Last Chance Book Two, Chapter 4.3 (session 89, 28 th May
2019) The Party: Naergon Harna, elven wizard (Diviner) Mads Rangle, human fighter/warlock (Fiend: Archdevil
Zariel) Jamna Gleamsilver, gnome rogue (Arcane Trickster) Druscilla Oakenrock, dwarven cleric (Trickery: Mask) [Turn 19] Jamna [invisible] shoots at Tiamat but misses
as her arms shake in fear, she becomes visible but remains scared [WIS save fail].
Druscilla [shield of faith] casts dimension door and teleports beyond the ice
wall in front of Tiamat and next to Bel, her duplicates circle around the
chasms in front of Tiamat. Mads also casts dimension door and teleports to the
ice wall in front of Tiamat and sheltering behind it takes his second wind [13
HP]. Bel roars and screams as he continues to bite and claw at Tiamat, rending
onto the dragon queen’s flesh. Tiamat claws back at the pit fiend, ripping into
his fiery flesh and tabbing through it with her tail. The first ice devil
continues to circle around to the south west, remaining scared [WIS save fail].
The second ice devil, unaffected by the dragon’s frightful presence charges
forward towards Galvan. The third ice devil, deep in the white chapel, hunkers
down and remains scared [WIS save fail]. The fourth ice devil cowers in the blue
chapel [WIS save fail]. Naergon circles around to his right remaining scared
[WIS save fail]. Galvan advances and attacks the second ice devil, stabbing it
with his shortsword, lightning coursing through the wounds. From high in the Great
Apse, Severin continues to cackle and scream in his madness. Naergoth advances
on the second ice devil, slashing it again and again with his longsword. [Turn 20] Jamna shoots at Tiamat but again her shot flies
wide as the gnome shakes in fear [WIS save fail]. Druscilla turns and casts
heal on Bel. “ You’ve only got one purpose
here. Kill her!” she screams as Mads activates his armour against draconic
lightning. Bel snarls and continues to claw and bite at Tiamat who roars and
rends into the pit fiend in return. The first ice devil attacks Naergoth with
claw and tail, ripping into the undead creature but remains scared [WIS save
fail]. The second ice devil also attacks Naergoth, rending the undead flesh
apart. The third ice devil continues to hunker in fear in the white chapel [WIS
save fail], similarly the fourth cowers in the blue chapel [WIS save fail].
Naergon remains unable to leave the white chapel [WIS save fail]. Galvan stabs
at the second ice devil in a flurry of blows [ack tactics] sinking his shortsword
into its vile hide and sending lightning ripping through it. From high above
Severin continue to howl and scream as Naergoth swings at the first ice devil,
cutting into it before stepping into his shadow and teleporting to the tunnel
entrance [bonus action shadowstep] and disappearing from the temple. [Turn 21] Jamna continues to shoot at Tiamat and despite
the overwhelming fear, her arrow flies true and penetrates the dragon queen’s
hide [WIS save fail]. Druscilla pulls forth her rod of lordly might in axe form
and swings at Tiamat but fails to penetrates her hide “ come on Mads, it’s just a dragon, get chopping !” she screams. Mads
begins to move around the ice wall to stand beside Bel who continues to claw
and bite at Tiamat. Tiamat reaches round with her blue head and sends a bolt of
lightning streaking across the temple, it burns straight through the pit fiend
who disappears in a cloud of sulphurous smoke, leaving behind only a pool of
stinking ichor. She then turns on Druscilla, her claws ripping into the heavily
armoured dwarf as her tail whips around and stabs Mads in the chest. The first
ice devil stabs at Galvan with its tail, unable to close due to the dragon fear
[WIS save fail]. The second ice devil claws at Galvan and stabs him with its
tail. The third and fourth ice devils continue to cower [WIS save fail], likewise
Naergon remains rooted in fear at the entrance of the white chapel [WIS save
fail]. Galvan, in desperation hurls himself at the second ice devil but fails
to kill it. From high above Severin continues to howl and giggle in madness. [Turn 22] Jamna, still shaking on fear again shoots and
misses [WIS save fail]. Druscilla snarls “ you
don’t get away that easy devil” and casts gate, calling for Bel to return
and finish his duty. Her shield of faith dissipates as an inky black hole in
space forms in front of Tiamat between Druscilla and Mads. Fire and screams
herald the return of the pit fiend, snarling and roaring. Bel, glowers at the dwarf
who points at Tiamat “ now kill her beast!”
