Session 37 - Scene 5 (of 9)

The argument temporarily comes to a halt when Scrag walks into the temple, having felt good enough to leave the sanitarium.  He immediately notices Larrak and Silas are not among the group, and that a strange man is there with them.

After greeting everyone, Scrag asks Challa off to the side about the strange man.  She explains who Sa'lid is.  She further explains about the deaths of Silas and Larrak.  Tiberius, overhearing the conversation, notes that Larrak is only "missing", forcing Challa and Leigh to explain the situation with the zombie hordes that led to Larrak's disappearance in the river.

With that out of the way, the conversation turns back to Snarg.  Krolec wonders how they can correct Snarg's behavior and Tiberius suggests corporal punishment.  Krolec lets it be known that he prefers banishment, dismemberment, or even death for a single foul-up, but the others feel that is a bit harsh.

Tiberius once again says they need to be more lenient and willing to do more to "save Snarg's soul" and help him "be the best he can be".

Challa isn't convinced.  A new round of arguments emerges and continues for the next two hours.

Krolec dislikes some of the recent activities of the group (particularly the various crimes committed whenever he wasn't around) and wants the group to refocus its effort to be a bright light for the community and avoid lawlessness.

Leigh expresses her willingness to "bend" the law more than Krolec, but doesn't want Snarg constantly committing petty theft, either.

Durmindin is concerned about corruption, but is ambivalent towards the law of man themselves.  He feels a kinship with Snarg, as they are fellow outsiders.

Tiberius sees the "law of nature" as being the greater law, in the sense of taking the path of least resistance, where it is often necessary to commit lesser bad acts for the greater good.  Krolec and Challa are quick to point out that nature is often a destructive, rather than beneficial, force.

Sa'lid believes in a concept of good being only the absence of evil, and is more concerned with his own personal advancement than any benefit for the community; an attitude Krolec does not necessarily appreciate.

The argument as a whole quickly abandons the specifics of Snarg and takes on a greater meaning about how flexible the group's attitudes towards the law are.

The argument puts Tiberius, Durmindin, Sa'lid, and Scrag firmly on one side, with Challa and Krolec on the other and Leigh somewhere in the middle (though leaning towards Krolec and Challa).  However, even Krolec is forced to admit that being a member in the group requires some compromise of personal sensitivies as well as personal ambitions.

In the end, Challa sees that the issue with the goblin simply forced her to see that being in the group was forcing her to compromise her personal sense of honor and that she can no longer continue to associate herself with them as she will accept no further compromises while the rest of the group can.  She even decides if she were to find out about any future illegal activities, she would have to turn the group in to the authorities; something she does not want to do.

Challa gives a tearful goodbye, lamenting the loss of her long friendship with Tiberius and how they find themselves on different paths.  Krolec regrets the decision, but understands.  And as she leaves, Scrag commends her on her skill as a warrior.

Session 37 - Scene 6 (of 9)

Wanting to move on to something more productive, Krolec asks Leigh about the note the group was left by Honoria Mellnor.  He recognizes the last line of the note, "Remember always, the king of the skies looks west out over his sacred charges", is some kind of code, but he can't decipher its meaning.

Tiberius, having not seen the note before either, takes a look as well.  He states the obvious next move would be to go and talk to the woman.

Krolec and Leigh head over to Honoria's studio while Sa'lid, Tiberius, and Durmindin head to the inn to grab Snarg, believing his thievery skills may be required.  Scrag elects to grab a few drinks before heading over.

When the ranger and the wizard arrive, they find Honoria's gallery closed.  Since the gallery should be open at this time of day, they decide it being closed is suspicious.

Mindful of his new resolution not to break any laws, Krolec examines the outside to get a better look.  He can see through one of the windows that the gallery is in a state of disarray as if some sort of struggle occurred.

Krolec and Leigh both come to the conclusion that a lawful "welfare check" is in order.  Curiously, Krolec finds the door unlocked.  Readying his bow, Krolec carefully steps inside, with Leigh following him closely.

