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The Dark Squad in the Secrets of Saltmarsh #136 Into the Mere of the Dead Men.
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<blockquote data-quote="Goonalan" data-source="post: 8507945" data-attributes="member: 16069"><p style="text-align: center"><strong>Dark Squad in the Secrets of Saltmarsh</strong></p><p></p><p><strong>Session #074: Through the Fire to the Light.</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Dark Squad (in alphabetical order, no egos here).</strong></p><p><strong>Daktari (played by Haggis) Male Human Uthgardt Sky Pony Barbarian Lvl 8</strong></p><p><strong>New Tricks (played by Bear) Male Tabaxi Warlock Lvl 8</strong></p><p><strong>Ramshambo (played by Kev) Male Half-Elf Rogue Lvl 8</strong></p><p><strong>Vincenzo (played by Haggis) Male Shifter (Wildhunt) Druid Lvl 8</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>NPCs</strong></p><p><strong>Inverna Nightbreeze (played by Goonalan) Female Wood Elf Fighter Lvl 8 (Sidekick)</strong></p><p><strong><s>Garumn Male Mountain Dwarf Paladin of Moradin Lvl 5 </s>RIP*</strong></p><p><strong><s>Tarbin Tul (played by goonalan) Male Human Bard </s>RETIRED</strong></p><p><strong>*Trapped in the Land of the Bad Dead Ancestors.</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Servants/Familiars</strong></p><p><strong>Gerald (Bat/Giant Bat) servant/mount of New Tricks</strong></p><p><strong>Owly (Owl) Vinnie’s familiar</strong></p><p></p><p>This is session 74, and another short one, because the first hour and a bit of this one was spent with the Dark Squad (players) talking (OOC) about how to get out of the situation they're in.</p><p></p><p>To make clear, the PCs are in retreat- from waves of slow moving lemure, while spinagons flutter in to fire their tail spikes (mostly at Newt). Also in the mix is a swirling flail-like chain construct, there were four of these things but Daktari armed with Shatterspike has been on the rampage.</p><p></p><p>Oh, and also present- he's just appeared, is a flying (formerly invisible) Randall the Black. Randall looks like a lich... that's not good.</p><p></p><p>I only had Randall show up at the end of the last session to give the PCs a chance- they had forgotten all about him (maybe).</p><p></p><p>The Dark Squad however know, because Randall told them this repeatedly last session, that the only way the crazy gnome can get out of this place (and his old life back, Randall thinks) is by killing Newt, who occupies the same spot in the Dark Squad/Eyes in the Night as he did. Which is the important role of- maniac demon/devil summoning whispering threatening terror, a vital part of any successful adventuring party.</p><p></p><p>The PCs are doing okay for spells, powers and hit points- except for Newt, the tabaxi warlock is down to five hit points and pretty much out of everything else- spells, inspiration points, etc.</p><p></p><p>You see the enemies have been arriving in waves, Randall has been summoning them- a few at a time, and the build up has been slow- it took ten turns to get to where we are, which for Newt is very close to death.</p><p></p><p>The PCs/players, in the last session, were seemingly content to let things play out, although Newt seemed to be panicking a bit- nobody had come to his aid, also... there wasn't really a plan.</p><p></p><p>The Dark Squad managed to stop an earlier fight by talking to Randall, over the last ten turns (in the last session) they have not tried this tactic again- shame.</p><p></p><p>So, an hour-and-a-half spent plotting for the players, and here we go, with...</p><p></p><p>Chatter!</p><p></p><p>Vinnie and Newt start talking ten to the dozen, they both have a lot to say very quickly- and its mostly a combination of cold logic tinted with kindness (from Vinnie) and silver-tongued begging with added lickspittle fawning (from Newt).</p><p></p><p>Sorta-</p><p></p><p>“Randall, yew ar bettur zan zis, zease zis fighting an tom-foolery, we muzt talk- we share ze same quest, to stop zer Time of zer Shad-ow!”</p><p></p><p>And,</p><p></p><p>“Lord Randall the Magnificent, in who's power I bask, I beg of thee great dark master to cease your attacks! I am but a lowly apprentice before your magnificent horror! I abase myself before thee terrible master. Command me!”</p><p></p><p>And that's a lot better, the DM is delighted- and then doubly so when the usually reticent Ramshambow even deigns to add a line-</p><p></p><p>“Look, pack it in for a bit will you Randall, so that we can chat? If it turns out to be a choice between you and Newt, then of course- we chose you, I'll kill Newt myself, and with a smile.”</p><p></p><p>So, the persuasion check is at advantage and with +2 (for Ram's last line), and Newt rolls... '29', although that's with +7 from his Dark One's Own Luck.</p><p></p><p>Just to make clear, '22' wouldn't have been enough to stop the attacks, but '29'.