Banewarrens d20 (Angelsboi's party)

[diaglo]

They haven't built a gaol yet...

Bartol paced. When the door finally opened, Bernedette let out a big sigh. Timmay, Erik, Thane, Veridian, and Ulfgar entered along with a war wizard and the sergeant. Everyone spoke at once. The war wizard held up his hand.

“I will ask you a simple question,” he began. “What other business do you have left in Tilverton?”

“Thane?” Timmay whispered.

“None,” Thane replied to the wizard. A little lower he mentioned to Timmay “I don’t feel Chauntea’s pull on me here anymore.”

“Well then,” the wizard finished. “The High Priest of Gond says Hasantasser will be able to respond to some questioning tomorrow. Afterwards I suggest...”

“We will be more than happy to oblige you,” Bartol smirked.

The sergeant showed them the way out. But instructed them to return to the Temple of Gond in the morning. The party chatted the whole way back to the inn. Erik remained his vigilant self. Timmay filled in Bartol and Bernedette about the findings at the Temple. Alisiar body was there. The High Priest had spoken to her departed soul. She was not an evil spirit. But she was also not telling all. Bartol waited for Veridian to get a little ahead. He then told Timmay about all his suspicions. Timmay clucked and shook his head. It seemed Timmay was already ahead of the game.

Veridian had told another story to Timmay. When he had gone to Grimwold’s Revenge for his meeting with Hassantasser, all he had discovered was a bloody mess. After a brief search he had found an eye and tongue. He thought if things were bad for him they would be worse for the party. So he had run back in all haste, only to arrive too late.

Ulfgar tagged along wondering just how he had gotten himself into this mess. The majority of the party he was convinced were just plain crazy. But he did admire Timmay’s way with words and Bartol’s appreciation of weapons. Moradin knew they needed his guidance.

 

[diaglo]

Kicked out of town

When the party returned to the Windlord's Rest, Timmay did his best to help Ulfgar retain his room. Thungor was not too happy with the dwarf. Nor was he overly friendly with Veridian. Thane was absent briefly. He stopped by the grove to pay his respects and to collect his wolves. Bartol saw to the horses.

Finally, the party settled in for the night. Several Purple Dragons were seen patrolling outside the window and inside the common room. They gathered all the things they would need for a hasty retreat. They paid their bill before bedding down.

In the morning, Ulfgar met the party in the common room. He had prepared a few spells for the Dwarven Inquisition. No one would suspect the dwarf. He also at Bernedette's request scanned the room for any taint of evil. Only the ring in the caller's hand registered. She quickly handed it to Veridian. The rogue was not evil, but he still got his wish. The ring was his. He smiled as he put it on. Though, Erik still had Hoard Master.

Some time during the night, Veridian had returned to Grimwold's Revenge. A young lady was tending to the affairs while Hassantasser was away. She claimed to be his daughter. A patrol escorted the party to the Temple of Gond. Many citizens of Tilverton gawked at the procession.

The High Priest had down his best, but the information broker was still not whole. He was whole enough, however, to answer questions. Several higher ranking officers and the war wizard were also in attendance, as well as, a sharply dressed citizen.

"Who are you?" Bartol blurted out.

"I, sir, am the Lord Mayor," she replied. "High Priest, if you would."

The party groaned.

The High Priest stepped forward and cast a zone of truth around the occupants of the area.

"No lie may be told while you stay here," he mentioned.

"Goodie," Bernedette squealed with glee. "Oh, Bartol. Do you love me?"

"Aaaaa, ummmm, ...." Bartol stammered and turned red with embarrassment.

Timmay saved the barbarian. He went to town with the questioning. He asked the injured man about the attacks, about the information the party sought, about his daughter, and about the cult. He also directed the others when to chime in. It was beautiful music. Unfortunately, it was little more than filler. The party only learned one thing. Hassantassar didn't have a daughter. But mostly the answers placed more blame on the party for the mysterious troubles of late.

"It appears," the Lord Mayor announced. "That the guild is once again active."

"The Fire Knives?" an officer asked.

"Perhaps," Bartol offered. "We can handle them for you?"

"This is our affair," the Lord Mayor said. "The Purple Dragons will see to it. I suggest..."

"We are way ahead of you," Erik answered.

"Ulfgar," Timmay proposed. "Will you join us? We have need of a dwarf and a healer. And since you are both, we are doubly blessed."

And with that the party left Tilverton.

 

[Angelsboi]

YAY! Bartol *does* love Bernie!

 

[diaglo]

A time to reflect and a time to chat

The trip from Tilverton was pleasant. Although, the season was definitely shifting. Everyone tried to make Ulfgar feel as welcome as possible. Timmay filled him in on the party's misadventures, enemies, friends, and the layout of the hidden forge. They also spoke of common associates and places in Glen. The party bypassed the border tower without so much as a by your leave. And then they were in the Thunder Peaks again. Thane and Bartol provided for the party along the way.

