Descending

The company is getting into the swing of things. The last few descents into the mines we have been refining our tactics. We've cleared the first level now. If I never see another kobold again it will be too soon, but they seem to have infiltrated the entire mines so far. We did run into (and dispatch) some goblins on the first level, so that was a plus.

We have some new company members: Drakkolord, who is a dragonborn warlord, and Pyrite, a dwarven cleric. We also spent one trip into the mines in the company of a dragonborn paladin named Northlac, but he seems to have decided to move on.

With each new company member I gain a new appreciation for diversity. Having a warlord who can direct things is a boon. And I'll be eternally grateful for our cleric's healing, which has already saved my hide.

A couple of descents back, on the first trip to the second level, we ran into something other than kobolds: zombies, our first undead. I mention this because I managed to knock one apart with a particularly lucky hit. There is nothing more satisfying than splattering zombies.

A few weeks ago I had to return to my village to take care of some family business, and so I missed one descent. I gather there were more kobolds (ack), but also some skeletons, which would have been interesting. Next time. On my way back I did find time to purchase a magic weapon with my meager savings, a Luckblade. I haven't had a chance to try out the luck yet, but as they say: "happiness is a warm sword (cut cut, slash slash)".

So anyway, yesterday we descended into the second level of the mines again, with me (human fighter), Rhogar (dragonborn paladin), Teliesson (eladrin wizard), Veed (halfling rogue), Tybalt (goliath barbarian), and Pyrite (dwarven cleric). That's a pretty optimal team. Our first encounter was with some bizarre hopping frog people in a room full of water. It was all a bit crazy, but polishing off the frog men wasn't much of a problem. At least they had gold at the bottom of their pool.

We then moved on and (drum roll) found a young black dragon! And its kobold (ack) henchmen. This time around we were much better mentally prepared for fighting a dragon (i.e. we didn't run away like little children like we did the first time). I have to admit that the gods were with my sword last night, and it seemed that no enemy could stand before me, as I plowed through kobolds like a ship stemming the swell. I am proud to say that I confronted the dragon and did not give ground, and dealt the beast many grievous wounds as I prevented it from fleeing. But in the end the gods did me favor of reminding me to always be humble, as it was the smallest member of our party, Veed, who finally slew the dragon. This dragon had not a single copper piece to its name, as far as we could tell. Incredible.

Next trip we search for the dragon's horde.