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]149698[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>The fighting stops of course.</strong></p><p></p><p>There follows a lot more chatter- between the Dark Squad and Randall, and while this is going on several PCs get to Newt with healing potions (note the Dark Squad don't have many of these).</p><p></p><p>Randall is keen to chat- he always was, and the topics and subjects are varied, here's a semi-list-</p><p></p><p>1) The times and history of Randall the Black, from Waterdeep where he worked in the entertainment business (he was a juggler, musician, mesmerist and escapologist) during his show-time days. Then the voice of Humpty Far-Far-Away intrudes (his patron) and tells Randall that he has a date with destiny. Soon after Randall marries Liesl (the PCs met her during their investigations) and moves to the closed community of Squabblepot. Then, one day down in Randall's secret basement (latterly Arty Swell's labs) Ub turns up (seemingly from below), and Randall's life is changed forever.</p><p></p><p>2) Ub is/was an albino dwarf, and seemingly a master smith (Durgeddin the Black?). He is/was also a wild-eyed dwarven adventurer, and a crazy prophet, telling Randall about all sorts of wild stuff. Most of it to do with the coming of the Time of Shadow, which must be prevented at all costs.</p><p></p><p>3) Ub, it seems, had not just been whispering in Randall's ear. Soon after the dwarf persuades the gnome to meet with his soon-to-be new adventuring pals- Giggles, a crazy wood elf from the region; Antonio De La Crane, the rebel (druid) son of a rich merchant from Saltmarsh, and Rambles 'Shambles' Bowspirit, another local- a quiet and unassuming halfling ex-pirate/sailor who is deadly with a blade, and in extremis- a little cruel. Together the five, after much more Ub inspired chatter, form the Eyes in the Night, an adventuring band. Their self appointed task, to prevent the coming of the Time of Ash/Shadow.</p><p></p><p>4) The Eyes in the Night, in their time, fought kobolds and goblins, dark druids and their plant-like servitors- in the Dreadwood and hereabouts. They were successful, and gained a degree of fame (and fortune). They also managed to locate four maze-like buttons (one each for Antonio, Giggles, Randall & Shambles), which Ub insisted were key to stopping the coming of the Time of Shadow. The Eyes in the Night were in search of the fifth (and last) of the maze buttons beneath Farhill when they were attacked by the grey dwarves. Note, at this point the Eyes in the Night were also being pursued by a crazy paladin of Torm (Vernon Hucrele, now a revenant) and his men.</p><p></p><p>5) Randall was captured by the duergar and taken back to their Underdark fortress called Deepbridge, he was tortured (chains were involved) and his maze-button was taken. Note the PCs have been to Deepbridge, or else they had a look around the place while in a Dreamstate, this after help from Hgraam the stone giant. This event all the way back at the start of their time in the region- when the Dark Squad were working at Farhill Mine.</p><p></p><p>6) Ub, Giggles, Antonio & Shambles all escaped, or else Randall isn't sure what happened to them when the duergar came, although these events occurred nearly 200 year ago, and so Antonio (human) and Shambles (halfling) must both be dead. Randall however knows that Ub is still alive, because the albino dwarf visited him twenty years ago (and brought him to this place) and here persuaded Randall to summon a witch from hell- an entity called Nightshade. Nightshade is, of course, the spirit missing from the Land of the Bad Dead Ancestors.</p><p></p><p>7) Nearly the last bit, Randall suspects that Ub is behind all of this- manipulating things, to what end he does not know. Randall cannot escape the chambers he is in, he cannot pass out of this place (and he has tried). Ub told him (twenty years ago) that the only way to break this curse, for Randall to go free, was for him to kill one of a group of adventurers who would visit this place in years to come. The adventuring party in question would be very similar in composition to the Eyes in the Night, and Randall's target- very similar in powers to himself. In short, the crazy tabaxi warlock- Newt. Remember Randall was also a dual-patroned warlock.</p><p></p><p>8) The last bit- there's a door to the west, on the far side of this chamber- don't go through it. Randall and his companions in the Eyes of the Night went through it, and it changed their lives forever. Don't go through the door...</p><p></p><p>I appreciate that's a lot of chatter, and keep in mind, a lot of it the PCs already know- because a lot of it sounds like their story, sorta.</p><p></p><p>Note, the first thing the PCs suggest after hearing all of this is that Garumn, their PC dwarf, is actually another incarnation of Ub/Durgeddin the Black.