[Neomi]

And so the saga continues…

Prince Humperdink and his five comrades emerged from the Nashkel mine, blinking in the noon sun and clutching at their various wounds. Even Humperdink, himself, had been wounded as a kobold appeared from a flanking position to take aim on the group. Even though Humperdink was only of average wisdom, that injury had been enough of a lesson to convince him to keep allies on all sides while exploring treacherous and unknown territory such as the mine shafts. Humperdink paused to recall the recent events ...

... It had been several days since the group had turned south toward Beregost. The city itself had provided fine accommodations and the opportunity to recruit new muscle to replace Khalid and Jaheira. A disgruntled dwarven storekeep named Kagain had been brought into the Company to provide a needed front-liner, allowing Montaron to focus on firing bolts from behind. Once properly equipped with plate mail and shield, Kagain made a difficult target and could deal out some damage with his axe. His incredible constitution, allowing healing at an accelerated rate, meant less consumption of healing potions and fewer nights in the inns. At the insistence of Xzar, Humperdink had ordered the group to continue southward toward Nashkel. On first sight, it appeared that this little backwoods village would have little to offer. However, there was rumored to be a tavern with rooms fit for nobility, so Humperdink opted to stay for a night. Then, since there was little else to do in the area, the group had continued south yet again to seek the mines that were at the center of concerns in the area.

It had not been difficult to convince the mine overseer to allow the group to explore the mines, though Humperdink had second thoughts when he overheard a miner comment to Imoen that there were “little yipping demons” down there. Once inside, he had quickly become disoriented and, with his average intelligence, he wouldn’t have been able to find his way out if he had wanted to leave the group and escape to the surface. So he had put on an air of confidence (though with his average charisma, no one really believed him) and urged the group onward. After what seemed to be an interminable journey through mine shafts wide and narrow, not to mention a few tough fights with groups of kobolds and some tricky traps, the group had found themselves in a large cavern in front of a rough wooden door. Humperdink considered resting the group there, but realizing that it would mean lying on the damp bedrock he instead ordered the group to advance.

Through the door Humperdink’s company had encountered a large group of kobolds. Humperdink noticed a doorway to the right and quickly sidled through, thinking he would find safe shelter from the battle. Much to his dismay, there were only more kobolds and an incredibly ugly half-orc. Humperdink called his group to retreat to his side in the small chamber. Although he had only average dexterity, Humperdink managed to evade most of the attacks by skirting around the edges of the room while his group slogged through the waves of kobolds and skeletons to defeat the half-orc. Luckily no one was killed but they were uniformly bloodied and battered by the end of the battle. Interestingly, they found a morose elven Enchanter by the name of Xan, who seemed as though he might be of some use to the group, so Humperdink invited him to join his Company. Xan did not seem terribly overjoyed at the prospect, but agreed nevertheless.

The party, now an imposing group of six intrepid adventurers, turned wearily to return to the surface. Humperdink, being of only average strength, called upon Kagain and Montaron to carry the heavy loot, while he himself kept the jewelry. They soon emerged from the mine, blinking in the noon sun, and set out toward Nashkel.

[ 09-21-2004, 09:39 AM: Message edited by: Neomi ]