The gallery has clearly been rummaged through by intruders.  The furniture has been moved around and all the paintings are on the floor, except for the Ruddiger family portrait, which is missing.  Only two medium-sized statues at the back of the gallery, one of a dragon and one of a knight, have not been disturbed – likely because of their heavy weight.  Given the amount of dust lying about, it's clear no one has entered the gallery for a few weeks.

Seeing the dragon statue, Krolec believes he understands the clue.  The statue is facing east.  He heads over and examines it – the dragon appears to be able to be rotated along its base.  The ranger moves the statue to face the dragon west, and a secret door opens in the base of the statue, revealing a large hidden compartment.

Inside the compartment is a painting and a note.  The note simply says, "Matilda Anne Ruddiger" – this strikes a note of recognition in Leigh.  And when they pull out the painting, they see that a young woman, likely the sister of the current Lord Ruddiger, has been restored.

Leigh recognizes the woman and puts the pieces together.  The diary in the tower of wailing was signed by "M.A.R."; the woman in the painting, Ruddiger's sister, is Scrag's mother!

Session 37 - Scene 7 (of 9)

Krolec and Leigh put the painting and note back into the pedestal and close the compartment.  Leigh also includes a note of her own to Honoria, telling her they've discovered it in case she comes back.

They decide the next move is to try and locate Honoria's home.  They start by talking to Krolec's sister Jantor, as she is also a local artisan.  Jantor regrets, however, that she doesn't know where Honoria lives, though she does note that the artist has not been seen in weeks.  Krolec realizes that is not a good sign.

Next, Krolec decides to talk to the town guard.  He finds a local officer, Sgt. Duane.  To Krolec's dismay, the sergeant is rather lazy and disinterested, but does ultimately suggest checking the land registry office.  Krolec notes they'll be sure to let his superiors know how "helpful" he's been to them.

Eventually, they manage to get the address of Honoria Mellnor's home.  On the way over, they stop off to make sure that the gallery gets locked up, not trusting Sgt. Duane to get around to it.

They also decide to stop and find Scrag at the bar first.  After some debate, Leigh eventually decides to tell Scrag the whole story.  While expecting Scrag to have a more emotional reaction, they are surprised to find he seems largely more concerned with the issue of his potential peerage.

At this point, Tiberius, Sa'lid, Snarg, and Durmindin regroup with the others as well.  Sa'lid helps ensure Snarg won't steal anything by telling him a lie that everything in Honoria's home is cursed.

When they come to Honoria's home, they find it to be a narrow, two-story home.  They circle around to take a look, and Krolec spots the back door has been forced open somewhat recently.

Scrag immediately heads in.  Krolec leads the others behind him.  The door opens to a kitchen.  Scrag spots a large chopping knife on the floor.  There is also a fair bit of blood spatter in the room, though none on the knife.  Krolec deduces it is a couple of weeks old at least.

The group carefully clears every room in the house, making sure no one is there.  The last room checked is the root cellar, where Krolec spots some recently-disturbed earth in the dirt floor.

Spotting a shovel nearby, Scrag starts digging it up.  He quickly finds the shallow grave of Honoria Mellnor; her throat has been slit.  Krolec notes the decomposition of the body is consistent with the murder happening a couple of weeks ago.

Leigh notes the best thing to do would be to use a speak with the dead ritual to see if they can gain any information from her.  They wrap her remains up in a blanket for transport.

Session 37 - Scene 8 (of 9)

The group first takes the body to Grundelmar, but the dwarf quickly explains that such powers are beyond his ability.  He suggests that their best bet is to check with the servants of the Raven Queen.

At the Abbey of the Raven Queen, the group is let in and granted audience with the abbott, Father William.

Father William explains they will need to nominate one of their group to ask questions as well as provide 360 gold for an honorarium.  Scrag agrees to front the money as Krolec explains her estate will likely repay them, though he secretly wonders about the process involved in the local probate court.

Unfortunately, once the ritual begins, it is clear that Honoria's spiritual connection is weak.  Leigh only has the chance to ask one question.  Thinking carefully, she gets the spirit to describe what happened since they left her with the painting.

