Dark Alchemy - After Action Report

An explosion in the frozen ruins of Felstad has drawn the attention of treasure seekers.  The Conjuror Argonimax and his apprentice have outfitted a band to investigate.  Sergeant Arpat, a doughty man-at-arms, commands two infantrymen and two crossbowmen.  Ratlicker the fleet-footed thief rounds out the team.

The explosion seems to have come from an ancient alchemical factory.  Who knows what artifacts may have been unearthed in the blast.  Argonimax posts most of the soldiers at the entrance and enters with his apprentice, Sergeant Arpat, a crossbowman, and Ratlicker.

Treasure is found immediately, but a cave-in seals the entrance.  The only way is forward.  Two potential exits from the shattered factory can be seen, but something large can be heard moving about in the darkness.

The apprentice, anxious for a quick solution, casts his Teleportation spell to reach the doorway on the right.  His first attempt is a failure, resulting in injury.  His second try sends him directly to the right-hand door.  Could this be the exit?  Before he can find out, a massive creature bursts from the rubble to attack him from behind. The apprentice falls, broken and unconscious.

"How unfortunate.  A good apprentice is so hard to find."  Argonomix judges their odds to be better trying the door on the left and leads his soldiers that way.  Meanwhile, Ratlicker heads off to investigate something glittering in the gloom.  Another treasure: 25 gold coins and a bottle containing some magical potion.

As Argonomix nears the left door, he is attacked by a rodent of unusual size.  What should have been an easy fight requires the assistance of good Sergeant Arpat and several rounds of combat before the rodent is eradicated.  The crossbowman examines the left door and finds it blocked with rubble.  No exit here.  That leaves only the right door where ... something .. . got the apprentice.

That something, an alchemical monstrosity, now catches the scent of Ratlicker and lurches in his direction.  "Keep that thing occupied for a moment, would you?" Shouts Agronomix has he leads the soldiers toward the right door.  Ratlicker lures the monster away, using his swiftness to keep ahead of it. Twice he dodges flailing tentacles.

Seeing the right door ahead, Argonomix sprints for the exit, pausing only long enough to snatch a third treasure along the way.

Everyone is now in full retreat with the monster hot on the heels of Ratlicker.

Argonomix leads them all through the exit, grabbing the unconscious apprentice and dragging him to safety.  It was a near run thing.  The apprentice will need time to recover, but it was not a bad days work, all things considered.