Dramatis Personae

• Nemyt: Half-Celestial Bard
• Vexis: Elven Magic User
• Elbmes: Human Paladin
• Cheetah: Tiefling Magic User (played by a very young child who likes cats)

After obtaining the word of the Doppelganger, who insisted on being called “Meg” for some inscrutable reason, the group turned to backtrack, on Meg’s words that both doors in room were impossible to open. In doing so, the elf and bard noticed four diminutive humanoid heat outlines lurking just outside the reach of the torchlight. Hoping to avoid a bloody confrontation, the elf tossed a packet of iron rations, near to the edge of the ring of light. Shortly after, the four shapes moved into sight. They were squat humanoids with dog-like heads. The newcomers picked up the ration pack curiously, but couldn’t undo the wax seal. A short pantomime latter, and the elf had explained that the package was food and demonstrated opening it. The things gibbered excitedly in a language foreign to the party. Appeals in common held no sway it seemed, however the Paladin remembered a rumor of dog-like things occasionally serving dragons as slaves, and attempted to open negotiations in the language of those foul lizards. To his surprise this tactic worked, and the dog things seems intimidated by his use of the dragon’s tongue, or “high speech” as they referred to it. ¹

The kobolds, for that’s what the dog things called themselves, were in a dilemma it seemed. They had captured a being they wished to sacrifice to the dragon lord of this cave, a monstrous crystal covered thing, but could not bring themselves to go near without an invitation, for fear of being eaten themselves. Guiding the party back to their quarters, the kobolds presented a tall man with cheetah like fur and cat’s eyes, bounded and gagged. Not wanting a presumed adventurer to be offed in such a manner, the party convinced the kobolds that this cat man was cursed and might very well displease the dragon lord, and cause retribution of untold proportion to be wrought upon them. Offering instead to dispose of this unsightly being and bring a more suitable sacrifice back, the party gained a new member who introduced himself as “Cheetah.” The kobolds gave the party their blessing, and gave the elf a simple bow with some crude bone arrows.²

A brief argument over directions later, and the party found themselves back in the chamber where they met “Meg,” who by this time had switched it’s appearance to that of the paladin. Noticing this time that the eastern door emanated a biting cold. It was indeed hard to open, but the paladin was able to force it after a half hours trying, presenting the party with the gaping maw of a dark staircase headed down towards the east, and a long, thin hallway running south. This hallway was bitingly cold, as though it was the wee hours of the longest night of the year. Electing not to head down the stairs, they set about looking for the source of the cold. While doing so, a group of guards in plate (6 in total) wearing the helm particular to the prismist guards came upon them. They were looking for a woman who had stolen research from the from the prismist’s of the Grand Orrery. Finding that they had little to offer, the guards moved on; taking the stairs. Exploring it, the source of this cold was soon found. It was an ice-sculpture of a hedgehog, about the size of a large basket. The thing exuded cold, like a reverse campfire.³ “Meg” was delighted, and demanded to take the object back to her lair immediately. She took it, being careful to not let it touch exposed skin.

The trudged back to the mouth of the dungeon, realizing that the sun was now setting towards late afternoon, judging by the light level in the waterfall basin. Marching with the statues was as brutal as any winter campaign, and they moved slowly, fatigued by having to battle to raw hand of winter the entire time. However, the object provided a boon once they reached the basin, the water froze in a narrow band around whoever held it, allowing them to cross the water on a bridge of ice.

The jolly cooperation was to end here though, as halfway across the bridge “Meg” spun around and pushed the paladin into the icy waters. Though he was able to grab on the ice and not plunge to a chilled drowning, he would not be available immediately.^4 Combat ensured, with the creature landing a nasty bite on the paladin, but ultimately being felled by an arrow from the Elf as it tried to flee. After it melted into a black ichor, revealing an oiled leather pouch containing a diamond, 50 platinum, 100 gold and a scroll of Web. The paladin, being the only one injured, laid his healing hand’s upon himself.

After this unnerving turn of events, the party continued forward. Only for Cheetah to be ambushed by a reptilian creature while in the back of the line. The thing sprung from the wall and attempted to grapple the magic user, to bring him down. However, it’s aim was poor and it succeeded in doing nothing but alerting the group to its presence. The paladin made short work of it’s morale, and once they realized the thing spoke common. It was agreed that they would attempt to charm it with the bard’s music. Twenty minutes later, and the thing (a troglodyte) had been friends with them forever.⁴.

Using their new friends influence, they were able to confirm that the “Boss Trog” was indeed dead. Barely able to not retch on the stench, the paladin took it’s head for presenting at the guild in town. They also had their new friend guide them into the boss trog’s old room, past the two that were bickering about who would be the new leader. Inside they found a Bow of Gambling ⁵, as well as a puzzle cube. ⁶ They were able to solve the puzzle quickly, and leave with a Malachite Bracelet of serpents (500 GP), A silver inlaid jewellery box (200 GP) 1200 Gold Coins, a pale green potion, and 5 +1 arrows.

Leaving before the bard’s charm wore off, the group retired from the dungeon. Taking the ice sculpture with them, being sure to wrap it in cloth and not touch it with bare skin.

The march back was a miserable three days, like marching in the dead of winter. Though the cold seemed to keep ghost and ghoul away.

Reaching the outskirts of Tomespire was a relief, they conspired to meet with Dragamir immediately, and stow a portion of their goods with him, rather than let the guild take them. He remembered their previous encounter and stuffed his ears with cotton, so as not to be charmed again. Though he agreed to do business with them, taking the black gemstone as payment for storing the diamond, bracelet and twelve figurines they had plundered. After this, they returned to the guild hall, and received a measly payment of 120 GP out of the coins brought in. The contract payment added a nice 1000 GP to that, but it still felt cheap.

The real fun however, came when they went to present the head and items to their benefactor, Vislav. Upon drawing near his chamber, they heard a heated argument about guild size echoing from inside. Pausing on briefly to ascertain that the other voice was another guild member named Faengar before bursting in and reporting their raid. The Dwarf seemed pleased that new members were back, and told them that they could requisition a special case for their magical statue that would dampen the cold some, at the cost of making it awkward to carry. He offered to identify the potion for them, and upon taking a sip, dropped stone dead on the floor.⁷ The stunned party asked Faengar what had happened, to which the elf replied “Vislav was never good at identifying potions, he likely thought the guild would resurrect him regardless. It is unlikely though.⁸ Either way, you should be going, now I’ve got some cleaning up to do.”

The members scattered to begin their downtime activities, and think about where they wanted to go in the future.

Total XP: 1000 each (contract)
Total Gold Earned: 1120 GP

— Session End —
— My Players, read no further! Lest I be forced to change things —
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Behind the screen (No Players Please)

More smart play from my players, even though this is everyone except Nemyt’s second session of TTRPGs ever. The loud groan from the table about how little usable funds they managed to acquire was quite cathartic. They have resolved to look for a fence to sell their loot to, and then head for the hills and find a small town to hide out in an delve dungeons from there instead, out of the guild’s watchful eye. Dungeon poaching sounds like an excellent idea for a campaign in my book, and they have agreed to swap to regular Gold for XP in future sessions, no more contracts. I’ve given them a month in game of down town to prepare for this journey, and am prepping a no-name town for them to look for; as well as hexes of wilderness to travel through getting there. Sound be interesting heading forward!

Sail On!
-ShockTohp