The Rafter
The group arrived at the mouth of the Odin river two weeks after having left Mainstay. The journey over the sea was uneventful and the group was generally in high spirits. At the river landing, the boat captain explained that he could not take them any further and the rest of their journey would have to be on foot up a well-worn path in the swap. He pointed them in the right direction before heading back out to sea. The group set out at once down the path with Adrick and Ruhdon taking the lead followed by Hazlo, Lucan and Ballimore in the rear.
Around midday the group encountered a young human nervously working his way down river
on a makeshift raft. Suspicious of his circumstances, Ballimore suggested they try to grapple his raft and bring him in to shore for questioning. Adrick volunteered to make the effort and positioned himself well along the shore light waiting for the right moment to throw his line. Within a few seconds the raft came into range of the hook and Adrick let out a might toss that not only caught the raft square on, but also managed to lodge the hook deep into the soft wood so that it would not easily be dislodged. The rafter was caught completely off guard and nearly fell off as the group pulled his craft to shore. He regained his footing in time to grab a rusty short sword that he was carrying and readied himself for a fight.
Adrick was the first to address the young man, “Put down your weapon, we mean you no harm, we just want some information.”
“Besides, you won’t have any chance with that rusted piece of junk anyway”, threatened Ballimore. Reluctantly the boy dropped his weapon to the ground and came ashore to address the group. He explained that he was a resident of the town of Treewater, a peaceful and prosperous village in the middle of the Witchlight Fens until recently when it was attacked and sacked by an army of Lizarman. He was fleeing south to try and find aid for the surviving villagers that were lost in the swamp. He also was seeking to send word of the attack to Renefik, the capital of the province, as he was sure the army that attacked Treewater was still on the lose in the swamp.
Adrick gave the young man some supplies and reassured him that they were here to help the situation. The got some more details on the direction towardsTreewater and the last location of the survivors and then gave the man some much needed food and water so that he could continue the journey south. Noticeably relieved, the young man set out again on his raft biding the party good luck in their efforts.
Around midday the group encountered a young human nervously working his way down river
on a makeshift raft. Suspicious of his circumstances, Ballimore suggested they try to grapple his raft and bring him in to shore for questioning. Adrick volunteered to make the effort and positioned himself well along the shore light waiting for the right moment to throw his line. Within a few seconds the raft came into range of the hook and Adrick let out a might toss that not only caught the raft square on, but also managed to lodge the hook deep into the soft wood so that it would not easily be dislodged. The rafter was caught completely off guard and nearly fell off as the group pulled his craft to shore. He regained his footing in time to grab a rusty short sword that he was carrying and readied himself for a fight.
Adrick was the first to address the young man, “Put down your weapon, we mean you no harm, we just want some information.”
“Besides, you won’t have any chance with that rusted piece of junk anyway”, threatened Ballimore. Reluctantly the boy dropped his weapon to the ground and came ashore to address the group. He explained that he was a resident of the town of Treewater, a peaceful and prosperous village in the middle of the Witchlight Fens until recently when it was attacked and sacked by an army of Lizarman. He was fleeing south to try and find aid for the surviving villagers that were lost in the swamp. He also was seeking to send word of the attack to Renefik, the capital of the province, as he was sure the army that attacked Treewater was still on the lose in the swamp.
Adrick gave the young man some supplies and reassured him that they were here to help the situation. The got some more details on the direction towardsTreewater and the last location of the survivors and then gave the man some much needed food and water so that he could continue the journey south. Noticeably relieved, the young man set out again on his raft biding the party good luck in their efforts.
The Ambush
The party traveled on the rest of the day without seeing any signs of either the lizardmen or the Treewater survivors. They made camp after sundown in a small clearing and slept the night without incident. In they set out the next morning before sunrise and by mid morning found themselves heading deep into the swap as the path they were on suddenly took a bend to the east moving away from the Odin river.
The swap was hot a damp, signs of life were everywhere and the path soon became do idiot to follow as the ferns and Cyprus trees grew more wild away from the river's banks. Soon the party turned to Lucan for his expert tracking skills to lead them the ought the wilderness. Shortly thereafter Lucan spotted movement in the underbrush and put the party on alert. It wasn't long before one of the lizardmen that had been tracking the party for miles emerged from the growth to seem why the party had stopped.
Ballimore quickly sprang into action charging at the creature with ax in hand a putting it down with one mighty strike. With that the swamp erupted in the sounds of battle as lizardmen emerged from the trees on all sides of the party. The skirmish was brief as the lizardmen proved little match for the adventurers.The attackers soon broke and fled back into the trees for cover.The party member pursued them as best they could and managed to finish of a few more, but at least two escaped the fight and disappeared into the wilderness. The party gathered what few items of value their fallen foes had and pushed on considerably more cautious then they had been before.
The swap was hot a damp, signs of life were everywhere and the path soon became do idiot to follow as the ferns and Cyprus trees grew more wild away from the river's banks. Soon the party turned to Lucan for his expert tracking skills to lead them the ought the wilderness. Shortly thereafter Lucan spotted movement in the underbrush and put the party on alert. It wasn't long before one of the lizardmen that had been tracking the party for miles emerged from the growth to seem why the party had stopped.
Ballimore quickly sprang into action charging at the creature with ax in hand a putting it down with one mighty strike. With that the swamp erupted in the sounds of battle as lizardmen emerged from the trees on all sides of the party. The skirmish was brief as the lizardmen proved little match for the adventurers.The attackers soon broke and fled back into the trees for cover.The party member pursued them as best they could and managed to finish of a few more, but at least two escaped the fight and disappeared into the wilderness. The party gathered what few items of value their fallen foes had and pushed on considerably more cautious then they had been before.
The Refugees
Before long they came upon a group of humans and halfelves wandering through the swamp. Cautiously the party positioned themselves along the sides of the path prepared for any outcome. As the unknown group came around the bend of the path it was quickly apparent they were little threat to them as they were mere townsfolk, injured, battered and arguing amongst themselves. Adrick stepped out of the brush and addressed the group, “Halt, I am
Adrick and my compatriots and I have you surrounded. Do not be afraid for we mean you no harm. We are seeking a group of refugees from the recently sacked city of Treewater, might you be them?”
“Oh thank the gods”,declared an elderly human male who was bleeding from under a makeshift bandage,“we all thought we were doomed to die out here in this forsaken swamp.”
“Be quite Geoff, I had things under control, if you all would have just listened to me sooner we would probably already be to the hermitage by now”, spouted a young halfelf who clearly had by trying to organize and lead the group.
“Enough bickering”,stated Ardik, “we will escort you to safety now, but we need information. You there”, he said pointing to the young halfelf, “you seem to have a pulse on what is going on around here. Come here and tell my compatriots and I who you are and what you know.”
The halfelf explained that his name was Greco and he was the son of Treewaters major. He explained that when the lizardmen attacked the settlement; his father mustered what forces they had and attempted to fight back. He instructed his son to take charge of the young and old and take them into the swamp to make way to the fortress at Renefik. “The last thing I saw before we fled into the swamp was a massive dark greened lizardman cutting down my father
in the middle of the town square. I tried to lead the group to Renefik, but the lizardmen were to numerous up north and we nearly got caught by their patrols several times. We decided to make for the hermitage out here with the hope that Ofeen the cleric that lives there will give us aid and shelter.”
“How far are we from this hermitage?”, questioned Ruhdon.
“No more than a few hours journey. But that is assuming everyone is healthy, with the wounded we are traveling much slower”, lamented Greco.
“I will patch up the wounded before we depart and any who are traveling to slow will be carried by the others. But
it is already getting on past midday and I do not want to be caught in the swamp after dark without some shelter. I
suggest that we get ready to move at once”, with that Ardick quickly patched up the wounded, while his fellow party members organized the group into a cohesive marching order and together they all set out for the hermitage.
