Session 69: Are Penguins Native to the Barrow Marshes?

Tatania, Gnorcia, Lhoss, Yldarb, Armaziti, Chaklboi, and Hilja were watching Arnd dig away at the grassy mound when Yldarb noted the slight progress we had made. Wait, where did he come from? Nevertheless, even though it was scarcely past mid-day, it was decided that the best course of action was to head back to Orlane and purchase the shovels and pick axes that would be needed to speed up the task.

With Armaziti leading us through the mist, we heard a clicking and came upon a trio of skeletons. Oddly enough, they were penguin skeletons. In my youth, I had visited a fair during Richfest. A curious old man had a menagerie of exotic birds he had collected in his travels. There were colorful and fearful birds, each in their own cages, but my favorite were the penguins. Those he let swim and jump in a large pool he had built for them. The inquisitive and playful creatures were not behind bars, as they could not fly away! Imagine! A bird that flies not through the air, but the water! I had not seen one since, but it so captured my imagination that scarcely a week had gone by that I hadn't thought about those magical birds. Thinking about having to fight the reanimated bones of such a lovely creature was a sad thought. Luckily, they were easily startled and Armaziti sent them running. They ran so fast, we were not able to pursue them and attack from behind. The rest of the journey to Orlane was peaceful and we were treated to a rousing song by Yldarb.

It was early evening when we came into town. Although the sun had not yet set, the shops were closed. While the rest of the party headed to the Foaming Mug for a hearty dinner of meatballs, carrots, and cabbage, I headed to the home of my friend Vilma. It was a relaxing evening of good food and conversation until Vilma abruptly issued a warning about the legend of dangerous alters in the barrowmaze. She was clear that the altars should not be touched as they would impart a great curse. A curse that would be brought back to the good people of Orlane. Feeling warned and a little sleepy, I headed back to the inn to sleep. 

The next morning, we had a delicious breakfast of bacon, ham, and eggs with fresh fruit. Kyro decided he would inquire at the temple to see if his persistent injury could be healed. It could, for a price. Between Kyro and Tatania, they came up with the amount and Kyro was restored to full health. As a thank you (and to earn some extra money), Kyro offered himself for some gardening work around the temple grounds. Being the son of a farmer, it is a native skill to him.

After a quick shopping trip, we had the shovels and picks we needed. Yldarb went to put them in the bag of holding, but found it to be in complete disarray. We spent some time organizing it and then headed back to the barrow marsh to resume our digging.

Session 68: A holy mound and digging begins

As we marched along, someone's stomach grumbled and we noted that it was about lunchtime so we paused and ate. Resting together on the edge of a mound that stood up a little above the marsh, we noticed that in the midday, the fog in the marsh seemed to thicken as it warmed. We ate quickly and continued eastward.

As we moved slowly along, Hilja noticed something large that appeared to dive into some water, producing waves that moved toward us. We determined to avoid the water and threaded our way between the mounds as much as possible. Two barrows toward the south appeared to be flooded in, so we moved just north of them instead and noted that another mound just north of us was a little different, with several obscured cavities. Curious, we watched it but continued to move east until Lhoss stopped us, whispering that she could see something over one of the mounds behind us. There was an antenna visible above the mound! I commneted that we were probably going to have to fight whatever it was, so Armaziti cast a blessing and then Lhoss fired a magic missile at the antenna. As soon as it hit, we heard a frantic sound and several creatures came scurrying out toward us.

