Olgar Shiverstone
Legend
Brown Bear animal companion + Animal Growth + Bull's Strength = squished bad guys 
Banewarrens d20 (Angelsboi's party)
- Thread starter diaglo
- Start date
Olgar Shiverstone
Legend
Bump in memory of Angelsboi. He played Bernadette and Sir Richter Belmont in the first half of this story hour.
diaglo
Adventurer
Out of the Frying Pan
Darian, Arendel, Calrom, and Alya used what magic they had to heal the party. Still a few scrapes and bruises were evident as the party headed back to Dagger Falls. They hadn't traveled far when Fiddle noticed something unusual. The area around Dagger Falls was lit up brighter than it should be. The party picked up the pace. They had a good hour's ride to reach the town. Alya hid amongst the supplies.
The closer they got the more evident the trouble presented itself. It was the camp on the far side of the town. Scardale if Fiddle remembered correctly. The representatives closest to the Mistledale and Shawdowdale contingent of the meeting.
“Halt, who goes there?” a sentry screamed at the party as they approached.
“We have urgent business with Randal Morn,” Fiddle bellowed a response. “He is expecting us.”
Fiddle waved the scalps and string of ears at the guard when he was closer. Darian held forth the male wizard’s head. Several more armed guardsmen appeared and began to surround the party.
“There is trouble in the camp,” the sentry replied. “A band of Ogres attack the Scardale camp. The representative was unharmed but the camp was sacked. We aren’t sure if more hostiles will arrive. There is a bucket brigade handling the fire.”
Sully protected the supplies from too much scrutiny. No point in the guards discovering Alya. He urged his mount and the supplies towards the bucket brigade. Darian went with him. They stopped by the Mistledale camp first. Charles the halfling valet was glad to see them. But he warned them against disturbing Dumic the Red.
Calrom, Fiddle, and Arendel set off to see what tracks they could discover. And if they could find out who was behind the assault. No rest for the weary. A quick search proved too easy. It was Ogres alright. And they had been quick about their business. The tracks lead into the woods at the edge of Dagger Falls.
The rangers, bear, and druid gave chase for over an hour before they lost the tracks.
“I’ll meet you back at camp,” Arendel stated. “I’m going to see what I can find from the air.” Arendel assumed bat form and was gone in a flash.
Calrom and Fiddle returned to the Mistledale camp to rest.
Randal Morn was waiting for them.
Darian, Arendel, Calrom, and Alya used what magic they had to heal the party. Still a few scrapes and bruises were evident as the party headed back to Dagger Falls. They hadn't traveled far when Fiddle noticed something unusual. The area around Dagger Falls was lit up brighter than it should be. The party picked up the pace. They had a good hour's ride to reach the town. Alya hid amongst the supplies.
The closer they got the more evident the trouble presented itself. It was the camp on the far side of the town. Scardale if Fiddle remembered correctly. The representatives closest to the Mistledale and Shawdowdale contingent of the meeting.
“Halt, who goes there?” a sentry screamed at the party as they approached.
“We have urgent business with Randal Morn,” Fiddle bellowed a response. “He is expecting us.”
Fiddle waved the scalps and string of ears at the guard when he was closer. Darian held forth the male wizard’s head. Several more armed guardsmen appeared and began to surround the party.
“There is trouble in the camp,” the sentry replied. “A band of Ogres attack the Scardale camp. The representative was unharmed but the camp was sacked. We aren’t sure if more hostiles will arrive. There is a bucket brigade handling the fire.”
Sully protected the supplies from too much scrutiny. No point in the guards discovering Alya. He urged his mount and the supplies towards the bucket brigade. Darian went with him. They stopped by the Mistledale camp first. Charles the halfling valet was glad to see them. But he warned them against disturbing Dumic the Red.
Calrom, Fiddle, and Arendel set off to see what tracks they could discover. And if they could find out who was behind the assault. No rest for the weary. A quick search proved too easy. It was Ogres alright. And they had been quick about their business. The tracks lead into the woods at the edge of Dagger Falls.
The rangers, bear, and druid gave chase for over an hour before they lost the tracks.
