The Flying Tower

Some views of the Flying Tower - current status [updated with correct rope bridges]

Overview

The Tower - closeup:

Rope bridge:

Return to the Flying Tower

18th of Reaping, High Summer

[DM: back at the gaming table for the group was splendid after some remote/online sessions]

We rejoin the Fellowship as they look down on a small village enclosed by a wooden palisade about 15' high of unfinished point logs, there appears to be one gate with some buildings inside the walls as well as a small wooden tower. 

The party note that the evening wildlife which had been absent along the long road and then in Axegard has returned and is somewhat refreshing to all. crickets, birds, frogs and more.. the smell of lush forest a pleasant change from the demonic sewers in  and city grounds of Axegard.

One building has what appears to be a stone foundation while the rest are all wood. There is what appears to be one building has burned down. Smoke sill rising slowly up in a long trail wisp into the clear night sky.

1. The RustyKnight Inn

2. Ancient Cheeses of Blackmoor - Cheese shop and residence

3. Ralex's General Mercantile

4. McKran's Smithy

5. Burned out building

The party still up on a hill nearby, head down on to the road heading up to the village, the evening sky still somewhat lit by the setting sun even at 9 bells. The gate is closed as the adventurers move up. A muffled high-pitched voice answers after Doc knocks on the gate.

A high pitched but gruff voice after some shuffling, "Who's there?"

Doc replies, "Travelers, looking for a flying tower."

The voice sound somewhat strange, and the party becomes suspicious. Gothi and Hester sense something is off. Then some giggling from a few points on the other side of the gate.

Gothi - using her boots of spider climbing - stealthily and she peers over and sees three children [girl probably 14 and a boy and girl under 10]. Gothi draws her bow and a flaming arrow is pulled back, The two younger children scream and run away, while the older girl is shuffling back on her hands and feet.

The party tries to appease the girl, but she jumps up and runs. "My Da is at home!"

The party look around and check out the burnt down building. Investigating they confirm it happened recently. Tibaltuous confirms someone tried to put the fire out as he finds water, A small crossbow bolt - finely made - as well as a small chest under the remnants of a bed. A charred small crossbow bolt is found, but no markings or identifications found on it,

[DM: The party fixates on how the cheese is created - as no cows, farmlands, or ranches seen, milking dragon, unicorns being milked in basements, centipedes being milked.. 😆]

The party hear some laughter and voices from the larger building [#1]. Gothi and Doc go to investigate while Tibaltuous and Graxxuzazz continue to investigate into the cheese mystery.

Gothi and Doc enter the Rusty Knight inn and see some farmers, as well what appear to be 3 travelers, 2 serving girls, as well as a portly older man with large mutton shop sideburns behind the bar. Beside the hearth in the main room is a rusty suit of full plate armour worn by knights in jousts. Over the hearth is a massive two-handed sword. No rust nor scratch on the fine blade.

Gothi and Doc have a drink and order some food, Ol' Verris is the barkeep and owner, with his 2 daughters serving - Sarah and Vera. Sarah a cute girl in her late 20's is tall with long black hair in a pony tail, the intelligent one. The beautiful Vera is the blonde and bubbly always happy now 19.

Interacting with the 3 travelers, 1 appearing to be a hobbit and the other two are human females. 

Meanwhile Graxxuzazz and Tibaltuous look at the other buildings trying to figure out where the cheese is being made or creatures being held to milk it are. The bard makes a joke about spreading "the good word of IUZ" and he gets an intense pain in the back of his head. The two realize that saying those words about Iuz, the hated enemy of Orcus - was not a good idea..

Doc asks about the flying tower and one of the serving girls drops a tray of dishes with a crash. The lady names Doc and Gothi so it appears the Fellowship are well known. Gothi and Doc think they three are bounty hunters but it appears not.

Meanwhile, Tibaltuous and Graxxuzazz telepathically advise Gothi and Doc they will be down the road a 1/2 mile, and start reading their book again together.

One of the ladies - seems like the leader, a tall lady in her 30s with brown hair, long in a pony tail, blue eyes and wearing tan leather armour. A dagger at her belt - asks Doc if a reward if the tower is found. After a near combat moment the two leave. Telepathically talking that they need to figure who these folks are. They must know about the tower..

