Sarenith 18th 14 - I’m not a find Explosive runes type rouge, I’m a watch you blow yourselves up whilst I somehow manage to avoid it rouge!

The group awake from an uneventful nights rest.

They return to the room where they fought the Pisco demon yesterday and continue down the only other passageway leading out of the room for 30ft before opening into another chamber.

The chamber was filled with manacles and ancient blood stains were scattered across the floor with only a singular pillar dominating the centre of the chamber.

As the group set about to exploring the blood stained chamber Natalia notices that something was just barely visibly scribbled into the bloodstains. The writing read “Your princess is in another castle” and as soon as Natalia read the writing it began to glow with an increasingly magical energy before finally exploding and encompassing the entire party except Miro.

After recovering and searching the room further the group discover that there where no other exits (even secret exits) from this chamber, this left the group with only one possible route to explore. The only problem with the remaining route was that it lay on the other side of a toxic fume filled cavern.

Eventually they find themselves back in the central crypt where they instantly notice that within the gloom of the room a single dark red eye is glowing from the opposite side of the room followed by a sound of ‘tink, tink, tink…’ as a small orange orb rolled towards the group.

Otto’s expression suddenly changed to horror as he realised that what lay before them was an orb from a necklace of fireballs, then there was the sound of a squawk just as the orb exploded.

Once Otto had regained his composure he threw one of his own fireballs back at the red eye,

Boss shoots at the Red eye and hits,

Natalia throws a sunrod to the far side of the room which illuminates the area to show that the red eye belonged to a Raven, the same Raven that showed interest in her back in Varnhold (See Sarenith 13th 04 - Oh the horror!!! – Someone’s going to be a Mummy),

Vaneer lets off a healing burst,

Miro and Hugo move to attack the bird,

The raven fires off a magic missile before flying into the air,

Otto hits the winged fiend with a magic missile of his own causing the culprit to come colliding with the ground where it explodes.

Natalia changes her form into an air elemental and opens the door to the chamber of toxic fumes and goes to investigate if anything else is in the poisonous area and if there is an exit to the chamber on the other end.

The druid soon finds on the opposite side of a collapsed bridge a decaying wooden door that leads out of the chamber into a passageway. Natalia then makes her way back to the group and updates them on what she had discovered and so the group begin to plan how to get through the room without anyone being poisoned.

Reluctantly Otto agrees to again use a number of charges from his wand of dimensional door to transport the group to the empty passageway on the other side of the fume filled chamber.

Now in the empty passageway the group soon find a set of shallow stairs that lead upwards. At the top of the stairs was another passageway which ended in a dead end with only a door on both the left and right walls.

The group head through the door on the left to find themselves within a crypt filled with alcoves, it could be seen that the majority of the alcoves contained piles of fresh corpses and a lone corpse could be seen in the middle of the crypt laying face down.

Natalia and Vaneer begin to look at some of the corpses and confirm that they are just actually corpses and not undead creatures, the majority of the bodies appear to have been there for around 3 weeks. Most of the corpses appeared to have had their neck’s snapped whilst others have had their brains extracted.

It may have been the bruises but it took Vaneer some time to realise that the corpses that he was looking over were actually indeed some of the residents of Varnhold. The single corpse in the centre of the room belonged to Willis Gunderson. Willis was the person that sent the group a jade bracelet earlier in their adventures and is believed to be the person that has awoken the evil that lurks within this complex.

With nothing new to discover the group return to the corridor the last remaining door on the right.

The door opened into a 100ft by 200ft long chamber which at the opposite end of the room stood a great white staircase leading up to a balcony above, a large table stood in the centre in the room with a number of corpses all frozen in their death throes sat around the table all with their brains missing.

Before the group could investigate the table further they soon spot 4 zombie Cyclops’ shambling towards them from the side of the room.

Vaneer Attacks zombie (1) and hits,

Otto casts 2 scorching rays at zombie (1),

Boss shoots at zombie (1) and misses,

Zombie (1) takes a chunk out of Vaneer's arm,

Zombies (2 - 4) move closer to the fray,

Miro attempts to flank zombie (1) but misses,

Hugo attacks and damages zombie (1),

Natalia attacks zombie (2) with a fire sphere and hits,

Bob charges at zombie (1) and re-kills the undead creature,

Vaneer moves to attack zombie (2) and hits,

Otto releases another 2 scorching rays at the second zombie,

Boss lets an arrow fly right through the eye of zombie (2) dropping it to the floor motionless,

Zombie (3) takes a bite out of Vaneer,

Miro attempts to flank zombie (3) and manages to land a blow,

Hugo also attacks and hits zombie (3),

Natalia moves her flaming sphere onto zombie (3) and manages to injure it,

Bob charges at zombie (3) and hits but sadly not enough to dispatch it,

Vaneer manages to land another blow on zombie (3),

Otto lets off a magic missile which puts an end to zombie (3),

Boss attacks and hits the final zombie,

Zombie (4) takes a bite out of Miro's shoulder,

Miro returns the attack and hits the zombie twice,

Hugo misses his swing at the zombie,

Bob charges into the zombie and manages to land a blow,

Natalia follows Bob's lead and also lands a blow on the final zombie,

Vaneer also charges into zombie (4) and hits the zombie to the ground where it remained motionless.

