Sand's End (D&D 4e Maptool Campaign)
Rhenny
Adventurer
Session 18 - 3/2/12
After their extended rest, the party searched the room more carefully, studying the tapestries and the statue of the tower. They noticed that the north wall tapestry depicted trees and the Blood Ravens watching the scene. The east wall tapestry illustrated the mountains with a crew of builders working to create the Raven Road. The south wall tapestry showed the mountain where the Inverted Tower was built with the tower depicted faintly floating in air upside down above the mountain just like what the adventurers saw when they successfully opened the rune locked door to this keep. From north to south the tapestries changed from bright lighting to dim lighting, the south image included a full moon in the sky beside the inverted tower. Karyak thought about these images and remembered that Raven Queen worshipers often performed rituals when the moon was full.
Geyorg the rogue, and Xaxis the wizard were able to determine that the tower statue in the center was a mechanical and magical creation. When Geyorg touched it, it began to rise 2’ more into the air on a small platform. After further inspection, the party found that the statue itself could be rotated horizontally, and turned vertically as well. Karayk suggested that the group turn the tower to face the moon, and then turn the tower upside down. Grimgold helped him, and together they were able to position the tower. At that point, the platform below fell out, leaving the tower floating in air above a 10’ square, dark, shaft. The group tried to inspect the darkness; it seemed to continue for quite a while. Then Karyak and Grimgold decided to use their strength to try to push the tower down in to the shaft. When they applied their muscle, the tower did move down, and Xaxis could sense that magic could power the tower, and perhaps it could help them get down further into the shaft. Then, Karyak remembered what one of the Dwarven Elders from clan Hillwalker said, “You have to go down to go up,” and the group knew they were making progress.
Before they could move the tower further, the adventurers heard the shuffling sound of zombie feet moving outside the room. It seemed as if a large group of zombie builders were coming to the room. Wanting to avoid an encounter, Xaxis concentrated and was able to gain magical control of the tower. Then he was able to make it descend while the party stood on top of it.
The group went down about 100’ into a large 20’ tall room. At the bottom, the tower went into a depression in the floor and the group was able to step out into the dark room. Searching ahead of them, with magical light on Karyak’s shield, the group saw two stone tables with building supplies on them. They also realized the room was extremely large, and 10’ in front of them in the center the stones formed a checkerboard pattern in black and white. Geyorg’s eyes adjusted to the dim light quicker than the rest, and he was able to see further into the darkness. He saw a wight and three skeletons shifting in the darkness only seconds before the wight lurched forward and attacked Grimgold, doing massive damage that seemed to suck the life out of the sturdy Dwarf. Two skeletons moved forward, but could not attack just yet, but a third came from the east side and attacked Xaxis, cutting him slightly with its sharpened claws. Xaxis’ anger manifested itself and the skeleton minion burst into flames and crumpled to the ground.
Grimgold used his shield to bash the wight to the ground. Then, Karyak hacked into the wight with righteous strike and granted a divine boon to Geyorg, who tumbled behind the wight and struck solidly with his opening strike. His flanking attack hit the mark and damaged the wight severely. Trying to finish off the creature, Geyorg attacked again and pierced it with his long sword. Xaxis delivered a scorching burst, missing the skeletons, buring the wight for good.
