Session 35: the long and winding road

The party looked out over the steep rocky valley outside of the mine. They remembered the area where they camped before storming the mine themselves, and Balhor informed them it was full of Ghayll’s forces. All were tired, it was time for sleep and, for Daemon, some study to recover some spells.

Session 34: mine, all mine!

Sure, there was another Cave Troll, but really it didn’t last long. The real threat was the archers waiting for the party when they rushed the mine entrance. Reck fell but was brought back with another healing potion and some luck.

Session 33: more portcullis

A whistle was heard from the long cavern. A Dwarf came running up and told Balhor that something was happening up top and he took 26 Dwarves and went to support the forces up top. The Party was left with 25 Dwarves to help them take the rest of the mine.

Notes: The playlist of Queen Isabella’s Troupe

Ever wonder about the repertoire of Queen Isabella’s troupe? Here they are in all of their dramatic glory.

Session 32: Just a little off the top

After the upper area is secured the party looks around and discovers a large storeroom stocked with all the necessities. Balhor is overjoyed at this and proclaims it can keep his fledgling Kingdom alive for months. Cory stocks up on oil and flasks to throw it with. It is probably safe to assume a meal was eaten by all.

Session 31: There’s more where that came from

The party is split up but not underpowered. The group to the west manage to keep the pressure on the guards (who turn out to be Cave Troll handlers) but the portcullises get opened anyway. Two more Cave Trolls rush out and ignore the handlers while heading for the PCs crowding around the portcullis across the room. A few arrows and some swordplay later and the enemy are all dead. 

Session 30: Whistle while you work

Just then the shrill sound of a whistle pierces the air and the deep voices of Dwarves can be heard yelling.

The party knows what this means something has arrived, either from up the mountain road or out of the gaping cavern in the mountain. As they rush out of the slave-masters’ house they see all the Dwarves looking south… the cavern it is then.

Session 29: it’s hard to enslave good help any more

The first guards were dispatched back to whatever fell fate awaits them in the underworld of Arepo. Taking stock of the situation the party still feels the ominous maw of the cave entrance like a sword hanging over them by a thread.

Session 28: long climb to a warm welcome

The mighty adventurers awoke from their rest, aching from the roadside encounter resulting in the creation Ankheg feed — slain slavers.  After distributing the newly acquired equipment among the party, the group gathered themselves and headed north toward the mine.

Session 27: Ankhegger

So, what are they going to do about that clearing where Balhor has seen the slavers drop goat carcasses? Really, what could possibly go wrong?

A hunt ensues to try and find something to leave. But hunting takes more than an hour or two and the party gets impatient. As they are split up the main group gets attacked by slavers with bolas (weights attached with rope) and mancatchers (poles with neck loops and in this case sleep poison). This fight is long and gruelling and the party loses one of the dwarves (when Mod refuses to part with a healing potion).