The Root of the Problem - Group 3 - Session 3
from the game session held on 12 October, 2022
General Summary
Having arrived at their destination, the abandoned Tancreedy Mine, the party decided to set up camp at the edge of the forest. An open space of small rocks, tufts of sparse wild grass and a few small, gnarled shrubs separated them from the entrance to the mine cut into the mountainside. Tired from their encounter with the Troll and the long trek up the hillside, they ate from their rations and set watches for the night.
During the first watch, as the others slept, Gambit, the goblin alchemist, paced about the camp until her boredom got the best of her. Creeping toward the mine entrance, she looked around for anything unusual, but also kept an eye out for anything 'useful' that might have been laying about discarded. Satisfied that there was no evidence of recent traffic in or out of the mine, but disappointed at the lack of trinkets or tinkerable items, she returned to the camp area. When the time came, she woke Tom, the halfling bard, and then curled up near the fire to get some sleep.
Tom's watch started out uneventfully, but about halfway through, the calm night sounds were interrupted by a quiet moaning or howling sound. At first, he thought it was simply the wind blowing through the trees, but a glance upward told him the trees were not moving in the breeze, and yet the sound persisted. He could not make out its source, and after a few moments, the sound died away leaving only the crickets, tree frogs, and rustlings of tiny nocturnal creatures rummaging for food in the shrubs around the camp. When he woke Kleone, the halfling druid, for the third watch, he relayed this information before returing to his bedroll.
Kleone's watch was also interrupted by an unexpected sound, but this time it was the sound of crunching stones, reminiscent of booted feet on a path. It seemed to be coming from the mine entrance. Curious, but cautious, Kleone approached the mine, but could find no evidence of any recent footprints - and the sounds had ceased upon his approach. He returned to the camp area and shortly afterward woke Dhraangg for the final watch of the evening. She explained that both she and Tom before him heard things in the night, but did not offer details - she wanted the half-orc champion to not be predisposed to hearing anything specific since she and Tom had experienced different disturbances.
And Dhraangg's experience was indeed different. Halfway through his watch, he, too heard the low moaning, howling sound that Tom had heard. But Dhraanng's better night vision also allowed him to see some sort of apparition at the entrance to the mine. It appeared to be vaporous, reminiscent of early morning fog rising from dewy grass. But it was vaguely humanoid in shape, and it was moving about in a way that did not seem wind driven. Also, there was no dampness on the ground to give rise to any morning fog. The apparition glowed palely in the waning moonlight before disappearing into the mineshaft, and when it went, the moaning sounds stopped as well.
In the morning, the party all compared notes. They agreed there was definitely something in the mine, but did not rule out the possibility of magical illusion meant to scare off would-be trespassers.
They approached and entered the mine cautiously, with Tom's lantern and Kleone's Everburning Torch for light. As they reached the end of the short entrance tunnel and entered a larger antechamber of sorts, the silence was shattered with a loud and terrifying wail of pain and lament that echoed off the walls all around them. An unnatural fear gripped all but the bard as they heard words interspersed with the howling moans: "Vengeance!"... "Justice!"
Despite being gripped by the unnatural fear instilled by the spirit's lamentations, Dhraangg called upon the ghost - using the name of Owain Karolus, the 'missing partner' of Tancreedy - to show itself, and when it did so, he made a show of sheathing his greatsword. Gambit carefully returned the tool she had lifted to the pile where she found it, and the entire group faced the ghost, which was now manifesting partly embedded in one of the cavern walls. Dhraangg announced that they were there to rectify whatever wrong had been done, so the spirit could rest and the mine could be reopened. His words and manner were persuasive enough that the ghost did not attack, but rather spoke with the party.
"How would they help? What could they do?", the ghost wondered aloud. They asked the ghost for details of how it came to be, and what it needed for satisfaction. The ghost described how his partner had killed him with pickaxe blows from behind, and led them into the mine to see the skeletal remains. The party, with Dhraangg as spokesperson, promised to see to it that Tancreedy was brought to justice, and the profits of the mine turned over to Owain's family. They asked if they could bring the spirit's physical remains back with them as evidence, and the ghost agreed, asking only that they eventually be interred with the rest of his family."
After carefully gathering up the bones of Owain Karolus, the party returned to Stannilode. They confronted Dado Heywood, the Mining Cooperative agent in Stannilode. The halfling seemed more concerned about his future job status than any real justice; it was he, after all, that accepted Tancreedy's word rather casually and conducted the purchase of the mine from the murderer. But he agreed to help, turning over the paperwork from the sale. The party would head back to Karnstown to apprise the management of the Mining Cooperative - and perhaps the Karn himself - of the situation so that Tancreedy could be dealt with quickly. They would then return to continue pursuing their originial quest of finding out who was behind the cursing of the Karnstown well.
