9 November , 595
Part II
After healing up at the Temple of Lordly Might, the party returns to the bathhouse. Serro thinks that what they fought were wererats, which leads him to the hunch that this Drakthar bloke could be a supernatural creature, maybe even a vampire. The secret door is opened and they move down a set of stairs into a long corridor. The walls are covered with graffiti and obscene goblin writing. Written on one wall in dried goblin blood are the words: "DRAKTHAR IS DEAD, LONG LIVE DRAKTHAR!"
A square room is explored with small peg holes, from which splintered pieces of wood protrude from. Next the group enters an old dwarven temple, dessecrated by goblin filth and crude drawings. There is a statue of powerful dwarf in front of an altar, but the head has been removed.
The party moves through a room that contains many cots, and into a warehouse filled with boxes and crates. Looking through the aisles of boxes, they are ambushed by pair of goblins, and it is not long before two more goblins join the fight. After the goblins are disposed of, the room is searched and our heros learn that the boxes and crates have all been marked with the emblem of a birdcage. Among the goods are piles of two-handed swords, manacles, food supplies (including ale), costumes, and giant casks of oil.
Moving on, the group is ambushed by a trio of sneaky goblins. Alastriel is able to drop some to a sleep spell, but she is soon marked as a target, as a large spell-casting goblin returns the favor and puts Karnak, Salla, and Alastriel to sleep. Waves of goblins come forth from in front and behind and the group finds itself in quite a spot. Alastriel is revived, only to be dropped again by some acidic arrow spell originating from the spellcaster. The battle rages on and Kyladrian finds himself swarmed by goblins and an attacking wolf. He finally snaps and bursts forth, running for the exit. In the meantime, Salla and Karnak have been dragged away, and Baxtor and Serro find themselves fighting for their lives. The tide turns and the goblin bodies mount up. The ones that are left turn to flee and the pair has enough time to heal Alastriel and get her back on her feet. Fearless, she moves forward in search of her comrades, when a large goblin jumps forward and scorches her with magical flaming hands. Again the elf falls, and Baxtor and Serro get there just in time to see her being dragged into a room. This time it is Baxtor's turn to feel the wrath of the burning hands, and a blow from a spear fells the priest of Kord. All that is left is Serro, up against two of the large goblins. Miraculously, Serro finds the will to perservere, and on the verge of collapse, delivers the final blow to the last goblin adept.
Going in to the room he finds Salla and Karnak tied up and asleep. He wakes them up and together they carry their wounded out of the dungeon. On the way they are ambushed again by a pair of goblins, but these are easily defeated and the group beats a hasty retreat out into the bathhouse.
Meanwhile Kyladrian has escaped to the surface and alerted the guards. They arrive in time to see the party issue forth. The guards run off to tell the captain what has happened.
Back at the temple the group gets some healing, and Baxtor decides to pay off his debt with the priests of Kord (for an earlier service that was given to remove a curse). The party is also met by Captain Skellerang, who is eager to find out what is going on with the invesitgation. Serro tells about the fights and the speculation that they might be going up against a vampire. Skellerang advises them to do some research before they go into battle with such a creature. He has heard that their like cannot be hurt with ordinary weapons. A bag of goblin ears are presented to the captain, and he trades them for gold, as he promised.
Back to the Inn and they decide to turn in for the night.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Rats in the Bathhouse
9 November , 595
The party rests during the day and uses the afternoon to do some rumor mongering at the Slippery Eel tavern. Silver is spent, but no tangible leads are uncovered. However, Serro finds a note in his pocket that invites him to come alone to the Lakeside Pavillion, where some information will be given to him.
The party sets up a perimeter about the pavillion, and Serro is startled to discover a young plump woman approached him from behind without his notice. She tells the bard that the goblins are originating from Orak's Bathhouse. She disappears quickly and melts into the crowd.
The group heads to the bathhouse and is greeted by a red-haired dwarf with a ruby eyepatch. Salla begins questioning him about the goblins, but the dwarf gets defensive, and refuses service. After some persuasion, he lets the others (except Salla) in to take baths (without their weapons). While Orak is distracted, Alastriel and Kyladrian discover a locked secret door in one of the walls. Sensing an opportunity, Alastriel casts a spell which puts Orak to sleep. Acting quickly, she brings the dwarf into his office and ties him up with towels. Next she hastily explains to the others what happened and motions Salla to come into the bathhouse.
