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Chapter 3: The Temple of All-Consumption

Turn 57: Alpha Males

“Wow,” said Karzak, “I be goin' out inta the big, wide world ta seek some adventure. I kin be tellin' ye laddies that I dun found it. This be the greatest adventure a' me life. We be doin' right here killin' all these baddies an' settin' these poor people free. An' me be havin' a helluva good time testin' me new axe,
slicin' an' dicin' an' mowin' 'em down! I mean dinna ye see us up there fightin'?! Me be ginna stickin' with ye laddies!”

“You certainly acquitted yourself well, Karzak,” said Luger approvingly. “I think we have managed to shine the light of justice and goodness into this dark and evil place. I do not know what part these individual elemental temples play in the grand scheme of things, but I hope we've weakened them a bit by destroying the Earth Temple. I only wish we had arrive sooner and saved Tenaris' companions along with her.”

The cleric turned to look at the elf woman and added, “I am truly sorry we were not able to rescue your associates. The leaders of this wretched place plan to cover the entire Oerth with darkness, allowing evil to reign unchecked. We hope to stop them and would be only too happy to have your help in this endeavor.“

“As for what we should do now,” added Luger, “I think we should rest and heal up before taking on any more of the temple's minions. I would still like to attempt to speak with the dead to get some answers, but I fear we will need the full complement of my spells to heal our wounds and remove the poison some of us have been afflicted with. As much as Aseneth will be missed as our friend, we have also lost a huge tactical asset from our arsenal with her departure.”

Luger looked ruefully at Nanoc. “Had your lady been with us for that battle, my friend, there would have been little for us to wet our blades on.”

“I think Rolf and Gerd should stay with us until we've rested and then we can take them back the way we came and send them out the entrance. With cloaks and triangle symbols, they shouldn't be accosted, just as we were not confronted as we entered. After that, I'm all for taking out these elemental temples one at a time, but I suspect the Earth Temple was by far the weakest and the rest will prove to be much more challenging. If we could somehow get them to fight each other, that would be a huge benefit to us, but first we have to figure out where the other temples are and who is most likely to attack whom. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how we can manage this?”

While Luger was setting out his ideas on how to proceed, Karzak was openly ogling Tenaris, even though she was now clad from neck to boots in heavy chitin plate armor.

“So, lassie, that be some transformation,” said the dwarf finally. “Ye look like ye git a wee bit a' experience wielding a sword. Stay here at me side, sweetie, an'
dinna git in the way a' that big feller o'er there when he be swingin' his axe if ye wanna kep yer head attached ta yer body. Ye be lookin' like ye need some food, so here ye go.”

Karzak handed the woman a package of dried meat, which she opened, wolfing down some of the food and passing the rest to Rolf and Gerd.

”Stick with us fer a while so ye dinna be runnin' inta any trouble ye kinna be handlin' by yerselves, boys. Then we be helpin' ye outta here. By the way,” added the dwarf as an afterthought, “any a' ye laddies and lass see any dwarves taken prisoner 'round this temple?”

“You’re the first dwarf I’ve seen since I was taken,” said Tenaris as she ate.

“Same for us,” added Rolf.

Karzak was clearly surprised. “That be grand news there, lassie. Ahem . . . ah . . . though I wanna slay all them evil bastards fer doin' their foul deeds ta elves an' human folk as well. They be a scourge a' Oerth an' we be doin' our wee bit part ta wipe 'em out of existence. I be glad we dun git ta ye jus' in time, though not yer companions. Me axe will be cuttin' through fire an' ice an' wind soon 'nough, I kin tell ye!”

“I thinks I agrees wit Luger,” said Nanoc. “We oughta take a rest and get everyone as healthy as we cans. Then we oughta give Rolf and Gerd some o' these extra symbols and cloaks and walk 'em outa here. After all they done been through enough, and don'ts look like they wants to go forward. So we at least needs to see 'em outta o' the temple.”

“I’m sorry too for what you had to go throughs,” said the half-orc to Tenaris, “and for your friends you done lost. So as far as I am concerned, you is welcome to join us. We can always use another wit some skill. We gots a healer,” he said, pointing at Luger, “a scout,” pointing at Danton, “and a man o' many talents,” pointing at Syll. Then the barbarian laughed, “Least I think its nicer callin’ Syll that than sayin’ he’s a smuggler and a mage. Anywho, then we finally got a couple a good lookin' mugs that ain't to shabby wit a axe.” This last comment was punctuated with Nanoc pointing at Karzak and himself. “So what is it that you do if you dont's mind me a askin'?” he said, still looking at Tenaris.

“I was trained to wield a sword and fight in Celene,” said the woman, “although I was never in the regular army.”

Nanoc nodded. “We can always be usin’ another blade an’ strong arm. Say, Rolf and Gerd, we done been told you two was used to labor and what not 'round here. Well I suspect why you was a doin' that, you mighta run into some other slaves, and being here for a couple o' months, you probably gots a good idea of where things is. Maybe you can look at Danton's map and fill in some o' the blank spots? What kind ' work they gots you ' doin' anyway? And did you ever run into any other slaves? Was they from different temple prisons? We knows there is an Earth and Fire temple and we is o' guessin' there is a Air and Water as well, you know if that is true? We seen something or hear something 'bout mines. Were there mines you had to work in and can show where on this map we could goes to get to 'em?”

”I really don’t know much about this place,” said Tenaris, her voice as musical as ever. “I’ve only been here a short time—although I wouldn’t have described it as short before your attack on the temple. When my comrades and I were brought into the mountain, the gnolls and clerics who captured us brought us straight to the Earth Temple and turned us over to the troglodytes. I saw money change hands, so I think we were sold. I was held in the makeshift prison near the Earth Temple thereafter.”

