In the morning you set out again.
During the rest Jon practises with the drow crossbow using the old darts by settting up a little target.
Raz looks at the two different passages. "Well, the wider passage is bound to lead to somewhere interesting and has the added benefit of allowing us more room to defend ourselves if we are attacked."
Farad looks at the map. "It's likely the wider passage leads to this next large cave which is in that direction. Since that is on a direct route to the drow city, its undoubtably the direction the drow we met were going to head."
Looking both ways, Farad points southwest. "We'll probably have to go to the northwest sooner or later, but lets see what lies behind us first and go southwest. I don't want to leave any enemies at our backs."
Jon suggests, "Northwest up the larger until we get a smaller branch."
"Let's finish scouting out this smaller passage and then return to the main passage to continue on our way," Brennon suggests.
"Sounds like a good plan to me," says Kelar as he admires the area.
Aldarin says, "I'm with you."
Jon says, "I'm in..."
Mikodin agrees that the smaller passage may yield better results.
"Approaching by a smaller side passage may get us closer before we are noticed by the drow."
Ayazin nods and follows the group.
The majority opts to explore the southwest passage, so off you go.
You make slow but steady progress down the passage. It seems to be ascending slightly. It curves about until it is running generally south. Once again, Jon leads the way, with Mikodin close behind, followed by Aldarin and Farad, with the rest of you bringing up the rear.
Suddenly, it starts to rain stalactites on the main party!
Of course, you - or most of you - being seasoned adventurers, know that these are actually...piercers! Living creatures which bear a resemblance to the rock formations found in cavernous areas such as this, waiting to drop on unsuspecting passers by such as you.
You are taken completely by surprise. even Jo-owrn does not spot them...until one bounces off of his plate mail and lands on the floor at his feet.
A second one lands beside Raz.
A third one pierces Humphrey's shoulder, for 13 hit points.
Number four strikes Beth for 9 hit points.
Ayazin is concussed for 13 hit points.
The lizard, faithfully following its master, is almost killed, as it is hit by a piercer for 10 hit points.
The wolf yelps in surprise, as a piercer just misses him.
Brennon collapses, unconscious and bleeding, with a piercer sticking out of him.
Kelar is barely missed.
Sharone is struck for 18 hit points.
And finally, one last piercer bounces off of Britan's helmet.
Brennon lies on the floor, badly injured and with a piercer munching on him. The rest of the attackers are on the floor, and crawling slowly away for the closest wall. They do not move very fast, and will make easy targets.
Sharone tears the piercer from Brennon's body and mashes it with a mace.
"This one needs some urgent attention."
She casts a cure light wounds into him. He is healed for 3 hit points. Brennon groans and regains consciousness. He will still be out of action for a week.
Once Brennon is stabilised, she sees to her wound.
Raz takes hold of his staff and begins smashing the creatures into little tiny piles of mush. (He invisions that each monster is either Sarah or Tammy...two bitches...oops...witches that he trained with a long time ago).
As you set about killing the piercers, one more drops off of the ceiling, but it lands on the floor harmlessly.
Soon, all of the monsters are dead.
You gather up Brennon and hurry on down the passage as best you can.
At about midday the scouts reach an intersection with a 30' wide tunnel running northwest - southeast.
They pause for the rest of the party to catch up.
After what seems like an inordinately long time, the main group catches up with the scouts.
They have encountered somthing, that is for sure: Brennon is being carried by Britan and Humphrey; while Ayazin, Beth, Humphrey and Sharone are also wounded.
Farad quickly moves to heal all those who are wounded. "What happened?"
Brennon manages a long "AAAARRRRRGGGGHHHHH," but that is about all.
"Piercers," says Jo-owrn, by way of explanation.
"We were attacked by piercers," replies Raz matter-of-factly.
"Yes," says Ayazin, "They must not have detected you when you passed beneath, but they dropped on us. Brennon here was nearly slain, but most of the rest of us were lucky."
Farad makes a note to check the ceilings better.
Mikodin, ashamed that he led the main group into an ambush, solemnly promises, "I will be more alert in the future to traps and ambushes that may not detect our lead group."
"They're almost impossible to spot in these surroundings," says Jo-owrn. "Which way you want to go?"
Aldarin comments, "These creatures may not be detectable by normal searching. Perhaps our night vision could detect them better. That is if they are warm blooded creatures."
Ayazin says, "I can assure you that they are not. They are not very common, however, so as long as we can remain somewhat on our guard and not get surprised, we should be able to withstand their attacks. If you have a shield, keep it ready. How is Brennon? Is he able to travel?"
Brennon is able to stand and move slowly. However, he will be unable to cast spells for a week.
Farad points to the northwest. "Are you mapping this Beth?"
Beth has her head in the stars or somewhere, at the moment, and does not answer.
You head northwest, the scouts leading again.
This passage is a wide one, and better traveled, you suspect. It descends slowly. In the occasional muddy spot you start to come across tracks, still wet on the stones. You see lizard tracks and bugbear tracks...
After a bit, the main party catches up with the scouts, who have stopped.
As they do so, Farad appears out of the border ethereal.
Farad reports what he's seen:
Several hundred yards ahead you catch up with a caravan. A number of pack lizards - laden with goods - are being led along by a troop of bugbears. There are also over a dozen slaves in chains, also heavily laden. The slaves are of various races (gnoll, half-orc, hobgoblin, human, etc.). Leading the group is a drow in chain mail.
