The Lost Mines

Name	Date	Type	Players
The Baron’s Summons	01/31/13	Prelude	–
Waylaid Travelers	12/13/14	Game 1	Mike, Bryan, Sean, Chris, Nate, Lance
The Crawgmaw Cave	1/3/15	Game 2	Mike, Bryan, Sean, Chris, Nate, Sean (Remote)
The Town of Stagh	2/21/15	Game 3	Mike, Bryan, Sean, Chris
The Banshee	3/28/15	Game 4	Mike, Bryan, Sean, Chris, Nate
Into the Redbrand’s Den	4/18/15	Game 5	Mike, Bryan, Sean, Chris, Nate
The Borirson Brothers	10/3/15	Game 6	Mike, Chris, Nate, Sean
Wave Echo Cave	10/17/15	Game 7	Mike, Chris, Nate, Sean
The Black Knife	3/19/16	Game 8	Mike, Chris, Nate, Todd (played Pious)
Establishing Tarren Hill	3/30/16	Epilogue	–
Pip’s Training	6/18/16	Interlude	Chris
A New Purpose	6/28/16	Interlude	Nate

The Red Hand

Name	Date	Type	Players
Avalanche	7/02/16	Live Prelude	Chris, Nate, Kirk, Micah, Jennifer, Erik
The Dawn Way	7/02/16	Game 1	Chris, Nate, Kirk, Micah, Jennifer, Erik

For over a year now the mines of Wave Echo Cave have been operating under the direction of the surviving Borirson brothers, and profits have been good. Tresendar Manor has nearly finished being restored, and the towns people of Tarren Hill are happy to have more guards around, preventing a resurgence of the Redbrands. With their leader executed and many of their members killed by the adventurers, the gang has left the area to pursue easier prey.

Unfortunately not everything has been smooth sailing. A green drake has taken residence in the ruins of Candlehall blocking the South Pass to Caeradan. Along the north route, the ruins where the party killed the bugbear “king” and the surrounding woods are still infested with goblinoids. This does not stop traffic along this route, but it is more dangerous, often requiring armed guard be sent with the goods, lowering profits.

As a result, most of the Etherium mined from Wave Echo Cave is sent to the west. This works well as there is high demand for Etherium in Galad’s Gate and Whiteport on the other side of the mountain range. The Dawn Way has long been the primary trade route the Caerns to reach Galad’s Gate at the North-western tip of Westmarch. It begins in King’s End and travels through the Caerns and Westmarch, passing many locations along the way – including Caeradan, Tarren Hill, Galad’s Gate, and a small town named Drellin (or in some older record’s Drellin’s Ferry, before the town grew around the small ferry crossing stop). The town of Drellin sits on the Elsir River, and is the last stopping point in the High Marches before Galad’s Gate – only a dozen or two miles to the west, in the mountains.

The town of Drellin is the subject of the letter you’ve received from Sir Aldus Locke. There has, evidently, been a problem with the shipment of goods in the area of the town. Baron Samael Rinthon is unhappy with the loss of profits and would like the matter dealt with, however as the city of Drellin falls under the purview of Westmarch he cannot send military forces. As share owners in the mine, however, you could go and investigate the issue for your own self interests without any controversy. As such, Aldus has requested you prepare to escort a shipment as far as Drellin and investigate and solve the problem of your missing shipments.

Two caravans set out, the first consisted of Pip Dendrar, Par Salian, Lowdras, Okisame Arash and several sell swords – ((Erik)) and Stella among them.

The road crests a small rise and descends into a dusty grove in a large shallow dell. An abandoned farmhouse, partially visible through the trees, stands on one side of the road. You’ve passed a dozen spots much like this one already today, but this one feels wrong. Then you glimpse the glint of mail through the brush by the side of the road. Small, scaly creatures are lying in wait.

The first party was ambushed by a pair of Worgs, a few kobolds and a dragonborn. After a short but intense combat, the party was victorious. Pip found a strange talisman on his corpse. Inside the ruined farmhouse, they find several dead humanoids – including a merchant. In the merchants sack, they found some coin and an order of purchase for the goods headed towards Drellin from a man named Iormel.

