A black Sunday for the party
The aftermath of our session on the 27th of June 2004(The session ran through Saturday evening, and ended early Sunday morning)
Synopsis:
A horrendous battle took place at Sharisthek on the 18th of Jularva 2001 (That's the game date). Our heroes emerged from the depths below, brimming with hope, confident in their quest. Unfortunately, they underestimated the position of their enemy. The party chose to confront the Kobolds head on. The results... Disastrous!
On the day before, the party had just located a secret room that they believe holds the lost treasure of Tunadholm. The treasure vault was secured by four intricate locking mechanisms. The party concluded that the latches for this four part lock lay above ground — One trigger in each of the four towers.
Heading for the surface, the party rested and readied itself for the coming battle. Upon reaching the surface, the party learned that they were expected. Kobold scouts immediately sounded the warning. A call to arms, a baleful warning, a portentous dreadful droning which marked the beginning of a deadly battle.
The party momentarily retreated back below, at the entrance to the trap ridden labyrinth. Briefly discussing their options, they decided to make a break for it. They reasoned that they had no option but a frontal assault, a bold break-out gambit, hinged on the fact that they were well rested, and their opponents were lowly Kobolds.
The party miscalculated. These are no ordinary Kobolds. Their leader is no ordinary monster. They're well trained, highly disciplined, ready for the party, and pissed off!
The results: Not good — For the party that is.
We left the session with two party members down (Solindria and Kagnythus), two missing (Duracell and Ashedyn), and two desperately fighting (Thalidimar and Nibori) the short side of a one-sided fight.
Hopefully our next session will find the party in a better position — Retreating at the fastest possible pace?
(For a more detailed recounting. See the journal entry from that Saturday's session.)
Legend (Shown):
- Nibori - Manning the magical ballista, taking attacks of opportunity, ignoring Kobold opponents furiously hacking at her.
- Thalidimar - Attacking the Kobolds on the wall. Attempting to relieve Nibori, fighting like he's some kind of warrior.
- The north-west tower of the hold. Zhabovekh was here at the beginning of the battle.
- Kobolds armed with hand crossbows. They've been firing poisoned darts to no effect. Our heroes are hard to hit.
- A smattering of boulders strewn about the field of battle, dropped upon the Kobolds by Duracell
- The central building of the hold is not shown here. The Kobold reserve is located in this central building.
- The Kobold reserve. Slowly trickling in from the central building. How many are there? Too many!
- Valiant Solindria lays prone on the ground. Dead! Slain by the combined efforts of Zhabovekh and a merciful Coup-de-Grace.
- Stout-hearted Kagnythus. Slain! Offered quarter, defiantly made demands, slain in honor, fighting to preserve Solindria.
- The leader of the Kobolds; Zhabovekh. With Death's head emblem he caused two of the party to flee the field.
- The Keep, the central tower. Battered scene of carnage, remnant of the lost Dwarven tribe who once occupied Sharisthek.
- Remnants of the protective wall that once embraced Tunadholm's hold. Now broken and battered.
Legend (Not shown):
- Duracell - Fled the scene early in the combat. Spotted Zhabovekh's symbol of Doom and flew away at top speed.
- Ashedyn - Departed in haste after being unnerved by the Death's head image on Zhabovekh's breast plate. Cowering down below.
