Bofor steps up next to Kuba. The rest of the party, keeping 10 foot intervals, moves up as a column and holds.
The chamber is of rough carved dark stone. The stone walls, like sauna rocks, radiate heat back into the room. The walls, floor and ceiling are all of the same light muting stone; a grey giving way to black shade. The temple chamber is 300 feet deep and 150 feet wide. The ceiling rises 90 feet above the party.
An immense statue rises nearly 50 feet high from a white marble altar at the far end of the temple. The marble altar has red striations running through the stone giving the effect that the altar runs with blood.
Rising from the floor in front of the altar is a black stone brazier easily 15 feet in diameter. Flames burn above the surface of the brazier although no fuel source is evident. Heat radiates from the brazier, raising the already high temperature past 100 degrees in the temple.
The statue is carved from a reddish colored rock. It depicts a muscular man with a grotesque face. Its mouth widens in a rictus that promises pain and suffering to all who gaze on its visage. Horns curve back from his head and multi-facets ruby eyes send shimmers of red light dancing around the room as the reflect firelight. The gemstones set into the eye sockets are the largest rubies anyone in the group has ever witnessed. Each stone is no less than a foot across and nearly half as deep.
Dominating the eastern portion of the room is a 90-foot diameter circular image of a demonic fly. The image of the fly made of mosaic tiles of a dark blood red color.
The heat from the room suffocates the character’s energy and sweat, already having covered their bodies, runs down cheek and neck.
Other than the flickering firelight, nothing moves in the chamber.
Bofor gazes upon the statue and the color drains from his face. His body trembles as his hand loosens its grip upon his hammer. Bofor turns to flee, panic striken before the hammer even strikes the floor. Bofor begins a full speed retreat as he shoulders his way past through the column behind him.
Tathar too begins to feel the tentacles of fear as a wave of panic rises within the elf.
Bhut begins to look nervous as well. A look of helplessness forms on his face as he begins to take a few steps away from the chamber. It appears he next actions may be heavily influenced by the actions of his companions. He is very hesitant.
Bofor puts his hands upon the elves shoulders, his own slumped slightly. He breathes heavily for a moment and the color begins to return to his face. The fear fades from his eyes. “Grant me strength Fortubo. May this deed be done.” The dwarf turns again to face the chamber, his resolve restored.
Tathar calms and straightens his shoulders without saying a word.
Cirdan stands next to them keeping a watchful eye both forward and back.
Dalic saunters toward the statue almost willing it to come to life. He carries Delven Bastard at the ready. He scans with almost paranoid attentiveness. He head jerks left and right as he moves forward.
Grimlock whispers an arcane phrase and disappears from view.
Breymeer remains against the wall with his black arrow nocked.
Southar also holds his position.
A sudden haze swirls into existence from the floor near the fly imagery. It quickly forms to either side of the chamber entrance nearest to Breymeer and Southar and just ahead of Kuba and Dalic.
From the hazy air materializes two forms that vaguely resemble dragons of childhood tales. The shifting masses are nearly 12 feet long with tails ending in a point. Wings reach out an equal or greater distance to their sides. A horned dragon head tops the body and feet extend downward where the body changes over to tail. The bodies are incorporal consisting of haze alone. They are translucent nearing transparent.
As if that was not enough to process, Aravae’s voice is clearly heard among the mist, “My friends, please leave before more harm comes to you.”
Cirdan, having cautiously watched the rear, sees Aravae approaching from the dark turn in the passage. He can hear her voice behind him although she clearly stands before him.
Grimlock’s voice can be heard chanting another spell. For the moment he appears to remain at the same spot he was standing when he turned invisible.
Cirdan looks back the way the party came, then back to the misty formed dragons and says, "Why does the voice of Aravae come from in front of us, when her body definitely approaches from behind? Tathar, Bofor is she an undead creature? Because I definitely checked her body! She was dead!" He crouches to the floor to reduce his profile.
Tathar turns to see Aravae coming down the corridor. He pulls his holy symbol of Sehanine and holds it before him. "By the power and blessing of Sehanine, I command you to leave this place!" His voice and stature are more commanding than anyone in the party have ever heard.
A transformation takes place as Aravae’s gorgeous figure and lovely face twist and shrivel. Her face becomes thin with decayed flesh pulled tight across her cheekbones. Her eyes burn with the now familiar undead hate. They take on a very faint reddish glow. Her body slouches and her clothing returns to the dirty mess that garbed her in death. It is stained with the body fluids that flowed from her as life left her.
The corpse reacts to the power of the Sehanine priest. It hisses a curse as it backs towards the corner, “You shall die elf. And your soul, as with mine, shall not journey to the everlasting land of the elves.”
The though of Aravae’s soul in undead torment deeply wounds the Sehanine priest but he maintains his resolve and holds his symbol aloft, driving back the evil spirit. Aravae creeps into the darkness around the corner still hissing curses as she retreats.
Speck keeps low and slowly moves toward the chamber. He stays along the wall keeping an eye on Aravae and any other threats from behind. The halfling slips past Bhut and the passes by Cirdan. The crouching elf and hunched halfling look eye to eye as the diminutive figure passes the elf nobleman.
Southar reacts to Dalic’s presence as the duergar presses his attack. The snake-ranger slides slightly to his left, the duergar enters the space vacated by Southar.
While sliding left, Southar, punches with his snake etched gold shield and then slashes with Zalco. The mighty weapon passes through the mist causing it to eddy around the blade. All the while, the mist gathers around the edges of the shield.
Dalic lets out a war cry, “Attaaaaaaack!”. Dalic tumbles below the hovering draconic beat. He laughs maniacally, clearly pleased to be fighting a dragon. His blackened bastard sword easily cuts through the misty menace.
Before Dalic can return to his feet, the mist dives upon him. Its clawed feet land upon the duergar and its wings wrap around the thin dwarf’s frame. Its head darts into Dalic’s face but instead of biting into him, the mist transforms into a stream and washes into his nose and mouth. The dark dwarf warrior coughs once and goes limp as a boned fish. He remains motionless on the floor. His Delven Bastard clangs to the dark stone floor sending a metallic echo through the chamber.
As quickly as it formed, the misty draconic form breaks apart and vanishes into the hot air.
To the left of the entrance, Kuba prepares to engage the mist dragon. He holds at the doorway and seeing the other melee going poorly, announces, “Wait until the creature has solid form. Strike then!”
Breymeer takes a step back to buy himself time to shoulder his bow and return the black arrow to his quiver. He pulls his axes as the mist dragon darts at him with lightning speed. It to focuses on the bearded face of the northman. The ranger can do nothing but gasp and drop to the floor. His axes bounce onto the stone with similar report as the Delven Bastard.
Bofor lets out a cry and rushes forward grabbing his hammer enroute. He takes a mighty crushing swing at the hazy dragon upon Breymeer. It loses cohesion as the hammer passes through. The second dragon vaporizes and disappears from view.
Dalic and Breymeer, each warrior finds he is unable to move. The world continues on around him and he is aware of the commotion around him but his body has gone completely numb. He finds he has no control whatsoever. It is as if his mind has become detached from his body. He is aware he is alive and that is about all.
Cirdan yells to the warriors in the temple, "Tie up Breymeer and Dalic until we are sure they are not possessed! That way, we won’t have to fight them or kill them!“
Dalic suddenly sits up and coughs violently. A stream of cloudy haze is forced out of his lungs through is nose and mouth. His eyes bluging and veins popping nearly out of his skin, the berserked duergar regains his feet as the mist dragon reforms between Dalic and the east wall.
Dalic, now recovered and screaming obsenities, unleashes two strikes with the blackened delven bastard. Both are telling death blows that should have severed the neck from the body. Instead, the blackened sword only sends the mist swirling in its path.
The dragon launches forward, sweeping past or possibly through Southar before moving onto Bofor.
Bofor does not see the beast coming. The dwarf priest, thinking the threat to be gone, has moved to Breymeer’s side and kneeled down to check on him. “The ranger yet lives . . .” is all the dwarf gets out before the winged haze is upon him. The dwarf, visible through the creature, is pounced upon.
Grimlock’s voice is heard near the ceiling where he once stood, “The undead needs to be dispatched as it can likely cast spells, all the worse if it can cast hold spells.”
Cirdan removes some components and vocalizes the words to a spell before vanishing from sight.
Bhut, his resolve shaky at best, now stands at the rear to the column. He turns to face the darkness behind him and prepares for any attacks. The light from the room and the party’s lit lantern only extends some 30 feet past the human warrior limiting his sight significantly.
As the group falls into action, their personal temperatures increase in the horrible heat. It is obvious that prolonged exertion in this temperature will have ill effects.
Bofor shudders and the mist dragon envelopes him. He gasps for air and collapses face down onto Breymeer. The mist subsides, disappearing from sight.
Much to Tathar’s chagrin, Aravae returns. She rounds the corner and charges headlong towards Bhut. As she nears, it becomes apparent that her right hand has become the color of the stone walls around her as opposed to the gaunt pale flesh of her face and other hand.
Dalic, seeing the draconic image disappear, begins a hell bent charge down the hallway towards Aravae.
Kuba turns to the east and heads down the hallway to aid Bhut. Dalic is only seconds behind him. Kuba shouts, “Speck, be brave and help where you are needed.” Kuba does his best to wield Bloodletter. He shows some skill with the long sword being not so different from his bastard sword.
Kuba steps to Bhut’s side just as Aravae reaches the sellsword. Kuba runs his blade through the now grotesque mockery of an elf. The blade cuts through her mouth and out the back of her head (8, 7/15).
Her corpse continues its vicious attack. She swings her now stone-hard fist and catches Bhut in the face breaking his nose and chipping out several teeth. The negative energy of the grave pulls at his life force and his will to live (11, 11/40(46), -2 wisdom 3/11, -3 hp 8/37(46)). Bhut reels backwards but remains standing. His weapon hangs low at his side. His will to fight is nearly spent. He makes only a weak attempt to defend himself and does not press a counter-attack.
Dalic steps around his dumb-founded partner and takes up the battle with the elf-wight. He cuts with his blackened blade and removes the dead elf’s head only moments after Kuba withdraws his sword from her face.
The corpse collapses into a heap.
Speck ponders what to do next. The dragon isn’t solid form and there are too many people to attempt a shot at the undead elf maiden. He holds his attack and waits for an opportunity to use his trusty bow.
Southar cries out a warning that greatly resembles the hissing of a snake, “What’sssssss thisssssss?”
A huge black column, covering nearly two-thirds of the 90 foot mosaic, rises from the center of the fly mosaic. Its great shifting and swirling mass is accompanied by the sound of a great buzzing. The great mass rises in a tall column, some 60 feet into the air, before tipping and spilling out towards the passageway.
In moments, those near the temple chamber realize it is an imperceivably large swarm of flies. All manner of biting and nagging fly bear down upon the group. Horse flies the size of a man’s thumb, deer flies, gnats, common flies, all boil over each other looking to feed.
Just before the black swarm of death reaches Southar, Breymer and Bofor, the great black brazier at the far west end of the room explodes into action. An eruption of fire shoots a continuous jet of flame out of the brazier. The column of red hot flame is fifteen feet wide. It hits the ceiling and fans out like an inferno. The temperature of the room spikes dozens of degrees as the flames of hell flare out of control.
The flames roll across the ceiling but fail to reach the eastern end of the chamber. The heat and shock it brings roll over the column of flies and comes crashing into those still in the chamber. After 10 to 15 seconds of intense combustion, the fire returns to the rim of the brazier and burns as it had prior, dancing slightly above the rim.
The flies are instantly burned and fall as chaff to the floor. Although temporarily beat down, the column of flies rises again like a hellish phoenix. It begins a quick ascent of buzzing madness.
The heat burns exposed skin and heats metal armor and weapons making them uncomfortable, even painful, to touch. (Breymeer 2, 16/49(57), Bofor 3, 12/36(41), Grimlock 1, 24/30(33) and Southar 3, 7/52).
The wave of heat reaches into the corridor but its energy is greatly reduced. Still, the wave of heat brings no relief to the already sweat soaked hallway occupants.
Finally, to the right of the rising column of flies, a tortured spawn of hell crawls up through the floor at the northern edge of the fly mosaic. It appears generally humanoid. Its body is not well defined being more of a blob with four appendages and a head. It appears very obese with folds of dark fattened skin laying one over the other in descending fashion. Its mouth gapes open in a silent scream and its dull white eyes are empty of life or emotion.
Grimlock, having flown from the tunnel to the chamber, is able to remove his shield and shelter himself from the worst of the flames. Seeing the initial wave of flies beaten back by the flames, Grimlock flies quickly to the northeast corner. He hovers about 15 feet above the ground tucked into the corner of the room. He places his shield on his back to free his hands.
Cirdan quickly removes his wool blanket and throws it over himself. He huddles on the floor.
Speck squeaks with concern and backs away from the incoming swarm. He back peddles as fast as his hairfeet will carry him finally turning to flee towards Kuba.
Kuba stays to the east of Bhut to protect the party from any other threats coming downt the passage. He monitors Specks retreat and the incoming flies with concern.
Tathar withdraws his wool blanket and covers himself with it. He drops to the floor holding the edges as tight as possible to the reddish tiles.
The immense column of flies collapses and spills easterly across the room. The black buzzing wave rolls over Southar and then Bofor and Breymeer. It crashes into the eastern temple wall. Like a fluid tidal wave, it spills into the passage rolling over Tathar’s blanket shelter and the location Cirdan was last seen standing.
The noise is deafening. The rolling wave of blackness stops just short of Bhut, Speck, Kuba and Dalic.
Those caught in the wave try to hold onto their sanity. They can hear nothing but the constant whir of fly wings. A constant biting and gnawing is felt on all exposed skin. The flies find the smallest hole in armor and clothing. Within seconds, they crawl and bite all over the bodies of those trapped. Death becomes a welcome end to the madness. All that is felt is pain. Panic creeps into their minds. (Southar 1, 6/52, Breymeer 1, 15/49(57), Bofor 1, 36/41).
There is no way to see into the black swarm.
Back in the eastern passageway, Kuba, Speck, Bhut and Dalic struggle to see. Their eyes, accustomed to the darkness, are pained by the previous flash from the flaming brazier. As quickly as that went out, the black wave of flies cuts off all forms of light from the temple chamber. A complete darkness falls upon them.
Using the darkness as cover, something steps around the corner to the east and utters a command in the dwarvish dialect. Kuba immediately clutches his chest as his heart begins to race frantically. His pulse spikes. The room begins to spin as pain radiates out from his chest. He finds he can not breath. It is obvious Kuba is struggling to stay conscious.
Dalic, sensing the danger, let’s out a war cry and charges down the passageway. His eyes adjust as he moves. A sole figure begins to form as his darkvision corrects. A dwarf stands proudly at the corner. He clutches something to his chest and points and Kuba.
The dwarf has a lighter shade of hair and beard. He wears chain mail armor. A shield hangs on his back and a large hammer from his belt. A cloth, similar in shape to a scarf, drapes over his shoulders and down across his chest. It tucks into his belt. A steel helm adorns his head. Two rubies, multifaceted in the image of fly eyes, are mounted just above his eyes at the lower edge of the helm. Two small ivory horns protrude from its sides, sticking out two or three inches each. The horns have rounded edges.
He goes for his hammer and shield as the duergar closes in on him.
Grimlock, the blob man moves slowly forward, slowly dragging each leg forward in a tormented walk. It comes around the edge of the fly mosaic moving east and begins to work its way towards the party along the very edge of the swarm.
Dalic’s speech is unintelligible and his gait animalistic as he reaches his enemy at the end of his charge. The Delvin Bastard slices into the dwarf’s shield arm before he can bring it to his defense (15, 53/68(74)). The blow would have removed the arm from a less adept combatant. The dwarf twists his shield in at the last minute using the edge of it to protect his arm from the full weight of the swing.
The defensive tactic causes the dwarf’s body to spin from the impact. He loses his footing and drops to his hands and knees.
To his rear, Kuba wills his heartbeat to slow. A wave of nausea rocks his body. He bends and releases his stomach contents. After retching, he weakly stands straight. His knees are weak and his his head spins but his heart is beating on track again. His pulse begins to slow. He still stands in utter blackness but he yet stands (11, 15/45(47)).
Speck raises his short bow and takes a steady halfling’s aim at the dwarf. He releases his first arrow but it flies errant and strikes the wall at the curve in the passage.
Dalic wastes no time, laying into the dwarf with a fury. Recovering from his initial attack, Dalic repositions for a series of blows as spit and foam fly from his mouth with every frantic jerk of his head. Dalic swings an executioner’s blows down upon the dwarf. The dwarf twists his body and brings his shield up successfully blocking the killing blow.
The dwarf brings up his holy symbol and shouts out a string of dwarven words that stop Dalic completely in mid swing. The duergar’s body and wound tight in a backswing. Dalic, in his battle frenzy, wills his sword forward but his body has become disconnected and will not move. He stands as a statue of himself.
Bhut has a flash of inspiration hearing his friend Dalic battling. With significant effort, Bhut drops his back to the ground and removes a torch. He struggles to get it lit. With some well needed luck, the sellsword sparks the torch to life. A flicker flame quickly grows to dully illuminate the passageway in torchlight
The sudden illumination throws Speck slightly off as he releases his second arrow. The arrow strikes the kneeling dwarf but it fails to penetrate his armor. The arrow deflects off the chain near its thigh.
Kuba, confident his heart is still in his chest, finds the strength to charge down the hall in an attempt to gore the dwarf with Bloodletter. The Dullstrand warrior passes Bhut. As more oxygenated blood reaches Kuba’s muscles, his charge gains speed and strength. He arrives as the dwarf finishes the enspellment of Dalic.
Kuba levels the blade to decapitate the dwarf. The dwarf again shows his skill as he barely escapes death. The blow cuts his neck but not mortally (10, 43(49)).
From the rolling blackness of the fly plague, Southar emerges having struggled blindly through the mass. His lantern is lost in the black plague somewhere. Southar holds his shield and Zalco. Zalco, seeing the battle, cries out, “Now we have a task! It is Frelpic! Slay the bastard!” Southar’s slit eyes light with rage and anticipation as he spews out, “Yesssssss!”
Breymeer tries to hold onto his sanity as the flies chew into his skin. He forces his mind to daydream. He thinks about the pretty red haired lady ranger and whiskey.
Cirdan focuses his mind. He pulls a feather and rises up under the blanket. He utters the incantation while blocking out the stinging bites around him. To his relief, his body begins to rise and he quickly feels the ceiling. He remains in the fly mass and they attack him relentlessly. A melee battle erupts a short distance back down the hallway.
Tathar, having successfully secured his blanket to the floor as if hiding from a raging forest fire, prays to Sehanine, “Please my lady, I ask how to defeat this evil.” Tathar can make out the sounds of metal on metal combat toward the eastern end of the hallway.
Grimlock holds his position and continues to observe. The blob man slowly makes his way along the edge of the flies moving some 15 torturous and agonizing feet. It plods along as if a beat down slave.
Southar (1, 5/52), Cirdan (1, 24/26), Breymeer (1, 14/49(57) and Bofor (1, 10/36(41)) all take damage from the fly swarm.
Kuba presses the attack but the dwarf speaks first destroying the warriors will. Kuba is overcome with a rush of doubt and fear knowing that if he stays, the vile dwarf will end Kuba’s life. Kuba’s heart aches at the though of another suffocating attack. The warrior turns and flees to the very edge of the fly mass.
Seeing he can flee no further, Kuba drops to his knees and slouches forward. Deep wails of anguish fill him as he cries uncontrollably at his fear and failure. He grips Bloodletter in his hand holding it weakly as its tip rests upon the tiles.
Speck releases an arrow as Kuba begins his flight and Southar and Bhut continue their charge. By some miracle, the arrow cuts through the three warriors exchanging places in the hall. The shaft slides just past Dalic’s head and cuts the cheek of the dwarf before striking the back wall. Blood drips from the injury (1, 42(48)/68(74)).
Bhut, holding the torch in his off hand, picks up his axe and begins to stumble forward to battle.
Southar passes Bhut on his charge. The snake ranger feints high drawing the dwarf’s shield up and then slashes the dwarf priest low across the shin causing the dwarf to cry out in great pain (12, 30(36)/68(74)). With his shield, Southar attempts a backhanded blow but the dwarf recovers enough to meet it with his shield. A mighty crash is heard as the shields bang together like cymbals.
Grimlock deduces the mosaic image of the fly appears to be the source of the mystic problems facing the party. He calls upon his newly learned powers to disrupt the energy of the mosaic fly. Immediately, the fly swarm begins a tornadic funneling back towards the tile. It appears to be sucking the swarm in like a vacuum.
The blob man seeing Bofor and Breymeer in a pile and quickens his pace. He moves to them with a foul purpose.
The fly swarm suddenly begins to turn in a tornadic action. The flies begin a hasty retreat as they appear to be pulled towards the fly mosaic. The twisting of the swarm is being sucked back into the mosaic. The volume of flies is reduced by half.
A slight increase in illumination presses into the western portion of the passageway as the fly swarm retreats.
Tathar huddles under his wool blanket on the floor, now revealed as the flies withdraw. Cirdan is no where to be found.
Tathar seems to have an answer to his prayers as the noise of the flies weakens. Tathar can hear Kuba crying in anguish a short distance to his east.
Cirdan, hovering at the ceiling, watches as the murderous biting flies suddenly withdraw. He can see Kuba huddled and crying in anguish almost below the elf nobleman; just slightly to the east.
Speck, also nearby, fires arrows to the east. Bhut is moving slowly to the east and Southar is engaging a dwarf at the end of the hall. Dalic is also in the melee but he does not move. The duergar is as still as a statue.
Breymeer (1, 13/49(57), Bofor (1, 9/36(41) and Cirdan (1, 23/26) all take damage from the fly swarm before it retreats.
Kuba continues to wail in self pity and doubt.
Speck holds his fire as more and more of his companions fill the passageway, blocking his target.
As the torch bearing Bhut nears the melee, the dwarven adversary comes into clearer light. He has flame red hair and a beard that spill down well past his shoulders and onto his chest. His eyes burn hot with hate. His face is marked with several ugly scars.
His chain mail armor is of very fine quality, as one would expect from a dwarf. His dark red painted shield bears a blackened fly similar to the mosaic fly in the temple chamber. His scarf also depicts flies. Heavy leather boots adorn his feet.
He forgoes spellcasting for a moment and engages Dalic and Southar with his war hammer. The entire hammer is made of blackened steel. Care was taken to balance the item. The hammer head is designed in the shape of a ram’s skull with forward sweeping horns.
On the middle finger of his right hand is a shiny goat’s skull ring. Golden horns sweep back and curl from the platinum skull.
On his shield hand, also on the middle finger, is a silver ring carved into a fly.
The dwarf priest appears surprised when Dalic suddenly breaks free of the hold his opponent cast on him. His berserk rage shatters the spell with pure unbridled anger! Infuriated by the use of magic against him he releases his bloodiest attacks on the cleric yet. His eyes are nearly rolled back in his head but from what can be seen of them, they glow bloodshot with hate and fury.
Dalic, using the momentum of his slash strikes the cleric across the neck as he strafes to priest’s rear. The blow trims off the majority of the priest’s flame red beard and opens large non-fatal gash in his neck (16, 14(22)/68(74)). With his off hand he grabs at the cleric and attempts to run him through one handed straight through the lumbar spinal column.
The priest exchanges blows with Dalic as the duergar grabs the priest lining up his killing strike. The dwarf priest drives the ram’s head hammer into Dalic’s exposed left ribcage. The cracking of ribs is undeniable but the berserk duergar pays them no nevermind (12, 12(17)/40(49)). The shattered ribs, though not felt, appear to affect Dalic’s movements as he drives his Delven Bastard into the priest’s spine (14, 0(6)/68(74)).
The blow, like the one Dalic just received, should have dropped a mortal man but somehow the devil blessed priest remains standing. Dalic twists his blade and retracts it throwing his head back with a sinister battle cry not even noticing the blood of his victim that begins to stain his armor.
Southar takes advantage of the intimate battle between the dwarves as Bhut moves in to strike.
Southar strikes first while ordering his rope, “Sssssnake forth and bind the dwarf.” The rope does not respond but Zalco does, “Die Frelpic! Know that Zalco has killed you!” Southar hacks into Frelpic’s shoulder and the priest is no more. An empty suit of mail falls to the floor covering his boots and the shield gives a metal ring as it crashes down as well. His helmet falls upon his vestments. The hammer bounces once and comes to rest to the side of where the dwarf once stood. A very small amount of fine dust drifts in the air.
Frelpic is no more.
Tathar had popped to his feet. Leaving his blanket where it fell, he charged the melee at top speed, drawing his serpent staff as he went. Now, seeing Frelpic disappear, he stops his charge as he reaches Bhut’s side.
Southar and Dalic are breathing heavy, burdened by the heat. Everyone steps back from Dalic hoping he does not mistake them for an enemy.
The blob man that had crawled up out of the north side of the fly mosaic has circled clockwise coming to the opening to the passageway. He had been focused on Bofor and Breymeer but seeing the activity in the passage, turns to enter.
At that moment, Grimlock’s silver sword bursts through blob man’s chest in a spray of gore. Grimlock appears behind the creature, hovering slightly off the ground. He withdraws his wolf hilted blade and the hellspawn drops to a pile of flesh upon the temple floor.
All the enemies are down. Breymeer and Bofor lie in a pile to the south of the entrance. Cirdan’s whereabouts is unknown. The rest of the party is alive and scattered throughout the temple entrance and passageway.
The whirlwind of flies continues to spin down to the mosaic until it has essentially vanished. Those few that remain are sure to perish as the brazier begins another eruption.
Cirdan removes his blanket but continues to hold it as he flies to the other end of the room, looking for anything that might provide a clue or be of importance. Cirdan keeps his distance from the brazier and the ceiling, and keep his blanket handy as a heat shield. He circles the fly mosaic clockwise, avoiding a direct flight over it. He is halfway past the mosaic as the last of the flies disappear and the brazier begins a second eruption.
Dalic’s wild eyes search for an enemy. Vaguely he recognizes those around him as friends not foes. He leans back against the wall and slides down to a sitting position. He breaths heavily as his muscles relax. His sword rests in his hand across his lap.
As the duergar weakly looks on, a spirit begins to materialize near Frelpic’s armor pile. Southar, Tathar and Bhut take defensive postures but it it quickly is revealed to be Kholiss Foesmiter and not Frelpic.
The spirit of the dwarf champion looks down at Frelpic’s belongings and then back to the party. He bows deeply. As he straightens, he gives a nod of thanks before slowly fading from view. Foesmiter has been released from his eternal quest.
The raging inferno runs its course. Speck looks into the temple with concern. Several of the party members were caught in the heat.
Kuba looks around having regained control of his emotions.
Grimlock, who had been at the threshold, uses his shield to protect himself from most of the damaging flame and heat (1, 23/30(33)).
Bofor screams as he regains control of his body. He rolls off of Breymeer and scrambles to cover himself with his shield as the flames and heat strike him (1, 8/36(41)).
Breymeer covers up as much as he can, going into the fetal position and burying his face in his cloak (2, 11/49(57)).
A second blob man begins to scramble through the floor at the east edge of the fly mosaic. The flames rage for many long seconds before subsiding. The blob man rises to his feet and begins to lumber towards the cowering forms of Bofor and Breymeer as the begin to recover from the flames.
Cirdan recognizes the danger of the inferno and drops to the floor hastily throwing his blanket over him. The flames lick at his skin and clothes as he reaches the floor. Covering himself with the blanket smothers any upstart flames upon him. The heat is oppressive (3, 20/26).
The flames rage for about 10 seconds before subsiding.
Dalic struggles as he tries to grasp back onto reality. His tunnel vision retracts like barbed wire laden steel sheets scraping back into his skull. He looks around, heart and head pounding, and witnesses the carnage that lay around him. Seeing the dwarven armor before him, Kuba struggling near the mouth of the tunnel and finally the blood staining his armor. For a moment he is terrified his friends have been injured by his hand.
Panting in a near panicked state, he sees the surviving members of his party facing him with weapons drawn and blood adorning them. A wave of excruciating pain washes over him as he feels his wounds now pierce into his soul. Crumbling to the ground he puts the pieces together assuming he had mistaken friend for foe and been at odds with them all, felling some and sustaining the massive blows to his chest, head and cheek.
He mumbles feebly holding back his shame and forcing himself not to weep, "I am not you enemy here comrades! Hear me! The monster in side me rests!" Pulling a knee up he finds he lacks the strength to stand or even raise his weapon. His sword clangs upon the ground as he raises his fists to defend himself from some assumed attack from Southar. "If it was I who killed the two in the chamber and wounded Kuba, I accept my fate. Kill me now if you must."
He drops his fists defeated, removes his helmet and hangs his head.
Dalic assumes a lot here not knowing exactly how he got here or why Southar and Bhut now face him with bloody weapons at the ready or why Tathar stands ready with his cobra headed staff. Dalic’s face burns with a cut from what he assumes came from them. He finally doubles over his knee and cries out in a mixture of remorse and physical agony.
As Tathar looks down at the items on the floor, he warns everyone, "Do not touch these items! Any or all of them may be cursed and the cause of Felpric's turning from Fortubo to his evil deity. I will hold them in trust for the company until we can find out from Cirdan or another mage what magical properties they may have, for good or evil."
“Do not disturb the pile.” Tathar begins concentrating and praying.
Grimlock flies over to the remains of the cleric and begins surveying the items that remain. Berfore Tathar can finish praying, Grimlock snatches up the ram’s head ring and places it on his finger.
Dalic comes to the realization that his companions were not threatening him. Seeing them now inspecting the plunder he offers his advice, “The hammer should go to someone with training with it.” He grabs the fly ring and puts it in a pouch. “I’ll hold on to this.” He then begins sizing up the helmet, “Anyone care if I wear this?”
Bhut looks on generally dumbfounded.
Southar, moves east away from the others. He nears the end of Bhut’s torch light and presses himself up against the wall. It appears he is taking a rear guard position.
Speck stays by Kuba and gives him a handkerchief. He keeps an eye out for trouble whilst Kuba composes himself.
Kuba, recovering rather quickly from his ordeal, raises his shield up to the heat to protect himself and Speck, “Prepare for the next onslaught.”
The second blob man moves with purpose towards Bofor and Breymeer as they scramble to their feet. With unexpected quickness, the blob man swipes at Breymeer exposing sharp claws at the end of its arm like, skin draped, arms. Breymeer is able to parry the blow with the shaft of his axe.
Cirdan flies back into the air and covers over half the remaining distance to the statue. Cirdan climbs higher in the air as he closes on the fifty foot tall gem encrusted head. The heat grows more and more oppressive the higher he climbs and the farther west he flies.
Dalic, realizing the wisdom in Tathar's actions, drops the ring back in the loot pile and leaves the helmet and hammer where they lay. He pulls his helmet back on and leans back to rest.
"I see I have been a fool. The battle continues and you are not at odds wit me as it appeared. I must rest and am wounded twice over. Please, your help when able moon priest. I will need a few minutes ta regain strength as well. I be strong enough to defend Tathar and or Cirdan while they make sense of this loot and this place."
Dalic meekly stands. "Grim, I pray you, remove tha ring an let it ta Tathar fer now."
Tathar continues his spell while Speck, Kuba and Bhut look on. Southar continues his rear guard.
Grimlock simply looks up, past Tathar and Bhut as he gazes into the temple chamber.
A battle continues out of sight in the temple chamber between Bofor, Breymeer and a blob man.
Breymeer and Bofor both lay into the blob man with their weapons. Neither of them are able to strike a telling blow. For his part, Breymeer again parries the raking claw strikes.
Cirdan reaches the face of the gigantic statue. Cirdan’s heat pounds in his chest being so close to the representation of pure evil. The open mouth appears ready to eat the elf nobleman.
Curiousity keeps him close for a moment longer. The two huge rubies appear to be authentic. Each is mortared into place but the mortar does not match the masterwork of the delve above. This work was done with less superior materials. From the continues exposure to the heat, it has cracked in a few places and small sections of exposed mortal have fallen away.
The brazier continues its fuel-less fire below him. The flames rising up from the rim. The heat is oppressive but not overly painful. Cirdan deduces that an eruption from here would burn him badly. But yet, those gems must be worth tens of thousands of gold a piece.
Grimlock slides the ram’s head ring onto his finger. He immediately feels he is being watched. He looks up past Tathar and Bhut to the temple chamber beyond. The burning brazier seems to be calling to his soul and a great deep voice enters his head speaking slowly, “I see you!”
Grimlock, weakened of will, fights off a nagging urge to move closer to the temple. Sensing the ring is more than he bargained for, Grimlock tries to remove it from his finger. The ring is stuck and will not budge. A booming laughter echoes through his head as he tries to fight off a feeling of panic.
Grimlock appears transfixed for a moment before grabbing onto the ram’s head ring in an attempt to tug it off his finger. The ring does not budge. Grimlock cannot hide the look of concern in his eyes.
Tathar, holding out his holy symbol, continues his prayer to Sehanine. The moon elf concentrates on his prayer while maintaining his observation of the half-elf.
Bhut, backs away from the half-elf like he is about to explode.
Dalic, too weak to fully defend himself, tries to maintain a high level of alertness.
Southar remains on guard duty at the easterly bend in the tunnel.
Kuba wants to go help in the fight against blob-man but he is worried that his weakened condition and the heat will make him less effective.
Speck is a little restless and wonders if he can be of any help in the fight. "What should I do?" He asks Kuba.
Kuba replies, "Just stay behind me. Being this close to the furnace of hell is no place for a halfling. If we need to go into the temple chamber again to help, we will."
The halfling steps behind his trusted friend.
The heat and exertion are starting to take its toll on the adventurers. Their strength and agility decline.
This is only made worse by the sudden explosion of the brazier. Fire shoots to the ceiling spreading flame and heat about the temple.
The dwarf and northman can feel the strength being pulled from their bodies from the sauna-like heat. They’re fighting becomes like that of a drunken brawler as opposed to a refined warrior.
Bofor can feels his strength waning in the heat. He wields his war hammer as if it were of great weight. Still, he strikes the blob man in the chest (2, 4/6).
The wounded creature turns its attack on Bofor but he is able to protect himself with his shield.
Breymeer, using his broadsword and hand axe, lays into the hellspawn’s unprotected flank. His sword deflects off the blubber mass but his hand axe wedges into its head felling it (8, -4/6). As the body of the blob man falls, the brazier explodes into another eruption.
Cirdan retreats from the statue. He dives to the floor and swoops towards the exit. All the while he keeps his eyes on the brazier. He doesn’t have to watch long. As the blob man falls to the ground, the brazier explodes into another eruption.
The elf mage finds his fine motor skills are wanting and his normal superior strength is waning some from the heat of the room before the brazier fired to life again.
The hellish fire rages from the brazier and again washes across the stone ceiling only to race down the walls. The closer to the brazier, the more violent the flames. Over by the entrance, the flames rages less but the heat alone is unbearable.
Breymeer screams as the heat burns his exposed skin and tries to cook his already overheated body. He returns to the fetal position to lesson the damage (1, 10/49(57)).
Bofor also drops to the ground and covers himself with his shield. He cries out but more in horror than in pain (1, 7/36(41)). The wooden handle of his footman’s mace splits and catches fire. Bofor discards it quickly.
Dalic begins to panic a little. He searches Tathar’s face for some sign. “My friend, tell me you have been shown tha way out o this madness!? I am afraid. I fear we hab but moments fore we lose it all ta the fire o hell. Gib this dwarf guidance priest.”
Dalic stands awaiting a response. He begins mentally preparing to move into the temple to find how to close this gate to hell for good. He eyes Grimlock, sensing danger from his comrade.
Tathar pauses his deep concentration and prayer. He sternly addresses Grimlock, “You are a greedy fool, Grimlock. I no longer know if you are good or evil, and I will not risk losing Sehanine’s favor by aiding you if you are injured until I know the truth.”
Tathar comforts Dalic, “I will address your wounds soon, first I must finish this.” Tathar returns to his prayer.
Bhut moves to Dalic’s side. In Bhut’s condition, one is unable to tell if he is trying to support his friend or draw strength from him. It is possible the sellsword from the Wild Coast simply wants to die by his companion.
Grimlock ignores the duergar’s stare as he tugs the ram’s head ring from his finger. Grimlock quickly tucks it into a pouch. He floats into the air saying, “I heard a voice when I put on the ring. It said ‘I see you’. Grab the loot and let’s go!” He grasps the priest’s red painted shield by the edge and turns to the east flying down the passageway past Southar and into the darkness. “Grab the rest!”
Tathar resists the urge to harm the half-elf and returns to his praying.
Southar simply watches the half-elf pass.
Kuba and Speck hold their position. Kuba shouts a warning as he points to the fly mosaic, “Another of those tortured forms.”
As the wave of flames recede back, a third figure pulls itself up from the floor appearing to crawl through the mosaic itself. It appears only 25 feet from Breymeer and Bofor. It immediately charges them in its slow, foot dragging way.
Cirdan drops and covers himself with his blanket. The heat and flames take their toll on his blanket but leave Cirdan mostly unharmed (3, 17/26). Even after the wave of heat and flame washes over him, the temperature of the air makes it hard to breath. Cirdan’s blanket remains intact even though it smokes and has several charred spots across it.
Grimlock continues to fly east along the passageway back to the chamber with the pool basins. He flies past the curves in the passageway and approaches the secret door. It is backlit by the chamber beyond. He can feel the air cooling as he is only 25 feet from the security of the pool chamber.
Southar bolts as well. He begins to walk east. The heat weighs heavy on him and he drags his feet along as he goes. He makes it about one half the way back to the previous chamber.
Tathar completes his chanting and prayer.
Dalic waits, comforted by Tathar's words and happy to rest his ragged bones. He nods to Bhut seemingly to complete their silent conversation and affirm his presence. Bhut quietly nods back.
Dalic's face dons the expression of a warrior accepting his fate. His eyes betray his new demeanor; this may be the end and he will be happy for it to be so long as his sword is swinging. He draws his blackened delven bastard and positions himself between Tathar and the temple, sword held at high guard to represent his unflinching determination in spite of his weakened state. His heavy sword he finds difficult to hold at this position but holds it there anyway; a totem to his loyalty and determination.
"Tathar, my friend, I trust you may be tha only one now who can free us of this insanity. You hab me blade. Nothing will harm Ye so long as I stand and certainly with Bhut by me side. Take tha time ye need. Dalic will hold tha line till ye show us tha way."
Dalic's knees seem to settle in to support his defensive stance. A lock of his joints solidifies his resolve. He smirks.
Kuba tells Speck while motioning into the temple, "We have to help them somehow. Put a couple arrows into that creature and I'll try to draw its attention away from our companions."
Kuba yells into the chamber, "Breymeer!! Bofor!! Get out of there!!" He then tries to get the creatures attention, "Hey Gumwad!! Over here!! Come and get a taste of this blade!"
Cirdan’s voice can be heard coming from near the southeast area of the fly mosaic. His voice is at ground level. "Every time that brazier erupts, another one of those things appears!" Cirdan repeats this phrase over and over as he approaches.
Speck launches an arrow into the creature. The arrow rips through its throat (6, 1/7) and lands on the fly mosaic. At least, it should have skidded across the floor. Instead, it falls through the floor without a sound.
At the same time, Breymeer picks himself up off the ground and lays into the creature with axe and sword. The creature comes at Breymeer with its clawed hand equal in its viciousness. Breymeer parries the creature with his broadsword and hacks off the offending arm with his axe (5, -4/7).
Bofor regains his feet and moves back into the passage, “Let’s go Breymeer.” Bofor struggles forward but nearly reaches the passageway.
The beast falls straight back and dies. True to Cirdan’s warning, the brazier busts forth engulfing the room in flames.
Grimlock arrives at the secret door and passes through the open portal and into the lit chamber beyond. The iron dwarf has not moved to the relief of Grimlock.
Kuba shields himself and Speck from the blast of heat. “Retreat Speck!”
Kuba starts backing away from the temple keeping shield and sword at the ready. Speck matches his stride, shuffling his short legs as quick as the overpowering heat will let him. They move slowly backwards.
The blast from the hellish furnace adds to the duo’s misery but does not harm them.
A bit of smoke wisps into the air near the last location of Cirdan’s voice. Cirdan calls out in pain as the fire burns away his protective wool blanket and chars him slightly (2, 15/26).
A slight breeze blows by Breymeer and Bofor as they retreat out of the temple and into the hallway. The smell of burned wool and singed hair is carried on the breeze and catches their noses as Cirdan flies past his location.
Cirdan’s voice calls out as he passes Breymeer, “I am entering the corridor on YOUR left wall. Don’t shoot me!”
Bofor shelters himself from the flame curtain as he attains the relative safety of the hallway (1, 6/36(41)).
Breymeer knocks the flames from his hair and beard as he enters the hallway. His face is red and his armor is slightly damaged from the heat (3, 7/49(57)). He takes some relief to see his bow survived the temple heat although five of his arrows had their feathers burned off.
Dalic seeing Tathar is done with his prayers asks the elf, "What if these items? What if the temple? Tell me and pray ye heal me wounds, I will charge ahead and see if we cannot be freed once and for all!"
He nudges Bhut, egging him on to join in the assault. He looks to Southar for support but sees the ranger has retreated to the east already. Dalic calls out to the now empty east corridor, "Zalco, ye foul yet mighty blade. What news have you?" He awaits a response from Zalco similarly to that of his interaction with Tathar.
Tathar takes a moment to look over the remaining hammer, ring and armor. He hesitates to gather the items as he turns to Dalic and Bhut. “The hammer has an overpowering aura of evil surrounding it. The other two items do not radiate anything, at least no more than the general evil that permeates this place.”
"We need to fall back and regroup! Take heart my Dwarf friend, the battle still lays before you. You will have your opportunity to return to this room, but now is the time for thinking and recovering strength. Let us fall back to the room of the Iron Golem! There you will have Sehanine's blessing, Sehanine willing."
Bhut looks to his companion with a look of complete defeat on his face, “I dare not enter their friend. I have a family secret that has been buried for a generation. I feel I must warn you now of it.” He looks down and takes a long slow breath.
My kin fought for the Great Kingdom. He fought the hordes from the western lands. The dark skinned horse riders from Ull. He fought very fiercely and his enemy named him Bhut; now my given name. He was elevated to a minor lord and was given land as a reward for his loyalty, bravery and fierceness. Some time thereafter, like many of those around him, he fell into devil worship.” Bhut looks weakly for a reaction.
“My mother fled from the madness and hid us out in the Wild Coast region. She died when I was young. I have been fighting to make coin ever since.”
He takes a deeper breath, “So you see my friends, I dare not enter. I feel I will be overcome.”
To no one’s surprise, a blob man climbs out of the floor on the very eastern side of the mosaic and begins a pain-filled walk towards the hallway.
Still reeling from his wounds Dalic reluctantly agrees to be healed in better cover. He gives Bhut a sideways glance wondering what infantile enemy would choose to name P'innr’s father Butt.
“What? It means demon. They say he fought like a demon.” Bhut looks somewhat hurt.
Dalic continues on, ignoring the indignation on Bhut’s face, "I will not leave this delve until the demon be defeated. I cannot do this without some healing. I thank ye priest and will follow you ta cover so you are safe praying over us.”
Dalic gestures for Tathar to lead the way.
Tathar gathers up the remaining items from the dwarf priest. He takes extra care not to touch the hammer. The armor, ring and hammer weigh down the elf’s slight frame some. “Come, let us get out of this heat and discern our way.”
Dalic begrudgingly follows the rest to a safer location to be healed. Bhut joins in the retreat.
Kuba encourages Breymeer and Bofor, "Keep moving! Let's go!" He keeps an eye on their progress, ready to move in to protect them if the blob man threatens to catch up.
Speck does not wait with Kuba; he retreats toward the main group.
Cirdan can be heard asking Tathar if anyone needs assistance. Seeing none do, he flies east in retreat.
The group easily outpaces the hideous humanoid blob man. It mindlessly follows but quickly falls far behind.
As the group retreats down the hall, the flames subside back to the brazier and dance around its rim once more. The large ruby eyes of the statue continue to cast sparkles of red around the temple like some sort of hellish disco hall. The empty altar reflects the light but the fly mosaic does not. The statues evil grin makes it appear it is laughing at your retreat.
The group arrives intact back in the room with the fallen iron dwarf and pool basins. Grimlock is there inspecting the iron dwarf. The temperature decreases as the group moves east.
Kuba breathlessly calls out, “We just got our asses kicked by a bunch of damned blobs.”
The group, drained of energy from the heat, welcomes the more stable temperature of the pool chamber. It is still pushing 80 or more degrees near the NW corner. The rest of the room cools to high 60s. The secret door has been open since the party walked through it.
Although the party assumes the blob man is still following, it is not in sight. The chamber is just as it had been left. The secret door remains open and unsecured.
Southar takes a moment to rest. He seems to be contemplating the situation trying to discover a solution.
Cirdan cools himself with some of the water in the nearest basin. He will then approach Tathar and ask if he can give him protection from heat, so he can go back in.
Dalic approaches Tathar and pleads for Sehanine’s kindness.
Tathar, as promised, lays his hands upon Dalic and asks Sehanine to heal him. Dalic’s head and rib pain subsides some but his wounds remain (+7. 19/40(49)).
After receiving the aid, Dalic walks over to the northeastern passage and begins to slowly explore up it. There is a short, approx. 30 foot long, passage that leads to a natural chamber some 90 feet north/south and 60 feet east/west. The ceiling is 15 feet high. There are some beds and foot lockers in the chamber. It appears to be another small barracks. It appears another passage leads east out of the barracks room.
Tathar next asks Sehanine to bless Cirdan with protection from the intense heat generated by the brazier.
Grimlock ponders the mosaic and its strange properties. “If it is an illusion, I do not know why it was not revealed by my spell.”
Breymeer tells group, “I'm one hit away from death and am sick of this place. Let's actually act like a unified group and get back in there. I have an arrow that's doesn't miss and believe something will present itself that is the key to defeating this evil be it the Ruby eyes or something else. But we gotta go now. And in my condition this may be farewell.”
Bhut tries to feed off of Breymeer’s bravery but his will has been badly drained by the dead.
Breymeer feels the string of his bow. It has survived the heat. He takes the obsidian arrow in hand. The warrior stands on the brink of death. The steely look in his eye certifies he is prepared to give it for the group.
Bofor seems pleased with the resolve, “I too shall lay my life down if necessary for you and for my clan.” He holds his hammer and shield ready.
Speck stands near Kuba. They both await the party’s decision.
Dalic quickly inspects the lockers and bunks in the barracks, he keeps his distance as he pops the bedding and chests open with the long reach of his sword. He finds the beds rotten and the chests contain an average of a dozen platinum pieces each.
Dalic returns promply to the group and reports his finding.
While the group continues a dialogue, Dalic takes a few minutes to explore the barrack chamber to the northeast. He returns after just a few minutes and reports the existence of seven beds and chests. The beds are rotten and the chests contain an average of a dozen platinum pieces each.
He assures Bofor he took none of the coin. Dalic is eager to take the fight back to the temple. He proposes, “We dodge the blob men to avoid the heat, ‘ave a flier pry out da eyes and go from there. May take some dancing. Tarstar rest ‘n peace.”
Tathar says, "I need to pray before I can heal anyone else. I can, however, apply first aid to anyone who is in need." He begins to make his way to each party member, except Grimlock.
While he is moving he tells the party, "I prayed over the items dropped by Frelpic when Southar gave him his death blow. The hammer radiates evil. The other items I know not if they are magic, but I detected no evil radiating from them. Not including, of course, the ring and shield that Grimlock stole." He gives the chainmail, ring and helm to Bofor. "I believe these belong to your kin? I will hold the hammer, for now, in my backpack. Maybe there is a way to remove the evil that infuses it."
As Tathar hands the items over, Bofor stows them in his pack. In addition to the items listed, Frelpic’s vestment slides out of crumpled armor, falling heavily onto the floor. Bofor examines the vestment finding several hard objects sewn into the scarf-like object.
“There are gems sewn into this. We shall examine them when, not if, but when we topple this temple and return to the sunlit lands of men and elves.” He secures the pack and takes up his hammer and shield again.
Cirdan says, "Tathar, I know you can't see me, but can you do something for these burns?"
After Tathar does what he can for Cirdan, Cirdan announces, "While Tathar treats everyone, and everyone cools and rests, I am going to quickly fly up the corridor that Dalic came from. I am hoping to find another way out, but I will only be a few minutes. If it goes too far, I will return and report. When I get back I am going after the eyes of the statue. Now, I am uncertain what will happen, if anything, when I remove them, but I would like the party standing by to come to my aid.”
“Bofor, if you can keep the blob-man busy without killing it that would be a great help. Everyone else can stand by to charge in. Grimlock, would you be willing to fly up and try to pry the other eye out at the same time? They are mortared in, but the mortar was not of dwarf design and it has cracks and signs of deterioration."
“I will go with but let’s see if it will cool a bit first. I would like to rest about a half hour first. Also, someone please borrow Cirdan a dagger.”
Grimlock sets a dagger on the floor and uses his magic to turn invisible. He picks the dagger back up and explains to Cirdan his plan. “We can use the daggers to communicate if necessary. Keep it under your cloak unless needed.
Cirdan apparently picks up the dagger as it rises and then disappears from view.
Cirdan flies off and returns about 10 minutes later. He reports a series of barracks in the series of chambers. One includes a forge. Of the five chambers, the first two are natural chambers. The next three chambers are the circular carved chambers so common in the delve. The ceiling heights range from 15 feet in the first chamber, 25 feet in the second chamber and 45 feet for the circular chambers.
The first two chambers are unlit.
The third chamber is lit by some magical source. Littering the floor are several tools; picks, spikes, drills and so forth. Set into the north wall is a hot forge.
The fourth chamber has mithril ore stored in it. There are several small piles scattered around the room. The chamber is unlit.
The fifth chamber is lit by a magical source. Mithril ore has been recently mined here. The westestern passage dead ends at an active dig.
There is no sign of the dwarven zombies. It appears they all charged to battle the party previously.
After briefing the group, Cirdan splashes in the pool, doussing a blanket into the water.
The group makes final preparations while stalling a short time in hopes that the temple cools as Grimlock wishes.
While waiting for the second temple raid, Cirdan stows his invisible pack containing his spellbooks.
Bhut, during the rest period waiting for Cirdan’s return, asks Dalic for his opinion. The sellsword asks the duergar if giving into the old family ways might aid in the remainder fo the quest.
Dalic laughs boisterously. "If by giving ta family ways ye mean worship this dung hole demon, I'll end up running ye through! So, no. Just no. Every fight hab honor to it. Iffen yer fight be inside yer soul revel in the honor of that struggle and fight fer what ye know be right."
P’innr of the Bhut lineage takes Dalic’s words to heart, and finds a new willpower, though not much, to keep fighting.
After returning from his exploration to the east, Cirdan pulls Tathar aside and whispers to him, "I have left my backpack with my spell books and other effects by the basin that I soaked my blanket in. If I fail to survive, please take it with you and do with the contents as you see fit. Remember it is invisible."
Tathar, for his part will show no sign of acknowledgement other than a small nod.
While waiting, Dalic ventures into the northeastern passage after Cirdan. He returns shortly thereafter carrying a mining pick. “Might be handy.”
Grimlock compliments Cirdan on his wise idea.
The invisible half-elf slashes around in one of the basins wetting his blanket and outer clothing. The wetness gives a vague outline of his body that slowly fades leaving a nearly undetectable shimmer.
Grimlock appears to have taken up the shield of the fallen dwarf priest. Seeing Tathar slight him as a result, Grimlock comments to Tathar, “You are as temperamental as a teenage girl with your opinion of who is good of evil. Keep your judgemental self righteous comments to yourself. I care not what your opinion of me is.”
Tathar spends some time at the basin washing his face and hair in an attempt to cool down. He also soaks his blanket in hopes that it may provide some protection from the heat he knows is coming. As he returns to the party with wet blanket in one hand and his deadly bow in the other the party sees his real face for the first time. His eyes haven't changed; still the hard and focused gleam of a zealot cleric, but his pale face and golden hair are those of a handsome high elf. He takes up position ready to see through the destruction of this evil place, or die trying, in accordance with Sehanine's directive that the party must be successful.
Once ready, the group heralds to Cirdan’s call and all prepare a second assault on the temple. Cirdan approaches the secret door and prepares to manipulate the stone that opens the door.
Breymeer stands nearby with his black arrow upon the bowstring.
Cirdan warns the group, “The Blob-man may be right outside this door, since it was following us down the corridor. If that is the case we will allow it to come in, then move around it and let it follow us back down the corridor.”
Cirdan opens the secret door and somewhat surprised to see the passageway void of blob men. The heat of the passageway, washes over the lead elements of the group but Cirdan appears unaffected.
The group enters the hallway. Dalic and Kuba take the lead element being the least injured of the warriors. Bofor, although gravely hurt, falls into the second row. Next to Bofor walks Bhut, behind his duergar companion. The third rank Speck and Tathar with their bows ready. Breymeer stands behind Speck with his black arrow nocked. Southar walks next to Breymeer taking rear guard. Southar has his lantern lit and sword loose in his scabbard. Cirdan and Grimlock hover above the group.
The temperature increases as the group moves west along the hall. It is obvious that any battle in this sauna-like environment is going to quickly fatigue the party again. Already, each member is sweat soaked and hot. Breathing in the very air is miserable.
As the group rounds the final bend and the passage straightens out on its final leg to the temple, the group sees their welcoming party. Four blob men stand at the temple entrance. Three make up the front row and the fourth stands about ten feet behind them, centered on them. The do not advance. The tortured souls remain in place across the entrance to the temple.
Behind them, the temple is as it was left. The statue’s eyes send red light sparkling across the chamber. It still grins its evil sneer, laughing at the party and threatening a tortured death for entering. The altar remains empty, the brazier flames fuellessly and the fly mosaic dominates the eastern floor.
The heat here remains oppressing; except to Cirdan who still remains unaffected by it.
Cirdan, his voice coming down from above the group, warns, "Let's wait here and see if the brazier erupts, then Grim and I can go. If these things don't move from their sentry duty, you can wait here and charge when the time is right."
Grimlock, in his self-preserving way, advises, “I will remain here about the group. The heat is too great for me to hope to accomplish removing the eye. If Cirdan’s protection is helping him then he can take his time to accomplish the task of both eyes. He is unseen and not on the ground to be attacked. He is safe less the heat. I will keep an eye about the group and alter to see if Cirdan needs aid. I can fly in and retrieve him if he falls but I cannot remain near the alter as I am not protected by the spell he is.”
He finishes by saying, “Fly cirdan, the sooner you are done the sooner we can get out of this heat!”
The party waits for the sentries to move or the brazier to flare. Neither happen. After five minutes, the party moves forward with their plan. Standing in the heat is too much to bear. Already the heat saps energy from the overheating characters. All but Cirdan are miserable.
Dalic comments, "Sounds like the distractions must go over instead of through. Who's up for some dwarf tossing?"
Cirdan counters, “Why not let us fly you over and drop you on the other side?”
Dalic offers wryly, "Alright, drop me an tha halfling oer an we can play mouse to their cat while the mages do their mage’n.”
Bofor gets a grin on his face, seeing the final push about to occur, “I am excited about this plan!”
Speck does not look as confident, “I would rather taunt them out than get dropped behind enemy lines at the gates of hell, but I will do my part. As long as I don’t get cooked in the process.”
Bhut moves forward as the fliers take Dalic and Speck into the air. Both of the elves are very strong for their kind. They are both able to carry their load. Dalic’s platemail is a bit cumbersome but luckily the duergar is thin for the dwarf kind.
They fly over the heads of the blob men as Bhut closes half the distance to the temple entrance. He takes up a position as much in front of the right target as he can get. He holds a defensive posture while determining the best way to attack. He is a little sad that he only has one axe.
As soon as the flying foursome breaks the plain of the temple entrance, the blob men show signs of life. The rear one tracks the floating halfling and dwarf. The other three begin trudging forward in their familiar pained fashion.
The elves deposit their cargo. The party can no longer track their movements as their invisibility cloaks them.
Cirdan flies for the statues as fast as he can.
Grimlock flies for the the mosaic. He holds at about 15 ft. He keeps eyes on the blobs particularily the rear blob man as he is curious about his actions. Grimlock continues to move his eyes between statue, mosaic and blobs.
Dalic backs away from the blob men to the north. The heat wears on him as he drags each step. His armor makes him feel like he is inside an oven.
Speck backpedals as well, trying to create distance from the blob man.
To Speck’s relief, the blob man turns towards Dalic and begins to trudge after him. Even in the immense heat, Dalic is able to outpace the blob man, although just barely doing so.
The blob men in the hallway continue their slow, steady advance towards the eastern column of adventurers.
Tathar backs up as the blobmen advance.
Bofor steps up next to Kuba and begins taunting the blob men. "Your mothers were hamsters and your fathers smelled of eldiberries!" In case of sudden trouble, he readies his hammer and shield, waiting for them to come.
Speck rounds the southeastern edge of the mosaic. Dalic continues to backpedal north away from the trailing blob man. Both the halfling and the duergar have moved out of the view of those in the passageway.
The three other blob men move forward to where the hallway reduces in width. They stop there, staring emotionlessly at the eastern adventurers.
Bhut holds his postion in the hall, axe ready.
Bofor continues to taunt them, attempting to get them to continue forward.
A hideous laughter, full of malice and hate, draws the party’s attention. The sound came from the immense marble altar.
The altar rises 20 feet from the floor before flattening and becoming the base for the statue. A body lays at the feet of the statue, it is that of a female elf. The group immediately recognizes it as Peylae. She weakly turns her head and calls out to the party but is too weak to be heard. She appears too weak to rise. She appears to have been tortured. Her face is badly bruised and suffers many cuts.
The source of the hideous laughter reveals itself as one of the skeletal devils appears, walking out from behind the statue. It holds one of the barbed wish bones in its hands. It approaches Peylae and punctures her abdomen with the longer barb. Peylae cries out in pain as the fiend withdraws the barb, cruely tearing skin and dislodging a small portion of her intestines. The tip of the bone barb is stained red.
“Who shall sacrifice themselves for her soul? Do any of you care enough for her?” The voice is ice cold. The fiend holds the barbed wishbone out in front of itself. The weapon is pointed down above Peylae’s abdomen and chest.
Grimlock lowers to about 5 ft and drop a coin onto the mosaic. The coin falls invisibly towards the floor. Although it should have struck the floor almost immediately after being dropped, Grimlock fails to hear it strike anything. It is as if it disappeared or fell out of hearing range.
Grimlock watches for trouble as he ponders what happened to the coin. Suddenly, Peylae appears on the altar. At the same time, one of the skeletal devils appears, walking out from behind the statue.
Cirdan soars balls to the wall to get to the statue, while watching for a flare-up. As Cirdan nears the altar, Peylae appears upon it. At the same time, one of the skeletal devils appears, walking out from behind the statue.
Bhut starts backing up to create some space.
Bofor, feeling responsible for Peylae's condition in the service of his people, volunteers himself to save Peylae. Struggling in the heat under the weight of his chain mail armor, he moves slowly forward. He calls out to the devil creature, “I shall take her place! I ask you turn down the fires of hell if I am to spend eternity there.”
Tathar and Breymeer also move up, Tathar at a run and Breymeer at a jog. Both of them are faster than the metal armor ladened dwarf priest.
Breymeer moves up with his bow and takes a steady aim at the fiend.
Tathar, trying to ignore the heat, breaks into a run. He quickly passes Bhut, Bofor and Breymeer. He approaches the line of blob men. Just before impacting them, he lauches himself into a high forward dive. Showing the grace and dexterity of the elves, Tathar tucks into a roll and swiftly comes up in a dignified walk. He steps just inside the temple.
Zalco calls out to Southar, “Move forward brave warrior! There be a fiend to send back to hell!” Southar begins a forced march forward, his pace is that of a walk as he makes his way among his companions.
Southar passes Bhut, who is holding his ground, and Bofor, who is trudging forward.
Dalic shouts to the demon while out pacing the blobs. "I offer an alternative. A challenge of combat. Dalic an Southar versus ye demon! Lessen ye think the two on ye be too great a challenge. The only stipulation be the heat here is ta be removed as ta make your victory a true one ye can gloat on. Iffen ye win, ye can have Dalic in Peylae’s place. Iffen ye lose, she is ta be released."
The blob man chasing Dalic makes a lunge forward in a short charge. The sudden move gets past Dalic’s defenses. The blob man’s claws get past his armor and pierce his abdomen tearing open the skin (6, 13/40(49), wound). Only a quick shove by Dalic save’s himself from being more seriously wounded.
The duergar, being thrice wounded, is nearly crippled by the blow as pain and suffering are nearly overtaking him.
The skeletal fiend appears to ignore the party and focuses on Peylae. He appears to toy with her as he slowly stabs the barbed bone lightly into her skin causing her to cry out in pain.
Cirdan studies the skeletal devil trying to determine if it sees him. It appears to overlook the elf. Cirdan carefully maneuvers up and around the statue.
Grimlock lowers himself to the floor and prones out just above the mosaic. Grimlock sticks his head into the mosaic. He is not surprised his head drops below the level of the floor without meeting resistance. The floor appears to be an illusion of some type.
The mosaic covers a 90-foot diameter hole that drops straight down from the temple. It is roughly cut from the stone. It drops about 20 feet into fire. The fire is intense, like that of a blast furnace but without heat or sound. The fire swirls and pulses like it has a life of its own.
Dalic is unable to control his rage. Almost instinctively he back hands the vile creature that tore at him. His gloved hand strikes the flabby blob across its fac (2 temp, 8(10)/10). He turns with the momentum and sprints off toward the bone demon.
As Dalic moves past the blob, it throws its arms across the duergar’s shoulders. Its claws dig into the armor but fail to penetrate the steel. It grips onto the steel plates and attempts to bring the dwarf down. Its weight is surprisingly heavy. Dalic struggles to maintain his feet as the blob of sagging flesh tries to drag him down.
Grimlock’s voice rises above the dim, coming from above the eastern edge of the fly mosaic, roughly ground level. He yells, " DO NOT ENTER THE MOSAIC, IT IS A PIT STRAIGHT TO THE FIRES OF HELL!"
Still shouting, but now directing it to those in the hall, Grimlock continues, "Southar, I come to carry you and Zalco to the devil. Make yourself ready!"
He shouts to Dalic as the beast pounces on the duergar’s back, "Dalic hold your sword from the beast in front of you, it could kill us all if u kill it. Charge the devil with haste, I will carry Southar to your aid!”
Grimlock’s voice is moving ground level to the east. He approaches the passageway.
Grimlock flies into the tunnel and past the line of blob men. He meets Southar as the snake-ranger moves forward. They meet at Aravae’s fallen body. As the half-elf approaches invisibly, Zalco speaks, “Do not attempt to touch us. You have lost our trust. Who is to say you will not drop us into the pits of hell. I will run you through before you get us off the ground.” The look on Southar’s face shows he concurs with his sword. He holds his shield up defensively in the air.
Kuba, not wanting to be left behind, moves forward with the group, “We dare not kill them or that blasted fire will erupt again.”
Breymeer discovers he has a line of sight on the skeletal devil but the range is too far. He lowers his shoulder and charges forward bellowing as leaps up and into the line of sagging flesh like a runningback on the goal line. He tucks his bow and black arrow hoping to reach the temple.
The northman splits two of the blob men and the rake and claw him as he separates their line. Failing to bring him down, or even draw blood, they attempt to grapple him to the floor. The northman battles through and makes it into the temple. He is just out of bow range. He quickly looks for a shooting position.
Bofor continues to trudge forward. He and Kuba are slightly behind Southar as Grimlock arrives.
Bhut holds and takes rear guard. The heat has nearly sapped the only reserve of energy he has left. He leans against the wall, axe in hand. He monitors the temple as well as the passage the the east of the group.
The blob men reform their line and continue to block the entrance to the temple.
Tathar, having achieved entrance into the temple, drapes his blanket over himself while moving forward. He manages a burdened jog, moving counterclockwise along the fly mosaic. He takes up a shooting position near the northern tip of the mosaic. He estimates the range and takes out flight arrows. It appears to be too far for his sheaf arrows.
The skeletal devil ignores the activity of the party. It remains focused on torturing Peylae. It sticks its barbed bone weapon into her body seemingly choosing non-vital areas. The wishbone stabs into her lower abdomen and her left shoulder above her breast. She is impaled on the barbed weapon. The devil raises her into the air as she screams in pain before going limp. Her blood drops onto the altar. Her face is badly beaten and her abdomen hangs open and exposed from the previous injury. If she yet lives, the blows are undoubtable fatal without aid.
The devil hisses and evil laugh.
Cirdan floats around the statue to the statue’s left eye. He get to work on the eye using his dagger to start chiseling out the mortar. He uses his blanket to try and cover his work.
The mortar begins to come out, chipping away on the fringes easily. Even with precautions, some of the debris falls to the altar below landing near the skeletal devil. It appears to pay it no attention. It does not give Cirdan any attention at all. It seems focused on torturing Peylae. The half-elf boat captain appears near death as the devil impales her on the barbed bone weapon it weilds.
Cirdan continues his work. He finds the outer mortar easy to chip away. It will not be long he can start to pry his blade between the stone of the statue and the gem itself. He finds himself wishing he had picked up some of the mining tools to speed up his work.
Grimlock shouts, "Zalco is a curse! It doesn’t care about you Southar. It causes our strongest warrior to delay at the peril of our companions. It possesses and takes away free will without concern of the wielder it controls. It is just as evil as the devils it kills. That sword must be destroyed if we survive its treachery! Zalco, you will meet your end as curses should!"
Girmlock’s voice can be heard as he flies into the temple, "Southar is controlled by Zalco. He is intoxicated by its power. Dalic I come to your aid post haste! Make ready! Southar is under that devil sword's control again! It will surely attack the blobs, be ready for the fires!”
Dalic struggles to move west with the blob beast on his back. It continues to try and grapple him down but the duergar remains standing. A claws scratches down the back of Dalic’s neck barely cutting the skin (1, 12/40(49)).
Grimlock arrives above Dalic, “Defend yourself and hold on!”
Southar charges forward and slams into the center of the blob men. He uses his shield in a shield rush and knocks the center flesh blob back and to the right, creating a hole in their line. They attempt to claw and grapple but the snake-man is too wily and slips through their lines, entering the temple as he does so.
The Gnarley Forest Ranger calls out a challenge, “Come devil! Meet your end!”
Bofor and Kuba follow Southar through the hole in the line. Kuba leads the dwarf. Kuba takes a raking claw across his right thigh going past (3, 12/45(47)). Kuba reaches the temple alongside Southar. Bofor isn’t so lucky. The slower, chain armored dwarf is dragged to the floor and the blob men fall upon him.
Bhut holds his position in the passageway. He stands there alone now.
Breymeer advances trying to close the distance and find cover. The temple offers none.
The skeletal devil rises into the air and flies toward the mosaic.
Two bowstrings sing as the fiend lowers and closes on the mosaic. Bordering on disbelief, Breymeer’s black arrow misses its mark flying past the fiend and slamming into the brazier. It deflects off to the right and skids onto the floor. Tathar’s dead eye strikes the fiend in the chest. It too passes through deflecting off the southern wall.
Bremeer sends a second arrow at the fiend but this misses as well, flying long and shattering on the front of the altar.
The fiend lands at the edge of the mosaic. Peylae remains impaled on the bone weapon.
Cirdan continues to chip away at the mortar.
Grimlock yells, “IT’S A TRAP! It’s an illusion to draw us to the edge of the pit! That is not Peylae, she is dead. Disbelieve what you see!”
As he moves in to grab Dalic, he continues yelling, “Cirdan, ignore what you see and complete your task!”
Grimlock reaches Dalic but the weight of the blob, Dalic’s plate mail armor and the heat take its toll on Dalic’s legs. They give out and he falls forward with the blob man on his back. Dalic’s armor prevents any raking claws from reaching his skin.
Speck holds his position at the southwest corner of the mosaic. Kuba enters the temple and heads for his pint sized companion.
