6th of Eleasis (Highsun) – Summer 1486
Location: “Dripping Caves” – Nightstone Rufuge come Goblin Lair.
Waking up in the Nightstone Tavern only slightly hungover the morning after defeating the Earseeker Orc Warband, Pinko, Seeps & Smacky were invigorated and inspired by the previous day's victory though disappointed the goblins had left little in the way of booze untouched.
<The party levelled up! Smacky, having seen the raging form of Pinko's Wild Shaped Brown Bear in combat yesterday decided he wouldn't be outdone for Strength by the Druid and chose to dedicate himself to the Totem Spirit of the Bear. Still secretly embarrassed by her mid-battle nap, Cockseepage beseeched her Shadowy Patron for more durability and was rewarded with The Pact of the Talisman, a golden sigil she added to the collection of eyelids around her neck. Pinko only gained the ability to cast some more powerful spells including the ability to Hold Person as he got cool shite last time :P>
With the drawbridge destroyed they waded across the moat and headed North, following the heavy trodden tracks of the Earseekers towards some low hills in the distance. Only a few minutes later the Orc prints swung towards the Ardeep forest, but smaller goblin tracks veered off directly towards the uplands. A low yawning cave mouth in the hillside greeted them not long afterwards. Without hesitation Smacky wandered straight in.
He was greeted by an unusual sight; an Ogre called Nob having a bath. In a steaming pool of bubbling mud just inside the entrance the huge beast bellowed at the interruption and fished around the stinking quagmire for his great club. Goblin archers high on ledges around the natural auditorium that formed the main cavern of the complex spun towards the Half-Orc and opened fire. Smacky hurled a javelin at Nob and charged into meet him head on. Hiding in the shadows of the entrance Seepage began to snipe at the goblin guards with her eldritch bursts of flame. The noise of battle roused the sleeping Thog from her slumber amidst a forest of stalagmites in the centre of the room. Not taking too kindly to her mate being attacked she too charged forward only to be greeted by a word of control from Pinko that froze her in her tracks. Leaving his Hold Person spell to keep Thog at bay, he ran towards the ledge shielding the nearest archer and leapt, mid-air Wild Shaping into a Dire Wolf and pounced towards the startled tasty morsel.
Smacky and Nob traded blows, the barbarian recklessly hacking at the filthy ogre with his great axe and shrugging off the retaliation thuds of the small tree Nob used as a club. Emboldened by Thog’s paralytic predicament, Seeps wandered up to the Ogre still frozen mid-stride and mid-swing. Gently tickling her under the chin, she directed a quick bolt at Nob to get his attention. When the big oaf turned her way, she unleashed a searing blast of shadow and flame directly into the face of his beloved Thog, scorching her flesh. Infuriated, Nob turned his back on Smacky and made to murder the Tiefling where she stood. Smacks needed no further invitation and cleaved the mud-encrusted Ogre from behind felling him and sending his head rolling across the floor. Now it was Thog’s turn to rage, her anger breaking the Druid’s spell and great club completing its delayed swing collecting Seeps hard in the side, sending her flying backwards. Bounding from the shadows Dire Wolf Pinko launched his lupine bulk against Thog knocking her prone. Between his teeth and Smacky's axe she soon joined her fallen mate. The room was theirs for now.
A series of narrow tunnels with low ceilings to the east of the main cave beckoned to be investigated. It quickly became apparent that at least a dozen goblins called this area home. It was equally obvious that these were no fighters as they cowered or fled when approached. On inspection they seemed to be the weak, infirm and childlike members of the clan who were unable to raid or defend themselves. Seeps herded as many of them as she could into the far end of the complex, a room full of the bones and detritus most likely of and from the clan’s victims. Judging by freshest deposits it was highly likely several recently departed members of the Nightstone community had found their final rest here. Smiling playfully while cracking her neck and knuckles, Cockseepage decided now would be a perfect opportunity to practise a new spell for the first time. Making a theatrical display of the required gesticulations, she unleashed a near cave in inducing Shatter blast directly in the middle of the terrified goblin commoners. The effect was that of turning on a high-speed blender full of spinach and intestines without the cap on as goblin bits coated the walls and triumphant Warlock in a shower of putrid green entrails. “Was that completely necessary?” questioned Pinko who guessing what was coming had ducked around a pillar to avoid the fallout. Smacky, who had not been as quick-witted and copped the full spray, turned to Seeps as an unidentifiable goblin organ fragment slipping down his cheek. “Dat. Waz. AWESOMES! Do it agains! Do it agains!” He was very upset when oddly enough it seemed none of the other goblins nearby had decided to wait around for round two.
