Fissure in the Kurkle Ridge

SWAG left Lukrimar Keep on the 7th Day of Planting, passing the Sumberton troops on the road. The going was slow with pony cart in tow, and SWAG set up camp and rested near the road that night.

The following day (the 8th Day of Planting), SWAG reached the walls of Sumberton and saw farmers protesting a new 10% city wall tax on sales in and near the city. The farmers hurled tomatoes at the outnumered city guard. The tax was imposed by Lord Carstellon, but the farmers suspected his sons were the real motivation behind it, although no one had seen the sons in public in a week or so. The merchant guilds didn't mind the tax and the builders guilds were happy to see more work.

SWAG gathered information in town, learning bits of new details about the Luminous Order and Ebon Cabal. While many people had heard of the Order and knew their home base, few knew much about the Cabal, except that they may be based near the headwaters of the Marrilach River.

Erlwyn spent time by the docks trying to track down the Stiletto Crew, to no avail. Even her "Kidnap Me" t-shirt failed to produce the crew. Red explored the town keep while Carrack sold treasure and spoke with Vintra Marktunsel. He told her about the troops heading to town and she offered him and his bunch a job recovering Chicane Guild spices seized by bandits on the road to Tulvercross. Quintavian and Petra spoke to Chandrea the White at the Scrivener's Guild, getting magic items identified and informing her of the dragon menace.

That night, city residents cheered the sudden repeal of the city wall tax and free ale for all at a party hosted by Lord Carstellon. Banners on the city walls welcomed the troops home with free ale, dispersing them before they even hit the city gates. On the way to the night's events, a man named Migos Fehr approached, saying he recognized the group but wasn't sure where he'd seen them. His hair billowed in a non-existent breeze. He bought the group dinner and said he was a Champion of the Lords of Air. He then went on his way. Some of the group then saw alchemical fireworks and drank free ale. Carrack explored the strange warehouse of the supplier of the fireworks, Chimera, Ltd., a building with no windows or doors. He unsuccessfully searched for an entrance and then left them a note.

After a night of revelry, SWAG journeyed to Kurkle Ridge on the 9th Day of Planting, reaching a box canyon with a deep fissure and a malevolent feel. The gnomes sent dancing lights and ghost sound into the tunnel to draw out the inhabitants, but the spells expired before the group reached the 200' bottom of the fissure.

Inside, the group encountered hostile hobgoblins and goblins and dispatched three of each. In the goblin room sat numerous crates of trade goods, including three crates marked with the Sumberton sigil. Northern doors led out with a warning in goblin ("danger") and stairs descended to the east and west.

XP earned: 188 XP

On to the dragon!

SUAG* rested overnight in the goblin temple (former dwarf temple) and on the 6th day of Planting, ventured into the whispering caves. A monstrous spider dropped from the ceiling, but it's bite attack was deflected by Petra's magical shield and the group then killed the spider. They found goblin bones and a pit leading to a tunnel that went to the hobgoblin's chamber.

At the highest point of the sun, SUAG met up with Urrtarr and received her potions of resist energy (acid) to protect against the dragon. Urrtarr also said that she convinced their leader, Darax, to look for their spiritual leader Rutvin, and asked that they not disturb Darax's chambers while he was away. SUAG then proceeded to Darax's chambers, picking a locked chest and taking his treasure of gold and potions.

Armed with acid resistance, SUAG open the door to the dragon's Noak's chambers. Noak breathed acid from the darkness, to no effect. SUAG then entered the black dragon's lair, and saw a tiny 2' tall, 8 pound dragon hovering in the cave. SUAG quickly pummeled Noak with non-lethal damage, capturing the dragon. They gathered thousands of coins from the dragon's hoard and a magical ring and cloak, and told Urrtarr of their victory. They also found a note revealing that Noak had been sent by other dragons and was to lay low until the dragons were ready to destoy the humanoid settlements in the Valley. It was signed with only a red claw. Urrtarr promised to stop the goblin attacks, and asked SUAG to return Darax's treasure; they reluctantly returned the gold. The Scourge of the Howling Horde was at an end!

Red carried a well-tied Noak back to the logging camp, but in short order Noak awakened and used an acid attack to melt away the restraining ropes. SUAG bonked Noak over the head again, and proceeded to try diplomacy followed by non-lethal damage when Noak tried to escape. Finally, Red intimidated Noak into revealing that he was but a 2 year old wyrmling, and his parents had sent him here after they destroyed Andrushel one year ago. He was to take over a goblin tribe and wait for further orders, but got greedy and started building his hoard. Noak again tried to escape, and SUAG killed the dragon.

Returning to Lukrimar Keep, SUAG saw smoke billowing from around the town. Closer inspection revealed about 75 Sumberton soldiers bivouacked outside Lukrimar Keep. The soldiers, led by Captain Morgan, had been recalled from rebuilding Andrushel for "unscheduled training" in Sumberton.

SUAG spent the night in Lukrimar Keep, selling booty and acquiring new items. Noak's ring and cloak were identified as a ring of protection +1 and a cloak of resistance +1. On the 7th Day of Planting, SUAG then headed off to Sumberton, hoping to pass the troops on the road and get to Sumberton before the troops arrive.

*The "Still Unnamed Adventuring Group."