Mathew_Freeman
Adventurer
The Continued Journal of Galak of Girru
It has been a long time since I got a chance to update my journal, and this will explain why.
We reconvened at the Palace in Gaxmoor to discuss our next move. All of the group was there except Sigurd, who had been sent away to Dulleaburg on another mission, since most of the fighting within Gaxmoor was now done.
We discussed what we had already learned from the studies of the library about Trakhassa, which was not much. Lilliana and I decided to attempt to gain more information through the commune spell, and retired till the next day. Leo also intended to try his favourite clairvoyance trick.
The next day dawned, and the two clerics cast their communes, learning much about Trakhassa. It seemed that she was not in contact with Heracules, something of which the whole party was glad, although she did have allies within the labyrinth. We also gained information about her ability to withstand weapons of an enchanted nature*, confirmed that she could be sneak attacked and discovered she had no additional spellcasting powers beyond her natural abilities. However Leo's attempt at clairvoyance failed badly, as feedback slammed into his mind, forcing Tarquin to heal him. The group discussed the answers, gave out a few more magic items that seemed appropriate, and selected spells for the journey into the underground passages beneath Gaxmoor the next day.
We had discovered that the key phrase was "Revelation is a journey, not a destination", a mantra of the God of Travel who had built this place. We drew back the drape and saw the secret door that had survived for so long unnoticed. Xyzzy and Lilliana stood at the front of the group, with Aos and Celia beside them. Lorne, Maurys, Leo and Tarquin were next, whilst I took rearguard duty that I may cast my spells to aid the party. The initial search of the doorway set of a series of glyphs, damaging several membes of the group. The joint efforts of the clerics swiftly repaired the damamge, although Lilliana suffered twice, not only being caught in the blast herself but also taking damage from the shield other she maintained on Xyzzy.
The glyphs disarmed and spent, we moved into a further room. It appeared empty, but Maurys told us she had discovered that it was an "elevator room". We recited the mantra together "Revelation is a journey, not a destination", apart from Lorne, who in a fit of paranoia declined to be involved immediately. He moved outside of the door. The rest of us were transported downwards, and once we got there we awaited Lorne's arrival. Much mocking of his caution ensued. I wonder to myself sometimes why he bothers to adventure, he seems so cautious and paranoid. Has he no faith in the Gods or himself that he will achieve his goals?
We searched the immediate area, finding several empty rooms and a long passage that lead to the guest palace. Xyzzy and Aos told of how they had fought a huge number of hobgoblins, and we swiftly retraced our steps. This was clearly not the way we wished to go.
Returning to near the elevator room we took a left turn this time, searching carefully all the way. It was during this search that Aos found a hollow section of wall, and then a switch that caused the door to open! We swiftly moved inside, seeking to discover where this passageway lead. We were afraid of meeting Trakhassa at any time...everyone was nervous. Aos had taken over scouting duties from Lorne, since Lorne seemed to afraid to actually move any great distance from the party. He found another secret door at the end of the corridor, opening out into a room with a strange whistling, wind like noise.
Xyzzy moved forwards and cast a detect magic and as he did so four humanoid yet air-like figures coalesced and attacked! However the lightning battle reflexes of Aos and Xyzzy kicked in, and one cone of cold and several rapier strikes later, the creatures had fallen, leaving only remnants behind.
Xyzzy reported that at the same time as casting the detect maigc, he had sensed an emanation of incredible power to the right of the next room. We swiftly searched for secret doors, and found another. It was opened, to reveal a staircase going downwards, with a white light at the bottom.
We swiftly pressed onwards, and I realise now this was our mistake. As each person laid his foot upon the stairs, they disappeared! I was at the back, and moved on to see what had happened to my friends...
...I found myself in a fog like corridor, which seemed to open in all directions. This seemed to be the labyrinth we had expected. Someone called out "There's something here with us! There is a sound, a huge sound of sniffing over there!" We fled in the other direction...
But the creature was gaining on us! We turned and prepared to fight. Running down the fog tunnel was a huge creature, something like a giant armoured porcupine with metal spikes. Aos moved to my side and prepared to strike it if it came near, but it stopped before it reached us! Xyzzy just had enough time to comlpete his mass haste spell before it bent over and fired volley after volley of spikes at us! Aos and I managed to avoid them, our armour and speed preventing us from being struck. In fact, of the whole party, only Leo suffered multiple quills, dealing him horrible damage and poisoning him as well!