With nothing of worth or note amongst the meagre possessions of the common goblin folk Pinko lead the way back out into the main cavern. Working clockwise around the room the next passaged promised the taste of fresher air and even a tiny amount of natural light. Staring straight up Pinks discerned there must be a natural chimney above them, providing much needed air circulation for the stuffy complex. From the shadows below the chimney a wretched creature emerged hands raised in a supplicating gesture. It identified itself as Snigbat who was quick to offer up some information on Boss Hark and the Nightstone Villages. “Boss Hark nasty.” She began. “Keeps filthy rats around insteads of eatings them. Won’t send Snigbat to have fun in town, tells only guard stupid roof hole.” She goes on to offer a deal that if the party would dispose of Boss Hark and give her control of the Clan, she’d let them take the surviving villagers back to Nightstone unharmed. When Smacky picked her up by the neck to enquire why they needed her assistance in this matter, she indicated she knew where the Boss hid his secret hoard, and they’d not find it without her.
Hark’s chambers were not far. While not usually her forte, Seeps crept forward with Smacky while Pinko guarded Snigbat. In the torchlight of the Boss’ chamber lay the corpse of a villager. Every so often a giant rat would dart from the shadows, tear off a chunk of flesh and skitter away to cheers and laughter from who could only be the Goblin leader and two of his bodyguards. Hark wore a ridiculously oversized winged helmet that kept slipping down every time he moved. The spectacle was interrupted when for the second time today an earth-shaking Shatter erupted over the corpse sending rats flying and knocking Hark back in his scrap wood ‘throne’. The battle was brief as a raging Smacky bounded forward and Pinko unleashed his Primal Savagery eviscerating the remaining rodents. With Snigbat gleefully dancing in the background, his bodyguards and pets slain, Hark called for mercy. Seepage removed his ear, added it to her talisman necklace along with the eyelids and tied him in a sack.
In an alcove beside the chamber, at Snigbat’s direction Smacky inspected a large boulder and found he could roll it aside. Crawling into a small void, he located a battered old chest that contained what constituted Hark’s horde. Some trinkets of questionable value, a small amount of hard currency and an earthy looking vial of liquid Seeps identified as a Potion of Climbing. On the other side of the chamber was a crude cage. Huddled in the corner was a young woman, still shaking, head buried in her hands. When Pinko released the catch, it took her a moment to register she was not about to be eaten. Daphne was the handmaiden of Lady Velrosa Nadar. Over 30 villagers had entered the caves, but several before her had already been pulled from the pit on the eastern side of the caves where they were being held. Seeps comforted her in a way that would have been called compassionate by anyone who didn’t know her. Pinko kept his eye on things.
Daphne followed them nervously back out to the main cavern, Smacky dragging the squirming sack of goblin Hark behind him, Snigbat kicking the bag periodically and giggling every time a rocky bump caused the contents to swear. A gapping fissure blocked the way North but as they peered down into the inky darkness a friendly voice unexpectedly greeted them from the far side. “G’day fellas and lasses, fancy spotting youse all ‘ere.” Blowinbogan lit a torch and bowed. “I see you have also found where these pests have holed up. Mum had the same idea it may be these caves and sent me in for a looky-loo.” Smacky went to attempt to jump the wide chasm, but Blowy held up a hand in warning, then dropped the torch. It floated down into the depths hitting nothing before the light was lost to a quiet ‘splash’ an inordinate amount of time later. “Wouldn’t try that my friend! It’s a fair drop, plus it’s wa….” He was interrupted as a brilliant green light followed by a shrill scream filled the cavern long enough for Cockseepage to be silhouetted standing at the edge having just flung the sack-of-Hark halfway across the divide. Halfway, as at the height of its arc the bag struck an invisible wall that flared the eery bright light and elicited the scream as the ex-goblin leader plummeted after the torch. “Warded”. Finished Blowy. Seeps just shrugged. Snigbat danced a happy dance. Spotting the goblin, Blowinbogan drew bow and arrow in a single fluid motion and let fly. The shaft crackled briefly through the Ward before piercing Snigbat between the eyes. She collapsed; face still locked in a grin. “Righteo! Now that’s sorted I need to find a way around. Mum’s thrown this one-way wall up to stop the blighters heading into the forest. I take it that sack contained something important?” Pinko explained the goblins have been all but defeated, they were just looking for the surviving villagers. “Hmmm, it that case I believe I owe you something.” He fished in a small pouch and tossed a parcel through the shimmering wall once more. Inside were three tokens in the shape of a tree sprig with a tiny emerald on the end. “Welcome to the Emerald Enclave. Your help protecting our forest is much appreciated. When you have time, come visit the Ardeep and I’ll explain more. We don’t often allow visitors, but you’ve done us a service today. I’ll sweep the caves and clean up any stragglers, you get those townsfolk out of here. We have no love for them but wish them no harm either.
