Wardens of Heroes Gate

Tresendar Manor

] After an encounter with a large group of Redbrands in the center of town, the four of you, along with Dayni and L’Khifrey, are making your way up the slope which leads to Tresendar Manor on the East side of Phandalin. You discovered that Sister Garaelle along with several other villagers, had been captured and taken to the cellars of the manor and are currently locked in cages in the crypt room on the North-Eastern side of the underground complex. You also learned that the Redbrands were being led by a powerful wizard who calls himself Glasstaff.

] Before you left the town center, Qelline Alderleaf had come running with a medical kit to aid anyone who was hurt – Redbrands included. When she learned you were going up against the rest of the Redbrands, she gave you a leather wrap with 5 healing potions within (4d4 +4) worth at least a 100 gp each. When you offered to pay she refused – asking only that you show mercy as much as possible… She knew that the Redbrands had to be disbanded, and that violence was unaviodable, but asked that you spare what lives you could.

] You are currently walking around the lower South side of the Tresendar Manor, following the rock face where Carp said he saw the “red bullies” enter a secret tunnel, although you notice it is not very ‘secret’… there is a well-worn path leading right up to a narrow crevasse in the short cliff. As you approach, you notice a mackerel tabby cat hanging around outside the tunnel entrance. It crouches in some tall grass and eyes you suspiciously before turning and pouncing on something  close-by – presumably lunch.

] Standing immediately outside the tunnel entrance, you feel the cool air within. There is a slight stench – as that of rotting meat. The tunnel appears dark and quiet.

Ileel] “If we want to enter by stealth, allow me to lead.” I use Dark Mantle to shroud myself in darkness and step into the tunnel.

] Dayni “Wow nice trick… You will have to teach me that one…” she follows right behind you

Leely] “Scout ahead Ileel. We will wait here.”

] The tunnel slopes downward into the hillside and opens up to large natural cavern. You hear voices ahead but cannot yet make out any words. The air within is chilled and hangs with the smell of decaying flesh. A crevasse, ranging 5-10 feet wide and 20 feet  deep divides the cavern. Two arched wooden bridges span the chasm. Across the crevasse to your right, a 5-foot wide corrider leads to the East side of the cellars. On your left is a smaller, narrower corridor leading West.

Ileel] I whisper to Dayni. “I hear voices ahead… Go back and tell them to hold a minute longer.”

] From the far end of the cavern, you see three Redbrands, one of which is much larger and taller, likely a Half-orc from what you can tell. They are laughing loudly as they drag an old man to the edge of the crevasse on the North side. You watch as they throw the old man down in. More laughter, almost drunken in their behavior. At first you loud moaning from down in the pit of the crevasse but it turns quickly to a horried scream. Seconds later the old man is silent and you hear the faint sound of teeth ripping flesh from bones. The three Redbrands disappear with a stumle back through a wide doorway far side of the cavern, across from the crevasse.

Ileel] I go back and tell the others what I saw and heard.

Leely] “That is just horrible! We have to stop them and now!”

Roonoo] “Enough waiting and hiding, time for battle!” I strip off my torn robes and leave them outside the tunnel entrance

Deynn] “Agreed. If these ruffians want to be red, let’s make em bright red.”

] As you all enter the cavern, you do not see any Redbrands. Several of you hear a voice saying “Fresh tasties! Yum yum.”. It sounds like it is being whispered in your ear

] Khi-khi spins around, startled “What was that?”

Deynn] “I heard it too, something about fresh tasties.”

] Khi-khi “No… I mean yes.. But it said ‘I hope you are more tasty than your father’. Could the old man you saw have been…” she trembles visibly in the dark. “No, it is a trick. My father lives… I feel it.”

Ileel] “The thing with teeth is down in that crevasse… let none of us fall in.”

Deynn] “We want to get to the other side… but dare we trust these bridges?”

Ileel] “I can easily jump across right here. Let me take a look.” I run and jump across right beside where the closest bridge is.

] The 5-foot expanse is a simple leap with a running start.

Ileel] I look to see if there are any traps on the bridge [Investigation Check]

(1d20) Investigation 13 +5 = 18 [Success]

] You see a mechanism that appears to trigger a full collapse of the bridge if weight is placed on it

Ileel] “Don’t cross!” I whisper “It is trapped. Just jump across – it is not difficult.” I ready an arrow and watch the pit for monsters

Roonoo] “Here goes.” I run and jump

] You clear the crevasse with a foot to spare.

Deynn] “You go next Khi-khi. Here – let me hold your bag, I will throw it to you.”

[()]

] L’Khifrey runs and leaps across. It is close but Roonoo is able to grab her arm and help her. She also successfully catches her bag when you throw it. Just as Dayni is stepping back to get a running start, you hear a cackling whisper in your head. “They come to feed me tasties.”   There are footsteps in the narrow corridor on the West side of the cavern and 4 Redbrands emerge.

