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Session 30, Air Station Drake and Ice Goblins

Paldegora 

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Session 30 – 2024-01-20

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==== Summary ====



==== Detail ====

This session started with a remembering of what had happened to the Company Clandestine up to this point, what had driven them here, now. Looking out over the Drakemoors, there path was north, so north they went! There was an area before them that almost appeared to be a path. Maybe it's not a path, but it is all they have to follow. There was a plain before them, rocky, with light brush and very distant mountains. It was cold, and promised to get even colder the further north they went. They had a map.

It was early morning and in looking at the map, it appeared that it would take 3 or 4 days to reach the mountains. They realized that they were in need of some supplies and in discussing their need, they decided that Tinkle could fulfill those needs. They needed reagents, potions, possibly a recharge of the wand of paralyzation, that Simon had, that is now used up. They also hoped that maybe  he could identify of the rod of dragon detection. They finally called out to Tinkle but got a message back that stated "You've reached the office of Tinkle. I'm currently away on vacation. Please leave your message and a request and I'll get back to you as-soon-as I can.". Simon responded, "Tinkle! This is Company Clandestine, kinda in a pinch, need to buy some supplies from you as-soon-as you are available. I think you probably know how to find us. And uh…we've got some gold to spend so." Eryn chimed in with, "and some information we need to give you.". Simon finished with, "Over and out!". Simon checked on Persephone to find she was tucked away in his tunic and staying warm. 

They set out across the Drakemoors following the  path in front of them. Heading north, the weather changes frequently. One minute it's clear, the next, the clouds grow ominous and the wind picks up, snow starts falling and the stops, and it gets very cold. They bundled up in their winter gear to try to fend off the bitter cold and pushed on. Caleldor stops the party and peers around behind then to make sure they are not being followed. He didn't see anything. As they continued on, they noticed ice and snow covered mounds here and there. Caleldor looked at Wyrmsbane tp see if it gave any indication that dragon or dragon kind were near. He got nothing from it. They remembered the Rod of Dragon Detection they had acquired and pulled it out as well. It did nothing to indicate the presence of dragon kind aro9und. Cal turned to Xor and mouthed the phrase, "The long dead!". Then he moved out to the closest mound to him and began clearing away the snow. It turned out to be a pile of bones. He decided it was the remains of something very large that died in the battles that occurred out there. He motioned for everyone else to come look at this. Maybe one of them had an insight into this that he lacked. 

The rest of the group went over and examined the pile of bones. Cal pointed at this and the other mounds and mouthed, "The long dead of battles of old!". Angelique agreed. They worked to cleqr away more of the snow and ice and determined they were piles of dragon bones. After examining several piles, they determined they were of varying sizes which meant varying ages. They didn't see any ancient dragons, just young ones, young adults, and adult ones. It was getting late and they moved into a slight depression hoping to block some of the wind. The wolf pelts aided them in this as well. Xor used some leg bones and ropes to set up a makeshift shelter. Angelique, Cassandra, and Eryn, found some brush and twigs and some medium sized limbs to make a fire with. Angelique got a fire going and they spread out the winter blankets and wolf pelts to sleep on and under. Simon identified the remaining items we hadn't identified yet. Theo's shield was a shield +1. His long sword was a long sword +2. Bloodfist's morning star was a morning star +1. His shield was a shield +1. Cassandra took the longsword +2. They ate and slept with Xor, Cassandra, and Cal each took watches.

