the Jester
Legend
Cool, now I'll finally know what happens in Die Vecna Die! 
-
NOW LIVE! Into the Woods--new character species, eerie monsters, and haunting villains to populate the woodlands of your D&D games.
Droid101's Story Hour, "Of Gods and Devils" Updated 10/12!
- Thread starter Droid101
- Start date
Droid101
First Post
Ogrim initiates a shield of law around him, drops his staff and readies his shield. Bink quickly casts haste on himself, and then haste again on Grog.
Grog screams and charges at the half-demon preacher, slashing into its side hard.
Bloodthorne saunters toward the slaad.
“You filthy piece of swamp-dwelling rubbish!” Bloodthorne exclaims. The creature is shocked by the insult, and doesn’t move right away. That affords Bloodthorne enough time to cut out its throat.
Balophan charges at the hand-headed creature, cutting deeply into it. The hand-thing slaps him back with a strong palm, dazing him slightly.
Eltharion tumbles and runs directly at the golden-armed half-demon. He slices into him with his Moon-scimitar.
“Let’s take him down!” Eltharion says. His elation is cut short, however, as Vecna weaves a spell…
…and four meteors streak toward Bink and Ogrim.
They both close their eyes and grit their teeth, prepared to die…
…but they don’t. As a matter of fact, they don’t feel a thing, not even an uncomfortable warmth. The flames from the huge explosions wrap up around them harmlessly.
“What… happened...?” Ogrim asks hesitantly, but nobody affords him an answer.
The demon preacher slashes with his Ashblade, cutting deeply into Grog and Eltharion. The blade itself exudes ash all around them.
Bink quickly casts fly on himself and Ogrim. Ogrim flies directly at Vecna, and takes up the ancient dwarven defending stance; twenty feet in the air!
“Moradin guide my axe!” and Ogrim strikes Vecna, his axe tearing into his dried flesh and bone.
Bloodthorne tumbles over to the githzerai and tiefling pilgrims, facing them head on, and doing his best to keep them away from Vecna and his preacher.
Grog and Eltharion strike at the gold-limbed demon-preacher with deadly precision. After six seconds and a flurry of eleven attacks (four scimitar, three sickle, and four katana), the demon falls in a heap of sliced and ribboned flesh.
“You’re in trouble now…” Eltharion raises his gaze to Vecna’s.
Vecna responds by hasting himself and true resurrecting his part-demon follower.
Grog and Eltharion’s jaws drop.
The preacher slashes violently with his Ashblade bastard sword again. This time two powerful hits send Eltharion to his knees, and he is forced to retreat.
Ogrim slams into Vecna again. Balophan slashes the hand-headed creature one final time and sends it down.
The eye-headed creature has been focusing on Grog for a while now, but to no noticeable effect.
Bink flies up, and with two empowered fireballs, the pilgrims fall hard.
“Thanks mate, but I think I could ‘andle ‘em myself,” Bloodthorne says, approaching the eye-headed thing.
Vecna’s huge form turns back to Ogrim, and swings with a powerful fist, colliding and knocking the wind out of him; but he stays afloat.
Eltharion falls back and heals himself, staying away from Vecna and the preacher.
Grog lays into the preacher once again, slicing him deeply several times. The preacher retaliates, cutting into Grog, drawing several wounds that would be mortal ones to any normal person.
Bloodthorne slashes into the eye-creature, taking it down.
Eltharion charges back in, slashing into the preacher’s back, killing him a second time.
And so Vecna true resurrects him a second time. He also attempts to turn Bloodthorne, but to no effect.
“Is that all you’ve got? Aint you a God??” Bloodthorne says.
The preacher slashes into Eltharion and Grog once again, and once again Eltharion is forced to fall back.
Ogrim cuts into Vecna again. Balophan engages the bariaur – the otherworldly centaur-type creature. They exchange blows.
Grog ignores the preacher completely, his rage building fast. He steps toward Vecna, slashing again and again into his legs.
Bloothorne does the same. Soon, everyone is surrounding Vecna. Balophan continues to fight with the bariaur.
The preacher slashes into Grog’s back repeatedly. Grog grits his teeth and continues to cut into Vecna’s legs.
Vecna tosses out another couple of powerful spells, a prismatic spray and a power word: kill, but both have no effect. He then resorts to melee, and slams into Ogrim a couple of times. Ogrim sees stars, but stays stalwart.
The Heroes lay into Vecna hard. After another few back-and-forth bouts, Vecna’s huge skeletal head lowers.
Grog reaches back as far as he can, and slashes toward Vecna…
…and cleaves right through his leg.
Vecna’s head jerks back, and his whispering voice streams from his mouth.
“You will pay… you mere… you…” Vecna never gets the chance to finish, as a swirling void of deep black and darkest gray energies springs up behind him, and sucks him most unceremoniously through. An ear-popping wrench and bursh of blinding, multicolored lights sends everyone to their knees.
When their vision returns, Eltharion spots the preacher flying at full speed out of the chapel, too far to follow. The bariaur is on the ground, writing in agony, as its gold hand and eye are gone. Only a bloody stump and socket remain.
All the corpses of the gith and tiefling pilgrims are similarly missing their golden hands and eyes.
The walls of the chapel start to bend and break.
“Time to go…” Bink quickly casts fly on everyone, and they fly out of the Armory at fully speed.
The Heroes emerge from the Armory, and a huge cheer erupts from the army surrounding the place. The walls continue to sag, and Vecna’s holy symbol fades off the front of the building. The smoke starts to clear, and the Armory collapses under its own weight.
“Maybe next time…” Bloodthorne mutters.
“What was that?” Eltharion asks.
“Nothing mate, nothing.”
The Heroes fly toward the lady and her floating minions. As they approach, they are already crafting a floating-glyph message.
Life is in your debt, as is Sigil. No reward could ever be sufficient. But Sigil does not forget its friends. Thus, accept these gifts.
The first is a promise from the Lady of Pain that Vecna, the Failed God, will be denied his vengeance on you, even should you dispose of his protective relics.
The second is a key to the City of Doors, which will turn any bounded space into a portal to Sigil, though it will do so only three times.
The last is the deed for permanent accommodations in Sigil, which you may use whenever you find yourself in the city. In your absence, these accommodations will be maintained for you.
The floating figures immediately turn and escort the Lady of Pain away. A messenger halfling gives the Heroes a note with the deed and address of their new property.
“Your Key will be delivered to your accommodations when you arrive,” the halfling leaves.
“Wow… a house in Sigil, that’s pretty good!” Eltharion exclaims.
“Time to relax,” Balophan reasons.
“Agreed. First, let’s get rid of these relics,” Bink and the Heroes head toward the address listed on the paper.
They find a huge four-story building near the main market square.
“Wow… this is even bigger than I thought it would be…” Eltharion is amazed. The Heroes head in.
Another grisly scene of self-mutilation later, and the Heroes have removed all of their profane relics. Bink, with his Vecnan molar still in place, summarily eats all of the relics (except the Hand, which must be destroyed some other way, it seems). Bink then removes the molar, and puts it and the Hand in a safe place.
