Greyhawk Ruins Campaign Log

Player Characters

• Dune: Valashi (Grey Elf Wizard)
• Ryan: Garrett  (Tallfellow Halfling Rouge/Fighter)
• Craig: Aidon (Human Druid)
• John Paul: Brault (Human Fighter)
• James: Arde (Wood Elf Monk)

September 13, 2008
Earthday, Planting 6, 596 thru Freeday, Planting 7, 596

The players created characters.

Looking for adventure, the characters responded to a call for assistance from the small hamlet of Barrow’s Edge. They left their hometown of Diamond Lake at dawn to make it to the hamlet by nightfall. On the way, they ran into a group of goblins attacking a merchant cart and its elven guards. The characters immediately rushed in to help. After dispatching the goblins, they found a female halfling merchant named Stella hiding amongst her turned over cart. They assisted her with her cart and agreed to accompany her to Barrow’s Edge where her shop was.

On the way into town the group was ambushed by a magic-wielding goblin and a wolf. He charged the cart and fire spewed from his hands. Quickly recovering from their surprise, the party was able to dispatch this new threat with little difficulty.

They arrive in Barrow’s Edge just after nightfall. Stella showed them the inn and Mollie, the inkeep, allowed them to stay for free once she learned that they were responding to the summons for assistance. The characters ate and slept well that night.

The next morning they met with Mollie, the de facto leader, and a gruff dwarf named Arvel. They explained to the party that the town has been experiencing a great many goblin attacks. There is no militia and the hamlet has lost several good people to the goblins. The characters were offered 500 Orbs to bring proof the goblins won’t attack again.

That morning the party headed out to find the goblin lair. They found a small group of hills called the Howling hills because it sounds like they are moaning when the wind blows. One cave entrance was guarded by two goblins and a dog. Easily dispatching the guards, the party moved into the caves.

The found a room with two more goblins and easily took them out. In the room they found a table covered in dice and coins. There was also a couple of pewter dished used to feed the dog. Following the only route out of the room, a long narrow hallway lead to a larger intersection. As they approached the intersection, they were ambushed by a goblin and a large bugbear. It was a tough fight and several members of the party were injured; but, they managed to win the day. However, they decided it best to head back to Barrow’s Edge for healing and rest before continuing any further into the Howling Hills.

At the inn, Valashi the Mage had just arrived from Diamond Lake.

September 27, 2008
Starday, Planting 8, 596

Well rested and well fed, the characters trekked back to the Howling Hills. Unfortunately, another group of goblins was guarding the cave entrance. It did not take long for them to dispatch the four goblins and continue deeper into the caverns. At the “Ambush Intersection” they decided to explore down the left passage. It is there that they found a small room with two undead guardians. The entrance was magically trapped and it was a tough fight; but, Arde was able to best both of them nearly single-handedly. A search of the room turned up a note; but, none of characters are able to read Goblin.

Further along the party discovered a large shrine. It had once been dedicated to some good and powerful god; but, now was vandalized and desecrated. Statues crumbled in alcoves and a large alter stood at the far end of the room. Within the ruins of one of the statues was found a small fountain whose water could heal. The alter was covered in plaster and foul images. When the plaster was pealed away it was found that it was originally dedicated to Moradin, God of the Dwarves. A secret compartment was discovered on the alter. After opening the trapped panel, they found several expensive items of armor and other artifacts.

After leaving the shrine, the corridor ended at the entrance to a cavern complex which was the source of the moaning sounds. While exploring the caverns they were attacked by a large spider that poisoned Garrett. While he resisted some of the effects, he was still weakened by the venom.

Continued exploration led them through a secret passage that opened into large common room. At the party’s entrance, young goblins screamed and scattered in all directions. The adults picked up weapons and attacked. It was a tough battle; but, the characters prevailed. After searching the room they found that one of the exits took them into a cooking area.

Within the kitchen area, they found that Dire Weasel was kept to protect the food. It immediately attacked Garrett with all of its might. It clung to him, ripping at his throat with its sharp teeth. The rest of the party was finally able to kill the weasel; but, not before Garrett weakened even more through loss of blood.

A search of the room revealed a goblin hiding in the larder that Arde easily dispatched with a flurry of blows. They also found a storage room. When searched the characters were attacked by an ooze that was using it as its home. The party was able to beat it down so that they could escape the room.

After all of this the party decided it was time to quit for the day. Although Arde strongly suggested that they stay in the kitchen area (a well defendable area) the rest of the group voted to head back to Barrow’s Edge for rest and recuperation.

That night at the inn, Brault arrived from Diamond Lake to join the party.

October 25, 2008
Sunday, Planting 9, 596

Campaign Cards were distributed.

