Echoes and Flames

We returned to the Underdark, and in our haste to get to the Illithids we forgot to call upon our Quaggoth friends. Unfortunately, we did not realise this until much deeper into the caves and resolved to move them at a later date for we were now deeper underground than we had ever been. Light itself was challenged in these dark passageways, a thick black moss, tough as a dwarf’s beard hung heavy upon the walls drawing all illumination into itself. Even the continual light provided by the priests was affected, shifting from its warm soft hue into a cold and hard blue light. I have convinced Malthus to take some samples in the hopes that he may be able to use this moss to improve my stealth. I do not however hold high hopes; Malthus’ alchemy seems limited to seeing what burns well and what doesn’t.

A cold wind blew up to us from the depths, absent scent or noise. Like so much of this accursed place it was harsh on our senses and did not feel natural. Deeper and deeper we worked into the earth until, just as the tunnel we were moving through forced us to duck and squirm to progress a massive underground gorge revealed itself to us. Once again we could see phosphorescent moss faintly glowing far above, which only cast enough light to cower us with the scale of this space. Advancing across the floor of this great cleft we marvelled at what appeared to be a road, in a state of serious neglect, cutting across our path. We turned and traced its length with our eyes and saw it ran to the gates of a fortress.

I say fortress but it was unlike anything I have ever seen before. Carved out of the very rock of the earth it still towered many hundreds of yards overhead. The road ran up to a set of mighty gates large enough to fit a full grown oak through without brushing the sides. The entrance was flanked by two massive guard towers; above ground one would have been able to survey all of Haranshire from their top. Mervin sent forth his bats to sweep the area for signs of inhabitants, but as they approached the fort they soon fell back and refused to enter.

We entered cautiously, Felix and I scouting ahead. The thick black bearded moss hung thick upon the walls in the entrance way but thinned further into the chambers. It revealed intricate carvings of spiders and webs in a frieze upon the walls. Across the archway ahead of us a massive spider stood, dropping its claws down to hang threateningly in the air. As we entered we became aware of a keening noise on the very edge of our hearing which grew in intensity as we ventured further within.

As the moss cleared from the floor we found fragments of dark stone scattered across the floor. On the edge of one Felix found the shape of a sharply lined face; they must have once been statues shattered long ago. The rest of the group assembled in the chamber and all could hear the keening. Mervin traced it to the centre of the room where it was strongest. As he stood intent upon it he managed to discern words of discontent but then reeled sharply in pain as blood began to run from his ears. We kept well away from the centre of the room after that and Felix and I went ahead through the archway to scout further ahead.

We went a short way, the moss thinning further but still present and came upon a crossroads of passageways. Felix motioned to one side sharply and we shrank into the moss. Six figures emerged from the dark, talking softly to one another but we could make out no words. They were armed and armoured in a variety of equipment, ready for battle. As they passed we fell silently in step behind them but at our surprise, as they entered the entry chamber beyond, they disappeared into thin air.

Returning to the crossroads intersection ahead we took the left turn which ran a short way before ending at a single door. The door was mostly intact but hung loosely from the sides, the thick planks held together with well rusted iron. A cautious examination revealed no traps and the room appeared to be a long disused barracks with another door set in the right wall. Bunks filled the room, their sagging frames awash in long decayed scraps of cloth. At the foot of each was a dilapidated chest, most of the lids had collapsed in on themselves or been split asunder in the distant past.

As we stepped across the threshold a deafening alarm began to ring through the air and muffled voices could be heard from beyond the door. Startled, Felix and I immediately dived under nearby bunks and made ourselves scarce. Malthus however marched briskly across the room to the door and heaved it open to reveal the room beyond. This too was another barracks room, lined with bunks and chests but in far better condition. It was also occupied; a dozen or more dark-skinned elves in various states of undress were shrugging on suits of armour, equipping themselves with a variety viciously curved and pointed swords and halberds.

Malthus immediate slammed the door close again and began to flee at full tilt. Mervin stood his ground before the door and began the familiar chant of a stone shape as he bent to touch the stone floor slabs. As he willed the stone to shift to his desire a wall began to form blocking the doorway beyond entirely. As the wall slowly rose over three feet high however the doorway was flung open and a tide of Drow surged through not only the wall but Mervin himself. Fixed in place by his castings, he reeled back as each of the apparitions ran through him, his mouth fixed in a silent scream. He later described the experience as having two dozen buckets of ice water thrown over him in quick succession, only without all the wetness and no hope of a towel to remedy the experience.