"How about we pinch them in. I take two others up ahead with me to form the frontal attack, and the rest of you attack from behind. I can't use my mind blast due to the slaves, but we should easily be able to out fight this group. Then we take our time before freeing the slaves, finding out what they know of the place first."
Aldarin smiles, "Sounds like an excellent plan my friend. I just thirst to send more drow to their evil god. If it's OK with the rest of you I would like to accompany Farad to the front, maybe I can plunge my sword into the drow's heart."
Ayazin says, "Please have mercy on the pack lizards, if possible. I will try to cast a spell to neutralize them without bloodshed if they start to act aggressive."
Jon says, "Are we sure that there are no drow between us and the caravan? One drow by himself seems unlikely? Can I come too? I would like to try out this small crossbow. So what's the plan?"
Aldarin offers, "Perhaps, since I am able to stay invisible even after attacking, I could attempt a surprise attack on the drow while you two take care of the larger threat of the bugbears and such."
Farad nods. "If there are other drow, they are invisible. No guarantees there. And I thought I just gave the plan..."
Jon says, "Fine. Nothing like a bit of detail. I will stay hidden looking for surprises, then. I'm ready."
"I think I should be the one to also accompany Farad...that way if we get stuck in the middle of something then Aldarin, Farad and myself are probebly the best equiped to handle it," states Kelar. "But whatever we do we need to do it soon."
Mikodin readies his light crossbow, and announces he is ready to engage the enemy: "I am prepared, and will take up a rear position. Remember, the trogs can be tough."
Then, looking at Farad, Mikodin says, "I don't believe that keeping people captive until you have 'pumped' them for information sounds like a good act to me. Perhaps we could free them one at a time, once each has been interrogated enough for us to know that they are not evil, or at least pose no threat to the party."
Farad, Aldarin and Kelar fade into the border ethereal, and the rest of you advance on the caravan ahead.
After the others have left, you move quickly ahead, trying to keep as quiet as possible.
After another ten minutes or so, you estimate that you are only a hundred yards behind the caravan, now, based on the noise it is making.
You still cannot see it.
Sharone casts a prayer over the group just prior to them moving off to attack the caravan.
Jon says, "Thanks Sharone. I will by pass the guards at the back and try to protect the prisoners if they are attacked. Good hunting! I'm rushing forward."
Jon runs forward.
Brennon hangs back, dagger at the ready.
Ayazin casts Barkskin on Brennon to protect him from any random damage.
He whispers, "Do not attempt to fight. You will only reopen your wounds."
Mikodin, since he is still invisible, moves ahead until they are in sight, and then waits as far back as he can while still keeping them in sight without alarming them. Then, once the lead group initiates the attack, he will shoot the nearest guard/trog with his crossbow, then turn and run back so that he can reload and repeat the tactic.
When the battle comes, Ayazin will cast Hold Animal on as many pack lizards as he can affect with the spell. Then he will take up the rearguard position.
A few more minutes go by, as Mikodin and Jon move up, followed by the rest of you.
Before you are quite in position, though, you hear a cry in a gutteral corruption of elven, accompanied by a bellow in bugbear. Evidently the battle ahead has begun.
Aldarin quickly fires the hand crossbow at the drow to hopefully spoil his spellcasting. He then moves in quickly with sword in hand.
The quarrel whizzes past the drow. He continues his rhythmic chanting.
Farad sends a lightning bolt down the hallway to scorch the bugbears and hopefully the drow, and then begins attacking with his sword.
He completes his spell just as the first bugbear reaches him. It is a rather sorry little lightning bolt...more like a sputtering spark than a true bolt out of the heavens. The about-to-be-attacking bugbear takes the brunt of it...and still lives to complain -
"Hey! That tickles!"
- as he swings his spiked club...missing all the same.
The bolt also catches the drow but does not bother him, and wings a second bugbear, not killing him but getting him very mad.
Kelar follows up Farad with a lightning bolt and then moves in with swords.
"Well I guess it was good that it was us who came with you." says Kelar as his spell goes off.
Kelar's bolt is slightly better than Farad's...but still pretty feeble. Perhaps a refresher course in spells of mass destruction with Beth and Raz is called for. His spell does not get through the drow's magic resistance either, but leaves the second, already injured bugbear almost dead on his feet. It then bounces off down the passage, striking four more bugbears plus Jon...the latter taking 6 hit points of damage.
Ayazin charges the drow. As he swings his sword, he suddenly freezes up solid, as the drow finishes his spell.
Farad has drawn his sword by now, and quickly kills the ticklish bugbear.
Beside him, Kelar is clobbered for 7 hit points by the almost dead bugbear, as he misses with both blades.
Jon continues foreward to the front of the prisoners. Jon at this stage evades combat, letting the fighters have the fun...and watching out for more incoming errant lightning bolts.
Mikodin runs forward at the sound of battle, and tries to ascertain if his help is needed to battle the drow/trogs. Mikodin will try to remain near the prisoners in case they need defending, since they are probably helpless at the moment.
Brennon follows the others to the area of conflict staying away from any open conflict. He will defend himself only if someone or something comes near him.
Ayazin moves up, staying as close to Brennon as he can. When he sees the pack animals, he lets fly with his Hold Animal spell.
Two pack lizards freeze up. Now that the battle has begun, the rest of the lizards stop and wait patiently. The slaves do likewise, looking listless.
Sharone slings a continual light bullet into the centre of the caravan to light up the area.
