Entering the complex, you find no one there to meet you but for the corpses you left there yesterday.
You note that Illyana departed with Leslie and company.
Jon says, "Now that the group's smaller, do you want me to scout?"
Making a few scrawlings and erasings and notes, Beth says, "Right-o. It's not art, but here it is."
She shows the others the maps she's frantically trying to keep of where we are. "Hopefully it's enough to keep us from getting lost."
She points at (1) on the map. "This is where we came in. Over here where I've written a (2) is where we are right now. Over here at the (4) is the ramp down to the next level, and (5) is the intersection at the next level where we had that combat."
Beth looks over at Jo-owrn. "Any suggestions as to where we ought to go next? Our goal is to get to that Drow city as intact as possible, and ideally without making too terribly much noise about it."
You recall that your original mission as requested by Ray Jay was to both explore the Drow city and to fill in the missing portions of the map of the underworld that she gave you, as far as your capabilities would allow.
Raz looks to Beth, "Well..the next level it is then."
Jo-owrn scatches his head.
"I think we should take a quick walk around this level," he says, "Just to make sure nothing's going to attack us from behind."
"Jo-owrn's suggestion to take a look around to make sure there aren't any nasty surprises that will sneak up on us from behind is a good one... a quick look aroudn shouldn't take too much time," Beth replies.
Ayazin says, "Indeed. You all have noticed my concern for protecting our back. I'm afraid I get a bit disoriented indoors, however -- trails and deer paths are more my style. I'll follow those of us who are better with maps and passages."
Beth nods. "Very good. If nobody wants to force us to do this in an orderly fashion, I say we just strike out at random."
She points down the 40' wide hallway with the dwarf-pillars down the center. "Let's go that way and see what the big room at the end is. Usual marching order... armored tanks in front, map-writers in back. Jon, when we get to unfamiliar territory, we'll probably want you to scout invisibly ahead."
You head east, down the passage. In the 50' - 70' section of the south wall is a passage, partially obscured by a tattered tapestry. Pausing and looking down there, you see that the right wall runs south for 20', then curves southeast. The left wall runs south-southeast for about 30'. After that, both walls runs south for 20', after which the passage turns east, remaining 20' wide. There is a door facing west at the corner.
You continue down the dwarf-pillar passage until you come to the next passage, 10' past the last one but in the north wall. It is 30' wide, and runs northeast for 20', then turns north. A row of pillars runs down the centre of this passage as well.
You continue on to the end of the eastbound passage, where it opens up into a throne chamber (right wall runs southeast for 20', east for 40', north for 80', west for 40' and then southwest for 20'). Two steps of white veined black marble lead up to this area. The floor is of deep red polished stone and the two stone pillars which support the ceiling are polished obsidian. Between the pillars is a massive throne of black and white banded onyx. Once upon a time the throne was inlaid with many gems and jewels, but they were looted long ago.
The walls of the chamber are inlaid with coloured stone showing various scenes of victories by King Snurre over various opponents. Behind the throne the walls shows the flaming skull which was Snurre's own device.
Searching, you find nothing of interest here.
You head back to the northeast passage, and, with Jon scouting ahead, go up there. From the spot where it turns north, it runs for 140', after which is a "T" intersection with a 20' wide passage running east - west. An alcove (20' deep) is on the far side of the intersection, to the north. In the 90' - 110' section of the west wall, though, before you come to the intersection, is a large door. You pause and open it. Beyond is a 20' wide, 10' long passage that opens up into a chamber. It is odd shaped (right wall runs 20' north, 20' west, 10' south, 20' west (door in last 10' section), south for 10', southwest for 10', south for 10', southeast for 10', east for 20' (door), north for 10', and finally east for 20' to close up). The place is filled with oddments of furniture, all in poor shape and of no value. You do find a bed that has been used recently, and some clothes sized for a giant...a hill giant, Jo-owrn tells you. Under the bed is a large sack that contains 700sp and 200gp.
A little better off, now, you open the small north door to see a 10' square room beyond. It is barren. You open the dooor to the south, and see another short, 10' long, 20' wide passage running south. it then opens up into a chamber (right wall runs 30' west, 60' south (door in 10' - 30' section), 20' east, 20' south, 40' east, 30' north, 10' east, 30' north, 10' west, 10' north and 10' northwest to hopefully close up). A large table in the centre indicates that this was once a conference room, though it is now a shambles. The alcoves in the south and east were once hidden by tapestries. There is nothing of value in here.
Opening the west door, you face a 20' long passage leading to the north-south passage that you followed yesterday. You take it, heading north to the "Y". This time you head northeast, with Jon scouting. This passage runs northeast for 20', then turns east. There is another 20' wide passage running north at the point where it changes direction. You make for the intersection, and look about.
To the east, you see the "T" intersection with the alcove in the north wall. The passage continues east beyond it.
To the north, this passage runs for 60' and ends. There are 20' wide doors in the last sections of either wall, as well as at the end facing you.
The rest of you wait while Jon goes up and checks the doors. After a few minutes his voice whispers beside you the news that he can hear low voices through the north door. The words are not clear, but he thinks that the voices sound dwarven.
Jon suggests, "Why don't we knock and see what happens with a lightning bolt prepared for the doorway? Just an idea."
Ayazin whispers, "Dwarves? What would they be doing here? Most likely prisoners, I'll bet. I say we go in easy, try not to kill anybody. Even if they are hostile, perhaps we could question them if we subdue them without slaying them. They may know something of the underdark."
Beth nods. "I agree with Ayazin; it would be best to find friends here. But let's not get caught with our pants down. Jon, get yourself invisible and to the side. Everybody else, don't have weapons out, but get ready to draw them at a moment's notice. Usual battle formation... but don't make it look like one. Act, I dunno, casual."
"If we do have to attack," Beth adds, "do what Ayazin says: try to knock them out rather than kill them. But let's avoid combat if we can."
Beth says to those in front, "Britan? Humphrey? Would one of you do the honors with the door ahead of us to the north?"
Beth has one hand in her pocket... holding on to her wand, ready to whip it out if necessary.
Beth adds before one of the strong young types up front opens the door, "By the way, guys, even if the dwarves, or whatever they are, are friendly, let's be a bit cagey about why where here. We're on a fact gathering mission, and if these dwarves turn out to be agents of the Drow, we'll be hosed by the time we get where we're going. So, cover story is, we're associates of Jo-owrn here, just exploring these dungeons to see what's moved in since he cleaned out the giants some time ago. No mention of the Drow city."
"Got it," replies Raz absently.
"Not to rain on everyones parade here but....after having my brother killed by a drow I kind of took up studying the underdark. And those might not be dwarves as we know. They might be dark dwarves. And those are guys that we just want to kill and get over with. They have an inate ability to turn invisable and also to enlarge or shrink themselves. Jon might have the best idea of knocking. but then again that would just give them a little bit more time to get ready for us. On the other hand you all could be right and they are actually dwarves who are prisoners or have moved in here themselves. Though I highly doubt that with all the giants running around and them hating them," breathing in, says Kelar.
"Well, we'll be careful. Just in case we don't have to kill them, let's look friendly... but let's just open the door," Beth says. "If they're hostile, though, take them out -- but, as Ayazin suggests, let's try to keep one alive for interrogation. If he won't speak, we can have Farad try to rip the secrets from his mind."
"Yep, I agree we will just have to take it careful, because we don't want to get in the habit of killing everything we come across."