“We know a bit more,” said Gerd. “Those lizard guys moved us around a lot, mostly making us clean up after them. We can sure look at your map.”

While Gerd continued speaking, Rolf looked at Danton’s sketch and filled in a few passageways that the party had yet to explore, helping the Velunese to connect several known areas.

“But we’d never been down either of these tunnels behind the temple until you freed us,” said Gerd, “and the only other prisoners we ever saw were another group of elves about a month ago. They went the way of those who came with Tenaris here. I don’t know anything about other ‘elemental’ temples. Those lizard men talked a lot, but we didn’t understand ‘em—except when they spoke our language to give us orders. This whole darn place looks like an abandoned mine to me, but they never made us do no mining and we never saw anyone else doin’ any neither.”

“Well,” said Danton, looking up from his map when he was finished drawing in the information Rolf provided, “may I join mine comrades, Tenaris, in welcoming you to our rum group? 'Tis a pleasure having the company of a elvish lady who appeareth to be as lethal with the sword as she is pleasing to the eye. You art welcome to sojourn with us for as long as you wish.”

“As for you two, Rolf and Gerd, I hath no objection to the proposals thus far. You hath no business being in this wretched place for any longer than necessary, and prolonged exposure to this temple is likely only to lead to death. Tenaris, of course, you are free to depart with Rolf and Gerd if you wish it, though I am sure we would all welcome your continuing presence. Certainly, I would welcome it.”

As Danton spoke, Karzak’s eyes narrowed.

”Now that the slaughter in the Earth Temple hath come to a close—or at least we hope 'tis so,” continued the scout, “I think we ought get our bearings and come up with a plan. Syll here hath spoken verily: we need a plan ... and charging into rooms full of evil men hardly constitutes a ‘plan.’ Thus, while as an abstract, aspirational goal, I doth not object to ‘destroying the other temples herein,’ as a practical matter, that seemeth to me no plan at all -- other than, p'raps, a plan for suicide. For all this bloodshed -- and for all the good, however transitory I suspect it may prove to be, that slaying evil clergy of the Earth Temple represents -- we still hath virtually no actionable intelligence. So, I heartily agree that we need to rest up, but not only to heal our battered bodies but also to enable Luger to speak with the dead. I add that, at this point, there are plenty of dead with which to speak, so we should choose wisely. Otherwise, simply wandering from room to room in pursuit of foes wilt not last us for long in here -- we should soon confront overwhelming forces ... and then meet the end delivered to beauteous Tenaris's comrades. No, friends, let us employ brains as well as brawn.”

“Speaking of the temples,” said Luger, “Tenaris, Rolf, Gerd, have any of you noticed any other symbols worn by your captors that are different than the one we wear? We also ran into men at the entrance, but have not seen anything but lizard men or monsters since we've been in the Earth Temple. Have you dealt with any non-lizard men since you've been here?”

“We’ve seen lots of those funny pendants,” said Tenaris, pointing at the inverted Y emblem worn by Luger.

“And I’ve seen one like that on one of the lizard men,” added Rolf, pointing at the inverted ziggurat pendant that Luger held in his hand as an example.

“But I don’t think we saw any others,” commented Gerd. “Leastawise I don’t rememer no others.”

“Me either,” agreed Rolf. “We saw lots of men, lizard men, gnolls, and the weird creatures those lizards summoned with their spells an’ sacrifices, but I think that’s about it.”

“No—there were those orcs too!” added Gerd quickly. “We saw ‘em at the gate when we were first brought in.”

“Right, I almost forgot,” agreed the other hunter.

“Not as much intelligence as I would have liked,” said Luger, “but still interesting. As for our other avenue, if I am going to question the dead, we need to decide whom it is I am going to question. I'm leaning towards one or two of the clerics, as I think it is the clergy who call the shots around here. They seem to be the most likely to have useful intelligence. And fear not, Danton, as much as I'd like to destroy everything here, I am not suicidal. We have got to find out where the different factions are and the figure out the best way to destroy them.”

“Luger, I agree with your sense,” said Danton, “the seemingly highest ranking clergy art probably the best sources of information, and I wilt leave it to your judgment with whom to conduct a seance. That having been said, if a higher ranking cleric would have more resistance to your conjuration, p'raps a middling cleric might also be worth a talking-to. But, again, I leave that to your judgment. You art the expert in such things, not me.”

“Any a' ye seen the baddies arguin' or fightin' with each other, far as ye kin tell?” asked Karzak. “Be there general peace an' harmony 'mong the evil denizens a' these parts, or be they all part a' one big happy family a' devils? If they are, yer sure lucky us tough, axe-wielding warriors were here ta help all ye,” added the dwarf with a wink at Tenaris. “But our other laddies got their uses too. If ye needs ta git inta a room, Danton's yer man. Luger here be real good at healin', so be a mighty good feller ta have 'round.”

“And what am I, chopped liver?” asked Syll.

“I never saw anyone here fighting anyone else until you all arrived,” said Tenaris.

“Us either,” agreed Gerd.

“Alright, that’s enough questions for now,” said Luger. “Let’s go get some rest.”

“Yeah,” added Nanoc. “Let’s go back to that room with the javelins. It only had one entrance so we could defend it if we had to. An’ their ain’t no bugs in there like that other place.”

As the group made its way back to its would be camp site, Karzak pointedly sidled close to Danton, elbowed the Velunese in the ribs fairly hard, and said: “Now, don't'cha go gitting any ideas, laddie. I be takin' a likin' to this here new lassie who done joined us. I seem ta be fergettin' the prejudices of me upraisin' after ye introduced me ta the pleasures of the wee halfling lassies! But that was a while back now, an’ I’m a getting interested in swingin' other things than me axe again, if ya know what I’m sayin!”