Gothi offers 77 gold, where Doc advises can pay 5000 gold if they find the location. This perks the three up a little, but other than a smirk from the hobbit, nothing more. Doc and Gothi get into some final words with the three and the the two adventurers can feel there is something wrong. 

They meet up with the sorcerer and the bard who are deep in a trance reading the massive tome ofOrcus' origin once again together.

While Doc and Gothi are moving down the road, the two and the bear hear a "Psst. hey Mister!" 

At first they don't see anything but then see the small boy from the gate. 

After some cajoling and offering 77 gold reward - the small 8 year old boy has never held a gold piece! 

The boy tells them of that they look like black-skinned elves. 

Doc and Gothi in unison: "Drow".

"Been a week in the town, they burnt down the building." He mumbles while looking at the gold, "Yea they carry tiny crossbows, like in one hand." Doc smiles and nods fingering the charred bot.

It appears they took some of the townsfolk away. At this the boy looks very sad, seems he has lost one of his family perhaps. Up in the mountains. The boy points to the Northeast.

The power source for the tower.. people. 

Doc tells the boy to go hide, gives the boys some food and water. "Get your sister and hide up there for a day or two." 

The boy looks sad at thinking of his family and friends being taken. "I'm a never comin' back.. with that much gold 77.. I can't count that high but I'll live like a king!"

Doc and Gothi come up upon Tibaltuous and Graxxuzazz. Both are in the dark, hunched over the familiar tome once again. Turning pages together.

Gothi rides up and jumps down and slaps both of them. The Portly athletic lizardfolk continues reading but the 1/2 elf bard is pulled out of his trance-like reading.

************

[DM ADVISORY: the next paragraphs may have some disturbing information to some feel free to skip]

Tibaltuous and Graxxuzazz are standing on a familiar desolate and featureless plan of black sands, nearby stands what appears to be a younger Orcus. In  front of the two is a human girl spread-eagled on

a wooden X. and Orcus looks down at the two, rumbles, "Kill her". 

At this moment, Tibaltuous is ripped away from the scene and awakes in the dark dizzy and nearly vomiting.

Graxxuzazz looks down and his clawed hands and realizes that he is not a lizardfolk but some type of barbed demonic humanoid, six arms, carrying multiple weapons in hand. Graxxuzazz/Demon cuts in to the girl, and he is pulled back to the realm. The two, now it seems to be not in sync they will need to re-read the chapter. 

**************

The party discuss and decide the three in the inn are probably drow who were purported to be at or in control of their flying Tower!

[DM: some time was spent trying to figure out why Gothi and Doc had MAJOR issues with Drow. 😊]

Mission Impossible [DM: queue theme music]

The party returns planning to do a night raid to take out the three bounty-hunters/drow/evil folk - 2 women and hobbit.

After some great stealth and planning, Gothi gets on the roof and using her X-Ray vision. She scans the rooms and then finds the skeletal like forms of what looks like 2 slender women and the hobbit. 

Tibaltuous starts his mission to move in, with the telepathic link with Gothi providing perfect details on where to go. The room was right next to Ol'Verris' room.

Right before Tibaltuous, Doc and team crashed in, the party recalled that Ol'Verris had two daughters.. no three daughters! One being smaller. [met at the gate]

Gothi realized that the three were not the three potential Drow but the daughters of the innkeeper!

The mission was pulled back, the team moving out. As it appears the three travelers were NOT in the inn. Probably at the tower or on the way to it, based on the details from the boy the party had been given.

The Fellowship decided it was time to find their tower!

Moving as fast as they can, Gothi riding her bear - Morsel -  and Graxxuzazz polymorphs into a dire wolf. They all headed up into the mountains and found a bridge crossing a dry riverbed. The party saw some light ahead. Then a small camp with tents. but all that was minor, there was the RedWater Fellowship's TOWER.

The tower looks to be crashed/landed on the edge of a deep lake. The lake formerly fed the Siren river. It has nearly dried up it appears, now the lake depths can nearly be seen hundreds of feet below the tower precariously crashed into the wall of the mountain at a slight angle. A rope bridge along the steep and shear wall goes from the camp to a balcony - looks to be the 3rd floor].