I stepped forward, moving now with magically assisted speed. My battleaxe crashed into it, dealing it some wounds. Leo managed to drink a potion of lesser restoration to negate some of the poison damage, and Lorne shot two arrows into the creature. However, it's tough hide mean the arrows bounced off with damage. Xyzzy acted again, and fired two volleys of magic missiles at it, ten missiles in all. The creature slumped backwards, falling, but when it hit the ground a second set of quills exploded from it in some sort of death throe! Again, most of the group seemed to be able to avoid the blast, but Leo and Maurys both were damaged and poisoned again. Lilliana used the Staff of Life to heal Leo of damage and poison, but Maurys said she could continue without healing. The creature left behind a large sapphire, as big as a man's fist. It was placed within Xyzzy's bag of holding.
We continued to explore the corridors...and explore...and explore...and explore...all the places looked the same. We paused for a moment, and same conclusion hit Lilliana, Leo, Xyzzy and myself.
This was a maze spell of incredible power, one without duration. Unless we could work out a way out, we were stuck her for all eternity. After some discussion, we decided to try using the plane shift spell. Lilliana and I both memorised it, and awaited the results in the morning. In the mean time, all the wounds the party had suffered were healed by the clerics.
The plane shifts proved very poor, as there seemed to be some sort of magical barrier in place that Lilliana and I estimated we about a one in twenty chance of breaking through!** We tried several times, and finally Lilliana's group (herself and Xyzzy, Leo and Tarquin and Lorne) were able to leave. However, the remainder of the group were stuck here. All I could do was to keep trying and resting.
I don't know exactly how long we spent in that mist filled place, resting and relearning the same spell over and over. In between times, we talked and told stories, trying to keep our spirits up, but with each failed casting attempt we grew more despondent. We were simply glad not to be attacked by something in the meantime.
Eventually, the spell worked and we found ourselves back on the stairway with no sign of the others. We decided to go back up to the Palace and see if there was any news. Returning, we found that some Bloodhammer Knights had arrived, and were looking for Aos! We hid him in our quarters, being as his relations with the Bloodhammers were less than cordial, and were relieved to find that the rest of the party had returned safely and without incident. They had been praying for our return, and had some other news.
Xyzzy had theorized that a dimensional anchor spell would prevent the maze effect from occouring, and was proved right! He and Lorne ventured to the bottom of the stairs, and discoverd the diorama of Gaxmoor that was the location of the Staff! Our mission had suceeded. However, once they stepped into the room, three giant earth elementals had burst forth and begun to advance. Lacking the ability to battle such creatures, and after a short attempt to converse with them, Lorne and Xyzzy beat a hasty return, covering their backs with a wall of ice. The elementals were unable to climb the stairs. The party had returned up to the Palace and waited for us.
As a group, we returned to the stairs. The three Clerics had memorised multiple dimensional anchors and cast them on all members of the party. We were prepared to battle the elementals and claim the Staff for ourselves! Once we moved into the room and elementals attacked, Maurys showed bravery that put some of the party to shame. She attempted to fly between the elementals, in order to gain space and attack them with her wand of magic missiles. Tragically, the elementals read her intentions and struck together, crushing the life from her body and shattering her spirit. She crashed to the ground, quite lifeless.
The rest of the group attacked in a fury, mass hasted, with Aos leading the way in melee with Celia by his side. Lorne raged as his arrows once more bounced off the natural rocky hides of these creatures, and Xyzzy and Leo cast their spells, slowing two creatures and holding the other. I started to cast a powerful combination of clerical magics, Righteous Might, Divine Power and Divine Favour. I too joined in the battle now, with Xyzzy having held all three elementals! We quickly and forcefully reduced them to rubble between the sword of Aos, my battleaxe and Xyzzy's cone of colds and fireballs. The battle was won, but the cost was high. We grieved over Maurys' death.
Walking towards the diorama, we found that it appeared to move away from us! This problem was quickly solved by the use of multiple fly spells, and the group hovered above a miniature map of Gaxmoor, precise in every detail. The Staff of the God of Travel was ours!