Leely] Hearing the attackers behind me and realizing some light might be helpful, I draw my sword and use Light Mantle and brighten up the dank cavern. “There… still smells bad… but I feel better about the place already.”

Ileel] I loose a ready arrow at the lead Redbrand (Rb01)

(2d20a Attack 19 +7 = 26 [Hit] Dmg 7 +5 = 12

] The Redbrand staggers as an arrow seems to come out of nowhere and strike him in [()] his sword arm (disadvange on attacks)

Roonoo] “You all couldn’t have come out from this side eh?” I use my movement and action to jump back across the crevasse.

] You make the leap succesfully again. Khi-khi casts Magic Missile on one of the incoming attackers (Rb03)

Leely]  I charge, out of habit, the same fellow Ileel just marked.

(1d20) Attack 9 +7 = 16 [Hit] Dmg 4 +5 = 9

(1d20) Kick 18 +6 = 24 [Hit] Dmg 2 +4 = 6

] Dayni fiercely brings her blades to another attacker (Rb04) [()]

Ileel] I target the last of the 4 (Rb02) and attack

(2d20a) Attack 14 +7 = 21 [Hit] Dmg 8 +5 = 13

Deynn] I help Dayni and flank the Redbrand she just engaged

(2d20a) Attack 13 +6 = 19 [Hit] Dmg 3 +6 = 9

(2d20a) Attack 16 +6 = 22 [Hit] Dmg 4 +6 = 10

] You bring fists of iron to the skull of the Redbrand, dropping him to the ground but still barely breathing.

Deynn] “Stay down and you will live!” I say to him

] A Redbrand (Rb03) attacks Dayni [()] successfully. The fallen fellow heeds Deynn and stays down. Another (Rb01) has an arrow in his sword arm… He looks around at the odds and retreats into the corridor [Opportunity attack for Leely]

Leely] “Where are you going?” I leap and try to jam an elbow into the back of his head as he runs

(1d20) Unarmed 12 +6 = 18 [Hit] Dmg 1 +4 = 5

] You successfully stop the Redbrands retreat with a solid blow. He falls face-forward and slams into the rock wall of the cavern. The second Redbrand (Rb02) also realizes the outcome and yells into the cavern loudly… “We need reinforcements! Intruders!” then he strikes at [()] Deynn and does 5 dmg.

Roonoo] I see Deynn take a hit and step into to flank

(2d20a) Attack 20 [Crit] Dmg 6 +8 +7 = 21

] Your Blackthorn swings and does critical damage to the ribcage of the Redbrand. Broken rib bones rattle through his insides and we spews blood and falls.

Roonoo] I use my staff to catapult me towards the remaining Redbrand (Rb03) and attack with a kick

(1d20) Kick 10 +6 = 16 [Hit] Dmg 2 +4 = 6

] Khi-khi readys another spell to release if any more Redbrands enter the cavern.

Leely] “You stand alone little boy. Drop your blade and we will let you return to your mother’s boob.” I ready an attack should he not drop his sword in 3 seconds. “3… 2…”

] The Redbrand looks suddenly panic’d. He does indeed drop his sword and runs out through the tunnel. As he does, you hear the hiss and shriek of a cat.

Deynn] “Be ready for more of them.”

] At your feet, two of the Redbrands lie quite apparently dead. A third still moves but barely.

Leely] “I have an idea about the monster. We draw it out with these two corpses… then we ensure we need not fear falling prey to it ourselves.”

] Even as you are speaking the words, a cackle sounds as if right behind your ear. “Tricksy little girly. More clever than she looks.”

Leely] “Nevermind… it heard me… but I think it is afraid of us. We should get to Sister Garaelle.” I run and jump across the crevasse.

] Everyone makes it across successfully.

Roonoo] I use my staff to pry the trapped bridge and collapse it into the pit below. “There… trap averted.”

Ileel] “I say we follow where I saw the Redbrands return after killing that poor old man. It seems likely that he was in the same cage as Garaelle. This way… keep an eye for whatever lives in the hole down there.”

] You (Ileel) hear a whisper. “I can’t see you tasty… why can’t I see you?”

Ileel] “Because I plan on killing you!” I yell a little too loudly. “Oh… sorry… that thing is in my head.”

] Dayni says “Mine too. I wish it would stop calling me ‘tasty'”

Roonoo] “It calls me the same… but I doubt it would think me tasty face-to-face.”

] You walk along the East side of the crevasse, watching for whatever it is down in the hole. There is a wide opening into what appears to be a storage room. It has been, long ago, finished with dressed stone block walls and a flagstone floor. Several barrels and crates are stored along the walls here. Some contain tools – hammers & nails, pry bars, pick axes. There is also a bale of straw. You see also a stack of beaver pelts and some basic provisions. There is an open doorway on the far right side which leads into a short corridor.

