Shipwreck and the Ambush

   Days pass on the river, traveling up the river in the former elvish kingdom of Celene. Other than animals seen, no contact with others on river or bank was noted for 3 days. The heroes stop for wood fuel for the steamboat and catch some rabbits (good shooting by Doc Holiday).
A more calm travel takes hold as the days pass, and the heroes open up as some mention parts of their life, relatives and more. Binding the group into comrades that care and help each other.
By the 4th day, Kantiff notes a plume of smoke ahead. The adventurers prepare and coming around a bend in the river see a riverboat wreck. Swirling around rocks, spars and broken wood planks stick out of the water. a plume of dark smoke comes from a half-submerged smokestack.

   Master Senji slowed the boat's engine as the party looked intently around. The broken bow of the ship jutted out of the water, parts of its hull sticking out of the water like ribs. As the party got close.. Doctor Holiday jumps and swims to the wreck, climbing on board. As he started to look around for survivors and more he noted something in a dark hole.. perhaps leading to the hold, as he leaned down, a pale fish-headed face appeared long claws reach out and pulled him head first into the ice cold water.
Ambush!
Battle was engaged as rifle shot cracks and arrows flew from the banks. A dwarf, orc and a few goblins attack from the banks.Some of the party kept a sniping battle with the enemies while Holiday fought a battle with the sharp-toothed creature as well as holding his breath. Cedric brought forth the power of his god and commanded the dwarf musketeer to approach him. The dwarf.. chuckled at first and then with a glazed look jumped into the cold river and started to try to dog-paddle to the boat.
Cheeta nimbly ran down the chain to the barge of supplies and took a hold of the ballista and hit one of the goblins. Already injured by Extrano's spell, it flew back under nailed to a tree by the large bolt.
Kantiff dove/jumped over to help Doc Holiday. Reaching to grab his
feet he fought a war of strength to pull the 1/2 orc up. Meanwhile, Robin Hood, Cedric and Extrano dealt with the orc and goblins.
Kantiff was surprised when he saw a 2nd pale creature grab a hold of Doc Holiday.
Pulling him further down, the rogue went in as well. Now both were fighting for their breath and life.
Extrano unfurled his wings and flew over to the wreck and started using his spells on the fish-like humanoids.
A close battle, Holiday and Kantiff fought and successfully killed one and then Kantiff was pulled in again! Spells from Extrano and Robin finish the creature and the party was triumphant. Exhausted and chilled to the bone from the ice cold water.
Some treasure found, at first the party was going to keep all until they realized Master Senji knew the owner of the wreck, and was very thankful to the group for giving some of the treasure and loot for the family of the crew.
Travel continued. 10 days passed since the settlement of RedWater Falls, the next stop would be Sorenson Outpost a trading stop for humans and elves. No other traffic was seen on the river and the snow-covered road that occasionally went along side. On the 11th day, multiple plums of smoke were seen ahead. Again the party prepared.. for who knows..
The destruction was total. The outpost run by the large multi-generational family of Sorenson was destroyed and burning embers. Much covered in snow now. The adventurers spread out looking for
survivors, but none were found. Taking the next step, Doc Holiday performed an orcish ritual for the dead - 8. Five adults and three children.

Exploring the ruins they find little, except Doc Holiday acquires an anvil and tools, installing it near the steam engine - hoping to do some tinkering with his guns.

A confrontation takes place about the amulet of Orcus worn now by Robin Hood - which Cedric wanted to destroy. At this point at an impasse..
Traveling onwards, the party noted a wagon with two outriders riding on the road that sometimes went parallel to the river. Perceptive members noted a cage on the back with 3 prisoners and a dwarf - beardless - in black armour driving the two-wheeled transport. At first ready to attack, Master Senji advised there was a point up the river where the road crossed at a bridge. They could easily get there first as the road had to go around a large hill. Reaching the bridge, Master Senji and Cheeta hid the boat further up river as the party made ready, hiding and preparing for these evil dwarf slavers who potentially were some of those that destroyed the Sorenson Outpost.
Until next time.. ambush!

Maps of GreyHawk

GreyHawk campaign area:
This is a HI-RES map of the area (courtesy of Anna Meyer - https://www.annabmeyer.com)
Hi-Res map of GreyHawk


The adventuring party are just East off this map:








Doctor Holiday from the Duchy of ULEK:

(You came over the pass south through the County of Ulek - through the Druids Defile pass SouthEast of Tringlee and Arch Barony of Gliddinshar.