As the party move up, a female drow appears smiling, wearing a wide brimmed hat. She was the one talking to Doc and Gothi in the Rusty Knight Inn. Her skin in areas is white and black, as if some disease or other gave it a patch work white and black. 

Some discussion and negotiations to work together or ally, but in the end, these break down. 

Gothi fires two arrows, but she quickly dodges and then disappears from sight. Between Morsel's and Graxx's sense of smell they know she is fairly close but moving away.. 

COMBAT - next session.

Audio Summary: 

[courtesy of https://notebooklm.google.com]

Greyhawk Map - Realm status

 Status in High Summer of the various kingdoms, empires, and more.

1. Dragonkeep
2. Wayberry
3. Axegard
4. Dragon's Lair?
5. Flying Tower
6. Fax
7. Enstad
8. Bright Desert - location of majority elvish Houses of the land
9. IUZ controlled areas
10. Overlord Romack controlled areas
11. BlackRune controlled/allied areas [majority of Pomarj are allied to BlackRunes.. rumours as of late with the decline of the BR empire, the various tribes, clans and more in the Pomarj may be more rebellious..]
12. Undead [Robin] controlled areas [expanding in mainly Southern directions currently]
13. Under no one's control at this time

Allies and enemies:

• Overlord Romack has a uneasy truce with BlackRunes [to fight off forces of IUZ] - who knows how long that will last..
• IUZ and BlackRunes are at war
• Undead forces under Robin are warring with everyone

A Heroes' Feast for the RedWater Fellowship

 

17th of Reaping High Summer

The battle with the undead titan continues, the many attacks from the Fellowship as well as the contingent of skeletons Graxxuzazz had summoned wearing the colossal humanoid down. Its connection to the shadow shield through the umbilical-like cord from its back now cut the giant appeared to be near lethargic as the attacks of arrows, bullets and magic continue to pepper it. The giant gash in the titan's stomach no longer was spewing forth zombies as well.

The fleshy arch had collapsed and continued to pump out caustic blood growing in area in some spots a few feet deep of the acidic fluid.

Behind the party, the cloud giant sheathed the massive sword on his back still holding the pulsing purple orb and called out, "Parley!" Gothi and Tibaltuous were closet to the cloud giant chief and could see he as well as heavily wounded.

A flying demon circling hears this and screeches in rage flying fast towards the giant. The demon flies by breathing fire on the cloudgiant, his skin burbling and bubbling taking the full force of the heated breath. 

Tibaltuous moves towards the giant as Doc calls out, "Take out the demons first, then we can deal with the giant." The bard steps up and shouts, "Drop your sword, giant!" 

The giant loosens a strap and the massive sword CLUNKS into the blasted town street. Nodding with a
smile the bard starts to intone one of his signature spells - Hypnotic Pattern - as a mystical pattern of swirling lights engulfs one flying demon while the other flies off.

Hester heals Gothi with a ranged heal then launched a guiding bolt at the demon flying off - missing. Graxxuzazz standing in the pool of acidic

blood takes some damage, but fortunately reduced by the twilight sanctuary spell.

Graxxuzazz also launches a guiding bolt as well but hits, and at first it appears to not have a major effect. but then, the giant watching aloof as the titan finally succumbed to the attacks of the heroes and started to topple to the ground the demonic landscape of the town quaking and rumbling as the sixty foot tall creature crashed into a few former houses and lay still.. after the party shot and loosed more missiles into him [DM - having fought zombies before and not taking any chances] 

Graxxuzazz directs his final skeletons to hack and shoot at the titan to make sure it stays.. dead.

Doc's fires his pistol and the bullet hits the retreating demon right in the back of the neck and crashes to the ground, turning into a cloud of black smoke that slowly disperses. Gothi looses two arrows into the titan, his Hunter's Mark letting the ranger know it now is finally destroyed, both arrows into the eye slit of humanoid's helmet.

The Chief seemed to focus on Tibaltuous and Graxxuzazz. "Orcus - touched Souls." Looking back over his shoulder into the destroyed town he wiped a streak of blood off his face with one hand as he sees the fallen titan. 

