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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Delemental" data-source="post: 3155715" data-attributes="member: 5203">Underdark Adventures: Bug HuntA word of explanation about this update.Some time back, our group was discussing the flow of the campaign in general.  During the discussion, a few points were brought up about some of the side-effects of being in a long-term, high-level game.  Among those were the fact that there were simply certain types of encounters and challenges that we would never see again, because at 15th+ level they are too easy to defeat or circumvent.  But there can be a lot of enjoyment to be had from those types of adventures, and certainly the bulk of published material is aimed at that magical 4-9 level range we'd passed long ago.  It was also noted that since we are fairly well "locked" into our current characters (both in terms of roleplay, it terms of finishing out story arcs, and mechanically, in terms of accessing resurrection magic relatively easily now), that it would be unlikely that we'd ever get to try out different concepts for characters.From this came the idea for the Underdark campaign.We created a set of 6th level characters, presumed to be based out of Aelfenn's Underdark and allied with Aran's faction in the psion wars.  We faced a new set of restrictions, but other options were open to us (notably, we were allowed to create psionic characters, but not permitted to make characters that used divine magic).  The Underdark game is meant to be played very, very occasionally, as sort of a fill in if our DM just doesn't have something ready for our regular characters, or if he (or anyone else in the group) simply has an idea for an adventure that just wouldn't work for our regular characters, either because the CRs are too low, or it would just break continuity of the current campaign story arc too much.I decided to write up our Underdark sessions in a different style than the one I use for the regular campaign, both for the sake of variety, and because the style is much easier to write because it requires far less tracking of details of combats and dialogue.  We are also far less concerned with consistency with the Underdark game; I carefully track the calendar date for our regular game, but with this one, we really don't care where exactly we are, or how long things take.So, without further ado:--------------------------------------------            Herein lies an accounting of the exploits of certain citizens of the Underdark community of Tal Jashar, set forth with all diligence by Pepin Osred, member in good standing of the Guild of Porters, Valets, and Stewards of the Republic of Sargia.  This accounting is not to be construed as a challenge to the rightful role of the Guild of Scriveners and Recordkeepers, not the Historian’s Guild.  If members of either of those noble guilds were present in Tal Jashar, this author would most certainly defer to their expertise in this matter.  But as neither guild is represented here – indeed, as none of the Sargian guilds maintain a presence here – the task falls to me to undertake to the best of my abilities.            Though of course all of the citizens of Tal Jashar contribute their fair share to the continued survival of the community, there are times when situations arise that require an extraordinary effort.  For some time, this town has looked to certain individuals in these situations.  I have done what little I can to aid them in these efforts, to tend to the petty and insignificant, yet still necessary details such endeavors create, so that they may devote their energies to the task at hand.  It is now only proper that an accounting of their activities be recorded, so that future generations might be inspired by their willingness to serve.            Without further delay, I shall introduce these individuals.  First, there is the half-giant named Hodur*, a warrior of fearsome ability and fearsome size.  He, like many in Tal Jashar and other Underdark communities, has developed his psionic abilities to augment his battle prowess.  Hodur is cunning in battle, and although his vocabulary is limited to but a single word – his own name – he can often make his intentions clear enough.  Hodur is often called upon in his daily life to attend to those tasks requiring brute strength.            Hodur is often found in the company of Northaly, a human telepath, and her brother Animetharusalas**, an arcanist who follows both the path of the warlock and the sorcerer.  It is highly unusual for psionic and arcane abilities to emerge within the same family, and as might be expected these two are unusual siblings.  Animetharulsalas acts as a mediator and negotiator for Tal Jashar, often aided in this latter task by the perceptions of his sister.  The arcanist also dabbles in astrology.            Gardner, who follows the path of the ardent, and who in times of tranquility employs this humble writer as an assistant, tends to the community’s plants and crops.  He is a somewhat private individual in most cases, and tends to keep to himself, other than his faithful dog.            The defense of Tal Jashar does not rest solely in Hodur’s massive hands.  For that we also look to Rahlna, a maenad who follows the same discipline as the half-giant, though her style of battle is much more precise and tactical in nature.            