After the group defeated the scorpions, they continued with their exploration, keeping an eye on the ceilings. They found living quarters and more of the insectile ogres. They forced the two creatures to come down to the floor to meet them, where they were found to be weak without their advantage from the ceiling. Cendrine, Sheliak and Danicia were able to target the creatures and usher them into their new existence on the planes in their afterlife.
The Storm Peace Keepers than continued down the hall and eventually saw a body laying on the floor. They had also heard some movement at a junction and were not suprised when they were attacked. They were met with strong resistance and had to reform their lines. In addition, there was an evil cleric supporting the attackers as they worked to separate the group. However, their tactics worked against them and the cleric received grievous damage from Danicia and Cendrine while trying to move out of the way. The monk and two thugs gave some resistance but without the support of their evil god they could not stay up against the Storm Peace Keepers.
The group was able to see a chamber and a chained up young boy at the end. He said that he had been captured by an ogre mage who had planned to sacrifice him for an opening to the planes. But when the mage heard a noise and went to investigate, the boy heard sounds of battle and then silence for about an hour. The attacking group had then crept in, looking around and arrayed themselves for an ambush at the juncture. They had taken notice of the boy and left a small pouch beside him but seemed to be concerned about other intruders. The fight then occurred between the Storm Peace Keepers and the evil group was taken down. The only clue to their identify was the unholy symbol of the cleric, which was for Rovagug and also had a symbol of a wolf on it.
The group freed the boy and the cleric healed him. They also rested and meditated in case there were more enemies in this cavern. They continued on and looked over the body of the ogre mage, then continued down the hall. Danicia, being impatient, hurried on and into another room down the hall. Unfortunately, her rogue skills did not save her from the wall falling in and she had to be rescued and healed. The chamber held a disappointing small amount after paying a blood price but they found no other monsters. After rounding the corner the group recognized the entrance they had come in and went out, back towards the village.
As they entered the village, a heavenly being came down and saw the boy, Arithel and called out his name. When Arithel saw the being, he ran over, calling “Mother!” and hugged her. She held him and listened as he explained what had happened over the last few weeks. When he had finished, the being looked over at the group and thanked them for their service. She said she did not have gold or valuables to pay them but she could come to their aid, if needed, for a few rounds, to support their cause of Good. Darsus received a scroll to use to summon her so the group would now have the aid of a trumpet archon if they had dire need.
It was late afternoon, so after making sure that the village was safe and saying good byes with Arithel and his mother, they then headed back to Cillamar, with the gem dust they had also recovered. They made it back in time to give the dust to the temple of Desna. The high clerics thank you profusely and hurry to take the dust to the hill where the ritual will take place. The group follows and joins in with the activities that celebrate the new year and the fresh start.
After this chance to use your skills you feel more experienced and able to take on more challenges. But alas, winter does not cooperate and you continue to spend time in Cillamar guard Lady Sophia, practicing your skills and looking for signs of spring. Eventually, spring does start to make an appearance, with trees budding, wild flowers sprouting longer days. The farmers have started planting their fields and are grateful for the early start of spring after last summers problems with crops being destroyed across the land. The shepherds are starting to take their sheep and cattle to the highland fields to fatten them up and spring continues to unfold.
During this time your friend in the city guard, Brian, approaches you with a request. He says that some of the herders have had sheep and cattle turn up missing and that strange tracks have been found in the area. the farmers expect to lose a sheep or cow to wolves but they have been experiencing heavier losses and are getting concerned. If you are interested, he says, you can go up to one of the farm families and see if you can find out what is happening to the livestock.
Since all of you are ready to do something you agree to go up and take a look. It doesn’t sound like a difficult assignment and will give you a chance to warm up after a long winter of mostly inactivity. You get directions to the farm and head up the next morning. You talk with the family and one of the children agrees to lead you to where the last animal carcass was found. Once there you find lizard like tracks heading towards the mountains. The boy leads you up further and you see a cave entrance into the side of the hill. You seem to have heard that the old Castle Whiterock is in the area but it would be far above you.
You cautiously check out the entrance and note that there large lizard like tracks, going in and out of the cavern. For tracks going in, it looks like they were occasionally dragging things in, such as animals they may have caught. You cautiously enter into the cavern, and travel down a dark passage. You stop and listen and hear hissing laugher and shrill squeaks. You can tell that there are 4-5 laughing voices who don’t seem to be paying attention. You continue sneaking in and discover trogs who are poking at large rats. You are able to attack without being discovered and surprise the foul creatures. One of them runs off while the others stay and maneuver to keep the rats between them and you. The rats and the trogs attack the party but their tender flesh is no match for Cendrine’s axe, Danicia’s rapier, Sheliaks bow or Darsus long spear. One of them tries to run away but is felled before he can make it. After the battle finishes you find a hole down with a knotted rope dropping to the bottom. The group decides to split up and chase after the one trog while the other two go down the rope. Sheliak and Danicia go down the rope while sending Sheliak’s wolf with Darsus and Cendrine.
Unfortunately for the two who go down the rope, they find more trogs who seem to be stronger fighters. These trogs also stink and Sheliak and Danicia must make saves. Danicia and Sheliak start fighting back while waiting for Darsus and Cendrine to join them. From down the hall, Darsus and Cendrine can hear the battle and run to find a way down. They come across another hole with a knotted rope and hear the battle coming up. The two climb down, while the wolf jumps down, tumbling into Darsus at the bottom. The three can hear the fight down the passage and hurry to help.
In the meantime, Danicia and Sheliak have taken damage but are also starting to take their revenge. With Cendrine and Darsus joining the party, the trogs soon regret their surprise party. The group searches the body and heals up. They notice another passage but decide to stop and assess their situation. At the very least the group needed to recover from the gut wrenching stink of the trogs before continuing their journey. It was looking like there was more than a few lizard people stealing cattle and sheep. The session ended here.