On the 12th Day of the 1st Month after the Autumn Equinox

On the 12th day of the 1st month after the autumn equinox (pt 4):

Beorn rejoined the party, and he, Zibreski, Arymere and Enoch continued on. They followed the western corridor until it opened into a large room with another door on the opposite wall. This room was another ancient tomb that held the remains of nobles from Netheril in the many niches that lined the walls. As the adventurers investigated the room, Beorn triggered a trap in front of the door. The floor fell away and the dwarf plunged into the dark, fetid water where he was attacked by a swarm of unseen assailants.

Before the party could react, several swarms of rats crawled out of the water and attacked! Beorn was able to pull himself out of the water, and the adventurers clustered together for protection. Surrounded by the rat swarms, the adventurers fought a grueling battle, smashing them all one by one. Eventually, they prevailed. After a short rest, they assessed the situation.

The far door was inaccessible since the 10 foot section of the floor in front of it was gone, replaced by dark water. However, there was a grate in a different section of the floor. After some effort, the adventurers were able to lift the grate and drag it towards the door. But before they could make it all the way, they were attacked!

More rat swarms came out of the water, and half a dozen dire rats attacked from the other door. The adventurers took a defensive position in the narrow corridor - rat swarms on one side and dire rats on the other. After a fierce battle, the adventurers prevailed, but not without casualties: both Beorn and Aramyre contracted Dire Rat Filth Fever.

After a short rest, the adventurers prepared to continue onward. Their plans were interrupted, however, by a group of human adventurers that entered the room. Wary of attack, the party studied them closely. However, they did not act threatening, and were quite willing to talk.

 

They arrived at the monastery this morning.  They are a band of adventurers, traveling around Faerun, looking for treasure.  They came from the west, and didn’t encounter any orcs along the way to Spellgard.  Today, though, they saw something strange as they were making their way through the ruins.  They saw a band of a dozen or more halflings, but they were unlike any haflings they’d ever seen.  They were dark-skinned and wore dark clothing and they had sharp, needle-like teeth.  They seemed to be headed toward the monastery, but they veered off a little when they saw the group of adventurers, though they didn’t seem to be scared of them.

They were in Loudwater a couple of months ago.  They didn’t stay very long.

They saw an elf and a pregnant woman who looked like a half-elf in Loudwater.  They talked to them briefly, and learned that they were from Waterdeep, but the next day they were gone.  They don’t know what happened to them.  They only spoke to them for a few minutes, just being sociable, so they didn’t bother to ask anyone else in Loudwater if they knew what had happened to them.

While they were in Loudwater, they saw a crusty old wizard who folks told them was called Curuvar.  He was pretty frosty and just looked at them when they spoke to him, then ignored them.  Four other old men wearing dark robes and pointy hats showed up in Loudwater over the course of a few days and went into Curuvar’s tower, but they never saw them come out.

Shane Quinn had an item in his shop that he tried to hide when they wandered in, but it looked like a gear or something from a clock.  They didn’t ask any questions about it.

There was another spiked gate on the door leading out of the room to the west.  The adventurers had placed the grate over the caved-in floor in front of the gate, but they were reluctant to touch the door, having identified that it, too, was trapped.  So, they tricked one of the new band of human adventurers into opening the door.  When they did, the trap sprang, and the door pinned the human to the wall, just as the other one had done to Arymere.  But, the adventurers worked together to rescue the trapped man.

Whether it was because they were now feeling a little worried about the adventurers, or simply didn't want to share any treasure they might find with them, the new band of adventurers took their leave and headed back for the surface, leaving the adventurers behind in the room where they had fought the rats.

On the 12th Day of the 1st Month after the Autumn Equinox

On the 12th day of the 1st month after the autumn equinox (pt 3):

Trying to ignore the malodorous odor coming from Enoch, the adventurers prepared to continue down the dark corridor. Before they could do so, however, they were hailed by familiar voices from whence they had come, and soon Eris, Cyrienne, Gabriel, and Kieri stepped into the light. Bored with hanging around the monastery and rebuilding parts of Saharelgard, they sought out the party in search of a little excitement. Kieri and Beorn had other business to attend to, so they stayed behind while the others continued onward.

