TOPIC: Tyranny of Dragons: Continues Rot 3 2020

Arriving at Waterdeep was not as bad as looking at it from the outside. Its sheer size was awe inspiring, but when entering it didn’t feel as cramped as Balders Gate and Maria was able to cope better with the city. One reason for this, she reflected was the Gnome Zhentarim spy was gone. Feeling happier than she had in days, Maria took the opportunity to upgrade her armour, and have some of her clothes replaced. Druidic magic was good, but it didn’t repair clothing worn thin over month or years of use.

The Cult caravans made their way through the city, Elias taking the time to follow discretely. It appeared that neither the wagons nor the guards were going anywhere tonight, in fact they had been booked to take another caravan north towards Neverwinter.

Maria decided to address her wardrobe, picking up some heavier warmer clothing and in particular some heavy furs. The journey north would get far colder, and it was wise to prepare. Others of the Band of Dave appeared oblivious until Maria reminded them. It was at that point that she realised she had grown to care for them all. A mismatched band who had, without much prompting, set out on an 800 mile trip without any real knowledge of why. Seeking answers for some obscure band of people called harpers. And the band didn’t question the need, not for one second. Looking round at all of them in turn as she walked through Waterdeep, Maria’s opinion of them all changed to reflect this realisation.

“Bravo!”, the voice was soft and commanding.
“That you Dave?” the voice was different from that of her spirit guide.
“No, my name is Queeg, the moment you hit 5th level you get an upgraded spirit guide”.
“What?”
“Faerun preserve us… YOU GET AN UPGRADE”. Queeg sounded angry.
“Err what it I don’t want one?” Maria realised that she was sounding a little petulant.
“If you don’t upgrade you can’t access all the features.”
“Features?” Maria was now confused.
“Features. Like for example… Speak to that bloke over there… No, that one. Yes. Ask him about the Black half dragon thing.”

Maria enquired of the indicated human about the half dragon. Immediately she received a response that the half dragon had been seen going north a week ago.

“See, that was easier wasn’t it?”
“Well yes.”
“Try it again. Ask that bloke there for a job on a caravan going north following the cult caravans.”
A minute later Maria had an offer of a job.
“So what features are we talking about?”
“at levels 5-9 you get full telepathic communication, telepathic transference, 3 (use once only) level 1 formal interventions, and 1 token for a Class 1 possession in case of emergency.. You also get a carrying case and mobile insurance against unexpected loss. (Ok I lied about the carrying case you have to buy that).”
“Right, so why can’t Dave do that?” Maria was a tad confused.
“Well right now its because he’s busy trying to be a Rook. You really want that in your life?”
“Err, I’m not really sure what to say?” but Queeg had gone.

Maria spent the evening trying to find Dave, without success.

The following morning Maria was somewhat less comfortable and eager to hit the trail, The trip north went only as far as a trading post. The caravan including the cultists, made their way along a sodden trail, constructed out of the marshlands. Maria’s initial impression was of Nature struggling against itself, almost as if under malign influence. That said the 6 days journey passed without incident and the stockade trading post came into view. Entering the post, Maria’s nostril’s flared. A pungent rank primal odour assailed her. A voice followed it. A huge creature stood ordering men to stack goods. He was at nearly 7’ high, and built strongly. His orcish heritage evident in his protruding tusks, and hugely powerful physique. The stench of him reminded Maria of her past, a flashback took her to the village of her birth, the destruction and burning. Rage started to rise in Maria, but cooled as she realised this creature wasn’t responsible for what he was, only what he did. She prayed to the spirits that he might do something that revealed his nature and spark her wrath. Other than being brusque and a tad offensive he did nothing.

Maria did notice that goods were removed from wagons, with the most expensive (including the cult goods being secured behind a locked ironbound door. Looking at Elias meaningfully, Maria was content to seek accommodation.

It was then that Maria’s world took a turn for the worse. A chirpy gnomish voice announced its presence. The Gnome Zhentarim Assassin was back. There were times when Maria despaired of her comrades. But she believed in the ability of each to choose his or her own path, eventually this would lead to self-enlightenment and she believed success. Where exactly the decision to keep talking to the Zhentarim gnome spy came from was a mystery. Maria had to believe that Queeg might be involved. He’d shown up out of the blue, assumed her spirit guide’s mantle and then bad stuff stated to happen.

Whilst Maria meditated and Flint kept watch, the dwarf overheard some discussions confirming the cult treasure was to be taken by Lizardmen from an underground tunnel. Elias was quickly dispatched to investigate.

Bad stuff continued to happen when Elias tried to access the secure store. To hear him tell it, the job was easy, the locks primitive and the chances of failure negligible. And yet this happened. Not only did the rogue fail to find the tunnel, but he also got caught trying to get out. Only some improbable fast talk appeared to have worked. Elias looked embarrassed, but it quickly became apparent that the Gnome had taken the opportunity to rub salt into the wounds and question his worth. She advised that she would try next. This led to an unpleasant exchange between the Gnome and Elias. In the end, the entire group decided to take the chance and enter the strong room thee following night.

Accessing the room was easy, Maria had to admit that the Gnome knew her stuff, as did Elias, and both managed to shepherd the band to the room without incident. Elias quickly picked the lock, (drawing a smile from the Gnome), and the tunnel was spotted immediately. As were the caskets marked clearly with runes. Clearly they were the boxes to be removed. Jebido noted quietly that for this to work the Lizard Men and the Orc must be in league. The missing boxes would have to be accounted for.

Sneaking down the tunnel, the band exited into the swamp some 400’ from the stockade. Remaining concealed the group waited for the Lizard Men, and by agreement let them enter to retrieve the goods. The idea was to follow them back to their base. Track the treasure to source, and find out what was happening.

The attack by Bullwugs occurred shortly after the Lizard Men entered. The creatures were stealthy, and managed to avoid even Maria’s detection until they were almost upon her. Using primitive weapons and superlative skills to leap into the fight, the creatures caused great difficulty for Maria, they were not known to be hostile except in defence of their territory, and Maria was loath to kill them out of hand. The creatures were intent on killing however, and the rest of the band had already slain several prior to Maria fighting in a more earnest manner. One thing of note, Maria sensed (but did not see) some strong evil power used to slay one of the Bullywugs, its form appeared decayed when she looked at his corpse, as did several others, Jebido apparently seemed pleased with his handywork. What fell power he was using to creature this carnage was open to question. A thought occurred to her… did the end justify the means?

