Ropes and Chasms

Droston and Bartha eventually join the others across the chasm, after entirely too much fiddling around with rope.

Polonius picks up a light crossbow and 12 bolts from a defeated hobgoblin.

Onchu and Droston press against the door while Polonius tries to raise the bar with a knife. Eventually they succeed.

A Storeroom?

The next room proved to be a store room with two large piles of goods and hobgoblin sleeping gear, with a cell to the south, a kitchen (with a chimney) off a tunnel to the south-east, a large room off a tunnel to the north, and a tunnel to the north-east that curved and then forked northeast again, which lead to another large room, which later turned out to be the same as the large room off the north tunnel.

Straight from the Centaur's…

Bartha snuck around the the side of the southern pile of goods, towards the cell, with Droston following with a drawn bow. The cell to the south turned out to contain a centaur! Bartha, knowing centaurs were Fey creatures thanks to her evening of revelry with the Fey of the Lady of the Valley, rushed to free him, and tried to converse; unfortunately, about all we could figure out was that he recognized Whaler's fey name. He had us all turn around and look elsewhere while he grunted a few times, then presented Bartha with a vial of thick colored liquid. She drank, and was immediately healed. She escorted the centaur back to the chasm room where it leaped the chasm handily, and ran away. We, stupidly, didn't follow him.

We were Warned…

We were attacked by two hobgoblins from the north passage, and killed them easily.

We investigated the south-east passage, which lead to an unoccupied kitchen.

We investigated the north-east passage, taking the north fork, which lead to a large room with a fire and some hobgoblins.

…But We Didn't Go

We investigated the north passage, which lead to a large room.

We were immediately attacked by 3 hobgoblins. Droston and Bartha stayed in the tunnel and loosed arrows at them, while Onchu and Polonius ran out and engaged them in melee.

Then three more hobgoblins showed up. Bartha ran to the help of Onchu and Polonius.

Then an ogre and two wolves showed up. A wolf tripped Onchu, and joined with the other wolf to tear him to shreds. Polonius, separated from the others, fled south-east down the large room. Bartha fled the room, taking with her the only light source, condemning Onchu and Polonius to the darkness, and fled to the other end of the tunnel. The ogre entered the tunnel and whacked Droston who screamed and yelled for Bartha to flee and fled himself. (Luckily he was wearing his night vision goggles and could see to flee!)

And Then We Died, or Fled

Onchu, meanwhile, died, and the wolves chased Polonius into the dark of the other end of the room, and the hobgoblins followed. Bartha and Droston made it back to the room with the chasm, and hearing Polonius's death cries, Droston barred the door through the handles with a hobgoblin longsword abandoned nearby.

Meanwhile, Bartha had tied the ropes across the chasm, and she and Droston fled into the open air beyond the caverns, where they eventually caught up with the centaur, and they all hid, mourning their fallen comrades.

Evening of July 29

Droston lay sorely wounded.

Brock confirmed that the dwarven ruins dated from the last time the goblin Horde descended upon the land. That war lasted until almost no one on either side was left.

Brock went off to town on his pony to get dwarven powder to blow up the bridge. When he returned [Was on the night of 29th or was it not until the next day, the 30th?], he had Whaler in bag, and told us that the little maggot had been caught stealing. Bartha immediately began indignant protestations, but the rest of us reluctantly convinced Brock that — regardless of Whaler's character flaws — he was a friend of the Lady of the Valley and our guide to the next stage in our perilous quest, so Brock eventually threw the bag to Bartha, with a warning about what Whaler could expect if he was caught thieving again.

Droston, meanwhile, drifted in and out of consciousness. Luckily, Brock had brought some Dwarven elixir. It had quite a kick, but after drinking it Droston was feeling fine. And it healed him, too.

July 30

To get to the elves, we have to travel through some caverns infested by evil goblinoids, to find a long passage in the underdark that will bring us to the elves, who can help us drive the goblinoids back through the Chasm.

Somebody [Brock, or Whaler?] told us:

Durgeddin, master smith, driven out of his caverns by hobgoblins, lead his folk south into the wilderness to new caverns, from which he planned to take the fight to the evil goblinoids. Unforutnately, that complex was also overrun, and Durgeddin vanished from history.

