Adventurers
- Alfredward (Dwarf 4) and Humphrey (Elf 1)
- Jinx (Magic User 1)
- Mandras (Dwarf 1)
Confident that they had dealt a grievous blow to the inhabitants of the Caves of Chaos, the party started looking for adventure further afield. Seeking an audience with Baron Grellus of Redwood, they gave him an update of their feats and enquired about the use of Redwood ships to explore new lands. He offered the use of a crewed vessel in return for half of any treasures they acquired. They promised to consider the offer.
Meanwhile, they purchased a trio of canoes and journeyed up to the mountains north of Redwood Castle. The Baron had provided them with some info on the prior existence of a holy order dedicated to Ferrona the Iron Shieldmaiden, though it had vanished many generations ago.
Their first night camped out saw them disturbed by the sight of three large shapes flying way up overhead, coming from the mountains to the north. They hunkered down and waited for them to pass over and on to the south west, hushed whispers speaking the word ‘dragon’ a few too many times for comfort.
Glad that nothing further came of that encounter, the party spent the next few days trawling the mountain paths for signs of abandoned temples. They spotted plenty of tracks, but no sign of buildings. They set up an ambush to try and overwhelm a band of bipedal tracks, and a few hours later found themselves face to face with some familiar rat-like creatures. The rodents were wary and kept their distance, trying to skirt around the group, so Jinx spread confusion amongst their ranks with some magical ventriloquism and Humphrey lulled four into an enchanted slumber. The rest fled, leaving their snoring comrades.
Binding these ratfolk up, the party slapped one awake and gently questioned it, offering food and sympathy. The captive gladly spilled whatever beans it could – apparently the creatures were attempting to avoid further subservient service to the ‘King of the Mountain’, and bullying tyrant camped up in an old monastery with his sycophants and enforcers. The party released it to bring a higher up to them the next morning – they wanted to negotiate.
A suitable representative of the ratclan appeared flanked with a sizeable retinue of twenty. The party arranged a truce for themselves and allies – all of whom would wear strips of black material around their necks to mark their allegiances – on the understanding that they’d take confront and overthrow the self-styled king, and learned of the location of the monastery. The rodents also guided them to a nearby underground temple which contained riches and a ‘wealthy-eyed statue’. If the party were to clear the place out for the ratfolk to inhabit, the treasure was all theirs.
Though their pockets were no heavier, the adventurers returned to the fort substantially richer in knowledge, and they started arranging for their next expedition into the mountains.