The spirit quickly explains how she restored the painting but was being watched.  After hiding the painting and sending the note, Ruddiger's men came and tortured her to get her to give it to them.  She refused, and they cut her throat.

Father William laments the spirit could not be more helpful as Leigh wonders if Honoria would want to be raised from the dead or not.  Ultimately, they decide to have her put to rest.  

Krolec is at least happy they have evidence against Ruddiger.  He has Father William come with them to Moonstone Keep as a witness.

Session 37 - Scene 9 (of 9)

When the group arrives at Moonstone Keep, they find that Lord Markelhay and the other lords of the city are still in conference.  Except, of course, for Lord Ruddiger, who is still lying low after losing all his allies.

Instead, Lt. Gerdrand meets with the group.  Krolec quickly explains the situation (except for the part about Scrag), and a sworn statement is collected from Father William.  Lt. Gerdrand invites them along to help execute the arrest warrant, noting his hope that it goes better than the time they attempted to arrest Salazar.

Along the way to Ruddiger Manor, Scrag questions Gerdrand about Ruddiger's family.  Ruddiger has no sons, only three daughters who are all married and live far away.  Scrag evades Gerdrand's question about the reason for his inquiry.

Arriving at the manor, the group finds it guarded by several of Ruddiger's soldiers.  A tense discussion occurs, as the group wishes to avoid violence but the soldiers seem to refuse to step aside.

Just as a confrontation seems inevitable, the doors burst open with Ruddiger emerging, demanding to know the meaning of their intrusion.  Seeing Scrag, he demands the "half breed" leave his home.  Scrag responds by revealing that he knows he is Ruddiger's nephew.

Ruddiger, enraged, attacks at Scrag, challenging him to a duel.  The group and Ruddiger's soldiers all ready their weapons, each making sure the other doesn't interfere.

Scrag immediately transforms into his panther form and tears into Ruddiger, causing him to bleed heavily.  A second attack leaves Ruddiger quite weakened.

For his part, the evil lord misses with his sword, but does manage to blast Scrag with a burst of needles that emerge from his magical shield.

The battle doesn't last long.  Ruddiger manages to get in one glancing flesh wound to Scrag before the half-orc uses his mighty axe to cleave the lord's head from his body.

With the battle over, the soldiers quickly back down and leave.

A couple of days later, Lt. Gerdrand informs Scrag that Ruddiger's wife, Lady Cheslie Ruddiger, has left to go live with one of her daughters.  Although Scrag is ineligible to get the title of "lord", Markelhay has identified him as the rightful heir to Ruddiger Manor.  Scrag is delighted as he heads off to inspect his new estate.

Session 37 - Session Notes

This session was certainly a case of it taking a long time to not get very far.  A good half to two-thirds of the session time was dominated by the rather dull, circular arguments in-character about Challa's morality.

Frankly, this is the kind of "method acting" of RPGs that I dislike - coming up with a rigid character concept and refusing to be flexible enough to have them be able to coexist within the group.  And worse, she kept waffling out of character about whether or not she could continue playing the character (technically, she never did decide officially - I have yet to hear if she has a new character or not).

When she started off at the beginning of the session, I groaned internally.  Then it got interesting for a few minutes.  Then it got really repetitive.

The summation for this session is actually heavily edited - my original notes of around 8 pages of discussion got condensed into the couple of scenes.

Other than that, we did manage to get through some interesting things this session:

* Scrag finally got to return after the player finally got his driver's license.  It was a case of serendipity that it happened to fall around the time of the Honoria Mellnor investigation.  It also finally resolves the mystery around the painting and Scrag's parentage.

* I always planned for a duel finale for Ruddiger.  It was just a matter of prompting the players to make an appropriate comment.

* With Lord Ruddiger out of the way, the city is free from the influence of the lords who disliked the PCs, ending that chapter.  Note that Reiner is still on the loose with his attempted coup plot.  I'm trying to wind down the more mundane human adversaries as we near the end of the heroic tier, so we can move on to more fantastical opponents.