I tumbled along in the wake of the immaterial guards, taking care to avoid touching them where possible, but as they approached the junction ahead they disappeared leaving nothing but a cool mist in their wake. I retrieved Malthus from near the entrance and, after ensuring him we were not under attack by a small army, brought him back to the group.

As the way forward was blocked by Mervin’s now completed wall we turned back and explored the passageway on the other side of the crossroads. It too led a short distance before a doorway opened into another long abandoned barracks. Though we entered cautiously there were no other apparitions, but as I entered the adjoining room I caught a glimpse of the chamber as it once was with cruel elves lounging carelessly on silken sheets. The vision was gone in less than a second and a quick search of the area revealed nothing of value. Any items we did find had long decayed beyond use.

Beyond an archway in the opposite wall we found a chamber in which a spiral stair wound up the centre and followed it intent on exploring the tower above. As we ventured higher up the stair we noticed that not only had the black Beard-moss died out here, but it had been replaced with a growing number of cobwebs. These increased in number and thickness as we ascended until we reached the room at the summit where barely anything could be seen beneath their thick carpet.

As we poked and prodded with sword tips we found a mat of webbing which fitted flush with the archway of a door. My sword slid unhindered into space beyond it so I began to cut free an opening through which to continue. Suddenly the ‘door’ and my sword were yanked away as long spindly legs shot forth from the darkness beyond to pull me within. I attempted to hold my ground but was pulled from my feet effortlessly and drawn face to face with a monstrously huge spider. I felt its fangs sink deep into my shoulder and struggled to stay awake as its venom coursed through my veins.

I was dimly aware of shouts and realised I was hurtling through a tunnel of webbing held fast in the monster’s grip. Mervin was shouting in a soft rasping tongue, words that I could not understand as the party gave chase behind me. On through the dark we sped and as I came to my senses I was able to make out Mervin’s true words beneath his hissing. “Halt Mother Spider, we wish you no harm! Release our friend for I bring with me brave allies. One is devoted to Kossuth, Lord of Fire and he shall unleash an inferno that will devour your home entirely! Leave our friend be and you shall not be harmed, you have my word!” Malthus’ roar of anticipation drowned out all else.

His plea went unheard by my captor as she continued her retreat and I was held fixed in place, unable to free myself. The tunnel suddenly widened to fill a larger chamber, no less covered in thick webbing for its size. As she repositioned herself and leapt backwards to hang on the wall I was finally able to twist free from her grasp. As I fell to the floor I noticed a huge pulsating sack in one corner and stared at it horrified at what may be within. My friends burst into the chamber and Tivian immediately stood over me in a protective stance. As he began speaking anew Mervin’s face began to lose some of its fright, but before he could finish a full word Malthus burst forth into the chamber.

Holding aloft an orb of fire, his eyes held a maniacal gleam as he pitched it overhead to strike at the webbing by the spider. The dry filaments burst swiftly into flame that hungrily swept up the wall and across the chamber throwing a broad wave of heat that I felt even upon the floor. The sack in the corner burst into flames with an eerie popping sound as a swarm of tiny baby spider fled across the floor, many of them already alight and spread the flames even faster. The spider spat a ball of web over Malthus, fixing the frail cultist firmly on the spot. I shook the grogginess from my head and leapt off the floor to avoid the tide of spiderlings, aiming myself squarely at the entrapped Malthus. I struck him cleanly in the stomach and ripped him from the floor, webs and all and fled from the flames for my life.

We ran at great speed back the way I had been taken with Malthus cackling with glee upon my shoulder all the way. Mervin held hands to cover his ears as he ran, a green hue to his face he was visibly sickened. As we made haste Malthus made no attempt to free himself of the webbing and instead began hurling more fire behind as the spider pursued us. The heat was thick in air around us as we fled, the roaring of the fire behind us creeping closer and closer to our heels as we ran.

