Players in Attendance - Jason Jurisch (Froimos), Jason Alway (Kurock Stonehammer), Greg Sallee (Davros), Dustin Haugen (Barack Tenderfoot), Paul Brazelton (Poe), Chris Rocco (Pendrynn Hamut), Erik Rehpohl (Kailithe Starguard)

Recap

• Goblin ambush, chase and capture, discovery of the goblin lair
• Trap room, barracks battle, the goblin brothers escape deeper into the cavern, freeing the captive hunter (Breen)
• Battle against Grumble’s skeletal minions and the Blazing Skeleton, destroying the soul ripper circle, discovering his book and implements.

Rules Explanation

• Fumble Correction - A 1-3 simply misses, a 4-5 inflicts weapon damage to non-magic weapons, a 6 results in drawing from the fumble deck
• Loot tells a story.

Date: Pelsday Evening, the 15th of Rouenne, 617 S.R.

Location: The party is deep in a Goblin warren, a half-day’s walk Northeast of Blackfield

The party was finishing the looting of Grumble’s Necromancy Lair, reading his journal, learning the story of how the brothers got here and of the trouble rising within the tribes. Kieran was treating Breen’s wounds holed up in the goblin’s dining hall.

The Black Wolverines backtracked to the alternative tunnel, where Gnash’s footprints led, which terminated in a wooden door with heavy steel reinforcements, barred by the group earlier in the day.  A light layer of ice had built up on the door while the party dealt with the Grumbles undead minions.

After unbarring the door, Kurock found that it was frozen shut and warned the group that he was going to have to ram the door down. The rest of the group prepared themselves for what was waiting on the other side of the entrance.”Here goes nothing!” Kurock bellowed as he slammed his heavy iron boot squarely into the center of the door, which was followed by a loud crashing sound and a sudden blast of blast of cold air escaping the large dimly lit cavern. A faint blue glow emanated from several scraggly clumps of lichen clinging to the frozen ground. Enough light is being cast that you can see the ground is strewn with countless small bones, the size that would come from small game. The cavern walls surrounding the door are deeply gouged with long straight grooves that look like claw marks and pools of frozen water can be seen spread across the cavern floor. Near the back of the room, perched on top of a massive horned skull (of unknown origin) stands Gnash, pointing his short sword menacingly at the cohort, the blood still oozing from his many wounds suffered in the dining hall, shouting in broken common “Stop right there!”". Pendrynn continued to move forward, despite the warning. Gnash’s eyes went wide as he pointed to the surging paladin, ”Shyssal, DINNER!”

Those who understood draconic speech could clearly hear the worm deeply growl ”MMmMMMm FresshsHH Meat!!!!”, smearing its long blue tongue over 6 vicious inch long incisors.

A young white dragon pounced down on the group from its hiding spot, clinging to the stalactites dangling from the cavern ceiling. Loose chains dangled from the legs and wings of the white worm which was the size of a large work horse and covered in ropey muscles and thick scales. Frozen strands of drool dangled from it’s open maw as a freezing white cloud leaked out of the corners of it’s mouth.

Combat Modifier – Parts of the room’s floor are covered with sheets of ice, considered to be difficult terrain, (costs 2 squares movement) any character moving through it or ending a turn on it has a chance of falling. Acrobatics Check – Balance – DC10 (PHB p.180)

Kailithe Solace Guard stepped forward, cleared his throat and remembering his lessons in dragon speech, attempted to parley with the giant worm. “Shyssal, perhaps you would be more interested in goblin meat, and a chance at revenge?” The dragon must have done the basic calculations of meat volumes and decided the Black Wolverines constituted the more filling meal, despite the crunchy metal bits.

Shyssal reared back her head and let lose with a terrifying echoing scream, stunning Poe, Kurock, Pendrynn.

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She snorted in a huge volume of chilly cavern air and blasted out a cone of cold, freezing many members of the party and sending the rest of the party into a frenzy of activity.

• Kurock – Tide of Iron (X2) – Miss, Miss!
• Davros – Poisons 2 crossbow bolts, then loads and launches one of them in Shyssal’s direction - Miss
• Pendrynn – Closes with the dragon and takes a swing - Miss
• Froimos - Leads the Attack and inspires several allies!
• Kailithe – Maneuvers to a new position and attacks with a Scorching Burst – Miss
• Shyssal - Attacks Pendrynn – Hits with 2 claws then sinks her massive teeth into his leg, tossing him to the ground, unconscious and bleeding.
• Davros- Attacks with another poisoned crossbow bolt and misses yet again!
• Froimos – Attacks with Warriors Favor and misses!
  Barack uses an action point, attacking the dragon with a Sly Flourish  - Miss!
• Kailithe launches a Force Orb at Shyssal – Miss!Kurock misses with a Tide of Iron, then draws down into his reserves (Action Point) and comes to the rescue with a successful Tide of Iron, forcing the dragon away from the fallen body of Pendrynn and dealing 10 damage.
• Davros – Performs a Vampiric Embrace on Shyssal and Misses
• Davros spends an action point to launch a Magic Missile and misses! (lots of misses guys, I’m getting concerned!!!)
• Pendrynn is stabilized, takes a deep breath to gain a second wind and lays his hands on himself, channeling his faith into a surge of healing.
• Pendrynn prays to Erathis to call down a Radiant Delirium on the dragon’s head for 21 damage.
• Froimos launches a scorching burst at Shyssal and torches her for 8 points of damage.
• Poe prayed to the Raven Queen and was rewarded with a Divine Glow.
• Barack Tenderfoot remembered the weak spot that Froimos pointed out sank a well aimed shuriken into it, causing to Shyssal shudder with wracking pain! (22 damage! nice!)
• Kailithe chased down the hiding goblin chieftain and launched a Thunder Wave in his direction, shattering a portion of the skull he was hiding behind, and attracting the goblin chieftain’s attention.
• Kurock continued to stand toe to toe with the bloody dragon, hitting her with a Tide of Iron. (6 dmg)
• Davros dealt 11 damage with a well placed Hellish Rebuke.
• Gnash slashed at Kailithe and scored a glancing blow.
• Pendrynn finally continues to plead with Erathis for aid and summoned down a Radiant Smite . (18 dmg)
• Froimos Crit knocks her prone  16
• Poe sensed that the Raven Queen was ready to claim her next draconic servant and causing a Lance of Faith to slam into the White Dragon. (15 dmg)
• Sensing a chance to end the combat, Barack leapt onto Shyssal’s back and slammed his dagger directly into her spine (19 dmg). With a choking groan the dragon shudderd and fell silent.
• Kailithe Thunder Waves Gnash into a puply mess spread across the cavern wall, and the room fell silent.

