Lost Kids

After returning with Pell Rygor, we spend several weeks resting, arranging for special items to be made, rummaging thru bazaars and engaging in revelry. During this period, Gretchen shows up at our house one evening with a plea for help. A couple of her charges have not returned and she is worried about them. She thinks they may have gone exploring in some abandoned mines north of town. We tell her that if they have not returned in the morning we will go look for them. The next morning, the kids are still missing. Aerrion and Snorri are passed out in their beds and can’t be roused for more then a few seconds at a time. They moan something about a Dwarven Intelligence Potion. Probably a new drink. Brak is away on temple business and Elwin is missing as well, allegedly on HPS duty. So the four of us, Gracie, Jian, Dubious and Oosana, head north. Gretchen has given some rough directions and we had asked around and found out a little more. The mines are only a few hours outside the city and have been abandoned for many years. Wondering dwarves will sometime dig away for a few weeks, searching for the new mother load. They never admit failure but have never produced any ore.

We find the trail from the main road and follow it to the mines. Piles of debris are all around the entrance. We cautiously enter and find signs and tracks that might be the kids. As we explore, we also find old and some not so old campfires and signs of merry making. It appears these mines are a frequent destination for many folks looking for some fun. Will make finding the kids harder but increases the chances they are here. Also find a couple of places where Dubious believes that the wondering dwarves have mined. Explore the many passages and caves for hours. As we get deeper in the mine, the signs of merry makers disappear. Start smelling something foul. A bit further, find fresh droppings from some critters. Explore further. Dubious trips a trap that showers him with sharp quills. They are coated with some goo but Dubious is unaffected by it. The trap is crudely made. As we proceed, I find a couple more. We start hearing sounds as we go, and soon arrive at a larger cave. In the back are several Kobolds and our missing kids. We try to sneak closer but the Kobolds are ready. Probably warned by Dubious tripping the trap.

We are soon surrounded by Kobolds. Gracie and I start trying to talk our and the kid’s way out. Turns out that the kids and the Kobolds have already reached a truce and were actually just hanging out. The Kobolds are a group that has split from their tribe. They grew tired of the constant fighting with others and have been living in these mines for a while. It takes a bit to convince the kids to come back since they think that Gretchen will punish them when we get back. We leave the Kobolds in peace and head back with the two kids. Gretchen is happy to see them.

Another day in the life of adventurers.

Oosana


200 XP and a reputation point for the four who went.