The Horn - The Lower Caverns
---
The Knot grabs what little useful gear the former leader had and follows Zikomo to his lair.
This large and high-vaulted cave drips with water so constantly it seems as if it is perpetually raining. Fetid pools and luminescent algae combine to give the chamber an ominous greenish glow and a lingering stench. The chamber is dominated by a large and impressive mud and stick hut that is surprisingly sturdy.
The temple itself is a single room almost thirty feet across. Inside, countless bones from those who have died upon Dagon’s altar decorate the place. A crude stone block is encrusted with old dried blood. Above the block, drawn in vibrant luminescent paint distilled from rare marsh plants, is the mad spiral rune of Dagon himself surrounded by countless scribbles of daemonic iconography copied from the Horn’s exterior. A fire pit burns in the center of the temple.
The Shaman casts a spell, drinks a potion and then steps into the flame cackling mad. "I sawz the future. I knowed that the slayers of Kumanda were to come to thisz plaze and that youz shall restore this Blessed place to greatness!
Thisz is why I hunt the upperz hallz to findz you!
Now you isz here and Kumanda, the fool is food!"
He looks at Grumble and cackles, "You must searches the upper hallz for itsz secretz. I canz help you..."
---
Havelyn clears his throat, "I will stay here with Zikomo. After all, he will need a strong hand to guide him through this difficult time. I think it more prudent if the halls were searched by the Knot only".
As Zikomo and Havelyn argue about whether the Boggarts should search the upper halls with the Knot, Grumble and the rest of the Party search the Lower Caverns. You come upon a cave sparkling with Diamonds! Greed overtakes good sense as the rest of the Party begins to enter the area, before Brian the cleric can advise of the possible danger, the floor gives way!
It cracks open like an eggshell, Errisaigh, Nate, and Alice fall through the floor and are impaled on the stalagmites 30' below!
Aurex roars, but it's too late!
Between the fall and the impaling, all are doomed. Brian sighs, "That I cannot heal with wand or spell".
The Dragon huffs, "My alliance with the Cardinal ends with the death of Nate...
still, this place intrigues me.
Perhaps I shall remain close by and decide what to do next.
Ogre, fetch my Mortal, you may have whatever effects of his you believe you may need. After a proper disposal, you and I shall speak further".
While not thrilled with the term fetch, as the Dragon seems rather upset at the death of his pet, it's probably not worth the fight. Especially considering that Nate, or at least his corpse, has that Dragonbane sword down there.
You retrieve Nate and whatever other effects you deem useful from your former companions and climb back up.
Aurex takes the body of Nate and exits the cave system. Brian raises his eyebrows, "Well, that's an... interesting development. I suppose we need to tell Lord Havelyn abut what just transpired".
"F~~*ing lovely," Jack Grumbled.
Then he turned his baleful eyes on Aurex. "If you don't work for Thorn, you don't give me orders, lizard," The monster glared at the dragon. "The whole f$%@ing Knot's dead, 'cept me, so there's nobody to make me play nice. If you're sticking around, you might want to think up a few reasons why I shouldn't turn you into a f#*+ing codpiece."
"You got a point about Havelyn though. Raaven, go tell Lord Fancypants we're gonna need some second stringers. Let me know if I need to put on the monkey suit and head into that shithole town."
With an annoyed grunt, he dropped down into the pit, letting his vestigial wings halt his fall with a few awkward flaps, managing to land among the corpses of his former allies with only a few scrapes. After breaking the stone spikes off he started unceremoniously chucking the rest of the bodies up and out of the hole.
Dutifully, the perpetually exasperated cacodaemon floated away to find the former Knight Commander and inform him of the sudden setback.
"Lord Havelyn, everyone other than GrumbleJack, Aurex, and the cleric Brian are dead. I would not trust my master to plan a task as delicate as gathering new allies, so I am afraid the task must fall to you."
The Dragon narrows its eyes at you and does not respond.
As Nate's body is unceremoniously tossed back up he takes Nate into his jaws and places his body on his back. "Have a care Ogrekin. When next we meet, these slim tunnels may not protect you from my full abilities.
I shall return and then we shall speak..." Aurex exits the cavern.
Brian grimaces as you throw the bodies back up, "I think we might wish to hide the rest of the bodies Mr. Jack. With the Dragon gone and the rest of your Knot perished, we don't wish to create the illusions that we are severely weakened before the Boggards.
It is now just you, me, and Lord Havelyn present".
Raaven finds Lord Havelyn still speaking with the Boggards, it appears that he has convinced this Zikomo fellow to send one solitary fighter to the upper levels to act as the Shaman's representative.
