Rise of the Runelords

Having decided to take advantage of the lack of pressing opponents and a impassioned plea by Wolfgar you decided to return to Rothberry to recoup, re-equip and pursue a raise dead for your fallen comrade.  Kaven asked if the group would be willing to stop in Turtleback Ferry so he could pick up some equipment he has stashed there.  You briefly explained your reluctance to stop there without spilling to many details.  Malloric offered to re-equip Kaven in Rothberry instead.  The trip was uneventful as the party now numbered 12 and a bear.

Once in Rothberry, Wolfgar set about finding and talking to the right people (er... dwarves) to secure a raise dead.  The party sold some loot, cast some identifies, and re-equiped.  Jakardros informed you that he was 'done with fighting.'  He was planning on staying in Rothberry with Shalelu for a few days to regain his strength and then head to Pikemaster to report.  Both Vasle and Kaven agreed to help retake the fort if you'd have them.  Henrik bought his brother some equipment as you started the preparations.  The last of the Black Arrows provided you with some sketches of the fort and helped prepare a strategy.  The best one that came up was to gain access to some tunnels near the fort, secure them and use them as a base for attacks.  It was unknown if the ogres had discovered them.  Given their intelligence and size, the assumption is that they hadn't.  Even the Black Arrows didn't use the tunnels.  The party was told that the only thing to expect in the tunnels were some small lizards called shocker lizards.  The Arrows didn't know how many were in the tunnels as they never bothered anyone in the fort and acted to keep vermin and other possible intruders away.  Jakardros explained that fighting one lizard is easy, but they become dangerous when in pairs and even worse when in groups. The group decided to enter the caves through the waterfall entrance and clear out the lizards as the first task.

While Wolfgar was busy working on D'Argo's raise dead, the main group was gathered for dinner when a tall, very handsome man in shiny armor entered and headed in your direction.  The serving girls were faqlling over themselves to wait on him.  you all noticed his rainments and the lightning motiff.  Edwinn and Henrik looked at each other and simultaneously said, "Heironeous."  He approached your table and looking primarily at Mallor, Edwin and Henrik said, "Brothers! I heard there were some true believers in town.  I have some news to impart." Looking at and empty seat continued, "May I?"

You welcomed him and he introduced himself as Nalstin Rhychar, Servant of the Shining One.  Several of you noticed his holy stymbol.  It contained aspects of both Heironeous and Pelor.  His news was that agents of the Herald of Hell (Hextor) have been more active in the Eastmarch and even removed from some of the major towns and villages, Rothberry included.  He did not know why they were here and asked if you had any sightings or information.  You told him about the fort and that you had not run into any of the Heralds but you would keep an eye out for them.  Malloric asked why he was in Rothberry.  He mentioned he was hunting a couple of fugitives from Furyondy. They are wanted for the murders of some Heironean priests in Chendl.  Malloric asked for copies of the warrants.  Nalstin said he would have them ready in the morning.

The next day, Wolfgar finds the group and reports that he has been able to make arrangements for a raise dead to be cast.  He appears to have lost his magic, heavy mace and now carries a warhammer.  You brush it off as some dwarvis thing.  You completed selling some items to pay for the raise.  With Wolfgar's significant contribution, D'Argo is raised.  You let him recover for the day and make plans to head back to the fort on the morrow.

Getting back to the fort is a pretty easy, albeit two day ride.  Once you arrived last at night and snuck into the caves through the waterfall with Vale and Kaven's guidance.  Exploring the wet caves, you encountered the first shocker lizards.  They were small - the size of a small dog - and you thought how tough could they be.  Bach stepped up to slice one in two. Others moved forward.  Instead of charging to attack, the liazrds grouped up and stared to shiver.  Moments later an explosion of electricity emanated from the closest one, sending a very powerful shock wave into the group.  Vale was heard in the back, "See, we told you."  Edwin set to healing as the group reorganized and the five or so lizards were quickly killed.


Continuing further into the tunnels, you found a rickety bridge spanning a 25' wide and quite deep chasm.  Reminded of the Thistletop bridge, Golian was sent across first.  He figured the bridge was safe as long as there was not too much weight at any one time.  You ferried across one at a time.  A few of you noticed something glinting at the bottom and decided to come back for it.

