The end is nigh.
In the chamber of the first orb.
Two fleeing hoardlings make a hasty retreat. Krius and Rhin pursue. Weaponry is dropped, they run with abandon into darkness. Krius' human eyes can't penetrate the darkness; resolve pushes him onward into gloom, without sight he trips, falls in a clatter. Rhin's darkvision sees Krius fall; he leaps over the paladin intent to catch the foes before they escape.
Halflings join pursuit, magical eyes see into the dark hallway, see the paladin pulling himself up, see the short legs of the dwarf chasing down the enemy. Prophit’s pragmatic side takes over, he gathers lost equipment, including Krius' faithful lantern, he also takes the rune covered orb, places it in his satchel, then makes haste to catch up to his companions.
Kobolds struggle with the door, one falls, then green sickly light reenters the hall as Rhin catches up to them. Axe splits the head of the one but the second tuned to unnatural forces wades through the shield of force protecting the garden, bolts across to the south east corner of the chamber enters a door and is gone from sight.
Krius pursues, sprints around the force-field, Rhin follows. As Krius makes another turn towards the door the kobold fled through Rhin initiates a battle charge, veers away from Krius and appears to engage in melee with invisible foes.
Rhin struggles against unseen enemies, mutters the names of Fedor and Uhrgin. The others cluster around him, attempt to help. Melee continues. The warblade reels as if dealt a mighty blow. Eventually he rallies; axe swings through the air, then is still. He reaches towards the ground as if to lift something, then his senses return.
His companions question his odd behavior. Rhin describes battle with his corrupt uncles who had tracked him down. As debate over the strange events continue the sound of anger from the door to the east.
Draconic and common spoken simultaneously: “You dare run? You were to guard the orb with your life! Fool, may the power of Tsathzar Rho curse you forever” then shaking followed by a piteous kobold screech, then silence.
The paladin senses evil. Weapons are drawn, the door pushed open to a disgusting site. Walls made of the still pulsating organs of living creatures, the furniture -- three candelabra and an altar, made from the remains of still living kobolds, each in agonizing pain. Behind the altar, a detestable kobold form, face on each side of its head, prominent holy symbol held forth mocks the humans and dwarf, and says to Mannon “welcome brethren, may the power of Tsathazar Rho and Paraxis be with you.” both mouths speak.
Knowing pure evil, Krius initiates a battle charge towards the foul priestess. The rest of the group follows into action as well.
Rhin, Prophit, and Krius cross the temple floor; a curse from the kobold cleric freezes Rhin in his tracks, the living furniture impedes the progress of Prophit. Ranged attacks from the halflings pummel the grotesque deformities. Krius closes, then BOOM! A thunder crack leaves him shaken. Prophit destroys a kobold candle sconce, Mannon moves forward with agility; all join Krius in hand to hand with the profane priestess. Calling on holy smite Krius severs the hand of the priestess, fingers fly, its holy symbol too. Victory.
The room is examined; only guts and gore are found, then back into the garden vault.
Two doors remain unopened.
One is chosen, behind it an armory, quiet and cold. Cold to all but Prophit for him a blast of heat, the smell of molten metal. The group enters, begin to explore. The form of a kobold made of hot ash and coal climbs out the furnace in the corner. Fiery red eyes glare, it leaps towards Prophit. He backs into a corner near a trough of water used to quench iron, pulls his war hammer, swings, but the creature evades.
Rhin and Mannon seeing Prophit struggling against a visionary foe move in to assist, but only add to the confusion. Prophit reeling under the heat uses his shield as a makeshift scoops, throws water from the trough on the aberration. Sizzling, smoke, then nothing, even the intense heat vanishes.
Debate ensues about the nature of the visions also talk about what to do next; setup and camp, or press on. Concern over the remaining unexplored door trumps rest. Back to the garden to the last unopened door.
The door is opened. A long hallway filled with blood, a foot deep, not flowing into the garden vault, held by some unknown power. Krius secures lantern to his belt. Slowly the heroes enter. A hundred feet or so into the darkness the tunnel opens up to large chamber, in it a wall of blood defies gravity and slowly moves towards the group.
Undaunted, they move into the room. Krius' paladin sense detects evil on the other side of the blood wall. Throwing caution aside Mannon gulps air, closes eyes, plunges ahead into the wall of blood.
Jumping through the wave, gravity twists pulls him into the air, he lands, recovers but is soon surrounded by twisted green kobolds each with wicked double edged blades being lead by an enormous red draconic axe wielding brute, also a kobold, but larger than a man.
Much tumbling and evading and calls for help. Rhin, Prophit, leap the wall of blood, Krius shutters his lantern, attempts to jump through the wall, the reverse gravity effect lifts him then drops him flat on his back.