While on watch, Xor thought he heard the fluttering of wings. This happened off and on during the watch but he never saw anything. Xor woke Cassandra for her watch and told her what he heard. She never saw or heard anything. She passed the info on to Cal and he walked the perimeter. Not only was he watching out into the night, but he also looked for signs that the twins were about. He didn't see or hear anything. The sun rose on a very cold morning. It was hazy and over cast. Angelique made some of Kyra's tea over the fire and everyone at least got something warm to drink before heading out into the day. They continued north. They came across a larger round stone with a smaller round stone on top of it. Xor thought out loud, "Maybe a marker?". They were natural rocks, not shaped by anyone. Cal noticed that they appeared to be used to obscure something. As he scraped around it, he found a frozen horseshoe print. It seemed to be coming from the east off of the path. Cal looked to the east to see if he saw any signs of civilization. As he studied the easterly direction, and finally decided that though it wasn't a path, there appeared to be a way through. If he hadn't stopped to look, he might not have noticed it. 
Xor looked as well and they decided that it wasn't very old, it wasn't months old. 

After discussing it a bit, Cassandra said, "Maybe it was the man sent by King Lundor. Maybe he came through here. There was no telling for sure who it was. Whoever it was, came from the east and at the marker either went back or turned north or south. Cal searched around the stones and found nothing else so he covered the area to make it look like they hadn't been here. They turned north and began moving off when Cal spotted what looked like a box out on the ground to the east. He hadn't noticed it before and couldn't figure out why he hadn't noticed it. He pointed it out and then started walking out to it. It was about 100 yards away. After he gets about 30 yards from the path, it becomes more obvious that a horse with a rider had come through here. He decided that there were multiple tracks made at different times but by the same horse. As he went further, he found the box to be a wooden box bound with silver and iron. He drew his sword and circled the box, being vigilant in all directions. The path continued east. There was no snow on the box and it appeared to be brand new. Xor moved closer and Eryn drew a bow and moved closer as well. Cal, being the suspicious type, put away his swords, moved back about 20 yards from it, and drew out his bow and notched an arrow. He then fired into the box hitting it. It skipped back a little distance and they heard the distinct sound of breaking glass. 

It was about this time that Eryn stated, "Wait a minute, I wonder if Tinkle sent this. It would explain why it's a fresh new box with no snow on it.".  Cal turned to look at her, cocking one eyebrow. Eryn ran up to look at it. She checked it for traps. She noticed that the box wasn't cold. She didn't find any traps. She opened it and found There were some pouches and several bottles. Unfortunately, a couple of the bottles were broken now. It was apparent that the potions were potions of extra healing. In the pouches were all of the reagents that Simon had indicated he needed. He was perplexed as to how Tinkle knew what he needed. Two potions of extra healing survived. Eryn and Cassandra each took a potion. After the box was emptied, it sort of reformed itself into a ball of energy and then shot off to the east. They started to prepare to leave north when Cal spotted something to the east. The landscape seemed different. The normal mundane look of the whole area seemed to break out there. The terrain changed out there to the east. He motioned for Xor and he came up and looked out there. He said, he could see it now, the terrain changed out there. Cal flagged everyone to come up and Xor explained to everyone else that the terrain changes about a mile out. They made their way out there to check it out. The sort-of path they had been on now became a real path. As they got closer, Cal could see that there was a drop off into a large depression ahead.

When they got about 100 yards from it, Cal flagged everyone to stop while he an Xor moved forward to investigate. Looking at the tracks, the weren't being obscured here and it was obvious that it had been in and out of here a lot. Cal stealthed forward to the edge of the depression where he could get a good look in. Everything in the depression was below ground level. There were a couple of buildings, a stable, and an area where someone had done some digging with a mine car and tracks leading back t o the center of the depression in which stood a a metal object like the one on the top of the tower in Nordain hold. The area beneath it was paved with smooth stones and at equal distance away from the metal object were large metal rings, three of which had very think rope looped through them. There was a well and on the other side was a path leading out of the depression. It was then that the snow started falling again. There was no sign of activity. It looked abandoned. The cart wasn't full of rocks but tools. He couldn't figure out what it was used for. They began making their way into the depression. The wood near the cart was odd in that it didn't seem to belong to this region. 

