Session #12: The Final Battle
Jan. 14th, 2024 07:11 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
istainion We held our position in the room as we split our group in two, I headed north, following the hidden passage from which a curious kobold scout previously passed through before he retreated. It led to a narrow passageway in which that same kobold stood, yelling over to a space behind the curve leading to the western side. While it was not my intention to inflict such harm on such weak forces, these could not be avoided. These kobolds seem disinterested in changing their plans.
I tightened my grip on my weapon and struck the poor creature down, away from the path. This path revealed a long corridor which is connected from behind the room of corpses to a different one. Along with Sidah and Hemlock, we moved through there as the ones ahead of us yelled something in an unfamiliar language. (Draconic)
I heard Sidah mutter something about a prepared attack, so in return, I shut the door that connected the two paths to form a disadvantage. From the distance, I had seen a large group of kobolds that allowed spearmen through to battle us. I held my weapon ready for an attack, just like the others did, when suddenly a loud shake vibrated the ground of the building.
There were only sounds of agony in the far distance, muffled by the solid door from which we stood behind. Though, from behind the door I still detected movement until it was put on hold. Nothing happened for a while, until I decided to take a look. I saw three kobolds in front of me, one of them held a spear and the others behind him readied their bows. While all three made an attempt to land an attack on me, they didn't have what it took to break down the iron defense of Torm's holy shield.
With our turn to strike, we made quick work of the enemies ahead and hurried on to where the corridor would lead to. It made a turn to the left, and as soon as we got near, an intense heat filled the room. We were exposed to fire, or that, what remained of it. Corpses of burnt kobolds were scattered around the room and some of the furniture caught fire. The stench was highly unpleasant to say the least. That may as well have been the group that I saw before I shut the door. Such a large scale attack ... Was that someone on our team's doing?
Closing my eyes briefly as I moved on, I saw a passage leading outside where three kobolds ran through. They made an attempt to escape and that may as well be for the best. To my side, I heard a familiar voice. Near the staircase leading upstairs, I saw Sister Yolantha stand. She greeted us, and Kyndel also showed up afterwards. These grounds were clear, we could confirm, and we headed up the stairs to the space where the dragon awaits us.
The room to which the stairs led to looked like an average one with a fireplace, a place of comfort. The others found the dragon outside, he was on the roof with a few other kobolds, they had said. I hurried to them, after all, I must hold their attention, so the others may strike. Once we got closer, they seemed to have noticed our presence. One kobold holding a golden glowing orb with wooden wings tied to his back, two spearmen with Cryovain in the back. Around the dragon, a number of bones were piled up as he slept onto a magic circle. It looked like they were restoring his health!
Quickly, we got into combat. I rushed toward one of the spearmen to fight them when a conversation took place between Sidah and the one holding the orb. He, who resembled one of Sidah's illusions from the forest, began to laugh at him. He hadn't expected to see Sidah back and somehow, this kobold knows more about him. He was named evil for cooperating with evil forces, but the stranger doubted these statements. Is he truly evil? Or was it Sidah?
The spellcaster held onto his orb and casted a spell, cursing the upset kobold. It would help him remember, he had promised. Help Sidah remember who he was. He looked into the orb, until he got caught in a trance before his entire body language changed. He looked more secure than ever when he held onto his weapon with both of his hands. His eyes, it's like the color changed, when suddenly he rushed toward Hemlock for an attack. It nearly looked like he was under a spell, but when Hemlock robbed the orb from its magic and it was discarded by the spellcaster, Sidah's behavior didn't change. Has he been exposed to the truth? Was he always on the enemy's side?
One by one, we fought the enemies, taking down one after the other, until finally the spellcaster fell. While Sidah kept attacking us, he witnessed his superior, or what it seemed like to him, and fed the enemy his own potion. He regained consciousness but when an attack came from Hemlock, he carried only fear in his eyes and was forced to stand back, just like how Kyndel frightened Sidah during the battle. Both of them forced distance between us. It made the enemy an easier target, which was also when he fell again to his knees. Unconscious as he was. Never to get back up again.