Adrick and my compatriots and I have you surrounded. Do not be afraid for we mean you no harm. We are seeking a group of refugees from the recently sacked city of Treewater, might you be them?”
“Oh thank the gods”,declared an elderly human male who was bleeding from under a makeshift bandage,“we all thought we were doomed to die out here in this forsaken swamp.”
“Be quite Geoff, I had things under control, if you all would have just listened to me sooner we would probably already be to the hermitage by now”, spouted a young halfelf who clearly had by trying to organize and lead the group.
“Enough bickering”,stated Ardik, “we will escort you to safety now, but we need information. You there”, he said pointing to the young halfelf, “you seem to have a pulse on what is going on around here. Come here and tell my compatriots and I who you are and what you know.”
The halfelf explained that his name was Greco and he was the son of Treewaters major. He explained that when the lizardmen attacked the settlement; his father mustered what forces they had and attempted to fight back. He instructed his son to take charge of the young and old and take them into the swamp to make way to the fortress at Renefik. “The last thing I saw before we fled into the swamp was a massive dark greened lizardman cutting down my father
in the middle of the town square. I tried to lead the group to Renefik, but the lizardmen were to numerous up north and we nearly got caught by their patrols several times. We decided to make for the hermitage out here with the hope that Ofeen the cleric that lives there will give us aid and shelter.”
“How far are we from this hermitage?”, questioned Ruhdon.
“No more than a few hours journey. But that is assuming everyone is healthy, with the wounded we are traveling much slower”, lamented Greco.
“I will patch up the wounded before we depart and any who are traveling to slow will be carried by the others. But
it is already getting on past midday and I do not want to be caught in the swamp after dark without some shelter. I
suggest that we get ready to move at once”, with that Ardick quickly patched up the wounded, while his fellow party members organized the group into a cohesive marching order and together they all set out for the hermitage.
The Battle of Witchlight Hermitage
The group saw no sign of the lizardmen and the quietly marched through the swamp. They came upon the hermitage’s clearing just before nightfall. There were all surprised to discover the obvious signs of battle. The hermitage is a collection of three elevated huts that stand about ten feet above the swamp floor upon pylons. Each of the huts is joined together by a series of wooden walkways. There are three stairs that lead down to the ground; each of these was blocked with makeshift barricades. One lizardman body draped over the edge of the western railing, two more sat half buried in the mud underneath. The entire clearing was silent say for the faint call of muffled voices coming from the hut nearest the part.
They waited in silence for any sign of danger from the surrounding swamp, but after several minutes of waiting without any signs of danger, Adrick decided to risk traveling in the open to make contact with whom ever was inside the hut. He reached the stair and summoned those within. A young redhaired human female in full cleric vestments emerged form the hut to confront the new visiter.
"Who are you and where did you come from?", questioned the female.
"I am Adrick, a cleric of Mordin, and I am traveling with a group of compatirots. We are here to look into the recent troubles with lizardmen in the area. We found a group of survivors in the wildernress fleeing the destruvtion of Treewater. Some of them are hurt and need medical care. We are trying to get them to saftey, any help you can provide would be appreciated"
"You have wounded?! Quick quick, bring them up, lets have a look at them. Tell your allies to escort the refugees into the huts and then man the barricaides, there may be more of them out there still. I am Ofeen by the way, cleric of palor." With that Ofeen leaped down the stairs and began helping the refugees into the shelter. Before long the group was behind the barricaides and Ofeen and Adrick were tending to the wounded while Ofeen's assistants gave out food and water to all. After everyone was attended too Ofeen expalined the situation to the members of the Last Drop. She had a flatboat, but it has been in need or repairs for some time and is currently unusable. Further, they only manged to kill a few of the lizardmen that attacked the hermitage earlier in the day and feared that the ones that escaped would bring more down upon them soon enough. The party decided that they would need to fortify the hermitage in the morning in preperation for future attacks. They reasoned that they were safer here then out in the wilderness trying to fight off patrols of lizardmen while escorting over a dozen refugees.
The members got to work at first light, taking tables and charis and constructing better barricaids on each of the staris. In addition they setup makesift barricaids on the roofs of the three huts which Lucan and Hazlo maned. Lucan sent out his hawk to scout the area and upon its returned learned that there was a large group of lizardmen heading their way. Ardick and Hazlo went and spoke to the refugess, Adrick used diplomacy to inspire some of the refuges to come and join the Last Drop in the defense of the hermitage, while Hazlo used intimidation to goad some of the others into fighting. Their efforts lead to more then half of the refugees agreeing to take up arms. By middmorning, the group was armed, positioned and ready for a fight.
They waited in silence for any sign of danger from the surrounding swamp, but after several minutes of waiting without any signs of danger, Adrick decided to risk traveling in the open to make contact with whom ever was inside the hut. He reached the stair and summoned those within. A young redhaired human female in full cleric vestments emerged form the hut to confront the new visiter.
"Who are you and where did you come from?", questioned the female.
"I am Adrick, a cleric of Mordin, and I am traveling with a group of compatirots. We are here to look into the recent troubles with lizardmen in the area. We found a group of survivors in the wildernress fleeing the destruvtion of Treewater. Some of them are hurt and need medical care. We are trying to get them to saftey, any help you can provide would be appreciated"
"You have wounded?! Quick quick, bring them up, lets have a look at them. Tell your allies to escort the refugees into the huts and then man the barricaides, there may be more of them out there still. I am Ofeen by the way, cleric of palor." With that Ofeen leaped down the stairs and began helping the refugees into the shelter. Before long the group was behind the barricaides and Ofeen and Adrick were tending to the wounded while Ofeen's assistants gave out food and water to all. After everyone was attended too Ofeen expalined the situation to the members of the Last Drop. She had a flatboat, but it has been in need or repairs for some time and is currently unusable. Further, they only manged to kill a few of the lizardmen that attacked the hermitage earlier in the day and feared that the ones that escaped would bring more down upon them soon enough. The party decided that they would need to fortify the hermitage in the morning in preperation for future attacks. They reasoned that they were safer here then out in the wilderness trying to fight off patrols of lizardmen while escorting over a dozen refugees.
The members got to work at first light, taking tables and charis and constructing better barricaids on each of the staris. In addition they setup makesift barricaids on the roofs of the three huts which Lucan and Hazlo maned. Lucan sent out his hawk to scout the area and upon its returned learned that there was a large group of lizardmen heading their way. Ardick and Hazlo went and spoke to the refugess, Adrick used diplomacy to inspire some of the refuges to come and join the Last Drop in the defense of the hermitage, while Hazlo used intimidation to goad some of the others into fighting. Their efforts lead to more then half of the refugees agreeing to take up arms. By middmorning, the group was armed, positioned and ready for a fight.
They did not have long to wait, for in a few minutes time the first of the lizardman, a particuallry nasty looking creature weilding a giant ax, stepped out of the swamp and into the clearing. He barked orders in draconic to his fellow compatriots and soon over a half dozen well armed lizardmen appeared from all directions. Hazlo did not waste any time, loosing and arrow at the closest of the foes to his stand and striking it dead with a well placed shot. With that hermitage erupped in battle, the larger of the lizardmen attacking the eastern stair were Ballimor and Adrick were positioned. Hazlo and Lucan loosed shot after shot at the scattered forces and Ruhdon bravey left the saftey of the hermitage to try and track down a nasty lizardman who was firing lighting blasts at the allies from a distance. Thought he put up a good fight, Ballimore and Adrick managed to put down the lizardman leader, breaking the moral of the others who were easly mopped up in short order.
