Game Date: October 7th, 2006 (Bethel Park, PA – John’s House)

Experience: 2,900 (Namakin & Loutarin); 2,350 (Pontius & Ander); 2,014 per cohort. Bonus: +100 Namakin

CHAPTER ONE – Following Falstrom’s Path/ Escape Red Ribbon

As the sounds of battle echoed down the corridor and left the party standing in the lower levels of Red Ribbon, there was no choice but to follow Falstrom’s trail deeper into the darkness. They chose their path carefully, knowing that they had expended most of their magic and resources in the past few battles. With Pontius in the lead, the prison hallway came to an end, and allowed the group to survey their choices. To the right, the hallway disappeared into an inky blackness where more sounds of battle could be heard, and to the left, another battle could be heard not far off. The decision was made to go left, simply because a small light had been seen, and it was the only hopeful indication since the adventurers had come into the lower magic-proof level of the prison. “Get those damn holes closed up! There’s more deurgar coming through!” came the cries from the guardsmen. Pontius and Loutarin turned the corner to find more of the insidious dwarves firing crossbows at a badly outnumbered group of human prison guards. Not knowing who was the aggressor, the group entered the battle if for no other reason than to make sure they could pave a path out of the lower levels. It was a fight that should have been an easy one for the seasoned veterans, but they discovered that without magic or much health left, every action had to be carefully taken, every decision made strategically. The swords clashed and arrows flew, but in the end, the adventurers were not able to save the humans, who fell early to the swarm of dark dwarves. The battle was almost over, until one of the prison’s magic-eating creatures came upon them. Disabling their items and abilities, the red swarming mass of anti-magic that served as lower level guard kept the group at bay until they were able to find its weakness. In the end, victory was theirs.The smart decision, it was decided, was to take shelter in one of the abandoned cells for the “night” to regain health and strategy. Through the time spent in lockdown, the group heard sounds of battle and saw more of the floating red guard creatures pass by on watch. They could only assume, judging by the orders being yelled out, that there was a breach through the lower level’s floors into a deurgar mine.

After regaining what was necessary to move on with confidence, Pontius led the party down the same path, only to find a guard’s station that had been ransacked. Inside, there was nothing of interest, but there was evidence that Falstrom has been there, according to the ranger’s tracking ability. With a fresh set of tracks, it did not take the group long to find an empty cell with a loose flagstone in the floor. Upon investigation, a small crawlspace existed underneath the cell. Namakin’s familiar, being the smallest, flew down the space and reported that it ended abruptly, straight out into the Southern Cliffs! It was going to be a challenge, but the small pseudo-dragon confirmed that this is where Falstrom’s tracks led. Did he simply jump off the cliff? Was he even still alive! There was no way that anyone could have possibly survived that fall. There was, however, a small tattered piece of clothing and a torn parchment at the edge of the hole.

Loutarin, investigating the parchment, discovered it was some sort of genealogy chart from the Burrowshead Council of Records. Looking at each other in despair, the group could do nothing but follow this lead and leave the prison behind. While it was discussed to go back into Red Ribbon, everyone agreed Faltrsom had left and only bad things could result from going back in. The only safe place to go over a future strategy would be the Brothers O’Toole. Within moments Loutatin and Namakin teleported the group back the north. No answers presented themselves, and more doors were opened. A good night’s rest would be very welcome.