Traveling along at a slow but steady pace, the Dark Hands are slowed greatly by the wagon and its holy load. Upon the road the heroes encounter many farmers, traders, and patrols. However, a young red dragon feasted upon one of the group’s horses, a pair of rocs ate two more, and a cloud giant ambushed the party and almost killed Kaelmourn and Slith, but luckily the giant grew tired of his sport and stalked away laughing.

The Dark Hands did defeat a Gnoll warband and a flock of deadly giant vultures. Also, they beat back and killed three hungry bears. Ifuria’s firebombs were especially useful against the troll that burned at the hands of the Dark Hands.

– The Dark Hands join the Duke of Tilar Brindel’s traveling convoy along their journey to Fair Haven. -

Attacked by fire drakes’s Wind Dancer dies in flames defending the Duke’s convoy.

The heroes meet many merchants and patrols along the road to Fair Haven. Even meeting patrols from as far away as Bard’s Gate.

In a frightful encounter a wyvern decended upon the heroes. Only through Kaelmourn’s magical blinding of the beast, Orgoth’s arrows, Hasan’s chop, and deadly assaults of the other heroes was this mighty beast felled before he mauled Hasan to death.

We could not stand. A drow arcanist of incredible might set among us. He came with a matriarch of his race and some of their drow slave races. We would have crushed their ‘eads but we could not stand against the magic. It swept into our ranks causing so many of us to fall heavy with sleep or sending crashing waves of rainbow light into our ranks and stealing the wits of all orcs it touched. Inter-spearsed with the quick attacks of the rat folk and grey dwarves we just could not stand. The matriarch drow healing any damage we could inflict on this band of cut throats who called themselves the Twilight Lords.

We the Bloody Fangs, had gutted the village of Westmere, slain the Wyvern of Ladden’s Reach, and defeated the Worgs of the Undermire, but we fell to these drow and their slaves!

The days rolled by and Gorsk was getting better, the cleric we have with us is very skilled. If it had not been for effective care he would have died.
We moved on and descended back into the deep we searched the catacombs and came upon some equipment the Ghast had acquired, a potion some armor and a very well made sword the potion was given to Mr grey, the sword to Kael and the armor went to Gorsk, I hope this helps his ability in defending himself.
As we continued on we found a strange hall lined with mirrors, the end of the hall had a door the double doors were opened by mister grey, inside were 4 heads facing the door we came in, after a thorough search Mr Grey determined they should be turned in to face a diamond in the floor. Gorsk and I moved them, as the last face was turned to the diamond it began to glow. Mr. Grey decided to enter the glow and as he did the glow disappeared and Mr Grey seemed to feel more invigorated. We left and found a hall way with door on the left and right spaced about every 20 feet down the hall. The rooms seemed to be a work space in the past; we found in the room some odd tools we could not figure the use for. As Mr. Grey entered the third room, a scorpion attacked him grabbing securing him with his claws Gorsk stepped up and crushed the creature in a single blow. The cleric healed Mr. Grey and we continued on later I learned he had nearly died then, I didn’t realize how powerful our cleric was. The hall ended in a door Mr Grey found no traps, and opened the door. Inside the door we found a room with several Goblins.
Mr. Greys’ incredible speed with a dagger ended any chance of negotiating with them as Freddy (that’s what the Goblins called him) fell to the ground dead. They froze with fear and Mr grey threw another dagger, his sister Ifera ran into the room with a vile of some flammable material throwing flames about the room. I joined the fight and never landed a blow, Gorsk and Mr. grey killed all of them. We found armor, weapons and arrows, fit only for the sfirnoblen. As Mr Grey searched the area we found a bag with copper, holy water and a few silver. I am not sure why they didn’t give the cleric the holy water but that went to the alchemists.
Mr Grey found a secret door, we moved down the hall and found a stairwell that led up the hall ended in a blank wall. Opening we found a small stream that pooled into a pool 10 to 20 feet around the area was filled with mist Mr. grey was struck by a creature from the mist. He shut the door quickly and left , I guess the ghost in the mist had scared him, luckily it had not greyed him.
We moved on thru another hall and found two secret doors. We took the one to the left and began to hear rantings from down the hall perhaps we have found Fenton. His rant was about Freya the Drow put him to sleep, we removed his gear, after he awoke the drow tried to convince him for atonement to be a servant for 10 years. A human named Vladoff he was a paladin of Freya. His please fell on Def ears for the drow. The Cleric did convince the fellow to follow her for ten years and he would be atoned. I will have to watch these fellows.
We decided to rest for the evening. In the room we found Vladoff in. But later we decided just to go on the secret door that Mr Grey found a secret door that had an animate dead spell, were we found several zombies the Drows slave Orgoth and Gorsk killed the creatures. We found that the statues (totems) were magicked and destroyed them this would keep the dead from being re-animated. We decided to go back to the room and rest for the evening.
Continuing in the morning we moved back thrue the rooms and found a secret door we had marked once inside we found a room filled wth statues of kings and queens. There were several generations represented. We decided to break through one of the doors. Inside we found a chair had been jammed under the door blocking it. Once inside we found the room litered with broken items, it looks as if some goblins and Hobgoblins had fought in the room.
An Ominous site, Mr Grey moved forward and was struck down in a single blow Orgoth ran to the rear and Gorsk ran to help. I could not reach the battle in a single move, it saved my life. Gorsk was struck by a creature which brought him down in a single move, we ran I later found out that it was a undead creature called a wight? As I turned to run I saw Mr Grey stand for a split second I was about to help until the red of his eyes beat down on me with a hatred that pierced the soul, there was nothing I could do. Perhaps another day I would come back to put him to rest, him and Orgoth.
We returned to rest for the evening, the Rat king allowed 2 of his warrior with us. The next morning we moved back to the statue room spiked the door leading to the wight, and chose another door to go thru the two rat folk that joined us searched the room, some sort of crypt the drow guessed. Suddenly the walls broke away and skeletons attacked. The Cleric stepped forward and filled the room with the power of a cleric we found the room to be a dead end. We went back to the statue room and went thru the last door, we came to an intersection to the left the hall caved in to the right it split in a y, forward the choice we took was partially caved in. Moving around it we found a room with several goblins digging. Orgoth moved to speak to them which resulted in a fight , I am not sure what he said but they seemed pretty pissed off at him. One ,a female, seemed to be the leader she had magic ability and took the streangth from orgoth. The fight was short because the drow put them to sleep. We did finish them off in short order. We went to the iron bound doors and one of our new companions Trapper was nearly kill from the lightning that came from it when he tried to open it. We went back to the intersection and turned left and followed the hallway, as it closed in to a 5 foot hall we traveled down until we came to an open room. As we all entered the room, Flim and flam began searching and we were attacked with arrows.

