Four more weeks pass while the dwarf trains. It is September 5th before he is ready at last.
Valdar has spent much of the past six weeks away at his castle, and when he finally returns he brings with him two elves.
One is a high elven magic user while the other is a fighter type elf. "I brought these fellows in from Dorian to help us out," says Valdar. "Fian here is a ranger...we haven't had one since Angst packed up and left. Malbrudas is a magic user...we're a little light with them, aren't we?"
He grins.
"Are we ready to return to the Halls of Gallahad?"
The tall elf named Malbrudus, looks around the party with fascination. He scratches his chin and smiles. He bows and introduces himself.
"As Valdar says my name is Malbrudus. I am a High Elf of Dorian and have come to assist you in your cause!" he speaks precisely and clearly, projecting himself well.
"You look to me like a party of great potential and experience. I hope that I will add and assist you in the tasks that lie ahead!"
The female half-elf begins to laugh at this comment. She looks around, "I guess you have a lot to learn." she says laughing, "but we can always use the help."
She chuckles again, and then continues, "I am known as Jesse, and I speak little of substance, just as Pharian." she says to the new comers.
As Malbrudus walks backwards and forwards down the line of his new companions you all notice that he presents himself well. He wears a fine elven cloak of dark green and his clothes look of fine quality. A sash is worn around his waste and a neckpouch hangs from his neck. He provides a whistle as you see an owl spring from a nearby tree. It flies circling the group and then perches upon his shoulders.
"Stop pacing, you're making me nervous," says Pharian, by way of introduction. He wears the clothes of a mage, which hang loosely on his thin frame. He seems to be late middle age. His nose is crooked, his face is set in a scowl, and he looks pale and worn.
The large human fighter steps out of the line he and his companions somehow found themselves in, and says. "I'm Gilstrock, and I eat a lot of substance," he says.
"Little substance up here though," the druid says as he points to his head as he looks at Gil. "And my name is Jerrold Oakstaff of Faerun."
"I am one with nature, my friends, but can wield a sword or staff with the best of them. I don't know Valdar that well, but I guess we could use some more help!"
Darian nods to the two newcomers. "Welcome to the both of you. My name is Darian Trist. If Lord Valdar vouches for you, that is more than enough for me."
"And what if I don't?" asks Valdar.
BrightAxe looks up with revelation upon his face and distrust towards those who continually discount his fighting ability, "I 'ave been told in the crux of my training that I shall be a Dwarven Lord. One whose skills match those weak humans you currently weigh my skills against with my poor showing."
BrightAxe bows his head in shame.
He stands up straighter and says "Knowest now, I may not have ever struck with a magic weapon, but Sylver beard; knowest him as Clangeddin Silverbeard, hath given me permission to use the magic of the world to assist in smiting enemies. I will now allow myself to use magic weapons."
He walks over to the two newcomers, "Iffen you have dwarven spirits to share, I'm a friend. If you're tee-totalers, and none of my professed friends went shopping for me, then - to Hades witchya."
BrightAxe Silverbeard steps back from all with his hand open for a mug (or ten).
"I think you've had enough already!" says Robert.
Gilstrock looks around, thinking he could do with some ale himself.
"Were we supposed to go shopping in Sandas? I thought we were looking for Pharian."
"As far as I know, we were only looking for Pharian..."
"Well, folks, should we head back to our dragon hunting? Seems like we're all trained and ready to go..."
The tall elf Fian stands back from the party, with him are two huge dogs with a greenish ting to there coats. Dressed in a cloak and tunic of subdued forest colors he holds and intricatly carved bow in his hands a longsword across his back and a dagger at his side. When he moves quickly, which he is apt to do, a glimpse something metallic cand be seen beneath his clothing. As the dwarf reaches for a nother mug of ale the elf smiles and replies "If I have to leave my beloved forest we might as well make the best of it" and walks over to join him.
Another figure steps forward...a middle aged man with long brown-black hair pulled back in along pony tail. His green eyes pass over each of you in turn and his pale hands instinctivly come to his mouth, which seems to be forever twisted in a smile.
He giggles out loud and then tucks his thumbs under his leather belt next to a large leather belt pouch and, on his opposite side, a small leather belt pouch. He swallows a laugh and says, "The strangest things happen around here...be warned."
He looks to the newcomers and says, "I am Occa the Annoying almost arch-mage. Pleased to meet you."
He smiles and gives a short bow.
Then to the rest, "Let's go!"
Occa teleports the group back to the last room we were in, in the halls of Galahad.
And so you return to the dungeon...to the room where you killed the trapper. It measures 10' square with a door in every wall. You entered through from the north.
Opening the east door, you see another 10' square room...completely barren.
Opening the west door, you see a 10' X 20' room (20' west; door in south wall east end). This room has a large stone throne in it. Going by the scrape marks on the floor, it looks as if it was dragged through the doorway to the south.
Cannon Fodder hops into the throne. "Call me Ishmael!"
Then he hops down and says, "Why do you suppose it was placed here? Is it magical?"
He then runs over to the Southern door and opens it.
"Cannon Fodder, are you using that wand to detect for monsters?" asks Darian.
"Nope. I will do, though."
He reaches for it...then remembers that he lost it.
Opening the south door, you see a room before you (30' X 30': 20' east, 30' south; door in middle of north wall immediately to your left; doors in each 10' section of the east wall.
This fair-sized room looks to be a reception chamber of some kind. Not as fancy as some you have seen during your explorations of this underground maze, but the floors and walls are of polished marble, and burnt out torches rest in sconces which line the walls. It looks as if something heavy has been dragged from against the western wall and through the northwest door, where you stand...
You move in and look around, but find nothing of interest.
BrightAxe looks around from his stupor and realizes that he will be searching his memory for a little bit.
Darian waits a few moments for someone to say something and then shrugs. "How about the northern door?"
Gilstrock looks at Darian, blinks twice, whips his tongue across slightly chapped lips, and shrugs in response. "Everybody look alert!" he says, as he opens the northern door with his left hand, his spear held in his right hand.
Darian draws the broadsword from over his shoulder with a flourish and nods to Gilstrock. "Ready when you are."
Staff in hand, Jerrold walks with the party..
Jesse jumps with a start... "A lert.. where? I've never seen A lert." she says and then begins to giggle.
"Occa, I do believe you are rubbing off a little too much on the female bard..." Jerrold says in response to her silly comment.
Jesse looks shocked. "Occa has never rubbed off on me." she says and giggles more. "I'm saving myself." she adds, "but I hear..." she says before losing control...
Darian rolls his eyes and shakes his head, surpressing a smile.
Meanwhile, Gilstrock has opened the north door.
This opens into a boring room (20' X 20': 10' north, 20' east). In here are a number of old couches, settees and armchairs, in piles. All are broken down, their stuffing lying scattered about here and there.
You search the place anyway but find nothing of further interest or value.
You open the middle door, next...revealing a 10' wide passage running east for as far as you can see (60').
You decide to head down there, so you do.
After 60' the passage continues for a further 40'...after which it ends at a "T" intersection with a 20' wide passage running north - south. Also, in the 0' - 20' section of the north wall is another 20' wide passage running north. Looking north, you see that it runs for 60' and on.
"East!" says Valdar, pinching Gilstrock's bottom and thereby making him run off in that direction.
Reaching the "T" intersection, you look both ways.
To the south, this passage runs for 30' and ends. In the 0' - 10' section of the west wall is a 10' wide passage running west.
To the north, the passage runs for 50' and ends. There is a door, though, in the left half of the end wall to the north.
You look around the corner and up the passage to the west, since it is right there. It runs for 60' and on. In the 40' - 50' section of the south wall is a passage running south.
"To the door!" says Valdar, blowing in Gilstrock's ear and thereby making him run off in that direction.
The rest of you follow, and Gilstrock opens the door.
Beyond is a non-boring area, a chamber as a matter of fact (right wall runs east for 60'; left wall runs north for 120' (passage opening in 50' - 70' section), then east for 70' (door in north wall west corner)).
This enormous open area has no eastern wall. Instead, it opens into an enormous vertical shaft. A dim grey light filters in from the shaft and above.
The floor of the open area is scratched and scuffed...as if heavy flying creatures have used this place as a landing area...
However, the place is deserted at the moment, so you move in.
Looking out into the void to the east, you see that the left and right walls run off to the north and south, respectively, in gentle curves. The shaft is cylindrical-shaped, and about a mile in diameter. 10' north in the wall is another opening, 20' wide. The walls of the shaft are smooth, and do not look entirely natural.
Looking up, you see that the shaft runs that way for some 600'. At the very top is a hole, though which daylight enters.
