Session 22: Day 3 of Coldeven

Armaziti: Human Cleric - Alex
Calbach: Human Ranger - Brad
Gnorcia Gnome Thief/Illusionist - Lillian
Lhoss Elf Thief/Magic User - Leigh
Ronan Human Fighter - Nick
Chiki Gnome Fighter, Ramne Magic User, Whiskers - Quint (NPC)
Angos Halfling Thief - Ryan
Miratara Human Cleric - Ash

After resting and healing, we headed back out into the corridor where we meet up with some friendly faces. Angos and Miratara are two adventurers that we met in in the Dim Forest. From what I understood, they were in the Dim Forest to bury one of their former adventuring companions who had died heroically. Being now just a party of two, they were eager to join up with us as soon as their duty to their fallen comrade was finished. Should they wish to further elucidate us on their backstory, I'm sure it will be included in these records of our adventures. Regardless, we were overjoyed to add to our party (particularly with a competent healer) in these dangerous tunnels.

Ronan led the way eastward out of the cave where he followed the sound of water. We came upon what we have come to call zombies at work hauling water in buckets utilizing a pulley system through the ceiling. It was determined that the zombies had been set to this task and took no notice of us. It was also noted that their work was probably keeping the tunnel and indeed this sub level from flooding. As they were doing no harm and in fact a useful skill (as well as they had proved very difficult to kill in previous encounters) we left them to their mindless task. Miratara and Armaziti corrected the group that these were not in fact zombies, but ghouls. Good to know.

Upon further exploration of the tunnels to the northeast and northwest, we came upon a group of troglodytes. One of the troglodytes threw a wooden crate. As it crashed to the ground, an angry viper sprang forth and attacked Angos. In the melee, Chiki was also attacked and both were rendered unconscious and bleeding out. The stench of the monsters was awful and weakened some of the party. Nevertheless, the band worked together, fighting and healing to emerge victorious.

In the aftermath of the battle, Miratara heard a hissing coming from a nearby alcove. She saw thousands of snakes and eggs on the ground. Calbach and Lhoss attempted to drench the serpents in oil and set them ablaze. In a comical effort, they clumsily threw their oil and candles, unable to produce the desired effect. Exasperated, Gnorcia expertly tossed a torch into the center of the den and burned everything inside to a crisp. In an inspired action, Ronan thought to check the second alcove where more eggs were discovered. Ronan burned these eggs as well and the party rested and healed.

Session 21: Evening of Day 2 of Coldeven / Day 3 of Coldeven

Armaziti: Human Cleric - Alex
Calbach: Human Ranger - Brad
Gnorcia Gnome Thief/Illusionist - Lillian
Lhoss Elf Thief/Magic User - Leigh
Chiki Gnome Fighter, Ramne Magic User, Whiskers - Quint (NPC)

Our party attempted to rest up in an empty cave, hoping that it would prove a defensible and secure space. Since many of us needed to memorize spells, and we all needed rest, we split into groups of two to take two-hour watches. 

On the first watch, Gnorcia and Calbach heard squeaking sounds coming from out in the corridor. Gnorcia snuck quietly out to investigate and discovered six giant rodents. You might even say their size seemed unusual! Gnorcia cast phantasmal force appearing as a snake and quickly dispatched one rat. Between Gnorcia and Calbach, all of the rodents were competently killed without the need to wake the others.

The next watch was Lhoss and Armaziti. Not long after Gnorcia and Calbach had fallen asleep, Lhoss heard moans coming from outside the cave. She peeked out to discover the source and saw disgusting, fleshy creatures slowly creeping toward the cave. She cast her sleep spell at the six monstrous forms, but it had no effect! Lhoss was savagely attacked and knocked unconscious, bleeding out. Armaziti woke Ramne who began to wake the rest of the party. It was clear that we needed all hands on deck to deal with these devils. A fierce battle ensued. Gnorcia again cast phantasmal force, this time in the form of a second Calbach. The party saw little success against the foes. Armaziti healed himself... a little. Fearing the party may be annihilated, Ramne cast magic missile and slayed the awful enemies. Lhoss was stabilized but needed rest. Examining the slain creatures, Calbach and Ramne agreed that these might have been zombies.

The night continued. On Gnorcia and Calbach's second watch: troglodytes! It's possible that they were alerted to our presence from the magic missiles. We just can't seem to catch a break (or our breath)! Luckily Ramne was able to cast a sleep spell and 3 of the 4 troglodytes were then killed. The last one sprinted away and Chiki chased after it. He wasn't able to catch it and retreated back to the cave. The numerous corpses of the slain were piled up at the entrance of the cave in hopes that they might offer a barrier against further attacks. Fortunately, rest of the night passed without further peril.