The spider began hissing in our wake as its spinnerets cracked in the heat. Malthus bellowed Kossuth’s name and the flames burst forth even louder and hotter than before. A Dazzling light shone forth from behind us as we continued to make for the stairs. Finally reaching the doorway to the staircase Malthus cackled breathlessly as he called upon Kossuth once more. A familiar ghostly green wyvern appeared in the spider’s path behind us halting it in its tracks. Mervin cried out wordlessly as we threw him down the stairs ahead of us and the top of the stairs was consumed in flame.

We took a few moments at the foot of the stairs to collect ourselves; Malthus invoked Kossuth’s blessing by burning a small amount of my blood and drew the remains of the poison from my system with the ashes. Mervin shakily explained how he had been ‘speaking arachnid’ with his arts and had heard the screams of a hundred spiderlings as they were devoured in the flames. Malthus chuckled and received a murderous glance in return.

Resurfacing

Bidding Carmeneren farewell we headed back to the surface we found evidence that the Illithids had found a way to continue their activities. The fire traps on the double doors had been sprung and the corpses left in our passing burned. Cursing their magical shortcut we hurried to the surface. Mervin cried in exaltation upon feeling the sun on his skin again and burst into the form of a magnificent eagle, in his excitement to fly he almost left without the cottage full of gold.

We began to follow on foot; I took the opportunity to cut a few choice branches and began whittling the down to arrow shafts as we walked. After a few hours a magical message appeared in my hand, almost causing me to stab myself mid-whittle, the text read: "Potion and Armour guys at Millbourne. Palfrey setting up lots of guard outposts. Adventurers being sent to the Keep." Assuming this was from Mervin with Tauster's assistance I utilised the space below for the reply to indicate we would meet him in Millbourne, as soon as I had finished writing both ink and scroll vanished!

The change of destination was both good and bad news for those of us on foot; fortunately Millbourne lay only a day's travel from the mines we exited from, however we'd spent most of the morning heading in the wrong direction! After re-routing ourselves and picking up the pace we managed to make Millbourne before nightfall and let ourselves in through the fields rather than speak with Palfrey's guards.

Approaching the Baron of Mutton we could not help but notice the busy air over what had previously been a sleepy little village on the river. The guards were out in force on the main entrances by road, serious looking professional, not the locals taking turns by rota as before. The whole town seemed abuzz with activity. The temple had grown and people were still abroad despite it being so late in the day.

The Baron of Mutton threw a warm and inviting glow the night air, sounds of drunken boasts and laughter pealed through the night. Posted under a lamp outside was a newly erected notice board bearing a single promise of bounty for adventurers. They were offing 500 Gold Pieces to any group able to clear the Old Palfrey Keep of a bandit infestation. I looked quizzically at my friends who were all equally dumbfounded; for this was the keep they had entered and indeed freed me from on their way into the underdark! Upon opening the door we fund most of the tables in the common room taken by small groups of fresh-faced adventurers, all wearing a smattering of light armour and smiling at one another nervously over their flagons of ale. Three groups in all sat about, the loudest of which contained both a scholarly young man in wizard’s robes and a pious looking fellow in light chain.  Much conversation ceased upon our entry, compared to these greenhorns we were practically an army; angry mutters spread in our wake, but no one spoke when looked upon.

Dirkaster recognised us almost at once and set to preparing us all a fine round of ale and some fresh roast lamb in large grainy cobs. Both Snagga and UNCLE cried at once in recognition, quickly slipping into dwarven as they were reunited for the first time in almost a year. Andre appeared from the end of the bar and urgently began asking about his lost love, Jenneleth. Nothing we told him of our discoveries seemed to sate his broken heart, despite all indications that we are close to discovering her whereabouts (We dared not tell him of the Illithids or speculate upon their designs for Jenneleth or the many other missing magic users).

As we made small talk Dirkaster informed us that the bounty had been raised not long after we had last left, Tivian’s claims that the keep had been cleared were met with confusion; ‘Why then is Lord Palfrey offering bounty?’ We resolved to find out just that, although a suspicion was already forming in my mind as I knew him to be neither generous nor altruistic.

Two groups of adventurers had already disappeared within the Keep and a third was due to head out in the morning; the one with two casters. Asking around we discovered that the order of descent into the Keep was being determined by Squire Marlen, who would assess the groups on their chances of success. Those with practitioners of magic being fast-tracked as they were ‘more likely to succeed.’

