Summary
The party’s exploration led them to a cave containing the bodies of well-dressed gnolls, their fine clothing adorned with Greek-style patterns and accompanied by high-quality weapons. While cleaning the cave to make it suitable for rest, Gondwin fell ill but was successfully treated with ranger medicine.
The following morning, the party awoke feeling refreshed after consuming a healing tea that purged the disease from their system. Their journey took them through challenging mountainous terrain, where they scaled steep cliffs and crossed a flowing river. Along the way, they discovered an ancient road marked with distinctive geometric patterns that led them to an imposing gate, guarded by two towering stone statues standing twelve feet tall, their jackal-like heads watching over the entrance. Rather than attempting to open the massive gate, the party climbed over it, finding themselves in an eerily quiet valley filled with ruins and ancient structures, entirely enclosed by sheer mountain walls.
At nightfall, the party discovered several settlements and a shrine dotting the landscape in a secluded valley. They decided to camp in the valley woods to maintain their secrecy, but their rest was interrupted by an unsettling operatic cry echoing through the darkness. During the night watch, tragedy struck as Jhaulk was viciously attacked by an Undead Gnoll, leaving him gravely wounded before Togg managed to deliver the fatal blow. Seeking safer shelter, the group relocated to a nearby ancient shrine where they discovered a rusted dagger while contemplating their next action.
Sneaking ahead, Mal witnessed a disturbing scene unfold as they entered the ruined village. A group of jackal-headed figures conducted a brutal interrogation of a hairless prisoner who possessed an unusually large ribcage, which ended in the victim’s execution. These mysterious figures communicated in archaic Common, wielding distinctive curved, snake-like blades.
Scenes
Cave Rest and Recovery
- Party finds cave with dead bodies
- Discover dead gnolls wearing fine clothing
- Find high-quality longsword and buckler
- Gondwin contracts illness while cleaning cave
- Jhaulk makes medicinal tea to treat Gondwin
- Party drinks healing tea that cures disease
Ancient Road Discovery and River Crossing
- Group climbs up cliff using rope and iron spikes
- Mal demonstrates exceptional climbing ability
- Party discovers Ancient Road with interlocking stones
- Party descends to river level
- Group observes ancient pillars with geometric designs
- Successfully crosses river
- Ravens disturb Mal during climbing
Valley Entry and Ancient Gate
- Discover 15-foot high gates with iron bars
- Find two 12-foot tall jackal-headed statues
- Jhaulk calms aggressive ravens
- Party decides to climb over gate instead of opening it
- Party enters mysterious valley
- Discover abandoned buildings and ruins
- Note unusual silence in the valley
- Begin searching for shelter before sunset
Valley Exploration and Night Attack
- Party spots a temple/shrine to the west
- Notices villages with moving lights
- Decides to head into the woods for cover
- Successfully performs group stealth check
- Hear strange operatic cry echoing through valley
- Undead Gnoll attacks Jhaulk during his watch
- Jhaulk is severely wounded and falls unconscious
- Party fights the Undead Gnoll
- Togg decapitates the creature
- Party stabilizes Jhaulk
Ancient Shrine and Village Observation
- Party moves to Ancient Shrine for safety
- Togg discovers an ancient rusted dagger with a wavy blade
- Party observes decaying white marble buildings in Ruined Village
- Witness Jackal-headed Figures interrogating a Hairless Prisoner
- Prisoner is executed after refusing to help “the Hutaakan”
- Overhear plans to return to ‘the city’
NPCs
Hairless Prisoner
Pale human with no body hair, unusually large ribcage, and portly build. Refused to help his captors and was executed.
Undead Gnoll
A corpse-like creature with a coyote-like head, dressed in linen finery, with exposed internal organs and an insatiable hunger for flesh. Attacked the party during their night camp.
Jackal-headed Figures
Humanoids with coyote/jackal heads wearing tunics and fur cloaks, speaking in archaic Common. One wore a silver amulet. They executed a prisoner and appeared to be part of an organized group.
Locations
Cave
Small cave containing animal carcasses and dead bodies, located near a river in a mountain gorge. Used as a temporary rest spot by the party.
Ancient Road
Twenty-foot wide overgrown road with Inca-style interlocking stones, designed with a slight incline and engineering features to control wheeled vehicle descent
Ancient Shrine
White stone structure about 100 feet by 100 feet, similar to a Grecian shrine in size, contains ancient artifacts
Valley Woods
Dark wooded area with scrub pine and taiga trees where the party initially camps
Ruined Village
A settlement with decaying white marble buildings, featuring a central fire pit and some buildings with lit windows. Located in a mountainous area.
Spells
Invisibility
Discussed as a potential spell to use for scouting, but attempts to cast it failed due to poor rolls
Items
Fine Steel Longsword
High-quality forged steel sword with recently rewrapped hilt, found on dead Gnoll body
Steel Buckler
Well-crafted small shield with new straps, found alongside the longsword
Patterned Tunic
Linen garment with Greek wave pattern along the hems, unusually sophisticated for Gnoll clothing.
Holy Water
A glass vial with an ankh stopper containing holy water meant to repel undead creatures
Rusted Dagger
Ancient dagger with a broken, wavy blade found in the shrine. Handle wrapped in animal skin, appears unusual but not valuable.
Dubious Heroes 
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