Banewarrens d20 (Angelsboi's party)

[diaglo]

Read the Writing on the Wall

"Well, I guess that does it," Darian said.

Fiddle checked the door. Nothing. He unlocked it and shone the light ahead. A short corridor. It ended with another door. Burn marks covered the floor. Fiddle guessed it was a similar trap to one they had seen yesterday. He was right. An idea struck him. He mounted Marmaduke and rode back to the first door leaving everyone in the dark. He found a lever on the wall. He pulled it. The plug moved back into place. The others caught up.

"Stop doing that," Sully complained.

"I didn't want something sneaking up behind us," Fiddle replied.

"Do you know if we can reverse that?" Darian growled. "You may have just sealed us in."

"Air, I need air," Calrom pantomimed. He moved the lever back. The plug went up again. He lowered it. "Seems to work to me. Now can we see what is behind the door?"

Fiddle borrowed Sully's cloak again. He moved to the last door. It was unlocked. It opened onto a flight of stairs down., a landing, and another flight of stairs. Fiddle led the way. The chamber beyond felt comfy. A pleasant feeling settled over the party. They found a statue in the room of the Pegasus Voastra. Fiddle moved about with the lantern. He found some clawed tracks in a corridor heading North. Another corridor went East. And a side chamber to the Southeast had a statue of Danar. The southern wall of this chamber was moist. The eastern wall contained a message written in Celestial. Darian read the writing on the wall aloud:

For I see a future....
and the taint of evil...
...fear the light of our world's day
I have chosen not to slay, not to destroy but to contain
Just as nature renews itself
the living gaining life from the dead,
so does evil draw upon even that which is destroyed
to crush evil is to free it and let it become a new darkness
a new bane
the banes are sealed away
sealed away along with their evil essence
trapped forever...

 

[diaglo]

Party Strife

Fiddle turned back to the main chamber. He searched around for secret panels, doors, or traps. Marmaduke, Redd, and Arendel guarded the northern corridor. Fiddle scouted to the East. He found a door. Calrom listened. The rattle of chains could be heard thru the door. Darian and Calrom entered. A few feet in they got a shock from the floor. Calrom retreated. Sully assumed the form of a pixie and flew to Darian's side. And Fiddle quaffed a potion. He hovered above the floor. He grabbed the wall and pulled himself along. Darian continued forward. He had some immunity to the electrical charge. A spell he had cast earlier when in combat with the will-o-wisp. The far wall of the chamber contained an evil presence. A suit of armor dangled from a chain. A face coalesced where a head should have been.

"Who dares enter my presence?" the evil said. "I am Tirranth Invir. Fear me. I was a great warlord. I ravaged the land and killed many thousands of people. Nearly 2000 years ago. Eventually I was hung for my crimes. Only when Danar, curse his name, set me here to rot did I know pain. Set me free. I command it."

"I don't think so," Darian replied. "You have shown no penance for your crimes."

"I will answer a question for you if you do," Invir offered. "I know you wish to gain something. I feel it."

The armor fell silent. Darian hemmed and hawed but couldn't get the creature to give a new response. Fiddle in the meantime had tried to speak a couple times. The only thing he got was scorn from the warlord. Although, he did learn that a vial of holy water and a blessing from a priest would free the spirit. Fiddle found the vial of holy water. And he remembered Darian still had a scroll with a blessing on it. He moved forward and began to sprinkle the holy water.

"FIDDDLLLE," Darian yelled. "What the hell are you doing?"

"Freeing him," Fiddle replied. "He will not return here. His destination is Hell. What better way to punish him."

"AAAhhhh," Invir laughed as the holy water took effect. "Ask your question."

"Where is the Sword of Truth also called the Sword of Lies also called the Sword of Videotape..." Darian asked.

"It is with Tremoc Korin,," Invir answered. "It is a bane. If that is what you seek you are fools. Look for it 120' below on the eastern side of the Baneheart. Now finish this and free me."

Darian turned and left. Sully flittered out behind him. As Fiddle pulled himself to the door. Darian slammed it shut in his face.

 

[diaglo]

Fiddle goes postal

Fiddle had to touch down to open the door. He got a mild shock. He burst into the room with weapons drawn.

"Why'd you do that?" Fiddle charged the priest. "I'm here helping your f@#$%# church. If you don't want my help just say so. I'll be more than happy to let you do your own work."

"We can always find another thief," Darian remarked. "One who may actually be able to open some locks or disable some traps."

"Be my guest," Fiddle huffed. "I'm sure he will be just as happy to slit your throat while you are sleeping. I know I'm willing."

