In the morning Britan will wake up early and polish and oil his equiptment and brush his steed down and get all his equiptment ready.
After Britan finishes his armor and grooming his horse he asks anyone if they would like to practice Sword play before Breakfast, As he heads out to begin his training.
Scratching his breastplate Pillar peers out at the gloom, his black hair fuzzed from long nights sleep. "Hmmm looks like I will have to take my de-rust kit."
Sighing he hefts his pack and prepares to leave.
You set out into the rain.
It is a dismal day for travelling...as you ride west for the mountains...turning northwest before you reach them. The road you are on winds through the foothills, generally running northwards. You meet no one else on the way, and by midafternoon you reach your campsite a half a mile from the entrance to the Megadungeon.
Raz, soaking wet and uncomfortable, points towards the entrance to the dungeon and says, "I say we head in right away."
"Agreed. But we should take a moment to dry out a bit. Don't want to have a slippery footing or grip."
Illyana shakes out her cloak. "Damn wet outside, it ruins clothing. Armor and weapons too."
"J'Harast. Proceed to the twenty foot wide passage that leads to the passages where we found the coins. This time however we shall continue on up to the ending T junction, and turn west."
You head up to the dungeon entrance...down to the first level...then down to the second level.
Heading up to the specified "T" intersection, you go west. After 40' it turns north...20' on the east wall and 10' on the west...to end at a wall facing northwest.
"Lets search for secret doors, and then head east to the northern 20' passage at the other end of this hall." says Farad.
Aldarin will search for secret doors. So does Kelar.
Britan stands gaurd while the elfs search, knowing the elfs are better at finding these secret doors.
Not that it matters...all of the elves search but turn up nothing.
You head back east...then turn north.
The 20' wide passage runs for 40' from the back wall...then ends at an enormous set of 20' wide double doors.
J'Harast listens.
He hears nothing.
You open the doors.
Much to your surprise, each 10' wide door opens into a different passage. They are both 10' wide, parallel each other and run north for 60' and then out of the range of your myriad light sources.
You head up the left passage.
After 60' there is an intersection with a 20' wide passage.
To the east it behaves normally...running for 60' and on. There is a 10' wide passage running south right beside you...you know where that passage goes.
Across the passage is a 10' deep, 10' wide alcove in the north wall.
To your left, the wall beside you runs northwest for 30'...then east for 10'...then back southeast for 10'...and finally east for 10' to meet the alcove.
You head east.
After 60' the passage runs for an additional 50'...then concludes at a dead end.
Jumping with joy Pillar sidles up to the dead end " Hey cool a dead end" running his hand over the wall he peers intently at it " I like dead ends". Sighing with wonderment Pillar continues to be enraptured by the masonry in front of him. "I have often pondered the purpose to a dead end".
Illyana stares a Pillar. "Sometimes you are a bit too wierd even for me."
Britan says, "Maybe he has been bumped on the head too much."
Farad looks at the map. "I agree Pillar. Dead ends are interesting, but only if they yield unexpected doors.
"Lets search this end, and the alcove and northwest passage that also dead ends. "
You find no secret doors.
Farad then gives directions to the next area to explore.
You return to the passage that leads to the chamber where you found the treasure and fought the poisonous toads...but this time continue west to where another passage runs south.
You look both ways.
To the south, this passage runs for 50' on the right wall, 60' on the left...then ends at a 10' wide passage running northwest-southeast.
To the west, the hall runs for 50' on the left wall, 60' on the right...then ends at a 10' wide passage running northwest-southeast.
"Lets go west and then northwest..."
Reaching the intersection to the west, you note that the intersecting passage immediately turns north, to the right.
You take a look.
It heads north for 50'...turning east after 30' and becoming 20' wide. Also, in the 20' - 25' section is a 4-way intersection with a 5' wide passage running east - west.
Just for laughs, you look southeast as well.
The passage runs in this direction for 60' and on. In the last 10' section of the left wall is a 10' wide passage running north...you know where that goes.
You head north to the 4-way intersection.
Looking west, you see that this is not a passage but rather a narrow flight of stairs...going up.
To the east, though, a passage runs for 60'...then seems to open up right at the limit of your vision.
You move north for 5' and look around the corner and down the 20' wide passage to the east. This passage also runs east for 60'...then opens up right at the limit of your vision.
You are more concerned, though, by the presence of five bugbears...creeping down this passage quietly towards you.
"GARGGGGG!" they shout when you spot them...and charge.
At the same time, Raz, cringing at the back of the party, notices four more bugbears running down the 5' wide passage towards you as well...
Farad chants the words of magic that will send the first five creatures to a peaceful slumber.
Bel snipes, "Sounds like his normal conversation to me, it has the same effect on Pillar and I."
Kelar heads for the back group of monsters drawing both swords as he goes.
"Farad you better hope that your spell gets all of them"
Two bugbears drop.
Mumbling arcane words to himself, Aldarin will cast a second spell on the ones rushing our front, causing them to sleep.
A third bugbear drops into a blissful slumber.
Once done Farad places his hand to his forehead and glares at the hopefully smaller group, mentally blasting them.