With combat over Vaneer set out to get some healing into the group whilst they rested for a moment in this chamber now quiet as a grave.

The group soon start investigation the 32 seated corpses around the large table and it quickly becomes obvious that all the dinner guests are actually the leaders and council members of Varnhold,

Vaneer takes a moment to ponder the fate of his father in law before the group decide to head up the stairs.

At the top of the stairs the group find only a single door leading away from the balcony which leads into a 40ft long passageway ending in another set of stairs leading upwards.

After climbing the second set of stairs the group found themselves in an octangular room with yet another set of stairs leading down into a small chamber with a fountain and pool that smelled of sulphur and a large set of brass doors along the right hand wall, the pool of water also trickled a shallow stream of water from the pool and under the doors.

As the group investigate the pool of water begins to pool into the air and soon takes the form of a huge water elemental that immediately attacks the group.

Elemental scores a critical strike against Hugo,

Natalia uses a spell to attack the elemental and hits,

Bob charges in for an attack and hits,

Vaneer casts righteous might and grows in size,

Otto backs up the stairs and casts scorching ray,

Boss throws a flask of alchemist’s fire at the elemental and hits,

Miro follows Boss' idea and throws another flask of alchemists fire and hits,

Hugo attempts to flank the huge elemental and lands a hit,

Natalia casts a flaming sphere only for the elemental to avoid its fiery affects,

Bob and Vaneer attack but miss this HUGE elemental,

Otto casts another scorching ray and hits,

Boss throws another flask of alchemist’s fire,

Miro tries to assist Vaneer's attack by providing a distraction,

The critically injured Hugo tries to back out from the fight,

Huge water elemental wallops Vaneer,

Natalia heals some of Vaneers wounds,

Bob attacks and hits the elemental,

Vaneer finally hits the elemental but it appears to take none of the damage,

Otto casts another scorching ray and hits,

Boss fails to land a successful blow,

Miro continues to aid Vaneer,

Hugo now out of the combat resorts to his bow but misses,

The Elemental begins to spin and attacks Miro, Vaneer, Bob and Boss injuring all 4 combatants,

Natalia throws in another flask of alchemist’s fire,

Bob attempts another chewing but misses the water based creature,

Vaneer finally manages to land a successful blow and injures the elemental,

Otto casts magic missile which when hits collapses the water elemental,

Vaneer heals up the wounds as best he can whilst trying to save spells,

Whilst still in his large size the cleric kicks open the brass doors to reveal a large chamber with a pool and throne, standing in front of the throne was a tall ominous figure (Cyclops Lich).

The group listen to the Lich's pre-combat monologue.

The Lich moves forward and casts a wave of fatigue which affects all of the group,

Otto casts a Black Tentacles spell around the Lich,

Boss throws a flask of alchemist’s fire at the Lich,

Miro necks a potion of Cat's grace and moves to try and attack,

Hugo also moves to attack and hits,

Natalia uses her fluttering flaming sphere and manages to burn the Lich,

Bob moves to support Vaneer,

Vaneer casts a holy smite spell and moves in ready to attack,

Lich takes a sideways step away from the tentacles and casts a spell to dominate Miro's simple mind,

Otto casts a fireball and engulfs the Lich,

Miro attacks Vaneer but fails to deal any damage thanks to the Righteous might,

Hugo attacks the Lich and misses,

Natalia's flaming sphere misses the Lich,

Natalia attempts to dispel the mind control on Miro but ends up dispelling another spell affecting the Halfling,

Vaneer manages to smack the Lich,

The Lich attempts to cast Blindness on Otto but fails,

Otto casts another fireball but it proves less successful as his first casting,

Hugo sneaks into the combat and attempts to remove a gem of the water elemental from Miro's belt which he promptly smashes on the ground to summon a large water elemental to aid in the fight,

Water elemental attacks the Lich and hits,

Miro attacks Hugo but fails to land a successful blow,

Natalia moves her flaming sphere to distract Miro but the Halfling nimbly avoids the ball of fire,

Natalia starts to cast another spell,

Vaneer attacks and hits the Lich,

The Lich casts a spell and disappears to which Otto immediately recognises as a Dimensional door spell,

Otto attempts to cast a Deep slumber spell on Miro but the pesky Halfling resisted the affects,

Miro attacks Hugo and hits,

Hugo fights of Miro whilst the water elemental searches the area for the Lich,

Natalia's spell completes as she summons a Fire Elemental,

Vaneer uses his calming touch to remove the affects of the Lich's fatigue from all except Miro,

Otto dismisses his Black tentacles whilst Hugo and Miro continue their wrestling match,

Natalia casts detect magic to see if she can pick up any stray magical auras,

Vaneer casts a protection from Evil spell on Miro to at least temporary suppress the mind control but the Halfling again fails to resist leaving the control in full possession,

Numerous moments pass by as the group try to work out where the Lich had escaped too whilst Vaneer uses his last Dispel magic to finally break the mind control on Miro.