"Fiddle," Alya tried to break up the tension. "If you freed Invir you may have caused more harm than good. Did you not remember what Danar's writings said."

"Yeah, I remembered," Fiddle responded. "But didn't Danar also become the Dread Lord Malkith. I don't follow someone else's truths blindly. The only truth I know is that balance is needed."

Arendel came back, "What's all the commotion? I could hear you yelling down the hall. Keep it down."

"I'm with Alya on this," Calrom added. "As long as Danar proves to be goodly I believe he had the right intentions."

Sully was quiet on the matter. Fiddle threw up his hands. "I'm not sticking my neck out anymore. You (he turned to Darian) can find your own traps."

"And you can heal yourself," Darian threatened.

"Like you ever did it willingly before," Fiddle laughed. "I'm not a medic is your theme song. I think I'll compose a ballad with that line in it for the next tavern I visit. F@#$*&$ coward." Fiddle glowered at the others.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Norhing like a little intra-party conflict

 

[biorph]

whoa there

HEY! HEY! HEY! We HAVE a BARD in the party. if anyone's going to be doing the composing it's going to be ME, unless Fiddle plans on takeing the Vitruoso prestige class

boy Fiddle sure did swear alot huh? I wonder what's going on there?

 

[diaglo]

HEY! HEY! HEY! We HAVE a BARD in the party. if anyone's going to be doing the composing it's going to be ME, unless Fiddle plans on takeing the Vitruoso prestige class

boy Fiddle sure did swear alot huh? I wonder what's going on there?

D'oh....forgot to mention...Alya healed Fiddle after things chilled out.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Interlude: The Quaan

Hedrack, high priest of Moander and chief of the Pactlords of the Quaan, furrowed his brow as he concentrated on the bone ring on his finger, forcing his thoughts through the fanged-mouth symbol on the ring and across the planes to his agent.

"Kukannuile, what progress have you to report?"

The raspy voice of his agent grated in his ming. We used the first wish to bypass the sealed door to the Outer Vaults, but were attacked by a Lathanderite warrior who prevented the entry of the rest of the team. I proceeded, bypassing various traps and ignoring vault doors, until I located the second door to the Inner Vaults, also sealed. I have learned that the Grail lies in the depths of Tremoc Korin, but without the key I cannot retrieve it and return. Others have penetrated the vaults, as well. I do not know their motives, but at least one of them must have the key. A Zhentarim force bypassed the sealed door some days ago; I managed to spring a trap that delayed them, but they continue to press ahead. On their heels came a group of adventurers, among whom travelled a Lathanderite priest. They destroyed the rest of my team, the weak fools, but they have yet to catch up with me. What are your instructions, my Lord?

"So, the Black Network or the Lathanderites have discovered the key, eh? Likely the first group possesses it, and the latter rush to catch up. We have yet to determine the Black Network's motives; we may be competing with them for the Grail. The Lathanderites do not seek the same bane as we, but may be the more dangerous as they may seek to seal the warrens forever, which we cannot let happen. Determine who has the key; delay the group that does not, and follow the leaders until the necessary doors are opened. The second Grail Team has already been dispatched; they will track down the key and take it. One the doors are opened and the key in our possession proceed to the Grail. Come back successful or not at all."

As you bid, my lord. Might I suggest the third team be readied?

"Do not presume to rise above yourself! I shall deal with that eventuality when it arises! Now go!"

He broke the mental contact, and glanced into the deeper darkness that lay within the shadows of his office.

"We are close to the Grail. You are certain it will bring back my master?"

"Of course," hissed the sibilant voice from the shadows. "Have we steered you wrong yet? Make haste, though, for we cannot distract the Daleslanders forever. It seems you have much competition."

"Two groups in the warrens, and two more that I know of." Hedrack smirked. "The advantage of having many enemies; they sow confusion and get in each others' way. Our factor in Tilverton reports that his dupes inadvertantly revealed another agent to the Black Network, who did our dirty work for us. That agent turned out not to be working for the group they thought, but for another. A few more well-sown seeds of dissent, and we shall be unopposed."

"Presuming events in the warrens do not turn against you," the hissing shadow replied sarcastically. "The Lathanderites have proven quite resourceful before. What if they gain the key, or the Grail, ahead of you?"

"Then it will fall right into our hands," Hedrack replied calmly, "I have already prepared for that eventuality."

"In that case, I remind you to remember our bargain, or your master's return will be short-lived. My mistress will not continue to loan you her assistance forever. She has other business."

"As you say," Hedrack nodded.

 

[biorph]

...fat elf chick sets off trap

noisy halfing gets black eye and bruised groin

 

[diaglo]

Ape man...

