Correl: An Element of Origin

[MarauderX]

Session 6

The following morning Golthar has a discussion with the group and trades a horse from them for a gold ring with an opal. He wishes the party well, and promises to stick around for a few more days to possibly talk with Dian about Eastern etiquette. Without much delay, the group packs up and sets off to find any survivors of the goblin attacks.

Not sure of where to start, the group of four headed to the lumber camp of Ilyakana to search for clues. While the old trail of goblins and prisoners leads off to the south, it is not long into the day before it becomes tough to follow. Backtracking often and spreading out to look for more clues, Jerrin leads the way through the woods to the south. After several days of slow tracking, it becomes apparent that the trail may have been lost, and at the end of the day a consensus has been reached to travel south until they reach the trail that led to the horse ‘traders’.

Seeing the trail, the group headed east to the empty site, and it is not long before Jerrin mutters that he must go and will be back shortly. He disappears into the woods while the others tether their horses. Jerrin soon hustles back and says that he will be gone for the night and will return in the morning.

*****

The dawn arrived with Jerrin bringing a new friend named He’Lander, and elf with shaggy tan hair and muddied clothes. His bare feet and calves showed that he was used to surviving alone in the woods for long periods. He’Lander silently motions the way, and Jerrin explains that his mentor, He’Lander, has discovered one of the goblin hideouts and will lead them to it. Wasting no time He’Lander darts off along the trail, not waiting for the others to pack their horses.

After two days of traveling, He’Lander leads the group to a fast flowing river. He takes them downstream for a while until they come to a point where the river is wide and slow, then wades in before inquiring whether Jerrin will be ok to cross. His shows little concern for the welfare of the others, though he does make sure they all cross before sprinting into the woods again.

At the end of the day He’Lander explains to Jerrin that he will be headed north soon to alert others to what has befallen the area. He instructs Jerrin to follow his markings left behind which should lead to the goblin hideout. He’Lander then heads north briskly as the sun disappears from the sky.

*****

Jerrin follows the path laid out to him by He’Lander easily, and after a day of travel approximates the distance to the goblins as being 4-6 hours away. Deciding not to venture on to face their foes in the dark, the group stops to rest for the night to approach the goblin camp during the day.

Jerrin warns the others that they are getting close and perhaps they could start scanning the area ahead for the goblins. Four hundred yards from He’Lander’s marking the group spots a small clearing near a hill to the west. Entering the grove, they spot a hole that goes into the hillside with a door. Alex nears the door, where he can clearly see it has an intricate depiction of a curved blade painted red several times over. The door stands ajar, and a breeze makes it swing slightly. Alex motioned to the others just as he heard a leathery rustling beyond the door. Craning his neck to see inside, Alex heard the noise again, just as four large insects buzz out to attack!

A fierce battle ensued, with Alex losing much of his blood before nearly passing out. Nine of the large insects had attacked, trying to clamp on to a victim and suck his blood, and only one of them managed to fly to safety. Helping Alex, the group backed away from the grove to the safety of the trees to rest.

 

[MarauderX]

Session 7: Red-blade goblin hideout

The group was interrupted by He’Lander, as he dragged an emaciated goblin with him to confront them. He’Lander exchanged words with Jerrin mostly, and left the goblin with them to deal with as they wish, and it was determined she might prove useful to find the Viper goblin lair once they got closer to it. Thovaas recalled her name as Veega and she refused to acknowledge this, evidently traumatized from being lost in the forest and scared by He’Lander.

After traveling a day to the west to rest safely, then a day back to the hideout, the group managed to recover much of their lost stamina from the stirges. Surveying the outside of the cave opening once more, Jerrin possessed a rock with light and handed it to Alex, who tossed the light inside. The stench of goblins was thick, and the air was stale as they entered.

They could see a room down the rough-hewn corridor, and they proceeded to enter it, looking upward for any more stirges that might be roosting on the arched ceiling. In the room they could see two doors that loosely hung in front of two tunnels, and Alex maneuvered the rock to see underneath each door to see the tunnels beyond.

Choosing one, they followed it to a larger cave-like room, with refuse and broken items of all types. Approaching a door on the other side of the room, Alex stopped to peer into an attached room beyond when he heard something behind the door. As he was about to move, goblins burst out from behind the door to attack. Dian darted forward and disarmed one of them several times as Thovaas surged forward to draw the attention of their leader, Ghnass. Alex and Thovaas struck Ghnass several times as he connected several times with his battle axe. Jerrin and his companion ventured into the fray to strike down another goblin as Thovaas ended Ghnass’s days. Several more were dropped, and the rest retreated behind the door they had emerged from.

Taking a moment to catch their breath, the group formulated a plan to go after them. Alex examined Ghnass’s body, took his trademark tattered red cape and handed Thovaas the large battle axe.
Thovaas then swung the door open wide to pursue them and was immediately bombarded as missiles zipped by him. Pausing to thank Heroneous for not getting hit, Thovaas strode forward to slay them. Soon the group had piled through, except Jerrin, as they drove down the four remaining goblins. Turning to the adjacent room, they were met by five female goblins, the tallest of whom wore a gold bracelet. Leaving them alone for the moment they moved on.

Alex led the way, senses alert for any swarms of rats, as they were a constant annoyance darting here and there. Alex saw the tunnel turn, and also a heavy, thick iron-bound door. Faintly he heard something thud against it, and out squeezed a rat from underneath the door. Scanning the lock plate Alex could smell an odor worse than the goblins. With the others positioned behind him, he fumbled and then opened the lock to the door. Pulling it open, they were all hit by a smell worse than any they had ever experienced, and all winced but none were overcome. Scanning inside, they saw rotted garbage and all manner of defecation. Then something at the side moved.

Two spiked tentacles emerged first, then the large bulbous body crested and filth poured from it to reveal rows of teeth to a mouth nearly as wide as its body. Seeing the monstrosity struggling forth to get to them, Alex shut the door closed and locked it just as the creature slammed its massive weight against the door. Dian and the others breathed a sigh of relief.

They pressed on to discover a few more deserted rooms, and then stumbled upon some large terra cotta vases filled with a mysterious liquid. Pouring some out, they recognized it as a highly fermented wine, undrinkable to any normal man.

The group made their way to another locked room, and Alex popped the lock open to reveal a tall, conical shaped room with a fire pit in the middle. At the top they could see sunlight peaking through a small hole at the top. On the wall they saw a large tapestry of a red dragon in battle. Alex took the tapestry down and rolled it up, and the rest checked the room for any other items of value. Seeing none, they decided to formulate a plan to deal with the creature in the rubbish filled room.

Thovaas brought a wine-filled terra cotta jar to the door of the garbage filled room to see if the creature would drink the contents and become inebriated. Pulling the door open, they saw it was again in the murky pool on the other side of the room, and they hurriedly placed the jar inside and closed the door. Hearing the jar break, they were unsure whether it had drunk the wine or just broken the jar. Alex locked the door once again as its tendrils scrapped the other side. Trying again, Thovaas placed the second jar inside the door – only this time the creature was ready and standing close by. See that the creature was going to pounce on the surprised paladin, Jerrin summoned up a wind to keep it at bay while the jar was placed. It worked, and Thovaas managed to jump out of the doorway just as the door slammed shut, but the burst of wind knocked the jar over and they could hear the wine as it flushed onto the ground.

Thovaas went to grab another jar, and while he was in the other room, the creature flung itself at the door – and it flew open, much to everyone’s surprise. Alex cursed himself for not locked the door again, and the beast filled the doorway while its tentacles launched themselves at Alex. Dian called for Thovaas to return, and soon battle was joined.

Jerrin brought forth a bear behind the thing, and it rained down punishing blows to its backside. Alex stood his ground and took several staggering hits as he guided his rapier to an opening in its armor-like skin. Thovaas arrived in time to launch an attack as the summoned bear roared and clobbered it again and again. Soon enough the beast was down, and the group savored their victory.

Searching the room, they managed to find a small cubby hole near the door where a small yellow chest with copper straps was hidden. Investigating the hole, Alex saw that there was a crude trap to prevent the unwary from simply seizing the box and dragging it out. Chipping the trap away, Alex pulled the chest free as the others completed a quick scan of the garbage-strewn room. Deciding to leave before opening the chest the group emerged to a sunlit day to see that Veega had crawled up into a tree to observe what she could from a safe vantage point.

Retrieving the horses, the group headed west towards the homestead once more. They rested the night about a half-day’s journey from the river they crossed, and proceeded to it the next day. Crossing at the same point they had been with He’Lander, they made their way towards the homestead for one more day.

 

[MarauderX]

Session 8: Finding Snakes in Their Hole - Viper Lair

With mixed feelings of victory, the group made their way back to the homestead uneventfully. There they find another group of four refugees has arrived after they had stopped by the Ilyakana lumber camp just a day or so ago. Leading them there was a man of few words named Cyprian. Though he was very competent in the forest, his demeanor was matter of fact when speaking. Seeing the burning for revenge in his eyes, Alex, Thovaas and Jerrin invited him to join them as they hunted down the remaining two goblin tribes in search of any human prisoners. Di’an on the other hand, seemed to distance himself from the others.