Ileel] “They went this way. Shall I scout ahead again?” I whisper. I assume the answer and enter the corridor – arrow notched.

] There is a door on the East corner of the corridor, which extends South to another door.

Ileel] I test the East door, quietly, to see if it is locked

] It is locked.

Ileel] I walk down the corridor and test the South door.

] It is unlocked.

Ileel] I listen at the door before actualy opening it.

] You hear nothing.

Ileel] I open the South door, slowly, quietly.

] Beyond the South door is a large crypt. There are three large stone sarcophagi covered in dust. False columns along the walls are carved with the images of spreading oak trees. There are two other exits from the crypt. A single door on the East wall near you and double doors on the far side of the East wall – sheathed in tarnished copper plate.

Ileel] I go back and lead the others into the crypt.

] You all notice the cackly voice seems to have been silenced once beyond the cavern. As you all enter into the crypt room, you hear loud, obnoxious laughter coming from the door on the North side of the East wall. There are slurred words, something about a donkey… or a dragon… or a donkey and a dragon… and a cask of wine. You can make out 3 distinct voices

Ileel] I whisper “That sounds like the half-orc I saw.”

Deynn] “They sound drunk… ”

Roonoo] “I wonder how drunk? Maybe we can play a little game?”

Ileel] “I love it… and I think I know just the game… lets back up.” I whisper… “but not so far the crevasse monster can hear us.” We go back into the corridor. “Here is my idea… I will hide two of you in the cavern behind my mantle. We have to go into the cavern hidden else the beast below see us and alert the others. Leely will barge into the room, feign a big mistake and run away… back to the cavern. When the Redbrands follow her, she will hide behind my mantle and we will push them into the crevasse…. Deynn – you get the big guy eh? Lets just hope there are only 3 of them.”

Leely] “Let’s do it!”

Deynn] “Brilliant notion… if they are drunk enough, it is probably fool-proof. I’m in. Dayni, Khiki… you hide behind the crypts while we draw them out. If things go badly, you will probably hear it.”

Leely] “I will give you three a moment to get set up in the cavern.” I go back into the crypt room and, after waiting, I barge into the room with the laughter.

] You see a small table with dice and drinks on it. Around the table are three Redbrands – two of which are young human males and the third an oversized Half-Orc. On either side of them there are cages with people in them but you don’t have time to look.

Leely] I feign a surprised look “Oh muck-bucket! Son of a Sea Hag!” and I turn and run back towards the cavern.

[()]

] All three of the Redbrands leap to their feet and chase after you.

Leely] I duck behind Ileel as soon as I enter.

] You hear the now familiar crackle behind your ears… “Back for more little tasty?”. Just a second later all three come running into the cavern.

Deynn] I shove the Half-Orc into the crevasse

(2d20a) Shove 19 +4 = 23 vs (2d20d) 12 +6 = 18 [Success]

Roonoo] I shove the Redbrand closest to me (Rb01)

(2d20a) Shove 10 +0 = 10 vs (2d20d) 1 +4 = 5 [Success]

Ileel] I shove the other (Rb02)

(2d20a) Shove 7 +0 = 7 vs (2d20d) 4 +4 = 8 [Fail]

] You successfully push the Half-orc and one of the humans into the crevasse. The third manages to resist Ileels shove and turns to see Deynn and Roonoo. He yells something and swings at [()] Roonoo – wildly… he misses entirely.

Deynn] I attempt to grapple the fellow

(2d20a) Grapple 11 +4 = 15  vs (2d20d) 7 +4 = 11 [Success]

] The Redbrand is restrained. The sounds of a terrifying struggle between the crevasse monster and the two fallen Redbrands is disturbing to you all.

Roonoo] I disarm the ruffian. “Should we throw you down with your friends? Or do you want to run home and never wear red again?”

[()]

] The drunken Redbrand begins blathering… “home… home… never red…”

Leely] I reach behind his ear and jab a fingernail into his skin. “I’ve just marked you with magic. Come anywhere near Phandalin again and we will know.” [Deception]

(1d20) Deception 17 +3 = 20 vs 9 +2 = 11 [Success]

] “Yes… of course… never again… promise…” he barely staggers breathlessly as you all hear the screams from below echoing thru the cavern.

Deynn] I let him go. “Run! Run like you don’t want to die!”

] The Redbrand does exactly that – he runs across the bridge and towards the tunnel entrance. He even yanks the red cloak off and drops it. There are more sounds of struggle in the crevasse below. Looking down you can see one bloody corpse in a Red cloak but the struggle appears to now be further underground in a cave.

Ileel] “The Half-Orc just might win… who knows. Let’s not count him out eh?”

Roonoo] “Right! Back to the crypt…”

] When you return to the crypt room and enter into the slave pens, Dayni has already picked one cage door open and is working on the other. In the open case there is a human woman and two children. In the other, there are two young human men and a female dwarf.

