War for Gateway Session Recap #2

[GM Mad]

War for Gateway Session Recap #002

April 12th, 569 CR:

Since most of Wyvern Squad is already down in the collapsed temple, it is decided to take a look at the area below. Laurel armed with a Light Cantrip climbs down a rope to the area below. The coin with a Light Cantrip on it still illuminates the area down there. The water is not fresh, nor is is deep, ranging from 3 to 4 feet in depth. Rubble from the collapsed walls liter the bottom of this pool of stagnant water.

Laurel finds the area below is a large cavern, mostly covered with water. A single exit leads away. Anik, Erisciana, Kendell and Wimzy come down as well. The group advances down the passage way and illuminate the way by those rocks with Light Cantrips. Up ahead a low moaning is heard. A figure is spotted in the dim light.

“Undead!” Wimzy shrieks as she rushes ahead to destroy her hated foe. Wimzy identifies the creature as a zombie, a mindless form of undead. The passage enters into a cave up ahead and two more zombies are spotted. They are turned, but Wimzy rushes to attack anyway. This second zombie is quickly destroyed while the other continues to move away from the group.

However, the fighting as attracted the attention of an even bigger danger. A large bear ambles forward. As it comes into the light, everyone can see that this bear is also a zombie! A terrific battle follows and the zombie bear is eventually defeated. Erisciana was nearly killed while others were wounded in the fight. Laurel heals the Priestess of Ishtar's wounds.

The nearby area is explore and other bodies are found. Some magical gear is taken along with coins.

The exploration of the caves below the sunken temple come to an end as it is decided to seek shelter to rest up. With Eagle's Nest not being too far away, Wyvern Squad makes its way back up to the forest above where Saladino and Daubeny are guarding the horses. Wimzy insists that the remains of what the group suspects to be Chimera Squad be given last rites and properly disposed of. The bodies are burned as per the Azrellian faith.

Once mounted up, Flare leads the group back to the road. Another fork is reached on this side trail and the group heads to the west as it looks like that way leads up to Eagle's Nest. After a time, the forest opens up and the trail winds its way up the side of a hill. The trial becomes narrower forcing the riders to proceed single file.

About halfway up the side of the hill, a griffon is seen circling overhead and it is quickly joined by a second one. Flare says that griffons are fond of horse flesh and that they are most likely more interested in the mounts that Wyvern Squad. Sergeant Traken's horse is left behind while Wyvern Squad quickens their pace up the hillside trail. The griffons swoop in and carry the horse off.

A bit further up the trail a grim sight is encountered. The body of an unknown rider, a survivor of Chimera Squad perhaps?, is found. The body, and the carcass of their horse, are laying in the trail. Both were nearly devoured and its hard to tell the race or even gender of the body. Wyvern Squad continues onward but on guard.

Not long after that a new danger appears. A swarm of flying snakes appear in the sky! These snakes are only 1 to 2 feet long in size. They have reddish scales that change to white on their bellies. The swarm flies to attack! Anik uses a pair of Sleep Spells to considerably thin out the swarm. The rest of the flying snakes are quickly defeated. Some of the snakes are taken to be used a food later on.

Reaching the top of the trail the Eagle's Nest outpost comes into view. Wimzy thinks that she saw a figure on top of the outpost, but no one else noticed anything. The area is deserted and there are two entrances to the outpost. Laurel and Saladino go forth to check out the entrances with Flare following. Flare notes that hoof prints go up to the door on the left, while people use the other door. Both entrances are an arrangement of two sets of double doors. The other doors are reinforced metal doors, while the inner are mostly wooden. The other doors can be locked and barred from the inside for protection.

No traps are noted and Wyvern Squad goes inside. The side doors goes into a stable where horses are kept. A giant snake is found in one of the stalls and quickly killed. A second set of double doors lead to an outside area that serves as a corral. A smaller door leads into the same room the other double doors give entrance too. This area is the main entry way into the outpost. Racks on the sides of the room hold weapons, ammunition and shields.

Double doors at the far end lead into a tower. Stairs lead upwards. One floor up there is an exit to the roof of the outpost where Wimzy thought she saw someone, but no one is here. The top of the tower is one more floor up and the flag pole is here. The black flag is raised to indicate danger in Graystone Pass.

A single door leads into another area of the outpost on the ground floor of the tower. A large common room is discovered that can be used a mess hall or meeting area. A door on the left gives access to the kitchen. Stairs lead down to a cellar used as a pantry. A small well is also there to provide fresh water. Off a hallway going the other direction is an officer's quarters and office along with two bunk rooms.

[GM Mad]

GM Notes:

The magic items looted were a dagger that was given to Laurel, a flight arrow, presumably given to Flare, a quarterstaff and a potion.

Here's the map for the zombie caves:

wfg002.jpg (234.98 KiB) Viewed 1292 times

And here's the map for the Eagle's Nest:

wfg003.jpg (93.34 KiB) Viewed 1292 times

Scale us 1 square = 5' on both maps.

Now what?