The Trog at the Bottom of the Cave
Episode 15 of "The Redemption of Olvir, the Forgotten"
Previously on The Redemption of Olvir, the Forgotten Olvir barely survives an epic encounter with a bear, thanks only to the mysterious traveller, Milo—and that was merely the first part of his vow to forge a bond with Lostbrook.
Olvir and Milo stand on the brink of the cave entrance. Let’s theme this cave with the oracles in Ironsworn Delve.
Domain: Sea Cave Dangers: Denizen protecting treasure
Theme: Wild Features: Impressive Flora
Denizens
01-27 Deep Rats 28-41 Merrow 42-87 Nothing but dark, damp silence 88-99 Trog
Name of Cave: The Salt Womb
Olvir presses Milo to say back and allow him to try to sneak through the cave if possible. Milo should only leap into combat if Olvir is attacked first.
The Salt Womb loomed before them, its yawning mouth slick with seawater, the rhythmic crash of the tide echoing from deep within. Brine coated the air, thick with the scent of salt and decay, mingling with something older—something untamed.
Olvir adjusted his grip on his sword, rolling his shoulders. “Stay back,” he muttered to Milo, eyes locked on the darkness ahead. “I’ll try to move through quietly. If something notices me, then you step in.” Milo huffed, arms crossed, his rapier dangling loosely from one hand. “You’re assuming I’ll let you get mauled first.”
Olvir gave him a sidelong glance. “I am.” Milo grinned. “Fine. Your funeral.”
The cave pressed in around him as he stepped forward, each footfall measured against the slick, uneven rock beneath him. Bioluminescent fungi clung to the walls, casting ghostly light that shimmered along the damp surfaces. The flora was remarkable—delicate vines curling where they had no right to grow, roots twisting in impossible patterns as if something had shaped them deliberately.
But deeper still, beyond the quiet lap of the tide and the dripping of stone, was something else. Something waiting.
[DELVE THE DEPTHS: Strong Hit] Olvir and Milo safely traverse the first tunnel and room without incident. Take + 2 progress; +1 momentum (Total=6)[DELVE THE DEPTHS: Weak Hit.] They hear a scuffling noise in the tunnels ahead, growing louder as whatever is causing the noise draws nearer. However, the terrain favours the travellers—a side path to their left allows them to blend into the shadows as the creatures pass and the footsteps fade away. Deep Rats perhaps? Take +1 progress
[DELVE THE DEPTHS: Weak Hit] Tale +1 progress and [FIND AN OPPORTUNITY] “An aspect of this cave is revealed.” [MEANING TABLE] Avoid + Opportunity. Olvir realises that the side path leads to a small room with an altar, carved with strange markings and pulsing with a dim, blue light. Milo is keen to explore further, but Olvir insists they should press on and complete their task quickly.
[DELVE THE DEPTHS: Strong Hit] + 2 progress. They are making good progress, and it seems that the bottom of the cave is close.[FATE ROLL] Is the final room close? [50/50] Yes, it is! Within a few metres, they become aware that the corridor has opened into a cavern. This is it. Somewhere in the inky darkness of this cavern is both untold treasure and untold threat!
[REVEAL A DANGER] ‘The benign aspect becomes a threat.” The delvers hear a guttural roar that Olvir knows means only one thing—there is a Trog in this cavern.
Trog: Rank: Dangerous. 2 Progress. 2 Harm.
The air in the cavern was thick with salt and damp, the scent of brine mingling with something far fouler—a musk of decay and lurking danger. The rock walls glistened, moisture clinging to them like sweat, reflecting the dim bioluminescent glow of strange fungi curled in knots along the stone. Then, the roar…
A deep, guttural sound vibrated through the cavern floor and rattled Olvir’s bones. He knew that sound. A Trog.
He froze, eyes scanning the gloom, searching for movement. Somewhere in the inky void of the cavern, it waited—jagged teeth glinting, limbs hunched in anticipation. Somewhere beyond it, hidden in the darkness, lay the treasure.