“We’ll destroy these ones later,” Bink says. “It’s time to party.”
Grog screams and charges at the half-demon preacher, slashing into its side hard.
Bloodthorne saunters toward the slaad.
“You filthy piece of swamp-dwelling rubbish!” Bloodthorne exclaims. The creature is shocked by the insult, and doesn’t move right away. That affords Bloodthorne enough time to cut out its throat.
Balophan charges at the hand-headed creature, cutting deeply into it. The hand-thing slaps him back with a strong palm, dazing him slightly.
Eltharion tumbles and runs directly at the golden-armed half-demon. He slices into him with his Moon-scimitar.
“Let’s take him down!” Eltharion says. His elation is cut short, however, as Vecna weaves a spell…
…and four meteors streak toward Bink and Ogrim.
They both close their eyes and grit their teeth, prepared to die…
…but they don’t. As a matter of fact, they don’t feel a thing, not even an uncomfortable warmth. The flames from the huge explosions wrap up around them harmlessly.
“What… happened...?” Ogrim asks hesitantly, but nobody affords him an answer.
The demon preacher slashes with his Ashblade, cutting deeply into Grog and Eltharion. The blade itself exudes ash all around them.
Bink quickly casts fly on himself and Ogrim. Ogrim flies directly at Vecna, and takes up the ancient dwarven defending stance; twenty feet in the air!
“Moradin guide my axe!” and Ogrim strikes Vecna, his axe tearing into his dried flesh and bone.
Bloodthorne tumbles over to the githzerai and tiefling pilgrims, facing them head on, and doing his best to keep them away from Vecna and his preacher.
Grog and Eltharion strike at the gold-limbed demon-preacher with deadly precision. After six seconds and a flurry of eleven attacks (four scimitar, three sickle, and four katana), the demon falls in a heap of sliced and ribboned flesh.
“You’re in trouble now…” Eltharion raises his gaze to Vecna’s.
Vecna responds by hasting himself and true resurrecting his part-demon follower.
Grog and Eltharion’s jaws drop.
The preacher slashes violently with his Ashblade bastard sword again. This time two powerful hits send Eltharion to his knees, and he is forced to retreat.
Ogrim slams into Vecna again. Balophan slashes the hand-headed creature one final time and sends it down.
The eye-headed creature has been focusing on Grog for a while now, but to no noticeable effect.
Bink flies up, and with two empowered fireballs, the pilgrims fall hard.
“Thanks mate, but I think I could ‘andle ‘em myself,” Bloodthorne says, approaching the eye-headed thing.
Vecna’s huge form turns back to Ogrim, and swings with a powerful fist, colliding and knocking the wind out of him; but he stays afloat.
Eltharion falls back and heals himself, staying away from Vecna and the preacher.
Grog lays into the preacher once again, slicing him deeply several times. The preacher retaliates, cutting into Grog, drawing several wounds that would be mortal ones to any normal person.
Bloodthorne slashes into the eye-creature, taking it down.
Eltharion charges back in, slashing into the preacher’s back, killing him a second time.
And so Vecna true resurrects him a second time. He also attempts to turn Bloodthorne, but to no effect.
“Is that all you’ve got? Aint you a God??” Bloodthorne says.
The preacher slashes into Eltharion and Grog once again, and once again Eltharion is forced to fall back.
Ogrim cuts into Vecna again. Balophan engages the bariaur – the otherworldly centaur-type creature. They exchange blows.
Grog ignores the preacher completely, his rage building fast. He steps toward Vecna, slashing again and again into his legs.
Bloothorne does the same. Soon, everyone is surrounding Vecna. Balophan continues to fight with the bariaur.
The preacher slashes into Grog’s back repeatedly. Grog grits his teeth and continues to cut into Vecna’s legs.
Vecna tosses out another couple of powerful spells, a prismatic spray and a power word: kill, but both have no effect. He then resorts to melee, and slams into Ogrim a couple of times. Ogrim sees stars, but stays stalwart.
The Heroes lay into Vecna hard. After another few back-and-forth bouts, Vecna’s huge skeletal head lowers.
Grog reaches back as far as he can, and slashes toward Vecna…
…and cleaves right through his leg.
Vecna’s head jerks back, and his whispering voice streams from his mouth.
“You will pay… you mere… you…” Vecna never gets the chance to finish, as a swirling void of deep black and darkest gray energies springs up behind him, and sucks him most unceremoniously through. An ear-popping wrench and bursh of blinding, multicolored lights sends everyone to their knees.
When their vision returns, Eltharion spots the preacher flying at full speed out of the chapel, too far to follow. The bariaur is on the ground, writing in agony, as its gold hand and eye are gone. Only a bloody stump and socket remain.
All the corpses of the gith and tiefling pilgrims are similarly missing their golden hands and eyes.
The walls of the chapel start to bend and break.
“Time to go…” Bink quickly casts fly on everyone, and they fly out of the Armory at fully speed.
The Heroes emerge from the Armory, and a huge cheer erupts from the army surrounding the place. The walls continue to sag, and Vecna’s holy symbol fades off the front of the building. The smoke starts to clear, and the Armory collapses under its own weight.
“Maybe next time…” Bloodthorne mutters.
“What was that?” Eltharion asks.
“Nothing mate, nothing.”
The Heroes fly toward the lady and her floating minions. As they approach, they are already crafting a floating-glyph message.
Life is in your debt, as is Sigil. No reward could ever be sufficient. But Sigil does not forget its friends. Thus, accept these gifts.
The first is a promise from the Lady of Pain that Vecna, the Failed God, will be denied his vengeance on you, even should you dispose of his protective relics.
The second is a key to the City of Doors, which will turn any bounded space into a portal to Sigil, though it will do so only three times.
The last is the deed for permanent accommodations in Sigil, which you may use whenever you find yourself in the city. In your absence, these accommodations will be maintained for you.
The floating figures immediately turn and escort the Lady of Pain away. A messenger halfling gives the Heroes a note with the deed and address of their new property.
“Your Key will be delivered to your accommodations when you arrive,” the halfling leaves.
“Wow… a house in Sigil, that’s pretty good!” Eltharion exclaims.
“Time to relax,” Balophan reasons.
“Agreed. First, let’s get rid of these relics,” Bink and the Heroes head toward the address listed on the paper.
They find a huge four-story building near the main market square.
“Wow… this is even bigger than I thought it would be…” Eltharion is amazed. The Heroes head in.
Another grisly scene of self-mutilation later, and the Heroes have removed all of their profane relics. Bink, with his Vecnan molar still in place, summarily eats all of the relics (except the Hand, which must be destroyed some other way, it seems). Bink then removes the molar, and puts it and the Hand in a safe place.
“We’ll destroy these ones later,” Bink says. “It’s time to party.”
Droid101
First Post
Thus ends Part 3: The Dark Tides Realized
And Part 4 begins: The Last Stand Against Evil
“Another round for the Heroes!” a voice calls out from the back of the packed bar. A cheer rings out and everyone takes a drink of whatever they have in hand.
“God vanquishers! Oh powerful ones!”
“Ye’ve done it! Sigil is saved!”
