Lost City of Lull 3: Madness
and Death as told by Glaurung the Golden Sune's blessings on you all! Our descent into the halls of Lull fell into madness and it’s
only by the grace of my Goddess I survive to tell this tale. After vanquishing a good number of kobolds our spirits were
high and we cleared a number of rooms without much incident, though good Burglekutt’s
curiosity triggered a trap involving swarms of hideous centipedes. Undaunted we continued on, though our reserves of magic were
significantly depleted. We found a
locked door and on gaining entrance found of number of interesting magical
items that the worth Larry managed to identify for us. I didn’t pay much heed to their distribution
for none were of particular use to me and in any case I was pondering the new
magics I could feel bubbling up in my mind. The ancient stone has recalled memories from both my dwarven
and draconic lineage and my mind seethed with possibilities… Alas, the reality
we were about to face was both deadly and gruesome. Retracing our steps to the large mess hall we decided to
enter into what was once the halflings diplomatic quarters. It was dank and fetid, covered in filth and
excrement with a foul smelling swamp thrown in as well. Naturally this failed to deter Burglekutt, who
eagerly scampered ahead seeking treasure.
We had a number of doors to attempt but before we could act we were
assaulted by the nightmare in the waters. My memory becomes a little hazy here, for suffered grievous injuries
and was at death’s very door at least three times in the battle. I know we were assaulted by swarms of vile
leeches who slipped past our defences and drank the blood from our flesh. Worse, a great leach like creature of ancient
evil also attacked us, both with screech the instilled madness and it’s vicious
bite and crushing weight. Borin, the strongest of us succumbed to madness and spent
most of the fight clawing at his eyes. I
was quickly overwhelmed by the giant leech and Burglekutt and Larry suffered terribly
at the hands of the lesser swarms. It
looked like death for us all was certain, especially when Larry was slain by
the vile leeches. Gigi, however, remained
staunch and her mighty blasts of Ale killed countless leeches as she relieved
us of our tormenters. When the battle was at its most hopeless, Borin rallied and Lathandar’s
powerful blessings brought life back to our frail bodies. I managed to draw deep on my reserves to
enweb the giant leech, though alas Burglekutt’s flame attacks set the web on fire. Nevertheless Borin managed one final great
effort to free himself from the creature’s deathly embrace and save both his
life and Gigi’s for at this point she was trapped beneath the Leech’s massive
body. Burglekutt struck it with another
bolt of fire before I expended the last of my power to slay the beast with a
flaming orb. We collapsed in utter exhaustion. Borin and I had strained our capacities to
the limit and will carry the price for quite some time. We were in sorry spirits and devastated by
the loss of Larry, a truer companion no-one could with for. Though there was still so much to do to
reclaim Lull, our only hope was to make an undignified escape through the
kobold latrine we’d discovered the day before.
We left weary and broken, though still carrying the hope that
Ulman Dark might restore Larry to life.
On reaching Hope our faith was rewarded and our companion came back as
good as ever, though it took almost all the coin we’d gained in our ill-fated
expedition. Though Lull still calls me I feel we need some time in the
sun to restore our energies. We have a
map given us by the refugees we saved. Perhaps
it will lead us to easier rewards which we can claim ere our feet turn towards
Lull once more.
May Sune shine her beatific countenance on you all!
