D&D Campaign Session for March 18th, 2001

Played with 3rd Edition Rules

Player Characters:

Azaki Ushento, Half-Orc Male Fighter, 3rd Level (Josh)
Borik, Half-Orc Male Fighter, 3rd Level (Greg)
Glothe Longstride, Dwarf Male Fighter, 3rd Level (Caleb)
Ithil, Elf Female Rogue/Fighter, 1st Level/1st Level (Dennis)
Kari Morningdew, Human Female Ranger/Cleric of Fharlanghn, 1st Level/3rd Level(Andy)
Kessem Chexz, Female Elf Wizard, 2nd Level (Neil)
Kobort, Half-Orc Male Cleric of Heironeous, 3rd Level (Bart)
Mike Steel, Human Male Fighter, 4th Level (Patty)
Odlits Burdfriend, Male Half-Orc Wizard, 3rd Level (Bill)
Selena, Female Human Monk, 3rd Level (Scott)
Westwind, Halfling Male Fighter, 1st Level (Andrew)

Non-Player Characters:

Deina, Human Female Cleric of Pholtus, 3rd Level
Targ, Dwarf Male Cleric of Clangeddin/Fighter, 4th Level/1st Level
Einin, Dwarf Male Fighter, 2nd in Command, 4th Level
Belfendd, Nalum, Okum, Hill Dwarves under Targ's Command, 2nd Level

Cuthbert's Day and Dark Night

Flocktime 17th, Cuthbert's Day, The Caves of Chaos

We have explored almost every passage in this valley by now, it seems. We found hobgoblin kitchens (not something to think about at dinnertime), a cursed sword, several rats and a silver chain, and a dungpile that was even worse than the hobgoblins' kitchen. No wonder Glothe has fallen ill from it, since he was in chest-high killing the rats. Bathing afterwards completely fouled the small pool and we had to find another for the rest of us to use. Even Borik washed, but only because Kessem insisted and the rest of the party grabbed him and tossed him in. Camp at night is now much fresher because of it, although I regret the conflict.

We destroyed the oozes we found in the lower cave. Magic seemed to have little effect, and although normal weapons dissolved in the acid, the oozes recoiled from them and weakened. Glothe's axe and half of his beard were victims of the fight, though I daresay that the dwarf's beard may have been the thing's downfall, for it did not survive the minute.

Beyond the oozes, we found a shallow pool with something shiny at the bottom. Borik took great pleasure in tossing Kessem in after it, proclaiming that now, she was the one who needed a bath. He was not at all chagrined when she emerged with a golden, gem-encrusted goblet. I wager the half-orc has little appreciation for such things, though it is a refreshing attitude.

We made camp as usual and opened up the wine barrel we found. I have little more than a vague recollection of anything beyond the first several cups; it was a very fine wine indeed. I believe we translated some of the War Sagas for the benefit of those in the party who do not speak Dwarvish, but I cannot say if we made much sense to them. None of us seems any the worse for the wear, so all is well.

Late this morning, Curate Bradas and the wizard Arialus arrived with a contingent of the Keep's soldiers. They were surprised when we declared the area cleared, and were none too pleased when the Curate assigned them to watching the wagons while we escorted him into the temple. Arialus seemed disturbed; Odlits later told me that the elf had been reading our thoughts at the time and had therefore been privy to the half-orc's recollection of his orcish grandmother, naked. I pity the mage, but he got what he deserved. I do not like him hearing my thoughts at his whim.

The Curate brought the necessary components for the Consecration ritual and for cleaning up the remaining evil in the temple area. All went well until the main temple with the great bell and the compelling shapes on the wall: even the Curate was nearly overwhelmed by it. I saw him stagger, and I am not the only one who had a weapon readied just in case. He fought off the influence and read from a scroll to call down a massive pillar of holy fire; it left nothing in its wake. All the accoutrements in the complex were dissolved in some blessed acid solution, including cups and vessels, all the books and writing, tapestries and anything else that smacked of evil or corruption. I am disappointed that the books do not remain to be of possible help to the cause against Beltar.

We have cleared out the crypt area: the casket labeled as Beltar's Champion must have belonged to the wight, for it was empty when we opened it. We removed all the other remains and our clerics blessed the area. I am glad that the remains of Moradin's follower may now have the proper rituals, so that his soul may return to its rightful place.

Arialus has used magical means to determine what we have already told him: that all the humanoids are gone. We showed them the escape tunnel, and tracked down it for a distance; the main tunnel headed southwest, perhaps toward the hills on the edge of the swamp. We followed a secondary passage which led to a junction room with passages large and small in all directions and on all levels. Ithil, Westwind and Borik explored the high passages: Ithil and Borik nearly came to ruin with a pair of darkmantles. The creatures turned the room completely dark, much like Beltar's priest did to the orc cave, and then tried to smother them. Luckily, our comrades were able to handle them, for we heard no alarm at all and could not have reached them had we needed to.

We have camped outside again for the night. Glothe has taken ill, and although Kari has helped him with the worst of it, he may not be up to the journey by tomorrow.

Flocktime 18th, Dark Night, Macsen's Keep

The clerics collapsed the main temple at the caves, and then we made space for Glothe to travel in the wagon while we carried most of our saleable loot. On our way we met a group of passing Hill Men: they were travelling south, hoping to find more humanoids. I take it as a good sign.

More ghouls tracked us back, but in a satisfying reversal of fortune, our clerics destroyed them with god-given power. If only we had been as successful the last time we met with such abominations.

We arrived at the Keep to a great welcome, all save for Borik. Corporal Isik was disturbed at his appearance, displeased that we have brought an orc back to the Keep. It has been explained to him that despite his looks, he is technically a half-orc. To Borik at least, that makes quite a difference and he has been very vocal about it to us in the past. It is, of course, Borik's first time anywhere close to civilization, but he seems to be adjusting well enough for himself; it is the rest of the Keep's population that may have a problem.

For the rest of the party, there were no such difficulties, as the Corporal has had time to get used to each of our number, but I have the impression that they were not entirely expecting us to return so successfully. They even had scribes take down our names and deeds, to be spread throughout Sunndi in a ballad. We have been given free food and lodging, though many of us have volunteered to man the ramparts tonight with the soldiers. Tomorrow there will be a service for the fallen and afterward, a feast. For the moment, each of us is occupied with his own affairs, preparing in one way or another for Dark Night. Odlits has gone to the mercenary camp while Ithil, with great efficiency, has sold most of our loot at a decent profit and is now appearing to get herself drunk. The rest of us are preparing for the night's watch.

Flocktime 18th, Macsen's Keep, addendum.

Word has come along the walls that Seblingham is under attack of some kind, and is burning. We leave immediately.

Here endeth the session, as excerpted and translated from the journal of Mike.