In which
a plan is hammered out Book Two, Chapter 4.2 (session 83, 9 th April
2019) The Party: Naergon Harna, elven wizard (Diviner) Mads Rangle, human fighter/warlock (Fiend: Archdevil
Zariel) Jamna Gleamsilver, gnome rogue (Arcane Trickster) Tomaz Stormwind, human ranger (Hunter) Druscilla Oakenrock, dwarven cleric (Trickery: Mask) Talis Wintercrest, half-elven cleric (War: Bane) Having
recovered in Waterdeep, with both Naergon and Tomaz being resurrected by the
Temple of Tyr, the party once again assemble in the water gardens outside the
main place to decide where to teleport back to, there are several options which
leads to much discussion. Naergon holds forth “ before we teleport back to that treasure chamber let’s consider. What
if it doesn’t go anywhere? There were plenty of guards around which is
understandable but I saw no connection to the Temple which is where I expect we
need to get to.” Mads says “ well we
saw those big doors – the ones the victims were being pushed out of. We could
get in there but you know five ancient dragons. That’s the problem with that
plan.” Talis
leans forward, hand clutching the hilt of Hazirawn “ those prisoners were coming from somewhere Mads. When your imp flew
around the caldera, you said he saw several entrances, we opted for the one
with no evidence of traffic. What if one of the other entrances leads straight
into the temple?” Mads looks over at her “ Ringo said that the south-east entrance had lots of activity, maybe
that’s what he meant. It’s hard to translate how he interprets things at
times.” Naergon
coughs “yes indeed. All I’m saying is
that one incidental encounter with just one of those ancient wyrms ended badly.
I have little enthusiasm for challenging all five, so we need an alternate
route. I agree that the prisoners must be getting into the Temple somehow and I
agree that guards or no, that’s likely our best route in.” Druscilla
interrupts “I cannot teleport us directly
to that passage, I’ve never been there or seen it. I can get us to the
abandoned entrance, from there we’d have to walk.” Tomaz
says “ that route was clearly indicated as
having lots of activity, assuming we trust the word of a demon imp. Lots of
activity and prisoners almost certainly means lots of guards. We’ll be fighting
our way in, I thought we wanted to sneak in?” Mads looks him in the eye “ I’d rather armed cultists than five ancient
dragons!” “Indeed, indeed” mutters Naergon “ dragons make me nervous, yes they do.” Jamna
says “ my inclination is to sneak and I
fancy my chances of sneaking past any number of cultists, I’m not keen on
trying to sneak past five dragons – no matter how busy they may be.” Talis
looks over “ of course they may not be
busy anymore, who knows how long this ritual is to last. We have lost too much
time already ” she glances at Naergon “ I
cast no blame on anyone but we need to move quickly and decisively ” and
turning to Jamna “ and no getting
side-tracked by petty plunder!” Tomaz
sighs “ whichever way we go, I’m pretty
certain we’re going to be spotted and once spotted we’re going to have to
fight. These cult robes won’t hold up under much scrutiny, especially now they
know we’ve penetrated the caldera once.” Naergon looks around “ so, are we working on the assumption that
one of these passageways leads into the Temple? In which case, to be fair, it’s
probably going to be that south-east one. If Ringo is correct that he saw the
prisoners being led in that way.” Tomaz
counters “ chances are that route just
leads to the holding cells these prisoners would be destined for. There’s no
evidence it’s a direct route into the Temple.” Mads interjects “ you think they’ve got cells that can house
that many prisoners?” Naergon continues “ aren’t they just marching them straight in?” “Yes” agrees Mads “ I think they’re being marched up the
volcano, straight into that tunnel and out onto the sacrifice plaza. And that
means they must be going through the Temple.” “Yes, that sounds right to me” says Naergon. “Yes, they go in
that tunnel, out the Temple and get eaten. I say we do exactly the same. Except
for the getting eaten bit!” “ Once again”
interrupts Tomaz “we’ll probably be
spotted, overwhelmed by numbers stripped of our weapons and sent in to face
those dragons.” Naergon
blinks at Tomaz “ Err, so you think this
way is a bad idea because the cultists may overwhelm us meaning we get fed to
the dragons but you think returning to where we were and facing down the
dragons in an attempt to make it through the front door is better? Either way
we face the dragons according to you – you really think having a bow and spear
will make a difference?” Mads looks at them “ It’s be quicker at least!” Naergon laughs nervously “ right, well I think we have a better chance
sneaking or fighting through the cultist guards. Mads you aid that Ringo so
lots of activity, what exactly did he say?” “A ‘constant stream of victims and
masters’ was what he said, by which I presume he meant slaves and cultists.