We managed to destroy most of the bones that were neatly piled around the dragon and as soon as more than half of it was gone, the magic circle stuttered until it disappeared. The ritual was interrupted, but the healing has been applied, regardless of our attempts. When the dragon looked around and noticed that most of his troops were killed, his eyes grew wide. A deep frown appeared before the loud roar filled the surroundings. Violently, he used his wings to get up and began to collect his frost energy to land a familiar attack on us. Cryovain was furious.
With each of us in position, we battled the dragon. While he felt weaker than before, we somehow managed to knock him out. Each of us was surprised, until an intense, cold aura was circling around the creature when he suddenly got back up his feet, spreading the killing cold as he fought back. Massive damage was dealt to each of our bodies until I lost consciousness and fell.
My vision grew dark and I remembered the vague images of all that was left for me to do, hopes, dreams. A warm touch on my skin has helped me to reconnect with what was real. I had opened up my eyes and rose from the ground, no matter how cold it was. Gasping at the enemy that had nearly killed me trice. I grit my teeth, collected my shield and warhammer and charged back into battle.
Sidah regained his senses and took Kryptgarden's magic arrow along with his bow and found a good position to fire it at the enemy. Unfortunately, the arrow missed, but with Kyndel's assistance, the kobold was warped to the space of need and tried it once again. With grand success, he struck the dragon! There seemed to be no impact at first, it was as if the arrow was absorbed by its body, but as soon as he lifted his wings with an attempt to attack us from the heavens, thunderclouds began to gather. Lightning struck the beast and inflicted severe damage. It was as if the arrow guided the lightning, making the two sources connect. After a loud sound from the dragon, he crashed down from the sky, back to the stone surface of the roof. The vibrations from the impact worsened the impact of previous damage to the building. He was unable to stand for the moment, so we had used this to strike him while he was stunned.
Each of us managed to weaken him farther, but it was Sidah who landed the final strike with his axe, rendering our enemy useless after he decided that he no longer needed to speak to the dragon. He knows enough, he said.
A moment of silence was shared between us. I gave a final prayer to the recently deceased. I had hoped that somehow things would have gone differently. Their intentions must remain a mystery as it is. Enemies as dangerous as these won't allow anyone to learn about their plans. However, the threat is no longer. We buried the kobold that Sidah seemed familiar with and spent the night in Icepire Holt after securing it from enemies and remains of fire.
The night felt restless to me, while the battle has been fought, I don't feel as comfortable sleeping in what feels like a cemetery. May Torm guide these misleaded fools to a safe place. I will not forget them, strong enemies are to be admired, for we are nothing but equals on a battlefield, fighting a battle for a cause of our own. What is it that they had wanted? I kept asking myself.
. . .
The next day, we explored the surroundings of the fort. No sign of any threat. We had to make our path back and inform Phandalin of our success. To ease the road back, we cleared it from rubble and other remains, while the sister made a sign near the building. "No orcs allowed"
I summoned a beast that would assist us, a mountain goat. I had never done it before and needed some moments of concentration, but as soon as her scent reached me, I knew I had to get myself together. We must leave this place safely at all costs. And both Kyndel and Sidah put the animal to good use, it made me happy to see how comfortable they made themselves. It was such an honor to travel with these men and women, to fight alongside them. I wonder where our path will lead each of us from here on. Mine will lead me to Kryptgarden, it was a promise I had made to the lady. May she forgive my delay.
We stopped by the gold mine during our travel back to Phandalin, seeking for the gentleman Don-Jon, but he was not present according to the hardworking dwarves. They looked forward to celebrating our victory, but unfortunately, we cannot leave the people in the miner's town waiting much longer. Our journey continued and we made it back to the familiar town, where the people curiously followed us to the center of town. We were announced to the citizens and once the guard captains came out to welcome us, we told them the story.
