If you haven't already done so, be sure to read the previous posts in the Scribe Notes series for the complete back story!
We decided to investigate the structure to the south and found a room scorched by a fiery blast. A wraith rose from the ashes and made threats. I tried ordering it to stand down, but it insisted on being a nuisance. After launching a bevvy of attacks, Thaelin snuffed it out with an impressive Thunderwave. Trym saw to the chest of coins while I looked around the book shelves. Mostly old history books, but one in particular contained a map eluding to some hidden treasure located in a cave near Shadowdale. It looks to be written in the language of the Underdark.
Another bit of useful information found among the books were old contracts and a log book. It appears this was a guest quarters for visiting wizards. The last visitor in the log was a wizard named "Mormesk".
We moved down some stairs toward the sound of waves. A large cavern with crashing waves in the dark. We carefully circumvented the water and moved down a western corridor to find ourselves circled around to where we battled the shapeshifter. Having finally cleared Wave Echo Cave, we hauled our booty to our cart and made for Phandalin.
Gundren and Nundro were beside themselves when we returned with the news. We ate, we sang, we rested. Sister Garale was kind enough to identify all the artifacts we had collected while we rested.
The note she deciphered revealed that the Black Spider has been taking orders from one named Imbross A'Daragon, hiding in Shadowdale with something called "The Eye". If we want to keep Wave Echo Cave operational, we'll need to deal with this "Imbross". Shadowdale, however, is a very long way away.
Luckily, Ava's order has business south of Triboar, so we'll be able to do a bit of good along the way. Some business about bandits robbing people using magic. After finalizing our provisions, we left for Triboar.
Our first evening proved quite comfortable thanks to Leomond's spells for shelter. It would have been restful for everyone, had an Ogre not wandered into camp. He had a hungry eye for our horses. But mastication of our equine would prove disasterous to our endeavours, so drastic actions had to be employted. My ever courageous companions made short work of the beast while Thalin swallowed it in the earth. A typical morning on the trail.
A platoon of goblins attempted an ambush from the tall grass. My comrades picked off a few and a well placed fireball finished the lot. A long day's ride and then a good night's rest awaited us that night. Travel has been smooth and enjoyable.
Wolves gathered in the night. Thaelin tried to reason with the alpha. Negotiations failed. The beast mauled him to the ground, but he cleverly conjured a poison mist to gag the beast. Trym and I attacked with all of our power, but the Dire wolf refused to release Thaelin.
Thaelin eventually threw the beast off of himself and slew it with a mighty blow of his staff. Trym pulled a bear from her bag, which tore into the closest wolf. After throwing a bit of fire, the rest fled into the wilderness. We finished our rest and started late the next morning.
Our final push to Triboar went without event. The town looks like it's seen it's fair share of death, lately. Ava suggested meeting with her contact to get more details...
I went to the local trader to inquire about maps. I purchased a map covering the area from the Sword Coast to the great desert. I also managed to haggle a profitable trade, swapping my spider staff for some magical protection items. Afterwards, I met my companions at the inn.
Trym brought sad tales of werewolves and hangings. Ava adopted a bard, and a hysterical woman accuses a noble of lycanthropy. Clearly, I'm in my cups.
Showing posts with label Wave Echo Cave. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wave Echo Cave. Show all posts
Saturday, February 6, 2016
Scribe Notes - Vol. 10: The Forge of Spells
If you haven't already done so, be sure to read the previous posts in the Scribe Notes series for the complete back story!
After a long rest we decided the best course of action was to get Nundro to safety. Three ghouls ascended from the darkness to block our path. We made short work of them and continued through to the exit. Stirges descended upon us in the grotto. They barely slowed us as we continued to move. Past another ghoul, and we finally reunited Gundren with his brother. The dwarves were eternally grateful. We bade them make hast to Phandalin while we finished clearing out the cave.
We cleared a nest of stirges east of the entry cavern, followed by a room of skeletons. They took a bit longer to clear, but they gave us little trouble overall. A storeroom across the hall gave us little information, but Trym managed to pilfer the cash box.