Tivian and Malthus attempted to distract several of the adventurers from certain death by telling them a preposterous tale of how they had left a magical shield in a goblin cave to the southwest. The next group due to enter the Keep were entirely uninterested, but the others made marks upon their maps and began discussing the option.

We attempted to buy lodging from Dirkaster but, motioning to the full house, informed us he was full. I approached one of the groups I’d spoken with earlier and offered them 50 gold to let us take their room. Their greed nearly got the better of them as they asked for 75 gold pieces; a flat scowl convinced them my original offer was a fair price and we retired for the night.

We woke early with the dawn to the smell of frying bacon and were all of a good mood. Even Malthus complained less than normal, obviously the benefits of a night spent in a bed rather than on a rough stone floor. Dirkaster did not disappoint with breakfast; bacon in fresh bread and his own brewed small bear to wash it down with. We spied the trader in magical items breaking his fast and approached him once finished indicating we’d like to conduct our business privately. Once upstairs we established he had little to offer us that would improve our equipment and bemoaned the lack of business he suffered, despite the recent increase in adventurers passing through.

After some brief discussion we offered him the half dozen lightning lances in exchange for the lot. After examining the lances with a contraption bedecked in a bewildering array of lenses he agreed and concluding out business went to find the party we had spoken with before.

After some initial scepticism they agreed to join us in our room but could not contain their excitement when we revealed our offer. We would outfit them with these enchanted armours and asked that they give serious reconsideration to entering Palfrey’s service. There were the goblins nearby and who knows how many threats roaming Harranshire which could more profitably occupy their time. They were wary still, so Malthus outlined the details their time in the area and how we suspected Palfrey was up to no good. The party graciously accepted our gifts and said they would consider our advice well.

We went to the temple and dealt with a young priest specialised in crafting potions of healing, I struck a deal saving us a considerable amount of gold and we bought out his entire stock. Tivian spoke with the head priest, but was regrettably informed that they did not have any means by which he might leave a tithe for his brothers in the Church of Helm. We then set about replenishing our basic supplies, rations, rope, tea and arrowheads and met back up at the Tavern.

We were chatting outside when Mervin re-appeared in the form of an eagle; landed on Malthus’ shoulder and almost entirely imbalanced him. We spoke quietly over a light lunch and some more of Dirkcaster’s excellent draught of what he’d learned and what we’d found. The road towards Thurmaster had been widened and was well travelled, but only for half its length. Many travellers were heading south through the Briarwood on a fresh path towards the Keep. We related our suspicions regarding the bounty and Mervin suggested that the Illithid’s may have gotten to him via his son, whom they had previously encountered masquerading as a caravan guard on the river and was well known for his desire to go off adventuring.

We resolved to return to the task at hand and fight our way to the Illithid’s City of Glass. They had already garnered themselves a replacement cat's-paw once, in form of the Count and the only way to end their blight was to dig deep and cut it out at the root, deep under the ground.  Mervin had spoken with the Queen of the Marsh; an old Green Dragon who had offered him a boon for a ‘simple’ favour. We were to be watchful for a silver flask that had been stolen from her horde by agents of a rival Shadow Dragon; she suspects that it may be found in our travels underground. I worry we might also come across her rival. Mervin left 60,000 god pieces with Tauster, he was optimistic that he might be able to source a bag of holding and would inform us via another Sending spell if so.

As we left Squire Marlen was speaking with the next group of excited adventurers due to head off to the keep. Felix took the opportunity to filch a document from his pocket while invisible; the contents affirmed what we suspected. Palfrey had instructed Marlen to send parties with the most practitioners first, again it was mentioned that they were most likely to succeed. We warned the parties against this foolhardy quest again and set off.

We were still left with a sack full of gold, we interred this in a stone shaped cache at the entrance to the mine which Malthus heavily warded with traps of fire and words of power and set forth once more into the dark.

The Lair of the Deepspawn

We made camp back in the cave near the entrance and the night passed uneventfully. Felix the Midget identified the shield as carrying a major enchantment of protection and Tivian was decided to make the best use of it.

