Session 20: Day 2 of Coldeven

Calbach - ranger - Brad
Armatzi - cleric - Alex
Lhoss - thief/magic-user - Leigh
Gnorcia - thief/illusionist - Lillian

Ronan - fighter - Nick
ChalkBoi - paladin - Josh

Ramne - wizard - NPC

Whiskers - weasel - NPC

Chiki - thief - NPC

Looking down those stairs into the darkness, I had the thought that maybe it would be useful to look around some more up here first, in case there was some treasure in some room we hadn't searched yet. But Chiki reminded us that most of the time there is more treasure deeper down, so we somewhat reluctantly agreed to continue down the stairs, deeper into the dungeon. The draw of treasure is greater than the fear of what's at the bottom of some dark stairs!

As we approached the stairs, Lhoss noticed a strange, scaly green patch on one of the mud walls. She tried to stab at it but it just slid away and vanished. Creepy and weird! We started down the stairs. Ronan, Calbach, and Lhoss went first, followed by Armatzi, myself, and Ramne, with a very quiet Chalkboi and Chiki bringing up the rear.

We found ourselves in another passageway with a room opening up to the north, and as we looked around we could hear sounds west of there, across a large patch of mud. We tried to follow where they seemed to be coming from, traversing through mud and along some slightly-less-muddy passageways. It was even muddier down here than it was above and the walls almost streamed with water. The smell was also much worse, which seemed unimaginable until it became all too real.

The passageway turned north a bit and as we entered one especially slimy field of mud, nine centipedes appeared and attacked, biting at the feet and legs of Armatzi and the others who had led the way into the muddy patch! They weren’t very big but they did have a nasty sting. We attacked and killed a couple before Ramne cast a sleep spell on them all and then we were able to quickly destroy them. Even asleep they made creepy squealing sounds that echoed through the chamber as they died.

Continuing on past that muddy section, we could hear water and other sounds to the northeast so we headed that way. Lhoss spotted another scaly green patch on one of the walls, but it changed back to generic mud before anyone could get a better look at it. Then, from a distance, Lhoss noticed three nasty undead and powerful humanoid creatures that she thinks might have been ghouls. These ran toward us and attacked both Lhoss and Ronan, knocking them out almost immediately!

As Ronan lay bleeding-out in the mud, Ramne stepped up and attacked the creatures with lightning bolts, burning them up and filling the chamber with an exceptionally nasty stench of seared, undead flesh. Praise Zuoken! I don’t know what we would have done without Ramne!

Armatzi ran forward and quickly healed both Lhoss and Ronan. As he did that, I went to look for a place to rest. I snuck westward along the passageway and discovered an empty cave. The others followed, carrying Ronan’s still-unconscious body with them, and retreated into the little cave. Ramne studied his spellbook and Armatzi prayed while Ronan recovered and Chalkboi and Calbach kept watch.

All was quiet for about three hours until yet another creature slunk down the hallway toward our hiding place. It was some sort of nasty green worm with tentacles, and it attacked as soon as it saw Chalkboi at the cave entrance! Calbach, Chalkboi, Armatzi, and Lhoss attacked but found their weapons not very effective against it. Chiki managed to get by and attack its softer belly with his mace, and they were then able to finish it off. After that we completed our five-hour recovery in the cave, unmolested by any more under-swamp creatures.

Session 19: Day 2 of Coldeven

Raime - NPC w/Whiskers - Weasel

Calbach - Brad

Armatzi - Alex

Lhoss - Leigh

Gnorcia - Lillian

Chiki - NPC

ChalkBoi - Josh

After resting in the rooms we had liberated on Day 1 of Coldeven (Map #14d), we continued on to investigate more of the dungeon.After leaving the area  we proceeded to go West from the corridor (Map 14) and came to a junction in the path. After looking south and discovering a muddy mostly blocked path, we proceeded north. At the end of the corridor the party encountered a watery den occupied by two large frog like creatures. The creatures were disturbed by one of the members of the party throwing mud into the center of the den. Once disturbed, the frogs attacked and caused some damage before  the party was able to destroy them

Once the area seemed to be secured, Calbach and Armatzi proceeded to search the room (Map #3). There was a door on the east end of the room which was the end of the corridor we entered on the first day in the dungeon. We were able to open the door, and see down the corridor. The rest of the room proved to be without anything of interest.