As if his words were not clear enough, Karzak grabbed his crotch and flashed Danton a toothy smile as he finished speaking. The Velunese ignored the dwarf and proceeded down the tunnel in silence.

***

Once the party was back in the small cave with the javelins on the floor, the group began to set up for an extended rest.

“As far as I can see, there is only one way into this room,” said Nanoc, “so it oughta be pretty defensible. I was thinking there is six o’ us who is combat familiar so I suggest that Syll an’ me takes first watch, then Karzak an’ Tenaris can take second…since Karzak seems to want to get to know her a little better, then Luger and Danton can take last watch. That way both our spell makers will get a solid straight sleep. Rolf and Gerd you fellahs can do as you see fit.”

Karzak licked his lips at this pronouncement, while Danton did not react visibly. A short while later, while most of the group was bedding down and Syll was sitting across the chamber going through the various items the party had acquired in an attempt to identify their uses, Nanoc approached Danton.

“If’n you don’t mind if you got any o’ those healin’ scrolls left maybe you can let Luger read one on me. I ain’t in the best shape and if anything happens on first watch, I’d like to be a little better off.”

“Of course, Nanoc, of course,” replied the Velunese, handing him a scroll to give to Luger.

When Luger read the scroll (Cure Light Wounds: +10 HP), Nanoc immediately felt considerably better, although he was still battered and bruised from the battle at the Earth Temple.

After this, most of the group went to sleep, while Syll and Nanoc stood guard and chatted in low tones about places they had been, creatures they had seen, and adventures they had experienced. Many hours later, the duo woke Karzak and Tenaris, who took over guard duty from them.

Although the elf woman tried to keep her distance from the dwarf, Karzak was oblivious to her aversion (sense motive: 7+2=9; failure), and followed her around the entrance of the tunnel where they stood guard.

“Mebbe I kin craft ye some jewelry to match yer beautiful eyes, milady. First, me an' our big feller friend o'er there have ta wield our axes an' take out the baddies in these parts. So, tell me more 'bout yer fightin' experiences, lassie. Git inta many tuffles?"

“Some,” replied Tenaris.

"Now, chargin' inta a room is me idea a' courage an' I like ta do it to stretch me muscles a wee bit, kinda like when I took out that red dragon by meself.  But, me guess that not really be me point. I be willin' to follow a carefully planned out strategy. Seems ta me we kin try ta draw 'em inta places where we dun taken the initiative. Hit 'em with bowfire an' magicks from a distance, draw 'em inta narrow spaces, then Nanoc an' me kin knock 'em down. If Danton feels safer sneakin' 'round invisible, that be helpin' too. I kin also examine the walls and dirt ceilings an' see if I kint direct ye magicks-users ta safely pull down some earth an' stone o'er the baddies. Me strategic expertise dun depends upon where we find the baddies at any 'ticular moment. Jus' let me know what'cha be needin. Ye agree with that, lassie?"

“My name is Tenaris,” said the woman icily. “I don’t particularly like the term ‘lassie’.”

“Er, uh, oh, euh,” mumbled Karzak before shifting gears. “I guess I’d also be tellin’ those magicks-users they might wanna be considerin' takin' up spells that counteract the 'ticular area in this here temple. Fer 'xample, memorize their ice spells if'in we gits ta the fire area. Take the baddies strengths away from them, if ye take me meaning. That’d be one ‘xample o’ how I’d be strategizin’ fer our group." 

“I see,” said Tenaris.

"But fer now, they jus need be restin'. As a stout dwarf, me dinna really need ta be restin' but the rest a' them folk needs ta git some sleep.  'specially ye Tenaris, soon as this here watch be over since ye been through a lot. Danton too, since he always be lookin' a little pale."

“Hmm,” replied Tenaris.

***

When Danton and Luger took the last watch, it passed as quietly as had the others. Unlike the previous pairs of guards, the two humans required the use of Danton’s torch in order to be able to see anything in the dark, so the scout activated the item and then covered most of it with his cloak in order to limit the amount of light emitted. Although he said nothing to Luger, Danton could not help but note with a smile that Tenaris had bedded down as far from Karzak as was possible in the small cave.

Hours later, when everyone was awake once again and Luger had prepared his spells for the day, the cleric performed a series of healing incantations. By this time, under Luger’s ministrations and much to their relief, both Danton and Nanoc had managed to shrug off the lingering effects of the insect poison with which they had been infected the previous day. Luger ended up having to use many of his most powerful spells (3 Cure Moderate Wounds, 3 Cure Light Wounds), but by the time he was finished, everyone in the party was in much better shape (Nanoc +38 HP, Syll +13 HP, Danton +6 HP, Karzak +19 HP). The cleric then cast one final spell—a protective one on himself (Endure Elements—Fire).

Once Luger’s work was done, Syll explained to the other party members what the various magic items were they had found and divided those that had not already been divvied up amongst them. The elf explained that the gauntlets Karzak wore enhanced his dexterity (gauntlets of dexterity +2), the boots he gave Danton would boost his stealth (boots of elvenkind: +10 to move silently checks), the ring he was keeping for himself would aid his climbing abilities (ring of climbing), a protective cloak for Nanoc would help him to resist hostile magic (cloak of resistance +1), and the scrolls he gave Luger contained numerous spells that should prove useful (hold person, remove paralysis, protection from elements, cure moderate wounds, summon monster III).

The elf also had a potion for each of the five longer-term party members, including curing potions for himself and Luger and invisibility potions for each of the others. There were also various bits of coinage and jewelry that Syll divided evenly, extra suits of well made, but non-magical armor, and additional inverted Y pendants. The second triangular metal bar the party had acquired went to Luger, as had the first one. Finally, Syll had tried to identify the supposedly magical wand that Danton had carried for some time now and the two-handed sword Nanoc had taken from the troglodyte swordmaster, but while the wand did indeed have special properties (wand of monster summoning I—12 charges), the sword, which had once resonated magic, now seemed quite ordinary. Syll had no explanation for this change.

