Ludi Blog

60. The Wolf Man

The party healed up as best they could and continued towards the falls. On the way, Bovrain and Jacob searched the bushes where the dire wolf had been hiding. They found bedding, bones, and beartraps - to which Bov and Jacob both fell victim.

Finally, the party reached the falls and found a limestone ledge behind it. A wet, narrow limestone tunnel lead back into the rock, and Bovrain ventured down it. He found a cave beyond, and was confronted by a rearing black bear!

However, he soon discovered that the bear wasn't moving - it was stuffed, the result of fairly expert taxidermy.

The party all moved forward, passed the stuffed animal, emerging into a larger cave beyond, with a rope bridge crossing a chasm - the cave continuing on the other side. In front of the rope bridge was another stuffed creature - this time a rearing "werewolf". Bovrain went to investigate, and promptly fell down the camouflaged pit in front of it. The pit lead to a steep limestone chute, which deposited him in the raging pool underneath the waterfall, where he began to sink in his chainmail...

The party hurried over to the hole and attempted to find their friend - and a heavy crossbow bolt flew from beyond the chasm and struck Hugh in the side. Wolves appeared, one crossing the bridge, one coming from the shadowy western side of this cave. Again, they went for Hugh, trying to trip and maul him, and vicious melee broke out once more.

Then from the shadows a dwarf emerged, his face a mask of rage, a necklace of teeth round his neck, brandishing a large axe in each hand, muttering threats of death in the Dwarven tongue to those who had killed his pets. He looked very, very mean.

Irena charged him, struck him a critical hit in the thigh, and all but amputated his left leg. The dwarf screamed and staggered against the rock face, striking back with his axes, wounding, but not felling the woman before him.

Wisely, Irena backed off, and Paffluous caused a great roaring wall of fire to appear between them, preventing the dwarf from advancing. He was lost from sight behind the flames.

Soon, the wolves were slain, and the party returned their attention to the pit, trying to locate Bovrain. (Outside, Bovrain found himself sinking in the churning water with no chance of reaching the surface in his heavy armour. He was about to try and cut himself free when he remembered the captain's wooden box. He grasped it in the churning water and said "Jolly" - taking on a good mouthful of water for his trouble. But the magical box obeyed his command and unfolded with incredible speed into a stout rowing boat. Bovrain held fast, and was buoyed to the surface, and safety. He was able to kick his way to the bank and crawl out, wet and slightly battered, but safe.)

But suddenly Marsha was struck by a crossbow bolt from beyond the rope bridge. It appeared that the wounded dwarf was far from dead...