We were attacked by orcs who came out of secret doors out and attacked the “drow” nearly killing him the two rat folk killed one of the orcs and the paladin that has pledged assistance to Obsian killed the other. The pounding on the door has continued through most of the evening in the morning we deciding to go thru we were greated by 4 orcs they really didn’t stand a chance. They were cut down by sleep from the drow. And dispatched by Flim and Flam. They spent the day searching the room, I am quit surprised it takes so long to search the room, but it must be that way since Mr Grey also took this amount of time, while waiting we were attacked by 3 ghouls. Flim was paralyzed by the beast Orgoth killed one as it moved in to attack him and I and Flam finished the two we had.

As we moved further on we ran into a group of Drow, Kael sat and talked with them it seemed to not be going well. We decided not to confront them, I guess at a later date we may need pass here again. I will be sure to be ready.

As we the Dwellers Of The Dark (DOTD) began traveling on the road heading north we heard a small child crying in the woods. The group after a long debate decided to take the child back to the tavern and let the trap maker try and talk the inn keeper into keeping it. Obsidian the cleric and the new “drow” were adamant on not paying. To our amazement they took the child in.

We found that if we would have comforted it (the child) it probably would have kept quiet. The cleric has decided she will keep them quiet; there must be many of them since everyone in the outer realms, seem to know what to do with them. The Innkeeper offered us a place to stay whenever we passed this way and gave us room and board for the day. He gave us the best room in the place, the child must have been very important. I did not tell the rest of the group, I feared the “drow” may cause trouble with the inn if he knew.
Late that evening, we left the inn and made the trek back to where we had found the boy. About half way there we found an orc that had been attacked and dumped alongside the road we buried Gorsk’s kin and the cleric Obsidian said a prayer over him with an added emphasis that if had been the one to leave the child homeless she prayed he rot in hell, continuing on we found the point where the child had left the woods.

Traveling thru the woods the Trap Maker started checking for traps but was extremely slow so the “drow” and Gorsk pushed on. The trap maker told the group we would regret that at a future date, it would be me that found that true. We found a trail and followed it until we found a pond and were attacked. Several small creatures threw darts at us, they seemed to rain from the sky as we rolled and dodged catching us by surprise. They turned out to be a flying humanoid. Perhaps they come from the walled town the boy had mentioned? After the attack we followed the trail along the creek and found our way back to the road.
There we saw the remains of what we believed to be the creature’s mother and a wagon. Searching we found the spoiled body of a woman, the cleric had us bury her and said a prayer over her. I am not sure why.

We moved into the dungeon and found the Trap maker is rather paranoid. The steps from the gate leading up to the first room took more then ½ a day to check for traps. I moved ahead and waited at the top until the group finally met me at the top I had spotted a ghoul hiding in the room the barbarian Gorsk rushed to the attack. the ghoul hit him and he could not move. I had warned them, I am not sure why the others in the party have such problems with the creatures. The slave of Orgoth thru an odd sort of spear and killed the ghoul, not giving me the chance to even get into the room. The trap master had wasted most of the day with the steps, and secret door searching, we decided to go out and rest for the evening.