Several Kobolds and dragonborn are camped at a small abandoned farmhouse. Their tribe – Avalanche – subsists partly off raiding the caravans of humanoids, and this road that they use has been very busy as of late. Their dragon born commander holds a hand signal signifying that you will strike soon. As a caravan of humans approaches, he sounds his horn and they descend upon the humans.

For the first few moments of combat, it seems to be in favor of the raiders, but soon more humanoids crest the hill behind them, blaring a strange golden metal horn of their own. The commander calls for a retreat, but within seconds another dragonborn horn sounds, followed by a few more – and even more dragonborn and kobolds pour out from the surrounding woods. These are not from the tribe of “our” kobolds though – they bear a banner belong to the Red Hand – a growing horde under the winged dragonborn Junviing.

Though he is absent at this, one of his commanders, Koth, leads the attack. As the humanoids are dispatched, the Avalanche kobolds and dragonborn are captured and questioned – they seek the location of Avalanche’s encampment. Eventually, they are led to their encampment – a village called Faad. Here the leader of the Red Hand’s force, a dragonborn named Kharn, captures the leader of the Avalanche tribe. The leader challenges the leader of the Red Hand to a duel. Kharn states he cannot accept, as he is not the leader, and Junviing steps forward. After toying with the tribe’s leader, he eventually lightly stabs him with his flaming sword, and watches the flames crawl across his body, dancing as if they are alive. Finally Junviing picks up the fallen leader’s sword, and welcomes the Avalanche tribe to the Red Hand.

I was given a second chance. My family was taken from me and then coming here to Tarren Hill I’ve been charged with raising this young girl, Pip Dendrar. At first that prospect scared the crap out of me. What if it happened again and everything was taken from me? I had to fight down those feelings and push past them so I’d be able to properly raise her and hopefully get past the trauma she herself has suffered at the hands of this cruel and yet beautiful world. When I started teaching her I was under the impression I’d be the one giving out all the lessons, but over time I’ve ended up learning as much from her. Every now and then I still wonder if this is the best life for her. The most constant people in her life are frankly religious zealots, one who’s fallen and was forgiven, reborn. The other who is almost always feared and mistrusted, which has to lead, if just a little, to resenting all those “civilized” people around him. Her natural disposition has led me to take the tools of my old life and pass those down to her, but I’m hoping I’m passing on the wisdom from my new life to temper the great pain and havoc that can arise from those same skills. She has taken to all the skills of a diplomat and spy as a fish to water. The wisdom I try to impart is a little harder for her to grasp. Why, when she herself has been treated so cruelly should she show compassion and restraint to others. Why should humans and other high sentient beings be shown more consideration than the lesser creatures of the world like her beloved goblin? I think It’s finally getting through to her on some level, but I fear the true turning point will come to her at great cost, possibly another tragic event that will alter her life. I’ve shown her good ways of using the teachings I handed down to her and pushed for her to follow a good path, if not a righteous one. I have a feeling when it comes down to the teachings of the Gods, that I hold so dear, she may be hopelessly lost. I teach her to love and honor the living above all. To be a light not only to banish the darkness, but for others to follow. That those who have passed are beyond our help and are in the hands of the Gods. Whereas Pious teaches her to honor and care for the dead and who knows what else. I hope she will take the best from both worlds. The town is booming with the mine open and producing again. It has been a good place to raise her with new people coming in all the time and generally happy populace. I’ve converted one of the bandit’s old homes into a temple of Leoh and have been spreading his word throughout this new community. To see Pip help with the conversion of the old building, then attend the to the people of the town on every day of mass. It did take some convincing to keep her from riffling through the collections and other peoples belongings. Finally, we come to a compromise of sorts. I’ve had to turn a blind eye to her taking from some of the wealthier but more miserly of the devout. She absolutely refused to leave all of their belongs alone, saying they don’t need them and they can go to a better cause. For the most part I secretly agree with her, but can’t openly say so. Maybe I taught her too well or maybe she knows me too well? It also brings me great joy seeing her give it back to the people who need it most. She has earned the respect and the love of many here. We have everything we need due to our share of the money from the mine, so all of the excess funds have gone into making Taren Hill a better and safer place to live. I have a feeling through that our peaceful and quiet life is about to end. There is a change coming, a shift in the wind. Mayhap Leoh is telling me its time to prepare for another adventure. I’ve done my best to teach her how to survive in this world, even hiring an arms trainer, and I’ll protect her to the end, but her strong spirit won’t let her be left behind where it’s safe. To my everlasting dismay.

