Summary:
Gilic stooped down and lowered his gauntlet into the pool. On the surface, it appeared as a red, viscous substance. Upon taking his hand out, Gilic straightened and gazed across the chamber's full expanse. Just fifteen feet away, an island platform arose straight from the pool. Atop it, a massive iron minotaur statue, jointed at the limbs and holding a coiled whip. Taegahn squinted and noted dried blood at the whip's end. In the middle of the chamber, a stone walkway some twenty feet wide. At the far end, another large platform displaying a second minotaur statue, its whip less coiled, but similarly bloodied on the ends. To the left and right of that platform, smaller stone islands, one holding a hilt, the other a blade.
"The blood, it burns," Gilic said, holding out his smoldering glove. "And I don't like the jointed look of those statues either."
"Nor I," Taegahn replied as he stepped forward and loosed an arrow at the farthest minotaur. The minotaur didn't react as the arrow's impact echoed over the current of the blood pool.
"I think I can jump that," said Gareth. Of like mind, Queequeg motioned for Taegahn to step away and then sprinted across the foyer. The dragonborn lept across the channel of blood and onto the platform, his clawed feet scratching for purchase as his arms spun for balance. A second later, he righted himself and peered cautiously at the inanimate statue.
He looked back at the party and rumbled, "What are the chances this statue isn't going to come alive?"
"Ack, uhboot as good as your mother not walking the streets tonigh for rat blood money," quipped Gilic.
"By Bahamut's sacred hide! Halfpint, I'm going to jump back over there and dip you head first into the blood. If you come out with any hair left on that patch you call a beard, at the very least the fleas--"
The dragonborn never finished as an evistro suddenly jumped out of the blood pool and pulled him down off the platform and into the drink. As the same time, a loud winding sound could be heard from underneath, like chains on a pulley; the nearest minotaur jerked to life, its movements scripted and choppy, its whip uncoiling.
Gareth reacted instantly, taking a running jump and landing on the platform Queequeg just vacated. He brought his great axe up high and drove it hard into the statue's hide, a resounding blow that vibrated through the weapon into the fighter's feet and arms. Taegahn responded with devastating firepower, calling upon ancient boar ancestors to drive back the evistro. Cedric cast a ray of frost upon the carnage demon just before it dove back into the red murky depths. At 6' 8", Queegqueg's head emerged from the surface of the blood pool, his face grimacing with pain as he waded back to the initial foyer.
Unseen mech arcana suddenly crackled with energy as the minotaur statue roared to full animation, cracked its whip back, and unleashed a whip blow that struck everyone within 35 feet of him. Most of the party was hit and driven back, except for Gareth who managed to anchor himself to his position like a boulder against the tide. Returned to the foyer, Queequeg jumped once more across the pool, joining Gareth next to the statue. The fighter continued raining blows upon the statue. Gilic attempted a similar jump, but cannonballed spectacularly into the pool, well short of the platform. Marking Gilic's air bubbles, Orchid attempted to use Gilic's head as a stepping stone to reach the statue, but she also landed in the pool with a thick splash. Shava also attempted a jump but missed; the cleric began wading to the chamber's central walkway.
Meanwhile, Taegahn lightly jumped from the minotaur platform to the central walkway in what appeared to be a single bound. The second minotaur came to life as the ranger's foot touched the second walkway; Taegahn never seemed to stop as he unloaded on statue and evistro alike at every opportunity. Cedric cast a spell that lifted him high into the air. Upon reaching the ceiling, however, the wizard flailed about, arms and legs gyrating in a vain attempt to launch himself forward. "It seems I, uh, can float but not fly," Cedric mused, "I thought for certain a spell named 'levitate' would grant free-range flight."
Emerging from the blood pool, dripping in liquid gore, Shava sighed contemptuously at the mage. "Dammit Cedric, use the walls and ceiling to push your way across."
"Ah, capital idea!" the wizard replied. Tilting horizontally, Cedric floated as close to the ceiling as he could and grabbed for any handholds he could find as he slowly made his way across the chamber.