Tathar pauses and studies the fiend. He looks around the temple for other hidden signs of danger.
Breymeer strings two more arrows, sending them at the beast. The first arrow streaks through the beasts head the second flies wide.
Southar walks towards the mosaic being a direct line towards the bone fiend. As the ranger nears its edge, Zalco’s sandpaper voice directs Southar, “Stop my friend. It is indeed a trap.” Southar pauses, hearing Grimlock warn of illusions.
The bone fiend sets Peylae down upon the ground and kneels over her. With powerful claws he tears out her heart and holds it aloft.
In the passageway, the three blob men begin to drag Bofor towards the temple. Bofor swings his hammer but there is no room for such a weapon the confines of the flesh blobs. The blow is feeble at best.
Bhut runs up and tries to assist Bofor. He takes a swing at the creature on the right. Bhut may not have intended to kill the creature but he buries his axe into its chest felling it (8, -1/7).
As the blob man hits the floor, the brazier bursts to life. The now familiar column of flame blasts forth and disperses across the room as it deflects off the ceiling. Everyone scrambles to take cover.
Cirdan continues to chip away at the mortal, he has cleared about half of the exposed mortar along the edge of the ruby. The brazier explodes forth as the elf noble chisels away. He quickly attempts to take cover.
The fire rages across the ceiling and down the walls. As before, the heat is more intense on the west side of the chamber. The little touch of hell flares for many seconds before diminishing back to the brazier where it continues to dance and taunt above the rim.
Everyone’s equipment and armor, though not destroyed, is being damaged by the fire and heat.
In the passageway, Bofor is protected by the blobs of flesh upon him taking only minor heat damage (1, 5/36(41)). Bofor tries to use his shield to fight free, “Get off of me, you’re not my type.” Despite trying to free himself, Bofor remains in their grasp and is dragged into the temple.
Bhut dives to the floor just into the passageway and covers the back of his head with his hands. His hands take light heat damage (1, 7/37(46)).
In the temple, Grimlock is washed slightly in flame (2, 21/30(33)). Hair singed, he yells to Cirdan, “Smash the eyes! We don’t have time to removed them!”
Dalic agrees with Grimlock, the bone devil must be an illusion. He thrashes about and wiggles himself free of the flesh-pile’s grasp as Grimlock blind sides it in a blind side blitz. The blob flattens to the ground in a gross display of giggling flesh. Grimlock appears hovering just above the ground near the now free Dalic.
Dalic, having been buried in the flesh monster, only took light heat damage (1, 11/40(49)).
Southar also disbelieves. “Something is indeed not right with this fiend.” Southar takes some light damage from the flames (3, 2/52). Southar turns to face the blobs dragging Bofor. He takes a few steps and tries to shield bash the one on his left. In the energy sapping heat, he fails to muster enough energy to move the blob.
Kuba shouts to Speck, “Take cover!” as the flames wash over him burning him lightly (3, 9/45(47)). Kuba runs with what speed he can muster toward the halfling.
Speck heeds the warning and takes cover. It saves him some from the more intense flames (4, 20(24).
Breymeer joins those choosing to ignore the skeletal fiend. He covers up while the flames rage (1, 6/49(57)). He rises and turns his bow towards the statue and lets arrows fly. The first arrow deflects off the taunting, grinning mouth. The second strikes its chest, coming in too low.
Tathar takes cover under his blanket and takes only light heat damage (2, 26/28). His blanket catches fire.
The bone devil hungrily devours Peylae’s heart and callously kicks her body onto the fly mosaic. It immediately falls straight into the floor and disappears below the mosaic.
Cirdan covers himself hastily with his blanket as the brazier flares. The brazier busting to life so close to the elf frightens him until Cirdan realizes the flame and heat is not affecting him. His blanket burns up but likely protected his other gear from harm.
Cirdan gets enough of a hole scraped out to pry with his dagger against the gem. Using what he can of his abnormal elf strength, Cirdan forces his dagger in between the stone of the statue and the multi-faceted gem. He pries with all his might. There is a might pop and the eye comes loose.
Cirdan checks his weapons and is saddened to see the victory has cost him the blade of his yuan-ti dagger. The blade has snapped an inch above the hilt. The blade and the gem fall to the floor.
A fifth flesh man crawls up out of the floor near Bofor. Four remain in the battle, one of which was slain in the hallway by Bhut.
Kuba and Speck head for the brazier. The halfling cannot cover much ground in the heat of this oppressive temple. The cross about half the distance from the mosaic to the brazier.
Breymeer begins to run as fast as the heat will allow him to travel. He quickly outpaces Kuba and Speck. He looks heavily burdened but manages a swift pace. He nearly crosses the length of the temple. He grunts hard and struggles to get deep breaths in so doing. He is just shy of reaching the obsidian arrow.
The bone devil leaps into the mosaic, disappearing from view.
Grimlock, sword in his scabbard, secures the dead priest’s shield upon his back and picks up Dalic by the shoulder plates. The duergar hangs on as Grimlock flies him to the relative safety of the tunnel. Dalic looks near spent. He hands Grimlock the pick he recovered, “Get tha eyes!”
Grimlock tosses his backpack at Dalic’s feet and accepts the pick, “I can do that.” Grimlock turns to fly back into the temple.
The flesh blob Grimlock knocked down gets back up and begins to amble towards the temple entrance where Bofor and Southar struggle against the hellspawn.
Tathar uncovers himself and holds his position. He continues to monitor for unforeseen dangers.
Bofor continues to struggle but, stretched like a raccoon between two hunting dogs, he cannot gain enough leverage to break free. He is dragged ten feet closer to the mosaic.
Southar tackles the blob man on the north side of Bofor. The pile of flesh collapses under the ranger. The leaves just one opponent for Bofor.
A loud ‘pop’ is heard. The statue’s left eye suddenly comes free. Gravity takes hold and the ruby falls, bouncing off the statue’s chest and ricocheting off the back side of the brazier as flames dance upon its rim. The ruby comes to rest somewhere between the statue and the brazier.
The party does not get a chance to rejoice as a skeletal devil flies up from the eastern side of the mosaic and lands next to Southar and Bofor. It drives its barbed tail through the links of Bofor’s chain mail armor and into his abdomen, pinning him to the floor (7, -2/36(41)). Bofor’s cry is cut short as he goes limp, still impaled on the scorpion-like tail.
There is no blood stain around the mouth of this devil as there had been on the one that leapt into the mosaic moments before
Dalic’s hair stands up on the back of his neck. His sixth sense tells him something is wrong. His alertness saves him from surprise as the slain blob man in the passage begins to rise and take life again. His wounds have begun to heal by themselves.
Bhut is not as alert and the creature claws at his legs. At the last moment, Bhut reacts and steps back. The blob, stretched too far, falls forward generally prone. It immediately begins to rise and renew its attack.
Grimlock sees the bone fiend climb out of the floor and changes his plan. He stows the pick, turns, and grabs his pack. He flies 20 feet farther east into the passageway.
Grimlock calls to Dalic as the dwarf prepares to aid Bhut. “Dalic, let me drop you onto the fiend!”
Dalic responds, “Drop me like a missile. I will spear it with the Delven Bastard!”
Grimlock drops his pack and flies back towards Dalic as Bhut drives his axe down upon the blob man. Between the heat and his drained will, he fails to put enough into the stroke to land a telling blow. The blob moves inside of the axe strike and drags Bhut to the ground, landing on top of the sellsword.
Grimlock flies past Bhut as he battles and grabs ahold of Dalic, hoisting him into the air as Bhut falls below the blob.
Southar engages the bone devil, releasing the blob he put to the floor. The devil withdraws its barbed tail and snaps it at Southar. The ranger blocks the blow with his golden shield but fails to move up on the fiend. He fails to engage enough to strike the beast.
The bone devil, using its tail to keep Southar at bay, moves up to Bofor’s body. It rips his chain armor open exposing the dwarf’s chest.
The blob men move to keep Southar away from Bofor. The begin to claw and rake at the ranger. He uses sword and shield to parry their blows and keep them at bay.
The blob man in the northeast corner focuses its emotionless eyes on Tathar, slowly wiggling its way towards the elf priest.
Tathar, seeing he has a small window, sends two arrows into the bone fiend. Both of them bounce off of its back. They appear to have caused it no harm.
Kuba and Speck continue towards the brazier as fast as they can. Kuba quickly outpaces Speck, reaching the brazier about 30 feet ahead of the halfling. Kuba finds the brazier, some 15 feet across and made of stone, much too heavy to move. He dare not touch it as it radiates intense heat.
Speck asks as he closes, “Should I go for the ruby?”
Breymeer reaches his black arrow. He immediately strings it and takes careful aim at the fiend. The black arrow appears to streak straight but at the last moment the fiend moves just enough and the arrow passes it by. It flies over Bofor’s downed body and strikes the flesh creature to Bofor’s east. It strikes center mass and felling it (7, -1/7). The arrow protrudes from its abdomen.
As Breymeer’s arrow pierces the flabby flesh beast, the brazier explodes back to life again. Flames rage upward and across the room.
Cirdan moves to the right eye. He flinches as the brazier bursts to life. Cirdan checks his gear during the eruption for some item to use to chisel out the mortar.
The fire burns intensely for what feels like an eternity but is really about 10 long seconds.
Bhut, too far into the passage to be affected by the flames, battles for his life with the flesh blob upon him. Bhut, fearing for his life, musters up a punch that knocks the creature free. Bhut scrambles to get up as the creature rakes him across the neck (2, 5/37(46)).
Dalic does what he can to shield himself from any residual heat (1, 10/40(49)). Ultimately, he focuses on his current goal and readies himself as a missile against the bone demon, sword to the front in an aerial charge.
Grimlock pauses while the heat wave passes him (1, 20/30(33)). Holding Dalic by the shoulder plates, he streaks forward, flying as hard as he can towards the devil.
Southar, with Zalco howling out death for the devil, continues to battle the minions from hell. He hides beneath his shield as much as he can while the heat wave rolls over him (1, 1/52). The flesh minions attempt to drag down the ranger. He struggles and nearly topples but remains standing. The ranger deflects another striking blow from the fiend’s tail.
Bofor takes the blast of heat and flame burning his beard and exposed chest. The devil straddles the dwarf and moves to chew out his heart (1, -8/36(41)). It only manages a shallow bite before Southar, with the minions clawing at his armor and shield, engages him.
The heat is taking its toll on Southar and he misses his mark. The attack does cause the devil to rise up and continue to melee instead of eating Bofor.
The devil rises and immediately takes an aerial assault from Dalic and Grimlock bombs him on top of the devil from above. He spears the devil through the left eye with his Delven Bastard (6, 7/13).
Dalic lands hard, dropping to his knees, bruising them lightly (2, 8/40(49)).
The northeastern minion moves in towards Tathar as the elf covers from the flames. Tathar gets burned some but ignores the pain (3, 23/28). He moves north and east at a jog to avoid the minions as it closed in on him. Tathar pulls out the snake headed quarter staff while avoiding the minion. He turns south and begins to bee-line towards the melee.
Breymeer covers from the heat but gets burned more than others being so close to the brazier (5, 1/49(57)). Breymeer looks like he nearly faints. He turns and sights his bow upon the left eye of the statue. The first arrow finds its mark and deflects off the ruby eye. As Breymeer draws back his second arrow, his heat weakened legs grow weak and his head spins. Though conscious, he falls to his knees and the arrow flies errantly into the back wall.
Kuba gets burned similar to Breymeer even though he shields himself as best he can (5, 4/45(47)). He runs to the loosed ruby and takes it.
Cirdan’s voice calls out as he descends to Kuba, “Speck, grab the ruby from Kuba, no sense in leaving it here.”
Kuba feels Cirdan remove his war hammer from his belt, “I need this to smash the other eye.” Cirdan flies off, presumably to the left eye of the statue.
Speck takes cover while the blast rages taking burns (3, 17/24). Speck moves west to try and get to Kuba. The heat is too much for the halfling and he only reaches the east side of the brazier. Kuba remains on the west side.
Those taking repeated blasts from the brazier note their exposed fire sensitive equipment is becoming of poorer and poorer condition.
Cirdan takes the magical dwarven war hammer and smashes the remaining ruby. The hammer shatters leaving only a handle. The ruby initially cracks like safety glass and the explodes forward causing shards to cut into Cirdan’s flesh (4, 11/26). The explosion is accompanied by a concussion wave that blows Cirdan back away from the statue.
Grimlock feels the will of the ram’s head ring pulling on psyche. It wills him to put it on. Grimlock’s intent is to destroy the bone fiend and fights the calling of the ring. His elvish heritage enables to him keep control of his will and press forward with his attack.
Bhut struggles with the blob man. It rakes him lightly across the right thigh (1, 4/37(46)), its face showing no emotion other than its eyes. Its eyes have the look of an eternity of being tortured.
Grimlock, from behind the bone fiend, attacks with the dwarven priest’s shield and his silver wolf sword. He lops the head off the fiend and then smashes its body forward with the shield.
Dalic stands and drives his Devlen Bastard into the devil’s hip causing it to collapse.
At the same time, Southar slashes it across the rib cage turning it instantly to nothingness. It is simply gone. The snake-ranger turns to face the onslaught of blob men as a sixth creature crawls out of the mosaic and charges forward. He manages to keep the foursome at bay with his golden shield.
Bofor remains at the bottom of the melee, occasionally being stepped on.
Tathar continues towards the melee looking to get to Bofor once he sees Dalic rise from his knees.
Kuba circles around the brazier and gives Speck possession of the ruby he recovered. He then grabs Speck, throwing the halfling onto his shoulder, and begins to run towards the temple entrance. The heat has fatigued him to the point he can only manage a labored jog.
Bremeer, seeing Kuba’s hammer flying up to the remaining eye, assumes Cirdan is now in his line of fire, and stops shooting arrows at the ruby eye. Looking back at the melee, he calculates he can not safely fire into it either. He holds his to see what happens next.
A sudden sound echoes through the expanse of the temple. The sound of a hammer striking a stone. Some sort of a mystic action accentuates the sound.
The remaining ruby eye suddenly fills with cracks. A moment after, it explodes outward in countless shards. With it, a concussion wave rips across the temple.
The shock wave blows the head off the statue and shatters its knees. The statue falls back and to the left. It bounces off the marble altar, chipping the corner as it deflects off. It comes to rest behind the altar, to the southwest.
The fire dancing above the brazier, always a threat to bring death upon those in the chamber, is blown out. Vast amounts of black smoke begin to bellow forth.
Breymeer, Kuba and Speck are all blown flat onto the floor.
The fly mosaic vaporizes as the shock wave rolls across it. Once gone, a fiery pit is revealed. The pit is 90 feet across, matching the size of the mosaic.
As the wave reaches the rest of the party, they are also blown flat, along with the fleshy blobs. Grimlock is blown into the temple’s east wall. Only his tumbling proficiency keeps him from smashing into the wall. Instead, he flies himself horizontal to the floor and lands into a squatting position.
Next, the earth shakes, a deep sundering of stone is heard in the heart of the mountain.
The flames in the pit begin to rage up, unstable and chaotic. Some sort of humming sound is heard near the top of the pit. It grows in intensity and volume.
The humming in the pit continues to grow in intensity as some type of energy continues to build. The pit begins to implode, causing a sucking that pulls at the heated air of the temple. A breeze, increasing in intensity, begins to move towards the pit. It begins to turn, in increasing speed, like a tornado above the center of the pit. The smoke from the brazier gives form to the twisting and dancing whirlwind.
Snake-like appendages of flame whip out of the pit, writhing in the air before striking the hellspawn in the chamber. Each in turn is instantly burned to dust. The obsidian arrow drops to the temple floor near the entrance.
The sundering of the mountain also continues. Deep below, the roots of stone feel as if they break and move. The entire hill shutters.
The marble altar splits and a fissure appears running across the front of the great red-chased white marble.
The brazier is pumping out incredible amounts of smoke. The forming breeze begins to pull it towards the pit but the volume is too great and the smoke begins to obscure the western edge of the temple.
Kuba and Speck, trying to get ahead of the smoke, regain their feet. “Time to go!” Speck makes certain he has safely secured the ruby as Kuba picks up the halfling. The warrior begins to fireman his pint-sized companion.
An invisible force drops down upon Kuba and Speck. Before Kuba can mount a defense, Cirdan’s voice assures him of his intent. Speck is seen to lift off the shoulder of Kuba, greatly relieving him of his burden. Kuba jogs with all the energy he can muster towards the temple door.
Breymeer begins to run for the temple door.
Tathar reaches Bofor. The dwarven priest shows no signs of life.
Southar backs up to the temple entrance. Zalco remains silent. Southar finds Bhut, very weak of knee, using the wall to help right himself. The sellsword is truly shattered. Only a final, desperate will to live, keeps him moving.
Dalic calls for general retreat. “Tha battle be won! Kill the tortured ones and let us away before we are entombed wit them and tha fires of hell!” The pit fighter looks upset as his prey are destroyed by the flames of hell.
Grimlock reaches into his pocket. He pulls out the ram’s head ring intent on throwing the cursed ring back to hell, “The flames of hell can work for the side of good for a change. Feast on your own creation!” He flies to the edge of the pit and suddenly pauses in an internal struggle; weakened in will after battling the dead and Zalco.
Grimlock, appearing lost in though, falls silent and stares into the pit.
The ground continues to tremble. The humming in the pit increases in pitch and volume. It begins to drown out other sounds save the groaning of the mountain.
Cirdan, holding tightly onto Speck who holds tightly onto his gem filled pack, flies toward the temple entrance. Cirdan veers north to bypass the flaming, humming pit.
Breymeer and Kuba jog nearly side by side on their way to the entrance. Both warriors are spent, running as if in wet concrete. Breymeer slowly outpaces Kuba, taking the lead as they reach the southwestern edge of the pit.
Tathar begins going through Bofor’s possessions. He takes his holy symbol reverently, safely securing it in a pouch. He shouts to Grimlock, “Have strength Grimlock! Release the ring!”
Tathar, seeing Grimlock struggle with the priest’s ram’s head ring, takes care to shake the ram’s head hammer out of the pack it was store it. He shakes it loose until it tumbles into the pit. As soon as it drops below the level of the floor, it disappears in a flash.
Tathar takes Bofor’s pack. It is burdened by the chain mail armor stored within. Tathar secures it to his own pack.
Finally, Tathar takes a last look at the serpent headed staff he has carried since the jungle. He tosses it into the hellish pit. The staff disappears into a fiery flash as did the hammer before it.
While Tathar is with Bofor, Dalic turns, pumping his stubby legs, heads for the door. He reaches the threshold. Bhut remains about 15 feet into the passage leaning against the wall. Bhut pushes himself off the wall and tests his legs. He is shaky but remains standing.
Grimlock continues to hold the ring in his left hand. Mindlessly, he begins to raise his right hand towards his left as the internal battle of wills rages. Grimlock stares blankly into the pit.
Tathar, the only character (other than Bofor of course) not fleeing from the temple, tarries to give Grimlock words of encouragement.
Grimlock’s hands begin to tremble and the half-elf looks down at the Sehanine priest. A smile curls his lips and defiance fills his eyes. Grimlock’s heritage saves him where his will would have failed. He tosses the ring flippantly into the pit. Tathar lets out a sigh of relief.
The ring strikes the plane of the pit and vanishes.
Tathar appears pleased when Grimlock flies down and grabs Bofor, dragging the dwarf into the passageway. Tathar follows.
Cirdan passes the northern circumference of the pit as Grimlock tosses in the ring. He closes on Tathar and Grimlock as they enter the passage.
Breymeer and Kuba continue their heavy booted jog around the southern edge of the pit. Kuba tries to give encouragement, “Run Kuba, Run!”
Breymeer only answers, “The black arrow. There it is.” Breymeer heads for the black arrow laying on the floor just east of the pit near where Bofor fell.
Southar is moving east down the passageway, “I will sssscout.”
Dalic begins to follow. Bhut turns east and manages to begin putting one foot in front of the other.
The crescendo humming from the pit reaches a fever pitch. The pit pull the air out of the chamber causing the breeze to increase to a steady wind. The east passage turns into a wind tunnel. The black smoke from the brazier pumps forth spinning tornado-like above the hellish hole. The pit threatens to suck the entire group into it’s fiery embrace.
Fighting against the wind, Southar struggles farther east.
Dalic and Bhut, bent against the wind, try and keep pace with Southar. Unable to do so, they find they can match each other’s slow pace. Like so many obstacles, they face it together.
Grimlock gets a better grip on Bofor and throws the dwarf over his shoulder. He flies to his pack in the passageway and shoulders it as well.
Tathar ensures he has Bofor’s pack as well as his own before moving east.
Cirdan, carrying Speck, is next into the tunnel followed shortly thereafter by Kuba and than Breymeer, who had paused long enough to recover his obsidian arrow.
The humming ends with an explosion of energy as the dimensional gate is ripped from fabric of this plane of existence. A shock wave rips through the temple and into the hallway.
Everyone is knocked from the feet again. Luckily the party had received relative shelter from the confines of the passage.
The wave appears to carry with it some type of disruption. Grimlock drops to the floor as his magical flight fails. He tumbles upon impact keeping from harm. Bofor’s body crashes to the ground. The wave does not similarly effect Cirdan, as he remains aloft.
Looking back into the temple, the dancing flames of the pit are gone are joined by bursts of lava. The liquid rock pours forth onto the floor. The ground continues to crack and break as the mountain’s sundering reaches the temple. The ground shakes terribly and the ceiling splits open dropping great chunks of stone onto the altar and floor. A massive part of the western ceiling drops onto the marble altar, cleaving the already fissured stone in two.
The party regains its feet and continues its escape.
The crumbling of the temple spreads to the hall as the temple’s collapse mixes with the blood of the oerth pouring up from the pit in the form of liquid rock.
The defeat of the portal appears to have been the death knell for the mountain that contained it.
With the demise of the portal, the sucking of the air in the delve ceases making it easier to move. In addition, it pulled in some of the cold air from the ice chamber making the air temperature considerably more tolerable. Even with the positive changes, the party is fatigued and the retreat is slow at best.
Dalic breaks into a pained jog, “I hab good stamina,” Dalic announces. Being so wounded, he is the slowest member of the party.
Grimlock, carrying Bofor over his shoulder, is moderately encumbered. As such, he is still able to keep pace with the jogging Dalic. To do so, Grimlock maintains a forced march.
It takes two agonizing minutes to trek through the eastern passage to the chamber with the water basins. Here the party regroups.
Cirdan sets Speck back on his own feet and retrieves his pack and cancels the magic that caused him to be invisible. The elf noble shows dried blood on his exposed skin from the many small cuts he received when the smashed ruby exploded into him. He also carries the burden of the light wound he received to his upper left arm. Cirdan retains the ability to fly and does so to reduce the stress of the retreat on his body.
Looking around the group, the level of injuries ranges from moderate to dire. Breymeer maintains a very serious head wound, Dalic is burdened by three wounds, two of them separate injuries to his abdomen, while Bhut has two, one of them to his face evidenced by the missing teeth and broken nose. Finally, Southar retains the wound he received fighting the iron dwarf.
The party does its best to stay together. “I vote we head up,” nominates Dalic. Not often you hear a duergar calling for retreat to the sunlit lands.
The party cuts across the chamber, reaching the stairs up to the ice coated chamber.
The ascend as quick as they can. The ice chamber has begun to warm and the walls and floors are now dampened and even more slippery than before. Great care is taken to cross the chamber. Several times the party has to pause as members fall, often needing assistance to stand. Dalic is forced to cross the chamber at a walk. This does, however, give him some rest.
During the crossing of the ice chamber, the shaking of the mountain continually breaks icy stalactites free from the ceiling. Spear like sections of ice, along with frozen blocks, fall from the ceiling and hamper the group. Somehow, only once does anyone get struck; that being Dalic. His plate armor saved him from injury but does not prevent him from cursing the vile delve.
It takes over 10 minutes to cross the 600 some foot expanse of the ice coated chamber.
Harvester 27 <new day>
The next cavern is crossed more quickly and safely. The party rushes to the southern passageway passing the unmoving bodies of the dwarf zombies and garbage pit monsters as they travel.
The party passes by the rankness of the garbage pit to the discomfort of Southar, Cirdan and Kuba.
The party finally reaches the blackened tunnel lair of the acid ooze. The delve continues to moan and crumble in the distance behind them. It is obvious there will not be much time to tarry before this obstacle must be crossed.
Grimlock asks Southar to use his rope and tie it to his waste and then to Dalic at the back. The rest of the party can keep a hand on it to keep from separating.
Southar looks among the group and eyes Tathar’s hemp rope that Speck currently carries, “Good idea but we sssssshall usssse hissss.”
Not having time to argue, Speck gives up Tathar’s rope and Southar ties himself to one end of the rope and Dalic to the other. The party spreads out among its length and heads into the darkness.
Southar, having lit a lantern prior to entering the dark cold chambers, hold it aloft as he enters the darkness. Breymeer takes Southar’s side to aid in backtracking through the maze of passages. The rest of the party falls in line. Grimlock takes second rank. He continues to carry Bofor. The third row is Cirdan and Tathar. Behind them is Kuba and Speck. Bhut follows with Dalic in the rear.
Southar enters the magically dark passage, keeping to the left, the group passes three intersections. The lantern only illuminates about 15 feet radius. It does not illuminate the rear of the party. Bhut is at the very edge of the lantern’s poor illumination. He cannot see to his rear at all. Dalic depends on his darkvision to keep the rear safe.
The party passes three intersections branching to the right as they move slowly through the darkness. The ground continues to rumble and shake as the level behind and below them crumbles. Dust drifts in the air.
A fourth passageway opens to the right. While passing this area, the danger feared by the party strikes. A large black blob, nearly six feet across, suddenly appears rolling across the ceiling from the right fork. It drops towards the front ranks and lands on Grimlock.
Grimlock instinctively raises his shield to protect himself. Grimlock gives out a cry as a weight falls upon his shield arm followed by a heavy thud next to him as the strange black blob is deflected to Grimlock’s right and strikes the floor. Grimlock’s shield remains attached to the creature holding the half-elf dangerously close to it. A heavy acid smell follows as the fly emblazoned dwarf priest’s shield begins to dissolve.
Tathar immediately recognizes the threat as the type of creature that burned his arm and dissolved the armor that covered it.
Grimlock, fearing for his life, throws Bofor onto the black pulsing mass as he tries to rip the shield free using both hands. Seeing the recovery of the shield a futile mission, Grimlock tumbles forward through a gap created as Breymeer steps back from the creature unsure of how to battle it.
The blob quickly wraps around Bofor, seeming to absorb him. Bofor’s flesh, armor and equipment all begin to dissolve. His skin more quickly than anything else.
Cirdan, still able to fly, floats up and away from the creature. With some quick words, three glowing missiles fly into the mass. The ‘skin’ of the creature appears to burn as the area, several inches wide, around the impacting missiles turns a dull grey (10, 41/51).
Tathar tries to step back as well. His retreat is generally blocked by Kuba. Tathar fires two lightning quick arrows into the creature. They both sink fully into the mass of blackness and Bofor. Each arrow dissolves nearly as fast as it impacts. There is no similar greyness to the impact of Tathar’s arrows as their was to Cirdan’s.
Dalic calls to Kuba, "Take the Delven Bastard, I be too weak and slow now to use it. I expect it back in one piece." He begins to try and pass his blade up while drawing the Blade of Dalgur.
Seeing the difference between the arrow strikes, Kuba waves off the Delven Bastard and cries out, "We need fire! Don't strike it! We have to burn it!"
The blob appears satisfied by its meal and begins retreating toward the untraveled passage. Bofor is obviously lost to the strange creature.
The black acid mass moves off down the side tunnel. The party decides to let it flee. Cirdan yells to the front of the group, “Keep moving! We need to get clear of this forsaken place!”
Grimlock gets back into line, as does Breymeer. Breymeer, puts his black arrow to bowstring.
Grimlock tries to find something positive in Bofor’s loss, “I’m sure Bofor would appreciate that even in death he gave us safe passage.” The column moves farther west, slowly due to the darkness.
A couple minutes pass as the group slowly trudges through the inky blackness, always staying to the left wall. They eventually break through the darkness into the passage that leads to the natural chamber containing the dead green robed mage. A shaking of the ground and crushing sound of collapsing tunnels push the party back into a faster pace.
Southar and Dalic untie themselves and Tathar reclaims his hemp rope.
Dalic breaks into a jog as the party moves out. The endurance of the dwarf is impressive.
The party pauses momentarily when they reach the green mage chamber. Again, stalactites hang from the ceiling and fall to the ground in unpredictable randomness.
It takes several minutes to cross the dangerous chamber. The first near loss occurs when Tathar is nearly crushed as a man-sized stalactite. It would have surely pierced him had the nimble elf not rolled out of the way. Kuba is not so luck. A large chunk of stone strikes him on the right shoulder (4, 0/45(47)). It would have crushed his head had he not moved at the last second. When the stone strikes him, the warrior falls.
Tathar quickly goes to his aid finding him alive. He administers first aid (+3, 3/45(47)). Kuba comes around but is weak. Cirdan gives him a shoulder to lean on as they move forward.
The dwarf shaped iron door is closed at the west end of the chamber. The party is thankful to find it easily opened. It is at this time that Cirdan finds the magical energy that allows him to fly has faded. The elf is subject to gravity once again.
Passing through the dwarf door, the party re-enters the smooth chiseled halls. The ground shakes but the tunnel before them is thankfully intact. Kuba finds he is strong enough to walk by himself again. He thanks Cirdan for the assistance.
The party quickly hurries down the northwestern passage. It takes a few minutes to reach the first of the circular, domed rooms. The room remains brightly lit by some magical force. Dalic shields his eyes, cursing the brilliance of the light. It is this chamber that the dwarf zombie’s had been mining the southwest corner. Their bodies still lay motionless upon the floor having been slain by the party earlier.
The group quickly crosses the chamber and the dead remain dead. Dalic struggles with his restricted vision and falls several times crossing the room. Several minutes pass. Once on the other side, the group continues north-northeast to the next domed chamber, a barracks with rotten beds and foot lockers. Three dead dwarf zombies were cut down near the center of the room. The foot lockers appear to have been already plundered.
It takes several minutes to pass through the southeastern passage leading from the barracks. The domed chamber at the end, like the others, is magically lit. Dalic curses. In this chamber are two exits. To the north is a narrow, winding stairwell that ascends to the level above. To the south, a passage leads southwest. It increases in elevation, going up toward the upper levels.
The boulder that trapped this stairwell remains on the south end of the chamber. Several dead zombies are scattered about the floor. Two of them looked to have been crushed by the boulder as it rolled across the room. There are bunks and footlockers scattered around the exterior walls; seven in total. The beds are rotten. The chests remain unplundered. Peylae’s body was abandoned about half way up the northern stairs.
Here, the party pauses to contemplate which way to go. Breymeer and Bhut both came down the stairwell from the north. It leads to another chamber above. P’innr Bhut recalls, north of the upper chamber, a passage was left unexplored. The unexplored passage was ascending higher; leading upward. Dalic and Grimlock both were in this chamber before but went down, deeper into the delve from here and do not know which way to go.
No one traveled the southeastern passage.
Another rattling of the mountain pushes the party to make a decision.
The decision is made relatively quickly. The group ascends the stairwell in search of Peylae and an escape from the delve.
Breymeer stops after climbing through a couple switchbacks in the stairwell. He stops at a dark stain on the stone. He indicates the mark is the where Peylae met her demise. The body, and any items she carries, are gone.
Tathar is visibly shaken at the loss of another elf to the delve.
A deafening crack followed by the sound of collapsing stone push the group higher.
The group passes through the abandoned barracks at the top of the stairs. Two dead dwarves remain on the floor. The party passes them and exits into the passage on the north side of the chamber, climbing slowly higher as they travel.
They scramble forward, passing a side corridor to the west. Breymeer and Bhut advise it goes back down into the delve. It does angle slightly downward. Moving north of the side passage, a dim light comes into view, high up in the tunnel.
About 300 feet north of the barracks with the stairwell, the party reaches a cave in. Stones and timber line the passageway. At the top of the rubble pile, the light shines through. It has the radiance of a full moon. Dalic’s eyes are not adversely affected by the intensity.
Each in turn, the characters climb the pile and file through the narrow, 18 inch opening. The rubble pile holds together and the group safely makes it through with great fanfare. They have reached the skeletal dwarf overlord. The relief is quickly filled with sorrow as the crevice that had split the rails has split through the stone and laid waste to the northwest side of the chamber. The stone has shifted and the far side of the crevice, where the passage used to be, has shifted and now no exit can be seen. It appears the far side of the crevice has dropped below. Nothing remains but solid stone.
The chamber’s 60 foot domed ceiling rises above circular chamber. The intact walls are carved with depictions of ancient dwarven heroes. The ledge remains intact 25 feet above the floor. Brakuk, the great helmed dwarf overlord sits upon his throne.
As the party collects itself in the room, the dwarf overlord stands. Without him speaking, each member hears the overlords voice in their head, “You have performed well enough in liberating Khoulgumlir. I, Brakuk of clan Thesdrorlum, Overlord of Khoulgumlir and Protector of the Delve, Faithrul Servant of Moradin’s clan, shall grant you passage. Our servant, Bofor of clan Thesdrorlum, has fallen. Pass this tale onto Falco of Restenford so that your deeds may live on and you shall be forever welcome in our halls. Even you duergar. You are unique of your kin. Not common is the day that elves and duergars, or even humans for that matter, come to the aid of the dwarves. And you, halfling, your deeds, for good or ill, are not ignored.”
The ceiling begins to collapse as the delve faces complete destruction. The illumination in the room grows quickly brighter and brighter. Dalic shields his eyes.
“You are saved this day by the honor of the dwarfkind.” The light flashes into a dazzling intensity. The flash blinds the characters as the sound of crashing stone fills their ears. Yet, no pain or pressure is felt. In fact, the smell of wind blown fresh air can be felt.
A wind blows. As the group regains its sight, it finds itself looking upward at a clear, star filled sky. Luna is nearing full and Celene is a few days past its full phase. It appears to be a little after midnight.
Tathar collapses in prayer.
The ground quakes a final time as the delve succumbs to the death of the hellish portal. Other than the wind, a stillness and peace comes over the adventurers. Even the duergar does not mind being outside the comforts of stone.
<Grimlock’s pilfered coins from the footlockers did not get transported with him (257gp worth)>
Looking around, it appears the party sits in a small significantly sloping clearing among a wooded section of a sharp hillside. The trees consist of mainly birch and spruce. The ground grassed but hints at its shallow depth as stones poke forth in various places.
The sky is well lit as Luna, the larger of the moons, is beginning to wane but remains about ¾ full. The changes in its cycle are the measure for which the calendar is set. The moon cycle is 28 days. Luna will be a waning half moon in the middle of the Brewfest festival which marks the autumn equinox.
Celene, the smaller moon, revered by the elves, is nearing it peak of fullness. Celene will reach its peak in the middle of the Brewfest festival. The moon cycle is 91 days.
Cirdan tells everyone to rest. Even though the elf nobleman is injured, he volunteers to take watch. Shortly thereafter, he vanishes from sight in the midst of the party.
Tathar continues to pray.
Southar, as is his habit, wanders off downhill.
The rest of the party finds a place to rest and sleeps deeply. Cirdan scouts around and finds they are on the downslope of one of the more prominent peaks. By flying high enough, he can see the reflection of the moonlight off of a river flowing west to east in the center of a valley north of the mountain’s arm. Cirdan gets his bearing. The group is camped on one of the nearby peaks to the delve. Satisfied they way home is known, Cirdan lowers back down to the clearing.
Nothing disturbs their sleep through the night. The ground has ceased trembling. The group sleeps several hours into morning. Once the warriors begin to rise, Cirdan takes his leave to rest.
Even with Tathar’s prayers, the group remains badly wounded and remains camped throughout the day. Breymeer, Dalic, Kuba and Bhut, the main warriors in the group, are all in need of rest. The party remains camped. Southar does not return, as is his habit. He does not respond to the party hailing him. He likely remains hidden by the concealment offered by his golden shield. Not to mention, the ranger would not likely be found in the woods when he chooses to remain hidden.
The air cools, some due to the elevation, some due to incoming weather. As the sun sets, a fire is made and the warriors join in the night’s watch. Again, the prudence is without need. The last day of Harvester arrives without so much as a false alarm.
Harvester 28
The air remains crisp throughout the day. The latter part of the day clouds over and a misty drizzle falls. The party remains at camp a second day. It passes without a threat.
Breymeer scouts for Southar and returns with the scabbard to Bloodletter. Breymeer advises he has found a safe route down. Placed in an obvious location on that route was the scabbard, set into the ground so as not to be overlooked.
“Southar is gone.” Breymeer states the obvious as he hands the scabbard over to Kuba. Kuba fastens it to his belt and properly sheaths Bloodletter. The sellsword has become the latest owner of the weapon.
Although his skill as a warrior will be missed, having Zalco and the golden shield removed from the group brings some characters a sense of relief.
At camp one night, during the trip back to Farmin, Cirdan, Grimlock and Speck find themselves in an uncomfortable conversation.
Cirdan looks at the halfling, “So, may I see the spellbook you looted from the green mage when you killed him?”
Speck looks sheepishly at Grimlock and then back to Cirdan saying, “Ummm, well, I had no use for it and figured it would need to be kept safe by someone who could use it. Soooo, I gave it to Grim. But I think he should share it if that will cause less fighting.”
Grimlock looks absolutely furious as he looks at Speck. He tries to soften his look and his voice is calm when he speaks, “Yep, I have it. Cirdan you can study it after I take a look. Oh, regarding the rings and bracers Speck wears, we should see if they are magic and study them a bit to see who they will benefit the most. Then we will have a better idea who the new owners should be. They belong to the group, as the mage was badly injured by our first attack on him. Sprek was just fortunate enough to have the finishing blow is all.”
He casts a look at the halfling that says, ‘you idiot’.
Cirdan appears satisfied by the answer and lets the issue drop.
Grimlock walks off to study by himself. He realizes he needs to make a decision. Does he stay with this group even though they cut into his power and personal gain, or does he strike out on my own and to control his own destiny and avoid having to share his treasures.
Speck and Cirdan, among other party members, ponder if the evil taint of Zalco may have rubbed off on the half-elf. Will he succumb to selfishness and narcism?
The party returned to Farmin with the exception of Southar. Having been overcome by the golden shield, he separates from the group to set out on his own back to the yuan-ti temple at the Forbidden City.
At Farmin, he group learned that a party of adventurers had been recruited to raid the Mayor's castle. It was to be a strike on the guild leaders as identified by Armax and Falbore. Armax had enough of the evil guild leadership and convinced her husband to join her. Both were killed during the raid on the castle. The party was secreted into the hidden passage and met up with Gress, the half-ogre jailer. From there, the party crept into the main keep where they were discovered. A battle broke out and when the smoke cleared, the castle was overthrown. Tellish, Arrness, Relmark, Rogan, Thomas and Holga all escaped. Getluck and Trell remained in the castle and were allowed to stay on.
Balmorrow, Abraham and the Osprem church keep the town together and govern for the time being.
The party did not get much rest before they found themselves defending town from an orc raid supplemented with ogres and trolls.
The party was able to quickly turn the tide (with a few surprise fireball spells). The orcs ended up retreating along with the turncoat weaponsmith, Gilmi.
Nineteen of the town militia, including the blacksmith, were slain. Also, the baker's wife and children were set upon by a troll and slain.
After the battle, the party moved on to Restenford to find it was raided on the same evening.
The mace from the Abbey was taken. The suspect was Tellish. Baroness Fairwind was slain and Lady Andrella took command of the barony.
Lady Andrella named her most trusted Restenford Ranger, Belina, as acting mayor of Farmin.
The two adventure parties joined forces to hunt down Tellish and Arrness.
The group from the Castle Farmin raid that remain are:
C'mere Butterpatt, a male halfling rogue. He is Speck's cousin.
Esned, a male gnome priest.
Gress, the half-ogre prison guard.
Morwen, the elf musician.
Those from the original group that join them are:
Breymeer, now a Restenford Ranger.
Speck also goes with wanting to travel with his cousin C'mere.
Also joining them from Restenford are:
Amos, sent by his father as an emissary.
Perk, the fletcher was killed in the raid so he travels to stock up on arrows.
Zahrdahl, the bait dealer, elects to go to Grest as well.
Finally, arriving in port aboard the Shark Hunter are three adventurers that join the group (taken from L4): Beltus (human male Phaulkon priest), Garmel (human male warrior) and Irena (human female mage). <The events between the deities and the Shark Hunter did not take place at sea as given by the L4 companion. They are just traveling to Lendore Island as given by their introductions in L4>
Those staying in Restenford are:
Cirdan and Grimlock, both remain to study newfound spellbooks.
Bhut was weakened greatly by undead and stays to rest.
Tathar travels to Bone Hill where Sehanine elves have taken over the keep, renaming it Tur Thar-guldar.
Krelar, the warrior-priest from the Abbey, recruits Dalic, Kuba and Meira Rovanith, a female elf ranger. Meira had just recently arrived in Farmin before the raid on the town and joined the party afterward.
Krelar asks the trio to join him in investigating strange doings around the burned out guard shack in Restenford. <If I have time, I will try and post this adventure separately>
<Some of the Chase the Mace adventure will be tabletop gaming so I will only post an overview of what happens. It will lead the group to Grest and beyond. The adventure will likely take the group through parts of L4 and L5.>
The morning of Patchwall the 10th, Moonday by the Greyhawk reckoning, begins as poorly as the previous day ended. The temperatures begin to slowly climb as the cold storm begins to blow itself out.
The driving snow of the previous night has ended and a layer of snow, drifted in spots, coats the ground, docks and rooftops. The ground itself, being warmer, is soft under the snow. As people get out and moving, it quickly turns into a cold, dirty mess.
Before sunrise, the snow gives away to rain mixed with small frozen pellets. Those that do not have to go out, remain sheltered in their homes waiting for the sun.
It does not take long. The clouds break apart in the early morning hours and the sun rises warm, blowing in off the sea now instead of the mountains. The temperature climbs and the snow begins to melt into memory; save the shaded areas around town.
The mace chasers do not push themselves into the dreary morning. Breymeer and Speck, join the group for breakfast. They have already packed and are dressed for travel. The group has a warm meal before those staying at the Dying Minotaur donning their armor, weapons and gear.
They step out and make for the northern road that will follow the west branch of the Restin River to Grest. Isiawiel the half elven surprises the group by announcing he will not be travelling with the party. They may catch up to the group again at some point. Isiawiel plans to try and track the movement of the thief through the wilderness. Isiawiel sets off along denying any company.
Those who remain are:
Morwen, a female elf (her skills are a mystery to the party, she is a musician by trade). She protects herself with leather armor and carries a bow. Also in her belonging is her baliset (similar to a guitar). She takes the reigns of her riding horse and pulls herself into the saddle.
Esnred (Cleric, LV4), the male gnome. Esned wears armor under his priestly vestment.
C’mere Butterpatt (Thief, LV4) and his cousin Speck, both halfling males. Speck (Thief, LV4) wears leather armor, C’mere wears no armor. Both carry short bows and knives but where Speck has a short sword, C’mere has a hand axe.
Gress (Fighter, LV4), the male half-ogre, seems out of place among the smaller folk. He wears banded mail armor and carries a huge shield (to a human anyway) for defense. He wields a man-sized two-handed sword in his free hand. A heavy crossbow is secured to his back along with the thick bolts it fires. He wears the newly acquired broad sword and dagger on his belt. A large backpack rides on his back with a battle axe strapped to it. His feet are covered with hard, heavy leather boots.
Breymeer (Ranger, LV6), the bearded male human, wears his studded leather armor. His bow is shouldered and his broadsword is on his belt. He carries the dwarven battle axe in his strong hand and the dwarven hand axe in his weak hand. He had the rest of his gear stowed in packs and pouches. One of the pouches is a crocodile skinned belt pouch that he has retained since the days of tromping through the Hepmonaland Jungle.
The six adventurers move out. Speck is pleased to be with his cousin. Almost enough to not think about his other companion Kuba, who will remain in Restenford for a much needed break. Breymeer also appears pleased with his new companions.
The party takes the main road past the castle tipped hill. As they pass the avenue that leads to the baroness’s keep, they stop to speak with a small collection of townfolk gathered there. Almax, the druid, is there with his son Amos. Falco stands with them holding a medium sized leather pouch. The third person, a male human, the group recognizes as the local bait dealer; Zahrdahl is his name. The fourth, a male elf, is Perk, the town bowyer. A fifth person is Almon, the highest ranking member of the Phaulkon Abbey to survive the raid. Finally, a small adventure party stands near. The party does not recognize any of the three. All three appear to be in their early 20s.
They are:
Garmel, a human male. He wears chain mail and carrying a shield. He is equipped with a long sword, long bow and a dagger. He is 5-11, 175 lbs with brown hair and brown eyes. He wears a dark blue cloak over his armor.
Beltus, a human male. The party has spent enough time on Lendore Island to realize this man is a priest of Phaulkon. He wears chain mail and also carries a shield. He is armed with a mace and two throwing hammers. He wears a cap made of dark colored bird feathers. On his back is a dark grey cloak. He has a leather lanyard holding an eagle feather hanging from his neck. He is 5-8, 175 lbs with black hair and black eyes.
Irena, a human female. She wears no armor. She is 5-2, 125 lbs with light brown hair and blue eyes. She appears very fit but is only of average looks. She is not ugly but by spending time around her it becomes apparent she has spent more time with her nose in a book than talking to another person. She lacks social skills. She wears a dark grey tunic over grey pants. On her feet are decent travel boots. She carries a pack on her back with ease.
C’mere greats Perk having recently met when C’mere purchased a new short bow from the elf for 30gp. It was at that time that Perk learned the group was going to be travelling north. He will be joining the group until he can find a fletcher to purchase arrows. Pelo, Restenford’s fletcher and fellow elf friend to Perk, was killed in the raid. Perk has need to stock up on arrows until a new fletcher comes along.
Almax hugs his son as Almos joins the group. “Please help keep my son safe. He has errands to attend to on behalf of Baroness Andrella. And may you complete your mission and bring balance back to our town. I fear without your success, evil will rise up again and unite the creatures of the wildlands against us again.”
Zahrdahl steps forward, “I will also be traveling with you for a spell. I fear the wild lands and seek protection of the group. For this, I offer this.” He opens a large pouch of smoked fish. It is easily many days worth, even for a group this size. “I had to get rid of much of my bait to fund this trip. It is all I can offer.”
Falco also drops his pouch. It has much in the way of dried rations including meat sticks, nuts and hard tack. It also has some fresh cheeses. “I heard a some of our defenders were going on a quest. You have all done much for us. This is my gift to you. Be safe of your journey.”
Breymeer picks up the pouch and ties it to Morwen’s horse.
Almon speaks next. “This,” pointing to the Phaulkon priest, “is Beltus. He arrived on the Shark Hunter. He has been appointed to the church at Tellar and will be traveling in your direction. He will accompany you as a blessing from Phaulkon until he reaches his destination. May Phaulkon bless your journey.”
Beltus introduces the other two adventurers. “This is Garmel. I met him on the Shark Hunter. He is also traveling to Tellar on family business. He is a warrior and servant of Phaulkon. He has agreed to accompany me and see that I arrive safely.”
Garmel adds, “I am from the Yeomanry area originally. My father has passed away and I bring the news to my brother at Tellar. I met Beltus aboard the ship.”
“I am from Irena from Onnwal. I met the others in port at Scant.” Plainly states Irena.
Beltus finishes, “She is traveling with us to get out and see more than the inside of a library.”
The group finishes up the introductions and small talk before departing north along the road. It is nearly 10:30 A.M. Falco, Almon and Armax wave goodbye and fair-the-well.
The road north to Grest passes out of Restenford and passes along the west edge of the cherry and apple orchards that grow on the southern slopes of Bald Hill. Several farmers are out inspecting the damage from the cold. They allow the party to take some of the hanging berries and apples that are damaged.
While gathering some fruit, Morwen engages Perk in conversation in elvish. Perk nods to her and smiles before thanking her. The curious manfolk eventually discover the lady elf was just informing Perk, the bowyer, that Tathar Surion learned the art of fletching from Pelo before the fletcher died in the raid. Morwen suggested Perk could ask him for assistance in making arrows if/when the Sehanine priest is available.
The road north, at this point, parallels the road to Farmin before it turns south. The Restin River lies between them. Both roads travel the west and north edge of the Krelman Hills. The party feels a little more secure from the humanoids having the river between the hill and the road. The Xerbo Mountains rise just north of the orchards and continue deep to the north and nortwest shadowing the road for parts of the morning.
The group travels through a small wooded section before crossing the East Branch Bridge over the eastern branch of the Restin River. The bridge is an unmanned old stone structure. The road continues up the eastern bank of the western branch of the river.
The Dwoemer Forest appears ahead on the east side of the road. The forest sits across the river from the draw between the Krelman Hills main rises. The road to Farmin turns south and travels through said draw.
The party spots a deer as they pass the Dwoemer Forest. Having plenty of food, they let the animal bound back into the forest. Soon thereafter, the group jumps a flock of birds from a large oak at the edge of the forest. The birds circle overhead, flying more like bats. They make a close pass and the group is unnerved to see they have very large, sharp looking tubular beaks. Stirges!
The threat of the animals quickly passes as they retreat from the party and enter the forest. Breymeer and Amos both watched the animals with peaceful calm. Amos says matter-of-factly, “Good that they were not overly hungry.” Breymeer nods in agreement.
The Dwoemer Forest is several miles in length but falls away behind the group soon enough. The Farmin Mountain foothills rise to the west and the Xerbo Mountains to the right. The group follows the river up the valley between the two ranges. The valley is filled with the Argo Forest. The Argo dwarfs the Dwoemer.
The party spends much of the day traveling through the Argo Forest. The road here is well defined if not a little less maintained. The forest is a typical mix of hardwoods and other deciduous trees. As the elevations increase into the mountains away from the road, birch, aspen and pines become more common. The river, alone with the clearing for the road, open a nice vein through the trees and offer a much less claustrophobic walk.
The road departs from the river for some time and the sound of the flowing water disappears into the distance. The natural sounds of birds and wind blowing through the leaves is comforting, even as the trees close in on both sides of the road. The day continues to warm and the clouds give way completely to the sun. The remaining snow will not last much more than a day or two.
As the Xerbo Mountains give way to the larger Trollheim Range, the road bends slightly more west; traveling away from the foothills of the Xerbos. Ahead, two forks of the river flowing out of the Trollheims must be crossed. The first, a small ford is used to cross the smaller branch followed by a bridge over the larger western branch of the West Restin River. The bridge, and small settlement there, is named Zerman’s Crossing. A welcoming inn, aptly named Zerman Inn, can be found there perfectly placed along the ride from Restenford to Grest. The settlement consists of the inn, just a couple of houses and a fortified guard building.
The adventurers gather the information about Zerman’s Crossing as given to them by the townfolk of Restenford. Amos, Zahrdahl and Perk have all passed through the settlement.
The group continues to ride west along the road. It breaks free of the Argo Forest; going along the lower foothills of the Trollheim Mountains. Ahead, and to the north side of the road, rises a rounded hill locally called Copper Rise. It is used as a landmark to some local mines. Its peaks is but a few hundred feet tall. The foothills behind the rise higher not much more than a mile to the north.
As the Copper Rise comes into sight, a side trail leads along the eastern edge of the Rise into the hills beyond. It is only roughly improved. Once the party is about 1/4 mile away, they notice the road is occupied by a large wagon drawn by four horses. There is a man with a boy sitting next to him on the seat and an outrider on a war horse. The wagon stops when they spot the party on the main road. The outrider begins to approach on his war horse. He is dressed in chain mail armor and a round shield hangs across his left leg. He holds a heavy crossbow in his right hand. It is pointed upwards toward the sky. On his left hip is a long sword in a scabbard. The snow white horse appears spunky and eager to run. He comes onto the main road and approaches to about 600 feet and stops.
Breymeer is walking point. The slow pace of the short legged halflings and gnome allow him a little time for a cursory search of the trail for unusual signs. Seeing the outrider stop, he continues forward. He places his hand axe on his belt and carries the battle axe mid haft to keep from looking too offensive. Keeping his off-hand free of a weapon also allows him a quick switch to his bow.
Amos, walking at the lead of the group, pauses to watch what happens next. He is dressed in studded leather armor. He has a scimitar on his belt along with a sling. A small sack of round stones is tucked into his belt next to the sling.
Gress walks near the front of the group but allows the Phaulkon priest, Beltus, and his companion fighter, Garmel, to walk ahead of him. Irena walks quietly behind the ogre.
Behind Irena is just ahead of the bait dealer, Zahrdahl.
Esned, Speck and C’mere all walk towards the rear.
Taking up the rear is Morwen on her riding horse and Perk, walking near enough to her to engage her in conversation. The two elves speak quietly among themselves in elvish.
Morwen prepares her horse for a quick movement should Breymeer be ambushed.
The mounted outrider waits nervously for Breymeer’s approach. He seems more likely to bolt than attack. Even though he is armed and mounted on a war horse, it appears the number of party members triggers the outrider’s wisdom of flight over fight.
Once Breymeer is about 50 yards away, the outrider hails the ranger. “Are you friend or foe of Sir Obestor, Knight of Castle Grest, Baroness Fairwind of Restenford or the Duchy of Kroten?”
Gress stands his ground and waits.
The two halflings step out from behind the group so they can see what is going on.
Morwen whispers to Perk as she covertly takes her bow and an arrow in hand, “You watch for ambush on the right side of the road, I’ll watch the left.”
Perk nods in acknowledgement and begins scanning.
Breymeer hails the outrider, “Sir Obestor is a welcome name to us. My companions and I seek council with Sir Obestor and lady Lilliana on an errand of ridding these lands of evil assassins that need to be put down. We are foe to no one unless they mean us harm. What say you take a short rest and assist us with much needed information of the area. We have meat if you’re hungry.”
The outrider smiles, “I am Jermellon.” He waves to the wagon and it starts forward again. “Those two are my sons, Kellian and Jermanto. We are simple minors on our way to Restenford to sell our ore. I accept your offer and will share what I know that will help you.”
He dismounts and waits for the wagon to tie off his horse. He hangs his crossbow off the saddle. It is still cocked.
Jermellon asks, “How is it you came into the company of the big fella there?” He nods in the direction of the party. Breymeer assumes he means Gress.
The wagon continues to come forward. It does appear to be loaded with ore. The older of the boys is a man of late teens or early 20s. The younger boy appears to be under 10 yoa.
The halflings grow noticeably excited at the prospect of opening up the food packs. They take ahold of them and begin to talk about several different options, spices, etc. This trails off into and endless banter as the two of them move towards Breymeer.
The party follows.
Morwen, seeing that Breymeer has conversed with the traveler and the wagon is moving up, relaxes her stance and stows her bow and arrow. Her riding horse ‘sneaky’ starts advancing to the front with no visible prodding from Morwen. The two seem to know each other well.
Breymeer tries to ease Jermellon’s nerves, “Gress is a trusted ally. He has been given citizenship status by the baroness.”
Jermellon awaits the rest of the party. It is obvious he remains alert for a sudden change in the group’s attitude.
Morwen reaches Jermellon and Breymeer first. She greets the traveler and introduces herself, “I am Morwen Alcerin, advisor to Baroness Andrella.”
Jermellon immediately gets a confused look on his face, “But . . . “
Morwen politely interrupts him, “Yes, Baroness Andrella. Her mother was recently murdered during an orc raid on Restenford. We seek the assassins the plotted the murder. Only a few of them remain.”
“I must get my family to safety.” Jermellon looks back nervously at his sons. “My wife and daughters are back at the mine yet.”
“I have been busy in the mine the last few days. I have not been to Restenford in weeks. I last came down from Grest about one week ago. I met some travelers heading north from Restenford. They were an odd group indeed. There was a man and a woman, an old lady, and their servant. If the man was not part orc then I am a hobgoblin. His woman remained covered with her hood and did not speak. The old woman also remained covered and silent. Their servant was a dwarf, no mistaking it. He carried most of their gear and walked behind them. They were travelling lightly. The man was armed with a mace and was wearing chain armor and a shield. The dwarf also wore armor, plate mail, and had a hammer on his belt.”
“They didn’t cause me much fear. They passed without making much conversation. They claimed to have come to port in Restenford and were travelling north. I didn’t push them for anything else. Man-orcs and hobgoblins are known to travel around the duchy. Duke Nebub allows them passage and employment. Many question the Duke’s policy, but I have to admit, I have felt pretty safe around the mine because of it. Duke Nebub punishes man or otherwise for misdeeds. In addition, Sir Obestor routinely sends patrols to Copper Rise and back to Grest.”
Jermellon looks at Gress, “Even you will find less trouble in passing through these parts.”
He and his boys enjoy some of the food provided. It is hard to tell who can eat more, the halflings or Jermellon’s boys. The halflings quickly win the race as Jermellon gives his son’s a fatherly look indicating they should keep their manners and not over eat the gift of food.
Gress grabs some more fish and between bites tells the halflings, “I’d eat it all. When I run out of food I look for anything I can catch to satisfy my great appetite.” He gives them a wink as he taps his belly.
“Goodman Jermellon,” begins Morwen, “I am sure you need not worry about your family any more than usual. It sounds as if Duke Nabub ensures the safety of his citizens as well as can be expected, and I doubt there is an increased risk here with regards to what happened in Restenford and Farmin. Those issues have been dealt with, and security is being re-established. You will find, however, that security is increased when you approach Restenford. Be patient and wise. I think your supplies will be well received!”
She takes up her baliset and serenades the party with music and soft song while they finish eating.
Jermellon and his sons finish eating, “I thank you for your kind words and the meal. I think I will head back and get the family anyway.”
He mounts up and the boys turn the wagon. They head back for the mines.
As the party is packing up and preparing to continue on their journey, a lone figure appears walking towards the group from the Restenford direction. He figure wears armor but no helm. He uses a glaive-gisarme as a walking stick. At first it appears to be an orc soldier but the closer he gets, it is clear he is human; hardly in his mid-teens. At that, he is large framed; the size of a man really.
When he gets close enough to show facial features, Zahrdahl sighs and lets out an expletive. “It is Spastic.” Perk recognizes the name and frowns.
As many of those around Zahrdahl fail to see the concern, the bait dealer continues, “He is a blowhard that lives in Restenford. His father is some type of sailor and never around. His mother was just killed in the orc raid.”
“The kid does nothing but talk crap and whine. He drives everyone nuts. He freaks out at the smallest slights. He has had his **** kicked often but he never learns. He was bad mouthing the militia, saying he would have killed all the orcs himself. One of the soldiers got wind of it. Gave him a whooping for his smart mouth he did.”
Spastic comes into the group, “Glad you not dead. Thought you’d be witt-out me and my axe.” He taps the glaive into the ground to show emphasis.
Spastic is in his mid-teens but a life of hard labor has given him the body of a strong man. His face, though boyish, is broken and scarred. His nose looks to have been recently broken (again). Some of his teeth are chipped. The look of his knuckles shows that he has landed a few blows himself. Many of his fingers are scarred.
The armor he wears is orcish scale mail. It appears he picked it off of a dead orc soldier. He has it secured on well enough but not correctly. His polearm is also of orcish origin.
“I am here to save you. Just like I saved Restenford from being taken.” He touches his tender nose and noticeably swollen lip. “They weren’t thanking me. I show them. I’ll save you now.”
“Thank goodness you remembered my food. I, ah, forgot mine.” He takes a fish and snacks on it. No one stops him because it shuts him up for the time being.
The group finishes packing and hits the trail again.
About supper time, the party comes to the first river crossing. Amos pushes the party to snack as it moves, “It is but 5 or 6 more miles to Zerman’s Crossing. Let’s push on through.”
The halflings let out a sigh of disappointment.
As the shadows grow long, Zerman’s Crossing comes into view. The bridge over the river is wooden but solid. It is wide enough to easily allow a loaded wagon to pass.
Two soldiers in battle dress are on the close side of the bridge. Seeing the party approaching, one of them runs back across the bridge. The party is still a little over a half mile out.
The party continues to approach. Soon there are ten soldiers on the bridge; one of them is on horseback. An eleventh and twelfth figure appear just a moment later. One is likely a dwarf.
When the party closes within shouting distance, some 300 feet, a command is given, “Send two forward unarmed.” The company on the bridge bears the pennant of Castle Grest.
From where the party stands, they can see all that is Zerman’s Crossing. All the buildings are on the far side of the bridge. There is a large guard house (50 ft x 60 ft) near the bridge on the north side of the road. Just behind it, on the south side of the road is the large inn (45 ft x 60 ft) and its unattached barn. Two other homes (both 25 ft x 30 ft) are located west of the inn, one on each side of the road.
Morwen looks to Breymeer to see he is going to move forward. Before anyone can react further, Spastic moves ahead to speak for the group.
Morwen moves her horse in front of him, “You should stay here. The orcish armor and your recent cuts, scratches and bruises might put the soldiers on edge.”
He responds, “Yeah, man! Let’s put her in charge.”
The halflings agree by nodding.
Breymeer speaks while Morwen dismounts and removes her sword, bow and quiver. “I am Breymeer. I am a Restenford Ranger serving Baroness Andrella. I ask that I be allowed to keep arms.”
“You may stay armed but keep your weapons secured. None other.”
Breymeer and Morwen walk forward cautiously.
An unarmored female and the dwarf step forward to greet them. They meet about 50 feet from the bridge.
The human has a shield on her back and a short sword and dagger on her belt. She is dressed in loose clothing; a green long sleeved top and brown pants over boots. She has several throwing knives on a bandolier across her shoulder and a light rope hangs from a loop on her belt near the dagger.
The dwarf is dressed in fine chain mail. He carries a battle axe and has a hand axe on his belt. He wears leather gloves.
The female speaks, “I am Lieutenant Abella of Grest. I serve Sir Obestor, Lord of Castle Grest. This is Zeepus Gardo, Guardian of Zerman’s Crossing. The soldiers behind me all serve Lord Obestor. Who are you and what is your business?”
Morwen introduces herself, “I am Morwen Alcerin, advisor to Baroness Andrella.” She pauses and waits for Breymeer to continue; allowing him to be the voice for the party.
Spastic’s immaturity shows through as he becomes impatient, “This is bullshit.” He begins to walk to the conference at the bridge; taking a step forward. He has a tight grip on his polearm.
Gress stands his ground leaning on his shield with his large sword over his shoulder. He has a ‘give me space or I will run over you like a runaway bull’ look to him.
Amos moves quickly to Spastic and places a hand on his shoulder staying his movement, “Easy lad. The soldier mean no harm but will react poorly to your impulsiveness. Save you spite for the enemy. These soldiers are our friends. They just need to make sure we are their friends as well. Give the ranger and the elf a chance to speak. There will be fight enough in your life, you don’t have to get it all out today.”
The group of soldiers consist of the lieutenant, the dwarf, a priest of Phaulkon, and nearly a dozen soldiers. Two of the soldiers wear chain mail indicating they may be of higher rank. The rest wear studded leather or leather armor. Many have shields. They carry a variety of swords, bows, axes and an occasional flail, spear or crossbow. Those with shields have alternating thick stripes of dull brown and yellow emblazoned on them matching the lord’s pennant.
The priest wears chain mail but does not have the bumble bee coloration on his shield.
“We come as friends to the Lord and Lady of Gress on behalf of Baroness Andrella,” starts Breymeer, “We seek to rid these lands of thieving assassins and a meeting with Lord Obestor would be a great help to us. We also seek the knowledge of Flibin, if that name is familiar to you.”
The lieutenant looks Breymeer over, “I do not recognize you though I do not pretend to know all the Rangers. I do recognize Amos and know he would not travel with questionable sorts so you word is good with me.”
“The others may approach but must wait with our soldiers outside. You wish to speak with Lord Obestor is hereby granted. He is just inside the guardhouse.”
She turns and the soldier’s immediately respond by making a path.
The dwarf gives a hearty shout to the waiting group from Restenford, “Eh there lads, come over and rest!”
The lieutenant and the dwarf lead Breymeer and Morwen forward. The priest waits to fall in behind.
The guard house is 50 feet deep and 60 feet wide. Its walls are made of stone and measure a foot thick. There is a single front door that is iron reinforced. Inside, it is double barred. The building has a series of arrow slits on the first floor. Each is 4 wide inches by 20 inches tall with bars across them. There are four on the north wall, two on the south and two on each the east and west walls.
The group approaches the guard house, the door is unbarred and opened. Breymeer and Morwen are led into the guard house. There appears to be no danger to them. The rest of the party is not allowed in but are treated to small talk in the yard in front of the guard house. Two soldiers, the ones wearing chain mail, stand before the door of the building. The third soldier, along with the dwarf and Phaulkon priest, enter the building with Breymeer and Morwen.
Inside, Breymeer and Morwen find a central common room with a hearth and cooking equipment. There are two large tables with six chairs around each. Four other rooms fill the rest of the building. Three are living quarters and the fourth is a cell.
Just inside of the door, one to each side, are two guards in studded leather armor with shields and holding spears. Each has a short sword on his belt.
Sitting behind one of the tables are three obviously important men. The first wears no armor. He is dressed in fine clothing and much jewelry including gold rings, bronze bracers and a gold necklace. An engraved bronze shield leans against the table next to him. His long sword and dagger are inscabbards on his belt. He is approaching middle age but appears very fit. His eyes show a man of intellect and wisdom. He appears to be a true leader. This must be Lord Obestor.
Next to him, showing a family resemblance, is a man in his 20s. He is obviously Obestor’s son. He is dressed in a bronze breastplate over bronze chain mail. He also has an engraved bronze shield next to him. He is armed with a long sword and two daggers. He has a silver ring.
The third man is in his 30s. He is a large, physically strong man. A warrior who wears a serious demeanor. He wears very find chain mail armor and has a shield. He has a long sword and dagger. A great helm rests on the table next to him.
The soldier and dwarf guide Breymeer and Morwen before the table, asking them to remain standing. The soldier and dwarf take up positions behind them.
The priest stands to the right side of the table.
Lord Obestor addresses the Ranger and advisor. “I am Sir Obestor, Lord of Castle Gress. This,” he nods to his son, “is Obarim, my son. My Captain here,” now indicating the warrior with the helm, “is Sir Gregis.”
“The dwarf behind you is my friend Zeepus Gordo. He is in charge of the security of Zerman’s Crossing. The priest is Pevin. He is also stationed here at Zerman’s Crossing.”
“I received the terrible news from Baroness Andrella. I am marching this company to Restenford to aid in security. What news do you have?”
The lieutenant, Abella, appears to be the highest ranking officer outside. She does not say anything in regards to Gress, the party’s half-ogre, but she does keep an eye one him. Not judgmentally; more out of caution for his size and potential danger.
With her is a sergeant, Yarmin. He does not wear armor either. A dull brownish grey cloak is worn over a long sleeve black shirt and dark brown trousers. He is armed with a shield and long sword. Two axes hang from his belt.
The rest of the guards, those dressed in leather or studded leather armor, relax. Some begin smoking pipes, drinking from their waterskins or nibbling some dried meat. All remain armed but appear comfortable enough around the party to let their guards down.
Just up the street, the smell of cooking catches the party’s attention; especially the halflings. The Zerman Inn sits slightly west of the group and across the street of the guard house. Dusk has set in and a hot meal will taste good.
The inn is 45 feet deep and 60 feet wide. It has a stone foundation and first floor. The second floor is made of wood. There are twelve 6x20 inch windows on the first floor. Each has three horizontal iron bars and resemble arrow slits. The second floor has twelve 10x20 inch window frames that are shuttered. The shutters can be swung open. The door is wood with iron reinforcement.
Morwen bows deeply the table, taking note that they did not even stand, as gentlemen, at the arrival of a lady. "Lord Obestor, I am Morwen Alcerin, Advisor to the Baroness Andrella. I, Restenford Ranger Breymeer, and our group outside have been sent by the Baroness in pursuit of those believed to be responsible for the awful raid. They fled Restenford and a good traveler named Jermellon informed us that people meeting their description have passed this way."
