Sand's End (D&D 4e Maptool Campaign)

[Rhenny]

10th Session (12/3/11)

The adventurers, healed and rested (but very low on healing surges), continued down the sewer way following the two Hobgoblin archers who had fled. The water in the pool was waist high, but as the group waded into a 20’ corridor, the water level diminished to knee high, then to barely over the foot. Geyorg, the Eladrin rogue, scouted about 30’ ahead of the group up to the North, scanning for traps or other signs of danger. When he declared that it seemed safe, the others joined him. Then, as he peered into the darkness, only he could perceive the danger that lurked ahead of them. He heard the sound of a thousand rats squeaking and scurrying toward the party, and he could see a swarm of the vermin bearing down on them. He warned the others, and they spread out across the sewer waiting for the rats to swarm them. Grimgold added, “Aye, the rat swarms of the mines were often a problem for my people. They used fire against them, best they could.”

The rats rushed at them at double speed. As they climbed all over the adventurers, all but Karyak suffered wounds from their scratching and biting. Each of the companions attacked the swarm…Xaxis, the wizard, used his scorching burst, frying numerous rats, Karayk used his dragon’s breath of fire to scorch more. Geyorg had to attack with his longsword, cutting into the swarm, but not doing much damage at all. Grimgold used his shield to bash into a number of the little vermin, doing some damage, but certainly not as much as the previous fire attacks.

As the companions all moved to get out of the swarm, they dealt more damage to the swarm, highlighted by Xaxis’ burning hands. After that, the rats continued running south, as if they were running away from something in the north. The party nearly chased after the rats, but when they realized that the rats were running from some other predator, they decided to hold their positions. When Geyorg and Grimgold looked back to the North, they saw a horrible creature skitter toward Grimgold. It was a nearly 7’ wide, 6’ tall and 10’ long wormlike creature that moved on dozens of smaller legs. It’s face had a toothy maw ringed with numerous tentacles all dripping with ichor. The carrion crawler slapped Grimgold with its tentacles doing serious damage (critical hit), and the strong poison affected even the sturdy dwarf. He felt the venom slow him and poison his system.

The ensuing battle was fierce. Geyorg used his tumbling skill to flank the beast, but he failed to deliver with his Opening Move sword thrust. Then Grim waved at the beast with his mighty axe, but the creature’s skin repelled his blade. Redoubling his effort (action point), Grimgold struck again. This time cutting into the sewer beast, but barely scratching it. Xaxis fired a scorching burst that hit the mark, and then he fired another one, equally damaging (action point). Karyak prayed to Pelor and granted his comrades Shield of Faith. Then Karayk used a Healing word to fortify Grimgold.

Throughout the rest of the battle, the sewer beast used its tentacles to slow, immobilize and poison Xaxis, Karyak and Grimgold. Grimgold was able to shake off the effects of the poison, but Xaxis suffered for many rounds. Karayk used healing word to bolster Xaxis, who nearly went down. Eventually, Xaxis was able to overcome the creature’s poison. Soon after, Karayk also suffered from injury and poison. Grimgold and Geyorg tried to keep the creature flanked, and hit the beast a number of times, Geyorg adding sneak attack damage with every hit. But, even when Grimgold marked the beast, it continued to follow Karyak, bringing him down to near unconsciousness.

Remembering that Karyak had a healing potion in his bag of holding, Geyorg moved close, found the bottle and poured it into Karyak’s mouth to revive the weary cleric. Then, thinking that the creature may somehow be attracted to the Rune Box that Karyak carried in the bag of holding, Karyak tossed the bag to Grimgold, and stepped back. The sewer beast did not go after the Rune Box. It continued to pursue Karyak, so the others attacked it as it moved. Unfortunately, nobody could cut through its hide.

As the creature attacked Karayk once again, it hit, and Karyak was in trouble once more. Summoning all of his Dragonborn strength, Karyak used his Divine Fortune and Avenging Flame attack, cutting into the beast with his now flaming blade. For the next few rounds, the creature continued to burn from the holy flames, but it also continued to attack the Dragonborn cleric.

Exhausted, wounded and poisoned, the party fought on. Finally, after Karyak called forth power from the sky to smite the creature and knock it prone, the others were able to move around it, and Karayk was able to move away from it and gain his second wind.

Xaxis scored damage against the beast with scorching bursts over the next few rounds. Geyorg used his piercing strike with sneak attack damage, as he and Grimgold flanked the creature once more. Grim steadily chopped at the beast, and although the darn creature would not go down, at least the creature turned and attacked Grim. With Karayk out of harm’s way for the moment, the group uttered a collective sigh of relief. Geyorg pierced the creature’s hide once more, and then, Grimgold lifted his Rending Battle Axe above his head and chopped down with all his strength. That mighty blow cut deeply into the carrion crawler, ending its life.

After the battle, the group looked to the North and found the remains of the two Hobgoblin archers. At the North end of the sewer they also saw a collapsed section of the sewer way, and a hole in the ceiling leading up into wilderness above. The group decided to stay in the sewers for the time being. They cut up the carrion crawler and found 32 gp and 3 100 gp gems in the gut of the beast. As they were examining the dead carcass, Karyak thought about collecting some of the poison from the beast’s tentacles. He and Xaxis realized that with time and study, Karyak could use his ability to brew potions to refine the poison, perhaps giving them an advantage in a future battle.

The party also gathered 86 sp and 1 moonstone gem worth 100 gp from the archers. Then Karayk gathered some dead rats, and some maimed live ones, and in private devoured them, savoring the live ones, a delicacy for him to enjoy.

Attempting to fortify their position, the party doubled back, turned the underwater wheel that closed the gate to the outer sewer way, and continued back through the portcullis at the other end of the sewer way. Geyorg fixed the portcullis that he had jammed earlier, and they dropped it down once more to block the passage. Then, Geyorg took down the crude ladder that led back up to Vincent Gander’s store, and he arranged some skeleton bones, hobgoblin armor and weapons under the entrance as an alarm/trap for any Orcus worshipers who might drop in. Nearly passing out from exhaustion and trauma of battle, Xaxis performed a ritual to create a wall-like curtain in one corner of the room, which the party could hide behind and rest for many hours. Taking turns on watch, they rested for 10 hours, without mishap.

This part of the adventure was worth 300 xp each. Tune in next time…..

 

[Rhenny]

11th Session - 12/10/11

The party emerged from the basement of Gander’s Store back to the streets of Kirisk. It was about 3 pm, and at city hall, they were able to gain audience with Lil Galbraith, the mayor. They spoke for a while and the group drew a map of the underground sewerway as they shared stories of their victories down below. Lil was happy that the party defeated the Hobgoblins, and since they had the map and they knew where the other end of the sewerway opened, the constable decided to send some men out to watch over the exit in case more Hobgoblins planned to return. Lil gave the party 400 gp, and some ritual scrolls (Create Holy Water, Last Sight Vision, and Detect Secret Doors). Lil invited the party to stay, but the group felt obligated to do some shopping to gain back ritual components, and then leave town as soon as possible to continue toward the Monastery on the Cliffs. (Secretly, Karayk had spoken to the party and felt that perhaps they did bring misfortune to the town by bringing the Rune Box here, so his guilt played upon him and he above all wanted to leave town quickly). Before leaving, Lil also gave the party a new horse to replace the camel that Karayk used to ride.