So, we needed to head southeast, back towards the goblinoid horde, and then take one of the ravines running south from the main river valley, following it up to the mountain, then up and over the saddle in the mountains, to the entrance to the caverns. Whaler promised to lead us there.

As we headed southeast along the river valley, we paralleled the road further up on the mountainside, in the forest. We soon found two goblin scouts approaching us, forerunners of a goblinoid caravan along the Stone Road. We hid, and the lower scout went past, but the upper one was too close, so Bartha attacked him and pinned him, and Droston hacked his throat out.

A short time later we hid from another scout. At some point it began to rain. We pushed on.

Later in the day we came to a place where the goblinoids had a large camp. They had cut down and burned or destroyed everything in the valley, from the river clear up the steep side of the valley. As we were crossing the camp [At a small stream coming down to join the river?] there was a mudslide on the wall of the valley which came crashing and splashing down the stream. Bartha made it across to solid ground and Droston made it back to solid ground, but both Onchu and Polonius were caught by the mudslide and were barely able to catch hold before they were washed over the cliff into the river. Droston was able to throw a rope to Polonius and pull him out and then together they pulled Onchu out. Bartha tied and untied ropes.

July 31 and August 1

Whaler warned us about an oncoming goblin scout, so we hid again until it went by.

August 2nd

We come to stream, rushing down to the river from the south-east, and that is the way we go. There is no road, and we continue traveling through the forest. Eventually we see a hill that looks like a tooth, with smoke from the hillside. There is a road that leads north east, which Whaler said goes back to the dwarven road in the river valley, but Whaler told us we have to follow the road up the hillside and over a saddle, to the entrance to the caverns on the other side of the hill. And then he fled as fast as his little wings could take him.

We follow the road up the saddle as fast and as quietly as we can, hoping to elude any watchers. Two hobgoblins were watching not far beyond the saddle. We came around the corner and everybody shot, killing one hobgoblin in the first round and the second hobgoblin in the second round. This got us 2 light crossbows with 20 bolts each, 2 long swords, good quality studded leather, and 2 light shields.

We could see that entrance to the caverns was up a small ravine in the hillside, with a door ajar at the far end. Droston snuck up to the open door, while the others came behind more slowly. They were attacked by archers behind slits in the rock. Droston flung the doors wide and yelled at the others to come quickly, and began loosing arrows at the two hobgoblins beyond the rope bridge over the chasm.

Here followed a long melee, with Polonius and Onchu fighting on the bridge. A hobgoblin pushes Polonius off the bridge, but Onchu grabs him. Bartha rushes the hobgoblin over the edge, but he grabs the bridge, but breaks, swinging them across the chasm and bashing them against the wall, 30 feet below. Two more [goblins, hobgoblins] approach from the other side. Everybody on the bridge trying to climb and fight. The hobgoblin and Polonius grapple, Bartha kills the hobgoblin, and [Polonius, Onchu] avoids the falling body.

The other goblinoids flee the room and bar the far door.

We end with Onchu and Polonius on one side of the chasm, and Bartha and Droston on the other side, next to the exit.

Keep your voice down!

We reached the bridge, where Brock was still directing the building of new defenses and Sheriff Artair was directing defenders.

We went over to Sheriff Artair and Bartha started explaining, quite eloquently, what we knew, but the Sheriff had difficulty believing us. Droston went over to Brock, and after he got Brock's attention (and been told to keep his damn voice down and not panic folks) he told Brock about the fey and Lady of the Valley and the approaching Goblin Horde. Brock said it was just like he remembered from his youth. Brock and Artair conferred, we convinced them of the truth of the matter — the Horde is only days away, and their vanguard is probably only hours away.

Well, we're in it now!

So, the Sheriff decided someone had to stay at the bridge to hold off the vanguard as long as possible. We, of course, ended up as part of the lucky group, along with three archers, two melee fighters, and Brock, who refused to let these goblin scum trample over his home without a fight.

The brush had been cleared back 85 feet from the bridge. Brock had his dwarven crossbow, and there were plenty of arrows. One of the melee fighters had a hammer, and one an axe. There were a couple of extra spears. We Wolf-banes's each had one rye whiskey bomb. There are two (3, P.D.F?) wagons with walls attached blocking the bridge, and walls running along the town side of the ravine. The walls all had ledges so we could fight over the top.