It’s hard to translate his worldview at times.” Naergon
sighs “ did he give you any idea of
numbers or deployment of guards and other forces?” Mads shrugs “ it’s difficult, he sees things as he would
in the hells. He said there was a bunch of victims being shoved into the
tunnel. He said the masters were waiting inside the tunnel so he didn’t pursue
and that the victims had been brought up the path by more masters. I don’t
think it was a constant stream, more like a bunch at a time under escort.
Almost certainly there will be guards. We will know more if we go there, either
there’s an opportunity to sneak in or we fight.” Talis says “ we have cult uniforms, some of you have disguise skills. Why not
pretend to me part of Rezmir’s division, even masquerade as Rezmir herself if
you can and see how far we get. No doubt we’ll need to fight eventually. It’s
just a matter of how far we get first.” “Pah!” Snorts Druscilla “you’re overcomplicating things as usual. We
teleport to the abandoned tunnel, work our way over to the busy entrance and
fight our way in – or sneak in if its unguarded. Whatever it’s better than
returning to face down five dragons.” “What about the other tunnels to
the north-east?” asks
Tomaz “they might lead to the Temple
without going through the prisoners and their guards?” Mads looks at him “ or they might not. We have no idea where
they go, whilst we can make an educated deduction that the prisoners end up in
the Temple, so that south-eastern tunnel must lead there one way or another.” “What I think” says Naergon “ What I think is that the reasons the other
entrances aren’t guarded is because there is no need to. They just go into the
caldera not the Temple.” Mads looks at him “ They’re all guarded Naergon, according to Ringo. He saw cultists at
every tunnel except the south-western one, that’s why we opted for it. The
south-eastern is only different because of the level of activity” Tomaz
sniffs “ I don’t think any of these
tunnels leads to the Temple, they all just lead into the caldera and those five
dragons!” Druscilla stares at him “ then
where are the prisoners coming from? They’re being led in through this tunnel,
stands to reason that tunnel leads to the Temple!” “Clearly they’re being led
into the caldera not the Temple” Tomaz continues. “ Are you soft in the head or something ”
demands Talis, clutching her sword, veins standing out on her neck “ or does dying make you dim? We saw the
prisoners coming OUT of the Temple; therefore, they MUST be going INTO it! We
scouted all around the caldera, apart from the tunnel we climbed out of in the
sink hole, we saw precisely two tunnel exits. The one we fought (and you died
in) and another, also guarded by golems, in the north. Both were opposite the
main Temple entrance and the prisoners did not come from either of them. Ergo
there MUST be a tunnel that leads to the Temple – and it looks like it’s the
south-western one. Unless you want to believe they teleport thousands of
peasants into the Temple?” “I’m not sure dying made me any
dimmer Talis”
snaps Naergon “ but I agree with the
logic. We scouted the caldera thoroughly. There are no other entrances. We do
not know where these north eastern and eastern tunnels lead, though I’d wager
we were in the one that leads to the north-west. However, if we follow the
prisoners it stands to reason we end up in the temple. So that’s what we should
do – just let’s do our best to not also follow them out onto the sacrificial
plaza.” “Agreed” says Mads, slamming his glaive
into the ground “we disguise ourselves as
cultists, we teleport as close as we can and make our way to the south-eastern
entrance. From there we make decisions as necessary but we need to follow that
route. We fight f necessary; we sneak if possible but that’s the way in. Any
arguments?” “I agree” says Druscilla . “I’m in” says Talis. “fine by me” agrees Jamna. “Indeed, that’s the plan” confirms
Naergon “Tomaz? Do you agree? If not,
you’ll need to convince us of a better plan.” Tomaz looks from one to the
other “fine then, I think you’re wrong
but either way we’ll end up facing the dragons, like as not. What matter which
route we pick?” With
that, they drape their cultist robes around themselves and Druscilla teleports
the group to the south-western tunnel entrance. It takes them the best part of
an hour to traverse the rocky slopes across to the south-western tunnel
entrance. Arriving on the rocky cliffs above, they peer down to see little or
no evidence of activity. Climbing down it is clear that in recent days large