Three more wights joined the fray, and another skeletal minion stepped up. Grimgold waited for them to step forward, readying his axe for an attack when more than one enemy came within range. Karyak delayed, hoping to bait the undead into a tight group so he could turn them with holy power. Geyorg stepped back, attacking a minion skeleton, crumpling it into a pile of bones, and Xaxis delivered a burning sheet of flame that hurt the two wights closest to him although they were able to dodge its full effects. Doubling his efforts, Xaxis cast a scorching burst to the west side of the fight, injuring a wight. Finally, the wights stepped forward and Grimgold swung his axe and injured a foe, as it stepped up through a threatened square. Then Grim attacked with his planned attack. He connected with his sweeping blow and seriously injured two of the foes, bloodying both. Then he doubled his efforts and cleaved one of the wights, a second time. Karyak healed Geyorg with healing word, and then he hit a wight with a healing strike to heal Grimgold. Right after, with the power of Pelor, Karyak turned the undead, burning two of them with radiant damage, forcing one to retreat in pain. Geyorg tried to take out one of the beasts, but was unable to connect. Xaxis fired magic missle to further injure another wight, and Grimgold pushed the same wight with tide of iron, splattering it lifeless on to the floor. Karyak stepped forward and launched a javalin at a wight, hitting the mark. During the battle, Geyorg, Xaxis and Grimgold suffered injuries, Grimgold’s were most noticeable.
The remaining wight, stepped forward onto one of the white squares of the checkerboard pattern, and with that, the room lit up, and the group could see a statue of a stone, vaguely humanoid, monster in the middle of the room. A rune on its forehead lit up, red and foreboding. Geyorg worked his way close to the wight, keeping his eye on the stone statue. His piercing strike nearly downed the undead menace, but as it clung to undeath, Xaxis fired a magical blast of energy smack into its chest, draining its vital energy. Quickly, everyone studied the stone statue from afar, and Karyak uttered a healing prayer to repair damage Grimgold sustained from the wight and skeleton claws. Geyorg, who was closest to the statue, was able to decipher the magical runes on its forehead, but as he was puzzling it out, the creature animated and moved toward him. Geyorg realized that the rune was a rune of strength. This new foe would most likely pummel with great force.
Cliffhanger!!!!
350 xp for each adventurer for this part of the adventure.
After their extended rest, the party searched the room more carefully, studying the tapestries and the statue of the tower. They noticed that the north wall tapestry depicted trees and the Blood Ravens watching the scene. The east wall tapestry illustrated the mountains with a crew of builders working to create the Raven Road. The south wall tapestry showed the mountain where the Inverted Tower was built with the tower depicted faintly floating in air upside down above the mountain just like what the adventurers saw when they successfully opened the rune locked door to this keep. From north to south the tapestries changed from bright lighting to dim lighting, the south image included a full moon in the sky beside the inverted tower. Karyak thought about these images and remembered that Raven Queen worshipers often performed rituals when the moon was full.
Geyorg the rogue, and Xaxis the wizard were able to determine that the tower statue in the center was a mechanical and magical creation. When Geyorg touched it, it began to rise 2’ more into the air on a small platform. After further inspection, the party found that the statue itself could be rotated horizontally, and turned vertically as well. Karayk suggested that the group turn the tower to face the moon, and then turn the tower upside down. Grimgold helped him, and together they were able to position the tower. At that point, the platform below fell out, leaving the tower floating in air above a 10’ square, dark, shaft. The group tried to inspect the darkness; it seemed to continue for quite a while. Then Karyak and Grimgold decided to use their strength to try to push the tower down in to the shaft. When they applied their muscle, the tower did move down, and Xaxis could sense that magic could power the tower, and perhaps it could help them get down further into the shaft. Then, Karyak remembered what one of the Dwarven Elders from clan Hillwalker said, “You have to go down to go up,” and the group knew they were making progress.
Before they could move the tower further, the adventurers heard the shuffling sound of zombie feet moving outside the room. It seemed as if a large group of zombie builders were coming to the room. Wanting to avoid an encounter, Xaxis concentrated and was able to gain magical control of the tower. Then he was able to make it descend while the party stood on top of it.
