Journal Posts

After emptying the first keep, we barricaded ourselves in one of the halls so that we could rest. Once we had replenished our strength and I had prepared the appropriate spells, we moved to the next keep.
Kravaxsaar kicked down the door to the first room expecting enemies. He succeeded only in waking a few terrified slaves. None of them we recognized from Duran Keep, though. Most of them fled as soon as we pointed them to the exit. One was bound and gagged. A half-elf. An insane half-elf. His name is Caledath. He refused to follow the other slaves out, even when we explained the potential for danger. He simply spoke of food like we were on some sort of picnic. Not knowing what else to do, we let him follow us, hoping he wouldn't get in the way.
As it turned out, the half-elf proved quite useful in combat. We encountered a couple drugar having a meal in a dining hall. The first one died quickly. The second one refused to go down easily, though. The battle must have alerted other drugar in the keep who came running into battle shortly after it started.
Caledath must be some sort of warlock. He cursed the enemy and inflicted strange spells on them. This explained a few things: Why the drugar had him bound and gagged, his insanity, why he didn't fear following us into battle.
It was a long and difficult battle. I fear that without the half-elf we might not have survived.

No hint o the Duran Keep slaves here at th store. Prolly 'r already at th' other keep, so thas whar we're headed. It's underground of course, bein' a Drugar home 'n all. N there's t'be no lightin anywhar. They like it dark.

Bah! We finally get thar, and it's someone else's keep! They jus took it over somptin' abandonded, and spruced it up a wee bit. Coudn't even build thar own... Lazy damn Drugar.

They spruced up the porcullis good tho. But thar no lockmiths! T'bars may o' been strong, but I picked thar lock in d' middle o battle. Silly bastards. Once we were in, we wiped the floor with the Drugar guards agin'. (And would ja just stop pointin out ma bruises? I'm the one living remember?!?!)

We found that the Blood Reavers hold out in the Thunderspire Labrinth, under the mountains. They made themselves a home in the Chamber of Eyes – some sort ‘o place o worship to an evil god. N it’s neatly outside the mages rule in the Seven Pillar Hall. Seems fitting enough for slavers. Oh, n thar are Drugar involved. Looks like they are the clients. Hate those son’s of devils.

We asked around ‘n the town area about these bastards, and it seemed the only real way to get to the Duran Keep folks was ta just attack the Blood Reavers lair.

We got through thar main hall, and up through some livin’ quarters. One of leaders, a fella named Koarad, had a key to a chest with goodies, and a contract from the Clan Grimersol (tha damnable Drugar would-be-dwarves) to buy the Duran Keep slaves for 1000 GP.

We found an old ritual room with a toad statue that they outfitted to hold slaves. Twas empty save for a few Blood Reavers to dispatch.

We captured one ‘o the goblins, who said the Drugar already came ta collect the slaves, and did na know where they were to be delivered.

There is a Drugar outpost in the Seven Pillared Hall. Time ta ask them. It’ll be a fight for sure, so we knew we’d have ta rest a bit. We stayed at that leetle hafling’s inn.

The next day we walk into the Grimersol outpost, and Kravaxsaar was in rare form. He slammed his sword on the counter and demanded where the Duran Keep slaves were. This shook the Drugar in thar boots, and one says “ probably in Horned Hold?” I had a good laugh on that one. ‘Course ta other fella spoils the fun, and yells to sound the alarm!

I jump the counter and get right in tha squirrely Drugar’s face. I’m gonna cut off the bastards beard off and stick him with his own quills!

I was gettin all nervous when we figured out the “Lady” was a dragon. But she was a wee one. Bigger’n me mind ya, but still. We whomped ‘er but good, ‘n took her loot. I’ll be having some Dragon steaks tonight too!

I made my way to the Keep, seeking the records of the guard, hoping that I might discover when the current troubles began. My search revealed that while there had always been some, there had been a significant increase in trouble starting six months previously.

