Better Dungeon-keeping

After defeating the denizens of this cave complex, our ranks have grown; two adventurers have joined us in our efforts to investigate the evil goings-on here in the Shadowfell Keep. Max, a diminutive gnome mage, and his bodyguard, Drew, have offered their services to our party. The safe room that Balgron was apparently fleeing towards seems to be suitable as a makeshift base of operations during our campaign to clear out the evil things dwelling here. To make things diplomatic, we drew straws to determine who would remain behind to secure the room and watch the party's rear flank to ensure there are no surprises.

I "won".

This Balgron creep was not a very cleanly fellow. I should not be surprised; hobgoblins are disgusting creatures. It took me a good several hours just to clear out the filth from this hole. I was able to scour the goblin barracks for enough unsullied materials (bedding and food supplies) to make it some semblance of "livable". It certainly pales in comparison to even the lowest of accommodations, but it will have to do.

It appears that my allies are making some headway into the mysteries of the Keep itself. Not long ago, a shadowy serpent slithered its way into our hideout. Nearly scared the piss out of me, just appeared out of nowhere. Apparently, they came across some altars to my Lord Bahamut and needed some draconic translations. It was easy enough and they have successfully parleyed with a helpful spirit, a former commander of this structure and a fellow follower of the Platinum Dragon. I feel obligated now to rid this place of the evil that infests it; for his sake and for those helpless to stop it.

A brief respite

We have had little time for rest. After breaching the keep overlooking Winterhaven, our company has met several pockets of resistance, mostly from a troop of goblins seeming to have been placed by Kalarel to guard the entrance from would-be intruders. I suppose we fit that description...

Our battles have not been without levity, however. Our clever gnome rogue, Gweener, has seen fit to entertain our depraved sense of humor while at the same time confusing and frightening our enemies with gnomish tricks. The severed head of a hobgoblin was put to good use in scaring off a sizable group of goblins as well as intimidating a new addition to our ranks, a rather frightened yet suspicious goblin named Splug. We tolerate his presence for now, if only to lighten our own loads for a time.

After securing Splug's services, he directed us to the goblin leader, a most cowardly (even for goblin-kind) creature named Balgron. After offering up a small platoon of his goblin forces to our hungry blades, he fled into the darkness of the keep. In our pursuit, we plunged into the darkness and slew Balgron, only to be beset upon by hordes of giant rats, and worse. While the rats surrounded us, a giant ooze attacked from the darker recesses of the dungeon, assailing us with acid and splitting itself into yet more enemies when we attempted to kill it.

Finally, after many mighty blows from Luthor's greatsword, the cutting daggers of Gweener, and the good graces of Moradin's humble servant Fargus, we stood victorious over the now lifeless bodies of our foes. Upon inspection, we discovered a hidden safe room, presumably to which Balgron was fleeing. I believe we will take this opportunity to rest, with the assurance that we have thus far remained undetected by the ultimate foe we seek...

Region: Nentir Vale

XP Gained: quite a bit since the last update - XP Total: 1768

GP Gained: 560 GP - GP Total: Gweener is looking pretty weighed down

Into the Keep

No rest for the weary...

After felling the brutish Irontooth, we searched the kobol

d's lair. They had apparently been very active in looting the locals and travelers along the King's Road; over 400 gold pieces as well as a splendid suit of dwarven chainmail were found. However, the most interesting item we discovered was a bit of parchment addressed to Irontooth from someone by the name Kalarel.

It seems there is more afoot here than just a group of bandits raiding the outskirts of a remote town. After some brief discussion, we felt it wise to return to Winterhaven and inquire about our newly acquired information. As we made the trek back, storm clouds gathered in the north. I cannot shake the feeling that this is not a coincidence...

Our first stop was Valthrun's tower to visit its occupant, a scholar of some knowledge. It did not take much questioning for us to broach the subject of the letter and upon hearing the news, Valthrun ushered us into the tower with haste. He was not aware of anyone by the name Kalerel but was able to share with us some history of the rift mentioned in the letter. A keep was built upon the site of a portal between this plane and that of the Shadowfell, a place of darkness and evil. It seems this Kalarel is bent on re-opening that rift to terrorize the region. Valthrun urged us to stop this from happening as Winterhaven has no defenses to call upon.

We briefly stopped by Lord Padraig's residence to inform him of the situation, but he appeared to be suffering from some malaise and lethargy that was affecting the townsfolk. With no other aid apparent and time growing short, we left immediately for the Keep that Valthrun indicated being not far to the north of Winterhaven. We only hoped it would not be too late...

In its day, the Keep was probably an impressive structure; giving off the air of defense of the region, it is ironic its purpose was built to keep something in, not prevent outsiders from coming in. No defenses appeared to be present as we approached, however it seemed there had been a lot of recent activity to clear a path to a focal point where a stone stairway descended below the main level. With the storm clouds continuing to threaten outside, we forged downward into the Keep.

It did not take long to encounter some resistance inside. A small group of goblins attacked in what appeared to be a guard room, a small chamber at the foot of the stairs. They had obviously been expecting someone because they had dug a clever pit trap which poor Luthor ran right into and plunged into darkness. I suppose they did not anticipate such a massive individual such as Luthor to enter the pit as he easily escaped with an incredible display of athletics. Aside from the surprise of the pit, the goblins offered little in the way of a fight. It took only seconds for us to subdue the four of them and secure the area.

As we take stock of our surroundings, I wonder if this skirmish is only a lure to bring us deeper into darkness. What will we find in the tunnels ahead?

Region: Nentir Vale

XP Gained: ??? XP Total: 1068

GP Gained: 460 GP GP Total: Gweener tells us we have "a lot"