Session 26
| ← Session 25 | Session 27 → |
| July 20, 2012 – And Quodus makes five | |
- 11 Decitis 1444 - The exiles encampment
The Story
After taking a moment to bandage up the party moves towards the second door in the armory from whence the scratching sounds were heard earlier. Adran peers through the keyhole and is able to spy with his elven eye, a continental elf within the next room chained up to a rack of some sort. In addition noises from inside strongly hint that others inside are awaiting our entrance.
Busting in the door and then cautiously entering reveal 4 stone gargoyles, such as was fought at the castle in Canton City, lead by a dwarven mage who weaves nightmares into reality. The tight confines of the room worked in our favor and the battle was relatively short.
After the battle the captive elf was freed from his bondage as the room was searched. Then a loud banging can be heard on the outer door of the armory. It is the exiled dwarves from the smash and grab, their exit route of retreat. They were lead into the armory and the door was barred again, as the dwarves filled up on the weapons from the Blackiron armory. An attempt was made to deter pursuit by starting a fire, but to no avail not enough flammable material was found in the vicinity.
A hasty stretcher was fashioned for the unconscious elf, and just as angry pounding on the outer door the party gets the crowd moving toward the caves that formed a back door to the torture room. The combined efforts of the party were brought to bear to lead the ragtag assemblage towards home. Adran's keen senses kept the group on track, Laphane's natural grace allowed him to scout ahead silently, Norvaan's strength and leadership kept the company together, and Oona's knowledge of caves and endurance kept the group moving forward as quickly as possible. After an indeterminable amount of time the pursuers were lost and the exile's camp was found.
Once refuge was had the group takes a much needed breather as the dwarves help heal the continental elf recently freed. He introduces himself as Quodus Silverlining and tells his story. The salient facts that come to light was that the attack on his airship was lead by a knight in black armor, the same knight that has plagued the party for quite some time now.
The group takes a few days of rest and recuperation as the dwarves catalog and distribute the supplies acquired from the Blackirons. During this time Oona speaks with Merg about their plans, Oona seems very eager to press forward at the soonest opportunity. During a tour of the mines abandoned by the Blackiron clan Merg shows Oona bombs being made from an unstable mineral found in the rocks. The exiles want to wait several more days while they produce more of these explosives, up to a week. Oona is antsy but leaves them to their work, and finds Norvaan luxuriating in one of the hot mineral pools. Handing him a large ale Oona asks him to help the dwarves with some basic military training.
Merg calls the party to meet with him, and offers each 750gp as payment for their assistance. He explains that although the parties efforts were needed, our involvement was also a test of loyalty. As none of the group held back from inflicting actual injury on their enemies the Blackirons the loyalty of the party to the exiles was no longer a question. Norvaan give his share of the gold back to Merg explaining that he will need it when he assumes leadership after Engmar is dethroned. Laphane also leaves his payment behind simply nodding towards Norvaan as he does so.
Adran spends his time exploring the mines and caves the exiled dwarves use as their base. During this time he grows weary of tracking the carrier pigeon and shifts his special tracking abilities on Oona instead. Within a few days Adran discovers Blackiron scouts trying to stealthily reconnoiter the exile's base, leading in a contingent of approximately 150 troops. Informing the party of his findings Adran and the group work out a plan to stop the Blackirons in the tunnels. With a bomb from Merg's stockpile, a tunnel is collapsed where it can do the most damage to the Blackiron troops.
The exile's base is no longer a secret, the time has come to assault the leadership of the Blackiron Clan to remove the despot Engmar from power and restore the balance.
Treasure Acquired
- 500gp of residiuum
- dwarven ritual book
- 'handful' of potions
- magic items TBD
- 750gp for Adran and Oona, Norvaan and Laphane returned their payment
one bomb