Ptyor told them how he had heard the side of the story from the aledged horse traders and how the goblins threatened their lives. With sympathy in his heart, Pyotr gave them more freedom to eat meals and enjoy their company while they were there. The others immediately reproved him, reminding him that she and her henchman were still dangerous and should be confined to their room. Reflecting, Pyotr cursed himself for letting his guard go lax, and followed their advice to lock them securely what used to be the emergency store room.

When Pyotr returned the others explained the current situation to Cyprian and updated Pyotr on what they had found at the Red-Blade hideout. Jerrin presented evidence that Pyotr’s brother Stephan might still be alive, and showed a rust-colored hair, nearly the same shade as Pyotr’s, as proof. His mouth hanging open, the big man clasped the small druid with renewed hope and then asked tentatively if the party was going to continue their search for him. Reassuring him, the group then ate a full warm meal before falling to sleep.

The group also learned that Golthar, the rich man from the Order of Sindacalista, had bought the eastern tapestry from Pyotr as well as several horses before he left to go east.

Di’an then explained that he felt he would find opportunities elsewhere, and that seeking to recover those captured and exacting revenge on the other goblin tribes was not as noble a task as when he first started out. Needing to fulfill his own destiny, Di’an left the next day before anyone awoke, and did not take a horse with him.

With Cyprian in the lead, the group left the next morning intent on finding the Wolfskull base, as it was most likely the location of where any prisoners would be found. Following tracks more than a week old, Cyprian led the group away from the main path to follow the tracks through the forest.

*****

After traveling for several days through the thick of the forest they rested in the wilderness another night, the forest canopy blocking out most of the star-strewn sky. Before the night ended, Jerrin heard a terrible crashing through the woods. He could distinguish that it was a humanoid, and a large one at that, that was headed towards them. Without hesitation he awoke the others and they all took defensive positions around the horses.

Being able to make out the location of the hulking man by sound, Alex pursued him closely, following his every move. Thovaas called out to him, and soon he introduced himself as Martin. Martin then tried to tie one of the horses to a stake in the ground, then walked placidly over to another horse as he tried to pry how many companions Thovaas had with him. As Martin grabbed the reins from another of the party’s three horses, Jerrin spoke abruptly and startled Martin from the idea of riding away with it. Eventually they persuaded the lummox to seek adventure elsewhere without them, and coaxed him to leave peacefully with about a weeks worth of rations.

The next day Cyprian, with Jerrin’s aid, was able to pick up the trail of the Wolfskulls again, and followed it to a streambed that was running high with the spring thaw, covering their tracks rather well. Following the stream for days, Cyprian eventually found a tell-tale sign that the Wolfskulls had passed this way, and by mid-day they saw why. A solid wooden door sunk into the hillside to their right, and sat in a crux of the river and above it by several feet. In front of the door the water churned and swirled to form a larger pool.

Alex and Cyprian climbed the hill to the right and descended to the door using rope. The others watched, and Thovaas tethered the horses a good distance away. Before he knew it, Veega, their goblin captive, sprinted towards the door. She crossed through the stream and began clawing at the door just as Alex was to attempt to open it. Before anyone could react, an arrow zipped from a tree to pierce her calf. Screaming, Veega beat on the door harder before a second black-feathered arrow found the base of her skull to end her life. The others had all now located where the arrows were coming from, and Thovaas asked for the archer to show himself.

Jumping lithely from limb to limb, a silver furred monkey-like man emerged to gain acknowledgement for the goblin’s death. Standing a mere five and a half feet tall, the monkey-man looked small but an enlightened gleam in his eye told the others not to underestimate him. Alex popped open the locked door and pushing the door open a bolt zipped over his shoulder to land harmlessly in the stream. Jerrin lit a rock from the streambed and handed it to Alex, who threw it down the corridor to show a bend in the tunnel ahead. Alex went in the lead followed by the over-anxious monkey-man, and after they entered halfway to the lighted rock they were doused with flour. In a minute the dust settled, but both were still tinged gray.

Moving forward, they saw a locked door and the hallway continued to the left. Tossing the lit rock down the tunnel, Alex then led the others past another door on the left. Jerrin lit one of his daggers to provide sight for the others. The corridor ahead veered sharply to the left and when Alex poked his head around the corner he saw a crudely built barricade with a small gap at the top. The tunnel sloped downward, and a good amount of water had collected in front of and under the barricade. Seeing two sets of gleaming eyes, Alex ducked just in time as two small axes spun towards him. Without hesitation, the monkey-man jumped towards the barricade and charged to get over it. A clay pot flew over him and exploded after it struck the ceiling and streams of fire dropped to the oil-covered water below.

Trapped with no way to go but forward, the monkey-man slipped through the gap at the top of the barricade. Three goblins on the other side gaped at him surprised, and a fight ensued. Two of the goblins attempted several times to by him, but were knocked back while he laughed. The tallest of the three was slain with a single blow, and soon the whimpering from the other two ceased. Turning towards the darkness, the monkey-man used the light from the fire to guide his way through the next tunnel.

The others retreated from the burning barricade to fetch water and listen at the locked doors. Alex unlocked one of them for Thovaas after he had tried to break it open with his shoulder. Swinging the door wide, a small crossbow dart landed between Alex’s feet as he saw the trap mechanism to the door an instant too late. Inspecting the inside of the room revealed that it was stripped of any contents besides the rubbish of garbage and the stink of goblins. Thovaas sighed as he had hoped to find another avenue around the burning barricade.

Cyprian and Thovaas then went to the river to soak their blankets and capes to put out the fire. Thovaas waded into the deeper pool, and just as he was waist-high, his footing slipped and he tumbled forward and down over an edge and his head sunk beneath the water. Struggling for footing, his foot connected with something sharp below that caused him to recoil. Swimming back the way he came, Thovaas was lacerated several times beneath the water as he reached the edge of the pit below the water. Crawling up on land near the open door, Thovaas prayed and received healing to seal his wounds. Cyprian buffeted the flames with his wet blanket before finally laying it down to put out the flames in front of the barricade.

Everyone stopped to collectively breathe a sigh of relief and check to see if everyone is alright. They then realized their new competitive monkey-man friend was no where to be seen, trapped on the other side and possibly in dire need of aid.

 

[MarauderX]

Sesson 9: Viper Lair to Sukyskin

The fire raged on, still separating their new monkey-like comrade from them. Little did they know, but he was bravely venturing deeper into the goblin compound. The others began quelling the flames with a dampened blanket, and once the flames were starting to get under control Alex leapt through the smoke and over the fire to the other side. On the other side he saw three dead goblins, their bodies contorted oddly. Using the glowing rock Jerrin had handed him earlier, he made his way through to find the monkey-man growling at him to open the door he stood in front of. Alex decided instead to open the doors to another room that they had passed up, and noticed a weapon trap similar to those he had accidentally set off in the other rooms. Bypassing the crossbow trap, Alex swung the door open to reveal another room with crude goblin furniture, clothing and scraps of food strewn about.

Alex finally popped open the door the monkey-man had been originally concerned with, and swinging it inward they were met by a ghastly sight. Two glowing braziers revealed a host of goblins pointing crossbows their way and snakes seemed to be everywhere in the room! Just as they were about to get their bearings they were covered in flour once again, and they were in a cloud of dust. Bolts zoomed by them and several struck their mark but behind Alex the monkey-man charged in. Several goblins had snakes in their hands and tossed them at the monkey-man as he came forth, and the snakes struck him with their venomous bites. Summoning forth a wolf, the monkey-man then directed it to attack a larger goblin that had snakes draping from his shoulders. The goblin was tossed to the dirt floor by the wolf, and then mangled to death by it. Alex fired several shots before he and the monkey-man pulled the door closed and relocking the door. Alex watched the monkey-man rip away the two snakes clinging to him and kill them under foot.

Meanwhile the others had decided to open a door they had passed by earlier. Cyprian smashed the door down after a few blows, and looking through the splinters revealed an empty space beyond. Jerrin stepped into the room first and he felt his foot drag against something and an instant later a crossbow bolt zipped over his head. Inspecting the bolt they saw that it was poisoned like the others. Searching the room revealed very little, with dung-filled puddles dotting the floor. Soon they exited and began dousing the tunnel flames and kicking at the pile to suppress the fire. A few minutes later they would be able to create a relatively safe path around the fire to the other side.

Once on the other side, Jerrin, Thovaas and Cyprian met up with Alex and the shorter monkey-man. With a brief description of the room beyond the door they had just shut moments ago, the group formed a plan. Using Thovaas’s shield, Jerrin stood behind it as Alex opened the door. Jerrin then summoned several wolves before conjuring a swirling fog to obscure vision within the room. Goblin cries of astonishment and a few from pain were heard before a barking goblin voice started to take charge. The monkey-man jumped through the doorway and into the fog. Cyprian fired into the thickness and it found its mark – in the monkey-man.

The others poured through as well and they felt through the morass to find goblin targets. Soon they had dropped several goblins, and several more were heard to be leaving through the tunnel opposite the door. A few more tried to escape only to be brought down by Thovaas and they moved towards the dark, narrow tunnel leading upward.

