The Swordlands - updated 28th May; The Hanged Man

[Mathew_Freeman]

The Doorway to Hell

Karl had been working hard on the imposing stone door at the back of the Hall of Thruthgelmir. Several times he had almost given up, as it seemed that every time he opened a section of the lock, some bizarre illogical counter-measure would activate and the lock would get more complex, not less. Still, he had persevered, and finally his patience was rewarded as the door swung open to reveal a descending stone spiral staircase.

Gleefully calling to the others, Karl conjured a magical light and peered down. The tight curve of the stairs meant he couldn’t see far, but as his companions approached, buckling on armour and weapons, the Gnome had a sudden, brilliant idea. Grabbing the now-cleaned skull of Prince Kindrbode, he clambered inside and hurled himself down the steps, bouncing, clattering and tumbling all the way. About half-way down it did occour to him that perhaps there was no bottom and he’d simply spin on through all eternity, or that he finish in a dreadful thud against a harsh wall, but instead the stairwell opened into a room and the skull skittered across the floor before coming to rest.

Karl clambered out, staggered, looked around blearily and was violently sick.

A few minutes later the rest of the group, having run down the stairs trying to keep up, arrived, lit by Sigurd’s own magelight. The room they found themselves in was clearly Prince Kindrbode’s bedroom – a filthy, refuse-strewn mess. In one corner a mattress, crawling with bugs, and in another a few scattered clothes. The stench was appalling and there appeared to be nothing of value except for an exit through the north wall. It was swiftly taken advantage of.

Giant-sized footprints lead further into the caves underground, finishing at a junction with a river. The water was tinged red, and Aengus speculated that this was water from the River of Knives, still stained with the rust from the iron deposits. With no other option, the party continue to follow the river, and after half an hour of walking a distant light emerged. The light of day penetrated weakly into the cave, along with a tremendous low rumbling roar.

Blinking in the sudden light, the companions emerged to a great vision of Nothing. They were stood on a small ledge, partway down a huge cliff. Above them, they could see jutting rocks and the high edge of the cliff, and ahead of them clouds, mist and spray disappearing into a grey bleakness lit only with the occasional rumble of thunder and far-distant flash of lightning. Below and to the sides the cliff extended to the edge of vision with nothing but a narrow ledge as a way down. Roping themselves together, they began to move down.

The journey was slow, monotonous and dangerous. Jutting rocks wore at the ropes, the path was slippery with water and occasionally other waterfalls shot from the cliff with great force, arcing off into the mist below. A cold wind blew and as the hours passed they took more and more time sheltering in small caves against the weather. Some caves extended further back into the wall, and it became apparent through the days of their journey that there were evidence of workings in the stone. Each layer showed more ancient work than the last, firstly appearing hundreds of years old, then millennia. There were rooms and hallways, maybe even evidence of long-gone cities.

Sigurd explained her theory as they walked, that each civilization had built on the work of those previously, striving ever upwards to escape the depths they had started from. Moving inside the cliff and following the pathways, climbs and slides down the group continued.

Aengus stopped suddenly at one point, smiled grimly, then continued walking.

“What was that?” asked Thunder. “You looked as though you’d seen a ghost.”

“Not exactly,” replied the Eladrin. “It’s just… I can feel my kin are getting closer. Or me, closer to them.”

“Hang on a minute,” said Iben. “I thought Eladrin came from the Feyworld, not from miles underground in dank caverns.”

“About that,” Aengus said. “I suppose this would be a good time to tell you that only my mother was an Eladrin…”

Note: This came as a bit of a shock, as you can imagine. Martin, who plays Aengus, had been dropping some hints for some time that he wasn't all he appeared to be, but to find out he's half-Drow was a bit unsettling.

Next time: The party finally meets some other intelligent life down here!

 

[Mathew_Freeman]

A Most Interesting Form of Transport

For several days now, the party had been descending within an apparently endless series of tunnels, caves and caverns, following their departure from Thruthgelmir and the lair of Prince Kindrbode. Now, the stone began to turn a faint shade of green, the traces of civilization slowly growing less and less. These caves were clearly very, very old.