Looking down, you see that the shaft descends into darkness...hundereds of feet and on beyond the limit of the illumination from above.
Here and there on the walls, above and below you, are dark openings.
You then go and look down the west passage.
It runs west for 60' and on. In the 20' - 40' section of the south wall is a passage running south.
"Whaddaya wanna bet that this is a dragonport?" Gilstrock asks nobody in particular, when you enter the large chamber.
Darian looks around in awe. "I wouldn't want to take that bet..."
"Wild," Gilstrock says, looking over the edge into the void.
"We're here," says Pharian. "This must be air."
"No doubt about that," says Valdar quietly.
"Huh?" Gilstrock says.
"Don't you remember," answers Pharian. "Acco-lite told us that to get to Tiamatlet, we had to go through either the air gate, the fire gate, or the water gate, and we decided to head for the air gate. Well, this is that, isn't it?"
Gilstrock looks around at the others. "Acco-lite?" he asks, confused. "Was he one of those guys you all were hanging around with when I was off on my hunting trip? And who is this Tiamatlet thing anyway? I've never really gotten the full story on that."
BrightAxe can respond in his normal explanatory manner "We're off to kill a big dragon that brings other dragons." He uses his arms for emphasis "I'm guessing that this Tim Talet dragon must be at least THIS big." He shrugs and finishes, "we'll probably all die but it will be in battle against very large and powerful creatures, so fight the good fight because it could be your last."
Gilstrock gives BrightAxe a supporting growl. "Indeed, my friend. Fight every fight as if it could be your last."
You look down the passage to the west.
Gilstrock looks around and back. "Well, my sense of direction is shot to hell," he says. "Who's mapping? Should we go?"
Darian looks at Orlon. "I hope you got all that..."
As he says this, Gilstrock quickly jumps to the side and turns to face Valdar. "You can just say so, if you like," he says.
Darian grins. "Maybe we should try the first passage in the south wall? And we probably should spread out our formation just in case we do run into some dragons."
BrightAxe is amiable to these ideas and will joyfully position himself appropriately.
Fian suggests that we might explore the south passage a bit further before moving to the western one too far.
"Well, we originally came down from the west," replies Valdar. "I'll bet that this is the passage back to the area that we've already sort of explored."
Occa says, "Shall we head to the South then?"
Cannon Fodder starts moving in that direction.
Occa says, "Hey, let one of these regenerating types go first!" He looks over at Darian and says, "Let's see if that ring works...why don't you cut yourself and then see if it heals? If so, then you can move to point. Makes sense."
Gilstrock shakes his head. "You guys are sick. But I'll take point along with Darian."
"Occa, have I pissed you off lately or something?"
"Oh no, not at all, I was just thinking that it made sense for you to take point. You will be harding to kill. What would be ideal is for you to have some kind of protection from Fire. Jerry, Orlon, can you cast something like that on him? Then he will be a great point man."
"I can cast that spell, but I would have to pray for it. At this time though, I can cast a Protection from Lightning on you if you so wish ?" Jerry comments in an unusually sincere tone. "Can someone catch me up to speed on this air, fire, earth, water thing and who is Tiamatlet.. some bad ass dragon or something?"
"According to Occa, I only have to fear fire, not lightning. But, I certainly will take it if you're offering."
"As far as Tiamat or however you pronounce the name, she is some multi-headed dragon goddess that is rumored to be around here somewhere... Occa understood it better than I, though."
Occa weaves a fascinating tale of danger, romance and sheer idiocy...the likes of which may never be seen again (all of Earth hopes).
"Acco was a an evil magic user that we delt with some time back," adds Valdar. "Occa then made a similacrum out of some undisclosed part of him and called him Acco-lite. He was the one who told us about Tiamatlet and these barriers: Air, Water and Fire. We apparently have to cross one of the three to get to the main dragon lair...and we chose Air. So, here we are."
"Will the ring regenerate me, even if I'm killed? Any one of the dragons we've faced could kill me with just one breath. I suppose that if we need someone to be able to withstand such power that I should give the ring to Gilstrock. Unless, you can protect me from fire, cold, acid, poison, lightning and anything else that dragons breathe at folks."
"Yep, it will bring you back except for fire damage. That is why I want the fire protection on you."
Darian looks down at the ring in surprise. "Hmmm... Okay, I'll act as scout, then. As long as Jerry or Orlon can protect me from fire."
Darian pauses. "But what about acid? I know acid can destroy trolls. Isn't the ring the same type of magic?"
Occa shrugs and says, "Got me, but you are the most protected, so don't worry about it."
Darian shrugs. "Guess we all gotta die someday... I just seem to be making a habit of it..."
"I was always kind of a proponent of the 'kill them first' method of protection, myself," Gilstrock interjects somewhat gratuitously.
"No argument here, Gilstrock, but experience shows that they've been pretty good at surprising us..."
"He's after your brain again, Darian," says Valdar. "But don't worry: with that ring you could grow a new one in no time flat."
"But, you're right on one score. I should see if the ring is a regenerating one..."
Darian pulls out a knife and draws blood on his forearm while wearing the ring.
The blood shoots out of his arm like a fountain...spraying Darian in the kisser...then the wound closes.
Darian pulls a towel from one of his many pouches and wipes off the blood. "Guess we know the answer to that question..."
"Nice," Gilstrock says, a note of irony in his voice. Shaking his head, he says, "Like I said, you guys are sick. Let's go."
Occa says, "Hmm, well, if you get breathed on you won't heal, Gilstrock, I admire your courage, but it wouldn't make sense."
Darian nods at Gilstrock. "Thanks, I appreciate the help. Orlon, Occa, do either of you have anything that will protect us from dragon's breath? I'd not likely survive one puff from any of them. And while that's useful in springing traps, I'd rather not be used that way..."
Cannon fodder will wait a bit.
After a bit you head west to the intersection with the 20' wide south passage.
Looking on to the west, this passage runs for 60' and on.
Looking south, this new passage runs for 60' and on.
You head south.
In all, this south passage runs for 100', after which it ends at a "T" intersection with a 10' wide passage running east - west.
You look.
To the west, the passage runs for 60' and ends at an open door. To the east, it runs for 20', after which it ends at a "T" intersection running north - south.
You realise now that you have gone around in a circle. To the west is the 30' square room with the three doors in its eastern wall. To the east, the passage leads you north and back to the chamber overlooking the void.
Gonzo, deep in thought suddenly offers up a tidbit....
"Me pap used ta tell a story of me clan livin's space... he seems ta have hinted dat it might be beyond such a barrier as dat dragon funnel we found a-ways back. Perhaps we need ta find a way ta cross over dat barrier and move inta da tunnels ta da east of here. We seems ta be movin' in circles here-abouts. I'm itchin fer some new views and ta git on wid dis dis-enter-fectment of da critters whut is inhabitatin dis place."
"Finding your clan's tunnels would have been a whole hell of a lot easier if you dying pap had just told you where there were, instead of speaking in all these blasted hints and riddles," says Pharian crabbily. "Remind me not to do that when I die."
You return to the large chamber overlooking the shaft.
"OK," Gilstrock says. "I mean, I didn't volunteer when we were selecting the brains of this operation and all. But it sure seems that if we're gonna go past an air gate, we kinda gotta go out..."
Gilstrock waves his hands vaguely out in the direction of the void as he looks questioningly at the others.
Occa says, "I think you are right, Gilstrock....we need to go out there, I think. Anyone have an Augury?"
He casts wizard eye and sends it into the void to the range limit of the spell.
The shaft is about a mile wide, as described previously, so the eye reveals little more from 510' out than you can see from your current vantage point. You do note that the opening in the wall immediately to the north of this chamber seems to lead into another chamber, though.
Pharian nods. "I think Darian should be the first to jump, since he has that new ring. We can gauge how deep the pit is by how loud a sound he makes when he hits the bottom."
He laughs at the thought.
"Gee... Anyone got a levitating bow tie or something? Seems like I could avoid falling into pits like Cannon Fodder..." says Darian.
Gilstrock starts to drift off of the ground. "Nope," he says. "No bow tie. Got me some boots though. Problem is, it's kinda hard to move horizontal in these things. Unless, that is, they're on the ground. How about you guys tie a rope to me, and pull when I say pull. I can push myself off from the wall with my spear as necessary, and use the boots for the ol' up-and-down."
Darian scratches his head trying to figure out what this has to do with scouting and not falling in pits... He gives up after a few moments...
"Oh," Gilstrock says, somehow pulling out Darian's confusion from the look on his face, despite the fact that Darian hasn't said a word. "I thought you were worried about scouting out there."
Gilstrock waves his hand again in the direction of the void.
