Session 12

Date Played: October 7, 2000



Lunadain, 22nd of Vatermont, 1,000 A.C. (sometime around 10 am)

The party decided to explore behind the curtain in the northeastern part of the large northern cavern. Niedra was sent to watch the southern passage to make sure they weren’t being followed; Torino and Larwynn kept watch over the northwestern tunnel to make sure that no one caught them unawares. Then the rest of the party organized themselves across from the curtain. Eric drew it aside, surprising a group of sleeping orcs. One of them was startled awake by the sudden light, but was so shocked to see the party that he couldn’t react before Markus shot him with his crossbow. Although this didn’t kill him immediately, the second shot did him in without making enough noise to awaken anyone else. The party quietly entered the cave beyond and killed off 3 more orcs in their sleep. Once the gruesome task was finished, several of the party members searched through the belongings of the dead orcs and found a total of 130 sp in four pay pouches. After determining that there was little left of this place to search, the party regrouped at the northwestern tunnel.

Markus and Niedra did some advance scouting down the northwest tunnel and found themselves in a large cave. Nearly tripping over the latrine cover, Markus quickly checked the other passages from the cave to make sure their presence wasn’t detected. A northern passage had a cool breeze coming from it; a western tunnel looked like it held quite a number of slumbering forms. The party thought it better to skirt the inhabited cave and headed north down the tunnel. Descending slightly over some distance, the party eventually came upon an orcish guard post. Four orc guards stood on alert, spears at the ready. Although not surprised, the party was in no position to present much of a defense as the tunnel here was very narrow. Three of the orcs approached to engage in melee, but not before Eric was able to outline three of them in faerie fire. Chow-Lin was also able to blind one of them with her light spell. After a short, 7-minute skirmish, the party advanced upon the remaining orc and slew him. Beyond the orcs the tunnel opened into a circular cave with another tunnel leading out to the north.

Following the tunnel, the party happened upon a large cavern, filled with puddles, and littered with broken stalactites and stalagmites. Some of these cave formations had been carved and cut to resemble low tables and stools or benches. The cave had numerous exits, too many to safeguard if an alarm was sounded. Niedra and Markus were again chosen to scout ahead. Choosing the closest tunnel along the right-hand wall, they listened for noise and heard some creature either eating or drinking something. They got a quick look at it and quickly decided to retreat. The creature seemed to smell their approach and went forth to investigate. Markus and Niedra retreated to the safety of the circular cavern with the other party members and prepared an ambush. Lining themselves along the walls, they hoped to lure it in and surprise it. Their ambush worked well, surprising the large humanoid (identified as an ogre). Markus attempted to backstab it, but failed. A short struggle of 3-minute duration ensued. Luckily, no one in the party was injured and the ogre was surrounded and killed. Investigation of the ogre revealed no wealth, only a horrible stench. The ogre was left in the cave and the party pressed on back towards his tunnel. Markus and Niedra scouted ahead and found another tunnel. However, the multiple voices heard from beyond indicated more trouble. So the party retreated from this place and tried the northeastern tunnel which split after a short distance into a 3-way intersection. Unfortunately, the party was spotted by a pair of orc guards who were able to call into one of the tunnels for reinforcements. Things didn’t look so good for our heroes…

Cast of Non-Player Characters

Larwynn Grunalf – Calarii elf fighter/magic-user, accompanied party to the orc lair
Niedra Erendyl – Calarii elf thief, accompanied party to the orc lair
Sub-Commander Maribor – warrior from Radlebb Keep accompanied party to the orc lair
Soldier Torino – man-at-arms under direct command of sub-commander Maribor