The Flood Festival

19-26 November, 595

The next week is spent attending the week's Flood Festival activities. What follows are some highlights from the week:

Day 1:
This morning as the group breaks its fast in the common room of the Drunken Morkoth they are paid a visit by none other than the Stormblades themselves! Anna presents each party member with an envelope containing invitations to the prestigious Demonskar Ball, scheduled to take place a week after the end of the festival. Some unpleasantries are exchanged between the two rival groups, and the Stormblades make an exit before things get too ugly. The invites indicate that the party is to attend the ball dressed as demons, and what's more, Throckmorton has received the special Nabthatoron invitation, meaning he has a significant role to play at the party.

While shopping for costumes, a heated argument breaks out between Throck and his "sister" Plenty. The monk is having second thoughts about attending, thinking it is a social trap, while Plenty argues that it would do more harm not to accept the invitation. In the end, Throck relents and the group arranges to rent the following costumes:

• Selivia - succubus costume
• Ash - imp costume with scorpion tail
• Plenty - fat devil suit with horns
• Lyra - naga costume
• Bruinor - bestial fly
• Throckmorton - demon with bat wings, as well as the Nabthatoron costume

They also arrange a coach and sign up for dancing and etiquette lessons, hoping it will help their social graces at the ball. Plenty O'Toole auditions to take musical lessons, hoping to compete in the Song of Heaven competition at the ball, but angrily storms out after the professor refuses to shake her spit-soaked hand.

That afternoon the first round of the Drink Down the Flood (DDTF) competition begins, and both Ash and Bruinor hold their own and advance to the next round.

Day 2:

The POTBM is approached this morning by a young rascal named Jack (gives no surname). Jack offers his services and hopes for employment, but the group turns the tables on him and requests that he help them find a job before he is accepted into the group.

The second round of the DDTF is held at the Drunken Morkoth, and both Ash and Bruinor start to gain a following as they drink their way into the next round.

Day 3:

The most notable event is that Bruinor does well again in the DDTF and advances to the quarter finals. Ash finally bows out after going down to a very intimidating looking member of the town guard. Bruinor is gaining more notoriety, helped by the fact that he buys drinks for the entire bar after he wins.

Day 4:

Jack presents the group with a job offer from the office of the mayor. Apparently the city needs help keeping the order at the Flood Festival Finale in 4 days. The party is asked to help out with riot duty during the final celebrations.

Ash competes in the archery competition. He does well in the initial rounds but fails to advance in the 3rd round.

Plenty performs in the street party and her talent is noticed by a noble. Faris Tercival offers her a steady job playing in the band that plays at his monthly party. She will be paid 25gp per performance.

Bruinor again kicks ass in the DDTF and defeats a young lad to advance to the semi-finals. Ash is starting to pocket some winnings after laying down some bets in favor of the dwarf.

Day 5:

Ash competes in horseshoes but doesn't get very far.

Once again Brunior surprises both himself and his friends in the DDTF by beating Zach Aslaxin and advancing to the finals. His fame is spreading and he draws quite a crowd.

Day 6:

This morning Ash competes in the Spear Throwing contest. One of his throws goes quite far and he ends up taking home a small purse and a trophy.

But most exciting of all is Bruinor's performance in the DDTF. He goes head to head with Asfelkir, an intimidating half-orc and head priest of the Temple of Lordly Might. After defeating his opponent, he is carried around the room and is made a hero. Lord Vhalantru himself congratulates the dwarf and says that he looks forward to drinking with him in the special challenge. Bruinor is awarded 100 gold and a silver trophy in the shape of a large stein.

Day 7:

The next morning the entire group decides to try their luck in the Running Races. Plenty is the only one who does any good, taking 3rd place in the sprint.

That evening Bruinor faces off against Lord Vhalantru in the final event. Half of the room is cheering for the dwarf, and the other half roots for the influential noble. Bruinor lasts 6 drinks but passes out in the end, while Vhalantru doesn't even break a sweat. Even though Bruinor loses the chance to win the 500 gold, he earns much respect and is surely the talk of the town for months to come.

Day 8:

The party takes their positions as riot police about the Crater Lake while the crowd gathers and eagerly waits for the finale to begin. It has been raining solidly for the past 10 days and the water has risen considerably, threatening to flood the lower layers of the city. The ceremony is to feature clerics of the city using wands of water control to lower the lake waters and mark the end of the Flood Festival. But things don't go quite as expected. There is an illusion of an angel descending from the sky, but it announces that the ceremony is to be postponed, and everyone should return home. Plenty notices that near the stage Jenya is distraut and frantically scrambles to write something down.

