Bebilith attack

Posted on April 5, 2016 by Marion Driessen

The portal looms ahead, dark, and four times as high as the drow. On the other side is a moderately big cave. Three steps lead down to a surface that is littered with rubble and old weapons. Deep scratches line the walls up to thirty feet. Sarcophagus lie shattered, desecrated by grave robbers. When they carefully proceed, the sisters see movement on the other side of the corridor. Phaedra catches a glimpse of a head and a hand, when a voice says:

‘So nice of you to arrive, you’re smarter than I thought you were.’

The Xaniqos freeze. That voice… It is Amalica, the treacherous Despana! What is she doing here?! Jharrath immediately casts a fireball spell, and a tremendous explosion rocks the cave. A high-pitched, inhuman scream erupts, accompanied by velvet laughter – though Amalika’s mirth sounds a bit forced.

‘Have fun with our allies. I’ll see you in the afterlife. And Alvra… we’ll meet again!’

Chanting reverberates in the cave, and a huge demonic spider appears. Phaedra takes a healing potion and moves slightly forward. Upon the wizard’s spell, ten feet long black tentacles shoot from the ground, but the creature still approaches, unhindered by the writhing barrier. Alvra’s javelin bounces off its chitin armor, but Lilith’s magical flame strike hits, causing the fiend to thrash in pain. It positions itself between the Xaniqos. Phaedra lashes out with her spiked chain, aided by her brother. The fighter draws dark blood with his sword. Jharrath activates his boots of dimension stride and steps away, while the cleric’s body suddenly erupts with eight tendrils – she has cast Yochlol’s blessing.

Another demonic spider steps through the illusionary wall. It throws a web towards the scout, sticking her against the wall. Phaedra succeeds in escaping the sticky strands, but a second bite attack poisons her. She drinks an anti-toxin, while her sister evades the attacks of the first spider. Jharrath counters and a fireball roars straight towards the fiend. He is aided by his brother, who yet again swings his sword in a successful attack. Since the large black tentacles don’t hinder the spiders one bit, Jharrath dismisses them and summons a large earth elemental. He orders it to aid Phaedra against the second bebilith. The wizard calls up an arc of lighting, but to his dismay the creatures are invulnerable to the spell.

Lilith’s tentacles strike hard several times, but the spider returns the favor and its claws rip through the cleric’s armor. Severely injured she retreats towards the portal, but the spider follows her and with one more attack renders the cleric unconscious. Phaedra tumbles to her aid, but misses her attack. The elemental breaks through the spider’s guard and with a mighty blow kills the bebilith. In the same swipe, it engages the other spider, so the wizard can cast a healing spell on the cleric. Soon Lilith is able to get up, drink an anti-toxin and heal herself further.

Finally their combined attack is successful: they kill the last bebilith through both physical and magical force.

Failure Is No Option!

Posted on October 22, 2015 by Marion Driessen

After spending time in reverie, the cleric’s spells are renewed and Lilith is finally able to remove the curse that blinded her sister. She also restores both Alvra’s and Phaedra’s strength. When she finally sees their surroundings, the drow scout concludes they did a good job navigating: they’re only about four miles from Erelhei-Cinlu! They find their way back to the trail that leads to the mine and after two more hours, they see the walls of their city again. House Tormtor is manning the gates; the Xaniqos are admitted, with torn and dusty armors.

At home they are greeted by Quarra, and together the siblings go to the chapel, where Lilith gives a full report. Their eldest sister comments.

These places you mention are in the Boneyard. It is a big area with undead. Szith Morcane is an outpost of Maerimydra. Our Matron Mother is still working with the council to search for the prophecy. The other houses also want to chase after the rod Dark Fate. Stay close. And freshen up!

And they do exactly that. Alvra offers his help in repairing the wizard’s armor of dark scales. With a firm blow… he dents it beyond repair; apparently the armor is too frail for such a strong treatment.

Something went wrong… want me to try again?

but all of his efforts are in vain.

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Jharrath rolls his eyes, disappointed.

Guess I’ll have to find a real specialist; thanks for the attempt anyway.

The fighter has more luck with fixing his sister’s broken armor.

Jharrath, will you use this piece of violet mushroom to make an antidote?

Of course, sister, but I think normal ones – if taken up front – will also help against the poisoning of darklight ore.

In the middle of the night there’s a big commotion at the door: the Matron Mother has returned home. Kyorl calls everyone to the throne room. Minotaurs guard the doors, while the Xaniqos family sits down for food and drinks. Lady Thandysha sits at the head of the table.