Whilst exploring the chamber they soon spot the corpse of a Centaur (see quest Rescuing Xamanthe), Natalia checks the body and declares the Nomen priestess dead and asks Vaneer to confirm, checking closely the cleric actually notices that the Centaur is still alive but just paralysed and casts a remove paralysis which releases the priestess when suddenly the Lich re-appears behind them clearly fully healed from the earlier combat,

Otto casts a fireball at the Lich which does little damage,

The Lich casts stinking cloud which only affects Bob and Vaneer straight off,

Vaneer grabs Bob and moves them both out of the clouds affect,

Otto moves out of the cloud and casts a shout spell which fails to have any affect,

Boss grabs Miro and pulls the Halfling out of the stinking cloud,

Natalia casts a restoration spell on Vaneer to help the cleric’s recovery,

The Lich casts Enervation on Hugo,

Vaneer casts a searing light at the Lich and hits,

Hugo moves to attack the Lich but misses,

Miro flanks the Lich and hits,

Boss also moves to attack the Lich and lands a successful blow,

Otto casts a scorching ray, hitting the Lich,

Whilst Natalia starts to cast another spell,

The Lich grinning at the proximity of the majority of the fighters casts a Black Tentacles spell around him which grapples Hugo and the Centaur,

Vaneer removes Bob's nausea and moves to stare down the Lich,

Miro whom seems to glide across the tentacle area flanks the Lich and scores a hit,

Hugo and the Centaur fail to break free from the tentacles hold,

Boss moved out of the tentacle area and attacks the Lich,

Otto casts a magic missile only to find that it is blocked by a shield spell protecting the Lich,

Natalia's spell completes and 2 fire elementals appear and attack the Lich whilst she begins to cast another spell,

The Lich casts a suggestion on the rogue and suggests he should go outside,

Vaneer takes a swing at the Lich and hits,

Miro decides that he fancies a trip outside and skips towards the door,

Hugo and the Centaur again fail to break free from the tentacles,

Otto casts a fireball at the Lich and hits,

Boss takes another swing at the Lich and hits,

The fire elementals attack but both miss the Lich,

Natalia's spell completes and an earth elemental appears and hits the Lich,

The Lich attempts to punch Boos but misses,

Miro continues his skipping session back through the water elementals room,

Hugo and Centaur fail to break free still,

Vaneer goes for an attack but misses,

Otto casts a disrupt undead spell and hits,

Boss makes another swing and hits,

Natalia casts magic fang on to the earth elemental,

All of the elementals manage to miss the Lich,

The Lich casts a spell on Vaneer draining the clerics spell casting ability to that of a beginning acolyte,

Vaneer has another swing but misses,

Miro approaches the balcony above the dinning table,

Hugo and the Centaur again fail to escape,

Otto casts another disrupt undead,

The elementals all miss the Lich again,

Natalia throws an alchemists fire flask at the Lich, critically smashing it in his single eye,

The Lich casts Enervation on Boss,

Vaneer takes another swing and manages to land a blow,

Miro trips over a dead zombie corpse,

Hugo and the Centaur are still grappled,

Boss takes a swing at the Lich and hits,

The elementals attack and only hit once,

Natalia casts flame blade and hits the Lich,

Lich attacks Vaneer but misses the cleric,

Vaneer attacks the Lich and lands a blow,

Miro starts skipping down the passage towards the chamber full of poisonous fumes,

Hugo and the Centaur still fail to break free from the tentacles,

Boss makes for another attack but misses the Lich,

Otto casts burning hands on the Lich,

The Elementals all attack but only one blow is landed on the Lich,

Natalia attacks with her flame blade and hits the Lich,

Lich attacks Vaneer, he hits and paralysed the cleric,

Miro attempts to assemble a bridge across the gap in the fume room with corpses,

Boss has another swing at the Lich and misses,

Otto casts his final burning hands which actually hits and destroys the crumbles the Lich.

As the Lich turns to the dust, the spells on Hugo, Miro and the Centaur priestess release their holds and the group begin to re-gather whilst trying to figure out how to get the cleric moving again.

Otto and Natalia find a scroll of remove paralysis amongst the group's possessions and manage to get the scroll to work and release Vaneer from his motionless prison.

Natalia does what she can to help heal both Vaneer and Hugo with Vaneer topping up Hugo's health where he can with his limited spells.

With the threat of the Lich now removed the group continue their exploration of his lair and eventually find a mass of glass jars with balls of light floating around, Vaneer notices these as trapped souls whom are most likely given the numbers are the remainder of the Varnhold citizens.

They soon decide to pop all the jars into a portable hole where they will be released once the group make it back to Varnhold and then use the last few charges from Otto's wand of dimensional door to exit the Lich's lair.

Once out of the mountains the group begin their walk back to the centaur camp.

Sarenith 17th 14 - Between a Claw and a chin full of tentacles

Stepping out of the mist was a medium sized creature that gave off an sulphurous odour, with beady cold eyes upon storks and 2 claws where its hands should be one of which was larger than the other.

Within the minds of the group a slurping type voice soon spoke, “Symbol of Erastil! Interestinggg? What’s are you doing here?”

The group look at Vaneer wondering what the cleric was pondering just as he responded “We come to retrieve an item of power and put a stop to the zombie hoards roaming the land! Oh and to get us a lobster dinner!”

The cleric then casts a shield of faith upon himself,

Otto casts a Black tentacles spell at the lobster demon,

The demon moves to attack Vaneer and misses,

Miro flanks the demon and lands a blow,

Boss joins the fight and hits the creature,

Hugo also takes a swing at the lobster dinner and lands a blow,

Vaneer casts a Bless spell to aid the group with the fight,

Otto casts Haste,

Natalia attacks with a poison spell but fails to affect the demon,

Bob attacks the demon and manages to land a number of blows,

Boss shoots and misses,

The demon steps upto Vaneer and attacks both Hugo and Vaneer which misses Vaneer but hits Hugo,

Miro re-flanks the demon and manages to land 3 blows.

