we walked through a maze of tunnels!
we squashed some derro and found they were occcupied by intellect devourers (ew)
we rejoin our party at the conclusion of the battle.
Rowan is investigating a runied altar. It is broken, but he identifies some writing that matches the script on an old sign pointing towards a mine. Rowan points and Zyldi translates:
The sign is part of a common prayer of reverence to the angels of silence. Items of power would be put on display, though more commonly in secure places. Having such an altar in an underground tunnel is unusual.
The party heads towards the chamber exit.
We've come across a cart - one wheel is broken and there is nothing of value left behind, just coal. The path forks in three directions. Ahead, Ilvar can see a blacksmithing station resting between three pillars of stone. There are no signs of life at the forge, but there is a whisper of jolly conversation in a harsh language floating through the tunnels, Zyldi recognises it as Undercommon. There are other sounds as well, perhaps another language?
Matreos is getting antsy. He wants to get a move on (he doesn't like brains). Thistle uses her wizard hat as a light source to illuminate the cavern, while Niamh searches for signs of danger, finding nothing but strange vibes from the cart.
Ilvar uses the light to look for reading materials. He pushes aside shields and weapons of average quality, that have clearly seen some use. Ilvar finds no books but comes across some rolls of paper and some blacksmith's tools. These get swept into one of the many pockets in Ilvar's cloak.
Thistle finds a tiny diamond!
As the party continues on, the party hears a whimpering call for help from further down the tunnels. Ilvar and Rowan round the corner without a second thought.
Ilvar bursts into the room singing a loud sea shanty in the hopes of distracting whoever is inside. A red goblin and a derro are inside, and look confusedly at Ilvar. Taking advantage of the confusion, Rowan shoots an arrow into the chest of the derro. Before the derro can respond, Thistle arrives and shoots two blasts of Eldritch force from her tiny fluffy finger guns. The derro drops to the ground.
Vorrakaz enters, breathing fire which knocks over the goblin. The goblin is on his knees with an unhealthy amount of damage to his armor. Zyldi shoots a ball of flame into the face of the goblin, igniting the falling body. Neither of the bodies move, nor do their brains take the opportunity to exit - this is a great relief.
Zyldi assess the captives in the cages, finding one captive unmoving and the other very frightened.
Esther strolls in and assess the captives, revitalising them.
Suddenly the sound of loud footsteps echoes through the tunnels, getting louder as they close in on Niamh.
Ilvar summons a ghostly dragon and launches it towards the oncoming derro. Matreos draws a spear, lunging for the nearest derro. The derro steps aside and the spear bounces harmlessly off the tunnel wall. The derro tries to catch Matreos off-guard, but stumbles and misses.
Thistle launches thunder down the corridor, downing the stumbling derro. Three more are close on his heels. Vorrakaz and Zyldi unleash fire on the group. The front-most derro falls to the ground in a heap of charred armor.
Meanwhile, Esther blasts the lock on the cage and frees the captive. Before the captive can speak, Esther puts a sword in his hand and tells him to hide.
Rowan has joined the corridor and sends a crossbow bolt into the chest of the second derro. He too hits the ground.
Matreos, trying to recover some dignity, lunges forward to swipe at the next derro. With a shout of triumph, Matreos steps back. The derro takes advantage of Matreos' distraction and sweeps him off his feet. Emboldened by this stroke of luck, the derro lunges for the nearest combatant, attempting to take Vorrakaz by surprise
Vorrakaz smacks the derro for his imputence. The derro stumbles and steps back, straight into a bolt of thunder launched from Thistle's tiny fluffy finger guns. Another derro bites the dust.
An enormous beam of moonlight blasts through the earth and hits the rear guard. The skin of the hobgoblin and derro caught in the beam starts to bubble. Esther reaches for the only derro not in the moonlight. Suddenly, the derro's skin begins to blacken and char. The derro is dead before it hits the floor. The hobgoblin knows when a fight is lost, and slinks away through a back door. Niamh strikes down the remaining foe with a blast of paladinian magic.
Esther doubles back to check on the captive. Re-entering the room, it's immediately obvious that the lumpy sack crouched behind the cage is the captive, still holding the sword Esther gave him. Now that he is healed, it is clear that he is an unkempt, homeless human. The human is in desperate need of the Gentle Dental centre. He goes on to explain that he and his friend went to the warehouse for the free food, then found themselves in cells. They have been tortured and held underground for some time. Esther hands out a selection of equipment to aid our journey.
Rowan receives a cloak of protection. Zyldi receives a ring of waterwalking. Ilvar receives a staff of healing.
The party regroups, preparing to chase after the fleeing hobgoblin.
