Session 296 - The Deep Roads

General Summary

23^rdto 30^th of Saraju (Third Month of Spring) 726TR

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The Story So Far

The rugged bounty hunter Cassius and his sidekick Salvador, the wandering priest of Ilvir, have decided to help Berda, a young dwarven woman from a wealthy family, on a quest to find a husband in the faraway dwarven Kingdom of Kuzjera.

This is the continuation of Session 288 - The Pinctagrex.

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Location - West of the Vathran of Stimby in the Kingdom of Menglana.

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Part 1 – The Deep Roads

Using ancient dwarven maps, the heroes locate the ancient long-lost entrance to the deep ways, a network of underground passages in the mountains west of the Vathran of Stimby. This was used centuries ago by the dwarves as a form of highway under the mountain ranges. Berda uses the stone key supplied by the Oracle Rafna Rald and the characters in the underground passages.

They find a chamber with imposing statues of dwarves glaring at them. The floor is littered with pressure plates, and stepping on them results in spears jabbing at the heroes. They dodge and leap over the ancient traps, entering a short passage guarded by another dwarven statue. Near the statue is a vicious Scythe Trap, and worse, the statue animates. It is tough and impervious to the hero's weapons; however, Cassius pushes the Stone Guardian into the scythe blades destroying it.

Hidden under loose floor tiles, the dungeon delvers find some ancient alchemical potions and a mysterious enchanted ring shaped like a Ram's head.

Part 2 - Flaming Rats

Fortunately, that is the last of the dwarven-made traps; however, further in, the characters enter a large chamber with a river of molten rock and a stone bridge crossing it. Out of the magma are hot white, elemental shapes similar to rodents. The voracious Cinder Rats cause some difficulty being cloaked in blinding lung-choking smoke but are eventually eliminated.

Part 3 - Eye-eaters and a Troll

The next few days are more peaceful, the passages are deserted, but it eventually opens into what looks like a ruined dwarven supply room. The party hears a chirping sound and the movement of something big across broken rocks and debris. Half a dozen Vlasta run at the heroes wanting a tasty feast of eyes, but the tiny dinosaur-like Ivashi are quickly dispatched. The Troll following behind is another story altogether. The huge creature charges forward, smashing Cassius's pet Bear and knocking him out before the party can react. Berda deflects several more massive swipes, and Cassius delivers multiple arrows into its tough hide, only to note that it almost immediately heals its injury. Salvador throws his last vail of Alchemist Fire, and the Troll catches alight, screaming and dying in terror and pain.

Nearby, the characters find a Dwarven shortsword in relatively good condition, a collection of metal needles, small crossbow bolts, and a strange mechanical bracer.

Campaign

Blood in the Snow - Campaign On Hold

Protagonists

Cassius

Salvador

Report Date

28 Jun 2023

Berda

The inquisitive and idealistic daughter of a wealthy Dwarf.

Berda, art by Artflow

Part 4 - Spiders

Days later, the travelers note then they seem to be consistently descending. Berda reviewing her maps is certain that they are near an exit. Spider Swarms envelop the party, but they are soon eliminated. Not long after stairway opens out to a web-filled cavern. Half a dozen Giant Spiders lie in ambush but are also eradicated.

However, the party is groggy from the poisonous bite when a massive spider attacks. The party back off further into the passageways, and to their horror, the huge arachnid easily squeezes in after them. Cassius delivers several expert arrow shots, but Salvador and Berda eventually fall to the ground, convulsing from it's deadly poison. The Orge Spider is badly wounded, but so is Cassius, and as a last throw of the dice, he unleashes his Ring of The Ram. The giant vermin is hurled back, smashed against the rocks, and killed.

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Location - The Mountains West of the Vatharn of Jegel in the Kingdom of Ibanvaal.

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Part 5 - Predators

The travelers prepare to depart from the Deep Roads, opening a concealed door that opens into a circular chamber open to the surface. The room is occupied. Surprised, an Ivinian warrior has made a camp and raises a battle axe but does not attack. "It's true," he mutters, looking at Berda. "The dark elves do dwell in the mountains." Once aware there will be an imminent fight, the warrior introduces himself as Logi Dagen, a hunter. He tells the party they have made it to the Kingdom of Ibanvaal.

Logi is hunting Yélgri (Hârnic Harpys) which were stealing sheep from outlying farms, but ran into a much bigger flock than he expected, over a dozen of the flowing vermin have him trapped in this room. The character's timely arrival gives him the opportunity to escape. They agree to work together. Berda draws the Yélgri in while Cassius shoots them from the sky. The characters are bombarded by large balls of noxious dung, rocks, and javelins; however, by the time they dive into melee, the Yélgri's numbers are so reduced that they are easily dispatched.

Logi escorts the characters to his family clanhold near the Vatharn of Jegle. On the way, they survive an ambush from a huge white wolf who is skinned and makes a fine cape for the Northman.

To be continued.

NPC Interactions

Logi Dagen - Hunter

Challenges Overcome

1 x Animated Stone Staue and various Traps.

5 x Cinderats.

6 x Vlasta and 1 x Troll.

3 x Spider Swarms.

6 x Giant Spiders and 1 x Ogre Spider.

14 x Yélgri - the Hârnic Harpy.

1 x Winter Wolf.

Rewards

Ring of the Ram.

Molten Fury - Flaming Shortsword.

Created Content

Nothing this week.

Related Reports

Vlasta - the Eater of Eyes.

Yélgri - the Hârnic Harpy.

Player Characters

Cassius - Human Bounty Hunter - L4 Ranger - Archer

Salvador - Human Artist - L4 Cloistered Cleric of Ilvir (Change) - Eldritch Researcher.

NPC Character Status

Berda - Dwarf Noble - L4 Fighter - Sentinel.

Next Session

Session 298 - The Shrine of Usnarl.