The next day we moved further into the cave, the smell of the stone was familiar to me and I felt at home it has been months since I felt the peace of the stone above me. We found a shrine of sorts, a statue of Orcus stood in a room, the ½ orc and Orgoth the slave of “the Drow” began beating the thing cracking it into pieces. We also found in the room a bedroll, the cleric and the trap maker found a lock box in the furs. As they began studying it an orc with two dogs came in and attacked the cleric, the mage and the trap maker. A single blow from the orc brought the mage down blood splattering everywhere. If not for the cleric I am sure it would have been her demise. In the future I will be sure to be between her and the enemy. The “Drow” moved behind me, I do not know if it was to finish me off or to protect himself. He cast a spell that downed the orc. I will have to keep a better eye on him. We prevailed over the group with one of the dogs running away. There was no reason to chase the creature, it just did its job.

Past the room we found a garbage pit, in the pit we found a small passage leading out it led to the northeast a passage, about 60 feet led on to an empty cave about 30 to 40 feet in diameter. Two paths led out one to the N and one to the SE we opted to take the northern route, and wouldn’t you know it I tripped a club trap of some sort that slammed into me. Perhaps we should have the trap master checking intersection and doorways in the futurehad him checking ahead. Just above the intersection was a chute that led up as far as we could see. We turned left and followed the hall until we came to a room with a sand pile in it? There was no exit from the room just the pile of sand the slave Ogoth of the “drow” began digging thru the sand. As he and Gorsk approached the pile several spiders erupted from it attacking the slave and Gorsk. Ogoth the slave ran as Gorsk attacked the spiders I engaged the ones beside him the mage and the cleric dispatched two of the creatures with range weapons the alchemist is very good with her aim. After the initial attacked we regained our composure and finished the creatures off we found nothing in the pile, but the trap maker hopes to check it as we next rest.

We left the room and found a trap, it was poorly set and fell to my left. The trap master disassembled and tried to move the trap but we were attacked by several kabolds, I found that even the svirnoble had a hatred of creatures even the trap maker could not resist the urge to attack them. The kabold would not stop their attack so the group moved in to attack with me in the lead. I rushed one knocking him to the ground, as I drew the kabolds attacks to myself the others moved forward to attack. As the battle dwindled down quickly I held the last kabold to the ground by the tail I turned to asked the Svirnoble what to do before I could get the words out of my mouth, the Trap maker viciously struck him in the head with his dagger over and over again, they should not have attacked us. We returned to the sand room to rest for the evening. At the chute I was attacked by a magical hand reaching out from the dark. The slave Ogoth saved me with his great axe.

Our rest was interrupted by 6 goblins who tried to sneak in and steal from us, they were captured by the trap Trap master had set, the “drow” and Ogoth interrogated them. For what seemed like hours. We did find out there was an ogre and a dragon in charge. We could not determine the kind of dragon it was. The goblins fear echoed thru the dungeon as we released them and they ran off. Sleep was not the best that evening. Tossing and turning we awoke the morning feeling a sense of dread from the knowledge of a dragon and an ogre that brought fear to all goblins.

We returned to the kabold room, as we left it we found another room that was lit, it had an exit from cave to the north, and a passage west that led to another chamber. The chamber had four kabolds kneeling before an alter before I could move, the Trap master rushed the room followed by thew slave Orgoth, and Gorsk dispatching with the creatures before they even had the chance to rise from their knees. I destroyed the statue they had been worshiping and as we were finishing we were attacked by a larger group I must have been cursed because I could not hit and strangely found myself curling up to sleep, even in the battle it must have been because of having no rest the evening before. I am not sure what happened afterwards, I awoke from my rest with all of the kabolds dead with their throats slit. I am sure trap master and his sister had something to do with it.

We trenched further thru the caves and came to a large lake with three islands. The slave Orgoth decided to swim out to an island, he climbed to the top and seemed to be searching around. Later would learn he had found a box with a key hole in it. He came back down and tried swimming to another island he was attacked by a creature in the water, I tried swimming out to him and nearly died myself. If it had not been for Gorsk pulling me back I would have been in the same boat as Orgoth. The cleric spent many of her spells getting me conscious. Once I was conscious I came up with an idea of shooting Orgoth with a barbed arrow and pulling him in we did manage to save him, we brought him back to the sand room. I am not sure I trust the “drow” he slept his comrade, I am not so sure if he felt him not worth the trouble and thought we would not try to save him if he looked dead.

We had visitors again this evening, Sturgis, and during my guard shift they attacked; four of them. I am wondering if perhaps Gorsk and myself have not been cursed from destroying the statuettes earlier. Perhaps I am correct; we came back to the statue of orc that we originally destroyed.

We continued on to the entrance and took the other route. We came to a room with a creature sitting on a throne. He sneered as we entered, an ogre perhaps the one the Goblins had mentioned earlier. The “drow” used his diabolical spell and the ogre fell unconscious, from nowhere, the gnome flashed by and ran to kill the ogre he did not have the strength to do the job, the battle was a blur from there he swung at the trap master and missed the trap master. The barbarian held the giant so the trap master could run as he finished his swing the giant caught him in the back of the head as Gorsk tried to run. I am sure the “drow” yelling at the ogre you can swing at him still encouraging him to hit Gorsk as he ran. The little trust he has gained so far was lost in a flash at that moment. If it were not for the luck of a Halfling crafted heavy crossbow that’s bolt found its way to the giant’s heart it would have ended badly. The giant had nothing a disappointment considering all of the ogres I have ever seen carried great sums of coins, perhaps he was young and that is why he was so easy to dispatch.

