The session was run on Thursday instead of Wednesday due to Halloween.

The party left the last room, and headed up the hallway that went to the north, stopping at the double doors on the right. This door was opened and the party entered a large dining hall. There was another door opposite the one entered from, and the group investigated it as well. Nimbul unlocked it with the set of keys he found. The door was opened, revealing a kitchen. There were 10 slaves inside cooking for the Orcs/Orogs. Mathetais tried to initiate a conversation only to discover that the slaves had their tongues cut out. The manacles of the slaves were removed, and they were instructed to wait there.

Continuing up the hall, the party entered a large chamber adorned by four beds, footlockers, and wardrobes. Mathetais discovered a small lock box underneath each bed containing 100 gp each. There was two possible exits to this chamber, a 10 foot wide hall leading to the west, and a 40 foot wide area to the east. They decided to investigate the western passage. There were two doors opposite each other. In the southern room, the group found 5 gems underneath a bed of hay and furs. In the northern room, they found a key, and a secret wall.

At this point, they could hear pounding coming from the front of the building, the army of orcs had finally gotten into their castle. Mathetais ran to get the slaves, while the others tried to open the secret wall. Gaspar found a loose stone that pivoted, which opened the wall. behind it there was a passage leading to the east. The floor was covered in dust and no tracks were present. The slaves were ushered into the passage, and the wall was closed behind them. At the end of the passage, another secret wall was found, and opened, revealing a 40 by 40 foot room. There was a door on the north wall in the center, and two passages leading out, one east and one west. To the east, the passage went about 100 feet before turning north, the walls were covered in thick webs. several doors could be seen along the northern wall. To the west, the passage went about 60 feet and also turned north, there was a door on the north wall. The door in the chamber had an inscription on it, which Mathetais had one of the slaves decipher, one was a Wizard. It read, “He who would pass through the Hall of Hero’s, must pass the test of the elements.” The party went to the west, and the door on the north of that hallway.

Nimbul failed to pick the lock on the door, so Gaspar and Mathetais bashed it open using Gaspar’s portable ram, they succeeded on the second try. Inside, they were greeted by the sight of two skeletons wielding long swords and green flames for eyes. Gaspar lead off the attack, damaging one skeleton with a blow from his great axe. Nimbul and Mathetais missed, and Iris struck one for minimal damage with a bolt. Serena then performed a turning attempt, and the skeletons retreated into the corners of the room, cowering. After that, short work was made of the skeletons. In addition to the skeletons, this room held two beds, a small table, and an alter, adorned with a small statue and two candle sticks. On the table were the stubs of 10 candles. A secret drawer was found in the altar, and Nimbul couldn’t detect any traps. At that, Mathetais opened the drawer releasing the fireball trap. Nimbul, Mathetais, Gaspar, Serena, and Iris each took 13 points of damage, and Kitiara took 6. Nimbul, Serena, and Iris were down. Math quickly used his heal skill on Serena, and the two revived the rest. Currently, Serena and Iris have 1 hp each, Kitiara has 7 hp, Nimbul has 5 hp, Mathetais has 4 hp, and Gaspar has 10 hp. In the drawer, an amulet was found. Iris identified it as an Amulet of Natural Armor +2.

Each party member received 300 Experience Points.

Updated maps can be viewed on my site. I have updated the Main building map and put in the Shrine of the Hydra map (at least what you have seen).

[This message has been edited by Baldak Oakfist (edited November 03, 2001).]

Serena recreates the recent scenes in her mind and slumps against the wall. Tired as the nine hells, she casts one CLW on herself. Feeling slightly better, she slowly stands, wiping the soot off her clock. As she looks around the room, noticing the thick layer of dust, she concludes, “I think it is safe to rest here. It doesn’t seem like these passages have been entered in centuries, at least not by anything from the castle.” She walks over to Iris and casts her last spell on the severely wounded eleven sorceress. “Now can we rest?” she askes the rest of the group.

(OoC: Iris heals up to 9 points of damage from the heal.)

[This message has been edited by Baldak Oakfist (edited November 03, 2001).]

"Yes! Let's..." says Iris weary, though happy someone finally sides with her to rest.
"We've used the last of my spells for identify that wrenched natural armor amulet," she continues. Iris slumps to the ground, healed and weary.

I agree, resting now is a good idea. The humans need more rest then us... shall we take turns? Or do you feel we need to?

"Iris, I know that you've wanted to rest before this, but I'm sure that you agree that we could not have done so while the castle was under seige. We very well might have not waken from our slumber!

"Kitiara, your suggestion is a fine one. I will take the first watch for 4 hours. Then, once you and Iris are done meditating, I can take my rest."

