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Message: <blockquote data-quote="DoctorB" data-source="post: 122891" data-attributes="member: 903">Into the UnderdarkFrom the journal of Rolf Wolfcaller, Defender of the MountainThe lava elementals seemed friendly enough to Galena.  They spoke a strange combination of Ignan and Terran and chatted about how new the magical bridge spanning the river was and stressed that “Father” could wake up at any time.  Thinking about a “father” to these nine-foot creatures would seem strange, but we had our proof soon enough.Something began rising out of the lava downriver.  As it reared itself to full height, the creature’s head almost touched the 150-foot ceiling.  It looked like the smaller elementals but on a vast scale.  As it looked around the cavern, the elemental speaking to Galena scrambled back into the fiery river.“Who are you?” the giant creature asked, its deafening voice echoing in the cavern, “Have you come to renew the terms of the Blackblade?”I stepped forward to the edge of the bridge.“I am the heir of Blackblade” I told the Father, “What were the terms of your agreement?”“The terms were for 40 Annos, and those terms are complete.”Arin supplied that an anno was equivalent to forty seasons or ten years.  The creature had watched for 400 years, but its contract had lapsed.“We wish to renew the terms of Blackblade,” I answered.  “What will be required?”“You are ignorant for the heir of Blackblade.  I will give my name and my service only for the greatest magics or the Heart’s Blood of the Mountain.”He laughed at the tiny magic items in our possession.  Perhaps the final use of the Titansbane would be to renew the guardian.As we negotiated with the Father of Elementals, a company of undergoblins led by two dark elves arrived on the other side of the bridge.  Toiva already stood nearby and attacked boldly.  Others fired from a distance as the goblins stopped in confusion.  Looking past Toiva to the great creature in the river, the undergoblins turned and fled.  One of the drow escaped as well, but the other fell with an arrow from Liana’s bow in its throat.We followed as we could, but the fleeing enemies quickly outdistanced us.  We soon came to an intersection of two tunnels.  Listening to our left and right, Liana said she could hear the sound of goblins, and possibly something more.  We decided to continue straight and slowly down.After another thirty minutes of walking, Liana heard voices ahead of us.  She could make them out talking quietly but not the language.  She and Karl decided to sneak up to see.  They found two drow guards in chainmail talking among themselves in front of a cavern entrance.  Looking to each other they agreed to kill the guards quickly.Liana struck one immediately and killed him instantly.  Karl was not so lucky.  His stroke at the other guard went astray and the guard called out an alarm.  We all looked at each other.  We had lost the element of surprise.  As the sound of moving enemies beyond the entrance increased, we retreated to the last turn in the passage and awaited the onslaught…</blockquote>

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