“I’ll meet you back at camp,” Arendel stated. “I’m going to see what I can find from the air.” Arendel assumed bat form and was gone in a flash.
Calrom and Fiddle returned to the Mistledale camp to rest.
Randal Morn was waiting for them.
diaglo
Adventurer
Bring your bread crumbs for the woods
"Darian tells me you met with the drow," Randal Morn began. “What do you make of it? Are they a threat?”
“It was hard to say,” Calrom told the tale. “It may have just been an outpost. The devil elves were there alright, though. And they were in strength. They almost killed us.”
“Aye,” Fiddle added as he pulled out his trophies. “We even have a drow House insignia.” Fiddle handed it to Randal Morn.
The man scowled. “This is not good. I need to know more. With the recent attack this evening and with another vote coming soon. I don’t know if I can convince the council of the threat. The Ogres were not drow. And many believe they are in league with the Zhents.”
“Sounds more like the Moandites, if you ask me,” Alya chimed in. “We’ve had dealings with them. Their yet another small faction looking for allies. The Zhents or the drow would suit their purpose just fine.”
“I need to find out about this raid,” Randal Morn said.
“Already on it,” Fiddle interrupted. “Our druid friend has gone to see if he can spy their camp. He should be back soon. And after we’ve rested some we will see what answers we may find.”
Randal Morn bid the party farewell and left deep in thought. Darian and Sully were already fast asleep. Calrom and Fiddle traded watches while Alya bent her will and pearls to another task.
Arendel arrived an hour before the dawn. He’d found the Ogre camp. It was a couple hours away by foot or mount. He was asleep in a flash.
"Darian tells me you met with the drow," Randal Morn began. “What do you make of it? Are they a threat?”
“It was hard to say,” Calrom told the tale. “It may have just been an outpost. The devil elves were there alright, though. And they were in strength. They almost killed us.”
“Aye,” Fiddle added as he pulled out his trophies. “We even have a drow House insignia.” Fiddle handed it to Randal Morn.
The man scowled. “This is not good. I need to know more. With the recent attack this evening and with another vote coming soon. I don’t know if I can convince the council of the threat. The Ogres were not drow. And many believe they are in league with the Zhents.”
“Sounds more like the Moandites, if you ask me,” Alya chimed in. “We’ve had dealings with them. Their yet another small faction looking for allies. The Zhents or the drow would suit their purpose just fine.”
“I need to find out about this raid,” Randal Morn said.
“Already on it,” Fiddle interrupted. “Our druid friend has gone to see if he can spy their camp. He should be back soon. And after we’ve rested some we will see what answers we may find.”
Randal Morn bid the party farewell and left deep in thought. Darian and Sully were already fast asleep. Calrom and Fiddle traded watches while Alya bent her will and pearls to another task.
Arendel arrived an hour before the dawn. He’d found the Ogre camp. It was a couple hours away by foot or mount. He was asleep in a flash.
diaglo
Adventurer
Please keep the P out of the Ool.
The party took off like a shot in the morning. Mulebone and Marmaduke stayed in camp. Darian had recovered his strength and his spells. So had most of the party. Alya and Arendel though were still partially fatigued. They reached the Ogre camp with little trouble. It was abandoned. Perhaps two hours start.
Calrom and Fiddle soon found the trail. Up, back, around, thru, the Ogres gave a merry chase. The tracks weren't all Ogre markings. A smallish being, perhaps a hin, a couple lighter feet...elves, and a human or similar being traveled with the Ogres. The tracks circled Dagger Falls and led to the Falls themselves.
A cave in the side of the hill was the end of the trail. The Ogre had entered here and ... who knew what next. Alya sang a tune and vanished from sight and sound. A couple minutes later he startled Calrom.
"A pool of water," Alya remarked. "That's all there is in the cave."
Fiddle went ahead. The tracks led to the pool. It looked just like the Ogre had taken a dip and not resurfaced. Fiddle tossed his glowing candle into the pool. It floated to the back and bobbed up and down.
"Yep," Fiddle smiled. "Looks like there is a way ahead. But who wants to find it?"