We moved to the east and crossed a great ravine on a narrow overpass and ran into a tribe of rat folk we tried using diplomacy to pass thru there area to find Fenton, they knew of him and we were surprised to find he was still alive and below these levels after a long wait he told us how to find him. He directed us back to the lake were we would meet him and he would lead us further down. Vespar was the leaders name, he wanted us to tell him the story of the ogres battle we took him back to the room and acted it out to their great glee we must have told them the story 10 to 20 times over. Finally we went back to the lake and waited for Vespar to return. We did make good friends with the tribe, I am sure it was because of the svirnoblin and their playful attitude.
Vespar led us to a crypt, the second sarcophagus from the left on the south side found our way down. He made sure to point out the direction of the dragon, who we found out was a black dragon, I decided to go down because Vespar would have kept us there for hours talking, and trying to convince us to take the dragon, down we went. The passage was a thin metal staircase that twisted making it difficult to see ahead I led as we descended deeper. As we reached the bottom there was a door that opened into a mausoleum. The smell of the dank area was rancid.

Opening the door we found ourselves in an underground graveyard with several mausoleums the quietness of the cemetery was deafening. As we started to move the trap master saw something move in the distance we moved down the hall, unfortunately we left the Obsidian cleric vulnerable as we moved forward, the ghast took great pleasure in his attack against her. Before we knew it she was on the ground quickly the group returned to her aide. The Slave Orgoth’s strange spears and a javelin from Gorsk saved her life. that won’t happen again I talked to Gorsk and told him I will stay with the cleric if we have to move like that again. She is our only healing, so she needs to be looked after.

We returned to the sand room, and rested a day. I believe we may have to go to the city because Gorsk is ill does not seem to be getting any better. i am not sure the cleric will make it either if we don’t go back for a cleric.

Mr Grey/Jeramy – Kaelmourn/Chris(Orgoth/Max) – Gorsk/Sam – Drumer Dink (DD)/Brad – Obisdian Shard/Carlene – Eyfura/Angela
rogue arcanist barbarian barbarian ranger cleric alchemist
svirneblin drow hob-goblin 1/2 orc duergar drow svirneblin

01-09-2016
Jeramy & Angela – siblings whose svirneblin sect revered an unpopular god & sect got wiped out
Carlene – revered a god (not lolth) had to leave drow society
brad – family got killed so he left
sam – left family who followed orcus, joined mercenary band, sent to find info about rappan attuk ran into him in underdark
Chris & Max – took wrong turn stumbled into overrealm
Find lost child who said him & mom got attacked & mom said to go and hide. We find his tracks, but didn’t follow. We decide to take him to Penprie’s Inn. We learn we are lacking in skills to deal with little humans and find out they need soothing when distressed, we are trying to learn the ways of the humans. We just didn’t know a little human needed such coddling this isn’t the general way from our homeland. Young ones need to learn quickly to take care of themselves. The innkeep says thank you for bringing him here we will make sure he makes it to Endhome. You can always stay here. We get a room and sleep.

We leave and continue on our journey. We fight some flying monkey things. We find a doors on a cave with orc writing saying tread not or be crushed. The doors open to a staircase leading up and are difficult terrain due to detritus. Mr. Grey checks for traps very carefully (taking 20) DD ends up waiting for 3 stairs then goes to top. On his way up some rats (dire) attack him.

stairs lead to ceiling higher than mosta mosaic on the floor resembles a rug of stone to N & E 4 natural On N 3 platforms & SE 1 platform 3’ wide w/ walls. There is a tunnel leading N, E, and one to the SE which has no mosaic provide anyone crouched behind it. DD says they are like the things which made us unable to move (ghouls). We take the N passage The mosaic pattern continues to a wide stone 6’ statue of orcus in the NW corner there is a bed chamber area w/ pile of furs & straw w/ tunnels going N & NE. Obsidian found a locked steel strongbox. We are attacked by an orc with 2 dogs. I end up going unconscious, Obs took a javelin to the back, and Grey took a bite from one of the dogs.

on orc strongbox
ivory brooch 50 gp goes to group
thieves tools Mr. Grey
javelins (m) 3

tunnel comes up to a ledge going down 20’ w/ loose rocks and animal bones at the bottom. Find secret door which we go through. We come to a place with 2 tunnels w/ a chute above central area. We take the left tunnel which leads to a rm with a 3’ high pile of sand on the S side which goes about 20-30’ of sand to the S. As soon as the sand is disturbed spiders come out and attack. WE narrowly miss a trap which Grey wants to relocate. 4 kobolds attack from a room which is a training room with 4 dummies. From there is a corridor to the S and another exit straight ahead. They don’t really have anything of value on them. We go back to the sand room to rest.