Alex then led the way along the dark tunnel, and just as he turned a corner two snakes blocked his way. Squeezing past the others, the monkey-man persuaded the snakes to go forward in front of him as they continued. Rounding another corner, the monkey-man saw a pair of goblin eyes gleaming down the hall and rushed forward to attack. Midway down the hall something gave way beneath his feet and sent him careening downward into a spike-filled pit. Weakened even more by the poison covered spikes, he relaxed his body as he groaned a warning to the others. Alex used his rapier to dispatch the two snakes that were preventing him from continuing down the corridor.

The others, seeing what had happened, helped the monkey-man out of the pit before one by one they leapt across the pit. On the other side they emerged from the tunnel to see the stream ten feet below them and a cleverly constructed door made to blend perfectly into the cliff side with several plants helping to conceal the cracks for an opening. Looking into the conifers beyond the goblin’s escape route, they only saw the movement of a few branches where the escaping goblins had run.

Turning back inside, the group cautiously waited for the fog to dissipate before searching the main room with the braziers. In that room the walls were covered with snakes, snake skins, and pictures of snakes. The entire room glowed in a creepy green-yellow light as the fires from the braziers danced, and the group searched the room as Cyprian took up a scouting position above the main entrance. They started to find various treasures in each of the mounted snakes along the walls, and soon they had gathered a decent sum which they had piled in the middle of the room. Centered on the room’s axis was an unfinished goblin-sized throne with flea-infested furs slung over it. Pitching it forward the group found a box with snake carvings all around the outside. Suspecting yet another trap, Alex searched the box and found that it was neither locked nor trapped. Opening it they saw small bottles of various liquids.

Resting for nearly a full day, Jerrin tended to the monkey-man’s weakening wounds as Alex and Thovaas sifted through the rest of the goblin compound for anything they might have missed. Finding nothing else, they were content to rest and start searching for the Wolfskull tracks the following day.

Cyprian led the group to where they last saw any signs of the Wolfskull’s passing, and began to realize the trail might have run too cold. However, listening to the others speak of a Stone Forest, Cyprian had an idea that one of the elders back at the homestead might know where it was located.

They started back immediately and traveled through the thicker woods much of the day as they headed north and west. That night they were sleeping peacefully when Cyprian heard someone coming through the woods. Sure enough Martin crashed his way right into their camp once more. Cyprian expressed pleasantries with him, and Martin talked absently about making plans, finding goblins, and how he supposedly chased the goblins towards the group for them to slay. He asked Cyprian for some food or gold, as in his mind he had done half the work of scaring the goblins their way and any treasure should be split with him. Cyprian mentioned that the goblin lair was full of food as well as rich with copper and that he should visit it soon before other robbers claimed his prize. He was thankful, and kept chattering to Cyprian until it was Alex’s turn to keep watch. Alex asked Martin questions that kept the half-orc yakking for some time until Alex got bored and went back to sleep. Cyprian stayed awake to keep an eye on Martin, as it seemed Martin was keeping as much an eye on him to see if he would fall asleep. Again chatting unremittingly Martin was cursed at and then warned by someone from the trees. Martin mentioned food and gold a few more times, and soon a gold piece landed in his lap from above. Surprised, Martin sprang up with joy and looked upward to the dark trees wishing that it might rain more gold so that he could make more money from it. Instead he received another warning and counting himself fortunate Martin left the group to sleep a few more hours.

It took the party two more days of quiet traveling to reach the homestead of Sukyskin, and there they were greeted by Pyotr and the others once again. The homestead was getting quite crowded and several tents had been set up in the clearings near the main building. Building had progressed to fill the gap in the fence where the barn had burned down, and the pure white horses were still corralled nearby. Once inside they saw that a small group of merchants had stopped through selling the standard fare of wares from Kargam. Though they had a good selection of items the prices were extremely high, as the merchants had sensed the homesteaders need for goods.

Pyotr told them that the two prisoners were becoming difficult to control, and that his son Matvey or others might be susceptible to the smooth tongue of the woman being held. They were even becoming belligerent at times and he asked the party for any help, guidance or solution they might have. Next he asks how the hunt of the goblins played out, and lastly, with dismay already in his voice, he asks whether there was any sign of Stephan. The party explains everything they had seen, and ask whether anyone might know of the Stone Forest. Pyotr directs them to have Kuzma tell one of her stories, as recalls her mentioning it before in one of her tall tales of old.

Thovaas then politely asks Kuzma of the Stone Forest and she gives him a wink as they all sit around the great hall. She takes a prominent spot in the hall as she makes the most of the attention she has for the moment. Then she regales everyone with her tale.

 

[MarauderX]

Session 10: Journey to the Wolfskulls

After Kuzma's tale, the group turned in to catch a good night's sleep with a roof over their head. However, the Homestead was now becoming quite crowded as the three merchants had planned to stay for several days before heading back out, and a few more refugees had arrived to seek safety after hearing of the marauding goblins.

Jerrin had made a note to send others of the paladin order to escort the two prisoners back to Kargam. The merchants agreed to deliver the message for a fee, of course. Thovaas helped to properly word the request and added his signature and a symbol of his family's lineage to add importance.

The next day the party headed out with four horses and rations for several weeks to find the Wolfskull lair via the Hermit's grove and Hokol, Cyprian's old home. Traveling was light and quick the first day but turned to rain the next few as they reached the burned out buildings that was once Hokol. The rain had soaked them to the bone as they waited for any sign of life from the old homestead in the wide valley below. Finally they approached and Cyprian went upsteam to stand guard and look for signs of travelers that might have been by recently. The others searched around through the three building husks and found the stacked, dessicated corpses of the victims in the largest ruined building. Thovaas, with some help, took the afternoon to bury what remained of the mutilated bodies, and Alex sifted through the sickening debris. Finding nothing of importance they decided to spend the night on the hillside up from Hokol where anyone on watch could keep watch on the homestead below.

The next day the rain broke, and they pushed eastward several days until Cyprian led them to the Hermit's grove. They saw it from far off, the brightly decorated oaks standing over the surrounding maples, and as they approached they could see what covered the trees. Strips of cloth had been tied to most of the branches on each tree, and many more strands had been draped to hang below to sway in the light breeze. Entering into the grove, they smelled the fresh forest air and rotted autumn leaves as the sun shown through the new leaves in spots. Seeing no one, the group turned around to leave when Alex thought he heard an odd sound - that of a hooting owl, which he thought was unusual during the day. Jerrin advised that they might go, and Cyprian seconded as those from Hokol left the simple man alone.

Turning to the southeast to travel for another day, the group finally picked up solid goblin tracks. Cyprian led them through the rolling forested hills on trails that switchbacked up and down them for another day. Jerrin took note that there were no large animals to be found in the forest from the time they approached the Hermit's grove. The following day as evening approached they saw an open grassy field surrounded by the forest that had plenty of criss-crossing goblin tracks passing through it. Backing away, the group then spent the night a decent distance away from the clearing, and whomever was on watch was responsible for spotting any passersby.

The night seemed to pass quietly enough until Alex's watch when he went to spy on the field. Across the way he saw a goblin head and level with the grasses he saw a the shimmering grey coat of the beast the goblin was riding. Quickly and quietly Alex made his way back to the camp and woke the others, and they donned their armor and readied their plan. Stealthfully Alex made his way down toward the clearing and saw a goblin lying in wait to ambush him if he were to come down the path. Instead Alex had ventured next to the path and moved to flank the unaware goblin. Just as he was about to leave the forest he spotted a second goblin closer to him that was watching him closely. The second goblin motioned and pointed at Alex, but the first still didn't see him, so the second goblin sprang back and threw a spear at him. Following what his fellow had done, the first goblin chucked his spear towards Alex.

Alex retaliated, and the rest of the party began to surge forth, Thovaas deciding to mount his horse to enter the fray. The two goblins then retreated as the party approached, and then the grass shook as more goblins sprang forward and to attack, three of them mounted on the evil-looking wolves. Alex was knocked to the ground as was Jerrin's mount, but not before Jerrin froze one of the worgs in place with a powerful spell. Thovaas charged forward and struck another worg hard in the side and it yelped before landing an attack on his mount. Han surged into the battle with his studded club as two goblins harried him at first. Jerrin managed to slip into a safe spot to cast an enchantment which brought the forest alive to entangle several of the goblins as they looked to outflank the prone defenders.

The battle seemed to reach a breaking point as each group faced off, then soon the tide turned against the goblins. Cyprian stood at the rear and launched arrow after arrow, nearly felling a goblin per shot. Thovaas hacked at the worg time and again before Han felled the beast with a death blow to the skull. Alex tumbled to the rear of the unmoving beast in front of him and stuck it several times from behind to drop it while helpless. Jerrin and the others stepped up to thwart the goblins that now flanked them, and before long a single goblin stared in fear at the party before sprinting through the grassy field. Thovaas gave pursuit and lopped its head up into the early morning sky.

The group took the day to bind their wounds and assess how badly Thovass's mount had been hurt. It was decided that they should stay the night there as well and see if any other goblins pass by. None did.

The next morning the group decided to follow the heavily traveled path away from the clearing, which led due south. Cyprian again took the lead and guided them through the forest for more than a day over the gentle hills. Around mid-day the group spotted what they were looking for: magestic trees rose above the others on the opposite them, only their branches did not sway and their leaves did not flutter. It was the Stone Forest.