Cal moved over to the iron rings with the ropes tied off to them. He tried to determine what they were for. He did determine that the rope would almost reach the center. The rope was soaked in creosote and was in very good condition. One corner had a ring but no rope. The ring didn't appear damaged. Angelique found nails and gather some to serve as spells components. Cal moved over and checked the stables. He listened but didn't her anything. Eryn had been the one to open the spike on the tower so she inspected this one to see if it opened as well. She had to get Xor to hold her up so she could search the top of it. It didn't open like the one at the tower. It was one solid piece of metal from top to bottom. It wasn't made out of iron but something else with a hint of gold to it. She climbed back down. Cal checked out the main structure. It was a cabin like building with no windows, just a door. There was a walkway that led up tp the door. Cal listened to that door and again, didn't hear anything. Cal checked the door and it was unlocked. He looked back to see what everyone else was doing. Seeing everyone was busy, he pushed open the door. He first noticed that everything looked disheveled. It appeared that maybe someone had already searched this place. He moved inside. It appeared to be someone's quarters. The books and supplies were strewn about. There was no sign of current occupancy. 

Angelique looked down the well and couldn't see anything. She took a pebble and dropped it in. It took a moment but it did finally hit water. Eryn made her way to the cabin where Cal was searching. He was searching for any hidden compartment or room, much like Elmer's home. There was a desk with papers tat had been move around but nothing was gone. Meanwhile, Xor went to the stables and checked it out. Very small and designed for one horse. There was a chest in it. There were supplies for the feeding and caring of a horse and the tools to shoe it. Xor decided to find Eryn to have her check it before opening it. Eryn checked the books in the cabin to see if she could get an idea of the kind of person that lived here. The books seemed more like for recreational reading Nothing to give any insights into the owner. Xor approached Eryn and asked her to help check the chest in the stable. She told him that she wanted to finish up in here first then we'll dig into that. Cal checked the papers on the table. He gathered it up and the binder that had fallen onto the floor. He put it all together but the light was such that he couldn't read it in here. Nothing else appeared to be in good shape. Cal moved close to the door and tried to read the book. It appeared to be some sort of an official journal. 

Eryn looked at the journal. It was written in an older language of the realm. The title was "Air Station Drake". That made it sound like some sort of an for dragons or something. It's dated 40 years or so ago. Probably just after the war. There was a lot of mundane information about patrols, and checking different places. I mentions skirmishes here and there. The writing went on and then the writing changed. It was as if the writer was different. Their descriptions were a little better. It doesn't say what they were fighting at different times. It still focused on schedules and supplies. Then the writing shifted again to another person and the pages were newer and in better shape. Then they jumped straight to the end. The writing there was much better. Whoever wrote it was very good. It read as follows.

 
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The Drakemoor today was covered with a gloomy overcast.

While patrolling south to the end of the pathway, I felt something was wrong. A sense of dread seemed to grow upon me. I reined in my horse and moved off the road to find cover.

I then felt a dark shadow above the gloom, passing overhead and following the trail south. My horse and I were struck with fear and panic like I had never experienced before. What this terror was baffled me, but I dared not investigate further. Once my horse Javo had calmed down, I mounted up and returned to the station as quickly as possible.

 
The supply ship was a welcomed sight. Fresh food for myself and fresh hay and apples always lift Javo's spirit.

I now understand more about my encounter with the terrifying shadow last month. It seems the dragon Grizollo has returned to become a threat to the Vale. Captain Gregory's reports to me of the happenings in the Vale were disturbing. My tour here at the station has now become more vital and dangerous.

I have to scout southward to Nordain Hold and ascertain its current status, what is happening there, and why Grizollo was flying south. I am to report back my findings at the next supply visit.
 

Things are looking ominous. I have just returned from my scouting trip to Nordain Hold. I am relieved to have safely made it back to the station. I have much to report on my excursion.

