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<blockquote data-quote="MarauderX" data-source="post: 2395006" data-attributes="member: 9990"><p><u><strong><span style="font-size: 15px">Session 36: Out of the Frying Pan</span></strong></u></p><p></p><p>Thermoleth’s lair was sparse. She sat on her pedestal-like throne and stared into the orb in her hands for hours at a stretch. In the center of the large room was a circle that extended downward into the molten lava, and with the archway sealed this became the only way out. The walls and floor were smooth and polished rock, mostly black with sparkles of the strange grey metal littering the surface. There were no furnishings per se, but hemispherical niches in the floor and a few ledges along the walls provided a place to sit and relax. Later the group was to find out that these niches were carved for the strange creatures with long tails to coil themselves comfortably and nap.</p><p></p><p>The dragon started to conjure images over several hours and managed to spy on the duergar as they worked. The image then refocused and the image of a human woman came into view. Her smile accented her beauty, and she seemed to look straight at them as if she knew they were watching. Behind her stood a metal behemoth twice her height. The thing looked like a hunchback man with a round torso and metal skin. Unlike the Litorians’ metal creations, this construct had no gentle curves or sleek skin. Instead it looked clunky, as if plates of metal were strung together to make this humanoid-like beast. The woman kept her smile and winked.</p><p></p><p>The dragon asked if the party recognized the woman. They shook their heads, and then Thermoleth told them to look again and said it was Arilthar in disguise. She had already infiltrated the duergar and was waiting to show the dragon the duergar secrets she had found. She gestured for them to follow her and Thermoleth guided the image to look over the woman’s shoulder along several corridors. After turning into a large hallway the woman pointed to a massive metal wall that ran from the ground to the high arched ceiling above. It was slightly curved and was easily a hundred feet long. The woman tapped it, swept her hand over it, and then indicated a portion on her arm a few inches long. They then understood that his huge metal piece was that section in the behemoth that was under construction. After a while the dragon stopped showing the images as she drew the orb closer to her face.</p><p></p><p>Hours passed by, and the group took turns sleeping fitfully as they guessed at what time it was. When they had surmised a few days had gone they kindly asked Thermoleth if they might be allowed to leave, for they were hungry and tired. The dragon insisted Grimnyr ask appropriately and with that she informed the party they were to be guests for the winter. Politely trying to refuse, the dragon turned her focus from the orb and explained one more time that they were guests for the winter, thinly veiling anger by reasoning that the group wouldn’t survive the trek back in the vicious cold.</p><p></p><p>Thermoleth showed the group as much hospitality as she was able, and she asked them question after question about their language, rituals, habits and behaviors. She told them that she was comparing against how the races have changed their living habits through the ages. Thermoleth remarked that Grimnyr’s people, the barbarians, seemed to be the most closely following the traditions of their ancestors. She said that though cities were not a new invention, their population had never been as high as in just the last millennium.</p><p></p><p>The dragon revealed images of far distant lands and showed them immense temples that the elders had built that were now being used to worship another god. Tall spires stabbed upwards into the sky in a place that Thermoleth said was far to the south, where winter was summer and summer was winter. The spires had been erected by collaboration between the Rakshasa, Marilith and Aranea. The golden towers started with a single building, and then one after another they worked to build higher into the sky to oversee the nearby island chains and the seas in between.</p><p></p><p>More images came as the dragon scanned people, places and magically imbued items. Days became a week, then two, and Thermoleth asked about certain people within the kingdom. She scried over a man dressed in red robes and Thovaas recognized him as the King’s advisor, Rekkin, as he peered into another orb similar to the one Thermoleth clasped. Another image of a woman came into view as she stirred a cauldron before she detected someone was magically spying. No one in the party knew who she was, but Thermoleth was certain that she would somehow be important in the upcoming decades.</p><p></p><p>After a few more weeks an image of another dragon was presented, however this one had white scales that helped it blend with the snowy white background in which it lay. Beside this dragon was a similar orb, but of much greater size. In a flash the image was cut short and Thermoleth explained that this dragon had stopped her from scrying further. Thermoleth explained that this other dragon was Eiskonig, and that his concern with territory was far out of bounds with his own judgment to defend it.</p><p></p><p>After a time, Jerrin grew comfortable enough to ask the all-seeing dragon about his old mentor, He’lander. The dragon had seen him before and churned up a few memories before finally locating him. He was holding a spear as if hunting, but as he turned it was clear that he was on the defensive, waiting to detect something that was near. Thermoleth scanned the area, and they watched for an hour as the wild elf held his posture, never dropping his guard. The dragon, bored with the loner elf, moved on to scan through the elven lands.</p><p></p><p>She scryied over the Fountain of Anaphia to see the half-orc monk Varekai piling rocks to recreate the wall over the fountain. Nearby a grave marker held comforting words etched crudely into its surface. The display was guided beyond this to visit Elarith, and Jerrin’s heart drummed when he saw the roof of his family home. Thermoleth guided the image to show them through the elven high court and through the chambers below the trees. They managed to see several elves with black spines or perverse markings on their skin. These elves practiced wicked magic in side chambers of a stone building built into the ground. In an inner courtyard a well had been revitalized. Light glowed from the well and wisps of ghostly faces stirred in and around it. A figure in the foreground uttered words of magic before turning to peer straight at them. It was the new elven prince. His white hair flowed down over his shoulders and he gripped a staff in his hands as it pulsed with magic. With a smirk he waved his hand and the image went black.</p><p></p><p>Thermoleth did not seem to sleep in the time the party was there. She constantly peered into the orb, and sometimes the sinews of magic were pushed into it. The pool of lava at the center of the room bubbled, and slowly the creatures that the party had fought pulled themselves through and cowered behind Thermoleth’s throne. Eventually they crept closer when the party was inactive, and before long the two groups began to trust one another. The reptilian-like creatures performed simple skits and jokes in draconian, and the party felt more at ease with them around as time went by. They were not as curious enough to pry through the party’s things, nor did they wake or toy with them in any manner. More than once Thovaas pushed them back with a wave of his sword. Quentin told them to maintain their distance if they wished to keep all of their limbs. They complied.</p><p></p><p>Several more months passed and the party had begun to get restless. Making use of what he could, Jerrin still had to appeal for several materials to be brought to him so that he could construct another wand. Thermoleth heard the request and took a keen interest in the materials and methods the small druid was using to create the item. The dragon watched every action as if Jerrin were an experienced teacher and she was a dazzled pupil. Suddenly the immense form of the dragon had disappeared and was replaced by the slender figure of a human woman. The dragon had tried to morph into a human, but she still retained a red-scaled tail, horns and wings. While the change disconcerted Jerrin at first he gulped and retained his focus to finish creating the wand. Once done, Thermoleth twirled the wand in her fingers and marveled at how the new races could change three simple arrows into a magical device. She tossed him the wand and Jerrin watched as the normal sized woman grew into the dragon as she walked back to sit on her throne.