Author: Stan Shinn (Page 35 of 111)

March 22-23, TA 1331

Ash wakes and recounts a dream of being tossed overboard, only to be rescued by mermaids of some kind. With that on his mind, the group continues on their way. Lalago is seen with a thin old man named Snick via Quintos’s scrying. The previous attempt to scry for Lalago had shown her with a fat man named Leander. After seeing this, Marcus sought guidance from Mars to determine if the group could heal Lalago and was told that yes, the group can heal her.

Heading out toward the large volcano through dense jungle, the group is uneasy due to the various sounds and smells new to them in this area. They come upon a group of gorillas beating on some kind of carcass on the ground. Marcus bravely stepped forward and attempted communication, albeit in a very simplistic form. After a brief interchange, the gorillas hoist up and throw the carcass they had been beating toward a small hill at the edge of the clearing. Marcus and Ivamel investigate the body and Marcus finds a necklace (one with birdclaws in a specific pattern) that resembled one worn by Lalago’s brother.

Somewhat disturbed and concerned, the group heads around the hill and discover a doorway leading underneath the hill. Seeking answers, the group heads into this tomb and finds a large room with 8 sarcophagi and a large statue of a roman soldier. The soldier is holding a staff with a two headed eagle atop – Marcus and Quintos spend a moment to converse and determine what exactly this might mean. The group searches the various sarcophagi and find a bag with some gems inside one coffin.

Marcus takes two stones from the bag and places them into the empty eye sockets on the Roman soldier statue and a doorway opens behind the statue. The crew walks down the now open hallway and finds a pool of muck and mire. Two disgusting creatures rise from this pool and began attacking our heroes, flinging disgusting balls of filth – catching two of our combatants, hindering them both. After a small struggle the two creatures are defeated and the group collects itself, cleans itself (as much as possible) and heads further into the underground labyrinth.

Quintos, thinking tactically (to the surprise of some), sends his own down a long hallway to scout ahead. Through his unique connection, he is able to see a large room with a monstrous creature and a cage full of people. There are also several creatures loosely resembling the corpse seen above ground who seem to be worshiping the creature in some manner. Sensing the urgency of the moment, the group wades into battle, striking down the grey skinned servant creatures first before turning their attention to the squid-headed monster. Quintos’s quick thinking allowed him to sneak away with a woman nearest the squid-head, likely saving her life. Fearlessly, our heroes went at the monster with blade, staff, and spell – taking psychic blasts in return. After a short battle our numbers won out and the captives were saved, though the monster managed to slip away.

Searching the room, the party found a quiver with 8 arrows (2 with blue fletching, 2 with red fletching, 2 with yellow fletching, and 2 with black fletching), one unidentified potion, and a heart shaped clasp for a cloak. There is still one small chamber that the group had not thoroughly explored, but sensing danger if they chose to say behind, the party fled the tomb to head back above ground with the rescued captives.

March 20-21, Third Age 1331

Finally arriving on the main island, the party sticks to it’s water walking rock star entrance routine(mostly due to Marcus’ insistence) and walks right into a welcoming party ambush led by non other than King Pa-hu-ack, himself. It turns out that the parties reputation for unbelievably legendary heroism preceded them. Fortunately, no serious injuries were sustained from the ambush or subsequent party. Aside from the worse case of food poisoning Quintos has ever endured. Rancid squid is never a good idea. But he received little pity from his companions, as it was very much self inflicted. Maybe next time he’ll listen to the locals when they suggest he not join the eating contest. On the bright side, a new friend was made. Ash, who is also from Redmark, had been spreading his beliefs among the people here for some time.

As the evening began to wind down, they met Tama. He’s sister had wondered off beyond the great wall, which is forbidden, and never returned. Tama was able to sneak out and find some clues. One of which was a giant bloody boar tusk. Desperate to find her, he asked the heroes for help and they readily agreed. Plans were made to leave under false pretenses in the morning as to avoid alerting the natives of the heroes’ intent of going beyond the wall. The attempted secrecy failed miserably. But only because the king was cheating by using a shaman who can see the future.

It wasn’t all bad, though. The king and his shaman were friendly and offered help. A few trippy drinks later, Quintos was dancing uncontrollably, and Marcus and Ash both had visions. It would seem that brain eating squid(revenge of the squid maybe?), friendly apes, lying pigs, and other oddities are in the parties future. That and the specific instructions that they must kill Tama’s sister or she’ll destroy the entire village. What could possibly go wrong?