Ghouls seem to infest every room of this mine. Ava had taken a few scrapes but insisted on carrying on. A cave of poisonous mushrooms was around the corner. Trym insisted on harvesting some of the dangerous fungus for her poison making kit. Being so toxic, the rest of us waited at the entrance. She deftly harvested a large cap in one breath. The entire room released spores in response to the disturbance. Best to be away from this toxic miasma.
We moved further through the ruins and found a secure room for us to take a short rest. Afterward, we came upon the ghoul infested banquet hall. I opened with a barrage of fire attacks, killing half of the horde. My allies made short work of the remainder. We found ourselves once again in the forge room, with a familiar green glow emanating from around the corner. A chill ran down my spine. I remember my last encounter.
I steel myself for a battle without my spells. Trym's arrow snapped, but she had pulled a board from her bag of tricks, which bashed the abomination to the ground. The flaming skull turned its wrath upon the beast, setting it aflame with a ball of fire. It would have nearly turned us all to ash, had it not been for Ava blocking it with her shield. We beat the thing with physical damage and it succumbed quickly. Our experience has served us all well.
We moved east of the flaming skull's room, and the sound of waves became noticeably louder. The iridescent ceilings remind me of stars. A workshop was emanating a green light, and we went to investigate. Inside we found a brazier glowing with green flame. A creature made of a mass of eyes spoke in our heads. It said it existed to guard the forge of spells from undead. We tried to reason with the creature, but it insisted we leave.
One of it's eyes looked at me and filled me with terror so intense I fled the room in a most embarrassing manner. As I ran down the hall, I heard fighting break out behind me. I found myself in the banquet hall when the fear subsided. I immediately turned to check on my companions. Thaelin was roving mad in the hallways. Trym was being terrorized by the creature when Ava plunged her axe into it. Her constitution and strength continue to impress me.
I tried to detect magic in the room and was nearly blinded by the magical aura of the green brazier. This must be the "Forge of Spells".
After a long rest we decided the best course of action was to get Nundro to safety. Three ghouls ascended from the darkness to block our path. We made short work of them and continued through to the exit. Stirges descended upon us in the grotto. They barely slowed us as we continued to move. Past another ghoul, and we finally reunited Gundren with his brother. The dwarves were eternally grateful. We bade them make hast to Phandalin while we finished clearing out the cave.
We cleared a nest of stirges east of the entry cavern, followed by a room of skeletons. They took a bit longer to clear, but they gave us little trouble overall. A storeroom across the hall gave us little information, but Trym managed to pilfer the cash box.
Ghouls seem to infest every room of this mine. Ava had taken a few scrapes but insisted on carrying on. A cave of poisonous mushrooms was around the corner. Trym insisted on harvesting some of the dangerous fungus for her poison making kit. Being so toxic, the rest of us waited at the entrance. She deftly harvested a large cap in one breath. The entire room released spores in response to the disturbance. Best to be away from this toxic miasma.
We moved further through the ruins and found a secure room for us to take a short rest. Afterward, we came upon the ghoul infested banquet hall. I opened with a barrage of fire attacks, killing half of the horde. My allies made short work of the remainder. We found ourselves once again in the forge room, with a familiar green glow emanating from around the corner. A chill ran down my spine. I remember my last encounter.
I steel myself for a battle without my spells. Trym's arrow snapped, but she had pulled a board from her bag of tricks, which bashed the abomination to the ground. The flaming skull turned its wrath upon the beast, setting it aflame with a ball of fire. It would have nearly turned us all to ash, had it not been for Ava blocking it with her shield. We beat the thing with physical damage and it succumbed quickly. Our experience has served us all well.
We moved east of the flaming skull's room, and the sound of waves became noticeably louder. The iridescent ceilings remind me of stars. A workshop was emanating a green light, and we went to investigate. Inside we found a brazier glowing with green flame. A creature made of a mass of eyes spoke in our heads. It said it existed to guard the forge of spells from undead. We tried to reason with the creature, but it insisted we leave.
One of it's eyes looked at me and filled me with terror so intense I fled the room in a most embarrassing manner. As I ran down the hall, I heard fighting break out behind me. I found myself in the banquet hall when the fear subsided. I immediately turned to check on my companions. Thaelin was roving mad in the hallways. Trym was being terrorized by the creature when Ava plunged her axe into it. Her constitution and strength continue to impress me.