The group went down about 100’ into a large 20’ tall room. At the bottom, the tower went into a depression in the floor and the group was able to step out into the dark room. Searching ahead of them, with magical light on Karyak’s shield, the group saw two stone tables with building supplies on them. They also realized the room was extremely large, and 10’ in front of them in the center the stones formed a checkerboard pattern in black and white. Geyorg’s eyes adjusted to the dim light quicker than the rest, and he was able to see further into the darkness. He saw a wight and three skeletons shifting in the darkness only seconds before the wight lurched forward and attacked Grimgold, doing massive damage that seemed to suck the life out of the sturdy Dwarf. Two skeletons moved forward, but could not attack just yet, but a third came from the east side and attacked Xaxis, cutting him slightly with its sharpened claws. Xaxis’ anger manifested itself and the skeleton minion burst into flames and crumpled to the ground.
Grimgold used his shield to bash the wight to the ground. Then, Karyak hacked into the wight with righteous strike and granted a divine boon to Geyorg, who tumbled behind the wight and struck solidly with his opening strike. His flanking attack hit the mark and damaged the wight severely. Trying to finish off the creature, Geyorg attacked again and pierced it with his long sword. Xaxis delivered a scorching burst, missing the skeletons, buring the wight for good.
Three more wights joined the fray, and another skeletal minion stepped up. Grimgold waited for them to step forward, readying his axe for an attack when more than one enemy came within range. Karyak delayed, hoping to bait the undead into a tight group so he could turn them with holy power. Geyorg stepped back, attacking a minion skeleton, crumpling it into a pile of bones, and Xaxis delivered a burning sheet of flame that hurt the two wights closest to him although they were able to dodge its full effects. Doubling his efforts, Xaxis cast a scorching burst to the west side of the fight, injuring a wight. Finally, the wights stepped forward and Grimgold swung his axe and injured a foe, as it stepped up through a threatened square. Then Grim attacked with his planned attack. He connected with his sweeping blow and seriously injured two of the foes, bloodying both. Then he doubled his efforts and cleaved one of the wights, a second time. Karyak healed Geyorg with healing word, and then he hit a wight with a healing strike to heal Grimgold. Right after, with the power of Pelor, Karyak turned the undead, burning two of them with radiant damage, forcing one to retreat in pain. Geyorg tried to take out one of the beasts, but was unable to connect. Xaxis fired magic missle to further injure another wight, and Grimgold pushed the same wight with tide of iron, splattering it lifeless on to the floor. Karyak stepped forward and launched a javalin at a wight, hitting the mark. During the battle, Geyorg, Xaxis and Grimgold suffered injuries, Grimgold’s were most noticeable.
The remaining wight, stepped forward onto one of the white squares of the checkerboard pattern, and with that, the room lit up, and the group could see a statue of a stone, vaguely humanoid, monster in the middle of the room. A rune on its forehead lit up, red and foreboding. Geyorg worked his way close to the wight, keeping his eye on the stone statue. His piercing strike nearly downed the undead menace, but as it clung to undeath, Xaxis fired a magical blast of energy smack into its chest, draining its vital energy. Quickly, everyone studied the stone statue from afar, and Karyak uttered a healing prayer to repair damage Grimgold sustained from the wight and skeleton claws. Geyorg, who was closest to the statue, was able to decipher the magical runes on its forehead, but as he was puzzling it out, the creature animated and moved toward him. Geyorg realized that the rune was a rune of strength. This new foe would most likely pummel with great force.
Cliffhanger!!!!
350 xp for each adventurer for this part of the adventure.
Rhenny
Adventurer
Session 19 – 3/10/12
The animated runic statue began to swing its stony arms at Geyorg, but Geyorg was able to duck under the savage blow. Grimgold moved up and pushed the statue back with his powerful tide of iron. Then Karyak stepped up and slashed the animated statue with a righteous blow. Geyorg moved around to flank the creature, and stabbed it with a piercing strike. Xaxis, using his arcane knowledge, stepped near the runic statue and attempted to take control of it. He nearly felt as if he could, but the magic of the statue was too strong this time. The runic statue, perhaps feeling the surge of magical energy from Xaxis, turned and swung its dangerous arms at the Tiefling wizard. Xaxis saw the attack and was able to shift to one side to avoid it. Grimgold struck the statue with all his might, connecting with his devastating attack that granted him bonuses to attack and damage for the rest of the combat. Karyak missed his attack, but then Geyorg used his own arcana skill to aid Xaxis before Xaxis made a second attempt to control the living statue. Xaxis concentrated and exerted a powerful blast of magical energy that grasped control of the animated statue.
