NORVIK: SESSION SIXTEEN

Chapter One: Back on the Road
After the two days of rest, the still wounded party of adventurers gathered their treasures up and headed back to the location where they had hidden the caravan under the cover of the Hallucinatory Terrain. They found the remainder of the expedition nearly half mad with fear and worry, as they described the several day wait with no contact. However, now that the party was back, they would try to hurry as much as possible to make Karlsfjord in a week or so. The merchant caravan leader Lennox was not told of the reason, only that the party had battled frost giants and must let a civilized area know of the danger. Thus, that same day they gathered the wagons and horses and headed out immediately.
Almost immediately after starting out, the scouts saw a small group of human barbarians, almost 50 strong, working their way through a forested area dragging a pair of wild stag carcasses. The ranger and druid circled around behind as the group stopped about 100 yards from the caravan. The group wasn’t too worried about handling the barbarians, except they didn’t want any of the horses, wagons or caravan master’s men to get harmed. The barbarians, led by a grizzled old shaman, called out for parely, so the group sent out Waqsted, Angles, the caravan master Lennox and a invisible Ephros (wearing his cloak of Elvenkind) to parley. The leader of the barbarians and few others began pulling a song and dance where they would ask for a certain amount of gold (it started at 500 gp, then went to 1000 gp), then pretend to “discuss” it, and then come back and raise the amount. Finally after a particularly insulting offer, Ephros backstabbed the shaman and killed him, while Angles held the rest of the negotiators and the rest of the group attacked. Fireballs by Arcus and Korgaard, along with a spike stone spell cast by Galgadayle, decimated many of the barbarians. Galgadayle’s summoned giant engaged the group of barbarians as Ephros and Argois, along with Galgadayle’s snow cat and wolverine, finished off the rest. Soon only a handful ran off into the woods, dreading the day when they ran across the caravan.
With the the ranger Argois and druid Galgadayle and his animals scouting about a mile ahead, the caravan made good time after the encounter. Halfway through the day, still in a very rocky, mountainous region, the duo spotted a hidden formorian giant in the hills. Whispering to each other, they debated how best to handle him. At the same time, another Formorian giant attacked the caravan, which at that point was only a mile or so back! Obviously some sort of ambush had been set up, where the second giant would engage the caravan, leaving no attention for another attack. Unfortunately, things did not go as planned for the giants. Galgadayle, with his giant slaying spear, and Argois engaged the 1st giant directly, cutting him down after a grueling battle. The 2nd giant met even less success as a lightning bolt from Arcus, combined with magic missiles from Korgaard and a devastating backstab from Ephros that completely severed the giant’s ankle, took the creature down to his death. The party decided to make camp at the spot, as they were eager to follow the giant’s tracks back to a lair and some possible treasure (the giants had only been holding a handful of gems on their person).
Leaving Chester, Angles, Vaerlon and Arcus to guard the camp, Ephros, Galgadayle, Korgaard, Argois and Waqsted tracked the giant’s tracks for a few miles until it led into a heavily forested area, and a large cave opening on the other side of a small stream. Heavy smoke emerged from the cavern opening, indicating some sort of inhabitants besides that of the slain giants. It was getting dark at this time, so the party waited for darkness before sending in Korgaard (invisible from his bracers) and Ephros to scout out the interior.
At the entrance stood four barbaric humans, looking very primitive and inbred, clad only in loincloths and using stone spears. Ephros snuck past them, and found a fork in the caverns. Going one way, he found a large cavern that had obviously housed the now dead giants, and another large passage leading to a room of disgusting filth where a two headed troll laired. Going the other direction, he found a several smaller caves leading off a large meeting type room, holding a group of very primitive and disgustingly inbred human “cavemen” types, the lowest form of civilization. From what he saw, it looked as though the giants, troll and humans lived in some sick sort of a symbiotic relationship. The entire cave system was disgusting with filth, dirt, mud, stench and smoke. Sneaking back out, he told the party of what he found, and they made a plan of attack: Korgaard, Argois and Waqsted would take the troll, while Galgadayle, his animals and Ephros waited in the corridor for the cavemen to rush to the trolls aid, and then they would take them. On the way in, Ephros and the druid’s wolverine killed the guards, but an alarm was given. Galgadayle set himself up in the corridor and summoned insects, turning a handful into giant flies that attacked the first wave of barbaric humans that rushed down the corridor from their lair.
Taking the other direction, the trio of Korgaard, Waqsted and Argois made quick work of the two headed troll, which had no time to even strike at them before expiring. Lighting him on fire, they paused to search through the filth of the cavern, but were soon summoned by the screams of Ephros…another giant two headed troll had entered the cavern!
Meanwhile, at first Galgadayle and his animals cut through the primitive humans. However, a second way threw flaming, oil filled pots at them and struck Galgadayle’s wolverine directly, causing it to flee in pain. Soon a large wall of fire was behind Galgadayle, Ephros and the snow cat, cutting off any possible escape, and Galgadayle managed to be struck my a number of axes. He shape changed into a mountain lion to better battle the cavemen, but even more reinforcements threatened to overwhelm them.
Just at that time, a roaring Waqsted (protected by his ring of fire resistance), walked through the fire with his axe held high, covered with flames! The superstitious cavemen screamed and backed up in fear at the sight of the flaming, ugly half orc fighter, who began hacking through the crowd with his axe. Buoyed by his arrival, Ephros and Galgadayle also continued killing the primitive humans and forced the survivors back into the main cavern.
All this time, Argois and Korgaard were engagedin combat with the second, smaller two headed troll, and took quite awhile to eventually destroy him. After the battled ended, they hurried down the corridor strewn with cavemen corpses to see the rest of the party engaged in combat with savage women and children of the tribe, who were attempted to overbear and drag down the party members to rend them with knives, daggers, nails and teeth. Disgusted at the inbred and savage creatures, the party butchered the cavern inhabitants down to the last feral woman and child. Soon, only a handful of warriors was left battling the rest of the party around the firepit in the main cave. As only one still stood, Korgaard went in to finish him off, only to be transfixed with fear….suddenly, the one last cavemen grew and changed in front his eyes, taking the shape of a large demonic figure. Looking like a ogre with loose hanging skin and giant fangs, the creature radiated a fear aura that caused Korgaard and the druid’s giant cat to flee to safety outside the cave. To the rest of the party, the creature addressed them:
“I am Manguss, and you have cost me much! It took me years of using my powers to assemble this motley group of primitives, giants and trolls. The tribute and treasure brought me by these scum greatly satisfied me, as did the life of leisure I was able to lead with these servants. You have ruined it all, and you will pay with your lives!!!” With that, the demonic being attacked the party using a huge battle axe and his slavering jaws.
Soon, seeing Ephros’ fired arrows bouncing off his hide, the party realized magical weapons were necessary to harm the creature. A desperate battle was joined, and everytime the Manguss struck an adventurer with his bite, the wound immediately boiled up with pus and venom, infected by some sort of disease. Soon Argois, Galgadayle, Ephros and Waqsted were all wounded and infected, and having difficulty bringing down the beast. Finally, a flurry of blows from Argois chopped the creature down, and it toppled into the fire pit, dead. Quickly searching the area, the party members also rejoined Korgaard and gathered the wounded snow cat and wolverine, to head back to camp and healing from Angles.

Chapter Two: On the road, continuted

The next morning, those bitten by the demonic Manggus were in sorrty shape, with some sort of disease that wracked them with pain. However, Angles was able to cast Cure Disease on the unfortunates and bring them back to health. They spent the next few days recovering, as the caravan quickly moved from the mountainous regions to the flat tundra of the eastern continent. The only encounter the next few days was with a group of giant boring beetles, who burrowed up right underneath the scouts (killing Galgadayle’s horse) and were quickly dealt with.
A few days out from Karlsfjord, storm weather threatened the caravan. As the winds got worse and rain began to pelt down, the scouts began searching for shelter. Inside some rolling hills they located a somewhat sheltered vale with enough trees and rocks to shield the party from the worst of the storm. Getting the caravan off the track and into the vale, the party set up watch and prepared to wait out the worst of the rain and lightning.
After settling down, one of the men at arms guarding the merchant train came back to the party with a strange tale. Going into the woods for some privacy while relieving himself, he found himself in front of what looked like an ancient stone door in the side of the hill. Leaving Vaerlon and Chester with the group, the rest went to investigate.
Finding the stone door practically impenetrable, Galgadayle called down a bolt of lightning from the storm directly on the lock. It blew it to pieces and the heavy stone door creaked open, releasing a foul cloud of air. The markings on the door looked like some sort of tomb, and there was a long stairway leading down. Taking the lead, the thief Ephros found several traps along the 50 foot passaged, all designed to trip the unwary explorer and send him falling down the flight of stone steps.
At the foot of the stairs stood a room. In peering inside with torches and Ephros’ continual light wand, the party saw a large throne in the center of the room, with an exit hallway behind it. Along the walls in intervals, hangind from poles, were what looked to be skeletal corpses of ancient origin. Carefully entering the room, Ephros and Waqsted searched the area, and the thief notice scrape marks on the floor by the throne, indicated it could be moved. Waqsted un-cautiously wasted no time pushing the throne aside, locating a hidden niche underneath it containing potion bottles. Also incautiously, he then reached in to grab the bottles….causing all ten of the skeletal monsters to drop to the floor, ready to attack! Fear gripped both Ephros and Waqsted, and they not only fled from the room but shoved anyone in their way aside to get all the way up the stairway and out of the tomb!
Angles managed to present his holy symbol and turn several of the skeletal creatures, with the bard Korgaard and Argois taking care of the rest with their weapons. After the undead’s destruction, the party searched the room (Ephros and Waqsted rejoined them as the magical fear wore off) and pocketed the potions found within the niche after battling a trio of unusal “flying daggers” that they destroyed as they flew around the room, stabbing and attacking. Also found was a group of several words written on a sheet of paper that resembled “command” words, so these were kept to possibly be used later. Continuing down the hallway, they destroyed the undead that Angles had turned, and located an unusual room at the end of the hallway: it was a small study, with bed, desk, easy chair and other acoutrements that led them to believe it was a mage’s study. They guessed this room (and the tomb) had been a bolt hole or hideaway for some long-lost wizard, and he had left the undead to guard it. Inside the room were several scholarly books as well as a small steel chest. Unfortunately, as Ephros opened the chest, a gas shot out that rendered almost everyone in the room unconscious…as four undead zombies emerged from a secret room, evil intelligence gleaming in their eye sockets!