The rest of the party has caught up with the rear of the caravan. Realising that they are surrounded, eight of the bugbears turn on the people at the rear, moving to attack. Jo-owrn and Britan are racing to take the brunt of the onslaught.
The drow raises his short sword, ready to slit the held Aldarin's throat...
Aldarin stands frozen in mid-swing, sweat running down his face as he struggles against the magic of the drow and wishing with all of his might that the drow would DIE of a heart attack.
Mikodin, seeing that quick action will be needed, no matter whose throat the drow is about to slit, immediately runs full speed at the drow, and executes a flying drop-kick to the twisted elf, screaming "Die, you vile demon of the underdark!"
The drow is sent sprawling as Mikodin becomes visible when his feet connect. Aldarin is also sent flying.
Jon rushes forward to assist Aldarin, sizing up the situation as to what will be of the best effect, but when the monk connects he throws mirror image on Aldarin.
"Help, somebody get this drow he's too big for us!!!"
Farad moves nearby, and stands over the still held elf, sword ready to defend him.
Sharone hastily casts Dipel Magic on Aldarin to remove the hold spell.
Seeing three of her companions jumping to Aldarin's aid, Beth instead directs her attention to the bugbears. Although itching to cast a fireball, she desists, and instead lets fly a couple of magic missile spells. She divides them amongst three bugbears, the ones in the front attacking Jo-owrn and Britan: three missiles into two of the beasts, and two into the last one.
Her missiles blast into the targeted targets, but do not kill them.
After that's done, she picks a likely bugbear that seems to be causing trouble, and casts "levitate" on it, lifting it high enough in the air until it is ineffectual and out of combat.
A bugbear rises up into the air.
She next starts using her Wand of Paralyzation, unless the fighters seem to have the situation well in hand.
Humphrey takes his two swords and allows them to munch on bugbear.
Ayazin just stays in the back, guarding the spellcasters (particularly Brennon) from harm.
Brennon, wishing he had the strength to send some type of spell to try and draw the attention of the drow, kicks the dirt at his feet.
"Someone keep an eye out for anything unusual," says Kelar as he swings his swords.
The drow quickly rolls to one side, lashing out at Mikodin with his dagger. The monk takes 4 hit points of damage.
Kelar connects with his bugbear and kills him, as another rushes him.
A bugbear jumps Farad, and the elf misses him. The bugbear connects, slicing into the elf for 7 hit points. A second bugbear closes on Farad.
Aldarin suddenly unfreezes, as Sharone completes her spell. There are now five Aldarins...courtesy of Jon.
At the rear of the caravan, Jo-owrn whistles a merry tune as he cuts down his first bugbear. Beside him, Britan dodges a blow, and kills another. Last but not least, Humphrey makes it three in a row, as another bugbear corpse joins the litter of dead on the floor.
Three more humanoids move against the warriors at the rear, though, as Beth releases her wand into the last one. It jumps aside, unaffected.
Mikodin, not willing to let the drow know that he has been hurt in any way, again kicks out at the drow, hoping that the more experienced fighters will soon cut down the elf before he becomes dagger practice for the drow.
Mikodin lashes out at the drow as he scrambles to his feet, but somehow the drow turns the kick with his buckler. The blade lashes out again, but the man dodges.
Sharone decides to try for a prisoner, casting Hold Person on the drow. "Aldarin, only hit to subdue, we need to question this one.
All five Aldarins smile and give a nod as they rush toward the drow, one of them turning invisible in the process, with flaming sword in hand.
Aldarin instantly comes visible again when his sword connects, singing the drow's silver hair.
Jon thinking he's still invisible will look move towards the drow elf looking for a good backstabbing opportunity with the flat of his blade. If the monk gets in trouble Jon will advance directly to confront the drow to buy the monk more time
Jon waits, attacks with Aldarin, but the other elf is not aware that he is there until it is too late, and accidently jostles him, spoiling his aim.
Suddenly, though, the drow freezes up solid, as Sharone's spell actually affects him.
Farad smiles and continues his attack, as his armour turns the bugbear's blade. The bugbear dies for his efforts, but another is already attacking, and yet another is also moving in. Farad, though, is unscathed this round.
"Now don't get to having to much fun over there," says Kelar as he strikes at the bugbear in front of him.
Kelar's falchion sword connects, and he kills the bugbear. Another steps up.
Jo-owrn easily dispatches another bugbear as Britan dents the next one. Humphrey is struck for 6 hit points before he chops the offending humanoid down with one swing.
"You should take one of the drow shortswords, Humphrey," the ranger suggests. "It ain't magic, but it's the next best thing."
Seeing that the fighters have things in hand at this end, Ayazin turns and guards the rear from sneak attack.
Raz jumps into action, finally, casting magic missles at the closest enemy.
His missiles blast into the last unoccupied bugbear at the rear. He blows the monster away, and directs the remainder of his second spell into the monster on Britan. Still it lives.
The fight continues.
Aldarin rushes over to help Kelar, and faces a bugbear. It swings its big rusty blade at all five Aldarins...and misses. Aldarin does no better.
Farad cuts down the next monster, and now there is only one on him.
Kelar is easily struck for 4 hit points, as he fans with both weapons.
Britan misses his bugbear. Humphrey kills it.
Three remain in combat, now...make that two, as farad makes short work of his adversary.
Kelar is hit again, for 6 hit points. He retaliates with his falchion sword, leaving the bugbear barely standing.
Aldarin lands a big hit with his flame tongue, leaving the bugbear's hairy hide aflame.