Sully and Arendel assumed different forms. Sully became a nixie. And Arendel a very large trout. They plunged ahead. Sully tossed Fiddle the candle when he reached the back of the cave. Time dragged.
"Do you think they are okay?" Calrom asked worriedly. "They've been gone a long time."
Just then Nixie Sully resurfaced.
"There is a way," he said. "But it is treacherous. And the current is strong. We almost lost Arendel to the Falls."
"Last one in cook's dinner," Fiddle yelled.
Fiddle, Alya, and Calrom dove into the water. The Bear also had fun in the water. Darian sank like a stone. The current carried Fiddle and Calrom along a tunnel for several moments. An then an area above the water hinted at air. Fiddle surfaced. It was on the edge of a cavern. Fiddle swam to the shore. Sully and Arendel were already on the edge. The hin threw his rope and grapnel into the water to fish for Calrom. He caught Alya instead. And then...after a pause Calrom came ashore. The Bear too waded clear. He shook his coat free of water. Still no sign of Darian.
"I think I've got a bite," Fiddle exclaimed with glee. Something big tried to drag the hin back into the water.
Calrom, Arendel, Sully, and Alya grabbed hold. The party heaved. Darian came up sputtering.
The party took off like a shot in the morning. Mulebone and Marmaduke stayed in camp. Darian had recovered his strength and his spells. So had most of the party. Alya and Arendel though were still partially fatigued. They reached the Ogre camp with little trouble. It was abandoned. Perhaps two hours start.
Calrom and Fiddle soon found the trail. Up, back, around, thru, the Ogres gave a merry chase. The tracks weren't all Ogre markings. A smallish being, perhaps a hin, a couple lighter feet...elves, and a human or similar being traveled with the Ogres. The tracks circled Dagger Falls and led to the Falls themselves.
A cave in the side of the hill was the end of the trail. The Ogre had entered here and ... who knew what next. Alya sang a tune and vanished from sight and sound. A couple minutes later he startled Calrom.
"A pool of water," Alya remarked. "That's all there is in the cave."
Fiddle went ahead. The tracks led to the pool. It looked just like the Ogre had taken a dip and not resurfaced. Fiddle tossed his glowing candle into the pool. It floated to the back and bobbed up and down.
"Yep," Fiddle smiled. "Looks like there is a way ahead. But who wants to find it?"
Sully and Arendel assumed different forms. Sully became a nixie. And Arendel a very large trout. They plunged ahead. Sully tossed Fiddle the candle when he reached the back of the cave. Time dragged.
"Do you think they are okay?" Calrom asked worriedly. "They've been gone a long time."
Just then Nixie Sully resurfaced.
"There is a way," he said. "But it is treacherous. And the current is strong. We almost lost Arendel to the Falls."
"Last one in cook's dinner," Fiddle yelled.
Fiddle, Alya, and Calrom dove into the water. The Bear also had fun in the water. Darian sank like a stone. The current carried Fiddle and Calrom along a tunnel for several moments. An then an area above the water hinted at air. Fiddle surfaced. It was on the edge of a cavern. Fiddle swam to the shore. Sully and Arendel were already on the edge. The hin threw his rope and grapnel into the water to fish for Calrom. He caught Alya instead. And then...after a pause Calrom came ashore. The Bear too waded clear. He shook his coat free of water. Still no sign of Darian.
"I think I've got a bite," Fiddle exclaimed with glee. Something big tried to drag the hin back into the water.
Calrom, Arendel, Sully, and Alya grabbed hold. The party heaved. Darian came up sputtering.
diaglo
Adventurer
The die is cast
It was cold and mostly dark. The party had only the few trinkets they carried that shed light. And everyone was wet. The water at least had been clean of filth. But it took activity to get the blood flowing again.
Fiddle and Calrom found the Ogre's trail again. A slick tunnel under the waterfall. Dagger Falls from Fiddle's guess. The noise was deafening. And communication was impossible.
"The perfect spot for an ambush," Fiddle realized. He had his guard up. But no trouble came. The party trudged on for a solid hour. They were soon past the Falls and all other discernable landmarks. They were also steadily descending. Descending into the Depths of the Earth. Chasing after a band of Monsters that could somehow be linked to the Drow, if not guided by at least 1 of the dark elves. Fiddle checked over his gear when the party stopped for a breather.