* I created a whole set of floorplans and notes for Scrag's new estate.  The general idea is that it can be used as a base of operations for the group.

Next up - the sewers still need cleaned, Reiner is on the loose, there's the mystery of the docks, the result of the big lord's conference, and the mysterious man in the purple cloak will become more prominent.

Session 37 - Special Epilogue

Some ways away, in the forgotten chamber, the lone, dark figure stands before the pool of water, staring at the curtain separating the chamber beyond.

Behind the curtain whispers a high, scratchy voice. "I warned you what would happen."

The man responds back, "That you did, indeed. The painting was a nice touch; I did not anticipate that move."

The voice behind the curtain continues, "You had some surprises of your own. I was surprised you sacrificed the sorcerer so quickly."

The man answers, "It was the only way to move things forward. A blood sacrifice was needed. Besides, he was getting too close."

The voice behind the curtains grows more agitated. "It won't help you. They are already closing in on him."

The man casts a grim smile and says, "It will be too late. Nothing can stop the Usher now."

The voice responds calmly, "We shall see." From behind the curtain, a large, metallic clawed hand reaches out, pointing towards the stairs. "Leave now."

Session 38 - Cast of Characters

Scrag Graveborn - Half-Orc Warden
Krolec Jar'Bin - Elven Ranger
Leigh - Eladrin Wizard
Sa'lid Dra'lah - Human Sorcerer
Durmindin - Wilden Shaman

and introducing:
Sage - Longtooth Shifter Cleric

Session 38 - Scene 1 (of 7)

A cold winter wind blows as a blizzard descends upon the city. The next couple of days are spent under its siege, with the group deciding to move into Ruddiger Manor at Scrag's invitation. All that is, except for Leigh, who desires to keep her own quarters so she can be assured of a quiet place to study and meditate.

Three days later, the blizzard begins to ebb in strength, though the snowfall is still heavy and the windy still blow with icy cold. At the west gate of the city, the guards are shocked as they spot a lone figure hidden by a thick cloak emerging from the wintery expanse.

Session 38 - Scene 2 (of 7)

Scrag has spent the last couple of days touring Ruddiger Manor as he gets a feel for his new home. While checking out one of the galleries, his butler, Smithens, approaches. Smithens explains that a man from the town guard is at the door and wishes to speak with him.

Heading downstairs, Krolec finds a city guard sergeant standing in the vestibule. The man introduces himself as Sgt. Trotter, and explains that someone has arrived at the west gate of town – a sole survivor of a group from Winterhaven. Lt. Gerdrand believed the group should meet with her.

Scrag thanks the sergeant and assembles the others. They all agree to head out and meet the survivor, stopping by Leigh's home along the way to get her.  Durmindin uses his hat of disguise to make himself human before they arrive, believing it will inspire more trust with the person they are meeting.

When they arrive at the west gate, they find the survivor inside the guard house, warming up by a fire. Krolec can tell she is a priestess of Mellora.

Krolec greets the priestess. She explains she is the sole survivor of a group of priests coming from Winterhaven. They undertook the difficult journey to Fallcrest many days ago after discovering increasing activity amongst death cults in the area. They have also heard rumors of a necromancer in the area, said to be named Bragosani. They were coming to this city because of the tales of the heroes of Fallcrest they heard, and hoped they could recruit the heroes to their cause.

Durmindin immediately takes note of the priestess' mention of the necromancer.  He wonders if it could be the same necromancer that Tiberius has mentioned in the past. After all, that necromancer's ally, a doppelganger named Arlo, is also suspected of being in the Fallcrest area.

Scrag asks the priestess about her companions. She explains she originally had four others with her, but they came under attack by forces of goblins and kobolds working together to ambush travelers on the road to Fallcrest. Then, the blizzard came through and finished off the remaining members.

Durmindin immediately pledges their willingness to help, though his tendency to speak in the first person plural makes it difficult for the rest of the group to tell if he is speaking for all of them, or just himself.