Rhin, Krius, Prophit and Mannon are plunged into darkness. Phophit’s blinded by darkness gropes in his pack for his last remaining sunrod, strikes it, creates light to fight by. As he does the hulking red kobold creates light of his own, a mighty blast of fire breath covers Rhin and Mannon in flames. Exhaustion, multiple wounds, and scalding heat take their toll, Mannon and Rhin slump into the blood near death.
Companions in dire straits, Alton pulls out the dark orb he's been saving for such grim times, breaks it, out billows a large shadow form. A deep voice, "What is your bidding master?" Alton commands the shadow to slay all that is evil. It then slides into melee, reaches through the armor of a green kobold, killing it almost instantly.
Friends down. Prophit runs forward, healing magic closes the wounds of Mannon and Rhin, restores them from the brink of death. Meanwhile Krius pulls himself up from the blood floor, draws sword, moves in on the raging red kobold, he delivers a mighty blow but the beast still stands. Rhin and Mannon close to assist.
Alton directs his summoned shadow elemental to continue its attack on the twisted green kobolds; it fells one after another, soon only the leader of the group lives. Mannon, Rhin, and Krius close, the great kobold warlord’s berserk fury isn't enough to save it. One last mighty blow from its great axe, then heroes move in. Rhin delivers a great blow from his dwarven blade as Sir Krius drops the beast with holy smite from his sword.
The battle over. Mannon eyes yet another large orb on a pedestal at the end of the chamber...
The characters present:
* Alton (Aaron), halfling shadowcaster
* Mannon (Dave), halfling swordsage/warlock/cleric
* Prophit (Jeff), human cleric
* Squire Krius (Matt), human paladin
* Rhin No-Clan (Jim), dwarf warblade
Rumors and clues gathered (this session):
* Lurza Mahk, kobold cleric defeted, shouted insults and muttered about the plans of Tsathzar Rho and his mighty worm companion Pyraxis.
In the chamber of the first orb.
Two fleeing hoardlings make a hasty retreat. Krius and Rhin pursue. Weaponry is dropped, they run with abandon into darkness. Krius' human eyes can't penetrate the darkness; resolve pushes him onward into gloom, without sight he trips, falls in a clatter. Rhin's darkvision sees Krius fall; he leaps over the paladin intent to catch the foes before they escape.
Halflings join pursuit, magical eyes see into the dark hallway, see the paladin pulling himself up, see the short legs of the dwarf chasing down the enemy. Prophit’s pragmatic side takes over, he gathers lost equipment, including Krius' faithful lantern, he also takes the rune covered orb, places it in his satchel, then makes haste to catch up to his companions.
Kobolds struggle with the door, one falls, then green sickly light reenters the hall as Rhin catches up to them. Axe splits the head of the one but the second tuned to unnatural forces wades through the shield of force protecting the garden, bolts across to the south east corner of the chamber enters a door and is gone from sight.
Krius pursues, sprints around the force-field, Rhin follows. As Krius makes another turn towards the door the kobold fled through Rhin initiates a battle charge, veers away from Krius and appears to engage in melee with invisible foes.
Rhin struggles against unseen enemies, mutters the names of Fedor and Uhrgin. The others cluster around him, attempt to help. Melee continues. The warblade reels as if dealt a mighty blow. Eventually he rallies; axe swings through the air, then is still. He reaches towards the ground as if to lift something, then his senses return.
His companions question his odd behavior. Rhin describes battle with his corrupt uncles who had tracked him down. As debate over the strange events continue the sound of anger from the door to the east.
Draconic and common spoken simultaneously: “You dare run? You were to guard the orb with your life! Fool, may the power of Tsathzar Rho curse you forever” then shaking followed by a piteous kobold screech, then silence.
The paladin senses evil. Weapons are drawn, the door pushed open to a disgusting site. Walls made of the still pulsating organs of living creatures, the furniture -- three candelabra and an altar, made from the remains of still living kobolds, each in agonizing pain. Behind the altar, a detestable kobold form, face on each side of its head, prominent holy symbol held forth mocks the humans and dwarf, and says to Mannon “welcome brethren, may the power of Tsathazar Rho and Paraxis be with you.” both mouths speak.
Knowing pure evil, Krius initiates a battle charge towards the foul priestess. The rest of the group follows into action as well.
Rhin, Prophit, and Krius cross the temple floor; a curse from the kobold cleric freezes Rhin in his tracks, the living furniture impedes the progress of Prophit. Ranged attacks from the halflings pummel the grotesque deformities. Krius closes, then BOOM! A thunder crack leaves him shaken. Prophit destroys a kobold candle sconce, Mannon moves forward with agility; all join Krius in hand to hand with the profane priestess. Calling on holy smite Krius severs the hand of the priestess, fingers fly, its holy symbol too. Victory.
The room is examined; only guts and gore are found, then back into the garden vault.
Two doors remain unopened.
One is chosen, behind it an armory, quiet and cold. Cold to all but Prophit for him a blast of heat, the smell of molten metal. The group enters, begin to explore. The form of a kobold made of hot ash and coal climbs out the furnace in the corner. Fiery red eyes glare, it leaps towards Prophit. He backs into a corner near a trough of water used to quench iron, pulls his war hammer, swings, but the creature evades.