Taegahn, meanwhile, studied the whipping motion of the second minotaur and plotted a strategy. As the whip circled around the chamber, the ranger timed the lash's approach to him and grabbed for it. He deftly hung on as the whip continued its circular arc over the blood pool and released his grasp just over the smaller platform. Taegahn landed expertly and grabbed the hilt.
Queequeg plucked Orchid out of the pool just as Gareth fell the spinning minotaur. Shava conjured a divine hammer that rained blows upon the farthest statue as Cedric continued to float ponderously towards the platform holding the blade. Evistros continued harassing the party, attempting to pull in and submerge anyone standing next to the pool. After making his way to the central walkway, Gareth vaulted himself more than 20 feet across the pool to the opposite statue platform. His great axe poised to strike, Gareth saw he was going to fall just short of the platform. At the very last moment, he swung his axe down. Steel met stone as the blade sunk deep into the floor, anchoring Gareth enough to pull himself face-to-face with the remaining statue.
The party finished off the remaining minotaur after Cedric lowered himself down to fetch the blade. Pursued by the remaining evistros, one by one the adventurers leapfrogged across platforms or waded through blood and headed back to the entrance door.
The Victors retreated deep into the Well and broke camp. Orchid set the blade and hilt side-by-side as Queequeg took out a pair of spectacles and studiously examined the two artifacts. Shava did a double take at the warlord and said, "Dragonborn, your spectacles."
"Hmm?" Queequeg said, distracted by his study.
"They don't have lenses in them."
"That's right."
Shava glanced at the rest of the party for insight. Cedric shrugged his shoulders while Queequeg suddenly snatched the two pieces, connected the hilt to the blade at a 90 degree angle, and then twisted while pressing a hidden button at its base. The blade merged together with a blue glow that faded within a second.
Queequeg intoned, "The Blade of Baphomet. A deadly effective weapon in its own right, but forged to be wielded only by a minotaur. Any other race that tries to use it will go berserk with blood lust."
"So if we handed it to Orchid, we really wouldn't notice a difference, huh?" Gareth said.
The Victors paused for a moment and then broke out laughing in unison, their shoulders moving up and down with the force of their mirth.
The laughing continued longer than it should.
TO BE CONTINUED
Phat Lewt(z):
The Blade of Baphomet
The Mask of Baphomet
Line(s) of the Night:
"I load and cock Orchid!" - Simon, metaphorically referring to the deadly weapon that is Orchid.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Ghosts and Columns...
excerpt from the Pages of “The Tales of Gilic Durcral, of the Stone Wolf Clan”
‘Twas gud to be in the mountains. The sense o’stone around me was welcoming. But the foul stench o’ the place was more than muh whiskers could take. We had been down there for a few weeks at this point. I was still quite new to this whole ‘venturing business and was a little unsure as to what our goal was. But I had taken up me hammer in the name of the Soul Forger and strode out from m’clans halls to experience the world, and see what good could be done.
We had gone from killing Goblins and their larger cousins, to damnable Druegar, and were now killing stinking Gnolls. I’m not sure which I hated most ‘bout the wee buggers. Their stench or their incessant cacklin’.
The group had cleared out their archery range and were securing the boar, Uthlik. I helped Taeghan with a few words of m’own tongue to help in calming the beast. Not sure when we became fetchers of pets? But, that old longbeard back in the hall had some attachment to the creature and had plenty o’gems with our name of them I think.
After a short rest we pushed further into the temple. The wee one, Orchid, she scouted ahead. The temples walls had been built well, but housed many an evil. We all crept forward on her command, sneaking into another hallway, two doors could be seen on the left wall. We all got inside and Taeghan and Orchid slid forward, they had not gone ten yards when that cackling returned. The two doors burst open and again we were thrust into battle.
A large Gnoll bitch stood in one door, runes covering her ragged armor, while in the other door, an’ right on front o’ Taeghan stood some planar creature. Its stony hide pulsating with vile energy. Taeghan quickly shot at the beast and forced it to stumble backwards, quickly slamming the door closed again. Gareth charged the Gnoll, his axe cleaving a mighty rent into her side. We split our forces and dispatched them without too much trouble, we had become quite a force in the past few months.