The dark corridor spanned 600 feet or more but finally ended in a large room. The northern and southern walls of the room were covered with burial niches. A wide canal filled with dark, fetid water ran from the north wall to the south wall. An arched, iron bridge spanned the canal. Two doors were set in each of the west and east walls. The doors were made of metal bars with spikes on the inside. The ceiling was covered in strands of mold.

The party cautiously entered the room. Zibreski inspected the remains within the niches. He identified the tattered clothing as from Low Netheril and determined that the room was an ancient burial chamber for the servant caste.

As the party explored the room, they were suddenly attacked as an animated skeleton crawled forth from one of the niches in the north-east corner of the room! As they turned to focus on the skeleton, the party was also attacked by a group of 5 bat-like creatures!

The adventurers surrounded the skeleton and hammered it with powerful blows. The bats swooped in, attacking several characters. The bats were elusive, attacking and then flying away near the ceiling. As a defensive measure, Zibreski cast Phantom Chasm around the party. When the bats next flew into the area, they were knocked prone. Having dispatched the skeleton, the other adventurers were able to engage the bats in melee. Zibreski immobilized the bats with another spell, preventing their escape, and the others dispatched the bats in short order.

The party searched the room. Arymere inspected the door to the west, and inadvertently set off a trap. As he fiddled with the door, it suddenly sprang open, pinning him against the wall. Enoch and Cyrienne responded quickly, but were unable to free the warlock from the trap. Unable to wriggle free, Arymere remained pinned until Eris managed to pull the door just enough for him to escape.

After a short rest, the party continued searching the room. Determined to find something of value, Gabriel summoned a floating disk and, atop it, searched all the niches in the room, floor to ceiling. As the search was under way, the party was suddenly attacked by a group of 6 wererats!

Zibreski was nearest to the creatures, but luckily acted first. Casting 2 spells in quick succession, he immobilized half of the wererats and set up a zone of concealment before teleporting to safety. The other adventurers charged the lycanthropes. After an intense, bloody battle, the wererats were defeated. Searching the bodies, Enoch found a +2 Blood Maul Mace.

The adventurers took a short rest, catching their breath after the fierce assault, and planning their next move.

Rewards: 300 XP each, Blood Maul Mace + 2

On the 12th Day of the 1st Month after the Autumn Equinox

On the 12th day of the 1st month after the autumn equinox (pt 2):

After a short rest, Enoch bravely flung open the doors to the west, where the adventurers discovered a short corridor ending in more doors. The adventurers moved down the hall cautiously, and Enoch bravely flung open those doors -- beyond which was a large room. The room was filled with rat creatures, their forms discernible in the dim light of the fire pit in the center of the room. But before the party had a chance to react, all of the rat creatures disappeared into the darkness.

Zibreski was the first to act, and he tossed his brilliant sunrod into the center of the room. Moving forward, he saw the room was filled with wererats. One in particular, at the far end of the room, deserved special attention. He was dressed in black robes and was identified by Enoch as the patriarch of the wererat clan, Ephram Darano.

The adventurers made short work of the minions guarding Ephram. Before they could eliminate the wererat leader, though, Ephram disappeared and fled through a hidden escape tunnel. Searching the room, the party found a chest containing 200 gp worth of copper trade bars, 350 gp in coins, a fine necklace worth 150 gp, and a magic orb. Enoch also claimed an ornate wooden chair, which he carried around on his back and on which he frequently sat.

Disappointed that the wererat leader had escaped, but not deterred, the group continued onward. They came upon a room with double doors on the opposite wall and a corridor leading south. Flanking the corridor, apparently guarding it, stood 4 winged, mechanical-looking humanoids. As the party engaged the guardians in combat, they triggered a trap and darts fired out of the walls, striking Enoch.

Soon after the start of battle with the defenders, the far door burst open and a goblin stepped through. The goblin appeared to have mystic powers and was using them to attack the party. The adventurers retaliated led by Beorn's charge, and after an intense combat, the party's enemies lay dead on the floor.

After a short rest, the party continued on, down the corridor to the south. This was a long corridor, with branches to the right and left. However, the party never wavered and continued down the main hallway. Cracks began to appear in the floor, filled with dark, fetid water. The cracks grew larger and larger, until there was an area of the floor 15 feet long filled with the dark water and only a small ledge along one wall.

Zibreski was the first to cross. As he was edging along the wall, he lost his balance. Before he fell into the dark water, though, he teleported safely to the other side. He then conjured a disembodied hand, which carried a rope across the dark water. With the aid of the rope, Arymere and Beorn were able to cross the water without incident. Beorn attached the rope to the wall with a piton before crossing. Enoch tossed his chair across the water then stepped out onto the ledge. As he inched along the ledge, his foot slipped and he fell into the murky water. Crawling out of the muck, a stoic expression on his face, he said nothing as he sat, dripping foul water, in his chair. The other members of the party were somehow able to suppress their mirth, and Zibreski used his magical hand to untie and retrieve the rope without a word.

Rewards: 450 xp each, 175 gp each, magic orb +1 (Zibreski)

On the 12th Day of the 1st Month after the Autumn Equinox

On the 12th day of the 1st month after the autumn equinox:

The adventurers struck out for the ramparts, leaving the others to protect the monastery and the alabaster pillar. The journey to the ramparts was uneventful. As they entered the first tower, however, they were attacked by several fire beetles and a fire bat! The adventurers made short work of the monsters. Searching the room, they found Bracers of Mental Might, which were claimed by Beorn.

Moving deeper into the ramparts, the group entered the basement below the second tower. There, they found 6 hungry wolves chained to the wall. Beorn quickly moved to the doors in the far wall, attempting to avoid combat with the animals. The rest of the group made it to the corridor beyond the doors, all that is except Arymere. The warlock, surrounded by the wolves, transformed into a terrifying warrior and began destroying the animals. Enoch subdued one of the wolves, who was left chained to the wall.

The short hall beyond the doors opened into a large room. The room was filled with wererats, led by a goblin hexer named Jib. The goblin shot rays of darkness at Beorn, who ended up blind more often than not. He was also bitten by one of the wererats and contracted filth fever once again. After an extended battle, though, the heroes succeeded in defeating the creatures.

Searching the room, the group found a silver coffer that contained gold, platinum, a large garnet, and a potion of healing. Zibreski retrieved the sunrod he had thrown into the room, and the group took a short rest before continuing into the wererat nest.

Rewards: 600 xp each, 382 gp each, Bracers of Mental Might (Beorn), and a Potion of Healing

On the 11th Day of the 1st Month after the Autumn Equinox

On the 11th day of the 1st month after the autumn equinox (continued):

After some discussion and consideration, the adventurers decided to head back to the monastery. Before they could leave the ramparts, however, they were confronted by a large group of humans; three wielded halberds and nine wielded clubs. They affected a friendly demeanor, but Enoch saw through the ruse and could tell they meant trouble. As the group approached, the halberd-wielders suddenly drew crossbows and fired! Somehow surprised, even though they were fully alert and wary of the humans, the party regrouped behind the closed door of the tower.

Beorn came up with an ingenious plan - to retreat to the second floor of the tower and make the stairs seem impassable using illusion. He began casting the ritual while the others prepared to buy him time. The door did not last long under assault from the crossbows, but the adventurers were able to hold off the humans until Beorn's ritual was finished. Cloaked by illusion, Arymere, Enoch, and Beorn retreated to the second floor. Zibreski was able to take out all the humans wielding clubs with ranged spells. As he was preparing to teleport to the second level of the tower, he noticed their recently-rescued human ally had not made it up the stairs. Realizing that the soldier might betray their location if captured, Zibreski came up with a different plan. Stepping through the door, he called out in a commanding voice, "Flee now and I will spare your lives!" The 3 humans shot crossbow bolts at Zibreski, but they bounced off as if he was made of stone. About that time, Enoch came down the stairs holding the sunrod behind the wizard, giving Zibreski an aura of bright light. Unnerved by the slaughter of their comrades and the apparent invulnerability of the wizard at the end of the hall, the 3 humans fled. As they ran down the hall, Enock shouted after them, "That's what happens if you dare to cross Zibreski the Great and Mighty!"

Searching the bodies, the adventurers found 380 gold pieces.

After a short rest, the party set out for the monastery. Cloaked in an illusion of fog, they picked their way cautiously through the ruins. On the way, the adventurers came upon an alabaster pillar standing in a ruined courtyard. The pillar was apparently guarded by circling mechanical beasts: an iron cobra, an arbalester, and two iron war dogs. There was also a dead dark creeper at the base of the pillar. Beorn attempted to retrieve the pillar with an unseen servant, but the pillar proved too heavy. Unwilling to leave it, the adventurers attacked the constructs. After an intense battle, during which Arymere scored several debilitating blows, the constructs were defeated. The adventurers then lugged the pillar back to the monastery.

Arriving at the monastery, Allendi agreed to keep the alabaster pillar safe. Enoch immediately retired to his chambers for some well-deserved rest. The others slaked their thirst in the common room and spoke with the other patrons there. They heard a rumor that orcs were on the march, determined to seize Spellgard within the month.

After an extended rest, the adventurers dealt with the effects of filth fever. Employing his skill at healing, Enoch was able to help Beorn fully recover. Beorn, attempting to return the favor, was unfortunately unsuccessful, and Enoch's condition worsened. Zibreski, thinking back to his study of diseases at the Academy of Magic in Evereska, was somehow able to help Arymere fully recover from the malady.

Worried that the monastery might become a target of the shadovar Thoran, since it held an alabaster pillar, Cyrienne, Kieri, Gabriel, and Eris agreed to protect the monastery. The others prepared their return to the wererat den.

Rewards: 375 xp each, 95 gp each

On the 11th Day of the 1st Month after the Autumn Equinox

On the 11th day of the 1st month after the autumn equinox (continued):
After a short rest, the adventurers continued their exploration of the ramparts. They followed a long, dark corridor for 300 feet that ended in double doors, dim light seeping through. Peering through the chinks in the door, Beorn saw three humans carrying halberds, standing at the ready. In an attempt to unnerve the guards and possibly cause infighting, Beorn conjured the spectral image of a ghostly female similar to Lady Saharel. Two of the guards were taken in by the ruse, but the third dismissed the image with a swing of his halberd. Beorn then cast a spell of fear on the unbeliever, who ran into the far corner.

Tossing open the doors, the adventurers engaged the enemy in combat. Bright light flooded the room as Cyrienne tossed a sunrod through the door. An extended battle ensued with the human guards, a shadow hunter bat, two acid-spitting drakes, two undead wolves, and Borlum and Kalmo Darano (wererats). As the battle turned against them, the wererats fled up the stairs of the tower. One of the human guards surrendered and agreed to fight with the adventurers against the wererats. The adventurers quickly followed the wererats upstairs but were unable to prevent their escape.

The human was willing to speak yet eager to leave. The guards had been forced into the service of the wererats with the threat of lycanthropy. Before departing, the human told the group that the tower basement held 5 chained wolves. He knew nothing of the compound beyond, other than there were more young wererats led by the Darano patriarch.

Conflicted about whether to push further into the wererat den or return to the monastery to recuperate, the adventurers took a short rest and evaluated their options.

Rewards: 450 xp

On the 11th Day of the 1st Month after the Autumn Equinox

On the 11th day of the 1st month after the autumn equinox (continued):
After recovering from the kobold ambush, the adventurers continued on their way to the northern ramparts. They found the partially rebuilt wall flanked by two towers, one of which had a double-door. Approaching cautiously, Zibreski used his mage hand to open the door, which caused a loud ruckus, alerting whomever was inside.

As their eyes adjusted to the light, they saw a room beyond the door with a burly halfling seated at a table. The halfling acted friendly, but Beorn easily saw through the ruse. As the adventurers moved further into the room, the halfling suddenly transformed into a giant rat and attacked! As he attacked, he called for reinforcements from the basement below. Beorn quickly blocked the top of the stairs, preventing wererats from flooding the room. The original wererat, identified as Malcolm Darano, quickly fell to the mighty blows of the party - especially from Arymere, who landed some devastating blows. The other wererats took a bit longer to dispatch, but fared no better in the end. However, the wererats took their toll, as all but the mage contracted a disease from their infectious bites.

Descending to the basement, the adventurers discovered a chest with some gold and a crudely-etched ivory scrimshaw depicting Lady Saharel. After a short rest, the adventurers ascended the steps to the 2nd level of the tower, where they were attacked by a group of fire beetles and another wererat, identified as Franco Darano. After an extended battle, the party persevered and dispatched the foes. Gathering their strength with a short rest, the adventurers decided to push forward into the nest of the wererats.

Rewards: 350 xp each, 3 gp each, ivory scrimshaw of Lady Saharel (worth 25gp)

Also, we have had 3 encounters since our last extended rest, so we each get 1 additional action point (correct me if I am wrong on that, James).

-Shannon