Olgar Shiverstone
Legend
And so they're off to the illithid prison today. Will they survive?
*shakes magic 8-ball*
My sources say no.
*shakes magic 8-ball*
My sources say no.
Banewarrens d20 (Angelsboi's party)
- Thread starter diaglo
- Start date
diaglo
Adventurer
One stop shopping
Grishelm was soon deep into his cups. Erik spoke of the troubles and dangers in the mind flayer prison, The Spiral of Manzessine. Erik had not seen much of the Prison that he could remember well. However, he did draw a rough map of the tunnels outside. Who knew what dark criminals mind flayers would keep and why. But this was the place the voice told Vlad and Fiddle, Darian could be found. Fiddle said this had trap written all over it. Sully, Alya, and Fextor didn't care. And Fiddle did agree Darian owed Grishelm and his community. And no one else could provide what Grishelm needed. A basket of replentiful food and a jug of neverending water.
So the party made plans. First stop would be around Ashabenford in the deep snow in the dead of night. Heresk Malorn's house to inform the Councilman of the drow threat. Heresk wasn't happy. The party had abandoned Dumic according to his way of thinking. Fextor tried to get him to talk about the defense of the Dale. The Riders were away. And with the snow there wasn't much news coming or going. Rumors were everywhere.
And then to Noristar's Emporium to buy, sell, or trade goods of magic. Things went well for the party. They ran into an old friend, Spugnoir. Conjuration magic was not working right. Sully got a bag of Giant Slugs and 3 potions for the cost of the scroll from Filani.
And then back to the White Hart. In the morning, Sully transported the party to Glen. Fiddle and Fextor set off to buy, sell, trade, and carry on. Fiddle bought the town out of all the alcohol and wanton women. Slightly over 1000gp on his tab at the bar. He managed to pick up his lucky dagger, Sliver, somewhere in the process of pubcrawling. Pepto and her party of adventurers had come and gone to Galath's Roost. Four gems were needed to activate a portal. They hadn't returned since the last trip.
The next morning, Sully delivered the party outside the Rose Altar in Tilverton. There was much to do in Tilverton. First things first.
BANG, BANG, BANG
Fiddle pounded on the door. An acolyte opened it.
"It was unlocked," he chided.
Grishelm was soon deep into his cups. Erik spoke of the troubles and dangers in the mind flayer prison, The Spiral of Manzessine. Erik had not seen much of the Prison that he could remember well. However, he did draw a rough map of the tunnels outside. Who knew what dark criminals mind flayers would keep and why. But this was the place the voice told Vlad and Fiddle, Darian could be found. Fiddle said this had trap written all over it. Sully, Alya, and Fextor didn't care. And Fiddle did agree Darian owed Grishelm and his community. And no one else could provide what Grishelm needed. A basket of replentiful food and a jug of neverending water.
So the party made plans. First stop would be around Ashabenford in the deep snow in the dead of night. Heresk Malorn's house to inform the Councilman of the drow threat. Heresk wasn't happy. The party had abandoned Dumic according to his way of thinking. Fextor tried to get him to talk about the defense of the Dale. The Riders were away. And with the snow there wasn't much news coming or going. Rumors were everywhere.
And then to Noristar's Emporium to buy, sell, or trade goods of magic. Things went well for the party. They ran into an old friend, Spugnoir. Conjuration magic was not working right. Sully got a bag of Giant Slugs and 3 potions for the cost of the scroll from Filani.
And then back to the White Hart. In the morning, Sully transported the party to Glen. Fiddle and Fextor set off to buy, sell, trade, and carry on. Fiddle bought the town out of all the alcohol and wanton women. Slightly over 1000gp on his tab at the bar. He managed to pick up his lucky dagger, Sliver, somewhere in the process of pubcrawling. Pepto and her party of adventurers had come and gone to Galath's Roost. Four gems were needed to activate a portal. They hadn't returned since the last trip.
The next morning, Sully delivered the party outside the Rose Altar in Tilverton. There was much to do in Tilverton. First things first.
BANG, BANG, BANG
Fiddle pounded on the door. An acolyte opened it.
"It was unlocked," he chided.
diaglo
Adventurer
The truth revealed
"Do you wish to make offering to the church?" the acolyte blocked the door.
"No, we wish to have words with the head of your order concerning one of your priests," Fiddle muscled the puny human aside.
"Fiddle??!?" Alya raised voice rang out. "What my friend is trying to say is we have news for the Father."