While I’ve been teaching her how to act properly among the town people, in the court and before the king himself, she has taught me how to hope again – for even though I’d found a new path and have been reborn to walk in Leoh’s footsteps, as a beloved son, I’d done so through zealous drive. Now i do so through love and looking forward to the future. While I’ve encouraged her to make new friends, she has pushed me to make more meaningful connections with those around me. I think she might even be trying to encourage me to spend more time with Linene Greywind. While I’ve taught her to protect those who need to be protected, when extreme force is need and when it has not. She has shown me why we must be the light to guide others. While I’ve taught her to be kind and generous to those who have earned her trust. She has taught me how to love again. In my daughter’s eyes, I am a hero. I am strong and wise. I know no fear but the truth is plain to see: she was sent to rescue me.

“Relax your grip a bit. Now rotate your right hip forward. Use your main hand to cover your off hand. Attack with your left hand. Attack under their sword hand. You see you start with your right side forward and make contact with the weapon in your right hand. As long as you maintain contact you know the location of their weapon and can control it. So maintain the contact for as long as you can. As long as you have that contact you control the fight. Then step forward with your left foot. This naturally pushes their blade to your right and opens their left side. Once your left dagger slides past their guard you strike. Drive the blade into their side below the rib and above their hip. Angle it up so it hits their lung. If you miss and you can maintain the contact with your right blade stick to them. Jab with your left until the life leaves their body. If you lose control disengage. It is better to start over and regain control that to fight at a disadvantage. You are small and quick. So be small and quick. Do not try to overpower a stronger opponent. Deflect shots. Dodge before parrying. Your blades are small and light. A heavy weapon can power through them. Stay half a step to the left of center. This puts your dominant hand into their guard and opens your left for pure offense. It also allows for easier side steps. If they make a mistake and over extend to your right. Punish them for it. You are short so keep your guard high and your body low. People will be used to fighting taller opponents. The first few seconds you will have an advantage over less experienced fighters and more experienced fighters may take a few moments to adjust. Remember, push with your right hand, step with your left foot and stab with your left hand. Push, step then stab. Push, step then stab. Push, step then stab. Very good. Only 1000 more times to go.”

- Soranna Friel’s instruction to Pip Dendrar

With the The Black Knife defeated, Lowdras and Pious spoke for a moment about his act of necromancy. Lowdras revealed that he was given a ritual by his fae that will allow a soul to pass back to the Feywilde to be reincarnated, and that he wasn’t dooming any souls to a torturous fate. Pious calmed himself and the party explored the remainder of the mines.

Lowdras’ brother Nundren Borirson was found bound in the next room, beaten but alive. A few more wights, skeletons, and bugbears were dispatched before the group was confident they had explored all of the mines.

Once cleared, the party returns to Tarren Hill and inform Thrag Grandaxe of their findings and the events. They all then return to Caeradan to update Baron Samael Rinthon.

The Baron grants Sir Aldus Locke the title of Lord, Tresendar Manor, and lordship of Tarren Hill and the surrounding lands – including the mines.

Thrag, Par Salian, Lowdras, and Nundren are all granted a 1% share in all the mine’s future earnings. Par is granted guardianship over Pip and will receive her 1% share until she reaches the age of 14, in which case she is an adult and will receive it directly. A payment of services totaling 2000 gold is dispatched to Vruk, including recompense for the death of his brother Kayden. He is not granted a share in the mine as he abandoned his mission. Tresea’s family is granted 1000 gold as well, and Nundren and Lowdras are each granted 1000 gold for the deaths of their brothers. Finally, Vasterjest is granted 1000 gold as well, as Sam’s family had disowned him when he left the Emerald Order.