We were just cleaning up when we heard chains rattle from down the hall. We rushed forward to keep the battle moving. But seemingly to Orchid’s dismay, what we found was not to be killed. A couple o’Tieflings shackled and chained t’the wall. We approached with caution, this labyrinth had held many a surprise. They asked for help, saying that they were fellow adventures, here to seek riches, their names where Katal and Azkalek. They had been accosted by the Gnolls and were going to be sacrificed. Their armor and weapons where on the table on front o’ them. Upon inspection Orchid noticed that the weapons were poison blades. We questioned them at length, but discovered nothing. They even offered their service, which we declined and we escorted them from the temple.
I got out a bit a’ jerky as Orchid deftly searched the gnoll that we had slain. She found some magical gloves that Cedric took, did some arcane trick or another. After a swig from my skin, we were off again. We had come to a dead end in the passage we were following and decided to go back to the main hall and take the other way.
The passage grew colder as we progressed. We reached a door, large and black with a brass knocker. Orchid opened it and we went to enter. The coldness seemed to take shape on front o’my own eyes. Ghost like creatures came to life, a large human in plate mail, a greatsword in his hand, and a massive gash down his side. A female human, dressed in long robes, her face was like a dark cloud, featureless and sullen. And a dwarf finished up the trio. He was clad in chain, his beard was braided and looked madder than me own father. “Why do you seek the well of Demons, why do you seek the proving grounds?” The faceless woman boomed.
It took a few seconds for me t’release the grip I had on ma’hammer. And I could see the rest of the party take a sigh of relief upon realizing a fight was not imminent, at least not right away. The ghosts, if that’s what they were, went on to ask us many a question. It was as if they were testing us. It seemed as though they were long dead adventurers, who tried to assault the Temple, and who had failed. Now cursed to see if newcomers were up to the task. After more than a dozen questions, most of which we seemed to get correct, though few of our answers to the stern faced Dwarf, seemed to please him. They let us pass. With some information of what lay ahead.
It was told to us that the temple had four rune marked spell circles. Each was keyed to a certain item. The items sounded familiar, Mask, Blade, Bell and Tome. It turned out Orchid had found a wee book back in the Gnoll bitches room, which she brought forth. One down, three to go I thought.
The ghosts told us of other treasure rooms and that upon placement of the four items, a portal would open and a green dragon would come forth. This was an ancient proving ritual of the followers of Bahamut. These bloody Minotaurs, like to have fun I see.
The ghosts faded into the shadows after they had told their tale. We headed for the southern room. Making our way through the temple area, with no ill effects. A short hallway ended in a black door. Taeghan slowly opened the door. The room beyond was pale stone with many tall carved pillars. The pillars had humanoid shapes carved into them, many different bodies all on top of one another. Gareth an’ I, shouldered our way into the room, t’check it out. Not five feet inside the door and the columns came to life. Moaning and shrieking, their arms flailing wildly and grasping at us. Shava called forth the power of her god and smote one of the columns, the divine energy seemed to do very little as the creatures kept on flailing. We all moved in to investigate. Taeghan strafed off to the left, while Shava and I pushed straight ahead. Just then the moaning from the columns subsided for just a minute. The moaning was replaced by a loud scream. It disoriented those around the columns, just about all of us.
Taeghan came across a foe, calling out as he moved in on it, at the far end of the room. Another of the planar creatures, and there behind it on a small altar, a large hand bell. One of the four items we were looking for. We all moved to intercept the creature, just as more demonic gnolls burst forth from the very pillars. We were fighting on all sides. Gareth had made it to the planar creature and was tackling it and a gnoll. A gnoll had come at me, and I had just gotten ma’ shield up in time. Queequeg had a couple Gnolls on him, but he looked like he had it in hand. His scaly hide turned the maces o’ the beasts away.
It seemed to be going fine till that wee Elf Taeghan went ahead and picked up the damnable Bell. CLANG ….ooowwWWWW. He had rang the bell, and it had sent out spikes into his hand. Hopefully it will lessen his ability to play his harp.