"And whom should I say is calling?" the acolyte blustered.
"The Stormslayers," Sully moseyed inside too. "Do you know Darian Dawnguard?"
"The Morninglord, no, not personally," the acolyte answered. "But I wish to one day follow in his footsteps."
"You'd better wear high boots then," Fiddle quipped. "As you will be stepping in a whole bunch of cow patties."
The acolyte left the party to find the High Priest at the back of the church behind a partition. A few minutes later, the acolyte and another man returned. The acolyte pointed to the party and went back to his morning prayers. A tall, dark haired fellow approached.
"How may I help you?" the priest spoke.
"We should do this in private," Vlad whispered.
"Great a private meeting with a priest in his quarters. What would ever come of that?" Fiddle smirked.
"Fiddle," Alya screeched. "Let someone else with more character handle this."
The party met the priest behind closed doors. They told him about Darian's predicament. They asked if the church could find out if Darian still lived. And if he wished to be rescued. And if not rescued if he wished to die instead of be a slave. And started to ask for help with Grishelm. But never made it. The priest wanted to find out the party's intentions. What they knew. Why they cared. He cast a spell.
"You may only speak the truth in my presence," the priest stated. "Are you intent on harm to Darian Dawnguard?"
"YES, I AM," Fiddle yelled loud and clear.
"Do you wish to make offering to the church?" the acolyte blocked the door.
"No, we wish to have words with the head of your order concerning one of your priests," Fiddle muscled the puny human aside.
"Fiddle??!?" Alya raised voice rang out. "What my friend is trying to say is we have news for the Father."
"And whom should I say is calling?" the acolyte blustered.
"The Stormslayers," Sully moseyed inside too. "Do you know Darian Dawnguard?"
"The Morninglord, no, not personally," the acolyte answered. "But I wish to one day follow in his footsteps."
"You'd better wear high boots then," Fiddle quipped. "As you will be stepping in a whole bunch of cow patties."
The acolyte left the party to find the High Priest at the back of the church behind a partition. A few minutes later, the acolyte and another man returned. The acolyte pointed to the party and went back to his morning prayers. A tall, dark haired fellow approached.
"How may I help you?" the priest spoke.
"We should do this in private," Vlad whispered.
"Great a private meeting with a priest in his quarters. What would ever come of that?" Fiddle smirked.
"Fiddle," Alya screeched. "Let someone else with more character handle this."
The party met the priest behind closed doors. They told him about Darian's predicament. They asked if the church could find out if Darian still lived. And if he wished to be rescued. And if not rescued if he wished to die instead of be a slave. And started to ask for help with Grishelm. But never made it. The priest wanted to find out the party's intentions. What they knew. Why they cared. He cast a spell.
"You may only speak the truth in my presence," the priest stated. "Are you intent on harm to Darian Dawnguard?"
"YES, I AM," Fiddle yelled loud and clear.
diaglo
Adventurer
Wuv Twoo Wuv
Alya screamed at Fiddle, "Shut Up before things get too out of control."
The two halflings bickered. Vlad grabbed them both by the scruff of their collars and started to take them outside. Sully got things back on track going into detail about the Black Grail and the Sword of Truth. The High Priest seemed interested. Alya and Fiddle settled down.
The High Priest would perform a divination on Darian to determine the truth of his imprisonment. He wasn't ready to do it yet and told the party to return in the evening. Sully suggested visiting Filani next.
The elderly elf doorman met the party with his usually "oh you again." Fiddle liked to cheer the fellow up. Filani was available. Sully talked about his potion and the corrupted faerzress. He also brought up the Black Grail. An idea struck Fiddle. Fill the Black Grail with the Kiss of Life and give it to the White Banshee to drink. Sully smiled and just nodded at Fiddle. Filani had a scroll to help find Darian. It would lead the party right to him. But it wasn't cheap.
So, Fiddle left for the market. He had things to sell. He also stopped in on Tristam. A secret mission for the church of Brandobaris. He accepted without a second thought. Deliver a crown, a scepter, and a suit of mail to Mouse. It would place him in Peldan's Helm. He needed to clear his name there anyway. And he could catch up with Eliar.
He found the party back at the Windlord's Rest. He handed each of the members their fair share of the booty. They left for Filani's place to purchase the scroll. From there they went back to the Rose Altar.
The High Priest told them he believed Darian was still alive. The divination showed a small cell. He offered 4 warriors of light or a priest and his guard as additional aid in the rescue. Valgrim was the priest. It had been many months since the party last spoke to the young priest. He did not look the same.
