pogre's story hour Zandyrium -episode 66- (5/10/2006) A short update.

[pogre]

Zandyrium
Episode 26

The adventurers went off to visit Ampyx and found him to be a nice enough fellow. The ancient wizard explained how he had defended Thray at a great personal cost and felt his own time of transference to the twilight might be soon.

“What in the Hells does that mean?” Thoren asked.

“He’s ‘bout dead,” Wassabe answered.

“Oh,” Thoren said sinking back in his chair, “Ask him if we can have his stuff.”

“I’m sure he is contemplating re-writing his will for us as we speak,” Wassabe replied.

Ampyx went on to describe how the evil fleet was much more than mere humanoids and he felt that they were driven by another diabolical force. He confided there was rumored to be a cult of Mammon in some ruins not far from the city and that he felt they were connected to Boethricus’s forces.

“That would concur with my own research,” Justinius divulged in a whisper to Heinrich.

“Where are these ruins and what’s in it for us?” Wassabe asked.

Ampyx shrugged his shoulders resignedly and slumped back in his chair. “I have little to offer in rewards, however, if any of you are into the arcane arts I would willingly let you copy a couple out of my book. The truth is, we have a common enemy, and I think you could make a meaningful strike against Mammon and Boethricus if you could destroy this cult. What is of even greater concerns is that the ruins are reputed to hold the ancient magical artifact the veiled column.”

“What does that thing do?” Wassabe asked.

“I do not know,” Ampyx admitted. “The veiled column is so ancient it predates most written history and harkens back to the days of the creation. I wish I could be of more help, but alas, even my days as protector of this fine city are numbered.”

The adventurers conferred briefly and quickly agreed to explore the ruins. They grabbed a quick night’s rest in Ampyx’s manse and teleported out to the ruins the following morning.

*****

The ruins were mostly piles of stones scattered about an overgrown hillside, however, one structure stood out among the rest: a tall stone tower.



to be continued…

 

[pogre]

Zandyrium
Episode 27

The adventurers moved rapidly towards the tower peeking at the other ruins as they progressed through the ancient city’s remains. They immediately noticed that the door to the old tower looked much newer than the surrounding structures. As the group entered the tower a huge stone golem stirred to the attack, almost at the same moment a silent gargoyle assassin sailed down from above and attacked Thoren at the rear of the party.

Thoren withstood the assassination attempt, but froze in shock at the rear attack. The spellcasters moaned at the sight of the golem realizing full well their spells would not accomplish much versus the construct. Thoren faced a torrent of vicious sneak attacks that reduced him to near death. The Dwarf wizard, Morguhn, not wanting to fight on two fronts, invoked a huge wall of ice in front of the golem.

The stone golem smashed at the wall and began chipping its way towards the party. Thoren smacked the gargoyle assassin with a couple of shots and the creature fled, flying to the roof of the tower. The party braced for the coming attack as the Golem continued bashing through the wall of ice.

The clerics and wizards began casting buffs, and as Mercutio began to cast invisibility on himself he noticed an arrow streaking down from a hole in the ceiling towards him. Fortunately, Morguhn had cast protection from arrows on him prior to the group’s entering the tower. Mercutio realized the rest of the adventurers were not so protected and cast fly on himself to confront the gargoyle.

Mercutio quickly ascended outside the tower and found himself face-to-face with the assassin on the tower’s roof.


A quick missile spell killed the wounded assassin and Mercutio threw its body over the side of the structure in celebration.

DM Note: Those interested in the Gargoyle Assassin I used may find him here:
Grummok (age 39): Male Gargoyle Rog 4/Asn2

The Stone Golem finally forced its way through the ice and was quickly swarmed by the fighter-types and clerics.



The Stone Golem did some serious damage to a couple of the adventurers, but their combined might was too much and it too fell.

An exploration of the base of the tower led to discovery a rubble-filled, but passable stairway leading down. The adventurers proceeded down with Wassabe the swashbuckler and Githraldul the ranger leading the way. As the adventurers made their way into another debris filled room they were suddenly attacked by sticky strands shot out at them. Githraldul felt every ounce of strength sapped from his body and he was being dragged into the waiting maw of a roper!



to be continued…

 

[pogre]

Zandyrium
Episode 28

The limp elf’s body was being pulled directly into the roper’s gaping jaws. Githraldul began screaming as he realized he could not even move!