</p><p></p><p>Two creatures that came through the lava circle were female and looked like muscular elves with bat wings. Fire-red hair billowed upward from the heat, and they stepped out of the lava naked to stand with their hands on hips. They waited. Finally Grimnyr and Quentin gathered the courage to approach them, and as they neared the women respectively gathered them in. From then on the two men were barely seen far from the winged women, as the creatures followed each unless told to keep their distance.</p><p></p><p>Occasionally Thermoleth would peer into the dreams of the party and put the results on display for everyone to see. Many of the dreams were a blended mesh of Kargam and childhood memories, with the occasional image of Thermoleth, the Litorians or the duergar. In these dreams Thermoleth was seen to prod with magic and she pulled forth memories of Golthar and Chautauqua. She had each of them relive all of their battles up to the moment they arrived outside the spire they were now in.</p><p></p><p></p><p>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><p></p><p>Thovaas was the first to notice that a patch under his skin on each arm was turning dark. Grimnyr mentioned that he too was getting similar markings on his forearms. With a quick inspection of one another they found the same was happening to Alex’s back, Quentin’s neck, and Jerrin’s head. They tried a number of methods to remove the marks but to no avail. Finally they asked the dragon. Thermoleth didn’t respond right away, and when she did it was with one word: gifts. A week later the patches had formed into black tattoos of jagged markings to form a pattern. By rubbing over the symbol each was able to activate a new power. Quentin ran his hand down his neck and he felt his tongue change. Opening his mouth, out slithered a snake head that extended easily ten feet. Alex patted his shoulder blades and wings sprang from his back and lifted him into the air. Jerrin rubbed his temples and in a moment a third eye opened on his forehead, blinking and giving him new insight. Thovaas watched as thick, golden, snake-like scales rippled to cover his skin. Grimnyr watched his forearms and calves become freakishly strong and pulsing red, blue and purple as his heart pounded. These effects lasted about half and hour if they needed it and could be dismissed earlier as they wished.</p><p></p><p></p><p>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><p></p><p>Thermoleth showed the broken lands and the division of knights that were stationed at the sturdy keep there. She then had the image fly over the broken lands to reveal tribe upon tribe of orcs, hobgoblins, ogres, and the like. Easily the orcs outnumbered the knights by a hundred to one in the short distance Thermoleth had shown. It also looked as though the orcs were mustering under the common banner showing a red dragon head on a black field. Thovaas asked why the dragon had so much interest in them if she already had considerable forces under her command. She replied that a paladin of Heronious under her direction was unique in and of itself, that the group was indeed a wonderful asset with which to learn from and to bond with humans and Halflings. Thermoleth said that since their causes were aligned, they should accept her direction for the preservation of the new races in the greater scheme of the world. And to have them do so and still maintain their individualism was important, especially to have as a tool should Arilthar be of concern.</p><p></p><p></p><p>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><p></p><p>The dragon waited for the Halfling druid to wake before showing images of the dark forest. Jerrin knew of the forest through druidic stories and was told not to venture there for the wilds had been tainted with foul magic. It was said that the woods were set against druids and the creatures there had turned into cannibals and the trees themselves would turn a druid’s senses around. There were other legends why the woods behaved in this fashion, from a powerful deranged fairy to an evil tree army that could tear an elephant apart.</p><p></p><p>Thermoleth guided the orb’s image over the snow covered treetops before descending to the forest floor. It was strewn with pine needles and evergreen shrubs and bushes gave way to a more lush area with tropical plants and steamy air. Through this they could see light emanating from a central point from behind tall ivory trees. Between the cracks of the trees the group saw a beautiful woman wreathed in soft leaves and branches, and the pulse of woodland magic seemed to flow effortlessly from her. Looking at her more closely, her head was bowed with eyes closed as if sadly sleeping while she stood. Grimnyr recalled a legend of the Queen of Mist, and Jerrin confirmed that he also had heard the tale.</p><p></p><p>The Mist Queen, according to the fairy tale, was a source of holy magic straight from the goddess Ehlonna that kept a peaceful balance for the good of the forest. Her pacifist outlook made her a target for many that sought to use her power for themselves, but such schemes only succeeded in causing chaos in the forest. She went missing long ago, and the elves two generations ago sought her out to return the Mist Queen to her throne. It was assumed, at that time, that she had run away after being saddened when she witnessed a nearby battle for the first time.</p><p></p><p>Thermoleth had focused on another image, one of an angry looking man who scowled as he crept over a log. He whittled a stick to a point then threw it to connect with a rabbit. Instead of stopping to claim his prize he kept walking, cutting another branch down without breaking stride as he mumbled to himself. The dragon whirled the image around and it almost made them sick as they were engrossed with what they saw. She spoke something quietly and the orb whisked them to see an orc riding on top of a huge bear. The orc seemed to be fiddling with something, and after seeing the background Jerrin could see that he was trying to track something through the dark woods. The image moved again and refocused on a short figure, another Halfling, as it rode on the back of a dire rat. The dragon said that these are important figures in this forest, and to negotiate a safe passage through the forest would be very useful to her.</p><p></p><p></p><p>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><p></p><p>The dragon stirred the image around Kargam for a time then reeled east over the swamp. In the swamp the group saw a new lizard-like beast, massive and hiding beneath the rotting water. The image got closer then suddenly the form erupted toward them as if it was chasing them down. It was another dragon with jet-black scales and massive horns on its head. Thermoleth stopped the image and told them that this was the estranged dragon Winnower, the one that claimed to be the Lizard King. She waited several hours before showing another image of the dragon, and this time it revealed a thinner beast as it lorded over its hoard of gold. Thermoleth explained that Winnower was a clever trickster, ever changing appearances and locations to confuse any who might watch over instead of outright blocking them from scrying.</p><p></p><p></p><p>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><p></p><p>Pushing the images into the ground, Thermoleth showed them the subterranean world of the Illithid and Drow. The dragon told of the time when the elves had divided after being stricken from the skies. There were those who had never wished to side with the slave races in hopes of being restored. The Illithid made a pact with these new dark elves and together they have been working in conjunction to rebuild their underground empire and to restore the old gods.</p><p></p><p></p><p>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><p></p><p>Sometimes the party members had fitful dreams in which they found themselves struggling against unseen chains. Two options were unfolded before them, and they were held captive until they chose between them. A devilish woman guided them to see all that they could have and offered still more should they be ambitious. Vast treasures of gold and luxury were presented, along with power and control over both the physical and metaphysical world. Strange women and twisted beings danced upon command, while food, wine and gold fell like rain. The other option was presented as purity in white, and a chaste woman showed them the treasures they already possessed inside themselves. In fields of colorful flowers she projected freedom from the bonding chains of servitude to a corrupt, competitive life. She presented a different path, one of hope and mutual respect of all things, living or dead, and a love of life so strong it could not be twisted by the temptation of power. From this dream each of the party members chose. Quentin was the only one to choose the path of dark power.