Wraith's Whispers - CoSQ (Update: 4/5/04)

[Wraithdrit]

Session 4 Conclusion

Amador and Will were rocked by the blast of ice and snow.
Will stumbled into the corner of the ruins, then turned to look out the window, seeing Durgaden being slowly overwhelmed. He muttered an incantation and a massive wall of fire appeared in a ring around the melee. From within screams of anguish could be heard. Will knew the dwarf was tough, hopefully he would not roast too bad within the flames. Since he was in the center, he would be less in danger then all those around him.

Amador was also casting, a whirling disk made of blades appeared amidst the orcs on the right flank, slashing and cutting most of them to ribbons.

Durgaden yelped as his waraxe was ripped from his hands, and flames sprung up around him. Quickly he pulled a hand axe from its strap behind him and hacked at the tiger that had attached itself to his shield. Finally the beast fell back dead.

The ogre in front of Tanerus finally took a step or two forward. Tanerus slipped out behind it and went to bury his dagger in its back. At the last possible moment, the rubble beneath the halfling shifted and he missed the ogre completely. Yelping, Tanerus fell to the ground and rolled to beneath the disc of whirling spinning blades, just as the ogre's club smash into the rocks upon which he had fell.

As he rolled to a stop beneath the whirling death above him, Tanerus noticed that one orc was alive, crouching beneath the blades. Quickly Tanerus extended his arm and drew his dagger easily and efficiently across the orc's throat. It collapsed and died beside the small wild halfling.

Meanwhile the second tiger had ducked the whirling disk of blades and tore its way around the ruins into the area where Will and Amador where. It leapt on Will, ripping and tearing at him. The wizard screamed in pain then lashed out in a quick incantation. Flames ripped from his hands, bathing over the tiger. As the beast fell dead at his feet, Will collapsed back on the rubble, bleeding badly.

The fight raged on inside the ring of fire, its scorching heat only lasting a few moments before the flames died away. Will cursed when he saw his wall of fire was brought down. The ogre that Tanerus had missed loped into the melee with Durgaden, swinging its big club around.

Will was still bleeding badly, between the ice storm and the tiger's attack the wizard was nearly dead. "Amador I..."

The elf was not paying attention, he was ingrossed in casting another spell at the melee in front of them. Will cursed and pulled out a healing potion, glaring at Amador.

The spell went off, a bright flash burning through the melee. Holy energy ripped through the combatants. The woodsman threw up his arms clawing at his eyes, screaming. Both ogres did likewise. The rest of the orcs lay dead, except for their captain and two seargents. Durgaden was starting to like the odds a bit better now. Thats when the human captain and the half-orc Lt Grendar joined the melee.

Tanerus tumbled from beneath the blades, stood up on the run, planted a foot on the back of the shin muscles of one ogre, used its belt as a hand hold and sprung up to bury his dagger into the base of the thing's neck. The blade slid easily between bone, and sliced through its spine, killing it instantly. The halfling landed, rolled, came up behind the orc captain, lept onto his back, both legs wrapping around the orc's waist, his free hand grabbing the orc's hair. He wrenched back the orc's head and slit his throat, killing him as well.

Durgaden was liking the odds more and more.

Amador noticed that Will was still hurt, so he called upon Corellian's healing energys. The wizard breathed a sigh of relief and looked up at Xandos, trying to figure out what he could do to the flying wizard, now that he had protected himself from magic. Thats when the second ice storm ripped through Will and Amador.

Durgaden and Tanerus both saw the ice storm, and feared the worst. Tanerus tumbled again, this time behind the human captain that had entered the melee. The man was barely standing as it was. Tanerus kicked the back of the man's knee, when he fell to his knee, the captain half turned to see who was attacking him. Tanerus plunged his dagger into the man's eye, ending his life.

Finally able to see, and now able to see the carnage that lay around the dwarf's feet as well as the halfling that had joined the fray, the woodsman turned and ran back toward the Zhentarim camp.

Durgaden fought with the only remaining combatants, one of the orcish seargents and the half-orc Lt Grendar. He buried his hand axe in the orc's chest, and as it collapsed to the ground he turned on the half-orc.

Tanerus called, "Will! Amador!" There was no reply.

Overhead Xandos grinned. Foolish Captain Argah was dead finally. Most of the force had been wiped out, but he could care less, the intruders were dieing off finally. A few more well placed spells and the only two left standing would be dead. He let loose a fireball into the midst of the dwarf and halfling, not caring that it ended the life of Lt Grendar as well.

The fireball erupted between Tanerus and Durgaden. The dwarf stumbled, his opponent was incinerated. The halfling saw the blast coming, and rolled to the ground, pulling the corpse of an orc to above him. When the fire ended, he wiggled free from the corpse, unhurt, and ran to the ruins that Amador and Will were in. He had pulled a healing potion out on the run and he lifted Amador's lifeless head up and began pouring the liquid into his open mouth. Amador coughed then gulped at the sweet healing liquid.

Tanerus whispered, "Heal yourself quickly, the bat riding mage is still upon us." The halfling turned towards Will's motionless form.

Xandos grinned down at the dwarf. The halfling must have been killed, because he didn't see him. Out of spells the Skymage pulled out one of his wands and launched another fireball down at the dwarf. He cackled as the explosion ripped through where the dwarf was standing. When the flames dissappeared Xandos was amazed to see the dwarf still standing tall. The impudent warrior shook his fist at the mage, raised a potion as if in toast, then guzzled it down.

Furious, Xandos fireballed the dwarf again. And again the dwarf was still standing! Xandos' fury was uncontainable. He screamed in anger as the dwarf drank another potion! "Die! Die! Why won't you die?!" The wizard pointed his wand again and again, even though the magical device was only able to spit fireballs out once every few seconds.

Meanwhile Tanerus had found Will to be alive as well, his eyes opening as he guzzled on the healing potion Tanerus gave him. The wizard snatched up his crossbow, loaded one of his special bolt of fire into it. "See how he likes this..."

Tanerus looked concerned, "Will, won't that draw attention to us?"

Amador cast another heal spell, this time on Will. Both the cleric and the wizard were pretty ragged looking, but they lived.

Will answered Tanerus, "We have a protection spell on us." He nodded at the faint shimmering magic that surrounded them. "Unless he has more ice storms we will be fine." He sighted and pulled the trigger of his crossbow, as the bolt sped through the air, it erupted into flames.

The bolt completely missed the bat and its rider. It was about then that Will felt and saw his glimmering globe of protection blink then fade out of existance. The spell had run its course. "Oh no."