The last two are unaffected, and attack.
The first one misses Farad as the elf draws his sword.
"ROAR!" shouts J'Harast and charges down the hall to meet the foes, long sword and dagger ready.
J'Harast and the second remaining bugbear both miss.
Illyana curses. "Sandwitched - where did they come from?"
Illyana spins around to meet the four coming from the rear. "Split up accordingly this time, people."
Britan says, "Taste my steel you foul creatures" and charges down the hall with J'Harast with his Long sword ready. He rushes to help Farad...and misses, barely.
"ARRRGHGHGHGGH" Pillar yells as he runs towards them.
"Die scum of the world" he screams mightily as he attacks with his flail.
Both Pillar and his bugbear target miss.
Illyana connects with a bugbear and nearly kills the fellow right off. He manages to connect with her, though, for 5 hit points of damage. A second bugbear jumps her but misses.
Kelar also takes 5 hit points of damage, badly wounding him. The blood that streams into his eyes prevents him from seeing his foe properly, and so he misses with both weapons.
Raz angered by the attack, launches 2 magic missle spells into the remaining bugbears.
The bugbear threatening Kelar drops dead while the second monster on Illyana is badly wounded.
Grunting and panting Pillar exclaims "Stupid bear now you will die...."
Pillar continues to swing his flail in random directions hoping to hit the bear.
Pillar's flail connects this time, reducing the bugbear's face to a mangled pulp. The bugbear misses.
Farad has his longsword out, now, but misses with it. The bugbear does even worse.
Britan howls as he misses and continues to attack his enemys with his longsword. "Die you little Dung beetle!"
Despite the fact that his target seems to be completely oblivious to the presence of the cavalier, Britan also misses.
J'Harast, meanwhile, gets stuck for 7 hit points of damage by his bugbear. He replies, and cuts the offending monster down with two quick swings of his longsword.
Aldarin moves to attack with his long sword, helping Illyana, who seems to be hard pressed.
He misses badly.
Illyana easily steps around an incoming attack and finishes off one of the bugbears attacking her.
Farad, a short distance away, lands a glancing blow on his bugbear which nearly kills it anyway. Britan misses it again.
Illyana turns on the second bugbear that had been bothering her and kills it with one swing.
Only one other monster remains on his feet, and that one is battling Pillar. The cleric misses...and gets conked for 3 hit points. Aldarin hurries over and lands a glancing blow which barely nicks the bugbear.
Farad connects again...and kills the bugbear.
Pillar connects again...and kills the last bugbear.
Raz looks around at all the dead bodies. "Well, that was interesting.", he says, "Is everyone okay for the most part?"
J'Harast looks around and scratches his head. "How did they get around us? I wonder. Farad, can you stay here and guard while I scout ahead to see where they came from and if there is a way to double back? Also, we might want to check for secret doors here. I might have missed one."
"No need. This passage and this both go the same direction and are separated by only a 5' thick wall. They obviously lead to the same room. We'll check it out together." says Farad.
"J'Harast, if you would please search the creatures."
Farad then walks and places his hand upon any who are injured and allow him, "May the flame of truth touch your soul, and burn away the evil that lies within. May the grace of the greater gods find you worthy, and heal the injuries done by these minions of evil." he intones, as he lays his hands upon each of you.
Bel gags at this self-rightious diatribe and says, "Keep those sanctimonious paws off me, I'm fine and self-aggrandization may be contagious. Any who would like healing without the preaching just say so."
"I think I will take the healing without the speech if you will Bel" says Kelar.
Bel heals Kelar completely.
Farad clicks his tongue in disapproval, but says nothing more to Bel. Everyone the grey elf touches is totally healed. "Kelar, you should not let Bel's cynical mind keep you from the healing of the high gods. He is a druid and his faith is of this earth. He can not understand the power of the High Gods, and his rejection of their healing is a blot upon his soul."
Bel sighs and says, "What I object to is the attitude that only your ways are right and all else must change to conform to them. Your very words implied that your healing was at a price, "May the flame of truth touch your soul, and burn away the evil that lies within". I will never support a belief that implies all else is evil. Fanaticsm leads to terrible deeds, you are determined to do good at any price. What happens when the price of your task exceeds the good it does? Will you not do the task? Your character would not allow that, anything can be sacrificed for the cause. I for one do not wish to be sacrificed for YOUR cause, when I die it will be with honor, defending the light of good and the lives of the innocent."
Farad smiles. "My cause is to serve the High Gods, protecting all and punishing those who serve evil. If you call that being a fanatic, so be it. And if the death of evil is a terrible deed, then I am guilty of that crime. I will do what I can to that end. The only one who is following their faith blindly is yourself, for letting pride keep a wound from being healed."
"Do not blame me when your pride is your downfall, and you die because you could not accept help freely given."
"May we please save the theological debates till we are safe. I have a very very bad feeling in my thumbs." comments J'Harast.
Bel smiles and says, "Reasonable request, truce for now Farad."
Farad smiles. "Relax. Come, lets search these bodies and proceed to the east. But before we go too far from this area, I wish to climb the stair. I thought we found only one stair going down, and we took that."
