19th of Marpenoth, 1371 DR
It was good to sleep in my own bed again. This mornin’, before we’d even finished our breakfast, Sergeant Voss and a contingent of men from the garrison were waitin’ to escort us to a meetin’ of the town council called by the Captain to address the matter of the cults in the Dourstone mine. We were given sparkling’, blue sashes to wear on our arms when we arrived at the keep. These sashes identify us as “friends of the garrison” and allow us to bypass the normal line into the keep and all but guarantee us a speedy audience with an officer should we require it.
I grow more pleased with our decision to cultivate a relationship with the garrison everyday.
On our way to talk to the Captain, we also happened to witness Goat’s (that brigand we captured) execution. Pity that. Inevitable, I suppose, but still it’s a bit unsettlin’ to see the finality of the judgment those at the garrison are authorized to carry out.
Met Vulkus Dun for the first time face-to-face today. Guy gives me the willies! He’s got the manic gleam in his eyes of an obsessive zealot. Although we still need to be friends of the garrison, I think it’s best if we steer clear of that man.
After getting’ a quick lesson on protocol, we were escorted into the meetin’. As the leader of the guild, it fell on me to answer the questions of the council. Primarily, this involved dodgin’ clumsy attempts by Sheriff Cubin to get me to incriminate myself or the guild. Everythin’ would have been fine. In fact, I think I could have trapped Cubin in one of his own lies if it hadn’t been for Valcrist and Sparrow nearly derailin’ the whole meetin’ by openin’ their big mouths!
Captain Trask seems to be the only person on the council that takes this subterranean threat to the town seriously. I don’t know why that surprises me, but there it is. Trask dispatched Sergeant Voss and some other men to investigate the remains of the shrines and figure out how to seal off the passages leadin’ into the Underdark. At the end of the meetin’, Dourstone was judged guilty in absentia, Smenk was awarded custodianship of the Dourstone mine (even after his involvement in the presence of the cultists was revealed), and we were awarded an official guild charter! Allustan was appointed as our “advisor.”
Durin’ the meetin’, I basically outed Kullen and Smenk in public. In hindsight, that might not have been my best move, but at the time I believed that full disclosure was the best way to meet Cubin’s obtuseness. It worked well in the meetin’, but I’m sure it’s gonna spell trouble of the streets. The Lieutenant, Dolbrun Trent went so far as to suggest we leave town for awhile and when we come back to consider making peace with Smenk!
The very idea of makin’ nice with that villain makes my blood run cold. I can only hope it doesn’t come to that.
At some point durin’ the after meetin’ activities, Justice arrested Sparrow for some past infraction. Even though she had a writ of pardon, Justice chose the oppressive dogma of his church over those he would call friends. It was as if Tyr himself (or some other mysterious higher power) manifested and forced Justice to decide between losing his Cleric powers or losing his position in the guild. He chose Tyr and we had no choice but to vote him out of the guild for fear he’d turn on any one of us later for some perceived infraction.
We spent the better part of the rest of the day meetin’ with Allustan and tryin’ to figure out how to get Sparrow out of jail. Allustan convinced us that our next course of action should be to investigate goings on near Blackwall Keep. To that end, we will be escortin’ him to the Keep in a few days to meet with an associate of his workin’ out of the Keep. I’m not sure I’m comfortable leavin’ Diamond Lake before securin’ Sparrow’s release.
That night we had a celebratory dinner at the Spinnin’ Giant with the men from the garrison. I asked Allustan to talk to the magistrate about releasin’ Sparrow before returnin’ to Waterdeep, but all Allustan could find out was that the Magistrate had other evidence that had to be considered. It looks like Sparrow will have to be in a cell for at least the next month – pardon or not.
I did manage to woo the gorgeous Lieutenant Machella Venderin. At least, I think it was me doin’ the wooin’. She was lonely workin’ with all those men – men she couldn’t get involved with because of protocol. I’m not sure if what happened between us this night was two people blowin’ off steam in a…sweaty and surprisingly creative fashion or the beginnin’ of somethin’ more between us.
The fact that she left an hour ago (said she had to be back at the garrison by sun-up) with a warm embrace and a passionate kiss, but without a word of what would come next makes me wonder. She is lovely, strong, and smart. I think I could even come to love her despite her seemin’ rigidity – although that rigidity was completely gone as soon as I suggested going back to my room!
Even though I need to leave shortly to go to the monastery, I think I will write her a letter before I leave to let her know I was not thinkin’ of her as a fleetin’ fancy. Even if that’s all I was to her, if I want more of her company in the future, it’s probably best to let her know what I’m about up front.
Oh! Got to remember to stop by town in the mornin’ and see if my gloves are in yet!
What a great start to the day.
