You descend to the first level of the dungeon, then through the trap door in Zando's office to the second level.
The doors leading into this area are still wide open.
You return to the hallway outside of the banquet hall and look east.
From the double door leading into the banquet hall, the passage runs east for 60' and beyond the range of your lights. However, in the 30' - 40' section of the north wall is a passage running north.
Also, there is a passage running south directly across the hall from the banquet room doors. Looking this way, you see that it runs for 30', turning east after 20'.
This dungeon level is very quiet compared to the way it was a week ago.
Stump would like to go south, then look east.
You do so.
The passage runs for 30' from the corner, turning south again after 20'. In the east wall at the corner facing you is a door.
You look south.
The passage only runs for 10' before opening up into a chamber.
Stump carefully looks into the chamber.
Relan is right behind him.
Gwenned pulls himself up to the front, ready for action.
The chamber, you discover, is another one of those 20' square areas where four passages meet (10' east, 20' south; passage in east wall north section; passage in south wall east section; passage in west wall south section). The area itself is bare.
You look up each passage.
To the east, this passage runs for 30' but turns north after 20'.
To the south, this passage runs for 30', after which is a "T" intersection with a 10' wide passage running east - west.
To the west, the last passage runs for 60' and then out of range. There is a door in the first 10' section of the south wall, a passage in the 20' - 30' section of the south wall, and another door in the 40' - 50' section of the south wall.
Lore shrugs. "I'm lost...anyone else know where we haven't explored yet?"
Darian shrugs too. "Let's try the southern passage and go west. I don't think we've been there yet."
So you do.
Reaching the "T" intersection at the end of it, you look both ways.
To the east, the passage turns south again in the next 10' section. There is a door in the north wall immediately to your left.
To the west, the passage runs for 60' and on. There is a 10' wide passage running north in the 30' - 40' section.
You head west.
Looking up the north passage, you see that it runs for 30'...after which is a "T" intersection with a passage running east - west.
Looking west, you see that the passage continues for 60' and then on into darkness. As measured from this intersection, there is a 4-way intersection in the 30' - 40' section, followed by a door in the north wall in the 50' - 60' section.
"Stump, you've got that map updated yet? But, for now, why don't we check out that door in the north wall. Lore, you want to do the honors?"
Lore smiles, "Of course Darian." Lore goes over a checks the door for traps and sound. If he hears none he will open it.
Stump says "I'm beaming up the latest map."
GWenned stands ready for combat near the front of the party.
Relan will stand ready for battle near the middle of the party.
Lore hears nothing, so you open the door. Inside is a 30' X 40' room (10' east, 10' west, 40' north). The place is deserted. A long table is in the centre of the room. But for some bits and pieces of dead plant matter, you find nothing of interest in here.
Returning to the hallway, you look west.The hall runs for another 10'...after which is a "T" intersection with a passage running north south.
"Let's try the northern passage. Maybe it'll connect with some of the other hallways we've explored."
You head down to the "T" intersection and look both ways.
Sure enough...you recognise this area. To the north, the passage runs for 50', turning east after 40'. This way leads back to the banquet hall. In the 20' - 30' section of the west wall is a passage heading west. Down there are the swill pit and the lavatory.
To the south, the passage runs for 50' and then opens up. You have been down here, too. There is a passage in the 0' - 10' section of the west wall...this leads to the store room where you battled the fountain. In the 10' - 20' section of the east wall is a door. You have not opened it as yet. In the 30' - 40' section of the east wall is another passage. You have not been down there, either.
Stump would like to check out the unexplored door.
Darian agrees.
"Lore, let's try that door in the east wall and fill in some more spots on our map."
Lore takes his cue and goes over to the door. He checks for traps and sound..finding none he will open it.
This door opens into a 30' X 30' room (10' north, 10' south, 30' east). It is apparently someone's private quarters. A black silk robe has been carefully laid across a large straw sleeping mat. There is a chest at the foot of the mat.
