Aegon and the Troupe have made their way deep into the Cloakwood Mines, slain Davaeorn, and found the key to the river plug. Now they return to the river plug to destroy the mine and heal the scar left by the Iron Throne.
1 Eleint 1368
We reach the top level of the mines and make our way to the slave miner working near the river plug. There is no resistance, and no noise. Any guard that may have been around are long gone, and the slaves seem to have made their way out as well. We find our friend waiting by the plug.
Miner: Hey there again. I see that you have the key. It must have been a bloody battle with the master, and you must be tough ones to have lived through it. All right then, give the key and let’s be done with this. Oh, one more thing, you did talk to Rill, didn’t you? So that all of the slaves could get out of here alive.
Aegon: Yes, we talked to Rill. You don’t have to worry about your friends. They’ll all be safe. Here’s the key; now let’s do it.
I hand him the key that we found in Davaeorn’s lair.
Miner: Well, then I guess that’s it then. As soon as I open the plug, we’re going to have to run for our lives, ‘cause otherwise we’ll be washed away just like the Orothiar dwarves. Ready then? Here we go!
He gives us a head start and we make our way quickly to the mine entrance. We hear machinery click as we retreat, then the rush of running water. It rises quickly, rushing past our feet as we run. The miner follows us water chasing him down the tunnel. Lanterns flick off as the water streams past. We barely make it to the entrance as the water levels reach the ceiling.
The elevator strains itself as it pulls us out of the mine. Now drenched, we make our way out of the building back into the motte and bailey, where the sun warms us once again. One of the escaped slaves waits for us here.
Slave: You saved us! The rest of us have fled to the north toward Baldur’s Gate, but I elected to stay so as to thank all of you. Without your heroics, who knows how long we’d be working that horrible mine. I’m just glad we didn’t end up in the watery grave down there like the rest of the Iron Throne mercenaries.
The former slave leaves to follow the others we freed, and we follow him. In the outer courtyard we find Perwell waiting for us, just as he said he would.
Perwell: There you are! Can we go now?
Aegon: We should set out now. Are you ready?
Perwell: Yes, sir, I’m ready. I will follow you until you have brought me to my mother. But not if you go into any caves. I won’t follow you into any of those.
It’s dangerous out there in the wild, so we’ll have to be careful to protect the kid. We lead him across the bridge on the moat, and find a small group of druids waiting for us. Their leader, wearing surprisingly heavy armour and wielding an ornate green staff addresses us.
Wendell: You lowly city fools! Its bad enough your ilk pollutes the grand forests, a good reason to have you killed, but you killed one of our kin, Miranda, who happens to be my consort.
Aegon: She attacked us first for no reason. If anyone should be taking this personally its us!
Wendell: Well my little fool I could use the old cliche that it’s nothing “personal”. On the contrary it’s very personal and you will suffer greatly for this outrage. May the Great Mother bless us for eradicating Her enemies.
These damn druids. Try and help them save the trees and still they attack you. I’ll be glad to be out of their cursed forest once and for all.
I yell at the kid to run for cover while the rest of us ready our weapons. Dynaheir attempts to Command the lead druid to lie down, but his will is too strong.
I attempt to confuse him with a Rigid Thinking spell, but he’s just as resistant to my magic.
Branwen uses her magic to help us fight, calling upon Tempus to Bless us. As she does this I attempt to Silence the druids so they cannot use their magic against us.
One of the druids strikes my head with a sling bullet. Blood pours down my face, but I am still able to fight. Branwen Dooms their leader and Tempus takes what luck he has away from him.
I evoke a Green Chromatic Orb that strikes our attacker as he continues conjuring his own magic. He is so struck with bullets and arrows I’m surprised he’s still able to fight.
An arrow goes straight through the druid’s skull just as he finishes his spell. Three giant snakes crawl out from the earth, threatening us with their venomous fangs.
Branwen heals me as I fend off the snakes with Bashrik’s Hammer.
Dynaheir raises her Wand of Fear and utters the command word. One of the snakes and one of the druids panic and flee from the bridge and the fight.
We beat the remaining snakes heavily, but one manages to latch onto Branwen. Its teeth sink into her neck as its venom seeps into her body.
Kivan throws her an Elixir of Health and she drinks it right away.
Kieria and Kivan take aim at each of the snakes and both strike true. The snakes are dead, but there is still a druid swinging a sling.
I chase him down and cave his skull in with Bashrik’s Hammer. After he falls to the ground I hear another druid scream and a bullet flies past my face.
He attempts to retreat as I charge at him, then Kieria drops him with an arrow.
We return to the bridge to find the last druid cowering in fear. Kivan quickly launches two arrows into him and he is no more.
We lower our weapons. The druids are no more. The battle is over. I look around for the boy, then I hear a scream.
Perwell: Argh…
No. Please no. We rush toward the sound and find Perwell laying on the ground, a giant snake curling around him. Kivan kills it quickly and Branwen rushes to the boy. The colour has already drained from his skin, and his body is limp. I beg Branwen to heal him, to bring him back, but she just stands up and shakes her head.
No. It can’t be.
But it is.
The boy is dead.