They made their way to it easily enough and saw the dull grey of the stone and how the deeper they looked into it the darker it became. Following the tracks of the goblins, the group followed along the outside of the forest. It was an easy trail to follow, and the way the stone seemed to suck sound from the nearby forest was uncanny. Though there was more than thirty feet of open area between the living and the stone trees, the darkness seemed to force them to whispers. Again Jerrin, Han and Cyprian noted that there were no signs large game animals nearby.

They followed the outside of the Stone Forest for the rest of the day, and found goblin tracks that finally pierced into the gloom. Deciding not to risk venturing in as dusk approached, they camped a good way into the living forest.

As morning approached, the group debated leaving or taking the horses into the stone forest. It was decided that they might be needed for a quick escape or to cart some vast treasure or to carry Stephen's body. Grimly, they ventured in with Cyprian in the lead with a burning lantern to add more light to the dim forest. The grey canopy above blocked out nearly all but a few shafts of sunlight that can be seen, and the silence surrounded them as they left the living forest behind. The clopping of the horses is the only sound as they followed the trail of the wolfskull goblins.

They all began to realize that the forest itself was very maze-like, with possible deadends and stone undergrowth that acted like walls to hem them in. At times the forest was open and they could see a fair distance in the gloom; at others it was impossible to see through the thick shrubs and trees.

Following the trail, Cyprian nearly stumbled upon where it went. Some yards away he pointed out what they could now all hear - flowing water, and over it a stone bridge made out of a hollow tree. On the other side a large tree soared into the air and at it's base was a dark opening. Staring intently into it, they couldn't see any signs of activity.

 

[MarauderX]

Session 11: Reckoning with the Wolfskulls

Guiding their skittish horses to a safe haven, Jerrin then joined the others in staring across the winding stream cutting through the harsh grey of the stone forest. Half of a hollow log had been in place to cross the pitch black stream to the other side. Before entering into the quiet gloom, Jerrin cast a spell of light on a rock and Alex tossed it through the doorway. They saw a small chamber that encompassed the base of the tree and beyond that a larger room that seemed deserted.

Han stepped up onto the log to cross the stream first, intently watching the darkness for any activity. As he stealthfully climbed across, an alarm began to chime loudly, and it was clear they had lost any chance of surprising the inhabitants. Han then darted across, followed closely by Alex and the others. Cyprian stayed to the rear, arrow noched and ready.

After bounding across the small bridge, they found a group of goblins, dressed in the typical wolfskull grey-furred clothes. The adventurers poured in to face them, and the battle began. Several worgs surged forward to face them as well, and soon the adventurers brought them down. In the next room the party saw half a dozen more worgs barking and wildly tugging at their leashes. In between the barking and battle cries they heard the shouting of some familiar voices coming from behind a tattered curtain.

The goblins at the entrance were quelled just as the other worgs were released from their bonds to attack. The group retreated to the entrance to force the worgs to come at them one at a time. It worked well with Jerrin, Thovaas and Cyprian holding the line against one worg at a time until the goblin king emerged and whistled, at which the worgs pulled back from the narrow hole. Each side then waited for the other to make a move.

Cyprian called out in the goblin tongue for the wolfskulls to release any prisoners they had to them and they would go. The goblin king proudly introduced himself as Kloss and told them that there would only be a deal if the attackers laid down their weapons, to which the other goblins laughed wickedly. Cyprian then shot one of the goblins in the face, dropping it to the ground and abruptly ending their giggling. Kloss the goblin king then whisted loudly and the worgs renewed their attack.

Meanwhile Alex had gone outside to climb over the top of the goblin hideout. Crawling through the stone thickets he felt some of the weaker branches give away beneath him and had to slow his movement so as not to stumble or fall into them. He made his way onto the top of the hideout towards where he had heard the voices shouting in the common tongue. Trying to peer downwards through the planked roof yielded only darkness, and Alex began moving some of the many planks to wriggle his way through to below.

As the battle raged, Jerrin stepped back from the front lines to summon a ghostly hippogriff to aid them, and the worgs turned their focus to attack it. The worgs began to fall one by one as the group manuevered into the larger room to force their enemies back. The goblin king fled down an open corridor and disappeared behind more curtains.

Alex had managed to open a hole and tied off a rope to lower himself into the room below. On his descent he saw several grimy figures in make-shift cages. Making his way towards them he caught something out of the corner of his eye, but was too late. Four goblins now surrounded him, stabbing furiously at him with their swords. Tumbling past them to try to escape, Alex then called for help, but was too late as the goblins pursued. The largest of the four brought his sword down hard upon Alex's chest to drop him to the floor.

The hippogriff was eventually dispursed by the worgs, but enough of them had been weaked by it that they could no longer hold against the rest of the party. Pushing towards Alex's cry for help, Thovaas saw the four goblins that had surprised Alex, and they looked ready to add a finishing blow until Thovaas charged them. Instead of standing to fight him, the cowardly goblins raced towards one of the prison cells to take a hostage. Cyprian and Thovaas stopped them from getting inside to kill the prisoners while Jerrin healed Alex back to conciousness.

Sensing a lull, the group took a moment to collect their thoughts and assess what the next actions should be. They met the ex-prisoners and recognized Rollof, one of the sherrifs of Kargam that had accompanied them on the riverboat upstream. The other two human prisoners had been under Rollof's care when they had last seen them, and they looked even younger and more meak as they were covered with mud and thin from malnourishment. Rollof tried to stand, but needed Thovaas's help as it became clear he had lost his foot and half of his calf, and he cursed the goblins as he was led out. It was obvious they had all taken many beatings from the goblins, and the one apprentice revealed a missing thumb, and the remaining gash was badly infected. The other apprentice had his tendons cut in one arm and one leg to prevent him from fighting or running away. The fourth and last captive is a wild-eyed halfling, refusing to be touched or examined for any wounds.

Meanwhile Han and Cyprian had pulled back the curtain where Kloss had fled and mentioned it revealed a large chamber with what looked like a throne at the other end. Deciding who should go first, the group eased their way into the corridor before pulling back the curtain to reveal the goblin king's main chamber. Alex decided to stay with the newly freed prisoners and the horses outside.

The entire room was lined with various tapestries that now hung as curtains. Each was once probably worth a good sum of gold, but now they were tattered, torn, and stained from abuse. In the middle of the room were two tables that had been kicked over on their sides, behind which the party could barely make out worgs and their riders. On the far side of the room several feet above the floor rose a dias with a wide chiseled chair and empty space all around it. Behind it was a large wolf pelt with the wolfhead symbol that had been seen painted on many of the goblins' belongings.

The party walked into the room, looking to take on a worg and rider hiding behind one of the tables. Cyprian and Han attacked, and Jerrin threw a small ball of fire at the other table. Kloss called something in goblin over his shield and several goblins emerged from behind the curtains near Cyprian and Han. Han soon to the flanking goblins and worg, leaving Cyprian to finish off the worg and it's rider.

As Thovaas and Jerrin entered the room to help Cyprian, even more goblins poured in from behind the tapestries. Kloss directed them into the best positions to surround the party, and then launched himself into the fray as well. Jerrin's mount was tripped to the ground and slipped into unconciousness after many blows from the worgs and goblins, leaving Jerrin with his back against the wall and Thovaas in front of him, flanked by goblins. The blows were pitched as the goblin numbers were thinned by Thovaas. Then Kloss strided forward.

Alex pulled across the curtain and shot an arrow into Kloss's side, enraging the large goblin as he turned his mount to attack Thovaas. Jerrin managed to drop another goblin just as Thovaas lost his footing when Kloss's worg clamped onto one of his legs. Jerrin and Thovaas struck several blows at them both while Alex shot arrows at the goblins. From his knees, Thovaas swung his enchanted battleaxe in a wide arc up towards the goblin king. The axe glided just over Kloss's shield and continued to chip off the top of the goblin king's skull. In a last look of astonishment, Kloss slid from his mount to the floor, his face trapped in contorted confusion. The few remaining goblins looked to flee, and only one managed to run by Alex on it's way out.

Kloss's mount did not give up, however. It snapped at Thovaas and Jerrin as Cyprian dealt another crushing blow to the last of the goblins, its spine crumpling beneath the mighty club. Thovaas again struggled up to his knees and steadied his axe as he waited for an opening on the uninjured beast. Finding a precise moment to strike, Thovaas dropped his blow, surging forward with all of his weight and momentum, and the axe cleaved deep into the worg's neck. It collapsed to the ground and let out a last wimper before it exhaled for the last time.

Searching the room they discovered an empty room with a tower-like tree rising high up. Also within the room is a hole for a round, hollow tree that leads into darkness. Surveying the rest, they decided to bring the ex-prisoners in to the throne room to keep everyone safe.

Han then discovered something that made his face light up. He had pulled back the stone throne from the floor and his paws worked feverishly to yank something from the hole and place it in his pouch. Smiling, Han began to gush how pleased he was with everyone and urged for them to leave the forest soon.

Rollof lurched over to sit on the throne as the sun set. He asked the party what they thought they should do. Rollof said he thought they were kinda deep into the stone forest, to which Cyprian concurred. Alex needed Jerrin to lead the horses inside, as it looked like they were going to spend the night in the throne room.