Xandos saw the flaming arrow streak past him. He look down and saw the wizard, the elf and the halfling all looking back. "What?! Thats impossible!" Xandos was beside himself with anger, he switched targets launching a fireball into the midst of the three. Had he not been so angry he might have remembered the globe, and calculated that it might have run its course. Instead he was acting on instinct, and could have cared less that blind luck had made the fireball's eruption possible.

Flames erupted around the trio. Tanerus had seen a hole in the rubble and dived into, and was unharmed. Amador was still standing. Will was burned nearly beyond recognition. As the smoke cleared, the human lay crumbled and broken, seared, and blackened, atop a pile of rubble. His eyes stared out into space, nearly lifeless.

Above Xandos yanked hard on the reigns, yanking his mount around. This was pointless. He had to report back this defeat. He and the Commander would decide how best to deal with these intruders. He had seen their tactics. He knew them now... and knowing them would reveal their weaknesses. His anger had passed, replaced with determination.

Tanerus and Amador jumped at the same time, reaching for Will's seemingly lifeless form. Amador's hands glowed once more as he called on Corellian's healing energy. "Please m'lord, just once more..."

His prayers were answered, Will gasped again for life, lurching as his heart restarted. Breath after breath ripped through his scorched lungs, and though it hurt to breath, hurting meant he was alive.

Durgaden raced over, "Is he alive?"

Will answered before the others, "Barely... the mage?" His voice sounded awful.

Durgaden growled, holding his own waraxe tight in his hands, having already recovered it. "Gone. Flown off."

Tanerus looked around, "Back to tell the others what he saw."

"Another one got away," growled the dwarf. "The one with the whip... I owe him a blow or two." The dwarf gripped his axe tight.

"But first," said Amador, "we need to find someplace to rest."

 

[Wraithdrit]

Session Five (Part 1 of 3)

Eleint 27th, 1372 - Predawn Hours

The party had a fairly quick, heated discussion on where they should try to rest at. The Zhentarim might come after them, so they needed some place that could be defended fairly well. Going back out of town was dicussed, but discarded for being too far out of the way. Holing up in the Temple of the Axe (the only still standing structure in the town) was discarded as too obvious an idea. The last idea was to go back into the excavated 'mines' that the party had explored, and find a fairly defensive position there.

Durgaden growled, "Only a fool would retreat into there. Sounds perfect."

Tanerus looked at Durgaden with amusement, but was done argueing the point. They went into the hidden portions of the complex behind several secret doors, closing and attempting to temporarily disable the doors behind them.

After resting for several hours, Will gathered up several of the items they had found and began the long process of identifying their enchantments. A shield, a set of full plate armor, a couple of pairs of bracers, and a ring all held minor defensive enchantments. The only item anyone was interested in was the ring. Eventually it was given to Durgaden. The thayan wand was identified as a Wand of Agnazzar's Scorcher. The dwarven gem was noted to have defensive powers but not of a personal nature. It powered some sort of city or complex defense. Anything further was just beyond the means of the simple identify spell. The dwarven waraxe held enchantments to increase its balance and heft. While Durgaden already had one waraxe, the memory of getting his axe stripped from him was enough to take up the second waraxe as a spare.

Potions were divided up, and identified by color and consistency. All but a couple of the potions were now known. Various pieces of jewelry, gems, and other valuables were collected up at Will's request. "I have learned a new spell, teleport. I plan to go back to Dagger Falls. There I can pick us up some supplies." The other party members agreed, and gave Will a list of things they felt they needed now.

Amador said, "While you are gone, we will look around the mines a bit more. We will meet you back here... how long?"

Will thought a moment. "Give me a full twenty four hours. I have several people I need to meet with to unload some of these more exotic items. With my family resources I should be able to get a good deal for most of it. Durgaden, give me the drow holy symbol. I know a good cleric of Tyr. He can get rid of it for us."

Drugaden looked shocked. "But... its Mithril!"

"I for one am tired of dreaming of spiders, we need to get rid of it." Will seemed pretty adamant. Tanerus quickly agreed.

"Fine... but if he can just break the enchantment, I want the metal back!" The dwarf reluctantly parted with the mithril holy symbol.

Amador said, "Why don't you take the gem back with you as well, see if you can find out more about it."

Will nodded, "I'll check with the sages in town. One of them surely knows more about it." With that, Will collected up many of the party's treasures and cast his spell, dissappearing into nothingness.

Durgaden grinned and squeezed the grip on his axe. "Lets go open that door."

They moved down the hall to the large set of double doors that Tanerus had not been able to open prior. Again he worked diligently on the lock only to be unsuccessful. For a moment he just about had it, then all the tumblers slid back into place. "Damn it."

Durgaden gently moved Tanerus out of the way and grinned, "Let me show ye how to open a locked door." He ran at the door and threw his shoulder at it.

With a huge thud the dwarf bounced off the unharmed door. Tanerus and Amador smirked while Durgaden picked himself up and brushed off his pants. "Fine!" He hefty his axe and with three mighty swings he severed the latch between the doors. "Now its open." The sounds of his axe blows echoed through the stone halls.

Tanerus rolled his eyes and slipped the doors open. A set of stairs led up to the back of another secret door. He examined the steps and door, and determining it was safe opened the secret doors.

The chamber on the otherside was some twenty feet wide and thirty feet deep or so. Ancient mosaics, relief carvings and wall art decorated each wall. All of the art was smashed or carved across, marring every surface. On the far side of the room lay the smashed remnants of some sort of altar or statue.

As Tanerus and Durgaden slipped into the room, stepping over and around the ancient remains of the defenders and attackers of the compound, Amador stayed in the doorway, watching them and glancing back now and then.

Amador cocked his head to one side and narrowed his eyes. A twin pair of red lights rose up behind each of his companions. Just as Amador cried out a warning, ghostly figures appear with glowing red eyes and lept upon his friends.

Both Tanerus and Durgaden cried out, the touch of the ghostly forms sending icy shivers through their very souls. The two companions' eyes sunk in a little, their frames seemed to get weaker as their very life energy was drained from them.

Tanerus was the first to react, he lashed out at the thing that clawed at his soul, his magic short sword biting deep into the thing. It howled, backed off a bit and seemed to regard the halfling with a bit more wariness.

Durgaden spun on his attacker, his war axe flashing twice quickly. The thing yelled as his blow seemed to rip through the fabric of its own unliving essence, but his second blow seemed to pass straight through, not effecting it in the slightest.

