Session 5 Recap - 30 Aug 2025

Principal Characters

• Moby – mallard thief
• Grim (Wolfshadow Durian Grimjaw) – wolfkin fighter
• Sorilea Stormhand – human elementalist mage
• Ariana Graycape – elf animist mage
• Arasin the All-knowing – elf scholar
• Munin “Sexy” Urd Stormhammer – dwarf artisan
• Golden Garmander Griffinclaw – human knight

Chapter 5: Into Bothild’s Lode

The party set out from Outskirt Village toward Bothild’s Lode, following Dranath’s advice. Legend says Bothild the Vile and Greedy once mined there, unearthing both treasures and nameless horrors.

Journey to Bothild’s Lode

• They lost their way twice: first blocked by rocks and fallen trees, which they climbed rather than build Munin’s proposed ladder; then through a mosquito-ridden swamp, saved from discomfort by their cloaks.
• They hunted and gathered along the way, conserving rations.
• At their first rest stop, a griffon attacked, though Grim slept through it.
• At their second, they met Sephyra, a storm-calling elementalist. Initially indifferent, she warmed to them, taught Sorilea the spell Whirlwind (for 4 gold), and safely guided them to the mines.

The Gates of Bothild’s Lode

• The mine entrance lay at the base of a cliff, guarded by goblins peering through narrow holes.
• Choosing the main gate, they found its ruined runes defaced with graffiti: White Death’s Triumph, Greed’s Price, Glittergrubber’s Folly.
• Inside, a sloping corridor bore deep wagon ruts. A portcullis hung half-open, with arrow slits above. Grim led the way, avoiding the arrow trap, and the rest followed.
• Munin dismantled the inner door, revealing Bothild’s Square: a vast cavern under a false night sky, dominated by a headless statue with axe raised. Fourteen goblins waited.

Mention of Grub, the goblin they had saved, persuaded the guards to let them pass to seek Maladuk, the orc chieftain.

Exploring the Flooded Tunnels

• The party waded through damp, musty passages adorned with dwarven carvings. To search for treasure, they tied a rope to Moby, sending him diving despite his poor swimming skills. He nearly drowned several times but surfaced with silver and gold coins.
• Eventually, they reached an arched gateway where a great chain plunged into the water. There, they encountered the blurred ghost of Bothild, bearing a mortal wound from the White Death. She promised treasure and a key fragment to Um-Durman if they slew the beast.

The White Death

• The White Death, a massive pale sea serpent with milky eyes and curved horns, ambushed Golden. Despite its terrifying roar, the party quickly brought it down with teamwork.
• Munin recovered Bothild’s Golden Axe from its belly. Arasin presented the serpent’s head to the ghost, who guided them deeper into the mine.

Bothild’s Tomb

• She led them to a half-submerged chamber marked by a carved dwarf holding axe and silver apple. A secret room lay beyond.
• Inside: a sarcophagus, trapped but safely disarmed, along with coins, tools, and two rune-inscribed stones:
  • Reditus sum (“I have returned”)
  • Ancora (“Anchor”)
• They also recovered another statuette piece for the Um-Durman key—but discovered it was a duplicate of the pedestal-and-feet piece they already had. One was genuine, one a fake—potentially useful for deceiving rivals.

Meeting Maladuk

• Pressing further, they found Maladuk and two orcs arguing by a rune-carved furnace stinking of charred flesh. At first hostile, Maladuk’s group attacked, but after one orc was slain, Grim persuaded Maladuk to talk.
• She revealed that orcs and goblins secretly rule the valley, striving to stop the followers of the demon Azrahel Koth from gathering the statuette pieces.
• They agreed to ally: messages could be exchanged via any orc or goblin, using the phrase “we have kissed Maladuk” to prove allegiance.
• Maladuk directed them to a nearby cave exit into the Kummer Mountains, sparing them further danger in the tunnels.