The battle was lenghty, but the damage was minor. Only Ruhdon has sastained anything more then minor nicks and all of the refugees and Ofeen remainded unscathed. The party members went about seraching the corpses for valuables, finding a particuallry well crafted broze short sword on the leader as well as some minor postions and a good bit of gold on the others. Sprits were high as everyone seemed to belive the worst was over when suddenly to everyones surprise they heard the cry of more lizardmen who had unknowlingly emerged on the far bank of a stream running to the west of the hermitage. These lizardmen were even mroe well armed then the first lot and several of them carried mage's staffs and wore cermonial jellwery and other adonrments. These lizardmen ressumed the assult on the hermitage immediatly and everyone within had to scramble to retake thier places and man the defences once more!
The battle was lenghty, but the damage was minor. Only Ruhdon has sastained anything more then minor nicks and all of the refugees and Ofeen remainded unscathed. The party members went about seraching the corpses for valuables, finding a particuallry well crafted broze short sword on the leader as well as some minor postions and a good bit of gold on the others. Sprits were high as everyone seemed to belive the worst was over when suddenly to everyones surprise they heard the cry of more lizardmen who had unknowlingly emerged on the far bank of a stream running to the west of the hermitage. These lizardmen were even mroe well armed then the first lot and several of them carried mage's staffs and wore cermonial jellwery and other adonrments. These lizardmen ressumed the assult on the hermitage immediatly and everyone within had to scramble to retake thier places and man the defences once more!
The Battle Resumed!
Having been caught off gaurd the group faired considerable worse in this second assult. For one, this new grouped seemed much more organized then the first, corridnating thier attacks to strike the most damage to the party members. Futhermore the lizardmen mages used devestating ranged attacks to strike at the weakest members of the group, seeking to widdle down thier numbers while thier soliders scaled the walkway form unsual places, trying to catch the defenders off guard. Hazlo quickly found himself out of position as the mages astutly used supperior angles to avoid his arrows. Lucan faird better, but also sustained more damage from these mages who clearly wanted to force the elf from his supperior postion.
Meanwhile Adrick and Ballimore struggled against the lizardmen soliders who manged to flank both of them by climbing up the walkway pillons. These foes were better trained and armoned then the brutes they had fought earlier in the morning. They also used spear and tail in effecitve combinations to keep their targets out of assult range and off thier feet.
Ruhdon faired the worst by far however. He sustained the most damage from the first encouter and had failed to recover himself after the battle and ended. As a result he fell unconsous after the first wave of attacks as both of the lizardmen mages struck him with thier ranged attacks. Adrick evenutally revived him, but only after several minutes of feirce fighting. Once recovered, Ruhdon sustained further damage from the mages and nearly blacked out again until Lucan shouted some words of encouragment to lift his sprits. Shortly there after Ballimor, having already disposted of the two soliders on the walkway, leaped down onto the ground and procceded to mow down the two mages in short order. With thier leaders gone, the remaining lizardmen lost heart and were easily mowed bown by the Last Drop and thier refugee allies.
The entire hermitage breathed a sigh of relief as the last of the attackers was put down by a well placed arrow from Hazlo. They all took a few moments to take stock of the situation. Ruhdon and Ardick searched the bodies for valuables, finding some more gold and a few usualful minor items. Lucan remained on watch on the roof ever vigilant of futher assults and ballimor settled down near a log and uncorked his flask for a well deserved drink. It was not long before Lucan spotted several flatboats coming done the small stream to the east of the west of the hermitage. Upon them were many halfing soilders and the lone human rafter that they had encourged upon first entering the swamp. Apperantly he had managed to make it to Renefik afterall and had brought members of the province milita to evacuate the refugees. Overjoyed, the refugees quickly packed up thier belongings and loaded onto the boats, bidding Ofeen and her assitants farewell. Adrick supplied her with a portion of the parties loot to futher support her endevors here in the swamp and loaded onto the boats with the rest of this group bound for Renefik.
Meanwhile Adrick and Ballimore struggled against the lizardmen soliders who manged to flank both of them by climbing up the walkway pillons. These foes were better trained and armoned then the brutes they had fought earlier in the morning. They also used spear and tail in effecitve combinations to keep their targets out of assult range and off thier feet.
Ruhdon faired the worst by far however. He sustained the most damage from the first encouter and had failed to recover himself after the battle and ended. As a result he fell unconsous after the first wave of attacks as both of the lizardmen mages struck him with thier ranged attacks. Adrick evenutally revived him, but only after several minutes of feirce fighting. Once recovered, Ruhdon sustained further damage from the mages and nearly blacked out again until Lucan shouted some words of encouragment to lift his sprits. Shortly there after Ballimor, having already disposted of the two soliders on the walkway, leaped down onto the ground and procceded to mow down the two mages in short order. With thier leaders gone, the remaining lizardmen lost heart and were easily mowed bown by the Last Drop and thier refugee allies.
The entire hermitage breathed a sigh of relief as the last of the attackers was put down by a well placed arrow from Hazlo. They all took a few moments to take stock of the situation. Ruhdon and Ardick searched the bodies for valuables, finding some more gold and a few usualful minor items. Lucan remained on watch on the roof ever vigilant of futher assults and ballimor settled down near a log and uncorked his flask for a well deserved drink. It was not long before Lucan spotted several flatboats coming done the small stream to the east of the west of the hermitage. Upon them were many halfing soilders and the lone human rafter that they had encourged upon first entering the swamp. Apperantly he had managed to make it to Renefik afterall and had brought members of the province milita to evacuate the refugees. Overjoyed, the refugees quickly packed up thier belongings and loaded onto the boats, bidding Ofeen and her assitants farewell. Adrick supplied her with a portion of the parties loot to futher support her endevors here in the swamp and loaded onto the boats with the rest of this group bound for Renefik.
Visit to Renefik
The Last Drop enterted the fortress of Renefik as heros. Everywere they went they were greated with cheers and admiration from the halfling populace. Ballimor and Adrick too advantage of this new found fame to get stinking drunk at the local tavern. Hazlo went in serach of merchants, looking to sell some of his share of the loot for better equipment. Meanwhile Lucan and Ruhdon meet up with the provinces military commander, and older halfling by the name of Aldritch. Aldritch offered thier group food, accomidation and supplies and thanked them for thier bravery in saving the surviors of Treewater. He also indicated that he might have more work for thier group if they were willing and asked that they gather thier group and come and speak to him tommrow morning sometime.
In the morning the party awoke to find maids at thier service taking orders for breakfast. The dwarfs, never ones to pass up a free meal, promptly ordered double portions of salted pork, bacon, biscuts, eggs and pints of the castles finest ales to wash it down. The other members settled for more reasonable meals and after everyone was well satisfied, the Lucan and Ruhdon lead them up to the commaders office.
After the indtroductions were made Aldritch got straight to buisness. "To be frank with you, Renefik and by extention the entire province is in dire straights. You see, those lizardmen you slew out in the wildernees were but a small portion of a much larger army that advanced on Treewater nearly a week ago. My scouts have been tracking their movments and for the moment they appear to be content to sit on their spoils in the remeants of that town. However, recent reports show that another force has begun marching north east from thier hidden base in the swamp. I belive they mean to link thier two forces up and advance on Renefik itself. The safe play would be to wait them out here at Renefik and take my chances with a seige. Ordinarly I would not expect the lizardmen to be able to sustain such a prologned effort and they are not particuallary organized or displice. But these forces are diffrent. They are well trained, as you has seen first hand, and they are motivated by something far deeper then mere conquest and plunder. Because of this, I am in favor of a bolder play, one that may well save our provice many lives, but I can not execute this without your help."
"To be fair lord commander", interjected Adrick, "we have come here to lend our support in this matter, having heard there was trouble in these lands. We would be remiss if we did not aid you in your hour of need."