The group approaches and Jenya asks them to return to the temple with her immediately. She explains that the wands of water control are missing and that the city is in grave danger of flooding. She has received a message through a spell that the high priest of the temple, Sarcem, has been detained while at the Lucky Monkey (a resthouse a day's ride out of Cauldron) and is being attacked by bandits led by an "apeman." According to the note he is mortally wounded and has retreated to the basement. Jenya explains that this year Sarcem had to travel to Sasserine to get the wands made, as the other religious institutions of Cauldron this year were unwilling to help with their creation. She asks the POTBM to travel to the Lucky Monkey and save Sarcem and the wands. She offers 5000 gold as a reward for bringing both the high priest and wands back safely.

Jenya provides the party with horses and healing potions, and encourages them to obtain a map of the region. The group equips themselves and prepares to set out as soon as possible for the resthouse at the edge of the jungle.

Drakthar's Way

18 November, 595

In the morning the heavy rains continue to fall. There is much excitement about the town as pavillions and tents are raised, vendors set up in the streets, and posters for the Flood Festival events are nailed to bulletin boards in the taverns.

The POTBM decides to spend more time in the caverns underneath the bathhouse. During this expedition they do not find any goblins, but they do discover a goblin laboratory, including several potions. By the way, Selivia has been invisible for a few days now. She was tasting a potion in an attempt to identify it and mistakenly drank too much, turning her invisible.

In another room they discover a large pile of dead goblins, apparently the ones they have already killed.

The group heads down a branch of the cavern and Bruinor is attacked above by a darkmantle, a nasty creature who envelops its prey in darkness, then swoops down from above. They had trouble seeing it before because it was in the shape of a stalactite. The cave goes pitch black as the creature wraps its tentacles around Bruinors neck and starts choking him, biting into his head. Thinking quickly, Selivia casts a light spell, and the darkness is repelled. Now being able to see, Plenty takes a swing at it with her scimitar, but unfortunately hits the dwarf instead. Finally, Throckmorten kills it with one swing of his mace, and the creature releases its victim.

Now that they know what to look for, they spot a few more of the creatures on the cavern ceiling. One is slain by an arrow from Ash, and the other flies away after the ranger misses with his shot.

Further down the cave the group hears some voices coming from around a bend. Lyra sneaks forward to investigate and comes back with the news that 6 half-orcs and 1 dwarf are conversing near what seems to be the exit of the cave. The discussion is hard to hear, but she does pick out that they are confused about Drakthar not being here. She returns to tell the group what she has heard.

Selivia volunteers to move forward invisibly and throw a fireball sphere (one of the items they plundered from Drakthar's hoard) at the strangers. She does so, but becomes visible the moment it leaves her hand. Much to her chagrin, the sphere did not do enough damage to kill the group and they take out their bows and begin firing at her. The rest of the group rushes to her aid, and engages the half-orcs. Selivia takes out 3 with a sound burst, and the fighters of the group make quick work of the others. The dwarf attempts to escape but is chased closely. Finally he turns around for a last stand. When he surrenders, the group takes his equipment, ties him up and starts to question him.

They learn that this dwarf was working for Drakthar, helping to smuggle half-orc mercenaries into the city. He explains that some nobles wanted to beef up their bodyguards without calling attention to themselves publicly. He was surprised to find that Drakthar was not there and was trying to decide what to do when he was attacked.

The dwarf is delivered to the captain, who is satisfied with the work that the POTBM has done. He rewards them with 2000 gold and encourages them to enjoy the Flood Festival.

The Flood Festival is scheduled to begin tomorrow! Ash and Bruinor sign up for the drinking competition, and Seliva registers for the running race. Ash signs up for the archery competition as well.

Some downtime

16-17 November, 595

The group decides to spend a few days resting and recovering from their wounds. They pick up their identified magic items from Skie and debate about which ones to sell/trade and which ones to keep.

On the second day, the torrential rains begin. The Flood Festival will start soon!

Getting Lyra back to normal

15 November, 595
Part II

After leaving the dungeon, delivering the body of the vampire (now identified by Plenty as a bugbear) to the temple of Wee Jas, and healing up, the party heads out to find Captain Skellerang. Lyra stays behind because she is feeling quite weak. When she rejoins the party she explains that the priests told her that her health needs to be "restored" after suffering a bite wound by the Drakthar.

The captain is happy to hear the news that the vampire has been slain, but urges them to finish investigating the underground layer, and he shall have the reward money ready when they have done so.

