The group followed the southern tracks over bridges and across islands into the mists of the swamp. They encountered an old toppled mossy statue under a knarly oak tree. The group detected a metallic sound of a distant forge.
Mannon approached the fallen statue which rose up and descended upon the Halfling, who retreated back toward the group. It followed him in and as it neared the group they could see it in greater detail. It resembled a barbarian king wielding a massive double-bladed waraxe, and carried a demonic skull with 5 eye sockets lashed to its belt.
The group rallied around to fend off the animated statue before them. Its stony body resisted the group’s attacks for a time, but eventually fell to the group’s superior tactics and numbers .
The group searched the area and found a 5’ diameter torc from the ground, which bore an inscription in draconic that read “Prince and pauper, king and knave, equal in his wake…” The torc appeared to be sized for a giant or dragon. Krius stashed it amidst his saddle bags.
Krius proposed the group continue towards the sounds of the forge. The group surmised that the wagon trail had backtracked, determining this island to be a dead end. They followed these tracks and crossed a group of well armed, battle worn orcs who threatened the group with their “Blight Blades” and javelins.
The leader recoiled from the opening volley and shouted insults to the group. The group moved in and the battle ensued. When the dust cleared, the orcs lay defeated. Prophit healed the injured group and Alton began to translate a map found on the leader. According to the map, they determined the nearby forge was known as the Witch’s Forge.
The party journeyed onward towards the forge, and came upon the “Crazy Hermit” at his Hut. The hermit was in the midst of preparing a “tea” to be enjoyed. The old hermit babbled about the former inhabitants of his land, Obitque the demon, and the dragon Stygoth. He invited the group to enjoy his tea and join the army he’s been creating to overthrow the Witch Queen (who he hates).
The Crazy Hermit indicated that he would force the group to join his army if they didn’t come willingly, and with that, he motioned towards his skeletal and zombified vessels who rose from the ground on cue. Mannon, greatly tempted by the offered tea, proceeded past the host of undead minions undaunted.
The rest of the group threatened to leave Mannon’s body behind should he perish, and launched into the fray, hacking at their ghastly foes. Krius raised his holy symbol on high and channeled the power of his goddess, Justicia to smote their foes with a holy radiance that burst forth. Prophit followed suit invoking the power of his deity to rain a holy brilliance upon their foes. The profane abode bolstered the undead against the group’s efforts, and fewer fell than normally would.
Krius struggled to control his horse that reeled from an attacking undead. Rhin waded into the melee and hewed his axe through a zombie torso, exploding its rotting pelvis and viscera. Prophit again unleashed a burst of divine energies and destroyed all but one remaining undead.
The hermit squared off against Mannon and thrust his hand crackling with fell energy into Mannon, staggering him. Mannon threw a desperate eldritch blast into the hermit, and crumpled to the earthen floor. Krius surged into the hovel and laid hands upon his fallen comrade, bringing him back from the brink of death.
The hermit froze Mannon in the threshold, preventing the group from entering. Mannon overcame the magic transfixing him, Krius brushed him aside, crossed the hovel threshold with a furious aire , and crushed the hermit’s skull with a holy-powered spiked gauntlet smite.
The remaining skeleton was dispatched and the group licked their wounds while they took stock of their surroundings. A clue was found in the Mad Hermit's abode!
The characters present:
* Alton (Aaron), halfling shadowcaster
* Mannon (Dave), halfling swordsage/warlock
* Prophit (Jeff), human cleric
* Squire Krius (Matt), human paladin
* Rhin No-Clan (Jim), dwarf warblade
Rumors and clues gathered (this session):
* Orc map of swamp area; witch forge, lizard men, dragons lair, mad hermit
* Mad hermits mad rambling and writtings
Treasure found (this session):
* Giant torc (carried by Krius' pack donkey)
* 5 gold claw pendents (carried by?)
* black blade long sword (picked up by?)
* Ornate boot dagger (picked up by?)
Foes/traps/tricks overcome (this session):
* Animated Barbarian King Statue
* 5 injured Orcs
* Mad Hermit and his "army"
* 7 skeletons
* 3 zombies
Experience gained (this session):
730 each player
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