Session 7 – TPK

We are told by Mord and Filarion that there is a nearby “grove” (it’s assumed they are druids, but we’re not sure) in the southern part of Welkwood that need our help. The ranger has gone on without us and we’ll meet up with him when we get to the woods. Dardenne and Hardian hesitate before agreeing because they are enjoying the company of young women. The others manage to convince them and all of us pack things up to go. It will be at least a week’s journey.

We set off and the first several days are fine, but on the fourth day the weather degrades and becomes dark and eventually very stormy. We decide to take cover at a nearby cave, but some in the party see that this is not just a cave but rather a ruin with stone blocks.

We come through and arched entrance and Mord sends “Tubby”, his raccoon familiar through to check things out. It reports back that there is a slick downward grade here that is pretty dangerous. We brave it anyway and some of us (Dardenne and Hadrian) slide downward and get injured. The rest are able to come carefully down. Mord casts “dancing lights” so we have some illumination.

As Dardenne and Hadrian are getting up and dusting themselves off, a group of lizard-men come through the darkness and attack us with swords and pointed shields.

Filarion creates a stinking cloud in their midst, one is caught by the cloud and the remaining lizard creatures move around it and continue attacking. Mord summons two dire wolves to attack the lizardfolk and keep them occupied.  Darius sneak attacks one of them and kills him. Dardenne unleashes a lightning bolt from his staff that kills three of them.

Unfortunately we are quickly overwhelmed. Dardenne is stabbed several times and goes down. Things get worse as three trolls step around the corner. One attacks a wolf and kills it. Another troll throws a rock at Mord barely missing taking Mords head off.  Behind them we see a shimmering black-skinned dragon. It uses its acid breath weapon on us and Hadrian and Filarion go down. Just as the breath weapon is released the area around the party is plunged into darkness.

Darius runs away up the ramp and escapes. Thanks to Ehlonna Mord was shielded from a portion of the dragon’s acid and is able to trigger a teleport spell and gets us a mile away. Once revived Filarion uses a spell to create a small hut for all of us to take refuge in. About an hour later Darius comes running into camp suprised to see most everyone there and alive.

In the morning the group decides to return to Homlett to see if they can get Dardenne back from the dead. Mord takes Dardennes body to the Druid’s grove. The Druid agrees to perform the ritual of rebirth on Dardenne. His naked body is rubbed down with oils and unguents. Then his body is put upon a large stone and covered in dirt, leaves and other natural items. After a a few moments there is shifting on the stone and Dardenne has transformed. The body that has been chosen by Ehlonna is that of a female wood elf. Dardenne is once again amongst the living.