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."
Sunday, February 24, 2008
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.
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.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
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...
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.
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.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
A Violent End
5 November, 595
Part One
Heading back into the ruins, the group decides to explore more of the tunnel in the same area they had left. Jimmy, moving stealthily down the hallways, comes upon a pair of snoozing "tall ones." He jumps into the room and attempts to hypnotize the pair. One apparently succombs to the trance, but the other rushes at the magician with rapier raised. Nodonn charges into the room and prompty runs into a wall. Jimmy casts a spell which stuns the two foes for several vital seconds, during which time Nodonn and Bruinor wrestle with them on the ground. Finding the situation hopeless, the two creatures throw down their weapons and surrender to the group.
This time our heroes are more merciful, attempting to communicate with the beings. They can not speak nor understand their language, but when Bruinor speaks in Gnomish, one seems to understand. He indicates that he would lead the group to the children if they would let them go.
Following the two creatures, the group is taken to the wooden barricade they had discovered previously. Bruinor cuts down the makeshift wall with his axe, and the two creatures bolt, attempting to flee. One is felled by a few arrows in the back, but the other escapes into the darkness.
Enterring the room, they discover a large workshop, with two large balconies and a huge gear suspended from a high vaulted ceiling. Lyra decides to explore one of the balconies, and Jimmy scrambles up the other. As he looks around, Jimmy is attacked by a large brain-shaped creature with dangling tentacles hovering in the air. Attempting to flee down the stairs, he is struck by one of the arms and paralyzed in place. While the creature wraps its tentacles about Jimmy, other members of the group attempt to get in position to attack. Lyra and Plenty hurl daggers while Nodonn shoots arrows at the beast. With a lack of ranged weapons, the group is unable to save Jimmy from becoming the breakfast of the creature. Getting greedy and with the taste of blood in its beak, it makes a run at Nodonn. Lyra heroically leaps from the balcony in an attempt to land on the back of the creature. Unfortunately, she misjudges her jump, and ends up with a splat on the ground. Throck's healing spell returns her to form. Bruinor's axe and Plenty's scimitar prove to be the bane of the creature as it drops to the ground in a heap of quivering membrane.
Nodonn attempts to cut the great beast open and the foul creature makes him wretch, but alas, poor Jimmy has been devoured in the most gruesome way, and only pieces of him are found in the belly. After saying a touching prayer for Jimmy's soul, the group searches the room and finds an expertly made dagger set with a compartment in its hilt, along with a few potions.
The remains of Jimmy's corpse are brought up for the final time, and he is taken to the Church of Wee Jas for burial. However, on the way out, Bruinor spots a well-hidden door on the stairway up to Keygan's shop. So obscured is this portal that the group had passed it numerous times before it was noticed. As the sun continues its ascent into the sky, the group ponders on what to do next, and how to proceed in this search that has now claimed one of their lives.
Part One
Heading back into the ruins, the group decides to explore more of the tunnel in the same area they had left. Jimmy, moving stealthily down the hallways, comes upon a pair of snoozing "tall ones." He jumps into the room and attempts to hypnotize the pair. One apparently succombs to the trance, but the other rushes at the magician with rapier raised. Nodonn charges into the room and prompty runs into a wall. Jimmy casts a spell which stuns the two foes for several vital seconds, during which time Nodonn and Bruinor wrestle with them on the ground. Finding the situation hopeless, the two creatures throw down their weapons and surrender to the group.
This time our heroes are more merciful, attempting to communicate with the beings. They can not speak nor understand their language, but when Bruinor speaks in Gnomish, one seems to understand. He indicates that he would lead the group to the children if they would let them go.
Following the two creatures, the group is taken to the wooden barricade they had discovered previously. Bruinor cuts down the makeshift wall with his axe, and the two creatures bolt, attempting to flee. One is felled by a few arrows in the back, but the other escapes into the darkness.
Enterring the room, they discover a large workshop, with two large balconies and a huge gear suspended from a high vaulted ceiling. Lyra decides to explore one of the balconies, and Jimmy scrambles up the other. As he looks around, Jimmy is attacked by a large brain-shaped creature with dangling tentacles hovering in the air. Attempting to flee down the stairs, he is struck by one of the arms and paralyzed in place. While the creature wraps its tentacles about Jimmy, other members of the group attempt to get in position to attack. Lyra and Plenty hurl daggers while Nodonn shoots arrows at the beast. With a lack of ranged weapons, the group is unable to save Jimmy from becoming the breakfast of the creature. Getting greedy and with the taste of blood in its beak, it makes a run at Nodonn. Lyra heroically leaps from the balcony in an attempt to land on the back of the creature. Unfortunately, she misjudges her jump, and ends up with a splat on the ground. Throck's healing spell returns her to form. Bruinor's axe and Plenty's scimitar prove to be the bane of the creature as it drops to the ground in a heap of quivering membrane.
Nodonn attempts to cut the great beast open and the foul creature makes him wretch, but alas, poor Jimmy has been devoured in the most gruesome way, and only pieces of him are found in the belly. After saying a touching prayer for Jimmy's soul, the group searches the room and finds an expertly made dagger set with a compartment in its hilt, along with a few potions.