</p><p></p><p>When they woke the group saw a wide, shallow bowl hovering in the air above the lava. It moved to them and Thermoleth called out Quentin. He moved forward, half scared, half eager to receive more power. The dragon told him to hold out his arms above the bowl and to slit his wrists. Second thoughts made the shadowdancer hesitate, but those warnings were overpowered as thoughts of gifts, gold and women filled his mind. In a flash he had done it, and his own lifeblood poured from his arms. He felt suddenly weak and cold and thought he could stand no longer as his blood had saturated the fluid in the bowl. His blood had turned it from yellow to a deep mauve. As he watched with glossy eyes, the viscous fluid leapt up of its own accord and covered the wounds. Like molasses with a mind of its own, it pushed back into his bloodstream through the wounds. His hands pulsed and stung as if plunged in boiling water, and Quentin crumpled to the floor. He twisted in agony and his cries of pain reverberated in the large chamber. Several minutes later his tears had stopped and he picked himself up from the floor. Examining his hands, Quentin turned to the others. Alex backed away as if expecting the shadowdancer to confront him while Thovaas stood his ground as he had witnessed little of the revolting ceremony. Then Quentin smiled and a small giggle escaped him as he looked at each of them.</p><p></p><p>As winter began to subside across the lands of Correl, Thermoleth zoomed in to investigate Suln, Kargam and the leaders and barons surrounding each. Grimnyr swelled with pride when he saw the image of Thord Sulisen come into view as he led a contingent of his army east across the open steppes. The elves were staying closer to home instead of beginning their nomadic trek through the forests. She scanned over many of the images they had already seen until they landed on a group of humanoids walking among the peaks of the mountains. With each step snow crests broke away and cascaded down the mountain. As the image came closer to them it was apparent that these humanoids were far taller than any man. They were giants, and were headed south.</p><p></p><p>Thermoleth gazed at the giants for a long time, looking at details of their large metal maces and the clasps that held their cloaks around their necks. She spoke as she watched, telling the story that the giants were made in the form of large men as humans were versatile enough at a smaller scale, giants could be used for a wider range of tasks and better entertainment. Dragons had purged many giants from the world simply because their size threatened them. Giants alone had been the cause for the death of some dragons in wars past, and they were never taken lightly when a dragon confronted them, no matter how dumb or clumsy they might be. These giants were moving south for a reason, she said, and she was it. She drew several hypotheses such as their arrival being a test by Eiskonig whether she was still alive. She also guessed they might be patrolling south to prevent trade between Correl and Shen Jin, a strategy of isolation Eiskonig had practiced before.</p><p></p><p>As spring came to the mountains she showed the party how the dwarves of Kryll were quarreling amongst themselves and the dwarven mountain fortresses had just opened to new trade. Thermoleth remarked that it was about this time a year ago that the party had ventured to the mountain and perhaps it was time that she let others know she was less of a myth and more a reality.</p><p></p><p>Another week passed as she thought of how she would reveal herself to the world once more. In this time she laid out a list of options for her newest of recruits, the five party members that had stayed the winter with her.</p><p></p><p>Revisit the Litorians and Jolenta. Inform them of what the party had witnessed. Tell them that Thermoleth is looking to aid them against the duergar. </p><p>Assist the Litorians with the fight against the duergar and put an end to their vile practices. </p><p>Tell Eiskonig that Thermoleth has awoken and will be reclaiming her lands. Thank him for watching over her lands and that this is not an act of aggression. Tell him that Thermoleth will force the glaciers that have encroached upon her territory to recede. Lastly, tell him that it takes two to flirt. </p><p>Smite the giants headed southward. </p><p>Seek out the Winnower and tell him to renounce the title of Lizard King. Show him the proof that Thermoleth is alive and will need to know the black dragon’s intentions soon. </p><p>Venture to Elarith to usurp the elven prince once he marries. Without him, Eve’lyn may claim the throne and force the elves to join Thermoleth and the Litorians. </p><p>Find and aid the witch who has come to spread the teachings of the old gods to mankind. </p><p>Raise, organize and lead the orc armies in the broken lands to march against those of the under-earth. </p><p>Find the mad druid in the dark wood. Ask him to name a price for passage through his lands. Seek out the other druids to ensure they will not interfere. </p><p>Ask the human leaders, barons and king for command of an army to march eastward to face against those of the under-earth. </p><p>Contact the Aranea in the under-earth and tell them Thermoleth is the last dragon alive, the Wood Elves are defeated and in ruins, and the Litorians march the surface prowling through every crevasse in the earth. </p><p>Visit the Drow high court and inform them that Thermoleth seeks relations with their current queen. </p><p>Be the first humans to visit the Illithid and live to tell the tale. </p><p>Once Thermoleth conveyed these items, the group decided to first inform the Litorians that Thermoleth was watching their actions and attempting to perceive how the duergar were increasing their numbers and skills. After that they decided that they should help defeat the duergar and put an end to their threat.</p><p></p><p>A week later the mountain began to grumble. Thermoleth still peered into the orb, ever fascinated by whatever she was viewing. The mountain grew louder and the inner spire began to shake. The dragon showed them the image of what was happening. The lava had filled up the inside of the mountain and was now pouring down the side, creating instant steam when it touched the snow. They watched all afternoon as lava leaked out melt away all the snow on the surrounding mountains as well.</p><p></p><p>The next day the party was told to go. They left the same way they came in and were soon down the mountain with the aid of Jerrin’s magic. At the base of the mountain they could see the roadway had been destroyed and they had to pick their way over the hardening lava carefully as it was still hot in many places. They reached the spiral ramp and made their way up to the top where they reflected upon their stay with the dragon in the smoking mountain.</p><p></p><p>The group made their way to the entrance to the hidden valley and was granted permission by the door without any riddles. Walking through the valley, they easily retraced their steps to find Felvonni still in charge of the keep. She saw from their markings that the party had seen Thermoleth, and from this the Litorian told them she must take them to see Jolenta.</p><p></p><p>They only traveled in the day. Felvonni told them that something iniquitous now stalks the night using hidden passages and portals to move unseen. At each town they received a quick greeting and Felvonni cut off questions that dealt with the flind, or gnolls as the party knew them. Many also remarked that the symbols on their skin were very much like those other elders used, and that was Felvonni’s cue to usher them to leave.</p><p></p><p>Through the dark Jerrin led them toward the south where Jolenta was supposed to be staying. As they ventured through the night they saw a few of the walking dead as they stumbled. They saw the glint of light where the mountain formed a wall along the south. As the group closed in on the light they could see the fifty foot high walls and stone fortifications. A single arrow greeted them, letting them know to identify themselves. When they did another voice called to welcome them. The smaller gate beside the massive one opened and the party was welcomed in.</p><p></p><p>Jolenta clasped each of them and was gregarious in welcoming them. Once alone with them, however, she was somber. The group told her why they were there and all that they knew of Thermoleth. The party had thought perhaps the news of the dragon coming to their aid would be good, the Litorian offered a weak smile and told them they will need to visit with the Litorians under the worship of Incabulos. The group stayed the night and left at dawn to seek out and speak with Berra, the spiritual leader of the Litorians that follow Incabulos.