Grave Robbing

[Wolfgar]

So with Winthrop and Raven unwilling to leave the troll cave and Dell still absent, a reduced company set out to find the ogres that were somewhere along the Davos River. Otto, Al and Cedrus along with henchmen Oaklock, Adrienne and Diego travelled several days north before locating the river. Uncertain as to the exact location of the ogre camp they decided to head downstream towards Sterich. Late the following day they came across an abandoned dorf. Investigating the dorf revealed that the inhabitants had been attacked and their cemetery robbed of its dead. Upon further searching we discovered a series of shallow holes that appeared to be attempts to find something buried in the area. Following the holes we came to a lean-to that covered the entrance to a recently dug cave. After Otto deactivated a glyph of warding we followed the cave and it connected to a stone passage. Following this a short ways we came across a dozen skeletons and more zombies along with a human cleric. The undead were clearly being used to excavate the place. Cedrus made quick work of the skeletons and Oaklock used a fireball to incinerate the zombies and cleric. We retrieved magic chain mail from the cleric and his tent contained some papers about his work. More glyphs were neutralized in the passage leading further into the complex. Further down we found a fissure in the rock intersecting the passage. The fissure contained several subterranean humanoids. After attempting to initiate contact with them proved useless we started filling in the fissure with debris. Before this could be completed a large band of them came forward. Again Oaklock was effective in crowd control using a lightning bolt in the confined space to kill more than twenty of them. Several others were hiding in the shadows but the fighters made quick work of them. Having effectively scared them off we preceded into the next chamber only to be attacked from above by a strange creature that appeared to be a large brain with ten tentacles and a beak. Diego made a good shot on the "body" of the creature and several other cut off some of its tentacles. It died falling heavily on several party members doing minimal damage. Oaklock used the Otto's scalpel to collect several interesting samples to bring back to Winthrop. In this chamber was another door which (again after Otto deactivated a glyph) required much physical straining to force open. This revealed a room in which a fiery, black, bulldog-headed creature guarded a stone chest. It warned us to leave but did not attack us so long as we did not enter the room. Eventually we entered with protection from evil surrounding the party. This did not stop it from breathing fire on the party. Luckily no magic items were destroyed and we made quick work of it, the frost brand proving to be a bane to the fiery beast. Adrienne was able to pry the top off of the chest using rope and a grappling hook suffering minimal damage from a final glyph. The chest revealed two scrolls marked with eyes (or I's) inside of a pentagram and a circlet of cold forged mithril. We decided to leave the underground chambers with these items secured. From here we need to decide whether to continue exploring the fissure that the humanoids came from, head back upstream in search of the orge camp or back to the rest of the party with the curious items we have found.

[Wolfgar]

I forgot to mention...

We identified the magic items from the previous weeks.
-a potion of extra healing, Raven
-a potion of diminuation, Al
-+1 falchion, Adrienne
-small metal sphere which when it strikes an opponent and the command word is given enlarges to bind the opponent, Cedrus

Also we talked to some turkey vultures that came to eat the goblin remains. From them we learned about all of the large flying creatures in the vicinity. At the top of the pyramid is the blue dragon and a mated pair of some other dragon like creature. We decided to skip those until we had the party at full strength.

Before we leave the dorf we should trying talking to the dead cleric. Maybe he can give us some information about the circlet. Of course he did have the bone cross holy symbol so his soul could be gone.

[Dell]

I trust that Dell's example has taught you all to never put anything on your head, ever. It's just... it's just not a good idea.

The papers the priest carried mentioned a "circlet" - so apparently that's what he was looking for. It also has a list of names - ostensibly of his superiors - none of which we recognized.

Also, while leaving camp it was noted that the smoke from the burning goblin corpses was visible from quite a distance. A flying creature was spotted heading towards the smoke, but Otto decided against warning the group, figuring perhaps that the leadership was mighty enough to handle any problems that might arise back at camp.

[Wolfgar]

dell said:

Also, while leaving camp it was noted that the smoke from the burning goblin corpses was visible from quite a distance. A flying creature was spotted heading towards the smoke, but Otto decided against warning the group, figuring perhaps that the leadership was mighty enough to handle any problems that might arise back at camp.

We figured Dell could orient on the burning goblins if he was trying to find us. And the flying creature was heading away from the smoke as opposed to towards it. But it was traveling in a straightline leading back to the camp. I am certain Raven will set a guard and Jasper can continue talking to the vultures to see if there are any threats in the area.