"A mayth," Valgrim lithp. "I wath adwenturing when a hobgolthin hith me in the fathe with a mayth. I loth twee teeff."
Alya screamed at Fiddle, "Shut Up before things get too out of control."
The two halflings bickered. Vlad grabbed them both by the scruff of their collars and started to take them outside. Sully got things back on track going into detail about the Black Grail and the Sword of Truth. The High Priest seemed interested. Alya and Fiddle settled down.
The High Priest would perform a divination on Darian to determine the truth of his imprisonment. He wasn't ready to do it yet and told the party to return in the evening. Sully suggested visiting Filani next.
The elderly elf doorman met the party with his usually "oh you again." Fiddle liked to cheer the fellow up. Filani was available. Sully talked about his potion and the corrupted faerzress. He also brought up the Black Grail. An idea struck Fiddle. Fill the Black Grail with the Kiss of Life and give it to the White Banshee to drink. Sully smiled and just nodded at Fiddle. Filani had a scroll to help find Darian. It would lead the party right to him. But it wasn't cheap.
So, Fiddle left for the market. He had things to sell. He also stopped in on Tristam. A secret mission for the church of Brandobaris. He accepted without a second thought. Deliver a crown, a scepter, and a suit of mail to Mouse. It would place him in Peldan's Helm. He needed to clear his name there anyway. And he could catch up with Eliar.
He found the party back at the Windlord's Rest. He handed each of the members their fair share of the booty. They left for Filani's place to purchase the scroll. From there they went back to the Rose Altar.
The High Priest told them he believed Darian was still alive. The divination showed a small cell. He offered 4 warriors of light or a priest and his guard as additional aid in the rescue. Valgrim was the priest. It had been many months since the party last spoke to the young priest. He did not look the same.
"A mayth," Valgrim lithp. "I wath adwenturing when a hobgolthin hith me in the fathe with a mayth. I loth twee teeff."
diaglo
Adventurer
Our Good name
Fiddle made a stop at the Temple of Gond. He bought a strange new weapon for throwing flasks. A gnome calculus. He also bought holy water, acid, and the chemical fire. All they had.
Fiddle remembered Fextor's curiosity about the defense of the Dales and the pact with the elves. He suggested Sully take them to Peldan's Helm to speak with Eliar. Vlad begged off.
Sully, Fiddle, Alya, and Fextor arrived just outside Eliar's door in the Inner Bailey of Peldan's Helm. They were quickly surrounded by armed guards.
"Hiya," Fiddle chirped. "Is Eliar home?"
The elf popped out to see about all the commotion. "You should not be here. You are accused of many horrible things. Not the least of which is theft and murder."
"Who us?" Sully exclaimed. "Who would make these accusations and why?"
Not the welcome the party expected. Well Fiddle did, but he knew it wouldn't come to a bad end. The Band of the Burning Brand. Himool and Company had darkened the party's name in Peldan's Helm. Before they betrayed the party to Nightscale, Himool slandered the Stormslayers. A guard went to fetch Father Abercrombie. The priest of Tyr arrived soon afterwards.
"Will you submit to Tyr's judgement?" Father Abercrombie asked.
"Sure," Fiddle smiled. "We have nothing to hide."
The priest mumbled a prayer. Another spell of truth. The magic washed over them without taking hold. Sully and Fiddle both told the truth as they knew it. Or at least the truth they were willing to admit. Alya and Fextor stood by and nodded. The party avenged the Band of the Burning Brand by slaying the Dragon, Nightscale, after it killed them.
"It seems we owe you an apology," Eliar broke the silence. "Next time don't pop in here. Come thru the gate."
The party talked about rumors. About the defense of the Dale. About the elves and the drow. And the war in the ruins of Maerimydra. About a Dragon.. Dragon did you say? Venom the great green Wyrm in the Vale of Lost Voices. About the elven temple. Afterwards, Fiddle visited Mouse.
He was to take the package to Jarwain's Import Export Business in Ashabenford. No problemo. Fextor and Sully were planning on using a scroll to read Erik's mind to find a good place to arrive near the Spiral of Manzessine. Ashabenford was the party's next stop. Sully deposited them at the White Hart. Grishelm gave no response. Erik just shrugged. Fiddle stopped in on Jarwain. They exchanged goods. Fiddle now possessed two egg sized emeralds.
Sully went back for Valgrim, Vlad, and Valorean.. the bodyguard.