Leely] “Are you Sister Garaelle?” I say to the human woman

] Mirna “No, I am Mirna Dendrar and these are my children. Thank you so much for saving us! I don’t know how I could ever reward you!”

Leely] “Where is Sister Garaelle?”

] Mirna “She was here with us until just an hour ago but they took her away, and they took Narth just a few minutes ago.”

Ileel] “Narth was an older man?”

] Mirna “Yes. There were others too, strangers to us. I don’t know what they do with them, what they were going to do with us. They never come back… except for Sister Garaelle.. They have taken her away several times and brought her back hours later. Poor thing looks like a wrung-rag when they do.”

Deynn] “There is hope she is alive then. You three, do you know the way out of here? Can you get Mirna and her children to safety?”

] Llowytt “Yes. They brought us in through a tunnel on the south side. I can get us all out. I am Llowytt Corlinn and my companions are Audwin and Torbera. We are grateful for the release as well. ”

Roonoo] “Well met. Let us save formalties for the tavern. We have a Priestess to save and a Wizard to kill.”

Torbera] “About the Priestess… I don’t know where you might find her… but one of the bandits… one they call ‘Kid’, seemed… how to say it… he seemed taken with her. You should know, he is a big fellow… I don’t know how you dealt with Tokorn so quickly, but this Kid looks to be a professional killer… not like most of the bandits who are mostly just children with rusty swords.”

Deynn] “Thank you for the heads up. We will approch him with caution.”

Torbera] “They stripped us of everything… my feather amulet… a spellcasting foci, was taken from me. I could help if I had it back.”

Roonoo] “Our intent is to clear this place of all the dretch-holes… you can safely return for your things later – assuming of course…”

Leely] “I will keep a lookout for your gear. We must go now. Get these to safety – we will meet you in town shortly.”

Deynn] I exit the cell room back into the crypt. “I say we start here with the double doors. It likely wraps around to where we first entered.” I quietly open the brass-covered door.

] You see a long corridor. Thick dust covers the flagstones of thie somber hallway. The walls are decorated with faux columns ever ten feet. About ten feet into the corridor there is an open pit in the floor about 10 feet across. The pit is about 15 deep. You see debris at the bottom, and it reaks like a privy. A rope hangs from a makeshift swing – a long crowbar shoved in between bricks. If you test the strength of it, it seems to reasonably hold your weight.

Roonoo] “Ahck! What foul air! Looks like we found their shitter. I really don’t want to fall in there.”

Result Table (Athletics )

Deynn] 9 + 4 = 13

Roonoo] 11 +0 = 11

Leely] 5 +0 = 5

Ileel] 18 +0

] You all manage to cross the stink hole safely. At the end of the corridor, another 15 feet to the East, you see an exit on the South wall.

Ileel] I scout ahead again – through the door at the end of the hall. I signal the others to hold back.

] The door enters a large cellar area. A short flight of stairs on the left lead up to small landing another door on the East wall and a short flight of stairs on your right lead down to a large area with crates of supplies. There is a large (10×15 ft) cistern on the West side of the room, full of water. You can hear a slow trickle as some unseen source of empties into the cistern. Beside the cistern there is a closed door. You do not see any other exits from the room.

Ileel] I go down and check the closed door – very quietly.

] The door is locked. [()] You think you hear movement behind it.

Ileel] I sneak back to the others. “This looks to be the original cellar area of the manor. There is a locked room with someone inside it, I think… could have been rats I heard. Lets confirm what is there.” I look to Dayni. “Got your lockpicks handy?” We all enter the cellar area – quietly.

] As Dayni begins working on the lock you hear a female voice “Hello? Who’s there?”

Leely] “Sister Garaelle? Is that you?”

] Garaelle “Yes. I am Garaelle. You do not sound like a Redbrand.”

[()]

] Dayni cusses to herself as she fumbles the picks and the clatter lightly on the ground. Above you there is the sound of several sets of boots on a wooden floor. They are heading across the cellar ceiling towards the landing on the East side of the room.

] Garaelle “He is back! Oh please hurry!”

Deynn] “Ready yourselves.” I find cover behind some barrels

Ileel] I go to the South West side of the room and hide in the shadows of the back corner. I notch my bow.

Leely] I stop my Light Mantle and draw my sword

Roonoo] I duck under the landing thinking maybe I can stay hidden long enough to trip them coming down the stairs [Stealth Check]

(1d20) Stealth 12 +4 = 16 [Success]

] You make it to a hidden spot under the landing before the door opens. Dayni has also found a dark corner and seems to have disappeared. Khi-khi stands behind Deynn, readying a spell.

] The door opens and on the landing walks a large human – nearly 7 foot tall and wide as a brick wall. Behind him are two other Redbrands – young human boys like the others you have seen.