Olvir pressed a steadying hand against the rock beside him, inhaling slowly. He turned his head, catching Milo’s silhouette in the low light. “Stay here,” he whispered. Milo, standing just behind the threshold, shifted his weight, fingers twitching near the hilt of his rapier. “You sure about that?” he murmured back. Olvir nodded, eyes locked ahead. “If things go bad, I need you ready.” Milo exhaled sharply, but didn’t argue. He crouched against the stone, watching as Olvir melted into the shadows.
Step by step, breath tight, he crept forward, keeping low, letting the cavern’s natural echoes disguise his movements. The Trog’s breath was uneven, a rasping inhale and a growling exhale—it was close. Close enough that he could sense its presence, the weight of its bulk shifting in the dark. The treasure lay beyond it. He just had to get there without becoming prey.
[LOCATE YOUR OBJECTIVE] against progress. Weak Hit. Olvir notices what appears to be a treasure chest, but unfortunately, it is located just behind the Trog's lair.
Olvir clings to the wall, inching around the cavern's edge, hoping to get to the chest undetected.
[FATE ROLL] Does he succeed? [Likely] No, he does not. The Trog is alerted and stirs from its slumber. Olvir grabs a small rock and throws it towards where Milo is waiting. A signal for the traveller to attack.
In the darkness, Olvir hears a yelp as Milo’s rapier cuts deep into the neck of the Trog. [2 progress] Before the Trog can react, Olvir leaps forward and lashes with his dagger, surprising the creature.
[STRIKE: Strong Hit, two progress] Blood spurts from the wound. The creature is hurt, and we retain the initiative. The Trog, now fully alert, lashes out at Olvir with his tail.
[FATE MOVE] Does it hit [50/50] Yes. Olvir is sent sprawling across the cave floor, screaming in pain. Take +2 harm.
Meanwhile, Milo seizes the opportunity presented by the commotion to thrust his rapier directly into the gaping wound on the creature's neck. (2 progress) Confused by the two-pronged attack, the creature lashes out blindly.
[FATE ROLL: Does he hit Milo? Likely: No]Regaining his feet, Olvir sprints across the floor and attacks. [STRIKE: Strong Hit] +2 progress. Reacting to the pain, the Trog paws at Olvir.
[FATE MOVE] Does he hit [Unlikely] Yes! With a dying breath, the creature paws at Olvir and slashes across his chest [+ 2 harm for a total of 4/5]. With a final flourish, Milo thrusts his rapier into the Trog’s throat, and it collapses onto the floor, dead. Somehow, Milo is completely unscathed, whilst Olvir is badly wounded. It’s all he can do to stumble across to the trove and stuff his pockets with gold, jewels and gold trinkets.
The cavern was still. The Trog’s body lay sprawled across the damp stone, dark blood pooling beneath its twitching limbs. Its guttural breath faltered, fading into silence.
Olvir staggered, pressing a hand to the wound across his chest. Pain flared, sharp and unforgiving. He sucked in a breath, forcing himself forward, steps uneven but determined.
The chest loomed ahead, iron-bound and timeworn, its lid slightly ajar. He dropped to one knee, fumbling with the latch, fingers slick with sweat and blood. Gold caught the dim bioluminescent glow—coins, jewels, trinkets, the weight of forgotten wealth. He shoved handfuls into his pockets, caring little for their worth beyond survival.
Behind him, Milo exhaled, wiping his pristine blade with casual precision. Completely unscathed. Olvir glanced at him, disbelief flickering in his gaze. “Not a scratch?”
Milo grinned, twirling his rapier before sheathing it. “Luck. Or skill. Whichever suits the story better.” Olvir let out a ragged chuckle, shaking his head. “Remind me to question your combat methods sometime later.”
For now, they had treasure. And they had a way out—if Olvir could stay on his feet long enough to use it.
NOTES
I realised after playing this session that I'd forgotten to spend my experience on a new asset or upgrade. I’ve gained another two experiences from the latest encounter, so I now have five points to spend. I’ll do that before the next session.
This is the second combat encounter in a row in which Olvir’s “Shadow” path barely matters. I’ve ended up taking a beating! I might need to think more about tactics and strategy because the Ironlands have a habit of biting back hard!