Britan then goes up in front of the group and prepares to open the door in a nice friendly manner. The rest of you follow, and array yourselves as Beth suggested.
"Everyone ready? If not speak now..."
Sharone prepares a Silence Spell. If a fight starts she will use it to stop noise attracting other guests.
"Last time you lot made enough noise to waken the dead."
"After all that we stirred up earlier, you think we should now begin to use some precautionary methods? What happened to the bold and the brave?" asks Aldarin.
Aldarin prepares a Sleep spell.
Raz nods and readys a magic missile spell.
The grey elf quietly whispers, "Probably the giant's next meal, but let me see what the future holds..."
Farad stares at the door... his eyes seem to focus on something far away for a second...
After a moment his eyes lose their faraway look and he tells you that it does not seem these fellows will attack immediately.
Slightly more confident, now, Britan knocks firmly at the door. Humphrey is beside him, and Jon stands off to the right, invisible.
The door opens, and before you is a 20' wide passage running north. After 20' it opens out an additional 10' on either side and continues north for an additional 30'. After that it brances off to the left and right, being 20' wide.
Standing before you is a creature the like of which you have never seen before. Three more stand some 10'-15' back, arrayed for battle, but thus far making no moves towards you. They are about the same height as dwarves (4' plus or minus), but proportioned more like a human...perhaps slightly more muscular. Their facial features are large and coarse. Their hair ranges in colour from tan to blond. Their eyes are very large, with pupils almost the same colour as their whites. They wear leather armour. Three of them carry light crossbows of a strange design, while the last one carries a hook fauchard.
"Visitors," says the one closest to you. "What do you want?"
"Are you the ones who killed the giants?" asks another.
"They were fools," says a third. "You did the right thing."
Their common is accented, and it is obvious that it is not their mother tongue.
Beth replies in common tongue, "We killed a fair number of giants yesterday, yes. Most of us, however, are not the ones who killed the giants thirty years ago. Do you live in these halls?"
"No. We are visitors. Where are you from?"
"Obviously surface dwellers," says the fourth one.
Aldarin asks, "Were you held as captives here by the giants?"
"No. We were here...to observe..."
"What are you looking for?" Beth asks. "We are, as you guessed, surface dwellers. We are here because some on the surface have become concerned again with the activity of the giants."
"We are here at the invitation of the Eilservs, to observe their preparations for taking over this world," replies the second creature. "I believe that their plans still need some work, though..."
The others laugh.
Raz looks concerned.
"Do you mean the surface world, the under world, or both?" he inquires.
"Who are the Eilservs?" Beth says. "Do they mean to take over this underground world, or the whole thing, surface and underground?"
"Giants are not that common in the underworlds," replies the second creature, "So draw your own conclusions..."
"The Eilservs are a drow family. Their matriarch is Eclavdra," replies the second one again. "She has big plans. She thinks this world is ripe."
Raz nods, "I see. Well, how are you being rewarded for your services?"
"That has not been negotiated, yet. I doubt if it ever will."
Beth nods.
"Oooh," she says. "Hmm. Interesting. Why did she invite you to look over her invasion plans? Are you allies of this family?"
"She is seeking allies. It looks like she needs all the help she can get."
They laugh again.
"But no, we are not her allies," the one creature continues. "We were sent here by our people to see if it would be worth our while to join them. Our report will not be favourable, though."
"Drow are so disorganised," adds the fourth one. "They'll never amount to much."
Beth nods.
"They do not have a great reputation on the surface," she says. "What you say is probably just as well."
They nod.
"What is your reason for being here? You have killed many giants. There are still more downstairs."
"Indeed?" Beth says. "Well, unless they readily agree to start leaving the humans, dwarves, and elves of the nearby kingdoms alone, we're liable to tangle with them as well. We're here, indirectly, on the behest of those kingdoms, looking into the matter of what is happening in these halls."
The derro chuckle in a dwarf-like fashion.
"They won't agree to stop...or if they do they'll break their word immediately."
"We might have to get violent, then," Beth says. "A pity. There are such things as honorable giants, aren't there? Some Cloud Giants, I'm told, keep their word, and while Storm Giants are not renouned for keeping their word, they're at least not a priori hostile, and rather willing to leave other people alone."
"Fire giants are supposed to be honourable," snorts the derro, "But they have their own definition of honour. Usually it involves supressing the freedoms of weaker creatures."
"Or else eating them," adds the fourth derro.
Beth nods. "Yeah. Kinda annoying, that. So we're planning on continuing to move through and check through these halls here to make sure there aren't any more nasty giants and things waiting for us. Then we'll head on down to the lower level. What's your plan?"
"We have seen all we need to see. We'll be leaving, soon."
"Where is your home?"
"Far under the Hell Furnaces."
Britan decides to let Beth and Aldarin do the talking, he figures the fewer the people talking the better, but he stands alert and ready to attack if attacked first, and occasionally looking over at Humphery and Raz.
Beth nods. "If I may ask, who are your people? Our people are mostly humans, elves, and dwarves, from the surface. Most of us come from further south."
"We are the Derro."
Sir Humphrey pipes up, "Well it's a nice change meeting civilized creatures. If our own rulers on the surface wished to exchange diplomacy and make offers of alliances, how would we go about doing such with the wise beings that are Derros. By the way my name is Humphrey, it is a pleasure to meet you."
"We are honoured," says the second derro, who seems to be the leader. "An exchange of letters between our leaders would be a good start. Who do you serve?"
Humphrey smiles.
"My Father is the Baron of Sandas. Sandas is a land very far to the south of here. Therefore there is the question of how to get correspondance from our realms that we belong to and yours. Still I would think that our leaders would see the wisdom in such a manner and I am sure that something could be arranged."
"Indeed," the derro says agreeably.
"Speaking of something that might be useful, you do not know of anything to be wary of on this level or the one below?"
"You killed all of the giants on this level yesterday. There are more giants on the two levels below, plus the drow in the temple. They are confident in their ability to destroy you."
Beth says, "Well, we'll inspect the Giants shortly. As for the Drow, who knows, they may well be right."
She leaves the political negotiations to Humphrey, who seems to know way more about them than she ever would.
Farad speaks up. "You wouldn't happen to have a map of these parts would you? Or be willing to tell us what you know of the layout of these halls, or what other manner of creatures lair nearby?"
"We don't have maps. There are drow in the temple on the next level below...that is at the bottom of the ramp, to the right and up the stairs. There is a priestess and a mage there, among others. They have giants for guards. There are other creatures about as well, but we do not know all of them.
"The bottom level is all caves. There are more drow and giants down there, plus others that have moved into the caves and taken up residence.
"But, you killed the chief of the giants yesterday. If you can handle the drow then the rest will be easy."
As soon as Britan hears Farad ask about the map, he speaks up and says, "Also do you know if they have any code word and do you know what they may be? and would you be willing to share them with us so that we may avoid some of the skirmishes along the way?"
"If they use code words then they have not shared them with us."
Sharone steps forward. "Greetings, I am Sharone, Priestess of Idun. It is pleasing to hear you will not be joining the Drow, the world will be better for being at peace with the Derro race. The drow are not well liked by the surface dwellers.
"Perhaps you can give me some details about the drow temple. How many residents are there in the temple? Are they male or female? Who is their high preistess? Are they likely to recieve assistance for others living nearby?" she smiles at the leader awaiting his reply.
Doh, Beth thinks (but doesn't say out loud). So much for not letting these guys know our main objective was the Drow temple.