Looking around the room, Mathetais wandered over to the dropped long swords from the skeleton warriors. "Hmm, I wonder if these have any enchatment." Closing his eyes briefly, the paladin sought his 6th sense to see if the blades contained evil essences or demonic influence.

Nimbul scraped at his leather armor with his dagger, in a vain attempt to remove the charcoal that remained from the two infernos he's endured in the last two days. "Rest sounds like a fine idea to me. Maybe a nap will do me good...I've been a little twitchy removing traps of late."

Leaving his shortsword at his side, Nimbul curled up in a dark corner of the temple, and nearly diasappeared from view as he wrapped the elven cloak around him.

Kitiara glances at the halfling curling up into a ball on the floor. Gathering her bedroll, she tosses it on to one of the beds. "Personally, i think the beds look much more comfortable."

Comfortable now, Jager climbs into her lap, curling into a ball. The cats one eye open just a little, and her ears up. Kitiara closes her eyes and begins her restful meditation.

Following Kitiara, Iris lays her bedroll on another bed and lies down. She closes her eyes and meditates peacefully.

As Kitiara and Iris Jump up on the beds to lie down for a rest, the frames, weakened by the years of being idle, and the recent blast, collapse into a pile of rubble. The two lay sprawled on the floor.

[This message has been edited by Baldak Oakfist (edited November 06, 2001).]

Gaspar laughs at the two sorceress then lies down to sleep.

Kitiara stands up brushing the filth off her brilliant green robes. A look of annoyence flitters across her face.
Finding a more comfortable place to rest, Kitiara tries once more to get her much needed meditation.

Iris jumps up and brushes the picture filth out of her already mussy black hair. Then she shakes her dark purple robes. Glaring at Caspar in annoyance, Iris wipes the dust off the bed and lies down again.

12 Eleint

After a night of much needed rest, the party decided to head east, toward the spider web filled hallway and the three visible doors. Having heard nothing from inside the room, Nimbul opened the door to take a look, and saw another one of the skeletons with the green flame eyes. He pulled out his club and ran to the attack. He scored the first hit, then was struck by two Magic Missiles fired by the skeleton. The rest of the group entered the room, and the battle was on. Again, Serena’s extraordinary luck in turning undead turned the tide of battle immediately in the favor of the party, and the baneguard was dispatched. Unknown to the party, the commotion roused the spiders living down the hall, and they emerged from their lair into the hall, waiting. Inside the room, the party found 4 bunk beds and 8 footlockers. The footlockers were mostly rotted away, and they were easily opened. Contained in the last one was a locked jewelry box. Nimbul detected the presence of a magical trap, and the others quickly cleared out of the room, remembering the other explosions suffered due to magical traps.

Unfortunately for them, the Spiders were waiting. The three Spiders quickly moved to the attack, biting Gaspar and Kitiara, with Kitiara being weakened by the poison. The party quickly recovered, and the spiders were dispatched without further injury to the party. Serena cast Lesser restoration on Kitiara, restoring her lost strength points. Serena then cast Cure Light Wounds on Kitiara and Nimbul, healing Kitiara fully and Nimbul mostly. Nimbul had opened the jewelry box and discovered a set of bracers. Iris identified them as Bracers of the Master Thief, which Nimbul quickly put on.

Moving down the hallway, the webs became thicker, and the next door was almost completely covered. Nimbul scraped the webs away with his sword. Being stuck from al the webbing, Gaspar and Mathetais used the portable ram to splinter the door. Inside, they found the remains of an Elven mage, Latharial, who was a captive. He placed a curse on the room, and Kitiara was stricken. In a small side table drawer, Nimbul found a vial of liquid, which no one could tell what it was. They left that room and continued on down the hall, to discover the Spider’s lair. Inside were several egg sacs, and some cocooned bodies. Gaspar was going to hit one of the egg sacs with his Great Club, , but immediately upon entering the room, one of the egg sacs broke open. Hundreds of tiny spiders swarmed out, heading toward the party. Gaspar lit a torch and handed it to Nimbul. The others were running back up the hallway. The Spiders had reached the feet of Nimbul and Gaspar by the time Nimbul had the torch, and the two jumped back, Nimbul throwing the torch at the webs setting them on fire. The race was now on. The party and spiders headed up the hallway, trying to escape the flames. During the rush to escape the flames, Several members of the party fell down, the most notable being Serena who fell twice and was caught in the flames. Mathetais rushed back to help her, and the two were burned but not killed. Emerging from the webbed area, the rest of the group discovered that 11 of the spiders also escaped. During the next several rounds, the party stomped the little pests into oblivion, but not before all were bitten for minor damage.