Ileel] I release with a necro charge – targeting the big guy

(2d20a) Attack 19 +7 [Hit] Dmg 8 +7 = 15 +7necrotic = 22

] The big fellow yips in surprise as your arrow sinks through his armor and burns his flesh with death energy. He grabs one of the other Redbrands and holds him like a shield and starts running down the stairs on his right towards the door to the crypts.

Roonoo] I attempt to trip him with my Blackthorn as he is going down the stairs. [Ath vs Dex]

(2d20a) Athletics 20 vs Dex Save 7 +1 = 8 [Success]

] The large human falls head-forward down the remaining steps and pulling the Redbrand (Rb01) down with him. Both lie prone on the lower landing near the door to the crypts.

Roonoo] I use my movement to circle around – up the stairs on the South side to block the other Redbrand from coming down

Deynn] I close in to attack the prone big guy

(2d20a) Attack 12 +6 = 18 [Hit] Dmg 3 +6 = 9

(2d20a) Attack 20 +6 = 26 [Crit] Dmg 3 +4 +6 = 13 +9 = 22

] You kick Kid Kaito upside the head with your barefeet, rattling his brains inside his skull.

Ileel] I fire on the Redbrand still by the door

(2d20a) Attack 5 +7 = 12 [Miss]

] Dayni is suddenly on top of Kid Kaito and about to plunge her daggers into him [()] She screams wildly as she stabs into the beast of man. Blood sprays from the violence. Meanwhile Khikhi has positioned herself by the door which holds Garaelle. “We will have you out in a minute friend. Fear not.”

Leely] I turn Light Mantle back on – full strength. I point my sword at the standing Redbrand. “If you are not ready to die, I suggest you run! Run all the way to Sea of Swords and then start swimming!” [Persuasion Check]

(1d20) Persuasion 17 +5 = 22 [Success]

] The young human looks around, sees Kid Kaito nearly defeated and little hope of prevailing alone. He drops his sword and runs back out the door on the East wall.

] Kid Kaito releases an angry growl and erupts to his feet, flinging Dayni off. His rage bolsters his constitution. He attacks Deynn [()] and does 10 dmg with single blow of his hammer. He grabs the other Redbrand (Rb01) to his feet and yells “Go hit that girl!” and shoves him towards Dayni. He panics and lurches with blade [()] but misses.

Roonoo] I attack from behind the Redbrand going after Dayni

(2d20a) Attack 12 +7 = 19 [Hit] Dmg 3 +7 = 10

(2d20a) Kick 19 +7 = 26 [Hit] Dmg 4 +6 = 10

Deynn] I attempt to return some pain

(1d20) Attack 11 +6 = 17 [Hit] Dmg 1 +6 = 7

(1d20) Attack 7 +6 = 13 [Miss]

Ileel] I target the backside of the big guy from the shadows

(2d20a) Attack 18 +7 = 25 [Hit] Dmg 6 +5 = 11

] Your arrow slides in between the shoulder blades of Kid Kaito, spliting his spinal cord. His hulking body goes immediately limp and he falls down and over the landing to the cellar floor.

Leely] I step towards the remaining Redbrand. “We will give you the same choices boy… die horribly or run until you reach the other side of the world!”

] The boy throws his sword and raises both hands “I choose run! Please let me live?!”

Roonoo] I guide the boy to the door with my Blackthorn “Off with ye you scrotelick.”

Deynn] “Everyone okay?” I kick the corpse of Kid Kaito – hard.  “Mighty wallop this guy had… nice shot from the shadows Ileel!”

Leely] I run to the door “Sister Garaelle? We are gonna to get you out of there, hang on.”

] Dayni is digging through the pockets of the large dead Redbrand. “Be… right…. there…. Aha!” She holds a key. “I figured he had it on him.” As she walks over to the door she tosses a Deynn a large coin pouch. “That might be helpful too.”

Deynn] I catch the coin pouch and look inside.

] You see mostly gold and platinum coins – you estimate nearly 400gp.

Deynn] “Probably extortion money from Redbrand victims… Khi-khi. Could I ask you to take this to Sildar? See if it can be returned to the village?”

] She agrees. Meanwhile Dayni has opened the door with the key found on Kid Kaito. Garaelle steps out and looks at all of  you.

]Dayni gives her a big hug. “I’m so glad you are okay!”

] Garaelle says “Mirna! And her children… Nasher! We must free them! This way…”

Deynn] “They are already on their way home Sister.”

] Dayni looks saddened “Except for Nasher, I did not see him in the cages. I am afraid the Redbrands likley killed him.”

Roonoo] “We are going to do our best to make sure they don’t kill anyone again. What can you tell us of this wizard Glasstaff that leads them?”

] Garaelle “Not much. As far as I know, I’ve never seen him. I overheard one of them say he has become deranged in these last few days. Everyone was avoiding him. And… I know his quarters are somewhere on the far Northern side of the cellars – past the Nothic.”

Leely] “Nothic?”

] Garaelle “A horrible, otherworldly creature. It can speak right into your head and has nothing good to say.”

