4AD: Catoblepas Hunting

Introduction

While traveling a lonely stretch of the King's Road, Dantrag (warrior), Thorbin (dwarf), Arthrallan (elf), and Brandal (wizard) are diverted to a remote village being terrorized by some supernatural beast.

Upon arriving Dantrag and Arthallan spend time reading the signs of unnatural decay, bite marks, and footprints. Both conclude it to be the work of a large Catoblepas, a basilisk like creature with a scaly hide whose gaze can wither crops and kill livestock. Thorbin gripes that such creatures are unlikely to hoard much in the way of treasure and his assessment is that the villagers do not have money to pay for monster hunters. At this, Brandal ruefully suggests that they set out immediately to hunt down the beast so that the dwarf does not incur the cost of lodging and supplies (not that there is anywhere in the small village to spend any money!).

Following the tracks leads to a newly formed region of fetid water which is slowly killing the surrounding vegetation and trees.  Unfortunately tracking the beast through the morass proves difficult and results in a wider search for more tracks and the beast's lair. During this search, the four stumble upon the entrance to an underground ruin. Thorbin immediately pronounces the presence of treasure, Brandal lights the lantern, and all follow Dantrag through the entrance to the underground complex.

Presented with several branching corridors Dantrag puts his right hand on the wall and starts walking...

The Dungeon

The explored section of the dungeon is mostly abandoned and filled with swarms of Giant Centipedes, rats, and even skeletal rats. A small breed of goblin is also encountered in large numbers suggesting the presence of a larger threat hidden elsewhere and responsible for the spear trap which surprised Thorbin and Brandal.

In the depths of the dungeon the heroes encountered a rare Oxidation Beast (or Iron Eater) and quickly dispatched it before it had a chance to ruin any of their valuable equipment.

In a hallway filled with rats, Brandal and Arthrallan were happy to be in the back!

Conclusion

In the near corner room of the dungeon, the Catoblepas was found to have burrowed its way in from the outside and established a lair. The beast was dispatched without complication and some treasure recovered.

On the way out of the underground complex, the party was ambushed by Orcs and it seems that a return to this dungeon will be necessary to keep the towns people safe from a growing threat beneath them...