Rhin and Mannon seeing Prophit struggling against a visionary foe move in to assist, but only add to the confusion. Prophit reeling under the heat uses his shield as a makeshift scoops, throws water from the trough on the aberration. Sizzling, smoke, then nothing, even the intense heat vanishes.
Debate ensues about the nature of the visions also talk about what to do next; setup and camp, or press on. Concern over the remaining unexplored door trumps rest. Back to the garden to the last unopened door.
The door is opened. A long hallway filled with blood, a foot deep, not flowing into the garden vault, held by some unknown power. Krius secures lantern to his belt. Slowly the heroes enter. A hundred feet or so into the darkness the tunnel opens up to large chamber, in it a wall of blood defies gravity and slowly moves towards the group.
Undaunted, they move into the room. Krius' paladin sense detects evil on the other side of the blood wall. Throwing caution aside Mannon gulps air, closes eyes, plunges ahead into the wall of blood.
Jumping through the wave, gravity twists pulls him into the air, he lands, recovers but is soon surrounded by twisted green kobolds each with wicked double edged blades being lead by an enormous red draconic axe wielding brute, also a kobold, but larger than a man.
Much tumbling and evading and calls for help. Rhin, Prophit, leap the wall of blood, Krius shutters his lantern, attempts to jump through the wall, the reverse gravity effect lifts him then drops him flat on his back.
Rhin, Krius, Prophit and Mannon are plunged into darkness. Phophit’s blinded by darkness gropes in his pack for his last remaining sunrod, strikes it, creates light to fight by. As he does the hulking red kobold creates light of his own, a mighty blast of fire breath covers Rhin and Mannon in flames. Exhaustion, multiple wounds, and scalding heat take their toll, Mannon and Rhin slump into the blood near death.
Companions in dire straits, Alton pulls out the dark orb he's been saving for such grim times, breaks it, out billows a large shadow form. A deep voice, "What is your bidding master?" Alton commands the shadow to slay all that is evil. It then slides into melee, reaches through the armor of a green kobold, killing it almost instantly.
Friends down. Prophit runs forward, healing magic closes the wounds of Mannon and Rhin, restores them from the brink of death. Meanwhile Krius pulls himself up from the blood floor, draws sword, moves in on the raging red kobold, he delivers a mighty blow but the beast still stands. Rhin and Mannon close to assist.
Alton directs his summoned shadow elemental to continue its attack on the twisted green kobolds; it fells one after another, soon only the leader of the group lives. Mannon, Rhin, and Krius close, the great kobold warlord’s berserk fury isn't enough to save it. One last mighty blow from its great axe, then heroes move in. Rhin delivers a great blow from his dwarven blade as Sir Krius drops the beast with holy smite from his sword.
The battle over. Mannon eyes yet another large orb on a pedestal at the end of the chamber...
The characters present:
* Alton (Aaron), halfling shadowcaster
* Mannon (Dave), halfling swordsage/warlock/cleric
* Prophit (Jeff), human cleric
* Squire Krius (Matt), human paladin
* Rhin No-Clan (Jim), dwarf warblade
Rumors and clues gathered (this session):
* Lurza Mahk, kobold cleric defeted, shouted insults and muttered about the plans of Tsathzar Rho and his mighty worm companion Pyraxis.
* Lurza also muttered about the return of the mad gods.
* Rhin and Prophit both had a turn of having visions and were attacked by them.
Treasure found (this session):
* 6 Divine scrolls (3 ID'ed by Alton, carried by Prophit)
* 2 large holy symbols (three fingered claw)
* 150 platinum pieces
* 6 black candles
* 5 gold claw pendents (carried by Mannon)
* 3rd mysterious book (carried by Mannon)
Foes/traps/tricks overcome (this session):
* 2 visionary dwarf warblades of the mountain king (Rhin)
* Lurza Mahk, kobold cleric of Paraxis
* Lurza's living furniture
* 1 visionary ember kobold (Prophit)
* 4 green spawn kobolds
* 1 large redspawn kobold
Experience gained (this session):
780 each player
* Rhin and Prophit both had a turn of having visions and were attacked by them.
Treasure found (this session):
* 6 Divine scrolls (3 ID'ed by Alton, carried by Prophit)
* 2 large holy symbols (three fingered claw)
* 150 platinum pieces
* 6 black candles
* 5 gold claw pendents (carried by Mannon)
* 3rd mysterious book (carried by Mannon)
Foes/traps/tricks overcome (this session):
* 2 visionary dwarf warblades of the mountain king (Rhin)
* Lurza Mahk, kobold cleric of Paraxis
* Lurza's living furniture
* 1 visionary ember kobold (Prophit)
* 4 green spawn kobolds
* 1 large redspawn kobold
Experience gained (this session):
780 each player
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