"My friend is being a little worried here. With your mention of them thinking they can take us has scared her and must have addled her brains a little bit. But we do want to try and avoid any problems with them. We are here for the giants. Will the drow be likely to help them in any attacks against us?" asks Kelar with a meaningful glance at Sharone.
"Of course. They are leading them."
He turns and whispers something to Raz and Farad.
The derro leader glances at Kelar, then replies to Sharone.
"There are eleven drow in the temple. They are led by the High Priestess Elsia and her necromancer husband Thurgrond. As well as being skilled in the clerical and magical arts, both are accomplished warriors. They are related to Eclavdra in some way. As for aid, they will probably be assisted by the giants who remain in these halls."
Sharone looks around the group. "Whilst you may have no interest in temples, I as a student of the Gods am keen to learn all I can about other religions, especially if they have a tendency to attack people before they even get to know us. And it is appropriate to introduce myself to the high priestess of this temple."
"Do the giants worship at the temple?"
"I believe that the drow have been trying to win converts to their demon god."
From near a the wall you hear,"Oooooh can't we go see a REAL live drow. Just think of all those magical things in the temple. I'm sure Sharone is interested in visiting temples, even if it's not one of hers. Oh well, I supposed it's just more giants and they aren't any fun one or two hits and they're gone."
"You'll see drow soon enough, if you go downstairs," says one of the derro to the invisible Jon.
Aldarin comments, "If it is only a small group of drow and their giant henchmen, I vote to destroy them and their evil once and for all. If we rest and regain our strength and spells we should be able to handle this menace as easily as we took care of the giants."
"I'm game," replies Raz, "Let's burn them up!"
"What do we need to rest for? I still know all my spells being these Derro are the first people we have met today. Maybe we should check around this level before we take on the drow. We can wittle away at the defenses that they have," says Kelar.
Turning back to the Derro, he says, "Thank you for your help. I hope that you and Humphrey can work out some way to make an alliance."
Farad bows to the derro. "Come friends. Let us be off. We must plan our visit down below."
You retreat to the throne room.
Once out of the Derro's view, Farad looks at the others. "How about we take out their leadership first. I'd rather not have a high priestess and necromancer casting spells our way while we are caught fighting giants."
He turns to Beth and Raz. "I can take two people with me ethereally. We'll be able to slip through the doors and passages unnoticed, and then appear and blast the two when they least expect it, in the heart of their lair. Then we quickly retreat and launch the frontal assault against the rest of them."
He looks about. "If for some reason we find an attack isn't possible, at worst we'll have a good idea of the enemy layout."
"That sounds like a good plan," Beth says, "but are you sure Raz and I are the right ones? Drow are magic resistant. Having a good strong strong sword along might turn out to be more useful than two additional magic users."
Farad looks up. "Magic resistant? Hmmm, I didn't realize that."
"I don't think I've met any myself," Beth says, "but while a lot of you were out adventuring I was fusting away in a library reading, mostly about magic. The Drow seem to come up more than once when you read about that topic."
"We'd probably best not attempt it then. The plan could really only succeed if surprise was certain and our enemy didn't have the ability to attack. If they are resistant then our magics would probably fail. As for fighting it out with swords, that would have been an option if they were not also skilled swordsmen. Any surprise on their part will be minimal, and they would be able to yell for help and get it before we could finish them. And remember, should I get injured or disabled, the escape route is closed."
Aldarin says, "We are quite formidable ourselves. We should at least be able to take down some of their forces. If we have to retreat to regroup and regain our strength then we can do so. They should not be able to call for reinforcements that quickly. If we leave them here now and return later then they will definately have strengthened themselves. They probably have relied upon the strength of the giants to help protect them but now that most of them have been dispatched I believe they will be in a weakened condition. Also, I understand that the more powerful the spell used the less resistant creatures are to it. This should help in our assault."
Beth shrugs. "It might work. You can use a sword, can't you? If we could somehow get the priestess alone, the three of us could take her, and probably the loss of her leadership would make the rest easier for the whole group to take out. Perhaps at least a scouting expedition is in order."
Farad nods. "Well, I'm game to try it then. Yes, I can keep her busy with my sword so she can't counter your spells. And I suppose even if they are somewhat resistant, they can't be totally. Something you cast is bound to get through."
The elf looks towards the cleric. "A few continual light spells cast on objects that are hidden away and can quickly be unsheathed would be nice. I have heard drow can summon darkness."
"Yes, that's true," Beth says. "Did any of us think to memorize light or continual light spells? I didn't...."
Ayazin says, "I'm not sure this is the best idea. We just don't have enough information -- and if you three fail, we won't know about it except when you don't return. We don't know what sort of creatures are nearby that might join the fight, either. I agree that a frontal assault wouldn't be the wisest thing, but we might better use a coordinated attack with more of our forces."
"Let''s just do a scouting mission, then, get a map of the area and find out where they are, so we have enough information to do a coordinate attack," Beth says. "The only worry is that the priestess is going to use one of those funky Cleric things that would let her see us Ethereal."
Beth looks over at Farad. "So, if you're just gonna scout, who do you want to take with you?"
"Everyone goes...or no one," says Jo-owrn.
Farad smiles. "The boss speaks. Let's go."
Beth raises her eyebrows at Jo-owrn. "Oh?" she says, sounding surprised. "Would you object to a brief scouting mission with just a few people?"
"Oh. Sorry. I thought you meant a full-scale attack."
Jo-owrn goes back to cleaning his nails.
Beth looks back at Farad. "Let's scout. Who do you want to take with you?"
Farad shrugs. "Doesn't matter. Shouldn't take that long. Beth, you might as well go since you are mapping."
"Beth might be correct about that priest looking in the ethreal. You guys could be walking into a trap. Like the derro told us we wiped out a lot of giants. These guys arn't dumb...they will have noticed and be a little wiser to the fact that we are here. They probably don't know much....but they know that something killed those giants," says Kelar.
"Another problem....those derro that we were just having our lovly conversation with don't like us one bit. We are considered prime slaves. They just might go and talk to the drow and tell them all about us. The only reason they probably didn't attack us is that we out number them. We need to be very careful," states Kelar.
"Yes, I'm worried about that," Beth says. "Despite our warnings ahead of time to be circumspect, we were rather obvious in our interest specifically in the Drow. I say we waste no time... Farad will take me Ethereal, we'll get a very quick look at where the Drow are and what the tactical situation is. We'll bring the information back, and strike quickly. Waste no time, because we don't have time to waste."
Beth looks at Farad. "I'm ready when you are."
"I can come along too...if ya want," replies Raz, a little confused about the plans the group has.
Jon, invisibile, says, "I will go if you let me...I'm good at scouting and moving silently and I'd like to see the drow."
However, Farad can only take two others with him at his current level of ability, and picks the first ones to open their mouths, Beth and Raz.
The grey elf looks over at Beth. "If something happens to me, there are several ways to get out. First cast a dispel magic. That will immediately push you free. Second you can travel to Sandas. Ray Jay can detect you in the ethereal and can bring you back. Third is you can go into the deep ethereal and attempt to find a means of crossing over into the Astral plane, usually via an ethereal cyclone. Once there you can find the color pool corresponding to your home and use it to simply step back home. This last method is by far the hardest, and I do not recommend it.
Farad quickly instructs Beth on the means of moving about, and then proceeds to the stairs that the derro pointed out.
