Shadows in the Cobblecrest Caves

 

The Gathering at The Rusty Cauldron Tavern

The Rusty Cauldron Tavern in Cobblecrest bustled with activity as the evening settled in. Townsfolk were wrapping up their daily activities, market stalls were packing up, and a gentle buzz of chatter filled the air. Inside the tavern, the warm glow of lanterns and the scent of hearty food created a cozy atmosphere. Besa, JC, and Atheila sat together, enjoying their drinks, while Bolt and Jikalis were seated separately at the bar, each nursing their own beverage.

Suddenly, the door to the tavern burst open with a loud crash. Tavin Quickfoot, a small and wiry halfling, stumbled in, panting heavily and wide-eyed with fear and urgency. His entrance drew the attention of everyone in the tavern.

"You have to help!" Tavin exclaimed, his voice filled with desperation. "I saw a group of rogues dragging a halfling into a cave near the old mines. Their leader looked like Kara 'Red' Thornblade, and there was a drow elf with them. They’re going to kill him!"

The atmosphere in the tavern shifted from cozy to tense as Tavin's words sank in. The other patrons fell silent, looking to the party as the town’s potential saviors. "We don’t have much time!" Tavin urged. "If they’re planning to kill him, we need to move now!"

Besa, JC, and Atheila quickly gathered their equipment, readying themselves for the dangerous mission ahead. Bolt downed the rest of his milk-mead and joined the party, eager for adventure. Jikalis, seeking to make a name for himself as an adventurer, also joined the group, ready to bring the Blackthorn Syndicate to justice.

Tavin led the party through the town, explaining what he had seen in more detail. "The cave is hidden, but I can show you the way. Be on the lookout for hidden passages and traps. They might have reinforcements waiting," he warned.

The path to the cave was narrow and overgrown, with the sun setting and casting long shadows. The sounds of the town faded away, replaced by the rustling of leaves and distant animal calls. The air grew cooler, and the weight of the coming night settled on their shoulders.

The Perilous Path to the Old Cobblecrest Mines

As they left the bustling town square of Cobblecrest, the path narrowed and became overgrown with vegetation. The sun was setting, casting long shadows that danced eerily along the path. Old mining equipment, rusted and forgotten, lay scattered along the way, hinting at the area’s past activity.

"The cave is just up ahead, hidden behind those bushes," Tavin said. "Watch your step; the ground can be uneven and slippery. The entrance is narrow, so we’ll have to go single file."

The party followed Tavin's lead, their senses heightened as they approached the cave entrance. The fading light of the sun made it difficult to see clearly, and the distant sound of water dripping inside the cave added to the tension. The entrance was hidden behind a thick curtain of vines, and the air grew cooler and damper as they approached.

Tavin stopped at the entrance, his fear evident. "Once we’re inside, it’ll be dark and dangerous. I wish I could go with you, but I’m not much of a fighter. I’ll stay here and keep watch. Be safe," he said.

Into the Shadows of the Cave

The party entered the cave, lighting their way with torches. The entrance chamber was small and cramped, with old wooden beams, remnants of mining supports, scattered around. The ground was uneven, with small puddles of water. In the upper left corner of the chamber, they saw a wide passage leading into another chamber. Scattered on the earthen floor were rusty mining tools, a broken lantern, and a discarded boot.

As they moved quietly along the path, they spotted three rogue scouts patrolling the area near the cave entrance. The scouts appeared alert but not expecting immediate danger.

"Keep your eyes open. We don’t want any surprises," one scout said.

"Yeah, especially with that drow elf around. Gives me the creeps," another replied.

The party prepared for potential combat, with Besa, Atheila, JC, Bolt, and Jikalis readying their weapons and spells. They rolled stealth checks as they explored the entrance chamber, noticing the old mining tools and broken lantern. Some characters suffered minor injuries from the uneven and slippery ground.

The Battle in the Entrance Chamber

The party moved quietly, their footsteps barely audible against the earthen floor. The atmosphere was tense as they approached the scouts. Suddenly, the scouts noticed them, and a fight ensued. Atheila quickly cast a blinding spell on one of the guards, while Bolt charged forward with his great axe. Besa called upon divine power, casting Sacred Flame on another guard. JC engaged in sword combat, and Jikalis took aim with his bow, letting an arrow fly.

The battle was fierce, with spells and weapons clashing. Atheila's spell blinded one guard, rendering him ineffective. Bolt's great axe struck true, felling another guard. Besa's Sacred Flame scorched a third guard, while JC's swordplay kept the remaining enemies at bay. Jikalis's arrows found their marks, weakening the enemy further.