Unfortunately, he is unable to finish him off.
Kelar, however, kills off his bugbear, and Farad comes over and deals with Aldarin's.
The combat has ended. The drow is held, and one last bugbear floats up near the ceiling, looking very distressed over matters.
Beth points at the drow. "Tie him up. The hold, unless it is unlike ones I am familiar with, will wear off soon."
The sorceress points at the suspended bugbear. "I can keep him up there for a little while, but probably somebody should put him out of our misery."
Aldarin begins stringing his bow and pulling the cap off of his quiver case, "I should be able to take care of him with little or no trouble."
Jon says, "Hold, Aldarin. Let me talk to him first."
Jon tries talking to the bugbear in goblin, hobgoblin, orcish and gnoll, seing if he can understand. Jon offers freedom for service if performed honourably and without question. What say the bugbear? Jon will also take responsibility for the bugbear within the group.
"Yeah...yeah! I'll serve you for the rest of my days!" says the bugbear, who looks airsick.
Farad laughs. "Which should last about 2 minutes longer," as he notes another pulling out a bow.
"I say release the humans. We can escort them out of here and they can take the lizards with them, but kill the goblinkind."
There are 20 slaves (1 bugbear, 3 gnolls, 1 goblin, 2 troglodytes, 4 half-orcs, 4 hobgoblins, 5 humans).
"I ain't sharin' this party with no flea ridden bugbear, Jon," the ranger says, a note of finality in his voice.
Ayazin says, "Bah! You would offer mercy to a slaver? Shame on you, Jon. Let's kill this scum and question the Drow. Anything the bugbear tells us would be a lie anyway, and it would backstab us at the first opportunity. I agree with Jo'owrn."
Aldarin brings down the levitated bugbear with a couple of arrows.
"What about these fellows?" asks Jo-owrn, regarding the slaves and the lizards. All of them are laden with packs.
"Hmm, perhaps these lizards can be of use." Ayazin attempts to identify the lizards and see what sorts of things they'd be good for.
They are about 15' long, with very broad backs. They seem to very docile, stupid...or both. They look to be very strong creatures, bred as beasts of burden.
Beth casts ESP upon one of the lizards. She wants to verify that it is in fact just an animal, and not something more intelligent and perhaps more sinister.
Its thoughts mostly seem concerned with food...nice fungus food.
Aldarin moves toward the paralyzed pack animals and begins searching through them to see what type of stuff is being hauled.
"Let's see what this caravan was hauling." Looking toward Farad as he does, Aldarin continues, "Farad, why don't you interrogate our guest? With your wit and charm, I'm sure you will be able to gather some useful information."
Farad smiles. "I'll see what I can do."
Making certain the paralyzed man is well tied up, and that any spell components and weapons have been removed, Farad sits down next to him and waits for the paralysis to fade, thumbing through the drow's belongings until then.
He has standard drow equipment (chain mail, buckler, short sword, dagger, crossbow, etc.). He wears a holy symbol depicting a wavy-bladed sword, and a brooch. The brooch depicts a black iron hook.
After awhile he thaws out.
Farad points to the holy symbol. "You are a cleric I take it? I know your kind is used to pain, so I will not presume to torture you. But make no mistake that your death will come in a few minutes."
Farad smiles. "However your people play the game of houses. Each house fighting for favor above the others. I imagine news of your defeat will not be taken well at home... especially once we rig this slaughter so that your ineptitude is quite obvious."
The elf pulls out a bottle of ale. "Drinking while on duty is a shame." Farad puts the bottle near the elf's lips. "Tell us about the tunnels up ahead, and what the drow are doing, or your poor corpse will be found smelling of so much alcohol that the disgrace to your family will not be forgotten. Tell us the truth however and your body will be found blasted by lightning and other magics in such a manner that no one could doubt your bravery."
The drow smiles a grim and humourless smile.
"You surface scum...so concerned with appearances and honour...even after you die," he replies. "I answer only to my god, the Great and Vengeful Graz'zt, and he watches over me even now. If it is his will that you cut my throat and douse my corpse with your alcohol then so be it. Even now he watches you, and releases the hordes upon you to wreak his revenge. You would be better off drinking that ale yourself...and so perhaps to numb the pain of the wrath which will soon fall upon you."
Farad smiles. "Ah, when you see your master tell him to send his minions. I will do to them what I do to you now."
Farad cuts the elf's throat.
Searching, you find that the caravan was nothing of much value (cloth, linen, leathers, wood, some strange foodstuffs, wine, etc.).
After Aldarin finishes searching the caravan goods, he moves over to Farad and the body of the drow.
"Well done my friend. I have never seen a drow in a better condition that that. Would it be that all could end up so," he finishes with a smile.
He will then remove the hand crossbow and bolts from the body, adding the poisoned ones to his own, also checking for any extra vials of poison. If Farad does not destroy the holy symbol, he will also pocket that.
Farad shakes his head. "Too bad he chose not to be cooperative."
Farad turns toward the clerics. "Any of you know how to speak with the dead? His soul won't be able to lie to us."
Sharone looks at Farad. " Idun can empower me to speak with the dead but currently I'm unable to. I'll pray to Idun tonight and speak to our drow tomorrow. "
"He is better off now. He sure was sure of himself. Never heard of his god before. Then again that wasn't really what I looked into when I started studing the underdark. Maybe I should have," says Kelar.