The shaman is interested in the priest's race, as she is clearly not fully human. She explains to them that she is a longtooth shifter – a race of humans with a slight taint of werewolf blood. She goes on to explain that her clan is nomadic in nature, though tends to live in the areas around Winterhaven.

Appreciating the woman's honesty, Durmindin explains he is not as human as he seems, either. He removes the hat of disguise, revealing his true form.

The priestess then formally introduces herself to the group as "Sage". Krolec responds in kind, and then introduces her to the rest of the group. He then suggests before they go into any more details about her situation, they remove themselves to a more private venue. Scrag offers the use of his mansion, as he intends the group to use it as their new base of operations.

Session 38 - Scene 3 (of 7)

Back at the mansion, Smithens hands out hot cocoa and buns while everyone sits in the parlor and discusses the situation in Winterhaven.

Sage once again goes over the few details she knows - at least several citizens in Winterhaven have been discovered to be involved in death cult activity in recent weeks, confirming one or more cells are active in the area. Furthermore, the priestess of Pelor, Marla, had sources reporting to her rumors of the necromancer Bragosani, though there are no confirmed sightings.

Scrag wonders if the necromancer may be the man in the purple cloak, as he was the one who stole the shard of the dark crystal inside the Tombwoods.

Krolec agrees it is a distinct possibility. He briefly explains to Scrag and Sage about the hut of skulls and other subterranean activities of the man that he discovered when he ventured into the Devil's Attic.

Unfortunately, Krolec notes, they won't be able to find out about it until after the spring thaw. He does note they could attempt to find a way there through the underdark, though Sage clearly states her preference for going through the snow than trying to make it through the underdark.

Scrag tells Sage she is free to stay at Ruddiger Manor through the winter, explaining to Sage about his recent inheritance. She graciously accepts his offer.

With nothing else to do at the moment, Leigh decides to head back home. Krolec and Sa'lid decide to look around town for anything that needs doing while the rest of the group elects to stay in the warm manor house.

Session 38 - Scene 4 (of 7)

It doesn't take long before Krolec finds a chatty city guardsman. The guard explains the most activity as of late has been the discovery of a murder down by the docks.

Krolec is intrigued and asks for more information. Apparently, a carriage driver named Vargas was found with his throat slashed and a dead rat stuffed in his mouth.

The guard explains the rat in the mouth usually signifies an informant being murdered, but they have no record of Vargas ever assisting them. The guard does note there has been a lot of burglary activity in the dock area lately, so perhaps it is related.

Krolec is sure to get the name of the person investigating the murder and thanks the guard. He and Sa'lid then head by Leigh's house and once again interrupt her studies to inform her of the situation and bring her back with them to Ruddiger Manor. Sage in particular is in need of some rest to recover her strength.

Once everyone is assembled, Krolec details the information to everyone. Leigh, Scrag, and Durmindin all recognize the murdered carriage driver, Vargas, as being one of the thieves employed by Schlomo's crime syndicate.

Krolec starts to put the pieces together – Vargas being a burglar and burglaries taking place down by the docks. He wonders what Schlomo is up to, and suggests they confront him. Krolec still feels bad about the situation that happened with Vanka assisting Schlomo in the crime spree and sees this as a way to make amends.

Scrag notes that the group made a deal with Schlomo to stay out of his affairs in exchange for the information about Slippery Pete. But Krolec dismisses it, stating the group is not the same group and he feels no need to honor the previous arrangement. Krolec also notes his intentions to bring Schlomo and his organization to justice, even if it means some members of the group may have to face justice for what they did in assisting the crime spree.

Before heading out, they decide to wake Sage and tell her what they are doing. She offers to assist the group with their endeavors as a way to pay them back for the help they will give to Winterhaven.

Session 38 - Scene 5 (of 7)

The group begins by heading to the office of the investigator looking into the murder, Inspector Hawksworth.