Fiddle made a stop at the Temple of Gond. He bought a strange new weapon for throwing flasks. A gnome calculus. He also bought holy water, acid, and the chemical fire. All they had.
Fiddle remembered Fextor's curiosity about the defense of the Dales and the pact with the elves. He suggested Sully take them to Peldan's Helm to speak with Eliar. Vlad begged off.
Sully, Fiddle, Alya, and Fextor arrived just outside Eliar's door in the Inner Bailey of Peldan's Helm. They were quickly surrounded by armed guards.
"Hiya," Fiddle chirped. "Is Eliar home?"
The elf popped out to see about all the commotion. "You should not be here. You are accused of many horrible things. Not the least of which is theft and murder."
"Who us?" Sully exclaimed. "Who would make these accusations and why?"
Not the welcome the party expected. Well Fiddle did, but he knew it wouldn't come to a bad end. The Band of the Burning Brand. Himool and Company had darkened the party's name in Peldan's Helm. Before they betrayed the party to Nightscale, Himool slandered the Stormslayers. A guard went to fetch Father Abercrombie. The priest of Tyr arrived soon afterwards.
"Will you submit to Tyr's judgement?" Father Abercrombie asked.
"Sure," Fiddle smiled. "We have nothing to hide."
The priest mumbled a prayer. Another spell of truth. The magic washed over them without taking hold. Sully and Fiddle both told the truth as they knew it. Or at least the truth they were willing to admit. Alya and Fextor stood by and nodded. The party avenged the Band of the Burning Brand by slaying the Dragon, Nightscale, after it killed them.
"It seems we owe you an apology," Eliar broke the silence. "Next time don't pop in here. Come thru the gate."
The party talked about rumors. About the defense of the Dale. About the elves and the drow. And the war in the ruins of Maerimydra. About a Dragon.. Dragon did you say? Venom the great green Wyrm in the Vale of Lost Voices. About the elven temple. Afterwards, Fiddle visited Mouse.
He was to take the package to Jarwain's Import Export Business in Ashabenford. No problemo. Fextor and Sully were planning on using a scroll to read Erik's mind to find a good place to arrive near the Spiral of Manzessine. Ashabenford was the party's next stop. Sully deposited them at the White Hart. Grishelm gave no response. Erik just shrugged. Fiddle stopped in on Jarwain. They exchanged goods. Fiddle now possessed two egg sized emeralds.
Sully went back for Valgrim, Vlad, and Valorean.. the bodyguard.
diaglo
Adventurer
Cave In
"To thwa pwisun," Valgrim announced. "We muth fwee Daweean."
Fiddle chuckled. Even the voices in his head started to lisp.
"Anon," Sully said. "After I have rested and regained my magic."
"I think we should talk strategy," Fextor piped up. "We know there will be trouble with the mind flayers. What else are we to expect?"
"Golums," Erik noted. "I seem to remember the guards outside the main gate were golems."
"I have a magic ring," Fiddle added.
The party haggled over what spells to cast ahead of time. Who should be in the first group. What to do and where to meet. And much more. Fiddle gave Erik some more coins to help pay for his and Grishelm's fun. When all was said an done. Sully cast many spells; Darkvision for the group, Invisibility Sphere, and Fiddle cast Longstrider on himself. And Valgrim buffed up Valorean strength and muscles. Finally Sully teleported Fiddle, Fextor, and Vlad in the first trip.
For a few seconds everyone was disoriented. They stood deathly quiet. When their senses returned they were in a tunnel. Many hobgoblins, drow, and gray dwarves worked on the stone while 2 squidmen stood nearby watching. Sully mumbled his spell again to return to get the others.
The squidmen turned at the sound of the gnomes voice.
Show yourselves. We know you are there.
Fextor strained. Fiddle dumped Harp out of his bag. Harp ran down the tunnel away from the miner slaves. Vlad charged the nearest mind flayer. He appeared 10 ft after he left Fextor’s side. The battle was joined. The slaves ran after Harp. Both squidmen turned their attention on Vlad. A wave of crushing magic washed over Fiddle and Fextor. Vlad did not fare so well. He dropped his axe and stood stock still. Fextor ran to his aid. He pounded a hobgoblin into paste with his sword. Fiddle called for Harp. The invisibility was gone with the dwarf. So he ran up and stabbed the mind flayer. More slaves ran thru the tunnel. Two more died to Fextor and Fiddle’s blades. And two more squidmen followed them. One squid attacked Vlad with its tentacles. The other blasted at Fiddle and Fextor. Fiddle shook it off. Fextor didn’t. Nor did Harp. One on 4 Fiddle didn’t like the odds.