Thrag is granted the position of Captain of the Guard in Tarren Hill, and a small force of 20 men is commissioned to keep the town and the mines safe. The Baron also advises more men can be requested from Caeradan if needed.

Iarno Albrek is escorted under armed guard back to the Emerald Tower where he is held trial by a tribunal. They sentence him to death, and he is executed.

The tower sends a few mages back to Tarren Hill to deal with the eye-stalk creature in the mines. One mage identifies it as a spectator, and they fool the creature into believing that they were the mages who summoned it, and were able to dismiss it – it returned to the Astral Sea. They then begin studying the Forge of Spells, finding its effects do not last permanently any longer – only a few hours. Nevertheless, there is much knowledge to be gained from it.

The mines open quickly and it only takes a few days to find the first vein of etherium. The city of Tarren Hill steadily grows in population and importance as coin flows in.

Unfortunately, the party failed to recognize a threat brewing underneath their noses – in the ruins of Candlehall to the south-east, a drake has taken residence. The south pass to Caeradan is now next to impossible to travel unharassed, and it has cut into the profits of the mine some as the north pass is a longer route – especially when anything needs to leave the Caerns.

Maveraday, Corospyr the 22nd, 479 Sixth Age

Having just dispatched the pack of ghouls and a large bear that surprised them from behind, the party ventures back into the caves. They head to the area where they found the ghouls and discover it to be an ancient mess hall. Here the bodies of giants and orcs litter the ground. They cross the mess hall and head to the north and find an ancient billows that looked to be powered by a stream of some sort, but the channel the water once flowed through seems to be dry. Magni Borirson comments that the billows is a bit worn, the leather will need replaced but the actual furnace is still serviceable. Some rust will need to be sanded off but it’ll be easy to get it up and running. The party decides to head to the east where they enter a room full where the ceiling is full of sparkling gems. The floor is littered with ones that have fallen from the ceiling. Two scorched freestanding rooms are on the east side but the party decides to ignore that and head north, towards the sound of the crashing waves. Here they find a pool that connects to a much larger lake. The water surges every couple of minutes, crashing against an escarpment before slowly receding again.

The party sees a 4 foot tall tunnel to the north of this room heading west. While deliberating whether or not to go through there, Pip Dendrar throws a rock down it to see if anything comes. After a moment nothing came, and the party decided split up. Sir Aldus Locke, Lowdras, and Magni decided to head back south while the rest chose to crawl through the tunnel. While Pip was crouched Par managed to see past her and spys a bugbear staring at them from around a corner. The party first tries to parley with the bugbear offering him food. They soon realize the bugbears only Gildean vocabulary is the word “Hungry!!!” and that he isn’t interested in their dried meats, he’s only interested in their flesh. Pip tries to give the party the upper hand by sneaking behind the bugbear and dropping his loincloth in an attempt to trip him, but he isn’t phase – he simply tears it from his legs and swings his massive club at her, knocking her against the wall. She’s bewildered, but manages to hide beneath her cloak well enough that he moves onto more dangerous targets – charging after Guardian Pious and Par Salian. The three of them exchanged blows for a moment, with Pip quietly re-engaging in an unsuccessful attempt to cripple the bugbear from behind. The sounds alerted the others and Lowdras rushed into the room. By this time, Pious and Pip were seriously hurt and Pious had already started to expend his Lay on Hands on Pip to help her recover. The healed Pip issued a challenge to the bugbear and ran through the tunnel. Seeing that the bugbear would chase after Pip, Lowdras tried to cut off his route by creating a cloud of daggers at the entrance to the tunnel, but the bugbear did not care to be stopped, running through and taking cuts from the blades as he did. Seeing the initial plan fail, Pip dove into the water hoping the lumbering creature could not swim – but she found him following her there. At the very least, he lost his club in the water – but his claws were still plenty sharp. Pip decided to begin climbing the wall of the cavern and made it far enough out of the water that the beast could not reach her. Luckily her small mass allowed her to climb the rough walls even though the bugbears claws could not help him. After a moment another surge of water came and crashed the bugbear against the escarpment of the pool, and he was not able to recover – and drowned. Pip too, however, suffered from the cold water and strain of the swim in the rough water. While she made it to shore, she passed out unconscious.