"Not so fast Adrick", spoke Hazlo, "not all of us are in it for the same reasons. I need copensation for my troubles, else I am content to take my fame and fortuen and head on home.:
"Need I remind you that you are still under our custoidy theif", said Lucan, "that we allow you some measure of freedom, does not mean that you are nessicarly a free man. I belive, however, what the human is trying to say is that we would like to negotiate for our services in this matter."
"What is it you had in mind if I may be so blunt?" questioned Aldritch.
"We seek your provinces support in the impending struggle for the thrown of Mainstay. We know that the halfings still harbor some measure of resentment towards the humans, but we ask that you would support the cause of the crown prince when the time comes. Beyond this, we would ask meerly that you provide us with enough information and supplies for whatever job you would have us do." The surprise in the halflings face at Adricks unusual request was evident to everyone in the room.
"If you are succseful in you endevors, then you have my word that Renefik will support you prince's claim." With that he shock hands with Adrick and the deal was done. Aldrich wenton to expalin his plan in detail. He would lead the bulk of Renefiks garrison out into the swamps in an effort to meet the garrison at Treewater in battle prior to the arrival of the new force. He was unsure of exacntly how he would manage this and admitted that the risk was high that he would fail, but belived that it was his peoples best play given the situation. While this was playing out in the east, he would send the Last Drop on a secert mission to the southwest to attempt to infultrate the lizardmen base. His scouts had been tracking the enemys movments for some time and he belived that he had discorved thier stronghold with in the remanints of a sunken tower. He did not know what they would find in the way of resistance, but his hope was that the Last Drop would find the place mostly empty since the whole of the lizardmen army seemed to have already taken to the feild. He implored the members of the party ot search the ruins for any evidence of who or what was organizing these tribes into a forminbatle force. He also asked that they attempt to learn their motications and of course to cause as much havok and disruption as possible. He also agreed that they party could keep anything of value that they find in the course of their expedition. With that it was seetled, he arranged for one of his scouts by the name of Benjen to guide them to this tower and requested that they setout at first light in order to waste no time in thier efforts.
With that Aldritch took his leave of the party and departed to make preperations for his own experition into the wilderness. Hazlo went to the castle arrmormer and was able to negotiate a trade for an extremmly valuable flawing bow. Meanwhile Lucan made preperation with the castles quartermaster to ensure the group would be well supplies while Adrick and Ballimor went about getting drunk again in the local tavern. At first light the party meet up with Benjen in the castle courtyard and setout on their next adventure into the Witchlight Fens.
In the morning the party awoke to find maids at thier service taking orders for breakfast. The dwarfs, never ones to pass up a free meal, promptly ordered double portions of salted pork, bacon, biscuts, eggs and pints of the castles finest ales to wash it down. The other members settled for more reasonable meals and after everyone was well satisfied, the Lucan and Ruhdon lead them up to the commaders office.
After the indtroductions were made Aldritch got straight to buisness. "To be frank with you, Renefik and by extention the entire province is in dire straights. You see, those lizardmen you slew out in the wildernees were but a small portion of a much larger army that advanced on Treewater nearly a week ago. My scouts have been tracking their movments and for the moment they appear to be content to sit on their spoils in the remeants of that town. However, recent reports show that another force has begun marching north east from thier hidden base in the swamp. I belive they mean to link thier two forces up and advance on Renefik itself. The safe play would be to wait them out here at Renefik and take my chances with a seige. Ordinarly I would not expect the lizardmen to be able to sustain such a prologned effort and they are not particuallary organized or displice. But these forces are diffrent. They are well trained, as you has seen first hand, and they are motivated by something far deeper then mere conquest and plunder. Because of this, I am in favor of a bolder play, one that may well save our provice many lives, but I can not execute this without your help."
"To be fair lord commander", interjected Adrick, "we have come here to lend our support in this matter, having heard there was trouble in these lands. We would be remiss if we did not aid you in your hour of need."
"Not so fast Adrick", spoke Hazlo, "not all of us are in it for the same reasons. I need copensation for my troubles, else I am content to take my fame and fortuen and head on home.:
"Need I remind you that you are still under our custoidy theif", said Lucan, "that we allow you some measure of freedom, does not mean that you are nessicarly a free man. I belive, however, what the human is trying to say is that we would like to negotiate for our services in this matter."
"What is it you had in mind if I may be so blunt?" questioned Aldritch.
"We seek your provinces support in the impending struggle for the thrown of Mainstay. We know that the halfings still harbor some measure of resentment towards the humans, but we ask that you would support the cause of the crown prince when the time comes. Beyond this, we would ask meerly that you provide us with enough information and supplies for whatever job you would have us do." The surprise in the halflings face at Adricks unusual request was evident to everyone in the room.
"If you are succseful in you endevors, then you have my word that Renefik will support you prince's claim." With that he shock hands with Adrick and the deal was done. Aldrich wenton to expalin his plan in detail. He would lead the bulk of Renefiks garrison out into the swamps in an effort to meet the garrison at Treewater in battle prior to the arrival of the new force. He was unsure of exacntly how he would manage this and admitted that the risk was high that he would fail, but belived that it was his peoples best play given the situation. While this was playing out in the east, he would send the Last Drop on a secert mission to the southwest to attempt to infultrate the lizardmen base. His scouts had been tracking the enemys movments for some time and he belived that he had discorved thier stronghold with in the remanints of a sunken tower. He did not know what they would find in the way of resistance, but his hope was that the Last Drop would find the place mostly empty since the whole of the lizardmen army seemed to have already taken to the feild. He implored the members of the party ot search the ruins for any evidence of who or what was organizing these tribes into a forminbatle force. He also asked that they attempt to learn their motications and of course to cause as much havok and disruption as possible. He also agreed that they party could keep anything of value that they find in the course of their expedition. With that it was seetled, he arranged for one of his scouts by the name of Benjen to guide them to this tower and requested that they setout at first light in order to waste no time in thier efforts.
With that Aldritch took his leave of the party and departed to make preperations for his own experition into the wilderness. Hazlo went to the castle arrmormer and was able to negotiate a trade for an extremmly valuable flawing bow. Meanwhile Lucan made preperation with the castles quartermaster to ensure the group would be well supplies while Adrick and Ballimor went about getting drunk again in the local tavern. At first light the party meet up with Benjen in the castle courtyard and setout on their next adventure into the Witchlight Fens.
The Sunken Tower
The party moved into the swamp early the next morning, keeping well off the well worn paths to avoid any unnecciarly confrontations from enemy patrols. Benjen proved to be an expert guide, leading them through the wilderness swiftly and saftly. Ballimor found the journy particuallry enjoable as he had packed a cask of Renefiks finest ale prior to departming the city. He wore it strapped to his back, and had already tapped the cask with a long hose which he sipped on as they marched though the swamp. Despite his incerassing level of intoxication, the dwarf managed not to make to much noise and the part remained undectedale the entire day.
At Benjen's request the party made camp before nightfall and posted watches throguout the night. He insited that they would reach the tower before nightfall tommrow, barring any unforseen interuptions. The night passed without incident and the party ressumed thier journey at first light. They again encourted no sign of the enemy and appraoched the tower in realitve ease, just as dusk was begging to set in. They took position on the edge of towers clearing and settled in to watch for signs of the enemy. They obsereved no sign of any life, and after a while Hazlo suggusted that he sneak out and scout the area a little closer. Everyone agreed so the theif snuck out of the foilage and procceeded to search the area for signs of traps and enemies. He found none and reported to the group that the immediate area appeared to be clear. The rest of the party ventured out to look around.
The found a half sunken tower ruin, well overgrown with moss and vines and leaning stepply to the east. They also found the area littered with boulders of varrying size, with the largest one containing a cave that lead underground. Lucan and Hazlo asstuly found fresh lizardmen tracks that lead to the back side of the tower were they also found a hidden door in the overgorwn rock. The party regrouped near the treeline and discussed thier options. They decided they would send the theif into the cave to scout out ahead and try and discover what lye within. Ballimor suspected that the cave served as the towers main entrace.