Breymeer confirms Morwen’s statement, “We are searching for Tellish and Arrness and a mace they stole from the Phaulkon Abbey. We hoped Flibin might be able to assist us.”
Lord Obestor answers, speaking in a tone of respect albeit with the air of a nobleman, “Flibin is back at Grest. He, Carlton and Brilman arrived and briefed me in regards to the raid. They have stayed on at the castle in my absence to assist Lady Lilliar with security and operations.”
“The group you speak of are unknown to me but someone may have laid eyes on them in Grest. I encourage you continue on in the morning. It is but one day’s journey from here.”
Lord Obestor finishes, “My men and I will be getting up very early and riding on for Restenford. Please stay out of our way. I do not wish to delay as I would like to check on the mine settlement while enroute to Restenford. We are staying in the inn but the inn keeper, Zerman, will find somewhere dry for you. I would suggest you leave after I do while the sun is up. You would be safer in full daylight. My scouts have detected some activity in the Trollheim Mountains. I may be nothing but I would be on guard. Especially with civilians travelling with you. Good luck.”
With that, Breymeer and Morwen are shown the door.
The party reunites outside. Although not as common in Restenford and Farmin, the soldiers and guards from Grest appear to have a few women in their numbers. Including the lieutenant, there are half dozen women in the troop.
Lt. Abella tells Morwen as she exits the guard house, “The women among you may share one of the rooms reserved for us at the inn.” She looks at Breymeer and smiles politely, “The barn may be the best Zerman has to offer for the menfolk.”
Spastic mumbles to Gress with a smile on his face, "Finally, some action." He moves over to one of the female soldiers and tries a poorly planned line, “Anyone ever confuse you for a man?”
She replies dead pan, “No, how about you?”
Spastic flashes red with anger but knows enough not to push the issue. He retreats back to Gress and mutters something derogatory about woman under his breath.
Breymeer turns as he exits the building and thanks Lord Obestor, “We fear no danger and need not wait for daylight to travel. Thank you for your concern and valuable time.”
Gress gives a hardy chuckle at Spastic getting roasted and says outloud, “I guess you earned that one. She’s got wit and fire. Better let her be, if she’s as good with her blade as her wit, I will be getting first call on your rations!”
The female warrior calls back smiling, “I am better with the blade.” You can tell she has been around rough men for some time.
The inn, somewhat of a fortified stronghold as described, has its common room on the main floor. The common room has six large octagonal tables with eight chairs around three of them and six around the other three. There is a bar and six stools. A large staircase leads to the 2nd floor where six more rooms rental rooms.
The rooms have two beds, a small table and two chairs in each room. Six pegs are in the wall by the door to hang items from. Each room door can be barred from the inside. The outside windows (arrow slits) can be shuttered and locked. Also, a leather piece can be hung in front of the window as opposed to shuttering it. There is room on the floor for one more person to sleep; two would be possible but a little crowded.
The innkeeper meets the party outside as they approach. A group of the soldiers has followed them to the inn. It does not appear that they are watching them. By their behavior, they have been released to eat and prepare for bed.
“I am Zerman, the fourth of his name.” He is a human male in his 40s. He appears a capably sturdy man. He is dressed chain mail armor and has a broad sword scabbarded on his belt along with a hand axe. The armor appears to be very well maintained but old; likely a family heirloom. He has two cases of heavy crossbow bolts on a leather strap that hangs across his back. Instead of shoes, he wears leather boots. The group later discovers his shield and heavy crossbow are leaned against the wall behind the bar. This is obviously no simple bar owner. He treats his bar as a frontier outpost and appears very serious about its security.
“Welcome to Zerman crossing! My wife, Utopus, has just finished making some venison roasts and a couple of game birds. She has beets, sweet potatoes, bread, honey and of course, beer.”
Utopus appears in the doorway behind her husband. She is a human female also in her 40s. She is an attractive woman. The now familiar symbol of Kord, the Suel deity of warriors, hangs upon her neck. She has a smile that quickly sets the party at ease.
Utopus welcomes the groups inside, “All is ready. Come and find a seat, our servants will be glad to help you.”
Zerman tells the adventure group, “My rooms are all taken for the night by Lord Obestor. For the inconvenience, I offer you free stay in my barn. Go now and offload you extra gear before supper. But, please, for the security of Zerman’s Crossing, keep your arms on you. There has not been a raid by humanoids or bandits for some time but as an outpost, they are not unheard of.”
Zerman finishes by addressing Morwen, “My dear maiden, the horse boarding will cost 1sp. There should be an open stall or two. You may use one if it suits you.”
The group does as directed. The barn is on the same side of the street as the inn and just west of it. The barn has 12 stalls. Two of them contain draft horses. One stall contains a cow. Eight other stalls are taken up by the Lord’s horses. Two of the Castle Grest guards remain in the barn with the horses.
There is also a heavy-duty wagon with the appropriate tack parked in the barn. It hasn’t moved for many days and obviously doesn’t belong to Lord Obestor. The two soldiers guarding the horses appear to have laid out their sleeping rolls in the wagon.
A ladder leads up to the hay loft where the party finds an area free of hay large enough to keep them warm and dry for the evening.
The party offloads some of their gear and returns to the inn. The town only consists of two other buildings. A house across from the inn, the party is told, belongs to the inn’s staff, Kester and his wife, Omala, along with their two children, a 9 year-old son and 6 year-old daughter. The farm house is 25 ft x 30 ft. It is a solid wooden building with a heavy wood door. The four windows are similar to the inn windows, more like arrow slits. The outer windows have glass panes that can be swung open. A couple acres near the house have been tilled for crops. They raise wheat, potatoes and squash. Near the house are three tomato vines.
The final house is similar to the servant’s but unoccupied. It has fallen into disrepair. It remains intact but is getting structurally unsound as rot has created holes in the roof. Water damage has sped up its demise.
Once back inside the inn, the party looks for an open table. The soldiers have taken up the bar and four of the tables. One of those tables seats Lord Obestor, his son and ranking officers (the captain, lieutenant and sergeant).
The party takes two of the six-chair tables and places their orders.
Kester and Omala stay busy serving the large crowd. He wears studded leather armor and has a short sword and hand axe at his side. She wears leather armor and carries a short sword, hand axe and a sling with a pouch of stones. They both look as if they have had to use them in the past. They are not overly strong but have the build and endurance of the frontier folk. When asked about the ruined house, Kester gets a sad look on his face. “They were lost to an orc raid out of the Argo forest years ago. No one moved in after them. May they rest in peace.”
Irena takes the lieutenant up on her offer to stay with them in the inn. Immediately after eating, she retires to her room to read. Garmel and Beltus do not try and make excuses for her. That is just her way.
Gress and the halflings eat hardily and the whole group enjoys a good meal. Amos, Zahrdahl and Perk talk together about Restenford, rebuilding and moving forward after the raid.
After eating Morwen begins to play her baliset. She plays a few quiet songs of the elves during the rest of the meal but picks up the tempo a bit afterwards. She switches to the tavern songs of men that she has learned and soon the drinks flowing and everyone in the common room enjoys her music.
Morwen is a very talented musician. The average elf has musical talent well beyond what most humans can think of achieving. It becomes quickly apparent that Morwen is better than the average elf. With a half hour, she has the crowd in a drinking mood and cheering her on.
Even Lord Obestor and his son appear to be impressed by her talent.
No one pays any attention at first, or strangely notices he has been gone for a while. Spastic has joined some soldiers at the bar and is trying to goad them into drinking heavily. The gal he verbally sparred with earlier is there as well. Spastic quickly has drank two or three to their one. The command staff appears to be trying to keep a lid on the drunkenness as they march out before sunrise.
Spastic laughs with the soldiers as he gets more and more intoxicated. He commends the female soldier on her wit and rejoins his group with a smirk on his drunken face. He quickly falls into listening intently to Morwen’s music.
Even Lord Obestor appears greatly impressed. During a break between songs, he hails her from his table, “Lady Morwen, Advisor to Baroness Andrella, I do beg of you to call upon my castle should you come through Grest. You’re talents are beyond compliment.”
He then calls to Zerman, “Dear sir, my mood is generous. I shall pay for these kind traveler’s meals and drink. Even the young fella there.” He points to Spastic. “Young man, should you find you like the soldier life, come and see my captain. When you become a man, we may have a place for you. If you can find a way to stay your tongue from causing trouble that is.” He gives a slight smile to the over-eager drunken Spastic.
“My soldiers must rest for we have a hard days march tomorrow. Zerman, would you kindly clear the bar early as we retire to our rooms for rest.” Zerman nods and he quickly sends his servants out to begin cleaning the bar.
Lord Obestor, after some calculating from Zerman, pays the bill and the entire soldiery retires for the evening.
The soldiers keep two guards in the stable overnight and the guardhouse is manned 24/7 by the locals. Lord Obestor supplements the guard house with four more of his soldiers. The soldiers in the barn and guard house are rotated out every few hours.
The party is allowed to finish its meal and drinks and are then shown the door. Morwen is welcomed into the lieutenant’s chamber. The elf is given the honors of a bed. “You have much talent. Thank you for bringing such joy to my soldiers and guards. Sleep well. We will try and be quiet when we gear up in the morning.”
Morwen, being an elf, does not require much sleep. She does not wish to insult the lieutenant’s gift so the elf rests upon the bed. The Baroness should be happy her neighbor lord has taken well to her away team. Lord Obestor will arrive in Restenford with a positive attitude towards the new leadership of Baroness Andrella.
Morwen and Irena, although both in different rooms, stay overnight in the inn. The rest of the party sleep in the loft in the barn.
Very early in the morning, long before sun up, the soldiers gear up and march out of town.
Morwen looks to Breymeer to see he is going to move forward. Before anyone can react further, Spastic moves ahead to speak for the group.
Morwen moves her horse in front of him, “You should stay here. The orcish armor and your recent cuts, scratches and bruises might put the soldiers on edge.”
He responds, “Yeah, man! Let’s put her in charge.”
The halflings agree by nodding.
Breymeer speaks while Morwen dismounts and removes her sword, bow and quiver. “I am Breymeer. I am a Restenford Ranger serving Baroness Andrella. I ask that I be allowed to keep arms.”
“You may stay armed but keep your weapons secured. None other.”
Breymeer and Morwen walk forward cautiously.
An unarmored female and the dwarf step forward to greet them. They meet about 50 feet from the bridge.
The human has a shield on her back and a short sword and dagger on her belt. She is dressed in loose clothing; a green long sleeved top and brown pants over boots. She has several throwing knives on a bandolier across her shoulder and a light rope hangs from a loop on her belt near the dagger.
The dwarf is dressed in fine chain mail. He carries a battle axe and has a hand axe on his belt. He wears leather gloves.
The female speaks, “I am Lieutenant Abella of Grest. I serve Sir Obestor, Lord of Castle Grest. This is Zeepus Gardo, Guardian of Zerman’s Crossing. The soldiers behind me all serve Lord Obestor. Who are you and what is your business?”
Morwen introduces herself, “I am Morwen Alcerin, advisor to Baroness Andrella.” She pauses and waits for Breymeer to continue; allowing him to be the voice for the party.
Spastic’s immaturity shows through as he becomes impatient, “This is bullshit.” He begins to walk to the conference at the bridge; taking a step forward. He has a tight grip on his polearm.
Gress stands his ground leaning on his shield with his large sword over his shoulder. He has a ‘give me space or I will run over you like a runaway bull’ look to him.
Amos moves quickly to Spastic and places a hand on his shoulder staying his movement, “Easy lad. The soldier mean no harm but will react poorly to your impulsiveness. Save you spite for the enemy. These soldiers are our friends. They just need to make sure we are their friends as well. Give the ranger and the elf a chance to speak. There will be fight enough in your life, you don’t have to get it all out today.”
The group of soldiers consist of the lieutenant, the dwarf, a priest of Phaulkon, and nearly a dozen soldiers. Two of the soldiers wear chain mail indicating they may be of higher rank. The rest wear studded leather or leather armor. Many have shields. They carry a variety of swords, bows, axes and an occasional flail, spear or crossbow. Those with shields have alternating thick stripes of dull brown and yellow emblazoned on them matching the lord’s pennant.
The priest wears chain mail but does not have the bumble bee coloration on his shield.
“We come as friends to the Lord and Lady of Gress on behalf of Baroness Andrella,” starts Breymeer, “We seek to rid these lands of thieving assassins and a meeting with Lord Obestor would be a great help to us. We also seek the knowledge of Flibin, if that name is familiar to you.”
The lieutenant looks Breymeer over, “I do not recognize you though I do not pretend to know all the Rangers. I do recognize Amos and know he would not travel with questionable sorts so you word is good with me.”
“The others may approach but must wait with our soldiers outside. You wish to speak with Lord Obestor is hereby granted. He is just inside the guardhouse.”
She turns and the soldier’s immediately respond by making a path.
The dwarf gives a hearty shout to the waiting group from Restenford, “Eh there lads, come over and rest!”
The lieutenant and the dwarf lead Breymeer and Morwen forward. The priest waits to fall in behind.
The guard house is 50 feet deep and 60 feet wide. Its walls are made of stone and measure a foot thick. There is a single front door that is iron reinforced. Inside, it is double barred. The building has a series of arrow slits on the first floor. Each is 4 wide inches by 20 inches tall with bars across them. There are four on the north wall, two on the south and two on each the east and west walls.
The group approaches the guard house, the door is unbarred and opened. Breymeer and Morwen are led into the guard house. There appears to be no danger to them. The rest of the party is not allowed in but are treated to small talk in the yard in front of the guard house. Two soldiers, the ones wearing chain mail, stand before the door of the building. The third soldier, along with the dwarf and Phaulkon priest, enter the building with Breymeer and Morwen.
Inside, Breymeer and Morwen find a central common room with a hearth and cooking equipment. There are two large tables with six chairs around each. Four other rooms fill the rest of the building. Three are living quarters and the fourth is a cell.
Just inside of the door, one to each side, are two guards in studded leather armor with shields and holding spears. Each has a short sword on his belt.
Sitting behind one of the tables are three obviously important men. The first wears no armor. He is dressed in fine clothing and much jewelry including gold rings, bronze bracers and a gold necklace. An engraved bronze shield leans against the table next to him. His long sword and dagger are inscabbards on his belt. He is approaching middle age but appears very fit. His eyes show a man of intellect and wisdom. He appears to be a true leader. This must be Lord Obestor.
Next to him, showing a family resemblance, is a man in his 20s. He is obviously Obestor’s son. He is dressed in a bronze breastplate over bronze chain mail. He also has an engraved bronze shield next to him. He is armed with a long sword and two daggers. He has a silver ring.
The third man is in his 30s. He is a large, physically strong man. A warrior who wears a serious demeanor. He wears very find chain mail armor and has a shield. He has a long sword and dagger. A great helm rests on the table next to him.
The soldier and dwarf guide Breymeer and Morwen before the table, asking them to remain standing. The soldier and dwarf take up positions behind them.
The priest stands to the right side of the table.
Lord Obestor addresses the Ranger and advisor. “I am Sir Obestor, Lord of Castle Gress. This,” he nods to his son, “is Obarim, my son. My Captain here,” now indicating the warrior with the helm, “is Sir Gregis.”
“The dwarf behind you is my friend Zeepus Gordo. He is in charge of the security of Zerman’s Crossing. The priest is Pevin. He is also stationed here at Zerman’s Crossing.”
“I received the terrible news from Baroness Andrella. I am marching this company to Restenford to aid in security. What news do you have?”
The lieutenant, Abella, appears to be the highest ranking officer outside. She does not say anything in regards to Gress, the party’s half-ogre, but she does keep an eye one him. Not judgmentally; more out of caution for his size and potential danger.
With her is a sergeant, Yarmin. He does not wear armor either. A dull brownish grey cloak is worn over a long sleeve black shirt and dark brown trousers. He is armed with a shield and long sword. Two axes hang from his belt.
The rest of the guards, those dressed in leather or studded leather armor, relax. Some begin smoking pipes, drinking from their waterskins or nibbling some dried meat. All remain armed but appear comfortable enough around the party to let their guards down.
Just up the street, the smell of cooking catches the party’s attention; especially the halflings. The Zerman Inn sits slightly west of the group and across the street of the guard house. Dusk has set in and a hot meal will taste good.
The inn is 45 feet deep and 60 feet wide. It has a stone foundation and first floor. The second floor is made of wood. There are twelve 6x20 inch windows on the first floor. Each has three horizontal iron bars and resemble arrow slits. The second floor has twelve 10x20 inch window frames that are shuttered. The shutters can be swung open. The door is wood with iron reinforcement.
Morwen bows deeply the table, taking note that they did not even stand, as gentlemen, at the arrival of a lady. "Lord Obestor, I am Morwen Alcerin, Advisor to the Baroness Andrella. I, Restenford Ranger Breymeer, and our group outside have been sent by the Baroness in pursuit of those believed to be responsible for the awful raid. They fled Restenford and a good traveler named Jermellon informed us that people meeting their description have passed this way."
Breymeer confirms Morwen’s statement, “We are searching for Tellish and Arrness and a mace they stole from the Phaulkon Abbey. We hoped Flibin might be able to assist us.”
Lord Obestor answers, speaking in a tone of respect albeit with the air of a nobleman, “Flibin is back at Grest. He, Carlton and Brilman arrived and briefed me in regards to the raid. They have stayed on at the castle in my absence to assist Lady Lilliar with security and operations.”
“The group you speak of are unknown to me but someone may have laid eyes on them in Grest. I encourage you continue on in the morning. It is but one day’s journey from here.”
Lord Obestor finishes, “My men and I will be getting up very early and riding on for Restenford. Please stay out of our way. I do not wish to delay as I would like to check on the mine settlement while enroute to Restenford. We are staying in the inn but the inn keeper, Zerman, will find somewhere dry for you. I would suggest you leave after I do while the sun is up. You would be safer in full daylight. My scouts have detected some activity in the Trollheim Mountains. I may be nothing but I would be on guard. Especially with civilians travelling with you. Good luck.”
With that, Breymeer and Morwen are shown the door.
The party reunites outside. Although not as common in Restenford and Farmin, the soldiers and guards from Grest appear to have a few women in their numbers. Including the lieutenant, there are half dozen women in the troop.
Lt. Abella tells Morwen as she exits the guard house, “The women among you may share one of the rooms reserved for us at the inn.” She looks at Breymeer and smiles politely, “The barn may be the best Zerman has to offer for the menfolk.”
Spastic mumbles to Gress with a smile on his face, "Finally, some action." He moves over to one of the female soldiers and tries a poorly planned line, “Anyone ever confuse you for a man?”
She replies dead pan, “No, how about you?”
Spastic flashes red with anger but knows enough not to push the issue. He retreats back to Gress and mutters something derogatory about woman under his breath.
Breymeer turns as he exits the building and thanks Lord Obestor, “We fear no danger and need not wait for daylight to travel. Thank you for your concern and valuable time.”
Gress gives a hardy chuckle at Spastic getting roasted and says outloud, “I guess you earned that one. She’s got wit and fire. Better let her be, if she’s as good with her blade as her wit, I will be getting first call on your rations!”
The female warrior calls back smiling, “I am better with the blade.” You can tell she has been around rough men for some time.
The inn, somewhat of a fortified stronghold as described, has its common room on the main floor. The common room has six large octagonal tables with eight chairs around three of them and six around the other three. There is a bar and six stools. A large staircase leads to the 2nd floor where six more rooms rental rooms.
The rooms have two beds, a small table and two chairs in each room. Six pegs are in the wall by the door to hang items from. Each room door can be barred from the inside. The outside windows (arrow slits) can be shuttered and locked. Also, a leather piece can be hung in front of the window as opposed to shuttering it. There is room on the floor for one more person to sleep; two would be possible but a little crowded.
The innkeeper meets the party outside as they approach. A group of the soldiers has followed them to the inn. It does not appear that they are watching them. By their behavior, they have been released to eat and prepare for bed.
“I am Zerman, the fourth of his name.” He is a human male in his 40s. He appears a capably sturdy man. He is dressed chain mail armor and has a broad sword scabbarded on his belt along with a hand axe. The armor appears to be very well maintained but old; likely a family heirloom. He has two cases of heavy crossbow bolts on a leather strap that hangs across his back. Instead of shoes, he wears leather boots. The group later discovers his shield and heavy crossbow are leaned against the wall behind the bar. This is obviously no simple bar owner. He treats his bar as a frontier outpost and appears very serious about its security.
“Welcome to Zerman crossing! My wife, Utopus, has just finished making some venison roasts and a couple of game birds. She has beets, sweet potatoes, bread, honey and of course, beer.”
Utopus appears in the doorway behind her husband. She is a human female also in her 40s. She is an attractive woman. The now familiar symbol of Kord, the Suel deity of warriors, hangs upon her neck. She has a smile that quickly sets the party at ease.
Utopus welcomes the groups inside, “All is ready. Come and find a seat, our servants will be glad to help you.”
Zerman tells the adventure group, “My rooms are all taken for the night by Lord Obestor. For the inconvenience, I offer you free stay in my barn. Go now and offload you extra gear before supper. But, please, for the security of Zerman’s Crossing, keep your arms on you. There has not been a raid by humanoids or bandits for some time but as an outpost, they are not unheard of.”
Zerman finishes by addressing Morwen, “My dear maiden, the horse boarding will cost 1sp. There should be an open stall or two. You may use one if it suits you.”
The group does as directed. The barn is on the same side of the street as the inn and just west of it. The barn has 12 stalls. Two of them contain draft horses. One stall contains a cow. Eight other stalls are taken up by the Lord’s horses. Two of the Castle Grest guards remain in the barn with the horses.
There is also a heavy-duty wagon with the appropriate tack parked in the barn. It hasn’t moved for many days and obviously doesn’t belong to Lord Obestor. The two soldiers guarding the horses appear to have laid out their sleeping rolls in the wagon.
A ladder leads up to the hay loft where the party finds an area free of hay large enough to keep them warm and dry for the evening.
The party offloads some of their gear and returns to the inn. The town only consists of two other buildings. A house across from the inn, the party is told, belongs to the inn’s staff, Kester and his wife, Omala, along with their two children, a 9 year-old son and 6 year-old daughter. The farm house is 25 ft x 30 ft. It is a solid wooden building with a heavy wood door. The four windows are similar to the inn windows, more like arrow slits. The outer windows have glass panes that can be swung open. A couple acres near the house have been tilled for crops. They raise wheat, potatoes and squash. Near the house are three tomato vines.
The final house is similar to the servant’s but unoccupied. It has fallen into disrepair. It remains intact but is getting structurally unsound as rot has created holes in the roof. Water damage has sped up its demise.
Once back inside the inn, the party looks for an open table. The soldiers have taken up the bar and four of the tables. One of those tables seats Lord Obestor, his son and ranking officers (the captain, lieutenant and sergeant).
The party takes two of the six-chair tables and places their orders.
Kester and Omala stay busy serving the large crowd. He wears studded leather armor and has a short sword and hand axe at his side. She wears leather armor and carries a short sword, hand axe and a sling with a pouch of stones. They both look as if they have had to use them in the past. They are not overly strong but have the build and endurance of the frontier folk. When asked about the ruined house, Kester gets a sad look on his face. “They were lost to an orc raid out of the Argo forest years ago. No one moved in after them. May they rest in peace.”
Irena takes the lieutenant up on her offer to stay with them in the inn. Immediately after eating, she retires to her room to read. Garmel and Beltus do not try and make excuses for her. That is just her way.
Gress and the halflings eat hardily and the whole group enjoys a good meal. Amos, Zahrdahl and Perk talk together about Restenford, rebuilding and moving forward after the raid.
After eating Morwen begins to play her baliset. She plays a few quiet songs of the elves during the rest of the meal but picks up the tempo a bit afterwards. She switches to the tavern songs of men that she has learned and soon the drinks flowing and everyone in the common room enjoys her music.
Morwen is a very talented musician. The average elf has musical talent well beyond what most humans can think of achieving. It becomes quickly apparent that Morwen is better than the average elf. With a half hour, she has the crowd in a drinking mood and cheering her on.
Even Lord Obestor and his son appear to be impressed by her talent.
No one pays any attention at first, or strangely notices he has been gone for a while. Spastic has joined some soldiers at the bar and is trying to goad them into drinking heavily. The gal he verbally sparred with earlier is there as well. Spastic quickly has drank two or three to their one. The command staff appears to be trying to keep a lid on the drunkenness as they march out before sunrise.
Spastic laughs with the soldiers as he gets more and more intoxicated. He commends the female soldier on her wit and rejoins his group with a smirk on his drunken face. He quickly falls into listening intently to Morwen’s music.
Even Lord Obestor appears greatly impressed. During a break between songs, he hails her from his table, “Lady Morwen, Advisor to Baroness Andrella, I do beg of you to call upon my castle should you come through Grest. You’re talents are beyond compliment.”
He then calls to Zerman, “Dear sir, my mood is generous. I shall pay for these kind traveler’s meals and drink. Even the young fella there.” He points to Spastic. “Young man, should you find you like the soldier life, come and see my captain. When you become a man, we may have a place for you. If you can find a way to stay your tongue from causing trouble that is.” He gives a slight smile to the over-eager drunken Spastic.
“My soldiers must rest for we have a hard days march tomorrow. Zerman, would you kindly clear the bar early as we retire to our rooms for rest.” Zerman nods and he quickly sends his servants out to begin cleaning the bar.
Lord Obestor, after some calculating from Zerman, pays the bill and the entire soldiery retires for the evening.
The soldiers keep two guards in the stable overnight and the guardhouse is manned 24/7 by the locals. Lord Obestor supplements the guard house with four more of his soldiers. The soldiers in the barn and guard house are rotated out every few hours.
The party is allowed to finish its meal and drinks and are then shown the door. Morwen is welcomed into the lieutenant’s chamber. The elf is given the honors of a bed. “You have much talent. Thank you for bringing such joy to my soldiers and guards. Sleep well. We will try and be quiet when we gear up in the morning.”
Morwen, being an elf, does not require much sleep. She does not wish to insult the lieutenant’s gift so the elf rests upon the bed. The Baroness should be happy her neighbor lord has taken well to her away team. Lord Obestor will arrive in Restenford with a positive attitude towards the new leadership of Baroness Andrella.
Morwen and Irena, although both in different rooms, stay overnight in the inn. The rest of the party sleep in the loft in the barn.
Very early in the morning, long before sun up, the soldiers gear up and march out of town.
The elves, Morwen and Perk, and even the half-elf, Amos, do not remain in bed after the departure of the soldiers.
Morwen picks at her instrument and hums a melody to herself. She is pleased with the response to her music the night prior.
Perk and Amos quietly stow their belongings and creep down into the main floor of the barn. Above them, Gress snores loudly.
The outer barn door opens and the servant lady, Omala, enters. She has crossed the street with a milk bucket in one hand and a hooded lantern in the other. She bids the elves a quiet good morning as she walks to the pen that holds her cow. She locates her stool and puts it in place and hangs her lantern nearby. Plopping down, she begins milking the cow. It gives out a low moo in response.
Upstairs, Breymeer hears the commotion and opens his eyes but remains in his warm blanket. The other warrior, Garmel, rolls to his side as he begins to wake up; monitoring the noise down below for trouble.
Beltus, the priest, gathers himself up and moves a few paces away from the others so as not to disturb them. He begins to pray and meditate quietly.
It is still nearly an hour before the sky begins to lighten before the coming of the sun.
It promises to be a decent day for travel other than the wind. The temperature hangs in the high 40s and promises to warm with the sunrise. Very few clouds block out the stars. The wind blows strong and steady across the small outpost. It varies between 15 and 20 mph out of the eastern highlands.
Omala finishes her milking. She sets her stool to the side and pats her cow on the rump, “Good girl Zee, good girl.”
She reaches up and takes her lantern off its hook. Night has not given way to dawn yet. It remains dark outside.
At that moment, the barn door is thrown open and a line of humanoids begin to charge into the barn. The move with the grace of trained warriors.
They are very large and muscular, standing between six and seven feet in height. The dark red hide is covered with reddish-brown hair. Each has a red nose. Their eyes show a dull yellow or dark brown in the lantern light. Their sharp fang-like teeth are yellowed. Hobgoblins!
They wear various assortment of plates over leather for armor. It is clean and polished. They leather is died black. The lead two carry a dagger in each hand which they are preparing to throw. Behind them, stacked just beyond the door, are several others. The next two to the door have maces in their weapon hand.
Their approach was silent, covered by the outside wind. They don’t pause for pleasantries.
Omala shrieks at the sudden attack.
In the loft above, everyone is jolted to attention by Omala’s scream.
In the inn, Morwen, awake, hears the scream as well.
(In addition to previously described info, the barn has two exterior doors, both facing the street. One is a single man door of normal wood. The second is a large double door for allowing animals in. Each of the double doors is 4 feet wide and 8 feet high (total openening 8x8). The man door is to the right (west) of the double door. So, if facing the barn from the street, it is on the right of the double door. If in the barn looking out, it is on the left.
Once in the barn, 8 stables line the east side of the barn. Each stable is 10 feet deep and 8 feet across. The remaining 4 stables are on the back of the west wall. The start at the back wall and come toward the front 32 feet. They are also 10x8. There is a 10 foot wide walkway in the center of the barn between the stables. In front of the west stables is an entrance area. It is 20 feet wide (from west wall to east stable) and 16 feet deep (from west stable to front of barn. Tack, equipment, shovels, hay forks, etc hang on the west wall. The wagon is backed in against the west wall at the end of the west stables. It is above the way where the trap door enters the loft. Both the man door and the double door are equipped to put heavy boards in place to bar them closed.
The loft is 48x30 as well with a roof that slants in to a peak (like a barn roof). The back 30 feet is taken up by a hay stack (rather loosely piled). The only two entrances to this loft are the trapdoor in the floor (4 feet x 4 feet) and the hay door that opens above the double doors below. They are of similar design (two doors, each 4x8 for a total opening of 8x8). These doors are simply barred on the inside to hold them closed. The bar is just a light board nothing reinforced.)
At the guard house, the hobgoblin unit along the river succeeds in sneaking up on the sentry posted on the bridge. His name is Lesvindell. He falls upon the bridge under a hail of thrown daggers. Three find their mark in his torso. He doesn’t even get out a warning. Two of the hobgoblins take up his position. They slit his throat to ensure he is dead.
The horde turns the corner where the more experienced guard, Borgcal, sees them. He gives a shout of warning and falls back into the guard house. Before he can shut the door, he is also cut down under a hail of daggers. One in the eye, one in the neck and the third is in his chest. He falls dead with the door ajar. The attack group reaches the door before it can be secured. The lead hobgoblin pauses to run his sword into Borgcal’s body.
At the inn, Morwen, having already been awake, exits her room into the hallway. The hall is dark. She struggles to see even with her elf vision in the dark hall; lit only by the quarter moons Luna and Celene coming through the arrow slit at the end of the hall by her door. Only because of her low light vision can she make her way safely door the hall at a reasonable pace. She begins to move towards the common room, making her way down the curved hallway. She reaches the door to the stairway down to the common room and opens it. She moves through the door and most of the way down the stairs. She pauses at the bottom landing. She heard something shatter against the front inn door.
Outside the inn, through the small slit of a window at the base of the stairs, Morwen can see a squad of hobgoblins have formed up at the door. One stands directly in front of the door. They have formed skirmish lines on either side of the door, blocking the street. Between the lines, one holds a torch illuminating the group slightly.
Other than Morwen, no one else at the inn appears to be awake.
At the barn, the hobgoblins move in similar fashion as the inn excepting the door is already open and the assault has entered. In the street behind the entry team, the hobgoblins have formed skirmish lines in the street. Between the skirmish lines is a hobgoblin with a torch.
A second entry team, consisting of four hobgoblins, has stacked up in front of the door to the servant’s house.
Down on the main floor of the barn, the hobgoblins enter and immediately engage the two elves, Perk and Amos (half-elf), as well as Omala. Omala is caught off guard and it takes a moment for her to recover. Amos draws his scimitar. Perk, being too close to use his bow, remains unarmed.
Perk attempts to tackle the lead hobgoblin as it moves in to bash Omala with its mace. He fails to knock the strong humanoid down but does knock him off path and his mace swings harmlessly short of the farm lady.
The second mace wielding hobgoblin closes on Amos. The half elf parries its blow with his scimitar and cuts him deeply along his weapon arm (5, 1/6) rendering it nearly unusable. The hobgoblin soldier takes the mace into his off hand to continues its assault.
Two more enter the room but are unable to engage in the melee yet. More stand outside.
Above, in the barn loft, Gress is one of the first to act. He goes to the large double doors used to put hay in the barn. He unbars them and opens them wide. Below him are four hobgoblins, including the one holding the torch.
As soon as the barn door opens, the torch holder points to Gress and lowers the torch. He puts flame to two Molotov cocktails his partner next to him holds.
Breymeer and Spastic are surprised by the sudden scream below them. The react slower than the other warrior in the loft. Garmel moves to the trapdoor. Seeing the battle below, he immediately begins to descend. He reaches the barn floor as the second wave of hobgoblins are moving in to attack.
C’mere takes out two throwing knives and Speck arms himself with his bow. They sneak up to the now open hay doors and take a position, one on each side. C’mere on the west and Speck on the east.
Beltus finishes his praying and moves in a bit behind Gress trying to look out.
Esned arms himself with his bow and covers the trapdoor. He remains near the back of the group evaluating his next move. The merchant, Zahrdahl, also remains in the back of the loft.
At the guard house, the bugbears make entry through the front door after the guard was killed trying to secure it. Over half a dozen charge into the building. Three remain posted outside with a fourth standing in the open doorway.
At the inn, Morwen sounds the alarm. She shouts at the top of her lungs, “We are under attack!” She runs back up the stairs, taking her bow in hand and nocking an arrow. She runs down the western hallway banging on the four doors she finds there. The eastern hallway holds only two rooms, the one she was in alone and the other that Irena was staying in with the remainder of the female guards.
No one appears to respond behind any of the four doors in the eastern hallway. Morwen reaches the end of the hallway where a leather flap hangs over a 10 inch by 20 inch window. The window has no glass. Instead it has three horizontal steel bars running across it to prevent egress and ingress. A sturdy shutter hangs open to the side of the window. It has a small wooden bar that can be used to bar the shutter closed. All the windows of the inn are of similar design expect the main floor windows are only 6 inches across, not 10.
Irena shouts from the eastern hall, “I hear you Morwen!” Morwen hears the light steps of the human female slowly down the hall towards her. “I looked out the window. Something is attacking the guard station!” Irena looks very excited as she rounds the curved hallway and comes into Morwen’s view. Irena is using the wall to move as she cannot see very well at all. “I can’t see like you! Do I dare give us some light?”
On the lower level of the inn, Zerman begins shouting orders to his son, Zerpus, “Arm yourself boy! Hold them off under the stairwell!”
“I have a target father! They are attacking the guard house as well! Look and see!” The sound of a bow string grabs the attention of the hobgoblin guarding the road west of the guard shack. Zerpus shot in the dark but accidentally hit one of the horizontal bars in his window nearly sending the arrow into his arm. “Dammit!”
The front door of the inn continues to rot and decay as the entry team outside waits impatiently.
At the barn, the battle heats up.
“Aw sh*t! Now what are we going to do, man?” calls out Spastic. Breymeer scrambles down the trap door, axe in hand bellowing a war cry.
“Maybe one of them killed my ma!” shouts Spastic as he follows Breymeer down the hole, trying to do so while awkwardly dragging his glaive down with him.
Esned and Zahrdahl remain to the rear. Zahrdahl looks nervous while Esned keep is bow ready to cover anything coming up the trap door after allowing Breymeer and Spastic their safe exit.
C’mere lets fly two of his throwing knives, aiming for the hobgoblin holding the Molotov cocktails. His first knife finds the inside of its let leg and cuts the femoral artery in two. The goblinoid drops to the ground and begins to bleed out very quickly taking an arrow from Speck as it falls. To make matters worse, he drops one of his flaming bombs and it bursts into flames that soon engulf the its body. It screams away the end of its life.
Specks second arrow sticks into the ground near the torchbearer.
Beltus moves up behind Speck to look over the halfling’s head and out the barn’s upper hay doors.
Without warning, Gress jumps out of the loft into the street as Beltus moves up. The armored half-ogre lands on top of the hobgoblin standing in front of the stable doors (1, 5/6). The hobgoblin is knocked back. It trips over the burning body of the downed hobgoblin and lands on its back in the burning oil (3, 2/6).
On the main floor of the barn, the hobgoblins continue to force their way in. Two, each with a broad sword, move in, one towards the trap door and the other towards Omala.
Omala throws her pail of milk towards the attacking hairy beast that closes in on her. It dodges the bucket. She ducks under the sword in a manner betraying previous combat skill.
Amos cuts down the previously wounded goblinoid with a stroke of his scimitar.
Perk attempts to keep himself close to the remaining hobgoblin with the mace. He moves in to grapple. The hobgoblin pushes him back with his free hand. Perk only just barely manages to avoid the crushing blow from the mace.
Breymeer is descending the trap door ladder as Garmel moves in to block the attack from the one with the broad sword moving to the trap door. Garmel’s long sword and the hairy goblinoid’s broad sword meet. Garmel’s grip fails and his sword is knocked free, landing at the base of the trap door ladder as Breymeer’s feet hit the floor. “Help me bring him down Breymeer!”. Garmel appears ready to pounce unarmed onto the foe that disarmed him.
Spastic makes it half way down the ladder before he is stalled by the melee before him. His only move from here is back up, stay stationary or climb onto the back of the parked wagon.
At the guard house, the bugbears break into the bedrooms.
Jesvin, one of the more experienced guards, allows his door to be opened. As soon as the is able, he runs his spear through the opening. The hobgoblin warrior parries the blow with his large sword. The parry knocks the spear downward. The hobgoblin trips on it trying to enter the room. He is forced to catch himself on the door frame. Jesvin is unable to draw blood but he does manage to keep the melee confined to the doorway therefore facing only one enemy.
Kebbus, in the next bedroom over, does not plan so well. His door is pushed opened and the hobgoblin charges into his room. Kebbus has flipped his bed near the corner of the room. He has armed himself with his bow and lets fly with an arrow. It flies errant. The hobgoblin moves up and drives its blade into Kebbus’ neck (6, 3/9) knocking him back against the wall and dropping him to a knee. He drops his bow and clutches his neck with one hand while feebly trying to draw his short sword with his other.
In the third bedroom, Pevin, the priest, and Zeepus, the dwarf, mount a more tactical defense. Zeepus hides by the door with his battle axe ready while Pevin takes a throwing hammer in hand. As the hobgoblin enters, Pevin throws his hammer while uttering a prayer. The hammer begins to glow with a white light. As it reaches the hobgoblin, it responds to Pevin’s commands to attack. The hobgoblin blocks the hammer with its sword but exposes itself to Zeepus’ axe. The axe head buries itself into the goblinoids abdomen spilling its guts (5, 1/6). The hobgoblin warrior tries to strike down the dwarf but Zeepus knocks the blow off target with the butt of his axe handle.
The raiders continue to hold the guard house common room and the street outside.
At the inn, Morwen tells Irena to light what she needs but to stay out of the light as it will draw fire from the enemy if they come in.
Morwen opens the stairwell door and moves down towards the common room once more. She reaches the bottom landing as the door rots away and crumbles.
Irena follows Morwen onto the stairwell. She pauses near the top landing and begins an arcane incantation. When she is finished, the chair closest to the exterior door illuminates with a magical light the intensity of a torch.
The light catches Morwen off guard but it is not bright enough to stun or blind her.
Zerman takes up his heavy crossbow, already cocked and loaded, and moves into the hallway ahead of Utopus, his wife. Zerman moves to the window and looks for a target.
Utopus heads to the west end of the hallway and cracks open the door looking out into the common room, “We are still clear Zerman!”
Zerpus continues firing his bow towards the hobgoblins watching the street outside the guard house. His first arrow nicks the western guard in the neck (2, 4/6). It makes a break for the protection offered by the guard house. Zerpus’ second arrow strikes it in the back, killing it.
Across from the barn, the four hobgoblins continue to try and bash their way through the front door. The inside bar breaks under the combined weight of two heavy goblinoids. Kester immediately begins firing upon them with a short bow. His first arrow strikes the door frame. The bow string snaps as he draws back the second arrow.
In the street before the barn, Gress begins to lay waste to all before him.
The torch bearer uses the fire to keep the half-ogre at bay.
The other two sentries turn on the half-ogre and move to attack. Gress cleaves into the first hobgoblin with his six-foot sword cutting him through the ribs clear to the spine. He kicks its body off his blade was he turns and bashes the burning hobgoblin back down into the flames as he tries to stand. The third, and final, sentry slashes at Gress with its blade, missing. It draws up its shield to block the ogre’s two-handed sword. Gress drives the point straight through the shield and into its neck, killing it.
From the house across the street, two of the hobs charge Gress. He uses his huge shield to block the attack from the one on the west. The one coming from the east beats his defenses and hacks at his head. Gress stops most of the blow with his sword but the axe cuts him (7, 27/34).
Inside the barn, Omala withdraws from the hob as Amos moves in to block its pursuit of her. She holds the lantern high to help illuminate the fight for those without low light vision.
Amos blocks the hobgoblin’s broadsword but slips on spilled milk nearly falling over.
Garmel tries to latch onto his opponent. He is knocked backward but manages to avoid taking a blow from its broadsword.
Breymeer remains blocked from the battle.
Perk is able to grab the breastplate of the mace wielding hob as it swings at the elf. Perk stays in close and the blow is too weak to hurt him. The hobgoblin angrily pushes back, breaking Perk’s grip.
Spastic climbs onto the wagon and hops to the front of it. From there, he jumps to the ground and charges the hob facing Amos trying to impale it with his glaive-guisarme. His target dodges the clumsy attack. Spastic falls in line with Perk and Amos to continue battling in the melee.
Esned moves up to the trap door and tries to find a target for his bow. The melee is too intermingled so he holds his shot. He remains at the trap door with an arrow nocked.
The halflings look at each other and then back to the burning grenadier below. They hold off further attack as Gress moves about slaying his foes.
Beltus peaks around the corner over Speck’s head. “There are a couple of ‘em moving up from the east!”
Those that can see outside, C’mere, Speck, Gress and Beltus, can see three of the hobgoblins from the front of the inn are moving towards Gress. Two of them take out throwing daggers. The third is armed with a heavy bow.
The bowman takes aim at C’mere. The heavy shaft arrow flies into the loft and sticks in the wooden post by the halfling’s head with a dull ‘thud’.
At the guard house, the town defenders try and turn the tide of battle.
Jesvin takes a blow to his abdomen from the hobs oversized sword giving him a long slash and nearly knocking the wind out of him (9, 12/21). He drops his spear and instinctively clutches his stomach with one hand while backpedaling into the room. Being unarmed, he tries to draw his short sword. He has lost the advantage of the doorway.
A second raider enters the room and lays into Jesvin’s left thigh with its battle axe (3, 9/21) dropping him to his hands and knees.
Things take a fatal turn for Kebbus as the second hobgoblin joins the battle. Kebbus tries to call for help as he draws his short sword and blocks a blow from his initial opponent. The second hob comes along the side of the bed and drives its two-handed sword through the defender’s chest, silencing him. The two hobgoblins give a victorious shout.
In the third bedroom, Zeepus the dwarf curses, “I’ll kill ya sons-a-bitches!” as his axe cuts down the hob in his doorway. A second hobgoblin raider attempts to enter. It takes a glowing hammer to the head and an axe blow to its guts. It too doubles over dead in the doorway giving the dwarf and the priest a moment to evaluate the situation.
The hobgoblin standing in the doorway of the exterior door mutters a sinister prayer and Zeepus stops moving as he looks out into the common room. As it casts is spell, it ignores the two arrows and a heavy crossbow bolt that pound the stone building near the area around the doorway. They were fired by the inn owner and his son from the inn.
The hobgoblins at the inn make entry.
They are immediately met by Morwen’s arrows as she fires from the stairwell. She sticks the first shaft into the lead hobs left thigh (6, 20/26). He is a noticeably stronger than the others. He wears banded mail armor and carries a shield and a heavy spear. He rips the arrow from his leg (1. 19/26) as he strides angrily towards the elf archer. Morwen nocks another arrow as the goblinoid barrels towards her.
From the upper landing, a stream of sticky fibers shoot forth from Irena’s open palms. They coat the floor, table, chairs, exit door and walls near the door in a thick mass of sticky fibers. One hobgoblin is held fast in the door frame while a third is able to jump clear back out into the street.
The lead invader, leaps forward onto the stairs and avoids the mass of sticky fibers. Morwen fires a second arrow at him but he deflects it with his shield. He turns, using his momentum, and chucks his heavy spear up the stairwell at Irena, striking her in the right leg (7, 9/16). She legs out a scream as the heavy shaft knocks her leg out from underneath her. She collapses onto the upper landing.
Seemingly satisfied, the huge hob begins to draw a large broadsword from his scabbard as he faces down Morwen. She stands on the lower landing just 5 feet from him. An evil leer freezes on his face. A quiet prayer whispered from the dark doorway under the stairwell holds him fast in his tracks.
Utopus, the inn owner’s wife, gives her thanks to Kord as she emerges from the doorway holding a decorated mace. She is no doubt a cleric of the Suel deity Kord.
The hobgoblins in front of the inn change tactics. The two throwing daggers move west down the street towards the barn. They continue to throw daggers as they move. Behind them, the bowman moves and shoots. Following them, the torch bearer and a grenadier bring up the rear. The grenadier has two lit grenades.
Two other hobgoblins remain in front of the inn. One watches the street while the other attempts to free his companion stuck to the webbing in the doorway.
In the barn loft, C’mere ducks back behind the door post that took the arrow. With wide eyes of surprise, C’mere looks over at Speck and silenty mouths, “Wow!”
Speck smiles and nods back. While C’mere uses the cover to arm himself with his bow, Speck continues to fire arrows at enemy targets.
Speck fires into the back of one of the hobgoblins that just busted down the door to the farmhouse across the street before it could enter the building.
Kester, the resident farmer, meets the assault at the front door with his short sword and hand axe. Kester drives his hand axe down into the first hobs head. Already suffering from the arrow in its back, the hob drops under the blow, mortally wounded.
The second hob immediately engages Kester with two swords, one long, one short. Kester parries the short sword with his own blade but takes a cut along his right arm from the hob (6, 14/20). The sting of the blow causes Kester to retract his arm before he can deliver his own punishment. The sound of metal on metal continues as the two battle savagely in the doorway.
Across the street, in front of the barn, Gress continues to deliver his punishment to the hobs. Gress blocks his westerly opponents attack and cuts it down with a mighty blow from his massive sword.
The eastern opponent and Gress get tangled up. The hobgoblins sword slips behind Gress’ shield and gets stuck in the strapping that holds the shield to his arm. Neither can shake themselves free.
On the other side of the burning corpses, the torch bearer tosses his lit torch into the open loft. He fails to throw it far enough to hit the main hay piles. It falls short on the floor in front of Zahrdahl. The merchant quickly runs to it and picks it up while trying to stamp out any stray sparks and flames.
The torch bearer pulls a mace from his belt.
The approaching horde in the street targets the half-ogre with their missiles. One of the throwing daggers catches Gress’ sword arm giving it a slight cut (3, 24/34).
Inside the barn, on the main floor, the broad sword wielding hob lays into Garmel. It cuts through his chain mail slicing open the inside of Garmel’s right thigh (10, 19/29, crit, ½ move, major bleed). Blood instantly begins spurting out.
Garmel, showing the steel of a trained warrior, remains able to fight. He shouts back to Breymeer to take his place as he attempts to withdraw.
Breymeer is only too eager. The Restenford Ranger quickly steps ahead of Garmel. Breymeer knocks the hobgoblin down with a blow from his dwarven hand axe to the brute’s shoulder. The ranger finishes it off by dropping his battle axe down fully through its ribs and into its chest.
Perk continues to try and grapple his foe. Neither can gain an advantage and Perk avoids being clubbed by its mace.
Spastic manages to drive his glaive-guisarme into the hob’s left calf (5, 1/6) The blow trips it up and drops it to its knees. “YEAH! How do you like that? You kill us and we kill you back!” shouts Spastic as the hob drops.
Amos fails to take advantage of the situation as it ducks under a killing stroke from his scimitar.
Back in the loft, Esned calls out to Beltus, “Garmel is in danger!”
Beltus runs for the trap door, “Grave danger?”
Garmel answers from below, “Is there any other kind?”
Esned, still looking for a target, allows the priest to pass by. Esned can see the vast amount of blood being pumped from Garmel’s leg.
At the guard house, Pevin begins to pray for a spell against the hob in the entrance doorway. Before he can finish his prayer, the vile shaman calls upon his own deity’s aid. Pevin stops his prayer. Now ignoring the shaman, Pevin looks around the guard house trying to formulate a plan.
From the second bedroom, two hob warriors emerge. Pevin shuts the bedroom door as they turn in his direction.
In the first bedroom, Jesvin fights for his life. From his knees, he draws his short sword plunging it forward towards his initial foe while dodging his body sideways to avoid the arc of the battle axe. Jesvin avoids the axe but misses his target with his sword. The initial hob cuts a large gash across Jesvin’s scalp (6, 3/21). The warrior is beginning to lose hope as his vision begins to blur.
Outside the guard house, the two sentries take defensive positions from the snipers at the inn. One takes cover behind the corner of the building. The other below the river’s bank near the bridge. The shaman simply steps into the guard house a step further.
In the inn, Zerman and his son watch for targets to the east. Zerman reloads his heavy crossbow.
Morwen drives her blade into the motionless muscled hobgoblin’s neck killing it instantly. Utopus cancels her spell and the massive hob drops dead to the floor, “Kord would be proud of such a warrior’s strength.” Utopus approaches Morwen as the elf tries to figure out a way through the webbing to get to the one trapped in the doorway. It is no use, the webbing is much too thick and sticky.
Utopus looks sincerely at Morwen, “Thank you.”
Irena holds her damaged leg as she drags herself over to the edge of the stairwell, “Are we safe?”
In the street before the barn, the troop moving up from the east separates. The bowman makes a move to the corner of the farmhouse across the street. He fires at C’mere as he moves. The heavy shaft thuds into the barn’s outer wall near the halfling. The heavy steel point sticks through the wood.
The grenadier and the torch bearer also move to the southeast corner of the farm house. They take arrows from the halflings as they move for cover. C’mere’s first arrow misses the torch bearer. Speck’s first arrow strikes the bearer in the foot (1, 5/6).
C’mere’s second arrow strikes the bowman in the left thigh (3, 6/9) while Speck strikes him in the abdomen (5, 1/9). The bowman appears mortally wounded but continues to nock his heavy arrows to the bowstring.
The torch bearer hides around the corner while the grenadier throws his deadly missiles. The bomb misses the open loft doors but strikes the barn to the west of the doors. It breaks open spilling a burning substance down the exterior of the wooden barn’s second level.
Gress continues to battle two hobgoblins as two more from the approaching troop charge in and join the battle. Gress steps to his left and back towards the open door to the barn. The hob on Gress’ left flank maintains its position and moves with him. The hob on his right swings its battle axe finds his blow deflected by Gress’ armor. The blow deflects off and downward into the hob’s leg, grazing it slightly (1, 5/6). To make matters worse, it is prevented from moving after Gress as the half-ogre changes locations. The fire burning in the street prevents it from pressing the attack.
The half-ogre is able to dodge, block or parry all of the blows excepting one from the newly arriving raider carrying a footman’s pick. It comes around the fire to his left flank and drive’s the pick into Gress’ left foot (5, 19/34) making the ogre very angry.
Gress slays both attackers on his left flank with quick strokes of his blade. The half-ogre now squares himself to his final foe. He has an open left flank and the barn on his right. Gress has piled up a line of a half-dozen enemy bodies in short order.
In the barn, Garmel continues to spurt blood as he retreats into the back of the wagon (2, 17/29). He clasps both hands onto his leg to try and slow the bleeding.
Beltus climbs down through the trap door and jumps onto the wagon next to Garmel. He quickly examines the injury as blood continues to cover them both.
Esned maintains his sniper post above while Breymeer charges forward towards the door, “Come meet your death, evil scum!”
Perk finally manages to take down the hobgoblin before him. Breymeer lops off its head as the ranger passes it by. Breymeer makes it to the doorway and looks out into the street. He can see Gress continuing the fight one hob and Kester battling another in the farm house door across the street. A third stands near the fire in the middle of the street. From the southeast corner of the farm house, the grenadier and bowman fire missiles into the loft above.
Spastic and Amos lay into the sole remaining hobgoblin in the barn. Already wounded, the hob finds difficulty in protecting itself. Amos slashes open its hairy hide at the shoulder while Spastic moves up and kicks the brute onto its back. Spastic drives his glaive-guisarme into its chest pushing the blade clean through its back and pinning it to the floor. Its lungs empty of air, bubbling up through its bloody wound.
Spastic shouts triumphantly, “Take that you stupid dead piece of garbage!”
Amos admonishes him kindly, “We have more enemy in the street and wounded friends to care for. Do not waste your time gloating young man. Let’s get back into the fight.”
Omala picks up the dead hob’s broadsword. “Help me save my husband and children!” With lantern in one hand and sword in the other, she moves towards Breymeer in the doorway.
At that moment, Kester and his opponent continue to battle through the open door of the farmhouse with neither gaining the upper hand or landing a telling blow.
Jesvin loses his fight and his life. As he engages one hob in sword play from his knees, the other drives its battle axe down into Jesvin’s head. The room grows black and he falls dead upon the guard house floor.
The victors turn to exit the bedroom.
Pevin quickly shuts the bedroom door and drags Zeepus’ unmoving body down if front of it. As he is about to try and get some furniture, the two hobs in the room crash into the door. Pevin is able to hold it shut. He pushes with all his might to keep it closed knowing full well death follows for both he and Zeepus if he fails. Pevin begins to pray.
The shaman makes a run for the inn. As soon as he hits the street, Zerman and Zerpus begin to fire upon him.
Zerman makes an excellent shot striking the shaman in the lower left leg (8, 11/19). Zerpus does not aim at him at all. Zerman shouts at his son to shoot but Zerpus fails to act. Zerman swears in his frustration.
The shaman arrives at the front of the inn and regroups the raiders located outside the building.
Inside the inn, Morwen ascends the stairs and helps Irena bandage her leg. The elf remains vigilant of the doorway for any changes or threats. Irena thanks the elf.
Utopus comes out from under the stairwell and takes up a defensive position at the bottom of the stairs. She also watches the door.
At the farmhouse, Kester continues to trade feints, parries, blocks and blows with the hobgoblin in the doorway to his home. Kester cuts the hob along the right thigh deeply with his short sword (5, 1/6). Kester is able to avoid being hit in return. The blow drives the hobgoblin out of the doorway. Kester quickly moves up to continue the engagement.
In the street between the farmhouse and the barn, Gress steps to his left over the growing pile of bodies. He now stands on the north side of the street, closer to the farmhouse. From his new location, he begins to engage the hobgoblin fighting Kester and the other that was using the first to keep the half-ogre at bay.
The hobgoblin near the fire lets out a sigh and steps up to fight with Gress. The half-orge dodges the attack.
Breymeer, seeing the flames above the door are not serious in nature, steps to his left and takes cover behind the door. He takes out his bow and nocks the black arrow.
The hobgoblin bowman fires upon C’mere again. This time the halfling is not as lucky. The heavy arrow strikes C’mere in the chest. Only his superior dexterity keeps him alive. The halfling is able to twist his body just before impact. The broadhead rips through his clothing and skin (6, 12/18).
C’mere takes cover behind the loft door post and examines his injury. Speck stops firing his bow and looks over in horror to his cousin. C’mere pats himself a few times and discovers he is ok. He gives Speck a thumbs up and both halflings peak out looking for more targets.
Meanwhile, the grenadier lobs on of his cocktails through the loft doors. It flies a little farther than intended and lands on a hay stack. The burning bottle begins to light the hay on fire but the bottle did not break.
Zahrdahl shreaks, “We have a fire starting in the hay mound boys!” The merchant bee-lines for the trapdoor down.
Esned has already climbed down the trapdoor and joins Beltus in bandaging Garmel. Garmel is soaking rags with blood about as fast as they can put them on the wound (2, 15/29). Beltus begins to pray to Phaulkon to save the deity’s brave warrior.
Breymeer fires his obsidian arrow. It flies true, as appears to be its nature. It strikes the grenadier in the chest seconds after he had lobbed his deadly missile. The grenadier drops dead upon his back. A pack upon his back begins to show discoloration from a liquid spill.
A hobgoblin from the street engages Breymeer before he gets another arrow nocked. It had previously been fighting the half-ogre but does not pursue it across the row of dead comrades. It cuts the ranger across the torso lightly (4, 36/49).
Omala is the next to the door. She bashes the offender with the mace she picked up. She strikes it across the neck (4, 2/6) and knocks it back out of the doorway and away from Breymeer. “Glad to help,” she smiles as she passes by into the street.
Spastic quickly understands that Amos is correct. Wrenching his glaive-guisarme from the dead hobgoblin, using his foot to hold the body to the floor, Spastic looks up, “Which way?” Seeing Omala bash her way into the street, he quickly follows suit and runs for the door with Amos following suit.
Perk stays back catching his breath.
Pevin continues to hold the door closed against the determined hobgoblins. Hey buys Zeepus and himself a few more moments of life.
The other two hobs in the building, after watching Jesvin die, walk back out into the common room and watch their fellow raiders attempt to break down the door.
At the inn, Morwen moves down the stairs and begins moving tables and chairs in front of the web covered door. Utopus quickly jumps in to help. Irena wiggles her way to the top of the landing so she can see down.
The hobgoblins are able to pull their companion from the webbing in the inn’s doorway. The three of them turn, at the urging of the shaman, and charge those coming out of the barn into the street. The shaman moves up slower. He stops at the northwest corner of the inn and watches.
At the farm house, Kester is slashed across his abdomen (8. 6/20). Kester grits his teeth and knocks the blade away with his short sword before it can gut him. Before the hobgoblin can recover, Kester slams his hand axe into its chest felling it.
The final hobgoblin facing Gress goes into defensive mode. It matters not, as Gress lays hard into him with his large sword. He runs the hob through the chest before retracting his blade and lopping off its head. As the body falls lifeless to the street, Gress peers around for any other foe.
Battling in the barn door are a sword wielding hob and Omala. Backing her up is Spastic with his polearm. The hob cuts Omala across her left upper arm (5, 8/13). Spastic jabs his polearm into the hob’s right arm preventing it from another blow. The polearm nearly flays the muscle from its upper arm. It cries in pain until Omala crushes its head with her mace.
Breymeer sees an opening and fires and arrow. He swears as his hurried shot flies wide right.
The three charging hobgoblins come into view but Breymeer fails to strike either of them as well.
Speck fires another volley at the hobgoblin archer. While trying to fire the first arrow, the string slips from his hand and the arrow disappears up into the night sky. Speck puts another arrow to string and leans out to fire. The hob archer was waiting for him and fires upon the halfling. The large arrow barely nicks Speck’s left side below the ribs (1, 32/33). The halfling returns fire and sinks his arrow into the hob’s pelvis. It drops, mortally wounded, and bleeds out.
Meanwhile, C’mere runs to the back of the barn and picks up the unbroken Molotov cocktail. He burns his hand slightly as he does so (1, 11/18).
Zahrdahl begins to try and smother the small, but spreading, fire.
Two of the charging raiders attack Gress. Between his shield and lengthy sword, he keeps the onslaught at bay.
The third moved quickly up the barn wall and catches Omala off guard as she steps into the street. Kester, her husband, can only scream in horror as the hobgoblin drives his pick deep into her guts (7, 1/13). The blow sends her reeling backwards holding her guts with her free hand and the mace in her weapon hand.
Spastic sees the farm maiden knocked back out of the view of the doorway.
Above, the fire on the side of the barn burns itself out.
The torch bearer digs out a jar from the downed grenadier’s pack and lights it.
Beltus asks Phaulkon to heal his warrior. Garmel’s wounded leg begins to bleed less under the priest’s healing touch (+5, 20/29). Although his leg still drips blood (1, 19/29), the immediate threat to his life has ended.
Back in the loft, just as the merchant has satisfied himself the fire in the hay is out. The torch bearer chucks a second Molotov cocktail through the open barn doors and onto the floor before the hay. This time the bottle breaks and flames quickly spread across the wooden floor and into the loose hay.
The merchant turns to run as he quickly calculates this fire is beyond his ability to control.
The torch bearer pays for his action. Speck, firing just a moment too late, puts an arrow into the torch bearer’s throwing arm.
C’mere was moving forward as the incoming flaming bottle went over his head. He reaches the open barn doors and takes aim at the torch bearer. With the halfling’s stereotypical aim, he hits the torch bearer in the neck with the bottle. It bursts open on its armor and coats the hob with flaming liquid. The hob drops first to his knees, trying to scream through the painful flames. As death takes him, he drops forward to the soil.
In the street, the shaman calls out loudly and flees into the darkness. It must have been a retreat order as the hobs begin a fighting withdrawl.
Gress continues to melee with the two hobs that charged him. They fail to hit the half-ogre. Gress cuts a chunk of armor off the first hob and bashes the second one’s head in with his shield as they back up.
Spastic charges out of the barn, glaive-guisarme leveled before him. He screams while he runs forward. The blade of the polearm fails to cut through the hobs armor but Spastic is able to muscle the large beast backwards several feet.
Breymeer steps out behind Spastic and puts and arrow into the backpedaling foe. The arrow catches the hob right between the eyes and it drops on its back. Spastic drives his polearm down into the beast for good measure, screaming profanities the entire time.
The shaman disappears behind the barn before Breymeer can take aim of him. The only other hob target quickly acquired is mostly covered by the large framed Gress. Breymeer dares not release the arrow for fear of hitting the half-ogre.
Now that Beltus and Esned have Garmel’s bleeding under control. They wrap it tightly in bandaging. Perk watches for trouble while they continue to aid the downed warrior.
At the guardhouse, one of the hobgoblin look outs breaks cover and runs to the inn door. He repeats the shaman’s order into the building. He immediately begins to take incoming arrows from the inn owner and his son.
The heavy crossbow bolt flies just past his face as he runs for the door. The first arrow from the son sticks into the guardhouse door.
After shouting the orders, the hobgoblin runs for the river. Zerpus’ second arrow buries itself into the hob’s spine, felling it.
From out of the guardhouse pours the surviving hobgoblins. Four raiders flee to the river and run north into the darkness. The fifth hobgoblin, hiding by the bridge, also flees into the darkness.
The next section of the adventure was played by tabletop. I will summarize.
Breymeer decided to try and track the hobgoblins through the mountains.
Morwen rode south to try and catch up to Lord Obestor.
An elven ranger named Isaweil arrived. He had been trying to track Arrness and Tellish after they fled from the area of Restenford. He reported coming across evidence of a large amount of hobgoblins (numbering in the hundreds) in the vicinity. Isaweil joined the group.
The group moved north to Grest and warned the town of a possible impending attack from the army of hobgoblins. No attack came.
After the party departed, Morwen returned with Lord Obestor and half of his men. The return of Lord Obestor put a stick in devious plans to raid the castle. Morwen then departed north to catch up to the group.
To make matters worse for the doer of vile deeds plans, Breymeer arrived a day later in Grest. On approach to town, he came across the bandits camped in the woods. Determining they were unfriendly, he made his way into town. In town, he spoke to some castle guards at the inn and told them of the bandits outside of town. The bandits plan was scrapped and they vacated the area.
The party moved onto Tellar. Enroute, they were ambushed by two ettins. The half-ogre Gress and Spastic were killed in the battle. The party continued onto Tellar and warned that town of a possible raid.
The following day, the party traveled back to try and find the ettin's lair. They were able to track their way to a cave in the mountains. After a battle with momma ettin and her cave bear, the party discovered very little treasure. There was a golden chalice that matched one C'mere remembered from Farmin Castle. The party pondered how the castle and the ettins were tied together. They slew all the ettins and had no answer.
During the battle, Morwen and Isaweil were critically injured. Morwen suffered a compound fracture of her left leg and Isaweil suffered a severe head injury.
The party returned to town to seek help leaving Isaweil, Morwen and the gnome priest Esned in the cave. They were lucky enough to have a small group of dwarves rescue them. They were able to get back to the road to Tellar.
Markus, a half-elf priest of of Kord, had joined the party. Markus, Speck and C'mere (halfling cousins) find themselves in the inn at Tellar while the rest of the party was trying to rescue Morwen and company from the ettin cave.
Meanwhile, Breymeer befriended those at the Phyton Abbey. He is gifted a magical transport by them using an enchanted rug. He and the Phyton ranger arrive in Tellar in the stream. They head to the inn.
At the inn, Breymeer confronts a duo that enters the inn. The duo is a priest of Kord and the dwarven weaponsmith traitor from Farmin. The priest had escaped the raid on the Farmin castle. During the confrontation, the dwarven weaponsmith is killed. The priest is made Breymeer's henchman.
The entire party is finally reunited and travels to Cobblethorp after a rumor that Tellish and Arrness have gone there. They find Tellish and Arness have already left.
While in Cobblethorp, the group investigated Grizzly's Tavern after developing suspicions for the establishment and its ties to Tellar and Arrness. They believed they could gather more information on the Phaulkon Mace that Tellar was believed to have stolen.
At Grizzly's Tavern, a fight eventually broke out during the investigation. Grizzly called in aid from some gargoyle like creatures. Only the use of several well placed web spells kept them out of the tavern. The few that made it in were slain along with Grizzly and some of his henchmen and a town guard.
The party was lucky enough to discover the mace hidden in the floor on the second floor. One of the party members donned a magic ring that detected the mace while luckily standing within range of the mace.
The party beat a hasty retreat back to Restenford with the mace where they are hailed as heroes.
The Duke of Kroten was none too happy to hear of the death of his relation (Grizzly). The tension in the area boils to near war. The Duke of Kroten begins a blockade against Phaulkonville, Tellar, Gress and Restenford/Farmin.
During this time, back in Restenford, Kuba, Meira, Bhut and Krelar engage in a side trek to clear the cellar of the guardhouse. I plan to post the side-trek later.
Thus ends this portion of the Lendore Adventure. Sorry for the cheesy wrap up job.
The party will split from here. Some will continue on to new adventures as the play-by-email group. Others will stay on the island to continue to adventure across the island as party of the tabletop group.
I assume I will post more in the future. Until then, thanks for reading.
The party decided to split up. Most of my player characters ended up having more than one character. We had a tabletop party and a play by email party. They crossed paths on Lendore Island and got jumbled together. This separates the groups back out again; though several jumped teams.
The play by email group now includes:
Cirdan Saralonde - male elf, 6th lv mage. Celene nobility currently fallen out of favor with his family.
Grimlock - male half-elf, 5th lv fighter, 5th lv mage, 7th lv thief. From the Wild Coast; drifter.
P'innr Bhut - male human, 6th lv fighter. Sellsword from Hardby. Starting to get into falconry.
Kuba Cylvorandau - human male, 6th lv fighter. Sellsword from Dullstrand. Traveling now without his halfling friend Speck.
Meira Rovanith - female half-elf. 4th lv ranger. From Lendore Isle; was an associate of the Restenford Rangers though not a sworn member.
The group remaining on Lendore Island includes:
Breymeer - human male, 6th lv ranger. Northern barbarian, now Captain of the Restenford Rangers.
Markus - half-elf male, 3rd lv fighter, 3rd lv cleric (Kord). From Lendore Island.
Tathar Surion - elf male, 6th lv cleric (Sehanine). From the northern Spindrift Isles. Promoted to command the keep on Bone Hill now under control of elven followers of Sehanine. Keep is now named Tur Thar Guldar.
Speck - halfling male, 7th lv thief, from Dullstrand.
Morwen - elf female, 5th lv theif, representative of the Sehanine elves to the court of Restenford and Lake Farmin.
Lexington Krupps, human male, 2nd lv mage, came to Lendore Island seeking training from Pelltar. Has since joined the party.
Dalgur Steelcoat "Dalic" - male duergar dwarf, 6th lv berzerking fighter. Mercenary employed with Pelltar. Traveled with the group. Back with Pelltar for now. Currently not adventuring with the group.