And finally, there is Grar, a wild dromite who, sadly, was raised in the wild after its birth clutch was destroyed, and thus is not accepted into dromite society as it has no caste of its own.  The experience has left Grar somewhat unsettled and unaccustomed to the expectations of society, but it remains an amiable if somewhat unpredictable member of the community.  Grar is named for the fact that, like Hodur, it is capable of only a single vocalization, though unlike Hodur the dromite has the capability of telepathic speech.  Grar has no regular role in the community, other than to wander about and bring news of things happening in the caverns and tunnels surrounding us.            It was just this sort of event that led to Tal Jashar’s most recent crisis.  Grar had been mentioning to whomever would stop to listen that it smelled a queen nearby, though it could not locate this queen.  This was unusual, as there are no dromite colonies nearby, although recently a diplomatic envoy was sent to the nearest colony to discuss certain trade disputes (a task which I must say was handled admirably by all involved).  Grar, of course, was not included in the envoy, as his presence tends to unnerve other dromites.  It was during our absence that Grar apparently encountered the scent of the ‘queen’ in its wanderings.            Soon, the town became aware that Grar had not been seen in some time.  This in itself is not unusual, as Grar frequently wanders, and so its departure was hardly noteworthy at the time.  However, when three weeks had passed, some in the community began to notice its absence, as usually Grar returned from its explorations within twelve days or so.            It was Northaly who first suggested attempting to track down the missing dromite.  She recruited the aid of Animetharusalas and Gardner and went to speak with the town’s children, who are often seen playing with Grar (Grar is surprisingly gentle with the children, referring to them as the ‘soft ones’ – of course, it uses the same phrase to describe all humanoids that do not wear armor regularly).  The children report seeing Grar leaving through the mushroom fields just outside of town, its tattered rucksack under one arm.  Following its most likely path of travel, Gardner discovered that Grar had left a clearly visible trail, quite unusual since the dromite normally leaves no trace of its passage.  Clearly, Grar wished for us to follow.            I immediately went to gather supplies for the journey, and while in town I informed Rahlna of our discoveries, and she agreed to join the expedition (Hodur, as is his way, was already in the company of Northaly when we had first set out).  Once gathered, the company set out along the trail left by Grar.            The first day’s travel was uneventful, save for the usual hazards of life in the Underdark.  As the day grew late, it became even more abundantly clear that Grar had intended us to follow him, as Gardner discovered that the dromite had left a trail mark for ‘camp’ near a side cavern, obviously advising us to take our rest.            After an uneventful night, we set out again along the dromite’s trail.  Within a few hours we came to a wide area within the caverns, where in several places could be seen water dripping from stalactites hanging overhead and collecting in pools on the stone floor.  Unfortunately, this chamber apparently lay atop another similar cavern just below, and in several places the natural erosion had left gaping, crumbling holes in the rock, opening to a precipitous fall into the darkness.  Still, the trail led forward, and so there was no question but the chamber must be crossed.  Gardner mapped out what he believed was the safest path across, and bravely volunteered to lead the way.  Master Gardner moved across the broken floor smoothly (I of course offered what assistance I could), and was able to cross the most treacherous portion of the cavern.  As I went back to assist the next person, I spotted an unusual object nestled into the cavern wall, an object that could not be clearly discerned in the gloom, but was neither stone nor fungal growth.  I mentioned my observation to Animetharusalas, but sadly my own description of the unusual object must have been lacking, for although his own examination was able to find the object I had mentioned, he was unable to further discern its nature.            Meanwhile, Hodur and Northaly were attempting the crossing, but their attention was quickly diverted when one of the ‘puddles’ near Gardner rose up and menaced him with a glistening brownish-yellow pseudopod.  Much to my own embarrassment, I shouted out that the creature was a reasonstealer, a rare but insidious ooze that feeds upon the intellect of its victims and absorbs their talents.  I should have realized, of course, that a company of beings as astute as these five would already know this.  Indeed, all my exclamation served to do was to cause Mistress Rahlna to lose her footing. Fortunately, her own battle-honed reflexes meant she only suffered a moment’s embarrassment.            The battle was soon joined.  Though I have no doubt that Master Gardner could have dispatched the mindless ooze single-handedly, it is not in the nature of these brave companions to allow one of their number to face danger unaided.  Hodur and Rahlna joined Gardner in his fight with the reasonstealer, with Animetharusalas and Northaly providing critical tactical support from a distance.At one point in the battle, Hodur gestured toward a nearby rock outcropping, having spotted something unusual.  