Hazlo snuck into the cave unimpeeded for several yards until it made a sharp turn to the west and lead right into the tower itself. He crept aroud this corner and saw a large circular room with a gallery running along its far side. Upon the galley he noticed several lizardmen archers milling around a commong living area. They took no notice of him. He also spotted the largest lizardman he had ever seen, nearly the size of an ogre, sitting in a shallow pool of water on the ground bellow the living area. He too seemed not to notice the human so Hazlo quickly snuck back up the corridor to tell his allies.
Having had his original theory confirmed, Ballimor now urged the group to consider a two pronged assult on the tower. He strongly suspected that the secret door lead to the back entrance of the tower room that Hazlo had observed and thought it would be best is one force would advance down the main entrace and draw the attention of the gaurds while a second force snuck in the back to catch them comply off guard. The entire group was in agreement so they split up sending Arick, Ballimor and Lucan down the cave while Ruhdon, Hazlo and his obsidion dog, which he had obtained as a parting gift from Sir Marcus upon setting out on their journey, snuck around the back way. Lucan insturcted Benjen to go hide in the underbrush and await thier signal. He inticated that he would send up a signal arrow if the party was victorious. If not he said to wait two days then head back to Renefik and inform the garrison that the plan had failed and they need make secondary arrangments. With that, the party split up and headed for thier respective assignemtns, confident that the would soon crush thier unsuspecting foes.
At Benjen's request the party made camp before nightfall and posted watches throguout the night. He insited that they would reach the tower before nightfall tommrow, barring any unforseen interuptions. The night passed without incident and the party ressumed thier journey at first light. They again encourted no sign of the enemy and appraoched the tower in realitve ease, just as dusk was begging to set in. They took position on the edge of towers clearing and settled in to watch for signs of the enemy. They obsereved no sign of any life, and after a while Hazlo suggusted that he sneak out and scout the area a little closer. Everyone agreed so the theif snuck out of the foilage and procceeded to search the area for signs of traps and enemies. He found none and reported to the group that the immediate area appeared to be clear. The rest of the party ventured out to look around.
The found a half sunken tower ruin, well overgrown with moss and vines and leaning stepply to the east. They also found the area littered with boulders of varrying size, with the largest one containing a cave that lead underground. Lucan and Hazlo asstuly found fresh lizardmen tracks that lead to the back side of the tower were they also found a hidden door in the overgorwn rock. The party regrouped near the treeline and discussed thier options. They decided they would send the theif into the cave to scout out ahead and try and discover what lye within. Ballimor suspected that the cave served as the towers main entrace.
Hazlo snuck into the cave unimpeeded for several yards until it made a sharp turn to the west and lead right into the tower itself. He crept aroud this corner and saw a large circular room with a gallery running along its far side. Upon the galley he noticed several lizardmen archers milling around a commong living area. They took no notice of him. He also spotted the largest lizardman he had ever seen, nearly the size of an ogre, sitting in a shallow pool of water on the ground bellow the living area. He too seemed not to notice the human so Hazlo quickly snuck back up the corridor to tell his allies.
Having had his original theory confirmed, Ballimor now urged the group to consider a two pronged assult on the tower. He strongly suspected that the secret door lead to the back entrance of the tower room that Hazlo had observed and thought it would be best is one force would advance down the main entrace and draw the attention of the gaurds while a second force snuck in the back to catch them comply off guard. The entire group was in agreement so they split up sending Arick, Ballimor and Lucan down the cave while Ruhdon, Hazlo and his obsidion dog, which he had obtained as a parting gift from Sir Marcus upon setting out on their journey, snuck around the back way. Lucan insturcted Benjen to go hide in the underbrush and await thier signal. He inticated that he would send up a signal arrow if the party was victorious. If not he said to wait two days then head back to Renefik and inform the garrison that the plan had failed and they need make secondary arrangments. With that, the party split up and headed for thier respective assignemtns, confident that the would soon crush thier unsuspecting foes.
Assult upon the Sunken Tower
Adrick and Lucan becided they would attempt to sneak up and catch the large lizardman off guard, while Ballimor would hang back and provide support. Despite neither man being particuallry good at hiding, they both managed to catch the large lizardman off guard when Lucan loosed an arrow that struck it right on its right shoulder. Alarmed and enraged, the beast charged forward and battle was joined. The fight was a rather controled afair at first, Adrick and Lucan discovered that the beast was not small enough to fit inside the cave entrance so they, along with Ballimor, stayed out of reach of their enemy while pelting him with ranged attacks. They were biding thier time, awaiting their allies sudden intrusion to unleash thier full assult upon the oversized creature.
Meanwhile, Hazlo and Ruhdon reached the back entrace and procceded to slowly open the door and pear inside. Surpissingly, the discovered the immediate entrace to be pitch black rather then being filled by the latern light that Hazlo had earlier observed. Ruhdon reasoned that this must be a back room and that there is likly a second door that leads to the main chamber and pressed on into the darkness casting his light spell upon his drawn sword to see. Much to both of thier surprise, the entrace was infact a stairwell leading down into the earth. The corridor was rather long and they could not see the end of it from the top of the stairs. A sence of dreard began to come over both of them as they began to realize that this door was not infact a back entrance to the main chamber, but a secret door that lead to some other part of the tower. At this point they had a decison to make. They new thier friends would surley be engaged in combat by now, but they also knew that it would take some time to go back they way they came to link up with them. Hazlo suggusted it might be faster to head into the tower and see if they can't find a way up to that room afterall. He reasoned that there must something that connects the two and that it would surly be faster then the alternative.
Thougth leary, Ruhdon agreed and so the two, along with Hazlo's obsidion dog, headed down the corridor. The found that the halway ended in a door way that lead to an underground room, half flodded with swamp water. The walls were made of a mix of stone and mud and moss and mold grew everywere. A stone spiral staircase stood just to the right of the doorway, and Hazlo's eyes widened at the sight of it. He guesed that it would lead to a trapdoor in the other room and immediatly headed for it, only to be hit squarly in the back by two darts from hidden lizardmen in the shadowy corners of the room. Ruhdon retalitated by stricking at these foes, but they managed to blend into the shadows, while several other lizardmen attacked these two from either side of the doorway, catching both off guard and dealing considerable damage to each man. The two regrouped and manged to push on towards the stairway were they placed the dog at the foot and used it to hold off the attackers while Ruhdon and Hazlo attacked with thier ranged options.
Meanwhile, Hazlo and Ruhdon reached the back entrace and procceded to slowly open the door and pear inside. Surpissingly, the discovered the immediate entrace to be pitch black rather then being filled by the latern light that Hazlo had earlier observed. Ruhdon reasoned that this must be a back room and that there is likly a second door that leads to the main chamber and pressed on into the darkness casting his light spell upon his drawn sword to see. Much to both of thier surprise, the entrace was infact a stairwell leading down into the earth. The corridor was rather long and they could not see the end of it from the top of the stairs. A sence of dreard began to come over both of them as they began to realize that this door was not infact a back entrance to the main chamber, but a secret door that lead to some other part of the tower. At this point they had a decison to make. They new thier friends would surley be engaged in combat by now, but they also knew that it would take some time to go back they way they came to link up with them. Hazlo suggusted it might be faster to head into the tower and see if they can't find a way up to that room afterall. He reasoned that there must something that connects the two and that it would surly be faster then the alternative.
