After two days in town the party prepared to return down to the night-haunted halls of Stonehell. Through out the night and into the morning storms wracked the skies, rain fell and high winds rattled the roofs and whistled amongst the towers. Despite the storms the sun often managed to break through and offer some light and warmth.

OOC Day: 6. Time: 6:00am. Weather: Sunny, stormy, high winds. Vision: Daylight. Movement: 20'

Miserable beneath his sodden cloak, Ben tromps along with the rest of them to the destination their leader had in mind but not yet voiced. He takes stock of the members of this expedition. Anybody new? Anybody lost who had returned?

OOC 4 flasks of oil and 1 week of unpreserved rations (-9 gp)

Teodore was partial to heading toward either the southwest or northwest - going through that one-way door was more trouble (and coin) than it was worth last time.



Squares are 10 foot by 10 foot.

To the north west...

The rain and storms did not abate. Their cloaks were sodden as they travelled west into the foothills. The path through the forest offered them some protection versus wind and rain. There was little sign of wildlife with no interruptions upon their march until they reached the mouth of the canyon and the old curtain wall.

They passed through the gatehouse safely and into the clearing beyond. The black bear Coal was nowhere to be seen. However laid out beside one of the ruins abandoned were three blocks of wood, a rusted knife, and a half finished carving of a peacock.

Day: 6. Time: 9:00am. Turn: 1. Weather: Sunny, stormy, high winds. Vision: Daylight. Movement: 20'

Staðhafi followed the others, the exact distance depended on her relationship with the group. She was not sure of their competence and wanted to see them in action before committing herself fully to joining them.

One point in their favor was that they had apparently gone to Stonehell and come back successfully.

One point against them was that she met one of their group in town, a foul smelling stupid woman who kept trying to get her to sample some dungeon slime. So it seemed far more likely that they had lived through only luck, not competence. But at least the woman had a partial map for sale.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:52, Fri 25 June 2021.

"Into the ogre's maw," Barnabas suggests, and then appending, "and hopefully through it."

"At least it won't be raining down there," Devin added.  They'd be leaving a trail of wet footprints for quite a ways.

Eager to be out of the storm the party passed through the box canyon without delay entered the dungeon through the stone archway carved into the cliff. The spiral staircase led them downward and they went north through the archway that was carved into a fanged ogre mouth.

As the party passed though the mouth they found murals of cavorting imps painted on the walls beyond. Thirty foot further on the paintings ended as they stepped through another archway which resembled another ogre mouth. At this point they had reached a crossroads.

The corridor north went thirty foot into darkness. To the west the corridor changed from worked stone to a natural cave. To the east it went ten foot before opening into a room. In the middle of the intersection was a rusted metal signpost. On the signpost an arrow pointed west and read "Da' Dragon's Den.".

OOC Who has light and what is the party marching order?

Day: 6. Time: 9:00am. Turn: 1. Weather: Sunny, stormy, high winds. Vision: Daylight. Movement: 20'

Staðhafi lit her lamp, then went west, the way the sign indicated. "If there is a dragon, I will face it. Follow along for glory, or live in the dark as miserable cowards. I care not which."
This message was last edited by the player at 10:25, Fri 25 June 2021.

"Maybe we should avoid dragons," Devin recommended as he failed to follow the newcomer.

Bertilak lights his new lantern. "I agree with Devin. Although with the dragon's location marked as such, perhaps it is one we could talk to rather than fight?"

"Which way did you go last time?" Devin asked the wizard who'd been this way before.  He and his guardian had successfully survived their explorations in the region once before, so Devin thought they weree in the best position to advise which way not to go.

"Unless there is a second." Fiene replies to the cleric. "Da dragon is dead, by my hand.  Though it nearly cost Ermangard her life."  He acknowledges.  "That path leads to caverns, and a small grotto where the dragon laired." He points to the north.  "There were kobolds working that way carvings stone.  I believe they are part of the dungeon maintenance, and can be bribed with silver.  There are stored corpses in the room to the right, it was infested with rats and I didn't remain, so there may be something of interest there." He shrugged his shoulders.  "There is a locked door to the south, that I intend to revisit, but there is someone I must speak to first."

"Who would that be?" Ben asks. "Off on another secret mission, then?"

"I found an oracle." Fiene relies absently. "Perhaps it can tell me how to open the doors I couldn't before."