They were two to three feet long and appeared to be giant ants with nasty-looking pincers. Lhoss pulled out a vial of oil and set it on fire, letting it fly at the creatures. One of them instantly burned up and the oil splashed on the others, which shrieked in pain. Kyro took aim and stabbed at another, killing it. Armaziti and I attacked one, killing it. Hilja cast a spell and rooted one of them and Arnd hit another, killing it as well. Tatania cast a magic missile at a larger ant in the back, hitting it. In retaliation, the large ant ran angrily up to him and attacked, taking him down. Suddenly more ants appeared! It seemed we had stirred up an anthill. Two attacked Armaziti and one of them managed to hit him twice with its angry pincers. Two more attacked me but missed as the others moved to position themselves seemingly in defense of the holes. I swung at them in defense but missed as well. Tatania cast another magic missile at the ant that was attacking Kyro, and Armaziti paused to heal himself. Hilja and Lhoss attacked the rooted ant, finishing it off. The ants attacked again, hitting Armaziti. Hilja then grabbed Arnd and dragged him back away from the mound. I attacked the ant in front of me again, hitting it and damaging it. Lhoss hit the one that was attacking her, taking it out.

Suddenly, Dwerum appeared and yelled for Armaziti to run, taking a hit from the ant that was attacking Armaziti. Armaziti ran back and instantly healed himself again. Tatania pulled out another vial of oil, lit it, and threw it at the group of ants nearest the mound. It flew past them, splashing back on one of them. All of the ants screamed out in anger! Dwerum expressed concern that the group was outnumbered and suggested we retreat. Lhoss then pulled out the spellbook we had previously found, and cast stinking cloud on the area where the ants were. I raced back away from the ants, and Kyro also backed away, and the ants did not pursue us as they dealt with the results of the stinking cloud.

We retreated toward the east and Armaziti healed both himself and Arnd, who was exhausted as he regained consciousness. We then took up our eastward march again. As we approached a mound straight ahead, we noted that it was greener than the rest, and Armaziti cried out that he sensed something holy buried there! We noted that the marshland started again east of it, but this mound was higher up and completely covered in grass and dirt. Arnd and I examined it more closely and estimated that it would take about 8 hours to excavate with the one shovel that I brought.

We set up a perimeter with myself, Dwerum, and Kyro guarding while Lhoss, Armaziti, and Tatania recovered spells. After half an hour, Arnd began digging while Armaziti continued to pray and the others joined us on watch duty. Only a few minutes after Arnd began digging, we could hear a moaning sound to the west, and coffercorpses emerged from the mist. Lhoss immediately threw a vial of oil, hitting one of them, which then let out a chilling moan that frightened us all. I also threw a vial of oil at the other one, burning it to a crisp, as Tatania hit the other with a magic missile, taking it down. Arnd continued to dig and Armaziti continued to pray while we fought.

We next noticed two scorpions moving toward us from the north. Dwerum and Kyro both shot arrows, hitting one of them, and Hilja cast entangled on the other. I moved toward the scorpions, standing between them and Armaziti, who was still praying. The damaged scorpion advanced on me and attacked with its pincers and tail, knocking me out but managed not to poison me. It then attacked the praying Armaziti, hitting him and disturbing his prayer. Angry, Armaziti stood up and swung Melissa at it, crushing it. The rest of the group then turned on the entangled scorpion. Hilja ran forward and engaged it and Lhoss hit it with a magic missile. Hilja hit again, cracking its exoskeleton and killing it. Armaziti then healed me and Arnd, and Arnd paused his digging while everyone memorized and prayed for spells.

Armaziti only had one spell left to recover when we heard a chittering noise coming from the east and saw humanoid creatures moving toward us. They were a host of skeletons! Hilja immediately stood and cast entangled on the group of creatures, entangling all but one of them. Arnd stepped forward to prepare to engage the one that was not entangled, and I prepared to leap over Arnd and attack it from behind. We both did this, but swung too hard and both missed. It also missed its attack against Arnd, and my second hit and destroyed it. We then managed to take out the remaining entangled skeletons, although Hilja did get caught in her own entanglement spell for a few minutes before the grasses retreated. Armaziti finished praying and the rest recovered their spells as well, as we prepared to begin digging again.