numbers of people have bene moved along the mountain trail that runs off down
the side of the volcano. There is no obvious activity now and no evidence of
guards in the vicinity. Naergon
casts mage armour and rary’s telepathic bond and then Talis places a light
spell on Tomaz’s scabbard “I’m done
carrying your light source, you want to be a beacon for whatever’s in there,
you carry it!” “That’s really going to help us blend in” mutters Mads “So I should just blunder about blind,
should I?” growls Tomaz “ Not all of
us sold our souls to be able to see in the dark!” “Now, now” I’m sure there’s
all sorts of people in the cult and a light source isn’t that unusual” says
Naergon placatingly. With
that Mads and Jamna leads them into the tunnel “ Remember not to bunch up too much” warns Naergon “otherwise one breath and we’re all done
for. Spread out a bit” About sixty feet in the tunnel branches left and right,
from ahead Mads can hear snarling and growling as guard drakes come bounding
down the darkened tunnels. “ Guard drakes
coming our way” he shouts. “ What,
where?” ask Druscilla and Jamna. “ I
can’t see anything” complains Tomaz peering into the blackness ahead. “ You deal with them ” commands Naergon
confidently from the rear “and please
remember to be quiet” [telepathic link]. Tomaz
grumbles “I can’t see anything, what’s
happening” as he peers into the darkness beyond his bubble of light and
knocks an arrow [ready action]. “Move forward and be quiet” [telepathic link]
demands Naergon as he moves to the wall and keeps a watch towards the entrance
behind them. Druscilla casts sacred flame at the nearest drake, holy energy
searing it as it shrieks and roars. Mads casts eldritch blast at the same
drake, slamming it back twenty feet, the drake snarls and growls and bounds
forward. As it looms into view Tomaz shoots [readied action], the arrow flying
true. From deeper in the complex alarm horns can be heard blaring as Mads
swings his glaive [AOO] and cuts the lead drake in the front shoulder. Jamna
shoots at the drake but her arrow flies wide. Talis stays at the rear, peering
into the gloom at the weirdly distorted shadows created by Tomaz’s light “ come on lets fight, I’m thirsty”
whispers Hazirawn in her head. Tomaz,
unsure of what he can see ahead knocks and arrow and waits [ready action] as
Druscilla casts sacred flame at the drake she spots coming down the western
tunnel, the holy light sears it as it roars. Mads swings his glaive at the
drake to his front as the sound of more snarling, growling and roaring echoes
down the northern tunnel. His blow cleaves into the drakes neck and it slumps
to the floor, convulsing as Mads charges across to the western tunnel and
swings at the drake, cutting it. The drake closes and snaps and slaps at Mads
but fails to hit. Another drake charges down form the northern tunnel and Tomaz
shoots it [readied action] as the sound of alarms and boots echo weirdly down
the tunnels. Jamna also shoots at the northern drake, her arrow flying wide.
Talis slides up the side of the tunnel, eyes wide and clutching her sword “get me into the fight, we could be killing
things. Why are we cowering back here?” demands Hazirawn. Tomaz
casts hunters mark on the drake in the northern corridor, the arrow slamming
into its shoulder, his second shot misses. Naergon mutters “can’t you just get this done already” [telepathic link] and casts
fire bolt at the northern drake which howls and collapses in a blackened,
smoking heap on the floor [critical]. Druscilla casts sacred flame on the drake
in the western tunnel, holy light searing it again as Mads steps away from it.
The drake snaps at him [AOO], its jaws closing around his hip but Mads casts
eldritch blast at it, crushing its skull. He then blasts the drake behind it
using grasp of Hadar to drag it toward him. The sound of boots and claws get
closer and more numerous in the northern tunnel. Jamna moves up to the western
corner, behind Druscilla and knocks an arrow [ready action]. Talis moves up
towards the corner as well as the sound of orders being barked comes down the
northern tunnel. Tomaz
moves cautiously forward peering into the dark beyond Mads and knocks an arrow
[ready action]. Naergon peers back to the entrance but can see nothing but the
pale glow of morning light, turning he readies a fire bolt [ready action] and
watches the northern tunnel. Druscilla steps forward into the western tunnel
and again casts sacred flame at the closest drake, bathing it in holy fire.