Chapter Three: The Tomb
Only Argois and Galgadayle were still standing, and they attacked the ju-ju zombies to protect their comrades. Argois quickly downed two, and Galgadayle closed the lid on the chest, which stopped the stream of sleep gas. As Argois finished off the last zombie, Galgadayle and Ephros destroyed the last one. After healing, the party entered the secret door and found a room with a large tomb. The party debated the best action, but the man of action Waqsted pushed the lid off, and it hit the floor with a boom. Inside was a skeletal figure and several items such as a staff and wands that looked magical. Reaching inside, Waqsted set off some kind of trap, and a dozen of the flying daggers emerged from beneath the tomb to fly about the room, striking at the adventurers. At first they were not unduly troubled, while annoying the daggers were easy foes to defeat….until after striking one with his battleaxe, Waqsted saw his weapon rust and turn to dust! Unfortunately, it appeared these flying daggers had some sort of magic that allowed them to rust metal…the party reacted with fear and began pulling out there more non-essential weapons (or ones not made of metal) to battle the foes. When it was over, Ephros had lost a dagger of venom, and Argois had lost a spare warhammer, but the flying daggers had been destroyed.
Searching the tomb led to the discovery of several interesting items…what appeared to be items that the long-lost mage either was working on and left unfinished, or (as was discovered later) had not had time to recharge, seeing as each had only a few charges. Included were several wands (of Negation, Illumination, and Fear) with minimal charges, and a magical staff with only the power to create light at the tip and let anyone grasping it benefit from a feather fall spell. No spellbooks or greater treasures awaited, and after a thorough search, the party abandoned the lost wizard’s retreat.
The next couple of days passed without incident, until finally the small town of Karlsfjord was reached. Sighing with relief, the caravan master Lennox told the party after checking in with the local merchant’s guild, he would begin the long process of selling the items (steel weapons, pots, pans, lanterns, and other metal goods) and then buying items for the return trip (seal skin, furs, carved bone items) to resell in Norvik and beyond. The process would take a couple of months; the party would be free to do whatever they wanted during that period, as long as they were back in Karlsfjord at the appointed time to accompany the merchant caravan back across the continent. Giving them the name of a good inn and tavern, Lennox thanked them for the protection, and the party parted ways inside the large wooden gates of the city. With several weeks to themselves, the first order of business for the party members after such a long period in the wilderness was to spend their gold on booze and then resupply. Also, perhaps a sage or other knowledgable sort could be found in town to point them the way to the resting place of Jarl Turkhan and his magical axe Gore…before Enoki or her father located it.

NORVIK SESSION FIFTEEN

Chapter One: Below the Halls of Frost

Stealthily making his way ahead, the halfling thief Ephros came upon a small antechamber that was lit by oil lamps. The coldness down below the Halls of Frost was perceptible only to Argois and Waqsted, who had no items to combat the chill, so Angles cast Endure Cold on the both of them for the exploration ahead. Down a short hallway, the party came upon a locked door, behind which they could hear very faint whisperings. Ephros picked the lock and peeked in enough to discern a large chamber with a dwarven throne at one end, and hastily erected blockades (large wooden tables tipped on their sides) at different points of the room, behind which were shadowy figures. From the belongings scattered across the room, the party decided there were more barbarian warriors here.
Whispering a quick plan, the door was thrown open wide and a fireball from the necklace of missile was tossed to the far end of the room, engulfing several barbarians. The bard Korgaard used his newly found Bracers of Invisibility to sneak in one side as Ephros snuck in the other, Waqsted, Galgadayle’s wolverine, and Argois meeting the charge of several barbarians who rushed forward when the door was opened. Vaerlon also ran inside and leapt the nearest barrier to engage the six barbarians behind it…the battle was joined!
As the fighters battled the barbarians, the spellcasters turned the tide with judiciously cast spells. Galgadayle cast a Warp Wood spell that took out the weapons (spears and hand axes) from a small group, forcing the evil cultists to battle hth; Korgaard scouted out a side room that contained several barbarians including their leader, and Arcus used a Web spell to trap them all. Arcus also Charmed one fighter and he tried to hold back his brothers from the attack. Meanwhile, Galgadayle’s wolverine wreaked havoc as it tore three of the barbarians to pieces. Even Chester participated, setting several of the barbarian cultists aflame with his fiery breath. After only ten minutes, all the barbarian warriors lay dead except for the ones trapped in the web (who were quickly dispatched) and Arcus’ charmed companion. Questioning the barbarian led to several very interesting bits of information, including the fact that not only the half-giantess Enoki but another ice priestess and Enoki’s paramour Malachi (who it seemed was some sort of fighter/assassin) were in the caverns below. The charmed barbarian also helpfully led the party around the lower level, and they found a giant snow cat in the barbarian chief’s room (which they left for now, as Galgadayle wished to become friends with the beast after the explorations and battles were finished). However most enlightening of all the party found Malachi’s room, which yielded several magic items and a logbook detailing much useful information.
From skimming the last few pages of the logbook, the party found that a “General Ajani” had sent Malachi (a loyal member of the Cult of the White Wyrm) northwards to help Inoke and her father locate an artifact of past frost giant Jarls, the great battle Axe “Gore”, with which they would be able to unite all the frost giant tribes of the Thunderspire Mountains for the first time in five centuries. Knowledge of the location rested in the forgotten dwarven library here in the catacombs of the Halls of Frost, which Malachi, Inoke and Renata (the priestess of Rualt) searched diligently until the correct stone tablet was located. Malachi also indicated he had fallen in love with Inoke, and she was also indulging her passion with him, which threatened to disrupt the mission since they had overstayed in the Halls of Frost to dally with each other. Clearly Malachi had become smitten with the seven foot tall, white skinned half-giantess who he indicated was both a priestess and mage, a formidable foe when they would finally face her!
Further information gained told of sleeper agents of the Cult within all four main cities on Norvik and in several villages, all passing information and items to the cult itself. However, no names were given, only coded words that it would take a talented cryptologist to crack. Pocketing the logbook, Arcus and the rest decided this information must get into he hands of important people in Norvik when the party returned.
Also discovered was a dwarven short sword, covered with dwarven runes, that Malachi had apparently located in the catacombs, but had decided not to use. Arcus deciphered the runes on the hilt as reading “Giant Killer”, which indicated the sword was undoubtedly a giant slaying variety. Ephros claimed it as his own to use in the Halls. After this break, the party healed themselves and then got ready for whatever dangers awaited them below in the catacombs.

Chapter Two: Battle in the Catacombs

With even more care than before, the party started down into the lowest levels of the Halls of Frost. Not wanting to take the chance of waiting until the next day, they were very low on magical resources, but the fighters were for the most part healed of their wounds and ready to go. Coming to a large cavern, Ephros and Korgaard used their Cloak of Elvenkind and Bracers respectively to silently search all egresses from the chamber, finding a room with a pair of yetis and another with a pair of winter wolves. Not wishing to battle them and give away their position, the group quietly made their way through the passage to another twisting hallway. Galgadayle guarded their way with a Snare spell (that would activate when the first creature attempted to follow them) and set his wolverine on guard to come warn him when any creature emerged from it’s cave.
Going still farther into the heart of the catacombs, the party heard loud chanting ahead, and soon came to a gigantic chamber polished smooth with ice on the floor and walls. At the far end a large hole, which showed a swirling scene of ice, snow and cold, was faced by a beautiful 7 foot tall giantess (five of them actually, since she had Mirror Image on) with blue skin and long, white hair; and a horribly fire scarred priestess with twisted features in a leather thong. Both were obviously involved in some kind of ceremony, which stopped as soon as the party entered. No sign of Malachi was seen, and the party instinctively knew that whatever was going on in this chamber, it was responsible for the winter weather in the world above that had halted spring.
Turning around suddenly, Inoke began greeting the party members by name, saying she had followed their progress with great interest. Disconcerted by her smug knowledge of their names and specialties, the party still put their earlier discussed plan into action. Argois shouted “Enoki! Whatever evil you and the Cult have planned, it ends NOW!” and began sprinting across the ice (along with Vaerlon, Waqsted, the charmed barbarian warrior and Chester), ready for battle. Ephros and Korgaard began invisibly sneaking around the edges of the room from either side; Angles hit the pair of priestesses with Dispel Magic and then readied his sling, Galgadayle threw a fireball from the necklace of missiles (which sizzled harmlessly as it came within 10 feet of the pair), and Arcus cast Mirror Image and readied what few spells he still possessed.
Things of course didn’t go quite as planned, but that is the nature of such conflicts. Hurrying invisibly along the side of the cavern, Korgaard slammed into another invisible figure; Malachi! Turning visible briefly, Malachi struck the bard with a poisoned longsword. Feeling the poison burn like fire, the bard immediately turned back invisible realizing the longsword-armed warrior overmatched him. Now visible, Malachi began sprinting for the trio of Arcus, Angles and Galgadayle, presumably hoping to take out the spellcasters!
As the warriors approached the giantess and the frost priestess, Renata let loose Cone of Cold which turned the barbarian warrior into ice, causing him to shatter to pieces as he hit the floor! Chester was also caught in the blast but being immune to cold, he simply flew through it at the priestess. He flew at the priestesses face and breathed fire, which caused the scarred woman to visibly flinch and drop to the ground…..obviously traumatized! Vaerlon took the opportunity to strike her. On Enoki, Waqsted and Argois struck at her, and Ephros attempted to backstab from behind, but to no avail as her mirror images caught the blows. Enoki spoke a word of power and a long whip of frost appeared in her hand. She swung the magic construct and it went through all three of her attackers, damaging them and chilling them to the bone! Fortunately for the party, Renata (who was panicked by the flaming breath of Chester) cast her Ice Storm, which struck everyone in the vicinity. Although it injured not herself or Enoki, it did take away all her Mirror Images, leaving her slightly vulnerable! Renata then cast a Wall of Ice between herself and Vaerlon and Chester, giving her breathing room to escape the flames and heal herself.
On the other side of the chamber, Malachi sprinted straight for Arcus, obviously attempting to take out the party mage. Arcus used his Wand of Paralyzation, and the ray appeared to bounce off the fighter; Galgadayle cast Chill Metal and Hold Person to no effect; Angles stepped in front and engaged him, taking several savage blows from both longsword and dagger. Arcus threw a Color Spray which briefly stunned the fighter…Angles took advantage and slammed Malachi with his mace twice, and Galgadayle threw two handfuls of poisoned darts at the fighter. Shaking his head, Malachi screamed in pain and clutched the wounds the darts made, attesting to the strength of the poison on the weapons. However, enough fight remained in him to battle the trio efficiently for several more rounds as the poison took it’s toll, causing him to perspire, vomit and turn red during battle. Arcus cast a Burning Hands that did some damage as Galgadayle had to retreat in owl form when he was wounded several times, and down to his final spell, Arcus took over efficiently as he struck the staggering fighter with his staff. Finally, after several more mace blows from Angles, Malachi managed to run the cleric through with the longsword, dropping him to the ground near death. This was his last action, however, as he then dropped to the ground vomiting blood as the poison worked it’s way with him. Arcus then bandaged up the bleeding Angles before he died as Galgadayle cured himself in anticipation of joining the battle still going on with the priestesses. Malachi expired in a puddle of his own vomit and blood whispering the name of his lover Enoki…
That battle however had taken a bad turn….from the gaping hole in the wall (which the party realized was some sort of gate to another dimension or plane) came a 8 foot tall crackling figure made of blue ice…..Enoki laughed and said the gate was to the elemental plane of ice, and the creature was a Chraal, a monster of pure cold! Chester yelled “Let’s see what fire does vs ice!” and attacked the creature, buzzing around it’s head and breathing fire on it but taking several blows and another Cone of Cold which emerged from the monster’s mouth (but once again did not harm the magical Chester). Unfortunately, Chester finally got too close, and the Chraal batted the flying flaming skull away to smash against the far wall, and fall into pieces….he would be out of the battle until he regenerated!
However, the actions of the skull had given Vaerlon an opening. The priestess Renata had thrown up a Wall of Ice between her and the ranger, so he began attacking the creature of cold with his flaming sword, which seemed to hurt the creature immensely. Finally, a blow cut the creature from head to toe and it fell to the ground and melted as Vaerlon applied the heat of the blade. At the moment a self-cured Renata stabbed him from behind with an ice knife, and he turned his attention back to her.
Against Inoke, the others seemed to be having no luck at all. Using a hand axe seemingly made of ice and glowing, Inoke struck Argois again and again, almost killing him until he had to finally retreat from battle to heal himself. Ephros and Waqsted did little damage, although the halfling thief did land a few blows with his newly acquired giant slaying sword. A Magic Missile spell from Arcus seemed to damage her, and Argois rejoined the battle. Ephros tried every trick in the book including throwing a magic powder in Enoki's face (to no effect) and levitating up and using arrows on the priestess, which seemed to be a better strategy for him (as he was not struck, and he hit her a few times). Now that Malachi was dead and the Chraal destroyed, the party could concentrate on the two priestesses, with their backs literally against the wall (or the gate). It would only be a matter of time, they hoped.
At this point Enoki stood back with her frost whip and hand axe in hands and called for a parley. Breathing heavily, wounded, and looking for a way out, she told the party that she was the cause of the unnatural weather in Norvik, which she had caused through use of a special magic item she had and the existence of an older gate at the site of the catacombs. Inoke revealed that her research in the dwarven library told her the dwarves had used ancient magic to activate a gate to the lower underdark, which they left through when attacked by frost giants and others. However, the still functioning gate had been corrupted by the magic of the priestesses of Rualt and been used to open a rift to the Elemental plane of ice. The opening was wreaking havoc with the regular weather….and Enoki said only she could close the gate, and only if the party allowed her to leave! She said she had the information she needed about the location of the frost giant Jarl who had wielded the mighty axe Gore, so there was no point in her remaining here. If the party let her leave, she promised to close the gate, and perhaps their paths would not cross again….
The tale sounded fishy, and Enoki kept edging closer to the open gate. Korgaard began singing a lusty battle song, and the party attacked. Renata threw her ice blade at Argois and it dropped him, almost severing his head, as the rest of the adventurers cast spells or struck at Inoke. Unfortunately, despite taking several blows, she leapt through the opening to the plane of ice, and the gate closed behind her, ending the threat of the icy spring with a loud boom as the gate collapsed upon itself . As the roaring and whistling stopped and the room grew quiet with the closing of the gate, the priestess of Rualt who had been left behind called on her goddess to grant her a swift death at the adventurer’s hands. This came to pass as very quickly as the ones still standing made quick work of her, and soon she lay dead on the ice.