The future of House Xaniqos is at stake. The information on the scroll you found is extremely important. Several search parties have set out to find the rod, and House Tormtor is especially active. If that House succeeds, they will become even mightier. But with the information you have provided, we have a better chance at retrieving Dark Fate. I was planning on giving the assignment to Quarra, but I have a better use for her here. Can and dare you to take on this mission upon yourself, Lilith? Failure is NO option.

The cleric assures her mother that they are worthy and capable to go in search of the rod.

Quarra, revered elder sister, I’m sure your skills will be perfect for the diplomatic mission to the Kua Toa settlement.”

Yes, you will go together with Taldinyon,” her mother adds, “while you, Lilith, go to Sythe Morcane to search for this Dark Fate. Tonight I will ask Lolth for guidance, and tomorrow you’ll go on your way. You will not be alone in your search; other drow parties will be on the road as well. House Tormtor and House Shi’quos know a lot and they will be working together. Keep your diplomacy close at hand and don’t let yourself be overruled. Make sure there are no consequences for this House! And whatever happens, I must have this rod! Take whatever you need.

The whole household prays for a successful mission and the Spider Queen grants them four potions of holy water, while Jharrath – who has managed to set up quite a business – offers each a number of healing potions.

The Cloaker Lord

Posted on October 22, 2015 by Marion Driessen

The Xaniqos try to rest, while Phaedra keeps watch. It is unnerving to hear and not see. When two hours have passed, new flapping sounds can be heard close to where they were ambushed. They don’t seem to come closer though, and the scout doesn’t feel she ought to wake the others – yet. After a while, Alvra takes over the watch; he’s not totally rested but does feel somewhat better. In the quiet of the night the fighter hears moaning wails, one answering the other. His fighting experience tells him that an attack is impending, since the beasts are gathering again. When the numbers keep growing, the urgency to leave grows too and he softly wakes Lilith. Trusting her brother’s instincts, she orders him to wake the others and dons her armor. Jharrath’s spells have not returned yet, and neither have her own, but their enemies are approaching once more.

Jharrath has just cast tentacles of force, when a loud sonic screech resounds. The sound grates on their nerves, but, apart from Phaedra who starts shaking, the drow break loose from the effect. While the dreadful moaning continues, the cleric gazes beyond the tentacles and catches not only glimpses of cloakers, but also of a larger specimen in the shadows of the Underdark tunnel. She grabs her sister’s hand and pulls her along – away from the area – with Alvra in the lead. Suddenly Lilith notices how the air shimmers near them: someone – or something – is coming!

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A huge cloaker materializes from the shadows near the wizard, several smaller ones hovering near. Jharrath uses his dimension boots and reappears in front of his siblings. Alvra keeps on running full speed, with his sisters on his heels, Phaedra being guided by Lilith. The scout seems to be in a deep trance, unable to defend or attack. The winged beasts follow in formation. Jharrath casts a fireball at their attackers, but again the Cloaker Lord plane shifts. The explosion rocks the corridors and for a little while the moaning stops. The drow get the feeling they’re being herded, the creatures are waiting for them to take a wrong turn. Alvra is somehow able to avoid the dead ends and seems to know where he’s going.

After fifteen minutes of hot pursuit, the moaning stops and then seems to go away entirely. The fighter still keeps on running, and when they’re no longer able, forces them into a quick march. Suddenly he hears an alien, sonic voice saying ‘And stay back!’, while the last word eerily echoes through the underground. He has the feeling this might have been their end. When Phaedra, who has come to her senses, hears about the apparition, she tells her siblings this was probably a cloaker lord, a superior sub-race of this feared subterranean race.

Once they have caught their breath, they continue once more. Alvra doesn’t know exactly where he is, but he manages to find them a reasonably safe spot where they can rest. He keeps watch though, and stays alert throughout the night. The darkness stays quiet.

When Cloaks Come to Life

Posted on July 3, 2015 by Marion Driessen

Again the drow stand at the slope of the mine, and try to decide which way to go. As the brothers each point in a different direction and Phaedra is still blinded, Lilith takes the lead. Confidently she takes them through the tunnels of the Underdark, back towards the city of Erelhei-Cinlu – or at least that’s what she’s convinced of. When they have traveled for a few hours, Phaedra becomes aware of an air fluctuation, which brushes against her face. She listens carefully, almost feeling her surroundings with her highly sensitive senses. They enter a dark corridor. In the distance the cleric observes a strange phenomena. It’s almost as if someone has left a couple of black piwafwi’s to dry on boulders.

