Icemonth the 4th, 10 AM. The group finished talking to the goblin (Aaris, of the Ahshit goblin clan) and decided that this was as good of a time to leave as any. There was 1 more ogre up here that we were told had gone down to the goblin chief (Gavin) and was going to come back soon. We know there is a cleric, Moray Vaco, who was working with Jector and the slavers and was acting as the go between for the Ahshit tribe, Jector, and the red dragon living here as well. If we stayed we risked conflict with more foes than we could deal with.
So the Halfling went to the door with the Neanderthal’s behind it, unlocked it, and took the lock and key. We all then filed out of here, made our way to the sanctuary of Aine, passed through the secret door, went down to the long southern hallway, and then headed to the end to the store room. We unlocked that door (with picks), and entered with care.
We took the barrel full of crossbow bolts, and then in the crate, loaded it up with 12 shields. The 3 goblins outfitted themselves with leather armor, short swords and spears. They filled their pockets with the dried beans and fruits. Then the druid and the gnome used the scrap books they had to make kindling and fire starting places while the rest of us piled everything together and added 3 flasks of oil. The assassin was watching the hall and then we lit the damn thing.
Whoosh.
We left, leaving the door open so the fire would stay hot and spread. We went back down the hall, to the secret door, into the sanctuary of Aine, and then the front door.
To 29” of snow. Fuck. We swapped around to bigger guys in the front to plow ahead. Everyone was wrapped up and bundled tight as we trudged through the cold biting wind. Across the compound. To the wall. Down the sloping path. And then finally the clearing. The druid walked about and picked a tree for us to remember here. We dug out a space in the snow and then placed the barrel of bolts and the shields here. We covered it back up and then relied on Aaris the goblin to lead us to a path he and his 2 goblin friends wanted to use. It would go to the boats. Sounded good to us.
We walked through the cold south until we arrived at the south path, and then followed it eastward until the sun was almost down. We headed south off the path and set up a cold camp in the snow using all the shovels and shields we had to dig out an area. Bedrolls were laid out and blankets wrapped. The paladin and half-ogre were pretty hurt and needed a good night’s sleep. We divided the watch up to 5 and then after eating cold rations, fell asleep.
Icemonth the 5th. Another cold day, but no snow. We broke camp, ate breakfast, and then after creating water, were on our way. The path went on for some time, eventually arriving at the north end of a long lake. There was a 30’ frozen waterfall here, the same one we had seen but from the top! How we were to cross? Aaris and the goblins showed us the large path went under and behind the waterfall. Damn neat – we would have to remember this.
We followed a broken trail north and the goblin’s told us after the next fall there was a small lake and Gavin’s boats were there. The boats would meet merchant ships coming up from Jector when given the name and time from Moray Vaco, and armor and weapons would be taken at that time. The boats were also going to be used for the raid on Guido’s Fort once there were enough ready and armored troops.
And there were usually a few ogre’s guarding the boats. Sometimes. Not always.
It was about 3:30 when we arrived there – and sure enough – 6 boats! Over sized flat bottom row boats. Rudder steering, 3 oars (2 and a spare), 30’ coil of rope. We split the groups into two as the assassin and the half-orc had some skill on the water. We lashed the boats together making a long line, and then took all 6 boats with us into the stream (40’ wide, 5’ deep at deepest). Almost no current.
We paddled on leaving that area behind. It was almost 2 miles to the River Shrill and once there we made the turn into the greater current. The half-orc’s boat handled the swap from no current to wider current with ease, but the halfling’s boat had more of a problem, almost swamping until he managed to unloop a length of rope that had gotten tangled with the rudder but holding onto the side and getting partially in the water to pull it free. Once done, we stayed near shore and eventually made landfall at Northbeach. It was 6 PM, too late to light the signal log, but enough time for us to make camp.
We used the driftfwood to make a big fire to keep us warm, and we ate from our stores again. The next day we broke our fast, set up Aaris and his goblins with 3 of the rowboats and they thanked us. If we get to Jector, he will be working at a cousin’s bakery and no more of this try to get rich by raiding stuff anymore. They went into the Shrill and did their best, rowing south and out of sight.
Thobar got the fire lit, tossed the signal log in, and we waited. 11:30, Tila was coming back across, her single masted schooner coming out of the gloom. The goblin girl and her crew of 3 helped us on, took her 10 crown payment, and ferried us across to Fort Guido. She offered to take across when we were good and ready again.
At the Fort, Guido met us and we talked. He honestly didn’t expect us to survive. Most everyone dies over there. And we came back with a book. Thobar went off to see Enja at the Trading Post to have the 1 tome entrusted there. We all talked to Guido and after coming up with some sort of payment, went off with him to the Lion’s Den.
At his office we sold off crossbows, weapons, and gems. Any other weapons he’d love to buy and at a discount. With some coin in our pockets, we went off to the Trading post and did as much outfitting as possible. The Assassin worked on the Teraniv root, getting 4 decent doses of the poison for his time. The thought was get a good night’s sleep and cross back tomorrow. Thobar was using the Temple’s scrip to buy another 10 days of trail rations so we’d be ready for the next foray. And it should be less time since we now knew a faster way to get there thanks to Aaris and the goblins.
Icemonth the 6th, 6 PM. And leaving in the morning.
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