Meet 116, Adv 14, 3/15/25

Ragnarok. I've had a random check every 5 days on a D30 and on this day in game time, Ragnarok hit. I rolled off  the tome and we ended up with 9:05 AM. And here it went:

Workmonth the 10th. We awoke early enough and by 8ish were ready to take care of whatever missions we needed done. Firstly, Wilhelm and Gryg left the homestead, took the trip to town, waited to get in through the Rot Gate and then proceeded to return to the party’s home block.

Not wanting to tip off if the place was being watched, Gryg led the druid throughout the nearby alleyways looking for a cat. They found one but it ran off before they could get closer. Hunting some more they found it a second time along with 2 others. Wilhelm approached with care and after casting a speak with animals, learned the cat’s name was Marko. He explained that he was eventually going to give it a job, a job to watch the party’s house. And if anyone entered it for any reason, it was to find him and tell him no matter what. Once he got it across, he cast Animal Messenger and then the two of them were discussing what to do next. The thought was to go to the Adventuring Guild and maybe get some healing potions.

Then Darius, Rhygar, and Connal were heading to town. They were going to get at least a cord of wood and maybe get a few axes as well. They bid Eoghan, Nate, and Asher good luck and moved on. Eventually they arrived to town, entered though the Rot gate and got some direction to the local North timber and lumber yard. Once there they ordered the wood, gave the address, and arranged to have them delivered today. They then purchased a few worn and used axes and after that left, looking about to figure out where to go next.

Back at the house, Thalin, Godrick, and Shim (invisible) then spent some time writing some scrolls. After that Shim went back to his reading. As for the other 3 outside, Nate and Eoghan were working hard on getting the fallen wood and bracken to the house while Asher was watching. Supervising. He did say the wood was dirty and should be cleaned – making the other two just sigh. He went off to the homestead across the street where the widow there let us use her well.

However once there, he sort of lost track on what he was doing and instead joined the widow and her two adult sons for a second breakfast, enjoying the sunshine and laughing with them at some general jokes.

At 9:05 Am exactly on Workmonth the 10th, 191 of the 30th age, something happened.

There was a blast that seemed to rip across the sky from the distance, a clarion call that rings out somewhere to the east and north. Its sound is so unearthly, so unnatural that everyone felt compelled to stop what they’re doing for a moment and glance that way. And then the heavens themselves caught fire, lit from below a yellow red and white ball of smoky flame reached straight up, striving to touch the sky like an expanding wavering mushroom cloud.

Ragnarok

The air shimmered as cascading waves of rippling superheated force raced across the atmosphere and the horn blast turns to a rumbling tooth jarring vibration of deafening cacophony before the pressure blast hit the city; blowing out windows, shattering stone, and knocking everyone down and back on their ass. The ground itself actually dropped…and then slammed UPWARD, further driving air from everyone’s lungs and causing the nearby structures to shake and crack.

The pressure wave raced away, filling the entirety of the Randari lands as the last call from Gjallarhorn echoed forlornly across the torn heavens. A glance skyward shows a blossoming wave of hot stones the size of oxen and larger flying out and across the firmament. But it’s the smell of fire that alerted the party to the closer problems as every candle, lantern, torch, and oven in Erylond had set the city on fire. And through the slowly growing sounds, you can hear screams and cries for help.

Help in a land that is torn asunder, help in a land where the end of time is slowly blotting out the sun behind an expanding mushroom cloud, and the sky is vomiting bolts of prismatic lighting from a roiling aurora colored cloud deck.

Nate regained consciousness first. Seeing Eoghan unconscious and the rising heat to the east, he lifted the ranger up and ran for the cottage, the roof of which had already begun to fall in. Godrick, covered in blood from the busted window, dragged Thalin and Shim into the next room. Wilhelm in the city looked over his cats, the 2 smaller ones had passed out. He managed to lift Gryg off the floor and move south, hoping to find some safety. The mage’s district was closed, the mages rising up and covering the area in prismatic shield, blocking lighting bolts that were tearing down from the sky.

Asher awoke as the adult sons of the widow were begging for help., The widow was dead, head at a strange angle. He suggested they run as he took off charging across the street to the house but multiple strikes of lighting tore from the broken sky, bracketing the Captain before he was hit with a bolt that struck down not 12 feet from him. Electrified his feet smoked and he was blown up and forward, knocked unconscious.

Thalin awoke and the thought was to get to the Orphanage as fast as possible. He called for his broomstick and then worked on getting Shim tied to his body.

In town Connal dragged Rhygar and Darius to the wood cutter. There were bodies trapped under the wood but he had no time. He wrote a fast note and stuck it in the fighter’s belt. He then ran off, but there was a chasm in the street here as the road split and the land lifted up.

Nate ran out of the house and charged to Asher, daring the lighting bolts as he scooped up the fallen Captain and hoofed it back, bracketed by lightning flashes. Fires were chewing through the city and then portals started opening up, as citizens from Grymeria were fleeing – but all the zombie types lost their higher brain functions on arrival in Erylond – and instead started eating the people! Wilhlem ran on, sobbing under Gryg’s weight.

At the cottage Shim awoke and the party was discussing the best way to go. Broom? Bracer? Eoghan had a scroll of dimensional folding and wanted to use that. Asher awoke, hurting but up. A huge stone, torn from the Donnegarten Stronghold whistled as it fell from the sky, plowing into a building and then smashing into the wall of the city. More fire sprung up. Darius and Rhygar couldn’t understand the note but they immediately took to freeing the closest woodworker buried under the wood. Connal showed back up, warned about the zombies, and then took off.

Gryg was up now and the two men ran south, Wilhelm using Longstrider to speed himself up, charging for the inner gate, his cats with him. The barbican had fallen away but he climbed up and over the wreckage and made the 30’ long tunnel. Gryg could see it but he could also see another huge stone blowing towards him and he ran south as it ripped through the top of Innergate and then smashed an entire block of houses down, killing 60 and setting more of the city on fire. Inside the tunnel, the druid lurched forward and was stunned but still alive – but trapped by the fallen portcullis.

Eoghan used the dimensional folding scroll hoping to get the group inside the orphanage but failed – getting them outside the orphanage and aging everyone 1 year from temporal wending. The scroll failed because the orphanage was on fire in the back and part of the roof had caved in. They had to get the door open, and the smell of burnt veal was heavy in the area.

Darius was slinging stones at zombies as Rhygar was supporting him, the two of them seeing the chasm and not sure they could cross it, instead moved eastward to the Northern Inner gate. Connal had climbed the nearest building and jumped the chasm, running south through the streets. Gryg went back to the gate, covered now and unable to go through. He called to his god and gave himself to climb, Atlas and him hitting the mound of stone as Connal arrived. The two of them, happy to see each other alive, climbed up the mass of broken stone.