Two archers along the river wall, Onchu with a melee fighter at the wagons across the bridge, Brock, Bartha, and another archer along the upper wall, and Droston and a melee fighter at the big tree beyond the upper wall, to ensure we weren't flanked.

Two spears. Five horses were left to help in our escape, should we survive long enough.

The Fight

[Unfortunately, I can't remember most of the details of the battle, so what follows is merely parts of the battle — T.K.B.]

Bartha and Onchu heard a wolf-like howl in the distance.

Large wolves crossed the ravine. Goblins [with ranged weapons?] followed. Hobgoblin archers began shooting from just beyond the cleared area.

Melee fighter with Droston was killed. When Droston got back to the fighter, he picked up the fighter's axe and said that he'd carry it in honor of the brave volunteer.

Goblins with large mantlet, with an ogre behind. Crashing and breaking of wagons.

Polonius mainly stayed on the rock wall assailing the enemy with arrows. His elven chainmail was crucial in keeping him from taking damage from the enemy archers. He assisted with the dire wolves and gave the killing blow to one of them.

Strange goblin in the spiky black armor attached Droston. Spit at him and hit him in the neck. Strange goblin eventually ran away, just like last time.

Droston unwisely charged to attack the ogre, and was struck down.

Polonius gave the killing blow on the ogre.

As Droston lay dying Bartha attempted to bind his wounds and bring him back from the brink of death, but was so overwhelmed by the terrible battle that she failed. Luckily, Brock strove mightily [and spent the Hero point] and brought Droston back from the brink of death. Poor brave, foolish Droston lies sorely wounded.

Where things where

Bartha asked Gertie about a witches. She had heard of a practicing witch in the marshes around Riverton, but reports say that the witch is evil!

The mayor has been directing defenses. We asked about a hermit south of Masonburg and he guessed that was Old Hermit Goldsmith — he was the finest gold smith in Riverton, moved to Masonburg, then moved south. It has been a decade or so since the Mayor has seen him.

Hammer & Block will man bridge bridge defenses while Brock supervises new defenses for the bridge.

Axe & Bow will ride with Sheriff Artair, they will be south of the bridge (3 miles, about halfway).

Afternoon: Droston is not surprised by a mountain lion. He & Polonius kill it.

[From the fellow who escaped the goblin attack?]: They discovered tracks in and around the new mine, followed them into an ambush. Rain of missiles, then 2 huge hobgoblins with huge axe & huge hammer. He observed that they could see in the dark, and they targeted torch bearers.

The village is mostly stone buildings with slate roofs.

Oh, What do we do?

30th: We checked with Sheriff Artair, and got a briefing on the defenses. He wanted us to patrol.

On Day 3 there is an attack by 3–5 goblins at the bridge.

It takes Onchu 5 days. [for what?]

Be back in 2 days.

The Tomb of the Dwarven Hero is not far from the bridge, just a mile or so.

Back in Trouble Again

After 3 hours, not even to new mine, we heard goblins up ahead, making no effort to hide.

Looks like they have had a little camp here for couple of days, moldy bread. We attacked them, unfortunately without coordinating our attack effectively. One of the goblins was dressed in strange black armor with spikes all over it. During the melee the strange goblin spit acid at both Bartha and Onchu, wounding Bartha's face and Onchu's neck.

Eventually we killed the rest of the goblins and the strange goblin sped off faster than anyone could follow.

Friends in High Places

Whaler Appleby came bringing a message: the Lady of the Valley asked he speak with Bartha & her friends.

We noticed that Whaler's quiver was stocked more than usual.

Whaler told us that Nigel (the brownie) was recovering. Whaler gave us (specifically Bartha) a necklace with a gem that glows. He lead us south and up the valley wall, in places we've never been before, though we've lived in the valley all our lives. Large stream cascading down, 1 mile west & much higher, underbrush forms a tunnel stream flows through. We crawled a long way through the beautiful stream/tunnel, necklace brightening up in the shade, until it opens up into a small level glade by grove of beautiful trees (300 yards by 300 yards or so). The glade is surrounded by steep cliffs.

The Lady of the Valley told us that goblins are pouring forth from an ancient fissure to the south, thousands of them. They will kill and eat everything in their path, and they are heading to Masonburg.