My journey south was uneventful. Once I reached the southernmost edge of the Drakemoor, I decided it best to approach the hold fast via the bridge at Coldspire. I ventured across it around noon and kept to the sunlit edge of the Coldspire River, moving stealthily to the northwest. Even at that time of day, it was unnerving. Javo was sweating and shaking the whole time. He was sensing the undead presence that dwells now in the ruins of the great city. I was fortunate I was not set upon by something undead. I did get the sense I was about to be attacked by some unseen entity at any moment.

Once I moved past the ruins, I found a good vantage spot to observe the Holdfast without being detected. Nordain Hold is no longer empty. The most disturbing part is the occupiers seem to be organizing for war. Grizollo, along with a smaller dragon, appeared from the northern sky. Panic struck me again, but I resisted and held Javo's reins tightly. The clamer of cheers, wails, and screams arose from the hold. The noise masked the sounds of fear Javo was making. Grizollo seemed to be ordering them about. I didn't understand the language. I was unable to comprehend what was said. Afterward, he left, but the smaller dragon stayed behind.

There was much activity in the village below as well. It appears it is now a makeshift military camp with units comprised of kobolds, knolls, bugbears, hobgoblins, and goblins. However, the goblins seem to be enslaved and doing forced labor. What purpose there is to this, I was unable to ascertain. As much as I detest goblins, I found myself pitying them.

I watched as long as I dared with sunset approaching and then left to cross the bridge before darkness fell. I dared not get caught in Coldspire alone and after dark.

I traveled as far as I could to the north that night. When I felt I was far enough away, I made camp.

In the morning, I returned to the station without further incident. However, I now know war is coming.
 

Things continue to grow stranger and stranger. I am no longer alone here on the Drakemoor.

My next patrol was north along the path. Typically, this direction of all the scouting patrols is the least eventful and routine.

One day out from the station, I sensed the dragon again. However, this time, it was distant and was of a very brief duration. I surmised he must be high above me or much further to the west. Regardless, I was thankful I did not repeat the last two encounters.

The remainder of the patrol northward was uneventful. I reached the hidden stairs midday of my third day out and set up my camp in the usual spot for the coming nightfall.

The Valley of the Bones was a thousand feet below me and mist-covered. The fog hugging the ground ebbed and flowed with gently moving currents of air like some fell river, undulating, purposeful, and alive. Never have I seen it lift to reveal the ground below it. Even in the brightest days of harsh sunlight, it holds fast like an evil blanket covering some unknown horror beneath it.

I again was thankful I did not have to venture down into that mist itself. I think whatever it hides is 
best left alone.

Occasionally, unknown sounds would again reach my ears from things below. Something lives under this fog. I am uncertain if it is only animals, insects, birds, or even monstrous creatures. I have no interest in finding out what all it might be.

Not long after sunset, I got a great surprise.

Unmistakably, I could see the glow of torchlight moving away in procession from the base of the cliff to my west. Northward, the unknown group moved deeper into the mist until the thick fog and darkness caused the orange glow of their fires to fade away.

I was amazed to find that others were living here in the Drakemoor. At this distance, I could not tell if this group was human or of another race. I waited several hours before the glow of touches appeared going southward to the cliff.

I decided at that point to move my camp toward the west and see if this group would appear again or if I could determine where their dwelling was.

In the afternoon of the next day, I could hear horses and the shouts of men coming up from the valley below. I scouted to the edge of the precipice and peered down. The fog and mist were too dense to determine who these people were.

Further scouting revealed nothing else. I know there has to be a way down from above. I suspect the entrance was hidden in some way. I was unable to find it. Not wanting to risk exposing my presence here, I withdrew and returned to the station.

 
The supply ship ran late this month.

I was growing concerned and contemplating what to do if it never returned. It was something I had not considered before.

I was greatly relieved when the familiar silhouette of the RDVS Dragonfly appeared out of the cloud cover above. Captain Gregory was apologetic for being so late.

The explanation of which was equally disturbing.

It seems Grizollo has taken to attacking our airships and is disrupting operations. In case of any future delay, I received extra supplies with orders to withdraw to Air Station Grey if the Dragonfly was two months overdue.