Spending about 300 gp, the group replenished supplies with enough components to cast all of their rituals three times. Karayk spent some time scribing the Create Holy Water and Last Sight Vision into his ritual spell book, and Xaxis copied Detect Secret Doors into his. Then, just a few hours from town, the group found a quiet area to camp for the night.

That night was uneventful, so Karayk took the opportunity to brew and prepare 4 healing potions using components he had purchased. He also distilled the Carrion Crawler poison into two doses of Carrion Crawler poison that could be applied to weapons (each lasting for two attacks). He gave each party member one of the healing potions and gave Grimgold and Geyorg the poison. Additionally, Karyak and Xaxis took a quick look at the Rune Box to see if it had changed, and it seemed slightly brighter and hotter than before. Since Xaxis had copied down the runes and had been studying them over the past few days, he was able to determine more about the box. He was sure that it was a warded box that could only be opened by a specific ritual. He also detected another magic inside the box, not evil, but powerful.

Early next morning after everyone was rested, the party continued North West toward the mountains that would lead them to the crossroads splitting to the North (toward the fabled Bridge of Iben Ja, and the Raven Road), and the Northwest road toward the Monastery. After a few hours travel, they came to a mountain pass where they saw a strange mound of earth in the middle of the road. They could see from a distance that there was a human body half buried sticking out of the mound, head and shoulders upwards. They dismounted and drew near. Then Karyak stepped around to look at the face of the corpse, and he realized it was Lady Saterly. She was cut badly and seemed as if she was drained of blood, but there were no puncture marks on her neck. The party unburied her and brought her body to the side of the road. Then Karyak used his Last Sight ritual and was able to see the last 15 seconds of her life. She was attacked by a stony demonoid creature who used magic to entomb her in the earth. Then, when she was able to wiggle out slightly, it clawed her mercilessly Finally, before she was free from the mound, it put its own mouth to her face and sucked out her last breath. The vision shocked Karayk and the rest of the group. They decided to perform Gentle Repose and put Lady Saterly’s body into their bag of holding. Perhaps they would be able to take her to Targus and the Mage Trust could help eventuallly.

Just then, the party felt the ground shake near them and the Terraguhl Assassin that killed Lady Saterly burrowed up behind Karyak and uttered draconic words from the underworld. Xaxis could understand this spell and realized that the creature was trying to entomb Karyak. In a split second, Karyak was buried in the earth, blinded and restrained. Then the Assassin moved to attack Grimgold, slashing with its razor claws. The party sprang to action and used some of their most potent attacks successfully. Geyorg vaulted over the creature and connected with his handspring attack, and Grimgold chopped it with a nasty Villain’s Menace that dug deep into the stony creature’s hide. Xaxis was able to send a sheet of flames out to scorch the Terraguhl, and the group battled for their lives.

Unfortunately, Karyak was unable to act, and unable to unbury himself the next round, so the group kept up its attacks for another round. Even though the Terraghul seemed to have nearly impenetrable skin, the group did land a few more blows. Each round, the Terraghul burrowed under the ground and reappeared behind another victim, but after a few rounds, it burrowed down and did not return. By that time, Karyak was half out of the mound, and with help from the others he was able to extricate himself completely and heal Grimgold. At that point, Karyak decided to make some holy water in case they needed to bless their weapons against the possible return of the Terraghul. With that done, the party continued up the mountain.

Soon they passed the crossroads and they continued toward the monastery. After the day was over, they found a defensible, rocky area to camp for the night. On second watch, when Grimgold was on guard, the Terraguhl returned, and tried to entomb Grimgold, but Grim resisted. The commotion woke the others and the party attacked the stony, undead, demonoid as best they could. This time, the group’s attacks seemed less effective, often bouncing off the creature’s rock-like skin, but finally, Xaxis launched a magical energy missle, and it hit the creature square in the chest, smiting it for good. After healing, the party inspected the fallen beast, but it carried nothing. According to Karyak and Xaxis this creature was summoned to this world from the Shadowfell to perform a task. The party thought that the creature was hunting Lady Saterly, but perhaps it was also hunting them. The way it left Lady Saterly in the road suggested that it was fishing for others. After cleaning their weapons, the party was able to finish their watches and sleep undisturbed.

300 xp for each PC. Good roleplaying session and the plot thickens.

 

[Rhenny]

It has been a while since our last session, but this one was a good one, an hour of roleplaying and two hours of combat...with a cliffhanger.

Session 12 (1/7/12)

As the sun rose, the party continued up the mountain road towards the Monastery on the Cliffs. After 6 hours of unfettered travel, they saw the monastery only 100’ before them. They rode their mounts to a tree by a pond and tied them there. Then they proceeded to the front door. The party knocked, and a middle-aged monk in fine robes opened the door and introduced himself as Master Solius, the Abbot of the monastery. He asked who the adventurers were, and the party introduced themselves explaining that they had come from Sand’s End at the request of Lord Berris. Master Solius seemed happy to hear about Lord Berris, his old friend, so he invited the party to dine and refresh themselves while he took care of some unfinished business. After the encounter, Karyak and the others felt that Master Solius was sincere and honestly joyful. Karyak did notice, however, that Master Solius’ eyes seemed milky, as if cataracts was taking hold. Xaxis, on the other hand, using his Arcane senses, felt as if the milky white was caused by magic, but he could not tell if it was innate or imposed upon Master Solius, a boon or a curse.

A couple of other monks served the party some food, wine and water, and then Master Solius returned. Karyak spoke for the party, and told Master Solius about the Rune Box. They showed him the sketches that Xaxis made of the Rune Box and asked if Master Solius knew anything about it. Master Solius said that he hadn’t seen such runes in a long time. He could tell they were runes of protection, but he would need to study them further to know more. He said he would look into it. Then he told the group that they could stay as long as they wished. When Karayk showed his own curiosity about the monks and their ways, Master Solius assured him that he and his companions were welcome to partake in their evening meditations, which would begin in 3 or 4 hours. Then, Solius had some other monks clean and make up a common monk bedroom for the party to use, which included bedrolls, but little else. Master Solius excused himself and brought the sketches into his room to study.

In the 25’ x 25’ bedroom, the party settled down, but Xaxis could smell the faintest traces of rotten food or garbage. It wasn’t enough to make the party sick, or even alarm them much; in fact, it was barely noticeable. Then, Geyorg nudged his comrades and asked if they noticed the other monks’ eyes. He said that the two monks who served them had the same milky eyes as Master Solius had. Not able to understand what that meant, the party walked the monastery and spoke with a number of disciples and acolytes. Talking to some other monks, the party noticed their eyes were also milky. Karyak asked if anyone in the monastery could use holy power to turn undead, since he had been thinking about perfecting his own divine powers. The monks told him that nobody in the monastery could cast divine spells. Their order was more concerned with inner focus and the body. After the conversation, Geyorg mentioned quietly that when Karyak mentioned turning undead, the disciple’s eyes looked strangely at the acolyte as if something was troubling him.

