Journal Entry 7:

Description of events between the 4th and 6th day of the month Deepsnow in the year 241 (13/14th of april 2018)

 
Out Of Character: What follows is a summarized account of the adventure group that went to revisit the ruins found near Vareholm
 
It seems I find nothing but trouble when I decide to head out beyond into the wilds. Well, I expect to find some trouble, it's uncharted territory after all. But, I certainly didn't think this would include a Cyclops and a nine-headed Hydra! But I'm getting ahead of the story.
 
In my previous venture my party and I came upon a large city in ruins, at the time investigation revealed it to be Elvish in nature. We learned a lot about the history of Idriell whilst rummaging around in a tomb. Naturally, I wanted to go back there see what else might be found or learned in the ruined city.
I posted a notice on the job board and quickly found some daring adventurers that wanted to accompany me. Each had their own motivations for joining, we all wanted to learn more about these ruins in some fashion. When we finally headed we had a pretty sizeable caravan. Kruger Ironside, a frequent compatriot of mine on these ventures. joined me on this trip. As well as Caelam, another sturdy fighter, someone who I've traveled with before, who is a stalwart and trustworthy ally. Casey, a cheery half-elf, joined the caravan, another good acquaintance of mine. Mona, a tiefling, traveled with us. A more recent arrival in Vareholm but well acquainted at this point. This was the first time I had the chance to travel with her so this journey was illuminating. The same is true for Taranis, a big human man, seems the brawler type, joined us as well. I haven't known him for long he seems like a good sort, similar temperament as Kruger. Talia, I have met before, but this too was the first time I had the opportunity to travel with her. She is a halfling paladin accompanied by her dog Dobi. Finally Khasha joined the group, truly a new arrival, her first time in the wilderness beyond Vareholm, a dragonborn, one of its kind in Vareholm at this point. Thus the party consisted of Kruger, Caelam, Casey, Mona, Taranis, Talia, Khasha, and yours truly.
We left around the eleventh hour on a clear, sunny day. There was a foot of snow. Quite pleasant, apart from the harsh glare from the reflected sunlight of the snow. After a full day's travel we arrived at the swamp. We set up camp and everybody has a brief talk with each other, mainly catching up Khasha on the dangers in the surrounding area. Soon after we decide who keeps watch when. Kruger takes first watch with Mona and Khasha.
Not long after the first watch started Kruger roused us from our slumber, whilst putting out the fire in an attempt to conceal our presence. We begin hearing large footsteps and realise what Kruger woke us up for, a cyclops was approaching our camp. Nobody makes a move trying to avoid a fight, the cyclops seemed docile and sluggish. Kruger attempts to parlay with the hulking creature, to no effect. The cyclops chucks a boulder at Kruger, the throw failed to hit Kruger. As Kruger exclaimed something in orcish the cyclops laughs at Kruger's remark. At this point we realise the cyclops is hungry and sees us as his next meal. We all brace for the worst.
Talia runs out into the field whistling and throwing insults at the thing to distract it away from the group. Caelam shoots an arrow at the hulking creature from a concealed spot in the treelines. Mona, too, draws and fires an arrow at the beasts striking true. We're in the fight now. Casey throws more insults at the beast causing it some distress. At this time Talia casts some kind of spell whilst charging the cyclops on her trusted mastiff. Talia exclaims: "Nobody hit it! Get the cart and run!" I forgot to mention we brought a cart along in the anticipation of hauling back our prices out of the ruins. The cyclops somehow is affected by the spell of the little halfling paladin and turns tail and flees. I immediately follow her instructions and just in case the cyclops turn back around ready a spell that might hinder his approach. We all gather around the cart and retreat in the opposite direction of the cyclops, closer to our original goal; the river in the west. As we're running away we hear a loud roar of the cyclops, probably it realised it was duped by Talia's magic and tries to turn back around and find us, but we're long gone at this point.
 
After about thirty minutes we decide to continue our interrupted rest. I take the second watch with Caelam. The third was is Taranis and Casey, the rest of the night passes without incident. We rise early to find a crossing over the river. Kruger has Aquilla, his familiar, look around the area for a suitable crossing. We eventually find one (at hex -5,-3) and place a Wanderer statue, made by Casey, to mark the crossing for future endeavours.
We cross the river and head towards the ruins. We spot the stone pillar Jeb, of the frontiersmen, had told me about. It stands at around eighty feet tall. We investigate the pillar with the help of Khasha who climbs the pillar. The pillar looks scorched much like the ruined city itself as if it has been scorched by a cataclysmic magical fire, that was as far as I was able to determine. Whilst investigating the pillar Khasha activated some kind of rune stone which began to glow a soft light. We were able, based on a sketch, to judge it as a version of the Alarm spell. Additionally before climbing down Khasha was able to spot a castle in the center of the ruined city. The result of the alarm spell being triggered was that we saw a patrol of some kind coming our way. We avoided confrontation and set up camp a short distance away from the city.
 
