Into the deep

Into the Deep
Date	4/8/2023
Storyteller	Markis
Tier	Trainee - Difficult
Player Characters	Little Leaf, Devwin, Sade, Serene, Kit and Oranges, Timid Thistle
Rewards	250xp, 20g each (not Sade), Bottomless Stein (Sades), Alchemical Crossbow, Moderate Acid Flask x2, Moderate Alchemist Fire x2, Lesser of each x5 (all to be used in the fortress), Lesser Elixir of Life x2, Minor Elixir of Life x3, Shining Ammunition x3
Result	6 days of travel and we have cleared out part of the main level
Author	Sade

Fredrick Everstone has asked us to help to clear out the Duergar at the mine in Hurakah Mountains. Being the dwarf I am, of course I said yes. Fredrick warned us about trolls, the possibility that poison could be used and he also hooked us up with a few minor elixirs. A few of us went and bought some antidotes, then we took off on our journey. Why is traveling so boring?

The party of the hero *wink* stands in front of the main entrance and it is pitch black. I, Sade the hero, try and tiptoe through. I see that there are arrow slits along this hall. I get up close and steal one of the bolts that are loaded. Smelling and looking at the tip, get your head out of the gutter, I don't notice any poison. Maybe Fredrick was mistaken and we just waisted our gold. These guards must be sleeping on the job so I try it again. I was not as subtle at this attempt. The guard yells about intruders. It happened to be in dwarven so I yell back that it is just a false alarm. Everything seems to calm down. I can't believe that worked. I look back at everyone and they are just standing there. My guess is that, since some of them cannot see in the dark, they are trying to figure out how to get through this. The door ahead might be locked so I run ahead to check. Nope. As soon as I open the door I see a few start making their way down the hall and bolts start flying. As everyone makes their way to the door I run around the corner trying to stop some of the shooters. I can't believe I forgot, Duergars can make themselves invisible and I don't see a thing. Even with Little Leaf blinding them, the Duergars put up a good fight but we were able to pick them off one by one as they showed themselves.

The next room is empty and we take a few moments to catch our breath and heal up. It seems this is just a resting place for the guard. We look ready so we go on. Opening the next door Serene heard some voices but no one is to be seen. We won't fall for that again. Serene runs in and figures out where one of them is. Now that we know their tricks this little team fell quickly, Kit and Serene take one out before I can even ready myself.

The next room had a bunch of plants in it. I don't think any of them are useful, to me. The smell of food rushed our noses as we entered the dining room but we didn't sense anyone around. I had a feeling that some good stuff would be toward the kitchen, so I let myself in. As soon as I entered I knew I was getting close. I followed my nose to the pantry and found wine, barrels of whisky and ale and some barrels with, what should have been wine. I made sure to write my name on the whisky.

Past the pantry, a hall that ends, only 4 doors to choose from. We sneak up and listen. The first two we don't hear anything. The last two it sounds like there is someone sleeping. Everyone joins me around the last door as I open it. As my eyes make contact with the one lying in bed a bolt hits me in the shoulder. No one shoots me and gets away with it. Before long myself, Devwin, Timid, Kit and Serene had this guy surrounded and taken out. Friends make everything better. We were not so quiet and I wasn't sure if we woke the other sleeper. I rush over to the other room to have it opened and get hit with the strangest weapon I've ever seen. Before long, I'm bleeding, it won't let me into the room and everyone else has to get around me to help. Kit runs up next to me and looks how I feel. How is this...little devil thing so strong? As it falls I lean up against the wall and have to stop the blood from getting into my eyes.

Into the Deep, part II
Date	4/11/2023
Storyteller	Markis
Tier	Trainee - Difficult
Player Characters	Fen, Maki, Satori, Serene, Timid Thistle, Vreal
Rewards	250xp, 3g each, 110g, Full Plate, Armor Potency +1, Dwarven Scattergun +20 ammo, Ring of Torag, Dwarven Formula Book (level 5 and below with Dwarf Trait), Striking Rune, Drake Rifle (Fire), Artisans Tools (Sterling, Blacksmithing), Necklace of Fireballs I, Flask of Fellowship
Result	First level cleared
Author	Fen (Foster)

We had quite an exciting day today! Our group went to finish clearing a mine of the awful duergar that took it over. We did end up succeeding, so that was quite exciting. I'm proud of everyone in our group who was able to accomplish so much today.

Ms. Thistle told us all about the mines because she was part of the first expedition. She warned us that they would be dark and that the duergar could turn invisible. I made sure to prepare a light spell and magic to help my friends see them when invisible. Forewarned is forearmed. I should definitely make myself a separate note to demonstrate that for the little ones when I get the chance. We were also told about some trolls that were somewhere in the mines and prepared accordingly, but we did not end up meeting them. I wonder what it would be like to meet a troll?

We entered into the mines and found our way to the uncleared sections. A group of those naughty duergar tried to ambush us with their invisibility, but the others proved quite adept at taking care of them before they could cause much damage. I was quite impressed while I watched. There wasn't even a need for me to do much other than provide a light. Nearby, there was an armory that had quite a few useful items. I do hope that the new armor will keep the others safe when I'm not around to help them.

After clearing the armory, we continued forward and ended up in a lovely bath. Mr. Satori even mentioned that he was fairly sure that royalty bathed in the bath. Unfortunately, one of the pipes happened to burst when Ms. Thistle passed and I don't remember much of the fight that apparently happened in the room. However, the baths after were wonderful. They were just as nice as the bathhouse in town and the company made the time even more wonderful. We couldn't spend too much time there, though, and before long we continued with our work.

The last thing we had to do was to clear the final hallway that led to the elevators. We proceeded carefully since we could hear creatures in the darkness. Once my light reached them, they attacked which I think was a bit of an overreaction. They were rather small creatures, but quite fierce in battle, a bit like the little ones at bedtime. One of them was even able to use magic quite effectively. I had to work hard to keep Ms. Serene and Ms. Maki safe from all their weapons and while all that was happening Mr. Vreal was blinded by the magic user and Mr. Sasaki was enchanted to see us as enemies along with the small creatures. I didn't have the correct spells prepared to help either of them, but the spell on Mr. Sasaki has since passed and I hope to be able to take care of Mr. Vreal's condition soon.

All in all, the mission was a success and an excellent bonding experience for our group. I'm sure Grandmother will be quite pleased by today's work.