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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Eridanis" data-source="post: 628359" data-attributes="member: 275">Session 35 - To be a bee or not to be a beeThis session, Tanthril's player rejoined us as Grimtooth the dwarven monk. We knew he wouldn't be available every session to play, but we were glad to have him (and his monk's fists) at the table.Garrett's Journal:Nicoli and Kellan were working on getting the giant sized door opened when Drake heard the muffled cries from back down the hall. Determining that the magical barrier would hold, we headed back to find the source of the noise. I quickly dispatched the lock on the cell and found a scantily clad (Not a term I like using for men) dwarf covered with many strange tattoos. The dwarf, Grimtooth, offered to assist us in return for releasing him from his prison; however, the group seemed concerned that with no equipment he would be more of a burden than a help. Grimtooth assured us that his body was his weapon (what ever that means) and his power came from the devilish marking on his skin. With time running out on Nicoli's divination we agreed to take him with us. Grimtooth quickly showed his worth by assisting in opening the first of many giant sized doors. Still wanting to prove my worth, I offered to scout ahead since I was still invisible from Rodrigo's  spellcasting. After a brief discussion with Nicoli on which way to go I headed off a quickly and as quietly as possible. As fate would have it, my scouting ahead saved the party a nasty encounter. Standing just inside the first room I approached were two giant sentries waiting for intruders to approach.  Luckily the giants didn't see my approach, but as I turned to leave, the contents in my pack "adjusted," causing enough noise to notify the already alert sentries. Two monstrous swords slammed down right where I was standing. One swing missed badly, crashing into the stone wall, causing shards of rock and dust to splatter against me. The second swipe grazed my arm, but with enough force to knock me back  a few feet.In the blink of an eye my whip was out and I was engaging the attackers, five quick lashes from my whip struck various vital spots on my target. My flurry of attacks must have been wondrous to see, if I wasn't invisible, and my initial assault had one of the giants bleeding from multiple wounds. Two giants against an invisible halfling, of my stature, is hardly fair; and once the rest of the party showed up to assist me the giants went down rather quickly. After the battle was concluded the party decided it might be best to try to lure the other giants into combat on our terms instead of being surprised by them. Jorie worked his druidic magic and the ground became filled with vicious stone spikes making the hallway very difficult to traverse. Nicoli prayed for a fly spell, then he and I flew above the spikes looking for other giants to defeat. Unfortunately all of our preparation went to waste. Nicoli and I were unable to find any other giants so Nicoli left me to shuttle the remaining party members across the hall of spikes.Nicoli's divination led us up a large shaft and into a long cavern. We traveled down this corridor for hours until Nicoli announced that his spell had expired. Deciding that we had nothing better to do, the party continued down the tunnel for what seemed like an eternity until we came to a strange cavern. A foreign and evil looking altar rested in one corner of the room, two large pillars separated the cavern  and at the far end was a giant sized metal statue next to a small closed door. Again wanting to prove my usefulness I stealthfully crept into the room and searched the altar and pillars for any signs of a trap. Even though my searches came up empty I still had a bad feeling about this room. Having utmost confidence in my skills I bravely walked through the pillars to study the large metal statue. Unfortunately my intuition had been right; I hadn't made it five feet past the pillars when the statue came to life and started lumbering towards me. The giant construct took a swing at me and surprisingly was barely able to make contact with me. The first thought through my mind was, wow this thing doesn't hit so hard. I should be able stand toe to toe with him for a little bit. With blinding speed I landed four solid shots on the metal behemoth and much to my chagrin the construct seemed to shrug off every single hit. That is when the little bell went off in my mind warning me that this might not have been the smartest thing I could have done. Boy was that an understatement, if the construct had been alive it would have smirked at me as it plodded up next to me and struck me three times in quick succession. My body practically went into shock from the sheer force of the blows. In retrospect the only thing that saved me was Rodrigo's spell that boosted my endurance, without that I would have dropped right there. Fortunately, for me, that didn't happen as I moved back to the cavern entrance as quick as possible. Kellan, Nicoli, and Gizmo rushed past me to engage the new threat. I stumbled back next to the wall hoping my new friends would be able to defeat this enchanted statue.The battle seemed to be heading in our favor as Kellan's magical sword seemed to have an adverse effect on the beast. The lightning from Kellan's sword seemed to slow the statue down making it easy for the party to pick apart. Luck, however was not completely on our side; just when it looked as if the golem was defeated, the magical affect wore off and the construct took out its fury on Kellan. The life was extinguished from Kellan's body like a candle in a