Ziona
First Post
The Shrine of the Claw
The companions proceeded into the cavern where the giants had entered, and saw that it opened into the Lake of Shadows. There they found a desolate shore, and a hole that lead to an upper level. The rungs leading up were sized for twelve-foot giants, so it was somewhat awkward for them to climb, but they eventually made their way to the top.
It was here that they found a room full of loot, including several things that had belonged to Dent before he was sold as a slave. Among those things was a ruby. Dent rolled the gem in his palm, thinking of the tiger it once birthed.
“I will be able to restore her once I’ve rested the night,” said Avangel, knowing what Dent must be thinking.
“It seems we’ve cleaned this area out,” said Tark. “It seems a good place for a rest.”
“Rest?” huffed Varr. “We’ve only just begun!”
“We’ve traveled far this day,” said Ziona. “We shall pick up and set out across the Lake of Shadows in the morning.”
Belasco eyed her suspiciously. Could she be setting them up? Perhaps he worried too much…Dent and Varr seemed to trust her without question, but he had not seen Dent in years. Should he trust the ranger’s judgment? He had been known to travel with halflings…
“I believe the area is inhabited by kuo-toa,” said Belasco. “I don’t think they would travel across the water to disturb the giants, so perhaps this is a good place to rest. Still, I think it wise to keep a sharp eye out for danger.”
He cast Ziona a sidelong glance, then sat with Varr and discussed their victory against the giants. It seemed the two shared a love of battle, and were finally starting to get along well. Ziona wondered if she would ever gain the trust of the ever-suspicious drow.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The next day, when Avangel woke everyone after his watch, he took the gem from Dent and began to chant. The words were not familiar to the clerics, and the procedure was odd indeed.
Before their eyes, Avangel seemed to channel a darkness that he transferred from his palm to the gem. He set the ruby upon the stony ground and watched as it transformed into an ebony tiger with smoky black stripes. The companions stared wide-eyed at the feline, wondering what they had just witnessed.
“Haley?”
The tiger looked up at the half-elf and walked calmly over to him, nuzzling her nose against his palm lovingly. Dent knelt down and rubbed the scruff of her neck.
“Thank you, my friend,” said the ranger, standing up.
Avangel only nodded, happy to see the feline returned to his friend.
“She looks so…different,” said Ziona.
“She may have different abilities as well,” said Avangel. “She will learn to use them in time.”
Dent was so pleased to have his companion back, he didn’t venture to ask questions. To him, she may have looked different, but she was the same old Haley.
As the heroes made their way back down to the shore, they realized there was no way to cross the lake and get to the island beyond.
“Any thoughts on how to cross the lake?” said Belasco to Tark.
“I can create a bridge,” said Ziona before Tark could reply.
“It would have to be a long and sturdy bridge if you expect us to cross it,” said Belasco sharply.
“The Moonpath is unwavering and solid. It will suffice,” she said.
She walked to the edge of the lake and began to pray. Pinpoints of light began to glimmer at her feet and sparkled outward, creating a crystalline bridge that stretched the length of the lake and ended on the edge of the island.
Without a word of thanks, Belasco drew his swords and ran across the Moonpath. Tark smiled at Ziona as he passed, followed by Varr, Dent, and Haley.
“After you, milady,” said Avangel.
Ziona, with Rossal perched happily upon her shoulder, crossed the bridge with Avangel just behind them.
As they made their way to the other side and walked upon the island, they saw a building of granite, decorated with carvings of fish, squids, and fish-like humanoids. The doorway was flanked by statues that resembled the fish people in the carvings, which had rounded bodies and slender limbs. Their mouths were wide, and their eyes bulged in their bullet-shaped heads.
“Odd lookin’ fellows,” noted Varr.
Belasco reached for the door handle and gave it a twist. As he did, he felt suddenly lightheaded and weak.
“Belasco?”
“It’s okay,” he replied to Tark. “I feel…weak. Some sort of trap on the door.”
As they entered the foyer, they saw another fish-like statue, only this one stood ten-feet tall and held a staff in it’s hands. It’s pointed teeth jutted out of it’s wide mouth, making it look wicked and evil, while the spikes protruding from it’s spine made it seem more sinister than the previous statues.
