The story of a campaign that went on 6 years and 3 editions!

[Advilaar]

The PCs told the Patron about the Taskmaster escaping including running into a portal in the lair leading to a Temple of Tiamat. They also told them of a narrow escape from many powerful dragons and disabling the portal to make sure none come through. Of course, the Horde was not mentioned, but the Patron did note the PCs had new shineys. But, the Patron merely complimented them on surviving and at least getting some new equiptment out of the deal. After all, if they died in there, he would not have the manpower to get them out. Nor did the PCs mention the secret portal in the stadium, for that was how they would get the loot out.

The Patron looked weary. Wearier than the PCs. Like he lacked rest.

"These other 4 portals are a security risk. If you feel it is safe, go there and destroy the other 4. I do not want powerful dragons sneaking up as we secure the city. Of course, If the Taskmaster shows alone and you can take him, kill him. Oh, and destroy the hidden portal in the stadium you forgot to tell me about while you are at it. I do not care what trinkets you find in there. My concern is the welfare of this city. Please do not hide things like that from me.", the Patron scolded.

"I have bussiness to attend to cleasing the rest of the grime that linger in Metropolis that is the backbone of imperial loyalists. Sorry I can not talk longer. May the Fire god watch you.", The Patron said in a fading off voice turning his attention to a pile of books at his desk.

As they left to go back to the barracks to pack up things, the PCs commented on how snippy the Patron was considering how much fighting and almost getting killed they had done lately. Why put up with it? They were independently wealthy now! Hell, the Wizard could build his own tower. The Rogue could retire to a plantation stocked with ladies of the evening.

"No." the Druid said. 'Let us see this to the end. Maybe the patron has a lot on his mind. "Lets at least defend the elves and the city that depends on all of us."

The Archer did provide input. The only thing he said was he MUST go back to the Druids. Something was calling.

"Tell you what." , the Rogue said. "A comprimise. we will take our sweet time with these portals moving our fortune. Preferably a place safer than here. I do not know whether to respect the Patron for hating dragons or smack him for sitting on his butt reading books like a wimp. Wizard, we good on identifying?"

"Yes. Should be enough. The Tower Scriptorium had about 30 Identify scrolls. A few more powerful scrolls if we really need to delve. No offensive stuff, I am afraid. But until we can leave this warzone, we will not have anymore gigantic bags of holding to put stuff in. Everything is full. They say the Patron is not letting folks leave and the Flame Gaurd portals are official bussiness only." the Wizard stated.

"Maybe for you, but not for me." the Rogue laughed. "But I will take care of the rest of the gold our third trip. There are still tons of items."

The Druid looked at the Archer then turned to the rest of the party, "Maybe we can get to the bottom of these voices in the Archer;s head problem while we are taking our time."

"If a drink at a real bar that has not been looted like this place is included, I am in", the Rogue grinned.

Of course, the Cohort was taking his time, too and did not show. the Rogue did not question it. He understood.

 

[Advilaar]

They walked through past the shattered gates of the colosium where pitched Dungeon Ball games were once played. It used to be a crowded affair full of life. Now, it reeked of decay with doors exploded. Occasionally, they would catch glimpses of looters in the upper boxes the wealthy watched from. Or those searching amongst the food pramenade for what morsels may remain edible. Eerily, the continual light stones still lit the place like a game night was preparing to happen.

Of course, with a known entrance to a lair and loyalists losing manpower as more and more minor dragons were revealed, the Flame Gaurd was beginning to secure the building. Looters, they did not really mess with too much as long as the items stolen was food. Hit a bank or a temple, though, and depending on the squad, you would be lucky to make it to Metro Jail in one piece.

Of course, they would have teleported there if they could. However, since that morning, teleportation in the city was not working. Also, the city force dome was up giving the ground and buildings an ominous purpilish tint amongst all the disorder.
Two Flame Gaurd elite warriors gaurded the entrance portal in the hidden office. They nodded as the party entered the portal and appeared back in the single portal room of the lair.

 

[Advilaar]

They creeped slowly through the circle of rooms, being observant as possible. There were many minutes of an unspoken anticipation. Everyone was magically buffed up as much as resources would allow.

The taskmaster could very well be here.

But, a sweep of the circle of rooms revealed nothing had changed. Even the head and bracered front leg of the happless dragon that got caught in the portal that closed was still there. The Wizard even checked the held door to the statue room which was the way to the cavern grove. Nothing.

The most important thing was the hoard of course left watch over by the reprogrammed golem named Otto. The Hoard and Otto, were still there, too. When asked, even Otto reported no one had been there.

"Luck must be with us today.', the Rogue remarked. "Let's get to the items shall we."

Otto followed out his tasks well. He had dug up any items and separated them from the heaping piles of gold. There were hundreds of minor magic weapons, armor, and wands an of various types. Some were sets meant for some lord to equipt minions with. Others were odds and ends like a few weapons for Giants or a rat bane hand crossbow.

There were also a few wondrous devices, rods, and staffs. After a few hours of Identifying, they upgraded any armor or weapons they could to more powerful things including a staff of flame for the Wizard.

They also, by using more powerful divinations, avoided a particularly nasty item called a helm of opposite alignment. The rogue decided to take that and put into his day to day bag of holding. He said he could think of some uses.

After all the things worthwhile were determined as to what they were, the PCs replaced any old gear with more powerful gear.

After that was done, a bit of a debate what to do next.

The Wizard mentioned there were cases of heroes taking over the lairs of former enemies as a headquarters. But, most were in disagreement with that. The Druid pointed out that that was when the original owners and all the allies were dead and could not come to reclaim it, which was not the case here.

Then there was the discussion of the portals. Should they explore the four remaining or close them? It was all agreed the portal into Metopolis in the single portal room would be destroyed before they leave. No need for courious Flame Gaurds coming in to take the hoard. Plus, it has the added benifit of keeping green and nasty at least from that way into the city. They could always come back through the statue room after Teleporting to the actual cavern entrance for the trip to retrieve more loot.

So, after telling the Elite Flame Gaurds on the stadium in Metropolis side of the portal that they were going to deactivate it, they bust up the sigils on the lair side. Rather than explore the other portals in the other room, they opted to destroy those as well. Now, only one way in and one way out unless there was something ultra hidden they may have missed.

The next stop would be into the statue room which they used the same trick of greasing the floor and flying. The Wizard figured he and the Rogue might eventually figure out how to make the statues stop going nuts everytime someone but the Taskmaster entered, but that would take too much time.

After all, the Archer and Druid needed to figure out the Archer's voice in head issues and the grove would be the best place. Plus, it was on the way to a fully functioning bar!