7-21-08 - The Bronze Treasure

XP: 225

SP: 0

I never thought I would survive let alone stop bleeding. The Griks we fought have a mean attack. The ferocity with which we were subjected was unlike anything I had experienced before...but wait. Maybe I need to back my thoughts up.

Having finished our last quest, we found ourselves in Glenmaple in search of a new direction. We spoke with the halfling traders in town who told us of an undead city just off the river to the north. They weren't sure where, but they reported hearing of attacks on barges traveling down river. We pick up some packages we will deliver and get some coin for our trouble when delivery has been made.

As we make our way north along the river, I notice something unusual about the hills just off the road. It seems as if there is a swampy area around the base of four small hills. I might even have seen some loose dirt tumble down where someone or something may have been. Duncan and I leave the horses, Serek, Kernosh, and get sneaky to take a closer look. We have to go far enough that it is not safe or smart to have the two Dragonborn so far behind us, so I motion them forward. Duncan and I move smoothly up one hill towards the hill that I had seen movement on. The hill we are on, however, seems to have some loose dirt and maybe even a sinkhole. Kernosh draws his greatsword and prods the loose dirt to discover a whole...from which burst three Griks. The Griks initially focus on the others, and I'm able to move into favorable positions to make my dagger sing. The Griks, however are resilient and we have to repeat attacks over and over to finish them off. I believe Kernosh took it personally as he proceeds to take out his frustrations on the Grik corpses. Imagine my surprise when a battle ax is found in one of the bodies. I'm not certain of the physiology of the Grik, but I can't imagine a meal of this sort would be pleasant. As Duncan feels he will be able to put it to good use, we ask him to relieve us of its burden.

As we search the hole the Griks came from, it becomes apparent that it was once a manor house, and the hole is the basement. As we explore, I notice that the room is smaller than the hill that surrounds it, especially along the east wall. My roguish nature leads me to conclude there is a secret door to be discovered. The purpose of a secret door is to be found and opened, and I find a loose brick with the catch to release it. However, my hand is not suited for the task, and Kernosh reaches in to release the secrets upon us. The room is what is left of an armory that hasn't been used in a very long time. Most of the items inside are rotted from moisture and age, but there are four items of interest. Upon close examination the four items are as follows:

• Leather Suit - Deathcut - Armor +1 - taken by Kernosh

   

• Crystalline Dagger - Flaming Dagger - +1 - taken by Orrin

   

• Steel Shortsword - Life Drinker +1 - taken by Orrin

   

• Crystal Armor - Plate Armor - taken by Serek

   

Having found these valuable pieces we decide to take a closer look at the other hills. Atop one of the hills we discovered a stone floor under the overgrowth and are able to find a stone hatch in one corner. In my mind, I think that perhaps this might be more a more lucrative find, as perhaps the stone floor was more expensive. Maybe the treasure would be as well. The opened hatch revealed five Grik eggs, and Kernosh thinks perhaps they might be worth 10 gold each. Seems to be an easy choice as no Griks are in site. As it turns out, the eggs were old, worthless, and hiding a burrowing hole from which sprang two Griks. Kernosh quickly climbed out and I step up and out as quickly as I can, and Sereck closed the stone door over the Griks. That did not stop them, unfortunately, and they burst through the stone floor in pursuit. I was not as quick as the others, and one of the Griks caught me and ripped me up in short order, while the other Grik apparently lost interest. As we kill the Grik that attacked me, it becomes clear that the other one didn't lose interest, but instead went for reinforcements.  We mount up and ride off fast, choosing to fight another day.  I mark the spot in my memory as it seems to be a place we should return...

After we ride a distance off, we make camp and take watches.  On Kernosh's watch, I come out of my trance when he calls my name.  Silently, I move to him as I catch glimpse of movement in the tall grass.  Kernosh saw something move but was having trouble seeing it.  As I help locate whatever it was, the scene must have been comical.  We were chasing movement here and there for an eternity before I was able to catch it.  It turned out to be an Invisible Fairy just over a foot tall.  He had ample opportunity to attack, but didn't and that is interesting.  We ask him a bit about himself and he says he would rather work for me or my kind because he isn't treated very well by Famorian (I'm uncertain if that is a name or a race...should have asked...) who has his talisman and hold him in servitude.  Famorian is having him scout ahead, and

is working with the Tyrant Humans (Bane followers?) because they seek to cross over from the Feywild.  As he is ready to leave, I ask him his name and after thinking hard about it, he tells me it is Somaet.  Perhaps with his name, I can call out to him in the future...hmm.

Despite the tragedy of it, "You'd think we could spot a burning village by now" comes from Kernosh and the smoke rising in the distance brings a quake to my stomach.  We move quickly ahead, and I move quietly ahead to the village alone.  I see the back of a Fey who is peering into some kind of portal into a fiery pit of despair.  With a wave of his hand, the Fey closes the portal and walks away.  I quietly follow along and hear a conversation between the Fey and a Human:

• Human in Plate - Is this going to work?

   

• Fey - It appears your calculations were correct.

   

• Human in Plate - How many?

   

• Fey - 200 more sacrifices are necessary

   

• Human in Plate - That will take another month.

   

• Fey - If we go too fast, it won't work

   

• Human in Plate - Bane wants to be let loose on this world.  Will you meet us at the next place?

   

• Fey - Despite everything our bargain still stands.  (He leaves)

   

• Human Mage - Maybe I can figure out how to use the weapon.

   

• Human in Plate - "Maybe" isn't good enough...the books says the Fey will help and we're sticking to the plan.

   

• Human Mage - Maybe we can get the Goblins to take 10 more prisoners in the nearby villages.

   

They finish their conversation as I slip away to inform the others.