Mysteries of Mystara 008

The group finds and captures the dragon, returns it to the Kobold clan then sets out to assault the Hobgoblin Chieftain and gain access to the Grove Below where the dark druid is rumored to be. The on-going GURPS saga of five unlikely companions attempting to unravel the mysteries of Mystara.

Mysteries of Mystara
Session 008

Dragons and Hobgoblins

220205

After being introduced to the quirky Gnome, Erkine Mosspillar, the group decides to free the remaining Kobold prisoners and go look for the lost dragon. Zarg the Goblin shows them where the dragon is being kept and reveals a hidden pit trap, showing everyone how to get around it. Once in the trophy room where Calcryx is being held, it becomes evident that the dragon, not much larger than a big dog, does not want to be captured. Meepo is overjoyed to see his lost charge and Calcryx seems equally emotional, though not in a happy way, and immediately attacks the Kobold. 

Trying not to hurt the very dangerous white dragonling yet still capture him proves quite difficult. Talyn tries using brute strength, and Panya tries to wrap it up in her blanket, but it is Malachai that comes to the rescue by playing a song on his panpipes and using fairy magic to put it to sleep. 

The Dragon and other Kobolds are then escorted back to the Kobold controlled area of the ruins. Yusdrayl, the chieftain is quite happy to see the return of the Dragon, and slightly appreciative that at least two of the Kobolds have been rescued. Poor Hugnu is snubbed again. 

As promised, the Chieftain allows them to choose two of the tribe’s treasures. The dragon key is obviously taken as it is the best chance to get past the magically sealed dragon door, and a strange wooden token with a feather carved on one side and a tree carved on the other. Both are magical and potentially useful.

Plans are then made to make an assault on the Goblin Chieftain, a ruthless Hobgoblin named Durnn, according to Zarg. He leads the way back through the Goblin controlled areas and shows the group a back hallway that bypasses the main residential area that contains “many” Goblins and Hobgoblins. Sadly, Zarg is very bad with numbers and has trouble coming up with specific numbers. 

After showing where the back entrance to Durnn’s throne room is, he begs to be set free, promising to flee the area and not cause trouble with any of them again. He says he cannot bear to face any of his tribe after so easily spilling the beans about defenses and back doors. Grudgingly, he is released and he scampers off down the hall and is not seen again. 

Slowly and carefully, the group prepares to ambush their foes, hoping to catch them off guard. They set up and spring their assault, only to find Durnn, his shaman, and guards, all ready and waiting for them. A fierce battle is fought in the doorway and throughout the Hobgoblin’s circular throne room. The center of the room is dominated by a large open well that is lined with sickly white vines. A pale purple light glows out of the pit.

The Hobgoblins prove to be much more formidable than the Goblins were, though they still lack some basic organization and strategy. The balance of the battle tips back and forth several times until, finally, Durnn is vanquished. His shaman, a wiley female Hobgoblin, attempts to flee by jumping down the pit but she is stopped by a mix of magic and weaponry and when she tries casting a spell, her life is ended. 

Just as the battle was winding down, one of the Hobgoblins had thrown open a door leading to the clan’s main residential area. Many ragged domiciled and at least 40 Goblins and Hobgoblins fill the area. Several rush to the final call of their Chieftain, but Talyn, in an impulsive act of savagery, decapitates Durnn’s head and swings it at the oncoming warriors, threatening to do worse to them if they do not flee. They choose to flee. 

A quick survey of any valuable loot is taken both in the throne room and the residential area. Some loot is gathered and the party decides is it best to hole up in one of the Goblin guard rooms before heading down the well to confront the dark druid rumored to dwell below.

Session Notes

A good over-all session, some exploration, some social role play and a couple of good combats. The "Capture the Dragon" romp was fun watching the PCs come up with a plan to capture a small, deadly dragon that did not want to be caught. The resolution of the Goblin prisoner was good, I was worried they were going to assassinate him, but instead let him go. The assault on the Hobgoblin Chieftain and his retinue was quite challenging and nearly taxed the group to their limits.

Cast of Characters:

Malachai, Feytouched, Wilderness Defender - played by JeCorey H
Talyn Dilectus Vanyilam, teenage Celestial warrior on the run - played by Don K
Panya Masika, a Nithian monk stranded out of time - played by Carol C
Vlajic Savago, the Lucky Savage, a Traladaran bard - played by Dan E

and GMJasonGURPS as the DM