The Lost City of Herodia

 

10th of Reaping High Summer - In contested lands West of Wayberry

The party plan a surprise attack on what appears to be an outpost of gnolls. A group of the dog-headed humanoids appear to have an outpost on a hill near the road that crosses over a stream by an old stone bridge. There is a 2nd group on the left side of the bridge but are out of sight. 

The party plan how to take the outpost as quietly as possible - if possible. Graxxuzazz sends his owl up to scout the area. This gives an excellent overhead view of the area, determining numbers and the fortifications of the outpost. It appears to have about four to five gnolls. A single tent with a campfire. It appears there is captive a male lizardfolk near the tent. Gothi is able to give excellent details on this humanoid type [DM: NAT 20 on skill check] to the group which helps with deciding on tactics. Making note of wind direction - gnolls have excellent sense of smell and patrols as well.

Graxxuzazz's owl circling over top notes a patrol of two gnolls with a hyena padding along with them left of the main outpost as well as a crew of three far to the right in the thick woods. A hyena also is on a leash with these three. The Fellowship decide to take out the one smaller patrol of gnolls first. 

Lars the vampire and Gothi are left to guard the wagon - and CUBE - while the rest of the Fellowship move forward on the mission. Graxxuzazz, Kantif and Thogra set out on this covert mission to take out the one patrol. Staying fairly quiet amongst the trees, the warm sun casting rays down through the pine trees.

The sorcerer uses his owl to keep an eye on the patrol and they find a good spot for the ambush. Then as they come into range, Graxxuzazz casts Silence spell on the area, Thogra fires his crossbow and hits the hyena - who appears to yelp in pain - but silently. Kantif runs up using his monkish speed and does extensive damage to the 1st gnoll in the advancing patrol. Cutting the hyena down in two swipes of his dagger.

The group make short work of the 1st gnoll but the 2nd gnoll is able to escape as both Graxxuzazz and Kantif move back out of range after attacking. It runs and is able to move out of the Silence and starts yipping and howling. The party are able to hear this. The 2nd gnoll is cut down by the team expertly and it lie gurgling up blood. It appears that the main outpost did not hear the dying gnoll's calls and yips.

Tibaltuous stepping forward fearlessly starts walking right down the middle of the old road. The rest of the party circle around and prepare ambush attacks. A large ballista is cranked over to line up on the bard as he walks down the old road. A voice calls out in very broken common to Tibaltuous, challenging him. The gnolls don't appear to like the attitude of the bard and attack. One jumping from the outpost walls above, is cut down by Doc's silenced musket shot. 

Battle is engaged.

Graxxuzazz lobs a fireball into the camp area frying a number of gnolls and hyenas. [DM: and unfortunately the lizardfolk captive] A larger gnoll appearing to be painted black and red attacks and does extensive damage. The battle turns for the gnolls and after more spell-fire, and attacks by the Fellowship all the gnolls are dead.

The forest is catching fire where the fireball hit the camp, so after some quick exploration, they are able to gather some minimal treasure.

The party move away from the forest on fire and then move on towards where the temple is rumoured to be located.

At this point the adventurers move forward quickly. Jogging down the old ruined road. Tibaltuous in the lead, falls head first into a pit trap. 

Coming over a rise they see a valley where a group of ruined buildings near a swamp can be seen. A plume of smoke appears to be coming from past one of the further buildings in view.

A large ruin, columns and pillars cracked and broken looks like it may the possible temple the party had been told of by Lady Cowl. [DM: blogpost] The party go into stealth mode again and come upon two gnolls at a pyre of bones. tossing what appear to be bodies on to it. The last one in hand looks like a dwarf in rags, beardless. 

The two gnolls, surprised are cut down efficiently by the crew. One carries a strange copper medallion in a pocket none of the adventurers had seen before.

Poking around, the Fellowship come upon a set of wide stairs in the main ruin leading down into darkness. The ruins appear to be very old. Looking at each other they prepare. 

Dungeon exploring time.
Faded scenes can be seen on the walls, appearing to be of humans worshipping  and living in a bountiful and peaceful land.

Kantif takes the lead looking for traps. The party note there are tracks in the dirt and dust as well. Large claw like prints - gnolls mostly. 

A main room with hallways leading off at the cardinal points into darkness. A large amount of bat guano covers the floor to near ankle deep. The party start to explore the area. A massive number of bats can be seen swirling and huddling on the ceiling of the room. Tibaltuous' flaming sword does not appear to disturb them nor doe Doc's torch.

The party explore the hallway to the West and find a spike filled pit trap - Graxxuzazz taking a painful fall. Kantif is able to find the lever to open it so the sorcerer is able to climb out. The Group then unfortunately annoy the bats - possibly the torch and flaming sword and are surrounded by hundreds of bats buffeting them. The group then move forward to the partially open doors to the North. Pillars are set every ten feet there are not as many bats here not as much guano on the ground. The pillars have scenes similar to the faded frescoes on the staircase. This area has only a few bats to the relief of the adventurers. Coming up they see doors to the left and right. Sounds can be head from the right door.. whispering and rasping.

Graxxuzazz understands the language. Lizardfolk. The sorcerer moves up and engages in conversation

with the male voice. "Sssstand ten feet back." As the door opens the floor falls away into a pit trap. A very tall - compared to the portly and athletic Graxxuzazz - stands there looking out. A second lizardfolk stands with a small bow, arrow nocked. They look warily at the group, but Graxxuzazz turns on his sorcerous and god-given charm and sways them to friendship easily. The pit trap is closed and the group is welcomed into the small room. They are quite taken with the Sorcerer, his long list of titles impressing them even more. The female kneels and sees Graxxuzazz as a prophet to his god - Issulus. They all seem to be more impressed as Graxxuzazz heals the injured.

The group, four in total, 3 male and 1 female. The third male is wounded and lying on the ground. The taller one - Sasuss, seems to be the leader. Advises they hunt the "dogmen". Seems that the gnolls had attacked the lizardfolk village in the swamps and taken many prisoners, many females and children, even eggs. The party learn what they can from the lizardfolk. Seems that this temple to Hextor. Was originally not to that god but another lost in time and the ruins - HERODIA. It appears there was a large city to the Herodians here. Perhaps it was conquered by the followers of Hextor..? 

Now an evil cult has taken it over from HEXTOR.. leading the gnolls perhaps?

Until next time..