You head down to the next level, where you fought the bugbears. Ther is a four-way intersection at the bottom of the ram leading up. All of the passages are 20' wide. One goes south for 20', and after that turns east and becomes 30' wide. This is the direction that the bugbears came from. The next goes west for 20', and ends at a double door. The last goes for 20', then there is a flight of stairs up.
"Once we have a general idea of which direction they are, I'd prefer to rise up above this level a few feet, travel through the stone, and then drop back down into a room. Thus we can avoid doors which are the most obvious places to lay a trap."
Farad nods and quickly shifts Beth, Raz and himself into the ethereal plane...
Time passes.
Suddenly, Farad, Beth and Raz seem to step out of thin air and back into the hallway at the entrance to this level, rejoining thier companions.
Reappearing, Raz looks very pleased with himself. "Yes! That went off well if I do say so myself. We struck a blow for the good guys!" Raz's smile seems to fill the room.
Farad speaks up. "You guys ready to fight? We found the main force of the drow in their temple, and I suggest we attack it immediately. We have two fire giants and eleven drow including their leaders. The giants guard each door, so we'll only have to face one initially."
The elf draws his sword and checks its edge in preparation for a fight. "But also present are the derro. They must have gone straight to the drow to tell them all they know about us. We tossed them a present of some fireballs as we left, but I don't know if it silenced them or not."
Beth says, sounding urgent, "C'mon people, we gotta motor!" Pointing at Raz and Farad, she says, "These bozos insisted that it wasn't a scouting mission after all and talked me into dropping some fireballs on the Drow. We all zapped them with one; we didn't stick around to see how well it worked. But they're surely pissed, anyway, and we need to go NOW to take advantage of it!"
"Right!" replies Raz..ready for action.
Farad shakes his head. "Bozo's maybe, but I didn't think it smart to let the derro spill all they know about us. Taking them out quickly seemed best. But some of them are hurt badly now, so lets hit them hard."
She shows her hastily drawn map to the others:
Pointing to the temple, she says, "This is where they all are, down on the first level down. We need to just go down there, and climb those stairs, and we're there. Waste no time! C'mon! Remember, we can't let anyone escape to warn the Drow further below!"
Farad begins moving in that direction, sword drawn and ready.
Beth tries to shepherd the whole group there as fast as possible.
"Well, you guys know the situation, and you know if we have a chance to win, so lead the way. Quick suggestion: what if Farad was to take himself and another fighter ethereal and flank them and then we would have them in the middle of us and we could cut them off from warning any others, or a full on frontal attack makes no never mind to me."
Britan readies his sword, and shield.
Farad shakes his head. "No way to communicate to know when to appear, so lets just hit them from the front."
Jon says, "Okay, I'm in. Do we have a PLAN? I thought I'd try and sneak behind the drow magic user. Could you tell which one he was?"
"Go in fast, hit them hard, let noone escape, that's our plan. You can tell the two drow mages by their air of command. IF we're lucky, they should be smoking a tad as well," Beth says, as she hurries with the party towards the temple.
Sharone shakes her head "Boy, these scouting/info finding missions sure are filled with a lot of fighting and head cracking."
She prepares a prayer for casting just before battle starts so that all members of the group gain benefit from the casting.
She will also hand 2 of her continual light bullets to Jon.
Ayazin says, "I'm ready. I'll try to take out the first drow leader I see with my Summon Insects spell -- it might work, it might not, but even if it does, it will only work for a little while, so strike quickly if you see it -- but not with fire!"
You head up the stairs. You reach the top.
From the far end of the passage you hear gutteral voices and grunts...then three minotaurs come running around the corner farthest from you!
They spot you, and charge, heads down and snorting.
Farad frowns. "Didn't see these fellows..."
Ayazin makes an attempt to disbelieve the minotaurs, just in case they are an illusion.
The minotaurs do not go away.
"Watch out for invisible attackers! Can anyone detect them?" He stands his ground for now.
Farad points his finger at the closest and blasts away with a magic missile spell. The elf's spell blasts into a minotaur. The monster moos angrily.
Kelar also casts a magic missle spell at them. It too hurts another one.
"We need to get through these guys quickly. We don't want them to get any reinforcments to come while we are dealing with them" says Kelar.
Aldarin shouts a quick few words and casts a Hypnotic Pattern in their midst.
Two of the beasts stop dead in their tracks, mesmerised, chewing their cud in fascination. One keeps coming, though.
"Oh, bother," Beth says, as she points her wand at the last one.
It freezes up solid, its momentum causing it to fall forward, face-first, to the floor.
"Save your spells for the Drow, and if the rest of you can get by these boys I'll take care of them and meet you down with the Drow."
Britan charges forward and sticks the paralysed minotaur.
Farad shrugs. "I know the spell will work for these, where it might not for the drow. But we'll these few won't take but a minute to finish off."
Aldarin speaks while keeping up his pattern, "I'm using spells on these minions since I know it will have an effect. We can conserve our other abilities for the Drow."
" Fine. Whatever."
Suddenly a fireball explodes in your midst. The caster of the spell is not readily apparent. At least it was not Raz.
Sharone takes 8 hit points of damage.
Aldarin, Britan, Beth and Ayazin take 13 hit points.
Raz, Farad, Jon, Jo-owrn, Humphrey and Kelar take 25 hit points.
The two remaining minotaurs are incinerated.
"Fighters, charge forward! Immediately engage the Drow!" Beth shouts.
Humphrey charges forward at full speed.
Five magic missiles suddenly pour through the back wall, and into the fighter. Humphrey takes 20 hit points of damage and drops, as blood sprays out of him.
You see no sign of the attacker.
Sharone takes out a glowing sling bullet and fires it up the corridor to light up the spell caster. Hitting her if she is visible.
The passage is lit up more than it was before, but still no spell caster is seen.
Farad quickly looks around for the angle of attack. Meanwhile he takes a moment to fully heal himself and next Raz, since the mage is probably barely holding on.
"Thanks," replies Raz to Farad as Farad finishes his healing spell on him, "I needed that."
Next, running down the passage to your right, come charging six verbeeg giants.
Farad continues healing those previously hit by the fireball, knowing that the giants are soon to be the least of our troubles.
He heals himself, Sharone, Aldarin, Ayazin and Raz up to full.
Jo-owrn, seeing giants, turns and runs at them to attack.
Seeing the verbeeg giants, Britan decides to take the fight in close, so he charges the giants and attacking them with his glowing sword.
"Ahhhhhhh I just had my hair done."
Ayazin shouts, "The walls! They're not real! The drow hide behind illusions!" He then starts to cast Summon Insects.
Apparently things look a little different in the Prime than they did from the border Ethereal, for now, suddenly, Farad, Beth and Raz get their bearings and see the far wall for what it is:
A 20' wide opening appears facing you at the end of the passage where it turns east, per Beth's map.
Behind it are a bunch of drow, including the priestess and her consort, who appear to be in the prime of health. There are eight of them. Beside them stands one of the fire giants.
Once it is pointed out to the rest of you, the illusion is obvious.
Farad mindblasts in their direction and then charges with his sword.
None of the monsters are affected.
Beth will cast "shield," and then, if the priestess is in range, will attempt a "polymorph other" on her.
As she begins her spell a male drow completes one of his own, and a forked lightning bolt lashes down the passage, striking Kelar, Farad, and Raz.
Kelar and Raz take 14 hit points, while Farad takes 28.
He begins to cast another spell immediately.
Raz immediately casts a lightning bolt, forking it and directing it to the priestess and her consort.