The sound that came from the bell was not just a musical note, it seemed to cause those around it, friend and foe alike to come alive with some sort o’ bloodlust. This was no more evident as when Shava strode past me, swinging her mace above her head shouting something about Corellon. She went right up to the Planar beast and let him have it. Aye, it was good to see the dust knocked off that mace. Between her and Gareth they felled the beast.
We made quick work of the gnolls after that. We retreated from the chamber, trying to avoid the dangers posed by the columns. Their shrieks had various effects, we were almost out when a dark mist came ‘bout us, and made us appear in different parts of the room. We ran at this point to exit the chamber, bell in hand as well as a bauble that Cedric had found beneath the altar.
Quotes:
“Save the world, one Gnoll at a time” – Shava to the tieflings
“Luskin…..thats a wretched hive of scum and villany” – Kenji (playing Queequeg) and having failed a knowledge check about the town
“Pati’s got your sack in her drawers!” – Simon to Blake upon Pati putting blakes dice bag in the table drawer.
Spoils of War:
Bracers of Defense – Gareth
Shadowfell Gloves - Cedric
‘Twas gud to be in the mountains. The sense o’stone around me was welcoming. But the foul stench o’ the place was more than muh whiskers could take. We had been down there for a few weeks at this point. I was still quite new to this whole ‘venturing business and was a little unsure as to what our goal was. But I had taken up me hammer in the name of the Soul Forger and strode out from m’clans halls to experience the world, and see what good could be done.
We had gone from killing Goblins and their larger cousins, to damnable Druegar, and were now killing stinking Gnolls. I’m not sure which I hated most ‘bout the wee buggers. Their stench or their incessant cacklin’.
The group had cleared out their archery range and were securing the boar, Uthlik. I helped Taeghan with a few words of m’own tongue to help in calming the beast. Not sure when we became fetchers of pets? But, that old longbeard back in the hall had some attachment to the creature and had plenty o’gems with our name of them I think.
After a short rest we pushed further into the temple. The wee one, Orchid, she scouted ahead. The temples walls had been built well, but housed many an evil. We all crept forward on her command, sneaking into another hallway, two doors could be seen on the left wall. We all got inside and Taeghan and Orchid slid forward, they had not gone ten yards when that cackling returned. The two doors burst open and again we were thrust into battle.
A large Gnoll bitch stood in one door, runes covering her ragged armor, while in the other door, an’ right on front o’ Taeghan stood some planar creature. Its stony hide pulsating with vile energy. Taeghan quickly shot at the beast and forced it to stumble backwards, quickly slamming the door closed again. Gareth charged the Gnoll, his axe cleaving a mighty rent into her side. We split our forces and dispatched them without too much trouble, we had become quite a force in the past few months.
We were just cleaning up when we heard chains rattle from down the hall. We rushed forward to keep the battle moving. But seemingly to Orchid’s dismay, what we found was not to be killed. A couple o’Tieflings shackled and chained t’the wall. We approached with caution, this labyrinth had held many a surprise. They asked for help, saying that they were fellow adventures, here to seek riches, their names where Katal and Azkalek. They had been accosted by the Gnolls and were going to be sacrificed. Their armor and weapons where on the table on front o’ them. Upon inspection Orchid noticed that the weapons were poison blades. We questioned them at length, but discovered nothing. They even offered their service, which we declined and we escorted them from the temple.
I got out a bit a’ jerky as Orchid deftly searched the gnoll that we had slain. She found some magical gloves that Cedric took, did some arcane trick or another. After a swig from my skin, we were off again. We had come to a dead end in the passage we were following and decided to go back to the main hall and take the other way.
The passage grew colder as we progressed. We reached a door, large and black with a brass knocker. Orchid opened it and we went to enter. The coldness seemed to take shape on front o’my own eyes. Ghost like creatures came to life, a large human in plate mail, a greatsword in his hand, and a massive gash down his side. A female human, dressed in long robes, her face was like a dark cloud, featureless and sullen. And a dwarf finished up the trio. He was clad in chain, his beard was braided and looked madder than me own father. “Why do you seek the well of Demons, why do you seek the proving grounds?” The faceless woman boomed.