"Um... No... If someone wants to explore that, I suggest they use a fly spell. Much easier. I was thinking of Cannon Fodder's bad luck in falling into pits. If I had some way to levitate, perhaps I could avoid falling into them while still tripping the traps..."
"Hmm, well, you could try my boots," Gilstrock says, "though that'd leave me barefoot, and I 'spect they might be a tad big on you."
"Magical boots adjust to the feet of the wearer. And you can borrow mine, but I don't think they'll fit very well. So, that's probably not a good idea."
"Enough of this silly chatter!" says Valdar. He presses a button on the side of his pack. There is a slight hummm, and he floats up into the air.
Grabbing Gilstrock by a strap of his pack, he then drags the fighter off into the void with him...heading north along the wall.
Gilstrock has just enough wits about him to activate his boots.
After a moment they return.
"That opening 10' north is a passage running west for 50'," the mighty elf lord reports. "Then it opens up into a chamber. There's lots more scuff marks in the passage as well."
He pauses, then looks at the still unopened door in the northwest corner of this chamber.
"I wonder if that door leads into the chamber to the north?"
"I guess that's why you're the brains of the outfit," Orlon comments to Valdar.
Orlon then casts an Augury spell. "Will checking out this shaft be harmful to the party?"
He gets the impression that it will not be.
Gonzo explains about his family, "Well, me pap was one of dem dwarves whose stories we all took fer granted. Me didna dink da places was real. He always had dat faraway look ta his eyes when he spoke 'bout em and me dinks he was makin da stuff all up. It was all grand and fancy smanzy, nuttin like da digs me and me bruders grew up in. Now lookee round here... it's all true and it takes time fer me mind ta remember all dem stories. Dey was wonnerful stories...me dinks me bruders would be jealous iffin dey knew he was tellin da truf. I kinna wait to git back and tell 'em all 'bout our real home."
"Da ya fella dink dey will be fit fer dwarven habitation iffin dey decides to move back?"
Occa says, "Maybe. We can send a message to them next time we go back to camp, or I can teleport you there for a day visit."
"These halls were originally delved by Gonzo's ancestors," says Valdar to the newcomers, by way of explanation.
"Let's try the door. 'Twould seem easier than you ferrying us across the void." Darian moves to the door, prepared to open it. "Everyone ready?"
Cannon Fodder says, "Yep, do it! Do it!"
"Oh... Well, I was speaking to the entire party, not just you."
BrightAxe is also ready, except for any flying that might have to be done.
"Might someone have an extra spell?"
Orlon casts prayer before the door is opened.
"No flying necessary. We're going through the door."
"Well, I'm sure there will be eventually," says Valdar.
"Just open the blasted door," Orlon barks.
Darian, with Gilstrock at his side, does so.
On the other side of the door is a large chamber. Its dimensions cannot be seen well at this point, though, because your view is being blocked by the bulk of a large red dragon, who has apparently been sitting there for awhile listening to your chit-chat.
"Boo," he says...and exhales...
Darian dives out of the doorway to the left hoping to avoid most of the blast. "I knew you should've protected me from fire, Orlon!!!!"
Gilstrock drops his spear, draws Thawbreaker, and charges the red dragon, seeking to hit it with his frost brand.
As soon as he hits the ground, Darian rolls back to his feet drawing his frostbrand. He then charges back into the doorway and through it rushing to help Gilstrock.
"Shit, man.." Jerrold mutters as he dives out of the doorway to the side to avoid the breath attack.
Cannon Fodder runs at an angle to get out of the line of fire.
Occa dimension doors toward the dragon, through the door and appears behind the beast.
He then proceeds to open up on the blasted creature with as many magic missile spells as it can take.
BrightAxe dives as far out of the way as possible.
Jesse jumps out of the way before she fires her magic missiles.
Pharian dives to the right, hitting the deck along with everyone else.
Gonzo draws the weapon he believes protects him from such things as fire and charges the beast shouting a loud "KAAAAAAAARUMBA!"
Orlon says "Boo hoo," as he utters his holy word at the dragon.
Arrrgh! rushes after Gonzo.
Valdar dives aside.
Suddenly the air is filled with smoke and flames, as Orlon speaks his word and many magic missiles light up the dungeon and sear into the breathing red dragon.
Arrrgh!, Orlon, Fian, Brightaxe, Jerrold and Jesse take 33 hit points.
Darian, Valdar and Pharian take 17 hit points of damage.
Gilstrock takes 22 hit points of damage.
Malbrudus takes 66 hit points and is vapourised on the spot.
Gonzo takes 44 hit points and laughs it off.
The dragon then staggers back and sits on his haunches, stunned thanks to Orlon. Magic missiles from Occa, Pharian and Jesse pour into it (one spell each, Occa and Pharian), as Gilstrock drives his frost brand into the dragon's jugular, followed closely by Darian and Gonzo doing likewise, while Arrrgh! smashes its skull with his rod of flailing.
In an instant the dragon is dead.
Cannon Fodder keeps running, before stopping at the edge of the abyss.
You have only a moment to look about, though, before the next onslaught hits you.
Through the doorway is another good-sized chamber (40' X 40': 10' east, 20' west, 40' north; 20' wide passage running out of middle sections of east wall...terminating at the shaft). In the northwest corner of this chamber is a smallish pile of coins.
Before you have a chance to go and gloat over them, though, a secret door in the west wall, south corner opens, and out charge five giant fire lizards...apparently drawn by the sounds of battle.
Darian changes directions and charges the lizards brandishing his frostbrand. He swings at the closest fire lizard.
The elf's first strike is a big one, and blood sprays him. The lizard attacks back, though, clawing, biting and breathing flames on him. Only the last hurts him...for 1 hit point.
"Have at them! Prepare to freeze, you pyrotechnic practitioners!" Gilstrock says this last bit with an Arnold Schwartezenegger (however you spell it) accent.
Gilstrock charges the firelizards alongside Darian, seeking to engage one other than the one Darian engages.
Like Darian, Gilstrock also hits easily, badly injuring the fire lizard. Its claws have no effect on him, so he hits it again and kills it.
Occa moves away from the battle that is being fought. He walks over and examines the treasure. He sees that it consists of copper, electrum and platinum coins.
"I hate FIRE!" Jerrold screams as he transforms into a large black bear as he grasps his staff and slams it into the closest lizard.
He whaps the lizard with his staff. In turn, he suffers 3 hit points of damage.
Pharian decides to try out his new throwing dagger, heaving it at one of the fire lizards. He misses.
Then he lets the fighters take care of the lizards and heads out towards the abyss, where he will keep a lookout for more monsters.
Orlon charges the lizards with his big bruiser, followed by the dwarves.
He puts a small dent in a fire lizard before getting torched for 8 hit points.
Gonzo goes at the last lizard with his trademark yell, burying his blade in the neck of the monster. It breathes on him for 4 hit points.
Arrrgh! moves to attack the lizard on Darian...and suffers a miss of embarrassing proportions.
Brightaxe helps out Jerrold, and lands hits with both axes.
Just when you are having fun, though, five vampires come charging out through the secret door.
"Life sucks!" they say, and attack you...intent of relieving you of same.
"Pharian! Orlon! Do the vampires!" Gilstrock calls, as he moves to attack the next fire lizard he can get his sword to.
Instead a pretty lady vampire steps in front of him.
"Let me suck you off," she says, reaching for the zipper to the fly in Gilstrock's armour. The fighter dodges her and then el-kabongs her with his frost brand, twice, and she howls in pain.
"Hey!" says Valdar. "I saw him first!"
He fills the air with magic missiles, and she poufs into gaseous form.
Jesse launches a flurry of magic missiles towards a vampire coming at her.
The wand spits two missiles into the vamp.
"Ohhh...a fiesty one," he says, grabbing her and kissing her hard on the mouth. She feels the life force draining out of her...as she sags in his strong embrace. When he pulls away his lips are covered in her blood. "I will break you and retrain you, woman."
"Occa, perhaps you should help out as well?" nags Darian. He continues to attack the fire lizard in front of him. He fans wildly as he catches sight of what is happening to Jesse. The lizard claws at him and puffs flame on him for 4 hit points. He swings again and this time connects, not quite killing it.
BrightAxe concentrates on the lizards, his weapons useless against the Vampires. However, a vampire comes after him anyway as he misses the lizard with both axes...however, the undead fails to connect.
Occa's first priority is to make sure he won't get hit by a vampire. One is making for him, so he dimension doors away, reappearing part way down the passage to the abyss.
Orlon backs off of the lizards and tries to turn the vampires.
Despite a scratch attack from the lizard as he backs up, he manages to turn the vampires...and all of them flee back through the southwest door.
