SESSION 54: DAY 23-25 – THE CAVES OF CHAOS TO
CRAGMAW CAVE AND BURG LICHENSTEIN
"Fortuitous blessings from our Infernal Master indeed," Lucien
clasps Kord's shoulder, "cracking tactic, indeed.”
“Silence as we exit, lest we attract any remaining denizens, once we are
clear of the valley we can converse more openly." Lucien basically repeats
the same in draconic for the kobold.
The party get into formation, gently ushering the saved humans into
their midst whilst roughly handling the bound humanoids towards their rear
guard.
They make the outside of the cave system without interruption and begin
their journey back to Cragmaw Caves.
Once out of the valley, Talmark quips "Well now, we have no need to
go easy on those Hobgoblins anymore."
To the rescues he says "We had been searching for you, Geneve.
Berowalt has been beside himself since your capture and the 'good brother
knights' would do nothing to aid in retrieving you. Mandel, I am sorry to say
that we had no idea you were missing, but glad we found you all the same. After
some rest we will finish off the rest of that Bugbear tribe to avenge your
treatment, then return focus to the other badies.”
“Say Mandel, any chance you may be able to make me a new Tabard, perhaps
something with a symbol for our little band that we can create? It would be
nice to be able to leave 'calling cards' to those we have vanquished, and
perhaps to strike fear into those we target next."
He looks to his companions. "What do you think? A company
emblem?"
Mandel looks gratefully back at Talmark. Still somewhat overcome from
the relief of being rescued he says, “Most certainly my sire. I am indebted to
your good selves and would gladly make you a tabard and some calling cards.
Whatever I can do to bring about the destruction of those foul beasts.”
"An excellent idea," Per responds. "I shall wear mine
with pride. Do you have any suggestions for such an emblem?"
Lucien slyly smiles, "For most of us, our faith favors a stylized
red pentagram on a field of black," he hesitates slightly to gauge the
reaction of the rescued, "I am content to leave the details of the design
to those more interested, I would request that a red pentagram is incorporated
somehow in the design, however."
“Ahh the symbol of Asmodeus, yes. I see from your garb and the scar on
your face you are perhaps a priest or a devote worshiper. I am, as a tailor, of
course very familiar with the symbols of the faithful, particularly that of
Asmodeus whom I myself worship and Irori whom the knights worship. I have
worshiped Asmodeus since my birth, and welcome more of the faithful to the
Burg. We are not plentiful in the Burg but we are tolerated by the knights.” He
looks at Lucien and then feebly spits on the ground, his weakened body denying
him the strength to which he wishes to show his disgust. “Those damned Knights.
They preach law and strength but they don’t live it anywhere except inside
their precious Burg.”
Geneve looks at Mandel and shakes her head, “Why, why didn’t they come
and rescue us.” Over whelmed she begins to sob, relieved that she has been
saved from her ordeal.
They arrive back at Cragmaw Caves just before
dark. Their guard comes out to heartily great them. They are taken aback the
state of the heroes, covered and gore and wounded to the point of barely being
combat effective. It had not been more than 8 hours since they’d left the cave
and the change in their state is remarkable. The guards are even more surprised
that the party has brought back two rescued humans and two monster prisoners.
They rush forward to help their employers and the rescued with two of
the guards taking over watching over the kobold and the orc.
That evening the party discuss their plan. They’ll stay in the safety of
Cragmaw overnight, heal up in the morning and then travel as quickly as they
can to the Burg. There they can escort the rescued Geneve to Berowalt and
Mandel to Dearg, dispose of their loot and reflect upon their experiences (ie level up). They’ll leave the kobold
and orc in the custody of the guards and, upon their return, they’ll
interrogate them.
Overnight all the wounded heal 1pt per level and the next morning Kord
casts Cure Light Wounds upon Geneve and Mandel, healing them by 4pts and 3pts
respectively. He then cures Talmark by 3pts. Luicen cures Talmark by 7pts and
Per by 4pts.
Party strength now stands at:
-
Lucien 15
of 15
-
Kord 17 of
17
-
Talmark 20
of 20
-
Mandalir
17 of 17
-
Per 14 of
23
-
Fremont 10
of 12
-
Clovis 8
of 12
-
Barret 12
of 12
-
Geneve 6
of 6
-
Mandel 5
of 8
Rejuvenated, they gather their items and march towards the Burg which
they reach without incident.
It is midday on day 25 as they unsuccessfully attempt to negotiate with
Knight Lorenz, duly hand over the 10gp fee and enter the Burg.
DEW