"How far are we going to chase these guys?" Darian asked.
"Have you got somewhere else to be?" Sully replied. "This is as good a place as any to find the answers we seek. Besides it might lead to the Underdark. I've been hoping to get this blood exposed before it's too late."
"That's what I'm afraid of," Darian admitted. "I don't want to go where we may not be able to return."
"I'm in," Fiddle chirped. "However long or far it takes us."
"Me, too," Calrom and Arendel responded simultaneously. They looked at each other in a huff and turned away embarrassed.
"If there is a story to tell," Alya smiled. "I'm there too."
"Darian?" Sully asked. "We really could use you on this adventure."
"Oh, I'm in," Darian shrugged. "I just want to make sure you all know just what we are getting ourselves into."
Everyone checked their gear. There wasn't much help. The party continued on the trail. Fiddle was undaunted. He had a spring in his steps. They were on another adventure.
It was cold and mostly dark. The party had only the few trinkets they carried that shed light. And everyone was wet. The water at least had been clean of filth. But it took activity to get the blood flowing again.
Fiddle and Calrom found the Ogre's trail again. A slick tunnel under the waterfall. Dagger Falls from Fiddle's guess. The noise was deafening. And communication was impossible.
"The perfect spot for an ambush," Fiddle realized. He had his guard up. But no trouble came. The party trudged on for a solid hour. They were soon past the Falls and all other discernable landmarks. They were also steadily descending. Descending into the Depths of the Earth. Chasing after a band of Monsters that could somehow be linked to the Drow, if not guided by at least 1 of the dark elves. Fiddle checked over his gear when the party stopped for a breather.
"How far are we going to chase these guys?" Darian asked.
"Have you got somewhere else to be?" Sully replied. "This is as good a place as any to find the answers we seek. Besides it might lead to the Underdark. I've been hoping to get this blood exposed before it's too late."
"That's what I'm afraid of," Darian admitted. "I don't want to go where we may not be able to return."
"I'm in," Fiddle chirped. "However long or far it takes us."
"Me, too," Calrom and Arendel responded simultaneously. They looked at each other in a huff and turned away embarrassed.
"If there is a story to tell," Alya smiled. "I'm there too."
"Darian?" Sully asked. "We really could use you on this adventure."
"Oh, I'm in," Darian shrugged. "I just want to make sure you all know just what we are getting ourselves into."
Everyone checked their gear. There wasn't much help. The party continued on the trail. Fiddle was undaunted. He had a spring in his steps. They were on another adventure.
diaglo
Adventurer
A new friend
The party traveled for several hours steadily following the Ogre's tracks. And then none. The ground was stone with little to no dust or sand. But there was only way. Just in case Arendel and Alya checked the walls for hidden passages. Fiddle and Calrom once again took the lead.
Less than an hour later the tunnel began to rise slightly. So very slightly that Fiddle wondered if he was just wishing it was heading back up to the surface. A glow appeared ahead. He and Calrom glanced around and released this was too dangerous. They went back to warn the party.
"There is something up ahead," Fiddle said as he found the party. "Could be an ambush."
"I think Alya should come with us," Calrom suggested. "He can see better than us and doesn't need a light source."
"We'll all go," Darian remarked. "If there is trouble it is best if we don't get split up. And someone who can be diplomatic should take point."
"I'll do it," Sully stepped forward with Fiddle and Calrom right behind. "If I see someone hold your fire. I've got a spell I've been aching to try out."
They reached the lit edge of the tunnel again.
"Who goes there?" a gruff voice said in the barely understandable trade language. "How many of you..."
Sully summoned his magic and cut the voice short. "You seem like a nice fellow. Show yourself and lets be friends."
An Ogre momentarily blocked out the light as he stepped thru the entrance of a chamber and into the tunnel with the party. "I'm Graak. Who are you little friend?"
The party traveled for several hours steadily following the Ogre's tracks. And then none. The ground was stone with little to no dust or sand. But there was only way. Just in case Arendel and Alya checked the walls for hidden passages. Fiddle and Calrom once again took the lead.
