Follow Up

The next morning we head back to the hideout and descend again. it appears the ladies we rescued were not plants, as of yet. No increased guards or patrols. Further exploration reveals passages that are not hewn in all areas. Sticking to the hewn corridors, we come across what appears to be a library. This is the studio of a learned man. Aster senses something off though, something magical. He isnt sure what it might be. He walks around the room and it seems to be moving, as if alive and invisible. Aster moves a bit quicker and the object, thing, being bumps into Wesson making an audible thump.
 
Cornered, the being becomes aggressive and we eventually are faced with an Imp. This isnt good. Not only do they wield poison, but if this is the guardian, we are up against something far more powerful then all of us together. My mind starts racing! A library, an Imp, and a locked door. I fear we have an evil wizard and the Imp is its familiar! Dispatching it would be bad. Before I can do anything, it is dispatched. One cannot kill an outer planar creature, unless you are on its native plane. They are merely sent back. If this imp was indeed a familiar, and if indeed this is a powerful mage, then it will be summoned back pretty quickly.
 
A quick search of the room nets us some potions. But there is another door and before we can do anything, it opens. Out walks a mage, and before we can utter a syllable, we are all held in place. The mage is cordial and monologues. He is obviously exceedingly more powerful then we are. He calls himself, Glass Staff, and he carries such a device. Casually walking between our held bodies his ego cannot let him leave without making us feel insignificant to him. This is who the imp server and we are nothing more then a gnat buzzing around his head for the moment. The imp will be back, and I fear, Glass Staff as well. He seems to have knowledge of us, what we do and such. I believe he is the leader of the bandits, and we have done nothing but inconvenience him. That being said, I also believe he had not completed what ever task he was doing. Standing their frozen, unable to move or talk, I wonder if he will take a retributive strike against one of us before he leaves?
 
He meanders between us and then disappears. Moments later, we are free. We all looked at each other knowingly. WE are in over our heads against this guy.
 
He is gone and we push on. We come across some bugbears. Not incredibly bright, but they can pack a punch. Up to now, we have been making short work of our encounters. This one however was more challenging. Wesson is really our only melee person. Tanking so many big sticks takes its toll. Our healing is spend and after the battle, he isn't at full. Another battle like that and he will go down.
 
We enter a natural cavern with a crevasse about 20 feet deep, 20 feet wide, 50 feet long. It has 2 bridges across. Astir senses some magic. We climb down and find a crate with a magic sword.
 
Climbing out of the crevasse, we come across a room of bandits who are in stasis. This isn't good. We are getting in well above the pay grade promised. As we inspect the room, I feel a tremor. Then another. My race lives underground. Tremors are not a good thing. Wesson opens the other door to a hallway. As they move forward, another tremor. I call out, we have to leave..... NOW!!!!!!
 
I get about 100 feet and look back. THEY AREN'T THERE! WTF!!!! I yelled! Another Tremor! It now only is getting stronger, but more frequent. WHERE ARE THEY! Then, as an echo through the caverns I hear Lluthe, BUGBEARS!!!! I have to hurry back, and on the way I see what is making the tremors. It is a huge Metal Man, an Iron Golem. They are incredibly slow, but powerful. We need to leave, not in an hour, not tomorrow, NOW!
 
As get get back to where I was, I see the problem, apparently, after I yelled out, they checked one more door. REALLY!?!?!?! Why? Now they are in battle with an Iron Golem on the way. Furthermore, WESSON IS DOWN and all we have is Lluthe and Astir. Neither have the constitution to stand toe to toe with Bugbears! I fire my crossbow and watch as a bugbear falls. Aster dexterously slips between Lluthe and the bugbears and revives and heals Wesson. This move saved the party.
 
The Iron Golem turns the corner. Its about 60 feet away. The bugbears see it, call out in their guttural language and begin to run. Since we have one way blocked, they attempt to run by the Golem. Bad decision. One bugbear is hit so hard, it flew down the hall and slammed into the wall. I move to the top of the steps in the hallway we are in, and I spread oil to slow down the machine. This should buy us time. Wesson is gathering himself. He was just unconscious and now has to lead us out. We head back the way we came, and turn the corner. The Golem has torn down the bridges. We cannot cross. Both bridges destroyed and this thing is as tall as the crevasse!!
 
But it has a weakness, it cannot run and we can. First a powerful mage, and now this. Lesson learned dammit. The only thing the golem saw of us was ass holes and elbows. We ran.
 
Upon return to the city we report to the city leader. We inform him of the powerful mage named Glass Staff and the Iron golem. He asks if we destroyed them. Wesson tells him they are far more powerful then we are. He apparently thought otherwise and withheld half the promised compensation. We head to the tavern, and I sit alone. Drinking Wesson comes to my table and sits.
 
I like Wesson. He is a Paladin with a level head. He is a good leader, he isn't perfect, but he is loyal. Wesson asks how I am, I just look at him with a disapproving glare. Considering we have only been together a short time, he leans over and says
 
"Don't"
 
Man, I didn't say a thing and he knew exactly what I was thinking. I nod. Somehow, I know he knows I am lying.
 
That night, I scout the building. Guards are everywhere. But for me, that isn't a deterrent. I make my living unheard and unseen. I find some paper and a plume and I write a very indirect, threatening note. Knowing the personality of this city leader, he won't sleep for weeks! I leave the note where it can be found easily. I head back to the inn and my bed. I slide in pull the blankets up and smile. Yeah, that was worth gold.
 
I chuckle myself to sleep........