Sharone mutters, " I would have thought a small detail like illusionary walls was worth mentioning.... "
She prepares and casts a silence spell onto some obvious item being worn by the priestess. She may be magic resistant but her equipment isn't.
"Well, they were on the map," Beth says, lamely. "But we were in a hurry, anyway."
Another magic missile comes from the drow mage, striking Farad for 17 hit points. He heals himself for 20 hit points as he continues his charge.
A third spell strikes him for 20 hit points, and again he heals himself for 20 hit points.
Raz releases his lightning bolt as Jo-owrn and Britan meet the giants.
His bolt does not get past the drow magic resistance.
Beth's polymorph spell goes off simultaneously, and again it does not affect the drow.
After Raz looses his lightning bolt. Kelar charges behind it.
"Remember these guys are resistant to magic. So use your spells wisely," says Kelar as he charges past people.
As Farad closes to within 20' of the drow the priestess completes her spell, and suddenly he finds himself in the midst of a swirling cloud of razor-sharp blades, which fills the corner section of the passage. Farad takes 25 hit points of damage, and drops unconscious at the priestess' feet, bleeding from dozens of cuts.
Kelar halts before the swirling cloud of blades, unable to get through them without getting sliced to ribbons, but open to the drow's magical attacks.
Up the other passage, Jo-owrn and Britan are in melee. The ranger is struck for 4 hit points of damage. He in turns opens up a horrible wound in the belly of his attacker.
Britan also wounds his opponent, while sidestepping an attack.
Sharone completes her spell, redirecting it at the floor of the passage at the priestess' feet. That end of the passage suddenly becomes very quiet.
Ayazin continues to work on his spell, which takes a full minute to complete.
Aldarin pulls out a scroll and reads it.
Caught within Sharone's silence spell, the cleric and the mage drow back up. The fire giant and the remaining drow array themselves across the entrance to the passage.
Britan continues his assault using all three attacks on giant until the giant is dead, then he will move onto the next one.
"Raz take the ceiling out above the mages."
Raz, however, is lost in thought or something.
Up the other passage, Jo-owrn and Britan are in the thick of it with the verbeeg. Each now has two of them attacking.
Jo-owrn kills one right off, and Britan cuts down another with two quick thrusts. The former is struck for 6 hit points by the next giant.
Kelar starts to look around for some way around the blades, while keeping an eye on what the drow are doing. The blades fill up the entire area at the corner. There is no way around them.
Everyone sees Kelar screaming something...but being it is silenced at this end you can't hear him
Suddenly the air is full of tiny darts, as the drow release their hand crossbows. Kelar is the featured attraction, and he is struck by one for two hit points and falls, dead asleep.
Sharone casts a dispel magic on the blade barrier.
"Good show," Beth says encouragingly to Sharone. She points her wand, and speaks it's command word. She's aiming it at the Fire Giant, as that's about the only thing she has much of a hope of hitting.
Suddenly a cloud of bees, hornets, wasps and - worst of all - Maine blackflies appears some 30' up the passage. Ayazin points towards the retreating drow, and the swarm complies.
Ayazin begins his next spell.
Beth releases her wand, and a ray strikes the fire giant. It does not affect him. Instead, he tosses a boulder and conks Raz on the noggin for 10 hit points.
The swarm engulfs the drow and the giant for a moment, on its way after the cleric and mage. The monsters are reduced to yelling, slapping and cursing, as they are bitten and stung...then the swarm flies down the passage to the north, around the corner, and out of your sight.
Sharone releases her dispel magic...but the blade barrier remains.
Aldarin finishes reading his scroll, and then advances down the passage, incanting another spell as he goes.
Ayazin finishes his latest spell, and is pleased to see the wooden hand crossbow held by one drow suddenly twist and warp into a useless shape.
He begins a third spell.
Aldarin reaches the corner and the blade barrier suddenly winks out of existance before him. He releases his spell, and a fireball explodes in the midst of the drow, engulfing him and the sleeping Kelar as well. They are protected by the power of the scroll that he read, but the drow and the prone and bleeding form of Farad at their feet are not. Farad is reduced to ashes, and one of the drow is killed also.
The drow rush forward to attack him with their shortswords. The giant accompanies them.
Sharone casts a hold person spell.... targetting 3 of the four remaining drow swordsmen...ones at the back of the attacking army.
Raz, snapping his mind back into the real world (and away from the terrible, mind sucking entity known as PathoGenome), casts a magic missle spell at the ceiling above the drow...hoping that is is not too late to distract them. Bits of stone shower them, but they are intent on Aldarin.
"Grrr," Beth growls in frusturation. "Dammit, simon says freeze!" She points her wand again at the Fire Giant and fires it off at him.
Raz then focuses his attention on the horde of drow..sending 3 more magic missle spells into their mist.
None of his spells affect the drow.
Britan continues to concentrate all three attacks on one giant, and if he should dispatch his foe he will make his way to the spellcasters and try to attack them. The giants both miss, but the cavalier barely connects once thanks to the power of Idun, but he does not kill his foe. Jo-owrn lands a nasty hit on his opponent, though, leaving one of the verbeegs dead.
After he finishes his current spell, Ayazin zaps two missiles from his wand at the giant attacking Aldarin.
The drow and the fire giant attack Aldarin as Ayazin completes his spell and Beth shoots her wand. The drow and giant all miss the elf, and no one's spells or wands affect their respective targets...perhaps because they are within the sphere of Aldarin's magical protection. Aldarin attacks with his flame tongue, and hurts a drow.
Ayazin's missiles are of no help, either.
Sharone releases her spell...and to your surprise, a drow at the back is held!
The battle continues, as Aldarin fans badly with his flame tongue and his three opponents do likewise. The last unoccupied drow - the one with the bent crossbow, suddenly rushes past the melee and charges at Ayazin! The druid releases his wand a second time, and the fellow is struck for 5 hit points!
Still he charges.
Britan again misses all over the place, but it struck for 10 hit points by a verbeeg. Jo-owrn kills another giant, then turns to aid the cavalier.
"Doh!" Beth says. "So much for coordination."
Britan continues to attack, hoping not to just send a breeze through out the hallway. Still concentrating all three attacks on one giant. " This party is over giant, Your going down and not getting back up."
The cavalier then guts the offending verbeeg, killing him on the spot.
Beside him, Jo-owrn pierces his opponent through the heart, killing him also.
All of the verbeeg giants are dead, and Britan and Jo-owrn turn and rush back to help out against the drow and the fire giant.
Sharone shakes out her shiny flail, slides her arm into her shield and moves to attack the approaching drow.
"Don't target the held one, worry about the others first."
She swings at her enemies.
Ayazin draws his scimitar and shield, and pulling his cloak around himself, rushes to meet the oncoming drow, commanding his wolf to attack as well.
Ayazin fans with his sword. The drow swings his shortsword at where the druid appears to be, but misses anyway.
The wolf - which has been staying well back up until now - comes bounding up the stairs.
Sharone rushes up first, flail a-swinging, and crushes the drow's skull. The elf drops, dead.
Up at the corner, Aldarin kills another drow in silence. Only one remains, plus the fire giant. The latter connects with his blunt instrument, and Aldarin is hurt for 28 hit points.
From around the corner, up towards the second illusionary entrance to the temple, you hear the terrible sound of crunching bones and rending flesh.
After an instant, it ends.
Aldarin squares off again, as Jo-owrn, Britan and Sharone rush up to render assistance. The drow swipes at him for 4 hit points. Aldarin then kills him.