After yet another breakfast of dry goods made palatable by Malthus’ bitter tea we returned to the large chamber where an unpleasant stench hung in the air, but as we moved north away from the behemoth brain’s corpse the air worsened. The adjoining chamber was half the size and yet seemed no less vast, the light of the group’s torches disappearing into the inky gloom. The chamber was filled with great piles of detritus and shallow pools of murky brackish water. Shards of broken bone jutted from piles of rotten cloth and leather and in the low light hundreds of glints reflected from scraps of metal and scattered coins.

We entered cautiously; fanning out slightly and wary of the potentially treacherous footing we began searching the detritus while keeping an eye out for the last remaining Grell. Malthus let out a cry of warning as a shadow detached itself from the roof and made speed towards the entrance. Tivian took to the air and I let loose a volley of arrows that set it bobbing drunkenly in flight.

As Tivian closed the distance he suddenly yelled out in alarm as he became aware of a malign presence and the entire floor began to shake. Clumps of refuse fell from piles destabilised by the sudden motion, kicking sprays of rancid water into the air. Suddenly six tentacles tore up around the chamber. Mottled in shades of brown and grey, three ended in large snapping maws, arrayed with viciously pointed teeth. The other three were thick as a man's waist at the bottom and tapered over their 20 foot length to a finger's width; along their length one side was studded with cruel suckers lipped with tiny teeth.

Felix was lifted into the air by one as the other lashed and snapped at the rest of us. The Grell finished its flight, dropping from the air in front of the cave mouth trapping us within. Felix slipped efficiously from its grasp and we all made haste to regroup at the entrance. I shot wildly at the flailing forms as suddenly eyes on thin stalks erupted across the chamber and Mervin began chanting words of magic. Tivian held the Grell at bay, blows from lightning lances and paralysing tentacles deflecting in rapid succession from his kite shield.

The tentacles disappeared along with the eyestalks as a great sphere of flesh pulled itself clear of the rubble and began rolling towards us at speed. Mervin finished his casting and chunks of rock from the ceiling crashed down in its wake, missing the abomination by scant seconds. Malthus threw up a circle of protection in front of us but the summoned wyvern guardian was scattered like mist and it reached us unhindered.

Tentacles and eyestalks erupted from the flesh of the sphere, Snagga stepped up to stand off against the brunt of its attacks and Mervin let out a howl as he shifted into the form of a vicious wolverine. Felix unleashed a wave of raw energy into the party, accelerating us beyond the normal confines of speed. As I was infused with the hastening magic time itself appeared to slow before my eyes, and I was able to deftly avoid the slow and clumsy tentacles while raining arrow after arrow into the horror.

The body of the beast went still and quivered; I stared transfixed as a seam opened across the flesh and a wet sack burst forth. Motions inside tore the flesh sack asunder as tiny hands clawed out to be born unto the world. A fully adult and yet slack faced gnome stood before us gripping a dagger and began to chant under his breath before blurring out of clear sight. Felix followed suit and the two tracked one another warily as the fight continued around them.

After weathering a storm of attacks and scoring none too few of its own, the tentacles and eyestalks once again retracted. We felt a surge of exhaustive magic sweep over us, stinking fog erupted from the sphere. Fortunately none succumbed to the deadening influence but as we watched with growing fear the wounds of the abomination closed before our eyes. Again Felix followed where the other gnome lead as both vanished from sight in quick succession.

Renewed and obviously intent upon myself the Deepspawn attempted to knock Snagga from its path, yanked Mervin up by his hind legs with another tentacle and tore several mouthfuls of flesh from my arms and legs leaving me barely able to stand. We too renewed out efforts. I placed four arrows deep into its body as Snagga hew a tentacle clear off with a mighty blow from his axe.

Tivian returned to us victorious over the Grell and in his rush to join the combat was struck from the air as the Deepspawn used Mervin to strike him like an angry hairy club. As another wave of debilitating nausea washed over us several of us fell stricken with the sickness, unable to act beyond retching uncontrollably. Mervin twisted out of the tentacle's grasp as he shifted back into his human form and rushed to bolster Snagga with his restorative magics. Malthus did the same for Tivian who boldly re-entered the fray, stealing its attention briefly before burying his sword to its hilt, deep into the beast.

