Synopsis:

Session begins on morning of October 27.  The day is unseasonably warm with a warm breeze blowing from the SW.  The sky is still overcast but there is no rain.  Tarl’s party has departed for Achnasheen and Inverness.  Lord Ross and his retainers have arranged to join Kieren’s expedition.

Kieren and the other party members are gathering provisions and preparing for their trek to Killilan and then on to Loch Mullardoch.  At the Sea Foam Inn Kieren encounters Cameron Gunn, who has been looking for him.  Cameron wishes Kieren well in his quest and provides him with two items:  a map showing the location of Loch Mullardoch and a wood carving of the sidhe named Reither.  Cameron reminds Kieren that Reither is the one who took the Shard of Seeking from him many years ago.

Prior to the party's departure, Malcolm MacDonald (the prisoner that the party rescued from the necromancer's tower) speaks with Kieren about him staying behind in Achintee.  Malcolm indicates that he has no desire to return to the valley of the Dead or to encounter any faerie folk.  Malcolm does volunteer to  assist Kieren in his upcoming quest to the Isle of Skye by making sure that Rutlett's boat is properly outfitted and rigged for the sea voyage.  Kieren agrees to this, and Malcolm seeks out Rutlett to get his agreement on the matter.  Rutlett agrees to Malcolm's request and speaks with Neill, the boat builder, to inform him about Malcolm's assistance.

Kieren's party departs Achintee around 11 AM.  The party comprises Kieren, Liana, Lio, Rhyawdd and his henchman Cedric, Rutlett and his companions Mem, Homer, and Rolf, and Lord Ross and his retainers Joe and Baldric.  The trek to Killilan proves to be uneventful as the weather is decent and there are no encounters.  During the trip the party notes a large raven in a nearby tree, but they can't decide if it is an omen or not..  The party arrives in Killilan at dusk and takes lodging at the inn there.  They have a warm meal and a good nights sleep.

October 28, there is a chill in the air and a breeze blowing from the SW.  A light drizzle falls and a heavy fog shrouds the countryside.  The party has a hearty breakfast and departs Killilan around 9 AM.  Visibility is poor so the party's progress is slow as the proceed east along the Elchaig river valley.

Around lunch time the rear of the party is attacked by a pack of ghouls that spring from the surrounding fog.  The speed of the attack catches the party unawares and they are engaged in melee before they have a chance to react.  Lio, Rhyawdd, and Cedric exchange blows with the undead, while Joseph conjures a flaming sphere which he rolls toward 3 of the ghouls, injuring 2 of them and destroying the third.  Unfortunately, his sphere also singes Cedric and Rhyawdd, who are engaged in melee with the ghouls.  Liana casts 2 magic missiles at one of the nearby undead.  Rhyawdd is overcome with a wave of nausea and retching as he realizes to his horror that he is fighting  a ghast and not a ghoul.  Mem, the priest of Loki, draws forth his holy symbol and proceeds to drive off one of the ghouls.  As it backs away Cedric cleaves it in  two with his sword.  While this is going on Lord Ross and Cedric back away from the fighting and take up a defensive posture.  Kieren and the others are moving to help their companions when second group of ghouls charges into the party from the mists ahead.  Kieren is attacked and paralyzed before he can form the party into a defensive perimeter.  Homer is struck by a ghast and paralyzed.  Liana unleashes another volley of  magic missiles at the ghast that is attacking Rhyawdd.  There is a furious exchange of blows and several of the ghouls are destroyed.  Mem regroups and uses his holy symbol to drive off the second pack of ghouls.  He is successful, unfortunately two of the fleeing ghouls are dragging the paralyzed Kieren along with them.  The ghast that paralyzed Homer grabs the halfling and flees into the fog as well.  Rolf delivers a vicious slash to the fleeing ghast but is only able to wound it.  Rutlett sees Kieren being dragged off and charges into the fleeing ghouls and cleaves both of them with his axe.  Rhyawdd, Cedric, and Lio destroy the remaining ghouls.  Mem, Rolf, Rutlett and Joseph pursue the ghast that has taken Homer.  Joseph charges into the fog and has no success finding the ghast.  The dwarves are able to successfully track the wounded and burdened ghast.  As they round a rocky outcrop the ghast charges into their midst.  There is a brief exchange of blows before the ghast is dispatched.  The dwarves and Joseph find Homer nearby in a rocky clearing that appears to a be a temporary lair of sorts for the ghouls.  There appears to be coins and gems scattered about, presumably remnants from previous victims.  Mem tends to Homer who is shaken, and he does recover from the ghast paralysis.  Mem casts heals Homer's and Rutlett's wounds.

The dwarves and Joseph search the ghouls lair and discover a substantial treasure comprised of gems, coins, jewelry, and potions.