The giant turns to face Jo-owrn, as the ranger comes within range. Jo-owrn takes a club full in the face, sending blood and teeth everywhere, but he still lands a deadly blow against the giant regardless. Britan is up next, and lands another good hit. Sharone, though, fans.
From around the corner where you just heard the noise comes a second fire giant. He looks healthy.
Britan rushes to meet the new and refreshed fire giant, leaving Jo-owrn and Sharone to finish off the first one, and begins to attack him before he can reach any of the group members.
Presuming that the second giant is far away enough from Aldarin that magic will work there, Beth tries shooting off her wand at him.
He dodges the ray from Beth's wand.
"Go after the Drow priestess!" she suggests, after firing off the wand.
Ayazin hurls a javelin at the injured giant, hoping to help finish him off and free up the fighters for the fresh one. His javelin misses. Aldarin turns to the new Fire Giant and blasts it with a Lightning Bolt (aiming for the head, hopefully over the heads of any rushing fighters or our own). The bolt strikes a glancing blow.
If the Giant is engaged by another he will follow up with 2 Magic Missiles spells, if not he will engage in melee.
Sharone will continue to hit the wounded giant. Once he falls she will step back and cast a prayer spell over the group.
"C'mon the death of Farad must not go unavenged, Idun help me!"
The injured giant is still capable of dishing out damage, though, and clobbers the ranger for 14 hit points. Jo-owrn is actually starting to look hurt, as he finally chops the fellow down.
Britan attacks the last giant as Aldarin unloads a pair of magic missile spells into him. The cavalier is mashed first by the giant's club for 20 hit points, before nailing him twice. The elf's two spwlls leave the monster staggering, but still mad and still alive.
The club swings again but this time Britan dodges it. His sword flashes once, cutting the monster's hamstring. He falls, and Britan plunges his blade into the giant's heart, killing him.
No more attacks come your way.
Raz notices Humphrey, still merrily bleeding to death, and goes over to tend to him.
Sharone then looks to help Kelar.
After a moment, both Humphrey and Kelar come around.
Humphrey and Kelar regain consciousness, to find the rest of you still alive and finishing off held drow and whatnot.
Humphrey is at -9 hit points and will be out of action for 9 days, unless some powerful healing is applied.
Kelar feels a bit groggy from the drow sleep poison.
All about are dead drow, dead fire giants and - they assume - dead verbeeg.
A pile of ashes and equipment is all that remains of Farad.
There is no sign of Jon, though Ayazin's wolf is sniffing and barking at a patch of floor by the second hidden entrance to the temple.
Nor, you note, is there any sign of the drow mage or priestess.
As Britan rubs where the giants clubs bashed him he says, "If someone could throw some healing my way real quick, then I can go hunt down the Drow Mage and priest before they can get replacements."
"Healing or no, let's go! We can't let them get away," Beth cautions.
Beth continues, "Aldarin, Raz, Jo'owrn, go strait ahead." She points at the first illusory wall hiding an entracne to the temple (11 on the map). "Britan, Sharone, Ayazin, come with me." She gestures over to the second entrance (12) where the wolf is sniffing at something on the floor. "We have to find and take out the two Drow, and somehow not kill Jon in the process."
"Boy, guys, that's not a big team left, especially with most of the group well down on hit points," prompts Sharone. " Do we really want to go rushing off after two fit , big magic casters?"
Ayazin says, "You are both right. Give me a minute and I will try to summon some reinforcements."
He casts Animal Summoning I, trying to summon first mountain lions, then wolves, and if not those, giant rats.
While Ayazin is casting his spell Sharone will search the drow and giants.
Aldarin, lends a hand stripping the fallen.
In the fire giant's sacks they find a grand total of 4000gp...but no rod.
Eight giant rats come running up.
As people are moving to their designated entrance, Beth will cast "Protection from Evil" on herself.
Raz looks up from tending to Humphrey and says, "I'm needed here. Humphrey's in bad shape."
"Aldarin, is that Prot'n form Magic scroll still working? If it is, you are the best option to enter the room first. "
Aldarin says, "The protection from the scroll should last a bit longer now. I will take point. Can anyone do any healing? I could use a little."
Aldarin takes out his potion of Heroism? and has it handy to quaff.
"All I have is couple of CLWs which I was saving for emergencies. And I think maybe Humphrey may need one," Sharone offers. "The other cure will not raise anyone back to fighting level. But if the group believes somebody is currently in danger of dying I will cast one "
Looking to Sharone, Raz says, "Casting CLW on Humphrey would be most helpful here. Please help!"
Raz looks angry and frustrated.
"If not I have one in my pack that I could read before entering the room. What do we think?" Sharone looks to the group for their responses.
Sharone will collect the ashes and equipment.
Rubbing his head, Kelar asks, "Uhhhh that really sucked. What are you talking about going after them? We have lost at least one member and you are worried about the drow. I think they are probably running right now. If there were more drow they would have been here already. You should find Jon and then we should retreat," says Kelar knowing that people probably won't hear him while moving over to check on Humphrey.
"Duhh!" Beth says, sparing no bile for Kelar. "Weren't you listening when Ray Jay briefed us? There's a whole Drow city below -- well below -- which we're supposed to scout out. If we let these two away, then they'll know for sure we're coming, and there's no hope of our being able to proceed! If we retreat, we retreat all the way back to Ray Jay. If we want to go ahead, we can't afford to retreat at the moment!"
"There's no time for discussion, everybody. Let's go!"
"Sorry Beth, but I'm not leaving Humphrey," replies Raz firmly.
"Fine" she says, looking over her shoulder. "And when they kill all of us because you wouldn't help us finish them off, they can finish off Humphrey too."
Ayazin says, "Humphrey is about to die from his wounds. He should be healed immediately. I have no healing to offer, but I suggest we use all available healing right now, the better to survive the coming battle. If ever there was an emergency, this is it. Start with Humphrey and heal the most wounded first."
"YES!" Beth says, angrily. "It's an emergency! There are enemies around! Raz tended to him, he won't die unless we fail to secure the situation! No time to talk!"
"Well then let's go and get it over with."
Britan goes over to the second entrance where the wolf is and checks it out.
"Beth is Ayazin's wolf trying to show us an invisible drow ?" Sharone questions the animal's strange actions.
The wolf is chewing on something...invisible.
Ayazin says, "Unfortunately I think the wolf has discovered Jon's body."
He feels around the area to confirm his suspicion. "He must have died while invisible."
There is definitely a mangled, pulped, invisible corpse there...or at least part of one.
The wolf burps.
Sharone nods her head gravely and sprinkles some holy water on the area.
"Idun, another soul returned to your care."
Splitting into two groups aqnd leaving Raz with Humphrey, you enter the temple through the two separate entrances.
It is a large chamber (from the northwest passage, the left wall runs west for 50', north for 170', east for 120', south for 160', west for 20' (20' wide entrance passage leading south to the second illusionary wall), northwest for 20', west for 20', and south for 20' to close up). The southern area that the northwest passage opens into is actually a 20' wide raised area, above the main floor of the temple. A 20' wide flight of stairs in the 10'-30' section (measured from the east) leads down to the main floor. The second exit is reached by a flight of stairs connecting it with the main floor of the temple.
This place is illuminated by a strange swirling light which seems to be part of the very air of the place. Eddies of luminosity drift and swirl here and there, cusing the whole scene to appear strange and uncertain. Distances are difficult to ascertain in the shifting light of rusty purple motes and lavender rays. Globs of mauve and violet seem to seep and slide about. The ceiling of the temple is out of visual range.