It wasn’t until later in the battle, when the reasonstealer had nearly been vanquished, that the object Hodur had spotted was revealed to be a goblin.  The other unusual object I had seen earlier was revealed as a second goblin, who had been hidden in the rocks along with its companion, perhaps hoping to loot the corpses of the reasonstealer’s victims, as is the nature of goblins.  Both of the goblins fled, though Animetharusalas wounded one of them.Pressing onward, within an hour’s travel we came upon a most unusual sight.  It appeared that someone had attempted to construct a temple or some sort of ceremonial edifice by carving it out of the solid rock walls of the cavern.  With resources always in short supply, and since the deities of Aelfenn have little influence in the Underdark, given the proclivity of its residents toward psionics, such buildings are understandably rare.            Hodur approached the large double doors, which sat atop a short flight of stairs, while Gardner used his psionic powers to examine the stone portal for any dangerous mechanisms.  Just as Hodur was about to batter the doors down, Northaly discovered that they were not secured, and began to push them open.  To our surprise, they began to swing open fully of their only accord, revealing a foyer filled with most unusual creatures.            There were seven insect-like humanoids, somewhat like dromites, though they stood the height of elves and had features strongly resembling bees.  Each of them had a pair of tattered, atrophied wings on their back, which twitched spasmodically as they turned to look at the people intruding on their home.  I realized, as I am sure the other did as well, that these beings originated on the surface, not in the Underdark, and that they might well possess some sort of hive-mind.            Animetharusalas immediately stepped forward and attempted to engage these bee-creatures in a friendly dialogue.  The creatures were obviously in dialogue with each other, though we had no readily available means of understanding them.  Northaly, however, used her powers to link into their thoughts.  She described a sensation of emptiness, as though they did in fact have a hive-mind that was somehow inactive or being suppressed.  She also felt a sense of hunger, thirst, fatigue, and discomfort, as well as curiosity and a sense of sullen anger directed at something other than our group. She then felt another presence within the creature’s consciousness, that detected her and forced her out, while commanding the creatures to attack.Northaly cried out a warning, but the creatures did not attack; they seemed confused by the order, given our peaceful approach, and were struggling with indecision.  Animetharusalas, who had moved in among the bee-creatures trying to ask about Grar, noted that in an area just beyond the entry, a dart trap had been discharged – evidence that something not familiar with this building had been through recently.  Gardner also noticed small humanoid footprints in the dirt – goblins.  We attempted to offer the creatures food and water, but the overriding command to attack us finally became too much to withstand.  Some of the creatures fell to the floor, writhing in mental agony, while others were on the offensive.  Hodur and Rahlna immediately moved forward to engage the hostile bee-men, with Hodur using his powers to grow to truly fearsome size, while Gardner and Animetharusalas took up a defensive posture since they were surrounded.  One of the creatures in the rear used some sort of natural ability, filling the air with a soporific drone created by its wings, which fortunately we were all able to shake off.Gardner was scratched by the claws of one creature, while Animetharusalas narrowly avoided injury (I was able to distract one of the creatures long enough for the warlock to avoid its stinger, though I received the injury in his stead and was afflicted by their paralytic venom).  Though we were loath to destroy creatures so obviously not in full control of their own actions, we still had to defend ourselves.  Gardner attempted to aid those creatures who had fallen before the battle began, but his efforts were for naught, as they expired due to some sort of psychic feedback.Soon the opposition was eliminated, and we were faced with many unanswered questions: who were these strange creatures, and why were they here?  Who or what was the strange presence in their minds?  Were the goblins involved?  And where was Grar?  Clearly, we had no choice but to press forward.At the far end of the chamber were two large doors set to either side, with no clear way of telling where they might lead.  Northaly took the initiative, opening the right door and striding into the dark chamber beyond.  Two things became immediately apparently to her; that the chamber beyond was vast and relatively unworked, and that several goblins were laying in wait for her.  But as the battle was joined again, it became apparent that these were no ordinary goblins.  For one, they were armed and armored much better than most of their ilk, suggesting a mercenary group of some kind.  More importantly, the goblins did not shirk from combat as they were wounded, as is typically seen with goblinoids, but pressed their attack ferociously, as if being driven.  