With all of this accomplished, the party was ready to escort Rolf and Gerd out of the mountain. Luger gave each of the men a black cloak and an inverted Y pendant and instructed them how to dress and act on the way out.

“Wear these items with confidence until you are well away from the mountain,” advised the cleric. “You must appear as if you belong here and not look at all like escaping prisoners. I also suggest that you leave Rastor and this region forever, unless you want to risk being captured again. Whatever you do, you cannot tell the people of Rastor about us or what transpired in the Earth Temple.”

“Don’t worry,” said Gerd. “We decided last night that we’re heading for Greyhawk and we aren’t looking back until we get there.”

Thus prepared, the party began the long trek back to the mountain’s west entrance, first having to climb over and through the wreckage of the Earth Temple and the rubble that covered it. Once past that ruined chamber, the party made better time, intentionally passing through the two previously unexplored areas Rolf and Gerd had described to Danton in order to confirm their descriptions, which proved accurate. Along the way, the party also stopped in the troglodytes’ supply room, where Rolf, Gerd, and Tenaris loaded up on food and fresh water, the former pair for the beginning of their long trip and the latter for her travels with the party.

During this long trek in the dark, the party did not encounter anything or anyone until they emerged from the mines and found a pair of troglodytes standing guard near the two mine entrances. Whether because they recognized ‘Delchin the Despicable’ or because they had no desire to challenge such a large group, the troglodytes allowed the party to pass by without a word. Tension growing with each step, the party made its way down the worked corridor and to the four-way crossroads in the blasphemous entry hall. As before, gnolls and men were visible at the guard post south of the intersection, but they paid no particular heed to the party. By all appearances, no one here was aware of what had transpired in the Earth Temple and no general alarm had been raised.

Standing in the intersection, ‘Delchin’ made a show of bidding his ‘underlings’ farewell on their ‘important mission’ and of seeing Rolf and Gerd off as they made their way down the long hall and out the huge double doors. Although the two hunters were visibly terrified to anyone who looked closely at them, they managed to keep their composure well enough to make it down the hall and out the doors. After that, they were on their own, and Danton motioned for his entourage to follow him back to the Earth Temple.

With Rolf and Gerd safely seen out of the mountain, the party’s next destination was the chamber of Uskathoth, the apparent high priest of the Earth Temple. The long trip back through the deserted mines previously inhabited by the troglodytes was again a largely silent one, save for periodic bits of conversation amongst the party members.

Much of this conversation was between Danton, Karzak, and Tenaris. As the party trekked back and forth through the mines, Danton sought to make clear to the elf warrior that he was the leader of the party and its chief strategist and that he was concerned for her welfare as he was for that of everyone else in the party (Danton uses leadership feat). Karzak, by contrast, rushed to keep up with the longer-legged elf and human and made comment after comment highlighting his martial prowess and contrasting it with Danton’s focus on ‘opening doors’ and ‘philosophizing’.

As the hours wore on, Danton could tell (sense motive: 13+7=20; success) that Tenaris was annoyed in the extreme by Karzak’s running commentary. She had no such strong or obvious reaction to Danton himself, at least as far as he could tell, and that alone seemed an accomplishment to the Velunese.

Finally, the group came once more to Uskathoth’s chambers, where the insects were less thick than previously, but those that remained had begun to consume the bodies of the dead cleric and his followers.

Once Luger was ready for his séance, Nanoc quickly made for the corridor outside. “I hope Luger will get some good info from the dead guy, but I hafta says I ain’t got much use for the dead an’ I wanna be outside on guard duty while this is all goin’ on.”

Holding his symbol of Heironeous over the insect-ridden body of Uskathoth, Luger called on his deity to compel the body of the dead cleric to speak with him and answer his questions (Cast speak with dead).

<<Who are the Doomdreamers?>> asked Luger, speaking Draconic in a firm voice once the spell was complete.

Several moments passed during which Luger felt some force resisting his will. The cleric tightened his grip around his lightning bolt symbol and then he felt the resistance break. The bug-filled mouth of Uskathoth moved and somehow voiced words.

<<The Doomdreamers deal with demons as equals and commune with Tharizdun himself in their dreams,>> said the corpse in a deep, rumbling voice that chilled everyone in the room.

“I, uh, think I’ll go join Nanoc outside,” said Syll. “This ain’t really my kinda thing either.”

<<From the Earth Temple, what direction would we take to reach the Doomdreamers?>> asked Luger as Syll hastily departed.

<<The Doomdreamers dwell within the Inner Fane,>> replied the voice, as the chill in the room grew deeper.

Goosebumps formed on the flesh of Danton and Karzak, but neither was willing to leave the room as long as Tenaris remained in the chamber watching Luger’s work.

<<How will Tharizdun be freed from his prison?>> asked Luger.

<<The Doomdreamers say the prophecy will be fulfilled. The Champion of Elemental Evil will be found, and he shall show us the way.>>

Once the body of Uskathoth answered Luger’s third question, the mouth and lips returned to their original position and the magic that had briefly animated at least part of the body faded.

“I will now cast the same spell on the hanging corpse,” said Luger. “When I have finished I will tell you all what I have learned. If you are disturbed by what you have seen, you may await me outside.”

“Fascinating,” said Tenaris. “I have never seen anything like this. It’s incredible.”

By the time Luger had cast the spell a second time, it was so cold in the chamber that Danton and Karzak’s lips were turning blue, but neither would leave.