Loud cheering followed after the proof was shown and we were dragged inside the tavern for a celebration. I grew anxious by the time, the longer it lasted. Knowing that Lady Susi is awaiting my return to Kryptgarden. I had hoped to learn of a way to send a message to them of my arrival, for a guide of Kryptgarden to guide me back to the people. I learned that the guard captain had his vocal cords damaged and could no longer speak, even when sister Yolantha helped him. It made no difference. They seem convinced that it may still recover. I am glad that he managed to survive that fall. Hopefully, Torm's holy shield, that I had casted on the man, was of any help. His smile, however, even in a torn state, encouraged me to try harder.
The druid of Kryptgarden, the lady had said in the ex-captain's place, that Lady Sade came to Phandalin with her own quest. It was not Phandalin that made contact with the druids. To message them of my arrival will prove to be a bigger task than I had hoped for. I must return by tomorrow. I recalled the letter and grew far more nervous. At night, it may be restless until I return to her. I wonder if a pair of flowers will help ... Maybe a tiny gift from Phandalin will do it?
During the loud partying, something caught the attention of the people. One by one, they went outside when the heavens became dark and clouds in the distance began to gather. They formed words, no, a message. And not just any, they formed above the forest of Kryptgarden. It seems like the message of victory has been received by the druids. Each of our names was mentioned in the message of thanks from the arch druid. It was impressive, but the pressure and stress grew worse. If the druids know, then ... So does she. I heard loud gasping and noticed people point at the clouds again.
I turned my head and felt my face becoming pale when a new message appeared.
"VEIGEROS, RETURN IMMEDIATELY."
I felt the sweat drip down my face, my body began to shake as the words of her letter repeated in my mind. I muttered to myself "She'll kill me, she'll kill me ..."
. . .
Immediately, I prepared everything I needed for my travel back and went to rest early that night. When I left the partying crowd, a familiar kobold blocked my path. It was as if he knew of my future plans. He looked at me with his bright blue eyes, as curious and insecure as they were when he asked me if he could come with me to Kryptgarden. He could use a break from everything in a place of rest and shelter. I felt my expression soften as I placed my hand on his head. "Of course, you can." I smiled at him and nodded back at the boy.
It looks like my travel back will not be lonely.
I tightened my grip on my weapon and struck the poor creature down, away from the path. This path revealed a long corridor which is connected from behind the room of corpses to a different one. Along with Sidah and Hemlock, we moved through there as the ones ahead of us yelled something in an unfamiliar language. (Draconic)
I heard Sidah mutter something about a prepared attack, so in return, I shut the door that connected the two paths to form a disadvantage. From the distance, I had seen a large group of kobolds that allowed spearmen through to battle us. I held my weapon ready for an attack, just like the others did, when suddenly a loud shake vibrated the ground of the building.
There were only sounds of agony in the far distance, muffled by the solid door from which we stood behind. Though, from behind the door I still detected movement until it was put on hold. Nothing happened for a while, until I decided to take a look. I saw three kobolds in front of me, one of them held a spear and the others behind him readied their bows. While all three made an attempt to land an attack on me, they didn't have what it took to break down the iron defense of Torm's holy shield.
With our turn to strike, we made quick work of the enemies ahead and hurried on to where the corridor would lead to. It made a turn to the left, and as soon as we got near, an intense heat filled the room. We were exposed to fire, or that, what remained of it. Corpses of burnt kobolds were scattered around the room and some of the furniture caught fire. The stench was highly unpleasant to say the least. That may as well have been the group that I saw before I shut the door. Such a large scale attack ... Was that someone on our team's doing?
Closing my eyes briefly as I moved on, I saw a passage leading outside where three kobolds ran through. They made an attempt to escape and that may as well be for the best. To my side, I heard a familiar voice. Near the staircase leading upstairs, I saw Sister Yolantha stand. She greeted us, and Kyndel also showed up afterwards. These grounds were clear, we could confirm, and we headed up the stairs to the space where the dragon awaits us.
