014 06-14-2025
014 06-14-2025
Session Summary
After slaying Vrax Sithra, a dwarven experiment turned spider Matriarch, the party journeyed south into a deadly Ash Storm and found refuge in a farmhouse run by orcish gravekeepers. Among them was Tibit, a curious gnome tinkerer whose greed led him to desecrate the nearby graveyard. His actions awakened a giant undead guardian, forcing the heroes into yet another grim confrontation amid ash and death.
Recap
Shimmers in the Dark
AI Summary
The party faced Vrax Sithra, the monstrous Spider Matriarch, in a fierce battle deep within the corrupted dwarven mine of Kund Vethrak. After finally slaying her, Kormak examined the remains and discovered that she was once the result of a dwarven experiment gone horribly wrong. Exhausted, the group climbed out of the mines to rest at their camp before continuing their journey south toward the Black Maw Tribe’s mining territory, where Thorin’s daughters were believed to be held.
While traveling, the group was caught in a violent Ash Storm — a suffocating tempest of wind, ash, and ember. Grolgath warned of its dangers and led them to a derelict farmhouse for shelter. Inside, they met Grusksa, a female half-orc, her two orc guardians, and a soot-covered gnome named Tibit, a gem-crafter and tinkerer bound for Calimshan. Grusksa revealed that she and her companions were gravekeepers for the orcish clans of the region.
That night, while the party slept, Tibit slipped away to the nearby graveyard, scavenging for treasures. His meddling disturbed the dead, awakening a massive undead guardian that emerged from the earth to defend the graves, plunging the night into chaos once more.
Log
We engage Vrax Sithra in a brutal fight and manage to slay the spider Matriarch. She appears to have been some kind of twisted dwarven experiment, according to Kormak's examination of the remains.
After the battle, we climb out of Kund Vethrak and rest at the campsite outside the mine. The next day, we resume our journey south toward the Black Maw Tribe's mining territory, where we believe Thorin’s daughters may be located.
As we travel, we encounter something called an Ash Storm — a dark, choking tempest of ash and embers. Grolgath warns that it is dangerous and urges us to find shelter. After pressing through the storm for some time, we come across a farmhouse…
The Farmhouse
The house was barely standing. Grolgrath knocked on the door, and a half-orc answered, offering us his hospitality so long as we remained respectful. Inside, we met a female half-orc, another large orc man, and a small gnome who appeared completely out of place — covered in ash and soot.
The gnome introduced himself as Tibit, a tinkerer and gem-crafter who made contraptions for his travels. He mentioned he was headed toward Calimshan, a dwarven city.
The house was owned by Grusksa, the female half-orc. The two orcs with her were her guardians. Though not part of any specific clan, they served as gravekeepers for all orcish clans in the region.
The Graveyard
That night, while we slept, Tibit snuck out to the nearby graveyard, searching for “something shiny.” His meddling awakened a giant undead guardian that protected the graves.