Tathar Surion received a vision from Sehanine to explore the spiral on the hill above Cobblethorp. Senahine did not give reason why but Tathar has been trying to recover the soul of Peylae. Tathar believes some answers will be found in the spiral.
Peylae's body and soul were thrown through a gate into hell (believed to be hell anyway) in the dwarven delve.
Tathar enlists his previous traveling companions to accompany him. After a short stay at Tur Thar Guldar, the group heads out for the spiral having previously seen it on the hill above Cobblethorp.
The Duke of Kroten extended his sphere of control down to the inn at Zerman's crossing. A previous raid by hobgoblins on the crossing drove off the humans. They also took over the mines at Coppertop.
The group first investigates the mines and finds it has been assaulted by an army of dwarves. It not sits in their control.
The group continues on the Zerman Crossing. While enroute, they encountered a scout group of hobgoblins and quickly dispatched them.
Several members of the group don the hobgoblin armor and sneak into Zerman Crossing ahead of the main group of adventurers. They decide to go around the crossing.
Now behind enemy lines, the group moved cautiously northward for Grest. They encounter a blockade on the roadway and defeat it as well. They pay visits to several allies; in Grest they stop at the Phyton Abbey and in Tellar they visit with Bellus at the Phaulkon Abbey.
From Tellar, they set out off-road to Mount Wiest and the spiral.
The party did some quick recon of the Spiral and discovered the undead lurking inside. The undead were dressed in white togas and robes. Also, several dead bodies were inside the front gate.
The party decided to camp out for the night and make its assault in the morning.
Before nightfall, a strange elderly man approaches the party. They cautiously welcome him in and learn many things from him. First, a brief summary of the fall of the Great Kingdom is given. Then, the old man relays information about Ledego and Peylae. Ledego, contrary to what the party was told, is of the family Kroten and a rightful heir to the Duchy. Thus is Peylae.
They learned of the original human inhabitants of the island and the existence of a place called the City of Glass.
The mage explained the party was deeply involved with the fate of the island and the great kingdom; if not the whole world. It was up to the party to continue their trek into the spiral, for in the spiral lay the key to something important.
The mage left at nightfall with very little for hard information on the Spiral and cryptic talk about fate and the island. As he departed, he warned of impending danger.
The danger came in the form of two fomorian giants. The giants attempted to suck Breymeer into a trap but he was too cautious and out manuevered them.
A pitched battle resulted leaving the party victorious. Unfortunately, it came at the cost of Relmak's life. Breymeer's henchmen was killed by the giants.
The giants had no treasure. In fact, as the party attempted to loot them, a dark object was seen in the distance moving away in the night sky. It appeared to flash with sparks or flame. It appeared to be similar to the description given by the fisherman in Restenford who had approached the Phaulkon Abby requesting they help find his sons believed to be lost near the burned out guardhouse.
The party rested throughout the night and fully the next day to recover the strength spent in the battle with the giants.
The party made its entry into the Spiral but use of a flying potion consumed by Speck. The halfling easily opened the doors from the inside.
The party did battle with the ghouls inside. They defeated them and examined the bodies. The group made its way around the spiral. While doing so, they developed a routine for dispatching the ghouls as they came upon them.
Speck would fly ahead and get the ghouls to follow him back. The rest of the party would sit on top of one of the stone buildings and hack and slash the ghouls apart from the relative safety of the roof.
Breymeer almost became a casualty as he was nearly pulled from the room. Only being roped off to Morwen saved his life. Also, at one point, Speck flew too low and was almost overcome.
The group came upon another set of dead adventurers. Here they found a scroll but were unable to read the old Oeridian.
Breymeer found a bear cloak. He put it on. During an encounter shortly thereafter, the cloak polymorphed Breymeer into a bear. Breymeer missed his system shock and perished. <The cloak is an item I created named the Bear Cloak of Llerg. If you wish details, ask>.
The group encountered the remains of the old priest and recovered his signet ring. They reached the end of the spiral and were able to get over the wall without fighting the stone statue or the ghoul dogs that had been turned and fled to the final gate.
Once inside the center of the spiral, they entered the final stone building and entered the center room. They used the signet ring to free the priest.
They moved to the left room where the priest, Gosmel, and Markus fell into the acid pit. The pit nearly claimed Gosmel. They both made it out and some quick healing saved Gosmel (-6 hp).
Meanwhile, Speck entered the right room and debated looting the temple. Somehow, wisdom got the better of him and he left items as they were found.
Gosmel read the scroll that was found in addition to the one in the temple. The scroll found on the dead body was unique to my campaign. It read:
<Hand written in Old Oeridean>
I, Febartus, son of Lord Kroten, founder of the town of Kroten and protector of surrounding lands, do by my hand declare the following to be true and accurate.
In 482 CY, my wife, Chestella, gave birth to a baby boy. We named the boy Nebub. I believed the boy to be my son. It has been revealed to me the boy is not my son. Chestella delivered Nebub, the spawn of an unknown hellish fiend.
I have not betrayed my knowledge of this unholy union. I have raised Nebub as my own.
I believed myself to be chosen to counter this evil spawning. I had to help clear my family name, and all that is good in the world, of this unrighteousness.
With that purpose, I fathered a son with an Sehanine worshipping elf maiden. She bore me a son whom we called Ledego.
Ledego is the true heir of Lord Kroten and rightful ruler of Kroten.
With this knowledge, I have sent my faithful servant forth. It is now Coldeven the first in the year 499 CY.
- Febartus
<Scribbled below in Old Oeridean in a different handstroke>
Febartus has died this very day. I have been delivered this note but fear I may not survive. Nebub is coming for my wife and I.
<A second writing is below the first>
We have met up with Ledego’s mother, Pentalaine, and her two companions outside of Cobblethorp. Pentalaine said Sehanine guides us towards the spiral. Madness! But Nebub’s winged creatures of death shall find us come nightfall.
The party eventually made use of the teleporter in the left room and ended up in Mismeadow - Kingdom of Nyrond.
What they learned during this quest was much about the Great Kingdom and its downfall but also some campaign specific information that placed Peylae as a rightful heir to the Duchy of Kroten.
They seek to recover Peylae from hell and overthrow Nebub. They are aware some evil forces are at work on the island whether they have identified them all or no.
Last edited by Sheepdog on Wed Jan 10, 2018 5:52 pm; edited 1 time in total
The following is Breymeer's vision while he was dead:
Breymeer and the Bear Cloak
The familiar anticipation of combat rushes across Breymeer. With it comes a strange feeling. One the northern warrior had not felt before. A primal energy rises up from within him blocking his reason. The energy is not one he is familiar with. It is powerful but yet uncontrollable. The warrior drops to the ground as control of his body is lost. His mind drifts as the primal energy takes over.
Pain shoots through his entire being. The pain focuses Breymeer’s mind. In a bright flash, the warrior realizes he is floating; looking down upon the body of a northern barbarian warrior writhing on the ground. It is his body though he barely recognizes it now. His face has grown thick with a snout and a thick dark brown hued hair has grown covering his body. His body goes fetal as the shoulders and hips thicken and shift to that of an animal. The pain is unbearable. It takes over his mind. In moments, the transformation is complete but the human mind has reached its breaking point.
The warrior’s grasp on life is broken. His body fails to survive the drastic change and his heart stops. The Captain of the Restenford Rangers dies.
The light continues to grow brighter until the image of the dead bear fades along with that of his companions as they react to the sudden transformation.
Breymeer’s next image is that of a dream, or so it feels. He is lost, walking aimlessly in a thick coniferous forest. It is dark of night with a moonless sky. The ground is sharply elevated and rocky. A mountainous region no doubt. A heavy blanket of snow covers the land and tree boughs. The only disturbances in the snow are those of a large bear walking slowly but steadily ahead of him. Breymeer realizes he has been following the bear for some time. He neither gains on it nor looses sight of it. The bear occasionally looks back as if checking to make sure the warrior is keeping up.
Breymeer is uncertain if he has indeed died. The pain is gone. But if dead, where are the Valkyries? Surely, he has been brave enough to earn a warrior’s death.
The bear continues forward throughout the night; however long it has lasted. It feels an eternity yet Breymeer does not fatigue.
The bear suddenly stops. Before it is a sharp cliff dropping down some hundred or more feet. The ravine is narrow. A small frozen river occupies its depths. The bear looks across the ravine.
Breymeer now stands beside the bear and follows its gaze across to a large log hall settled into the cliff on the other side of the ravine. Breymeer exclaims, “Valhalla!” A true warrior’s reward!
The bear is now gone. Breymeer pays no attention to where or why. He quickly scales down the cliff face, crosses the frozen river and ascends the opposite side until he stands before the mighty and ancient hall of Odin.
The long hall is beyond his wildest dreams. Its beauty and perfection; the sparkling of the snow like diamonds from its slanted roof. The smoke from the multitude of chimneys that line the center of the hall drifts up into the cold night air.
He reaches the front doors, ornately carved from the finest oak; thick, sturdy, impregnable. A large steel knocker is centered on each door. Before Breymeer can reach them, they doors open inward.
The hall is packed with the ancient warriors of his people. The bravest and best; all died in glorious battle for his people. A series of great fire pits line the center of the hall. Great columns of oak support the ceiling. Trophies line the walls and golden shields line the roof. At the far end, Breymeer knows is the throne of Odin.
But what is this. As Breymeer proudly begins to step forward, a large warrior, with shield and spear, steps out blocking Breymeer’s progress. They doors shut behind the man with a resounding thud that crushes Breymeer’s spirit. Nooo! He can’t be denied a warrior’s place.
The warrior before Breymeer stills his anger by leaning his spear into his shield arm and placing his now empty hand on Breymeer’s shoulder in an expression of respect and honor.
“You are a true warrior my brother Breymeer.” Breymeer nods respectfully at the compliment. “However, you have come to us too soon. We have not yet reserved your seat at the table of your fathers. There is more yet for you to accomplish before you may enter here.”
Breymeer looks dazed and confused as he waits expectantly for the warrior to continue.
“Breymeer the Bear you are now. Our ancient ancestors, the Suel peoples by name, call the powers by different names that we do. A worshiper of the Suel god Llerg is responsible for creating the bear cloak you now possess. The bear is honored in our beliefs as the most powerful of animal totems. This power has now been transferred into you by our ancient ancestors.”
“Breymeer the Bear, you shall have power over the bear. You shall learn to control the bear. Live an honorable life of courage. Show no fear. And, in the end, die a glorious warrior’s death. Do this and you shall be welcomed upon your return.”
“Goodbye Breymeer the Bear, Captain of the Restenford Rangers. Follow your path. It shall lead you back home.”
Breymeer is dumbstruck as the image of Valhalla, the cliff and the snow-covered mountain forest disappear in a flash of the brightest white light.
The sense of pain again ravages his body as his lungs fill with air; painfully at first. His heart leaps and it jumps, erratically at first, back to life. Once cold blood warms and begins to course through his veins. Reaching his brain, his thoughts begin to collect. He is dead. What is this madness. Breymeer’s eyes open and the images of color and light strike him like a giant’s fist. He sits up to find himself being cared for by two priests, dressed is startling white robes. Priests of Pholtus he knows. He has a ring on his finger. It is a signet ring.
Before long, Breymeer has regained some sense of being. He is indeed alive. His belongings are all accounted for, including the bear cloak.
A Pholtus priest by the name of Gosmel ad Nyrond-Rax is introduced to Breymeer and explains to the barbarian warrior that Breymeer’s friends had rescued the priest. Breymeer and his companions have played their part and set in motion a fate that may once again bring Greatness to the Great Kingdom.
Gosmel ad Nyrond-Rax explains, as he takes the ring back from Breymeer, that Pholtus has blessed the warrior, bringing him back to finish whatever destiny the northern warrior has before him. Consider Pholtus’ debt repaid.
In addition, Breymeer is advised he is currently in the care of the Church of Pholtus in the town of Midmeadow in the Kingdom of Nyrond.
Breymeer finds himself a long way from Lendore Island. But at least his friends, minus Relmak, are all here.
Last edited by Sheepdog on Sat Mar 21, 2020 6:10 pm; edited 1 time in total
The group remains sidetracked in their attempt to get back to Lendore Island and free Peylae, the last of the true line of the Duke of Kroten, and overthrow Nebub.
Tathar Surion, Priest of Sehanine, and Morwen Alcerin remained at the Pholtus temple in Midmeadow while the rest of the group went on a side trek for the temple. Breymeer was geased by the temple leaders after being resurrected.
Breymeer's mission was to recover a holy sword carried by one of the church paladins who was now feared lost along with his companions. They were lost in the area of White Plume Mountain.
The group sent with Breymeer included:
Breymeer, 6th level male human (suel blooded) ranger, Captain of the Restenford Rangers.
Relmak, 4th level male 1/2 orc priest (Kord), Henchman to Breymeer.
Isiaweil, 4th level male half-elf ranger from Lendore Island, associate ranger to the Restenford Rangers.
Lexington Krupps, 4th level human male mage.
Mandellay Muffintops (AKA Speck), 7th level male halfling thief.
Markus, 4th level fighter/4th level cleric (Kord) half-elf male from Lendore Island.
Stahl, 2th level male human paladin (Pholtus) from Midmeadow.
Ergon, 2th level male human paladin (Pholtus) from Midmeadow.
Jandre, 4th level specialty priest (Pholtus) from Midmeadow.
Droget, 2nd level human male fighter from Midmeadow.
Those from Midmeadow were assigned by the church to accompany the group. Jandre was the church's leader among the group.
The group traveled through the badlands along the south side of the Rift. A random encounter with some hill giants was the demise of Relmak as he was crushed by a boulder.
In short, the group me Thingizzard, the Witch. She told the group the sword they seek is now in possession of another witch. Their friends were ambushed at the Dead Gnoll's Socket and the holy sword stolen. The thieves, in turn, met their fate in the swamp and the other witch recovered the sword.
Thingizzard offers the group a bargain. The group is told to go into White Plume Mountain and recover four weapons of power to trade for their holy sword. Also, Thingizzard was interested in the recovery of her sister and her cauldron. If the group could complete the quest, a trade for the holy sword could be arranged.
Figuring the witches were too powerful, the group decided to delve into White Plume Mountain.
Last edited by Sheepdog on Sat Jan 05, 2019 9:37 pm; edited 1 time in total
I used several additions of White Plume Mountain and Return to White Plume Mountain to create this adventure for the group. The first level was essentially the same. The lower level from Return to White Plume Mountain was adjusted to fit my needs.
The group made it into the mountain and were able to complete the first riddle and move past the sphinx. They came to the flooded chamber and encountered a water (sea) hag. Droget fell victim to the hag and was pulled into the water and cut to ribbons.
The group didn't take kindly to this and were able to slay the hag. Unfortunately in their haste, they did not consider that this was Thingizzard's sister. Breymeer beheaded the beast and has much to fear from Thingizzard.
The group next encountered the spinning cylinder. Speck attempted to negotiate it and was surprised when Burket set it ablaze with a flaming arrow. Speck, nearly dead, made it out but was taken prisoner by Burket and Snarla.
The group came to his rescue and defeated the duo though Breymeer was bit by Snarla in the process.
The room contained a few prisoners (AKA help in the form of more PCs).
Gustaf, 2nd level human male Paladin (St. Cuthbert), his lacky Digwin, 0 level human male, and Seeler, 2nd level dwarven male fighter, joined the group. The Pholtus followers were none too happy to see a St. Cuthbert paladin. They refused to aid each other directly.
They continued on to the huge flooded cavern with the magical shell. Suspecting a trap, they retreated at the sounds of chittering.
They moved again past the sphinx successfully, this time going west.
Speck scouted ahead and got greedy. He was surprised by the ghouls and paralyzed. He fell face down in the water and drown.
The party defeated the ghouls and thought of a solid plan to get by the frictionless room using ghoul corpses dumped in the trenches and wooden doors to span the trenches.
They next encountered Sir Bluto and the river boat crew. They defeated this group; killing half and taking the other half as less-than-willing help. They had no love of the party but did wish for escape.
The party moved on to the multi-tiered chamber. The manticores were quickly dispatched with a series of web spells and coordinated attacks. Many of the other creatures were bypassed other than the sea lions. A broken glass wall brought them into battle and Breymeer was nearly lost. In his anger, his cloak transformed him into a bear. Markus and Breymeer were able to slay the sea lions.
The party moved on and encountered Qesnef. The party parlayed with him and won him over to their aid. Lexington Krupps was not on board with this and nearly attacked Qesnef on his own until Breymeer threatened to dispatch Lexington on the spot. The mage quickly submitted but remained very paranoid of Qesnef. Qesnef the halfling changed into a half-ogre. The group is suspicious of him and suspects his true nature though they are not sure what he is. They do believe him to be powerful.
In addition, the party recovered Blackrazer.
The party moved east and encountered the flesh golems. They answered correctly and the golem joined the group only to be sacraficed in the next encounter with the mud geisers and Clenmilr.
Using Qesnef's ability to fly, the group was able to get by the mud geisers. Seeler was almost lost but Qesnef saved him from a boiling fate. They uncovered and battled Clenmilr at the entrance to his lair. Using a silence spell and some quick actions, Markus, Isiaweil and a few others were able to defeat the vampire. Entering his lair, they destroyed his coffin. Clenmilr slipped away in gaseous form. His status is unknown. Markus and Isiaweil were drained a bit during the encounter.
The party recovered Whelm.
The party took one of their man rests. I rolled a random encounter with wights so as the group passed by the previously inanimate corpes in room #5, they came to life and battled the group. No one perished but some energy was drained.
During the battle, the uneasy cohesiveness of the group finally failed. Gustaf and Sir Bluto came to blows as Sir Bluto and his men were backing away from the encounter. Gustaf could not appreciate their perceived cowardliness.
Sir Bluto got the better of Gustaf before he and his men were held by a hold person spell.
It was one of the two encounters with the undead that Markus learned not to use Blackrazer against the undead.
Finally, they moved into the lair of the giant crab.
Isiaweil got too brave and charged the creature while others flanked it. The creature made quick work of the half-elf, clipping off his head and one of his arms.
The shock of it caught the party off guard. They made a desperate assault on the poor creature and slew it without further causalties.
They recovered Wave.
The group began to make its way back to the entrance.
The party felt somewhat confident they were going to be able to exit the mountain but knew they were one weapon of power short.
At the entrance, they encountered the sphinx and an elderly human male.
The man, calling himself Nix, told them he unfortunately could not let them pass.
The party anticipated the man was more powerful than he appeared and they did not test him.
Nix advised his brother, Nox, had come under some type of mind control and now believed himself to be Keraptis.
Nox (Keraptis) was battling some type of enemy Nix referred to as Mossmutter. Mossmutter also appeared to believe itself to be Keraptis.
Nix explained where to find the valve to drain the first level of water. Once the water was drained, the party quickly located the hidden door that led deeper into the mountain.
Nix also offered to bring back one of their fallen comrades if the party wished. They voted for their meat shield Isiaweil, the fallen half-elf ranger. Isiaweil was suddenly returned to the party intact and healthy.
The party encountered Nox (Keraptis) in the indoctrination chamber overlooking the heart of the volcano. They volunteered to join his forces against the false Keraptis.
To ensure their loyalty, Nox mentally bound Markus to his will.
With the gnomes showing the party the way, they safely bi-passed the burning golems.
The gnomes pointed the way and the party traveled on alone. They moved north through several iron covered rooms with destroyed doors.
They explored one side room and recovered a cauldron they believed to be the one stolen from Thingizzard. They seized it and Breymeer hoped it would be enough to appease the witch knowing it was he who had slain her sister-witch in the level above.
Moving past a large hole in the floor that led to the unknown, the party encountered a large, though destroyed, mechanical device. They assumed it had something to do with the hole but left it for later examination.
The party encountered the first of the fungus hulks. They moved into melee with confidence but nearly lost Breymeer in the initial moments. They defeated the hulks but realized they were moving into dangerous territory.
The party moved into the mushroom and fungus gardens where they encountered the skin puppets. They quickly defeated the first conclave of a dozen puppets using a combination of web spells and fire.
With luck, they moved in the correct direction and encountered Mossmutter surrounded by dozens of skin puppets, an oversized full plate armored gnome with an ice sword and a fungus hulk.
The battle was long and fierce. Ergon and Seeler fled back to get aid from Nox. They met gnomes enroute to aid them (Nox sent them when he saw the party (through Markus' eyes) doing well against Mossmutter).
The party had convinced an invisibly and flying ogre-mage to fly in and snatch the gnome while the party attacked.
A fireball destroyed the skin puppets. Qesnef made his move.
The party was unprepared for the spell power of their enemy.
A lightning bolt felled Lexington Krups but Markus was able to save him at death's door.
Qesnef was eaten by Mossmutter and died inside the 50' towering plant creature.
Markus took Blackrazer to hand. Quickly overtaken by the intelligent blade, Markus charged in to battle the gnome in attempt to gain its soul for Blackrazer.
Markus was quickly in dire straights trying to fight the incredibly talented gnome with the ice blade.
Mossmutter placed a prismatic wall at the entrance to the chamber. Isiaweil went blind.
A recovering Lexington, brought to consciousness previously by the warrior/priest Markus, was able to dispel part of the flashing wall using a magic wand. He created a cone of cold directed at the wall.
The magic partially defeated the wall. Unfortunately, Markus was caught in the blast as well. The gnome put Markus down as the cone of cold washed over him. Markus was slain.
Sir Bluto, Breymeer, Gustaf (flying via spell) and Stahl engaged in the fight while Jandre attempted to assist with his clerical powers.
They attempted to breach the wall through the quickly opening and closing hole created by the missing color of the prismatic wall. They attempted to time it right and jump through the temporarily appearing hole. Stahl stumbled and was immediately slain by the power of the wall.
Sir Bluto also died quickly in the battle that followed.
Breymeer was quickly beaten down. Facing death, Breymeer used his bear cloak to transform into a bear.
Mossmutter attempted to breath spores on Breymeer but he was able to spare himself. All party members had the aid of cloths tied over their mouths and noses.
Gustaf went down but was saved before death settled upon him.
A back up unit of gnomes arrived in time to blast Mossmutter with spells including a lightning bolt.
The enemy was finally defeated. The party lost Markus, Stahl and the NPCs Qesnef and Sir Bluto, along with about a dozen of Nox's gnomes.
Ergon and Seeler never made it back to Nox as they encountered the burning golem and dared not face it.
The party recovered the plate armor from the gnome and Ergon was able to fit into it.
The party also recovered Frostrazer.
With Breymeer, Isiaweil, Lexington, Ergon, Jandre, Gustaf and Seeler remaining, along with two of Sir Bluto's henchmen, the party returned to Nox.
Nox commanded them to place the four weapons of power before him and then retire and rest.
The party hesitated and the burning golems rose from the burning pits. The entire party is severely weakened. Gustof remains unconscious.
The standoff continues until the next tabletop session.
Wisdom prevails and the party places the weapons of power down before Nox.
Nox allows them to regroup and rest. They take advantage of the situation. The party spends two days recovering under the umbrella of Nox's protection.
Once recovered, the party has a meeting with Nox again. Nox tells them he would like them to investigate down the hole on the north end of his area of control though Nox was not certain what force caused him to make this request.
Joining the group was Ek, a 2nd level male drow elf mage/theif, Cholakk and a 2nd level male hill dwarf fighter/priest. Ek was an underling to the drow elf hunters under Nox's command. Cholakk was their servant.
With all four weapons of power, now in the hands of the party, the group calculated how to get down the hole. They find the hole dark after the first 60'.
They attempted to lower the second to last of Sir Bluto's henchman with a torch and lantern with continual light cast upon it. The lantern dismisses the darkness revealing magma below with a small ledge around it. The hole is 240 feet deep.
A blade cuts across the hole severing the rope and depositing the henchman into the magma below. Lucky for the henchman, he died from the fall before burning up.
The party next lowered the cable down the hole with a make-shift gondola engineered from one of the rusty doors recovered from the room. The blade again shot across the hole but this time shattered upon the cable.
The party returned to Nox who decided to join the group.
Isiaweil, using the fly spell storing ring, was the first down. Finding the palm prints and placing his hands upon them, he was transported to the fane.
Once he arrived at the fane, he froze up and held his ground without moving.
The party quickly got down the hole, activated the transport and arrived at the fane with Isiaweil.
The ghost of the lost druid appeared and confronted the party. Nox claimed to be Keraptis but the druid dismissed him as an imposter. Nox, believing himself to be Keraptis, attacked the druid.
The party, seeing the obelisk with the images of the four weapons of power chiseled into it, made their move.
Placing the weapons of power into the obelisk, the party watched the baby Keraptis arrive and then immediately get slain and torn apart by the druid of the fane who identified it as the real Keraptis.
The fane begins to collapse as the party escapes. There were several tense moments while the party attempted to climb up the hole with haste. Nox promised Isiawiel a wish if the ranger flew him to safety. Isiaweil took him up on the offer.
The party escaped the mountain. Isiaweil used his wish to bring Markus back from death. Ek was abandoned by his fellow drow elves. He joined the party for lack of better options at this time.
Having recovered the cauldron and defeated Keraptis, the party returned to the Great Swamp in attempts to make a trade with Thingizzard for the holy sword.
The party was apprehensive to enter the Great Swamp. One night, while camped nearby, a troupe of trolls presented itself to the group. Instead of a fight, the party was encouraged to follow them into the swamp. They did.
Once into the swamp some distance, the trolls abandoned the party to their fate.
In the morning, the party realized the swamp had changed and they were lost. They kept getting a fleeting glimpse of a peasant girl in a dress darting away from them in the swamp.
They attempted to follow but unfortunately lost the last of Sir Bluto's henchman to the bog. The henchman fell through the bog and was suddenly overcome by a mummy The party nearly dropped the cauldron down into the bog as well.
Finally, they came upon a small island of soil that held a small wooden cabin surrounded by skulls set upon spears as a make-shift fence.
The group soon met a young girl, identified as Thingizzard, through the parlay. A second, massive hag, was also encountered though she did not identify herself. The party gave much respect to the witches and handed over the cauldren and relayed their story of what occurred in the mountain.
Much to their surprise, the large hag handed over the holy sword the party sought.
The party was able to exit the swamp and return to Midmeadow victorious.
The party now hopes to return to Lendore Island and continue their quest to recovery Peylae and defeat Nebub.
The party made their way back to Lendore Island landing in Restendford.
Tathar Surion and Morwen were able to convince the Church of Pholtus and King Archbold III to send approx. 100 troops and mercenaries (along with a galley) to aid Baroness Andrella. The catch was they (Church of Pholtus) get to claim ownership of the Spiral. The church is funding the expedition at this point.
Breymeer had a side trek as he found himself battling Lycanthropy. He woke up in an inn owners room in Midmeadow. The inn owner and his wife were slain but the children unharmed. He later slew a shepard boy in the Nyrond countryside before he and his companions were able to beat the curse (or so he hopes).
Over the summer of 578 the group returned to Restenford where the campaign restarted as a play by email campaign.
Hopefully it is off an running again.
Lendore Island Adventures – Part 8 – The Return
They arrived at Restenford in three waves over the summer.
First, on Reaping 9th, came Tathar Surion of the Spindrift Isles, Lord and rebuilder of Tur Thar-guldar (AKA Bone Hill Keep), a Sehanine priest and guide to his fallen elvish comrads. The elf lord has sworn to recover Peylae from the clutches of hell iteself.
With Lord Surion is Lady Morwen, also an elf of the Spindrift Isles. Lady Morwen carries the title of advisor to Baroness Andrella and Lake Farmin Mayor Belina.
The two elves brought with them two companies of Nyrondese soldiers.
The first company was sent with the blessings of King Archbold III. It consisted of a war galley, a captain, two lieutenants, and four platoons of two squads each. Each squad had seven soldiers and one sergeant. A total of 67 soldiers of Nyrond. The church of Pholtus promised to fund the campaign.
The second company was sent by the church of Pholtus comprising of the church’s own mercenaries. It consisted of four squads, each with a squad leader and nine foot soldiers. A total of 40 soldiers of Pholtus.
Once ashore, Lord Surion met with Baroness Andrella. The baroness agreed to allow the soldiers to came on the fields just northwest of Restenford. She could not hide her sense of relief to have more defenders for the barony. Duke Nebub has continued to threaten the very existence of the Barony of Restenford. With the assistance of the neighboring dwarves, the elves of Tur Thar-guldar and some politicking, the barony has kept any further assaults forces from entering its borders.
Both Lake Farmin and Restenford itself have been slowly trying to rebuild after attacks late last year (557 C.Y.).
The Church of Pholtus, in return for the soldiers, received permission to investigate the spiral from whence Gosmel ad Nyrond-Rax was recovered from once Duke Nebub has been neutralized.
Baroness Andrella sent runners to the dwarves of the Thesdrorlum clan that guard the mountains to the northeast and the barony’s northern border. The baroness requested a meeting with the clan in Restenford to update them and plan a future campaign against Duke Nebub.
The second group arrived on Reaping 15th. This was the church’s overseers of the troops. The group consisted of Jandre, an adventurous Pholtus priest and field agent. With Jandre was Ergon, a paladin in the service of church and bearer of a holy sword of Pholtus. The sword was recovered from the witch Thingizzard after it was lost to her by a band of thieves. Ergon wears full plate armor and carries his shield with bravery. Stahl was among those that would have been in the leadership of the companies but he was lost in battle under White Plume Mountain.
The third and final group to arrive was the adventurers. They did not arrive until just before the harvest festival week of Brewfest. They arrived two full months after the others, landing ashore on Harvester 24th. They were much delayed by the studying of the mages, Ek and Lexington.
The group consisted of:
Breymeer the Bear, Captain of the Restenford Rangers. A northman, once lost to death, who wears a bear skin cloak of Llerg allowing him to transforms himself into a bear when provoked. Though he wields two axes in combat, his archery skills have saved the party on more than one occasion.
Cholakk, a recent addition to the party. The dwarven warrior/travelling priest has been a stout addition to the group.
Ek, a drow elf. He was recovered from the lava caves below White Plume Mountain. Having been cut off from his people he joined the group as it fled the erupting mountain. Very little is known about the dark elf but so far, he has been reliable. He possesses spell power.
Isiaweil the half-elf ranger and associate to the Restenford Rangers. Isiaweil, also lost once to death when he faced a monstrous crab under White Plume Mountain, was returned to the party through the power of one of the mountains denizens. Isiaweil remains greatly weakened from battles with the undead. His will is damaged and he suffers occasionally from a TBI received while fighting an ettin. Though badly beaten down and broken, the immensely powerful half-elf still fights like a savage. He bears a sword named Hoknuk Gnoth taken from a hobgoblin leader slain in battle.
Lexington Krupps the human mage. Though Lexington has had his disagreements with some other party members, he remains faithful to the group. He has been continuing to group in his spell casting powers. He carries with him two wands. One is a bone wand is quartz tipped and capable of creating several frost/snow related enchantments, much to his enemies demise. The other a wood wand with a glass tip that paralyzes his enemies.
Markus, a half-elf warrior and priest of Kord. He was nearly felled under White Plume Mountain but lived the day. He represents Kord well in battle once joined. The powers of Kord, channeled through Markus have often saved the day. He now carries Sir Bluto’s magical longsword and a steel shield emblazoned with a red border.
Lastly is Seeler, the dwarven warrior that joined the crew under White Plume Mountain. Seeler fears no battle.
Long remembered is Speck, the mischievous halfling. He was slain while battling ghouls under the mountain. His spirit appears to still follows the party looking for the day it may rejoin them in the flesh.
With the long-awaited arrival of the Restenford Ranger Captain and company, Baroness Andrella send an invite to the castle to the leaders of men and the adventuring party. Not one to waste time, the meeting was set for Harvester the 26th, giving everyone Godsday (Harvester 25th) to spend in religious observation. The middle day of each week is Godsday; it is a day of rest and religion during the week; even for the common folk.
The morning of Waterday, the 26th of Harvester, breaks with a light breeze off the sea and cloudy skies. Like so many days the adventurers have faced, the skies threaten rain.
Each of the members of the party prepare themselves for the meeting with the baroness and then make their way to the castle.
The soldiers at the castle gate are a more serious lot than they had been. The onslaught against Restenford cost many locals their lives and many buildings were lost to fire, including the castle’s barn and guardhouse. Both are in the process of being rebuilt.
The meeting hall is near standing room only before the three-tiered dais upon which Barnoness Andrella sits. The barnoness sits in her father, Grellus’, seat while her mother, Fairwind’s, seat sits empty. The barnoness is dressed in a fine gown with her long brown hair pulled up in braids that wrap around her head under her simple golden headband. She appears tired and stressed.
The Captain of the Guard, Gelpas, stands behind Fairwind’s thorne, at Baroness Andrella’s side wearing his shining chain mail armor. At his side is sheathed a decorative long sword. Gelpas gives a faint sigh of relief as Breymeer enters. It is good to have the Captain of the Restenford Rangers back, along with the rest of his companions. Sorely missed is the two elvish blooded mages, Cirdan Saralonde and Grimlock; whose magic nearly single handedly saved both Lake Farmin and Restenford.
One the second tier of the dais sits the wizard Pelltar in his prescribed chair. He soberly nods at the arrival of the party. The only other chair on this level holds a smiling Dalic Steelcoat. Not one to hold his emotion, Dalic gives out a shout to his previous travelling companions, “Time ta be bringin’ out da ‘Fear Lantern’ me boys!” Pelltar quickly casts a disapproving glance at Dalic and he calms himself.
Curate Almon, from the Phaulkon Abbey, is upon the lowest level of the dais. Standing beside him wearing chain mail armor, with his hand resting on his weathered flail, is Krelar, champion of the abbey.
Finally, the last two persons on the third tier are Almax, the half-elf druid, who is seated, and Amos, his son and fellow druid.
The final person in attendance on behalf of the baroness is Belina, Mayor of Lake Farmin and Lieutenant of the Restenford Rangers; second in command after Breymeer. Belina stands at the base of the dais to the audiences right. She wears a dress instead of armor today befitting her political title. Her curly red hair falls upon her shoulders.
Belina’s emotions towards Breymeer are betrayed the moment she sees him; turning red with the comfort of seeing him.
The party enters the room without practiced etiquette.
Breymeer, being a captain of the barony, enters first. His eyes are immediately upon Belina. Breymeer winks at Bellina but refrains from taking her into a bear hug in order to not damage the professionalism of the moment.
Next to Breymeer is the heavily cloaked and hooded Ek; Breymeer’s henchman. The elf wears a hooded cloak low over his face and drops out of line near the back left corner of the room. Though not threatening in nature, the move in noticed by Gelpas, the Captain of the Guard. The captain makes other motion or indication of planned action.
Following Breymeer is the Elvish Lord and Sehanine Priest, Tathar Surion and the advisor Lady Morwan Alcerin.
Lord Tathar has his face blackened and his eyes surrounded with silvery moons, indicating he is about to depart on an adventure. He wears pants and a blouse the silvery color of the Sehanine elves and his elven chainmail can be seen, by the keen observer, underneath. He also wears a silvery floor length cape with the symbol of Sehanine on the back. He carries his quarter staff with his backpack and horn wood bow. These he deposits by the door, before entering the chamber.
Morwen Alcerin is with Tathar, but had no obvious travel gear. She appears to be ready for court. While she is normally a very beautiful lady, she has quite outdone herself today. Her hair done up, jewelry on and she wears a silvery Elvish gown with a red sash. She throws beaming smiles at the other members of the group that she knows.
As Tathar sets down his backpack and heads into the chamber, Morwen takes his hand into hers and walks in by his side. For those taking notice, Tathar gently tries to remove his hand but Morwen holds firm and Tathar quickly relents, letting the she-elf have her way. Morwen beams brightly at her victory, while Tathar blushes and looks somewhat uncomfortable.
The next to enter are Ergon and Jandre. Ergon’s armor is freshly polished and shines. Both stand as rigid as their deity’s moral code.
Markus and Isiaweil enter together followed by Cholakk and Seeler, the dwarves.
On the heels of the dwarves is a long-lost friend; the gnome Esned.
Lexinton Krupps enters. The teenage human appears wise beyond his young years. He is inwardly pleased to see Pelltar present; knowing the wizard is sometimes known to take in fellow mages for study and training.
Lastly, enters Vicros, the half elf rescued from the sea-side orc compound. Set free by Grimlock and Noble Circan Saralonde, Vicros was advised by them to sail to Restenford. His sense of adventure, and name dropping, has brought him to this meeting.
Lady Andrella makes her greetings. “Captain Breymeer. It is good to hear of your return and see you are well. Your new friend there, she nods to the corner in which Ek has placed himself, is not an overly welcome guest. However, we survived the introduction to Dalic Steelcoat so, therefore, Breymeer, if you vouch for this elf’s worth, he shall remain unmolested by my forces.”
She continues speaking to Breymeer, “I wish to speak to you in private at the conclusion to this meeting.” Her face is calm and her voice even. Nothing is betrayed to indicate if the meeting bodes well or not.
“Tathar Surion, Lord of Tur Thar-guldar and honorable priest of Sehanine, welcome.”
“Lady Morwen Alcerin. I am grateful to see you and Lord Surion back. I see your travels together have brought you closer together.” The baroness smiles kindly.
“Isiaweil. We will be truly blessed if you have returned home to the island to continue your services to the Restenford Rangers. We may be looking for more commanders in our unit should this interest you.”
“Esned. Your bravery in the past is commendable. If you should wish to continue on serving the interests of Restenford, you will be very welcome to do so.”
“Lexington Krupps. You still have the bearing of a young man but you appear to me to be much more worldly. Your travels have served you well I imagine. Your service to Restenford would also be greatly welcomed.”
“Vicros. You are a stranger to me. It has been told to me that you were rescued from an orc compound by none other than Grimlock and his noble companion Cirdan Saralonde. This barony remains standing because of the actions of those who rescued you. It is by name alone that you are welcomed into this court at this time. If it is adventure you seek, you have come to the right place.”
“Markus, you remain relatively unknown to me. You travel with heroes. I shall assume you are of the same caliber. You wear the markings of a priest of Kord. I can only assume you have earned such a position. We can only benefit from one of you fighting spirit.”
“Cholakk and Seeler. Though you are not of the local Thesdrorlum clan that aids in protecting our northern border, you are welcome at my court. Until recently, I have had little to do with dwarves and their ways. I have learned this though, you are a brave and honorable people that once set upon a task, do not relent until the task is complete. I hope you choose to give us your aid.”
“Finally, Jandre, honorable priest of Pholtus and Sir Ergon, holy warrior of Pholtus. I welcome both of you and the warriors you have brought with you. I hope this new alliance bodes well for Restenford and your church.” Baroness Andrella looks out of the corner of her eye at Pelltar who returns her look with a blank face. Meanwhile Curate Almon looks upon the two Pholtus followers with guarded curiosity. Almax, the druid, shifts uncomfortably in his chair. The contempt on his face for the followers of such a rigid deity is obvious.
The baroness, having finished her greetings, asks a simple question, “I must know who wishes to stand and fight for Restenford. I assume that those in attendance today stand for the freedom of Restenford against the evil forces that have taken over Kroten. I ask of each of you, do you pledge to continue the fight against the fiend, Duke Nebub?”
“If each of you affirms this commitment, you may remain here now. Those that wish to continue with their lives elsewhere are free to leave this court. You must now choose. Shall you stay or shall you go?”
Morwen nods her commitment.
Esned as well, “I am ready for more adventuring!”
Cholack speaks, “I honor a temporary call of service to the causes of the barony. However, I chose to remain behind and aid with local defenses, patrols and possibly as a liaison to the local dwarven clans. If you find need of my services Baroness Andrella, please send for me. I shall be staying in town for the time being.”
“I dare not leave my companions to their own devices without my aid,” comments Markus. “I pledge my loyalty to them. I find the plight of the barony a most worthy affair and for a priest of Kord.”
Jandre quickly takes a step forward and adds, “Pholtus’ name shall also be honored. Ergon and I shall fight against the dark forces in your defense and for the glory of Pholtus!”
“I am in!” boldly states Breymeer. “I vouch for all present. I assure you that Ek has his reason for not wanting to be front and center. He will cause ill will.” With that, Breymeer glances at Ek with a look letting him know misbehavior is not an option.
Isiaweil’s will being broken, lacks much for enthusiasm. He simply nods. Isiaweil is in.
Lexington Krupps confirms he is in.
Seeler, showing the bravery of the dwarves, is in.
Vicros stands solemnly, knowing his verbal contributions would not help the situation. He looks around, watching for others answers. He watches Cholack back out of the quest. Vicros briefly considers leaving himself. He shifts a leather bag he carries around his back. The load the bag carries is heavy; likely books. His sword is sheathed in a very plain sheath that barely pokes out from underneath his cloak. He carries it generally concealed.
After a pause, Vicros, with conviction in his eyes, agrees to aid the quest.
Tathar clears his throat. "I hold in my hand written proof of the lineage of Paylae, daughter of Ledago. She is the rightful heir to the throne in Kroton." Tathar holds up a bone case scroll. "I now present this to Baroness Andrella for safekeeping. I trust, baroness, that you will know what to do with it at the right time." Tathar turns to Breymeer and hands him the scroll to present to the Baroness.
Breymeer moves forward and hands the scroll to Belina, who, in turn, passes it up to Baroness Andrella. The baroness holds it for the moment without reading it. She waits for Tathar to finish speaking.
Speaking louder, and a bit more authority he continues. "Paylae died in the dwarven delve, or so we thought." Tathar pauses and looks over the people present to ensure he has everyone's attention.
"The Lunar Lady, Sehanine Moonbow, Lady of Dreams, has seen fit to bless me, her unworthy servant' with a vision!" He almost yells the last word, and all can see that the zealot is working himself up into a frenzy. As if noticing it himself, Tathar calms himself. He pauses for a moment, looks at the floor and takes a deep breath. Letting it out he looks up again and continues.
"Paylae was taken into hell itself by the bone devils that lived in the delve. She is there body and soul, but she is kept alive to be tortured as sport for the evil denizens that live there." Morwen gasps and covers her mouth at this news.
"Sahanine, The Mystic Seer, would not have shown me this if she did not wish me to right this wrong. I will do so or die trying."
Now, I do not know how to access the realm of hell. If I were to travel North to the Forbidden Island my superiors may know the way but I am hoping that one of the other priests present might know how to solve this riddle. Further, I am not so arrogant as to think that I could survive there on my own. I beg my friends and colleagues and anyone who will listen to lend your aid in this noble Quest."
He pauses again and looks around the room singling out the priests of the different deities that are represented. Please sirs, let us work together. We will do good for the world, and maybe learn about each other so that we may grow in our own faiths and in the tolerance of the faiths of others."
Lexington Krupp digs into his pocket and raises up the shriveled little finger of Speck, “I did not know him well, definitely not as well as some here. If he were brought back, his prowess’s may be helpful in whatever your plans.”
Lady Andrella smiles, “If I had a way, I would certainly welcome Speck back. He has served this barony well. I wish you well in that quest.”
To the group she continues, “As I wish you all well on the defeat of Nebub!” She holds up the scroll case given to her by Tathar. “I will hold this until Nebub is destroyed. May Peylae reign in his stead.”
“I do not have any suggestions in regards to getting to Kroten. I am afraid the tactics and logistics will be up you all of you. I can tell you both roads into Kroten from Restenford are heavily guarded and fortified. My only advise is to try and find a way around them or by deceit and deception.”
“Rest well and may you be blessed on your quest. I thank you for all you have done and all you endeavor to do.”
Baroness Andrella closes with, “Captain Breymeer, please remain behind for a moment.”
With that, the group is dismissed to prepare for their adventure.
I am enjoying the adventures herein, though I am not yet through the 2nd page.
Please tell me that Ide Otneaux is pronounced, "I don't know.". 😁
Additionally, I find it curious that the party is willing to split up so often. That tactic seems to have proven disastrous in the ruins on Bone Hill. Now, they are doing it again when assaulting the dwarven mine. 🤨
Yes. I was attempting to get my ex-wife (we were still married at the time) involved by making a character for her. I asked her to name a character and she simply said, "I don't know." Ide Otneaux seemed appropriate.
As for splitting up, they do know better but find themselves apart often anyway it seems.
For a little while the game went away from play by email to tabletop and I didn't take very detailed notes so the story gets paraphrased and loses a lot of detail. Mostly for the White Plume Mountain side trek.
Winter has come early to Minnesota this year. I am hoping to get things rolling at a faster pace again soon. Kroten, here they come!
Okay, the party just got hit by a fireball in the dwarven mine. Some of the PCs made their Save and some did not, but all had some of their equipment destroyed by the explosion. I remember rules to the effect of only the equipment of individuals failing their Save need roll a Save of its own. I am not sure what edition of the rules you are using. Is it different than I remember, or are you 'house ruling' it?
I guess I would have to consider that a house rule if it goes against the written rule. I played it that if the player saves, they have sheltered themselves enough to take half damage; however, their exposed armor, equipment, weapons, etc are still in the area of effect and, to me, therefore subject to a save as well.
For example, a character may hide behind his shield, exposing the shield. Or maybe the character balled up and hid his exposed body parts but his backpack, though sheltering the body, is exposed to the flame and heat.
I use 2nd edition (nod to Lanthorn) rules but still reference 1st edition a lot. I lot of my houserules are stolen from 3rd or 5th edition. I have a copy of player's handbook, dmg and monster manual from all the editions just out of curiosity sake if nothing else.
Breymeer looks unexpectedly uncomfortable as the rest of the adventurers file out of the meeting, eventually exiting the castle.
Belina’s smile turns to a concerned look for her fellow Restenford Ranger. She hugs him warmly and whispers in his ear.
After releasing Breymeer, Belina looks to the rest of the group, “I am staying at the Inn of the Dying Minotaur. Come, have a drink with me while you plan your expedition.” She gives one more playful look over her shoulder and Breymeer. The corners of her lips curl up into a flirtatious smile.
Considering most of the group has taken up residence at the same Inn since arrival two days prior, it will not be hard for Belina to convince most of the group to join her at least in going to the inn. Of those not staying at the inn are the dwarves who stay at Falco’s Tavern. They chose the tavern, renting two of its four available rooms, since the owners were fellow dwarves. Jandre and Ergon have been staying with the troops at the northern encampment since they arrived two months prior. Tathar Surion is staying at the inn overnight though he had been at Tur Thar-guldar. Morwen has been staying at the inn when in town or in Lake Farmin or Tur Thar-guldar when away.
Following Belina out are Curate Alman and his champion Krelar. Behind them are Almax the druid and his son Amos.
Staying behind with the baroness are Captain Gelpas, Pelltar and Dalic.
To Breymeer:
Belina’s smile turns to a concerned look for her fellow Restenford Ranger. She hugs him warmly and whispers in his ear, “I would like to visit with you later. Come find me before I must leave back for Lake Farmin.”
Baroness Andrella smiles warmly at Breymeer, “So captain, please tell me of your travels. What can you tell me of your companions? I am most interested in the ones I do not know. Especially that dark elf you bring into my council.”
She continues without waiting for him to answer, “Also, tell me of Isiaweil. He has long been a friend to the Restenford Rangers. Is he well?”
The group exits the castle complex and begins to descend the hill. The devastation from the raid on town had fallen mostly on the northeastern section of town between the hill that holds the Phaulkon Abbey and the hill upon which rests Restenford Castle. The third and final hill that dominates the town is the home of Almax and his family. Most of the damaged buildings have been repaired while those that were burned to the ground are in various states of construction; if not left as vacant lots.
As the group levels off at the base of the hill and turns easterly towards the inn, Jandre positions himself to be close to Tathar. The Pholtus priest speaks to the face painted Sehanine priest while they walk.
Jandre speaks openly enough that the group can hear him, “Nyrond has been confronted with the fiend worshiping enemies in the once Great Kingdom. Though I have not personally done battle with something from the hells, I have had some education regarding fiends. If this Nebub is truly a fiend, I believe the road to hell must lead through him. I would assume he must have some connection or access to the hells in some fashion, manner or form. The trouble will be finding it or recognizing it for what it is. At least, that is my assumption. I, nor my paladin companion, would shy from an opportunity to shine the light of Pholtus upon the hells.”
A voice calls down from the castle wall, “Belina, your presence is requested again.”
Looking back, the group can see Belina, Almax the druid. Amos, the Curate Alman and Krelar have also exited the castle and are walking downhill behind the adventurers.
Belina pauses, gives a farewell greeting to her companions and re-enters the castle.
With the interruption in his thought, Jandre ends his statement, “Honorable Ergon and I are going to find some supplies for the quest. We can continue this conversation at the inn.” Jandre gives a look at Ek before finishing with, “In private if necessary.”
Breymeer addresses the baroness, “The news I have for you I bring with a heavy heart. Our battles have taken a heavy toll on many of us. First of all, Isaiweil was lost under White Plume Mountain and returned to us through the power of one of the mountains inhabitants. His will is severely damaged from battle with an Ettin. Despite his challenges, he remains a trustworthy battle partner and continues to fight for the cause."
"The dark elf Ek was rescued from the mountain and since joining our group has been a reliable asset and possesses a certain set of skills I foresee being very useful. I will however keep an ever watching eye on him."
Breymeer pauses and takes a deep breath before continuing, "The following story is for the most trusted ears only and I ask that we retire to a comfortable setting where I can revive my story over a glass of whiskey. If you don't object, I ask that Bellina be present."
The baroness maintains a stoic face for a moment while seemingly studying Breymeer and reflecting upon his remarks. “Captain Gelpas, send a runner for Belina.”
Captain Gelpas steps down from the dais. While walking past Breymmer, he pauses and places his hand on the ranger’s shoulder, “It is good to have to you back captain.” With that he continues quickly out of the chamber to complete the task given him.
“Pelltar, my trusted advisor,” begins Baroness Andrella.
“Yes, Baroness. I believe Dalic and I have some business to attend to in my tower.” The baroness nods as Pelltar stands and he and Dalic leave the chamber leaving Captain Breymeer and Baroness Andrella alone.
“Come with me captain.” Baroness Andrella stands and removes a key from her gown and walks to a door at the rear of the dais. Breymeer climbs the dais and accompanies her through the door once unlocked.
The door opens to a windowless stone hallway lit by torches in sconces. The hallway turns immediately 90 degrees to the left. The left wall is lined with six doors not counting the one Breymeer just walked through. The end of the hallway turns left again and disappears from view. Judging by the distance, it is likely the outer wall of the castle.
The baroness leads Breymeer down the hallway to the fourth door on the left. Unlocking it with the same key, she enters a small room, ten feet wide and twenty feet deep. There is a door on the far end of the room. The center of the room has a large table and four padded chairs. The side walls have comfortable looking divans against them. The walls have murals on them; the left being that of the castle while the right is of the nearby countryside. Finally in one corner of the room is a small table with several bottles and glasses upon it.
Almost immediately, a woman enters. She is kindly in appearance. “What may I get you Baroness?” she asks.
“I will have water but please pour our good captain a whiskey.”
The servant does as instructed, bringing the beverages to the center table where the ranger and the baroness take seats in the padded chairs.
The baroness introduces the woman to Breymeer, “This is Marie, Captain Gelpas’ wife. And this, Marie, is Captain Breymeer of our rangers.” Marie gives a polite bow, “My husband has spoken well of you Captain Breymeer.” With that, she gives a second slight bow and exits the room.
Breymeer and the baroness make small talk for a few minutes until Belina arrives; guided by Marie. Belina dismisses Marie, and pours two whiskeys. She sits next to Breymeer and places one drink in front of herself and the other in front of Breymeer to replace the now empty glass he holds.
Breymeer shares with Belina and the baroness the battle with the wolf beast and how he was injured by it. He explains the killings and his belief that he is responsible for them though he does not remember anything about the events other than vague haunting dreams. Breymeer explains how his friends aided him in attempting to cure himself of the lycanthropy and his intent to make right the unintentional harm he caused. Finally, Breymeer asks the baroness if she has any advice for him.
“I know little of lycanthropy. You may wish to seek counsel from Almax the druid. He is a trusted friend.”
Breymeer continues, "What gets me through each day is the knowledge that the evil acts committed were not my doing but caused by evil forces. I have taken revenge and killed the creature that caused my evil acts and have sought a cure for the force that took over my body. I will continue to make sure I am cured and continue to fight for those oppressed by similar forces. I will continue to banish evil forces from the land.”
The ranger takes a sip of the whiskey, “As for the inn keeper’s lives and farmers that lost their stock, nothing I do will heal the human losses, or the weight I bear for having a hand in it. I have left those effected with financial support and will continue to make sure they want for nothing. I intend to monitor the lives of those affected either in person or through hired couriers and they will find themselves taken care of."
Breymeer ends his words by standing up and slamming a fist on the table, "I will delve into the depths of hell and do everything in my power to defeat evil....and Nebub….and anything else that gets in my way or die trying......and time will tell if that's enough to put me at ease." Breymeer downs the rest of his whiskey.
For a moment, Breymeer’s hands begin to transform, his palms grow thicker and broader while his fingers shorten. His face begins to draw into a snout as he lets out a forceful growl that rattles the bottles on the table in the corner of the room.
Baroness Andrella leaps backwards and draws a dagger in the same instant while beginning to mutter something Breymeer doesn’t understand.
Belina leaps up and draws forth her sword in a flash of steel. She nimble moves around the table; taking up a position between the baroness and the ranger. She holds he blade out towards Breymeer, “Hold Breymeer, we are your allies.”
As quickly as it came on, Breymeer’s features return to normal.
Putting his hands up and putting on a trusting, partially smiling fact, Breymeer assures the two women, “Fear not my trusted friends. It is not the evil force you just witnessed, but the powers of the cloak upon my shoulders. I have learned to control its power over time; a power created by worshippers of the Suel deity Llerg. It is the same cloak that turned me into a bear allowing me to have the power to defeat the wolf beast and ending the beast’s evil once and for all. I assure you there is no threat. Please, return to your seats.”
Belina slowly lowers her sword as Breymeer sits back down. He empties his whiskey and nods towards the bottle on the far table indicating his wish to have another.
The baroness remains standing, seemingly studying Breymeer’s face. Belina remains on guard for a short period of time before walking, sword still in hand, slowly to the whiskey bottle on the far table.
Belina carries the bottle over to Breymeer though she keeps the table between them. She sets the bottle on the table and Breymeer calmly pours himself another drink. “I think a visit to Almax is in order my dear Breymeer,” is all she manages to say.
Jandre spends the afternoon checking on the troops marshalled in the field north of town.
Ergon and Seeler each spend some time purchasing gear before returning to the inn for a meal and some beer.
Tathar, Morwen, Isiaweil, Esned, Lexington, Ek, Markus, and Vicros all head directly to the inn.
The Inn of the Dying Minotaur is a large inn. It is all of eighty feet wide and forty-five feet across. A modest stable sits behind the inn. The inn has two stories. The left-hand side of the main floor is the common room. The right-hand side contains the kitchen, owner and servant quarters and several rental rooms. The upstairs of the inn is all rental rooms. The inn has thirteen rental units.
The common room has a double door entry. The heavy wood doors open outwardly. The bar extends forward, from just right of the entry doors, nearly the length of the room; some thirty feet. It is lined with sixteen barstools; fifteen along its length and one at the far end. Centered on the wall behind the bar is a stuffed head of a minotaur. A large heavy rectangular wood table sits in the center of the room, ahead and slightly left of one entering the room from outside. It can easily sit a dozen people. On the near and far end of the rectangular table are two smaller circular tables; each seating eight people. To the left of the door is a smaller rectangular table that seats six. On the left wall are two rectangular tables that seat eight each. Between the tables on the west wall is a large fireplace. On the north wall, across the room from the entry door, are two more rectangular tables that seat eight each. Finally, in the corners to the near and far left side are round tables that seat ten each. The room is can sit 102 people.
The owner of the inn, one Gellcuff, is a talkative man of Suel decent. He comes across very friendly if not slightly cracked. He often claims to have slain the minotaur mounted on the wall single-handedly though the story often changes in details. He dresses in simple clothing topped with an open front brown leather vest. On his belt is sheathed a dagger.
Gellcuff has two serving girls working the bar area. Both are of Suel blood; commoners in appearance though both attractive enough. This being one of the better eateries in town, both young women make a decent living.
The rooms are very clean and comfortable. Gellcuff has a relatively large selection of food items to choose from and all are of fine quality. His ales, beer, wine and mead are all of fine quality.
Gellcuff is obviously proud of his inn and he runs the business very soberly regardless of his somewhat strange personality.
Currently, the inn is sparsely populated. A couple of local men sit together at the bar eating. The waitresses are busying themselves cleaning the tables and moping the floor. Gellcuff is not in sight.
Baroness Andrella agrees, “Yes, Breymeer the Bear, Captain of the Restenford Rangers, I very much would like Almax to speak to you about this, er, cloak. I wish to have his opinion in regards to what kind of affect it has on you.”
She walks to the table and pours herself a small glass of whiskey, her hands shaking slightly as she does so, though it is obvious she is trying to hide the adrenaline reaction. She takes a sip before continuing, “You see Captain Breymeer, I have a proposition for you. The western lands near Lo Reltarma remain open and generally unprotected. I wish to grant you the title of Lord Breymeer and direct you to build a castle in the highlands overlooking the plains and western road.”
“Does this interest you?” The baroness studies Breymeer’s face while she waits his answer.
Breymeer looks at the Baroness with an appreciative and humbled look, “I am honored and humbled by your offer Baroness. And, yes, I accept and pledge to fulfill your requests to the best of my ability. And request I also have the opportunity to assist our group in completing our unfinished business. I assure you, a meeting with Almax will happen at the first opportunity.”
Belina looks pleased.
Baroness Andrella clarifies, “Yes, Breymeer, I intend to send you on this mission first. You will have certainly earned the title Lord Breymeer should you complete it. However, I order you to visit Almax immediately upon leaving the castle. Belina will walk you over there.”
She finishes her whiskey with a quick toss back of her head. Though she winces some, she manages to keep her royal composure. “Fair thee well Breymeer. I pray I will see you again in victory and health.”
With that, the baroness exits the room to the hallway.
Belina sheaths her sword and gives Breymeer a smile, “Well now. You have your orders Looord Breymeer.” She draws out the word in jest to her fellow Ranger.
Breymeer begins walking by his fellow Ranger, “We must have time for me to buy you a few more drinks and a steak Belina. Been a long time away from the finer things in life.” He gives her a wink and a smack on the ars.
Belina blushes and winks back but then says in a more serious tone, “I just want to make sure I don’t end up the steak. We shall go directly to Almax and then the inn. I promise. If it gets too late, we can skip dinner and you can tuck me into bed.”
Belina leads Breymeer the Bear out of the castle. She turns towards the eastern hill.
The duo walks past the Tavern of the West Wind before turning north and climbing the small hill upon which rests the Almax family home.
They walk past some peasant housing before entering the small grove that houses Almax home. Just outside the grove, to the east, is a second house that houses a widowed woman. A sheltered grove of deciduous trees form a relatively tight circle behind the house. A small path leads to, and disappears into, the grove.
Almax is in the yard tending to some autumn flower gardens and pruning some roses. He looks up and greets you warmly, “What do the two leading Rangers wish of a simple man?”
Eventually Amox, Almax son whom with the group travelled with previously, exits the home with a pitcher of water and several glasses. Strangely, he is dressed in studded leather armor and has his scimitar sheathed on his belt. Almax exits behind his son.
Amos sets the water down on the table and takes up a position at the front door of the house.
Almax sits at the table with Belina and Breymeer.
Breymeer speaks first, “I have no doubt you will be able to help after the way the Baroness explained your character. Please understand, I expect nothing and appreciate your efforts. There are a couple of other items on which I could use your expertise if you choose to oblige. My constitution has taken a hit and maybe you could help me determine how to regain my health. I also have this sea hag’s dagger and this leaf ring which I came upon in my travels.” Breymeer shows both items to Almax.
“I have an inkling that the ring can help my vision but other than that, I know nothing about the items and maybe upon your inspection, you could shed some light as to their value and possible abilities.”
“Once your inspections are complete, please set with me and Belina and let us talk of less serious and more enjoyable topics. I have a very fine bottle of whiskey I would like to share with you.”
Finally, Breymeer concludes, “As you may know Master Almax, I am a steward of the land and respect all things wild. Please, if you wish, educate me on the plants you have in this impressive garden and specifically the ones that can be of medicinal value. We are about to attempt to confront Nebub, would you have anything in your garden that could be of assistance to me and my companions during the next stage of our journey? I expect we will be challenged by all things evil and predict the need for healing against everything imaginable.”
Almax shortens Breymeer’s list some, “I have little in the knowledge of magic and weaponry. I would suggest you speak to Pelltar in reference to those items. Or even your own Lexington Krupps. He may be of assistance.”
“I may be able to help with your lost health,” Almax smiles warmly before allowing the kind gesture to fade, “First we shall deal with your possible wolf-curse.”
Almax attempts to ease the situation, “I have my son here for fear the beast takes over Breymeer. In the event it does, my son and I will first attempt to make peace with the beast. However, should it rage, we will defend our hearth and home. Belina, as a servant of Baroness Andrella, I expect your assistance as well.”
After letting the sobering information settle upon Breymeer’s mind, he continues, “I wish to examine your shape changing. I have some knowledge in this realm. Shall we continue?”
Once the serving girls have taken the orders and headed for the bar, the group begins to relax a little bit.
It is then that Vicros makes a statement, “I am honored to have been spoken for so favorably. However, I have thought more about the adventure you are about to take part in. I fear I may be more of a hindrance that of value. You have travelled together for some time. I know not where I would fit in. I am going to remain here in Restenford and learn of the local history. I would surely enjoy spending the evening drinking and entertaining with you fine people if allowed.”
<Vicros has chosen to sit out this adventure do to the player’s busy schedule.>
“Proceed my good man,” is Breymeer’s reply.
Almax requests Breymeer to exhibit the changing of man to bear using the powers of the cloak. Breymeer focuses on the bear within him and completes the transformation into a very large bear; nearing 10’ tall. Almax is intrigued but by no means startled by the sudden transformation.
Breymeer remains in control of his mind during the tests. Belina and Amos stand by at the ready should something amiss happen. Having done as told, Breymeer turns back into his human form.
“There are several ways for which a man can change into a beast. Your cloak, for example is one. The curse of lycanthropy is another. You seem to have been affected by both. There are yet other ways in which a man enters the animal realm though they are not our focus today.”
“Captain Breymeer, would you try something for me?” questions Amax. “Would you please remove the cloak and then make your most valiant effort to change back into a bear. Focus on the energies you have felt during your transformations whether they were to a bear or a wolf.”
Both Ergon and Seeler go about their business of restocking their adventuring supplies.
Seeler gathers up everything he believes he needs before he is drawn back to the inn for food and beverage.
Ergon also gathers supplies but then walks to the encampment on the north end of Restenford. There he finds Jandre and requests of the priest holy water.
Jandre agrees, “Yes. For where we are about to travel, holy water seems appropriate. It will take me a couple days to try and find Pholtus favor. May we be blessed with his gifts. Return tomorrow evening.”
Ergon then returns to the inn.
The group is just finishing up with their meal and making their second or third beverage order when Seeler, the dwarf, enters the establishment and takes up a seat at the table to the south of the fireplace. One table away from the Tathar and crew.
Seeler orders an enormous plate of food and does not hesitate to dive into the drinking.
Later, maybe an hour or so after Seeler arrived, Ergon enters the building and follows suit; placing a food and beverage order. He sits at the table with Seeler, on the side facing the exterior door.
By this time, several other townfolk have started to enter the building. A group of fisherman entered and are then joined by Zahrdahl, the fish dealer who had accompanied the group north to Grest. During that adventure the party faced off against a horde of hobgoblins, burning down the barn at Zerman’s crossing in the process. They sit at the table to the north of the bar; in the northeastern end of the common room.
Perk, the town bowyer, enters and takes a seat at the southern end of the bar. Perk, a high elf, gives a respectful nod to Tathar as he scans the room and sits to order.
The waitresses busy themselves about the room. Gellcuff has since returned to man the bar and spin his tales.
The group only now awaits Breymeer and Belina.
Breymeer removes the bear skinned cloak, “I will attempt the bear transformation without my cloak as you request though I do not believe it will work.”
“However, if there is any chance during our attempts of the wolf form coming back, I would request more warriors standing by.”
“My dear Breymeer,” begins Almax, “I would not endanger the town should I think you would be transforming into a wolf. In any event, the three of us are not easily trifled with.”
“From what you have described to me, I believe you will not become a wolf. However, I do fear there is something more to you than meets the eye.”
Breymeer, having been convinced Almax knows what he is doing, attempts to transform into a bear. At first, the ranger does not have much of an inkling that anything will happen. But, quickly, Breymeer recognizes the now recognizable feeling of transformation.
Breymeer finds himself once again in bear form. He finds himself to have the body of a grizzly bear, standing some 7 ½ feet tall. Breymeer has his own mind and recognizes Belina, Almax and Amos as friends. In fact, he finds his bond to them strong, knowing they are protectors of the woodland realm as is he.
Almax smiles at Breymeer the bear, “Now, my friend, change back please.”
Breymeer finds he, without much effort, returns to his human form.
Almax greets him again, “Dear Breymeer, I feel the powers of nature, or possibly even the hand of Llerg, have been twisted upon you. Whether it was the werewolf’s curse, the Llerg bear cloak or a combination of both, I believe you have become a werebear. Not cursed, mind you, but a true master with control over the beast.”
<Breymeer’s alignment changed to Chaotic-Good>
Breymeer questions, “Werebear? I feel I have much more control of this change that has been set upon me. My dear Almax, the more I know the better. What can you tell me, if anything, about unique abilities, limitations and dangers that I can expect to deal with when changed?”
Almax takes a breath. “Well, the good news is, I believe you will remain an trusted friend to the barony. Though I believe you to remain independent of thought, your heart will remain in the right place. A keep on the edge of the barony may be just the place for you after all.”
“Be warned though! If I am correct, the ability to change is in your blood and soul now. Should you claw or bite someone, there is a chance you may bring them into your fold. Also, any children you bear will most certainly carry this trait with them as well.”
“Obviously, your fellow man may find this situation a curse and most difficult to comprehend. Those you seek to protect may turn on you. I would keep this revelation most private. You can trust we here will keep it sheltered as long as you are honorable to your oath to the barony.”
“I believe you will not be beholden to the moon since that part of the curse has left you after your friends intervened with prayer. Nor should you, with luck, be drawn into a blood lust that overwhelms your mind.”
“It is in your best interest to keep your cloak and hide your powers with it. Those around you are used to its ability to change you. Let them continue to believe so. Trust no one else with this lest you open yourself to betrayal.”
Almax’s serious look fades into a smile, “Now my good ranger captain. Pour us some of that fine whiskey and let us walk among the garden and I shall pick you items for your healer’s pouch. As for your constitution, unless you are simply looking for some healing of wounds, I believe you will have to return to me at another time. I can research your request and see what I learn.”
“What again is it that caused your ill health?”
Breymeer answers the druid, “Ever since my visit to Valhalla, I have felt a slight weight upon me. For a time, I passed from my body and visited the halls of my fallen fathers. Since my return, I feel not whole.”
Almax smiles and places his hand upon Breymeer’s shoulder as the ranger pours out several glasses of fine whiskey; handing them out as he does so. The druid speaks soothingly, “Dear Breymeer, I will see what I can do to help you and hopefully have an answer for you upon your return. Understand though, you only escaped death for a time. It will, one day, find you again. Your feelings may just be a gentle reminder that we all shall find entrance to our father’s halls one day whether we wish it or not.”
Breymeer nods understanding and holds up his glass in a silent toast. Almax, Amos and Belina all join him in turning their glassed up. Breymeer refreshes each cup as the four of them walk among the garden.
Almax gathers up several herbs and spices that he feels will aid Breymeer; giving him a quick tutorial on the uses of each. Finally, he gives Breymeer some Belladonna. “If the wolf should find you again, this may help save you. Eat it all but then prepare for its side effects. They are a rough row to hoe. Do not eat more than I have given you or it may be even more harmful to you.”