The Cloudgiant and Tibaltuous reach an agreement of letting the giant leave and he will return - one time - to battle or fulfill a task. The two agree, Tibaltuous stating, "I agree."

The large giant holds out the purple and black swirling sphere. "touch the sphere to sign this.. contract." As the bard touches the sphere, the 1/2 elf feels areas in his mind opening up like doors to new vistas. His understanding of the teachings of Orcus expand. Then Tibaltuous AND Graxxuzazz realize they are in on this deal together. They both must agree and summon the giant. 

The giant picks up the sword. He states his name is Chief Tomaklagg. He bows his head slightly to the bard and looks over at the lizardfolk. "I will go now, parley is agreed to, correct?", reaching down to pickup the massive sheathed sword. Graxxuzazz and Tibaltuous both say "Yes." in unison.

The shadow dome continues to fade and the Fellowship see griffon riders.

The heavily wounded giant walks into the blood and seems to be stepping down a ramp or stairs even though there was none there. "Call upon Chief Tomaklagg, one time." And then the giant disappears with a swirl of blood and is gone.

Griffon riders land nearby, a Captain calling out to the heroes. It appears that other than some stragglers, giants and humanoids, all the demons are gone or destroyed.

The Siege of Axegard is over and a victory for the forces of Overlord Romack.

The Redwater Fellowship are escorted back to the camp of Lord Royce. The wagon, Lars, Morsel the bear, are all there as well as the golden cube. Gothi's scavenger lizard comes back with a leather bound tome. The book written in orcish, tells of Stories From the Orc Graggshar Holds, majority is a single saga as well as other poems and more. It appears to be a rare book, or some were destroyed by the elves oppressing  the orc tribes. Worth at least a few hundred gold to a collector. 

Lord Royce meets the party after they rest and recuperate, who is delighted upon their return, the
covert mission went better than expected the warrior/priest advised over goblets of fine wine and tankards of strong dwarven ale. The heroes are given a feast which they feel empowering them - Heroes' Feast spell. Lars did not join the feast, and Morsel tolerates the undead warlock - due to him feeding Morsel. The spider hatchlings are running all over the back of the wagon, Gothi lets them run free, as screams of fright in the camp being dismantled. 

The party have become renown and with a smile advises there are large bounties on some of the Fellowship's members.

Lady Cowl, enters and advises that they can assist with getting the party to their lost flying tower. The gate to transport them would not be large enough to allow the wagon - and cube - through.

Hester asks for information on his home town and if there are any survivors. Gothi requests a enhanced saddle to infuse with strength.

The party are also given magical ear rings from Lord Royce. As well as the masters of magic, artificer, alchemy and cleric which will assist with the possible changing of the power supply to something NOT demonic.

He smiles reminiscing, "these were very helpful to my group when we were adventurers and heroes!" he says with a wink and continues, "Now, I pass them on to you. May they help you as well as they did us." A felt-lined wooden case holds 6 silver earrings  (each having a small ruby inset) 

Magical. When within 120' of each other allow mental communication with the rest of the earrings in use. Twisting the ruby inset 180° can turn it off if desired by wearer. Turn again will re-activate. This takes a bonus action to activate. Wearers have to mentally initiate (no visible change) to use. Wearers cannot have 2 magical earrings in same ear. 

The party decide to let the wagon travel with the army of Lord Royce under the supervision of Lars as well as Lady Cowl.

That evening, the party are ready, for once walking. A glimmering gate stands outside the tent of Lord Royce. At 8 bells, the party is ready. [ DM - the Heroes feast spell with end in 23 hours]

"So.. you trust me now do you?" She says with a smile at Tibaltuous.

The bard remarks, "You have proven yourself." 

She smiles back, "Yes, yes.. so have you." The decision on where to meet and what energy to use - soul energy or other is all the minds of the Fellowship as they step through the gate.

The party appear in a heavily wooded hilly area, a path heads off in two directions, Gothi confirms West and East. Goth i motions forward along the dirt and gravel narrow road. The mountains stretching up. The air is getting cold in the twilight as the heroes move forward. A weathered statue is on a small cliff ahead visible through the trees. Tibaltuous uses his spyglass, it looks to be an armoured figure weathered by time and the elements. It looks quite old, around 30-40 feet tall. A knight holding a sword point first in the ground.

