Friday 18 January 2013

Keep on the Shadowfell: Part One

This is part one of a continuing series documenting the heroic deeds of the worthy adventurers I DM for once a fortnight. It's primarily here so I can remember what the hell was going on in the last game.

Searos Swordsteel, the brave dwarven Paladin, joined forces with Marroar Kittenstouch, a newly qualified eladrin Wizard, in the small town of Thornvale, to create an adventuring party called "Action Against Evil". Almost immediately their talents were called upon by the wife of local eccentric explorer Douven Staul. Douven had travelled three months ago for the distant town of Winterhaven to explore the ruins of a dragon's tomb, in search of treasure. Douven was a cautious explorer who should have returned weeks ago. His wife begged Searos and Marroar to locate her missing husband, and in keeping with their alignment, they agreed.

As they packed up to leave Thornvale, they were visited by Marla, priestess of the Great Church of Pelor, who warned the adventurers about death cultists that have been travelling to Winterhaven. Marla told them of a dangerous priest named Kalarel who was rumoured to be assembling a cult for some nefarious purpose, and she offers 250 gold pieces in return for proof that the cult has been destroyed.

Several days travel pass without incident, but not far from Winterhaven, the party is set upon by a small band of Kobolds. Springing from behind boulders, they launch a surprise attack with their spears and swords. Marroar unleashes terrible magical thunderwaves, but Searos struggles to maintain the grip on his second hand battleaxe. The fierce battle reaches a crescendo of dazzling magic and clashing steel, when suddenly Scrindrel Munificent, the elven Ranger, appears on the scene and after loosing a single arrow, sits down to make a small fire. Marroar's magic defeats the last of the kobolds, and welcoming Scrindrel to their team, the adventurer's finally reach the village of Winterhaven.

They spend the night at Wrafton's Inn and learn more information about the location of the dragon's tomb, as well as disturbing information regarding some sort of ruined keep to the north. Lord Padraig, the authority of Winterhaven, offers the adventurers a reward of 100 gold pieces to vanquish the Kobolds once and for all. The next morning they upgrade their armour and weapons at the local market before heading out of town to the south, to investigate the dragon's burial site further.

However, as soon as the team leave Winterhaven, they are ambushed by Kobolds, one of whom carries a sling with magical ammunition. Marroar is set on fire, and Scrindrel is immobilised by a strange white gooey substance. The battle is fierce, despite the intervention of Avandra, Searos' deity, who helps to incinerate a Kobold with divine light. It looks like all may be lost, as Marroar is knocked unconscious and must receive a laying on of hands from Searos. Finally, thanks to some powerful magic and some well-placed arrows, the Kobolds lie slain.

Will the adventurer's finally reach the dragon's tomb without incident? Stay tuned!


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