Finally, after even Karl’s cheery voice had given out and his spirits were flagging, they came finally to a sign of inhabitation. Ahead of them, the ground abruptly ended in a great blackness as the roof soared up overhead out of range of their light. A platform of stone jutted outwards in a semi-circle, and at the point of it a huge chain was anchored, disappearing off into the darkness.

Karl noticeably brightened at the sight. “Finally!” he exclaimed. “Something to do!” Checking his possessions were securely attached, he scampered out onto the chain, his small, deft feet easily finding purchase and helping him move along. Around him he could feel an enormous sense of space, something he hadn’t noticed in more than a week now since going underground. He almost cartwheeled in joy, before catching himself and sternly reminding himself to stay focused. After a few minutes he found a huge loop of metal that hooped up over the chain, leaving a giant space for him to run through. Ladders were attached to the outside of the hoop with another chain leading up into the darkness. Quickly, Karl ascended one ladder and moved up, trying to see where the chain was leading to.

Back on the platform the others were alarmed to see lights in two of the incoming tunnels. Not knowing whether those that approached were friend or foe, they pulled to one side warily. A small group of humanoids approached, Dwarf-like in stature but somehow darker and as if they had been somehow corrupted. Aengus spoke quietly to the other, identifying these creatures as Derro and not to be trusted for a moment. The two Derro had several Orc slaves with them, their hands bound with thick ropes and forbidding iron collars around their necks. The Derro glanced once at the companions, and then seemed to dismiss them as irrelevant.

From another tunnel two lizard-like creatures emerged, heavily armed and armoured. A foul smell emanated from them, identifying them to Aengus as Troglodytes, and as dangerous foes. They seemed wary of the group, keeping a safe distance both from them and from the Derro. They looked at the chain, and then settled down to wait, giving nothing away.

Back up the ladder above the hoop, Karl was surprised to see lights in the distance. He could feel the chain starting gently to vibrate as though something was travelling along it. Something big.

Next time: The Ship!

 

[Mathew_Freeman]

The Drow Ship

Swooping forwards out of the darkness, lit by lights on the deck, came a contraption such that Karl had never seen before. It was like a large sailing-ship, but instead of sails it had two huge balloons extended over the top of it. Each had a bright light situation under it, illuminating the deck.

Under the ship were a selection of gears, cogs and levers, moving ceaselessly as it clanked it’s way along. The chain that Karl had walked along disappeared into an opening at the base of the ship, at the front, and it seemed as though the peculiar vessel was somehow moving along this chain. Karl could see that it would fit through the hoop that he was on top of, and in a moment of inspiration he dropped on to one of the balloons as it went past, snuffing his own light source as he did so. The top of the balloon had several ropes criss-crossing it, and he was able to hang on without difficulty.

The rest of the party were now able to see the ship as it slowed and pulled into the platform, coming to an easy halt. A moment later, a ramp was lowered to the ground, revealing a dark-skinned humanoid figure at the top of it.

“Drow!” whispered Aengus. “Be very careful.”

“Why?” remarked Sigurd sardonically. “Is he an uncle of yours or something?”

The figure was slender in build with light hair, and surveyed the people below him imperiously before gesturing at the Derro to come forwards. Producing a pouch of some kind, the Derro pressed it into the Drow’s hand and advanced past him onto the deck of the ship. The Troglodytes followed immediately afterwards, also paying with a small pouch. Finally, the Drow turned his attention to the party and spoke in Elven, asking their business.

A very swift conference decided that Aengus was the only one who could talk back to him, and the Warlock stepped forwards to use his diplomatic skills. After some discussion, the remains of the alchemical poison were offered up, along with a pouch of copper coins from Iben. Seeing that the Drow was about to strike Iben for his poor offer, Aegnus smoothly stepped in and spoke again, sweetening his words and (reluctantly) offering the gems that had been taken from the Hall. With a more graceful demeanour, the Drow inclined his head and invited them on board, before heading down an interior set of stairs, locking the hatch behind him to leave the passengers on deck.