Mikodin, sighing with relief that his fight with the drow went well, walks over to the prisoners/slaves and tries to ascertain what kinds of people were captured by the drow. If any are human or demi-human, he will try to question them as to what they know about the caravan and its destination.
They shrug blankly, either not knowing or not caring.
One man replies in a slurred voice, "We go here. We go there. You know..."
Knowing what its like to be within a cell, Brennon says, "I say we let them free."
If that is agreeable, Brennon will help free the slaves.
Mikodin looks over at his old friend, Brennon, and nods in agreement, adding, "No man should be enslaved by another."
He begins helping in freeing the slaves.
"If we are going to release these guys we had better do it on the surface," states Kelar.
"Perhaps you're right," Brennon says, "it would provide the best opprotunity for escape. Once we let them go can we use this caravan to our advantage. If anyone has the ability to project illusions maybe we can disquise ourselves as drow and take an illusionary set of slaves. Maybe we can travel with little harrasment through the main passageways. It might allow for a little surprise."
Aldarin states, "I have the ability to create illusions but I do not currently have that spell memorized. With a little effort I could probably achieve the effect you require."
"I don't know if we want to be that obvious." says Kelar.
Jon says, "These slaves have been mentally shattered. They will need protection on the surface, as well. Perhaps if we keep them with us they will slowly come out of the stupor."
"Jon you are probably correct....but do you think that we can protect them while we are exploring? There are a lot of people there ...and we are having a hard enough time just protecting ourselves," says Kelar.
Seeing the compliment of slaves, even though Brennon hates to see anyone locked up, he will wait for the remainder of the party's recommendation before he's willing to free any of the slaves. He reccommends at least the human slaves be released.
Mikodin, seeing the composition of the slave group, agrees with Brennon, "They seem to be powerfully drugged right now, but what will happen when their stupor wears off? I think we should release the humans on the surface, and leave the half-orcs tied up on the surface. The others should be dispatched to their gods, since they are unable to lead lives of good."
Suddenly the air is filled with quarrels, coming from down the passage ahead of you.
Brennon is pierced by a bolt for 3 hit points, and drops to the floor, asleep.
Mikodin suffers 2 hit points from a second bolt, and drops also.
Ayazin's wolf lets out a yelp as a bolt strikes him in the flank for 2 hit points.
Beth is struck by a final bolt for 2 hit points, and also drops, asleep.
Moving down the passage towards you, you see the shadowy forms of at least another dozen drow, who were apparently scouting the way ahead of the caravan.
It looks as if the hordes of Graz'zt have arrived.
Only Kelar, Humphrey, Jon and Aldarin are not surprised at this point, and are able to react.
Jon starts to cast invisibility on the sleeping Beth.
Humphrey charges with both swords, if he can attack a drow who is casting a spell he will do so.
Four of the drow at the back are casting spells. He charges at one of them.
Kelar leaps at the nearest drow. He strikes it with his falchion sword and the enemy drops.
Aldarin also leaps to the attack, and a second drow drops.
Jon completes his spell as a drow attacks him. He takes 9 hit points of damage.
Another drow attacks Kelar, but misses. The wood elf strikes back, but does not kill him.
Humphrey reaches one of the spell casting drow. A second drow is right behind him. Somehow, the fighter fans...twice.
Aldarin faces another drow. Unfortunately his mirror image spell has expired, and he suffers 6 hit points from the point of a shortsword. He spins around and buries his flame tongue into the belly of the offending drow, killing him.
Britan has his weapon out, now, and attacks a drow. He badly wounds a drow.
The remaining, non-spell casting drow attack the still-surprised Sharone, Raz, Farad and Jo-owrn, but, they all miss. Ayazin, however, is struck for 10 hit points.
Aldarin rushes one of the spellcasting drow, throwing the handcrossbow he still has in his left hand at the drow, while in mid stride, hopefully to disrupt his casting.
His aim is wide.
"That is more like it," says Kelar as he takes another swing at the injured drow. "Jon, wake those guys up...it is just a sleep spell!" shouts Kelar over his sholder.
Jon thinks, now someone tells me... Jon draws Geerzo and his dagger and tries to parry the attacks from the drow facing him while putting his back to the wall.
This is a smart move on Jon's behalf, as only two drow can attack him. He turns most of their attacks, but one still manages to prod him for 5 hit points.
Kelar, meantime, is nailed for 10 hit points. He then kills the offending drow.
Sharone goes to the now invisible body of Beth removes the dart from her body and pours a sweet water potion down her throat. The drow that was attacking her follows her over, hacking into her for 16 hit points.
Beth groans.
Ayazin continues to fumble about for his mistletoe. The drow who thought he had struck the druid an instant earlier this time connects...for 5 hit points.
Raz starts casting a spell. However, the drow that was attacking him manages to connect, spoiling it in the process.
Humphrey tries to put himself in a position so he can attack one drow with each sword.
Not being able to devote his full attention to either target, he misses every time.
Britan is struck for 5 hit points. He in turn fans.
Farad, still trying to wrest his blade out of his scabbard, is struck for 6 hit points.
Jo-owrn is struck for 9 hit points.
Beth awakens to find that some nice person has turned her invisible, which is just as well as a battle rages all around her. No one is down yet, though, except for Mikodin and Brennon, who are still sleeping.
Farad glares at the drow attacking him, but the fellow does not seem to notice.
Humphrey attacks as the four drow finish their spells. Aldarin freezes up solid, as do Jon, Farad, Jo-owrn, Humphrey (in mid-swing) and Britan.
