409 - Jun 23
23 June 1000
The party continued on its mission to clear out the barrows. Two were left, both with broken doors.
Entering the first barrow the party came upon two Kobold Barbarians and a Duergar Cleric. As the Barbarians ran forward to engage the adventurers, the Duergar summoned a Dire Rat. A short melee ensued and the enemy were quickly subdued.
The party looted 50gp, 6sp, a masterwork heavy mace, banded mail, a silver holy symbol of Loki worth 25gp and a scroll with Cause Fear, Protection from Good and Summon Monster I.
Moving to the next barrow, the party came upon a curious looking creature perched upon a 8' x 3' stone inscribed with runes. The creature was a large white-scaled brute with forward curving horns on its head and a serpentine tail.
On seeing the party the beast raised its head and looked about to deliver a breath attack, but then suddenly appeared confused and paused. Taking advantage of this odd behaviour, the party attacked. The monster proved tough to kill and, at one point unleashed a fearsome blast of cold from its mouth, but it remained strangely confused. On its corpse the party found a fancy looking breastplate, an Adamantine Warhammer, a Darkwood Shield, a fancy looking ring, a potion, 798gp and a key.
Vincenzo, in his relentless search for knowledge, examined the runestone. He received a curse which clearly had affected the monster. The curse had two effects. Firstly every 6 seconds or so (the effect seemed random) Vincenzo would become confused and virtually helpless. Secondly, he could not be taken more than 10' away from the stone without going into spasms and stopping breathing.
Reluctantly the party rigged up ropes and dragged the stone plus the dribbling Vincenzo to the hill with the other runestones.
The party reached the hill and also dragged to the hill the stone they had seen earlier being dragged by the Kobolds and giant lizard. Examining the stones they discovered other spell-like effects which included, inter alia, the ability of those reading the stones to choose the Cleric or Druid class when they next levelled up. More importantly they found a spell that removed the curse on Vincenzo.
At this point the party decided to return to their ship to see how the repairs were progressing. They were advised that the ship would be sailing imminently.
In the meantime the party decided to examine the wreck of the other ship.
While examining the wreck, Taryyn and Aradec noticed a very large Octopus lurking in the flooded hold. Suddenly, the bloated cephalopod attacked with three tentacles. Taryyn was hit and, while struggling to free himself from the enormous tentacle, was viciously crushed and fell to the deck mortally wounded.
Prompt healing from Aileil saved the Warblade's life as the party ran away like squealing girls. That Octopus was murder!
Boarding the ship, the party were informed by the captain that they would be taken to Caledonia and dropped at a small village called Mingary.
They reached Mingary at 2300 on 23 June.
It proved to be a miserable looking collection of hovels ruled by a pockmarked yokel named Budros.
As the party had arrived quite late, they decided to bed down in one of the two barn-like buildings that served as accommodation (12 sp for all). AIeil was not allowed to bring his wolf into the "inn" and, in a huff, bedded down with his companion in an adjoining animal pen.
The following morning the party, after a revolting breakfast of sour porridge went exploring.
They found a poor quality blacksmith and, in order to carry their ever-expanding collection of loot, bought some livestock, to wit:
2 Donkeys with skin diseases, 3 swaybacked horses with bad teeeth and a friendly cow described as a good milker and happy to carry equipment. This mangy herd cost the party 50gp.
The party also learned that a hillfort controlled by Hobgoblins lay 2 miles away and that Mingary was under the Hobgoblin's control.
The party also learned that Hadrian's wall was probably about 80 miles away to the south east. Behind the village was a dense forest (described as dangerous and trackless) but it was apparently possible to travel south along the coast.
Later that day (the 24th June), the party moved off along the coast with their mangy animals.
After travelling about 4 miles the narrow strip of open country along the coast was replaced by forest. Aradec and Aileil noticed small humanoids lurking in the trees. Suddenly a small humanoid stepped out from behind a bush about 20' from the party. It proved to be a Xvart. In menacing tones it told the party that they would have to make a "donation" to be able to pass safely through the Xvart's territory (2000gp). To encourage the party to cooperate, the Xvart clapped its hands. 400 or so Xvarts appeared around the party, about half of them with shortbows. A couple of Xvarts were in coloured robes with staffs. More worryingly, visible were several Wererats.
What next???