At the Orphanage, they managed to tear the front door open and began funneling smoke and kids out. 11 of them in total succumbed to smoke by the entrance but still alive. Once there they got low and entered, making their way to the ruined vestibule.

Wilhelm cast Crumble on the side wall of the portcullis blasting out a large enough area for him and his cats (wounded but still alive) to get through. He looked around the mess of the area and caught his breath before looking to head east. Marko the cat showed up to tell him that an ugly gnome and a demonic looking bald dwarf were at the party’s house. Fucking shit – the doppelganger and Dizzy? Now is NOT a good time. Connal and Gryg showed up and they all caught up. The heavens shook again and the mushroom cloud had been replaced by the sinuous shape of Jormungdr, the world serpent. And just like that – every bit of divine magic stopped as the Asgardians were now locked in a battle with the great beast. Clerical magic just ended.

Running east, a lighting cel burst open over Darius and Rhygar, the two of them buffeted and scored by electric blasts. They continued to run off to the east, getting to the Northern Inner Circle gate and then passing under.

The same lightning cel tore across Wilhelm, Connal, and Gryg – and sadly, Gryg was hit with a direct stroke, immolating the dwarven ranger and Atlas in a single concussive blast, leaving a 20’ circle of glass with his boots burned and scored in the middle. Holy fuck. They ran on. Inside the orphanage, the party could smell fire and in the distance, an orange glow. But another pressure wave hit and part of the ceiling fell down – burying Thalin and Nate under a ton of broken beams, 2nd floor, and roof. They had to be dug out. But we were running out of time. Eoghan offered to go on with Shim to the Temple and check out the font of Lathandar. Where was Connal?

Connal and Wilhelm arrived at the Sunrise Rabbits, and using the blade of sharpness, tore through the gate locks. They entered the orphanage and could hear the group on the other side of the rubble. They climbed their way up and over. Some of the group was digging out the 2 party members who were getting crushed to death.

In the air over the Inner Circle near the mage’s guild, Darius and Rhygar watched a 30’ diameter gate rip open and a gnomish airship power through. 9 gnomes ran out of the guild and ran for the ship which threw ladders over. As they were climbing up, other non gnome mages came out but 45 crossbow bolts sprung out from the rails of the gnomish ship, leveling them flat. Bolts of lightning tore from the sky and hit the ship but they were channeled through the fins and stored into lightning canisters, doing no damage. Not wanting to be involved or killed by gnomes, the fighter and his squire ran off towards the orphanage.

The font had partially fallen through the floor and was leaning at a 30 degree angle. The edges of the floor were in bad shape and looked like it could collapse any moment. Eoghan, Shim, and Connal were trying to figure it out. Rope was tied to Shim but there was not nearly enough water. We needed more. The group had shifted enough of the rubble to take the pressure off Thalin and Nate, but they were still buried. The fire was getting closer and the Connal went back to get Wilhelm, hoping the druid could create water.

However, his connection to Frey was gone. BUT, his connection to Shakak, Lord of Winter, was still alive! The very distant god managed to shove a splinter of power through for the druid and standing over the font, caused a rip to appear near the top and 10 more gallons to run down to the puddle below. Shim had tied the Desmondian Diamond to his hand and holding tight, cast Read Magic as he was lowered to the water below.

The diamond and water glowed blue and from outside a 120’ diameter circle of prismatic light arced down from the hellish sky, encompassing a large part of the Orphanage and its grounds. Darius and Rhygar charged through the gates and entered the circle, calling to their friends.

The diamond pulsed and flashed and the world seemed to stretch and bend, everyone sparking in agony and then…

Nothing.

When we came to, we were in the Orphanage still. The fires had been blown out and it was dark and quiet. We sounded off, everyone hurt and worn out. Some of us down to single hit points. Gryg was gone, Shim and Thalin had almost none of their gear. Darius was without most of his. The Orphanage was a broken mess and not all of it was here. We were not in Erylond. In fact we were on some hill somewhere in the wilderness. The sky was dark and black clouds were moving across it, making it impossible to see stars or moon. What damned time was it?

When Asher and Wilhelm tried to contact Tyr and Frey – there was nothing there. Nothing. But Asher could contact Maglubiyet. However, the goblin god did NOT know Asher and had no idea who he was. He could feel the connection but did not know him. And Wilhelm had the same problem with Shakak. They were able to get some healing out and prove their worth, but it was difficult. We healed what we could and then Captain Asher tried a Know Time spell.

And got…2:50 AM, Plantmonth the 4th, 289 of the 29th age.

202 fucking years in the past.

What the fuck. And we also found out the 11 unconscious kids had portaled back with us. Fucking hell damn it. We were fucking tired and did not know where we were. Eoghan was able to tell us which was north was so that was something. Also, anything that had a date on it was wiped clean – our coins were slugs no date stamp on them. Thalin opened up the Leomund’s Hut and it was tight for everyone , 11 kids and all of us and animals, but for now, it would have to do. Plus there was enough food in there for 6 days (maybe 4 now with all the kids). We would get a good night’s sleep and look into this entire mess tomorrow.

And there it was, epic Ragnarok night – after almost a year of talking about in real life.

2nd Campaign, Session 4. 3/4/25

Icemonth the 2nd, 1:40 PM. After making sure the poolhouse remains had nothing else of interest in or about it, the group headed off to the pool itself. 200 feet by 400 feet, it had a 2’ wall surrounding it and the water was at least 2 feet down on the inside. It was seriously green and smelled heavily of algae. Ideas were floated to test the depth of it and eventually the paladin leaned over the side and using a goblin spear, trust it down into the pool (at least near the edge). Water seemed to be 2’ deep and even leaning out, it was most likely the same. Of course the pool was hundreds of feet wide and oval shaped so the middle could be deeper.

Eventually we thought about throwing a dead goblin in. So the half-orc was brought one and hanging as close to edge as he could hoisted the dead body up and then THREW it as hard as he could. 30’ and landed with a splash. It sunk a bit and then rose up, momentum carried it a bit further out until it stopped maybe 50, 60’ from the edge. Um. Ok. We were told it might sink in time and then gases would make it rise again.

Putting a pin in this for now, we went off to the middle building north of the bathhouse area and at the end of the columns. It was the same place the paladin had detected evil earlier. He walked the building until he was able to show on a scratched map in the snow the location of the 12 evil sensations he had, The taste was reminiscent of the same taste the skeletons in the snow had a day earlier. They were even placed and didn’t wander.

We went back to the west side of the building and the main entrance. A double door was here set in slightly from the wall itself. We talked about trip ropes to slow down the undead if they come out. We knocked on the side of the building with a hammer to see if the undead moved (they didn’t).