Malthus attended to Felix and Snagga's wounds but as Mervin approached me the gnome reappeared behind him mid-cast and buried a dagger deep into his side. Malthus roared up striking a mighty overhead blow with his flail and caved the wretch's head. He reassured Mervin he'd worn stronger pants than that as he tended to his wound.

After resting briefly and taking stock of the situation we resolved to pick through the detritus for items of value. Felix produced a ring of major protection which I have taken for myself, the magics proving stronger than my full suit of armour and freeing me from its constraints. Other items of note were a flask holding two doses of protection from magics, an enchanted mirror of charisma and two backpacks overflowing with the many coins we had found.

We retreated to our resting cave and discussed what to do with our growing horde of treasure. We could simply stash it here somewhere safe by carving a cache out of the living rock. But we decided it might be better put to work by purchasing any assistance the Svirfneblin might be able to offer. After a rest and a hearty meal of the last of our cheese and dried meats we journeyed back to the Svirfholm, pausing to speak with the Quaggoths.

Most of their group seemed to be 'away making preparations'. I am becoming increasingly concerned that they may strike at our Svirfneblinfriends. Allies are in short supply in the depths here and the thought of the only two hospitable groups we know of going to war with one another leaves me feeling worse still. We spoke with them about the now cleared Grell caves and offered to guide them back there upon our return, perhaps a conflict can be avoided?

Unfortunately the Svirfneblin were quite mystified as to what they'd do with eighty thousand gold pieces and explained that they have no use for such shiny metals in their economy. They had no magical items or services they could offer for our small collection of gems and jewellery either.

As we took their hospitality a plan began to form; could we return to the service and yet delay our quest by no more than a score of days? Mervin would fly to Tauster carrying the gold held in the cottage while we travelled on foot. We would contract him to attract the roaming salesmen of potions and magical items we had previously encountered in Thurmaster and have him reach out to his arcane contacts to procure us a fabled bag of holding.

Dethroning The Grell Patriarch

We elected to rest in a small cave near the entrance to the Grell's cave system, after establishing watches and laying some protective enchantments on the area we settled in for the night. During third watch Malthus and I heard movement in the passageway leading to our temporary lair.

Malthus roused our companions while I prepared to loose a brace of arrows into the dark. Three armed Grell proceeded a larger tentacled brain which released a wave of exhaustive magic upon us. The party largely shrugged off the arcane power and quickly closed on the advancing Grells.

The next few seconds were decisive, all of us bar Malthus, the Midget and Tivian were stricken with paralysis and two of the Grells lay slain. Tivian closed on the remaining Grell before it could flee, shutting it down from casting more of its fell magics and between them the beast was soon felled.

After resuming our rest and breaking our fast with some more dried rations and some of Malthus' bitter tea we resumed our explorations. An opening from the Grell nest proved to be both empty and a dead end. Venturing ahead of the party down the remaining passage way I came upon a vast cavern hundreds of feet across and faintly lit with phosphorescent fungi. As my eyes adjusted I noticed two exits, one smaller path to the south and a large opening to the north. What captured my attention however was the floor; a fortune in jewellery, coins and gems were heaped around a central pillar. My eyes were drawn up this fifty foot throne to the top where a vast Grell sprawled across the summit, its tentacles flowing into the piles of treasure below.

After beating a hasty retreat a plan of attack was hastily decided upon, similar to that which was used to great effect in the nest. We rushed into the chamber and launched a volley of missiles, but the Stoneshapes charged by the Cultist and Druid fizzled at the foot of the pillar. Tivian took to the air with borrowed wings of flight and rushed to close upon the behemoth. As thick black tentacles sprouted from the floor around us Mervin and Snagga set about, freeing those caught in their slimy embrace. The Midget and I continued to pound the mighty brain with waves of Ice Storms and volleys of arrows as Malthus blessed us with Kossuth's favour.

Met with several waves of arcane missiles, Mervin drew forth a horde of insects from the local area to engulf the beast and prevent it from casting further spells. Tivian flew back and forth above it cleaving great lumps from its unprotected flesh. Suddenly another large Grell appeared from the Northern entrance sending a volley of magical energy into the party and the Midget quickly sealed it away from combat by erecting a mighty Wall of Ice across its path.