The foursome finish in the garden. Breymeer stows what remains of his bottle and he and Belina bid the father and son goodbye. Almax calls out to Breymeer as he walks away, “Come back dear Breymeer once your mission is complete. I shall give you lessons in botany.” Breymeer looks over his shoulder and nods to the affirmative. His gaze remains for a moment on the beauty of the gardens and trees under Almax care. Taking a breath of resolve, the ranger breaks his gaze, smiles at the druid and turns boldy towards his destiny.
The two leaders of the Restenford Rangers descend the hill and walk to the Dying Minotaur to join their friends in a final night of rest before setting out to bring low Nebub, Duke of Kroten.
After what seems like an extended delay, but not more than an hour or two after Seeler and Ergon arrive, Breymeer and Belina walk in together. Breymeer scans the room and gives a respectful nod towards the local townfolk that live under the protection he helps provide.
As Breymeer and Belina entered the inn, Ergon and Seeler rose from their seats. As the couple approach the table, the paladin and the dwarf give the rangers a warm greeting. All four warriors sit after Breymeer and Belina are invited to join. To make up for the tactical disadvantage arriving last has given them, Breymeer and Belina turn their seats so that the sit with the exterior door at the edge of their peripheral vision.
It is quickly approaching the supper hour and more locals are starting to fill in. At this point, other than Perk, the bowyer, and Zahrhahl, the fish peddler, no one of much interest to the party has arrived.
Lastly, Jandre enters about supper time. Jandre sits near Ergon at the end of the table.
The group is now reunited in the Inn of the Dying Minotaur. It is near the 6pm hour on Harvester the 26th in the year 578.
As Breymeer and Belina entered the inn, Ergon and Seeler rose from their seats. As the couple approach the table, the paladin and the dwarf give the rangers a warm greeting. All four warriors sit after Breymeer and Belina are invited to join.
It is quickly approaching the supper hour and more locals are starting to fill in. At this point, other than Perk, the bowyer, and Zahrhahl, the fish peddler, no one of much interest to the party has arrived.
Breymeer is apparently feeling pretty good after, by the smell of his breath, quite a few shots of whiskey in the last couple hours. He approaches all of the members of his group with a warm smile and pats them on the back, “Please gather around this table as close as we can.” He points to the round table in the northwest corner where Ek, Lexington, Seeler and Ergon are seated.
Belina takes a seat near Ek, leaving room for Breymeer between her and the drow elf.
Since Vicros has decided to stay in town, he moves away from the tables and takes a seat at the bar near the fish dealer.
Esned moves over and joins the round table to the left of Seeler. The gnome sits noticeably closer to the dwarf than he does the drow elf. Jandre also joins the round table, in between Ergon and Seeler. Jandre's position is not only next to his fellow Pholtus follower, it is near directly across from Ek.
Tathar and Morwen join Isiaweil and Markus on the north side of the long table sitting between the fireplace and the northwest round table.
Breymeer walks to the bar while the party situates itself as requested. On Breymeer’s return, he stops at the long table and pours four shots of fine whiskey from his long-treasured bottle. He hands the elvenfolk each a shot before returning to the round table and pouring each tablemate there a shot. He uses up the remaining contents of the bottle before handing everyone a glass.
In a low voice, just loud enough for the group that is tight around him to hear, Breymeer reveals, “My friends, some great weight has been lifted off my shoulders and it does my heart good to be here with all of you now.”
Breymeer looks everyone in the eye and states, “I have figured some things out and I tell you now, you can trust me and I am completely devoted to finding and dealing with Nebub. Raise a glass my friends and let’s plan how to take this son of a bitch out.” Breymeer holds up his glass in hopes everyone salutes in confirmation of being all in.
Esned quickly raises his glass, “I’ll drink to that!”
Ek looks toward Breymeer. Without removing his hood, Ek takes the shot.
Seeler stands and salutes with his glass towards Breymeer as he nearly shouts, “I agree, let’s get this son-of-a-bitch!”
Ergon, more refined, agrees with a salute of his glass.
Belina raises her glass, “Though I will be staying back to watch over the area, my spirit is with you.”
Jandre is in and, along with the rest of the party, he quietly takes his shot.
While the shots are being consumed, Breymeer scans the room before requesting, “Does anyone have a map we can use to aid us in our planning?”
Belina pulls out two parchments. She spreads them out on the round table in the middle of the group. “These are for you to take with you Captain Breymeer.” She smiles warmly at him; her emotion for the man showing before she collects herself, “The first is a general overview of the Lendore Island. The second is a partial map of the Kroten area. On the Kroten map, the road north of Restenford begins at Grest. The road west of Kroten travels to the southwest to Pelreltarma and Loreltarma before turning back east to Lake Farmin and Restenford area.”
Breymeer gathers up the maps and tucks them away, “I would like to eat first and them maybe we can find a more private area to discuss plans.”
Breymeer hails a waitress with the wave of his hand and a quick bird-like whistle.
To Breymeer – While the party is taking their shots, Breymeer catches sight of the fish dealer. Zahrdahl appears to be paying extra attention to the group though the men with him appear more oblivious; only looking over as Seeler gives his enthusiastic toast.
Lexington, being the youngest of the group by far, being in his late teens, doesn’t talk much. His youthfulness and upbringing as a bookworm lend to more of an observational stance in these social situations. His experience adventuring though doesn’t lend him to be easily spooked. He knows his powers in the magical arts has grown.
Lexington does not take his shot in one gulp. He sips the drink instead; doing his best to hide his gag reflex in hopes the more senior members do not see.
As Breymeer finishes talking and calls over the waitress, Lex downs the rest of the whiskey in his glass in one pull and responds in an embarrassingly whispery voice from the burning effects of the liquor, “Yhesss! Bring the fhooood!”
He looks around as the reactions of the group as they hear his failed attempt at sounding tough then slouches back in his chair.
Breymeer places his order with the waitress and then stands. He walks across the bar towards the front door where he takes a position at the bar next to Perk, the bowyer.
Morwen smiles kindly at Lexington’s embarrassment before standing herself. She removes her baliset and begins to strum it lightly. She moves back to the fireplace side of the long table.
Tathar followers her and they both take their original seats again. As they are sitting down, Krelar, the warrior-priest of Phaulkon from the town abbey enters the inn. After a quick glance around, he spies the group gathered around the northwest corner. He moves directly to the corner as if he was looking to find y’all here.
Morwen’s music is slowly getting louder. The patrons of the inn appear very pleased to be graced by her talents this evening. Most happy are the bar owner and his waitresses as the music promises to bring in a decent crowd.
Krelar approaches the round table and asks Belina, “Good evening Ranger Belina.” Krelar looks around the table and gives a nod of his head or a hello to each of the group that he had traveled with and fought beside. Some of those at the table he does not recognize though he remains unguarded about their presence. “May I have a moment of all of your time?”
Ergon gives Seeler a nudge drawing the dwarf’s attention away from his brew. Seeler looks at the paladin with a hurt expression until he sees Ergon motion to him to stand.
Ergon introduces himself to Krelar and extends his hand in friendship. Krelar returns the handshake. Seeler cleans the froth out of his beard and wipes his hand on his trousers before extending it to Krelar. With a polite smile, Krelar shakes the dwarf’s hand as well.
As the three are exchanging pleasantries, the inn door opens and Felix, a mercenary living in town, and his gorgeous girlfriend, Orella, enter. They both smile as they see the music is indeed coming from the famed Morwen Alcerin. They quickly sit at the table just left of the entrance door.
Breymeer buys Perk, the bowyer, a drink and speaks with him for a few minutes. They converse back and forth for appearing to be talking of archery and bows. They shake hands and Breymeer departs; returning to the group at the northwest table.
Breymeer leans into Belina and whispers in her ear. She looks over his shoulder very slightly in the direction of Zahrdahl, the fish dealer. She whispers something back to Breymeer. Breymeer looks next to Ek, “If the fish dealer leaves suddenly, see if you can follow him. Find out where he goes and if he talks to anyone.”
It appears at the moment that Zahrdahl is content speaking with a few of the local fishermen. They are relatively dirty and smell of one that works around fish all day. Even Zahrdahl isn’t overly well dressed. He appears to do well enough to make a living but his manner of dress is only that of a common man.
Morwen continues to play and sing. It is obvious she has already won over the crowd. Many, like the three men at the bar, have nearly given up speaking amongst themselves and generally sit mesmerized absent-mindedly sipping their beverage.
Under the cover of the music, Krelar leans into the table and speaks, “I am here, as directed by Almon, head priest at the Abbey of Phaulkon, to request a meeting with the away team that is traveling to the Kroten area. Almon believes he have some information that may come in useful to you. In addition, it will give you a more private area to plan without having to worry about spying eyes or eavesdropping ears.”
Krelar pauses and looks cautiously around the room, though in a manner that seems relaxed; as if he was taking the time to look upon Morwen and listen for a moment to her voice. He continues, “I would like to accompany the group. Please consider this offer. You may stop in at the abbey any time before you leave.”
Breymeer – Perk believes he may have what you are looking at for a bow. He invites you to stop into his shop tomorrow and have a look around. If nothing else, he offers to make you a bow to your expectations.
When Breymeer questions Belina about Zahrdahl, she replies, “He has been around town for some time dealing in fish. I know him not well. He has always been a bit suspicious but he seems to do a fair business. He knows most of the dock workers and fishermen by name.”
It isn’t long before word of Morwin’s music gets around. The inn begins to fill quickly. Mostly, it consists of local residence. Pheldman, the half-elven store owner, is one of them. He is an importer of fine food and drink from the main lands. Pheldman is getting old, even though he has some elvish in his bloodline. He is ancient by human standards, having lived long enough to know the great-great-great grandfather of some of the townsfolk.
As with any port town, even as small as Restenford, there are a few folks that are not from town, or even Lake Farmin for that matter. Some come in or leave by ship, never staying long enough to leave a name. Of those in the bar this evening, the adventurers make up the majority of them. Ek, the slim and shady elf sitting at the edge of shadow in the back of the room, Vicros, a half-elf drifter. He, like Morwen, is a musician and story-teller. He seems to be in the crowd whenever Morwen plays. Then there is the somewhat fanatical holy men of Pholtus that migrated here with a small army from Nyrond. They are far too rigid for the local independent minded populace to handle; if it were not for the comfort having one hundred well trained military professionals camped at the edge of town. Markus, the half-elf battle priest of Kord. Markus has begun to distance himself as the evening goes on. He seems lost in thought.
Not long after Pheldman arrives, Cholak, the dwarven warrior priest, enters the bar. He nods to the party and takes a seat at an open table in the middle of the north wall, directly between the party and the fishmonger, Zahrdahl.
Outside the bar, many locals that can not afford the spare copper for a beverage, start to gather outside the inn. The sound of Morwen’s voice and baliset carry well enough to the street. Gellcuff, the innkeeper, doesn’t seem to mind because in no time, it is standing room only inside.
The evening continues to pass.
Lexington watches Pheldman enter and take a seat next to Perk. Lexington, until beginning his adventuring career with this party, spent all of his time learning magic and studying ancient languages and histories. He hurries across the room to take a seat next to the old half-elf before the seat is taken. He is intrigued to glean information and knowledge from someone who has lived so many years.
Perk and Pheldman both look up at the arrival of Lexington. A conversation begins.
To Lexington: Pheldman is the first to speak, breaking the ice, “Mr. Krupps I presume.” A warm smile is upon his face.
Seeler gets up just after Lexington leaves the table. The dwarf excuses himself and moves one table away to where Cholak sits by himself. Seeler asks the warrior/priest if he may sit with him at his table.
Markus also gets up from his chair. He walks over to the north end of the bar and takes up a position on Vicros’ right side. The two begin chatting.
Breymeer motions for Krelar to sit at the table. Ergon moves to his right filling Lexington’s place while Jandre moes to Ergon’s seat to make room for Krelar.
Krelar sits between Esned and Jandre. Krelar greets Esned the gnome with a quick nod of his head. Breymeer leans forward and speaks to him. Krelar listens a while longer to the music, looks around, and continues the conversation.
To those at the northwest table: Breymeer leans forward a little and asks Krelar, “What do you know of Zahrdahl?” Krelar takes a brief moment to glace over to Morwen playing. Once he is satisfied no one but those at the table are listening, he speaks, “He hasn’t drawn a lot of unwanted attention to himself. He deals mainly at the docks. He leaves town now and then for Loreltarma. ‘Doing business’ is what reason he claims. I trust him not. However, he may have some connections in the capital that could be useful.”
Markus, after a short conversation with Vicros, moves over to the table with the dwarves. He takes a seat with Cholak and Seeler; having his back to the adventuring group in the northwest table. Markus faces the table with the fishmonger and the three fisherman.
Vicros returns to listening to Morwen play.
To Lex: Lexington replies, “Hello sir. Please pardon the intrusion of a mere child. I see that you are a man of many years and I can only assume those years have brought knowledge and wisdom. In my short life, I have studied intensely in the area of ancient language and history. The chance to gain knowledge directly from someone who has seen things that happened long before my great-great-great-great grandfather was alive is too much for me to resist. If it isn’t a burden to you sir, I would love to hear any stories, legends and myths about this region that you would be willing to share.”
As Lexington speaks, he positions himself in the most tactical way possible to protect himself from possible pick pockets as the inn gets more and more crowded.
Pheldman smiles at the upstart, “Well now, how can I pass up such an offer to regale you with a tale or two.”
Pheldman looks away to watch Morwen for a moment. “Tonight, in this crowd, may not be the best time for storytelling. However, if you wish to swing by my shop tomorrow, I will speak with you then.”
He watches Morwen for a moment again and then finishes, “However, I am soon travelling to Loreltarma, so you best stop in soon or you will have to wait until I return.”
Morwen’s music continues to ramp up in intensity. She strums the baliset effortlessly while blending her voice to the instrument in a way that is becoming alien to the non-elven in the room.
Around the room, the common folk have all but stopped talking. They have more and more been entranced by Morwen; staring slack jawed while their drinks and nearby friends go unnoticed.
In the street, the crowd has gathered around the entire front of the inn and filled the street for some distance. As Morwen begins to play more intensely, those in the street continue to grow in number. All this despite the damp, cool evening.
Ek, sitting with his back to the wall, has all but blended into the dark. His dark complexion blending well in the dark corner. His white hair completely hidden by the deep hood on his cloak that he has pulled down low over his forehead.
Breymeer and Belina have slowly migrated into each other. Belina appears to have become somewhat emotional from the music and has uncharacteristically place her head lightly on Breymeer’s left shoulder, pushing her torso into his in the process.
Ergon and Jandre absent mindedly listen along. Opposite the table from Ek, they are nearly his opposite. Both proud shining examples of the diety of light.
Krelar, who had been talking to Breymeer about Zarhdahl, has forgotten the conversation and turned his back to the table to watch the elf maiden.
Esned happily sits enjoying being back among some of the traveling companions of his past.
Seeler sits idly by as Cholak and Markus continue what appears to be an important conversation.
Isiaweil, suffering from a weakened will, a traumatic brain injury and having been brought back from the dead under White Plume Mountain, almost seems at peace as he relaxes in his chair.
Tathar, in a strangeness that has only become common with Tathar, slowly pushes his chair back. Wearing his black face and moon pained eyes, he takes a knee and slowly rotating around the room because what appears to be an elvish prayer. He holds his holy symbol ahead of himself. All of this would normally bring about a strange reaction from the crowd, however, the common folk have becomes used to the strange little elf’s odd behaviors. In addition, his behavior is not worth taking their eyes and ears off of his elven companion strumming the baliset.
Zahrdahl stands and excuses himself from the table. The three fisherman hardly notice his exit. Zahrdahl appears to struggle a bit to break himself from watching the elf maiden as he approaches the bar. After hailing several times, he is finally able to secure three drinks. He hands over several coins and approaches the NW table slowly, trying not to spill in the crowded room.
Reaching the adventurer’s table, he greets them kindly; tending to ignore the nearby Sehanine priest’s strange prayer. He hands Breymeer a fresh whiskey and Esned another beverage as well. The third he holds aloft ahead of himself. “Before the night ends, I wanted to make sure to take a moment to thank both of you again for keeping me safe at Zerman’s crossing when I traveled north with you. You kept me safe from the hobgoblin horde that raided us in the barn.”
Belina only removes her head from Breymeer’s shoulder long enough for him to quaff the whiskey as Zahrdahl finishes his. It appears to be an honest show of respect and thanks. Esned smiles warmly as he takes the second mug. His large nose appearing to become a little red with the intoxicating liquids stirring in his blood. Zahrdahl’s attention fails him and he stands blankly watching the elven musician. Breymeer gives a nod of thanks and leans back allowing Belina to settle back into his arm.
Lex smiles and says, “Thank you sir. I will stop by tomorrow, as in my adventuring ways, I know not when I may see you again.” He will then take to listening to Morwen’s lilting melodies with the old man and look about the establishment enjoying some people watching time. He is quickly swept into the sweet melody.
Felix’s girlfriend has begun to wipe tears from her eyes.
Morwen plays on; ramping up the intensity as she continues to play.
Tathar: Tathar completes his spell and very slowly examines the room, specifically, Ek and Zahrdahl. Surprisingly, the drow elf does not appear to have an evil slant to him. However, Zahrdahl carries with him an aura of mistrust and deceit.
As the evening moves on, Morwen returns to playing her Baliset and singing.
It is well known that the elves are the most talented musicians in the land. It is said that they do not play their best when around other races because their best music would ruin others enjoyment of lesser quality music performed by humans or gnomes etc. Given the elves' love for music, they would never want to detract from the other races' enjoyment of it, even if it's a lesser quality.
Whether it's the liquor that has been flowing or something else, it's hard to say, but it is obvious that there's been a change in Morwen's music.
The music from her baliset is deeper and richer and almost seems that there are multiple instruments being played at once. Her voice is richer and more full then has ever been noticed previously with an elvish twang to her singing that is almost haunting.
She sings of an elven maiden's love for her childhood sweetheart. The times that they spent frolicking in the woods and swimming in rivers in their childhood.
As all is going well, but as they grow into adulthood, something changes in her sweetheart and he leaves for foreign lands never to be seen again.
The elf maiden waits for many years for her true love to return, but when it becomes apparent that he will not, she grabs her cloak, and travel bag and sets out on her own, to find him.
The song ends explaining how the elvin maiden travels dusty roads for the rest of her life never finding her true love, her heartbreaking as she leaves every town until she just wanders off into the sunset never to be seen again.
As Morwen stops playing there is silence in the bar that is overpowering. Everybody except Tathar, is staring at her. Drinks are held loosely in hands, totally forgotten about. Mouths are agape, and the two barmaids, standing and holding their trays, are weeping openly. Tathar, for his part, is staring at the table.
Morwen, sensing the silence, looks up and sees the reaction of every patron in the bar. Realizing that she may have pushed the musical envelope too far, she smiles faintly looks down and says "goodnight" to the crowd. She then glides across the floor with elvin grace, never looking back, and leaves for her room.
The rest of the bar remains in their stupor for several more moments before the barkeep finally clears his throat and asks if anybody would like something else to drink. This seems to stir people out of there dazed state and everything returns to normal.
Tathar, finishes his drink, and stands to excuse himself for the night. His black-painted face with white orbs around his eyes, his adventuring war-mask, hides any expression.
Morwen begins to play a ballad in the elvish language.
It is well known that the elves are the most talented musicians in the land. It is said that they do not play their best when around other races because their best music would ruin other’s enjoyment of lesser quality music performed by the other races. Given the elves' love for music, they would never want to detract from non-elves enjoyment of it, even if it is of a lower standard than their own.
Whether it's the liquor that has been flowing or something else, it's hard to say, but it is obvious that there's been a change in Morwen's music as the evening wore on. It becomes undeniable as she begins her ballad.
The music from her baliset is deeper and richer so that it seems that there are multiple instruments being played at once. Her voice beautifully blends with the baliset. It is more full than has ever been noticed; with an elvish timbre to her singing that is haunting.
She sings of an elven maiden's love for her childhood sweetheart. The times that they spent frolicking in the woods and swimming in rivers in their childhood.
As all is going well, but as they grow into adulthood, something changes in her sweetheart and he leaves for foreign lands never to be seen again.
The elf maiden waits for many years for her true love to return, but when it becomes apparent that he will not, she grabs her cloak and travel bag with which she sets out on her own, to find him.
The song ends explaining how the elf maiden travels dusty roads for the rest of her life never finding her true love, her heartbreaking as she leaves every town until she despondently wanders off into the sunset never to be seen again.
As Morwen stops playing, there is a silence in the bar that is overpowering. Everyone except Tathar, is staring at her. Drinks are held loosely in hands, totally forgotten about. Mouths are agape, and the two barmaids, standing and holding their trays, are weeping openly. Tathar, for his part, is staring at the table.
Morwen, sensing the silence, looks up and sees the reaction of the patrons in the bar. Realizing that she has pushed the musical envelope too far, she smiles faintly looks down and says, "goodnight" Morwen glides across the floor with elvish grace, never looking back, and leaves for her room.
The rest of the bar remains in their stupor. The humans are slow to recover. They stare forward, not in depression or despair but with a deep sadness. The short-lived humans, having for the moment, felt a touch of what a centuries long love could be. Incomprehensible to them, they can only sit in bewilderment at the depth of their feelings. The dwarves, used to big, booming songs that fill cavernous halls, even remain quiet. They watch Morwen exit with repect. Even the elf blooded in the audience appear affected; not having heard such beautiful notes in many years.
Tathar, finishes his drink, and stands to excuse himself for the night. His black-painted face with white orbs around his eyes, his adventuring war-mask, hides any expression.
The crowd slowly finishes their beverages and begin to clear out into the night. The streets have already cleared. Those listening from outside were sobered more quickly by the cool rain.
The room is quiet now.
Zahrdahl, seemingly remembering that he was talking to Breymeer and Esned before being carried away by the ballad, states, “So, anyway, if you should need anything that I can provide, please ask. I feel indebted to you.”
Zahrdahl finishes his glass, nods politely to the group, and walks out into the night.
Perk and Phelman follow him out. Having recovered, they have very satisfied looks on their faces.
Markus, Cholak and Seeler turn their chairs so they may all see the northwest table. Lexington crosses the bar and rejoins the group. Only the adventurers remain, minus Tathar and Morwen.
Markus announces, “Kord has something else he requires of me. I shall not be going with the group. Cholak shall travel in my stead to bring honor to his name.”
Seeler appears pleased another dwarf is again in the group.
Krelar nods respectfully and heads for the door, “See you all at the abbey tomorrow. Come at sundown.”
Lexington passes the rest of the evening in his room studying his books. He strains over spells that have escaped his ability to master. He wakes in his chair, having fallen asleep reading and studying. Seeing it is now morning, he heads over to Pheldman’s shop.
It is a short walk of less than 500 feet from the Dying Minotaur to Pheldman’s store. He is located on the northeast edge of town near where the Pholtus soldiers are encamped. The walk is nice as the sun is out; though a steady breeze blows ashore.
Pheldman greets the young human. The store is not busy at the time so the two chat for much of the morning. The conversation is only broken by an occasional customer.
Pheldman tells Lexington of the Duchy of Kroten. When Pheldman arrived in Restenford, the Duchy of Kroten did not exist. It was an area populated by occasional farmsteads. It was the common year 443 when the Oerid warrior, Lord Kroten, Celestian High Priest Ellisabor and the wizard Delcartis arrived to scout for an area to settle in an attempt to escape the unrest in the Great Kingdom.
They settled in the area of present day Kroten, brining their families there by 449 CY. An inn, a temple to Celestian and a tower for Delcartis were quickly built. The town quickly expanded in trade and size, adding several more inns and establishing a town guard unit. The guard unit was created with a tax organized by Febartus, Lord Kroten’s son.
Chestella, Febartus wife, gave birth to a son, named Nebub, in 482 CY.
The Celestian chuch sold its church to the followers of Syrul, the deity of deceit. The Celestians left the area, considering it to overgrown for them. This was 490 CY. Within a few years, Ellisabar and Lord Kroten both die of natural causes. Febartus died prior to 500 CY. Delcartis died within the same month (Coldeven, 499).
In 503 CY, Nebub became Mayor of Kroten. Ten years later he began declaring himself Duke Nebub, claiming to have a ‘rightful’ title bestowed upon him on a trip to the Great Kingdom. Those that tried to oppose him or question him disappeared.
He built a Kroten Castle, having it completed by 524 CY.
As soon as it was done, he imported a horde of hobgoblins, assisted by ogres and stone giants, to dig an extension of the Kroten river. The river flowed on one side of the town. The completion of the project had the river flowing both north and south of town. Three thousand feet of river channel were dug.
He also had city walls built until his merchants became near mutinous at the loss of business resulting from having ogres and giants in town. Duke Nebub was furious but actually relented to their wishes. The giant-kind were shown the door but the hobgoblins, now generally civilized, were allowed to stay.
Duke Nebub is nearing 100 years of age, yet he shows very little change from when he was appointed Mayor back in 503 CY.
It is known the duke worships at the Syrul church. He has an association with the northern town of Asmogorgon, where the worship of Syrul is also prevalent. Asmogorgon is an isolated community on the northeast coast of Lendore Island. There is only one road to Asmogorgon and it starts at Kroten. The trail is of minimum maintenance as it travels through the Barrier Mountains. It is well marked but not easily traveled.
Pheldmen then excuses himself from Lexington, “I have to close up now. I need to prepare to travel to Lo Reltarma tomorrow when the Lendore Express leaves port.”
Lexington passes the rest of the day and joins the party at the Phaulkon Abbey in the evening as requested.
Ek does his best to try and keep tabs on Zahrdahl. The merchant went straight to his house after leaving the bar. The next day he appeared to be up to business as usual. He spent the whole day in and around the docks appearing to be conducting his normal course of business; that of a bait and fish dealer.
Breymeer awakes to a hangover. He smiles as he wiggles himself free from the red-headed ranger Belina. She simply rolls aside and lets him go; knowing he is seeking out a new bow this morning.
Captain Breymeer steps out and curses the clear skies as the sun drives daggers into his eyes enraging his headache. A steady breeze blows ashore.
Breymeer travels to the base of the hill that holds Restenford Castle. He continues past the road to the castle towards where the Pholtus soldier encampment. Before the encampment, he enters Perk’s building.
Perk greets the captain warmly. To Breymeer’s surprise, Almax’s son, Amos, is also in the building. No one else appears to be around. Amos has been waiting for Breymeer.
Amos approaches Breymeer and greets him, “Captain Breymeer, I wish to share with you some information. My wife, Janabe, is currently in the Kroten area. She is a druid of Ehlonna. She does not travel alone. She knows who you are and can be trusted to aid you should you come across her path. Her and her group work to the benefit of Restenford. I do not know where she is currently, only that they sought to gain intelligence about the Kroten area.”
Breymeer nods acknowledgement. He has traveled with Amos and knows his character to be true. “What does she look like?” Breymeer asks.
“She is half-elven. She has long brown hair, most often worn in a pony tail. She has brown eyes and fair skin. However, she may be disguised. Also, she travels with her eagle named Keikolah. She would likely only trust you, Belina or Isiaweil should you come across her.”
With that, he respectfully shakes Breymeer’s hand and exits the store.
Perk and Breymeer chat further as the ranger shops for supplies.
By sundown, the party gathers at the Phaulkon Abbey. The main church building, damaged during the raid on Restenford approx. 11 months prior, has been repaired. A new rectory was built where the previous one had been burned to the ground.
Lead priest, Almon, greets the party warmly. Krelar, the church’s warrior, stands by his side in plain clothes. Many of those standing currently before them were on the mission to recover the abbey’s mace; a relic of the Phaulkon church. The other church members are not present.
Almon states sincerely, “We, here at the abbey, are indebted to many of you. It is out of this respect that I offer you the peace and security of this church to prepare for your upcoming mission. I have also given Krelar permission to accompany your group to aid in your cause. Krelar is dedicated to the church, Restenford and your group.”
Krelar concurs, “A great evil lays upon our border. I shall aid your group to victory or give my life in the effort. On Phaulkon’s honor I state this to be true.”
Almon has prepared for the group by setting up a makeshift meeting area. A table has been brought in and pews moved around it to provide seating for the group. There is water and wine in pitchers on the table and goblets for everyone to drink from.
Almon requests all to be seated.
As the group begins to take seats, Almon removes a flask from his pocket and hands it to Captain Breymeer, “I did not think the good captain would suddenly find a taste for wine. I found a little whiskey for you Captain Breymeer.” He hands the ranger a fine crystal flask wrapped in soft dark brown leather. The flask is over-laid with silver in the form of wings draping down both sides of the flask. The neck of the flask, also over-laid in silver, doubles as the neck of an eagle. The silver cap is the head of the eagle with its beak open and an intense look about it. The cap screws into place. The leather wrap has a flap that folds over the top of the crystal and secures into place with a buckle. The craftmanship is exquisite (250gp value).
Breymeer starts the planning. He looks to Krelar first, “Krelar, your support is more appreciated than you can imagine. If Zahrdahl is still in town, I see value in sending some Rangers to gather him up and bring him in for a quick interrogation. It would seem worth the effort to grill him about where his allegiance lies and gain what knowledge he may have about the goings on in Kroten. He may even know the best route there. What do you think Krelar?”
Krelar thinks for a moment before answering, “I think there is wisdom in your statement.”
Ergon, perhaps wishing to keep the Pholtus presence acknowledged, states his agreement.
Breymeer looks to Belina. She simply nods in return and looks at Isiaweil, “Isiaweil, come with me. We have a fish to catch.”
Isiaweil turns and follows her out. The poor half-elf ranger has very little of his personality left. The head injury from the ettin’s blow, loss of will to the undead and getting cut in half by the giant crab under White Plume Mountain has taken its toll on him. Though he was magically brought back, he remains more of a zombie than a ranger. Two things are not questioned about him however, he is forever faithful to his friends and immensely strong in combat.
While the group is waiting for the delivery of one Zahrdahl, Breymeer removes a large ruby and asks anyone in the party if they are able to break for him (1000gp value). The party rummages around a bit but all generally come up empty.
Almon, the head priest, cannot help, “The church has nearly expired it funds rebuilding. I am sorry Captain.”
Belina and Isiaweil return relatively quickly with a somewhat shocked looking Zahrdahl. He appears to have come on his own free will. He does not look nervous. He smells like he has been down on the docks and his clothing is partially covered in fish goo.
Zahrdahl is given Belina’s seat at the table next to Breymeer. Belina and Isiaweil stand behind the fish peddler.
Zahrdahl greets the group, “I am sorry for my appearance. I did not expect to be making a formal appearance anywhere today. This is much unexpected. Rangers Belina and Isiaweil did not mention what this meeting was about, only that I was requested to attend. What is it I can do for you?”
Breymeer answers the fishmonger, “Your attire is completely acceptable and I respect a man that works hard for a living. Please have a seat and relax.” Zahrdahl’s hands are noticeably sweaty as he takes Belina’s chair and sits.
Breymeer continues, “I noticed your attentiveness the other night at the inn. Please sir, what is your interest in our group’s presence here in Restenford?” Breymeer pauses and watches Zahrdahl, giving him a moment to answer. The rest of the group watches. The Pholtus priest and paladin appear to be glaring into his soul. Zahrdahl is well aware of the powerful men surrounding him.
“I meant not to garner your attention other that to buy you a drink. I was watching for an appropriate moment to approach your group is all.” Zahrdahl’s unintentionally eyes the door. His breathing an pulse have increased noticeably. He is obviously uncomfortable at the moment.
Breymeer presses further, “You are a well-traveled man. Where are you off to next? When have you last been to Kroten?”
“I have not been to Kroten in some time. Long before the blockade was established. Before Restenford was attacked. I travel to Lo Reltarma when I leave. I go there on business.” Zahrdahl calms a little and begins to ask his own questions, “What of Kroten is your focus of interest? I have some knowledge of the area but am a simple mans of simple means.”
Ergon stares intently at Zahrdahl, reading his soul.
Breymeer fetches a glass and pours Zahrdahl a glass of wine from the pitcher. The Ranger Captain pulls up a chair very close to Zahrdahl and hands him the glass, “Relax my friend. I understand you are a traveled man and wish only to share your knowledge. You say it’s been a while since you’ve been to Kroten?” Breymeer pauses.
Zahrdahl takes a sip of the wine, he appears to be collecting himself well. His hands and voice are steady as he speaks, “Before Duke Nebub blocked the paths into Kroten, I used to travel there.”
Breymeer questions the general mood of the local populace, “Last you were there was there an evil restlessness about the air? Or, did the town and surrounding lands appear proper and right?"
Zahrdahl analyzes the moral of the populace as follows, “Though the Duke rules with a relative iron fist, he holds to the law. Even the hobgoblins follow the rules. Punishments are very strict for violations of the law. However, the people prosper well enough. I believe that is why the have tolerated the Duke.”
Taking another sip of wine, this one a little larger, Zahrdahl continues, “After the blockade, I generally only travel to Lo Reltarma. I had set up accounts in Kroten prior to the blockade. Now, I go through a middle man in Lo Reltarma. I mainly deal locally in bait for the local fisherman. However, I also trade fish to inland markets if and when I can work it out. In fact, I am traveling there tomorrow or the following day. Once the ‘Surf Express’ arrives in port. It should be departing for Lo Reltarma within a day or so.”
< Ergon detects the man has a darkness to him. He appears to have an evil aura about him.>
Sensing truthfulness, Breymeer leans back in his chair, “I believe your information to be truthful, though somewhat worrisome. Talk of blocked roads, middle men and iron rule cause me concern. Tell me this Zahrdahl, this ship, the Surf Express, would it be possible for our party to travel to Lo Reltarma as passengers with you? Would we be able to do it without drawing unnecessary attention? And this middleman you work with, is he someone we could trust to provide further information about the current state of the lands near Kroten?”
Zahrdahl takes another sip of wine. “I speak the truth of Kroten. I have not dared travel there since I was with you at the attack on Zerman’s crossing. Those that know me in Kroten know I am from Restenford. Considering the current political climate, I dare not attempt to venture into the dutchy.”
“As for the Surf Express, she does not usually take passengers. Though, for the right price, I am sure that is negotiable.” Zahrdahl looks around at the size of the group, “I do not think all of you could go though.” Zahrdahl looks at the Pholtus priest and paladin, “And I am certain the two of you would stick out like commoner at a royal court.”
“The middleman I deal with does travel into Kroten from Lo Reltarma on a somewhat regular basis. In fact, he has contacts within Duke Nebub’s very castle. The hobgoblins in town appear to like our pickled freshwater fish. That. and other freshwater catch. are provided to the castle occasionally as well. Hence the reason this middleman has a contact in the castle.”
Breymeer leans forward again. He places his hand across Zahrdahl’s shoulders and speaks to him eye to eye, “Know this my friend, your information and help will be rewarded. But our meeting and discussions must stay between us with no exceptions. Is that understood?”
Zahrdahl, being a business man that doesn’t like to miss an opportunity to better himself, suggestively states, “I do understand Captain Breymeer. However, if this is going to stay on the down low, I will need some, er, shall we say, encouragement funds, to persuade a certain ship captain and middleman to help out without asking questions. Silence is not a cheap commodity on the docks.”
“I should take the most plain of you with me on the ship. Those that will not stick out in the sailor’s memory. Not the gnome, no pretty woman, no overly large warriors, no men in shiny armor and, unless you disguise yourself captain, not the Captain of the Restenford Rangers.”
Zahrdahl looks at the group and begins pointing out possible traveling companions, “Krelar would not draw suspicion. Isiaweil should be okay. The dwarves even could be smuggled aboard I believe. Neither of them are overly well known.”
Zahrdahl thinks for a moment, “Krelar and Isiaweil should come aboard with me in Restenford. The dwarves should quickly get to Lake Farmin and buy themselves aboard when the ship docks there next. It would draw less attention.”
“Must anyone else travel by ship?” Zahrdahl asks. “Otherwise, the remainder of you could travel overland to Pel Reltarma and meet us there. The ship will stop at both the main town of Lo Reltarma and then make port on at the mainland village of Pel Reltarma before the middleman begins his journey overland north to Kroten.”
Breymeer looks to the others to see if anyone else had ideas. Seeing none, Breymeer states his readiness to get going. “The overland group can set out immediately to get to Lake Farm before the ‘Surf Express’. Krelar, Isiaweil and Zahrdahl can board the ship in Restenford. The overland group can bypass entering Lake Farmin other than the two dwarves.”
“The gnome may be able to join the dwarves at Lake Farmin. I doubt a gnome traveling with the dwarves would raise much of an eyebrow,” states Zahrdahl, somewhat lost in thought, possibly even thinking out loud.
Lexington pipes up, “I would like to go with Zahrdahl on the ship. I doubt I would draw any attention.” Zahrdahl agrees.
The fish dealer makes a request for coin, “Does anyone have 30 gold coins I can use to get these three onto the ship. The dwarves and gnome can buy their way on when we get to Lake Farmin.”
Lexington, Krelar and Isiaweil all pitch in 10 gold coins to pay for their ride.
“Watch for the ship to dock and then come find me around the docks and I will get you aboard. It will be tight quarters but it is a short trip.”
With that, Zahrdahl is allowed to leave the abbey. Shortly after the fish dealer leaves, Breymeer has Ek sneak out into the darkness and tail him.
The group makes its final plans and sets them into motion.
Lexington, Krelar and Isiaweil will wait in town to watch for the arrival of the ‘Surf Express’.
Cholak, Seeler and Esned will strike out immediately for Lake Farmin in order to be in town when the ‘Surf Express’ arrives.
The rest of the group will begin their overland journey in the morning.
The meeting ends and the group exits the abbey.
While still on the hill, Tathar pauses. He looks up into the clear night sky and then uncharacteristically speaks. He calls those going with him overland to Pel Reltarma together while the others continue on.
“I am still in possession of the Ungohling. It will hold us. We can take it to Pel Reltarma instead of going overland.”
Tathar continues to explain his thoughts. By taking to the sea, they can follow behind Zahrdahl and lay a trap for him should he be up to no good. Tathar wants the group to keep their ears out on arrival for any hint that there was an ambush or similar that had been set up along the overland route.
Tathar instructs everyone to keep this change of plan to only those in the inner circle. Those we know we can trust.
The group traveling on the Ungohling will be Tathar, Morwen, Breymeer, Ek, Ergon and Jandre.
Tathar advises they can get together and set sail sometime after the departure of the Surf Express. The group agrees to regroup after the ship has left port.
Breymeer advises the group he wishes to speak to the priests about a donation. Breymeer knocks on the front door and, after a brief moment, is told to wait outside for a few minutes before he is finally welcomed back in.
The group walks down the hill and back to the Dying Minotaur with the exception of Breymeer. The ranger arrives at the inn only some five minutes after the others. After a meal, the group retires for the evening.
Breymeer is allowed back into the abbey. Almon and Krelar both meet with Breymeer about the ruby (1000gp) that Breymeer had wished to trade for coin or smaller gems. Almon produces a small leather pouch. Into his hand he pours four sapphires (200gp each) and two pearls (100gp each). “I believe this is a fair trade for your ruby.”
Breymeer agrees with a nod and hands over the ruby to Almon. Almon, in turn, puts the handful of gems, with the exception of the ruby, into the leather pouch and hands it to Breymeer.
Almon states, “I know you did not mean to bring up the donations the way it was brought about (DM apology). I did not wish to speak of church funds in front of the group. Our treasury was basically depleted repairing and rebuilding after the raid. The gems are a final point of savings. However, I trust you, Captain Breymeer, and agree the value of the ruby is worth the trade.”
Breymeer removes one of the sapphires from the pouch and hands it back to Almon, “Please use this as you see fit, and thank you for everything.”
Almon smiles warmly at Breymeer and gives the captain a nod of approval.
Krelar is also pleased, “I shall not fail to aid you, my friend. May Phaulkon see us through.”
With that, Breymeer leaves the abbey and catches back up with the group at the Dying Minotaur.
Cholak, Seeler and Esned grab their gear and head out into the night for Lake Farmin. By keeping a steady pace, they will arrive later the following day and should easily be ahead of the Surf Express. The weather cooperates.
During the night, the group makes the loop through the local hills to the north before bending back to the south; passing Tur Thar Guldar as dawn begins to break. The morning light brings some scattered clouds but the trio remains dry on their walk.
The journey is completely uneventful. Even the creepy passage though the Dead Wood is uneventful though the trio knows their passing has likely been witnessed by the Sehanine elves of Tur Thar Guldar.
The three travelers arrive in lake Farmin without incident. A quick check of the docks verifies they have beat the ship to town. They go to the House of Abhram and rent out a room. All three are exhausted from their travels. After a warm meal and some beverages, they take to their room and sleep through the night.
Ek returns quietly to Breymeer’s room at the Dying Minotaur and reports he followed Zahrdahl back to his fish/bait shop and entered it. He remained there for several hours before Ek departed and went back to the Dying Minotaur to advise Breymeer.
The morning of Harvester the 28th arrives with scattered clouds but no rain. The temperature is a kind 70ish degrees but a strong wind blows ashore.
At the military encampment, Ergon speaks privately to Jandre. The paladin asks the priest of he was able to receive Pholtus’ blessing and create some holy water.
Jandre replies that he is still working on it but should have a few vials ready by the time the group disembarks. “In fact, I will work on that the rest of the day.” Jandre returns to his tent and completes the ritual to create holy water.
By mid-afternoon, the Surf Express is securely docked at the docks near the burned-out guard shack. The docks are conveniently located near Zahrdahl’s home. The longshoreman get busy off-loading cargo. Zahrdahl pays the ship a visit.
Zahrdahl seeks out and finds the party at the Dying Minotaur where he gathers Isiaweil and Lexington together. He advises the ship will not be leaving until the early morning hours the following day. He suggests the party meet him at the inn after nightfall and they will stow themselves on the boat. Their passage has been paid and accepted.
Isiaweil delivers the message to Krelar at the abbey.
Night sets in. Luna is nearly ¾ full yet but waning. Celene is waxing and nearly full. The Brewfest holiday week begins in the morning.
The priest, the ranger and the young mage all arrive down at the docks where they meet Zahrdahl waiting. “The ship is empty,” informs the fish dealer with a twinkle in his eye. “Seems the sailors found themselves with a few extra coins in their pockets and thought to spend them at the local inns.”
Zahrdahl leads the group onto the ship. It is a small craft, certainly not worthy of the open sea. It has an enclosed hull, a rear cabin and a single mast. Zahrdahl leads the three adventurers into the hold where three hammocks are strung from port to starboard at the bow of the boat. They are closely side by side. There is little room for each of them to move about. Their gear is stowed below them.
Zahrdahl informs them, “Remain here until we dock at Lo Reltarma. We will depart there and I will help you catch a ferry to Pel Reltarma.”
Zahrdahl points at a simple wooden bucket on the floor. “For you to use until we arrive. The crew would appreciate it if you dump it before you depart.”
Once Isiaweil and Lexington have joined Krelar and Zahrdahl on the Surf Express, Tathar, Morwen, Breymeer, Ek, Ergon and Jandre meet at the inn for final planning. They have been informed the Surf Express will be departing at first light.
Lexington’s somewhat formal upbringing makes him cringe a bit at the thought of doing his business in a bucket and having to dump it himself. Maybe he’ll get lucky and Isiaweil will dump the ‘honey bucket’. The young mage settles in as comfortably as he can for the watery journey.
A lantern was provided, along with enough oil. It hangs from the ceiling in the general area of the three stowaways. Lexington uses the light to study by.
Isiaweil spends his time lying about or preparing his gear.
Krelar also prepares his gear. In addition, he spends much time in prayer.
Tathar, Morwen, Breymeer, Ek, Ergon and Jandre take up the northwest table at the Dying Minotaur again. Without Morwen playing, the inn remains relatively quiet. Ek sulks in the corner with his hood characteristically pulled low over his face.
Tathar discusses the folding boat. He is concerned the party may not be on the boat and/or ship when it changes form. The planks unfold and change shape in dramatic fashion. It is Tathar’s belief that at best, the party will be deposited into the water if on the boat when it changes. Worse case, those on board take damage from the moving and shapeshifting parts. Because of these concerns, Tathar decides the safe bet is just walking down to the docks, floating the box out and having it change into the ship. Everyone can climb on and then they will sail away.
Tathar believes much of the crew is still residing around town and would likely join the group in sailing the ship once again.
Once away from Restenford, Tathar plans to stay as close to the shoreline as they safely can. He wishes to remain hidden from the view of the other ship. Once they approach Lake Farmin, they will disembark and walk into town.
Tathar, already having spoken more that he is accustomed to, asks the rest of the group if that plan is okay with them. He is open to suggestions.
Breymeer speaks, “I am fine with your plans Tathar.”
Ek speaks quietly, “I shall go by land. I care not for the sea. I will find you at Pel Reltarma. If I do not arrive, do not concern yourself with attempting to find me. I will either arrive or perish along the way; whatever my fate shall be, shall be.”
Tathar is pleased Breymeer will be taking the ship and not traveling with Ek. Breymeer is the only other person from the voyage from the swamp to Restenford that is currently in the party. Tathar could use the sailing skills that the ranger learned on the voyage, limited as they may be.
For those not aware of the ship, Tathar explains what the Ungohling looks like in ship form. The ship is 30 feet long, 10 feet at its widest and 7 feet deep. It has a full deck, with railings and a row of single rowing seats, five seats in all, midship. A single mast with a square sail is located just aft of the rowing seats. There is a steering oar, anchor, oars, and a rear deck cabin that sleeps two. The ship can hold 18 souls comfortably enough.
Tathar finishes the evening locating Comus. He and the surviving members of the crew have taken up residency around the area and have been plying their trade to make ends meet. Being accomplished sailors, it hasn’t been too hard.
Comus tells Tathar he will find as many of the men as he can and be to the docks mid-morning.
Sometime during the night, Ek sneaks out into the darkness and begins his solo travels.
The morning that marks the beginning of the Brewfest festival arrives with steady 20+ mph winds and scattered clouds.
The dwarves and gnome remain at Lake Farmin awaiting the arrival of the Surf Express. The enjoy the day of leisure. They spend the day getting to know each other a little better over generous amounts of food and various alcoholic beverages.
The Surf Express, being a relatively small coaster, finds its way out into the open water despite the wind. Once clear of danger, it unfurls its sails and begins to make its way to Lake Farmin.
Shortly after the coaster has disappeared from view, Tathar gathers his companions and walks down to the docks. Tathar and Breymeer both vouch for the loyalty of Comus and any remaining crew. Both of them survived the jungle adventure alongside Comus and the crew; then under the leadership of Ledego.
As the group arrives at the docks, Comus awaits with the remains of Ledego’s original crew. All surviving members are present. Next to the crew are a couple barrels, one water, one beer, and a two large chests of equipment Comus felt the crew may need. It includes much extra rope, some spears, two grapple hooks, two heavy crossbows, two light crossbows and related bolts, and other miscellaneous gear such as lanterns, torches, oil, hammocks and the like.
In addition, a small row boat is docked nearby.
Comus, a dark-skinned human, greets Tathar as his captain, “Captain Tathar, unless you have a change in mind, I am assuming I remain the first mate aboard the Ungohling. As instructed, I have gathered up the crew. In addition, I gathered some supplies I anticipated we would need.” For a sailor, he speaks well. Probably from being captained by well spoken elves for many years.
Comus, was promoted to first mate by Peylae when she assumed the position of ship captain at the death of her father. At the loss of Peylae, Comus informed Tathar of Peylae’s wish for him to become owner and captain of the boat.
Comus introduces the only elf among the group, “This is Larrig, he is the crewmaster.”
The remaining crew members are all human; likely of mostly Oeridean blood. Larrig introduces them by name, “These sailors, men of valor on the waves, men who have faced sea monster and storm alike, are Ment, Tiz and Nedwyn.” All three of them are dark haired and relatively olive skinned.
Morwen, Ergon and Jandre make their introductions to the crew amid some handshakes to the men and polite bows to the lady elf. The crew, though incredibly hard to avoid staring, remains polite in front of the attractive elf woman. They have been in town long enough to know she is a respected person and an accomplished musician. To speak about her in sailor’s terms would end poorly for them, and they know it.
Tathar walks to the shore of the river and sets his little wooden box afloat. Tathar simply speaks, “Cair.” The box begins to unfold, splashing some in the water, as it continues to grow. The repetition continues until a small ship begins to form. First the hull, then the deck take shape. Before long, an aft cabin rises off the deck. A bench rises in the middle to form rowing stations. A mast and square sail shoot up behind the benches. Oars, rest on the deck. Finally, railings protrude. All of this to the surprise of Ergon and Jandre.
When it is finally done, the Ungohling floats next to the dock while Comus and crew quickly climb aboard and prepare for departure.
Tathar and his companions join the crew on the ship after assisting loading the equipment and foodstuffs Comus had collected.
With Breymeer and Ergon assisting, Ment, Tiz and Nedwyn row the ship slowly out of the river and into the open water. They begin to head for Lake Farmin. Once the sail is opened, they begin to put Restenford behind them. The small rowboat, attached by rope and being pulled along, bobs and weaves carelessly behind.
The Surf Express arrives in Lake Farmin uneventfully by mid-afternoon; a trip of nearly 20 miles. It docks near the statue of Xerbo and begins to off load shipments before taking on other merchandise, water and other foodstuffs.
The ship remains docked overnight.
Zahrdahl, knowing this is still friendly territory, tells the stowaways in the hull they may go ashore without attracting attention if they wish.
The Ungohling approaches Lookout Peak around noon. The hill stands between the ship and Lake Farmin, some five miles to the southwest. As soon as is practical, Tathar has the ship brought as close to shore as is deemed safe. From there, he orders the rowboat brought up. In a series of trips to shore, the party is brought to land.
Tathar and Comus are the last off the ship. They join the crew in the rowboat as Tathar gives the command word to return the ship to a box. In reverse order, the ship, board by board, folds in on itself until only a small box remains floating on the water. Tathar quickly collects it and they row for shore.
It is early afternoon once the party is all on shore and ready to travel. The walk is relatively easy to town from here. The party can stay near the shore and arrive on coming around the south end of Lookout Peak or traverse the hill and come into town by way of the road to Restenford on the north side of the hill.
The two dwarves and gnome realize at mid-day that their relaxing and drinking have come to an end as the Surf Express is docked. Now they have to figure out how to get themselves on board.
Tathar advises he thinks it would be best to appear to come from Restenford by road.
Breymeer, being the Captain of the Restenford Rangers, states he doesn’t feel a need to be sneaky and wishes to stay on the ocean side of the hill. The ranger does see the wisdom in Tathar’s route though and agrees that the road is a logical way into town.
The group spends the rest of the day moving counter-clockwise around Lookout peak. They arrive at Lake Farmin near nightfall.
Ek makes his way through the Kelman Woods south of the southern Kelman Hills. He passes south of Pebble Hills and Tri-Top. The area used to be home to a band of worg riding gnolls not long ago; however, they have been cleared out by the actions of adventurers and Restenford Rangers.
Ek travels through the woods without meeting anyone or anything of importance.
Ek follows the edge of Kelman Woods and crosses the clearing to the southwest to another wooded area on the northwestern slopes of Lookout Peak. He sneaks his way clockwise around the hill and takes a position at a small corpse of trees overlooking town not long before the sun sets.
He can see the Surf Express docked in town. He also spies Tathar and company walking into town on the Restenford road. The sun will be setting in an hour or so.
The first day of the Brewfest festival splits the party even further.
Tathar, Morwen, Breymeer, Jandre and Ergon enter town without much notice amongst the fanfare and revelry. They join in some mild entertainment, sampling beverages and various morsels for sale. Eventually, they take a room at the House of Abraham and spend the night.
In the morning, they witness the Surf Express leave port with Lexington, Isiaweil and Krelar aboard. The group makes their way down to the sea shore, unbox the Ungohling and continue their pursuit of the coaster towards Lo Reltarma.
The dwarves and the gnome do not have such luck. Having drank and ate their way into a stupor, the trio misses their encounter with the coaster and have no choice but to now walk towards Lo Reltarma.
Ek breaks camp on the morning of second day of Brewfest and begins his solo journey to Lo Reltarma.
The second day of Brewfest is warm enough, being in the mid 60s. The wind from the previous night has died down and a gentle rain fell before the sun rose. The clouds are breaking as the various groups move out.
The Surf Express struggles to make much headway on the first day. There is a complete lack of wind. The crew roads steadily to the east. Unfortunately, for the stowaways below deck, another day has likely been added to the journey. Lexington looks disgustingly at the already dirty bucket that has doubled as a latrine.
The Ungohling has a bad go of it on the first day. The complete lack of wind forces the skeleton crew to row. It isn’t long before the Surf Express has outpaced the magical boat. The craft makes little progress on day one though there is no other encounters to hinder progress.
Esned suggests to the group they purchase ponies for the overland travel to Lo Reltarma. The two dwarves find this a charming idea considering it will cut the duration of the travel in half.
The horse trader occupies a small area at the base of the hill that boasts the Lord Mayor’s keep overlooking Lake Farmin. Before long, the trio is riding fresh ponies, saddled and geared for travel.
The trio rides the duration of the daylight, enjoying a nice travel day for once. Dusk begins to settle upon the valley as the group approaches a river that runs south out of the northern mountains.
Ek decides to follow the valley on its northern fringe where the foothills meet the mountains. The southern end of the valley leads to the ocean front. Ek feels the foothills give him two advantages. First, he has a much better vantage point from the elevations. Second, he will be able to hide much easier should the need arise.
Occasionally, Ek can see the two dwarves and the gnome riding along the valley road. They are all three now mounted on ponies.
Moving around a small rock formation, Ek suddenly comes across a very large rattlesnake. It is about 13 feet long and nearly a foot in diameter.
Both Ek and the snake are caught off guard. After being initially flat footed, the snake coils and its tail begins a loud rattle.
Ek reacts quickly.
The river is crossed by an old stone bridge, arching shallowly over the top of the water. It appears little concern is given to flooding that occasionally plagues the river.
There has been very little traffic on the road for some time. It appears few brave the road for commerce anymore. The road, really more of a dirt track, is beginning to grow over but remains very visible and easily travelled. Any farms or signs of settlement disappear within a few miles of Farmin Lake. The burned shells of farmhouses here or there are proof enough of the dangers of orc raids both in the not so distance distant past.
In the distance, the road encounters the foothills of a stray spine of the Farmin Mountains. The small spine parallels its larger father to the north. Upon reaching the foothills, the road parallels the low peaks on the north side. A little to the west of the foothills, the Farmin River turns from its southern flow out of the mountains easterly towards Lake Farmin. West of the river the valley elevation increases as it is closed together between the main mountain chain and the lonely spine.
The mountains themselves generally follow the shoreline of the sea from Loreltarma to north of Lake Farmin and terminating to large foothills and scattered high areas such as Bone Hill near Restenford. The grassy valley narrows the farther west one travels until the main peaks and the stray spine come together as one.
Esned walks across the bridge. The far side appears clear of dangers.
Seeler suggests a small fire. As much scrub brush and burnable material is gathered and a fire started.
Seeler volunteers to take the first watch. He recommends that we tie the ponies; keeping them close to campsite. The ponies are roped together and secured to the ground with a spike.
The group begins to settle into camp. The skies are clear and there is no wind. The sun has dipped below the horizon and darkness quickly follows. The stars shine brightly, competing with the nearly full smaller Celene moon and the quarter sized larger moon Luna.
Aboard the Ungohling, the night brings no sign of a wind or even a breeze. Tathar’s mood is only slightly improved by a clear sky giving full radiance to Celene as she is nearly full and Luna in her quarter shape; Sehanine’s symbol.
Aboard the Surf Express, the night brings no sign of wind or even a breeze. Lexington draws a heavy sigh. Krelar prays. Isiawiel brings up the ‘bucket’ and dumps it over the edge much to Lexington’s approval.
Tathar spends the night of Brewfest the 2nd to the 3rd praying for better winds.
The other ship continues to outdistance the Ungohling. The crew maintains the oars as much as they can. However, it becomes apparent, especially when the next day dawns with no wind, that the group may have to come up with a plan B on arrival at Lo Reltarma.
Ek, reacting instinctively with elven grace, quickly jumps backwards arcing his back and springing off his hands. He twists his body while completing the tumble so that he lands on his feet facing away from the snake; with the rock between them. Ek sprints off for several hundred yards before slowing and continuing on his way.
The dark elf is used to sudden surprises from living in the dark and sometimes confined spaces underground. This large outer world is going to have its own style. He reminds himself he is always one step away from death.
The rest of the day passes without unusual encounters. He rests for a few hours and then continues on as Brewfest 3rd becomes a new day.
It is not but a couple hours after the party settles into camp that a soft bell is heard over the river. The bell is rung softly a couple times.
Seeler confirms his two companions have also heard the bell and are alert for trouble.
Soon, his dwarven ability to see in darkness illustrates to him a sole figure walking eastbound towards the campsite. It is totally draped in a hooded robe. Its hand is held out before it. Occasionally it rings the small bell it holds in its hand. The figure is about 200 feet from the bridge.
Seeler quietly curses himself for letting this figure slip so close on his watch.
The Surf Express continues its slow, windless journey towards Lo Reltarma. The days drag on.
Cholakk looks around for somewhere to hide and observe. He quickly sees his only two options are either the edge of the bridge or amongst the ponies.
Seeler, with his battle axe in hand, stands at the ready. He yells to the hooded, robed figure, “STOP! Announce your intentions!”
Esned more politely but sternly seconds Seeler, “Who goes there?”
The robed figure indeed stops and places the bell within a pocket. A feminine voice carries forward, “I am sorry, I rang the bell so as not to surprise you.”
She continues, “I saw your firelight and wish to make company with you so that I am not alone overnight again in this valley. I know it not to be safe, especially for someone travelling alone. May I join your group?”
The figure remains some distance away. There is still a little time for Cholakk to attempt to secret himself should he chose to do so.
Cholakk moves off and hides among the ponies.
Esned whispers to Seeler, “She still did not identify herself.” To the lady, Esned more firmly states, “Reveal your identity. Where are you going and why are you traveling alone?”
The lady pulls back her hood as she walks forward. She has the pale skin and long, light blond hair of a Suel woman. She is of average height and build. She is attractive. Her hair spills out across her shoulders as her hood is drawn back.
“I apologize,” she begins with a kind smile upon her face, “I am Alluvianna Danagale. I am sorry I must be elusive but indeed, I travel along in dangerous territory. I fear not for I am not an easy target for those unwise enough to test me. However, there is always safety in numbers.”
“I am not overly familiar with those of the gnomish blood. You have a fine example of a nose though. You people should be proud to set you out upon the land with that appearance. And for your cousin there,” she motions towards Seeler, “I know little of the dwarves as well.”
As she continues walking, she makes a final request, “Let me sit next to that fire and I will continue to answer your questions. May I join you now?”
“I agree, there are safety in numbers,” states Esned. “Your company is okay with me.”
Seeler, struck by her beauty, says, “Yes, m’lady, you may join us and rest by our fire.” His beard hides his flushing face.
Cholakk continues to secret himself among the ponies. They get a little antsy at the approach of a robed stranger.
Alluvianna Danagale approaches gracefully and steps up to the fire, remaining standing for the moment, “Thank you.”
A pleasant smell of perfume, almost overdone, wafts across Esned and Seeler. The woman carries herself as one of elegance. Her outer robe is of very fine quality. The perfume alone is outside what any commoner could afford. Her speech is of one that is well trained in language.
Seeler offers Danagale some of his rations. She politely refuses, “I thank you for the offer. I graciously pass upon your offer for at least tonight. I have some spiced meats and wine of my own that I prefer.”
Her greyish-blue eyes look the gnome and dwarf in the eye, “So what are your names? What brings out into this valley upon this nearly vacant road?”
Seeler does not respond as he as filled his mouth with food for the moment.
Esned introduces himself, “I am Esned. We were not able to secure transportation by way of the water.” Esned reflects upon the day of drinking and feasting that prevented the three of them from actually getting aboard the ship.
Cholakk remains among the ponies, very suspicious of the newcomer.
Alluvianna smiles and reaches into her robes with one of her hands. Her eyes study Esned and Seeler while she calmly states, “I guess I prefer solid ground myself.”
Ek has moved carefully after the sun disappeared. He follows the river south towards the firelight that Seeler, Esned and Cholakk have lit. The three encamped by the bridge that passes over the river.
While closing in on them, he witnesses a heavily robed humanoid figure join the group. From the distance, he can judge it is likely a human or an elf, female by guess. It removed its hood and joined the group around the fire.
Ek notices that the entire time, Cholakk secreted himself among the ponies and remains hidden there.
Ek continues to move closer in attempts to be able to aid his companions should the encounter goes south.
Cholakk, having convinced himself this newcomer is a villain, stays among the ponies. He awaits any move on Alluvianna’s part that would betray her and confirm his suspicions.
Seeler, appearing a bit shy and red in the cheeks, introduces himself and agrees with her on preferring solid ground, “I would actually prefer to be underground, truth be told.”
Alluvianna removes a small box from an inner pocket in her robes. It contains spiced meat from which she begins to nibble.
She makes small talk with Seeler and Esned while she eats. She appears friendly though the unknown aura around her keeps the adventurers perceptive for dangers.
Ek watches as Cholakk remains among the ponies and Seeler and Esned converse with the newcomer.
Seeler and Esned chat with Alluvianna for a short time. She finishes a few bites of her meat and removes a small flask from within her robes. She takes a few quaffs from it and places the meat container and the flask back.
“Is your guard over there by the ponies shy or just that astute of a watchman? I shall sleep well knowing his dedication to safety.” Alluvianna smiles before ending her conversations, “Pardon me, but I am going to sit alone until I rest. If you allow me to, I wish to travel back west with you tomorrow. It promises a more interesting way to pass time than I had on hand prior to meeting the three of you.”
Alluvianna stands, looks both Esned and Seeler in the eye with a smile on her face and then nods in the direction of the ponies and Cholakk before excusing herself to the edge of the bridge. There she sits and begins to hum or sing to herself.
Ek continues to stay out of sight of Cholakk and the others. He gets into a kneeling position using the river bank for cover the best he can. He keeps his bow knocked and trained on Alluvianna until she departs for the bridge. Ek watches carefully for any sign from Alluvianna that would betray an attack upon the dwarves and the gnome.
Cholakk does his best to secret himself from the ponies back over to Esned and Seeler. He sits with and softly mutters, “Sommabitch.” Cholakk quietly watching Alluvianna’s reaction.
Alluvianna does not appear to be watching the group. He continues to sit alone, humming, sometimes singing to herself softly.
Ek remains hidden. He allows himself rest while keeping an eye out for threats from Alluvianna. He remains behind the cover offered by the riverbank; hidden in the darkness.
Alluvianna remains by herself throughout the night. She continues her meditation for sometime before quieting and possibly falling asleep. She remains sitting throughout the night hunched forward with her head bowed down.
Esned volunteers for first watch; which is uneventful. Seeler takes second watch allowing Cholakk to rest. Cholakk stays near the fire with it between he and Alluvianna. He manages to sleep trusting in the watchful eye of his friends.
Ek waits most of the night but finds it uneventful. He secrets away before morning and heads back for the foothills to the north before turning west again for the coastal towns he has been told to reconvene at.
The Surf Express rows its way along the rocky shoreline of the southern coast of Lendore Island. Lexington and Krelar are both becoming somewhat restless sitting in cramped places below deck. The air is unfresh and heavy. Isiaweil, in his reduced mental capacity, spends most of the day either mindlessly staring at the wall or sleeping.
Tathar addresses the ship crew and occupants, "Gentlemen, I have prayed to Sehanine for a wind. She has either determined that we do not need her help or is pointing us in a different direction. Of course, she may not feel that we need her help. I would never dare to speak for her. Either way it seems it would be easier for us to walk on the road than to row on the sea. I propose that we move ashore and walk, and if the wind picks up we can take back to the sea."
Tathar examines the coastline finding it absent of good landing areas. Even if landing were made, the group would still have to traverse the small mountains that hug the coastline.
The crew rows for a few hours slowly along the coast before giving up any hope of landing ashore.
Tathar orders the crew continue to row towards their destination until the wind picks up. Non crew members that are capable take turns rowing as well. Slow progress is made.
The third day of Brewfest is uneventful. The trio and their new companion walk the old road towards the coast. They pass the occasional old farmstead. This far from town they are all but abandoned or burned having been routed by orcs or other humanoids.
It is clear the barony is in trouble if Nebub isn’t overthrown or some other way is found to reverse the fortunes of Restenford.
Ek continues on throughout the third day of Brewfest without incident. He takes to staying out of the sun and traveling during the dark hours. The sun pains his eyes and weakens him and this day was cloudless by noon.
The morning of Brewfest the 4th arrives will little wind and clear skies. It is a pleasant 69 degrees. By mid-morning the Surf Express is guiding into port at Pel Reltarma.
Pel Reltarma is a small coastal fishing village with a several docks though none are large enough to take on sea going vessels.
Goods bound for Kroten are first off loaded to smaller vessels at Lo Reltarma and then brought across the channel to Pel Reltarma. It is easily assumed the island port has taxes and fees it collects on the goods before they hit the mainland.
In addition, one can easily see the ship banners displayed are of many of the neighboring countries; some of them at odds with each other. The counsel of Lo Reltarma is playing all sides in the sea trade environment. One can only guess at the politics that keep the opposing forces from open war in the harbor and on the docks.
The council also has turned a general blind eye to the refugee tent city that sprung up on the outskirts of Pel Reltarma. Many of the farmers, loggers and mountaineers of the western plains of Restenford’s barony have fled west and get by in squalor on the edge of town. Some, seemingly better off than the others, have constructed wooden shelters or even small homes. The town is slowly expanding as a result though most structures are temporary at best.
It appears some type of economic exchange has begun. Those new to arrive, and skilled in the wilderness, have created gardens, tend to animals, log nearby and hunt. These goods they exchange in town for supplies, fish and other necessities.
Several taverns operate in town, two in the dock section and one near the edge of town towards tent city. Only one true inn exists on the main route from the docks to Kroten.
The town is very busy during the day. With the newcomers, the population is nearing 750 or more souls. Compared to the nearly 4,000 upon the island port city.
Though those in the tent city section are all of the barony, their allegiance is not something they lean on at the coastal town. Pel Reltarma would better be considered an extension of Lo Reltarma. Here, the focus is on getting through each day in the relative safety of the port as opposed to the dangers of humanoid raids on the plains of the barony.
The Surf Express is small enough to dock in Pel Reltarma. Zahrdahl has a few crates offloaded. As the trio of stowaways exits the boat, Zahrdahl requests of them, “Please watch over my cargo for a few hours while I cross the channel. I will buy your meals and beverages today if you can do so for me.”
Having very little knowledge of the small coastal town, Lexington, Isiawiel and Krelar set themselves up in the shade of a warehouse building along the docks and get comfortable. The sea air and sunshine feel amazing compared to the constrains of the hold. Krelar, a priest of Phaulkon, appears especially happy to be out in the open air. He prays quietly while the three wait.
Not long after the Surf Express arrived in port, a strong easterly wind picked up. Within a few hours, the gusty wind blew itself out but not before driving the Ungohling into the small docks at Pel Reltarma. For now, not wanting to draw unneeded attention, Tathar leaves the magical craft in its ship shape. Comus and the crew remain aboard to keep it secure.
Tathar, Morwen, Jandre, Ergon and Breymeer all quickly find the others securing Zahrdahl’s cargo in the shade of a nearby warehouse.
The small caravan makes its way west on Brewfest the fourth. The weather is calm and warm. An afternoon wind blows up the valley for a few hours in mid-afternoon but soon dissipates.
The group follows the road between the foothills of the mountains. The roads runs parallel the low peaks on the north side. The valley elevation increases as it is closed together between the main mountain chain and the lonely spine. The grassy valley narrows the farther west one travels until the main peaks and the stray spine come together as one.
As the group nears nightfall, they encounter an encampment of hearty loggers. They have constructed several wooden structures and built a low wooden palisade around the complex. The wall is only about 3 ½ feet to 4 feet high. The top of the wooden posts are sharpened to points to discourage one from scampering over.
