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Chapter 1: A Darkness Gathering

Turn 39: A War in the Temple

After Danton rejoined the others and described all that he had observed within the cavernous temple, the group conversed in low tones on how best to proceed.

“We hardly need some grand strategy,” hissed Telemachos. “Let's kill the hobgoblins, more hobgoblins, and, oh yeah, even more hobgoblins. Seriously, Danton, why don't you sneak up and stick your needle in the leader's chest or paint him a new eye in the middle of his forehead? Then, when all hell breaks loose, we can slay these creatures closer at hand and get ready for the real battle.”

“I begin to think there is more here than meets the eye,” cautioned Luger. “I may be jumping to conclusions, but why would a band of hobgoblins have neatly stacked supplies with cloth and rope? I suppose it is not unlikely that these foul creatures ambushed a merchant caravan on the road somewhere, but considering the squalor they live in, it does not seem likely that they would stack such things in this manner. I cannot even imagine these beasts carrying such items this far in the first place. Also, do hobgoblins burn incense? I doubt it. I think the hobgoblins are simply pawns here. I think we have more to be concerned with than this hobgoblin clan. “

”No doubt, Nanoc and Telemachos could stroll in and obliterate these hobgoblins by themselves,” continued the cleric, “but I fear what lies behind closed doors. It is likely there are evil priests still at work here. If we decide to assault the hobgoblins we must be prepared to deal with the possibility of powerful magic. In the moat house, evil priests seemed to be jumping out at us when we did not expect it. Let us not be caught unawares.”

“Good,” said Telemachos, rather more loudly than Danton would have liked, “let them come! I prefer a straight fight to all this sneaking around. Tip-toeing around for a few extra precious seconds or sleeping the night away for a spellcaster or tramping back for healing of a few wounds that will naturally scar over anyway is not my style. Blast them into the lower depths of the Underworld where they belong and let's have done with this! For Furyondy!”

With this last comment, the soldier unsheathed Shatterspike, hefted his shield, and looked as if he were about to march off to face the hobgoblins on his own.

“Let us not be too hasty, good Telemachos,” said Danton, placing a restraining arm on the Furyondian’s shoulder. “I thinketh Luger correct: preserve stealth as long as possible and then, at that point, employ our noisome magicks as need requires. Methinks we're not going to over-awe this foul place's denizens with a show of pyrotechnics anyhow. You and Luger may be right that the hobgoblins are but a mere front for worse evil in this temple, yet I am not so sure. Is there herein worse evil than hobgoblins? Of that, I do not doubt.”

”But consider,” lectured the Velunese, “the hobgoblins are using this vast area of worship to dump their rubbish and excrement -- literally -- and they are lounging about with abandon. Forget not: I saw a great beast of a hobgoblin sitting in the basalt throne. Unless this entire upper area -- grandiose as it is, even in ruin -- is a mere front for a hidden shrine elsewhere, surely the powers-that-be would not permit these beasts to literally piss and shit all over the place!”

Danton grimaced at his own use of profanity, and hastily added, “Pardon my Furyondian,” before continuing. “If the cult were ‘back in business,’ so to speak, methinks they'd have made some effort to refurbish this place, at least in its interior, and keep the hired help reasonably in line. Instead, this wicked place serves now as a cross betwixt a gargantuan latrine and a halfway house for hobgoblin pillagers. Although I do not yet conclude that more cannot be underfoot here, what I hath seen thus far leads me to believe that Xaod just might have been right: this Temple might be little more than a site of older evil, now inhabited by mere miscreants. The true action may be elsewhere, in the Moathouse, which we hath seen, and in Rastor, which remaineth to be examined.”

“I’m ready ta take on all thes hob-gobs,” said Nanoc, “but one thing we ain’t gonna do is kill the women and children Danton saw. I knows they ain’t good and they wouldn’t do the same for us, but we is good people and Justin once told me two wrongs don’t make a right…or was it two rights don’t make a left…maybe Danton said that one. Anywho, we is gonna let any that don’t wants ta fight leave an’ go about their way.”

“I knew one of you would raise the issue of the ‘children’, though they are more accurately described as monster spawn,” said Telemachos angrily. “They will be slain with the rest. If not, you can suckle them at your teat, Danton, or maybe use some of that gold in your pockets for a hobgoblin orphanage. These are monsters and shall be treated as such.”

“No they won’t, Tel,” said Nanoc firmly, crossing his hands over his chest. “I thought you was a soldier, not some kinda murderin’ thug.”

“As much as I detest unneeded bloodshed,” said Luger in a placating tone, “I have to agree with Telemachos on this point. I would no more stay my hand when cleaning out a rat or hornets' nest. These young hobgoblins are vermin and they will mature to be every bit as vile and evil as their elders. There is no place for them in society and I do not believe rehabilitation possible.”