Britan aids in the searching of the creatures while the injured get healed. He curses under his breath saying, "How could I miss so many times..?"
With everyone completely healed, you search the bugbears. On the bodies you find a total of 171cp, 81sp, 81ep and 54gp.
You head down the 5' wide passage to the east.
After 60' it opens up into a chamber (40' square: 40' east, 35' north; 20' wide passage in the middle of the west wall). The lair of the bugbears, it is filled with the usual junk that they like to own.
Searching, you find an additional 250cp, 1500sp, and 2 gems.
Illyana shakes her head. "Pocket change. If we can't carry all the money we find which I doubt, I would suggest dropping the copper and silver for coins worth more."
That done, you head west again to the narrow stairs, and climb them. They go up for some 40'...then there is a 10' landing...then a second flight of stairs, going down...
"Do we want to head down the stairs yet? Farad, have we mapped out the second floor yet? We haven't even been nicked yet." says Illyana.
"We'd best wait. We've still got a bit to cover."
Pillar looks at Farad.
Grinning evilly Pillar says "Why thank you, but the evil in my soul will remain and I will destroy you if you come near me again spouting that gibberish".
"Ahh but my friend Farad I am more akin to the forest than I am to your higher gods. So Bel's healing does me just fine and I don't have to listen to your sermon while getting it." says Kelar, as the theological arguments continue.
"But it is from the higher gods that this world sprang, and all of the magics of nature are but lesser powers to the glories of the outer planes and the Dieties that dwell thereupon. You have convinced me that I must work harder to convert you from the ways of the heathens and infidels. Bel too challenges me, but in the end I am sure even he will come to see the Truth."
"But come, we shall discuss this more later. Perhaps as we next practice swords."
"I call it being illogical, you dare to blasphem my God with such a callous remark then I fear that I will be inclined to repond with rightous wrath against a heathen"
Farad bows his head. "Forgive me Pillar. I know you to be a man touched by the Gods. I do not wish to offend."
Grinning Pillar says "But thats just talk lets crush some monsters"
"Then back down the stairs and south and southeast. There are bound to be some more creatures somewhere below."
"Best save this area for later. Lets go down the passage leading to the southeast." says Farad.
"All of this talk about blasphemy and heathens, and gods I am just waiting for the sacramental lamb to be brought in or the buxomness virgin which every you prefer." snorts Britan as you head back the way you came.
You head back down the length of the southeast passage. From where it meets up with the northbound passage that you looked down earlier, it continues on for a further 50' before ending at a dead end facing south. Checking for secret doors, Kelar does indeed find one at the end. After J'Harast listens, you open it...to see an east-west passage. Across from you, this passage continues on to the southeast.
You have been here before. To the west is an unopened door. To the east the passage turns north. To the southeast the passage eventually turns east, and takes you back to the room with the glowing magical panels.
"Time to open some doors." Farad turns left and points to the one at the end of this hall. "Lets start with that one."
"Quick through the unopened door" Pillar sidles up to the unopened door, "Quick lets open it"
Opening the door, you see another 10' wide passage running northwest.
You head northwest.
110' later, the passage turns west.
Looking that way, you see that the passage runs west for 50' on the right wall...60' on the left...where it ends at a passage running northeast-southwest. Also, in the 10' - 30' section of the south wall is a 20' wide passage heading south.
You go forth and look south.
This passage runs for 60' and out of the range of your lights.
You continue west and look up the other passage.
To the northeast it runs for 60' and on.
To the southwest it runs for 50'...then opens up to the west. In the 0' - 5' section of the left wall is a 5' wide passage running east. 10' beyond that in the same wall is a 20' wide passage running southeast.
"Lets try this 5' passage here." says Farad.
Aldarin says, "We should definately make sure this level is completely explored before delving deeper into this pit."
The 5' wide passage runs for 20' along the north wall...turning south after that and becoming 10' wide.
You go and look south.
From the back wall the passage runs for 60' and continues. After 50' on the west side it opens up.
You go down and take a look.
The opening is actually a 20' wide passage running northwest. Looking up there, you see that it meets up with the northeast-southwest passage you just left a moment ago. Beyond the intersection, this passage continues south for 60' and on. In the 50' - 60' section of the east wall is a door.
"Lets listen at the door, and continue south. Also, as we travel this way, check the east wall for passages." says Farad.
J'Harast listens at the door. Hearing nothing, he spikes it closed for now.
Beyond this door, the passage continues for another 60' and on. There is a door in the west wall, 40' - 50' section. You head down to it and J'Harast listens at it as well. He hears nothing again and spikes it.
Beyond this second door the passage runs for another 50' and ends.
You go down there and look for secret doors but find none.
"Lets backtrack a bit, and go north and around the corner and back to the twenty foot wide passage leading south. It should parallel this one for a bit."
You head back and soon find yourselves heading south down the adjacent 20' wide passage.
It runs for 160'...turning east after 150' and becoming 10' wide. There is a door in the 120' - 130' section of the west wall.
Looking around the corner to the east, you see that the passage continues for 60' and then ends at a door.