Eventually we had to work hard to force the doors open. The Old Tomb was sizable on the inside, 60’ at least per side. 15’ tall. There was a 12’ statue of a rearing horse in the middle of the far end. At least a dozen doors were around the interior, all closed. It was gloomy here as well and we needed to light a torch to see. Only a few of us entered (paladin, half orc and his skeletal servant, gnome), everyone else staying outside. Going to the closest door on the south and west side, we tried to open the door, it was stuck.

Eventually some serious muscles were needed but the door opened with a squeal and a skeleton in a leather tabard, ratty helm, and a sword painted yellow came out swinging. We returned the blows and danced back and then every other door in the tomb opened, and 11 more skeletons came out.

“I knew it!” The group drew up near the door on the outside, using the double doors as a barrier to slow the undead assault down, and funnel them to that area. The paladin and the half orc took front position, the cleric, druid, wizard were in back rank behind. Further out was the gnome, Halfling, half-ogre, and Thobar the porter – keeping a weather eye for anything else that might come.

The combat was tough and slow. The first skeletons took 3 or 4 solid hits to finally drop. Plus the use of spears were not as effective when they did hit but it was what we had for now. One fell, then another. After a third dropped the skeletons broke free a bit from the door, pushing into the courtyard slightly but the line held. Paladin and half-orc were getting scratched up and a bit tired.

For the other 4, the assassin thought he heard something and at the right time, looked up to see a dire wolf jump off the top of the tomb and slam into the 4 of them. It bit and savaged and attacked the party. The half-ogre took aim with his crossbow and fired – hitting the Halfling in the chest! The gnome was filling the air with arrows and the group tore into the dire wolf at the same time the other party dropped the 4th and 5th skeleton – pushing them back to the door again. As the Halfling’s hit points dropped to one, the cleric ran over to heal him, but the act of pulling out the arrow dropped the halfling to 0 hit points and he gasped and began to die.

Thobar used our 1st healing elixir as the Dire Wolf was killed. Some arrows were recovered and the gnome tried to remove a tooth for trophy purposes. If was here at the 6th skeleton taken down and the foes now only being half as much before us that another wandering monster resolved – this one was a yellow skinned Ogre, coming from the south. The group out by the outcut hid and the party’s cleric turned the undead – successfully sending all of them into the old tomb and by the far door. This cleared the entrance and we all ran in as the Ogre closed, shutting the door and then tying the handles in place as well as propping it with a spear. We corralled the undead into a side tomb and shit that door, then each of us hid in a different tomb and waited.

The Ogre did come, he was heard talking through the door. Then used his maul to bash the entrance down and stride in. He had some tracking and was sure that someone was here but was satisfied now we had gone. Mentioned telling Gavin what was going on and then he left. Once we were sure he was fully gone, we came out and looked around. 5 of us took out the last of the skeletons (opening the door and holding the ground to keep them in place. While the rest of us looked around for any treasure.

The gnome found a nice ornate dagger in a side tomb that glowed when drawn from its sheath. The Half-ogre and the Halfling noted the big horse statue in here had gem stone eyes so some climbing and then prying had 2 peridots come out (1 good, the other – a bit dinged up).

We walked out and looked around. The ogre had gone south and then east – and it took the dead dire wolf with it. We followed the tracks to a large break in the monastery wall, noting that it went sort of northeast into the woods – did not want to follow.

Back as the tomb, we followed the column back to the first one and checked out the bronze statue of Aine’s steed there – again it was pretty battered but still hole. And no, it did not have any gemstone eyes.

We went back to the garrison, laid in some more wood, and then ate dinner. We drew straws for watches, the druids and clerics all gave out what healing we could, then one by one we all took watch and slept the night. The next day was Icemonth the 3rd, and after an hour of studying and prayers the party was ready to head out again.

It was cold today, barely over 10, and a brittle snow had been falling for at least 3 hours so far – with more falling now. We trudged along northward to the main building in the complex. The double doors on the west wall had a carved heroic visage of Maglubiyat etched in the surface. The ground had been disturbed and the half covered prints in the snow showed that someone had opened the door, come out, walked around, and then gone back in.

We got the door opened and looked. There were 2 large stained glass windows on the west wall and numerous slit skylights 15’ up. 5 large rearing horse statues supported the ceiling of the sanctuary – maybe 80’ by over 120’ long. We entered and looked around. The dirty floor showed footsteps heading east for 20, 30’ feet and then fading as the feet grew dry. We checked out the area, hoping to find maybe a secret trap in the floor – nothing there.

We looked over the statues, they were without interesting features or hidden areas, they did support the roof above. The stained glass was undamaged, a thing that intrigued the paladin but that was all. There were no doors in the massive room so the party spent some time doing a long look over the walls, slowly and methodically. It took some time but we did find a secret door on the north wall in the eastern back end of the room – and the same on the south wall. Both doors would open with a hard shove and a slide to the side.

Remembering that the outside of the building showed a part of the south side with an extension, the group went out the south door first. We opened it up and looked about. Long dark hallway running east and west. A side passage cutting back north behind the back of the Sanctuary ran into the darkness. We lit a torch and after discussing, went west – towards the front of the building. The thought was to minimize anything that might come upon us later.

Through out the walk we came upon 3 doors, tow on the south wall, one on the far end of the hall on the west wall. The two south doors looked like they hadn’t been opened for a while, and the paladin assured us nothing evil was behind them (although evil had been done here in the past). The same went for the west door.

That door had a chain running through the handle and a clamp on the wall, 3 times and then sealed with a padlock. A look showed it to be a 4 tumbler lock (DC: 20). The group had two possible people to open in, the half ogre and the halfling. They each took a couple turns on it, but it was on the last possible attempt we got a lucky break and the lock opened.

We unwrapped the chain and with care opened the door.

Revealing a large store room. Filled with weapons and supplies. Enough for a small army.

Leather gambesons, shields, short and broad swords, spears, crossbows, quarrels, oil, food stuffs. Easily enough to outfit 40 or so people. And according to the group, the markings on a number of the swords showed they were forged by the Kethelin Smiths in Jector.

What the hell were brand new arms and armor doing up here, 5 days upriver from Jector in the ass end of a supposedly long forgotten monastery? We took a few things, trying to make sure that it wasn’t obvious that we did.. From there we were going to have to explore more and maybe find someone in charge to get some answers.

It was Icemonth the 3rd, about 9:15, and we were going to leave this room and relock it so that no one would know we had come in here as of yet. The longer we could maintain surprise, the better.