</p><p></p><p>They do the work for you sometimes players.</p><p></p><p>So, lots of chatter, and of course it is two way- and so the Dark Squad are keen to tell Randall about their own study of Durgeddin the Black. Later Randall lets slip that he believes that Ub/Durgeddin is much much older, and that all of the dwarven chambers here, including the adamantine forge et al were all built by him and part of his plan. He's been at it for centuries, millennia perhaps.</p><p></p><p>At some point during the above the PCs, and Randall, decide to move over to the Ub/Durgeddin the Black sarcophagi- and to investigate it. The top of the stone bier is removed, inside- well, nothing, although... there's something scratched into the stone, and its crudely drawn.</p><p></p><p>Here it is...</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]149699[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>It's a man with a crocodile on his back.</strong></p><p></p><p>Note, Newt goes crazy when he finds this- he really doesn't understand the story (which was first told to the PCs by Arundil the dwarven ghost), what's it about- why would a man carry a crocodile. While the tabaxi is ranting Randall joins in- he too is incredibly angry with this stupid riddle, apparently Ub also had a thing about this story. The pair, for a short while, are joined in their hatred for the 'stupid' dwarf.</p><p></p><p>Basically, I- the glorious DM, got to mimic everything the crazy Newt was saying, only in Randall's voice, which is/was very similar to the tabaxi's. Funny that.</p><p></p><p>In truth there's not a lot of love for Ub/Durgeddin, the PCs- particularly Vinnie, are urging Randall to break free of the crazy albino dwarf's control- although how to do this exactly remains to be discovered.</p><p></p><p>Also, don't think for a second that the above is all plain sailing- to get through all of the chatter above, Randall (like Newt, keep reminding yourself) is off his rocker, and so on at least three or four occasions the chatty PCs have to talk the crazy gnome devil down.</p><p></p><p>And at least twice it gets back to fighting, all be it only briefly on both occasions.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]149700[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Note, Newt finally determines that Randall is some sort of kyton warlock, a chain devil with spells.</strong></p><p></p><p>Further note, during these brief skirmishes none of the PCs target Randall, and Randall is likewise happy for his minions to do all of the attacking- for now. After all, he'll just summon a few more if he needs to.</p><p></p><p>The PCs have at last worked it out- Randall is 90% of the XP in the room.</p><p></p><p>Note, at some point during all of the above Randall really starts to suffer, his head grows weird looking clumpy tentacles, and... well, he's barely hanging on to life, sanity and/or reality.</p><p></p><p>So, about ninety minutes of chatter, fighting, lunacy and terror. Now, that was what I was aiming for.</p><p></p><p>[Chatting and fighting with Randall and his friends 1500 XP]</p><p></p><p>So, towards the end of the above, the PCs, of course, want to know what's with the door that they shouldn't go through- there seems to have been a series of these.</p><p></p><p>Therefore, we get to this- Newt spies through a gap between the two great dwarven crafted double doors over the far side of the chamber, there's another room beyond these great portals. There's another door in here, but what else?</p><p></p><p>The tabaxi summons Gerald, his bat familiar, into the chamber and then examines the place using Gerald's senses.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]149701[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Note, Randall has to be talked down again at this point, initially he ain't happy for the Dark Squad to keep poking around.</strong></p><p></p><p>But the PCs just keep on talking, and keep on making a variety of social (and other) skill checks, and collaborating and/or using an inspiration point (here and there) to improve their chances.</p><p></p><p>So, the chamber beyond the double doors is seemingly empty, except for a less imposing single door, and two statues of armoured dwarves. The great double doors into here are not even locked.</p><p></p><p>Then, Randall tells the Dark Squad that the smaller door is the door that they really shouldn't go through, it's the door to Tao.</p><p></p><p>Red rag to a bull.</p><p></p><p>The devil gnome goes quiet a little after this, he stays out of the way- out of sight, keep in mind this is a very high-ceilinged chamber.</p><p></p><p>Needless to say mere moments later and the two great doors are open, and seconds later a crossbow trap starts firing at folk in the newly-revealed chamber, or else those that are detected through the now open doorway.