Farad opens the door in the west wall casually as you return. "Lets go back up this passage, and then proceed northeast."
Murmering under his breath Pillar peers suspiciously at the map maker "Do you have any idea where we are going? Or do we wander aimlessly for a reason. Its been ages since we encountered any foe of some ability".
Sulking Pillar resumes his melancholy murmering and continues to follow the party.
Farad laughs. "Indeed I do know. And its been all of ten minutes perhaps since we fought the bugbears. Don't get too impatient."
"Yes but to him that is an eternity. If it doesn't happen at least every five seconds then something isn't going right." points out Kelar.
You head back up to the original intersection with the northeast-southwest passage and go northeast.
After 60' the passage ends at a chamber. It is trapezoidal-shaped (right wall goes east for 60'...then northwest for 30' (10' wide passage running east in middle of this wall)...then west for 10' (10' wide passage running north in this section)...then back southwest to meet the passage you just came up).
The chamber is absolutely bare, so you go and look down the other passages.
To the east, the passage runs for 60' (measured along the south wall) and continues.
The north passage runs for 60' and continues...however in the 50' - 60' section is a 4-way intersection with another 10' wide passage, running east-west.
"Lets head east."
The east passage heads east for a grand total of 110' as measured along the south wall. After that, you find a flight of stairs...going down...
You return to the trapezoidal chamber and go north to the 4-way intersection.
You look east...the passage runs that way for 60'...turning north after 50'.
You look north...this passage continues for 20'...then ends.
You look west...the passage runs for 60' and continues. In the 40' - 50' section, in the ceiling, is a shaft going up.
"Lets search this north passage and see if anything turns up. Then we shall head west. I think we already know where the shaft ends." says Farad.
You go north, search, and find nothing.
You then head west.
The passage runs for 90' in total...then ends at a door.
J'Harast listens at it but hears nothing.
Bel, unable to stand the suspense, says, "I'll take what's behind door number one Bob, open it, open it."
"Lets open this." agrees Farad...so you do.
You find yourselves looking into a 20' X 20' room (door in west wall south corner), unfurnished but for a coffin in the northwest corner. A dead bat hangs over the coffin...suspended at the end of a string attached to the ceiling.
"This really doesn't seem to give us the come on in your welcome feeling..." as Britan draws his sword and prepares for danger.
Bel gets serious, just for a second mind you, and says, "Could be fun, I propose the cleric be the one to open this and we have all our holy symbols ready. Pillar would you like to do the honors, after J'Harast checks it for traps of course." With that Bel gets a vial of holy water in one hand and his blessed silver cross in the other.
"You have to be kidding right?" Pillar looks in dumbfound wonderment at the statement of the druid. "My reflexes would hardly save me from whatever would leap out of that thing. Of course if that is your wish".
Farad nods. "J'Harast, if you would first listen and then spike that other door. Also check that bat and see if it is attached to some form of trap or such."
Farad's sword is drawn, and he looks to be concentrating upon the scene.
J'Harast listens at the far door but hears nothing. Checking the dead bat and coffin for traps, he draws a blank there as well.
Farad finishes concentrating. "Both of these things should be safe to touch. I hope."
"You hope??? I think I liked it better when you just stated IT IS SAFE"
Kelar draw both swords and prepares for the worst.
"I can see into the future a moment, but such sight is far from clear. While I see no harm occuring to us when opening and examining the objects, there are so many possible futures that not all can be viewed. The ones showing possible harm could easily have been hidden."
Farad draws his sword and waits for the outcome.
Aldarin moves in and takes a defensive stance near the coffin (about 5' away) with sword drawn.
Pulling out his flail and holy symbol Pillar pokes the bat, he then watches for a response, upon seeing no response in the bat Pillar will try and open the coffin with his boot. Flail and symbol ready he screams as the coffin opens (if it does).
He flips the lid open and yelps, as he sees within a cloaked, man-like creature of deathly pallor lying on a bed of graveyeard dirt.
The creature opens his bloodshot eyes and blinks, before sitting up.
"I'm thirsty," he says, looking around, sleepily.
Farad tosses him a vial of water. "Something isn't right here. But prepare to flee." he says to the rest of you.
Farad's silver alloy sword is in hand.
"Who are you?"
"Count Chocula," he replies, knocking the vial aside. "And I want something warm and red to drink..."
He lunges at Pillar...misses completely...and goes tumbling out of his coffin to land on the floor.
"Drat," he mutters, as he scrambles to his feet.
Bel has his blessed silver cross up and ready and readies a second helping of holy water for the creature.
Farad points his finger at the creature and releases two missiles of light.
"Ouch!" says the count, as the missiles burn into him.
Farad then swings his sword to attack. The count scrambles aside, dodging the blade, and circles around the other side of the coffin.
Bel says, "OK Count, unless you want some tomato soup you are just out of luck. I would also think twice about try to snack, we have about a gallon of holy water here, multiple holy items, magic weapons and we have you surrounded. Now back into the corner like a good breakfast cereal cover-boy and let's talk. You've got 1 minute to give us a reason not to give you a bath. Money, jewels or magic...We're not picky." Bel holds his blessed silver cross between him and choc and readies his vial of water. If Choc makes a move toward anyone he gets it.
