409 - AUG 22
At 1500 on 22 August Tarryn and Scorpius headed off to Trajectum on varied business. It was understood that they would return to the party's camp near the crags around 1800 on the 23rd.
The Druid commenced the ritual for summoning a new animal companion (she was seeking a Dire Weasel).
During the early hours of the 23rd while Aradec was on watch he heard the sound of a sizeable group of humanoids moving through the forest to the south of the party.
Waking up the others it was assessed that the group were a mass of 150-200 Goblins who were talking loudly about having raided several farms, torturing and killing the farmers and stealing livestock (the sound of cattle, sheep and pigs could also be heard amongest the Goblins).
The party lay low and let the horde pass on.
At dawn the Druid and Warlock took to the air. The Goblin horde path was clearly visible, about 80 yards south of the party and heading roughly west.
The party spent the day in camp. At around 1700 the Druid's weasel turned up - a truly repellent animal. Scorpius returned to camp at 1800ish. There was no sign of Tarryn.
On the 24th the party began the process of checking the base of the crags for any signs of tunnels/caves. They moved carefully for two hours at a time (bringing their horses up after each two hours to make a new camp). They headed in a roughly eastern direction.
After moving for about 8 miles, the party came across a narrow crevice (about 5' wide) with a blackberry bush covering the top half. The Cleric and Wizard crawled into the cave. It appeared to be natural and went deeper into the crags for about 15 feet and then turned westwards.
While the Warlock stayed outside, the rest of the party entered the narrow passage.
With the Dwarf behind him the Wizard proceeded cautiously checking the passage for any sign of danger. He was wearing the party's Ring of Invisibility.
After moving 15 feet down the passage (which gradually widened to about 10' wide and 10' high), the Wizard caught a brief glance of a massive Black Pudding hugging the ceiling above him.
Showing reckless courage, the Wizard decided to forego running away and instead used his superior initiative to blast the horrid ooze with a Fireball Spell. Luckily for the Wizard, his spell did not overcome his innate spell resistance so he did not fry himself.
The Pudding slammed into the Wizard causing substantial pummeling and acid damage.
Realising he was not far from death, the Wizard called on Dell to distract the Ooze. Moving up Dell delivered a vicious slash with his magnificent sword. The sole effect of this was to cut the Pudding in two thus creating two Puddings to deal with.
Dell advanced into the Puddings weathering two damaging attacks of opportunity. He drew both Puddings off the Wizard but ended up with both of the horrors wrapped around him.
A ding dong battle ensured with Lightning Strikes (or is that Lightning Bolts?), Magic Missiles, Walls of Fire, Scorching Rays and Crystal Shards being hurled at the beasty. One effective tactic was the Wizard using Ray of Enfeeblement on a Pudding. This significantly weakened the creature and helped enable Dell to eventually shake off the grapples.
After heavy battering the Puddings finally dissolved into clouds of noxious steam.
While this was happening Dell happened to notice what appeared to be a golden helmet suspended in the passage behind him. He also noticed that the westwards heading passage appeared to end at the edge of a large underground lake.
On closer inspection it was noticed that the helmet was surrounded by a strange shiny mass. What appeared to be coins also seemed to be suspended in mid-air.
Scorpius recognised the mass as a Gelatinous Cube.
The party swung into murder mode and bombarded the horror with spells and weapons. Scorpius noticed that the Cube seemed to be withstanding an inordinate amount of damage.
Suddenly the helmet appeared lying on the floor. There was no sign of any coins or of any of the jelly-like mess that is usually left behind when a Cube is destroyed.
The party then noticed two small skulls (one on each side of the passage) directly alongside the helmet.
The skulls were checked using Detect Magic and radiated strong Illusion magic. The Cube appeared to have been an illusion.
The Druid tried to remove one of the skulls using a Stone Shape spell, but the skull was protected by strong Magic Resistance and the spell failed.
Dell picked up the helmet. It was heavy (30lb) and crafted in the form of an archaic Gallic Chieftain's helmet. It had wings and a hinged face plate with nose piece plus a neck guard. Despite its weight, the interior of the helmet was contoured indicated it was designed to be worn.
The helmet radiated strong Necromantic and Transformation magic. Dell was seized with a sensation of being a mighty warrior and was tempted to don the helmet, but managed to put it down (Dell's sword may have helped here).
Scorpius examined it. As he touched it he became consumed with a desire to embrace evil and forsake his magical studies to date and embrace Necromancy. The Dwarf Cleric noticed the Wizard's demonic visage and smacked the helmet out of his grasp. The Wizard was momentarily enraged at this, but recovered his composure fairly quickly.
Examining the lake the party saw a large expanse of water. There was a noticeable current. The water smelt clean.
The party conducted healing. While doing this they heard an ominous watery plop sound coming from the lake. It sounded like a large aquatic creature breaching.
The party decided to leave quickly and strike camp. Dell offered to put the helmet in his backpack, but his sword suggested he not.
The party rested and examined the helmet using appraise and the Identify Spell.
The item was probably worth about 8000,9,000 in pure gold value, but its exquisite workmanship and apparent antiquity (the style is from 1st-2nd century BC) and almost certain uniqueness makes it priceless (but who would buy it?).
Using Identify it was divined that wearing the helmet would transform the wearer into an extremely powerful undead. The wearer would become evil and gain much power but would retain free will. The form transformed into would be (in part at least given the undead aspect) the human who originally owned it (presumably some mighty Gallic warrior).
The Cleric undertook a Divine Spell and asked woud the party do well if it examined the underground the lake. The portentous answer (accompanied by distant thunder) was "PROBABLY NOT".
