HotDK 27: “Castle Crawl”

Pubert, the spell of invisibility finally wearing off, follows the trail from Carnath into the swamp to catch up with the group. When he does, he sees them from a distance seemingly engaged with the Lizardfolk and begins to charge. Brehana stops him and convinces him that all is well, and that Malice can explain everything.

Now that Malice has brought Pubert up to speed regarding the Lizardfolk and their plea for help against the Cult of the Dragon (and the Bullywugs) plans are made to head to the castle that Snapjaw has said the “Dragon Kneelers” have taken up residence deeper in Mere of Deadmen.

You all awaken safely inside Malice’s Tiny Hut to the sound of what sounds like the Lizardfolk arguing with one another. You notice that four more have arrived and seem to be having a discussion with Snapjaw. Brehana uses a Comprehend Languages spell to listen in and sure enough, the new arrivals need convincing to join Snapjaw’s revolt.

Once you all appear seemingly from nowhere as the hut dissipates, plus a brief speech by Brehana, the other Lizardfolk agree and you all travel with them to castle.

Once you arrive you notice neither the Lizardfolk already there, nor the few Bullywugs seem to pay you much attention. You go the long houses that are used like barracks by the Lizardfolk to discuss plan (you are impressed with their workmanship). They show you their secret stash of steel weapons that the cult was paying them with for their porter work. Seems they’ve been stockpiling it for just such an occasion.

Snapjaw helps you get a lay of the land, but he’s never been inside the castle. Only a few Lizardfolk, selected by the “one-eyed elf” as elite guard, ever go into the castle. The Bullywugs though are mostly responsible for guard duty inside.

Deciding that burning the bullywug huts would be impractical as they’re mostly wet of very wet mud, the decision is made to enter the castle and try to locate Pharblex, the bullywug shaman and leader who slayed the shaman of the Lizardfolk (who’s tribe is known as Scaly Death). Ever since the Scaly Death have had low confidence which is why they allow themselves to be treated so poorly by the Bullywugs and Pharblex as the fear his ‘powerful magic’ as only powerful shaman could have slain another shaman.

Malice uses his Invisibility spell again, and you enter the castle. You walk right past the entire first room of bullywug guards and their giant frogs but eventually enter a room of four Dragonclaw cultists. Even though it breaks the invisibly spell, you decide it best to take them out before proceeding…