Dado Heywood, Karnstown Mining Cooperative Agent in Stannilode.
During the first watch, as the others slept, Gambit, the goblin alchemist, paced about the camp until her boredom got the best of her. Creeping toward the mine entrance, she looked around for anything unusual, but also kept an eye out for anything 'useful' that might have been laying about discarded. Satisfied that there was no evidence of recent traffic in or out of the mine, but disappointed at the lack of trinkets or tinkerable items, she returned to the camp area. When the time came, she woke Tom, the halfling bard, and then curled up near the fire to get some sleep.
Tom's watch started out uneventfully, but about halfway through, the calm night sounds were interrupted by a quiet moaning or howling sound. At first, he thought it was simply the wind blowing through the trees, but a glance upward told him the trees were not moving in the breeze, and yet the sound persisted. He could not make out its source, and after a few moments, the sound died away leaving only the crickets, tree frogs, and rustlings of tiny nocturnal creatures rummaging for food in the shrubs around the camp. When he woke Kleone, the halfling druid, for the third watch, he relayed this information before returing to his bedroll.
Kleone's watch was also interrupted by an unexpected sound, but this time it was the sound of crunching stones, reminiscent of booted feet on a path. It seemed to be coming from the mine entrance. Curious, but cautious, Kleone approached the mine, but could find no evidence of any recent footprints - and the sounds had ceased upon his approach. He returned to the camp area and shortly afterward woke Dhraangg for the final watch of the evening. She explained that both she and Tom before him heard things in the night, but did not offer details - she wanted the half-orc champion to not be predisposed to hearing anything specific since she and Tom had experienced different disturbances.
And Dhraangg's experience was indeed different. Halfway through his watch, he, too heard the low moaning, howling sound that Tom had heard. But Dhraanng's better night vision also allowed him to see some sort of apparition at the entrance to the mine. It appeared to be vaporous, reminiscent of early morning fog rising from dewy grass. But it was vaguely humanoid in shape, and it was moving about in a way that did not seem wind driven. Also, there was no dampness on the ground to give rise to any morning fog. The apparition glowed palely in the waning moonlight before disappearing into the mineshaft, and when it went, the moaning sounds stopped as well.
In the morning, the party all compared notes. They agreed there was definitely something in the mine, but did not rule out the possibility of magical illusion meant to scare off would-be trespassers.
They approached and entered the mine cautiously, with Tom's lantern and Kleone's Everburning Torch for light. As they reached the end of the short entrance tunnel and entered a larger antechamber of sorts, the silence was shattered with a loud and terrifying wail of pain and lament that echoed off the walls all around them. An unnatural fear gripped all but the bard as they heard words interspersed with the howling moans: "Vengeance!"... "Justice!"
Despite being gripped by the unnatural fear instilled by the spirit's lamentations, Dhraangg called upon the ghost - using the name of Owain Karolus, the 'missing partner' of Tancreedy - to show itself, and when it did so, he made a show of sheathing his greatsword. Gambit carefully returned the tool she had lifted to the pile where she found it, and the entire group faced the ghost, which was now manifesting partly embedded in one of the cavern walls. Dhraangg announced that they were there to rectify whatever wrong had been done, so the spirit could rest and the mine could be reopened. His words and manner were persuasive enough that the ghost did not attack, but rather spoke with the party.
"How would they help? What could they do?", the ghost wondered aloud. They asked the ghost for details of how it came to be, and what it needed for satisfaction. The ghost described how his partner had killed him with pickaxe blows from behind, and led them into the mine to see the skeletal remains. The party, with Dhraangg as spokesperson, promised to see to it that Tancreedy was brought to justice, and the profits of the mine turned over to Owain's family. They asked if they could bring the spirit's physical remains back with them as evidence, and the ghost agreed, asking only that they eventually be interred with the rest of his family."
After carefully gathering up the bones of Owain Karolus, the party returned to Stannilode. They confronted Dado Heywood, the Mining Cooperative agent in Stannilode. The halfling seemed more concerned about his future job status than any real justice; it was he, after all, that accepted Tancreedy's word rather casually and conducted the purchase of the mine from the murderer. But he agreed to help, turning over the paperwork from the sale. The party would head back to Karnstown to apprise the management of the Mining Cooperative - and perhaps the Karn himself - of the situation so that Tancreedy could be dealt with quickly. They would then return to continue pursuing their originial quest of finding out who was behind the cursing of the Karnstown well.
The session ended here.
Missions/Quests Completed
The party encountered the Vengeful Spirit of Owain Karolus, and learned what they must do to put the spirit to rest and allow the mine to be reopened. Now they have to see justice carried out.Rewards Gained
None yet.Characters Interacted With
The Ghost of Owain KarolusDado Heywood, Karnstown Mining Cooperative Agent in Stannilode.
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