Shyssal’s small treasure chest - 11 small uncut amethysts (worth 25 gold each), 3 large uncut amethysts (worth 50 gold each), a thorough search of the chest revealed a false bottom. Contained within was a magical short sword with a continuous golden glow emanating from the pommel.

All players earned 160 XP each for defeating the white dragon Shyssal and her goblin minder, Gnash.

 Gnash’s loot – Small Veteran’s Hide armor, map (of north of the Blackfield area, including the Mist Fens, references to metal men), coins, short sword.

Much time was spent hacking up the corpse of Shyssal and pulling teeth out of her freshly decapitated head.

Extended Rest - Uneventful, although Davros had fitful dreams and was tossing about in his sleep.

Trip Back To Town

The trip back was uneventful, dragging the wounded hunter Breen and the butchered head of Shyssal behind the horses on a set of rigged skids. After a half-days travel to the south, the gates of Blackfield began to appear in the distance (the clout of rising black soot had been visible for many hours before that..)

Talon cohort was manning the front gate and opened the gates to allow entrance with gaping mouths. The party collected a line of excited townsfolk following them to the town square.

Several of the town Elders were at the town hall, holding a Court of Judgment when the party entered. They quickly adjourned the proceedings, shooed out all onlookers and began to question the cohort.

Elder Josia Nevarro – Asked about the goblins motivations, did they know about Blackfield, why were they so far north? Were they responsible for the wagon attacks that have been occurring? She was polite and listened very well, often talking down Skarin from his gruff inquisitory tone.

Elder Skarin Lotis – Male Human – Gruff, warrior and ex leader the Charger Cohort asked about the tactical capabilities of the goblins, did any get away, what was their clan affiliation? Did you see any metal men while you were out there? (Per the map)

Elder Felicia Worthwords – Female Human – Asked about the ritual circle, rider boxes and the dragon, she took posession of the boxes and Grumbles personal journal, noticing the hidden ritual passages used to separate a soul from the body.

Kieran gave a glowing report on the cohorts behavior and the Elders granted the party 3 days furlough to rest and train.

Turned in Loot  and got paid. Everyone received their weeks pay, 2 per recruit, 5 for cohort leader.

Shopped at Bit’s N’ Bobs, Findings, Cinderhearth Smithery – Plate mail order for Pendrynn,  dragon tooth dagger for Barack

Pendrynn visited the temples of Erathis and Bahamut and gave a dragon’s tooth in offering.

Poe spoke with the head of his order, who was jealous and somewhat antagonistic to discover that the Raven Queen was directly communing with someone inferior to him in their religious order.

Many PC’s leveled up (PHB p.27-29): HP Increase, Level Modifier +1, Feat, 1 New Utility Power, New Features, Option to Retrain One power, feat or trained skill

Post Game

The early-morning knock on the barracks door woke the members of Black Wolverine cohort. It was the morning of their last day of leave, the pounding in their heads the result of the heavy flow of ale in exchange for the oft retold battle with the young white dragon. “Message from the town elders for the previous members of the Black Wolverine Cohort.” said the messenger, thrusting a wrapped package into the hands of a barely awake Davros. A letter pinned to the outside of the bulky package was written in the a silky sinuous script.

“We have passed on your tale to the entirety of the Elder Council and have come to a decision; although your party has earned fame under the chosen name ‘The Black Wolverines’ it would do the town and the militia a great honor if you would accept the rechristening of your cohort to ‘The Dragonslayers’. Such a feat should be celebrated and it would do the council proud if you were to inspire your fellow soldiers through the use of this title and this pennant and a continued dedication to heroic deeds.’ – Elder Alicia Worthwords

Davros untied the package to reveal a beautiful trangular pennant woven of pure white linen depicting the head and bared fangs of a white dragon. Priminently embroidered across the top in golden thread were the words ’The Dragonslayers of Blackfield’. The pennant was passed around the barracks room for all to admire before being tied to its place of honor, trailing off the the cohort’s bannerpole.

—

A staccato of horn blasts bleated from the direction of town hall, the series of 3 short blasts indicating trouble at The Dig, the 2 long drones following soon after revealed that there was a severe flooding incident and roused the town to help. (More to come..)

Tags: The Rising Tide