I tried to detect magic in the room and was nearly blinded by the magical aura of the green brazier. This must be the "Forge of Spells".
Scribe Notes - Vol. 9: The Black Spider
If you haven't already done so, be sure to read the previous posts in the Scribe Notes series for the complete back story!
We rode back to Wave Echo Cave in the morning. It was much how we left it: dark, ominous, and full of all manner of monsters.
Another of those jellies descended from the ceiling. Despite our best efforts to freeze the thing it still managed to clobber poor Ava. Figuring fire might be a better approach, I launched a firebolt at it. Poor Thaelin attempted to follow suit, but only burned himself in the process. A frustrated Ava hacked the thing to pieces.
Our old hiding hole was patched up. Voices on the other side. I used a series of cantrips to lure them out and away from us. We split a group of four and flanked them. Trym assassinated one with an arrow before anyone even heard a whisper. We made short work of the beasts, even when reinforcements arrived. It seems everyone's experience has served them well.
We approached a set of double doors. On the other side, we finally found Nundro. Ava saw to his health while I examined the documents on the table. My curiosity let the drow get the drop on me. Learning from my previous lesson, I managed to cast shield to block his magic missile. But he called a group of spiders to his aide, and our wizards' duel began.
We engaged in magical combat while my friends attempted to manage the spiders. The coward blinded me and fled into the darkness. Trym and Thaelin both summoned animal companions to deal with the arachnids. When the drow reappeared, I hurled a fireball over his shoulder. In his arrogance, he had believed I missed with a firebolt. When the flames exploded outward they took him entirely by surprise, fully engulfing him in the flames. We dispatched the spiders and three bugbears burst into the room...
Thaelin convinced them they had little worth fighting for and healed Nundro. His peculiar staff of black metal confirmed our suspicions as to his identity, by way of it's ornamentation - a large, Black Spider. We set the it aside for further inspection later, and upon deciding a rest was in order, secured ourselves in the room that had (until we dispatched his jailers) been Nundro's cell; an opportunity I used to review the documents we had claimed from Nezznar, The Black Spider's desk.
We rode back to Wave Echo Cave in the morning. It was much how we left it: dark, ominous, and full of all manner of monsters.
Another of those jellies descended from the ceiling. Despite our best efforts to freeze the thing it still managed to clobber poor Ava. Figuring fire might be a better approach, I launched a firebolt at it. Poor Thaelin attempted to follow suit, but only burned himself in the process. A frustrated Ava hacked the thing to pieces.
Our old hiding hole was patched up. Voices on the other side. I used a series of cantrips to lure them out and away from us. We split a group of four and flanked them. Trym assassinated one with an arrow before anyone even heard a whisper. We made short work of the beasts, even when reinforcements arrived. It seems everyone's experience has served them well.
We approached a set of double doors. On the other side, we finally found Nundro. Ava saw to his health while I examined the documents on the table. My curiosity let the drow get the drop on me. Learning from my previous lesson, I managed to cast shield to block his magic missile. But he called a group of spiders to his aide, and our wizards' duel began.
We engaged in magical combat while my friends attempted to manage the spiders. The coward blinded me and fled into the darkness. Trym and Thaelin both summoned animal companions to deal with the arachnids. When the drow reappeared, I hurled a fireball over his shoulder. In his arrogance, he had believed I missed with a firebolt. When the flames exploded outward they took him entirely by surprise, fully engulfing him in the flames. We dispatched the spiders and three bugbears burst into the room...
Thaelin convinced them they had little worth fighting for and healed Nundro. His peculiar staff of black metal confirmed our suspicions as to his identity, by way of it's ornamentation - a large, Black Spider. We set the it aside for further inspection later, and upon deciding a rest was in order, secured ourselves in the room that had (until we dispatched his jailers) been Nundro's cell; an opportunity I used to review the documents we had claimed from Nezznar, The Black Spider's desk.
Scribe Notes - Vol. 8: Smoke, Fire, and a Hasty Escape!
If you haven't already done so, be sure to read the previous posts in the Scribe Notes series for the complete back story!