Thougth leary, Ruhdon agreed and so the two, along with Hazlo's obsidion dog, headed down the corridor. The found that the halway ended in a door way that lead to an underground room, half flodded with swamp water. The walls were made of a mix of stone and mud and moss and mold grew everywere. A stone spiral staircase stood just to the right of the doorway, and Hazlo's eyes widened at the sight of it. He guesed that it would lead to a trapdoor in the other room and immediatly headed for it, only to be hit squarly in the back by two darts from hidden lizardmen in the shadowy corners of the room. Ruhdon retalitated by stricking at these foes, but they managed to blend into the shadows, while several other lizardmen attacked these two from either side of the doorway, catching both off guard and dealing considerable damage to each man. The two regrouped and manged to push on towards the stairway were they placed the dog at the foot and used it to hold off the attackers while Ruhdon and Hazlo attacked with thier ranged options.
Having waited long enough, and fearing that something had gone wrong, Ballimor decided he had had enough keept away and charged right at the towering beast, catching it offguard and managing to take the creatures legs from itslef. The massize body hit the groud with a loud thud and Adrick and Lucan took the oppertunity to spring into the room and past the hulking body. Just as they cleared the doorway and the massize lizardman, both men were caught off gaurd by two crowthing foes in medium armor. Despite being surprised, both men kept thier cool and alterted their stance to meet this new threat. Ballimore made quick work of the now prone beast, finishing it off before the poor creature could even regain its footing. He then moved on to assit Lucan and Adrick, who were manging thier fights with the soilders quite well.
"Where are those two.", cursed Ballimore. "They were supposed to be here, by now, how could they have messed that simple task up?"
"Perhaps there is more to this tower then we first imagined", said Lucan.
"Indeed it would seem so. Come let us finish off these foes ourselves and then find out what has happened to our friends.", declared Ardick.
Thier friends happened to be working their way through a sticky situation themselves. Having been compltly caught offguard, Hazlo and Ruhdon had managed to establish good positioning and now were beginging to turn the tide in their own battle. Both of them had already dropped one of the lizard men soliders and Hazlo had even taken out one of the annoying snipers in the back of the room. Ruhdon suggusted that it might be time for Hazlo to explore the upper reached of the staircase incase they needed to make an escape. Hazlo agreed and at the next oppertunity he sprang up the staris and through open the trap door. To his surprise he found himself in the middle of the large antechamber, surounded by the sounds and sights of the battle that his allies were in the middle of. Lucan spoted the thieves head as he was unleashed another devsating shot at one of the archers on the galley.
"Bout time you two showed up to the fight, thought I daresay we really have things well in hand now", shouted Lucan.
"Sorry of the delay, but we had our own issues with the back room. Well it appears that you boys have this room well in hand, I think I will go assist Ruhdon in clearing up our little mess bellow." With that Hazlo dropped back down the stairs to report to Ruhdon what he had seen.
"Where are those two.", cursed Ballimore. "They were supposed to be here, by now, how could they have messed that simple task up?"
"Perhaps there is more to this tower then we first imagined", said Lucan.
"Indeed it would seem so. Come let us finish off these foes ourselves and then find out what has happened to our friends.", declared Ardick.
Thier friends happened to be working their way through a sticky situation themselves. Having been compltly caught offguard, Hazlo and Ruhdon had managed to establish good positioning and now were beginging to turn the tide in their own battle. Both of them had already dropped one of the lizard men soliders and Hazlo had even taken out one of the annoying snipers in the back of the room. Ruhdon suggusted that it might be time for Hazlo to explore the upper reached of the staircase incase they needed to make an escape. Hazlo agreed and at the next oppertunity he sprang up the staris and through open the trap door. To his surprise he found himself in the middle of the large antechamber, surounded by the sounds and sights of the battle that his allies were in the middle of. Lucan spoted the thieves head as he was unleashed another devsating shot at one of the archers on the galley.
"Bout time you two showed up to the fight, thought I daresay we really have things well in hand now", shouted Lucan.
"Sorry of the delay, but we had our own issues with the back room. Well it appears that you boys have this room well in hand, I think I will go assist Ruhdon in clearing up our little mess bellow." With that Hazlo dropped back down the stairs to report to Ruhdon what he had seen.
It was not long before Ruhdon finsihed off the last of thier foes and the two of them assended the stairs in time to assit the rest of thier party in mopping up the last of the lizardmen archers. Having put down the last of their enemines, Hazlo took in a sigh od relief and allowed himslef a moments peace. Lucan approached the living area and discovered a chest, which instantly attrached the attention of the theif. He found it unlocked and procced to serach its contents, discovering more gold and a set of armor that Adrick took.
Having cleared the main room, Ruhdon lead the group down to the second level where he cast another light spelll to illuminate the entire space. They found several young halflings chained to the far wall, a few were already dead, but some were still alive and Adrick quickly stepped in to provide healing for them. After they had recovered thier sences, the halfings explained to the group that they were captives of the lizardmen tribe and they routinly were forced to work in the level bellow excavating out sections of the tower. They explained that bellow there was a powerful lizardman mystic who seemed to be the leader of the tribe. He belived this tower to be only a small portion of a much larger sunken city that he wished to settle for his tribe. The halfings were much more septilal about this, having not discovered any evidence of this cities exisistance in their efforts. They also warned that there is another great lizardman, a warchief, who typically works with the mystic. He deprated a few days ago and has not been seen since. They also warned about another danger, some sort of creature that lives in the waters bellow the tower. Whatever it is, the lizardmen regard it as something of a god and reguallery worship the creature, though none of the halfings had ever caught sight of it in person.
Thankful for all the information, Lucan escorted the children to the surface and summoned Benjen with a signal arrow. He instucted him to care for the children in a safe spot in the wilderness near the tower until the group could escort all of them home to Renefik. With that he rejoined this party as they prepared to open yet another trap door in the base of the second level.
Having cleared the main room, Ruhdon lead the group down to the second level where he cast another light spelll to illuminate the entire space. They found several young halflings chained to the far wall, a few were already dead, but some were still alive and Adrick quickly stepped in to provide healing for them. After they had recovered thier sences, the halfings explained to the group that they were captives of the lizardmen tribe and they routinly were forced to work in the level bellow excavating out sections of the tower. They explained that bellow there was a powerful lizardman mystic who seemed to be the leader of the tribe. He belived this tower to be only a small portion of a much larger sunken city that he wished to settle for his tribe. The halfings were much more septilal about this, having not discovered any evidence of this cities exisistance in their efforts. They also warned that there is another great lizardman, a warchief, who typically works with the mystic. He deprated a few days ago and has not been seen since. They also warned about another danger, some sort of creature that lives in the waters bellow the tower. Whatever it is, the lizardmen regard it as something of a god and reguallery worship the creature, though none of the halfings had ever caught sight of it in person.
Thankful for all the information, Lucan escorted the children to the surface and summoned Benjen with a signal arrow. He instucted him to care for the children in a safe spot in the wilderness near the tower until the group could escort all of them home to Renefik. With that he rejoined this party as they prepared to open yet another trap door in the base of the second level.
The Secret of the Sunken Tower
The trap door down to the third level proved somewhat difficult to open at first. The old cyprus wood that it was made off had become severely water logged and the group turned to Ballimor's strength inorder to gain entry bellow. Once the door was open Hazlo peered down the entry way into the still darkness. No light emanated from the room bellow and his human eyes could only make out vague shapes in the dim lighting.
"It's defiantly flooded, no telling how deep it is from here", reported Hazlo. "Also this stairway is well rusted out, we'd best proceed with caution when going down."
"It's a good bet whatever's down their is gonna here us coming, so I think I'll head down first and check it out", declared Ballimor.
Ruhdon cast light upon Ballimor's ax and he descended down into the water, finding it to be about 3 feet deep. On the far western wall he noticed over a dozen emancipated halflings chained up in the water. There were corridors to the west and south, but no sign of any lizardmen at all.
"Seems clear at the moment, but I'd be cautious", reported Ballimor. He took up a defensive stance near the bottom of the stairwell and awaited his fellow group members. Each one descended down the rusty creaking stairwell in turn. At times it seemed the stairwell was on the verge of collapsingon, but it managed to hold together.
