Delves Adventure Three: The Lost Goblin

Last weekend a few of us were able to get together for the third installment of our Delves adventuring. Due to some last minute business complications a few of the players were unable to make it. But the show must go on. To circumvent the issue Jason and Mark played two characters each.

Jason brought Hrothgar the Wild Slayer.

Mark brought Elowen the Wizard.

The players picked up where they left off, returning the surviving townsfolk back to Ironridge. After the townsfolk were safely with their families Alyanna and Orin went looking for information on their missing goblin comrade.

After talking to the guardsman the players find out the Capt has been missing and has been acting strangely. They find the crazy ole kook Madame Zaga, who was babbling of the end of days and evil being in town. Shortly after Gareth, the old woodman the characters rescued in the first adventure finds them. He brings information that Gor-Don was taken to the Webbed forest. Wasting no time the heroes, accompanied with Gareth set out to find their goblin ally.

When the adventures arrived at the edge of the Webbed forest Gareth informed them that he was unable to track them any further. Orin  then surveyed the area and was able to pick up the trail, and followed it deeper into the woods.

The Heroes arrived at a clearing, where they saw giant spiders and what looked like Gor-Don cocooned in the center.  They could also see a cultist and the captain of the guard discussing something by a cavern entrance.

The party rushed into battle to meet the many legged creatures head on. But the cultist and the Captain quickly evaded into the cavern.

The spiders proved to be more of a challenge then expected for Orin. Alyanna advanced to aid the ranger. Gareth was having troubles of his own with the Brood Mother and was immobilized by her webbing.

 The battle raged on until Hrothgar was able to cut a giant spider in half. Momentum seemed to shift as the Wild Slayer stared down the Brood Mother. With the aid of Alyanna the two were able to defeat the wretched Brood Mother. Orin and Elowen made short work of the remaining creepy crawler.

The adventures released Gor-don from his cocoon but find the goblin was weak and wounded. Gareth offered to take Gor-Don back to Ironridge for assistance and the two leave the party to return to town. (Ken who plays Gor-Don, was one of the players unable to make it).

The others take chase after the Captain and the cultist into the cavern.

The heroes arrived underground to find a horde of skeletons and mercenaries advancing toward them. "You fools, you will never stop us!" The cultist hissed from the back of the cavern.

Seeing the enemies strength was in numbers, Orin loosed multiple arrows, dropping three of the mercenaries. Hrothgar charged the remaining mercs swinging his axe wildly, carving up a number of the them. The skeletal warriors marched on the wild slayer surrounding him.

As the adventures were locked in the heat of battle the Captain and the cultist used the magical gateway to make their escape. "You fools played right into our trap. Now Ironridge will fall!" The cultist screamed.

With the news of a trap, the Heroes push the intensity of the battle. Elowen called forth her magical prowess and struck the skeletal horde with her magical lightning. The effect rippled through the horde crumbling a number of then where they stood. Alyanna sang the song of the moon and banished those that remained.

The remaining mercenaries fled in any direction they could find and our Heroes hurried to the magical device. "Hmm, interesting....how did they......Ahhh, inscriptions....Summa, Summma Lamma Tuiss" Elowen investigated the gateway and discovered its secrets.

The adventures gathered together while Elowen launched the magical gateway and teleported them to another destination.

.

The adventures were ported to the outskirts of Ironridge were the cultists were invading the town in full force. Innocent civilians were seen running in horror from the attack.

Hrothgar wasted no time to aid the town and charged the Earth Elemental. With one mighty blow the wild slayer crushed the elemental sending it back to the ground from which it came. The Captain and another cultist entered the fray with Hrothgar.

The cult leader Valek and his guardsman advanced the bridge bringing death the crazy Madame Zaga.

Alyanna and Elowen focused on the Captain taking him down and discovering him as an imposter. Hrothgar attempted to protect one of the townsfolk but the cultists arrow was deathly true.

Valek and his guardsman continued to the town keep were he bashed at the door with a crazed strength.

Hrothgar and Orin dashed to the bridge only to be intercepted a cultist and Valek's guardsman. A deadly accurate arrow proved more then the guardsman could handle.

Alyanna brought down her sword of light on the vile cultist ending its existence and continued to the injured civilians to offer magical healing. Orin ran to the keep to intercept Valek, but not before the cult leader was able to gain entry into the building. With a shout of battle rage Hrothgar smashed his axe over the head of the last cultist, cracking hit skull wide open.