“Bravo again.” Queegs voice sounded in her ears.
“Did you have something to do with these poor creatures being here?” Maria was not in the mood for being subtle, the death of the Bullywugs could have been chance but was more likely orchestrated.
“Not I, more likely the Lizard Men.” Queeg sounded sincere, but something about his tone told Maria that there was something amiss.
“I’ve made a decision, I’d like Dave to continue to be my spirit guide, No offence intended.”
“Well I’m afraid its not that simple, the old guide gets deleted.”
“What?”
“Well he has a period of grace and is then expunged.”
“You said I have a choice!” Maria firmly remembered the conversation.
“Well… ok… but he has to win that honour. He has to beat me in a challenge.”
Maria remained adamant, and Queeg eventually summoned Dave.
“Eh what? I was just finding worms after bailing that stupid Dwelf upright out, and I just found a nice one, and BANG, suddenly I’m here!” Dave sounded peeved.
“Dave, Queeg here says he’s my upgraded spirit guide, and that you are going to be expunged.”
“She’s right Dave.” Said Queeg
“Whats ‘expunged’?”
“It means dead Dave.” Maria explained with some sadness.
“So let me get this straight, I’m going to be dead? Why the hell did you summon me to tell me that?”
“Because you can challenge Queeg and become my spirit guide again!”
“HOW!” Dave was panicking now.
“You challenge me and I get to pick the challenge” Queeg was unmoved.
“Ok I challenge.” Said Dave figuring he had nothing to loose
“In that case we are going to play chess. The one who loses gets expunged.”
And so the game commenced…
“Pawn to King 3” said Queeg.
“Horsey to king bish 3” , Maria began to have doubts about the result (not unlike some far away guy on a spacecraft in the distant future...)
The game was over quickly, Dave was beaten in only 6 moves.
“So that’s it then, beaten, about to be expunged…!” Dave wailed.
And destiny waited for the result…

Just as destiny waits for the Band of Dave and they in turn wait for the Lizard Men who in turn feel the weight of their burden, and everyone deals with the cosmic significance of things associated with time, mass, and reality, thought the Narrator with some satisfaction. This should teach the bloody crow to be a bit more civil!

The fight with Bulliwugs had been swift and bloody.

Maria was still undecided as to whether the slaughter had been precipitated by the Lizard folk, using the unfortunate Bulliwugs as hired hands. Jebido’s use of strange new magic notwithstanding the practicalities of the situation took over. Hunter’s instincts told her that the ground needed to be cleared of bodies and the signs of the fight removed if the Lizard Men were to overlook the scene and proceed back to their base.

Just as Maria was explaining this to the Band, a stray discordant sound in the swamp alerted her to the presence of the more attackers. Shouting a warning, she turned to see the approaching Lizard Men. The battle was once again soon joined. The Lizard men were quickly overpowered by the Band, with Jepido using powerful balls of fire to fry the attackers, and Flint striking swiftly killing with mighty strokes and practiced ease. For all his peculiarity, the small Gnome’s growing grasp of arcane spells was proving useful, and it appeared to Maria, with some measure of pride, that finally the Band were acting in unison, with each playing his or her part. The results were devastating. Dave would be proud! They even managed to keep two of their attackers alive, for later questioning.

With Oz and Maria using their divine magic to cure minor wounds, the Band turned their attention to acquiring information. Quite clearly this group were not about to start transporting treasure now. Issy used her powers to interrogate the Lizard Men, asking questions and sensing thoughts for the answers, a strange and unusual power but, Maria reasoned, akin to her own ability to speak with nature. Musing on this, Maria was startled when the Tieflng struck out at the Lizard Man, inflicting pain and suffering to illicit answers. Within seconds the creature was dead. Issy rose and pointed into the swamp;

“There is some sort of castle with the ‘bosses’, that way”, Issy’s pointed, her comments were greeted with stunned silence, and then an outcry, principally from Flint and Jebido. Other voices appeared to concur.
“we cannot triumph by using the same tactics as our enemy”, the dwarf was obviously enraged.
“Why not”, we can’t release them, without alerting the cult, and they did just try to kill us!” Issy’s comments sounded reasonable, but that didn’t convince the dwarf or the Gnome, who looked unusually intense over this.
“Its wrong and we are NOT doing it!”, Flint’s statement was final.

Maria was uncertain what she felt about the issue, on the one hand the Lizards had attacked, they were in league with the cult and they were likely to notify their superiors. On the other hand, the creatures were defenceless. Whilst Maria mused, the decision was made to take the remaining Lizard as a guide, despite that meaning they would need to travel at night. Desperately hoping for some sort of guidance, Maria sought out her spirit guide. Neither Dave (nor Queeg) responded. Maria decided inaction was effectively likely to get them all killed so the decision was made…

They were to travel into the swamp.

However ill-advised Maria thought that was, this was unlikely to change the need, and in any event Maria had to admit, her only reason for wanting to go back into the stockade was to kill the half orc who was obviously in league with the cult (her own natural prejudices notwithstanding).

Travel through swamps – particularly at night – is slow business, and Maria had at least prepared. Using her druidic arts entering the was able stabilise the ground to allow an easy start to the journey. Her magic allowing the band to walk on the surface of the mud and as such they made good progress. They also found occasional arrows cuts into the stunted trees, all pointing towards the centre of the swamp. Their ‘guide’ the Lizard Man appeared scared enough to be leading them in the correct direction, and the arrows seemed to confirm that.

Hours passed, Maria’s spell ended and the true reality of traversing a swamp began to assert it itself. Endless ooze and mud, sinkholes and water, the stench, and the soul chilling damp that pervades everything. The Band were quickly dispirited and feeling edgy. Hours passed and fatalism set in. They tried to rest, tiredness settled about them, but they were unable to do so, no firm ground could be found.

Elias tried climbing a tree, to search for firmer ground, and in the end attempted to tie himself into branches, but only succeeded in falling into the mud. Making a raft of the branches was equally ineffective, and Maria began to realise that this swamp may kill them through sheer exhaustion!

Hours dragged on. The wet sloshing of fouled waters, and mud, now clinging to everything. The Gnomes in particular were mainly under the water of the swamp, Jebido holding is precious spell components aloft to keep them dry. The other gnome, toiled quietly, with an irritating smile on her lips, seeming to take pleasure in the discomfort of the group, though she looked as tired as the rest.

Finally, salvation! In the distance just as dawn rose, an obvious camp on the horizon. Firm ground! Or at least a place to stay. Elation was replaced quickly with caution, Elias and Maria were dispatched to check the location and quickly noted it was all clear! The primitive lean to’s were well constructed and dry. Stones allowed for a cooking fire, and the ground was blessedly dry. Foodstuffs, (dried fish) were located in baskets. It was also evident that this location marked a change in the landscape. Beyond the camp the swamp became brackish water traversable only by boat. 3 canoes were drawn up on the dry land, obviously intended to keep the treasure dry during transport.

Setting a watch, and too tired to worry about anything else the Band rested. Maria entered her sleeping trance in the growing light of dawn, and dreamed of swamps and orcs and the vile things bred in swamps. Nothing could have been more prophetic.

In the late afternoon, the Band were ready to depart. Once again, the discussions around their captive occurred. It was clear the boats would not hold them all. Issy quickly drew a knife and was silenced by Flint. An argument ensued as to the possible nature of their mission vs the life of one murderous attacker.

Once again the Dwarf was insistent that no harm should come to it, as he had promised.

Seeking a middle ground, Maria suggested manacling the creature to the posts of the lean to, and rendering it unconscious. Reluctantly this compromise was agreed as the only viable option. Maria produced manacles and then turned immediately to the boats, thinking of how the creature would fair, dying slowly shackled away from its native environment filling her thoughts…

What happened next Maria was only vaguely aware of.

