Chapter Three: Goro Goro Island - Session 22 - Darkness Below par 1 of 1

Last week we finally gathered to play, meeting on Saturday, 17th. This time session was held at Adrian's place, we sat around a table and welcomed new player, Jacek. Terentz was absent due to family meeting.

We began with recollection of previous adventures, introducing of characters and describing close surroundings. PC searched Maggog's chamber, finding few magical items: Mirror of Opposition, Pearls of Power and Mask of Skull. Close inspection of stone revealed the were marked with carvings resembling part of keys. Two burning with darkness led to outer dark and were quickly closed, one less active gave Connal glimpse of plateau, volcano and primordial forest, where second part of demons essence dwell.

There were one more curious thing: a well full of black, oily liquid. Xandos descended and returned after short while, describing a dark cave, that were under well, sight very similar to one he saw under Kuldahar. This time whole party climbed down and began to explore cave. After meeting two different and dangerous kinds of fungi, the found a valley and bodies of small creatures there. Before the had a chance to inspect them closely, darkness fall upon them (all but Connal) and the were attacked by pack of strange creatures. Connal created daylight which scarred grimlocks and the run away. Fireball blast destroyed them but fight was far from over. As it turned out below ceiling levitated four or five strange beings who tried to posses PCs. After being bombarded by spells and suffering amount of damage three of them ran. PC discovered tunnel by which grimlocks got on their level, but withdraw to recover (Avelon, Carlin and Kyril were paralysed).

Next time it was PC's turn to launch attack. The descended through tunnel and discovered a cave, where some creatures worked on veins of metal under guard of grimlocks and under supervision of three dark beings. As soon as PC's entered a cave, they were attacked by grimlocks and slaves. Masters controlled them from above and hurled their powers at heroes. PC killed grimlocks and tried to spare slaves. Finally they killed all but one masters (it were illithids) and freed prisoners. Last one used plane shift ability too escape. Fight was brutal and hard, Avelon was wounded as well Kyril, but it was Carlin who took greatest damage. He was struck by Ray of enfeeblement, failed saving throw which resulted in shattering of his mind. Slaves were: two buccaneers, priest of Mystra and Jarod, an adventurer and vagabond of Western Heartlands.

Prisoners were led upward to city, fed and put to sleep. While the were recovering, Ren searched for informations concerning black lotos and Forest Queen and talked with Avelon. In the meantime Connal tried to extract iryllium. Taking small chunk was a great effort, so he decided to invoke Moradin's power. Blessing chamber, sanctifying tools, praying and feasting, he conducted ceremony to summon his patron's ally. Instead a Messenger of Dwarven Father appeared and worked with his priest to excavate metal. Connal was dazed as were his friends.

Having all work done, heroes constructed raft and placed a metal under it. The moved above forest, visited treants to find any clue about Heart of wood or Queen of the Forest and assured themselves the have to find Primordial Plateau. When they finally arrived to lake and "Sky Mill", the saw their garden-ship surrounded by huge lilies with little lights upon them. Close inspection proved it were flotilla of some tribesmen, leaving sacrifaces on ship's deck and clearly waiting for something.

Behind the Courtain
Ren advanced 8th level of experience, choosing sorcerer class.
Connal advanced on 9th level.
As you can see, all comments have to be accepted first, because of trolling.
I was moderately satisfied with gaming session but guys cheered. They completed and finalised few things, finally understood what they have to do and how. I was glad session was held, because I was afraid we will abandon game after fuss that erupted and resulted with Sławek departure.

Chapter Three: Goro Goro Island - Session 21 - Slithering Shadow part 2 of 2

Acquiring necessary components, heroes decided to gather more information concerning Maggog. First the went through the city, reading stellas, searching for clues or other important information. The learned that revolt against Maggog was led by small group and it's members were not able to defeat demon, only to imprison him.
PC returned to woman the took from mansion and woke her. Interrogation revealed that she was ignorant of Maggog being, did not know his weak points or habits. She also was not moved by sight of city falling in ruins, passing of her friends and mood of sadness. Not being able to persuade her in giving up her habits, Pc let her go and she gladly returned to her sleeping chamber to dream lotus dreams.