Amador lowered his bow and grabbed his holy symbol and cried out in elvish, "By the light of Corellian, be gone!" His holy symbol shone brightly and both beings howled in anguish as the rays hit them. The spirit fighting Tanerus turned and fled quickly, dissappearing through the far wall. Tanerus slumped back against the doorway, barely standing of his own power. Durgaden pressed his attack, slicing twice more into the spirit in front of him. Again one hit seemed to tear at the thing, while the second seemed to pass harmlessly through it. It then also succumbed to the light of the holy symbol and fled through the far wall.

Amador fished into his pack. "Quickly my friends, they shan't be gone long." He tossed a potion to each of his companions, "These will restore your life energys, at least partially."

Durgaden uncorked the potion and asked, "How long till the spirits return?"

Tanerus asked after drinking his potion down, "And will they return if they know you are still here?"

"About a minute or so, and yes they will return, what I did to them is the worst insult their kind can bear. They will be back for my soul if they have the power."

Durgaden seemed to have all of his color back, he motioned the others out of the room, "I'll defend the doorway."

Tanerus still looked pale, so Amador handed him another potion. He was not going to have many left at this rate, but he did not have any of the restorative spells prepared, so there was little choice but to use the potions.

As if on cue the spirits both ripped through the far wall flying across the room, screaming their pain and anger in unearthly howls. Durgaden held the line though, slamming the first charging spirit with his waraxe. It retaliated by passing its hand through the breastplate of Durgaden's armor and sucking forth more of his life energy. Durgaden cried out in pain and sliced once more with his waraxe. The thing howled in a painful release and dissappeared forever.

Its companion was quickly taking advantage of Durgaden being distracted. Tanerus stepped up and stabbed it in the side, while Amador shot an arrow that passed straight through the thing. It ignored them all though, focusing on the weakened Durgaden. Its chill touch passed through his arm and once again his life force was drained from him.

Something about the dwarf seemed to keep him strong though. He focused on the defense of the doorway and his companions, nothing was going to get past him. The dwarf angrily spun on his attacker, hitting it once, then again sending it to join its friend in oblivion. As the fight ended, Durgaden slumped to his knees, whimpering. Now that he knew his defense had held, whatever inner energy he had called upon to stay standing was quickly fading.

Amador was quickly at his side, pressing a potion to his lips. As Durgaden drank it down his complexion seemed to brighten back up a bit, and his face looked less pained. He coughed a bit and nodded to Amador, "Thanks again friend."

They once again searched the room, this time a bit more warily. Nothing of importance was found, so they slipped through a pair of double doors into a large hall. As the doors opened a blast of heat hit them. Durgaden smiled and sighed, "Ah, the feel of the forge..."

Tanerus frowned, "Why would the forges still be lit after all this time?"

Durgaden considered it a moment, "You're right... that is odd." Cautiously they moved forward till they could see the four forges. The doors to the forges stood open, bright flames leapt within. As the dwarf came within sight of the forges the flames poured out onto the ground forming three massive humanoid figures.

One of the fiery creatures lifted a hand and pointed at the dwarf, howling, "You dwarves leave us to rot! WE'LL KIIIIIIILL YOOOOU!"

 

[Wraithdrit]

Session Five OOC Info

In case those of you out in reader land are wondering how things are coming along OOC, I thought I would give a few updates on characters, players, and so forth.

The characters also have made enough XP to get to 9th level. Yeah, woo hoo! Go team. Amador took a level of cleric (we also redid his character a little stripping out the war priest PrC and making him straight cleric). Tanerus took another level of rogue. He was quite happy to gain another die for sneak attacking, until he faced undead and an elementals in the same night. He gnashed his teeth and lamented not being able to sneak attack all night.

Will of course took a level of wizard (evoker), and Durgaden took his second level in dwarven defender.

Will's player had to be out of town this weekend and next, meaning he had to work last night (Monday every other week is game time). He offered to do this whole teleport back to town thing, and let the others play without him.

In order to keep the pace of the game up, I decide that was worthwhile, and only modified one encounter to make up for the difference in the party strengths. Originally there were supposed to be FOUR fire elementals.

The spirits were straight wraiths. Two CR 5 monsters, making it a CR 7 encounter, so I figured the three of them (especially with a cleric) would be quite capable of handling them. I started to wonder about halfway through the fight if I was on crack. In the end it turned out as you see written. They ended up with Durgaden down a few con points over all, but nothing that Amador won't be able to handle after they rest the next time. He hated to use up his Defensive Stance so early in the game, but it really helped out, giving him an additional 4 points of con in a pinch (see reference to him using inner energy, yadda, yadda).

The campaign pieces are really starting to come together. I'll post more OOC stuff after the next post reveals the rest of what happened in Session Five.

 

[Wraithdrit]

Session Five (Part 2 of 3)

Durgaden swung his axe back and forth, set himself to recieve a charge and growled, "The dwarves are back, we are here to restart the forges and repopulate the mines!"

"Weee haaaave beeeen enslaaaaaved heeeere foooor huuuundreds of yeeeeears! Weeee wiiiiiiill kiiiiiiill yoooooou!"

The elementals swarmed forward toward Durgaden. Tanerus braced behind the burly dwarf, ready to aid him. Amador lowered his bow and muttered prayers to Corellian. Energy surrounded the first of the Elementals, swirling around him as Amador's prayer reached a crescendo, the elvish words finally audible to all, "... and go back to where you come from!"

Beneath the elemental a tear in the fabric of reality was opened. Beyond could be seen nothing but fire. Heat lashed up from the Elemental Plane of Fire. The elemental raised it hands and was sucked through the rift. It howled with pleasure as it finally returned home. The rift closed quickly, leaving the other two elementals looking between the rift and the party. With angry shouts they lept toward Durgaden.

The first one swiped out at the dwarven warrior, slamming into him. He cried out in pain not really noticing that his surcoat and backpack were on fire. He exchanged blows with the thing. Each time his axe flashed bits of flame were ripped from the elemental. It seemed to care little for his attacks, choosing instead to focus on slamming its flaming fists into him.

Tanerus slipped out and lashed out at the second one, cutting it deep. From behind the front line, Amador's prayers once again rose to an audible level, the elvish words calling forth. "Cover my friend in your cloak of protection, my lord. Let him resist the fires that burn within these beasts!" He touched Tanerus on the back and a soft blue shimmer passed over him.

Just in time the shimmer covered the small halfling as the elemental he faced turned to slam him. It hurt to get hit by the large flaming fist, but it didn't burn him. The resistance held, allowing none of the flames to harm him.