”However,” added the cleric, “if they cower in the corner and show no aggression, I will not be able to bring myself to slaughter them, but I will not begrudge Telemachos the task if he is up to it. Nonetheless, they cannot be allowed to run and sound an alarm and I will not hesitate to stop such an action. Perhaps Danton would prefer to try diplomacy before we slaughter them. I would not be opposed to such an attempt, but it would certainly spoil the element of surprise.”

“Stoppin’ somebody from settin’ off an alarm is one thing,” said Nanoc, “mindless slaughter is another. That’s the orc way o’ doin’ things—not our way an’ I won’t have it.”

“I am sure Nanoc is knowing best how we should be fighting,” said Aseneth, standing close to the barbarian.

“Perhaps we might focus on the tactics of actually winning the battle, hmm?” asked Danton rhetorically. “Having explored the temple, I am sure that melee conducted anywhere on this level wilt be heard by all in the main chamber. That being so, I propose that we split our forces and take on both collections of foes simultaneously. Why not have Nanoc and mineself turned invisible and then make our way to deal with the ‘king’? Having achieved total surprise, we can gain the first blows, which should be able to kill both of the armored guards. Then, we can seize the ‘king’ and dispatch the petty goblins. Should be child's play, especially for Nanoc.”

“In the meanwhile,” continued Danton, “Telemachos, Luger and Aseneth canst make their way as close as they dare -- while still visible -- to the hobgoblin encampment. As soon as the melee breaks out in the southern wing, they can watch the reaction of the encampment. Presumably, some or all of the hobgoblins will make for the southern quarter. At that point, Telemachos, Luger and Aseneth can fall upon them. Given that they wilt thereby probably also achieve a surprise, rear attack against only 10 adults, methinks they'll prevail in short order. Plus, Nanoc and I can converge on the encampment to lend a hand, as needed.”

”By this strategem, we assure that both sets of hobgoblins are accounted for, leaving none to flee and alert anyone deeper in the temple. Plus, we seize the ‘king,’ who is likeliest to have valuable intelligence. Finally, I would add that we should avoid especially loud or wondrous pyrotechnics, unless, of course, they prove necessary to prevail. Foolish or not, I still have hope of killing these hobgoblins and preserving a modicum of stealth thereafter. A fire burst detonated in the midst of this temple chamber would vitiate any hope of future secrecy, which seemeth unwise. Spells that hold, paralyze or otherwise incapacitate, by contrast, could be used with less fear of generating needless attention.”

”Yes,” said Telemachos, “your plan does have merit. You and Nanoc dispatch the king up there, though I wonder that Nanoc is getting all the glory whilst I have the task of dispatching the common monsters and their offspring. Luger, let us crash into the melee with swords swinging broadly and deeply! Whatever else will come, will come. Let us not fear the unknown. We shall fight bravely and proudly whoever, or whatever, marches in.”

“This all strikes me as rather reckless,” said Luger, “but I am not afraid to join the battle. I will play my designated part and assault the camp with Telemachos and Aseneth.”

“Sounds good ta me,” said Nanoc. “That there throne guy can taste my axe when we get over there. I'll just leave my pack an’ extra stuff here so I ain't too likely to make lots o' sound.”

While Nanoc slipped out of his pack and adjusted his gear so that he was carrying only his axe and a pair of potion bottles, Aseneth drew close and whispered to him, “Being careful, Nanoc. I am not liking when we are being not together so I can protect you. If you are needing help, just yelling and I am coming.”

“Don’t ya worry, Asya,” said Nanoc reassuringly, putting his arm around the woman. “It’ll be fine. You jus’ keep an eye on Tel an’ don’t let him get out of control.”

“That could being difficult,” said the woman, her expression darkening. “He is seeming more…not stable…not well…every day.”

Once Danton and Nanoc were both ready, Aseneth used two charges from her wand to turn the both of them invisible. The scout and barbarian agreed to walk forward slowly, with Nanoc’s hand on Danton’s shoulder, in order to be able to stick together when they could not see one another. After the invisible pair departed, the remaining three party members moved forward to the corner that led to the wing of the temple with the hobgoblin camp and waited for the mayhem to begin.

***

Although it seemed to Danton that Nanoc’s heavy footfalls must echo throughout the vast cathedral, as the duo passed through the largest part of the temple chamber, passing row after row of columns, the nearest hobgoblins were so far away that there was little danger that they might hear anything. Danton and Nanoc thus made their way slowly through the chamber, past the altar and defiled pool, and up to the stairwell leading down into darkness.

