Forty-first session - 10 September 2004 - Ice in the Long Deep

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In attendance:

Note: This session comes from the Mini-Dungeon, "Crumbling Hall of the Frost Giant Jarl", written by Andy Collins

Before falling back, the party hears noises from an adjoining room. They deduce it is a kitchen and decide to clear out its occupants before resting. When the door is opened, however, a Frost Giant female hurls a heavy cooking pot at the party. Aramil deftly dodges, and the pot sails over the head of Pavo, striking Roderick square in the head. In an instant, the cleric is knocked unconscious.

The fighters take care of the Giantess and her three Ogre servants, but when the dust clears, they find that Roderick's state is serious. Though he is not gravely wounded, they are unable to revive him. They return outside to rest and make plans.

Outside, they are surprised to encounter Drusilia and Ursa, recent acquaintances of Pavo. As a further surprise, they learn that the two have brought gifts from Dhersion: A ring of Wizardry for Bigby, Bracers of Armor for Kesi, a Rope of Climbing for Aramil, and something for Roderick that the party decides not to open (since it may be personal).

Since the giants inside are considered an imminent threat, and Roderick appears to be stable, it is decided that the party should push on inside. Ursa has some healing magics, and it is hoped that there will not be too many more Frost Giants to contend with. A unused room is found near the entrance where Roderick can be safely stowed, and the party presses on.

Past the entryway rooms, the path enters a section dug out of the crumbled hall. A pack of five Winter Wolves stand guard, but the party takes them out without too much trouble. To his dismay, Bigby learns that fire magic in this region involves a high risk of tunnel collapse.

Beyond the wolves, a 7-headed CryoHydra is chained to the cave wall and blocks their route deeper. The party pulls back to use bow and arrow - since Bigby's fireball will likely bring the ceiling down. However, the CryoHydra manages to break free of his chain and lumbers forward. The party has no choice but to flee or engage, so they surround the beast and eventually kill it.

While Ursa is a competent healer, he is nowhere near as skilled as Roderick. Despite this, the party moves deeper. The tunnel through the rubble opens into a large, finished hallway where two Frost Giant guards wait. Around the corner, at the far end of the hall, is a Frost Giant who must be the Jarl (a title equivalent to chief or king).

One of the guards runs to a nearby door to summon help, and Bigby blocks his return with a Wall of Fire. The remaining guard wades into the party and begins ferociously attacking Pavo. When the Jarl begins casting spells, it becomes clear that the weakened party is no match for him and his guards. Within a minute, Pavo has been slain and most of the others are in trouble.

Despite this, they manage to kill the guard and flee without suffering further casualties. Bigby teleports the dead Pavo, the unconscious Roderick, and the elf Dru back to Sorgul's commune to seek medical attention. The others head overland back towards Clangdun. The party has plans to rendezvous at the temple to Clangeddin Silverbeard on the 13th of August.

XP awarded: 2,800 for Aramil (who makes 10th level); 2,300 for Ursa and Dru; 1,800 for Bigby and Kesi. Pavo, who died, earns 3,600 for the game, but loses 3,500 for dying. Thus, he nets only 100 XP.