You suddenly realize that you have already been in this room...on your first sojourn into this level.
"There seems to be alot of area to the East we have not explored. Shall we see what we can find there?" Relan hands the map back to Stump.
Lore, looking a bit frustrated, walks eastward.
You go south to the first eastbound passage and walk down it. It runs for 30', after which is a "T" intersection with a north - south passage.
To the north, the passage runs for as far as you can see (60'). In the 0' - 10' section of the east wall is another passage, and in the 30' - 40' section is a four-way intersection. You have been up there.
To the south the passage runs for 10'...then ends at another "T" intersection with a passage running east - west.
Gwenned points in that direction. "Let's try south and then east"
Stump comments "We've already been that way. I suggest that we go north to the first 4-way, then east to the second north passage, then east to the 20x20 room, then north to the door at the corner of the passage. Let's check what's behind this door. OK?"
Stump has the map, so you follow his directions...
Lore listens at the door but hears nothing, so you open it. Inside is a large, odd-shaped room (10' south, 30' east, 40' north, 60' west, 20' south and 30' east). A barracks hall, the place is filthy. It is also deserted...but Gwenned would recognise the smell of an orc anywhere...and it lingers in here. The place is filled with sleeping mats, junk, and a number of wooden chests. You search through the lot. The chests contain mostly personal effects, but in one you turn up a nice pile of goodies: 10 pink pearls, 50gp, a flask and a vial.
Stump takes a sip of the vial to find out its effects. He will also check out the contents of the flask.
Tasting the contents of the vial, Stump feels as if he could hear things in distant places.
Tasting the liquid within the flask, he feels healed...or would if he were hurt... There are the equivilent of two doses within the flask.
Gwenned is surprised: "If that were poison, you could very well be dead now. Pretty brave, Stump. Well, you have the map, so.....you get to lead."
Stump replies "Like a song I heard when I was a youth 'We're here for a good time, not a long time.'"
Lore smirks.
Taking all the treasure, Stump will turn south , then east, looking down the hallway that runs out of the west wall, north side, of the room.
Looking down there, You see that the passage runs for 60' and beyond. There is a door in the south wall, 0' - 10' section; a passage in the south wall, 20' - 30' section; and another door in the south wall, 40' - 50' section.
You make for the first door. Looking west from there, you see that this passage ends at a "T" intersection in the next 10' that you could not see from the chamber.
Lore listens at the door but hears nothing.
Lore checks the door for traps. Finding none...he opens the door.
This is indeed a 30' X 30' room (10' east, 10' west, 30' south). A private bedroom, it is furnished with a bed, table, chairs, and a chest.
You search, but find nothing of value. The chest contains clothes sized for a large bugbear or ogre...and alive with fleas.
"I'm sorry" replies Stump "I meant the passage out of the east wall of the 20x20 room. We've been here before. Let's go."
Back you go.
This passage runs east for 30'...turning north after 20'.
You go that way.
The passage runs north for 60' from the back wall, turning west again after 50'.
You go that way.
The passage runs west for 60' and beyond...into an area that you have already explored. However, in the 30' - 40' section of the north wall is a passage running north that you have not explored.
You go that way.
This passage runs north for 60' and beyond your range. In the 20' - 30' section of the east wall is a door. In the 50' - 60' section if the east wall is a passage opening.
You stop by the door...noticing that it is ajar.
A friendly voice calls out from within -
"Come on in! I know you're out there!"
Suddenly there is a popping noise behind you.
Turning, you see a half-elf standing there...wearing bloodied clothes and holding an equally bloodied suit of banded mail. He is covered in bandages and dried blood...though miraculously he himself looks to be uninjured. A pile of equipment is at his feet, and behind him stands a light riding horse.
At this point the door opens fully, to reveal a smiling man...the same man who made the dead pigeons dance at the banquet.