Sully and company arrived. Fiddle moved on Vlad’s foe. He sliced and diced the squid in all the vital spots. It fell over dead. The other one blasted Fiddle again. This time Fiddle couldn’t protect himself. He dropped his weapons. One of the other two blasted the slaves and new arrivals. The last one tried to grab Fextor by the skull.
Now it was Alya’s turn to face the squidmen alone. He called on his bow and swore an oath Death to my enemies in elven. The bard unleashed 3 pinpoint shots. Now there were only 2 mind flayers. Valorean charged into the melee. The mind flayers tried a different tactic. The magic wasted on the valiant bodyguard. He hacked away at the near one defending Fextor and Fiddle from harm. The only unaffected slave, a drow female, got away.
Alya rained another volley of arrows into the mind flayers. These were not so charged with magic nor curses. The mind flayers blasted Alya and tried again to sway the bodyguard to their side. Alya froze. Valorean meted out more justice with his blade. Vlad snapped out it. He stabbed the most injured mind flayer in the eye with his rapidly drawn rapier. Now there was only one.
It stepped back and vanished.
"To thwa pwisun," Valgrim announced. "We muth fwee Daweean."
Fiddle chuckled. Even the voices in his head started to lisp.
"Anon," Sully said. "After I have rested and regained my magic."
"I think we should talk strategy," Fextor piped up. "We know there will be trouble with the mind flayers. What else are we to expect?"
"Golums," Erik noted. "I seem to remember the guards outside the main gate were golems."
"I have a magic ring," Fiddle added.
The party haggled over what spells to cast ahead of time. Who should be in the first group. What to do and where to meet. And much more. Fiddle gave Erik some more coins to help pay for his and Grishelm's fun. When all was said an done. Sully cast many spells; Darkvision for the group, Invisibility Sphere, and Fiddle cast Longstrider on himself. And Valgrim buffed up Valorean strength and muscles. Finally Sully teleported Fiddle, Fextor, and Vlad in the first trip.
For a few seconds everyone was disoriented. They stood deathly quiet. When their senses returned they were in a tunnel. Many hobgoblins, drow, and gray dwarves worked on the stone while 2 squidmen stood nearby watching. Sully mumbled his spell again to return to get the others.
The squidmen turned at the sound of the gnomes voice.
Show yourselves. We know you are there.
Fextor strained. Fiddle dumped Harp out of his bag. Harp ran down the tunnel away from the miner slaves. Vlad charged the nearest mind flayer. He appeared 10 ft after he left Fextor’s side. The battle was joined. The slaves ran after Harp. Both squidmen turned their attention on Vlad. A wave of crushing magic washed over Fiddle and Fextor. Vlad did not fare so well. He dropped his axe and stood stock still. Fextor ran to his aid. He pounded a hobgoblin into paste with his sword. Fiddle called for Harp. The invisibility was gone with the dwarf. So he ran up and stabbed the mind flayer. More slaves ran thru the tunnel. Two more died to Fextor and Fiddle’s blades. And two more squidmen followed them. One squid attacked Vlad with its tentacles. The other blasted at Fiddle and Fextor. Fiddle shook it off. Fextor didn’t. Nor did Harp. One on 4 Fiddle didn’t like the odds.
Sully and company arrived. Fiddle moved on Vlad’s foe. He sliced and diced the squid in all the vital spots. It fell over dead. The other one blasted Fiddle again. This time Fiddle couldn’t protect himself. He dropped his weapons. One of the other two blasted the slaves and new arrivals. The last one tried to grab Fextor by the skull.
Now it was Alya’s turn to face the squidmen alone. He called on his bow and swore an oath Death to my enemies in elven. The bard unleashed 3 pinpoint shots. Now there were only 2 mind flayers. Valorean charged into the melee. The mind flayers tried a different tactic. The magic wasted on the valiant bodyguard. He hacked away at the near one defending Fextor and Fiddle from harm. The only unaffected slave, a drow female, got away.
Alya rained another volley of arrows into the mind flayers. These were not so charged with magic nor curses. The mind flayers blasted Alya and tried again to sway the bodyguard to their side. Alya froze. Valorean meted out more justice with his blade. Vlad snapped out it. He stabbed the most injured mind flayer in the eye with his rapidly drawn rapier. Now there was only one.
