2-4 Perils of the Underdark
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Background and Summary: The Party of New Dafan joins forces
with the surviving Party of Hobbitika, and follows the trail of
Eldor Merlynus far underground. They encounter Mind Flayers (Illithids),
Derro, and Deep Ones. A significant slave trade in spell casters
is encountered in the City of the Glass Pool; but other than rescuing
Eldor, they merely disrupt the evil hotspot.
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Dafan time:
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161 Novatilis 19 - 162 Janus 22 (November 19 - January
22) |
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Real time:
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2009 November - 2010 July (sessions 138-168) |
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Starting members:
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Mei-Peng
(N6), Vishu
(Mk6), Aknot (F6), X
(MU6), Jett (NtC5/F3), Marek
(T6), Artemisia (B6) |
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New members:
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Taro (F5/T6),
Oðúlfr (NrC5),
BigPig (F5), Taz
(C4/F4), Griswald (F4),
Karg (WrC6), Eillykah
(MU5) |
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(Session 138)
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| Novatilis 19 |
The new, joint Party mulls over how to find
Eldor, now that Antrayna is dead, as she apparently had some peculiar
ability to see his tracks. Karg suggests that someone eat Antrayna's
eyes in order to gain that ability (a simple case of sympathetic magic).
Aknot isn't interested as he wanted an entire meal of Elf; most others
are quite turned off the idea. While the discussion continues, BigPig
simply eats one. And then the other. Nothing happens, however. |
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Various characters leave (Aithra and Aischylos;
Kera, Sarah, and Torgo), and Rehkel and Antrayna's bodies are buried.
It is noticed that the strange tunnel leading back to Dafan has moved
a couple of meters since they first arrived several hours ago. |
| Novatilis 20 |
Oðúlfr
shape-shifts into a wolf, and is able to find tracks of a group of
Elves plus Illithids and Yuan Ti. The Party distributes the useful
possessions of the deceased, and follows the tracks. They come to
where the Quaggoth that killed Antrayna were killed, but find no bodies.
After a day's march, they camp out in the tunnel; over night, 2 Hill
Giants wander into their camp, carrying Quaggoth bodies. A brief battle
ensues; the giants are quickly displatched; BigPig takes the brunt
of the damage (much from an Acid Arrow from X). Soon after
the battle, BigPig finds he can see spots on the ground ... footprints,
perhaps ... Eldor's prints? |
| (S139) |
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| Novatilis 21 |
After many hours, the tracks lead to a bare
rock wall. Taro relates how they also had tracked kidnapped groups
to this point, a few months ago, and that the Svirfneblins say it
is a magical barrier that even they cannot pass. The Party spends
a few hours experimenting with spells, psionics, and weapons to no
avail. Those who physically attack the wall find they are compelled
to move away, and thereafter are unable to return to within 10' of
the wall. They do learn that acid and vinegar have a peculiar affect:
those who had attempted to damage the wall physically receive brief
splitting headaches every time these substances come in contact with
the wall. |
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That evening, 'Sheh contacts X and Jett
via the Telepathy Rings (meaning she is now somewhere on Hobbitika).
She has just learned that her Belt of Giant Strength, which
she had lent to Antrayna, was now considered Party loot; she urges
X and Jett to ensure that the belt is not damaged and eventually returned.
When asked, she is able to cast Commune for the Party and learns
that the wall is indeed unpassable. However, Eldor can be found by
travelling southwards about 300 kilometers. |
| (S140) |
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| Novatilis 22 onwards |
Travel for days through rough passage. Attacked when camping out
by 9 Quaggoth, who are defeated handily. Mei-Peng raises 3 as Zombies,
but they are immediately destroyed by Karg; this leads to a long
debate about the role of Mei-Peng's Zombies (Karg, Taz, and Griswald
arguing against ever having them, Mei-Peng and X arguing for their
usefulness). Once Mei-Peng is able to convince everyone that they
only remain in the Party's midst long enough to rise up and leave,
and that her intention is to send them forward as connon-fodder,
her actions are begrudgingly accepted by all. So she raises 3 more
and sends them ahead to "kill anything they meet." (it
was considered possible that the Zombies would encounter fellow
adventurers, but as they should be able to deal with mere Zombies,
this was considered an acceptable risk.)
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| Novatilis 26 |
Shortly after breakfast, 8 Gargoyles swoop
down upon the Party. Several Party members are grabbed and carried
off; but not far, as X elegantly webs the passageway in both directions.
With not way to escape with their toys, the Gargoyles stick around
and eventually are killed. |
| (S141) |
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| Novatilis 27 |
Griswald decides to explore ahead of the
Party, with the aid of a Fly spell, when it comes to some rough
terrain. Unfortunately, he finds two Wraiths the hard way and loses
a level. He leads the greedy Wraiths back to the Party, where they
are annihilated. Shortly afterwards, 2 grusome corpses are found,
partially dissolved by acid - the Party speculates that the Wraiths
may have come from them. |
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Late in the day, they find some caverns.
Piercers and a Lurker occupy the first. The latter in particular surprises
the Party; Eillykah casts a Lightning Bolt at it from underneath
and almost kills X in the process. Then they battle a forest of fungoid
tentacles hanging from the ceiling; a cloud of spores blind Aknot
and Vishu. |
| (S142) |
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After a brief break for curing, BigPig and
Oðúlfr (in wolf form) explore "just a bit further".
BigPig is surprised by and Invisible Stalker that pounds him repeatedly.
As the rest of the Party races in, 2 enormous wasps attack as well.