With the threat neutrolized, Xaxis and Geyorg worked for a few minutes to try to patch the statue a bit, while the others circulated around the room to gather tools that were placed on each of 8 stone tables. They found a pick axe, a shovel, a block and tackle, a trowel, a bucket, a rake, a crowbar and a magical coil of rope. The rope could be commanded to move slowly in any direction, stretching out its 50 foot length, horizontally or vertically, even hovering in air or tying knots if desired. Xaxis gave the rope to Geyorg and showed him how to use it. Geyorg thanked him for the magical treasure. After a short rest, the group moved toward the south end of the room to a double door. Geyorg listened and saw the flickering of fire light through the cracks of the door. The door was locked, but Geyorg used his thieving skills to remedy that situation. The party commanded the runic statue to open the doors.
Inside the next room, was a stone table in the center of a 50’ x 50’ room. Two lit braziers burned along the west and east walls, bathing two blazing skeletons in the fire light. Across the table, directly to the south was a small pile of coins, with a menacing skull floating three feet above it. Xaxis commanded the runic statue to enter the room and attack one of the blazing skeletons. The statue’s blow landed, knocking the skeleton 10’ back and to its knees. Then, the flameskull let loose a firey ball that exploded in the middle of the doorway, engulfing the entire party in a burst of flames. All but the runic statue were injured by the blast, Xaxis, Grimgold and Geyorg each felt the burns more intensely. Geyorg, moved toward the injured skeleton and hit with his opening move. Then he doubled his effort and pierced it a second time with his longsword, knocking it down for good. Karyak moved in and healed Geyorg with a healing word, then he threw a javalin at the other skeleton. Karyak took a second action to heal Grimgold, and move toward the blazing skeleton to engage it in melee combat. Unfortunately, his healing strike missed the mark. The skeleton reached out with its burning claws, but the claws scraped off of Karyak’s armor. Although the skeleton missed, Karyak could feel a slight burn from the intense heat of the undead creature.
Xaxis decided to drop a flaming sphere upon the burning skeleton, and luckily, it did some damage. Then, taking an extra attack, Xaxis launched a magic missle at the skeleton, injuring it further. Grimgold moved forward and swung at the creature, but his axe was turned away. The runic statue, controlled by Xaxis, moved to the flameskull, attacking yet missing it. The flameskull attempted to bite the runic statue, but failed. Then, Geyorg tumbled across the room to position himself behind the blazing skeleton. His sneak attack piercing strike skewered the skeleton between the ribs, collapsing it into a smoldering pile of bones.
With only the flameskull remaining, Karyak pushed forth his holy symbol and burned it slightly with radiant damage. It was then that he realized that the radiant damage hindered the flameskulls ability to regenerate. After talking a second wind, Xaxis fired a magic missile at the foe, and Grimgold swung wildly at the floating skull, but missed. The flameskull retaliated with another powerful fireball that scorched Grimgold, Geyorg and Karyak. The runic statue was able to avoid the blast. Geyorg paused for a moment to take a second wind, and he tried to stab the skull with his blade, but he could not hit the mark. Karyak heaved another javalin and hit the skull, but then he retreated back towards Xaxis, who bandaged Karyak’s wounds for minor healing.