After a hard-fought battle, the party emerged victorious, though some members had taken hits. They searched the guards, finding some gold and their weapons. Jikalis grabbed a piece of wood, lit it on fire, and tossed it into the next room through a passage in the western wall of the chamber to give light to the room.

Secrets of the Altar Room

The room they entered seemed out of place, with old stone carvings and a small altar in the center. The altar was covered in dust, and the carvings depicted scenes of worship and sacrifice. On the altar, they found a dusty holy symbol of Loviatar, an old book of prayers, and a small statue of a dark deity.

Jikalis, curious about the altar, grabbed one of the corpses of the guards from the other room, extracted its heart, and burned it on the altar to see what would happen. Nothing did. The party debated whether to perform a sacrificial ritual, but they ultimately decided against it.

Not finding anything else of interest, they moved back to the entrance chamber and crossed it to enter the next room. As they did, a noise at the cave’s entrance startled them. A distinctively dressed and armored gnome with a unique lyre strapped to his back entered the cave and announced that he was a bard in search of an adventure to become a song. Kuul, the Level 1 Bard, joined the party.

Discoveries in the Storage Room

This room was filled with old crates and barrels, stacked haphazardly against the walls. The smell of mold and rot was strong, and the floor was covered in a thin layer of dust. A passage in the northwest corner led out of the room. The crates contained spoiled food, empty sacks, and a few intact bottles of cheap wine. A hidden compartment in one crate held a healing potion and a small journal.

While searching the room, Bolt noticed a draft coming from the eastern wall opposite the passageway on the west wall. After some careful searching, they discovered a secret door. The party took the door and entered a hidden cache.

Treasures in the Hidden Cache

This small chamber appeared to be a hidden storage area. The walls were lined with shelves holding various supplies like torches, rope, and tools. In the center of the room was a large locked chest. Frustrated that he couldn’t open the lock, Bolt took a swing with his mighty great axe, splintering the chest. A needle shot from the chest, nearly piercing Jikalis standing nearby. Inside the chest, they found a small stash of gold and a scroll of teleportation.

Movement was heard in the next room, and Bolt immediately jumped to investigate.

Clash in the Prison

As Bolt entered the room, chaos erupted as several rogues attacked Bolt and Jikalis. Jikalis charged and swung his short sword, missing the guard who was caught off balance. With Jikalis and the guard engaged in a fight in the passageway between the two rooms, Bolt was left fighting off three rogue guards. Kuul decided to crawl under the 7-foot tall Jikalis and attack the rogue from below. Jikalis, not seeing Kuul, threw himself at the guard to attempt to grapple and wrestle him. A large pile of guard and dragonborn ranger with a gnome bard at the bottom ensued, causing even greater chaos.

JC managed to evade the chaotic scrum to join the fight in the prison room. The battle continued with Bolt taking significant hits from the party. Finally, Kuul was able to crawl out from underneath the scrum to help JC and Bolt in the prison room. Atheila fired spells such as Ray of Sickness and Chill Touch from the passageway behind the wrestling guard and Jikalis. Jikalis finally found his footing as JC, Bolt, and Kuul finished off the three guards in the prison room. Jikalis restrained the guard he had been wrestling.

They interrogated the surviving guard, learning about the Blackthorn Syndicate and their plans. The guard provided information about the drow lieutenant and their leader, "S." Bolt then killed the guard to prevent him from being able to warn others. Besa made it into the room and offered healing to the party members who needed it.

In the prison, the party found the body of a halfling, clearly recognizable as Boss Thorn. He lay on the ground, bruised and bloody, with the sigil of the dark lord branded on his forehead and chest. The air was thick with the metallic smell of blood. They also found keys to the cell hanging on the wall, a table with a half-eaten meal, and a small vial of poison. Instruments of interrogation lined the walls and shelves of the room.

There were two passages that led further into the cave system. One was on the north wall; the other was on the west wall. The passageway to the north curved to the west, ending at a thick wooden door.

Devastation

Before entering the next room, Kuul took his lyre off his back and strummed a quiet yet powerful tune. His song filled the party with eager anticipation, readying them for the battle ahead. The party found that the door was unlocked and entered the room. After navigating the treacherous cave and facing its many dangers, they found themselves in the heart of the rogues' hideout. The air was thick with tension as they stepped into a large cavern, lit by flickering torchlight. A makeshift camp was set up, with bedrolls, a cooking fire, and stolen goods scattered around. Kara 'Red' Thornblade and her drow lieutenant stood near the center, discussing their plans.

