Standing in the steadily increasing rain, the party checks over the bodies of the ogres. It is clear that they were attempting to destroy part of the dam, but their engineering knowledge was evidently not very high. Fyn is able to discern that they would have been more suited to attempting to demolish the dam at a weaker point. Doing so would cause this entire region to be flooded in the rising waters of the Storval Deep, sweeping away Turtleback Ferry and its residents without warning.
As they near the central structure, a skull-shaped building with skull motifs decorating the exterior, there is nothing but the silent rhythmic patter of the falling rain. The northern set of doors is damaged beyond repair and the combined might of Barnaby and Trace can’t break through it. Although the southern doors are intact, they are blocked by a wooden bar across the interior. Fyn and Trace decide to dimensionally step to the dangerous overhang to glance inside the structure through the pane-less windows. Hanging tightly to the thick, ropy vines growing along the walls, they enter a damp room that is saturated with this thick foliage. Thinking back at the Mayor’s words and taking in the architecture, Fyn realizes that this structure is vaguely reminiscent of ancient Thassilon.
The duo cautiously moves through the next door revealing another room with skull decor plastered over all of the surfaces. Most disturbing is a hastily scrawled bit of blood graffiti warning about “Wet Papa Grazuul”. Grazuul, of course, is the name of the Skulltaker’s leader, and this is his domain. Ignoring the warnings, Trace thinks it would be prudent to try and reunite with the others. For solidarity.
Krask keeps watch outside while Fobias gives the northern doors another shoulder. Unbeknownst to them, the party’s loud attempts at trying to enter the building were noticed by four disgusting trolls who are waiting on the other side. They begin to move to the southern door once they hear the party clamoring into the room and opens the door simultaneously with Krask. And thus begins the battle for Skull’s Crossing!
Immediately, two of the trolls bolt to the west. One of them crashes through the busted doors while the other begins to loop around to catch the party unawares from the rear. There is some congestion as Trace and Fobias block the doorway, leaving Krask and Fyn protected. Meanwhile, Barnaby goes invisible and ducks into the room to gain a better vantage point and setup a deadly blow to an unsuspecting troll. After a troll lashes out towards Fobias, he calls out that ‘This is the one!”
A pair of trolls goes down quickly, despite their attempts at biting and clawing at the party. Unfortunately for the group, their natural environment and innate restorative qualities slowly mend their wounds and they renew their attacks several turns later after Fyn and Richard are the only ones left in the main room. Fyn is no stranger to troll physiology, however, and quickly casts several acidic darts that cause the trolls’ skin to blister in painful boils. It also halts their regeneration, which is the more advantageous outcome. The conscious trolls are quickly returned to an unconscious state, except this time their slumber is eternal.
With the immediate threats taken care of, the party investigates the room and loots the trolls. Krask notices a crumpled piece of paper wedged in the straps of armor. Unraveling it, the parchment contains a crude rendition of Fobias’ face. This is deeply concerning to Fobias, and he begins searching around for any of the blue vials that the Bloodless Labours have left behind in previous encounters, but finds nothing. Throughout the room, bits and pieces of dismembered ogres are strewn about, the cause unclear. Fyn picks up the trace magical aura in a nearby room and the party heads over to investigate. Although Fyn’s perception skills aren’t that great, his insistence of a magical item are enough to help Krask locate a small cache of treasure hidden inside the wall. The loot contains a golden comb shaped like a behir, a cracked emerald, and a pair of Gloves of Swimming and Climbing, which Fyn hastily dons.
And with that, the final set of stone doors beckon. Trace and Fobias force them open, revealing a dark staircase that disappears down into the darkness.
What terrors await the party down in Grazuul’s hangout? What does Thassilon have to do with Skull’s Crossing? Will Grazuul like it when they call him Wet Papa?
Art credit: Don’t Wake Daddy is a copyright of Hasbro, although this mish-mash was created by one of my players.