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]149702[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Then the iron dwarves get into action.</strong></p><p></p><p>Inverna, Ram and the Moonboar (Vinnie) take hits, but the gang are giving out more than they get, that is until...</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]149703[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>The Moonboar spots that the thirty foot tall statue of an armoured dwarf, previously seen over the other side of this chamber (the one marked Iron Golem here), is flying silently towards the action.</strong></p><p></p><p>Panic ensues, but only for a short while.</p><p></p><p>“I ordure yew to stand down, in zer name of Durgeddin zer Black-a, who iz alzo known az Ub!”</p><p></p><p>The Moonboar holds forth his maze-coin, and screams the above.</p><p></p><p>Miraculously, it works.</p><p></p><p>The thirty foot tall armoured dwarf lands in a convenient spot, there...</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]149704[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>A little threatening.</strong></p><p></p><p>Eventually, after the other members of the Dark Squad beat down the two lesser dwarven golems (actually just animated armour with a few extras) Vinnie convinces/orders, still waving around his maze-button, the massive dwarven golem to depart. The crossbow traps also stop firing at this point.</p><p></p><p>[Dwarven golems destroyed or controlled 1400 XP]</p><p></p><p>Then... the door, it's a plain stone portal, although- as it turns out only Vinnie (with his maze-button) can open it, and beyond... is only blackness.</p><p></p><p>An absence.</p><p></p><p>Beyond the stone door is nothing.</p><p></p><p>There follows ten minutes of should we/shouldn't we? Then Vinnie steps into the black, and his friends follow- although the druid, in his head, hears a voice- asking him to confirm that each of his friends can follow. He gets a choice, and for a while the druid can't decide whether Newt should be allowed to enter.</p><p></p><p>The Moonboar thinks that Tao is a place of the gods, and he's not sure how Newt would go down with the gods.</p><p></p><p>The DM helps the druid to make his decision, pointing out that leaving Newt with Randall the Black and all of his devil friends may not be the safest option either (particularly for Newt).</p><p></p><p>Note, we're still stuck on the fact that Randall believes that his only way out of his present prison is by killing Newt. The Dark Squad have been presenting alternative options but none of them so far have struck a chord with the crazy devil-gnome.</p><p></p><p>And the last words the PCs hear as they step into the nothing are delivered by Randall the Black...</p><p></p><p>“Through the Fire to the Light!”</p><p></p><p>They've heard these words before, Tracticus Halfpipe the gibbering mouther said them.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]149705[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>The Dark Squad are stretched through time and space (a portal) and are deposited in a rumbling, and very hot natural cavern.</strong></p><p></p><p>See that stuff that looks like liquid, in the depression, and the river to the south west- that's lava, viewed in Darkvision, the temperature here is in excess of forty degrees.</p><p></p><p>The bones here, and there are lots of them, seem to be the remains of creatures that were either horned devils or demons (of some unknown kind) or else... well, they're very similar in size and shape to Ashardalon (a nine foot tall elf/dragon combination humanoid).</p><p></p><p>Bugger!</p><p></p><p>The Dark Squad explore, trying to move quickly but cautiously- the DM has let them know, falling in lava will not end well, also the temperature is so extreme in here they will have to start making constitution checks at some point, failure resulting in their old favourite- levels of exhaustion.</p><p></p><p>A little way in and a pleasant (male) dwarf voice declares, not out loud- but in each of the PCs head's/mind's, the following-</p><p></p><p>“If you have come to this place seeking treasure, or your fortune, then first heed this warning less it be your last...</p><p></p><p>Turn around, flee this place- find fortune and contentment elsewhere- this is not the path you must walk, and the Gods watch the way.</p><p></p><p>For the Gods will not suffer those that seek to take what is only theirs to give.</p><p></p><p>You have been warned.”</p><p></p><p>There is no negotiating with the voice, no reply- whatever the PCs say.</p><p></p><p>The Dark Squad continue to explore, until...</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]149706[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>A little further on, on the other side of the lava, is a pair of dwarven constructed doors, and two statues, easily identified- even at a distance.