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14:55, 29th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Day 1 - Onward to Phandalin.

Posted by PsynisterFor group 0
BonThot
Human Sorcerer, 122 posts
AC 11 HP 14/14
Wed 21 Jul 2021
at 14:00
  • msg #255

Re: Boss Fight - The King of Cragmaw Castle

BonThot notes the tension forming between Sakamoto and Pavel, speaks from where he's sitting, "It is called banter, Sakamoto. Pavel meant no disrespect to you or your people. He knows how tough you are. You don't need to announce it. We are, after all, allies. In some cases there is true friendship as well."
Ariadne Greenthorn
Half Elf Druid, 67 posts
Half Elven Druid
AC 16 HP 16/14
Wed 21 Jul 2021
at 14:10
  • msg #256

Re: Boss Fight - The King of Cragmaw Castle

In reply to BonThot (msg # 255):

Ariadne smiled towards the monk
"I'll admit that aftrr meeting a few of your kind in the wilderness,  on hunting expeditions or caravans,  I'd have to agree with you, friend Sakamoto.
Halflings,  despite, or perhaps because of,  their size, should never be underestimated."

BonThot
Human Sorcerer, 123 posts
AC 11 HP 14/14
Wed 21 Jul 2021
at 14:55
  • msg #257

Re: Boss Fight - The King of Cragmaw Castle

Apropos to nothing, BonThot laughs aloud. There is a distinct gleam burning in his eyes.
Gundren Rockseeker
NPC, 5 posts
Thu 22 Jul 2021
at 01:41
  • msg #258

Re: Boss Fight - The King of Cragmaw Castle

Ariadne took the map from the top of the table and showed it to Gundren. The dwarf clearly showed visible relief at knowing the map was there, and soon after fell back into unconsciousness. Sakamoto tended to the dwarf's wounds, and did his best to ease the pain he was feeling.

Conversations continued for about another hour, while your battered friends continued their recovery, and the group went over the spoils of Cragmaw Castle in detail to note what they had found and who wished to claim what as their own. Don-Jon went in and out of consciousness himself, joining in now and then with a comment on food choices.


After the hour has passed, Gundren awakes once more, still beaten and bruised, with a bit of help from Akyra, Gundren stood and moved over to have a seat at the table. "Goblins are somewhat common to these woods, setting up ambushes on the road is far outside of their normal activity. An ambush is always possible when traveling through the woods, but nearly a dozen goblins and hobgoblins was far more organized than I ever would have expected."

"You certainly have our gratitude for the rescue. How did you manage to find us?"
His eyes grew a bit larger, "And what of the supplies?"
Bharkel
Elf Barbarian, 32 posts
AC 15 HP 32/32
Thu 22 Jul 2021
at 01:45
  • msg #259

Re: Boss Fight - The King of Cragmaw Castle

The conversation of cooked foods having gone dry, Bharkhel's curiosity shifted to Akyra, and the newfound toy.

Clearly a fan of such weaponry herself, the elf knelt down next to Akyra to catch the finer details, but from a respectful distance.

"The decorations and stylings of this may make it awkward to wield, but I'm sure you'll get the hang of it in time. The practice is certainly worth the gains."
Psynister
GM, 169 posts
Dungeon Master
Thu 22 Jul 2021
at 02:00
  • msg #260

Re: Boss Fight - The King of Cragmaw Castle

As Bharkel looked appraisingly at Akyra's axe, a glint of light caught her eye between two stones in the wall. She reached over to touch it, and one of the stones crumbled away and fell onto the floor. The item that she had touched fell over with a metallic clink, and she saw then that it was a crude silver medallion depicting the face of a wolf with teeth bared.
Pavel Marsk
Human Ranger, 75 posts
AC 12 HP 13/13
Thu 22 Jul 2021
at 02:04
  • msg #261

Re: Boss Fight - The King of Cragmaw Castle

"Rosalyn, our goblin-friend went ahead with them to town." Pavel noted concerned for his friend.
Gundren Rockseeker
NPC, 6 posts
Thu 22 Jul 2021
at 02:26
  • msg #262

