Session 18 - The Hemlock Banner!

Day 29

The sun had long since set by the time the companions, exhausted, finally reached the hunter's stead and a relieved Kinning. Over a meagre supper, they told the tale of the last couple of days.

“The caves are now cleared,” said Xin, wiping his fingers on his robes. “They'll make an excellent new camp...plenty of fresh water, hidden and easily defended. Even an old forge...”

“Good,” replied Kinning, gruffly, giving the half-Elf a hard look.

As they settled down for the evening, Cullen noticed Kinning take Xin aside. From the look on her face, it seemed she was not pleased with him. Cullen was not really surprised. The half-Elf's secretive nature had a way of rubbing people up the wrong way, he thought. Shrugging, he turned over on his bedroll and was soon fast asleep.

Day 32

As the companions neared the survivor's camp, Cullen thanked the gods for an uneventful journey from the hunter's stead. The clearing of the caves had taken its toll on the companions, exhausted from a couple of days of almost continuous combat. A few days travelling without having to draw his sword was a much needed chance to catch his breath.

“You're back!” said Aubrin, coming into view, “One of the guards said it was you!”

As Aubrin led them into the camp, the companions could sense a buzz about the place. It wasn't just the cheerful greetings at their return, the survivors seemed more positive...more confident. There were smiles as they went about their tasks, a sense of purpose.

“Things have been good,” said Aubrin, noticing our looks and grinning, “And the townsfolk have become more confident in their ability to fend for themselves. In the almost two weeks since you left, we've managed to catch more than enough fish and game to feed ourselves. Nor have we had any trouble. There is a sense that we should count our blessings...and a hope that the worst is behind us.”

“Let us hope so,” muttered Makoa, too low for the ranger to hear.

“I need to talk to Rhyna and Jet, for tonight we shall celebrate your return,” said Aubrin, smiling, “You rest. I will return shortly and you can tell me your news.”

Later that afternoon, the companions filled Aubrin in on their adventures, not least their discovery of the caves and the pressing need to move camp in light of the Centaur's map.

“Very well,” agreed Aubrin, nodding, “The people will be a little sad to leave this place...it has been their home for over a month...but they trust you. I will tell them and we will make ready to leave in the morning. Cullen...might I have a word?”

Aubrin took Cullen aside. “I wanted you to know...Mallius talked of you often. He obviously looked up to you...”

Cullen's face clouded over.

“I know you grieve for him,” Aubrin continued, placing her hands on Cullen's shoulders, “But I want you to know that he died doing what he believed in...fighting for Nirmath and its people.”

Cullen's shoulder slumped. “I could have saved him...” he whispered.

“No. You couldn't!” said Aubrin, gripping him hard, “Ashrem has told me you saw the battle from afar. He also told me that you could never have reached your brother in time. Don't let this eat you up!”

“I will not rest until those who caused his death are themselves headless and food for the crows. This I swear by the old gods!” spat Cullen, brushing Aubrin's hands aside and returning to the campfire. Aubrin watched him go, frowning.

Cullen sat on a log beside his old friend who was talking to Jet.

“I'm sure they are okay,” said Ashrem, smiling, “Don't you worry. My family's tough...they know how to look after themselves.”

Jet nodded, her gaze flicking to Cullen, unable to conceal the look of pity in her eyes.

Cullen felt the anger churning in his gut. The Ironfang will pay for what they have done. One way or another, he thought.

That evening the camp celebrated the return of the companions. There was music and dancing around the campfire, roast meat and baked fish to fill their bellies. Towards the end of the evening, Aubrin made a speech in which she thanked the companions for all of their efforts.

“We would not have made it this far without you...and those who have fallen...fighting for our survival,” said Aubrin, bowing her head for a moment, “And to show you how much we appreciate it, we have made a few things for you which we hope will be of some use.”

Aubrin motioned to a couple of the townsfolk who came forward holding a wand and two vials. These they gave to the companions who thanked them for the precious gifts.

“There is one more thing,” said Aubrin, smiling, “We thought we needed a symbol...something to bring our band of brothers and sisters together. Rhyna....”

Rhyna came forward holding a well-wrought banner. Made from a sturdy staff, pine branches formed the crossbeam from which a green scarf hung down.

“Our Hemlock Banner!” said Rhyna, proudly, holding it up for all to see.

The companions grinned at each other, feeling the surge in confidence amongst the survivors.

Makoa stood. “I bless this...our Hemlock Banner...in the name of Abadar. May it help us right the wrongs done to us and balance the scales!”

“Just needs a couple of Hobgoblin heads hanging from it!” Cullen muttered to Ashrem, “That'd strike fear into their mongrel hearts!”

The celebrations continued into the early hours.