Grimgold, taking second wind, moved up and connected with the flameskull splitting it into two halves with his mighty axe. Karyak poured holy water over the broken skull to make sure it would stay dead, and then Xaxis commanded the runic statue to pulverize the remains of the skull just in case. As the runic statue was fulfilling that command, Xaxis could feel that his control over the creature was starting to ebb. He warned the others, so Grimmy and Geyorg both tried to help Xaxis with their own attempts to understand the arcane magic of the statue. With help, Xaxis was able to maintain control but he decided he should not tempt fate much longer, so he walked the statue back to where it originated, and used his magic arts to restore the statue to its dormant state, resetting the white squares on the checkerboard that triggered the statue’s animation.
The group scooped up 128 gp and 218 silver pieces, took a short rest, and searched this room for any other means of exit. Unable to find a way out, Xaxis decided to perform a detect secret door ritual, which successfully revealed a door beneath the stone table. Using their combined strength, the party pushed the table aside and saw another hole that went down deeper into the darkness.
350 xp for each PC for this part of the adventure (you are very close to 5th level now)
(Just in case you are wondering, in my campaign, all PCs can take 2nd wind as a minor action...Dwarves can do it as a free action. Also, PCs can use an action point every encounter. Healing in my game is also a bit different now. I give the Cleric a fixed amount for each healing word (5+2per level), and I allow anyone to bandage for 2+Con healing if they tend to a fresh wound. 2nd wind still restores 1/4 hp, and a short rest also restores 1/4 hit points. No more healing surges. I made these changes to help with bookkeeping and to speed up combat. I think they work well...at least so far.)
The animated runic statue began to swing its stony arms at Geyorg, but Geyorg was able to duck under the savage blow. Grimgold moved up and pushed the statue back with his powerful tide of iron. Then Karyak stepped up and slashed the animated statue with a righteous blow. Geyorg moved around to flank the creature, and stabbed it with a piercing strike. Xaxis, using his arcane knowledge, stepped near the runic statue and attempted to take control of it. He nearly felt as if he could, but the magic of the statue was too strong this time. The runic statue, perhaps feeling the surge of magical energy from Xaxis, turned and swung its dangerous arms at the Tiefling wizard. Xaxis saw the attack and was able to shift to one side to avoid it. Grimgold struck the statue with all his might, connecting with his devastating attack that granted him bonuses to attack and damage for the rest of the combat. Karyak missed his attack, but then Geyorg used his own arcana skill to aid Xaxis before Xaxis made a second attempt to control the living statue. Xaxis concentrated and exerted a powerful blast of magical energy that grasped control of the animated statue.
With the threat neutrolized, Xaxis and Geyorg worked for a few minutes to try to patch the statue a bit, while the others circulated around the room to gather tools that were placed on each of 8 stone tables. They found a pick axe, a shovel, a block and tackle, a trowel, a bucket, a rake, a crowbar and a magical coil of rope. The rope could be commanded to move slowly in any direction, stretching out its 50 foot length, horizontally or vertically, even hovering in air or tying knots if desired. Xaxis gave the rope to Geyorg and showed him how to use it. Geyorg thanked him for the magical treasure. After a short rest, the group moved toward the south end of the room to a double door. Geyorg listened and saw the flickering of fire light through the cracks of the door. The door was locked, but Geyorg used his thieving skills to remedy that situation. The party commanded the runic statue to open the doors.
Inside the next room, was a stone table in the center of a 50’ x 50’ room. Two lit braziers burned along the west and east walls, bathing two blazing skeletons in the fire light. Across the table, directly to the south was a small pile of coins, with a menacing skull floating three feet above it. Xaxis commanded the runic statue to enter the room and attack one of the blazing skeletons. The statue’s blow landed, knocking the skeleton 10’ back and to its knees. Then, the flameskull let loose a firey ball that exploded in the middle of the doorway, engulfing the entire party in a burst of flames. All but the runic statue were injured by the blast, Xaxis, Grimgold and Geyorg each felt the burns more intensely. Geyorg, moved toward the injured skeleton and hit with his opening move. Then he doubled his effort and pierced it a second time with his longsword, knocking it down for good. Karyak moved in and healed Geyorg with a healing word, then he threw a javalin at the other skeleton. Karyak took a second action to heal Grimgold, and move toward the blazing skeleton to engage it in melee combat. Unfortunately, his healing strike missed the mark. The skeleton reached out with its burning claws, but the claws scraped off of Karyak’s armor. Although the skeleton missed, Karyak could feel a slight burn from the intense heat of the undead creature.