Session ended 1730, August 24.
The Druid commenced the ritual for summoning a new animal companion (she was seeking a Dire Weasel).
During the early hours of the 23rd while Aradec was on watch he heard the sound of a sizeable group of humanoids moving through the forest to the south of the party.
Waking up the others it was assessed that the group were a mass of 150-200 Goblins who were talking loudly about having raided several farms, torturing and killing the farmers and stealing livestock (the sound of cattle, sheep and pigs could also be heard amongest the Goblins).
The party lay low and let the horde pass on.
At dawn the Druid and Warlock took to the air. The Goblin horde path was clearly visible, about 80 yards south of the party and heading roughly west.
The party spent the day in camp. At around 1700 the Druid's weasel turned up - a truly repellent animal. Scorpius returned to camp at 1800ish. There was no sign of Tarryn.
On the 24th the party began the process of checking the base of the crags for any signs of tunnels/caves. They moved carefully for two hours at a time (bringing their horses up after each two hours to make a new camp). They headed in a roughly eastern direction.
After moving for about 8 miles, the party came across a narrow crevice (about 5' wide) with a blackberry bush covering the top half. The Cleric and Wizard crawled into the cave. It appeared to be natural and went deeper into the crags for about 15 feet and then turned westwards.
While the Warlock stayed outside, the rest of the party entered the narrow passage.
With the Dwarf behind him the Wizard proceeded cautiously checking the passage for any sign of danger. He was wearing the party's Ring of Invisibility.
After moving 15 feet down the passage (which gradually widened to about 10' wide and 10' high), the Wizard caught a brief glance of a massive Black Pudding hugging the ceiling above him.
Showing reckless courage, the Wizard decided to forego running away and instead used his superior initiative to blast the horrid ooze with a Fireball Spell. Luckily for the Wizard, his spell did not overcome his innate spell resistance so he did not fry himself.
The Pudding slammed into the Wizard causing substantial pummeling and acid damage.
Realising he was not far from death, the Wizard called on Dell to distract the Ooze. Moving up Dell delivered a vicious slash with his magnificent sword. The sole effect of this was to cut the Pudding in two thus creating two Puddings to deal with.
Dell advanced into the Puddings weathering two damaging attacks of opportunity. He drew both Puddings off the Wizard but ended up with both of the horrors wrapped around him.
A ding dong battle ensured with Lightning Strikes (or is that Lightning Bolts?), Magic Missiles, Walls of Fire, Scorching Rays and Crystal Shards being hurled at the beasty. One effective tactic was the Wizard using Ray of Enfeeblement on a Pudding. This significantly weakened the creature and helped enable Dell to eventually shake off the grapples.
After heavy battering the Puddings finally dissolved into clouds of noxious steam.
While this was happening Dell happened to notice what appeared to be a golden helmet suspended in the passage behind him. He also noticed that the westwards heading passage appeared to end at the edge of a large underground lake.
On closer inspection it was noticed that the helmet was surrounded by a strange shiny mass. What appeared to be coins also seemed to be suspended in mid-air.
Scorpius recognised the mass as a Gelatinous Cube.
The party swung into murder mode and bombarded the horror with spells and weapons. Scorpius noticed that the Cube seemed to be withstanding an inordinate amount of damage.
Suddenly the helmet appeared lying on the floor. There was no sign of any coins or of any of the jelly-like mess that is usually left behind when a Cube is destroyed.
The party then noticed two small skulls (one on each side of the passage) directly alongside the helmet.
The skulls were checked using Detect Magic and radiated strong Illusion magic. The Cube appeared to have been an illusion.
The Druid tried to remove one of the skulls using a Stone Shape spell, but the skull was protected by strong Magic Resistance and the spell failed.
Dell picked up the helmet. It was heavy (30lb) and crafted in the form of an archaic Gallic Chieftain's helmet. It had wings and a hinged face plate with nose piece plus a neck guard. Despite its weight, the interior of the helmet was contoured indicated it was designed to be worn.
The helmet radiated strong Necromantic and Transformation magic. Dell was seized with a sensation of being a mighty warrior and was tempted to don the helmet, but managed to put it down (Dell's sword may have helped here).
Scorpius examined it. As he touched it he became consumed with a desire to embrace evil and forsake his magical studies to date and embrace Necromancy. The Dwarf Cleric noticed the Wizard's demonic visage and smacked the helmet out of his grasp. The Wizard was momentarily enraged at this, but recovered his composure fairly quickly.
Examining the lake the party saw a large expanse of water. There was a noticeable current. The water smelt clean.
The party conducted healing. While doing this they heard an ominous watery plop sound coming from the lake. It sounded like a large aquatic creature breaching.
The party decided to leave quickly and strike camp. Dell offered to put the helmet in his backpack, but his sword suggested he not.
The party rested and examined the helmet using appraise and the Identify Spell.
The item was probably worth about 8000,9,000 in pure gold value, but its exquisite workmanship and apparent antiquity (the style is from 1st-2nd century BC) and almost certain uniqueness makes it priceless (but who would buy it?).
Using Identify it was divined that wearing the helmet would transform the wearer into an extremely powerful undead. The wearer would become evil and gain much power but would retain free will. The form transformed into would be (in part at least given the undead aspect) the human who originally owned it (presumably some mighty Gallic warrior).
The Cleric undertook a Divine Spell and asked woud the party do well if it examined the underground the lake. The portentous answer (accompanied by distant thunder) was "PROBABLY NOT".
Session ended 1730, August 24.