Operation Parameters
| Date |
1492 DR, 9 Eleasis
|
| Soldiers |
|
| Status |
|
| Casualties |
None |
Operation Details
From Doc:
We were asked to investigate a cave to the south, and clear it out if able. A possible concern mentioned was that it may connect to another series of caves in the area which have been known to kill members from other groups. As such, we were told to retreat and report back if in doubt.
On the way there, we noticed that the local plant life was carnivorous, and even saw some in the act of killing small animals. Rather then risk the mission, we noted it and chose to stay on the path. We shortly came upon a man who appeared to have been recently killed. No enemy was found in the area, but we found small footprints heading away from our destination. A little to the south, we came across a torn wagon, it's inventory strewn throughout the area. A few goblins were noted on a nearby cliff, but as the party was being alerted to their presence, one of them shot a flaming arrow at the wagon to start an explosion. Though surprised, we quickly took them down.
While we took a short rest, a half-elven woman and her elderly dwarf attendant(?) approached the camp. She kept asking/mentioning tea, even after it was said we didn't have any. She tried to buy the clothing from a couple people from the group, but none took her offer. As we talked, she mentioned she was royalty from far to the south, on her way to visit a king to the north. She unfortunately never said her name or her country, seeming to consider the idea of helping the people in the area to be naïve. Tried to make small talk to get more information, but leaving out information about our camp. This though seemed to bore her, as she took her leave through an arcane door she summoned by playing a lute.
Completing our rest, we continued south and found the cave, with a goblin with the symbol of the "strength giver" on it. He introduced himself as Jim, and asked us to help rescue another goblin Jim inside. We entered the cave, which appeared of dwarven origin. A couple roots attacked while inside, requiring a torch to be safe. We cleared it of over a dozen goblins, as well as an ogre and an undead minotaur. While looking for the goblin we were to rescue, we found a note saying "Many many thanks, Gob Jim". We also found a satchel with books in it, which from a quick look were expedition notes from The Isle of Chult. In addition, we found what appeared to be a stone hammer which needed to be put on a statues hand, but we didn't have the strength necessary. Finally, there was a heavy crossbow and a set of chainmail that we decided to turn in to the quartermaster in case anyone else needed.
The return trip was uneventful.
From HALe:
We were asked to investigate the hills and a cave to the south. We needed to explore the caves and see if there was an entrance to the underground or any other potential major danger in the cave and clear it out if able. A possible concern mentioned was that it may connect to another series of caves in the area which have been known to kill members from other groups (like the Underdark). As such, we were told to retreat and report back if we encountered anything especially dangerous.
On the way there, we noticed that the local plant life was carnivorous. We came to this conclusion upon noticing that there was almost no local wildlife. It appears that the plants are carnivorous because we found a plant killing and consuming some small animals. We decided to skirt away from the carnivorous flora, and stay on the more well-traveled path. We shortly came upon a man who appeared to have been recently killed. No enemy was found in the area, but we found small footprints heading away from our destination.
A little to the south, we came across a torn wagon, it's inventory strewn throughout the area. A few goblins were noted on a nearby cliff, but as the party was being alerted to their presence, one of them shot a flaming arrow at the wagon to start an explosion. Though surprised, we quickly took them down.
While we took a short rest, a half-elven woman and her elderly dwarf friend (potentially attendant or bodyguard) approached the camp. She kept asking/mentioning tea, even after it was said we didn't have any. She tried to buy the clothing from a couple people from the group, but none took her offer. She offered up to 1,000 gp for the clothing. As we talked, she mentioned she was royalty from far to the south, on her way to visit a king to the north. She unfortunately never said her name or her country. We tried to make small talk to get more information from her, but we did not want to give out any information about our camp. We did mention that we were to the east of Ogden, but remained ambiguous as to our exact whereabouts. We also did mention that we were trying to restart trade and communications with all the towns and villages, but that we had little luck in doing so. We further mentioned that some of the towns nearby were in fact very dangerous and hostile (I believe we specifically mentioned Holyhead as hostile). Our efforts seemed to amuse her even if she consider the idea of helping the people in the area to be naïve. She took her leave through an arcane door she summoned by playing a lute.
Completing our rest, we continued south and found the cave. This is our encounter with a goblin with a blue robe, and a red hat. The robes had the symbol of the "strength giver" and other iconography on it. He introduced himself as Jim, and asked us to help rescue another goblin Jim inside. I have heard tales of these “Gob Jims” through other mission reports, but was skeptical. It turns out those reports were true. They have rather high intelligence (easily spoke common) and possess magic (he was invisible).
At the entrance to the cave we ran into 5 goblins that we managed to dispatch. Going down a rickety ladder (with the help of a rope secured with some pitons) we descended into the cave. The cave appeared of dwarven origin. Complete with a statue of a dwarf that was trapped (more on this statue later).
A couple roots attacked while inside, requiring a torch or another light source to be safe. Traveling northwest in the cave, in the next main cavern we encountered some goblins. From there there was a split path that led to another main cavern area. There was a Ogre carrying goblins, as well as a number of goblins here on the path.. We managed to dispatch of the ogre and first wave of goblins quick enough to give us a moment or two to prepare for the next wave. It turns out the next wave more goblins and an Undead Minotaur headed our way We were able to dispatch of these, with some difficulty. As we were completing dispatching of this 2nd wave, we heard some more goblins coming from the entrance. We were again able to dispatch the 2nd wave of goblins in time to face the third wave of goblins. We were able to make short work of the 3rd wave of goblins.
While looking for the goblin we were to rescue, we found a note saying "Many many thanks, Gob Jim". We also found a satchel with books in it, which appeared to be from an expedition. At this point we explored a little and found a very old and very heavy stone hammer. We realized that the old Hammer needed to be placed into the statue’s hands. We attempted to bring the hammer to the statue but were not able to. As a result, we had to leave it in the middle of the cave in the 2nd cavern area just after the descended entrance. We recommend care, as it seemed to crack a little as we attempted to move it. I strongly believe there is an entrance to something (potentially the Underdark) at this point behind the statue.
Finally, there was a heavy crossbow, a damaged massive greataxe (broken handle), and a set of chainmail that we decided to turn in to the quartermaster in case anyone else needed.
Our return home was uneventful, and we were able to make it back around 7pm. We mentioned all of this to the CAP Tel.