Wassabe hacked at the tentacles that were dragging him in as well. The rest of the group jumped into combat with the roper, but to the spellcasters’ dismay the creature kept resisting every spell they threw at it. Githraldul was near death’s door when the beast was finally vanquished.

“How about healing me a little so I can walk?” Githraldul asked.

“I don’t know how many charges this wand has left,” Heinrich confided. The cleric cured a bit of Githraldul’s strength damage and the Elf was able to struggle to his feet. “We need to leave to rest anyway.”

“I’m not really up for teleporting everyone back to the city,” Mercutio admitted.

“Let’s just camp in the woods,” Heinrich suggested.

“I’m in no shape for a tussle,” Wassabe complained. Thoren also indicated he was hurting and the clerics prayed over their wounds using most of their chants in the process. The party headed for the woods to set up camp.

*****

As darkness fell on the camp, Ginny caught something out of the corner of her eye, “Hey, is that a senser?” Wassabe turned to ask what she was she said when the pair suddenly had more company on their first watch.

Two bony fiends with scorpion-like tails lurched to the attack materializing in the middle of the camp. Ginny let loose a scream.

As Mercutio emerged from his tent both he and Ginny were frightened away by the creatures’ auras. The pair ran smack into the thorny wall the ranger Githraldul had set up the night before. The fiends withstood a few spells, but the might of Thoren’s swing and the combined efforts of the rest of the crew finally conquered the fiends.

“Another attack like that and we won’t make it,” Heinrich commented.

“Whose idea was it to camp out here anyway?” Wassabe asked with a smile.

“They know we’re here,” Ginny announced.

“Who?” Justinius asked.

“I do not know, but I saw a scry senser before those things attacked,” she answered.

“The devils likely cast a scry vision spell before attacking,” Mercutio commented.

“Except that those devils do not use scry,” Justinius countered. “At least I have not heard of an Osyluth with such powers.”

“So, whoever commands them scried our position,” Wassabe offered.

“Yes,” Justinius answered solemnly.

“So we’re dealing with a powerful creature that knows we’re here and bosses devils around?” Thoren asked.

“That is the situation,” Justinius confirmed.

“I’m heading back to the tent,” Mercutio announced. “Next time allow me to die in my sleep.”

The rest of the group chuckled and headed back to their respective bedrolls as well.

The adventurers were breaking camp when another creature materialized in their midst.

To be continued…

 

[BSF]

Muhahahahah. That's nasty Pogre. I love it.

I have always found that players hate it when their PCs don't get enough sleep to recover spells. Are your players the same way?

 

[BLACKDIRGE]

Hey, you killed Grummok!

Nevertheless, I am pleased to see him antagonizing PC's in campaigns other than my own.

I think you should throw Pyrak or Hedrenatherax at them next.

Dirge

 

[pogre]

Hey, you killed Grummok!

Nevertheless, I am pleased to see him antagonizing PC's in campaigns other than my own.

I think you should throw Pyrak or Hedrenatherax at them next.

Dirge

Hey Dirge - I love throwing your monsters at my crew, but right now most of them are a bit out of their league. Folks that have not yet picked up your monsters books over at RPGNow should do so - they are excellent!

Muhahahahah. That's nasty Pogre. I love it.

I have always found that players hate it when their PCs don't get enough sleep to recover spells. Are your players the same way?

Of course! They really had more trouble with the Bone Devils than I anticipated, but it was great to see them injured by their own protective spells. We're delving back into the dungeon tonight!

 

[pogre]

Zandyrium
Episode 29

A man in platemail appeared before the adventurers now arrayed for battle. “Hold your steel friends, I have come to add a sharp tooth to your maw of righteousness!”

“Indeed!” Justinius exclaimed. “What proof have you against a diabolical allegiance.”

“I am Breygon. I was sent here by the wizard Ampyx of the Green Vale. I am a sworn Templar against the Arch-devil Mammon. I have been tracking a Mammon cultist named Brukagg. Ampyx told me I might find him in those ruins and you fine folks would be here. Our interests are mutual, use whatever discerning magics you possess to reveal the truth to you.”