"I have no money...or jewels...or magic," he snarls. "Only...a hunger..."
He licks his lips at Illyana and winks.
Pillar, on the other side of the coffin, stands really still with a very white face "See look its a monster" and promptly intones "Foul monster you go back to sleep" and sticks his holy symbol in the Count's face.
Peering at the effects he readies his flail.
Count Chocula grabs the symbol off of Pillar and stuffs it into the cleric's mouth.
"See how you like it!" he says, as Pillar takes 7 hit points of damage and loses several teeth in the process.
Britan says "Come-on count make it easy or we will turn you into boooo berries!!!"
Bel groans and says, "If Frank-n-berry shows up I'm gonna wretch."
Kelar launches a magic missile at the monster. The count howls again.
Aldarin stands ready to attack if the creature attacks again.
Suddenly you hear a noise from behind you...as the door slams shut. Next, there is a clanking sound from somewhere...as the whole room seems to descend...
"Bru-huhuhuhaha..." chortles the count.
Raz sighs and casts his last magic missle spell at the Vampire....
The missiles sear into the count, who yelps and screams and hops about. He is looking quite hurt, now.
Bel is not amused and says, "Ok bozo." He then tosses his holy water at Choc.
Bel, with his usual accuracy, succeeds only in hitting the back of Illyana's plate mail.
Illyana shakes her head. "J'Harast still has my only magic weapon - I can't touch him at all."
Farad closes and again swings with his sword. "Do something Illyana. You won't know if you can hit it until you try."
The count's claws rake down the breast plate of Farad's armour as the elf misses with his first swing and connects on his second. Blood spews everywhere.
The downward motion of the room ceases, as Aldarin moves in to help Farad. However, everyone misses this time.
Finally, though, Farad connects again...and the Count drops.
Bel says, "You need an "on the fly" heal Farad or are you ok until we get out of combat."
"He only touched my armor, not me. What was he? Not a vampire at least."
Farad looks about. "J'Harast, listen at both doors again. Bel, see if you can find anything of value here. Break apart the coffin to check under it."
Farad pulls at the bat. "See if you can find a control of some sort. Maybe the coffin lid."
Farad looks frustrated. "If we can't find an obvious way out, we shall go back out that same door. Hopefully I can figure out which way to the stairs leading up. Assuming we are only one level down."
Illyana looks down at the body. "We can't afford to chance that he isn't a real vampire. We should light him on fire when we leave. I doubt he is a real vampire, since nothing else in here seems to be a real undead, but I would not risk it here. We can search the room - but I want to be ready to run out at a moments notice. Is there any other exit?"
"There are both exits. but where they may lead is anyone's guess now. Lets try the one we just entered."
"Phloooo" Pillar exclaims spitting his holy symbol out of his mouth "Stupid God" he grumbles as he picks his teeth up and casts a healing spell on himself.
Pillar is cured for 2 hit points.
Grunting he smashes his flail repeatedly into the counts head reducing it to the consistancy of mush.
J'Harast snaps out of his revery. "I...I'm sorry. That thing frightened me somehow... I was useless...my fault..." He concludes.
Next, he takes the sword that he has been using and hands it to Illyana. "Here is the sword back. I had kept it so that it might get used to benefit the party, since you never use the long sword and I am ususally in front of the comabt, and have extra training in the sword. However, since it seems that I was wrong about it's use and goal. I am returning it."
"I wasn't asking for it back, not yet anyway. You are right, it will do you more good than me right now." says Illyana.
J'Harast then begins to search the room, starting with the coffin that the creature was in.
"We might want to talk before we go out of here. I am out of spells...I think that Raz mentioned he is out, Farad how are you doing?" asks Kelar."I don't think we need to worry about having magical weapons this one didn't need one."
Farad nods. "I too am depleted except for my invisibility. I think it is time we found an exit."
Kelar helps to search the room for any controls or secret places/passages
Britan aids in the searching of the room and the count, then says "we should rest so that the spell casters can regain there spells. question is do we do it here or try to seek out a new place? I think this one is fairly secure and it would serve the purpose."
Farad looks at Britan. "Fairly secure? We are in a room with two doorways on opposite sides, on a level we know nothing about. If we went down only one level, the exit should lie about 200 feet to the east south east of of here. If it is like most of this place, there are probably only hallways between us and it. I say we try and leave."
Raz nods saying, "I must agree with Farad. While I still do have some spells on hand, they are not offensive spells. I think that leaving this dugeon to regenerate is the wisest course of action. On the other hand Farad...you may want to take into account that leaving this room may in fact lead us into an even more dangerous situation."
Farad nods. "I realize that. But we will have to leave this room sooner or later. Nothing is gained by waiting."
Searching the entire room, monster and coffin, you find nothing of value. Nor do you find any secret exits.
J'Harast listens at both doors...and hears nothing at either.
He opens the east door.
Beyond is a 10' square room. Another door is across from you in the east wall. Otherwise, the room is completely bare and uninteresting.