"Sounds like a good place to start, then," Ben responds.

"I'm surprised the kobolds haven't revolted with the death of their dragon ancestor," he further reflects.

"The ones I met seemed terrified of it." Fiene comments.

"To the oracle, then," Devin concludes from the wizard's conversation.  "Which way?"

He was kind of glad the mean woman went off on her own.  Having thought that, he felt bad and sent a mental prayer to Auril to watch over her.

Led by the wizard Fiene the party turned two corners to come to a door. Inside the room on the far wall was carved a ten foot tall bearded human head. Smoke trailed from its mouth and it stared intently with crystal eyes.



OOC Day: 6. Time: 9:10am. Turn: 2. Weather: Sunny, stormy, high winds. Vision: Daylight. Movement: 20'

Lantern oil used
Bertilak 1 Turn - lit

Fiene's voice grows harsh as he speaks in orcish.

"You...slew a dragon? Well done! Oh, an oracle? Fascinating!"

He rubbed his goatee as he stared out.

These things usually require a sacrifice of some sort to operate. Gold or gems, perhaps. Hopefull not a living sacrifice..."

The stone face huffed and its mouth opened wide emitting a puff of blue-grey smoke. Its voice rumbled "Find what you seek in one of the four storage rooms to the far south" Rocky answered Fiene.

"What did you ask it?" Devin asked the wizard.

"Last time I was here, it only spoke orcish." Fiene comments.  "I asked it where the keys to the doors might be found."

Teodore remains silent, not caring where the group explores as long as there is a way back to the stairs this time. When the party moves he will share the front rank.

"Do you know where these storage rooms are?" Devin asked the wizard.

"I do not." Fiene offers. "But from what Bertilak showed on his map. There were a lot of rooms that were bypassed. Perhaps it lies in one of those.  There must be a way through or around the one way door.  I encountered enough orcs and kobolds, that talked of things to the south.". He postulates.

"Through magic, I forged a tenuous alliance with some of the orcs." he adds looking at Ben, remembering the man's murderous efforts against the goblins at the gate.  "I would prefer to utilize it if we encounter them again. Though word of your slaughter has likely already woven it's easy though their ranks."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:24, Tue 29 June 2021.

Sneering, Ben replies, "How progressive of you. It would be wise to sate my bloodlust before we meet orcs again. How about some rats?"

In case anybody has forgotten, he appends, "The cave pirates pay well for rat tales."

"You misunderstand me.  I believe this complex is far larger than we can explore.  There is a community here, a market run by someone named Sniv.  Warring orc factions fighting over territory, Kobold maintenance crews.  I don't consider myself strong enough or stupid enough to kill everything I meet, I'm looking at a political game, taking what I can and escaping with my life.  Fiene says somewhat patronizingly.

"There were rats in a room just back and to the North. It was full of cadavers that I assume didn't put themselves in there. Go. Have at it." he adds.

Whilst the party shared their knowledge of Stonehell Dungeon their chat was disturbed by loud smashing and banging outside the room.

"But we should at least kill that chieftain and his mate. They had necklaces of platinum," Ben protests just before they all hear a racket outside the chamber.

He looks at Teodore, expecting him to have a look immediately.

"Or befiend the chieftain, and control the whole tribe."  Fiene offers, before looking to Ermangard.  Fiene advances towards the door.

ooc: Does the door open in or out?

Devin tried to figure out which direction the noise was coming from.

The noise sounded like it was coming from the south west.

Teodore readies his sword and shield and investigates.

Fiene lights his lantern, and he and Ermandgard go to back Teodore up.

Devin fumbled with his shield and followed after the wizard.  He was already a little lost.

Bertilak moves closer to Arietta. "Stay close, and stay wary."

Led by Teodore the party left Rocky the Oracle.

The passageway south led them through a chamber with sooty, man-shaped silhouettes on the walls with ancient inscriptions. Then westward through a room filled with piles of junk, food scraps, filth, broken tools and furniture.

They then reached the crossroads. As they approached they saw Stadhafi attacking the sign that had pointed toward da dragon. The fighter broke the rusty sign. She then picked up the broken remains and headed away to the west. A balding dwarf accompanied her, for those that had met him before recognised the dwarf as Snorri Broadshoulders.

"That seems wholly unnecessary." Fiene comments.