3 pieces of amber ea 100 gp in the sand

During 2 shift 6 goblins try to attack and were questioned. They said there was an Ogre and a dragon living in the complex. As they run away, they yell drow, hobgoblin, scary things which Orgoth tells us. In the Grey packs up the net with DD carrying it. We go to the Kobold room there were 2 ways in/out one way is on the side of the dummies, the other way has another area where a net falls on DD. There is a room where it is light and has a small cave entrance to the outside and exit into another room SE. To another rm where there is 3 kobolds kneeling before an altar. Grey charges in and attacks one Orgoth attacks one splattering it. Gorsk takes out the 3 one. A statue of a crazed looking kobold (jesspagel) goddess of trap making and thieves. there flat stones scattered through rm such as would be used for benches. While DD and Grey defile the statue we hear noise from the W corridor. We are rushed by a whole bunch of kobolds. This fight lasted less than 10 rounds, but we were nearly wiped out. Without the bomb damage, heals, and damage from Orgoth the party would have been down. Kaelmourn was down from color spray, DD got slept.

scroll (mage armor)
lt xbow 20 bolts (sm)
mw short spear (sm) Eyefura
2 keys Grey
silver ring 15 gp
map

We take the W corridor. This kobold cave is cleaner w/ a straw mattress and clutter free. There is a lock box with no traps and rm to W with corridors SSE & N. To the N is the room with the dummies with one cut in 1/2 with stuffing on the floor. SSE leads to corridor to the left it opens up to water 90-100’ out to the right it goes 20’ there is another corridor.

450 sp
military dog saddle
disguise kit Grey
mw short sword w/ pearl(50gp) in pommel Grey

from where it opens up 60’ corridor on the N side there is 3 islands in the lake. The first island is 40-50’ out. it its difficult terrain due to uneven surfaces and being slippery. Orgoth yells back loudly what he should do now. He finds a 3" square iron box. He tries to open it, it is empty w/ a keyhole in the base apparently only Orgoth knows about the box. then climbs down and goes in the water to go to island 2. He has some problems in the water, then floats face down in the water. DD (w/o armor) & Gorsk go after him. DD gets nailed by acid and end up fighting something in the armor. He ends up floating face down too. Gorsk gets out DD. We end up hatching a plan to use a barbed bolt and save Orgoth. He learned not to go in the water. We go to the sand room and rest, we heal up, go back to the water room levitate Grey up in a harness from rope, he clambers across the ceiling, levitates down. Neither fits. There is a ledge in the water room with another ledge to the N just N of the island, ledge to the S. The E end there is 3 exits SE, N of that 40’, N of that 20’ 30-40’ a way around the lake, an area for the water to go out. We go up the ledge where we enter. The corridor goes down 90’ to the room where we entered with the mosaic stone rug and ruined statue of orcus. We go E go 70’ and the mosaic goes into a circle to a throne where a creature sits. Kaelmourn puts the ogre to sleep. Grey tried to coup de grace him, and failed but did 12 dmg. Gorsk tried to help and got hit hard trying to leave. He gets blinded then Obsidian came forward and did a burst, Drumer then got a critical shot off with a heavy xbow shot. This dropped the ogre, then Gorsk chopped his head off.
Throne badly chipped, the room has a lot of offal, a pile of straw. We came in from the W and there are 3 other ways out at the compass pts. We go N 100’ the E & W drop off to a crevasse (kinda like a bridge) after the 100’ it turns N/E ish then goes 30’ and turns then to an empty room with a corridor leading out.
The corridor goes to another room with 2 guards looking like ratfolk. Drumer tells them we dispatched the ogre and we want to talk to thier leader, we are looking for a human and he describes Fenton. One comes forward and asks what we want. The leader says we know of him and call him insane Fenton. DD says we cleared the way, can we go through your area to get to him. The only reason we are talking to you is we have checked your story and indeed the ogre is dead. For the great boon of killing the ogre and if you don’t harass us I will show you the way. WE may need to come back this way. We will give you passage. By harass I mean you will know our guards and please don’t harm them. Vespar is the leader’s name. The dragon isn’t very old and he is black, and hurls acid from his mouth.

S corridor 10-20’ there is 2 guards, but it will expand. We do have a dispensation with a way through. He takes us to the left and a low cave with sarcophagi whose lids have been pushed aside and are open. These used to be orcan, but they have been emptied. There is 1 on the S one 2nd from the left. Turns to the left toward another corridor SE is the way to the dragon. Thank you for all of your assistance.

739 XP

Lower Level
Come down a narrow metal spiral staircase from the ceiling. To a huge room w/ 5 mausoleum’s one way and 5 the other way. The SW side has a little entry way. A great room like 120’ or more with a ton of 10’ mausoleums. We hear something, but are unable to locate it. A ghoulish creature surprises and jumps on Obsidian with a critical bite and a claw.

100 xp

A new group of hero rise to face the evils of the world.