“Allow me to open the door this time,” communicated Rossal.
The pseudodragon began to cast, his tiny, scaled hands contorting and pointing until pop! The door swung open.
“Why are you here?” demanded a fish-like creature in Undercommon.
Belasco strode forward. “We are looking for our companions.”
“If they were brought here,” said the kuo-toa in a slimy voice, “they were fed to the master.”
“Fed?” asked Ziona.
“Leave now, lest you be fed to the master, as well!”
The odd fish-eyes of the kuo-toa lingered a moment on Avangel, and it’s wide mouth formed a frown. Belasco followed the glare, and realized that the creature recognized Avangel.
“You know our friend?”
“I recognize the winged one,” it replied.
“Then perhaps you remember our other friends,” said Ziona. “A halfling, and a gnome wizard.”
“If you refuse to leave our Shrine to the master, then you will be fed to the master!”
The kuo-toa started to advance on the heroes, but he was not fast enough. Dent lashed out with First Light and cut the creature’s charge short. Belasco joined the fray, and after striking the kuo-toa twice, his gleaming Sword of Life-Stealing flew from his hand, narrowly missing the ranger. Without missing a beat, however, the drow grasped his remaining longsword with both hands and slammed it into the kuo-toa. It’s already-bulging eyes looked as though they would pop from it’s head with the force of the attack.
The ensuing commotion alerted more fish-people, who ran into the room to join the battle. Magic Missiles soared through the air as Rossal hovered above the kuo-toa, while Belasco exterminated the first guard.
As Dent approached the two guards who entered the room, one withdrew a step and stuck it’s spear into the advancing ranger. He cried out in pain as it’s tip sunk deep into his flesh. Belasco ran to Dent’s side and attacked one of the kuo-toas. His sword whistled through the air and his fierce attack sliced into the fish-man’s shoulder and exposed the bone.
Ziona’s Moonblade leapt from her palm and she ran towards the melee, while Avangel speared the kuo-toa who’s shoulder had been rendered useless by Belasco. The watery beast fell to the floor in a splat.
“That’s one for me,” said Avangel, getting in on the game.
“You’re cutting down the foes I’ve already injured,” barked Belasco.
“If you weren’t so slow, I wouldn’t have to,” smirked the celestial elf.
“More on the balcony above us!” shouted Dent.
At that moment, the kuo-toa on the balcony joined hands, and a loud crackle filled the air as a lightning bolt shot forward and struck the heroes.
Utilizing his boots, Belasco ran forward and grabbed his waylaid sword. He then cast Darkness upon a coin and threw it onto the balcony. This seemed to slow the kuo-toa who were now scrambling in the blackness.
Meanwhile, Dent dropped First Light at his feet, and snatched his bow from his back. With a quick, fluid movement, the ranger fired his bow at point-blank range and struck his foes mercilessly.
Tark took a wand from his bag, flooding his foes with a searing holy light, while Ziona prayed to Eilistraee to heal her companions. The heroes fought and destroyed many of the fish-people, but more poured into the room to join the melee. Avangel flew up to the balcony and finished off the kuo-toa there, while Belasco and Varr fought as a duo, chopping and slicing their way though their enemies. Dent, whose arrows were few, found himself hitting his mark effortlessly, while Ziona attacked with her Moonblade and scrambled the magic of the kuo-toa she hit.
Before long, the heroes had cut down the last of their fishy foes and stood on the blue and green tiles that were slick with blood.
“There’s a pool in here,” called Rossal.
Ziona followed her friend into the next room to inspect the pool while Tark restored Belasco’s strength.
“I would assume their ‘master’ resides there,” said Dent.
“What sort of master could it be? A larger version of the fish folk?” asked Ziona.
“Perhaps,” said Dent rubbing his chin. “I haven’t encountered their kind before.”
“I believe they are kuo-toa,” said Belasco, entering the room. “They fit the descriptions and stories I’ve heard of such beasts anyhow.”
“What’re we do now?” asked Varr, who axe was still dripping with fishy remains.
“We could travel across the remaining lake and see what is at the otherside,” said Tark.
“That is the way we must go to get to Maerimydra,” said Belasco.
