Onward to Gravenhollow - S02E07 Report
Some days hit harder than others
General Summary
Almost immediately as the party set out for the next day of travel, the scouts returned to let them know that there were strange markings ahead. Many remembered the symbol that they described as a drow warning signs that demons lie ahead. Alan advised the scouts to stay with the main party until they were safely past whatever was ahead.
As they traveled, they took a quick inventory of what types of weapons the leaders had, specifically what type of damage could they do and would it be effective against a demon. Alan also took the opportunity to learn about Joseph, his tactics, and to decide if he was a worthy fighter.
They noted that they should be on the lookout for magical weapons for Bug and Joseph.
Ahead was a large cavern and, as expected, something was there. Coming to the mouth of the mouth of the entrance, they saw two large creatures that looked vaguely like giant apes. At first Bug did not know what they were though as he thought about it he recalled a remote reading about Apau Pareapes which serve the God of Fire and Apes and thought these might be them.
As the part began to formulate a plan, one of the demons summoned another. Deciding they should act soon, they wrapped up their plan as the second original Apau Perape summoned a giant ape.
Not wanting to wait for more to appear, Richter and Jospeh charged in. The giant ape, being the closest was meet with their blows first.
Mr. Garrick, having previously summoned an earth elemental, released it to tie up two of the demons. As the elemental rose from the earth, the third demon also engage it.
The party had the rest of the force fall back while they fought the giant ape.
Meanwhile the 3 demons and the earth elemental exchanged blows. Perhaps one on one they fight could have gone on for a long time, but it was clear that the elemental would fall to the three...but it would take some time. As the giant ape fell, one of the demons sought to split the party. Casting Wall of Fire, the casters were cut off from Richter and Joseph. Gunther made his way around the fire and caused the ground around the demons and elemental to become overgrown and full of thorns. It didn't injure them, but did its job of giving them pause about breaking away from the elemental. Unfortunately it also meant that Richter and Joseph could not quite reach the demons. Seeing an opening, Gunther manages to ensnare one of the demons and drag it forward into the spiky terrain. While doing so, the earth elemental also manages to give another blow to that demon. As luck would have it, that demon is the one that holding the wall of fire together and the combination of damage is too much - his concentration is shaken and the wall of fire dissipates.
Now that it has been drug near the edge of the difficult terrain, Richter sees his opening and quickly falls that demon. Seeing the battle begin to slip away, the newest demon summons a forth, making three on the battlefield. As he does so, Alan charges forward casting banish on both the new demon and his summoner, successfully sending them back into the abyss. Now alone, the final demon breaks free from the earth elemental and begins to cast. Unfortunately for it, Bug and Mr. Garrick recognize what he his trying to do and each of them counterspell him, at separate times, when he attempts to cast. Alone and outnumbered, the final demon does not last long as it takes the full brunt of the party's attacks falling as its head explodes as Alan casts Toll of the dead. Alan begins to suck blood from the giant ape as the rest of the party tends to their wounds. Alan, hoping to use his new-found ability to invade people's dreams wondered allowed if there was anyone to spy on. Thinking of no one, the party completes their clean up and decides to rest for the night. As they set camp, Alan is bothered by Bug's constant mention of remorse over killing the Pudding King. Thinking that the stone may be behind Bug's obsession he approaches Mr. Garrick to examine the stone. When Mr. Garrick refuses to let him see it, an argument ensues. Hearing the commotion, Gunther sides with Mr. Garrick claiming that Mr. Garrick has always had the stone - why would his master lie? Rather than continues, Alan decides on another course of action - he just needs to wait until the wizard goes to sleep. As he beds down, Mr. Garrick sends a message to check in on JimJar and is told that JimJar has a surprise. Drifting to sleep, Mr. Garrick begins to dream about 2 demon lords in an arena. They fight while he looks on from his seat.