After leaving the room we headed south and one party member entered the mud covered room (Map #5) but only proceeded part way into the room before it was determined to be too treacherous to be  travelled by the entire party. We returned to the corridor and travelled east and then south coming upon a secret door (Map #14a) and entering a room filled with water. There was a boat at the shoreline. All party members climbed into the boat and we able to begin across the water (Room #15). While crossing the water, we encountered 2 crocodiles in the water, but we were able to avoid an encounter with them and crossed the water without incident.

After crossing the water we entered the corridor at the end. We travelled south and east and entered a closed room(Map #20a) at the end of the passageway. The room was occupied by 2 troglodytes who immediately attacked the party. As one confronted us, the second was pounding on another door. After we defeated the two troglodytes in battle, the door at the rear of the room opened and 4 more troglodytes attacked through the door. These were dispatched as well. After the skirmish, we moved into the next room (Map #20b) which turned out to be empty. The next room (Map #20c) turned out to be a sleeping area for the troglodytes. Beyond the last room, a set of stairs was discovered leading down into darkness. 

It was decided to take rest an recuperate in the sleeping area, where all were healed and all hit points from skirmishes recovered.

Session 18: Day 1 of Coldeven

 The adventurers Calbach, Gnorcia, Lhoss, Armatzi, and Chiki joined by Ramne peered down the deep, dark hole. Filled with dread, they knew that they must descend. There was a steep set of carved stairs that led down into the abyss. Led by Calbach, the group made their way down slowly as the steps were damp and covered in moss and slime. About halfway down, Ramme slipped and took down everyone in front of him (Calbach, Gnorcia, and Lhoss). In a heap, the disoriented group found themselves surrounded by four fighters who immediately began attacking. Our heroes valiantly defeated the foes and Gnorcia snapped off a spearhead to gain a staff to her inventory. A blunt weapon at last!

At the base of the stairs, there were passageways ahead, to the left, and to the right. It became clear that finding the Naga in this lair would not be straightforward; some exploring would be necessary. The entire underground passageway had an unpleasant, musty smell and the walls, floor, and ceiling all were damp and covered in the same slimy moss as the stairs. Even the doors appeared swollen and bulging as though warped by the wetness of the place. The band pressed forward and came to a large mound of dirt that Armatzi tromped right through, covering himself in mud. When the rest of the group pointed out his muddy appearance, he denied walking through the mud. Even though many saw it happen. It was a puzzling denial.

Moving forward, the group opened a door to find three fighters. One carried a mesmerizing, glowing sword. A fierce battle ensued with our heroes once again emerging victorious. Calbach claimed the enchanted sword and other upgraded armaments were obtained. 

Several rooms that appeared to be used as bunks for the patrolling fighters were discovered. One of these provided a safe and secure spot to stop and rest. Lhoss found a small carved serpent statue, possibly a likeness of the Naga, and placed it in her backpack.  In one of the rooms, a locked chest was found under a bed. Lhoss, being a thief, was tasked with picking the lock. In doing so, she tripped a trap that had be set and became paralyzed. While the spell ran its course, Armatzi found a scroll and some other items. The narrator doesn't remember much about what was in the box. She was paralyzed.  

Session 17: Letter to Mayor Ormond

Mayor Ormond,

I have much to inform you of and little time to do it in. I will try to be succinct.

Based on intelligence we gathered from townsfolk, our band explored the temple of Merikka last night. We attempted to enter without drawing attention to ourselves but were immediately attacked by wolves and guards. We had to defend ourselves and slayed the men and beasts. Upon exploring the interior of the temple, we encountered several groups of foes -- including men, goblins, and reanimated skeletons -- who each came upon us with deadly force. Each time, we were forced to fight for our lives and each time emerged victorious. We also happened upon the priestess Misha who was asleep. As she did not attack us, we left her to slumber. What we found inside the temple was disturbing indeed. There were slashed tapestries, false idols, rooms that appeared dedicated to torture and slaughter, and a young girl imprisoned who had been cruelly beaten and starved. The girl is currently being protected by unnamed parties. This holy site has been defiled by an evil force.