Water erupted around her. She was hit by colossal blows she didn’t see, and then darkness… No pain, no thought… no feeling…

…

“Well that didn’t go well.” Dave’s voice sounded very clear. Turning Maria saw the Crow in vivid colour, along with shades of his emotions seemingly visible and pulsing with scintillating light, and one in particular… sorrow.
“What didn’t?”, Maria’s joy at seeing the crow was replaced by a growing dread, something didn’t feel right.
“You just got killed by the Shambling Mound, you didn’t stand a chance incidentally, just hard luck really.”
“I’m dead?” Maria was too surprised to take in the reality of the statement.
“Dying to be more specific, though dead in a few seconds, it should be painless enough. Shame really I was starting to like this spirit guide thing.”
“What about that Queeg?”
“Kind of you to ask, I don’t know is the answer… “ Dave was about to continue, when he stopped.
“Will you look at THAT! Time for you to go! Suggest you get out quick, use that fur form you like so much! “
Noticing for the first time a glowing light, Maria saw a portal open. It ‘smelled’ of Issy, the tiefling had somehow managed to intrude on the conversation, Maria saw her face concentrating and then felt a jolt of lightning, as suddenly she was in blackness, acrid liquid burning her, she struggled to breath and instinctively she embraced the rage of the bear, her form growing in size and ripping out of the constraints that held her.

Maria fell out of the foliage, and turned to see her attacker, a Shambling Mound of immense size was flailing around striking at her fellows, streaks of flame, and mighty slashing cuts appeared to shred the edges of the plant creature. Maria joined the fight, tearing at it. She was aware of the tiefling using her magic to hamper the plant, and help her friends. Maria was struck again, the dwarf and the valiant Dragonborn Oz, were taking punishing blows, but the plant was weakening, she could feel its form shudder as more and more of its form was hacked away, until suddenly, it shuddered and the plant collapsed, the magic animating it dissipating.

Maria looked round at the group, tears in her eyes. She instinctively knew that these disparate souls had saved her. In more ways than words could say, each of them had committed their very existence to saving her. The realisation struck her that she had with her a group of friends, people that mattered and were worthy of her trust absolutely. Wonder filled her, as she understood that these people were her family now… she would defend them body and soul. And just as that realisation formed, her eyes met those of the smiling female Gnome.

Sometimes protecting her friends meant doing things which were in their best interests… What that meant for the Gnome remained to be seen. What it meant for the captive Lizard Man was much clearer.

Flint, Jebado and Issy hid on one side of the path, it wasn’t a fabricated path more a flattening of grass and mud rising up through the tendrils caused by the precession of footsteps taken over the previous days. On the other side hid Elias, Oz and Maria. Their cover not brilliant but enough for an ambush, but hopefully the Lizard Folk (The equality for Monsters commission has been on, advising it is sexist to call them men, although the entire party consists of male Lizard Folk), will walk past them so they can follow them to where they are taking the treasure.

“Snap”

“What was that?” asked Maria.

“What was what?” asked Elias

“Ssshh, you two” said Oz.

“I heard the unmistakeable sound of a twig breaking” said Maria in hushed tones. Then she spotted movement. “AMBUSH!!” as both flanks were attacked by Bullywugs. Despite their cute name, Bullywugs are savage creatures and skilled warriors, looking for a meal wherever they can find it. Well the ones fighting Maria, Oz and Elias were. The ones attacking Flint, Jebado and Issy died in an instant. Obviously they were adolescents learning the hunt, whereas the skilled warriors were on the other side. Quickly Flint, Jebado and Issy came to the aid of the rest of the group where the Bullwugs fell quickly dismissing that previous theory of skilled warriors, it was more the case of Elias, Maria and Oz being rubbish.

“We need to hide the bodies” said Maria. Once again the scene of carnage with warm blood soaking into the earth, the stench of death clinging in the stillness of the night air, flattened areas of ground, were all missed by Maria. Just before Elias could make a smart arse comment, they were attacked again but this time by the group composed of entirely male Lizard Folk. This battle was hard fought, and best described by Dave.

“Hello, can you hear me!! HEL LOOOO, sorry, sorry right you are Narr Ator. Ahem! Our heroes got off to a flying start, so the Lizard Folk attacked first. One of them missed Flint and Flint missed with his riposte. Two more attacked Flint drawing blood. Maria fought two on her own, both hit but this just enraged her. Oz fought two as well, both of them missed him, one attacked Jebado missing him and the last one hit Elias but that attack will result in a bruise at best. Jebado, let loose with a fire ball killing three and seriously wounding two more. Oz attacked, killing one and then another. Elias leapt to his brothers aid killing the creature and took up a position protecting Jebado. Maria killed one of the ones attacking her. Issy had managed to get prime position and was able to use her bardic ways to inspire the Band of Dave. Before the Lizard Folk attacked the one closest to Jebado quickly assessed the situation and ran away, Flint was hit again, but before anyone else could act Jebado cast sleep on the two fighting Flint.

“Ruddy magic taking away from my fun.” Flint marched over to the two fighting Maria and killed one and Maria put the last one down.
From my point of view they got an A for teamwork, and a poor F for their ability to hit anything. They could do with more practise hitting things.”

“Thanks Dave”

“No problem Narr Ator, glad to help”

Back to our Heroes.

“Well that turned to turd real quick” said Elias

“Best laid plans and all, bro, best laid plans” agreed Flint

“We have two too question” said Issy and secured them both, separating them.

“Tell us where you are taking the treasure!” commanded Issy, no reply from the Lizard person. Issy was not getting the answers she sought and she probed his mind. “Tell me what I want to know” and then in temper she snapped the Lizard persons mind, killing him instantly.

“Here you can’t do that” said Flint, Elias Jebado and surprisingly Maria also agreed with Flint, that cruelty was not the way forward.

“They are our enemy, they attacked us. Left up to them they would be mopping our blood up with a bit of bread now” retorted Issy.

“Yes but that was in the battle, the battle” and Flint used his hands to show the area where they fought and the distinct lack of fighting, “is over.

What you did their was torture and then murder”

“You say tomato, I say tomato” said Issy

“That’s the same word, why would I say Tomato, and you say Tomato. Now if you said: Do you have a room for the night asked the knight, then there is a difference. But tomato and tomato” reasoned Maria.

“No, tom ar toe, or tom A toe, see there is a fine distinction” explained Issy.

“No but the word is tomato, why would you say it any other way” said Maria.

“That’s not the point, the distinction thing is the point” said Issy disgruntled.

“I rather think it is the point, tom A toe indeed” said Maria wandering off.

The argument continued until.

“Forget it. What is done is done” said Flint

“We’re not back at tomato’s again are we” asked Maria.

“No! We need to decide what to do” explained Flint.

“We can’t go back, and wait for another night, as that would look really suspicious. Nor can we stay here, I say we will have to try and find the place” reasoned Elias.

Issy stomped over to the last remaining Lizard person and said “Tell me where you are taking the treasure.” She fell silent for a moment then looked at the rest of the party “It is going to a castle, out in the dead marshes. He doesn’t understand show us the way”

“Why don’t we follow the chevron’s carved into the trees, that aren’t trees.” Said Elias pointing.

“What chevrons, carved into the trees?” asked Jebado

“Those there, see, and they look like they are something to follow, to make it easier when in thick fog to find your way” explained Elias.

“How long have you perceived these markings?” asked Jebado

“Oz, how long ago did we come out of the tunnel?”

“About twenty minutes” replied Oz.

“Thanks Oz, about twenty minutes Jebado” confirmed Elias

“You mean we could have avoided both fights, and been on our way” said Jebado through gritted teeth.

“Er, maybe. We had done so well, and we had a plan and everything, you know so I thought.”

“Right time to move on then people of both genders and any in the middle” said Flint, being politically correct and clapping his hands.

“Er okay, should we go now or wait for the morning, I vote for the morning” said Jebado,

“We could wait till the morning, but what do we do if the guards spill out of the tunnel wondering why their treasure hasn’t been picked up” replied Issy.