Back in the bedroom, the party discussed the situation. They decided that they would not volunteer to give the Rune Box to Master Solius yet. As they were talking, Master Solius knocked on their door and told them that they would begin the meditations in a little while. At that point, he asked if Karyak knew where the Rune Box was. He said he would need to see it if he were to find out anything more about it. Karyak told Master Solius that they knew where it was and they could get it for Master Solius. Master Solius raised his eyebrow and smiled. Then he told the group that he’d call for them shortly. With that, he closed the bedroom door behind him and locked the party within. In 10 seconds, the back wall of the bedroom slid down revealing a 15’ ramp corridor that seemed to continue for 80 or 90’ into darkness. Suspecting something afoot, Xaxis walked into the corridor to see if he could position himself so that he could use his Fire Shroud power. When he walked into the corridor, he walked straight into a gelatinous cube that was slithering slowly up the ramp toward the party. He was engulfed and the party reacted.

Karayk immediately ran forward and stuck his hands inside the cube to grasp Xaxis and pull him out. The acid burned him slightly, but Karyak succeeded. The rest of the party moved closer to deal with this threat while Geyorg went back to the locked door, and tried to pick it open. Grimgold used his axe to hack the gelatinous mass, while Xaxis burned it with burning hands and continued to use magic missles throughout the encounter. Karyak cut with his blade. In a few rounds, Grimgold was hit with caustic goo and immobilized. Then he was engulfed. The party attacked further, while Geyorg continued to work on the lock. Finally, Geyorg said, “I got it,” and when he opened the door, he saw no fewer than 6 grimacing monks on the other side of the door ready to enter the bedroom. Geyorg shut the door again and leaned his body against it to prevent being attacked from opposite directions.

Grimgold was able to extract himself from the cube, taking a flanking position across from Karyak and Xaxis, while Karayk used his healing strike and healing word to bolster both Grim and Xaxis. Then, Geyorg relocked the door and shot his hand-crossbow at the cube, while Karyak and Grim hacked at the gooey threat. The party seemed to be in good shape, until the cube engulfed both Karyak and Xaxis with one attack. Geyorg rushed to pull Xaxis out and he succeeded, but Karyak was stuck. Karyak remained inside the beast for two more rounds, the acid burned him badly. Then, with a few cuts from Grimgold, and a final piercing strike from Geyorg, the gelatinous cube melted to the ground and Karyak was saved.

With little time to spare, the party ran to the locked door and leaned against it while taking a short rest to bandage and heal. Then, everyone moved down the sloping corridor while Xaxis opened the door, cast shield spell and ran to the center of the bedroom. The disciples and acolytes rushed in and surrounded Xaxis. Many kicks and monk fists were deflected by Xaxis’ magic shield, but he did take two fists and some damage before he could cast his fire shroud. At that point, the room lit up with fire killing 3 disciples instantly while injuring 3 acolytes. Then, Xaxis ran behind his companions, taking one punch to the back as he sped away. Grimgold, Geyorg and Karyak worked to take down the remaining monks, which were softened by ongoing fire damage. Grimgold used his sweeping attack to do damage to multiple foes, but on the other side, the monk acolytes were able to use a spinning kick attack that hit Geyorg and Grimgold…then Geyorg, Grimgold and Karayk. Each kick felt like getting hit by a twohanded club in the face, substantial damage. Stepping back, Geyorg took second wind, and then Karyak used his healing powers on himself and Xaxis. Finally the last of the monks went down to sword, axe and spell.

Karyak and the others were able to stabilize the acolytes since they had not bled out yet. Then Karyak checked their eyes and found that they were still milky white. Karyak was able to determine that these humans were not undead, but they were slowly transforming into undead. Additionally, Xaxis used his arcane knowledge to ascertain that these monks were controlled by something, a strange magic nearby that most likely was also the source of the transformation. Karyak spent some time sprinkling the monks with holy water and performing gentle repose upon their bodies. Xaxis voiced his apprehension about leaving these monks alive. He did not have as pure a soul as the party's cleric.

After healing themselves, the party left the bedroom, locking the monks inside, and they continued to the north. There they saw 3 disciples up a stairway to the north, guarding a closed double door. Xaxis fired a scorching burst at them, and burnt them to ash. Geyorg ran up the stairs and listened at the door. He could hear ritual chanting. Grimgold checked in Master Solius’ room. He saw the master’s bed, a locked chest, a wardrobe, and a lever that most likely freed the gelatinous cube. Meeting at the double door, the party all listened. Karyak could tell that the chanting was a ritual calling to Orcus, a summoning spell of sorts to call forth some foul creature from the Shadowfell. Xaxis was able to tell that the ritual was nearly finished. The party would not have much time before Master Solius would complete the summoning, and that did not bode well. The adventurers decided that they needed to get into the room and disrupt the ritual quickly, so Geyorg took out his lock picks and worked his Eladrin fingers with dexterous grace and efficiency. “Click,” the lock opened and the party prepared to rush in.

400 xp each for this session.

 

[Rhenny]

Just a quick note: Last session, I switched my campaign from Maptools to the Wizards of the Coast Virtual Table Top.

My players loved it. They thought the interface was more intuitive than Maptools, and I liked it too. It was much easier to change monsters in the VTT than to work with the macros in Maptools. It was also a snap to make the maps I needed for the campaign. We'll be playing the rest of this campaign in the WoTC VTT.

 

[Rhenny]

Session 13 - 1/15/12

Poised at the door to the room, listening to the chanting within, Karyak and Grimgold pushed against the double doors that opened into an antechamber to a larger room. Karyak uttered a prayer to Pelor invoking a divine shield for all of his companions. As they entered the room, they were accosted by two fierce skeleton warriors wielding longsword and shield. They formed a wall prohibiting the adventurers from entering the larger room.

The party momentarily forced the skeletons back by attacking them viciously. Karyak held forth his holy symbol to push the undead creatures back with a radiant burst of damaging light. Grimgold’s tide of iron attack also opened a gap so that Geyorg could eventually tumble into the room. As Geyorg scanned the larger room, just a 10’ behind the skeletons guarding the entryway, he saw a massive headless zombie carrying a brain under one of its muscular arms. 60’ to the east, he also saw Master Solius in the middle of a rune circle conducting the summoning ritual. He was guarded by four decrepit skeletons and another skeleton warrior. In addition, a deathlock wight stood atop a stairway that seemed to lead up to a pit of lava. In the center of the lava, was an obsidian pedestal with a glowing green gem fastened to a metal holder. The gem bathed the entire 100’ x 60’ room in an eerie, unholy light.

When the brain carrying zombie stepped up, it flailed its free arm with the strength of an Ogre, and smashed Grimgold, bloodying and knocking Grim to the ground. Then, Xaxis conjured his flaming sphere to damage the skeletons and the brain carrying zombie. Karyak healed Grimgold, and attacked with his own longsword to chip away at one of the skeleton warriors. Then Grimgold used his mighty axe against the brain carrying zombie and cut deeply into the beast. Geyorg, attempting to break Master Solius’ concentration and ruin the ritual, aimed his crossbow at the monk. His bolt flew directly toward the monk’s head, a beautiful shot, but before it could hit the monk, it stopped dead and fell to the ground. Geyorg realized that a wall of force was protecting Master Solius.