It stepped back and vanished.
diaglo
Adventurer
Knock, knock, who's there
"Which way to the prison?" Fextor screamed in the face of a hobgoblin.
The brute cowered and pointed down a side tunnel. The party decided on stealth. Fiddle drank one of his potions. His shadow increased and his body seemed to vanish. He scouted ahead. Vlad followed next. And then the rest of the party. The slaves; 10 in total left here, one female drow had escaped, and 4 lay dead from Fiddle and Fextor's handy work, were left to their own devices. They blithered endlessly about their masters.
A half mile or so later, Fiddle entered a cavern. It resembled Erik's map. A green gas filled a chasm. It swirled just below a narrow bridge. Two large stalagmites and an iron portcullis marked the entrance to the prison. To either side of the gate stood two massive misshapen giants, flesh golems. They were fashioned from an assortment of mind flayer, drow, and probably hobgoblin body parts. Neither moved.
Fiddle crossed the bridge. At the halfway point a voice spoke to him inside his head.
"Come no further," it thought. "You are not welcome here surface dweller. Go back now. We eat your kind."
"I've come to purchase freedom for an acquaintance," Fiddle replied in Undercommon. "I have much wealth."
"Mwwwhuuuahhhh," the voice laughed. "Puny mortal. You have little we need. Go back now."
"Okay," Fiddle chipperly sang. "I don't want him anyway. But there was no harm in asking."
Fiddle went back to the others and told them Darian was doomed. No one believed him. So Fiddle told them about the cavern, the gas, the golems, and the voice. The party buffed up again on magic. And it was Alya's turn to negotiate Darian's release.
The little bard tried and tried or so everyone guessed as the conversation was all in his head. He moved forward just to the edge of everyone's vision. The party prepared their weapons and spells. A few tense moments passed. And then...
WHHHAAAAA WHHHAAAA WHAAAA
"Which way to the prison?" Fextor screamed in the face of a hobgoblin.
The brute cowered and pointed down a side tunnel. The party decided on stealth. Fiddle drank one of his potions. His shadow increased and his body seemed to vanish. He scouted ahead. Vlad followed next. And then the rest of the party. The slaves; 10 in total left here, one female drow had escaped, and 4 lay dead from Fiddle and Fextor's handy work, were left to their own devices. They blithered endlessly about their masters.
A half mile or so later, Fiddle entered a cavern. It resembled Erik's map. A green gas filled a chasm. It swirled just below a narrow bridge. Two large stalagmites and an iron portcullis marked the entrance to the prison. To either side of the gate stood two massive misshapen giants, flesh golems. They were fashioned from an assortment of mind flayer, drow, and probably hobgoblin body parts. Neither moved.
Fiddle crossed the bridge. At the halfway point a voice spoke to him inside his head.
"Come no further," it thought. "You are not welcome here surface dweller. Go back now. We eat your kind."
"I've come to purchase freedom for an acquaintance," Fiddle replied in Undercommon. "I have much wealth."
"Mwwwhuuuahhhh," the voice laughed. "Puny mortal. You have little we need. Go back now."
"Okay," Fiddle chipperly sang. "I don't want him anyway. But there was no harm in asking."
Fiddle went back to the others and told them Darian was doomed. No one believed him. So Fiddle told them about the cavern, the gas, the golems, and the voice. The party buffed up again on magic. And it was Alya's turn to negotiate Darian's release.
The little bard tried and tried or so everyone guessed as the conversation was all in his head. He moved forward just to the edge of everyone's vision. The party prepared their weapons and spells. A few tense moments passed. And then...
WHHHAAAAA WHHHAAAA WHAAAA
the Jester
Legend
Nothing like some squidmen!!1! 
diaglo
Adventurer
The way in.. No way out
The Gate closed. WHAAA WHAAA WHAAA. The noise continued. Shriekers Fiddle thought. They must be over by the Gate.
Alya ran back to the party, "There is another mind flayer and a metal construct with it just inside the portcullis." He sang to inspire the party to be more courageous.
Pixie Sully commanded his magic. The air around the party quickened and then so did everyone's actions. Fextor and Vlad fired their bows in rapid succession at the guards. The Two fleshy things moved onto the bridge. They lumbered towards the party. Fiddle unloaded his gnome contraption on the lead Gollum. Splash, Splash, Splash, Splash. The chemicals ignited with the air. Valorean and Valgrim moved into position to guard the front of the ranks. Valgrim called on Lathander's grace to bless the party.
