17th Day of Firemoot, Towerday
Just another day, a fine arrival for breakfast in
the addition of Heimdal, Lionel and the ever present Droop to the group. A
quick conference and Uthal led the way, finding the tracks of the goblins with
ease. The first hour was speedy going until Uthal lost the trail. He found it
after a quick search and never faltered until the group arrived on a rocky
outcrop, looking across a valley with a 'y' shaped stream junction directly
below them. Across the way it could only be Wyvern Tor it was step, big and looked
overwhelming. Hagnulf suddenly let fly an arrow, only he observed the Orc guard
slump down dead in the bushes across the valley on one of Wyvern Tor's slopes.
(It had been hard going for Dove Strongheart, a female Halfling ranger attached to a caravan of merchant wagons travelling from Tirboar to Phandalin. She had been off scouting ahead and on her return had come across devastation, the caravan had been attacked….by Orcs. The trail of the Orcs, from the massacre on the Triboar Trail, to the waterfall had been arduous. But she was hiding observing not Orcs but a mixed group of Dwarves, Elves, Goliaths and a Human, descend the hill opposite her position on the other side of the river. Wanting to warn them that they were heading into a trap but without shouting (the waterfall noise would have masked her shout anyway) decided to throw a stone to get their attention. Her throw was accurate and the stone sped from her tiny hand and clanged off the helmet of a Dwarf. He slumped back onto his backside holding his ringing head. She watched the group spread out, some crossing the river some not. She threw another rock to get their attention, a bigger rock this time, it too hit the same Dwarf on the head and he again slumped down to the ground holding his head. Dove had not noticed a Goliath, with a Goblin on his shoulders approach. He smiled and the Goblin swung down and sat next to her smiling. The Goblin spoke in the common tongue, Heimund, pointing at the Goliath, friend. Me Droop, friend.)
Hagnulf had moved cautiously, moving from bush to bush, eventually crossing the stream. Heimund had moved round the slope he was on to the waterfall. Beorwulf was struggling in some deeper water to cross the stream. Fargrim was already across on the far side when Bandur miss timed a jump onto a mid-stream rock and fell in with a splash. Lionel got his boots wet, then he too mistimed a jump and fell headlong into the stream as Heimund trying to jump over the waterfall ended up being swept downstream and into Lionel, both lay in the water. Uthal stepped across the stream as Adran sat and laughed to himself at eh groups antics crossing a simple stream. Dove and Droop moved around some rocks and using the Elf/Goliath ‘bridge’ crossed the stream. The group gathered themselves as a Hagnulf sighted and let fly a deadly arrow into a charging group of Orcs. He killed the leading Orc. Fargrim and Uthal charged into the Orcs, bravely supported by Bandur. Hagnulf assassinated a 2nd Orc.
Two other Orcs charged into the rear of the group having
circled round behind. The first spear thrust just missing Lionel but the 2nd
impaling Droop. Heimund stepped up out of the stream and laying on his hands
called for the power of his God to heal Droop. Droop opened an eye and winked.
Heimund stepped over his prone body to protect him. Dove had taken a position
high up on the rocky slope and let fly two arrows, hitting and killing an Orc.
The 2nd was dispatched by Lionel and Beorwulf.
Fargrim had dropped another Orc, quickly followed by the
combined effort of Bandur and Uthal. The group, now together could see a dark
opening in the rocky hillside of Wyvern Tor. As the group approached the ground
began to rumble and shake. A creature of rock and stone seemed to literally
step out of the rocky side of the Tor and issued a throaty, earthy growl as it
advanced. Fargrim and Uthal rushed to attack. Hagnulf moved wide and right to
outflank. Bandur charged in as did Beorwulf. Heimund followed. Surrounded the
creature flailed its massive stone and rock ‘arms’ and hit various members of
the group as the group tried to take the creature down. Beorwulf was hit by two
thunderous smites and fell to the ground mortally wounded. Heimund broke off
and charged into the cave as Lionel was blasted by a fire bolt, which had come
from the dark, cave opening.
Ardan followed Heimund into the cave. Dove and Droop both
fired arrows into the rock and stone behemoth. The Behemoth still stood. Dove
ran forward, drawing both short swords, leapt on the Behemoths back and plunged
her swords into the back of the giant, towering creature. The creature slumped back
into the stoney, rocky ground from whence it had been summoned. Nor more earthy
growls would utter from its maw.
Taking stock Beorwulf had managed to stem his injuries and
was in a more stable condition. The group turned their attention to the cave as
both Ardan and Heimund backed out of the cave. Ardan warned the group that the
cave had a magical darkness cast in it. They were unable to see once inside.
One by one the group entered the cave and into the magical darkness. Some staid in and others came out and went back in, some ran in hoping they wouldn't hurt themselves. Lionel, Ardan and Beorwulf remained outside. Suddenly for those in the cave the magical darkness lifted. The group took stock inside the cave complex, 3 linked caverns. Hagnulf found a cleft in the back of one and a tight passage that led to the waterfall, s back door exit or entrance?
Droop came running in from the outside, after some time Heimund could make out that Droop was saying Orcs and waving his fingers, many Orcs, Droop nodded yes.
A quick plan was made, Hagnulf remained outside where he hoped he could bring his bow skills to use, the others hoped to funnel the Orcs into the cave system where they could attack with advantage. Dove and Ardan covered the waterfall exit.
Hagnulf was spotted and a volley of arrows from all around struck home. The Orcs charged the cave entrance, a large Orc leading the way and bellowing out a warcry to the others following. THey ran into the group and the battle raged. Bandur, Fargrim, Heimund, and Beorwulf engaged the Orcs. Uthal gave support. Lionel cast spell after spell to bolster the group and weaken the resolve of the enemy. Ardan and Dove kept up a steady fire from bow and spell, clearing one hill of Goblin archers.
Suddenly the Orcs lay dead and all was quiet on the outside. The remainder had fled. A quantity of coin and gems were found on the bodies. Taking stock the 2 rangers examined tracks and the cae system, They concluded that around 50 Orcs and 25 Goblins had made the cave system their hideout to raid the caravans travelling along the Triboar Trail. However of the loot their was no sign other than the small amount of coin and gems found.
The group spent the remainder of the day and that night recovering from the battle, healing and laying plans for the next day.
No comments:
Post a Comment