NOW LIVE! Today's the day you meet your new best friend. You don’t have to leave Wolfy behind... In 'Pets & Sidekicks' your companions level up with you!

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Message: <blockquote data-quote="the Jester" data-source="post: 738024" data-attributes="member: 1210">The Final Beholder BattleThe monstrous humanoids instantly show that they aren't just some dumb beasts, manifesting powers of confusion and feeblemind.  The beholder- the last beholder they'll face in the mountain, though our heroes don't know that yet- starts firing off eye rays like mad.  But the L and Alcar meet the attack of the enemies with their own mighty magic.  A flame strike whumps down from the ceiling, and since Alcar burned more of his incense of meditation it's maximized.  The beholder, sadly, can't take the damage, and it drops in mere moments... and the two reptile-beetle-rhino things (whatever they are) find themselves in close combat with Lester, Angelfire and Alcar immediately.  One of them breathes out a frosty cone, and both of them strike at our heroes with huge greatclubs and their dreadful horns, and Alcar and Lester each take some wounds- but not enough to even slow them down.  In less than thirty seconds the battle's done as Angelfire decapitates the last of the enemies with a blow of his falchion.Barely breathing hard, the tough band of adventurers sets to searching the place.  Strange grey fungus grows almost everywhere, and there are nests of matted, rotting vegatation ("These must be for those beetle guys, since the beholders float," Norman says in passing).  After about ten minutes of searching, the party recovers several thousand coins and a pouch holding a dozen pieces of amber, but they can find no exit, so they return to the last other turning they haven't taken, from the beholder duelling area.The hall leads to a pair of doors.  One of them is more than impressive, looking like a thick plug of coppery metal that Lester tells them is orichalcum.  The other is more normal, though large (as have been almost all the doors in Bile Mountain).  A moment's discussion and the party decides to take the more normal door first.  They make ready to throw it open- but before they can, it opens up to reveal another of the sting-tailed ice giants.[color=139991]"Hold!"[/color] the creature cries as the party's hands fly to their weapons.  [color=139991]"I have no wish to fight you!"[/color]The group hesitates for a moment.[color=139991]"You have destroyed Red-Eye, who kept my people here enslaved.  Now we will not oppose you... so long as you do not interfere with us."[/color]"We can take this thing," Angelfire calls, and Alcar scowls at the ice giant.  For once they're in agreement.  But then Lester speaks up."Hey, we don't need to fight this guy, we've got better things to do.  In fact," he turns to the icy creature, "why don't you join us?"The giant's face darkens.  [color=139991]"You have slain many of my people,"[/color] he rumbles.  [color=139991]"I will not hinder you, but do not dare ask for my aid."[/color]The party considers for a moment.  The creature- its name is Tarent- answers a few of their questions; he tells them that his kind are called the Immoths, and that they were enslaved by Red-Eye's beholder clan years ago.  Lester demands his treasure, but he scoffs and tells them that they already looted it from his people.  When asked what he will do now, Tarent shrugs, telling them he's undecided.  [color=139991]"You have killed most of my people.  I must find a new cause in my life."[/color]  Yes, this guy was the immoths' leader- and that factor finally sways the party; they'll leave him alone.  After all, the regular ones were tough enough."I can probably get you to your home plane," Horbin offers.  [color=139991]"I do not need your help,"[/color] Tarent tells him coldly."Fine," says Lester.  "Well, then, one more thing- what's behind that door?"  He jerks his thumb at the thick portal on the other end of the hall.[color=139991]"I do not know,"[/color] Tarent replies.  [color=139991]"I have never seen it open, nor could the beholders penetrate beyond it."[/color]  At this our heroes exchange glances and smile grimly.  If the beholders couldn't do it...There's just got to be loot, thinks Lester.Next Time: How does the party get through the door?  What's back there?  Will Alcar continue to work with the party?  And what the heck is resonite??</blockquote>

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