Meet 115, Adv 14, 3/1/25

Workmonth the 7th, 8 AM. Darius and Wilhelm went off to the West Erylond Stablery where they each had their mounts saddled and readied to ride, water skins filled and then rode out of town, leaving through Thak (or North) gate. The day was warm, 75 at the most, cloudy, but pleasant.  The cats kept a great pace when able to, riding with Wilhelm when the pace became too much. The time to Stivil was normally 15 hours, but they managed to get the trip down to 10 hours by pushing the horses a bit.

They arrived at the city just about 6, going through the lowlands of the Passian Hills until the shattered walls hove into view. A ride up the King’s Highway, around the Colosseum, and then to the Baron’s Way beyond the cemetery. They came upon the Demesne of Baron Yanz Skuddrid by 20 after 6 where the stablehand took their horses in and the two were eventually brought to the Baron’s table. A late dinner was being served as one of the Baron’s knight errants, the Code of Chivary had him invited to eat and stay – and the same was extended to Wilhelm as his companion.

We talked about the days and things in Erylond itself but eventually it was disclosed that the meeting here was 2 fold – a desire for a hunting cat for Wilhlem, and a need for a private conversation with Baron Skuddrid. The Baron had many contacts with the Colosseum and suggested that the owner Djog, of Ursa’s Hunting Gear would be the best to get an animal. A page was dispatched to invite Master Djog here to see if he can help Wilhelm. As for Darius, he went with the Baron to his Smoking Room where the 2 of them shared a pipe and Darius tried to tell the Baron to be ready for something bad that was coming. Couldn’t give exact details or when, just very bad and soon. Get foodstuffs and supplies laid in place now. He was thanked and the Baron assured Darius he would begin subtle store layings in the next week.

Eventually Master Djog came and he and Wilhelm went off to the Colosseum, heading down to the 2nd Level where the fighting animals were stored. They did pick out a mountain lion that had been part of a limited number of fights. Wilhelm paid the facilitator his fee and then returned to the Baron’s Demesne with his new pet. He had it stabled after spending some time bonding with it and then went to his room.

Meanwhile Darius had gone to the Trades, where he made his way to Sweet Street, eventually arriving at Falser’s Confectionary. The gaily designed building and playground were quiet now this late at night but Darius went to the smaller gnomish door off the factory entrance and knocked again and again, eventually convincing the terse gnome there he was here on the behest of Shimlagesh and want to speak with the Falsers.

Malted and Uke did come and Darius was able to make the arrangement for a purchase of some falser’s Feelgood candy. There was some coded talk back and forth and eventually Darius left (after taking 2 of Shim’s 20 candies for himself), making his way back to the Demesne. Finally it was here that the two men rested, knowing they were going to leave in the morning.

As for the rest of the party, making sure the Desmondian Diamond was protected and on Connal’s possession, we left the house and made our way across town to the Adventuring Guild. The place was pretty empty, a single chambermaid and the Half-Ogre door guard were here. Eventually we had the chance to go to Pha’iyr Carom’s where we filled the GRSAG facilitator in on what we’ve been on about as well as the Doppelganger/Shimlagesh issue.

Eventually we did come up with the thought that we needed a place to lay low for now. The Guild has a number of homes not too far from the city wall for visiting druids and rangers who are uncomfortable in the city. He was willing to put us up in one for now for a 6 day window. We got the exact location and a key and then left.

Half the party went back to the house to pack up, the other 3 (Connal, Thalin, and Shim) went to the Mage’s Towers to see about selling or trading the Psi crystals we had gotten from the undead illithid and Dizzy’s room. We went to both the Celeste Firesworn (for Thalin) and Shandrila (for Shim). Both were very eager to get them and we had a number of things offered back for us. Eventually we settled on a Leomund’s Tiny Hut – openable 3 times a day up to a 12 hour window. 30’x30’ interior and she even through in some furnishings and a week of food. Even did some trading for a few spell scrolls which was a win for the mages.

The house had been packed up, soft goods – sheets blankets pillows. Some food. We tested out the hut and eventually rested.

As for Wilhelm and Darius, their trip home was without issue and we all arrived back together at the evening of the 8th. We shared exactly what we had done and learned, and agreed we’d go to the peasant’s hut to rest on a going forward.

It was about a quarter mile outside the gate, about an acre of property (75’ by a bit over 400’). Some food stuffs and brush and tree. We gathered some woods, took care of the property, and a nearby farm was willing to let us use her well to fill the cistern on the roof to about 10/15 gallons. We had a productive day and agreed that in the morning on the 10th, some of us would go to town in the Am to get some axes and some wood (we were going to need), and Wilhelm would go back to the house with Gryg to watch his back and get a local cat to act as an animal messenger for him to watch the house and alert him if anyone was poking around.

Meet 114, Adv 14, 2/22/25

The group spoke at length on options. Dizzy leaving us and Eoghan abandoning Brading were the foremost issues of the day. We had a few things to concern ourselves with. Ragnarok is coming. Asmodeus is expecting a contract back at some point at Donnegarten and even though it was Dizzy given, we are tangentially associated with it. The Infernum Tablets might have been enough to power the Desmondian Diamond but we no longer have them at our disposal and we need something to power the damned spell. Plus there was the entire Doppelganger issue out there.

Ideas were tossed out. Go to Pha-iyr Carom and see if there was a listing of clerics in the guild that were NOT part of the major eddas. Find Granmund and see if any divine items could be salvaged from his thefts. Go to Terror Dungeon and look through the Bugbear area for anything from Maglubiyet. Visit any of the Glyph Gates and bring back an artifact from them or there. Visit the Vault of Lathandar and speak to the seeress there for an answer. Take a look at the Sunrise Rabbits and see if the Font of Lathandar is a possibility. Shim and Thalin did go down to the house well and find the box with the Desmondian Diamond in it – not wanting to leave it there anymore since the Doppelganger knows its location.

The entire Eoghan thing also had gotten to a point of concern and the Half League Bracers were taken from the ranger and given to Connal for now. Darius put down his foot a bit as leader and we tossed around ideas that we should go to the Orphanage now. We know that a representative from the Tower of North Winds would be coming to cast “knock” on the chest in Dizzy’s room but that wasn’t until 7. There were thoughts of maybe getting the orphanage to clear out but we decided to just test to see if the diamond would even work.

So the party left the house, made our way to the Inner Circle gate, cycled through, and made our way down Temple row to eventually the Orphanage. It was after 6 so we had to wait to get cycled in, where the kids were happy to see us and Eoghan was greeted with thanks and respect. He went and looked over the Shrine of Lathander that had been constructed and then after talking to the Headmaster Hisvild, was escorted to the Chapel.

Here the Font was still in place and after Shim got inside, he was handed the Diamond, the party watched with care, has cast read magic, and then lowered the diamond to the water.

