Summary
Summary
The adventurers found themselves in the city of Pitden, initially drawn there by reports of orcs targeting caravans carrying spirits and food supplies. Their journey took an unexpected turn when they encountered panicked farmers fleeing northward from their farmhouse. The farmers brought dire news of a troll from Dunger’s Bog that had attacked their home, killing one of their own and terrorizing their sheep. Upon approaching the farm, the party discovered a massive Fish-headed Troll voraciously devouring sheep in a pen.
A fierce battle ensued as the party engaged the grotesque creature. Through a combination of spells and weapons, punctuated by several devastating critical hits, they managed to defeat the troll. In the aftermath, they discovered it had killed and partially consumed a farmer named Johann. Matilda, the farmer’s widow, showed her gratitude by hosting them for the evening. The following day, the party tracked the trolls to their fortified hillside lair, marked by standing stones and two cave entrances, though their attempt at a stealthy approach failed.
The party’s attention then turned to an orc-occupied palisade, where their initial assault went awry. An Orc Guard spotted them and raised the alarm, forcing them into combat. While their dwarf companion scaled the palisade wall and others provided ranged support, their wizard cast fire shield near the wooden structure. The situation grew dire as more Javelin Orcs joined the fray, resulting in the dwarf’s capture after opening the gate, while the rest of the party was forced to retreat into the woods.
Seeking revenge, the party cleverly set up an ambush in a Box Canyon for their orc pursuers. They encountered an Orc Ranger accompanied by six warriors, leading to an intense battle. The party employed a mix of ranged attacks, close combat, and magical abilities to overcome their foes. Though Arthur suffered severe injuries during the fight, timely healing magic saved his life. The confrontation concluded with the orc leader’s surrender and subsequent capture.
The final chapter of their ordeal involved interrogating their captive, an orc named Nag, who revealed information about his fellow raiders and their connection to a leader called Greeshak. A tense negotiation followed, resulting in a prisoner exchange: Nag for their dwarf companion Dunger, who had endured beatings and the humiliation of having his beard shaved. An orc named Hideak oversaw the exchange, while the party contemplated their recent victories and began formulating plans for a future assault on the orc stronghold.
Scenes
Mission Briefing in Pitden
- Party receives mission to deal with orc infestation
- Merchants offer rewards for killing orcs and recovering goods
- Group discusses using explosive wagon or caravan as bait
- Discussion of making bee bombs as weapons
Troll Attack at the Farm
- Party travels north through rainy, foggy conditions
- Encounter panicked farmers fleeing from their farmhouse
- Wizard casts Magic Shield with spectacular flaming effect
- Party discovers Fish-headed Troll attacking sheep pen
- Evidence of troll having killed and partially eaten Johann the Farmer
- Multiple party members attack the troll with weapons and spells
- Dave Joker uses a flaming shield spell
- A critical hit to the troll’s lower regions causes messy damage
- Paul successfully paralyzes the troll with honey-colored magical bindings
- The party discovers partially digested remains of Johann inside the troll
Celebration at Matilda’s Farm
- Matilda thanks the party and offers hospitality
- Local farmers gather to celebrate the troll’s death
- They burn the troll’s body and try to salvage dead sheep
- The party enjoys a feast and music with the farmers
- Matilda provides breakfast and lodging for the night
Battle at the Troll Fortress
- Party discovers fortified hillside with wooden palisade
- Observe standing stones and two cave entrances at hilltop
- Failed attempt at stealth while approaching
- Orc Guard spots them and sounds alarm horn
- Guard attempts bow shot but fumbles, breaking his bowstring
- Javelin Orcs emerge from cave entrance
- Dwarf character climbs 15-foot palisade wall
- Dave Joker the Wizard casts fire shield near wooden wall
- Dunger the Dwarf takes two javelin hits
- More orcs emerge with axes
- Some party members begin tactical retreat
- Dwarf opens palisade gate
- Dunger is knocked unconscious and captured by orcs
- Remaining party members flee into the woods
Ambush in Box Canyon
- Party finds a suitable box canyon for an ambush
- Group positions themselves on high ground
- They prepare rocks and ranged weapons for the attack
- Orcs enter the box canyon
- Party gets surprise round
- Multiple successful ranged attacks take down two orcs
- One injured orc had mysteriously healed from his wounds
- Arthur charges in and kills an orc, but is severely wounded by orc attacks, suffering broken ribs
- Lucky the halfling attacks with dual short swords
- Spellcaster uses Flaming Hands to incinerate two orcs, spell causes local drought effect
- Nag, Orc Ranger surrenders when surrounded
- Arthur is healed through divine intervention
- Party takes orc leader captive
- They collect weapons from fallen enemies
Interrogation and Prisoner Exchange
- Nag reveals he is one of three identical triplet rangers
- Reveals information about 12 orc warriors (6 already killed)
- Mentions leaders Hydac (sorceress) and Chush (second in command)
- Explains they’re collecting supplies for Greeshak’s army
- Reveals alliance with evil cleric named Ferazin
- Party negotiates exchange of Nag for captured Dunger
- Hydac appears with staff topped with giant lizard skull
- Dunger is revealed to be badly beaten and his beard shaved
- Exchange is completed under oath
- Nag is berated by his clan for being captured
Npcs
Dunger
A dwarf companion who was captured, beaten, and had his beard shaved by the orcs before being returned in the prisoner exchange.
Greeshak
An angry dragon gathering supplies and building an army in the western mountains, allied with an evil cleric named Ferazin.
Hydac
An orc sorceress who leads the local band, carries a staff topped with a lizard skull. Described as a planner and powerful magic user.
Nag, Orc Ranger
A skilled orc warrior with ranger-like abilities, equipped with a longbow and sword. Shows proficiency in woodland combat and leadership. Eventually surrenders when surrounded. One of three identical orc ranger triplets, captured by the party and used in prisoner exchange. Has dragon scale tattoos on his forearms.
Johann
Deceased farmer who was killed and partially eaten by the troll, discovered in pieces inside the creature.
Matilda
Widow of Johann, grateful farm owner who provides hospitality to the party after they defeat the troll that killed her husband.
Fish-headed Troll
A massive 15-foot tall creature with a fish-like head, green warty skin, and a swollen belly. Found attacking sheep at the farmhouse and killed Farmer Johann.
Spells
Flaming Hands
A powerful spell that incinerated two Javelin Orcs and caused a localized drought effect lasting hours in a one-mile radius.
Magic Shield
When cast by Dave Joker, it creates a spectacular effect where the caster becomes wreathed in flames and shadows, with only their face visible. Creates a 5-foot fire aura and makes the caster terrible to behold.
Paralysis
Spell cast that manifests as honey-colored bindings, successfully immobilizing the Fish-headed Troll.
Items
Bee Bomb
A makeshift weapon consisting of a clay pot filled with angry bees and honeycomb, suggested by Paul, who is a beekeeper.
Cleaver
Arthur’s mithral sword used in combat against the Fish-headed Troll.
Hydac’s Staff
A gnarled staff topped with what appears to be a giant lizard skull, capable of glowing when magic is performed.
Dubious Heroes 
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