They have a cave troll!

The only way onwards was through the iron doors at the end of corridor. Stepping through the party emerged on a huge chamber on two levels. Running down each side of the room were massive iron pipes, each fitted with large valves, also a bloody corpse marked the entrance. Of more immediate concern were the group of orcs which were milling around the place, but soon sprang in to action when the party entered the room. Scuttling around on the lower floor a group of fire beetles began moving menacing toward the heroes. The party split in to two groups Garig and Kalad headed off the fire beatles whilst the others tackled the orcs. Ben quickly put down several of the orcs in bursts of flame, whilst Grogar, Nalklyr and Melech tore in to a nearby Scout. Things appeared to be going well until a short humanoid wreathed in shadow seemed to materialise out of nowhere plunging a dagger into Nalklyr's flank. On the other side of the room the two remaining beetles sprayed fire on Kalad and Garig badly incinerating the warriors. However, this turned out to be a minor setback, Kalad tore in to the beetles with renewed gusto smashing the pairs to smouldering pieces whilst, Nalklyr and Melech struck telling blows on the dark one. Sensing it's predicament it tried to bolt for the doors, however one of Bens freezing rays soon stopped it in it's tracks and Melech quickly put the creature out of it's misery. The warriors soon mopped up the orc archers and the party paused to search the room. Kalad made straight for the valves explaining that it was necessary to open the valves in closing the nexus, this would allow scalding hot water through the pipes. The corpse on the floor was barely recognisable as Jen, a half elf warlock and member of the Farstriders. Clasped in her lifeless fingers was what Ben identified to be a sending stone - a specially enchanted item which would allow it's user to send a message to a similarly enchanted paired stone. Attuning himself to the stones magic Ben was able to sense the last message sent "Find Modra". The name didn't mean anything to anyone, although Ben thought it must be important as it was likely these words were Jen's last.



The only exit was a door which lead to a crossroads. The party decided to explore the corridor heading south. What greeted them was a scene of utter carnage. Dominating the room was a huge cave troll, covered in blood and gore. At it's feet was what remained of the Farstriders which the troll's orcish handlers were taking wicked delight in feeding to the foul beast. A large mural on the floor and alter at the far end of the room indicated this has once served as a place of worship to Moradin. Outraged Kalad sprung in to battle heading straight for the cave troll hacking any orcs down who were foolish enough to stand in his way. Melech also moved up to assist the enraged dwarf. The troll thundered toward the courageous duo and snatched Melech up off the ground in one of it's massive hands. Meanwhile Ben threw a fireburst at two of the orcs and in a flash charred remains lay on the stone floor. However, at the back of the room a pair of orc bombardiers launched cinderbombs at the heroes. The blasts were fierce and let Ban, Nalklyr and Grogar blackened but still on their feet. Grogar and Nalklyr decided to engage the incendiary throwing orcs before they had chance to launch any further bombs. Meanwhile the orc lifted Melech above his head - it was clear the beast intended to use Melech as an improvised weapon! In a moment of sheer desperation Melech launched a boot into the troll's ugly snout and with every ounce of strength managed to wriggle free of it's grasp.

Ben sensed an opportunity, he knew troll's had incredible powers of regeneration but fire or acid would negate this power. He decided to cast a powerful spell which summoned a globe of magical fire which he positioned behind the monster. Flames licked and sizzled the brutes putrid flesh and it howled in terror. Kalad and Melech seized the opportunity afforded by it's panic to land a series of devastating blows. Meanwhile, Grogar and Nalkylr put down the bombardiers.

Wracked with pain from the magical flames the troll flailed wildly but was easily dodged, and it was fitting that the fatal blow was struck by Kalad, severing the beast's head from its shoulders - Moradin's will perhaps?

With the battle ended the heroes went to inspect the remains of the Farstriders. Searching through their gear revealed a suit of magical chain armour and a enchanted belt. "Even though we did not see eye to eye, I feel the Farstriders would approve of us using their gear to avenge their deaths" remarked Garig.