Hawksworth greets Krolec and explains there has been little progress on the murder and he welcomes their help. Apparently his resources have been stretched thin lately because of several raids on criminal operations ordered by the new Chief Justiciar of the city.

When Krolec expresses interest, Hawksworth explains that the new Chief Justiciar is a friend of theirs, named Challa. He goes on to tell how Challa convinced Lord Markelhay to put her into the position a couple of days ago and since taking over, she has ordered raids on multiple criminal enterprises – including a well-known flophouse and a transportation company acting as a front for a burglary ring.

No one is very surprised to hear about Challa's new position, or about her speed at taking down the criminal operations in the city she was aware of; apparently, she has found a renewed purpose in ensuring law and order in the city.

Hawksworth himself has been directing the investigations taking place into the docks. The burglaries have largely been unreported, as the inspector believes they involved contraband in most cases. The only thing out of the ordinary they have noted lately is the large influx of wharf rats.

Leigh finds the influx of wharf rats to be strange. She notes to herself there are only two logical reasons for an influx of rats – either an excess of food around the docks area, or someone is bringing the rats into the area for some reason.

She questions the inspector about food on the docks. As she suspected, he explains food is rather limited at the docks during winter as all the autumn grain shipments from the Harkenwold area have already been processed many weeks ago.

The inspector has no real information about the rats as he hasn't considered them to be related to the case up to this point. He has been more concerned with the murder and a few reports of a couple of missing persons from the dock area, including a night watchman, an old man who rented boats there, and a couple of the regular dock workers.

Sage notes that the man found murdered had a rat stuffed in his mouth, and wonders if he has something to do with the rats being in the area; she speculates perhaps he is responsible for the influx of rats. But Krolec and Leigh aren't so sure as they knew Vargas to be a burglar and a carriage driver,
but nothing to do with rats or boats. Sage admits it is just a wild theory.

Sa'lid asks the inspector for more information about the condition of Vargas' body. Hawksworth makes it clear Vargas was killed by men and not rats – he was found bound, gagged, and the heavy bruising on the body suggested he had been worked over by at least a couple of men before his throat was slit.

The only other piece of information the inspector can provide is that Vargas worked for the Schulman Transportation Company – the same business Justiciar Challa had shut down just the other day.

Krolec suggests the group start by looking at the docks. He believes the evidence points to the possibility of a smuggler's war between different factions.

The inspector agrees it is a possibility – Justiciar Challa did order the arrest of two men down by the docks for smuggling activity. One of them is in custody. The other, a man named Slippery Pete, is apparently lying low at the moment and remains at large.

Session 38 - Scene 6 (of 7)

The group finally arrives at the docks area a couple hours before dark. Krolec looks around carefully, and spots an area of rat tracks leading in and out of one of the large sewer drains on the bank of the river.

Krolec and Scrag notice the tracks are not, however, those of ordinary wharf rats. These are dire rat tracks.

Something also clicks on in the back of Krolec's mind. He remembers just before his incident with the crocodile, he smelled a large rat nest in the sewers.

Finding a nearby guardsman, Krolec relays a message back to Inspector Hawksworth. He then informs the group the nest is in the sewers, but it will be risky to head in until the next morning as the dire rats are nocturnal.

In the meantime, they will stand guard and eliminate any of the dire rats that emerge. He has a couple of fire pits put in place to provide the group with heat and light for the night as they wait. Sage takes the time to start preparing her ritual components for removing disease, as she knows dire rats are often carriers of the dreaded filth fever.

As the sun sets and the snowy winds blow, a pair of dire rats emerge from the drain. Everyone but Durmindin immediately spots them.

Thinking quickly, Leigh lets loose a fire burst, hitting them both. The rats respond by charging up the hill at her, but she fends them off.

Krolec steps back and readies his bow as Scrag runs over and cuts into one of the creatures with his strength of stone.

Sage attempts to use an astral seal on the rats, but fails. Sa'lid likewise fails with his arcing fire spell.

Krolec has better luck as he fires off two arrows at the rats, hitting once.  Leigh follows up the attack by letting loose a magic missile blast.

