Session 47
The Drow scattered immediately and took up firing positions around the north and east sides of The Cursed Boot tavern. One of them immediately cast a magical darkness inside the tavern, blocking all light from being seen inside. The maneuvered around the side of the building, taking up ambush positions by the door and window. Typhon quickly cast dispell magic, restoring light to the tiny tavern. The Drow immediately pummeled the window with crossbow bolts , some of which hit Bloodbane in the shoulders and chest while others hit Vigwalin. He jumped through the window sending shards of glass flying all over the place. Vigwalin summoned a demon in the middle of a small group while Sir Didymus ran out the door, successfully dodging attacks by a waiting Drow. The dark elves continued to pelt the group with crossbow bolts while others engaged in close combat. Between the summoned demon, Sir Didymus, and Typhon's Bigsby's Hand spell, they managed to tear through some of the melee fighters. While the Drow began a retreat, Sir Didymus and Typhon decided to take two prisoners.
The immediate threat was over, and the Party agreed to interrogate the pair of Drow separately. Bloodbane took one drow inside the tavern, while Typhon and Sir Didymus questioned the one outside. Typhon cast charm on the captured Drow to make him more complaint. They found out that the Drow emerged from a cave in the Stetlow Rise, located to the south. He detailed that there were guards there and that there was a lift that descends into the Underdark located at the end of the cave. This information was mostly confirmed by the second Drow who they tortured in the tavern.
The following day, the Party headed south into the Stetlow Rise. It took a little more than three hours of easy riding and another hour of searching before they found a small cave entrance. The group entered the pitch black entrance. Sir Didymus lit up a torch and the group began exploring. It wasn't long before the group ran into a pair of giant spiders. Almost instantly, Typhon transformed into a giant ape and smashed one into slimy ichor. The other one managed to sink its fangs into Bloodbane's thigh, injecting its venom into his body. The barbarian swung his axe around and sliced furiously right through its body, dropping it in three hits.
The group continued their exploration of the cave and very soon after they found what they were looking for: Drow. The dark elves ambushed the adventurers with a casting of faerie fire that illuminated half the group in a bluish-purple halo. Another one cast cloudkill on the bunched up party members while the rest peppered the group with crossbow bolts. The Party couldn't see anything against the Drow's superior dark vision. Typhon, in his giant ape form, ripped off a chunk of rock and threw it blindly into the darkness, completely missing, but hearing it explode against the cave wall. The Party was being torn to bits when Sir Didymus took decisive action and cast spike growth in front of them. The group then began to withdraw and Sir Didymus cast spike growth yet again. A bolt of lightning tore through the spikes, hitting Typhon and dealing tremendous damage while setting the spikes ablaze.
The Party was in full retreat at this point. Once they were outside and were confident that the Drow were not pursuing them, Typhon, still in his giant ape form, destroyed the cave mouth and jammed up several large boulders into it. This would at least temporarily prevent any raids from the Drow. Battered and bruised, the Party headed back to Shroudwatch.
They entered the tavern, where Erik Daargen was enjoying a meal. The Party told the magistrate what had happened. He was disappointed, but somewhat understanding. Bloodbane suggested that they train up some defenses to prepare for the next raid. Erik said that he'd send a raven to Countess Holsey in Silverward. Bloodbane also suggested other defenses, such as setting up torches and street lights.
That night, they noticed that the town had set up at least a few lamp posts. The rest of the night was fairly quiet, however, and it passed without incident.
The following morning, the group mounted their horses and decided to continue eastward.
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