Now addressing a dead human rather than a troglodyte, Luger used Oeridian to ask his questions.

“What do the Earth and Fire Temples provide the Doomdreamers?” he asked.

When the shriveled mouth of the body hanging from the ceiling moved, the voice was raspy and faint. Luger again felt something oppose his will, but it faded quickly as it had the first time.

“The temples provide the Doomdreamers all they need,” replied the corpse.

Luger fought back his annoyance at this cryptic answer, and moved to his next question, “Who are the enemies of the Earth and Fire Temples?”

“Water and Air!” replied the corpse, with what might have been a rasping laugh.

Both Karzak and Danton were now moving about, rubbing their arms, and stamping their feet to ward off the cold. Tenaris still seemed unfazed.

“What sorts of powers do the Doomdreamers possess?” asked Luger.

“The Doomdreamers know your darkest secrets and use them against you,” said the corpse. “They chill your soul and warp your mind with their maddening screams!”

And with that, the hanging corpse went silent and unmoving once again. With nothing left to be done here, Luger motioned for everyone to rejoin Syll and Nanoc in the tunnel outside and, as the group made its way back to the ziggurat chamber, he told them what Uskathoth’s body had revealed.

“I would have liked to learn still more,” concluded the cleric, “but it does give us more clues to ponder.”

Once the party was back at the ruined Earth Temple, a choice had to be made between the southernmost tunnel to the east, which led to the sealed stone door, and the unknown northern path that also led to the east. Nanoc argued the group should try the unexplored path first, and no one else objected, so that was the route the party chose.

Once the party climbed over and through the rubble of the ziggurat chamber once again, the northern tunnel ran north-northeast for eighty feet before splitting. The tunnel continued to the northeast, but a larger cave of some sort opened up only twenty feet to the east. Danton nodded towards the cave, and the party made its way inside. The cave was roughly circular, some forty feet in diameter, and was pervaded by a horrible stench. The walls, dug by picks and hammers, were covered in crude black sigils and images in paint. Aside from a few rocks that might serve as stools and another that probably worked as a table, the cave was empty. At the far end of the cave, there was a tunnel, but it ran for only forty feet before ending in a cave-in. Rocks and scree piled from floor to ceiling blocked the way forward.

Passing back through the stinking cave and into the tunnel beyond, the party headed northeast once more. The tunnel wound for at least a hundred and forty feet through the dark. After this distance, the tunnel grew much wider—to twenty-five or even thirty feet in some areas—as it wound farther north and east. In one of the widest areas, Danton’s enchanted torch shone on the body of a dead ape, which probably stood about eight feet tall in life, with long gray hair, massive claws, and huge yellow teeth. The body festered on the western side of the tunnel and appeared to have been partially eaten.

“What killed that thing?” asked Nanoc as he looked down at the body. “It kind of looks like that nasty ape that killed Tel in the ol’ Temple by Hommlet.”

“I don’t know,” said Luger. “It looks like it was struck down with a combination of blades and teeth.” (healing proficiency check: 20+11=31)

“Well, if there was one ape, there could be more,” said Danton. “We should be cautious.”

“Don’t ya worry, none, lassie or be frightened like Danton!” said Karzak to Tenaris. “I’ll protect ya if any o’ these uglies show their faces!”

Syll made a retching sound at this point, but said nothing. Tenaris only scowled.

Past the dead ape, the tunnel split again, but the northern branch ran only thirty feet before narrowing and ending. The other branch, running almost due east now, went a full hundred feet before splitting again. Here there were actually three paths visible. The main tunnel continued due east, while another tunnel branched off to the southwest, and a third, slightly farther ahead, appeared to lead off to the south.

Wanting to be thorough, Danton nodded towards the southwest passage, and he and Nanoc turned that direction, with the others at their heels. The passage went only forty feet before opening up into a large cave, forty feet in diameter. This cave was littered with bones, broken crates and barrels, torn sacks, and dung, as well as clumps of black and gray hair. It smelled of waste and animals.

“I have a bad feeling about this,” muttered Syll.

“Oh, come on, we’ll be fine,” said Danton, his normal reticence suppressed by the presence of Tenaris close behind him and memories of Karzak’s comments to the woman.

“I dunno, Danton,” said Nanoc, “this looks like ape-ville to me.”

Suddenly a great roar echoed through the cave and tunnel and the pounding of heavy feet could be heard from somewhere ahead in the dark. Seconds later, five gigantic apes came barreling into the cave from a tunnel on the far side. One of the apes was far larger than the other four, standing at least ten feet tall when it reared back on its legs and pounded its massive arms against its chest. It had dark gray fur and skin with a large shock of white hair atop its head. It roared once again and then joined the other apes in their rush towards the party.

[initiative: Nanoc: 6, Danton: 17, Luger: 17, Karzak:14, Syll: 15, Tenaris: 14, Apes: 8]

The apes moved with such speed that even Nanoc, the fastest in the party, could not have outrun them, so the party was forced to make a stand. Danton, Nanoc and Tenaris were at the front of the group, while Luger and Karzak came up to support them. Syll withdrew his longsword and remained slightly behind the others. Just before the apes crashed into the ranks of the party, Luger fired off a spell that launched a beam of bright light (Cast Searing Light) at the ape moving to attack him (15 damage caused). The simian was burned badly by the spell, with much of his fur turning black or falling off, but it was still able to smash both arms into Luger and then try to tear the cleric apart (Luger hit for 37 damage).

As another ape sought to barrel Danton over, the scout leaped to the side and ran Rat’s Tail all along the animal’s midsection (attack: 19+8-27; potential critical hit—2^nd roll: 10+8=18; critical hit; 8 damage). The ape howled in pain, but it still managed to send Danton flying with one swipe of one of its massive arms (hit for 12 points). The scout crashed into the wall of the cave near where Syll stood and might have been quickly finished by the ape had not the elf jumped into its path and distracted it momentarily with the wild swinging of his longsword.

