Session 30 - Staring into the Void
General Summary
14 Quickening - Contd.
Coming out of the library, Janora suggested that they backtrack and make sure no one had come in behind them. The witch started heading in that direction with Lus close behind...until the gnome remembered the giant hole they had found. Running down the hall, the bard skidded to a halt and stepped up to the edge, peering into the darkness below.Denye and the others followed the bard as Ell muttered, "While the hole does look interesting, perhaps we should take a short rest or something?"
"I could really use some sleep," sighed Denye
Janora nodded in agreement, "That was my thought too. Let's check the area behind us, make sure it's clear and I'll call up the Tiny Hut so we can get some sleep."
Lus muttered a sound of agreement, but turned to examine what remained of a chain ladder. Two rusted iron spikes were firmly affixed in the stone, but only a few steps of the ladder remained.
Janora just shook their head and made their back to the Council Chamber. Dead flies, those that had escaped the fire, lay scattered over the floor and charred body on the table. The witch asked Denye to use Mage Hand to retrieve the gem and wrapping it up in oilcloth dropped it into their bag.
Returning to the main hall, the team found it much as they had left it. The body of Master Dark lay at the foot of the dais when he had fallen, the bodies of the bugbear and gnolls were piles of ash. The duergar, however, had been stripped of arms and armor and the bodies arranged respectfully.
Puzzled and slightly alarmed, Janora pointed out the duergar and asked, "Did we ever search Master Dark's body?"
Ell shook his head, "I don't think so. I was going to do that next, but then you found...that." This last was said with a grimace and wave toward the council chamber."
Both Ell and Janora leap toward the body, but everyone was trying to be super careful about how they touched it and beyond the armor and cloak, the only thing of interest they found was a bone-handled sickle. Ell also pointed out a strange tattoo on the man's left forearm, an inverted ziggurat above two half circles
Seeing how hesitant the others were being, Lus jumped onto the body and started feeling inside the armor and found a small pouch containing a wooden pen case, a crystal whistle and a few notes rolled into a bundle. Casting Identify on the whistle, the bard learned that this was Nightcaller and could be used to summon the dead. Janora got very excited at this news and asked if they could claim it. Seeing the witch's excitement, Lus smiled and handed it over proud to have made a new friend.
Putting the other items away to be examined later the party began discussing where to make camp. Janora wanted to be out in the main hall, but Denye wanted somewhere she could put up the alarm spell. In the end, they compromised on the bedchamber just past the council room. Pulling out her silver thread Denye began ritually casting Alarm as Janora moved to the center of the room and began casting Tiny Hut. Security assured, the party enjoyed a quiet night
15 Quickening
The next morning, as the Tiny Hut faded, the three who had swallowed spores woke to coughing fits, but Lus began feverishly scratching at their arms. Concerned, Janora cast Detect Poison or Disease and discovered that all three were afflicted by the Madness of Ollamaas. Touching the afflicted gnome the witch cast Lesser Restoration and the itching vanished. Thrilled the gnome threw their arms around Janora in an excited hug. Turning the others the witch said, "I can take care of you too later as well, but since you seem to be doing okay, I'd prefer to wait and save the magical energy."Ell nodded enthusiastically, "Let's go look at the hole!"
Making their way back to the chasm, Citrene threw a rock into the hole. It fell, vanishing from sight into the darkness below. After waiting for nearly a minute and hearing nothing, Citrene turned and muttered, "Rock was too small, I need a bigger one."
Janora threw up their hands, "Why? You're gonna wake up a leviathan, or a squid, or some other monstrosity."
"You should cast Light on it," suggested Jilken. "That way it will be easier to see."
Finding a stone about Lus' size, the halfling lifted it over their head, Denye cast the spell, and the rock flew into the chasm. They watched the light fall, growing smaller and small until even the final pinprick of light disappeared.
Denye shook her head, "That's too deep. I think it's time to leave."
The others agreed and began making their way back toward the great hall and the stairs leading out. Distracted by the locked door that he had found earlier, Ell pulled out his lockpicks and set to work. A moment later he pushed open the door to reveal a chapel of some sort with backless stone benches and an altar at one end. Kneeling before the shrine was a desiccated and skeletal orc who turned to stare at Ell with slack jaw and empty eye sockets. The others, most of whom had followed Ell, in quickly spread out as Jilken fired a crossbow bolt at the thing.
Denye was the first to react and followed that up with a Firebolt, but it went wide and struck the wall behind. Jilken reloaded quickly and sent another bolt into the creature. Dropping the heavy bow on it's strap, the elf fired a second shot with the light crossbow, a third bolt now sticking out of the creature.
Lus stared at the monster and shouted, "You ugly crypt keeper wannabe," casting Vicious Mockery. The monster seemed unmoved by their words. In fact the undead creature leapt at Ell slashing with claws as the two large skeleton piles began assembling themselves into nine foot tall ogre skeletons.
Citrene backed up quickly avoiding their own claw attack and whipped two javelins at the creature taking out both legs. Janora, who had backed into a corner cast Spike Growth at the front of the room to slow down the skeleton.
Freaked out by the sudden attack, Ell fired two Eldritch Blasts into the prone creature, exploding the skull, before backing into the corner with his friends. Han ran into the room and threw a handaxe at one of the skeletons.