Day 33

Dawn broke over a camp already bustling with activity. The survivors soon dismantled the camp, packing their things ready for the long journey to the caves. They destroyed what was left, attempting to make it look as if the camp had been attacked. This was aided by Xin who happily used his magic to burn it all down.

By the time the sun began to filter down through the canopy, the camp was on the move. Makoa scouting ahead whilst Cullen and Aubrin led the survivors. Ashrem took the rear with some of the warriors, doing their best to cover their tracks.

Day 38

The sun was at its highest as the band of survivors arrived at their destination. Thankfully the journey from the old camp to the caves had been uneventful, so everyone was in good spirits.

Xin checked the entrance for any signs of intruders but, as far as he could tell, the tunnel had been undisturbed. Nevertheless, the companions checked the caves thoroughly before allowing the survivors entry.

“By the gods, the smell...” said Aubrin, wrinkling her nose in distaste.

“We did warn you...” replied Ashrem, laughing, “It'll take a bit of getting used to!”

They spent the rest of the day setting up camp on the upper level of the caves, making sure to set a watch near the entrance and also by the pit descending to the lower level.

Day 39

The survivors rose early the following day to continue setting up their new camp in the caves. Among other things, they made a screen from branches and leaves to conceal the overgrown entrance even more, making it virtually invisible from the outside.

The companions, meanwhile, descended to the lower levels with Aubrin, taking her to the cavern with the writing etched into the wall. After some time studying the writing, she spoke.

“It's in Aklo...the language of Derros,” she said, running her fingers along the carved script, “It tells the story of how they came here from the Darklands, many centuries ago, to pray at the feet of the Great Excavator.”

“Does it say how they got into the room behind the metal door?” asked Xin, impatiently.

“Yes. In seeking the Great Excavator, Grandmother turned her eyes to stone then steel then woe,” replied Aubrin.

“That's it!” said Xin, excitedly, “That must be the rock symbol...the metal bar symbol...and then the crying face symbol!” The half-Elf rushed from the cavern, heading in the direction of the metal door.

“Thank you, Aubrin,” said Makoa. “You should go back to the others...just in case...”

Aubrin nodded and headed back to the upper levels as Makoa and the two warriors followed Xin.

“Come on!” said Xin, as the others entered the chamber with the door, “Who's going to open it?”

“I will,” replied Cullen. Unslinging his sword and shield, he approached the door, the others readied themselves behind him. The burly warrior reached out to the central face and cautiously began to turn it. First to the symbol of the rock, then the symbol of the metal bar and, finally, to the symbol of the crying face. For a moment nothing happened, then there was a clanking noise as a hidden mechanism within the door itself swung into action...and the door slowly began to open.

The open door revealed a small chamber with a raised dais on which rested a sarcophagus. The chamber itself was plain as was the sarcophagus, except for the lid which featured a carving of an insectoid creature.

“That must be the Great Excavator,” said Xin, eagerly. The sorcerer muttered under his breath, concentrating. “There is magic inside! We must open it” he said, urging Cullen on.

Cullen looked around the chamber warily, half-expecting a trap of some kind. Cautiously, he moved into the room and to the bottom of the steps. “So far, so good,” he said. Taking a deep breath, he went up the three steps to reach the top of the dais. “Still okay,” he said, looking back at the others, shrugging, “Ash?”

Ashrem joined him at the top and together they heaved at the lid, pushing it aside.

“By the gods..” gasped Cullen, looking inside.

“What is it?” asked Xin.

“Some sort of crystallized insect-like creature...” he whispered, eyes wide in wonder, “And treasure. Lots of treasure!”

Xin was at his side in a moment, pushing the warrior aside in his eagerness to look inside. “There must be hundred of coins in here...” he muttered, picking some up, “Ancient ones of a type I've never seen...and gems...”

Cullen left the half-Elf to it, under the watchful eye of Makoa.

After a little while, Xin had had his fill and they turned their attention to the blocked up tunnel with the eerie moan. It was still early in the day and so they decided to pull down enough of the barricade for them to pass and investigate. It took them the rest of the morning but they managed to make enough room for them to pass one-by-one into the tunnel beyond.

Made of natural stone the tunnel descended steeply for a few dozen metres before veering right. The good news was that the eerie moan was not some foul creature intent on their destruction but just the air whistling through the rocks. They turned the corner to see the tunnel descended steeply as far as the eye could see.

“This must be the route the Derro took from the Darklands,” said Makoa. “If we followed it long enough, I believe that is where we would end up.”

“Best not follow it, then,” grunted Cullen, frowning, “I've heard stories of the Darklands...bad stories.”

Ash grunted in agreement.