Less than an hour later the tunnel began to rise slightly. So very slightly that Fiddle wondered if he was just wishing it was heading back up to the surface. A glow appeared ahead. He and Calrom glanced around and released this was too dangerous. They went back to warn the party.
"There is something up ahead," Fiddle said as he found the party. "Could be an ambush."
"I think Alya should come with us," Calrom suggested. "He can see better than us and doesn't need a light source."
"We'll all go," Darian remarked. "If there is trouble it is best if we don't get split up. And someone who can be diplomatic should take point."
"I'll do it," Sully stepped forward with Fiddle and Calrom right behind. "If I see someone hold your fire. I've got a spell I've been aching to try out."
They reached the lit edge of the tunnel again.
"Who goes there?" a gruff voice said in the barely understandable trade language. "How many of you..."
Sully summoned his magic and cut the voice short. "You seem like a nice fellow. Show yourself and lets be friends."
An Ogre momentarily blocked out the light as he stepped thru the entrance of a chamber and into the tunnel with the party. "I'm Graak. Who are you little friend?"
diaglo
Adventurer
Stakeout
Fiddle shifted the two small loaded crossbows he had in his hands under his cloak. Sully strode forward.
"Ozlo Sullygrub," Sully smiled. "My friends call me Sully."
"S-s-s-ully," Graak stammered. "You'll have to pay a toll. Just like everyone else."
"You wouldn't charge a friend, would you?" Sully continued. "No, of course, not. We are looking for some other friends. A small guy like my friend Fiddle here, an elf or two although they are probably drow, and a couple humans or orcs. Plus a big guy like yourself."
Graak looked dazed but something finally registered. "Yeah, a group like that is here. They are with my friends. Come. Follow me. I'll take you to them." Graak turned to leave. He said something in what Fiddle guessed was Giant to the chamber. An answer from inside followed. Graak waved again. "Come."
The party entered the chamber prepared for trouble but not too openly. Inside stood 5 more Ogres. Not as big or menacing as Graak, but just as much trouble. Across the way was a female drow, a cloaked halfling sized figure, a couple hobgoblins, and an Ogre. The drow sneered at the party. A few seconds later, a pair of the Ogres escorted them away down a side tunnel. Fiddle noticed several tunnels leading away from the chamber. When Fiddle turned back to Sully. Graak was talking.
"This is the Bridge Toll," Graak said. "There is another way into the Underdark.. snicker [all of the Ogres snickered] but no one chooses that way. And besides we have a mighty ally. Mishal."
"Mishal?" Sully asked concerned. "Does he watch over you?"
Fiddle turned away again. He scanned the room again. A large table and at least 8 giant sized chairs occupied the center. A reinforced door with iron bars was set in one wall. A window a few feet up made for a perfect view of the chamber. Fiddle crept under the table and towards the door while Sully continued to talk to Graak.
"....duergar.... wizard.... drow....Szith Morcane.... Underdark... guide...." bits and pieces of the conversation continued to interrupt Fiddle's attention. He stood opposite the window. He couldn't see in. So he jumped up and down.... A gray skinned bald dwarf stood looking at him with malice in his expression and two nasty blades in his hands. Fiddle smiled and waved back and he jumped up and down.
"Your friend is funny," Graak's voice penetrated the chamber. "Little man should eat."
Fiddle wasn't sure if Graak meant eat him or give him something to eat. He returned to Sully's side.
Fiddle shifted the two small loaded crossbows he had in his hands under his cloak. Sully strode forward.
"Ozlo Sullygrub," Sully smiled. "My friends call me Sully."
"S-s-s-ully," Graak stammered. "You'll have to pay a toll. Just like everyone else."
"You wouldn't charge a friend, would you?" Sully continued. "No, of course, not. We are looking for some other friends. A small guy like my friend Fiddle here, an elf or two although they are probably drow, and a couple humans or orcs. Plus a big guy like yourself."