</strong></p><p></p><p>To the north is another statue of the All Father- Moradin.</p><p></p><p>To the south yet another statue of Dumathoin, the Secret Beneath the Mountain.</p><p></p><p>Vinnie becomes Vin-G-Owl and takes it in turns to fly his comrades over to the doors, but that... that's all we had time for.</p><p></p><p>[Through the Fire to the Light, so far 1000 XP]</p><p></p><p>It's getting good again.</p><p></p><p>The Dark Squad’s to-do list reads a little like this-</p><ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Investigate the Fire and the Light- Tao, and possibly more chatter with Randall the Black, or more fighting. </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">To the Moon Pool.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Goblins in the Dreadwood.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Nightshade in the Dreadwood.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">To Blackedge, find the Goblin Stair.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Return to Fallowstone Holy for answers- the Witch’s Tor & the Pact of the Flame.<br /> </li> </ol><p>But we'll revisit this list sometime in the future, no doubt.</p><p></p><p>Stay safe and well you lovely people.</p><p></p><p>Cheers the Dark Squad and goonalan.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Goonalan, post: 8507945, member: 16069"] [CENTER][B]Dark Squad in the Secrets of Saltmarsh[/B][/CENTER] [B]Session #074: Through the Fire to the Light. Dark Squad (in alphabetical order, no egos here). Daktari (played by Haggis) Male Human Uthgardt Sky Pony Barbarian Lvl 8 New Tricks (played by Bear) Male Tabaxi Warlock Lvl 8 Ramshambo (played by Kev) Male Half-Elf Rogue Lvl 8 Vincenzo (played by Haggis) Male Shifter (Wildhunt) Druid Lvl 8 NPCs Inverna Nightbreeze (played by Goonalan) Female Wood Elf Fighter Lvl 8 (Sidekick) [S]Garumn Male Mountain Dwarf Paladin of Moradin Lvl 5 [/S]RIP* [S]Tarbin Tul (played by goonalan) Male Human Bard [/S]RETIRED *Trapped in the Land of the Bad Dead Ancestors. Servants/Familiars Gerald (Bat/Giant Bat) servant/mount of New Tricks Owly (Owl) Vinnie’s familiar[/B] This is session 74, and another short one, because the first hour and a bit of this one was spent with the Dark Squad (players) talking (OOC) about how to get out of the situation they're in. To make clear, the PCs are in retreat- from waves of slow moving lemure, while spinagons flutter in to fire their tail spikes (mostly at Newt). Also in the mix is a swirling flail-like chain construct, there were four of these things but Daktari armed with Shatterspike has been on the rampage. Oh, and also present- he's just appeared, is a flying (formerly invisible) Randall the Black. Randall looks like a lich... that's not good. I only had Randall show up at the end of the last session to give the PCs a chance- they had forgotten all about him (maybe). The Dark Squad however know, because Randall told them this repeatedly last session, that the only way the crazy gnome can get out of this place (and his old life back, Randall thinks) is by killing Newt, who occupies the same spot in the Dark Squad/Eyes in the Night as he did. Which is the important role of- maniac demon/devil summoning whispering threatening terror, a vital part of any successful adventuring party. The PCs are doing okay for spells, powers and hit points- except for Newt, the tabaxi warlock is down to five hit points and pretty much out of everything else- spells, inspiration points, etc. You see the enemies have been arriving in waves, Randall has been summoning them- a few at a time, and the build up has been slow- it took ten turns to get to where we are, which for Newt is very close to death. The PCs/players, in the last session, were seemingly content to let things play out, although Newt seemed to be panicking a bit- nobody had come to his aid, also... there wasn't really a plan. The Dark Squad managed to stop an earlier fight by talking to Randall, over the last ten turns (in the last session) they have not tried this tactic again- shame. So, an hour-and-a-half spent plotting for the players, and here we go, with... Chatter! Vinnie and Newt start talking ten to the dozen, they both have a lot to say very quickly- and its mostly a combination of cold logic tinted with kindness (from Vinnie) and silver-tongued begging with added lickspittle fawning (from Newt). Sorta- “Randall, yew ar bettur zan zis, zease zis fighting an tom-foolery, we muzt talk- we share ze same quest, to stop zer Time of zer Shad-ow!” And, “Lord Randall the Magnificent, in who's power I bask, I beg of thee great dark master to cease your attacks! I am but a lowly apprentice before your magnificent horror! I abase myself before thee terrible master. Command me!” And that's a lot better, the DM is delighted- and then doubly so when the usually reticent Ramshambow even deigns to add a line- “Look, pack it in for a bit will you Randall, so that we can chat? If it turns out to be a choice between you and Newt, then of course- we chose you, I'll kill Newt myself, and with a smile.” So, the persuasion check is at advantage and with +2 (for Ram's last line), and Newt rolls... '29', although that's with +7 from his Dark One's Own Luck. Just to make clear, '22' wouldn't have been enough to stop the attacks, but '29'. [ATTACH type="full"]149698[/ATTACH] [B]The fighting stops of course.