The party carried her to the freestanding buildings in the cavern to the south, hoping to find a safe place to rest. After some arguing about whether they should return to the entrance or just sleep here, they decided to send Magni back to the entrance to retrieve gear, set up a watch and sleep here. When they opened the door to the building they were dumbfounded. Before them stood not only the legendary Forge of Spells, but in front of that floated an ancient, spherical, eye-stalked monster. The monster did not immediately attack – instead warning the group to stay away from the forge. After a bit of conversation, they realized the creature still believed the mine was in use from 300 years ago when the Gnasha Warpath swept through the area killing all of the mines inhabitants. The group simply decides to leave well enough alone, closes the door, and heads back towards the entrance. Unfortunately, the counter a pool of blood, and a trail leading to the north…following the trail leads back to the room where they just fought the bugbear – another path. The party lays Pip down, uses Lay on Hands to restore her to full health, along with a healing potion. She awakes, and Lowdras gives her his shirt – big enough to be a skirt on her – so that she has dry warm clothes.

They follow the trail north where they find a room with six pillars on each side. In the northern center of the room sits a nine foot tall seated statue of what appears to be a giant with gleaming emerald eyes. A make-shift camp is set up in front of this statue, with a table off to the side. Two bugbears, two elven women (one is the one who escaped from Cragmaw Castle earlier – Veryth and Veythir), and a dark skinned elven man stand near it. In front of him, sits a bleeding Magni. It turns out the bugbear they fought had already warned his superiors of the parties presence. The dark skinned elf laughed and drew a sword that swirled with shadowy energy and promptly slit the throat of Magni, kicking the body onto its side at his feet. He laughed at the party, “Finally I will be rid of you fools!”. Before he could finish his speech Lowdras was in action, as his fey familiar whispered temptations in his ear. Green tears began to flow down his face, and evaporate into a whispy green smoke. As this flowed down his arms to his hands, something seemed to carry it over to the body of his brother which rose and grabbed the maul from the lap of the statue. He began attacking The Black Knife. The Black Knife pointed his sword out and yelled “Get them!!!” and five of the whispy shadows around the end of the blade began to take the form of shadowy creatures who began attacking the party. As the brawl emerged Pip and Pious managed to take down one of the elven women, and The Black Knife uttered another command and another strand of shadow left and filled a large area of the room with unnatural darkness. A moment later more green mist left Lowdras’s hand and the slain elf rose and also charged the Black Knife.

The battle went a few more minutes before finally the Black Knife fell. As Pip retreived the blade, Par froze the surviving elf with the power of his god. Pip quickly executed her. While Par and her argued about that being murder, Aldus ordered the execution of the remaining two bugbears and Lowdras obliged.

Restday, Corospyr the 21st, 479 Sixth Age

A couple days travel back sees the party arriving back in Tarren Hill. The party stops by the hideout beneath Tresendar Manor, and informs Vruk of the fate of his brother, and that his debt has been repaid to the church. Vruk decides to party ways, and return to his father to the north. Aldus, Pious, and Lowdras decide to interrogate Iarno Albrek about The Black Knife, but are only to get surface information – he is a dark skinned elf with some sort of magical sword. Regardless, Iarno seemed genuinely intimidated by him, and was coerced into service. The party decides that Iarno will be transported to the Emerald Tower where he’ll face a tribunal to determine his fate.

While this was going on, Pip and her pet goblin Droopy (which she purchased the aid of with a backpack full of beef jerkey) headed into town. Most townspeople retreated indoors at the sight of a goblin, but one man stopped them to see if the girl was ok. After an akward standoff involving a sword and beef jerkey, the man – Par Salian reached a truce with the creature, and the rest of the party joins the encounter. After explaining to Par that the girl is more dangerous than the goblin, he explains that he was told by his order that he was needed here, though not exactly for what – and this situation seems out of place enough that he’d like to join them. Though Pip managed to swipe a forgery kit from his pack, the party agreed that he seemed trustworthy and allowed him to join.

They informed Harbin Wester of their success with the Redbrands and Cragmaw Castle, and Harbin told them he was grateful and would have their reward ready in a few days.