Once he sees you he steps away to where he can speak with Raaven freely, "Well, that's not terribly good news now is it. Inform Grumble that it would be best if he returned to the Baron under the guise of Sir Jack Balin and retrieved perhaps Soren and Morana and anyone else that the Baron may have on hand to sweep this place clean. If I leave now, we present weakness to these frogmen. While we may outclass them with skills, they far exceed our number even before the know was untied.
The Dragon can carry him swiftly back to town, then return here to buttress my position. Have him leave the cleric as well".
"Anytime you wanna try your luck, pal," Jack said with a wide grin as Aurex left. As strange as it seemed, Jack didn't seem especially angry. His threats felt more like friendly banter, though it was clear that the idea of testing himself against the dragon was exciting to the hellish ogre. He gave Aurex a jaunty wave and turned back to his gristly task.
"One of 'em had a... hold on... there it is." Grumble pawed over his dead allies gear until he found a duffel bag, then started stuffing corpses into it.
Raaven sighed. "The master just threatened to turn the dragon into a codpiece."
"With Nathan dead, Aurex has little reason to cooperate. This may take some careful diplomacy. I will see what I can do."
Havelyn sighs, "Of course he did. T'would be an interesting battle. Aurex would do well to have that fight outside of a cavern though.
I am sure you can find a way to soothe the bruised ego of the Dragon. As he was bonded to that psychopath, the Dragon is likely experiencing what a Red Dragon would approximate as grief, if such creatures are capable of such feelings anyway. Let's not have the rest of the Knot slay each other, our enemies are the Mitrans, not each other".
"As you say my lord," Raaven said with a tilt and a bob that approximated a bow.
Master, you will need to travel to Farhold to meet with our allies. Lord Havelyn would like us to entreat Aurex to fly us there with as much haste as can be mustered.
"Well he just left," Grumblejack grunted as he walked back to their makeshift camp. "He said he'd be back after he buried Nate. Or ate him. Whatever weird dragons do with their dead boyfriends."
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The group rested just outside of the Horn the night before. You have been here for at least 10 to 12 hours (Alice and Errisaigh spent half of that time trying to figure out how to repair that Golem you located).
A trip to Farholde may also be good to obtain the parts you need to fix that thing if you were so inclined.
The Horn of Abaddon - the Golem
The group cleared most of the first floor as there wasn't much going on there.
The second floor got interesting but with the arrival of the Boggards clan, your exploration efforts were redirected to the Lower Caverns and the power struggle between the Chief and the Shaman. You explored half of the second floor before being sidetracked.
The spiral staircase through the caverns is the best way to restart where you left off. There were a few interesting discoveries of note besides the Golem I will direct your attention to:
1 - Wands. Let's assume that 5 charges from the Cure Moderate were used leaving 35.
2 - Quadrant Plaques
4 - The Secret Entrance from the Lower Caverns back UP lead to the Level 2 Temple.
Ideally, Grumble heads back to the town and Soren or Morana make contact with Tiadora who informs the Cardinal of the setback. Grumble cools his heels with Morana (I forgot she had left and isn't dead) for a month or so and the new PCs arrive in the new thread.
Aurex and Soren will head to the Horn to ensure that Havelyn and Brian aren't slain by the Boggards.
The new PCs get their bearings on RPing their PCs looking for you or the Baron. Once you all unite, the Cardinal arrive and drafts a new contract. The new Knot then simply picks up where the old Knot left off at Level 2.
After stuffing his dead allies in his new bag, Grumble wandered over to the dead Boggard king and dragged him out of the cavern.
He hauled the bodies up to the cold room on the first floor. That dead minotaur wasn't new, but it hadn't decomposed for some reason.
"Maybe whatever's goin' on there'll keep this lot from stinkin' up the place," he muttered to himself.
He stripped the bodies of their equipment, left them with in a thoughtless pile with the dead minotaur, and hauled the pile of gear to the room they'd set up camp.
Then he walked outside, hopped off the staircase, and glided down to the clearing below to wait for Aurex.
After a few hours the Dragon returns, Nate's corpse is nowhere in sight.
He lands some distance away from you, about 60', showing he has a healthy respect for your prowess.
"So, you await me outside eh Ogrekin? We have been butting heads for some time now haven't we? With the death of the rest of the active members of the Knot, we both know Lord Havelyn wishes to keep his hands clean and Soren and Morana seem content to let the rest of us do the work.
So long as Nathaniel was alive I was content to be a mere steed as it were. Now I must consider my proper place in this pecking order the Cardinal is creating.
