Session XII - "Me Not Lazy!"

General Summary

Believing there is little more to gain or learn while in Phandalin, and growing more anxious to find Gundren, the party makes one more stop in town before heading off to find Cragmaw Castle.

One Last Stop...

Having dispatched yet another group of Orcs, Roric and the others proceed to search the bodies. This was the second group that they had run into that obviously knew about the hidden entrance to the cellars beneath the manor ruins. But other than weapons and leathers, there was little to be found on the fetid corpses. The bodies revealed no other clues as to who they were or where they came from.

"So where to next?", asked Wick.

Airick and Forgrim were growing concerned about Gundar. Dealing with the Redbrands had take more time than he hoped it would, and they still were only guessing that they might find him a prisoner of the goblins.

"Well, we now have a good idea of where to find Cragmaw Castle. That's probably our best chance at finding Gundren. I feel we may have delayed too long," Airick stated.

For the most part, everyone agreed. Though a few suggestions were made and a few more stops were planned before departing Phandalin. A stop at the Blue Lion allowed Roric a chance to refill his supply of ammunition. While there, a new set of studded leather armor caught his eye. His current set was in need of some repair, and this would be a worth upgrade. So he struck a deal with Linene, and they proceeded north back through the heart of town, before turning west on the last path towards the apple orchard.

Elven Insight

As they approached, the orchard's borders quickly made itself apparent. The extremely lush trees were bountiful with ruby-red apples. Amazingly, each row seemed to be more mature than the next, allowing the owner to harvest his crop at their peak freshness likely all throughout the year. The boughs of the trees were carefully coaxed to intertwine themselves into almost seamlessly flowing structures like arches, gazebo's and seating areas throughout the garden. The careful attention and manicuring of the grove stood in stark contrast to the unkempt fields that lied adjacent to it. Roric recognized the craftsmanship as that of elven architects, and suspected that the owner of this fine orchard must be one of his kin.

No activity was to be found outside the cottage, which also was finely crafted from Applewood. But Wick heard a humming voice coming from around the back of the cottage, and motioned his friends to follow. They sourced the sound to that of a silver-haired elf delicately perched about 10-feet up in one of the trees, in the process of picking some of the apples. Noticing the group approach, the elf gracefully disembarked from his branch, landing silently upon the soft ground.

"So, you must be the new arrivals to whom I owe thanks for addressing our problems at the manor?"

Airick stepped up to greet the farmer, and introduced his companions (save Tahlthi, as she had taken her usual arboreal refuge), and saving Roric for last as he came trotting up the path behind them.

Daran proved to be very amiable and well-apprised of local events as Quelline had suggested he would. Unfortunately there was little information he had to share that the group had not already discovered, but they were able to stumble upon a few more useful tidbits during their time in the orchard. The first bit of information he seemed anxious to disclose, as he was hoping the group would be willing to investigate reports of undead activity that were being reported by prospectors exploring over by the Old Owl Well, about a day's east of town. The other information was not exposed until Forgrim decided to confirm his suspicions about Halia Thornton. As usual, the dwarf was rarely as tactful as the bard or the gnome.

"What do you know about the lass who run's the Miner's Exchange?"

The elf regarded him for a moment before replying, "Halia? Not sure there's much I can tell you about her. Not exactly on the best of terms with her. There are others in town I'd prefer to spend my time with. She's nominated herself for townsmaster for the past several years, but she rarely has had more than a few supporters. But if Sildar doesn't stick around, she's likely to get the job next time around. Not too many people around here would be happy with that."

"Now why would that be?" Airick inquired quite invitingly.

"Well, I'm not one to speak ill of my neighbors." But after looking around a bit more, and quieting his tone he added, "But there are some around here who feel Miss Thornton may not have the town's best interests at heart. Though I have no reason to believe them, some have even accused her of having secret loyalties beyond our borders. But if those rumors are true, then indeed there is good cause for concern."

Pressing a bit further, Airick managed to persuade the elder elf to share a bit more of the local gossip, hesitant as he might have been to spread misinformation.

"Well, I have made note of several travelers over the past few months, that have come to Phandalin bearing marks of the Zhentarim. Their bearers usually make efforts to keep such ink well-hidden, but the wind and the rain are elf-friends, and can reveal much to these still sharp eyes. I cannot tell you much more for certain, but it has not passed my notice that the one thing they all shared in common was a visit to the Miner's Exchange. I cannot help but wonder if such visits, her persistent interest in becoming townmaster, and the suspicions of some of my friends here, are more than mere coincidence."