Due to this, it was not surprising to see the Dragonfly outfitted for war. The ballista had been doubled and upgraded with mithril-tipped bolts. The elemental propulsion pods had reinforced steel plates. The complement of archers has also increased.

Grizollo, at first, was only harassing our ships. Attacks have now escalated. The RDVS Meteor is overdue and presumed lost. In addition, the Settarian merchant fleet has demanded escorts once their ships reach Air Station Grey. It is stretching the utilization of our small airship fleet to the breaking point.

Our Settarian merchant has also refused to supply us with additional ships since his trade with us is covert. The selling of airships to another country is also illegal.

Captain Gregory was disturbed by the news of the unknown group in the valley. She speculated they must be searching for the Dragons Vale.

I believe this is likely as well. I will be keeping an eye on their movements.

 
Last night there was an earthquake. The shock of it threw me out of bed and onto the floor. There have been earthquakes here in the past. This one was different. It was very short in duration but intense.

The earthquake included a sound that I had not heard before. It sounded like half a mountainside had collapsed.

I picked myself up from the floor and ran outside to avoid the roof possibly falling on me. Once outside, I noticed a greenish glow on the northeastern horizon. The sight of it was unnerving and strange. The light seemed to pulse like the heartbeat of some fell creature. I will have to investigate this newest phenomenon.

What evil this portends, I do not know. I need to determine if this is related to the group I discovered in the valley. I will scout northward at first light. Oddly, there were no aftershocks from the earthquake.

 
For two nights, I proceeded northward. Using the green glow of the nighttime horizon as my compass, I left the main pathway and soon found myself on the northeastern edge of the valley precipice. Opening before me was the vast wasteland of Grimbog Vale.

It was aptly named.

I gazed outward in dumbfounded horror upon this fen of decay and death.

The few trees that grew here were black and twisted into nightmarish shapes. It was as if they were tortured every moment during their long struggle for life. In the branches, there hung streamers of sickly luminescent vines and fungus from which a poisonous fume rose into the surrounding air.

The ground of the Vale is made up mainly of decaying plants and muddy black peat, broken occasionally by pools of slimy black water and covered with a fine layer of mist. Springing upward from this mist were occasional boulders of wet black granite that seemed like the rotten teeth of some horrid monstrosity living below.

As I stood transfixed by this macabre vista, my eyes wandered farther outward to the north and came to rest upon the source of the green glow.

The light there pulsed and flickered in intensity as if it were a smaller version of the sun that had fallen and stuck in the bog. However, this light gave forth no comfort, heat, or warmth. It only radiated cold and death; a green corpse light fell and evil.

As if to hide itself, the light was drawing the mist to itself and spinning it into a vaporous shroud. This cloud spun about it in a violent vortex and slowly grew in size from minute to minute. In only a matter of days, this vortex would probably encompass the whole of Grimbog Vale, to what evil purpose I could not begin to fathom.

In the heavens directly above this light was a hole in the ceiling of dark clouds. The very stars of the night shone brightly within it. The clouds surrounding this hole were spinning opposite the vortex below. Swollen, black, and full of angry lightning, they flickered and flashed with different colors.

It was then that I suddenly realized there was no sound of thunder. Everything about me was still and quiet. Even the air was stagnant. There was no breeze.

My mind was broken from this hypnotic site by the appearance of torches to the west. In the Vale below was a company of armed and shielded men on horseback gathering for a sortie. Their leader was riding in front of the company, pointing toward the glowing vortex. Moving back and forth in front of them, the leader formed them up into a line for a charge.

In response, the flashes of lightning in the clouds above intensified in frequency and intensity.

Raising his sword and calling back to his company, the commander stood upright in his stirrups, pointed at the vortex, and ordered the charge.

The group leaped forward as one brandishing sword and shield and charged headlong toward the malevolent maelstrom.