“Nay, the multiverse is saved!”
“Three more cheers!”
The festivities rage on through the night.
“Can I buy a round for the mighty Heroes?” Bink hears a familiar deep voice from behind him.
“Blaze!” Eltharion calls out, giving his friend a hug.
“Hey, I heard all about what you’ve done here,” Blaze replies.
“Nekky?” Eltharion spots The Necromancer standing behind Blaze.
“What did I… ah nevermind,” The Necromancer starts to respond. “How are you all?”
“Great, as you can see,” Bink says. Everyone exchanges greetings.
“You don’t look great…” Blaze points to various missing fingers and Grog’s missing hand.
“Oh that…” Bink chuckles. “We were actually waiting for someone to help regenerate those for us…”
“I’ll tend to it in the morning,” Blaze says.
“So, what are you doing here?” Bink asks.
“Necromancer and I arrived at Brunswick about the same time. I had gone to the Adventurer’s Guildhall to meet up with my brother, Blaine. We met, and went on to Baron to check up on things. We saw Ogrim there, but then he left.
“After a while, I got a message from Adlai saying some ore had been stolen, so I came to help,” Blaze explains. “I have some bad news, as well…”
“What is it?” Grog asks.
“Ogrim… your father stayed behind, fulfilling his sacred duty as a dwarven defender, when the halls were being overrun with the dark elves. He was the last line of defense while the rest of the stronghold escaped,” Blaze pauses, taking a deep breath. “He never made it out.”
Ogrim lowers his head.
“Moradin guide me…”
“I’m sorry,” Blaze adds.
“What about you, Nekky?” Eltharion asks The Necromancer.
“Well, Grog, Jezda, Trek-Donal and I were teleported to the giant island,” The Necromancer starts. “We waited about an hour for the rest of you to show up, but you never did, so we went into the stronghold by ourselves.
“Bad move. We were captured after I had pretty much run out of spells. They took Grog and Jezda away, and Trek and I were taken to an ‘alternate location.’ Some other stronghold in a volcano.
“They had us separated, I had no idea where he was. Since I didn’t have my spellbooks, I couldn’t prepare any new spells. All I had was a teleport ready. So I waited as long as I could to hope they put Trek and I in the same cell so we could teleport out together, but it never happened.”
“So Trek is still over there?” Bink asks.
“I think so,” The Necromancer answers.
“Damaré and Jezda actually set out before we came through all this Vecna nonsense. They went to the giant strongholds in search of you and Trek. They weren’t going to give up on you just yet,” Eltharion says.
“I hope they find him,” The Necromancer replies.
“I think I’m done for the evening. Meet up at our new headquarters, we’ve got some research about adamantium, Rigus, and some big metal cats to do,” Bink says.
…………
“Listen, I’ve just come through hell and worse to get to some kind of semblance of society, so I could relax. You’re not spoiling that,” Dendybar says, his longsword and dagger are out in a flash.
“You would do well to stand down, human…” the creature’s golden right arm and leg glint in the artificial light of the alley. His bastard sword raining a cloud of ash. “A goblin and an elf have just crossed me, and I’m looking for someone to vent my frustrations upon…”
“Did you say ‘goblin and elf?’ Did the elf use a scimitar and a sickle? Did the goblin have a katana blade?” Dendybar’s weapons drop to his sides; a lapse that was rare from him.
“Well… yes. Are you their ally?” the half-fiend’s right eye glares; his left eye motionless gold.
“Far from it. What say you to a treaty? I know their habits, their ways. I know where they are from. I know where they sleep at night. Join me…” Dendybar’s words are like gospel to the fallen preacher.
“My name is Ely Cromlich of Vecna.”
”Dendybar Retari. Now let’s go hunting.”
…………….
The next day, everyone is kept quite busy.
Eltharion, Grog and Bloodthorne start interviewing candidates for the position of seneschal for their house while they are away.
Balophan bids the Heroes good-bye. He explains that he must return to his tribe to tell them the good news.
Blaze regenerates everybody’s missing body parts (Bloodthorne’s foot grew back by itself).
Bink and Ogrim head into the market square to get information about a portal to Rigus or anything about any big metal cats.
Ogrim searches specifically for a portal. Before the end of the day, he thinks he has a lead.
Bink asks around to see if any major players have come to town.
“I’ve heard of someone. How about, you give me a gold, and I’ll arrange a meeting between you and him later today, here in market square,” a filthy looking street urchin chirps up.
“I’ll give you one gold now, and two after the meeting, how’s that?” Bink replies.
“Done!” the urchin snatches up the gold and runs off.
Bink returns to their headquarters.
“Bloodthorne, come with me, I’m meeting some major player, and I want you to watch my back,” Bink says.
“Eltharion, you keep on inte’viewin’ the candidates. I’ll be back in a jiff,” Bloodthorne goes off with Bink to the market square.
“Stay hidden,” Bink says. Bloodthorne starts skipping around the market square while Bink approaches the meeting spot.
A figure walks toward him, one that becomes familiar right away.
Dendybar.
Bink’s lips slowly curl into a smirk as he notices the long scar running across Dendybar’s right eye.
“It’s… it’s you. I had no idea,” Dendybar says, shaking his head.
“Looks like you’ve fared better,” Bink motions to the scar.
“I’ve been through more than you can imagine. Now where’s the elf? I need to pay him back,” Dendybar asks.
“We’re staying at that inn over there,” Bink points to the inn that they are actually staying at.
“Thanks. I’ll be sure to pay your friend a visit tonight. I don’t have any trouble with you… just him… for sending me… to that damned hell…” Dendybar gets reminiscent, so Bink cuts the meeting short.
“I’m off. Good luck with that revenge thing. You’ll need it,” Bink flares his rainbow robe as he walks away.
“ ‘ow did the meeting go? ‘oo was that?” Bloodthorne asks.
“Old… friend. Don’t worry about him, he’s harmless,” Bink chuckles.
The Heroes meet up at their new under-construction headquarters that night.
“The contractors are going to build a whole new floor plan inside. And we’ve narrowed down the interviews for the seneschal, too,” Eltharion reports.
“Good. What did you find today, Ogrim?” Bink asks.
“I found a portal to Rigus. We should be able to go there tomorrow, and find out what happened to the adamantium shipment that Adlai was supposed to receive for Brunswick,” Ogrim says.
“Hey, Bink, Adlai said he had something for you. Take the portal back to Brunswick tonight and ask him about it,” The Necromancer says.
“Okay. Tomorrow, we head to Rigus. See you all then,” Bink says. The Necromancer leads him to the staircase leading down to the portal. Bink goes through, and ends up in the Oubliette of the castle.
“Convenient,” Bink remarks as he walks up the staircase that winds around the large circular chamber. He quickly finds Adlai in the main hall, sitting on the throne, pondering.
“Bink! How are you?” Adlai asks.
“Good. The Necromancer said you had something for me?” Bink replies.
“Oh, yes, when we were cleaning the body of the king after you got that lich’s spirit out, we claimed his items. All of them went to the king’s treasury, but I remember hearing that you were searching for some mystical tome, to pay back someone who helped you learn magic? Did I hear right?” Adlai wonders.
