Gauntlgrym S02E01 Report

General Summary

Our adventure picks up about one month after a a ragged adventuring party escapes the Underdark having witnessed several demon lords plotting or otherwise laying waste to towns.   Upon their return, the town that hired them made good on their payment, turning over the deed to a local farm. While some of the psychological damage could take years to overcome, their physical wounds have healed and they've found ways to begin to resume some normalcy.  

Catching Up

  A few days before the following events take place, the group reunited with two of the members shaing what they had been doing. Bug, the youngest of the group, opened a detective agency and took on a few cases. Richter, preferring a more manual lifestyle, spent the past few weeks getting the farm in operational order.   The other two members had less to share. Mr. Garrick noted that he spend most of his time "in the city" but was never quite clear which city that was or what he did there. And, true to form, Alan Cardew, simply said "I have nothing to share about what I have been doing."  

An Invitation

  As the morning began to head toward noon, a knock came to the farmhouse door. Answering, Alan was meet by a fancily dressed dwarf who immediately asked, "Who am I speaking with?" Confirming that the message was going to the right group, the dwarf passed a message, sealed with wax and a royal stamp.  

Come at once to Gauntylgrym for an audience with King Bruenor Battlehammer. He would like to discuss matters of grave importance covering your experiences in the Underdark.

  The fancy dwarf, content to deliver the message and move on, was asked to wait a moment while they discussed the invitation. Then, after a few moments of debate, they let him know that they would attend - but they would take a day to pack and equip themselves.  

The Journey

  Using a mount, they set out for a 4 day journey. The first day Bug & Alan talked about magic, how it works, if something lies beyond. Alan pressed Bug asking if there was something more. But, otherwise, the day went without incident.   After resting, thanks to Mr. Garrick's tiny hut spell, they set out for a second day of travel. Sometime before noon, they encountered a funeral taking place in an old, overgrown graveyard near the road. As they approached the area, one of the mourners broke away from the gathering and presented them with lies and announced, "Tim Toldrem is dead!"   Nonplussed, the decided to move on. Shorty before dinner time, they saw a hunter's camp ahead. As they approached, Mr. Garrick noted that no one was in the camp. This confused Bug slightly since he saw 2 people preparing a campfire, one sharpening arrows and another in one of the tents.   After greetings and some small talk, they purchased a few rabbits for dinner and moved on. Mr. Garrick, not fully on his game during this encounter attempted to have the hunter's gift the rabbits but they declined.   With a single day left in their travels, day 3 brought an attack. While traveling, Bug and Mr. Garrick notice something moving in the woods just to their left - owlbears, five of them on the hunt for a meal.   Not wishing to be anyone's dinner, Richter moves in for the attack. One of the owlbears then moves to defend the other - both making strikes on Richter. Meanwhile, another spotting what it believes to be an easy meal maneuvers to grab the party's gnome and fly away. Thankfully, Mr. Garrick was more on his game today and managed to duck away before being grabbed. Unfortunately, another owl bear spotted the other diminutive member and nabbed Bug, ready to fly away. Alan, caught in battle with the 5th owlbear sees Bug in distress and moves to intercept.   Bug manages to break free, Mr. Garrack holds two of the owlbears in a hypnotic trance, and Alan mortally wounds one of the owlbears. But they strike back breaking Garrick's concentration and grabbing Bug once again. In the confusion of the fight, the mortally wounded animal limps off into the woods with Alan on his trail.   Richter dispatches one while Alan finishes another, then runs after Bug. Alan banishes Bug's captor and Mr. Garrick creates a wall of flame forcing two of them to fight Richter. Trapped between combat and fire, they both soon fall.   With that, only the one remains and the party prepares for it to return from its banishment. When it does, they fell it quickly. They use one of the singed animals for dinner and pack the other 4 in hopes to trade them later.  

Arriving at Gauntlgrym

  As the evening of the 4th day approached, they reach the gates of the great underground city of Gauntlgrym. In ages past, the subterranean city was the capital of the ancient dwarven Delzoun Empire. It once was home to great trade with surface dwellers but as time passed, relationships soured. When the Orc invasion began, the cooperation between humans, elves, and dwarves had fallen to a point where each empire was on its own.   Although the Delzoun Empire repealed the invasion, the city fell to the orc hoard. In the following decades, the city changed hands many times - from human to underdark creatures and then to the crow house Xolarrin until it was reclaimed by Bruenor and his companions.   The city is beyond huge; halls big enough to contain entire surface villages. Entering the city, they see towering statues, huge buildings, networks of bridges and ceilings soaring scores of feet overhead.   Passing though a series of smaller gates and checkpoints, their escort talks about the city's rebuilding effort and history. When they reach the Vault of Kings, the city's initial main area, they are shown to their quarters, welcomed as honored guest, and offered a meal and ale.   Richter and Alan headed for a tavern while Garrick located a gem shop in the main part of town.   While at the tavern, the two hear rumors that the king has invited adventures, some of which have returned from the planes of hell. they also hear that the King is preparing to receive representatives from various surface groups.   Resting that evening, Garrick mentions the gem shop to Bug and they begin to make plans for a heist. Garrick is ready to make a move, but waits when Bug points out that they should wait until they are on their way out of town.   The next day, the party is taken to a mighty hall where they are met by a red-haired dwarf of fierce and proud demeanor sitting upon a massive stone throne, flanked by guards and advisors.   The King tests their stamina by taking them on a tour to various areas of the city, including the Iron Tabernacle and the Great Forge. While in the Iron Tabernacle, they see great sculptures of gods, some of which have been defaced and many which are in disrepair. Alan learns that they have a statue of Shar but that it is a low priority for repair.   Following the tour, the King asks them to share of their adventures in the Underdark. After listening to their tales carefully, he notes that he must consider this information and consult with his advisors. Finally, he requests that they join him that evening for a banquet, as his guest. They will eat at the king's table and meet representatives from surface factions that will be attending the banquet.

Rewards Granted

• Sold 3 owlbear's for meat at 70 GP for each.
• Sold another to be stuffed, that collector was willing to pay 300 GP.

Missions/Quests Completed

Learn about the Great Forge

Character(s) interacted with

King Bruenor

Notes

Richter was told that he would be given a shield made in the Great Forge.