Kara and the drow lieutenant turned as the party entered the chamber. Kara's eyes flashed with recognition and anger. “You've been a thorn in my side for too long,” she snarled, drawing her weapons, “today this fight ends.” The drow Vyrion calmly readied his spells, a cold smile playing on his lips.

The battle commenced with ferocious intensity. Besa unleashed his acid breath, covering one rogue lieutenant, Kara, and Vyrion. Bolt ran for the guard that was not hit and engaged him in combat. Atheila threw a bottle of oil of slipperiness, which landed in the middle of the table, splashing over both Kara and Vyrion. Jikalis unleashed his fire breath at the two enemies, engulfing them in flames fueled not only by his dragonborn breath but also by the oil of slipperiness. The two enemies howled in pain as they were burned.

JC ran to the other guard who had avoided the fire and engaged the rogue lieutenant in battle. Kuul sang out a song, inspiring the adventurers and spurring on the furious action. With the devastation of the initial wave of attacks by the adventurers, Kara immediately engaged a teleportation spell, taking her drow companion with her. The two guards were left to fight. One was quickly defeated by Bolt, and the other was told to surrender and he would be allowed to live.

The surviving guard explained that he didn’t know any of the plans and that he was paid to fight. Kara was his boss, but he spat when he mentioned her, angry that she had abandoned him and his partner so quickly. He mentioned that they worked for the “dark lord,” but he didn’t know who the dark lord was.

As the party interrogated the guard, Atheila began searching the room. She found a bag of holding and informed the party of her find. The party released the guard, who quickly fled. They also found a Cloak of the Manta Ray that belonged to Vyrion, a Ring of Feather Falling, Bracers of Archery, and a Potion of Greater Healing.

The party found a letter near the campfire. Though Kara and her drow lieutenant had escaped, they gained valuable information. The edges of the parchment were charred, but the ink remained legible. The handwriting was elegant but hurried, suggesting the writer was in a rush.

"Kara, my trusted lieutenant,

Our plans are proceeding as expected. The confusion and instability we have sown in Cobblecrest are only the beginning. Your recent efforts have not gone unnoticed, and the dark lord is pleased with your progress.

Ensure that the halfling, Boss Thorn, is dealt with swiftly. His knowledge of our operations poses a significant threat. The sigil must be branded on his body as a warning to others who might oppose us.

The drow elf, Vyrion, has been instrumental in our efforts. His expertise in shadow magic will be crucial in the next phase of our plan. Continue to work closely with him. Remember, Vyrion’s past associations, particularly with Duraun Claddneld, should remain undisclosed to avoid any complications.

Once Cobblecrest is fully under our control, we will use it as a staging ground for further operations across the region. There are key locations in the area, and they must be secured. They are vital for the dark lord’s ritual to succeed.

Beware of the adventurers who have been meddling in our affairs. They are more formidable than we anticipated. Use any means necessary to delay or eliminate them. Our “internal” efforts to destroy Dragons Peak are developing nicely. It’s just a matter of time before the Dragonborn infestation is wiped away.

The dark lord’s true identity and purpose remain a mystery even to you, for now. Trust in his vision and follow my instructions. When the time is right, all will be revealed, and we shall share in the power he promises.

For the glory of the Syndicate and the dark lord,

Your new leader, S."

The Rough Road Home

On the way out of the caves, the party investigated the one remaining room that had not been explored. As they entered this chamber, the air became thick with the smell of decay. The walls and ceiling were covered in thick spider webs, and the remains of small animals were scattered around. In the center of the room, a giant spider lurked, waiting for its next meal.

The party engaged the giant spider, which charged at Bolt, who had quickly gotten tangled in the webs. Attacking Bolt, the spider inflicted significant damage. Jikalis jumped forward, letting loose his fire breath, engulfing the room in flames as the webs immediately alighted. Bolt passed out from the pain and injuries. The party jumped into the room, slaying the spider quickly. Besa immediately called upon Selune for healing, and Bolt was revived. They found a rusty sword and a small pouch of gold coins.

With the battles behind them, the party headed back to town, taking the stolen items back to the townspeople. The town gifted the party 350 gold pieces, and the adventurers relaxed back in town, having once again chased off the Blackthorn Syndicate.