“Oh, he had it? That’s good. I need to return it to Indiffines. Can I check the library?” Bink asks.
“Sure, I’ll show you to the book, as well,” Adlai answers.
Bink gets the large tome and sets down in the library to research. After a few hours, he finds the name.
“Indiffines the Wretched… General of the Second…” Bink reads aloud. “Looks like I’m going to Hell.”
Is Bink going to Hell? Can the Heroes retrieve the adamantium? Who will run their headquarters while they are out of town? Find out next time!
And Part 4 begins: The Last Stand Against Evil
“Another round for the Heroes!” a voice calls out from the back of the packed bar. A cheer rings out and everyone takes a drink of whatever they have in hand.
“God vanquishers! Oh powerful ones!”
“Ye’ve done it! Sigil is saved!”
“Nay, the multiverse is saved!”
“Three more cheers!”
The festivities rage on through the night.
“Can I buy a round for the mighty Heroes?” Bink hears a familiar deep voice from behind him.
“Blaze!” Eltharion calls out, giving his friend a hug.
“Hey, I heard all about what you’ve done here,” Blaze replies.
“Nekky?” Eltharion spots The Necromancer standing behind Blaze.
“What did I… ah nevermind,” The Necromancer starts to respond. “How are you all?”
“Great, as you can see,” Bink says. Everyone exchanges greetings.
“You don’t look great…” Blaze points to various missing fingers and Grog’s missing hand.
“Oh that…” Bink chuckles. “We were actually waiting for someone to help regenerate those for us…”
“I’ll tend to it in the morning,” Blaze says.
“So, what are you doing here?” Bink asks.
“Necromancer and I arrived at Brunswick about the same time. I had gone to the Adventurer’s Guildhall to meet up with my brother, Blaine. We met, and went on to Baron to check up on things. We saw Ogrim there, but then he left.
“After a while, I got a message from Adlai saying some ore had been stolen, so I came to help,” Blaze explains. “I have some bad news, as well…”
“What is it?” Grog asks.
“Ogrim… your father stayed behind, fulfilling his sacred duty as a dwarven defender, when the halls were being overrun with the dark elves. He was the last line of defense while the rest of the stronghold escaped,” Blaze pauses, taking a deep breath. “He never made it out.”
Ogrim lowers his head.
“Moradin guide me…”
“I’m sorry,” Blaze adds.
“What about you, Nekky?” Eltharion asks The Necromancer.
“Well, Grog, Jezda, Trek-Donal and I were teleported to the giant island,” The Necromancer starts. “We waited about an hour for the rest of you to show up, but you never did, so we went into the stronghold by ourselves.
“Bad move. We were captured after I had pretty much run out of spells. They took Grog and Jezda away, and Trek and I were taken to an ‘alternate location.’ Some other stronghold in a volcano.
“They had us separated, I had no idea where he was. Since I didn’t have my spellbooks, I couldn’t prepare any new spells. All I had was a teleport ready. So I waited as long as I could to hope they put Trek and I in the same cell so we could teleport out together, but it never happened.”
“So Trek is still over there?” Bink asks.
“I think so,” The Necromancer answers.
“Damaré and Jezda actually set out before we came through all this Vecna nonsense. They went to the giant strongholds in search of you and Trek. They weren’t going to give up on you just yet,” Eltharion says.
“I hope they find him,” The Necromancer replies.
“I think I’m done for the evening. Meet up at our new headquarters, we’ve got some research about adamantium, Rigus, and some big metal cats to do,” Bink says.
…………
“Listen, I’ve just come through hell and worse to get to some kind of semblance of society, so I could relax. You’re not spoiling that,” Dendybar says, his longsword and dagger are out in a flash.
“You would do well to stand down, human…” the creature’s golden right arm and leg glint in the artificial light of the alley. His bastard sword raining a cloud of ash. “A goblin and an elf have just crossed me, and I’m looking for someone to vent my frustrations upon…”
“Did you say ‘goblin and elf?’ Did the elf use a scimitar and a sickle? Did the goblin have a katana blade?” Dendybar’s weapons drop to his sides; a lapse that was rare from him.
“Well… yes. Are you their ally?” the half-fiend’s right eye glares; his left eye motionless gold.
“Far from it. What say you to a treaty? I know their habits, their ways. I know where they are from. I know where they sleep at night. Join me…” Dendybar’s words are like gospel to the fallen preacher.
“My name is Ely Cromlich of Vecna.”
”Dendybar Retari. Now let’s go hunting.”
…………….
The next day, everyone is kept quite busy.
Eltharion, Grog and Bloodthorne start interviewing candidates for the position of seneschal for their house while they are away.
Balophan bids the Heroes good-bye. He explains that he must return to his tribe to tell them the good news.
Blaze regenerates everybody’s missing body parts (Bloodthorne’s foot grew back by itself).
Bink and Ogrim head into the market square to get information about a portal to Rigus or anything about any big metal cats.
Ogrim searches specifically for a portal. Before the end of the day, he thinks he has a lead.
Bink asks around to see if any major players have come to town.
“I’ve heard of someone. How about, you give me a gold, and I’ll arrange a meeting between you and him later today, here in market square,” a filthy looking street urchin chirps up.
“I’ll give you one gold now, and two after the meeting, how’s that?” Bink replies.
“Done!” the urchin snatches up the gold and runs off.
Bink returns to their headquarters.
“Bloodthorne, come with me, I’m meeting some major player, and I want you to watch my back,” Bink says.
“Eltharion, you keep on inte’viewin’ the candidates. I’ll be back in a jiff,” Bloodthorne goes off with Bink to the market square.
“Stay hidden,” Bink says. Bloodthorne starts skipping around the market square while Bink approaches the meeting spot.
A figure walks toward him, one that becomes familiar right away.
Dendybar.
Bink’s lips slowly curl into a smirk as he notices the long scar running across Dendybar’s right eye.
“It’s… it’s you. I had no idea,” Dendybar says, shaking his head.
“Looks like you’ve fared better,” Bink motions to the scar.
“I’ve been through more than you can imagine. Now where’s the elf? I need to pay him back,” Dendybar asks.
“We’re staying at that inn over there,” Bink points to the inn that they are actually staying at.
“Thanks. I’ll be sure to pay your friend a visit tonight. I don’t have any trouble with you… just him… for sending me… to that damned hell…” Dendybar gets reminiscent, so Bink cuts the meeting short.
“I’m off. Good luck with that revenge thing. You’ll need it,” Bink flares his rainbow robe as he walks away.
“ ‘ow did the meeting go? ‘oo was that?” Bloodthorne asks.
“Old… friend. Don’t worry about him, he’s harmless,” Bink chuckles.
The Heroes meet up at their new under-construction headquarters that night.
“The contractors are going to build a whole new floor plan inside. And we’ve narrowed down the interviews for the seneschal, too,” Eltharion reports.
“Good. What did you find today, Ogrim?” Bink asks.
“I found a portal to Rigus. We should be able to go there tomorrow, and find out what happened to the adamantium shipment that Adlai was supposed to receive for Brunswick,” Ogrim says.
