SATURDAY, MARCH 7TH - MASTER AND APPRENTICE CAMPAIGN 1 : SESSION 7 RECAP
ALDORS JOURNAL - ENTRY 7
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in this line of work, it’s that when someone says “there’s treasure in an ancient mound,” what they really mean is “there’s a curse, undead guardians, and an excellent chance you’ll be possessed.”
Naturally… we went anyway.
Mogur’s Mound…
Cade stomped in like he was looking for a tavern brawl. Ukalis stayed just far enough back to maintain the illusion that this was all part of his brilliant plan. And me? I was doing what I always do — looking for angles, exits, and anything that might explode if handled improperly.
Turns out the mound had other ideas.
The spirit of Mogur himself decided I was the most charming vessel available and promptly took me for a spin. Apparently my reputation precedes me — even among the dead.
Through my own lips, the spirit declared:
“You have come for the treasure in my tomb, graverobbers. If you are worthy, take it. If not… leave with your lives.”
I’d have protested, but being temporarily haunted limits one’s conversational options. We accepted the challenge and moved into the circular chamber ahead.
Negotiations quickly broke down into what scholars might call “extreme violence.” Draugr began crawling out of every shadow like they’d been waiting centuries for a decent fight. Their chief rose from his throne gripping a massive warhammer — one that promptly started belching fire like it had a personal vendetta against oxygen.
Subtlety was clearly no longer on the table.
So I did what I do best — I made the battlefield mine.
Ropes went up to funnel their advance. Ball bearings hit the floor to make every step a gamble. Cade met them head-on with the enthusiasm of a man who considers pain a hobby. One of the draugr tried to flank. Another hacked through my routing lines like he’d read the playbook.
Mid-fight I noticed something interesting — the chieftain’s eyes glowed the same color as the braziers burning before his throne. I’ve learned to trust those little details. They usually mean “touch this and something dramatic will happen.”
After a fight that felt like it lasted hours, I slipped past the front line and knocked the braziers crashing to the ground.
The effect was immediate.
The chief staggered back to his throne as though pulled by unseen chains… and then, in what I can only describe as the most polite surrender I’ve ever witnessed, he offered up the flaming hammer.
Victory.
We looted. Cade looted harder. Ukalis looked pleased in that way employers do when their investments survive. Then we got out before the mound decided to try again.
We reached a logging camp on the edge of the Lurkwood and secured passage with a caravan bound for Mirabar the next morning. A warm meal and a roof overhead felt like luxury after grave-dust and fire.
Naturally, the universe corrected this balance on the first night.
A boy from the caravan was dragged screaming into the trees. We tracked the signs — webbing thick as rope, silence too heavy to be natural — until we found the culprit: a giant spider with entirely too many opinions about personal space.
This time the perfect throw was mine.
One clean cut severed the webbing holding the boy aloft. Cade finished the creature with characteristic enthusiasm, and we returned to camp as heroes. I accepted the praise graciously. Cade accepted extra rations.
Another day’s travel brought us to Mirabar — stone walls, busy markets, and enough rumors to choke a bard. We secured rooms at an inn, ate like we’d earned it (we had), and stocked up.
Potions. Supplies. I even picked up an alchemy kit — because clearly what our adventures have been lacking is more volatile substances.
We heard talk of the Thousand Arrows Orc tribe gathering strength. Trade tensions. The usual signs that the world is about to become our problem.
And so, rested and resupplied, we now head north toward the Spine of the World.
Cold winds. Old dangers. New opportunities.
If history is any guide, I’ll be setting traps in the snow before long while Cade charges something enormous and Ukalis insists this was all part of the contract.
Session 8, and Icewind Dale awaits.
If I get possessed again, I’m charging extra.