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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mathew_Freeman" data-source="post: 4496644" data-attributes="member: 1846">The Dragon TombClouds are starting to gather as the walk through the trees continues. Aran is again taking point guard as the party come across the area of their search – the Dragon Tomb.It's somewhat of a disappointment – merely a large pit in the ground surrounded by rough rocks and some more trees. In the pit four human workers are sifting through bones, watched over by a Gnome and two guard drakes - lizard-like creatures, about the size of large dogs. They are, as you might guess by the name, used as guards and alarms. Aran, after a little scouting, also spots another halfling lurking in the boulders around the pit's edge. He is curious to know what another member of his race might be doing around here.The Gnome seems well-dressed and confident, with a slight swagger to his walk. He is wearing leather armour and has a crossbow resting on a rock nearby. As the Gnome sees them, he introduces himself as Agrid and invites them to come down and see what he's uncovered. The party are suspicious, particularly Elwanen, but Des attempts a diplomatic exchange. However, as he makes his way around the pit to get a better view and Elwanen heads down into it, the trap is sprung and Agrid fires a crossbow bolt at the Tiefling Cleric, causing him to hit the deck in a hurry![1]Aran and the other halfling begin a duel of weapons – Aran's bow against the Halflings lightning quick slingshot. Projectiles ping off rocks, shoot wide and blood is drawn on both sides. The luck of the halflings also comes into play - both combatants avoid serious injury with some sharp footwork. Fortunately for Our Heroes, Aran prevails, and the Halfling is shot through the throat.In the pit, the sheer strength and power of Cass, Rangrim and Elwanen is too much for the human mob, with Elwanen slamming one into the walls of the pit with a Thunderwave. Despite some Gnomish trickery with a moment of invisibility, Cass beats Agrid unconscious and captures him. The guard drakes last a little longer, but they are heavily outmatched. Soon, their bodies are also cast into the bit admidst the bones.Des, meanwhile, has made his way across the pit to find a figure concealed under a blanket. Casting back the blanket he finds Douven Staul, alive, but tied and gagged. Des heals him of his injuries and unties him. Grateful to the party for rescuing him, Douven explains that he had started to work on the remains of the Tomb when he was approached by Agrid and the Halfing (his name is never discovered, sadly). The two quickly coerced him into continuing, saying that if he didn't do what they said they'd simply cut off a hand or so to keep him quiet. Scared and afraid, Douven managed to help until a few days ago when a mirror was uncovered.This was greeted with great joy by Agrid – apprently his superior had expected something of this nature to be found here. Agrid had decided to spend just a few days more to see if any other treasures could be located, but none were forthcoming. Today was to be the last day of digging – the group were then to return to the Keep with the mirror and Douven.Douven begs to be taken back to Winterhaven and safety before the party make any approaches to the kobold lair, and as thanks for his rescue he gives them the Amulet that Agrid had been wearing. Explaining that he just needed it for a moment, he withdrew a small picture of a woman, saying "This is my wife." He then handed over the Amulet to the group, confirming that this was a magical amulet that would provide protection against poison.The group agree to return to Winterhaven with their captive in tow. Agrid is firmly tied and also gagged - poetically, the same treatment dealt out to Douven. Everyone keeps a careful eye on him in case he tries any more tricks.[1]Des' player is keener on talking than action - I've promised him that future interactions with NPC's will be less combat orientated than the early sections, which largely involve the PC's being ambushed by various people.Note: At the end of this session, everyone levelled up to 2nd. I had wanted to make sure that they were 2nd level before attempting to beat [spoiler]Irontooth the Goblin[/spoiler] - hence the mild DM-pushing to do this section first.Next update: A very short interlude from Sabbat Fau!</blockquote>

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