OoC: Each party member earned 600 experience points. Also at the current time, each party member has the following damage; Nimbul - 4, Gaspar - 4, Iris - 2, Kitiara - 3, Serena - 13, and Mathetais - 15. During the session, Iris cast two Magic Missiles and an Identify, Kitiara cast one Magic Missile, and Serena cast two Cure Light Wounds and a Lesser Restoration.

Kitiara starting to feel weak from the effects of the curse, asks to see that vial one more time. Using her arcane knowledge she tries to identify the substance in the vial.

Mathetais helped Serena to her feet, thanking the gods that they had made it out of the inferno.

Gasping for breath, he looked to his companions and said, "We are only as fast as our slowest member, and that ... right now... looks like me and Serena. Should we rest again, do you think this hallway is safe?"

ooc - Baldak, I will update my character sheet to reflect my level up.

Also, as indicated in my earlier post, I wanted to see if the longswords that the baneguards were carring were magical or masterworks.
Thanks ... I will be there next week

[The swords carried by the baneguards are normal. Baldak]

[This message has been edited by Baldak Oakfist (edited November 09, 2001).]

Using her arcane knowledge Kitiara was able to ascertain that the vial did indeed carry a cure for her malady. Taking the stopper off the vial, she grimices not wanting to taste the liquid. Taking a deep breath she swallows the entire contents, taking a big swill of water afterwards.

Looking at Mathetais she says, "I dont think we need rest again so soon. Lets use some of your healing and get on with this"

ooc - Baldak, have you checked my new character? I'll send you my new original character too (lvled up finally)

[Yes I have checked out the minor changes, and yes it is ok to use the new one, so Level up the newer one. Baldak]

[This message has been edited by Baldak Oakfist (edited November 09, 2001).]

Nimbul draws his shortsword and walks back down the passageway toward the spider lair. "I wonder what was in those cocoons? He wondered to himself...and more importantly, what type of gear did they have on them?"

"With a little luck, they may still be intact..."

"Nimbul, hold up a moment."

Mathetais forced himself to kneel and take his backback off calmly, as if he were pain-free, and took out his remaining scrolls of Cure Light Wounds.

"Serena, lets use our innate healing skills first, and then tap into our reserve. I'd hate to use these up and find that we need them in a jam down the road."

ooc - I lay hands on Serena for 6 points of healing. I don't know what healing spells she has left, but I believe that I have 6 more CLW scrolls and I will need 2 of them if she is unable to heal me.

ic - Feeling the burns close while the warmth of divine healing rush through him, Mathetais hefted his longsword and walked beside his halfling friend.

"Allow me to accompany you Sir Rouge."

“Thank you, Mathetias I needed that.” Serena says feeling slightly better. Calling upon the power Pelor granted her, Serena alters the divine power of her spells, Magic Weapon and Summon Monster I, changing them into Cure Light Wounds. She then casts one on Mathetias and one on herself. Then she pulls out one of the scrolls she had made that morning, and casts it on Mathetias.

Then she turns to her other comrades and using her Cure Minor Wounds spells heals Nimbul, Gaspar, and Kitiara.

OoC: Mathetais heals 16 points. Nimbul heals 2 points. Gaspar heals 2 points. Kitiara heals 1 point. I have healed 6 points in addition to Mathetais’ healing. :)

[This message has been edited by Serena Lynx (edited November 10, 2001).]

Thank you Serena, but you shouldn't have wasted a spell upon me. It was just a scratch.

Nimbul wait for me please.

OoC: I have updated your map on my website. http://people.ne.mediaone.net/frankmarianne
I have also turned the image 180 degrees so that north is now up, rather than down.

Mathetais flexed his shoulders and felt the aches and pains slip from him. Offering a prayer of thanksgiving to Corllen Larenthon and a smile of thanks to Serena, he drew his blade and stepped next to Nimbul.

ooc - Does anyone have a Non-Demo version of Character Gererator? I'm trying to figure out if it is worth the money (plus I have no clue where or how to get it! ;) )

Mathetais,

Master Tools has not yet been released, thedrefore there is no "Non-Demo" version. Asfor deciding whether it is worth buying, well, it is not available as stated earlier. One of the enthusiasts on the Wizards of the Coast Boards has found a way to update the Data files and added many of the new stuff from the Guidebooks. If you have any further questions regarding this e-mail me or see me in the chat room, when I'm there.

ooc - I am finally leveling up my character. I will e-mail it to you this morning.

ic - Mathetais examined a dropped sword from the undead guardians that they had vanquished, and sliced it through the air a few times, testing its balance and heft and wondering if it contained some sort of enchantment or suprerior workmanship. (nb I had sensed evil on the gear in a previous post)

Turning to Nimbul he smiled and asked, "If you remember the way back to the cocoons, we can search them."

