Well now, if it isn't old Vilma here, perched by the fire, listening to the tales of your latest scrape! Goodness me, you young 'uns do get yourselves into a pickle, don't you? It warms an old elder's heart, though, knowing you’re out there, testing your mettle, even if it does sound like you nearly bought the farm this time!
I heard all about your little archaeological expedition into the Barrel Marsh, cold and snowy as it is this time of year. That scholar, Eloin from Voluna, bless his academic heart, dragging you all to a half-buried barrel tomb in search of ancient pre-land people's burial sites. And the map and notes he had – well, they certainly led you to quite the spot!
That Nora, now, with her Crown of Interpreting Languages! A handy little trinket, that. She could read those ancient glyphs, even though they were broken by decay. Magical sigils of protection, she said, but disrupted and no longer beneficial. Good thing, too, or you might have been zapped before you even started! Those markings, they spoke of an ancient people who used it as a royal burial chamber, with riches and archaeological treasures, even mentioning two kings buried with their "red news". "Red news," eh? Always something peculiar with these old texts! And that Eloin, staring at Nora's crown with such mournful, desirous, almost feverish eyes – tried to buy it for a pittance, he did. Some scholars are all brains and no sense of value!
Getting into that tomb sounded like a proper challenge! A half-buried doorway, boggy ground, standing water, and a whopping 5600 gallons of water to deal with. Destroy Water spells are handy, Armatzi, but nine gallons at a time won't drain a marsh, now will it? Eloin suggested trenches or siphons, but it was your clever Niki, the druid, who thought of Stone Shape. A mighty useful spell, that! Even if it only makes a 4-cubic-foot hole – just enough for most of you to shimmy through, provided you take off your packs and armor, or do a bit of an army crawl. Though it seemed Feno and our dear Armatzi had a bit more trouble with their bulk and plate mail.
Once the door was open, and no water came pouring in because Niki made it "not flush with the ground", you found yourselves facing shadowy figures inside. And that's where the fun began, eh?
Now, I heard talk of being sneaky, and throwing oil to illuminate, but sometimes, the best laid plans of gnomes and men... well, they go sideways! Nora, bless her brave little heart, went in first. And what happened? The creatures snarled and moved! "Bobcat, bobcat, bobcat!" What a code word!
Then came the melee! Feno, you had your strength back, 19 strength now! That's excellent news, especially after that nasty business in Orlain, when the city was raided. But even with your He-Man strength, those ghouls and ghasts were a handful! Poor Nora, she took quite a beating and ended up paralyzed. And Armatzi, trying to cast his prayer spell to aid everyone, only to be hit and paralyzed himself! Oh, it sounded dire, indeed!
But then, the quick thinking! Feno, you turning your back to the monsters to shove a healing potion down Armatzi's throat – that's the stuff of legends, even if it did leave you vulnerable and eventually paralyzed yourself! A true hero's sacrifice, that. And Lois, with her foresight, bringing those jars of green slime! Now that's what I call preparation!
I remember when you first stumbled upon that vile stuff in the Barrow Maze. It ate through staffs and warped daggers! A truly potent and dangerous thing, but oh so effective! When Lois tossed that green slime into the fray, and it splashed those creatures, turning them into puddles of goo – that was a moment! A real pocket nuke, as I like to call it. Saved your skins, it did! And then Sirius and Nikki, pulling Feno and Armatzi out of harm's way, while Lois levitated Nora to safety. A proper rescue!
But let this old woman give you some advice, for wisdom comes from experience, and sometimes, from watching others nearly get eaten:
• Preparation is Key: As you yourselves noted, "You guys had plenty of prep time" before going into that tomb, and you "did not do any prep spells". A cleric's prayer, a druid's barkskin, or even just some simple buffs can make all the difference when things go sideways.
• Don't Be Complacent: You admitted that you've "gotten a little bit complacent," thinking "we can fight anything. We're pretty strong. We're pretty capable". Every encounter is a test, even for seasoned adventurers. Never assume.
• Observe Before Acting: Instead of rushing in, you could have "played target practice with these things" from a distance to see if they were alive. Sometimes, a cautious approach saves more than just hit points.
• Know Your Tools: You had that green slime, a true terror for living creatures, but it was almost an afterthought. Knowing what each member of the party carries and how it can be used strategicaly can turn the tide of battle.
Think about our poor Eldriel, too. The discussion about his fate, whether to bring him back as an NPC or a playable character, reminds us that every adventurer's story is precious. And Feno, coming so close to dying – that's a stark reminder of the perils you face.
So, next time you're heading into a dark, snowy marsh to uncover royal burial sites, remember these lessons. Take a moment, think, prepare, and don't rely only on brute force. Because sometimes, a little green goo goes a long way!
Stay safe out there, my dears, and try not to get yourselves turned into ghoul-food!
Warmly (and a little wildly), Vilma Village Elder of Orlane
(P.S. If you happen to come across any more of that green slime, keep it safe! You never know when it might be your only friend in a tight spot!)
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