Re: Boss Fight - The King of Cragmaw Castle

Gundren was relieved to know the goods had been delivered by good hands, "Ah, thank the gods. I'm sorry she wasn't able to accompany you here, she's quite an effective healer and good at manipulating the thoughts and emotions of creatures such as these. She can come up with the most creative and interesting insults I've ever heard. You all seem quite healthy compared to me. How well did you deal with the Cragmaw? I can only assume Grol is dead; he never would have allowed you easy access to this room otherwise."
Ariadne Greenthorn
Half Elf Druid, 68 posts
Half Elven Druid
AC 16 HP 16/14
Thu 22 Jul 2021
at 02:28
  • msg #263

Re: Boss Fight - The King of Cragmaw Castle

In reply to Gundren Rockseeker (msg # 258):

As the others tended to their recovering friends, or doing an inventory of weapons, Ariadne was checking out the statuette.  After pondering it for a bit, she snapped her fingers, smiling with recollection.
"I've seen this kind of statue before, years ago at a traveling bazaar of the bizarre, so to speak.  It's magical, with the power similar to an Augury spell.  When one grasps it, and this one is attuned only to those of non evil intentions, which explains why the 'previous owners' had no clue, it will answer a question for you.  Something with immediate consequences, like a half an hour or something like that, and it will give a vague 'good or bad' answer.  Though sometimes there are limits and it won't know the answer. "
She looked at her friends.
"And the biggest catch is, it only works once per person.  I'm not sure why."
Akyra Clethtinthiallor
Dragonborn Cleric, 97 posts
AC 18 HP 7/9
Thu 22 Jul 2021
at 03:21
  • msg #264

Re: Boss Fight - The King of Cragmaw Castle

<OOC: sorry for the late reply guys....been moving house and it's been a killer>

Akyra helped Don-jon up to a sitting position, smiling at his comment of food, when the floor gave way. She felt a pull, something familiar  as she reached in. The item was wrapped in a fine blue cloth and about the size of her normal weapon.

She unwrapped the cloth and her usual stoic or angry look gave way to one of awe at the weapon. She picked it up, marvelling at the weight, balance and craft. Though not like her standard axe, the weapon seemed to have the theme of a dragon, calling out to her.

She tested the swing, raising her eye ridges in suprise...despite the unique blade, the balance was not unlike her normal battleaxe. Perhaps less suited for two handed use, but the dragonborn favored fighting with a shield.


As Bharkel admired it, she nodded. "Despite the design, its well balanced....it should not be too difficult to adjust." She looked at the cloth and noted a piece of paper in draconic and smiled uttering one word

"Windfall"

The cleric packed her usual battleaxe and placed the new one, aptly named windfall, at her hip. She looked at Gundren and smiled. "It was a close fight, but we prevailed. Now...what is so important about this map?"
BonThot
Human Sorcerer, 124 posts
AC 11 HP 14/14
Fri 23 Jul 2021
at 02:10
  • msg #265

Re: Boss Fight - The King of Cragmaw Castle

In answer to Gungren's question, BonThot said, "Well, all of us got some dirt beneath our nails, to coin a phrase. It was ugly. But, the good news was that the owlbear and the drow retreated, giving us time to pick off the hobgoblins and the Grick. Think there were some others, but really the big boy was toughest to take down. But we took him down. A couple of our folks almost perished. I say almost because it was a near thing. But they proved hardy and came back from gray world into our waiting arms."
Gundren Rockseeker
NPC, 7 posts
Fri 23 Jul 2021
at 05:34
  • msg #266

Re: Boss Fight - The King of Cragmaw Castle

Gundren seemed to appreciate the story of your rescue, and the effort required. He thanked you all again for saving him, then answered Akyra's question, "Like I told you at the tavern before, we have looked for decades for any clue that might lead us to the entrance of the mine. This map was the key to all of that. I shows locations that we know, and names that we recognize, things you could find on a current map today. You'll also see some names referenced that we have never heard of before, some on locations we know today by other names, and some locations that I have personally been to and found no sign of anything at all."

He started to say something else, then waved a hand painfully but dismissively, "Sorry, getting carried away a bit. Most of that doesn't matter. Anyway, back to the places we know, but with different names. South of Phandalin is an old dwarven fortress, known as Axeholm."