Sharone switches to shield and flail to combat the drows 'affection'.
Sharone fans. The affectionate drow, however, slices into her for 8 hit points.
Ayazin mindblasts his drow and then attacks it with scimitar, shield, and wolf.
Nothing happens to the drow when he mind blasts.
The drow, however, sticks him for 6 hit points. Ayazin fans with his scimitar but the wolf manages to clamp his jaws around the drow's ankle, for 4 hit points of damage.
Raz casts darkness 10' on them.
The drow casters are engulfed in darkness, as the mage astutely casts it on the floor at their feet, and not on them directly.
The drow attacking him somehow manages to miss.
Still invisible, Beth crawls over to where Micodin and Brennon are, and shakes them awake. They are drugged, and do not awaken immediately.
She then tries to find some place out of the way, where she won't be attacked the instant she turns visible, and begins trying to take potshots at the drow with her Wand of Paralyzation. With their magic resistance, it may not do much, but she tries.
Her wand does not affect the targetted drow. She becomes visible.
Kelar grits his teeth and attacks, after suffering 8 hit points of damage from a drow blade. However, he misses with both blades.
The situation appears to be dire. Only Sharone, Raz, Ayazin, Beth and Kelar are not held or sleeping. Mikodin and Brennon are coming around...slowly.
Mikodin and Brennon slowly regain consciousness. The sight they see, though, is not a reassuring one.
More than a dozen drow are battling the party. To make matters worse, only Sharone, Raz, Ayazin, Beth and Kelar are moving. The rest of the party are held and immobile.
Sharone's face sets in a fierce grimace, words hissing through her teeth, "Idun...your help is needed "
Instead, the drow strikes her for a further 7 hit points.
She swings her flail once more at the drow as she looks to find a spot from which she can cast spells, safely. She will maneuver herself to this spot. Hopefully despatching the drow as she does so.
She misses with her flail as she backs up. The drow presses forward after her.
"I hope he hears you..."says Kelar, grimacing as he swings at the drow in front of him. "Beth, Raz, a web spell would be very well done at this point!"
Kelar and the drow he is attacking trade misses. The second drow on him also misses.
Jon, given the dire situation, lets Geerzo control him. Hopefully this will negate the hold spell.
Regardless, Jon's muscles are frozen, and he remains immobile.
Ayazin shapeshifts into a bear - regaining 4 hit points - and attacks his drow opponent with a roar. The drow fans, then faces the onslaught of Ayazin the bear. The bear bites the drow for 3 hit points. Beside him, his wolf misses.
Beth mutters something about spending her next month long vacation doing nothing but writing "Dispel Magic" scrolls.
While held, Aldarin attempts to activate his invisibility again. He turns invisible.
Raz retreats, and somehow the pursuing drow manages to miss him.
The other drow who were fighting the people who are now held, turn and rush the remainder of the party.
Brennon, realizing the situation dire, and willing to risk injury, tries to cast enlarge upon Ayazin to increase the size of him in bear form, and hopefully he'll be able to inflict more damage.
He sinks to the floor, too weak to succeed at casting the spell.
A drow strolls over and swats at him, but somehow misses.
"This is getting really ugly," says Kelar as he watches the oncoming drow.
He manages to get to a wall where only a couple of drow can attack at once.
The wood elf takes a hit for 7 hit points, leaving him dazed and bleeding badly. He fans with his falchion sword, then connects with his scimitar, carving a fair chunk out of the enemy drow. The second drow stabs with his short sword, chopping off Kelar's right hand for 10 hit points. The elf drops, blood spewing from his stump of an arm.
Mikodin, still little woozy from the sleep arrow, curses his inability to deflect the missile as his masters had taught him, then shakes his head to clear the cobwebs. Eyeing the nearest magician, Raz, Mikodin places his trust in the gods and his training, and rushes forward to interpose himself between the attacking drow and Raz, kicking furiously at the dark elves as he does so.
The monk's flying leap catches the drow in the side of the head, sending the dark elf sprawling.
Raz scrambles away and continues to retreat. Pausing some distance up the passage, he casts a spell.
Sharone decides Raz is right...
She works a fighting retreat before she is trapped by superior numbers. With her flail she whacks the attacking drow across the chest, then runs. He stabs at her, catching her for 10 hit points. The cleric drops.
Ayazin continues melee as a bear, and will fire a mindblast at the drow clerics if the opportunity provides itself. If seriously injured, he'll shapeshift to a mountain lion and continue attacking.
The drow fans as Ayazin the bear attacks, but he also manages to sidestep each of Ayazin's paws and teeth, too. He does not farw so well against the wolf, though, as his shins continue to take a beating.
Farad fades from sight.
Raz completes his spell as two drow rush at him. A forked lightning bolt strikes them squarely, plus three others, harming the latter trio to death.
He turns and retreats again.
Beth, perhaps thinking that maybe she should have listened to her mother after all, has her blouse sliced open by an incoming drow blade. Amazingly enough, it does not further damage.
Two drow are currently running after Raz. Another one has noticed Beth. Mikodin will have two drow on him next, and Brennon has also brought himself to the attention of the enemy. Ayazin and his wolf currently have two drow attacking them.
With the drow above him Brennon will try to use this opportunity to strike the drow where it counts!!!! Hopefully it will bring the elf to the ground.
However, the drow easily sidesteps the weakened mage's attempt at a kick, and impales him with his sword for 9 hit points. Brennon is rendered unconscious.