Mads, taking inspiration from this, advances and attacks Tiamat “ come on, let’s get this done” he screams
as his glaive whirls, slicing into the dragon queen. Bel, rears back and roars,
glares at Druscilla, fire and smoke wreathing around his head before turning
back to Tiamat and ripping at the dragon goddess with claw and mace. Tiamat rears
back, black ichor steaming down her body, roars and the red head jabs forward
breathing an immense furnace of superheated air across Bel and Druscilla and
onto Jamna at the rear of the temple. Bel emerges unscathed [immune], Jamna
dodges and turns aside [evasion] but is still badly burned. Druscilla screams
as her armour glows cherry red and clatters to the ground. The ice wall
disappears in a cloud of steam as the gate to hell snaps shut. Tiamat then rips
into Bel with claws and tails, gouging huge rents in the devil’s skin. The
first ice devil stabs at Galvan with its tail [WIS save fail], the second ice
devil tears Galvan’s head off and throws it aside before stepping across his
bloody corpse to advance towards Tiamat as another of the ice walls evaporates.
The other ice devils and Naergon continue to cower [WIS save fail] as Severin howls
and cackles high above. [Turn 23] Jamna still shaking in fear, shoots and misses
[WILL save fail]. Druscilla takes a shuddering breath as her armour pings and
clicks as it cools [death save success]. Mads growls “ Bel do your duty, Zariel commands you put this dragon back in her box ”
and then swings his glaive. Bel snarls and Mads hears in his head [telepathy] “ I know my duty and your place. You won’t
remain Zariel’s pet for long, once this is done, then you’ll be my plaything.
Now you do as you’ve been told!” and
then turns and rips into the dragon queen with fang and tail. Tiamat growls and
roars and rips into Tiamat with claw and tail. The first ice devil hovers at
the edge of the chasm unable to close on Tiamat [WIS save fail]. The second ice
devil clambers over and across the shattered bowl towards Tiamat. The ice devil
in the white chapel continues to cower [WIS save fail] but the ice devil in the
blue chapel shakes off the dragon fear. Naergon remains rooted at the entrance
to the white chapel as Severin howls and cackles twisting and turning high
above. [Turn 24] Jamna shoots and misses, still wracked with
fear [WIS save fail]. Druscilla continues to gasp and groan [death save
success] as Mads again swings his glaive, slicing through Tiamat’s armoured
hide and Bel rips into Tiamat with claw and mace. Tiamat roars and again spits
a bolt of lightning at the pit fiend before ripping the devil apart with her claws,
her tail stabbing into the pool of stinking ichor as once again Bel disappears
in a cloud of sulphurous smoke. The first ice devil slavers and growls at the edge
of the chasms, unable to bring itself to advance [WIS save fail]. The second
ice devil clambers out of the shattered bowl to stand in front of Tiamat and
attacks with claw and tail. The third ice devil continues to cower at the rear
of the white chapel [WIS save fail]. The fourth ice devil, dashes forward
towards Tiamat. Naergon remains frozen in fear as Severin continues to laugh manically
and shout nonsense from high above. [Turn 25] Jamna, still riven by fear, again shoots and
misses [WIS save fail]. Druscilla, sighs and stabilizes as her armour continues
to cool down [death save success: stabilized]. Mads swings his glaive, calling
on his devil’s own luck to cut and slash into the dragon queen. Tiamat swings
one giant claw and cleaving through the second ice devil, scattering Mads and
Druscilla in ichor as it disappears in a cloud of sulphurous smoke. Her second
claw reaches for Mads but misses but her tail whips around and pierces the warlock.
The first ice devil, still cowed by the dragonfear circles around the chasms to
the north [WIS save fail]. The third ice devil continues to cower in fear at
the rear of the white chapel [WIS save fail]. The fourth ice devil runs forward
and leaps the chasm to land behind Tiamat, ripping with claw and tail. Naergon
does his best to shake off the fear [inspiration] but remains rooted to the spot
[WIS save fail]. Severin continues to laugh and scream in tortured madness high
above. [Turn 26] Jamna shakily pulls out her very last arrow and
shoots, the arrow flying wide as the gnome shudders in fear [WIS save fail].