Finally, the party drops off 7 items to Skie for identification, and Lyra heads to the temple to receive the restoration spell.

Interview with the Vampire

15 November, 595
Part I

The party returns to the tunnel and explores a side passage. While Lyra attempts to climb up a wall to a ledge above, she is attacked by goblins with crossbows. Selivia once again blasts the goblins with a sound burst. When Lyra reaches the top she finds that their eardrums had exploded and the concussive force had killed them instantly. The rest of the party joins her and they come to a room inhabited by a goblin wizard and a pair of lizards. The lizards rush forward and deliver a powerful electric bolt at Ash. Eventually the lizards are drawn out and killed, while the wizard flees for his life.

The group follows the goblin down a set of stairs and is overcome by a swarm of bats. Fighting them off, the bats are cleared away to reveal a large furry goblinoid with sallow eyes and batlike ears. The party surrounds him but Ash comes to his aid and steps up to interfere. He actually ends up attacking Selivia to keep her from hurting the presumed vampire. Meanwhile the creature leaps onto Lyra and begins sucking her blood. He is separated by a fearsome blow from Bruinor. In the meantime, Throckmorton lands a stunning blow on Ash, who is taken out of the picture while the rest of the group pummels the vampire. It again turns into a cloud of mist and drifts off towards a bridge in a passage above.

Following the mist (with Ash in tow, bound and gagged), the group comes to a room with a gruesome throne made of bone and stretched skin. Selivia approaches the throne with holy water, but it comes to life and attacks. The animated throne is brought down without too much trouble.

Down a ladder and into a cave, the party is beset upon this time by a giant bat. It bites Bruinor many times but is beaten down and slain by Bruinor's axe. Climbing up the ladder on the other side the party finds a room filled with treasure and hoarded equipment. Bruinor spots a secret compartment in the floor and it is opened to reveal the sleeping corpse of none other than Drakthar himself. The dwarf quickly drives a stake through its heart and its head is removed so that it can be disposed of properly. Gathering up the newly found weapons, armor, and money, they return to find that Ash has recovered and now seems to be himself again.

Nodonn is Done

14 November, 595
Part II

After the battle, the party hears a howling noise coming from down the tunnel. It seems to be approaching. The group moves forward slowly, but Plenty is taken by surprise from behind. A large dark, slobbering wolf pounces on the bard and attempts to bite into her. Plenty summons all her strength to keep the foul dog at bay, while the others surround it and fend it off. Taking a beating, it disappears into a patch of fog and floats down the tunnel.

The group moves forward but is caught in an ambush. Crossbow fire rains down on them from above and a group of larger goblins advances from the front (including a goblin mounted on a worg). Selivia takes out the snipers with a sonic blast, and the fighters charge the goblins with morningstars and spears. A larger goblin in the back starts to sling spells at Selivia and Nodonn, but the Party of the Bloody Mess lives up to its name and overcomes their opponents.

Exploring some rooms built onto another ledge, the group encounters a pair having an argument. A male human wizard speaks harshly with a female half-orc fighter. The half-orc immediately charges at Nodonn and prevents the others from entering, while the human shoots missiles of energy at him. All the time the couple bicker back and forth. Nodonn is struck a mortal blow - the missiles weaken him before he is finished off by the woman's deadly halberd. Ash moves forward to take his place but is kept out of the room. Finally, Bruinor pushes everyone forward, and the rest of the group is able to pour through. Selivia and Throckmorton finish off the wizard, while the others swarm the fighter (who is called Kallev), but not before Ash is seriously wounded. Throck delivers a killing blow to the human (who is called Chorlynder), then the half-orc surrenders. It is a bitter battle and one that took the life of Nodonn, a valuable comrade who evangelized Wee Jas.

Collecting themselves and their plunder, the group returns to the surface and delivers Nodonn's corpse to the Temple of Wee Jas.

Under the bathhouse

14 November, 595

Ready to go, the group returns to the bathhouse and descends a staircase into a corridor lined with goblin graffiti and filth. On one side of the hallway the party discovers an old temple devoted to Moradin, the dwarven god. The temple has been defiled by goblins and Bruinor is incensed.

The group enters another room filled with boxes and crates. As they move about the room searching its contents, they are ambushed by a pair of goblins. Those two are taken care of, but it's not long before another two join the fray. One escapes and heads down a large natural cavern. Nodonn is able to fell him with an arrow, but not before he sounds the alarm. Soon a goblin riding a huge wolf comes bounding down the cavern and dismounts to attack. Nodonn is knocked down by the wolf but the group encircles the beast and brings it down. In the meantime, two more goblins approach from behind. Selivia unleashes a sonic blast and stun the creatures, giving Plenty and Throckmorten enough time to slay the pair.