"Hello, there!" he says. "Oh look, a horse!"
Surprised, Lore jumps slightly to the side. Frowning harshly, he turns to the man in the room, his hand still resting on the hilt of his short sword. "Can we help you?", says Lore in a quiet voice.
"Errr...I don't think so!" he replies.
Meanwhile, behind you, the newly arrived 1/2 elf looks around in great surprise and shakes his head. Shaking it again, just to make sure, he steps back from the group. With a clang he drops the bloodied banded armor he is carrying.
Eyeing the half-elf carefully, Gwenned, a tall, strong human with braided hair and a weapon in either hand, stands his ground:
"I am Gwenned, ranger from the lands around the Dragonspire Mountains. Who are you and what are you doing here?"
The new 1/2 elf stops backing up when he hits his horse.
"Well met, Ranger Gwenned," he says carefully.
Closer inspection shows that he is a rather plain looking half-breed with dark hair and eyes and medium height and build. His bloody clothing is of the sturdy country type, although it is hard to place the region it comes from. Dangling from one hip is a longsword and from the other a mace. Both of his hands seem to hover over his weapons although he makes no move to grab them.
"My name is Wellyn. Wellyn of ValleyMouth... I'm also a ranger, trained under Lord Morg's Rangers."
He gives Gwenned, and everyone, an untrusting look.
"I was retiring to my room at the Inn. When I walked through the door I just ended up here. Am I still in Sandas?"
"Sandas? Where's Sandas? You're in the dungeons under Castle Greyhawk." says the second elf.
He then takes a good look at his bloody armor and then down at himself. A confused look comes over his face.
"I'm healed?!" he murmurs as he looks up at Gwenned again.
"Well, apparently so, but it wasn't our doing. You just appeared. Oh, and I'm Darian Trist, a fighter and magic-user."
Darian wears a grey cloak with the hood pulled up. Light brown hair peaks out from the hood and plain brown eyes. His face is not remarkable and is easily forgotten. He is short for a man. However something about his face tells you that he is not human, but an elf, even though you cannot see his ears.
You can see the chainmail on his arms and you note that his shield bears an emblem of a fighting hawk. He carries a bow and quiver on his back along with a backpack.
Looking back at the other Lore says, "Save the talking 'til later...let's deal with this guy first". Lore points towards the man in the room.
Relan will ready a bless spell.
Lore takes a good look at the man in the doorway. He is middle-aged with a pot belly and long, greasy hair. He wears a wrinkled purple robe that looks as if it has not been washed in months. He does not look evil...
"Come in, come in! But perhaps you should leave your horse outside...I don't want my carpets soiled. I am Mudstone, and I remember most of you from the banquet! Wasn't that a wonderful display I put on for the hellspawn? I think Asmodeus was quite impressed, don't you? Do come in!"
Lore moves into the room cautiously. The rest of you follow...though the horse waits outside.
"Yes...that was a nice demonstration. I'm sorry we couldn't see more of it, but we were working there. So why were you at the banquet Mustone?", Lore asks.
"Why, I helped to organize it!" he replies. "Along with Wyperag, Gorgie and my master Mortykraken... who unfortunately could not attend after something ate him. Alas, they're all gone, now. I think I'm the only one left in the whole dungeon! But, it was fun while it lasted!"
The room is a large one (30' X 50': 30' east, 20' south, 20' north). However, it is sparsely furnished with but a table, two saging beds, two dusty desks, and shelves of apparently seldom-used books. In the northwest corner a flesh golem stands...holding a tray of now-stale headless mouse cookies.
Lore, puzzled about this situation says, "Are you in need of help?"
"No. Why?"
"DO you know your way out of this dungeon?"
"Of course! There's stairs at the south end of this level!"
"Do you know about the dungeon level below this one?"
"Not much," he says, scratching his head. "It used to be a prison, years ago, I think."