The pulsing light within grew solid and the entire thing glowed – but nothing happened. According to Shim, he could read the inside of the diamond. It seems that there is nothing to reverse and rewrite – because Ragnarok has not happened yet. Until it happens, there is nothing to do. The diamond cannot change anything that has not happened since the Norns only weave what has happened – not what might happen.

Ok – so we know the Font is acceptable as a conduit and power source for the Diamond. This means we could go back to the house for now and revisit this again should we need in a few days.

Back at the house Hurulf and his familiar a toad named Hoppy came. We escorted him to Dizzy’s room and then waited for him to cast “knock”. The chest was opened and the Tower was given their payment for the lost Mask. We looked through the rest of the coins and split them up amongst the party, giving some to Nate as well for his efforts back at Gorok. As for the other items within, we were going to sell some of them off and hit the bazaars and shops tomorrow to reoutfit ourselves.

The Psi Crystals would be sold off to the 4 main wizard towers for now. As for Shim, we gave him a password and hand motion to make, “Blueberry Muffin”, with a corresponding answer of “With Butter Please”.

The next day had Nate and Godric hit the lower class section of town, primarily the Bazaar and the weaponmakers. The fighter was outfitted with some new clothes, new weapons, and some gear as well. Meanwhile Shim went to the northern section of town to shop with Thalin there. The gnome was hell bent on replacing everything that had been lost, even if it wasn’t something needed. But both sets of the group had a successful shopping time. And the rest of the party outfitted themselves as well.

The next day was going to be the 7th, and Wilhelm and Darius were going to go to Stivil for a short excursion and should be back on the evening of the 8th barring any issues. The rest of the group had a short list of things they wanted to check out over the next day as well, and always we kept a weather eye out for whatever fucked up situations we did not plan for

2nd Campaign, Session 3. 2/18/25

Icemonth 1st, 11 AM. Back on the forest path after the passing of the she-ogre dragging the brown bear, we proceeded westward with caution. The air was cold and the snow was a good 7” deep, but we eventually made a clearing. Oval shaped, and set in the southern part where two rises of hills came together, there was a white clapboard cottage with green shutters in the middle. The land a good 75’ around it was denuded of snow and covered in wild grasses, flowers,, and small bushes. A gravel path, shoveled clean, ran from here to the cottage, and two other paths went from there Northwest and southwest.

No one trusted it. We discussed options and eventually decided to head into the clearing and make our way roughly northwest. As soon as we stepped onto the path, the front door of the cottage opened and two matronly looking women in homespun and aprons came out. One had a rolling pin in the bodice of her dress and the other was waving. “Welcome! Welcome!” She called out. “I am Rosalinda and this is my sister, Rosamund! Please come and be welcome! We have some drink and cakes.”

“Rosalinda? Rosamund?” “Sounds like a pair of witches.” “We aren’t going to go over there, are we?!” “Didn’t the she-ogre come from this direction?” “Get us out of here.”

The paladin did his best to deflect the entreatment from the two women. “Thank you, thank you. But we are on a time schedule right now. Tell you what, on the way back we’d be happy to stop.”

“Are you sure? We’d love to have you.”

“I’ll just bet they would,” someone muttered.

We eventually got them to understand that for now we would not be visiting but would at some point in the future. They were disappointed but understood, making their way back inside for now with the promise to meet the party later. They went back inside and wished us well and once we felt safe enough (we didn’t), we moved on. We passed the cottage, staying ON the path, and then crossed the clearing to the other side and eventually getting to the path there.

We walked through the woods for an hour and a half, cresting up the rise and then down the other side. Eventually the path just…ended. At a cliff.

Over 200’ down to the ground below. The amount of trees were mind boggling, heading off westward as far as the eye could see. While looking over the area we could see about half way down, a cave was set in the side of the cliff. A very thin switchback and barely seen set of climb points could be made out. There were signs of habitation and old bones and blood smears – as well as charred bits of wood, testament of a fire. The placement made it well protected from casual of even determined attackers. Is this where the ogre came from?

No one wanted to risk the trek down there to check out the cave, but we knew that north of here was that structure we saw. So we stayed near the cliff line and made our way northward. It was slow going and when able, we used the trees and underbrush to help us scale down the sliff edges, dropping lower and lower to the forest floor, eventually getting to a place we could travel slightly easier.

The sun was pretty much set and we could see the large clearing here. The ground was pretty churned up and the trees seemed foreboding here. Not wanting to risk camping in the open, we backed up into the forest a couple hundred feet and then spent some time finding branches and digging out some places for bedrolls and rest. We ate a meal of rations and the paladin confided he did not want to use his helm anymore to melt snow. So the cleric opted to use his and we set up a rotation of watches. It was during the second watch, well after 10 at night, that the assassin heard some crunching in the woods.

He went out a bit from the firelight and listened. Yep, broken sticks getting closer. Went back and the party was awakened. Infravision revealed nothing so the gnome dumped a fuck ton of of kindling on the fire allowing it to flame up. The assassin quickly began strapping on his armor while the new light revealed nothing.

So a detect evil went next by the paladin who told us…2, 5, 6 figures coming our way. According to the paladin it was like a dry stale potato chip. Maybe undead. He enticed the party to get closer and his aura of protection flared out about him.

And coming finally into the fire light, were 6 hobgoblin animated skeletons. They tramped towards us and the half-orc called to Thrym to turn them! The power flowed but the skeletons moved on. Then the other cleric called out to Odin to turn them! And again the power flowed, but their faith wasn’t strong enough.

The battle was joined and it was at first a slow resistance, followed by a rapid destruction of the animated horde. The paladin’s aura made the skeletons' ability to hit the party problematic and the group finished off the animated undead. We policed the area and then crawled back to our bedrolls and resumed our rest.

We awoke the next day, Icemonth the 2nd and by 7 AM, we had broken our camp and headed off into the 10 degree weather. The clearing was a third of a mile north to south and a notch over a thousand feet east to west. The land seemed to rise to the east along the northern edge of the clearing. We crossed the clearing and about half way across on the northwest edge we could see reflecting light in the woods there. To the east there was a path in the woods heading to the rise.

We decided to check the metal first and came upon, just inside the woods itself, the remains of a graveyard. Stone walls, some wrought iron covered in rust. White tombstones and markers peeking up through the snow and brush. We gave the area some reverent silence and then left, not wanting to trod upon the resting grounds right now.

The path to the east here had NO blaze markings so our druid made her own and we went east. It was 30 minutes of hard walk before we arrived at the broken ruined walls of the monastery. The grounds here are overgrown with brush and trees. Three large buildings are still visible and whole- one on the south west section of the grounds, a midsized one on the east, and the larger monastery proper in the north and east. The garden here is a mass of overgrown thorns and vines. There is a pool, artificially made, by the crumbled mass of stone that might have been a trellis or bathhouse. A natural steam vent, 100’ long and 4’ wide took up part of the main grounds. A section of columns ran to the east, with a 12’ tall bronze statue of a rampant horse. And on the main building someone defaced the side with a painted and graffiti stylized depiction of Maglubiyet.

