Dvarim's Journal
Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2020 2:59 am
Of Horrors and Hives
or Bees of Unusual Size, the Conclusion
The Iceclaw Moot (41.07) had managed to send one caravan out to Throal, but the renewed annoyance of the Blood Bees had made that route dangerous. So much so that they lost several warriors, including one of their heroes.
Norg, Jael, and I returned to help the Trollmoot, along with Vlolkir (who was very excited to be among other Trolls) and Dubhan (with whom I am always excited to travel). We met with Kreb and Fegheush to hear their news and also to remind us of the best route to the suspected hive (42.07).
Upon arriving, I managed to notice that not only were the bees once again hiding in their preferred ambush spot beneath the broken bridge, but there was another group to the north waiting to ambush us. The Trolls of Iceclaw had warned us that a new type of bee had been spotted - one with evil red eyes. And that this variety was particularly dangerous.
Armed with that knowledge, we attempted to draw the bees out of their ambush and into one of our own. They continued to be surprisingly cagey for insects, however, and would not take the bait. And thus, we did things the old fashioned way - with blood and grit and iron.
This time, we were well armed with Kelia's Antidotes and Kelix's Poultices and did not fear their toxic stings the way we had in the past. I am pleased to say that my work forging my armor was also most helpful in repelling their vile exsanguinating stingers.
With this group dispatched, we moved on, swiftly eliminated another small group, and entered the hive itself. It was a warren of dark, twisting caves and blind corners and exploration came with many dangers. Those dangers were, of course, more bees. We fought a holding action in one tunnel before bursting into a larger cavern and eliminating the rest in this group.
But we were in the hive, and we knew well that the bees were without end. A buzzing tide that would batter us over and over until we were dead. We pressed on, and found a barricade beyond which seemed to lie the lair of the Queen. And what a best she was - near 9 feet from mandible to stinger. She, of course, had her court of drones and soldiers.
In proud Dwarven fashion, we established a line at a chokepoint so none of them could pass. We felled the Queen more easily than we thought we would but found that she was not, in fact, the leader of this hive. That honor fell to some sort of twisted, advanced Ghoul. This Ghoul chittered and chattered, presumably instructing its diabolical minions. It, too, was served by lesser beings - regular Ghouls in this case.
It was a protracted and vicious battle and I will admit freely that we all suspected death might find us that day. But we persevered, together, and put an end to this insidious insectile invasion.
or Bees of Unusual Size, the Conclusion
The Iceclaw Moot (41.07) had managed to send one caravan out to Throal, but the renewed annoyance of the Blood Bees had made that route dangerous. So much so that they lost several warriors, including one of their heroes.
Norg, Jael, and I returned to help the Trollmoot, along with Vlolkir (who was very excited to be among other Trolls) and Dubhan (with whom I am always excited to travel). We met with Kreb and Fegheush to hear their news and also to remind us of the best route to the suspected hive (42.07).
Upon arriving, I managed to notice that not only were the bees once again hiding in their preferred ambush spot beneath the broken bridge, but there was another group to the north waiting to ambush us. The Trolls of Iceclaw had warned us that a new type of bee had been spotted - one with evil red eyes. And that this variety was particularly dangerous.
Armed with that knowledge, we attempted to draw the bees out of their ambush and into one of our own. They continued to be surprisingly cagey for insects, however, and would not take the bait. And thus, we did things the old fashioned way - with blood and grit and iron.
This time, we were well armed with Kelia's Antidotes and Kelix's Poultices and did not fear their toxic stings the way we had in the past. I am pleased to say that my work forging my armor was also most helpful in repelling their vile exsanguinating stingers.
With this group dispatched, we moved on, swiftly eliminated another small group, and entered the hive itself. It was a warren of dark, twisting caves and blind corners and exploration came with many dangers. Those dangers were, of course, more bees. We fought a holding action in one tunnel before bursting into a larger cavern and eliminating the rest in this group.
But we were in the hive, and we knew well that the bees were without end. A buzzing tide that would batter us over and over until we were dead. We pressed on, and found a barricade beyond which seemed to lie the lair of the Queen. And what a best she was - near 9 feet from mandible to stinger. She, of course, had her court of drones and soldiers.
In proud Dwarven fashion, we established a line at a chokepoint so none of them could pass. We felled the Queen more easily than we thought we would but found that she was not, in fact, the leader of this hive. That honor fell to some sort of twisted, advanced Ghoul. This Ghoul chittered and chattered, presumably instructing its diabolical minions. It, too, was served by lesser beings - regular Ghouls in this case.
It was a protracted and vicious battle and I will admit freely that we all suspected death might find us that day. But we persevered, together, and put an end to this insidious insectile invasion.