Previously 8/31/14

The group left the sleeping Lily under the care of Dusty and the mutt (as described by Zaven) or pure-bred Wardog (as described by Thovan) Rusar while the rest of the party went back to the keep. They arrived at the keep to find the mouth lowered and the bars back in place. Inside, the Kobolds waited with their crossbows. Using a potion of giant strength and shield spell cast by Styve, Zaven lifted the gates. Once Zaven lifted the gates the party took out the eight Kobolds in short order. The party found the statue back in its place after having been knocked over during their previous visit. Offended by the poor quality of the statue, Katie had Zaven toss the sculpture down the stairs. The party then took the hallway leading left.

The hallway led to a circular room. An ancient rune on the floor at the center of the room depicted a dragon eating its own tail. A maggot infested Kobold body lay at the center of the room. Alcoves around the room contained armored statues, and a weapon rack across the room contained obviously magic weapons. Zaven and Thovan both took weapons from the rack (bastard sword and long sword respectively). Immediately the golems activated. Zaven sliced his in two with one mighty blow. One-by-one the other golems activated. Zaven fell unconscious with a critical miss and stayed out for the next four rounds. Zaven awoke to find the combat still going. He quickly finished off the remaining golems (armored skeletons).

At the end of combat everyone had new magical weapons, but Thovan, at the suggestion of the party, spider-climbed to the ceiling and pried a glowing gem out of the ceiling. Once removed Styve and Katie’s weapons lost their magical abilities.

Spent, the party decided a retreat was necessary for healing and new spells. Spiking the lever and gates open at the entrance, the party went back to camp. Everything was fine at the camp, and Lily had awakened from her fey induced slumber. The party ate, sharpened weapons, trained the dog, and prepared for the next day’s fighting. Zaven kept watch through the uneventful night.

Upon arriving back at the keep, the party found the doors barred and the statue remnants gone. Zaven blasted through the door with an axe. The party entered the keep. Taking the hall to the right led the party into a swarm of Kobolds. The Kobolds quickly brought down Thovan, Zaven, and Katie the Great One. Styve and Dusty kicked Kobold butt while the rest of the party recovered. Things looked dire as the party, having been overrun by the Kobolds, took quite some time to recover and eventually defeat the Kobolds. Two Kobolds, paralyzed during combat, were left tied up.

What will the party do? Zaven is barely alive, their spells depleted again, and the party doesn’t have any healing kits. Will they retreat again, or will they hold up in the keep to prevent the Kobolds from resetting their traps? Tune in next time for As Mistledale Turns.

(As reported by Zaven)