[/B] There follows a lot more chatter- between the Dark Squad and Randall, and while this is going on several PCs get to Newt with healing potions (note the Dark Squad don't have many of these). Randall is keen to chat- he always was, and the topics and subjects are varied, here's a semi-list- 1) The times and history of Randall the Black, from Waterdeep where he worked in the entertainment business (he was a juggler, musician, mesmerist and escapologist) during his show-time days. Then the voice of Humpty Far-Far-Away intrudes (his patron) and tells Randall that he has a date with destiny. Soon after Randall marries Liesl (the PCs met her during their investigations) and moves to the closed community of Squabblepot. Then, one day down in Randall's secret basement (latterly Arty Swell's labs) Ub turns up (seemingly from below), and Randall's life is changed forever. 2) Ub is/was an albino dwarf, and seemingly a master smith (Durgeddin the Black?). He is/was also a wild-eyed dwarven adventurer, and a crazy prophet, telling Randall about all sorts of wild stuff. Most of it to do with the coming of the Time of Shadow, which must be prevented at all costs. 3) Ub, it seems, had not just been whispering in Randall's ear. Soon after the dwarf persuades the gnome to meet with his soon-to-be new adventuring pals- Giggles, a crazy wood elf from the region; Antonio De La Crane, the rebel (druid) son of a rich merchant from Saltmarsh, and Rambles 'Shambles' Bowspirit, another local- a quiet and unassuming halfling ex-pirate/sailor who is deadly with a blade, and in extremis- a little cruel. Together the five, after much more Ub inspired chatter, form the Eyes in the Night, an adventuring band. Their self appointed task, to prevent the coming of the Time of Ash/Shadow. 4) The Eyes in the Night, in their time, fought kobolds and goblins, dark druids and their plant-like servitors- in the Dreadwood and hereabouts. They were successful, and gained a degree of fame (and fortune). They also managed to locate four maze-like buttons (one each for Antonio, Giggles, Randall & Shambles), which Ub insisted were key to stopping the coming of the Time of Shadow. The Eyes in the Night were in search of the fifth (and last) of the maze buttons beneath Farhill when they were attacked by the grey dwarves. Note, at this point the Eyes in the Night were also being pursued by a crazy paladin of Torm (Vernon Hucrele, now a revenant) and his men. 5) Randall was captured by the duergar and taken back to their Underdark fortress called Deepbridge, he was tortured (chains were involved) and his maze-button was taken. Note the PCs have been to Deepbridge, or else they had a look around the place while in a Dreamstate, this after help from Hgraam the stone giant. This event all the way back at the start of their time in the region- when the Dark Squad were working at Farhill Mine. 6) Ub, Giggles, Antonio & Shambles all escaped, or else Randall isn't sure what happened to them when the duergar came, although these events occurred nearly 200 year ago, and so Antonio (human) and Shambles (halfling) must both be dead. Randall however knows that Ub is still alive, because the albino dwarf visited him twenty years ago (and brought him to this place) and here persuaded Randall to summon a witch from hell- an entity called Nightshade. Nightshade is, of course, the spirit missing from the Land of the Bad Dead Ancestors. 7) Nearly the last bit, Randall suspects that Ub is behind all of this- manipulating things, to what end he does not know. Randall cannot escape the chambers he is in, he cannot pass out of this place (and he has tried). Ub told him (twenty years ago) that the only way to break this curse, for Randall to go free, was for him to kill one of a group of adventurers who would visit this place in years to come. The adventuring party in question would be very similar in composition to the Eyes in the Night, and Randall's target- very similar in powers to himself. In short, the crazy tabaxi warlock- Newt. Remember Randall was also a dual-patroned warlock. 