With that, the party set out for Wave Echo Cave.

Maveraday, Corospyr the 22nd, 479 Sixth Age

Though only a half-day travel from Tarren Hill, the location of Wave Echo Cave is difficult to reach, and the party ended up camping to arrive the next morning. They descended into the cave and quickly discovered the murdered body of Tharden Borirson – Lowdras and Magni’s brother. The party spent some time burying and performing the associated rites, and then ventured further into the cave. After wandering generally north-east, they encountered a door and stairway, and were able to hear some crunching noises. Using Mael Bryn to scout the north and Detect Undead to scout behind the door, the party learned they were ghouls to the north, and some sort of undead behind the door. They retreated and baited the ghouls back to a large escarpment where they were easily able to dispatch them – though with the added complication of a bear attacking them from behind. Nevertheless, they escaped the battle unharmed. They will continue their delve next time…

Firaday, Corospyr the 17th, 479 Fifth Age

Guardian Pious opened the secret door atop the stairs and discovered a man sitting at a desk. after a quick scuffle, Pious managed to capture and restrain the fleeing man. There was a giant locked in a cage in the room as well, whom he released. They learned the giant was Lowdras – the brother of Magni who was captured by the Redbrands on his way into town. When Sir Aldus Locke came up the stairs, he immediately recognized the mage as Iarno Albrek – the mage sent by the Emerald Tower to investigate the bandits in the area. While the party discussed their plans for Iarno, aka Glasstaff – the now leader of the Redbrands, Iarno used his familiar to alert the remaining guards in the next room, who called some Bugbears in from another room as well. After a fight, two bugbears and two more Redbrands were killed. A third bugbear fled and two more Redbrands surrendered. The party decided to utilize the Redbrands own prison for them, locking the two guards captured earlier, the two surrendering bandits, and Iarno in the prisons while they slept. They were able to extract the location of Cragmaw Cave both from Iarno, and from a captured goblin (a plaything of the Bugbears), which Pip purchased the services of by stealing a backpack full of beef jerky from the Redbrand’s stolen goods.

Sunday, Corospyr the 19th, 479 Fifth Age

Kayden, Guardian Pious, Pip Dendrar, Lowdras set out for Cragmaw Castle, while Vruk and Sir Aldus Locke stayed behind in town to wait in case Tarden and/or Nundren returned and to care for Anton. Those who went to the tower were able to sneak in a tarp covered side entrance (by way of a collapsing wall) on the information from Iarno. A little searching around led Pious to an altar where a few goblins were worshiping (he later surmised it was likely Demon worship), and after killing them eventually found the room of King Grol. Through the door they heard some arguing, so they decided to burst through and surprise them. The battle was long and deadly. Pious was downed, but Pip was able to force one of his healing potions down his throat, narrowly saving him. Kayden was not as lucky, but while he laid on the ground bleeding out his body mysteriously vanished into a pile of lotus petals. The elf that King Grol was arguing with surrendered due to a solid bluff from Pip that there were 100 soldiers surrounding the keep, and a well made auditory illusion by Lowdras to back that up. After the fight she retrieved the map and left, but the party was OK with that as Magni Borirson was saved and could direct the party to the cave.

Firaday, Corospyr the 17th, 479 Fifth Age

The party descended into the tunnel, and Sam lights a single stone with his “Light” spell tossing it into the room ahead. While they begin to explore the room, individually they begin to hear strange thoughts. While exploring, a rickety bridge across the chasm in the middle collapses, and Pious falls in. He climbs out with little trouble, but is on the other side, along with Sam. Eventually, from the shadows a strange creature attacks Kayden. A short scuffle leaves the creature dead, but the party is unsure what it actually was. A little bit of exploring finds a chest of the creatures treasure in the chasm, along with a sword with the word Talon inscribed upon it.

The party continues to explore, heading east through a secret door. They find a bunk with three redbrands, and in a short fight Sam ignites a spilling barrel of liqour which nearly kills Kayden. Angered, Kayden chastizes him, but Sam seems unperturbed. Frustrated with his lack of regard for the groups well-being, kayden strikes him to prove a point. Unfortunately, Kayden misjudges his strength and accidentally kills the poor wizard. Sir Aldus Locke, who had constantly been annoyed by the presence of Sam, wrote Kayden a letter of exoneration, to ensure that Kayden would never be punished for this crime.