PC's debated heavily but in the end decided to fight demon. They descended deep into city's bowels and entered chamber leading to prison. Doors turned out to be protected by explosive runes which detonated. Heroes moved on and entered chamber filled with coupling zombies. Upon their arrival, undead things arose and attacked. Connal channeled positive energy and destroyed many of them. Avelon tried the same but her priestly powers were either absent or she was given command over undead. Ren looked closely upon her symbol only to find it is very close to Shar's emblem. Dealing with zombie's PC's were charged by raging demon of darkness. He arose from trio of tall stones in the center of room, two of them were radiating with strange black halo. Fight was tough but in the end they were able to defeat monster. Maggog turned out to be quite weak opponent, much weaker than they expected.

Behind the Courtain
Although session went smooth and nice, it sparked a discussion concerning use of narcotic substances in Faerun. It would be pleasant conversation if it not turned into set of strange allusions. In the aftermatch of almost two weeks discussion we decided to part ways with Sławek. I wish him best luck in his endeavours. Two proposals for replacement were made and I'm going to make the propositions.

Chapter Three: Goro Goro Island - Session 20 - Slithering Shadow part 1 of 1

Session began with two paths story. Carlin tried to communicate with servant but when he saw wizard casting spell, he went mad and attacked him mercilessly. In the end Carlin was able to defeat him, smashing his skull to pieces. In the same time rest of heroes dreamt of King of Kings, entering the city. They awoke soon, only to find blooded Carlin, standing over dead body.

Heroes decided to take sleeping woman with them Just as the left tower the heard voice from the bushes, which called them in common tongue. It turned out voice belonged to young girl, who introduced herself as Avelon of Waukeen. She advised to leave sleeping woman, explaining awakening dreamers can be dangerous and lead party to her hideout. Avelon told PC's of nature of Anuirg and floating island. Inhabitants were once great alchemists, who invented "metal lighter than air", called iryllium. The also bred a dream lotus, flower able to create potent drug, which created dreams so powerful, that able to create reality from dream. Slowly the degenerated into race of narcotic addicts, a pale shadow of former glory. But in the las act of will to recreate former might, the summoned Maggog, demonic entity, the were hoping will lead them to conquest and awakens them from addictive slumber. Their plan failed and fiend were imprisoned by the rebellious three who defeated demon deep under the city. Maggog dwelled there for centuries, able to slip out of cell and feast upon sleeping inhabitants of the city. To open door leading to his chamber, one need three part key. First piece was stolen from tomb by Avelon, second one ws in Astrologist Laboratory and third in Embalmer's Tomb.
As for Avelon, she didn't know how she got to island. One Evening she was camping with friends on Sword Coast, next morning she awakened alone in city. She was certain no more than few months have passed, but in reality it was twenty years that went by. She was even unaware of disappearance and return of Waukeen.

Heroes decided to go to Observatory first. The climbed impossible high tower and on top of it found chamber of star-gazer.. He was creature neither living, nor dead, certainly not a typical undead, but one thrust of magical spear was enough to end his life. PC's searched his laboratory but found nothing. Connal looked through telescope but saw only burning, black star. When he turned to his friends, the saw he aged for about hundred years. Only after very close search, PC's found second part of key.
Heroes gathered their strength and descended into necropolis to seek Embalmer's Tomb. When the entered it, the were greeted but strike of lightning. It took one more for them realize, they are under attack. A fierce and bitter fight erupted full of darkness, erupting spells and bloody clashes but in the end the defeated guardian Naga. There heroes obtained third part of key, some treasures and Carlin discovered that Avelon was under powerful, necromantic curse, even he was unable to dispell.

Behind the Curtain
I prepared Naga and carefully planed it tactics. It turned out buffed monster lives up to it's Challange Rating.