And then confusion descends upon the Party, in the form of a Confusion
spell. More than half the Party is affected. Artemisia almost kills
X, BigPig almost kills Oðúlfr while ignoring the Stalker
that nearly finishes him off, and so on. Mei-Peng puts a pair of manacles
to good use, hand-cuffing a belligerent Marek to Artemisia who is
intent simply to walk away. After a few rounds of mayhem, the Wasps
and the Stalker are killed; but several Party members are in poor
shape, half have wandered back the way they came, and healing is in
very limited supply. |
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A booming voice from the dark suddenly commands
the survivors to surrender or die. Jett and Taz hedge their bets,
asking what the foe wants; the voice states that he wants all of the
gear off the Party's mages, as he is looking for something. Oðúlfr
pretends to be merely a pet wolf and with wagging tail sniffs his
way towards the voice; he runs into a second Invisible Stalker and
is pulverised; Oðúlfr is killed. Taz tosses a light
rock in the direction of the voice (revealing an unarmoured human
- likely a Mage of some sort) and tries to go and help Oðúlfr
(not realising he is already dead), but told to get back to work rouding
up mage gear; she complies, but slowly and stalling for time with
conversation. |
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Suddenly BigPig (at -2 hit points) and Eillykah
(both confused) charge the Mage, whose name they have learned is Kranin.
Not only do they catch him off guard (and Eillykah even hurts him!),
they provide a distraction for Vishu, who is able to sneak up; once
in close, Vishu's attacks prevent the Mage from casting any more spells
(all the while being pummelled by the second Stalker). Jett and Taz
join in and, together with one last random attack by BigPig, kill
the Mage and the Stalker. |
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A few rounds later, the confusion effect
begins to wears off, and the Party is able to regroup and loot Kranin.
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| (S143) |
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Discussion ensues as to what to do about
Oðúlfr's body. The nearest, known, high-level Cleric capable
of raising the dead is is Carmaneren - a good 7-8 days back the way
they came. Looting his body, however, reveals a necklace that allows
the wearer to cast Wind Walk once per day - the Party doesn't
know much about that powerful spell, but thinks it allows for rapid
travel for a few people. In the meantime, Speak with Dead is
cast by Mei-Peng on Kranin's body and learn some things about him.
Taz argues that he may deserve better treatment than to be left for
dead - while he did attack first, he appears to have been hiding from
the Illithids, likely as an escaped kidnapping victim; however, Karg
in particular argues against any effort to raise Kranin. In the end,
the Party decides to leave him dead over Taz's objections. |
| Novatilis 27 |
The next day Karn, Eillykah (who can speak
Gnomish), and Aknot (for added security) take Oðúlfr's
body and Wind Walk back to the Deep Gnomes, expecting to be
gone at least 4 days. The rest of the Party stays put in Kranin's
cavern. X tries to arrange for 'Sheh to meet with the travellers at
the Gnomes; she may be needed to raise Oðúlfr, maybe she
can be convinced to join the Party, and she can recover her Belt of
Giant Strength that the Party had looted off Antrayna. (As it turns
out, 'Sheh is unable to get to the Gnomes - the magical tunnel linking
the two worlds has vanished.) |
| Novatilis 28 |
Taro and Griswald spend their time exploring
the caverns in which they had recently battled. In a far corner, they
find a large moving blob - a Black Pudding. A few people think this
makes for good target practice; but their arrows only seem to make
the blob split up, leading to several large blobs that ooze their
way towards the lovely food. Various spells are cast, and the Party
learns that Lightning Bolts also harmlessly split the blobs; but fire
does a good job. In the end, the Party kills all the blobs. |
| Dectilis 1 |
Meanwhile, Karm, Eillykah, and Aknot reach
the Deep Gnomes. Oðúlfr is raised. |
| (S144) |
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The rest of the Party wakes up and finds
everyone is wearing a red and white toque. Removing a toque results
in a new one appearing immediately upon ones head. X removes 75 and
makes a comfy bed, and announces that she's not doing anything else
for the day; Mei-Peng, Artenisia, Grizwald, and Taz each remove similar
amounts and do the same. |
| Dectilis 2 |
Toques all disappear in the morning. Boredom
quickly sets in, and the Party goes looking for trouble. They find
a ragged old man who yells at them to "go away". The Party
refuses, and finds out the hard way that they're dealing with something
much tougher than they thought - a Rakshasa - and nearly lose Jett
and X. |
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(S145)
(2010 Jan)
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Explore rest of this set of large caverns
(including one that appears to contain a shrine to Juiblex, demon
lord of Slimes and Oozes - oops), then decide to settle down and wait
for the return of those who went to the Gnomes. Supper is interrupted
by the arrival of two more Black Puddings; most remaining fire resources
are used up. |
| (S146) |
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| Dectilis 3 |
With some time on their hands, and several
party members in need of training, some in-field training is done
over the next few days. Griswald learns from Taro and Jett learns
from BigPig and Taro. |
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'Sheh contacts X and Jett and informs them
that the tunnel back to Dafan has vanished; she is again on Hobbitika
(via Plane Shift), but nowhere near the surface lands near
where is the Party (based on the knowledge of the above-ground of
Taro's group). The Party asks 'Sheh to cast Commune and learns
a bit more about how to find Eldor. |
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Meanwhile, Oðúlfr has recovered
sufficiently and his group attempt to return. However, they find that
his necklace will not work - it cannot take 4! Oops. After some discussion,
Oðúlfr volunteers to stay behind, on the assumption that
someone will return in a few days to retrieve him. |
| Dectilis 4 |
In the afternoon, Karn, Eillykah, and Aknot
arrive in the caverns via Wind Walk. They find markings pointing
which way the rest of the Party has gone ("I thought they were
going to wait for us!", they say). It involves crossing a partially
flooded tunnel - the others could use Fly spells, but Eillykah
lacks that spell. She uses Spider Climb to scout ahead, at
least to determine how far goes the water. She misjudges how far to
go, and the spell runs out shortly before she returns to dry land
and falls into the water. She is quickly attacked by translucent beings
that do acid damage and cause paralysis. Karg cannot swim, so Aknot
jumps in to rescue Eillykah; but he is quickly paralysed. Karg is
able to haul them both ashore, but not before Eillykah is reduced
to -9. |
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The commotion in the water attracts the
attention of the rest of the party a few caverns ahead. X flies back
and finds Karg guarding over 2 paralysed and acid-eaten comrades.