The companions agreed that it would be for the best to restore the barricade and leave the tunnels beyond well alone. At Makoa's suggestion, they also decided to place Shrieker mushrooms in the tunnel beyond to give them warning should anything try and come up to the barricade. Furthermore, they decided they would barricade the secret door leading to the room with the carved writing as a further line of defence. This should hopefully leave Kinning safely able to use the old Derro forge.

They spent the next few hours reassembling the barricade before returning to the upper caverns to tell Aubrin and the others of their discoveries...and their plans. The rest of the afternoon was spent setting up Kinning in the old forge.

Day 40

Cullen and Ashrem spent the following morning barricading the secret door and then helping Kinning sort out the forge on the lower levels. The rest of the survivors had little reason to come down here, preferring the warmth and safety of the upper levels. Xin was busy studying the magical items found the day before, whilst Makoa began his attempts to cultivate some Shrieker mushrooms for their defence.

Around mid-morning, one of the survivors called down from the top of the pit. “Someone is at the entrance! He wants to speak to the leader!”

Cullen and Ashrem raced up the rungs, joining Xin, Makoa and Aubrin in the chamber nearest the entrance.

“I will go and speak with him,” said Xin. “Alone.”

“But...” Cullen began to protest.

“You and Ashrem can wait just behind the screen,” the half-Elf continued. “But we don't want to reveal more of ourselves than necessary at this point.”

Cullen reluctantly agreed. Makoa decided he'd be of better use staying with Aubrin keeping the survivors calm, ready to protect them should things turn out badly.

Xin and the two warriors made their way up the tunnels to the entrance. Xin motioned the other two to stay where they were and be quiet, then cautiously pushed the screen aside...enough for him to venture out...before putting it back in place.

Cullen heard a gruff voice ask if Xin was the leader but couldn't hear the half-Elf's reply, the thick screen and tunnel making hearing difficult. Cullen caught the name Ighiz and something about a ruby, then something about a deal.

Frowning, Cullen slowly inched the screen forward in order to take a look. As he did so he heard, more clearly, the voice mention slaves, just as he had pulled back the screen enough to see the figure of a brawny hobgoblin astride a wolf...in the ragged uniform of the Ironfang Legion.

The rage, churning deep in his gut since the death of his brother...always ready to burst forth at the slightest provocation, did so. Wrenching the screen aside, Cullen launched himself towards the hobgoblin, raging.

“You fucking bastard...” he shouted.

The figure looked momentarily taken aback as this warrior suddenly appeared, charging towards him, but he quickly regained his composure.

“So that is your answer then...” he spat, drawing an axe and throwing it at the charging warrior, who knocked it aside with his shield. The wolf beneath him snapped at Xin, tearing at him and knocking him to the ground.

Ashrem, meanwhile, had seen his friend toss aside the screen and charge out. Realising they had a fight on their hands, he leapt after his friend, managing to strike the wolf a mighty blow with his great-sword, wounding it deeply. Cullen swung at the hobgoblin, his sword bouncing of the creature's armour.

“You...fucking...bastard..” raged Cullen, bringing his sword back for another swing, this time drawing blood as the hobgoblin pulled out a wicked-looking scimitar, striking Ashrem.

The wolf, meanwhile turned its attention to Ashrem, giving Xin the chance to roll away, tentatively fingering his torn and bloodied arm. Ashrem swung at the slavering beast, killing it.

“Fucking...bastard!” screamed Cullen, as he batted the hobgoblin's scimitar aside with his shield and lunged with all his strength. The sword cut deep into the creature's side, tearing that part of his armour completely loose in a shower of blood.

A moment later and the two warriors felt a blast of heat as...from just behind them...a huge fiery hand appeared, engulfing the hobgoblin warrior. As the foul creature burnt, Ashrem leapt up and delivered the killing blow.

“Bastard!” spat Cullen, panting, as he dropped to his haunches. “What the fuck are the Ironfang doing here?”

“I was finding that out!” said Xin, angrily, “They wanted to make a deal...the same deal they had with the Troglodytes. No resistance and no aid for any that do resist. In return, money and trinkets.”

“There are no deals with these bastards!” shouted Cullen, standing and glaring at the half-Elf.

“There's no information out of him either, now!” shouted back the half-Elf.

“These bastards killed your friends! My brother! There is no talking to them! Besides, we couldn't take the chance of letting him run back to his masters to tell them where we are...” shouted back Cullen.

Makoa appeared. “Come on,” he said, standing between them, “What's done is done. One less bastard to kill later. And there are other ways to find out what they are up to.”

“Let's just hope that when he doesn't return they don't send more this way,” replied Xin, kneeling down to search the hobgoblin's body.

“Better than him returning to Phaendar and informing his masters that there are survivors hiding in the caves!” spat Cullen, as Ashrem and Makoa tried to calm him down.

For a slightly easier read, a PDF of the write-up on Google Drive here.