Xaxis decided to drop a flaming sphere upon the burning skeleton, and luckily, it did some damage. Then, taking an extra attack, Xaxis launched a magic missle at the skeleton, injuring it further. Grimgold moved forward and swung at the creature, but his axe was turned away. The runic statue, controlled by Xaxis, moved to the flameskull, attacking yet missing it. The flameskull attempted to bite the runic statue, but failed. Then, Geyorg tumbled across the room to position himself behind the blazing skeleton. His sneak attack piercing strike skewered the skeleton between the ribs, collapsing it into a smoldering pile of bones.
With only the flameskull remaining, Karyak pushed forth his holy symbol and burned it slightly with radiant damage. It was then that he realized that the radiant damage hindered the flameskulls ability to regenerate. After talking a second wind, Xaxis fired a magic missile at the foe, and Grimgold swung wildly at the floating skull, but missed. The flameskull retaliated with another powerful fireball that scorched Grimgold, Geyorg and Karyak. The runic statue was able to avoid the blast. Geyorg paused for a moment to take a second wind, and he tried to stab the skull with his blade, but he could not hit the mark. Karyak heaved another javalin and hit the skull, but then he retreated back towards Xaxis, who bandaged Karyak’s wounds for minor healing.
Grimgold, taking second wind, moved up and connected with the flameskull splitting it into two halves with his mighty axe. Karyak poured holy water over the broken skull to make sure it would stay dead, and then Xaxis commanded the runic statue to pulverize the remains of the skull just in case. As the runic statue was fulfilling that command, Xaxis could feel that his control over the creature was starting to ebb. He warned the others, so Grimmy and Geyorg both tried to help Xaxis with their own attempts to understand the arcane magic of the statue. With help, Xaxis was able to maintain control but he decided he should not tempt fate much longer, so he walked the statue back to where it originated, and used his magic arts to restore the statue to its dormant state, resetting the white squares on the checkerboard that triggered the statue’s animation.
The group scooped up 128 gp and 218 silver pieces, took a short rest, and searched this room for any other means of exit. Unable to find a way out, Xaxis decided to perform a detect secret door ritual, which successfully revealed a door beneath the stone table. Using their combined strength, the party pushed the table aside and saw another hole that went down deeper into the darkness.
350 xp for each PC for this part of the adventure (you are very close to 5th level now)
(Just in case you are wondering, in my campaign, all PCs can take 2nd wind as a minor action...Dwarves can do it as a free action. Also, PCs can use an action point every encounter. Healing in my game is also a bit different now. I give the Cleric a fixed amount for each healing word (5+2per level), and I allow anyone to bandage for 2+Con healing if they tend to a fresh wound. 2nd wind still restores 1/4 hp, and a short rest also restores 1/4 hit points. No more healing surges. I made these changes to help with bookkeeping and to speed up combat. I think they work well...at least so far.)
Rhenny
Adventurer
20th session – 3/23/12
As the group was studying the 10’x10’ shaft that was hidden under the stone table, Geyorg heard some noise from the other room. He crept stealthily to the open doors and peered into the darkness. He could hear the sound of stone cracking. He also saw the stone tables that were 10’ from the door were breaking open. Wights were beginning to claw their way out of the stone tables, which must have served as unadorned coffins. After warning the others, the party decided to close the doors to keep the undead out of the room they were in. They were able to seal the doors just before the wights lunged toward them. With all of his strength, assisted by all, Karyak was able to slide a stone sarcophagus in front of the door to hold it fast as the wights beat on the door…bang…bang…bang.