The party catches their breath as they contemplate what to do next. So far, no sign of the vampire.

Preparing for battle

12-13 November, 595

In the morning the group pays a visit to Skellerang. He is given the update on the scuffle at the shop, and gives them an advance to help pay for the costs of equipping themselves for a fight against the vampire. They use the money to commission a blacksmith to silver their weapons. He agrees to have them completed in 2 days' time.

Nodonn also visits with Orak and questions him a bit about what has happened. Unfortunately he does not remember much apart from a tall black furry figure with bat-like ears.

Orak returns to the inn and the group posts guards inside of his room.

The next day the group discovers that there has been activity in the bathhouse. Something has sprung the traps that Lyra has set on the secret door.

A fight with the one-eyed dwarf

11 November, 595
Part II

Plenty O'Toole guesses that these 'rat-men' are actually creatures called wererats, supernatural types of beings who can alter their shape and change between humanoid and rat form. The remaining wererat is roused and questioned about the goblin menance. Before he is killed the party learns that they were employed by someone by the name of Gaelen Trodor, and hired to guard the bathhouse.

Finding the door to the bathhouse locked, Bruinor decides to use the lantern oil to burn it down. Not long after the blaze is set, Orak flings open the door in shock, then runs back to his office and fetches a decantur full of water. He returns and throws water on the fire in an attempt to put it out. The strange thing is, the pitcher never seems to run out of water as he continuously tosses it forth. Nodonn takes the opportunity to wrestle with the dwarf, and the two roll around on the floor, fists and knees flying in all directions. It is Throckmorten who ends the bout, landing a stunning blow on the dwarf. Orak is tied up and questioned about the goblins. He vigorously denies knowledge of the goblins and it isn't until his key is taken and used to open the hidden door when he finally acknowledges something is not as it seems.

Plenty makes an astute observation that Orak may not in fact be his normal self. Nodonn detects a magical aura about Orak and channels the power of Wee Jas. He learns that Orak is indeed being controlled by a supernatural force, perhaps being 'dominated' by the vampire. He is taken to the temple of Wee Jas, where Ike Iverson agrees to take him in custody and cure him in the morning. He also gives them a few tidbits of advice for fighting vampires. For example, they are immune to damage from normal weapons. Only magical weapons and silvered weapons will have an effect.

The group rests for the rest of the night.

Rat Bastards

11 November, 595

Hiring the youths again reveal some more graffiti results:

• "Drakthar owns this"
• "Drakthar is the fog!"

With more clues, Plenty is beginning to think that this sounds like what she has heard about vampires. She goes off with Selivia to the Bluecrater Academy to see what she can learn on the subject.

On his way back to the temple, Nodonn is approached by a short, plump woman wearing leather armor and a sword hanging from her belt. She seems to know what the group is up to and freely offers information on the goblin infestation, stating that the goblins come from Orak's Bathhouse on Lava Avenue. It is run by a one-eyed dwarf, who could potentially be a formidable opponent. The lady disappears almost as quickly as she appears.

Later in the day the group is told about the new information, so several of them decide to check out the baths before they close. There they meet Orak, who offers shows them around the small building and leaves them to enjoy their baths. They surrender their weapons and armor and partake of the warm waters. While casually nosing around, Throckmorten notices a secret door in one of the walls.

Meeting back at the inn, Plenty and Selivia divulge what they have learned about vampires. Apparently, they are susceptible to holy water, and cannot be hurt by normal weapons; only silvered and magic weapons can affect them. Finally, to destroy a vampire, one must drive a wooden stake through its heart while it lies in its coffin.

Around midnight, the group decides to scope out the bathhouse. Lyra attempts to scale the next-door building but the rain causes her to lose her grip and she falls. Orak appears from his door and asks what is going on. Lyra pretends that she is drunk and her friends are helping her home. Satisfied with that, Orak closes and locks his door. Ash scrambles up the side of an adjacent building and the group takes up hiding places in the vicinity. A few hours later a group of goblins is seen leaving the building. Nodonn takes aim as they walk away, but before he can let off a shot, he is attacked from behind by a man with a rat head. The rest of the group discovers that 3 more of these rat-men had sneaked up on them and combat ensues. Bruinor easily downs one of them and rushes to Selivia's aid, who had thrown her dagger at another and backed away, unarmed. Firing from the roof, Ash's bow shot goes wild and hits Nodonn who was engaged with another. Eventually, Nodonn's opponent is the last standing. He attempts to grab the creature but it changes into a large rat and bites him on the leg. Before it gets away, Nodonn again grabs it and attempts to subdue it. It again changes into humanoid form but is knocked unconscious by a blow to the head. The captive is tied up and the ears of the other ratmen are removed.