When Aknot recovers, X casts Fly on him and the two transport
the other two back to the rest of the Party. X and Mei-Peng then casually
dump painful spells into the water and eventually kill off the translucent
beings that had attacked Eillykah; even when corpses, of a sort, are
retrieved, they have no idea what they were. |
| Dectilis 5 |
Taz and Bigpig use Oðúlfr's necklace
and Wind Walk back to the Deep Gnomes. The Party again vows
to stay put and wait for them. At least now they have some training
activity to keep them busy ... |
| (S147a) |
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| Dectilis 7 |
Two Gargoyles try to fly through the cavern
in which the Party is resting. Rather than let them go, the Party
attacks and kills them. Griswald runs into the area of affect of Mei-Peng's
Necrotising Fasciitis, takes offence, and charges at her; various
Party members intervene; bickering ensues. He makes it clear that
he does not approve of Mei-Peng's profession, and refuses to agree
not to kill her in the future. |
| Dectilis 8 |
Taz, BigPig, and Oðúlfr return.
Party heads off down a passageway that leads to Eldor (according to
'Sheh's information). |
| (S148) |
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| Dectilis 10 |
The Party comes to a large section of passage
filled with giant insect-like carcass debris, and huge holes in the
floor, walls, and ceiling - speculation is that giant worms frequent
the area. And indead, a Purple Worm arrives and tries to eat the Party.
Eillykah is poisoned by its tail stinger, but cured by Jett; X accidently
fries herself, Mei-Peng, and Karg with an errant Lightning Bolt; otherwise,
the beast is killed without difficulty. Inside the worm is found the
semi-digested remains of an Illithid; Mei-Peng casts Speak with Dead
on the corpse, and learns that Eldar is in some city nearby, in which
live Illithids, Kuo-Toa, and Derro. |
| Dectilis 11 |
The Party decides to proceed more cautiously
now. Vishu is decked out with various magical devices in order to
scout ahead (including Rehkel's Boots of Speed). A few hours
on, she comes across a few people coming her way who look like adventurers;
one in particular looks very unsavoury. Vishu senses that she is being
followed by someone/thing she cannot see, and so runs back to report.
En route, she almost runs into a Spectre; having no magic weapons,
and barely able to outrun it, she returns to the Party. A short battle
ensues; Mei-Peng's attempt to control the Spectre only draws its attention,
and she loses 2 levels before the Party can annihilate it. |
| (S149) |
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Later that afternoon, the Party is surprised
by the people that Vishu spotted. BigPig, Aknot, and Griswald -- all
of the pure Fighters -- are paralysed, and most of the rest of the
Party are fireballed and then webbed. Several Party members are mangled,
but no one dies; and the opposition is defeated. One invisible opponent,
however, flees. |
| (S150) |
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One opponent is not quite dead, and revived
by Taz. Mei-Peng charms her, and obtains some useful information.
The attackers were employed by Illithids to kidnap spellcasters from
the surface and take them through this passageway to the City of the
Glass Pool, which lies a few days ahead. In the city, they saw a Part-Elf
named Eldor; he was noteworthy in that, despite being a captive, he
had been given a laboratory in which to work on some special project.
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Meanwhile, Oðúlfr takes Aknot
and BigPig via Wind Walk to chase down the opponent who fled.
Not seeing her after a few hours of flight, and realising that she
might still be invisible, they decide to go a bit further and lay
a trap. Unfortunately, they fly straight into a group of Illithids
and short Dwarf-like beings (Derro?). Before Oðúlfr can
reverse (Wind Walk not being the most manouverable means of
travel), Aknot and BigPig are stunned by psionic blasts. Oðúlfr
resists all blasts, but realises his mind is being read; he finally
gets the flight going, departs quickly, and breaks the connection.
|
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A few minutes later, Aknot and BigPig regain
their senses. Part way back to the Party, they decide to halt and
lay their trap. Oðúlfr puts up a sleep Glyph of Warding,
and the three wait in darkness. Sure enough, a few hours later someone
invisible collapses in their midst (not that they noticed at first;
but Oðúlfr-as-wolf sniffed out a newcomer). While Oðúlfr-as-wolf
shows where to aim, BigPig kills the sleeper in one swing. They gather
up the corpse, wait a few more hours, and then Wind Walk their
way back to the Party. Examination of the corpse reveals that it is
indeed the sneaky person who had escaped. |
| (S151) |
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| Dectilis 12 |
Thinking that the Illithids and presumed
Derro will come looking for them, the Party plan an ambush. They then
spend more time and effort squabbling over the corpses they've accumulated.
Mei-Peng wants to raise them as Zombies ("useful inventory";
"Necrolympics - how creative can I be in using these bodies?"
). Taz and Karg take offence at any involvement of Undead, and Taz
vows to cut down any that are created. Griswald spends the time chopping
up some of the corpses in order to render them un-raisable (an act
of desecration to some Party members), while BigPig and Aknot feast
on one dead Elf (Marek refuses to cook it, so they eat raw - yum!
Ethnic cuisine!). |
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Another Commune by 'Sheh is arranged.