Current time, 24 June, 1300.
The party continued on its mission to clear out the barrows. Two were left, both with broken doors.
Entering the first barrow the party came upon two Kobold Barbarians and a Duergar Cleric. As the Barbarians ran forward to engage the adventurers, the Duergar summoned a Dire Rat. A short melee ensued and the enemy were quickly subdued.
The party looted 50gp, 6sp, a masterwork heavy mace, banded mail, a silver holy symbol of Loki worth 25gp and a scroll with Cause Fear, Protection from Good and Summon Monster I.
Moving to the next barrow, the party came upon a curious looking creature perched upon a 8' x 3' stone inscribed with runes. The creature was a large white-scaled brute with forward curving horns on its head and a serpentine tail.
On seeing the party the beast raised its head and looked about to deliver a breath attack, but then suddenly appeared confused and paused. Taking advantage of this odd behaviour, the party attacked. The monster proved tough to kill and, at one point unleashed a fearsome blast of cold from its mouth, but it remained strangely confused. On its corpse the party found a fancy looking breastplate, an Adamantine Warhammer, a Darkwood Shield, a fancy looking ring, a potion, 798gp and a key.
Vincenzo, in his relentless search for knowledge, examined the runestone. He received a curse which clearly had affected the monster. The curse had two effects. Firstly every 6 seconds or so (the effect seemed random) Vincenzo would become confused and virtually helpless. Secondly, he could not be taken more than 10' away from the stone without going into spasms and stopping breathing.
Reluctantly the party rigged up ropes and dragged the stone plus the dribbling Vincenzo to the hill with the other runestones.
The party reached the hill and also dragged to the hill the stone they had seen earlier being dragged by the Kobolds and giant lizard. Examining the stones they discovered other spell-like effects which included, inter alia, the ability of those reading the stones to choose the Cleric or Druid class when they next levelled up. More importantly they found a spell that removed the curse on Vincenzo.
At this point the party decided to return to their ship to see how the repairs were progressing. They were advised that the ship would be sailing imminently.
In the meantime the party decided to examine the wreck of the other ship.
While examining the wreck, Taryyn and Aradec noticed a very large Octopus lurking in the flooded hold. Suddenly, the bloated cephalopod attacked with three tentacles. Taryyn was hit and, while struggling to free himself from the enormous tentacle, was viciously crushed and fell to the deck mortally wounded.
Prompt healing from Aileil saved the Warblade's life as the party ran away like squealing girls. That Octopus was murder!
Boarding the ship, the party were informed by the captain that they would be taken to Caledonia and dropped at a small village called Mingary.
They reached Mingary at 2300 on 23 June.
It proved to be a miserable looking collection of hovels ruled by a pockmarked yokel named Budros.
As the party had arrived quite late, they decided to bed down in one of the two barn-like buildings that served as accommodation (12 sp for all). AIeil was not allowed to bring his wolf into the "inn" and, in a huff, bedded down with his companion in an adjoining animal pen.
The following morning the party, after a revolting breakfast of sour porridge went exploring.
They found a poor quality blacksmith and, in order to carry their ever-expanding collection of loot, bought some livestock, to wit:
2 Donkeys with skin diseases, 3 swaybacked horses with bad teeeth and a friendly cow described as a good milker and happy to carry equipment. This mangy herd cost the party 50gp.
The party also learned that a hillfort controlled by Hobgoblins lay 2 miles away and that Mingary was under the Hobgoblin's control.
The party also learned that Hadrian's wall was probably about 80 miles away to the south east. Behind the village was a dense forest (described as dangerous and trackless) but it was apparently possible to travel south along the coast.
Later that day (the 24th June), the party moved off along the coast with their mangy animals.
After travelling about 4 miles the narrow strip of open country along the coast was replaced by forest. Aradec and Aileil noticed small humanoids lurking in the trees. Suddenly a small humanoid stepped out from behind a bush about 20' from the party. It proved to be a Xvart. In menacing tones it told the party that they would have to make a "donation" to be able to pass safely through the Xvart's territory (2000gp). To encourage the party to cooperate, the Xvart clapped its hands. 400 or so Xvarts appeared around the party, about half of them with shortbows. A couple of Xvarts were in coloured robes with staffs. More worryingly, visible were several Wererats.
What next???
Current time, 24 June, 1300.