In a single smooth motion, the ramp folded back up on to the ship and the whole vessel rotated one-hundred-and-eighty degrees on the chain, causing Karl to almost lose his grip in surprise. As the ship began to move back along the chain, he dropped a small message onto the deck near Aengus’ feet, letting his liege lord know he was there.

The ship sped swiftly along the chain, travelling through several of the giant hoops. Eventually it reached another wall, and as it got closer the group could see a large hole had been cut in it. Passing neatly through, the voyage continued in a second cavern. The engineering was astonishing, far surpassing anything that the companions had seen so far on their journeys.

“I need to warn you about the Derro,” spoke Aengus quietly. “They are Dwarf-kin, and share many of their skills and habits. But they are also dark and twisted, with a love of magical experimentation and slavery. They combine the two, making twisted monstrosities from their slaves to do their work for them.”

Iben shuddered at the thought, the human picturing in his mind what might happen should he be captured. Aengus continued “Lastly, they have formidable mental powers that they use in battle and to communicate amongst themselves. Do not trust, and never believe what they say. They lie more easily than any other race before back-stabbing and capturing their former ‘friends’.”

Silence descended at this words, and Iben glanced at the Derro – only to meet their gaze, as they stared, unblinking, at the adventurers before turning back to each other.

Hours passed, cold and silent, as the ship sped ever onwards.

Next time: Through the cloud of fire!

 

[Mathew_Freeman]

The Cloud of Fire

As the Drow ship sailed ever onwards, silent and smooth along the massive chain, the time passed slowly. After some hours of travel, a sudden whispering voice raised Aengus from thoughts of his family.

“My Lord,” whispered the voice of Karl from above, facilitated by his magical gloves. “In the distance, there appears to be a set of strange lights.”

Glancing around, Aengus saw that the Troglodytes seemed worried, engaged in quiet conversation and strapping on their weapons. The Derro also were placing their Orc slaves between them and the edge of the ship. A second later Aengus could see the lights in the distance. They seemed to be flashing, and then a moment later as the ship turned he could see more clearly. He nudged the others and brought their attention to bear on it.

Sigurd spoke first, in wonder. “There appear to be rolling clouds of fire in the distance,” she said. “And we’re heading towards them. What astonishing magic!”

Iben, gripping his axe tightly, seemed less impressed. “We have no cover or shelter!” he cried. “We are sure to be burned. Can we attract the attention of the Drow below and warn them?”

Aengus moved swiftly in response, trying to get the attention of the Drow who were sealed in the lower levels of the ship. His efforts were to no avail, though, and only a few moments later the companions were swept towards the burning cloud with great speed. The glow surrounded the ship and the temperature rose sharply to uncomfortable levels. Larger sparks within the cloud suddenly resolved themselves into bat-like forms, swooping around the ship. Two larger glows could also be seen at the far edge of the cloud, closing rapidly on the ship. The bats, half-a-dozen of them, uttered battle-cries and dived in to attack.

The Derro stood firm, apparently using their mind powers to defend themselves although there was no visible effect. The Troglodytes simply did their best to duck and cover as the fiery forms swept past, aiming for various members of the party. Drawing weapons, the group fought back as best they could.

Karl, still on top of the balloons, shot one-handed with his small crossbow, peppering the incoming creatures with bolts. Thunder stood motionless, tracking one creature only with his eyes before ducking to one side and striking at it with his sword. The blow sent the creature sliding into the side of the ship as he deflected its attack run. The impact shook the ship, and Karl had to grab on tightly to the ropes lashing the balloon to the ship to stop himself sliding off and down into oblivion.

As another of the fire-bats dived in, Sigurd utilized her intelligence. Reasoning that a creature of fire would be vulnerable to magical attacks of ice, she fashioned an Icy Hand that grabbed the incoming creature and held it immobile. Other bats attacked the Troglodytes, with yet another killing an Orc in a single motion, burning straight through it. Sigurd lost her concentration as the body slumped to the floor, and the creature that she had held wriggled free of it’s magical entrapment, leaving a trail of fire as it swooped at her. Her dodge wasn’t quite quick enough and she was left with a burn along one arm.