“Are we sure we need any more righteousness?” Wassabe asked. “I really think we got plenty.”

“There is never enough good and true men,” Heinrich countered.

“I find that true only at gambling tables,” Wassabe replied.

“He is a man of law,” Justinius offered. “My prayers have confirmed that much.”

“We could use the muscle,” Thoren added. “Plus, if he falls, I have dibs on that plate.”

“Now that’s a possible bonus I had not considered,” Wassabe said enthusiastically.

Justinius piercing gaze and scowl quieted Thoren and Wassabe at least momentarily.

The adventurers conferred further and after a few more prayers, decided to accept Breygon’s added muscle to their endeavors. The group made their way back to the tower and found numerous signs of activity.

“A group of five were moving about the chamber,” Githraldul said. The ranger’s voice was low and tense as he continued to concentrate on the tracks and signs, “One of them was a big fellow, possibly a couple of bone devils with them.”

“Where do the tracks lead?” Thoren asked.

“They came up, looked around, and went back down the stairs,” Githraldul responded.

Thoren headed for the stairs and started going down.

“Hold Thoren,” Heinrich called. “Let us be watchful, lest we blunder into a trap.”

“Or another roper creature,” Githraldul added.

“I should take point to look for traps,” Ginny suggested.

“I shall be your shield valiant lady,” Breygon piped up.

“Great,” Ginny commented sarcastically, “Now at least I don’t have to worry about maintaining any element of stealth.”

Following a bit of bickering, the group settled on a marching order and proceeded down the stairs. The stairs opened up into the chamber of the roper, which was still unoccupied. Githraldul again noted a lot of activity in this area and it was obvious that the roper’s bloated corpse had been inspected.

Layout of the former Roper’s Lair


The adventurers pushed forward, entering a chamber illuminated by a strange yellow-green diffused glow. The far wall of the chamber held four glowing runes. Two passageways led out of the chamber.

Ginny carefully searched the chamber and pronounced it trap free. Heinrich approached the runes and cast read magic. He quickly recoiled in horror as the blood left his face and dismissed the spell.

“What’s wrong Heinrich?” Mercutio asked.

“They are some sort of diabolical disjunctive spell.”

“What’s that?” Wassabe asked.

“Something that would mess with our magic,” Mercutio answered.

“I vote we don’t read it then,” Thoren suggested.

“Ummm, yes – that decision has been made,” Heinrich answered.

Breygon noted a fiery red-orange glow was emanating from the end of the hallway to the north.

“Well, let’s take the southern passage then,” Ginny suggested.

Layout of the Runes Room – note: top = South


*****

The southern passage wound around a bit and culminated in a tee.


The adventurers turned east and found a door. Ginny announced the portal contained a magical trap and that she had managed to disarm it.

“What kind of ward was it?” Mercutio asked.

“A symbol of blinding I believe,” Ginny answered.

“Nasty,” Justinius commented.

Opening the door the party found numerous crates and barrels. The crates contained a hard wafer-like bread and the barrels were full of a mediocre wine. Mercutio cast detect magic for the sake of thoroughness. To everyone’s surprise the bread in particular radiated an aura of strong evil magic.



Breygon methodically destroyed each morsel of bread.

“Another great victory for righteous bakers everywhere!” Wassabe proclaimed.

The group headed down the other passage. They found a bedroom with an invisible servant that continually prepared the room for sleeping. It was a cozy, practical room with little of interest. The fireplace had a magical fire that radiated heat, but nothing further was found.



“No other exits?” Wassabe asked.

“Only the glowing northern one we passed in the camber of runes,” Ginny confirmed.

“Onward! To the pits of hell,” Justinius exclaimed.

“Is he joking?” Thoren whispered to Wassabe.

“With him ye’ never know,” Wassabe responded.

Southern Layout


to be continued…

 

[pogre]

A picture of Heinrich's new figure can be found in my miniatures and models thread.

 

[pogre]

Zandyrium
Episode 30

The heat of the flaming chamber was becoming intense and Ginny fell back. “It’s too hot for me, another few seconds up there and my hair would have caught fire,” she said.