Denye fired off a quick Firebolt at the nearest undead ogre, knocking out several rib bones. Jilken followed that up with some fire of her own, Faerie Fire that is, surrounding both of the skeletal creatures.
Lus moved into the room and threw a javelin at one of the bone monsters, breaking a forearm bone. In response it rushed at the gnome, bringing its club down onto the bard's head. The other skeleton rushed at Jilken as well but due to Janora's spell it was difficult and painful terrain.
Seeing their friend hurt, Citrene began to rage, transforming once more into the werebeaver. Bounding forward, the barbarian brought their tail around with a heavy slap that knocked both of the legs out from under it. Falling into a pile of bones the skull shattered and moved no more.
Janora jumped several of the benches to get closer to the remaining skeleton before casting Burning Hands, sending a gout of flame at the creature as Ell sent two Eldritch Blasts, slamming him into the corner where it to collapsed into a pile of bones.
Taking a moment to collect themselves, Janora turned to Ell and scowled, "Will you please stop opening doors? I really would like to see the sun again."
When the others muttered similar sentiments, Ell agreed sheepishly. Before they left however, Ell found a small leather satchel containing a few gems and a couple of spell scrolls. Slipping the items into his own bag, the young man followed the rest back into the great hall and down the stairs leading back into the Glitterhame.
Moving carefully and quietly, the party made their way back down the stairs and into the large cavern. There was no sign of movement and the party quickly made their way through. As they walked, Jilken remembered the bear that they had found, and turned in that direction.
Reaching the smaller cavern, the group found the wooden door of the pen broken down. It seemed as if the bear had made it's own escape. Glancing down the long tunnel, there was clearly daylight streaming in and the party decided to try this exit rather than trying to fight their way through the front door.
Emerging on the side of the Stone Tooth, the party breathed in the fresh air and the warm spring sun on their faces. As the group began making their way down the mountain, Graww'l contacted Janora through mindspeech and coordinated a meeting. The scouts were quite surprised by the two new adventurers, but relaxed once they learned they had helped in dealing with Master Dark.
Satisfied that the job was done, the party began making their way toward Wexwood. Once they were in a significantly wooded area, Janora quickly cast All Forests are One and within thirty minutes the party was coming out near the road to Wexwood.
The city looked much as it had when they had left, with military encampments spread around the city. In fact, Han was quite excited to point out that a dwarven contingent had arrived. Thanking the party for helping to cleanse her family's stronghold, Han took her leave to go see who had been sent.
Making their way up to the gates of Wexwood, the group was stopped by one of the guards and informed that the Watcher had left word that the party was to report to the Keep upon arrival. Ell coldly informed the guard that they were going to the Raven to bathe and refresh themselves and that the Watcher could expect them in two hours time. And that is what they did. Hannalor, the half-elven innkeeper, was quite happy to see the party again and quickly produced keys to individual rooms for all of them.
Two hours later the party presented themselves at the gates of the Keep and were quickly ushered into Watcher Gelestro's office. The leader was speaking with a couple of Shin'a'in, but stood as the party were shown in. He was pleased to see them and also surprised to see Lus and Citrene, but was happy to hear how they had helped. The commander reported that the army gathered around Glorkila had already begun fighting among itself and whole warbands have been reported leaving. "I presume you were successful in your mission?"
Denye shrugged, "Mostly....for now."
"We killed the dude," began Ell."
"No, no," Denye rubbed the side of her beak, "We killed his body. But his spirit escaped to...somewhere."
Qwillon looked shocked and horrified at this news and asked, "Was this then Kelveren, the Mage of Hunger, reborn?"
Denye let out a soft whistle before replying, "That's seems likely. We've bought ourselves some time, but he'll be back."
Watcher Gelestro grunted, "Sometimes time is the best we can ask for. Thank you for such fine work. While I'm sure with the dwarven forces we could have held the pass, I am much happier to not have to fight at all."
"Indeed," agreed Qwillon, "This is most troubling news. If this is the Mad Mage, then I suggest you prepare for the worst. If you learn more of this monster, please send word to the Clans at once."
"If I may," interjected Ell, "You should probably think about increasing your defenses. This is going to keep happening."
The Watcher shook his head, "We get attacks and war parties every year, but nothing the size of this army has been seen in over 100 years." Falling silent in thought for a long moment or two, Gelestro continued, "Perhaps you are right, I will put it to the council. At the very least we should increase the troop counts." Turning to the Shin'a'in warleader he added, "You wouldn't be interested in staying for a while."
"Nay," replied Qwillon, "If the threat is truly gone we must return to the plains. But we'll be quite happy to sell you those strings of first year culls that we had discussed." Excusing himself the two Shin'a'in left the office. As Qwillon passed Jilken, he invited the fighter to stop by the camp when she had a free moment or two.
Stepping over to the row of cords, the Watcher pulled one several times before moving back to his desk and pulling two small boxes out of the desk drawer. Coming around the desk he opened the boxes and presented each with a mithril cloak pin engraved with the seal of Wexwood. "Thank you again for your assistance with this mission as well as your earlier work near Oakhurst. For your bravery and valor, I name you all Heroes of Wexwood." In addition, the Watcher presented the party with a small chest filled with platinum.
Making their goodbyes, the party left the Watcher with their rewards and began the trek out of the Keep and down the stairs to the city below.