“Hey, Bink, Adlai said he had something for you. Take the portal back to Brunswick tonight and ask him about it,” The Necromancer says.
“Okay. Tomorrow, we head to Rigus. See you all then,” Bink says. The Necromancer leads him to the staircase leading down to the portal. Bink goes through, and ends up in the Oubliette of the castle.
“Convenient,” Bink remarks as he walks up the staircase that winds around the large circular chamber. He quickly finds Adlai in the main hall, sitting on the throne, pondering.
“Bink! How are you?” Adlai asks.
“Good. The Necromancer said you had something for me?” Bink replies.
“Oh, yes, when we were cleaning the body of the king after you got that lich’s spirit out, we claimed his items. All of them went to the king’s treasury, but I remember hearing that you were searching for some mystical tome, to pay back someone who helped you learn magic? Did I hear right?” Adlai wonders.
“Oh, he had it? That’s good. I need to return it to Indiffines. Can I check the library?” Bink asks.
“Sure, I’ll show you to the book, as well,” Adlai answers.
Bink gets the large tome and sets down in the library to research. After a few hours, he finds the name.
“Indiffines the Wretched… General of the Second…” Bink reads aloud. “Looks like I’m going to Hell.”
Is Bink going to Hell? Can the Heroes retrieve the adamantium? Who will run their headquarters while they are out of town? Find out next time!
the Jester
Legend
I love Bink's reaction to Dendybar... ![:]](http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/devious.png "Devious :]")
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Droid101
First Post
Current levels/stats for the characters.
Eltharion Ulthuan - Elf Ranger 5 / Druid 5 / Ancestral Avenger 7. S18* D24* C10 I13 W15* Ch12.
Ogrim Oakenshield - Dwarf Fighter 8 / Cleric of Moradin 1 / Dwarven Defender 8. S18 D14 C22* I13 W15 Ch12.
Bink the Sorcerer - Human Sorcerer 7 / Wizard 2 / Eldritch Master 8. S15 D16* C16* I15 W14 Ch22*.
Grog of Grumbar - Goblin Barbarian 17. S20 D18* C16 I10 W16 Ch9.
Bloodthorne - Curst Human Rogue 11 / Urostifter 3. S18 D18 C0 I18 W16 Ch16.
The Necromancer - Human Wizard (Necromancer) 16. S10 D14 C13* I22 W16 Ch12.
Blaze Brague - Human Cleric 8 / Mighty Contender of Tempus 8. S24 D12 C17 I14 W18* Ch12.
Eltharion Ulthuan - Elf Ranger 5 / Druid 5 / Ancestral Avenger 7. S18* D24* C10 I13 W15* Ch12.
Ogrim Oakenshield - Dwarf Fighter 8 / Cleric of Moradin 1 / Dwarven Defender 8. S18 D14 C22* I13 W15 Ch12.
Bink the Sorcerer - Human Sorcerer 7 / Wizard 2 / Eldritch Master 8. S15 D16* C16* I15 W14 Ch22*.
Grog of Grumbar - Goblin Barbarian 17. S20 D18* C16 I10 W16 Ch9.
Bloodthorne - Curst Human Rogue 11 / Urostifter 3. S18 D18 C0 I18 W16 Ch16.
The Necromancer - Human Wizard (Necromancer) 16. S10 D14 C13* I22 W16 Ch12.
Blaze Brague - Human Cleric 8 / Mighty Contender of Tempus 8. S24 D12 C17 I14 W18* Ch12.
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Droid101
First Post
That night, Bloodthorne was up on the roof of the inn everyone was sleeping at. He never slept, so generally he kept watch.
A figure climbed up the wall and hopped up onto the roof, walking over and looking down over another edge of the building. He had blonde hair and fair skin. He carried a longsword and a dagger…
Bloodthorne approached him.
“ ‘ello mate, ‘ow are you?” Bloodthorne’s blades were out in a flash, before the man could respond. A deep slash to the stomach had the man grimacing in pain. The man cursed and jumped off the roof. On the way down, he uttered an arcane phrase and vanished.
“That was easy.”
The Heroes gathered at their under-construction headquarters in the morning.
“Are we ready?” Grog asks, feeling his own flesh and blood hand attached for the first time in a couple of days.
“Waiting for Bink to get back from the castle, then we leave for Rigus,” Ogrim says.
Eltharion gets a message in his head.
Bink returning book to mentor, find adamantium without him. Good luck.
“Looks like we can leave now, I just got a message from Adlai saying that Bink isn’t coming with us,” Eltharion tells the others.
“All right, let’s get going then,” Blaze says.
Eltharion and Bloodthorne summon the candidate they picked out to head their household in Sigil. A dwarven jack-of-all-trades named Bellamy Bill.
“All right mate, yer workin’ for us now,” Bloodthorne says.
“I’ll leave you with 500 gold. Make sure you help the carpenters whenever you can. We left a big safe in the basement with some of our valuables. Watch over those as well,” Eltharion explains.
“Don’t worry, leave it to me. This place’ll be tip top when you return,” Bellamy Bill responds.
Ogrim, Grog, Blaze, Bloodthorne, Eltharion and The Necromancer head out into the city of Sigil. They soon come to the portal that Ogrim had found out about.
“This is the portal to Rigus. This is where Adlai ordered the adamantium. From a merchant named Gev’jin,” Ogrim explains.
As they are about to step through the portal, a huge shining form drops onto Ogrim from above. Its metal claws and teeth dig into him.
The thing is a 10-foot long metal catlike creature. Blaze immediately slams into it with his axe, but to no effect. Eltharion fares better; his blades cutting into the thing easily. The Necromancer backs off.
Bloodthorne flies upward and out of sight, singing a children’s fairy tale song.
“What the heck is he doing!?” Eltharion calls out. Grog slices into the cat as well, his blade quite effective.
Ogrim wrestles the cat off him and gets up. His axe doesn’t affect the thing either. It was larger than the one he had fought by himself in Brunswick.
Blaze enchants his axe with a greater magic weapon and moves into position. The Heroes surround and take the thing down without further complication.
“Those things are tough… I hope there aren’t too many more of those…” Eltharion says. Bloodthorne comes flying back.
“Let’s get movin’!” Bloodthorne says, walking through the portal.
“I think he’s a little… spacey,” The Necromancer says, studying Bloodthorne carefully.
They all step through the portal. The city of Rigus is clean and perfect. All the buildings are perfectly squared off. All the streets turn perfect 90 degree turns. Everything is like clockwork.
“Halt, visitors from Sigil. Please peace bond your weapons,” a pair of ornately dressed guards approach.
“Anything you say,” Eltharion comments, and the Heroes oblige.
“Please wear these until you have left the city,” the guards give them each a small wooden tag that they wear around their necks. “These identify you as visitors at all times in Rigus. Please, go about your business.”
“A stuffy lot,” Bloodthorne states.
“Hold on, do you know where a merchant named Gev’jin is?” Ogrim asks a guard.
“Yes, please head down this street and turn left on 3rd street. It should be on the right side,” the guard responds quickly and crisply.