As I watched the charge with stunned disbelief, an intense flash of lightning pierced the darkness and temporarily blinded me. At that very instance, the wind suddenly rose with a fierce howl. Behind my tightly closed eyes, I saw lightning flashing rapidly and intensely. I briefly forced them open to see the flashes striking toward the ground amidst the charging horses. It seemed each horse and rider burst into flames and disintegrated in mid-charge. I was unable to watch further. At that moment, the wind turned into a gale that knocked me flat. The force of the wind began pushing my prone body toward the edge of the precipice. I desperately dug my fingers into the dirt. I clawed at it with all my might to stop myself from being blown over the cliff. I opened my mouth to scream as the wind ripped my voice away from me. I felt the very life within me draining away as I lost consciousness.

When I woke up, the sun had already risen. It was hard to tell the time of day due to the gloom and thick clouds above me. I was exhausted and weak. I pushed myself up on all fours and looked about me. Javo was several yards away from me and was lying on his side. I was suddenly struck with panic that he was dead. I began crawling toward him, and to my great relief, I saw him move. I surmised he must be as drained as I was.

Pausing to collect my wits, I looked over at the cliff. I had been fortunate. I was only two feet from the edge. I could not fathom how I had not been swept over the edge and dropped to my death in the valley below. I was not sure what had happened. I raised my head and peered through the gloom into the valley below. There was now no sign of the green glow. The valley below was thick with fog. I saw or heard nothing of the company of soldiers from the night before. There was no movement, no sound, no swirling clouds of mist. It was as if nothing had happened the night before.

I am not sure just how long I lay there. It was probably several hours before I recovered enough strength to even make it over to where Javo lay. It took some coaxing to get him on his feet, but soon, we were both up and able to begin the long journey back to the station. I dared not try to ride him in his weakened condition. I forced myself to make the trip back on foot. I do not remember much about the painful trek back, but it seemed endless. Upon arriving, I stabled Javo and collapsed on my bed and lay there dead. I could not rise again for several days.

 
The RDVS Dragonfly returned unexpectedly early this morning. It had only been a week since my return from Grimbog Vale. I had only just recovered all my strength from the excursion. She was at least six weeks ahead of schedule in her unexpected arrival this morning.

I hurriedly went out to meet her. The arrival did not bode well, and I was eager to determine what had happened to prompt such an early return. The Dragonfly had seen some action. Her hull had sustained damage in several places, and some of its rigging showed signs of being hastily repaired. Several sections of the ship had scorch marks on it. The crew still aboard were also smaller in number.

Captain Gregory disembarked as soon as the ship was tethered and met me at the edge of the landing area. Her reaction upon seeing me was one of surprise. She went on to ask me what had happened to me. She stated it appeared to her that I had aged significantly. My hair had become streaked with gray. In response, I relayed to her the story of my adventure to Grimbog Vale and all the happenings there. She was greatly concerned with this news of a new threat as well as my ability to perform the task she had come to assign me.

Grizollo had succeeded in cutting off the Dragons Vale from all outside trade. Most of our airships have been destroyed or so damaged it would take months to repair them. In light of that, King Lundor had decided to send for outside help. Captain Gregory then gave me a Couriers pouch and ordered me to abandon my post here and make my way south with all haste to the Adventurers Guild in SeaSpire. I was to deliver the pouch personally to Allistar Finch, the Guild Master himself. Once done, I was free of my obligation to the Dragons Vale. I could then make my way home by any means possible. I was stunned but agreed to depart the following morning on my quest. Satisfied, Captain Gregory took her leave of me and left with the Dragonfly. I watched as the ship headed north back to the Dragons Vale and disappeared into the gloom above.

 
My final entry.

I have completed all my preparations. I am leaving with Javo and heading south to ColdSpire this morning. I have a few ideas on how to get past the enemy there. I pray the Gods watch over me and give me strength to complete my mission.

Please relay to Freida how much I love her. I will see her again someday soon in this life or the next.
 