After a brief pause by the stairs, during which they observed that the hobgoblin ‘king’, his two guards, and the three goblin servants were still present, Danton and Nanoc moved past the stairs and into the southernmost part of the temple.

“When we draw close,” whispered Danton, “I shall take the guard on the left and you the one on the right.”

“Okay, got it,” whispered Nanoc. “Uh…which one is right?” he added after a moment of reflection.

Danton sighed. “Let’s just say the one with the helmet, shall we?”

“Got it,” said Nanoc. “For real this time.”

“Good,” replied the Velunese. “Now, from here on we separate and, total silence is paramount.”

Nanoc removed his arm from Danton’s shoulder and each approached the massive stone dais on which the three hobgoblins and three goblins all sat or stood (move silently: Danton: 1+8=9; Nanoc: 16+4=20). Ironically, for all of Danton’s admonitions to Nanoc about the need for silence, it was the barbarian who was the quieter as the pair approached the dais. Although Danton nearly tripped on a loose flagstone and cringed at the sound it made, the humanoids were apparently so relaxed and engrossed in their own conversation that they did not hear anything.

By contrast, though Danton would hardly have thought it possible, Nanoc reached the dais without making a sound. Despite his great size and weight, the massive half-orc was clearly capable of moving as silently as death when necessary.

[Initiative: Danton: 17, Nanoc: 14, Telemachos: 17, Luger: 22, Aseneth: 9, Hobgoblins: 20]

It was Danton who struck first. Standing directly behind one of the two hobgoblin guards on the dais, the Velunese lunged forward to run the creature through with his rapier, but as luck, or fate, would have it, the hobgoblin moved at the last moment, causing Danton’s blade to glance harmlessly, but noisily, off his leather armor (attack: 3+5=8; miss).

A fraction of a second later, even as Danton’s invisibility was fading, Nanoc’s invisible axe flashed through the air and severed the head of the second hobgoblin guard from his shoulders (attack: 12+12=24; hit; 13 damage). As the creature’s body fell to the stone dais and Nanoc appeared out of thin air, shouts went up from all of the surviving humanoids and all hell broke loose.

Screaming orders to his surviving minions, the hobgoblin on the throne leaped out of his seat and grabbed up a gleaming greataxe that had been leaned against the basalt throne. While he rushed at Nanoc, along with two of the goblins, the third goblin and the surviving hobgoblin guard turned to deal with Danton.

Thus flanked, Danton and Nanoc fought for all they were worth. Judging the hobgoblin the more dangerous foe, Danton concentrated on it, but the creature easily blocked his initial strikes (attack: 7+5=12; miss; 3+5=8; miss). At the same time, the scout was quick enough to avoid the hobgoblin’s counterattacks, but, thus distracted, he was hit twice from behind by the goblin (hit for 1 and 7 points).

Instinctively recognizing the hobgoblin ‘king’ as a worthy opponent, Nanoc focused on dropping him first. He ducked under the humanoid’s gleaming axe and then slammed his own axe into the hobgoblin’s chainmail (attack: 10+12=22; hit 17 damage). One of the goblins struck him in the back (hit for 5 damage), but Nanoc ignored it. Then, moving faster than Nanoc had thought possible, the ‘king’ reversed the swing of his axe and brought it down under Nanoc’s guard, slicing it across the barbarian’s abdomen in a strike that would have killed almost anyone else (critical hit taken: 35 points damage).

Screaming out in pain and anger, Nanoc countered quickly, hammering his own axe into the hobgoblin’s shoulder in a devastating blow that should have finished him (attack: 19+12=31; hit; 15 damage), but did not. It did, however, compel the hobgoblin to back off and withdraw what Nanoc presumed was a healing potion, providing the barbarian a brief respite to do the same (cure moderate wounds consumed: gain 9 hit points). Throughout this melee, the two goblins continued to harry Nanoc, and one of them managed to pierce his armor again (hit for 3 points).

Realizing that his plan for a devastating lightning strike on the entourage of the ‘king’ had failed, Danton fought desperately to prevent events from slipping totally out of control. He finally managed to strike the hobgoblin a glancing blow (attack: 18+5=23; hit; 3 damage), but failed to drop the creature. It and its smaller fellow continued to slash at him from opposite directions, testing his skill and dexterity to the limit as he leapt, ducked and fell back to avoid their constant attacks.

***

When the first shouts were heard from the far end of the temple, Telemachos, Luger, and Aseneth rushed around the corner and into the east wing. There they saw approximately twenty hobgoblins scattered about in a filthy, chaotic camp comprised mainly of piles of cloth and hay intermixed with cooking pots, barrels, tools, weapons and other equipment in varying states of disrepair.