Though initially cautious, the loggers are friendly enough once they see the caravan is a couple dwarves and a gnome. They do not much care for the hooded and quiet pale lady that travels with them. A superstitious group, constantly on guard for dangers in the wild, look at her as if she was a witch. This group has little trust of those who twist magical energies.
However, the caravan is able to re-provision a supply of dried meats, fish and water. Allunvianna re-stocks her meat supply as well though she appears disappointed in the lack of fine wine. She says little during the encounter.
The group continues on, arriving in Pel Reltarma late in the day.
Ek, from a vantage point, is able to locate and track the caravan as it moves west along the edge of the foothills. He follows them undetected to Pel Reltarma.
Zahrdahl returns to Pel Reltarma as the group is reuniting on the docks. He is ferried across the channel on a different craft and offloads more goods. A second man is with him as he approaches the group. The man is human, approx. 40 yoa, with short trimmed light brown hair and a brown well-trimmed beard that shows a few hints of greyness. The man dresses better than Zahrdahl; hinting of a middle-class stature. He has on well-tailored trousers, a white, light-weight, long sleeve cotton shirt and a soft dark brown leather vest. He appears Oeridian but his pale skin betrays some Suel blood as well.
Since the overland expedition has not yet arrived, those standing around Zahrdahl’s original cargo are Breymeer, Tathar, Morwen, Ergon, Jandre, Isiaweil, Lexington and Krelar.
Zahrdahl directs some dock workers take both sets of his cargo into a warehouse, tipping them for their service. Then he and the other man approach the party.
“Thank you for waiting, I see most of you have arrived.” Directing his attention to the other man, he introduces him to the group, “This is Loris Naef, my business partner.”
Loris Naef gives a subtle nod of his head. “Well met,” is all he states. He looks to Ergon in his full plate armor and Jandre in his plate mail and continues with a slight bowing, “Gentleman.” Next, his gaze meets that of Breymeer. He quietly acknowledges the ranger, “Captain.” Finally, he looks upon the Sehanine priest with a little wonder, “May the Lady of the moonshine be blessed.”
It appears clear this man is used to dealing with those of higher status than he. He appears comfortable meeting the group.
The dock workers go about their business without much fanfare for the odd group gathering about. On the docks, it is better to not ask questions or put your nose into another’s business. With that in mind, it would be remiss if the group didn’t assume their arrival went unnoticed, whether recognized or not.
Zahrdahl suggests the group head for the inn where he promised to buy a few of the companions food and beverage for watching his crates.
The group makes its way away from the docks up the main avenue to the north. A few blocks from the docks and warehouses the town turns more to shops and homes; often a combination of both. Many of the buildings along the street are two storied with most of the others away from the main avenue single storied structures. The vast majority are made of wood. The inn, however, has the bottom half of the lower level made of stone with a wood frame constructed over the top of it. The sign above the door depicts a relaxed crab holding a flagon in one pincer and a smoking pipe in the other. One the sign is written in Suel and the common tongue both, “The Comfy Crab Inn.”
The inn does not appear to try and compete with the three taverns in town. The bar is not set up with much of a common room. It appears to be more of a dining establishment than a tavern.
The group enters the establishment and lets their eyes adjust to the quiet and somewhat dimly lit atmosphere.
Zahrdahl choses a large table for the group and then invites Breymeer, Tathar, Ergon and Jandre to sit at one end near he and Loris Naef. Zahrdahl orders some crab, salad and roast venison for the party along with a round of ale, mead or wine. It is obvious he is breaking out some coin in front of his business partner. One cannot tell if the meal is going to set Zahrdahl back a week’s pay or if he truly has the funds. Either way, this meeting appears very important to the fish monger.
The room has a few other patrons in it, a couple serving girls. The room lacks an actual bar as drinks are brought from the back room by the serving girls.
Speaking quietly, Zahrdahl addresses the group; specifically, who he feels are the leaders, “I am not sure what your destination in Kroten is nor your reason for going there. However, my partner Loris Naef has the means to get you into the barony.”
Breymeer leans over and reaches his hand out to Loris, offering a very firm handshake with intense but welcoming eye contact.
Loris meets his handshake with a firm grip and looks the ranger in the eye. Breymeer notes his hands are not those of a dock worker but then again, neither are his clothes. This man has not seen a day of hard labor in a very long time. One would guess he pays others to do his labor now.
Breymeer speaks first in a hushed tone for only those at the table to hear, "We have heard you'll be a great help to us in our journey to Kroten and am pleased to have you with us. Please tell me a bit of yourself and how you've come by the means to get us to Kroten. I've heard the heavy handed rule of the Duke has made travel by road perilous."
Loris answers with a friendly, quiet voice, “I am a merchant. Like Zahrdahl, I deal in fish and similar type food supplies. I have developed a reputation for a dependable supply chain and a quality product. Enough so that Duke Nebub is one of my accounts. This has earned me the ability to pass by the checkpoints with little trouble. In fact, I deliver directly to Duke Nebub’s castle.”
Breymeer listens closesly, watching his body language, trying to get a feel for Loris. Jandre and Ergon both watch Loris closely as well though remain quiet.
“Should you succeed in getting us past the road checkpoints, would there be somewhere we could drop off and use as a camp so that we could spend some time watching or exploring to get the feel for the conditions of the town?” Breymeer questions further watching Loris closely as he responds.
“Indeed, there are foothills and forests that would easily cover a small group camp if done so cautiously as I presume a man of your nature is capable of.” Loris pauses for a moment and then turns the conversation slightly, “My price for your ‘tour’, shall we say, of Kroten will depend on if I am just getting you into the duchy, the town or the castle. Obviously the price goes up considerably at each level.”
Loris is an obvious business man; though possibly greying the lines between smuggler and merchant.
Breymeer inherently knows this is not the place to discuss something so important. He looks around casually for any sign of eavesdroppers. Seeing none, he takes a deep drink and continues, “As Captain of the Restenford Rangers, I can’t believe I won’t be recognized and draw attention. As will our entire group.”
“Loris, are conditions such that a group such as ours will not draw attention if we spend a few days in town? Will we need to be smuggled in secretly or do people trust you to a point that we will be accepted as long as we are riding with you?”
Loris answers, “I will sneak you past the security patrol that blockades the roadway. From there I can sneak a few into town as well. Or all of you if you wish. Once we are past the foothills, you are free to head for the foothills. Just know the area is regularly patrolled. Once in town, if you keep your group sizes small and common, then you should be fine with a little wit and common sense. I would not send in heavily armored men or an undisguised Restenford Ranger Captain.”
Breymeer takes another drink while Loris is talking, affording the sharp-eyed ranger another look around the room to see if anyone keyed in on the Restenford Ranger comments.
Seeing the way still clear, Breymeer continues in a hushed voice, “I see value in having a couple of our party get smuggled into town to do some research on goings on while the rest of us find a safe spot in the foothills and explore from there. What says the group?”
Breymeer tries to read Loris eyes as he asks him, “Are there others in town that would have interest in aiding or sheltering us?”
Loris answers very carefully, “I mind well to my own business.”
The ranger, unsure of Loris’ loyalties, feels comfortable with the answer. Breymeer responds, “What type of monies will it take to get us in?”
Loris, steel-faced, responds in a near whisper, “100gp a head to cross the border. Another 100gp a head to get each person into town. I am well aware your visit to town is going to bring an end to either your group or the duke. I am well aware, should you fail, I will likely have to be on the next boat out of Lo Reltarma and never return. This risk dictates the price.”
Breymeer looks to the group and takes a vote, “Who’s in for crossing and who’s going to town?”
As the group looks to each other and begins discussing a plan of action, the inn doors open. Walking through the threshold is none other than the multi-talented half-elven mage known to the party as Grimlock. He instantly recognizes most everyone in the group as he quickly scans the room. With a sly smile on his face, he moves towards your table. The odds of success seem to have increased with this unexpected visitor.
Upon seeing Grimlock enter, Tathar stands and faces him as the half-elf approaches, “Well met, Grimlock! You are a glad sight in these troubled times. What news have you of our friends that joined us in the dwarven delve? How do Cirdan and Kuba fare?”
Grimlock answers Tathar briefly, “Cirdan fares well. He asked me to pass on some information to his friends, should I see any of you. I can explain later. Kuba, unfortunately, has fallen.”
Grimlock then turns his attention to Breymeer, “Ahh, my old friend. What sorts of trouble might you be causing in such a fine town? I just so happened to be a bit bored and looking for a bit of trouble and good company. I’m not sure what your plans be, but if you would like to join me in the shadows, I see really no need to trouble ourselves with silly disguises!”
To the rest of the table mates Grimlock recognizes he addresses them with a request, “Hello mates! Who wants to join old Grim with some brew?”
A hale of cheers follows.
Breymeer replies to Grimlock while looking around the room to make sure nobody has taken extra notice to Grimlock’s outburst about shadows and disguises, “So good to see you Grim. Have a seat. Seems you’re a little late and have some catching up to do.”
Seeing no one acting to strange considering Grimlock’s arrival and comments, Breymeer hails the bartender, “Bring a couple pints for our friend!”
Breymeer is surprised to see the half-elf. He can’t help but wonder how Grimlock located the party though he assumes his dark art of magic is at play.
As the pints for Grimlock, in addition to those ordered by others at the table, are delivered, Breymeer requests a private counsel, “Zahrdahl and Loris, may I request a private conversation with my friends for a moment?”
The two merchants look to each other. Loris nods to Zahrdahl before standing, “We will move to the bar until you are ready for our return.” Loris moves away far enough to grant Breymeer’s request and Zahrdahl follows alongside him.
As soon as they are out of earshot Seeler speaks, “I prefer the foothills to a busy town.”
Ergon seconds his statement, but for his own reasons, “I feel that I would draw too much attention trying to go about town. I shall also remain in the foothills.”
Jandre agrees with Ergon, “I too shall wait in the foothills until the town can be assessed and a further plan detailed.”
Breymeer listens as his companions give their statements.
Most of the group fails to come to a decision on whether or not they wish to enter town or remain in the foothills.
Breymeer tries to focus the plan, “I do feel it would be best for me to stay out of town and take my skills to the foothills and search the outskirts of town. Depending on who’s up for going to the warehouse and gathering information in the city, let us choose a landmark outside of town where we can meet after three days. A place I will plan to be every day, a couple of hours after dark, in case folks need to get out of town suddenly and regroup with those of us in the hills.”
Breymeer glances at the two merchants, “If a map of the city is available, it would be nice to look to see if we could choose a landmark in the foothills outside of town that makes sense. Basically, a hideout.”
Lexington, upon hearing his companions desire to camp outdoors in the foothills states, “I prefer to stay in town. Though I’m no stranger to roughing it in the wild, I find it more pleasant to stay in the comforts of a bed with tables and chairs. Libraries seem to be less fraught with dangerous creatures. I will venture into town and gather what information you need. I can make sure to get we’ll stocked on my spell components too. Let me know when and where to meet up with you. “
Alluvianna adds, “Kroten seems like an entertaining destination though I wish not to be secreted in by some fish merchant. Lexington, should you wish to travel with me, I believe we could pass off as a mother and son looking to visit or move to Kroten.”
Lexington is the youngest man in the group and none of the other humans are old enough to be her husband without drawing a little suspicion. She thinks for a minute and adds, “We could probably take one of the warriors with us under the guise of hired protection. Though, from what I have been hearing, a Restenford Ranger would not be a good choice. Maybe you Seeler? Cholakk, as a priest, may be more memorable. You have been kind to me Seeler and are certainly stout enough to convince someone you are hired protection.”
“I would like to get ahead of the group or well behind. I would wish to leave tonight or else a couple days behind the others. Whichever, I do not care.” Alluvianna, understanding she is a stranger to the group, offers the obvious alternative, “I can also travel on my own.”
Seeler says with elation, while looking at Alluvianna, “I’ll be happy to go along as your hired protection, milady!”
Lexington also concurs with her plan, “I will accompany you to Kroten. I would like to stay in town.”
Alluvianna appears pleased, “I have a few things I need to gather before we leave. I will meet you back here in a few hours. We shall leave tonight.”
With that, Alluvianna excuses herself from the table and exits into the street.
The two merchants make notice of her leaving and see that as their cue to rejoin the group.
Loris Naef lays out his plan, “We shall leave tomorrow morning. Make sure you are a few miles north of town just after daybreak. Wait for me along the road. I will be coming up with horse and wagon. You may pay me at that time and we shall depart.”
Zahrdahl nods politely to the group, “Good luck. I will be returning to Restenford. Seek me out should you need further assistance.”
The two men prepare to leave. Breymeer stops them and requests a map, if available, of the town or surrounding area.
Loris Naef, unfortunately, does not have a map, but he gives a quick overview of Kroten’s layout, “The town is surrounded by the Kroten river. A channel was dug from the main river body around the town so that the river splits on the northeastern corner of town and rejoins on the south western edge. North of town, wrapping west and then to the south, is the Phytal Woods. Between the woods and town are three hills. The center hill, Kroten Hill by name, hosts Castle Kroten, home of Duke Nebub. The castle overlooks the town some 100 or so feet above the river. The final hill, Thorp hill, has two farms at it base but is otherwise unoccupied. South of town is the Kroten Forest. Phytal woods sits back a bit from town but the Kroten Forest abuts the southern branch of the Kroten River. There are a few farms, a guardhouse and lumberjacks along the Kroten Forest. Town proper has two additional hills, Sheep Hill on the northwest and Celestian’s Rise on the southeast. The area of town nearest Sheep Hill is the only part of town that is walled. There are guardhouses along the roadways.”
The two merchants exit.
Tathar advises the group that he and Morwen will catch up to the group in Kroten. He has some things he needs to take care of in the morning.
Lexington prepares to leave the Comfy Crab Inn with Alluvianna and Seeler. Prior to departing the table, he gives his fair-the-wells and a final comment, “During my studies, I had other hobbies as well. I am somewhat skilled at gem cutting. I will be seeking out a jeweler in Kroten to see if I can cut some of the stones in my collection to increase their value. If anyone wishes me to try and increase the value of some of your stones, I would be willing to work on them as well. If there is no jeweler in the city, I will return your property as soon as possible.”
Breymeer advises everyone before the party splits up, “Look for me in the vicinity of Thorpe Hill. I plan to scout the exterior of town and castle and maybe get to know some farmers and loggers. Should you find you’ve gathered helpful info and look to get back together, I shall keep an eye out for party members during the hours between dusk and early evening. I would expect it won’t be for a few days. If, after several days, we haven’t regrouped, I shall work my way into town. Your deity’s speed be upon you.”
Lexington collects whatever gems are given to him by interested party members.
For there, the party splits.
Alluvianna, Lexington and Seeler set out to the north upon the roadway, heading for Kroten.
Tathar and Morwen return to the docks where they rejoin the crew upon the Ungohling. They await the sunrise to make their journey to Loreltarma.
Breymeer, Ergon, Jandre, Grimlock, Cholak, Esned and Isiaweil rent rooms at the Comfy Crab for the evening. Prior to going to bed, the group makes some last minute purchases from any shops they can still find open.
Breymeer returns with a tanned leather skull cap with side flaps that resemble a bomber hat. He also purchased an average quality dull greyish-blah hooded cloak and some tanned leather trousers.
Ek spends the day in an observation post watching the traffic on the roadway. Nothing particular catches his eye until a little after sunset.
A lone horse, riding at a gallop, speeds north along the roadway. The rider, a man by Ek’s observation, is lightly dressed and riding hard. It is too dark for Ek to make an identification of the man other than he appears to be a human male of unknown age. He is of average build and height. He is dressed in darker clothing; appearing to wear no armor. He is lightly armed if armed at all.
Ek’s observation post is too far from the roadway to take any actions other than to note the occurrence.
<No one takes Lexington up on his offer to try and cut their gems into more valuable stones.>
Ergon motions to Seeler and the dwarf approaches the paladin in a private conversation. Ergon hands the dwarf two rubies (1000gp each). The paladin states his request, “If possible, when you are in Kroten, please donate these stones to a church dedicated to Pholtus in the name of Ergon of Nyrond. If there is no such church, please return them to me.” Seeler nods in agreement and stows the stones.
Lexington and Seeler rejoin Alluvianna outside the inn and walk out into the night. The town has some activity going on being the 5th day of Brewfest so the three do not raise any attention as they walk to the edge of town. They make their way out into the countryside trying to avoid any prying eyes or guardposts.
The group exits town without any apparent notice or concern.
Once clear town, Lexington comments more to himself than the others, “I can’t believe none of the others wanted me to try and cut their stones into more valuable gems.” With that, he shrugs and continues on.
The road to Kroten is approximately 20 miles long and follows the Kroten River. The river bed lies to the east of the roadway. The river channel varies from 300 to 1800 feet from the road as it winds its way south.
It is now well after dark but the smaller moon, Celene, is nearly full so the going is not difficult for the two humans. The dwarf can see very well.
As the group approaches the border to the Dutchy of Kroten, Seeler can even see a small fortification upon the 1500 foot tall Lone Peak to the west of the road. The fortification, without a doubt, is a watchpost. Lone Peak is about one and a half miles from the roadway to the west.
Lone Peak is the terminus of a rocky spine coming down along the seashore from the north. The road passes through a valley, several miles wide, between Lone Peak on the west and the foothills to the Farmin Mountains on the east. The foothills are about four miles to the east of the Kroten River.
North of the border, woodlands appear on both sides of the roadway.
The Phytal Woods are to the west side. The abut Lone Peak and continue north past the town of Kroten. They are a mile and a half away at the border but encroach east towards the roadway the farther north one travels; sometimes within 300 feet of the road.
The Kroten Forest parallels the road from the Farmin Mountain foothills to the southern edge of the town of Kroten. The forest is generally up to the banks of the river.
The area between Pelreltarma and Kroten is accented with hills; some covered in vegetation and others just bare rock jutting up from the land. The area, for the most part, is wilderness.
The border is secured by a checkpoint. It is roughly half way from Pelreltarma to Kroten (roughly a distance of ten miles north to Kroten or ten miles south to Pelreltarma). The checkpoint is enforced by a garrison of soldiers; some human but most hobgoblin. A few ogres supplement the force.
The humans are in charge and judging from what appears to be a stable, are able to ride horse. The hobgoblins appear to be the soldiers and the ogres the extra muscle.
The garrison is a wooden structure as is the stable. The garrison appears large enough to hold forty troops. The stable, a dozen horses. They are built on the west side of the road. A second, smaller wooden structure sits across the road from the larger garrison. It could comfortably hold a dozen men. The ogres have the third wooden structure. It sits on the east side of the road between the second building and the border gate. It is large enough to house four ogres.
The border gate is two simple square wooden structures, one on each side of the road. Each has a door facing the road and a shuttered window facing the south. Both are illuminated inside. Between the two gatehouses, an iron gate is mounted between two large wooden poles. The gate is shut.
The Kroten River, at this point, is as close as it gets to the roadway being a little less than 300 feet to the east.
A barrier has been placed between the river and the eastern gatehouse. The barrier is cut and limbed trees laid parallel to the ground along a series of wooden posts dug into the ground and placed in an ‘X’ formation to hold the cut logs.
To the west, the barrier stretches from the west gatehouse to, presumably, Lone Peak.
A platoon of a half dozen hobgoblins stand watch behind the gate. Not counting any that might be in the gatehouses. They are armed with a variety of swords, morningstars, spears, polearms and crossbows.
Alluvianna confidently strides towards the gatehouse. As the group approaches the gate, two hobgoblins level crossbows, two prepare polearms and the other two remain unarmed. One of the unarmed hobgoblins hails the group in the common tongue (spoken quite well for a hobgoblin), “Stop, who are you and what is your business travelling to Kroten; at night even!”
Ek moves closer to the border of Kroten and attempts to get a layout of the land to his north and west. He climbs up one of the higher points and takes a peek around using the full moonlight of the smaller Celene moon.
The galloping horse is long since gone.
Ek can see Lone Peak which appears to mark the southern border of the Duchy of Kroten . Ek can even see a small fortification upon the 1500 foot tall Lone Peak to the west of the road. The fortification, without a doubt, is a watchpost. Lone Peak is about one and a half miles from the roadway to the west.
Lone Peak is the terminus of a rocky spine coming down along the seashore from the north. The road passes through a valley, several miles wide, between Lone Peak on the west and the foothills to the Farmin Mountains on the east. The foothills are about four miles to the east of the Kroten River.
North of the border, woodlands appear on both sides of the roadway.
The Phytal Woods are to the west side. The abut Lone Peak and continue north past the town of Kroten. They are a mile and a half away at the border but encroach east towards the roadway the farther north one travels; sometimes within 300 feet of the road.
The Kroten Forest parallels the road from the Farmin Mountain foothills to the southern edge of the town of Kroten. The forest is generally up to the banks of the river.
The area between Pelreltarma and Kroten is accented with hills; some covered in vegetation and others just bare rock jutting up from the land. The area, for the most part, is wilderness.
The border is secured by a checkpoint. It is roughly half way from Pelreltarma to Kroten (roughly a distance of ten miles north to Kroten or ten miles south to Pelreltarma). The checkpoint is enforced by a garrison of soldiers; some human but most hobgoblin. A few ogres supplement the force.
The humans are in charge and judging from what appears to be a stable, are able to ride horse. The hobgoblins appear to be the soldiers and the ogres the extra muscle.
The garrison is a wooden structure as is the stable. The garrison appears large enough to hold forty troops. The stable, a dozen horses. They are built on the west side of the road. A second, smaller wooden structure sits across the road from the larger garrison. It could comfortably hold a dozen men. The ogres have the third wooden structure. It sits on the east side of the road between the second building and the border gate. It is large enough to house four ogres.
The border gate is two simple square wooden structures, one on each side of the road. Each has a door facing the road and a shuttered window facing the south. Both are illuminated inside. Between the two gatehouses, an iron gate is mounted between two large wooden poles. The gate is shut.
The Kroten River, at this point, is as close as it gets to the roadway being a little less than 300 feet to the east.
A barrier has been placed between the river and the eastern gatehouse. The barrier is cut and limbed trees laid parallel to the ground along a series of wooden posts dug into the ground and placed in an ‘X’ formation to hold the cut logs.
To the west, the barrier stretches from the west gatehouse to, presumably, Lone Peak.
A platoon of a half dozen hobgoblins stand watch behind the gate. Not counting any that might be in the gatehouses. They are armed with a variety of swords, morningstars, spears, polearms and crossbows.
Within a few hours of the galloping horse, Ek spots a group of three traveling north upon the roadway. Without a doubt, it must be Alluvianna, Lexington and what appears to be Seeler without Cholak.
They are walking without haste or apparent concern. They will be approaching the gate house shortly.
Having climbed up to a better lookout post, Ek cannot reach them before they reach the border post. He watches to see what happens.
Allunianna boldly responds to the hobgoblin guard, “I am on my way to Kroten though I was much delayed. My son and I,” she pauses and looks at Seeler to make sure he wasn’t about to lop off some hobs heads, “and our hired mercenary, wish only to move along. I do not wish to be delayed.”
Lex shows no fear or concern. He has faced far scarier and dangerous creatures in his young life. He allows the lady to lead and awaits her next move. All the while, he mentally prepares to cast spells as the first sign of trouble.
Alluvianna removes a small sack from beneath her robes. The movement obviously makes the hobgoblins a little nervous but none react with anything more dangerous than changing positions and gripping weapons a little tighter.
Alluvianna opens the neck of the sack revealing gold coins. She throws the bag over the fence. “As I say, I wish only to move on to Kroten.”
The bribe is well received and the gate is opened. “We still need your names!” warns a human moving out of one of the wooden guard shacks.
“I am Alluvianna my dear sir.” She removes a flask and walks to the man. She hands him the flask, “Some brandy for you.” As he takes possession of the flask, she quickly leans forward and kisses him. He is taken off guard and simply looks stunned at her sudden affection. “Thank you, dear sir. My son, Lex, and my hired guard, Seeler, appreciate you understanding our late night inconvenience.”
With that, Alluvianna confidently leads the way north along the road and away from the border guard station.
As Lexington nods politely at the man and the hobgoblin guards as he passes by. Once a safe distance from the soldiers, he comments, “Momma, I thought you said we’d find a place to rest for the night.” He gives Alluvianna and Seeler a slight grin and a wink.
Alluvianna smiles back, “Indeed we will my son. However, it will be among the trees of the Phytal Woods I am afraid.”
Alluvianna leads the group a couple hours north of the border checkpoint and then turns west, heading into the edge of the Phytal Woods. She only goes a few hundred feet into the woods and finds and area screened from view from the roadway. “No fire. Get a few hours rest. We leave at daybreak. I want to stay ahead of the other group to keep up the ruse.”
Ek watches the three approach the gate and have a brief conversation. Alluvianna throws a sack over the fence in what appears to be a bribe. The gates are opened and the three cross into Kroten.
A human comes out of a gatehouse and confronts them. Alluvianna removes a flask and hands it to him. As he takes it, she suddenly kisses him in an apparent thankful gesture. The man is taken off guard and hardly reacts.
With a few parting words, the three adventurers continue deeper into the duchy.
Tathar calls upon Comus to have a word with him. Comus dutifully comes to his captain’s side. Tathar brief’s Comus on the priest’s wishes. He informs Comus that if he does not return from this quest, the Ungohling is to go to Morwen. In the event neither of them return, then Tathar orders Comus to bring the Ungohling to Tur Thar Guldar and give it to the Sehanine priests there and teach them the words of power.
Tathar teaches Comus the words of power and the effect they have on the Ungohling.
Finally, Tathar gives Comus a parchment saying, “If I do not return, present this and the Ungohling in box form to the priests at Tur Thar Guldar and ask them for payment for you and your crew. Unbeknownst to Comus, the letter reads, “To the Sehanine Priests of Tur Thar Guldar. If you are receiving this then I, Tathar Surion, have failed in my mission to bring the Lady Paylae back from the clutches of Hell. This is Comus, pay him what he asks for the services he has rendered.” The letter is signed by Tathar Surion.
Comus nods his head in acceptance of the order. “By Sehanine’s grace, sir, I am sure you shall return. We shall wait for you at Pelreltarma. So as not to raise too much attention, I will make the Ungohling a box when safe to do so and we shall await you in the Comfy Crab Inn.”
Breymeer, Ergon, Janre, Isiawiel, Cholak, Esned and Grimlock all rise before the sun and slip out of town. It is quiet at the early hour. It is warm with a light breeze.
Though it is still hours before sunrise, the sky is lit well enough by the generally full Celene moon. It is the smaller of the moons but still sheds enough light to easily travel by.
Breymeer leads the group north along the road to Kroten. The roadway generally follows the Kroten river; the river lying to the east of the road.
About a mile north of Pelreltarma, the group comes upon Loris Naef and his crew. The entire crew consists of human men. Loris has with him two large wagons (8’ wide, 12’ long), each pulled by a couple large draft horses. Loris himself rides a riding horse. Each wagon has a driver and an armed henchman. In addition to the four men on the wagons, Loris Naef has ten hired mercenaries. The drivers are not armored but have daggers on their belts. The rest of the men have leather armor and melee weapons of various sorts. The driver’s assistants have light crossbows as well.
In the wagons are numerous large crates (2’x2’x6’) and barrels (2’x3’). The entirety of it smells of fish and spilled ale.
Loris Naef spells out his plan. Breymeer, Ergon, Jandre and Isiawiel will get into crates in the first wagon. They will be lined up side by side directly behind the driver. An additional row of crates will be line up to the rear of the wagon from the adventurer’s crates.
In the second wagon, Cholak and Esned will climb into barrels and be mixed in among the other 8 barrels. Grimlock will be placed in a crate and be positions perpendicular to the wagon next to a second crate. The second crate sits closest to the rear of the wagon.
Once past the checkpoint and out of site, the first wagon will deposit the occupants into the wilderness. Then both wagons will continue into Kroten with only Cholak, Esned and Grimlock remaining in barrels/crates.
Loris Naef finishes his explanation of the plan and then holds out his hand, “If you have concerns, please address them, otherwise, I shall take my payment. One thousand gold please.”
Breymeer removes a fire coral ring (2000gp) from a pouch and shows it to Loris Naef. “This is easily twice the value of your requested payment. I pay for our entire crew. I also pay for the discreteness of you and your crew.”
Loris Naef examines the ring and smiles, “You shall have my word,” as he pockets the ring. “Anyone else have any concerns?”
Grimlock states very plainly as he looks contemptuously at the crate, “I will be out of the crate and invisible. I can ride in the wagon just the same. I will monitor to make sure everything goes as planned.”
With that, Grimlock plucks one of his eyelashes, rolls it into something in his palm. With a few arcane words and gestures, Grimlock disappears from view.
<Grimlock invisible and stoneskinned (cast previous day at his request)>
Loris Naef simply shakes his head and looks to Breymeer, “I’m not responsible for this contemptuous half breed friend of yours. If he gives us away, the blood is on his hands, not mine!”
“Everyone in their crates, we must be moving out!” commands Loris Naef. “I assume you can still hear me Grimlock. I hope you understand the importance of you not being discovered. I will put blind trust in the fact that you are quite capable of such a feat or I assume your companions would have raised concern. Good luck all.”
Grimlock’s bodiless voice chastises Loris Naef, “I can hear you Naef. Your trust matters not to me. What does matter is your tongue when you address my breed. I will forgive your insult this one time as it is evident you haven’t heard of me. But on the next, you can trust it will be your last.”
Anger flashes across Loris Naef’s face though it is quickly controlled. He is obviously a man that has worked with men of various backgrounds and histories. Men that are obviously of greater power than himself. Loris Naef, remembering the value of the cargo he is transporting, remains quiet and goes about the business of settling everyone into their place.
As each character climbs into their barrel or crate, they are shown the lids have short nails nailed into the lids to make it appear the lids are secured. However, the lids are easily removed from inside, enabling the characters a relatively quick exit.
The wagon train loads and gets underway.
As the group approaches the border to the Dutchy of Kroten, Grimlock can even see a small fortification upon the 1500 foot tall Lone Peak to the west of the road. The fortification, without a doubt, is a watchpost. Lone Peak is about one and a half miles from the roadway to the west.
Lone Peak is the terminus of a rocky spine coming down along the seashore from the north. The road passes through a valley, several miles wide, between Lone Peak on the west and the foothills to the Farmin Mountains on the east. The foothills are about four miles to the east of the Kroten River.
North of the border, woodlands appear on both sides of the roadway.
The Phytal Woods are to the west side. They abut the Lone Peak and continue north past the town of Kroten. They are a mile and a half away at the border but encroach east towards the roadway the farther north one travels; sometimes within 300 feet of the road.
The Kroten Forest parallels the road from the Farmin Mountain foothills to the southern edge of the town of Kroten. The forest is generally up to the banks of the river.
The area between Pelreltarma and Kroten is accented with hills; some covered in vegetation and others just bare rock jutting up from the land. The area, for the most part, is wilderness.
The border is secured by a checkpoint. It is roughly half way from Pelreltarma to Kroten (roughly a distance of ten miles north to Kroten or ten miles south to Pelreltarma). The checkpoint is enforced by a garrison of soldiers; some human but most hobgoblin. A few ogres supplement the force.
The humans are in charge and judging from what appears to be a stable, are able to ride horse. The hobgoblins appear to be the soldiers and the ogres the extra muscle.
The garrison is a wooden structure as is the stable. The garrison appears large enough to hold forty troops. The stable, a dozen horses. They are built on the west side of the road. A second, smaller wooden structure sits across the road from the larger garrison. It could comfortably hold a dozen men. The ogres have the third wooden structure. It sits on the east side of the road between the second building and the border gate. It is large enough to house four ogres.
The border gate is two simple square wooden structures, one on each side of the road. Each has a door facing the road and a shuttered window facing the south. Both are illuminated inside. Between the two gatehouses, an iron gate is mounted between two large wooden poles. The gate is shut.
The Kroten River, at this point, is as close as it gets to the roadway being a little less than 300 feet to the east.
A barrier has been placed between the river and the eastern gatehouse. The barrier is cut and limbed trees laid parallel to the ground along a series of wooden posts dug into the ground and placed in an ‘X’ formation to hold the cut logs.
To the west, the barrier stretches from the west gatehouse to, presumably, Lone Peak.
A platoon of a half dozen hobgoblins stand watch behind the gate. Not counting any that might be in the gatehouses. They are armed with a variety of swords, morningstars, spears, polearms and crossbows.
As the wagons approach the gate, the hobgoblins prepare themselves. Those holding the spears and polearms take up second ranks while those with swords and morningstars take up the front.
A man walks out of the western gatehouse and addresses the group as the horses stop at the closed gate. “Loris Naef, greetings to you sir. What brings you to Kroten this day?”
Loris Naef approaches the gate on foot. He has taken some items in hand. In addition, his helpers unload two barrels from the wagon and then roll them towards the gate.
“Good day to you Captain Ribard,” cheerfully speaks Loris Naef with a large smile on his face. Loris Naef hands over a bottle to the Captain with a small sack of what appears to be coins. “I hope all things are peaceful for you and your men.”
The captain appears to be making a quick look over Loris Naef’s shoulder; a cursory look at the cargo on his wagons and the men that are with him.
Loris Naef continues, “I have a few barrels of ale and some crates of fish. I have the normal load for Duke Nebub. I am brining in a little extra to see if I can expand sales to a few of the inns while I am in town. Hopefully they are running low during Brewfest.”
“Wise merchant you are Naef!” replies Captain Ribard as he waves his hand to the hobgoblins, indicating to them to raise the gate.
“The barrels are for the soldiers. Some good beer from Loreltarma,” Loris Naef comments as he prepares to get back underway. His men set the barrels down by the hobgoblin gate crew; much to their approval.
The wagons continue past the gate garrison and further down the road towards Kroten.
Ek watches as the wagon crew approaches and then passes through the gates.
The wagons continue north along the Kroten Highway for a few hours before Loris Naef feels secure enough to stop the wagons near a small growth of trees. In total, the trees cover a couple acres and make enough of a structure to hide among.
“It is time. I believe this is the best location to depart,” Loris Naef advises as he begins to open the tops of the crates and barrels, releasing those that will head off into the woods. “Hurry yourselves into this small wooded area. From here, you can get yourself into the Phytal Woods and make your way to town by dark should you wish.”
There is only a small clear area between the edge of the Phytal woods and the small growth Loris Naef is secreting the group into. Maybe some 450 feet of clear ground lay between the main forest and this small growth. The small growth is some 200 to 225 feet in width and maybe 300 feet north to south. Most of the underbrush has been kept down in an attempt to keep bandits from using it as an ambush site. Even so, a character on foot could hunker down and hide to avoid being seen from the roadway.
Breymeer, Ergon, Jandre and Isiawiel all quickly gather their gear and slip out of the wagon for the cover of the woods. Breymeer and Isiawiel, both very at home in the woods, are quickly out of site. Ergon and Jandre make haste to get deeper into what cover they can find before organizing themselves.
The crates are re-sealed and the wagons are quickly back on their way with Grimlock, Cholak and Esned still riding the second wagon. Cholak and Esned secreted into barrels and Grimlock riding invisibly; sitting on his crate.
<Town is about 5 miles farther north>
Ek manages to keep up with the wagons while moving stealthily through the edge of the Kroten Forest. He watches the wagons pause long enough to allow Breymeer, Ergon, Jandre and Isiawiel time to exit the lead wagon with their gear and enter a small wooded area on the west side of the roadway. They are all quickly out of sight.
Breymeer gathers the four of them together. The ranger cringes as the metallic sound of the heavy armor from the Pholtus warrior and priest.
Ergon expresses his wishes, “I would like to get concealed and hunker down until the cover of darkness before moving further.” Jandre concurs.
Breymeer adds, “My intent is to make my way through the woods and find a hideout northeast of town at the hill where some sort of camp can be set up. I’ll then be scouting the area for three days and making sure I’m at the camp on the third night as I told the rest of the group. I will keep an eye out each evening for possible early return of our partners.”
Isiawiel says nothing.
The group remains successfully hidden among the trees until sunset.
Not long after sunset, a very wet Ek makes an appearance. The dark elf suddenly walks into camp and greets the party. It appears he may have swam the river to get to the small wooded area that now hides the group.
Ergon looks to Breymeer, “You are the man of the woods, we should just follow your lead and stay out of sight. If you think it best, I could remove my noisy armor to be able to move around more quietly.”
Isiawiel remains quiet.
Jandre awaits Breymeer’s response.
Breymeer addresses the group, “Glad to see you made it Ek. The lay of the land will predict our movement. It appears we can make it into the Phytal Woods and skirt the west side of the town and around the north side of the town.”
He pauses to make sure everyone is content with his assumption before continuing, “As I stated earlier, my goal is to find the Thorpe Hill which lies off the northeast corner of Kroten. Let us hope the backside of Thorpe Hill will provide a hidden camp for us.”
He begins to dig into his pack, “I say we gather our wits, grab a drink and a bite and let’s move out. Please secure your gear any way you can, maybe we can reduce some of the metallic clanging noises I’m hearing.”
Looking to the sky, Breymeer sets his pack down as he continues to talk, “If we are blessed with some moonlight, I say we continue through the evening in hopes of finding Thorp Hill this evening. If total darkness besets us, we may have to be having a cold camp tonight.”
Ek, with his superior vision in near darkness, offers to walk a little ahead of Breymeer. This will give better surveillance but also allow the ranger a little more security so he can concentrate on his surroundings for possible trails, tracks or other evidence that may be useful to the group.
The party finishes grabbing a quick meal.
Ergon and Jandre remove their heavy plate armor and stow it in packs softening the harsh metallic sound.
It is then realized that Isiaweil is gone. The half-elf has slipped off without notice. Breymeer cannot seem to find a steady trail. The small wooded area is quickly searched but there is no sign of struggle. Isiaweil has simply left.
With time against them, the group hurries across the opening towards Phytal Woods. They scatter some grazing deer in the process. Entering the woods, they turn north and continue their quest.
Ek is in the lead some 10-15 paces ahead of Breymeer, the ranger is second. Both of them moving quietly through the woods. Behind Breymeer, some 90 feet, are Ergon and Jandre. Without their armor on, they are quieter and move quicker. They find it easy enough to keep up.
In this fashion, they make several miles without trouble. They continue on past midnight into a new day.
The group, moving cautiously, makes it to the western edge of Kroten. From the edge of the woods, across a large clearing, the lights of the town glow.
Breymeer is content with the progress for the night. They retreat back into the forest far enough to avoid detection from any possible security forces.
It is but a few hours before the break of dawn.
Breymeer looks to the sky knowing time is short. He wishes to make it around the north side of town to Thorpe Hill area. He lets out a sigh knowing there is not enough time. He doesn’t want to risk the movement in daylight.
Breymeer suggests to the others that he and Ek will find the best place in the woods to remain hidden until it is safe to continue onto the hill at nightfall.
The dark elf and the ranger head into the darkness; instructing the Pholtus warriors to wait for them to return
Breymeer moves as a bear as he quietly analyzes the forest. Ek moves quietly behind him, watching in the darkness using the advantage of his dark vision.
Breymeer pauses the duo as he comes upon a flat stone. Its shape and appearance reminds Breymeer of dwarven marking stones near the dwarven delve.
Ergon and Jandre, worshippers of the light, becomes somewhat concerned being out of their armor in the dark in the woods ringing Nebub’s stronghold.
Some thirty minutes or so after the departure of Breymeer, Ergon is surprised to see a very faint glow coming from a distance in the woods. It is too far to have a direct line of sight; Ergon only can see there is a faint glow, as if a light source were uncovered.
Alluvianna, Seeler and Lexington set back out just before daybreak. They continue north on the Kroten Highway.
The hills that surround the north and east side of town come into view. Fields appear on the west side of the road though the Kroten Forest is still on the east side. A few cattle ranches dot the fields as the trio pass by.
Ahead, the town comes into view. There is a guardhouse on the highway itself south of town. A smaller dirt path leads east along the north side of the Kroten Forest; lying south of the Kroten River.
The town has a walled section on the northwest area of town. South and east of that are unwalled sections of town. The Kroten Castle sits atop a hill north of the walled area; north of the wall.
The area ahead of the group, south of the wall, contains an obvious lumber mill that also boasts a cattle lot, a marketplace and numerous buildings of various size. Some appear to be homes, some appear to be merchants, etc. The buildings are mainly made of wood but some are made of stone.
Lexington, with a grin, asks Alluvianna, “Mom, will you be able to get us past these guys?”
Alluvianna answers rather matter-of-factly, “Well dear Lexington, I believe now that we are in the dutchy, we are relatively safe from most troubles unless we bring them upon ourselves.”
She looks east along the dirt track that leads along the Kroten Forest towards more cattle farms and lumber camps and then back north towards the guardpost and town. “Which way would you two like to go? I care not. As long as we can be settled in by nightfall. In fact, once in town, I may go off and explore on my own. I can keep up the family ploy though until you as settled into an inn.”
Seeler votes for north, “It may be a little easier to travel so we may enter the town quicker.”
Lex agrees, “I have no desire to stay ou in the wild. Studies are always more productive in the warmth of a lit room. I have some business I’d like to take care of in town. Also, I opt to explore the city to find a jeweler and a nice place to stay.”
“Done.” Is all Alluvianna replies before turning and walking north to the guard house.
The guard house is on the intersection of the south road and another main road leading west out of town. The west road likely travels to Asmogorgon on the northern coast of the island. The guard house is manned by a human captain, a couple hobgoblin sergeants, about a dozen hobgoblin soldiers and an ogre who wields an nasty looking oversized hammer.
Though eyed suspiciously, the group is not confronted for more than their names. There is no toll for foot traffic.
Ahead the highway enters town and forks, the left fork going up the western edge of town and the right fork, the southern edge of town.
In view is the lumber mill and cattle pens (#325). A small growth of trees blocks much of the view to the east (south) road though the smell of baked goods competes with the smell of the mill and cattle.
Another patrol group, this one consisting of a half dozen humans, is milling around in the shade of the trees watching the fork of the highway. They do not appear to be overly attentive or concerned with the group’s presence.
Seeler continues walking, intent on finding and inn and getting settled in. Lex and Alluvianna follow suit.
Seeler quickly comes to the fork in the roadway.
The left path leads to the walled gate on the southwest corner of the wall. Visible are the broken-down windmill (#314), the mercenary training hall (#310) and the Mason and Builders guildhouse (#314).
The right path is made of cobblestone. It leads past a baker (#302), barber (#303), entertainer (#304), a carpenter (#305), cobbler (#306) and a bath house (#307). Of most significance is the gaming hall (#312) with a large pit to the east side of the building. The pit is surrounded by a four-foot tall stone wall. A tree grows up from within the perimeter of the wall betraying the fact that the wall surrounds a pit, some six feet deep. A sign posted on the wall in large print, written in common and Suel, reads, “Danger! Do not sit on the wall!”
The cobblestone roadway leads to a large square with many peddlers and a well.
Past the square, the cobblestone roadway continues past another entertainer (#308) and a public entertainment house (#309).
Lexington stops the group. With a childlike grin he suggests the trio visit the baker. The smell of the fresh baked goods is obviously a welcome relief to the young man compared to the smells of the wild. “Let’s stop in and get a dessert. We may be able to get information on where the best inn is in town. And a jeweler.”
All concur.
The bakery is a 22’x30’ building. There is a front and presumably a back door. A windows, with the shutters open to allow out the smell, is mounted on each wall. There is a second story loft above the center of the house. Behind the house, extending almost to the river, is a large garden.
The front door opens directly to the kitchen. The door is currently closed.
Knocking on the door draws forth a male voice, “How can I help you?”
Lexington replies, “Good day sir. My companions and I are traveling through the area and the wonderful aromas of your goods beckoned us to see if we could purchase something. It has been some time since we’ve had fresh bread or any fruity confections.”
“We’re too busy at the moment. Our current supply is east of you in the Kroten Road Square. Our boys are down there with a cart selling pies as we speak. There are a few apple pies and some meat pies. You better hurry, they can go fast. The older boy’s name is Obisrik.”
Lexington thanks the baker and continues playing the part of mother and son, “Let’s hurry mom, before they run out of the good stuff.”
The trio approaches Kroten Square. It is a cobblestone square surrounding the roadway as it passes through east and west. Many tents and booths are set up. It appears one can find many different items here.
Lexington finds the baker’s booth and purchases a pie from Obisrik. Making small talk, Lexington, while starting to eat the pie, inquires about a jeweler in town.
Obisrik informs him there is one behind the walled section of town. Along the southern wall on, well, Wall Street. A little south of the southern slope of Sheep’s Hill.
Alluvianna bids the two others fairwell, “I have a few things I would like to do now. You may or may not find me again. Fair the well my son. Keep him safe Seeler.” She smiles and walks off into the crowded market.
Lexington continues to make small talk with the baker’s son in between bites of pie. He is several minutes into eating it before he realizes he has taken more bites than spoken.
Seeler stares at the oblivious teenage human as he hogs down the pie himself.
The moment is suddenly interrupted by three bugbears fully armed and armored. They bear the unforms of the Kroten security forces.
The middle one speaks in surprisingly good common, “Come with me! We have questions for you. Do not resist or reach for a weapon or you will be charged with assaulting Duke Nebub’s men!”
The soldiers look prepared to fight.
One approaches Seeler intending to disarm him of his obvious weapons.
The following morning, Tathar and Morwen make a quick stop to purchase clothing to dress themselves as commonfolk before making the short journey across the bay and dock at Loreltarma; paying the docking fee.
Tathar first makes straight for the temple dedicated to Sehanine. The temple is three stories high with a small tower rising two more stories off the main level. The tower roof is flat, allowing the priests to view the night sky unobstructed.
At the temple, Tathar tithes a diamond (500gp), 41ep, 77sp and 182cp.
He replenishes needed spell components.
Tathar is known to the church clergy and is greeted with respect. He and Morwen are invited to sit for a moment and enjoy a brunch. Tathar inquires about any alchemists in town. The clergy give the pair directions to the local alchemist. In addition, they offer to sell the duo some of the healing powers of Sehanine.
Tathar, already able to channel her power upon her blessing, declines. Morwen happily accepts the offer trading two gem encrusted chalices (250gp each) and two diamonds (100gp each) for two potions of healing power.
From the temple, the couple make their way to the alchemist’s shop. It is a small stone block building with few windows on the main floor. The upper level is made of wood and boasts additional windows, though they are heavily barred. A very stout steel door adorns the front of the building. The door has a small sliding peek hole, about 4 inches square, that is currently closed. A brown wooden sign with a blue bubbling glass vial swings slightly in the warm morning breeze.
Tathar tries the door but it is locked.
Tathar knocks on the door and waits patiently. His elf ears pick up the sound of someone slowly moving inside; eventually shuffling through the building to the door. The peep hole slides open. An older man with a severely scarred face, likely from a chemical burn, peers out at Tathar and Morwen. He is likely in his early 60s. He appears short and a bit plump.
“Elves, eh?” the man comments. “What would an elf couple wish of an old man like myself?” He appears to be eyeing up the ability to pay of his potential clients. Apparently, he has had positive business with elves for he appeared to look favorably upon Tathar and Morwen.
Morwen flashes him a smile and says, "Good sir, we have just left the Temple of Sehanine and upon their recommendation for an alchemist have found our way to your door. We are embarking on a journey and are unsure what potions we may need, but would like to view your wares in case one stands out."
“I am sorry my dear, I do not open my door for customers. However, I would be more than happy to try and assist you should you have something more specific in mind. I have a small collections of items I have prepared that may fit your needs. If you trust in other devices besides potions, I may also have some powders or herbs that I can mix together to assist you.”
Morwen makes a simple request, “Do you have anything that would make me invisible? I have found that the second safest way to avoid being killed is not to be seen. The first safest, of course, is to stay at home. And since that is not an option . . .” She leaves the last comment hanging there.
“Well, my dear lady,” he points to his face, “sometimes staying home backfires as well.” He thinks to himself for a moment then answers, “I believe I have what you are requesting. A fine fellow requested I make it a while back and then never arrived to purchase it. Guess he could have used it a day earlier. It is a one dose shot, single use but should last the better part of a day. 550gp and it is yours.”
Morwen looks to the ground upon hearing the price, knowing she does not have that much with her.
Tathar, noticing this and not wanting for Morwen to suffer the embarrassment, pulls a valuable sapphire (1000gp) from his coin bag and covertly shows it to the alchemist, “Could you do two potions for this?” he asks.
“I fear I have only the one concoction that will make you completely disappear. However, if not being seen is the goal, I believe I may have something else you would consider. I have a little concoction that will shrink you considerably. Either that, or it makes the rest of the world grow much bigger. However, I am more inclined to believe it makes the drinker small. You drink half of it, you will be half your size. Drink it all, and you will shrink down to just the size of a large mouse or so. The best part, it shrinks whatever you’re are wearing and carrying as well.”
The alchemist looks closely at the sapphire Tathar holds without reaching for it. He eyes it closely, moving his head to see it at several different angles. “I believe I could sell both potions for that sapphire.”
The old man looks to the elves for their reply.
Tathar looks at Morwen. Morwen shrugs her shoulders before inquiring of the alchemist, “How long will the shrinking potion last?”
“Between an hour or two before you return to your original size,” is the answer.
Morwen nods approval. Tathar looks back at the alchemist and concludes the sale, “This could be a very useful potion.” Tathar takes the potions and hands them Morwen while dexterously handing the sapphire to the alchemist in one gentle but swift move.
“Good luck,” the alchemist wishes in a friendly tone as a goodbye before shutting the portal in the door.
Morwen securely stows the two potions and the Sehanine pair return to the docks.
Comus and the men stand upon the boat facing three armed men on the dock next to the boat. Everyone appears relaxed as if waiting for Tathar’s return. Comus appears to have made it apparent that they were not coming onto the boat as he stands squared off, though at something similar to parade rest, in front of the three men.
Two of the men wear studded leather armor and are armed with spear and shield. White tunics with the emblem of Loreltarma on its front are worn over the armor. Their shield emblems match that of the tunic. They are obviously members of the town guards. The final man, the leader, wears studded leather armor and has a sword in a scabbard on his belt. His tunic is similar but light blue in color. A patch, mounted at his left clavicle, shows his rank; that of captain. He holds a parchment in his hand that he begins to unroll as he speaks.
The captain respectfully addresses Tathar, “Goodday Lord Tathar Surion, Reagent of Tur Thar Guldar, honorable clergy of Sehanine Moonbow.” He turns his attention to Morwen and addresses her, “Lady Morwen Alcerin, Ambassador of Baroness Andrella of Resenford, I greet you.”
He reads from the scroll, ”The Council of Seven of Loreltarma has requested your presence before the council in regards to the conflict between the Barony of Restenford and the Dutchy of Kroten.”
The captain, quickly going about his business, finishes, “I am to direct you to the council, straightaway my Lord and my Lady.”
<No threat of force is being signaled. What is your actions.>
Morwen and Tathar give each other puzzled looks. Morwen looks at the captain and flashes him a sincere smile. “Captain, you say that you are to direct us to the council straight away, but your parchment ‘requested’ our presence. Are we free to refuse this, or are we going whether we like it or not?”
Before the captain can react, Morwen finishes her thought, “Mind you, my intention, and I am certain Tathar’s, although I do not intend to speak for him, is that we will attend the council. I merely ask because I am wondering if we are to be interrogated or simply inquired upon.”
The captain’s face flushes, “My apologies, m’Lady! You certainly are free to do as you wish. Please pardon my tongue. I chose my wording poorly.”
“If you will give me a moment to step into the cabin and change my attire, I will join you momentarily. My clothes are certainly not fit to be seen at court,” her voice is sweet and polite but leaves it no room for discussion. She does not pause for an answer, moving to the cabin of the Ungohling to change.
Morwen takes off her traveling clothes and puts on a green evening gown with a silver sash and a plain brooch. She wears sandals on her feet.
Tathar, in a stark contrast, remains as is with his face covered in charcoal excepting the moon shaped white circles around his eyes.
Comus is left in charge of the boat. The two elves follow the captain to the council.
The captain of the guard leads the elven pair across town into the government district without incident. The city chambers are eloquent enough; befitting a town of it size.
Upon entry to the council chambers, the pair finds only one person sitting in the room. The man, in his early 30s, sits at the center of a long table. The table sits upon a slightly raised platform at the back of the room. The table sits perpendicular to the entrance. He wears a tan vest over a white tunic. His light brown wavy hair falls short of his shoulders. He has a close-trimmed beard.
“Greetings Lord Surion and Lady Alcerin. I am Billtirid. I am the council member that called upon you. Please, have a seat.”
Tathar and Morwen politely accept his invitation and sit upon the visitor’s chairs. They are simple wooden chairs though they boast cushions and are obviously well crafted.
“I do not have much time to speak to you so I will skip the pleasantries and get to my business. I, unlike much of the counsel, am very concerned about the conflict between Kroten and Restenford. Also, I am concerned about the intent of the Sehanine elves.”
“Firstly, the conflict between Kroten and Restenford has not, nor will it, help the greater good of the island. We all stand to lose if all out war breaks out. Furthermore, the controlling fist of the Duke of Kroten would not be welcome to most, in my opinion. I ask that you, Lady Morwen, representing Baroness Andrella, and you, Lord Surion, representing the Sehanine elves, pay Duke Nebub a visit in his court and see what demands he may have in regards to ceasing hostilities. Unfortunately, this counsel has sat on its hands and pays little attention past the shores of this small town.”
“Secondly, of the Sehanine elves, what, if any, was the purpose of setting up a keep on the northern borders of Restenford? Why now are the Sehanine elves making themselves a base of operations?”
The wagon caravan continues north along the roadway. It makes a stop at a guard house on the southwest edge of town where Loris Naef pays a small fee for each wagon to continue on into town. It appears to be a simple toll for commerce traffic.
Loris Naef and cargo continue on the Kroten highway turning east before reaching the southern wall that encloses part of the town.
It turns slightly northeast before turning back west off the cobblestone Kroten Highway onto a side path. A couple blocks later the group arrives at their destination. A door opens and the group enters a building.
Grimlock observes several buildings along the eastern route; south of the wall. There is the following observed:
301 – a second guardhouse, two stories
302 – baker
303 – barber
304 – entertainer
305 – carpenter
306 – cobbler
307 – bath house
308 – 2nd entertainer
309 – public house – entertainment such as music etc
312 – gaming house
313 – wind mill (disrepair)
Kroten Road Square (numerous carts selling various wares and foodstuffs, 326-332)
333 – a tavern that appears to serve hobgoblins.
The roadway turns a little northeast and continues past the following buildings:
120 – tailor
121 – foundry
127 – winery
It passes the hill named Celestian’s Rise which now holds the Fane of Syrul (155) and the barracks across the street (156).
Turning left onto Cross Street, it passes a weaver (160) and a series of stone circles (149) then three more buildings come by; the butcher (133), the fletcher (132) and the armorer (131). The final two buildings are the tinker (130) and a livery stable (129).
Across the street from the livery stable is a teamster. The party is shuttled into the barn on the east side of the house.
Upon the barn being secured, Loris Naef begins releasing Cholak and Esned from their confines. They rub their sore muscles as they straighten out and stretch.
Grimlock is presumed to have entered the barn as well. The half-elf remains invisible and very hard, if not impossible, to detect. He has become an expert at stealthy movements. He has come a long way from the days of secreting himself behind dirty dull-colored canvas.
The group is not in the barn long enough to formulate a plan for their next move when there is a heavy knock on the barn’s sliding door. Whoever is outside made a point of making their approach secret. A gruff voice calls out, “Open the door by the authority of Duke Nebub!” The voice is not human. It appears to be that of a bugbear.
Tathar and Morwen look at each other to see who will speak first. Morwen nods to Tathar, giving him the okay if he wishes. Tathar turns to the counselor and says, "In regard to your question of the Sehanine elves building a 'base of operations' as you call it, I must admit that I am just a priest of Sehanine, and I follow the will of Sehanine and the priests that she has put over me. More revered and powerful priests worked with Pelltar to drive out the evil that inhabited the keep at Bone Hill. I believe this was a great thing for the entire island. I was then commissioned by my superiors to turn the previously evil land into a monastery for good, prayer, rest for travelers, and most importantly a place to worship the Lady of Illusions, Sehanine Moonbow."
"It is not a base of operations, as you call it, but a beacon of light where there was once darkness. If you were to travel there, not only would you be welcomed, but you would see that the only armaments we have is what it would take to drive away evil that might attempt to retake the keep."
Tathar finishes his speaking and looks at Morwen, then down to the tabletop as if in contemplation.
Morwen looks from Tathar with a well veiled sadness and flashes a smile. "Councilor Billtirid, I apologize, but since your time is limited and I wish to honor that, I will forgo the normal pleasantries as well. Baroness Andrella would welcome an alliance with Lo Reltarma since we would be stronger together. If Nebub attacks and successfully overthrows Restonford, it will only be a matter of time before his eyes turn to northeast and then this way."
"As to your request of our going to Kroten, I can tell you that I have been sent in that direction by Baroness Andrella to see what I can ascertain, and Tathar has been lovely enough to accompany me, to afford me whatever protection he can. But going into the court at Kroten was not something I was planning on doing. Are you able to provide any sort of support? Either official or unofficial? A contingent of Lo Reltarma soldiers, big enough to help protect us against traveling marauders, but small enough to not be a threat to Duke Nabub may give the Duke pause in thinking that we are more aligned with each other and he thinks. It may so also serve to ensure we come out of the court with our hides intact."
Billtiried replies, “I am not able to speak for the entire counsel. In fact, I wish to keep this meeting a secret. Therefore, I can not supply you with any material support.”
He stops, looks around and then leans in closer before speaking in a near whisper using the elven language, “Know that powerful entities are watching the outcome of this skirmish; both for good and for ill. Please, go to court, be not afraid, you will be aided by those you know not yet.”
“I do not expect your trust. We share the same cause.”
He returns to the common language as he leans back in his chair, “You have our goodwill in the interest of peace. I am sorry I cannot offer you more.”
Lexington, with a somewhat surprised look on his face as he was taken unaware by such a well-spoken hobgoblin, speaks with a mouthful of pie, “Miff ib rurrry rood rie.” He wipes his mouth and says, “Okay, I definitely don’t want any trouble like that.
The bugbear reaching for Seeler’s weapon pauses for a moment to look at Lexington and then back to Seeler.
Seeler stands firm and confident seeing where this situation goes.
Lexington looks around and asks Seeler, “Where’s my mom? Won’t she be worried?”
The hobgoblins continue with their detention of the young man and the dwarf. Seeler is disarmed of his obvious weapons and they are both shackled into iron manacles. A dark hood is placed over both their heads.
The hobgoblins roughly push the two to get them walking and direct them, in what appears to be an easterly direction, down the cobblestone path. It seems they are still on the Kroten highway.
Lexington and Seeler are turned and moved through the city. It is in a generally northerly direction. They are led through a few gates and brought into a final structure. They are brought into the subterranean basement. Each is unshackled and pushed into the room. The hood is removed as two of them tumble into their new homes
Each cell has a twelve-foot ceiling. There is a cot, a single chair and two small eight-inch diameter buckets on the floor next to the cot. The buckets are eight inches tall and would just fit through the small hole in the bottom of the cell door. High up on the wall between cells, nearly eleven feet off the floor, is a three in diameter pipe to allow air to move between cells. The door itself is of thick hardwood reinforced with iron bands. The doors have latches with padlocks on the exterior side.
Ergon whispers softly to Jandre, “I see a faint glow in the distance,” pointing to the light. “Draw swords and be on the ready. We must stay silent and hide.”
Jandre nods and sets his backpack containing his armor quietly on the ground and then readies his maul for combat.
The light appears to be moving ever so slowly and silently in their direction.
Breymeer suggests to Ek, “Return to the group and bring them forward to the stone. Hopefully we can decipher this stone.”
Ek dutifully turns back towards Ergon and Jandre.
Breymeer remains near the stone and quietly watches and listens for danger. Breymeer slowly feels the ground around the stone and then the stone itself. Using the full moon light of the little moon, Celene, Breymeer determines a few things. The stone does appear to be some type of worked stone. There is also sign of recent travel through the area as Breymeer finds non-descript foot print, from a man-sized boot, in the soil. The boot print is in line with what appears to be a not often used trail.
Ek moves back slowly through the woods towards the two Pholtus holy men. As he nears the two others, Ek sees an illumination moving through the woods to his left. The light source also appears to be moving towards Ek’s companions.
Ergon draws out his holy sword and prepares for trouble.
Jandre stands stalwart next to Ergon. The two stand tall, even without the protection of their armor.
The light source continues toward them. It illuminates and area as a torch would. The eastern sky shows the very first hint of the approaching dawn.
The light breaks from the foliage. It presents as a ball of light, white in color and approx. one foot in diameter. It stops 20 feet from Ergon and Jandre. It remains still at that point, hovering approx. six feet off the ground.
Ek immediately takes cover in the nearest spot of darkness to blend in. He becomes motionless. He keeps the light source within sight; moving forward as necessary. The light continues on an intercept course with Ergon and Jandre.
The light enters the area where Ek left Ergon and Jandre. The dark elf moves quietly up. He gets close enough to have an open bow shot should his assistance be needed.
The light source becomes a white light with a light bluish tint. It pulses a few times and then begins to float off in Ek’s direction.
The light source becomes a white light with a light bluish tint. It pulses a few times and then begins to float off in the direction of Breymeer’s last known path.
Morwen replies in the voice of a practiced politician. "Sir, is there nothing you can aid is with? You ask is to go into the lion's den and trust to forces we do not know?"
Tathar comments' "That is my life, and I gladly embrace anything that The Mystic Lady deems appropriate."
"That maybe find for you, Lord Tathar, but I am not so easily swayed. Councilor, can you not even send word of us as an envoy, so that we may at least gain audience unmolested?"
The Counselman replies, “I am sorry my lady. I do not speak for the entire counsel. I just assure you, you are not alone in this pursuit of peace.”:
As the two others speak, Tathar’s pupils turn to cresent moons and he drifts away from the conversation into a vision. He sees a vast cavern of glowing reddish hues. A soft distant female voice whispers out a single word, “Peylae.”
Tathar’s vision continues. The Lady of Illusion fills his mind with the image of Breymeer and company leading a small expedition within the cavern. Their purpose or direction is not revealed to the elven priest.
Finally, a blackness appears and moves towards Tathar. As it gets closer, it appears to be a massive black horse. It bears a dark, possibly female, rider on its back.
The horse continues forwards until it blocks out the image of the reddish cavern. It becomes the only image in Tathar’s mind.
The horse has glowing red eyes and flaming orange nostrils. It’s hooves burn like embers and sparks fly from them as they pound the air as it charges forward though it flies through the air.
The rider is difficult to make out from under her deep black robe. A hood, worn low over the face, covers all details.
The image closes nearer and nearer until it becomes just blackness as it rolls over the Sehanine priest. The image causes Tathar to flinch. His eyes return to normal and he becomes aware of Morwen’s concerning gaze upon him.
Billtiried, sensing something had overcome Tathar, re-states his position. “Lady Alcerin and Lord Surion, I am sorry I can give you no material aid. Trust you have friends on your side. Duke Nebub is truly evil though not insanely. If you call upon him at court, you can trust he will great you with respect and honor your positions. He does believe in the rule of law. Just beware, he makes the law in Kroten.”
Billitiried turns to leave but gives one last comment, “He will not attack you outright in court. If anything, he will work to have others do you harm. Watch your back but do not fear meeting him in open court.”
Morwen thanks Billitiried, "Counselor Billitiried, thank you for the information. Know we will do all we can. Would you be so kind as to provide us with an escort back to our ship? I would hate to be overtaken by brigands, and few tend to be brazen enough to engage with soldiers on official duty."
“Most certainly! Captain, return them to where they wish to go.”
The captain and his men dutifully follow the order. They bring Tathar and Morwen back to the docks and return them safely to where the Ungohling is docked.
Comus appears relieved the two elves returned without much delay.
The captain and his men depart.
Esned quickly scans the barn looking for a good place to hide.
The barn is 55 feet long and 35 feet wide. The large sliding door the party just entered through is mounted on the southern wall facing the street. The south and north walls are lined with stables, most of them containing horses and possibly a stable boy or two doing chores.
On the west end of the barn is a ladder built into the wall that leads to a hay loft.
Loris Naef curses quietly. “Quickly, help me get these barrels back together!”
The knocking outside the door becomes louder and one of the hobgoblins begins to push on the door causing it to start to open.
A female voice, coming from the direction of the house, pauses the situation, “What is the meaning of this? By what suspicion do you force your way into my barn?” The voice is strong and unwaivering.
Loris Naef repeats his commant, “Now, we must act now!”
Loris Naef gasps as the barn door is pushed open and the light of the day spills in revealing the group.
Esned manages to duck behind a barrel. He positions himself so that he may move quickly under the wagon if necessary.
Cholak is caught flat footed.
Standing in the doorway is roughly a half dozen hobgoblins dressed in normal clothing. They have no weapons in hand though they do have daggers in sheaths on their belts.
Next to the hobgoblins is a pretty 30-something year old woman. She is not armed or wearing armor either.
The suspected adversaries look at the shock and horror on Loris Naef’s face and begin laughing out loud. They slap their knees and pat each other on the back.
The woman walks forward towards the party still wearing a wide grin, “My dear Loris, have I caught you unprepared?”
Loris Naef only replies weakly, “Ralla, you are cruel madam. I nearly soiled myself.”
The hobgoblins enjoy one last laugh before dispersing towards the teamster’s residence next door. They slide the barn door shut prior to departing.
Ralla continues, “So, this is your load of fish, eh?”
“Indeed,” answers Loris Naef who is starting to regain his composure.
Rolla snickers one final time at Loris Naef’s expense. He simply rolls his eyes. It is obvious these two have been acquaintances for some time.
Rolla gets to business, “You will have to hide in the stall until early morning. Loris can deliver you to the castle at the end of the night watch as the kitchen staff is beginning the morning chores.” She points to the northwesternmost stall.
“You are welcome to walk about the barn. If anyone questions you, you are assistants and security for Loris.” With that, she turns to depart. Ask she walks out, Loris Naef calls to Rolla. As she turns, he pulls out a small cloth pouch. It has several dozen coins in it. He throws it to her. With obvious dexterity, Rolla snatches it out of the air. As she exits the barn and slides the door shut, she snickers one last time at her prank and wishes, “Good luck.”
Lexington and Seeler find they have time on their hands. A few hours pass without much activity. Both adventurers were stripped of their main possessions short of their clothes before being deposited into the cells.
Seeler finds some comfort actually in being surrounded by rock. Having dark vision, he finds sitting in the dark not as uncomfortable as Lexington.
The two find they can hear each other somewhat. The sounds are most clear through the air tubes near the top of the wall.
Lexington finds himself longing for a book to read when interestingly, his room lights up. Before him is a red headed woman holding a torch. He is immediately struck by her beauty.
She perfectly fills the thin strapped, low cut red dress that barely leaves Lexington’s imagination any room for questions. A high slit up the side of the dress is revealed as she walks seductively towards a torch sconce mounted on the wall near the entrance. He only now notices she held a torch.
She turns facing him with a smile on her face. Her green eyes burn intensely. Lexington has no idea how she got in his room or who she is but even in his mid-teens, he can read the look on her face even if it wasn’t advertised by her body movements.
“What is the matter young man?” the redhead coyly asks. She sets the torch into a sconce on the wall and then slowly moves towards him, seducing him with sensual body movements and a lusting in her eyes.
She steps next to Lexington. His heart is pounding. The smell of her perfume washes over him. She playfully lets a strap of her dress fall down to her elbow.
Being a young bookworm, Lexington has no clue whatsoever on how to respond. In his ignorance, he blurbs out, “Ummmm, errrrr, ahhhh. What’s a nice dungeon like you doing in a girl like this?”
Turning red, he powers forward and tries again, “You wouldn’t happen to have any good books to read?”
The woman ignores his social awkwardness, “I am afraid Nebub doesn’t want you having any pesky books right now. I thought maybe I could entertain you for a while.” The other strap drops off her shoulder and gravity takes ahold of her dress leaving it to fall to the floor.
Seeler, though not without difficulty, can hear the conversation in the cell next door.
