Fhasys and Talos (wisely) decided to high-tail it out of the swath of blighted forest surrounding the cavern entrance. In the frantic dash, leaping over rotted logs and plowing through the underbrush, Talos lost his footing and got tangled in the spider webs. Fhasys, deciding that this would be an opportune time to lecture Talos on the finer points of honesty and character, found herself staring into the face of a giant spider. Combat ensued, Talos broke free of his trappings, and the two managed to make the 1/4 mile dash mostly unscathed. The duo stumbled upon the entrance to the Embershard mine, found their ponies waiting anxiously, and rode out of the godforsaken forest. They made camp a couple hours into the countryside and Fhasys had some very disturbing nightmares, courtesy of the curse of Quar Jezz't.
Meanwhile, a lone dwarf clad in chain mail and playing uplifting music on his pan-flute, discovered an old abandoned farmstead and decided to turn in for the night. After a chilling and inspiring dream involving Peter and Apollo, the paladin awoke to the sounds of muffled speech and cabinets banging shut. An encounter with some bandits lead to Doc attempting to push his case for a sane, blood-free end. After grappling the first bandit who discovered him, Doc explained that he'd be happy to leave and let them get back to looting... The bandit leader agreed and Doc made a hasty retreat through the bedroom window. Taking in the early morning scenery of the countryside, Doc noticed some billowing smoke in the distance--not unlike what he saw in his dreams. Realizing this was too great of a coincidence to pass-up, he once again took to his pan-flute and started walking.
After a couple hours of travel, the rogue and the wizard crossed paths with the paladin. Pleasantries were exchanged, Doc got a taste of the duo's icy dynamic, and they agreed to help each other out further down the road. As they compared notes, Dugan came running toward them in werewolf form bringing dire news from Lehren. The town was under siege by a maddened ogre and a mob of bandits; buildings lay in ruin, and the townsfolk cower wherever they can find shelter from the chaos.
Upon arriving to Lehren, Dugan left the adventurers to route the ogre while he dispatched the bandits. Doc summoned his magical prowess to "taunt" the ogre while Talos (through the power of suggestion) convinced it that bandits taste simply fabulous. The ogre immediately set off for the gravy-filled looters and the heroes enjoyed the show while it lasted. Cornered in a small home, several bandits quaked in fear as they watched their compatriots get eaten, and Talos used this distraction as an opportunity to attack. Jumping through a side window, he squared off with the bandit leader in a brutal fight.
Outside of the home, the ogre finished off the last visible bandit and turned his attention toward the heroes. Fhasys had already got in some solid shots with her bow and Doc moved in for the kill. Then, something strange happened... The ogre fell to its knees, revealing large patches of blackened, diseased skin, and began to vomit ichor. A foul stench began to permeate the air and, soon after the ogre collapsed, ghasts arose out of the foul black pool.
Talos polished off the bandit leader with a scorching ray and joined his friends outside for an epic struggle against the undead. The fight was vicious, resulting in momentary paralysis for both Doc and Fhasys, and a nasty bite sent Doc over the edge... unconscious. Stiff as a board from the paralysis, he fell onto the ground motionless. Fhasys, in a surprisingly heroic surge of constitution, managed to free herself from the paralysis in the nick of time and landed a critical blow on the last remaining ghast--once again, saving the day.
Dugan arrived on the scene shortly thereafter, asked for the run-down on all the black ooze, helped Talos carry the stiffened body of Doc into the house, and walked with Fhasys down to the remains of the curio shoppe in search of healing potions. To their surprise, Matilda was still alive and cowering behind what was left of her counter! She hugged Dugan and thanked Fhasys profusely for the party's help in dispatching the ogre, and gave her a healing salve and poisoner's kit as thanks.
After a bit of healing, Doc awoke in a bed surrounded by friends and was filled-in as to what all he missed during his unconsciousness. Dugan informed the heroes that the townsfolk had all been gathered in what's left of the Golden Coin for food and drink, and he'd appreciate any effort they could muster in lifting their spirits. The heroes huddled and discussed their various talents.
Standing around a crude bonfire with a mob of disheveled, shell-shocked adults and children, the heroes put on a show... Doc set the stage with his pan-flute, but unfortunately he was still too weak to muster a steady breath. Talos stood up before the crowd, waved his blonde ponytail in the wind and assured them that everything will be okay. As the onlookers looked at each other with increasing confusion and wariness, Fhasys stepped it up with some acrobatics. All in all, the combination of hilariously bad entertainment and ale calmed their nerves and provided a welcome night's rest... for all but Fhasys.
In the middle of the night, Fhasys snapped out of a dream to find herself standing--weapons drawn--in front of one of the townsfolk who looked quite concerned. Apparently she'd been sleep walking with no recollection of what she was doing or why. Sheathing her rapier, the kind lady escorted Fhasys back to bed.
The town of Lehren smoldered throughout the night with nary a sound from beast or man, but for now things appear safe.
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