Session 45 - The River of Blood

5th of Nightal, 1371 DR
dawn
Deep below the Calim Desert, within a Djinn Tomb of Icosiol
breezy and cool

Injury Report
None - all healed

Spell Report (USED):
Egwaine 1-zero, 1-1st, 0-2nd, 4-3rd, 2-4th, 1-5th, 1-6th
Menelvagor 1-zero, 2-1st, 1-2nd, 1-3rd, 2-4th, 0-5th, 1-6th
Alobron 0-zero, 1-1st, 1-2nd, 1-3rd, 0-4th
Kamist 1-zero, 1-1st, 3-2nd, 1-3rd, 3-4th, 0-5th

After a relatively peaceful night's rest the Heroes continued to explore the tomb of Icosiol. During the night Rumple engaged in peaceful conversation with the Shade Shadow Spider, FlyCatcher. The creature, with eight glowing eyes, asked if Rumple would retrieve an item that was stolen from the tomb in the southern antechamber protected by FlyCatcher. Rumple was told that an expedition from deep below in the Underdark had come and stolen the Mosaic of Icosiol. FlyCatcher indicated that this undead expedition was flying the banner of the White Kingdom and that the leader identified himself as Moreto and was accompanied by a number of other followers, all undead. Though Rumple initially refused the request, the offer from FlyCathcer was to teach Rumple the art of Shadow Walk in exchange for the return of the item to its rightful place. Though this request seemed noble enough, Rumple and the others are distrustful of FlyCather as he nearly killed Kamist already and is a hideous monster as well.

At nights end, Tyree woke everyone almost two hours before dawn, which was somewhat of a surprise. Nonetheless, all were fully rested except for Tyree who pulled a 4 hour shift right in the middle of the rest period.

After a long Heroes' Feast and a lengthy debate about the best strategy to follow, the Heroes set out over the cavern where the Blood River ran into the plunging abyss. There on the opposite side were ancient steps leading into what appeared to be an ancient tomb. Some Heroes utilized Dimension Door to cross, while Tyree climbed (safely) to the other side. Just inside the Tomb,a hiding mechanical creature guardian triggered a portcullis and trapped Rumple and Alobron within the chamber and proceeded to fire deadly eyebolts at them. The battle was quick as Menel used Elven High Magic to teleport himself, Storn, and Tyree inside to finish the mechanical creature.

Later the Heroes were attacked by very large Ice Golem Guardians and later by very dangerous looking blood-based creatures. Menel called them Blood Anmniotes:

During the fight Menel summoned a Fire Giant using Elven High Magic, but this was destroyed by a swirling elemental ice swirl that appeared to be the remains of an ancient ice elemental buried within a sub-tomb. The Heroes also found an empty tomb with a life-like mosaic that seemed to mirror the passing of time complete with a sun and moon. A peaceful chamber that was inviting and deemed a safe place to rest if need be.

Will the Heroes ever find the true Tomb of Icosiol? and What magic will be found awaiting the clutches of Rumple in his quest for ancient powerful artifacts in service to the Seekers of Waterdeep? and Will Tyree survive the dangerous traps riddled throughout this tomb designed to thwart tomb raiders? For the answers to these questions and more, tune in to the next session of the Age of Worms.

Session 44 - I'll Xorn You...Tyree

4th Nightall 1371 DR
late afternoon
Deep within the Tomb Of Icosiol the Djinn WindDuke
windy, cool, tomb environment

Injury Report:
Storn - slight injury (-8hp), Tyree - light injury (-14hp)

Spell Report (USED):
Egwaine 1-1st, 3-2nd, 5-3rd, 3-4th, 1-6th
Menelvagor 1-1st, 2-3rd, 1-4th, 2-6th
Alobron 1-1st, 3 pearls of power, 2-2nd, 2-3rd
Kamist 4-zero, 7-2nd, 2-3rd, 1-4th, 2-5th

Tomb Entrance

The Heroes pressed on deep within the Tomb of the Djinn WindDuke. After leaving Nadim, the Guardian Djinn Outsider, behind the Heroes encountered a dangerous Elder Black Pudding that drove the Heroes deeper into the ancient tomb. The Party was only saved by the quick thinking of Kamist and a clever use of a Wall of Force spell. Menelvagor seemed very distracted and distant as he focused on the intricate reliefs covering the walls and doors as if he was not all there. Using his dimension door ability he did seem to pass directly through a large Shadow Spider hiding near by in the realm of shadows waiting for his moment to strike.