Meanwhile Durgaden was growling out curses as his axe bit again and again into his foe. The flames continued to burn his hair and clothing. He ached all over, and his right shoulder throbbed. One of the elementals attacks had slammed into the shoulder and he knew it was dislocated. It would not take long at this rate for him to fall. "Amador!"

The elf responded quickly to the calls for aid. His hands glowed as he called forth his best healing prayer. He gently touched Durgaden, and the dwarf was quickly healed. He laid into his opponent with renewed vigor.

Meanwhile, Tanerus was barely holding his own. He had found his attacks ineffectual so he instead concentrated on attempting to annoy Durgaden's opponent. He lashed out at the things fists, trying to aid his companion. With the elemental distracted, Durgaden slammed his axe into its chest and fell apart, turning into a smile smoldering pile of coal.

Amador lifted his bow and shot an arrow, but it burned up upon impacting the remaining elemental, seeming to do nothing. He decided just keeping Durgaden healthy was going to be the best way he could help this fight.

Durgaden shifted his focus, and began carving chunks of flame out of the last of the elementals. The elemental quickly turned its attention on the new threat, but each time he slammed the dwarf, Durgaden merely stumbled back into the healing touch of Amador.

Amador became a bit concerned after using three very powerful heals on Durgaden.

Tanerus once again tried to distract the elemental, swiping at its fists.

Finally the last elemental fell to Durgaden's axe. Durgaden shook his head, not relishing having to kill the servants of the forge, but they had obviously been driven mad by hundreds of years of useless bondage.

They set about searching the area. Soon Durgaden called Tanerus and Amador over, "There is some sort of false plate here. See! Look how this forge is slightly thicker than the others here."

Tanerus nodded and examined the secret compartment. "No traps, no lock." He tapped it and the compartment fell open to reveal a pair of gaunlets laid atop a large stone brick carved with dwarven runes.

Tanerus handed the gauntlets over to Durgaden. "These are... Mithril!" Durgaden seemed almost childlike with his glee. He quickly donned the gauntlets. "Very nice! They fit like a glove!"

Tanerus opened his mouth to say something then decided against it, just smiling and shaking his head. He turned and tried to read the runes on the stone. Durgaden helped him. "This is the word 'the'... this is the word 'stone'... thats all I recognize." They placed the stone safely in Durgaden's pack to examine further later.

Having gone as far as they could in this direction the party double back and soon entered a massive entry hall of some sort. Pillars line the room and a huge pair of metal double doors were at the far east end. Runes were carved onto the doors with fine craftsmanship. Either side of the doors were other carvings, but these hand been hastily marked into the stone.

"Whomever added these did so in a hurry." Amador voiced the obvious.

Tanerus and Durgaden put their heads together, deciphering the runes slowly.

The inscription on the door read:

the gates only through those of dwarf blood may pass

The inscription to the left of the door read:

we these doors seal in times of trouble
lest nothing else add to our woes in these dark hours
let only those with blind faith pass through
grant such faith to those without

The inscription on the right hand side of the door read:

the keystone was hidden
in a dwarf warriors greatest ally

With the knowledge of these runes in hand they pulled out the stone and examined it further. They finally made out what the inscriptions on the stone said:

the bearer of this stone will always be blooded

Tanerus grinned, "So you can only go through if you have dwarf blood, and if you don't you carry the stone, and are thus blooded? Seems the answer to me."

Durgaden nods, "Aye. But these doors... these are gateway doors. This goes to somewhere, like outside... but this place is further down than the entrance, we are thirty or fourty feet lower than when we started, and beneath a hundred foot tall cliff. It means that if these doors leave this city... there is only one place they could go."

Amador and Tanerus both said, "The Underdark."

 

[Wraithdrit]

Session Five (Interlude)

Eleint 27th, 1372 - City of Shade, just before noon

Darkness enshrouded the grand audience chamber. The figure in the center was completely unseen by most. Dark shapes moved here and there. Dusky skinned men and women, dressed in ancient Netherese clothing moved about the room. Servants brought drinks and food to those who wished it.

Through it all strode a single tall figure. The crowds parted for him, the darkness he exuding seeming to force even their kind out of his way. Perhaps it was not the darkness, but instead the force of his will. He walked to the foot of the central dias and dropped to one knee, bowing his head. He waited to be spoken to before speaking.

A deep voice cut from within the darkness, "You have something to report?"

"Yes m'lord." He stayed on his knee, head bowed.

"Rise. Tell me."

Doing as he was told, the figure stood back up, his full height now apparent. Strapped to his back was a massive, long glaive. If he wore armor, it was hidden under the flowing purple and black cloak and robe he wore. "It is as we feared, lord. The Zhentarim have already sold the Axe and the Crystal."

The central darkness moved as the figure within stirred. He was a presence more than a being. So long had he been infused with darkness, now he was little more than darkness itself. "Does this require action on our part?"

"Not yet, m'lord. There has been another development, we should let it play out before we become involved." He would not dare tell his lord what to do, but when prompted for his opinion he would gladly give it.

"What development?"

"Outsiders have destroyed the Thayan camp and killed a good number of the Zhentarim before withdrawing." The proud ash skinned warrior remained perfectly calm in the face of the darkness approaching him.

"Oh really? Do we have names for these outsiders? Is it the Chosen?" The last word was spoken with such contempt several people in the area backed away, fearing their own safety should their lord be angered.

"No my lord, we do not know their names as of yet, but we will soon, my agents are..." He was cut off before he finished speaking.

"No. You will. You will find out who they are and what role they will play in this. Do not leave this to some underling, undertake the task yourself."

He bowed his head toward his lord, "As you command. I do not think it the Chosen though my lord. This did not have their stamp of brashness nor ability."

"They had ability enough to destroy the Thayans and a good portion of the Zhentarim. Do not underestimate them. Go, find out who they are and what they are doing there. I will await your report." With that the darkness receeded once more as the lord rose back to the top of his dias and settled into his throne.

The warrior spun on one heel and strode away from the throne. As he walked, the shadows around him seemed to grow even darker. Shadows from several other people watching seemed to detach themselves and follow him into the growing darkness. Soon the shadows all seemed to melt around the figure. When they dispersed he was gone.

The voice of the lord's chamberlain could be heard by those closest to the platform. "Should I contact Wyyruth m'lord? He should be able to trade this information for..."

"No. Not yet, we will wait to see how this plays out first."

"Of course lord. We could also just send our army below. We could prevent all of this before it even begins."

"No... we will not get involved... yet."

 

[Wraithdrit]

Session Five (Part 3 of 3)

Amador shook his head, "We should not go any further, we have been going for hours, and we need rest. Lets head back to the room where we have been resting and get some rest."