Session 67: Renewing the Resolve to Find Caliburn

On the morning of Day 11 of Flocktime, our group of Armaziti, Calbach, Arnd, Hilja, Tatania, Gnorcia, Lhoss, and Chalkboi awaken in the Foaming Mug Inn to a delicious breakfast. This refurbished inn is proving to be a welcome haven from our adventures. There is a restlessness in the group and some hesitancy to head back to the barrow marshes since we have had such terrible encounters, including losing one of our party in a vicious battle. A few are wondering if it is wise to continue our quest to find the legendary sword Caliburn when we seem to be stumbling around in the dark (so to speak). It is decided that we need to head to the temple of Merika and inquire of Priestess Misha if she can give us any more guidance.

Misha has very little new information for us, but she does inform us that the tomb is to the far east of the marshes and is guarded by magical wards and tests. The Tomb of the Sacred Blade (as it is named) is protected by the order of St. Cuthbert. Luckily we have a skilled Priest of that very order. Hopefully with these additional pieces, we can find and retrieve the sword. Misha adds that a new High Priest is set to arrive in the temple from Hochoch within 7 days.

Feeling somewhat buoyed and reenergized for our quest, we head out of town. On our way out, we pass many travelers headed into Orlane. The increased prosperity is a wonderful sight. The journey to the marshes is blessedly uneventful. We decide as a group to move toward the main entrance to the barrowmaze and then head due east. We will not stop to explore any mounds until we reach the eastern edge and from there we will work our way back, exploring and probing as we go to find the Tomb of the Sacred Blade. We pass (and ignore) a couple of mounds when we hear the distinctive click and clatter of a scorpion. These large insects are the apex predators of the barrow marsh and have proven formidable foes. Luckily, we face only one. It's a quick creature and immediately lands a blow to Armaziti with its claw and then stinger. Then in rapid succession, Armaziti strikes back with Melissa, Tatania blasts it with a magic missile, and Gnorcia delivers the killing blow. Gnorcia attempts to capture its deadly venom, but a slight fumble causes the poison to drip harmlessly into the swamp.

Pressing onward, we encounter two skeletons. Arnd and Lhoss tag team on one, causing it to fall into a harmless pile of bones while Tatania and Hilja crack the second one, resulting in an explosion of dust and shrapnel. Driven, our party continues east.

Session 66: The attempted funeral of Adelbertus

The group reconnoitered and discussed what to do in wake of the battle with the scorpions. These characters were present: Arnd, Armatzi, Tatania, Kyro, Gnorcia, Yldarb, Hilja, Lhoss, Chalkboi, and Hoddour. After Armatzi healed Chalkboi, the group decided to begin the dwarven funeral, led by Arnd, Chalkboi, Armatzi, and Gnorcia. Unfortunately, before the ceremony could be properly started, four ravenous giant toads ambushed the group. Yldarb was knocked unconscious during the battle. After the battle was finished, Yldarb was restored to functionality, with much healing, and recovery of spells ensuing. 

A second ambush occurred of two coffer corpses, knocking Gnorcia unconscious. However, with Armatizi present, Gnorcia was restored to activity. After a bit more recovery, the funeral was started again. Something unnatural was opposed to this action, as another coffer corpse surprised the group, and knocked Yldarb out again. Gnorcia was able to place a well timed backstab on the corpse, and eliminate the threat. The funeral was carried out despite the combat that occurred, and Adelbertus was finally laid to rest. Yldarb was brought back to conciousness, but had an ailment that the simple cures of Armatzi was unable to affect. 

The group then decided to leave for Orlane, as it was starting to get late. A group of 4 zombies was encountered in the Dim Forest (a forboding thing as the Dim Forest had previously been relatively easy to transverse). However, Armatzi easily turned them, realizing that something has been dampening his power over the undead in the Barrowmaze area.

Yldarb visited with Misha Devi at the Temple, and was able to recieve greater healing after a generous donation. The group had dinner at the Foaming Mug, and made a 30 day agreement with Florin (the proprietor) for discounted rooms. Each member chose the room (or common room) of their liking according to their taste. 

