IX. A Fine Blade

General Summary

After fighting the Behir and holding a funeral for Gault in the caverns below the Hill Giant Stronghold, the party took a short rest. When they all felt good enough to continue, they attempted to further explore the underground stream and see what lay beyond the chamber they were in, but their way was blocked by a giant, pale toad. Unwilling to fight the creature, who had shown no hostility to them, they instead lured it to the side of the water with the head of a dead Carrion Crawler. Swimming upstream, the party entered another chamber and encountered several Troglodytes. The Troglogdytes recognized Shugluk and were pleased that the party had already slain the Behir, which had been troubling them and eating their tribe members for weeks. In thanks, the Troglodytes brought the party to Vy'Thek in her camp, which was set up a little ways away in the same cave that the Troglodytes were living in. Vy’thek seemed unamused by Shugluk’s return, but heard the party out nonetheless. The Valandian took an immediate liking to her and asked to see her sword, which she gave to him with some suspicion. He infused the weapon with magical runes, kneeling at Vy'Thek's feet and presenting her with the results of his handiwork.

“A fine blade...”
-Vy'Thek

The party told Vy'Thek that they had been sent to her by the Orcs on the floor above. She explained that she, of course, wanted to escape the Stronghold with her tribe, but didn't think any plans would succeed with the amount of people they had currently. Shugluk complained of Vy'Thek's ineffective, meek leadership, which he claimed had led them all to being captured in the first place. He claimed that Gruumsh no longer favored the tribe, and that the party were now his chosen warriors. The party, ignoring Shugluk's claims, offered to help the Orcs rebel against the giants and escape. Vy'Thek accepted this help and provided the party with information about the lower level of the Stronghold and a plan of action. First they would free all of the Orcs that were being held by Tusk Takers, which would add to their numbers significantly. Then they would free the Dwarves that were being forced to work in the forges in the caverns to the south. Finally, together, they would storm upstairs and slay their captors. Additionally, Vy’thek told the party about a nearby temple that the Orcs had not fully explored due to the sense of dread they felt whenever they got near to it. Thinking the place cursed, the Orcs had been avoiding it. The party decided to see what was in there. Before they left, Shugluk told the party the story of Gruumsh and the origin of the phrase Kharghark. Inside the temple, the party found the walls were carved with images of strange tentacle-faced creatures. A slab of obsidian stone made up one wall, mirror-like in its shine. Most of the party kept in a group, afraid to touch anything for fear they might get cursed. The Valandian did most of the investigating himself. He found a ring lying atop a blood-splattered altar. When he put it on, his mind was assailed by another presence. With the strength of mind to resist its influence, the Valandian’s mind came into contact with another: that of a Mind Flayer. The Valandian came down with the ring, though he didn't tell the party about the conscious of the Mind Flayer inside. Having found everything worth knowing about the temple, the party left to begin their mission to free the imprisoned Orcs and Dwarves...