The Wild Slayer and Ranger rushed to the keep but not in time. The ground shook and the sky grew dark with the clouds hazed in a redish glow.

A foul scream was heard from the top of the keep. "Mortals...the dark one lives, nothing can stop us."

The creature screamed again in a chaotic frenzy and took to the sky. Orin rose his bow and loosed an arrow at the dark winged being. The arrow hit only to bounce off the creatures hide. The creature continued on its path over the horizon.

Alyanna, Orin and the others aided the injured civilians. They discovered that an ancient artifact was buried under the keep and it must have been what Valek was after.

"Have you seen Gor-don or Gareth?" Alyanna asked the others......

I would have had this post up sooner but our family was celebrating the arrival of my niece Eve, who was born December 6 @ 10:17. 5lbs 6 ounces. I am one proud uncle!

Thanks for reading,


Tenz

Delves: Ironridge Chronicles - Act II The Conclusion

The Transformation

If you missed the previous section of Act II you can check it out here.

As the heroes entered the underground temple a eerie sensation  rippled through out their bodies. They each could tell the area was desecrated with evil.

"Be wary my friends, evil lies within this place." Alyanna urged her companions. She then offered a prayer to the lord of the Moon to protect them.

While the adventurers surveyed the area Orin could hear voices off in the distance.

"Be still comrades...there is something up a head, stay here while I take a closer look." The ranger quickly stalked forward to gain a better vantage point.

Orin hid behind one of the temple's pillars and observed the commotion.

A red robed figure was seen atop an altar chanting from what appeared to be ancient tome, while a earth elemental lumbered around the forward area. The town hostages were contained in the western section of the temple being guarded by gargoyle.

"I believe I have the element of surprise." Orin thought to himself. Remembering the pass experiences with rituals and summonings he knew he had to act.

 

With lighting speed the ranger loosed an arrow hitting the cultist hard in the shoulder.  "Attack! I say ATTACK!" Orin commanded the others.

"Arggghhhhh" The cultist screamed in agony but continued his chanting.  

"Summa summa laymma tus" The cultist continued while pointing towards the captive townsfolk.

One of the female townsfolk shrieked and fell to the temple floor. Followed by a white glowish light that appeared to exit the woman's body and be absorbed in the tome.

With a speed like none other the gargoyle rushed to meet the charging adventures and slammed into Alyanna knocking her to the ground.

Alyanna quickly regained her composer and stood to face the stoned creature.

"I shall smash you back into the earth you were formed from."  The cleric challenged while trying to anticipate the next attack.

Grabthoat rushed forward to aid the cleric while Orin continued to rain arrows on the chanting cultist.

The red robed figure continued its chanting and again looked to the captives. Another hostage fell as its life essence was absorbed into the tome.

The earth elemental lumbered toward the adventurers to engage.

While this was happening Karajan and Chomper took the left flank. "Chomper to him. Take him down" The druid ordered his animal companion.

The fight continued as Alyanna and Grabthroat battled the gargoyle and Orin evaded the Earth Elemental.

Then the tome started to glow with a red essence that surrounded the cultist.

"We need to take him down now!" Orin screamed with command

"Chomper Eviscerate!" Karajan shouted across the temple.

The lizard charged head strong into the red robed figure leaping for its vital area. The cultist did all it could to avoid the assault but to no avail. Chomper sunk its teeth deep into the neck of cultist tearing bone and flesh.

The humanoid figure dropped to the ground and blood and fluid poured from the gaping wound. All grew quiet for the moment.

Then suddenly  the pages of the tome flicked furiously over one another and exploded into flames. The gargoyle harden in mid movement while the earth elemental crumbled. The ceiling cracked and shook as daylight made it way through. The uneasy feeling of evil suddenly diminished and disappeared.

"The others, we must see to them." Alyanna said to her companions while she headed to the captives.

Karajan moved forward and explored the altar finding a hidden lever. "Ahh what do we have here." The druid thought to himself while releasing the lever

With a small rumble a doorway appeared in the wall behind the altar.

The heroes gathered the surviving captives and decided it was better to head into the hallway rather then back the way they came.

The adventurers continued through the dark hallway until it was met with a mine shaft from there they found their way back to the forest and back to Ironridge.