The Heroes head there, and knock on a door. The building looks like all the others; square and perfectly straight.
A squat looking red-scaled lizard creature standing on two legs opens the door.
“What is your business?” the thing hisses.
“We’re looking for Gev’jin,” Ogrim says.
“He’s not here. Wait outside until he gets back,” the lizard closes the door with a hard slam.
“That was rude,” Blaze says, brushing a hand through his loose blonde hair.
The Heroes sit down on the steps leading up to the doorway and wait.
After at least an hour of waiting (and Bloodthorne skipping off more than once) a large creature riding an even larger red-skinned lizard-looking thing approaches.
“Who are you?” the almost red-skinned 8-foot tall humanoid riding the lizard asks the Heroes as he approaches the stairs.
“I am Ogrim Oakenshield. I am here on behalf of Adlai Stormseal of Brunswick. We are here to inquire about a shipment of adamntium he ordered from Gev’jin the merchant,” Ogrim says.
“I am Gev’jin. And that shipment was sent. If he didn’t receive it that’s not my fault. Now get out of my way,” Gev’jin says haughtily as he tries to maneuver his lizard past the Heroes and into his house.
“Wait a minute, can we ask you a couple of questions at least?” Eltharion asks.
“Uh! Fine! You’ve already wasted my time, why not waste some more,” Gev’jin’s small white horns protruding from his head glint in the light.
“Have you heard anything about missing shipments lately, other than this one?” Eltharion asks.
“No, I haven’t heard anything, now leave,” Gev’jin is clearly impatient.
“Can we have a refund for the adamantium, then?” Eltharion pushes on.
“No, and you can quote me. Now leave!” Gev’jin ends the conversation.
“Are you sure? Any big metal cats?” Eltharion prods.
“… metal cats… All right, all right. If you promise to stop those damned metal cats from killing my workers, I’ll tell you what I know,” Gev’jin concedes.
“Done; we’ve already killed two of them,” Ogrim puts in.
“Okay. Yours is not the only shipment that has been intercepted. All my metal shipments, whether it be mithril, adamantium, obdurium or another, have been intercepted. The delivery men are killed. Any who survive speak of giant metal cats.
“I have looked into the matter, and have found that these cats are coming from a certain portal here in Rigus. A portal that leads to the plane of Archeron, out near the abandoned warehouse at the end of this street. But that’s all I know,” Gev’jin says.
“So if we can stop this from happening, you’ll give us a refund?” Eltharion asks.
“No. Good day,” Gev’jin finally maneuvers himself into his house and slams the door shut.
“Fine, we don’t need his money. If we find who is taking the adamantium, then we’ll have plenty for Adlai to use,” Eltharion grumbles.
“All right, let’s find this portal to Archeron,” Blaze says, and the Heroes start down the street.
Can the Heroes find the adamantium? Are the dark elves really planning on attacking Brunswick? How much time do they have? Find out all this and more, next update.
A figure climbed up the wall and hopped up onto the roof, walking over and looking down over another edge of the building. He had blonde hair and fair skin. He carried a longsword and a dagger…
Bloodthorne approached him.
“ ‘ello mate, ‘ow are you?” Bloodthorne’s blades were out in a flash, before the man could respond. A deep slash to the stomach had the man grimacing in pain. The man cursed and jumped off the roof. On the way down, he uttered an arcane phrase and vanished.
“That was easy.”
The Heroes gathered at their under-construction headquarters in the morning.
“Are we ready?” Grog asks, feeling his own flesh and blood hand attached for the first time in a couple of days.
“Waiting for Bink to get back from the castle, then we leave for Rigus,” Ogrim says.
Eltharion gets a message in his head.
Bink returning book to mentor, find adamantium without him. Good luck.
“Looks like we can leave now, I just got a message from Adlai saying that Bink isn’t coming with us,” Eltharion tells the others.
“All right, let’s get going then,” Blaze says.
Eltharion and Bloodthorne summon the candidate they picked out to head their household in Sigil. A dwarven jack-of-all-trades named Bellamy Bill.
“All right mate, yer workin’ for us now,” Bloodthorne says.
“I’ll leave you with 500 gold. Make sure you help the carpenters whenever you can. We left a big safe in the basement with some of our valuables. Watch over those as well,” Eltharion explains.
“Don’t worry, leave it to me. This place’ll be tip top when you return,” Bellamy Bill responds.
Ogrim, Grog, Blaze, Bloodthorne, Eltharion and The Necromancer head out into the city of Sigil. They soon come to the portal that Ogrim had found out about.
“This is the portal to Rigus. This is where Adlai ordered the adamantium. From a merchant named Gev’jin,” Ogrim explains.
As they are about to step through the portal, a huge shining form drops onto Ogrim from above. Its metal claws and teeth dig into him.
The thing is a 10-foot long metal catlike creature. Blaze immediately slams into it with his axe, but to no effect. Eltharion fares better; his blades cutting into the thing easily. The Necromancer backs off.
Bloodthorne flies upward and out of sight, singing a children’s fairy tale song.
“What the heck is he doing!?” Eltharion calls out. Grog slices into the cat as well, his blade quite effective.
Ogrim wrestles the cat off him and gets up. His axe doesn’t affect the thing either. It was larger than the one he had fought by himself in Brunswick.
Blaze enchants his axe with a greater magic weapon and moves into position. The Heroes surround and take the thing down without further complication.
“Those things are tough… I hope there aren’t too many more of those…” Eltharion says. Bloodthorne comes flying back.
“Let’s get movin’!” Bloodthorne says, walking through the portal.
“I think he’s a little… spacey,” The Necromancer says, studying Bloodthorne carefully.
They all step through the portal. The city of Rigus is clean and perfect. All the buildings are perfectly squared off. All the streets turn perfect 90 degree turns. Everything is like clockwork.
“Halt, visitors from Sigil. Please peace bond your weapons,” a pair of ornately dressed guards approach.
“Anything you say,” Eltharion comments, and the Heroes oblige.
“Please wear these until you have left the city,” the guards give them each a small wooden tag that they wear around their necks. “These identify you as visitors at all times in Rigus. Please, go about your business.”
“A stuffy lot,” Bloodthorne states.
“Hold on, do you know where a merchant named Gev’jin is?” Ogrim asks a guard.
“Yes, please head down this street and turn left on 3rd street. It should be on the right side,” the guard responds quickly and crisply.
The Heroes head there, and knock on a door. The building looks like all the others; square and perfectly straight.
A squat looking red-scaled lizard creature standing on two legs opens the door.
“What is your business?” the thing hisses.
“We’re looking for Gev’jin,” Ogrim says.
“He’s not here. Wait outside until he gets back,” the lizard closes the door with a hard slam.
“That was rude,” Blaze says, brushing a hand through his loose blonde hair.
The Heroes sit down on the steps leading up to the doorway and wait.
After at least an hour of waiting (and Bloodthorne skipping off more than once) a large creature riding an even larger red-skinned lizard-looking thing approaches.
“Who are you?” the almost red-skinned 8-foot tall humanoid riding the lizard asks the Heroes as he approaches the stairs.