Chapter Three:
Soon after Galgadayle’s wolverine entered the cave, warning of the arrival of the yetis and winter wolves in the outer caverns. Arcus fired his Wand of Steam down the tunnel, which killed the yetis, and the injured winter wolves were finished off by the party fighters. Plans were made to gather fire-making materials from the upper caverns, find a spot to hole up and heal up, especially the heavily injured Angles and Argois (who had nearly died from the last attack). The party found both the dwarven library and Enoki’s chamber, from which they gathered minor treasure and the dwarven stone tablets detailing the information about the frost giant Jarl Turkhan and his mighty axe Gore. Translating the tablets from dwarvish, Arcus said that with some work he would be able to possibly pinpoint the location of the Jarl’s final resting place, which would contain the axe, and with a little luck they might beat the half-giantess to the spot. Although they would have to see the caravan they were guarding through to Karlsfjord, the fact Enoki did not have the tablets themselves might slow her down or derail her quest entirely.
Also, they party was troubled by the discovery of Enoki’s traveling spellbook as the spell Magic Mirror was within, a scrying spell that told the party Enoki had been able to spy on them awhile to learn their names and abilities, and would be able to watch them in the future if she had another spellbook with the spell.
The dwarven library, when located, showed the depth of the giantesses’ depravity as any of the stone tablets left behind and not needed had been ruthlessly destroyed by Enoki and her helpers. Piles of broken stone lay scattered across the shelves and floor of the small room; not a lot of items had been left by the retreating dwarves, but what had remained was gone. Only a few of the stone books were left and these were salvaged by Arcus to hopefully bring to The Citadel (his birthplace) someday for preservation.
For two days, the party stayed below in the catacombs, healing up and taking time to thoroughly search the area for any other clues to what Enoki had been planning. Galgadayle used the time to approach and befriend the giant snow cat pet of the barbarian leader, who would make a valuable ally and pet against the Cult of the White Wyrm. The cat quickly befriended the druid but was very skittish around the wolverine and the flying flaming skull Chester (who it hissed at whenever he floated nearby).
Meanwhile Arcus was able to spend the two days further translating the dwarven runes on the stones, and was dismayed by what he found. Although an expedition to the north would have to wait until the party finished escorting the caravan to Karlsfjord, the entire fate of Norvik and everyone on the great glacier might rest on their shoulders. In the hands of a powerful, charismatic frost giant Jarl (presumably like Enoki’s father) the weilder of the battle axe Gore might unite the various tribes of giants into an unstoppable force sweeping down from the Thunderspire mountains…..

NORVIK: SESSION FOURTEEN

Chapter One: Assault on the Halls of Frost

After a good night’s sleep, the rememorization of spells, and bandaging and healing of wounds, the party made plans for the infiltration/assault of the Halls of Frost. Suddenly, an unexpected visitor appeared in front of the cave, surprising the guards: A scruffy, mountain-man like dwarf! He marched inside and introduced himself has Azidmere Stonestaff, and said he had been following and watching the party for the last few days. He claimed he was the last survivor of the Halls of Frost, and that it had been a dwarven stronghold long ago until frost giants and their allies destroyed it many decades ago.
The party was suspicious and began questioning him; Azidmere claimed that he had been chased out of the halls as recently activity by a new influx of frost giants and barbarian followers caused him to sneak out rather than be found inside. He claimed to live off the land as a hunter, and for the last few weeks had been outside the halls watching the comings and goings of the evil beings. When pressed, he said there were 6 frost giants (two had already been killed by the party), along with numerous winter wolves and barbarian followers now encamped within the ruins. They were led by a tall (7 foot) beautiful white haired woman, a half giantess named Inoke, and at least one priestess of Rualt. The dwarven loner asked the party to accompany them, and despite his surly and unpleasant attitude (especially towards the halfling, elves and half orc) they agree to let him come if he could show them a safe way inside the keep.
Carefully making their way close to the cliffs, the party saw three entrances several hundred yards away across an expanse of ice and snow. Now snowing and sleeting, the temperature dropping to near zero, the druid felt the weather was an unnatural phenomenon created by some sort of magical or wizardly influence. However, the cold blowing wind and storm would shield the party from detection if they attempted to sneak in past the six winter wolves they saw frolicking in front of the two entrances, as well as mask any sounds.
Two of the entrances had large stone doors, while the other was open with the torchlight and the sound of giantish laughter coming from within. Deciding to wait until dark, the party began debating which entrance to try when they noticed the dwarf was no where around. Suspicious, they had no choice but to go ahead, only to be surprised as a large bonfire arose hundreds of yards away, getting the attention of the winter wolves. Figuring this was Azidmere helping them distract the evil creatures, the party crept close to the western most door as Ephros and Galgadayle found the large stone gates slightly wedged open. Entering, they found themselves inside a gigantic entry hall, with sleds for hauling items and piles of clothing perhaps belonging to the barbarians known to be inside. Signalling the others to come up, all hell broke loose…

Chapter Two: The Hall of Frost: Upper Level

As the rest of the party snuck forward, they were suddenly shocked and surprised as eight hidden yetis sprang up from the snow covered tundra! Hidden by the ice and snow, the creatures completely surprised the party and three of them proceeded to paralyze both rangers and the druid’s wolf companion with their fearsome gaze. As one yeti grabbed up the wolf and hugged him, breaking his back with a crunch, the attack began on the rest of the party! Angles quickly cast a Remove Paralysis on both Argois and Vaerlon, and the brothers escaped the hold of the yeti. Shouting that the safest path was now to make for the doors, the party abandoned combat to run full speed for the druid and thief inside the ruins. Aided by spells cast by Galgadayle (his Temperature Control made the area around him 70 degrees, which sent yetis screaming away in pain and fear) and his poisoned darts, the flaming skull Chester and shooting stars fired by Ephros from his ring, the party made it inside after killing two yeti and fighting off the rest….all before the winter wolves could return and make the battle more lopsided. Inside the entryway, the doors were barred from the inside and the party proceeded to explore two exits that led down two sets of stairs.
While one exit led to another large abandoned entry room with some broken statues and a ramp leading to a level below, the other smaller stairway led to a set of rooms with torches on sconces lighting the walls, and the sounds of barbarian talking and laughter. Quietly making his way inside with his new elven cloak, Ephros found guest rooms newly cleaned and cleared out and set up for future guests. Rounding one corridor, he came upon three barbarians guarding an open door with laughter coming from within. Sneaking back, he whispered the situation to the party, and Angles made quick work of the barbarians with a Hold Person spell. Quietly slitting their throats, the party moved forward and saw another eight barbarians in the large room playing at dice. Argois, Waqsted and Ephros were sent around the corridor to the door on the other side of the room, as the bard Korgaard cast Stinking Cloud inside the room, filling it with noxious fumes and dropping all but one of the barbarians. The last one standing held his breath long enough to break out of the opposite door (despite it being held shut by Waqsted and Argois) and attacked the fighters, screaming for help. He was quickly killed, and the party began firing arrows inside the room at the retching and nearly helpless barbarians, killing nearly all of them, before help arrived down a far corridor in the form of more barbarians. Soon, the hallway became slippery with warm blood as Argois, Ephros and Waqsted battled and killed the barbarian fighters that contined to arrive. Inside the now-cleared out room, Korgaard, Galgadayle and his wolverine battled the surviving but still woozy barbarians, with the wolverine doing massive damage and Korgaard showing expertise with the now-uncursed Falcon’s Claw, using it to swipe of the arms of two barbarians while in battle!
As the battle continued, Ephros peeked around the corner to see a blood chilling sight: a frost giant at the end of a 60 ft corridor where it then widened into another giant room, shouting curses down the corridor and threatening to send the winter wolves if the barbarians did not reply! Warning the others, Ephros began firing arrows at the giant and was soon joined by others firing weapons and spells. Casting a Grease spell on the corridor, Arcus was just in time as two winter wolves attempted to attack the party but were slipped up instead flopping helplessly in the spell area. Ephros used his ring of shooting stars to shock the creatures as Waqsted and Galgadayle finished the slipping beasts off, enraging the giant even more. At the same time, from the direction they had already come, three more winter wolves came at the party’s back. Held back by Chester, Angles and Galgadayle, the other corridor had several party members firing arrows at the frost giant as he continued to throw rocks. Arcus’ fireball spell, along with several balls from the necklace of fireballs worn by Korgaard, wore down the giant and whoever was behind him in the larger room. Too small for the corridor, the giant could only launch boulders down it to ocassionaly bounce into an ally.
At that moment, the dwarf Azidmere suddenly appeared (he had been invisible, stalking the party), and attempted to backstab Argois!