Session 14 - End of the Ebon Triad
18th of Marpenoth, 1371 DR
No sooner had we entered the large cavern than eight more Grimlocks charged in at us. I’m getting’ to the point where I can recognize these Grimlocks and I could tell that these were just the run-‘o-the-mill savages. We killed ‘em all pretty quick. I even got a chance to use my new spell, which I will call Chain Missile! Even though we killed the Grimlocks, many of us suffered injuries. Carenthal, Justice, and Trogdor were runnin’ out of healin’ spells fast!
Suddenly, Valcrist collapsed and was writhin’ on the ground clutchin’ his head and moanin’. Before anyone could heal him, whatever was happenin’ passed and he stumbled to his feet mutterin’, “Horrible. Horrible! They killed the monster and took its eyes!”
I don’t know what that was all about and Valcrist couldn’t explain. He just said he had a vision. Either Valcrist is developin’ supernatural powers (maybe good news) or somethin’ is invadin’ his mind (probably bad news).
Alabron destroyed the throne made from bones as well as the flags made of human skin and then we found Grallak, the leader of the Grimlock followers of Bhaal. Unlike the other Grimlocks, Grallak had eyes; gigantic, blugin, starin’, unblinkin’ eyes that were way too big for his head! He cackled and Valrcrist doubled over and grabbed his head again. At first we thought Grallack was tryin’ to parley with us, but it was quickly apparent that he was quite insane and only was after our blood.
The final showdown with the Ebon Triad was with Grallack, four of his Grimlock minions, and a hulkin’ Grimlock Barbarian. The worst part was, we had to climb up steep slopes of crumblin’ rock just to get to them!
Hine ran up the first slope and fired an arrow at the Barbarian, but the supernatural senses these Grimlocks had came into play as the thing dodge the hissing missile. Valrcist also made it up the slope, despite bein’ a little disoriented form his vision, and shot at Grallack, but Grallack must have had some sort of magical defenses up because the bolt just bounced off him! Grallack responded by chanting and then one of the millipedes on the wall blasted Valcrist with a beam of boiling blood that seared his flesh. I was able to identify the effect as a variant of a Searing Light spell (peggin’ Grallak as a Cleric). That’s when Carenthal surpised everyone (especially Grallak) by whippin’ out a scroll and coatin’ the part of the cave filled with Grimlocks in strands of sticky webs!
And that pretty much spelled out the doom of the Ebon Triad. With the Web spell in place, we were able to fight the Grimlocks one or two at a time and, unable to see anyone, Grallack’s spells couldn’t come into play. Grimlock after Grimlock fell to our swords and arrows. Even the Barbarian was dispatched before he could hurt anyone. When the Grimlocks were dead, I readied a spell and Carenthal dismissed his Web. As soon as the webs vanished, I stripped all the protective spells off Grallack with my Arcane Turmoil spell. He tried to kill Justice with his Death Touch, but once again, Tyr protected his priest as Storn struck the killin’ blow, endin’ Grallack’s evil forever.
After lootin’ and healin’, we headed back into the elevator room, wonderin’ what foul evil would come crawlin’ out of the black pool. When we got there, however, the pool was still.
We waited.
We started throwin’ stuff into the pool.
Nuthin’.
Finally, we partially surrounded the pool and Carenthal, Justice, and Trogdor all channeled their various god’s powers (a trio of good gods to thwart the Ebon Triad) into the pool.
That pissed it off.
A gigantic, black-skinned, oily humanoid with six clawed arms sprang out of the black pool, dark water cascading down over everyone around the pool. Hine, Sparrow, and Valcrist all had arrows ready, but only Hine’s shot was able to find purchase in the beast’s oily hide. I tried to summon up the evil in this place again to power up a Magic Missile, but the creature seemed to have some immunity to magic as my mage bolts simply absorbed into the monster with no effect. The monster, some kind of lesser Aspect of the overgod the Ebon Triad was tryin’ to create, flew into a rage and started lashin’ out at those near`the pool. It seems we were successful in interruptin’ its development, however, because only three of its six arms were of any use. The other three hung limb and useless at its side. Not that it needed them! The monster bit and clawed Justice and another claw slashed across Alabron’s chest. Alabron responded with a terrific blow, but the beast seemed to shrug off most of the damage. Storn hit it, too – his stornium blade slicin’ through the creature’s skin easily. Carenthal moved intop position and pulled out another scroll while Justice cast Light of Venya preparing to blast the monster with holy light.
Sparrow moved up to stab the Aspect with her rapier, but the thin sword nearly bent in half against the beast. Valcrist tried to force the creature off balance with a Distract Assailant spell, but its spell resistance simply absorbed the spell again. Hine shot it twice, each shot barely penetrating the creature’s thick, oil-slicked skin. I managed to hit the Aspect with a Lesser Orb of Electricity, the conjured lightnin’ ignorin’ the creature’s spell resistance as Trogdor summoned up his own Light of Venya. The Aspect mauled Storn and Justice just before Alabron reached back with all his might and struck a tellin’ blow against the monster’s hip. Justice fired twin beams of holy radiance at the creature. The Aspect managed to absorb one without harm, but the second beam burned it horribly. Carenthal got out a different scroll.