[Ginger]

I'll be absent again this weekend, but I'm glad we had another successful week. It's always good when magical items are gained and not lost.

[Dell]

arrowguy said:

I'll be absent again this weekend, but I'm glad we had another successful week. It's always good when magical items are gained and not lost.

Speaking of which... lightning has a very difficult save table. Maybe we should negotiate with the dragon. No, wait... can we subdue him instead?

[Wolfgar]

It turns out that grells (the floating brain with tentacles) is a treasure trove for potions making. You can use it for levitation/flying, paralysis (the tentacle have stingers) and protection from electricity (innate resistance). So we give the samples to Winthrop, he teleports back to the hall, fabricate some potions, teleports back and then we go hunt a blue dragon.

[Wolfgar]

We had a busy day on Sunday...

After leaving the underground vault Otto tried to block the entrance using his spade of digging. We then retired to the dorf to rest for the night and Cedrus interrogated the head of the priest of Nerull. He had lots to say. He was actually a fairly high level priest but six months ago he lost all of his higher level powers. At the same time most of the other priests of Nerull started worshipping a different god. This was around the time we noticed that our Nerullite amulets stopped working. The priest was hoping to find the circlet that we recovered and said that it was used to control a specific powerful undead. He had hoped to restore some of Nerull's power by using it.

So then we decided to open the scrolls that came with the circlet. One of the scrolls held a message which said something like "Find what is hidden. Use it if you are strong. Flee if you are not. It does not matter, it will find you if you are of strong or weak will." The other scroll was of the spell Forbiddance written at the 14th level. We figure you are supposed to consecrate some ground, use forbiddance to protect it and then don the circlet to call the powerful undead. We decided not to use it for now.

That night while Al was on watch he heard noises from the entrance to the vault. We found large 6 foot (or rather 6 inch) termites boring up from underground. We decided not to wait around and hiked through the night for a more secure camp site, spending the next day resting and recovering spells.

That night Al again heard noises while on watch. We investigated but could not find anything. In the morning we found tracks to a large band of dwarves (100+) that intersected our path. Al was tempted by his dwindling supply of beer to follow them but we figured going after the ogres would be more fun.

So we followed the river upstream where we found tracks of an ogre marching up the middle of the river. Also there were tracks of two humans and a large pack of dogs. After making camp we were joined by the two humans, a hunter and his wife, with a recently killed deer. We invited them to share our fire in exchange for some of the deer. At this point Adrienne became very talkative and let the strangers know all about the wondrous Company of the Blue Sun. As dinner was cooking Otto encouraged them to play some music to entertain the party. Little did he know that this was how they ensnare their prey as the music caused a lethargy similar in effect to slow. And at this point the dozen wolves attacked.

Initially we concentrated on the wolves but then the man and woman changed forms growing wolf heads and entering the fray. They concentrated their attacks on Oaklock and then Otto after he was able to cut down two wolves in a single round. Al was able to help Oaklock kill the female and the male ran off with the remaining wolves into the night.

Rather than attempt to follow them at night through the woods we rested and planned an early start to follow them. Their trail was easy to follow as they left lots of blood as they fled. We followed them back to their den and wasted no time in using all of our powers to kill them. Otto even got to use entangle for the first time in combat. It might have worked better if Oaklock hadn't fireballed all of them at the same time. At this point the man, now in full wolf form, tried to escape but Oaklock used a lightning bolt to bring him down. We recovered some platinum, 4 potions and a sack of miscellaneous silver and copper pieces.

The trail had led us upriver and since the combat was untaxing we continued to following the ogre tracks as the river narrowed as it travelled through a small canyon. We rested that night and memorized spells in the morning in anticipation of an assault on the ogres' camp as the source of the river couldn't be far now.

Coming around a final bend in the river we found the entrance to the ogres' camp with nine large armored ogres standing watch. We attempted to parley. They asked for the name of the most powerful one. Otto said we were from King Groorg. They asked for the signal. We threw them a sack which they opened revealing the dead Nerullite's head. And the battle was on.