Alan invades the dream and attempts to take the stone. Another argument ensues and they notice that they are being watched by another. The prince of deception, Fraz-Urb'luu, is watching them. Alan, being able to shape dreams that he has invaded forms a bridge so he can visit with the demon. Alan asks if he is behind what is happening to his friends but the answers are muddled and it is difficult to know the truth from the deceptions that are being spun. Alan learns that the demon lord is unable to release any hold he may have on Bug or Mr. Garrick but also claims he is unable to say why. Later that night Alan meets with others from the party and lets them know what happened in the dream and that it seems like Fraz-Urb'luu wants help.
Joseph asks if Alan trusts what he heard and he says not at all - but even that is in doubt.
Meanwhile the 3 demons and the earth elemental exchanged blows. Perhaps one on one they fight could have gone on for a long time, but it was clear that the elemental would fall to the three...but it would take some time. As the giant ape fell, one of the demons sought to split the party. Casting Wall of Fire, the casters were cut off from Richter and Joseph. Gunther made his way around the fire and caused the ground around the demons and elemental to become overgrown and full of thorns. It didn't injure them, but did its job of giving them pause about breaking away from the elemental. Unfortunately it also meant that Richter and Joseph could not quite reach the demons. Seeing an opening, Gunther manages to ensnare one of the demons and drag it forward into the spiky terrain. While doing so, the earth elemental also manages to give another blow to that demon. As luck would have it, that demon is the one that holding the wall of fire together and the combination of damage is too much - his concentration is shaken and the wall of fire dissipates.
Now that it has been drug near the edge of the difficult terrain, Richter sees his opening and quickly falls that demon. Seeing the battle begin to slip away, the newest demon summons a forth, making three on the battlefield. As he does so, Alan charges forward casting banish on both the new demon and his summoner, successfully sending them back into the abyss. Now alone, the final demon breaks free from the earth elemental and begins to cast. Unfortunately for it, Bug and Mr. Garrick recognize what he his trying to do and each of them counterspell him, at separate times, when he attempts to cast. Alone and outnumbered, the final demon does not last long as it takes the full brunt of the party's attacks falling as its head explodes as Alan casts Toll of the dead. Alan begins to suck blood from the giant ape as the rest of the party tends to their wounds. Alan, hoping to use his new-found ability to invade people's dreams wondered allowed if there was anyone to spy on. Thinking of no one, the party completes their clean up and decides to rest for the night. As they set camp, Alan is bothered by Bug's constant mention of remorse over killing the Pudding King. Thinking that the stone may be behind Bug's obsession he approaches Mr. Garrick to examine the stone. When Mr. Garrick refuses to let him see it, an argument ensues. Hearing the commotion, Gunther sides with Mr. Garrick claiming that Mr. Garrick has always had the stone - why would his master lie? Rather than continues, Alan decides on another course of action - he just needs to wait until the wizard goes to sleep. As he beds down, Mr. Garrick sends a message to check in on JimJar and is told that JimJar has a surprise. Drifting to sleep, Mr. Garrick begins to dream about 2 demon lords in an arena. They fight while he looks on from his seat.
Alan invades the dream and attempts to take the stone. Another argument ensues and they notice that they are being watched by another. The prince of deception, Fraz-Urb'luu, is watching them. Alan, being able to shape dreams that he has invaded forms a bridge so he can visit with the demon. Alan asks if he is behind what is happening to his friends but the answers are muddled and it is difficult to know the truth from the deceptions that are being spun. Alan learns that the demon lord is unable to release any hold he may have on Bug or Mr. Garrick but also claims he is unable to say why. Later that night Alan meets with others from the party and lets them know what happened in the dream and that it seems like Fraz-Urb'luu wants help.
Joseph asks if Alan trusts what he heard and he says not at all - but even that is in doubt.
- In Attendance
- Korey (Richter)
- Kevin ( Mr. Garrick)
- Christian (Bug)
- Nick (Alan Cardew)
- Carson (Gunther)
- Bethany (Joseph)
Comments