They even held their ground against Hodur, who was dispatching goblins in a rather messy fashion. It was a fierce battle, and several members of the company were wounded, but at last Animetharusalas and Gardner were able to break away and flank the goblins, while Hodur, Rahlna, and Northaly broke through their line and scattered them.  Once their wounds had been tended to, our group proceeded down a short corridor to another area.  Just beyond a partially collapsed passageway stood two of the bee creatures, each guarding a door.  These were larger than the others we had encountered in the foyer, obviously some sort of warrior caste.  They took no note of our approach, even as we came within feet of them.  Once it was confirmed that there was nothing of interest down the collapsed passage, the company began to consider the problem these two warriors presented.  Northaly established mental contact with one of the creatures, and found that its consciousness was being overridden with a single command – guard the door.After a brief discussion, a plan was formed.  I approached the two bee creatures and attempted to engage them in a conversation, using magic to make myself understood.  They did not react, but their attention was diverted enough for Animetharusalas to slip past them and try one of the doors.  It was locked, but Northaly, standing nearby, heard something moving about on the other side, and realizing that time was of the essence, asked Hodur to approach and force entry.With a telekinetic squeal of glee, Grar emerged from the darkness, chattering about how it had found a queen as it clutched Hodur’s massive leg..  Moments later, we learned that it spoke the truth, as emerging from the same room came another creature, much like the warrior bee creatures, but nearly twice as large and distinctly female in form, dressed in the tattered remains of once fine clothing.  The queen greeted us telepathically, and then with a glance at her two warriors, ended the compulsion holding them.  The two warriors went to one knee before her, and the queen told us that she would take her remaining vassals and flee, as she had no wish to deal further with The Mindbender***.  With that, the three beings left.  Grar volunteered to escort them away from the area.(It should be mentioned that after returning from our journey, I researched these creatures and learned that they are known as abeil, a surface-dwelling insectoid race with traits similar to those of the dromites.)Now we knew what was responsible for the enslavement of these hapless beings, as well as the goblins.  And there was but one door remaining unopened.  After readying ourselves for battle, Hodur burst open the door and we moved forward.  The chamber beyond was bathed in light, unlike the rest of the temple, and at the end of a short corridor was a room dominated by a throne on a raised dais.  Seated upon the throne was a robed and hooded figure.  Animetharusalas was the first to step forward, hoping to engage this being (presumably The Mindbender) in a dialogue and convince him that our group represented some sort of regional authority.  His presentation was marred slightly when Master Animetharusalas was struck by a devious hidden trap that flung a spear into his thigh.  It was surely only the distraction that this provided that caused the warlock’s ruse to falter.  The Mindbender told us that we were not welcome.  He was about to expand further, but Animetharusalas, knowing the danger that a being like The Mindbender could present if allowed to speak, initiated an attack.  The Mindbender was ravaged by Animetharusalas’ eldritch blasts, Hodur’s greataxe, Northaly’s energy bolts, and Rahlna’s whip-dagger.  Even though the damage inflicted was considerable, The Mindbender appeared relatively unfazed.Which is why it rather surprised all of us when he exploded.We were all deluged with a burst of foul psionic energy.  I must confess I know little of what happened next, as I was overcome by a blinding pain in my head and lost consciousness briefly.  I was told later that after my collapse, The Mindbender coalesced into a humanoid-formed shape made of light and flew rapidly out of the room, faster than any of us could react.  Gardner explained that there is a theory that some practitioners of psionic disciplines can reach a state where they transcend their physical beings, though they have greater influence in the physical world if they are able to inhabit a host body.  It is a possibility that this Mindbender was just such a being.With the enemy gone, and our companion recovered, there was little left for the company to do but return home to Tal Jashar, to await what fortune may bring to them.-----------------------------------* Remember a while back, when I said that it was ironic that someone had brought up the Song of Ice and Fire series?  This is why.  The Hodur in our game is patterned exactly after the Hodur from the books.  What can I say?  It's not exactly a fully serious campaign.** In the course of the game, we refer to the character by 'Ani' (much like 'Ariadne' became 'Arrie').  It wouldn't be in Pepin's nature, however, to use an abbreviation, which means I have to write the whole damn name out every time (Thank goodnes for cut n' paste).*** Just to be clear, this is a name, not a reference to the prestige class (since the mindbender is an arcane prestige class, and The Mindbender is psionic).</blockquote>

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