Gygax and Greyhawk Session #40 - Getting Down and Up

DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

Ranzel of the Wood (Human Ranger 5) 

Solcha (Elf Fighter 5 / Magic User 4) w/ henchman Usborn (Gnome Fighter 2/Illusionist 1)
Skeef Hawkridge (Half Elf Druid 5/ Thief 5) w/ henchman Caron (Half Elf  MU1)
Goro (Half Orc Cleric 4 / Fighter 5) w/ henchman Koreyth the Master (Human Fighter 1) 

Date/Time

Patchwall 15 (morning) - Patchwall 15 (mid-day)

Approaching the ruins once more, Skeef speaks to a little sparrow, pumping it for information on the spined devils and where they may have come from. The bird is a bit vague, unsure of the difference between the gargoyles and the devils, but it suggests the devils came from somewhere near the ruins, but not in the ruins. The bird was also unable to find any obvious holes in the ground when Skeef sent it on a recce flight around the hill.   

Heading into the ruins, the party briefly flirts with the idea of exploring the square keep, but instead opt to hit the cellars and the magically locked door. First they have to get past the two guardian statues at the top of the stairs, for the one they'd destroyed a week ago was now back on its base. Once more they destroy a statue (losing Skeef's new rat in the process) and climb over it's base. Proceeding deeper, they knock the dance macabre door, and descend a narrow and winding staircase fill of old orc skeletons. This ends in another door, which Goro has difficultly opening. And when he does, it opens into a crypt filled with undead, waiting at the door and crowding all the room behind. A few attempts at turning and outwitting proved fruitless, and rather than fight an undead Gotterdammerung, they decide to check the square keep after all.  

After first fighting another pair of guardian statues (and once more destroying one and sneaking over it's now unoccupied base) the party explores a reception hall overlooking by balconies above, as well as kitchen and dinning room. They find little of note, except a pair of crossed staves hanging over a large fireplace. They take a set of stairs up to the next level,  and check out the first room on the right. This appears to be a laboratory or alchemical workshop, but exploration is stymied by the 5 robbed figures scattered against the walls. These drift towards the party, who retreat into the corridor to take the undead menaces out one by one. While Goro is hit in the combat (and feels something very not right in his heart and belly), the 5 figures are dispatched, leaving the room now open for exploration ...

GAINS

none

KILLS/VICTORIES

5 Huecuva

LOSSES

none