Her sister feels a change in the air, like something is gliding on the wind, and she instinctively ducks. All of a sudden a black spot flies straight into Jharrath, uttering a screeching sound. Notwithstanding the moaning sound, the wizard keeps his wits about, but still is attacked. By a cloaker!

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Five more creatures launch themselves from the rocks which the cleric had spotted earlier. One of them attacks Lilith with its nasty looking tail, leaving an angry scratch. Again the screeching reverberates through the tunnels, echoing between ceiling and walls, causing the scout – who has no eyesight – to panic temporarily. She drops her spiked chain and takes off at a dead run, away from the sound. The cleric is under attack by a second creature, but both the tail and vocal attack have no effect. A third cloaker tries to hit Alvra, but the tail rebounds off his armor.

The fighter carefully takes a step closer to the wizard, keeping in mind the poison that Lilith smeared on his sword, and sticks the point into Jharrath’s attacker. The beast’s movements seem to lessen. When yet another monster tries to grapple Jharrath – though in vain – the drow casts a spell, which results in six mirror images of himself. These confuse the creature long enough to keep the wizard safe. He manages to escape his opponent’s embrace, but loses one of the images. When the beast uses the shadows to better protect itself, Jharrath is inspired and casts a circle of darkness around him. Still he gets hit, after which Jharrath teleports to a safe distance. From there he aims his wand of scorching rays at the cloaker.

Lilith calls upon Lolth and eight writhing tentacles ooze from her body. One of the cloakers wraps his wings around her and tries to bite her, but it can’t find an opening. The cleric counterattacks with her eight tentacles and subsequently hits the beast with her flail. The poison and the special fire damage of her weapon ravage it almost to the death, but there’s still some fighting spirit left. Twice it tries to attack the cleric, but she crushes it with her tentacles, taking on a second cloaker with her flail. With two strong attacks, she kills this one also, and a third says in an alien yet recognizable voice:

You’re too much trouble!

and flaps away.

Meanwhile, Alvra is hacking and slashing at the creature that now definitely is weakening, but still it manages to get close to the drow. Too close! The fighter takes his kukri and lashes out, while the hungry mouths of his armor dig into the cloaker’s body. With a booming intimidating laugh, again and again he punctures the cloaker’s hide. His strategy seems to work. The attacker releases him and takes off. Grabbing his sword, Alva tries to hit it once more, but the darkness prevents him from hitting his target.

Somewhat further, Phaedra comes to her senses and hears flapping. She loads her crossbow and aims at where the sound is coming from. When she feels a sharp sting, she realizes she’s been hit. The black attacker grapples and tries to bite her, but misses. She has quite a good knowledge of these animals and uses her abilities to blind it. A bright flash illuminates her surroundings and… she becomes invisible.

Are we playing now? I don’t like it when my food disappears!

Though the creature’s moaning makes her muscles cramp, she manages to sneak away. After a while, the beast gives up its search and disappears into the darkness. Phaedra hears them very high up in an air shaft, and walks back towards her siblings. Her sister nods and hands over Phaedra’s favorite weapon.

The cleric gathers the Xaniqos close and heals their wounds, giving extra attention to Jharrath. Soon they are all looking way better, and together they walk back to the last intersection.

Dragon!

Posted on June 30, 2015 by Marion Driessen

When they walk back towards the entrance of the darklight ore mine, they suddenly hear applause. A very well dressed drow in a splendid robe is clapping his hands and says,

I’m impressed! But I would like you to go no further.

And who might you be?

My name is Phazeuroth.

The Xaniqos have never heard of him, which surprises Phaedra, as she knows of almost everyone of note in Erelhei-Cinlu and surroundings.

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The male drow takes a graceful bow and chats on, asking for their names. The cleric isn’t too keen on giving those, so she keeps distracting him with more questions. He answers willingly.

I was asleep, when I was disturbed by your fireball and electric show, so I came to check you out. I had come to an agreement with the fanatics that you seem to have destroyed. Hmm, well this might be a new opportunity in itself as I was pondering how to make my presence known to your city.

Who are you?

I’m a kind of collector of interesting objects.

And what are you? You don’t seem to be affected by the radiation of the darklight ore at all.

The answer to Lilith’s question is quite surprising.

