409 - JUn 16
June 16 0800
The party received a messenger from Eboracum accompanied by a tattooed Pictish Druid with an unreasonably long name (henceforth Ailell) who had been ordered up to the Fort to replace the Spirit Shaman who had been ordered back to base for special duties.
It was decided that the party would rest to recover spells and enable the Warblade to fully heal the posion damage he had sustained. The Druid and Ranger combined along with the Psion to help the Warblade to achieve a speedy recovery.
Atrivates turned up to warn the party that Hobgoblins were in the vicinity and to greet the newly arrived Druid (to whom he gave an onion).
While all this was happening the Psion sent his Psicrystal out to do a reconnaissance positioning it on a hill about a mile from the Fort. In the early afternoon the scout noticed four Hobgoblins plus a heavily tattooed Pictish warrior (Atlidoc).
The party decided to advance on foot to deal with these foul miscreants. 800' feet from the hill the Ranger noticed furtive figures crawling behind some rocks at the base of the hill. 200' feet from the hill four Hobgoblins plus Atlidoc suddenly stood up. The Hobgoblins had light crossbows (where did such vile primitive beasts find such wondrous weapons?) and Atlidoc had a fancy shortbow.
The Druid cast an Entangle Spell which immobilized the Hobgoblins then commenced a flanking action aacompanied by his faithful wolf companion.
The party advanced, the Ranger hanging back and peppering the Hobgoblins with his Longbow. The Hobgoblins responded and showed marked interest in the Wizard who sustained a nasty wound and was obliged to protect himself with a Shield spell. It was also obvious that Atlidoc was particularly keen to hurt the Warblade and Druid whom he regarded as vile Pictish traitors.
Given the Wizard's wounds the Ranger rushed up and passed over a Cure Light Wounds potion which the Wizard hastily quaffed.
As the party neared the enemy, Atlidoc consumed a potion and took to the air and veered towards the Druid. The Druid responded by summoning an eagle which hurled itself at the Pict. The Warblade quickly ran to protect the Druid with the Psion close behind. Atlidoc, cursing the foul sorcery being directed at him landed and delivered a savage blow to the Warblade. The Pict's exultation at his prowess was cut short by a vicious blast of psionic energy directed by the Psion. This was followed by vicious clawing by the eagle and a brutal chop by the Warblade. As the Druid ran up to finish the fight the Psion attacked and was able to drop the Pict who fell to the ground vomiting blood. The Warblade gutted him while the Druid hacked his head off.
Seeing their leader fall the Hobgoblins' morale cracked. Three of them dropped their crossbows and began frantically hacking at their entrapped limbs. The remaining Hobgoblin gamely kept firing at the advancing adventurers.
Eventually one of the Hobgoblins managed to cut his way free and fled. Two others surrendered and one was promptly shot dead by the remaining Hobgoblin objecting to his cowardice. The uncowed Hobgoblin was shot dead and the survivor surrendered with relief.
A masterwork longsword and shortbow was recovered from the dead Pict along with a fancy looking Heavy Wooden Shield (which had Pictish runes inscribed on the interior) as well as a potion bottle.
The party also recovered four light crossbows along with 33 bolts. The crossbows were well made with curious metallic ornamentation.
The party returned with the Hobgoblin.
(OUT OF GAME COMMENT) - All PCs levelled up to 2nd level and are now all at 1000xp. The Shield turned out to be a +1 Heavy Wooden Shield (which the Druid took) and the potion a Potion of Bull's Strength (WHO HAS THIS?)
June 17
A day of wind and rain. The Druid headed off looking for female companionship. He visited a farm on the Roman side of the Wall about 2 hours travel from the fort. There he encountered a couple in their 30s with 2 sons. The husband was not pleased to see the Druid and unleashed two dogs to see him off. The dogs were reluctant to tangle with a wolf. The Druid, deciding he was not welcome, made a dignified exit.
He visited another farm (about an hour away) and encountered a couple in their forties with a 17 year old daughter and retarded son of about 10-11 (bad leg and slurred speech). The Druiid was made most welcome being fed soup. He graciously gave them a gift of 5gp.
Meanwhile the party (the Warblade and Psion) interrogated the Hobgoblin. The Hobgoblin turned out to be named Batak and was quite stupid. Encouraged by six pints of barley beer he proved loquacious and revealed that Guilod had directed through someone called Finnuil that Atlidoc and the Hobgoblins entice the party to enter the Guilod's Tower and pass through the sinister floating silver gate. It was clear that the Hobgoblin really knew little about the Gate. He also revealed that the mysterious crossbows had been provided by a Goblin who had been sent by Finnuil
Atrivates noted that Finnuil was a renowned Warlock who lives either in the far north of Pictland or somewhere between Ireland and Pictland. While renowned, he is a servant of Guilod.