</p><p></p><p>As they traveled Quentin spotted a small group of duergar huddled in place. Two continued to work feverishly on something that glinted like metal while the others kept watch. Alex, Quentin and Jerrin moved into position while Grimnyr and Thovaas kept their distance. Seeing that they were working on one of their mechanical constructs they struck. Quentin fired at one of the duergar and it jumped into the air and whirled around to face him, but already the shadowdancer had vanished. Jerrin brought forth a bolt of lightening down to strike another, and Alex moved in to get a better position to strike. Again both Jerrin and Quentin attacked, but this time the duergar saw where the thief was hiding and struck him. Grimnyr and Thovaas ran toward the fight at top speed, but it was to be some time before they would arrive.</p><p></p><p>Alex stepped up to wound another duergar and Jerrin pounded another with lightening. Quentin disappeared into the shadows of the tall grasses for a moment only to reappear and let several arrows fly. The two duergar working on the metal thing on the ground worked with more fervor as the rest defended. Jerrin pegged another with lightening just before Thovaas arrived to plow his lance into another to bring it down. Quentin and Alex each maneuvered to flank separate duergar, and Grimnyr arrived to strike another. Before long the duergar began to fall, and Alex stabbed the last one just as he turned to fight after being struck while working on the metal thing.</p><p></p><p>The group examined the metal construct and saw that there were strange devices and metal wheels attached to rods and pins. Alex took a while to rip apart the metal thing while Thovaas worked to remove a huge sword from the metal gauntlet-like hand. After spreading the parts and pieces through the grass they buried the chassis so the duergar could not relocate it again. When they left the sun was beginning to set.</p><p></p><p>They kept going through the night’s darkness and as they neared a walled city they could see a few bodies of the walking dead saunter forth. The zombies came into the light of the heatless torches and were soon littered with arrows as the Litorians practiced their aim. Quentin hailed them from just beyond the torchlight and the Litorians told them they were welcome to enter.</p><p></p><p>Inside they could see many of the buildings had the markings of Incabulos etched on them, as well as the signs of Nerull scattered between them. A unit of guards escorted the group through a few streets of the town and toward the shear face of the mountain that rose up behind it. In a massive temple a single figure stood at the center and looked down upon them. Dressed in the same black robes as typical for the Litorian worshippers of Incabulos, this figure also had a silver medallion that hung from a chain around its neck. The group was about to go up the steps to greet him when the guards stood in front of them. After a minute the figure introduced himself as Berra and said that he had seen them enter Jolenta’s home. He wanted to know why, and with little detail told him. Taking his time he descended the steps to get a better look at the party.</p><p></p><p>The group explained that they had been to see Thermoleth and that the great dragon was going to aid them in the fight against the duergar. Berra scoffed at first, saying that the Litorians would need no aid if they could complete their work there. Quentin said that even the littlest of help may be the tipping point. Berra inspected the shadowdancer once again, this time examining Quentin’s hands. The Litorian smiled and clasped him on the shoulders, then said the word for ‘dearest brother’ in elven.</p><p></p><p>Berra guided the group to dine with him, but instead the party wished to be on their way as quickly as they could. Berra accepted this without slight and ushered them through dark hallways beneath the temple. They walked by a ceremony with Litorians bowing down before a large green stone set high in the wall. The halls were smoothly hewn from the rock but still twisted and turned before ending at a small cavern. Berra guided them further still until she stopped at another cavern. He gave them each an item that could hide their mixed identities from others who could scan them as he did, and told them it could also be used to shape their appearance to fool others, but only once. Berra told them that misbegotten things now roamed the caverns and they should make haste instead of attempting to deal with every perceived threat. He warned of traps that had been set by the Litorians at this end, and that the duergar would likely have something similar. Lastly he added that they should never speak of what they saw with anyone.</p><p></p><p>The group disappeared into the darkness. Quentin led the way with his enhanced vision while Alex partly unsheathed the sword of light to allow the rest to follow the half-elf. The rough tunnel walls meandered in the darkness, sloping up and down. They realized the tunnels were a vast network as many connectors intersected the tunnel they followed. With Jerrin’s aid they were able to take a course south and west, and many times they ran into dead ends and had to backtrack to take another path. Pools of water littered the floors in many places, and the smell of mold and other fungi filled the air. More than once the group got the feeling they were not alone in these dark depths.</p><p></p><p>The group took a break to eat some of the stale wheat-mix the Litorians had provided them, which tasted like soggy bread. It was then that they heard the sounds of something ghastly slithering through the tunnels. A screech echoed in the distance and the party was on their feet and moving through the tunnels once again.</p><p></p><p>Miles of tunnels were traversed and the group decided to get some sleep in a widened tunnel while they had the chance. During Jerrin’s watch he heard the unmistakable sound of something coming down the winding corridor towards them. He woke the others and they had time to grab their gear. Alex drew the sword of light and though they couldn’t see anything, the flow air had been restricted by something in the tunnel just outside of the light. Alex stepped forward. Greasy tentacles wound their way into the torchlight and Alex backed against the wall, unsure how to strike the faceless tentacles. The others saw the tentacles encroach into their area and they moved to attack them. There were eight in all, and one of them wrapped around Alex and drew him toward the center. The others watched as a gibbering mound of flesh came into view from Alex’s sword. At the center of the tentacles, each twice as thick as Thovaas’s leg, rows of teeth surrounded the black void of a mouth. Alex was drawn to it and was about to loose one of his limbs when suddenly it recoiled. Thovaas had severed one of the other tentacles to get its attention, and Quentin rolled along the slime-covered floor to arrive behind it. Grimnyr jumped into the midst of its tentacles and Jerrin rode Tempest forward just beyond its reach. Grimnyr and the others cleaved through the beast’s tough skin and finally it stopped moving, the bloated form sagging in defeat. Alex squirmed free of the tentacle that had grasped him and regained the use of his limbs. The group inspected the gross blob as the tentacles twitched in death, and they decided to continue moving once again.</p><p></p><p>The group took the tunnels headed more west and after several more miles of walking and climbing they came across an etching in the stone. It was at an intersection and it clearly indicated which path to take with a colored code surrounding each exit. Quentin had to wait until the yellow light of Alex’s sword to shine on it before he could discern the colors. After a quick investigation they found traps and figured out how the colors could guide them through and they proceeded onward through the darkness. Quentin scouted out each intersection and soon the group wound their way by following the color code for each section. Occasionally they saw detailed carvings that indicated caverns ahead or an underground stream that had to be crossed.</p><p></p><p>The group kept their guard up as they entered a different section of tunnels. These had been finished a little more to even out rough spots to form arched tunnels that were much easier to traverse. The group still followed the etched maps and color coding, and now they saw there were large rooms and many branches, each with chamber after chamber. The path they were led on was likely the longest, but it was still safe from traps and alarms as far as Quentin and Alex could tell. They walked through a vast hall with a vaulted, cathedral-like ceiling, and after that they zigzagged through various antechambers and walked up many flights of stairs of various sizes. Finally they entered a round room with a map of the surrounding areas, but this time there was no color coding. Quentin shushed the paladin, but still Thovaas’s armor rustled as he breathed. Down the corridor Quentin, then Alex and Grimnyr, swore they heard a low murmur of voices, as if a choir of twenty men with deep bass voices was humming continuously.