Party: Declan the human barbarian (9), lIidan Hunzrin the drow rogue (9), Gileas the human bard (9), Rolann the human pallidan (9), Kelderrin the gnome rogue (9), Jax the half elf rogue (9), Boarstack the duergar fighter (7)
Words of warning shot back and forth on top of the dais; the anger of the barbarian was answered with mockery by the orc till the words lost their meaning. The only thing was left was to answer the challenge.
Declan pridefully stepped into the center of the cavern, weapons drawn and arms wide. His invite was answered with a crushing blow as Gaul propelled himself from the high ground. They circled and screamed, cleaving one another with raging might. The members of the uneven perimeter warily watched the other for interference. The floor kept score counting the blood spilt, with a final winner being…undecided.
The kind-hearted Kilderrin could watch no more. Ushering in a cloud of slumber, the combatants fell simultaneously. Merciful magic indeed, but also a trigger to more violence as the uneasy treaty broke apart. From atop the stairs, one of the orcs dropped in a rock golem to their midst; Boarstack answered the summoning with a whirling dervish of attacks – all four orcs fell. The remaining orc tried to save the slave trader as Gileas filled the room with songs of healing as Jax rained magical arrows down on his enemies. Again and again Boarstack’s strikes rang true and the fight was done less than a minute.
Declan then Gaul both came back to consciousness. Perched on the orc’s chest, the grieving barbarian demanded answers. The orc responded with questions of honor from the duergar and human, answered by Declan taking his hand. With the grubby mitt swinging from his neck, the barbarian followed the path the others left, leaving the orc trussed up and bleeding out. As they regrouped at the mouth of the icy cave, Jax noted Ilidan to be missing had already taken out back to the icy prison… only to find that Ilidan had quietly stayed behind. A whistle and a smile announced the drow’s presence, sending a cold shiver of suspicion creeping up the gnome’s neck to what had been done.
The ice prison was exactly that, a prison for slaves with icy trolls serving as guards. The warriors fought and won, learning fire is the best way to keep a bad troll down. With shackles broken and slaves freed, the party began its bickering again. The paladin shared his premonitions of an undead evil left unchecked following, making use of the carnage the group had left in their wake. They argued about where and when to defend themselves, even where to rest their weary bones. The gnome admitted to nightmares as well. Slowly the puzzle pieces started to come together of nighttime shenanigans of the few and the disregard of completion from the many. Rolann prepared the fallen for judgement and confirmed there was no threat left in the lair; finally, they slept in the lair.
Their transgressions, good intended or not, were coming to give what’s due.
Southward they headed, into the open tundra, back to Ten Towns. A cart stolen was returned by a gleeful goblin; camp was made each night. On the second evening, tempers grew hot, and the barbarian drew a deep cut into the drow but before the battle could begin in earnest the goblin’s kin came calling. Undead creatures from the fort came upon them. Declan plopped himself in front of the fire, refusing to fight. The zombies were quickly dispatched, serving as a calling card, heralding the onslaught of more undead. The group counted the ones slaughtered in the name of greed, of vengeance, of retribution and suspected an army ahead.
Eerily they tucked in for the night, and when they awoke the Northman was gone. No evidence of foul play could be found, and faded footprints in the snow led southeast for a few feet before disappearing altogether. Those remaining packed the wagon and headed Southeast, towards Ten Towns and through the undead army that awaited them.
Treasure:
708 Gold
Great Battle Axe +2 (Boarstack)
XP:
2,492 each
(update by James)