Xaxis used his light spell to look down the shaft and found that it was about 60’ down, and at the bottom was a flat surface with a hatch. The party used the magical rope they found earlier to make it down the shaft. Geyorg uttered the command and the rope unknotted from above and fell back to him neatly and elegantly.
The hatch opened into another shaft, a bit smaller than the last, yet this shaft had iron rungs to climb down. Carefully examining the area, Geyorg went down first, followed by everyone else. The group decided to extinguish all lights and try to move down silently. At the bottom, Geyorg came upon another hatch, and when he opened it, blindingly bright light beamed through. As his eyes adjusted, he saw an astonishing sight. Looking out of the hatchway, Geyorg was staring at the mountain top, from above it, basically looking down. It seemed as if the party was now high above the mountain, upside down, but some how, gravity kept them from falling down.
The adventurers emerged from the hatch and saw that they were standing on a stone patio next to the Inverted Tower. They were at the base of the tower, the garden level that they saw when they looked up from the entrance to the tower hours ago. The strange magical sensation, standing and walking upside down, was too much for Grimgold, Geyorg and Xaxis. They each felt dizzy and nauseous. Karyak did not feel woozy. He dug into his pack and found some herbs he had. Then he gave them to his comrades. As they chewed, Grimgold and Xaxis felt better, but Geyorg could not shake his vertigo.
Amazed by the magical phenomenon, the party decided to search the area. They saw grass, trees, even some water pools in this garden around the Inverted Tower, which continued to point downwards toward the mountain top. After a few minutes of searching, Karyak heard some rustling in the trees near him, and then he could see a creature hiding within the tree, ready to pounce. Geyorg moved away from the Tower doors, and went closer to investigate and position himself so he could eventually flank the beast. The beast charged Karyak, and Karyak could tell it was a ghoul. The party moved into combat stance, and then they saw another creature bear down on Xaxis from the opposite side of the Tower. This creature was a ghast, more powerful than the ghoul.
The adventurers had their hands full when it turned out that two ghasts and two ghouls were attacking them in slightly staggered waves. Geyorg’s uneasiness from vertigo affected his combat slightly, but he was able to slash some beasts nonetheless. Grimgold took a number of attacks that paralyzed him, and luckily his armor did not give way to the vicious, devouring ghoul and ghast bites. Xaxis was also a prime target for the undead creatures. He too withstood a number of claw attacks with one ghoul biting him for serious damage. Karyak was able to use his turning ability to harm the creatures and turn one of the ghasts, buying them time. He also used his healing strike and healing word to keep Grimgold and Xaxis from falling unconscious at the hands of the unhallowed spawn. Grimgold, when not paralyzed, wielded his axe with deadly prowess, knocking his foes back and to the ground. Karyak was also able to split the sky and send one of the beasts back. Xaxis used his burning hands to scorch a ghast. He Also kept on the move, jumping up onto the patio and down again to avoid the undead attacks using magic missles to steadily pummel and fell a ghoul and a ghast. But, when one of the ghasts went down, it exploded showering the party in horrible necrotic damage that lingered for ongoing damage. Karyak finally hacked down the last ghoul, and was able to use a healing word to bolster Grimgold. With the threat defeated, the group rested slightly and continued to search the base of the tower and the land around it.
The garden, beautiful, remarkable, quiet and seemed safe. As evening approached, the group watched the sunset, upside down. Fatigue weighed heavily upon them, so they decided to set up camp for the night near a pond on the north east side of the garden.
350 xp for the session --- You all level to level 5!!! Congrats.
