The Borderlands Crusade Session 12

The Borderlands Crusade Session 12

Real World Date: 02/04/2017

Mystara Date: Yarthmount Mouldain 11, 1000 CY

Party Members:

                                Huey: Human Ranger Acolyte of Zirchev

                                Esa Sovalis: Human “Nobleman Adventurer”(Rogue)

                                Alaric Connagher: Paladin of Halav

                                Pa Gha: Poteign Minotaur Wizard

            New Members:

                                                Bandee: Dwarven Bard of High Forge

                                                Christine: Human Healer/former Monk of Chardastes

                                                (Pa Gha was taken over by a new Player)

                                                Old Yorrik: captured Orc Sergeant, former Bandit under “the Great Ulfe”

                Mission Title: The Forge of Fury

                Mission instructions: Using the information provided by the Daggers burg goblins, explore a reputed Orc strong hold and exterminate any Orcs, gather as much intelligence as possible. Determine any historical value, of said strong hold.

History:

Christine and Bandee join the party         

Having secured the cavern, the party had finally convinced the rampaging bear to leave and find his way out. Esa, however decided to examine the nearby chimney where he beheld the shapely figure of a human female descending down a rope from above, followed by the not to appealing figure of a Male dwarf. Alaric quickly used his ability to sense evil, finding that the female had, in fact and aura of good and instructed his companions to put down their weapons once the pair had descended.

                The pair introduced themselves as Bandee, a Dwarven Bard of the town of High Forge, the ancestral home of the dwarves in Traladara, and Christine, a former monk, now healer in the service of Chardastes, Goddess of healing. They had told the party that the two humans they rescued from the Orcs quickly returned home and told the Elders of the Party’s defeat of the Orcs as well as their intent to explore the ancient ruins of Khundrukar.  They also mentioned that the orcs that had left to go hunting had returned and discovered their comrades butchered. Huey, Esa, Alaric, Bandee climbed up the rope, and quickly dispatched most of the orcs, however one escaped. Inspite of Huey’s attempts to catch him, the orc proved to be more fleet of foot than expected and he disappeared into the wilderness heading north.

Once things had calmed down, and he was able to better examine his surroundings, Bandee then quickly began to give a recitation of the History of the complex.
               

The Fate of Fury’s forge:

 In the year 720 CY, much of the late Traladaran kingdom was being laid waste by undead and necromancers during what came to be known as the “Vampire Wars’. The situation was so dire that the Dwarves were forced to defend themselves without the aid of their human and elven allies for a period of over 10 years. During this time a master Smith named Durgeddin established a strong hold within a day’s walk of High Forge, where he had begun forging powerful weapons to fight against the hordes of Orcs and Goblinoids as well as creature of the Underdark. Naming the place “Khundrukar” or “Fury’s Forge”, Durgeddin and his compatriots fought back hard against the Humanoids pushing their advances with brutal efficiency. However, as the battle continued, Durgeddin began to become more Tyranical in his leadership, and started to not only kill warriors, but also unarmed females and young.

             This proved to be an action that not even the foulest orc could tolerate or condone, in the year 727 CY, Khundrukar was invaded by hordes of Orcs and the Dwarves within butchered down to the last warrior. Since then the place has been considered cursed, and left alone for 223 years.

The party then conferred with themselves comparing their findings with the information provided by Bandee, They agreed to allow Christine to treat their injuries, and shared their findings with the duo, including the procurement of Alaric’s new Bastard Sword “The King’s Blight”.

                Bandee examined the masterwork implements of the sword that detailed that the sword had originally belonged to Durgeddin’s half-brother, Huldur.

             Huldur’s Canticle:

Huldur was unacknowledged by Durgeddin’s father, however, Durgeddin would occasionally look after him, eventually helping Huldur become a paladin of the Dwarven Deity: Kagyar, and gifting Huldur with the weapon. In gratitude, Huldur pledged his life in unending service to both his god and his king. Huldur would eventually become an outstanding champion of justice and dedication up until his death.

                Once Bardee had finished his tale, the party then moved, returning to the cavern where they first encountered the Troglodytes finding yet another primitive door composed of Sticks and (hopefully) Mud. They then opened it, entering another corridor leading to a massive cavern, reeking of foul smelling musk. The chamber was so large that not even Bandee’s dwarven eyes could penetrate it’s darkness. However, the party could hear loud, panic stricken hisses outside of their torches. The Dwarven bard was able to decipher the hisses as the Draconic language, where the Troglodytes were expressing worry about the protection of their hatchlings.