Durgaden nodded, "Sounds good. I could certainly use some rest."

Tanerus seemed to agree as well, so the companions turned to walk out of the room. They headed north past the pit trap they had avoided several times now. After heading north down the back hall for most of the way, they were surprised to see a single figure standing at the doorway, looking into their resting room. The figure was covered head to toe in flowing black and purple clothing. He held the haft a of a glaive in his right hand. He held it easily in one hand, thought it looked like fighting would require both hands. He turned toward them as heard them coming down the hall.

Durgaden called ahead of them, "You best have an invitation to the mines handy!"

The figure stood to its full height. Though its hood disguised its appearance at this distance it had the build of a tall well built human male. His voice called out congenially, "I was not aware that I needed an invitation to explore old ruins."

"You do if its these ruins. These mines are mine! I claim them by the right of me forefathers!" Durgaden puffed up a bit.

The figure seemed a bit taken aback at first. He took a step or two close, calling out across the fifty feet that still seperated them. "So you are a descendant of Tethyamar then?" Durgaden eased closer as well, so as not to yell as much.

"No, but me father's father's father worked here filling the mug of every dwarf with the finest brew."

Tanerus and Amador exchanged glances.

"And since no one else has come to claim them, I have."

"I see, what is your name them Master Brewer?" asked the cloaked figure.

"Durgaden Alepounder. What be yours?"

"You can call me Clariburnus." The figure bowed, took another couple steps. The area around him seemed to darken as he moved.

"Thats close enough, drop the polearm and you can come closer."

"Very well." He casually laid aside his weapon then took a few steps closer.

"Where are you from?"

"West of here." He strode a bit closer. This close the adventurers could make out his dusky skin, almost black in some places. He was a Shadovar! One of the inhabitants of the City of Shade. The war with the City of Shade had ended with the City in near ruins, but still intact, anchored over the desert. The Shadovar had stayed within the desert's confines since then, sending only a few of their numbers out of the desert at any one time. They were none to be ruthless to non-Shadovar who dared enter their territory, with the single exception of the Bedine people.

Durgaden gaped a moment then said, "What does a Shadovar want with me mines?"

"We have interest in anything that threatens our borders." It was true the mines were right on the border of the desert.

"We be no threat to the desert."

"You aren't but others working here are."

Tanerus called out, "You mean the Zhentarim."

"No, the Zhentarim have not crossed the line yet. And when they have in the past, we have destroyed them. Bane's lackeys do not concern us much."

Tanerus called out, "There are lines and then there are lines ."

Clariburnus nodded, "Indeed."

"So who are you after then? Someone else from within me mines?" Durgaden seemed perturbed that more people were using his mines.

"Not from within your mines, friend dwarf, but beyond. They have come through your mines though. My agents tell me there is a greater danger then these Zhentarim. The Zhentarim are working with someone, and I don't mean the pile of Thayans you left outside."

Amador frowned, "Then who?"

Clariburnus seemed to shrug a bit, "Someone is collecting things. The Axe that resided in the building outside for instance."

"You can be guaranteed, anything that resided here will return here. We will see to that."

Clariburnus nodded, "I see. Well you have your work cut out for you then."

"Perhaps you be wishing to help us then? Help rid the mines of the Zhentarim." Durgaden grinned a bit.

Clariburnus smiled, "As much as I would enjoy that, as I have said, the Zhentarim have not crossed the line yet. I can not aid you." Clariburnus kept looking over at Tanerus who was staring intently at him.

Amador said, "We need to find out who this collector is." He was gripping his bow tightly, his knuckles turning white at the mention of this 'Collector'. Something was obviously bothering the normally stoic elven priest.

"I would suggest you ask the Zhents then, since they are the ones that sold the collector the Axe."

Durgaden nodded, "Sounds good to me. Once the mines are in good dwarven hands again perhaps we can make some sort of arrangement with your people. Surely you know of the quality metals that used to flow from this mine."

Clariburnus seemed intrigued. "Indeed. We would be interested in these metals, but not your worked items. We have no need for dwarven craftsmanship."

Drugaden frowned, "You have a problem with dwarven craftsmanship?"

Clariburnus held up his hands, "No, just no need for it. We are an ancient people with a long tradition of craftsmanship of our own. Even the best of your dwarven craft masters can not duplicate the Netherese arts. Your craftsmen are the best of their time, friend Alepounder. Our craftsmen just are not of this time. Shadows are eternal." Clariburnus grinned gently at the last statement.

Durgaden seemed placated. "Well, there is plenty to do till then. We were about to have a bite to eat and get some rest. Join us?"

Clariburnus tried to not seem disgusted by the thought, and only barely hid it. "No, thank you. I shall not keep you any longer. I am sure we will be seeing each other again."

Clariburnus shifted his gaze back to Tanerus, held his gaze for a moment then glanced to Amador.

Durgaden nodded, "Good day then."

Clariburnus turned and walked toward one wall. He held his hand out toward his glaive, and the shadows flickering in the corridor seemed to become solid. They lifted his weapon into his grasp then cloaked themselves around him. By the time he walked into the wall he seemed nothing but a shadow himself, a shadow that dissappeared into the wall.

 

[Wraithdrit]

Session Five (Epilogue)

Tanerus called out, "There are lines and then there are lines ."

Clariburnus nodded, "Indeed."

Tanerus called upon his special ghostwise halfling gift of telepathy now that he was close enough to the Shadovar.

"The Zhentarim's time is limited Perhaps certain exchanges could be arranged for "hidden" work."

Clariburnus answered the halfling, the telepathy not seeming to bother him in the slightest, "What is your name halfling?"

Tanerus gave his name.

"What do you have to offer me?"

"I am 'finder' of things lost. I oppose the efforts of the Zhentarim."

"The Zentarim are of little concern. Bane's lackeys hold nothing to the power of shadows. The collector concerns me more. Whay are you aiding this dwarf?"

"I am seeking something 'lost' which the Zhentarim helped me 'lose'. I DO NOT fail my employers."

"Employers? What were you hired to find and by whom?"

"The gnomes of Underdell hired me to find a certain gem, a large ruby. The Zhents overwhelmed me and took the gem."

"A dwarven axe, a gnome crystal, interesting."

Clariburnus shifted his gaze back to Tanerus, held his gaze for a moment then glanced to Amador.

"A cleric of Lolth passed through and died. I would find the identity of the collector for you in exchange for an initiation into the secrets of shadow."

"This is acceptable. I will be in touch soon. Gather what information you can."

Durgaden nodded, "Good day then."

