Caves Expedition Day 47 (September 16 game time)

11/27/2009 game session

Group of adventurers gathered at the Borderland Keep for an outing to the Caves of Chaos:

Breanna Cleric (Emily), Chieko Thief (Treasa), Picolo Fighter (Devan), Cassius Cleric (NPC controlled by Emily), Frederick Cleric (NPC controlled by Treasa).

The innkeeper at the Keep provided a tasty breakfast of bread, milk, and assorted meats (sausage, bacon, and ham). A trip was made to the trader to resupply oil for the party, the cost being 5 gp per vial of oil.

Nothing exceptional to report after leaving the keep and traveling east to the caves as normal. The party approached the easternmost cave at the north of the ravine, which had previously been partially explored. Breanna vaguely remembered kobolds residing at the cave. After gathering bearings, the party met a large group of kobolds at a cave down from the eastern passage at the entrance.

The kobold group was rather large but not actively aggressive. Rather, one of their number grunted out in common "to leave" as someone had killed their leader recently (not recognizing or grasping the fact that part of this party had been responsible for that act). The party beat a judicious retreat and were somewhat nonplussed.

After consulting the maps and the terrain, the party decided to attempt a cave at the south of the ravine. Based on the maps, it was thought that this was unexplored. However, their intuitions and finally flat out evidence indicated that it was part of the large cave complex that was previously explored. This was determined after locating a familiar dungeon / torture room and using a key (to verify that it was the same room).

The map and terrain were observed again and a cave up further on the ravine was chosen on the north side, to the west of the kobold cave. Although some caution was used in approaching the cave (as recommended by Picolo), nothing specific was done and the whole party tripped a weighted net about ten feet outside of the cave. It was covered in tar and had metal parts that clanged as it crashed onto them, alerting several orcs that quickly appeared.

Somehow, the clerics all were able to cast protection from evil, but to little avail. The orcs demanded that the party surrender, but the members were obstinate and pressed a fight, which the orcs gave gladly. A few members attempted to cut the net (Picolo with a great axe!!!). All of this was futile as the orcs easily subdued the party, knocking Frederick out. The party surrendered and were all bound and blindfolded and brought before what appeared to be the chief orc.

The most charismatic party member (it seems it was one of the clerics) talks with the chief orc and explains that the party was looking for kobolds. The chief must have been bored or tolerant (for an orc???) and gave the ultimatum that the party must kill a rival gnoll leader and bring the head to him, and then never intrude on the orc cave again. A couple of orc guides led the party from the cave (they were blindfolded back to the entrance) to the location of the gnoll cave, which was back at western edge of the ravine.

The party was much more careful approaching this cave, which was quite different from the other caves as of yet explored. It had a smaller entrance (about 8' high) and was all carved out of the natural dirt, later turning to worked stone about 20-30' in. The entrance of the party with light alerted four gnoll sentries, which immediately launched an attack by bow on the party. After a fierce battle, in which Picolo clumsily broke his short bow string, the party took out the four gnolls with minimal damage to the party. Picolo attempted to replace his bow string with the two available bow strings (from long bows!!!) but managed to ruin them both as well. It was found that two of the gnolls had been guarding with halberds (a kind of pole arm) and the other two had been firing with long bows.

Further exploration down the cave to the west and then the north uncovered a room with eight gnolls, all armed with broad swords. These gnolls initially hid back in their room from the immediate missile fire of the party. Then they charged in mass, but were quickly vanquished. It was found that five of their number were female and just as valiant as the males.

The party collected what little treasure was found and headed back to the Borderland Keep. It was a successful trip with Breanna approaching the 3rd level of experience.