Crystal Aftermatch

General Summary

The party took a short rest to catch their breath after the tough fight with the Ether Golem. inside the black cube was another armoured skeleton like in the cube on the Myconid island, but this one seemed to be in a good shape. It turned out to be an Adamantine breastplate.
They also found a small chest that was inside an ether crystal. Brandeth took her hammer and smashed the crystal into pieces. Inside was some treasure Afterward, they activated the Ether Crystal, which made not only it but also the gems around it glow. This granted each party member 1400 XP, enough for Goradaar to progress to 4th level after the next long rest. Making their way back, getting over the spiked hole proved a difficult challenge once again.
Eventually, they made their way back to the Y-split and decided to continue on the other path instead of returning to the mines proper and take a long rest. The path eventually let to an end, but a round 10-foot hole, as if it had been dug by a burrowing creature, continued. It was, however, bloked by some stone. Sandor was able to punch them aside with his bare fists (and some concentrated ki) and made it across with Suiv, who turned into a giant goat and pushed the rock out.
Heading in there were several crossings with smaller 5-foot holes, while the 10-foot hole continued. Eventually made a few bends before leading to the biggest open area of the hive's lair: the Hive Lord's warren!
A tough battle ensued. 5 adult Kruthiks were there to help and all were Ether infused. 1 adult cast Minute Meteors and gave all the adults a meteor to throw, which they did on their respective turns. The Hive Lord cast Elemental Bane (acid) on Sandor, but he lost concentrtion before it had any effect. the Kruthiks tried to stab the part with their weird pointy limbs an th Hive Lord also had an acid breath. They weren't fond of Brandeth's Spirit Guardians, so when the part started to retreat, the Kruthik shot their stingers at the party instead. Eventually all the adults were slain and onlt the Hive Lord was left. They had moved back to the corridor, so it was a tight space. Sandor rushed in and, once again, stunning strike saved the day. Some people were down (Goradaar, Purah), but no one died in the end.

You head back to the exit, but it was blocked by 2 stone slabs. Sandor knocked and they move. 2 Stone Defenders were guarding the entrance and went in for the attack! Just in time a Gnome told them to stand down. He had placed the Stone Defenders here and were waiting for P'NS to come back.
he dared Sandor to hit a Stone Defender and he did hit, but his attacks proved ineffective...

Rewards Granted

• 3 spell scrolls (yet to be identified)
• A big diamond
• 2 star rose quartz gems
• 15 rough Chrysoprase gems
• 4 rough star sapphire gems
• 1 rough aquamarine gem
• 2x 50 ft hempen rope
• totally ordinary and in no way magical 60 ft silk rope
• 2 potions of greater healing
• Bracers of Defense