While the party regroups and Kieren uses the Shard of healing to heal Rhyawdd and himself .  The party continues travelling east toward Loch Mullardoch.  Around 1 PM the fog lifts and the party can see that they are travelling up a gradually sloping mountain valley.  They are following a trail along the river Elchaig.  As dusk approaches the party comes to a confluence of three valleys.  The river they are following continues along the main valley to the northeast.  A stream flows from a valley to the north.  The third valley slopes upward sharply to a mountain pass to the east.  The party decides to follow the river Elchaig to the northeast for another half hour before making camp.  They set up camp near the southern wall of the valley to afford them some cover.  Shortly after nightfall the party hears a set of hoofed feet approaching from the northeast.  Lio sneaks off to investigate and discovers a horse in the darkness.  He spooks the horse while trying to approach it and it runs off into the night.  The remainder of the evening is uneventful.

October 29.  The morning brings a chill as it is only 40 degrees.  There is little wind, a  low cloud ceiling, and there is a light drizzle that soaks everything.

The party breaks camp and proceeds northeast along the river Elchaig.  After less than 2 hours travel, they come to a small lake, which they mistake for Loch Mullardoch.  They proceed along the northern shore of the lake for less than 30 minutes before reaching the far end of the lake.  They continue through the mountain valley on to pass which gives way to a valley that sweeps northwards out of the mountains.  After an hours travel the party members become concerned that they are going the wrong way and should have reached Loch Mullardoch by now.  The party backtracks and takes a break for lunch within sight of the small lake they passed earlier in the morning.

While the party is resting, a large shadow passes over them in the clouds above.  The sound of large wings moving a great quantity of air can be heard overhead.  The shadow appears to be moving from  east to west.  Everyone in the party is apprehensive because they have heard Cameron Gunn's warning about the copper dragon in this area.  Kieren casts a levitate spell on himself  and then takes out his spell book and casts a rope trick spell for a quick escape if necessary.  Lio checks to make sure his warp marble is secure and gets out his Ioun stone in case he should need to seek refuge within the marble.

A few moments pass before a booming voice issues from clouds covering the mountain side to the west of the party.  "Who dares trespass in my domain?  Be yer intentions most foul or fair?"

Kieren replies that the party's intentions are honorable and that they seek a sidhe known as Reither on a matter of great urgency.

The voice replies "I know none by that name round here.  Now be gone or I shall gnaw on your bones for my supper!"

While this is going on Mem casts a detect evil and scans the mountain side to the west.  He detects nothing.

Kieren asks the visitor if he/she knows where Loch Mullardoch is located.

The voice bellows "What do ye think of me?  That I am a cartographer?  Be gone or prepare for the worst…"

The party decides upon a hasty retreat and flees south along the southern shore of the lake.  After 15 minutes they come upon the freshly killed carcass of a riding horse.  There are obvious signs that the horse was killed recently by a large reptilian creature whose body measures at least 50 feet!  There is no indication that the creature traveled overland to kill the horse implying that it either flew or swam to the horse.

The party continues south along the lake until they come to a split in the trail with one fork returning in the direction they came from this morning and the other forking heading due south.  The party follows the southern trail for an hour.  It goes through a mountain pass and descends into a valley that runs west to east.  There is a small stream flowing down through the valley to the east.  The party follows the stream for half an hour and comes to a large lake with a trail that skirts its northern shore line.  The trail appears well traveled by humanoids.  Following the trail for a mile, the party enters a conifer forest along the shores of the loch.  They proceed for a couple more miles and come to another trail that branches off to the north in the direction of the mountains.  There are giant-sized footprints going in both directions along the trail.  While the party is deciding a course of action they hear heavy footfalls approaching from the north.  Most of the party members scatter for cover in the nearby underbrush, but Kieren, Lio, Rhyawdd, and Liana remain visible on the trail.  Kieren casts levitate on himself.

Moments later a group of 3 Firbolg giants approach from the north.  The lead giant carries a large halberd in hand, while the others carry large sacks and have swords strapped to their backs.
"Oh-ho we have manlings in our midst.  Ye are a long way from yer homes.  What brings ye to our woods?"

Kieren speaks for the party and tells the giants that the party seeks a sidhe known as Reither.

The lead giant responds, "Reither?  Ha!  Ye cannot seek him.  But he will surely seek ye.  He is the warden of these woods and don’t deal kindly with manling visitors.  Your kind are not welcome in the glen."

The giant then appraises Liothien and says to him, "And ye fair one, ye are a long way from yer lands.  Why’re ye here with the others?"

Liothien comments that he has come along to watch out for his companions and see that they do no mischief in the woods.

Kieren tells the giants that he must speak with Reither on a matter of great urgency dealing with problems on the Isle of Skye

The lead giant scoffs,  "Fools,  Reither cares not for yer problems.  Take my advice.  Leave this place  an ye may yet live to see the 'morrow."

Kieren mentions to the giants that he spoke with the dragon about Reither.

The giants seem somewhat surprised at the news and the leader comments, "So ye ran in to old Furnius did ye?  Well ye must be great warriors indeed if the old Wyrm left ye be.  Perhaps ye may survive the night…"

The lead giant then asks "Ye haven't seen any cattle in yer travels along the Loch have ye?"

Kieren replies that he has not.

The giant scowls and says "Blast and damn, they must have wandered off agin.  Come on lads.  Let's find 'em afore night falls."