Karzak slammed his waraxe into the leg of the ape that attacked him (attack: 9+10=19; hit; 14 damage). He blocked the thing’s bite with his shield, but then its massive arms clubbed him from both sides, grabbed hold of him, and tried to tear him in half (hit for a total of 37 damage). Karzak screamed in agony, but before the ape could pull at him a second time, he brought his axe down squarely on its skull, which was nicely in range since the ape had lifted him so far off the ground (attack: 20+10=30; potential critical hit—2^nd roll: 15+10=25; critical hit; 38 damage). With Karzak’s axe still stuck in its skull, the ape toppled over and the dwarf wriggled free of its grasp, screaming, “Take that, fur-face!” as he rolled about on the ground.

The largest ape, the one with the shock of white hair, made straight for Nanoc, somehow knowing instinctively that the barbarian was the most formidable foe. As the other, lesser apes had done with Luger and Karzak, the ten foot tall ape smashed Nanoc’s guard aside, pummeled him, and then tried to tear him apart (hit for 32 damage). His arms still free, Nanoc ignored the pain and slammed his axe into the torso of the ape twice in quick succession (attack: 18+14=32, 15+9=24; two hits, 32 total damage). The two axe strikes clearly surprised the ape, and it let Nanoc go, backing away from the barbarian as if to reassess him.

Still held aloft by the ape that had attacked him, Luger desperately cast another spell at it and the other two apes closest at hand, those attacking Tenaris and the Danton/Syll combination (Cast Sound Burst: damage on 3 apes: 7, 4, 3). Luger aimed the shockwave of sound carefully so that it would strike only the three enemies and not any of the party members, and he was rewarded when all three apes were stunned in mid-motion. The cleric slipped free of the grasp of the one that had held him and slipped Geistblatt into its stomach (attack: 16+7=23; 10 damage).

When the ape that had attacked Danton and Syll suddenly froze in mid-stride towards the duo, the elf and scout moved to take maximum advantage of the reprieve, not knowing how long it would last. Danton stabbed the thing twice with Rat’s Tail (attack: 10+8+2=20, 13+8=21; two hits; 12 total damage). Syll’s longsword glanced off the ape’s thick skin and fur the first time he swung at it, but just as the ape seemed to be coming back to its senses, the elf ran it through, causing the ape to stagger and then collapse onto its back. Nearby, Tenaris dropped the third of the stunned apes.

The white-haired ape only gave Nanoc a few seconds to catch his breath before it came at him a second time. When it charged in this time, it attacked with an absolute frenzy, biting, pummeling, and ripping at Nanoc with everything it had (Nanoc hit for a total of 46 damage). His consciousness fading, the barbarian staggered back towards the cave wall behind him, flailing about with his axe as he stumbled backward (attack: 16+14=30, 19+9=28; two hits; 40 damage). When the massive ape came after Nanoc, it was struck twice, suffering grievous wounds that would have killed virtually any foe Nanoc had ever faced before. Unfortunately, while the barbarian and the ape seemed fairly evenly matched in terms of their ability to dish out incredible damage, the ape appeared better able to take such sustained abuse.

While Tenaris, Danton, and Syll had managed to kill two of Luger’s stunned apes before they shook off the effects of his sonic explosion, the cleric was not able to finish the third one so quickly, and just as he was about to dispatche it with Geistblatt, it shook itself out of its torpor, bashed him against the wall, and bit down around his chain-mailed neck (hit for 16 points). The cleric passed out instantly from the shock and the ape would no doubt have killed him a second later had not Danton stuck Rat’s Tail a full foot into its midsection (attack: 17+8=25; hit; 6 damage). Syll stuck his blade into its back as well, but by this time it was already collapsing and had dropped Luger’s body to the ground.

By the time Karzak managed to extricate himself from the grasp of the dead ape and wrench his axe from its skull, he had already seen that Nanoc was in deep trouble, and the dwarf rushed across the cavern to slam his waraxe into the massive alpha ape just as it had forced Nanoc back against the side of the cave (attack: 19+10=29; hit; 11 damage). Incredibly, the ape took even this abuse and kept fighting. Even as it knocked Nanoc unconscious with a casual swipe of one massive arm (hit for 7 points), it hit Karzak on his armored head with the other one and bit his shield arm a fraction of a second later (hit for a total of 13 points).

As Nanoc crumpled to the stone floor, the ape turned its full attention on Karzak, who knew he was in no shape to take another bite or swipe of the ape’s tree-like arms. Rushing at its legs once more, Karzak swung his axe as if his life depended on it. He struck one of the beast’s knees, but the damage was minimal (attack: 19+10=29; hit; 6 damage). As the massive arms swung down towards him, Karzak spat out a final curse, “I’ll be waitin’ fer ya on the other side, ya damned…”

Karzak would never finish his sentence, but neither would the ape ever finish its attack, for at that moment, Tenaris’ morningstar slammed into the small of its back, cracking its spine and causing it to collapse like a puppet whose strings had been cut.

“Woo-ee!” said Karzak as Syll and Danton rushed to Tenaris’ side. “That’s some mighty fine fightin’, lassie. Ohhh, I dinna feel so good. Waiter! Check please!”

And with that, Karzak fell over onto his back, where he lay muttering incoherently in dwarven.

***

With Luger and Nanoc unconscious and Karzak in hardly better shape, the party had no choice but to set up an impromptu camp in the apes’ lair. Remembering the lesser healing potion Syll had given Luger, Danton found it in the cleric’s pack and administered it to the unconscious priest (Luger +13 HP). This restored Luger to consciousness and once he had been given some time to rest, as well as food and water, he used his remaining spells to do what little he could for Nanoc (All non-domain spells converted to healing—domain spells cannot be converted— Nanoc +5 HP—still unconscious).