Down the centre of the chamber runs a row of pillars, and between them and the west wall runs a second row of narrower pillars. The wall to the west is a mural showing giants bowing to a cairn of black, and offering sacrifices. the scenes grow more horrific to the north, showing humans and giants being sacrificed. The floor is of porphyry, the pillars are of serpentine, and the colours clash in an almost painful fashion in the strange light.
To the east of the centre row of pillars, a row of narrow obsidian pillars meanders across from the north end of the northwest wall by the second entrance to end against the east wall, some 50' from the north end. The floor is of red and black hornblende. The scene painted on the east wall shows a scene of various creatures crawling, then creeping up to huge, vaguely squid-like creatures with ten hairy tentacles. In the forefront of this mass sacrifice are elves and men, but there are also dwarves, gnolls, orcs, trolls, halflings, ogres, goblins and other races present in the crowd. Those near the monsters are being torn apart and the bloody gobbets eaten as dainty morsels. There are three of these ghastly things, mottled in various shades and tints of purple and violet.
The north wall is of cloudy purple stone and shows an amber-like inlay of a huge inverted triangle with a "Y" enclosed in it. Beneath this, hanging on chains from the ceiling is a black metal triangle and cylinder. There are three tiers leading up to the back of the temple chamber. The first is of black stone shot through with veins of violet. The second is of dark gray stone, with specks of lilac, orange and purple. The third is of dull black stone, with whorls of plum and lavender and splotches of red.
A great drum of blackened skin and chitinous material is on the western third of the first tier. At the eastern end of this tier stands a rack from which depend nine silver cylinders. Near the rack is a large pillar of malachite, covered with graven signs and sigils.
On the second tier is a huge stone altar block of dull, porous looking, somewhat rusty black mineral. To either side of it are ranked large bronze braziers whose corroded green colouration is particularily nauseating in this setting. To the left and right of these braziers, set in triangular form with the point to the south, are two sets of three candelabra, each one having three branches. These are made of bronze, green with age, and each branch holds a fat black candle which burns with a flame of leaping lavender and deep glowing purple.
Nothing save the metal triangle stands upon the third tier.
Apart from a few flies, wasps and Maine blackflies buzzing aimlessly about, the place is deserted.
Jo-owrn takes in the scene.
"Just like I remembered it," he comments. "I don't think you want to touch anything. Looks like the drow have taken off. That mage must've had a teleport spell on him."
"Damn!" Beth exclaims. "Damn, damn, damn, and blast. Now we're really cooked. If they teleported out of here, the whole underworld knows we're coming. We'll be lucky to survive down there, never mind actually get any useful information."
Jo-owrn shrugs.
"Not necessarily, Miss Beth. They're pretty disorganised down there. No one group really rules the underworld...it's a bunch of battling tribes...even within the drow population themselves. Besides, how are they to know that we just aren't here to clear out the giants, and then we'll go home?" he asks. "Of course, that Eclavdra lady's a pretty nasty bird. That cleric and her mage boyfriend might be too scared to tell her that her just-rebuilt temple's been trashed again. For all we know, those two are still downstairs here, fetchin' reinforcements!"
"Well, nuts," Beth says. "Well, to heck with strategy then, we need to worry about tactics. As things are, Raz and the others are right; we've got the emergency of wounded to deal with. We may be cooked for going further below, but we should try to survive right now. Let's get Humphrey, and the remains of Jon and Farad out of here, back to base camp. And let's start posting a guard at base camp."
Having spoken quietly with Idun, Sharone casts a CLW on Britan, for 3 hit points.
Britan Looks over at Sharone and says, "Thank you and Idun."
Sharone looks around, taking in the vision of the temple. "Perhaps we should retire to our base camp. We have injured who need taking care of and dead we need to attend to. "
"I agree. We should go back. This looks like it would be too much for us, especally in our weakened condition and lack of spell casters." Britan walks back to the where Raz and Humphery are.
Ayazin says, "Agreed. Beth, if you could, inspect this invisible corpse to make sure that it is Jon, and see if there's a ring or other device that we could remove to make him visible again."
Beth leans over Jon's body, and looks particularly at the hands.
The corpse is indeed Jon...though his skull is mushed and one of his legs is now well-chewed.
There is nothing on his hands.
"I don't have a dispel magic memorized," the sorceress says, "so I can't take the invsibility off of him."
Sharone casts her last dispel magic on the body...... bits of Jon.
The body beomes visible.
She moves back into the battle room, stripping the drow equipment from the dead bodies and hiding it in an unobtrusive corner. "Perhaps our armoured members can use these when we go to the deeper levels of drowdrom. They may disguise us enough to give us an edge in an encounter or two."
Britan stands guard to watch out for any intruders that may show them selves.
Kelar quickly goes over to Raz and Humphrey.
"Come on, let's get going. Being as no one thinks too well it seems in the heat of battle," says Kelar, grabbing a hold of one side of Humphrey. "Let's get him up to my tent and get him comfortable."
Sharone picks up her various bundles and walking with Raz and Humphrey begins the trip to the surface.
You reach the entrance to Snurre's Halls without incident. Looking outside, you see that it is snowing heavily, and the temperature has plummeted...to around -40F. Fortunately, the wind remains light.
You struggle into your snowshoes, and hurry back as best you can with your burdens. Even in the biting cold it is hard work struggling through the snow, and you are all quite hot and bothered by the time you reach camp and get into Kelar's tent.
As night falls, the weather deteriorates outside. The snow falls heavier than ever and the winds pick up to gale force. Soon, blizzard conditions have returned, and virtually all that you can see through the magical window is a wall of white.
Midway through the evening you hear a faint knocking or scratching at the door of the tent.
You look through the window, and from above you see a heavily clothed, heavily armed figure standing outside.
Ayazin says, "Kelar, tonight I am most glad that you did not die, else we would surely be freezing to death out here."
"Speaking of which, how should we be dealing with our dead? Normally at this point we would send Farad back to Sandas with the dead bodies and a big sack of money, and he would return with everyone resurrected or wished back to life. Alas, Farad is unable to do much of anything now. Seeing as how Humphrey is out of action for a while anyway, should we try to send someone back to Sandas via teleport? I suppose we could continue our mission with the eight of us who are healthy, at least for a while."
Beth looks around. "Do we have anybody here who knows how to teleport?" Looking back at Ayazin, she adds, "I am not quite accomplished enough yet to be able to cast that spell."
Aldarin, "Do we have a scroll with the spell on it? If so, I may be able to cast it, otherwise I can't learn the spell at my present ability level"
Sharone pipes up " Do we not have a scroll with teleport bought for just this problem? Then either Raz or Beth can acomplish the task. Farad is only a pile of ashes, so all you have to carry is the body of Jon. "
"Oh, don't forget to get another teleport scroll, I've a feeling that Eclavdra may take a few more lives before we finish this mission."
Sharone then casts a detect magic over all the goods carried back from the temple. Putting Farads and Jons items on their sleeping mats. She then conducts a ceremony thanking Idun for the success achieved today against the evil of the drow and asking for more spells with which to battle them next day.
None of the items radiate magic.
Beth searches through her cloak to make sure she has her Wand of Paralyzation in hand before saying, "Could somebody get the door?"
Sharone casts her last CLW on Humphrey, just in case a rough and tumble starts.