Cheers,

Tenz

Delves: Ironridge Chronicles: Act II Part Three

The Acrid Hollow

If you missed part two you can check it out here.


The heroes traveled down another underground passageway and followed the tracks detected by Orin. As they continued, a greenish glow was seen at what appeared to be an entrance to another area. When the adventurers arrived they found themselves in a high ceiling chamber filled with bubbling acid. The room was lit with a bio-luminescence from the acid and filled with an acrid fog. This gave the chamber a greenish hazy glow.

"What is this place??" Alyanna questioned to the others.  

"I do not know....but it would be wise....to stay away from the edge." Orin replied as he surved his surroundings.

"I be needin a bath, but not one of this sorts. It be best we stayed out of that murk." Grabthroat added.

"It appears the way onward is beyond the center island. We'll have to vigilant when crossing." Karajan cautioned.

While Orin was examining the area, a glimmer caught his eye from the far corner of the cavern. "Hmm there looks to be something..... over there. It might be...... worth our effort...... to check it out." The ranger explained as he pointed to the area.

"Very well, I shall accompany you. No need for us all to walk these treacherous paths." Alyanna responded.

Orin advanced forward carefully leaping from one island to the next. Once the ranger reached the central island he was able to spot a yellow blobbish creature advancing toward his companions.

"We've got company!" The ranger shouted as he notched an arrow.

"Chomper, at the ready." Karajan warned his lizard friend.

The brave heroes shot into action. Orin loosed an arrow at the creature hitting its target but not appearing to cause any affect. Chomper waited at the edge for the thing to get closer. The oozing amoeba slid closer to the adventures, rising up out of the acid attacking the cleric. Alyanna defended with her shield.

Alyanna rose her shield and defended the creature. "This thing is disgusting!" Alyanna cringed.

Grabthroat rushed to the cleric's side bringing down his dwarven axe furiously on the ooze. The strike seemed to pass through the creature not affecting it.

"What the...that swing would've took a horses head clean off laddy!" Grabthroat said with surprise.

Remembering something a traveler once told him, Karajan hurled his flaming torch at the yellow blob.


"Use fire my friends." He exclaimed.

The torch hit the oozing puss and the flames spread like wildfire. The blob sizzled and popped like fire to oil. After a few moments all that was left was a transparent slimey substance where the creature once was.

"We'll that works. You are wise beyond your year my friend." The cleric thanked while wiping the substance from her shield.

After the battle Orin and Alyanna continued forward to investigate the glimmering objects in the north west area of the chamber.

As the others headed to the central island two more Golden Amoebas were spotted.

"Get those torches ready, we got fires to start" The dwarf shouted in excitement.

Karajan quickly jumped the gap between the two islands and joined his companions for the ensuing scuffle.

 

Worried her friends would be overwhelmed Alyanna headed back to the center island. 

The blobbing oozes slubbered onto the island and engaged the brave heroes. The first amoeba slammed itself down on Karajan engulfing him inside its gooey innereds. 

Enraged by the action of the bulbous creature, Chomper scratched and clawed at the ooze which appeared to have no affect. Alyanna brought forth her torch touching it down on the slimey villain, only to have the fire extinguished in the action.  

"What...what happened" The cleric clamored with surprise.

The other amoeba charged Grabthroat, but the dwarf was able to evade its attack.

In a counter act, Grabthroat impaled the ooze with his torch driving deep inside the gooey being. The flames quickly spread and consumed the creature. 

"Ahh ha, me fire is hotter then yurs woman!" The dwarf snickered at Alyanna.

Karajan continued to struggle to escape the clutches of his gunky prison. Air was a commodity he did have. "&%##@  ##@!&**." The Druid expressed.

Seeing that the odds were in his companions favor Orin continued towards the treasure. The gap separating him and the glimmering objects was much larger then the others.

"I'll need a run off... for this one" Orin thought to himself. 

The ranger dashed to edge and jumped the gap with ease and proceeded to secure the precious stones for the party.

Chomper and Alyanna frantically tired to aid their entrenched companion, but to no avail. The yellow amoeba continued its stranglehold on the helpless druid.

"Outta me way, i'll deal wit this!" Grabthroat gruffed as he raced toward the blobbish fiend. The dwarf continued with a thrust of the fiery torch into the ooze.