Not unlike Quelline, the halfling that invited them in for tea after retrieving the Blue Lion goods from the cavern, Daran was also very hospitable and invited them inside to share some good drink and conversation. But the group was feeling the need to move on and cover some ground between here and the castle before dusk. Politely declining the invitation, Daran held forth the fresh batch of apples that he had just harvested and insisted they each take some. Wick took a bite of one right away, finding it to be extraordinarily sweet, crisp and juicy. Thankful for the information (and the most delicious apples), they shared their gratitude with Daran and began to make their way along the north road heading out of town.

Back on the Trail

There were still a few hours of daylight remaining when they had finally set out from town. Though the trek was uneventful, the information Daran had shared, led to some very interesting conversation among the companions. The possibility that Halia might be working with or for the Zhentarim was certainly disconcerting. Airick had learned something of them while during his time in SIlverymoon.

"We may need to head back to Phandalin after we find Gundren, especially if what Daran said about Halia proves to be true. The Zhentarim are a dangerous group to mess with. They've caused problems all the way from here to the Dragonwall of Kara-Tur!"

Airick continued to share what he knew of the 'Black Network', but Roric's thoughts were more focused on the Old Owl Well. He knew of the well as the site of a watchtower that was used back in the ancient days of the Netheril Empire. However, he did not know of its location until learning it from Daran. That information immediately stirred his blood, for the Netherese were responsible for the complete and final destruction of the elven nation of Myth Drannor, less than three years ago. One of their floating cities re-appeared for the first time in many centuries, and was purposely crashed into the elven capital, utterly destroying both places. Knowing the power that their empire attained before it's destruction, Roric believed the ruins at the well could lead to, or even hold, secrets of great power that might help him in his goal.

As dusk settled in, they set camp not far off the Triboar Trail. Fortunately, they were able to rest for the night without interruption, and were able to set out the next day refreshed and renewed.

Third-day, 23rd Tarsakh, 1491 DR

Stupid is as Stupid is

The next morning greets the party with warmth and sunshine. It was another beautiful day just inland of the Sword Coast, and the Neverwinter Wood was only a few miles distant. It would take most of the morning before they reached its border, but Airick had a feeling they were drawing closer to finding Gundren. Though it could have also been confused with the sense of foreboding that came over him as he entered the wood. Indeed, most humans were known to avoid the Neverwinter Wood, and even orc war bands of the past gave wide berth to the arboreal realm. The others however, were apparently immune to the effect. In fact, Wick even commented something about "Home Sweet Home" as he passed under the canopy of the trees within.

They soon noticed the area around them was teeming with life, prey and predator alike. The sounds of creatures running crawling and hopping across the forest floor where surpassed only by the birds and other creatures that travelled from treetop to treetop. Though this provided much more opportunity to avoid being heard, it also meant they were just as likely miss something until they stumbled into its midst. Fortunately, luck was not against them this afternoon, for as they traveled deeper in to the southwestern corner of the wood, Tahlthi picked up on a large figure not too far ahead, well before it noticed them...

With remarkable speed, agility and stealth, Tahlthi ascended the nearest tree to get a better view. Though she couldn't fully make out the distinguishing features, the new vantage point did allow her to make out a very large humanoid up ahead, ripping small trees out of the ground. Though she couldn't be completely sure, she was pretty confident that it was an ogre blocking their path. Keeping her silence, she looked down towards the party, established eye contact with Wick, and gestured her hands to form a ball and then expanded it - hoping to convey the sense of something big. She then gestured to Roric and Forgrim so they could flank the brute from both sides. Wick did what comes naturally - stay out of sight. Once they were in position, Airick once again assumed his front-man role, and boldly stepped out to "greet" the ogre.

"What are you doing here?" he asked the buffoon in a booming voice as he stepped into the clearing that was being made.

Startled for a moment, the ogre looked him over, seeming at first unsure how to react to his query.

"Me taking trees!", he quipped.

Airick glanced at the small collection of trunks he had gathered so far, and had an idea...

"But there are better trees over there," pointing back over his right shoulder. "Why don't you pick those?"

"Those too big! Gurg pull these trees!" the monster replied, referring to himself by name.

The bard smiled wryly, "Oh I see, you're too lazy to pick the bigger trees!"

Now the ogre felt insulted. Ogre's were usually easy to goad, and Gurg was no exception. His face began to contort into a twisted expression of anger, grunting as he tossed his great club from his left hand to the other.

"Me not lazy! Me stronger than you!" he growled, crouching down before starting a charge toward Airick.

Remaining remarkably steadfast, Airick flared the redbrand cloak he had picked up under the manor, and boomed his voice once more.