Gundren had a bit of a coughing fit, so Don-Jon stepped in while the dwarf composed himself, "The site was abandoned decades ago, when it became haunted by a banshee - the restless spirit of a moon elf ambassador named Vyldara, who had tried to stir up trouble with the dwarfs and pit 'em against each other. The dwarves locked her up and sent word back to her people, to come and claim her. But before they got there, Vyldara had killed two of the dwarf guards and tried to escape. She had magic, but not enough to fight off that many dwarven axes."

Gundren took over once more, "She had come on her own, purely to set the dwarves against one another. With her goal unfinished, and her soul full of spite, her spirit arose within the fortress walls. She began to wail, killing many of the dwarves outright with her deadly screams, driving others mad, and causing the rest to abandon their post. Those that died arose as ghouls or other foul undead, endlessly prowling the halls of the abandoned fortress."

"As recently as just three years ago, Vyldara was confirmed to still hold dominion over the halls of Axeholm, with the undead dwarves still serving as her guard."


Don-Jon threw in quietly, "The map."

"Right. So, Axeholm exists on the map, but not by that name. Here it is listed as a cave, with a name written in part gnomish, part elvish. The direction translations don't really make any sense, but roughly it translates to 'Cave of Waves and Echoes'. The mine that we are searching for, we knew by several names, one of which was Wave Echo Cave. My brothers and I have explored every cave we could find, throughout that entire mountain range. Nothing ever fit the descriptions we had, and we certainly found nothing even remotely like what we were lead to believe was there."

"And nobody's taken a good, solid strike at Vyldara in over twenty years. The fortress was built there for its position, seemed like a good place to hold, but mostly just to take advantage of the location, not because they really needed it for anything. Taking it back would cost lives, so the dwarves left it to rot."

"That's what the stories said, anyway. But this map shows us the location of Wave Echo Cave, and that it's right there where Axeholm sits today. Rumors of treasure at Axeholm have circulated for as long as I can remember, but it was always ambiguous. No one knew what treasure it could possibly hold, so most people brushed it off as hopeful rumors."

"But now we know the truth."

"Aye. Now we know the truth. My brothers and I have started the expedition, they're working on getting everything set up for us right now, and you've brought the supplies that we really need to get everything started off in earnest. A magical forge that can craft magical armor and weapons without the need for casting spells or for any special materials other than what you're making things out of to begin with."
Ariadne Greenthorn
Half Elf Druid, 70 posts
Half Elven Druid
AC 16 HP 16/14
Fri 23 Jul 2021
at 06:04
  • msg #267

Re: Boss Fight - The King of Cragmaw Castle

Ariadne nodded,  clearly taken with the story.
"Well, that's definitely an impressive mystery.    And, even if this isn't the site you wanted, cleaning out a nest of undead is definitely a worthy cause."
Akyra Clethtinthiallor
Dragonborn Cleric, 98 posts
AC 18 HP 7/9
Fri 23 Jul 2021
at 07:09
  • msg #268

Re: Boss Fight - The King of Cragmaw Castle

Akyra listened to the tale as don-jon and Gundren spoke of the cave and ruin. At the mention of undead, her clawed hands clenched. When he finished, she looked at him with a nod. “You taught me the basics in fighting, even gifted me a dagger. Back then I gave my word I would return the favour, and returning the forge to the dwarves is a worthy reason. I am by your side, and with this axe and bahamut, we will rid the undead from this place.”
BonThot
Human Sorcerer, 125 posts
AC 11 HP 14/14
Fri 23 Jul 2021
at 12:30
  • msg #269

Re: Boss Fight - The King of Cragmaw Castle

"And where is the Banshee now?"
Bharkel
Elf Barbarian, 33 posts
AC 15 HP 32/32
Fri 23 Jul 2021
at 21:44
  • msg #270

Re: Boss Fight - The King of Cragmaw Castle

Bharkel had marveled at the amulet that she found. She had heard stories of the Wolfsisters as a child around the campfire. That she would be so fortunate to find this was a minor miracle. Looking over it so intently, she had begun to lose focus on the conversation around her. The finer details were lost on her at the moment, but she understood enough, and spoke up quietly  alongside Ariadne

[Language unknown: "Il ro ver ch ven ndnite powa maalme he a not histhecom. Ul ofri atiavesta il ounvenverart ect ckbenc ilolth t a hitho latnderesain."]
Sakamoto
Halfling Monk, 59 posts
Ghostwise Monk1 / Rogue 2
AC: 16 | PP: 15 | HP: 20
Sat 24 Jul 2021
at 02:44
  • msg #271

Re: Boss Fight - The King of Cragmaw Castle

Sakamoto listened to the stories and made up his mind to see things through to the next stage of the mission. After all, he had no where else to be, and information gathering can be done in many different ways. Eliminating a Banshee, her undead minions, and possibly reclaiming a magical forge all could eventually serve his Emperor.