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="MarauderX, post: 2395006, member: 9990"] [U][B][SIZE=4]Session 36: Out of the Frying Pan[/SIZE][/B][/U] Thermoleth’s lair was sparse. She sat on her pedestal-like throne and stared into the orb in her hands for hours at a stretch. In the center of the large room was a circle that extended downward into the molten lava, and with the archway sealed this became the only way out. The walls and floor were smooth and polished rock, mostly black with sparkles of the strange grey metal littering the surface. There were no furnishings per se, but hemispherical niches in the floor and a few ledges along the walls provided a place to sit and relax. Later the group was to find out that these niches were carved for the strange creatures with long tails to coil themselves comfortably and nap. The dragon started to conjure images over several hours and managed to spy on the duergar as they worked. The image then refocused and the image of a human woman came into view. Her smile accented her beauty, and she seemed to look straight at them as if she knew they were watching. Behind her stood a metal behemoth twice her height. The thing looked like a hunchback man with a round torso and metal skin. Unlike the Litorians’ metal creations, this construct had no gentle curves or sleek skin. Instead it looked clunky, as if plates of metal were strung together to make this humanoid-like beast. The woman kept her smile and winked. The dragon asked if the party recognized the woman. They shook their heads, and then Thermoleth told them to look again and said it was Arilthar in disguise. She had already infiltrated the duergar and was waiting to show the dragon the duergar secrets she had found. She gestured for them to follow her and Thermoleth guided the image to look over the woman’s shoulder along several corridors. After turning into a large hallway the woman pointed to a massive metal wall that ran from the ground to the high arched ceiling above. It was slightly curved and was easily a hundred feet long. The woman tapped it, swept her hand over it, and then indicated a portion on her arm a few inches long. They then understood that his huge metal piece was that section in the behemoth that was under construction. After a while the dragon stopped showing the images as she drew the orb closer to her face. Hours passed by, and the group took turns sleeping fitfully as they guessed at what time it was. When they had surmised a few days had gone they kindly asked Thermoleth if they might be allowed to leave, for they were hungry and tired. The dragon insisted Grimnyr ask appropriately and with that she informed the party they were to be guests for the winter. Politely trying to refuse, the dragon turned her focus from the orb and explained one more time that they were guests for the winter, thinly veiling anger by reasoning that the group wouldn’t survive the trek back in the vicious cold. Thermoleth showed the group as much hospitality as she was able, and she asked them question after question about their language, rituals, habits and behaviors. She told them that she was comparing against how the races have changed their living habits through the ages. Thermoleth remarked that Grimnyr’s people, the barbarians, seemed to be the most closely following the traditions of their ancestors. She said that though cities were not a new invention, their population had never been as high as in just the last millennium. The dragon revealed images of far distant lands and showed them immense temples that the elders had built that were now being used to worship another god. Tall spires stabbed upwards into the sky in a place that Thermoleth said was far to the south, where winter was summer and summer was winter. The spires had been erected by collaboration between the Rakshasa, Marilith and Aranea. The golden towers started with a single building, and then one after another they worked to build higher into the sky to oversee the nearby island chains and the seas in between. More images came as the dragon scanned people, places and magically imbued items. Days became a week, then two, and Thermoleth asked about certain people within the kingdom. She scried over a man dressed in red robes and Thovaas recognized him as the King’s advisor, Rekkin, as he peered into another orb similar to the one Thermoleth clasped. Another image of a woman came into view as she stirred a cauldron before she detected someone was magically spying. No one in the party knew who she was, but Thermoleth was certain that she would somehow be important in the upcoming decades. After a few more weeks an image of another dragon was presented, however this one had white scales that helped it blend with the snowy white background in which it lay. Beside this dragon was a similar orb, but of much greater size. In a flash the image was cut short and Thermoleth explained that this dragon had stopped her from scrying further. Thermoleth explained that this other dragon was Eiskonig, and that his concern with territory was far out of bounds with his own judgment to defend it. After a time, Jerrin grew comfortable enough to ask the all-seeing dragon about his old mentor, He’lander. The dragon had seen him before and churned up a few memories before finally locating him. He was holding a spear as if hunting, but as he turned it was clear that he was on the defensive, waiting to detect something that was near. Thermoleth scanned the area, and they watched for an hour as the wild elf held his posture, never dropping his guard. The dragon, bored with the loner elf, moved on to scan through the elven lands. She scryied over the Fountain of Anaphia to see the half-orc monk Varekai piling rocks to recreate the wall over the fountain. Nearby a grave marker held comforting words etched crudely into its surface. The display was guided beyond this to visit Elarith, and Jerrin’s heart drummed when he saw the roof of his family home. Thermoleth guided the image to show them through the elven high court and through the chambers below the trees. They managed to see several elves with black spines or perverse markings on their skin. These elves practiced wicked magic in side chambers of a stone building built into the ground. In an inner courtyard a well had been revitalized. Light glowed from the well and wisps of ghostly faces stirred in and around it. A figure in the foreground uttered words of magic before turning to peer straight at them. It was the new elven prince. His white hair flowed down over his shoulders and he gripped a staff in his hands as it pulsed with magic. With a smirk he waved his hand and the image went black. Thermoleth did not seem to sleep in the time the party was there. She constantly peered into the orb, and sometimes the sinews of magic were pushed into it. The pool of lava at the center of the room bubbled, and slowly the creatures that the party had fought pulled themselves through and cowered behind Thermoleth’s throne. Eventually they crept closer when the party was inactive, and before long the two groups began to trust one another. The reptilian-like creatures performed simple skits and jokes in draconian, and the party felt more at ease with them around as time went by. They were not as curious enough to pry through the party’s things, nor did they wake or toy with them in any manner. More than once Thovaas pushed them back with a wave of his sword. Quentin told them to maintain their distance if they wished to keep all of their limbs. They complied. Several more months passed and the party had begun to get restless. Making use of what he could, Jerrin still had to appeal for several materials to be brought to him so that he could construct another wand. Thermoleth heard the request and took a keen interest in the materials and methods the small druid was using to create the item. The dragon watched every action as if Jerrin were an experienced teacher and she was a dazzled pupil. Suddenly the immense form of the dragon had disappeared and was replaced by the slender figure of a human woman. The dragon had tried to morph into a human, but she still retained a red-scaled tail, horns and wings. While the change disconcerted Jerrin at first he gulped and retained his focus to finish creating the wand. Once done, Thermoleth twirled the wand in her fingers and marveled at how the new races could change three simple arrows into a magical device. She tossed him the wand and Jerrin watched as the normal sized woman grew into the dragon as she walked back to sit on her throne. Two creatures that came through the lava circle were female and looked like muscular elves with bat wings. Fire-red hair billowed upward from the heat, and they stepped out of the lava naked to stand with their hands on hips. They waited. Finally Grimnyr and Quentin gathered the courage to approach them, and as they neared the women respectively gathered them in. From then on the two men were barely seen far from the winged women, as the creatures followed each unless told to keep their distance. Occasionally Thermoleth would peer into the dreams of the party and put the results on display for everyone to see. Many of the dreams were a blended mesh of Kargam and childhood memories, with the occasional image of Thermoleth, the Litorians or the duergar. In these dreams Thermoleth was seen to prod with magic and she pulled forth memories of Golthar and Chautauqua. She had each of them relive all of their battles up to the moment they arrived outside the spire they were now in. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thovaas was the first to notice that a patch under his skin on each arm was turning dark. Grimnyr mentioned that he too was getting similar markings on his forearms. With a quick inspection of one another they found the same was happening to Alex’s back, Quentin’s neck, and Jerrin’s head. They tried a number of methods to remove the marks but to no avail. Finally they asked the dragon. Thermoleth didn’t respond right away, and when she did it was with one word: gifts. A week later the patches had formed into black tattoos of jagged markings to form a pattern. By rubbing over the symbol each was able to activate a new power. Quentin ran his hand down his neck and he felt his tongue change. Opening his mouth, out slithered a snake head that extended easily ten feet. Alex patted his shoulder blades and wings sprang from his back and lifted him into the air. Jerrin rubbed his temples and in a moment a third eye opened on his forehead, blinking and giving him new insight. Thovaas watched as thick, golden, snake-like scales rippled to cover his skin. Grimnyr watched his forearms and calves become freakishly strong and pulsing red, blue and purple as his heart pounded. These effects lasted about half and hour if they needed it and could be dismissed earlier as they wished. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thermoleth showed the broken lands and the division of knights that were stationed at the sturdy keep there. She then had the image fly over the broken lands to reveal tribe upon tribe of orcs, hobgoblins, ogres, and the like. Easily the orcs outnumbered the knights by a hundred to one in the short distance Thermoleth had shown. It also looked as though the orcs were mustering under the common banner showing a red dragon head on a black field. Thovaas asked why the dragon had so much interest in them if she already had considerable forces under her command. She replied that a paladin of Heronious under her direction was unique in and of itself, that the group was indeed a wonderful asset with which to learn from and to bond with humans and Halflings. Thermoleth said that since their causes were aligned, they should accept her direction for the preservation of the new races in the greater scheme of the world. And to have them do so and still maintain their individualism was important, especially to have as a tool should Arilthar be of concern. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The dragon waited for the Halfling druid to wake before showing images of the dark forest. Jerrin knew of the forest through druidic stories and was told not to venture there for the wilds had been tainted with foul magic. It was said that the woods were set against druids and the creatures there had turned into cannibals and the trees themselves would turn a druid’s senses around. There were other legends why the woods behaved in this fashion, from a powerful deranged fairy to an evil tree army that could tear an elephant apart. Thermoleth guided the orb’s image over the snow covered treetops before descending to the forest floor. It was strewn with pine needles and evergreen shrubs and bushes gave way to a more lush area with tropical plants and steamy air. Through this they could see light emanating from a central point from behind tall ivory trees. Between the cracks of the trees the group saw a beautiful woman wreathed in soft leaves and branches, and the pulse of woodland magic seemed to flow effortlessly from her. Looking at her more closely, her head was bowed with eyes closed as if sadly sleeping while she stood. Grimnyr recalled a legend of the Queen of Mist, and Jerrin confirmed that he also had heard the tale. The Mist Queen, according to the fairy tale, was a source of holy magic straight from the goddess Ehlonna that kept a peaceful balance for the good of the forest. Her pacifist outlook made her a target for many that sought to use her power for themselves, but such schemes only succeeded in causing chaos in the forest. She went missing long ago, and the elves two generations ago sought her out to return the Mist Queen to her throne. It was assumed, at that time, that she had run away after being saddened when she witnessed a nearby battle for the first time. Thermoleth had focused on another image, one of an angry looking man who scowled as he crept over a log. He whittled a stick to a point then threw it to connect with a rabbit. Instead of stopping to claim his prize he kept walking, cutting another branch down without breaking stride as he mumbled to himself. The dragon whirled the image around and it almost made them sick as they were engrossed with what they saw. She spoke something quietly and the orb whisked them to see an orc riding on top of a huge bear. The orc seemed to be fiddling with something, and after seeing the background Jerrin could see that he was trying to track something through the dark woods. The image moved again and refocused on a short figure, another Halfling, as it rode on the back of a dire rat. The dragon said that these are important figures in this forest, and to negotiate a safe passage through the forest would be very useful to her. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The dragon stirred the image around Kargam for a time then reeled east over the swamp. In the swamp the group saw a new lizard-like beast, massive and hiding beneath the rotting water. The image got closer then suddenly the form erupted toward them as if it was chasing them down. It was another dragon with jet-black scales and massive horns on its head. Thermoleth stopped the image and told them that this was the estranged dragon Winnower, the one that claimed to be the Lizard King. She waited several hours before showing another image of the dragon, and this time it revealed a thinner beast as it lorded over its hoard of gold. Thermoleth explained that Winnower was a clever trickster, ever changing appearances and locations to confuse any who might watch over instead of outright blocking them from scrying. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pushing the images into the ground, Thermoleth showed them the subterranean world of the Illithid and Drow. The dragon told of the time when the elves had divided after being stricken from the skies. There were those who had never wished to side with the slave races in hopes of being restored. The Illithid made a pact with these new dark elves and together they have been working in conjunction to rebuild their underground empire and to restore the old gods. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sometimes the party members had fitful dreams in which they found themselves struggling against unseen chains. Two options were unfolded before them, and they were held captive until they chose between them. A devilish woman guided them to see all that they could have and offered still more should they be ambitious. Vast treasures of gold and luxury were presented, along with power and control over both the physical and metaphysical world. Strange women and twisted beings danced upon command, while food, wine and gold fell like rain. The other option was presented as purity in white, and a chaste woman showed them the treasures they already possessed inside themselves. In fields of colorful flowers she projected freedom from the bonding chains of servitude to a corrupt, competitive life. She presented a different path, one of hope and mutual respect of all things, living or dead, and a love of life so strong it could not be twisted by the temptation of power. From this dream each of the party members chose. Quentin was the only one to choose the path of dark power. When they woke the group saw a wide, shallow bowl hovering in the air above the lava. It moved to them and Thermoleth called out Quentin. He moved forward, half scared, half eager to receive more power. The dragon told him to hold out his arms above the bowl and to slit his wrists. Second thoughts made the shadowdancer hesitate, but those warnings were overpowered as thoughts of gifts, gold and women filled his mind. In a flash he had done it, and his own lifeblood poured from his arms. He felt suddenly weak and cold and thought he could stand no longer as his blood had saturated the fluid in the bowl. His blood had turned it from yellow to a deep mauve. As he watched with glossy eyes, the viscous fluid leapt up of its own accord and covered the wounds. Like molasses with a mind of its own, it pushed back into his bloodstream through the wounds. His hands pulsed and stung as if plunged in boiling water, and Quentin crumpled to the floor. He twisted in agony and his cries of pain reverberated in the large chamber. Several minutes later his tears had stopped and he picked himself up from the floor. Examining his hands, Quentin turned to the others. Alex backed away as if expecting the shadowdancer to confront him while Thovaas stood his ground as he had witnessed little of the revolting ceremony. Then Quentin smiled and a small giggle escaped him as he looked at each of them. As winter began to subside across the lands of Correl, Thermoleth zoomed in to investigate Suln, Kargam and the leaders and barons surrounding each. Grimnyr swelled with pride when he saw the image of Thord Sulisen come into view as he led a contingent of his army east across the open steppes. The elves were staying closer to home instead of beginning their nomadic trek through the forests. She scanned over many of the images they had already seen until they landed on a group of humanoids walking among the peaks of the mountains. With each step snow crests broke away and cascaded down the mountain. As the image came closer to them it was apparent that these humanoids were far taller than any man. They were giants, and were headed south. Thermoleth gazed at the giants for a long time, looking at details of their large metal maces and the clasps that held their cloaks around their necks. She spoke as she watched, telling the story that the giants were made in the form of large men as humans were versatile enough at a smaller scale, giants could be used for a wider range of tasks and better entertainment. Dragons had purged many giants from the world simply because their size threatened them. Giants alone had been the cause for the death of some dragons in wars past, and they were never taken lightly when a dragon confronted them, no matter how dumb or clumsy they might be. These giants were moving south for a reason, she said, and she was it. She drew several hypotheses such as their arrival being a test by Eiskonig whether she was still alive. She also guessed they might be patrolling south to prevent trade between Correl and Shen Jin, a strategy of isolation Eiskonig had practiced before. As spring came to the mountains she showed the party how the dwarves of Kryll were quarreling amongst themselves and the dwarven mountain fortresses had just opened to new trade. Thermoleth remarked that it was about this time a year ago that the party had ventured to the mountain and perhaps it was time that she let others know she was less of a myth and more a reality. Another week passed as she thought of how she would reveal herself to the world once more. In this time she laid out a list of options for her newest of recruits, the five party members that had stayed the winter with her. Revisit the Litorians and Jolenta. Inform them of what the party had witnessed. Tell them that Thermoleth is looking to aid them against the duergar. Assist the Litorians with the fight against the duergar and put an end to their vile practices. Tell Eiskonig that Thermoleth has awoken and will be reclaiming her lands. Thank him for watching over her lands and that this is not an act of aggression. Tell him that Thermoleth will force the glaciers that have encroached upon her territory to recede. Lastly, tell him that it takes two to flirt. Smite the giants headed southward. Seek out the Winnower and tell him to renounce the title of Lizard King. Show him the proof that Thermoleth is alive and will need to know the black dragon’s intentions soon. Venture to Elarith to usurp the elven prince once he marries. Without him, Eve’lyn may claim the throne and force the elves to join Thermoleth and the Litorians. Find and aid the witch who has come to spread the teachings of the old gods to mankind. Raise, organize and lead the orc armies in the broken lands to march against those of the under-earth. Find the mad druid in the dark wood. Ask him to name a price for passage through his lands. Seek out the other druids to ensure they will not interfere. Ask the human leaders, barons and king for command of an army to march eastward to face against those of the under-earth. Contact the Aranea in the under-earth and tell them Thermoleth is the last dragon alive, the Wood Elves are defeated and in ruins, and the Litorians march the surface prowling through every crevasse in the earth. Visit the Drow high court and inform them that Thermoleth seeks relations with their current queen. Be the first humans to visit the Illithid and live to tell the tale. Once Thermoleth conveyed these items, the group decided to first inform the Litorians that Thermoleth was watching their actions and attempting to perceive how the duergar were increasing their numbers and skills. After that they decided that they should help defeat the duergar and put an end to their threat. A week later the mountain began to grumble. Thermoleth still peered into the orb, ever fascinated by whatever she was viewing. The mountain grew louder and the inner spire began to shake. The dragon showed them the image of what was happening. The lava had filled up the inside of the mountain and was now pouring down the side, creating instant steam when it touched the snow. They watched all afternoon as lava leaked out melt away all the snow on the surrounding mountains as well. The next day the party was told to go. They left the same way they came in and were soon down the mountain with the aid of Jerrin’s magic. At the base of the mountain they could see the roadway had been destroyed and they had to pick their way over the hardening lava carefully as it was still hot in many places. They reached the spiral ramp and made their way up to the top where they reflected upon their stay with the dragon in the smoking mountain. The group made their way to the entrance to the hidden valley and was granted permission by the door without any riddles. Walking through the valley, they easily retraced their steps to find Felvonni still in charge of the keep. She saw from their markings that the party had seen Thermoleth, and from this the Litorian told them she must take them to see Jolenta. They only traveled in the day. Felvonni told them that something iniquitous now stalks the night using hidden passages and portals to move unseen. At each town they received a quick greeting and Felvonni cut off questions that dealt with the flind, or gnolls as the party knew them. Many also remarked that the symbols on their skin were very much like those other elders used, and that was Felvonni’s cue to usher them to leave. Through the dark Jerrin led them toward the south where Jolenta was supposed to be staying. As they ventured through the night they saw a few of the walking dead as they stumbled. They saw the glint of light where the mountain formed a wall along the south. As the group closed in on the light they could see the fifty foot high walls and stone fortifications. A single arrow greeted them, letting them know to identify themselves. When they did another voice called to welcome them. The smaller gate beside the massive one opened and the party was welcomed in. Jolenta clasped each of them and was gregarious in welcoming them. Once alone with them, however, she was somber. The group told her why they were there and all that they knew of Thermoleth. The party had thought perhaps the news of the dragon coming to their aid would be good, the Litorian offered a weak smile and told them they will need to visit with the Litorians under the worship of Incabulos. The group stayed the night and left at dawn to seek out and speak with Berra, the spiritual leader of the Litorians that follow Incabulos. As they traveled Quentin spotted a small group of duergar huddled in place. Two continued to work feverishly on something that glinted like metal while the others kept watch. Alex, Quentin and Jerrin moved into position while Grimnyr and Thovaas kept their distance. Seeing that