Fortunately for the party, these hobgoblins were caught completely off guard and none of the adults were expecting trouble or wearing armor. As Telemachos and Luger rushed into their midst, the humanoids had time to grab up swords, but not to do anything else. Three of the adult hobgoblins were dead almost before they realized what had happened, felled by Shatterspike (Telemachos attack: 13+11=24; hit; 7 damage), Geistblatt (Luger attack: 20, 2^nd roll to determine critical also hits (7+6=13); critical hit; 16 damage) and Aseneth’s magic missiles.

Seven surviving adult hobgoblins moved to surround Telemachos and Luger, ignoring Aseneth, who had stayed well outside of the camp to cast her spell. One humanoid managed to hit Telemachos (hit for 4 points), but the blades of the other two clattered harmlessly off his plate armor and the Furyondian mercilessly cut them both down (attack: 11+11=22; hit; 12 damage; killing first foe activates cleave feat and gives second attack: 13+11=24; hit; 7 damage).

As the four hobgoblins surrounded him, Luger ran one through with Geistblatt (attack: 19+6=25, 2^nd roll to determine critical also hits (19+6=25); 7 damage). Aseneth’s magic missiles felled another of the creatures, leaving only two to harry the cleric. One of the two managed to nick Luger’s shield arm (hit for 1 point), but the cleric dropped him with a pair of lightning strikes (attack: 13+6=19; hit; 4 damage; attack: 15+6=21; hit 3 damage), while Aseneth blasted the other one into unconsciousness or death.

Just as Telemachos cut down the last of the hobgoblins that had stood to face the party (attack: 10+11=21; hit; 12 damage), an awful scream echoed through the temple, causing the Furyondian, Luger, and Aseneth to turn and look towards the distant southern end of the temple.

“Nanoc!” said Aseneth in horror. “Something is wrong!”

Without another word, the sorceress took off at a dead run across the temple floor, weaving between the massive columns as she went.

Turning back to the hobgoblin camp, Luger and Telemachos saw that all of the remaining humanoids were either cowering in the corners of the eastern wing or scattering out into the main part of the temple.

“Time to take out the garbage,” said Telemachos grimly, marching towards a trio of young hobgoblins trying to blend into the wall at the northeast corner of the wing.

“I’ll leave that to you,” said Luger, “while I keep an eye…”

The cleric was unable to finish his sentence, for at that moment the door at the far end of the wing burst open and four adult male hobgoblins, fully armed and armored in chainmail, charged out. A fifth hobgoblin, smaller and apparently female, followed. One of the males raised some sort of horn to his lips and blew out a long, booming note that echoed off the walls and ceiling much as Nanoc’s scream had done moments earlier. A second later, some sort of animal roar from off to the south answered the horn’s call.

***

After each had consumed his respective healing potion, Nanoc and the hobgoblin ‘king’ rushed at one another once more. The hobgoblin swung his devastating axe at Nanoc’s midsection again, but the barbarian somehow spun out of its path at the last moment and struck the ‘king’ in the side with his own axe as he completed his spin (attack: 17+12=29; hit 9 damage). The two goblins continued to slash at Nanoc’s flanks all the while, but he still ignored them.

Danton’s running battle with the hobgoblin and its goblin fellow rolled on and on. The pair had now driven the Velunese back off the dais and onto the main floor. With so much open space, it was difficult for the two humanoids to pin Danton against a wall, as they clearly sought to do. He leaped out of the way of strike after strike, but could not avoid every single one and the humanoid blades got past his guard every now and then (hit for 1 and 2 points). Danton struck the occasional hit on the hobgoblin as well (attack: 18+5=23; hit 1 damage; attack: 4+5=9; miss), but he could not finish the creature.

The more Nanoc fought the hobgoblin ‘king’, the more he was impressed by both his fighting skill and the axe he wielded. The humanoid seemed to maneuver the weapon effortlessly and with unparalleled speed. With the goblins being reduced to the role of little more than onlookers that occasionally tried to sneak in a strike at Nanoc, the barbarian and the hobgoblin fought back and forth across the wide expanse of the stone dais. Although the fight had been raging for some time, the hobgoblin showed no signs of fatigue (Nanoc listen: 11+3=14; failure) and he continued to move faster than Nanoc anticipated and penetrated the half-orc’s defenses yet again (hit for 9 points).

A second later, someone fired a gleaming magical arrow into the confused melee atop the dais, but the shot was wild and the arrow slammed into the stone of the southern wall. When the ‘king’ came at Nanoc again after the arrow shot by, the barbarian finally managed to knock his foe’s axe up, exposing his midsection, and then slam his own weapon into the hobgoblin’s armored chest (attack: 9+12=21; hit; 13 damage). This hit was, finally, too much for the hobgoblin and he teetered briefly before crashing to the ground.

