Session 8: 15/06/2024
General Summary
25th of Quildarynn (early morning) until the 26th early morning in the year 333 AI
Cragmaw Castle
A haunting wind blows through the forest, trees seemingly trying to lean away from what remains of the once proud castle. Now there lies naught but ruins. The air is filled with an acidity unnormal. They can almost taste it, tears start to streem from eyes bitten. For a moment the wind is all our adventurers hear, but then seemingly like a spell is broken, other sounds reach them and set them on high alert. The sound of battle, of death, of slaughter. In between the screams of the dying a deep voice can be heard. One they have heard before, it seems Venomfang is having himself a banquet. Teeth bared Aphrodite and his friends proceed stealthily, unsure of what they will find.
Climbing the few steps to the entranceway, the threesome crosses through the broken gates, to find... An emptiness unexpected. The hallway and all bordering rooms seem empty, though there is proof this is a recent development. All tracks lead through a single door, from whence the battle sounds are slowing down, as if reaching the final conclusion. After ensuring there are no straggles to fall in their necks, Resnalore takes the lead.
"Watch out!", a whispered shout from Numot prevents disaster, as in her anxious state, REsnalore had missed a trap set up in front of the door. On inspection it is clear Numot just saved her life. The trap is rudimentary but effective, nevertheless. A collection of rocks is held up by nothing more than a few pins connected to the tripwire in front of our friends. A short discussion about what to do gets cut short. As rushing towards them come two wolves, running for their lives. In a moment the tripwire is shot and the wolves disappear in a cloud of dust. One of the wolves lies death, broken and battered. The other is harmed and in a frenzy.
Realising there is no communication possible with this terrified and battered animal, they make short work of it before carefully proceeding into the next room. In front of them they can see Venomfang, on what remains of an altar. All around are scattered bodies, the acid smell in the air and it source stand fighting before them. It's final enemies: two hobgoblins.
Climbing the few steps to the entranceway, the threesome crosses through the broken gates, to find... An emptiness unexpected. The hallway and all bordering rooms seem empty, though there is proof this is a recent development. All tracks lead through a single door, from whence the battle sounds are slowing down, as if reaching the final conclusion. After ensuring there are no straggles to fall in their necks, Resnalore takes the lead.
"Watch out!", a whispered shout from Numot prevents disaster, as in her anxious state, REsnalore had missed a trap set up in front of the door. On inspection it is clear Numot just saved her life. The trap is rudimentary but effective, nevertheless. A collection of rocks is held up by nothing more than a few pins connected to the tripwire in front of our friends. A short discussion about what to do gets cut short. As rushing towards them come two wolves, running for their lives. In a moment the tripwire is shot and the wolves disappear in a cloud of dust. One of the wolves lies death, broken and battered. The other is harmed and in a frenzy.
Realising there is no communication possible with this terrified and battered animal, they make short work of it before carefully proceeding into the next room. In front of them they can see Venomfang, on what remains of an altar. All around are scattered bodies, the acid smell in the air and it source stand fighting before them. It's final enemies: two hobgoblins.
Given their last run in with the young dragon, the decision is to help take care of the hobgoblins. Together they make short work of it. A silence falls as the battle finally concludes. The deep rumbling voice of the dragon sounds. The plot thickens. "You're early adventurers, you find me in a bit of a miserable state. As your 'friend' suggested I came here to have some dinner. They were many, and they fought brutal. However I victoried. I started feasting when your Orcish partner and his tiefling friends entered."
It seems Stone Head paid the dragon a visit. What's more it seems he followed the tieflings voluntarily. Our party is flabbergasted. What in the blazes is going on!? The dragon continues... "Apparently he learned all he needed to know, or got what he came for. As such his... partners and him were returning to their... Mistress... However, they knew you needed to be dealt with, as you pose a threat to the grand scheme of things. Yes, you did so get in the way didn't you... What is it with these young heroes..."
A certain menace is coming from Venomfang, enough to make everyone take caution. Liberty tries a bit to reason with the dragon, but doesn't seem to get very far. Whomever this 'She' is that Venomfang refers to, seems to hold a lot of sway. Next to the promise of richess and all his heart desires, something becomes clear from Venomfangs body-language: He's afraid. Now, what holds such power over a powerful creature like this?
"It is a shame that war band returned when they did... I really would have liked to take a rest before disposing of you... Nevertheless..." The dragon's voice cuts of as a cloud of darkness suddenly shrouds his vision. Before he can recover from the surprise he is set upon by the party and of course Aphrodite. Whatever fear our wolf friend feels, he sets aside to do his master's bidding. Soon he's dangling from the dragon's legs. With effort and a great dose of luck, the party takes down the young dragon and remains largely unscathed.
A lot of mysteries remain, however there are other things to do. They set to searching and looting and soon stumble upon an old acquaintance... Gundren Rockseeker. The old dwarf is badly beaten up, but is helped to recover and set on his feet. Even his map is found in one piece. Eternally grateful he rewards our party with a part of the profits of the mine he hopes to set up. A bit more than he had hoped to part with thanks to Liberty's charms, so it is they end with a 12% part. First, they'll have to find this mine and take care of the Black Spider...
Before getting on the road, a last mystery... Suddenly Aphrodite's attention is drawn and he stands looking at a black bird with a silver feather on it's wing. At first glanc, a regular bird, that sit's regarding them very attentively. When asked by Liberty, a rather confused answer follows from the wolf... The bird, isn't a bird, but it's a friend? A someone, a something else? Not an enemy, that's for certain, but more the wolf manages not to convey. Whatever may be, they manage to unravel none of its secrets before it chooses to fly away...
So it is that our party returns to Phandalin, to get some rest and prepare to free the mines... as well as ponder all these mysterious events.
Phandalin
Only bothered by some... unfortunate stirges, it is quite a happy party that returns to their homestead. Happily Gunder and Sildar meet again. Soon the dwarf and the party are enjoying some drinks before returning to the manor. Resnalore of course, first has some other business at a certain inn, with a certain roguish youngster. Under the watchful eye of his mother at first. Somewhat later, a figure can be seen crawling into a room, where a certain Pip is known to sleep... Oh heavens, the scandal!
A beautiful morning greets our adventurers. Early Resnalore and Pip are already practicing their sword skills and enjoying each others company.
Report Date
26 Jun 2024
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