“Good point, but what about” said Jebado quietly pointing at Oz “He can’t see in the dark”

“Hmm, Oz you want to travel at night or go during the day”

“I fear, for the reasons suggested that we go now, but I would prefer to travel during the day as I find it hard to see.” Replied Oz in a sullen voice, which for a Dragonborn is hard to do.

The Band of Dave set off following the Chevrons marked in the tree trunks. Maria cast a spell making them able to walk across the swamp as if it were solid ground. This had the added bonus of not leaving a trail behind and meant they moved a fair distance in the hour the spell was active. Once the spell ended it was a different story, the gnomes were wading with the level of water just under their shoulders, and it was hard going.
“I’m sorry for being a stupid Dragon Born” said Oz to no one in particular, more of a general statement.

“Er, why are you sorry” asked Issy

“If I could choose, I’d be a dwarf. Yeah if I had my time again and could pick I’d be a dwarf barbarian for sure” lamented Oz.

“Not quite following you here mate” said Flint joining in on this one.

“It’s rubbish being Dragon Born, you’d think the natural breath attack would make up for not having low light vision, but it doesn’t. No sir, not by a long shot. It’s a good job we’re born ‘cause nobody would choose it, its rubbish. I mean we get damage resistance to our own type, but how often is it you get acid thrown at you. It’s rubbish, it really is. I feel like, like I’m letting you all down.”

“Self-pity from a Dragonborn, never thought I’d live to see the day” whispered Flint to Elias.

“More importantly he is letting himself down” replied Elias and the brothers had fits of silent laughter.

After many hours,

“Reason nine hundred and thirty four, people look at you funny because you have scales instead of smooth skin. I’d love to be able to use a loofa, I tried it once but within seconds there were loofa bits all over the place.”

“I need to sit down and relax!” Issy exclaimed rubbing her ears.

“Reason nine hundred and thirty five”

“From that” said Issy rolling her eyes.

“There is nowhere Issy, if you sit down your head will be under water.” Elias said calmly

“Have you tried the trees Elias, have you?”

“Er no, because they have trunks but they are not actually trees for climbing. Flint had a go at making a bivouac for us to sit on, but it wouldn’t bind”

“You could try, Elias you could try!” sobbed Issy

“Er….. Okay. Giz a boost Flint” Flint boosted his brother up the tree, and Elias climbed as high as he could. The wispy trees certainly had a lot of foliage at this height which was surprising because from the ground they were small stick like trees, not really much use a tree as they were too thin and useless for anything, but now he was up here Elias was unable to see through abundance of leaves and branches that obscured his view of the further world. The tree flexed and wobbled under the Elias’s weight. “Sorry Issy, I can’t make anything out, and it’s not safe to sleep here, even if you lashed yourself to the tree!”

“It’s okay Elias, thanks for trying” Issy turned round and started walking in the direction of the next chevron carved into the trunk of the tree.
“Whoo, whooo wha!” screamed Elias as he slipped and fell out the tree discovering that water can be as hard as the floor when falling from a height, and also proving you should never anger the God called DM by moaning about his trees.

“Reason nine hundred and sixty two” continued Oz

“Oz” Interrupted Elias, “Listen, stop beating yourself up, it could be worse, look at Maria!”

“Oh that’s very nice” said Maria,

“Sssh, I’m trying to cheer Oz up, now go away” said Elias.

“How so?”asked Oz

“Well look at the way she leads with her face for a start………….”

They walked for another six hours

“…………..how about all that animal elf nonsense, I mean it has gotten her into more trouble than not”

“I need to stop” said Flint “My feet hurt nearly as much as my ears. Let’s have a breather eh!” so the Band of Dave stopped walking and stood in the swamp. Elias surveyed the area and saw nothing. He cast his eyes back and he was sure he saw a crow somersaulting through the air over one spot. Looking down from the crow he saw a lean-to and that could only mean solid ground and that meant sitting down.

“Would you look at that” said Elias pointing.

“That’s one crazy crow” said Jebado

“No below the crow”

“Ah!”

“Let’s check it out Elias” said Maria. So Maria and Elias moved cautiously forward. Three boats were drawn up onto the bank and that could only mean the water got a lot deeper. There were three lean-to structures all empty save a bit of food, this was obviously a stopping point for the Lizard Folk. Elias sent a message to Flint calling them forward.

“Whilst I have you on your own Elias, I don’t mind you cheering up Oz, but really six hours of Maria bashing is enough. I see, uh huh, yes I did do all of those things, uh huh, yeah, I grant you. Okay so maybe up until this point, I may have been a bit unruly, but now. Now I’ve had an epiphany, you will see a new Maria from now on, no more getting beaten up first. No more leading with my face, and I will take caution over action from this moment on. Stop laughing”

The Band of Dave made camp, they were so tired and drained they slept through the day till the late afternoon when the last rays of light started to skim the top of the trees.

“Do we wait and go in the morning, or do we go now” asked Jebado

“Don’t start him off again” said Issy

“If we go at night I won’t be much use, not that I am anyway, but I would be worse at night as I can’t see, rubbisy breath weapon no low light vision” whined Oz.

“Told you not to start him off” exclaimed Issy raising her arms in the air.

“Right, let’s look at these boats” said Maria……………………………………


Time stops


“Dave”

“Yes Narr Ator”

“Dave back out of the area, quickly” said Narr Ator. Dave did as he was heeded, he too was learning. Once he was a safe distance away Dave asked.

“What’s going on Narr Ator?”

“Dave, it’s bad, it’s about as bad as it can get” said Narr Ator glumly

“What IS?” asked Dave again.

“DM, DM is going to be vengeful as they have annoyed him, it is best not to be in the way”

“Will they die?” asked Dave, concern creeping into his voice, which surprised Dave a little bit.


Time starts


Maria approaches the boats and fails to notice the vegetation moving. One second Maria is approaching the boat the next instant, she has been smashed onto the floor, picked up, pounded and engulfed by the large mass of moving vegetation.

“WHAT THE ROOK IS THAT?” asked Dave.

“A Shambling mound, it doesn’t look good for them” said Narr Ator.

The Band of Dave leapt up and attacked the mound, Jebado cast a fireball spell engulfing the mound and hitting Maria as well. The mound did not like that attack.

Flint rushed up to it and started hacking away at the creature. The mound bound Maria tighter squeezing her very soul out, Issy cast a spell and Maria woke up.

“HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?” boomed a voice

“Who’s that?” Asked Dave.

“Sssh, stay silent, you are hearing DM, he is getting very angry”

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN THEY ARE ON ZERO, NO NEGATIVE DAMN, SO THEY CAN ACT THIS ROUND, HARDLY SEEMS FAIR”

Maria now conscious turned into mouse, the Mound writhed and created a tighter grip.

“No you don’t, you naughty mound you” said Issy wagging her finger at the mound. The mounds grip loosened and Maria worked her way free.

“WHAT! YOU CAN’T REACT ON SOMEBODY ELSE’S GO” came the booming voice of DM shaking the branches that Dave was hiding in.

“Mommy” said Dave

“I know what you mean” said Narr Ator

“IT APPEARS YOU CAN, DAMN”

Oz breathed his acid breath on the mound. Not much happened “Well that was useless, just like me”

“Not now Oz, look it has withered slightly” said Flint and indeed if you looked very closely a leaf had indeed withered from the onslaught of acid breath. Elias struck the creature, as Issy emboldened the team.