During our rest the bugbears attempted entry. After they eventually busted the door down, Thaelin set the bodies of the previous bugbears aflame. They now had a wall of fire to fight through. Cunning beasts hurled javelins through the flames, both of which struck Ava. My firebolt was lost in the fire, and the bugbears fled while I struggled to put out the flames. The smoke was so think we had to flee the cave.
A tickle on the back of my neck warned me of an incoming javelin. This time, I did not forget my shield, and fended off the attack. The bugbears had returned. One of them almost clobbered Trym, and grazed me with a blow as well. I sent a fan of flame at them, but my magic felt weak after the exertion of my shield. Ava cleaved into one of the beasts, breaking wide it's armor. Thaelin nearly froze the other. The wand was useful in dispatching one bugbear, but the other gave me a fierce look; fortunately, it finally succumbed to Thaelin's frost, and we one the day.
During our escape we ran into four ghouls (quite literally). Ava smashed into them with her shield, knocking them back. I laid burning hands on the beasts whilst Thaelin rend the ground beneath their feet. Clearly, we are all hasty to leave this place.
Gundren had clearly removed himself and his deceased brother. While looking about, 3 more bugbears advanced from the shadows, catching Ava by surprise with a Javelin. I used the last of my prepared spells to set flame to the lot. Ava nearly severed the closest one's arm. Thaelin summoned a whirling dust devil, battering them while we bled them down. He followed with a powerful Thunderclap that slew his second bugbear. The last one clearly saw Thaelin as his biggest threat and attempted a clumsy attack, allowing Trym to deliver a death blow.
We escaped the cave to find Gundren at the entrance. He inquired about his brother, Nundro. We swore a promise to go back for him, but rest is necessary, lest we all die in that cave. We made for Phandalin.
Trym's aunt was a most gracious host once again. Trym regaled her with stories of our adventures while the rest of us got some much needed rest.
During our rest the bugbears attempted entry. After they eventually busted the door down, Thaelin set the bodies of the previous bugbears aflame. They now had a wall of fire to fight through. Cunning beasts hurled javelins through the flames, both of which struck Ava. My firebolt was lost in the fire, and the bugbears fled while I struggled to put out the flames. The smoke was so think we had to flee the cave.
A tickle on the back of my neck warned me of an incoming javelin. This time, I did not forget my shield, and fended off the attack. The bugbears had returned. One of them almost clobbered Trym, and grazed me with a blow as well. I sent a fan of flame at them, but my magic felt weak after the exertion of my shield. Ava cleaved into one of the beasts, breaking wide it's armor. Thaelin nearly froze the other. The wand was useful in dispatching one bugbear, but the other gave me a fierce look; fortunately, it finally succumbed to Thaelin's frost, and we one the day.
During our escape we ran into four ghouls (quite literally). Ava smashed into them with her shield, knocking them back. I laid burning hands on the beasts whilst Thaelin rend the ground beneath their feet. Clearly, we are all hasty to leave this place.
Gundren had clearly removed himself and his deceased brother. While looking about, 3 more bugbears advanced from the shadows, catching Ava by surprise with a Javelin. I used the last of my prepared spells to set flame to the lot. Ava nearly severed the closest one's arm. Thaelin summoned a whirling dust devil, battering them while we bled them down. He followed with a powerful Thunderclap that slew his second bugbear. The last one clearly saw Thaelin as his biggest threat and attempted a clumsy attack, allowing Trym to deliver a death blow.
We escaped the cave to find Gundren at the entrance. He inquired about his brother, Nundro. We swore a promise to go back for him, but rest is necessary, lest we all die in that cave. We made for Phandalin.
Trym's aunt was a most gracious host once again. Trym regaled her with stories of our adventures while the rest of us got some much needed rest.
Scribe Notes - Vol. 7: The Flaming Skull
If you haven't already done so, be sure to read the previous posts in the Scribe Notes series for the complete back story!
After a short rest everyone was ready to proceed. We thought it best to investigate the door the bugbears had barricaded. Listening at the door hinted only at the sound of distant crashing waves.
Actually on the other side... a zombie. Trym knocked half the creature's head off before any of us knew it was there. I don't know how it kept walking. Thaelin froze the undead monstrosity solid with an expertly executed spell. One is lucky to have such exceptional travel companions!