When the brain carrying zombie reared to attack for a second time, the party noticed that the veins in the zombie’s brain pulsated prior to its attack. A surge of energy enveloped the undead abomination regenerating nearly all of the damage it took in the previous round. Through the next few rounds, Xaxis used his sphere and scorching bursts to damage the enemy. Karyak hit a skeleton with his righteous attack giving Grimgold a divine boon to his next attack. Grimgold took this opportunity to swing his mighty axe in an attempt to knock the brain out of the zombie’s grasp. Grimgold hit the brain and it skittered across the floor into the middle of the larger room. Although this attack did no damage to the zombie, without its brain, the zombie could not regenerate any longer.

The party fought on for 4 or 5 more rounds. The zombie hurt Grimgold badly, and Karyak had to use his last healing word to heal the Dwarven fighter. Geyorg was hit by a skeleton warrior and a decrepit skeleton, and he crumpled to the ground, bleeding and unconscious. When Karyak and Grimgold were bloodied again, and Geyorg was unconscious, Karyak used his holy power, healer’s mercy, to bolster them.

Eventually, Xaxis was able to enter the larger room. Casting his shield spell, he risked his life by running past the brain carrying zombie, and two skeletons, all of them missing him with wild attacks. Then using his arcane knowledge, he determined that the glowing green gem seemed to be the source of a powerful corrupt magic. He also found as he tried to target Master Solius with his magic that the monk, indeed, was surrounded by an impenetrable force shield. He screamed out, “we must destroy the gem.”

All the while, the deathlock wight moved to fire “grave bolts” at Geyorg and Karyak. Karyak was hit, and immobilized by the necrotic attack. In addition, as the party cleaved and shattered the skeleton warriors, the deathlock wight reanimated one each turn to keep them fighting. Grimgold, continued to cut into the “formerly” brain carrying zombie. He cut it with villain’s menace, and Grim with help form Geyorg, brought the zombie down in a couple of rounds.

All this time, Master Solius continued his ritual. Karyak could tell that in about a minute Solius would be finished and he would call forth “The Harbinger of Orcus.” The party did not know what that meant, but they knew it could not be good, so they continued to fight for their lives.

Knowing that the key to the magic in the room was the gemstone, Xaxis launched a magic missle at it. He hit it hard damaging the gem, but not moving it from its holder. Then Xaxis moved his flaming sphere to engulf the gemstone in flames. The party could hear slight crackles and pops. Then, after using a healing strike to revive Geyorg, Karyak gambled with his life. He ran past a skeleton warrior, and a Monk Acolyte that had positioned himself on the stairs going up to the lava pit and the gemstone pedestal. Karyak avoided their attacks of opportunity, and jumped to the pedestal landing safely on the column in the middle of the lava pit.

The round after the zombie fell, it stood again and attacked Geyorg with a fierce blow. Geyorg backed out of the room to defend himself, hoping that if the creature came after him, Grimgold would be able to strike it from behind. Grimgold had other ideas, he attacked the deathlock wight and cut into it savagely. Xaxis blasted a number of decrepit skeletons and a few skeleton warriors with burning hands to clear his area a bit. Skeleton swords cut deep into Xaxis, but he remained standing. Then he moved his flaming sphere to injure the wight.

In an attempt to guard the gemstone, the Monk Acolyte jumped over the lava pit to try to kick Karyak off the pedestal. Karyak stood his ground, and the monk bounced off of him into the lava. Soon after, a skeleton warrior also jumped over to attempt the same maneuver, but again, Karyak stood his ground. His 300lb, Dragonborn body would not budge. The skeleton clung to the edge of the pedestal. After one of the skeletons attacked and missed the nearly unconscious Xaxis, he pulled out a healing potion and drank it down.

The battle continued. Karyak called to Pelor and struck the gemstone with a mighty Spit the Sky attack. The gemstone shattered into thousands of shards, and the green glowing light faded. Karyak jumped back down to help the others. Eventually, Grimgold cut down the deathlock wight, and then he moved to help take down the reanimated zombie with Geyorg. All the while, the monk acolyte climbed out of the lava pit, badly burned but still alive. Once he was out, he shook his head as if he were dazed. Then he stood his ground while scanning the room. It seemed to Karyak and the others that the monk was no longer controlled by whatever had been controlling his spirit before. Xaxis could also tell that the shattering gem caused the force wall around Master Solius to fall, so after they killed the zombie for the final time, Geyorg shot a crossbow bolt at Master Solius and hit him. With a little blood trickling from his wounded shoulder, Master Solius eventually stopped the ritual and asked, “what is happening? I don’t remember anything. It has been years.”

The party focused Master Solius’ attention to the undead that still lurked in this chamber, and together, they dispatched them before the undead could do more harm.

After the battle, the party spoke with Master Solius and confirmed that he and his monastery were possessed by the evil of Orcus and “The Harbinger of Orcus.” The gem was installed by another traveler, but “The Harbinger of Orcus” was there, and if the party did not shatter the gem, Master Solius would have summoned “The Harbinger of Orcus” back to the monastery.

Karyak and the others released all of the other acolytes and healed their wounds. As the group was walking back to Master Solius’ room, Master Solius said, “Listen,” and then he pointed to the front door. The front doors opened and then closed, so the group ran to see what it was. Only Master Solius could perceive anything outside. He said he heard a flapping noise like small wings beating, fading into the night. The party was upset. They had let something escape, but Solius consoled them saying, “Perhaps we are fortunate that we scared the creature away. I shall rebuild my Brotherhood, and we shall remain vigilant.”

Over the next few hours, the party shared all they knew about Lady Saterly, The Seal of Targus, and The Rune Box. Master Solius promised to help them. Together, they performed a ritual to disable the wards on the box, and Xaxis was able to open the box to find a magical inkwell. He believed that this ink could be used with the Quill of Zerik that Lady Saterly asked the party to find in the Inverted Tower where the Builder of Roads set up his own fortress (past the Bridge of Iben Ja and the Raven Road). Master Solius confirmed that he knew of the Mage Trust of Targus and the Seal of Targus. He suggested that the party continue toward the Inverted Tower to find the Quill and the teleportation device to Targus that Lady Saterly spoke about. It was clear that the danger from the Shadowfell was still great.

To help the party further, Solius opened a treasure box, and handed Karyak a magical holy symbol of Pelor. (+2 Holy Symbol) Then he gave the party 274 gp and a jade gemstone worth 100 gp. “I hope the holy symbol and the gold will help you achieve your goals. You must go on. You must find the Quill and help to repair the Seal of Targus. It is clear that “The Harbinger of Orcus” is growing stronger. I will stay here and our order will rebuild thanks to you.”

Solius invited the party to rest and restore themselves, so they did just that. Karyak was able to make some more holy water, and make one more healing potion to replace the one that Xaxis used in combat.