Blowy disappeared back up the unreachable passage. The group edged around the walls until another passage was found. Daphne began to whisper, “Remain silent or you’ll wake them.” “Wake who?!” said Smacky dropping his voice conspiratorially. “The bats!” she hissed. “Smacky hates bats. Too small to squish.” Piles of festering guano lining the corridor gave credence to Daphne’s warning. In a wide pit, clustered in small groups, the party located the survivors from Nightstone. A dark void in the middle of the depression was being avoided by the refugees and the stench of bat coupled with the sound of rustling wings wafted from below. Spotting the young handmaiden with the adventurers a middle-aged dwarf still dressed in a publican’s apron came forward. In lieu of anyone in a position of leadership Morak the Inn Keeper presented himself as spokesdwarf for the survivors. All told including children and Daphne thirty-one folks were still alive. Darthag Ulgar, the proprietor of the Lionshield Coster trading post had been dragged off just a few hours before. Morak must have assumed Lady Nandar had sent the group as he was somewhat befuddled when Pinko started negotiations as to the reward for their safe return to town. As Innkeeper, he assured them his best room would be theirs as long as they needed it and all the beer they could drink. Smacky’s joyous reaction at hearing this boomed and echoed through the cave. Instantly a vibration and hum could be felt underfoot. “Smacky!” chastised Pinks in a low hiss as the Half-orc clasped both hands over his mouth far too late. “RUN!” yelled the druid as thousands of tiny bats erupted from the lower cavern filling the air, biting and scratching anything they encountered. One of the Nightstone ex-guards stalled, swatting futilely at the rats with wings. As the smell of his blood filled the air hundreds of the tiny haemophiles flocked his way covering him in a blanket of fur, wings and teeth. The screams emitted from his collapsing form were muffled as the rest of the group pressed forward. Morak looked panicked as they entered the main room scanning the archer mounts but Pinko assured him their captors had been dealt with.
“Thank you Master Elf. Will you be returning with us to town? I am sure the guards will need the assistance while we rebuild, and Lady Nadar will reward you for your bravery.” Pinko started “Yeah, about that… umm, we’re going to just check the cave again, make sure there are no nasty little goblins left. You lead these weary folks home, we’ll swing by soon…” Smacky waved them all a big goodbye while Seeps stared disappointedly at the departing figure of Daphne and her pretty, pretty face.
True-ish to their word, before leaving the party explored the last unchecked corners of the Dripping Caves and eventually found its namesake. While the whole interior had a moist and slimy quality dew to the slow permeation of rain on the hills above, this chamber was filled with the torrent of a small waterfall. Drinking their fill of the surprisingly clean water, Smacky decided to munch down on a few of the glowing green mushrooms growing on the pool's edge. He instantly regretted it. The room started spinning, even his remarkably iron stomach felt like he’d soon chunder, and worse, what looked like thick black tar was slowly flowing the wrong way up the wall and along the ceiling of the passage they’d just walked down… the only exit to this chamber. The Black Pudding sensing it had been detected landed heavily on the floor with a plopping splat right in the entranceway.
Smacky strode up to the pile of goo and despite the churning in his guts cleaved the thing clear in half with one brutal blow. Turning to his colleagues triumphant who had not seen the ooze approach they took a moment to process the scene. Smacky was standing there waving his great axe enthusiastically in the air as the heavy metal blade head hissed, dripped, and eventually melted clean off the handle. As he felt the sizzling drips hit his shoulders, both halves of the black gunk rose up extending club-like pseudopods and started pummelling the half-orc. Flashing into Brown Bear form once more Pinko slashed at one of the ooze halves, filling the room with the smell of disintegrating fur as the acid splashing from the porous foe covered him. Once again, the jelly-like creature split and suddenly there were three opponents to face. Seeps was forced back towards the waterfall having used all her major spells but still didn’t regret Shattering the defenceless goblinoid families. With no recourse but to fight on, first weapon-less Smacky was overwhelmed by the acrid fumes and then Pinko was knocked out of Bear form. Chunks of pudding were being boiled away by Seepage’s Eldritch Blasts but not fast enough. Though they had worn down the enemy the party was running out of options and stamina. The mindless amorphic goo refused to quit and every blow they delivered hurt them almost as much as they hurt it.
For the second time in as many hours, the welcome sound of Blowinbogan’s otherwise highly annoying nasal drawl broke the air accompanied by the singing of his bow. He issued his Hunter’s Mark on the larger of the remaining blobs and with his aid the pudding was soon a puddle slowly eating away the stone floor. “Lucky for you guys I found another way in. That was a sticky situation. Hahahaha! I kill me.” Raising the unconscious Smacky with a Cure Wounds incantation he continued, “I saw the townsfolk heading South and that you weren’t with them so poked my head back in. That makes us even for wolves the other day. The offer to visit Ardeep still stands if the winds blow you my way. Ha! I’m full of them.” As had become a habit they did another double-take as Blowy took his leave and disappeared. The party rested and recovered by the pool, washing off the remains of the burning black acid. They made camp there that night before making the sorry trudge back to Nightstone the following morning.
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