typhoon. This was the final blow for the construct as the party seemed to gain strength from their fallen comrade. After the smoke had cleared and the dust had settled, the group decided to head back to Verbobonc to try to raise Kellan. Drake, Grimtooth, Nicoli and myself teleported back to the druid grove, while Jorie, and Rodrigo teleported back to town. The rest of the party arrived that evening and we began formulating our plan to get back into the mountain fortress. Drake used his magical abilities to scry into the cavern. Much to our dismay the room was occupied with an assortment of trolls and human bandits. This made us rethink our plans. Nicoli then offered to cast a spell of "augury" to confer with his deity on the current crisis. I found it a very strange name for a spell because arguing with a divine power should be near the bottom of one's to do list. After asking a series of questions we decided it would be best to think about the answers we received and discuss it in further detail in the morning. From the Collected Letters of Sir Kellan Evershar:After dispatching the trolls and giants, Nikolai cast find the path in hopes of locating the queen bee. One of the giants' prisoners, Grimtooth the dwarven monk, accompanied us as we pushed further into the mountain. Nik's spell led us to a huge open shaft we had to ascend; between Nik's flying and Garrett's movement skills, we made our way up, then through a portcullis blocking our way (the actuation switch being just out of the reach of Garrett's whip, Jorie changed form to be able to fly through the bars, then changed form again to raise the gate). The passageway narrowed, turned into a tunnel, and ran for miles though the earth, eventually widening out into a large room, occupied by a huge iron statue, several crystals along the wall, and a large pair of doors at the far end. We suspected the statue was a golem, and after Garrett scouted the room and found no other way through, one of us stepped in to the room. The iron golem activated, and while Nik, Garrett, an I were able to occupy it for some time, I made the mistake of not hitting it with my sword, slowing it with electric energy; it turned on me, and killed me with one blow. (Certainly, it had nothing to do with Jaag's boots being unlucky ... or did it?)It was Heironeous's wish for me to return here to continue with my quests. I relay to you, in the strictest confidence, what his servants said to me in critiquing my performance as his paladin: I concentrate on abiding by the law, and need to actively do more good in the world. I was somewhat taken aback, as I thought I was doing my best to do just that, but I must ponder what I am doing wrong. I think I need to purge myself of anger, be more willing to bend the rules (c.f. my experiences with the mongrelmen), and be smarter and wiser in fighting my foes. With this wisdom, I was returned to my mortal body. I now know a little of what Jaag knew on his visits to the afterlife; it is very difficult to come back here, knowing the camaraderie and peace that waits on the other side. Nevertheless, back to my duty I go, happy to do what I can in the time I am given.My comrades had seen fit to take me back to Verbobonc for the resurrection; Nikolai, Jorie, Rodrigo, and Nahktibastest came back to perform the needed ritual. Day 19 found us back to the ranch to regroup; Nahktibastet scried the room with her clairvoyant powers, and found 3 fire giants, 4 trolls, and 10 humans on guard in the room where I met my first death. We discussed how to best take out the giants and trolls, while giving the humans (supposedly under compulsion to serve) an opportunity to flee. Rod assured us he could construct his fireballs in such a way as to not permanently harm the humans (I was skeptical, but willing to try it); the monk could deal subdual damage to them if they tried to attack; and certainly we could heal any who were injured. With our plan ready, we teleported into the waiting battle.Drake's Journal:Nikolai called upon his powers to help guide us toward the queen bee, where we hoped to find the mind-controlling leader and to break the enchantment he held over his minions. The path led us up a large air duct where we could stand on only a small ledge as we looked past the locked gate into an empty room.  The heat was becoming unbearable when finally Jorie shapeshifted to get past the bars and reached the lever in the room to open the gate. As we continued to follow Nik, the path led for a great distance deeper into the earth.  I've never known any variety of bee that made their home this deep into the earth.  Perhaps I shall research it at a later time.  Eventually, we came upon a cave.  Along one side was an altar, used for sacrifices I suspect, though of what kind of creatures I dare not say.  Several trolls and giants were present, giving confidence to our suspicions that we were near the queen bee.  And a little off to one side stood a large iron statue, unremarkable except that it moved! We prepared ourselves for battle.  Rod impressed us with his fireballs while Kellan displayed his prowess with his magical sword.  The fire giants and trolls were quick to fall before us.  Garret and I crossed quickly to avoid most of the fighting when only the golem was left to fight.  It seemed the golem was more powerful than anyone had anticipated.  Kellan was finally able to bring it down, where it lay in a lifeless mass.  I can only hope we won't have to encounter another one of those things on the other side of this door.  For now, Nik and Kellan take stock of our wounds and see that we are prepared to face what lies beyond.</blockquote>

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