Ambush, Travel and the Greyskull Mercenaries

It is the 1st month of the year - 22nd day of Fireseek (for most - Elves it is the month of DiamondIce)

It was time to leave Enstad. It seems the Black Runes had been successful in acquiring the Heart of Enstad - a powerful living jewel - the Esserial (DM: Link to more info) - that controlled all the weather in the lands around Enstad - that now has once again started to fall in the lands. The once burning city is now a winter wonderland. 
The Fellowship purchased winter gear and horses, seeing a final party of sorts was going on in the Azul's Rest the inn/tavern. It seemed many if not all of the last inhabitants of the city of Enstad were leaving. The Fellowship decided to have one final meal and drink before there trek Westward.
Entering the tavern, they noted half the room was taken up by boisterous and parting Black Rune forces. With their Black Rune medallion/pass, the party found an empty table.
Seeing much being packed away, Doctor Holliday inquired about anything that was for sale. Two rather strange items were noted:

• A statue - idol(?) which had been in the massive aquarium. A octopus with human like arms, weighing in over 100 lbs.
• A head of a dragon, metallic - copper possibly - which hung over the large fireplace

The party was able to negotiate the sale of the idol. It seemed whomever was purchasing it had to touch it first - an attunement of sorts. As the Doctor touched the device he was jolted into a different view.. underwater.. a large temple-like building.. massive pillars.. treasure piled up all around him. As Doc looked down he realized he had multiple tentacle-like arms.. he reached and grasped for treasure and as he took it up in with a jolt was back in the tavern room of Azul's Rest.

Taking their leave, the heroes headed to the West gate of Osengarr’slar which allows passage to the lands of Ulek.
Ahead, they saw the path led through what once looked to be a park.

1.  A wrought iron fence surrounds the park. A gate - 1/2 broken and other 1/2 torn off by the hinges lies in the gravel.
2. Here no snow falls. A large sickly tree bound in chains (as below image). Each chain leads to a stone anchored into the ground. A dryad, sick and feverish - under the influence of a Black Rune curse to stop her from guarding the gate to the pass. The party was able to fight off a mist which seemed to envelop the area.
   
   The Doctor hacking through most of the eldritch chains holding the tree as ther mist continued to drain blood from him. The Fellopwship was able to defeat the mist, and the recovering and grateful dryad gave a sapling to the Doctor
4. The heroes encounter a patrol of Black Rune guards. 3 Goblins, Jespe, Jospe and Joosepe vrs. 3 Kobolds, Danti, Desen and Y'eechik. They are having a snowball fight. Both having never seen snow before at least a foot of snow has fallen. They have built 2 forts about 20' apart across the path and continue to fling snowballs, and attack enmasse. They are surprised by attacks from the Fellowship, but don't question them as the party shows off the Black Rune medallion.

4.  The gates to the path beyond these the party sees a large wide and high chamber. All the walls are engraved with trees and images of glades, waterfalls, sun and moon. A massive canal runs from north to south. A trickle of water flows now. To the North, a torrent of water flows down from a waterfall. Before it hits the
   
   ground it about 10' off the ground disappears into a glowing red gate parallel to the ground. Near this area, is a wooden tower where 2 humanoid figures stand.

A bridge leads across the massive canal, and across from the party are 2 massive doors looking to be made into the side of a living tree.

These lead to a underground causeway and tunnel system of the Underdark. About 300 feet ahead, they split to path into the mountains which will lead west. The other path leads to the Underdark..

A single elf stands ahead on the far side of the bridge. 
Some interactions and tense moments as the male elf seems to know much about the RedWater Falls village. Agreeing to take a package - along case - to the commander of the garrison holding the mountain pass, they are allowed to pass. With wagon and horses, the party takes the upper path and heads into the snowy mountains.
Bundling up against the cold, the party trekked onwards. A few days later, they came upon a burning wagon and two bodies on the ground.
Moving forward to help, the Doctor was not that surprised when one turned over a woman with dagger at the 1/2 orc's throat.
Kantif, Grax, Cedric and Gothi all jumped into action when the Doctor

leapt back. the 5 bandits looked to have bit off more than they could chew as the RedWater Fellowship took one down after another. Gothi - riding his monstrous beast, Jawbone a hybrid shark/wolf leapt into action firing his bow. Kanif used his stealth and sneak attack to

great effect. Cedric fired his Shadowfell bow transporting directly to and engaged a evil priestess, she taking him to near death with a single spell! Doctor Holliday fought the leader whom barely escapted by a mistystep spell. In the end the Fellowship are victorious, three dead and two run-off, the party moved onwards.

