Wednesday 13 September 2017

Keep on the Borderlands - The Path of Evil - Session 53r



SESSION 53r: DAY 23 – THE CAVES OF CHAOS 

Lucien's curiosity is piqued by Malandir's report, "The murmuring could be anything from slaves bemoaning their fate to a sawbones hovel for wounded bugbears and a shaman or witch doctor to care for them."

He sighs, puts his head down, squeezes his eyes shut for a few seconds, then looks to the group, "I'm not one for regrets, and we may still be pushing our luck, but if Talmark's wounds were healed up with those potions to bring back enough vigor, it may be in our best interest to check that door after all. Myself, Kord and Malandir are still combat capable and Kord and I still have some minor spells and scrolls left."

Malandir nods his agreement. “The discovery of those potions offers the potential revitalisation of our battle strength. If they are bugbear wounded, they will be easily finished off, but it’s just as likely to be slaves or prisoners. The secret door is of interest, but could wait for a return trip”

Talmark glances at the ground, then the sky before puffing out some air. "I'm betting they are most likely wounded prisoners, which would be very good to rescue as it will give us both more credit with the Burg's denizens and more allies. If they are indeed wounded bugbears, well, that's more ears for us which is just as good. And in either case, dealing with it sooner is better than later. If you'll hand me those vials we can be about the business..."

Talmark takes the first potion healing 8pts, healing him to 9hp. 

“That’s enough,” remarks the tough fighter. He hands off the spare potion. “Here hold this, if I need it, someone pour it down my throat.”

The party forms up and starts to head east. They get to the guard room in just a minute or so and then turn west toward the murming room. 

Readying themselves, Talmark and Per put their shoulder to the door and BOOM, it is burst open.
What they see inside shocks them to the core. The room is rank with filth. Chained to the wall are 3 kobolds, a goblin, 4 orcs and 2 humans. They have been poorly treated by the bugbears. Starved to the point of emaciation they are barely alive.   


The humans turn to the party and with hoarse voices they whisper, “Help…”

With a mixture of fear and hope the monsters raise their hands, showing their chained wrists and begging to be set free.


DEW

8 comments:

  1. Sorry about the delay guys. I got called out to deal with something out in the bush for a while and it left we with no pc time. Should be all good for a while now.

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  2. Lucien's mind prioritizes...

    Humans, save. Goblin, kill. Orcs and Kobolds, save for now, interrogate and kill later, or leverage as hostages against their own tribes...

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  3. {{{No problem man! It's amazing how romantic "out in the bush" sounds to us non-aussies!}}}

    First priority is find out who teh humans are, then question all about what we don't know about the caves and this warren.

    We can keep the Kobolds if possible, or at least use them as barter to get the loyalty of their tribe. The goblins are useless, and the orcs are dangerous if not even more useless. Either kill the later 2 or enslave them in a big way. Depending upon who these humans are enslaving may not be a good idea to do in front of them. Maybe take them back to our cave and turn them into undead guards?

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  4. Just glad to see you back. There that thing called work that pays the bills. LOL.. I'm retired on for a year..
    My two cent is to check all of the folks out. They could be future allies or at least a bargaining chip with their people. Done do the oops.. Like throwing the wrong guy out the chopper. Only hear from the other guy.. "That was my commander" ;)

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  5. Nice to have you back, Tim, although I do appreciate that real life must take precedence over hobby time.
    Per agrees that the humans must be saved. He cares nothing for the fate of the other captives and will go along with whatever the group thinks is best for them - rescue or slaughter.

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  6. Lucien speaks to the others, “My vote is we unlock the humans first, then one kobold and one orc, rebinding them for control, lead them all out and kill the other prisoners. 

    "We only need one kobold and one orc for information.  I am of the opinion it is best to get out of here quickly when we have liabilities like this and question the prisoners outside, away from the caves instead of delaying here where there are few options."

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  7. Talmark begins unfastening the humans while leaving monsters to the other. "I am Talmark Feldrac," he says quietly to the humans, "our party is headed back to the Burg. You are welcome to accompany us. Who might you be?"

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