The mound pummelled on Elias, but he cast shield and evaded the worst of it.

Maria, attacked the creature, as did Jebado who just to add insult to injury cast a very effective acid arrow inflicting very visible damage on the mound. “That’s how it’s done” said Jebado.

“After this battle I may kill myself and re-incarnate as a dwarf…”

“Barbarian, we know you said about a thousand times. What we really need now is for you to be what you are. A proud Dragonborn, a stoic hero and comrade who all can depend on, as you were previously” said Issy inspiring him. Oz’s chin jutted and he drew his glaive and stepped up to the mound.

Flint struck the creature twice, Elias struck it and jumped back. The creature now attacked Flint, missing with its first strike and the second looked like a good hit when Issy wagged her finger again. “Oh no you don’t you naughty mound you” and the blow sailed past Flints head harmlessly.

“WHAT YOU AGAIN. NEXT TIME THIS WON’T BE HAPPENING. I’LL GET YOU”

The mound fell after the continuous onslaught of the Band of Dave a short while later

“I WILL GET YOU FOR THIS”

Dave was sure if he could see the body of the DM he would be shaking a fist.

“Whew, that was close Dave” said Narr Ator.

“I know, but my guys sorry I know equality, my team did a real good job there”

“I fear Dave, your band have now invoked the wrath of DM”

“But it was all fair. Above board, no rules broken or twisted” said Dave

“I know Dave, I know”

“That went well” said Oz raising a Dragonborn eyebrow. This is a look that humans, dwarfs and elves make look so effortless, good for irony and looking quizzical. However this feat is hard to do when the eye ridges are joined by one piece of bone, so OZ looked at the group not in irony but with a surprised look on his face.

“Thank you all” said Maria and then she ran off into the swamp sobbing.

“What’s that about? You should go after her Issy” said Flint.

“Why me?” asked Issy

“You know ‘cause your female like when you have to pee together” said Flint in all seriousness.

“Sexism in this day and age, really Flint I expected more” said Issy huffily.

“It’s not sexism, it’s something you women folk do. Talking about your feelings and all other kinds of things that make men uncomfortable.” Rationalised Flint.

“You say Tomato…….” Said Issy

“You can knock that off, straight away” said Elias

Meanwhile out in the swamp, the gentle sound of sobbing breaks the natural silence of the place. On a handily fallen log inside a small copse of trees, as if built for such a purpose sat Maria. Wiping tears from her face and blowing nosily into her handkerchief. A crow landed beside her.

“Went well didn’t it” said the Crow more of a statement than a question.

“I don’t think it did” sobbed Maria. “Why is it always me, me who gets hit first, this time it worse certain death. Why me”

“Er, is that really the question you want me to answer?” asked Dave

“Y, Y, yes” Maria said fighting back the tears. Dave held out a wing and patted Maria on the shoulder, it was all he could think to do.

“Well you are always kind of in the way” started Dave.

“Whaaa! I’m in the way” Maria cried loudly.

“That’s not what I meant” said Dave looking round for help but not finding any, it appeared even Narr Ator had abandoned him.

“It’s what you said” wailed Maria.

“Now listen hear. I’m your guide thingy right?” Dave expertly turned this statement into a question.

“Yes” replied Maria looking at him.

“Well then, it’s because you are always first, you are in such a rush to prove yourself, to be the first through the door to show you are doing your bit, to be the first in combat to show you are not afraid. Flint is supposed to be the meat shield not you.” Reasoned Dave.
Maria pondered these points whilst continuing to cry. Dave was at a loss what to do, when he spied Issy.

“Oh thank DM, I’d better be off” said Dave and if he had took off any quicker he would have left all his feathers behind.
Issy came over to Maria, and sat next to her. What was said and discussed is between Maria and Issy as quite frankly Dave, Narr Ator nor DM wanted to listen in on girly talk.

They rested for the night after the fight with the shambling mound and in the morning set off in the boats. Issy and Elias in one boat. Issy cast a spell so the boat would row itself. Flint and Oz in another taking turns to row and in the last boat was Jebado, Jemna and Maria. The gnomes rather enjoyed the boat ride.

“Come on in a round people. We’ll start.

And so the Gnomes sang for three hours,
In the other boat Elias sang

Eventually they came to a good place to stop which was virtually like the last place with the lean-to’s and small land. They pulled the boats onto the land and setup for a rest, not knowing how much further they had to go and hoping that Elias was right about the Chevron markings in the trees.

“I’ve got a bad feeling about this place” said Maria. “I don’t want to stop here, I think we should continue”

Under her breath but Elias and Oz heard Issy said “Right on cue, suggestion of being happy wearing off”

Elias whispered to her “You didn’t Issy, c’mon you wouldn’t”

“I will do it again too, she was right down and I didn’t know what to say, even though your brother suggested I would and left the whole situation to me, so it kinda happened” replied Issy quietly. Elias looked away, and saw the water rippling out like it does after the prow of a boat has broken the surface.

“Er, anybody got any ideas” Elias said aloud and pointing at it, whilst at the same time walking backwards to the middle of the small island. Maria rushed forward and shot at it. Dave clapped his wing over his eyes and shook his head, one day Maria would learn. Maria’s arrow missed, and she too saw the sense of the middle and joined the rest of the group.

Suddenly the water broke and a massive black form appeared, powerful and very large front limbs crashed into the ground shaking the very ground the Band of Dave were stood on. And there before them stood a colossal black Dragon.

“What is your name Dragon” asked Maria. Dave was impressed Maria appeared to be the only member of the group not to have a bulge in the rear of their trousers.

“Do you not Fear me ELF!” came the dragon’s voice loud and booming.

“Not so much” replied Maria.

“My name is Voaraghamanthar” (you can all be shocked that I got a name right) Turning to Elias he said “Do you Fear me Half of the Elf”

What Elias wanted to say is you have a name like somebody smacked a keyboard, but what came out was “Yes Sir, I am very afraid”

“Good” his nostrils flared the openings of each about the size of a man’s head. Voaraghamanthar inhaled as if savoring the taste of fear, and perhaps he was. “I want you to do something for me, or you can choose to die here.”

“What is it you want, your magnificence” asked Maria.

“I want you to destroy the cult of the dragon residing in the ruined castle of Uthtower a half day boat journey from here. Second I want you to bring me a book.” And the name of the book blazed through the brains of the party creating a mental image. “Finally I want the ring the Elf you will meet is wearing. Do these things and bring the items to me here and I will let you live. It is your choice”

“Er, let’s think about out. Okay we’ll do it” said Maria.

Voaraghamanthar raised himself up showing off his magnificence and flew backwards into the water with a grace and speed you would not attribute to such a large beast.

“Good Job he went when he did, otherwise he was going to get it” said Flint.

“It would be suicide to attack such a creature” said Maria staring at Flint like he’d gone mad.

“Who said anything about fighting” replied Flint. PHARP, PHHHHHAAAAARP trumpeted Flints bottom. “That was a close one”

Best to do this at night everyone agreed except for Oz.

“For the last time I have a crap breath weapon and Acid attack immunity. I can’t see very well in the dark.” Whined Oz.
“I’ve been thinking about that and ….” Maria cast some magic.

“WOW!!, This is what I have been missing out on”, Clasping his hands over his eyes “I can still see my hands. This is A maze ING” cooed OZ
“What have you done Maria?” asked Issy

“Given him low light vision for eight hours” replied Maria.

“And what about afterwards, when it runs out. We’ll never hear the end of it.” Said Elias.