Second Lieutenant Stephan Murdock
Royal Dragons Vale Wolf Pack Air Command

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Eryn joined Xor in the stables to check out the chest. She checked it for traps and didn't find anything. It wasn't locked. The chest was in decent shape. She still opened it from the side, just to be safe. Inside there were some well crafted horseshoes, additional bridals, and various bits of horse gear. She and Xor left the stables. Simon asked if they thought the ransacking was because someone came searching for the diamonds that were sent down here and ultimately to Alister. It seemed that the rider that the Xvarts killed was this second Lieutenant Stephen Murdock. Cassandra was out front standing watch while everyone was searching the place. As they emerged from the buildings, an arrow hit her.  She began looking for the source of the arrow. Suddenly, all around the rim of the depression, odd looking goblins rose out of the snow and fired into the pit.

Simon moved behind the well, using it for cover and sent three magic missiles into one of the Ice Goblins. Xor and Cassandra went on the melee offensive moving in two different directions. Cal, Eryn, and Angelique used their bows to fire back on the enemy. One of them found cover to fire from while Eryn moved to a position that left her more exposed. There was a lot of hits but no one fell. There was one ice goblin that ran to the top of the western ramp and began stomping his foot. No one new exactly what he was doing but you could hear Eryn say, "Yeah, that's not right, he needs to die now!". Several got in second attacks on both sides. Cassandra and Xor were on the rim while Eryn was on the eastern ramp. The others had all moved to find at least some partial cover. The one thing they learned at this point were that these were not you average goblins. They were good fighters with good equipment. Angelique glanced around at her comrades to see if anyone seemed in trouble. So far, everyone was up and appeared to be fine. 

Simon magic missiled the goblin stomping and then ducked back down. Cal charged the same goblin taking him down with a particularly savage series of hits. At that time, bursting out of the ground below was a snow worm. It's huge and covered in fur and attacked Cal hitting him. Cal went down The creature began charging across the center of the depression. Cassandra, seeing what happened, recognizing that Simon was in front of the worm, ignored her opponent, ran around him. She took a nasty hit for her efforts but ran to the edge of the rim and leaped for the roof of the cabin. She successfully landed and didn't slip and fall. Instead, she continued to the other side of the roof and jumped down to the walkway below. She landed poorly but was down there. Eryn turned to fire on the worm, ducking below the side of the rim to avoid being shot. The one that Eryn had been firing on charged her hitting her, freezing her to the point of paralyzing her. Xor killed off his opponent. Angelique Got Cal healed back up some. 

Simon shouted to Cassandra to hold her action until he cast a spell. The worm charged and attacked  Cassandra. Fortunately it missed. Angelique cast a Heat Metal spell on a couple of the Ice Goblins. They both failed their saving throws and began taking immediate heat damage. Simon cast a slow spell on the worm. The worm had an innate ability to deflect the magic but he failed. He also failed his saving throws. Cassandra was now head to head with the worm and whacked it pretty good. Cal drank a potion for 10 points of healing. Xor got hit and paralyzed. Simon cast a light spell on the eyes of one of the goblins on the hill. He was blinded by the light. Cal dropped another ice goblin. Cassandra hit the worm again. Eryn took another hit from the goblin and was paralyzed again. The blind goblin ran off the wall of the depression. Cassandra got hit by the worm but managed to deflect some of the damage. The heat from the heat metal spell that Angelique had cast did double damage and Angelique fired on one and took it down. Seeing that the battle is not going in their favor, the remaining goblins ran away. As they ran away, they quickly seemed to disappear as they blended into the snow. 