Alya sang a tune. An area of grease covered the bridge. One Gollum went down. It struggled to rise again. Sully invoked his magic. The air behind the Gollums sparked. The arrows pushed out of their hides. Their wounds healed.
"Fire and cold," Alya yelled. "It is the only magic that will work against these things."
Fextor and Vlad riddled them with another volley of arrows. The combined damage from Fiddle, Vlad, and Fextor was enough. One Gollum collapsed and fell off the bridge into the green mist and the chasm below. Alya and Fiddle went quiet. Fiddle put away his calculus and drew his blades. The remaining Gollum stood and exchanged blows with Valorean and Valgrim. It too collapsed.
Alya pulled his bow and scanned the opposite side of the chasm. Sully dispelled the force on Alya. Noise returned. Sully shook off a spell. Fiddle saw movement from a slit about 20ft up on the far side stalagmite. .Fextor drew his guisarme. He pushed the other Gollum off the bridge to follow its fellow guard. Vlad waited. Fiddle with his new found Sully magic sprinted thru the grease, over the bridge, and under the stalagmite. He threw Sliver into the squidman's head. The silver dwarven powered dagger proved accurate. Valgrim tried to follow Fiddle but ended up in the grease. Vlad peppered all around the arrow slit. Alya moved into better position and fired. Valorean hung back not trusting the grease.
Sully lit the air up with another ball of lightning. The squidman withdrew from the arrow slit. Fextor joined Valgrim in the grease. Fiddle rose in the air using his drow clasp. He stabbed with Lightning Strike. Not quite as hurtful but it still drew blood. Vlad leapt the grease and approached the gate. Valgrim rose and crossed the bridge. Alya dismissed his spell. He closed the distance too. Valorean on his heels.
Sully flew to the other stalagmite. The mind flayer blasted Fiddle. The hin hung limp. His weapons clanged to the ground below. The squid fled. Fextor climbed the stalagmite and grabbed Fiddle's ankles they sank back to solid ground. Vlad waited for signs of the mind flayer. Valgrim bashed at a shrieker. Valorean helped him. Alya began to sing words of encourgement anew.
Sully crawled thru the arrow slit and down the back into the prison. He spied the mind flayer and unleashed another ball of lightning. The mind flayer ran. Vlad peppered the area. It was too late the thing vanished. Valgrim and Valorean ended the other shrieker.
Fiddle snapped back to normal. He grabbed his weapons and leapt back into the air, thru the air slit, and down the back. He joined Sully by a crank mechanism. They both tried it. Fiddle wasted his energy. While Sully easily rolled up the portcullis.
Fiddle broke it off so the way out was open.
The Gate closed. WHAAA WHAAA WHAAA. The noise continued. Shriekers Fiddle thought. They must be over by the Gate.
Alya ran back to the party, "There is another mind flayer and a metal construct with it just inside the portcullis." He sang to inspire the party to be more courageous.
Pixie Sully commanded his magic. The air around the party quickened and then so did everyone's actions. Fextor and Vlad fired their bows in rapid succession at the guards. The Two fleshy things moved onto the bridge. They lumbered towards the party. Fiddle unloaded his gnome contraption on the lead Gollum. Splash, Splash, Splash, Splash. The chemicals ignited with the air. Valorean and Valgrim moved into position to guard the front of the ranks. Valgrim called on Lathander's grace to bless the party.
Alya sang a tune. An area of grease covered the bridge. One Gollum went down. It struggled to rise again. Sully invoked his magic. The air behind the Gollums sparked. The arrows pushed out of their hides. Their wounds healed.
"Fire and cold," Alya yelled. "It is the only magic that will work against these things."
Fextor and Vlad riddled them with another volley of arrows. The combined damage from Fiddle, Vlad, and Fextor was enough. One Gollum collapsed and fell off the bridge into the green mist and the chasm below. Alya and Fiddle went quiet. Fiddle put away his calculus and drew his blades. The remaining Gollum stood and exchanged blows with Valorean and Valgrim. It too collapsed.
Alya pulled his bow and scanned the opposite side of the chasm. Sully dispelled the force on Alya. Noise returned. Sully shook off a spell. Fiddle saw movement from a slit about 20ft up on the far side stalagmite. .Fextor drew his guisarme. He pushed the other Gollum off the bridge to follow its fellow guard. Vlad waited. Fiddle with his new found Sully magic sprinted thru the grease, over the bridge, and under the stalagmite. He threw Sliver into the squidman's head. The silver dwarven powered dagger proved accurate. Valgrim tried to follow Fiddle but ended up in the grease. Vlad peppered all around the arrow slit. Alya moved into better position and fired. Valorean hung back not trusting the grease.