The group discusses what they should do next.

The Execution

10 November, 595

Hiring the children proves to be fruitful, as more graffiti is found. Checking out what they have found reveals the following quips in goblinese:

• "As a wolf, Drakthar hunts"
• "Drakthar has bat ears"

Based on these clues, Plenty thinks that this Drakthar person may be a reference to some kind of shapechanger.

The party attends Keygan's execution, which is held in the Lakeside Pavilion, in the center of town. The crowd awaits anxiously and starts to get restless, until Keygan is brought out in shackles and brought to a chopblock. The executioner's axe flies high in the air, and in a single swing, Keygan is no more. His head is presented to the crowd and they cheer boisterously. Plenty hastily makes her way up to the platform before his corpse is carried off, and asks that care of the body be given to her. She takes Keygan's body to the temple of Wee Jas, and there meets Nodonn, who accepts the body and entrusts it to an acolyte of the church.

Not long after, a young cleric approaches Nodonn's sleeping quarters and introduces herself as Selivia. After a few unintentional innuendos, Nodonn discovers that she was sent by Ike Iverson, a high ranking cleric, to assist him in his godly quest. He welcomes the child and tells her to meet up with him after he has rested.

Selivia is introduced to the group and another foray into the city is planned for the evening. This time, one of the groups strikes paydirt, coming across another graffiti in goblin-speak, which says, "Drakthar is dead! Long live Drakthar!" Bruinor and Throckmorten actually encounter a quartet of goblins, but they elude the pair and disappear into the night.

The Trial

9 November, 595

Some of the group decides to attend Keygan's trial, which is held in the town hall. A great crowd is gathered, and when Keygan is brought out in chains he gets many jeers and hisses. The tribunal consists of the arresting officer, the captain of the guard (Skellerang), and Lord Vhalantru, who is filling in for the Lord Mayor. The officer presents the charges and describes how Keygan is found guilty of abetting kidnappers and slavers. When it comes time for the defense to present his case, Keygan chooses to remain silent, putting himself at the mercy of the tribunal. After a brief adjournment, the tribunal reconvenes and Keygan is found guilty. He is to die by public execution on the morn. Upon hearing this, the crowd eruptions in cheers and applause. "The mob has spoken," mutters Bruinor.

That evening the group ventures out again to search for goblins. They also hire some rapscallions to be on the lookout for goblin graffiti and offer them money for any info they can find out. During the course of the night, Plenty comes across some graffiti which she translates as: "Who builds town in volcano? Stupid humans."

About Town

8 November, 595

The next day Throckmorten awakens and is given a letter of invitation to see Terseon Skellerang, the captain of the town guard. Accompanied by Plenty, he pays a visit to the town hall. The captain is a busy man and gets to the point - Cauldron has been terrorized in recent weeks by bands of goblins that have gone amok. They are robbing citizens and leaving their graffiti in various places about town. Captain Skellerang offers the group 5gp per goblin ear if they can find the goblin lair and eradicate the menace. He asks that they keep him informed of the progress when they discover new information.

Meanwhile, Bruinor gets a bit steamed reading the account of their rescue in the Cauldron Chronicle, and heads off to Izzy Brambleshade's (the reporter) house. Not finding her at home, he leaves a message by carving words into her front door: "We need to talk - Bruinor."

When everyone meets back up at the Drunken Morkoth, Throckmorten is introduced to a wild-looking man who has been asking about him. Over a round of drinks, the stranger introduces himself as Ash, a man of the wilderness, and offers his services to the group. His employment is accepted and he is quickly put to work, but not before the group pays a visit to Skie's Treasury, where she provides the identification of the potions that were left with her the day before. After looking around a bit and gawking at the high prices, Ash and Nodonn decide to stake out Keygan's shop. The pair arrive at Keygan's and find members of the guard present, bricking up the secret entrance to Jzadirune on orders of the captain.

Throck and Plenty pay a visit to Keygan in jail, in an attempt to garner some information about the goblin situation. Keygan is distressed about his upcoming trial, and no sympathy is offered to him from his visitors. Keygan does not recall encountering goblins and the two return to the inn.