Cal took some rope and carefully wrapped up the blind ice goblin. It was very cold. They had weird looking eyes, dressed in chain mail and apparently a little stronger than a simple goblin. In examining the worm, they couldn't help but feel like this was possibly a baby worm. Maybe they come much bigger than this. Cal dragged the goblin out to the platform where the airships land. He tied him to one of the rings. While dragging the ice goblin out their, several of the party noticed something flying around in the distance. It just sort of came into view and then disappeared again. Cal took off a little ways and got a quick glance at it again but still wasn't sure what it was. It wasn't very large. It was whitish in color. Simon spoke to the ice goblin in goblin but he couldn't understand the dialect of goblin that the creature spoke. He pulled out his helm of comprehend languages. He asked the goblin, "Why did you attack us?". The goblin answered, "This place ours! No more! No more humans here! This is ours!". Simon looked around and then asked, "This place?", and then spread his arms wide asking, "Or all this place?". The goblin answered, "All this ours! Many, many years ago, driven from our land! Taking it back!". Simon asked, "Humans drove you from this land?". The goblin answered, "Yes! Crazy ships in the air! Humans!.". Sinon asked, "Do you serve Grizollo?". The goblin answered, "Don't know who that is!". He got the same answwer when asking about Grish-Ta-Nak. The goblin spoke up again and said, "We server ourselves. We take back that which was taken from us!". 

Simon told him, "We are not interested in taking your land. We are interested in the dragons!", as he pointed north. The goblin said, "Don't know anything about dragons. Simon asked if they'd ever seen the dragons. The goblin told him no. "Legend!", he said. Then he added, "Humans are here, don't come. This ours!". Simon asked about the one that lived here and the goblin only said he'd left. He had seen no other humans around here. He said, "You, you come to take what he left. Not happening! Simon relayed all of this to the rest of the group. Eryn spoke up to Simon and said, "Tell him, they could have just asked us not to take it. They didn't have to shoot at us!". Simon restated that we ware not interested in taking your land. "We are interested in the dragons who aren't so legend and will probably be coming to kill you soon! If you think this is your land, they think it is their land. Someone way worse than us is coming.". The goblin answered, "They'll find we're not so easy to deal with!". Simon said, "When it comes to them, I hope so!". It's obvious that this race thinks of itself as fearless and strong. He indicated that if dragons came, they would kill them. Simon told them, "Your bravery is admirable but realize that sometimes your bravery is not enough.". He pointed to the body of the worm and said, "He is miniscule compared to these things that are coming.". The goblin laughed and said, you haven't seen it's momma.". Simon reiterated that they were just passing through. They wanted to rest and continue on their way "We have no interest in keeping this place. We are trying to get to the mountains to the north where the dragons are coming from and will be attacking you. If we can intercede, perhaps we can help you. If we are unable to intercede, then they are coming.". 

The goblin said, "Humans lie!". Simon said, "Well, yes, where we come from, goblins lie!". The goblin replied, "Other goblins? Worms! Worms! Not worthy to be in our presence.". Simon said, "I'm going to demonstrate our good will to you by releasing you. All we ask is that we are allowed to pass through. We are not here to attack you or take your land. If we were, I think with you being as suspicious as you are, would we not just kill you while we had the chance.". He mulled it over and replied, "I will no longer attack you for now. I can't speak for my others if you run into them.". Simon stated, "I ask that you look at us, our group, spread the word that we are not here as your enemy. We may not be allies but I am the enemy of your enemy which sort of makes us allies.". He replied, "Well, again, I'll go tell them when I see them, but I can't make any guarantees for them. We fight, we die, to take what's ours, back, and ask questions later.". Simon replied, "You are most fierce and a worthy opponent.". The goblin replied, "You have no idea!". Simon signaled Cal to let him go. Cal gave him an I'm-not-liking-this look like, and then carefully unties the rope. The goblin got up and started walking away. As he reached the top of the depression, he suddenly sprinted and disappeared like the others had done. Simon said, "I don't know if that was the best idea in the world but killing him gains us nothing. Eryn looked to Angelique and asked for healing. Angelique began taking care of those that took so much damage.     

That is where we ended.

Everyone received 1433 + 143 = 1576xps.