She told us we might have a chance if we can make allies with the woodland elves. She said that she knows Bartha has a good heart, but the others must prove themselves by doing a task for her.

• To Droston: you must find a Sprig of the Blue Orchid, which can only be found on the grave of the most heroic heroes of legend, and bring it to her. K(Nature): Blue Orchid — cannot grow in sunlight, gets its energy from heroism.
• To Onchu: you must learn to dance with the fairyfolk. F.F. are known to have dances in glades.
• To Polonius: you who have been cruel & callous … must make amends for your crimes & take all that you have and give back to everyone you have wronged. [Didn't have to give up clothes, weapons, or tools, but did have to sell his armor and give away all his money.]

The enchanted necklace with the gem turns on if you touch it, and off if you touch it again.

We waited for dawn, then Polonius and Droston started down to begin their tasks.

During the day Whaler made up love poems and brought Bartha honey.

Droston's Task

Droston headed to the Tomb of the Dwaven Hero, and down into the tunnel. Eventually it came to a flight of stone stairs that lead down 10 feet or so into cold black water. He removed his armor, put his candles and fire-starter in a waterproof sack, left his lantern hanging on the wall, and swam through the passage, to find another flight of stairs that lead up to a tunnel that lead into a room with Dwarven runes carved on each flagstone of the floor, and an inscription on the left hand side of the tunnel, just before the room that read: “Those who know me know that I was. Those who need me know what to use.”

In the center of the room was a sarcophagus.

The room was circular, with mostly square flagstones. The following is the layout of the runes on the flagstones, roughly transliterated from the Drawvish, with the entrance tunnel from the bottom, at the G & H runes.

[–25 XP to Bartha for M.A.H. apparently blurting out the solution; T.K.B. was too flustered by the puzzle to even notice.]

Droston was flustered by the puzzle (and T.K.B. was over-thinking things way too much), and as he stood looking at the room he heard a whoosh, and the air turned bad. Evenually he started out along the runes H—A—M—M—E—R—S. he worked his way along the flagstones, if he hesitated there was another whoosh and more poison gas was released. Once he finally got to the last letter there were no more poison gas releases.

On top of the sarcophagus were growing the Blue Orchids.

Droston respectfully told the Hero's spirit of his task, and took a Blue Orchid and carefully put it in a watertight sack with some of the mossy stuff that it was growing in. Then headed back to the Lady of the Valley.

Polonius's Humble Pie

Polonius talked to Sheriff Artair about the eggs on chair, manure in saddle bags, itch powder in bed (which Artair allowed had upset his wife considerably), … how many nasty tricks did Polonius play on Sherriff Artair, anyway?

Polonius sold his armor and repaid the dozens, if not hundreds, of folks he's stolen from or beaten up or wronged.

Onchu, Bartha, & Whaler go to the dance!

Whaler said the wine the centaur gives is Elven blossom wine, which is very rare, very potent, & brings out your true nature.

Drink & Dance, Drink & Dance, Drink & Dance. Satyr said one last pull, Drince & Dance, everybody started dancing along with Onchu — most harmonious dance, Onchu felt at one with everything. Then he collapsed and slept the rest of the day. Bartha and Whaler partied the night away and end up very good friends.

Next day Onchu had no hangover, but noticed that his hands are longer & more slender, and now his skin had a slight greenish brown forest hue and his scar was almost covered. Bartha was asleep with Whaler tucked up close. Onchu looked in the pool and found that he looked like an elf (he's now essentially a half elf-elf: +4 to sneaking in woodlands, low light vision).

Onchu still looks like Onchu, but a more handsome, elvish Onchu.

Back to the Lady

• Droston was given a pair of goggles with darkvision (taken from goblins?)
• Onchu was told “glad you are one of us”!
• Bartha was told she was “one with the fairies, too” and was told to keep the necklace.
• Polonius was given a stunning shirt of chain, made by elves!

Income

• Bartha: 8 c.p.
• Eirnin: 5 s.p.
• Polonius: 5 c.p. Did various odd jobs around the village.
• Droston: 5 c.p. Hunting has been pretty difficult of late.
• Onchu: 8 s.p.

Relaxing At The Pub, And Then Off To Bed!