Sully lit the air up with another ball of lightning. The squidman withdrew from the arrow slit. Fextor joined Valgrim in the grease. Fiddle rose in the air using his drow clasp. He stabbed with Lightning Strike. Not quite as hurtful but it still drew blood. Vlad leapt the grease and approached the gate. Valgrim rose and crossed the bridge. Alya dismissed his spell. He closed the distance too. Valorean on his heels.
Sully flew to the other stalagmite. The mind flayer blasted Fiddle. The hin hung limp. His weapons clanged to the ground below. The squid fled. Fextor climbed the stalagmite and grabbed Fiddle's ankles they sank back to solid ground. Vlad waited for signs of the mind flayer. Valgrim bashed at a shrieker. Valorean helped him. Alya began to sing words of encourgement anew.
Sully crawled thru the arrow slit and down the back into the prison. He spied the mind flayer and unleashed another ball of lightning. The mind flayer ran. Vlad peppered the area. It was too late the thing vanished. Valgrim and Valorean ended the other shrieker.
Fiddle snapped back to normal. He grabbed his weapons and leapt back into the air, thru the air slit, and down the back. He joined Sully by a crank mechanism. They both tried it. Fiddle wasted his energy. While Sully easily rolled up the portcullis.
Fiddle broke it off so the way out was open.
diaglo
Adventurer
The spiral staircase
The path ahead reached a T formation. To the left the party heard flesh pounding on a locked door. To the right another door with a strange locking mechanism. There was debate about what to do if Fiddle unlocked it. In the end, the party gathered together. Fiddle unlocked and opened the door. Another door ath the far end of a hall. Halfway down the hall was flanked by two large red curtains.
"The scroll," Alya handed it to Valgrim. "Read this and lead us to Darian."
"I haff anotha uthful thpell," Valgrim said. "One so thumone can theee better."
"Pick me, Pick me," Fiddle jumped up and down.
Valgrim cast his spell and then read the scroll.
"That way," Valgrim pointed at the far door. "We muth huhwee."
Fiddle ran to the far door and attacked the lock with his picks. He had it open and the party found a stairway spiralling downward. Fiddle's new sight let him see the bottom 100 ft below.
"The Spiral of Manzessine," Alya whispered.
"I can get us down sooner without all this walking," Sully noted. "Just jump over the edge."
"Geronimo," Fiddle leapt without a second thought. "Hit me Sully."
Sully reacted in time to save the hin with his feather magic. He and the others followed and floated down.
SNAP, SNAP, SNAP, SNAP, SNAP, SNAP....
An 11 headed hydra took a chunk out of the party's hide as they went by its cave. Only Fextor escaped injury. Valgrim took a nasty bite. Fiddle, Alya, and Valgrim healed the party.
Across the way stood another door. Fiddle picked it.
The path ahead reached a T formation. To the left the party heard flesh pounding on a locked door. To the right another door with a strange locking mechanism. There was debate about what to do if Fiddle unlocked it. In the end, the party gathered together. Fiddle unlocked and opened the door. Another door ath the far end of a hall. Halfway down the hall was flanked by two large red curtains.
"The scroll," Alya handed it to Valgrim. "Read this and lead us to Darian."
"I haff anotha uthful thpell," Valgrim said. "One so thumone can theee better."
"Pick me, Pick me," Fiddle jumped up and down.
Valgrim cast his spell and then read the scroll.
"That way," Valgrim pointed at the far door. "We muth huhwee."
Fiddle ran to the far door and attacked the lock with his picks. He had it open and the party found a stairway spiralling downward. Fiddle's new sight let him see the bottom 100 ft below.
"The Spiral of Manzessine," Alya whispered.
"I can get us down sooner without all this walking," Sully noted. "Just jump over the edge."
"Geronimo," Fiddle leapt without a second thought. "Hit me Sully."
Sully reacted in time to save the hin with his feather magic. He and the others followed and floated down.
SNAP, SNAP, SNAP, SNAP, SNAP, SNAP....
An 11 headed hydra took a chunk out of the party's hide as they went by its cave. Only Fextor escaped injury. Valgrim took a nasty bite. Fiddle, Alya, and Valgrim healed the party.
Across the way stood another door. Fiddle picked it.