Just at that moment, 4 strange looking figures in dark robes enter the building and try to discern what is going on. Orak bursts forth from his office and orders the figures to attack. They rip off their cloaks to reveal human-shaped forms with rat heads. While the group scrambles to retrieve their weapons (sans clothes), Orak charges Alastriel and cuts her down with one swing of his axe. A melee ensues which lasts several minutes, during which time Baxtor and Kyladrian also fall. Kyladrian collapses into the bathing pool and is rescued by an astute Karnak.
As the rat-men are defeated one by one, Orak retreats into his office. The last remaining ratman bites Salla, then transforms into a rat and scampers off. But a blow from Serro's sword mortally wounds the creature. Salla and Serro then pursue Orak into his office, where he makes a last stand. The dwarf is at a disadvantage without armor, and he is eventually beaten down and killed. His cash box is plundered and his ruby eyepatch is taken.
The town guard arrive not too much later and the trio briefly explain what happened. The guards buy their story and help carry the wounded to the temple.
The party rests during the day and uses the afternoon to do some rumor mongering at the Slippery Eel tavern. Silver is spent, but no tangible leads are uncovered. However, Serro finds a note in his pocket that invites him to come alone to the Lakeside Pavillion, where some information will be given to him.
The party sets up a perimeter about the pavillion, and Serro is startled to discover a young plump woman approached him from behind without his notice. She tells the bard that the goblins are originating from Orak's Bathhouse. She disappears quickly and melts into the crowd.
The group heads to the bathhouse and is greeted by a red-haired dwarf with a ruby eyepatch. Salla begins questioning him about the goblins, but the dwarf gets defensive, and refuses service. After some persuasion, he lets the others (except Salla) in to take baths (without their weapons). While Orak is distracted, Alastriel and Kyladrian discover a locked secret door in one of the walls. Sensing an opportunity, Alastriel casts a spell which puts Orak to sleep. Acting quickly, she brings the dwarf into his office and ties him up with towels. Next she hastily explains to the others what happened and motions Salla to come into the bathhouse.
Just at that moment, 4 strange looking figures in dark robes enter the building and try to discern what is going on. Orak bursts forth from his office and orders the figures to attack. They rip off their cloaks to reveal human-shaped forms with rat heads. While the group scrambles to retrieve their weapons (sans clothes), Orak charges Alastriel and cuts her down with one swing of his axe. A melee ensues which lasts several minutes, during which time Baxtor and Kyladrian also fall. Kyladrian collapses into the bathing pool and is rescued by an astute Karnak.
As the rat-men are defeated one by one, Orak retreats into his office. The last remaining ratman bites Salla, then transforms into a rat and scampers off. But a blow from Serro's sword mortally wounds the creature. Salla and Serro then pursue Orak into his office, where he makes a last stand. The dwarf is at a disadvantage without armor, and he is eventually beaten down and killed. His cash box is plundered and his ruby eyepatch is taken.
The town guard arrive not too much later and the trio briefly explain what happened. The guards buy their story and help carry the wounded to the temple.
Drakthar Who?
8 November, 595
The party spends the day gathering information on the goblin threat. They learn that goblin activity has been spotted all around the city, but seems to have concentrated in the eastern sector of the city. Some interesting rumors are picked up among the taverns, but none seems to have any bearing on the investigation. Among the rumors they have heard:
The party spends the day gathering information on the goblin threat. They learn that goblin activity has been spotted all around the city, but seems to have concentrated in the eastern sector of the city. Some interesting rumors are picked up among the taverns, but none seems to have any bearing on the investigation. Among the rumors they have heard:
- The legendary dragon Hookface has been seen circling about north of town
- Some kobolds were driven from their lairs in the southern part of the city, not too long ago.
Graffiti was found in various parts of the city. Some of the translated phrases read as such:
- "Hail Drakthar, lord of the rats."
- "Drakthar is dead! Long live Drakthar."
- "Drakthar is the fog."
- "As a wolf, Drakthar hunts."
Based on some of these clues, and time spent researching in the Academy's lower stacks, Serro guesses that this Drakthar fellow may be some sort of undead shapechanger.
That night the group decides to split up and patrol the city until morning. One group runs into a city guard patrol, but no goblins are found.
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