Clariburnus turned and walked toward one wall. He held his hand out toward his glaive, and the shadows flickering in the corridor seemed to become solid. They lifted his weapon into his grasp then cloaked themselves around him. By the time he walked into the wall he seemed nothing but a shadow himself, a shadow that dissappeared into the wall.

 

[Wraithdrit]

More Session Five OOC Info

Thats pretty much how Session Five's end played out. We had one conversation, then Tanerus' player and I had a second one that took place during the telepathy conversation. The Shadovar are an interesting villain race, though like many of the FR villains you can really crawl inside of them and see them from a different light if you take off the Good vs Evil glasses that confine most D&D games.

Again this session I rolled most of my dice rolls outside of my screen. We all talked about this, and generally seem to like it. I am not fudging any dice rolls, so if they die, they know the dice did it and not me!

The elemental fight was very fun. Poor Durgaden got set on fire, but nothing was very damaged. Amador nailed a perfect use of Dismissal, making the fight a heck of a lot easier! Tanerus' player's dice were COLD (hold em up to the elementals!) and he could not hit the broadside of a barn, much less the broadside of an elemental, so opted for assists for Durgaden. Hit AC10 and give your friend a +2. Not that Durgaden really needed it, but it allowed Durgaden to shift a full five points from offense to defense (Expertise). Not that THAT really helped Durgaden much as when I hit him it was with rolls of 18s, 19s and 20s on the dice. Each Fire Elemental attack did 2d6+3 slam and 2d6 fire damage. Twice I maxed out the slam damage and one time I maxed out both the slam and fire damage in one shot! 27 points in a single hit.

That'll leave a mark!

All in all the campagin's puzzle pieces seem to be coming together nicely. I have a nice little solo side adventure for Will to play in between now and when we game again (it will probably take place not this, Easter, weekend, but the weekend after). Then we play again the following Monday... assuming everyone's schedules permit.

Also, I still do encourage feedback (private or public). I don't mind a chatty thread, really. So all you lurkers, feel free to post.

- Wraith

 

[Wraithdrit]

Session 5.5

Eleint 27th, 1372 - Will's Apartment, Dagger Falls, just after dusk

The world came into focus and Will stumbled and dropped to his knees. His stomach rolled and he nearly lost its contents. Where am I, he thought. What is going on?

Memories flooded in. Teleportation sickness was common, especially for those unused to the magical process of being completed dissembled and reassembled in a far off location. While a very quick method of travel, many preferred long hours on a horse to the pain, anguish, and sickness teleportation could enduce. Man was just not made for such things.

Will finally got to his feet and looked around. His apartment was in one piece. There was evidence that Gerick had been here. The bed was made, but not the way Will made it. The pillows were on the wrong side of the blanket. The chairs were not all the way pushed into the table. The only thing that did not seem to have been disturbed was the dresser. Will chuckled and walked to the dresser, opened a drawer and got out a change of clothes.

Cleaned up and dressed in fresh clothing, Will set out into the streets of the town. Behind him floated a large disk laden with the spoils of his companion's and his adventures. He walked quickly to his father's villa, keeping an eye out for anyone that would want to take advantage of the situation.

There was a pair of guards outside the villa, they nodded to Will as he passed through, greeting him on his return home. As Will went further into the villa he noticed that everything was relatively quiet. He grabbed a passing servant. "Where is everyone?"

"They are headed to Shadowdale, Master Will. Its almost time for the Harvestide Festival."

Will nodded. Yes, it was getting close. He had forgotten in all the adventures of Tethyamar. His family always went to one of the other dales for most of the festivals. It was a good opportunity to make contacts and expand their business. "Of course. Go tell the captain of the guard that I will be needing a half squad of guards."

"I'll tell him sir, but I doubt he has that many men to spare."

"Probably right. Just have him get me a pair of men then. I don't expect any trouble."

"Yes sir." The servant moved off quickly. Will went to the kitchen and grabbed a quick bite. Soon a pair of the house guards joined him. The three went off into town, the floating disc following behind them.

The first stop was Derison's shop. Derison was an alchemist and the best place in town to get components, offload the odd trinket and pick up a few enchanted odds and ends. The shop was closed, but Will knew that Derison lived in the same building and would not mind opening for the business at hand. He knocked hard on the door, and a few moments passed before the door cracked open slightly.

Derison's features lit up with suprise when he saw who it was that had distrubed him, "Will! Come in! I thought you had left town for a while."

"I had. I'm back for a quick stop before I get back at it." The small group was led into the main room of the shop. A candlabra sat on a table lighting the various strange jars and items lining the shelves all around them.

Derison saw the floating disc and the pile laying atop it. "Well, well. Adventuring has been good to you." Derison got a bit of a far off look. "Ah... I remember those days."

Will smiled, "Interested in the enchanted items? I've got a shield, a suit of plate armor, couple of pairs of bracers..."

Derison nodded, "Of course, I'll take them off your hands for the usual cut." Derison dug through the other contents on the disk. "I'll take it all off your hands my friend." He offered up a number that Will thought was a bit low.

"I'll be needing to get a few things as well, surely you can do better than that."

"Well if you are buying as well, I can give you a bit more. What are you interested in?"

Will listed out the items needed and soon a bargain was struck. The larger bulkier mundane items had been converted to gems of various sizes. Goods exchanged hands and soon Will and his guards took their leave.

The next stop was the sage, Sergio. Like Derison, Sergio's place was closed for the day, but a quick knock brought the sage to the door. "Will! Come in. Its good to see you? How has Tethyamar been treating you?"

Will looked at Sergio strangely, "How did you know thats where I was going?"

"Its my job to know things. You were in here a few days before you left asking if I had anymore books on Tethyamar. It doesn't take much to put the two together."

Will smirked, "Right."

"That and Gerick told me you hooked up with that dwarf." Sergio grinned and Will rolled his eyes. "Hard to keep a secret around here eh?" The trip was not some secret event, but the easy flow of information didn't exactly make Will very comfortable. "So what can I do for you?" Sergio asked.

"I need some information about this..." Will pulled the dwarven gem out of its bag. Sergio whistled.

"Thats impressive." He began taking notes about the gem. "The runes are dwarvish. Protection and power. I would say the enchantment laid upon the gem is one similar to the items that power elven Mythals. It is intended to power a protection spell. I would say probably a long lasting protection spell cast upon the old city."

Will frowned, "Well they obviously didn't work."

Sergio nodded, "Perhaps the gem is not in its proper place. It could very well need to be placed somewhere specific to work."

Will nodded, "We will keep an eye out for something like that. Can you find out something more?"

