Arkania: Pit Falls

[Part of the Darklands of Arkania Story.]

Upon returning to Phaexcaer the party immediately hunts down a reputable healer who cures Zubon of his Blue Cough and Emmo of the Numbskull virus (sounds like it makes zombies). While he's at it, he makes sure the rest of the team has a clean bill of health. Just to be certain he suggests the party rests awhile in the city which doesn't sit well with Curian. After a few days he bids farewell and departs to look for the unicorn alone.

The rest of the team spends a lot of time re-equipping and bar hopping, learning about a temple in the wilds to the South that warrants a look and hire a familiar looking, one eyed thief girl named Harika to guide them. The road led past some avalanches and another item hungry swamp that ate random weapons, armor, and Zubon's pants. While the temple itself turned out to be a non-event (as it was really just a temple, exactly like the city ones), a cave high up in the mountains  showed signs of orc activity.

Within they found a small regiment of the orcish scum building siege weapons. This band were led by an ugly ogre who managed to kick Emmo into a pit of spikes, killing the hapless elf, before he was defeated. Apart from taking their revenge on the remaining enemies and destroying their constructs they also came across an orcish document that looked important. Pity none of them could read it.

Maintaining a spike pit must be annoying logistically.

Arkania: Hyggelik

[Part of the Darklands of Arkania Story.]

The pirates did make an attempt at stopping the party from leaving not just the cave, but the island itself via ship boarding combat. They are woefully unsuccessful and upon reaching Thorwal the party sells the looted treasure to now sit at over 2K Ducats in the kitty. Taking a guess with the assembled map they headed back North to Phexcaer and along the way Vayshen spots a marker point. A marker to Hyggelik's treasure!

That would be incredibly good spotting.

It is a hard slog crossing the river and hacking through vegetation for days. Zubon and Emmo fall sick from the journey but eventually they find some ruins deep in the mountains - a crumbling castle. Literally, as falling debris and twisted ankles do more damage than the numerous zombies wandering the grounds. There's also a cool puzzle door involving mirrors and separating the party but the main event is a large chamber with a lot of undead.

Enemies all around - just where we want them!

Weakened from the journey here the fight is pretty tough, with Curian getting clawed a lot and Emmo too sick to actually contribute. Still, they are on the verge of winning when a voice calls out to the zombies and orders them to stop fighting. It is zombie Hyggelik, cursed to undeath by some treasure he and his men found years ago. Hearing about the impending orc attack, he willingly hands over Grimring to Shintar and commands the team to protect the lands from the orcish invaders.

You aren't looking so good, Mister Hyggelik.

Arkania: Distractions

[Part of the Darklands of Arkania Story.]

On the road to Phexcaer, a flock of powerful Griffons appear and threaten to whisk Paeroka away as a snack unless the party can solve their riddle. Seriously, there was no option to fight as demonstrated when one effortlessly threw Zubon down a hill. Good thing they gave at least three attempts because I only got it on try number three. :P

I suppose winged lions would be bored enough to play riddles.

After killing a few more orcs they finally reached Phexcaer - the city of thieves, and boy is that appropriately named. With cut purses and charlatan healers and merchants it's amazing the party managed to retain their bag of 750 ducats. They are unable to find any of the leads in the maze like city and instead come into conflict with the forces of con-man cleric Ektor Gremob who unfortunately gets away, despite the party pursuing him to his local villa.

Tired of this terrible place, the team heads back to Thorwal - taking their frustrations out on some hapless orcs and an ogre who happened to be in their way. Upon their return they could finally lay Nerk to rest and recruit the dainty Silvan elf, Emmo Gamerchick to their cause. After listening to their tale she said she might have an idea where the ruins in the mountains were. Zubon wasn't paying attention as his thoughts wandered elsewhere...

Because not everything in Phexcaer was bad.