Stump comments about the golem "Doesn't he look familiar. I guess he couldn't rid of those mouse heads, not even to those stupid Ogres." He will go over and look at the books.
He cannot understand any of them.
"Hey! Be careful with them!" says Mudstone.
"I'm sorry. Do these belong to you?"
"Of course they do!"
"What are they about?" Stump asks.
"Those are my spell books," Mudstone replies.
Lore asks, "Do you mind if I take a quick look at your books Mudstone?"
"Well, yes I do," he says, getting a little peeved.
Wellyn looks around the room and then focuses on Mudstone.
"Did you bring me here?"
"Errr...no," he says. "Didn't you come on your horse?"
He glances nervously around at the group of you eyeing his stuff.
"Look...uhhhh...maybe you guys should be on your way..? I'll tell you where a big fat treasure is if you promise to leave."
"That sounds like a good idea, only please don't lead us into a trap, we'd be very angry and have to come and try to kill you. Friends, i think that this level of the dungeon is empty. I say we go get this treasure and leave. I believe that there was another place (i don't remember what it was called offhand) that we can explore. We have done well here, now it's time to move on i think."
"Have we finished mapping the level? We only get payed if we do. So, we should complete the job we were sent here to do before leaving." says Darian.
Lore nods, "I agree that we sure go for the treasure, but I'd also like to make sure that we finish mapping this entire level before leaving."
Stump pulls out his map, and Mudstone points to the location of the big treasure, leaving a large smudge on the page...
"Right behind that door, yessiree," he says.
You bid him adieu and go trotting south.
Soon you are listening at the door. Lore hears nothing and notes no traps, so you open it.
It opens easily, revealing a 30' X 40' room (20' west, 40' south) with a troll in it.
A big, angry troll.
"RRRRRRRRRRR!!!!" it says, as it comes at you, claws bared.
"Shiite!" Wellyn curses under his breath. "At least there's only one..."
Wellyn will quickly draw his mace into his left hand and his sword into his right. He'll try to flank the beast as it moves towards the rest of the group.
Darian draws his sword and says to no one in particular, "Let me know when you want me to cast my magic missle. And remember, trolls hate fire."
Darian disappears from view without taking a step.
Gwenned stands ready with long sword and dagger, wearing a wry smile. "Rangers....trolls....heh heh. We hate trolls."
"I hope you guys like troll burgers for dinner." Stump says as he charges the troll with his sword drawn.
Lore steps up, making sure he has a clear view of the Troll, and waves his hands in a mystical guesture...moments later you see a bolt of fire stricke the unlucky troll.
Once Lore casts the spell, he draws his short short and backs off unless needed.
The battle begins.
Lore draws first blood with his missile, which strikes the troll in the nose for 2 hit points of damage. The troll attacks Wellyn but misses. The ranger lands a lovely hit with his mace, though, bruising the troll's left arm. His other arm arm swings out at Darian as the elf moves in, clawing him for 8 hit points of damage. Darian collapses, blood pouring out of his chest.
Seeing Darian collapse, Wellyn lets out a massive yell as he doubles his efforts to drop the troll.
Gwenned attacks the troll head on...after the monster bites him for 10 hit points of damage...and misses.
Stump circles around and swings his sword...missing.
Wellyn tries again, and connects with his mace, bruising the other arm. The troll in turn claws him for 6 hit points of damge. Wellyn misses with his sword.
This time Gwenned takes a claw hit from the troll for five hit points of damage, then replies with his sword, slicing open a large wound...which of course begins to heal immediately. He plunges his sword into it again, though, cutting a leg open.
The troll is badly hurt, now, but still it fights.
Stump buries his blade in the troll's buttocks and it squeals, as blood and excrement pour out. Then, it somehow twists around and bites the fighter for 12 hit points of damage. Stump is staggered, his arm hanging limp, but still he stands defiant.
Cursing again, Wellyn redirects his attack from the beast's arm to a leg.