That night, the group splits into two and patrols the town, but no trace of any goblins are found.

Sweet Prickles

7 November, 595
Part One

The next day the party is surprised to find two members of the town guard inside Keygan's shop. One of them introduces himself as Skylar Krewis. He explains that Keygan was arrested and taken off to jail, and they were sent to guard the entrance to the underground ruins to make sure nothing else comes out. Certain members of the party take an immediate dislike to Skylar and are offended that he would imply that they need help guarding the shop. But Plenty stands up for him and agrees that he is just doing his job.

Back to the Malachite Fortress, where the group investigates a room containing an iron chest bound in chains, guarded by a pair of fleshy bloblike creatures. The creatures are eerie in that they have human heads and torsos, but an amorphous lower section. As soon as Bruinor enters the room, the creatures move to attack. They are lured outside the room and a melee is fought in the hallway. One of the blobs falls, and the other explodes into a bloody mess after the dwarf's axe carves through it. Plenty and Nodonn are showered in the disgusting bits from the creatures. The trunk is found to be locked, and Bruinor's axe cannot effectively cut through the chains.

The party opens the door to a large chamber containing braziers in the shape of large ovoid creatures with mouths on the top of their bodies. There is also the statue of a dwarven warrior wrapped in a mass of chains, which end in spiked barbs and blades. The statue has a pair of gems for eyes.

After moving through several empty rooms the party comes to a large room occupied by a several suspicious characters. A dark-skinned dwarfish creature appears to be negotiating with a larger hulking figure in black plate armor over the sale of 4 children, 3 of which are chained to a post, and the other is attacked to a chain held by the figure in black. A large catlike creature with nasty looking quills is standing on a raised section of the room, looking menacing.

When the door is opened, the large figure looks over and asks if they are the ones that have been killing off his hobgoblins. Plenty steps into the room and tells him that the "Party of the Bloody Mess" are here to take the children back. She offers to meet the other's offer, and during the conversation, they learn his name is Kazomgen, and his client is Pyllrak. Kazmogen says that considering the damage they have done to him already, he cannot let them go for more than 100 gold appiece. Realizing that the party cannot meet this, Plenty breaks off the negotiations. To that, Kazmogen smiles and turns to the beast on the staircase, telling it, "Prickles... attack!"

Prickles snarls, and comes tumbling into Plenty, ripping at her with its teeth and leaving several quills embedded in her body. The others rush in to join the battle. Pyllrak disappears into thin air, not wanting anything to do with the battle. Kazmogen, though, seems to be enjoying himself, as he swings his large axe around at those who engage him. Both Nodonn and Plenty succomb to Prickles' spiny charges, and Bruinor falls the other's axe blows. In a bind, Throckmorten decides to heal Bruinor, then uses a special monk move on Kazmogen, stunning him long enough for Bruinor to grab his weapon away from him and Lyra performs the finishing blow. Afterwards, the group is able to focus on Prickles and cuts the creature down. To everyone's horror, Kazmogen's wounds start to close up and he rises to his feet. Another blow by Lyra sends him back to the ground and Bruinor uses the creature's own axe to cleave his head off. Kazmogen no longer moves after that. After looking around they see that the set of double doors is ajar and they realize that Pyllrak has escaped. The children are rescued and they learn that there are several others that are being held prisoner in another part of the complex.

It is at that moment when a floating orb with a huge mouth and central eye, and several other eyestalks protruding from its head, materializes out of nowhere and announces that it will take the boy Terrem and return him to the orphanage. Plenty and Lyra stand in the way, but they are both hit with a ray from one of the eyestalks, causing them to move in slow-motion. The monster reaches the boy and they immediately disappear, leaving the others in shock. It is decided to bring the children home before attempting to rescue the remaining prisoners.

Before they leave, Plenty takes an axe to the chest again, this time with success. A few potions are taken from the chest and the group makes their way back up to the surface. Bruinor makes sure to carry the head of Kazmogen with him. Skylar is excited to see that the children have been rescued, and leads everyone in a procession back to the Temple of St. Cuthbert. The group is perturbed by the sergeant's impertinence, and voices their displeasure on many accounts.

At the temple, Jenya welcomes the children back and thanks the group for their effort, giving them the reward, as promised. She speculates that the creature that disappeared with Terrem was a beholder, and Plenty seems to confirm this thought. The bard pays a visit to the Lantern Street Orphanage and finds that Terrem was returned safely, by a mysterious woman in a dark veil. The children are returned to the orphange and the group prepares for another trip to the underground.