Natalia moves into join the fight and attempts to hit,

Vaneer casts a healing burst,

Otto casts a barrage of magic missiles with only 1 out of 5 managing to hit its target,

Boss attacks and hits,

Demon misses Miro with its tentacle chin but deals a critical blow to the Halfling with its larger claw,

Miro returns the favour but critically striking back at the creature,

Hugo attacks and manages to land a blow,

Natalia casts Magic fang on Bob to help the badger’s chances in the fight,

Bob attacks and critically lands a blow on the creature,

Vaneer casts Bull strength on Hugo,

Otto casts Invisibility on Miro,

The demon sees Miro and attacks him by landing two blows draining some of the Halflings constitution through its tentacle chin,

Hugo attacks and lands a blow,

Bob attacks with all his might and manages to land four blows,

Natalia begins to cast a spell to call lightening,

Vaneer casts another healing burst to help keep Miro on his agile feet,

Otto casts another barrage of magic missile and hits with all missiles,

The demon attacks Miro again undoing Vaneers healing efforts and reducing the Halfling to the edge of unconsciousness,

Miro strains himself to land a final blow on the creature but fails just as he falls into unconciousness,

Hugo attacks the creature twice with enough force and damage to cause the demon to explode in what could only be explained as a death “Trump”.

Natalia then casts a cure light spell on Miro to prevent the Halfling from dropping into the realm of the dead.

Vaneer then casts a cure critical spell on Miro and then uses the staff of healing to help return some of the rogue’s constitution before using the rest the clerics healing to heal the Halfling as much as possible.

The group then agrees to return to the unfinished corridor they had found earlier and set up camp to rest.

Sarenith 16th 14 - I’m more of a "wait till shit happens and fix it" rogue, rather than a "waste time looking for traps" rogue

The group rest passes uneventfully.

Via various uses of spells and magical items the group make their way over to the island and stand at the base of the large pillar where amongst the undergrowth they eventually find the entrance.

Through the entrance way they find a passageway which is 80ft long and then turns right at end.

About halfway down the passageway the group find an archway containing an alcove.

In the alcove is a pile of coins and a jade bracelet which seemed similar to the details of one found in Varnhold a while ago.

After turning right at the bend where the passageway carries on for 30ft and opens into a diamond shaped chamber where its ceiling vaults up to 30ft with 3 ways to exit, the left passage ends in a stone wall, whilst the centre and right have broken walls leading to further alcoves.

Vaneer and Miro suddenly hear noises from the southern alcove to which Natalia confirms with her darkvision that there is a dead Cyclops zombie approaching the group.

Not wasting any time, Otto casts a scorching ray.

Hugo charges into combat and gets hit by the zombie whilst managing to land a blow on the undead creature himself. 

Miro flanks the zombie and stabs the creature in the back.

Vaneer attacks the zombie and hits.

Bob attacks and misses.

Natalia attacks and kills the zombie just as a fist suddenly breaks through the wall at the end of the eastern passage.

The fist appears to belong to another zombie as it starts to break down the wall.

Otto casts flaming sphere, the majority of group wait to see what happens next.

Vaneer charges in with his trident and hits.

Miro attacks and misses.

Hugo attacks and hits.

Boss throws an alchemists fire at the zombie.

Otto casts his scorching rays the zombie killing it.

After some exploring of the area, Natalia and Miro discover a secret door behind the wall at the end of the central passage.

Miro gives it the all clear and opens the door after Vaneer loosens it for him.

The door opens into a natural vaulted cavern where the group find themselves standing on a ledge with a large body of water below.

Vaneer attempts to push Miro over the ledge only to have Miro grab Vaneer as he goes over taking both adventurers into the water.

Vaneer and Miro explore the water area and Vaneer discovers a passage way under waters surface which is close to the ledge, whilst Miro finds another passage way on the far side of the cavern.

Natalia assumes the form of an air elemental and goes through the passage that Miro found and discovers that it leads back outside to the lake.

Natalia repeats the method with the passage close to the ledge and after 40ft ends up in another chamber.

Natalia reports back to the group with her findings, after the update the rest of the group decide to swim along the passage into a 60x60ft cavern filled with old pottery dating back to an ancient empire according to Miro.

The only way out of the cavern is via a small set of stairs that lead to a set of bronze double doors. 

Miro checks the doors and gives them a clean bill of health.

The doors open into a 5ft long passage way which then opens into another room with 2 Cyclops statues halfway down the passage way.

The room is 40x40ft square with 16 Cyclops statues round the outer edge of the room.

Vaneer and Miro explore the room as it appears to be a dead end.

In the ceiling there is a number of circular doors and a stone door in one of the walls which leads though into a 10ft long passage way with stairs at the end heading up.

Just as the group where about to explore the stairs suddenly there is an enormous rattling as two portcullis’s drop down trapping the group in the room full of statues, and as things couldn’t get any worse the holes in the ceiling start to open up pouring water into the square room.