Farad nods for J'Harast to listen and open the next door if he hears nothing.
He hears nothing but silence, so he opens the door.
Through the door is another room. Circular in shape, it is 10' in diameter with a pool of water in the middle.
Around the perimeter of the pool are four enormous bears...gnawing on bones, scooping honey out of large pots, and generally doing bear-type things.
"RRRRROAR!!" they say, looking at the lot of you with hungry eyes.
Raz immdediately gets into a good casting position and casts sleep on the Bears.
None of the bears are affected. It's a different story with his own party members, though, as Britan and Farad suddenly collapse into a deep slumber.
Mumbling curses Pillar spits some blood from his mouth and charges into the melee, flail and shield at the ready.
Pillar's first swing is a miss.
Kelar is right beside him.
He misses as well.
Aldarin moves in quickly to attack with his sword.
He lands a minor hit with his longsword.
Illyana waits until after Raz casts the sleep spell.
Bel says, "Raz! You succeeded in doing something I have been trying for weeks to do...shut Farad up. We'll have to work out a signal for future situations."
Raz gives Bel a smug look.
Raz immediately goes over to Farad and Britan and kicks them awake. He then looks to the other party members saying, "I think we might want to consider pulling back and shutting this door behind us so that we can rethink this situation."
Farad quickly stands. "No retreat!" he moves to attack.
Britan also stands and retrives his sword and charges the bears to attack.
Bel closes his eyes as if in pain and says, "Now I remember why I liked Paladins in my tactics classes, they got every question wrong except when the answer was frontal assault. Farad, have you ever heard of the words strategic withdrawal, outflank and ambush. Ah well the die is cast."
Bel then casts invisibility to animals on himself and his hammer, moves a little forward and to the left, then waits for a good opportunity to wack at a bear from behind, or the side, by surprise.
"No retreat? There isn't any other way out of here! Unless there is something important in this room, then this entire fight is useless! We can't afford to attack everything moving down here anymore!" says Illyana.
"I can heal the party. But we can't affort to miss opportunities. The only exits I know of lie in that direction. Perhaps there is a secret door. I don't know, but we can't afford to pass up things.
"Fight. They are only bears. We can easily win this."
"I don't suppose the thought of checking this room as a final option ever occured to you, eh? I guess not." Illyana proceeds to swing at the bears which get to close to her.
J'Harast attacks with the magic longsword that Illyana has loaned to him.
Raz steps back out of the way.
Pillar has another go at his bear...and lands a solid whack on its noggin. This only serves to make the bear mad...and it bites Pillar for 8 hit points of damage. J'Harast helps him out...Pillar that is...landing a minor hit with the longsword and missing with his dagger.
Kelar is clawed for 5 hit points. Blood again streaming everywhere, he nevertheless connects...before taking a second claw hit in the kisser for 3 more hit points.
The elf drops.
Britan misses with his sword on the bear that just downed Kelar.
Aldarin lands a devastating hit on his bear. It roars in fury...then bites the elf for 1 hit point. Bel sneaks up behind the bear and pops into view as he swings his hammer...and misses.
Farad is clawed for 2 hit points of damage as he impales the beast on the point of his sword. It howls, and claws him again for another 5 hit points...then bites him for another 5. Illyana is at his side...she lands a blow that should have killed the bear...but it doesn't.
Pillar is clobbered by a claw for 6 hit points of damage...then the bear hugs him for 13 more hit points of damage.
When it releases him, the cleric collapses to the floor in a crumpled, bloody heap.
J'Harast again nails the bear that just got Pillar...twice with his sword. Blood streaming from several wounds, the bear fights on.
The bear that crunched Kelar now turns on Britan. The cavalier connects first, though, while sidestepping the claws and teeth of the animal.
Aldarin takes two claw hits, a hug, and a bite...all of which reduces him to -8 hit points.
Bel faces this bear alone, now...and lands a solid hit on it!
Farad manages to finish off the mortally wounded bear this round, and Illyana rushes over to aid Bel. Her swing misses, though.
Raz drags the bleeding bodies to safety, and goes to work binding wounds.
Next, J'Harast kills the second mortally wounded bear.
Two bears remain.
Britan is badly wounded for 6 hit points of damage, before missing with his sword. The bear then bites him for 11 hit points of damage, and he drops.
Raz is kept busy clearing bodies away, as Farad charges in to help the fallen cavalier. His first hit would have killed a lesser beast...but not this enormous bear.
Bel retreats before the onslaught of his foe, but not before he takes 3 hit points of damage from a claw. Illyana misses it again...then connects again and kills it.
One bear remains...and Farad dispatches with it in short order.
Farad looks at the bears and those that fell about him. "Well done!"
He looks quite pleased, even though half the group is unconscious at his feet.
Illyana is not quite so enthused.
"Well done? We got massacred on a fight which we didn't need to even start! Next time Farad if you don't obey my order on when to withdraw, I'm taking the group and walking out of here, assuming I even let you decide next time!"
"J'Harast, search the room and pool." orders Farad, "Bel, Raz, bind those wounds."