After a good nights rest the group once again headed out to the Howling Hills. Perhaps this time they will rid the caverns of goblins for good.

Once again the entrance was guarded; this time by four goblins and a dog. Brault’s might was brought to bear and the goblins were easily dispatched.

At the “Ambush Intersection” a barricade was constructed with two Hobgoblins guarding the entrance into the rest of the complex. With some quick thinking, Garrett through a flask of oil onto the barricade and Valashi cast Burning Hands to ignite it. This created a great deal of flames and smoke. As the smoke cleared the hobgoblins retreated down the hall and threw javelins at the party, as well as a female hobgoblin shooting a magic missile from a wand. The hobgoblins quickly fled after firing at the party.

The party split up and gave chase from two directions. They eventually met at room were the hobgoblins protected the entrances and the magic-user continued to loose magic missiles. After a very rough battle were Arde and Brault both fell (Arde twice) the female and one male were dispatch; but, the other male withdrew down a flight of stairs.

November 8, 2008
Sunday, Planting 9, 596 thru Freeday, Planting 21, 596

After taking a few minutes to heal and prepare for the next battle, Arde led the way down the stairs. At the bottom he found the hobgoblin waiting to jump him. However, he got the drop on it and was able kill it in a single blow. Brault followed and was shot by an arrow as soon as he entered the room. The shooter was well trained and hit him in the neck, dropping Brault to the ground. The hobgoblin chieftain was immediately charged by other party members. He fell back to a door way and escaped before serious harm could befall him. 

The Chieftain was able to lock the door behind him. Garrett was unable to pick the lock, so Brault smashed the door down. Arde led the way down a set of stairs into a large cavern. The chieftain attacked Arde while he was still on the stairway. The rest of the party moved into the cavern to assist Arde. 

Once inside the cavern they heard a small creature retch in the shadows and a spurt of sizzling liquid streaked out of the darkness and hit Brault. Unable to react by the sudden attack, Brault was severely damaged by a wash of acid. Further into the caverns, they saw a small black dragon hovering in wait for them. 

The dragon flew into the party and attacked. Arde was able to kick it in a vulnerable spot, while Aidon charged it. Brault moved to assist Aidon while the rest of party dispatched the hobgoblin chieftain. By this time the dragon had had enough and flew into a large pit and escaped. Aidon and Brault did their best to stop the dragon, but it wasn’t enough. However, the dragon did leave behind its modest hoard. 

The party retrieved what goods they could, removed the head of the chieftain, and returned to Barrow’s Edge. Our adventurer’s were richly rewarded for having defeated the goblin tribe and ensuring that the goblins would not return for quite some time.

 After spending a few days in Barrow’s Edge, the party left for home. During the next week or so goods were bought and sold, magic items identified, and scrolls created. There was also much celebrating for surviving an attack by a dragon. Oh yeah, and of course, tall tales told to any who would listen.

 One afternoon while in the Feral Dog the party was approached by Ian (the innkeep), Mia (Town Guard Captain), and Gran (City Council member). The told a sad story of a family who went up to the boneyard to prepare a recently deceased family member for internment into the mausoleum. The family did not return. When the family’s servants reported them missing, two town guards were sent to investigate and they didn’t return either.

 When the characters went to the boneyard to investigate they were attacked by two wolves and a worg. It did not take long for the party to dispatch the threat. Upon reaching the mausoleum, they discovered the two Town Guards seemingly savaged by some wild beast. When they entered the mausoleum they saw blood spattered and smeared on the walls and floor. After searching the room the party found that the door leading to the lower reaches had had its latch broken.

 After descending a flight of stairs the characters reached the vault room. One of the family members was beaten to death on the floor. Another was a zombie that attacked them. After dispatching the undead horror, they found that one of the vaults was actually sealed shut with pitons. As they approached to investigate, several skeleton archers attacked with flaming arrows. Arde (who deflected several arrows) and Brault charged the skeletons and were able to scatter their bones with ease.

 Investigating the vault found Tyra, the families daughter, scared but alive. She told them that they found grave robbers who took her parents. She described the robbers as a hooded human and several monsters; some of them with horns. She wanted to go home and the party let her leave.

 Beyond the vaults was long hallway that included a small shrine to a long forgotten goddess. Across from the shrine was a small vault labeled “Verduun and Gola Mikolos.” Breaching the vault and exploring it brought out tiny creatures that looked and sounded like wasps, but each had a human-like metal face and two minuscule limbs. The party rapidly retreated from the vault and re-sealed it.

 At the end of the hallway, there was a set of stairs that led to a stone door that has a strange image engraved upon it. The party is currently discerning the meaning of this odd and puzzling visage.