Sergio kept taking notes, drawing his own rendition of the gem. At the top of the notes he wrote in big letters, "Large Enchanted Gem found in Tethyamar." He looked up and nodded, "Of course, I will do what researching I can, at my standard rate." Will nodded. "But there is something else you may want to know about. This gem is not dwarven in make."

"What? But it has dwarven runes on it, and was found in dwarven ruins." Will seemed a bit shocked and very interested.

"True enough. But these runes, while functionally correct are not carved in the dwarvish style. See the curves on the ends here and here? And the way the depth of the carving varies so as to catch the light in different places? Very nondwarvish. Dwarvish standards would have the rune carved at the same depth all around. Dwarves are very rigid in their standards. And curved ends? On dwarvish runes? Never."

"So who..." Sergio held up a hand, cutting Will off.

"See these cuts in the facets of the gem? Here and here. Very tiny, very ornate. Few races make these cuts. And even fewer did in the day this gem was crafted. What you have here is an artifact of halfling craftsmanship." Sergio beamed.

"Halfling?!" Will shook his head.

"Legends say the last ruler of the Mines of Tethyamar was a mighty dwarven warrior who was an adventurer before a ruler. His best friend, a human elementalist or evoker. The two retired together as ruler and chamberlain, but had cut quite a name for themselves, including a fairly famous rescue of a local halfling community. Perhaps what you have here is a gift for such great deeds. I will see what else I can find out for you."

Will smiled, "Excellent. Do so, I have more to do tonight, so I will bid you good night."

Will roused a final merchant from his off hours activities, and had his disk now laden with supplies when he stopped at the Temple of Tyr. An acolyte approached him upon entry, "Can I help you sir?"

"Yes, I need to see High Priest Tunfar. Its rather important."

"Can I say who is calling on him?"

"William Farseeker." At the mention of his family name the acolyte nodded and turned to walk off.

Soon a large man clad in casual clothing with a large tabbard thrown over the top came from the back rooms of the temple. On the tabbard was the symbol of Tyr. Tunfar the Stout was the most powerful priest in all of Dagger Falls.

"Will, its good to see you. What seems to be the problem?" Tunfar shook Will's hand.

Will pulled forth the Lolthian holy symbol. "This." He presented it to Tunfar who immadietly wrinkled his nose and took the item, holding it by the cloth that Will had it wrapped in.

"How revolting. Just what we need, more drow. Where did you get this?"

Will related his story then continued with, "More drow?"

"Aye... a few days ago a raiding band of the black skinned bastards hit some of the farms to the south of town. Slaughtered twelve farmers, burned four farms to the ground. If it hadn't been for the hand crossbow bolts and a survivor that successfully hid we would not have even known it was drow." Tunfar did not look pleased.

"With the distance between the forest you found her in and here, I would not think these events related, but I will have to confer with Randal anyways. I will take care of disposing of this for you." He closed the cloth around the holy symbol.

"Just out of curiousity, what will be done with the metal?"

Tunfar frowned, "It will be consumed with the evil it contains."

Will nodded, "As I thought. My dwarven companion will be distraught, but what must be done, must be done."

Tunfar nodded, "Good luck to you Will, and if you hear more about the dark elves, please inform me."

"I will." Will left, his guards and the disk in following him. He headed back to his apartment. He was so looking forward to sleeping in his own bed.

Coming in a couple of hours, Session 6- Prologue. Tonight is Session 6, and that means tomorrow Session 6 logs will start.

 

[Wraithdrit]

Session 6 - Prologue

Warning: Violence ahead, enough to at least warrant PG-13. You have been warned.

Eleint 27th, 1372 - Throne Room, City of Shade, Midnight

It was the busy time of the night. Throngs of shades, their followers, and companions mingled about the room. Soft light lit a few of the areas, allowing just enought ambient light that those who could not see perfectly in the dark would not run into the others.

The guards at the door opened the twin massive double doors and in strode Clariburnus. His glaive was not visible, but there was no doubt that the shade was deadly still. No one paused in his path, scurrying quickly to the side if he happened to walk in their way. Only thirteen other shades warranted that kind of treatment.

Clariburnus strode toward the darkest portion of the room. This time it was one far corner. The Lord of Shade listened intently to a pale elven woman that stood before him. His features were not even visible, though his general hieght and form were. Despite his seeming anonymity the power he radiated demanded reverence from all those around him.

The pale elven woman continued, "... she bled out right there." The entire group erupted into laughter. Clariburnus assumed it was some sort of punch line to a witty story. How wonderful for them, enjoying the comforts of court while he works feverishly to ensure all of their survivals.

Clariburnus stopped behind the group and waited. A few people began to talk, but something about the Lord of Shade made them stop in midsentence or even midword. He turned toward Clariburnus. "You bring news already?"

Clariburnus bowed low. He needn't kneel this time since the setting was a bit less formal. The City had strict rules on what ettiquette was appropriate at a particular time. "Yes m'lord."

The inky dark form moved toward Clariburnus. People backed quickly out of the way lowering their heads. "Tell me." A pair of guards settled on either side of the pair as they walked. The Lord of Shade was leading Clariburnus somewhere it seemed.

"The group seems rather newly formed, still getting a handle on themselves."

"Lucky amateurs then?"

"Hardly. They are deadly, m'lord. One claims ownership of the mines." Clariburnus matched his masters step, gliding just as silently and easily along as they left the throne room and ventured up a massive, ornate spiral staircase.

"Interesting, go on."

"They were easy enough to find. Follow the noise and the swath of destruction they left behind. While not always the most subtle I think they have great potential. They could definately be useful in the current situation."

"I see. And how do we guide them in the way we want them to go?" The Lord of Shade had reached a large ornate doorway. Guards in front of the double doors opened them to admit the pair. They strode across the chamber, dark boots landing on finely laid green marble floors, turned inky black from years in the Plane of Shadow.

"One of them contacted me, mentally. He wants to learn our ways."

"Really? You think this human worthy."

"Halfling m'lord."

"Hafling?" The Lord of Shade actually chuckled. "Truely interesting."

"I have a few other ideas on how we could turn this to our advantage..." Doors to a balcony swung open and the pair stepped out onto the large stone platform. The railing was missing in places, fresh damage from the fight with the Chosen that had nearly plunged the city to the desert floor. Below workers clamored over many different buildings, repairing, building and renovating most of the city. Overhead flights of dire bats glided on the hot winds of the desert.

The Lord of Shade took the progress in and then turned toward Clariburnus. "Very well, my son. What are these ideas?"