Suddenly Aseneth was at Nanoc’s side, appearing seemingly out of nowhere, swinging her glowing staff wildly to hold the two goblins at bay.

“Nanoc! You are all right?” she called out, trying to look at the barbarian and wield her staff at the same time.

“I’ll be okay,” grunted Nanoc. The barbarian tried to concentrate on the two goblins, but he was so busy looking to see if the sorceress had suffered any injuries that his distracted swing at one of the humanoids missed by a wide mark (attack: 2+12=14).

Across the chamber, Danton was cut once again by the goblin (hit for 1 point) while he remained unable to finish the hobgoblin (attack: 1+5=6; miss). There was a strange sound amidst the melee, but Danton could not quite make it out (listen: 2+7=9; failure). Whatever it was seemed to make the two humanoids Danton fought smile, but the hobgoblin’s sudden overconfidence proved his undoing. While the hobgoblin held briefly still for some reason, Danton darted forward and finally ran him through (attack: 10+5=15; hit; 6 damage).

Facing only the goblin now, Danton again heard something strange, and this time he realized what it was (listen: 16+7=23; success). Someone or something unseen, but close at hand, was uttering strange words that reminded Danton of Aseneth or Luger’s spellcasting.

Still preoccupied by Aseneth and the looks of concern she gave him, Nanoc managed to pull it together enough to cut down one of the fanatical little goblins (attack: 11+12=23; hit; 8 damage) while she held off the other with her staff. It was then that Danton’s yell pierced the air.

“Nanoc! Some vile miscreant is casting spells to aid our foes—and using mine own stratagem ‘gainst us—invisible he be!”

As a backdrop to Danton’s shout, the roar of some unknown creature off in the main part of the temple again echoed off the walls.

***

Luger and Telemachos stood their ground to face the five onrushing hobgoblins. Aside from being fully armored and equipped, these were clearly tougher than those the party had first faced in the camp. One dodged Luger’s first attack (attack: 4+6=10; miss), while another took a hard hit from Telemachos (attack: 8+11=19; hit; 7 damage) and kept fighting. They also seemed stronger and more skilled, and both Luger and Telemachos took hits as the humanoids surrounded them (each takes 3 points damage).

But however skilled or strong the hobgoblins may have been, they were clearly still no match for Luger and Telemachos. The former cut down one of his attackers with Geistblatt (attack: 19+6=25; hit (12+6=18)—critical hit; 10 damage), while Telemachos eviscerated two with a single long swing of Shatterspike (attack: 17+11=28; hit; 11 damage; activates cleave feat; attack: 14+11=25; hit; 11 damage). One of the two surviving hobgoblins did manage to hit the Furyondian as he struck down the others (hit for 7 damage), but it was clear that this fight could only end with the defeat of the hobgoblins—clear, at least, until a new variable entered the equation.

Bounding up from somewhere deeper in the temple, a great black ape, nearly eight feet tall when it stood upright, literally leaped right into the middle of the melee, landing immediately behind Telemachos and swatting him aside with one of its huge arms the way a smaller creature might have swatted at a fly. Bludgeoned in this manner (hit for 12 points), Telemachos was knocked to the ground, but managed to roll and come up on his feet.

Screaming “Furyondy!” the soldier rushed straight at the huge ape in a wild attack in which he threw his entire weight behind his sword (power attack +5: 5+11-5=11; miss), only to have the ape knock his blade aside with one arm, lean down and bite him (4 points damage) and then send him flying again with its other arm (12 points damage).

While Luger watched the ape pummeling Telemachos, he screamed for help and tried to finish the last hobgoblin that blocked him from going to assist the Furyondian (attack: 12+6=18; hit; 3 damage). While the strike might have felled one of the lesser hobgoblins, this one was able to take the hit and remain standing between Luger and Telemachos and the ape.

When Telemachos finally came to a rest, he lay on his back against the interior wall of the east wing and remained stunned and unmoving for several moments. This inert state may have saved his life, at least for the moment, as the ape turned its attention away from him and towards Luger. When Telemachos regained his senses, he drained a healing potion (cure moderate wounds: +14 points) and got to his feet just in time to face one of the two surviving hobgoblins that had come to try to finish him.

As the ape bore down on him, Luger again tried to finish the hobgoblin standing in front of him (attack: 2+6=8; miss), but to no avail. The ape shoved the humanoid aside and then smashed a huge arm into Luger’s midsection (hit for 12 points). The blow knocked the breath out of him and cracked several ribs, but the cleric remained standing and hacked at the ape with Geistblatt (attack: 3+6=9; miss), but to no effect.

