Session 12 – Behind the Bars

Campaign I, session 12. Previous: Session 11. Next: Session 13.

Thethamun ordered his men to bring forth the warband’s chest of treasures, from which he procured 10 black marbles with red slits (glass eyes) as well as four silver pendants in the shape of tiger’s faces. Pronouncing in front of his soldiers that he rewards well those who serve him, he handed these treasures to Travain to share among the PCs.

To cap off the adventuring day, the party decided to split, with some members (including Travain) staying with the hobgoblin to keep Thethamun charmed for as long as possible.

• Other half went to stay with the cart, pulled the cart inside the dome (couldn’t fit it into the doorway)

At this point, Thranator and Alwyn both revealed to the outside group that they had spotted a secret door in the Hobgoblin area.

The group met up, noting that the hobgoblins had met and attacked an orc patrol in the night. The party asked Thethamun to send a group of scouts down the stairway they had run while the group attempted to parley with the orcish faction within the dungeon. “I suppose Travain might as well try to sway them to swear fealty to me,” says Thethamun. “If they refuse we will have to crush them after gathering our strength.”

Goblin heads! Meathead convinces one of his followers to try putting one on each hand. He gets his neck chewed open and dies.

Toll road north: the orcs want a toll of 20 gp per head to pass through their territory. They’re willing to negotiate down the price. The PCs want an audience with their leader, but aren’t willing to pay for it.

Move back towards the bandit lair and their staircase down. Encounter some gnolls along the way. Gnolls ask some basic questions (how long have you been here, have you paid tribute to the Lady, where are you taking up residence) before moving along.

Down the stairway (no sign of hobgoblin patrol?), opens into a natural cavern. The PCs are behind bars from floor to ceiling (15’), with exits to the N and SW. PCs break one of the bars and are working on a second when they are attacked by ghouls. Several PCs are paralyzed, but the ghouls are dispatched with no fatalities thanks to some conjured berserkers.

Here the session ends with several PCs still paralyzed. The group is considering backing out of the dungeon for a few days of recovery.