Going to do the session reports again for this week... may not be as detailed as last week, partly because there were 2 sessions and I have a cold/flu right now so thinking is not coming easy. I will create a separate entry under this topic for each day of questing... Friday 1/2: Participants: Ondraedon/Fred (Cleric), Ramkus/Rich (Cleric), Gorg/Kevin (Fighter), Lucien/Chris (Magic User), Thea/Amanda (Thief), Curtis/John (Magic User), Ka'Gron/Jesse (Fighter), Aurum/Blaze (Magic User), Finnegan/Blake (Cleric), Lilium/Dean (Magic User), Drugo/DrPastah (Thief), Imin/Norm (Fighter) and Dodo/Alex (Magic User). During the week Curtis/John practiced his flying spell around Stilt Town. There was a near encounter with 4 black dragons, but he was able to dive into the water and utilize his ring to breathe and stay safe. The group began with a trip to Strongmoor, many magic users have leveled and needed their spell books, and Ondraedon needed to have a hammer dent knocked out of Nekros helmet. Part of the party went to a Chaotic cult to obtain cleric spell. When they rejoined the group, we headed for the Wizard Tower. On the way we were met by a large number of men, their leader Throm (Marine Captain of the Kingdom of the Urchin Isles) attempted to force our party into service. Ramkus and Ondraedon, being Priests in the temple of Krotus, were able to persuade the Marine to allow us to continue on about our business. Upon arrival at the tower, we were directed to the purchase counter where we were served by a hamster (familiar), a spell was requested that they do not have in stock here. Lilium inquired about purchasing a Bag of Holding, at which the hamster, apparently having been asked many times for magical items lost his cool and tried to attack. The attack failed, but Lilium took a hamster pellet to the eye. We then stopped by a blacksmith and Ondraedon dropped off the helmet for repair. The next day we were able to pick up the helmet and return to the tower. The hamster was in a better mood, Curtis was able to purchase a spell and Lucien dropped off the Vampire Statue with the hamster for analysis (to be checked back on in about a week). We inquired at the dock about a captain for the ship, but none were seeking employment. After returning to Stilt Town, the group headed on to the palace. Immediately upon opening the left door, the group was attacked by 9 (1/2HD) Giant Rats. Unfortunately in this encounter, Drugo was hit multiple times and died. Ramkus took the corpse of Drugo to Anubis and was able to have him re-incarnated. Continuing on easterly down the hall, we came to the double doors and tried to open them using the passwords, we were successful with "asteroids" and "adoor". We proceeded on to the second floor. Our first encounter was 5 (1HD) Hobgoblins. They were no match for our group. We then encountered 4 (1HD) Skeletons, but Ramkus and Ondraedon are at such a level as these creatures are immediately destroyed. We continued on towards to the south. Passing the slime vault, we were met by 3 (3+1HD**) Carrion Crawlers. We lost initiative and were immediately attacked. Each creature getting 8 attacks (1 per tentacle), our group was in some trouble since these creatures were on the ceiling and not open to melee attack, it was up to our ranged fighters and our magic users. Many magic missiles were cast, but some of our party were paralyzed and swept up by the creatures for consumption. A shield was cast for the party to hide behind, but another magic user cast sleep and the creatures fell and were subject to coup de gras. The clerics used all their cure light wounds to end the paralysis for some of the party, but there were more that needed help. So the group opted to go back to the slime vault to rest. Pausing outside the door, a thief was able to hear voices inside. The door was crashed open and we went to work on 12 (1/2HD) Kobolds. We were able to defeat them, but the noise brought their leader crashing through the door between the lab and the vault. We were facing a (4+1HD) Ogre. This creature was slain, but Gorg took a serious hit by the club. The party now realized that the lab had been trashed during the week. There was glass and clay from the jars strewn all about. We also found that the Kobolds and Ogre had brought in 3 large trunks which were protected by explosive ruins. The party opted to rest and one of the clerics would meditate on "Speak With the Dead" so we could find out if there was a way to safely open the chests. After the rest, the remaining paralyzed party members were cured and we were able to get the word from the Ogre that opened the 3 chests, finding 12000 gold inside. At this time, the group decided it was time to deal with the (4HD**) Gelatinous Cube in the vault. We tied a rope around Ka'Gron (as a precaution), he proceeded into the vault room, broke some oil flasks upon the floor, then opened the vault. The cube made a grab at him, but with some luck and a pull from the party on the rope, he was able to escape. Between the fire and a barrage of Magic Missiles, the cube was laid to rest. A cleric then cast Resist Fire and was able to avoid falling on his rear while retrieving the 6 +1 arrows from the vault. We continued south to a pair of doors, a thief listened at both with no sounds heard. We opened the door to the west and found 4 dwarf heads on display, with some empty bags hanging from the ceiling. The heads were collected respectfully so the party could return them to the dwarven colony for proper burial. Upon opening the door to the east, we came across the bodies of the dwarves and the guillotine that had been used to kill them. We collected the bodies and set fire to the torture device upon exiting the room. As we continued south, we were attacked from behind as we turned the corner to go east. We had been tracked by 3 (8HD) Lizards. Because the hallway was narrow, the encounter was limited to the party. Ondraedon and Ramkus stood between the group and the lizards, while Gorg (immediately behind them) was able to attack with his spear. A flurry of magic missiles was cast, and Lucien summoned a Large Spider to aid us in battle. The group survived, but we were battle worn and short on spells. So we opted to head back. On the way out 8 (1HD) Skeletons were destroyed by the clerics. Having left the palace for the night, the group encountered 3 (6HD) Giant Boars. Many were injured by these creatures, but they were eventually brought down. While stopping at the river for a break, the team spotted a Red Dragon flying overhead. As if that weren't enough, the group noticed that the rider of the dragon was a Balrog. We were in serious trouble and death was certain, but the dice were with us and the creatures merely flew off to the mountain area just around the palace. We stopped off at the Dwarven Colony and handed over the bodies of the dwarves we recovered in the temple. Ramkus explained where we found them so we were not accused of having done it. If any lawful fighters have trade and a need for it, John has a sword you may be interested in. Also, the group now has 2 javelins that we need to take to an Oracle for identification. They are magic items, but someone very powerful need to identify them. Reward: 6796 xp and 1502 gold for each of the 13 participants.