Ileel] “Ah… yes… we had the unpleasant experience.”

] Garaelle looks at Dayni and then others “You have been injured. If only I had not lost my glyph, I would strengthen you before you go to meet Glasstaff.”

] Dayni “Oh! Yeah! I believe you refer to this necklace?” She pulls the stone from around her neck and hands it to Garaelle. “Roonoo here found it while we were crossing the Darkwood Hill.”

] Garaelle expresses her delight and gratitude and then she holds the stone to her chest and begins a whispering prayer. Each recv 4d4 +4 healing and 1 Inspiration.

Ileel] “Our thanks Garaelle.  My sister and I came to find you when you did not meet us at Conyberry.”

] Garaelle “Oh? Are you with Adalissi? Is she here?”

Leely] “She was called away to Triboar but will return when she can. She told us to find you protect you while you finish the task at Conyberry. We have the item she was brining to you.”

] Garaelle “I see. Well yes of course – that remains a priority for me as well.”

Ileel] “You look like you need rest. We will help finish the task at hand first. Then at first light we will make our way to Conyberry.”

] Garaelle says she will remain with you to help if she can – to finish this ugly Redbrand menace. As you enter back into the cavern, the mackerel tabby cat you noticed outside is now standing on the bridge over the crevasse, looking down into the black pit, its tail tall in a slow wag. It turns as looks at you and releases a soft meow and then wanders over the West side of the cavern and into a corridor directly across from the bridge.

Leely] “I think it wants us to follow it?”

] The corridor turns North then West where there is a dark flight of stairs leading down. The cat has already disappeared down to the lower level.

Deynn] I whisper “Quietly now…” we head downstairs. [Stealth Check]

Result Table

Deynn] 15

Roonoo] 23

Ileel] 13

Leely] 15

] Dayni 22

] Khi-khi 14

] Garaelle 4

] As you nearing the bottom of the stairs, behind you Garaelle misteps on the stone steps and tumbles with a surprised yelp. There are two doors at the bottom of the stairs, the one on the South side opens. A Redbrand sees you all and yells out “Tresspassers!” as he starts to draw a shortsword from his belt.

Deynn] I dive into the Redbrand to grapple him.

(2d20a) Grapple 8 +4 = 12 vs 5 +2 = 7 [Success]

] You successfully restrain the young human with a grappling hold. Inside the room there are two other Redbrands. The room appears to be a makeshift barracks with a dozen or so cots lining the room. There are a couple of candles burning on the table in the center of the room where it looks like some sort of gambling game was being played. There are several small piles of coins at the table.

Deynn] “Do yourself a favor and toss your blades down. The Redbrands are finished, but you don’t have to be dead.” [Persuasion check]

Result Table

(1d20) Persuasion 14 +0 = 14

] The Redbrands are quiet for a moment, as though trying to decide if your threat has any weight. One of them drops his blade and says “Free drinks aint’ worth dying fer!” And then runs out thru a door on the other side of the barracks. The other draws his sword and stands firm. “Let Arlonel go, or you’ll bleed.

Deynn] “Or will Arlonel bleed.” I push him closer, holding him between me and the short sword.

Roonoo] I enter the room and laugh. “Boy, you should have taken the offer to run… there are four more behind me.” I spin my Blackthorn to show off the years of practice I have with it. “I don’t mind killing senseless ogrebells such as yerself… but maybe you jes did not hear my friend too well. Run or die!” [Intimidation Check]

Result Table

Roonoo]

(1d20) Intimidation 15+3 = 18

] You hear a slight trickle and stench of urine fills the room. The boy breaks down in tears and starts pleading for his life.

Roonoo] “Quit yer sobbin and go learn how to be something ‘sides a bully-boy. Now git! And you…” I turn to the boy in Deynn’s chokehold. “Yer name sounds familiar. Are you one of the boys from the Alderleaf farm?”

] The Redbrand stutters out an affirmation. You notice the tabby-cat has jumped up onto the table and circling the dancing candles.

Roonoo] “Well I have to tell… you upset Qelline some. She cares about you boy… and joining up with these rags was… well… it was dumb of ya.”

Deynn] “What my friend here is trying to say… it seems you got some recompense to pay out.”

Roonoo] “Recompense indeed! Now do you want us to treat you like a friend of Qelline Alderleaf, or a bully-boy in a shabby red cloak.” I jab my Blackthorn into his nose.

] Arlonel concedes and promises to make things right with Qelline.

Ileel] “Tell us this wizard Glasstaff.”

] Arlonel “I do not know much. He is through those doors though.” He says pointing toward the corridor you just came from. “Ain’t come out of there in days. Talk is that is he running on the mad-side.

Roonoo] I take the red cloak from the boys neck. “The Redbrands are finished… do you hear?”

] Both boys scramble out of the South exit of the room.

