Session 28: Influence of the Demon Skull

As the band of heroes made rapid haste away from the oozing pit of sentient slime the entire cavern gave a series of shudders culminating in a rock grinding groan that left no doubt the entire tomb complex was in its last moments of existence.

Not wanting to be buried alive the group moved down the long corridor back towards the throne chamber. As they neared the end of the hall another tremor caused dust and debris to rain from the ceiling, it also caused the frame of the stone door to shift sealing them in the tunnel. Mannon, short but stout assisted the powerful Dragonborn warrior in shoving open the stone doorway. With concentrated effort the door gave a groan and everyone rushed through it into the throne room.

Water was rushing into the large chamber and a massive fault line zigzagged across the ceiling. Elarios' elven perception noticed a large slab of stone about to fall and directed the group to skirt the outsides of the large room. As they dodged across the chamber rocks battered shoulders and skulls, but soon they were across and back into the narrow caves leading back to the ancient tomb.

Krius took charge of the group, his memory and wisdom served him well telling him every turn and passageway to lead the heroes in the most direct route out of the dark tomb. Running at full speed to escape before being crushed heavy armor, weapons, loot, and the demonic skull ate at their stamina, but soon the murky light of the foggy swamp illuminated the final passage out.

Boulders, rocks, dust; the entire cavern was in its last throws. Kobarr, Elarios, Krius, and Alton all emerged as half of the exit collapsed. Just as a large boulder slammed down sealing off the passageway Mannon leapt forward escaping as well. The murky and corrupted swamp presented a welcome change.

Before eyes could adjust to an environment much brighter than the darkness of the lizardmen's cavern lair the sound of barely contained snarling was heard. As the dust settled and eyes adjusted to daylight, the sight of a band of vicious blood thirsty orcs presented itself.

The demon skull began to exert its influence over Mannon once again, compelling him to join with the orcs and to give the skull to their leader. He resisted the urge to turn the skull over and silently suffered another mental attack as punishment for defying the will of the demon.

As Mannon struggled against the will of the skull the leader of the Orcs, Patriarch Zhod, stepped forward. Flanked by two mechanical guard dogs, he raised his hand for silence and with great menace in his voice spoke on behalf of the witch queen and demanded that the skull be turned over at once and that if it was no blood need be shed this day.

Krius decided that the idea of turning over a demonic skull to a band of blood thirsty orcs who in turn intended to hand the skull over to an evil witch queen was against everything he stood for (and perhaps against the wishes of his fellows). Naturally he shouted down the request by Zhod.

The orc Patriarch was not impressed with Krius' bravado, nor did he expected a peaceful outcome. Speaking in orcish he commanded one of his lackeys to bring forth a blood soaked bag. He opened it and pulled out a severed head which he tossed at the feet of Krius. It was the head of Rhin, their old dwarven warrior companion.

Zhod explained what a struggle the dwarf had put up and how he had slain three of Zhod's best warriors before going down. Zhod spoke in orcish again and gestured to his orcs to surround the group.

Krius sized up the orcs to his right and left, he knew a deadly fight was eminent, he could not contain his anger any longer and charged into the toughest looking group of orcs determined to get revenge. The orc warriors lived to fight and a grand melee broke out. Caught up in the confusion Kobarr, who had no concern for any conflict between Krius and these orcs, in fact he even considered knocking the paladin senseless, found himself surrounded by blood thirsty orcs.

Mannon and Elarios knew the drill all to well. Elarios stepped back, notching arrows, as Mannon stepped forward to assist in the melee where he could-- his new found martial strength lending inspiration to his allies.

Alton, in his/her yet unexplained Drow guise was not him/herself. Something odd, almost evil, had overcome Alton's conscience, pushed it into the background. The Morrainna persona began to exert itself; she muttered strange curses and prayers to Lolth and her shadowy powers. She pricked Mannon in the back with a small dagger, drawing a small portion of his life essence to power her new dark magic. Mannon caught up in the battle with the orcs only felt a small sting, but didn't attribute it to his own ally.

Krius and Kobarr worked well as team fighting the orcs. Kobarr, with ancient draconic power coursing through him, let out a blast of lightening, enveloping many foes, while Krius issued divine challenges and made use of his magical shield to protect him. Together with Morrainna’s dark magic they soon defeated the orc tribe and its leader Zhod, but not without taking many deep and bloody wounds.

As Krius and Kobarr caught their wind Mannon ran off into the thick fog of the swamp muttering something about the skull and how he wanted it all for himself.

Morrainna wanted her bag of holding back (and probably the skull too) so she urged Elarios to help her track the infernal little halfling into the swamp. Krius shrugged and went along after the halfling as well while Kobarr who was unimpressed with the antics of these humanoids inspected one of the mechanical dogs that was acting as guardian to the orc leader.

Mannon's stout halfling feet couldn't keep him ahead of elves and humans and he was soon cornered. Krius and Elarios surrounded him and Morrainna pulled the bag of holding off his shoulder.

As soon as the skull was in her possession it began to exert its will on her, promising her power greater than she could imagine. She was tempted by the offer but only for a moment. She knew if she were to abandon her dark drow magic that Lolth would never forgive her. The demon was enraged and lashed out with psychic energy at the drow. Morrainna made haste back to the sight of battle. The orcs had a flat boat with a large metal box inscribed with runes and her arcane knowledge told her that the skull would be neutralized once placed in the box.

The skull let out one last blast of energy and filled Morrainna's mind with the darkest and most foul curses of the Abyss but was then silenced as she pushed the skull into the rune covered box and slammed down the metal lid down on top of it...

The characters present:
* Morrainna (Aaron), drow dark pact warlock
* Mannon (Absent, ran by Jeff), shire halfling warlord
* Squire Krius (Matt), human paladin
* Kobarr (Witt), dragonborn fighter
* Elarios Amanodel (NPC), elf ranger

Rumors and clues gathered (this session):
* None this session

Treasure found (this session):
* 90 gp
* Mechanical war dog

Foes/traps/tricks overcome (this session):
* Escaping the collapsing cave challenge
* Attempt at negotiation with Patriarch Zhod
* 3 Orc Mace bashers
* 3 Orc Axe cutters
* 4 Orc grunts
* 2 Mechanical dogs
* 1 Orc patriarch
* Subduing the demonic skull

Experience gained (this session):
500 each player