Pious did what he could to tend to the bodies of the dead, and the group moved on to the north. After circumventing a simple pit trap, and dispatching some skeletons (in which Pious discovered the blade Talon was magical in some way), the party continued through to a jail cell. Here, they freed a small girl, and locked the jailers in the cell with the girl’s mother, who had passed of illness a few days ago. The girl was very distrustful of the party at first (even pulling a dagger out of who-knows-where to Aldus’ throat), but ultimately decides to stay with the party for safety. The party then continued to the north, finding an armory. While most of the party meanders around this area, Pious continues around to the west where he finds another secret passage. Following this passage leads to a room, where he is surprised to see a man sitting at a desk, with a wooden staff with a glowing white glass ball atop leaning against the wall nearby. The man is equally surprised to see a Dragonborn in his bedroom. (To be continued).

Terraday, Corospyr the 16th, 479 Fifth Age

Not wanting to be surprised by any more undead, the party first thoroughly searches the town. The remaining few houses contain little, but they do find a silver cup. Not wanting to risk surprise, Sam sets one of the buildings on fire. The party, surprisingly, doesn’t seem to care and they set out to find the banshee, attempting to decipher the rough map that the found in Riedoth’s book. After a few hours searching in the forest they locate her grove. An overgrown path leads to a small hut made of brush which Sam lights with a stone with the Light spell casted upon it. Inside they can see some fine furniture which Vruk identifies as Caelmic design, and some makeup containers on top of the vanity. The disturbance of her lair summons the banshee. The party speaks to her and learns that she doesn’t seem to enjoy the fact that she is undead – however she does not know of a way to end her condition. Sir Aldus Locke seemed to know a lot about how one could be cured, but also that it was very specific to the individual so he was not sure how to approach it with Agatha. They asked her about the comb that Messenger Garaele gave them, however Agatha didn’t know anything special about any comb. They also learned that for some reason they wouldn’t be able to attack her with magic. When Sam tested this theory, the rest of the party intervened – nearly redirecting the attack to Aldus. In the end, Agatha became annoyed with the presence of the immature mortals and vanished. The orcs decided to depart, having fulfilled their bargain. The party decided to return to Conyberry – where they found that the fire had spread to one other building but no further. They left a note (in several languages) apologizing for bashing in the door to the church, and began the journey back to Tarren Hill.

Firaday, Corospyr the 17th, 479 Fifth Age

The party returns to Tarren Hill, late in the evening, to find Anton being assaulted in the street by an elf, a giant, and 2 humans. They identify the four as Redbrands, and a fight ensues. Two redbrands are killed, and two more are captured and arrested. They manacle the captured two and bring them to the townmaster, who discourages violence against the redbrands, but informs the party of a couple of possible places they may be hiding if they wish to pursue reguardless – Tresendar Manor or Old Owl Well. He does plead that if the party goes after them to avoid killing them as they are mostly made up of family members from the small community. The party decides to pursue the manor first, and after scouting finds a tunnel that looks as though it has been used for smuggling, along with a cellar entrance. All other entrances to the manor have been boarded up.

Zephyday, Corospyr the 14th, 479 Fifth Age

The party resumes their journey and arrives at Tarren Hill during the day. They deliver the goods to Elmar Barthen and learn that Magni’s brothers, Tharden and Nundren left to scout the mines. They are due back any day. They return some goods they found in the cave to Linene Greywind at Lionshield Coster after identifying them as hers, and she rewards the party 50 gold for their trouble. Anton goes to Stonehill Inn to get some drink on. Pious goes to the shrine of the goddess where Messenger Garaele asks his assistance with finding an old holy symbol that the Banshee of Conyberry wood may know the location of location. The rest of the party goes to talk to the townmaster who tells them of some orcs at Wyvern Tor that could use addressing. Several people in town also complain of a group of bandits known as the Redbrands and either warn the party of involvement with them or plead the party for help with them. In the end, the party decides to head to Conyberry first and investigate, seeking the orcs at Wyvern Tor along the way. Anton stays behind to continue digging for information.

