B1E5 Caer Konig to Kelvin’s Cairn

B1E5 Caer Konig to Kelvin’s Cairn

We followed the dwarf (Duergar) tracks that led north toward Kelvin’s Cairn. Those tracks converged with tracks of a sled pulled by an Ogre. Those tracks entered a valley with the layout of an old dwarven fortification set before a massive stone gate in the cliff face. Failed stealth rolls forced Mareshi to announce his “lone-lost” presence. He was welcomed by the Duergar sentinel Drojk, “Tribe of the wolf you say? We have members of your clan sheltered within. I myself am of the Clan of Sunblight.” Mareshi knew that meant evil under-dark.

As Mareshi openly walked towards the gate, the others hugged the cliff wall to quietly follow. The gate opened to reveal a wide pit with a single plank of wood stretched across. A collared Ogre guarded the far end, ready to kick the plank if needed. Mareshi entered as invited casting magic light to see within the dark chamber, while Knott transformed into a dog-sized wolf spider that jumped across the span to attack the Duergar controlling the Ogre. Donobis crossed the plank to confront the Ogre who swatted the Tiefling with its Morningstar. Soon all of the allies joined the fight as more Duergar also appeared, enlarging themselves. Or turned invisible.

With a Thunderous Smite, Donobis was able to knock the Orge backwards as it stumbled and fell prone upon the plank. Mareshi and Thokk dislodged the plank, causing the Orge to fall into the bottomless abyss. They received many wounds before finally eliminating the threat less one captive who gloated about his brother hiding on the frozen ferry in Easthaven. As for Mareshi’s fellow tribesmen: they were experiments with fungal growth. Knott convinced the fungus to let the humans die gracefully.

During their long rest to heal wounds, Mareshi encountered Cwinga (6” tall elemental spirits) that proved to be the fanciful creatures that stole the items from Caer Konig. At least the cleric was able to exchange his spool-of-thread for a black-stone bauble that proved to be magical in its warding against cold.

The next day involved a steep climb as we looped south around the mountain peek towards its western face where we found the flattened camp (mentioned by the ghostly spirit, Yanath), along with 7 dead sled dogs still tied to their harness. We climbed higher with the aid of crampons to gain footing on the steep ascent. Howling winds and blowing snow hid the avalanche that buried Donobis. Fortune Mareshi and Thokk found and dug him out before he suffocated. We trudged for hours before coming upon a snow-capped slope where we found the eviscerated body of Yanath’s friend Gareth (owner of the dog that returned home to Taros). Burial was impossible; we offered prayers of Last-Rights.

We continued the climb in search of the Yeti: Crag-Cats found us first, attacking Knott bringing up the rear. Thokk was quick to learn these cats resist magic such that his Eldrich-Blast reflected back on himself! We soon dispatched one cat, causing the other to flee. At least we now had bait for the Yeti.

We climbed the zig-zag ledges around the protruding cliffs before we soon camp upon a huge cave entrance marked with bloody prints. Donobis set up his animal trap with the cat-carcass as bait, set 30 yards from the mouth of the cave. We waited in hiding ready to missile-attack then charge our foe. Instead, we watched as a baby Yeti emerged from the cave as its mother watched from the entrance. Donobis knew harming the baby would enrage the mother and was about to fire an arrow into the bait to cause baby to turn. Instead, Thokk cast at the mother: she howled in pain and rushed forward to grab her baby, retreating to the cave. Another howl from behind announced father returning from his hunt!

Thokk made the mistake of looking into its eyes: he stood paralyzed per its chilling gaze and was pummeled unconscious. Donobis cast Bless upon his allies to aid their attacks and resistance, yet he too fell under its paralyzing gaze and was also rent with claws (failed CONsave meant his Bless spell subsided). Thokk slipped in to cast healing upon his allies while Knott kept the Yeti engaged. It was a pitched battle of questionable survival till the snow-beast finally collapsed.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Duergar- his brother hiding on the frozen ferry in Easthaven.

Crag-Cats: resist magic and thus can reflect back spells.

Yeti: cast a paralyzing gaze. 

Next Episode: https://wjrrofm.blogspot.com/2024/04/b1e6-easthaven.html