17 - 12/18

After thoroughly exploring the Gnolls caverns, a secret and seldom used passageway was found leading north into the darkness. The group continued on to find out what other dangers and mysteries lie before them. The next room was dimly lit and appeared to contain boxes and supplies of a religious nature, but before the group stepped too far in a few noticed the shimmering outline of a gelatinous cube. Thinking quickly, Zelem told Hilda the ogre she could have the gold over yonder, if she wanted, and the ogre greedily lurched forward. Hilda was enveloped in the ooze and struggled to escape. Wanting to wear the ogre down, the group lazily chipping away at it while watching it hungrily devour the ogre, hilda barely escaping time and again only to be engulfed once more, until finally the ooze was slain. Hilda realized she had been crossed, and raised her club to strike! But before the blow landed, Morrigan stepped forward and obliterated the mercenary ogre with negative energy. While Robin was a bit upset at the ogres "betrayal", Zelem was happy to get his money back.
Further on, the group found what appeared to be a torturer cleaning up after his latest victim, and Morrigan confidently strode forward to question the surprised man about the goings-on. When Morrigan revealed that she worshipped Hecate, the goddess of Evil Magic, he immediately kneeled and announced they must come meet his master. Robin was left behind to make sure she did not interrupt the plan under the guise that the rest of the group was going to cleanse the evil, and the torturer led the party through a winding set of tunnels until arriving at a massive shrine to the evil goddess of magic, Hecate. After a few minutes, a robed man emerged and pulled back his jet black hood. Morrigans adopted father Hector stood before them and announced, "I have seen the coming darkness, and her name is Morrigan."
Hector revealed that he had survived his supposed death and fled, growing in power and settling in the deep recesses of the earth, far from the forces of good that sought to cast him down. The dark goddess had spoke to him, and he was to await the coming of Morrigan and prepare. He had built up a small army of undead, and this was to one day be a fortress of evil. Morrigan wondered what to do about Robin, deciding her good nature could prove to be problematic in the future, but after prayed it was revealed she had some further role to play. The group had planned to use these forces to retake the Cragmaw Castle after gifting it to the Knights in return for Anders Solmors vote in Saltmarsh, but with the undead on their side it seemed it would be even easier. Unfortunately for now, the remaining tribes in the hills could prove to be a problem were they to band together against the undead, they would need to be subjugated or destroyed if the valley were to truly be Morrigans and her allies. A monstrous Minotaur had laid claim to one set of caverns, while a tribe of Kobolds, orcs and Hobgoblins also called the others home.
Before continuing on, Zelem renegotiated terms with Morrigan as he was not fully on board with this evil venture and wished to have coin for the deeds at hand. Finally the group returned to The goblins, who swore fealty to them and were informed they now had a second set of caverns to work in. The goblins were ecstatic for this new ally and power and were now fully in support of their new masters. After resting in the dingy caves, the group prepared to conquer the remainder of the region.

Important Characters

Morrigan Oweland - Heir to the Oweland estate and The Oweland Family, half-elven daughter of Eda Oweland and cousin of Robin Oweland. She is ambitious and beginning her political career.

Zelem - Tiefling, conman and swindler. Accomplice and partner in crime of Morrigan, has numerous alter-egos including Valor Windsail who is considered upstanding and is liked by the guard.

Nessali - The self-important Yuan-ti snake child seems to be food motivated, and has happened upon the group at the keep. With the promise of food, they have joined the group on their new-bound journey into the hills.

Robin Oweland - Now retired from the guard, Morrigans cousin has joined the party for now in search of adventure. She is not as involved with the Oweland family affairs as much as the others, but is fond of Morrigan and seems to enjoy helping her cousin on her new adventure.

Ira - Sorcerer, Half-elf, she has worked with Zelem in the past and occasionally accompanies the group on adventurers.

Hilda - An ogre mercenary that hires her impressive strength out to the highest bidder.

Hector - Morrigans step-father and worshipper of Hecate. Long thought dead, he survived his ordeal and continued on in the darkest recesses of the earth, biding his time and preparing for the coming of Morrigan. He has devoted his time and energy into raising an undead horde, and awaits Morrigans command as to how to use it.