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Message: <blockquote data-quote="gfunk" data-source="post: 523872" data-attributes="member: 1813">Session 5 “The journey to Tilverton begins” With the Desmodu scouts flanking them, the party moved quickly and quietly through the Underdark. When their Desmodu escorts first observed Noir the Paladin's heavy plate mail, they informed the group that it would take weeks to reach Tilverton if they had to walk so encumbered. To alleviate the problem, Entropy bestowed the power of flight on herself, Noir, and their Desmodu guards (Hor'ahun had procured a Broom of Flying in the planar metropolis of Union).Although Noir, Entropy and Hor'ahun had limited darkvision, their escorts were able to echo-locate over a much further distance. For this reason, they were able to avoid many of the more dangerous elements of the Underdark. "Just as well," Entropy thought, for she remembered all too vividly the last time the party had been taken unaware in the lightless underground.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Joachim, Dante, Entropy, and Hor'ahun were traveling deep underground to investigate the source of earthquakes that had been plaguing the Dales. None of them had been to the Underdark before -- unfortunately, this caused them to fatally underestimate the danger of the place. Each party member was protected by a potent array of abjurations with Entropy relying on her arcane knowledge, Joachim and Dante powered by their patron deities, and Hor'ahun enhanced through psicraft. This turned out to be their undoing.As they were walking down a particularly long tunnel, they suddenly lost their layers of magical protection. For the humans, who could not even see in the Underdark without the aid of magic, total blindness became their immediate problem. Their foes, however, did not have such problems. An eye tyrant was traveling down the same passage with a powerful contingent of charmed retainers. In addition to the Beholder's potent anti-magic cone, it led a covey of hags as well as a Hill Giant.Without armor, sight, and only the most rudimentary melee weapons, Entropy immediately fled. She could not run, of course, so she tried to put as much distance between herself and her unseen enemies as possible. Dante quickly followed her. Joachim, made of braver stuff, drew his sword and prepared himself for the coming assault. Though he could not see, his significant martial training had prepared him for fighting while blinded. Hor'ahun, the only member of the party who had natural darkvision, drew his rapier and tried his best to keep Joachim informed of their enemies position.While Dante and Entropy frantically tried to exit the anti-magic area, Joachim and Hor'ahun tried to buy them as much time as possible. Without sight and stripped of his magical protections however, Joachim could not stand against such powerful melee opponents for long. He was eventually grappled by the Annis Hag, while her Hill Giant companion beat the Inquisitor brutally with his massive club. Hor'ahun inflicted considerable damage, but he too was severely weakened by the loss of his psionic power.In the end, Entropy managed to exit the Beholder's range, teleported behind it and promptly slew the beast. The damage had already been done though, for Joachim lay dead in a bloody heap on the floor . . .--------------------------------------------------------------------------------This time, Entropy hoped, things would be different. With their Desmodu companions, they at least had an edge against most denizens of the Underdark.The second day of their travels brought the group to the vicinity of a large lake. The Desmodu pointed out that the lake was truly massive, many miles in diameter. So large, in fact, that they probably would not cross it in one day even while flying. As they approached the edge of the lake, the Desmodu in the lead halted abruptly and held up his hand to stop the group. He bowed his head as his massive ears twitched, trying to identify the threat."Two humanoids . . . very large . . . armed with clubs. They seem to be hiding behind a . . . pillar of some sort."The party immediately drew their weapons and slowly advanced towards the cavern. As they went around the corner, Noir and the lead Desmodu saw two giant humanoids. They were massively muscled and grey-skinned, standing some twelve feet tall and armed with greatclubs.One of them roared in Undercommon, "Who are you? And why do you enter our territory?"Noir, experienced in the ways of the Underdark, quickly responded, "Fear not, we do not wish to encroach upon your land. We are simply travelers making our way to Tilverton."At the mention of the drow-ruled city, the giant's neutral expression turned into a scowl, as he hefted his greatclub, "Tilverton!? What business do you have there?"Immediately realizing her mistake, Noir began, "No, no, no, we have nothing to do with the drow . . ."Noir felt a tap on her shoulder. It was an invisible Entropy whispering in her ear, "Noir, I don't speak a lick of Undercommon but we are obviously annoying our giant friends here. Perhaps a hasty retreat to reconsider our strategy would be in order?"The giants, living underground their whole lives heard the sorcerer's voice with little effort. "Who was that? How many of there are you? Where!?""We do not wish to trouble you further, we will find another way to our destination. We apologize for troubling you," Noir replied as the party quickly withdrew.When they were a safe distance from the giants, Noir fumed at Entropy, "Why did you talk to me? Certainly you must have known that they could hear you! I could have reasoned with them, they are obviously foes of the drow. Maybe we can still negotiate . . ."Entropy cut Noir off in mid-sentence, "I think not! Those brutes dare to insult us? Us!! Among the most powerful residents of the Dales? I say we crush them for their impudence!" The Desmodu looked at each other with concern. Noticing this, Entropy continued, "Of course we would not expect you to aid us my friends, your knowledge of this place is too valuable. You may wait here and we will call you when it's safe." The incredulous looks on the Desmodu's faces revealed their evaluation of the party's odds against such opposition.Before Noir could interrupt, Hor'ahun chimed in, "I agree with the sorcerer. We have a reputation to uphold after all. We can't let it be soiled by a few giants. I say we take them out!" Seeing that she was out-voted, Noir reluctantly sighed and nodded in agreement.Entropy's eyes lit up, "This is our first battle in a few days, I already feel rusty. Let's not take any chances. I will render both of you invisible and grant you enhanced speed. Then, you distract them while I kill them at a distance." Without waiting for a reply she began her incantations. On all three of them, she placed an illusion that would render them invisible for a short time, regardless of whether or not they attacked. She quickly followed this with a transmutation that boosted their speed two-fold."Let's go bust some heads!"</blockquote>

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