The room to which the stairs led to looked like an average one with a fireplace, a place of comfort. The others found the dragon outside, he was on the roof with a few other kobolds, they had said. I hurried to them, after all, I must hold their attention, so the others may strike. Once we got closer, they seemed to have noticed our presence. One kobold holding a golden glowing orb with wooden wings tied to his back, two spearmen with Cryovain in the back. Around the dragon, a number of bones were piled up as he slept onto a magic circle. It looked like they were restoring his health!
Quickly, we got into combat. I rushed toward one of the spearmen to fight them when a conversation took place between Sidah and the one holding the orb. He, who resembled one of Sidah's illusions from the forest, began to laugh at him. He hadn't expected to see Sidah back and somehow, this kobold knows more about him. He was named evil for cooperating with evil forces, but the stranger doubted these statements. Is he truly evil? Or was it Sidah?
The spellcaster held onto his orb and casted a spell, cursing the upset kobold. It would help him remember, he had promised. Help Sidah remember who he was. He looked into the orb, until he got caught in a trance before his entire body language changed. He looked more secure than ever when he held onto his weapon with both of his hands. His eyes, it's like the color changed, when suddenly he rushed toward Hemlock for an attack. It nearly looked like he was under a spell, but when Hemlock robbed the orb from its magic and it was discarded by the spellcaster, Sidah's behavior didn't change. Has he been exposed to the truth? Was he always on the enemy's side?
One by one, we fought the enemies, taking down one after the other, until finally the spellcaster fell. While Sidah kept attacking us, he witnessed his superior, or what it seemed like to him, and fed the enemy his own potion. He regained consciousness but when an attack came from Hemlock, he carried only fear in his eyes and was forced to stand back, just like how Kyndel frightened Sidah during the battle. Both of them forced distance between us. It made the enemy an easier target, which was also when he fell again to his knees. Unconscious as he was. Never to get back up again.
We managed to destroy most of the bones that were neatly piled around the dragon and as soon as more than half of it was gone, the magic circle stuttered until it disappeared. The ritual was interrupted, but the healing has been applied, regardless of our attempts. When the dragon looked around and noticed that most of his troops were killed, his eyes grew wide. A deep frown appeared before the loud roar filled the surroundings. Violently, he used his wings to get up and began to collect his frost energy to land a familiar attack on us. Cryovain was furious.
With each of us in position, we battled the dragon. While he felt weaker than before, we somehow managed to knock him out. Each of us was surprised, until an intense, cold aura was circling around the creature when he suddenly got back up his feet, spreading the killing cold as he fought back. Massive damage was dealt to each of our bodies until I lost consciousness and fell.
My vision grew dark and I remembered the vague images of all that was left for me to do, hopes, dreams. A warm touch on my skin has helped me to reconnect with what was real. I had opened up my eyes and rose from the ground, no matter how cold it was. Gasping at the enemy that had nearly killed me trice. I grit my teeth, collected my shield and warhammer and charged back into battle.
Sidah regained his senses and took Kryptgarden's magic arrow along with his bow and found a good position to fire it at the enemy. Unfortunately, the arrow missed, but with Kyndel's assistance, the kobold was warped to the space of need and tried it once again. With grand success, he struck the dragon! There seemed to be no impact at first, it was as if the arrow was absorbed by its body, but as soon as he lifted his wings with an attempt to attack us from the heavens, thunderclouds began to gather. Lightning struck the beast and inflicted severe damage. It was as if the arrow guided the lightning, making the two sources connect. After a loud sound from the dragon, he crashed down from the sky, back to the stone surface of the roof. The vibrations from the impact worsened the impact of previous damage to the building. He was unable to stand for the moment, so we had used this to strike him while he was stunned.
Each of us managed to weaken him farther, but it was Sidah who landed the final strike with his axe, rendering our enemy useless after he decided that he no longer needed to speak to the dragon. He knows enough, he said.