They learn that Eldor is indeed in the City of the Glass Pool, and
is working on an "Elaborate Nothing"; and the reason for
all the kidnappings of spellcasters from the surface is to further
the Illithids' goal of world domination. |
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Having lost track of the passage of time
since their captive was charmed, the Party is caught off guard when
she suddenly regains her self-determination. Offended by the charm,
she charms Griswald and orders him to kill Mei-Peng. X charms Griswald
and prevents him from killing Mei-Peng, while Vishu, Marek, and BigPig
(over) kill the captive. |
| (S152) |
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After
waiting for a several hours, the Party has company - a dozen Derro
and 2 Illithids attack. At first things do not go well for the Party
- BigPig and Aknot are charmed by the Illithids and immediate attack
the Party spellcasters. BigPig kills Eillykah with one mighty
swing (84 points of damage) and follows through into X (9 more points
of damage). The very last act of Eillykah is to lightning bolt almost
all of the Derro and BigPig - but most resist the magic altogether.
Aknot at first targets Taz (who is in poor shape, incurable from the
battle of the day before), but is distracted by Karg's spellcasting
and attacks him instead (thus likely saving Taz's life). Vishu (also
incurable) solves the Aknot problem by stunning him in one blow. Soon
the Party is handing out critical hits left and right, and the Derro
are massacred (all but one, who is merely wounded; he is cured up
and taken captive). Griswald charges the Illithids, withstands all
of their psionic blasts, charms, and damages one of them; they vanish
(via Plane Shift?), almost taking Griswald with them. A Zombie
that Mei-Peng had hidden also attempted to join in the battle with
the Illithids (perhaps the Illithids are powerless against mindless
undead?), but before it gets there, Taz chops it down. Another argument
ensues. |
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The Party retreats a short distance and
camps out. Just before midnight, 'Sheh contacts X and Jett. She had
just awoken from a strange dream, in which Eldor informed her that
he had tried to contact her a few days before but could not connect;
and she should not attempt to rescue him soon, as it would be too
dangerous and he is busy working on something. In her dream, 'Sheh
was unable to respond or ask questions. In particular, she doesn't
know how much time he meant by "soon". The Party quickly
concludes that this sounds like a trick to convince them to turn back;
and as they are at least three days from the City anyway, they should
continue their advance. |
| (S153) |
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| Dectilis 13 |
Still concerned about the supposed message from Eldor to 'Sheh,
the Party wants more information. They ask 'Sheh to find someone
else who can cast Commune. While she goes hunting, the Party
pushes on. At lunch time, 'Sheh reports that she has located a Luthien
cleric (today named "Fred") who can cast the spell. They
have four questions answered: What is Eldor working on? "a
trick"; How long does he want rescuers to wait? "36.92
days"; Are the Illithids spying on us? "They *should*
be." How can we best defeat Illithids? "Mindless
violence!" What is the best way to rescue Eldor? "CHAOS!"
Perhaps not the most useful answers, they do convince the Party
that Eldor's message was legitimate. This leaves them nearly 37
days to kill; some quick mental calculations by Taro indicates that
they should have just enough time to return to the surface, travel
to Pelios (a nearby small city), and get training and deal with
their impressive treasury.
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| Dectilis 14-19 |
And so without further ado, the Party reverses
and leaves the tunnels. On the way, they encounter a Black Pudding
and a small number of Quaggoth, all of whom are trivial opponents.
They also finally succeed in charming their captured Derro, and learn
much of the City of the Glass Pool and its environs. They also learn
that their furthest point of progress in the tunnels almost put them
in the Derro's home - oops. |
| Dectilis 23 |
Finally arrive at the Deep Gnomes. They
are at first immensely offended that the Party has a Derro, for whom
they have an obsessive hatred. They demand that the Party hand it
over, which they do; the Derro is promptly executed. |
| Dectilis 25 |
The Party reaches the surface, via the basement
of an abandoned fort - a new land for half of the Party. Oðúlfr
uses his Wind Walk necklace to transport Taz and Taro to Pentapolis,
so they can start training as soon as possible (they having double-bumped).
Then takes Jett and Mei-Peng to the Great Sanctuary across the sea;
Jett for training and Mei-Peng for a Restoration. Mei-Peng
then walks to Priene and does some magic item shopping for the Party. |
| Decitlis 28 |
Rest of Party arrives at Pentapolis; trainers
are sought out quickly. |
| (S154) |
|
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Training break: all but Mei-Peng,
Artemisia, and Karg get training. Mei-Peng pays for a Restoration
in order to recover her 2 lost levels. X strikes up a conversation
with a local a Part-Orc Nature Cleric looking for adventure: Vragg
Greelove (NtC 5) joins. Artemisia spends the time learning
about this strange new Greek city and land. Party also now realises
that the Moon has changed here -- as of about 3 months ago, the big
blue Moon of old reappeared; as well, the month has changed from it's
proper 27-2/3 days to 60 days. Considerable economic chaos is arising,
for many transactions are based upon the month. As some locals are
clearly annoyed and/or scared by the change, the Party wisely decides
not to announce that they had a hand in changing the Moon ... |
| (S155) |
|
| Janus 7 |
Party regroups, and returns to the tunnels.