Mads casts eldritch blast at the same drake, hammering it into the floor as it
roars and screams and drags itself toward him. Tomaz shoots it as it looms out
of the darkness [readied action] and then Jamna shoots it through the head [readied
action], killing it in a sliding, blood soaked scaly heap at Mads’s feet [sneak
attack]. From the darkness of the northern corridor comes a volley of crossbow
bolts, one of which slams into Tomaz, the others clatter off the wall above
Talis. “Put that light out!” snaps
Naergon [telepathic link]. Jamna stays where she is [dodge], Talis dismisses
her light spell as another crossbow bolt cones arcing out of the dark. Tomaz
cries “I can’t see a damn thing!” and
steps back towards Naergon, fumbling against the wall of the tunnel. Druscilla
mutters “neither can I” and ducks
around the corner [dodge]. Mads moves up to the junction corner and looks up
the northern corridor casting eldritch blast at the dragonwing, dragging it ten
feet towards him. More and more cultists come into view further up the northern
tunnel “more cultists coming from the
north” [telepathic link] says Mads. Jamna moves up behind Mads “I can’t see anything” [telepathic
link], Talis follows behind her “ get me
into the fight” hisses Hazirawn. The dragonwing creeps forward and shoots
at Mads, the bolt flying wide. Tomaz
drops his bow and pulls out his spear and steps forward, preparing himself
[ready action]. Naergon mutters “I wish
people would remember to be quiet” [telepathic link] as he keeps an eye on
the tunnel entrance. Druscilla, still unable to see a target readies a scared
flame [ready action] as Mads casts eldritch blast at the lead dragonwing,
adding “brace yourself Druscilla, they’re
coming” [telepathic link]. From the darkness of the tunnel comes the sound
of boots running, followed by a flurry of crossbow bolts, which clatter of the
wall above and around Mads. Jamna continues to peer forward “I can’t see anything yet” telepathic
link. “Me neither” [telepathic ink]
mutters Talis as the figure of a dragonwing emerges from the gloom “I can see
you” [telepathic link] cries Druscilla and casts sacred flame [readied action],
the holy light haloing the cultist as it raises a crossbow and shoots Tomaz,
the bolt sending lightning arcing through the ranger. Tomaz
cries “ what was that?” and stumbles
against the eastern wall and waves his spear around [ready action]. Naergon
stays where he is “get on with it people,
how far away are they?” [telepathic link] as Druscilla casts sacred flame
at the dragonwing, it screams and collapses as the holy light surrounds it.
Mads replies “ there’s quite a few of them
you know, about eighty or more feet up that tunnel, maybe more. You could be
more help you know ” [telepathic link] as he casts fireball up the tunnel. The
leading four cultists are incinerated as fire blossoms up the tunnel, Jamna,
Talis and Tomaz get a glimpse of many dark shadows dancing in the burst of
light as Mads says “there are more
coming!” [telepathic link] Stepping past the smouldering corpses more
cultists shoot, the first bolt catching Mads in the thigh, another clattering
past Druscilla. A third slams into Tomaz’s shoulder, with a grunt the ranger
loses concentration on his hunters mark spell. A fourth cultists steps through
and also shoots at Mads, the bolt flying wide. Jamna hunkers down “I can’t see anything” [telepathic link]
as Talis carefully casts light on a coin and, holding it tight in her fist,
moves up behind Mads. Tomaz
hunkers against the eastern wall [dodge] as Naergon says “I trust in your capabilities to deal with the minions Mads but try and
use fewer resources please” [telepathic link] looking back to the glow of
morning at the entrance he hears the scrabbling of claw and the hissing cough
of drakes on the cliffs just outside. Hitching his skirts Naergon scuttles up
the tunnel and into the western passage “ there’s
something behind us . . . drakes to the rear!” [telepathic link]. Druscilla
looks left and right but can’t see anything so readies sacred flame [ready action].
Mads casts eldritch blast at the leading dragonclaw, knocking it back twenty
feet and says “ there’s a least seven more
closing fast” [telepathic link]. “And more from back here too” gasps
Naergon, “we’ve taken too long!” [telepathic
link]. From the darkness of the northern tunnel more crossbow bolts fly out,
missing mads and Druscilla but catching Tomaz in the shoulder. A dragonfang
steps forward and hurls a dragon orb at Tomaz, it hits, lightning flaring and
crackling around him. Jamna moves forward until she sees the cultists and casts
Melf’s minute meteors and hurls two of them at the leading rank of cultists,
causing bursts of fire and yelps of pain. Talis steps into the tunnel and hurls
her lit coin up the northern tunnel, dark shapes and silhouettes of cultists
appear in the tunnel as she steps back “what
are you doing, charge. Let’s fight and drink, come on!” screams Hazirawn.