“I am Ogrim Oakenshield. I am here on behalf of Adlai Stormseal of Brunswick. We are here to inquire about a shipment of adamntium he ordered from Gev’jin the merchant,” Ogrim says.
“I am Gev’jin. And that shipment was sent. If he didn’t receive it that’s not my fault. Now get out of my way,” Gev’jin says haughtily as he tries to maneuver his lizard past the Heroes and into his house.
“Wait a minute, can we ask you a couple of questions at least?” Eltharion asks.
“Uh! Fine! You’ve already wasted my time, why not waste some more,” Gev’jin’s small white horns protruding from his head glint in the light.
“Have you heard anything about missing shipments lately, other than this one?” Eltharion asks.
“No, I haven’t heard anything, now leave,” Gev’jin is clearly impatient.
“Can we have a refund for the adamantium, then?” Eltharion pushes on.
“No, and you can quote me. Now leave!” Gev’jin ends the conversation.
“Are you sure? Any big metal cats?” Eltharion prods.
“… metal cats… All right, all right. If you promise to stop those damned metal cats from killing my workers, I’ll tell you what I know,” Gev’jin concedes.
“Done; we’ve already killed two of them,” Ogrim puts in.
“Okay. Yours is not the only shipment that has been intercepted. All my metal shipments, whether it be mithril, adamantium, obdurium or another, have been intercepted. The delivery men are killed. Any who survive speak of giant metal cats.
“I have looked into the matter, and have found that these cats are coming from a certain portal here in Rigus. A portal that leads to the plane of Archeron, out near the abandoned warehouse at the end of this street. But that’s all I know,” Gev’jin says.
“So if we can stop this from happening, you’ll give us a refund?” Eltharion asks.
“No. Good day,” Gev’jin finally maneuvers himself into his house and slams the door shut.
“Fine, we don’t need his money. If we find who is taking the adamantium, then we’ll have plenty for Adlai to use,” Eltharion grumbles.
“All right, let’s find this portal to Archeron,” Blaze says, and the Heroes start down the street.
Can the Heroes find the adamantium? Are the dark elves really planning on attacking Brunswick? How much time do they have? Find out all this and more, next update.
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Droid101
First Post
Interlude the Fourth…
Joseph Blackshield stays perfectly still in the tree. His blade and shield at the ready. His steely resolve holding him perfectly still while he waits for the green dragon, Drelhornsdrathdin.
All his calculations come crashing down in an instant. Where he thought the dragon would be coming from below, he was above. Where he thought the dragon would be leading with acid breath, it was leading with a lightning bolt. Where he thought the dragon would fall to his blade, he fell to the dragon’s claw.
Joseph Blackshield stays perfectly still in the tree. His blade and shield at the ready. His steely resolve holding him perfectly still while he waits for the green dragon, Drelhornsdrathdin.
All his calculations come crashing down in an instant. Where he thought the dragon would be coming from below, he was above. Where he thought the dragon would be leading with acid breath, it was leading with a lightning bolt. Where he thought the dragon would fall to his blade, he fell to the dragon’s claw.
Droid101
First Post
At the bottom of the long stairwell, a huge archway made of various bones sat. There was a red glowing portal inside the arch.
“So this leads to Archeron? Ever been there?” Eltharion asks.
“No, but I know about it. A bunch of metal cubes floating around. Supposed to be pretty dangerous,” The Necromancer replies.
The Heroes step through the portal. As soon as they arrive on the other side, they bump into a huge, over 20-foot wide spider, with a female dark elf riding it. She rears it back as the Heroes jump to the ready.
“I don’t have any issue with you, let me pass and nobody gets hurt…” the female elf hisses.
The Heroes all have to grab onto Eltharion to stop him from charging the spider-riding drow.
“Despite what it… looks like… we don’t want to fight either…” Blaze manages to say while holding onto one of Eltharion’s arms.
“Speak for yourself,” Eltharion doesn’t relent; he continues to try to pull out his sickle and scimitar.
The terrain around them is bare. A sheet of steel, it seems like. Nothing can be seen for miles around. The sky is gray, with no sun. Only specks of bluish-silver dot the horizon.
“We’re just looking for some metal cats, have you seen any?” The Necromancer asks, as he’s not busy wrestling Eltharion.
“Over the past few days I’ve seen far too many of those damned things,” the elf responds, sensing that a little diplomacy may get her out of Archeron without a fight.
“Oh? Where?” The Necromancer asks.
“I just had a meeting with this would-be emperor. He’s gathering power here to launch attacks on other planes, and eventually try to take over. Trying to re-forge some great blade of legend.
“I grew bored with his ideas, and his peace offer was less than sub-par,” the elf explains.
“So… he wanted to ally with you so he could take over a plane?” The Necromancer presses.
“He thinks he can take over Aldor-Valencia with the help of the dark elves. I surmised that his little band couldn’t help us in our undertaking, so I denied him. I don’t really care what happens to him in the least. His name is Imperagon,” the dark elf says. “Now, if you don’t mind…”
“Sure, but where is Imperagon’s stronghold?” The Necromancer asks.
“There,” she points to a cube of metal floating far off in the sky. With that, she motions her spider to move, and they head around the Heroes and into the portal.
“Let her go…” The Necromancer says.
“Did you hear her? She said something about taking over Aldor-Valencia. The dark elves are planning something!” Eltharion protests.
“We’ll deal with that when after we get the adamantium,” Ogrim reasons.
“So how do we get out there?” Grog asks.
“I have a spell that can get us moving pretty fast, but it might run out before we get there. I’m not sure how far that is,” Blaze says.
“I can cast fly on everyone after that spell runs out, and we can fly the rest of the way,” The Necromancer adds.
“All right, let’s do it,” Blaze sits down and prays for a wind walk spell. The Necromancer leafs through his spellbooks.
After about fifteen minutes, the Heroes are incorporeal and flying at incredible speed toward the distant cube. After over 12 hours of flight, they huddle together. The spell ends, and they become corporeal again, and start to fall toward the cube at a high speed. The Necromancer quickly casts fly on everyone while falling, and soon everyone is able to float down without harm.
They look back into the sky and see the cube they came from is nothing but a small speck in the distance.
“Do you remember how to get back?” Eltharion asks Blaze and The Necromancer.
“I can teleport us back, don’t worry,” The Necromancer reassures him.
After a long float down, they finally hit the metal cube.
“Well, I guess we just start a sweep until we find a stronghold,” Ogrim says, and they start to walk.
After about three hours of walking, they reach an edge of the cube.
“Uh, so do we fall if we step off?” Eltharion looks down over the edge.
The Necromancer gets another fly spell ready and steps off. A head-spinning transition, and he’s standing upright on the side of the metal cliff.
“Not to be childish… but that was fun!” The Necromancer steps back to their side of the cube. He then jumps off the ledge, landing on his back on the other cube face. He can’t stop laughing. Bloodthorne starts to wander off.
“All right, let’s go,” Eltharion says, and everyone makes the transition to the other cube face, and they continue to walk. Bloodthorne floats above them.
“He’s acting weird again…” The Necromancer whispers to Eltharion.