Chapter Three: Giants in the Halls of Frost

Screaming at the party and Argois to get out of his house, it became apparent the dwarven thief was insane, either by long years of lonliness or other reasons. His attack missed Argois, and the ranger made short work of him with a few thrusts. Leaving him, Argois went to join Galgadayle, Angles and Chester in combat against the three winter wolves, Angles having to step out due to extreme injury from a wolf bite. Soon, the wolves were finished and the party was healed by Angles before joining the others battling the giant.
As the giant in the first corridor began to look like a pincushion stuck with arrows, finally Ephros and Waqsted took a running leap and jumped the Grease area of the corridor, bringing the battle to the depleted giant. Vaerlon tried to follow them but fell into the spell area, but gained his feet as he Korgaard soon joined the pair, the skald singing a loud battle song.
The first giant, barely standing on his feet from fireball and missile damage, soon fell to Vaerlon’s arrows as two more appeared to do battle. Ephros, Korgaard and Argois took one while Chester (screaming that he was “looking for the invisible girl”) and Waqsted battled the other. Mighty blows were struck on both sides but it soon appeared Waqsted was heavily injured. Knowing Chester was immune to fire and Waqsted owned a ring of fire resistance, Korgaard attempted to help by throwing a fireball from a necklace of missile…unfortunately, Waqsted had switched rings with Ephros again, and it was sheer dumb luck Waqsted managed to dodge out of the way and take partial damage. Unsteady on his feet, the giant was finished off by Galgadayle who ran his giant slaying sword through the frost giant’s heart.
The other giant found itself surrounded and battered by the others, and finally Vaerlon killed it with a mighty blow that took off the front of his head. Breathing heavily in the now quiet, bloody, yet frosty room, the party hastily searched the giant’s belongings, finding gold, silver and several odd items. Casting Detect magic, Angles identified the belt and helm as being magical, as well as Azidmere’s bracers, dagger and warhammer. The bracers turned out to be Bracers of Invisibility, and the helm, when tried on by Argois, turned him into a berserker intent on killing the party! Luckily, he was surrounded by party members, overborne, and held down as Angles cast a Remove Curse to allow the party to remove the obviously evil aligned helm. Angles then used the last of his cures to heal up the party, resorting to scrolls when his spells were done. Reporting back from a foray into the back corridor, Chester told the party that the last frost giant and winter wolf were stationed at the back entrance, obviously guarding the rear in case of party retreat (and not knowing yet the fate of his fellows). Gathering the treasure found, the party located a staircase leading downwards into the keep, and began moving quickly to distance themselves in case the last giant returned. Although injured and low on spells, the adventurers realized that rest would be impossible at this point if they wanted to catch (and kill) the half-giantess and priestess of Rualt before too many preparations had been made. Thus, the party, with Ephros in the lead, began their descent…..

NORVIK: SESSION THIRTEEN

Chapter One: Slight sidetrack….

With the captured prisoner Gustalf in tow, the party began heading down the mountain to camp, where they could rest and regain their spells before investigating the Halls of Frost the next day. As it was already afternoon, and would take several hours to reach camp, as dusk approached the party made the decision to instead spend the night in the woods….it would be cold and somewhat miserable, as they could not risk a proper fire and had no tents or cover, but it would be preferable to heading back to the camp at night while wounded and low on spells.
Soon, the rangers and druid located a perfect area…..a large stand of fir trees on a mound, towering to the sky, surrounded by a large open area that would could be easily watched by each shift of guards…as the bushy fir trees hid the party from sight, plus protected them from the elements (as it was snowing again). As they reached the mound surrounded by firs, it was soon noticed that in the center of the fir trees was an open area, with stones circling it perhaps two feet high and two feet apart, about 20 feet across in a crude circle. Although they were tired, the party was curious about the odd formation of rocks, and after setting up camp began looking at the rocks and digging around. Arcus and the ranger Vaerlon stood watch, while Chester guarded the now tied up fighter Gustalf as Ephros, Angles, Waqsted, Korgaard, Galgadayle, and Argois walked around the small circle, looking for some sort of clue as to it’s origin. Angles tripped on something and sprawled out…..as he cleared the dirt away, a trapdoor was revealed: Suddenly, the formation of the rocks became clear: They were crenellations of a tower….which lay underneath the earth! The trapdoor Angles had found was on the top of the sunken tower, which somehow lay beneath their feet under the earth! Through natural or magical means, somehow a tower out in this lonely landscape had sunk beneath the earth….who knew what treasures might await. As the party began discussing whether to investigate it now, or put it off for a more opportune time, the situation was taken out of their hands: a rumbling was heard, and without warning the top of the tower collapsed inward, taking with it rocks, dirt, trees…and the adventurers!

Chapter Two: The Sunken Tower

The collapse of the tower roof had been too sudden to do anything: anyone or anything within the 20’diameter circle of the tower roof was taken in the fall; the next few minutes were an eternity of falling, as the rotten and weakened wood of the roof gave way. As the weight of the adventurers and the debris hit the topmost floor of the tower, it also gave way. Several frantic minutes passed as the adventurers were tossed to and fro, praying to their gods to spare them from deadly injury!
Finally, the adventurers came to rest, along with most of the debris, dust, rocks and wood still settling and shifting. Coughing and groaning, soon a torch as lit and Ephros found his Continual light wand. Dirty and bloody, the survivors of the fall looked around in the pitch blackness, and realized they all lived….except for the prisoner Gustalf, whose broken body along with the tree he was tied to was found crushed beneath a boulder. Looking up, the party members could see nothing, as a large flat boulder had shifted when the tower roof collapsed, blocking any sort of egress. Everyone within the circle---Ephros, Korgaard, Galgadayle, Argois, Angles and Waqsted----was bruised and bloody but alive down below the earth. They could hear from above the faint calls of Arcus, Vaerlon and Chester, indicating that the trio had avoided the fall. Shouting to them, the six indicated that an exit past the boulder was impossible, and due to shifting in the rubble, it was going to be safer for them to go DOWN into the tower proper rather than risk another collapse by digging upwards. Whether or not another exit could be found, the only safe option was to exit through a still-standing door in one side of the room they had fallen into, which led to a stairway down into darkness…. Shouting to the ones above their intention to wait until morning’s light to begin trying to dig out, they also told the trio on the surface they were going to brave the lower levels in case the shifting, settling rock further damaged them. Quickly looking around the room before braving the stairs, the adventurers were disturbed to find many bones, including skulls. and a now partially obscured pentagram which the bard identified as a summoning circle. However, further investigation was derailed as the party quickly hurried through the door to a level below….
Taking the stairs single file, the characters soon filed into a small, dusty room with cobwebs and another door leading out. The only remarkable thing being a single skeletal body in robes, set directly in the center of the small room. Using his ability to see through his animal’s eyes, the druid Galgadayle sent his wolverine down to the floor to nose around the skeleton, followed by Ephros. Suddenly, as they entered the room a large blue drop of liquid splashed near to Ephros, burning him with acid, and a large, one eyed furry winged abomination sailed out of the rafters to attack…with the same blue poisonous liquid leaking out of his one eye. With it’s talons and barbed tail, the creature fell upon Ephros. Soon, he and Waqsted had disposed of the creature, which died and melted into a puddle of noxious, bubbling liquid. The bard identified the magical guardian as an eyewing, a creature from the outer planes that mages used for watching and guarding places. Finding their way through a secret door, they entered a long-abandoned bedroom complete with four poster bed, desk, armoire, and window…which was flush with the dirt of the cavern as it leaked into the room. The bed was moldy and had collapsed, and generally the room looked long abandoned. Checking the wardrobe, Waqsted parted the moldy, decaying cloaks and books with his axe, only to be surprised by two fists hammering him! Stumbling back, a patchwork figure emerged from the closet…a flesh golem, obviously left as another guardian for whoever had inhabited this ruin! Only with the help of everyone, all using magic weapons, were the adventurers able to bring the foul construct down before it did major damage to anyone. Pausing to dispose of the golem’s remains by tossing them into the secret room, the adventurers were short on spells and healing and determined staying in the fortified bedroom would be the best course for the evening. Another door they checked led downwards, they did not want to get into anymore trouble. Angles and Waqsted went upstairs to the rubble filled roof and called out to Arcus, Vaerlon and Chester their intention to spend the night and then explore the next morning. Searching the room and desk, Ephros came across several magely accoutrements, leaving the party to believe they had come upon some mage’s tower that had somehow magically sunk within the earth. After resting the night in the ruined bedroom, the party vowed to follow the stairs downward and see if any escape could be made!

Chapter Three: Into the Tower
The next day, somewhat rested, cured and with spells memorized, the party began it’s descent into the heart of the tower. The room below was an abandoned wreck, but had a window facing out on something other than dirt…what looked like a small cavern covered with phosphorescent fungi. Looking out revealed that not just a single tower, but an entire small keep had somehow become swallowed by the earth. Another tower opposite the one where they stood appeared to have broken off and lay on it’s side in the dark and muddy cavern. Suddenly, a dark flying object came towards the window, attracted by the party’s light…a leering, ugly face attached to a winged body flew at them, as a gargoyle attempted to enter the tower! The party instead backed off down the staircase, holding the creature back with arrows (which bounced off it’s stony hide, not being magical). After going down another floor (barring the door behind them), they entered a guardroom where they battled and destroyed a small contingent of skeletons armed with swords. This tower level entered into the keep proper, and a library was found complete with shelves full of moldy books.
Searching around, Ephros discovered a few traps in the room, including a pressure plate and various glyphs (which he expertly disarmed by carefully erasing part of the glyph. A magical trap which consisted of a giant flying spider in temporal stasis was disposed of, and a secret room was found in one wall with a small store of treasure (gathered by the party). Further searching of the level let them discover what looked like a cleric’s room (one to the God of the dead, Mallorn, as Angles identified the holy symbols) of someone named “Yarmuth”. A magical mace was discovered by Waqsted, and it bothered him not to appropriate the weapon despite the unholy origins of the weapon….it would be needed against the various undead of the keep! Another room found them in the presence of the Captain of the Guard, a direguard named Derek, and a bandguard minion that attacked after informing the party he would deal with them “Like I did that traitor Yarmuth”. Besides fighting prowess, the undead creatures possessed the powers of firing magic missiles and blinking behind opponents, making them annoying and deadly foes. Destroying the undead, Argois claimed the glowing sword of the direguard, obviously magical since unlike every other weapon so far it lacked any rust upon it.
In the Captain’s desk, the party found writings that told the keep belonged to a mage named Damien, and the priest Yarmuth had been a guest of his for some sort of consultation, before disaster had struck the keep (of which Derek had not elaborated on). The party continued searching the level and found an old weapons room….which included a nasty surprise for Ephros as he got close to examine the runes on a sword in the rack, which actually was a quite hungry mimic! The mimic attacked by surprise and nearly beat the astonished thief to death, smashing him again and again before killed by the party. Ephros required many healing spells from the cleric before they pushed on into a small room which had a staircase leading further down into the keep. Unfortunately, as they began descending, the floor underneath them gave a loud groan and gave way, plunging Ephros and Angles down into darkness!