Atrivates also advised Ailell that, while longswords and shortbows are not traditional Druidic weapons, given his Elvish heritage it would not be a problem using them providing he did so in the service of Lugh ("the path of non-human Druids is bendy wendy" - seriously Atrivates needs therapy).
The party decided to release the Hobgoblin that night.
He was reluctant to leave but did so. Trailed by the Wolf he ended up returning to Guilod's Tower. There he was monitored by the Psi-Crystal which reported that the Hobgoblin was sitting next to the floating gate and calling out for guidance. Eventually a Goblin appeared and ordered him to find the party and get them to the Gate. The Hobgoblin headed off (presumably back to the Fort).
The party entered the Tower and passed through the gate (local time about 2300). They found themselves in bright sunshine on the ledge previously discovered by the Rogue.
In daylight they notived that the path flanked a cliff face about 250' high and with a 400' sheer drop on the other side. The party appeared to be on an island. A small coastal village with two piers and few boats was visible. Also visible was a small forest. Both village and forest looked to be about a mile and a half away.
The path led to a double wooden door. Behind it, partly hidden by the cliff face was a stone tower (of unusual non-Roman construction - uneven stones but mortared). Outside the doors was a curious warrior clad in Banded Mail with his face covered by a visor. Approaching him the guardian raised a sign which had printed on it in Pictish "Present your offering to Finnui and pass". While pondering this a small door near the landing outside the Tower entrance suddenly opened revealing a dishevelled peasant bearing a sack. The peasant presented the sack to the Guardian who poked inside stirring around something that made a harsh clattering noise. The bag had a strong fishy smell. Apparently satisfied, the Guardian manipulated some sort of mechanism on the double door and allowed the peasant through.
The party offered the Guardian a severed head (Atlidoc's) in a sack as an offering, but without success. Checking though the side door the party saw a narrow staircase heading downwards. Two unshucked oysters were visible on the staircase. It was noteworthy that at no point had the Guardian spoken.
Assumed to be June 18 around 0930
The party received a messenger from Eboracum accompanied by a tattooed Pictish Druid with an unreasonably long name (henceforth Ailell) who had been ordered up to the Fort to replace the Spirit Shaman who had been ordered back to base for special duties.
It was decided that the party would rest to recover spells and enable the Warblade to fully heal the posion damage he had sustained. The Druid and Ranger combined along with the Psion to help the Warblade to achieve a speedy recovery.
Atrivates turned up to warn the party that Hobgoblins were in the vicinity and to greet the newly arrived Druid (to whom he gave an onion).
While all this was happening the Psion sent his Psicrystal out to do a reconnaissance positioning it on a hill about a mile from the Fort. In the early afternoon the scout noticed four Hobgoblins plus a heavily tattooed Pictish warrior (Atlidoc).
The party decided to advance on foot to deal with these foul miscreants. 800' feet from the hill the Ranger noticed furtive figures crawling behind some rocks at the base of the hill. 200' feet from the hill four Hobgoblins plus Atlidoc suddenly stood up. The Hobgoblins had light crossbows (where did such vile primitive beasts find such wondrous weapons?) and Atlidoc had a fancy shortbow.
The Druid cast an Entangle Spell which immobilized the Hobgoblins then commenced a flanking action aacompanied by his faithful wolf companion.
The party advanced, the Ranger hanging back and peppering the Hobgoblins with his Longbow. The Hobgoblins responded and showed marked interest in the Wizard who sustained a nasty wound and was obliged to protect himself with a Shield spell. It was also obvious that Atlidoc was particularly keen to hurt the Warblade and Druid whom he regarded as vile Pictish traitors.
Given the Wizard's wounds the Ranger rushed up and passed over a Cure Light Wounds potion which the Wizard hastily quaffed.
As the party neared the enemy, Atlidoc consumed a potion and took to the air and veered towards the Druid. The Druid responded by summoning an eagle which hurled itself at the Pict. The Warblade quickly ran to protect the Druid with the Psion close behind. Atlidoc, cursing the foul sorcery being directed at him landed and delivered a savage blow to the Warblade. The Pict's exultation at his prowess was cut short by a vicious blast of psionic energy directed by the Psion. This was followed by vicious clawing by the eagle and a brutal chop by the Warblade. As the Druid ran up to finish the fight the Psion attacked and was able to drop the Pict who fell to the ground vomiting blood. The Warblade gutted him while the Druid hacked his head off.
