Keep on the Shadowfell: Part Eleven

This is part eleven of a continuing series documenting the deeds (sometimes heroic) of the adventurers (sometimes worthy) that I DM for once a fortnight. It's primarily here so I can remember what the hell was going on in the last session. See all previous entries here.

After a considerable hiatus our heroes were back to take on the 2nd level of the Keep. Having reached the hobgoblin guard room they failed to provide the correct passphrase and instantly betrayed that a) They had killed Ninarin, Kalarel's ally, and b) They were the enemy and should be summarily attacked. The attacking did ensue summarily!

No less than 8 hobgoblin grunts and soldiers descended upon Searos, Marroar, Giovana, Scrindrel and Malachi, while one sneaky hobgoblin went to the north to uncage a giant Deathjump Spider. Our adventurers made light work of the hobgoblins, with a combination of sneak attacks, divine lights, warhammers, arrows and thunderous waves. Even the physics-defying spider eventually lost a leg and succumbed to a holy incineration.

Journeying further eastward into the Keep, and then south, Searos triggered a trick flagstone and a portcullis slammed down in front of the party blocking their way. They instead decided to try their luck to the north, where they encountered further hobgoblin resistance in the form of more grunts and soldiers, who this time had an archer and a warcaster amongst them. For a change of pace, Searos decided to hang his warhammer up and unsheath the mighty sword that Sir Keegan had given to him. Upon wiedling it, he felt a strange sensation move through his hands and around the rest of his body. He immediately put the blade to good use slaying hobgoblins.

At first it seemed like a normal encounter, until the warcaster sent forth a magical blast that knocked everyone on their backs and caused them severe damage. Another evil burst came from the warcaster, and Giovana was knocked out and dying. Searos, the only other healer in the group, neglected to tend to her however, and was more distracted with defeating a hobgoblin soldier he had taken a personal dislike to. The fight descended into a punching, spitting, pommelling brawl, with Searos only able to see red as he grew more aggressive and irrational.

Finally, with Giovana close to death, and Marroar and Malachi having taken heavy damage, the warcaster and the remaining hobgoblin soldier were slain. The decision was made to return to Winterhaven again for more supplies and to recuperate.

With more delays in defeating Kalarel, will his evil powers grow ever stronger? What is happening to Searos? Will Scrindrel grab any bargains in Winterhaven? Stay tuned to find out!