The next room looked like an old crypt with about two dozen niches carved out of the rock walls. All but one had skeletal remains dressed in ceremonial arms and armor.  One niche was empty and on the ground was a crumpled pile of bones.  As the group reached the threshold of the room, the pile moved. Or rather, an incorporeal form rose from the pile and moved to attack.  It struck Henrik with a chilling touch, draining levels.  Bach and Golian moved in to surround it, open more room for others and continued the attack. Henrik's and Edwin recognized the creature as a spectre and informed the rest of the group that magic weapons or spells will be required.   The creature struck Bach, damaging him and draining levels.  Edwin attempted to call on the shining power of Pelor to no avail.  The creature did notice the attempt to turn is and lunged at Edwin but was seemingly held back where the hallway met the room.  Henrik called for a retreat.  Golian attempted to tumble past the creature but was stopped and attacked.  He too was drained of levels.  After another turn attempt or two, many spells from Pirozzi and D'Argo and some magic arrows from Malloric, the creature was defeated, or at least dissipated for some time.  The group looked at Vale and Kaven who just shrugged their shoulders.  "We don't use these tunnels.  We don't know for sure what's all here."

With most of the tunnels explored, the group decided to move on.  You checked on the two entranced from the fort courtyard into the tunnels and they appeared secure or at least unused by ogres.  You continued down the last unexplored hallway and entered the main lizard warrens.  Attracted by the noise and light they came in waves. Bach and Wolfgar stepped into a side room to quickly deal with the two lizards there. Malloric assisted with his bow.  The others moved forward.  The front of the group was soon facing about a half dozen of these little lizards when they started to shiver.  Knowing what to expect, you braced yourselves.  The power of the explosion took you by surprise.  Several of you had to retreat.  Vale stepped up with Henrik to cover your withdrawal.  Bach had killed the last of the two lizards in the side room.  D'Argo stopped the lizards from advancing with a web spell.

You regrouped in the hallway, cast a number of cures and used other healing abilities and discussed what to do next.  D'Argo said the web would remain for quite some time and the lizards appeared to be completely trapped by it.  You decided to use burning spheres to cut a path to each lizard and fire arrows and fight them one at a time.  This proved very successful.  Only once did Malloric get too close and was caught in a relatively weak electrical explosion.  Once a path was burnt all the way trough the webs, you advanced trying to take a few out at at time.  Kaven took this opportunity to move up and get help out.  He fought like Golian, flanking preferred.  The group moved further in, taking on a few lizards at a time.  There were a few more explosions, but those close to the lizards were either unhurt at this time after the heals or were able to successfully dodge the damage.  You soon defeated the dozen or so lizards in the warrens. Pirozzi found some baby lizards and stuffed one into his pack.

You returned to the bridge and lowered someone into he chasm where you found a dead halfling, a couple of large rubies and a silvered shortsword. You decided to rest out the draining effects of the spectre before deciding what to do next.  Bach and Golian were only able to partially recover.  You decided it best to head back to Rothberry for magical aid before storming the main fort.  You were able to have a few restorations cast and prepared for the trip back.  Returning to the fort, your were able to get back into the tunnels without being seen by the ogres on guard at the south gate.  You moved to the concealed entrance closest to the keep's main gate and readied a charge.....

A few seconds past as you assessed wounds and worked on deciding how to go after Mammy when you heard a scream of anger or anguish from somewhere in the house - probably from below.  You started to head to the stairs down when several vary large rats started crawling out of holes in the floorboards and walls. You also noticed another of the deformed half ogres in the dining room.  Malloric took a shot at him and he withdrew out of sight. The group made their way into the dining room, some ignoring the rats, others hacking at them along the way.  The half had withdrawn to the kitchen.  Wolfgar moved in first only to find himself flanked by rats when the half ogre stepped out from behind the door and landed a mighty blow with his great club. Golian, Bach and Herick were pushing to get through to help.  D'Argo and Pirozzi were bringing up the rear. Malloric suggested to Edwin that they run around and enter the kitchen from the other side.