"Great.." Jerrold says as he continues to attack the lizard in front of him. He nearly kills the lizard with another swing before taking 4 hit points of fire damage. His next swing misses.
Pharian wonders whether the vampires were illusions, but they did not appear to be. He stays where he is, part way down the east passage, near Occa.
Gonzo, still using his frost brand, easily beheads a lizard with it.
Arrrgh! tries his rod again and this time connects, mashing the head of the lizard on Darian to a pulp.
Two lizards remain.
The lizard attacking Jerrold lunges forward, and to his dismay claws him for 2 hit points. His stoneskin spell must have worn off. That is all it manages to do, though, as the druid finishes it off next.
Orlon turns back to the last lizard, and mashes it with Big Bruiser. He damages it slightly, then dodges a claw. Gilstrock rushes in, but lands only a comparatively minor hit. He tries again and misses. The lizard grabs Orlon in its maw but does not hurt him. It finally breathes on him, though, for 4 hit points.
Arrrgh! moves in, and clobbers the reptile twice...and suddenly it is looking pretty badly hurt.
Orlon bops it again, and still it lives. At last, Gilstrock finishes the monster off.
All of the lizards are dead. The vampires are cowering somewhere.
Fian spontaneously explodes.
Pharian goes down the east passage and looks out into the shaft. After a bit he notes that some of the dark openings in the side of the shaft are larger than others. The closest large opening is towards the south and some 100' below. Another large opening is to the northeast, and up 150'. A third is to the east and some 600' below.
You look through the secret door and into the room beyond, from where the lizards and vampires came from. It measures 20' X 30' (10' north, 10' south, 20' west; door in middle of west wall). Going by the litter and odds and ends in here, you conclude that the lizards resided in this room.
From your current vantage point you can see through the west door. It is a small room, running 10' west and also north. You see coffins in there.
"Ick... Valdar, these guys weren't terribly impressive." says Darian, after Fian has detonated.
"But he went out with a bang, didn't he?"
Darian chuckles. "Is that why you brought them along? For entertainment value?"
"That's about all they provided." says Valdar.
"I hate it when that happens," Gilstrock says. "Couldn't he have, you know, hugged a vampire or something right before he was gonna do that?"
Pharian, figuring he had better say something so that he doesn't explode, says, "Gee, I hope I don't explode."
Gilstrock looks after where the vampires fled. "Whaddaya wanna bet we see them again? Those draining things give me the creeps. Almost as much as Valdar." He looks over at Jesse. "You OK? Orlon, is there anything you can do for her?"
Darian hustles over to Jesse. "Are you okay?"
After checking her out, Darian says, "Orlon, can you restore her skills? I'll take care of healing her." Darian places his hands on her shoulders and heals her fully.
"Not right now, but I will when we return to base camp," Orlon tells Darian.
Jesse pulls her hand away from her bloody lips, looking small and scared. She holds onto Darian tightly and just shakes.
For once... the bard is at a loss for words.
Darian holds her tightly.
Jesse squeezes Darian. Softly, she says, "Thank you." and squeezes him again before letting go. She smooths out her clothes and looks around, waiting for others to move out.
Darian holds her at arm's length and looks into her eyes. "Are you ready to continue or should we get you back to camp?"
Jesse smiles, lost in Darian's gaze for a few seconds... then she speaks, "Let's move on and get rid of these creatures so they pose on danger to others. I am fine otherwise, and have my wand still." she says, smiling.
Darian nods. "That'll do." He looks at Jesse. "Be careful until Orlon can restore you."
Jesse reaches out her hand and touches Darians cheek. "I'll be careful. Promise." she says to him.
Darian smiles and covers her hand with his own. "If we can avoid the undead and fire-breathing creatures, it's much easier to stay whole. Too bad we don't have that staff of illumination anymore. Sure made dealing with the undead easier..."
Occa groans and says, "Please you two...STOP! I can't stand all this mushy pansy ass stuff. I have remained as silent as I can, but this is too much. If you too have to be all lovey dovey go off into a corner and do it."
"Amen," says Pharian.
Jesse glares at Occa. "You're just upset that Tracey is not here." she says, sticking her tongue out at the (almost) arch-mage.
"No, I just don't like that cotton and bunny tails stuff...too girlish. Geez, Jesse, you were more of a man when you pretended to be than Darian ever was." He looks over to Darian and says, "I don't mean to insult, you are just a bit too sensitive...in my crusty old opinion."
She looks at the mage. "I'm still learning to be a woman... trying to undo many years of denying myself, becuase I was afraid. Perhaps I do over play it sometimes." she says, "However, I hope to be able to strike a balance someday. And I think Darian is just fine as he is." she adds.
"I'm kinda fond of you, too." Darian gives a big grin to the others, then says to Occa, "No insult taken. You are right. I just don't see a need to pretend to be macho."
"Ah," Gilstrock says, "whatever. But just remember, when the time comes, Make War, Not Love."
Darian chuckles. "Once of these days, Gilstrock, you're going to fall for someone. And then you'll be a huge mountain of cotton and bunny tails stuff."
"Ah," Gilstrock says, "I won't fall for one of those bunny-tail women. I need a big, strong woman, one who can fight, one who can eat and share ale with me. We will travel the countryside and be known for our valour and honor and strength."
"I didn't say the woman was going to be a bunny-tailed woman. I said that when you fell, you were going to be just as mushy as I've been."
She turns to Darian, "Thank you again." she says softly.
Pharian looks at Jesse. "You really need a better wand, by the way. That one is pathetic."
Jesse smiles ... "But is seems to work fine for me Pharian. I'm not sure I can use other wands. And I am not much good in a fight otherwise." she says as she unconciously rubs her neck.
"Then we should find something else for you...that wand is, as Pharian put it, pathetic." says Occa.
"What would you suggest?" Jesse asks. "I've never been able to use other wands. Or perhaps I've just never had another one to use." she says.
Occa says, "Well, one of your own lightning bolts would be better. We do need to find something else though...ugh, a big treasure trove would be nice."
"Yeah!" agrees Cannon Fodder.
Gilstrock shifts Thawbreaker over to his left hand and draws Hangnail (the sword of sharpness) from the sheath across his back. Holding the hilt out to Jesse, he says, "You want to borrow one of my wands?"
Jesse smiles, "Thank you for the offer Gilstrock." she says looking at the sword. "I fear I am not much use in combat with a sword. I've never used a long sword. I prefer the short sword." she says, "Thank you though."
"Occa, this one is for you.. I bet Jesse, that you like a short sword..." Salaam - errrr - Al - errr - Jerrold says as he smirks, looking at her boyfriend..
"I've always found that it is not the size of the sword that matters as much as how well it is wielded." the bard counters.
"You're every bit as crude as a paladin that we once had. And I wish you'd stop..."
"Yeah," Gilstrock says. As he hefts his sword Hangnail, he looks meaningfully at Jerry and says, "Always remember that the short sword is better than the shortened sword."
Finished with that, Darian eyes the room with the coffins. "Seems we have a little unfinished business. Occa, what about a fireball into the coffins? Would that do the job?"
"Yuck, I hate the Undead, such a perversion to nature!" Jerrold states as he looks at the coffins. "Silvanus, heal your servant." he intones as he casts a Cure Serious Wounds on himself for 9 hit points.
Occa says, "We could try the fireball tactic. Everyone step to the sides...dont' want anyone getting caught in the blast." He lobs a fireball into the room with the coffins...
BrightAxe ducks.
The place is consumed with flames.
Orlon casts a CCW into himself for 24 hit points. He will also start casting cure spells into people, starting with those who are most damaged. He heals Brightaxe for all but 4 hit points and Pharian for all but 1 hit point. Gonzo receives the cure critical wounds for 20 hit points, Arrrgh! and himself another cure serious wonds apiece for 6 and 14 hit points respectively. One more cure light wounds goes into Arrrgh! for 3 hit points.
Darian heals himself.
You go and look at the dragon treasure.
It is a pretty paltry one: 4750cp, 5000ep and 550pp.
Checking the lizard chamber once the smoke clears, you find no treasure. Nor do you find any in the vampire lair (a 10' X 20' room - 10' west and 10' north).
Orlon then casts a True Seeing, checking out the rooms, and the shaft that Pharian just checked out. He notes nothing that you have not seen earlier. He does see the five vampires - in gaseous form - wafting their way slowly towards a dark opening some 120' down and some distance around the curve of the shaft to the left.
Back at the entrance to the vertical shaft, Valdar speaks, as he regards the larger openings that Pharian noted earlier, "It looks as if we have no choice but to try and cross this shaft to get to one of the other openings. Do we have enough fly and levitation-type spells to go around? Or would you rather do some rock climbing?"
He pauses.