The "Bloody Mess" encounter a group of 4 hobgoblins. They are taken aback at first by Bruinor's flaunting of the head of Kazmogen, but regain their senses and attack. 2 are slain and the other 2 disappear behind a door. They move to another room where they encounter another pair of hobgoblins standing guard over an old man bound and slumped over in the corner. During the battle, two more hobgoblins rush through a door, and a large dark-skinned hobgoblin with one arm joins the fray. The party prevails, though Lyra takes a good beating. The man introduces himself as Sulaman, one of the "greatest wizards in Cauldron", and not shy about expressing his desire to leave this place. In the other room a lady named Coryston Pike is removed from a torture chair, and she is also in bad shape. The heroes free 4 others from their holding cells in another room, the most interesting of them being a 20-something human by the name of Krylscar. The former guard ends up getting in a fist-fight with Bruinor and makes a pass at Plenty. Plenty and Throckmorten are quick to put him in his place (with much physical coersion), and keep a close eye on him. Everyone is brought back to the surface and the Temple of St. Cuthbert agrees to tend to the prisoners until they recover.

After a good meal and warm baths, Bruinor sells Kazmogen's axe, and the group heads to Skies' Treasury in the hopes of getting their potions identified. They are introduced to Skie, a friendly female gnome, and former adventurer. She is eager to hear all sorts of stories but offers to identify the lot of potions for 125gp, which would be ready by the next day. She delights in hearing the name of the fledgling group, "The Party of the Bloody Mess."

A Noble Introduction

6 November, 595
Part Two

Sitting in the jail cell, Nodonn and Bruinor are visited by the Captain of the Guard, Terseon Skellerang, and one of the highest profile nobles in Cauldron, Lord Vhalantru. Skellerang asks to hear their side of things and finds out that they are involved in the search for the missing children. He starts to interrogate them about what they have discovered so far, how Keygan was involved, etc., until Vhalantru stops him and suggests that they be freed to continue the search. Terseon seems to soften to this and agrees to let them free as long as 1) they agree not to destroy any more public property, and 2) they agree to meet with him later to hear about a potential task he has in mind. Nodonn and Bruinor agree to this and they are let free. When asked about Fario and Felian, who claimed to be working for the Mayor's office, neither Skellerang nor Vhalantru gives any sign that they have heard of them or have any association with the city officials. Vhalantru thanks them for the work they have done thus far and wishes them good luck.

Meanwhile, the rest of the party is healed at the Temple of Wee Jas. Off to St. Cuthbert where an audience with Jenya is sought. She is asked about the recently deceased half-elves but she has not heard of them either. She finds it very disturbing that some other party may have taken an interest in finding the children. Asked about Vhalantru, she explains that he is one of the main benefactors behind the funding for the search, and much of his money is going toward the reward that is offered. She says that she is not surprised about the lack of help being offered from the city guard; this is why she sought to seek out private groups like them to look for the orphans.

The group decides to rest for the remainder of the day and meet back at Keygan's in the morning.

Hobgoblins!

6 November, 595
Part One

The next morning our heroes meet back at Keygan's shop and continue exploring the malachite dungeon. Plenty's secret door is investigated and it leads to a secret armory, containing a number of weapons, and pieces of armor. Plenty and Fario don new sets of banded mail, and Nodonn claims a set of plate mail, which is hauled up to Keygan's for safe-keeping.

Both the ogre's den and the armory is searched and a secret door is found which leads into a forge. Lyra sneaks into the large room and finds it occupied by 2 halflings and a female dwarf, working as slaves, and a guard consisting of 3 goblins and 4 hobgoblins. Lyra attempts to sneak up on the goblins but gives away her presence. The goblins rush to swarm her and she is soon joined by her comrades. In the ensuing battle several are severely wounded and Felian is slain. After the conflict, Fario grieves for his fallen friend and begs to return to the surface to attend to his corpse. It is agreed and the prisoners are brought to the temple of St. Cuthbert for an interview with Jenya, while Fario goes off with Felian's body.

Jenya questions both the prisoners and the party members about the missing children, and Keyan Gehlve's role in things. She says that Keygan should be dealt with when this is all over, but that he should not be interfered with until after the children are found. Jenya agrees to have the members of the party healed on the condition that they return to the search right away, as time is clearly of the essence.