About this time, Mammy reappeared and provided additional flanking opportunities for Hucker.  He laid waste to Wolfgar in short order.  Golian and D'Argo were able to enter. Golian's training prevented Hucker from landing continued vicious blows. D'Argo started casting and Pirozzi lobbed a few spells when site lines allowed.  Bach and Henrik pushed their way to Mammy. When they reached her, she cast a grease spell at their feet.  It took them the rest of the fight to extricate themselves.

With the front door open, Malloric headed to the kitchen door only to realize the porch was heavily trapped with springing spikes.  After making a bee-line off the porch he warned Edwin and continued. Edwin, with his heavy armor, was not bothered by the spikes.  They made it to the other door and after getting it opened started aiding those inside; Malloric by shooting arrows, Edwin by curing those he could see.  Mammy soon moved to the door and closed it.

Golian had to withdraw and hoped to draw Hucker into line of fire of more people, but he stayed and cornered D'Argo.  A few blows later, D'Argo crumpled hard to the floor.  He was dead before he hit the ground.  Bach was able to get up and helped drop Hucker to one knee, but he still didn't die.  Several blows later he finally gave it up.  The remaining rat or two fled when Hucker fell. Mammy had resorted to using only a wand (of vampiric touch) in combat.  With her displacement she was healing more as each round past.  Until her displacement ended.  After that she was hacked to pieces.

Some of the last heals were cast and you decided to finish exploring the house.  Most of the rest of the house was empty with two areas of note.  One was a room with a trapped chest and the other was a large basement room with molds and fungi on the floor and walls.  The quick consensus was "No way are we going in there!"  However, a detect magic revealed something beyond a door in the far wall.  You cautiously crept to the door when a gigantic pile of mold animated and swung a couple of tendrils toward those in the room.  They fairly easily grabbed Bach and Golian and then tried to swallow them whole.  It was hacked apart quickly and a few fire based spells just be sure as it appeared to regenerate its wounds at a remarkable pace.  You looted the closet and left the building.

Not sure if the house was really a safe place to hole up, you decided to check the barn.  You nearly surprised three younger half ogres who first debated whether they should let Mammy get you or leave you to 'Biggun.'  It didn't matter much as they were no match for you even in your tired state. The barn was split in two with a set of double doors on the floor and two single door on a suspended walkway.  Seeing that the double doors were spiked shut from 'your' side, the group split in two and approached the single doors.  All except Bach who was so exhausted he could barely move.

Golian and Pirozzi opened their door first and saw that the entire back half of the barn was filled with cobwebs. No sooner than they made a few steps the webs quivered and a gigantic spider came toward them, biting Golian on the shoulder.  He felt the weakening poison coursing through him.  The barn was filled with a panicked scream and Wolfgar started rushing to their aid.  Malloric, Henrick and Edwin moved through the other door and took what shots they could through the thick webs.  The spider quickly wrapped Pirozzi in webs and went after the three on the other side.  You were all laying down the hurt on the giant spider, but it was wrapping people up almost as quickly.  With only one or two people remaining mobile, it was killed.

In the back of the barn you found three individuals shackled in a make shift cage that kept the spider from getting at them.  Edwin went to administer to their wounds and notice on of them has a striking resemblance to Henrik.  He asked his name. He replied, "Vale, why?"  Your surname if you please.  "Wealwood, what's it matter?"  Edwin smiled and said "I think there is someone here you know."

After freeing them from their cell and extricating people from web-bonds, you recovered and tended to wounds.  You were spent.  From the three you learned that Fort Ranik has been completely overrun by ogres.  These three, Jakardros, Vale and Kaven, are the last of a scouting group that returned after the fort had nearly fallen.  They tried to lend aid but it was too late and they were run off.  Only these three survived. They had the misfortune of running across a couple of the half ogres and that's how they ended up here.

Shelelu and Jakardros converse and she informs you all that this is her biological father - her reason for coming to Fort Ranik.  You spent the night and distributed a good number of lesser restoration spells the next morning. After everyone felt 100 percent, you started to decide what to do next.

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