Whispers of the Past

 

Chapter 3
The Shrine of Healing

 

Part 1: Finding the Cure
14 Aurel 1317

It was a cold cloudy day as the party exited the Temple of Eos, only to stumble upon a contigent of hobogoblins that had made camp in the ruins. They formulated a plan of attack and the brawl began. Bodkin started the artillery attack with his sling and magic missles. Olwyn and Draggart stood side by side mowing down hobogoblin infantry and war dogs. As the battle raged Winter was challenged to single combat by an immense Bugbear commander. Without being touched himself he beheaded the vile creature and claimed his prize, a mighty Great Sword. With foes dropping, the archers were brought down by a simple sleep spell from Bodkin. The archers were bound and questioned. After much debate over their fate, with Olwyn and Draggart wanting to spare their lives, Bodkin undecided, and Winter claiming Judge, Jury, and Executioner, Winter slew the prisoners for their sins.

After a brief pause the party continued on with their mission. They found the healing temple's entrance and proceeded down a long forgotten corridor. Eventually they came upon the healing temple's main greeting and ceremonial area, its ceiling now wide open to the sky having crumbled away years ago, only to find it was occupied by an enormous Troll. With little care for life and limb, the party assaulted the troll and much to their chagrin he fled to the confines of the inner temple and his pets. Winter and Draggart charged into the room and were confronted not only by the troll, but his two fearsome "pets", a pair of giant scorpions. Draggart felled one with a single blow while Winter made short work of the other. Needless to say the troll did not last long. Rather than press on to the library, Winter convinced the party to explore other areas. After entering a room that was barred from the outside, Winter was attacked by two rust monsters. He luckily escaped the room with his life but paid the price of his armor and his new sword. Realizing Winter's folly, the party continued on to the library and Olwyn discovered the cure needed for Xiltik.

The party began to return to their charge but temptation struck again. They decided to do a little more exploring. Relying on reckless abandon, they burst into a room only to find themselves engulfed by a Gelantinous Cube. Winter was immediately paralyzed but luckily for him Draggart and Olwyn broke free and with the help of Bodkin annihilated the oozing cube.

Part 2: Return to the Temple
14 Aurel 1317

Running low on spells and wounded, the party decided to exit the healing temple and return to Xiltik. When they reached the ruined courtyard again, they found the rest of the hobgoblin forces embroiled in a bitter battle against a flying beast. A Wyvvern. Bodkin suggested avoiding the battle entirely and making a dash for the Temple of Eos. Without a word Winter charged into battle, right for the hobgoblin mage. Draggart and Olwyn, left with the choice of abandoning their companion or following him into battle, chose to press the attack. Cursing Bodkin was left injured, spell-less, and confused. His party had gone off the deep end. As the Wyvvern swooped down upon his prey, attacking both hobgoblin and heroes alike, Winter confronted the hobgoblin mage. Winter struck the mage a mighty blow but the mage retaliated and with a clap of thunder, and bolt of lightning struck Winter dealing him a monstruous blow. As arrows rained down upon him, Bodkin screamed at his party to follow him to the temple and forget the hobgoblins. Draggart was in a rage and did not hear, Olwyn was surrounded, and Winter received another charge which smote him in utter silence. The mighty Winter Trueblade collapsed in a smoldering heap of charred flesh.

Part 3: Sacrifice
14 Aurel 1317

Seeing the situation worsen and realizing his companions had apparently totally lost their minds, Bodkin made a break for the temple entrance. The Wyvvern seeing an easy meal landed and chased Bodkin inside the temple. With the Wyvvern distracted the hobgoblin archer squad and their commander opted for the only reasonable choice, they fled the battle. Draggart chased down a straggler and then turned his anger upon the Wyvvern who had emerged from the temple entrance empty handed, Bodkin had escaped. Still in his rage Draggart engaged the lizard in combat, mighty blows were given and recieved. But alas Draggart in all his fury was living on borrowed time, as his rage ended he made one last swing at his foe only to have his mace smashed into pieces on the rock, at the same time he collapsed in a bloodied heap of Orc flesh. With Bodkin inside the temple and a Wyvvern inbetween Olwyn was undecided. should he make a mad dash for the door or save his friend Draggart. And what of Xiltik should he fail? Olwyn choose his compatriot and battle partner Draggart. In an act of extreme heroism, he turned his back to the Wyvvern and bandaged his friend while frantically pouring Draggart's healing potions down his throat.

Part 4: A Fallen Companion
14 Aurel 1317

The Wyvvern tore into the completely defenseless Olwyn, nearly killing him. Olwyn, left with no choice, stood his ground and defended his unconscious friend. As time ran out for Olwyn, Bodkin reamerged at the temple entrance, expending what little firepower he had left, blasting the Wyvvern with his cone of cold spells. The Wyvvern was not distracted, he grasped Olwyn with both claws and landed a devasting blow with his fanged maw. Olwyn was near death, staggering. In what can only be desribed as simply miraculous, Bodkin charged from the temple brandishing his small dagger and landed a critical hit from behind on the Wyvvern. As the giant lizard screamed in pain and turned on this new foe, Olwyn landed an attack from his mace and the creature fell unceremoniously to the ground. The battle was over. Olwyn and Bodkin helped their Half-Orc friend into the temple and prayed for a quick journey to the netherworld for Winter. The overcast sky cleared and sunshine rained down upon the courtyard. Winter had come to pass...