After knocking down the drow with a flying kick, Mikodin runs as fast as he can to catch up with Raz, again attempting to interpose himself between any attacking drow and the mage. His one hope is that by constantly drawing numbers of drow toward Raz, the magician can take care of them with spells, as long as the drow don't have the opportunity to engage the mage in melee.
Leaving the floored drow scrambling to his feet, the monk quickly overtakes a drow dashing after Raz, but misses with his next kick.
Beth takes in the situation.
The situation is dire.
Very dire.
Beth's got some magic, but Drow have magic resistance. Most of our fighters are down. We're overwhelmed. Beth is expecting at the moment that this is probably going to be the end of the EARTH parthy.
However, she makes a last ditch effort. She doesn't have much in the way of combat skills, but she hopes she can make herself into something that can at least do a little damage when it attacks.
Beth pulls a vial out of a pocket in her cloak, and quaffs the contents. As she does so, the drow attacking her connects for 9 hit points. Somehow, the mage does not spill the potion.
Suddenly a copper dragon - albeit a very small one - appears where Beth was an instant ago! The drow leaps back, surprised, as the dragon attacks.
Raz pauses, does his best imitation of a Farad-glare, then looses a magic missile spell at the nearest pursuing drow. Again his spell gets through, and he kills the drow. He directs his last missile from that spell at the next drow, but it does not penetrate his magic resistance.
Raz turns and runs off up the passage a bit farther.
Ayazin, meanwhile, is sliced for 5 hit points. He and his wolf miss on all of their return attacks.
Mikodin spins about, just in time to face the drow that he originally knocked down several minutes ago. He belts him with a hard chop in the kisser, leaving the enemy's nose a bloody pulp and causing him to fan with his sword.
Beth the dragon attacks, as the drow recovers...but not enough to connect with her. She swings her claws twice and brings down the drow with the second attack.
Then, she goes looking for more prey.
Raz pauses again and tries another magic missile spell...but this one does not have any effect on the drow.
Ayazin, the wolf and the drow continue to trade misses. A second drow attacks and misses as well.
Ten drow remain.
Seeing Beth's polymorph reminds Raz that he can do the same. He attempts to polymorph himself into a dragon as well. A second small copper dragon appears...just in time, as a drow reaches him.
Beth continues to attempt to mow down Drow with her newfound claws and teeth.
Mikodin, seeing two of his fellow adventurers turn into dragons, decides this might be a good opportunity to hide behind Raz, who he has been trying to defend, and, if the drow allow him, to unlimber his light crossbow and shoot any drow who present themselves, especially any who seem about to cast a spell.
He begins a retreat as a second drow approaches. The first drow swings at him, but misses.
Raz squares off with a drow, and they both trade misses.
Ayazin, meanwhile, trades hits with his drow, but both remain standing. A second drow attacks him, but strangely misses.
Beth crunches a drow into hamburger in her jaws, as a second attacks and hurts her for 7 hit points.
Farther up the passage, you see Farad - still held - materialise against Jon. Then, the two of them slowly fade away...
At long last, the held people begin to feel the magic fading, and feeling starts to return.
The battle continues.
Raz claws and bites at the last of the drow clerics, badly wounding him but leaving alive yet.
Ayazin is stabbed for 7 hit points by one drow as he attacks another. He misses with a claw, then feels the bite of the drow blade for 9 hit points. Enraged and bleeding, the druid/bear bites deep into the drow, sending him reeling. His wolf howls, and clams his jaws around the drow's throat, killing him.
Then, the bear drops, and turns back into a man.
Mikodin still retreats, but with two drow attacking, he dares not turn and run.
His next kick misses the bloodied drow, who spots an opening and plunges his blade deep into the monk's gut for 8 hit points.
Mikodin makes a strange gurgling noise, and drops.
The remaining drow converge on Raz and Beth, who alone continue to resist.
Beth only manages to land a mild swat with her claw on the latest drow to attack her. A second drow on her, though, flays into her for 10 hit points, and she is sorely hurt.
There is movement from up the passage, as Jo-owrn and Britan shake off the last of the effects of the hold spell, and charge to aid the mages.
Everyone else who was held is also free to act now, too.
Humphrey, seeing that help is needed, says, "Farad get me back into their dimension so I can help them."
Farad quickly takes Jon immediately back to the prime, and vanishes back to the ethereal to get Aldarin and Humphrey, appearing with them in a position where the three of us can attack relieve Raz and Beth and trap the drow between Jo-oarn and us.
Jon attacks a drow in the back hopefully surprizing him/her with Geerzo.
The drow sees him coming, though, but Jon is still faster than he. Geerzo, though, is turned by the drow's buckler. Jon then feels the bite of the drow's blade for 9 hit points...and drops.
Raz continues to attack, clawing and biting until he is able to pause to cast a polymorph other spell on a drow.
Raz feels a drow blade pierce him as well, for 6 hit points. Enraged, be bites the offending elf, crunching his armour and bloodying his own maw as he chews the life out of the enemy. He feels another blade penetrate his hide for another 6 hit points. He spins about and faces a second drow.
Nearby, Beth bats one of the drow attacking her into the wall of the passage. As he tries to recover, she hits him with her other claw, sending him sprawling. She then picks him up in her mouth and hurls him up at the ceiling. There is a sickening crunch, and it rains blood and offal.
Suddenly she feels a blade slash her open, as the second drow nails her for 7 hit points.
The lady mage drops, returning to her human form as she does so.