Session 38 - Scene 7 (of 7)

Another rat emerges from the sewers, this time heading towards Sage. The rats fail to penetrate either Sage or Scrag's defenses. Scrag counters with his strength of stone, cutting into a rat. Sage, however, misses with her recovery strike.

Durmindin then moves into position to assist, blasting one of the rats on Scrag with his wrath of winter. Sa'lid follows up with a hit from his energy strobe.

On the other side of the warden, Leigh steps back and blasts the rat again with her magic missile. Krolec also scores a hit on it with one of his arrows.

Five more rats pour from the sewer opening. They swarm on Durmindin, Sa'lid, Sage, and Scrag. Durmindin, Sage, and Scrag all suffer bites from their razor-sharp teeth.

Scrag fights back using his thorn burst to injure a couple of the rats. Sage then uses her hymn of resurgence prayer to weaken several of them.

Durmindin fails to hit the rats with his wrath of winter, but the rest of the group has better luck. Krolec is able to strike into one of them with his adaptive assault while Sa'lid blasts two of them with his rimestorm spell and Leigh hits four with a fireball.

It is not, however, enough to kill the rats off. They fight back, biting into Scrag, Sage, and Sa'lid.

Enraged, Scrag fights back with a thunder ram assault, caving in the head of one of the rats and knocking back two others. Sage follows it up with a beacon of hope that weakens five of the remaining rats.

Once again, Durmindin misses with his wrath of winter attack as Krolec finds his mark with his; in this case, a boar assault strike. Sa'lid likewise blasts one of the rats with his swirling stars and Leigh knocks back three of the rats with her shock sphere.

The rats persevere and renew their attacks. They bite into Scrag, Sage, and Durmindin again.

Scrag uses his earthgrasp strike to crush one of the rats into a pile of red pulp as Sage strikes another of the rats with her healing strike.

Undeterred by his past failures, Durmindin attempts to attack the rats again, this time using his spirit companion to make a thunder bear's warning attack. However, the result is the same – he fails to injure the creatures. Sa'lid has no better luck, missing with his energy strobe. Krolec and Leigh, however, find their marks with their arrow and magic missile attacks, respectively.

Another round of attacks leaves Scrag with another wound and Sage badly bitten.  Feeling he waited too long to use it, Scrag transforms into his panther form, heads over to protect sage, and lashes into one of the rats.

Sage decides to take a moment and heal herself then attacks with another healing strike.

Durmindin finally hits with his wrath of winter blast. Krolec's shadow wasp strike attacks scores a hit on one of the rats as well. He then follows it up with an evasive strike, turning one of the rats into a kabob.

Sa'lid tries to call on his magic to issue a deadly attack with his moon and the stars spell, but fails. Leigh has better luck using her burning hands, killing one of the rats and injuring another.

The rats continue to bite at Durmindin and Scrag, drawing blood on both of them. Scrag tries to counter with his thunder step attack, but misses.

As the rats avoid Durmindin's protecting strike, they are hit by Sage's recovering strike.

Krolec fires off another couple of arrows, hitting one of the rats twice.  Sa'lid manages to injure two of the others with his blazing starfall spell.  Scrag finishes one of them off with his strength of stone.

Leigh then lets loose a scorching burst, killing another. The remaining rats attack Scrag and Durmindin, but fail to penetrate their armor.

Scrag lashes back with another hit of his axe as Sage heals his wounds.

Durmindin's spirit companion strikes into one of the rats with a protecting strike. Krolec follows it up with another couple of arrow shots, killing the creature.

Sa'lid's energy strobe misses its mark as Leigh's magic missile hits its target. The rat lashes out at Durmindin, but he avoids its strike. Scrag chops the remaining rat in half with his axe, ending the battle.

With the battle over, Krolec has the rat bodies placed on the fires and sends word out to the town guard. Sa'lid and Sage begin feeling of fever, and Sage uses her magic to cure herself and the sorcerer.

As the night moves on, everyone wonders how many more of the vermin they will have to deal with once they head into the sewers…