I am suprised you have not heard of me, I am a dragon!

Phazeuroth’s tone is very proud and arrogant.

The large bones over there actually belonged to my grandfather. I would like to have a good relation with the city, based on trust. This is my place, and I don’t like too many visitors. Recently, a group of albinos came and asked for a stupid scroll, which was already in my possession for over a decade. I must have “collected” it while I acquired more interesting objects. How they knew I had it I did not know, nor ask. They were willing to pay a handsome sum for it and as the scroll was of no particular interest to me, I sold it to them.

The cleric assures him of the interest in a mutual business agreement with her House. Phaedra asks the drow if he knows more about the szarkai.

They told me they came from the city of Maerimydra, which was destroyed a long time ago. There was a female, a fanatical priest. Once in a while she came to collect the carts with darklight ore. And I heard something about ruins.

Phazeuroth falls silent and either he is genuinely bored with the subject or he feigns to have no interest.

Don’t you ever get lonely?

After Lilith’s words, the male drow changes into an elegant rakish, shiny black serpent. Over his head, a circle of steam slowly wheels. Magic is thick upon the air.

Deep dragon

Let me introduce myself again. Well met, my name is Phazeuroth..

The cleric finally introduces herself as Lilith, high priestess of House Xaniqos. In a deep and rumbling voice, the dragon thanks her.

Meanwhile Jharrath leads his blinded sister to the corpses, where she searches for symbols. Apart from sword and armor, she finds nothing, so they return to the party, where Phazeuroth – after changing back to his drow form – says:

What I forgot to tell you, uhm, what was it again? Something to do with the end of the world. Or was it the end of your city? It is hard to remember.

They all realize the dragon is only acting this casual.

Ah yes. You will have to go to the city of Maerimydra quickly. Something to do with a rod, Szith Morcane and a the prophecy: Their time will come, your time will end. Yes, that was it. That is where the albinos were headed. By the way, it would be nice if your friend over there doesn’t do his fireball anymore.

Oh, but if I had known a beautiful dragon was living here, I wouldn’t have done that!

The dragon is pleased to have such a polite interlocutor and he and Jharrath continue their banter for a bit.

I hope to see all, or some of you, again. In the future I might put back the trap again. But call my name, and I will come to you.

After saying goodbye to their new business partner, Alvra and Lilith carry one of Phazeuroth’s grandfather’s bones and use it as a bridge across the gap of the trap. When they try to figure out how to get the bone back, they hear the echoes of the dragon. Don’t worry about it… Jharrath collects a piece of the violet fungi for later investigation and together the four siblings make their way down the slope again; fighter and scout in one piece, the other two with a bit more difficulty.

Of Radiation Sickness and Druid Spells

Posted on June 30, 2015 by Marion Driessen

Bereft of her sight, Phaedra’s senses seem to be heightened. Cautiously she continues deeper into the cave. When she walks around the corner of the corridor on the far right side, she gets very nauseated. She looks slightly pale, even for a drow. The pungent smell of mushrooms is very heavy.

I think there’s darklight ore in here!

Her sister walks towards the opening and sees a pile of ore on the left side, a full cart and three pickaxes. It seems to be a rich vein. Lilith also feels the effect of the glowing darklight ore.

Cleaning it away won’t do any good, all is contaminated,

Phaedra says, recovering slightly. The cleric calls upon Lolth and imbues herself with magical energy that protects better against the radiation. The drow move into the corridor single file, with an earth elemental, summoned by Jharrath, up front. In the distance the glow of violet mushrooms lights the area. Notwithstanding his mask, the fighter though is very nauseated and violently sick, while the others seem to fare better.

The mushrooms seem to thrive near the ore. Perhaps we can make an anti-toxin out of it. Jharrath, take a sample later on, so we can examine it.

Just when the wizard complies, a white figure dressed in animal skin glides into the corridor, fifteen feet above the ground. He’s surrounded by a shimmering aura, wears a wicked spear and a demonic smile. After drinking a potion, his image blurs.

druid

His murmur activates the violet mushrooms into an attack on the earth elemental, while two others attack from the side. Lilith immediately counterattacks by dispelling his magic. Suddenly the blur effect is gone, the aura lessens and with a surprised yelp the szarkai drops from the air.