From deep in the western tunnel a crossbow bolt screams past Talis. Tomaz,
able to see cultists ahead of him, hurls his spear at the dragonwing and draws
his bow, stepping back ten feet. Naergon raises his staff and casts fireball,
incinerating three dragonclaws and catching a dragonfang in the blast,
Druscilla casts sacred flame at the dragonwing silhouetted by the blast, unholy
fire outlining it. Mads eldritch blasts the same dragonwing, crushing him
against the wall in a long smear. It dies with a gurgle as Mads changes target
to blast one of the drakes charging up the southern tunnel. The drakes bound
forward and attack Tomaz, snapping and slapping the ranger against the wall,
Tomaz ducks aside and causes one of the drakes to bite its mate in the neck
[stand against the tide]. Two dragon claws creep around the northern corner and
shoot, one bolt clipping mads, the other missing Druscilla. A dragonfang hurls
its dragon’s orb at Mads, the lightning rippling in and around his armour,
although much is grounded into the floor and walls [resistance]. Jamna moves
south to stand beside Druscilla and shoots one of the drakes fighting Tomaz,
the drake collapses in a heap [sneak attack]. Jamna then hurls meteors at the
other drakes advancing up the tunnel. Talis turns to stare up the western
tunnel “there’s something up this tunnel
too, I can’t see anything but I can hear them” [telepathic link] and points
her wand, casting sleet storm “ that’ll
slow them at least” [telepathic link]. Tomaz
steps away from the drake, which snaps at him but misses [AOO] and turns and
volleys at the dragonclaws, up the northern tunnel killing one and injuring a
second. Naergon casts fire bolt at the closest drake, incinerating it
[critical] as it collapses in a smoking heap. Druscilla casts sacred flame on
the dragonclaw in the tunnel but the unholy light fails to latch onto it. Mads casts eldritch blast at the surviving
drake, hitting it twice before advancing on it glaive in hand. The drake snarls
and leaps forward, Mads carves into it [AOO] before it snaps its jaws over his
arm and slaps him with its tail. More drakes charge forward towards Druscilla,
Jamna and Talis, a dragonclaw shoots from the northern tunnel at Tomaz, the
bolt slamming home into the ranger’s chest. From the western tunnel comes the
sound of boots slipping and sliding and bodies falling through the sleet storm.
In the northern tunnel the dragonfang shoots Tomaz, the bolt piercing his thigh
as the cultist steps back into the murk. Jamna shoots at the drake in front of
Talis, it roars as her arrow piercing its hide [sneak attack]. Jamna then hurls
her last meteors at the dragonclaw in the northern tunnel, which falls to floor
in a smoking heap. Talis pulls Winters Strike and stabs at the drake in front
of her, the spear rips through its throat, ice blossoming across its head as it
crumples to the floor, rigid and cold. “ Use
me, use me, I thirst, think of the power if you wield me, throw that spear
away. I am the superior weapon here. Use me!” screams Hazirawn in her head. Tomaz
advances up the northern tunnel, picking up his spear and casts cure wounds on
himself. Naergon steps across and casts fire bolt at the drake in front of Jamna,
burning a hole in it. Druscilla pulls her rod and swings at the same drake,
cutting deeply into its back, the drake roars and spits. Mads swings at the
drake in front of him cutting it before cracking its skull with the butt of his
glaive. He then steps across and swings at the drake next to Druscilla. From the
northern corridor three dragonclaws shoot at Tomaz, two bolts slamming into the
wounded ranger. From within the sleet storm the sound of boots advancing,
slipping and bodies falling can be heard accompanied by much cursing and the
shouting of orders. Shadowy figures appear at the edge of the sleet. The dragonfang
in the northern corridor charges at Tomaz, swords twirling but can’t get past the
ranger’s frantic defence. Jamna steps back away from the drake, which snaps at
her but misses [AOO] and shoots the dragonfang engaged with Tomaz, the arrow
piercing its throat and dropping it with a gurgle [sneak attack] “ you can thank me later” she calls to Tomaz.
Talis races towards Tomaz in the northern tunnel, shaking her head in an
attempt to ignore Hazirawn’s constant nagging “put that spear down! Draw me. I’m far superior to that pointed stick. The
thirst, I need to drink . . . draw me now!” The dragonwing shoots Talis
with its crossbow, lightning flickering across her armour. Next
time: will they be too late? No levels
were gained this session:
Naergon
17 th
level
Mads
16 th
level
Jamna
16 th
level
Tomaz
16 th
level
Druscilla
16 th
level
Talis
13 th
level
XP
earnt is now irrelevant as the rest of TOD is based on milestone XP In-Game
the session ended at 07:30 on 15 th Eleint 1485 DR [The last LONG REST was completed
at 06:00 on 15 th Eleint] Next
session Tuesday 16 th April at 19:15