A moment of silence was shared between us. I gave a final prayer to the recently deceased. I had hoped that somehow things would have gone differently. Their intentions must remain a mystery as it is. Enemies as dangerous as these won't allow anyone to learn about their plans. However, the threat is no longer. We buried the kobold that Sidah seemed familiar with and spent the night in Icepire Holt after securing it from enemies and remains of fire.
The night felt restless to me, while the battle has been fought, I don't feel as comfortable sleeping in what feels like a cemetery. May Torm guide these misleaded fools to a safe place. I will not forget them, strong enemies are to be admired, for we are nothing but equals on a battlefield, fighting a battle for a cause of our own. What is it that they had wanted? I kept asking myself.
. . .
The next day, we explored the surroundings of the fort. No sign of any threat. We had to make our path back and inform Phandalin of our success. To ease the road back, we cleared it from rubble and other remains, while the sister made a sign near the building. "No orcs allowed"
I summoned a beast that would assist us, a mountain goat. I had never done it before and needed some moments of concentration, but as soon as her scent reached me, I knew I had to get myself together. We must leave this place safely at all costs. And both Kyndel and Sidah put the animal to good use, it made me happy to see how comfortable they made themselves. It was such an honor to travel with these men and women, to fight alongside them. I wonder where our path will lead each of us from here on. Mine will lead me to Kryptgarden, it was a promise I had made to the lady. May she forgive my delay.
We stopped by the gold mine during our travel back to Phandalin, seeking for the gentleman Don-Jon, but he was not present according to the hardworking dwarves. They looked forward to celebrating our victory, but unfortunately, we cannot leave the people in the miner's town waiting much longer. Our journey continued and we made it back to the familiar town, where the people curiously followed us to the center of town. We were announced to the citizens and once the guard captains came out to welcome us, we told them the story.
Loud cheering followed after the proof was shown and we were dragged inside the tavern for a celebration. I grew anxious by the time, the longer it lasted. Knowing that Lady Susi is awaiting my return to Kryptgarden. I had hoped to learn of a way to send a message to them of my arrival, for a guide of Kryptgarden to guide me back to the people. I learned that the guard captain had his vocal cords damaged and could no longer speak, even when sister Yolantha helped him. It made no difference. They seem convinced that it may still recover. I am glad that he managed to survive that fall. Hopefully, Torm's holy shield, that I had casted on the man, was of any help. His smile, however, even in a torn state, encouraged me to try harder.
The druid of Kryptgarden, the lady had said in the ex-captain's place, that Lady Sade came to Phandalin with her own quest. It was not Phandalin that made contact with the druids. To message them of my arrival will prove to be a bigger task than I had hoped for. I must return by tomorrow. I recalled the letter and grew far more nervous. At night, it may be restless until I return to her. I wonder if a pair of flowers will help ... Maybe a tiny gift from Phandalin will do it?
During the loud partying, something caught the attention of the people. One by one, they went outside when the heavens became dark and clouds in the distance began to gather. They formed words, no, a message. And not just any, they formed above the forest of Kryptgarden. It seems like the message of victory has been received by the druids. Each of our names was mentioned in the message of thanks from the arch druid. It was impressive, but the pressure and stress grew worse. If the druids know, then ... So does she. I heard loud gasping and noticed people point at the clouds again.
I turned my head and felt my face becoming pale when a new message appeared.
"VEIGEROS, RETURN IMMEDIATELY."
I felt the sweat drip down my face, my body began to shake as the words of her letter repeated in my mind. I muttered to myself "She'll kill me, she'll kill me ..."
. . .
Immediately, I prepared everything I needed for my travel back and went to rest early that night. When I left the partying crowd, a familiar kobold blocked my path. It was as if he knew of my future plans. He looked at me with his bright blue eyes, as curious and insecure as they were when he asked me if he could come with me to Kryptgarden. He could use a break from everything in a place of rest and shelter. I felt my expression soften as I placed my hand on his head. "Of course, you can." I smiled at him and nodded back at the boy.
It looks like my travel back will not be lonely.