The bats continued to swoop and dart around – Iben screamed as he channeled the primal spirit of the Frost Wolf, smashing his axe into one fire bat as it got close to him. Aengus followed up immediately with a curse and an Eldritch Spear, the green glow lighting up the underside of the balloons in a lurid glow as the curse damaged the creature further.

The Derro seemed strangely still, but their concentrated faces showed that they were waging war on a different level. As Karl shot again, missing this time, Thunder drove his sword through the cursed bat and Aengus reacted to transfer his curse to all of the other creatures with a wave of his magical rod. The Icy Hand that Sigurd had created grabbed hold of another bat – but then the tide turned as the ship entered the burning cloud.

Aengus threw up his hands in a vain attempt to deflect what he was sure was immolation, but the magical protections of the ship activated. A shimmering magical field encased the ship, protecting it from the firestorm’s ravages, but the two glowing spots within closed and landed. Each was around nine feet high, a small cyclone of flame with long, trailing arms like whips. They appeared to look around them, choosing their targets, before lashing out with long tendrils of flame. Another Orc slave was slaughtered.

Thunder turned to face this new threat, sword raised high. Around him, he could see and almost feel his companions moving their focus to this new threat.

We are becoming a unit, thought the Warforged. I hope our togetherness sees us through.

Next time: The battle continues, as the temperature rises!

 

[Mathew_Freeman]

On The Lash

The two Fire Lashers stood towards the ends of the deck, one battling and burning the Troglodytes as they did their best to fight back, the other engaging the party and the Derro. Around the ship, the remaining fire bats still circled.

One circled a little too close, and Iben took a second to charge it and wound it, his magical axe rending the body hidden under the flames. It screamed at him in return and retreated.

Aengus sized up the situation, considering his options. These new creatures were clearly more dangerous than the bats, and so he concentrated his mind and utilized one of his more powerful curses. Delivering a psychic attack, he prevented the creature from being able to perceive any of his allies. The Derro followed up with their own psychic assault, further weakening the creature, and then moved their Orc slaves to protect themselves.

There was a pause in the battle as the companions took stock – a pause that was filled by the sound of a descending Gnome. Karl, gripping a rope in one hand, swung down and continued to shoot at the creatures attacking his friends. The bolts clattered off the deck or disappeared off the edge of the ship and as Karl landed his drew his shortsword and lashed out again, before reversing his stroke and stabbing. This final blow landed properly and the fire lasher recoiled at the blade’s bite. Thunder took advantage, opening a further gap for Iben by driving his blade into the creature’s side as Sigurd crushed a fire bat in his Icy Hand and blasted several more with a Colour Spray.

Roaring in pain, the creature seized upon one of the Orc slaves and flung it bodily over the side of the ship, but before it could do more Iben attacked again with his Axe, crashing it into where you’d expect it’s head to be. The creature flickered in response, seeming hurt by the attack.

Sigurd found herself beset by fire bats as they flitted around her, almost setting her clothes alight. Coming to her aid, Aengus summoned winds of Fey power and battered the creatures. Although they were all affected, none dropped from the sky. At the far end of the ship, the Troglodytes were engaged in a deadly battle with the other lasher. It looked as though they couldn’t find as they flailed away at it, but the companions knew that keeping it occupied was just as important.

As the battle raged, Karl stepped quickly around, his sword a blur of parry and riposte as he sought to deflect the attacks of the creature against him. The Lasher caught Iben round the neck, trying to pull him in close to it, and at the same time two fire bats swooped through the young human, burning him more. As they exited his body, Sigurd caught them in a Thunderwave, disintegrating one but Iben’s beard still caught on fire. However, with the Frost Wolf Rage still burning in his eyes, the fire was quickly extinguished.