Repeating what it had done to Telemachos, the ape then swatted Luger aside and sent his armored body careening into the wall opposite the one it had smashed Telemachos into (hit for 12 points). As if this were not enough, the hobgoblin that had been shoved aside took advantage of the opportunity to stab its sword into Luger’s right leg as he lay stunned on the ground (hit for 2 points).

“C’mon, you ugly bastard!” shouted Telemachos as he casually slew the hobgoblin standing between him and the ape (attack: 16+11=27; hit; 9 damage). “Let’s try that again!”

Although the huge simian had been moving to finish Luger, Telemachos’ shout drew its attention and it turned, stood back on its legs and pounded its arms on its chest as it let out yet another deafening roar.

Holding off the last hobgoblin with his shield, Luger managed to get painfully to his feet. With his back to the wall, he blocked the hobgoblin’s sword with his shield and then ran it through at last (attack: 13+6=19; hit; 9 damage). Thus free of attackers, he was able to watch as Telemachos and the ape crashed together across the chamber.

Moving with precision this time, Telemachos charged at the ape, ran right under its arms, and shoved Shatterspike into the simian’s chest all the way up to the hilt (attack: 20+11=31; hit (11+11=21; hit—thus critical hit); 18 damage). The devastating strike should have been lethal—and it did briefly stagger the beast—but somehow the thing remained standing and, if anything, its rage only grew. With Shatterspike still protruding from its chest, the ape brought its arms down to smash Telemachos from both sides, then grabbed hold of the Furyondian, lifted him over its head, and tore his armored body in half (42 total damage from two hits and rending attack).

As Luger watched in horror, the ape dropped the two halves of Telemachos’ body to either side and then pounded its arms on its chest once again. Then the thing turned back towards the cleric.

***

Danton, Nanoc and Aseneth could hear the roars and sounds of battle from the main chamber, but they were preoccupied by their own situation. Although Danton (attack: 16+5=21; hit; 3 damage) and Nanoc (attack:15+12=27; hit; 18 damage) each managed to finish the last of the last of the fanatical goblins that had served the hobgoblin ‘king’, they continued to hear words and sounds that suggested the presence of some unknown spellcaster in their midst.

It was only when Luger screamed for help at all costs that the scout, the barbarian, and the sorceress realized the mystery of the invisible spellcaster would have to wait and the trio rushed back into the main chamber, past the altar and pool and across the maze of columns, just in time to see the ape tear Telemachos in half.

Danton felt as though his knees might collapse out from underneath him at the horrific sight, while Nanoc, who was already well ahead of the others, only increased his pace—determined to have at the ape before it could reach Luger.

Aseneth, with tears in her eyes, stopped short next to Danton. “No,” she said. “Not him too. No. Telling Luger hide or run.”

For a moment, Danton failed to understand the woman’s meaning, but when she began spellcasting, he thought he understood.

“Luger! Down! Now!” screamed Danton at the top of his lungs.

Simply collapsing to the ground more than lying down, the cleric wedged himself against the wall and pulled the body of the dead hobgoblin on top of him.

Nanoc was still running flat out when the ball of fire shot past him, well over his head. He watched as it reached the top of its arc and then plummeted down to slam into the chest of the huge ape, where it exploded with such force that it shattered every one of the stained glass windows in the eastern wing and sent gouts of flame crashing into the bedrolls and detritus of the hobgoblin camp, lighting all the junk there on fire.

Burning from head to toe, the great ape roared in rage and pain as it staggered about, crashing into one of the walls before finally collapsing to the ground on its back. By the time the thing finally stopped burning, the stench of scorched flesh and hair filled the entire main chamber of the temple.

***

In the aftermath of the long, running battle, Luger converted all of his remaining spells to healing and did his best to patch up the worst wounds the survivors had suffered (Danton +7 HP, Nanoc +18 HP, Luger +22 HP). By the time this was accomplished, all of the remaining hobgoblins and goblins, of which there appeared to be few, had fled the temple. Apparently even the mysterious invisible spellcaster had chosen the better part of valor, for the party heard no more disembodied words or footfalls dogging its steps.

Having paid a price in blood for the clearing of the temple, everyone was determined to search its every inch for anything of value or any bit of information that might offer some insight about its current status and occupants. First the party searched and looted all of their fallen foes. Unfortunately, only the king, who, much to everyone’s surprise, remained living, albeit unconscious, carried anything of value or interest. Aside from the greataxe the king had wielded, he also carried a vial of alchemist’s fire, an unknown potion, and a high quality crossbow, not to mention the fine chainmail he wore. When Aseneth cast a spell, the axe, the potion, and the chainmail all resonated magic.