“I cannot create another bridge yet,” said Ziona. “I must rest and pray to my Goddess.”
Belasco sighed heavily, as though he were not surprised.
“Is there anything you can do, Tark?”
“Afraid not, my friend. Perhaps tomorrow I can use the wind to make us soar above the lake,” he said with a thoughtful look upon his face.
“So that’s it?” said Varr.
“Looks like we’re stuck here another day,” said Belasco with impatience. “Unless anyone has a better plan.”
“It is a long way,” said Avangel. “We will need magical assistance if there are no skiffs or rafts to be found.”
“Our luck will be better tomorrow,” said Tark brightly.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Dent and Haley scouted the area surrounding the building, but found no sign of life outside of the fish-folk shrine. Back inside, they split up watches and began resting for the night.
Ziona and Avangel took first watch. Avangel spent much of his time pacing the rooms, making sure nothing was lurking about. Rossal slumbered next to Dent and Haley, while Ziona hummed quietly after her prayers.
Varr, Dent and Haley took second watch, where Varr spent most of the time describing Icewind Dale to Dent, and how he preferred the cold to the damp and stifling air of the Underdark.
On the final watch, Belasco and Tark talked about where they would be traveling in the morning, when they heard an odd splash come from the pool. They both got to their feet and approached the pool, but saw nothing. Belasco retreated into the shadow where he hid himself, while Tark drew his weapon and began to wake the group.
As they awoke, they heard a grunt of pain come from the room with the pool. As they entered, they saw a kuo-toa with spikes poking from it’s back dive into water, while Belasco recovered from the strike he took.
“He was invisible,” said the drow.
“He won’t go far,” said Ziona.
She stepped closer to the pool and began to chant. Her words sounded slick and bubbly, and slowly the water in the pool began to swirl, then it began to rise. She expected to extract the kuo-toa from the water, but pulled forth something else completely.
Long, dark tentacles shot out of the water and began thrashing around the room, and water began to flood the floor.
“That’s no kuo-toa!” exclaimed Tark.
Dent recognized the swinging tentacles.
“Their master is a kraken!”
The Adventure Continues…
The companions proceeded into the cavern where the giants had entered, and saw that it opened into the Lake of Shadows. There they found a desolate shore, and a hole that lead to an upper level. The rungs leading up were sized for twelve-foot giants, so it was somewhat awkward for them to climb, but they eventually made their way to the top.
It was here that they found a room full of loot, including several things that had belonged to Dent before he was sold as a slave. Among those things was a ruby. Dent rolled the gem in his palm, thinking of the tiger it once birthed.
“I will be able to restore her once I’ve rested the night,” said Avangel, knowing what Dent must be thinking.
“It seems we’ve cleaned this area out,” said Tark. “It seems a good place for a rest.”
“Rest?” huffed Varr. “We’ve only just begun!”
“We’ve traveled far this day,” said Ziona. “We shall pick up and set out across the Lake of Shadows in the morning.”
Belasco eyed her suspiciously. Could she be setting them up? Perhaps he worried too much…Dent and Varr seemed to trust her without question, but he had not seen Dent in years. Should he trust the ranger’s judgment? He had been known to travel with halflings…
“I believe the area is inhabited by kuo-toa,” said Belasco. “I don’t think they would travel across the water to disturb the giants, so perhaps this is a good place to rest. Still, I think it wise to keep a sharp eye out for danger.”
He cast Ziona a sidelong glance, then sat with Varr and discussed their victory against the giants. It seemed the two shared a love of battle, and were finally starting to get along well. Ziona wondered if she would ever gain the trust of the ever-suspicious drow.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The next day, when Avangel woke everyone after his watch, he took the gem from Dent and began to chant. The words were not familiar to the clerics, and the procedure was odd indeed.
Before their eyes, Avangel seemed to channel a darkness that he transferred from his palm to the gem. He set the ruby upon the stony ground and watched as it transformed into an ebony tiger with smoky black stripes. The companions stared wide-eyed at the feline, wondering what they had just witnessed.
“Haley?”
The tiger looked up at the half-elf and walked calmly over to him, nuzzling her nose against his palm lovingly. Dent knelt down and rubbed the scruff of her neck.
