OLD SKOOL CAMPAIGN DIARY: VILLAGE OF HOMMLET, PT. 2

The Heroes:

• Anton Loyalar: Oeridian Paladin of Heironeous
• Coppyr: Halfing Monk
• Eli Pendar: Flannish Cleric of Pholtus
• Tharn: Dwarf barbarian of the Fireforge clan

Our heroes spend the evening hours in the Welcome Wench.  Anton Loyalar retires early to get a bath and the others go to the dormitory later.  Prior to this, however, a few of them hung around the common room to try and gather information.  Eli spoke with Ostler Gundigoot, the proprietor of the inn, and learned that the structure being built is a fortress that is being funded by the viscount of Verbobonc to try and stabilize the area.  Eli also learned that any attempt to start up a temple in town would probably meet fierce opposition by the local chief cleric of St. Cuthbert, Terjon.  flaming eye symbol belonged to a cult of “elemental evil,” which caused trouble a decade or so ago that culminated in the Battle of Emridy Meadows.  That costly battle resulted in the army raised by the cult being destroyed and the cult’s leader’s driven back to their headquarters, a temple near the town of Nulb.  The Knights of the Hart called in powerful wizards and priests to lock down the temple to prevent any from entering or exiting, and such has it been for the past 12 years or so.  The news of bandits bearing that symbol concerned Ostler, who summoned the town council for a meeting that night at the inn.  Eli tried listening in, but heard only concerns and skepticism on the validity of the claim with no affirmative action being decided.

The following morning, the heroes arise and meet Spugnois in the common room.  They eat breakfast and Eli hits up Ostler with the idea of hiring adventurers to look into the bandit/cult connection, but Ostler said the council wouldn’t pay for such an effort without more solid proof. 

The heroes finish their meals and hit the trail to the moat house, following Spugnois, who had already done some research on the place.  Just outside of town, the moat house was an outpost used by bandits and brigands and caused much trouble to Hommlet, but it was basically destroyed and the bandits scattered when a connection to the Temple of Elemental Evil was made.  It has been a crumbling ruin ever since, but Spugnois believes it to be the likely hideout of the brigands troubling Hommlet currently. 

They travel through some woods and some bog, finding prints along the way suggesting recent traffic to the moat house.  A trail leading up to the structure comes into view and Coppyr tries sneaking up to get a better look.  The moat house looks very dilapidated and unlikely to host any groups within, but the heroes approach to check it out.  As they near the moat house, several giant frogs emerge from the moat surrounding the structure and attack!  The heroes manage to fight off and kill the frogs and then enter through the front opening.  Eli checks out the dark tower at the entrance and is confronted by a giant spider, who gets the drop on the cleric and poisons him with a bite!

End of session.