“Well sort that problem when we get to it.” Replied Maria.

They clambered back into the boats and made for the castle. A certain amount of trepidation dampened the mood, but the Band of Dave had a goal and had a steely determination. The pulled the boats onto the shore away from view of the castle and approached the castle from the cover of the trees.

Elias Maria and Oz moved stealthily towards the castle, a battle must have been fought as the bodies of humans, bullwugs and lizard folk litter the floor and the moat. It quickly becomes apparent that the place was deserted. The band of Dave re-grouped inside.

“Weird isn’t it” said Jebado.

“Very strange, we still must use caution” said Elias looking at Maria.

“I will, I will.” She replied.

They entered the castle and investigated one area at a time from bottom to top. The band of Dave found information that there is a portal in the basement of the castle, and a list of treasure. They discovered a magical venomous dagger, a portal that transports you somewhere in castle, a case with an intricate lock which was trapped and beyond Elias’s skill to disarm. The case belonged a red wizard of Thay, and had the same initial on it as the man from Thay they travelled from Baldu’s gate with. They found some money. In one room they found armor to fit a half dragon and in the same room two wardrobes. Issy opened the first and set of an acid trap they covered the entire party.

“Sorry” said Issy as smoke was rising of their skin, and everbody noticed it had affected Oz as well.

“What, it’s not even full immunity it is just resistance to acid” moaned Oz “Cecil the Dawrf Barabarian is looking good about now”

“Who’s Cecil?” asked Jebado

“Oh you know, when I was feeling down and if I could pick what I wanted to be, it was a Dwarf Barbaran called Cecil.” Replied Oz

“Not really a dwarven name is it Cecil” said Flint

“Doesn’t really install fear into our enemies either. Ohh look here comes Cecil, let’s get out of the way. Not like Arbart GuntKicker now there is a name that would terrify. Why do they call him Arbart Guntkicker people would say, and they would reply because Arbart the dealer of death was accosted by a woman and what he did next is how he got his surname” Said Elias.

The band of Dave entered the keep and got to the second floor.

To be continued………….

“BROTHER, DO YOU SMELL THEM?”
“I DO… A STRANGE FLAVOUR IN THIS PLACE, KIN BLOOD, AND NOT FROM… HIM. ELF, DWARF, GNOME, AND YES… THE STENCH OF HONOUR”
“WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? ARE EVENTS NOW IN MOTION? HAVE THEY KEPT SOMETHING FROM US?”
“IT MEANS THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY…. ”
The dragon stirred, and began to pay more attention… It noted creatures in its domain, 2 gnomes, an elf, a dwarf, a teilfling, and a creature neither elf nor human a blend of blood. The dragon snorted with distaste. Over the last thousand years he had seen bloodlines polluted by accident, and by design as mad mages sought to create power through manipulation of blood. It was all the more unpleasant to see how low such activity had sunk, which brought him to the final rank smell, the travesty. It smelled of dragon blood. So weak and corrupted it barely had power. The dragon felt the rage building in him as subtle nuances of flavour noted that the perversion was of his own kind! In intense desire to eradicate the abomination rose in the dragon and which it quelled only with some difficulty.

The dragon realised that it had an opportunity to secure its purpose. It could not act against THEM directly but it could reap the rewards of seeing THEM inconvenienced. The Book and the ring would do nicely, and no risk to the Dragon. Bargaining chips with THEM. But how to arrange it? Ahh yes… the direct approach.

Voaraghamanthar slid soundlessly through the swamp. Its magic had detected the creatures resting on a small island. Moving quickly it rose to the surface just enough to see its quarry. They were preparing to rest.

Fear would be the weapon. Before it could act and make its intended spectacular entrance, The elf turned in a fluid motion and fired an arrow at him. AN ARROW! A paultry arrow! Water flew every direction. The elf had spoiled his surprise but launching himself into the air and landing with both front claws within yards of the mortals accomplished what surprise did not. The reek of fear assailed the nostrils of the Dragon. The humanoids were rigid with fear . The dragon allowed the terror to settle fully on the humanoids, but noted with some irritation that the elf stood firm. However she (it was female) had ceased shooting silly little arrows..! Perhaps they would be of use after all.

“DO YOU NOT FEAR ME!” The dragon deliberately let caustic slime spray into the area. The elf stood firm, but squeaks of assent from the other humanoids indicated the desired effect had occurred.
Addressing himself mainly to the elf whilst the others recovered, the dragon explained his needs. Best use small words and keep it simple whilst they recovered. The dragon was trying hard not to look at the stunted crippled thing that stank of fear and dragon blood. His irritation level increased. Even the perverted weak stuff its veins should have been enough to give it a spine! Instead only the Elf, a creature of the old world stood firm. Jealous prejudices of 2000 years snapped more firmly into place.

“YOU WILL GO TO THE CASTLE UTHTOWER, YOU WILL DESTROY THE CULT INSIDE, AND BRING ME MY BOOK AND A RING HELD BY THE SORCEROR. YOU WILL RETURN THESE TO ME, OR I WILL KILL YOU.”

The recovering humanoids tried asking inane questions, but Voaraghamanthar’s irritation was increasing, as was his desire to destroy the so called dragon born and remove its germ plasm from existence! As if they even deserved that name! Roaring loudly the dragon retreated to the swamp to watch and listen to his charges try to explain the events…

“So you see Dave, they were never in any great danger unless someone did something stupid.”

“You mean Maria shooting an arrow at it?” Dave was trying hard to understand exactly how this Nar-A-Shun thing worked.

“Not necessarily. The dragon seemed quite pleased to see at least one of the Band had courage. The only real problem appeared to be the Dragonborn Oz. Strange that the dragon should take such a dislike to him.”

“Yeah, I noticed that. He seemed almost disgusted…”
“So what should they do then?” Dave was acutely aware that the band had just had a life changing experience. Ancient Wyrm Black Dragons can do that to a party. And as such would need guidance.

“I didn’t show you the narration so that you would know what to do, I showed it you because I wanted you to realise that all of them need your help, not just Maria. You need to work harder at helping the others.”

“Ok so what should I advise them to do?”

“Nothing at the moment – look…” The Narrator opened his script in time to see the band approaching the castle. “Who’s perspective do you want? Let’s go with Issy…”

Issy was not as focussed on the castle as perhaps she might have been. Having fouled her clothing during the meeting with the dragon, the wash and change of clothes made her smell and feel a little better, but it appeared that Oz and Flint showed no such desires. They continued to stink, even slight hints like ‘it stinks round here’ and ‘is that stain usually there?’ didn’t provoke a response. Issy realised this was a distraction from her real concern. The dragon had caused her a very profound fear that not event the attack on Greenist had managed. Staring into the eyes of the Great Worm, Issy was just unable to comprehend how Maria was so unaffected. Only the site of the castle on in the distance brought Issy out of her reverie.

Maria and Elias had disappeared into the gloom scouting, and Issy was anxious to get inside. The bodies on the ground indicated that the fight was over. Couldn’t the rest of them see that? Whilst Issy didn’t necessarily agree with Maria on things, she did envy the elf’s certainty of direction. Patience wasn’t one of Issy’s strongpoints either and she longed to be doing something.