They all take up fighting positions. Phaedra loads her crossbow and stands next to her wizard brother. When she hears the thump of an attack, she shoots, but blinded as she is, her bolt doesn’t find a target. Jharrath takes out a small ball of bat guano and sulfur and strikes at the szarkai with a fireball. The gigantic blast clears away all mushrooms near the szarkai and even hits the druid. Debris is falling everywhere, and sounds of the ceiling settling back into an unstable balance fill the air. After a hit from the earth elemental, the druid szarkai retreats around the corner.

Jharrath orders his elemental to charge after the white elf, and when he hears it hit something, he glances around the corner. The summoned ally is standing in the middle of blankets and bedrolls, surrounded by the remnants of a big rock that it smashed, while the druid again floats higher up. He seems to be healing himself. With a ray of clumsiness, Jharrath hinders their opponent, and his sister adds a spell, blasting the area with a tremendous cacophony. The others move forward too. A wall of smoke prevents the druid from making visual contact, but his voice calls out in Elven:

If I die, I will take at least one of you with me!

He calls upon the earth, and the earth obeys. A gigantic stalagmite rises up and tries to impale Lilith. She manages to jump to the side, but her armor is ruptured. A counterattack with her spiritual weapon goes awry because of this. Jharrath sends in a salt mephit, whose breath irritates the elf’s skin and eyes, and he strikes back with another spell. Two iron poles rise up next to the spell casters, and an arc of lightning jumps back and forth, hurting the drow. By jumping aside quickly, they manage to reduce their injuries.

By now, Lilith is totally fed up with the druid and lashes out with a counter spell. A vertical column of divine fire roars downward, wiping everything away except the fire mephit. Of the szarkai and the mushrooms only ashes are left.

Jharrath examines the remains and finds 20 platinum pieces, the short, wicked looking short spear, magical hide armor and a blurring potion in a scarred but still usable belt. He hands over the potion to the cleric and the spear to his brother, who is feeling better.

This seems to have been a temporary camp, but all clues are burned.

Phaedra isn’t too happy with this result, but doesn’t say anything about her feelings to her older sister.

A damn good fighter, but easily confused

Posted on May 27, 2015 by Marion Driessen

The naga’s body lies still at their feet, defeated after an intense battle. Phaedra climbs the plateau and releases the Astral Shard. The gem loses some of its luster and suddenly it becomes very quiet. The scouts shows the stone to her brother, and Jharrath detects very strong magic in it.

This gem is used as a conductor, a source of magic; it contains lots of energy. This is a very powerful item. Alvra, the person we are obtaining it for, is he a very good friend of our House?

The fighter confirms this, and adds that only a few can use it.

Hmmm OK. But I’d like to use this tower for myself.

We will let our Matron Mother decide, Jharrath!

Lilith says. She proceeds by healing and strengthening her siblings some more, and then walks to the serpent’s corpse. Carefully removing one of the creature’s fangs, she taps the glands and stores the poison in her backpack.

On their way down, they notice that the room with the silver strands is empty. Apparently the removal of the Astral Shard has stopped the energy flow. The ice ball in the room, one level lower, is slowly melting, dripping. Its defense mechanism is still operational though, and the cleric is hit by a cold ray. The others pass safely, and soon they are standing in the room with the map of the Earth Nodes. The nodes’ radius touches the Isle of Scribes, which explains why the magic is so strong here. Jharrath rolls the map carefully and stashes it in a container. They also find a a potion of invisibility, forty platinum pieces, a pearl necklace and ten stones with a kind of braille script on it. Perhaps a mind flayer script? Jharrath takes a moment to thank the cleric for saving his life.

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On the lower level, the umber hulks are making a lot of ruckus. Lilith orders the wizard to summon elementals and deal with the situation. Jharrath takes out a candle, says an incantation and calls up a large earth elemental.

Go downstairs and lure the beasts away from the staircase.

The elemental glides through the stone floor and – judging from the noises that arise – lands smack on top of one of the umber hulks. All hell breaks loose, and the drow hurriedly walk down the stairs. Just as Alvra passes the room, one of the umber hulks looks up and focuses on the fighter with its four-eyed gaze. Alvra’s eyes glaze over, but he continues towards the opening on ground level.

Suddenly he steps forward, rudely pushes his brother to the side and takes off towards the exit. Jharrath and Lilith understand what has happened and the cleric unleashes a spell to free Alvra from the umber hulk’s influence. The fighter chatters a bit. Lilith hauls on his arm and leads him towards the opening. The fresh air seems to snap him out of it, but a moment later, his eyes go wild again and he attacks his cleric sister!

