From Bartholomew's Journals: Capers in the Caves

 (written by Phil, this report about a recent expedition to the Tel in which Bartholomew participated will earn that character 100 xp per level)

From the Journals of Bartholomew Pettibone, of the House Pettibone

A Purveyor of Enchanting Sorcery

11 January 2021 – a continuation of my capers and shenanigans in the harbor city of Cothon.

The esteemed Durham has shipped off quietly with a rather large force of sailors, marines, and raucous adventurers – literally – in search of some strange creature, or creatures, that have been affecting shipping. I have no great desire to be aboard ship again so soon, so I have remained at Cothon, and have sought new companions and adventures. And, wow – did we get some adventure!

But first – I spent a small amount of time settling myself into a new situation. I have taken up residence at the inn and tavern that has been built out of (or into?) a massively giant whelk shell. I have no other words to describe it. It's big. Really, really big. For the time being, I will associate myself with this 'faction' – they, at least, seem to have some cursory interest in alchemy and other arcane subjects.

It was at the inn, Cothon Under-Star, where I met new companions: Persephone who has knowledge of the immediate area (and also another one of those interesting dog-like servants) – and Hey-Jo, a rather quiet but humorous chappee! Hey-Jo is an odd chappee, with blotchy, stained skin (weird patches of indigo and crimson). I beleve While getting to know each other, over several rounds of ale, we gleaned from the locals that a certain troupe of 'ape-men' were harassing and marauding local miners, in an area a short distance to the north east of town. It was related to us that each 'paw' returned would earn us a minimum of 5 gp each. Hmm. With definite interest in collecting gold, we endeavored to learn more. After asking for more detailed information about these creatures and the whereabouts of this tribe of miscreants, we began to put together a slightly different picture.

The 'ape-men' are called the Chnelh, and it's possible that they may have some rudimentary civilizationand language. It is reported that they worship some strange crystalline object, and that they might actually have a language – they can definitely work together, use tools, and wield weapons. But they are thought of as 'crazed animals'. I'm not sold on that.

And so we set out. After an uneventful march, we arrived near the caverns where we had been advised the Chnelh could be found. A cold camp was erected in a hidden location and we set a watch schedule and began our observations. We were not disappointed. Early during out first evening we observed a large – VERY large – millipede-thing creep to a location near one of the two cave entrances we were watching, and hide itself as to make an ambush on cave dwellers moving in or out of the southern-most cavern. Later we observed a small troupe of Chnelh approach the caves, led by a small group of humans(?), but also leading a group of what appeared to be enslaved humans. As they reached the entrance (the more southwestern one) an encounter occurred in which their group lost a Chnelh to the creature before it was driven away. The group then entered that cave, and were not seen again.

Near dusk, a flock(?) of large flying reptiles exploded out of the more northern cave entrance. And of course, a group of at least six of them broke off and headed toward our encampment. We attempted to hide, but to no avail, and a squabble was on! Two of the foul beasts were dropped with my expert use of my arcane magic, and the rest pressed us. I was badly savaged by the largest of the beasts, and my fine companions dispatched it handily – causing the remaining few to escape in fright! Due to my severe damage, my companions and I made the quick decision to return to Cothon and seek medical assistance and rest.

After quaffing multiple pitchers of healing beverage (ale), and armed with new knowledge, items for general adventuring, and two hired hands, we set off to continue our reconnaissance mission to learn more about these Chnelh. Our hirelings were: Uthia of Tarth (a fine young fighting maiden – hired by Barty), and Warda the Rose (another fine fighting lass – hired by Persephone).

We entered the cavern system and soon noted a couple of odd, reptilian-like creatures – and we followed them. Down through passages, and behind a waterfall – good Finbar was our detective.

As silently as we had crept, it was not enough. From a side passage a duo of those same creatures emerged and with swift, deft moves they skewered good Uthia – in an instant her life was snuffed! In a panic my fingers twisted and the words were spoken, and the forces of arcana were unleashed upon our assailants. They dropped into a deep slumber. But not only those two, another of their kindred was in a nearby chamber (a guard chamber by it's looks), and it had also been affected by my spell.

We gathered them together, bound and gagged – but able to move, and we tethered them together using a long spear.

Our next thought was to escape. We made our way back through the caverns, and amazingly enough made our way to comparative safety. Persephone led us to a secret cave where a strange hermit was hiding out and living with a pack of renyu. We delivered two of our captives to this man before trotting our third back to town. We intended to parade our captive right up to the gentleman asking for information of their kind. Hahahaha!! But before we could enter the city, we were accosted by a local fisherman who explained that our captive was a sakkra, and that their kind were under a type of 'treaty protection'. Yes, of course. Am I now truly a kidnapper? Have I become scum? Have I submerged myself into madness?

But, no! Hey-Jo and I took our 'captive' out into the wilderness and released it, with a dagger. It was angry – very angry – and rightfully so. It croaked out a final, angry word to me, before ambling off into the bush, “Why?”.

That word will haunt me forever.