“I think his curse is getting to him…” Eltharion whispers back, not knowing the specifics, but knowing that Bloodthorne is living forever against his will.
The Heroes spot something up ahead in the distance. Seems like a few figures moving. The Heroes charge forward.
They approach a battle. Looks like two humans fighting against four or five strange five foot tall ant-like creatures standing upright. The humans are laughing maniacally as they slash their greatswords back and forth, killing another one of the creatures.
The Necromancer fires off a warning volley of magic missiles into one of the humans. At that instant, the humans transform into frog-like creatures. One of them red and one black.
“Slaad; kill ‘em,” The Necromancer chuckles. The Heroes charge.
“TEMPUS!!” Blaze bellows as his armor creaks and grinds; his strength increasing exponentially. He runs toward the black one, and with a single overhead two handed chop, the slaad’s shoulder, ribcage and spinal cord are shattered beyond all recognition.
Eltharion, Bloodthorne and Grog overwhelm and quickly finish off the red one.
The ant-things stay on guard, when the largest of them steps forward.
You saved us. We are in your debt. A voice in the Heroes’ heads rings.
“You were in trouble, so we helped,” Eltharion replies.
And so you shall be rewarded. Return with us to our complex and you shall have shelter.
“Sounds good to me,” Blaze says. “Which way?”
The formian approaches the Heroes, and motions them to gather close together. In a flash, they are gone and in a new location. A large mound of metal has been dug out, and several tunnels can be seen going into the cube.
Come this way to meet the queen.
How will this alliance pan out? What are the dark elves up to? Who the heck is Imperagon, and why does he think he can take over the world?
“So this leads to Archeron? Ever been there?” Eltharion asks.
“No, but I know about it. A bunch of metal cubes floating around. Supposed to be pretty dangerous,” The Necromancer replies.
The Heroes step through the portal. As soon as they arrive on the other side, they bump into a huge, over 20-foot wide spider, with a female dark elf riding it. She rears it back as the Heroes jump to the ready.
“I don’t have any issue with you, let me pass and nobody gets hurt…” the female elf hisses.
The Heroes all have to grab onto Eltharion to stop him from charging the spider-riding drow.
“Despite what it… looks like… we don’t want to fight either…” Blaze manages to say while holding onto one of Eltharion’s arms.
“Speak for yourself,” Eltharion doesn’t relent; he continues to try to pull out his sickle and scimitar.
The terrain around them is bare. A sheet of steel, it seems like. Nothing can be seen for miles around. The sky is gray, with no sun. Only specks of bluish-silver dot the horizon.
“We’re just looking for some metal cats, have you seen any?” The Necromancer asks, as he’s not busy wrestling Eltharion.
“Over the past few days I’ve seen far too many of those damned things,” the elf responds, sensing that a little diplomacy may get her out of Archeron without a fight.
“Oh? Where?” The Necromancer asks.
“I just had a meeting with this would-be emperor. He’s gathering power here to launch attacks on other planes, and eventually try to take over. Trying to re-forge some great blade of legend.
“I grew bored with his ideas, and his peace offer was less than sub-par,” the elf explains.
“So… he wanted to ally with you so he could take over a plane?” The Necromancer presses.
“He thinks he can take over Aldor-Valencia with the help of the dark elves. I surmised that his little band couldn’t help us in our undertaking, so I denied him. I don’t really care what happens to him in the least. His name is Imperagon,” the dark elf says. “Now, if you don’t mind…”
“Sure, but where is Imperagon’s stronghold?” The Necromancer asks.
“There,” she points to a cube of metal floating far off in the sky. With that, she motions her spider to move, and they head around the Heroes and into the portal.
“Let her go…” The Necromancer says.
“Did you hear her? She said something about taking over Aldor-Valencia. The dark elves are planning something!” Eltharion protests.
“We’ll deal with that when after we get the adamantium,” Ogrim reasons.
“So how do we get out there?” Grog asks.
“I have a spell that can get us moving pretty fast, but it might run out before we get there. I’m not sure how far that is,” Blaze says.
“I can cast fly on everyone after that spell runs out, and we can fly the rest of the way,” The Necromancer adds.
“All right, let’s do it,” Blaze sits down and prays for a wind walk spell. The Necromancer leafs through his spellbooks.
After about fifteen minutes, the Heroes are incorporeal and flying at incredible speed toward the distant cube. After over 12 hours of flight, they huddle together. The spell ends, and they become corporeal again, and start to fall toward the cube at a high speed. The Necromancer quickly casts fly on everyone while falling, and soon everyone is able to float down without harm.
They look back into the sky and see the cube they came from is nothing but a small speck in the distance.
“Do you remember how to get back?” Eltharion asks Blaze and The Necromancer.
“I can teleport us back, don’t worry,” The Necromancer reassures him.
After a long float down, they finally hit the metal cube.
“Well, I guess we just start a sweep until we find a stronghold,” Ogrim says, and they start to walk.
After about three hours of walking, they reach an edge of the cube.
“Uh, so do we fall if we step off?” Eltharion looks down over the edge.
The Necromancer gets another fly spell ready and steps off. A head-spinning transition, and he’s standing upright on the side of the metal cliff.
“Not to be childish… but that was fun!” The Necromancer steps back to their side of the cube. He then jumps off the ledge, landing on his back on the other cube face. He can’t stop laughing. Bloodthorne starts to wander off.
“All right, let’s go,” Eltharion says, and everyone makes the transition to the other cube face, and they continue to walk. Bloodthorne floats above them.
“He’s acting weird again…” The Necromancer whispers to Eltharion.
“I think his curse is getting to him…” Eltharion whispers back, not knowing the specifics, but knowing that Bloodthorne is living forever against his will.
The Heroes spot something up ahead in the distance. Seems like a few figures moving. The Heroes charge forward.
They approach a battle. Looks like two humans fighting against four or five strange five foot tall ant-like creatures standing upright. The humans are laughing maniacally as they slash their greatswords back and forth, killing another one of the creatures.
The Necromancer fires off a warning volley of magic missiles into one of the humans. At that instant, the humans transform into frog-like creatures. One of them red and one black.
“Slaad; kill ‘em,” The Necromancer chuckles. The Heroes charge.
“TEMPUS!!” Blaze bellows as his armor creaks and grinds; his strength increasing exponentially. He runs toward the black one, and with a single overhead two handed chop, the slaad’s shoulder, ribcage and spinal cord are shattered beyond all recognition.
Eltharion, Bloodthorne and Grog overwhelm and quickly finish off the red one.
The ant-things stay on guard, when the largest of them steps forward.
You saved us. We are in your debt. A voice in the Heroes’ heads rings.
“You were in trouble, so we helped,” Eltharion replies.
And so you shall be rewarded. Return with us to our complex and you shall have shelter.
“Sounds good to me,” Blaze says. “Which way?”
The formian approaches the Heroes, and motions them to gather close together. In a flash, they are gone and in a new location. A large mound of metal has been dug out, and several tunnels can be seen going into the cube.
Come this way to meet the queen.
How will this alliance pan out? What are the dark elves up to? Who the heck is Imperagon, and why does he think he can take over the world?
