(S14) Clearing out the Vermin

Zeleen's head dangled from the belt of an unusually grim looking Siax. The life of a ranger of The Guided Path wasn't supposed to be easy but over the last month the young ranger had done things that would have been unthinkable the years prior. The group headed towards the mine and while Idris hoped that the remaining wererats (for that is what the clan was) would be amicable deep inside the party knew they were walking towards a slaughter. Arriving to the mine quickly they entered via the passageway on the east, the one overlooking the small graveyard the Dwarves had built. Pine climbed up first and could instantly hear wheezing as if someone was in great pain. Not willing to walk in alone, he helped Siax up but by the time that had been done the wheezing sound turned to the unmistakable telltale sound of a death rattle. Turning the corner Pine found one of the Dwarves, now dead. He had been almost flayed by the amounts of raking wounds on his and it was clear he must have been in tremendous agony. The rest of the party now up the small cliffside also saw the fate of the poor Dwarf. Overcome with anger they decided that decisive action was needed and run down the hallway, seeing more dwarves laying dead.

However, as Pine made to join them something...changed. Time had frozen and a darkness had closed in around him. He could see the others through the black haze but they did not move. A shadowy figure was there with him standing imperiously and radiating a commanding energy. The figure stood above the dead dwarf and with a small glance downwards it spoke: "You possess the ability to bring the recently dead back to life, do you not?" Pine not one to dishonest admitted that he could. The figure then asked him why he did not save this one. Pine struggled to answer as what he thought was perhaps somewhat distasteful but decided to be honest. Explaining that he could bring back the dead often and his resources were limited it was best to save these abilities for his companions, as they were of much more use to him. This seemed to please the figure, echoing how some were more worthy than others. The figure then said they would speak again before it vanished, restoring time to it's normal flow.

The others, not knowing what had happened kept charging until a crafty wererat jumped out at Idris. A melee broke out, with tens of the giant rats the party had seen before coming out from all the tunnels. Taking hit after hit, Idris with the assistance of Siax was able to keep the main tide of creatures back though he suffered a wound in his neck. Deeper in the tunnels Koraliki Verque, Pine, Zenari and Factoré killed rat after rat after rat. Thankfully the tide quickly turned against the wererats and the two remaining fled out of the mine, vanishing into the darkness outside. The party looked through the mine where they found Don-Jon Raskin, bleeding heavily in an old office. He told them to stay back as he had been infected and was a goner. Pine however was able to reverse the curse, his mastery over his powers making them as precise as they were powerful. 

However it was then revealed that Idris had the beginnings of the curse as well. He did not seem to mind much, perhaps ideas of being as fast as a wererat not sounding too bad but quickly changed his tune when Don-Jon Raskin informed him that the infected lost themselves and became evil conniving creatures. Alas, Pine was not strong enough to attempt such a healing again and normal healing magic only seemed to delay the effects of it. Zenari proposed a radical idea, of Pine using her as a sort of focus, channeling her magic to do his bidding. A risky proposition, nonetheless they attempted it. A blast of energy hit Idris as a ringing noise started bouncing off the cavern walls. His curse was removed but perhaps a rib was broken in place. However the magic was uncontrollable and though Zenari was able to stop it from burning them it rebounded melting the floor underneath Pine's feet trapping him and also teleporting from the Gods know where, an owlbear beside them. The creature, half bear, half owl and all rage lashed out and went on a rampage. Claws slashing and beak ripping it eventually started wandering down the mine, seemingly confused at the amount of passages. Unfortunately Siax attempted to speak to it which prompted it to double back and charge the party. Siax's arrow traps were triggered and the creature was struck unconscious as it crushed Idris against a wall. Before the others could finish off the creature Zenari patched it's wounds and stabilised it - telling them that she would not countenance further harm to this creature. Her magic had brought it here and she was responsible. 

Curses cured, wounds mended the party left towards Phandalin before the Owlbear would wake again. Don-Jon Raskin seemed saddened by how everything was resolved and while he paid them the promised amount he did not seem hopeful about reopening the mine. He said he would head to Leilon to lie low. The party and him parted with not many other words exchanged. 

A bit discouraged by the events of the past two days they took the long trek from the mine back to the now familiar Phandalin. It was time to discuss their next move, be it trekking into the wilds with Falcon to assault the Orcish base, checking out Butterskull Ranch or even going back to the Sword Coast at the location they suspected Cryovain had landed in an attempt to find more clues about why this creature is here and how they could wound it. Unfortunately when they tried to contact Sildar with the sending stone they received no answer. Fearing something was wrong they rushed back and found their fears confirmed. As they closed towards Phandalin these thoughts were put out of mind as the smell of smoke filled the air. A flare of light from the wand they had lent Sildar Hallwinter illuminated the city below. Fire and screams, it seemed the city was under attack by Orcs and they had somehow gotten past the walls. As if that wasn't bad enough they saw Tresendar Manor collapse, a gargantuan scaled form arising through the wreckage, a mighty roar sounding from it. 

Cryovain is here.