Bel angrily snaps, "Farad, shut thy mouth. If not for your pigheaded insistance on a frontal assault we wouldn't have half the wounds we do. When you show the good judgement of a true leader I'll think about obeying your "commands"."
Farad goes from person to person, healing first the living to full strength. He then begins healing the fallen as best he can.
"For your sake, I hope they are just unconscious. Paladins are not known for leading a group to slaughter," saya Illyana.
Bel inserts himself between Kelar and Farad and says, "Kelar has already expressed a preference for my healing so we should follow his desires. Try and bring Britan and Aldaran back from the brink, Pillar will live for a little bit"
With that Bel heals Kelar then proceeds to Pillar.
People start coming around after a few minutes...to discover that all the bears are dead. Surprisingly, no one died...though a lot of you will be out of action for a week.
Searching the room, you find a nice haul in the pool, which is only about 1' deep: 800pp and 8 very large articles of jewelry that J'Harast appraises as being worth 10,000gp each.
Finally, you hit pay dirt!
Farad heals himself back to full. Bel refuses his golden touch. The druid takes care of Kelar.
Farad heals the others back to full...though they are all desperately weak.
Farad looks well pleased. "I'd say this is worth the effort." Farad wraps the jewelry careful and places it into a pouch for later division. He hands this to Illyana.
"Hmph. There should have been much easier ways to beat those bears. I think learning some kind of detect treasure spell would be useful in a future encounter."
"Now we only need to find a way out of here."
Those of you who are too wounded to fight, stay to the rear. J'Harast, lets go back to that other door."
"Who isn't hurt? We still need a rear guard, or everyone will drop like flies from an attack from the rear."
"J'Harast and myself can take the lead. Then Raz and Bel. Followed by the walking dead, and then Illyana. That should take care of everyone."
Britan says that he can be the rear guard.
Farad smiles. "Bravely said, but you won't be able to defend us against much more than a small dog. You are obviously too weak and I can see you are having trouble even standing."
Bending over to try to help out with the wounded, you see that Raz is equally displeased with Farad.
Standing heavily leaning on the wall Pillar says "I think it be time we left this dungeon and consolidated our strengths".
Groaning, Pillar hobbles over to the loot "Impressive, Most Impressive".
Raz ponders the situation. "I suggest we go into the room we came down in and figure out if there is a way up through the ceiling or if there are any other triggers that we missed. ...Also I do have one more spell memorized...it's called BURNING HANDS. If we plan on exploring further I would suggest devising a plan where by the lot of you can stand behind me when it is time for me to cast the spell....I wouldn't want to burn any of you by accident.", he says.
Farad nods. "I doubt we'll be able to break through the ceiling, but I'm willing to give it a try. But before we do so, we should check the other door in that room so we have some idea of what might lie beyond."
You slowly make your way back to the room where you faced down Count Chocula, and enter.
As soon as you are all inside, the east door slams shut...and you feel that descending feeling again...
After a moment it stops, and all is quiet.
Farad groans. "J'Harast, please listen at both doors again."
J'Harast looks pained but listens anyway.
He hears nothing.
"Bel, you're the druid. Can you open up this stone above us? If you can't, I'll give you a lift up J'Harast, and if you could tap on the roof and see if you can tell how thick it is."
Bel gets a quizical look on his face and says, "Stone? Sorry guy Druids only deal with plants and their effects, I have nothing that effects stone."
Farad shrugs. "I had thought that Druids deal with nature in all its forms, both plants, earth, air, water and fire."
Bel nods and says, "We do deal with nature but only living things and some associated items. I have some animal spells and some water spells but no stone spells."
"Lets test the roof and see how breakable the stone there is. Then we'll try the west door."
Farad lifts up J'Harast...who tests the ceiling of the room. It is solid...rock solid.
Raz frowns deeply, saying..."This is not good."
Farad nods. "Not at all. Shall we chance it and hope this room will at some point ascend? We could open the door, leave, and reenter. I wonder if what door is opened determines the direction? Perhaps we should try the other door this time."
Farad looks at each of you. "I think its time we considered other options as well. How much food do each of you carry? I have a weeks supply in iron rations for one person. If others of you have similar ammounts, we could concievably seclude ourselves in a room and wait a week while these others regain their strength. Not the best plan, but if we can not find a way out of here one I think we should consider."
Britan says " Well we are already in deep I say try the other door and see if we ascend we already know what the other door does, Because I don't think we as a group can take much more right now."
Farad holds his hand to his head, and concentrates. "Yes, the west door may be the best option. Open it, leave and come back."
Raz says, 'Humm...I would strong suggest that we just stay put here and let J'harast go and scout about. I have an invisibility spell that I can cast on him that might make it easier for him to scout. We are all too weak right now to go about exploring the level together when J'harast can scout ahead undetected."
Farad disagrees.
"Bad idea. He could run into any number of traps and be stuck. It's happened before. Lets try the roof, then the west door. We should stick together."
You open the west door this time.
Beyond is a 10' square, barren room. There is a door in the north wall.
Otherwise, the place is uninteresting.
You enter the 10' square room...wait a moment...then reenter the elevator room.
The door slams shut behind you and you feel the room ascending.