they were working on one of their mechanical constructs they struck. Quentin fired at one of the duergar and it jumped into the air and whirled around to face him, but already the shadowdancer had vanished. Jerrin brought forth a bolt of lightening down to strike another, and Alex moved in to get a better position to strike. Again both Jerrin and Quentin attacked, but this time the duergar saw where the thief was hiding and struck him. Grimnyr and Thovaas ran toward the fight at top speed, but it was to be some time before they would arrive. Alex stepped up to wound another duergar and Jerrin pounded another with lightening. Quentin disappeared into the shadows of the tall grasses for a moment only to reappear and let several arrows fly. The two duergar working on the metal thing on the ground worked with more fervor as the rest defended. Jerrin pegged another with lightening just before Thovaas arrived to plow his lance into another to bring it down. Quentin and Alex each maneuvered to flank separate duergar, and Grimnyr arrived to strike another. Before long the duergar began to fall, and Alex stabbed the last one just as he turned to fight after being struck while working on the metal thing. The group examined the metal construct and saw that there were strange devices and metal wheels attached to rods and pins. Alex took a while to rip apart the metal thing while Thovaas worked to remove a huge sword from the metal gauntlet-like hand. After spreading the parts and pieces through the grass they buried the chassis so the duergar could not relocate it again. When they left the sun was beginning to set. They kept going through the night’s darkness and as they neared a walled city they could see a few bodies of the walking dead saunter forth. The zombies came into the light of the heatless torches and were soon littered with arrows as the Litorians practiced their aim. Quentin hailed them from just beyond the torchlight and the Litorians told them they were welcome to enter. Inside they could see many of the buildings had the markings of Incabulos etched on them, as well as the signs of Nerull scattered between them. A unit of guards escorted the group through a few streets of the town and toward the shear face of the mountain that rose up behind it. In a massive temple a single figure stood at the center and looked down upon them. Dressed in the same black robes as typical for the Litorian worshippers of Incabulos, this figure also had a silver medallion that hung from a chain around its neck. The group was about to go up the steps to greet him when the guards stood in front of them. After a minute the figure introduced himself as Berra and said that he had seen them enter Jolenta’s home. He wanted to know why, and with little detail told him. Taking his time he descended the steps to get a better look at the party. The group explained that they had been to see Thermoleth and that the great dragon was going to aid them in the fight against the duergar. Berra scoffed at first, saying that the Litorians would need no aid if they could complete their work there. Quentin said that even the littlest of help may be the tipping point. Berra inspected the shadowdancer once again, this time examining Quentin’s hands. The Litorian smiled and clasped him on the shoulders, then said the word for ‘dearest brother’ in elven. Berra guided the group to dine with him, but instead the party wished to be on their way as quickly as they could. Berra accepted this without slight and ushered them through dark hallways beneath the temple. They walked by a ceremony with Litorians bowing down before a large green stone set high in the wall. The halls were smoothly hewn from the rock but still twisted and turned before ending at a small cavern. Berra guided them further still until she stopped at another cavern. He gave them each an item that could hide their mixed identities from others who could scan them as he did, and told them it could also be used to shape their appearance to fool others, but only once. Berra told them that misbegotten things now roamed the caverns and they should make haste instead of attempting to deal with every perceived threat. He warned of traps that had been set by the Litorians at this end, and that the duergar would likely have something similar. Lastly he added that they should never speak of what they saw with anyone. The group disappeared into the darkness. Quentin led the way with his enhanced vision while Alex partly unsheathed the sword of light to allow the rest to follow the half-elf. The rough tunnel walls meandered in the darkness, sloping up and down. They realized the tunnels were a vast network as many connectors intersected the tunnel they followed. With Jerrin’s aid they were able to take a course south and west, and many times they ran into dead ends and had to backtrack to take another path. Pools of water littered the floors in many places, and the smell of mold and other fungi filled the air. More than once the group got the feeling they were not alone in these dark depths. The group took a break to eat some of the stale wheat-mix the Litorians had provided them, which tasted like soggy bread. It was then that they heard the sounds of something ghastly slithering through the tunnels. A screech echoed in the distance and the party was on their feet and moving through the tunnels once again. Miles of tunnels were traversed and the group decided to get some sleep in a widened tunnel while they had the chance. During Jerrin’s watch he heard the unmistakable sound of something coming down the winding corridor towards them. He woke the others and they had time to grab their gear. Alex drew the sword of light and though they couldn’t see anything, the flow air had been restricted by something in the tunnel just outside of the light. Alex stepped forward. Greasy tentacles wound their way into the torchlight and Alex backed against the wall, unsure how to strike the faceless tentacles. The others saw the tentacles encroach into their area and they moved to attack them. There were eight in all, and one of them wrapped around Alex and drew him toward the center. The others watched as a gibbering mound of flesh came into view from Alex’s sword. At the center of the tentacles, each twice as thick as Thovaas’s leg, rows of teeth surrounded the black void of a mouth. Alex was drawn to it and was about to loose one of his limbs when suddenly it recoiled. Thovaas had severed one of the other tentacles to get its attention, and Quentin rolled along the slime-covered floor to arrive behind it. Grimnyr jumped into the midst of its tentacles and Jerrin rode Tempest forward just beyond its reach. Grimnyr and the others cleaved through the beast’s tough skin and finally it stopped moving, the bloated form sagging in defeat. Alex squirmed free of the tentacle that had grasped him and regained the use of his limbs. The group inspected the gross blob as the tentacles twitched in death, and they decided to continue moving once again. The group took the tunnels headed more west and after several more miles of walking and climbing they came across an etching in the stone. It was at an intersection and it clearly indicated which path to take with a colored code surrounding each exit. Quentin had to wait until the yellow light of Alex’s sword to shine on it before he could discern the colors. After a quick investigation they found traps and figured out how the colors could guide them through and they proceeded onward through the darkness. Quentin scouted out each intersection and soon the group wound their way by following the color code for each section. Occasionally they saw detailed carvings that indicated caverns ahead or an underground stream that had to be crossed. The group kept their guard up as they entered a different section of tunnels. These had been finished a little more to even out rough spots to form arched tunnels that were much easier to traverse. The group still followed the etched maps and color coding, and now they saw there were large rooms and many branches, each with chamber after chamber. The path they were led on was likely the longest, but it was still safe from traps and alarms as far as Quentin and Alex could tell. They walked through a vast hall with a vaulted, cathedral-like ceiling, and after that they zigzagged through various antechambers and walked up many flights of stairs of various sizes. Finally they entered a round room with a map of the surrounding areas, but this time there was no color coding. Quentin shushed the paladin, but still Thovaas’s armor rustled as he breathed. Down the corridor Quentin, then Alex and Grimnyr, swore they heard a low murmur of voices, as if a choir of twenty men with deep bass voices was humming continuously. [/QUOTE]
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