We proposed to rest here, being as Trakhassa seemed unable to reach this area, and again protected by powerful spells we crossed over the area of the maze spell. We returned to the surface, convinced that at any moment we would be attacked by Trakhassa or Heracules himself! We decided to return to the High Priests villa and see if he had any further information for us, now we had the Staff.
The ghostly visage of the High Priest appeared again before us, and asked whether we had the Soul Gem that the Daemoness had imprisoned his soul in as well as the Staff. We confessed that we had not found it, although we had discovered a sapphire in the maze. He asked to see it, and was overjoyed to tell us that this was indeed the Gem he needed to free him from her spell. We placed the Staff and Gem in his hands...
...hands which turned scaly and deformed before our eyes! Trakhassa was revealed, and she cackled "Fools! I have been trapped her for over a year, awaiting the Staff that was the only item that could set me free!" and before any of us could begin to recover from the shock, she teleported away.
Distraught, the group returned to the Palace and the Marquis of Dulleaburg, telling him the full story. We had failed, and set a great evil loose upon the world. Only time would tell what Trakhassa did with her new found power.
---------
Out of game note: At the end of the session, we realised that the 'Gaxmoor' part of the campaign was now more or less over. The group has several issues to deal with in Imaar, however. Lilliana has been tasked with overthrowing the Overking as the price of using two lesser planar ally spells, Aos is seeking revenge against the chief magistrate of Imaar, who has taken his title and land, and Galak himself intends to restart the Church of Girru in Imaar since the Overking banned it. We also want to spend some time creating items and researching spells. So those capable of magical movement are doing their thing, selling on some powerful magic items we have and sharing out the money. Those that have to walk or ride are heading slowly for Imaar, a journey that will take several weeks by horse and boat. We have agreed to meet in a nearby town to make plans for the future.
Second note: There were two outstanding quotes from todays session. One from James, Xyzzy's player, when faced with the giant armoured porcupine:
And the second from Aos, whilst in the elevator:
To which the whole group started humming muzak, much to the chagrin of S'mon the DM!
This was a great session, and not only that, both Aos and Leo levelled, making them respectively a Fighter9/Duellist2 and a Wizard10. Galak himself is now a Cleric10.
*We believe she has DR ?/+1
**Caster level check of 30, and we're both Cleric10. Eeek.
It has been a long time since I got a chance to update my journal, and this will explain why.
We reconvened at the Palace in Gaxmoor to discuss our next move. All of the group was there except Sigurd, who had been sent away to Dulleaburg on another mission, since most of the fighting within Gaxmoor was now done.
We discussed what we had already learned from the studies of the library about Trakhassa, which was not much. Lilliana and I decided to attempt to gain more information through the commune spell, and retired till the next day. Leo also intended to try his favourite clairvoyance trick.
The next day dawned, and the two clerics cast their communes, learning much about Trakhassa. It seemed that she was not in contact with Heracules, something of which the whole party was glad, although she did have allies within the labyrinth. We also gained information about her ability to withstand weapons of an enchanted nature*, confirmed that she could be sneak attacked and discovered she had no additional spellcasting powers beyond her natural abilities. However Leo's attempt at clairvoyance failed badly, as feedback slammed into his mind, forcing Tarquin to heal him. The group discussed the answers, gave out a few more magic items that seemed appropriate, and selected spells for the journey into the underground passages beneath Gaxmoor the next day.
We had discovered that the key phrase was "Revelation is a journey, not a destination", a mantra of the God of Travel who had built this place. We drew back the drape and saw the secret door that had survived for so long unnoticed. Xyzzy and Lilliana stood at the front of the group, with Aos and Celia beside them. Lorne, Maurys, Leo and Tarquin were next, whilst I took rearguard duty that I may cast my spells to aid the party. The initial search of the doorway set of a series of glyphs, damaging several membes of the group. The joint efforts of the clerics swiftly repaired the damamge, although Lilliana suffered twice, not only being caught in the blast herself but also taking damage from the shield other she maintained on Xyzzy.
The glyphs disarmed and spent, we moved into a further room. It appeared empty, but Maurys told us she had discovered that it was an "elevator room". We recited the mantra together "Revelation is a journey, not a destination", apart from Lorne, who in a fit of paranoia declined to be involved immediately. He moved outside of the door. The rest of us were transported downwards, and once we got there we awaited Lorne's arrival. Much mocking of his caution ensued. I wonder to myself sometimes why he bothers to adventure, he seems so cautious and paranoid. Has he no faith in the Gods or himself that he will achieve his goals?