With a final charge and a roar to Helm Tivian dove down at the creature, leading with his sword held in front of him and passed entirely from sight into the folds of its brain. A hush fell across the party as we stalled in our attacks before Tivian came bursting forth from the other side of it surrounded in a corona of holy light and grey flesh fell about him as if rain. The once black bat wings leant from Mervin had been transformed into angelic, pristine white feathered wings.

We dressed our wounds and set about the chamber seeking items of import. Sadly a few potions had been shattered by the pounding arcane storms of ice but we found a finely crafted shield bearing a crest of a boat and spider, an intact vial of potion and an ornate scroll case containing powerful divine spells.

Descent Into the Grell Caves

We continued exploring the Grell caves, their stink lay heavy on the air and the jagged shards of obsidian chipped away at our feet, death by a thousand cuts.

Slipping through the dark ahead of the party I found an opening to large cave, time had worn a cruel reminder into the floor. A tiered depression wore its way down to a central hole, but for the lack of pointed tip the geology mocked my mutilations at the hands of my captors. Cruel fate piled on and put the boot in, after having surveyed the area I turned to return and an unheard assailant dropped from the inky blackness above. Wracked with shocking pain as lightning played across my skin, bare moments before I lost all sensation prickling tentacles swept across my head and shoulders rendering me immobile and helpless as the day Marly first tied me across her bench. Unable to even cry out in frustration I looked on as my companions rushed to my aid, swiftly dispatching the fell creature.

Regaining my faculties I extracted myself from the embrace of Tivian and offered a scowl in retort to Malthus' playful mockery as he saw to my wounds. A careful search of the area revealed nothing of value aside from the Grell's strange lance, we turned to resume our search deeper into the darkness.

We declined the option to explore a vast underground lake, our fight with the abherrant Otuyah fresh in mind and stumbled upon the Grell's Lair. A great pillar of stone 30" wide rose into the darkness in the centre of a 100" diameter room. 8 Grell bobbed in unseen air currents, 2 armed with their vicious looking spears, the others attending to what must have been 3 of their offspring, their smaller size made them no less disgusting to look upon.

After a somewhat protracted discussion of tactics I convinced the reluctant humans to continue our advance rather than retreat to rest first. Tivian must have been more shaken than expected by his bought of paralysis or surely he would have spoken loudly of Helm, justice and not suffering evil live in support of immediate action.

We loosed a volley of missiles from the darkness, scattering 3 of the Grell and their charges; the others drew together to face us as the midget let loose with the wand of frost. The 5 Grell attempted to scatter but it was too late, a deluge of fist sized hail stones begun falling from the ethereal clouds that drew together at his command making satisfying sounds as they impacted into the Grell's exposed greymeats.

One of the armed Grell fell to the floor oozing a thick grey ichor as the others closed on our front line  After another volley of missiles we quickly dispatched the others as they joined the fray. Prideful after this victory we committed our folly and split our party. Moving into the chamber in two groups so as to flush out the remaining Grell while blocking their escape Tivian, Snagga and Mervin took to the left and were beset upon by the two remaining adults who quickly closed into melee and paralysed all three. I and led the midget and the ancient one to the right where we were beset upon by the remaining adult and the 3 little ones. After releasing me from paralysis with a quick prayer I slew the adult and the midget rushed to the aid of the others, attracting the ire of the remaining Grell by sinking a crossbow bolt deep into one.

I left Malthus to crush the child brains and assisted the midget with the adults, we dispatched one while Malthus became locked in a pose of fury after smashing one into ruins upon the floor. They began feasting upon his defenceless form as the midget slew the remaining Grell and I buried an arrow deep in each the miniscule monster and poured a healing draft into the gaping hole in the cultist's head. Being practical men the midget and I decided against posing our companions and set about securing the area. Another pair of lances were added to our stash and an opening marked for further exploration.

We retreated to tend to our wounds, with a whispered prayer Malthus shattered a path through the shards for us. Perhaps venting the frustration of being defenceless against 3 children demonstrating the frailties of one so old and yet doomed to die so young. We drew up watches and settled into the cottage, I feel less wary trusting my safety to these mad fools the longer I come to know them and settle down in a fine bed to dream sweet dreams of broken glass and blood.