We started out in the Broken Stone, the local tavern, and it was getting close to the last round of drinks for the evening.

Droston and Bartha spent 7 c.p. each trying to find out about, in Droston's case, the old Hermit who is rumored to live somewhere south of Masonburg, and in Bartha's case, the witch who is rumored to live somewhere in the swamp near Riverton. Unfortunately, nobody knew anything about either of them.

[And the continuing confusion over what's north and what's south of Masonburg was introduced.]

… Or Not!

As we were leaving the tavern, Onchu, Bartha, and Droston noticed what looked like a child's body floating in a pool in the river. Wading out and turning it over revealed it to be a dead goblin, with a militia arrow in its belly. The goblin was wearing roughly the same colors as the ones we killed on our first tour of duty. The only think of any value it had was a small knife, and that was in pretty poor shape. Eirnin took it. The corpse was bloated and looking pretty bad. Bartha thought it must be at least 2 days old.

We knew that the on-duty militia company was due in the next morning.

We took the body to the mayor, who was sitting on his porch, drinking ale, and already at dusk feeling the effects. He found the goblin's corpse to be quite sobering. The militia hadn't been seen in four days, since they left the area of the new mine looking for creatures.

It is half a day's travel to the new mine.

Rumor has it that goblins see in the dark.

After some discussion the mayor called up the other companies. The Block & Hammer company was dispatched head north to Riverton (“Which way to Riverton? North! No, south! No, north!”), our company, the Wolf-banes was assigned to scout towards the mines (“Which way are the mines? South? North? South?”), and the Axe & Bow company was tasked to look for creatures across the river.

All This In The Dark

As they were scouting quietly Bartha and Droston heard something crawling towards them, and Droston told Bartha to hang back while he takes the torch up to see what it is. It is Evan, one of the members of the Serpents, the militia company that was on duty. He's been crawling on the ground, badly hurt. Droston yelled for Bartha, and the others heard and came running. Bartha managed to stabilize him, and we built a little litter and carried him to the mayor. Bartha stayed with him, hoping he'll revive enough to tell them something about what happened to him and the rest of the militia, while Polonius and Droston ran to the old mine and brought back the healer, old Gertie. By this time it's 3 a.m. Gertie told Bartha she's done a good job, and sent her off. Evan hadn't said anything before she left.

We asked about Evan, and he still hadn't said anything. [I think this happened in the morning, right?] His leather armor showed that he'd been very badly beaten by some blunt object. He was also very scratched up, as if he'd been running blindly through the woods. He had his pack, but not his weapon, a big mason's hammer.

Scouting For Trouble

In the morning, Droston and Bartha tracked him a mile past the close mine — it looks like he missed the mines running through the woods and ran until he fell down, then crawled another one-half mile. We followed the track for another 2 miles, almost losing the tracks completely at one point, but managed to find them and keep going. The tracks curve back towards the road, and lead to a scene of carnage. Splatters of blood and tissue were everywhere and broken weapons, broken trees, crossbow bolts, and arrows littered the ground. It looked like many people fought here. There were no bodies. Drag marks lead to the road and across to the edge of the steep drop down to the river, and two goblin bodies lay on the rocks just shy of the water, as if they'd just missed being thrown far enough. Other tracks lead to the stone-paved road and south-east along it.

By this point we were three miles from Masonburg, one mile from the bridge we helped Brock build, and three miles from the new mine. We headed there, keeping close watch as we went. When we're close, Bartha and Droston snuck ahead to see if anything was amiss at the mine. There were no miners in sight, and the door to the mine barracks had been been torn off, and there were more crossbow bolts and so forth lying about, and a goblin shortsword lying between the mine and the barracks. Droston and Bartha headed back and got the others, and returned to take a closer look. There had definitely been a big melee here, too. The carnage inside the barracks was especially bad, with blood and gore on the beds. The barracks had been looted. Footprints lead to both the mine and to the road south-east, and there were prints of wagon wheels headed south as well, though some effort had been made to obfuscate the tracks.

I Told You To Be Careful!

