Fallcrest and on the way to Thunderspire

[thatdarncat]

After what seemed like months on the road we arrived in Fallcrest. Taking a few days to rest and relax after a truly horrid trip we visited the bars and rested our weary feet, eventually settling on the Red Dragon’s Tongue as our home base. Despite all the reports of goblin and kobold attacks in the area Fallcrest must be lacking in excitement – the local bards filled our cups to hear all the stories we had to tell.

Once our feet had recovered we visited the shops of Fallcrest, buying gear both mundane and magical to aid our adventuring. The shopkeepers were glad to see us, particularily one. Faldor Wiseman, a member of the merchant’s council. He owns a magic store we end up spending much of our gold in. As we peruse his wares his nervous discussion reveals that he owes money to a merchant named Gendar in Thunderspire. Seeing that we are adventurers of some skill he asks us to deliver a coffer to Gendar. If we can avoid having it taken by customs it would be appreciated. He hastens to ensure us that this is not that it’s illegal, but more that it is frowned on for members of the council to run up debts. The coffer is filled with gems, he shows us, and tells us that Gendar has a key to open it. Our payment is some of the money we had spent in his shop - 504gp.

With a little skepticism (why did he need adventurers to deliver a payment?) we agreed to deliver the funds. I still don’t understand why he simply didn’t tell us he wanted the extra security.

That evening the bard who told horrible stories about us in Winterhaven arrives. We quickly tell him we are going to the kingdom of Coryff and head out of town.

With an eager step we headed out of Fallcrest and set our feet on the path to Thunderspire. Taking a short cut through a meadow, we encountered a hunting party of Gnolls. No words were needed, we drew weapons and attacked. Eager to take the lead, I moved forward, outpacing my companions. The gnolls struck me but I refused to fall, my blade flashing and biting deep as I defended myself. As my allies rallied to me the gnolls started to fall. The hyenas and weaker gnolls fell rapidly, then we made easy work of the remaining gnolls. For once Keeri missed me with one of her firey blasts – maybe we are getting the hang of this!

As the day was still young, we pressed on. Shortly after noon we stumbled upon some ankhegs feasting on something in the grass of another field. The adults immediately leapt to the attack, falling upon our party before their presence really registered. My shopping in Fallcrest immediately paid dividends as I was barely missed by their acidic bile. The rest of the party was not so lucky.

The ankhegs put up a strong fight, their acid burning us deeply. Their young fell under our blades and the adults followed them. We decided to take a break and heal our wounds.

The next morning we entered into a valley, encountering several caravans heading to or from the mountains. Around noon we reached the above ground settlement near Thunderspire. Small and crude, we weren’t horribly impressed and kept walking. Passing through the vale, we admired the scenery. 4 more miles down the road we enter the Minotaur gate. The road slopes into the mountain, a broad corridor leading us down into the mountain, switching back every now and then.. Seventy seven demon statues stand watch along the corridors length – I counted.

Boring.

Boring until we found the hobgoblins.

A small chamber off the main path sheltered a group of Hobgoblins arguing in goblin over a captive Halfling. The thief and the human themselves argued over who would go first, alerting the Hobgoblins to our presence. For some reason the human opened the door then walked away, abandoning the doorway. Things still worked tho, the hobgoblins seemed reluctant to move forward until they saw who was coming. This gave me time to get into the doorway and the rest of the party time to form up behind me. With Keeri compelling the closest to move forward we readied actions and waited.

Eventually, cautiously, our blades clashed. The hobgoblins were tough, disciplined fighters as always. Both sides fought for position, trying to break each others formations but we eventually managed to defeat enough of them that they could not fight us any further and fell.

I’m concerned about Keeri, she seems very upset for some reason.

The Halfling is Rendil Halfmoon, it seems he works at the Half moon Inn, an establishment in Thunderspire. He had seen these hobgoblins hanging around the Inn and followed them to see what they were up to. He was concerned because he had recognized them as Blood Reavers, a particularly nasty tribe who were involved in slaving.

Eventually, finally, foot sore with blisters and aching muscles from the hours of walking downwards we arrived in ruined city of Saruun Khel, now called Thunderspire by the dwarves. Heading to the Half Moon, we collapsed for the night in a well deserved sleep.