Chapter Four: Yarmuth and Lower Levels
The drop below came to an abrupt stop as Angles and Ephros fell 20 feet into a pitch black room filled with brackish water to a depth of 3 feet. Gathering themselves (with Ephros barely keeping his halfling nose above the water), they soon became aware of another presence in the room….Ephros pulled out his continual light wand to show a hellish creature, a mud covered mummified being with the holy vestments of a cleric of Mallorn….Yarmuth! As the monster advanced, Angles turning ability proved ineffective, and Ephros was so paralyzed by fear the wand dropped from his hands into the cold water.
Above, Waqsted used a ring of feather falling he had earlier borrowed from Ephros to jump into the darkness after hearing Angles screaming “Undead”! Angles and Waqsted began battling the creature, as Korgaard and Argois also leapt into the darkness. Unfortunately, one look at the hideous creature caused Argois to stand transfixed in fear, his bowels letting loose, leaving the creature to Angles, Waqsted and Korgaard. A burning hands spell by the bard proved ineffective, so he began a lusty battle song as they fought the creature in almost total darkness, desperately trying to avoid a touch of the mummy’s rotting fingers…
Soon, with the thief’s help after Ephros had shaken off his fear, the party finished off the mummy and looked around for escape. Galgadayle had tied off a rope and left his animals above, not wanting them mucking around in the gloom and dirty water, lowering himself to join the rest of the party. Finding a door, they opened it as water rushed out, filling a small corridor with several doors. They began exploring this lowest level, going room to room and battling skeletons and a hidden ghast, until coming to what would have been a large entry hall. The door was battered down, and an unusual plant covered a large pile of mud that had flowed into the room. From the pile shone the gleam of armor and weapons, but it also included skeletons, and immediately the druid Galgadayle senses something about the plant growing out of it…”Abomination” he growled, as after using his speak with plants ability all the plant could do was talk of it’s hunger for flesh….and the party in particular. Using missile weapons, the party began firing at the stalk of the man eating plant, until suddenly long thorn covered tentacles whipped out towards them, wrapping around the druid, covering his mouth and pinning his arms. Immediately the party hacked through the tentacles, and Angles began throwing open vials of oil towards the mound. Joining him, the party then followed with a lit torch and watched the man-eating plant be consumed by the greasy, smoky flames.
Unfortunately, as the fire died down and the party began to explore the chamber, they had to contend with not one by four gargoyles, who might have been guardians of the keep at one time but now like the party were trapped in the cavern. Screaming and flapping, the stony horrors flew into the large-ceilinged room through the broken doors and began engaging the party in battle. A volley of missiles proved useless as only magic weapons could harm the creatures, so battle was joined with the bard shouting a lusty battle song! Every party member joined the battle until the evil creatures lay hacked and dead in the smoking mud. Finally catching a break, cure spells were used on almost everyone, and the mud pile was searched and disgorged a beautiful shiny short sword, obviously magical as it had no rust upon it.
Talking amongst themselves, rather than now check out the fallen tower, the party decided to return to the room with the rope and climb it back to the staircase, investigating the level of the keep and tower they had missed, also picking up Galgadayle’s animals along the way. Climbing the rope, the party then descended the stairs to another level with various undead, including skeletons, baneguards, and a quite nasty encounter with persistent zombie cats that Galgadayle’s wolverine eventually dealt with.
Entering the tower from this level, they found a laboratory with two covered beds. Firing arrows at the coverings, one was found to be concealing various lab equipment..the other, another flesh golem! The flesh golem waded into combat, beating the tar out of Waqsted before Korgaard, Argois and Ephros took it down. Going down another level, the party found a prison section where they battled a ogre skeleton before finally declaring the keep and tower cleared.

Chapter Five: The Fallen Tower and Damien
Finally making their way outside to the fallen tower, the party approached it cautiously. Laying on it’s side, they entered to find rubble everywhere, and soon saw two pinpricks of light ahead of them. Korgaard’s bade, the cursed sword of Falcon, began glowing at the presence of negative energy undead. The pinpricks with the eyes of Damien, who had become a spectre! Speaking to the party in sad and soothing tones, Damien described how he and his keep had come to this state:

“Over 100 years ago, I was engaged in research of a nefarious sort. I had summoned a demon from beyond to assist me with knowledge, and bound him to be my unwilling servant. I kept him trapped in a pentacle in the tower. However, over the years I grew too sure of myself and sought the powers of lichdom. For this I hired a priest of Mallorn, Yarmuth by name, to assist me in this regard.
As I researched lichdom with Yarmuth, I neglected both my wife, and the demonic prisoner. Soon, the bonds holding the demon weakened, and I was far too engrossed in my new studies to notice. At night, the demon would appear to my wife in her dreams as a beautiful young man, seducing her in her loneliness and eventually charming her to do his bidding. One day, thoroughly mind controlled, she bypassed by guardians and destroyed the pentacle holding him in place. Snapping her neck, the demon immediately took his revenge by casting a gigantic Rock to Mud spell, sinking my entire keep into this cavern, trapping us all. The tower he was in snapped off due to the strain, and then the demon teleported away. With no escape, we were trapped in the cavern. I found the dead body of my wife and begged Yarmuth to raise her. When he refused, I Derek and I threatened him, but he laughed at us, as priests of the death god to not believe in returning those in Mallorn’s embrace back to the living. In rage, Derek threw the defiant Yarmuth into a empty room after stabbing him many times. Dying, Yarmuth cursed all the inhabitants of the keep to rise as undead when they died, which as you see did happen.
Eventually everyone died of madness, thirst or battle as time went on with no escape. I myself sat at my wife’s side and slowly starved as I contemplated the folly of my life. Thus, I too was raised as undead due to Yarmuth’s curse.
However, escape exists for you if you wish it. Years afterward the earth shifted, and now a narrow passage, perhaps 2 feet wide, connects from this cavern to a underdark tunnel that leads to a cave about a mile away. Go if you wish…but if so you must leave my treasures behind. If you wish my meager treasures, then you must battle me to both put me out of my misery and take what little valuables I have left. Good Luck to you!!”

With this, the spectre flew out of the darkness of the tower shaft towards the party. Wishing to remove the curse on Falcon’s weapon (as the sword of sharpness would only function if used to slay a negative energy undead), Korgaard cast mirror image on himself and ran forward to engage Damien in battle. Suddenly, Angles screamed behind them, as an apparition of Damien’s wife appeared…also undead, she came at the cleric with both arms outstretched, attempting to strangle the priest! Assisted by Ephros, Angles battled the undead woman as the rest of the party began attacking the spectre.
Although the spectre scored many hits upon the bard, Korgaard’s mirror image spell protected him as image after image was dispelled, but luckily the bard himself never came under the direct touch of the energy draining undead. Assisted by Argois, soon the spectre was depleted and with one last blow, Korgaard struck the spectre and softly whispering “at last”, the essence of the spectre Damien was drawn up into the sword, which began to glow a healthy blue instead of the sickly green of before…the curse on Falcon’s Claw was lifted! Wielding the now uncursed sword of sharpness, Korgaard also struck the final blow on the haunt that was Damien’s wife, also sucking her essence into the sword, where she could finally rest for eternity with her husband.
The final foes dispatched, the party began healing themselves and searching the rubble of the fallen tower. They managed to gather a small sack full of rings, gems, gold and minor magic (including a ruby flaming dagger, a necklace of missiles and some scrolls) and then found the exit Damien had talked about, which consisted of just a small crevice that the party members had to remove their armor to traverse. However, once a small section was bypassed, the tunnel widened out, and sure enough a mile later a long abandoned cave entrance was found which led outside. Soon, the tired and dirty adventurers were reunited with Arcus, Vaerlon and Chester, and once again plans were made to rest and then investigate the Halls of Frost….after camp was moved to the more protected and well hidden cavern, which not only was large enough for all the party but had a source of fresh water in a pool fed with trickling runoff from melted snow.

NORVIK: SESSION TWELVE

Greengrass & Mirtul

Chapter One: Greengrass Festival

The party, tired yet triumphant, marched the many miles back at night, slowed by the mistreated and injured freed slaves (all inhabitants of Hap) who accompanied them, but determined to leave none behind and reach Hap as soon as possible. As they reached the village near midnight, guards outside the village reacted with wonder as they realized over a dozen of their kidnapped brethren had been freed! Watchfires, lanterns and candles lit up around the town as people swarmed the streets, screaming praise and thanks as lost relatives, husbands, wives and children were tearfully embraced by the townsfolk. Soon everyone from miles around had rushed to the Millary Inn to see what the commotion was, and the innkeeper Silas and his daughter Sally served free food and ale to the joyful crowd that gathered outside. Toasts were made to the party, and revelry commenced. Even the floating, flaming skull Chester was praised and cheered, and many mugs of ale were drank to him as he inevitably called the entire rescue “his super secret skull plan”, and he entertained the crowd with several inappropriate and off color jokes that were funny 100 years earlier (or, maybe judging from their perverseness, never). The bard Korgaard set up an impromptu stage and began regaling the crowd with “The Final Battle of the Falcon”, a spur of the moment re-telling of the battles of the last few days.
As time wore on, the revelry continued as this was the first day of Greengrass, the yearly festival of Altreya that occurred for a week every year in the spring. During the week of Greengrass, all worshippers of Altreya and any farmers celebrate by planting and sowing seeds for the year ahead during the day, as well as having a feast and celebration nightly. Because of the triumphant return of the heroes, the celebration was just beginning a little early! Casks of ale were rolled out, instruments were being played, dancing and feasting began, and no one seemed to mind the cold temperatures or the late hour.
Soon, as dawn began to show, those that weren’t already passed out drunk, or had made their way back to the comfort of their rooms with a new lady friend, were sitting in the main room of Silas’ Inn counting out their gold and dividing treasure. Angles, who had managed to somehow awaken half naked under a table in the room entangled with a semi nude rescued hostage (the daughter of Nartan, Cyndia by name), said he wished to give most of his share to the community of Hap because most of the bandits deprecations hurt them more than most.
Korgaard, who had spent a pleasant evening learning the charms of Sally, (and deciding Reppar had been a lucky bastard after all), awoke to whisperings in his mind that he instinctively knew came from the sword Falcon’s Claw. While desiring a Sword of Sharpness as a weapon, Korgaard also knew that whatever curse was on the sword must be first exorcised lest he turn out to be a villain as evil as Falcon, or worse. An identify on the sword revealed the nature of the curse: contaminated by the foulness of Falcon's soul, any wielder would eventually become a wight as Falcon had done. To sever the curse, the sword must be used to slay a negative energy undead, striking the killing blow. Korgaard resolved to follow up on any legends relating the whereabouts of such undead so as to release the curse on the sword.
As the rest of the party awakened and tended to their breakfast, the other rescued merchants wished to return to Norvik as soon as possible, accompanied by the party, and promised to pay them handsomely for the service through the merchant’s guild in town. After packing up their belongings, they mounted their horses and left the good folk of Hap as true heroes.