I returned with this knowledge, meanwhile my companions had learned of House Mirti, a family of merchants who were misliked by the people of the keep. Deciding we needed more information, Veera decided to question Ned about any newcomers to the Keep and the Mirti family. He told us of the alchemist, Thermin, and his family who had recently joined the community, and mentioned that the Mirtis were the second most powerful family in the Keep after the Durans.

Still feeling that we needed more information, my companions and I cast about. We attempted to question other villagers, but they had no information beyond what we gleaned from Ned.

After some frustration, I hit upon an idea; surely someone know as the Red Lady must be fond of that color, either in her clothes, surroundings or both. A trip to the merchants, and some time spent questioning them revealed that Thermin and Dervald Mirti had recently purchased a significant amount of red cloth, supposedly to make hangings for Thermin's new bed.

Armed with this knowledge, Veera decided to pay a late night visit to Thermin's shop and home. During her search of the shop, she came upon a scroll, containing a message to Thermin from some unknown individual, speaking of an obelisk in a clearing in the woods, which would be the site of a portal, which would allow easier access to attack the Keep.

We were unanimous in our decision to find this obelisk and close the portal. However, before leaving we decided to leave the scroll in the keeping of Toring, along with an explanation of our findings. Not entirely trusting of Toring, Veera also left word with Rurik, a smith and priest of Moradin. Rurik mentioned that the obelisk clearing was a well known site in the Tallwood, avoided as a dangerous and unchancey place.

Armed with this final piece of information, and fully rested and recovered from our meetings with the kobolds, we set off down the trail which Rurik claimed would lead us to the obelisk.

We were nearing our final destination when we were suddenly beset by bandits. They announced their presence with a round of crossbow bolts, and a magical blast from their leader. After their initial attack they offered us our lives in exchange for our weapons and gold. A foolish move on their part as only a foll stops to talk after battle is joined.

As they flanked us on both sides of the trail, we were forced to split up and charge our foes. While Kravaxsaar dealt with the bandit leader, the rest of us turned toward the crossbowmen. Ia and Martouk began casting magic against the two to the left, and Veera and I rushed those on the right. Unfortunately for me, I was unable to contact my chosen target, and was soon attacked from both sides at once. My foes were lucky, and I was down on the ground, attempting to keep my blood in my veins.

Veera drove them back, eventually killing one, while Ia and Martouk soon finished off their chosen targets. Ia came to my aid casting a healing spell that had me back on my feet. Kravaxsaar killed the leader and the last bandit turned to flee.

Now back on my feet, I was able to chase him dow, and with the help of the others we prevented his escape.

After a brief rest to loot the bodies and tend our wounds, we resumed our hike to the obelisk.

Again we were ambushed! This time wolves and some things no longer wolves appeared from the trees to attack our group. A quick rush had me and Kravaxsaar down on the ground where we each received a savage mauling. Fortunately we were able to quickly regain our feet, and fend off the beasts while our companions held off the rest.

While savage and dangerous if they could surround or pull down their prey, these beasts proved no match for our steel and magic, and we made short work of them. Again it was necessary for us to halt a short while to gather our strength and tend our injured; but we were shortly on our way again.

Finally, we came to the clearing with the obelisk, which was surrounded by a ring of standing stones. Although we did not see any obvious danger, we were very cautious as we approached. A good thing, as suddenly a host of the undead appeared from nowhere, surrounding the obelisk.

We quickly joined battle, and found that most of the undead were easily dispatched. One, noticeably different, proved to be more difficult. In fact, it's visage was so shocking as to stager those caught unaware.

Martouk quickly disposed of the majority of the undead by casting a ball of flame in their midst, while the rest of us set to with a will. Withing seconds all the undead were disposed of except the frightening one, and one or two more. We were anticipating a quick victory and congratulating ourselves, when more undead blinked into existence.