The Underground Palace

We rejoin our heroes as they continue to explore the Lonely Tower, once it seems an Elvish palace. There was discussion about leaving and continuing on the riverboat journey, consensus was to keep exploring.
Using all the tools at their disposal, the party was able to open the complex locked doors to what looked to be a throne room. It seems 3 of the gnolls had perished here. Drained of life-force as well as all bodily fluids. A coldness pervaded the room all feeling a chill except Robin Hood - his amulet of Orcus keeping him warm and comfortable. The walls seemed strange behind the variety of banners and tapestries - which depicted dwarf and elf allies - a strange occurrence with recent history! The walls looked to be made of glass, and dirt, rocks and roots of trees can be seen..
The party investigates the 3 gnolls, acquiring some loot - a gnarled staff with a skull on the top. After exploration of the thrones a spirit appeared - ready to attack. Smooth talking by Doctor Holiday

and it seemed appeased at the knowledge that they had killed more of the gnolls. It retreated and flew into the floor near the columns carved to look like trees.
This piqued the curiosity of the party whom started to search the area. A trapdoor was found and the rogue Kantiff determined a series of 3 knots one one or two columns would open the trapdoor. Neglecting to search for traps, the 3 knots on one tree-column were pushed and all of the party but Doctor Holiday whom was at the 3 thrones fell down into a trap chute! Turning around, the party was gone except for the recently rescued derro - Skeegin - whom pointed and jabbered in goblin at the 1/2 orc.
 Doctor Holiday does not speak goblin so took some animated gestures and finally he was able to activate the trap a second time and fell down the chute!
time to roll up new characters! 😁
The party arrived in a new area of the dungeon complex. The majority of the party felt a coldness similar to the feelings in the throne room except Robin Hood - his amulet seeming to keep him warm.  After doing some more exploration came across 2 dwarf like guardians.
They did not seem to activate until the party tried to pass. Extrano was able to hit upon the clue that if white cloaks, helmets and halberds were carried (stored behind a red curtain), the guardians made no move. Onwards.

Further exploration found an armoury where more loot was found. Then what looked to be a actual dungeon with cells as well as a spot where a blood trail on the flagstone floor. An apparition of a
female elf shackled to the wall appeared sobbing, mumbling about a baby boy. The party - except

for Kantiff, whom after seeing the figure was an elf had little interest in the dungeon, moved in, and the at that moment the ghost attacked! Some quick thinking by the party determined that the white cloaks, helmets and halberds had triggered her anger. After dropping that gear, she returned to her shackled position on the wall. Doctor Holiday decided to investigate and talk to her more, holding the raven feather. The rest of the party explored the cells. Looting more and coming across a large pile of rotgrubs which attack and were easily destroyed. At one point Robin Hood the arakokra ranger was attacked by the rot grubs - he felt the amulet of Orcus become warm and the rotgrubs fell off dead.
The good Doctor determined that the elf ghost needed her son who's body was in one cell. Taking the small form to her, she smiled and reached out to her son and then with a wispy glance and smile from both mother and son to the 1/2 orc they disappeared. A calm contentment came over Doctor Holiday. He had not filled this full of contentment in some time.

The party searched further finding a cave-in and after some interaction were attacked by carrion crawlers. Paralyzing and biting into the party. Doctor Holiday was able to with a critical hit to impale one on his two-handed sword. Fast work by the other party members working together - the witchdoctor Baris creating a totem that healed everyone extensively - and the giant creatures were destroyed.

Deciding the worked passages were probably the way out, the party started down a long, very long, extremely long passage lit with torches. It seemed the party had come into some type of trapped illusion. Coming to a point 1/2 way between two torches the party searched and found the way 'out'!

The party found themselves in what looked to be a wizard or alchemists study.
After some search they found 2 unseen servants that poured them all tea, a fireplace that never went out and was quite warm and pleasant, some interesting loot, a map and books (one being the wizard's spellbook!) Then a trap was sprung when one bookshelf was searched and fire engulfed it and caught the table as well.
Trying to put out the fire unsuccessfully the party had to retreat and were able to escape back to the throneroom. There was no sign of the derro Skeegin, the party searched for tracks but with the amount of foot traffic in the rooms and passages were unable to locate the small humanoid. Extrano left the derro a note on where they were going next -  Sorenson Trading Post.
The party boarded the steamboat, leaving behind the Lonely tower, having destroyed the gnoll threat and released 2 spirits to the care of the Raven Queen. Tired but content, the heroes continue their journey once again up the river to the Kron Hills.

Return to the not so Lonely Tower

When last we left the heroes of RedWater Falls, they had retreated from a gnoll under a broken down tower. After some discussion and determining that some ration packs had been made from human or elf flesh, the group decided this evil gnoll should not continue to prey upon others, and thinking of the villagers and miners at RedWater Falls village, they returned to confront.

