The Crimson Caverns

[ybn1197]

Responding to a flier promising payment for kobold heads, the party has gathered in the town of Brink. You are all born and raised in this valley. I will try to get a map of the valley and the village of Brink posted this weekend.

Lunch at The Obedient Squirrel was surprisingly good. Jella, the barmaid, mentioned that the goat for the stew had been slaughtered just that morning. While you dined, the lot of you came to realize you were all about to embark on a common quest: collecting the head of Irrug, a kobold trying to establish a tribe in the nearby Crimson Caverns. Gerran Hillfall, a local braggart, came in to boast that he and his fellows were off to slay the creature as you were finishing up your meals. By the time you were able to grab your gear and set off, Gerran had gained a half hour head start. Hopefully there will still be glory enough left for you! The travel to the caverns is roughly a two mile hike after crossing the river by ferry. There’s no path, but occasionally along the way you spot signs of Gerran and his friends’ having recently passed though. After two hours of difficult hiking through wooded and rocky terrain, the trees break and in the clearing you see the mouth of the Crimson Caverns.

[Rex]

Ronan

"We had better make good time if we are going to have any chance of getting some of the reward."

[gurusql]

Hemmor

"Agreed. As a ranger do you know any shorter paths than they would have taken?" says the 3'7" Gnome

Image of Hemmor

Hemmor.png (550.23 KiB) Viewed 659 times

[Rex]

Ronan

Would Ronan know a short cut?

[Hadarai]

Clain

"Kobolds can be devious little trappers and cunning hunters, even if though we are playing catch-up. If Gerran and his group underestimated them we could very well come upon them in the middle of battle, or perhaps even captured."

[ybn1197]

Ronan

Would Ronan know a short cut?

The path you are on is the shortest way to the caverns.

[Rex]

Ronan

He will stick with the route then.

[hedgeknight]

Durnik

The dwarven cleric listens to the others, giving the Half-Orc a sideways glance and frown. Clearing his throat, Durnik says, "Below ground is me home. Best be careful down there. I'll be marking the walls just in case."
He takes a piece of chalk out of his pouch and gives the nod. "Let's get ta moving."
He carries a heavy pick over his shoulder and looks eager to get below ground.

[ybn1197]

Approaching the mouth of the cave, you see the opening and the tunnel behind it are bathed in the crimson light which gives the caverns their name. The light pulses as if having a life of it's own.

A quick look about the entrance shows there are no kobolds about but neither is their sight of Gerran and his cronies.

The tunnel covers 30 feet in a northward fashion before turning east and cutting off any other sight of the cave's contents.

[Rex]

Ronan

"I should probably take point, maybe someone behind me could carry a torch."

He will ready his spear and shield.

[gurusql]

Hemmor

"I will light and carry a torch at least for the moment."

[ybn1197]

Crimson Caverns.PNG (226.97 KiB) Viewed 631 times

Fortified by the calming light given by the torch Hemmor folds, you proceed around the bend in the tunnel and see two forks. One continues on to the east, the other splits and heads to the north. The crimson light continues to illuminate and provide a crimson undertone to the light of the torch.

[hedgeknight]

Durnik

"I'll keep meself near the middle if'n nobody minds. I've heard about these caves all me life. 'Bout time I visited and seen what all the fuss is about. Lead on!"
Seeing the two pathways, Durnik grunts to himself and examines the southernmost wall, running his calloused fingers along it, wishing more than once he was back home.

[Rex]

Ronan

Ronan leads the way in, looking down both passages before deciding which way to go.

[ybn1197]

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Looking down the northward tunnel, your torch light catches the sight of three fresh corpses sprawled on the ground; they are Gerran and his friends. Before you can even discuss what should be done about the three unfortunate men, Gerran's body begins to twitch and convulse. With horror made only worse by the pulsing crimson light prevalent throughout the tunnels, Gerran rises and turns his pale face with milk white eyes towards the group of you and begins shuffling your way.

I have also increased the length of what can be seen of the eastward tunnel as the torch light lit some more area as you moved toward the first cavern.

[Rex]

Ronan

"Zombies!"

He moves in and attacks the lead zombie. DM edit: Only one corpse has risen.

Spear, wolf [1d20+2]=11+2=13 to hit [1d8+2]=2+2=4 damage

[gurusql]

Hemmor

Hemmor will draw his dagger knowing that his spells are of no value vs undead. He will hold the torch and watch the other corridor to make sure the group is not attacked from the rear.

[Hadarai]

Clain

"Watch out for the others, they may rise as well!" Clain shouted as he drew his iron broadsword and charged the creature formerly know as Garren.

[ybn1197]

Quicker to act, Clain draws his broadsword and charges past Ronan to swing at the corpse of Garren. The sword cleaves into the corpse but it shows no sign of attack hitting it, it's face showing no emotion. Ronan jabs the abomination with his spear and the creature simply grunts at the offense. Batting aside Ronan's spear it tries to slam the half-orc with it's arms but can not reach him.


============================================================================
Clain Pyreen (D1 AC: 13 HP: 8/8)
Hemmor (I1 AC: 11 HP: 5/5)
Durnik (C1 AC: 14 HP: 9/9)
Ronan (R1 AC: 17 HP: 12/12)

Foe: Zombie -8 hp

[Rex]

Ronan

Ronan again tries to put it down with his spear.

Wolf Spear [1d20+2]=18+2=20 to hit [1d8+2]=2+2=4 damage