When we awoke this morning, we became aware that certain townsfolk had learned of our deeds and that it may not be safe for us in the town. Because of the current danger and because several of our party were gravely injured, we have retreated to outside of the village to recover our strength and strategize our next steps. I hope this letter finds you and reassures you that we have not abandoned you. We will soon return to assist you in ridding your village of this evil once and for all.


-Lhoss Gannor

Session 16: Orlane afternoon Day 24 Readying - Fields Day 25 - Dim Forest Days 26 - 27 - Marsh Days 28 and Day 1 of Coldeven

Healed and recovered, we decided to go talk with Ramne and see if he had any knowledge about the extent of the charm effect by a Naga. Could the villagers be freed from it or would they be permanently controlled by evil? Lhoss, Chiki, and I (Gnorcia) had some theories from our studies in magic, but we weren’t sure.

Ramne was expecting us and knew something had happened because he had seen a flurry of activity at the Golden Grain Inn and around the town, and it appears the cultists have prepared themselves against us. It would not be safe to go south into the center of town, he said, but he was willing to help us if we wanted to go against the Naga before the cultists had a chance to warn the creature, and we were happy to accept his help. It seems that Whiskers is an excellent tracker and should be able to find the scent of the trail the cultists and Troglodytes were taking to the Naga.

Lhoss left a message for the Mayor with the Innkeeper, Bilba, telling what had happened at the temple and what we found there, and we all gathered our things and went out to meet Ramne down the road to the north.

We were surprised to hear Ramne’s voice when we arrived at the meeting point, though we could not see him. Apparently he has a cloak of invisibility! That’s really exciting and I would look for some way to "appropriate" it from him, but he’s a nice old man who can’t even walk well on his own, so I am restraining myself. Lhoss has to walk alongside him and support him, and we have to stop every hour so he can rest. But maybe he’ll let me borrow that cloak some time! I’d at least like to use it to play a trick on Chiki.

We were able to stop for the night in a comfortable field of soft grass, each of us taking turns on watch every hour. The next day we continued down the road and eventually the trail led us into the Dim Forest. There were no sounds of animals or birds and as we walked further in it started to get more and more spooky. We found a safe spot for lunch and then carried on down the trail, but before long Whiskers led us off on a smaller trail eastward and we followed him down and farther through the forest.

Calbach found us a safe place to sleep again that night and on the second full day of our travels we began to notice more and more moss on the trees and the forest became even darker, more drab, and eerie. Calbach again found us a daytime spot to rest and eat, and again that night a place to sleep, though it was an uncomfortable sleep on damp ground.

The next morning we soon left the forest and found ourselves in a marsh full of scummy water, with the path tramped down through it across the reeds. We spent the day swatting at insects as we walked and there was nowhere comfortable to rest while we ate our lunch, but we continued through the marsh for the rest of the day and evening and Calbach eventually found a spot on relatively dry ground where we could sleep.

Late that night, near morning on Chalkboi’s watch, he heard a sound. Something was coming toward us, humanoid figures traveling down the path where we had come, still a distance away. He woke Lhoss and I and we were able to move silently through the dark night toward them and the path to see who or what they were. Troglodytes! Lhoss cast a sleep spell on them and slit their throats, and we left them to sink deep in a scummy pool of water.

As morning broke, we continued cautiously but as quickly as we could down the trail, knowing more troglodytes could be coming. We soon found a dike across the marsh, about 50 feet around, and discovered a hole with stairs leading downward! Could this be the lair of the Naga??

Session 15: Orlane Morning Part 4 Day 24 of Readying

After resting, we explored the room some more and found there were two doors on the south wall. Armaziti and Chiki entered one and found a library with bookshelves and tables. On one table was a large, ornate book with beautiful artwork. Lhoss and I (Gnorcia) investigated the cupboards in the room and found they were empty, then followed Chalkboi into another room where he had found a table and a shelf with an unopened wine bottle and two classes. I had the odd feeling that we were being watched. Lhoss poked at the south wall where there was an odd imperfection, but couldn't find what it was. Another door to the west led to yet another room that was clearly a grisly torture chamber, with torture machines and bloodstains. Again, Lhoss and I felt that we were being watched.