Next the group searched the various rooms Danton had not visited on his initial foray through the temple. The room at the end of the eastern wing, from which the elite hobgoblin warriors had emerged, was clearly their private barracks. Seven woven pallets lay on the floor and a lit brazier stood in the middle of the room. Across from the door, a collapsed wall revealed a descending staircase filled with rubble and debris. A large haunch of meat hung from a hook to the left of the door, with large strips ripped out of it.

The room at the end of the western wing was similar, if in even worse condition. The place reeked of filth and excrement. The rear portion of the room was partially collapsed, a staircase leading down below the temple now filled with rubble.

As for the room behind the door that had smelled of incense, it too appeared to be a small living chamber. The walls and floor were painted with strange runes and glyphs in what appeared to be blood. Bundles of herbs and dead animals hung from the ceiling on wire. A wooden bed was pushed against the wall opposite the door, while a table sat in the middle of the room, covered in leaves, roots, bones, feathers, animal parts, pots, stick bundles, and a lit oil lamp. A small wooden chest was next to the bed, with an incense burner atop it. The ceiling was black with soot.

Taking all the time necessary to pick the simple lock, Danton was able to open the chest (take 20+10=30). Inside was clothing and personal gear, along with 110 gold. Hidden under the pillow on the bed was another potion vial.

The last room Danton had not previously entered, at the far southern end of the temple, appeared to have been the quarters of the ‘king.’ A large room in its own right, this old vestry was filled with numerous couches, tables, and padded chairs, although most of the furniture had seen better days. In the middle of the room, two couches had been pushed together to make a sort of grand bed. Beyond the bed was a pile of bags, boxes, and other items. Although none of these items resonated magic, many of them were likely of considerable financial value, including bags of coins (650 gold worth of gold, silver and copper coins), a heavy bronze statue of a mounted elf warrior, a small iron box containing ten large blood-red gems in silk padding, a bolt of cloth with gold embroidery, a suit of full plate armor, and a large box containing a golden flagon with obsidian inlays, a silver platter, six smokesticks wrapped in cloth, a flask of water, and a painting of a green dragon.

The last unexplored area of the great temple, the wide flight of stairs leading down into darkness, also took an unexpectedly short time to survey. When Danton activated his magical torch and led the group down the stairs, they discovered that the steps descended thirty feet to a pair of smashed and fallen bronze doors that had obviously been battered down by someone or something long ago. They were covered in faded markings, with bits of broken iron chain lying all around them. The area beyond the doors had collapsed entirely, except for one relatively small space about 10 feet wide and 20 feet long. The floor in this area was bare earth covered in feces and food scraps and the entire area reeked of animal fur and waste.

By the time the party had surveyed all of this, it was after midnight, and the tired group had no desire to spend the night in the temple where demonic eyes carved on all the walls seemed to stare down at them even now that the hobgoblins had been routed. They thus retreated from the vile place, with the body of Telemachos and the bound, comatose form of the hobgoblin leader, and camped in the small clearing where they had left their horses earlier. When morning dawned, with a gray sky overhead, the group returned to search the temple courtyard and tower, taking their horses and everything else with them into the courtyard in order that they could be kept under a watchful eye.

Although there were signs that the mostly intact tower and the semi-intact buildings in the courtyard had been occupied by humanoids as recently as the previous day, it appeared that those who had been outside during the party’s attack on the temple had possessed enough sense to flee, either during the mayhem or during the night. The hobgoblins had apparently taken their dogs with them, for there was no sign of the animals now. There was little to see in the ruined buildings; the larger of the two had the remnants of a makeshift hobgoblin camp and a trapdoor in the floor the led to a small, empty cellar, but nothing more.

As for the tower, its door now hung open, swinging slightly on its hinges in the cool morning breeze. The largest area in the tower remnant contained a long wooden table and two benches, covered with food remnants, empty kegs of ale, and crude implements. Six sleeping mats made of woven straw were on the floor near the western part of the tower. A spiral stair wound up to the left of the entrance. Underneath it were what appeared to be ancient crates and barrels. Because the upper level of the tower had largely collapsed in on itself, the stairs led nowhere.

The main level of the tower had two backrooms. The first, appeared unused and empty, except for a pair of tables pushed against the south wall and some stools stacked atop them. A few rats scurried about here, seeking scraps of food, but ignored the party. The second backroom was even more sparse, holding little more than piles of feces and a few nests of rags.

It was mid-morning when the party finally came to this last room and everyone knew that a variety of difficult decisions now had to be made.

________________________________________________________________

Notes for turn 40:

Please send postings for Turn 40 by the end of Friday, January 12th.

Current date/time: 27 Lipanj 592; approximately 1030.