We discussed options and wanted to leave the main building for last. So we went to the smaller building on the south end. It was a garrison quarter at some point. The ravages of time were evident on it. Two main doors in. We tested the larger western door and it crumpled open, the woods soft and spongy tearing off at the hinges. We laid the door aside and it was a dining room. Long tables and some chairs. Most have been looted and tossed but the furnishings were still here. A few other doors here, one west, two others east. West door led to the kitchen. Three cracked pots and the oven was still here. The other doors led to 4 small rooms where a pair of well rotted wooden beds and tables and chairs remained. Private quarters once upon a time.

Decision was to use this building as a home base for now. We took the door of the kitchen and repurposed it on the broken one we took off the front of the building, making sure it opened and closed. One of the pots, a 3 gallon soup pot, had a crack in it about 1/3rd down, but would hold water for now. That took care of a better thing for us to use as water instead of someone's helm. And the gnome assured us without gathering, there was enough wood in here to fuel the oven, still operable in the kitchen, for 4 days should we need it to cook and keep warm.

By 11:15 we had the place set up and decided to head north and check out the monastery’s gardens. The original markings of the garden were in place and the plants seemed to be thriving, but only within the garden boundaries. The plants had intergrown and were a mass 4’ tall. Pretty much the Halfling and gnome were the only ones who could navigate the garden. There were so many types of plants – flowers, herbs, and food stuffs.

Along the east side of the garden were 3 large mounds of piled stones, some sort of original statue work? We went over there to take a look. And bursting out of the nearest one came a short spear stabbing at the party’s face! Goblins. Three of them. They burst from the stones and attacked the group, clad in garbage armor and sporting spears and shields. And the other 2 mounds had the same, more goblins coming out.

We fired bows at the distant ones, knocking a few down, while the party hit the goblins hard. A summon monster spell followed and a giant ant joined the fight. One of the goblins had an enchanted shield and while trying to splinter it, it rippled and flexed – but lasted! Until he splintered it again later and it burst.

Finally the 9 goblins were taken down and the party hit the druid who had been pretty fucked up with some healing, getting her back to positive. The party’s wizard was the surprise bruiser, clubbing at least 2 of the goblins to death – without using magic. We decided to use machetes and axes to cut paths into the garden here, gathering up food stuffs (potatoes and turnips, and carrots). The half ogre dragged the dead goblins to the side of the garrison, eating the left arm one of them – making the party’s cleric just point and say, “See!?! Monstrous races are not always…civilized.”

One of the surprise finds in the garden were some lengths of Teraniv Root, a mildly numbing plant that if purified can be used to make a deleterious poison. The party’s assassin took the 6 lengths we found and would be working on them later. Finished by 1 PM, we decided to check out the pool and bathhouse next.

The pool was artificially made, original swimming or duck pond from the monastery. It was large and dark green, rimmed by moldy well worn stones. No one wanted to risk going in or touching it. The bathhouse was originally 4 rooms and the ceiling had long ago fallen away. We looked through the broken stones for anything of interest, the half-orc and gnome doing most of the looking. And the gnome was attacked by a foot and a half long giant centipede! He was bit and the wound hurt! The paladin meanwhile had done a detect evil and outside of knowing that evil was done here some time ago, in the stone building just north of us at the end of the columns, had 12 points of evil within. And they tasted exactly like the skeletons we had fought last night. He let us know and we were going to have to take care of them and the situation tomorrow.

But the centipedes were easily dispatched and ran back to the cracks in the stone. It was now 20 to 2 on Icemonth the 2nd and we were going to decide what to do next.

Meet 113, Adv 14, 2/8/25

With the armor floating over an invisible person, Shim cast invisibility again on Nate, rendering him and his armor hidden. They could hear the priests to the east so the two of them went westward, down the main hall until they stopped outside the library and looked in at Great Hall. Two guard dwarves, Okar, Hofning, and Klannus were here and talking in excited and conflicting tones. They could hear other dwarves upstairs and many commands. But until the space cleared out, the two of them did not want to risk trying to get upstairs and try and find their friends.

As for the rest of the group, after talking to the 2 dwarves, the decision was made to go back through the portal and return to Ralstrom’s room. Before they could do so, the two dwarf salves charged down the hall, makeshift weapons aloft, and one was commanded to die – and the 2 were then consumed by a flame strike spell. We gathered together and hid along the edges, hoping to surprise the priests before they entered but they cast an animate dead spell and sent the 2 dwarves in first.

We ran for the portal, flipped through to the other side as the priests were closing, and ended up back in Ralstrom’s room. The door was being forced and it was noisy as fuck in here. We ran to the other portal on the east wall and took it – and appeared somewhere else. We did know the north and east wall of the room was the actual cave. Which meant we were on the other side of the Homestead. It was a married couple’s room, pretty sizable, and fancy. Fendi and Logorian? Ralstrom’s kid?

Going to the door south, Dizzy listened and carefully opened it. We were in the East wing, and northern most room down the hall we had been in earlier where we shot the chambermaid. Connal took the portal stone out of the portal and put it in his backpack.

From the Great Hall, Shim and Nate listened as Klannus let Okar and Hofning know that the Ragnarok Protocol was enacted and will remain so in order to keep everyone safe. It wasn’t time to question the former High Thane and it was time to figure out who and where the Vanguards went and get them under control. Hofning wanted to talk to Froki who he learned was in the Music room so he went off there, leaving the other 2 to talk.

Eventually they split up and Klannus was asked from above about getting into Ralstrom’s room and the door was blocked by furniture. He gave the ok for them to go in through Fendi’s room and use the portal there. Ralstrom and a few of his guards came down the stairs and talking to Klannus, it was obvious, one of them was the doppelganger, Shekki. They headed off to the Parlor and the gnome and fighter followed.

From inside the doorway Dizzy heard the call to enter Fendi’s room and let the group know they needed to get ready to fight or get the fuck out of dodge. So Eoghan pointed the Half League Bracer down and fired it off – and the group slammed down through the floor and ended up in another room – the manstones getting more cracked and weakened. We were in a long room with worn out bedding, clothes, and the stink of uncleaned and unwashed clothes. Slave chamber? We went to the door and listened. In the distance we could hear some conversation, but nothing near by.

We snuck out of the slave chamber and went south, turning back into the main hall and made our way slowly and westward, avoiding everything we could until we arrived at last in the ballroom/dining room. There was a lone young dwarven girl in here stacking plates who was terrified on seeing us, until the monk leapt forward, knife against her neck, and hand over her mouth – and she was killed.