Leely] “How many of these Redbrands are just untempered boys playing dress-up. We were right to spare their lives… but I don’t feel much like sparing the one who started all this.”

Deynn] “I suppose we are about to find out just how powerful this Glasstaff is.”

] Khi-khi “He will be easier to defeat without his muscle around him. We wizards are famously squishy… too many years spent in libraries and laboratories. Still… best be quick about dealing out damage – a Wizard needs time.”

Deynn] “Ready?” I go back into the corridor and, checking if everyone is set, I open the door across from the barracks room.

] It is locked.

Deynn] Does the door appear strong or weak?

] The door appears very old and likely weak.

Deynn] I step back and kick the door.

] The door jamb splinters and the door flies open. The large room has shelves of books and bottles and many oddities lining the most of the walls. In the center is a large worktable set up with alembics, retorts, distillation coils, and other alchemical devices, all stewing and bubbling away. On the East wall there is an open door. Lying in the doorway you see a young human dressed in the now familiar red armor and cloack.

[()]

] Deynn – you feel suspicious about what you see. Something, your gut tells you, not right about this.

Roonoo] “Glasstaff! Come out and meet the end of your ways!”

] You hear only the bubbling of colored liquids over flame.

Leely] “Is he… dead?”

] Taking a closer look, it appears the young man was severly beaten. His face is blooded and grotesquely swollen. He lies quite still – if breathing you cannot tell.

Deynn] “Hold back!” I say to Leely. “I sense things are other than they appear.”

] The tabby-cat is suddenly at your feet. It walks a circle and drags its tail around your legs as though trying to ensure it has your attention. Then it darts over to the bloodied Redband and pounces on its face – claws out. The body startles and then leaps up. The Redbrand throws something to the ground and there is a puff of grey smoke.

] “Damn cat” you hear him say within the veil. “Fine – violence it is then.”  He walks out from the small cloud towards one of the shelves on the North wall. It is no longer a boy dressed in Redbrand garb but an older human with grey and black hair dressed in expensive robes.

] “Father!” Khi-khi cries out from the other doorway. “You are this… this… evil Glasstaff?!” She appears locked in time, unable to run in and embrace her father and also unable to confront him.

] The man in the robes pulls a cage of rats from the shelves. He turns and looks at Khi-khi as he opened the cage. “Yes dear, Iarno Albrek is indeed Glasstaff, but I’m afraid I cannot let you live now.” As he sets the cage on the ground, dumping out several rats to the ground, you notice a wand in this hand. A quick twist and the rats begin to grow unnaturally into Giant Rats.

Roonoo] “We gave the wizard time…”

Initiative

Leely] The Giant Rats remind me of when Aylan first appeared to me and I have an idea. I call Aylan to leap ferociously ahead of my attack, intimidating the rats. I attack the closest ones. (GRat05, GRat06) [()]

(2d20a) Attack 18 +7 = 25 [Hit] Dmg 8 +5 = 13

(2d20a) Kick 20 [Crit] Dmg 4 +2 +4 = 10

] Your incorporeal White Dire Wolf seems to leap right out of your chest as you charge the closest Giant Rats. The intimidation ploy works and you easily take out two of them, your sword snaking down the throat of one while you crush the skull of another with your heel.

Roonoo] “I’ll bash rats – the rest of you… get the wizard!” I attack the closest Giant Rats (GRat03, GRat02, GRat04 )

(1d20) Attack 5 +7 = 12 [Hit] Dmg 7 +7 = 14

(1d20) Flurry1 14 +6 = 20 [Hit] Dmg 3 +4 = 7 [Massive Dmg 3 Fall Prone]

(1d20) Flurry2 20 [Crit] Dmg 2 +4 +4 = 10

Deynn] I leap over a fallen rat to attack the wizard directly

(1d20) Attack 17 +6 = 23 [Hit] Dmg 3 +6 = 9

(1d20) Attack 8 + 6 = 14 [Hit] Dmg 1 +6 = 7 +9 = 16

] You successfully land a couple of unarmored blows against the wizard. You are surprised by how solid he feels as your fists make contact – not a squishy librarian at all. He returns your attacks with his own fists [()] You feel just how powerful the old man is he connects with your jaw (10hp dmg)

Deynn] “Yeoww!”

] The wizard kicks over a glass terrarium of several small lizards. [()] You happen to catch sight of the cat leaping in and attacking the lizards. Khi-khi, meanwhile, is unable to attack her father and sends magic missles against the last rat standing (GRat01)

Ileel] I attack Glasstaff from the shadows of the corridor

(2d20a) Attack 16 +7 = 23 [Hit] Dmg 8 +5 = 13 +6(necro) = 19

] Dayni circles the combat and steps in quietly behind Glasstaff for an attack [()] her daggers cut through robes to draw blood.

