Summary
The party began by planning their approach to a fortified location in Stone Tooth Mountain. They discussed various tactics including the previous success of Molotov cocktails, the possibility of hiring help to move a boulder blocking a dragon’s lair, and debated between stealth versus creating chaos. The group recalled their previous failed stealth attempt and considered using ropes and grappling hooks to cross a destroyed bridge guarded by arrow slits.
During their planning, they learned that their former companion Mal had retired to protect eagles and fight bandits. Mal had hired a ranger companion and now lived in a heavily trapped cave, collecting “eagle protection money” from locals. This sparked discussion about whether Jhaulk might eventually join Mal’s band of forest-dwelling vigilantes.
While exploring the wooded hillside of Stone Tooth Mountain, the party discovered a well-concealed rocky spire emitting smoke. They gathered medicinal herbs while observing evidence of heavy orc logging activity and noticed the area had been heavily hunted, with few animals remaining. Using ropes and a grappling hook, they descended an 80-foot chimney into what appeared to be an orc stronghold’s kitchen, with Jhaulk scouting ahead under an invisibility spell.
In the stronghold, they discovered and freed two human prisoners, Geraldo and Corana, farmers who had been held captive for a month. Togg broke their padlock with a crowbar, and before escaping up the chimney, the prisoners revealed crucial information about the orc leadership structure, including details about Yarak the chieftain, Ferazin the feared evil priest, and a powerful orc witch.
The party explored the stronghold, spreading oil in strategic locations and splitting up to scout different areas. They discovered multiple passages and doors, including a wall marked with orcish hexes and curses. Alsob managed to bar one door to prevent orc reinforcements, while Jhaulk continued scouting invisibly ahead.
Their exploration led to a confrontation with an orc witch wearing a necklace of teeth and her acolytes after discovering a secret door. While Tuck failed to grab the witch initially, Eldarin successfully blinded her with magic. One acolyte escaped to get reinforcements, but the party managed to capture the witch. During this encounter, Jhaulk discovered a sack containing 160 silver coins in the witch’s chamber.
The final battle proved epic as the party faced off against orc forces and Ol’fa the ogre. The massive creature fled after being wounded, leading to a dramatic showdown between Togg and the orc commander. Throughout the intense fight, Jain and Eldarin worked together to heal Togg as he sustained heavy damage. Though Tuck landed the killing blow on the commander, he cleverly made it appear that Togg had done it.
The battle’s conclusion led to an unexpected turn of events as the remaining orcs accepted Togg as their new chief. Togg then convinced the warband to abandon their mission of serving the dragon. The orcs broke camp and departed with Togg as their new warlord, marking a dramatic end to their stronghold siege and Togg’s adventuring career.
Scenes
Planning Session
The party discusses various approaches to infiltrate a fortified location with a destroyed bridge and arrow slits.
- Discussed previous use of Molotov cocktails that worked
- Considered hiring people to move a boulder
- Debated stealth vs chaos approaches
- Discussed using ropes and grappling hooks to cross
- Reviewed previous failed stealth attempt
Discussing Mal’s Retirement
The group discusses how Mal left to protect eagles and fight bandits with a ranger companion
- Mal hired a ranger to protect eagles from poachers
- Mal and Merry Men now fight bandits along the roads
- They live in a cave with many traps
- They collect ‘eagle protection money’
- Discussed possibility of Jhaulk joining Mal’s group
Discovering the Hidden Chimney
The party explores around Stone Tooth mountain and finds a suspicious chimney with smoke coming out
- Party explores wooded hillside while avoiding orc patrols
- Discover smoke rising from a rocky spire
- Gather some medicinal herbs
- Find evidence of heavy orc logging activity in the area
- Determine the chimney is wide enough to climb down
- Notice area is heavily hunted with few remaining animals
Chimney Descent
The party uses ropes to descend an 80-foot chimney into what appears to be an orc stronghold’s kitchen.
- Jhaulk becomes invisible through magic
- Party uses ropes and grappling hook to descend
- Jhaulk scouts ahead invisibly
- Group discovers it leads to a kitchen area
- Find evidence of recent cooking activity
Prison Break
The party discovers and frees two human prisoners from the orc stronghold.
- Found two human prisoners named Geraldo and Corana from a farm near Needle
- Togg broke the padlock with a crowbar
- Prisoners revealed information about orc leadership structure
- Learned about Yarak (chieftain), Ferazin (evil priest), and the witch
- Prisoners escaped up the rope through the chimney
- Prisoners had been held for about a month
Exploring the Stronghold
The party explores corridors and rooms in the orc stronghold, setting up for potential conflict.
- Party spreads oil around strategic areas
- Group splits up to scout different areas
- Alsob bars a door to prevent orc reinforcements
- Jhaulk scouts ahead invisibly
- Party discovers multiple passages and doors
- Find wall marked with orcish hexes and curses
Witch Encounter
The party confronts and battles an orc witch and her acolytes after discovering a secret door.