“Thank you, my friend,” said the ranger, standing up.
Avangel only nodded, happy to see the feline returned to his friend.
“She looks so…different,” said Ziona.
“She may have different abilities as well,” said Avangel. “She will learn to use them in time.”
Dent was so pleased to have his companion back, he didn’t venture to ask questions. To him, she may have looked different, but she was the same old Haley.
As the heroes made their way back down to the shore, they realized there was no way to cross the lake and get to the island beyond.
“Any thoughts on how to cross the lake?” said Belasco to Tark.
“I can create a bridge,” said Ziona before Tark could reply.
“It would have to be a long and sturdy bridge if you expect us to cross it,” said Belasco sharply.
“The Moonpath is unwavering and solid. It will suffice,” she said.
She walked to the edge of the lake and began to pray. Pinpoints of light began to glimmer at her feet and sparkled outward, creating a crystalline bridge that stretched the length of the lake and ended on the edge of the island.
Without a word of thanks, Belasco drew his swords and ran across the Moonpath. Tark smiled at Ziona as he passed, followed by Varr, Dent, and Haley.
“After you, milady,” said Avangel.
Ziona, with Rossal perched happily upon her shoulder, crossed the bridge with Avangel just behind them.
As they made their way to the other side and walked upon the island, they saw a building of granite, decorated with carvings of fish, squids, and fish-like humanoids. The doorway was flanked by statues that resembled the fish people in the carvings, which had rounded bodies and slender limbs. Their mouths were wide, and their eyes bulged in their bullet-shaped heads.
“Odd lookin’ fellows,” noted Varr.
Belasco reached for the door handle and gave it a twist. As he did, he felt suddenly lightheaded and weak.
“Belasco?”
“It’s okay,” he replied to Tark. “I feel…weak. Some sort of trap on the door.”
As they entered the foyer, they saw another fish-like statue, only this one stood ten-feet tall and held a staff in it’s hands. It’s pointed teeth jutted out of it’s wide mouth, making it look wicked and evil, while the spikes protruding from it’s spine made it seem more sinister than the previous statues.
“Allow me to open the door this time,” communicated Rossal.
The pseudodragon began to cast, his tiny, scaled hands contorting and pointing until pop! The door swung open.
“Why are you here?” demanded a fish-like creature in Undercommon.
Belasco strode forward. “We are looking for our companions.”
“If they were brought here,” said the kuo-toa in a slimy voice, “they were fed to the master.”
“Fed?” asked Ziona.
“Leave now, lest you be fed to the master, as well!”
The odd fish-eyes of the kuo-toa lingered a moment on Avangel, and it’s wide mouth formed a frown. Belasco followed the glare, and realized that the creature recognized Avangel.
“You know our friend?”
“I recognize the winged one,” it replied.
“Then perhaps you remember our other friends,” said Ziona. “A halfling, and a gnome wizard.”
“If you refuse to leave our Shrine to the master, then you will be fed to the master!”
The kuo-toa started to advance on the heroes, but he was not fast enough. Dent lashed out with First Light and cut the creature’s charge short. Belasco joined the fray, and after striking the kuo-toa twice, his gleaming Sword of Life-Stealing flew from his hand, narrowly missing the ranger. Without missing a beat, however, the drow grasped his remaining longsword with both hands and slammed it into the kuo-toa. It’s already-bulging eyes looked as though they would pop from it’s head with the force of the attack.
The ensuing commotion alerted more fish-people, who ran into the room to join the battle. Magic Missiles soared through the air as Rossal hovered above the kuo-toa, while Belasco exterminated the first guard.
As Dent approached the two guards who entered the room, one withdrew a step and stuck it’s spear into the advancing ranger. He cried out in pain as it’s tip sunk deep into his flesh. Belasco ran to Dent’s side and attacked one of the kuo-toas. His sword whistled through the air and his fierce attack sliced into the fish-man’s shoulder and exposed the bone.
Ziona’s Moonblade leapt from her palm and she ran towards the melee, while Avangel speared the kuo-toa who’s shoulder had been rendered useless by Belasco. The watery beast fell to the floor in a splat.
“That’s one for me,” said Avangel, getting in on the game.