As we explored that room further, suddenly a door opened in the south wall and three nasty little goblins in funny red hats and studded leather armor appeared, yelling “Die intruders!” Battle ensued and six more goblins came pouring out of two more secret entrances from the walls. Armaziti fell to these additional goblins and passed out, bleeding, but Lhoss cast a sleeping spell on them and the six fell asleep. Chiki, Chalkboi, and my phantasmal force version of Calbach finished off the first three. Lhoss, Chalkboi, and the phantasmal force destroyed the sleeping goblins as they started to wake up. With the goblins destroyed, Chiki and Chalkboi explored back into the room they came from, where they found filthy sleep mats and a table with food scraps. Lhoss noticed yet another door farther down on the south wall and couldn't resist opening it.

Inside she saw a brightly-lit area. She tried to close the door quickly and quietly, but someone inside had noticed her and came barging through to attack! It was a large human wearing shiny mail armor and carrying a sword and shield. The Phantasmal illusion of Calbach attacked and Chalkboi, Lhoss, and Chiki joined in. His armor was strong and everyone facing him had to deal with that plus his shield, but Lhoss got behind him and attacked ferociously. He was slowly losing the battle and turned to run farther back into another room. Calbach, Lhoss, and Chiki followed him and knocked him down. Chalkboi stayed back in the room and blessed Armaziti so he woke up again, and they made their way down into the room just as the evil cleric died.

Examining that room, we found it was full of pieces of tattered, destroyed tapestries. Everything was vandalized with gibberish writing. There were also tapestries on the walls and more destroyed tapestries in a chest. Lhoss discovered a hidden door behind one of the tapestries and a room with some crudely-carved stone blocks, a large, exquisite statue of a snake, and a young girl wearing tattered robes and trapped in a cage! The girl said her name was Cirilly, and that she had been imprisoned after the rest of her family had been charmed by an evil naga snake. Her family had all fallen under the evil power of the naga and she was afraid because they no longer recognized her. She said a cult has infliltrated the village, the cult of the explicit defilus, bringing more and more people to be charmed, increasing the power of the naga snake.

We examined the statues and Cirilly said all but the snake statue were crude attempts by Abramo the evil cleric (who was apparently the man we had just killed), and that the snake statue was the image of the naga. Near that statue we found a trap door, but decided not to enter because it seemed to be over the priestess' room and could lead there. We divided up the armor, sword, and shield from the fallen cleric, as well as a robe that was hanging in his room and some coin from the chests in the statue room. We were tired and needed healing so we exited the way we came and returned to the inn. The innkeeper was happy to see the girl but horrified by her story. She fed us all and sent us to sleep, and between lots of rest and Armaziti’s healing we were all healed up by the next evening.

Session 14: Orlane Morning Part 3 Day 24 of Readying

We explored down the hall and into the rooms where we had found and fought the monks and found nothing of interest, but in the last room Lhoss noticed a secret door in the wall! We all went through it and found ourselves in another hallway that stretched to the south. It held a row of golden statues! Each statue was in the shape of a harvest food, including the likes of a large carrot, sheaves of grain, a pile of beans, and a potato. They were beautiful and tempting, and I even noticed my stomach growling a bit, but we decided to leave them in order to maintain our good relationships with those few townsfolk who had been friendly. I’m secretly hoping that if we can save the town they’ll offer us golden vegetables as a reward!

At the south end of that hall we found another door and both Calbach and Armaziti crept in to find a bed with the priestess sleeping! There was another door on the other side of the bed, but we figured that we could get in there from the main hall area so they snuck back out without waking her. We went back into the main hall and Armaziti searched through the room but found nothing but some benches. From there we went back into the hall with the golden idols and headed west down yet another hallway on the north side, coming to a door that led to some stairs. We crept up the stairs and around into another room.

As soon as we got into the room, madness ensued! There were skeletons all over, swinging at us with their bony arms! They did damage to Armaziti, but he could heal himself up a bit, and then they knocked out both Lhoss and Calbach! Lhoss was bleeding badly so I grabbed the nasty bloody robes that Chiki was dragging around and bound up her wounds. Hopefully she doesn’t get gangrene or covid from it. So disgusting! Ronan was charging all over at the skeletons and swinging his two-handed sword but somehow managed to miss every time. Eventually the team did enough damage to them all that they shattered into piles and splinters of bones. Armaziti cast healing spells on Calbach and Lhoss and they started to wake up. We decided to memorize spells and rest up for a few hours after that dangerous adventure. It was getting later towards morning and we needed to get out of there, but also needed to regain our strength before we stumbled across anything else.