The Party
- Gilbert Fezziwig (Gnome Artificer) – Mark M.
- Maran Maraka (Half-Elf Bard) – Mark C.
- Nihl (Dragonborn Monk) – Kasey
- Rosetta Stone (Human Cleric) – NPC
- Villitch Von Velckha (Aasimar Paladin) – Ross
- Zabrina (Tiefling Warlock) – Natasha
The Fortress – Part I
February 25, 2023
The party emerged from Elfland into a gathering dusk that appeared to be only a day after they left, according to the moons overhead. They were in the rough, lightly wooded foothills of the Handera Mountains with what looked like a watchtower or keep nearby.
Heading for the structure, the adventurers came into conflict with a group of Orcs who seemed to be working for the wizard Garisul, their quarry. As they approached the tower, the heroes saw a large army camped between them and it. This army appeared ready to march at any moment, and a Hill Giant was spotted among the three hundred or so orcs.
As night fell, the party spent hours circumnavigating the army to approach the keep from the far side, where it looked out over a ravine. A cave in the rockface allowed access to the dungeons of the keep, once a caged Gibbering Mouther placed in their way was barbecued to death.
The dungeons showed signs of a much larger-scale version of the black magic process for turning men into orcs that the party had seen under Neyata’s control. All signs showed that the place had been in heavy use until very recently, building the army outside.
Moving past a Flesh Golem sentry blocking access to the keep aboveground, the heroes found a small group of orcs and their Orog leader assembled and waiting for something. As combat broke out, the Orog ran upstairs, presumably to warn Garisul in the tower above.