Kythorn 23, 1491 DR
Ara went back to the group and they formulated a new plan. They decided that they would use the postern entrance to gain access to the castle. Ara turned into a spider, crawled under the door and lifted the bar from the inside. Using stealth, the group moved deeper into the structure. They could hear loud noises coming from what they believed was the kitchen area. They moved north through a heavy hide curtain to and rubble strewn area with two doors and another heavy curtain to the north.
They went through the north curtain and found themselves in an old storage area with a door to the east. Looking around, it was discovered that the north wall held a concealed door leading outside. Listening to the door they heard nothing and crept through. This was another hallway that had a door (Leading into the tower they wanted) and another hide curtain in the south. They burst into the tower catching the occupants by surprise.
The wolf leapt towards the open door to attack Farooq, but it was quickly dispatched and the fight moved into the room. A large bugbear in black half-plate armour was talking with the female drow elf and the first thing the drow did was pick up Gundren's unconscious body and hold a blade to his throat. While King Grol, the bugbear began attacking Farooq with his massive morning star.
Most focused their attacks on the drow, unconcerned about the hostage situation, and did terrible damage. On her next action she slit the dwarf's throat and dashed out the door to try and escape. She didn't get far when Nash finished her with an arrow through the throat. Her body, clothing and all, transformed into a strange grey skinned skinny androgynous creature.
Grol rushed keeper and got in a good lick, but soon was overwhelmed by the rest of the PCs and he went down to Keeper's rapier. While this was happening, hobgoblins came rushing up from behind the curtain in the hall to attack, and a loud growl resounded through the keep. An owlbear came rushing down the hall past the combat and pushed its way out the concealed door into the night air - and to freedom. It ran north and vanished into the tree-line.
Following behind the owlbear was a massive ogre (Torgo the Destroyer) wearing spiked leather armour and a helm. He carried a massive spiked club. Farooq met him in the doorway and held him there with his shield ringing with each massive blow of the Ogre. The bugbears, perhaps trying to get out of the Ogre's way or perhaps demoralized at seeing their leader slain, began to retreat.
Finder cured the wounds on the dwarf as the rest of the group rallied to defeat the Ogre, with Nash getting the final shot through the ogre's eye. With the hobgoblins retreated, the PCs searched the area and found treasure beneath the King's bed. It included the map to Wave Echo Cave. Gundren came around and was very relieved to have his map back.
The PCs decided against Gundren's advice and went to clear out the rest of the castle. Farooq moved down the hall toward the kitchen door and walked right in ready for battle. A dozen arrows flew at him from the waiting, concealed goblins, with several finding their mark. Farooq looked like a pin cushion. Hobgoblins were also there to attack with their long swords. Farooq was instantly severely wounded and they decided discretion was the batter part of valour and closed the door.
Ara tied a rope to the bar on the postern door and attacked it to the pull ring on the kitchen door, holding them fast together. Even as he did that, and Gundren and finder and keeper were moving towards the north concealed exit, more hobgoblins came pouring out of another door - charging north to battle Finder and Keeper, and south to sandwich Ara, Farooq and Nash into the area just outside the kitchen door.
Ara's well placed Moonbeam spell burned the two hobgoblins fighting them in the south and made an exit for Nash and Farooq to move out of the doorway and into the hall heading north. They are left with a gaggle of goblins trying to break through the kitchen door, and a mixed group of goblins and hobgoblins that flanked them to deal with as they race to escape the castle with their dwarven friend.
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