After this, Syll contributed two lesser healing potions to aid the others, while Danton offered two moderate healing scrolls to Luger to use and removed two more lesser healing potions from Nanoc’s gear. With these items, Nanoc was restored to consciousness and several others in the group were healed at least to a degree (Nanoc +16 HP, Karzak +19 HP, Luger +17 HP, Danton +14 HP). The party was still in terrible shape, but since it also still had what was almost certain to be a long trek through the mountain ahead of it, the group hesitated to expend all of its instant-use healing at once. With little choice in the matter, the group thus camped in the filthy stinking lair of the apes for nearly twenty-four hours resting and waiting for Luger to be able to cast additional healing spells.

Whether it was divine grace, pure luck, or the fact that anything or anyone living nearby had learned to steer far clear of the apes and their lair, the party was unmolested during its long period of rest (+1 HP to everyone). On what must now have been the group’s third day in the mountain, Luger again used almost all of his spells, save for his most powerful few, for healing (Syll +3 HP, Danton +2 HP, Karzak +28 HP, Nanoc +62 HP, Luger +21 HP).

By the time the party was finally ready to leave the apes’ chamber, Danton had used idle hours to thoroughly search the place (search: take 20: 20+13=33) and found nothing of any value amidst the bones and refuse. Off to the southwest, beyond the chamber where the party had fought the massive apes, the narrow tunnel by which the simians had emerged ran for forty feet before opening into a second cave similar in dimensions to the previous one. The floor of this one too was covered with garbage and filth, as well as bones and skulls. The northernmost area held a seven-foot wide pool of water that appeared fairly shallow and clean. A tiny rivulet of water seeped down the worked stone wall, collecting in the pool. Otherwise, the chamber was empty and appeared to be a dead end (Danton search: 7+13=20).

With nothing of apparent value in the two chambers where the apes had resided and with nowhere else to go, the party returned to the main tunnel running east and went down it for twenty feet until they came to the next passage to depart from it, this one running due south. The tunnel ran for only sixty feet before ending at a mortared stone wall with a closed wooden door. Otherwise, the tunnel was empty, the other walls obviously worked with picks and tools, and the floor covered in loose stones.

“This was all dwarven work,” said Karzak, looking at Tenaris. Ya kin tell by the technique, an’ the skill. No human hands kinna be doin’ such fine work.” (spot: 4+3+2=9)

To the untrained eyes of the others, the work here actually looked rather shoddy and hardly up to dwarven standards, but no one felt like pointing this out to Karzak.

Deciding to save any doors until there were no tunnels left to explore, the party members returned to the main passage running east. Just past the tunnel leading to the door, the main tunnel opened up into a larger, irregularly shaped cave approximately forty feet to a side. Near the north wall of this cavern lay a pile of dusty, rusted tools—picks, shovels, hammers, spikes, and ten feet of chain. On the eastern side of the cave, a tunnel ran off to the southeast.

After giving the rusted, ruined equipment a cursory examination, the party headed down the southeastern tunnel, which ran for sixty feet, gradually curving more to the south, before opening into another long tunnel that ran west-east. To the west, some sixty feet away, near the end of Danton’s torchlight, there was a wooden bench, a keg on the floor with a ceramic mug atop it, and a small table with a few items on it, including a lit lantern. Off to the east, the tunnel ran as far as Danton’s torchlight carried.

But despite all of these sights, it was something closer at hand to the east that drew the party’s attention. Some thirty feet away, near the entrance to another tunnel running north, were the bodies of three humans. Dressed in the black clothing and scale armor typical of the guards the party had seen at the mountain’s west entrance and under the moathouse, with the familiar black triangle symbols around their necks, the bodies had been torn and rent. Swords and bows lay near the bodies—twice as many as would seem necessary for three guards. Smeared, bloody trials lead from this area into the dark passageway running off to the north and east.

“You think those apes did this?” asked Nanoc. “I really don’t wanna run into any more o’ them. They killed Tel the first time an’ nearly got all of us the second.”

“I don’t know,” replied Danton. “Luger?”

The cleric examined the bodies closely for several minutes, while Danton and Nanoc made their way down to the western end of the tunnel to examine the table and other items there. They saw that there was some bread and cheese on the table, in addition to the lantern. A whetstone sat atop the bench next to the table. Just beyond the table was another mortared stone wall with a closed wooden door set in the middle.

Not sure what to make of this, Danton and Nanoc rejoined the others in time to hear Luger’s verdict.

“I don’t think it was apes that did this, and I don’t say that merely because these bodies are fresh and we killed those five monsters yesterday—after all, who could say if we killed all the apes in this area? The real evidence is that some of these men were stabbed by blades—or long claws (healing proficiency check: 19+11=30). They weren’t bludgeoned and torn in the way that the apes tried to do with us. Someone or something else besides apes is around here, and I suspect we could find it if we followed the trail of blood to the north—assuming we wanted to find whatever did this.”

“Let’s see where that tunnel goes an’ then decide what to do,” said Nanoc, pointing off to the east.

The eastern tunnel ran for just over a hundred feet before opening into a truly huge cave, far larger than any the party had yet encountered. The cave sprawled ahead, at least eighty feet wide and longer than the party could see in the light of Danton’s torch. The majority of the cave was occupied by a vast underground pool of water that ran from one side of the cave to the other. A wooden rowboat sat on the rocky shore at the western edge of the pool. Out in the pool, just at the edge of the green torchlight, a column of dark gray rock rose up out of the water. The stone walls and floor around the pool were very damp and glistened with slick wetness.