"Quickly", yelled Kalad, "there is not much time, we must seal the Nexus".

The party headed to the far end of the corridor where they found some long abandoned sleeping quarters. Searching the areas were a couple of orc scouts. Fired up from the deaths of the farstriders the band charged in to battle quickly cutting down the orcs. Several, orcs presently appeared from the adjoining rooms but they too were cut down in righteous fury. Thinking the battle over the battle stowed their weapons ready to search the bodies, however such thoughts were pushed aside when they heard a faint groaning behind them. They turned to see Ben suspended in mid air. Above him attached to the ceiling clung some kind of chameleon type humanoid with one tentacled arm wrapped around the wizards neck. Unable to reach with his axe Garig pulled out a javelin and flung it at the strange creature. The missile aimed straight and true, however at the last moment the tentacled monstrosity pulled Ben in front of him using him as a human shield. Ben grunted as the javelin thudded in to him. Sensing the futility of attacking the creature whilst it had Ben in its tentacled grasp the party rushed toward the ensnared wizard and began attempting to tug the distressed mage free. With a great heave the group pulled Ben from the chokers grasp, however by the time they looked up again the creature had scurried off in to the darkness in search of easier prey.

Og

Having carefully negotiated the massive stone stairs the heroes arrived in a large cavern. Several forges had been built in to the walls one of which appeared to have been damaged which in turn had started a blazing fire. Oblivious to the party several orcs gathered round the badly tortured figure of a dwarf. Barely perceptible above the roar of the fire a brutish Orog - half orc, half ogre demanded "Dwarf scum open tunnel or Og feed you to fire!".



Taking advantage of the fact the orcs were distracted the heroes launched their attack. Ben launched a burst of fire which immediately incinerated a couple of the weaker orcs. Melech, Grogar and Garig charged in to the room attacking the nearest orcs whilst Nalkyr took an orc berserker in the throat with a crossbow bolt. Upon seeing the heroes burst into the room Og dropped the dwarf to the floor and eagerly ran to join the battle taking a massive swing at Grogar and Melech.

Meanwhile Garig was fending off a Shaman and berserker and a second berserker charged Nalklyr and Ben - it hit Nalklyr with a massive blow from it's greataxe badly wounding him. Reacting quickly to the danger Ben summoned a wave of Thunder blasting the creature backwards this was followed by a second spell which cascaded rays of ice freezing both the berserker and the shaman to the floor. The shaman managed to back away from Garig far enough to summon an animated hammer of force which blasted Grogar and Melech knocking them to the floor.

Seizing his advantage Og took another terrible sweep with massive sword hacking at Melech and Grogar as they scrambled on the floor. Meanwhile as Garig was trying to press the shaman, a berserker maneuvered behind him dealing a vicious blow which knocked him unconscious.

Melech realised the battle was beginning to slip away. He got back on his feet and shouted over to Garig "On your feet warrior" and looked on in relief as the big warrior began to stir. He realised the key to victory was to put down the orog hero quickly, "Friends our moment of victory is in our grasp, this savage beast cannot hope to stand against our might. For the Company of the Free!" With that he launched a savage attack on the monster and for the first time in his life Og was in a battle he was not sure he could win.

The rest of the heroes looked on in awe and with renewed determination. Garig swung his axe and dismembered the Shaman whilst the rest of the party rained blow after blow on the huge orog. Sensing his imminent demise Og decided that he would try to take as many of his assailants down with him. as he could. With a final sweep of his sword he swung desperately at Nalklyr, Grogar and Melech. The blow was fatal. The teifling warlord was caught in the throat and collapsed in a pool of blood.

With a rage borne of vengeance Grogar aimed a mighty blow at the Orog champion and his head sailed through the air into the flames as his headless corpse slumped to the ground. The last remaining berserker tried desperately to push Garig in to the flames, but in vain as Garig responded by cutting the unfortunate creature in to peices with his mighty axe.

The battle was over and it had taken it's toll on the heroes. Grogar determined that Melech was beyond any of the paladins healing and would need to be taken to a temple and the gods would have to decide whether his soul was fit to return to the mortal realm.