The Derro continued their mental assault on the lasher, and then Thunder stepped around a lashing flame-tendril and drove his sword into the heart of the creature. As it writhed and died on his blade, the Cleric of Kord directed it’s dying energies to Iben and watched his burns heal up in a burst of soft light [1]. As the rest of the group swiftly finished off the rest of the fire bats, the other Lasher immolated the second Troglodyte and leapt back off the ship, fleeing into the darkness as the Drow vessel exited the burning cloud.

Everything went quiet, apart from some small plink noises from Thunder as his metal body cooled from the heat.

Note: [1] A Healing Strike, and very useful it was too!

Next time: I miss a session, and the party encounter some unfriendly creatures without both Thunder and Aldis in attendance. Find out how a party of one controller and three strikers gets on.

 

[La Bete]

I'll be posting the session summary shortly - however it can be summarised by:

(1) Amazing, evocative descriptions of the surroundings by the GM.
(2) Life as a melee striker in a session without defenders sucks donkey genitalia.


As described to Matt:

missing two players
return to character gen
barely avoided

missing defender
means nasty monsters beat on
the poor strikers

lack of the leader
results in players missing
by one or two points

 

[La Bete]

Lighten the Load

As the vessel continued on into the darkness, the attention of the heroes was drawn to a sputtering sound coming from one of the burners overhead. The flames from that burner started to dim, and the vessel slowly began to assume a significant list.

"Well that's not good" commented Aengus "anyone got any good ideas how to fix that?"

As if by way of answer, the trapdoor to below slammed open, and the Drow captain appeared on deck. Looking up at the burner, his face assumed a mask of concentration, and arcane phrases spilled from his lips.

Some minutes of this passed, with the captain apparently oblivous to the useful (and less useful) comments from the party. Finally he turned, and sneered to the party. "Your efforts to defend the ship were inadequate. We will need to... lighten the load, by a hundred or so pounds. Or rather you will. Attend to it."

Ignoring shouted questions from the party, he swiftly returned downstairs, and with a slam of the trapdoor, was gone.

"Lighten the load?" said Aengus "How are we supposed to do that? Throw our gear overboard?"

"I suspect, given the pointed looks our esteemed captain gave us," interjected Thunder "that a hundred or so pounds strangely enough matched the weight of a passenger, and we were supposed to choose who goes over the edge..."

"Thow someone overboard? That's inhuman!" cried an outraged Sigurd. "I have no love for Derro or Troglodytes, but I'm not going to be party to murdering one of them like this!"

"Maybe we could join forces with the others and storm belowdecks?" mused Aengus, and the band of heroes began quickly forming a plan...

A scream from behind them cut this planning short - turning to see what had occurred, one of the troglodytes had disappeared! The remaining troglodytes looked around in confusion. "What in the spirits' name happened?" whispered Iben, only to be answered by a low giggle from above.....

With the load reduced, the vessels list seemed to right itself, and it picked up speed. After another day (or more?) on board, some soft low lights began to appear out of the gloom far ahead. As their eyes adjusted to the scale, what seemed like scattered lights resolved into a sprawling city carved out of a colossal stalactite, hangng from the ceiling.

As the ship sped toward the city, it seems that our heroes have reached their destination......

 

[La Bete]

Into the Dark

With a loud klunk, the vessel came to a halt on the platform. The heroes looked at each other uncertainly, as beyond that cast by the burners only the most occasional light broke up the overpowering gloom surrounding them. Once again, their 'Captain' appeared on deck, this time with his Grimlock minions surrounding him. With nary a word, the Derro picked up their gear and departed the vessel - followed by the surviving Troglodyte.

Looking at the party the drow sneered "Wait here - I must see if the authorities will permit you entrance. Do not move."

Naturally, our heroes disregarded their instructions, and promptly attempted to break into the lower decks, discovering that the Grimlocks served as the motive power source for the vessel, as well as bodyguards for the drow.

After some time, the drow returned, and with a sinister smile said "You are free to... enter the city. So..." indicating the ramp, "You go now."