The next day we head into the city. The city is about nine miles wide, so it is obviously an enormous place we can explore. Based on the map Talia brought with her of ancient Idriell we know the city is officially known as Aurlus Solaris. We used her map to orient ourselves in the ruined city and ventured forth. Shortly after entering the city we encounter a group of Kenku. These creatures seemed to living in the city. They barred our progress in the city. They would only let us pass in exchange for retrieving an item they wanted and haven't been able to retrieve themselves. We were significantly outnumbered so we thought it wise to take them up on their offer. But in retrospect, if we knew at that point, we were going to encounter a 9 headed hydra, then we might have simply fought the Kenku instead. Regardless they brought us to the location where there item was located, they wanted a vase, don't ask me why because I don't know and personally don't much care since it didn't appear to be of any magical value. But I digress, the vase was located in a tower.
 
As soon as we approach the tower and make way to cross the bridge over the moat, which surrounds the tower, we hear the sound of crashing water and of the moat it appeared, a 9 headed hydra. The Kenkus, wisely run for their lives and leaves us to our fate. Although our party is braver than the Kenku we all realise that this is a life threatening situation. The hydra immediately strikes at the group several receive wounds and Caelam goes down because of a particular nasty strike. Seeing the tower as our only hope of survival we hasten our efforts to make it in there. Most of us are able to reach the tower fairly quickly as we exchange damage with the foul creature. Talia made sure to revive Caelam before heading toward the tower as well. Casey was able to deal enough damage to finish off one the hydra's heads. Taranis picked up Casey and brought of them to safety in the tower. Kruger and myself stayed on the bridge to battle the beast and provide assistance to those still needing to cross. Caelam being the most important since he suffered the most under the brutal assault of the beast. Once again the beast struck Caelam and he fell once again much to our dismay. The hydra then focused its attack and Kruger and myself. Both of us were able to resist the onslaught. Kruger due to his armour and skill was able to withstand most strikes, suffering a little damage. I was able to withstand its ferocious attack through clever use of my defensive magic strategies. I'm sure that without my spellcasting efforts I would've been struck down.
 
Our situation was dire, Kruger and I would easily be able to make it to safety inside the tower but we wouldn't and couldn't leave Caelam to fend for himself. Luckily Casey still had enough magic left to heal him in a last ditch effort from a distance. Moreover Talia, using a similar tactic as with the Cyclops, drew the attention of the hydra in the hope it would just attack her. That plan worked as well as we could've hoped as it lunged for Talia. Talia, however was in the tower, as we suspected the hydra smashed into a barrier. We thought that might've been the reason the Kenku weren't able to retrieve the vase themselves, so we were very fortunate that our suspicions were correct. With Caelam once again on his feet, and the hydra occupied with Talia, he sprinted into the tower and to safety. Kruger and I did the but not without attacking the hydra once more. Kruger attack it with his sword, and I cast my burning hands spell to damage it, then I cast misty step to safely make it into the tower without having the duck past the beast.
 
Now in the safe embrace of the tower we were pretty much stuck, there was a plan to assault the hydra from the tower but the only opening, which allowed that, was the entrance. Frustrated by the turn of events the hydra simply settled itself at the other end of the bridge to wait us out. As the dust settles we hear a quick pattering of feet and out of nowhere an undead serpent, actually not a serpent more like a salamander looking creature jumped over the tower and attacked the hydra. The hydra stood no chance it was torn to shreds by the beast. The creature, as a final blow, loosened an electric storm at the hydra to put an end to the fight. All of us didn't move a muscle and stood slack jawed at the turn of events. Later it dawned on us that this salamander thing might have been the beasts we saw guarding the castle earlier.
 
Once the skeletal creature was gone, hoping the danger is truly over we gingerly made our way back. We wrap things things up quickly with the Kenku, they give us a piece of plate armour. Plate armour! All that for some armour! I wasn't pleased, that is for sure, however considering we survived not just a cyclops encounter but also a nine headed hydra, I figured I should count my blessings. Perhaps the Wanderer bestowed some favor on us because of Casey's statues. Well, some of the others did manage to get some hydra scales and brought back a head of the beast so it wasn't truly without spoils. I just didn't find anything I was looking for. Perhaps next time.
Our trip back to Vareholm was, thankfully, uneventful and thus ends this entry.
 
Signed,
 
Kaecil Kayessan, Squad Mage, 8th Legion, 9th Company, 4th Squad of the Bonehunters.