                Alaric quickly spoke up, indicating that he would not participate in the slaughter of females and young, and the party quickly came to a consensus, agreeing with the Paladin. Bandee then conveyed that that the party had no interest in harming the troglodyte young, provided that the Troglodytes answered questions for the party. Their leader, Kaarghaaz, which appeared to be a sorcerer, stepped into view and Hissed angrily, that he would agree to the terms.

 

 

They were glad to hear the Orcs were dispatched; apparently the Orcs and the Duergar were steadily encroaching on the Troglodyte’s territory

They did offer the location of the Duergar Stronghold which would be EAST of the party’s current location.

The Dragon that was mentioned by Old Yorrik is revered by the Troglodytes, and refered to as the “Beautiful One”, because she would often leave food for the troglodytes in an attempt to gain their cooperation. Kaarghaaz then said that While a Dragon she was most likely a Juvenile Black Dragon, and that they would be most appreciative if the party would not kill her. Bardee agreed, provided that She did not attack the party.

With the negotiations concluded, the party left the Troglodytes to their fate, finally making their way to the chamber indicated by Kaarghaaz. The path was impeded by a massive Iron door, sealed by a massive mechanical lock. Esa stepped forward, decidedly taking a significant amount of time. The “Gentleman Adventurer” patiently approached each stage of the lock occasionally startled by a loud CLICKING noise whenever he would activate the tumbler. Eventually, his patience was rewarded with the door opening with a loud WHOOSH, leading to a long staircase. Esa and Huey moved forward with the party in tow, they inadvertently triggered a Magic Mouth Spell shouting in Dwarvish: “INTRUDERS! INTRUDERS! TAKE UP YOUR ARMS!” The phrase was repeated twice, in spite of Esa’s attempts to silence the spell.

                The party readied themselves as they finally entered into an Octagonal Chamber, with three statues, two holding an axe and Shield, with on in the middle wielding two axes. Between the dwarves there were doors with red paneling. As Esa searched the room, he discovered a secret door to the east, and opened it. Huey and Alaric, decided to be helpful and open the other two doors, Alaric barely avoided being cut into pieces by two of the statues, causing Esa and Pa-Gha to laugh at the paladin’s attempt at trap finding. Bandee laughed as well, bragging about the stalwart craftsmanship of dwarven traps as the party entered the secret door.

It was at this point that Yorrick requested that the party allow him the right to defend himself as an Orc warrior, that since they were entering the Duergar’s complex, they needed all the arms they could. Christine BALKED at the idea, revealing a somewhat obvious contempt for Orcs. Huey, Alaric and Esa, however, agreed, returning Yorrick’s hand axe. He nodded gratefully, promising them that he would wait until it was no longer practical to remain with them before acting against the party.

                The door led to another massive well carved chamber of exceptional stone work, which was happily defaced by Orcish graffiti two centuries ago. I will forgo the details of the graffiti by simply adding that Orcs have some rather strange ideas about dwarven sexual practices. As the party entered, they were greeted by a female voice saying that the party should leave now, and that this would be their final warning. Huey and the others attempted to banter with the voice, while they attempted to circumvent the Duergar’s innate power of invisibility. Alaric handily sidestepped a dagger wielded by a female Duergar, apparently attempting to use a Sneak attack. Yorrick, was brutally attacked by two males wielding battle axes, yet he still remained on his feet, a testament to Orcish fortitude. The party sprang into action, quickly killing the female, and one of the males, the remaining Duergar, grew to twice his size, attempting to once again take Yorrick down, the old Orc responded to a miss which prompted him to use a prodigious amount of profanity. Bandee and Esa finally killed the duergar, clearing the chamber. The Party then quickly moved to the next entrance, hearing the loud banging of a hammer against an anvil, which seemed to resound throughout the entire complex.

                                The door was opened, and the party was quickly attacked by two enlarged duergar males, Huey, Alaric, Esa, and Yorrick charged into the fray while Bandee began singing a song to inspire competence in his comrades! Pa-Gha also began chanting spells against the enlarged female Duergar wielding a gigantic two handed sword. Once the two guards were dispatched, the female charged, attempting to cleave the party members, Yorrick finally succeeded in an attack, along with Esa and Huey taking down the ranking officer. Christine helped to heal the injuries, but refused to treat Yorricks injuries, Huey offered one of his own curative potions to the Orc, showing respect for the Orc’s capacity as a warrior. The party worked to gather their wits, turning to find the source of the pounding clang of metal…