As the room begins to fill the group run around trying to find how to disable the flooding trap but with no clue in sight the group decides to use a dimension door beyond the portcullis and head up the stairs.

The staircase winds upwards to the 2^nd level which opens up on to a 10ft wide 30ft long corridor which turns right and ends in a set of bronze doors.

Miro finally checks for traps and opens the doors. 

The doors open into a 40ft long chamber by 60ft wide with pillars carved with leering fiends snarling all around and a number of small alters are situated around the room along with one large stone alter against the southern most wall which sat next to one of the two bronze double doors leading out of the room.

Group investigate the room and find nothing of nothing.

They then debate about which of the 2 remaining bronze doors to open, eventually they open the one to the left of them which leads into a 20ft long corridor that turns left for 30ft and then turns 45 degrees to the left for another 30ft ending in a set of stairs going down.

The group head down the stairs and find themselves in a 40ft long corridor which ends in a single bronze door.

The single door opens into a large chamber with numerous burial alcoves which appear to be empty and at the Far end and round the corner of the room stood a further bronze door.

On entering the room though all minus Otto notice 2 more soul eaters flying near the ceiling of the room and that descend towards the group.

Boss shoots and hits.

Otto casts Haste.

Vaneer casts a magic circle against evil.

Miro waits and plans his attack.

Hugo follows Miro’s example and waits to attack.

Natalia attacks both of the soul eaters with magical fire.

Soul eater(1) attacks Miro and hits.

Soul eater(2) attacks Bob and hits.

Otto and Boss attack both creatures.

Vaneer casts shield of faith.

Miro attempts to faint and succeeds but only manages to hit 1.

Hugo attacks a soul eater(1) and destroys it.

Bob attacks soul eater(2) and hits.

Natalia fireballs creature 2 and hits.

Soul eater(2) attacks Natalia and misses.

Boss shoots soul eater(2) and hits.

Otto casts magic missile and hits destroying the soul eater.

The group head to only door leading out of the room which leads into a 40ft passage way that turns left and ends in another bronze door.

Opening the door reveals a 15x15ft room in lime plaster with a single bronze door leading out.

Opening the door reveals another room of 5x25 size that contains a stone bench and a stone statue of a Cyclops against the north wall.

Miro checks out the statue and finds a secret door behind it, the door appears to radiate magic but Miro claims it isn’t trapped.

Multiple attempts are made to open the door but Otto eventually announces that the door is magically locked so Natalia tries to dispel the magical luck but has no luck.

Natalia shifts into the form of a stone elemental and melds through the wall into the room beyond the locked secret door.

Natalia eventually returns and says that there is a 20x30ft room with many eyes carved into the walls, but to open the door the group would require a mass of strength or an expert lock picker at which Miro huffs.

The group decide to leave the room alone and head back to the burial alcoves and open the remaining door from that room.

The passage way beyond curves away and is full of fumes whilst the temperature increases.

Natalia identifies that the fumes are poisonous and being the only person immune to poison and with Vaneer low on spells to give any immunities she volunteers to investigate the area on behalf of the group.

As the druid explores the passage she soon finds herself over a pit of boiling white sulphuric liquid.  Whilst investigating Natalia notices a creature across the pit watching her, the creature almost skeleton like with a dropped jaw expression.

The creature slowly touches its chest and then begins to levitate towards the ceiling out of sight.

Not sure what to do Natalia waits to see what the creature does first and after a while she attempts to dispel the levitation but fails.

Then from the shadows of the ceiling 2 scorching rays fly towards Natalia only just missing the druid.

Natalia casts a spell back and hits with a flamestrike but only to have the creature cast another spell but as it starts to take hold of Natalia’s mind she finds the strength to resist.

Natalia begins to summon some allies (air elementals) to aid in her fight.

The creature casts a spell and flames begin to cover its body.

The summoned Air elementals appear and attack the creature with only one l elemental landing a successful blow.

Natalia casts a call lightening spell and strikes the creature.

Creature casts a fireball spell at Natalia and hits.

The Air elementals attack and all of them hit.

Natalia call’s another lightening strike again and hits the creature.

The creature appears to have stopped moving and is possibly dead.

Natalia uses the air elementals to bring the lifeless skeleton to her as it is still levitating and starts to drag the skeleton back to the group.

When Natalia presents the skeleton to the group Vaneer recognises the creature instantly but from when he was alive and not as an undead creature, the person was know as a Cephal Lorentus whom was on the Varnhold council and appears to have been dead due to a broken neck for at least 2 weeks.

The group now head back to the other set of double bronze doors in the room with the pillars.

Vaneer opens the door, just at the perfect time where the large alter next to the door bursts into black fire enveloping everyone apart from Miro.

After a short argument between the cleric and the rogue as to why they drag along a rogue that can’t find traps they group find that beyond the doors waited an 20x30ft long corridor with a set of double doors on left and the corridor finally opens into a room in at end.

The group check the double doors on the left which opens into a short passage way 15ft long and then turns right where a set of steps seem to go down to a dead end, Vaneer suggests that the group take advantage of an opportune place to rest but after some debate it is suggested to push a little further.

The group turns around and heads back up to check out the room at the end of the corridor, the room opens into a 30x30 area with a corridor opposite carries the corridor onwards.

As the group walks into the room an explosion of mist occurs in the centre as a creature appears and walks out of the mist with giant claws for hands ‘Pisco Daemon’.