She then picks up her flail and shield in case they are needed.
Aldarin takes a position in line with the door and prepares a lightning bolt in case of hostilities.
"Jo-owrn, anyone you recognize?" Ayazin gets the door, scimitar ready.
"Nope," says the ranger, drawing his sword.
Almost as soon as he says that, the person throws back her hood and waves at you through the magical window.
You see that it is Leslie the ranger.
She quickly covers her head again, not wanting to leave any part of her exposed in that cold.
You let her in. She unwraps herself from her winter clothing.
Beth puts her wand away.
"Hello Leslie," she says. "What brings you here? We're not in great shape ourselves. Farad is ash. Jon is dead. Humphrey needs healing in a big way, and most of the rest of us need healing in a medium sized way. What's more, the drow further down are surely alerted that we're coming in and that we're after them."
Leslie looks concerned.
"It looks like we took our leave of you a little too soon," she says apologetically. "You seemed to have everything under control. If you like, we can take you back to Laurie's temple and heal you up, plus see about getting the dead revived. As for the drow, Laurie could commune, and try to find out what their intentions are, regarding you."
Beth smiles grimly. "That would be helpful," she says. "We ran into these creatures, Derro, whom acted friendly, and claimed not to like the drow, and we let our tongues wag a little bit. From them, though, we learned that there was a small force of drow the first level down. Farad, Raz, and I went ethereally to scout the area and see what was there. We saw the Derro we'd just met speaking to the leaders of the drow."
"Derro?" says Leslie. "I've never heard of them."
"I have," says another voice from beside the ranger...the voice of Tabrina. "I've read about them. Nasty and very evil."
Beth sighs. "We said that we were going to just scout and look at the situation and come tell the others, so that we could go in with a coordinated battle. Under protest, I let Raz and Farad talk me into dumping a few fireballs on the Drow before going back to tell our companions. Probably all it did was warn them and piss them off, what with their magical resistance. At that point, we had to get the whole group to hurry, so that we could attack before the Drow, now fully warned of our hostile intentions. The battle didn't go terribly well, as we took a lot of damage, and the two leaders of the Drow escaped."
"Drow are difficult to deal with," says Tabrina, "Unless you're an arch-mage."
"The best thing to do is to melee them fast, so they can't cast spells," adds Leslie.
"But they still have their at-will abilities," says Tabrina.
Leslie sighs.
You pack up again and prepare to teleport. When you are ready, you head outside into the snow, and Kelar dismantles his tent. Then, you pile into Leslie's portable hole.
When you climb out again, it is into another snowstorm, but at least the temperature is some 40F warmer, that is, around 0 degrees. You find yourselves inside of a log pallisade. There are a number of buildings about, including a barracks, some stables, and what can only be a temple. There are quite a few other people about, too, mostly guards manning the closed gate, plus the watch towers built around the perimeter of the pallisade.
Leslie leads you into the temple. The place is built of wood, with high rafters supported by enormous tree trunks carved into the likenesses of the Norse gods. The largest carving is that of Tyr, god of war and law, to whom this temple is dedicated. The hall is dimly lit, the air scented with smoke and pine.
There, you meet Laurie.
"Trouble, I assume..?" she asks, having taken a quick head count and noting the condition of your party. "Leslie, I think I will need the assistance of some of your clerics."
"I'll be back in an hour or so," the ranger says, and leaves.
Laurie turns back to you.
You tell her the tale of your day's labours.
When you are finished, she says, "I have a rod of resurrection, so I am able to bring back to life even elves. However, often they are weak of constitution, and do not survive the trauma. It may be best to speak with them and see what they want done, before we try to resurrect them."
"Greetings, Laurie. What an absolutely beautiful temple you have here."
"Thank you, Ayazin."
Ayazin says, "Yes, we have had this discussion before -- it is always problematic, especially with elves, which both of these are. Please do speak with them."
"I am sure that Farad will want to come back....but you never can tell. Please do try and talk to them. We would be very grateful to you," Kelar says looking downfallen. "I am sure we will need all of our members back in shape to continue on. I know we will meet those drow again."
He turns to Beth.
"And as has been said before they are not real organized down there. I don't think that we will have too much defenses put up expecting us. They don't know for sure what we are going to do much less if they even report back. They may get some more people from their houses but I don't think they will tell anyone how come they need them."
Sharone steps forward. "Greetings, Laurie I am Sharone, Priestess of Idun."
Laurie smiles.
"I know...we travelled together for almost a month...remember?"
"I am honoured you remember me, Laurie," smiles Sharone.
"Unfortunately my magic isn't developed enough to offer any more than basic healing, so your help would be appreciated. I'd also be interested in any healing potions or scrolls that you could make available to us. Might come in handy during the rest of this expedition to drowdom "
"I'll see what I have," she replies. "Unfortunately, it will be tomorrow before I can cast speak with the dead, but I can start healing people right now."
"Thank-you, Laurie , my wounds are only minor, please see to the others first," offers Sharone.
"Thank you," Beth says. "Sharone has been ministering to Humphrey, but lately he was the one most in need of help -- barring Jon and Farad, of course. I think all of us could use some healing, though."
"Yes, indeed. We are all far less than our usual 'perfect' selves. Any healing you can spare will be truly appreciated," chimes in Aldarin.
Beth snorts.
Ayazin asks the magic-users, "What would be involved in recharging my wand of magic missiles? It's been a trusty weapon, but I worry that it could run out of charges, and I don't know how many charges remain."
Raz shrugs. "Depends on the wand. I guess the first thing to do would be to take it to a mages guild to see if and how it can be done. I've no experience with sush things myself."
"You can cast magic missile spells into it," replies Tabrina.
"All we have to do is zap the spell into it. I'd like to recharge my wand of paralyzation simlarly," Beth says. "Next time we're going to be in camp for a few days, remind me, and I'll memorize a full suite of magic missile spells each day to recharge your wand."
"Hmmm..." replies Raz, "Well, in that case I guess I could easily help out there too. Next time we spend a day in safety I could easily memorize several such spells for you Ayazin." Turning to Beth, Raz asks, "You've done this before?"
Beth waves her wand of paralyzation about casually. "With this thing," she replies.
Ayazin looks worried. "So there is no danger, say, of overloading the wand with too many spells? Forgive me, we druids know little of magical devices.
"I've never heard of that happening."
"Oh, sure," Beth says. "You overload it, it's dust. If we only put as many in it as you've used, you should be safe."
"I have heard that you can cast a identify on the wand that it lets you know about how full it is. That way you can get it up to full charge or closer without having to keep track of how many times you use it. Don't quote me on the spell but I think that is it." says Kelar.
Laurie heals Humphrey, and he recovers all but 1 hit point. She then begins casting her other curative magics into the rest of you. She is joined by another cleric of Tyr, Smet, who also casts cure light wounds spells into you.
Within an hour Leslie returns, with six people in tow...all clerics. She introduces them as Mr. Clean, Raymond, George, Cureaid (a half-elf) accompanied by his henchman, a gnome named the Little Green Sprout, and a second half-elf, Selentor. She turns these people loose on you, and soon you are all feeling as good as new.
At about this time a servant enters and announces that dinner has been served, so you adjourn to another building adjacent to the temple and connected to it. There, you find a large dinner of venison and wild turkey along with winter vegetables awaiting you, along with breads, rolls and lots of wine and mead.
Later on, you are shown to the guest quarters, where you spend a warm and restful night, oblivious to the snowstorm outside.