Asking Master Senji to reverse course, they grounded the steamboat to see the gnoll now in the tower rubble, a longbow and arrow ready and
aimed at them. Some battling and the gnoll went down, as he fell with a bullet from Doc Holiday's gun grazing his head the hyena-faced humanoid pulled a hidden string.. an alarm?

The gnoll dead, the adventurers carefully searched and delved down into the complex below, wary of traps. The denizens of the place having some time to prepare - it seems from the alarm pulled by the gnoll and then again by Doc Holiday - ambushed the party at the first door. 2 gnolls, lobbing a flaming flask of oil caught a number of the group on fire. After a short battle the 2 gnolls lay dead. The party found a trapdoor and continued onward after searching and looting. Further exploration found quite a number of boxes, crates, barrels and bags of foodstuffs, equipment, clothing and more. It seems these gnolls were raiding and killing quite often from this as a base. Some fine treasure found as well:

• Elvish Longsword (The blade in perfect condition, the scabbard, leather with inlaid gold and enamel is becoming pitted and worn. Some of the gold patterns have worn, broke off or come apart. Still, the scabbard is in fairly good shape.History checks reveal this is a elvish leader's weapon. A: Cristhâdh  - The Forest hunters or palace elite guard used this type of sword. Normally with a 2nd weapon (using the finesse) a long dagger or short sword possibly of similar style and make.
• Bent / broken wand - fixed with sovereign glue by Doc Holiday! What could it be... 
• A variety of coins and some gems cut (and uncut)
• 4 chunks of GoldTear honeycomb. If eaten, will remove disease & poison.
• A Masterwork dirk (longer than a dagger)

 While searching they encountered a strange dwarf in the 'kitchen' area of the dungeon.

Skeegin - a derro - was in a cage, a soon to be meal for the gnolls. He advised the party (through Extraño the only one to speak goblin) after some healing (multiple wounds and a broken arm) and water that he was from a force from the down below - the UnderDark. After some direct questioning, it came out, his 'Masters' would be unlikely happy to see him with the rest of his patrol dead. With the proper support and more, perhaps the derro will be enticed to join the heroes.....?

The Derro was able to give some minor advice on the gnolls as well as rooms and doors.
Further exploration came upon a room the gnolls used for garbage, refuse and more. The stink from it was gagging and many of the group felt sick to their stomach.
Doc Holiday, moving down a slippery set of stairs tripped on a femur and slid right into a large pile of refuse and garbage in the center of the room. Sitting there for a moment, he started to smile then in horror he gasped as a clawed hand started to rake his chest. the room was NOT empty of enemies. A ghoul tried to bite into his neck, the quick moving gunslinger was able to shove the barrel of his
blunderbuss under its chin and the ghoul's head disappeared into a fine black mist of blood and bone! A 2nd ghoul then attacked! After
defeating the two undead creatures, the group searched for treasure  trying to still not lose their breakfasts and lunches in the process.
Acquiring more loot, they found a long circular passage cut from rough stone, not like the finely fitting stonework of the previous chambers and halls. Deciding to backtrack they came back and with the roguish skills of Kantiff to open some very complex locks were able to gain entry to another section of the complex, where more gnolls awaited them. While fighting this group, the party was flanked by a larger gnoll leader and his hyena. The wizard let loose with a barrage of magic missiles finishing one of the gnolls. Another went down under the blade of Cedric.
Kantiff went down, Doc Holiday nearly went down as well, but his 1/2 orc heritage allowed him to fight through the pain and blood loss to continue the battle until Baris' witchdoctor totem was able to give healing to all the party members - even Skeegin whom had been cutdown by the gnoll. Baris tried to heal Kantiff, but the the gnoll leader swung the pommel of his two-handed sword to stun the
spellcaster - foiling the spell - yipping his battle cry in triumph. Battling heavily with the gnoll leader, and the hyena, the tide turned and the gnoll tried to escape. While this happened the loyal hyena fought on until the druidic skills of Baris brought him to heel - as well as some timely tossed over meat rations.
A timely healing from the paladin Cedric for Doc Holiday had the adventurers chased the retreating crafty gnoll, down the winding passage, it was about to escape until the arrow of Robin took him in the back of the neck! The battle over, the party bound wounds and took stock of loot. The gnoll leader - a Agrik - had a what looked to be a well crafted sword. The blade looks worn and dull. It seems the gnoll was not proficient - or
caring to - keeping the blade in good repair and shape. Under the rust and blood and dirt are faint runes..



A massive chunk of amber enclosed a strange looking creature, sticking out of a passage wall..
Robin sneakily took a strange medallion (which seemed to be the symbol of the demon lord Orcus) from Cedric whom was planning to have it destroyed.

A gong was heard again - it seemed to come from behind the double doors still unexplored..

Session End.
The party gains a level! Still more dungeon under the Lonely Tower to be explored..