Will the battle tired group survive this encounter? Stay tuned and find out.

Sarenith 15th 14 - Valley of the Dead? Its just a name.....right!?!

The group awake well rested.

They waste no time and head out early and soon arrive at the valley of undead.

As they begin to walk through into the valley they soon find themselves walking past vast and numerous grave stones for which the valley is named.

After a while of wandering through the valley Natalia eventually spots a red tree nearby, whilst 500ft away in the opposite direction of the tree a crack at the end of the valley reveals a carved stone staircase heading up into the mountain range above the valley.

After a short debate about which action should be taken first the group approach the fifth and hopefully final red tree, but as they get within 100ft of it all of them apart from Vaneer notice that the graves surrounding the tree start to shake and move as 3 dozen skeletons, some of which appeared to be on fire erupt from the graves and approach the group.

As the 3 dozen skeletons begin their slow approach Natalia, Otto and Miro also notice out of the corner of their eyes a large hulking one eyed zombie trying to creep up on the group.

Otto casts fireball getting 2 of the skeletons.

Vaneer uses healing blasts and destroys 10 skeletons with his positive energy.

The remaining Skeletons all attack which all miss except one lonely skeleton that manages to claw Otto.

The Zombie approaches Vaneer and swings his great axe at the cleric but misses.

Bob attacks a skeleton and hits.

Natalia attacks a skeleton destroying it and leaving 10 left.

Miro attacks the Cyclops zombie and hits.

Hugo attacks the zombie and hits 3 times as the warriors blade pulls out some of the zombies intestines for added measure.

Otto finishes off the skeletons with another fireball.

Hugo despatches the zombie.

Group then make short work of destroying the red tree.

Before doing anything else Vaneer decides to cast a hide from undead spell on the group as they begin to head up the stone stairs which takes them winding through the mountains.

After a mile of climbing up through the mountain the group surprisingly bumps into Emissary sitting on the stairs ahead with a boiling kettle and a picnic spread.

The fey gentleman greets the group and the group returns his greeting as the fey motions for them to join him for a cuppa.

During the small banter, Emissary makes a comment he as an small issue, though he says that he has been forbidden to inform the group of what’s ahead of them but he is going to ignore that rule as there is an item up ahead that he really needs retrieving.

He continues to inform the group that up ahead is a slumbering warlord (Litch) which some annoying human has disturbed its rest whom had been slumbering for 10,000 years. Since waking the Litch has found the item that Emissary hid there and claimed the item as his own, and now Emissary requires the item back.  He continues to add that he doesn’t need this item now so the group could use the item till it is required at which point the group would have to return the item (Oculus) to Emissary when he comes to claim the item.

Miro asks the fey if he has a magical blunt weapon he could borrow but the fey says no though it would be in the rogues interest to check at the wyvern cave up ahead if that is what he requires.

With the tea pot now empty Emissary says his farewells and just before vanishing he says that something approaches. 

The group cautiously carry along the route up and through the mountains and after a short period the group notice a slight rumbling noise and vibration through the stone stairs.

The group stop to see if the vibrations are getting closer and notice it is steadily getting closer, a little worried at what could cause such a vibration and still not be insight of them.

The group decide to head back down the path to where they previously saw a ledge and climb their way up to the ledge some 40ft above the stairway and await to see that the source of the vibration as a mass of 500 zombies come marching down the stairway.

As the mass of the undead passed beneath the group could see that all of the zombies appear to be human each with missing craniums.

Once the zombies had marched past a couple of the group members start to worry what the masses destination was so Otto decides to send a message to the centaurs warning them of the zombie heard in case they are making their way to the centaur camp.

Now that the hoard had passed the group begin to climb down from the ledge and continue their way up the stairs hoping that if they destroy what ever awaits them it will destroy the marching zombie army.

After 2 miles of walking along the stairway all of the group apart from Vaneer are surprised as 2 balls of black smoke (Soul Eaters) suddenly appear and attack the group.

Soul Eater(1) attacks Vaneer.

Soul Eater(2) attacks Natalia and drains some of her wisdom.

Vaneer tries to cast dismissal at the extra planar creatures but fails.

Soul Eater(1) attacks and misses Vaneer.

Soul Eater(2) hits Natalia twice.

Vaneer casts holy smite injuring Bob which sends the Honey badger into a rage against the cleric.

Miro attempts to feint Soul Eater(2) and hits dealing only one damage.

Hugo attacks Soul Eater(2) and hits.

Boss shoots at Soul Eater(2) and defeats the soul eater.

Otto fires an array of magic missiles at Soul Eater(1).

Natalia shifts into the form of an earth elemental.

Bob attacks Vaneer and hits 3 times dealing a fair chunk of damage.

Soul Eater(1) hits Vaneer twice.

Vaneer casts shield of faith to help alleviate some of the brutal attacks against him.

Miro attacks and hits Soul Eater(1).

Hugo attacks and hits Soul Eater(1).

Boss shoots at Soul Eater(1) and misses.

Otto casts another barrage of magic missile killing the remaining soul eater.

Vaneer sets to work and attempts to restore some of Natalia’s wisdom drain so she can us her druidic magic to calm the still raging Bob before tending to the rest of the parties wounds.