Chapter Two: Next Assignment

After the return, the party sat recovering in their rooms, notes were passed to them to be in the Lady Luck Tavern that night. Upon arrival, they are directed to a booth on the upper balcony, where a shadowy figure sits cloaked…it is Lord Llewellyn, who congratulates them on their victory and rescue, and debriefs them on their mission. Satisfied, he leaves them and tells them he will keep them in mind for any future missions, and slips them an envelope…it is the deed to a house in town, paid for full and clear, made out to “The Knights of Norvik”! The intention is obvious, Llewellyn wants them to stay in case he needs them again, and wants to know where they are if they do so.
More entreaties greet the party in the days ahead. The local high priest of Attar (Helios) who has heard of the party’s rescue of slaves from Bowrun, sends them greetings and several potions (Healing and Oil of Impact) and scrolls ( Endure Cold at 9th level)….and lets them know they are welcome to visit at any future time if they need healing up to raising from the dead, a boon usually granted only to other members of the priesthood, slaves, or worshippers.
Finally, a representative of the Merchant House of Foxx and the dwarf Derval Ironeater asks for an audience with the party. They have been recommended to them by various people (Llewellyn and Yelloknife) as a group of adventurers who are honest and discreet, as well as powerful. When assembled, they spring for a banquet meal at the River Shining Tavern and present an offer: The merchant house must send a caravan to the far side of the continent, to the city of Karlsfjord, to drop off a load of weapons (to combat a rise in giant and yeti attacks) and pick up a large load of furs and skins. The last caravan never made its destination, and the long trip is really only capable of being made in the spring and summer, so time is of the essence. The party will be paid handsomely for work as caravan guards, and the mission should take a couple of months or so. They are to guard the caravan, if they can find out what happened to the earlier group, arrive in Karlsfjord, stay the few weeks it will take for the merchants to buy the requisite furs, tusks and skins, then accompany the merchant train back to Norvik. They will have free time upon arrival in Karlsfjord to do what they wish, whether it be drinking and wenching, or adventuring, as long as they are ready to return with the merchants when they are ready. For this service, they will be paid 500 gp each for the trip there, free room and food in Karlsfjord, and 1000 gp each upon a successful return. Foxx will also supply them with some magical items (some potions of healing, a warming stone each) while Derval can supply them with magical weapons (+1 arrows) as an incentive. Horses and gear for each adventurer are also provided, to be returned at mission's end. The merchant's son, Lennox, will accompany the caravan in the care of two bodyguards, while 15 low level fighters also traveling along as backups and scouts.

As the party gets started, an escort from the Fists of the North accompanies them through the forest, a few days ride outside the city. The adventurers make themselves comfortable for the long ride guarding the five wagons, but their journey through the woods is uneventual as the presence of the Fists (Seasoned warriors, 30 strong) on their heavy warhorses is enough to dissuade any hidden bandits or humanoids. Three days out, Galgadayle the druid notices something wrong with the weather; it begins to snow steadily from then on out. Snow after Greengrass is almost unheard of; some magical force for ill is about. By the time the escort from the Fists departs, the party is on it's own on a sheet of white snow and temperatures more likely in the winter than the spring.

Chapter Three: Conflict in the Snow

Five days out, with Galgadayle and Argois scouting ahead on horseback, signs of many gnolls are seen in the snow. Speculation spreads that the unusual snows may have agitated many of the humanoids across the grasslands and tundra of the continent, causing them to forage out for food from the mountains 10 miles to the north. Going quickly through the areas with gnolls tracks without incident, a day later while moving the caravan on a narrow path bordered by a dry river embankment. Sensing a good place for a ambush, the wagon train was stopped, and Argois and Galgadayle moved ahead to look for signs of live in the heavy brambles bordering the path. As they forged ahead, signs of many orcs were seen in the newly fallen snow, just as screams and shouts filled their ears from the wagons behind!
Back at the wagons, the players formed a protective cordon, with Ephros and Arcus inside the cordon with the caravan guards and Waqsted, Korgaard, Vaerlorn, and Angles ranging ahead of the wagons to search the brambles. As they did, they hears a series of loud scream from the brambles, as 50 orcs with spears and swords exploded from cover and began to run screaming across the 100 yds separating them from the wagons. As they got near, they let fly a shower of spears that wounded several of the guards, at the same time a fireball cast by Arcus struck the mass of orcs, instantily killing 20 of the beasts. The rest continued ahead and were met by the four adventurers in combat, with Ephros providing missile support with his bow and Arcus casting spells. A dozen orc leaders also joined the combat as the battle was joined.
As the battle was joined, Argois and Galgadayle began working their way through the brambles to attempt to come up behind whoever was springing the ambush. Soon, they came upon a group of 25 orcs and 5 orogs, waiting for their moment to join the combat. Smiling at the thought of killing so many abominations, Galgadayle cast a Thorn wall, raising the brambles 40 feel around the orcs, trapping them and instantly killing 25 of the lesser beasts. He followed that up with an Entangle, leaving only a couple of orogs to be battled and killed by Argois. Galgadayle charmed the final orog for questioning and perhaps as a bodyguard.
Meanwhile, the spells of Arcus and blades of the adventurers spelled doom for the orcs in short order, without much damage inflicted. Questioning the orog, the party found no intelligenced by the orcs, just a desperation attack based on the sudden snows. The orog did offer that yetis and frost giants had been seen ranging far from their mountain homes, leaving the adventurerers to further speculate on the unnatural origin and effects of the steady snow, and whether it was being caused by the priesthood of Rualt and perhaps their enemies the Cult of the White Wyrm for some nefarious purpose.

Chapter Four: Midnight Ambush

A couple more days passed without event, and finally the caravan moved into the mountain range they would have to pass through before their final road to Karlsfjord. This would be a tense, dangerous few days as they crossed they snowy, rocky mountain range, even through the wide pass that had been hacked out centuries ago by clans of dwarves wishing to help trade between nations. Guards were put on alert and night watches rotated frequently in case attack came after dark.
On the 2nd day in the mountains, the party rested with the wagons drawn into a circle, and the party divided into two watches (with Chester, who no longer needed sleep, keeping both watches “entertained” by stories of his two girlfriends he had had decades earlier….stories that had been repeated ad nauseum on earlier ocassions). During first watch, just after midnight, Galgadayles wolverine and wolf began sensing something in the snows, a warning also felt by Argois as he heard movement. Lighting up the watchfires, the party discovered a large group of perhaps 20 yetis almost at the camp, having snuck forward rendered invisible by the snow, being herded towards the caravan by a group of six winter wolves….who were themselves being commanded by the booming voice of a frost giant whose form could be seen a couple hundred yards outside the camp!!!
Quickly the rest of the party was roused, and quick thinking on the druid’s part led to a spike growth and entangle being cast into the creatures midst, injuring all of the creatures and capturing some. The giant began tossing rocks into their camp, one hitting a wagon dead one….destroying it and killing two guards who were setting up to fire bows. The battle was joined with the yetis, with everyone including the charmed orog and Galgadayle’s animals getting involved. Sensing the need to pull out the stops, Vaerlorn blew his Horn of Wolf Summoning, which brough five of the creatures that attacked and harassed one winter wolf.
Galgadayle and Arcus realized soon if the head was cut off, the group might dissolve, so they cast spells (the druid control temperature ’10 radius, bringing his area up to 95 degrees, and the mage mirror image to confuse the enemy), and began moving forward towards the enemy. Screaming a battle cry, Chester flew at full speed towards the giant only to be met with a mighty fist that struck him dead on and sent him flying far into the hills. As the yetis tried to attack Galgadayle and retreated screaming as they came in contact with his temperature field, he was also surrounded by winter wolves who found their breath weapons unaffected. Galgadayle got close enough to use thorn spray in the giant, causing needles to fly out and cover the giants frame, and Arcus hit him with a fireball which unfortunately did little damage to the giant. Arcus then used his Wand of Steam to clear the group off Galgadayle (before which Galgadayle plunged his area temperature to -50 degrees to prevent injury from the wand), killing all of the winter wolves and yetis surrounding the druids. As the druid stood alone, the giant tossed a boulder that struck Galgadayle dead on and dropped him to the ground…at the same moment, the still living winter wolves converged on Arcus as he went to his Wand of Paralyzation.
Meanwhile, the rest of the party was engaged in desperate combat with a tribe of crazed yetis, which killed the orog and heavily damaged several party members with their deadly “hug”. Luckily, earlier applications of Endure Cold by Angles on party members helped mitigate the damage, as did the clear singing voice of Korgaard who boosted their morale with the “Battle of Falcon’s Peak” that boomed out clear during the battle. Soon, the yeti’s suffered enough losses that Argois and Ephros were able to break off and assist Galgadayle (whose giant slaying spear, Shimmering, was glowing and screaming frost giant curses at the monster) and a recovered Chester in hand to hand combat with the giant. The battle went on for awhile as the party played cat and mouse with the large creature, but finally Chester breathed fire in his face, catching his hair afire, as Galgadayle’s spear pierced his chest and killed the creature. At that time, one wounded winter wolf retreated and the rest of the yetis went down in death to the battling adventuring party.
The battle was over, bloody bodies strewn across the freshly fallen snow, and the harvesting of winter wolf and yeti pelts begun under orders from the party. A quick plan was formed….the surviving winter wolf, heavily wounded, was leaving a clear trail of blood through the snow, so the party would take the chance to follow it hoping to find it’s masters. Meanwhile the caravan guards would finish harvesting the skins of the dead under the effect of a Hallucinatory Terrain spell cast by the druid, which should protect them from being discovered as the party tracked the wolf to it’s “lair”. This was boosted by the discovery of a head in the giant’s bag that belonged to Lennox’s cousin, who had been in the wagon train that had disappeared during the earlier trip. If there was a chance the party could find the giant’s base AND the stolen caravan goods, they had to take it…Lennox promised more than the promised reward if they both destroyed the giants and found the rest of the items that had been stolen. . In the meantime, the discovery of the holy symbol of Rualt and The Cult of the White Wyrm around the dead giant’s neck seemed to confirm the party’s suspicions something more than a simple ambush or spring snow was in play.
On foot, the party quickly ran through the woods following the winter wolf’s trail. Even in the moonlight, the trail was clear as the wounded and bleeding wolf left a trail easily followed by the rangers. After four hours, with dawn barely rising over the mountain peaks, they party reached a clearing and the wolf’s destination.