Jo-owrn and Britan wade into battle. Five drow remain.
The ranger attacks the drow who just cut down Jon. He fans. The drow spins about and attacks.
The cavalier takes on another drow, and kills him with one swing.
Farad returns to the Prime, with Humphrey and Aldarin. They move to attack.
Raz fights on...missing the elusive drow with his claws and teeth.
Jo-owrn finally connects with his bastard sword, and the drow drops.
Britan attacks another drow, but misses this time. The drow returns the attack, but misses, too.
Aldarin fires a lighting bolt at the drow, forking it for maximum effect. Suddenly a great weakness overtakes him...draining him so much that he is unable to finish his spell.
Humphrey attacks the drow that stands over Beth. With his gleaming shortsword he cuts down the enemy easily.
Farad rushes over to help out Raz...but he misses.
Only three drow remain, as you close in on victory.
Britan connects, and kills his drow.
Raz is slashed again for 11 hit points, as the drow continues to elude him. Farad is there, though, and the drow falls to his blade.
Humphrey turns on the last drow, badly injuring him with one swing. The drow fans, but so does Humphrey on his subsequent attacks. Jo-owrn helps, connecting but still not finishing off the final enemy.
At last, Humphrey chops him down, and the battle ends.
But you are not finished yet. You rush over to your fallen compatriots, and bind them as quickly as possible.
The injured eventually regain consciousness to find their surviving comrades tending to them. The drow are dead.
Jo-owrn looks around.
"I think we should leave and get people resurrected," he comments.
He looks tired.
"Uhhhhhhh..." Beth says weakly.
"Yes, good idea," she adds. She looks around. "That was pretty bad. Jo-owrn, was it you who saved our fat? If so, thank you very much. Let's retreat."
"I didn't save no one's fat," the ranger replies. "The drow's spells wore off."
Mikodin, more dead than alive, is able only to offer thanks to his gods that he somehow survived this debacle. He also fervently hopes that he will need and get more training soon.
"Whichever one of you saved our lives, I thank with all my heart", he manages to weakly intone. Upon seeing the ashen face of Brennon, Mikodin's spirits are suddenly dashed, and he becomes silent, contemplating the fragility of life. He hopes that Brennon can survive a resurrection.
After all of the injured are bound, Aldarin does a quick search of the drow, especially the spellcasters, looking for anything of worth or of a magical nature.
He finds nothing of value.
He also takes in some more drow venom and bolts, a couple extra hand crossbows and any amulets or symbols they may be wearing.
Raz, still in dragon form, looks about at his friends in dismay over their injuries. "Yes, resurrection looks to be neccessary at this point. Let us first though get them away from here. I am sure that many dangers yet lurk in the shadows. I'll try to maintain this form for as long as I can while we are in possible danger."
Farad turns to Raz. "In the future at least two magicians need to know Dispel Magic. That would have saved the day by dispelling our holds."
"You have a point," replies Raz.
"That's easy for you to say," Beth says weakly. "As mages, we may have a vastly greater array of spells available to us than you psionicists do, but the price we pay for it is that we have to know at the beginning of the day, which ones we're going to need. It ain't easy."
Farad gives Beth an odd look. "I'm a magician like yourself, and understand exactly what I mean. I didn't have a dispel magic, and neither did you. That is the situation we should remedy in the future. At least two of us should carry one."
Stopping to breathe for a few moments, and avoid passing out, Beth adds, "What I should have done last time we were in Sandas was spend the time writing lots and lots of scrolls."
Jon comments, "We have to scout better before we engage in the future and be aware that there are always at least one group of reserves around somewhere. Perhaps a continual light coin up the caverns or a web across the passage to delay reserves etcetera. Just some thoughts while I recover. Can anyone lend me lots of money for training?"
Aldarin also replies, "That is usually taken care of by the Priests of the group, of course it does not help if those that have the Dispels are the ones targetted by the Holds."
Ayazin nods. "I will be sure to memorize one as soon as I can. However, it would not have helped much in this battle, as I was swamped by melee almost instantly." He pets his wolf. "We seem to be doing well when we are the attackers, but these drow ambushes are tough. Is there any way we can get an early warning about them -- like with ESP?"
Ayazin surveys the damaged party. "Poor Kelar, dead again! Has anyone got his hand? And Brennon -- someone ought to tell him not to fight so soon after his injuries. Don't worry, Mikodin, I'm sure he'll pull through once we get back to safety. Farad, will you be doing the honor of getting us back to Laurie's? Or must we fly on Raz's back?"
Aldarin queries, "Ayazin, can you have your friend sniff out Kelar's hand?"
Ayazin says, "I would, but if he found it, I'd have to let him eat it."
You find Kelar's hand lying nearby.
Farad moves among the party and heals all who are wounded, bringing them up to as full of health as possible under the circumstances. He heals those who didn't go unconscious first, however.
Farad is able to heal everyone up to full hit points except for Sharone, before his psionic reserves are exhausted. She is brought up to 21 hit points. However, those who were below zero hit points remain weak, as does Aldarin.
When you are ready, you turn about and head back the way you came. It is late in the day, and you are all suffering from various stages of exhaustion. Furthermore, the passage now seems to run slightly upwards...making the travel that much more difficult for the injured.
After two hours it is apparent that you can go no further. You reach the 10' wide passage that you originally came out of, and turn up it. A short distance along, you come to a small side cave, and here you decide to rest the night.
You post a watch and rest.