Each PC gains 450 xp for this part of the adventure.

 

[Rhenny]

Session 14 - 1/21/12

The party woke early the next morning and bid farewell to the Monastery. They rode for hours toward the Bridge of Iben Ja. As they approached the bridge, Geyorg saw four skeletal creatures march down the road toward them. Geyorg charged on his horse and was able to slash one with his longsword. It went down with one blow, clearly a minion. Then, Xaxis fired a scorching burst taking out all of the remaining minions. All was quiet.

At the foot of the bridge, the party saw a most magnificent magical sight. The bridge itself was a stone 10’ wide rainbow arching over a vast chasm. Every 10’ or so, 5’ of stone was missing, a hole in the bridge so to speak. The stones seemed to float in air, magically. Although the sight was breathtaking, the group know that nobody would be able to ride or bring a mount across the bridge; it would be too dangerous for the poor beasts. Leaving the horses behind, the party moved cautiously up the slope of the bridge. Nearing the apex, Geyorg scouted ahead. As he crested the apex, he could see two zombies on the bridge, two zombies with bows at the far end of the bridge, along with a small green humanoid with a staff. Geyorg ran back over the apex, hoping that he wasn’t spotted.

Knowing a battle was approaching, the party moved into position. Karyak was the first to move over the apex. He stopped just over the ridge in a location that would block the zombies from passing. The rest of the group moved up, Grimgold, Geyorg and Xaxis each moving near. Karyak engaged a zombie and the fight began. As the group attacked the zombies and suffered from their slams, they were careful not to misstep. Karyak also resisted the zombie’s bull rush so as to remain firmly on the bridge. Then, from behind, floating in the air, two wraiths materialized and attacked both Grimgold and Xaxis. The icy, insubstantial claws of these undead creatures passed right through Grimgold’s heavy armor damaging him greatly. Xaxis also fell prey to the wraith, bloodied in one hit. With his companions in danger and a zombie attacking him, Karyak moved slightly closer to the wraiths, and attempted to turn the undead. His power did not work on the wraiths, but the zombie burned with radiant damage. The blast pushed it back to a gap in the bridge, and it fell 30’ below splattering on the jagged rocks. Then, after another round of combat in which Geyorg fired a crossbow bolt at one of the wraiths, Grimgold missed, and Xaxis fired magical energy into one of the undead fiends, Karyak uttered a prayer and granted his companions Divine Shield.

Soon after, Grimgold waved his axe at the wraith, and eventually hit with his villain's menace attack, and then he cut into the wraith again. All the while, Xaxis used his magic missles to pelt the wraith, and Geyorg stepped up to attack with his longsword. In a few rounds, the green humanoid moved forward with the two other zombies as bodyguards. This creature was a goblin hexer, and after his first curse failed to produce results against Karyak, the hexer tried a different tactic. He produced a vexing cloud that engulfed the party making it more difficult for them to see inside and outside the cloud. This hindered attacks, but luckily it did no damage to anyone.

After a few more rounds, Grimgold scored another gash with his axe injuring a wraith badly. Xaxis move away from the wraiths, and burned them with a sheet of flame. The fight continued and Xaxis moved out of the cloud. At that moment, the hexer cursed him with a blinding hex that burned his eyes and blinded Xaxis. The next round, the hexer used a stinging hex on Xaxis, and Xaxis knew he could not move or he would suffer horrible pain. He was a sitting duck. The zombie archers fired shortbows and hit Xaxis a number of times. In the battte, Karyak used his healing word to bolster Xaxis and then Grimgold. He also used healer’s mercy to heal them all at one point.

Eventually Grimgold dropped a wraith, and then a zombie. The group defeated the other wraith, and as the hexer ran to escape, he called out and two more wraiths appeared. Geyorg fired a crossbow at one, and it went down. The group sighed in relief realizing that the remaining wraith was only a minion. After dealing with the minion and the final zombie archer, the party stepped off the bridge to see a wrecked wagon. Behind the wagon, they saw an unconscious, tied up Dwarf.

Having a moment to rest, the party tended to their wounds and revived the Dwarf. The Dwarf told the group that his name was Borgo, from a local Hill Dwarf clan, “The Hillwalkers.” He is a scout, and he was scouting the area near his tribe when he was knocked unconscious by the goblin and his undead bodyguards. The group noticed that Borgo wore worn leather armor, and in a pile near him, they found his crossbow and warhammer, and an ornate carved horn of sorts that he strapped over his shoulder. He held out the horn and told the group that he had no time to blow his horn for aid when he was attacked. As the group healed and spoke with Borgo. He told them that he could lead them to the Raven Road. His own clan lived in that direction as well, and he would love to accompany the group to help them and to protect himself so that he could return home. The group agreed to let him join them, and Karyak tended to Borgo’s wounds.

This session was worth 350 xp each. – You’ve reached 4th level. Congrats!

 

[Rhenny]

2/1/12 - Interlude

As Borgo gains strength, he tells you that the Goblin hexer and his undead minions captured him as he was scouting areas near the Raven Road. Then he goes on:

"The undead have been more plentiful of late. We don’t know why. I was sent out to scout the area, and keep watch for the Horrible Blood Ravens. Luckly, I didn’t see any of them. If they had caught me, I’d be picked to the bone. As it was, I was only knocked unconscious and dragged through the muck.

I thank you again, for the assistance. When we get to the Hillwalker caves, you’ll be treated well by my clan.

The Raven Road’s a strange place. Long ago, the entire mountain area was blasted away. Kael the Builder of Roads from Targus, had great ambition. He was responsible for the road, and he built himself a magical keep, The Inverted Tower. None of my clan has ever seen the tower, but they have seen a strange doorway in a mountain pass that our elders say is the entrance to the Inverted Tower. If the magical symbols on the doorway can be activated, the Tower will appear, and the doors will open.

Some say that Kael sold his soul to create The Inverted Tower."

 

[Rhenny]

Session 15 - 2/4/12

With Borgo healed and ready to go, the party hiked up the Raven Road higher into the mountains. As they came to a pass near a cliff, the road started to wind around the looming mountain spire. Geyorg’s keen eye spotted strange archers atop the mountain, behind some rocks in partial cover. Geyorg sprang into action and fired his crossbow at one of the archers, a zombie archer. Then he ran for cover behind a large area of rocks next to a tree. The zombie archer fired his short bow at Borgo, but missed. Then the other archer, a skeleton with short bow fired his bow at Xaxis and scored a hit. Xaxis, Grimgold, Borgo and Karyak all fired their ranged attacks and ran for cover near Geyorg, behind a tree. Xaxis’ magical missle splintered the skeleton archer.

Soon after, the group heard Geyorg scream in pain as a Goblin cut throat hiding in the nearby tree, delivered a powerful sneak attack with its short sword. Then, the party noticed a Skullborn necromancer on the mountainside along with another skeleton with two more Goblin cut throats running out from hiding to engage the group. Grimgold swung his axe mightly injuring one of the Goblins; Karyak used his longsword and healing strike to heal Geyorg, as he hewed an injured Goblin down. Borgo swung his warhammer, but could not connect, while Xaxis fired magic missles to injure another Goblin.

