Entering the Well

The heroes set up camp in front of the Well of Demons, which, according to their information, is the current lair of the Blackfang Gnolls – a tribe of humanoids who worship the Demon Lord Yeenoghu. They have just bested a group of monsters – 2 humanoids with long, lashing rubbery boneless arms; a plant-like monstrosity with tentacles; and a ghastly humanoid thing with a morbid predilection for living flesh. It was an ambush and the bloody things were a headache to overcome with their immobilizing attacks and all. Exhausted, bloodied and needing time to recover and fix their gear, the group rests.

Yshven, the dwarven fighter took the first watch with Casval the human mage. Kurgan, the dragonborn leader took the second watch, while Quorbin the elven ranger took the third.

At the end of the first watch, a voice from the gloom speaking in common hails the group. Kurgan, Casval and Yshven readies at the strangers approach. The camplight reveals the newcomer to be a dragonborn cleric of Kord. Weapon sheathed, he draws closer and introduces himself as Garrosh, He was separated from his own party clearing out some nearby tunnels. He offers to join the group to increase his chances of survival in the deep caves. He will fight, he says, as a member of the group. He is welcomed and takes the second watch with Kurgan, his dragonborn kin. At third watch, he is introduced to Quorbin. Thus was he welcomed into the party.

A new day breaks upon Thunderspire, The mountaintop is slowly gilded by the creeping touch of day. First the tips of the tallest peaks, the points expanding slowly with the rising sun, a vibrant contrast to the backdrop of clear blue sky. The wind howls among its jagged crags and valleys dispelling the fog and cold of the ended night. Deep within the mountain however, no trace save a slight rise in overall temperature and a minute breeze give hint of the outside glory. Within, the dark prevailed. Quorbin raises everyone to break camp. The pillared face of the Gnoll base await.

They enter a large empty chamber, the interior is lit by torches ensconced on the walls. All is still as if in anticipation of something to come. They take a corridor likewise lit. They take a branching side corridor and come upon closed double doors. On approach, they notice moving shadows breaking the strip of light beneath. Beyond, a niosy mix of dog-like laughter, yelping and yipping; human or humanoid chuckling and an enraged sort of braying could be heard. The door is unbarred. Everyone is ready, they burst in.

Kurgan and Yshven slam the door panels aside. Inside, some hyenas are harassing a dire boar held down by chains to stakes on the floor. It is enraged, muscles straining against its chain bonds, trying to fend off the hyenas. This is just across the door and to the left of the party. The owners, several gnolls armed with maces and crossbows are chuckling cruelly at the aggrieved and immobilized beast. They are deeper in the room to the right behind some bales of hay stacked in a row across the room.

~ by mmphil on March 8, 2009.