The group returns to the forge area and decides to investigate one of the doors in the room. The door opens into a hallway, and Lyra sneals out to explore it. She spies two figures around the corner, but can't make out much more in the dark. Bruinor goes to look and confirms 2 hobgoblins standing guard in front of a set of double doors. Throckmorten casts a light spell on one of the guards, momentarily blinding them both. The party then rushes the two while Nodonn and Lyra hang back. One is slain but the other manages to get off two critical actions before he falls. First, he pulls a lever activating a spike pit trap. Lyra is nimble enough to avoid the trap but Nodonn falls gracelessly onto the spikes. The second thing the creature does is bang a warning on the doors. Unfortunately for Lyra she is caught on the other side of the trap when 4 more hobgoblins come springing out of another room. Plenty makes a running jump but misjudges the distance and falls down into the pit with Nodonn. Bruinor thinks quickly and closes the trap door, allowing the hobgoblins to run over the trap, at which point he pulls the lever again, trapping 2 of them down in the pit. Plenty and Nodonn make short work of the unlucky ones. In the meantime more hobgoblins start entering the hallway, overwhelming the party. Their only exit cut off, the group has no option but to fight to the death. Nodonn helps Plenty out of the trap, but he is subdued by javelins thrown by the hobgoblins on the other side. Plenty and Bruinor go down, but Bruinor is revived and plays a key role in the outcome of the battle. Fario is cut down by an axe before the group finally wins out. Checking their losses, the fallen in the group are healed, except for Fario, who is a lost cause.

The bodies are pillaged and the team once again returns to the surface. Throckmorten takes Fario's corpse to the temple of Wee Jas for burial. Nodonn and Bruinor head to the mayor's office to find out who should be notified about the deaths of Fario and Felian. The receptionist is not immediately helpful, telling them that the mayor is not available at this time. Bruinor blows a gasket and uses his axe to turn the administrator's desk into firewood. The scared receptionist calls out for the guard, who immediately come and arrest Bruinor and Nodonn, after a short confrontation. The two are put into a holding cell and left alone...

Descent Into the Malachite Fortress

5 November, 595
Part Two

After disposing of Jimmy's remains, our heroes reequip themselves and prepare for another foray into the ruins. When they arrive at Keygan's shop, they find a pair of half-elves waiting for them. The newcomers introduce themselves as Fario Ellegoth, and Felian Shard, sent by the mayor's office to help in the investigation of the missing children. Fario is an expert with a sword, and Felian is a cleric of Fharlanghn.

Descending the staircase, the group decides to investigate the secret doorways found on one of the landings. Lyra turns a nearby sconce counterclockwise, and the lower stairs collapse into a ramp, sending Nodonn and Felian tumbling down into the mask room. Felian seems a bit bruised but dusts himself off and climbs back up the staircase. Lyra turns the sconce the other way and the door opens into a short corrider. Bruinor inspects the end of the passage and finds another hidden door. As Lyra attempts to open it the floor underneath her gives way, and she jumps back in time to avoid falling into a pit trap filled with bubbling acid, holding onto Bruinor's beard for dear life.

The torch sconce is fiddled with again in the hopes that the pit trap will close, but this has no effect, apart from sending Nodonn hurtling down into the mask room again. Lyra finds that she is able to disable the trap by closing the far door and jamming it shut with a dagger. The second door is opened to reveal an elevator platform populated by a pair of hobgoblins. The foes get off a few javelin tosses, then melee ensues, and the hobgoblin threat is removed. Afterward, another secret door is found to lead to a room featuring a lever in one of the walls. After some experimenting, it is discovered that the lever enables and disables the acid pit trap on the other side of the wall. The group takes up position around the elevator and Plenty pulls the switch, sending them down into the depths of the Malachite Fortress.

They come out into a room with a pair of empty cages and a stone statue from which protrude several tendrils ending in crystalized spikes. Nodonn whacks at the thing and it springs to life, swinging its tendrils about threateningly. The statue is surrounded and defeated fairly quickly. At the same time, a large brutish humanoid emerges from a door shouting "More carrion for my larder!" and joins the fray with his ridiculously large falchion. The creature is surrounded and takes blow after blow from the party, but holds his ground while dropping both Throckmorten and Plenty each with one swing of his sword. Fario also takes a severe beating but remains on his feet. It's Bruinor's axe which slices through his abdomen that fells the foul creature. The fallen party members are revived, and the beast's filthy "larder" is explored. A chest is found which contains a couple of thousand silver pieces, two deep green spinel gems, and a fungi flask containing some kind of magical potion. Plenty finds a secret door which leads down a long passage, but the group decides to head back up to the surface to recover after a hard battle.

The party pays a visit to the temple of Wee Jas, and their wounds are attended to. The members of the party then part ways and rest for the remainder of the night.