"No....Karajan is in there!" The cleric stated in concern.

But was to late. The flames from the torch caught quickly to the amoeba consuming the creature. Karajan fell to ground and began to cough and gasp for air. Luckily the forces of nature were able to shield the druid from the flaming furnace.

"I've got da poooowweeeerrr!" The dwarven warrior screamed while raising his torch high in the air.

After a few moments Karajan was able to gather himself and recouped from the ordeal. "I don't think I want to be receiving one of those again." The Druid joked.

"A swirly is never a good option" Alyanna quiped.

Not wanting to stick around, the druid, with Chomper at his side started to look for the exit to this foul, putrid place.

After Karajan trekked further north east he seen the pathway out of the chamber. "Over here, I see the way out!" Karajan shouted to the others.

The Adventures gathered together on the northeast island the discovered the gap was much larger then expected and pondered how to handle the situation.

"I have some rope we could use. We will need someone to jump to the other side and secure it." The cleric suggested.

"I'm pretty sure....I can make it....let me try." Orin replied. The ranger grabbed the end of the rope and rushed to the edge leaping the gap landing hard on the other side.

"Oghhh, I'm going to....feel that later.." Orin winched as he grabbed his side.

After tying the rope to a rocky outcropping, Alyanna and chomper continued to cross the gap and Grabthroat followed.

As the Druid attempted the chasm, the rope broke. Karajan had no choice and swung to the other side grabbing the ledge.

"Aggghhhhhh, it burns!" The druid shrieked as his legs dangled in the acid bath.

Orin and Alyanna dashed to the Druid's side and quickly pulled their comrade from the acidic sea.

"Thank you my friends. That is two I owe you now." Karajan spoke as he shook the remaining acid from his belongings.

"Let us be gone...of this place" Orin stated as he headed towards the passage out of the chamber.

Grabthroat, Karajan and chomper followed as Alyanna gathered what remained of her rope.

"This may come in handy later." Alyanna thought to herself.

Stay tuned for the conclusion: Part 4 - The Transformation.

Thanks for reading,

Tenz

Delves: Ironridge Chronicles: Act II - Part Two

The Dark Descent

If you missed part one you can find it here


The torchlight glimmered in the dank stairwell as the heroes slowly and cautiously descended into the darkness. Step after step they continued as the stairs bent and turned, until they meet a small hallway. With a keen eye and his bow at the ready, Orin took point and the others fell in behind.  The underground pathway continued for a few hundred feet before the adventures found themselves in large underground cavern.

The adventurers extended their torches into the blackness exposing some rocky outcroppings. Karajan paused for a moment. "Chomper scout ahead." He relayed to his lizard friend. The beast bounded into the darkness as it sniffed and hissed.

As the heroes continued their exploration Orin heard a faint moan in the distance. "Uuurrrrghhhhh" The sound echoed out of the darkness. "Stand fast....there is...something here..." The ranger warned the others.

"Let's see if we can light em up." Grabthroat chuckled as he tossed the torch into the black void. As the flaming stick landed on the ground and slid forward to a stop, the dark red eyes of death peered out of the darkness.

"Its a ghoul, a vile undead aberration." Alyanna informed her companions with her unique feminine tone.

"Lets send it back to grave it crawled out of." Karajan followed.

The brave companions launched into action. Grabthroat charged forward swinging wildly with his dwarven blade. "I'll have ur head laddy" He yelled in a battled rage. Alyanna followed suit thrusting her sword into the creature's belly, rotted flesh and blood fell to the ground. The ranger continued the onslaught and loosed an arrow sinking it deep in the ghoul's shoulder.

Worried others might be skulking around Karajan sent Chomper to explore more of the cavern.

Orin, Grabthroat, and Alyanna continued to battle the foul undead, but the creature proved more resilient then they expected. "Die vile monster, be gone from this world" the Cleric exclaimed as she brought down her sword.

Another ghoul arrived from the north east staggering forward towards Grabthroat. "Georgie kill, Georgie kill.....Urrrgghhhhh" The creature mumbled. Shinkicker glanced over at the distraction which caused an opening for the other ghoul to strike. The wretched undead sunk its decayed maw into the side of the dwarf's face. "Arggghhhh, bloody hell!" Grabthroat screamed as he forced the creature back.