The ranger from Strabath misses with his mace. The troll kicks him in the privates for 7 hit points of damage, and Wellyn drops.
Bleeding and hurt but still fighting hard, Gwenned takes advantage of the troll twisting around and tries to stab its side with sword and dagger.
The next ranger in line misses with his sword. A mottled hand with long claws on it rakes down his face for 7 hit points of damage, before Gwenned jumps and slices the troll's neck open with his dagger.
The troll drops to the floor...but the body continues to twitch...and its wounds slowly close up and begin to heal.
"Get some fire ready quick!" GWenned yells out.
Stump calls out "Darian, get the fire going while we finish this troll off."
Darian, however, is unconscious on the floor and so declines to oblige.
Lore quickly pulls Darians body away from the scene of the fight, and the cleric moves up.
Relan will move to Darian and lay hands upon him. "May St. Cuthburt bless you and let you fight again."
Then he moves over to attend to Wellyn.
Someone finally gets a fire going, and you torch the troll.
At this point, the downed Wellyn and Darian regain consciousness.
Darian and Wellyn come to, to find their wounds bound and the troll dead on the floor of the passage, doused with oil and aflame.
You check out the room.
A fair sized place, (30' X 40': 20' west, 40' south), this used to be a barracks. A large pile of orc-bones in the southeast corner testify to the fate of the previous occupants of the place once the troll arrived.
In another corner, under a pile of stinking garbage, you find a sack.
Looking in it, you find 900gp, an enormous black opal, and a clay jug with a bung in the top. Going by the sloshing sounds, it sounds as if it is filled with some liquid.
Both Darian and Wellyn are badly wounded and will be unable to adventure for a week.
Lore looks at Stump, "How much more of this level do think we have left to map? If it isn't much, why don't we finish mapping the little we have left and let Relan return the treasure and the other two to the inn so they can heal up?"
"That sounds wise to me." Relan says. "I will escort these two back. Are you sure you will be safe without us?"
Leaning against the wall rubbing the inside of his thighs, Wellyn can only nod.
"I need rest... Twice in one day..."
Stump, however, does not like the idea.
"I would rather have us all stick together. The level can wait. I say we all go back up and recouperate." Stump replies.
"Well, we're not doing much else. We have the time. Though this level of the dungeon has been rather tame, except for Asmodeus," Relan makes a gesture to St,. Cuthburt upon speaking this name, "and the troll. I will be fine escorting them up, if you felt confident about finishing up the level"
"I am also quite wounded," says Gwenned. "I shall escort the others up. If you two think you could finish the mapping quickly, I'd say go ahead. Otherwise we could wait a week. I'd like to talk to Herzog Akitrom about this whole affair and what we've seen down here."
Stump says that he is pretty banged up as well. A week's rest would probably do us all good.
Lore then decides to follow Stump's lead...so you all head out.
Perhaps it is just as well, for all of the relatively healthy members are required to get Wellyn's horse up the two flights of stairs...
At last, though, you have struggled up to Zando's level (still deserted) and then up to the surface. You come up through the trapdoor in the floor of an unoccupied shop in the citadel union of Castle Greyhawk, and head outside...where it is snowing.
By the time you reach Akitrom's tower, though, it is more like a warm spring day.
"It's those damned Druids of the Golden Bough, again!" grumbles Akitrom that night at dinner.
"Oh, daddy!" gushes Risotta, his lovely daughter, as she looks at Wellyn. "He's so cute! Can I keep him? I can tie his bandages into pretty bows!"
"So," says LeDurt, the leader of the other party that is currently staying in the tower as well, "Looks like you wimps got your asses wiped again..."
He, Nesselrode the badger mage, Kashahr the pixie paladin and Brabu the centaur thief all chuckle.
"Yeah, but at least we're all in one piece, and we'll do it again for Risotta," Stump blurts out, looking over and smiling at her.