"I wonder if we have begun the "Test of the Elements" yet or if the worst is still to come." Praying to his Lord for protection, he stepped into the hallway and joined his halfling friend in his search.

13 Eleint

Following the fire in the hallway, and having been healed up somewhat, the group decided to explore the area behind the door with the inscription over it, checking out the spider lair first. Having found the remains of three backpacks in the spider room, containing 50 gold, 3 gems, and a necklace, they approached the door. Kitiara decided that this would be a good time to check out the armor that was being worn by the elven mage. She donned the Fine mesh metal shirt, and gave the Ring of Natural Armor +2 to Iris. Having checked for traps and finding none, Nimbul opened the door revealing a hallway 20 feet wide and 85 feet long. Located every 20 feet, beginning at the 15 foot point, were a pair of statues. The statues depicted barbarian shamans with their hands in front on them cupped and holding something. Each pair held a different element. The first pair held fire, which seemed real, the second ice, the third earth, and the last was holding what looked like a miniature tornado. Following the hallway, the party could see that the area opened up into a large chamber, inside could be seen an altar. Nimbul noticed a basin at the base of each statue on the east wall, but the party could not figure out what they were for, so Mathetais began to walk toward the altar. As he got closer to the first set of statues, the fire in their hands intensified, until he passed them, at which point two balls of fire were launched toward him. Failing his save, Mathetais was damaged for about a third of his hit points. He then approached the next set of statues. Upon getting near to them, the ice in their hands began to glow blue. At this point, Mathetais decided to stop. Placing a lit torch in the first basin did not seem to do anything, so Kitiara poured in some water from her water skin, the fire went away. Approaching the next basin, the torch was placed in this one, and the Ice turned a dull gray. At the next statue, the group was stumped until Nimbul noticed a small leaf just outside the basin, all dried. At this, Kitiara placed some fresh herbs into the basin, and the earth mounds flattened. In the last basin, Mathetais tried some dirt from the floor, which seemed to slow the whirlwinds, but they did not subside. Serena then placed some sling stones into the basin, at which point the whirlwinds subsided.

The chamber beyond was 80 feet wide and 60 feet deep, with a sacrificial altar located in the center. Judging by the chains, the sacrifices were live. On the far side of the chamber, were two huge doors made of steel, each was 2o feet wide and 25 feet tall. Iris and Mathetais noticed a secret door on the east wall, and the party investigated it. Nimbul noticed a pressure plate on the wall, and as it was pressed, a 10 foot wide section of the wall swung open on a pivot. Behind it was a room 20 feet by 30 feet, with a large wheel like device in the center, much like the devices used to raise an anchor. Wrapped around this device was a chain which entered the north wall through a 5 inch hole. Kitiara closed the secret wall while Mathetais and Gaspar turned the wheel. From the inside, some sort of magic mirror was imbedded into the wall which allowed those inside the room to see and hear what was going on in the large chamber. As the two turned the wheel, the large double doors opened up. At first nothing happened, then loud footsteps could be heard. After a short wait, the beast entered the chamber. Dragon-like in appearance but without wings and having eight heads, the hydra entered the chamber. It was a huge beast, 64 feet in length, and rising to a height of over 20 feet. The heads were four different colors, two red, two purple, two brown, and two blue. The party waited in the hidden room until the creature exited back to its lair, then closed the giant doors.

Leaving this area, the party decided to resume the search of the hallway areas. Around the corner where the spiders were found, the hall turned north. It continued on for another 170 feet, with doors on each side. On the east side there were 6 doors, 4 on the west. The group approached the first door and noticed several things. These doors opened out and there was a bar-like locking mechanism holding each one closed. The bar extended into the door jamb and it was attacked to another bar, which could pivot. Seeing no way to move the bar, and brute force not working, Mathetais and Gaspar decided to take out the battering ram again. With that, the bashing commenced. After the 10th try, the door finally split in two pieces, falling into the room. The chamber was obviously a cell. In the corner were the skeletal remains of a humanoid, still chained to the wall. When the party reached the second door in the hall, they discovered two levers on the wall, one on each side. Pulling down on the lever, the combined weight and strength of Mathetais and Gaspar was able to move the lever and unlock the cell doors on each side. All the cells contained from one to five skeletal remains, all chained to the walls. In the second to the last cell on the west side, Nimbul noticed a secret panel, opening to a tunnel. The tunnel lead to the cavern of the hydra. The session ended with Nimbul and Jager returning from their exploration of the tunnel.


