Summary
The party returned to investigate a mysterious burial site in the mountains where they had previously encountered gnoll-ghouls. Upon discovering a hillside shrouded in fog, they found a grotesque display of bodies mounted on spikes – fresh goblin corpses and rotting gnoll bodies decorating the landscape. Multiple paths led to holes in the hillside, prompting one party member to turn invisible to scout the area safely.
As they explored the mountainous terrain, they came across a tower with impressive bronze doors, guarded by two metal statues bearing coyote-like heads. Mal took the initiative to investigate using a grappling hook and opened the doors. This action proved consequential as the statues suddenly animated and attacked the party, with arrows proving ineffective against their metallic forms.
The battle against the animated statues was fierce and costly. Togg lost his father’s sword when it was mysteriously absorbed by one of the constructs, while Jhalk suffered severe injuries during the confrontation. The party ultimately found refuge by barricading inside the tower, using the structure to separate themselves from their relentless metallic pursuers. After their escape, they traveled through a mountain pass for several hours until they reached a gorge with a collapsed bridge, where Mal led the group in a careful 200-foot descent using ropes.
At the base of the cliff, the party encountered a formidable giant lizard with olive skin and white spikes. The creature proved a deadly opponent, severely wounding Eldarin with vicious bites and claws. In a moment of dramatic action, Togg leaped from the cliff with a spear, inflicting significant damage to the beast. Though they eventually prevailed in slaying the creature, Eldarin nearly perished, saved only by Gondwin’s healing potion. The weary party concluded their adventure by planning to make camp in the relative safety of the lizard’s cave.
Scenes
Exploration of Mountain Burial Site
- Party follows goat path up gradual incline
- Discover multiple corpses mounted on spikes – fresh goblin heads and rotting gnoll bodies
- Hear shrill shrieking cry in the distance
- Find paths leading to holes in hillside
- Mal uses invisibility to scout the area
- Detect strange herbal scent
- Decide to avoid potential shaman encounter
Encounter at Bridge and Stone Tower
- Find Bridge and Waterfall spanning thunderous waters
- Discover Stone Tower with bronze doors
- Find three skeletons on ground
- Identify metal statues with coyote heads
- Mal uses grappling hook to investigate tower
- Opens bronze doors
- Metal statues animate and attack party
- Arrow attack proves ineffective against metal statues
- Jhalk attempts to push over a statue but fails
- Eldarin casts web, trapping both allies and enemies
- Togg’s sword is absorbed into one of the statues
- Jhalk is severely wounded by a statue’s spear attack
- Godwin uses a grappling hook to drag Jhalk to safety
- The party retreats into the tower and bars the door
Journey Through Mountain Pass and Giant Lizard Battle
- Party travels for half a day through mountain pass
- Reach gorge with a collapsed bridge
- Begin descent down 200-foot gorge with ropes
- Mal successfully leads the climbing party down
- Giant lizard emerges and attacks the party
- Mal climbs to safety on a ledge
- Gondwin hits the giant lizard with an arrow
- Eldarin gets severely wounded by giant lizard’s bite and claw attacks
- Togg leaps from 30 feet up to spear the giant lizard, taking falling damage
- The party kills the giant lizard
- Eldarin nearly dies but is saved by Gondwin’s healing potion
NPCs
Metal Statues
Animated metal guardians with coyote-like heads, chiseled physiques, approximately 6 feet tall, wielding spears. They appear made of highly reflective metal, possibly mythril, and are immune to normal arrows.
Giant Lizard
Horse-sized creature with olive-colored skin and white spikes on its back. Described as dim-witted looking, with a lashing tongue and constant chewing motion. Aggressive and capable of climbing cliff faces.
Locations
Mountain Burial Site
A foggy hillside (hummock) with multiple paths leading to holes in the earth. Decorated with corpses mounted on spikes, including fresh goblin heads and rotting gnoll bodies. Located half a day’s travel into the mountains.
Abandoned Camp
A ledge on the mountainside with remains of a previous camp, scattered bones, shredded tent remains, and old fire ring. Site of previous goblin-gnoll conflict.
Bridge and Waterfall
A wide stone bridge spanning a thunderous waterfall with churning white water below. A squat stone tower straddles the middle of the bridge.
Stone Tower
A defensive structure with bronze doors on both sides that can be barred from the inside, collapsed interior, and geometric patterns engraved on the doors. Guarded by metal statues, providing refuge from them.
Mountain Pass
A well-paved road through the mountains with Abyssinian columns and flagstone paving, protected from weathering by being inside the mountain.
Gorge
A 200-foot deep ravine with a collapsed bridge, featuring a cave at the bottom and a river running through it.
Lizard’s Cave
A cave at the base of a cliff face, featuring multiple ledges leading up. Becomes the party’s potential resting spot after defeating the Giant Lizard.
Spells
Web
Cast by Eldarin, creates sticky webs with DC 21 strength check to break free, lasting 5 rounds. Trapped both allies and Metal Statues
Items
Holy Water Flask
Costs 10 gold each, can be thrown at undead to create a turn undead effect if it hits. Must be thrown directly.
Defiler Skull
A skull marked with the word ‘defiler’ in Diabolic script, previously thrown at the party as a challenge or threat.
Bronze Doors
Heavy bronze doors with geometric patterns and verdigris, barred from the inside of the tower.
Dubious Heroes 
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