Suspiciously, the party assembled their equipment and trooped off the vessel, with a brief hiccup caused by Aengus engaging in some strange Drow ritual, that appeared to involve some crotch-grabbing. Very odd[*]. Moving away from the ship with just the lights from their lamps (and Sigurd's sunrod) the darkness surrounding them became even more oppressive. Climbing the steps up into the city, with no sounds other than their footsteps, the party's unease grew. Finally reaching the top of the stairs, the party's spirits lifted as they could see a dimly lit area ahead.

Those spirits soon sunk again, as the true horror ahead of them became clear.....

(Attempting to pick the Drows pocket - Thievery check... 1! Followed by a Bluff check... 20!)

 

[La Bete]

The Garden

In the dim light, the party could see a large ruined courtyard, shrouded in webs, with some sort of metal netting above. Cautiously entering the courtyard, the true horror of this place became apparent...

Like some horrific drow contemprary art piece, the webs were filled with bodies. Dozens of bodies - drow, human, elven and others. All horribly tortured, and strung up and embedded in the webs.

As the heroes stood amongst the bodies, movement below them, and amongst the bodies brought them to full alertness. Across the courtyard emerged the familiar figure of the drow captain "Do you like our garden?" he cackled, "Perhaps some of you could join it?"

On the stairs below the party emerged Grimlocks, and the more perceptive members could see Derro moving though the bodies....

Pointing at Iben, the captain shouted "Kill the Kindraeder, but you can keep the rest as slaves!" With this, battle was joined.

Lunging out of cover, taking advantage of surprise, Karl threw a cloud of shuriken at the approaching Derro. His grin of delight turned to dismay as the Derro quickly appeared next to him. Using their strange weapons and foul mind powers, Karl was left staggered and immobilised.

Aengus used the advantage of concealment to attack the drow captain, leaping out at him, and using his onyx dog for the first time in combat.

In a frenzy, Iben slashed at the Grimlocks approaching up the stairs, to little apparent effect. Sigurd unleashed her arcane powers, but the creatures seemed to shrug it off and continue up the stairs, catching the Wizard in melee combat.

Using the power of his cloak Hip Deep In Alligators, Karl retreated from the Derro to appear at Sigurds side. Engaging them with his sword, Karl had little more success than Iben and Sigurd.

Seeing the troubles his fellows were in, Aengus summoned a sygian blackness over the Grimlocks, giving the heres a moments relief, before he went on to harrass the drow.

Leaving the Grimlocks to Karl and Sigurd, Iben summoned forth the power of his ancestors, and charged the Derro, staggering them briefly. Similar to Karl though, Iben was entangled by the Derros strange weapons, and reeled from their psychic powers.

Desparately trying to put down some of the Grimlocks, and keep them in the blackness summoned by Aengus, Karl and Sigurd battled with the Grimlocks, but with blow after blow raining down on him, Karl finally succumbed and slumped to the ground.

With the situation looking bleak, Sigurd lashed out again with her thunderwave, thankfully catching one of the grimlocks and hurling it off the steps to its death. With a healing word from Thunder, Karl was able to regain his feet and slash at one of the Grimlocks, bringing it down. Aengus's spell had also slain one of the Grimlocks, bringing hope back to the heroes that they might survive.

Battling the drow, Aengus was pressing him hard, before with a slash of his sword, the drow destroyed the onyx dog. Still the drow, perhaps unfamiliar with not having his minions shield him, appeared to be slowly retreating.

Meanwhile, only his barbarian endurance was keeping Iben in the fight, as repeated blows and psychic blasts battered him. A well-timed haling from Thunder, and some assistance from Karl helped him begin to get the upper hand.

Seeing the way the battle was heading, the drow withdrew from combat, heading for one of the tunnels. "Not so fast!" shouted Sigurd, grabbing him with his Icy Grasp. Eager to press the advantage, Aengus pursued the drow, only to curse as he escaped his bonds, and sprinted down the tunnel.

Seeing the retreat of the drow, the remaining derro scattered, and disappeared into the gloom.

Victory! for the heroes. But only just.