Past the zombie was some wooden machinery. The room was scorched. Blast marks on the wall. A great magical battle happened here. Corpses of all races litter the floor. A flaming skull rounded the blast furnace and screamed most hideously at us. Trym's arrow skipped off it's crown and both Thaelin and I struggled to come up with an appropriate spell to handle the abomination. Ava, spryly in her panic, downed the white potion we had found in the previous room. She described the results to me later. Sounds like a Vitality Potion.
We lobbed all manner of attack at the skull but it merely shrugged off our attacks. In fact, Thaelin's ice attack reflected back into poor Ava, damaging her further. I hurled a bevy of magic bolts into the skull, only to have them bounce back at me... I was knocked unconscious. In a haze I recall Ava drinking potions... many of them. Trym... dashing forward... Thaelin prodding me... he looked confused... the skull... blurry... Ava unleashes a mighty ax blow... the skull... shatters. Trym's pouring a potion down my throat to awaken me. Thaelin lays a healing touch upon me to get me on my feet. I took my last potion to regain my senses, only to see Ava holding two zombies at bay. Exceptional travel companions indeed. My lapse in judgement for not casting shield nearly cost me my life...
The wand luckily still had charges and I used it to launch a counter attack. We dispatched the remaining zombies and investigated the room. A stair case led to ghouls. We marked the area and had Trym scout further. The cave looked complicated and we decided to back track a bit. Trym most stealthily scouted several passages, spotting a drow in a room ahead. We thought this to be the Black Spider and decided to take the drow captive.
We sneaked in on it, and I hurled a brilliant acid arrow. Ava tackled him with such force I thought she might tear him in half. I warned him to yield but he spat in my face, so I delivered a shock, coupled with a wallop to his face, courtesy of Ava. Thaelin dealt with the drow's bugbear companions with a wall of thick fog, and quickly thinking to pull up the ropes. We subdued the bugbears. The "drow" was another doppelganger. No shortage of frustration in this cave...
After a short rest everyone was ready to proceed. We thought it best to investigate the door the bugbears had barricaded. Listening at the door hinted only at the sound of distant crashing waves.
Actually on the other side... a zombie. Trym knocked half the creature's head off before any of us knew it was there. I don't know how it kept walking. Thaelin froze the undead monstrosity solid with an expertly executed spell. One is lucky to have such exceptional travel companions!
Past the zombie was some wooden machinery. The room was scorched. Blast marks on the wall. A great magical battle happened here. Corpses of all races litter the floor. A flaming skull rounded the blast furnace and screamed most hideously at us. Trym's arrow skipped off it's crown and both Thaelin and I struggled to come up with an appropriate spell to handle the abomination. Ava, spryly in her panic, downed the white potion we had found in the previous room. She described the results to me later. Sounds like a Vitality Potion.
We lobbed all manner of attack at the skull but it merely shrugged off our attacks. In fact, Thaelin's ice attack reflected back into poor Ava, damaging her further. I hurled a bevy of magic bolts into the skull, only to have them bounce back at me... I was knocked unconscious. In a haze I recall Ava drinking potions... many of them. Trym... dashing forward... Thaelin prodding me... he looked confused... the skull... blurry... Ava unleashes a mighty ax blow... the skull... shatters. Trym's pouring a potion down my throat to awaken me. Thaelin lays a healing touch upon me to get me on my feet. I took my last potion to regain my senses, only to see Ava holding two zombies at bay. Exceptional travel companions indeed. My lapse in judgement for not casting shield nearly cost me my life...
The wand luckily still had charges and I used it to launch a counter attack. We dispatched the remaining zombies and investigated the room. A stair case led to ghouls. We marked the area and had Trym scout further. The cave looked complicated and we decided to back track a bit. Trym most stealthily scouted several passages, spotting a drow in a room ahead. We thought this to be the Black Spider and decided to take the drow captive.
We sneaked in on it, and I hurled a brilliant acid arrow. Ava tackled him with such force I thought she might tear him in half. I warned him to yield but he spat in my face, so I delivered a shock, coupled with a wallop to his face, courtesy of Ava. Thaelin dealt with the drow's bugbear companions with a wall of thick fog, and quickly thinking to pull up the ropes. We subdued the bugbears. The "drow" was another doppelganger. No shortage of frustration in this cave...