The group then moved to aid the badly beaten dwarf. Barely conscious and badly tortured by the orcs the dwarf explained that he was Kalad, paladin of Moradin and the only surviving member of the Order of the Sundered Chain. The Orcs had come up through the tunnels taking the dwarves by surprise killing most of them whilst they slept. Fortunately he had managed to collapse the tunnels, cutting off the rest of the orcs. However, there was still other tunnels under Bodrin's Watch which would have to be sealed. Without needing to be asked the heroes immediately volunteered for the task. Kalad went on to explain that there was a central point to the tunnel complex known as the Nexus. Although he had not been there for several decades he felt confident he could help the band find it and seal it off. The group decided to rest before heading back to Overlook.

When they returned to Overlook, the city was in panic. Several advance parties of Orcs had been spotted recently and the Farstriders who had been given the tasked of securing the tunnels below had not returned. Worse still scouts reported that the main host of the orc army was barely a day's march away.

Kalad took the party to the Stone Anvil, a mightly Cathedral to Moradin in the Stonehammer District. There they met with High Ancestor Durkik Bronzegilder, who offered to perform the Raise Dead ritual on Melech. Gratefully accepting his help the group then went organise horses and prepare for their trip to the Vents. After a restless nights sleep the party were awoken by Hih Ancester Durkik who was accompanied by Melech who has once again risen from the dead. Kalad looked at the Warlord and smiled. It seems Moradin still has plans for you my friend, it's good to have you back."

With no time to spare the party left Overlook and set out for the Vents. By the afternoon they had arrived. The Vents comprised a series of tunnels and fissures carved through the rock at the foot of the Thunder Peaks. The area reeked of sulphur and steam poured out of the openings, by the entrance 5 horses were tied by a covered campsite. "The Farstrider's horses" Ben surmised.

The journey through the vents was arduous and treacherous. Once inside the complex the tunnels multiplied and twisted in a variety of directions. Fortunately, Ben's experience of such formations was sufficient to guide the party through the safest route and Grogar and Garig were strong enough to climb and squeeze over and through the natural obstacles the encountered.

Finally the mazelike tunnels brought them in to a wide corridor. Judging by the smooth walls and fine construction it was of dwarven build. A number of orcs were stood around arguing between themselves although on seeing the party emerge from the tunnels the immediately ceased their row and drew their weapons. Nalkyr was first to act firing a bolt at an orc freak and taking it in the eye. Garig followed this up with a viscious axe blow which finished the creature off.

With little regard for it's comapanions, one of the orcs threw a cinderbomb in the centre of the room catching just about everyone in the explosion. Charred and smoldering Grogar headed to engage the bombardier before he could lob any more of the devices. Garig and Nalkyr then set about the remaining orc freak, whilst Ben, Kalad and Melech dealt with the orc Sergeant who was the leader of the group. Despite another explosion the orcs were clearly overmatched and it did not take the party long to vanquish their foes.

The party continued down the corridor when suddenly their was an audible "click". Grogar had stepped on a pressure plate. 4 enchanted, armoured crossbow turrets then came down from the ceiling and began to pepper the room with bolts. To make matters worse further down the corridor what could only be described a a walking crossbow flanked by 2 iron dogs began to advance.

The party decided their best tactic was to smash the turrets and divided in to teams to do this. Nalklyr decided to try to stop the Arbelestor and aimed a precise shot at the contraption. Unfortunately, this seemed to provoke the iron dogs into attack and they charged down the corridor at the drow. Luckily, Garig stood in their path and he was able to intercept on of them, dealing it a mighty blow. The following couple of minutes comprised furious hacking at the turrets whilst Nalkyr and Garig dealt with the dogs and Kalad smashed the arbelester, until finally all the enchanted devices had been destroyed. The group decided to take a short rest before opening the door at the end of the corridor, this gave everyone a chance to gather their thoughts, compose themselves and Grogar the opportunity to pluck several irksome crossbow bolts out of his thick dragon hide!