Grand Duchy 43

Grand Duchy of Adventure

Session 43
January 1, 2015

Saving Stephan

Nytdain 22nd of Flaurmont

Movin' On Up

After some preliminary scouting by Griffin and Ree, the Grey Company moves up through the tower. They pass uneventfully through the 2nd level and on to the third, ending behind a closed iron and wood door separating the stairwell and the 3rd level. Some muffled shouting could be heard from beyond the door and this quickly piqued the Company's interest. Magic was unable to determine exactly who or what was on the other side of the door so Marcel opened the door a little and peeked in. 

The room appeared empty, completely empty. It looked like the entire tower level was just a wide open space with another door, presumably to another spiral staircase, on the far side. The voice could still be heard yelling, demanding the location of the "golden tapestry." A weak voice answered that he had no idea what that was. The voice was familiar, it was Stephan's voice. Just then, the yelling voice stopped its interrogation and yelled "Intruders! Get them!" 

A loud grunt was heard and the sound of running feet. Across the room, the opposite door swung open and a yellow robed, bearded man could be seen as if he were exiting the room. He slammed the door behind him as Stephan's voice called out weakly, "Who is there? Beware! There is something else in this room!" The grunting and heavy breathing got louder and closer. 

Looking into the invisible room.

Draven pulled the door closed just in time and something heavy slammed into the the other side. A loud yell was followed by something hitting the door repeatedly. Marcel had his companions open the door ever so slightly and he thrust his spear into the room. He felt it batted away by a weapon or shield. He attacked again and stepped into the room. As he did so, he immediately disappeared from sight. Draven, not wanting to leave his friend to battle an invisible foe, followed. Marcel used his shield and spear to locate the general direction of his opponent and swung his weapon out wide in an attempt to ensnare him. This move managed to disarm the unseen warrior and the sound of a metal weapon clanging to the floor could be heard nearby.

An Invisible Wrestling Match

Meanwhile, Ree worked some magic that allowed her to discern the exact location of their foe and she shouted out directions to Draven, who had also entered the room and become invisible. Using her help, Draven lunged out and found his opponent and grabbed him. His foe felt large and strong, but Draven held on tight, knowing that his life, and that of his companions, might rely on it. 

Griffin then slipped into the room and began moving around, looking for Stephan, who was calling out for help. Griffin discovered that the room, which made him invisible as well, contained numerous invisible walls that he kept bumping into. He also managed to kick the invisible sword across the room on accident.

While Griffin explored the room looking for Stephan, the others battled their unseen foe. Draven had mixed luck attempting to grapple the stronger opponent, but he did not give up. Marcel also got tangled up with him as well. Burik and Akaios moved into the room while the others stayed back, trying to offer support. A combination of Draven's tenacious grapple and a sweeping move by Marcel's spear managed to bring the growling, grunting, spitting and seemingly berserk opponent down. Akaios and Burik entered the fray, though Akaios accidentally grabbed Draven in the invisible confusion. 

Remar called out that the room was probably making everything invisible and that if they could, they should drag their opponent out into the stairwell so they could see it better. Iris, who had used her magic to heighten her sense of sight, saw some large, hairy feet pass the threshold of the stairwell door and indicated for the others to grab them. Through a coordinated effort, the invisible warrior was dragged into the stairwell. 

A visible minotuar

It was in fact, a minotaur, and it had been rendered unconscious during the pile up. Once it was visible and unmoving, Draven laid into it, bashing it over and over in the head with his mace. His violent attack on the creature startled some of the others and they took a step back as he continued to smash it over and over, evnetually breaking through its thick skull and killing it. Finally he stopped and stepped away, covered in minotaur blood and gore, and leaned quietly against the wall, breathing heavily. 

Griffin was able to find Stephan and the others were called to his location. He was hurt, wounded and weak, chained to a chair that was bolted to the floor. It was impossible to pick the lock without being able to see, but then Remar called out that he had found the minotaur's sword and that he could see everyone while he was holding it. He brought it over and gave it to Akaios who smashed the chair and partially freed Stephan. They all retreated back to the stairwell so they could see each other. 

Stephan's Tale

Finally... Stephan!

Over the body of the dead minotuar, they listened to Stephan's tale while Griffin picked the lock on the manacles. He told them he had been captures some time ago during the raid on the lumber camp north of Susikyn and had been taken, with many others, to a Goblin stronghold in a petrified forest. He had then been taken by a troop of Hobgoblins, lead by a wolf rider named Vlakk, to the ruins here. He had been with some others, and they had been interrogated initially as he had been, but he did not know where they were now. The yellow robed wizard, who he deduced was named Golthar, was interested in some "Golden Tapestry" that no one knew anything about.

Stephan says he eventually realized that he must be talking about the old tapestry that hangs in the main hall at Susikyn. He did not reveal this information to Golthar, but the wizard must have realized that he knew something, because he continued to interrogate and torture him for weeks after sending the other prisoners away. Stephan says he is so grateful to have been rescued, for he fears that he was close to giving up and giving the wizard the information he wanted. He does not know why Golthar is set on finding this "Golden Tapestry" but he was willing to destroy all the settlements in the area to find it. 

He also says that he was able to glean from him that he had some sort of enchanted needle that when brought together with the tapestry, would reveal some ancient mystery.Stephan believes that the wizard has the needle here in the tower and though he is tired and covered in wounds from weeks of torture, is ready to pursue the wizard to regain this prize for himself. He gets to his feet and hobbles back toward the invisible room, "Come on, let's go," he calls out. Surprised at his determination, the Company follows.

They climb another flight of spiral stairs and enter what appears to be an ancient art gallery, with dusty old framed pictures on the wall and two large Hutaakan statues made from a shiny pink stone. No other exits can be seen in this room as the Company enters and looks for signs of the fleeing wizard, Golthar.

An ancient art gallery with no exits... and no wizard!

 

Cast of Characters: 

Garrett "Griffin" Constantine, a Thyatian rogue of a gambler from Penhaligon rolled by +Arne Jamtgaard 

Marcel Maas, a homely but sincere wielder of spears aspiring to cooking greatness commanded by +Christian Blouin 

Draven Rickart, a Thyatian Acolyte of the Church of Karameikos ministered by +Jason Packer 

Iris Varda, a Thyatian explorer and historian searching for answers and adventure guided by +Alex Safatli  

and +Jason Woollard as The DM