- Wall opens revealing witch with bone necklace and two acolytes
- Tuck attempts to grab the witch but fails
- Eldarin blinds the witch with magic
- One acolyte escapes to get reinforcements
- Party captures the witch
- Jhaulk finds sack with 160 silver coins in witch’s chamber
Final Battle
Epic confrontation with orc forces culminating in Togg becoming their new chief.
- Massive battle against orcs and Ol’fa the ogre
- Ogre flees after being wounded
- Togg faces off against orc commander in single combat
- Party helps heal Togg throughout the fight
- Tuck lands killing blow but makes it appear Togg did it
- Orcs accept Togg as their new chief
- Togg convinces orcs to abandon their dragon-serving mission
- Orcs break camp and leave with Togg as their new warlord
NPCs
Mal
A former party member who retired because they dislike the cold. Now works with a ranger to protect eagles and fight bandits, collecting ‘eagle protection money’ and living in a trapped cave.
Yarak
The orc chieftain who spoke Common and led the warband. Bigger, brawnier and meaner than other orcs. Worked under the influence of Razin until being defeated in combat with Togg.
Orc Witch
A female orc shaman wearing leather armor, an eye patch, and a necklace of teeth. Could climb like a spider and stupefy enemies with her wand. Wore a black robe and was herself terrified of Razin. Was captured by the party.
Razin
An evil priest living below who held sway over Yarak and the orcs. Even the witch was terrified of him. Other orcs were afraid to speak of him.
Ol’fa
A massive dim-witted ogre with tusks who served the orcs. Carried a giant sword but fled after being grievously wounded in combat. Later pledged loyalty to Togg as the new chief.
Geraldo and Corana
Human farmers from near Needle who were held prisoner by the orcs for about a month before being rescued by the party. Provided information about the orc leadership structure.
Orc Commander
The final orc leader faced in combat, wearing heavy black chain mail and wielding a shield and sword. Challenged Togg to single combat and was ultimately defeated, leading to Togg becoming chief.
Witch’s Acolytes
Two female orcs wearing black robes who served alongside the witch. Less imposing than their leader, one fled to get reinforcements during the encounter.
Locations
Stone Tooth Mountain
A mountain region with dense forests of oak, ash, birch and conifers. Currently occupied by a large orc warband who have been heavily logging and hunting the area. Contains multiple entrances including a blocked dragon’s lair.
Bridge Entrance
A fortified entrance with a destroyed bridge, arrow slits, and murder holes. Has a switchback path leading to a landing with a gate.
Hidden Chimney
A well-concealed rocky spire with smoke rising from it, serving as an entrance roughly 80 feet deep. Located on a hillside of Stone Tooth, leads to the kitchen area.
Orc Kitchen
A makeshift kitchen with a large fire in the center, battered copper and cast iron pots and kettles stacked around, wooden trough with dirty dishes. Evidence of cooking stews and gruel.
Prison Cell
Small cave area with crude but serviceable barrier made of saplings, secured by a wooden door with a stout padlock. Used to hold human prisoners.
Witch’s Chamber
A chamber filled with dozens of yellowed skulls suspended from ceiling by fraying ropes, hazy with incense smoke. Contains furnishings, a fireplace, and hidden treasure. Connected to a larger chamber with 30ft high ceilings decorated with dwarf forge imagery.
Orc Stronghold
A complex network of corridors and chambers featuring stone walls marked with glyphs, storage rooms filled with supplies and barrels, iron doors, narrow passages, and a murky well. Serves as base for the orc warband.
Spells
Invisibility
Cast on Jhaulk using a wand, making him fade from view while still able to hear himself breathe and his clothes rustle.
Holy Weapon
A spell that enhances weapons with magical power, causing them to glow with green runes and emit light. Used to empower weapons during the final battle.
Blindness
Spell cast by Eldarin that filled the witch’s eyes with inky blackness, rendering her unable to see. Required focus to maintain.
Cure Wounds
Healing magic used multiple times by Jane and Eldarin to keep Togg alive during the climactic battle with the orc forces.
Items
Boulder
A large boulder blocking entrance to the dragon’s lair in the mountain, would require multiple people and horses to move.
Pouch of Herbs
A collection of medicinal herbs gathered from the mountainside, though the proper proportions for use are uncertain.
Climbing Equipment
Grappling hook and ropes used to descend the 80-foot chimney into the orc stronghold.
Cooking Equipment
Battered copper and cast iron pots and kettles used for preparing stews and gruel in the orc kitchen.
Witch’s Regalia
Items worn by the witch including a necklace made of teeth, black robes, and a magical wand used to stupefy other orcs.
Oil Supplies
Multiple barrels and flasks of oil found in the stronghold, which the party spread around strategically.
Treasure Sack
Bag containing 160 silver coins found in the witch’s lair.
Dubious Heroes 
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