The remains of Jimmy's corpse are brought up for the final time, and he is taken to the Church of Wee Jas for burial. However, on the way out, Bruinor spots a well-hidden door on the stairway up to Keygan's shop. So obscured is this portal that the group had passed it numerous times before it was noticed. As the sun continues its ascent into the sky, the group ponders on what to do next, and how to proceed in this search that has now claimed one of their lives.
Trapped Like a Rat
4 November, 595
Part Three
After given healing by Throckmorten, Jimmy is still feeling the detrimental affects of the poison. It is decided to return to the surface and pay a visit to the Temple of St. Cuthbert. Jenya agrees to cure the poison for a reduced price, and the group also purchases some potions, cashing in on the blue spinel gem that was found.
After a private chat with Jenya, Joseph learns that he is to be sent on an urgent mission to Sasserine immediately, and needs to leave the group that day. Brisk also learns that he has some important family business to take care of, as one of his relatives in Hollowsky has fallen ill.
The group decides to have a quick meal (provided gratis, thanks to Plenty's music and Jimmy's hypnotic spell), then head back to the gnome ruins. Before reentering, the group hears from behind the keysmith's shop curtain a debate between Keygan and someone who had entered the shop. Moments later, the curtain parts to reveal a well-groomed elf garbed in chainmail, bearing the religious symbol of Wee Jas. The elf introduces himself as Nodonn, and states that he has learned of the activities through a revelation from his goddess. She has directed him to them to aid in the search for the lost children.
Now 6 in number, the group ventures back into the ruins. Returning to the room behind the ajar "A" door in the mask room, they come to a tunnel ending with a stone ladder leading up to a hole in the ceiling. Poking his head through, Jimmy is swiped by something sharp. He immediately leaps down and warns the rest of the group. Nodonn leaps up the hole with his sword at the ready and finds himself in an empty room. A quick search of the small room reveals a hidden door. Opening the door, Jimmy moves into the room and is immediately ambushed by another "tall one." Stepping over Jimmy's fallen body, Nodonn enters the room and engages the creature. He is quickly joined by Bruinor and Lyra. Finding himself surrounded, the creature throws his arms up and shouts something in an unknown language, but is met by the merciless answer of steel. Bruinor's axe carves a fine arc through his midsection, and it is Lyra's sword through his back which finishes him off.
Found in the room are several chests and a cage containing a rat with a white starry patch on his head. Plenty grabs the cage, and Bruinor takes to smashing chests. After finding some loot among the smashed remains, the group drags the beaten body of Jimmy out of the ruins. The rat (Starbrow) is presented to Keygan and he is overcome with joy to be reunited with his companion.
Off to the temple again and this time an assistant cleric helps with the healing, and the rogue decides to purchase some additional healing potions. By this time it was dark and everyone decides to get a night's rest before embarking on another expedition.
Part Three
After given healing by Throckmorten, Jimmy is still feeling the detrimental affects of the poison. It is decided to return to the surface and pay a visit to the Temple of St. Cuthbert. Jenya agrees to cure the poison for a reduced price, and the group also purchases some potions, cashing in on the blue spinel gem that was found.
After a private chat with Jenya, Joseph learns that he is to be sent on an urgent mission to Sasserine immediately, and needs to leave the group that day. Brisk also learns that he has some important family business to take care of, as one of his relatives in Hollowsky has fallen ill.
The group decides to have a quick meal (provided gratis, thanks to Plenty's music and Jimmy's hypnotic spell), then head back to the gnome ruins. Before reentering, the group hears from behind the keysmith's shop curtain a debate between Keygan and someone who had entered the shop. Moments later, the curtain parts to reveal a well-groomed elf garbed in chainmail, bearing the religious symbol of Wee Jas. The elf introduces himself as Nodonn, and states that he has learned of the activities through a revelation from his goddess. She has directed him to them to aid in the search for the lost children.
Now 6 in number, the group ventures back into the ruins. Returning to the room behind the ajar "A" door in the mask room, they come to a tunnel ending with a stone ladder leading up to a hole in the ceiling. Poking his head through, Jimmy is swiped by something sharp. He immediately leaps down and warns the rest of the group. Nodonn leaps up the hole with his sword at the ready and finds himself in an empty room. A quick search of the small room reveals a hidden door. Opening the door, Jimmy moves into the room and is immediately ambushed by another "tall one." Stepping over Jimmy's fallen body, Nodonn enters the room and engages the creature. He is quickly joined by Bruinor and Lyra. Finding himself surrounded, the creature throws his arms up and shouts something in an unknown language, but is met by the merciless answer of steel. Bruinor's axe carves a fine arc through his midsection, and it is Lyra's sword through his back which finishes him off.
Found in the room are several chests and a cage containing a rat with a white starry patch on his head. Plenty grabs the cage, and Bruinor takes to smashing chests. After finding some loot among the smashed remains, the group drags the beaten body of Jimmy out of the ruins. The rat (Starbrow) is presented to Keygan and he is overcome with joy to be reunited with his companion.