Graak looked dazed but something finally registered. "Yeah, a group like that is here. They are with my friends. Come. Follow me. I'll take you to them." Graak turned to leave. He said something in what Fiddle guessed was Giant to the chamber. An answer from inside followed. Graak waved again. "Come."
The party entered the chamber prepared for trouble but not too openly. Inside stood 5 more Ogres. Not as big or menacing as Graak, but just as much trouble. Across the way was a female drow, a cloaked halfling sized figure, a couple hobgoblins, and an Ogre. The drow sneered at the party. A few seconds later, a pair of the Ogres escorted them away down a side tunnel. Fiddle noticed several tunnels leading away from the chamber. When Fiddle turned back to Sully. Graak was talking.
"This is the Bridge Toll," Graak said. "There is another way into the Underdark.. snicker [all of the Ogres snickered] but no one chooses that way. And besides we have a mighty ally. Mishal."
"Mishal?" Sully asked concerned. "Does he watch over you?"
Fiddle turned away again. He scanned the room again. A large table and at least 8 giant sized chairs occupied the center. A reinforced door with iron bars was set in one wall. A window a few feet up made for a perfect view of the chamber. Fiddle crept under the table and towards the door while Sully continued to talk to Graak.
"....duergar.... wizard.... drow....Szith Morcane.... Underdark... guide...." bits and pieces of the conversation continued to interrupt Fiddle's attention. He stood opposite the window. He couldn't see in. So he jumped up and down.... A gray skinned bald dwarf stood looking at him with malice in his expression and two nasty blades in his hands. Fiddle smiled and waved back and he jumped up and down.
"Your friend is funny," Graak's voice penetrated the chamber. "Little man should eat."
Fiddle wasn't sure if Graak meant eat him or give him something to eat. He returned to Sully's side.
diaglo
Adventurer
T(r)oll Bridge
Sully prepared a nice meal for the Ogres. He improvised with what spices he had in his pouch and turned down Fiddle's offer of the drow poison. He also added a touch of his magic. The main meat was a mystery. Something the Ogres had been cooking over the flame for hours. Graak and the Ogres really enjoyed it. Fiddle and the others did too.
"Mishal," Graak yelled. "You gotta try this. It is good. Friend Sully make a good cook."
"I can do better," Sully smiled. "But I need to gather some of my own spices and main ingredients."
"Calrom, it is a shame we don't have Mulebone with us," Alya laughed. "I'm sure the Ogres would love him."
"Where is Mulebone?" Arendel asked.
"I left him back at the camp," Calrom barked. "I wasn't going to have Alya offer him to every creature we met in the Underdark. Nor become a snack for the Bear."
(There was a whole lot of very good roleplaying on JoeBlank's part here. But I'll leave it for him to tell you.)
Sully had gone to talk with Mishal, a human wizard with a peg leg. He was on a ledge overlooking the Ogres. He was bone thin and pale as a ghost. Perhaps he was a ghost. Fiddle didn't care. He wanted to catch the drow party.
The stew pot was empty. A few minutes later, Graak screamed something again in Giant down a side passage. A scream of terror in yet another language was cut short. Sully flinched. After the meal, the party was escorted to the bridge. On the opposite side a squad of duergar waited.
"Graak, we need a guide to catch our friends," Sully hinted. "Perhaps you could come with us."
"Graak too important," the Ogre replied sadly. "Graak make much money with Mishal. Mishal will be upset with Graak if he leaves."
"You won't be gone long," Sully promised. "We just need to catch our friends."
"Graak can't go," Graak admitted. "But if you find D'nD you may be lucky. He and his caravan left only a day ago. D'nD is an excellent guide."
Graak said goodbye and returned to the chamber.
"We have 4 crossings," Sully filled the party in. "Don't eat the last meal. It is gnome. I just hope it wasn't a relative." He blanched. "The duergar and Ogres work for Mishal, sorta. There is an uneasy truce here. I'm just glad we didn't upset the balance."
"Me, too," Arendel agreed. "The balance must be maintained."
Darian slapped his forehead. "Druids," he whispered.
Sully prepared a nice meal for the Ogres. He improvised with what spices he had in his pouch and turned down Fiddle's offer of the drow poison. He also added a touch of his magic. The main meat was a mystery. Something the Ogres had been cooking over the flame for hours. Graak and the Ogres really enjoyed it. Fiddle and the others did too.
