Retrieving The Key
“You did this!” the beholder howled, looking at the damage and destruction in the room.
Dent and Haley made it to the top of the stairs just in time to see the beholder dive in and bite into Gnettles’s head. The ranger began firing his bow immediately, as did Arden as she made her way into the room.
Once Avangel got to the top of the stairs, he spread his wings and flew into the air, First Light in hand. The beholder directed it’s antimagic cone towards the airborne elf, while three of it’s eyes began firing rays at Dent and Arden, each one missing it’s targets.
Gnettles, flabbergasted and angry about being bitten on the head, took a step back and began casting upon the beholder. A moment later, an earthworm fell wriggling to the ground.
“Bite a Von’Pye in the head, will you?” shouted Gnettles at the eyeless earthworm.
Dent, Avangel and Arden watched in disgust as the gnome picked up the worm and bit into it in anger. Before they could react, however, Viday appeared at the top of the stairs.
“Your friends have gone back into the water, and Inmir is calling for help.”
“What are they thinking?” questioned Arden.
“Their greed is going to be the death of them,” said Avangel as they made their way down the stairs.
Inmir emerged from the water and climbed onto the spider idol as his companions made it back to the platform at the bottom of the stairs.
“There’s some damned devilish beast under the water and inside that treasure room. I tried to pull Lox out, but he wiggled out of his shirt and went in anyway!”
“Where is Lox now?” asked Dent.
“The beast turned him to stone! He’s still under the water!”
“What?!” shouted Dent.
Suddenly, a huge spider-like creature leapt out of the water and onto the spider idol. It’s four front legs ended in claws that resembled cleavers, which, at that moment, were directed at Inmir.
The forsaker drew his double bladed sword, and went to work on the retriever, while Avangel flew into the air. For a moment, it looked at though Avangel was weeping as if in pain. Then the celestial elf began rushing at the spidery beast, using Divine Sacrifice to rip the creature apart! In three hits, the retriever was no more than a pile of gooey limbs atop the spider idol.
“Inmir, where did you leave Lox?” asked Arden.
“He’s in the room with the gold and treasure.”
“Bring him here,” she instructed. “I believe I can help him.”
“If you fly me over there,” said Gnettles, “I can levitate him out of the water.”
Avangel gently grabbed the gnome and lifted him into the air. Both could see the halfling shining under the water, aglow with the Light spell Dent had cast on him earlier. Gnettles’s hands moved meticulously as the words of the spell rolled off his tongue. A moment later, a statuesque Lox emerged from the water, looking as though he was stuffing gold in his pockets. Gnettles brought him to rest on the platform at the bottom of the stairs, where Arden was waiting.
“What can you do for that?” called Inmir. “It’s not like you can rub healing salve on him or anything.”
“I can break the enchantment that has been placed upon him,” she stated matter-of-factly.
The bard grabbed her lute from off her back and began to sing softly. Her companions watched as color seemed to return to the stony appearance of their friend, then suddenly he sprang to life and finished putting the gold in his pocket.
“Wow, I’ve never been a statue before!” cried Lox. “It was very boring!”
“If you were able to free Lox,” said Dent, “you’ll be able to help Ziona.”
“Yes, but first we must find this elusive key,” said Arden.
Dent and Lox leapt into the water and began searching about the room. There was much gold to be had, (which Lox stuffed into his Belt of Many Pockets), and treasure lying about the room. Eventually, the key was found in one of the piles in the watery room, and the ranger and rogue swam back up to their companions.
“We have found the key,” shouted Dent holding it high for everyone to see.
“Excellent,” smiled Avangel.
Viday looked around the group, almost disappointed.
“You’ll be leaving now?”
“We must make haste,” said Arden. “The fate of many is in our hands.”
“We thank you for helping us retrieve the key, Viday,” said Dent. “Is there something we can give you to return the favor?”
Viday hesitated a moment, thinking of the problems his people had been faced with recently.
“Perhaps you can return in the future to help my people,” he suggested. “We have been plagued with merciless earthquakes…many have been injured, or have died. I know you have a more dire problem at present, but please do not forget me and my people.”
“We will be happy to return and assist your people for the help you have given us,” promised Avangel. “Until then, take care, Viday.”
“Thank you,” called Viday as he watched the heroes depart.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The companions headed back to Waterdeep with the corpse of Gideon Xol. They knew they had little time to spare, but they felt it was important to bring their friend back to town for a proper burial. While there, they could restock their supplies before returning to Rappan Athuk.
Upon their arrival, the heroes found they had visitors waiting for them. Among them were Zellian and Megara, (whose daughter Ziona was being held in the goblin city in Rappan Athuk), Varr Battlehammer (whose heroics with Doc, Drexel, and Ziona were well known), and Drizzt Do’Urden (who had helped the Unusual Heroes rescue Ziona’s father in the past).
Also awaiting their return were the heroes from Ashabenford who rescued Spiderfang from Zhentil Keep. Drexel, (who had been in contact with Noristuor who helped him return to his proper plane), introduced Solstar, Arrack, Lia, Borghin and the gnomes, and Traps Lumley.
Sally was also there, ready to throw her arms around her fiancée. Lox was simply stunned…his brother was chattering away in one ear, while Sally was blathering in the other. The pregnant halfling was teeming with emotions, happy to see her love, and loathe to let him leave. She went on and on about the wedding, and the babies, and how she missed Lox, and how she didn’t want him to go face any more danger. What if he died? What if she had to raise two babies alone? What would she do?
Lox turned and frowned at Traps. The halfling just shrugged and said, “It’s okay…I have one, too, but her name is Susie.”
Drexel called out to grab the attention of the large group of allies. He explained that they were there to rally together to defeat the trio of evil in Rappan Athuk.
“Victory will be ours!” cried Avangel, flying into the air on feathery wings and raising First Light towards the sun.
The heroes made plans to get whatever supplies they needed, and to meet back at the gates of Waterdeep.
The battle was about to begin.
The Adventure Continues…
