Session 11 - Sloop Group - Into the Depths Report

General Summary

Having dispatched the giant greed grub the party returned to the Well room. Their new companions said their goodbyes having seen Dinglepop safely to his companions and having received payment, they departed but no doubt the party will meet them again around Bard's Gate.
Dinglepop's summoning was successful and Poncho floated beside him flapping his tiny wings. Poncho headed down into darkness to see what awaited the party below. Descending into the well Poncho spotted an the well opening out about 40 ft down to reveal a dark, silent chamber. As he hovered there relaying what he had found telepathically back to Dinglepop, two red eyes opened in the darkness and gazed at him malevolently, an arcane word and a flash of flame indicated that the welcome was not friendly and Poncho quickly ascended back to his master.
The party discussed Poncho's findings and decided the only way was down, curious as they were to discover what was below. Okkar offered to stay above and operate the lift mechanism and the party prepared themselves for combat....
Heading down into the cold, damp darkness the party did not speak....wondering what awaited them below. Their vision in the complete darkness gave them a view of roughly hewn walls and a strange, clearly man-made (or dwarf-made) altar about 40 ft away. Behind this altar stood a dark figure of dwarven height. With eyes glowing red, the figure spoke with an ancient and evil voice warning the party to leave the area and the gold. The figure immediately attacked and the party split up to deny him easy targets. As the companions separated they were aware of movement above them and many large grubs dropped from the ceiling onto them. Dinglepop, under attack from above, made good use of Poncho's skills as he flapped around the dark figure distracting his attention away from the adventurers. It was clear however, that this dark dwarf was a powerful magic user, he used his evil powers to draw down a magic darkness on the party which their darkvision could not pierce and to strike fear into Malcer causing him to flee.
Okkar meanwhile, made his way clumsily down the rope towards the dark cavern, hoping to aid his companions before it was too late!

Although under pressure from the many grubs and the dark figure himself the party prevailed. Okkar arrived at the last minute to dispatch a couple of grubs and the party vanquished the dark dwarf known as Greedy Guts. Okkar said that this shadow of a once proud dwarf was most likely what was left of the priest of Grarr who's quarters they found above, the 'aurek' or gold greed and his wicked nature leaving him as little more than a malevolent spirit but sustaining him as he brooded alone in the darkness. The party followed the faint breeze down a side tunnel and discovered a hidden entrance to the mine camouflaged by several hundred years of undergrowth and plant life. Hacking their way through this they came out near the back of the salt mine. At this point Okkar turned to the companions and thanked them profusely for their help in uncovering and freeing the mine. He now planned to depart, gather what remained of his clan and rebuild the Knuckle. He gave his word that the adventurers would have their share of the mine's wealth and asked if they might help him locate Steelhand Hall in future. They parted on friendly terms Okkar promising to track the companions down in Bard's Gate when the time came to seek out Steelhand Hall.
The party made their way around to the entrance to the Salt Mine knowing that there were still a few areas in there that they had not explored the day before. A passage off to the right from the entrance to the mine led to sleeping quarters, a writing table sat in the centre of the room with a note on top of it:

C-
We have need of more slaves for continuing of our building projects in the Hatha Peaks. Due to mountainous terrain and many caverns, it is preferred that you choose specimens of good strength and that are accustomed to work in low-lighting conditions. I have sent my emissary Ikthor to serve as your overseer and see to the training of the slaves. The mine should serve as a perfect training ground for the type of skills that are necessary. A transfer of 20 slaves is expected every month with a payment of 10 shillings per slave as our agreed sum.
-G

In a small bed chamber at the rear of the room the companions found a young half-elf woman bound and beaten. It seemed she had been singled out from the other slaves to keep the leader company in the mine, she was grateful to be rescued and claimed to be the daughter of a nobleman from the elven Kingdom of Arendia in the Forest Kingdoms.
The companions rested, knowing the mine to now be free of enemies before heading back to Bard's Gate.

Campaign

Adventures in the Lost Lands - Sloop Group

Protagonists

Report Date

19 Jun 2019