A few more days of travel into the high mountains take the party near the mountain pass which is - or was - the outpost of Enstad - Estani’lar (elvish for “Mirror of the world ”). This outpost was once the main stop for caravans and travelers going from the Duchy to the Elvish kingdom.
Now a battleground/no-man’s land between the Black Runes and the Duchy.

BR force:
Camp mostly in caves - once mined by the Shield dwarf clan
    • 50 BR dwarves
    • 200 goblins and hobgoblin
    • 4 ogres
    • 2 hill giants

The party travel up to the camp and show the medallion. There was some untrusful staares and words as the Fellowship advised they wanted to travel through and over the pass. The leader is called of the mercenary group. A Commander Bajin Greyskull. This Black Rune is different from most, he leads a regiment of dwarves whom still grow their beards. Wearing heavy chainmail with a BR symbol with 2 crossed hammers overtop, helm and two hammers across his back.. He seemed to be a mercenary working for the highest bidder. His army - The GreysKull Hounds - is skilled in mountain warfare.

An elaborate large tent, built against the side of a cave, which leads to a sleeping/sitting area. Heavy rugs cover all the carpets. The case from the elf in Enstad is presented, and the dwarf grins greedily. NOT opening it.
The party is advised to remove all boots to meet the Commander. They do.
Bajin, removes his helmet, showing the dead skin of his skull. Similar to Doc’s hand.
Bajin will tell the party of current situation; a “Kobold Victory” slang or bad joke for neither side able to win.
The Duchy occupies a similar location on other side of top mountain pass. “The Shielders” as Bajin calls the old clan of shield dwarf clan dug tunnels and mines through both sides. Battles fought above and below ground. Magic caused multiple cave in so the battles in the mines were stopped. The dwarf looking grim, spits in the fire. “Never a good idea to use magic in tunnels..l told‘em many a time.. But they don’t listen to a merc.” As if to, himself. Shaking his head, he will ask the party why in the 9 hells are they traveling in

winter through the mountains??
He perceptively can tell the group is not what they seem, but seems to care little. He chuckles and shake his head. “It not be my task to stop travelers with a BR pass.
Now.. If I was being paid to, that would be a different story.” Grinning he snaps his fingers and 4 hidden flaps drop and the party is covered by 4 dwarves, each with a blunderbuss pointed at them.
He snaps his fingers again. Dwarf fingers un-cock the flintlocks with audible “clicks and clacks.
The flaps are raised again and the party is once again alone with the Baron.

A dark elf woman in shiny black leathers no BR symbol is visible - stalks into the room. "so ya bring guests.. And who are these fine people?" She asks with slight disdain to the fellowship. 
Bajin hastily introduces the group. Once they get to Kantif and Gothie, she interrupts. "A strange looking elf.. And a 1/2 elf.. You are rare in these parts now with the "Great Deliverance" (DM: all the elves of Enstad transport east through a multitude of magical portals away from the Black Runes and allies) She mentions a pool or lake to Gothi..
At first with a loving smile to Bajin,"So would you like dinner brought in honoured guests?" She will lay a finger under his chin.  As she says this she will look over the group. The Doctor replies a meal would be

good..She will study them and then flash a blade out to the neck of one or the other. "Whom do you work for.. The Scarlet brotherhood? Checking on us?" She spits stalking out of the room. The Commander wipes his sweaty brow.

He asks about news of Enstad and the lands to the East. His homeland, far to the East - Cairn hills east of Greyhawk. Overlord Romack's armies continues his battles to northwest, although some forces are coming south of Verbobonc to the Kron hills.Armies from Ket, Bessel have invaded Gran March and Geoff. Nearly overwhelming both last heard (month ago).The Duchy of Ulek fights along forces of Keloand.
Principality of Ulek and county of Ulek have both fallen to Black Rune forces. 

The party takes their leave, now with the bemused agreement of the Commander, they are able to move onwards to the mountain pass and into the Duchy of Ulek!