Timmay had traded his mount in for a riding dog, Marmaduke. Ulfgar was similarly mounted. While Bernedette, Bartol, and Thane rode on horseback. Erik rode Alrissian's warhorse. And Veridian used Erik's old roan. The wolves and the dogs made an almost perfect pack. Thane was always comfortable when he bedded down. Bernedette and Bartol had returned to the normal routine of adventurers. Both knew it was necessary to survive. But whenever time permitted they would have idle conversation of a more intimate nature. Veridian had done well for himself so far with the party. Of the party's few items of magic, he had garnered at least one, the ring. Thane and Bernedette each sported a wand. And Erik held the party's trophy, Hoard Master. Thane also had another new purchase, an ever-glowing lantern, and his cudgel. And Bartol was decked out in a variety of new weapons and potions. He and Ulfgar spent time discussing the merits of various metals and other materials in the forging of the weapons. Ulfgar was impressed by Bartol’s dwarven made longsword.

The fact that the trip was so uneventful made it even more useful for several reasons. It helped alleviate the worries Bartol was having concerning Veridian. Bartol even apologized to Veridian for his paranoia. Veridian said he hadn't noticed. The trip helped settle watch and marching orders in cases of trouble. It also helped everyone see how they could best help the group. And everyone knew what the other was thinking when it came time to face the real dangers. But some things it didn’t change.

Thane still had his geas. Bernedette still wanted to clear the Elven temple. Bartol still wanted to return Duergeddin's works to Glen, as well as impress the Riders. Timmay still wanted to improve his collection of spells and books. Erik still wanted...well no one was really sure what Erik wanted. But he seemed to be having fun.

 

[diaglo]

Hi honey, We're home...

The first thing Bartol did as the party climbed the hillside to Mug's Teeth was check for new tracks. Nothing new in the last tenday or so. So the party climbed to the entrance. A small pile of out of place stones greeted them.

"What's this?" Bernedette asked.

"An old trail trick," Thane replied as he bent down to examine the pile. He pulled out a note and read it aloud.

"Fought off another patrol. No new sign of hobgoblins for 3 days. Gone to scout around the perimeter. I'll be back. Alrissian."

Thane guessed the note was less than a few days old. He scrawled a return message and put it back.

Bartol strapped on his shield and swords and approached the first turn. He watched for any movement from the arrow slits. He scouted ahead.

"All clear," Bartol said as he came back.

Everyone gathered their things. They left the wolves and dogs to guard the horses. The secret door was closed anyway. And no one felt like carrying the animals across the rope bridge.

Bartol strung a belaying line across and crossed first. The others soon followed. Ulfgar and Erik had to take their armor off to insure their safe crossing. Once on the other side, Thane pulled out his lantern. Bartol lit his as well. He dangled it from a loop at his belt, so the bullseye pointed one way and then another. Eventualy Timmay got tired of shadow puppet show and offered to carry it. The group went directly for the old door with the fire trap.

Ulfgar approached Veridian. He mumbled a few words to Moradin. "This will protect you some from the fire. Just in case."

"Now, I think I can help," Veridian smiled. He pulled a series of poles out and tied himself off. Soon he was aloft on the stilts. He approached the door. Everyone else stood way back.

 

[diaglo]

The Lamest show on Oerth...Aber-Toril

Besides the stilts, Veridian had a third pole to poke around in front of himself. Timmay got a strange idea. He mumbled a little under his breath. Suddenly a strange ghostly melody could be heard. Rumpp...bumppp....da...da..da..
da...Rump....pump....pa...

Bernedette took the cue and reached into her spell pouch. She began to juggle.

"Step right up ladies and gentlemen," Thane added.

Ulfgar shook his head. He asked for Moradin's guidance. He also cast a spell on himself. His skin gained a slight blue tinge. He strode past the rogue and up to the fire trapped door.

The music and the party stopped and scattered.

Ulfgar gave a slight grunt and pushed the door open. The chamber made a loud clanging sound and then a hiss. Nothing else happened.

"Ha," Erik laughed. He walked up behind the rogue and pushed him over. "Going down."

Veridian as gracefully as possible rolled to his rump. He would've tumbled, but the stilts were still attached.

Everyone else began to laugh. The room beyond was clear of any occupants and danger. Several large chambers with pipes leading to the door were all that remained of the trap. It was used up.