Another of Sparrow’s blows glanced harmlessly off the Aspect as did Valcrist’s crossbow bolt. Hine, whose accuracy was impressive today, hit the creature with two more arrows, although they barely scratched it and I blasted it with another Lesser Orb of Electricity. Trogdor’s beams from his Light of Venya spell had the same effect as Justice’s (the Aspect absorbed one beam but was seared by the second). The Aspect, sensing its time in this world was short, tore into Alabron and Storn, causing horrible wounds in both of them! Alabron slashed it once more before retreatin’, only to be nearly killed by the lashin’ claw of the Aspect. This, however, was exactly the openin’ Storn had been lookin’ for. With a mighty battle shout, Storn slashed his magical great falchion through the Aspect’s hip, severin’ its entire left leg! But the sword didn’t stop there. After cuttin’ through the monster’s hip, Storn still had enough strength to carry the blow through the beast’s right knee, severin’ that leg too!
The Aspect liquefied and oozed back into the pool, defeated. But is it dead?
Moments later, one of the Tiefling warriors came shambling out of the Bane side of the complex. One of those evil, green worms must have found a host because the Tiefling was now a shambling, worm-infested, Zombie!
Trogdor blew it to dust with Lathandar’s holy light.
Havin’ slain every last evil creature in this complex of evil (except for the couple of Kenku’s who got away), we collected as much treasure as we could carry and started to talk about our exit strategy. That decision was made for us, however, when a group of miners came down the elevator to investigate all the noise coming from this new part of the mine. Through a combination of reasonable talk, subtle intimidation, and the display of a “dead” Undead abomination, we were able to convince the mine foreman that he wanted nothin’ at all to do with us and we were allowed to leave unmolested.
As we left the mine, we could just see the backs of Dourstone and his lackeys fleeing at full gallop out of Diamond Lake.
Heh.
They probably should have stayed and taken their chances with Cubin. They’re in the Garrison’s jurisdiction now. Once we show Sergeant Voss and the rest what was going on down that mine, I have no doubt they will try to bring Dourstone to justice. I only hope we have enough to convince them that Smenk was also involved – maybe even more so that Dourstone.
No sooner had we entered the large cavern than eight more Grimlocks charged in at us. I’m getting’ to the point where I can recognize these Grimlocks and I could tell that these were just the run-‘o-the-mill savages. We killed ‘em all pretty quick. I even got a chance to use my new spell, which I will call Chain Missile! Even though we killed the Grimlocks, many of us suffered injuries. Carenthal, Justice, and Trogdor were runnin’ out of healin’ spells fast!
Suddenly, Valcrist collapsed and was writhin’ on the ground clutchin’ his head and moanin’. Before anyone could heal him, whatever was happenin’ passed and he stumbled to his feet mutterin’, “Horrible. Horrible! They killed the monster and took its eyes!”
I don’t know what that was all about and Valcrist couldn’t explain. He just said he had a vision. Either Valcrist is developin’ supernatural powers (maybe good news) or somethin’ is invadin’ his mind (probably bad news).
Alabron destroyed the throne made from bones as well as the flags made of human skin and then we found Grallak, the leader of the Grimlock followers of Bhaal. Unlike the other Grimlocks, Grallak had eyes; gigantic, blugin, starin’, unblinkin’ eyes that were way too big for his head! He cackled and Valrcrist doubled over and grabbed his head again. At first we thought Grallack was tryin’ to parley with us, but it was quickly apparent that he was quite insane and only was after our blood.
The final showdown with the Ebon Triad was with Grallack, four of his Grimlock minions, and a hulkin’ Grimlock Barbarian. The worst part was, we had to climb up steep slopes of crumblin’ rock just to get to them!
Hine ran up the first slope and fired an arrow at the Barbarian, but the supernatural senses these Grimlocks had came into play as the thing dodge the hissing missile. Valrcist also made it up the slope, despite bein’ a little disoriented form his vision, and shot at Grallack, but Grallack must have had some sort of magical defenses up because the bolt just bounced off him! Grallack responded by chanting and then one of the millipedes on the wall blasted Valcrist with a beam of boiling blood that seared his flesh. I was able to identify the effect as a variant of a Searing Light spell (peggin’ Grallak as a Cleric). That’s when Carenthal surpised everyone (especially Grallak) by whippin’ out a scroll and coatin’ the part of the cave filled with Grimlocks in strands of sticky webs!