Ghaelday Corospyr the 15th, 479 Fifth Age

Their detour to Wyvern Tor is successful. They are first spotted by an orc scout ahead of the rest of his group, but Vruk calls to him in Orcish. The scout calls the rest of his group out – armed, but not hostile. They talk, discover that the orcs are here in search of new hunting grounds. They have been driven out of their other grounds by another tribe that has been pressing into their area. They agree to abandon the tor and look elsewhere at the price of two cows. Additionally, they agree to assist the party in their exploration of Conyberry. The party then continues to Conyberry where they discover a Church of Etra still standing, along with a handful of other buildings. They find the door sealed – and sense transmutation magic on it – and some goodberries and a book written by someone named Riedoth detailing the area. They soon discover a graveyard with some undead gnawing at long-dry bones. With the aid of the orcs tossing javelins, they easily dispatch of the few ghouls. They spend the night in the church, briefly reading what they can in the book.

Aquaday, Corospyr the 13th, 479 5th Age

Vruk and Anton return to guard the wagons while the others enter the cave to explore it. Sam disguises himself as a large fat goblin with his magic and then enters the cave, following Gobby to a place called “the eating room”, along with Pious. Vruk, Sir Aldus Locke, and Kayden sneak a ways behind them to maintain the deception. Upon arriving in the eating room, they see two prisoners chained to the wall – an orc and an elf. The elf is already dead, as only the upper half of her body is still chained to the wall. The lower half has already been eaten. Several goblins are in the room, including a hobgoblin (essentially just an overgrown goblin). Sam shoots a firebolt into fire and tells them all that he’s in charge now, and will teach them fire magic. Though the hobgoblin is weary, ultimately he agrees to learn the magic from the large, fat, goblin Sam is disguised as. He then convinces them all to cover themselves in lamp oil (as they don’t know what it is), and then sets them on fire. A short fight breaks out, and the party comes out the victor. They rescue the orc chained to the wall, learning that he is actually Thrag Grandaxe – a guard sent with Magni when they left Caeradan a day or two before the party. The elf was Treasa Friel. While the rest of the party discusses their strategy for the rest of the caves, Sam wanders off – after his disguise has faded – and alerts other goblins in the caves to their presence. The goblins release a flood from the welled up pool onto the party. A lengthy battle spanning the entire eastern side of the cavern erupts. During the battle, the party finds Klarg – the “big hairy goblin” according to Gobby (bugbear) that is in charge of this cave. After its clear he’s losing the fight, he tries to escape through a fissure, but ultimately is stopped.

After the battle, Pious disposes of the bodies in a safe manner and the party returns to the caravan to continue on their course towards Tarren Hill. While Pious is taking care of the bodies, however, Sir Aldus Locke secretly murders the two goblin prisoners after leaving Pious to believe he freed them.

Restday, Corospyr the 11th, 479 5th Age

The game begins with the party dining with Baron Samael Rinthon and his wife, Lady Jenabess Rinthon. The Baron discusses the details of their assignment – to escort a wagon of supplies from Caeradan to Tarren Hill, and to assist a miner named Magni Borirson with establishing a mine where he discovered the lost Wave Echo Cave. The baron tells them that there has been reports of bandits in the area so he doesn’t want to send it unguarded, but he can’t afford to (or doesn’t want to) commit his own soldiers to the task. The party spends the night and departs in the morning.

Aquaday, Corospyr the 13th, 479 5th Age

Two days into the journey they spotted three dead horses on the road, inspected them, and were ambushed by goblins. Gary, their teamster, was slain in the initial attack, but the party handily dispatches four other goblins. A fifth is knocked unconscious. Pious attended to the remains of Gary, the horses, and the goblins. This took well into the day. Eventually, the goblin awakens. He is named Gobby and he speaks broken Gildean. The party learns the location of a cave where he and his tribe dwell. The goblin leads them there, helping them avoid a couple of simple traps along the way. Outside the cave entrance they kill two more goblins and capture another, though this one doesn’t speak any language the party understands.