Heatmonth the 8th, 8:00 AM. We awoke feeling great, ate well of the trout that had been delivered to us, and then explored the area. There were some silver veins on the west wall, silver that the future dwarves who came here most likely mined out. The Cree Negeshi were about and friendly, and the group (headed by Eoghan), left a number of silver here as thanks.
We took the long walk back through the caves until we arrived finally at the chamber with the blocked off western passage. So bit by bit, we worked on the long passage, digging stone, shifting it out of the way, swapping every few hours, and avoiding any falling stones when we could. There were 2 instances where the ground shook, but outside of a few knocks to the head, the group was ok.
We eventually rested after 12 hours of digging, back in the wolf chamber again, and then the next morning (the 9th), we returned to the long passage and finished up the excavating. It was about noon when we were done. The passage opened to a low ceiling chamber and then a long passage climbing UP, some 60’+. Also, our infravision showed the passage grew colder the higher one got to the top.
Shim and Connal climbed to the top and looked around. The cave here was cold, and there was something moving in the dark. The gnome summoned a gnoll and sent it off. It wandered around in the dark and then began screaming as it was attacked. It raced back and there were a number of shadowy figures tearing it it, freezing it, robbing its strength. The shadows then proceeded to chase Connal and Shim, who ran back for the cliff and climbed down, tumbling the last of the distance. The shades pursued a bit and then turned back.
At the bottom we shared what we learned. Asher would be needed to turn the shadows, but getting the cleric up there was going to be tough. It might be better to try and lure them down here. We spent some time on a plan involving some spider climbs and well use of spells. Once again Connal and Shim went up, Wilhelm and Nate and Asher as well. At the top we engaged the shadows, and they were coming fast and furious.
Down the passage was an ice toad, dead, that they were using as a lair. Stepping past the multitude of shadows, we burned (Wilhelm) the ice toad away, melting its presence and driving the shadows off.
We healed and then looked around. Passage went on here to the north west and then down. Shim was excited because this placed up back at the shaft but maybe 20’ down from where we entered originally. Most likely the Donnegarten dwarves had dug down here in the past/future. The hole was deep, dark, and not conducive to an east climb. We used Silence and dropped a piton here. Then we hooked up the block and tackle and talked about how to get everyone down.
We decided to use Captain Asher’s nap spell and a use of the Tiny Hut to ferry the animals and some of the party down to the bottom. We talked about who would make the trip and who would ride the block and tackle. Connal, Shim, Asher, Nate, Rhygar, Darius would do the climb, everyone else in the hut and napped.
With only an hour to plan for, we closed up the hut and Connal and Shim went to the bottom. There was a massive 20’ tall cave opening here. Broken rock and big passage went off to the east. We could hear the distant sounds of the goblin city in that direction. Staying quiet was paramount. Asher came down next, and the cleric opened the hut nearest the wall and made sure everyone inside was ok and not affected negatively. As the next one was coming down, a wandering goblin patrol, well armed and armored, and one of the riding a lolthian giant spider, came down to check out the area. We all hid, hoping they wouldn’t see the group, happy that we had dodged being spotted.
It took over an hour to get the rest of the party down and we wanted a place to hide the tackle part of the block and tackle. So Connal went back up the shaft, found an area to drive a piton, and hung the tackle and spare rope here. It was 25’ up, but away from casual prying eyes. It was 5:30 PM on Heatmonth the 9th and we were deciding what to do and where to go next.
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