Once assembled the group began to fan out in all directions looking for foes hidden in the deep. Suddenly Ruhdon felt the floor give out beneath him and only managed to keep his footing with his superior acrobatic skill. Hazlo who had been standing near Ruhdon, bent down and inspected the floor. To his surprise there was a large ten foot hole in the floor that descended into a lower completely flooded room.
"It's defiantly flooded, no telling how deep it is from here", reported Hazlo. "Also this stairway is well rusted out, we'd best proceed with caution when going down."
"It's a good bet whatever's down their is gonna here us coming, so I think I'll head down first and check it out", declared Ballimor.
Ruhdon cast light upon Ballimor's ax and he descended down into the water, finding it to be about 3 feet deep. On the far western wall he noticed over a dozen emancipated halflings chained up in the water. There were corridors to the west and south, but no sign of any lizardmen at all.
"Seems clear at the moment, but I'd be cautious", reported Ballimor. He took up a defensive stance near the bottom of the stairwell and awaited his fellow group members. Each one descended down the rusty creaking stairwell in turn. At times it seemed the stairwell was on the verge of collapsingon, but it managed to hold together.
Once assembled the group began to fan out in all directions looking for foes hidden in the deep. Suddenly Ruhdon felt the floor give out beneath him and only managed to keep his footing with his superior acrobatic skill. Hazlo who had been standing near Ruhdon, bent down and inspected the floor. To his surprise there was a large ten foot hole in the floor that descended into a lower completely flooded room.
Ruhdon was relieved to have avoided falling into the trap, but his relief soon turned to fear as a large and ominous black shape suddenly rise up from within the water pit. It took Ruhdon a moment process what had just happened and when he did his fear turn to panick. There before him has a young black dragon, its eyes liquid green it's teeth bar lard and sharp. The dragon stared right at Ruhdon and he found himself unable to move, or react in any way. The creature reared up its head, paused to survey the room and then unleaded a torrent of acrid slime and gas upon Ruhdon and all others near by.
Adrick, who had previously been working his way to the halflings captives, now turned to meet this new threat head on. He rallied the group and cordinated their attack. Lucan shouted words of encouragement to Ruhdon who was slowly beginning to come around and Hazlo slunk back into the shadows to gain a favorable shooting position on the dragon. The creature turned its attention to Adrick, who had approached it from the rear and the two squared of against one another while Ruhdon, Lucan and Hazlo pelted the dragons rear with spells and arrows.
Suddenly the group was caught off guard by a poison cloud emminatibg from the western corridor. Within moments the lizardman mystic appeared from within, holding its magical staff up in anger. Ballimor moved to intercept this new threat driving home several powerful blows that interrupted the mystics spells and hampered its ability to retreat.
Battle raged on for a few minutes as the party fought these powerful foes. Occasionally the dragon would descend under water, only to reappear from another floor trap on the opposite end of the room. This caught the group off gaurd at first, but they soon learned the dragon's tricks and adjusted their positioning to cover both areas. Before long Ballimor had dealt the finishing blow to the lizardman and had turned his attention to the dragon as well. The combined might of the group proved to much for the creature and it flailed in dismay as Adrick dealt the killing blow splattering the remnants of the creatures face all over the room.
Adrick, who had previously been working his way to the halflings captives, now turned to meet this new threat head on. He rallied the group and cordinated their attack. Lucan shouted words of encouragement to Ruhdon who was slowly beginning to come around and Hazlo slunk back into the shadows to gain a favorable shooting position on the dragon. The creature turned its attention to Adrick, who had approached it from the rear and the two squared of against one another while Ruhdon, Lucan and Hazlo pelted the dragons rear with spells and arrows.
Suddenly the group was caught off guard by a poison cloud emminatibg from the western corridor. Within moments the lizardman mystic appeared from within, holding its magical staff up in anger. Ballimor moved to intercept this new threat driving home several powerful blows that interrupted the mystics spells and hampered its ability to retreat.
Battle raged on for a few minutes as the party fought these powerful foes. Occasionally the dragon would descend under water, only to reappear from another floor trap on the opposite end of the room. This caught the group off gaurd at first, but they soon learned the dragon's tricks and adjusted their positioning to cover both areas. Before long Ballimor had dealt the finishing blow to the lizardman and had turned his attention to the dragon as well. The combined might of the group proved to much for the creature and it flailed in dismay as Adrick dealt the killing blow splattering the remnants of the creatures face all over the room.
With the creature dead, the group turned their attention to the prisoners. Adrick gave the medical care, while Lucan started escorting them up to the second floor and telling them to head out on search of Benjen, firing off another signal flare in the process. Once all of the prisoners were out of the flooded room, the group explored the area in peace. They found very little of value on the mysic's corpse and both hallways were deadends. The group had all but given up hope of treasure, when Hazlo stayed he wanted to search the floor bellow for loot.
Intrigued by this new possibility, the party sprang into action tying a rope to Hazlo before lowering him into the water pit. It took several dives for Hazlo to explore the room in its entirety, but finally he surfaced clutching a magnificent helm adorned with seven green jewels. Everyone sensed that this was an object of great magical power, but they did not truly learn the value of it until Rujdon took a moment to study the inscriptions in detail.
"It's called the helm if seven deaths", declared the genasi. "It has a number of rare and powerful abilities that are driven by these gems surrounding the top of it. Wonder where defeats a living opponent he may absorb that creatures soul thus powering one of the gems. Different abilities require different amounts of powered gems to be expelled in order for them to work."
"Well now, this is a powerful artifact indeed", exclaimed Hazlo. "The only question is which one of us should keep it?"
"I suppose we can settle that later", said Ruhdon. "For now I will hold onto it I want to study the inscriptions on here a little more to learn about the nature of these different powers."
Hazlo also managed to find a chest underneath the water which, with the aid of Ballimor and Adrick, he was able to bring to the surface. Within it the group found a large amount of gold and other valuable items. Satisfied that they had thoroughly searched the tower, the group made its way towards the surface delighted with their newfound fortune. When they reached the first floor Lucan let out yet another signal arrow to alert Benjen that the group was on its way out and that the coast was clear. Spirits were extraordinarily high as the group had succeeded its mission with flying colors and come away with quite a few valuable items in the process.
Alas the party had not heard the last of this lizardman, for as they stepped out of the main entrance into the clearing outside of the tower they were confronted by a heart stopping scene. There in the clearing was no less than 15 fully armed lizardmen already assembled in battle formation.
Intrigued by this new possibility, the party sprang into action tying a rope to Hazlo before lowering him into the water pit. It took several dives for Hazlo to explore the room in its entirety, but finally he surfaced clutching a magnificent helm adorned with seven green jewels. Everyone sensed that this was an object of great magical power, but they did not truly learn the value of it until Rujdon took a moment to study the inscriptions in detail.
"It's called the helm if seven deaths", declared the genasi. "It has a number of rare and powerful abilities that are driven by these gems surrounding the top of it. Wonder where defeats a living opponent he may absorb that creatures soul thus powering one of the gems. Different abilities require different amounts of powered gems to be expelled in order for them to work."
"Well now, this is a powerful artifact indeed", exclaimed Hazlo. "The only question is which one of us should keep it?"
"I suppose we can settle that later", said Ruhdon. "For now I will hold onto it I want to study the inscriptions on here a little more to learn about the nature of these different powers."
Hazlo also managed to find a chest underneath the water which, with the aid of Ballimor and Adrick, he was able to bring to the surface. Within it the group found a large amount of gold and other valuable items. Satisfied that they had thoroughly searched the tower, the group made its way towards the surface delighted with their newfound fortune. When they reached the first floor Lucan let out yet another signal arrow to alert Benjen that the group was on its way out and that the coast was clear. Spirits were extraordinarily high as the group had succeeded its mission with flying colors and come away with quite a few valuable items in the process.