Bartol grew tired of the waiting. He strode off to the only tunnel the party had yet to explore, the way down. Bernedette hurried to catch up. Several feet into the descent Bartol heard water falling. He also noticed the passage sloped and was damp. Not a good place to walk without some protection. He pulled out his rope and began to tie himself off. Bernedette did likewise. The rest of the party moved past the two of them. Veridian and Ulfgar took the lead.; followed by Timmay and Erik with the lantern; then Thane with his light; and finally Bernedette and Bartol.

"It's slick you might consider some precautions," Bartol mentioned. "You could tie off with us?"

No one paid him any heed.

 

[diaglo]

Gone fishing...

The party descended for many minutes. The sound of the rushing water got louder. And the air in the cave got more moist. Finally they came to a fork in the tunnel. To the left a stream cut thru the rock. It was possible to walk the path but it was very treacherous. The way ahead continued to descend. Veridian scouted a few feet into the tunnel on the left. He turned back.

The party elected to continue descending. The tunnel opened into a large cavern. Another stream cut thru the center. The water was very fast flowing. It ran from North to South. Where the stream came in from the North, another scan showed a steep climb. Most of the armored party wouldn't fit. There were two more passages on the other side of the stream. Where the stream exited the cavern in the South, it appeared the dwarf or gnome might be able to pass. Ulfgar volunteered to check it out. Bartol tied the dwarf off on the rope.

"Give a strong yank on the line, if you want us to pull you back," Bartol said.

"Just watch out for any large cave trout," Thane chuckled.

"We've got the wrong bait for that," Erik added. "Halfling is recommended with a stronger test line."

Ulfgar took the plunge. The water came up to his beard. As he continued, however, he had to lean his head back to gasp for air. He was soon out of sight.

Erik, Bernedette, Thane, and Bartol waited for the dwarf's signal. Timmay held the lantern so everyone could see. Veridian scouted around with his bow drawn. He covered the 2 passages on the far side.

Time crept by very slowly.

"Do you think he's alright?" Bernedette asked. "You don't think he's drown or was struck unconscious, do you?"

"We'll give him a few more minutes," Thane agreed, "and then we'll haul him back."

As the party prepared to pull their new and unfortunately dead, or at least that was what they were thinking, companion back; the rope went taut.

"We've caught ourselves a big one," Erik screamed as he pulled. The others helped.

Ulfgar came up sputtering, "Draconians."

 

[diaglo]

Anyone want to skinnydip...

"Are you hurt?" Bernedette asked.

"No," Ulfgar replied as he was extracted from the water. "But one of them did throw a javelin at me."

"Which way do you think will get us to them?" Bartol questioned. "Did you see any other exits? How many of them..."

"Slow down," Timmay jumped in the conversation. "Let Ulfgar talk."

"I believe I saw 2 of them," Ulfgar finally added. "They are human size, but lizard like. And boy does something reek in that cave. I didn't see any other exits. But I did see a couple dead hobgoblins. They looked like they were dressed for dinner. And they were the main course. One of the lizards hurled a javelin at me. They both had several strapped to their backs."

"Trogs," Bartol murmured.

"Big kobolds, if you ask me." Timmay grinned. "I am so going to love this."

Bartol rolled up his rope. The party headed across the stream and to the passage closer to the South. After quick bend and they found themselves in a much larger cavern. This one glowed with a green iridescence. The party was on a shelf looking down on most of the cavern floor. It was covered in a fungi. On the shelf with them were 23 dwarven sepulchres. Most were unmarked or unremarkable. Three, however, did contain the names of the occupants’ remains. Ulfgar said a prayer to Moradin for the fallen.

"Now which way?" Timmay asked.

"Up here," Veridian replied. "I've found a smaller tunnel. It leads into the next chamber."

Ulfgar scurried inside. With his vision he could see so much more of the chamber. A pool of water was 10 feet below. Blind white cave fish swam in the pool. Bartol joined him with a lantern. He secured his grapnel and tossed his rope down. Ulfgar tried to lean out on the rope and swing to a ledge. Bartol helped him swing. Clang, clang, clang, thud.

"I hope they aren't in this chamber," Veridian noted. "You make enough noise to stir the dead."

Bernedette looked back at the sepulchres. Bartol, Bernedette, Veridian, and Thane soon followed the dwarf. Thane had jumped right into the water. It was not too deep for the taller party members. As Timmay was taking hold of the line. Everyone paused. A strong stench wafted in. Bernedette and Veridian began to retch.

"I think we've found them," Thane commented.

 

[diaglo]

George of the jungle and his cronies

“We come in Peace,” Bernedette bellowed into the dark in Draconic. “Make love, not War.”

