Session 8: An unlikely deal

Date: 24th of July

Participants:
Bryseis - Cheryl K
Zain - Daniel N
Azool - James T
Dibbler - Johnny L


Dibbler a gnome wizard who has been cast out of the artisan guild travels to Farswell to visit his distant relative Alep Coppertink.  Unfortunately he is unaware that the forest is teeming with goblins this time and ran into a patrol of them late in the night.

Dibbler manages to trick the goblins into thinking that he is on their side and they went in pursuit of the "Heroes of Farswell" who have thwart the goblin's plan to invade Farswell numerous times.  To demonstrate his abilities, Dibbler cast a light spell that illuminated himself and the goblins.   The goblins picked up the trail of the heroes and made their way towards the party.

The party while resting picked up on a distant light approaching their campsite.  Azool, Zain and Bry readied themselves and prepared for what is coming while the rest appeared to be too exhausted to get up and defend themselves.   Zain used his superb concentration to help the party appear less conspicuous but Azool did not manage to find a hiding spot in time.

As the goblins near the party's campsite, they charged into battle with their shortbows as Dibbler has convinced them they would be more accurate firing into point blank range.   The goblins spotting Azool unleashed their arrows at him.   Azool and Bry sprang into action and tangled with the goblins while Zain ran towards Dibbler and is convinced the gnome is of ill intent for conspiring with the goblins.

After some time, the party emerged victorious.  The misunderstanding between Dibbler and the party was also cleared.  Dibbler decided to tag along as there were safety in numbers.

The party soon came across more Goblins, this time the goblins did something unexpected.  The leader of the goblin introduced himself as Rugmak, a boss of a tribe of goblins and suggested that the party strike a deal with them.   At first the party was uncooperative and grilled the goblin for information.  As a show of trust and perhaps under threat of imminent death, the Rugmak spilled the beans about the goblin invasion.

It was headed by Maggrot, a self styled general that "united" several goblins and hobgoblins into a single cohesive fighting force.  At his side is an enigmatic human known as Lucas serving as Maggrot's advisor.    Rugmak's tribe was pressed into service and he did not fancy losing his life or risking his tribe by facing the "Heroes of Farswell" who already slain many of the goblins that got in their way.

Rugmak's deal was that if the party helped him rescue his tribesmen from the Giant Spiders in the eastern part of the forest, he will sabotage Maggrot's invasion by swaying other goblins bosses to his side.   The party after some thought reluctantly agreed to aid the Rugmak and traveled towards the giant spider's lair.

The party arrived at the lair and found it heavily webbed.  They set about exploring and cutting open the silken cocoons only to find swarms of spider crawling out.  It was not long before the Giant Spiders descended on the party to defend their lair.   The party fought a grueling battle as they were not coordinated as a unit.  Each party member fought a giant spider on his and her own.   Just as the party was gaining the upper hand.  A humanoid bearing arachnid like features climbed down from the webs and descended on the party.  Azool in a rage slew on of the giant spiders and turned to face the spider like humanoid.

First to fall was Bryseis , Dibbler fought valiantly and held his own for a while against a giant spider but at last his magical defenses failed and he too fell in battle.    The goblins that came with the party tried to fight off the spiders but was not terribly successful at it.  One of the Spiders leap onto the goblin and tearing the small humanoid apart.
Azool consumed with rage was not able to aid his fallen comrades.   And eventually he fell to the strange creature as its poison coursed through his veins but not before he grievously wounded the creature.   Zain being the last one alive, quickly ran towards Bryseis and fed her a healing potion before he was overwhelmed by the remaining spiders.

Bryseis climbed back up and realize that the party needed her magic more than her sword arm.  Weaved magical healing power into Azool.   Azool sprang back up in action and inflicted a crippling blow on the spider like humanoid.   The creature not wanting to die tried to flee but Azool cut it down before it had the chance to do so.  Bryseis eventually revived Dibbler and the party combined their efforts to bring down the last of the giant spiders.

The party was successful at last but found that many of the goblins that they came to rescue was already infested with spiderlings and there was no hope for them.   With only a handful of goblins rescued, the party quickly retreated back to the goblin village to recuperate.

The party eventually set off towards Fort Calen to enlist the help of the Green Knights to fight against Maggrot's horde.  Before they left, the party demanded Rugmak to send on of his own to guide them through the forest.  Gibbet the goblin that the original party has met before was "volunteered" for the mission.  

Gibbet proved his usefulness as he guided the party and avoided many of the traps set by the goblins as well as patrols from other goblin tribes.  The party staying true to their mission avoided unnecessary attention where they could until they were set upon by a plant like creature that rose from the undergrowth to consume them.

The party fought desperately to put down the creature but it was relentless.  It engulfed Zain as the party tried to free him from it.  Azool using his greatsword cleave a blow that weakened the creature's grip on Zain.  Taking the opportunity, Zain struggle and broke free from the creature's grip.    Still the plant like creature fought on, ignoring Dibbler's as he blasted bolts of fire at it.

Zain got right back up and struck at the plant like creature.  It spun around and slammed two of its vines into Zain, felling him in two strokes.  Meanwhile, Bryseis deftly struck at creature all this time and shouted words of encouragement to Azool as he continue hacking at the creature wildly.

Despite enduring several blows that would have decapitate several goblins, the plant like creature remain standing and kept mauling at the party.   Dibbler decided to take a risk and weaved his magic to cast Tasha's Hideous Laughter at the creature.   At first he doubt whether it would work.  But the creature keel over and the leaves and roots of the creature started to twitch.

Azool took the opportunity and kept wailing on the creature.  It got back up only to be hit by another Tasha's Hideous Laughter from Bryseis.   The party kept this on until the plant like creature was no more.  All that remains was bits of plant matter, bark, roots and vines that is scattered all over the place.


