The Troupe have made it deep into the Iron Throne’s mine in the Cloakwood Forest. They are close to Davaeorn, the leader of the mine. Yet Aegon’s visions of death linger, and there is uncertainty if they can survive the final encounter with Davaeorn and succeed in flooding the mine.
1 Eleint 1368
Darkness becomes light. I try to open my eyes but find they are already wide open. I remember the pain as flesh was burned from bone. It was another vision. We need to prepare before we descend to the next level.
We need to be ready. I pull out some of the scrolls we have collected and find Fire Shield and a Haste. I tell the others the plan. I’ll protect myself with fire and charge in first, the others can then follow with enhanced speed.
With myself protected we descend the stairs, and I see the wizard lying in wait for us.
The wizard’s protections are raised as I rush forward, Bashrik’s Hammer ready for its first strike. One of the guards yell out to us.
Guard: The bunch of you better have a good reason for being here.
Aegon: Well, we don’t. That’s not too much of a problem, is it?
At this point I am struck in the side with an arrow, and the wizard conjures a Fireball where I am standing. It explodes, but only seems to burn me. Thankfully, the flames don’t feel so hot with my Fire Shield in place.
I drink a Potion of Superior Healing to get myself back into the fight and turn my attention to the mage.
Branwen attempts to Command the mage to fall unconscious, but he resists. I pull out a Dispel Magic scroll to try and disable his magical protections.
A Black Talon guard hits me with an Arrow of Ice, the pain causing me to fumble my spell. I let out a loud gasp as I stumble back.
The other Black Talon slashes me in the back as I try to gather myself. This fight is not going well.
Dynaheir raises her Wand of Fear and utters the command word. The wizard and two of his entourage panic, and start trying to find a way out of the room.
I drink another potion and turn to the wounded Black Talon behind. He knows no fear, but I will show him terror.
Branwen finishes summoning her Spiritual Hammer. She’s ready to join the fight again.
The Black Talon is struck by a crossbow bolt, then Dynaheir knocks him down with a bullet. I take advantage of this to crush his skull with my Hammer.
There is an archer in the room to the west who resisted Dynaheir’s spell, but Kivan moves into sight and kills her with one shot.
With the others afeared and trying to escape, it’s easy to chase them down and kill them. Kivan kills one.
Then he kills another.
The mage is protected from missile weapons, so everyone switches to melee weapons to chase him down. Dynaheir impales him on her Gibbet, and I take advantage to deliver a killing blow.
Now they are dead, we take some time to look around. There is only a guard room and a small bedroom here. Was this wizard Davaeorn?
We search the body of one of the guards. He is wearing what looks like Telbar’s Studded Leather. I’m sure we’ve already got this armour, how did he get another? Perhaps Telbar had more than one of these enchanted suits.
He also carried a couple of Potions of Acid Burst. I don’t know how much harm the acid inside would cause, but I’m glad we didn’t get to find out.
He was also wielding an Enchanted Long Bow, alongside some Arrows of Fire and an Arrow of Detonation. His long sword still hangs in the hilt.
The mage was armed with some powerful items. He wore a Robe of Fire Resistance. I’m tempted to change into it in case we encounter any more Fireballs.
On his finger we find a ring that gives a cold bite when I touch it. It is the ring of a necromancer, and I can sense darkness from it. It is too dangerous to use, so we store it in our Bag of Holding.
He has a Wand of Domination, able to Charm an opponent to their side of a battle. I’m surprised, yet relieved, he didn’t use this. I’ve been turned against my allies one time too many on this expedition.
His staff is an ancient Elemental Staff, imbued with the power of Fire. We are all comfortable with our weapons right now, so we store it away for later.
He also had some Darts of Stunning stuffed in a small leather pouch, most likely a backup weapon.
The guard laying dead next to him has only mundane equipment: plate mail, a large shield, and a bloodied long sword.
In the bedroom lays the archer that almost killed me. She wears leather armour and carries a long bow. In her quiver we find Arrows of Biting. Thankfully their poison didn’t kill me.
She also carries a Dagger of Disease, a perfect weapon for an assassin.
For extra defense she wears an Amulet of Protection. Dynaheir places it around her neck to help her avoid damage in future combat.
She also wears boots that provide speed to the wearer. Kivan replaces his boots with these ones.
She wears an ornate black cloak with a light grey trim, but neither myself or Aura can tell what it does. The Weave emanates from it, so there must be more to this garment.
There is no key so we search the rooms and find a locked chest in both. Aura picks them and finds some healing potions inside and a Potion of Cold Resistance.
There is no key for the drain here. Was that wizard Davaeorn? Or have we missed something? We can’t give up now, we’ve come so far.
I notice a crack in the wall to the south of the guardroom. I trace my finger along it. It’s big enough for a door. I place my hands on the wall and I feel light-headed. I see traps. A villainous speech. Fireballs burning through Webs that hold us in place. Magic Missiles finishing us off.
