Session 5: The Dark Cacoons
General Summary
Gendal used his axe to slice open one of the red, veiny sacks that clung to the wall. A thin stream of caustic liquid seeped out before, all at once, the sack burst, bathing the unsuspecting dwarf in a type of embryonic fluid.
From the split halves of the sack, a large, clawed hand emerged. With a roar, a massive orc burst forth, backhanding Gendal, and sending him flying across the cavern.
In almost the same instant, Holly jumped into action, loosing a crossbow bolt. It found purchase in the Orcs right eye. It howled in pain as its black blood to flow like a river. Without hesitation, she loosed a second bolt, striking the other eye, and dropping the orc into a puddle of the sacks contents which were now mixing with his own blood.
With the orc dead, the party turned their attention to the rest of the sacks. To their horror, the red veins began to glow, and it seemed as though the sacks increased in size. Now pulsating, the party could only assume that they were close to hatching.
Gendal suggested that they return to the main tunnel, collapsing the passage behind them so that whatever emerged from those sacks would be unable to attack them.
After some discussion about whether or not to kill the inhabitants of the cocoons individually, it was decided that Gendal’s idea was best, and the party retreated to the far edge of the tunnel.
Using eldritch blast, Crowly collapsed the tunnel, sealing the orcs inside, and rendering them unable to assist their dark masters.
As the party returned to the main hall, the sounds of the chanting returned, louder than before. However, the ambiance wasn’t right. It didn’t echo off the walls the way it should, and they soon realized that they were hearing it in their minds as much as with their ears.
A strange, unnatural cold began to overtake them, though the more perceptive members of the party noticed that, despite the drop in temperature, they were unable to see their breath. Though ultimately a mystery, Crowly suspected that the cold sensation might be psionic.
As they continued to sneak their way along the tunnel, an irrational sense of anger began to overtake each of them. It grew so intense that thoughts of violence against their party members began to creep into their minds. While Kiefer, Gendal, Holly, and Crowley managed to resist the urge, Lorn lost control of her senses, and after some harsh words from Gendal, lashed out, driving her javelin into his side. The blow would almost certainly have been fatal had Kiefer not interceded, throwing off her strike, and redirecting the strike to a less lethal target.
Kiefer was able to talk her down, and the anger, though still present, retreated some, returning her senses. Gendal used Second Wind on himself, healing his wounds, but leaving him somewhat drained.
With clearer heads, the party prepared to confront the source of the chanting.
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