"Mishal," Graak yelled. "You gotta try this. It is good. Friend Sully make a good cook."
"I can do better," Sully smiled. "But I need to gather some of my own spices and main ingredients."
"Calrom, it is a shame we don't have Mulebone with us," Alya laughed. "I'm sure the Ogres would love him."
"Where is Mulebone?" Arendel asked.
"I left him back at the camp," Calrom barked. "I wasn't going to have Alya offer him to every creature we met in the Underdark. Nor become a snack for the Bear."
(There was a whole lot of very good roleplaying on JoeBlank's part here. But I'll leave it for him to tell you.)
Sully had gone to talk with Mishal, a human wizard with a peg leg. He was on a ledge overlooking the Ogres. He was bone thin and pale as a ghost. Perhaps he was a ghost. Fiddle didn't care. He wanted to catch the drow party.
The stew pot was empty. A few minutes later, Graak screamed something again in Giant down a side passage. A scream of terror in yet another language was cut short. Sully flinched. After the meal, the party was escorted to the bridge. On the opposite side a squad of duergar waited.
"Graak, we need a guide to catch our friends," Sully hinted. "Perhaps you could come with us."
"Graak too important," the Ogre replied sadly. "Graak make much money with Mishal. Mishal will be upset with Graak if he leaves."
"You won't be gone long," Sully promised. "We just need to catch our friends."
"Graak can't go," Graak admitted. "But if you find D'nD you may be lucky. He and his caravan left only a day ago. D'nD is an excellent guide."
Graak said goodbye and returned to the chamber.
"We have 4 crossings," Sully filled the party in. "Don't eat the last meal. It is gnome. I just hope it wasn't a relative." He blanched. "The duergar and Ogres work for Mishal, sorta. There is an uneasy truce here. I'm just glad we didn't upset the balance."
"Me, too," Arendel agreed. "The balance must be maintained."
Darian slapped his forehead. "Druids," he whispered.
diaglo
Adventurer
D'nD
The party crossed the bridge. One of the duergar was clearly insane. But no violence came of it. Within a few hundred yards the party had lost the drow again.
"Now what?" Alya asked. "Lets go back and get Graak."
"Four crossings," Fiddle reiterated. "Lets pick one and see if we can catch this D'nD fellow."
Calrom and Sully went back to the bridge. They were back to the party in a few minutes.
"We can't cross without using one of our passes and Graak is out of earshot," Calrom said. "Well which way?"
Fiddle pulled out his loaded crossbows. "You talking to me, you talking to me, I didn't think you were..."
"Fiddle cut that out," Darian barked.
Fiddle picked a passage and took off with his light. The party followed. Calrom soon outdistanced the hin. They kept this pace for 4 days and nights. Or what the party guessed to be days. Darian and Arendel were the only ones sure of themselves.
And then they got lucky. Or maybe D'nD was unlucky. A way down. A shaft that descended many hundreds of feet. Lizard tracks... from Graak's description of the caravan this could be D'nD.
The party crossed the bridge. One of the duergar was clearly insane. But no violence came of it. Within a few hundred yards the party had lost the drow again.
"Now what?" Alya asked. "Lets go back and get Graak."
"Four crossings," Fiddle reiterated. "Lets pick one and see if we can catch this D'nD fellow."
Calrom and Sully went back to the bridge. They were back to the party in a few minutes.
"We can't cross without using one of our passes and Graak is out of earshot," Calrom said. "Well which way?"
Fiddle pulled out his loaded crossbows. "You talking to me, you talking to me, I didn't think you were..."
"Fiddle cut that out," Darian barked.
Fiddle picked a passage and took off with his light. The party followed. Calrom soon outdistanced the hin. They kept this pace for 4 days and nights. Or what the party guessed to be days. Darian and Arendel were the only ones sure of themselves.
And then they got lucky. Or maybe D'nD was unlucky. A way down. A shaft that descended many hundreds of feet. Lizard tracks... from Graak's description of the caravan this could be D'nD.