Chapter Five: The Dwarven Platform

Carefully and quietly approaching an open area on the side of a small peak, the party saw the winter wolf’s destination: A large, stone platform situated on the top of the hill, which oddly enough was free of all snow and ice; in front, stood another frost giant, arguing with a human who was standing atop a large sled filled with reindeer carcasses. Around the area lounged 10 barbarian types, armed with spears, and the exhausted Winter Wolf, who had collapsed at the feet of the giant after his long run. The man, who appeared to be a fighter, was arguing with the giant in the monster’s language, which a few members of the party could understand (including Chester and the druid’s spear, which translated for the rest). The giant was letting the man know that he return of only one winter wolf bode ill; he was going down the mountain to see what had happened to his brother, Grontar. The man, Gustalf, argued that they were due back to a place called “The Halls of Frost” with this reindeer meat to be used for food; he and the barbarians could not haul it all themselves! “I am not a beast of burden, I am a warrior, and I leave now to find out the fate of my brother!” the giant bellowed, and began stomping away towards where the party had come from. The man yelled threats to the back of the giant, but to no avail.
Quickly whispering among themselves, it was decided to let the frost giant get about 10 minutes away, then ambush and kill him. Hurrying through the woods behind the giant, they finally were able to get ahead on a switchback and wait. When the giant showed himself on the path, the druid bathed his body with faerie fire, as Ephros struck from behind to try and hamstring the monster. At the same time, Arcus hit him with Magic Missiles, and then the battle was joined! Galgadayle, Argois, Korgaard and Waqsted all struck blows, the giant kicked out and sent the halfling thief flying to land with a thump a full 10 yards away, but he was done. Bleeding from many wounds, he was finished off with missile weapons and he slumped to the ground, dead. Quickly taking his treasure, the group formed a plan to take the barbarian group and fighter back at the platform as Angles healed up Ephros.
Soon, the party was back in the woods around the platform. The barbarians and Gustalf were resting in the protection of the platform, which although open to the sky, had no snow hitting it, and it’s area appeared to be much warmer than the freezing surroundings. Surely some magic was here! Casting Invisibility ’10, Arcus and the rest of the party slowly creeped up to the edge of the platform. The injured winter wolf began barking, and Chester attacked and killed him with his flame breath, distracting the enemy. As the barbarians grabbed their weapons and began jumping off the platform, running towards Chester and howling threats, they were attacked by surprise by the invisible party members. A short battle ensued, with the battle raging barbarians giving the adventurers quite a fight before all dying in combat. Galgadayles wolf and wolverine, along with Vaerlorn, slowly beat down the human fighter Gustalf until he near death he surrendered. Nothing much was learned from him as he began chanting and singing hymns to Rualt, and he also wore the Cult of the White Wyrm holy symbol, marking him as a true believer. Investigating the platform, the party discovered it of dwarven make, with pillars in the form of great dwarven warriors surrounding the interior. Long ago enchanted, the 80x120 area of the stone platform was not only protected from the elements, but inside a constant temperature of around 80 degrees was felt.
A careful search led to finding a hidden cache of potions, with a notation on them they were for dwarfs or dwarf friends in need of magic. Spotting a set of rungs leading up the back of one of the statue, Ephros climbed the 14 feet up and atop the statue noticed a telescopic rod pointing at a distant peak. Looking through, the outlines of a large set of stone doors and some sort of fortress caught his attention….the Halls of Frost? Questioning of the prisoner proved nearly futile, for his only response was that if they found the Halls of Frost, Inoke and the priestesses of Rualt would bring the adventurers their doom. Now determined to find out what was behind the stone doors, the party made plans to go back to the camp for rest and restoration of spells, then head out the next day up the mountain to find these “Halls of Frost” and discover who was behind the caravan attacks, and perhaps the wizardly weather as well.

NORVIK: SESSION ELEVEN

Tarsakh 28

Chapter One: Ambush at Falcon’s Peak

After the final battle with the undead and the escape of Millard, the party was left in control of the fortress, all of the bandits now dead or escaped. Angles busied himself freeing and tending to the dozen or so slaves, while the rest of the party released the captives that were being held for ransom. They consisted of a Norvik merchant’s daughter (Nartan, of Nartan’s Foods), four traveling merchants, a elf from the dark forest named Bowrun, and a curious scruffy gnomish type named Carsra who claimed to be a fighter, yet suspiciously knew quite a bit about setting traps and such as he and Ephros boobytrapped the illusionary shaft from the roof (in case Millard still lived and tried to return by that route).
While getting the keep ready to ambush Kervis, Galgadayle had an interesting conversation with Bowrun, who was an escaped slave living in S'Ardeep within the Dark Forest (Galgadayle's birthplace). He told Galadayle he knew his parents, having escaped slavery from pirates with them, and asked if Galgadayle had talked to them recently....Galgadayle seemed reluctant to talk of his parents and his life before being apprenticed to the druid who raised him and was then destroyed by the "Dark Druid" that rampaged through the Dark Forest. Mentally, Galgadayle made a note he had to contact them at some point to let them know what had happened to his mentor and to himself in the months since the attack.
The party conferred, and decided to search the keep top to bottom, then prepare to ambush the returning Kervis and his bandit group. Arcus found some notes on the desk of Millard which seemed to indicate Kervis was seeking out a priest of Mallorn to help bypass the wards on the lower level to search for treasure (as the tomb was a holy temple consecrated to Mallorn, any priest of the God of Death would probably help them for free if they found one). As the fate of Millard was also uncertain, Galgadayle sent his owl and wolf out to search nearby , but when they returned they said they had found no sign of any humans. Traps were set by Ephros and Carsra, and guards were posted, but no one came that evening…although the morning came and Carsra had disappeared. Again Galgadayle sent his wolf out, and Carsra was found in a tree about half a mile away, a perfect perch for observing Falcon’s Peak. The gnome’s motives were a mystery, one the party vowed to follow up on later, after the planned ambush of Kervis.
The party divided up, with Argois, Korgaard, Arcus and Angles on top the roof manning the ballistas, and the rest of the party below. Disconcertingly, sounds from the lower level could be heard through the floor, and belatedly the party realized they had placed on guards or traps on the tomb level or cave entrance! Galgadayle and his animals snuck down to the cave entrance, only to find the returning orc hunting party butched, cut to pieces with sharp weapons. Galgadayle did not wish to go any further, and reported this to everyone up above. Speculation went nowhere; either Kervis and his followers had snuck into the lower level, or something else had come upon and slaughtered their orc foes!
Meanwhile, on the roof, a speck in the sky appeared and began slowly lowering itself over the roof. Manning the ballista, the rooftop warriors were happy to see it was the flaming, floating skull Chester, who had gotten bored in town and decided to try and find his friends to help them out. He had flown as high as he could until he finally made out the keep on the cliff, and was happy to see them. He related that back in the village, the bandits had been hung on the morning; unfortunately, the bard Reppar had escaped with ANOTHER village wench he had cajoled and charmed into freeing him….both had ridden off after the wench distracted Chester with her large “funbags” (he added, quite embarrassed) and slipped a spare key to Reppar. Dismissing any further trouble from Reppar, Korgaard said his shitty bard skills would undoubtedly serve him ill in the future, and if they ran into him again he would be no problem to dispatch.
Later that day, it began to lightly rain, and with no sun showing through the clouds the gloomy setting began to get on the party’s nerves, along with the unexplained noises from below. Ephros set a trap atop the opening to the lower levels with a cask of oil that was located in the storeroom…any lifting of the opening would cause a spark to set the cask aflame, resulting in a very nasty firebomb. Anyone coming up from below would be in for quite a surprise!
Soon, figures appeared on the path leading up to the front door of the keep. It was as group of what appeared to be men…but they move oddly. As they got closer, they realized that the 18 figures were zombies, possibly sent by the priest of Mallorn to assault the keep. However, there appeared to be no way in for the undead, and soon they shambled up to the front door and stood there, beating ineffectually on the wooden gate. Casting a Detect Evil spell from the roof, Angles examined the group and noted several spots of very intense evil….unusual for common undead such as zombies. Ephros and Vaerlon were in the small entry hall when suddenly it went black…Continual Darkness had been cast! A scraping sound was heard and something opened up, a cue for Ephros and Vaerlon to abandon the room and go into the keep proper, barring the door and awaiting any foes.
Above, the party noted the magical darkness, and Arcus sent a Fireball down into the zombies midst. A magical fog had also sprunt up making vision difficult, but after the Fireball had disapated the fog, only a few zombie bodies were visible. Suddenly it became obvious, Kervis and his minions had disguised themselves as zombies to get them close, then entered a previous undiscovered secret door to get inside the keep! At that realization, the entrance to the roof flew open and a bandit dressed in zombie rags attempted to come up. A quick thinking Arcus cast Grease on the opening, causing the fighter to fall down the shaft with a scream. Moments later, Argois was struck repeatedly by a until-then invisible, levitating fighter…Kervis! Now visible, powerful looking, and armed with a glowing scimitar, he called out death to the ones who had killed his brother. Chester tried to breathe on him, but all this did was show Kervis’ immunity to fire as he batted the floating skull away. Korgaard cast Mirror Image as Argois advanced to face off against the evil fighter.

Chapter Two: Battles Above and Below

Inside, the party could hear the fake-zombies banging against the outside of the barred interior door, giving them a few minutes to prepare. At that moment, a huge explosion shook the room (and the lower floor of the keep!) as something from below had set off the trap! Ephros, Galgadayle and the elf Bowrun grabbed their weapons and ran into the storeroom, where stinging smoke and flame greeted them. The saw the trapdoor to below blown open, and a few pieces of humanoid type limbs strewn around. Venturing a glance below, their eyes were met by several eyeless, pale humanoid creatures wielding blades….Grimlocks, Bowrun called out, being familiar with the underground evil beings! They began advancing one by one up the metal ladder bolted to the side of the shaft, as Ephros and Bowun got ready to repel their advance. Galgadayle cast a Heat Metal on the ladder hoping to slow or kill them, as a crash from outside indicated the bandits had finally broke through the inner door.
Inside, bandits began to enter the central room, and engaged in combat. One was charmed and sent to the door to block the entrance. But he fell to the ground, stone dead with blood spurting from his mouth, as the words “Die!” came from the darkness soon followed by a priest of Mallorn, who had cast a Slay Living. Covered with the skinned flesh of a victim still dripping blood and gore, the evil priest that had been hired by Kervis to investigate the tombs below was only too happy to attack and kill the violaters of the Mallorn holy grounds. Whispering words of evil, death and pain, the priest cast a successful Hold Person on Galgadayle who had re-entered the room, leaving only Vaerlon and Waqsted to battle the emerging bandits and the priest, as well as a fully healed Millard who also entered from the Continual Darkness of the entry room.
On the roof, the battle became dire as Kervis held off both Korgaard and Argois, showing great expertise with his glowing scimitar. Bonebats flew up the shaft, obviously sent by the Mallorn priest, but Angles managed to turn them. The Grease spell on the entrance managed to keep all but one of the bandits from climbing up, and the one that did get up was harried by Chester as he breathed fire on him again and again, causing him into defensive actions. Angles attempted a Hold Person on Kervis only to find he was also immune to them, leaving only Korgaard and Argois’s weapons and a few of Arcus’ spells against the skilled fighter. The battle raged for quite awhile, Kervis slowly wearing down Argois and Korgaard, and slowly getting worn down himself as he was struck by their swords. Angles took Korgaard’s place as the bard had to cure himself at one point, and Angles took quite a few nasty blows but managed to strike the fighter several times himself. Finally, Argois struck the killing blow on Kervis as both he and Angles were gravely injured, just as Chester set the other bandit aflame and he fell to his death off the side to his doom. The roof was secure!
Inside the storeroom, Ephros and Bowrun managed to hold off the Grimlocks as Galgadayle’s Heat Metal caused many to drop screaming off the metal ladder. Ephros abandoned the battle to come out a side door and strike the Mallorn priest from behind, helping out Waqsted who was engaging the cleric in battle. The priest counter attacked with a dagger that glowed a sickly black color, a “shadowblade” which many Mallorn priests carry that is inhabited by a trapped Shadow. He struck Ephros with it which sapped his strength, but soon Ephros and Waqsted had finished off the priest as Vaerlon killed the other bandits and joined the combat.
However, Millard used a Hold Person spell to great effect, zapping both Waqsted and Vaerlon, leaving they plus Galgadayle held in place. At that point, with only Ephros there to combat him, Galgadayle’s animal companions entered the fray! Galgdayle’s wolf began savaging the mage’s arm, ruining a spell he was casting at Ephros, as the wolverine went for Millard’s privates. Screaming in pain and surprise, Millard managed to paralyze the wolverine with his Wand of Paralyzation, but the animals had given Ephros an opening and he quickly stabbed the mage to death from behind.
At this, the battle was over, except for the grimlocks who still swarmed below, trying to get up the now-cooling ladder. Arcus made it down in time to place a well-aimed blast from his Wand of Steam down the shaft, killing about a dozen and causing the rest to flee. After venturing down cautiously, the party found only dead Grimlocks and a earlier undiscovered hole into a underdark tunnel, which had been covered by a now-moved bier. The adventurers speculated that by killing the undead in the level below the earlier day, they had taken away the guardians that had obviously kept the sightless vermin from swarming up their hole on earlier occasions. Again covering the hole, the party blocked the door to the room and hoped to be long gone before any repeat attack from the Grimlock’s materialized!
After healing up and searching the bodies of the dead evil trio and the bandits, the party gathered up what treasure they could, along with Millard’s books and papers and spellbook, and along with the rescued slaves and hostages, left the evil of Falcon’s Peak behind as they resolved to spend the night in the woods rather than another evening in the keep. With a few hours marching, they could make it to Hap by the time dusk fell and with any luck be enjoying a few “on the house” ales while bandaging their wounds and dividing the bounty of treasure and magic they had aquired!

