Chapter One: Bronce (continued)

New Arrivals

The heroes are deep in the abandoned gold mines north of the tiny village of Bronce. They have tracked a band of hobgoblins to the mines who appear to have kidnapped two small children . . .

The party has just managed to slay Talks with Fists, the leader of the hobgoblins, and rescue the children. As Tilk ties up two hobgoblin captives water begins to rush away from the group towards one of the darkened, deeper tunnels. A wall has collapsed opening a passage into a massive undground complex and the flood waters are spilling away. Everyone manages to hold their ground except the Knife, who Casey snatches up out of the water . . . At the same moment Alevonius Talon, Larien Ar-Feiniel, and Celegorm Amandil (our new PCs) appear in the depths of the water struggling to stay afloat. Unfortunately, Celegorm, the elfin bard, cannot manage the swim and is swept away.

Casey spots Celegorm flying away down the passage and moves to block his passage . . . she maintains her grip on the Knife and grabs Celeborn as well.

After a minute or so the water has drained away leaving ankle- and knee-deep puddles here and there. The groups spends many minutes making introductions and sharing stories . . . it seems that the new comers heard the Voice of the Goddess as well . . . but she was interrupted somehow.

Duergar Invasion?

While the group discusses matters several of the heroes hear someone approaching from the newly opened passage. Preparing for battle, the party arrays itself around the passage entrance . . . and nothing happens. At least nothing they can see. Apparently there are at least two invisible creatures in the room very nearby . . . and they are attacking!

The dark dwarves become visible as one of them smashes Alev to the ground with his massive warhammer. The other strikes at Casey but misses. A fierce battle ensues. Rygorh rushes over to heal the fallen warmage while everyone else concentrates on trading blows with the dwarves. One of the dwarves falls after several blows including a strike from Tilk's greatsword. The other dwarf grows to a massive size (enlarge person) and begins a retreat. As he backs away the group advances and the towering dark dwarf is brought low by the heroes.

Hail the Heroes!

Larien and others make quick work of taking the dwarves' pouches while Rumus gathers up the children. It's time to get the kids back home.

So, with two hobgoblin prisoners, the decaying body of a tax collector from Saragost and two pitiful children in tow the party leaves the mines. They bypass (again) the hobgoblin guards on the upper level of the mine.

Once in the open air they discover it is full dark and the rain has stopped. They also have company: Jim Oakenbough and his flunkies are skulking about near the mine entrance. Tilk calls out to them and Jim shows himself.

The heroes are immediately suspicious of Jim's motives . . . and rightfully so. While he doesn't tell them as much Larien manages to determine that Jim intends to take credit for rescuing the children. She also believes that he is lying about not recoginizing the tax collector's body . . . What follows is a long passage through the woods back to Bronce all the while pumping Jim for information and working out a plan to get proper credit for rescuing the children.

On arrival back at the Golden Nugget Inn, Mariah Bloom rushes to greet her once lost children. Celegorm sings a tale of their rescue which Jim tries to insinuate himself into, but he fails miserably. Headman Goodchild, Father Tobias and Constable Davan Gaskell all recognize the part played by the party in rescuing the children and they give proper respect and honor to the heroes. Jim decides to be a nice guy and showers the inn keeper with gold crying out, "Drinks are on me tonight!"

The Sword of Starkweather John

That evening the villagers celebrate the children's rescue, and the heroes are welcomed to stay at the Golden Nugget for free. While everyone drinks up and gets their bellies full Larien mingles with the crowd and learns a couple of things: Bernick, the innkeeper is is Jim's brother AND Starkweather John's sword is buried in the church. The group suspected as much about the sword, but now they have the word of a villager stating it as a fact.

The next morning the group, less Rygorh, sets out to the fallen temple of Blediwesse where they meet Father Tobias and another villager who are giving last rites to the fallen tax collector. After the service the party manages to convince Father Tobias that the sword is in the church and that they must recover it.

A bit of poking around reveals a hidden pocket under the flagstones in the main worship hall. A crowbar and a few minutes later the stones are pried away. In a ragged, rotting burlap sack lies a gleaming sword encrusted with gems and chased with gold. Tilk takes the sword in hand and knows that this sword is a part of his soul that has been lost . . . he treasures the sword and hesitates to hand it over to anyone. Rumus and Celegorm each spend some time examining the sword. Celegorm recalls tales of the Equinox of Heroes, Starkweather John and the drow armies of the past . . . this is the sword they were seeking.

Everyone goes back to the inn to meet up with Rygorh and then on to the Tump . . . what does this sword mean? While at the Tump Celegorm and Larien find their horses and gear. Tilk and Rygorh exchange some words about the sword and decide that Rygorh should take the sword . . . the longsword is his deity's favored weapon. The moment that the decision is made Tilk no longer feels any desire or longing for the sword and Rygorh knows in his heart that he is now complete . . . the sword is his.

More Mysteries

After some lengthy discussion the party decides to check out the mines again. The dark dwarves must have a purpose . . . and such a purpose.

The group finds massive chambers and tunnels dug away by the duergar in preparation for an army. They also find a note, written in undercommon as follows:

Master Overseer, ensure that the following are in place:

• All special weapons crates from the smithy, laid out according to division and commander
• Chisel assembly zone markings into floor to indicate mustering points (remember, each enclosure to hold at least five hundred of our warriors)
• General Ulsnurr’s personal throne (fetch from his chambers)
• Complete access tunnel to surface
• Prepare holding cells for important human prisoners
• Make ambassadorial suite ready for the Most Honoured Allies

Attend to this with all haste. We have only ten days to prepare until the Legions of the Chthonic Alliance are destined to march on the upper world.

– K

A great deal of searching and exploring later the heroes determine that an army of 7,500 dwarves are going to march on Chillhame in the next ten days. They manage to acquire some masterwork weapons from the great audience chamber and a strong desire to high-tail it to Saragost with warnings.

Back in Bronce they warn Father Tobias, Headman Goodchild and Constable Davan of the situation. The village immediately sets to preparing to evacuate. Some of the party tails Jim for a while, but no good opportunity presents itself to expose him. While they believe he is the tax collector's murderer, they have no proof. Jim sets off around 10:00 pm heading south (towards Saragost) with his cronies and his gear and loot.

The heroes settle in for the night and prepare to set out the next day on their ride to Saragost on horses provided by Constable Davan.

XP Awards: 1,200 each to Tilk, Neil, Rumus, Rygorh, Seebo and Casey;
     1,000 each to Alev, Celegorm and Larien

Treasure

• Duergar fighter: 55 gp, large toumaline stone (250 gp)
• Duergar fighter: 70 gp, four small pearls (100 gp each)
• Armory: six masterwork light crossbows, four masterwork heavy crossbows, six masterwork warhammers, two masterwork dwarven urgrosh, two masterwork dwarven waraxes, four masterwork battleaxes

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