Leely] I confront the old guy and attack before he can release Giant Lizards on us all. I charge my blade with radiant damage

(1d20) Attack 11 +7 = 18 [Hit] Dmg 6 +5 +5(radiant) = 16

(1d20) Flurry1 20 [Crit] Dmg 1 +4 +4 = 9 +16 = 25

(1d20) Flurry2 14 [Hit] Dmg 3 +4 = 7

] Your blade becomes as white fire, lightening the entire room until it finds a soft space in the ribcage of the wizard. The radiant energy releases into his body and he convulses. You withdraw your serpier and deliver a sideheel kick in the open wound, crushing his ribcage into internal organs. You finish with a leaping spin kick that connects directly into his face. The overall damage is brutal and Glasstaff falls backward to the ground.

] “No!” right out Khi-khi “No! You can’t kill him!” and runs over to his fallen body. Deynn – your magically enhanced insight is tingling.

Deynn] “Wait! There is something… I don’t know… I feel like… something is strange still…”

] You all watch as the body on the ground begins to shift and change. What remains is not human at all, but a featureless creature with dark grey skin that sags heavy over the body. Its blood seeps grey out of its side.

Deynn] “That is not your father Khi-khi.”

Leely] “What is it?”

] Khi-khi “I have read of beings called shapeshifters that are able to appear, nearly perfectly, as someone else.”

Leely] “Even the red blood on my blade was a ruse… look – it is now greyish… but it was red like ours.”

] Behind you there is another voice… “It is called a Doppleganger.” You turn to see an elderly human male with long white hair and a robe of green leather swatches. He pulls a lizards tail out of his mouth. “They are usually quite formidable in conflict… you did well. I was afraid you would fall for its clever deception at first.”

Roonoo] “And who are you?” I turn and raise my Blackthorn.

Deynn] “Stand down Roonoo… This, I believe, is the traveling friend which Qelline told us about. He is also the coy little kitty that has been following us around… unless I’m mistaken?”

] Reidoth “You are not mistaken. I am Reidoth. It would seem that you too are friends of Qelline. She will be pleased to see Arlonel alive and come to his senses. She will want to express her gratitude with a fine meal… do not miss out on Qelline’s cooking whatever you do… better reward than all that coin on the table back there… if you ask me.”

] Khi-khi “But…. But why was this ‘doppleganger’ mimicing my father?”

] Reidoth “I cannot answer that. I did notice that I do not see a actual glass staff anywhere around here, but there could be many reasons for that. You might want to secure that wand however…” He points to the plain-looking branch lying beside the featureless corpse. “We don’t want that in wrong hands.” He starts out the door… then turns back… “Oh… you should know this… I watched a small group of Redbrands head into the hills early this morning – carrying full packs of gear. I don’t know where they were were heading exactly or what they were going to do… but you should know they may return to find you wiped out their little gang. I almost wish I could be the one to tell them…” He starts out again and pauses again, without turning around. “I find I am in need of a good bard… someone to carry this story out of here… if you know of any…”

] Dayni “My friend Wahler was going to be a good bard, a famous and great bard…  but goblins killed him.”

] Reidoth does turn back and with a look shares the sadness in Dayni’s voice… “We shall add his name to the story then. Good day friends.” He leaves.

] Khi-khi begins looking through the room at the books and scrolls and vials on the shelves. She finds one sealed Potion of Invisibility. You also find, in the adjoining room, a wooden chest at the foot of an unmade bed. Within it is 350 gold, a silk pouch containing 32 carnelian gems (10gp each). There is an ornate dagger with a red reptile with black spots engraved into the handle (Salamander Dagger).

Leely] “Before we leave, I think we should sweep the entire place – verify the job done.”

Deynn] “Agreed. We should also confirm that head-speaker creature can bring no more woe from the crevasse.”

] Dayni accompanies Sister Garaelle back to her home while you make a careful search of the cellars beneath Tresendar Manor. In total you recover 950g in coins which Khi-khi will take to Sildar for redistribution back into the village. You locate two locked storage rooms – one a full armory with many kinds of weapons and dozens more of the red-dyed cloaks. Another room has more weapons and gear but also provisions and mining gear and various oddments – likely a stash of things bandited from the roadway captives. With this room you find a small box of jewerly and gems, including an amulet in the shape of a feather (which you assume belongs to the Cleric Torbera).

] Down in the crevasse, within the Nothics cave, you find the corpse of it – a strange clawed beast with spikes along its spine and single giant eye for a face. You do not find the Half-Orc Tokorn but are able to trace a dragging trail of blood out of the crevasse and into the tunnel leading outside. You discover no more living creatures within the cellars.

Deynn] “It must be forenight by now. We should get back to town and tell Sildar what we discovered here.”

Roonoo] “I’ve been thinking about that meal with Qelline Alderleaf.” I say with a smile

Leely] “I will take Torbera’s amulet back to her and tell them where the rest of their gear is.”

Ileel] “I will start getting things ready for our return to Conyberry.”

Appreciation & Collaboration