 

[MarauderX]

Session 12: Pyotr and Loshad strike a deal

The group barricaded themselves into the goblin king’s throne room, moving the tables to block the two doorways to the room. Searching the room revealed no other exits and Alex made a stirring discovery. He slid aside the throne at the top of the dais to reveal a small pit filled with treasure. Sacks of gold filled the hole, and on top of them rested an ornate lock box with swirling insignias. Alex made several attempts to open the box, and one of the former prisoners named Yaritza stepped up to take a closer look at it.

After scanning the room thoroughly once again the group brought in the horses from outside and decided to settle in for an extended rest. Jerrin tended the wounded as the others took turns standing watch during the pitch of night. Time dragged on, and late into the morning Alex and Yaritza had taken up a watch together. It was then that they heard something from what they thought was the next room.

Scanning the other rooms with the lantern they saw nothing. Then Alex scrambled up the make-shift watch tower to the roof level of the goblin stronghold. He spun the lantern to shine through the doorway and the beam fell on a goblin-like face. Only it was much bigger, and this face stood much taller, looking eye-to-eye with Alex. Alex leapt backward and watched the large figure steady a great sword in its hands. Deciding not to tangle with it, Alex hopped down to the room below and described what he saw to everyone now that they were awake. Jerrin nodded knowingly, suspecting that this creature was a hobgoblin.

The group spent the rest of the night sleeping lightly, and it was tough to tell when the sun had risen as the darkness only gave way to the gloom of the stone forest. Quickly the group formed a plan to ride out of the forest, and Cyprian led the way. All were eager to leave and after several hours they emerged from the shroud of the forest.

Taking a small break at the edge of the stone forest, they noticed several jet-black horses emerge from the lush, living forest. Thinking it strange the group waited to see what would happen. The horses stayed their distance, so the party moved on, heading north around the stone forest. Finding a good location to camp for the night, Cyprian and Thovaas entered the woods to hunt for fresh meat to accompany their dwindling rations. They spotted a group of dear and Cyprian brought a doe down with a single shot. As they approached their prey, a large figure loomed over it.

A half-man, half-horse glared at them solemnly, waiting as if for an apology. Thovaas introduced himself, and the centaur nodded before ignoring him. Thovaas brought him to the group and some flinched at the horse-man’s tall stature. The centaur then began questioning the party on the treatment of the four horses in their care after venturing into the stone forest. The centaur then told, instead of asked, the party would free the remaining pure-white horses that Pyotr had. It became clear that the centaur valued the lives of the horses over the people he had encountered. He told the party they would ride the black horses that had been watching them and would let the four they had been riding go free. Then the group was to bargain or otherwise set the white horses free for safe passage back to the homestead. The group said that they would arrange for Pyotr to meet him and discuss the matter directly with him. As part of the deal the party was to release the woman, Fyodorll, they had imprisoned so long ago for ‘buying’ the white horses from the goblins. The centaur referred to her as a hero for removing the white horses from harm and demanded that she be freed. In return the centaur would take them to the ruins of Chautauqua. Finally the centaur and the party agreed and left the party the black horses to carry them the rest of the way to the homestead.

The days passed as they traveled quickly on the backs of the black horses towards the homestead. At night the horses stood apart from the group, and often the centaur could be seen keeping watch over the area. As they approached Sukyskin, the black horses grew uncomfortable and eventually unmanageable, forcing the party to stop a quarter mile away. They fetched Pyotr, and he brought out his own horses and many unfamiliar faces to help the party back to the homestead.

Going back to Sukyskin they saw that it had grown considerably. Tents and other swiftly made structures now dotted the clearings where they had once saw goblins sprinting in the moonlight, and parts of the forest were cleared and small crops were planted. People meandered in and out of the gate in the new wooden palisade, and Pyotr nodded and introduced many to the heroes who had helped them survive a night’s terror nearly a month ago.

The group finally let their guard down. Rollof was aided, and a crutch was prepared for him. Han claimed the ornate box and Yaritza surrendered it to him and he thanked the others for their aid in recovering what he had been seeking. Before going he bought several items and explained that he and others had been sent to recover the box after goblins had stolen it by raiding the trade routes between the east and west.

The party explained that the Wolfskull clan had been routed, and that they still had not recovered Stephan, though they felt they were catching up. They persuaded Rollof to tell of his meeting with Stephan and others from nearby camps. The goblins and some larger hobgoblins had decided to take them to a place called Chautauqua, and Rollof, with his missing foot, was left behind since they said he would slow them down.

The group told of the centaur and the deal they had made with Pyotr, including the idea that he should meet him. Pyotr initially balked at the idea, and said that he had no money left, and without the horses he would be bankrupt, and still hoped that Taras could re-establish a deal even though his reputation was tarnished for not delivering the horses after he said he would. Pyotr agreed to sell the horses to the party at a much lower price, if to only cover the debts he owed to merchants and others in the area for providing food and other provisions. With the agreed price, the party became the owners of the pure-white horses.

Thovaas then told Pyotr that Fyodorll and her helper they had captured should be freed, and Pyotr agreed willingly, glad to be rid of her silver tongue.

The next day the party, along with Pyotr and Misha, brought the white-horses out to meet the centaur. Pyotr looked shaken at the centaur’s size and commanding presence, but was greeted by the centaur as if they had known each other for a long time. The centaur introduced himself as Loshad, a servant of nature and horses. Loshad instructed that the shoes be taken off of the white horses before they were set free, and asked whether the woman had been set free. Pyotr simply nodded.

Before parting, the centaur held forth a crude, stained backpack full of platinum coins made before the founding of Correl and several gems. To Jerrin he asked that the contents be given to the woman for saving the lives of the white horses from the terrible goblins. With that they agreed to meet the following day to leave for the ruins of Chautauqua.

Going back to Sukyskin, Thovaas found Fyodorll and delivered 500 of the platinum pieces to her. She looked astonished, not quite understanding why the man who had imprisoned her was now making her rich. Thovaas told her that if she were smart she would leave soon, and she understood and nodded in agreement.

Relaxing again, the group made several arrangements with people now living there, and told of how they could go back to their lives once again, now that the third and last of the goblin clans had been defeated. Soon they would venture to the ruins of Chatauqua to see what awaits them there.

 

[MarauderX]

Session 13: Chautauqua

At the homestead, Thovaas made the rounds once again, circling the make-shift tents and shaking hands as he went. As Jerrin talked with the attentive smithy, Alex helped the handicapped Rollof get some soup. Towards the outskirts, Thovaas encountered a solid looking dwarf, the only of his kind at Sukyskin. Thovaas introduced himself as Yaritza tagged along within earshot, curious about the dwarf herself. The dwarf noticed Thovaas’s monikers of Heroneous and searched his face before responding. “My name is Bratton,” he said.

Bratton and Thovaas talked for a good while about the homestead, Pyotr and what each was planning to do. Yaritza inched in to steel a closer look at the dwarf, and listened as Thovaas invited the adventure-hungry dwarf to join them. Bratton accepted and asked more of the place called Chautauqua, and soon he was acquainted with Loshad’s name and the adventure thus far.

The following morning the group set out on foot, with Bratton the dwarf and the unharmed ex-goblin prisoner Yaritza joining the trio that had once saved Sukyskin. It was mid-afternoon when they spied the clearing where they had agreed to meet Loshad, and he was waiting, nearly invisible lying in the thick weeds. Without a word, he made several hand motions and a group of black stallions emerged from the forest. The horses kneeled, and four of the adventurers climbed onto their bare backs. With a jolt the group was propelled through the forest.

The horses stopped at sunset, and each day they would nudge the party awake at sunrise. Ten days passed, and the woods began to thin as it gave way to the plains to the south, and soon they saw the open plain through the tree line. As they crested though it Loshad stood facing across the plain. Looking where Loshad pointed, they saw a rock wall to a plateau, miles across the plain. In the middle, on top of the plateau, rose a tower, stabbing into the sky compared with the surrounding flat plains.

Loshad’s head swiveled to face the party. “That is the ruins of Chautauqua. I will guide you half-way across the plains, and from there you will be on your own. Jerrin will be able to guide you back to your home.” He led the way across the plain as the morning sun shone down and before long the horses knelt down to allow the riders to slide off as the tower loomed nearer.

“Have you been to Chautauqua before?” asked Yaritza of the centaur.
“I have not,” Loshad said.
“Do you know what’s there?” Yaritza inquired.
“Just the ruins,” Loshad said, “and Pyotr’s red-haired brother. If he is as noble as Pyotr I wish you the best of luck in dealing the savages there. May the gods watch over you all.”

Loshad’s jet-black companions halted and lowered their front hooves long enough for the riders to dismount. Loshad waved as they left, creating a small cloud of dust as they headed west onto the plains.

The group discussed the tower for a minute before arranging their equipment for walking the rest of the way to the tower. As they neared they could see wide steps leading up from the base of the plateau to smaller structures near the base of the tower. Once they reached the base of the steps they gazed again at the tower above. At its top they saw that it had columns on each of its octagonal corners, and that the columns had an eerie burning white flame dancing on each. Cautiously they began to ascend the gigantic-sized steps.