Once Karajan seen the oncoming ghoul he raced toward it, swinging his shillelagh. The cudgel hit its target square which caused the fiend to moan in agony. "Arrgghhhhh."

The others continued their assault, laying waste to the undead being.

"Gah, i'm gonna puke..." Grabthroat said while he clutched his stomach and spewed forth his last meal.

Orin looked at his companion and could see the wound from the ghoul bite was festering and oozing. "Your wound...must be the cause...of your sickness."

Then the ground shook as if a herd of elephants were on the move. A grayish behemoth with long ivory claws, built to rip through flesh and bone charged out of the blackness at Karajan. Fortunately the druid side-stepped and evaded the fierce slam attempt. Chomper hissed, as he rushed to the aid of his master.

"Gulp......Gahh that tastes worse then me mudder's haggis." Grabthroat muttered as he swallowed the awful tasting fluids in his mouth. "Me axe still be sharp!" The dwarf continued as he contorted his stomach and headed towards the great beast.

The Lacerater paid no attention to the challenging dwarven warrior. Its sights were focused on the druid. Its massive claws swung forth pulling Karajan into its powerful grasp.

The druid squirmed and twisted trying to escape the clench of the Dark Lacerater, but to no avail. The beast drew its claws in close and ripped at Karajan. Only cloth and leather were torn.

Worried things would get out of hand Alyanna called on her divine powers once more. "Lord of the moon, father of the light, banish this creature back into the night!" The cleric's sword shook and glowed with a holy radiance. Alyanna pointed the empowered weapon at the ghoul and a beam of light shot forth. The undead screamed and cursed as it backed away and vanished into the darkness.

The other adventures advanced to aid the entrenched druid. Grabthroat brought down his dwarven axe hard on the gray behemoth, while Chomper latched on the neck area of the monster. Orin released arrow after arrow, each pierced deep into the Lacerater's thick hide.

"RAAAAGGHHHHH" The beast riled in agony from the combined efforts of the heroes. Enraged from the attacks,  the Dark Lacerater threw Karajan, bouncing him violently off the cavern wall. The druid fell motionless to the ground.

Fearing the worse, Orin rushed to the side of his fallen comrade. "He is still.....alive." he shouted to the others.

The beast tried its best to fend off the heroes and remove the lizard from it's vital area. But the small lizard summoned all its strength and locked down its jaw with a berserked fury. Blood and life essence flowed as the massive creature fell lifeless to cavern floor .

After a few moments the druid awakened, dizzied and sore. "Aghhh my head." Karajan moaned.  

"We best find out way out of here, before more of these things show up." Alyanna suggested.  

"Agreed, but i'll be needin one these first." Grabthroat replied while he proceeded to hack off one of the Lacerater's ivory claws.

Darkseed quickly studied the area. "This way....over here." The ranger pointed after discovering tracks different then those of the encountered monsters.

The party gathered their wits and headed to the exit.....

The Monster Cast:

Ghoul (49pts): A foul creature of death and decay.

Undead 4D, Str=4D, Def=4D, Tough=5D, Init=8

Mv=6, HP=6, Primary ATT & DAM: Claws 6D/5D

Alignment: E Size: M

Attributes & Powers: Dark vision, Disease minor, Melee Attack +2/+1.

Drive: Thrall

Reward Level: +1D

Disease (minor)

Type: Attack

Effects: If hit by the attack (Specified on monster) characters are infected with a disease. Characters must then make a toughness vs monster class trait or suffer from the infliction. If affected characters receive a -1D to all stats and move effect wears off at the end of the encounter

 

Dark Lacerater (79pts): A hulking beast of death and destruction.

            Monster 5D, Str=7D, Def=5D, Tough=7D, Init=10

Mv=7, HP=15, Primary ATT & DAM: Claws 7D/8D

Alignment: E Size: L

Attributes & Powers: Armor +2/+1, Dark vision, Deadly, Hideous Strength+2D, Lacerate, Large Target, Melee Attack +2/+1 3” Reach,Sharp Senses.

Drive: Protection

            Reward Level: +3D

Lacerate: When within the its grasp the creature can use a free action to attempt a rend, this is done by rolling this creature’s class trait againt the target's class trait. If successful the creature can Lacerate its target which is a strength roll vs ½ the targets toughness rounded up. +1 RL Level

Stay tuned for Part Three: The Acrid Hollow

Thanks for reading,


Tenz