"Do you want to go after the vamps, first? Obviously they've got another lair. Maybe there's treasure, there."
"Can we kill those vamps quickly without getting further drained? If so, then I say we go get them first," Gilstrock says. "I can carry somebody else with me with my boots. They're only levitation, though, not flying. I can push off of the wall to move horizontally. We'd not be able to control our drift until we hit another wall, though."
"Oh, they'll be helpless until they've rested in their coffins for awhile," Valdar says.
"You mean the coffins which Occa just burned?" Gilstrock says. "Let's go take out the vampires, then."
"Well, they probably have back-up coffins," says Valdar.
You all see a fire in the eyes of the bard. She nods slowly, "Let's get them. now." she says with steel in her voice, "I want vengeance."
"And I want treasure," adds Pharian.
Occa says, "Of course we will go after the vampires...let's wait a few minutes and see where they go."
Orlon is the only person who can see where the vampires are making for. Once they have disappeared into the dark opening, he points it out to Occa.
The almost-arch-mage casts wizard eye and sends it after them to see where they go.
He sees a tunnel, ~15' wide, heading back into a small cave chamber. In the dim light that filters in from outside, he can just make out six closed coffins.
Of course, he does not see the vampires.
He then teleports the group to the chamber.
BrightAxe cringes at the thought, but teleports with a smile upon his face.
You appear just inside the cave entrance. The floor is rocky and uneven. As mentioned above, there are six coffins in here.
Occa casts unseen servant and says, "Let's have some stakin!"
Cannon Fodder gets out a wooden spike from his backpack.
Occa then has his unseen servant open the first coffin.
Inside is a snoring vampire.
Once open, Cannon Fodder stakes the vampire...
...who abruptly stops snoring.
"Dumb and late question, but if you saw the vamps come in here, dude, why didn't you fireball them again?" Jerrold asks Occa as he readies his staff in case you get some sudden visitors.
"Because, only a stake in the heart will really kill them...fireballs won't do it."
"Good point, but if Orlon is correct, who says that this is their main coffins?? or will a stake through the heart permanently kill them?? As I have stated I dislike undead as they are abhorrent to the balance of nature, and heh, alas, I have never had much opportunity to learn about them." Jerrold says with a sheepish smile.
BrightAxe hasn't either. "Since they are undead, does holy water kill them?" he asks.
"I do know it hurts them, but kill them you will have to ask the experts." Jerrold comments.
"No, a stake in the heart...or chopping off their heads and stuffing their mouths with holy waifers. Holy water does harm them, though."
"And who carries around holy wafers?" says Pharian. "All Orlon ever has is pizza."
He helps with the staking.
You open the first five coffins, and stake the vampires therein.
Upon opening the sixth coffin, though, you find that it is filled with treasure.
Counting it out, you come up with 7500gp and 26 gems that you value at 100gp each.
The vampires finished with, you return to the entrance to this tunnel...and look out into the shaft. It is afternoon.
"I think we should head for one of the larger openings," says Valdar, pointing to the nearest one, at almost the same height as your current location, but located on the south-southeast side. You also see several other large openings farther down.
"I'll agree with Valdar, let's move out..." Jerrold says as he holds his staff in a secure position.
Occa says, "Yep, let's start clearing them out. Unfortunately, there aren't lots of easy ways to get around these places. Wish we had a carpet of flying. Okay, who here can fly?"
"Not me, unfortunately," says Pharian.
"Damn! I left my ruby slippers at home' says Jesse. "Wait.. pixie dust will work..."
"I have a single fly spell...that won't last, but I can carry someone. Unfortunately, if there are creatures we will have to do battle quickly."
He sends his wizard eye out to observe other holes...if it can reach them.
Unfortunately it fizzles out long before reaching the opening.
"I can transform myself for yet another two times, dude, today to any reptile or avian. So, flight won't be a problem for me, should I scout ahead, mind you I will be quite vulnerable??" Jerrold responds to Occa's statement.
"Maybe...let's see what everyone else has. A few of us can scout ahead if need be and I have my wizard eyes to send farther ahead still, so that should give us some good warning."
"Guys, these are just passageways," intones BrightAxe in a futile effort to understand the amount of magic that's being talked about being used in tunnels. "Why don't we walk or look a little ways down each one?"
"I can levitate with my boots," Gilstrock says. "It's not flying, but it can get me over the pit with a little pushing off and such. I can take one person with me."
"I have a fly spell for someone, and I can use my high-tech flying pack myself," says Valdar. "And I could pull Gilstrockie along with me..."
BrightAxe looks at the pit a little sheepishly, "err oops, I don't have means to get over this except rope and spike."
"I have a Rainbow spell memorized, which may be of some use. I can memorize an Air Walk spell, but that is only good for one person per spell," Orlon tells the others.
Occa says, "Okay, Jerrold transforms. I will cast fly on myself and cast wizard eye to go ahead of us. I can carry someone with me as well."
"Gilstrock can levitate and carry Darian. Valdar can pull them with his pack and using a rope. He can also cast Fly on Pharian, who can carry Cannon Fodder."
Darian sheathes his sword and nods to Gilstrock. "Whenever you're ready, big guy. Just go high enough so that I don't scrape the floor or anything."
"That leaves Orlon, Cannon Fodder, Jesse and BrightAxe. You guys wait here and we will explore the area out a bit."
"Hey Cannon Fodder, wanna have a body gas emitting contest - standard dwarven rules?" asks Brightaxe.
Cannon Fodder says, "Sure, let's have some lunch first." He gets a can of pork and beans out followed by a large can of spam.
Gonzo steps out of the shadows, looks around and says "HEY! Wut am I chopped liver? How am I 'posed ta git over der... whut happened ta dat hole we all could climb inta and ride ta der? Can't youse wizard's just telemarket us ova ta da next hole? Fur dat matta, why dontcha all just shrink down and climbs inta me pack and I'll just climb ova ta da oder side. It'll only take me a couple o' days ta git der."
"Ditto!" says Arrrgh!, glaring at Occa and looking as if he would like to insert his magic rod up some oriface of the almost-arch mage's that is best left to one's imagination.
Darian pipes up. "Gonzo does have an interesting suggestion... Could we shrink a few folks? That way, Occa, Jerry and Gilstrock could carry more folks..."
Occa says, "Oops, sorry Gonzo...didn't mean to overlook you. As for shrinking people down...I don't have a way to do that. Sorry."
Once things are ready Occa says, "let me go ahead I will send my eye to observe the holes first and then alert you guys to what I have seen."
He casts invisibility on himself followed by fly.
The group will then move out...he will be ahead of everyone and will send his eye ahead of him to look into whichever hole we are closing in on. Once he sees what is there (if anything), he will then alert the group.
"Well, let's see what happens, dudes.." Jerrold says as he shapechanges into a falcon and flies off into the shaft.
Occa and Jerrold fly off. You realise that you have Cannon Fodder both staying and going, so Pharian takes Jesse instead of the simulacrum...and off you go, while the three dwarves, Orlon and Cannon Fodder wait behind and watch.
The flight goes smoothly for the first five minutes or so. The fliers are more than half way to the large opening and are some 450 yards their take-off point. Then, you notice a half a dozen manticores diving down at the fliers from above...
"Bandits! Twelve o'clock high!" says Valdar, lapsing into Elven.
Jesse attempts to do her impersonation of a ship's anti-missile defense and begin to shoot the manticores with her wand of magic missiles as fast as she can.
Occa says, "Oh no!"
He casts fireball at the approaching manticores aiming to get the largest group of them (if not all of them).
"It figures.... Gilstrock, get a hold on me so that I can cast some spells."
Darian moves from behind Gilstrock and pulls himself along until he is in front of Gilstrock so that he can be supported. Once done, he casts a lightning bolt at one of the manticores, followed by two magic missile spells.
"Ho boy," says Gilstrock, looking up. "Darian, hang on!" Presuming that Darian can hold on without help from him, Gilstrock takes his bow from his shoulders to begin firing arrows at the manticores.
"Gilstrock, do you think you can more damage with your bow or should we try my spells?"
"Gilstrock! Forget the damn bow and let Darian cast spells!" Pharian yells.
He then starts casting his own lightning bolt at the manticores.
Metaphorically browbeaten by the Arians of the group, Gilstrock abandons his plan to fire arrows at the Manticores. Dropping the arrow he was preparing to notch, he throws his bow back over his shoulder. He wraps his left arm firmly around Darian so that the elf will not fall, and he draws Hangnail into his right hand. If any of the beasts get close enough, he will attack them with the sword -- attempting to severing their tails if possible.
Darian begins chanting and moving his arms in careful gestures and casts his lightning bolt at the lead manticore. After Occa finishes his fireball, he casts his two magic missle spells at the weakest looking survivors, if any.
In falcon form, Jerrold mutters, "Damn, I hate manticores..." as he goesinto evasive maneuvers.
Back at the entrance to the dragon lair with Orlon, Gonzo, Arrrgh! and Cannon Fodder, BrightAxe thinks, 'missile weapons hmmm, I guess they do have a place in combat.' He attempts to taunt some manticores into coming after those of you on level ground... "Hey spike tail!, your little mage-like darts are ineffective!"
The manticores do not seem to hesar him.
The cave is illuminated by the dazzling display of magic that is unleashed on the oncoming monsters, who have to get very close in before they can release their spikes.
Jesse's wand spits a magic missile which singes a manticore.
Occa's fireball catches three of them. Two are badly burned, the last one is less so.
An instant later Pharian's big-time lightning bolt goes off, followed by Darian's smaller one. The first forked bolt blows one out of the air, but the other manticore partially dodges it and only takes partial damage. Darian's bolt damages two more, including one which was hit by Occa's fireball.
The elf follows up with two magic missiles, and shoots down the two most badly hurt monsters.
Valdar concludes with a lightning bolt of his own, blowing away two more.
The one survivor - who must be wondering about the wisdom of this attack by now - swoops by you, showering you with tail spikes as he does so. Thanks to your stone skins, you take no damage. Then , he decides that descretion is the better part of valour, and opts to withdraw, but Valdar unloads one magic missile spell into his retreating form and kills him as well.
That little task completed, you continue your flight to the large opening.
Stopping some 500' away from the opening, Occa casts his wizard eye.
By this time the fliers are too far away from the ones they left behind for the latter to really be able to see what is happening...
While Occa concentrates on his wizard eye, the others natter.
"See, Gilstrock... Told you it would be more useful to let me cast spells..." says Darian.
"Yeah, yeah, spell schmell," Gilstrock says. "No matter how proficient you get with this casting stuff, Darian, don't forget the value of a good honest brute fight now and again."
"Of course not, Gilstrock. When I charge into battle, I always lead with my sword. It's just there are times when a spell is more useful..."
"No," Pharian says, "you said some mamby-pamby polite nonesense that Gilstrock wasn't going to pay any attention to. I told him to put down the damn bow. You have to say what you mean or you never get anywhere."
"I'll try it the more direct way, next time, Pharian. I just don't like giving orders..."
"Good," Gilstrock says. "Too many people giving orders too much... gets tiresome after a while."
Suddenly Occa gives a start and starts incanting.
An instant later a plume of magical flame erupts from the dark opening 500' away. You hear a loud, reptillian scream from within.
From out of the dark opening leaps an enormous black dragon...the largest one that you have ever seen on this world.
The sight of it sends a thrill of terror through each of you. Darian gasps and clutches Gilstrock all the tighter.
It spreads its scorched wings and flaps them slowly, gaining altitude and velocity, and aims itself straight for you.
It closes on you rapidly, as Occa starts casting another spell...
"Oh &*^%$*" says Darian in Elvish, before switching to common. "Gilstrock, I'm out of offensive spells, but I've got 16 magic arrows in my quiver. Shall I start shooting or do you want to?"
"Go for it," Gilstrock says, holding on to Darian with one arm.
"Oh my..." Jerrold the bird mutters as he sees the large beast....
Occa drifts away from the rest of you as he releases his lightning bolt.
The bolt strikes the dragon a glancing blow, but does not kill it.
Pharian casts one magic missle spell at the dragon, and blows its wings to shreds.
The dragon screams again and breathes as he suddenly arcs downwards to certain death far below. His breath misses you badly...though after a moment you feel a slight stinging sensation on your faces and exposed skin.
The scream of the black dragon fades away to silence.
Satisfied, you move ahead to the opening that the monster emerged from. Landing, Valdar flies back for the others. It takes him several trips, but soon all of you are together again.
Once you are all together, you look at the chamber before you. It measures 50' X 80' (80' east - west, 50' south; 20' wide passage running south out of the middle of the south wall.
In the southwest corner is an enormous pile of coins.
You walk about the chamber before making for the loot.
In the floor before the entrance to the south passage is carved a bas relief of waves of water. The place is otherwise uninteresting.
You count the treasure: 60,000ep and 30 miscellaneous articles of jewelry that you value at 800gp each.
Suddenly you are surprised by the sounds of something rushing at you. Looking up from the money you see five ghouls running at you from a previously unnoticed secret door in the north end of the west wall. Back by the door a vampire in the robes of a cleric is gesticulating at you.
It takes a segment for the ghouls to reach you. Unfortunately, all of you are clutzes as you fumble for your weapons and try to think of spells to cast...all of you but Valdar, anyway...
"Begone!" he exclaims at them, waving a copy of this weeks holy symbol, the Kama Sutra, at the ghouls.
Two of the undead explode, just like Fian did. The others attack Orlon, Darian and Occa.
Orlon is clawed right off for 2 hit points.
During the next segment everyone is missed, and Valdar casts a magic missile spell...blowing up the ghouls on Darian and Orlon.
Pharian casts one of his his two remaining magic missile spells at the vampire.
The vampire is hurt and his spell is disrupted.
Jesse stands there, dumbfounded, trying to act.
Gilstrock drools.
Occa is clawed for 3 hit points by the ghoul on him, as the vampire ducks back through the doorway and slams the secret door shut.
Jerry fumbles with his staff of lightning and thunder, wondering why he is so confused. Once he shakes off his confusion, he swats the closest bad guy.
The last ghoul is quickly dispatched by the druid.
"Should we go after the vampire?" wonders Darian.
Even as Darian begins to speak, Gilstrock draws Thawbreaker and charges the door.
"Suck this!" he shouts.
Darian draws the magical broadsword and runs after Gilstrock.
"Remember, he's likely to be waiting for us to charge through the door. You may want to let one of the mages knock it open with a spell."
Occa runs after Gilstrock, "Yes, let's get him fast!"
"In any case, let's not stay here in the dragonport," says Pharian, following Occa and Gilstrock.
Before Gilstrock reaches the secret door, Occa knocks it open.
The door springs wide and Gilstrock charges through...and straight into a large cloud of flying, hopping, stinging and biting insects.
He takes 1 hit point of damage as they swarm him.
The rest of you skid to a stop before you go careening into the swarm. The cloud of bugs is so thick that you cannot see through it...but you get the impression that you are in the northeast corner of another chamber.
Orlon starts casting Speak with Animals, followed by Detect Lie.
"Jerry, can't you do something about all these bugs? Being a druid and all, you know..." asks Darian.
"No, I can't and actually I hate bugs..." Jerrold says as he backs up away from the bugs as far to the back of the room as possible.
"Occa, can we burn these bugs without hurting Gilstrock? He's holding his frostbrand..."
Occa says, "Nope, sure don't. However, our stoneskins should protect us from these guys easily enough."
"True, but won't the biting insects drain the spell?"
Occa shrugs and says, "I don't know...check it out."
Occa frowns and says, "Hell with it."
He charges forward after Gilstrock.
Darian sighs, casts detect invisibility, draws his frostbrand and quickly follows Occa.
Pharian looks back at Orlon. "Let me know what the bugs have to say," he says, flippantly. Then he closes his mouth and heads into the swarm after Occa and Gilstrock.
Occa, Darian and Pharian charge into the cloud of insects and emerge on the other side, the former two each taking 1 hit point of damage, to join Gilstrock, where he is just being attacked by a half a dozen criosphinx. When they see the rest of you, though, four of them move towards you to attack.
All three attacks by the first monster miss Gilstrock, who then carves a chunk out of the offending sphinx. The other sphinx misses him, and the fighter again chops a chunk off the first sphinx.
The four brazen adventurers are in a chamber whose dimensions are still impossible to determine...as the swarm of insects seems to be growing in size. The cloud engulfs them again, as well as the sphinxes...and also envelopes Orlon and the others, ruining the high priest's first spell.
Jesse prepares to move forward, braving the insects, complaining about her hair.
Orlon picks up his big bruiser and charges through the doorway and after one of the sphinxes.
BrightAxe winds his way in and attacks that which seems most accessible as cautiously as he can with concern of the insects.
"Whatever," says Arrrgh! and does likewise, though with less caution.
Gonzo follows suit.
Orlon, Darian, Occa, Jerrold and Gilstrock each take another hit point of damage from the bites and stings...as do the criosphinxes. From somewhere to the southwest you hear anguished curses and cries...as apparently other creatures have been caught in the cloud as well.
Darian moves to block the approach of the criosphinxes. "Occa, Pharian, get the dwarves in here to help. I don't know if I can keep them off of you."
He swings at the closest criosphinx. The sphinx gets him first, though, for 6 hit points. The elf in turn misses.
"Bloody pi... mmphf, hack hack, spit spit," Gilstrock says, trying to expel insects from his mouth as he presses the attack against the criosphinxes. The fighter lands an easy hit, nearly killing the monster. His next attack finishes it off. The remaining sphinx on him nails him for 4 hit points, then for 6 more.
Occa takes to the air...going upward and to the right in the hopes of moving out of the cloud of insect (since he can't cast in it anyway). The cloud fills the chamber...he cannot fly out of it...except perhaps by exiting the chamber and flying out into the shaft. Apparently this is what Valdar has done.
Pharian keeps heading further into the room, trying to get out of the cloud of insects. The cloud fills the room. In the southwest corner he comes to a passage heading west - still filled with insects - and coming at him, still some 30' away, are ten verbeeg giants.
Meanwhile, he is attacked by a criosphinx...but his stoneskin saves him.
Cannon Fodder cowers in the dragon chamber with Jerrold, swatting at blackflies that you would swear are as large and bloodthirsty as the ones in Maine.
Keeping his mouth shut (for a change), Gilstrock presses the attack on the other criosphinx attacking him. He lands a majot strike against the monster, who then claws him for 6 hit points. Gilstrock barely connects with his following swing, but again sends blood spurting.
Pharian ducks back into the chamber.
Gonzo, hides in shadows...and as the first of the giants comes into the chamber he attacks with a loud -
"KARRUMBA"
- sending the giant reeling. The monster recovers, though, but misses with his blunt instrument. Another giant goes for the dwarf but misses as well.
When Jesse gets a chance, one hand in front of her mouth, the other holding her magic missile wand, she begins to shoot magic missiles at the giants coming into the room. Her missile kills the giant that Gonzo wounded.
BrightAxe hits any foe he can find, leaving out all battle cries until he can talk without eating insects. He goes at a criosphinx, landing two hits with his axes.
Orlon attacks a sphinx with Big Bruiser, and connects. He is then bitten and clawed for a grand total of 18 hit points.
Darian swings again. He lands a big hit on the criosphinx attacking him, as he is clawed for 5 hit points. He swings again...but misses.
Arrrgh! attacks an incoming verbeeg giant. Both heads of his rod connect...nearly killing the giant.
Occa flies out of the cave and into the shaft.
After a moment you hear him yelling at Cannon Fodder.
Cannon Fodder with his new basketball shoes on runs forward yelling, "Incoming cloudkill! Flee if you can!"
He does so especially fast since he knows it will kill him if he doesn't.
Sure enough, those of you near the secret door see a noxious yellow cloud roiling slowing in from the shaft and through the doorway into the chamber where the fight currently rages. The insects it engulfs drop like flies.
Cannon Fodder turns and runs screaming down the passage south out of the dragon chamber...both to escape the insects and to escape the poisonous cloud.
The cloudkill bears down slowly but inexorably on the rest of you...Occa, Valdar and Jerrold excluded.
Darian swears.
"Everybody run! I'll cover!" Gilstrock makes a fighting retreat. He tries to cover the retreat of anybody else, providing a sword in the way of any of his fleeing companions.
Darian, realizing that he can't follow Cannon Fodder, swears again. "Gilstrock, we have to get on the other side of these monsters. Help me clear a path through the criosphinxes and verbeegs. Once they're betweenus and the cloudkill, we can fight a delaying action."
Darian tries to cut a path for the others to get on the other side of the monsters.
The elf then fans with his frost brand. The sphinx then claws him badly for 11 hit points.
Jesse casts invisibility on herself and then runs away from the cloud.
Pharian says, "I don't think Cloudkill affects high level people. Remember when Occa used it in his mansion-- the powerful monsters were still alive when we got down there."
"Hell, I've got the ring of regeneration-- I'll test it. I'll be right back if I'm not dead." With that, Pharian runs for the cloud.
Darian calls to him as Pharian heads towards them. "It does affect more powerful folks, just not as well as it affects less powerful creatures. We have a better chance of resisting, but it's not guaranteed."
Pharian pauses and looks at Darian.
"You sure about that?" he says.
"Sure enough that I don't intend to try my luck. Not positive though. I'm not capable of casting it, so I only know what I've been told."
Pharian stops. "Well, your luck sucks, so I don't blame you. I guess I'll ask Occa about it later. Chop away."
He shrugs and turns around.
"Anything would be better than these damn flies, though."
He heads to the edge of the corridor and waits in the shadows to see if the fighters can clear a path through the giants.
Orlon, though, turns about and high tails it out of the room, holding his breath in the meanwhile...but not before he is scratched for 3 hit points. Vanishing into the cloud, he dashes through the secret door back into the dragon hall, emerging from the noxious vapours 4 hit points worse for wear.
Seeing the cloud close in, Jerrold pulls out his wand of force from its leg sheath, but holds his fire, since he is not in a position to help his companions.
"Right-o," Gilstrock says, cancelling his fighting retreat plans and going along with Darian's plan.
The big handsome fighter misses his intended target, which in turn misses him. Gilstrock's next swing is even further off the mark. The sphinx then bites him on the arm for 11 hit points.
Gonzo charges to a point where he can put the creatures between himself and the cloud of gas, before turning on the creatures and forcing them back into the cloud itself while avoiding it as much as possible himself.
He easily kills another giant with one swing.
The rest of the giants have spread out and are also attacking...as all of you are slowly being forced towards the southeast exit by the cloudkill spell. It is only advancing at 10' per minute, so you have lots of time to fight while you all retreat...friend and foe alike.
Brightaxe, attempting to duplicate his luck again, only manages one hit this time.
Arrrgh! finishes off another giant.
Gilstrock is hit across the back of his head by a giant for 12 hit points.
Jesse, who for some reason is being ignored by the monsters, wanders down the corridor that she thinks is there and sees what there is to see.
Darian attempts to hit his sphinx again while also healing himself a bit with his psionics. He recovers 24 hit points but in concentrating loses initiative and is clawed for 6 hit points. He recovers, though, and slices open the paw of the sphinx...the strikes again, leaving a large gash in the monster's flank.
The second sphinx on Darian misses him completely, as does the giant.
The sphinx that Orlon was battling goes dashing off after Jesse.
"Somebody back me up!" Gilstrock suggests, as he tries to duck out of the way of the giant attacking him from behind. At the same time, Gilstrock tries to get further licks in against the criosphinx in front of him. Gilstrock is clawed for 10 hit points, leaving him weak and bloodied. Nevertheless, he summons the strength to decapitate the criosphinx...just in time.
"I am going to regret this..." Jerrold mutters as he runs into the fray and uses the wand of force like a lightsaber and attack the giant on Gilstrock.
He does not get there in time to prevent Gilstrock from being clobbered again by the giant for 12 hit points...leaving him barely standing and barely conscious.
Arrrgh! turns on another giant and mangles its head. It misses him in turn.
Gonzo continues to fight.... "KARUMBA!!!!"
He easily dispatches with another giant.
Occa will cancel the cloud once it has passed over the center of the spell...hopefully this will cancel the spell.
Suddenly the cloud vanishes...but the insects remain...still biting and stinging.
Jesse sees that the passage runs west for 30' and on into bug-infested obscurity.
Valdar curses, draws his sword and flies into the fight.
BrightAxe continues the attack, this time with a blood curdling yell. Sidestepping a swinging crioclaw, the dwarf connnects with his second hammer. He is then bitten for 12 hit points.
Darian is clawed again for 7 hit points as he misses with his longsword. He takes 3 more hit points of damage next.
Brightaxe again connects and then takes 5 more hit points from a claw.
Darian is attacked again by the second sphinx on him...for 5 hit points.
Jesse spins about just in time to put a magic missile into the oncoming sphinx...but it still attacks her, knocking her sprawling but doing no damage thanks to her protective magics.
Gilstrock also turns on the giants at his back with a desperate swing, hurting one of them but not enough. The giant, though, misses.
Arrrgh! kills a giant.
Brightaxe takes 8 hit points from a giant club.
Jerrold attacks the other verbeeg on Gilstrock with his light sabre, and makes quick work of the monster.
Valdar attacks a giant that had been bothering Arrrgh!, and injures it.
Darian continues to attack the criosphinx attacking him. The sphinx beats him to the punch...and the elf takes 6 more hit points...leaving his face slashed open and pouring blood. He misses with his sword. He is again slashed for 3 hit points. Finally he connects with his frost brand and finishes off the one sphinx.
The other sphinx continues to tear into him unimpeded, though, as he is scratched for 10 hit points.