"Did she say she was meeting up with her boyfriend down here?" Devin asked no one in particular.  If not, he wondered if there were any damsels in distress looking for a striving Acolyte of Auril?

The enormity of this eludes Ben for now. He remains focused on the particular.

"We killed all of the orcs in that tribe but the chieftain and his broodmare. They and their necklaces remain as does that hive of wasps on the second floor of the gatehouse."

And however many broodlings they might spawn in the days since we last met them.

Ben feels disinclined to chase after those two who seemed to be about their own business for now.

"Where to?" he asks.

"Master dwarf." Fiene calls out.  "Do you know the nature of her calamity?" He asks.  "Otherwise I will return to my tasks."

He looks to answer Ben's question.  "I intended to search out the key.  That has not changed."  He waits for an answer from the dwarf, and if none is forthcoming, Fiene will continue back east from the crossroads, past the turn to the north to the oracle's room, looking for a passage that turns south.

At the call from Fiene stopped the dwarf. The dwarf had a long braided beard and a balding head of red hair. He wore a suit of chainmail, at his side was a satchel and a hand axe.

"Ho friends" Snorri Broadshoulders replied "nay but have ye seen me fellow dwarves or know the way out of the dungeon?"

"A pleasure to meet you, good Sir Dwarf. We have indeed encountered other dwarves, beyond a one way secret door. We also know the way to the exit."

Devin wasn't sure where they were at the moment, but was planning on following the Wizard Fiene.

"I have only just arrived, and have seen no one." Fiene points south, through the Ogre's Maw.  "But there are stairs out, straight through there." he says.

Owing Stadhafi nothing, he is satisfied with having done his due diligence, Fiene starts back to the east.

"It would be but a moment to lead him to his friends," Ben admonishes the parting Fiene. "If that's what he would like."

He regards the dwarf, "Do you want to leave Stonehell or join the other long braids?"

"And you know where the dwarves are?" Fiene asks, not really waiting for an answer.

"My cousins are wandering too. We completed our study of the dwarven gods. We then moved on to find more but were separated when we met some orcs" Snorri explained to Ben "the stairs would be good" the balding dwarf followed Fiene's directions and turned to face southward, accepting Ben's offer to lead him to the stairs.

Fiene and Devin headed off eastward but soon found themselves in darkness away from Bertilak's lantern light.

OOC Day: 6. Time: 9:40am. Turn: 4. Weather: Sunny, stormy, high winds. Vision: Daylight. Movement: 20'

Lantern oil used
Bertilak 4 Turn - lit

Teodore looked at the others before saying  to Bertilak, "I suppose we shouldn't let them  wander away and get into trouble. "

Led by Teodore the party headed east. After thirty feet the corridor split east and south.

The east corridor led to a room, thirty foot by thirty foot. On the ground were bones and rusted weapons.

The corridor south turned east against after thirty foot.

Snorri was left in the dark at the remains of the rusty signpost.

ooc: Fiene lit his lantern before they left Rocky's room

"South." Fiene says.

The corridor turned east but only for ten foot before it continued south. At the end of the corridor was a door. The door was in the west wall. Midway along the corridor was another corridor leading east.



OOC Day: 6. Time: 9:50am. Turn: 5. Weather: Sunny, stormy, high winds. Vision: Daylight. Movement: 20'

Lantern oil used
Bertilak 4 Turn - lit
Fiene 2 Turns - lit

Devin was just happy to be looking around and seeing new areas of the dungeon.

Fiene motions for the others to keep quiet, and approaches the door slowly.  He listens intently to hear if he can determine if the room is empty or occupied.

ooc: does it open in or out?

At the door Fiene saw that it opened inward. The wizard listened at the door but he did not identify by sound if the room was empty or occupied.  Whilst he stood there however he smelt smoke and meat.

OOC Anyone doing anything else whilst Fiene listens?
Day: 6. Time: 10:00am. Turn: 6. Weather: Sunny, stormy, high winds. Vision: Daylight. Movement: 20'

Lantern oil used
Bertilak 5 Turn - lit
Fiene 3 Turns - lit

Devin gave the wizard room to use his arcane powers to discern what fiendish creatures might lie within.

With lit lantern in hand, Ben leads Snorri to the exit. It wasn't that far, was it?

Bertilak motions for Arietta to follow Teodore when he follows Fiene.