The group carry on their walk for another 2 miles (8 miles in total so far) and find themselves entering into a clearing that is nestled in between the mountains, in the clearing there was a green/black coloured lake occupying the majority of the clearing and with a waterfall cascading down into the lake from a mountainside above. Though most importantly in the middle of the lake sat a small island with a tall stone structure, they also happen to notice that there is a large opening in one of the cavern walls with a slight overhang.

The group circle the lake and find a place narrow enough to allow them to dimensionally travel to the other side of the cliffs and then use the rope of climbing to climb down to the cave where they believed the wyverns are located.

Unfortunately as the group climb down the wyverns emerge from the cave and take flight and prepare to defend their lair,

Natalia notices a small black bird also takes flight from cave and that it is most likely the same magical bird that was flying around her back in Varnhold.

As the group reach the ledge the wyverns attack.

Miro quickly backs into the cave and attempts to hide.

Hugo goes defensive and follows Miro into the cave.

Natalia casts flame strike.

Wyvern(1) attacks and misses Natalia.

Wyvern(2) flies into the cave after Hugo but misses it’s attack.

Hugo retaliates against the charging wyvern and hits.

Miro also takes an opportunistic strike against Wyvern(2) but misses.

Vaneer hits Wyvern(1) twice.

Boss shoots and misses Wyvern(1).

Otto casts scorching ray on Wyvern(1) which critically injures the creature.

Miro attacks Wyvern(2).

Hugo attacks Wyvern(2).

Bob attacks Wyvern(2) and kills it.

Natalia attacks Wyvern(1) and kills it.

After the combat the group find that the cave is high enough and secure enough for a place to rest their battle torn bodies and so the group rests.

Sarenith 14th 14 - Please sir! Can we kill you for definite this time?

The group awake well rested with the exception of Boss whom struggled whilst passing his implanted eggs.

The group set about getting ready and prepare for the dark centaur’s return.

As expected dark tendrils started to appear from the dark fighters armour as he began to reform his body, once regenerated Vaneer asked for a moment before the inevitable fight just to talk, confused the centaur warrior cautiously agreed.

At that point Natalia, Otto and Vaneer began talking to Kerezar about the history and story that they had uncovered about him and about the deeds that turned him mad before informing the centaur that they are willing to help him with his atonement and redeeming his soul.

A very long 5 minutes pass as Kerezar ponders the adventurer’s words whilst giving them the impression that their little talk had no effect but the centaur gives a heavy sigh in relief and agrees to the atonement providing the adventurers prove their worth by defeating him in one last fight.

What followed was a quick fight and just before he succumbed to the wounds he had been dealt Kerezar stops the fight and agrees to surrender and open himself to the group’s attempts to set him free.

Vaneer begins the ritual but casting a consecrate spell over the area.

As the cleric begins to cast the break enchantment spell he is forced to spend a hero as a large mysterious mars bar lands on his foot to distract him and the spell finally takes root.

Natalia then steps up and casts atonement over the centaur which breaks the hold that the armour has over the grave knight allowing him to rip off the armour and then stamp on the armour to destroy, this act then releases his spirit and allows him to vanish finally pass on some important information to the group before joining his kin in the after-lands.

Kerezar tells the group that the ancient creature that controlled him was an undead creature that rested for centuries until recently where it was awoken by a human trespasser. He urges the group to destroy him now as currently he is weak but is building a force, collecting information and gaining strength with each passing day.

Now with a nasty reoccurring villain finally out of the way the group head back to the nomen tribe to inform the high priestess and Acora Silverfire (war priestess) that Karezar’s soul has now been put to peaceful rest.

After that conversation, Acora informs the group that her daughter hasn’t yet returned from investigating the valley of the dead in the far south and tasks the group to travel there and find out her fate.

The group agree to make haste at Acora’s request and head south straight away till evening falls when they set up camp and get ready to rest overnight.

Sarenith 13th 14 - Oh the horror!!! – Someones going to be a Mummy

The group awake from a peaceful night.

The group set off from the nomen tribe and head off to find this mysterious stone.

Whilst on route Natalia flies over Vanhold to see if there is any sign of a red tree within the town and finds no red tree but she does spot various men investigating the town from the house Surtova, she also notices a magical aura from a nearby raven.

Eventually Natalia returns to the group and updates the group of what she saw at Vanhold before the group continue their journey to the mysterious stone Natalia sends a message to the contours about the men in Vanhold.

After a while both Vaneer and Miro hear a soft noise asking for help but with no sight of the source. 

Eventually Vaneer convinces Zzamas the phase spider to present herself as she asks the group to kill the dimensional intruders that are keeping her away from her home and offers a chest she found as a reward, the group agree and ask to be taken to intruders.

Zzamas takes them to the rock where that place overlaps the other place and where the Evil creatures have moved in and aim to take over everything (Xill).

Otto uses his knowledge and remembers that the Xill possibly have spell resistance and that when they bite they inject eggs into victim.

Once the group arrive at the Ghost stone the prep and approach the stone as 5 Xill’s appear.

Xill(1) attacks and misses Natalia,

Xill(2) attacks and misses Boss,

Xill(5) and Xill(4) attacks and miss Vaneer,

Xill(5) attacks and hits Otto and spends a hero point to pass the fortitude save,

Vaneer hits Xill(3) twice.

