A Deep Gnome In Need (Session 79)

Summary

Detail

The session began by the party searching the remains of their previous battle, finding several warhammers on the fallen foot soldiers and five light crossbows on the spider riders. They discovered the burnt body of a Drow, but it carried no items. After discussing their next move, they decided to cross a natural bridge to explore a western passage. While Kipp scoped the area for tracks, a female voice called out from the shadows.

A Svirfneblin (Deep Gnome) woman named Tivra stepped forward; her ash-gray skin was bruised, and her face bore the lattice of healed cuts from Duergar cruelty. She explained that she was part of a group of ten gnomes captured while searching for crystal veins. Several had died, others were taken to the mines, and she had been sentenced to be fed to spiders after biting a guard. After Pyreece provided magical healing, Tivra offered to lead the party to the Duergar mines to rescue her remaining companions.

Eleanor lent her Ring of Infravision to Oglesby, who snuck down to scout the large cavern ahead. He heard the sound of machinery and picks, spotting at least one Duergar and a large, glowing heat signature in the distance. To prepare for an ambush, Eleanor cast Invisibility on Kipp and Brandy, and Improved Invisibility on Oglesby. She also provided Tivra with a Mace +1 from the Bag of Holding.

The invisible trio crept into the guard area and found two Duergar complaining about their duty while guarding a wooden cage containing three more gnomes. Brandy and Kipp initiated the attack, killing a guard mounted on a Giant Spider. As Oglesby worked to pick the heavy padlock on the cage, the remaining Duergar guards charged in, shouting for reinforcements. Eleanor supported the melee with Magic Missiles, while Pyreece illuminated the room with a Continual Light gem, putting the light-sensitive Duergar at a tactical disadvantage. The party successfully killed the guards and the spider, allowing Oglesby to free the prisoners.

The rescued gnomes—Dorrick, Sela, and Brumli—were from the city of Corundy. They warned the party that the Duergar often did business with the Drow. The party re-armed the gnomes with daggers, darts, and a hand crossbow before moving on to avoid Duergar pursuit. As they traveled, the gnomes pointed out fresh tracks showing the drag marks of shackles, indicating a slave caravan had recently passed heading east.

Following the trail, the group discovered a Drow camp where three gnome children were being held. Kipp, influenced by a lingering Illithid mental pattern from his recent resurrection, felt a surge of intense racial hatred toward the Drow. Without warning, he charged into the camp with both swords drawn. Brandy provided covering fire with her bow, while Pyreece and Audra leaped into the fray.

The battle escalated when a massive Umber Hulk burst through a cavern wall to attack the group. Eleanor unleashed Magic Missiles at the beast while the fighters turned their focus to its thick hide. During the chaos, Tivra assisted by using her magical mace to strike a Drow. The party eventually killed the Drow captors and the Umber Hulk, rescuing the children. The survivors revealed that they had nearly been sold to "surface slavers" and that the main slave route led toward a "Hidden Veil".

In the aftermath, the party recovered three potions of extra healing, 200 feet of spider silk rope, and gems and gold worth 1,500 pieces. Eleanor took the opportunity to harvest Umber Hulk claws and blood for use as rare spell components. Kipp used his animal lore to pacify and release a Giant Lizard used as a mount by the Drow. The session concluded with the gnomes urging the party to stay on the move to stay ahead of the Duergar.

That's where the session ended!

Please start the recorder!

Exp: 3408 + 341 = 3749