Items gained this turn: 760 gold, greataxe, vial of alchemist’s fire, two potions, a masterwork crossbow, chainmail, a heavy bronze statue of a mounted elf warrior, a small iron box containing ten large blood-red gems in silk padding, a bolt of cloth with gold embroidery, a suit of full plate armor, and a large box containing a golden flagon with obsidian inlays, a silver platter, six smokesticks wrapped in cloth, a flask of water, and a painting of a green dragon.

Undivided Loot previously gained: none

Items used/lost/destroyed/sold this turn: 2 potions of cure moderate wounds used (1 by Nanoc, 1 by Telemachos); some of Telemachos’ equipment was destroyed (see below)

FOES DEFEATED:

Active party members listed in green.

This Chapter:

Entire Campaign:

Current Status of the Party:

Note: known magic items listed in bold.

Nanoc

AC: 17

Hit points: 33/59

New XP: 1188

XP total: 12706

XP needed: 15,000

Equipment: masterwork great axe, silver-plated short sword, masterwork studded leather armor, 69 arrows, 2 quivers, backpack, waterskin, 20 days trail rations, bedroll, 2 sacks, 2 flint & steel, bearskin, tent, 50’ rope, 1 sap, masterwork mighty composite shortbow, masterwork shortsword, 6 iron triangles with inverted ‘Y’, three black cones made of some unknown substance, a black scepter decorated with a half dozen violet gems, a bead of force, metal scroll tube, a black cloak, two inverted ziggurat pendants; 2 potions of bull’s strength, potion of cure light wounds(X4), potion of cure moderate wounds (X1), potion of water breathing, potion of spider climbing, Aseneth’s House Torquann dragon ring, heavy riding horse and riding equipment.

Gold: 1190

Silver: 220

Danton

AC: 15 (16 vs. one opponent)

Hit points: 17/22

New XP: 1188

XP total: 12706

XP needed: 15,000

Equipment: rapier, 6 daggers, light crossbow, studded leather armor, quiver with 33 bolts, bedroll, backpack, flint & steel, thieves picks, waterskin, 20 days trail rations, hooded lantern, gold ring engraved with the name Karakas, 1 sap, 1 metal key from Yusdrayl, Everburning Torch, scrolls with pyrotechnics and melf’s acid arrow, old journal, 6 iron triangles with upside down ‘Y’ inside, 1 protection from fire scroll, 5 scrolls of cure light wounds, 2 scrolls of cure moderate wounds, new journal, notebook, pen, ink, parchment in sealed waterproof box, pipe, tobacco, metal box, whetstone, six packets of tinder for lighting fires, gold inlaid dagger, Journal of Geynor Ton, a folded piece of parchment with a note addressed to someone named Festrath, spider pendant, a wand, tattered black cloak with burning eye emblazoned on it, disguise kit, letter to Master Dunrat, ochre-colored robe, bead of force, potion of cure light wounds (X2), cure moderate wounds (X2), scrolls of animal messenger and stone shape, wand of magic missiles (5 charges), unknown potion from tavern in Nulb, set of jeweled earrings from tavern in Nulb, light riding horse and equipment.

Gold: 947

Silver: 0

Telemachos

AC: 20

Hit points: -25/53

New XP: 0

XP total: 11518

XP needed: 15,000

Intact Equipment: short sword, 2 daggers, large sack, flint and steel, 20 days rations, waterskin, bedroll, 1 sap, 2 iron triangles with upside down ‘Y’ inside, backpack, tent, light riding horse and equipment.

Destroyed Equipment: full plate mail, longbow, quiver and 33 arrows, large steel shield, Shatterspike (longsword +1 with special properties), 1 potion cure light wounds.

Gold: 698

Silver: 210

Luger

AC: 19

Hit Points: 26/34

New XP: 1188

XP total: 8156

XP needed: 10000

Equipment: longsword, heavy mace, light x-bow, dagger, 20 bolts, chainmail, large steel shield, 3 belt pouches, large bag, 50’ rope, 5 torches, hooded lantern, 3 oil flasks, flint & steel, 20 days rations, silver holy symbol of Heironeus, 3 flasks holy water, 2 healer’s kits, backpack, cleric’s vestment, traveler’s clothing, waterskin, bedroll, iron triangle with upside down ‘Y’ inside, eight cockatrice feathers, scrolls of cure light wounds (2), cure disease, neutralize poison, potions of cure light wounds, bull’s strength, cure moderate wounds, and haste; Geistblatt (ghost touch longsword +1), light riding horse and equipment.

Spell Selection:

Level 0(5): Detect Magic X3, Light X2
Level 1(4+1): Summon Monster, Remove Fear, Detect Evil, Invisibility to Undead, Domain: Protection from Evil

Level 2 (3+1): Summon Monster II, Silence, Sound Burst, Domain: Spiritual Weapon

Turn Undead attempts left on current day: 7 of 7

Gold: 147