It took a few seconds for me t’release the grip I had on ma’hammer. And I could see the rest of the party take a sigh of relief upon realizing a fight was not imminent, at least not right away. The ghosts, if that’s what they were, went on to ask us many a question. It was as if they were testing us. It seemed as though they were long dead adventurers, who tried to assault the Temple, and who had failed. Now cursed to see if newcomers were up to the task. After more than a dozen questions, most of which we seemed to get correct, though few of our answers to the stern faced Dwarf, seemed to please him. They let us pass. With some information of what lay ahead.
It was told to us that the temple had four rune marked spell circles. Each was keyed to a certain item. The items sounded familiar, Mask, Blade, Bell and Tome. It turned out Orchid had found a wee book back in the Gnoll bitches room, which she brought forth. One down, three to go I thought.
The ghosts told us of other treasure rooms and that upon placement of the four items, a portal would open and a green dragon would come forth. This was an ancient proving ritual of the followers of Bahamut. These bloody Minotaurs, like to have fun I see.
The ghosts faded into the shadows after they had told their tale. We headed for the southern room. Making our way through the temple area, with no ill effects. A short hallway ended in a black door. Taeghan slowly opened the door. The room beyond was pale stone with many tall carved pillars. The pillars had humanoid shapes carved into them, many different bodies all on top of one another. Gareth an’ I, shouldered our way into the room, t’check it out. Not five feet inside the door and the columns came to life. Moaning and shrieking, their arms flailing wildly and grasping at us. Shava called forth the power of her god and smote one of the columns, the divine energy seemed to do very little as the creatures kept on flailing. We all moved in to investigate. Taeghan strafed off to the left, while Shava and I pushed straight ahead. Just then the moaning from the columns subsided for just a minute. The moaning was replaced by a loud scream. It disoriented those around the columns, just about all of us.
Taeghan came across a foe, calling out as he moved in on it, at the far end of the room. Another of the planar creatures, and there behind it on a small altar, a large hand bell. One of the four items we were looking for. We all moved to intercept the creature, just as more demonic gnolls burst forth from the very pillars. We were fighting on all sides. Gareth had made it to the planar creature and was tackling it and a gnoll. A gnoll had come at me, and I had just gotten ma’ shield up in time. Queequeg had a couple Gnolls on him, but he looked like he had it in hand. His scaly hide turned the maces o’ the beasts away.
It seemed to be going fine till that wee Elf Taeghan went ahead and picked up the damnable Bell. CLANG ….ooowwWWWW. He had rang the bell, and it had sent out spikes into his hand. Hopefully it will lessen his ability to play his harp.
The sound that came from the bell was not just a musical note, it seemed to cause those around it, friend and foe alike to come alive with some sort o’ bloodlust. This was no more evident as when Shava strode past me, swinging her mace above her head shouting something about Corellon. She went right up to the Planar beast and let him have it. Aye, it was good to see the dust knocked off that mace. Between her and Gareth they felled the beast.
We made quick work of the gnolls after that. We retreated from the chamber, trying to avoid the dangers posed by the columns. Their shrieks had various effects, we were almost out when a dark mist came ‘bout us, and made us appear in different parts of the room. We ran at this point to exit the chamber, bell in hand as well as a bauble that Cedric had found beneath the altar.
Quotes:
“Save the world, one Gnoll at a time” – Shava to the tieflings
“Luskin…..thats a wretched hive of scum and villany” – Kenji (playing Queequeg) and having failed a knowledge check about the town
“Pati’s got your sack in her drawers!” – Simon to Blake upon Pati putting blakes dice bag in the table drawer.
Spoils of War:
Bracers of Defense – Gareth
Shadowfell Gloves - Cedric
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Uthlik Unleashed
Summary:
At last, the party arrived at a massive set of double doors, fashioned in the image of a sneering minotaur face. Double doors opened at the minotaur's mouth and the party entered carefully, pulling out everburning torches and sunrods to illuminate the passage before them. The hallway ended soon enough, expanding into a huge chamber with five columns depicting fanged minotaur faces. The adventures discerned an open passage to the south and a set of double doors to the east. An ominous pit lay closest to the south east passage. The columns suddenly spoke in the voice of a minotaur, referring to Baphomet and power to come from mask, blade, bell, and tome.