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Barely holding a leash on her temper, Lilith slaps Alvra hard in the face.

Come to your senses, man!

The male drow babbles incoherently.

With a hard shove, she pushes him in the right direction and after a while, Alvra is back to normal. Lilith sets a brisk pace and pointedly ignores her brother. He follows like a beaten dog.

They arrive safely at House Xaniqos, where the next day, the cleric makes sure both her brothers regain their lost abilities by use of restoration spells. Jharrath takes the time to thoroughly examine the gem necklace Phaedra found in the iron chest: it is a necklace of fireballs, with four charges left.

The Guardian of the Astral Shard

Posted on May 27, 2015 by Marion Driessen

They arrive at a small circular room at the end of the stairs. On the plateau is a large, glass cylinder with a serpentine body wrapped around it. The snake has a powerful woman’s head. Inside of the cylinder a bright, white crystal shines. There’s no doubt in their minds: here is the gem they have been looking for!

Stand clear of the Astral Shard, or by Uliordell’s command, I must slay you!

When Jharrath hears the stern female voice utter this threat, he walks past the others and stands next to Phaedra.

I will stop here, I do not want to disturb you further.

And to his siblings

Don’t attack yet, this seems to be a guardian naga. She seems to be under some kind of spell.

Lilith calls upon her deity to try and break the enchantment, but before this has the desired effect, the naga attacks – almost with regret it seems. She mutters a few words and suddenly she moves faster. The cleric’s faith doesn’t waver and she focuses herself on the spell.

Phaedra tumbles next to the snake and her spiked chain lashes out, though in vain: the guardian is too fast. Alvra’s attack also misses, and the serpent seizes the opportunity to set her teeth in the fighter. Immediately he feels greatly weakened. His sister evades a poison spit attack, and ends up in the room with the energy threads. Irritated, she dashes up the stairs again and tumbles back to her former position. Taking a moment to drink a potion of anti-toxin, Alvra steps back, keeping a wary eye on the naga.

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Abandoning her spell to break the naga’s enchantment, Lilith prepares an attack, and a moment later four rays of black light slam into the serpent, which hisses in pain. Jharrath follows up with a spell of his own, and yells

Hang on, I think the enchantment is broken!

Phaedra ceases the attack, while the fighter waits in full defense.

Stop attacking immediately and surrender!

The naga breaks loose from her trance and looks around, confused. The cleric applies her diplomatic skills.

We freed you from a spell the mindflayer set upon you. You are free to return to your plane.

Why would I choose to trust yet another evil? I can not even leave this tower as I am too big. Will you transport me away?

When the answer turned out to be negative, she rages and vows to take the group with her in her death. Jharrath summons five small elementals and orders them to protect the Xaniqos, should the snake attack. A moment later she does just that.

Lilith’s attempt at casting a blindness spell fails, while her sister’s strike hardly does any damage. The serpent counterattacks with a fireball, and the ravaging fire hits the elementals and their conjurer. Even the naga gets hurt, but she doesn’t care in her state of distress. She heals herself, but again gets wounded by Alvra’s javelins and the wizard’s Kellgore’s firebolt.

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Drinking a potion of anti-toxin seems like a wise thing to do, and soon Jharrath wishes he had done the same as Phaedra, for he gets hit by a venomous spitting attack. The poison enters his skin and bloodstream, and he topples, close to death. The cleric rushes to Jharrath’s side and manages to safe his life with some quick aid. Meanwhile the naga repeatedly snaps her fangs close to Phaedra, but misses. One of Alvra’s javelins doesn’t though, and he follows through with his sword. The wizard pulls his wand and torches the guardian with scorching rays. The spiked chain rips another chunk of meat off the creature. The snake pulls herself together and sends a wall of fire towards Lilith. Momentarily distracted, she doesn’t pay attention, and Alvra immediately steps in to deal the killing strike. The guardian naga is defeated, and the Astral Shard beckons…

Stone Giant

Posted on September 28, 2014 by Marion Driessen

The day after their visit to the slave market is spent studying by Jharrath, while Alvra visits the merchant Nyttoris. Free to do as she pleases, the cleric still has to pay close attention to etiquette, since the Matron Mother is a very adept politician and an intelligent, ambitious and self-assured woman. And she won’t let a cleric of House Xaniqos be anything less.

In the evening they set out towards the slave market again. It is more quiet this time as business is slowing down. When they walk towards the dais, they are stopped by a male drow.

What are you doing here?

Just looking around, we might want to buy something. Or someone.

