Session 2 Recap

Having located the goblinoid lair and cleared the entrance, the heroes were faced with three crypt doors, each labeled with Rivenroar family names.

The group first entered the Von Jallach crypt to the right. Stairs descended to catacombs with glowing glyphs on the floor. Kartenix was found here, dead. His attackers soon revealed themselves. The group was hesitant to explore this crypt, or even clear the undead in the first room. Curiosity prevailed though once they put the dead to rest. A door was found with light and dripping sounds coming from beyond. Within was a gruesome sight; a statue and fountain flowing with blood. The ghouls in this room proved more troublesome with their paralyzing touch and vicious biting. Victory proved sweet though when the statue was found to be wearing magical armor (+1 Scale of the Veteran). Toradin cleaned it up quickly and insisted on donning it before moving on.

Having fought over a dozen goblins and undead, the heroes settled down for a well deserved rest. The party would make use of this room for resting over the next few days. The goblins avoided this crypt because of the undead.

When they emerged the next morning, they got the drop on new guards in the entry room. The element of surprise evened the odds quickly, and the goblins were dispatched without alarm again.

The Von Adrez-Kauthin crypt was next (the center door). Stairs descended even further into the earth this time. The first room was full of debris and rats. The old crone, Zerriksa, was found here trying to fend off the rats. Several jars of ammonia were keeping most of the pest at bay, but it had nearly evaporated. The vermin were exterminated and the crone rescued. She was anxious to return to town and turned out to be grouchy and mean when she didn’t get her way. Sobbing was heard from the next room. Upon investigation, a man was found crying within and a pedestal dominated the center of the room with three magical spheres. The man transformed into a demon when approached. He took more beating than he dished out and died with little trouble. Those men who had entered the room found themselves trapped there by the three spheres. Together they blocked approach to the pedestal, blocked egress from the room, and held some influence over Rathos, who had landed the killing blow on the demon. Without the demon, the heroes had all the time in the world to figure out the trap and disarmed it by destroying two of the orbs. The third proved to retain some magic (+1 Orb of Judicious Conjuration), which Thom took an interest in.

Writing on the crypt walls divulged a good deal of family history. Three brothers were heirs to the Rivenroar family estates centuries ago. These three became the heads of 3 lineages (3 crypts). Two of these lines were necromancers and the third demonologists. The lot of them were evil.

The third and final door led to the Von Urstadt crypt. Finally, the goblins were discovered. A bunch of the vile little creatures were dispatched, along with their guard drakes (draconic dogs), but the alarm was sounded. The heroes retreated a bit, but were not pursued. A side door lead to a beautiful, magical mural room. Rivenroar family members smiled and waved at the visitors. Then four stepped out and attacked. The specters proved very dangerous with their psychic screams and walking through walls. The fight could have gone either way, but luck was on the adventurers’ side. The last visitor didn’t fare so well, but his backpack survived. Within were gold, a potion and a wand (+1 Flame Wand; Rathos).

The crone has been tagging along, pestering and complaining all the while. She’s an ill-tempered, bitter old lady who expresses a derogatory opinion on everything. Toradin’s repost kept her in check, but she’s been a constant thorn. As the day wore on, her spunk waned. She’s not looking too well. Perhaps her time in the trash/rat room made her physically ill too.

Thus far, the goblins haven’t been much of a threat, but they are bound to group in-mass and emerge soon. Will the adventurers be prepared? And where are the other 5 hostages?