Gareth stepped carefully into the chamber, his axe readied, magical torch stuffed in his belt. He paused for a moment as the ground rumbled softly and dust fell from the ceiling. He looked back at the party just as the ground exploded in front of him, two writhing tentacles emerging from the floor and slamming into Gareth and Gilic. Two more tentacles descended from the ceiling, enveloping alternating party members. Taegahn took aim at one of the chokers attached to the ceiling; at the last second, the choker suddenly flung Gilic in the reign of fire, shielding itself at the paladin's expense.
The phalagar and two cavern chokers proved dangerous foes, rooting adventurers with wrapping tendrils that oozed acid that burned through armor and flesh with equal ease. Gareth managed to approach the phalagar and even prevented it from shifting away while Taegahn circled around for a better view of all three foes, completely unaware of a ghoul lurking in the nearby shadows. Observing the merciless sneak attack on her brother, Shava focused divine light on the ghoul, shoving it back several feet into the yawning pit. It landed at the bottom with an audible thud and then rose from prone and began clawing at the walls in a vein attempt to escape. The phalagar and cavern chokers died not long after.
The Victors next approached the east double doors. Ear to egress, Orchid reported the signature barking giggle of gnolls. Gareth led the way down a passageway that branched north and south and ended in a room to the east. Just fifteen feet from he doors, two gnolls stepped out from the north passage and the battle was joined. In the midst of slaying the two ambushers, a giant gnoll stepped into view at the end of the hallway. Gilic held his hammer to the heavens and prayed for the wrath of his god to aid his friends in righteous might before he charged the demonic gnoll and his pack of laughing hyenas. The ensuing battle was fierce and bloody, but ultimately the demon gnoll and his pets breathed their last. Weary from fighting, the party made camp. Upon awakening, Queequeg complained of sleeping and dreaming badly.
Gathering their equipment, the Victors turned down the south passage. Two sets of double doors were a good distance from each other on the west side of the wall. Orchid listened and heard more barking along with some incongruous snorting. The party discussed skipping the door with its odd barnyard sounds, but Queequeg was intrigued and flung the door open. Beyond, a rectangle chamber, a pen of chicken wire taking up much of the north end, a six foot high wall of hay bales the south end. A set of double doors led out the west wall. Four hyenas circled the pen which held a humongous, enraged boar. Someone in the party shouted "Uthlik!," Uthlin's missing and beloved pet pig. Half the party stepped into the room and engaged the hyenas. Gareth leaped over the pen and began hacking at the chain staked into the ground.
Suddenly, an army of gnoll archers peeked over the south wall of hay. A leader barked a command and the company all focused on the dragonborn warlord and opened up withering fire. The warlord nearly felled, Shava healed him before dashing after Gilic, Taegahn, and Cedric as they headed out of the room and back down the passageway to the southern set of double doors. Queequeg bounded into the pen to help Gareth break the chain holding Uthlik the Angry Dire Boar. The latter, tortured and persecuted for countless days, was long past the point of telling friend from foe and savagely gored Queequeg just as Gareth broke the chain. Orchid made quick work of hyenas, her dagger a blur of blood, sinew, and steel.
Gilic, Shava, Taeghan, and Cedric meanwhile flanked the gnolls, flinging the southern doors wide and charging to attack. Gilic nearly fell numerous times from a series of gnoll archer volleys, while Shava brought down divine light to heal friends and harm foes. Orchid stepped out of the room, closed the doors and spiked them for good measure. She backtracked north and around to spike the west doors as well. Gareth and Queequeg ran to the wall of hay, avoiding Uthlik charging into the last remaining hyena. The pair climbed the bales deftly, reinforcing their friends soon the last gnoll archer died.