8) The last bit- there's a door to the west, on the far side of this chamber- don't go through it. Randall and his companions in the Eyes of the Night went through it, and it changed their lives forever. Don't go through the door... I appreciate that's a lot of chatter, and keep in mind, a lot of it the PCs already know- because a lot of it sounds like their story, sorta. Note, the first thing the PCs suggest after hearing all of this is that Garumn, their PC dwarf, is actually another incarnation of Ub/Durgeddin the Black. They do the work for you sometimes players. So, lots of chatter, and of course it is two way- and so the Dark Squad are keen to tell Randall about their own study of Durgeddin the Black. Later Randall lets slip that he believes that Ub/Durgeddin is much much older, and that all of the dwarven chambers here, including the adamantine forge et al were all built by him and part of his plan. He's been at it for centuries, millennia perhaps. At some point during the above the PCs, and Randall, decide to move over to the Ub/Durgeddin the Black sarcophagi- and to investigate it. The top of the stone bier is removed, inside- well, nothing, although... there's something scratched into the stone, and its crudely drawn. Here it is... [ATTACH type="full"]149699[/ATTACH] [B]It's a man with a crocodile on his back.[/B] Note, Newt goes crazy when he finds this- he really doesn't understand the story (which was first told to the PCs by Arundil the dwarven ghost), what's it about- why would a man carry a crocodile. While the tabaxi is ranting Randall joins in- he too is incredibly angry with this stupid riddle, apparently Ub also had a thing about this story. The pair, for a short while, are joined in their hatred for the 'stupid' dwarf. Basically, I- the glorious DM, got to mimic everything the crazy Newt was saying, only in Randall's voice, which is/was very similar to the tabaxi's. Funny that. In truth there's not a lot of love for Ub/Durgeddin, the PCs- particularly Vinnie, are urging Randall to break free of the crazy albino dwarf's control- although how to do this exactly remains to be discovered. Also, don't think for a second that the above is all plain sailing- to get through all of the chatter above, Randall (like Newt, keep reminding yourself) is off his rocker, and so on at least three or four occasions the chatty PCs have to talk the crazy gnome devil down. And at least twice it gets back to fighting, all be it only briefly on both occasions. [ATTACH type="full"]149700[/ATTACH] [B]Note, Newt finally determines that Randall is some sort of kyton warlock, a chain devil with spells.[/B] Further note, during these brief skirmishes none of the PCs target Randall, and Randall is likewise happy for his minions to do all of the attacking- for now. After all, he'll just summon a few more if he needs to. The PCs have at last worked it out- Randall is 90% of the XP in the room. Note, at some point during all of the above Randall really starts to suffer, his head grows weird looking clumpy tentacles, and... well, he's barely hanging on to life, sanity and/or reality. So, about ninety minutes of chatter, fighting, lunacy and terror. Now, that was what I was aiming for. [Chatting and fighting with Randall and his friends 1500 XP] So, towards the end of the above, the PCs, of course, want to know what's with the door that they shouldn't go through- there seems to have been a series of these. Therefore, we get to this- Newt spies through a gap between the two great dwarven crafted double doors over the far side of the chamber, there's another room beyond these great portals. There's another door in here, but what else? The tabaxi summons Gerald, his bat familiar, into the chamber and then examines the place using Gerald's senses. [ATTACH type="full"]149701[/ATTACH] [B]Note, Randall has to be talked down again at this point, initially he ain't happy for the Dark Squad to keep poking around.[/B] But the PCs just keep on talking, and keep on making a variety of social (and other) skill checks, and collaborating and/or using an inspiration point (here and there) to improve their chances. So, the chamber beyond the double doors is seemingly empty, except for a less imposing single door, and two statues of armoured dwarves. The great double doors into here are not even locked. Then, Randall tells the Dark Squad that the smaller door is the door that they really shouldn't go through, it's the door to Tao. Red rag to a bull. The devil gnome goes quiet a little after this, he stays out of the way- out of sight, keep in mind this is a very high-ceilinged chamber. Needless to say mere moments later and the two great doors are open, and seconds later a crossbow trap starts firing at folk in the newly-revealed chamber, or else those that are detected through the now open doorway. [ATTACH type="full"]149702[/ATTACH] [B]Then the iron dwarves get into action.[/B] Inverna, Ram and the Moonboar (Vinnie) take hits, but the gang are giving out more than they get, that is until... [ATTACH type="full"]149703[/ATTACH] [B]The Moonboar spots that the thirty foot tall statue of an armoured dwarf, previously seen over the other side of this chamber (the one marked Iron Golem here), is flying silently towards the action.