“Is there anything in the chamber?” Heinrich asked.

“I should not think so,” Ginny replied. “It is nothing but flame and fire.”

Thoren called back to the group, “It’s hot, but I don’t think anyone is in there.”

A defiant, mighty, fiery fist of fury extended out of the flaming room and struck Thoren. The surprised fighter’s knees temporarily buckled under the pain.

Thoren turned and bravely trudge into the room to face the huge elder elemental. Flaming fist after flaming fist struck the fighter. Breygon called on a small prayer to help shield him from the fire and charged in to help Thoren. The fire elemental turned his wrath on the paladin and soon had the holy fighter near death and forced to withdraw.

Thoren refused to yield, however, and another massive fiery fist spelled his doom. Thoren fell.

Heinrich healed Breygon while Mercutio and Githraldul moved to the attack. Wassabe braved attacks from the fire elemental to pull Thoren’s body out of the flaming chamber. A final combined assault of arrows, spells, and steel destroyed the elder elemental.

“What in the hells was that thing? A demon?” Wassabe asked.

“We will find no demons here,” Breygon answered.

“Nor was it a devil,” Justinius added. “It was the largest fire elemental I have ever seen. Someone wanted that room guarded, and guarded well.”

Ginny was on one knee near Thoren’s heavily burned corpse. She looked up to Heinrich asked, “Can he be brought back?”

“If his spirit is willing, I have a resurrection scroll,” Heinrich answered.

“I can sense his spirit wants to return. It is not his time to go,” Justinius added.

Heinrich performed the ritual employing the resurrection scroll to call Thoren back to life.

Thoren’s throat was dry and caked with soot, but he still managed a raspy ‘thank you.’

To be continued…

 

[pogre]

Zandyrium
Episode 31

The chamber the elder elemental had fought in remained a fiery inferno but the adventurers decided to brave the flames to move to the hallway beyond. Dar, Heinrich’s follower, would remain behind in the runes chamber and keep an eye on the other passages.

The hallway beyond the flaming chamber led them to a stairway leading down.

Ginny snuck ahead of the group down the stairway. The chamber she entered contained a large pit with a number of translucent, glistening, two-foot long larvae with humanoid heads. Four bone devils moved around the pit sticking the larvae and taking delight in their petty tortures. The devils immediately turned their attention to Ginny.

Ginny was overwhelmed with fear and rushed back up the stairs. She brushed past the other adventurers and could not be stopped. Thoren tried to ask her what she had seen, but she continued running into the room of flame.

Breygon and Githraldul moved up to the stairs and announced to the rest of the group what the chamber held. Heinrich announced that he was retreating, as the recent healing prayers had tapped him of power. The adventurers began a tactical retreat with the paladin and ranger guarding the rear. The bone devils showed no signs of desiring to leave their precious larvae.

Ginny continued her mad dash, singeing her locks as she moved through the flaming chamber. As she ran past Dar he called out to her, but to no avail. As she rushed into the former lair of the roper she spotted a tall, beautiful woman with a huge coil of rope, and expansive bat-like wings. The terror had not left her, and she wiggled past the woman and her rope, flying up the stairs.

The rest of the adventurers continued their retreat. Githraldul spotted the woman in the former roper lair and took a shot at her. She disappeared before the arrow struck home. Githraldul announced what happened to the others. Heinrich cast true seeing and confirmed she had indeed left the chamber.

The adventurers congregated in the former roper’s den and prepared to ascend the stairs.

“Did Ginny run through here?” Justinius asked.

“Yes, she ran through here,” Githraldul replied.

“We need to make haste to catch her,” Wassabe said.

“No need,” Ginny stated as she slowly descended the stairs.

“Are you alright?” Wassabe asked her.

“I was affected by the devil’s aura, but it has passed. Unfortunately, I have seen something much worse.”

“I saw her,” Githraldul commented. “The Erinyes does not concern me.”

“No,” Ginny replied quietly. “I agree the Erinyes is not a big problem. The huge red dragon she was atop just outside the tower is[b/] however.”



“Mercutio, just how many teleportation spells can you cast?” Wassabe asked.

To be continued…