TO BE CONTINUED
Phat Lewt(z):
Cloak of Resistance +2 - Orchid
At last, the party arrived at a massive set of double doors, fashioned in the image of a sneering minotaur face. Double doors opened at the minotaur's mouth and the party entered carefully, pulling out everburning torches and sunrods to illuminate the passage before them. The hallway ended soon enough, expanding into a huge chamber with five columns depicting fanged minotaur faces. The adventures discerned an open passage to the south and a set of double doors to the east. An ominous pit lay closest to the south east passage. The columns suddenly spoke in the voice of a minotaur, referring to Baphomet and power to come from mask, blade, bell, and tome.
Gareth stepped carefully into the chamber, his axe readied, magical torch stuffed in his belt. He paused for a moment as the ground rumbled softly and dust fell from the ceiling. He looked back at the party just as the ground exploded in front of him, two writhing tentacles emerging from the floor and slamming into Gareth and Gilic. Two more tentacles descended from the ceiling, enveloping alternating party members. Taegahn took aim at one of the chokers attached to the ceiling; at the last second, the choker suddenly flung Gilic in the reign of fire, shielding itself at the paladin's expense.
The phalagar and two cavern chokers proved dangerous foes, rooting adventurers with wrapping tendrils that oozed acid that burned through armor and flesh with equal ease. Gareth managed to approach the phalagar and even prevented it from shifting away while Taegahn circled around for a better view of all three foes, completely unaware of a ghoul lurking in the nearby shadows. Observing the merciless sneak attack on her brother, Shava focused divine light on the ghoul, shoving it back several feet into the yawning pit. It landed at the bottom with an audible thud and then rose from prone and began clawing at the walls in a vein attempt to escape. The phalagar and cavern chokers died not long after.
The Victors next approached the east double doors. Ear to egress, Orchid reported the signature barking giggle of gnolls. Gareth led the way down a passageway that branched north and south and ended in a room to the east. Just fifteen feet from he doors, two gnolls stepped out from the north passage and the battle was joined. In the midst of slaying the two ambushers, a giant gnoll stepped into view at the end of the hallway. Gilic held his hammer to the heavens and prayed for the wrath of his god to aid his friends in righteous might before he charged the demonic gnoll and his pack of laughing hyenas. The ensuing battle was fierce and bloody, but ultimately the demon gnoll and his pets breathed their last. Weary from fighting, the party made camp. Upon awakening, Queequeg complained of sleeping and dreaming badly.
Gathering their equipment, the Victors turned down the south passage. Two sets of double doors were a good distance from each other on the west side of the wall. Orchid listened and heard more barking along with some incongruous snorting. The party discussed skipping the door with its odd barnyard sounds, but Queequeg was intrigued and flung the door open. Beyond, a rectangle chamber, a pen of chicken wire taking up much of the north end, a six foot high wall of hay bales the south end. A set of double doors led out the west wall. Four hyenas circled the pen which held a humongous, enraged boar. Someone in the party shouted "Uthlik!," Uthlin's missing and beloved pet pig. Half the party stepped into the room and engaged the hyenas. Gareth leaped over the pen and began hacking at the chain staked into the ground.
Suddenly, an army of gnoll archers peeked over the south wall of hay. A leader barked a command and the company all focused on the dragonborn warlord and opened up withering fire. The warlord nearly felled, Shava healed him before dashing after Gilic, Taegahn, and Cedric as they headed out of the room and back down the passageway to the southern set of double doors. Queequeg bounded into the pen to help Gareth break the chain holding Uthlik the Angry Dire Boar. The latter, tortured and persecuted for countless days, was long past the point of telling friend from foe and savagely gored Queequeg just as Gareth broke the chain. Orchid made quick work of hyenas, her dagger a blur of blood, sinew, and steel.
Gilic, Shava, Taeghan, and Cedric meanwhile flanked the gnolls, flinging the southern doors wide and charging to attack. Gilic nearly fell numerous times from a series of gnoll archer volleys, while Shava brought down divine light to heal friends and harm foes. Orchid stepped out of the room, closed the doors and spiked them for good measure. She backtracked north and around to spike the west doors as well. Gareth and Queequeg ran to the wall of hay, avoiding Uthlik charging into the last remaining hyena. The pair climbed the bales deftly, reinforcing their friends soon the last gnoll archer died.
TO BE CONTINUED
Phat Lewt(z):
Cloak of Resistance +2 - Orchid
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