Long story short we hacked down about twenty ogres as we made our way through their lair eventually coming to a forge which had the remaining ogres. We expected to make quick work of them until their leader turned visible and cast a cone of cold on half the party. Al was beset by two ogres and Otto by three. Diego seemed to have been held by a spell and Oaklock, out of his major offensive spells, tried magic missiling the leader. Otto was able to hack through two of his attacker cutting one in half with a critical hit (doing 62 points of damage with a single blow) and then turned on the leader who was unable to withstand the onslaught. Unfortunately the true nature of the spell on Diego was revealed as he put two arrows in Otto dropping him. The final ogre fled as the party tackled Diego. Oaklock and Cedrus then followed the fleeing ogre returning ten minutes later having dispatched the ogre just before he was out of range of Oaklock's bow.

We cut up the leader and disposed of his body in the forge after Oaklock claimed some choice parts for Winthrop. We checked the bodies and only the leader had anything of value. Then we opened the final door which revealed his treasury. The coins here showed the upside down ziggurat we have seen before. There is also a large pool of glowing water which has some unknown power. That is where we left it.

[Wolfgar]

Here are some things to do.

I guess we will want to interrogate the leader's head. We should check for secret doors, loose stones, hidden compartments and such. Is it clear where the leader slept? Since he can fly there might be something concealed in the roof of forge or some other cave. We were going to search for any communications with other bad guys in the area. For example, who were they making armor for? When was it expected? Were they planning any attacks soon? We should see if there are any small kegs in the second room we can fill from the glowing pool. Any volunteers to take a drink? We will need to figure out how to transport everything. I don't think Oaklock has the mount spell and it isn't clear where we would take it all. We could try animal friendship on some of the mount goats. I would like to check out the source of the river which seemed to disappear underground. And there is the disposing of the ogre bodies. Maybe we could burn them and Raven and Winthrop can use the smoke to find us. We should also go back and collect parts from the wolfweres. A potion of protection from shapechangers may come in handy at some point. And is Diego better? We may need to cast dispel magic on him. Or we could use him as a guinea pig for magic pool while he is bound.

[Ginger]

Is a wolfwere different from a werewolf?

[Dell]

arrowguy said:

Is a wolfwere different from a werewolf?

Yes.

A werewolf is a person that turns into a wolf, a wolfwere is a wolf that turns into a person. Totally different.

[Mr. Trommer]

Oaklock is an elf is my type of mage. Fireball, Lightning Bolt and remember to get parts. That is the way to do things.

The Leomunds chest is empty so we have room to store some loot.

[Wolfgar]

winthrop said:

Oaklock is an elf is my type of mage. Fireball, Lightning Bolt and remember to get parts. That is the way to do things.

What do you expect - Oaklock did copy his spells from your spell books? I am sure your books just fall open to fireball and lightning bolt given the number of times you have memorized them.

The Leomunds chest is empty so we have room to store some loot.

The issue is getting the loot from the ogre cave to the chest or getting the chest to the cave. Maybe we should leave some people to guard the treasure and the rest can go back to retrieve Raven and Winthrop. The ogre cave is in the direction we are travelling if we are still planning to go after the frost giants next. Of course that assume that Dell has rejoined the party by then.

[Mr. Trommer]

Hugh has a spell that allows for an additional save for those that are charmed at a +2. We could try that instead of a Dispel Magic on Diego.

I have those spell earmarked for quick reference.

I thought the dragon was next to solidify our rep with the gnomes.

[Wolfgar]

We are still 4 or 5 days from Hugh. I would hate to have an unwilling Diego during the trip. No harm in trying dispel magic after we have cleared the area of anything we don't want dispelled accidentally. The clerics can use detect charm to make sure the spell has been negated.

We will be sure to bring some ogre heads back with us to impress the gnomes. Maybe they will be willing to trade us gems for the ogres' gold for easier caring.

I am happy to go after the dragon. Its just undead that gives me the willies.

[Ginger]

I think the intelligence we've received from the Nerullite, along with the artifacts he's got could be very helpful for the authorities. We've been dealing with the Divine 7, but the Pelorites might want to get involved. Maybe they'll want to use the circlet to lure a powerful undead monster for them to vanquish?

[Mr. Trommer]

Hmm, ogres parts. What ingrediants are used for gauntlets of ogre power...

You and me both. I can still feel the draining touch of the undead.

[Dell]

arrowguy said:

I think the intelligence we've received from the Nerullite, along with the artifacts he's got could be very helpful for the authorities. We've been dealing with the Divine 7, but the Pelorites might want to get involved. Maybe they'll want to use the circlet to lure a powerful undead monster for them to vanquish?

Or maybe Dell will want to use it to summon a handy undead buddy? I mean, he doesn't have a part-time lion anymore, why not give him an undead pal to compensate?

[Wolfgar]

Between the circlet, the faceless one's amulet, the amulet of stunning and Turok's and Marbreau’s evil swords we have come across a lot of powerful evil magic items that have been completely useless to us. Where are all of the powerful good magic items? Dragons' lairs?

[Ginger]

Well, Dred has an ioun stone which grants an extra level. That's pretty good!

[Ginger]

The experience Ioun stone, the dex ioun stone, and the stone that make you +5 on saves vs. poison were all in the hoard we got from the small swamp dragon. Maybe we should go after his mommy?

[Dell]

otto said:

Between the circlet, the faceless one's amulet, the amulet of stunning and Turok's and Marbreau’s evil swords we have come across a lot of powerful evil magic items that have been completely useless to us. Where are all of the powerful good magic items? Dragons' lairs?

Technically, the circlet and the stunning amulet aren't evil. Using the circlet might be questionable with some deities, but I don't think it's an evil item. Also, Foebreaker is either lawful or neutral good alignment, and it's probably the most powerful item we've got right now.

But if you want to kill more dragons, I'm totally in favor of that. Otto probably wants to avoid the red and black ones, though.

[Wolfgar]

dell said:

Technically, the circlet and the stunning amulet aren't evil. Using the circlet might be questionable with some deities, but I don't think it's an evil item. Also, Foebreaker is either lawful or neutral good alignment, and it's probably the most powerful item we've got right now.

But if you want to kill more dragons, I'm totally in favor of that. Otto probably wants to avoid the red and black ones, though.

I thought the stunning amulet drew its power from an evil god. I will use Detect Balance on everything to determine whether it is truely neutral.

Red dragons I am happy to fight. I am currently +7 on saving throws against fire (+1 plate, +2 shield, +4 from the ring or sword) and +6 to hit/damage when using the frostbrand. Black dragons are another matter altogether.

[Ginger]

How obvious! The best source for powerful and good magical items is the silver dragon who's helping the Yeomanry. Let's get him!

[Mr. Trommer]

Now that's a plan but it doesn't pay off unless we know where the silver dragon keeps it loot.

We shouldn't forget Dell's goat that he brought. I'm sure Dell is off looking for it which is why he left the party. I expect Dell would put the circlet to good use using his undead minions to open trapped chests and check for traps instead of small farm animals. Dell could also use the power of the circlet to recruit enough hands to carry all the loot rather that use mount spells. Dell, Master of the Undead has a nice ring to it.

[Dell]

arrowguy said:

How obvious! The best source for powerful and good magical items is the silver dragon who's helping the Yeomanry. Let's get him!

I don't doubt that we could take him... but can you figure out a way to track a teleporting, flying creature back to its lair where it keeps all the treasure?

[Mr. Trommer]

Hugh will soon have the track teleport spell.

[Mr. Trommer]

Track Teleport: The spell allows the priest to be aware of the destination of any teleport or dimension door spell used in the previous round. The information gained in the form of a mental picture good enough for small detail to be made out. The target creature gets a saving throw adjusted by 5% for every level difference.

[Dead Greyhawk]

Thanks for the write-up. It captures all the high points. I wanted to add a couple of comments.

1. The Ogres wore fine armor, mainly splinted with some platemail, that is large enough to fit an enlarged person.

2. The Ogres wore tabards and badges that looked initially like a white axe on a black triangle, tip down. Once the ogres were dead, it became clear that the triangle is actually an inverted ziggurat.

3. The silver and copper coins found in the ogre's treasure room were a mixture of Sterich and Freecoin from the Yeomanry. The gold coins were all giant-sized and bore a new insignia on it. On one side was a large axe, on the other a broad, almost dwarf-like face.

4. Also in the treasure chamber were a number of jeweled chalices or goblets. Most of the chalices were complete, while others were missing their gemstones. Some of the chalices had stray gemstones inside of them as well.

5. The wolf-people's coinage was all a collection of Yeomanry and Sterich coin.

[Dell]

admin said:

4. Also in the treasure chamber were a number of jeweled chalices or goblets. Most of the chalices were complete, while others were missing their gemstones. Some of the chalices had stray gemstones inside of them as well.