 

Session 65: A Horrible Death on Day 10 of Flocktime

To the southeast we could see another barrow that seemed to be a stony hill with a little bit of grass. Arnd and Armaziti approached carefully, weapons drawn, and Yldarb moved stealthily forward, his spear at the ready. Tatania and Kyro had their weapons out, walking carefully and keeping an eye out on the surroundings. Kyro’s wound was red and painful, and it seemed to bother him, potentially hindering his ability to fight. Lhoss probed the ground ahead with her staff as she walked, and Hilja used her staff to check the ground all around for sinkholes. The ground was firm and we were able to approach safely, but realized that this barrow would require some excavation to explore. Arnd, Adelbertus and I quickly estimated that excavating would take two people about 13 hours, but because we had only my one small shovel, the group decided not to attempt that task at this time.

We decided to move ahead and continued a hundred yards or so further southwest, approaching another mound. Its stone entrance had been shattered and there were footprints in the mud, going into a looming black hole. Arnd and Armaziti cautiously entered first and found bone debris everywhere. The whole area was a mess, looking like it had been searched roughly, with upturned sarcophagi and broken vases strewn about. It had both the smell of a tomb and the smell of the marsh outside. Arnd and Armaziti did a preliminary search through and found nothing of value and most of the group decided to all in and work together to search the walls more carefully.

As we began our search, a group of five zombies quietly lumbered up and surprised Adelbertus, Kyro, and Tatania, who were waiting outside. Attacking from behind, the five of them immediately overpowered Adelbertus and killed him! They then turned on Kyro and knocked him out. Tatania responded by firing a magic missile at one of them as the rest of the party inside the barrow heard the horrific screams and moaning sounds and came running. Hilja cast ensnare on one of the zombies, holding it to the ground, and Lhoss tossed burning oil, damaging three zombies (and splattering some on Kyro at their feet.) I damaged one and Yldarb took out one of them with his spear, Falstaff. Just then, Armaziti used his turn undead spell and the zombies suddenly turned as if to run in horror. One of them that was burning immediately fell, immolated, and Yldarb finished off another. The rest of us laid into the rest of them in great anger and quickly brought them down.

Horrified at the death of Adelbertus, we paused to consider the possibility of hauling him to Hochoch to attempt a resurrection, but determined we didn’t have enough gold to entreat a high level cleric for that spell. Arnd said dwarven custom was that the body should be covered or wrapped and laid in a shallow grave, so Hilja and Armaziti carefully wrapped the poor cleric in his old bedroll. Arnd led the party back down into the tomb, singing the dwarven durges, and laid him in an empty sarcophagus with his holy symbol of Pelor, god of the sun and healing, placed on his forehead. As they did this, Tatania and I brought Kyro’s body inside with us, and then Chalkboi and I both stood and hid in the shadows of the entrance, watching out as the others continued with the burial of our cleric friend.

In the middle of the rites, Chalkboi and I were horrified to see three vile scorpions come chittering out of the mist, smelling the blood of the dead. They attacked, but because of the narrow space only one could get near us at the entrance. Suddenly, one of the scorpions in back—seemingly berserk with hunger—attacked the scorpion in front and killed it! Hearing our shouts, the rest of the group came running out yet again and we all attacked one of the remaining scorpions. I tried to run around to its back, but it turned with me and I ended up facing it head-on. The rest of the group then attacked it from the back and side. Its armored chitin was very strong but we managed a few hits and then Armaziti made a killing blow with his warhammer, Melissa, breaking the creature in pieces. We then converged on the last scorpion and managed to destroy it as well, but before it fell it stung Chalkboi, poisoning him with its stinger! Armaziti immediately cast slow poison and then we all stood around and looked at each other for a minute, wondering what to do. I had the strange thought—it came almost unbidden to my mind—to open the bag of holding, and realized that we actually had some poison antidotes! Digging one out, I quickly poured it down Chalboi’s throat.

Session 64: Late morning of Day 10 of Flocktime

 The group (Lhoss, Hilja, Gnorica, Arnd, Tatania, Kyro, Armatzi, and Chiki) all had lunch in the warmth of the dim forest, just before the trail that goes down into the depression of Barrowmaze. The group had some discussion of what to do, and the group decided to explore the surface area of the Barrows and try to find the barrow where Calburn is suspected to be located (which was seen in the scrying pool earlier on). 