Dismayed and realizing we had a tough battle on our hands, we set to with a will. Realizing that the majority of our foes were more nuisance than threat, we concentrated our efforts on the most threatening. This proved a sound strategy, and we were able to quickly dispatch this foe with no losses of our own. Once this threat was dealt with the lesser creatures were easily dealt with.

Two kobolds used slings to throw some sort of glue at the surprised guards, quickly immobilizing them. I made my decision, and the blood began to sing in my veins as I drew my axe and answered the call to battle!

As the townsfolk scattered I discovered that I was not alone! From other points in the market square, four stout souls were advancing on the kobolds. As the farthest back I was able to observe my fellow defenders: A Dragonborn, a Teifling, a Dwarf and an Eladrin. All were doughty warriors and between us we made quick work of our foe.

After the fight, we gathered to question the wagon driver. He, a farmer named Ned, claimed that the kobolds had attacked his farm, seizing his family as hostages to secure his cooperation in their plan to attack the Keep. As we discussed this situation, troops from Bold Brigade arrived, led my Sir Henry.

Sir Henry, fearing more kobold attacks, refused to allow any of his men to return to Ned's farm. My comrades in the battle and I offered our services in their stead. With Sir Henry's promise of recompense for our time, we boarded Ned's wagon for the journey to his farm.

As we made our way to Ned's, we introduced ourselves. My companions were Veera, a Dwarven female cook, quick with her knives; Martouk, an Eladrin male sage, an adept in the ways of magic; Kravaxsaar, a Dragonborn male warrior, a champion of the Raven Queen; and Iya, a Teifling female healer, a holy pilgrim. A diverse group, my training led me to believe our skills would complement each other in battle, it remained to be seen if we could work together.

We discovered the farm sacked and abandoned, Ned's family nowhere to be found. A search of the area revealed he kobolds' tracks, which in turn lead us to their den, a cave in the abandoned quarry to the west of the Keep. Eager to meet our prey while the setting sun still trapped them in their den, we quickly entered the cave.

Just inside we entered a long chamber, and found our path blocked by a pair of koboldes and a pair of lizard-like guard animals. Veera, the nimblest of our group quickly rushed to engage the guards, an action which nearly lead to her downfall, as the kobolds triggered a hidden trap, unleashing a rock-fall which knocked Veera from her feet.

I was unable to advance through the falling rocks, and could only call to Veera, exhorting her to shrug off her injuries and continue into battle. Meanwhile Iya called healing from her god. Between us, we soon had Veera on her feet and back in the fight.

Kobolds are not skilled engineers, as evidenced by the quick end to the rockfall, to the obvious consternation of the guards. Once the danger of the rockfall was lifted, my companions and I were able to advance and again make quick work of our foes.

Once past the outer guards we entered a large chamber, obviously the living area for the kobolds den. Among the scattered piles of goods, were many kobolds who immediately began throwing javelins at us. Here Martouk showed his might, using his magic to dispatch the kobolds at long range, while the rest of us kept him safe. At one point he dispatched all the kobold reinforcements with a single ball of flame.

Sheer numbers proved a decided benefit for the kobolds though, and we were a tired and bloody group when we moved to enter the next chamber. We found ourselves in another large chamber. This time there were no piles of crates and bundles, instead parallel lines of torches along each wall shed a smoky light to the room. At the far end was an altar and Ned's missing kin. Between us and them lay a large number of kobolds, a priest of some sort and a living statue!

Now it was my turn to make a mistake. Fearing another trap, I left the support of my comrades, moving alone along one side of the room to engage our foes. I quickly found myself surrounded, and hard pressed. The silver lining to my situation was that I had drawn off enough of the kobolds to allow my comrades to quickly overwhelm the priest's remaining defenders. In the end, with generous support from Iya, our healer, I was able to hold out long enough for the others to come to my aid.

Unfortunately, we could not slay the living statue, and it made it's escape through a hole in the roof of the room.

They got as far as glueing two guards in place before the locals - at least I thought they were locals - took them out. I guess their wee leetle brains didn't think too far ahead with that plan. Seriously, what did they hope to accomplish? My nephew could outmatch one, and he's still in diapers.