They all seem to come from the dark places in the earth. On their way to Endhome they come across a farmer taking his pears to Endhome to sell, who is under attack by bandits. They drive the bandits off and assist the farmer in getting to Endhome.

Mr Grey/Jeramy – Gorsk/Sam – Drumer Dink (DD)/Brad – Obisdian Shard/Carlene – Eyfura/Angela

11-07-2015 Barakus – Sundered Kingdoms
Met Farmer Smith who had a load of pears from his farm a couple of days outside of Endhome. He vouches for us at the gate and we go to the trade district area 2. The person who bought Farmer Smith’s pears pointed us toward Heaven’s Gate
Barnkey asks us what kind of adventure we are looking for. Mr. Grey says the kind to disable traps, I can make them as well. Barnkey hasn’t really heard of that kind of adventure but does tell us that lady over there needs assistance finding her husband. We go talk to her, find out her name is Penelope. Her husband is Fenton and has been missing for over a year, although a recent dream leads her to believe he is still alive. He went exploring caves N of Endhome. They are old caves where Orcs used to live a long time ago.

We also find out there is a bounty for the Head of Green Tree Bandits. The leader is wanted. We go see the head of the watch, Bragger, at the barracks. Grey asked which he took as an insult Bragger how he got his position. He then wanted to fight Grey. It didn’t go well and he ended up saying it would be better if he didn’t come back to the city.

On the way out Grey says something to the guard about bragger being grumpy and the guard says you need not come back especially if you haven’t learned any manners.

We leave Endhome. We find some ghouls, they pose abit of a problem, but we do dispatch them. During DD’s watch he talks to someone, who hurried off after the speech. We saw Farmer’s REst West of Endhome and run into Penprie’s Forrest Inn North of Endhome who we figure out has the same owner. Gorsk asks about the Dusk Moon Hills. The barkeep just tells Gorsk I’ve heard nothing since the green folk have been driven out. When we show him the wanted poster he says he has seen that guy before he eats here once in a while. He seems to ask us if we are hear as an advance scouting party or part of a raiding party. WE try to assure him not.

We face 3 dire rats and dispatch them pretty easily. We get 11-12ish miles away from the inn a half mile to the E we see a tower. The road splits off to the right is toward the tower to the left is toward the Dusk Moon Hills. We find a good place to camp. Grey makes some rat kabobs. Our sleep session is uneventful. We are tending to our start of day ministrations when we hear the howl of wolves. When asked what that is Gorsk says it’s delicious and it’s coming to us. Which they did and came quickly to their death.

Stefan/Jeramy – Zarakos/Sam – Dryth/Brad – Isnot/Carlene – Zinara/Angela

Stefan, Zarakos, Dryth, & Isnot go back to the temple to find Ben on the altar w/ his entrails & haeart on the hand of the orcus statue. Zinara lays unmoving on the platform with the 3 high priests.