There was no reply. Ulfgar summoned a magic hammer. He then charged around the edge of the water and into the chamber. He could see the 2 trogs. And they him. They each hurled a javelin and leveled a spear. Bartol set down his lantern and drew his sword and shield as he moved into position. Bernedette barely cast a spell. Her warrior's armor soon covered her vulnerable parts. Thane also cast a spell. An orb of flame appeared in his hand. He struck one of the lizards. Veridian fired an arrow. But he was still very weak from the effects of the smell. Timmay and Erik were stranded up on the ledge. Erik followed Thane’s earlier lead and jumped into the water. The heavily armored warrior made quite a splash. Timmay became a sniper. He fired and reloaded his crossbow from the safety of the ledge. Why not, he had a height advantage. He had cover while he remained prone. And he could easily reload and fire the crossbow without suffering trouble from his surroundings. Timmay was no dummy. His bolt struck the other trog.

The trogs didn’t realize they were outclassed and outgunned. They were just defending their home. Or perhaps they were fighting a delaying action, while reinforcements arrived. Ulfgar struck his burned opponent with his warhammer. His magic hammer still didn't strike true. The trog adjusted his position to make his longspear more effective. The trog’s attack struck the ground to the side of the dwarf. The other trog buried his spear into Bartol. Not a good idea. Bartol’s anger drove him forward. Bartol’s blade went into the lizard’s shoulder and out its side. He struck with a ferocity that should’ve killed the creature. But it didn’t. The trog lost the use of one arm and bled from the area of flesh that dangled. Bernedette barely missed Ulfgar with her crossbow bolt. Thane tossed another ball of fire into the melee. It sailed over the combatants. Veridian’s arrow ended the suffering for Bartol’s foe. Erik waded out of the water and to the shore. Timmay also fired into the fray.

Ulfgar took a step forward and a swing at the trog. It dropped its spear and ran out of sight of most of the combatants. Only Ulfgar could see where it went. The magic hammer went after the trog. Bartol moved to the dwarf’s side. Part of the group filtered forward.

“Ahaaahhahhhaaa,” Timmay grabbed the rope and swung out.

“Geronimo,” Veridian gleefully shrieked. The elf plopped into the pool like a cork. He began to swim across the deeper part.

“They’re coming,” Ulfgar cried out. Three new trogs had entered the battle. Bartol had yet to quench his ire.

 

[diaglo]

Dragonslayers

Bartol charged one of the trogs, narrowly avoiding the longspear set for him. He slashed the creature. Again the wound was gruesome, but not fatal. The trog could do little to get his spear to thrust. The other two trogs surrounded Ulfgar. Neither could penetrate the heavy armor. Ulfgar waded in with his hammer. He landed a glancing blow. Thane fired yet another ball of fire. This one struck the trog to Ulfgar's right. Bernedette cast another spell. In front of her an image of Correlon appeared. Erik finished Bartol's opponent. However, there wasn't another near enough for him to catch on the follow through. Veridian and Timmay headed for drier ground.

Bartol closed on the trogs. One of the trogs tried to stab him. But Bartol moved to the side and threatened with his sword. He couldn’t get close enough to land a blow. The trogs repositioned. If nothing else they at least had worked together in combat before. But their spears were no match for the dwarven metal. Ulfgar hammered away. Thane brought his cudgel into play. And that left only one. Bernedette thought to use her longsword. But decided against it. She fired a crossbow bolt into the trog. Erik blocked the trog’s retreat. And Veridian fired the last shot in the battle. An arrow protruded from one of the trog’s eye sockets as it fell. Timmay moved to the center of the light sources. Bartol’s lantern was still by the side of the pool and Thane’s lantern was in his free hand.

“There’s a door this way,” Ulfgar said as he ran to the far end of the chamber.

“These guys are tougher than I thought,” Bartol said to the air. He set down his shield, sheathed his longsword, and prepared to draw his Grandfather’s Greatsword. But he noticed that Ulfgar was beyond the range of his sight. So he lit a torch and went to stand watch with the dwarf. The others had returned to the pool side.

A few moments later, Verdian yelled the party’s War Cry, “TIIIMMMMAAYYY.”

“Have you got this?” Bartol asked Ulfgar.

The dwarf nodded.

Bartol ran back to the rest of the party. As the barbarian came around the bend, he saw Thane casually standing against the wall. His lantern showed a side chamber. Inside Bernedette and Veridian were pelting a very large lizard with missiles. The lizard was chained to the opposite wall. It was guarding 2 chests. Bartol extinguished his torch and bent to pick up his lantern. Erik likewise waited for the inevitable.

“I think I can make a decent pair of boots and a belt out of the hide,” Thane commented.

“Some druid you are,” Timmay laughed.

“Well,” Thane huffed. “The other group from the Flagon Held High doesn’t have to be the only Dragon slayers.”

“That ain’t a dragon,” Bartol added. “But I guess maybe theirs wasn’t either.”