Were I more mature I would abandon this petty quest altogether and fly far from Talingarde, but at my age there is only so far even I can fly without rest and I do not know what is beyond these shores or how close such a land may be. However, I am no fool. The Mitrans would see me as a grave threat and hunt me down were I to simply set up my own lair in the south. To the north I would be subject to the whims of older more powerful members of my kind, something I do not relish, which is why I accepted the bargain with Nathaniel in the first place. For me to truly roam free in this land unimpeded, it would behoove me to remain and assist the Cardinal with this gambit.
But what am I to do with you Ogrekin? Shall I suffer your taunts as good natured ribbing as if we were equals? Shall I simply cook you brains and eat you for dinner?"
The Dragons eyes narrow to slits, and they drift to the sword you now wear at your waist, "You were formidable, with that blade you may be downright deadly. Of course, your arms are only so long, aren't they?" He looks up to the open sky and back at you and grins, smoke rising from his nostrils.
Grumblejack slowly wrapped a thick strip of leather around the blade while Aurex monologued.
"We gonna do this, or do you wanna keep sweet talkin' me for a while?"
Raaven floated out between them. "If the pair of you are set on this collision course, I'd like to at least set some perameters for the contest."
"I've managed to convince Grumblejack to at least attempt not to kill you, Aurex. I'd like the same consideration for him in return. It is only right to defer to the strongest among us, but we are still allies. Killing each other furthers none of our goals."
"Whoever wins, the other defers, is that acceptable?"
Jack grunted. "Wouldn't have it any other way."
"Don't worry 'bout trying not to kill me. You won't."
The dragon chuckles and nods in agreement, "With your dangerous blade wrapped, I'll keep my breath under wraps. So be it, it was long overdue..."
"Naw," Jack grinned. "I don't want you to wonder if the turnout might have been different if you weren't holding back. Use the sky. Use your fire. It won't matter. I want you to know you got beat."
The young Dragon snorts in response.
Initiative
---
Round 1 - FIGHT!
Grumble - GO!
Aurex.
"So what's it gonna be, lizard? Gonna fly? Or come get me?"
Round 1
The dragon does not respond verbally. Aurex leaps into the air, using his hind legs and his tail to give him a boost! He flies and begins turning away from you, seeking to gain altitude.
For his tough talk, it seems he is wisely avoiding a ground exchange with you...
---
Round 2 - FIGHT!
Grumble - GO!
Aurex.
"Yeah, I wouldn't want to fight me up close either," Jack said with a grin. He reached over his shoulder to the fancy magic quiver he'd pulled off of one of his companion's corpses, and drew a javelin.
"I don't know how to use these, but how hard can it be?" Jack mused.
"Eh. Harder'n they look. Good thing I got lots of 'em."
Round 2
Aurex flips over to face you, snapping his jaws at you while summoning fire from the back of his throat!
Dazzling Display (Intimidate - Demoralize Opponent DC 10 + Grumble Hit Dice + Grumble WIS Bonus = 15)
Despite your confidence, you realize this is still a Wyrm, not an ancient or an adult, but a dragon nonetheless.
Round 3 - FIGHT!
Grumble - GO!
Aurex.
"Got me a little shiver there. Right scary," Jack said, enjoying the pulse of fear that rushed up his spine. "Needs work though. Lemme show you."
Heat and malice rolled off Grumblejack's body, scorching the ground.
"You're gonna figure it out in a bit. There's not a damn thing you can do to win this. You can't scare me bad enough. You can't burn me bad enough. Eventually, you'll have to fight for real. You'll have to get close. Ć̷͈̱̗̄̌͝O̶̡̲͖̊͊̈́̔M̷̖̺͔͌̓E̸͓̮̣̣̲͋̃̚ ̷̖͈͓͂͗̒̍̚Ằ̸͈͓̱̒́Ň̸̖͉̳͓̝͐̐D̶͍̥͐́͗ ̴̗̱͙̼͔̾̉Ş̵͕̌̆̕E̸̝̦͋͆Ȅ̷̯̜̯̇̈́́"
Round 3
Aurex's eyes narrow but his slits widen, you can tell he is feeling the effects of your jawing and prowess!
In response he circles around and opens his maw, spewing forth the Dragon fire which most mortals fear!
Breath Weapon Reflex Save DC 15.
Round 4- FIGHT!
Grumble - GO!
Aurex.
Grumblejack is not most mortals. He doesn't bother moving. He just spreads his arms and lets the dragonfire wash him clean.
"Thanks," Jack grinned. "Now I don't gotta bathe before I put on my human suit."
While he grumbled, Jack pulled another Javelin and tossed it up at the dragon.
"Damn, I'm terrible with these things. You wanna stay up there and let me practice a while, or come down here so we can wrap this up?"
Round 4
Aurex remains silent, swoops into a dive and attacks!
Aurex's powerful bite packs a stinging puncture on your left shoulder.