Round 1
The battle opens with Zarakos sending a fireball in the midst of the acolytes. It wasn’t very effective, but it did do some dmg. Shadows mv up, the higher looking acolytes mv back. Isnot fires her bow & takes out an acolyte. Stefan casts True Strike. The next thing the good guys know it is super quiet. Zarakos & Stefan go blind. Stefan becomes filled with dread (shaken).
Round 2
Zarakos slowly backs up until he can hear. Dryth mvs back grabbing Zarakos, and casts anti corporeal. Shadows disappear. Isnot says, although nobody can hear it, the shadows went away. She uses her bow again to take out another acolyte the other arrow misses so bad it hits Zarakos’ scorpion familiar doing 13 pts of dmg. Stefan casts acid arrow. Some other casting happen & then the ogres go in to attk Isnot. Bob hits Isnot doing some dmg. Stefan & Zarakos get held.
Round 3
Zarakos makes the sv on his turn for a full rnd act. Dryth casts Holy Smite taking out quite a few acolytes. Isnot gets hit by 4 flails hovering in mid air. Isnot starts to go after the ogres taking 1 of them out. Stefan doesn’t take any action.
Round 4
Zarakos holds his init. Dryth mvs/pulling Zarakos as well, who doesn’t resist. 3 shadows come out of the ground & attk Isnot doing 4 pts of Str dmg. Dude from acid dmg is done w/ taking it. Stefan spends rnd releasing himself from being held. A black ray out of a hovering hand which misses Isnot. Ben gets up off of the altar and starts mving toward the group.
Round 5
Zarakos holds init. Dryth channels & hurts the shadows pretty good. The other shadows come up out of the ground. Stuff happens.
Round 6
Zarakos holds, Isnot falls back near Dryth. Dryth’s shield is negated. Shadows come in, other stuff happens.
Round 7
Zarakos holds. Dryth channels and takes out another 2 shadows. Ogre comes in. Shadows attk Trying to take Dryth out, thanks to being Assimar and an alternate racial trait he is able to resist, 5 pts per hit. (Bob’s ruling is he loses 7 pts of str instead of 19. 2 hits were over 5, two hits were under 5). Priests & Ben mv forward. Stefan does nothing. Big priests mv forward. Vroc flies toward party. Middle guys mv to door. Vroc comes in.
Round 8
Zarakos readies to cast haste when silence is gone. Dryth channels taking out all but 1 shadow. Shadow misses Dryth. High Acolytes mv forward w/ zombie. Isnot lays there. HIgh guys mv right behind high acolytes. Ogre tries to hit Dryth & misses.
Round 9
Zarakos readies to cast haste when silence is gone. Dryth channels taking out last shadow. Flails take onw last shot and dissappear after hitting Dryth 2 times for 9 pts of dmg. Isnot relizes the situation she is in does nothing. Stefan does nothing. Vroc mvs up behind medium acolytes & starts dancing. Ogre hits Dryth for 16 pts of dmg.
Round 10
Zarakos casts haste. Dryth casts holy smite. It does 18 dmg to the Vroc, and 16 dmg to the acolytes, takes out Zombie Ben. Isnot stays on floor. Stefan does nothing. Ogre misses Dryth. Stuff happens.
Round 11
Zarakos begins summoning 3 hell hounds. Dryth casts hly ice dagger. all the baddies mv up. Isnot tells Dryth she is really weak. Stefan does nothing. Electicity bursts out of the Vroc to EVERYONE w/in 100’ 13 pts to Dryth, 27 pts to Zarakos, Isnot takes enough dmg to be at 0 hp & is staggered, Stefan takes 27 dmg, the bad guys take dmg too, the 4 acolytes & ogre drop. A hand touches Dryth, but nothing happens.
Round 12
Zarakos says Orcus take pity on me great Orcus I have seen the light. Dryth channels excluding Zarakos & the ogre for 25 pts. Big baddie says come to me to Zarakos. High acolytes mv up behind ogre & are becconing to Zarakos. Isnot says take my potion of fly. Stefan finally acts & says I’m blind. main guy says bring all our new acolytes. Dryth has to make a will save & makes it.
Round 13
Zarakos mvs toward med acolytes. med acolytes surround Zarakos & mv him toward big priests 10’. Dryth takes fly potion & flies toward Zinara but ends mvment @ Vroc. Isnot lays there. Stefan ties to ready an action to hit something nearing him (he is blind). The Vroc produces a cloud which dmgs Dryth.
Round 14
Dryth gets to Zinara. Acolytes mv Zarakos near to Vroc. Isnot lays there. Stefan turns around & tries to make his way out. Stuff happens
Round 15
Dryth channels 23 pts to Zinara & takes wands. High priests come toward Dryth & Zinara right past bridge. Vroc starts mving back too & gets pretty close.
Round 16
Dryth uses lesser restoration wand restoring 2 str to Zinara. Main guys says to high priests wait here & mvs forward & channels
Round 17
Dryth channels for 19 & mvs toward Vroc. I use fervor to swift cast sanctuary & then stalwart resolve (both 1 rnd/lvl). Acolytes chant around Zarakos. Isnot takes potions. Vroc lands on Dryth & attks him.
Round 18
Dryth fails his concentration check. Zinara gets up & mvs toward Isnot trying to avoid baddies. Stuff happens. Priests have Zarakos on floor saying some stuff. Vroc tries to attk Dryth 5 times hitting twice then goes poof. Big baddie channels negative energy doing 7. Something goes on w/ Stefan. Isnot continues to mv out.
Round 19
Dryth tanglefoot bombed main baddie who fails Ref save being glued to floor for 5 rnds. Spend this round to get myself in position to run. high priests get caught in tanglefoot bag. Acolytes are chanting & Zarakos is following them. Isnot stays put. Nothing happens w/ Stefan.
Round 20
Dryth goes toward Isnot. I fall through trap & land prone 150’ down. priests are doing something @ cravasse. Isnot tries to mv. & taunts big baddie, who hits Isnot w/ morningstar for 9 pts to which her response is ooh baby tickle me some more. Who misses on his turn. Stefan misses Xoshak.
Round 21
Dryth uses flies in takes AoO 23 pts dmg then give 3 pts str to Isnot. Zinara casts light big stone to right to left stone wall, but can see glow from cravasse and gets up. Zarakos is still prostrating himself. big baddie misses Dryth. Stefan has stuff w/ Xoshak
Round 22
Dryth flies up away from Isnot. I try to stealthily mv around big stone I mv, but not w/ stealth. Isnot does nothing. big baddie turns on Isnot w/ critical (taking card) normal dmg & 2 Con. Stefan goes unconsious. Zarakos prostrates.
Round 23
Dryth shoots w/ lt xbow hits big baddie for 6 pts. Continue to mv around big stone light shines on creature a roper I take 3 pts str. Isnot shrugs off backpk & stands.
Round 24
Dryth gives 25 hp to Isnot. Zinara mv back 20’ cast magic circle vs. evil. Isnot does nothing. big baddie hits zinara 2x for dmg. Xoshak come flying into Dryth’s view, to which Dryth.
Round 25
Dryth shoots cleric again for 8 pts dmg. Zinara cast spiritual wpn which misses. Isnot draws dagger. Dryth takes enough dmg to die.
Round 26
Zinara casts 1 last spiritual wpn then succombs to str dmg upon which the roper eats me. Isnot kills herself.

