Session 5: Mike's Missing Man and the Manelovent Magic Manshoon

Sgt. Adrion Soulmbra, Military report.
 
Previous expedition seemed mostly fruitless, however, two things of note.
The Manshoon,
And the Sword, Mike.
 
Soldiers on deployment:
Sgt Adrion Solumbra (Paladin 2, Warlock 2)
Amos (Paladin 3)
Captain Yearn Gracer (Paladin 3, Warlock 1)
Dr. Hilda (Artificer 4)
Narmer (Monk 3)
 
Mike the sword decided dwelling in my sheath was indeed a plesant place to be, and so I indulged him. Following up from last expedition, we checked in with the Vanguard's resident identifier, their name escapes me at present. The Identifier revealed that Mike and Gregory had a connection that allowed them to, when prompted, discern each other's location upon concentrating. This helped a great deal in locating this Gregory. Well, we would assume.
 
In the process of moving north, we came approximately to where we were a couple weeks ago. An obstacle, however, proved moving further north would be harder than anticipated. In the barren landscape, a herd of bison, made from stone, were charging across the ground. A wall, almost. Over 30 feet wide, definitely over 5 feet tall. I decided to wait, a short rest, if you would. Some exercise other than my legs, sit ups, push ups, squats.

After about an hour, the bison wall was proving continuous. Amos, a strange warrior, with a holy power similar to, but entirely different to my own, or even the Captain's, tapped into this power to leap tremendous distance. With assistance from a spell from Dr. Hilda, the bison wall may have not even been there. Amos carried the unit one by one over the bison, and soon we were back on our way.
 
Continuing forward, now northeast, we had to cut through a forest. However, myself, The Captain, and Amos channeled holy energies to detect any potentially dangerous forces in the woods before we decided to enter. This proved useful, as a vague, yet certainly present fiendish eccence was nearby, further into the woodland. Staying vigilant, we moved forward.
 
Along the way, Mike, the sword, revealed a part of his history. Long before he even met Gregory and fell in love with the warrior, he knew, intimately, another man by the name of Samson. When the relationship ended however, one party was not satisfied. Samson found out, years later, that Mike had possessed a sword. To find something in common with him, Samson made a deal with a demon, Entad, to possess his own sword. Given Mike knew Samson was likely to be in the area, and a demonic presence was also in the area, I advised caution to the other soldiers.
 
Part way through the forest, we uncovered an intresting location. Several ogres, six to be exact, beating upon each other in pairs with only their bare hands. Next to them, a pit. Near perfectly circular. In an effort to sneak past, 3 soldiers in heavy armor, unfortunately including myself, made it difficult, and a stray ogre spotted us. However, Dr Hilda thought quickly, and spoke diplomatically in a strange tongue, later told to me was deep speech. One of the ogres knew this language, and allowed us passage.
 
Before we abandoned the area, however, we inspected this large pit. After a few moments of observation, one contemplated the idea it may be bottomless. As a drow, however, seeing such a scar above ground, i cannot help but wonder if this was an uncommon passage to the underdark. In any case, nothing more was discovered from it, and we continued forward.
 
Further northeast, now out of the forest, we marched through the barren hills, lead by myself, and of course, Mike, who was sesning out his Gregory. In the blank landscape, a shape was seen careening through the sky. A flying monster of sorts. Wielding a demonic blade. Using my divine gift from Sehainne, I could sense the fiendish energy from the sword even from this distance. We deduced this may be Samson.
 
A quick couple spells and javelins from myself, The Captain, and Dr. Hilda dropped the monster from the sky, and the blade was dropped too. The doctor decided to inspect the blade herself. Much like whenever touching Mike, the Doctor seemed nearly possessed. I would have advised against tampering with magical objects so immediately, however, the rest of the group was distacted.
 
Another flying object hurtled through the sky, a huge stone pentagon, perfectly 5 sided. Dread set in, giant stone blocks, flying through the sky, exactly like only a couple weeks ago, when I first met *A* Manshoon, however, he flew upon a hexagon. A copycat? If so, why not a hexagon? Was he simply inept? Or a personal choice? It proved not to matter anyway.
 
The Manshoon quickly engaged in conversation. He seemed mad. Distracted, almost. By nothing at all. Tweaking, flinching. In my previous encounter with one of these individuals, he was far more collected. He also offered an intriguing offer. 1000 gold for his head. I am not an economics driven man. I'm not a soldier of fortune. However to reject such an offer is nonsensical.
 
I knew manshoons were dangerous. Far more dangerous than most other opponents I faced before. Not only that, but he was unpredictable, even more so with this one's nervous demenor. Throughly evil, feared across continents, at least, the ORIGINAL Manshoon. I wouldn't imagine his clones would be much more moral. With this danger, unpredictability, malevolence, and coupled with a hair trigger temper, I did not see much other ways out of this.
 
While conversing, the manshoon created a magical silence upon the Doctor, and turned Amos into a whale, for little to no reason whatsoever. I decided that was enough. Stepping back, I called upon my headpiece, a magical artifact holding the power of a scorching ray, chanelling my power through it, blasting the evil wizard with burning energy. This did not make him happy.
 
Quickly, combat ensued. Mike sang through the air, finding the wizard time after time, Sehainne's divine might channeled through him. The Captain swung his axe like a lumberjack, chopping into the Manshoon. The Doctor and her Golem engaged too, her with her bow, and the golem with his giant meaty fists. Amos however, was still a whale.
 
A notable individual absent from the fight, Narmer, the dragonborn. Mostly silent until now, stayed that way. He refused to engage despite the obvious evil nature of the wizard. Sehainne curse him, coward.
 
The Manshoon was not happy with my declaration of destruction, and tempermental as i predicted, hard focused spells upon me. After shooting lightning bolts at Amos, now a killer whale, he turned his anger towards me.
 
I have never been in more pain without a scratch nor scar upon me. Even with my soul feeling near wrenched from my very body, I kept fighting. Again and again, he screamed and slung spell after spell. Once, twice, thrice, four times.I could not identify it exactly, but i felt pulled to another plain.
 
Eventually, he did it. Fifth times the charm. I felt myself fall away, to this other place. One last glance at The Captain, and I was gone. I do not know where I was. I felt every memory, every conversation i thought i forgot, every act I've ever done, every face I've ever met. Of course Narcelia was there, with all that came with her. And the one that never came with me. The real reason i couldn't stay in the Underdark.
 
What felt like 319 years all over again, and also less than 6 seconds, I was back where i was standing. The Captain's axe still swang through the air, and i felt that it was what brought me back, by almost caving in the back of the wizard. The wizard that was strangely absent. With the pain of Narcelia again burning like an open wound, the magic if the drow flowed through me Faerie fire bursting across the battlefield. The wizard was still here.
 
Now bathed in a purple glow, the Wizard still stood with us. Amos, no longer a whale, again a man, sent a bolt of guiding holy energy into the Manshoon's back. I rose as he fell, writhing in pain, slowing, stopping, dying.