Session 18: Guano Angels (2/26/23)

Desnova 2, 1423.

The PCs file into the cavern in the wooded hills north of Zolovny, following varied bloody, bestial tracks to an obstruction of rock formations at the end of the opening tunnel. They climb across, and note that they aren't the first to do so, as the beast-prints continue along a series of rocky shelves which comprise the remaining parts of the cavern. There is old mining equipment here, and they discover a few piles of remains against the far wall, some of which are humanoid, one having an intact leather harness of skinning knives which Rucia and Bjork acquire. Aldren notes a peculiarity with some of the tracks switching from human to deer, and vice versa. In the next area, they find a large cavern lit by moonlight from holes in the ceiling, with a spiny rock formation in the center, a light coat of snow and a staked flag that reads 'Peppershot Mining Co.' in Dwarven symbols. The bloodied beast-tracks swarm through the area and most of the tunnels leading up and off from it, with one exception.

Despite hearing various unsettling noises, our heroes proceed to circle this central chamber and examine the exits. They first climb to a hot springs cavern, with three open springs, one of which burns Nebol'shoy as he places his hand into it. There is bat guano all over the place, slicking down the rocky shelves into which the springs are set, and more drips onto the gnome from above. Aldren realizes that the largest of the three pools isn't too boiling hot, so the Nebol'shoy cleans off in there. More sounds emanate from areas to the north of the cavern network. The PCs leave the springs and head up another of the tunnels, which is obstructed by what seems to be a frozen waterhole or pond, roughly 30' across. With the diminishing darkvision, they spot that there is a graceful figure (probably an elf) entombed within the frozen room, and what appears to be another exit on the far side.

After hearing more disturbing growls and animal sounds, Aldren casts a web spell from his cloak, to cover the northernmost exit. They proceed to the next exit around the central cavern, and find a bunch of brittle, ancient crates of mining supplies, most of which fall apart when probed. There is also a finished archway of dwarven origin against the far wall at the top of some hewn stairs, but strangely it ends at a natural cavern wall...Bjork flicks a rock at the wall and it disappears within, not making a sound, and then a mage hand is used to stick an axe through, which is retrieved. A chanting is heard not far off, and the PCs decide they'll circle to that northern tunnel before further exploring the archway and the iced-over cavern. As Aldren removes his spell, the party is charged by a number of savage, bestial animals, all marked under the control of Quagmov, their quarry!



Cave bears, dire wolves, and blink foxes assault them, soon to be joined by more of the foxes, some giant bats, a pair of winter wolves, and an additional bear and dire wolf who fall through the roof of the cave. It is an elaborately laid trap courtesy of the dark druid/ranger Quagmov, who himself appears in the fray. In what is perhaps the group's most violent battle yet, numerous characters are brought low, only to be restored by healing word spells, the MVP that saves them! The fight looks grim, as even Aldren, perching on the wall thanks to his cloak, is assaulted by winged adversaries and arrows from the opposing druid. At one point, Bjork's thunderwave catches Mockleg full-on, nearly slaying the magician! But he misty steps to a safe vantage point and then tries to assist how he can, using illusions to distract one of the winter wolves long enough for the PCs to take down the rest of the bestial host...



As the fight tightens, Quagmov seems to recognize either Rucia or Nebol'shoy, or perhaps both, and taunts them, threatening their deaths, even naming the latter at one point. Aldren is hit by a blight spell and then a call lightning in consecutive rounds, but Bjork keeps lifting the half-elf up with his healing reactions. At long last, with much of the party brought nearly to death, a chill touch from Nebol'shoy takes down Quagmov, and his last remaining blink-fox minion is set free from his control...

PCs: Aldren, Bjork, Nebol'shoy, Rucia

NPCs

Quagmov (human male): A burly, dark-haired human who doesn't seem as if he's shaved in some months, a scarred face covered in stubble. He's wearing thick animal hides, often dripping with blood from his own transformations, and a mesh of wolf and loon for a helmet. He carries a large, knotted oak bow, and his hides and furs are strapped to him with leather cords.