You can’t proceed, this is a private area.

Like the old drow yesterday, this male is also not wearing an insignia. Lilith steps forward and takes over the conversation, so Phaedra can scout ahead.

We were here yesterday, when House Tormtor was doing business, and we could walk around without any trouble. So what’s the problem now?

Meanwhile, her sister slips uphill, until she sees four kua-toas. One is wearing a headdress. They seem to be checking out slaves. In her excitement, Phaedra loses cover and is spotted by the fish-like humanoids. Her sudden appearance creates a commotion and Phaedra can hear them shouting in their watery language. The scout unobtrusively scuttles back towards her siblings, but it’s too late. With snorts and growls, two huge bugbear overseers appear. One of them starts to cast.

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Jharrath recognizes the spell as ray of enfeeblement – they seem intent on taking the Xaniqos siblings alive. On both sides, coruscating rays spring from the bugbears’ hands, but they have no effect on the wizard because of his spell resistance. Phaedra also nimbly dodges the spell. Since his mistress hasn’t given the order to attack, the fighter stays alert in full defense. The wizard counterattacks with a spell of his own. Suddenly slime appears at the feet of one of the bugbears.

I’m warning you, don’t take another step!

Not wanting to waste their energy in an unnecessary fight, Lilith says:

Apologies on behalf of my intrusive sister. We did not meant to interfere with your business.

Seeing the reason in her words, the overseer is about to call off his bugbear guards, when two kua-toas appear around the corner. Dressed in leather, they carry no weapons but still look very capable. They are soon followed by a kua-toan priestess. Both monks give her a wide berth. Something tells Phaedra that she has seen this kua-toa before on their way to Blessed Seahaven. On the priestess’ command, the monks attack with flying kicks and flashing hand attacks – even in two directions at once, while the Xaniqos fight back with spiked chain, lightning and flame strikes.

Suddenly the humanoids pull back and a loud, clanging noise is heard from giant bars that are being moved aside. A huge shape, hulking, to not hit his head against the ceiling of the quarter he was in, appears and is easily recognized as a stone giant. At full length he is 12 feet high. The wizard immediately casts a spell, and a foul sludge seeps out of the ground, coating the area before the giant in a twenty feet radius. The scout’s chain is aimed at one of the kua-toas, while the bugbears make a flanking movement.

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Assessing the situation, Lilith suddenly yells in a very commanding voice.

Stop this madness! We came in search of slaves, and now we are treated like this? Harassed without any cause? You will stop this at once, and we will leave.

The monitor, under the influence of the cleric’s diplomacy, orders his bugbears and stone giant to step back.

This is a terrible misunderstanding,

the drow says, holding his crossbow.

As far as I’m concerned, nothing happened.

Then four guards of House Vae turn the corner, in full regalia, spears and shields ready.

When we came looking for slaves, we were attacked by these kua-toas. Outsiders without the mandatory green cloaks. I don’t know how things work here, but in our ghetto that’s not allowed!

The cleric is indignant in her anger. The guards salute Lilith.

We will deal with this at once, mistress!

On their way back, Phaedra says:

Those were no Blessed Seahaven kua-taos, Sister. I recognized the woman from our trip from Looblishar.

Hmm, that’s interesting! Did you see the slaves?

Yes, but they were normal ones, nothing special.

The drow continue towards their home, deep in thought.

Dro… Spide… eh, Driders!

Posted on June 22, 2014 by Marion Driessen

Another corridor stretches out in front of them, the distance lighted by a queer blue sheen. It could be moss or crystals, which can glow with a soft light. When her brother can’t detect any magical influences, she silently scouts ahead. The corridor broadens into a large hall with massive pillars in the middle, covered in quarts. Ever-burning torches mix the shadows with bluish light. Movement draws Phaedra attention, and she sees a drider hiding behind one of the stone columns. Half drow half spider, the creature seems to guard the place. Often they are fallen clerics or wizards.
Lilith orders Jharrath to summon elementals, and soon three of them appear in front of the hidden drider. But when they lash out, the drider disappears. It was an illusion. The arrow that strikes Phaedra is no illusion though. Arcane phrases call up a lightning bolt, which strikes the earth elementals. Two of the summoned creatures are able to jump aside, the third one vanishes. Phaedra’s eyes follow the lightning’s path back to a plateau.