Eoghan tried to let the group know we were drifting real hard out of normal now and should refrain from killing girls and kids. Connal let the group know we needed to the western most wall and drill out – so he could fill it with fizzstone. He was hit with a strength spell and he began to dig while the rest of us looked around. Dizzy cast a Locate Object spell, hoping to find Shim’s clothes – but the 100’ range right now revealed nothing. We gathered and got ready in case anything happened.

At the parlor, Ralstrom had a long and candid conversation with the High Priest, Shekki, Klannus, Okar, and a few others listening in. His stoic dwarven guard was there with him. They talked about the party, Shim, the missing slave Nate, the Ragnarok Protocol, and the important work and time that is occurring now. Ralstrom really wanted to get the party and get them now. He turned to the stoic dwarf and told him, “Max, go bring them to me please. Enough of this cat and mouse.” The stoic dwarf bowed his head, thought for a moment, then entered the main hall and went west. “The rest of you, come with me.” And Ralstrom led them south to the hall and eventually upstairs.

Leaving Shim and Nate to wait for the right time to eventually follow.

Connal was drilling hard when Dizzy mentioned that something was coming and then the stoic dwarf entered, followed by Okar and Hofning. And like that, the shit hit the fan. Battle drew up fast with the group retaliating quickly. Dizzy got a lucky double critical on Max, stabbing him in the head and killing him outright. Fucking hell.

The rest of us joined the fight as Connal was drilling as quickly as he could. Shim and Nate invisibly came in and Nate got a good surprise hit on Okar. Some summoned animals happened and the party fought on and hard. Just as Connal got the hole drilled out and packed it with Fizzstone, Dizzy claimed the infernum tablet from Max’s corpse and Shim dropped a gelatinous cube on the other two, including froki!, ending the fight right then and there.

And the side wall exploded revealing a hole 2 and a half feet in diameter. Dizzy went full demon, abandoned the party and went down the hall to see Ralstrom. Each of us ran for the hole, touching the field, and ended up squeezed out on the other side in Odinstone Park.

Once we were all outside (not Dizzy), the local constabulary had gotten around us, questioning us, wanting to know who we were and what was going on. And it was then that Eoghan used the Half League Bracer and transported everyone 3 miles south. Him, Lexxie, Wilhelm, Jarjar, Connal, Nate, & Shim. The bracer could now move 7.

Except Brading.

What the hell? Why not him? Some random human? “Brading punched me in the face,” was the reply. The party nodded but a few of them were not happy. We had to convince Nate that going back to Gorok was suicide and that Kiera would be out in time. If he went back it’s a death sentence. “Like Brading?”

We used the scroll of Dimensional folding that Dizzy gave us before he left, and teleported back to our home. Workmonth the 5th, 1 PM. With an incomplete and totally fucked up adventure. No dizzy, a doppelganger with all of Shim’s memories for the last 2 years, and Brading lost. We did not have the contract to give to Asmodeus. We do not have the Infernum Tablets to run the Desmondian Diamond. Shim is missing an eye. The Happy Hunting Grounds denizens could not be returned right now. And Ragnarok could be here in 5 days.

What the fuck do we do. We gathered the rest of the party and returned the remaining Majorica Masks to Shandrila. She took them back but we would need to come up with the 1250 crowns to replace the missing one (the doppelganger has Shim’s). The thought was that there was something in Dizzy’s room we could sell off. A locked chest? Shim would arrange to have Shandrila’s people “knock” the chest open and pay the funds as needed from there.

We then discussed at length what creek we were up, the frustration the party was feeling, and the possible options ahead of us. Workmonth the 5th, 4:30 PM.

2nd Campaign, Session 2. 2/4/25

Deathmonth the 28th, 2:45 PM. Group approached the cave. There was a 2’ gap at the top, perhaps 6’ wide. Cave had much brush and creepers growing across the entrance. Two of us proceeded to tear out the surface bushes before working further down, eventually opening a space a bit less than 6’ high for us to enter. Cave went into the hill and down at a slight angle, tons of rocks and boulders littering the ground, making movement slow and treacherous.

It took us almost 10 minutes to make it to a wide area some 60’ inside. There was little sign of bones or animals in here, and the place had a musty smell to it. There were three possible ways out of the large cavern, north, west, and south. We listened, hearing faint squeaks to the west, and the north was even more musty. Druid suggested bats as the squeak.

Going north the cave narrowed and slowed down, turning east and then ending at a small cave with a shallow brown coated pool in it. We tossed a rock in it, more musty scent. Fungi on the surface? Hit it with a stick and then decided to just leave.

Back at the center cave we opted to stay here for the night. Some of us went out for dry and fallen timbers and sticks. The gnome and druid cut the wood as best they could with a saw and it was Thobar who asked, do we have a pot? What for.

Melting snow and cooking? Our water skins were going to be dry soon. We could huff it back to the River Shrill if need be, but that seemed a waste of time. The paladin was the only one with a helm, and not a big one. But for now, he agreed for a temporary time to let it be used to keep melting snow and filling waterskins. We were banking the fire when the bats decided it was time to leave the cave.

And they flew right into us. 2 dozen regular sized ones and 6 giant bats (4 to 5’ wingspan). 3 of them hit the party and attacked. One at the half orc, one at the druid, and another tearing across hair and cloaks. The half orc BASHED the fuck out of one of them after ripping it off of his head and then beating it almost to death with his mace. It took off flapping wildly for the entrance. The paladin was ready to flail bash another and the 3rd just took off.

The one on the druid would not leave and the group figured to shoot it. At short range. And as expected, the druid took a crossbow bolt to the chest and went down with a gasp. We then tore the last bat off and the assassin and the half orc finished it up. Some healing was administered and we all nervously laughed at our first encounter and how it went.

We looked into the south cave and it was a slope down and lots of boulders here as well. But also much guano. The wizard took out his vial and did his best to fill it, but without tools he used his gloves and it was …gross. He went back outside and washed them in the snow. We broke into watch, 5 of us taking turns (gnome, assassin, druid, paladin, and half-ogre). We ducked out when the bats returned and by 7 on Deathmonth the 29th, we were ready to go out and explore.

We wanted to get a closer look at the statue but the cliff was 50’ up, and at a 70 degree angle or so. Did not look stable or secure. There were 2 passages through the trees up there, and one down on this level to the south. We debated a bunch and then decided to go south and see if there was an easier way to climb. As we went, the area of clear ground shrunk to about 30’ wide – the hill cliff up on the west, and a ridge going down 80’ on the east.