Oðúlfr leaves the Party at this point. |
| Janus 15 |
Party returns to their last campsite underground,
having encountered very little of interest. They pester 'Sheh for
another Commune, which reveals that Eldor is hoping to be rescued
in about 4 days (slightly later than previously reported), and that
there are currently only 5 Illithids in the City of the Glass Pool
(far less than expected). They also learn that Eldor apparently contacted
'Sheh a few days ago, telling her that the Illithids were searching
for some thing named "Odinn's Wolf". ("Just as well
he left us", the Party thinks. :) |
| (S156) |
|
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Pushing on, the Party notices dim light
ahead and realises that it may be the encampment of Illithids and
Derro into which Oðúlfr flew. So emplying a cunning new
plan, they send their heaviest and noisiest members out front as scouts
(BigPig, Aknot, and Griswald), leaving the quietest and sneakiest
members as rearguard. At least BigPig has a ring of Invisibility,
which he activates. Much to their amazement, the enemy is alerted
to the intruders and surprises them. Psionic Blasts from the Illithids
stun many (including BigPig, who wanders aimlessly and invisibly between
the two forces, blocking several crossbow bolts), but Vishu, Aknot,
and Griswald plough through (or jump over) the Derro and take on the
Illithids directly. The tactic works and one Illithid is swiftly killed
before it can flee; but the other vanishes, almost taking Vishu with
it. |
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During the combat, Mei-Peng raised two Derro
corpses as Ghouls; after they help kill the last living Derro, she
commands them to go ahead and kill any other Derro they meet. Griswald
again takes exception to this sort of action, and chops down the Ghouls
before they get anywhere. Another argument breaks out over the raising
of corpses. X is unable to convince Griswald to refrain from such
action, and so she declares that he is "no longer part of the
squadron" but merely a free agent in their midst. Taz and Mei-Peng
continue arguing as the Party carries forward, prompting the forward
members to keep themselves 50-100' ahead of the rest. |
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A few hours later, BigPig thinks he is seeing
glowing spots ... Eldor footprints? Soon after, trouble arrives front
and back ... |
| (S157) |
|
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Behind the party, sounds of combat are heard.
Moments later, various characters are stunned by a Psionic Blast and
a sleet storm hits the entire party, blinding many and icing the ground.
Spell fire is exchanged with the Derro behind the Party, while BigPig
and Aknot attempt to storm up a rise and through the Derro in front
of the Party to get to the Illithid. Vragg is hit by a lightning bolt
while casting a spell, which results in a tiny storm cloud forming
above his head and following him about. When BigPig gets close and
is swarmed by Derro, the Illithid steps forward and sinks its tentacles
into his head. BigPig launches himself back down the rise in hopes
of squashing the Illithid, but it merely delays the dissolving and
digesting of his brains. Finally Vishu makes it across the ice field
and chops the Illithid to bits, while others finish off the Derro.
BigPig is cured but remains unconscious. Mei-Peng performs an autopsy
on the Illithid; she opens the stomach but finds no brains (of BigPig,
that is). |
| (S158) |
|
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Regular cures do not revive BigPig (although
they do mend his physical wounds). Cure Disease from Jett,
however, revives him. Unfortunately, the Party soon realises that
BigPig is nearly brainless - he can barely speak, knows next to nothing,
and even has some difficulty walking. He recognises a few Party members,
and when hungry attempts to eat Marek and Vishu. Mei-Peng quickly
makes a leather muzzle for BigPig, but even Aknot is unable to convince
him to wear it. Aknot tries to convince him that eating dead Derro
is better than living Hobbit; but instead of eating it, BigPig cuddles
the corpse - he now has a dead teddy Derro named Deaddy. When X talks
to BigPig, she finds that her Charm Person is still working
- for better or worse, she has a huge, untrained puppy. |
| Janus 16 |
They push on a short distance and find a
narrow, dead-end side passage and camp out. BigPig is still cuddling
Deaddy. In the morning, they discover that BigPig has a new friend
- a short, hairy humanoid is playing patticake with him. Jett thinks
he recognises the being as a Grugach, an elusive forest guardian creature
- very out of place underground. While playing infant games with BigPig,
the being is quite willing to talk with the Party, and they learn
some things. |
| |
Grugie
says he was “playing hide-and-seek with the ghosts of dawn, waiting
for a smile from a sun child, when out sneaked the Lady in Green and
she sends me to play with Spindly Elves. Spindly Elves tell me to
look for Stick-Man who is helping Many-Sided-One and must be stopped.
But Stick-Man is in city filled with Many-Sided-One followers and
I cannot get in. So I watch, and wait, and wait, and watch. Many-Sided-One
followers shouldn't be living with Floppy-Faces – they hate each other.
Very odd. Then I hears you come, and Grashnalk [BigPig's real name]
can see Stick-Man, and you have taint of the Queen; so maybe you can
help stop Stick-Man.” He seems to know a few Party members: to Aknot,
X, Jett, Marek, and Artemisia, he says “sister will soon know who
you knew, so I should get to know you first”. He is both angry with
and terrified of Mei-Peng, saying “she-who-is-not-dead is too scary
to look at because she-who-is-dead chased away Queen's mind long ago;
too long ago to know how to come back; oh, how we miss the Queen”.
As for Vishu, he mumbles something about dark horrors in the frozen
forest and then change the topic. Speculation is that Stick-Man is
Eldor, Floppy-Faces are the Illithids/Mind-Flayers, Many-Sided-One
might be the ancient horrific god Chthulhu, and the Queen is Kaija;
the Lady in Green might be Arlan or perhaps the Elven goddess Luthien.
At first, the Party was certain that "Spindly Elves", described
as being 7' tall and skinny, were in fact Trehellians/Trechtotties;
but Grugie is adamant that they are Elves not Humans, despite living
underground a few days travel from here. Grugie also claims to be
immune to the Floppy-Faces (i.e. psionics?), and he apparently bypassed
Karg's glyph without setting it off when entering the side-passage;
this may be in keeping with the vague snippets of information that
Jett knows about Grugach, as being tough little beasties. |
| |
What Grugie cannot do is help restore BigPig's
mind - he tries to blow brains back in through the ear, but that doesn't
work. He does, however, give Jett some scrunched up papers he had
found - diary bits, it seems, of some previous adventurer - plus an
odd stone that has no weight and can float in the air. As his goal
is to "stop Stick-Man", and the Party figures Stick-Man
is Eldor, whom they want to rescue, the Party convinces Grugie that
they should work together; thus Grugie joins the Party. And
so in the morning they press on for the City of the Glass Pool. |
| (S159) |
Meet a small group of Derro with an Illithid;
Party defeats them handily. Mei-Peng raises 3 Derro corpses as Zombies
and sends them ahead as cannonfodder; Griswald hunts them all down.
