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.
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.....
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