Maddgoths Castle (Chapter 2)

[Endovior]

Melkolf closes his spellbook, and looks up.

"If you're going back to the dead-mana area, do note that I will not be joining you... I'll stay outside as before."

 

[Evilhalfling]

This is another large, irregular cavern. The floor is a mixture
of stone and tightly packed dirt. The ceiling and floor
are lacking stalagmites and stalactites. Near the center of
the area is a gigantic idol carved from what appears to be a
single massive block of stone. It’s impossible to tell from this
distance what type of stone it’s made of. Years of smoky fires
in the nearby pit have covered the idol in a layer of black
soot. The figure depicted in the stone is a massively obese
humanoid, with shaggy goat legs and stubby bat wings. The
head of the idol is cracked and parts are missing, but a goatlike
head with ram’s horns is still visible. A massive iron pot
sits between the idol’s legs.
To the west of the idol is a massive collection of wood,
cloth, dirt, and discarded metal tools. The great heap forms
a lopsided sphere. Near the top a small dark opening can be
seen.

You (leaving Melkof behind) tramp into the large cave, avoiding the large obvious pits neat the entrance. One side of the lopsided sphere is still open where the trolls broke it open the day before. To the east is the sound of trickling water, a small spring flows along one side of the cavern before vanishing into a hole.

OOC: between Theo and time everyone is fully healed the next morning.

 

[D20Dazza]

Asher moves cautilousy towards the sphere, paying attention to both the floor and what lies ahead.

 

[Rhun]

Erik

Erik also moves cautiously toward the sphere, torch in one hand and mace in the other. His eyes dart about constantly, looking for any signs of danger.

 

[Scotley]

Theobold

Joining the others with a mace in one hand and a torch in the other, Theobold moves cautiously, careful to avoid the pits. Pointing at the sphere he says, "Are we going go into that 'nest' or maybe just try to pull it apart?"

 

[Endovior]

As the others leave, Melkolf begins the process of identifying the potion he picked up earlier. Before he starts, though, he writes a short message in Common, Draconic, Goblin and Undercommon, pinning it to the wall outside the cave with Prestidigitation. It reads "Busy casting powerful magic. Disturb me at your extreme peril. -Maddgoth"

Hoping that lie will throw off any potential guards, he retreats further into the cave, he puts an Alarm spell a bit further in, so that anyone entering the cave will trigger an audible alarm... another precaution. Melkolf sits at the back of the cave, in a position where he can observe any potential intruder. Then, he begins his concentration.

 

[Evilhalfling]

The Nest thing is huge - at least 60' across and it smells terrible. Broken sticks, cloth, rocks and troll are its major components. Peering through the opening Asher's light gleams off a handfull of gold coins. It is honeycombed with small holes and passages - crawl spaces for trolls, but large enough to be merely uncomfortable for you.

Aside from the bubbling of the brook the cavern is quiet and still.

 

[Scotley]

Theobold

"Gods that smells horrible. Do we go in?"

 

[Voadam]

"Aye. Filthy beasts." Konrad steps in checking things out.

 

[Rhun]

Erik

"It's like my da' always said, the only good troll is a dead troll. And even then, they're foul smelling beasts." Erik keeps his weapons at the ready as he helps search the great wooden sphere.