OOC If there's nothing else. What are people doing after Fiene has finished listening/sniffing?

Devin waited patiently for the wizard to report his findings.

Teodore waits to open the door at the front of the party. Does he hear anything there?

At the door Teodore smelt the smoke and cooked meat. Besides the smell Teodore heard voiced behind the door, talking as if in conversation. It was difficult to catch the words but sounded like common.

"Men beyond?" Fiene questions.  "Ras only knows if they are friend or foe. But no reason to leave them behind without knowing."

Lantern in hand and warriors arrayed behind him, he raps sharply on the door with the top of his pole.

The sound of Fiene's knocked echoed down the passageway. The noise of movement was heard behind the door then the door swung open.

Beyond the door was a twenty foot by thirty foot room. Decrepit furniture lined the walls and a small fire was in the middle of the room. Over the fire was a haunch of unidentifiable meat.

They were five men in the room. All of them looked crazed. Filthy and unkempt, their skin was pale. They wore furs, skins and scavenged armour. All had weapons with hooks, barbs, serrated edges and jagged spikes. Their bodies were marked by tattoes, brands and piercings.

Gutturally they yelled and screamed at the interruption of their meal.

OOC Declare your actions and make rolls if your actions require it.

Drawn by the light of their lanterns and the force of their knocking, a dwarf, fully clad in the raiment of battle, joins the adventurers as they behold the five wild men.

Perhaps presumptuous, he immediately comports himself as one of the onlookers.

"I've heard it said," he informs them in pleasing a baritone, "that those who sleep within these halls lose their minds."

Bertilak is a bit surprised to see yet another dwarf, and this one seemingly ready to aid the party, but he keeps a stiff upper lip. "Yes, there are some odd ones in these halls, no doubt we among them!"

He takes a step back behind Arietta. "Smack them down if they get too close, if you don't mind."

OOC: DM -- Should I make rolls for Arietta, or just issue commands and you'll take care of it?

"Foe!" Fiene exclaims. Stepping clear of the door to let those armored deal with the enraged men.

"Gaah!" Devin blurted in surprise.

Expecting a friendly greeting after Fiene's cordial knock, Devin was taken completely by surprise and fumbled to pull his shield around as the wizard stepped away.  Was the wizard testing them by withholding his arcane power in the face of these crazed men?

OOC Issue orders to any retainers, I will roll the dice for them.

Teodore moves to the front if possible, defending himself against the berzerkers.

Derry joins Teodore, taking the place of someone less skilled in battle or someone capable of attacking from behind the front line with a polearm.

10:31, Today: Derry the Dwarf rolled 11,8 using d20+1,d8+1.  Attack if needed.
Hits AC 8 for 8 dmg.

All the filthy men rushed forward in berserker rage, they frothed and foamed at the mouth as they yelled.

They attacked Devin and Fiene with their barbed spikes. The savage looking weapon bloodied the wizard but missed Devin.

As the wounded Fiene retreated the unknown dwarf stepped forward and struck at the savage a mighty blow. The berserker looked more angered than injured withstanding the blow as it bleed freely.



OOC Fiene was hit for 5 damage. I rolled an attack on behalf of Teodore, he missed.

Declare your actions and roll your dice.

Fiene collapses staggers back, falling against the wall, clutching at his wound.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:35, Thu 15 July 2021.

Devin pulled his hammer free and readied himself to attack if someone before him fell.

OOC: Devin Harper rolled 1,3 using d20,d6.  Hammer time! Thaco 19.

"Tough bugger, aren't you?" marvels Derry after the man shrugs off his blow. He doesn't even need to do that for the next one.

18:45, Today: Derry the Dwarf rolled 5,7 using d20+1,d8+1.  attack hulkster.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:46, Wed 14 July 2021.

"Arietta, can you get a swing in through the door? If so, swing high over our new Dwarf companion's head!"

Bertilak assumes Devin or Ermangard will assist Fiene, so he hangs back for now.

Teodore stabs out at a berserker, frowning as Fiene is hit as the magic-user withdraws.


23:06, Today: Teodore rolled 3 using 1d8+1.  sword damage.

23:05, Today: Teodore rolled 14 using 1d20+1.  attack berserker.

Fighting over the threshold of the door was restricted and there was much hustle and bustle. The berserkers pushed forward but were held back from Derry the dwarf and Teodore.