Finally some 40 minutes of walking had us at an area where the slope shallowed out a bit and we could risk the climb. Ropes and crampons came out and one or two of us made it to the top. A rope was set in place and sent down and the group took a long and slow time to climb up, Thobar actually sliding down and hurting himself at one point. It was almost 10:45 when we all finally were at the top of the ridge, then it was hacking, pulling, and rough terrain travel northward through the dense forest, eventually getting to the clearing again at 2:30. We broke for a late lunch and went back to the statue to take a look.

It was 12’ tall, humanoid, and after some wiping and looking over, the priest suggested that it should by Maglubiyat, the goblin god. There was a plinth it was mounted on so a few shovels dug off the dirt and loam and then we wiped it clear. The Wizard spent some time looking over the markings here and even though they were faded and incomplete – the statue was erected as a marker by goblins short of 300 years ago, commemorating a time when they did battle and defeated the forces of “The Horse Bitch God.”

Aine.

Ok – this made sense.

The two passages up here, one went north west, the other south west –the southwestern one went over the rise and hill here. It was 3:40 at this time and we did not want to get wrapped up or lost. So we tied 2 ropes to the Maglubiyat statue and took our time climbing down again to the main floor of the clearing. We then went back to the cave, gathered more branches and firewood, waited for the bats to leave, then reentered and set up camp again. We did take a look in the last cave passage which split.

North wandered off and eventually came to a dead end. South opened up to the Bat cave. Floor was filthy as fuck, so much guano. The gnome and the half-ogre spent time with shovels and keen eyes looking around and their intense search was rewarded with…

5 guano covered copper pieces.

Such treasure. We agreed to let them keep it while we set up the area to camp and rest. As for the giant bat killed earlier, the half-orc had his skeleton servant take it out of the box and then with the gnome’s help, tried to defur and skin it. They took out the entrails, tried to eat the heart (it did not work), made some attempt to field dress it, then placed it on some sticks and roasted it over the fire. It was…edible. Barely. And the half-orc did cast purify food on it before risking a taste. We did the paladin helmet melting snow thing again for potable water and then went to sleep.

We rested again, 5 keeping watch, and awoke early enough the next day on Deathmonth the 30th without issue. It was cold and snowy today, just enough to be annoying. We left and climbed the ropes. Once at the tops we took the two coils with us and decided to take the north west trail.

Like the other one, the trail meandered through 2 steep sides of the hill and cliff down. 50 minutes of walking lead us to a split – north north west some more, or turn south. South seemed to go around the hill here so we went that way. To our west the land fell away and we could see a long lake, more rises and falls, perhaps a clearing far to the west, and maybe just shy, some structure poking up over the tree line – regular and grey. 1 mile away. The monastery? We would see.

It was about 10:30 when we arrived at a clearing. 450 odd feet diameter. A 30’ ridge ran through it here from northeast to southwest. A stream came from the woods to the south, came to the ridge, made a falls, and then ran odd to the north – most likely feeding the long lake we saw. Down at the bottom of the 90 degree drop and to the west was a passage through the trees. But getting there? Looked dangerous. The climb was perilous, and it was cold, icy, and snowing. We looked at our options and the best climber, the half orc, even with ropes and crampons, would have a 50% chance of falling. We could funnel most of the party down – but he might fall and the fall could be fatal.

We decided to follow the stream south into the woods and see if the area there was crossable. With the low temperature and lake there, the gnome volunteered to test out the surface. We tied a rope to him and after a few hundred feet from the stream outlet, he tested the pond. Rope tied to him and held, he went out and the ice made odd cracks and noises. Not safe enough. We brought him back and pressed on further through the woods. Another couple of hundred feet we tried it again and this time the ice seemed firm. It was maybe 700’ feet across to the other side. And it was here the gnome saw structures over there amidst a clearing. Tents and huts. And…greenskin figures around there are, many with orange hair.

Hobgoblins.

He wanted to cross right there and kill them off but the party pulled him back and we discussed it. Ok. We could cross the ice here but at 700 feet it would be a slow walk across the ice and the hobgoblins would see us long before we got there. We could also try forcing and trail breaking our way around the entire pond – 5 hours? Also not worth it. We had two other possible options that we could take. Back at the path around the hill and keep going north. Or back at the Maglubiyat clearing and take the path going southwest up the hill.

We were back at the clearing with the waterfall by 1:15, and then we went north, navigating the narrow ridge. By 2 we had gotten to the northern leg of the pass and a few minutes had us at a narrow ridge overlooking the large north space of the western shore. Long lake, steam vents down below, mounds and hills. A clearing to the west. It was majestic, but also cold, aloof, and off putting.

And a dead end. Unless we wanted to rope and rappel down 100’ to some steam vents.

We made our way back to the Maglubiyat clearing, reattached the ropes, and went down the 50’ to the lower area of the ridge. We went back to the cave and by 3:35 started to gather wood and snow again. We waited for the bats to leave the cave and then went back in. camp site was set up and we arranged for watch one more time. 3rd night in the cave. We rested and were out when the bats returned.

Icemonth the 1st. 7:30 AM. Rested, ready, waterskins refilled, and on the way again. We climbed up the ropes by the ridge, untied them again, and this time went southwest to the path there. The path took us into the woods and UP the slope of the hill. 30 degree angle and most of the party was huffing and puffing, slow go, but doggedly pressing on. Eventually we arrived at the summit of the hill (350’ above the surface of River Shrill) and then began to descend down the path the other side. We could see through the trees here and see the same pond frozen that we saw yesterday to our west. Excellent! We had made a good choice!

It was 2 hours later when we had descended off the hill and came to a “X” in the forest. We could continue south, or take a chance on west southwest or east northeast. We knew the structure was northwest of here so we took the west southwest passage. This took us along the south end of the pond (when we could catch glimpses through the branches in the distance) and about 10:30 we came to a side path that went north here – or continue west with a faint northwest bent.

The gnome and half ogre were arguing to go north here and take on the hobgoblins, eventually convincing the cleric to do so as well. But the other 6 party members convinced them that this was not a good use of our time and strength and we should head off west again. We traveled at least an hour, a large rise of a hill was north of us but it was the Halfling whose keen ears caught wind of a noise on the passage ahead. Whoever or whatever it was was very noisy; heavy tread and some snapping of twigs and branches.

We opted to get off the path, heading south into the trees. The Halfling took us almost 70’ the path and told everyone to stay low and quiet. We could then see coming from the west, traveling east, a 9’ 6”, 800 lb, skin and leather clad large chested leather clad ogre. She had a 6’ length of tree trunk as a club in her right hand, and her left hand was holding a bloody and beaten to death 300 lb brown bear that she was dragging behind her.

We were so quiet we hoped she would pass by. She did stop and sniff the air, but grumbled and then moved on eastward. Once we were sure she was gone we came out of the woods back to the path and decided we were going to continue on westward. Icemonth the 1st, 11:00 AM