After a moment, it stops.
Raz smiles and says, "Good move Farad!"
"Worked once. Lets try it again. West door. Everyone out, everyone back in."
"Good now lets get out of here" Pillar looks eagerly at the rest of the party members "Quick before its too late, I have a bad feeling about this".
Farad nods. "Remember, we went down two levels. Its likely we only came back up one. We exit the west door again and then return."
Illyana smiles. "Better.. hopefully we can get out quickly enough. I will accept to being rear guard, but if we get attacked we run damn quick."
You open the west door to see a 10' wide passage running southwest for as far as you can see.
You all leave the room...then reenter it.
Sure enough, the door slams shut behind you...and the room ascends...and stops...
You open the east door this time, and realise that you are back on the original level where you first entered the room.
You exit the dungeon as fast as you can...and make your way back to the camp.
As you cross the road to get to it, though, you see a lone horseman on a horse, approaching you.
Well armed and armoured, he smiles when he sees you.
"Greetings friend. We are travelling back to Yuri Castle today. Care to accompany us? These are dangerous times to be travelling alone.
"What's your name, stranger? I am Farad Golamarth."
The grey elf that spoke to you is wearing plate mail, and has two swords, one at his waist and another across his back. A large shield on his arm seems to indicate that he only uses one at a time however.
Farad speaks with a fire in his voice and eyes, and you are sure his handsome looks would make him a charismatic leader if he so wished.
"So, what brings you to these parts? Pardon our poor showing. We recently had a small skirmish with a few bears. Allow me to introduce my companions. This elf here is J'Harast. Our illustrious leader of our group, Illyana. The druid Bel. The sorcerer Raz. The righteous cleric Pillar. The cavalier Britan. And finally we have Kelar and Aldarin."
Aldarin, Britan, Pillar and Kelar all look a bit under the weather at the moment.
Wheezing loudly Pillar says "Greetings stranger, be warned we are a powerful.. hack... HACK..." Pillar collapses into a coughing fit but soon recovers. "We are a powerful bunch of adventurers, so don't mess with us" sweating profusely Pillar collapses against a rock.
A crumpled figure, he rests all his weight on the rock, his platemail clanking and his flail hanging at his belt. His brow is drenched in sweat but his eyes have a strange intensity too them, his mouth twisted into a wry grin, or a grimace of pain you cannot tell.
Raz smiles at the newcomer.
"Pay Pillar no heed good man. We have just emerged a bit damaged from our last bit of adventuring....but the way, my name is Raz." Raz reaches out to the man with an extended hand, "I have heard of you sir...but I am not quite sure what you wish to be called..."
"Well met, friends. My name is Humphrey and my friends like to call me Happy Humphrey"
You see a human dressed in chain mail with two short swords at his side. You would estimate his hight at over 6 foot and his weight over 200 lbs. He has blue eyes and sandy brown hair.
"I am just a fighter just starting out on way to Yuri Castle myself where I plan to meet with the Paladin there and meet up with other adventures who want to make things right with the world and fight evil where it shows itself.
Since we are traveling along the same route, might I join you."
Farad nods. "Any friend of Yuri the Incredible is a friend of mine. We are dedicated to vanquishing evil from this world. And while at times it seems as if evil will rise like the tide and drown us, I am sure that we shall be able to block its advance, and at the sight of our righteous fire, it will soon retreat, as the tide always does. We will then burn away the driftwood and other debris that it leaves in its wake, clensing our land of its influence. Our fight is the just one, and any who serve the light are welcome. Yes, friend. Join us, and lend your blade to the service of the light."
J'Harast rolls his eyes at Farad and makes a gagging motion with his index finger.
Humphrey smiles back in reply, "Thankyou Farad, it is good to find such good new friends. Can I help any of you in any way. While I have no healing ability I can lessen the burden for a few and put my sword arms in position to defend those who are ailing."
Farad nods. "That each of us serve as we are called is all that I can ask. I am a paladin of justice, and the gods have granted me the ability to heal great wounds. Pillar and Bel also can heal somewhat, so we are well served in those areas. You'll notice most of my companions are not wounded any longer, but are simply weak. Healing drains much from the body, and they have lost much blood which is difficult to combat. They will need to rest and regain their strenght. But in a week they will be good as new, and will undoubtably begin training to learn how to avoid being hurt as they were the next time we venture into the realms of evil."
You return to your encampment, gather up your supplies and horses, and set out for Castle Yuri.
Farad will talk with Humphrey as we walk.
"You came upon us at a fortunate time. We can use your help in cleansing this land of the evil that lies not far from here. In yonder direction is the entrance to the Megadungeon. It is a place of madness, with tunnels travelling in haphazard direction. Its almost as if whatever mad creator built the place simply rolled dice whenever a decision needed to be made. We have been lucky and have had no casualties since entering this place, but the traps and creatures are fearsome, and another blade will be useful."
It is late evening before you arrive at the castle. As usual you are welcomed, and shown to your rooms. Yuri has been called away on business, you are told, and so you have a late supper alone.
Pillar, Britan, Kelar and Aldarin are out of action for a week.