Session 06 - Post Session Report

10th of Marponeth, 1371 DR
Highsun
The Old Observatory, just outside Diamond Lake
Clear Day with a chilly Breeze from the Southwest

Deep within the Whispering Cairn, the Heroes were faced with a surprise attack from three large worm-like creatures known as Gricks. Their thick rubbery skin made them formidable opponents for the PCs and even Dolgun, with his leathery scale like skin was injured by a one of the creature’s barbs. Additionally, Hein set off a Shooting Iron Ball Trap that seemed to be triggered when Hein passed through an almost invisible stream of air crisscrossing the 3’ beam the Heroes stood upon. Storn was forced to face his deepest fear and confronted the worm-like creatures and was personally responsible for slaying at least one of the hideous predators single-handedly.

After the battle the Heroes were confronted by an apparition or ghost of a long dead teenager named Alastor Land. He was pleasant enough and agreed to open the far door in exchange for the Adventurers carrying his bones out of the Cairn and burying them next to his family in his family graveyard. Kamist agreed to the bargain and a deal was made. The Heroes then managed to gather up the bones and a bit of treasure and headed out for the Land Property just north of Diamond Lake just beyond the Boneyard. Here they found the graves dug up and the bones removed. Of course Alastor the ghost was stricken with grief and pleaded with the Heroes to help him. Kamist honorably agreed to help Alastor by finding the families bones.

Before they packed up and headed back to the base, the Heroes explored the old and dilapidated Land farmhouse. Inside, they found evidence of a struggle and a wounded Owlbear. A battle ensued and the Heroes were victorious. They then searched about and found a baby Owlbear Cub (which ‘bonded’ to Storn), and the remains of one of Kullen’s men. The heroes could tell it was one of Kullen’s men by the tattoo on the severed arm they found. Dolgun took the arm with him (yuck). The Heroes then headed back to the base and reported what happened to Jasper.

While at the base the Heroes decided to go see Kullen on the night of the 9th to see if he could tell them what happened and why the bones were removed. The Adventurers were heading over to the Feral Dog, a tavern in Diamond Lake frequented by Kullen and his gang, when they saw Kullen and his men pushing a wagon of supplies towards the Dourstone Mine. Kamist, Dolgun, and Carenthal approached and parleyed with Kullen. Kullen was somewhat civil as he knew Kamist and Carenthal fairly well, having grown up with them, and there seemed to be a bit of obvious bargaining going on. After Dolgun began showing off his fire breathing trick, Trogdor initiated an attack on Kullen and his men urging Storn to charge in. Storn realized that it was ill-planned and broke off the attack charging carelessly into the night. Trogdor, on the other hand, charged in and was pin-cushioned by Kullen’s ‘Sneaks’ who severely wounded him with daggers. Kullen then assumed Trogdor and Storn were drunken miners and robed Trogdor of what ever he was carrying. Naturally and conveniently, Trogdor was carrying absolutely “0” gold. Trogdor resisted the robbing and was pummeled to near death by a surprisingly merciful gang of “Sneaks”. Hein who started to rush in, slinked back into the shadows when he figured out what was happening.

With grace and calm, Kamist, Dolgun, and Carenthal watched as Trogdor got stomped into submission. They realized that the Heroes were somewhat outnumbered, had no surprise, and were outmatched in arms, armor, and in a few instances, combat ability. Wisely, a combat was avoided. Kullen agreed to tell the Heroes where the bones were if they paid him a bribe. The Heroes agreed, Trogdor was spared death, and all went about their business.

The next Morning Kullen and three of his gang came by the Adventuring Company compound. Kullen was impressed and liked Kamist’s new digs. The Heroes paid his bribe and were told about some weird little human wizard or necromancer who had moved in up at the Old Observatory. Kullen told the Heroes that he felt he was mistreated by the bastard and that he hoped the Heroes would go up there and torture him to death. He asked for a 25% cut on anything the Heroes took from the evil little man as a finders fee. Kullen even sent over a hand drawn map with a crude floor plan of the place. Kullen told the Heroes that his boss Balabar Smenk sent him over to help this wimp of a man move in and then the man asked him to dig up a good number of bones for his needs. Kullen did the deed reluctantly, since this man was friends with his boss. Since he could not get bones from the Boneyard, as it was protected by the Cult of Final Passage, Kullen was forced to search around other locations such as the abandoned Land farmstead. Kullen felt this man mistreated him.

The Heroes then set out to the old observatory and encountered undead at the entrance, to include Tomb Motes and Skeletons. While Carenthal assembled the bones obliterated by the careless cleric, Trogdor. (It is a complex task and will require Carenthal’s utmost attention and knowledge of the human anatomy). The rest of the Heroes then moved up to enter the tower portion of the Old Observatory.