 

[Mathew_Freeman]

The Three Way Choice

The group rested, recovering their strength after the difficult and draining battle against the Drow. It had become clear that they should consider this entire city to be a trap for them, a hostile place that would kill them or enslave them without a second thought. The area they were in was shrouded in darkness, but now they had time to explore Aengus discovered an ancient wall at the edge of his vision. Following it, he found three tunnels leading further into the city.

The three tunnels themselves looked superficially identical, but had different symbols on the floor in front of them. Each was egg-shaped, one filled in entirely with black stone, one with white and the middle symbol split half-and-half, vertically. Sending their magelights briefly down each tunnel showed Sigurd and Karl that the tunnels were about twenty feet wide and extended away into the darkness, with only the faintest glimmer of light to be seen, far in the distance.

Sigurd suddenly stiffened and stared down at the middle symbol, saying “There is powerful warding magic here. Please, no one attempt to cross and enter the tunnel. I’m not quite sure what would happen, but it wouldn’t be pleasant.” At her words, and as she strained her magical senses to learn more, tiny runes began to appear all around the edges of the tunnel. Studying them in concert, Aengus and Sigurd agree that they indicate that a surge of necrotic energy is likely to be the consequence of crossing the ward – something to be avoided.

Thunder turned to Aldis and Iben, both of whom were staying well back whilst the arcanists did their work. “It’s times like these,” he said in dry, metallic tones, “That I wished I had spent more time studying magic. Still, I have my own skills in battling those that use necrotic energy.” Twirling his sword in one hand, the Warforged concentrated for a moment, sending tiny trails of radiant energy tracing up and down it’s length.

Karl was beginning to grow bored. “So, which tunnel?” he asked impatiently. “That Drow we were fighting went down the solid black tunnel, but I’m not sure I particularly want to run into him again. I reckon if the Drow have put such an impressive set of wards on this tunnel it should be the one we pick – nothing like a challenge, eh Thunder?”

Noding, the Cleric concurred. “Kord teaches us that our destiny lies in our own hands only when we challenge ourselves and push hard against obstacles placed in our way. If the Drow have placed such a ward, then either they are protecting something, or they are afraid of something. If they are protecting it, then we can damage them by attacking it. If they are afraid, then we should seek to find out what they are afraid of to see if we can exploit it!”

Sigurd wasn’t so sure. “This ward is powerful and will be difficult to dispel. Any attempt runs the risk of hurting us and limiting our resources, and in this place we need all of our resources just to survive. I am not sure the possible reward justifies the risk. And Melora teaches me differently than Kord does you, Thunder.”

Aengus stepped in and settled the matter. “I believe that between us we can and will disarm this ward. Surely it is worth a try – after all, if it appears to be beyond us we can change our minds and stop? Are we agreed?” Looking around him, the Eladrin saw that he had swung the argument in his favour. “Excellent. Let us begin.”

The group set to work. Karl, pulling ever more complicated tools from his belt, began to try and interfere with the runes directly, scattering coloured sands over them, conjuring small lights and chipping away delicately at the edges of some of the stones. Simultaneously, Sigurd and Aengus began to push with their own arcane powers, seeing the twisted strands of the web of magic that enveloped the tunnel entrance and trying to burn or prize them away.

Thunder took a simpler attitude. Channeling the power of Kord, he stepped onto the ward itself and took the blow, enduring the pain and battling it with radiant power from within himself. Occupying the attention and focus of the trap, he sought to make sure the others were spared the backlash. Gritting his teeth against the necrotic energies surging through him, he managed to speak. “Quick as you like, please, quick as you like…”

Karl pulled a small magnet from his pocket, muttering quietly to himself. “Let’s try this, just here, with a spread of green ink… ahah!”

As if a tap had been closed, the ward shut down. Thunder staggered a step as the necrotic energy abruptly shut off, giving him nothing to fight against.

Bounding to his feet, the Gnome headed off down the square tunnel. “No time like the present, eh? Let’s get going before it resets itself!”

Note: This was an interesting little Skill Challenge, and we used a wide variety of skills to deal with it.

I'm hoping to include more dialogue and conversation between the characters in the next few updates, all comments welcome as to whether they're interesting or not!

Next time: An interrupted rest!