The party left the Warlord Tirranth to his own misery, while they decided what to do next. The noise from their argument hadn't brought unwanted guests. Calrom and Fiddle scouted back to the last corridor. The tracks were still very distinguishable. Calrom guessed 3 or 4 large ape like creatures had made them. His knowledge of magical beasts led him to believe they were Girallons. Fiddle found a secret door slightly ajar at the end of the corridor. The passage continued to the right. Fiddle and Calrom scouted down the passage. Ahead was a room and to the left another passage. The room was a mess. Remnants of wooden shelves were scattered about the floor. The brackets in the walls had also been torn away. Calrom and Fiddle searched amidst the wreckage. Nothing. They trotted back to the others.

"Now what?" Arendel asked. "I say we open the secret door."

"There is another passage," Calrom remarked. "Maybe Fiddle and I should watch that passage."

The others agree. Fiddle and Calrom walked back to the passage. On the way there, Arendel and the others opened the secret door.

BBBoooooNNNGGGG

"What the..." Calrom said. He turned around just in time to see a large Four armed Ape swat him. He swayed backwards. The creature leaned forward and lifted him from the ground. Its claws and muscles did a number on the ranger. He looked like a rag doll. Calrom shrieked in pain before losing consciousness. He was still breathing. Fiddle stared up at the beast and locked eyes with it. It set Calrom down. Several more large shapes appeared behind the first Girallon. Arendel assumed Bear form.

Alya began to sing. The words in her song warned the rest of the party not to cast spells or act violently. Two more of the apes rounded the corner. They stood still listening to Alya. Fiddle coaxed the third ape to pick up Calrom and follow. He brought the Girallon to Darian. Darian used regular means to stop Calrom from bleeding. The Girallon set Calrom down.

A fourth Girallon rounded the corner. Arendel calmed the beast. It grabbed the bear and led it back the way it had come. The leopard followed. Sully tried to stay out of the way. He felt frustrated at not being able to help.

Fiddle took the other Girallon into the secret passage. He closed the door behind himself. He could still hear Alya singing. The words were ones of worry. She didn't know what had happened to the druid. And the two Girallons in front of her were not going to stay that way if the others didn't come up with a plan.

Fiddle looked around. The secret passage had 3 doors. The first was open. Inside a glowing hand floated over a pedestal. The Girallon picked him up. Fiddle tried to squirm free. The beast held him tighter. For several moments Fiddle and the Girallon had a battle of wills. The Girallon thought to protect the hin. Fiddle just wanted to be set free again. Fiddle finally gave up and hoped the others would rescue him.

The singing stopped.

 

[diaglo]

Silent night...Unholy night.

"That's not good," Fiddle thought.

Fiddle tried to distract the Girallon while he drew his daggers.

BBBooooNNNNGGG

The secret door opened again. THump, thump, thump. Three arrows struck the Girallon in the back. It spun around and set Fiddle down. And took a swing at the figure in the door. Calrom stood at the doorway with his bow. Fiddle leapt at the Girallon. He stabbed it repeatedly. Darian was just to the side of Calrom in the corridor. He fired a stream of light down the other passage. The roar of a bear could be heard. Sully suddenly appeared behind Calrom. A volley of magical balls hit the Girallon. It turned on Fiddle. The ape grabbed Fiddle with three of its arms and bit down hard on his shoulder. Fiddle almost lost consciousness. A bear claw raked the Girallon from behind. It fell.

Darian bent down and healed Fiddle.

"Thanks," Fiddle replied. "You saved my bacon. There is a hand in the room." Fiddle pointed ahead.

"Alya and the leopard are gone," Darian shook his head.

A gloom fell over the party. Calrom appeared with the healing wand. He and Fiddle traded cures until they were restored.

Arendel returned to elf form. "I can restore Alya. But I need some special oils, herbs, and unguents. They are not cheap. And it will take much of my strength. I used up most of my spells killing 3 of the Girallons."

"I've got some," Fiddle responded.

"Fiddle?" Darian asked. Everyone looked at the hin.

"I have some worth about 5000gp," Fiddle added. "I'm not without my resources."

"We are gonna have to have a look at what you have sometime," Calrom stated.

Calrom and Fiddle sat watch for the night. The others rested in the Girallon's room. It had a shrine to Mielikki. The shrine provided food for the party.

During the night, Fiddle caught sight of the mind flayer. He woke Calrom. Fiddle also heard the pounded of many feet. Fiddle opened the secret door to wake the others.

BBBBoooNNNGGGG

He mounted Marmaduke and rode to the shrine. "One if by land, Two if by sea," he shouted.