Goodbyes and Hellos

The heroes, gripped weapons in sweaty hands. Below the balcony box, the theatre was active with a multitude of reptoid creatures, ranging in size from a hand to a small horse. Crawling over dead dwarf, human elf, orc and goblin bodies all sitting in the theatre chairs. 
The mother (?) seemed to control them all from the stage, her giant bloated body sitting in the water of a pool. The headmaster's stretched and gaunt face was a visage of pain and grotesque agony. Under the water, humanoid bodies could be seen with small creatures swimming about them.
Taking deep breaths, they planned tactics to defeat the reptoid hive and mother and escape the

undercity of Enstad.
Three prisoners - a derro - the party realize this is Skeegin - portly lizardman and elf were being herded up to the theatre stage - further sacrifices..?

The adventurers put their plan into action. Doctor Holliday activated his figurine of wondrous power a giant dragonfly. Flying out he prepared a untried weapon - one of the BlackRune dwarf flamethrowers! With a concoction of extremely volatile oil and a ground of red fir pine cone from RedWater Falls village (DM:  What are the Red Fir pinecones?) he flew out over the railing towards the far balcony. The plan to divide the enemy and attack from multiple sides. Grasping the weapon it spewed oily fire all over the hive mother. He noted though the cannon was starting to over heat very quickly! While this happened, Robin, Kantiff and Thograa fired arrows and bolts. Extrano, took a missile from his necklace of fireballs and seeing the damage Doc Holliday did with the flames through the missile. Flying unerringly the glowing bead hit the hive mother and WHUMP!, the first of quite a few fireballs did massive damage.
Cedric, using his bow of the Shadows, teleported to the far balcony and prepared for battle.
The headmaster was not to be destroyed easily. She reared up and vomited a rain of acid onto Doctor Holliday and the dragonfly.
The plan - like many plans in battle - had changed as Doctor Holliday fell to the middle of the theatre, swarmed on all sides by the reptoids. Before he fell, he threw the overheating flame-cannon and hit the hive mother squarely as it blew up dealing more damage!
The battles continued and it looked desperate a few times for the fellowship, Kantiff and Thograa down, Doctor Holiday falling and swarmed by baby reptoids, Robin lost a hand to a critical hit but fighting through the pain continued on, summoning 3 skeletons with the power of magic and his new patron the demon lord Orcus - Lord of the Undead. It seemed Thograa used magic, divine or other to heal the Doc from a distance. 
The tide turned and the tactics seemed to be working as finally with a massive blow, Doc Holliday shoved his two-handed sword deep into the belly of the hive mother reptoid, headmaster Prascilla Entruymin, her agonized screams of pain seeming to be in some ways of relief..
The Hive mother vanquished the reptoids were mindless and scurried off into the multitude of tunnels. Treasures were acquired..
Releasing the 3 prisoners, a happy reunion with Skeegin took place as well as with two new adventurers.
Both Cedric and Doc tried to use their god-given paladin abilities, but it seemed the gods had forsaken them with some insight they realized that associating, helping and working with a warlock of an undead demon lord was not approved.
Doc Hollliday confronted the warlock. Robin Hood, decided it was time to depart and follow his calling and find out more of his patron. A short goodbye and the arakocra ranger/warlock was gone..
The adventurers, gathered their equipment and were able to exit the Alchemy college.
Enstad had changed, a heavy snowfall was coming down, it seems the Elvish power to control the weather had been successfully taken by the BlackRunes. The party breathed deeply of the clear air looking out to see that the lone tree - the last haven of civilization in Enstad was leaving. All the businesses, houses and more were forming a caravan. Heading North-East to Verbobonc on onwards.
Extrano, the wizard also decided to leave and travel with the caravan, his quest for the owner of the book he still treasured would take him East, not West as where the fellowship were headed.  
The Fellowship were sad to see the tough arakocra wizard leave, but perhaps some day in the future the paths would cross again. Cheeta decided with Benta the dwarf to accompany the former slaves as well.
Tearful farewells, each of the party would later find a gift in their packs, it seems the former slaves had gathered some resources and credit and acquired a MINOR magical item for each of the fellowship. (DM: next session they will find out)
The RedWater Fellowship - now with a new Graxx, lizardman sorcerer and Gothi, strange elf ranger in the ranks - purchased some horses (with Thograa buying a wagon and massive wathog pulling ) and decided to head west. The gate out of Enstad and Duchy of Ulek awaiting them..