"Careful now... are you sure you want to attack one who wears this?" he intimidatingly inquired of the ogre.

Recognizing the cloak, and thinking of the orders he had been given by his clan leader, Gurg stopped in his tracks and dropped the oversized club to his side.

"Gurg hurt Redbrand. King Grol hurt Gurg" he said, despondently.

"That's what I thought. Now, go pick those trees over there!" Airick commanded, trying to push his point home. But the ogre wasn't having it, he couldn't hurt the bandit, but he didn't have to listen to him either.

"You not boss of me! I take these trees over HERE!" he grumbled indignantly, as he stomped off in the opposite direction. He might have stepped right on top of Wick had the gnome not been staying out of view.

"Well, not quite what I was going for, but he's gone now" Airick commented.

Castle Time

The five of them re-grouped, and proceeded northwest in the direction they believed the castle ruins would be found. About an hour or so later, shortly before the sun began to set, the group arrives at a site containing several crumbling towers with multiple connecting walls in various states of repair and collapse. Much of it appearing still inhabitable, though perhaps barely or not for long. On the south side, an overgrown path leads to a passage that climbs up into the wall. A large iron door stands here, sheltered from direct outside attack, which the group decides to avoid. Instead, they spread out to explore the perimeter. Wick discovers nothing on the eastern side, but Tahlthi's investigation reveals a double-staired entry on the western face, which the group decides to use as their way into the structure.

Tahlthi stayed below the landing as the rest decided to see if the Redbrand cloaks they acquired earlier could have additional value. Since there were only two, Roric and Airick would act as guards, bringing their 'prisoners,' Forgrim and Wick, to the castle. Ascending the stairs to an open entryway into the castle, they encountered no stationed resistance. They did notice the arrow slits that were directed at the open platform they were standing upon, and so remained careful, but without acting sneaky. They proceeded inside to find an empty hall.

"Doors stand closed to the north and south, with a crumbling mound of rubble partially obscuring the southern hall. To the east, a broad corridor ends in two more doors leading south and east. The corridor is cluttered with dusty rubble and fallen plaster from a partial collapse of the ceiling overhead."

The group deciding to proceed towards the southern doors, still encountered no resistance. However, Tahlthi headed further up the steps so as not to let her companions fall too far out of view. While passing the arrow slit on the southern tower, she looks within to see what her friends may be walking into. Her first glance through the viewpoint exposed a goblin walking directly towards her. Ducking down quickly, she was able to avoid detection by the inattentive sentry.

From the north side of the entryway, an arrow suddenly sped out from the arrow slit, striking Tahlthi in the back of her shoulder. Wick, noticing the shot just before turning the corner, and hearing it hit its mark, decides to turn up the heat, grabbing one of his flasks of oil and successfully smashing it on the inside of the stone channel that produced the arrow. Unfortunately, the firebolt Wick used to try to ignite it, was not quite as successful. Once again, chaos has its way, the improbable made manifest, and the air suddenly fills with fluttering butterflies and flower petals. But alas, there was no fire... and the oil remained unlit.

Kicking open the door to the southwest, Airick reveals two goblins that Tahlthi had briefly perceived, but were now ready after hearing the commotion starting outside. One goblin charged directly at the bard, impaling his hip with a readied javelin, causing Airick to scream out in pain. Forgrim, realizing his limited access to these threats, uttering a quick prayer to Moradin, invoked a spiritual weapon behind the goblins that were rushing Airick.

Meanwhile, realizing she was way too exposed for her own comfort, Tahlthi darted inside the hallway, past Wick, and went towards the first door believing it to be the way her attackers would appear next. Strategically ducking down in front of the extruded door frame, she readied herself for one to come out and expose themselves to her attack.

Leveraging the additional reach of his javelin, a second goblin manages to deliver a second brutal wound to Airick, thrusting the polearm between his companion and the doorframe to impale his shoulder, which was marked with another shout from Airick. Just at that moment, the other two goblins from the north chamber burst out the door in the northern portion of the hall. The first one fails to notice Tahlthi crouching down and shadowed by the doorframe. Without warning, Tahlthi managed to plant her short sword in its back as he tried to move past her position. The second goblin came out the door to witness the brutal execution of his partner, and immediately engaged Tahlthi, but was unable to connect a blow.

Roric, after taking a moment to process the events around him, and using the goblin Tahlthi just slayed as a launching point, launched himself in a flip over the one attacking Tahthi, and bisected the goblin with a swift, cleaving stroke from Talon.

To be continued...

Rewards Granted

"Defeating" Gurg the Ogre

Character(s) interacted with

• Daran Edermath
• Gurg the Ogre