The Skullborn necromancer fired a bone dart at Geyorg, but it flew past him harmlessly, so Geyorg turned and took revenge on the Goblin that stabbed him. Gaining flanking bonus because Grimgold had moved into position behind the foe, Geyorg hit with a vicious piercing strike sneak attack. The goblin went down a gory mess.

Karyak moved forward to gain better position, throwing a javalin at the zombie, but missing. Geyorg ran up the mountain, delivering a killing blow to the zombie, while the others moved up to engage another skeleton and get closer to the necromancer. Grimgold smashed the skeleton with his axe, pulverizing it; then he ran toward the necromancer to engage it in melee combat. Xaxis fired a magic missle at the Skullborn necromancer injuring it slightly. With Grimgold in its face, the necromancer stepped back slightly and cast a spell that did considerable psychic damage, forcing Grimgold to run back 25’ in terror.

Karyak, Geyorg and Xaxis all stepped up closer to the necromancer dealing damage as the necromancer stared maniacally at them. Geyorg pulled out a dose of carrion crawler poison, and applied it to a crossbow bolt. He fired at the necromancer and hit him to slow the necromancer. Finally, Grimgold ran up to attack and Karayk attacked with avenging flame. The combined attacks brought the necromancer down, but the group did not kill him.

They bound and revived him and interrogated the creature. Karyak’s attempt at diplomacy didn’t work, so disgusted, he turned away. Then Xaxis stepped up and drew his blade to cut the necromancer’s Orcus skull tattoo from his living body. This intimidated the necromancer and he told the group, “The voice tells us to find the Rune Box. We shall get it. The armies of the dead will come. You have no hope. We can feel the box…we can feel it. Orcus will rule.” When Xaxis was finished, he immolated the necromancer, and the party continued to trek along the Raven Road closer to the Hillwalker territory.

Drawing closer to Borgo’s home, the party treked through a dead forest area, and they saw the horrible blood ravens perched atop some of the trees. The group paused to consider tactics, and as they were conversing, the blood raven swarm flew over them and spoke: “They will find you. You have no hope. We shall watch you die.” Then the raven swarm flew back to the treetops. Slightly shaken, Borgo suggested the party “run!”

When the group passed through the dead forest area, they heard the shambling crackle of moving trees. Xaxis and Geyorg were able to outpace the group, while the others lagged slightly behind. The trailing part of the party saw a desiccated tree, black, leafless and terrifying, move toward them. It reached out its gnarled limbs and grabbed Grimgold, holding him tightly. Grimgold could feel his life energy feed the horrid creature so he attempted to break away, but couldn’t. Xaxis, was the target for another corrupted treant, which slammed into him bloodying him instantly. Borgo attempted to pull Grimgold from the tree creature, but partial success did not free Grimgold. Karyak stepped forward to thrust out his holy symbol and pray to Pelor. The searing light and divine energy repulsed the corrupted treant, pushing it back 25’. Fortunately, the power of the divine light, forced the tree creature to drop Grimgold, so the group could escape. This gave the trailing group the space they needed to continue their run through the dark forest. Moving as fast as they could, with the corrupted treant pursuing, they nearly made it to the far side of the forest.

At this point, the blood ravens took to the air once more, but they just moved from one tree to the next to get a better view of the action.

Meanwhile, Xaxis and Geyorg both attacked. Before Geyorg could close on the beast, Xaxis’ fire shroud scorched the creature badly, doing additional damage to its dried bark. Encourged by this, Xaxis used a powerful burning hands spell to deliver even more damage. Karyak eventually entered the fray, and sliced into the tree with avenging flame. Bloodied and on fire a ghostly form emerged from the tree, black and menacing. When the corrupted tree ghost left the tree, the tree crumpled to the ground, lifeless.

The group managed to run out of the forest, so the trailing tree creature stopped pursuing, but the ghost pressed the group further, and the blood ravens took to the air once more. They circled the group once and then perched on another nearby tree. Angered by Xaxis’ flaming assaults, the Ghost pecked away at him. With one attack, Xaxis’ entire body began to transform. His skin turned black and rough. His arms and legs began to elongate, and roots from his legs began to grow into the ground. This transformation immobilized and dazed the wizard, and frightened the entire party. Grimgold stepped forward and smashed the ghost with his axe, but the unsubstantial form only too half damage. Xaxis fired a magic missle as he struggled with the strange transformation, and the others attacked the ghost, while Karyak moved closer to Xaxis and attempted to diagnose and heal his afflicted comrade. Karyak’s success proved vital, and Xaxis was able to shake off the powerful effects of the creature’s attack. (Karyak’s aid granted +2 to Xaxis next save, and Xaxis rolled an 8+2 just enough to save before transforming further).

Within a few rounds, the group dispatched the ghost, the blood ravens watching the entire time as if to mock the party. After a short jog, the party saw two Dwarven soldiers, who evidently recognized Borgo. The Dwarves greeted Borgo and the party. Together the group hiked a little more to the safety of the Hillwalker clan caves.

As honored guests, the group rested and enjoyed Dwarven ale. This meeting also afforded Xaxis an opportunity to procure some nicely made leather armor. The night passed and the group was able to speak with the Hillwalkers to learn more about The Inverted Tower.

425 xp per PC. Well done.

 

[Rhenny]

16th Session - 2/10/12

The Hillwalker clan invited the party into their caves to rest and share some mirth. Happy that Borgo was back with them, the clan elders were eager to share good times and knowledge with the adventurers. One of the dwarves gave Xaxis the leather armor he was looking for, and the others shared what they knew about Kaer the Builder, the Inverted Tower, The Quill of Targus, and Targus itself. Although none of the Dwarves had been curious and brave enough to walk close to the Inverted Tower Portal, they knew that the portal was a series of magical runes. They shared the location with the party, and they told them about the lore that they had unearthed in tomes:

“Kaer the Builder was responsible for all the roads in and around the mountains in this region. He grew mad with power and dedicated the end of his life to create his magical fortress, the Inverted Tower. Some say that he sold his soul for the power that he needed to build his tower. In some obscure passages, it says that the Tower itself is quite magical and ‘You must go down to go up.’”

After learning a bit more about the area Elder Gribelrim and Elder Fligrim told the party that what Lady Saterly told them, seems plausible since they themselves have noticed a growing presence of undead in the region. They told the group that they would pray for them and watch them from afar as they ventured forth toward the Inverted Tower portal.

In the morning, the party was awakened by the chaos of Dwarves preparing for battle. They heard the call of the Hillwalker warning horns, and everyone was running around donning armor, fetching and sharpening their weapons. A bloodied scout, tired and out of breath, yelled, “An army of undead is moving upon us! To arms! Defend our caves!” With that, the party prepared and ran out to fight, side by side with the Hillwalker clan.