Then I am looking at the hidden door once again. Davaeorn must be lying in wait. And he will destroy us. We have to take time to prepare. I suggest to the others that we rest in the bedroom so we can make a plan of attack.
While we are settling down two guards descend the stairs and find us. It looks like the Iron Throne is finally sending reinforcements.
These are just foot troops so we slay them quickly. But we have to be wary. These soldiers are likely just the first wave.
One of the bodies is heavily equipped, with enchanted splint mail, enchanted long bow, Arrows of Ice and a Varscona.
We attempt to sleep again, but are accosted by more guards. We are tired and keep fumbling our blows in this fight. I’m even forced to rely on more Potions of Healing. Still, we overcome them, and collapse in the bedroom.
The humans and the gnome fall asleep, so Kivan and I take first watch. Thankfully, there are no more reinforcements for a while.
After we have rested, I use the Weave to identify the rogue’s cloak. It is a Cloak of the Assassin, often used by the Shadowmasters to sneak up on unwary victims. An idea starts to formulate in my mind.
I also identify a Protection Scroll that Aura has been carrying around. As she suspected, it turns out to be cursed.
One of us will don the Cloak and use a Potion of Invisibility to sneak into Davaeaorn’s lair. Kieria volunteers, and takes the Cloak. Kivan also gives her the Boots of Ensured Quickness so she can get out of trouble if she needs to.
I push the secret door open, while Kivan keeps his bow trained on the opening. As the door slides to reveal the corridor behind, I get Bashrik’s Hammer ready. The coast is clear, so Kieria downs the potion and steps through.
Almost immediately she trips a wire and two Magic Missiles strike her unerringly. She screams as she steps back from the corridor.
While Kieria drinks a Potion of Healing, Aura steps forward to check for any traps. She discovers that there are a lot of them protecting Davaeorn’s lair.
With great care, Aura steps forward and carefully dismantles each trap. Luck is on our side, as she is able to disarm each one without being spotted.
Kieria steps into the corridor and continues her way down. She spots a robed human wearing a silver tiara. He has a neatly trimmed beard and long hair. Somehow, despite her invisibility, he knows we are here. We can hear his voice booming back down the corridor as he speaks.
Davaeorn: Why have you come? Is it to steal my riches or perhaps you seek to righteously punish me for my affront to your morality? It matters little, for you will do neither. Before I dispose of you in some horribly gruesome manner, perhaps I should introduce myself. I am known as Davaeorn. I would ask you for your names, but I care little to become acquainted with the dead.
Both Aura and Dynaheir turn to me and talk quietly.
Aura: Be careful, Aegon… I can sense a tremendous amount of arcane power from this guy. I don’t think his robes are just for show.
Dynaheir: Dost not take his words lightly, Aegon. I sense power about him; he is indeed a mighty magician.
Kivan nocks an arrow in his bow and shouts back at the mage. I can hear the anger in his voice. He is more than ready for this fight.
Kivan: You are right in one thing: we have come to put an end to your torturing and enslaving innocent people. As for us being as good as dead… we shall see. We are not starved slaves for you to bully.
Davaeorn: Now that we are introduced, prepare to die!
Kieria realises he can’t actually see her, so she continues to explore the rooms behind the corridors.
Meanwhile two armoured figures march up the corridor toward the rest of us. The suits of armour contain no bodies, only darkness. They carry large flaming swords. These must be battle horrors. Davaeorn is indeed a powerful mage!
We retreat into the bedroom so we won’t be flanked if more reinforcements arrive. Dynaheir opens up the fight with a barrage of Magic Missiles.
I hold them at the door, but they are strong and their flaming swords burn through my flesh. Without my Fire Shield to protect me they hit hard. Kivan realises his arrows aren’t hurting him, so he draws his Dragon Spear.
I drink a Potion of Superior Healing and join Dynaheir in creating barrages of Magic Missiles.
Kieria returns from her scouting mission and activates her Wand of Cold, causing one of the battle horror’s armour to begin cracking.
As Magic Missiles fly toward the horrors, one of them slashes through my armour. I scream as the flames burn me from the inside.
I reach for another healing potion as one of the battle horrors are destroyed by Dynaheir’s Missiles.
The potion doesn’t quite heal us, so Branwen calls upon Tempus to give me Aid. Dynaheir is out of Magic Missiles, so she launches a Chromatic Orb instead.
Tempus sends his aid and I press on with more Magic Missiles. As this is happening more guards run down the stairs and enter the room. They surround Kieria, and she draws her Varscona to defend herself. Kivan rushes to her aid, attempeting to flank the reinforcements.
We rested too long and now the enemy is sending all it can to take us out. I see visions of death over and over. This will not be an easy fight.