We searched the immediate area, finding several empty rooms and a long passage that lead to the guest palace. Xyzzy and Aos told of how they had fought a huge number of hobgoblins, and we swiftly retraced our steps. This was clearly not the way we wished to go.
Returning to near the elevator room we took a left turn this time, searching carefully all the way. It was during this search that Aos found a hollow section of wall, and then a switch that caused the door to open! We swiftly moved inside, seeking to discover where this passageway lead. We were afraid of meeting Trakhassa at any time...everyone was nervous. Aos had taken over scouting duties from Lorne, since Lorne seemed to afraid to actually move any great distance from the party. He found another secret door at the end of the corridor, opening out into a room with a strange whistling, wind like noise.
Xyzzy moved forwards and cast a detect magic and as he did so four humanoid yet air-like figures coalesced and attacked! However the lightning battle reflexes of Aos and Xyzzy kicked in, and one cone of cold and several rapier strikes later, the creatures had fallen, leaving only remnants behind.
Xyzzy reported that at the same time as casting the detect maigc, he had sensed an emanation of incredible power to the right of the next room. We swiftly searched for secret doors, and found another. It was opened, to reveal a staircase going downwards, with a white light at the bottom.
We swiftly pressed onwards, and I realise now this was our mistake. As each person laid his foot upon the stairs, they disappeared! I was at the back, and moved on to see what had happened to my friends...
...I found myself in a fog like corridor, which seemed to open in all directions. This seemed to be the labyrinth we had expected. Someone called out "There's something here with us! There is a sound, a huge sound of sniffing over there!" We fled in the other direction...
But the creature was gaining on us! We turned and prepared to fight. Running down the fog tunnel was a huge creature, something like a giant armoured porcupine with metal spikes. Aos moved to my side and prepared to strike it if it came near, but it stopped before it reached us! Xyzzy just had enough time to comlpete his mass haste spell before it bent over and fired volley after volley of spikes at us! Aos and I managed to avoid them, our armour and speed preventing us from being struck. In fact, of the whole party, only Leo suffered multiple quills, dealing him horrible damage and poisoning him as well!
I stepped forward, moving now with magically assisted speed. My battleaxe crashed into it, dealing it some wounds. Leo managed to drink a potion of lesser restoration to negate some of the poison damage, and Lorne shot two arrows into the creature. However, it's tough hide mean the arrows bounced off with damage. Xyzzy acted again, and fired two volleys of magic missiles at it, ten missiles in all. The creature slumped backwards, falling, but when it hit the ground a second set of quills exploded from it in some sort of death throe! Again, most of the group seemed to be able to avoid the blast, but Leo and Maurys both were damaged and poisoned again. Lilliana used the Staff of Life to heal Leo of damage and poison, but Maurys said she could continue without healing. The creature left behind a large sapphire, as big as a man's fist. It was placed within Xyzzy's bag of holding.
We continued to explore the corridors...and explore...and explore...and explore...all the places looked the same. We paused for a moment, and same conclusion hit Lilliana, Leo, Xyzzy and myself.
This was a maze spell of incredible power, one without duration. Unless we could work out a way out, we were stuck her for all eternity. After some discussion, we decided to try using the plane shift spell. Lilliana and I both memorised it, and awaited the results in the morning. In the mean time, all the wounds the party had suffered were healed by the clerics.
The plane shifts proved very poor, as there seemed to be some sort of magical barrier in place that Lilliana and I estimated we about a one in twenty chance of breaking through!** We tried several times, and finally Lilliana's group (herself and Xyzzy, Leo and Tarquin and Lorne) were able to leave. However, the remainder of the group were stuck here. All I could do was to keep trying and resting.
I don't know exactly how long we spent in that mist filled place, resting and relearning the same spell over and over. In between times, we talked and told stories, trying to keep our spirits up, but with each failed casting attempt we grew more despondent. We were simply glad not to be attacked by something in the meantime.
Eventually, the spell worked and we found ourselves back on the stairway with no sign of the others. We decided to go back up to the Palace and see if there was any news. Returning, we found that some Bloodhammer Knights had arrived, and were looking for Aos! We hid him in our quarters, being as his relations with the Bloodhammers were less than cordial, and were relieved to find that the rest of the party had returned safely and without incident. They had been praying for our return, and had some other news.