The party shifted formation as some members heard sounds near the top. Alex began up the steps to scout ahead when they all heard the noise from the top. They were three-quarters to the top, and the sun shone down brightly to prevent hiding on the crumbling steps. Again they heard the sound of what Jerrin thought might be screeching monkeys or angry apes. Instead they saw four baboons crest over the top of the steps, each with a tight leash that extended to a broad hobgoblin behind them. Seven more hobgoblins stepped up to peer down the steps at the party, each armed with a bow, and as they reached the top the lead hobgoblin dropped the baboons’ leashes to let them crash down the stairs at the party.

Bratton and Thovaas waited as the baboons raced down the decrepit stone steps, bounding over one another to be the first to attack. Thovaas sunk an arrow into the baboons’ master as Bratton readied his axe. Bratton swung as soon as they were close and felled one easily as Yaritza cast a spell to tug at another’s leash. Jerrin and Alex fired up the steps with ranged weapons, and a hail of return fire came from the hobgoblins.

Bratton and Thovaas struck down the baboons and Jerrin winced until he realized these baboons had been driven mad with a bloodlust. Arrows struck the party hard time and again, and eventually Thovaas and Bratton began climbing the steps to face them. The baboons’ master turned and fled as they exchanged fire. As Thovaas moved up the steps a glint of light flew from the top of the tower and wounded him beneath his armor. He slowed his climb up the stairs and secured his shield tighter as more arrows clattered off of it. Again he saw the gleam of light and felt a searing pain as the bolt of light struck him. Looking at the others as witnesses, Thovaas might have been the only one to see the lights that had been streaking from the tower to wound him. A third time the light struck him, just as he and Bratton engaged the hobgoblins in melee.

The hobgoblins dropped their bows and drew scimitars to reckon with the party, and before long the hobgoblins dropped one by one, but not before Thovaas dropped to his knees, momentarily staggered. One of the remaining hobgoblins escaped to into the empty streets of the town, and the party dropped back down the steps to hide from any more attacks in the town.

Catching their breath, the party cautiously made their way into the town. The houses and buildings were all single-story, and were built out of ravines that wound their way around the tower. Yaritza climbed to the top of one of the homes and could see the layout of the town below. The tower’s shadow stretched beside her, spreading a dark unease across the silent town.

Thovaas and the others began searching through the homes one by one, coming across little in the way of value. Bratton noticed that the construction was of a much older type, with the stone work much thicker and detailed in many places than much he had seen. Jerrin persuaded his companion, Tempest, to test for any recent inhabitants by smell. Sensing none, they moved on closer to the tower. Eventually they went through one of the buildings that had multiple openings and came out closer to the tower, but still there was no sign of any hobgoblins nearby.

The group inched their way towards the tower with Yaritza above as a look out. They spotted a door on the street level that seemed like a back entrance, but it seemed locked. Alex and Yaritza circled the tower quietly to find other entrances and discovered a main entrance on the opposite side as well as another small entrance. They looked upward at the tower and noticed that it had no windows or other openings. Bratton rubbed his hand over the stone base and remarked how tight the joints were assembled. He was asked to elaborate and told the others that the construction was done long ago, and wasn’t typical of anything he had seen before. Starting at the top a long, thin crack ran down the side of the tower, and Bratton said that the surface was probably once as smooth as glass and had weathered to be coarse.

Shaking off an unnatural feeling, they tested the door they had discovered first. Alex crouched in front of it, and before Thovaas could ask if he could do something Alex popped up a reinforcing bar on the other side and swung the door open. Peering inside, they lit a torch and saw a narrow, straight corridor. They walked inside; weapons readied cautiously, and crept down the corridor. The corridor gave way to reveal rows of sarcophagi on either side, each set back in a niche.

Yaritza looked closely at a sarcophagus and studied its ornate designs carved from stone. She could tell that the stone itself might have been worked with magic to achieve the high detail, but that the sarcophagus was not enchanted. Thovaas used his spider-sense to determine that there was nothing threatening within.

They began to move through old cob webs that might have been there for years and Thovaas swept them aside as they got thicker when they turned a corner. Not being able to see that far, Thovaas used his torch to burn away the webs.

Just as he was swinging the torch from side to side, his eyes met 8 others – a monstrous spider clung to the thick webs and lashed out, snapping the air inches from Thovaas’s face. Bratton moved forward to strike, and the spider climbed upside down on the ceiling before biting Thovaas hard on the shoulder, and poison oozed from its mandibles. Thovaas felt weaker and weaker as they clashed until finally he collapsed. Soon the spider was slain and the group aided Thovaas. Investigating the rest of the area, Bratton discovered a large, ball-like sack hanging by webs from the ceiling. Jerrin quickly identified it as the spider’s egg sack and they all left well enough alone.

The party decided to rest in the first corridor near the door they had come through and laid down some defenses by barring the door and using caltrops. They rested through the rest of the day, taking turns to keep a close watch for anything peculiar. As the night came on, Thovaas volunteered to stay up while everyone else rested longer. Around 2 or 3 A.M. Thovaas heard some shuffling and voices in a guttural tongue outside the door. The creatures on the other side of the door were trying to stay silent, and the door shuddered, startling Thovaas, as they tried to open it. Thovaas woke the others, and the shuffling and voices faded into the night.

Alex added the last flask of oil to the lantern and fifteen minutes later the party went to the only other door to their hovel. Thovaas hugged the wall next to the door with Bratton opposite the door and the rest of the party waited behind him. As they had suspected, they heard some sounds of movement on the other side of the door and watched as the door peaked open slowly. Thovaas saw a hobgoblin eye and they all heard clicking, chitterling words come from the small opening. Thovaas stepped forward out the darkness and slammed the door shut with the butt of his axe, surprising and jarring the hobgoblin on the other side as it cursed loudly.

The door swung wide with a crash and Bratton saw several hobgoblins at the bottom of a stair landing pushing their way towards him. Everyone waited as the first burst into the room, and it yelped as its feet were struck several times by the caltrops near the door. Bratton and Thovaas swung their axes and felled it, the body collapsing in one of the niches. The second came through and the caltrops also slowed it down, allowing the party to gang up on it, slaying it before it could do serious damage. The frustrated leader could be heard cursing again as he climbed up the stairs. Thovaas looked up the stairs at him and an arrow zipped by him as they exchanged shouts, each in their native tongues.

The party closed the door to the stairs and Bratton and Thovaas, with Yaritza supervising, moved one of the ornate stone sarcophagi in front of the door to block it from opening. Once in place the group slowly let their guard down to return to sleep with Thovaas keeping watch.

Jerrin could tell that morning was approaching and woke before the others to see Thovaas completing his morning prayers. Slowly they all woke and had breakfast as they stretched from a long night on the cold stone floor.

 

[MarauderX]

Session 14: Entering the Tower of Chautauqua

Carefully the group searched through the black crypt once more. Yaritza and Alex split away from group and made their way over to the disturbed sarcophagus. They both pried at the lid that had been loosened when it was moved, and it cracked open on towards Yaritza, and the wind within moaned as the sarcophagus gasped. Seeing inside with the meager light in the crypt, she saw a form of a deceased within. Alex made his way to see, and they both looked on the desiccated form with arms outstretched to the sides of the sarcophagus, its jaw dropped in a look of finality. Yaritza pushed her lithe hand in, feeling for anything within. As she felt the sides and bottom, her forearm brushed against the body and the coldness of it startled her. Finding nothing, she withdrew to let Alex search the inside, and he also found nothing.

The party decided not to pursue the hobgoblins up the stairs from the crypt, as they would surely be expecting such. Instead they ventured around to another door Alex had discovered before they entered the crypt. They ventured over to it, and encountered nothing in the silent town on their way. Alex pulled at the door, which was locked, before trying to open it. Easily it snapped open, and Alex peered into a large room with tall stacks of books on well-kept shelves that reached up to nearly touch the roof twenty feet above. The stacks stretched to the other wall, with a walkway down the center as they marched from the front to the back. Weak, blue-white light shone from sconces at the end of the bookcases, shrouding the room in crossing shadows. Alex and Yaritza entered stealthily and peered around. Yaritza went toward the stairs that led upward to a large set of double doors, and Alex swept to the back of the room. As Alex reached the last bookcase, he saw something that stirred up fear from the bottom of his stomach.

Alex froze as he saw a humanoid-like figure pass backward through the bookcase. The figure glowed, illuminating the bookcase it was examining, and Alex closed his mouth and slunk down the aisle to return to the doorway. He told them what he saw, and Yaritza overheard and decided to investigate for herself.

Boldly the rest of the party watched from the doorway to see Yaritza purposefully clattering about, her heels striking on the stone floor echoing in the large room. Soon enough the glowing form came forth and descended from one of the shelves to glide toward Yaritza. She spoke to it, and suddenly a low moan could be heard emanating from within the room. It stretched out long, sinewy fingers towards Yaritza, and a wave of fear threatened to overcome her as its gaunt appearance began to melt backwards away from Yaritza. The rest looked on as the blue-white amorphous creature’s fine robes fluttered into tatters as it rose above her. Again Yaritza forced herself to speak to it.

The low moan became a dull roar that grew louder by the moment. Yaritza felt oppressive words penetrate her skull, gripping her senses and compelling her to listen with her mind. Bubbling to the surface, hear ears heard nothing but her mind nearly went deaf: “SHUT UP!” it screamed in her head, and still she stood her ground, awestruck out of fear rather than curiosity. Yaritza then murmured a few more words to it.

The being stretched out its hands again as the fingers elongated to spiny tusks, and from its distorted skull a fanged jaw dropped in a rage as the stacks began to rumble from the volume of the roar. Alex called out to Yaritza, but she stood fast and her eyes widened. The creature swirled in front of her and cold, ethereal claws passed through her, tearing at the core of her being, trying to tug away the life from her. She froze where she stood, the chill pervading her senses. The beast-like incorporeal thing still hovered over her, poised to assail Yaritza again. Before it could, Alex jumped out and grabbed her underneath her arms and towed her to the relative safety outside. Bratton caught her, Thovaas closed the door, and Alex spun around to relock it. Breathing a sigh of relief, Yaritza pulled herself up, her spirit weakened from the encounter.

Jerrin mentioned that the hobgoblins probably have superior numbers and it wouldn’t be wise to get caught by them in the open, so the group set about making a plan to enter the main tower. It was decided that Alex and Yaritza would cause a distraction to lead the hobgoblins outside to allow the others to enter the tower through the crypt stairwell. Alex and Yaritza went up the main steps outside from the deserted square. Before them stood two sets of ornate stone doors that recessed into the outer wall, fifteen feet high. Gently pushing on the handle, positioned at an appropriate height for a human, Alex opened one and felt the weight move easily to reveal a dim vestibule and two more sets of double doors to match the exterior doors. Entering silently, they felt the outside door close slowly of its own accord, and Yaritza decided to hold it open so they could make a quick escape. Alex slowly pushed his weight to open one of the inner doors.

The door opened a sliver to reveal a filthy baboon in the foreground, scrounging in a puddle of slime and trash. In the middle of the room was a decrepit fountain filled with black slime and waste. Beyond the fountain a circle of hobgoblins were in a heated debate, drawing something on the floor and then scuffing it out with their feet. Near what was likely the crypt door, three goblins leaned against the wall lazily. An open door across the room revealed a spiral staircase leading upward, and on either side of it were red curtains that had been mounted about ten feet high. The ceiling of the room stretched upward for twenty feet or more, making the space seem overwhelmingly large.

Alex drew up his bow and took aim on the hobgoblin they had seen leading the baboons on leashes and let the missile fly. The arrow struck it underneath the arm where there was no armor, and smiled as it howled and yelped across their makeshift battle map. The others pivoted to see the door closing and they growled and ran towards it. By the time they had got there and onto the outdoor platform above the square, Alex and Yaritza were no where to be seen.

Meanwhile, Jerrin, Thovaas and Bratton surged up the crypt steps to the door to the tower lobby. Finding the door unlocked and not barred, they easily passed into the room with no opposition to be found except for a screaming baboon, which Jerrin dispatched quickly. Thovaas and Bratton went to the inner double doors to prevent them from entering back through, and Bratton threw down a bag of caltrops on the other side of the doors from him. Prepped and ready, the three of them waited behind the doors for the hobgoblins to return inside.

In the square the hobgoblins fanned out to find the sniper. One started to climb up to get a better view, and Yaritza heard him stumbling up towards her hiding spot next to the tower. Alex couldn’t let the opening go and fired an arrow at the ascending hobgoblin, and the shot ricocheted off its hip. Distracted, it jumped down to seek out the source as it pulled out its scimitar and called to his nearby companions. One of the others began to climb the solid dirt wall, and then Alex struck the first through the heart with his rapier. The two remaining attacked him viciously, and Yaritza pulled up along the edge to fire a shot into one of them, which immediately turned to see her and began climbing towards her again.

The other hobgoblins returned back to the vestibule, and one of them stopped and pointed at the caltrops spread across the stone tiles. The hobgoblins readied themselves, as there were no sounds of the frantic baboon within the lobby, which reassured them that they had been duped. Moving around the caltrops, they began to open the doors slowly when both Thovaas and Bratton stuck at separate targets. The doors swung wide and the battle was joined.

Alex withdrew halfway up the stairs and the hobgoblin kept coming at him. Yaritza was soon toe-to-toe with the other, and she was dealt a nasty blow by it. On the inside, Jerrin called forth a grossly oversized badger ally in the midst of the enemy in the vestibule. Several more hobgoblins poured into the space and they struck the badger relentlessly, but it only got mad and trembled with rage. The hobgoblin shaman called forth a spiritual ally of his own, and it appeared behind Bratton and attacked. Tempest, Jerrin and Bratton made it disperse as Thovaas dropped another of the hobgoblins. The dire badger had also been defeated, and the groups assessed each other.

The hobgoblins pulled back to the outdoor platform and waited for the party to strike. Jerrin called forth another dire badger to lead the attack on them. The badger went straight at the hobgoblin shaman and landed several blows as Thovaas and Bratton charged outside to attack. Jerrin rode Tempest into the fray and several of the hobgoblins dropped. Alex and his attacker traded blows on the steps and Yaritza huddled beneath her shield as blows fell against it.

The hobgoblins fell one by one, and the hobgoblin leader fought to get by the party to escape to the inside, but instead his body slithered down the steps past Alex, distracting his assailant long enough to strike a deadly blow. The rest of the hobgoblins paused when they saw this and reeled, running down the steps and through the streets of the town. The group fired arrows at the slowest, ensuring that those hobgoblins would never return.

The group set about searching the corpses, investigating each for gold and other trinkets. Yaritza took a circle of miniature skulls laced with hemp string and feathers and herbs that she collected from the shaman hobgoblin that was killed. Casting a spell of identification she quietly found out that it gave off an aura of the necromantic school. Alex made his way over to the fallen hobgoblin leader and collected a circlet from its forehead. Yaritza also cast a spell to determine what it might be, and an impression of protection magic shone from it as Alex held it firmly in his hands. It was determined that it enhanced the wearer’s natural protection, making it tougher to pierce their skin. Alex wiped it clean and slipped the silver circlet over his head.

The group talked about magic, items and divided up the gold they had collected. Meanwhile Alex slipped back inside to investigate the lobby. Once inside the double doors, Alex felt the temperature drop by twenty degrees.

“Close the door behind you, intruders, as it is unbearably hot this day.”

The bellowing voice echoed around the room, but it was apparent that it came from behind one of the curtains. Alex called for the others without letting his eyes leaving the red curtains. The others crashed in, looking for the new emergency and stopping once they had entered the chill room. Soon they heard the voice again, deep and smooth, and it seemed to talk to Jerrin. It said that his connection with the lupine spirits must be much stronger than his. He admitted using his powers to grant the Wolfskull goblins the worgs they rode into battle, as well as trying to destroy what he called the horse-man which the party recognized as Loshad. Jerrin kept him talking and the voice revealed that it was a reverent disciple of the canine spirits, and that Jerrin must have been manipulating the spirits to work against the wolves. As they talked, Alex stealthily moved around the room to arrive at the door to the stairs as Yaritza slinked into a corner towards the curtain. Alex pushed his shoulder to the door as he tried the handle, but neither budged. The curtain fluttered and a huge pure-white wolf poked its head out, baring its fangs before exhaling a blast of cold winter chill on Alex.

Alex ran backward, leaping over the edge of the fountain as he anticipated the white wolf to follow him. Jerrin brought forth a giant bat that snapped then hovered above the wolf before he cast a spell and launched an orb of flame that struck the wolf in the head. The winter wolf tossed aside the curtain and streaked across the room, striking out at Tempest. Jerrin moved to strike the beast with another fiery orb, and Thovaas came in to flank it. The beast breathed out another wintry chill at Tempest, and its bite clamped down on nothing but air. Bratton moved in to help, while Alex and Yaritza fired arrows at any openings. Before much longer the large white wolf slumped to the stone tiles, dead. Jerrin felt along its flank and noticed it had a collar around its neck. Slipping it off the dead beast, he tried to read the elvish arcane characters inscribed on it. Jerrin put the collar on himself and tried to pushing some of the studs before Yaritza came to categorize what abilities it had.

Searching around the rest of the room, the group pulled back the first curtain to reveal bedding and blankets thick with white fur. Finding nothing but fleas they moved on to look behind the second. There they saw a bed, a chair and a table with several notes written in an infernal language. As Alex was investigating them, Yaritza saw his heel tip one of the floor tiles upward. Moving the stone tile revealed a hole downward that held a burlap bag. Just as Yaritza was about to reach into it, Alex grabbed her forearm and pulled it back. He pointed into the hole and nearly hidden there was a snake, a viper, which could have been a very nasty surprise. Stabbing the snake, they brought up the partially open bag full of coins. In it was a mix of gold and silver pieces, some minted from the Kingdom of Correl and a lot more of the silver that was not.

As they divvied up the coins, the group discussed their next step. Should they rest and recoup their health? Or should they press on by getting to the steps?

 

[MarauderX]

Session 15: Barricade overcome, Discoveries at the Top

The group paused at the door to the spiral steps to discuss whether they should continue on or rest. Looking around, the uninjured Thovaas proposed going on which was seconded by nearly everyone. Alex searched the door for anything out of place before popping the lock open to reveal the steps leading only upward. Winding their way up, they saw another door at the top. Listening, they heard whispering voices on the other side and they tried to peer under the door. Thovaas counted silently to the others then burst through the door into the room.

Awaiting them on the other side was a semicircular barricade with the stair door at its center. Behind the various heights of the mixed furniture, barrels and boxes were a group of hobgoblins and four goblins stood and kneeled on one of the tables. In the gap across from the stairs stood the heavily armored hobgoblin that they had seen in the lobby below. The hobgoblins pulled back their bows with smiles showing jagged teeth, and the goblins aimed their crossbows just as the party line went decidedly in full reverse.

Backing down the stairs, everyone jumbled together before heading down the stone steps. Thovaas stumbled and slid backwards to land on his back at the top of the stair, and several missiles zipped over him to clatter against the stone. Standing and pulling himself out of the line of fire, Thovaas put his back to the wall of the stairs so as not to provide a target. The group fired a few shots in, trading arrows with the hobgoblins, and Thovaas took a hit in the arm through his shield as he timed their reloading. As this occurred the party heard the lumbering sound of shaking armor as the stocky hobgoblin approached the stair door.

The figure blocked the doorway first then stepped out onto the platform to face Thovaas a few steps below. He braced his shield in a way to get more leverage with his axe, but before he could strike Thovaas grabbed him around the legs and hauled them both tumbling down the stairs. They crashed down to Jerrin and his companion Tempest, and tempest snapped at the tangled two and struck Thovaas. Thovaas felt the hobgoblin struggling to break free and kept rolling down the stairs taking Tempest with them as Jerrin hopped over them and began casting a spell. They tumbled into Bratton next, but the stout dwarf set his legs firmly and the three bounced against him then continued downward.

Thovaas controlled their descent and stopped past Bratton, where again the hobgoblin tried to escape Thovaas, but its armor covered body was held fast by him. The others joined in slashing at the hobgoblin as Thovaas pinned it to the stairs, and Bratton landed a deadly blow to its chest, and Thovaas felt its last breath escape.

At the top of the stairs a few of the hobgoblins had gathered to see what had become of their comrade when a celestial wolf appeared next to them and attacked the hobgoblin on the landing overlooking the action below. It mangled the creature’s thigh and Jerrin threw a dagger to pierce its neck and it leaned against the edge of the landing before falling to the stairs below. A hobgoblin attacked it, startled as he was, and another tried to get by him to attack. The wolf bit the hobgoblin’s calf causing it to fall backwards as the wolf dragged him to the floor. Jerrin ascended the stairs and he threw his dagger into its chest as the wolf tore at its other leg when it tried to stand on its good leg. The hobgoblin went limp just as the other tried to pry him to freedom from the wolf’s assault, and it retreated. The wolf jumped on one of the tables a hobgoblin had been using for cover and took several blows before being dispersed.

The Yaritza stood was lifted up by Thovaas and stood on his shoulders where she could see one of the goblins standing in anticipation on the table. Each took aim at one another but Yaritza shot first and struck the goblin in the forehead, snapping its head backwards before it fell off the table. Yaritza switched to Bratton’s shoulders to allow Thovaas up the stairs, but it didn’t allow her the height to get a good angle for another crossbow shot.

Thovaas charged up the stairs and stopped abruptly at the top beyond the line of sight for the hobgoblins in the room. Peaking out, he acquired the location of one and traded shots as it cowered behind a table. Jerrin led his wolf-hound companion with his knees and they charged into the room, leaping over the table to snap at the hobgoblin. It drew a scimitar, but didn’t land a blow before Jerrin and Tempest brought it down. The others then flooded into the room.

Thovaas went for the goblins as they stood on the table opposite and Jerrin guided Tempest to the next hobgoblin behind a stack of crates. Alex made his way into position as Bratton was engaged by a second hobgoblin. Yaritza moved into a flanking position as it stood higher up on the table, and with a piercing blow Alex brought it down. Bratton finished off the other.

A lighter-skinned goblin wielding an axe darted away from Jerrin towards the stair door opposite the one the party had come in. Thovaas pointed and Jerrin was already chasing the creature down. Its body lay stretched out reaching for the door, and Tempest spat out the lifeless corpse at Jerrin’s command.

Looking around, the group paused to search the room. They saw much of the same refuse as they had below, with most of the beds that had been arranged around the room in disrepair. They tossed away trash as they gathered the valuables from the room, mostly coins that were found in a few footlockers.

*****

The group decided to rest, and barricaded themselves into the room. Rotating long watches they rested until the following morning as they used spare torches in the room to provide constant light. The next morning Alex opened the door to the stairs and climbed them quietly with Yaritza tagging along silently behind. He felt cloth covering the door at the top of stairs, sealing it tightly to the frame. Alex tugged at the black cloth, listening at the door to hear voices talking occasionally, but their casual tone suggested that they did not hear him or didn’t care. Tearing it all away, Alex could make out that the door was not barricaded, and with Yaritza’s help determined that it might be held fast with magic.

Taking this news to the others, the group then discussed an alternate plan. Jerrin would shift his form to that of an eagle to inspect the top of the tower and see if they could enter there. If so, he would take a rope and secure it to the top for the others to climb. Once there they would try to enter from the top to catch their foe in a less hardened direction. From there they hoped to catch the master of the tower by surprise and slay him, then scatter any of his remaining minions before them easily.

So they set the plan in motion. Jerrin cast a spell to call forth lightning before the others watched in astonishment as grew feathers and shifted to the form of an eagle. He swiftly took off from the group and circled upward, watching the empty town below for signs of activity. Once he saw the top of the tower he was all at once disgusted and angry. A large symbol that Jerrin did not know still made his bile rise, and he forced himself to focus on the other details at the top. On four sides of this symbol were wooden racks with manacles at each end to hold fast whatever sacrifice that might be part of the dark rituals performed there. Jerrin’s keen eyes focused on them and could tell that they might have been used recently. To the side of them was a pedestal with some parchment strapped or nailed into position. On the opposite side of the symbol were two human skeletons and one looked as if it had been blasted apart by fire as a large scorch mark was centered on its scattered bones. Furthermore a grate was there, likely the flue for the fireplaces, as was a hatch – what Jerrin was hoping for. He swooped down to grab the rope.

Alex ascended the slick side of the tower first and pulled himself up onto the tower top. Standing he felt a surge of fear well up in him, a fear that said to be anywhere else but there. Jerrin called down a bolt of lightening upon the pedestal and watched as splinters flew and the parchment on it burned. Startled, Alex fought the feeling of doom and moved around to the other side of the column to allow Thovaas up next. With Thovaas there, Alex felt a little calmer as surely with his knightly training he would know what to do. The others all made it to the top, and the end of the rope was securely tied in a harness around Tempest before hauling him up, much to his protest.

At the top they all noticed how from there they could see the entire shallow valley they had crossed through, all along the edge of the crescent-shaped cliff and the whole of the plateau behind them. The group moved to inspect the pedestal and noted the paper on it might have been a diagram of some sort, with notation and other text to the sides. Glancing again at the symbol centered on the top of the tower, they saw it was a 6” trough set into the stone, rough in spots and perfectly smooth in others. The morning sun rose and shone down on the top of the tower to reveal the bottom of the trough was a sickly deep red that looked like dried paint.

Quickly they pulled their eyes from it and inspected the hatch in the roof that opened upwards. Alex peered downwards to see an ornate room, empty of anything moving. The others used the rope to lower him down into the room and he landed on top of the large desk below. Carefully moving so as not to disturb the papers on the desk Alex dropped to the floor below and took another look around the room as the others started to come down the rope.

The first thing they noticed was four long tapestries covering one of the walls of the octagonal room. Along another and behind the desk was a map of the local area, with several positions marked with points and paths. It was clear that several points were of the goblin lairs, the various homesteads, and several other miscellaneous points. Sukyskin was circled several times, and several lines protruded from Chautauqua towards it. Nearby were several smaller cabinets full of notation and other papers.

Across the room near the only door was a large tub full of steaming water, and across from it were a lavish bench and several fur rugs dyed red with ornate markings. The rugs shimmered and seemed to warm and sooth those that stood upon it. The group noticed a patch of fur that had collected towards the fireplace, probably from sleeping in the same spot for some time. Perfumes and costume jewelry was laid about on a well-made cabinet.

Alex and the others searched the room for any hidden treasures or secrets and came up with two large locked chests. Alex ran his hands over the edges slowly searching for anything peculiar. Not sensing anything he slipped the lock open with a click and pulled the iron-bound lid open with a slight hiss, and Alex reacted to close the lid again but it was too late and an explosion of icy chill froze everything within reach. Alex pried his frostbitten hands from the top of the chest a kicked the open chest with his foot and noted the pile of frozen coins within.

Alex took a few minutes to thaw himself before taking a look at the second. Examining it with great care, he detected three needles bathed with a viscous poison, and they pointed outward from the complicated lock. Tripping the set switch, Alex disarmed the trap and began working to open the lock. After a while he finally opened the box with a wary hand, and it revealed an upper tray of potions and empty vials. Several of them were labeled with crude markings on a leather strap that Alex made out to be a curative potion. A ring shown at the bottom of the chest, as did a second smaller lock box. Alex pulled out the box and did the same inspection on it and realized that it was imbued with a magic that was either a trap or was used to seal the box shut.

Then they all heard voices beyond the stair door. They waited for more, but none came, and their guard relaxed after several minutes of silence. Deciding to leave the majority of the treasure behind they looked to open the door and go after whoever resides in the luxurious room.