His dive is so fast and skillful that you are unable to swing at him.
Round 5 - FIGHT!
Grumble - GO!
Aurex.
Gotcha," Grumble growled.
Round 5
Aurex roars in rage as he's caught in the net!
He flexes his wings and his arms to break free and for a moment, Grumble thinks he might just succeed, the netting stretches...
but try as he may, the Dragon is entrapped by the snare!
Round 6 - FIGHT!
Grumble - GO!
Aurex.
Laughing like a maniac, Grumblejack unleashed his fury like a savage.
FIGHT OVER!
Grumble smashes Aurex into unconsciousness.
Hours later the Dragon wakes up, his reptilian eyes blinking open. He turns to you, a look of hatred mixed with begrudging respect, and perhaps a bit of fear.
"Tell me Ogrekin, what now?"
"Now we rebuild the Ninth Knot and get back to work. Fly me to Farhold, then come back and guard the Horn. We'll figure out the rest later."
Later, in the skies over Farholde, Grumble used his new Circlet to look like Sir Jack.
"I'm good from here. Head back."
Then he tipped himself off the dragon's back and plummeted a few hundred feet into the Baron's back yard.
Aurex nods and states nothing further, he appears to appreciate your lack of crowing over his defeat, at least you assume that to be the case as his look is no longer one of I'd eat you if I could motherf#%#er.
Raaven reminds you that this operation is to be conducted in the shadows and so you wait until nightfall to have Aurex fly back and drop you into Farholde, specifically the Baron's manse.
You easily pick the lock on the back door and enter. You hear voices coming from upstairs.
The Baron's Manse
As you tiptoe, or whatever Grumble does that passes for a tiptoe, up the stairs you hear the Baron's voice, "...enough to hold Hamarhall".
The voice responding sounds as if from a man slightly older than the Baron, "Unwise. Alerting the Kingdom now to a presence here will just create a call for reinforcements from the south and in greater numbers".
The Baron, "Bah, the Cardinal wishes to keep the glory of these victories for himself. Several clusters of ill tempered and ill mannered ruffians running about can accomplish some chaos, but not a solid victory.
The one remaining here is certainly effective in their cloak and dagger activities, especially when no one is looking. Then he sends the more effective group to die at the Horn! The second such group to do so I'd wager. With that Ogre and that Dragon at my side we could have already secured Hamarhall and Farholde".
The other gentleman, "Are you mad? That Dragon is a youngling, his presence could bring attention of the worst kind our way. Namely from older more powerful Dragons!"
The Baron sniffs, "Perhaps.
Regardless, the Horn is a waste of resources. Even if they could reclaim it, the evils that lie there could send plagues across the Countryside. What's the good of ruling over a land of the dead?"
That comment silences the companion. That silence lingers on for a few minutes.
Sir Balin walked upstairs on surprisingly quiet feet and pushed into the room without preamble.
"It's not up to you," Sir Jack said simply. "Good on ya for being ambitious, but we're not yours to command. The Horn is the job. We can talk about a little tit for tat, but not at the expense of the job. You get me?"
The Baron's Manse
The Baron is too shocked to respond, his companion though whips around, wand in hand though he does not activate it, "And who may you be Ser?"
The Baron responds for you, "That's Sir Balin, a member of the aforementioned Party whose mission is to conquer the Horn".
The wand goes back into it's sheath, "While it is certainly pleasant to see you Sir Balin, I have to wonder what you are doing here and in my Manor, unannounced". He appears to be ignoring the fact that you caught part of his conversation.
The wand goes back into it's sheath, "While it is certainly pleasant to see you Sir Balin, I have to wonder what you are doing here and in my Manor, unannounced". He appears to be ignoring the fact that you caught part of his conversation.
"I couldn't wait for all the pomp and circumstance. The party at the Horn has fallen. Myself, Lord Havelyn, and Aurex are the only survivors. I need you to sent a message to Tiadora. We need reinforcements."
The Baron's Manse
"Errisaigh as well? That is unfortunate.
Interesting, I was under the impression that you had a way to communicate with her yourselves. Very well, I shall assist you, but I believe that two of your compatriots arrived yesterday and were still staying at the Wandering Friar. Have they decided to remain behind rather than face the Horn once more?"
The other gentleman speaks, "Reinforcements will take time to arrive. Much as the Baron would love to show his hospitality, it's probably unwise for you to stay here. You have a room at the Wandering Friar Inn already? If not, I can extend to you my hospitality, if you agree to counseling some young men on the finer points of Knighthood". The man grins wickedly at the notion.
"Those two had a different job. The Friar is good enough. I'll train your boys. It's not like I have anything better to do for now."