Ned, one of the older farmers, was forced into driving them to town on his wagon. (They should waited until they were further into the keep before poppin out. Ah well, free meat for me.)

When it was over the guards showed up. heh. Isn't that always the way? Ned started in on how the Kobolds stole his family. Never were fond of those shifty little bastards... The Capin was all up in arms about the attack - said they couldn't leave the town undefended (a frikkin maid with a crossbow woulda solved the issue, but 'taint my business)

That left an opportunity for other folks to go investigate. I know why I was goin - tastey treats from the farm - but the rest that went was another story. There was this Elf - an eladrin fella, and a dragonborn, a Teifling, and a human barbaian to boot, who all wanted more taste of Kobold blood. Guess some of them are looking for work, and wanted to impress the capin.

The capin even promised pay, tho - get this - no one bargained over the price. No one even asked! Hehe. I told Ned what I wanted so there you go, Done deal. Sure, he probalby can't pay all the chickens now - but no problem. I knows of a little thing called Interest. I'll be in the back-pay chickens and eggs for months.

So, just like that, we hopped on the cart, and away we go to the farm. We figured that these bastards mighta taken up residence in the old quarry near by, and we were right. But the #$@%@# set up a rock slide on the entrance. Damn I'm glad Da wasn't there to see me get caught up in that mess. Shoulda seen it.

Anyhoo, we fought the little buggers, who were a lot tougher than they shoulda been. They had some Shamen or something backin them up. Dek was it? They talk so damn sqeeky it was hard to make out his name. Near busted a gut laughing when he called hissef "the mighty". He was mighty tenderized when we killed him, is what he was.

The gang wasn't half bad I hasta say. We managed to get each other out of a few pickles. That rock slide had me good and trapped with them damn drake-dogs, and a little bit o help was much appreciated.

I was just walking back and pondering his words when the kobolds attacked. I was startled out of my contemplations by an explosion on the other side of the market place. Most of the townsfolk scattered while kobolds poured out of a farmer's cart at the Sun gate. A few of us stood our ground to fend off the attack. Including myself, a tall red haired barbarian,
a nimble dwarf woman, a dragonborn holy-warrior and a tiefling priest.
We had dispatched the kobolds by the time Sir Henry and the Bold Brigade showed up. The farmer, Ned, begged his help claiming that the kobolds took his family. Sir Henry didn't have any men to spare for fear of more attacks. I offered to help the poor man find his family, and remembering Horing's words, asked the others to join me. Sevrid, Veera, Kravaxsaar and, Iya.
We traveled with the farmer to home and searched for his family. The kobolds had taken them away, but we were able to track them to the Old Quarry. Climbing down near the waterhole that formed there, we found a cave where they went.
Inside, we quickly found a couple kobolds and their guard drakes. Veera quickly leapt into action, only to be caught by a rock slide trap. We almost lost her, but once the rocks stopped falling we killed the monsters.
Beyond that we found their nest. A large cave strewn with beds and junk. The kobolds were waiting for us along with a fire beetle. We concentrated our attacks on the beetle and took it out before it could do us any harm. The kobolds proved to be resilient, but eventually followed the beetle. When reinforcements came through a tunnel in the back, I took most of them out with my flaming sphere. Perhaps overkill, but I didn't want them disturbing the others who were dealing with some of the more tenacious kobolds.
The tunnel in the back eventually came to some kind of shrine or makeshift temple. The farmer's wife was tied to an alter and his children were tied up in the corner. More kobolds were waiting for us including what I took to be their leader wearing robes. There was also a homunculus with them. Kravaxsaar and Sevrid claimed that they invoked the name of Tiamat during the battle. Very disconcerting. It was a long and difficult battle, but we managed to come out victorious without any loss of life (kobolds aside). The only downside was that the homunculus managed to fly away.
Now we just have to make it back to the farm...