After some discussion, we decided we should check the mine for survivors before we go further south-east along the road. We lit some torches and headed into the mine. After about 30 feet we came to the first turn in the passage, and found a dead goblin. When we rolled him over, we found he was killed by a crossbow bolt that we recognize from its craftsmanship to be Brock Stonearm's. The body had 5 c.p., which Eirnin took, 2 javelins, which Bartha took, and 1 dagger, which Eirnin took. After this Onchu and Eirnin both moved forward around the bend. While Droston tried to warn them that Brock had probably trapped the passageway they hit a tripwire and a huge timber swung down from the roof of the tunnel and hit them both across the chest, throwing them backwards violently. At that point we heard Brock yelling that he'll kill any goblins that come near. Eventually we get him to recognize us, and he eagerly staggers forward, barely able to stay on his feet and awake after standing vigil in the mine all night against goblins.

Brock told us that the mine had been attacked by a horde of hobgoblins and goblins — there must have been more than 20 of them. He was unable to sleep and was measuring things in the mine when the attack came, and when he emerged and found the attackers he killed two and then headed back into the mine to hold the rest off. When questioned he told us that the militia company had already passed by on their way back to Masonburg.

We decided we couldn't stay where we were, since if the horde returned we'd be cut off with no food and water. Brock mentioned that the tomb of the dwarven hero would probably be a good defensible place to spend the night, if needed. Eventually, though, we decided to go back to town and let them know what has happened. Droston suggested Brock rearm his trap, and asked to watch, and Brock happily obliged. After that we headed back to town, stopping first at the new mine to drop Brock off at his fortified domicile and warn whoever is there. Turns out that there is only the mayor and a skeleton force [I think this is when this happened, right???], and they all headed back to town with us.

Dismay And Disorder

In Masonburg the mayor, who was even more disturbed by the news of the missing miners, called a town meeting for that evening, July 26th. The Axe & Bow militia company had returned from searching across the river, and while they weren't able to cover much ground due to the rain and rough terrain they'd seen no evidence of any intruders, and were convinced that none have been across the river. The Block & Hammer militia company, which took horses and headed north (“Which way to Riverton? South? North? South? North?”) to Riverton, were not expected back yet.

The town meeting was loud and upset, with wives and kids crying about their missing husbands and fathers, and lots of arguing about what is to be done. It's finally decided that the Axe & Bow company will, with all the townsfolk who can lift a shovel or swing an axe, build defenses at the bridge, while we, the Wolf-banes company, will continue south-east along the road, scouting and, if possible, mount a rescue of the missing miners and militiamen. After that we retired for the evening to the first sleep we've had in — what? 48 hours? — and slept like the dead.

Hope And Preparations

The next morning the mayor gave us a bullseye lantern from his days working in the mines. Bartha came up with the excellent idea of making rye whiskey firebombs, and after an initial experiment with gourds, we each ended up with pottery rye whiskey flasks with attached cloth for lighting.

Brock was appointed to be in charge of the defense building. Bartha showed the bombs to Brock, who suggests tindertwigs would be useful, and after seeing our blank stares, explains that tindertwigs are a technology perfected by the drwarves for easily and quickly lighting fires. Of course, when Bartha inquired if he could make us some, he said he would be too busy building defenses.

Headed For Trouble

We headed out, and are soon traveling south-east along the old road beyond the new mine. After many hours of travel, Bartha and Droston decided that there's going to be a summer thunderstorm in an hour or so. After some discussion we decided to keep going, and in only a half hour the heavens opened and a tremendous deluge crashed down. We trudged on for a little while, but with the tracks quickly washed away, we decided (with Bartha grumbling about how if we'd stopped when she wanted we'd be inside a nice shelter) to find someplace to sit out the storm. We eventually ended up under the 2nd dwarven bridge, which is still in reasonably good shape, and there we sat through the night in the dark without a fire. The rain stopped at midnight.

Oh, Yummy!

On Polonius's watch he heard a large creature heading slowly down the ravine towards us. He woke us up and Bartha started struggling with flint and steel to light a torch. In the mean while the rest of us drew our weapons.

When Bartha finally got the torch lit, we could see a huge grizzly bear on the slope below us, nearly up to the bridge. Droston loosed two arrows at it but, unnerved by the suddenness of it all, missed with both. Onchu moved up and attacked the bear, which struck back and landed a tremendous blow, wounding Onchu severely. Bartha then stepped forward yelling and waving the torch in the bear's face. The bear fled. Bartha tended to Onchu's wound, and we spent the rest of the night in cold silence. We figured the bear was probably after some of the tasty-smelling jerky Bartha always keeps with her.