As the group was studying the 10’x10’ shaft that was hidden under the stone table, Geyorg heard some noise from the other room. He crept stealthily to the open doors and peered into the darkness. He could hear the sound of stone cracking. He also saw the stone tables that were 10’ from the door were breaking open. Wights were beginning to claw their way out of the stone tables, which must have served as unadorned coffins. After warning the others, the party decided to close the doors to keep the undead out of the room they were in. They were able to seal the doors just before the wights lunged toward them. With all of his strength, assisted by all, Karyak was able to slide a stone sarcophagus in front of the door to hold it fast as the wights beat on the door…bang…bang…bang.
Xaxis used his light spell to look down the shaft and found that it was about 60’ down, and at the bottom was a flat surface with a hatch. The party used the magical rope they found earlier to make it down the shaft. Geyorg uttered the command and the rope unknotted from above and fell back to him neatly and elegantly.
The hatch opened into another shaft, a bit smaller than the last, yet this shaft had iron rungs to climb down. Carefully examining the area, Geyorg went down first, followed by everyone else. The group decided to extinguish all lights and try to move down silently. At the bottom, Geyorg came upon another hatch, and when he opened it, blindingly bright light beamed through. As his eyes adjusted, he saw an astonishing sight. Looking out of the hatchway, Geyorg was staring at the mountain top, from above it, basically looking down. It seemed as if the party was now high above the mountain, upside down, but some how, gravity kept them from falling down.
The adventurers emerged from the hatch and saw that they were standing on a stone patio next to the Inverted Tower. They were at the base of the tower, the garden level that they saw when they looked up from the entrance to the tower hours ago. The strange magical sensation, standing and walking upside down, was too much for Grimgold, Geyorg and Xaxis. They each felt dizzy and nauseous. Karyak did not feel woozy. He dug into his pack and found some herbs he had. Then he gave them to his comrades. As they chewed, Grimgold and Xaxis felt better, but Geyorg could not shake his vertigo.
Amazed by the magical phenomenon, the party decided to search the area. They saw grass, trees, even some water pools in this garden around the Inverted Tower, which continued to point downwards toward the mountain top. After a few minutes of searching, Karyak heard some rustling in the trees near him, and then he could see a creature hiding within the tree, ready to pounce. Geyorg moved away from the Tower doors, and went closer to investigate and position himself so he could eventually flank the beast. The beast charged Karyak, and Karyak could tell it was a ghoul. The party moved into combat stance, and then they saw another creature bear down on Xaxis from the opposite side of the Tower. This creature was a ghast, more powerful than the ghoul.
The adventurers had their hands full when it turned out that two ghasts and two ghouls were attacking them in slightly staggered waves. Geyorg’s uneasiness from vertigo affected his combat slightly, but he was able to slash some beasts nonetheless. Grimgold took a number of attacks that paralyzed him, and luckily his armor did not give way to the vicious, devouring ghoul and ghast bites. Xaxis was also a prime target for the undead creatures. He too withstood a number of claw attacks with one ghoul biting him for serious damage. Karyak was able to use his turning ability to harm the creatures and turn one of the ghasts, buying them time. He also used his healing strike and healing word to keep Grimgold and Xaxis from falling unconscious at the hands of the unhallowed spawn. Grimgold, when not paralyzed, wielded his axe with deadly prowess, knocking his foes back and to the ground. Karyak was also able to split the sky and send one of the beasts back. Xaxis used his burning hands to scorch a ghast. He Also kept on the move, jumping up onto the patio and down again to avoid the undead attacks using magic missles to steadily pummel and fell a ghoul and a ghast. But, when one of the ghasts went down, it exploded showering the party in horrible necrotic damage that lingered for ongoing damage. Karyak finally hacked down the last ghoul, and was able to use a healing word to bolster Grimgold. With the threat defeated, the group rested slightly and continued to search the base of the tower and the land around it.
The garden, beautiful, remarkable, quiet and seemed safe. As evening approached, the group watched the sunset, upside down. Fatigue weighed heavily upon them, so they decided to set up camp for the night near a pond on the north east side of the garden.
350 xp for the session --- You all level to level 5!!! Congrats.