When Oz decided to move towards the Lizard pits, Issy was first to join him. It quickly became apparent that entrance to the castle was going to be easy. Dead Lizard Men and Bullywugs were strewn about. No one stood between the Band and the interior of the castle. Still, hard lessons promoted caution but Issy couldn’t help feeling that speed was the ally now, not stealth…

The main castle was in poor repair. Roofed areas were open to the skies, and hall ways were in disarray. The swamp was reclaiming Castle Uthtower, and the planks of wood laid over the swamp ridden floors were not helping. Content to let Elias and Maria bicker about who should scout what and where, Issy was increasingly unhappy listen to the prattle and decided to support Elias in the musings. Elias was the thief, he was trained to spot and deal with traps. It was logical. The druid didn’t look happy, but also didn’t argue further.

Elias entered a room that turned out to be a chapel. The cult of the dragon had reconsecrated it as a shrine to black dragons (Issy shuddered at the recent memory of large 3’ diameter nostrils…). Without pausing to consider the consequences Oz’s halberd, shattered the shrine. The noise was deafening in the small chamber. So much for stealth!

The group fanned out and searched the area. Elias noted a concealed nook hidden in the altar. Reaching carefully inside he extracted a wrapped item. Opening it exposed a dagger. The fine workmanship was evident to all. The obsequious little Gnome pounced on it and carefully examined the blade and its sheath, studying it with the intensity as the others quickly searched the area.
Issy moved upstairs and noted the area was more comfortable quarters. Chairs and tables and even a fire place that looked recently used. A soft call from ahead indicated that they had found something more of interest. Issy moved quickly to discover Elias and Maria in a library. The excited Gnome lept passed Issy and started pulling books of shelves exclaiming with childlike joy what rarities these books were. Seeming to remember himself, the Gnome turned to Elias and handed him the dagger.

“it’s a Dagger of Venom, commonly used by assassins”, the Gnome declared. Elias’s hand ceased its movement towards the dagger.
“I’m not touching it, give it to Issy!”
Without pause the gnome handed Issy the dagger. The Gnome’s childlike expression did not seem to accuse, but the silence in the group and the stares of the ohers seemed to confirm that the ONLY person who could or should carry such a weapon was Issy. Maria was the first to shrug and continue searching for the book. Flint continued his vigil for several more seconds reminding Issy, without words of the murder of the Lizard Man. Irritation rose in Issy, followed quickly by anger. Let them think what they would! She stalked from the room, quickly finding a bedchamber dominated by a suit of scale armour modelled for a Dragonborn at least 7’ high.

Shouting of her discovery the band quickly joined her, and a search commenced in earnest. Still smarting over the dagger, and the unjust acusations, Issy ripped open the wardrobe and was fortunate not to receive the blast of acid spray across her face. The cloud of acid covered the room, her companions cried out in pain, some unable to escape the fumes and the caustic material.

Removing acid damaged clothing Issy felt Marias hand briefly touch hers, a look of understanding and solidarity on the elf’s face. Magical healing soothed wounds. Once again the band silently expressed it’s outrage until Elias broke the silence.
“how about I check this one for traps..” Irony lay heavily upon the statement.

Annoyed at herself, Issy moved quickly down the stairs the others followed. Elias took the lead and they quickly found a mess hall and a room where treasure was being counted. The group scooped up the higher value coins and gems with speed and continued their search. Another tower yielded nothing of interest other than a curious empty room.

The room was strangely bare. Issy allowed the half elf to enter, curiosity did not outweigh safety now and she doubted if the band would be as accommodating if we caused further harm to them today!

Searching the space for traps before entering, Issy was as surprised as any when the half elf simply disappeared.

Pausing briefly to listen for screams (and in the absence of any dust that might have been Elias), Issy pushed forward and suddenly found herself in the Chapel. The destroyed altar in front of her. Making her way back to the tower, she overheard the band in heated discussions about dopplegangers, and true to form, immediately she appeared the conversation turned to proof of identity and general information on what had transpired. Eventually the band decided to leave the strange magical artefact an continue the search.

Another hour of searching found a room occupied by a mage. Issy’s already fraught and irritated nerves took another twist. The room belonged to non-other than the mage from the caravan. That he was a wizard of Thay was beyond doubt. Issy’s rage was immediate and uncompromising

“I told you all he was a red wizard, I told you he was connected to this…. And you didn’t listen…” A distraught Issy stomped back outside leaving the group with a number of red robes, and a casket in which was sealed a spellbook, and not even Elias wanted to mess with that lock.

Walking outside Issy drew the Dagger of Venom from its sheath. The next time it gets drawn will be to sheath it in the red wizard she promised herself silently and the bloody dreams she worked so hard to keep at bay, came back with a vengeance.

“So what do you think Dave?” Narrator was keen to get a reaction from the bird.

“She’s even more messed up than Maria! And what is this Bloody Dreams business?”

“Don’t you think you need to reserve judgement until you know them all better Dave?”

Nar-A-tor had a point but Dave was thoroughly shocked. Did these uprights ALL need telling what to do ALL the time in order to avoid gaffs? Jeez this was going to be a long day!

It had been a shitty day…

First the bloody lizard men had attacked without warning, taking the sleeping Bullywugs by surprise. He’d rallied the defenders and tried to stem the attacks with his magic, but to no avail. The numbers were too great, and he’d been forced to seek refuge in the tower. Discretion being the better part of valour, he’d hid in the last room likely to be searched, and so far that was the only thing that had gone right today…

********* The Band of Dave became convinced that the castle was empty. Every tower so far was devoid of life and (with the exception of the bodies), and Maria reflected, this was probably why they became a little careless…

It had started after finding the Red Wizard’s book. Issy had become upset and stormed outside the tower, and Maria had gone after her just in time to see tears of frustration and anger, give way to resolve.

Seeing this change Maria was convinced the tiefling was back to normal, and the pair quickly re-joined the others searching the upper levels of the tower. Searching rooms methodically, the tower yielded nothing new, until they came upon a well-appointed bed chamber. Elias’ sharp senses picked up movement.

“Shhh, there is something under the bed…” The half-elf’s whisper was loud enough for everyone in the area to hear. Maria thought it might be deliberately so… a bit like spooking game for the hunter?

The Band congregated in the room.

“You sure Elias?” The dragonborn’s voice then boomed, “ YOU UNDER THE BED, COME OUT!” Oz was all for the direct approach.
“If you don’t come out I’m going to attack the bed!

The band stared at the Dragonborn with mild surprise. Maria knew that Oz was suffering something of a crisis of confidence, but attacking a bed seemed… rash. She was as surprised as the others when the Dragonborn jumped with a battle cry onto the bed, and thrust his halberd blade down through the bed singing:

The Dragonborn had a surprisingly pleasing baritone voice, but his impromptu song lacked any real artistic impression.

“If you don’t come out, Oz will likely kill you by accident” Flint explained matter-of-factly to the bed. Oz obliged by stabbing it once again, the clang of halberd on stone told its own tale.
“Last chance, he’s gonna get lucky at some point”, the Dwarf warned the lurker under the bed.

Prediction, as they say, is the only true science. The hiding wizard reflected on this. Damn the dwarf, didn’t he realise that such statements influenced causality? Just as that thought occurred pain exploded in his side. The bloody Dragonborn had stabbed him! Probably it served him right for hiding, and under the bed no less! It was a good job that none of the cult could see him.

