From Bartholomew's Journals: A Legend is Born!

(Written by Phil, this account of Bartholomew's recent experiences in the Weirding Caverns will earn Bartholomew 100 xp per level)

From the Journals of Bartholomew Pettibone, of the House Pettibone

A Purveyor of Enchanting Sorcery

17 January 2021 – Gan ad-Din - a legend is born!

With good friends Hey-Jo and Persephone, a new companion (Torkul), and a couple of hirelings (Gan ad-Din and Stout), we returned to the Weirding Caves, intent on continuing our explorations. Down into the depths of the cavern system we crept: Finbar the Renyu leading with his keen senses, Gan, Stout, and Torkul farther behind. Persephone, Hey-Jo, and I brought up the rear.

As we explored, we made our way to a dimly lit culdesac with a pool of water in the center. In this room we encountered what appeared to be another adventuring group: 2 salamander-ish creatures, a rat-like beast, and a sentient plant in a pot – I think. By using another odd, plant-like, device we were somehow able to communicate. This device somehow translated our languages (in a rudimentary way) back and forth. This requirse further, future investigation.

Yep – the cavern mushrooms seemed to have worked wonders on us! We entered into a parley with these adventurers(?), offering them items in trade for knowledge. The first bit of knowledge they offered was to describe a rather weird, tall, stalk-like creature, with tentacles sprouting from it's top. They related that it was highly dangerous and evil, and explained to us where it could be found (in what we called the 'Giant Mushroom Room'). We termed this creature the 'whomping willow'. Their second offer was that they would lead us to a nest of sakkra, which they would like exterminated. If we defeated the sakkra they would allow our group to keep a small portion of the treasure. However, they refused to assist in any combat. Hmm. We declined, and amicably departed ways, having lost in trade only a days' worth of rations, a bottle of oil, and three torches.

On we tromped.

Almost aimlessly, we wandered down a new passage, where we ran headlong into a group of 'wild renyu' (creatures like Finbar and Paku). However, these renyu were apparently master-less and as such were quite unapproachable. We distracted them with a days-worth of rations, then backed away to safety. Ever get the feeling that 'rations' are the theme of this story?

So – back we tracked to the 'Giant Mushroom Room'. The aroma of old mildew and mold wafted over us. The room was massive: the ceiling and floor were invisible to us, as was the far side. We noted a narrow ledge wended around the room from our left, but did not descend. About halfway around the room, we found that the ledge ended at another passage, which opened to our left, heading farther east. Yet we still could not discern the floor of this massive room. Hey-Jo solved that puzzle easily, by pitching a lit torch over the ledge, intending to illuminate the floor.

And then our eyes beheld a horror that is almost impossible to imagine! Two of the tentacled beasts! They were real, but they appeared surreal and ferocious. Living monsters! There was also the scattered twinkling of piles of coins, gemstones and jewels! The flash of light from metallic bracers, goblets, tiaras – even armor! And bones. And rotting corpses. This did not look promising.

The plan was this: the bulk of our party would return to the farther entrance and begin pelting the evil creatures with missiles. While this was occurring, Barty would lower Gan down to scoop up treasure in bags. Can you believe the bravery and courage of Gan?! He fairly leaped at the idea of being lowered into that nasty mess in order to scoop treasure! Finbar would also stay to keep watch and assisted Barty. Is this how it all played out? Well, kind of – maybe.

Both creatures were initially distracted, and Gan was dropped down to begin scooping treasure. However, one creature surprised us by departing the melee through an unforeseen tunnel at the bottom of the room (directly below our intrepid attackers)!

Gan began scooping!

Torkul correctly guessed that it might be possible that the departing beast knew of a back-passage, so he and Stout guarded our exit. Brilliant maneuver! Indeed, the beast arrived near our exit through another tunnel. NO! But, because of Torkul's quick thinking, our group was not cut off, and he was prepared with oil and a torch. A fire was ablaze just as the beast arrived! We were saved, but brave Torkul took a lung-full of something, spores(?), emitted from the beast.

And Gan kept scooping!

Torkul was pulled back and was barely able to choke down a bottle of sakkra blood, offered by Persephone. And then he was gone: his eyes closed, his muscles locked, then went limp, and the bottle fell from his hand. But no! He roused – but was weakened to the point of needing assistance to amble. I fear that without Persephone's potion, Torkul would have perished a horrible, painful death.

And Gan continued scooping!

At the last, we retrieved Gan, with three bags of treasure. And then we made a hasty escape! I had tried to make Gan return up the rope after collecting two bags full – but Gan (that brave, brave fellow) refused, and returned with three bags full! We ran from the caverns like giggling children, gleefully escaping from an old man's vineyard after devouring his prized grapes! Our route through the tunnels and back to town was unhampered – and once returned, we drank deeply, and cheered the names of Torkul and Gan ad-Din! Without their heroic bravery, I'm afraid our corpses would be laying forever in that foul pit. But now we have LOOT!