Unable to fight on the frontline Ermangard threw her spear at the injured man. Sword cut and impaled on a spear he continued to rage until Teodore finished him off with a blow from his sword.

The death one of their own did not quench their anger and they fought on. Another moved forward to replace his lost brother. They attacked at Derry and Teodore but their armour proved too strong.

OOC Declare your actions and roll your dice.

I'm assuming Devin is preparing a melee hammer attack not a thrown hammer. If this changes to thrown let me know.

Derry's more compact frame proved to be an advantage in the cramped confines of the melee, as he cut another of the wild men, marking him for elimination.

09:03, Today: Derry the Dwarf rolled 21,4 using d20+1,d8+1.  3rd Attack. Hits for 4 dmg

Glad that neither the unknown dwarf, nor Teodore had fallen, Devin prepared to swing his hammer if one of them fell.

OOC: Devin Harper rolled 6,6 using d20,d6.  Hammer time! Thaco 19.

Fiene keeps his distance, lending nothing more than his light.

Valerian draws his dagger, hearing the melee just around the corner and out of his reach.

Teodore continues to fight against the berserkers, stabbing out again. However, it is weaker than he had hoped for.

22:54, Today: Teodore rolled 4 using 1d20+1.  attack berserker.

The savage men fought relentlessly. Their attacks were furious and their barbed spears and hooks found their way through Teodore's defences and his armour. Attacked by both of the berserkers the party leader was pulled to the ground.

In retaliation the unknown dwarf slashed with his sword but the berserkers proved again to be hardy folk and withstood the blow. Devin stepped up and swung his hammer but to no avail.

OOC Teodore is hits of a total of 8 damage and is unconscious.

Declare your actions and roll your dice

When Teodore falls, Fiene calls Ermangard close to his side, and he starts back towards the stairs.

Devin wanted to help Teodore, but they were beset by too many so he stepped back to where he'd been in the corner and let the crazy man come after him.  They needed to bring their own numbers to bear.  He'd swing once the man came forward.

OOC: Devin Harper rolled 14,3 using d20,d6.  Hammer time! Thaco 19.

Heartened by the able-bodied priest's arrival, Derry strikes a wounded madman in tandem.

He calls back to those he's protecting: "Do none of you command magic?"

12:53, Today: Derry the Dwarf rolled 17,5 using d20+1,d8+1.  Derry attack.

In an effort to draw the enemy out of their lair Devin pulled back. The frenzied men roared and rushed forward. Suddenly the abrasive Arietta was on the front line but ill prepared she was crushed in the charge and killed. The momentum of the charge also took Derry by surprise and he was injured as well.

It did not all go well for the berserkers. The mad men paid no heed to their own defence, Devin and Derry stabbing or smashing deep wounds but no enemy fell.

Eager to evade the slaughter Fiene and Ermangard left the field of battle and headed toward the exit.



OOC Derry hit for 6 damage. Arietta hit for 5 damage and killed.

Declare your actions and roll your dice.

Fighting for his life, Devin swung with abandon!

OOC: Devin Harper rolled 2,6 using d20,d6.  Hammer time! Thaco 19.

Derry screams for aid, "I can not hold the line!"

09:30, Today: Derry the Dwarf rolled 5,7 using d20+1,d8+1.  Derry Attack #4.

Hearing the dwarf's failing cry, Fiene abandons his pole.  He digs for a flask of oil as he quickens his place as much as he can.

Seeing his bodyguard hacked down like the brand new armor he bought her was nothing, and Fiene retreating, Bertilak realizes the time has come. He utters an ancient incantation, attempting to lull the berserkers to sleep!

13:25, Today: Bertilak the Green rolled 3 using 2d8.  sleep spell hit dice affected.

And this encounter just keeps getting better and better!

As the battle raged on Bertilak called forth magical energies and the mad raving man's eyes lost their crazed glint and they fell into a quick and deep slumber. The other three men behind were unaffected.

The clash of arms between the five remaining combatants amounted to nary a scratch as all the fighters beginning to tire and the floor began to pile up with bodies.



Declare your actions and roll your dice.

Derry slashes at one of the wounded, splashing even more blood in the already blood-soaked chamber.

09:14, Today: Derry the Dwarf rolled 19,3 using d20+1,d8+1. Hits for 3 dmg.