Saturday, January 30, 2016
Scribe Notes - Vol. 6: Delving Into Wave Echo Cave
If you haven't already done so, be sure to read the previous posts in the Scribe Notes series for the complete back story!
It was a short ride to the cave. A small hidden entrance behind a rock. Waves... crashing in the depths. Gundren's brother, Tharden, was found shortly inside. Poor dwarf had been dead at least a week. His other brother, Nundro, might still be inside. Gundren gave Ava Tharden's boots. Magical items that fit the wearer and provide extra agility.
It proved handy when a yellow slime fell from the ceiling. I wasn't as lucky. Caught most of it. The ooze started attacking once it hit the ground. Foul ichor took me by quite a surprise, bludgeoning me senseless. I tried to shrug it off but was a sticky mess. Ava made a mess of the ichor with a mighty swing. I'd have been helpless without her. The slime split and attacked us further. But Thaelin and I were able to escape. My Ray of Frost was ineffective. Ava's axe was all the beast needed in the end. Thaelin and Ava knew the creature as an Ochre Jelly. Carnivorous slimes that lurk in caves.
Came upon an interesting pool in the cave. Thaelin, much to our surprise, turned into a shark and retrieved a wand from the bottom of the pool. A wand of Magic Missile. I remember them from my schooling days. The devices contain numerous charges of the spell for demonstration purposes. Quite handy in these circumstances. Thaelin insisted I carry it.
Up the stairs and we come to a door with voices on the other side complaining of undead and mentioning someone named "Nezznar". Ava's attempt at a grand entrance was unsuccessful. Her well intended kick did not break in the door; it merely knocked our arrival to the bugbear horde inside. Trym and Ava were quick to damage the first with a flurry of blows. Thaelin halted the beast in the door and I unleashed a fan of flame on the lot. Burned them all to a crisp but still they stood. The one in back lobbed a javelin at me so hard it penetrated my magic barrier... and my shoulder. The rest of the party managed to dispatch the rest while I drank a healing potion. We barred the doors and took a short rest. The room was a barracks, barricaded from the other side. We found a curious white potion. Some kind of healing or protection energy emanates from it.
It was a short ride to the cave. A small hidden entrance behind a rock. Waves... crashing in the depths. Gundren's brother, Tharden, was found shortly inside. Poor dwarf had been dead at least a week. His other brother, Nundro, might still be inside. Gundren gave Ava Tharden's boots. Magical items that fit the wearer and provide extra agility.
It proved handy when a yellow slime fell from the ceiling. I wasn't as lucky. Caught most of it. The ooze started attacking once it hit the ground. Foul ichor took me by quite a surprise, bludgeoning me senseless. I tried to shrug it off but was a sticky mess. Ava made a mess of the ichor with a mighty swing. I'd have been helpless without her. The slime split and attacked us further. But Thaelin and I were able to escape. My Ray of Frost was ineffective. Ava's axe was all the beast needed in the end. Thaelin and Ava knew the creature as an Ochre Jelly. Carnivorous slimes that lurk in caves.
Came upon an interesting pool in the cave. Thaelin, much to our surprise, turned into a shark and retrieved a wand from the bottom of the pool. A wand of Magic Missile. I remember them from my schooling days. The devices contain numerous charges of the spell for demonstration purposes. Quite handy in these circumstances. Thaelin insisted I carry it.
Up the stairs and we come to a door with voices on the other side complaining of undead and mentioning someone named "Nezznar". Ava's attempt at a grand entrance was unsuccessful. Her well intended kick did not break in the door; it merely knocked our arrival to the bugbear horde inside. Trym and Ava were quick to damage the first with a flurry of blows. Thaelin halted the beast in the door and I unleashed a fan of flame on the lot. Burned them all to a crisp but still they stood. The one in back lobbed a javelin at me so hard it penetrated my magic barrier... and my shoulder. The rest of the party managed to dispatch the rest while I drank a healing potion. We barred the doors and took a short rest. The room was a barracks, barricaded from the other side. We found a curious white potion. Some kind of healing or protection energy emanates from it.
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