Otto steps back 5ft and casts scorching ray at Xill(5) and hitting the creature.

Boss attacks Xill(2) and hits,

Xill(3) attacks Vaneer but misses,

Boss attacks Xill(2) and hits.

Miro (currently invisible) sneaks up on Xill(5) and attacks sneakily only to end up hitting the Xill normally.

Hugo attacks Xill(5) but misses.

Natalia calls down a bolt of lightening onto Xill(1),

Bob attacks Xill(1) and injures the creature,

Natalia casts flaming sphere,

Xill(1) attacks Bob and hits,

Xill(2) attacks Boss with 4 out of its 5 attacks which results Bob becoming paralysed,

Xill(5) attacks Miro hits with 3 out of 5 attacks,

Xill(3) attacks Vaneer and critically bites the cleric on the arm,

Xill(4) attacks Vaneer and misses,

Vaneer misses Xill(3),

Zzamas finally appears briefly to attack Xill(3) but fails to hit,

Otto casts hideous laughter on Xill(5) but the spell fails to take hold. ,

Hugo attacks Xill(5) and hits twice,

Miro attacks Xill(5) and criticals the creature in its egg sack killing it instantly and steps towards Xill(2),

Natalia brings down another bolt of lightening on Xill(1) and hits it,

Natalia also moves her Flaming sphere but it misses her targets,

Bob attacks Xill(1) and kills it,

Natalia shifts into an elemental form,

Xill(2) and Boss are currently blurred out for a rated 18 scene involving Xill eggs as the rest of the group watch in horror,

Xill(3) hits Vaneer with a claw,

Xill(4) misses Vaneer,

Zzamas fails to hit anything again before phasing out,

Otto casts another hideous laughter on Xill(2), 

Vaneer hits Xill(3) twice.

Miro attacks Xill(2) almost killing the creature,

Hugo attacks Xill(2) and hits finally killing it,

Natalia casts lightening bolt on Xill(4) hitting it, whilst her flaming sphere has no effect,

Natalia (now an earth elemental) attacks Xill(4) and hits,

Bob attacks the now flanked Xill(4) and hits,

Xill(4) attacks Bob and misses,

Xill(3) attacks Vaneer and misses,

ZZama finally hits Xill(3) killing it through constitution loss, 

Vaneer hits Xill(4) twice,

Otto finally casts another hideous laughter on Xill(4) successfully,

Miro attacks Xill(4) and kills it,

With combat over Vaneer begins to cast a remove disease on Boss to remove the implanted eggs before removing the paralysis.

The group now wait as they camp for the evening watching Boss with eagle eyes for the moment he has to take care of business and pass the eggs.

Sarenith 12th 14 - Kerezar - The Centaur Nightmare Returns

In the morning the group is woken abruptly by Hugo shouting ‘WE HAVE A MASSIVE PROBLEM!!!’. 

As the group stir they see he points towards a set of dark armour with a regenerating dark centaur, ‘Hope you’re rested for round 2!’ says the grinning dark horseman.

Vaneer who has not had time to prey for his spells this morning then confirms that their foe is indeed a grave knight and to destroy him his armour must also be destroyed.

Otto used daylight which hurts the dark horseman.

Boss attacks and hits.

Natalia casts dispel magic at the contour which has no effect.

Dark centaur moves to attack Miro but misses.

Vaneer casts prayer.

Miro attacks and hits.

Otto casts haste.

Boss attacks but misses.

Natalia steps up to the centaur and casts a cure spell on the creature dealing partial damage.

Centaur “Kerezar” attacks Miro and hits the Halfling.

Vaneer casts bull strength.

Hugo misses.

Miro attacks and hits very well.

Otto casts magic missile and the missiles kill the dark centaur again.

Vaneer prayed for his spells before casting Lesser restoration on Miro, Natalia and Hugo.

Then Vaneer casts a divination to try and figure out what is happening with this grave knight.

After receiving some information from the divination spell the group head to see the Nomen tribe and by using various spells to expedite travel and arrive just after dusk on the same day.

Vaneer asks for a meeting with the tribe elders and any historians of the tribe.

Once the elders are gathered the cleric starts to explain about the grave knight issues the group has.

Ellenark (Nomen scholar) knows of the name “Kerezar” but needs to head back to hut to look at her notes.

Whilst waiting for Ellenark to return Otto asks the tribes elders if they could suggest where would be ideal to locate the 5^th and final tree, they have no solid idea but suggest looking to the south at an ancient burial site.

The tribe also suggested looking at Vanhold and at a strange stone located in a valley south of Varnhold, which contains the bones of an ancient dragon. 

The group then hand over the 2 fertile Roc eggs to the nomen tribe as they had requested.

Eventually Ellenark returns with the notes she required and informed the group that Kerezar was known as the dark/last watchmen centuries ago. 

The centaur used to keep watch of a resting ground and was the last known guard, he was driven mad or was processed by what ever he was guarding (slumbering warlord). The centaur then killed his family and then jumped into a bonfire in his grief. 

Ellenark and Vaneer eventually agree that in order to defeat the grave knight that they need him to repent for his deeds and that they should tell him about the good deeds he’s done. The legendary battles he fought to protect the nomen tribe and obtaining a privileged position to protect a slumbering warlord in hopes that it would break what ever has hold on him.   

The group decided to rest for the night.