NORVIK: SESSION TEN

Tarsakh Day 27

Chapter One: The Assault Below

Early the next day the party brough back Reppar and the other bandits to Hap to meet justice, and got a pleasant surprise: Ephros and Argois were at the village, they had left Norvik soon after their obligations were finished, and managed to catch the party’s trail up until Hap, where they met Chester out of town holed up in a empty tree trunk. Chester appraised them of the situation and they were awaiting the party’s return, where they could then hook up. Being briefed on the current situation, they joined the party (minus Chester, who stayed behind to chase field mice) and headed for the location of Falcon’s Peak.

Led by Shrops and another charmed bandit, the adventurers worked their way through the woods to the cliffs where Falcon’s Peak lay. Coming upon it, they noticed a dilapidated old keep atop a steep cliffside, with one small track leading up to it. Having learned from the captured and charmed bandits of a “cave system” that the orcish bandits lived in, they resolved to find their way there, kill or capture the orcs, and see if they could find a way into the keep through some sort of lower level. Assaulting the keep was suicide, as they noticed three large ballista atop the keep well-manned by bandits, not to mention the huge locked wooden gates leading into the keep. A possibility of trickery gaining entrance was likewise discarded, in regard for all the things that could go wrong.
The party very slowly made their way to the cave complex, where they saw a large entrance with several large boulders rolled in front. Orcs with bows sat atop several of the boulders, and no other guards were seen. A plan was made…Shrops, the other bandit, and Waqsted would assault the boulders, while the rest of the party used spells and missile weapons to pick off the exposed archers. The attack was made, and the archers were quickly disposed off, and the party reached the boulders. A counter attack, however, awaited them as many more orcs were inside the cave. Plus, the orcish chief appeared at a formerly hidden cave entrance about 20 ft up the side of the cliff to pepper Arcus with poisoned arrows, fortunately missing him until he was entangled with a spell from Galgadayle that left him imprisoned in the vines covering the cave entrance.
Soon the orcs were killed, and a number of orcish women and children were taken prisoner inside. The charmed bandit began mistreating one orcish lady attempting to rape her, which caused them all to pull hidden knives and clubs and beat the offender to death, after which they attacked the party. The orcs fought to the death, as the party reluctantly slayed them all, but not before learning that an orcish hunting party was still out and was due back on the morrow.
Searching the back of the cave complex, the party found a large boulder which had been rolled into place, blocking a small cavern entrance. Moving the boulder out of the way, the party speculated what could be in the cavern behind the boulder…enough to scare the orcs so that they blocked it off! Proceeding cautiously, Korgaard was injured as a piercer fell from the ceiling to scrape his arm, and the creature was quickly finished off. Travelling across the cavern, the party discovered a sheer 15 foot drop leading into a wet murky chamber with several large boulders strewn about. As Korgaard and Vaerlon lowered themselves, suddenly movement was seen coming towards them…and both the adventurers found themselves on the ground retching at the sudden stench…five ghasts!

Chapter Two: The Evil Temple

Quickly, Ephros jumped down using his Ring of Feather Fall, as Galgadayle and Waqsted joined in. Arcus cast spells from the ledge into the fray, and the battle turned desperate as one by one the adventurers went down from paralysis by the ghast’s filthy claws. Argois fired arrow after arrow from the ledge, cutting down the foes, as Ephros also dodged paralysis. Soon, all the ghasts lay dead, and the rest of the party lowered themselves down to see what was in the chamber.
At the back of the chamber, a broken wall was found that lead into a burial chamber. Obviously, this was a lower level of the keep, one dedicated to the worship of the god of death, Mallorn, as evidenced by all the symbols of scythes. Searching several locked chambers, the party located tombs to Falcon’s head guard, advisor, wife and children, and mistress. Finally, they located the main worship area to Mallorn, which was filled with zombies as well as a pair of giant monstrous ogre zombies. The presence of evil caused even Angles to succumb to a reduced chance of turning the giant creatures, and the battle was on. Korgaard and Ephros managed to fell the monster zombies as the others were turned by Angles. Searching the tomb, a strange key was found around the neck of a idol to Mallorn inside the room. The key was taken as Angles went at the Mallorn image with his hammer, desecrating the image with several blows. Through a secret door sat another chamber with a skeleton atop a slab, holding a unique looking sword. Battling a swarm of Crawling Claws that attacked them, the party retrieved the sword, with Korgaard identified through his bardish lore as one “Falcon’s Claw”, the bandit Falcon’s legendray weapon. As well as being a Sword of Sharpness, the sword was rumored to hold a curse, so the blade was carefully wrapped and placed in Korgaard’s backpack for further study later. Besides a haunt of Falcon’s advisor, who was turned by Angles, the party found no other signs of life or unlife, and discovered a metal ladder built into a shaft leading upwards into what they figured would be the keep itself….Ephros as always was elected to do the sneaky work and climb the shaft to see what lay ahead!

Chapter Three: Inside the Keep

As Ephros reached the top, he realized he would be unable to move the trapdoor as something heavy rested upon it. Summoning Waqsted and Argois, they both managed to brace themselves at the top of the metal ladder and move the trapdoor open, causing a loud noise…..something had been resting atop it! Opening the door and looking around, through the gloom they could see a large cluttered storeroom filled with many boxes, casks and crates…possibley a storage area for the bandits of the keep. Jumping inside and hiding, Waqsted and Ephros hid among the boxes as a door opened and a bandit investigating the noise came inside. Quickly being killed by an Ephros backstab and dragged into hiding, the party one by one entered the room and hid amongst the supplies, awaiting their chance to look beyond the room.
A plan was formed, and the attack begun. Through one door, Arcus popped out and hit a group of started bandits with his Wand of Steam, causing six to die instantly from burns and antoehr three to fall to the ground in agony, barely alive. Through the other door, Angles held two more bandits, as Waqsted and Korgaard attacked. Galgadayle charmed one bandit and had him block the door so no one else would enter, and then charmed another to prevent his captain from drawing his sword! The charmed bandits added to the confusion of the bandits and soon the room was filled with dead and dying bandits. Korgaard and Angles secured a room full of cells which held hostages from the village of Hap, killing the rotund jailer in combat and telling the party they would return to release them. Another room held what appeared to be chests of treasure along with guard types, who were killed in combat with Waqsted and Ephros. Soon the entire level was secured, except for the mage leader of the group. Splitting into two groups, Argois, Arcus, Ephros and Waqsted went to capture or kill the mage while Korgaard, Galgadayle, Vaerlon and Angles went to the roof to secure it.
Quickly killing a Dire Wolf that guarded the corridor leading to the mage’s room, the party cautiously entered what appeared to be a combination office and bedroom. As everyone but Arcus moved ahead, a 10x10 section of the floor opened up, sending Ephros, Argois and Waqsted down a sliding passage to crash into a pitch black room far below. As they unsteadily got to their feet, they pulled out the Continual Light wand to see a gloomy chamber filled with bones, coffins and undead shadows flitting around. A gravelly voice behind them greated them, and they turned to face what looked like a wight! The undead creature announced he was indeed the bandit Falcon! He told his tale of hiding from the Duke’s forces 80 years earlier, only to become trapped below when the party mage died of a broken neck from the long slide down into the hidden room. Trapped with no escape, Falcon and his men turned to savagery, cannibalism and eventually starvation as they died, cursed by their evil to return as undead. The undead Falcon then welcomed the three to their fate, as he sprang to the attack, along with the almost a dozen shadows!!!
Meanwhile above, Arcus stood in shock as the party disappeared into the hole, but before he could act, a mage arose from behind a desk where he had hidden himself before springing the pit trap….Millard! He tried to cast a spell as Arcus fired a Magic Missile spell, ruining his spell and causing a now wounded Millard to fly straight up into the ceiling, which revealed to be an illusion leading to the roof of the keep! As Millard left the room, Arcus could hear screams from below, and debated what to do…
Meanwhile, on the roof, Korgaard, Vaerlon, Galgadayle and Angles made quick work of the few guards manning the ballista, only to be surprised as the flying Millard appeard out of a corner of the roof! Surprising them by flying through the illusionary section, Millard used a Web spell and shot after shot from a Wand of Paralyzation to hold them off, but was struck by missile weapons from Korgaard and Vaerlon as he hovered about the roof. Soon, injured and bleeding, Millard began flying at full speed away from the Keep, accompanied by arrows, sling bullets and more shot by the roof top party members. After a few strikes, Millard was seen wobbling and then crashing into some distant trees, but it was too far away to see if he had been killed or just injured.

Chapter Four: In the den of Falcon

Meanwhile, a desparate battle was being fought between the heavily outnumbered Argois, Ephros and Waqsted and the army of undead. Abandoning his weapons, Waqsted could only use a magical dagger he had as the undead could only be struck by silver or enchantment. Concentrating on the Falcon-wight over the shadows, the party reasoned they would be better served by taking out the more powerful undead first. Waqsted screamed as the wight struck him again and again, draining power and strength, but the strategy paid off as Ephros struck the killing blow against the draining dead. Unfortunately, at that point the shadows swarmed, sucking strength from the trio through strike after strike.
Above, Arcus waited several moments before committing to also sliding down the trap to help his companions, unfortunately hitting a bump and crashing to the bottom with a force that knocked him stunned for several minutes! Slowly, the adventurers one by one cut down the evil undead shadows, finally helped by Arcus as he unsteadily rose and cast several magic missle spells, and finally the strength draining undead with no more. Searching the chamber, the party came upon a bit of treasure, and as the other members of the party entered Millard’s room through the illusionary shaft, they were able to get their attention and have a rope lowered, so they could re-enter the world of light!
For the next few hours, wounds were bandaged, slaves and hostages were ministered to, and a strange keyhole was found in one corner of Millard’s chamber…one which opened to the touch of the key found in the tomb of Mallorn! Inside the hidden area sat treasure untouched from the days of Falcon, with potions, jewels, scrolls, rings and more….a just reward for the final destruction of the undead bandit, his minions, and the rescuing of the many prisoners!