Off to the temple again and this time an assistant cleric helps with the healing, and the rogue decides to purchase some additional healing potions. By this time it was dark and everyone decides to get a night's rest before embarking on another expedition.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Baptism of fire
4 November, 595
Part Two
The party retreats to the chamber with the masks to discuss what is to be done next. While they are talking they are surprised when a figure slips out from the shadow of the stairway and offers to attempt to open the locked door. He introduces himself as Jimmy, and explains that an anonymous benefactor sent him to help the group recover the missing children.
After introductions are exchanged, Jimmy gets to work on the lock. To everyone's disappointment, he finds the lock too complicated for his limited lock picking experience. From there the group decides to explore the open passage to the west.
A long hallway with several long doors is explored, and at one end Jimmy falls into a spiked pit. The pit shakes him around a bit, and the others manage to fish him out in one piece. At the other end of the hallway a secret door is discovered, leading to a laboratory left in shambles. Approaching the center of the room, a strange pile of rags jumps to life and attempts to wrap itself around Bruinor. The party attacks with sword and torch, but it is Plenty's blade which manages to free Bruinor likely in the nick of time.
After this the party decides to return to the surface for rest. Some party members opt to remain to guard the shop while the others return to the comfort of the inn. Later in the day Keygan arrives at the shop and inquires about the progress of the expedition. He offers a warm breakfast and then proceeds to open his shop back up for business. The rest of the group meets back up at the shop and another expedition is planned.
A rough passageway is explored, which leads to an odd-shaped room with a husk of what appears to be some large mechanical device. Exploring this room, the party is ambushed by another rag creature, this one apparently wrapped around and in control of a skulk. Both the skulk and the rags are disposed of, an the party procedes into a large room containing an object hidden under a sheet. The sheet is removed and reveals a mechanical beast embossed with gnomish runes. Brisk attempts to climb the device and it whirrs to life, attacking the party. After a gruelling battle, the automaton is defeated. Brisk speculates that the device must be powered by a valuable gem. Sure enough, Jimmy finds a hidden compartment in the remains and produces a beautiful spinel gem.
The party continues exploration of a passageway and finds alcoves with strange machines lining the walls. At the end of the hallway is a makeshift barracade, constructed of wooden beams.
Jimmy scouts out one of the smaller passages and encounters a room completely filled with an eerie mist. He enters the room and manages to stir up a group of large carniverous centipedes. Beating a fighting retreat, the party regroups in the large room and defeats the insects, but not before Jimmy collapses after having being bitten several times. His body is sweating profusely and some members of the party suspect that poisonous toxins are coarsing through his body.
Part Two
The party retreats to the chamber with the masks to discuss what is to be done next. While they are talking they are surprised when a figure slips out from the shadow of the stairway and offers to attempt to open the locked door. He introduces himself as Jimmy, and explains that an anonymous benefactor sent him to help the group recover the missing children.
After introductions are exchanged, Jimmy gets to work on the lock. To everyone's disappointment, he finds the lock too complicated for his limited lock picking experience. From there the group decides to explore the open passage to the west.
A long hallway with several long doors is explored, and at one end Jimmy falls into a spiked pit. The pit shakes him around a bit, and the others manage to fish him out in one piece. At the other end of the hallway a secret door is discovered, leading to a laboratory left in shambles. Approaching the center of the room, a strange pile of rags jumps to life and attempts to wrap itself around Bruinor. The party attacks with sword and torch, but it is Plenty's blade which manages to free Bruinor likely in the nick of time.
After this the party decides to return to the surface for rest. Some party members opt to remain to guard the shop while the others return to the comfort of the inn. Later in the day Keygan arrives at the shop and inquires about the progress of the expedition. He offers a warm breakfast and then proceeds to open his shop back up for business. The rest of the group meets back up at the shop and another expedition is planned.
A rough passageway is explored, which leads to an odd-shaped room with a husk of what appears to be some large mechanical device. Exploring this room, the party is ambushed by another rag creature, this one apparently wrapped around and in control of a skulk. Both the skulk and the rags are disposed of, an the party procedes into a large room containing an object hidden under a sheet. The sheet is removed and reveals a mechanical beast embossed with gnomish runes. Brisk attempts to climb the device and it whirrs to life, attacking the party. After a gruelling battle, the automaton is defeated. Brisk speculates that the device must be powered by a valuable gem. Sure enough, Jimmy finds a hidden compartment in the remains and produces a beautiful spinel gem.
The party continues exploration of a passageway and finds alcoves with strange machines lining the walls. At the end of the hallway is a makeshift barracade, constructed of wooden beams.
Jimmy scouts out one of the smaller passages and encounters a room completely filled with an eerie mist. He enters the room and manages to stir up a group of large carniverous centipedes. Beating a fighting retreat, the party regroups in the large room and defeats the insects, but not before Jimmy collapses after having being bitten several times. His body is sweating profusely and some members of the party suspect that poisonous toxins are coarsing through his body.
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