And that pretty much spelled out the doom of the Ebon Triad. With the Web spell in place, we were able to fight the Grimlocks one or two at a time and, unable to see anyone, Grallack’s spells couldn’t come into play. Grimlock after Grimlock fell to our swords and arrows. Even the Barbarian was dispatched before he could hurt anyone. When the Grimlocks were dead, I readied a spell and Carenthal dismissed his Web. As soon as the webs vanished, I stripped all the protective spells off Grallack with my Arcane Turmoil spell. He tried to kill Justice with his Death Touch, but once again, Tyr protected his priest as Storn struck the killin’ blow, endin’ Grallack’s evil forever.
After lootin’ and healin’, we headed back into the elevator room, wonderin’ what foul evil would come crawlin’ out of the black pool. When we got there, however, the pool was still.
We waited.
We started throwin’ stuff into the pool.
Nuthin’.
Finally, we partially surrounded the pool and Carenthal, Justice, and Trogdor all channeled their various god’s powers (a trio of good gods to thwart the Ebon Triad) into the pool.
That pissed it off.
A gigantic, black-skinned, oily humanoid with six clawed arms sprang out of the black pool, dark water cascading down over everyone around the pool. Hine, Sparrow, and Valcrist all had arrows ready, but only Hine’s shot was able to find purchase in the beast’s oily hide. I tried to summon up the evil in this place again to power up a Magic Missile, but the creature seemed to have some immunity to magic as my mage bolts simply absorbed into the monster with no effect. The monster, some kind of lesser Aspect of the overgod the Ebon Triad was tryin’ to create, flew into a rage and started lashin’ out at those near`the pool. It seems we were successful in interruptin’ its development, however, because only three of its six arms were of any use. The other three hung limb and useless at its side. Not that it needed them! The monster bit and clawed Justice and another claw slashed across Alabron’s chest. Alabron responded with a terrific blow, but the beast seemed to shrug off most of the damage. Storn hit it, too – his stornium blade slicin’ through the creature’s skin easily. Carenthal moved intop position and pulled out another scroll while Justice cast Light of Venya preparing to blast the monster with holy light.
Sparrow moved up to stab the Aspect with her rapier, but the thin sword nearly bent in half against the beast. Valcrist tried to force the creature off balance with a Distract Assailant spell, but its spell resistance simply absorbed the spell again. Hine shot it twice, each shot barely penetrating the creature’s thick, oil-slicked skin. I managed to hit the Aspect with a Lesser Orb of Electricity, the conjured lightnin’ ignorin’ the creature’s spell resistance as Trogdor summoned up his own Light of Venya. The Aspect mauled Storn and Justice just before Alabron reached back with all his might and struck a tellin’ blow against the monster’s hip. Justice fired twin beams of holy radiance at the creature. The Aspect managed to absorb one without harm, but the second beam burned it horribly. Carenthal got out a different scroll.
Another of Sparrow’s blows glanced harmlessly off the Aspect as did Valcrist’s crossbow bolt. Hine, whose accuracy was impressive today, hit the creature with two more arrows, although they barely scratched it and I blasted it with another Lesser Orb of Electricity. Trogdor’s beams from his Light of Venya spell had the same effect as Justice’s (the Aspect absorbed one beam but was seared by the second). The Aspect, sensing its time in this world was short, tore into Alabron and Storn, causing horrible wounds in both of them! Alabron slashed it once more before retreatin’, only to be nearly killed by the lashin’ claw of the Aspect. This, however, was exactly the openin’ Storn had been lookin’ for. With a mighty battle shout, Storn slashed his magical great falchion through the Aspect’s hip, severin’ its entire left leg! But the sword didn’t stop there. After cuttin’ through the monster’s hip, Storn still had enough strength to carry the blow through the beast’s right knee, severin’ that leg too!
The Aspect liquefied and oozed back into the pool, defeated. But is it dead?
Moments later, one of the Tiefling warriors came shambling out of the Bane side of the complex. One of those evil, green worms must have found a host because the Tiefling was now a shambling, worm-infested, Zombie!
Trogdor blew it to dust with Lathandar’s holy light.
Havin’ slain every last evil creature in this complex of evil (except for the couple of Kenku’s who got away), we collected as much treasure as we could carry and started to talk about our exit strategy. That decision was made for us, however, when a group of miners came down the elevator to investigate all the noise coming from this new part of the mine. Through a combination of reasonable talk, subtle intimidation, and the display of a “dead” Undead abomination, we were able to convince the mine foreman that he wanted nothin’ at all to do with us and we were allowed to leave unmolested.
As we left the mine, we could just see the backs of Dourstone and his lackeys fleeing at full gallop out of Diamond Lake.
Heh.
They probably should have stayed and taken their chances with Cubin. They’re in the Garrison’s jurisdiction now. Once we show Sergeant Voss and the rest what was going on down that mine, I have no doubt they will try to bring Dourstone to justice. I only hope we have enough to convince them that Smenk was also involved – maybe even more so that Dourstone.
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