Devin kept hammering away as best he could on the assailant before him.

OOC: Devin Harper rolled 12,2 using d20,d6.  Hammer time! Thaco 19.

The bodies continued to pile us as Derry and Devin killed another of the filthy pale men. The last two of the branded and tattooed men were unfazed by the carnage. The rushed forward but were unable to caused any harm to the dwarf and the cleric with their serrated and barbed weapons.

Declare your actions and roll your dice.

"To arms! To arms!" roars Derry to any who might hear him. "Two more have yet to fall!"

He does not know who might hear him or even if they would answer his call. It is possible that Snorri had already returned in search of him and only needs the sound of his voice as a guide.

14:51, Today: Derry the Dwarf rolled 10,6 using d20+1,d8+1.  Derry attack.
Hits AC 9 for 6 dmg

Devin had lost count of the dozens pouring from the room and flailed wildly with a glancing blow.

OOC: Devin Harper rolled 13,1 using d20,d6.  Hammer time! Thaco 19.

The unknown dwarf called wildly for aid as the battle waged on. The dwarf's attack only missing by a fraction whilst Devin scored a hit but the blow was weak.

The barbed weapons of two remaining tattooed men scratched the armour of dwarf and cleric but could not penetrate to harm the wearers.

Declare your actions and roll your dice.

Nearly enraged himself, the dwarf thrusts with all his might, just about skewering one of his assailants, the one that appears to be less hale than the other. He screams for aid once again, "Magic men, to my side!"

11:21, Today: Derry the Dwarf rolled 15,9 using d20+1,d8+1.  More.
Hits for 9 dmg.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:35, Tue 20 July 2021.

Fiene continues his flight.

Fighting to survive, Devin focused on swinging with everything he had and pray that Auril would guide his hand.

OOC: Devin Harper rolled 15,1 using d20,d6.  Hammer time! Thaco 19.

Valerian rushes forward behind Derry, drawing his dagger. He spots the berzerker lashing out beyond the door frame.

"Take THAT!"

Much to his surprise, he actually makes a slice in the berzerker's arm.

10:16, Today: Valerian rolled 15,1 using d20-1,d4 ((16,1)).

Stout and strong Derry the dwarf defeated another of the pierced and tattooed man. Alone one man stood against them now. Suddenly he was surrounded as Devin and Valerian struck at him but neither blow was lethal, they had barely wounded him. Fatigued the berserker swiped at Devin but the attack was misaimed and went wide.

Declare your actions and roll your dice.

"That's it, comrade," the dwarf encourages when the magic man's dagger draws blood. "Let it drink again!"

As if to show him how it's done, his own sword helps more of the beset man's blood fall to the floor.

17:04, Today: Derry the Dwarf rolled 14,2 using d20+1,d8+1.  One more.
Hits for 2 damage.

Trying to change his swing to be more effective, Devin tried to swing up into the man's chin.

OOC: Devin Harper rolled 19,4 using d20,d6.  Hammer time! Thaco 19.

The last man's fury continued to the end as he lashed out at Devin. Then surrounded and outnumbered the man succumbed to the assault and died bleeding on the ground.

The corpses of the five branded and tattooed men last on the bloody floor. The room was small and dirty. The meat roasting on the fire upon further inspection was identified as a human.

OOC Day: 6. Time: 10:30am. Turn: 9. Weather: Sunny, stormy, high winds. Vision: Daylight. Movement: 20'

Lantern oil used
Bertilak 8 Turn - lit
Fiene 6 Turns - lit

Bertilak will do his best to tend to the wounded now that the last of the cannibals is defeated.

Alas Arietta was beyond saving, Teodore although unconscious was made comfortable by Bertilak and remained alive.

Hoping to find Ben and more importantly the potion he carries, Fiene cautiously continues towards the stairway.

"Comrades," the dwarf beams when the last of the man-eaters falls before their collective assault. "We are all brothers born in the forge of battle today!"

"But you can just call me Comrade Derry," he informs the others.

Standing disconsolately over the still breathing fighting man, he asks if anything can be done to raise him back on his feet?

At some point, he searches the room for what treasures these savages might have had.

In a search of the room and the corpses Derry gathered a total sixty two copper pieces. Human flesh was roasting over the fire and the furniture was old and broken.

"And I thought the tavern food was bad! Yech! Disgusting!"