In pain and bleeding the wizard stood and faced his executioners. He had only a handful of cantrips and no weapons save his dagger. Arrayed against him was the combined might of 6 adventurers, and there was something familiar… Recognition flashed into him. The caravan guards! An inkling of hope flared. Feigning some discomfort and staggering slightly the Wizard had noted the cantrip cast by the Tiefling, (bards were always sloppy technically), he also noted it is a minor illusion cantrip and therefore no threat. Looking down, the wizard wasn’t surprised that his robes were stained red with his own blood. Some of it definitely his own, but the rest an obvious ploy from the Tiefling.

“Tell us what you are doing here, and what happened”, the Tiefling’s aggression was barely held in check, and the wizard could sense it would be happy to kill him. Nothing to loose then. He complained about his wound, and the imminent ‘death’. The Tiefling healed him with a word. The fool… The Wizard considered he might escape this yet.

He explained about the surprise attack, was candid about his involvement (just a paid job – the lie was only a slight deviation from the truth), and equally candid that he had no spells left and was therefore seeking only to hide and stay alive (absolutely true). The Dwarf noted that this state of being would depend on cooperation. The group produced the magical case protecting his spell book. Damn them all.

The Tiefling demanded he open it on pain of death.

“If I do will you let me go?” The words sounded hollow to his own ears, but maybe this soft-hearted lot would fall for it.

“Of course. But you will need to provide other information as well.” The Dwarf sounded sincere, maybe there was a chance

Opening the box with some regret, the Wizard noted the gnome looking quizzically at him, “Trapped?”, the wizard indicated not. The gnome scooped up the book and flicked through the pages with unmitigated delight.

“Got that, got that, ooooh, that’s new, ooooh that too…” the Gnome trundled off to sit in the corner cooing over his prize. The others looked uncomfortable. Crunch time.

“So I can go now?” There were some mutterings. The Wizard answered a number of other questions, principally about the elf wizard – let him take care of himself! This group were fools, they didn’t ask the right questions! The Teifling was fondling a knife, but the Dwarf appeared to hold sway. The Dwarf confirmed that the Wizard was free to go. The idiots!

The Wizard moved to exit the room, Oz, the Dragonborn standing in a direct path, as was the elf Maria. They moved aside at a word from the Dwarf, though neither looked happy. The Wizard walked quickly away, and rounded the corner. He stopped to see if he was pursued. He wasn’t. So the Dwarf was the leader… interesting…

Assuming all was now safe, he quickly ran to his room, discovered his stash of goods had been raided with the exception of a couple of scrolls. Casting one (invisibility), the Wizard waited for his attackers. He was leaving, that much was certain, but any intelligence he could gather would be valuable to Rezmir. The Wizard had to say that the Dragonborn was a creature to fear and he was not about to cross the cult.

The Wizard watched the group search the other towers, finding the astrologers lens, and (disappointingly) chose not to waken the gargoyle warders. They were methodical at least.

With some satisfaction he at last saw them head to the south tower. The creature in the pit would play with them. The wizard had no doubt that the group would triumph, but his spell was wearing off and it was time to leave via the portal, particularly as he overheard the Tiefling still whining at the Dwarf over Wizard’s release.

Maria too was listening intently to Issy’s remonstration with Flint.

“We will regret not killing him. The man is a red wizard and they are evil. They are behind everything I’m sure of it! We even have evidence” , Issy waived a bundle of papers at the dwarf.

“We got what we needed, he stands little chance in the swamp without his spells, and in any case we promised.” Flint was adamant.

“These promises of YOURS will get us killed.” Issy’s tone left Maria no doubt that promises made by the dwarf would henceforth not include her. Maria couldn’t help but agree. The Wizard free was a possible enemy and would certain alert their enemies. Why couldn’t the Dwarf see that? Maria had heard of pure hearted warriors who drew their strength from holy pacts, was the Dwarf one of those?

Maria’s reverie was cut short by a stench. The final tower was obviously the latrine area and dumping ground. The floor of the tower had collapsed and was filled with swamp water and waste. Instinctively, none of the band liked the idea of swimming in it. Maria was all for walking away. Excitement and danger was one thing. Swimming in Lizard shit something else!

The group decided they needed to access the tower. A stair to the side appear sound. Tiring of discussions of options involving ropes, and other paraphernalia, Maria was aware of Issy’s growing impatience, and was not surprised when she decided to jump across to the stairs opposite. She would have made it with some ease had not the foul water erupted and a tentacle grasped the Teifling. She was immediately drawn under the water. Without pause for thought Maria pushed to front intending to jump in to save her friend, only to be grabbed by another tentacle.

The foul water closing abate her, Maria let the rage of the bear fill her. The enhanced strength of her bear form ripped open the restricting tentacle. But Maria was almost blind in the foul water and was quickly grabbed again. She was buffeted around as the creature sought to crush both her and the hapless Teifling. Maria was lifted out of the water briefly as it thrashed around, and saw Oz and Elias jump into the water. Then she was under again slashing at the attacker ineffectively. Desperate to get to Issy, and free the bard, sudden lights in the water indicated she was still alive and fighting. Maria, struggled free again and was able to slash at the creature. She felt it shudder as others of the band struck it. Finally it stopped moving.

Covered in foul slime, those in the water clambered out. Maria last to exit the water, having checked to see the creature was dead.

Those on the steps cleaned off thanks to Elias spells, and then advanced up the tower, leaving Flint and Jebido behind, neither of whom chose to enter the water or help search the tower. Maria was disappointed in the Dwarf, couldn't he swim? or was his 'brother's' life so unimportant? Maria chose not to say anything. The group stopped on the uneven floor above when they saw a chest. The unstable floor and beams made access to it treacherous. Trying to drag the chest from its position was hopeless despite some ingenious devices, and ultimately the group decided to recuperate to allow everyone chance to rest and consider the problem.

Eventually it was Elias that made his way across. The chest had not much of value (other than a large quantity of copper coins), and after a loss of patience they made their way to the upper floors. Maria couldn’t help wondering why, when Elias complained so much about others not allowing him to use his skills… he was so reluctant to do so if it ‘appeared’ like his skills were needed. Did he not realise that in the absence of him taking a positive lead, others would do so?

In the topmost part of the tower the group finally came across something. A bare rooms with ancient desks and bookshelves, but, most prominently the mortal remains of 6 robed men. Maria’s immediately thought was that these must be the missing astrologers. Of more importance was a large black book on the desk. Pulses quickened. So far they had nothing to give to the dragon. If this was the book he sought (and this room appeared undisturbed for years!) then at least they would be able to offer it one of the items it sought!

Stepping into the room, Maria was about to cross to the book when the temperature dropped. The ashen remains seemed to rise, and glowing spirit forms moved toward the group. The palpable aura of cold and death filled the room. Maria had no time to reflect on Oz presenting his holy symbol which should have destroyed the dead creatures, instead Maria called upon her circle for power. Moonlight radiance filled the room. The scorching energy struck the creatures and should have destroyed them, but seemed not to have significant effect.

The Undead advanced, their incorporeal hands reaching into her chest and the cold pain burning her will and affecting her very soul. She felt herself shriveling as the spirit seemed to suck life out of her.

The others of the group were also in difficulty and, as one, they broke and run down the stairs, panic setting in and the fear of death becoming stronger. Reaching the floor below, pain and horror started to subside, in the rush of flight from this place. But fear of these creatures became something more as they drifted through the ceiling to cut off escape. Maria’s fear intensified, she now understood why druids of her order hated undead and abominations, and she realised that hatred might not be enough, they would kills her, and her friends and it would all be for nought.

A howl of rage exploded from her… as the undead advanced…