________________________________________________________________

Notes for turn 58:

Please send postings for Turn 58 by the end of Wednesday, May 30th. Karzak has earned enough XP to reach 5^th level.

Current date/time/location: 10 Kolovoz (August) [Day Three in the Temple]; approximately 0900; The Temple of All-Consumption

Items gained this turn (not yet divided): none

Undivided Loot previously gained: none

Items used/lost/destroyed/sold/left behind this turn: Danton’s scroll of cure light wounds and two scrolls of cure moderate wounds, Luger cure light wounds potion, Syll two cure light wounds potions, Nanoc two cure light wounds potions

FOES DEFEATED:

Active party members listed in bold.

This Chapter:

Entire Campaign:

Current Status of the Party:

Note: known magic items listed in bold.

Nanoc

AC: 17

Hit points: 76/79

New XP: 900

XP total: 27,471

XP needed: 28,000

Equipment: masterwork great axe, great axe +1, masterwork studded leather armor, 69 arrows, 2 quivers, backpack, 3 waterskins, 29 days trail rations, bedroll, 2 sacks, 2 flint & steel, bearskin, 50’ rope, 1 sap, masterwork mighty composite shortbow, masterwork shortsword, 3 iron triangles with inverted ‘Y’, three black cones made of some unknown substance, a black scepter decorated with a half dozen violet gems, metal scroll tube, a black cloak, two inverted ziggurat pendants; potion of bull’s strength, potion of cure moderate wounds, potion of water breathing, potion of spider climbing, Aseneth’s House Torquann dragon ring, ring of jumping (+30 to jumping checks), cure moderate wounds, invisibility, silver and gold brooches, potion of spider climb, two-handed sword, 2 emerald pendants, one suit of half-platemail, one suite of full platemail, one morningstar, one large metal shield, one curved knife, potion of invisibility, troglodyte chitin breastplate, cloak of resistance +1.

Gold: 1812

Silver: 1420

Danton

AC: 16 (17 vs. one opponent)

Hit points: 30/30

New XP: 900

XP total: 25,521

XP needed: 28,000

Equipment: rapier, 6 daggers, light crossbow, studded leather armor, quiver with 33 bolts, bedroll, backpack, flint & steel, thieves picks, 3 waterskins, 29 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, 8 iron triangles with upside down ‘Y’ inside,1 inverted ‘Y” pendant in a brown triangle, 1 protection from fire scroll, 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 of monster summon I (12 charges), disguise kit, letter to Master Dunrat, ochre-colored robe, potion of cure light wounds (X2), scrolls of animal messenger and stone shape, potion of love, potion of spider climb, a dozen vials of lantern oil, masterwork thieves’ tools, scroll with summon monster II, potion of cat’s grace, Rat’s Tail (Rapier +1), scroll with change self, enlarge, and two sleep spells, silver and gold brooches, bracers of armor +1, potion of hiding, pouch of unknown dried herbs taken from the home of Tal Chamish, emerald pendant, a small ebony troglodyte statuette, a curved dagger, six sticks of incense, a black robe, an emerald pendant, potion of invisibility, boots of elvenkind

Gold: 1419

Silver: 1200

Luger

AC: 20

Hit Points: 45/53

New XP: 900

XP total: 20,971

XP needed: 21,000

Equipment: longsword, heavy mace, light x-bow, dagger, 20 bolts, chainmail +1, large steel shield, 3 belt pouches, large bag, 50’ rope, 5 torches, hooded lantern, 3 oil flasks, flint & steel, 29 days rations, silver holy symbol of Heironeus, 3 flasks holy water, 3 healer’s kits, backpack, cleric’s vestment, traveler’s clothing, 3 waterskins, bedroll, iron triangle with upside down ‘Y’ inside, eight cockatrice feathers, scroll of cure disease, potion of cure moderate wounds; Geistblatt (ghost touch longsword +1), 5 vials of Furyondian Fire, cloak of resistance +1 (+1 to all saves), potions of enlarge, reduce, nondetection, silver and gold brooches, tattered black cloak with burning eye emblazoned on it, note from Master Hedrack to Master Uskathoth (in Draconic), 2 triangular metal bars, 2 emerald pendants, upside down pyramid symbol, book on history and worship of Elder Elemental Eye cult, two inverted Y pendants in brown triangles, scroll with cure moderate wounds and summon monster III, scroll with hold person, remove paralysis, and protection from elements.

Spell Selection:

Level 0(5): none
Level 1(4+1): Domain: Protection from Evil

Level 2 (4+1): Domain: Aid

Level 3 (3+1): Speak with DeadX2, Searing Light, Domain: Magic Circle Against Evil

Turn Undead attempts left on current day: 7 of 7

Gold: 169

Silver: 0

Karzak

AC: 20

Hit Points: 50/52

New XP: 900

XP total: 10,640

XP needed: 10,000

Equipment: backpack, water skin, 28 days rations, aleskin, 2 waterskins, flint & steel, heavy crossbow, 4 cases with 40 bolts, 2 daggers, masterwork dwarven waraxe, large steel shield, banded mail, short sword, silver and gold brooches, bedroll, sack, Nanoc’s silver-plated short sword, potion of levitate, black cloak, inverted Y pendant, gauntlets of dexterity +2, rose quartz gem, potion of invisibility, suit of troglodyte full plate mail, emerald pendant.

Gold: 354

Silver: 1200

Tenaris

AC: 22

Hit Points: 24/24

New XP: 900

XP total: 3,900

XP needed: 6,000

Equipment: chitin full plate mail, large steel shield, masterwork morningstar, 6 javelins, 2 troglodyte spears, inverted Y pendant, 28 days rations

Gold: 0

Silver: 0