| Session Date | September 17, 2022 |
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| Base XP Gained | 6375 |
| Player Notes | ZZ's Notes |
Leaving the spectral remnants of five of the abductees from Sarkum and the Dry Tree locked in their room, the party decided to not try the secret door in the floor yet and instead explore to the south first. At a door, Dane Smite could sense a dim evil beyond. They= door opened into a largish hall decorated with old, faded frescoes depicting the same adventurer they’d seen before, doing astounding feats of adventury. Not unexpectedly, the party spotted movement on the ceiling as four wraith-spiders attacked. One managed to strike Jarrik but, despite a feeling of draining, he was none the worse for wear. The four creatures were quickly dispatched.
Beyond, the party found a large but empty room, beyond which were stairs descending. Deciding to finish this level, they entered another room where they found a pale figure lying face down. They carefully approached and found, not a half-power undead as they’d feared, but a fellow of the Dry Tree in very bad shape. He named himself Garrus, a Champion of the Dry Tree. He had been the captain of the band taken by the undead a few days past. Since capture, a specter had been feeding on him and he was now very weak and spent. ZZ gave him some ale to revive him a bit. He wished for a weapon to defend himself and wanted to immediately look for his men. When he learned of their fate, he became interested in vengeance instead. However, the party thought it wiser to immediately take him to Leptos as proof that Sarkum had nothing to do with the abductions. He reluctantly agreed (though as now a zero level schlep he did not have much room to argue!).
No sooner had the party exited the dungeon than they could hear loud horns blowing from the direction of the crossroads less than a half mile distant. Leptos cried that it was a danger signal. They rushed there as fast as they could. From the woodland edge of the large clearing around the crossroads, they were greeted with a rather unexpected sight. Atop a low rise near the crossroads the two score horsemen of Leptos were drawn up in a defensive posture. Just north of them, a body of 30 Hobgoblins were firing into them with crossbows, while an even larger force of Hobgoblins were running down the road to flank the men of the Dry Tree, followed by three Hill Giants with three Hellhounds paralleling them at even higher speed. From behind the rise, the party could just see a body of Trolls moving in behind Leptos’ force. Further north, watching, were a half dozen Giants (2 Frost, 2 Stone, 1 Fire) with more Hellhounds. Near the party, a lone werewolf was prowling and had spotted them. A number of Leptos’ men were trying to get mounted, though whether to charge the attackers or possibly flee was unclear.
The party debated rapidly and were inclined to withdraw given the overwhelming odds and terrible tactical situation for Leptos. But Garrus, weak as he was, upbraided them and said he would aid his comrades even if he must die with them. True to his word, he rushed off with a loaned sword. The party decided they would do what they could, knowing they could flee if needed. Mordecai lit incense of meditation and summoned a powerful air elemental which he ordered to bring Jarrik to the nearby Hill Giants and then attack the Hellhounds. Hans and Burt cast magic missiles at the lone werewolf; they did not kill it, but it did flee into the woods and was not seen again. The party members ran hither and thither on the field. Perhaps the most powerful and effective spell of the fight was an insect plague cast by Du’vyntioc. This served to rout the Hobgoblin archers, who fled the field and were not seen again. The Druid also peppered the Hobgoblin captain with a wand of magic missiles until he broke from his unit and charged Du' (and with two who went after Mordecai); all were quickly slain.
Meanwhile, HelgaVinka, ZZ, and Dane Smite rushed the Trolls threatening the Dry Tree rear. There proved to be eight of them, but Trollsbane and other weapons soon began to tell on them (and with aid from the Dry Tree folk). Jarrik fought a rather epic battle single-handed with three Hill Giants (albeit they’d been slightly weakened by spell attacks before he arrived). Spells flew across the field, ZZ cast multiple flame strikes on the Trolls, Burt and Hans blasted the Hobgoblin infantry with lightning bolts, and Mordecai cast prayer and positioned himself to benefit the entirety of the party and the men of the Dry Tree.
The insect swarm had obscured everything to the north, but out of it soon came a noxious cloud of green death that cut a swathe through it, and soon the entire spell was abruptly dispelled. Fortunately for the party, the band of Giants to the north had ceased advancing, while behind them a body of humanoid figures had appeared, also remaining distant. The party finally reached Leptos and there was a brief discussion of all mounting up and fleeing. But, as the Air Elemental slew the last Hellhounds, those fighting the Trolls gained the upper hand, and Jarrik slew the Hill Giants one by one, the enemy further north began to back away slowly. The Hobgoblins still fighting did not, fighting to the death, which came swift enough.
As the last enemies fell, those to the north turned and moved off at a deliberate (but not fearful) pace, and soon had disappeared to the north along the road. Leptos was clearly overjoyed at the party’s fortuitous return. He was saddened to learn about Garrus and his men, but he assured the party he was absolutely convinced that Sarkum was not involved in this. Indeed, he claimed this was the largest battle his folk had fought in many, many years. He had no idea what was going on but given the condition of his men and their losses, he was less interested in pursuit or learning more than he was in getting back to the Castle of the Dry Tree to report to his mistress. The party declined an invitation to accompany him, saying that they wished to finished exploring the dungeon they’d found. Leptos, much friendlier and less haughty than previously, wished them well, gathered his men and their fallen, and rode off to the west.
Meanwhile, ZZ spotted what appeared to be wagons up the road. He scouted (while still hasted) and found four abandoned wagons loaded with all manner of supplies. Using his ring, he was able to detect a sizable amount of silver in a strong chest. Ascertaining that there were no enemies close by, he drove that wagon (still hitched) to the party, where they found a great wealth of silver coin. Jarrik had also found a smaller amount among the three giants he slew. Although they took the money, they took one draft horse and rushed off to tell Leptos, who soon returned and took custody of the wagons for the Dry Tree (minus the silver, naturally).
The party now cut off the head of the Hobgoblin captain and moved to a camp site in the woods closer to the dungeon. Once secure, ZZ used his gizmo to speak with dead. Where were these troops headed? (they were enroute to the Palace of the Giant King) Who was the human in your group? (there was no human in the group) Who was their leader? (The Hooded One) Does the Hooded One control the undead? (he is the Master)
The party now settled down to rest and recover from the Battle of the Crossroads…