Fierce Fighting

The Vast

Having withdrawn to rest and recuperate the heroes now move in again expecting the enemy to have done the same.

At first things seem quiet enough and only an owlbear can be seen at the far end of the little valley. A shot from Rob's crossbow sends the beast scurrying back to it's lair again however.

Making the best of the calm the gang moves to release the goblins and kobolds who've been used as slaves by the other humanoids and the evil cultists.

Since the two tribes don't like each other they soon begin to squabble but are told by the adventurers to take their conflict somewhere else. Said and done.

With no reaction from the other inhabitants of the valley forthcoming a cautious exploration of the caves dug into the hills begins.

With these intrusions conflict becomes unavoidable and at first there are several clashes with bugbears who at one time manage to ambush Jaden who fights his way out, aided by Rob's missile fire.

Catching their breath and allowing for Gates and Rista to heal them they soon notice that all the action seems to come from the sides of the valley rather than the far end. Tasha the werewolf tells them that she's sniffed out what seems to be human presence at the caves on the furthest end.

After some deliberation the heroes decide to make sure their backs are clear before engaging the presumed human cultists and move into the side caves to clear them out one by one.

The fighting rolls back and forth in the gloomy tunnels but eventually one side of the U-shaped valley can be assumed to be secured after the orc chieftain of one tribe and his bodyguards make a last stand at the innermost chamber.

Brother Gates is in an unusually bellicose mood and sets out to cross the valley as quietly as possible, but fails miserably as he trips and tumbles down the slope, making an awful racket. The laughter of the others does little to make the attempt at stealth any more successful.

Supported by Said, Gates eventually reaches the opposing slope and manages to defeat and capture an orc lieutenant of the second tribe. The latter tricks Gates into an ambush by the orc's chieftain who's been lurking near the mouth of one of the tunnels. Although injured Gates soon retaliates and aided by Said the two orcs are soon vanquished.

Soon after the band receives the surrender of the orc whelps and women who are told to take a long hike far away by the conquering adventurers.

By now the magical resources of the band are close to exhausted.

Gates and Said withdraw back to the castle to meet up with Legolars who should be arriving from the elven festivals soon.

The others settle in to regain their strength and prepare for the attack on the last defenders of the valley.