[This message has been edited by Baldak Oakfist (edited November 15, 2001).]

Mathetais gathered his friends around him and took a moment to look them all in the eye. Every fiber of his being wanted to rid the world of the evil that the Hydra represented. Yet the thought of Kitiara, Iris or Serena lying dead in the monsters teeth made his heart turn to ice. There was no telling what sort of magical powers or even breath weapons this fell creature had at its disposal. The thought galled him, but he may need to report this creature to Lord Jullian, and return with his mentor and a company of knights to destroy it ... later.

Finally able to speak, he said in a clear voice, "This secret passage affords us an opportunity to get around the hydra, but we need to plan this to the last detail or our lives will be the cost."

"The hydra seems very powerful but did not seem to move with much urgency or speed. This does not mean that it isn't capable of bursts of great speeed, but hopefully we can assume that unless it is aroused, we can count on its lethargy.

"We need to find something to place on the altar that will attract this fiend's attention. Perhaps the bones combined with some of our rations will do the trick, but I wish we could find a recently killed orc or orog. . .

"Then, we can have a team of 2 (probably Nimbul and Gaspar as they are the fastest, most able to hide, and Gaspar is the strongest ... though I despise sending anyone but myself into this sort of danger) to the "wheel room" to open the double doors and let the hydra out.

"The trick now is to get the doors closed and trap the hydra in the altar room. Nimbul, maybe you could sneak back through the secret passage and see if there is a tripping mechanism on that side of the doors. That would be a God-Send.

"If not, Nimbul and Gaspar will have to wait until the Hydra is at the far end of the chamber, near the altar, snap the doors shut, and run for your lives out. It looks to be 60 feet, which you should be able to cover in a sprint before the hydra has time to respond.

"Once the hydra is locked out, we will be able to explore the area beyond the double doors.

"Before we begin this a few items.

"First, we need to explore the rest of this area, who knows what other secret rooms or passages we might find and how they might help us save our lives.

"Secondly, we need to prepare for the worst possible outcome, namly, that we will have to fight the hydra. It might do us well to give the mages and cleric time to meditate and refresh their spells ... perhaps while Gaspar, Nimbul and I explore the rest of the empty rooms. (Actually, I could use some healing, so the rest might do me some good also) I would recommend any protections against the elements, as well as your most damaging offensive spells.

"We also should set up some defensive positions in and around the altar room. Look at our map ... see how the room bottlenecks where the satues begin? The best defensive position would be in and around the statues.

"Nimbul, are you skilled in setting traps? Against an unknown opponent like this, I would have no qualms with rigging a nice suprise for it, especially if it would be something able to give you and Gaspar that extra second you may need to clear the room."

Serena nods approvingly, then after a moment of thought she says, “We could use the “Wand of Invisibility” on Mathetais and Gaspar and have them run back into the castle and get us a couple of ogres/orcs (dead or alive). Then drag them back here and chain them to the alter.”

“Then we can use the wand on everybody, try to trap the Hydra in here, and try to sneak past it like Mathetais suggested.”

“Oh, and resting before we do all this would be a good idea. Like Mathetais said, `we need to prepare for the worst possible outcome.’”

OoC: Should I maybe pray for “Burial Blessing?” ;)

FYI: The Map has been updated to reflect your recent investigations.

On the map there is a corridor we have yet to explore. It seems to be leading in the direction of the hydras lair also. Maybe we should also check out that section.

I agree Kit ... my assumption is that the corridor will match the prison cells we just explored, but who knows what we might find ...

Can we agree to rest right here since this is a very defensable position, and then prepare to explore the West branch?



[This message has been edited by Mathetais (edited November 16, 2001).]

Your plan sounds good to me. Let's finish exploring the the area, then go with the hydra!

Agreed. (Probably because I can't figure out any other better plan)

After a short discussion of all options, the party decided to explore the other hallway. 20 feet past the room where the Baneguards were located, the hall turned north. 30 feet up on the left was a door, and 20 feet further on the opposite side was another. The hall ended 10 feet past the last door. Approaching the first door, Nimbul checked for traps, and the door was not locked. Nimbul opened the door revealing a vaguely humanoid creature with gray skin drawn tightly over its bones. Mathetais charged into the room and yelled "Die foul creature of the nether regions." With that he attacked. The creature and the Paladin fought, while the rest of the party aided Mathetais. The creature fell, having never successfully hit Mathetais. The room was a kitchen of sorts. Kitiara discovered a secret door on the west wall. it opened revealing a small room with the north wall resembling that of a cavern.

All party members get 150 Experience points.

Let that be a lesson to all the evil creaturs lurking in the kitchens of the world!