As they looked down the mountain pass, the adventurers were shocked. They had never seen so many undead and Goblins on foot and riding wolf-like mounts. Hundreds of them streamed toward their position, so the party took action. Karyak gathered many Dwarves and the party together and used his Shield of Faith to raise morale and add to defenses for a while. Xaxis took position atop the mountain and called forth his Flaming Sphere to immolate weaker undead that came closer to their position. Grimgold, strapped on his helmet and unclasped his battle axe and ventured forth with a Dwarven brigade to meet the enemy head on, chopping some down with his wicked blade. Geyorg set up traps near the clan caves in case the undead forces made it that far. The battle was joined, and although the numbers were against the party and the Hillwalker clan, spirits were high.

As the battle continued, Karyak used his skill as a healer to mend Dwarven wounds, bolstering them for the Goblin and Undead attacks. Xaxis scanned the area with his arcane senses to point out any magic using foes that became top priority targets in the battle. Grimgold stood proudly with his Dwarven cousins and attempted to make an impenetrable wall of shields to push the enemy back. Unfortunately, Grim, caught his boot and tripped, falling headlong to the ground. Geyorg used his stealth to sneak through the crags and bushes to do more reconnaissance. Then Karyak rushed forward to pick Grimgold up and help hold the line, but he too stumbled and was unable to push the hordes back.

As Xaxis scanned the battlefield, he recalled The Goblin Battle of Torin Beck and he was able to see that the Goblins were favoring the same tactics. Xaxis relayed this knowledge to a Dwarven Captain, who commanded troops to another victory within the greater battle. At this point, is seemed as if the party and the Dwarves were pushing the hordes back, but another wave quickly massed against them.

Grimgold fought on, and his great endurance allowed him to push on like a whirling dervish. Geyorg’s eyes and keen perception revealed a suitable target for sniping, so he prepared his crossbow and was able to take a goblin down in one shot. Xaxis ran around the area, working feverishly to repair weapons and other equipment as needed, and Karyak used his Healer’s Mercy to bolster other Dwarven defenders while Grimgold fought on. Finally, Karyak saw a Goblin captain and from the looks of him, Karyak could tell that this force was sent against them, not the Dwarves. They must have been trying to get the Rune Box.

With two waves defeated, and the Dwarves feeling confident, Elder Gribelrim yelled to the party, “Run, run for the Inverted Tower! We’ll hold these scum back.” The party deliberated for a short time, and then took to the road, running toward the Inverted Tower. After four hours of jogging, testing their athletic abilities and their endurance, the party neared the mountain pass close to their destination. The mountains loomed high on both sides of the dirt road, funneling into a small pass. As they pushed closer to the portal, they heard a horrible baying sound…like unnatural dogs on a hunt. The party turned back and then decided to run closer to the mountain wall to guard their backs. As they ran, 3 Gravehounds bounded after them, but the party was able to reach the rocks and place their backs to the wall in a defensive stance.

Karyak began the enounter with a successful Righteous Strike. Then Grimgold bashed a Gravehound with his shield and knocked it prone. Geyorg was able to sneak in behind a beast and deliver a Set up Strike that dug deeply into rotting flesh and bone. Xaxis’ Burning Hands singed a few and killed the most wounded of the Gravehounds. The Gravehounds bit at the party, but didn’t manage to break through any armor. To finish the small skirmish, Karyak called on Pelor to grant him Divine Fortune and with his holy symbol, he repelled one of the creatures and seared them both with turning power. Grimgold used his Tide of Iron to push the remaining Gravehound away from Karyak, and Xaxis fired a Scorching burst that singed both creatures so that Geyorg could dispatch the most wounded creature with a well placed Sly Flourish. Finally, Karyak stepped up and sliced into the remaining creature and all was quiet.

The party rushed around the corner and down the dirt road until they reached the Inverted Tower portal. Xaxis and Geyorg worked the runes, making slow but steady progress while Grimgold and Karyak aided them as best they could. After a number of successes, the group heard galloping behind them. Three Goblin beast riders and two larger Goblin wolf riders were bearing down on them with javalins held high. Geyorg continued to work the runes, while the others gathered around him to defend against the attackers.

One of the beast riders hurled a javalin that pierced Karyak’s armor doing considerable damage. The others missed. Xaxis blasted all three of the beast riders with a scorching burst, all of which suffered burns. Then Karyak cleaved into one of the attackers with Healing Strike and healed himself as he breathed his firey breath, and struck once more with his Righteous Strike, which granted Divine bonus to Grimgold. At that point, one of the larger Goblin wolf riders charged in and the wolf bit Karyak with nasty teeth, knocking Karyak prone. Grimgold Shield Bashed the larger Goblin and knocked him and his mount to the ground, prone. Geyorg tumbled out from the portal and attacked with his Opening Move and his long sword cut deeply into the other larger Goblin and wolf. Another smaller Goblin on dog stabbled the bloodied Karyak bringing Karyak dangerously close to unconsciousness, but Karyak was able to call for Healing Word, and stand, using Avenging Flame on the Larger Goblin and wolf that knocked him prone before. The Goblin and wolf burned and remained on the ground rolling to try to put out the flames, unfortunately, they couldn’t extinguish them, and they expired soon after. Grimgold moved himself slightly, and positioned himself perfectly between three foes. Then he unleashed the devastating power of his Sweeping Blow, hitting all three of the foes, killing two of the smaller Goblins and their mounts. Xaxis fired a magic missle…and again…to injure the larger wolf rider badly. Then, after the wolf rider and one remaining Goblin and mount missed their targets, Geyorg connected against a wolf rider with Sly Flourish and sneak attack. Karyak cut away with Righteous Strike, killing another foe, and Xaxis hit the last foe another time with his magical missle, so Grimgold could deal the death knell with his rending battle axe.

Each of the party members caught his breath, and Geyorg noticed a small pouch on one of the Goblin Wolf Riders. Inside the pouch was 80cp a garnet (worth 100 gp) and a magical lens. Xaxis held the lens and realized that is was a Lens of Reading, so after Karyak healed himself, Xaxis used the lens to read the Runes on the Inverted Tower Portal. With this, he was able to open the door, and the group was able to see a shimmering inverted tower flicker into existence hundreds of feet above the mountain. They saw the tower literally pointing down from the sky, built on some magical landscape that sat atop the tower that pointed down toward the ground.

Without delay, for fear that the Goblin and Undead army might soon catch up to them, the party went into the doorway, into the darkness of the Inverted Tower main floor. As soon as they were all inside, the door closed behind them, and the runes reactivated sealing them inside.

450 xp for each PC. Great session. (Note: The battle against the Goblin and Undead army was a long skill challenge. If the PCs successfully used a power I granted them an automatic success, but I encouraged them to try something different each round (if it made sense), and we feel like that encounter was really exciting…a great success)

 

[Rhenny]

Session 17 – 2/25/12

Inside the “Inverted Tower” the party felt as if the runes of the entrance portal reactivated, sealing them inside. As they walked slowly into the tower, they found 20’ wide stairway going down 15’ into a larger corridor. Faint light flickered ahead of them, so the party prepared to enter. Xaxis casted light upon Karyak’s shield so that the Dragonborn cleric would not be caught in the dark, and Geyorg, the Eladrin rogue, stealthfully scouted 30’ ahead.