Deeper within the tomb, the Heroes found a large chamber covered in shadowy thick spider webs and numerous columns that cast eerie shadows throughout the room exacerbated by the Heroes numerous light sources. Here, the Heroes bypassed one room and found a room atop a set of stairs. The room at the top of the stairs radiated much magic absent in three places exactly where large figures were carved on the wall. The Heroes left this room alone and moved to the north and found a huge river of what appeared to be blood spanned by a crumbling bridge.

At this location, Tyree sprung (literally) into action and jumped the great 20' width fast moving river. At the opposite end Tyree encountered a monster known as Xorn, who unbeknownst to Tyree, was a merchant that attempted to communicate with Tyree. Of course Tyree immediately attacked and nearly slayed the ancient trader. At this, a group of Xorns, including a really big Xorn, emerged from around Tyree from the sandy beach and attacked and dropped Tyree. After eating his magical +1 steel shield, they spared Tyree death when it was explained that Tyree was confused and thought he was being attacked. The Xorns were reasonable and then offered to sell buckets of the sifted and reduced red mineral from the river for a price of 20,000gp per bucket. (Yes the Heroes did empty their portable hole and filled it with the red stuff...yuck)

The Heroes recovered Tyree's limp body, healed him, and moved back to the magical room where they found a doorway leading to the south. Here Rumple opened the locked door and the Heroes found Allustan trapped in a complex lightning trap. Rumple was able to render the massive room trap save with an entire spool of cooper wire and an iron spike driven into the wall to act as a ground. Rumple has proven very valuable in this trap ridden tomb.

After rescuing Allustan the Heroes paused for a short time to speak with him. Allustan was extremely disturbed about the news regarding the destruction of the town (thanks Tyree) and wanted to immediately teleport back to his home to check on his gnome servant and apprentice Mezalous. As a caution to guard against the Black Dragon, Allustan instructed the Heroes to meet him in the town of Longsaddle at the Inn called the All Seeing Eye. He wants to introduce the Heroes to his Wizard Master Manzorian when they are finihsed exploring the tomb. He provided Menelvagor with a scroll of teleport to assist in returning the Heroes to their Guild House. The Heroes learned the following facts from Allusatn:

Allustan was attacked by a Huge Black Dragon that was hells bent on killing him blaming him for the destruction of his plans and his children.

Allustan had been investigating the Whispering Cairn and had excavated a portion covered in a cave-in and uncovered the Black Gate. He explained that in desperation he jumped into the portal to escape the Black Dragon's dangerous acid. He tricked the gate Guardian by using a symbol of the Djinn Wind Dukes...Allustan opines this guardian was a lost soul trapped in the gate by some calamity or melancholy magical disaster.

The Tomb is a monument to the great Djinn Wind Duke General Icosiol who was the greatest general of the Wind Dukes and one of the so-called seven Wandering Wind Dukes that forged a great weapon known as the Scepter of Calim that was used to defeat the Efreeti General Memnonar. The battle shattered the Scepter into seven parts.

Allustan asks that the Heroes explore the Tomb, which Allustan believes descends deep, deep, below into numerous levels and layers. Allustan explains that the Wind Dukes often buried powerful magical items in their tombs and perhaps one of these items could be a weapon to use against the scourge ravaging the land.

Allustan is shocked to hear of the death of Eligos and reminds the Heroes that they were students together of Manzorian. After taking Eligos' notes, letter, and items, Allustan teleports away.

Later the Heroes encounter another large mechanical trap that utilizes the power of the rushing blood river. It almost gets Tyree but he escapes by the skin of his teeth (again).

The Heroes are battered and low on spells. Some have discussed resting before venturing on.

Will the Heroes find the true Tomb of Icosiol one of the seven Wandering Djinn Wind Dukes? What powerful and wondrous magical items await the clutches of the Heroes? Will Tyree survive the dangerous traps riddled throughout this tomb designed to thwart tomb raiders? For the answers to these questions and more, tune in next session of the Age of Worms.