After freeing the slaves that the Priests of Orcus used as their daily sacrifices, the party left Dryth and Isnot to guard and comfort the people they had freed. Most taken by Orc or Gnoll bandits and turned over to the Temple Priests.

The pushed into the main chamber of the Temple and were faced by a zombie horde. They fled to the tunnel into the underdark and waited a day for the zombies to either come to them, fall in the pit or leave the area. When they came back the zombies were gone. They checked on Dryth and Isnot and they had barricaded themselves in the cell that held the sacrifices. The prisoners had panicked and would not enter the cell and were torn to shreds by the horde.

Dryth and Isnot retreated into the Underdark, while the rest of the party continued into the main chamber of the temple. There they found several zombies, skeletons, a couple of ogres, and and several priests. After a huge battle the raiders moved into a corridor that took them to the living quarters of several priests. They had a small battle with a few priests who escaped their fate with obscuring mist.

The raiders fond a stairway up. It was a long stairwell that ended at a wall. After some examination the group decided that this is the other side of the door that the demon guards on the entrance level of the burial halls. They decided not to open the door and decided to move down to the inner Temple of Orcus.

The group made a plan and opened the door to the inner temple. Before opening the door they placed a silent image of the door closed on the inside of the temple. The group then had the ability to act before they enemies knew they were there.

Benjamin acted first and rushed past many priests to confront the High Priest near the alter. Xoshak was right behind him always at the forefront of the battle. Nyktan and Zenara defended the bridge from the bypassed priests while Sargoth crossed the bridge to support Benjamin and Xoshak.

There were three Priests on the dais around the alter. Benjamin attacked one and Xoshak flanked him. As the group began their assault upon the inner temple six shadows flew out of the crevasse the bridge spanned. They attacked the group relentlessly. Sargoth fell to the shadows in just a few rounds, Zenara fell to the weight of her armor and equipment, and two priests forced something down her throat and she lost consciousness. Benjamin was also captured.

Xoshak seeing the writing on the wall decided to flee the inner temple and with his ring of blink we passed through the wall and fled back to the underdark to connect with Dryth and Isnot.

Nyktan refusing to become a shadow or be captured by the priests of Orcus lept into the crevasse and dropped 150 to a cavern below. He healed himself the best he could and began to explore the cavern where he landed. He discovered several ropers and he was stuck by a tentacle which caused him to lose even more strength. He passed out and never felt the teeth that consumed him.

That night as Zenara regained consciousness, she found that she and Benjamin were in the cell they had freed the prisoners from before. The priests came for them and they were too weak to resist as they were carried to the alter, where two priests of good gods were sacrificed to the Lord of Undeath.

After resting near the lair of the Lich for a few days, the party decided to track down the Behir they had seen tracks for.

They tracked it down in it lair and killed the beast. Afterward they found a tunnel that took them out of the dungeon. They then decided to return to Bard’s Gate to rest, take the unstoned adventurers they saved back to civilization. They stayed in the city a couple of days, and did some selling and buying.

Afterward they returned to the tunnel they left the dungeon through. They explored the rest of that level and went back to the level above. They approached the glowing idol, and their were froglike humanoids around the idol.

They began a conversation with their follows of the Frog God and they found they had a common goal of destroying the Temple of Orcus above. They were taken to the head priest of the Frog God and he allowed them to live for their promise to destroy the Temple of Orcus.

Nyktan asked about Abysthor but the priest said he was none of their business. He obviously new of Abysthor but would not give any information. Although, he made them another offer. He would tell them of Abysthor if the party would convert to the Frog God. They choose not to take that offer.

The priest set up a guide for the group and clothing to disguise them as slime merchants and they were escorted to the Under Realms. The priest told them that there is another way into the Temple of Orcus, which is through the Under Realms. This was a long journey, at least a mile down through the tunnels from the Temple of the Frog God, then past a huge structure they told was called the Eye of the Titan, later they entered an Under Realms city. They stayed hidden within their disguises as slime merchants as their frog like guards led them through the city.

On the other side of the city the group was shown a tunnel. They were told this tunnel led up to the Temple of Orcus. A couple of the guards changed their garb to look like merchants and the Froggie escort went back into the city, taking the slime with them.

The group followed the tunnel until they felt the need to rest. They cast rope trick and they hid within that space for the night. During an early shift a small stealthy humanoid snuck by their resting place. This one was very difficult to see even with dark vision. In later shifts no other incursions were noticed.

After rest the group continued up the tunnel and they came to a pit that seemed endless below them. Their was a very narrow, slippery ledge that led upward and at the top of the ledge their were ogres. As the battle ensued between the group and the ogres, some of the group passed through the line of ogres and were confronted by Priests of Orcus. They had arrived at their goal. The group destroyed the ogres and the foul priests they had encountered, and began to explore the temple… They moved cautiously through the caves and caverns having twice before being repelled by the Priest of the foul god…