After surveying the area a bit, the group proceeded to the main entrance, and then proceeded east a bit. A barrow mound of some kind was seen to the east, which had some growth over it. As the group approached, they saw that the growth was swamp weeds and cattails, and that the barrow was filled with dank brown water. 

Kyro and Tatania were leading out with 10 foot poles and Kyro decided to probe the water with his pole. Unfortunately, he was completely taken by surprise by two giant toads, which attacked him voraciously and nearly killed him. The party came to the rescue, and were able to vanquish the toads, with Gnorica doing her patented flip onto the back of a toad and eviscerating it there. 

The group rested, but were disturbed during the middle by some zombies from the north area. Armatzi continued to pray for spells (as he had used all of his heals on Kyro). Kyro was incapacitated, recovering from the attack, and also with a nasty gash in his side that could not be healed. Fortunately, the party were able to defeat the zombies after a scuffle. Hilja cast entangle for the first time, which proved useful in holding one of the zombies to the ground. The group then finished resting up. 

Session 63: Day 9-10 of Flocktime: A Replenishing Visit to Orlane

As the evening approached, our party decided to head back to Orlane. Along the path, we encountered a haughty cavalier by the name Zein. He was a bit put off by our haggard appearances (everyone looks a little bit rough after doing battle in the barrowmaze), but seemed intrigued by our adventuring. Zein mentioned that he had been looking for a group to join up with, so we offered to let him join us (as much as his busy schedule would permit).

At our usual resting place (the Slumbering Serpent), we were met by the proprietor Olwin. He was sorry to relay that there was no room at all. We decided to try the Golden Grain Inn, but it likewise was fully booked for the night. Feeling pangs of trepidation, we headed over to the Foaming Mug which had been renovated and opened for business. For many of us, this was the first time we had set foot in the place since we had discovered and slaughtered a den of troglodytes in the basement store rooms. But the inn had been transformed into a cozy respite where we all felt comfortable staying for the night, especially when we were served a delicious meal of chicken and bacon pasties with a side of braised greens.

During the dinner, Lhoss overheard a pair of farmers bemoaning the scourge of frogmen encroaching onto their lands. Lhoss and Tatania approached and attempted to get more information from them, but the two men seemed affronted by the incursion into their conversation. Lhoss attempted to smooth things over by mentioning that our group of adventurers (she may have invoked her favorite calling card "The Saviors of Orlean") had done battle with these same vile creatures in our attempts to cleanse the barrowmaze of the evils that possess it. That actually did put the men at ease and they relayed that these frogmen tended to hibernate (or brumate) in the muck and mire and then emerge in the warmer months to harass farmers in the outskirts. As a gesture of appreciation, the farmers bought a pint of ale for both Tatania and Lhoss. While the rest of the party retired for the evening, Ronan attempted to gather some additional information, but came up empty handed and eventually went to bed too. 

A delicious breakfast of bacon, eggs, fresh bread, milk, and blackberry juice was served to all guests and our cadre wolfed down a hearty helping. There is always business to do in town, and today was no exception. We headed over to the jeweler, Tandid Schulp, to hock our wares for a hefty sum. Lhoss decided to head over to see Merit Lage at the village store to stock up on oil. Zein scoffed at her for using such a lowly weapon. Lhoss, in an attempt to get his goat, replied "wait'll you see what this stuff does to zombies!", but the man is positively unflappable. Others in the group stocked up on supplies. Gnorcia decided to buy some chickens from Hewitt Twain and as payment for their care, he receives half of their eggs. A tidy little transaction.

Lhoss, ever seeking the company (or even just the sight of) fellow elves, popped over to check if Dorian and Llewelyn were in town. Alas, they were not. But she did have a cheerful chat with the mayor who invited our troupe to dine with him when next we are in town. With business done, we headed out toward the barrowmaze.