Campaign logs with details can be found here.

Session 7: Lets not aggro the goblins

Date: 17th of July

Participants:
Allen Write - Ryan G
Anaris - Brian H
Bryseis - Cheryl K
Zain - Daniel N
Vilroy - Shaun S
Azool - James T


Following the victory of repelling the goblin invasion.  The town celebrates the victory over the goblin forces.   The party was well rewarded for their effort.   Zain however informs the rest of the party as well as the Lt Isilod that the goblins that they repelled were only the vanguard and there is a much larger goblin force.

Lt Isilod surmises that there must be a figure head driving these goblins and propose that they take the fight to the goblin horde.   Aware the combined strength of his platoon and the party may not be enough to take on the goblin horde.  Lt Isilod requested the party to travel north to Fort Calen and seek the Green Knight's aid on dealing with the goblins.

After some negotiations and with the promise of a probable reward, the party agrees to aid the Salderian Army further.   David Valorous the fighter of the party realizes that adventuring is not suitable for him as the risks outweighs the rewards and opt to remain in the Salderian Army.  Where promise of stable income is at least guaranteed. 

Vilroy a pious Paladin in the service of Saint Ardenn, has heard of a growing goblin army that threatens the downtrodden peasants.  Strode into town to lend his assistance.   He quickly found his way into the town center and encountered the party and Lt Isilod.  The party strange behavior put off Vilroy and he is beginning to wonder if the party were truly the heroes that they claim they are.

After much exhaustive communication with the party, Vilroy has come to the conclusion that he has no choice but to work together with the motley crew that formed the Heroes of Farswell.

Meanwhile, Deltus remains in Farswell to assist Reverend Anthony in performing funeral rites for those who fallen in battle while defending Farswell.

The party together with Vilroy then set off towards the north to seek help from the Green Knights.  It was not long before they came into view of Farswell Cemetery again.  At the distance, they spotted three goblins trying to set fire to a wooden cabin.  Hearing pleas of help, Vilroy valiantly rides his horse forward to rescue the innocent trapped in the cabin.

As the party approach behind him, they realize the goblins has set a trap for them and the battle begins.   Elsewhere, Azool a Barbarian from the plains traveling through Salderia heartlands finds himself behind several goblins that were preparing to spring an ambush on the party.  He charges forward and decapitates one of the goblins and cleaving in half the other goblin.

It was not long before the party defeat the goblin and driving them away.  One goblin remained trapped with the caretaker of the cemetery and wounding him in the process.  The party attempts to force their way into the building.   Azool, hearing the commotion, leaps out from the thick undergrowth and unsuccessfully tried to jump into the wooden cabin.  Allen leaning down from his horse, fires an arrow at the goblin but unfortunately struck the caretaker.  Vilroy quickly rushed forward pushing past the goblin and calling upon his divine power, lays his hand on the old man and healing him of his injuries.

The remaining goblin pleads the party to spare him but Allen finished off the goblin although Vilroy protested against treating the goblin in such an unlawful manner.  Disagreeing with Allen's approach, Vilroy confronted Allen.   But Allen paid him no heed which lead to the Ranger and Paladin scuffling with each other.   Anaris later intervene and requested that they cool their heads and save their energy for fighting the goblins.

After which the party along with Vilroy turn their attention to Azool.  A dark-skinned human from the plains.  The party tried to discern Azool's purpose, but Azool nonchalantly stated that it did not matter as long as their goals are in alignment.   Realizing that there is strength in numbers, the party and Vilroy reluctantly agreed and the party continue their journey towards Fort Calen.

The newly formed party then came across Farswell Saltmine and decided to do a brief investigation.  Tying their horses to the trees, they ventured into the Saltmine and decided not to go too far.   The party found a small aclove and thought it would be safe to catch a breather.

Unfortunately, a goblin patrol is nearby and chanced upon the horses outside and ventured into the Saltmines to flush out the party.   The party attempt to hide behind the crates and barrles within the Saltmine but Azool, not having bathed for weeks carried a strong odour gave away his position.  The goblins surge forward and the party quickly sprang into action to dispatch as many goblins as they can.  However two goblins managed to flee and blew the whistle on the party's position.

The party tried to collapse the Saltmine entrance but found that they ran out of time.  Turning around they see a large group of goblins numbering around twenty hot on their heels.   Allen had earlier on checked for tracks and determined that there might be at least sixty goblins around the vicinity.

The party realized that even though the goblins were too weak to defeat them, the situation could quickly turn ugly if they stayed to fight the goblins.  As more would come.

Running at full speed, the party stepped into traps laid by the goblins.  Here they are ambushed by another group of goblins with another twenty goblins closing in from behind.    Unwilling to be dragged into a protracted battle, the party tactically charged into one side of the goblin and then making a run for it.

After some time, the party lost track of their goblin pursuers.  But just when they thought they were safe, they ran into another goblin patrol that has been searching for them.  The party decided to dispatched the goblins.   What may have been an easy fight turned into a dangerous encounter as the earlier goblins has worn down the party.  Vilroy fought courageously but the goblins penetrated his defenses and he fell in battle.  Both Zain and Anaris was brought near the brink of death, while Azool was moderately wounded.   Even thought the party defeated the goblins, they could not survive another battle.  And the goblin patrol leader blew his warhorn before Allen took him out with his arrows.

Battered and bleeding, the party hastily retreated and found a quiet spot.  Hide themselves among the thick undergrowth and covered themselves in leaves just to catch a breather.  Meanwhile, the goblins are out there searching for tracks of the party.....



Campaign logs with details can be found here.