Mads swings his glaive, again and again, cutting huge rents in Tiamat, black
ichor flooding the temple floor as the dragon staggers back. The dragon queen
roars and snarls, the wounds clearly regenerating as she reaches claw out and
slashes Mads with both claws, before her tail swings across and stabs the warlock
again. The first ice devil roars from the chasm edge, unable to advance due to the
fear [WIS save fail]. The third ice devil continues to cower in the rear of the
white chapel. The fourth ice devil, bites and claws at Tiamat to no effect but
it ‘s tail whips in and pierces the dragon’s hide. Naergon remains rooted in
fear [WIS save fail] as Severin continues to cackle and laugh. [Turn 27] Jamna
stands, shaking in fear, unable to tear her eyes for the spectacle in front of
her [WIS save fail] as Mads, battered and bloody once more whirls his glaive
and stabs at Tiamat. The first attack finds an opening and cuts deep into the
dragon queen’s chest [critical]. Tiamat roars and screams, drool flowing as her
black head swings lazily around to stare at the warlock. Mads jabs again and
his blade pierces the bulging neck muscles. With a shriek and a howl Tiamat begins
to fall back into the portal. All around a rising wind builds as matter is sucked
into the vapid portal surrounding the dragon queen. The temple itself begins to
quake and fold on itself, buckling and heaving as it too is drawn back into the
hellish plain from whence the red wizards pulled it. The devils are pulled towards the portal, as high above
Severin’s cackling and laughing is cut short in a gurgling shriek as the Great
Apse folds in on itself and crushes the mad mage. Mads and Naergon (released
from his fear) run in towards Druscilla. Mads shouts out “ Jamna, get over here and cure Druscilla, only she can teleport us out
of this” turning to Naergon Mads asks “ what
about the others, can we save them?” “No ” replies the elf coldly “ there isn’t time. I’m sure they’ll build a
statue for him, Tomaz and his book.” Jamna scampers forward and clambers
over the bowl, pulling out the healing wand. As she slides down the far side,
she activates the wand and Druscilla gasps and groans as Mads helps her to her
feet “ we need to leave now ” he says “ come on, there’s no time, we need to get to
Naergon and teleport out of here.” “What about Talis?” asks Druscilla groggily.
“ No time, no time ” mutters Mads,
dragging the dwarf towards the chasm edge “ come
on Jamna, you can jump this, come on”. As the temple folds in on itself, showering ash and dragon
bone across the bulging, heaving floor Mads leads Druscilla and Jamna at a dead
run for the chasm wall, the floor roils and heaves as they leap across, to land
in a huddle around Naergon. Far above daylight pierces the ceiling as holes
appear in the temple, everything begins to distort as the blocks and stones are
sucked remorselessly into the void portal. They cling to each other shouting in
each other’s faces to be heard over the shrieking howl as the temple collapses.
Mads turns and stares as he sees Talis being dragged into the void but there’s
nothing he can do to reach her. Druscilla taps her helmet and in an instant, they
teleport out. The walls and spires falling inwards as they disappear to emerge,
staggering into the council chambers in Waterdeep. Clouds of ash and smoke
swirl around them. In the distance they here a lisping voice cry out “ not again, my carpets, my carpets, you’re
ruining them!” Naergon, barely able to stand, leans heavily on Mads “ I’d rather have gone back to my castle than come
here” he mutters. Mads looks at him “ so
we kill a god and the first thing you want to do is go back and see how Snapjaw
is?” “Well” mutters Naergon “ I
actually like Snapjaw.” Druscilla turns around as the chamber begins to
fill with guards and court flunkies “ We’re
not done yet, are we Mads? ” she asks “ Let’s
tell this lot the job is done, catch some rest, re-equip and then go help Mads
sort out his business, that’s what we agreed yes?” Several minutes later Lady Silverhand and Remalia arrive,
rather breathless into the chamber “You’ve returned, is it done?” cries Lady
Laeral. Shortly behind her Onthar, slightly breathless, arrives moments later “news
from Neverember, my lady. It appears the tide has turned; the cult armies are
evaporating. Prisoners speak of a legion of devils scouring the mountains and
desert hunting them down. . .” He stops as he takes in the scene in the centre
of the chamber. Druscilla steps forward and glares at the Open Lord of
Waterdeep “ the job is done; the dragon
bitch queen is dead. Or back in her prison on Avrenus I guess but the cult is
finished, Severin is dead as are the other wyrmspeakers we know of. The dragon
mask is destroyed (apart from the portions you lost) or at least sucked back to
Avernus where they belong. I’m sure your armies are capable of mopping up what
remains of their forces.” Naergon lurches forward leaning heavily on his staff, “ indeed, although I’m sorry to say it was not
without loss. Tomaz didn’t make it I’m afraid but the cult is finished. Well the
modern cult . . . I guess the old traditionalists remain, Sandresyl and Naergoth
both survive but I’ll hazard a bet that they’ll be more interested in
rebuilding their version of the dragon cult and distancing themselves from
Severin. So, if that’s all, I’d like to go to bed, I have to be in hell in the
morning.” Mads, nods and agrees, adding “ Tomaz wasn’t the only one that didn’t make it you know. Still my duty
is not yet served. As Naergon says we have an appointment in hell, so I’ll
leave you to rebuild your kingdoms” Jamna, following, looks around “is that deal for the tower still on the
table? Naergon will you sign now?” “Shut up ” snaps Naergon as he heads for
the door. Next time: A Hellish Epilogue Levels were gained
this session:
Naergon
19 th
level
Mads
18 th
level
Jamna
18 th
level
Druscilla
18 th
level
XP earnt is now
irrelevant as the rest of TOD is based on milestone XP In-Game the
session ended at 10:00 on 15 th Eleint 1485 DR [The last LONG
REST was completed at 06:00 on 15 th Eleint] [The last SHORT
REST was completed at 08:45 on 15 th Eleint] Next session
Tuesday 11 th June at 19:15