More squabbles. BigPig becomes obsessed with following "pinks"
- Eldor footprints? Jett finds that BigPig can be halted with Hold
Animal. |
| |
Vishu and Grugie scout ahead, and come to
an enormous cavern in which is the City of the Glass Pool. They circle
around one side carefully. When they return, X flies off carrying
Marek and they circle around the other side. They find a secret passageway
behind a giant statue off to one side of the cavern - not sure where
it goes, or if it is of any use. |
| (S160) |
|
| Janus 17 |
Party camps out in a small side passage
about 2 hours' walk from the City. During the night, some beings walk
by in the main passage; Artemisia wakes the world, and various members
rush out and attack the passersby, thinking they are Derro and Illithids.
It turns out they are a few slavers with slaves; the Party nearly
kills one Hobbit slave, and a spell failure results in another Hobbit
being squashed by a Monty Python foot. Ultimately, three slaves are
rescued, including Bob the Bold, a pathetic low-level Magic
User. The slavers attempt to flee, but are held up by two undead that
Mei-Peng had discretely sent ahead; the Party is able to catch up
and capture two of the slavers. Marek is very proud of slaying an
Illithid just with daggers, until it's pointed out that it was already
dead (it was merely a Zombie). One of the captives escapes when bound
up, and is still missing by morning; from the remaining captive they
learn that the escapee is a paranoid and ruthless Assassin. |
| (S161) |
|
| |
Party heads to the City again, ever alert
for the Assassin. (The three surviving slaves are left in a side passage,
the thinking being that they would be slightly safer here than any
closer to the city.) X and Vishu separately explore while flying and
invisible; a possible location where Eldor lives is discovered, but
he is not seen. Party decides to explore the hidden passage behind
the giant statue on a high ledge, to see if it would be a useful hideout.
Invisibility and Fly are used to ferry everyone there discretely.
They find a small carved passageway (2' wide x 5' high) that goes
almost 10 kilometers before opening up as a rough tunnel. The big
folk have a hard time moving, so they camp out part way along. Examining
the booty recovered from the slavers, Taro determines that a magic
pair of pants has viagra-like properties; he also bypasses magical
defences on a robe and finds a set of Mage books. |
| (S162) |
|
| Janus 18 |
After some exploration
of the city walls by some invisible sneaks, the Party decides to move
by flight to another ledge with a giant statue. From there, 8 of the
Party fly invisibly to the roof of the building where Eldor apparently
resides. X and Mei-Peng fly to a membrane-like window. Seeing an Elven
person alone in the room, X casts Dimension Door from scroll
and they enter the room. A quick conversation confirms that the person
is indeed Eldor; X and Mei-Peng explain that they are here to rescue
him. Meanwhile, Taro quietly opens a trap door on the roof and observes
3 Deep Ones (Kuo Toa) walking in a hallway 25' below; they suddently
stop and listen intently at a door. Just then, Eldor opens the door
of his room; the 3 Deep Ones in the hallway are waiting and quite
annoyed that their "guest" has company. However, what they
didn't anticipate was invisible attackers from above. |
| |
Vishu elegantly tumbles down to the foes
but misses them completely. X is paralysed by a Deep One, but she
is able to convey to Eldor that he should hang on and they fly unseen
out over the brawl and out through the trap door. Taz silences the
Deep Ones, while Taro, Aknot, and Karg quickly descend and join the
battle. Mei-Peng raises the first fallen Deep One as a Ghoul; it is
destroyed with a quick Turn by another Deep One. The Deep Ones
put up a tough fight, but nonetheless are quickly killed. As most
of the combat was in silence, passersby in the street seem not to
have noticed ... |
| (S163) |
|
| |
However, guards in two front rooms notice,
and come barrelling out. Another brawl ensues in the passageway. At
the same time, Artemisia on the roof notices that there is light and
fog on the ledge where some of the Party waits - not a good sign.
The battle ends quickly, loot is grabbed, and the flyers carry the
rest out the trap door and towards the ledge. |
| |
Meanwhile on the ledge, the others had been
waiting in silence and darkness. However, BigPig got a bad case of
the giggles, and drew the attention of some patrols on the cavern
floor below the ledge; then the statue was suddenly lit up, and the
patrols head their way. Others try to shush BigPig, but he starts
wondering, loudly, where is "Buther" (i.e. Aknot); then
he suddenly charges down the stairs calling for "Buther".
The others stay still on the ledge, believing that to aid BigPig would
simply be suicide. The patrols converge on him, and in short order
7 Derro and 6 Deep Ones chop him down: BigPig killed. Then
the patrols start ascending the stairs to the ledge. Marek slinks
away, Griswald tries to slink away (invisibly, but in heavy armour),
Vragg casts Sanctuary and then slinks away, and Jett turns
into a bat and stays put, so as to inform the rest of the Party when
they return what has happened. The patrols quickly locate Griswald
and chase him across the cavern floor. |
| |
When the away team returns, they see lights
and fog on the ledge, see no sign of their comrades, and hear Derro
talking. Soon Vragg and a bat join them; Jett-as-bat tells them all
of Griswald's need of assistance, and they all fly to his aid. Just
before Griswald is chopped down, they arrive and kill all the patrollers
(off some of which they recover some of BigPig's gear). By this point,
it is obvious that alarms have been raised in the city and more enemy
are coming. So they fly up and start to leave the cavern. Jett-as-bat
had been contacted by X, and so knows that she has Eldor ... somewhere.
But no one has seen Mei-Peng or Marek since the combat, and BigPig's
body has had to have been left behind (although Karg briefly visits
it, looking for possessions [none left] and to take a finger for a
possible resurrection). |
| (S164) |
|
| |
The Party flies along the ceiling of the
enormous cavern, in the dark. Occasional cross-bow bolts reach them,
but it appears that they are only vaguely being tracked. As they approach
the main entrance to the cavern, they hear sounds of combat. It appears
to be Derro guards fighting other short beings; perhaps other Derro
(the rebels?), but the shapes don't look quite right. (It was 4 Kobolds,
summoned as a diversion by X and made invulnerable by Eldor.) The
Party circles around and enters the tunnel and flies as fast as they
can until Vragg's limited fly capability wears off, whereupon they
continue as fast as feet will allow. |
| |
Soon after, they come across a set of large
signs set out in flour on the ground; they think it means that at
least X was here recently. They also find a perfume-soaked note from
Mei-Peng stating that she, X, Marek, and Eldor went this way; they
hope to have Eldor teleport them to where X last died; and X will
contact Jett tomorrow morning. Many in the party are annoyed by the
departure of X and Mei-Peng ("leaving us hanging out to dry")
and are skeptical of what Mei-Peng wrote ("if Eldor can teleport,
why was he a captive for many weeks?"). Having no answers, they
begrudgingly decide to see what X has to say for herself tomorrow
morning, and in the meantime to push on with haste. |
| |
Unapposed, they make it as far as where
they left the three rescued slaves. Not only are the still alive,
they have more food and weaponry than when they were left. Marek had
been there about an hour ago, together with 3 boring tall-folk (X,
Mei-Peng, and Eldor). Karg has a sudden idea, and eats a bit of BigPig's
finger; as he hoped, he soon sees a few prints on the ground (just
as did BigPig) - Eldor's footprints. |
| |
They push on. As X and Mei-Peng are still
missing, Bob the Bold
(M2) joins as the Party mage. Vishu scounts ahead, and finds a
huge watery creature coming down the passageway. She returns at high
speed to warn the Party. Vragg figures it must be a water elemental.
Grugie tries to tell it to go away, but learns that it had been summoned
by the city-folk to kill them all (he offers to relay the full details
of how they are to be killed, but the Party declines to listen). A
battle ensues. Aknot delivers a mightly critical hit for 60 points
of damage, but most others find that they weapons are not magical
enough to do any harm at all. Finally, Artemisia whacks it and it
dissolves into a big splash that soaks everyone. After several more
hours travel, they sack out in a small side passage. |
| Janus 19 |
Meanwhile, X, Mei-Peng, Eldor, and Marek
had hidden themselves in another small passage. In the morning, Eldor
(lacking his own spell books) studies Teleport from X's spell
book and takes them to his laboratory in 'Sheh's keep in Savola, Glantri.
Finding everything in good condition, he commences to complete X's
training for MU7. |
| |
After an uninterruped night, Jett is contacted
by X in the morning: "All safe. Remove ring until tomorrow sun-up,
communications are probably compromised." The general response
is a shrug. The Party pushes on, wary of meeting more water elementals.
Instead, they come across a very prevalent aura of Mei-Peng's perfume,
soaking a bone and some meat; as it does not appear to be human, or
recently dead, Taro suggests that it might be an intentional masking
of scent. Then they come to what Karg figures must be a Blade-Barrier
spell: hundreds of flying swords, axes, and daggers spanning the passageway
floor to ceiling. Karg borrows a dagger from Taro that apparently
drains magic (Taro hasn't had any luck in actually hitting an opponent
with it yet, so he's not quite sure what it does) and pokes it into
the barrier - he is successful in dispelling the effect, but not before
being nearly sliced to death (58 points of damage). Beyond, they see
a group of Derro, quite caught off guard ... |
| (S165) |
|
| |
Griswald and Aknot charge, Artemisia incapacitates
many of the Derro with a Stun, the clerics hurl various spells,
and Vishu zooms to the back of the enemy where a tall, tentacled-faced
figure lurks. A well-placed Tremor from Vragg knocks the Illithid
down and stuns it, and Vishu begins to pummel it, ignoring the Derro
frantically trying to kill her. Grugie hears sounds behind the Party;
Jett and Artemisia with spell and sound frighten off what turned out
to be two former captives, the Assassin and a Cleric, who were sneaking
up on the Party. |
| |
At first, the Party's front gets nowhere;
but after a few rounds, joined by a slightly patched-up Karg, they
grind their way through the Derro. The spellcasters are peppered with
poisonous bolts, but only Bob is taken out with paralysis. Vishu,
with the help of Artemisia and Karg, kills the Illithid just as it
was regaining its senses; and soon all but a spell-casting Derro are
killed. Vishu bounds off after the survivor while the Party regroups
and quickly loots ... |
| (S166) |
|
| |
Vishu is surprised by the survivor, paralysed,
and carried off as booty. Grugie catches up and attacks the Derro.
Others hear the commotion and join in, soon killing the Derro. The
Party is surprised to see heavy armour on someone who was casting
mage spells. In any case, they push on as far as possible and then
camp out. |
| Janus 20 |
While the Clerics are praying up for the
morning, Grugie seems to have vanished. Not knowing how to find him,
and trusting that he can take care of himself, the Party accepts the
situation and pushes on. For now, at least Grugie leaves the Party. |
| Janus 21 |
They are descended upon by 7 Ghasts. Several
party members are paralysed, Karg is nearly eaten to death, but the
Party is victorious. Even Bob the Bold charged into melee once his
supply of (two) Magic Missiles had ended. |
| (S167) |
|
| |
In the evening, the Party arrives at the
cavern complex that includes the shrine to Juiblex. X's last message
instructed them to wait there to be "rescued"; Karg and
Griswald in particular are quite skeptical, but the Party needs to
rest so they decide to spend the night here. They blissfully wander
into two Black Puddings who remind them why this neighbourhood isn't
exactly friendly; oh, well. |
| Janus 22 / Coire 8 |
During morning prayers, X, Eldor, and 'Sheh
arrive by Teleport. After a cordial exchange of accusations,
demands, threats, and orders, everyone begrudgingly accepts a magical
voyage to Savola: X and Eldor Teleport some while 'Sheh uses
Plane Shift. |
| |
Party arrives at 'Sheh's keep in Savola,
Glantri, and begins to divide a hefty treasury. A dispute quickly
arises over a pair of swords; they radiate Evil, and the more powerful
one does enhanced damage against Good foes. Karg wants the more powerful
one as a sizeable part of his share, and Taz says that cannot be allowed.
They toss for it, and Taz wins; she also claims the other Evil sword
and promptly has them destroyed. Glantri being a magic-rich nation,
various Party members also buy and/or commission new items. They also
take advantage of Eldor still having in Savola a well-equipped laboratory,
suitable for testing magic items, scribing scrolls, and brewing potions.
|
| (S168 & 169) |
Training: Artemisia to B7, Vragg
to NtC6, and Bob to M3. |
| |
Party tries to determine via a Commune
spell if BigPig wants to be resurrected. They find out that he
has already been reincarnated somewhere ... into a Dragon. |
| Coire 12 |
Tensions rise as Taz and Griswald continue
to voice disapproval with Mei-Peng and her profession. After some
veiled threats, Mei-Peng asks 'Sheh if she can spare a bodyguard.
'Sheh sees this as an opportunity to unload, free of charge, a recent
arrival in her keep, a noisy and dense Cavalier by the name of Cholmondley
Cavendish-Smythe IV, a.k.a. "Chumley".
Chumley hangs around the Party, serving as Mei-Peng's bodyguard; he
joins in a few weeks (see next adventure). |
| Coire 15 |
X, Mei-Peng, 'Sheh, and Eldor travel via
Planeshift and Teleport to Halgatto at the Tower. X
tells Halgatto and Eldor they must work together to fix the worlds;
as it turns out, they plan to do that anyway. Eldor remains while
the rest return to Savola. |
| Coire 17 |
Mei-Peng learns that the magical protective
torcs that she and others have been wearing, which were booty from
Trehellians, are in fact based on ancient Hobgoblin technology. |
| Coire 20 |
The Party takes advantage of a teleport
network connection to Hestia. X and Mei-Peng go to report on world
events: "we have this Hobgoblin who is trying to repair powerful
Towers that hold the world together - can you spare some scientists
to work with her for the rest of their lives?". They in turn
learn that Hestian agents in a distant land named the Holy Hussan
Empire have been feuding with Trehellians over a powerful ancient
Hobgoblin tower. Speculation grows over what is the connection between
Trehellians and the Hobgoblins of old.). Also, Jett visits queen Kaija
and learns that she is slowly become more lucid and is being treated
by some elves as a prophet. |
| Coire 30 |
Back in Glantri, some of the Party attend
a fabulous festival in Glantriost (the capital city) that is held
every 12 years; this time, it is hosted by followers of Luthien, Goddess
of Chaos. It is a spectacular display of magic, random side-effects
including the spontaneous creation of a winged Mammoth and a populated
human castle falling onto the city. Loads of fun for all who dare
to attend! |
| Coire 31 |
The next day while trying to find a particular
shop of magical goods, Mei-Peng is confronted by a Fair Elf (whose
mode of travel is rather wraith-like and invisible to others). Ephalletia
tells her off for daring to think, momentarily, that she could control
him. Later inquiries indicate that he is a Glantri lord and is decidedly
less than alive. A puzzling encounter, indeed. |
| (S170) |
|
| Coire 33 |
X hires Bob as her henchling. |
| |
Taz declares that she cannot adventure with
a Necromancer; Taz leaves the Party. She has X to teleport
her back to Pentapolis, where she can try to find Arlephone so as
to return some borrowed possessions. Soon after, another round of
the Griswald versus Mei-Peng dispute arises. Griswald leaves the
Party. |
|
Surviving members:
|
Mei-Peng
(N6), Vishu
(Mk7), Aknot (F7), X
(MU7), Jett (NtC6/F4), Marek
(T7), Artemisia (B7) |
|
New members:
|
Taro (F5/T6),
Oðúlfr (NrC5),
BigPig (F5), Taz
(C4/F4), Griswald (F4),
Karg (WrC6), Eillykah
(MU5), Vragg (NtC5), Grugie
(Gru), Bob the Bold (M2) |
|
Casualties:
|
Oðúlfr (raised), Eillykah, BigPig (F6; apparently
reincarnated as a Dragon) |
|
Retirees:
|
Oðúlfr (now NrC6), Marek, Grugie, Taz (now
C5/F5), Griswald (now F5) |
|
Continuing party:
|
Mei-Peng (N6), Vishu (Mk7), Aknot (F7),
X (MU7), Jett (NtC6/F4), Artemisia (B7), Taro (F7/T6), Karg (WrC6),
Vragg (NtC6), Bob (M3) |
|