Eleint 27th, 1372 - Dagger Falls, midnight

Joseph stopped at his regular spot on the wall. He scanned the empty field below the town walls. Another quiet night on patrol. He longed to be on the patrol in the southern farm lands, hunting the drow raiders that had hit a few days ago. Randal Morn had called it a random act of violence by a people consumed with hatred for anything but themselves. Still many people wanted to see something done.

So Morn had called for volunteers to work some overtime, patrolling the farms to the south of the river. Joseph had volunteered, but so had every other member of his unit. Needless to say he had not been picked. He sighed and rubbed the upper portions of his arms, trying to get the blood flowing a bit better.

Something crunched out in the middle of the empty field. Joseph snapped out of his daydreaming and dropped down to take cover behind the defenses, his crossbow ready and aimed at the middle of the field where he had heard the noise. He scanned slowly, but saw nothing. Finally deciding it must have been some sort of field animal Joseph relaxed and straightened a bit.

As he turned to continue his route along the wall a dark figure rose up to beside him on the wall, floating in mid air. Joseph began to spin. He began to scream. He began to lift his crossbow. He never had time to finish any of the actions. His eyes locked on the purple eyes of a female drow elf clad in finely wrought elven chainmail. She was almost beautiful. Her eyes were just a bit too angry to be pretty. Her sneer was just too vicious, and it made the rest of her features seem downright demonic.

In a flash reality snapped back into full speed and the drow was faster than the human could ever hope to be. She lashed out with a dagger, slicing through Joseph's throat. The guard stumbled back a few steps his blood running down his neck. His crossbow clattered to the stone floor beneath his feet. His corpse followed it close behind.

The drow hooked a rope onto the edge of the wall and dark figure after dark figure quickly clambered up onto the wall. Joseph's dead eyes stared at the figures, the only witness to group of over a dozen that breeched the town's defenses.

The flesh around the wound in Joseph's neck sizzled, burning away as some sort of awful magic ate away at the flesh. The acid burned all the way through his neck before it finally stopped sizzling. The loose head was kicked by the groups second in command as he got his footing after climbing onto the wall. He smirked as he watched the head roll to a stop against the upper portions of the wall a few feet away.

The large group moved swiftly toward their target, ignoring the rest of the darkened houses. They reached the front of the target building without any incident. Warriors flanked the doorway. The female chanted a soft spell, then touched the closest warrior. She nodded to him and he spun and kicked in the door. Absolutely no noise was made by the door being kicked in, her enchantment masking any noise around him. Several of the drow streamed into the residence.

Flashes of light were seen from inside, first white then red, and then nothing but silence and darkness.

Inside the first drow was greeted by a magical trap that guarded the door. He felt the white fire burst up around him, but his natural resistance to magic held and he barreled through. The first of his companions to follow him was not as lucky. The unearthly flames leapt from the first warrior to the second. His scream was silenced by the bubble of silence around the first warrior. It was obvious to the third drow through that the spell had been expended on the warrior in front of him, nothing but a charred husk remained.

The first drow continued through the first room rushing around a large table with papers strewn about on top. He threw his shoulder into the door of the second room. It noisely broke away and the warrior lifted his hand crossbow to fire. Just outside of the silence bubble the figure standing beside the bed already had a wand pointed at him. Several globes of energy burst forth from the tip of the wand and spiralled individually into him. They easily punched through his protections and scorched thier way straight through his chest, leaving a craterous hole there.

The dead warrior's momentum threw him forward. He slid to a halt a few feet in front of the wizard. As more drow streamed in past him the wizard attempted to use the wand again, but the silence now enveloped him as well. When the command word died on his lips, so did his chances of survival. He slowly lowered the wand as the group streemed in and fanned out, most of them pointing hand crossbows at him.

In the front room, the female strode to the table. A pair of warriors flanked the smashed door to the outside. She looked down at the tabletop and pushed a few papers this way and that till she found one that caught her interest. She made a quick few motions with her hands, motions that where echoed along the lines till the two warriors closest the surrendered wizard saw them. They quickly lowered their hand crossbows and grabbed the wizard by each arm and hauled him forward. One snatched his wand from him and tossed it to the groups second in command.

The male examined the wand, snorted silently and tucked it into his belt.

The human was forced to his knees in front of the drow female. She turned towards him, and smiled. She made more motions with her hands, then pointed to the carcass of the drow with the silence spell still in effect on him. A pair of the other warriors grabbed him and tossed the carcass into a corner, freeing the woman and her captive from the effects of the spell.

"Where did you learn of this?" She held up the parchment and stabbed the image of the gem with a single finger.

Sergio paled, "A... a farmer said that ..."

She spoke alien words quickly and easily, and touched his forehead. Pain ripped through his mind and a single deep wound ripped open along his forehead, back into his scalp and down his nose and through one cheek. She purred, "Try again."

He grit his teeth against the pain. If he screamed she would kill him instantly. He had to get away. He had to warn everyone. "An... adventurer..."

She drew one finger along the opened cut, "Name and location?"

He wimpered and nearly passed out at the pain. "I can't..." She drew a dagger out and spun the blade in front of him. He could see the acid clinging to its surface, it sizzled when exposed to the air.

"This goes into the wound next. Tell me now, and I may kill you quickly." Sergio had not been an adventurer for long. It was cause he hated discomfort. He had retired with his meager earnings and lived a life of comfortable research. Pain, distress, and torture were just not things that he stood up against well.

He quickly gave up the information. "His name is William Farseeker... he is one of the Farseeker sons.... his family villa is on the east side of town... and he has an apartment on Westcrook Road. He said he got it in Tethyamar... he must have teleported into town to return so quickly, he has probably teleported back by now, he has the gem... you may as well go to Tethyamar if you want it." He looked hopefully at her, thinking with that much information she might spare his life.

She smiled, "Good..." She looked up to a pair of mutilated forms that perched in the corner. Long toungues hissed out of their mouth and bloody, visible muscles writhed over their forms. They stood taller under her gaze, awaiting her command. "You may have him." Sergio wrenched around to look at the creatures and began to scream, one of the creatures swiped a clawed hand across his face before the scream ever reached his lips. The drow holding Sergio let go and backed off as the two creatures consumed the poor sage quickly and efficiently.

The female turned to her second in command. "I'm going to assume that this family villa has a vault like our villas do. I will go there with the primary team and find the gem. That is where I would have kept it. You take the secondary team and make sure he is not at the apartment. Be quick and we will meet back at the crypts. Above all else, find me this gem!" She handed him the blood spattered page with the gem drawn on it, so as to recognize what he was looking for.

He nodded and whispered, "Yes mistress."