Derry does the only human thing possible. He extinguishes the fire and buries the meat in the ashes.

"Each copper," he happily announces, "is a copper for the people. 62 coppers for the people!"

He hoists the dead Arietta over his shoulders and says if someone else can help the warrior, they can all try to escape Stonehell together.

OOC Plan to take the direct back to the stairs, mindful of orcs along the way.

"Wait!" Devin said as the dwarf tried to leave with the young woman.  "I can save her!"  He'd remembered the scroll he'd been gifted by the grumpy nun.  She'd said it was worth a life and hers might yet be saved.

"Let me use this scroll to raise her back up!" he added, pulling forth the scroll from his sack.  He eagerly unrolled it to save the young fighter.

Bertilak holds his hand out to stay Devin. "She's gone, lad. No magic can heal her now."

OOC: Do NOT waste a scroll of cure light wounds on a dead NPC henchman!

"There is magic to bring back the dead and I have it!" Devin declared, brandishing the scroll.  "Mother Majken said it would bring back one life and we should use it now."

He prepared to read the scroll to save the young woman.  It was his duty to do all that he could.

Upon study of the scroll Devin understood its powers and limitations. The cleric saw the thin thread of life which Teodore clung to and saw the same thread cleaved in two when he looked at Arietta. The scroll had the power to restore life and consciousness to Teodore but would no naught for the Arietta, her life had expired entirely.

OOC Feel free to cast the scroll however you choose but Devin will understand the magic in the scroll and will have witnessed during his studies other clerics performing similar miracles.

Derry had been about to prop up the hireling's corpse in the appropriate pose for resurrection (whatever that might be) until he saw the cleric's hesitation. Without making a comment, he once again hoists her all too drippy corpse over his shoulders.

Realizing the scroll wasn't nearly long enough to bring the young woman back from the dead, he turned and read the divine script for Teodore's benefit.  Feeling the energies coursing through him from the scroll, he began to have doubts about whether it would have had an effect on the young woman.

OOC: Reads scroll of cure light wounds for Teodore.
Devin Harper rolled 8 using 1d8.  Cure Light Wounds, Teodore.

The holy power of Auril focused by the magical scroll healed Teodore. The fighter regained consciousness and was much healed.

OOC Cure Light Wounds is 1d6+1. I rerolled, Teodore is healed 4 hit points.

Teodore slowly sat up and wiped blood out of his eyes, feeling more blood matting his hair. He groaned and tried to focus his eyes on Devin, unsuccessfully. He must have come out second-best, again....

"What happened?"

Derry clasps Teodore to him like the brother-in-arms that he is.

"We prevailed, comrade! They will never fill their bellies again," he says, sweeping his gaze over the five dead cannibals. "Even the magic men fought; one even wetted his short blade."

"I'd keep my eye on him," Derry continues, looking at the battle mage. "He might want more."

With everybody back on their feet and the one cadaver across his shoulders, Derry leads those who will follow back to the exit.

Devin was more than ready to retreat.  The battle had felt like ages and he thought he'd meet Auril much sooner than he'd ever expected.

The party made it safely to the stairs and ascended up into the canyon. The storms and high winds of her early travel had disappeared to be replaced by sunshine.

OOC Day: 6. Time: 10:40am. Turn: 10. Weather: Sunny. Vision: Daylight. Movement: 20'

Lantern oil used
Bertilak 9 Turns - lit
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:01, Tue 27 July 2021.

In reply to Derry the Dwarf (msg # 125):

He gives a short bow to Derry with a wide smile.

"I am more used to battling dense prose in arcane libraries, my long-bearded friend, but I do what must for my companions!"

"Then let us return you to those libraries for a few nights of study," returns Derry.

As he marches back to Fourtowers, paying his burden no mind, he sings a traditional marching song, the refrain of which goes:

"So comrades, come rally
And the last fight let us face
The Internationale unites the dwarven race."

Devin leaned in to Teodore and asked quietly, "That isn't the same dwarf we started the day with, right?"

"I think not, but every time we travel to the dungeon the party roster changes along the way."

The walk to Fourtower Bridge took the rest of the afternoon and on the journey the party met no danger.

The feast of sausage and cider continued at the Moorland Magpie Inn, Lorna charging four silver pennies for the meal.

XP 20 each.

Afternoon of Day 6.