As the giants head off to the west the leader looks back and says "Mind ye, I would not go north to our village.  Some of me kin won't take kindly to ye showin up uninvited…  If ye are sure that ye won’t head home, then I wish ye luck."

The party reassembles and briefly discusses their course of action.  Kieren decides that the party should press on in its search for Reither.  Lord Ross grumbles about the hazards and suggests returning to Killilan.

The party travels a couple more miles along the loch before night begins to fall.  They stop to make camp along the tree-line near the shore of the loch.  Lord Ross instructs his retainers to prepare his food and lodging.  Joseph starts setting up his tent while Baldric looks for a place to build a campfire.

While this is going on Rutlett's group looks for a defensible position near the camp.  Rolf off-handedly mentions that they should build a palisade to keep the sidhe out.  Baldric overhears this while he is walking by to gather firewood and assumes that this is the plan and decides to help.  Baldric proceeds to cut down a 25 foot fir tree with several mighty blows of his axe.  Kieren and the others are discussing their plans for the evening when they are horrified to hear Baldric's tree-cutting activities.  By the time they reach Baldric he has felled the tree and is making ready to cut another.  Kieren stops him and soon learns that he is intending to build a palisade per the other dwarves instructions.  Kieren tells him to forget it,  to which he grumbles about everyone always telling him what to do.

While Kieren and the others examine the fallen tree, Baldric proceeds to a small stand of saplings and begins cutting them down with his axe.  Kieren is outraged and runs over to Baldric and demands to know what the hell he is doing.  Baldric responds that he is gathering wood for his cooking fire.  Kieren tells him to stop cutting down trees, which leads to more grumbling from the dwarf as he hauls away the newly cut wood to the camp.

Baldric cuts up the saplings and forms a pyre with the wood.  Rhyawdd walks over to the dwarf and comments that the green wood will never burn at which point Baldric produces a flask of oil from his pouch.  Baldric assures Rhyawdd that he is mistaken as he pours the oil over the wood pile and sets it alight with flint and steel.  A roaring fire erupts for the oiled wood followed shortly thereafter by an acrid cloud of black smoke.  Baldric proceeds to gather his cooking utensils to make ready for preparing dinner.

 Rhyawdd shakes his head in disgust and walks away from the conflagration.  He instructs Cedric to gather some dry fallen wood and build another fire well away from Baldric's inferno.

About an hour later Baldric serves up a mutton stew that is surprisingly tasty even though it has a smoky aroma and aftertaste.

Lio and Liana decide to stay clear of the party's camp and Baldric's smoky signal fire.  They find suitable shelter amidst some fir trees about 100 yards north the party's encampment.  Kieren and Lord Ross decide to put in early for the night while the others stay on watch around the campfires.

About 2 hours after nightfall, a heavy rain begins to fall on the party's camp.  Liana and Lio can hear the rain falling nearby, however it is dry and calm where they are.  Rhyawdd and Baldric attempt to keep the campfires burning but they begin to sputter and wane.

A wave of magical energy rolls across the encampment.  The party becomes aware of the magic and Rhyawdd calls out to Kieren to rouse him.  There is no response, so Rhyawdd goes over to Kieren's bedroll and checks it.  He finds that Kieren is not there and alerts the party.  Just then a second wave of magical energy sweeps over the camp.  Rhyawdd charges toward Rutlett and tries to attack him.  Joseph Kerr attacks Baldric and delivers a grievous wound with his sword.

Lio notes the quiet passage of someone nearby in the woods.

Map supplied by Cameron Gunn:

Map of party's journey:

Tactical Map of party's camp on Loch Mullardoch:

Experience point awards and character status:

Liana Ashwood - Fighter/M-U
Total EP’s               1468
Spell point total:       32 / 32
Hit point total:          38 / 38

Kieren Urquhart – Ranger
Total EP’s               1343
Spell point total:       4  / 12
Hit point total:         40 / 40

Rhyawdd MacPherson – Rogue
Total EP’s              1068
Hit  point total:        66 / 66

Liothien Snowhawk – Fighter
Total EP’s              1068
Hit point total:         75 / 75

Joseph Kerr – Mage
Total EP’s               1468
Hit Point total:         33 / 33
Spell point total:      24  / 24

Rutlett Trollcrusher – Fighter
Total EP’s              1068
Hit Point total:        63 / 63

Mem Hammerworker - Priest of Loki
Total EP’s              1318
Spell point total:      13 / 13
Hit point total:          29 / 29

Homer Goodmead - Rogue
Total EP’s               868
Hit Point total:         10/10

Rolf Trollsbane - Fighter
Total EP’s               868
Hit Point total:         30/30

Cedric - Fighter
Total EP’s              868
Hit Point total:        46/46

Treasure:

  75 gp, 25 pp,  Amber-Lio, Azurite-Rhyawdd , Jasper-Liana, Pearl- Kieren, Sardonyx & goblet- Rutlett
Characters with Potions from the ghoul’s treasure hoard:
Liana, Liothien, Cedric, Mem, Joe, Rutlett, Homer