A14 - Chamber Music

Having dispatched the main force of orc gathered at the main entrance, the group takes time to search the immediate area. They find a trap laid just for them…a crushing block that would have fallen upon opening the front door.  In a small side room, “Over here. Looks like a rope ladder to reach the 3^rd floor.”

Rambler begins to climb, “Wait here while I investigate.” At the last steps he pauses to calm his breathing only to realize the wind whipping thru the 8 open chamber doors drown all noise. He peers over the edge spotting a green-eyed body (the Gibbet King) hanging on the wall behind 5 Black Uruks, 2 of which are holding the chain. He descends to tell the others.

Rowlie speaks up, “Maybe if we attempt to flank them. Rambler, you and Brackrog give us a half-hour to approach from the outside before climbing. Meanwhile, Galanon and I will climb the mountain to enter the tunnels that converge on the Raven’s roost. From the dwarves’ description, the tunnels are the wind-pipes controlled by the inner doors. Everyone have your ears plugged as the two of us will close all but the 3 inner doors to create the resonance.”

So much for timing…Rowlie and Galanon climb the mountain toward two separate tunnels, only to encounter 2 orcs in each! Galanon defeats his orcs but it alerts the Uruks in the inner chamber who hear the echoing battle noise. Rowlie on the other hand, barely survives his fight.

Thus Galanon reaches the Raven’s roost alone finding Rambler and Brackrog already battling orcs, Uruks and the Gibbet King.

Meanwhile, after patching his wounds, Rowlie at the outer edge of his tunnel spies the cold Drake climbing around the mountain top near him. With all the confidence he can muster, and show of traditions for such ancient foe, the Breeman begins talking with the Drake, “It is a trap!” [over 4 rounds of great rolls] Rowlie convinces the Drake that he is being lured to enslavement.

Rowlie steels himself expecting to become a scorch-mark on the side of the tower, but the Drake ignores the puny human as it enters the tunnel. [The Drake decides to kill the Gibbet king first. THEN it will kill the party.]

From the inner chamber door, the cold Drake breathes his breath weapon into the hall, causes significant damage to all, dropping Brackrog while killing all but 2 Uruks and the Gibbet King.

The Drake all but ignores Galanon and Rambler as it strides toward the Uruks who maneuver trying to drape the chain over his neck. The elf and human use the opportunity to begin closing doors before rushing past the battle toward the rope slide. Rambler grabs the unconscious dwarf’s collar dragging the body along.  With the elf already descending the ladder supporting the dwarf’s body above, Rambler takes one last look at the battle as he holds onto the lifeless body of his ally. With a snap of his long neck, The Drake quickly consumes his foe. Bones crunch as an evil grin crosses its lips. But the Gibbet King has his own plans as he begins casting at the ancient beast. And that’s when the wyrm dips his head to then snatch the end of the chain, then slings it onto the Gibbet King dooming the Gibbet King to a perpetual Purgatory of enslavement. No chanted ritual to seal mind control; the Gibbet King frozen in mindless emptiness.

And that’s when the resonance echoes thru the upper tower chamber. The Drake howls in pain as it furiously charges out of the chamber, intent on finding his human prey. But the smell of melted gold masks their scent. His search but a mad stalking throughout the tower. The party sneaks back to the secret entrance and creep away with the Drake still looking for them.

It is a long march across the wintry expanse as they slowly return to the northern gate of Erebor. Many long weeks of ale and warm food in the dwarven halls as they recount their adventure and encounter with a dragon! And that’s when King Thrain suggests, “Maybe this tale is too frightening for the folks of Dale. Warn King Bard but I’m sure he’d prefer to keep such news of another dragon oh so near secret. No need to frighten his subjects during this time of celebration having defeating another dragon named Smaug.”

It’s another month before the snow begins to melt and the fellowship says goodbyes as they head their own ways for a long-needed rest and recovery. No telling when nor where other adventures await.