Rise of the Runelords

The next morning after finishing curing you continued exploring the stockade. The first event was the discovery of an open courtyard with four dead dogs and two dead goblins. The goblins had been dead for a few days and had their skulls crushed. The dogs were more recently killed from piercing blows. Many tracks could be found, but none that provided any clues. Inside a storage shed you discovered a very mistreated, malnourished, and large jet black horse. With some magical aid from Edwin, Ishan was able to soothe the beast and make it friendly enough that you were able to lead it back out of the stockade and to a grassy area where you left it.

After descending some stairs you found a room with a large table and several chairs. On the wall was a large piece of slate with drawings, lines, arrows and other scribblings - all on top of a sketch that you recognize as Ardrinn. Exploring further you came to an ornate set of double doors. Henrik paused and said to prepare for a tough fight. He explained that he could tell there were two creatures with moderately evil auras in the room beyond and that that meant they were likely going to be a challenge. Both doors were tried but only on opened. The group filed in through the open door. There were two thinnish wolf-like creatures at the far end on either side of an alter. Ishan cast grease at one of the beast's feet. It retained its footing. After a number of the group moved in, one of the creatures bayed. It was deafening and not of this world. Fully half the group was overcome with panic. They dropped everything and started to run. Edwin was able to reach the open door to block egress, but not until after Bach bolted through. That left only Wolfgar, Henrik and Pirozzi to fight the beasts. One charged Pirozzi. Henrik and Wolgar took swings and realized that their damage was significantly reduced. Henrik pulled a silvered dagger and set after one of the beasts. Wolfgar went to help Pirrozi who was playing cast and run with the other. The second beast bayed. No one else became panicked. You were able to defeat them but were quite hurt. Pirozzi managed to defeat one with arcane damage alone. But he was now spent. You cast a few remaining cures and continued.

The next area explored was included a torture chamber, prisoner cells, and what turned out to be the jailer's quarters. One goblin and two humans were in the cells. You didn't learn anything immediately important other that the fact that the jailer was a bugbear. One of the humans was at death's door. It took a group effort and some magic to stabilize him. Golian unlocked the two cells and you left the conscious human with a goblin knife for defense and assured him you would be back. He was in no shape to protest.

You moved through a short hall and Bach opened a door at the end to find himself face to face with a bugbear. With one blow, Bach almost dropped the creature. That blow was followed by a lightning bolt that ripped through the bugbear and nearly the entire party. A few people dropped unconscious. Edwin set about searching for potions and feeding them to those who needed healing. Bach, Wolfgar, and Henrik moved into the room to face a female wizard (all four of her), another even larger bugbear with a very large bow and several female goblins. The bugbear started peppering people with arrows. The wizard cast a ray that greatly reduced Bach's strength. As Henrik moved up to the wizard, Tsuto stepped out from a stairwell and tripped him. The monk proceded to pummel Henrik into unconsciousness. Wolfgar could not battle through the female goblins and took a lot of arrow damage. The bugbear eventually ordered the goblins to leave. Right before he unlimbered a heavy flail and dropping Wolfgar. Malloric had regained consciousness and moved up to help. Things were not going well for the group until Bach scored an opportunistic blow on Tsuto. The monk backed out of combat and ordered the wizard to "finish them." He fled. The wizard and bugbear dropped and almost killed all but Malloric and Ishan before they finally fell.

The two standing looked after your fallen comrades and bound them as best you could. Malloric recognized the wizard and found that she was not dead, just unconscious.

Welcome to 3rd level.

Ishan was able to cure Edwin who regained consciousness. After a quick prayer to Pelor he realized he could do more to aid the group. Shortly all were mobile, but very hurt. You tied up Lyrie and gathered the two freed captives and made you way back to your horses. Unfortunately, they were no longer there. Malloric searched while everyone else rested. He reported some wolf tracks and that it looks as though the horses ran off in different directions. You resigned yourselves to the long walk back to town.

You reached the road about mid-day and stopped for lunch before being on the move again. A short while later a couple of merchant carts approached from behind you. They agreed to carry the freed captives. You made much better time. You arrived in Ardrinn with a few hours of daylight left. You agreed to split up to accomplish many tasks before the shops started to close.