“You’re cutting down the foes I’ve already injured,” barked Belasco.
“If you weren’t so slow, I wouldn’t have to,” smirked the celestial elf.
“More on the balcony above us!” shouted Dent.
At that moment, the kuo-toa on the balcony joined hands, and a loud crackle filled the air as a lightning bolt shot forward and struck the heroes.
Utilizing his boots, Belasco ran forward and grabbed his waylaid sword. He then cast Darkness upon a coin and threw it onto the balcony. This seemed to slow the kuo-toa who were now scrambling in the blackness.
Meanwhile, Dent dropped First Light at his feet, and snatched his bow from his back. With a quick, fluid movement, the ranger fired his bow at point-blank range and struck his foes mercilessly.
Tark took a wand from his bag, flooding his foes with a searing holy light, while Ziona prayed to Eilistraee to heal her companions. The heroes fought and destroyed many of the fish-people, but more poured into the room to join the melee. Avangel flew up to the balcony and finished off the kuo-toa there, while Belasco and Varr fought as a duo, chopping and slicing their way though their enemies. Dent, whose arrows were few, found himself hitting his mark effortlessly, while Ziona attacked with her Moonblade and scrambled the magic of the kuo-toa she hit.
Before long, the heroes had cut down the last of their fishy foes and stood on the blue and green tiles that were slick with blood.
“There’s a pool in here,” called Rossal.
Ziona followed her friend into the next room to inspect the pool while Tark restored Belasco’s strength.
“I would assume their ‘master’ resides there,” said Dent.
“What sort of master could it be? A larger version of the fish folk?” asked Ziona.
“Perhaps,” said Dent rubbing his chin. “I haven’t encountered their kind before.”
“I believe they are kuo-toa,” said Belasco, entering the room. “They fit the descriptions and stories I’ve heard of such beasts anyhow.”
“What’re we do now?” asked Varr, who axe was still dripping with fishy remains.
“We could travel across the remaining lake and see what is at the otherside,” said Tark.
“That is the way we must go to get to Maerimydra,” said Belasco.
“I cannot create another bridge yet,” said Ziona. “I must rest and pray to my Goddess.”
Belasco sighed heavily, as though he were not surprised.
“Is there anything you can do, Tark?”
“Afraid not, my friend. Perhaps tomorrow I can use the wind to make us soar above the lake,” he said with a thoughtful look upon his face.
“So that’s it?” said Varr.
“Looks like we’re stuck here another day,” said Belasco with impatience. “Unless anyone has a better plan.”
“It is a long way,” said Avangel. “We will need magical assistance if there are no skiffs or rafts to be found.”
“Our luck will be better tomorrow,” said Tark brightly.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Dent and Haley scouted the area surrounding the building, but found no sign of life outside of the fish-folk shrine. Back inside, they split up watches and began resting for the night.
Ziona and Avangel took first watch. Avangel spent much of his time pacing the rooms, making sure nothing was lurking about. Rossal slumbered next to Dent and Haley, while Ziona hummed quietly after her prayers.
Varr, Dent and Haley took second watch, where Varr spent most of the time describing Icewind Dale to Dent, and how he preferred the cold to the damp and stifling air of the Underdark.
On the final watch, Belasco and Tark talked about where they would be traveling in the morning, when they heard an odd splash come from the pool. They both got to their feet and approached the pool, but saw nothing. Belasco retreated into the shadow where he hid himself, while Tark drew his weapon and began to wake the group.
As they awoke, they heard a grunt of pain come from the room with the pool. As they entered, they saw a kuo-toa with spikes poking from it’s back dive into water, while Belasco recovered from the strike he took.
“He was invisible,” said the drow.
“He won’t go far,” said Ziona.
She stepped closer to the pool and began to chant. Her words sounded slick and bubbly, and slowly the water in the pool began to swirl, then it began to rise. She expected to extract the kuo-toa from the water, but pulled forth something else completely.
Long, dark tentacles shot out of the water and began thrashing around the room, and water began to flood the floor.
“That’s no kuo-toa!” exclaimed Tark.
Dent recognized the swinging tentacles.
“Their master is a kraken!”
The Adventure Continues…
Last edited:
I loved that little Gnome *sniff*