As Bharkel spoke, Sakamoto answered her, [Language unknown: "Ut ur acee dinthient hasreableughich ro rompretic rat lesderenc, readaythe lesbuthis. Acng thhat n nti, m ch e isri a m me. Latbutive ho e oreearcon es olesacho, ch."]
Pavel Marsk
Human Ranger, 76 posts
AC 12 HP 13/13
Sat 24 Jul 2021
at 04:40
  • msg #272

Re: Boss Fight - The King of Cragmaw Castle

"That is all well and good, but first let us get to town and then plan. Mayhap we could find some way to weaken this undead elf before we set foot there. We also need a way to spread healing out a little more. Whilst myself, Akyra and Adrianne can cast healing if one or three of us goes down again then we need to get up as soon as possible. Plus those ghouls came from dwarves, some of the best fighters around; and there are how many?"
Don-Jon Raskin
NPC, 3 posts
Sat 24 Jul 2021
at 05:09
  • msg #273

Re: Boss Fight - The King of Cragmaw Castle

It was Don-Jon who spoke up to answer the questions, "Well, far as anybody knows, she's still there haunting the fortress. As for how many ghouls are up there with her, now that's a question, but I don't think anybody has an answer to it. More than a dozen, from what accounts we do have, but how many more?" Don-Jon held up his hands with a tilt of his head.
Gundren Rockseeker
NPC, 8 posts
Sat 24 Jul 2021
at 05:12
  • msg #274

Re: Boss Fight - The King of Cragmaw Castle

"I think I'm well enough to start walking. Some of the soreness will work itself out if I can get started anyway. It should take us about four hours to reach Phandalin from here. That gives us plenty of time for talking, if there's no further business up here."
Akyra Clethtinthiallor
Dragonborn Cleric, 99 posts
AC 18 HP 7/9
Sat 24 Jul 2021
at 06:13
  • msg #275

Re: Boss Fight - The King of Cragmaw Castle

Akyra looks at the two rescued men and nods. “Your right, this can be discussed on the road. We get you there and get the supplies, then we can see about this banshee. As for weapons, bahamut will help us with that…I am a fighter, but also skilled against undead.”
Bharkel
Elf Barbarian, 34 posts
AC 15 HP 32/32
Sat 24 Jul 2021
at 13:10
  • msg #276

Re: Boss Fight - The King of Cragmaw Castle

[Language unknown: "Ndsom Resoutate hatce topro iv nteof?"] She asked incredulously [Language unknown: "Ha ekchst rutencndemen tic oulfi, matr iladro alcknt tintr sack Ou tin io menas i atte? P, roprou antina ha redatiion uswepr iv ing."]
BonThot
Human Sorcerer, 126 posts
AC 11 HP 14/14
Sat 24 Jul 2021
at 13:26
  • msg #277

Re: Boss Fight - The King of Cragmaw Castle

"We all played a role," BonThot said to no one in particular. "I think those who fell during this last melee allowed for the rest of us to continue the fight and eventually win through. For my part, I'm eager to move to the next chapter."
Sakamoto
Halfling Monk, 60 posts
Ghostwise Monk1 / Rogue 2
AC: 16 | PP: 15 | HP: 20
Sat 24 Jul 2021
at 18:58
  • msg #278

Re: Boss Fight - The King of Cragmaw Castle

"I, for one, would be happy to continue to travel with all of you, and happier still if all of you continued to travel with me." Sakamoto says, reverting back to his native Common tongue. He nods to Bharkel with a smile.
Psynister
GM, 171 posts
Dungeon Master
Mon 26 Jul 2021
at 23:27
  • msg #279

Re: Boss Fight - The King of Cragmaw Castle

Proceed to the new thread: Day 2 - Phandalin
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:41, Mon 26 July 2021.
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