Seeing their leader fall the Hobgoblins' morale cracked. Three of them dropped their crossbows and began frantically hacking at their entrapped limbs. The remaining Hobgoblin gamely kept firing at the advancing adventurers.
Eventually one of the Hobgoblins managed to cut his way free and fled. Two others surrendered and one was promptly shot dead by the remaining Hobgoblin objecting to his cowardice. The uncowed Hobgoblin was shot dead and the survivor surrendered with relief.
A masterwork longsword and shortbow was recovered from the dead Pict along with a fancy looking Heavy Wooden Shield (which had Pictish runes inscribed on the interior) as well as a potion bottle.
The party also recovered four light crossbows along with 33 bolts. The crossbows were well made with curious metallic ornamentation.
The party returned with the Hobgoblin.
(OUT OF GAME COMMENT) - All PCs levelled up to 2nd level and are now all at 1000xp. The Shield turned out to be a +1 Heavy Wooden Shield (which the Druid took) and the potion a Potion of Bull's Strength (WHO HAS THIS?)
June 17
A day of wind and rain. The Druid headed off looking for female companionship. He visited a farm on the Roman side of the Wall about 2 hours travel from the fort. There he encountered a couple in their 30s with 2 sons. The husband was not pleased to see the Druid and unleashed two dogs to see him off. The dogs were reluctant to tangle with a wolf. The Druid, deciding he was not welcome, made a dignified exit.
He visited another farm (about an hour away) and encountered a couple in their forties with a 17 year old daughter and retarded son of about 10-11 (bad leg and slurred speech). The Druiid was made most welcome being fed soup. He graciously gave them a gift of 5gp.
Meanwhile the party (the Warblade and Psion) interrogated the Hobgoblin. The Hobgoblin turned out to be named Batak and was quite stupid. Encouraged by six pints of barley beer he proved loquacious and revealed that Guilod had directed through someone called Finnuil that Atlidoc and the Hobgoblins entice the party to enter the Guilod's Tower and pass through the sinister floating silver gate. It was clear that the Hobgoblin really knew little about the Gate. He also revealed that the mysterious crossbows had been provided by a Goblin who had been sent by Finnuil
Atrivates noted that Finnuil was a renowned Warlock who lives either in the far north of Pictland or somewhere between Ireland and Pictland. While renowned, he is a servant of Guilod.
Atrivates also advised Ailell that, while longswords and shortbows are not traditional Druidic weapons, given his Elvish heritage it would not be a problem using them providing he did so in the service of Lugh ("the path of non-human Druids is bendy wendy" - seriously Atrivates needs therapy).
The party decided to release the Hobgoblin that night.
He was reluctant to leave but did so. Trailed by the Wolf he ended up returning to Guilod's Tower. There he was monitored by the Psi-Crystal which reported that the Hobgoblin was sitting next to the floating gate and calling out for guidance. Eventually a Goblin appeared and ordered him to find the party and get them to the Gate. The Hobgoblin headed off (presumably back to the Fort).
The party entered the Tower and passed through the gate (local time about 2300). They found themselves in bright sunshine on the ledge previously discovered by the Rogue.
In daylight they notived that the path flanked a cliff face about 250' high and with a 400' sheer drop on the other side. The party appeared to be on an island. A small coastal village with two piers and few boats was visible. Also visible was a small forest. Both village and forest looked to be about a mile and a half away.
The path led to a double wooden door. Behind it, partly hidden by the cliff face was a stone tower (of unusual non-Roman construction - uneven stones but mortared). Outside the doors was a curious warrior clad in Banded Mail with his face covered by a visor. Approaching him the guardian raised a sign which had printed on it in Pictish "Present your offering to Finnui and pass". While pondering this a small door near the landing outside the Tower entrance suddenly opened revealing a dishevelled peasant bearing a sack. The peasant presented the sack to the Guardian who poked inside stirring around something that made a harsh clattering noise. The bag had a strong fishy smell. Apparently satisfied, the Guardian manipulated some sort of mechanism on the double door and allowed the peasant through.
The party offered the Guardian a severed head (Atlidoc's) in a sack as an offering, but without success. Checking though the side door the party saw a narrow staircase heading downwards. Two unshucked oysters were visible on the staircase. It was noteworthy that at no point had the Guardian spoken.
Assumed to be June 18 around 0930