Lexington continues to act in his inexperience as he slowly backs up. He bumps the wall behind him, “Oh my . . . ahhh . . . heh-heh . . . ah-hemmm . . . you . . . ahhh . . . may . . . wow . . . catch a chill . . . ummm . . . without . . .. ahh . . . heh-heh . . . you know . . . your dress . . . oh momma . . .”
The woman continues forwards and grabs ahold of the young man. For the next several hours, long past when the torch finally burned out, the woman gives Lex the type of education he never received from a book. Finally, the woman relents and prepares to leave. She winks at Lexington, “See you tomorrow!” Then, as mysteriously as she appeared in the cell, she vanishes from it.
Seeler can only sit in his cell and listen to the commotion from the other cell. It remains a mystery to the dwarf how Lex could have found himself in that situation.
The rest of the day passes with the only other disturbance being that of supper being served; cold soup and bread.
Ek hails Ergon and Jandre from his concealed location to ensure they know he isn’t a threat before finally walking out to greet them.
The two holy men continue to watch the light source. Ek joins them, now realizing it wasn’t their light source.
The light source suddenly blinks out.
The sound of an approaching animal becomes obvious. By the sound, it appears to be a horse. A slight glow now begins to form in the woods again as the creature closes in on the trio. Whoever, or whatever, is on that horse is carrying some type of whitish light, similar to what they associate with a holy light channeled through a priest.
The animal will be upon them in just a few moments.
Ergon whispers to Ek, “What do your elf eyes see?”
Before the dark elf can reply, a large brilliantly white heavy war horse bursts forth from the foliage. The horse appears to be nearly glowing; it illuminates the area around the two men and the elf. It is bright enough the dark elf shields his eyes.
As suddenly as the white war horse appears, a second animal comes charging from out of no where towards the brilliant war horse.
The animal is powerfully built with a jet-black coat. It’s eyes glow red with an infernal evil. Its nostrils are flaming orange as if it breathes the fires of hell. As the hooves pound the ground, embers burst forth. It has a long mane and tail that is ragged and they whip wildly in the air as it gallops.
In what appears to be a visual battle of good versus evil, the dark horse charges the other. The white horse spins and they shoulder into each other with a great collision though neither gives ground.
Though the sun is near, the forest remains dark with shadows and both horses gallop blindly through the dark forest towards Breymeer; he can hear them as they close upon him. In addition to the sound of their flight and pursuit, the glow of the white horse and the fiery display of the dark horse help identify their location to some degree.
The wind is picking up steadily and the sky is clouding over; threatening a turn in the weather.
Breymeer takes note of the galloping horses. Since their group was not in possession of any, the sound can only be met with caution.
Breymeer clears his mind and summons forth his inner animal. Very quickly, an enormously large cave bear, all of fifteen feet tall, stands where Breymeer once stood.
The ranger’s mind remains intact after the transformation. He snorts as he awaits the approaching steeds.
The dark elf watches the two opposing horses gallop off. The dark elf, from the subterranean realms, looks to the two Pholtus holy men; worshippers of the light. Their differences are as starkly contrasting as that of the horses. Ek gives his analysis, “Breymeer is not far away, and in that direction. With all the commotion, it would be a good time to follow as fast as we can in case our assistance is needed.”
Ek, the dark elf, turns to do as he suggested without waiting for much of a response.
The forest appears to be growing darker and more sinister from the direction the black horse arrived. The woods appears to be closing in and the air becomes heavier.
Ergon and Jandre do not care to wait and find out why. Though neither shows signs of fear, both find wisdom in re-uniting with Ek, as he can see in the dark, and Breymeer, who is at home in the woods. They take no time to try and light a lantern or torch. Using what little light there is, they move as quickly and safely through the woods as they dare; using their hearing to give them a sense of direction. The horses galloping remains audible.
Morwen enters the boat cabin and changes back into her adventuring garb.
Meanwhile, Tathar informs Comus that he and Morwen will be heading inland and requests Comus pilot the boat back to Pelreltarma so they can depart for Kroten.
Comus and crew obey; steering the craft back out into open water and landfall at Pelreltarma.
“Dear Captain, may we come with you? Or what are your plans for the boat and for us?” As he waits for a response, it is apparent all crew members within earshot have also stopped in anticipation of an answer
A shocked look falls across Tathar’s face before quickly turning to gladness, “My dear friends, I cannot ask you to come with us. But, if you wish to come on your own, I could never stop you. You knew Peylae and Ledego befre you knew me. Ledego is gone and his spirit rests with the spirits of his ancestors. I know this for a fact because I guided him there when we first returned back to the Spindrift Isles. Peylae, on the other hand, may still be alive. Where Morwen and I are going is very dangerous and it is very possible that we will not come out alive. If you come with us, and die, you will have died for all that is good in the world, and I suspect Sehanine will bless you in the afterlife for it. If you come and survive, know that you will have an equal share in any and all treasure we might find. I will not, now or ever, find any fault with any man who decides to stay behind, but speak now, for our road is long and our time is short.”
Comus, the first mate, is the first to speak, “I have Captain Ledego and Lady Peylae to thank for saving my life on numerous occasions. Should she be alive, I will give my life in the quest to find Lady Peylae.”
Larrig, the crewmaster speaks next, “My wife and previous crewmember, Ersan, remained in Restenford as she is carrying our child. As a result, I do not wish to needlessly forfeit my life. The quest to find Lady Peylae and rid the world of some evil along the way is a quest I can honorably risk Ersan raising a fatherless child. I will aid you as I can.”
Ment, Tiz and Nedwyn uniformly respond, “Let’s rock and roll!”
With that, The Ungohling departs for the mainland.
Tathar looks over the crew to get an idea on their disposition. He does not distrust their loyalty, he simply takes a moment to judge the strengths and general health.
Comus, the first mate, looks determined. The man is very well muscled with a stern face. A man of some mild good looks despite the life at sea. He makes a good leader though his gruff personality can sometimes leave people displeased. Tathar knows Comus is a strong warrior to have at his side. He wears a leather breastplate, leather bracers and wields hammers in combat. He’ll either hoist a large sledgehammer or pick up a war hammer in each hand.
Larrig, the crewmaster, has the perfect personality to be between the sailors and Comus. Larrig is well liked on board the Ungohling. When forced into a fight, Larrig is exceptional with a bow and is strong enough to stand in melee with his cutlass and dagger. He also possesses leather armor but generally does not wear it about the boat.
Though the remaining three excel in sailing, they all have the personality and appearance of men that have spent too many days at sea. Their faces are worn from the sun and sea winds. All are loyal; they just approach their work with the stern determination of a dwarf. Once the day’s work is done, they are of fair enough disposition to be decent company.
The three sailors also have their leather armor stowed. Each carries a cutlass. In addition to his cutlass, Tiz has a short bow and several throwing knives.
The crew seems to compliment Tathar and Morwen well; a couple strong warriors with honorable moral.
With confidence Sehanine would not steer him wrong, Tathar stands upon the Ungohling as Comus and crew guide the small craft into port at Pelreltarma.
Strangely, waiting upon the dock is an elf. Tathar immediately recognizes the holy moon symbol of a Sehanine priest. The man is dressed in fine chain mail armor and carries a black painted wooden shield. Upon the shield painted a full moon shining upon an archipelago amid a calm sea. The shield’s image bears the signs of many an impact. He is armed with a long bow and quiver upon his shoulder and a finely crafted scabbard holding a long sword of equal quality. A dark cloak is upon his back.
“Lord Surion, I am Gaerhith. I have been sent here to guide you by order of the high priests of the isles. The time has come to remove an enemy from the island. May I step aboard?”
“Gaerhith, well met,” says Tathar with a bow. “This vessel is as much the property of the Moonlight Mistress as any other possession I have. A priest of Sehanine Moonbow is always welcome upon her decks. Please, let us retire to the cabin for refreshments and conversations.”
“Thank you, Lord Surion,” replies the other priest as he steps aboard. He continues to speak as he follows Tathar towards the cabin, “Time is of the essence I am afraid. May I ask you to trust my guidance is true and turn this ship north along the coast throughout the night. We must get near Asmogorgon on the northwest tip of this isle as soon as possible.”
Comus looks to Tathar to see if they are immediately going out to sea. No order follows so Comus stands down the crew as Tathar turns towards the cabin. He invites Gaerhith and Morwen into the cabin.
Tathar’s had been prepared to head ashore to attend court in Kroten. Redirecting by boat is going to require more information as to why.
As soon as the group is within the cabin and the door is closed, Gaerhith begins to speak again, “Lord Surion, I mean you no disrespect and certainly do not question your actions.”
The fellow Sehanine priest remains standing by the door, “I understand my haste is not yours currently. We share the same need though I have not told you yet what it is.”
The elf surrenders to the fact that the Ungohling isn’t moving until Tathar commands it. “As you are painfully aware, there are evil forces upon this island. Fiends and the sort have found portals or gates to gain access here. The very Duke of Kroten has fiendish roots. Sehanine has set in motion a task for her followers. We must take back the island from its current inhabitants and close the gates.”
The elf pauses for a moment to listen outside before continuing, “You have faced one of these gates personally below an old dwarven mine. In addition, you found and overcame the evil under Tur Thar Guldar. As we speak, you were intending to venture north to face down Duke Nebub. You have been one of Sehanine’s most active and successful priests. She now must turn your path.”
“A force of elves is prepared to make landing at Asmogorgon and secure the town. This is the first small step towards the greater goal. This landing force is not your destination however. In the mountainous region outside of town, among the Skull Peaks, is an additional fortress of evil protecting a gate. It was believed we had more time but it appears the evil that wishes to open this gate may be able to do so very soon. If opened, it would be the demise of the landing force. It would set upon the island untold evil and peril. It would become that much more difficult for us to overcome.”
Gaerhith pleads, “Lord Surion, please accept this mission. It is believed you are our best chance of overcoming it. I will be by your side as well. Should you choose another path, I must be on my way. Time is working against us.”
Tathar repies, “We have friends already making their way to Kroten. They are expecting our aid. Are there any forces going to their aid? If so, it would make the decision much easier.”
Gaerhith shakes his head, “No, they’re fate is in their own hands though their success is our own.” Their accomplishments are not unknown. It is believed they will be successful without your aid.”
Tathar looks at Morwen who only stares back at him, her face a blank slate. Then, thinking better of it says, “What does your heart tell you?”
Tathar’s eyes shift from Gaerhith and Morwen, then he looks at the table before him. “My heart tells me to set sail.” He stands, squares his shoulders and walks out the door. On deck, he tells Comus, in a close conversation, “Put us to sea. Head directly out until our course cannot be seen by those on land, then head north. We will be navigating along the west side of the island under Gaerhith’s guidance.”
Once the Ungohling is safely out to sea, Tathar addresses the crew. “Gentlemen, this is Gearhith, one of my brother priests of the Shrouded Lady. Gaerhith, if you are unaware, you must know that I was set upon a path, by a vision from Sehanine, to rescue the maiden Peylae from a plane in hell. We follow you now because I gave an oath as a priest to follow the orders of my superiors. While my heart and my eyes tell me you are true, I would have more proof before we continue further. Tell me, who are our superiors and how did you know where to find me?”
Gaerhith nods in understanding and does not appear offended. “I do not know everyone on this ship so I must approach you.” Gaerhith nears Tathar and whispers into his ear. Tathar appears content but continues, “And how again did you find me?”
I was told you would be using the docks. I simply waited until I found you.
“You indeed are tied to Paylae and you may yet rescue her. I am not privy to what role Paylae is to play in our future but it cannot be denied she remains tied to some destiny here on this island. In Sehanine’s time, I will aid you as I can.”
“Great and terrible forces seem to be at play in this world. The future is greatly threatened by dark forces. We must do what we can to preserve what is left of our elven kingdoms.”
The Ungohling turns north and slips along the islands western shore.
Esned breathes a sigh of relief then begins looking around the new digs. He finds there are a couple stable hands, teenage boys, within the barn as well.
The stable hands keep the stables clean, the horses fed and ridden and generally keep the barn clean. They come and go as the day wears on. There appears to be three separate boys.
Loris Naef shakes his head and breathes out a sigh of relief, “We shall head out before first light tomorrow morning. I sincerely wish to deposit you at your destination so that I may keep my head upon my shoulders another season or two.”
Once morning arrives, Cholak and Esned take a good deep breath before lowering themselves into the barrels. Even though the air is heavy with smell of the barn and horses, it is much better than the permanent smell of fish on the inside of the barrels. The dwarf and the gnome may never get themselves clean again.
Grimlock, invisible, is presumed to follow as Laris Naef guides his horse and wagon out of the barn and towards Duke Nebub’s castle on the hill to the north. The town bell rings marking the arrival of the six o’clock hour.
It has clouded over and a light drizzle adds to the discomfort of a twenty-something mph crosswind. It makes the fifty something degree temperate feel worse. Loris Naef pulls his hood over his head and prods the horses forward.
Lexington awakes to the sound of the red-headed woman inside his cell again. She is dressed in a light shirt and pants. She slips upon Lexington, startling him awake. She remains on top of him with a coy smile upon her face. He notices his golden medallion set with a star sapphire (8000gp) hangs from around her neck.
She teases Lexington to the point he finds himself very awake.
Seeler awakes to the sound of Lexington. The poor dwarf just shakes his head and rolls away from the common wall the cells share.
The woman stops and becomes serious, “If you want to see me again, you must prepare to leave this cell. Your friends are coming for you soon.”
She points to a Lexington’s spellbooks stacked on the floor near the cell entrance. Next to them is his pack and gear. In addition, Seeler’s gear is also lying upon the floor. “I thought you may want these back. I hope you don’t mind, your medallion is very pretty so I took it as a gift from you. Your very thoughtful.” The look on her face tells Lexington her possession of necklace is not open for negotiation. “Hey dwarf, she speaks towards the common wall, “We exchanged gifts. I have left your equipment here with your friend in exchange for that pretty ruby you had (1000gp). Thank you.”
Much to Lexington’s dismay, she stands and walks away from him, “Hurry and prepare yourself!” She disappears.
Ergon grips his holy weapon as he moves through the forest. Ek is quickly out of sight and much quieter than the two humans. Ergon curses the darkness, “Pholtus, some light would be a blessing.” Upon his thought, his holy sword begins to glow.
Jandre runs just behind Ergon, “Ergon, your sword!” he calls out.
Ergon pulls the weapon from its scabbard. The darkness closing in on the forest lightens with holy light. The two humans can see easily out to 30 feet in all directions. They can see shadows out to twice the distance. It appears the sword illuminated upon Ergon’s prayerful request.
They give a thankful prayer and return to pursuing the stallions.
After moving about a mile through the forest, the sounds of battle erupt from somewhere in the darkness ahead.
Ek skillfully moves through the woods, quickly putting the two humans behind him. The elf prefers to move alone through the woods. Though he isn’t accustomed to a surface forest, the darkness creates a closeness similar to being in the underdark.
A short time after beginning the chase, Ek notices a sudden and sustained illumination behind him. It appears they have found a light source. A prayerful spell no doubt concludes Ek. Having to deal with having to be in the light only solidifies Ek’s thankfulness for being alone. The horses have quickly outpaced the elf. However, his ears still betray their direction of travel. Ek maintains his course.
After moving about a mile through the forest, the sounds of battle erupt from somewhere in the darkness ahead.
Breymeer, now in bear form, scans the forest. In moments, he sees the stallions racing through the woods. Fire and brimstone sail into the air with each powerful landing of the dark horse’s hoofs. Flames shoot from its nostrils in small jets burning along with the creature’s eyes.
Sensing the bear, the animal turns slightly to its left and continues off into the night. Just behind it races the holy white stallion. It appears as a shimmering silvery-white streak as it zigs and zags after the dark horse. The holy horse appears to ignore the bear; it remains focused on the dark horse.
Breymeer, recognizing the two animals as good and evil begins immediate pursuit. The ranger runs full speed, letting the bear’s natural abilities guide it flawlessly through the forest. He will put down evil this dawn or join his brethren in the hallowed halls in his attempt.
After moving about a half-mile through the forest, the sounds of battle erupt from somewhere in the darkness ahead.
Loris Naef moves the cargo west on Cross Street to the intersection with The Path of Light. Here, he turns north. The intersection is bordered by two mason’s homes, both made of stone. There is a third stone building and a wooden structure with a stone base. The third stone building isn’t marked but the fourth is a general store of sorts.
The Path of Light leads north to Cobble Street. Here, Loris Naef turns west towards the Kroten Tavern and Ale House. It is a large, solidly built building. It obviously served as some type of defensive structure in the early days of the town. The basement and main floor are made of stone with a wooden second story.
West of the tavern is the northeast wall tower (Gate 4) of the walled section of town. The slope of Sheeps Hill covers the northwest quarter of the walled section.
Loris moves through the east gate to enter the walled area. Immediately inside, he turns north, exiting through the north gate at this location. The closest building to the gates was a crossbow maker. In addition to the shingle posted in front of his doorway showing a cocked crossbow and some quarrels, a target is set up on a 100 foot range behind the building.
The cart moves down Sheeps Hill, across the northern branch of the Kroten River. Loris Naef pays a toll as he passes the final guardhouse before ascending Dearn’s Peak towards Kroten Castle.
Esned and Cholack bounce along inside their barrels wishing the ride was over.
As they ascend Dearn’s Peak, the flying Grimlock can see the main structure on the hillside is Kroten Castle. It sits approx. 100 or so feet above the river level below. To the west of the castle is a strange wizard’s tower. At least, given by its design, it must have been built by a wizard.
The odd shaped tower looks like a large cube with another smaller cube on its roof. It is held there by a thin tower which doubles as an exterior staircase. I looks to be at least 100 years old. The base is 32 feet across and 32 feet high to its crenulated roofline. The second story has barred windows.
On the roof is an 8 x 8 pillar that is 36 feet tall. Upon the pillar rests a 16 ft x 16 ft x 10 ft tall rectangular shaped structure. The roof is also crenulated.
The castle has a perimeter wall. It has a main gatehouse with a tower to each side of the gate. You pass under the portcullis and between the gate towers. Loris carefully guides through as there is barely room for his wagon. The area is a designed kill zone. All type of missile weapons could be deployed from the two floors above as one passed below. No harm comes as the group moves through. You then pass through a set of solid wooden doors. The doors are pushed forward and the delivery is allowed through.
A wide path leads to the large double doors to the castle. They are twelve feet wide and eight feet tall. The appear to be made of very thick wood and banded with iron.
Loris guides right down a smaller path, passing between the corner of the barn, tucked into the southwest corner against the wall, and the castle’s main structure. On the north side of the barn is a lean-to. It appears to belong to the groom.
The path continues north between the outer wall of the castle building and the outer wall. The area is narrow. The path, passes a vegetable, spice and herb garden and then leads to the side kitchen door just before reaching a large cabin; likely for the kitchen staff.
The kitchen door is propped open. One can see the door is designed to be barred from the inside as needed. The sounds and smells of a busy kitchen roll out the door into the small courtyard. The gnome and dwarf have the slightest reprieve from the constant smell of fish that surrounds them.
Loris uses a hand cart to move the barrels into the kitchen with the help of the cook; a human woman. She displays a bit of strength as she helps move the cargo inside.
Grimlock, the half-elven, remains invisible and hovering slightly above the ground. He keeps himself in position to see into the kitchen through the open door.
Once the barrels are inside, Loris Naef quickly frees Cholak, the dwarf, and Esned, the gnome.
The cook whispers something in Loris Naef’s ear and he quickly relays the situation, “Two of your friends were brought into the cells in the basement below up. By description, it is Lexington, the young mage, and Seeler, the second dwarf.”
Loris Naef takes a meat cleaver off the counter and lets out a sigh. He looks at the group, “I believe my days as a peaceful merchant have come to an end. If you fail in your quest, I will surely be found out about and hung for my crimes.” He looks longingly at the cook before continuing, “Go into the basement and retrieve your friends. Hurry! The Duke will be at breakfast soon. It will be the best time to strike. Hurry, we will cover from here until you return. Hurry, or we shall all die!” Loris Naef’s face is twisted with adrenaline and excitement. “The basement is beyond those doors.
The room has stone walls except for four doors. The first is the propped-open exterior door. The second is a door in the north wall to the left of the hearth that dominates the northeast corner. A door is mounted on the south wall near the eastern exterior side The final is a small door that swings into the kitchen. It is on the southern wall on the far western edge.
A large table sits in the middle of the room. All manner of pots, pans, knives, forks and other cooking utensils are scattered about the kitchen and handing from the ceiling above the table.
Lexington melts with infatuation. As she’s leaving, he stumbles on his words, “Ahhhh . . . Yea . . . Very pretty . . . You look better on me . . . err . . . I mean it . . . I mean, the medallion . . . on you . . . looks very better . . . pretty.” He then manages to unknowningly blurt out his best geek pick-up line ever, “If you ever want that ruby polished, I’d be happy to help.”
Seeler speaks as best he can through the tube as she vanishes, “Thanks for my equipment – that sounds fair!” Though he doesn’t know it is too late, he calls out, “What shall we call you m’lady?”
No answer comes.
As Lex comes to his senses, he hurries over to his and Seeler’s things. He quietly asks, “How do we get out of here?”
The answer is unclear though Lexington realizes there is probably enough oil left in the lantern to study his spellbooks.
Seeler, being a dwarf, can see about his cell without the light. He just sits and waits for what may happen next.
Looking closely at the doors, they can see they are solid iron, not iron banded wood. In addition to the nine inch square hole at the bottom, a small peep hole is cut in the center of the door at eye height (for a human).
The lantern is getting low on oil when the two prisoners hear what sounds like the iron door in the next room opening. It appears the duo is not alone anymore.
Breymeer is the closest to the fight among his peers. He continues toward the sounds of battle intending to support the forces of good.
As he nears the fray, he can hear voices and shouts along with the sound of the horses trampling hooves.
Ek continues forward towards the sounds of battle though he slows a bit to remain cautious of dangers. He keeps and eye and ear out for threats as he hustles along. He keeps a sharp elf eye out for traps while moving along the darkest areas he can find. In addition, he remains vigilant for any sign of Breymeer.
Ergon looks at Jandre, yelling, “Let’s go and see what that sound is!” Jandre follows the paladin as the two men move cautiously yet swiftly towards the sounds of battle with weapons drawn.
The cook points to the door in the northwest corner of the room. “Beyond the door is a stairwell into the basement. It leads to a long hallway that is mainly used for storage. There is a second hallway that leads south; to your left. Once you take the second hallway, take the first door on your right. The cells are accessed from that room.”
Esned is the first to speak, his gnomish voice full of confidence, “I shall assist in freeing our friends. To the basement we go!”
Cholak concurs, “Hell yeah, let’s roll!’
Cholak opens the door, revealing a small hallway with a stone stairway down. Next to the stairwell is a wall sconce holding a glass shielded candle (unlit). Stacked in this room is firewood and coal for the kitchen. A small hole in the upper part of the wall sheds a small amount of light into the room and allows for some air circulation. There was a similar pipe high up in the kitchen.
Cholak and Esned descend the stairwell, going down in an easterly direction. They assume Grimlock is following. At the bottom of the stairwell is another air pipe that allows in the smallest amount of light. Esned and Cholak both see very well in the dark. Grimlock struggles but can generally see shadows, movement and the general layout in the low light; at least far enough not to run into anything. The design of the stairwell causes them to have to buttonhook back to the west to see the length of the hallway. There is a solid wooden door on the south wall at the base of the stairs. It is five feet wide.
Looking around, they can see the area is a long storage hallway with a secondary hallway leading off to their left. The group moves down the secondary hallway until it reaches the first door on the right some 50 feet from the stairwell. The door is made of solid iron. A second door on the right is about 20 feet further down the hallway. It also appears to be made of iron. It has some raised squares in the middle of it. A third door, this one made of wood and five feet wide, is straight across from them on the left (east) side of the hall. Both iron doors are three feet wide.
Grimlock takes a look at the lock on the door. After determining that it appears safe, he goes to work on the lock. It does not take the multi-talented rouge long to have the lock opened.
Listening to the cook, the group opens the door and enters the room. Grimlock remains in the hallway. He cannot see anything within the unlit room.
The iron door is well oiled though it still makes some noise as it opens inward. Beyond the door, a is a large square room (30ftx30ft) that contains many items for extracting information from someone. There are three sets of manacles on the north wall that are designed to hold someone in a standing position. There are several torches (unlit) in wall sconces. Along the west wall there are three cells with solid iron doors. The doors have holes at the bottom about nine inches square. A peep hole is located about eye height (for a human) in each door.
Tathar questions, “Gaerhith, what does your intelligence gathering have for us? What kind of fiends will we be encountering; what are their weaknesses? Do we have any aid waiting for us? Or does this group represent the whole of our attack force?”
Gaerhith answers each question. “Some type of unholy witch riding a black demon horse has been witnessed coming and going from the ruined keep that sits among the Skull Peaks. Whether or not she is the main foe, I do not know. Our mission is to enter the keep and prevent anyone or anything from opening a gate to this world. Judging from what we have learned about the previous gates, it is likely this one may also be tied to the hells. I know not what we will encounter there though I doubt it will be anything but evil.”
He continues, “We shall not have to worry about any forces coming to the aid of the keep out of Asmogorgon. Our associates should have the town controlled shortly after our arrival to the area.”
“As for assistance, there is a small community near the Skull Peaks. Hopefully we can gather some more information and supplies there. As far as entering the keep, at this point, we’re it.”
Breymeer is the first to arrive on the scene. It is a small clearing, approximately 30 feet across. Seven large boulders are arranged in a rough circle. Each boulder is well settled into the ground. A fire burns within the circle and the area appears to have been converted temporarily into a campsite.
Around the fire, a battle rages.
A wretched-looking old woman is doing battle with a man who appears to be a Baklunish mage. He wears a turban on his head, a long beard upon his face and robes. Three images of him swim and drift together confusion the whereabouts of his true location. He holds a wand in his hand which he appears to be about to use.
The witch is a haggard old woman with fangs and dry, chapped lips. Her fingers end in razer sharp fingernail/claws. Her skin is a deep bluish-violet. Her hair is ragged and jet-black. Her eyes glow with a fierce hatred; shining red in the dull lighting.
At the witch’s feet, a gnome lies motionless.
Just ahead of the mage, a woman in chain mail melees with the witch. The woman wields a two-handed sword of fine quality. A look of determination is fading into one of desperation.
Outside of the stones, the stallions do battle. A thick cloud of noxious vapors surrounds the black war horse. The white war horse battles on. Both animals show multiple injuries. A woman with black hair and a strong build had been fighting against the demon horse. She appears to have gotten a bit of the toxic smoke inhaled as she is bent over fighting to breath. The demon horse rears up and kicks into her. The woman reacts just in time. Having dropped her weapon, she bringing up her shield with both hands. Both hooves strike the shield in a shower of sparks and dark smoke. The woman is launched backwards and falls between two of the boulders. She rolls quickly up to her hands and knees. She is alive but a bit stunned. Though she appears to be mostly human, her slight fangs, facial and ear structures give away a partial half-orc ancestry. The stallions continue to battle fiercely.
A second woman, this one in gilded plate mail, lies upon the ground nearby. Her long sword lies next to her and her shield is still strapped to her arm. She may have been overcome by fumes or the significant impact to her head. Blood trickles from her ears. She appears to have just fallen in battle as a man with identical plate mail rushes to her from within the stones. The both wear sun symbols on their armor and shields. The holy man has a mace in his right hand.
Ek is only about a half a minute behind Breymeer at this point.
Jandre and Ergon are about a minute to a minute in a half out.
Lexington finds his wands and scroll with his gear. He smiles. Internally, he feels confident in his spell power; having lost none of it during incarceration.
The mage begins to meditate in preparation of his escape.
Seeler finds the time less easy to pass. He sits quietly, waiting and watching in the dark for the first sign of his friends.
It is not a long wait. There is some commotion in the next room and then quiet footsteps.
Esned whispers to Cholak, “Check the doors.” The gnome eyes the peep holes and smiles knowing the dwarf has no better chance to look into them than he. Esned walks towards the door back to the hallway, “I will keep watch.”
Cholak moves to each door and speaks softly, “Seeler? Lex?” After no luck at the first door (to the north), he finds Cholak and Lexington in the final two cells. Lexington, in the final cell, simply answers, “Yes.”
Lexington finishes gathering his things and prepares to leave once the door is opened.
Cholak can see each door has a lock.
Breymeer, still in the form of an enormous cave bear, charges into the firelit circle heading straight for the black stallion. A deep, fierce growl turns into a deafening roar as Breymeer the Bear covers the short distance in a flash.
The witch is awestruck at the voraciousness of the charging bear.
The mirror imaged mage is also caught flat footed. The woman battling the witch takes the moment to push the mage to cover; putting a rock between herself and the witch, while watching the bear charge by.
The man in gilded plate mail also stops in his tracks with a stunned look on his face as the bear go by him.
The demon horse moves too slowly to cover its flank as the mammoth bear crashes into it.
Ek, hearing the battle and knowing he’s close, attempts to pick up the pace. Unlike his sun kissed brethren, he finds little sure footing trying to run through the forest. He diligently continues forward.
Jandre and Ergon continue forward somewhere in the forest behind Ek.
Breymeer the Bear slams into the demon horse’s flank while trying to hold his breath to avoid the toxic fumes. Smoke and cinders fly into the air at the impact. The demon horse rolls underneath the bear. The bear rakes the black stallion with its claws as it passes over; cutting into its hide.
The stallion quickly rolls back onto its feet as the white stallion crashes into it.
The battle has suddenly turned against the witch and the dark warhorse. To make the situation worse, Ek has arrived on the scene. He quickly assesses the situation and conjures up two glowing missiles, resembling arrows, that shoot forth from his pointed finger as he points at the witch. They fly unerringly into her. The dark elf yells out, “The bear will help you, do not attack it!”
The man in gilded plate mail eyes up the bear. He decides the dark elf must be truthful as the bear and the white war horse now battle together against the demon horse. The priest rushes over to his fallen maiden warrior.
The multi-imaged mage points his wand towards the witch. She is suddenly enveloped in a deep, impenetrable darkness. Unfortunately, this also encompasses the mage and the female warrior. They both stumble backwards, trying to create distance between themselves and the now unseen witch.
Ergon kicks up the pace as Jandre follows suit. The two holy men come upon the battle scene.
A sinister voice emits from the darkness where the witch was last seen. She speaks in the common tongue, “Breymeer and companions! I knew you would not disappoint.”
Bright colorful lights, pure white, light purple, brilliant blue, green, amber, light sky-blue and ruby red, begin bouncing through the clearing. Each light’s origination is a stone in the circle. From the stone, the lights bounce dizzyingly around the clearing in an endless laser light show.
“You left Peylae for dead Breymeer! Now you shall find her or die trying. Know that the Hells will be standing in your way!”
With that, the witch and the demon warhorse disappear.
The laser show grows more and more intense until it becomes to mind-numbingly difficult to see. Each occupant of the glade covers their eyes to avoid the painful light show. Moments later, a very still quiet settles upon the group.
Looking around, each in turn, the group discovers they are no longer in the clearing in the woods. The seven stones remain in place but are no longer anchored to the ground. The are in the same positions but a simple darkness lay around them. The darkness is not blocking out the light; it appears to be a lack of substance. There is simply nothing there to be seen.
The brilliant white war horse stands where it was in relation to the stones. It appears confused. Its eyes are wide. It knickers nervously. It calms some when it sees the holy man in gilded plate mail kneeling nearby. However, the female holy warrior’s body is no longer next to the holy man. The man wails with emotional pain and drops forward weeping.
Breymeer the Bear is next to the warhorse. The bear struggles to adjust to the suddenness of the change.
Ek, Jandre and Ergon stand near each other, looking about in confusion.
The mage, still with images about him, and the maiden warrior are arm in arm as if they were still stumbling out of the darkness. They stop and look around bewildered.
Finally, the orc woman stands from near the boulders she was thrown between.
Looking around, there is nothing of substance as far as the eyes can see. It cannot be described as darkness, just nothingness. A vastness of nothingness surrounds the group.
Ergon scans the scene for dangers; finding nothing. He looks upon the newcomers and asks, “Anyone hurt or in need of healing?”
No one answers, all being a bit awestruck. Ergon looks upon them. His evaluation shows that no one currently present is in need of care. The few that were on the ground previously and did not appear here now are presumed to have perished. At the least, they are beyond his aid.
Ek remains where he is, prepared for battle. He watches everyone present closely.
Breymeer, assuming the new people are not a threat, returns to human form. The transformation exhausts him and he collapses to a seated position, holding himself up with one arm, “I am Breymeer of the Restenford Rangers and our group will not harm you. Give me a minute to regain my wits and then help us figure out what the hell just happened.”
The woman with slight orcish features looks around. She is armed and remains in a defensive position though not threatening Breymeer and company.
The mage remains imaged. He moves towards the nearest boulder for shelter.
The man in gilded plate mail continues to sob on his knees.
The female warrior next to the Baklunish mage speaks for the group, “Captain Breymeer, I know of you. We are of no threat to you as well.” She looks to her companions to assure them of her confidence.
“I am Yechwa. My husband is Amos, son of Almax the druid. You traveled for a short time with my husband. I believe you fought side by side against Duke Nebub’s forces north of Restenford.”
She continues, “My companions are Orwar Ascoban, the priest of Pelor over there.” She points to the sobbing man in plate mail. “His paladin, Pamina, is missing.”
Yechwa points to the Baklunish man, “Roodin Bokassad comes to us from the far west near Ull.” The mage simply nods; showing little trust yet in the group.
The gnome was Ayla, though I fear the worst for her as well.
“Our newest addition is this warrior over here,” she points to the orcish woman. “She’s earned our trust.”
The orcish warrior stows her weapons and relaxes, “I am Rook.”
Yechwa, appearing to be the leader of the group, looks around at the nothingness, “This is certainly an odd place.”
She tries to walk over to a boulder. “It feels as if I am more floating than walking. Like I am willing myself forward as opposed to propelling myself forward.” Yechwa walks over and touches a boulder. “Seems this is here with us. Where did the rest of the clearing go? Where did I fallen go? It appears just the living made whatever journey we made.”
It does not appear that illumination is necessary. The group can see each other clearly, though colors are a little greyed out.
With no point of reference, other than the what they knew to be north as they stood previously in the actual clearing, the group is uncertain what to do next. Everyone looks around at each other as if asking for suggestions.
Lexington stands ready in his cell for someone to open the locked door for him. Seeler impatiently awaits his freedom as well.
Esned watches the hallway for danger wondering why the other two have not freed their companions yet. They must get back upstairs to confront Nebub before he leaves the breakfast table or lose the tactical advantage.
Cholak remains at the cell doors and Grimlock is presumed to be nearby.
With quiet incantations, Grimlock, remaining invisible, brings his magic to bear upon the locks instead of spending the time picking them.
With a click, each lock gives way and the prisoners escape.
Seeler quickly moves into Lexington’s cell and dons all of his gear.
Lexington, already having stowed his gear, steps out of the cell. There seems to be something different about him. He almost appears happy even though he was imprisoned.
The group quickly re-unites and shares information. Lexington and Seeler speak of the mysterious traveler Alluvianna and the other group share there is an opportunity to catch Duke Nebub unaware at breakfast if they move immediately to assault him.
What started out as a large assault party has boiled down to this: a dwarf warrior, a dwarf warrior-priest, a gnome priest, a human mage and a half-elven warrior-mage-rouge.
Upstairs, the merchant and kitchen maid await their return from the basement.
Esned advises the way back to the kitchen stairwell is still clear.
Breymeer, not liking the feeling of being out in the open, moves over to a boulder to sit down and have something to lean against and rests.
He looks at Yachwa and explains, “The shape changing saps me of energy for a moment.”
Ek appears a bit freaked out by the endless open space. He moves to a boulder to give him some sense of comfort. While there, he inspects the surface of the stone for any details it may give. Since they stone is no longer set into the ground, Ek can look below the stone; where it was once set into the soil.
Breymeer watches Ek while finishing speaking to Yechwa, "This may not be the exact time or place but I hope we can soon share stories about how we each came to be in this predicament.”
Yechwa replies, “I agree Captain. For now, simply know this, we are your side and will aid you while our goals are similar. We support Restenford!”
Yechwa looks at Ek before questioning Breymeer, “I know you are a man of honor. I also know the dark elves have hearts of darkness. Since you travel with this elf, I assume he has your trust? It is obvious he was aiding us before the witch bespelled us.”
Oswar Ascoban collects himself at the sound of Yechwa’s response to Breymeer. He looks at the newcomers, especially the paladin and priest of Pholtus. He nods cautiously towards the fellow followers of light knowing that Pholtus followers can be fanatical in their beliefs.
Roodin Bakassad, having looked around, advised, “I do not know what the witch did but I believe we have entered another plane of existence. Possible we are stuck in the ethereal or astral. This may be a dangerous place. We should stick together.”
He continues, “I am not really sure what to think about direction now. I am not sure how we can get out of here. My only guess is the stones are significant since they remain with us in this plane. It seems the other non-living items did not make the journey.”
The thought causes sadness to wash over him, “Which leads me to conclude our friends have perished.” He looks to Oswar Ascoban, “I am sorry my friend, I fear she is gone.”
Oswar Ascoban nods in agreement, “May Pelor protect her and Ayla,” as he wipes tears from his face.
Ergon, having not received a request for healing, finishes catching his breath from the run through the forest. Jandre stands near him, also catching his breath.
Rook watches the group to see what happens next.
Ek, looking under the stone, finds it has a large blue sapphire (5000gp) set into the bottom of the boulder.
Rook, desiring a frame of reference, takes a place besides one of the stones. She keeps her back to the outside of the ring; facing the newcomers.
Ergon goes quiet and concentrates. He seems to be focused in on the area of the boulders.
Breymeer answers Yechwa, “Yes, my dark friend, Ek, does like to keep to himself but his skills do come in handy. Please put your mind at rest as he has my trust.”
Yechwa nods acknowledgement. It appears to be all she needs to hear. She is, obviously, used to overlooking stereotypes as she currently travels with one of orc blood.
Ek finishes examining the boulder and moves onto another one. He examines that boulder in similar fashion.
Roodin Bokassad peers out into the nothingness for a while before commenting, “I am no expert in regards to where we might be. However, it appears we are at least sustainable here. We can breathe, talk, move about and generally, are not affected by the change of environment. Other than it appears we move by will as opposed by friction upon a secondary surface.”
He continues, “Unless we are all caught in some type of illusion, I believe we have entered another plane. If we cannot return through the gate we came through here, we may have to travel out into the openness to find an alternate route. However, I make no guarantee there is safety or an alternate route out there. I simply do not know.” His Baklunish accent is heavy but his words seem knowledgeable.
Grimlock can be heard chanting another incantation. His bodiless voice announces, “I will head up and scout before everyone else heads up to start the attack.”
Lexington says, “I’ve got many spells at the ready and my wands if necessary. When we go in, I can cast a hold spell on Nebub. That may ease our assault.”
“Good idea,” replies Grimlock before he is silent; seemingly having left the room.
Cholak, Lexington, Ensed and Seeler work their way back upstairs to the kitchen to rendezvous with Loris Naef and the cook.
Ek looks up from his work and speaks, seemingly unconcerned if others hear, “Gems under each boulder. May have something to do with getting out of here.”
Breymeer continues to rest. While doing so he listens to the wisdom and advise of the others. He stands as strength begins to come back to him. He looks at one of the boulders to see if he may be able to turn it over. It appears it could weigh as much as four or five hundred pounds. Moving it does not appear easy, though the ranger finds he can simply move and change his reference. Up and down to not appear to have as much meaning. He finds himself upside down but not disoriented. He is not able to examine the bottom of the boulder. He looks out of place, seemingly standing on his head, compared to the others.
Ek works his way around the boulders, inspecting each one in similar fashion. He reports his findings. There are indeed gems set into the bottom of each boulder. Ek reports there are one each of diamond, amethyst, sapphire, emerald, topaz, jacinth and ruby. The rays that bounced around the clearing prior to everything changing match the gemstones. The green ray came from the emerald, etc.
After reporting his findings, he starts to move away from the others and the stones, watching and examining the distance for anything.
The group returns to the kitchen. The cook, Jevvala, is speaking quietly to Grimlock while Loris Naef listens in.
Jevvala seems to be speaking to the air as she points to the swinging kitchen door on the south side of the room. It leads to a small ten foot by ten foot hall with full door on the west and another swinging door on the south that leads into the dining room. There is a door immediately upon entering the dining room that is mounted on the west wall. The cook instructs, “We will go through the swinging doors then hard right through the door into the entry hall. There will be a guard at the front door. It will be one of the sergeants. Duke Nebub’s Knight Commander, Sir Dirtbragg, has an office just off the hall. He will either be in the office or his bedroom above the office on the second level.”
She stops and listens for a moment, “Everyone will be coming down to the dining room for breakfast soon. The Duke wishes breakfast in bed this morning. We have not heard from Duchess Esbella yet.”
She twists her hand nervously on the meat cleaver. “Once past the guard, we can rush up either stairwell to the second level. That room should be empty. Within the room is a stairway to the third level. From there, we simply cross the third level landing to the duke’s bedroom. We shouldn’t meet resistance beyond the first guard if we are lucky.”
A look of concern washes over her face as she looks to Loris Naef, “If I should fall, be warned, most of the other doors in the castle lead to bedrooms of the duke’s guards.”
She points to the back stairwell. “The other stairwell there goes up to the second level. It is guarded by an ogre and beyond him, more of the duke’s warriors. I suggest we quickly and quietly overcome the guard and the front door and make haste for the duke’s room.”
The Ungohling cruises along the coast overnight. Gaerhith requests the small ship to move as close as it can safely sail once the sun begins to show itself.
A mostly cloudy sky brings with it some drizzle. Gaerhith appears pleased with the weather as it gives a little more cover for their landing.
After some time, yet still early in the morning, Gaerhith believes he has spied the landing.
Comus guides the ship in as far as possible before everyone gets into the life boat. Tathar issues the command and the Ungohling completes the now-familiar reshaping down to a small box. Tathar stows the box and the small life boat is rowed towards shore.
As promised, a well-hidden, yet treacherous, rocky shoreline gives way to a small stone landing. They work patiently among the rocks, taking their time to not get swamped. Comus and crew deliver everyone onto shore without trouble.
Gaerhith seems pleased, “Well now,” he states with a smile, “we just have to traverse those nasty foothills.”
Gaerhith dictates a quick traveler’s guide to the local layout. He points to each landmark as he speaks.
Looking eastward, the group can see two mountain ranges, one south of their location and one north. The southern one grows in height and size as it moves generally east-northeast towards a large set of mountain peaks. They are the Barrier Mountains.
The second range is the Skull Peaks. It is not as impressive. A higher portion of the range is near the coast where the City of Asmogorgon sits upon the sea (to the north of the mountains in the flatter land). From the peaks by the city, the range drops to basically foothills again. It is in this area the road from Kroten connects Asmogorgon and Kroten. The Skull peaks are the second are of higher mountains. At the base is the small establishment of Winterhaven. Up in the mountain slopes one finds the Keep on the Shadowfell.
From the Skull Peaks, the range drops back down to foothills again moving east-southeast until it meets the large multi-peaks of the Barrier Peaks; completing the encirclement of the foothills the group now prepares to travel through.
Gaerhith finishes, “I am hopeful we may be able to find a guide or at least supply ourselves for the trek to the keep.”
Gaerhith looks to Tathar Surion in an acknowledgement that it is Tarthar, and not Gaerhith, who leads the expedition, “May we continue my brother?”
Grimlock warns, “This is the last you will hear of my before engaging the duke.” Quiet falls upon the group as they listen further.
Grimlock continues, “I suggest you surprise the lower guard with a hold spell and take him with you as to not remain and alarm any others and to save time stashing him.”
The group concurs.
“From this point on, it is of urgent nature you proceed to the duke’s room, overcoming any resistance quickly. I will make one of you silent and any area around them for 15ft. I suggest the person casting the hold on the first guard remain far enough away from the silent person to not interfere with the spell caster”
The idea continues to meet the group’s approval.
“If the hold sticks, proceed up the stairs. If it fails all rush forward and engage the guard. The silence spell should cover any noise less the guard escape you and call out for help.”
“I will not be able to hear you so proceed quickly. The battle with the duke will be up close and personal due to the silence spell. This I feel will disable more of the duke’s magic versus our own as we have the numbers and capable warriors.”
“The duke must fall quickly as his forces will be less interested in defending a dead leader in case it all goes to hell. Although, hell could be and interesting adventure; today I feel a bit of order is my muse.”
“May lady luck smile upon this hour. Meet you at the top.”
Grimlock quickly calls upon the magics to bring a silence around Seeler; the only non-spellcaster. The dwarf swears unheard as the spell is completed. With that, Grimlock pushes through the two swivel doors and the door exiting the dining room into the foyer opens.
Cholak, intending to cast the hold spell, turns and follows on Grimlock’s heels. Cholak reaches the dining room door before it can shut. As he’s moving, he pulls out a small straight piece of iron while voicing encouragement to the others, “I’m ready for the chit to hit the fan!”
Lexington is next out of the chute, “Let her rip! I’ll save my spells for later rounds.”
Esned, though hurrying, is passed up by others as he quips, “I was thinking along the same type of plan. Let’s do it.” Loris Naef and Jevvala beat Esned through the doors.
Seeler sighs with a silent, “Well, crap!” He’s out the door last, trying to make sure Cholak has room to cast his spell.
Passing through the dining room (18.5’x33’), a quick scan of the room reveals three windows on the east wall. The outer two are 2x4 and the central window is 4x6. The shutters are open.
The center of the room is dominated by a large dining table that is twenty one feet long and seven feet wide. There are two tall back arm chairs at the head of the table (north wall) and seven chairs along each side. The far end of the table has a single arm chair. Upon the table are two large silver candelabra; each holding five candles.
The west wall holds shelving with pewter serving sets.
Next to the kitchen door is a small table with a chest upon it. The chest is padlocked. It is also connected to a bolt in the wall by a small sturdy looking chain.
Once into the entry hall, Grimlock’s whereabouts are lost immediately.
The group enters the entrance hall (18x33). The large entrance double doors to the keep are twelve feet wide and eight feet heigh. They are very stout in appearance, thick wood with iron bands. They are barred on the inside. They are hinged to swing either direction. On each side of the door is a vertically barred window (2x5). The shutters are open, allowing an ample amount of light into the room.
On the west wall, at the base of the western stairwell, is a wooden door.
The center of the north wall contains ornate wooden double doors. It appears likely they lead to the throne room.
Two large braziers are at the foot of the twin ornate staircases that ascend to the second level. Both of the inner walls are decorated with large tapestries depicting large battlefields.
A Suel man of some physical strength stands looking out the far window. He wears chain mail armor and has a shield upon his left arm. A scimitar with a gem mounted into the hilt rests in a scabbard on his left hip. A long bow is stowed upon his back attached to a quiver of arrows. The bow is not strung. A brass horn hangs on his right hip by a small chain.
The man appears to have been paying attention as he immediately turns to face Cholak. Not recognizing the dwarf, he immediately goes on the defense, “Who are you!” he states as he reaches for the brass horn. He brings his shield up instinctively.
Cholak calls out his command, “Hold!” As the man brings the horn to his face, his body becomes rigid in place; the horn inches from his lips.
The group rushes past Cholak as he finishes his spell.
Seeler tries to keep the group encompassed in the silence spell. He moves along trying to get to the center of the group.
Silence falls upon the group as they rush across the floor.
Lexington immediately to the closest stair and begins rushing up. He assumes Grimlock is just ahead of him. Ensed is on Lexington’s heels but quickly loses ground going up the stairs. Jevvala waits at the bottom of the stairwell with Seeler.
Seeler waits at the bottom of the stairs as Cholak and Loris Naef rush over and grab the guard. They drag him over to the stairwell. Their footsteps become evident as they reach the guard. They hurry dragging him back, though his boots scrape across the floor; leather upon stone.
The wooden door at the base of the stairs opens and a man in chain mail walks out as if to see who was making noise. He immediately grabs his neck and turns red. A golden colored noose appears around his neck. The golden rope leads to a woman who suddenly appears standing on the west stairwell.
She is a gorgeous red headed woman in a thin silk white dress. The rope attaches around her waste as if it had possibly been her belt. She is upon the man immediately. She locks an impassioned kiss upon him as she drives the discolored steel blade of a dagger deep into his abdomen.
She repeated drives the dagger into the man as he collapses onto the ground. She drops down upon him, turning the blade in her hand. She continues to plunge the dagger into him as she straddles him. Red blood stains quickly coat the front of her chest.
She looks at Lexington as he ascends the stairs. The sudden attack has caught the young mage’s attention. He recognizes her immediately as the woman who visited his cell. Fangs can be seen in her mouth as she sneers at Lexington, “Goodbye dear boy! Know this, if you fail in your quest, I will return and kill you tomorrow. Win the day, and live long my lover!”
As she speaks, her shape changes. Crimson red wings, as tall as the woman, unfold from her back. She bites deeply into the dying man, taking the last of his life. With that, she folds her wings over the pair and they disappear from view.
Not having time to contemplate what happened to the second guard, the group continues up the eastern stairwell.
Grimlock is still scouting the second level when Lexington makes it to the top of the landing. The top of the landing is the northernmost part of the room, in the northeast corner.
The upper hall matches the size of the lower hall. The room contains two 18 inch by 42 inch windows with vertical bars. Each has a shutter. A tall stool sits in front of the west window and a leather chair in front of the east window. A small table with a glass shaded candle is next to the chair. A decanter and a goblet complete the items on the table. A larger table and two chairs sit against the center of the east wall. The room is well enough lit.
Both down staircases have glass hooded candles on small shelf that illuminate the stairwell when dark. Spare candles sit on the shelf next to the candle.
Next to the down staircases are three large boulders than can be pushed down the stairs.
There are four doors in the room. The center of the west wall, the northernmost section of the west wall, the northernmost section of the east wall and a double door in the center of the north wall. All are stout wooden doors with locks.
The staircase up starts near the center of the west wall and goes upward to the south.
Grimlock, unbeknownst to anyone, scraps plans to wizard lock doors and continues up to the third level to scout considering the group is right on his heels.
The group moves as close to in unison as possible to keep Silent Seeler in the middle of the group.
Good blessings are upon the group and no further resistance is found.
Lexington moves to the third level with Jevvala; her having caught up to him. Behind them are Seeler and Esned. Finally, Loris Naef and Cholak bring up the rear dragging the rigid guard along with them.
At the top of the stairs is an iron door. It has been left open. The landing of the stairwell is in the southwest corner of the room. A large single window dominates the south wall near the group. It is crisscrossed with four horizontal and eight vertical iron bars that are wired at each intersection. There are no shutters.
A large double wide wooden chair with arms and cushions is in front of the window. A large table, with eight chairs (four per side) and a large armed chair at the north end, occupies the center of the room. It is finely crafted.
A small 10x10 alcove on the north wall, in the east corner, opens to two iron doors; one on the east wall, one on the west. Both doors have locks.
Jevvala gives a hand signal, pointing towards the western door in the alcove. She puts her pointer finger from her right hand into a hole created by her left fist and makes an unlocking gesure.
If Grimlock has followed the plan, he should be nearby.
Cholak readies himself to cast aid once the group enters the duke’s bedroom.
The group is gathered at the south end of the room. The moment of destiny is upon them.
Cholak and Loris Naef drag the guard’s body up to the third story landing and leave it lying in the SE corner.
Cholak motions to Seeler and the group. Using crude sign language, he points to the SW corner; indicating to Seeler and the others to gather there. They follow the dwarf’s command.
Cholak motions Lexington over to him, the two of them stand outside of the silenced area that surrounds Seeler.
Cholak, in a whisper, asks Lexington about magically opening the bedroom door. Lexington shakes his head. The young mage then pulls a bone wand with a crystal set at the tip.
The cook approaches the dwarf and the mage while they speak. “The door is likely unlocked. He is awaiting his breakfast. I will volunteer to open the door.”
Cholak motions in the air in an attempt to get Grimlock to come over. “Jevvala will open the door if it is unlocked. If it is locked, you may have to force it open with your magical powers or pick the lock.”
The group prepares their assault.
Seeler moves up to the door behind Jevvala. Cholak is just behind them.
Lexington, wand in hand, and Esned are just outside of the alcove, waiting to bring up the rear. Loris Naef stands next to Jevvala. Esned takes his hammer in hand, ready for melee.
Grimlock moves back away from the silenced Seeler in case a spell is needed.
Jevvala looks Loris Naef in the eye and she smiles warmly at him. She takes a deep breath and looks back at the group. Esned, being at the end of the line, nods back in affirmation.
Jevvala pushes open the door and charges in, leaving the cone of silence surrounding Seeler. She curses the duke, “Back to Hell you villain!”
The room is unlit. From the natural lighting spilling in from the window on the southern wall of the stairwell landing, the demi-humans can see well enough into the bedroom. The humans, Lexington, Jevvala and Loris Naef, are unable to see more than five feet into the room.
The room is roughly forty feet east/west and thirty feet north/south. There is a stout wooden trap door in the stone floor located in the northwest corner of the room.
The area directly to the group’s right (north) is enveloped in a deep darkness. The darkness begins at the stone wall that supports the entrance door and extends north approx. ten feet.
The bed, centered on the west wall, is large, luxurious and well-made. Two chests, one per side of the bed, appear to be wardrobes. They sit against the wall.
Painted on the floor of the room, between the bed and a table centered on the north wall. Is a Circled Snake Pentagram. Just outside the circle, at the snake head points, are five gold candle holders holding a honeycomb candle.
The table and two chairs are well crafted and made of stout wood. Sitting in the darkness, in the eastern chair, is Duke Nebub.
The duke is not surprised by the sudden incursion into his private chamber. He is dressed in his leather armor and has an ornate cloak over his shoulders. An exquisite long sword sits in a scabbard on his left hip. A long leather sheath sits upon the table. It is roughly four feet long and eight inches wide. It is nearly two inches thick.
Duke Nebub rises from his chair and places his hand upon the hilt of his sword.
He is a tall, well-muscled man with thick dark hair and a dark mustache and beard that is trimmed to follow his jaw line. It comes to a point upon his chin. He wears a crown upon his head that consists of a thin band of platinum set with a ¾ inch ruby.
Grimlock moves to the ceiling and begins circling to a position behind the duke. Grimlock draws his sword quietly as he drifts into position awaiting a back attack.
Duke Nebub pulls sword and shouts, “Slay her!” He throws the blade forward and it springs to life in mid-air. The blade slices across her mid-section causing a fatal gash. She drops to the floor and slides to a stop. Loris Naef cries out in silence, “No!” as he charges forward.
Duke Nebub opens the leather sheath on the table and draws forth a javelin.
Esned, being the last one to enter the room having followed Lexington in, shuts the door behind him. With an ear to the door, he listens for reinforcements with his hammer at the ready. He keeps a keen eye on the progress of the attack in the bedchamber.
Lexington follows Loris Naef and then Cholak into the room. He moves to the east side of the room enough to break away from Silent Seeler. He aims his wand at the darkness to the group’s right side, “Aeros!” Once spoken, white crystalline motes spray forth furiously from the end of the wand in a cone shape. They blast forward covering the entire west wall floor to ceiling in a frigid blast of ice and frost.
Thankfully, no one in the party was in area of the frost blast. Even so, a short-lived blast of cold blows across the room to everyone’s discomfort (no damage to anyone).
The blast of cold slows Loris Naef’s charge enough to allow Duke Nebub to hurl his javelin towards the merchant. The javelin transforms into a bolt of lightning and slams into Loris Naef’s chest. With a thundercrack, Loris Naef tumbles to the ground dead. The smell of ozone mixes with the chill air.
Finally, Seeler moves forward so that he is only about ten feet away from the duke; ensuring the ring of silence encompassed the villain.
Seeler leaps over Loris Naef’s fallen body and charges Duke Nebub. As Seeler passes the dancing sword, it strikes down upon his neck (8, 37/45). Seeler continues forward screaming out an unheard war cry. The duke takes a second javelin in hand and throws it at Lexington as Seeler reaches the nobleman and drives his axe down upon the duke’s right leg. Though a direct hit, the axe fails to pierce his skin.
The javelin, as the previous one, turns to a bolt of lightning as it streaks across the room and strikes Lexington. The nimble mage attempts to dodge it but the electricity arcs into his right thigh, knocking him back into the wall and down upon the ground (13, 8/21). He remains conscious but is in pain.
The duke’s head suddenly and violently snaps to the right. Appearing behind the duke is Grimlock. Grimlock swung Bloodletter in a decapitating stroke. The blade would surely have taken off the head had it not caught a bit of the armor and cloak on the duke’s shoulder. It was enough to allow the duke to deflect some of the swing’s energy and keep his head upon his shoulders. As it is, he took a nasty slice from his mouth to behind his ear (30, 34/64).
Esned watches the battle unfolding as he keeps a keen eye for reinforcements.
The duke turns so that Grimlock is on his left and Seeler on his right as he draws a second long sword. He calls out a short three word sentence that remains unheard.
Grimlock flies back up and away slightly, attempting to distract the duke. The half elf shelters himself behind his shield.
Seeler strokes the duke a second time on the thigh without effect. Seeler pushes he attack trying to keep the duke occupied.
The dancing blade slashes Seeler across the back (6, 31/45). The stout dwarf retains his footing and fights on through the pain.
Though his pain, the young mage calls out to the duke, “If it is in my powers, you will not escape back to the darkness from which you came nor will you call for more help.” In the darkness, having judged the room from the illumination of the lightning strokes, Lexington points his wand towards the blackness of the west wall, “Turac!”
A solid wall of ice forms between the duke and the blackness adding to the coolness of the room. Small snowflakes drift about near the ice wall.
Esned, giving one last look for reinforcements, moves into the room and begins given aid to Lexington’s thigh (1, 9/21). The gnome keeps an eye for the door as he works.
The ruckus has caused and alarm to be raised. Shouts and confusion begin coming from lower levels of the castle.
Finally, from the icy formation created by Lexington, comes forth an alien type creature. It has to slouch its 12-foot insect-like body to fit into the room. It has claws on hands and feet, and sharp pincers at the mouth. The head bulges with multifaceted eyes. It has a long, thick tail covered with razor-sharp spikes. It has and generally frosty white appearance. Evil and malice emanate from the creature as it arches back, mandibles wide in a silent screech.
Lexington thanks Esned for the aid and begins moving towards the hallway, “I think I’ll be of better service alive and not so close to the action here.”
Esned readies a hammer in preparation should he need to call upon his deity for guide it to help defend Lexington and the group from an assault from the hallway.
Seeler continues to keep the duke occupied though this new devilry has him concerned. While doing so, the dancing blade slashes the dwarf again (3, 28/45).
Grimlock moves in and the duke and unleashes a flurry of blows. The duke attempts to parry but the half-elf’s skill with the blade and shield overwhelms him. The duke, soundless, calls out a single word as Grimlock’s blade slashes him.
The outline of the pentagram on the floor immediately glows an intense red.
Grimlock bashes the duke with his shield, bringing him to his knees.
The pentagram drops away revealing a hellish hole in the floor. All of the air in the room is immediately sucked into the hole with hurricane force.
Before Grimlock’s fatal blow falls upon the duke, Nebub is pulled into the hole followed quickly by Seeler and then Grimlock.
The devil jumps in next followed by Esned.
Finally, a struggling Lexington clings to the wall out into the hallway but the vortex ultimately pulls him in as well.
With a brilliant hellish-organge-red flash and a thunderclap, the room returns to normal. Only the bodies of Loris Naef and Jevvala remain.
After a moment of what feels like freefall, there is a flash of hellish light and those transported fall roughly to a chill stone floor. In the flash, one can quickly make out they are now in an oval shaped room approx. 40 feet long by 20 feet wide and 14 feet high. The shiny black walls reflect the explosion of light brightly and then all goes dark.
Grimlock lands near the center of the room, between the right hand wall and true center.
Esned is to his left but closer to true center.
Seeler is in the center of the room.
Lexington is to Grimlock’s side, opposite to him than Esned.
In appearance, Seeler holds the center of the room and the other three form a line behind him; from left to right, Esned, Grimlock and Lexington.
Between Seeler and Lexington drops the devil and just behind it, Nebub.
Nothing else of the room was comprehended in the brief flash of light, considering focus was on the enemy nearby.
Indicating the silence spell has been deactivated, everyone can hear themselves hit the ground (no damage).
Tathar questions, “Gaerhith, is it your intention that we travel to Asmogorgon for supplies and any help we can muster, then follow the road to Shadowfell Keep?”
Tathar questions the wisdom of going to Asmogorgon, “Will we be safe in Asmogorgon? I would think Nebub has spies everywhere.”
“Sorry Lord Surion,” is Gaerhith’s reply. “I agree Asmogorgon would not be a wise place to travel right now. I meant Winterhaven. It should be a relatively safe place. Nearly a thousand people live there, or nearby. It is large enough to find supplies for the journey into the mountains.”
The Ungohling crew, Ment, Tiz and Nedwyn, look back and forth at each other. No words are spoken but it is obvious, they prefer the sea to the mountains. Without a word, they loyally follow Tathar into the foothills.
A strong wind and drizzle make the first day of inland travel less than pleasing. The group zig zags through the foothills keeping a generally easterly course while trying to avoid as much elevation changing as possible. As the day winds to a close, the drizzle stops and the skies partially clear. The wind remains steady as the group contemplates camp.
The area is rocky but still contains enough trees, brush and scrub to easily find wood for a fire. The ground is broken up enough, finding shelter from the wind is also not difficult.
Gaerhith contemplates, “We covered some five or so miles today. As the eagle flies, it should be twelve to fifteen miles to reach the road. With as much as we are forced to wander back and forth, it will likely be a couple days until we find it.”
Tathar tells the crew to set guards tonight, each taking a turn. Tiz volunteers for first watch. He climbs up a small outcropping to gain a vantage point.
The rest of the party gather’s up wood for a fire and prepares the camp. For the evening anyway, it appears the rain will hold off.
The evening passes without incident as each crew member takes a two hour watch.
'
The next day brings much of the same. The wind dies down significantly but a steady rain begins to fall by noon. By evening, the weather has turned worse bringing pouring rain. Other than fighting the weather, and having a reduced movement for the day, the day passes without incident.
Tathar scouts around on the second evening and finds an open enough area, mainly clear of loose rocks. He takes out the Ungohling box and gives the command word. It dutifully changes into the small ship, complete with interior cabin. The ship lists to one side but comes safely to rest.
Guards are set and the night passes again without incident excepting the pouring rain. The rain stops by morning though a strong wind blows down the mountains across the foothills. The ship offered much protection from the driving wind and rain; especially for those in the cabin.
The third day, Patchwall the 1st, is spent in similar fashion, moving slowly in an easterly direction towards the road and Winterhaven.
A third night is spent in the foothills. The Ungohling is used for shelter again from the rain. This night there is no rain. The skies are clear.
Patchwall the 2nd remains windy but dry. The sun is warm.
It is on this day that the group comes upon what Gaerhith believes is the roadway he is looking for. It is not well maintained though it remains good enough for cart and wagon passage.
Gaerhith believes the town is now to the left, north of the group.
Following Gaerhith’s hunch, the group turns north and follows the roadway. Having camped another night, the group moves north on Patchwall 3rd. The wind is cool but comfortable. The rain is gone, for now. The road is generally level. The road winds it’s way through the foothills among woodlands, hills and rocky outcroppings. It continues to climb in elevation; sometimes gradually, sometimes sharply. An occasional cobblestone peeks throught the dirt road, indicating decades of neglect. The roadway is rutted with occasional wagon/cart travel. It is obvious that regular travel is not common though the road is still in use.
Patchwall 4th opens with overcast skies and rain. Gaernith believes town is within reach this day. The group waits out the rain for the early morning before turning the Ungohling back into a box. The rain lessens but becomes wind driven drizzle. The group moves out, hoping to reach the comforts of town by the end of the day.
Tathar, Morwen and Gaernith walk in the middle of the group.
First Mate Comus walks the front with Mert and Tiz.
Crewchief Larrig walks the rear with Nedwyn.
Shortly after leaving camp, Comus stops the group and motions Tathar forward. There are muddy footprints on the road, it appears they were made by small clawed feet. The tracks come from around a small curve in the road ahead of the group. They were initially moving towards the group, stop and then turn back up the road away from the group. It appears there were two creatures.
Tathar stops and concentrates on the area ahead of him. He slowly turns his body to analyze the curvature of the path. From around the curve, Tathar detects evil. A sinister, cruel feeling is concentrated around the curve. He detects nothing else.
The view of the path beyond the curve is obstructed by tree and brush growth mixed with the occasional rock formation.
Breymeer states what they others are also assuming, “The key to getting out of this weirdness has to have something to do with the gems. Any idea?”
The ranger captain watches Ek as the dark elf walks further out into the nothingness. “I am going to try and keep Ek in sight and see what he might find out in the abyss.” Breymeer follows Ek’s direction of travel. The keen-eyed ranger evaluates his surroundings, always looking for the slightest hint of change.
Ek moves cautiously forward as if he were walking on the edge of a cloud, waiting to fall through. He keeps moving outward in as straight of a line as he can manage.
The Roodin Bokassad attempts to go over the moment everything changed, “I remember that witch seemed to have triggered the transformation. It is possible she teleported us somewhere but I am still more included to believe she sent us into the astral plane somehow. I agree the gems appear to play a roll, but I am afraid some outside magics may have to be employed to trigger the transfer.” He begins examining the boulders.
Yechwa nods in agreement with Bokassad’s summary before asking her crew, “Do we stay here and try and manipulate a transformation back or should we adventure forward in hopes of finding something else?” She looks to Ergon and Jandre as well; hoping for their input.
Ergon prays earnestly seeking guidance and wisdom. The warhorse stands attentively next to the paladin. Jandre looks out into the vastness.
Roodin Bokassad continues, seeming to struggle a little bit with his thoughts, “This plane is not my primary area of study. But I believe we are bound yet to our normal plane my a magical “rope”. We may be able to travel forth into this endless sea without losing our ability to come back to this gate.
Yechwa questions, “Should someone stay here or should we all travel together? Or should we stay and try and manipulate this gate?”
Roodin Bokassad shrugs but gives his opinion, “I have heard horrible tales of people being lost to this place forever. I believe we should stay together.”
Rook and Orwar Ascoban mill about near the stones while Ek slowly continues to walk out into the nothingness.
The warhorse gives a sudden snort and looks out into the vastness bringing attention to something off in the distance.
Orwar Ascoban looks momentarily and questions, “Is that a wisp of clouds?”
Roodin Bokassad looks for a moment, “It is moving very fast. And there are several of them!”
The image comes into clear view. Several very dark mutli-vortex tornadoes are bearing down on your location. They are traveling at great speed and will be upon you momentarily. There is little time to prepare.
As the storm comes closer, dark, tube-like clouds, roll across what would be considered the sky. They move swiftly.
Dropping from them are the now inky-black funnel clouds laced with indigo streaks.
Yechwa shouts, “Take any cover you can! Try and stay together!” She ducks behind a boulder the best she can.
Roodin Bokassad warns, “Astral storms!” He moves next to Yechwa and ducks down.
Orwar Ascoban joins the ranger and mage.
“Must we fight the wind?” questions Rook as she shelters behind a boulder by herself.
Jandre looks to Ergon, “Shall we try to out run it on the horse or take shelter here?” Ergon still prays. The horse remains steady; it does not appear overly frightened.
Breymeer hollers to Ek to return, “Sprint back Ek!”
Breymeer, himself, turns and wills himself back to the rocks. He seemingly runs in place in the absence of gravity as he wills himself to the stone circle as fast as he can. His hair and beard flutter slightly as he travels. He takes shelter among the stones. The ranger pulls out a rope, but seeing he has not enough time to secure himself, instead takes a grip of the stone and holds on for dear life.
Ek turns at the sound of Breymeer’s voice. He starts to run after the ranger towards the rocks but calculates he will not make it, though he is likely still in the storms path. He can see he cannot outrun the storm.
The storm lacks the audible sound of a blowing wind though the “ground” begins to shake and the storm overtakes the group. It feels like a minor earthquake.