Alas the party had not heard the last of this lizardman, for as they stepped out of the main entrance into the clearing outside of the tower they were confronted by a heart stopping scene. There in the clearing was no less than 15 fully armed lizardmen already assembled in battle formation.
The Battle of the Sunken Tower
As soon as the party was out into the open they heard a loud blast from a warhorn And a very large dark green lizard man stepped forward from the middle of the ranks. He was adorned In fine leather armor laced with gold chain and jewels. He wore an elaborate headdress and sported a large black double-edged ax upon his back. As he stepped forward he extended his left arm out to the lizard man next to him who handed him an ornate battle standard sporting a banner of dark green surrounding a black dragon. This he took and planted squarely into the ground in front of him with authority. At the site is this the lizard man army let out a tremendous roar their soldiers banging spear upon shield. The chief then head aloft the decapitated head of Benjean for the members of the last drop to see all the while barking at them in his sinister tongue.
At the sight of poor Benjen's head Ballimor flew into a rage. Without a moments hesitation he drew his ax and charged towards the lizardman chief shouting, "This one's mine!" The others followed suit and the battle commenced. The lizardmen were well trained and organized, but the Last Drop fought with a ferocity that is dificult to match. Adrick charged after Ballimor determined to proctect the dwarf at all costs. As he past the warbanner, he paused for a moment to inspect it. He noticed that the staff was embumned in many ornate inscriptions, and he sence a great power emminateing from the standard. He gripped the staff with both hands and ripped it from the ground dropping it into the mud bellow. To his astonishment, the standards banner suddenly changed to white and the lizardmen ranks stirred with discomfort. Curious, Adrick pickedup up the now blank standard and with authority planted it in the ground infront of him. Suddenly the banner transformed again to a purple field with a silver flask. Upon seeing his own standard flying, Adrick let out a cry of truimph and suddenly felt a wave of pride and engerty to fight on.
Lucan let out a yell of triumph as well and organized the group's attack. He and Hazlo concentrated thier fire upon the two lizardmane leitnantes leading thier respective collumns. Ruhdon charged the right flank and single handedly rounded with with his powerful spells. With each lizardman he finished he charged the Helm of Seven Deaths, leting out a small cheer each time he did so. Meanwhile Ballimor went blow for blow with the lizardman cheif, who proved to be a worthy challenge for the mighty dwarf. Adrick came up alongside him and protected the dwarf's right flank, while also casting heals and defensive buffs upon him. Lucan, Hazlo and Ruhdon soon has the lizardman army's left flank completly desimanted, and moved into postion to reek havic upon the right flank next. The markings of a massize rout were in order, but the lizardmen bravely fought on, taking inspiration from thier fearsome leader.
Finally Adrick stuck the chief with a critical hit to the leg, temporarly catching the cheif off gaurd. Ballimor quickly seized the oppertunity and struck out at the cheif with his strogest swing. The ax head meet the chief right bellow the jaw line and severed the creatures head in one few swoop. Upon seeing thier cheif defeated, the lizardmen broke rank and fleed in fear. Hazlo and Lucan had already positioned themselves well for this however and they quickly put down the fleeing foes with the arrows. Ruhdon trapped the last of them near a rock and finished it off with a mighty swing of his sword. Relieved the party took a moment to access thier situation.
Their triumph can not be understated for they were caught completley off guard by a force three times thier size. Their foes were well rested, well trained and armed and they had already established thier postions, yet the Last Drop obliterated them in a few short minutes time. They had ended the lizardman threat to the province once and for all with returned to Renefik as hero's. Ballimor had taken the lizardman cheif's might ax, finding it a worthy reward for his heroism in the fight. Hazlo grabbed the battle standard and carried it with pride back to the city and beyond. Lucan and Ruhdon, gathered Benjens remains and carried them back to Renfik were they were laid to rest with full military honors. Several days after thier return to the city, Commander Aldritch returned with the bulk of the halfing army having successfully defeated then assembled lizardman force at Treewater before intercepting and soundly beating the lizardman warchief that the party members had finished off in front of the sunken tower. Upon learning of the Last Drop's sucesses, Aldritch fullfilled all of thier prior arrangments and told them that they would forever have the grattitude and support of all within the province. He invited the party to stay and celebrate the victory with him in Renefik, organizing a weeks long festive in thier honor.
At the sight of poor Benjen's head Ballimor flew into a rage. Without a moments hesitation he drew his ax and charged towards the lizardman chief shouting, "This one's mine!" The others followed suit and the battle commenced. The lizardmen were well trained and organized, but the Last Drop fought with a ferocity that is dificult to match. Adrick charged after Ballimor determined to proctect the dwarf at all costs. As he past the warbanner, he paused for a moment to inspect it. He noticed that the staff was embumned in many ornate inscriptions, and he sence a great power emminateing from the standard. He gripped the staff with both hands and ripped it from the ground dropping it into the mud bellow. To his astonishment, the standards banner suddenly changed to white and the lizardmen ranks stirred with discomfort. Curious, Adrick pickedup up the now blank standard and with authority planted it in the ground infront of him. Suddenly the banner transformed again to a purple field with a silver flask. Upon seeing his own standard flying, Adrick let out a cry of truimph and suddenly felt a wave of pride and engerty to fight on.
Lucan let out a yell of triumph as well and organized the group's attack. He and Hazlo concentrated thier fire upon the two lizardmane leitnantes leading thier respective collumns. Ruhdon charged the right flank and single handedly rounded with with his powerful spells. With each lizardman he finished he charged the Helm of Seven Deaths, leting out a small cheer each time he did so. Meanwhile Ballimor went blow for blow with the lizardman cheif, who proved to be a worthy challenge for the mighty dwarf. Adrick came up alongside him and protected the dwarf's right flank, while also casting heals and defensive buffs upon him. Lucan, Hazlo and Ruhdon soon has the lizardman army's left flank completly desimanted, and moved into postion to reek havic upon the right flank next. The markings of a massize rout were in order, but the lizardmen bravely fought on, taking inspiration from thier fearsome leader.
Finally Adrick stuck the chief with a critical hit to the leg, temporarly catching the cheif off gaurd. Ballimor quickly seized the oppertunity and struck out at the cheif with his strogest swing. The ax head meet the chief right bellow the jaw line and severed the creatures head in one few swoop. Upon seeing thier cheif defeated, the lizardmen broke rank and fleed in fear. Hazlo and Lucan had already positioned themselves well for this however and they quickly put down the fleeing foes with the arrows. Ruhdon trapped the last of them near a rock and finished it off with a mighty swing of his sword. Relieved the party took a moment to access thier situation.
Their triumph can not be understated for they were caught completley off guard by a force three times thier size. Their foes were well rested, well trained and armed and they had already established thier postions, yet the Last Drop obliterated them in a few short minutes time. They had ended the lizardman threat to the province once and for all with returned to Renefik as hero's. Ballimor had taken the lizardman cheif's might ax, finding it a worthy reward for his heroism in the fight. Hazlo grabbed the battle standard and carried it with pride back to the city and beyond. Lucan and Ruhdon, gathered Benjens remains and carried them back to Renfik were they were laid to rest with full military honors. Several days after thier return to the city, Commander Aldritch returned with the bulk of the halfing army having successfully defeated then assembled lizardman force at Treewater before intercepting and soundly beating the lizardman warchief that the party members had finished off in front of the sunken tower. Upon learning of the Last Drop's sucesses, Aldritch fullfilled all of thier prior arrangments and told them that they would forever have the grattitude and support of all within the province. He invited the party to stay and celebrate the victory with him in Renefik, organizing a weeks long festive in thier honor.