Suddenly another spell is cast and a second drider appears, hanging on to a pillar. The lightning ball sizzles straight into the corridor where the Xaniqos are. The scout nimbly jumps aside, while Lilith’s spell resistance enables her to shrug off the effects without any damage. Rolling his muscles, Alvra is fine too, but his brother takes the full brunt of the attack. He’s badly hurt and shakes like a leaf. With a growl, the cleric calls forth dark flames in her hand, ready to use them when she sees an opponent.

Phaedra tumbles past her sister and runs towards the other side of the very large cave.

Jharrath, move!

Frustrated the fighter returns his kukri to his belt, eager to get an overview of the situation. Jharrath steps into the cave and takes up position around the corner, and soon a blur distorts his frame. Alvra follows his siblings and sees the two remaining earth elementals at the foot of the pillar, waiting for the drider to come down from its height. With a threatening yet fluid movement he throws his javelin at the creature and scores a hit. Green pus oozes from the deep wound.

A third drider, bow in hand, climbs down at the far side and only Phaedra notices this new threat. Dark words trickle through the silence, barely audible. They remind her of a spell Jharrath uses more often. She fires her crossbow at the drider, but it disappears. Yet another illusion.

The other driders also take refuge in spells. The beast on the plateau sends forth magic missiles, aimed at the elementals, while the drider on the pillar casts a web at the Xaniqos. When all three easily evade the sticky substance, the drider climbs on top of his perch. Just the thing Lilith has been waiting for. Instantly she launches her dark fire at the drow-spider. Twice the creature gets hit by her sizzling flames and it screams in agony. Then it slowly topples forward, one of Alvra’s javelins embedded in its head.

Jharrath and Lilith, still standing under the cave’s entrance, find themselves under attack by a third drider. The beast had been hiding right over their heads. It lashes out at the wizard with two daggers, and claws scrape over Lilith’s armor – to no avail. Its bite attack also misses.

Leave, priestess, you will fail!

Several voices grind into the cleric’s head.

I will not!

Her determination to bring this quest to a successful end never wavers. She hurls another round of dark flames at the abomination hanging above her head. The flames burn into the creature’s flesh.

You failed the Mistress,

it hisses. The cleric retorts:

Eh, who exactly is the drider here?

after which the beast hangs its head.

A little stone alerts the scout to impending danger and she quickly turns around. The drider – the real one this time – is surprised by her alert reaction and his arrow misses its target. Phaedra puts her crossbow away and – spiked chain in hand – awaits her opportunity to take out her opponent. The earth elementals come to her aid, only to get hit by lightning. The damage proves too much for one of the elementals. Phaedra again evades the energy bolt. The drider looks very frustrated and shuffles back a little. Immediately the Xaniqos drow lashes out with her chain and pulls big chunks of meat from the beast’s body. Green pus mingles with black blood.

Jharrath teleports, trying to get away from the imminent danger and finds himself face to face with yet another drider. Daggers are raised threateningly, but the wizard sees through the illusion. His arcane knowledge is too extensive to fall for these tricks.

Hurling his last javelin towards the drider that is threatening his mistress, Alvra takes his sword and stands ready. Meanwhile the conversation continues.

You will join us soon, we can’t wait.

Lilith rolls her eyes.

Do you always talk this much?

The beast fires a ray of enfeeblement at the fighter, and immediately Alvra feels his strength seep away, but his brother counters with a spell of his own to nullify the effects. Dark flames shoot from the cleric’s hand, straight into the drider. The smell of burning flesh fills the air and heavily wounded, it hisses in pain. Pondering on how the drider holds on onto the wall, Alvra aimes a tanglefoot bag at the creature. Goo splatters all over the creature. It tries to levitate to safety but is stuck. After retrieving his javelin from the other drider corpse, Alvra throws the weapon at their entangled enemy, while Lilith’s dark flames finally end the life of the beast.

An arrow flies past the wizard’s head. Fed up with the attacks, Jharrath hurls a fireball through the opening of the plateau. An enormous explosion rocks the cavern and they hear a loud scream, then silence.

On the other side of the cave the last drider suddenly jumps down, surprising the scout in the act. The drow falls backwards and the beast is all over her, biting her. Fortunately her natural resistance to poison is sufficient. She gets up quickly and lashes out with her chain. Feebly, the drider tries to counterattack, but its wounds are too severe. With one stroke, Phaedra ends its misery.

Dead silence surrounds them – the fight seems to be over for now. Lilith orders all to gather close and casts a healing circle, while her faith in the Spider Queen strengthens them.