Xyzzy had theorized that a dimensional anchor spell would prevent the maze effect from occouring, and was proved right! He and Lorne ventured to the bottom of the stairs, and discoverd the diorama of Gaxmoor that was the location of the Staff! Our mission had suceeded. However, once they stepped into the room, three giant earth elementals had burst forth and begun to advance. Lacking the ability to battle such creatures, and after a short attempt to converse with them, Lorne and Xyzzy beat a hasty return, covering their backs with a wall of ice. The elementals were unable to climb the stairs. The party had returned up to the Palace and waited for us.
As a group, we returned to the stairs. The three Clerics had memorised multiple dimensional anchors and cast them on all members of the party. We were prepared to battle the elementals and claim the Staff for ourselves! Once we moved into the room and elementals attacked, Maurys showed bravery that put some of the party to shame. She attempted to fly between the elementals, in order to gain space and attack them with her wand of magic missiles. Tragically, the elementals read her intentions and struck together, crushing the life from her body and shattering her spirit. She crashed to the ground, quite lifeless.
The rest of the group attacked in a fury, mass hasted, with Aos leading the way in melee with Celia by his side. Lorne raged as his arrows once more bounced off the natural rocky hides of these creatures, and Xyzzy and Leo cast their spells, slowing two creatures and holding the other. I started to cast a powerful combination of clerical magics, Righteous Might, Divine Power and Divine Favour. I too joined in the battle now, with Xyzzy having held all three elementals! We quickly and forcefully reduced them to rubble between the sword of Aos, my battleaxe and Xyzzy's cone of colds and fireballs. The battle was won, but the cost was high. We grieved over Maurys' death.
Walking towards the diorama, we found that it appeared to move away from us! This problem was quickly solved by the use of multiple fly spells, and the group hovered above a miniature map of Gaxmoor, precise in every detail. The Staff of the God of Travel was ours!
We proposed to rest here, being as Trakhassa seemed unable to reach this area, and again protected by powerful spells we crossed over the area of the maze spell. We returned to the surface, convinced that at any moment we would be attacked by Trakhassa or Heracules himself! We decided to return to the High Priests villa and see if he had any further information for us, now we had the Staff.
The ghostly visage of the High Priest appeared again before us, and asked whether we had the Soul Gem that the Daemoness had imprisoned his soul in as well as the Staff. We confessed that we had not found it, although we had discovered a sapphire in the maze. He asked to see it, and was overjoyed to tell us that this was indeed the Gem he needed to free him from her spell. We placed the Staff and Gem in his hands...
...hands which turned scaly and deformed before our eyes! Trakhassa was revealed, and she cackled "Fools! I have been trapped her for over a year, awaiting the Staff that was the only item that could set me free!" and before any of us could begin to recover from the shock, she teleported away.
Distraught, the group returned to the Palace and the Marquis of Dulleaburg, telling him the full story. We had failed, and set a great evil loose upon the world. Only time would tell what Trakhassa did with her new found power.
---------
Out of game note: At the end of the session, we realised that the 'Gaxmoor' part of the campaign was now more or less over. The group has several issues to deal with in Imaar, however. Lilliana has been tasked with overthrowing the Overking as the price of using two lesser planar ally spells, Aos is seeking revenge against the chief magistrate of Imaar, who has taken his title and land, and Galak himself intends to restart the Church of Girru in Imaar since the Overking banned it. We also want to spend some time creating items and researching spells. So those capable of magical movement are doing their thing, selling on some powerful magic items we have and sharing out the money. Those that have to walk or ride are heading slowly for Imaar, a journey that will take several weeks by horse and boat. We have agreed to meet in a nearby town to make plans for the future.
Second note: There were two outstanding quotes from todays session. One from James, Xyzzy's player, when faced with the giant armoured porcupine:
And the second from Aos, whilst in the elevator:
To which the whole group started humming muzak, much to the chagrin of S'mon the DM!
This was a great session, and not only that, both Aos and Leo levelled, making them respectively a Fighter9/Duellist2 and a Wizard10. Galak himself is now a Cleric10.
*We believe she has DR ?/+1
**Caster level check of 30, and we're both Cleric10. Eeek.
Last edited:
