Personae Dramatis:
• Coleman (Lee-Human Cleric/Radiant Servant of Pelor)
• Elavil (Nathan-Human Wizard, expert on the Zorn)
• Elias (Ed-Elf Ranger/Bard, party face man)
• Mendravis (-sp?) (Rick-Human Paladin)
• Rendar (Scott-Human Dragon Shaman)
• Sif (Rob-Teifling Rogue)
• Sorra (Jessica-Human Fighter, master of chains)
Our heroes have defeated the mated dragons who lured them here, and followed the tracks of Elavil’s mentor into the Whispering Cairn. The tracks led to a recently unearthed side passage ending in an inky black pool…
Short recap from previous sessions by Lynn.
SPECIAL NOTE: The part of Sif will be monitored by the DM, and he will not participate in combat or damage.
Questions from last campaign as yet unanswered:
- Who killed Eligos (our sage friend)? (You'll probably never know.)
- Who where the Dragons working for? (Ilthane was the dragon manipulating the Lizardfolk you negotiated for.)
- Celeste is still an enigma, and never told us who she was working for or why she helped us get into the tournament. (Yep... the good news is... you will meet again.)
Elavil determines that the portal is not to an alternate plane, but is transitive to another point on our prime material. The strange black doorway appears solid, but striking the surface makes it quiver and ripple. The prints in the area indicate that the dragons were in the area, but did not go through the portal. It does look like a human has gone through the portal.
We reconnoiter the remainder of the cairn, and determine that the rest of the area has not been disturbed in awhile.
ENTERING THE PORTAL
Dvorias decides to enter the portal, attached to a rope. Rendar and the group secure the rope on this side. As Dvorias approaches within 5’ of the portal, two massive claws slashed at him. Dvorias Elavil believes that there is a summoned creature imprisoned within the portal in order to protect it.
Dvorias backs up, removes the rope and then charges the portal. He does not manage to overrun the critter, and is knocked prone and attacked. Rendar grabs him and drags him away from the claws. Coleman heals him.
Elias drinks a potion of fly, just in case the other side has no floor. He also casts Surefooted Stride, and then tumbles through the portal.
Xanathar then makes it through the portal, he is also flying.
Elavil and Sting then attempts to make it through the portal, but fail in the first attempt.
Coleman attempts to make it through the portal, and fails in the first attempt.
Rendar then makes an attempt, and though close, he is rebuffed.
After thinking about the situation, Elavil believes that he can teleport through the transitive space if he is in contact with the portal. He will need to cast defensively, and everyone will need to be touching to travel with him.
(There were two abysmal ghouls anchored inside the portal. They basically did two things; acting as a barrier to charges though portal and attacked intruders. There were 4 ways to get through the portal: Tumble, Charge, Ethral, DDoor/Teleport)
THROUGH THE PORTAL
Elias enters a dimly lit, sharply sloped hallway that is perforated with many small tubes that are pushing smoky air through the space at an unusually high volume. The smoke enters Elias’ space in somewhat cohesive forms resembling small creatures. The critter attempts to force it’s way into Elias. He resists, and then tumbles down the hallway. Elias manages to single-handedly dispatch a couple smoke para-elementals on his way down the hallway.
Xanathar makes it through the portal, and endures a similar attack. After resisting, he flies to the same end of the hallway as Elias. Xanathar and Elias keep several of the creatures entertained while the rest of the party is playing tidily-winks on the far side of the portal. Xanathar and Elias together dispatch a dozen of the creatures before the remainder of the party fumbles their way through the portal.
The remainder of the party pops up and draws at least a little attention away from the path finders (Xanathar and Elias). (I like the way, this room had to be run in the order and timeframe of getting through the portal.)
The large room at the end of the hallway is a temple like chamber. The columns are carved in elongated humanoid forms and stretch from floor to ceiling. Strange undulations carved in the walls make them appear like curtains. There are spiky structures near the entrance and one of the exits. As Sif enters the room, he is hit by a blast of wind (attack), but is missed.
Elavil notes magical conjuration auras on the doors and walls/floors within 5’ of all the doors. ( I hate this... from now on all doors, walls, ceilings and floors have magical auras with random schools and random strengths. Things are so magical that Elavil is overwhelmed and for all intent and purpose, BLIND.)
Xanathar dispels the effect on one door, and Sif opens the door. As the group rushes through the door (the spell effect on the door is suppressed for only 1 round). ( I should not have allowed this, there is no way you guys should have been able to open the door and everyone get through in 10 seconds.)
Those who can still hear, hear ‘Sorry about this gentleman, I’m compelled to attack you.’
Elias casts a silence to prevent any more glyphs from being activated.
THE SPIDER
A huge spider appears next to Elavil, it smiles and waves at him. Elavil attempts to overcome the critter’s spell resistance, and successfully anchors the spider to our plane. (Very good move by Elavil...)
During combat, the spider seems to get a few extra movement actions…but the DM says ‘it’s ok, don’t look behind the curtain’. (The problem came from Nathan blocking my access to the minis and map; and players not following my instructions.)
Sting tells Elias to drop the silence so Coleman can cast a cure spell, so those actions are coordinated.
As Sting chases the spider into the temple room, he and Dvorias see a scene being played out in the vapors that are now flowing around the room. The scene depicts Icosiol (THE WIND DUKE) destroying the Queen of Chaos with the Rod of Law and then forming an alliance with a Marut. The scene ends with Icosiol presenting the Rod of Law and a square shaped Seal toward the viewer. (see below) (The party forgot that the trap was reactivated (after one round) when they could left this room. Dvorias activated it when coming back in chasing the spider. The interesting thing about this "trap" is that the smoke gives you usefull information before trying to kill you.)
The fire elemental is defeated, and the party follows the spider into the temple room. Dvorias makes a stunning blow against the spider. Unfortunately, the spider then gets a full round attack against him, and it has paralytic venom.
Elias reads the runes on the statue, ‘Here stands Icosiol with the Sword of Aaqa’. The Sword of Aaqa was also known as the sword of Law and was accompanied by a smaller sword, known as the ‘sword of lightning’. These were his favored weapons until he consulted with an oracle and the Rod of Law was created.
The viewing in the temple room: a white vapor runs along the wall and melds with the base reliefs in the wall, showing Icosiol fighting the creatures of chaos. The last scene is rendered in some detail, and depicts the alliance between the Marut and Icosiol. Elavil gets a good role on his knowledge. The Marut Inevitable is dedicated to eradicating those who perform extreme acts to escape death.
Dvorias attempts to take the Sword of Law, and a voice says ‘I wouldn’t do that’…the ensuing conversation reveals that the voice is the ‘Earl of Coalchester’ and his name is ‘Anteyress Redpike’.
TAKING THE SWORD
The party makes a quick, innate decision to free the Sword of Law from its imprisonment to wield it in defense of all that is Good and Just (and to get babes). The Earl of Coalchester says ‘I really wish you guys hadn’t done that…I had such high hopes for you, but it turns out you are just a bunch of grave robbers.’
The huge fire elemental falls in the second round, and the party enters the salamander’s domain. The salamander falls a round later.
The Salamander has a non-magical platinum circlet (1000 gp), +3 long spear, key that fits the chest. The chest is worth 500 gp and contains, 2300 gp, 300 platinum, two topazes worth 1600 gp each, a magic narrow brass tube, four crystal decanters containing Efreeti brandy (200 gp each). The brass tube is a wand tube, and contains a wand. The wand from the tube radiates illusion magic.
The sword that Rick recovered is a +2 Mithral Great Sword. The party is somewhat depressed and considers juvenile defamation…but moves on.
DESSERT
The room contains a magical (radiating conjuration) black sphere hovering in the center, surrounded by four magical chandeliers (radiating illusion). The chandeliers are formed by stylized Talismans of the Sphere supporting an outer hoop of crystal that depicts scenes from the Battle of Pesh. After testing with a copper coin and then a spent sun rod with light cast on it, and ELDER BLACK PUDDING emerges from the illusion created by the chandeliers.
The pudding is a challenge, but finally succumbs to the combined magical might of Coleman, Xanathar and Elavil. The sphere only occasionally provides nourishment for the creature below.
Elias gives Elavil the Talisman of the Sphere in the sealed box. The box is covered in spidery writing that is constantly moving, and hides the magical dweomer of the Talisman (5#).
The various figures spilling the runes from their mouths are saying ‘Pesh’ (location of the great battle), ‘Aaqua’ (realm), ‘Icosiel’ (great warrior who defeated the chaotic hoards).
One of the rooms on the balcony level of the room has a large ruby red urn with golden runes on it. The urn radiates necromancy. There is a base relief showing two wind duke lovers, and the room also contains two chairs and six boxes. The boxes are locked, but Sif opens them. There is a wand, three clay tablets carved with elemental glyphs, matching platinum necklace, earrings and rings (8000 gp as a set). The wand radiates 2nd level transmutation. There were gems on the decayed gowns that were worth 540gp.
The urn is three feet tall and approx a foot in diameter. It radiates a strong necromantic magic aura. Elavil has his unseen servant open the urn, and nothing happens. Elavil then walks into the room and looks in the urn; he sees…ashes. There is nothing visible in the urn besides the ashes. Elavil puts the lid back on and picks it up. He receives a touch attack that drains three experience levels. At the end of 24 hours, Elavil must attempt fortitude save (very high DC). The party chooses to rest for the evening.
(I just loved the party all agreeing to take the urn, but no one stepping up to physically do the job. Rob siad "My vote is to take the urn." so which I said, "Well let me know when you're though voting and someone takes physical action." Unfortunately, the person he finally took action had to pay the price. Had it been anyone other than Nathan, I'd have changed the urn to reward them. ;)
After resting and restoring Elavil’s level, the party proceeds down the hallway that leaves the balcony level.
The hallway leads to a large rectangular room with stairs to the north, leading up to a pair of blue doors. The room is covered in spider webs. The small door off to the east opens to a small shrine containing a discarded suit of armor (magical) and rusted remains of some sort of offerings. The suit of armor appears to have additional protections beyond armor bonus, and stronger than +1.
The creature in the room rolls a 32 on initiative, and Scott reminds him that the enemy does not gain the +3 initiative bonus. The creature pops out of the wall, strikes Rendar (draining 2 CON), and then pops back into the wall. (Spring Attack)
Everyone positions to cover the area of the dungeon the critter popped out of, and readies actions. The critter pops out into the main chamber, and two turning attempts do nothing to thwart it. (Had you been 12th level, Coleman would have had a chance... It was 16 HD)
The battle wages back and forth, with the party members loosing CON and hit points from incorporeal touch attacks. Eventually, the critter succumbs to Rendar’s fiery breath. The armor appears to have protection versus electricity in addition to a greater armor bonus.
We leave the party with Elias at -5 CON. (I'll assume you mean that Elias lost 5 con and was not actually at -5 con which would mean he was dead and on his way to becoming a wraith.) Coleman restored Rendar and Elavil’s CON losses. (I hope he took more of these for the near future.) The party is considering some Divination to locate Allistan more quickly, as he is sure to be in need of assistance if he has made it this far in the dungeon. (Unless he is smarter than the party and took gaseous form to make his way through the place unhindered.) (He was... but alas even those kind of spells eventually wear off.)
(Thanks Ed, for the detailed notes... In our next installment, the Lakers will either rescue or kill Allistan; and continue to explore what they believe to be the tomb of Icosiol.)
We reconnoiter the remainder of the cairn, and determine that the rest of the area has not been disturbed in awhile.
ENTERING THE PORTAL
Dvorias decides to enter the portal, attached to a rope. Rendar and the group secure the rope on this side. As Dvorias approaches within 5’ of the portal, two massive claws slashed at him. Dvorias Elavil believes that there is a summoned creature imprisoned within the portal in order to protect it.
Dvorias backs up, removes the rope and then charges the portal. He does not manage to overrun the critter, and is knocked prone and attacked. Rendar grabs him and drags him away from the claws. Coleman heals him.
Elias drinks a potion of fly, just in case the other side has no floor. He also casts Surefooted Stride, and then tumbles through the portal.
Xanathar then makes it through the portal, he is also flying.
Elavil and Sting then attempts to make it through the portal, but fail in the first attempt.
Coleman attempts to make it through the portal, and fails in the first attempt.
Rendar then makes an attempt, and though close, he is rebuffed.
After thinking about the situation, Elavil believes that he can teleport through the transitive space if he is in contact with the portal. He will need to cast defensively, and everyone will need to be touching to travel with him.
(There were two abysmal ghouls anchored inside the portal. They basically did two things; acting as a barrier to charges though portal and attacked intruders. There were 4 ways to get through the portal: Tumble, Charge, Ethral, DDoor/Teleport)
THROUGH THE PORTAL
Elias enters a dimly lit, sharply sloped hallway that is perforated with many small tubes that are pushing smoky air through the space at an unusually high volume. The smoke enters Elias’ space in somewhat cohesive forms resembling small creatures. The critter attempts to force it’s way into Elias. He resists, and then tumbles down the hallway. Elias manages to single-handedly dispatch a couple smoke para-elementals on his way down the hallway.
Xanathar makes it through the portal, and endures a similar attack. After resisting, he flies to the same end of the hallway as Elias. Xanathar and Elias keep several of the creatures entertained while the rest of the party is playing tidily-winks on the far side of the portal. Xanathar and Elias together dispatch a dozen of the creatures before the remainder of the party fumbles their way through the portal.
The remainder of the party pops up and draws at least a little attention away from the path finders (Xanathar and Elias). (I like the way, this room had to be run in the order and timeframe of getting through the portal.)
The large room at the end of the hallway is a temple like chamber. The columns are carved in elongated humanoid forms and stretch from floor to ceiling. Strange undulations carved in the walls make them appear like curtains. There are spiky structures near the entrance and one of the exits. As Sif enters the room, he is hit by a blast of wind (attack), but is missed.
Elavil notes magical conjuration auras on the doors and walls/floors within 5’ of all the doors. ( I hate this... from now on all doors, walls, ceilings and floors have magical auras with random schools and random strengths. Things are so magical that Elavil is overwhelmed and for all intent and purpose, BLIND.)
Xanathar dispels the effect on one door, and Sif opens the door. As the group rushes through the door (the spell effect on the door is suppressed for only 1 round). ( I should not have allowed this, there is no way you guys should have been able to open the door and everyone get through in 10 seconds.)
Those who can still hear, hear ‘Sorry about this gentleman, I’m compelled to attack you.’
Elias casts a silence to prevent any more glyphs from being activated.
THE SPIDER
A huge spider appears next to Elavil, it smiles and waves at him. Elavil attempts to overcome the critter’s spell resistance, and successfully anchors the spider to our plane. (Very good move by Elavil...)
During combat, the spider seems to get a few extra movement actions…but the DM says ‘it’s ok, don’t look behind the curtain’. (The problem came from Nathan blocking my access to the minis and map; and players not following my instructions.)
Sting tells Elias to drop the silence so Coleman can cast a cure spell, so those actions are coordinated.
As Sting chases the spider into the temple room, he and Dvorias see a scene being played out in the vapors that are now flowing around the room. The scene depicts Icosiol (THE WIND DUKE) destroying the Queen of Chaos with the Rod of Law and then forming an alliance with a Marut. The scene ends with Icosiol presenting the Rod of Law and a square shaped Seal toward the viewer. (see below) (The party forgot that the trap was reactivated (after one round) when they could left this room. Dvorias activated it when coming back in chasing the spider. The interesting thing about this "trap" is that the smoke gives you usefull information before trying to kill you.)
The fire elemental is defeated, and the party follows the spider into the temple room. Dvorias makes a stunning blow against the spider. Unfortunately, the spider then gets a full round attack against him, and it has paralytic venom.
Elias reads the runes on the statue, ‘Here stands Icosiol with the Sword of Aaqa’. The Sword of Aaqa was also known as the sword of Law and was accompanied by a smaller sword, known as the ‘sword of lightning’. These were his favored weapons until he consulted with an oracle and the Rod of Law was created.
The viewing in the temple room: a white vapor runs along the wall and melds with the base reliefs in the wall, showing Icosiol fighting the creatures of chaos. The last scene is rendered in some detail, and depicts the alliance between the Marut and Icosiol. Elavil gets a good role on his knowledge. The Marut Inevitable is dedicated to eradicating those who perform extreme acts to escape death.
Dvorias attempts to take the Sword of Law, and a voice says ‘I wouldn’t do that’…the ensuing conversation reveals that the voice is the ‘Earl of Coalchester’ and his name is ‘Anteyress Redpike’.
TAKING THE SWORD
The party makes a quick, innate decision to free the Sword of Law from its imprisonment to wield it in defense of all that is Good and Just (and to get babes). The Earl of Coalchester says ‘I really wish you guys hadn’t done that…I had such high hopes for you, but it turns out you are just a bunch of grave robbers.’
The huge fire elemental falls in the second round, and the party enters the salamander’s domain. The salamander falls a round later.
The Salamander has a non-magical platinum circlet (1000 gp), +3 long spear, key that fits the chest. The chest is worth 500 gp and contains, 2300 gp, 300 platinum, two topazes worth 1600 gp each, a magic narrow brass tube, four crystal decanters containing Efreeti brandy (200 gp each). The brass tube is a wand tube, and contains a wand. The wand from the tube radiates illusion magic.
The sword that Rick recovered is a +2 Mithral Great Sword. The party is somewhat depressed and considers juvenile defamation…but moves on.
DESSERT
The room contains a magical (radiating conjuration) black sphere hovering in the center, surrounded by four magical chandeliers (radiating illusion). The chandeliers are formed by stylized Talismans of the Sphere supporting an outer hoop of crystal that depicts scenes from the Battle of Pesh. After testing with a copper coin and then a spent sun rod with light cast on it, and ELDER BLACK PUDDING emerges from the illusion created by the chandeliers.
The pudding is a challenge, but finally succumbs to the combined magical might of Coleman, Xanathar and Elavil. The sphere only occasionally provides nourishment for the creature below.
Elias gives Elavil the Talisman of the Sphere in the sealed box. The box is covered in spidery writing that is constantly moving, and hides the magical dweomer of the Talisman (5#).
The various figures spilling the runes from their mouths are saying ‘Pesh’ (location of the great battle), ‘Aaqua’ (realm), ‘Icosiel’ (great warrior who defeated the chaotic hoards).
One of the rooms on the balcony level of the room has a large ruby red urn with golden runes on it. The urn radiates necromancy. There is a base relief showing two wind duke lovers, and the room also contains two chairs and six boxes. The boxes are locked, but Sif opens them. There is a wand, three clay tablets carved with elemental glyphs, matching platinum necklace, earrings and rings (8000 gp as a set). The wand radiates 2nd level transmutation. There were gems on the decayed gowns that were worth 540gp.
The urn is three feet tall and approx a foot in diameter. It radiates a strong necromantic magic aura. Elavil has his unseen servant open the urn, and nothing happens. Elavil then walks into the room and looks in the urn; he sees…ashes. There is nothing visible in the urn besides the ashes. Elavil puts the lid back on and picks it up. He receives a touch attack that drains three experience levels. At the end of 24 hours, Elavil must attempt fortitude save (very high DC). The party chooses to rest for the evening.
(I just loved the party all agreeing to take the urn, but no one stepping up to physically do the job. Rob siad "My vote is to take the urn." so which I said, "Well let me know when you're though voting and someone takes physical action." Unfortunately, the person he finally took action had to pay the price. Had it been anyone other than Nathan, I'd have changed the urn to reward them. ;)
After resting and restoring Elavil’s level, the party proceeds down the hallway that leaves the balcony level.
The hallway leads to a large rectangular room with stairs to the north, leading up to a pair of blue doors. The room is covered in spider webs. The small door off to the east opens to a small shrine containing a discarded suit of armor (magical) and rusted remains of some sort of offerings. The suit of armor appears to have additional protections beyond armor bonus, and stronger than +1.
The creature in the room rolls a 32 on initiative, and Scott reminds him that the enemy does not gain the +3 initiative bonus. The creature pops out of the wall, strikes Rendar (draining 2 CON), and then pops back into the wall. (Spring Attack)
Everyone positions to cover the area of the dungeon the critter popped out of, and readies actions. The critter pops out into the main chamber, and two turning attempts do nothing to thwart it. (Had you been 12th level, Coleman would have had a chance... It was 16 HD)
The battle wages back and forth, with the party members loosing CON and hit points from incorporeal touch attacks. Eventually, the critter succumbs to Rendar’s fiery breath. The armor appears to have protection versus electricity in addition to a greater armor bonus.
We leave the party with Elias at -5 CON. (I'll assume you mean that Elias lost 5 con and was not actually at -5 con which would mean he was dead and on his way to becoming a wraith.) Coleman restored Rendar and Elavil’s CON losses. (I hope he took more of these for the near future.) The party is considering some Divination to locate Allistan more quickly, as he is sure to be in need of assistance if he has made it this far in the dungeon. (Unless he is smarter than the party and took gaseous form to make his way through the place unhindered.) (He was... but alas even those kind of spells eventually wear off.)
(Thanks Ed, for the detailed notes... In our next installment, the Lakers will either rescue or kill Allistan; and continue to explore what they believe to be the tomb of Icosiol.)
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