As Geyorg crept down the corridor, he realized that magical torches adorned the walls, and eventually he was able to see two skeletal Minotaurs with great axes standing vigilant at the far end of the 20’ wide, 100’ corridor. Luckily, Geyorg remained cloaked in shadows, so the minotaurs did not notice him. After returning to the group to tell them what he saw, the group quietly discussed their options. Unsure that the minotaurs would attack on sight, hoping to parlay or find another way around the minotaurs, the group decided to walk up to them without guile or stealth. As soon as the minotaurs saw and heard the party, they charged straight for Karyak and Geyorg. One minotaur swung his axe and missed Karyak, but the other connected with a powerful blow against Geyorg, injuring him badly and knocking him to the ground. The group took up strategic positions and fought against the skeletal monsters. After Grimgold used his own axe to cleave into one of the monsters, Karyak’s turn undead injured both creatures and gave Geyorg a chance to stand and skewer one with a piercing strike sneak attack. Eventually, Xaxis used magic missle to take down the other minotaur, and the group was able to inspect the east end of the corridor, which seemed to be just a plastered wall, which seemed to be a hasty patch job sealing the corridor from whatever was beyond it.

After a short rest, the group began bashing the plaster wall, and they were able to punch a large hole in it to reveal a larger chamber behind it. The party cautiously walked into the room and found that it was a very large square room, with another square room in the center of it. Geyorg scouted ahead once again, and eventually he heard the shuffling of feet moving toward the party. Geyorg hid in the shadows and waited, as the rest of the party peered into the distance to see two sets of two zombies shuffling toward them from the north and the south. These zombies were larger than normal. Each pair consisted of one with a trowel and a hand held barrel, and the other with a large shovel. In addition, moving from the north toward their position, the group also saw a glowing light, kind of like the light from a lighthouse beacon.

Acting quickly, the group retreated and Xaxis stepped forward to await the zombies’ arrival, readying his Fire Shroud spell so that he could capture all 4 zombies in the blast. While he waited, the light passed over him and the zombies. While the zombies seemed to be bolstered by the light, Xaxis felt the necrotic burn and took substantial damage. When the zombies came within range, Xaxis casted his spell, but only damaged one of the zombies. The uninjured zombies moved directly to the broken wall, and began fixing it with trowel, cement and shovel. In turn, the rest of the party hopped through a gap in the wall between the working zombies, and they ran after the light beacon, so that they could stay behind it as it moved around the room, clockwise from north to south, west to east, etc. When Xaxis attempted to run, the zombie that he injured, which was still burning, swung at him with his large shovel. Xaxis was able to block the blow with his staff, realizing the power behind the attack. Before, Xaxis was able to run after the party, the zombie took another swing, but Xaxis used his shield spell to thwart the blow.

The group continued running around to the far side of the room, inspecting exterior walls and the interior walls looking for anything unusual. The burning zombie builder continued to pursue, and eventually the group was able to gang attack it and take it down. On the other side of the room, the group saw two unlit braziers next to the interior walls. They quickly decided to light the braziers, and Xaxis used a cantrip to do it. Instantly, they saw the light, that had been racing around the room before them, fade, and with the braziers lit, Geyorg saw that a section of the interior wall was also roughly plastered, possible another makeshift wall that they could break through. Without pause, the party broke through, and almost instantly two more zombie builders came from inside to repair the wall. The zombies blocked the path, so the group decided to step back and go see if the other zombies were still working on the first broken wall.

The party moved back out to set up surveillance, realizing that both groups of zombies were still busy fixing the walls. Then, out of nowhere, Karyak and Grimgold were attacked by two Mad Wraiths. Karyak avoided the attack, but Grimgold was hit hard. The psychic damage caused immense pain, and drove Grimgold mad with rage. Grimgold raised his mighty axe, and targeted Xaxis! Xaxis could not avoid the powerful slash, and he felt what it was like to be on the receiving end of Grimgold’s mighty axe. After this brief madness, Grimgold shook it off and the fight against the Mad Wraiths continued in earnest.

Although the party eventually vanquished the Mad Wraiths, they did feel the horror of the wraith’s psychic whispers, and Grimgold was hit another time, forcing him to attack Karyak. Luckily, Pelor was watching over the cleric, so Grimgold’s blade did not connect. After some healing and other attacks, Xaxis was able to down one of the wraiths with magic missle, and Grimgold took down the other after Karyak’s healing strike worked to perfection.

Having defeated the wraiths, the group waited to see what the zombies would do. After constructing the wall, both sets of zombies went back to a stationary position, so the party concluded that they were safe for now, and they bandaged themselves, and rested for a short break.

The adventurers had to break through the newly constructed wall to the interior room once again, but this time, they moved through the opening quickly enough so that they would not be blocked by the zombie builders. Moving past the zombies, the group noticed that there was another square room inside this square room, and in each corner of the exterior room, they found tiny pedestals, which Geyorg and Xaxis determined were pressure plates that might, if used properly, open a sliding door that would lead into the interior room. After walking around the perimeter, Geyorg noticed an area that could be a sliding door, so the party decided to separate, each member stepping on one of the 4 pressure plates. When they did this, they heard a sliding grind. Running back to the door, they gathered and walked into the new room together.

This new room was much more elegant and adorned than any of the exterior rooms. The party noticed carpets on the floor and tapestries on the wall. In the middle of the room, stood a replica of the inverted tower, rising up about 10’ in the 15’ tall room. As the group studied the tapestries, they realized that the tapestries depicted the mountainous area around the Inverted Tower hundreds of years ago. One section of the tapestry showed a group of humanoids building the Raven Road, and another section showed Blood Ravens perched in trees watching everything. The way the Blood Ravens were depicted reminded Karyak and Xaxis of the Raven Queen, Orcus’ rival for the realms of the dead. Karyak pondered and suggested that perhaps the rumors about Kaer the Builder selling his soul were true. Maybe he sold his soul to the Raven Queen.

Before the group could discuss the issue further, a bloated, spherical creature with one decaying central eye and many eye stalks on top of it, rose from behind the Inverted Tower replica. This zombie beholder sent a shiver through the adventurers since they recognized the monster and feared that it had powerful magical abilities. In fear, the group attacked with reckless abandon. Each party member tried to push himself to attack twice for his first action. This tactic proved to be successful since the zombie beholder was only able to attack once before Grimgold chopped it down. Luckily for the adventurers, the zombie beholder did not have any of the fearsome eye attacks of its living brethren; all it could do was deal Grimgold a nasty bite.

As the party celebrated their victory for a split second, they saw the zombie beholder rise again. This time, the party, exhausted, did not hit it quite so often, so when the zombie undead had a chance, it smashed into Grimgold, bloodying him with one shot. Karyak healed the Dwarf, and the others fought…finally taking the beast down for good.

Below the gore of the slaughtered zombie beholder, the party found a small pile of treasure. 376 gp, 87 silver and a pair of gloves (Gloves of Recovery). Pondering their situation, the group decided to give Grimgold the gloves. With no apparent exit to the room, and with the knowledge that the zombie builders were content for now, the group decided to set up watches and take an extended rest to rejuvenate and dispel their fatigue. All was quiet. The group had time to recover and discuss their situation.

450 xp for each PC.