Back To Town…?

In the morning we headed back to Masonburg to get Onchu some more medical attention. On the way back Onchu and Bartha noticed what looked like a lightning strike off to the side of the road. Remembering that Polonius wanted to find the meteor, they told the company and we headed in that direction. We found a crater, as we'd expected, but the meteor that should have been in the crater was missing. The hole left at the center showed that it was about the size of a basketball. Bartha and Droston figured out that a cart or wagon came up out of the crater, to the road, and away from town, headed south-east along the road. Polonius spent the next few mines moaning about his bad luck.

…Not Yet!

When we got to the new mine, everybody but Polonius was halfway expecting trouble. Polonius, still moaning about the missing meteor, was therefore the only one surprised when three goblins, two hobgoblins, and one strangely dressed goblin burst out of the mine. The three normal goblins, in the lead, launched javelins at us, and missed. Bartha launched a javelin back, and when it hit a goblin shouted something about how she'd send their javelins back where it would do some good!

The strangely dressed goblin, who had a skull on his head, elaborate (for a goblin) robes, and a staff, began gesticulating oddly. The two hobgoblins stayed in front of and close to the strangely dressed goblin, as if they were its bodyguards. Droston immediately was suspicious of the oddly behaving goblin, and started targeting him with his arrows. Suddenly, a two-foot diameter spider appeared out of nowhere and dropped on Eirnin's shoulder and bit him. Eirnin started spinning around and trying to bash it with the blunt side of his axe, and eventually did so, leading to lots of spider-guts all over his face.

At this point things turned into a general melee, with Droston continuing to fire at the oddly dressed goblin with little effect and the others moving to attack the other goblins and the hobgoblin bodyguards. As the melee continued the oddly dressed goblin again did his gesticulation again When the melee had turned decisively against the goblins, the oddly dressed goblin did his gesticulation a final time and vanished, leaving Droston in frustration to fire one final shot through the space where it had been before turning his arrows to the remaining enemies. [One of the other characters took a swipe through the shaman's square, too, but I don't remember which one. Anybody?]

Eventually all the normal goblins but one were killed, as were both hobgoblins. Bartha grappled the remaining goblin, yelling out to the rest of us to capture it. Droston attempted to help, trying to whack it with the blunt side of one of his axes, but ended up hitting Bartha instead! (And boy can Bartha blister your ears when you accidentally whack her!) [Did Droston continue to try and whack the goblin? Did he finally hit it?] Luckily the blow hadn't done any real damage, and Bartha finally subdued the goblin, after which began an argument about the appropriate way to transport a captured enemy to town.

So, at the end of the fight, we had: 1 goblin captured and trussed up, 6 more goblin javelins, 3 small goblin short-swords (of terrible quality), 3 suits of bad goblin leather armor, two sets of hobgoblin-sized studded leather armor, a light wooden shield, and a small morning star, 12 sp, 35 cp, and in an evil-smelling bag, two heads of folks we recognize as belonging to the Serpents militia company. [1] Everybody takes 2 sp each, with Droston taking the left over 2 sp, and everybody takes 7 cp each. Bartha forgives Droston for hitting her, and tells him she can clean up and repair the studded leather armor for him and […I can't remember who else was going to get the studded leather armor…] and he apologized for accidentally hitting her.

Finally Back to Town!

When we got to the old mine and quarry complex near the village the only person left there was old Gertie, who pretty much does whatever she wants. She tended to Onchu's wounds, and we continued to the village. Once finally there we had a difficult time preventing the mob from killing the goblin, but eventually we prevailed on the wiser heads and got him thrown down in the ice cellar the village uses as a lockup, to be interrogated by the elders.

Polonius talked to Coll about the missing meteor, but Coll was not impressed. Polonius has to bring Coll the meteor if he wants to be Coll's apprentice. We showed the Coll the goblin blades, and he said the best thing to do was melt them down and reforge them, and that there was about enough for a long sword. “I've never made a long sword before, but I'm willing to give it a try.” Droston said go ahead. Polonius begged and pleaded and Coll eventually relented enough to let Polonius watch Coll working on the blade. [2]