“Out of the frying pan into the……..” Or “2nd time
lucky?”
The group settled into a simple routine in the cauldron
room. Wounds were healed and as they rested their spirits were uplifted with
renewed vigour.
Fargrim held a quick council of war. They would retrace
their steps to the long room with the raised dais. Order of march would be Fargrim,
Bandur, Eglath, Heimund, Gimli, Lionel and Beorwulf bringing up the rear.
Hagnulf and Bron declined to follow the group and said they would guard the
safe haven of the cauldron room.
Fargrim quickly led the group down the same stairs and into
the long corridor outside the ballista room. No sooner had he approached the
double doors and he and Bandur stepped through, when a hidden ghoul leapt out
of a darkened corner and attacked Eglath. The ghoul was dispatched with quick
ferocity.
Fargrim led the way to through the large chamber with the 4
columns supporting the roof far above and opened the southern double doors.
Another Ghoul, laying in ambush, launched itself at Bandur. It too was
dispatched with ease. Emboldened by this success the group quickly made its way
to the stairs. Fargrim led the way. At the top of the stairs he could see a long
corridor and 2 to 3 darkened areas which might be corridors or doorways.
Moving forward he saw a set of stairs going down to the
east, the corridor extended north and a door entrance to the west. He opened
the door and he stepped in. Fargrim was attacked, by 3 ghouls this time. Bandur rushed in to help. Eglath took up a
watch position north of this doorway supported by Gimli. Heimund covered the
narrow stairs going down to the east, whilst Beorwulf watched the rear. As the
fighting in the room progressed, more ghouls attacked from the north, west and
south. More entered the room. The larger ghoul that had run away entered the room
and faced Fargrim, a larger ghoul turned the corner and faced off Eglath.
Just at the right time, Gimli, spoke aloud. He called down
the wrath of Morraddin to turn these vile undead creatures. As he was praying
Eglath fell to the floor mortally wounded, a ghoul about to bite large chunks
from his prone body. Bandur had run out to support the group in the corridor
and he too was surrounded by Ghouls. Fargrim stood alone. Lionel and Heimund
rushed into the room and assisted him in dispatching the large ghoul as Gimli’s
prayer had the desired effect and half of the ghouls fled in terror.
Beorwulf began swinging his axe at the large ghoul in the
corridor but could not make contact. Both he and Bandur distracted the larger
ghoul from attacking Eglath as Gimli spoke a healing prayer aloud and saved
Eglath from certain death.
With the ghouls in the room killed or fleeing the fighting
switched to the corridor outside. Fargrim ran through a door in the north wall
and was confronted by a frightening visage. A ghostly apparition floating in
mid-air who suddenly screamed at him. Surviving the wail of the Banshee,
Fargrim attacked only to see the Banshee float through a solid wall.
He continued round the corner and with Heimund, Lionel,
Beorwulf and Bandur managed to fell the large ghoul lord.
The Banshee came back, Lionel recognised her from an old
tale. She was a Moon Elf princess captured by the dwarves of Axeholm and held
to ransom, She starved herself to death but cursed the Dwarves of Axeholm. The
curse came true as she rose as a Banshee and killed most of the Dwarves of
Axeholm, turning them into the ghouls the group had just fought and defeated.
Lionel managed to talk to her and played a soothing tune
calming her raging spirit. She forgave the group, including the Dwarves as they
had rid her finally of the Dwarf Ghouls who continued to torment her over the
years. Her spirit free at last she thanked the group and faded away.
The group searched Axeholm and came across a large chest. In
the chest was a Dwarf Helm and a pair of Gauntlets, also a quantity of coin.
The Helm and gauntlets were diced for, Eglath finally
gaining the gauntlets after swapping them with Heimund. Fargrim won the helm.
Wearing the helm the others noticed how his eyes turned a burning red and
filled them with dread. Eglath was filled with a strength he didn’t have as the
gauntlets made his arms feel strong and powerful. There was enough gold coin in
the chest to give the rest of the group 100gp each. (including Bron and
Hagnulf).
Items found:
Dwarven Helm of Dread Visage: Adds +4 to intimidation rolls
Dwarven Gauntlets of Ogre Strength: Increases strength to 19 whilst worn.
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