The blackness envelopes all, including Ek. Everyone is torn loose from where they sought shelter and tossed about in the weightless environment. Minus the terror of the moment, it is an exhilarating experience.
Though absolutely terrifying, the group is deposited more or less together. Yechwa, Roodin Bokassad and Orwar Ascoban are all still grouped together. A short distance away is Breymeer, and not far from him is Rook, the half-orc. A little farther out is Ergon and Jandre with the warhorse. Finally, out a fair distrance is Ek. Even Breymeer’s rope is next to him.
Most everything is the same. The weightlessness is ever present. Movement is only possible by thought though the habit of combining it with the physical action of moving one’s arms and legs is still natural. The group notices a lack of smell associated with the wind and storm. In fact, there appears to be no smell at all. In fact, other than when talking to one another, it appears breathing is not required to stay conscious.
Finally, the sky is changing. The storm, in its indigo-streaked darkness, is rolling away in the distance. What now remains is a silvery lit surrounding. The silvery sky goes in every direction; up, down, and outward as far as the eye can see.
Roodin Bokassad comments, “This is more in line with what I have been told of this place. I could not figure out why it was so dark before now. I may have confused it in my own mind somehow.”
All signs of the stone circle are gone. However, one significant location extends out from the silvery vastness.
A dense forest of deciduous trees looms ahead of you. It is difficult to estimate distance accurately here though it appears to be but a fifteen minute “walk” over to it. The trees extend left to right approximately two miles if one compared what you can see to the same time/distance of your home plane. Judging by the outline of the trees, the ground below them is anything but level. In fact, it appears to have some significant and sharp elevation changes.
There is nothing else in view but the silvery sky.
Breymeer picks up his rope and stows it. He calls out so the scattered group can hear him, “I sure as hell would feel more at home over yonder in that woodland instead of standing here waiting for another unnatural storm.” He surveys the group, “How’s everyone feel about getting out of here?”
Ek, being the closest to the forest, begins to move towards it; essentially floating through the air effortlessly as if he were Peter Pan. He does not appear entranced. He has discovered movement only requires the desire to do so, not actual movement.
Yechwa nods in agreement with the Restenford ranger captain.
Roodin Bokassad agrees, “Any abnormality offers more promise than this situation.” He turns and holds his arms out to the endless sky.
“I’ll follow your lead Yechwa,” replies Orwar Ascoban. “What can possibly go wrong in there?” he adds accepting any challenge that lay before him.
The three appear to be very loyal friends.
Ergon and Jandre, gathered by the horse, appear to be in agreement with exploring the forest.
Rook stands ready.
Ergon looks at Jandre, “I think we should be up closer to the front.” Ergon looks upon the party to see if anyone needs healing. Seeing no obvious need, he mounts the warhorse and nudges him towards the distant forest. The horse moves effortlessly forward through the silvery air.
Jandre follows.
Breymeer moves out ahead of Ergon, intent on checking the edge of the forest for dangers before the party enters it. Ek falls in alongside the group but a bit to the flank. He keeps his hood up to block out the bright sky. From under the hood, his sharp elven eyes painfully look around for trouble. He hopes to himself for a dark, dense woods.
“I may be young and foolish,” starts Rook, “but I think there is only one way to go. I am not really a fan of trees and forest but anything is better than this nothingness.” She moves slowly forward behind the group.
The others all fall in line.
The trek is uneventful. Reaching the woods, Breymeer has the group halt momentarily while he and Ek moves around the perimeter a short distance in both directions.
The forest itself is indeed dense and appears to be made up of coniferous trees. The trees appear to be of a southern climate; similar to the islands the group has been bouncing between since leaving the lost city in the jungle. The ground appears to be uneven; a mix of rock and lush soil with many elevation changes.
Breymeer and Ek return to report no obvious paths though there was an interesting find. It appeared something had come into the forest. There was an area of nearly ten feet across and half as deep where the vegetation was broken and/or matted down. From there, a trail led into the woods. It appeared to have been made by two creatures. Both walking on large clawed feet (estimated to be7 to 10 feet tall). They are not overly large though easily a couple hundred points. Each had a tail making occasional marks. The tail did not drag behind the creature, seeming to support the idea the creatures were walking on two feet.
The marks were about ¼ mile to the left of the group.
Rook jokingly ponders, “So, do we follow the trail blazing critters? They seem to know where they’re going and maybe they’ll eat any dangers ahead of us.”
Ergon looks to Breymeer, “What do you think? Will it be beneficial to track these large creatures to find out where they are going?”
Breymeer offers an answer, “I would prefer to take a route into this dense forest where I found the trail. I don’t know if what made the tracks is good or evil but at least it’s a sign that something living has been able to survive and move about. And that puts me more at ease then driving into the forest elsewhere. And, I believe Ek will be more than happy to dive into the darker timber ahead of us to do a quick search around the opening we found. Any other ideas, I’m all ears?”
Ek nods in agreement to Breymeer’s proposal and can’t wait to get into the woods.
Seeing no one in disagreement, Ek drifts over to the trail in the woods with the others following. Prior to reaching the trail, Ek dips into the woods and quickly is gone from sight.
Breymeer whispers to the elf, “If there’s something in there you don’t like and for some reason you can’t come back out to warn us, try to send some type of sign. Otherwise, we’ll be coming in after you after twenty minutes or so if you’re not out.”
Ergon examines the woods and believes he can lead his warhorse into the darkness. The lack of actual gravity, movement by thought, appears to remove the chance of the mount breaking a leg, etc.
The group moves to where the creatures entered the woods. The group prepares for trouble as it waits for Ek.
Ek moves carefully. It is dark and the ground is rocky and uneven. Though movement is still more by though than by actual gravity, the act of walking becomes psychologically natural again. Essentially, Ek feels as if he is walking weightlessly.
The dark elf feels somewhat at home if only the trees were cavern walls.
He moves carefully anticipating eventually coming across the trail. He keeps his angle moving deeper and deeper into the woods.
Ek finds nothing strange, moving about ten minutes forward; covering nearly a quarter mile of uneven terrain. He cuts harder to the trail and quickly finds where the two large creatures moved through the foliage. They appear to be moving normal and not crashing through. They are large enough that Ek located their trail.
Breymeer makes another pass looking for tracks near the wood line. He examines the tracks but they remain alien to him. He can decipher whatever made them are relatively large. There appears to be no other tracks. He comments over his shoulder, “About ten minutes and I’m going in if no sign of the elf.”
Rook surveys the surroundings and sarcastically quips, “What’s a girl like me doing in such a fine place like this?”
A few minutes later, without notice, Ek’s voice alerts all to his return, “About ¼ mile in, big creatures continue deeper into the woods. Nothing else found.”
The group moved into the woods following the trail. Breymeer is in the lead with Ek flanking a short distance to the side. Rook follows Breymeer a short distance back with Yechwa and her two companions on his heels. Finally, Jandre and Ergon make up the rear, slowly guiding the warhorse through the treacherous terrain.
Gravity here is psychologically returning as movement appears more natural though still weightless like.
The group moves in about a half mile without incident before coming to a small clearing. The sense of gravity appears to be returning the farther the group moves into the forest.
The clearing itself is nearly eight feet higher in elevation that the group. It sits upon a small formation of flat rock jutting up from the ground. It is nearly 40 feet cross and at least that in depth though hard to see from below. The natural formation of the rock creates easy steps to walk up the formation into the clearing. The tracks stop at the rock formation though Breymeer can see they climbed it. The area, other than the rock clearing, is surrounded by the same heavy vegetation.
In the center of the clearing stands one of the creatures you have been tracking. It is facing away from you.
The creature is generally a bipod though its body design hints that is moves upright or on all four limbs equally well. The body appears to have an exoskeleton covering much of its exterior, most significantly, the rib cage. It has a large elongated head with a fang rimmed mouth at the front. It has a long tail, nearly eight feet in length, that ends in a sharp barb. The ribs wrap around its body and come together to form four stubby, appendages that protrude from its back, two per side. It’s hand display long fingers with very distinct claws. It’s feet resemble that of a human with stubby toes.
It turns its head towards you and lets out a sinister hiss from its saliva dripping maw.
(Thank you creator of the Aliens movies for this creature)
Esned’s gnomish eyes start adjusting to the zero light conditions. He immediately looks to where he saw Nebub land. To his horror, the duke rises to his feet. In fact, the duke looks unharmed. As does the devil next to the duke.
Seeler, also able to see in the dark, immediately charges the duke landing another crushing blow that appears to have caused no damage. Cholak stands and arms himself.
Grimlock comes to the realization the portal must have dismissed his spells. He can no longer fly and presumably, his stoneskin is gone as well.
Lexington, finding himself fully healed, aims his wand at the devil but finds he cannot see anything and holds off unleashing its icy death.
Lexington, realizing he is very vulnerable while unable to see in the dark, can be heard casting a spell. He moves slightly back and towards Grimlock hoping to find safety there.
Cholak, watches as Lexington disappears from all view; into thin air. His attention is quickly drawn to the battle before him. His fellow dwarf, Seeler, is pressing his attack upon the duke.
Grimlock, unable to see in utter darkness, resorts to his blindfighting skills. He listens intently to calculate the movements of friend and foe alike. He is aware Lexington has moved closer into Grimlock’s right flank.
Esned, to Grimlock’s left, hurtles his hammer towards Nebub. The hammer glows lightly with a holy illumination. It strikes Nebub square in the chest (3, 61/64) and then begins dancing around the duke in furtherance of its attack.
The glow from the hammer, though very weak, is amplified slightly by the shiny black walls. Grimlock finds himself able to make out Duke Nebub though pretty much everything else in the room remains dark; excepting the occasional appears of Seeler and be bobs and weaves around the duke.
Nebub appears temporarily confused. He grapples momentarily with the situation as he tries desperately to defend himself. Those that can see him are startled to find he has grown a red-colored tail, nearly two feet long. Three-inch horns now protrude from the sides of his forehead. Finally, his skin has become a reddish hue and scaly.
The devil disappears.
Seeler continues his attack while hollering, “Somebody think of something quick!”. He swings his battle axe in a wide arc but Duke Nebub ducks under it. Allowing the momentum of the swing to spin himself in a circle,
Seeler pivots on a heel and brings the axe around on an upward arc catching the duke in the chest as he squats to avoid the initial attack.
Though the blow does not pierce his reddish scaled skin, the force of the blow knocks the devil off his feet; landing supine.
Lexington is neither seen nor heard.
Grimlock engages in a spell and quickly he is surrounded by six replicas of himself.
Cholak prays.
Esned’s hammer continues to harass the devil and pummels him while he scrambles back to his feet (3, 58/64).
The other devil remains unseen and unheard.
Grimlock and Cholak move against Duke Nebub and a coordinated team.
The devil just regains his feet when Grimlock slashes him across the chest with Bloodletter. True to its name, the sword paints the floor with his dreaded blood (12, 46/64). The muscular half-elf then, using his forward momentum, bashes the devil in the chest with his shield (7, 39/64). Cholak comes at the flank and bashes with his shield as well. It appears to do no physical damage though it does knock the devil back a step; he remains on his feet. Cholak follows with a blow from his mace that fails to cause harm.
The devil sneers as he goes on the offensive. He slashes Cholak across the chest with his long sword but the armor holds and Cholak is undamaged. The devil spins slightly and brings the next blow down upon Grimlock’s shoulder. The blow is true but only dissipates the image struck as it was not the true Grimlock. Six Grimlocks remain. The devil bends and spins with his sword inverted in an attempt to spear Cholak. The dwarf deflects the blow with his shield.
Esned hammer again pounds the devil; this time striking it in the center of its back (5, 34/64).
Lexington and the other devil’s whereabouts remain unknown.
Seeler is glad to have the aid in melee. The two dwarves fight side by side as Grimlock attempts to keep Nebub defending two fronts.
The duke begins moving towards one of the narrow ends of the oval room while continuing to engage the party in melee.
Esned’s spiritual hammer fails to strike a blow this round as the devil parries it.
Cholak prays the devil be held but the prayer fails to have effect.
Seeler, emboldened by Cholak’s aid, breavely continues to melee with the devil.
Grimlock continues to press his attack using his blindfighting skills.
Grimlock and Nebub exchange a series of blows; both being very accomplished swordsmen. Duke Nebub destroys a mirror image with a deadly stroke before being sliced in quick succession across the chest by Bloodletter; only one of them actually cutting through the armor (15, 19/64). The duke returns a blow upon Grimlock only to watch another mirror image disappear. The duke hastens his movement towards the end of the room as Grimlock bashes Nebub with his shield (6, 13/64).
The duke finally finds the real Grimlock and bites him harshly with his longsword (13, 30/43(46)) nearly knocking the half-elf prone but
Grimlock nimbly recovers and stays on his feet..
Lexington remains unseen as he struggles to keep track of the combat and movements of the others in the dark.
Wishing to help his fellow party members, but fearing giving his position away, Lexington hopes the sounds of battle cover his incantation.
Lexington removes a glowworm and calls forth magical energies from it yielding a much-needed result for the human’s ability to see.
Four glowing torches appear floating in the air in a square around the area of combat near the center of the room. Lexington can now see plainly what is transpiring.
The sudden appearance of light throws off the rest of the group as their vision needs to adjust; excepting Grimlock, who was battling using his blind fighting skills.
The duke attempts to take advantage of the situation and he breaks and runs. While doing so, his form begins to change; leathery wings are sprouting.
Grimlock, annoyed that he was actually struck by the duke, lays into him with sword and shield nearly knocking the fleeing duke down.
The duke appears to be fleeing towards the corner as an escape attempt before he is brought low by the glowing holy hammer of Esned. The hammer chases the shape changing duke down and cracks his skull open.
The duke drops to the ground in a death quiver.
Cholak calmly walks up and heals the half-elf warrior completely.
Esned surveys the area for further dangers or things hidden by the dark. A small passageway leads from the cavern in the direction Nebub was fleeing. Finding no threats and a simple plain chamber, he moves to tend to the wounded while keeping an eye on the exit.
Cholak gives thanks to Lex for the gift of light and offers to give him healing aid but finds him unhurt. In fact, none of the group is hurt after passing through the gate.
Meanwhile, Grimlock thanks Cholak for the generous healing from Kord as Grimlock moves to the duke. “We’re taking this demon’s head as proof of his demise.” He looks over the body for something that may be the link to the group’s arrival here.
As Grimlock prepares to lop off Nebub’s head, a high pitched and lilting voice calls out, “Stop!”
A creature walks into the cavern from the opening. He towers overs the group, nearly 12 feet tall and very well muscled. He has a long, barbed tail and two-toed, clawed feet. Large, bat-like leathery wings adorn his back. He has a human head with dog-shaped ears. He carries a large wicked looking spear.
Behind him enters six dark haired women. All are scantily clad in sheer, nearly see-through, loose-fitting shirt and pants resembling sleepwear. Each carries two daggers in their hands.
The high pitched voice of the man continues, “You have slain my bastard son!”
As the devil enters the room, Lexington holds as steady as he can in hopes he makes no noise and draws no attention to himself.
Esned and Seeler can only stare in awe as they are caught off guard.
Cholak readies his shield and sword in anticipation of meeting his deity Kord.
Grimlock remains calm, having faced many devils and demons. He raises his sword and responds, “I’m not fond of devil’s nor their demonic concubines, but I am not unreasonable in hearing your terms to stay my hand. So let’s hear it devil, what will you offer to keep your bastard son’s head where it is?”
The devil responds, “Duke Nebub was a half-witted fool. His fate has found him. I am taking him with me none the less though I shall hold you blameless in his death.”
The six concubines move forward and pick up the limp body of Nebub. The towering devil approaches them. He removes the crown from Nebub’s head. He then touches the body and it and the concubines disappear. “There are ways out of this little corner of hell. You are free to leave should you find them. Your souls are mine should you perish here. I will hold true to my word.”
The devil hands Grimlock the crown, “Should you make it out, this belongs to the next duke.” With that, the devil disappears.
The crown is a thin golden band that rests on the forehead. The front of the crown has a forward facing ruby mounted to it. (1500gp)
Esned continues to be vigilant. He intently listens for anything that may be sneaking around the rough stone chamber. He comments, more to himself than anyone in particular, “Why do I get the feeling this isn’t going to be easy.”
Grimlock asks, “Does anyone have any idea where we are? Pray to your deities for guidance.” He stows the crown and continues, “I am able to continue and have some magical resourses left but am at the point of resorting mostly to my warrior skills. I say we move quickly and try to escape. What do the rest of you feel we should do?”
Cholak prays to Kord for guidance. No onswer comes and there appears to be something of a veil between Cholak and his deity. His healing prayer was answered when he healed Grimlock but there Grimlock removes his dagger. The illumination from the holy light bestowed upon it instantly lights the chamber in a brilliant white light. After a few seconds for everyone’s eyes to adjust, the half-elf secures it to his helmet.
The cave walls are obsidian and occasionally razer sharp protections jut from the wall. They are easily avoidable in the light. The shiny surface of the walls intensifies they already brilliant light on Grimlock’s helm.
Grimlock walks towards the passageway saying, “This way for certain adventure . . . and likely, death!” He smiles and continues to the passage.
Lexington appears to have been looking for a light source. Now able to see, he watches the rest of the group to see what the next move is.
Esned speaks next, “I agree we should find the quickest way of escape. I offer to check out this red lit passage.” The gnome moves forwards with Grimlock.
Cholak and Seeler fall in step behind the others.
Lexington follows. It is obvious the passageway is the only viable option of finding out where they are and how to escape back to where from they came.
Moving towards the passageway, the group finds the tunnel is narrow being only four feet wide and three and a half feet tall. Esned moves forward and takes the lead with a stooping Grimlock behind him. The dwarves, Seeler then Cholak, enter next with a crawling Lexington behind them.
The passageway moves forward twenty five feet until opening into a massive chamber.
The cave entrance is in the side of a massive column in the near center of a strange chamber. The entire area is lit by a reddish light. Before you, and in all directions you can see, is this chamber. A ceiling can be seen about one mile above you. The air is still. The chamber you come out of was near 65 degrees F. The outside air is much warmer, between 90 and 100 degrees F.
Once out of the cave, the group can see the chamber appears to have a southern wall within sight of you. A valley moves away from you between the chamber wall and a line of stalagmites and stalactites that come together in several columns. They form a small chain of hills and columns. To the left and right of the cave are two hills that rise from the sandstone floor of this chamber. Further to the left is a river of lava that flows across the chamber. Far ahead, to the left of the small chain of hills, the river splits around a hill.
The massiveness of the room is mindboggling.
is some type of resistance in the channel between Cholak and Kord.
The illumination spell brought forth by Lexington winks out and Seeler sighs as darkness once again descends upon the group.
From the corner of the chamber comes a faint red light; not bright enough to illuminate the room. It hints at some type of passageway.
Grimlock, puts the illuminated dagger back in its sheath, “Well, I don’t want to be here any longer than we have to. The fastest way to find a way out is to cover a lot of ground quickly. Keep an eye on me ‘cause who knows what lives in this devil cave. I’ll be back . . . I hope.”
Grimlock removes a feather from his pocket, speaks and incantation and blows the feather from his palm. The feather fades away as Grimlock rises into the air.
Cholak responds, “We’ll watch for ya best we can.”
Esned tells Grimlock, “We’re going to move towards the lava and investigate as we go.” He gnomes moves forward. Seeler follows the gnome while muttering, “Why can’t I sense how far below the ground we are. It’s as if we aren’t below the ground we once stood.”
Cholak falls in behind the other three. They move slowly and cautiously as they try and also track Grimlock’s travels.
Lexington, happy the room is illuminated, follows the others.
Grimlock stays 50 to 100 feet above the sandstone floor. The group almost immediately looses sight of the half-elf as he flies into a valley between a spine of low rock (350 feet) accented by two columns. The outer wall of the cavern wall is on Grimlock’s right. Ahead of him is a very tall mound (623 feet) with a thick column next to it.
Grimlock passes a low hill (250 feet) before entering a valley between the outer wall (on his right) and a tall spine of rock (on his left). He next flies between a very tall mound (623 feet, on his left) and a half mile thick column (on his right, made from stalagmite and stalactites joining together).
The valley opens considerably as Grimlock comes to the far end of the 350 foot tall spine. To his right are two low hills (200 feet and 150 feet). The sandstone floor behind the small mounts rises into a hill as it meets the cavern wall. Approx. ¾ mile up the hillface, at the corner of the cavern, two large caverns enter the cavern wall. It is too difficult from Grimlock’s position if they dead end or not. Each is about a half mile wide and hundreds of yards floor to ceiling.
Around the 350 foot tall spine appears to be a small lake with some type of vegetation growing.
Grimlock has been in flight for approx. 90 minutes. He has covered approx. 8 miles so far.
Grimlock hustles to return to the group. He flies just off the deck hoping to tumble safely once the flying spell ends.
Grimlock covers about a fourth of the way back. He loses flight between the high hill (not on his right) and the massive column (now to his left).
Grimlock goes into a series of tumbles and rolls as he hits the sandstone floor. He comes to a stop on his feet unharmed. He quickly looks around but finds no immediate danger.
Grimlock calculates his is around five miles from where he left his friends. Temps have climbed over 100 degrees F.
Seeler, with a puzzled and concerned look on his face, tells the group, “I cannot sense how far below the ground we are!? It doesn’t make any sense to me.” He draws his weapon and continues looking around and trying to see where Grimlock may be flying.
The foursome moves along the hill to the left after leaving the cave. The hill climbs above the cave to a solid column 1/3 to ½ mile thick. The hill moves counter-clockwise around column. A hill rises from the sandstone floor to the column some 3/8 mile up the hillslope.
Bending around the hill, the group finds a sheltered valley some 1 ½ miles deep and ½ mile wide. The far end of the valley ends with the hillslope climbing to a wider but skinnier column. A third ¼ mile round column rises from the hillcrest across the narrow part of the valley opening.
Crossing the narrow valley, the group walks to the lava river without incident. This place is massive. And hot, especially at the lave river. The group stays a few hundred yards from it as a precaution. Temperatures are now over 100 degrees F. Hiking in armor is hot work; dehydrating the body.
Tathar alerts the party to potential danger ahead. The lead element readies their weapons and prepares for trouble.
Morwen removes and readies her bow, nocking an arrow. She slips into the wooded area to her left.
Comus steps ahead of the group to the center of the path and readies his sledge hammer. To his flanks, and slightly behind him, Mert and Tiz stand ready with their cutlasses.
Gaerhith steps to the side of Tathar to give them both space to fight. Gaerhith readies his bow.
Larrig readies his bow while Nedwyn covers him with his cutlass. Larrig watches mainly the flanks while Nedwyn keeps a sharp eye out to the rear of the group.
Morwen creeps forward using what cover she can. Moving ahead she uses some shrubbery as a screen to gain a vantage point around the curve. Ahead, past more shrubbery, are two rocks, one on each side of the path. From behind the left rock, Morwen spies a small scaly head, similar to that of a dog, mounted on a small scaly humanoid creature, peeking out around the rock as if waiting in ambush.
Morwen moves slightly to get to a vantage point to see if she can spy anything hiding behind the rock on the opposite side of the trail. She spies nothing but isn’t convinced there isn’t something secreted there.
Also of note, two other rocky formations big enough to hide the enemy come into view about 25 feet beyond the first rocks.
She sneaks back to the party and advises them of the danger ahead.
Morwen asks for a few minutes to get back into position with her bow before the party moves up. “I will try and take out the ones on the left side of the road with my arrows. Hopefully, the group can take out the ones on the right.”
Seeing everyone understands the plan, Morwen disappears again into the growth.
The party waits for Morwen to regain her position of advantage before moving up cautiously.
They continue forward, around the bend and towards the rocks on opposite sides of the road. Closer and closer they move without incident.
Two other rocky formations big enough to hide the enemy come into view about 25 feet beyond the first rocks.
She will also advise the group that she thinks there could be more than that was able to detect. She will continue back to her sneaking spot and wait until the party advances then fire at the first two. Tathar will also ready his bow.
Morwen returns to the shrubbery; finding an area that screens her outline but yet gives her an opportunity to fire upon anything that threatens the group.
Tathar readies his bow. He and Gaerhith watch the group as they advance. Both have arrows nocked.
Comus, seeing his advance is covered, move ahead cautiously with both hands on his sledge hammer.
Larrig, walking just behind Comus on his left, watches both flanks. His bow is nocked.
Nedwyn, on the Comus’ right, watches his right flank and checks back to the rear by turning slowly in half circles. He holds his cutlass pointed outward like a compass dial.
Comus and crew advance up towards the rocks, of which the left was reported to hide a creature. They come within 15 feet of the boulders when the attack breaks.
A scaly creature, about the size of a skinny halfling, steps from the boulder with a javelin in hand looking to chuck it towards Tathar and Gaerhith. He has a spear in his other hand. He has two more javelins in a open ended case on his back.
From the further set of boulders comes a charge. Three of the scaly dog creatures charge from the far left boulder, each preparing to throw a javelin while carrying a spear in their other hand. The move to the trail and appear to be charging Comus and crew head on. Like the other, they have reserve javelins in a case on their backs. From the far right boulder comes one more. He is of similar appearance though he is moving, using cover, parallel to the trail attempting to close the distance to the group’s right side.
Morwen releases her arrow followed a quick second. Both arrows bury into the creature flanking on the opposite side of the road, felling it.
Tathar pumps two arrows into the creature that stepped out from behind the boulder to throw a javelin at him. Both arrows strike the creature in the head, killing it before it can attack.
Gaerhith fires twice at the charging group, felling one of them but missing with his other shot.
A javelin from the charging group strikes Comus, scratching his arm (32/34).
The other two javelins miss. The remaining two continue their charge, spears set to skewer.
Continuing to fire arrows, Tathar drops one of the remaining creatures while Gaerhith ends the life of the other.
It becomes quiet.
Morwen uses the opportunity to listen. From behind the far right rock, Morwen hears some rustling immediately after the charging kobolds drop. Then nothing.
Comus uses the break in the action to wrap a binding around the scratch on his arm.
Morwen stows her bow and draws steel. She moves cautiously forwards towards the rustling sounds; ready for trouble. The rustling is coming from the far set of boulders so she uses the closer set to help screen her advance.
Tathar and company move up and investigate the bodies. Each has a few silver pieces, hide armor, a small shield, a spear and javelins.
While the bodies are being looked over, a second wave suddenly attacks.
Two kobolds in scale armor and stout shields charge forwards from the right side of the road. They brandish short swords.
At the same time, a slinger steps out from where Morwen heard the commotion. It has lit a small firepot and prepares to sling in at the group on the roadway. It appears not to notice Morwen’s approach.
Tathar goes on the defensive and backs away from the charge warning the group, “Spread out!”
Gaerhith backpedals and arms himself with a staff. Ment and Nedwyn draw cutlasses and cover Tathar’s retreat.
The kobold slinger flings his firebomb towards the group on the road but fire long. It lands, blowing open and splashing a thick burning fuel harmlessly upon the ground.
It shrieks as Morwen appears on his flank. It tries to back-peddle as Morwen’s blade slashes it down; ending the threat.
The two remaining kobolds fail in their charge and are quickly cut down.
The first by Comus’ war hammer and the second by a combination of Larrig and Tiz cutlasses.
No more kobolds remain. Morwen quietly checks around the perimeter rocks while the rest of the crew drags the bodies from the roadway.
A total of 24 silver pieces are recovered.
Morwen recommends looking for the kobold lair. She begins looking around for any sign from whence they came.
Tathar and his ship crew drag the bodies off the roadway and stow them in some grass behind a rock, Tathar comments, “We can move them into the lair if we find it nearby.”
Morwen discovers a faint trail that leads south from the roadway towards the southern end of a spine of high hills.
Gaernith labels them, “The locals call them the Gardbury Downs for reasons unknown to me.”
The roadway continues west-northwest towards Winterhaven.
Ek slips deeper into the woods and begins to work his way around the back of the stone slab; his bow out and ready.
Breymeer slowly slips off his pack and begins looking for something in it.
Ergon takes a guarded position, ready to fight. His warhorse stomps and snorts aggressively. Jandre remains next to Ergon, also at the ready.
Rook, clutching her grandfather’s orcish spear readies for battle, “Where’s its partner?” She carefully scans her surroundings and waits for the reactions of her companions.
Yechwa moves up cautiously next to Breymeer, “What do you make of this strange creature?”
Orwar Ascoban takes ahold of his sun shaped holy symbol, “What danger might this bring?”
The creature takes a couple threatening steps towards the group, clacking its dripping teeth together.
Breymeer exhales sharply, not finding what he is looking for. He then remembers giving the item to Cirdan Saralonde back in the jungle city.
In a sudden burst, the second of the strange creatures bursts forth from the woods on all four limbs with its tail swinging wildly back and forth through the air. It’s target appears to be Orwar Ascoban and Roodin Bokassad, who are both transfixed on the first creature standing on the stone landing.
Breymeer hollers out, “We will not harm you unless you harm us. We only wish to get out of here!” as he moves to intercept the charging creature. As he suspected, the creature remains at a dead charge; likely not understanding the ranger.
Yechwa arms herself with her two-handed sword and watches the creature on the ledge, intending to defend the group should it join the fray.
Rook, with her spear, and Orwar Ascoban, holding his mace, are a second line of defense as the stand ready behind Breymeer.
Roodin Bokassad pulls a pinch of phosphorus out and speaks arcanely as he scatters the phosphorus in a small circle in the air between himself and the rock outcropping. The outer perimeter of the stone, between the group and the creatures, becomes engorged in opaque flames creating a wall, twenty feet high, along the edge of the rock in a circular shape. The creatures are caught within the radius. The flames appear to generate no heat towards the party.
Inside the circle must be hellish as the charging creature, not slowing for the flames, burst forth, launching itself off the ledge towards Breymeer. The creature has been obviously burned by the flaming wall (11, 14/25).
Breymeer carves into the creature with his dwarven battle axe and hand axe as it lands. The battle axe catches it square in the chest (4, 10/25) and the hand axe across its right thigh (7, 3/25).
The creature rakes Breymeer across the chest with its claws (6, 57/63(67) and 3, 54/63(67). The experienced ranger is able to dodge its toothy maw and whip like tail.
The ranger counters with additional blows from his axes. Unfortunately, the battle axe slips from Breyeer’s hand and flies through the air. It bounces noisily off the outcropping; falling to the ground.
Without hesitation, Breymeer drives his hand axe down upon the creature’s head felling it. It drops lifeless to the ground.
Ek, hearing the commotion, picks up his pace to a near run as he navigates his way to the back of the clear rock. A burst of light illuminates the area of the rock clearing as he moves. He emerges with his bow to see the majority of the rock outcropping is now covered by a ring of high opaque flames.
Ergon hands the reigns of the warhorse to Jandre and moves quickly forward to Breymeer. The paladin lays his hands upon the ranger’s injuries and prays. The damage disappears completely.
Breymeer retrieves his axe and inspects it for damage. It appears intact. He awaits the second creature’s charge.
Rook utters he favorite orcish curse, “Kark mi Plashnak!” as she watches the first beast fall. She remains guarded awaiting the second creature’s charge.
Ek watches the flames closely attempting to gain a target for his arrow but nothing appears to him.
Roadin Bokassad maintains his concentration on his spell and the flames remain.
Yechwa begins circling the left flank of the flames, attempting to spread out the party. Oswar Ascoban follows along with her for backup.
When nothing further charges from the flames, Roadin Bokassad allows the spell to end. The flames immediately flare out leaving the remains of one very torched creature on the bare rock.
The creature felled by Breymeer remains still as well. A slight sizzling and smell emanate from the body. The creature’s blood appears to bubble and boil as it eats into the organic material it touches. It appears to have a strong acidic nature to it.
Rook looks at the dead creature and states with disgust, “Sha! Pusholog!” Switching back to common, she continues, “I hope not every creature here has acid blood.”
Ergon calls for his horse which comes dutifully to his side. The paladin then concentrates towards the second creature on top the stone ledge.
Breymeer, already starting to walk, tells the group, “Why don’t you let me circle this area and see if I can find any signs of anything else coming or going. If I come up with nothing, I’m guessing this raised opening is the key to something and figure we should check it out closer.
The ranger slowly circles the opening looking for tracks or any other signs of coming or going from this raised clearing. He avoids the oozing dead creatures.
Ek falls in behind the ranger; some twenty yards in distance and further into the darkness of the forest.
While the group waits, the rest of the party regroups. Yechwa and company climb up on to of the stone ledge and group together. They are prepared to aid the ranger as needed.
Ergon, Jandre and Rook remain at the ready at the base of the rock.
Breymeer finds a distinct path from the stone slab leading deeper into the forest. The large beasts have not yet traversed it other than a short distance in the woods to set up their ambush. It mainly appears to have been creature by forest creatures and booted man-sized feet; some a little smaller. Most recent, maybe a half to dozen man sized booted feet moved deeper into the woods. Of forest creatures, they appear to be hoofed, like deer, etc.
Ergon focuses and scans the area attempting to pick up on and evil that taints the area. He finds none.
Ek enters the stone clearing and begins searching around, carefully avoiding the acidic foreign creature.
Breymeer holds security at the new trail he located by the stone slab, “With all the man-sized tracks and wild animal tracks coming and going, I can’t help but wonder what would draw animals, and men for that matter, to this stone slab opening. There is no food here. There is no water here. Makes me wonder if this is a sacrifice area. Is this a portal like the one we just went through?”
A search of the stone slab reveals nothing telling. Other than the dead creature, there appears to be no other fluid marks, runes, or magical inscriptions that indicate it is anything other than a stone clearing.
Breymeer, giving closer examination to the trail, indicates the most recent tracks show the man tracks going from the slab deeper into the forest.
A quiet falls upon the group as they contemplate their options.
The stone clearing is not giving up any clues. The only discernable path leads deeper into the forest. The grey nothingness awaits outside the borders of the forest.
Judging by the strangeness of the alien creatures the group just put down, there is no telling what dangers the forest may hold.
Rook breaks the silence, “A doorway? Out of this place maybe? Or only in? How does it open?” The orcish woman prods at the stone with her foot. “From what I’ve seen here so far, this doesn’t seem like a place a person with any brains would purposely visit.”
Looking more optimistic, she finishes with, “If we make it out alive, I’ll treat everyone to a barrel of the finest blood wine.”
Yechwa look obediently towards Breymeer, “Captain Breymeer, you are the rightful leader here. What is our next course of action?”
Breymeer answers confidently, “I see no other route than to follow this path into the forest. I’ll scout ahead and do my best to stay aware of any dangers.”
Breymeer leads the way forward on the path. He is diligently watching the trail for any signs of danger or sub-trails. “Ek, give a pheasant call if danger presents itself.”
Ek, never enjoying being around people, enters the woods, moving about twenty yards to Breymeer’s left flank; though slightly ahead of the ranger. The going is uneven but the drow elf is accustomed to the difficult terrains in the underdark.
Yechwa, a Restenford Ranger as well, takes a position behind Breymeer by fifty feet allowing him time and room to work. Yechwa’s companions, Oswar Ascoban and Roodin Bokassad, remain near her.
Rook is next followed by Ergon, leading his horse, and Jandre taking up the rear.
The group walks cautiously for several hours. Nothing more serious than the sounds of birds and forest creatures threatens the party though the forest remains very dense and dark. The ground continues to slowly gain elevation. The trail continues to show booted tracks mixed with occasional signs of animal tracks.
The dense forest suddenly parts to reveal a clearing, perhaps 50 feet across, with a small tumble of rocks at the center. Something about the clearing doesn’t feel right. It’s as though the sounds of the forest refuse to enter the clearing, and the air around you feels strange and tingling.
Breyeer holds and examines the clearing using some vegetation as concealment. Ek moves up nearby and also remains concealed.
Yechwa, Oswar Ascoban and Roodin Bokassad halt a short distance behind Breymeer and take up a rear guard position. Ergon and Jandre join them. The war horse stands dutifully next to the holy warriors.
Rook, a little ahead of the others, remains on guard, not trusting anything about this strange place. The half-orc doesn’t want to fall victim to any nasty surprises. She holds her spear pointed out ahead of her.
A cursing deep voice alerts Breymeer and Ek to trouble. Those farther down the trail also hear the sound but cannot see into the clearing.
A dwarf, swearing in his native tongue, enters the clearing directly opposite Breymeer. The dwarf is with two more of his kin; all male warriors. They are dressed in plate armor and have heavy shields. They carry war hammers in their weapon hand. The appear concerned and look about as if they had lost something or someone. The continue moving into the clearing, and therefore, closer to Breymeer’s position.
Behind the dwarves, remaining at the edge of the clearing, are two human men. They are dressed in leather armor and carry maces. One holds the reigns of a strange mount. It appears to be some type of large lizard; though it is too far into the shadows of the wood to make out too many details. It is the size of a war horse.
Breymeer steps to the edge of the clearing and, in a loud voice, hails the dwarves and men in the common tongue, “Hello master dwarves, please do not be alarmed as I mean you no harm. I will, however, defend myself to my last breath if necessary. I only wish to find my way out of this place. I am called Breymeer. With whom do I speak and what pray tell brings you to this place?” The others in Breymeer’s group can clearly hear him speaking.
As Breymeer moved forward to the edge of the clearing, Ek began to circle counter-clockwise around the edge of the clearing, staying well within the woodline, to get behind the opposing group of men and dwarves.
Rook halts all movement except to find herself better cover and concealment. She remains on guard; listening intently.
Ergon focuses his attention towards the unseen clearing ahead of him in attempts to discern the nature of those to whom Breymeer speaks.
One of the dwarves speaks back, answering in the common tongue, “Lost er ya?” The other two dwarves fan out from the speaker; moving about 10 feet apart. The step into the clearing.
The human holding the reigns mounts the giant lizard and begins to move into the clearing. The other human remains in the shade of the trees and begins moving clockwise around the clearing.
The dwarf continues, “I twas ‘oping yer were Mr. Vren our companion. ‘Aven’t ‘appen to seen ‘im ‘ave ya? Seems he gone missin’ an’ now yer ‘ere, eh!”
The dwarves stand about 40 feet from Breymeer with the mounted lizard behind them.
Egon continues in prayer, hoping to discern if the other group bears evil intent.
Jandre begins to pray in preparation of casting a spell.
Ek hears the human flanking the clearing through the edge of the woodline towards him. Ek moves very quietly around the human while keeping his own presence hidden. The human passes by Ek without apparently noticing the drow elf. The human has a footman’s mace in hand and is focused in on sneaking around behind Breymeer. The human does not notice Ek arming himself with a bow.
Breymeer boldly steps into the clearing and replies, “I have been traveling the trail behind me and observed no sign of your companion. I have been following some tracks however. What say we break for a minute and I’d be more than happy to explain to you what the trail behind me has shown. Are you willing to return the favor with information about the direction you have come? My stomach tells me it’s time for a bite anyway. I do have to admit however, your friend in the woods is making me a bit nervous the was he’s circling in the shadows.”
In a gesture of good faith, Breymeer sheaths his weapons; but remains a the ready. He watches the dwarves closely. Breymeer eyes their equipment for symbols that would betray their disposition or country of origin.
Ergon cautions Breymeer, “They are evil my friend! I can sense it!”
The two flanking dwarves continue forward while widening their position on Breymeer. The human with them guides the lizard to a frontal approach with the remaining dwarf. All are menacingly moving up on Breymeer.
The dwarf responds while looking intently into the woods behind
Breymeer, “You appear lost and alone. We’ve come up your trail and we have our own food. We only care to know what you did with Vren.”
Jandre is prepared to unleash his spell as necessary.
Breymeer places his hands back on his two weapons and states loudly, “Master dwarf, I cannot help but feel your intentions are less than friendly unless your companions halt their flanking movements and everyone stow their weapons and come out into the clear. I wish not to fight and the ball is in your court. I have seen no Mr. Vren or anyone else for that matter.”
Several sounds can be heard behind Breymeer.
First, Rook steps forward from the foliage, “Pusholog! Glob!” She has spear in hand and is ready to dance.
Secondly, the sound of heavy plate armor rings as Ergon mounts his holy warhorse. He rides up on Breymeers flank, opposite Rook. The massive warhorse kicks up dirt threateningly with a front hoof. Ergon’s armor gleans in the light as he palms his sword hilt.
Jandre moves forward with holy symbol in hand; still prepared to bring about his spell.
Yechwa quietly leads her companions up the left side of the clearing, saying in the cover of the woods. Their plate and chain mail give away their intent though it appears Yechwa was moving quickly to cover ground, more than silently. Oswar Ascoban and Roodin Bokassad move with her.
Ek holds with arrow nocked.
A sudden attitude shift comes across the dwarf’s face. His eyes widen as Breymeer’s backup arrive. The flanking dwarf stops and faces the woods where Yechwa moves. The lizard rider moves his mount next to the speaking dwarf. The flanking dwarf on Ek’s side of the woods moves closer to the center of the clearing again. The human coming towards Ek stops moving and watches.
The dwarf leader speaks, “Er, eh. Haven’t seen ‘em eh.” He appears to be stalling to analyze the new threats. “Eh. Why ‘re y’all here den?”
Breymeer responds to the dwarf, “As I mentioned earlier, we are unsure as to where ‘here’ is. I will offer that we ended up in this place due to powers out of our control. As to our personal affairs, that, my friend, I see as having no bearing on this happenstance meeting with you. Now, I already told you we’ve no intention to do harm here and kindly asked for your help with directions and information about what lies ahead of us. Now, if you have other thoughts, want to pretend you know nothing about this area, and wish to hinder us in our efforts, well then, my good dwarf, my friends and I are in need of a good workout and will be happy to oblige. Are you ready to help us or shall we dance?”
Rook twists her hands on her spear menacingly.
Ergon, without speaking, dismounts and walks towards the dwarf leader. To the dwarf leader he says, “We haven’t seen or even heard of Mr. Vren. As you can see, I have no reason to lie or mislead you. If you know a way out of here, and would please tell us, we will be on our way.”
Ek, staying hidden with bow at the ready, keeps his attention on the human in the woods. The dark elf is prepared to end his life at the first sign of an offensive move, be it spell or assault.
The dwarf looks at his buddies and then back towards the paladin and ranger, “’Tis ‘ow we arrived as well. Weird place it ‘tis.”
The dwarf looks down and has a confused look upon his face. He points at the ground near his feet, “Where dat pyramid lookin’ thing come from?” His nearby companions look as confused as the dwarf. The on one the lizard utters, “It seems to be getting bigger.”
On the ground, a few feet in front of the dwarf leader, amongst a tumble of smoothly worn stones is a small pyramid. The pyramid grows into an approx. one foot triangle. It has a slowly pulsating glow that shifts between the primary colors.
Esned points ahead, “There is a choke point through the passage. I suggest we wait for Grimlock to complete his recon before we continue. We could find some water while we wait.”
Lexington responds, “I am in no way able to lead an expedition in such an area. I will happily keep an eye out for any trouble and will aid the group with my magic as needed.”
He takes out his wand of frost and ice in hopes it will be more effective in such a hot place.
The group looks around a bit but there is no water in sight. The temperature climbs over 100 degree F as the mid afternoon approaches. Nearly three hours after he left, Grimlock is located coming up the side of the hill that the group walked as they headed toward the lava river. Grimlock is flying fast and low, maybe 5 to 10 feet off the deck.
He lands with the group, seemingly unharmed.
Seeler addresses Grimlock as the half-elf lands, “What did you see? Is there a way for us to cross this lava river? This is way too hot down here; I want to get the hell out of here!”
Grimlock explains to the group that he traveled to the southwest. The chamber is massive. He is unsure of how to get across the lava river. He did not see anything dangerous to the southwest in regards to creatures.
Grimlock suggests the group get back to the cavern and explore once the heat of the day turns to the heat of the night to prevent those in heavy armor from dropping over from heat exposure.
The group rests for a couple days, eating and drinking food provided by Esned.
While passing the time, the party discovers a few details about the cavern.
The day time gets about as bright as an overcast day; though very heavily tinged red. It is very hot; upwards of 100 degrees F or more at mid day.
As the day goes on, the sky darkens to near moonlight night; though still red tinged. Temps fall between 60 and 80 degrees.
The group decides they will move at night under the moonlight.
The wind in this place is generally stagnant. Though, with sudden appearance, the wind can gust mightily, even whipping up a tornado-like whirlwind.
Lightning storms also come and go without warning.
Being stuck in what appears to be some type of hell, the group sets out at midnight on the beginning of the fourth day after arrival.
Seeler suggests, “Whatever way Grimlock’s path was that he cleared seems like the safest way to travel. We should follow that. Or we can take the suggestion of Grimlock on which way we would go.”
The group moves out of the cave in the middle of the night. Seeler marks the ground with chalk about every 50 yards as a precaution.
Having no other suggestions, the group moves counter-clockwise hoping the way Grimlock went remains clear.
The group leaves the cave behind. For the first mile, the group cuts southwest between a 250ft tall hill and the larger, longer 350ft tall hill that separates the southwestern portion of the chamber from the rest of it.
Turning east, the group sticks close to the taller hill. To the south, the chamber wall climbs steeply before sharply rising to meet the ceiling of the chamber (some 1500 feet above the sandstone floor). It travels another mile before the group moves north around a small hill. Then. cutting between a very large hill (600+ feet) and the northern 350ft tall spine, the group puts two more miles under their feet.
The group is cautiously moving about one mile an hour without wearing out the gnome. This speed keeps the group vigilant.
Coming to the southwestern corner of the cave, the group looks at their options. Two hills sit before them. The first about 200ft tall and the next 150ft tall. Beyond them in the far southwestern corner the wall rises up between two enormous columns. It appears some large caverns jut into the chamber wall several hundred feet up the chamber slope. To the north, a valley runs between the hills leading towards more open area.
Morwen asks Gaernith, “Gaernith, do you think this is just an opportunistic group looking to mug travelers or something more in need of attention? Or should we just press on?”
“Lady Morwen,” he replies, “I am unsure.” He pauses in thought and then continues, “Answers may lay in Winterhave. But if you wish to examine the area for a lair and rid the town of these vermin, it would be noble. I believe our mission lies in the keep but it could be related.”
Tathar speaks, “If they may be related, I recomment we investigate the lair. If we find intel, great, if not, we will rid the town of an ongoing evil.”
“Fair statement Lord Surion,” Gaernith nods towards his superior and they turn south into the wild lands.
The group quietly, slowly and cautiously follows what evidence Morwen can find of a trail. The kobolds appear to have not tried to hide their trail but they are small and light so Morwen is forced to go slowly in order to not lose the trail.
The afternoon is waning by the time the group upon several small glades of trees that lead up to a cliffside waterfall, where a stream tumbles from the top of a rocky overhang. The water descends the side of the hill and flows away to the southwest.
Gaernith nods in the direction of the waterfall, “I not an expert on these creatures but I suspect they dwell somewhere amongst that outcropping.”
The group stands at the edge of a clearing to the northeast of the waterfall. Between the group and the waterfall, a natural row of trees, some 15 to 25 feet wide, parallels the river creating a barrier between the clearing ahead of the party and the area of the waterfall and river. Trees also grow along the party’s left (northeast) allowing them cover should they move closer towards the waterfall area. The rock ledge looks relatively flat.
Tathar quickly consults with Gaernith and Morwen. Tathar questions Gaernith, “I can sense evil ahead. I believe another, larger, ambush is set. Do you believe we can navigate around this obstacle? Do you believe it is necessary to assault this encampment or may we bypass it and yet accomplish our goal?”
Gaernith quickly answers, “I believe we can retreat back to the old track and continue on to the keep without adversely affecting the mission.”
Tathar agrees. Using hand motions to the others, he signals the group to withdraw and return back to the path upon which the group was initially ambushed.
The group’s quiet retreat appears to have been a success. Upon returning to the road, they turn towards Winterhaven.
After a mile or two of traveling through the wooded foothills, the rutted King’s Road leads to the foot of a broad hill that holds the walled village of Winterhaven. The village is nestled in the southern foothills of the Cairngorm Peaks. The walls are weathered stone topped by defensive palisades. Small thatched homes stand around Winterhaven, each fronting a small piece of farmland or pasture. Beyond the farms to the west and south lie dark woods and to the north, tall mountain peaks.
A road runs away from the town, both to the east and to the west. The one the group is on approaches the town from the south.
“The keep lies to the west along that road there,” Gaernith points to the roadway leading west out of the town. “Do you wish to stop in the town Lord Surion, or continue to the keep?”
The sun is disappearing behind the hills and light is fading into dusk.
The group continues towards Winterhaven. The town sits just north of the intersection of the King’s Road and the road traveling east and west through the area.
The town is surrounded by a two-story wall constructed of locally quarried mountain stone. The wall is ten feet thick and very stout in appearance. Over the wall can be seen the upper rooflines of several buildings scattered within the wall’s confines. Most notably, a three hundred foot tall tower stands near the middle of the town.
The roadway leads to the western side of the wall; entering between two square towers acting as the gatehouse. Eight towers in total mark the outside wall. Two other towers form a gatehouse for an inner wall that separates the larger, southern section of town, from the smaller northern section.
The town’s footprint is small, some 200 feet east/west by 150 feet north/south.
It is quickly becoming dark as the group approaches the western gatehouse. The heavy, iron reinforced, doors are closed. Two human guards, one per tower, look down upon the group. “Hail travelers, welcome to Winterhaven. Any troubles upon the road?”
Rook watches to see what happens to the dwarf near the pyramid while taking a quick cursory look for more of the objects in the clearing. He sees no other similar objects.
The dwarf near the pyramid backs away from it, “Wha’ is dis magics?” The lizard rider also cautiously backs up. The other two dwarves ready weapons. The human in the woods looks on with intrigue.
With a sudden humming, an image is projected from the pyramid. It stands in mid-air above the pyramid. The figure, a ghost, perhaps, shows as an insubstantial vision of a male humanoid figure with curved horns sprouting from near his forehead and following the crown of his head back along each side. It boasts a tail. It is clothed in ornate red robes. “Greetings, travelers,” the image says in perfect, if not rigid, common, “I am Karavakos. What do you seek in the Pyramid of Shadows?”
Without a thought, the dwarf leader barks, “Have you taken Mr. Vren?”
The image turns and looks to the dwarf and his companions, “Mr Vren has not been taken. Mr. Vren has entered the pyramid on his own accord. You may enter as well by touching its surface. Or stay out here and face the dangers of this environ. I care not.”
He turns back towards the Restenford Ranger Captain, “And I suppose you have come for Peylae, have you not, Captain Breymeer?”
Ergon draws his weapons, as he has detected evil. He stands at the ready and watches for Breymeer’s next action. Ergon keeps a steady eye on the figure that has just appeared.
Rook keeps alert, still ready to tussle.
Breyeer fearlessly holds his ground and responds, “Karavakos, your knowledge impresses me. If you have knowledge of Peylae, I would be greatly in your debt if you would share that with us. And, it would not hurt to have more knowledge about this place, particularly how to get out. If that means entering the pyramid, what type of journey can I expect if I touch it’s surface?
“Captain Breymeer, this place is out of place and time as you understand it. It is a place where things, people particularly, can be secured. I am the caretaker. An enemy of yours has placed Lady Peylae here. You may enter and retrieve her if that is your wish. You and your companions, should you wish to take them with you. You may reach your homeland again from the pyramid, I assure you.”
The dwarf interrupts, “We be ‘ishin’ to get Mr. Vren!”
The image, turns his head and looks at the dwarf over his shoulder, “Very well Master Dwarf. Let it be so.” With that, colorful rays shoot forth from the pyramid into the dwarf and his companions in the clearing. The light rays retract back to the pyramid. The three dwarves, man and lizard are all pulled towards the pyramid. Their images fade into colored lights at the pyramid absorbs their images without a sound.
Ek can see the final human still standing in awe in the woods near the dark elf.
“Chose your own path. Lady Peylae will be here waiting for you until the end of time,” the image begins to fade. “I have guest to attend to. Should you enter, I shall speak with you again.”
Breymeer addresses the group, "Well, we can't allow Peylae to be stuck for eternity. Who's up for an adventure? I'm ready to give 'er hell and dive into this pyramid thing."
Jandre steps forward next to the paladin. The priest removes a beat up looking cigar and gets it lit with some frustration, "My last one. I've been saving it." He gives a couple long puffs on it and exhales sharply. Looking over to Breymeer, he clenches the cigar between his teeth and gives an 'I'm ready' nod of his head.
"I'm with you!" Ergon holds securely onto the reigns of his warhorse, "He's coming with."
Rook responds with nothing more than orcish profanity but appears ready to follow Breymeer in..
Yechwa and company have a quick discussion and she steps forward with the two men standing boldly behind her. "Captain, I will follow you into whatever carnage awaits us. My companions pledge their support as they can though out of friendship and not duty. " Both men concur.
Ek stands fast as he waits to see what the human in the woods does.
The human holds his place, even ducking down a little too hide himself.
Breymeer approaches the pyramid cautiously. The others fall in line behind the ranger.
Giving one last look to the group, Breymeer bends over and touches the colorful pyramid. He immediately fades into the pyramid.
These rest of the group follows suit led by Egon and his horse, Jandre, Rook and finally Yechwa and company.
As the party starts disappearing, Ek break free from his hiding spot and follow them into the pyramid.
These group is immediately onset by trouble. Each struggles to comprehend the new scene.
The group appears to be in a pit, some ten feet below the level of the floor of a dimly lit chamber of unknown size. The bottom of the pit is covered bodies of all kinds of humanoids of civilized races; dwarves, elves, halflings, humans and such. Their clothing and armor appears off a time forgotten. An overpowering smell of death hangs in there air.
You're group is not alone in the pit. The dwarves and humans that transported ahead of you are fighting a pitched battle.
A two headed giant is just arriving at the edge of the pit. The giant is covered in splattered blood He has a large blood stained meat cleaver in each hand. Each of his heads grin as he kneels down and waits for an opportunity to behead those in the pit. Each head appears to be encouraging the other. It truly appears to be enjoying itself.
The headless body of the lizard riding human lays next to the giant at the edge of the pit. The motionless tail of the lizard hangs over the edge of the pit next to the human. The giants appears to have just returned from finishing off the lizard.
The three dwarves are still standing in a small semi circle with their backs to the wall. A giant green centipede like creature is in the pit between your newly arrived group and the dwarves. It has a large tooth filled mouth with eight tentacles circling its mouth that lash out at the dwarves.
A second such creature clings to the edge of the pit and attacks down upon the dwarves. They are in a dire predicament.
The pit is nearly 15 feet wide. It is 10 feet up to the level of the floor above the group. It is unknown how deep the bodies are stacked under the group’s feet.
In the pit, the group struggles with the new environment as the ettin looks down upon them. Its skin stained dark, exposed through holes in its rotting clothing. Its teeth show yellow and chipped as it grins and curses. The hair on both heads kept cut short, near the skull.
Just below the ettin, moving in on the creature’s right side, Yechwa, in her chain mail and helm etched with feathers, engages it with her two handed sword. Her cape trails behind her as she moves in for the attack. The ettin swings down upon her with one cleaver as she tries to cut off its arm. Steel meets steal as the ettin parries her blow.
Oswar Ascoban, the priest of Pelor, engages the ettin on the left side with his mace. With his gilded plate armor and shield his defense, he meets the ettin’s blow with his mace, shattering the meat cleaver.
Behind the two, Roodin Bokassad tries to buy time. He steadies himself. As he points towards the ettin, four greenish-blue missiles shoot forth from his finger in succession. Each strikes the giant’s torso as its grins turn to anger (12, 57/69).
The sudden change of scenery catches Ergon and Jandre off guard. Ergon, wearing his heavy field plate armor, struggles to hold onto the warhorse reigns as it struggles to stand on the mishmash of bodies that makes up the floor of the pit. Jandre is behind the horse and can only manage not being trampled under the massive hooves of the warhorse. The holy warriors stand near the corner, farther to the ettin’s left than Oswar, just out of reach.
Across the pit from the ettin, in the corner to the ettin’s right side, the dwarves battle the two carrion crawlers. The battle is behind Roodin Bokassad.
One creature is on the pit floor. One dwarf makes an attempt to circle the creature along the back wall of the pit to flank it. The creature stretches forward and entwines the dwarf with tentacles. The dwarf goes limp as the creature begins to chew on him.
The creature on the wall hangs over and attacks the other two dwarves. The both fail to land a significant blow. The creature wraps up one of the dwarves in its circle of tentacles but looses grip and falls into the pit on top of the limp dwarf.
The final dwarf standing is the one that spoke to the group in the clearing.
In the final corner, across the pit and to the ettin’s left, Ek moves to the wall and begins to climb his way up the corner.
Rook sees Ek climbing the wall and takes up a position to cover his flank. The orc warrior stands ready with her prized spear.
Finally, Breymeer, having appeared in the pit nearest the carrion crawlers, advances into the flank of the creature initially in the pit as it munches on the limp dwarf. As he moves, he makes certain both Yechwa and Orwar Ascoban are holding their own.
As the ranger closes, he notes the creature looks more like a slug or similar type creature. Its head is covered with a thicker hide than the body. A rank odor befalls Breymeer as he buries his dwarven rune etched hand-axe into the creature’s soft side (4, 15/19).
The ranger buries his battle axe into its side, just ahead of the front series of legs (3, 12/19). Putting both hands together, the ranger rakes the creature along its side, severing off several legs (6, 6/19). Greenish goo leaks from the injury as the creature drops to its side. It contorts its body enough to spin counter-clockwise to face Breymeer with its writhing tentacles.
Ek pulls himself out of the pit after scaling the wall. Behind him, Rook jumps and lays her spear across the corner of the hole. She starts pulling herself up while calling to Ek for assistance. The dark elf grabs onto the orc blooded warrior and heaves. The effort brings Rook to the floor level of the chamber. Ek steps back, preparing to cast a spell.
Meanwhile, in the pit, Jandre wades his way across the bodies to join Breymeer in the battle with the wounded crawler.
Breymeer, realizing he may want to stay out of the grasp of the tentacles, uses his battle axe to parry while continuing to hack away with his battle axe.
The crawler struggles; writhing upon the floor. In desperation, it attacks the ranger. Showing incredible skill, Breymeer parries an onslaught of tentacles until the creature bites down upon his arm (2, 61/63). Catching the creature overextended, Breymeer smashes his battle axe down upon its head (9, -3.19). At the same time, Jandre steps up and hammers the it in soft tissue of its flank. The creature drops upon the body littered pit floor and quivers as Breymeer removes his axe from its corpse.
Nearby the final dwarf attempts to melee with the crawler but steps oddly on one of the dead bodies in the pit. He fails to catch himself and falls prone. The foul smelling slug-like creature collects itself from its fall. It ignores the dwarf that tripped and continues to chew on the one it fell on.
Below the ettin, Ergon calms his warhorse as they both finally find somewhat stable footing.
Roodin Bokassad utters something incomprehensible and blows a feather from his hand. He rises several inches off the bodies on the bottom of the pit.
The sound of steel on steel rings in the chamber as Yechwa’s two-handed sword and the ettin’s cleaver continue to make contact as each parries the other’s assault.
Oswar takes a step back, prays to Pelor, and heaves a hammer at the ettin. The hammer begins to glow softly with a orangish light. It impacts the ettin in the chest (4, 53/69). The ettin drops its broken cleaver and bats at the menacing hammer with his now free hand.
Breymeer, being cautious of his footing, steps back away from the carcass of the dying crawler while stowing his axes and removing his bow.
Ergon, collecting himself, assesses the situation. He charges, to the extent the body ridden floor allows, towards the remaining crawler in the pit wielding his holy sword. The warhorse follows, smashing dead bodies under hoof.
The dwarf rolls out of the way of the charging paladin. He pulls himself up against the body of the slain crawler, now standing next to Jandre.
Yechwa cannot effectively reach the ettin from within the hole when it isn’t leaning over after her so she changes target and moves between the Roodin Bokassad and the remaining crawler. She slashes it’s side wide open with her two-handed sword.
Ergon simultaneously buries his holy sword into the creature’s head. It drops to the pit floor dead.
Roodin Bokassad flies up out of the pit and lands directly across from the ettin and generally above those that just finished melee with the crawlers.
Rook begins circling the room counter-clockwise, cautiously passing by the open stairwell that leads downward.
Ek unleashes two magical missiles. The bolts of energy streak across the top of the pit and strike the ettin center mass (7, 46/69).
Orwar Ascoban continues his assault on the ettin with his spiritual hammer. The hammer whacks the ettin in the left shoulder (5, 41/69).
Immediately thereafter, Breymeer puts an arrow into its chest (7, 34/69). The ettin bellows in agony. In a rage, it jumps in the pit. The sound of breaking bones and crushing bodies is sickening as the giant sinks several feet into the bodies. With its free hand, it attempts to grab Orwar Ascoban. It knabs him for a moment but the Pelor cleric spins from the giant’s grasp. Frustrated, the giant attempts to cut the priest in half with it’s cleaver but misses completely.
Rook, arriving at the edge of the pit, drives her grandfather’s spear into the ettin’s back (9, 25/69).
The ettin screams in a homicidal rage. Its eyes widen and spit flies from it mouths. It appears to have lost any control as it screams out threats and obscenities in its own tongue.
The ettin seems to have gained the initiative by his sudden entrance into the pit. Only Breymeer reacts quickly, shooting another arrow into its chest (9, 16/69). The long armed ettin slashes the ranger back across his chest with the oversized cleaver (10, 51/63). Only Breymeer’s experience in combat and studded leather armor allow him to escape being mortally wounded. The ranger even manages to maintain his foot and nock another arrow.
Trying to buy his companion some time, both Yechwa and Ergon attack the ettin from its right flank. Neither lands a significant blow.
Rook pulls his spear from the creature’s back as it turns to grab him with its free hand. Two more magical glowing bolts from Ek strike the ettin (9, 7/69) as Rook drives her spear into the ettin’s heart (9, -2/69) killing it instantly.
The ettin crumbles to the floor of the pit, taking hard blows from the warhorse’s right rear hoof and the magically glowing holy hammer. Jandre steps back to avoid the collapsing giant.
Roodin Bokassad simply watches from the edge of the pit; to Ek’s left.
A quiet falls upon the room momentarily until disturbed by a voice outside of the pit. It is coming from the corner to Rook’s rear and left side. There is an alcove there with heads mounted on spikes. The voice calls forth in elvish, “You out there! We can help each other, I just know it.” The voice appears to be that of a female.
Ek moves toward the northeast alcove, seeking out the source of the unknown elvish voice.
Breymeer stows his bow, and with a boost from Jandre and an outstretched hand from Roodin Bokassad, Breymeer climbs out of the pit at the southeast corner.
Rook turns to face the northeast alcove as the voice continues, “Please, continue to me. I am in the sack mounted next to these unpleasant looking ettin trophies.”
Mounted on spikes in the alcove are four heads. Working clockwise around the alcove are a human male, a human female, a dwarf and an orc. The final peg has a small sack hanging from it that appears to contain a baseball sized object.
Ek becomes more cautious as he approaches the alcove containing the heads and the voice in the bag. He takes a defensive stance as he engages the voice in conversation, though he has lowered his voice so now none can hear him from the area of the pit.
Rook, not seeming to understand elvish, largely ignores the voice. She spits on the fallen enemy and gloats in her victory by casting a few orcish curses at the dead ettin.
In the pit, those remaining struggle to climb out of the body strewn pit. The bodies continue to twitch and an unease remains.
Roodin Bokassad speaks to Ergon, “Please noble warrior, lead your horse to the edge of the pit and I will assist it up.”
Ergon complies. Roodin Bokassad takes out a feather and utters an incantation. He touches the feather to the head of the horse while advising, “Each of you, use the horse’s height to climb out of this abysmal pit.”
Ergon remains with his steed as everyone else gets out of the pit.
“Now,” Roodin Bokassad continues, “Ergon, mount your horse and command it to fly out.”
Ergon, a bit uneasy or unsure or both, gives his horse the command and some encouraging heels into its flanks. The horse, showing its intelligence, gracefully rises out of the pit and lands upon the stone floor. Egon thanks Pholtus for such a blessed creature.
The group eyes the room while Ek has his conversation with the exception of Ergon; who seems to be studying what is transpiring between Ek and the voice.
The dwarf takes stock of his situation. Looking around the room, similar to the others, he states to anyone interested, “I’m alon’ w’ich ya. Ye shud be knowin’ me name. Kolus. Kolus Darkgut I be.”
Ek moves to the sack very carefully; ever ready to tumble away to safety.
He lowers his voice as he speaks to the sack, maintaining the elvish language, “How could one of my elf brethren be stove up in a sack of this size? Explain, or I will assume this is a trick and be on my way.”
Ek is prepared for trouble.
“Fate has brought you to this prison, though I do not know what fate you follow. If you wish to escape from here, you will need my assistance. I am Vyrellis. At least I am what remains of Vyrellis. Aid me in becoming whole again and I will assist you in your quest. Acting together, we shall overcome and escape from here.”
Breymeer moves closer to Ek to help cover his back. The group remains vigilant of the multiple exits from the room. One in each direction with the westerly passage going down a flight of stairs.
Ergon dismounts from his warhorse, petting him and encouraging him, “What a good boy you are!”
Ergon then prays to Pholtus. He looks over to Breymeer and asks the ranger, and the rest of the group, if anyone needs healing.
Meanwhile, Ek continues his conversation for a short time before turning to the group, “The voice is Vyrellis. She claims to be an elf who worships Sehanine from the Spindrift Isles of which one is Lendore. She claims to be able to assist us in escaping if we help her become whole again along the way.”
As Ek finishes his statement, a beautiful song begins. It drifts into the room from up the stairwell to the west.
Ek responds to the voice, “Vyrellis, what will it take to restore you? And if we do, can you tell me your deity or whom you are a follower of to help assure us you’ll bring no harm?”
“I follow Sehanine Moonbow of the Spindrift Isles. Men often call one of the islands Lendore Island. Though, by the sound of your voice, you are drow and not a surface dwelling elf. I ask of you, take the orb in this sack so that we may assist each other.”
Rook remains on guard, but quietly responds to Kolus with a sly smile, trying to hold back her natural orcish disdain of dwarves, “Colon Rotgut, hmph. You’ll fit right in. Welcome to the motley crew.”
The dwarf does not appear to notice the orc’s insult. Instead, it has focused in on the singing and curiously moves to the stairwell down to the west; holding his war hammer in hand. Yechwa, still holding her two-handed sword, and Roodin Bokassad, the mage, move to back the dwarf.
Orwar Ascoban, in his gilded plate mail, holds near the southern edge of the room watching the southern passage. He asks over his shoulder towards Yechwa, the ranger, “What devilry is this new song?” She doesn’t return a comment.
Ergon turns his attention towards the singing as well. Jandre warns him, “Careful my friend, I trust this not.” Ergon begins to move towards the stairwell but his war horse steps between him and the stairs, temporarily impeding his move.
Ek, in light of hearing the singing voice and thinking a charm of some type could be in the works, and going with his gut that what he hears from the sack is legit, states in a voice loud enough for all to hear, “I have heard no objections and I believe what I have learned can help us. There is an orb in this sack I feel with help us.”
Ek quickly looks at the group, and to Breymeer particularly, for any further concerns or comments. Breymeer simply nods before the ranger captain turns and joins the group descending the western stairwell.
Ek pulls the sack open as it hangs on the peg and carefully removes the orb. The orb of darkest obsidian easily fits in the palm of his hand.
As Ek looks upon its inky depths, the severed head of a noble elvish female floats into view and Ek hears her sing song voice, continuing to speak in elvish, “I am Vyrellis, and I offer my assistance to whoever carries this orb.”
Ek responds to the floating head of Vyrellis, “Well, this is very timely indeed, my good Vyrellis. It seems my companions are being pulled away from me, against their will, by a singing that is messing with their brains. I believe we can likely help you regain your wholeness if you are willing to get them out of this charm and help us get safely out of this place.”
“Certain death awaits them!” warns Vyrellis in elvish. “If they cannot be held back, you must defeat the vile filth that awaits them!”
Ek responds, “Your warning is not a surprise and don’t underestimate the power of our group. You stated you could help us. Make good on that promise now and prove to me you can be trusted by helping us with this now, be it with actions to get my friends out of this charmed state or advice that will help. Act fast as I have to leave and help my companions.”
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