[/B] Panic ensues, but only for a short while. “I ordure yew to stand down, in zer name of Durgeddin zer Black-a, who iz alzo known az Ub!” The Moonboar holds forth his maze-coin, and screams the above. Miraculously, it works. The thirty foot tall armoured dwarf lands in a convenient spot, there... [ATTACH type="full"]149704[/ATTACH] [B]A little threatening.[/B] Eventually, after the other members of the Dark Squad beat down the two lesser dwarven golems (actually just animated armour with a few extras) Vinnie convinces/orders, still waving around his maze-button, the massive dwarven golem to depart. The crossbow traps also stop firing at this point. [Dwarven golems destroyed or controlled 1400 XP] Then... the door, it's a plain stone portal, although- as it turns out only Vinnie (with his maze-button) can open it, and beyond... is only blackness. An absence. Beyond the stone door is nothing. There follows ten minutes of should we/shouldn't we? Then Vinnie steps into the black, and his friends follow- although the druid, in his head, hears a voice- asking him to confirm that each of his friends can follow. He gets a choice, and for a while the druid can't decide whether Newt should be allowed to enter. The Moonboar thinks that Tao is a place of the gods, and he's not sure how Newt would go down with the gods. The DM helps the druid to make his decision, pointing out that leaving Newt with Randall the Black and all of his devil friends may not be the safest option either (particularly for Newt). Note, we're still stuck on the fact that Randall believes that his only way out of his present prison is by killing Newt. The Dark Squad have been presenting alternative options but none of them so far have struck a chord with the crazy devil-gnome. And the last words the PCs hear as they step into the nothing are delivered by Randall the Black... “Through the Fire to the Light!” They've heard these words before, Tracticus Halfpipe the gibbering mouther said them. [ATTACH type="full"]149705[/ATTACH] [B]The Dark Squad are stretched through time and space (a portal) and are deposited in a rumbling, and very hot natural cavern.[/B] See that stuff that looks like liquid, in the depression, and the river to the south west- that's lava, viewed in Darkvision, the temperature here is in excess of forty degrees. The bones here, and there are lots of them, seem to be the remains of creatures that were either horned devils or demons (of some unknown kind) or else... well, they're very similar in size and shape to Ashardalon (a nine foot tall elf/dragon combination humanoid). Bugger! The Dark Squad explore, trying to move quickly but cautiously- the DM has let them know, falling in lava will not end well, also the temperature is so extreme in here they will have to start making constitution checks at some point, failure resulting in their old favourite- levels of exhaustion. A little way in and a pleasant (male) dwarf voice declares, not out loud- but in each of the PCs head's/mind's, the following- “If you have come to this place seeking treasure, or your fortune, then first heed this warning less it be your last... Turn around, flee this place- find fortune and contentment elsewhere- this is not the path you must walk, and the Gods watch the way. For the Gods will not suffer those that seek to take what is only theirs to give. You have been warned.” There is no negotiating with the voice, no reply- whatever the PCs say. The Dark Squad continue to explore, until... [ATTACH type="full"]149706[/ATTACH] [B]A little further on, on the other side of the lava, is a pair of dwarven constructed doors, and two statues, easily identified- even at a distance.[/B] To the north is another statue of the All Father- Moradin. To the south yet another statue of Dumathoin, the Secret Beneath the Mountain. Vinnie becomes Vin-G-Owl and takes it in turns to fly his comrades over to the doors, but that... that's all we had time for. [Through the Fire to the Light, so far 1000 XP] It's getting good again. The Dark Squad’s to-do list reads a little like this- [LIST=1] [*]Investigate the Fire and the Light- Tao, and possibly more chatter with Randall the Black, or more fighting. [*]To the Moon Pool. [*]Goblins in the Dreadwood. [*]Nightshade in the Dreadwood. [*]To Blackedge, find the Goblin Stair. [*]Return to Fallowstone Holy for answers- the Witch’s Tor & the Pact of the Flame. [/LIST] But we'll revisit this list sometime in the future, no doubt. Stay safe and well you lovely people. Cheers the Dark Squad and goonalan. [/QUOTE]
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The Dark Squad in the Secrets of Saltmarsh #136 Into the Mere of the Dead Men.
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