AtD 014: Death to All Goblins

Led by Harald, the party surged onwards to battle and glory. As the neophyte paladin reached the corner of the tangled garden, he called a halt so the heroes could form a shield line. Some of his comrades heeded his call for caution, and some did not—consumed by their bloodlust and desire to hack at and slay their enemies.

Battle was joined! With Saeldur hanging back to slay the slumbering goblins from the last battle, the party were without ranged support. Nevertheless, they swiftly closed with their enemies. Harald dived into one of the passages leading into the tangled garden and was immediately injured by a goblin stabbing him in the rear. Although wounded, the paladin fought on and was assisted by Thonn, who slew the goblin behind Harald.

Elsewhere on the battlefield, the goblins were having a hard time. More were laid low by another of Ozloc's sleep spells, and quickly—although a few of the party were injured—the goblins were all slain.

After looting the bodies, the party retreated to atop the mausoleum to rest and recuperate.

An hour later, they were ready to finally dare the mausoleum itself. Gathering in front of the stone doors, they discovered the stone portal was locked and that the keyhole lay at the back of the throat of a horrible skull image graven into the doors. Among them, only Gromm knew how to pick locks. After Bodrum blessed him with Anstis’s guidance, the half-orc quickly (and bravely) unlocked the doors.

Pushing the heavy stone doors open, the heroes discovered a huge room beyond; twelve stone doors pierced its walls and in the centre stood a 12-foot-tall statue of Braal—complete with (enticing) glimmering green gemstone eyes.

Opening the doors, though, had made noise. As Bodrum again began a detect magic ritual to ascertain any lurking dangers, Saeldur and Ozloc spotted a slight disturbance in the centre of the fetid, miasmic lake's waters to the south...