Darian gurgles and collapses.
BrightAxe regrets not having any beserker functions but still tries to press the attack as much as possible toward damage. The dwarf has his beard torn for 4 hit points as he follows up with a solid chop into the criosphinx. The monster responds by clawing him for 8 hit points.
Occa, hovering out in the shaft and feeling very frustrated, says, "Damn! We need a dispel magic!"
He gestures and speaks...and suddenly a green ray issues from his had...and 10' of the wall next to the secret door disappears. Unfortunately he still cannot see much of the fight, as the swarming insects limit his vision to 30'.
"Bad doggie" Jesse says to the sphinx. "Would a rolled up newspaper mean anything to you?" she asks the creature. And then begins to pepper it with her magic missile wand. As she does so, she notices that she is being stung and bitten...her stoneskin has worn off. The sphinx tears into her for 11 hit points of damage.
Swinging at the nearest creatures, Jerrold slices and dices with his light saber, cutting down the giant that had been about to finish off Gilstrock.
Directing his full attention at the giant beside him that is about reduce Darian to a pulp, and trying to use his shield to ward off further blows, Gilstrock attacks it with Thawbreaker. "I could sure use some healing!" he calls to his companions. The giant is staggered but but still standing, and proceeds to bounce his club off of the fighter's shield. Gilstrock nails him again, and that is the end of him.
Cannon Fodder comes running back into the dragon chamber in his new basketball shoes out of the south passage...where he and Orlon had fled.
Orlon, upon seeing that the cloud is gone, charges back in after a giant with his big bruiser...right behind the simulacrum.
Gonzo goes after the sphinx that just felled Darian...landing a massive hit on the monster and probably saving Darian from becoming its dinner. The sphinx turns on the dwarf.
Arrrgh! mangles his giant again...but still it stands.
Valdar...seeing what Occa has done, turns and flies back out of the melee and the bug cloud.
Brightaxe goes ker-thunk into his sphinx again, as it grabs him in its jaws and shakes him back and forth for 8 hit points of damage. By the time it tosses him aside its maw is covered in dwarf blood and he is nearly unconscious.
The sphinx on Gonzo turns on him but the dwarf sidesteps a claw and easily beheads the sphinx.
Two criosphinx remain, as Jesse backs down the passage before the onslaught of the last one, using her wand as she does so. It claws her for 5 hit points.
The giant attacking Brightaxe misses, as Orlon charges in...and misses too.
Jerrold rushes up the passage to aid Jesse.
Arrrgh! Is just about to finish off another giant, but a wasp gets there first, and the monster drops.
At the same time, the mighty warrior Gilstrock succumbs to a mosquito bite to his nose and falls unconscious.
Valdar releases the spell he retreated from melee to cast...and suddenly the insects scatter.
Two criosphinxes and one verbeeg remain...
...as Valdar magic missiles everthing in sight, now that the spell casters can do something.
The sphinx and the verbeeg on Brightaxe both drop.
Up the passage, Jesse unloads her wand again as Jerrold attacks the sphinx from the rear...cutting the monster in two.
The battle is finally over, and you rush over to patch up Darian and Gilstrock.
Everyone in the party is injured to a greater or lesser extent. Darian and Gilstrock are out of action for a week unless Orlon heals them or something.
The chamber where the battle was fought measures 40' square (from the secret door, a wall runs south for 30', then west for 40', etc. There is a passage in the west wall south corner running west. Jesse reports that itruns west for 100', turning south after 90'.
In the southeast corner of the chamber is a coffin.
Cannon Fodder and Orlon report that the south passage out of the centre of the dragon chamber runs south for a long way. Just inside the entrance to it is carved in the floor an illustration of surging waters.
"I don't think that is the way we want to go," says Valdar.
It is late in the day, and you are all exhausted.
"Orlon, do you have any healing left for Gilstrock and I? I'd rather not be out of action for a week. The ring of regeneration will heal me, but it will take a bit of time and I've used up all my psionic healing during the combat." says Darian. "We should destroy the coffin. Can we head back to camp for the night?"
"Darian, Gilstrock, you guys ok?" Jesse asks with concern in her voice.
Darian nods. "Nothing that a day of rest wouldn't cure."
"Where did that cloud kill spell come from, and how do we defeat one next time?" the bard asks of Occa and the others.
Coughing weakly, Gilstrock says, "Don't think so. Took one too many hits, I think. I'd like to sleep for a week, getting up only to eat, but doing that several times for a day."
At that, Gilstrock collapses back on the floor and starts to doze off.
"I'd say a combination of psionics and the ring of regeneration kept me from dying, but it was close. And while the cloudkill was a good idea in principle, it wasn't so hot considering that some of us were in it..."
Jesse looks at Occa, "Can you summon that mansion thing you do and we camp here so Glistrock and Darian can rest and we can heal them fully. And perhaps heal me as well, after the fight with the vampire I still feel drained. Probably why I wandered off during the battle."
She then goes over to Darian and holds onto him, giving him a big hug.
Darian returns the hug and stands stiffly using Jesse to get to his feet.
Jesse takes as much weight as she can while she helps Darian. "Good thing that you have your mental abilities to heal, Darian. I wish, sometimes, that I had those type of abilities as well. Think of the good that they can do. It is ashame that they were persecuted in your homelands." the bard babbles. "What about Gilstrock?" she asks, looking at the log that is sleeping there.
"Orlon will have to help him."
"Can one of you guys, spellcasters, destroy the coffin?" asks Jerrold.
Occa says, "Sorry about the cloudkill, I thought it would take care of those bugs."
He then adds, "I am out of teleports and mansion spells. Valdar, can you teleport us back to base camp?"
Valdar shakes his head.
"My teleports wouldn't be powerful enough to take us all," he answers. "Why don't we just find somewhere to hole up for the night? Darian's going to be alright, thanks to his ring, and Orlon can heal Gilstrock when he wakes up."
Then to Jerrold, Occa says, "Let's leave the coffin alone for the next few minutes until we determine the next step. Then Pharian, Valdar, and I will blast it into nothingness..."
Pharian looks at his collapsed friend and frowns. He says, to no one in particular, "I can't stand watching him get pummeled like that and not be able to do anything to help. Those damn insects made magic totally ineffective."
Darian nods... "We'll have to deal with it, then. Any suggestions where we should hole up?"
"How many could you take, Valdar?" asks Pharian. "I have a teleport spell memorized, and I could probably take two people with me."
"I think I could take two, too."
"Well, you're right, that won't cut it," says Pharian. "We are going to have to be more careful about always having enough teleport spells to allow us to retreat in a pinch."
Pharian continues, "We all need fresh stoneskins, too. Those bugs made quick work of our protection."
"Let's take care of that coffin and then hole up for the evening. I doubt the vampire is in it, so it shouldn't be a big deal." Occa casts unseen servant again and has it open the coffin.
"I'll stay back, what creature is going to attack a small spider, on a ledge out of everyone's way??" Jerrold says.
"I tend to squash spiders," says Pharian. "So if you are going to turn into a spider you had better warn me first."
The coffin is filled with dirt. You all troop over and watch as the servant digs through it, turning up a hat, 125pp and 6 gems worth 800gp each.
Next, you search the other monsters. On the Verbeegs you find 50sp, 40ep and 40gp.
Occa says, "I know a place we can hole up."
He walks over to the southwest side of the dragon cave and casts passwall. He then follows it with 2 disintegrate spells. That carves out a 10 x 20 chamber. He then says, "Everyone inside. We can stay the night in here safely. I can open it briefy during the middle of the night so that we don't run out of air, although I don't think we would anyway."
"It must be nice to be able to remove chunks of stone like that..." says Darian, apparently impressed.
"This is a great idea," says BrightAxe, who would like to spend the night praying for spells.
Pharian says, "Hold on a second. How are you going to reopen the chamber once you have cancelled the passwall? Do you have a second passwall? I want to be sure about the details before I seal myself into solid rock with Mister I-Thought-The-Cloudkill-Would-Kill-The-Bugs."
Jesse begins to laugh at Pharians comments... "I didn't... know" she says through her chuckling, "You had it... in you.. Pharian..."
The bard struggles through the last part as she continues to giggle uncontrollably "To be.. funny.."
Occa says, "No, I have three passwalls. Don't make me turn you into a toad, Pharian."
He giggles. "Besides, you have a teleport."
"I know," says Pharian. "But you're all out of teleports, so I thought I should check."
Jesse continues to laugh at this... "He turned me into a newt..." she says, quoting some long forgotten script from another world then looking sheepish, she continues, "I got better."
"What a terrible fate," says Valdar, as you head inside, "Being turned into a politician."
You pass an uneventful night.