Probably a knight of the Duchy of Ulek, the bard decides.

Gothi looks about and using her excellent survival skills confirms the area, showing the others on the map where they were. Northeast of Tringlee in the high hills heading up into the Lortmill mountains.  

The sun probably will set around 9 bells, the warm air cooling quickly.

Gothi recalls there is a small hamlet and as they move up to the large statue they see some lights most likely from the small village.

 Lights twinkling from windows in some houses and buildings as well as 2 lanterns at a wooden gate (closed) in a 15' wall appears to enclose the hamlet. Gothi advises the name of the village is Hallowud.

The party head down from the statue and move towards the hamlet.

Audio Summary: 

[courtesy of https://notebooklm.google.com]

Demonic Battles in Axegard

 

17th of Reaping, High Summer

Location: Sewers under the river town of Axegard | Limbo | The Abyss

We rejoin the RedWater Fellowship still in mid battle with the demonic tentacles part of the gate to the Abyss.

Graxxuzazz and Hester are wrapped up by one massive tentacle, trying to crush them together. Gothi is hanging upside down from another, the long tentacle holding her by one leg upside down. Tibaltuous is

also grasped by one leg, but he determinedly holds on to an out-jutting brick in the ceiling. [his talkative sword levitating the bard], while Doc and Gizzard edge back preparing attacks for the tentacles waving around in the air nearby.

The right arch has three large cracks, from the explosive arrows of Gothi, a vial of acid from Gizzard a Destructive wave spell from Graxxuzazz [this hit both arches as well as all the tentacles] and the Moonbeam spell from Hester. The left arch also has a number of smaller cracks in it. All of the

heroes have the multitude of voices screaming the heroes' names inside their head still, this is impacting the teams ability to cast spells. Also being in what seems like a Limbo between the material plane and the Abyss makes it even harder for Hester and Graxxuzazz to connect with their divine powers.

Gothi tries to pull free of the tentacle but it is too well wrapped around her leg. She then shoves her trident into the tentacle cutting part of the slimy appendage. Gizzard looks up seeing the precarious position of the ranger and fires her crossbow and it pierces through. Gothi falls to the ground and then moves over nodding to the goblin/gnome with a grim smile.

Graxxuzazz is able to connect with his god, and casts Destructive Wave again. The force and divine damage destroying a number of the tentacles. Both bone arches crack even more under the energy. Using his sorcerous abilities he teleports out from the grasping tentacle and appears next to Gothi and Gizzard.

Doc is able to tap into his Paladin ability to sense if the tentacles are undead or not. The overpowering feedback shakes him, as blood oozes form his ears, eyes, and nose. These are indeed both undead and demonic. He yells that out to Tibaltuous.

Hester casts Word of Radiance on the tentacle and destroys the appendage, the cleric/druid falls to the
ground taking minor damage.. Hester presents his star map and enters a starry form. Allowing him to fought off the voices and all.

Tibaltuous attacks the tentacle cutting it with Sir Lawrence. The tentacle falls back into the sewage. The bard keeps moving up the passage. and drops to the ground looking forward then back. The passage goes on for about fifty feet from the light of Sir Lawrence, then into darkness.

Hester's MoonBeam spell takes out the final tentacle, cuts right through turning it to ashen dust. Also damaging the bone arch. The remaining tentacle swings out to hit Gothi, Graxxuzazz and Gizzard. The razor sharp suckers on the tentacle cut through all three. It does slicing damage to all three as Gizzard falls to the ground, coughing blood.

A massive hand appears at the edge of the gate. Much bigger than a giant's had, titan sized or larger. A blast of necrotic energy waves out crashing over all except Tibaltuous. All are blinded except Graxxuzazz. Gothi having glimpsed where the massive hand was, fired blindly both arrows striking true and piercing deep into the black skin only a finger's length apart.

Graxxuzazz summons his sorcerous powers to do another Destructive Wave. This one washed over this massive hand, it shudders, a voice booms up from below as it is stripped of flesh by the divine and thunder damage. The portly lizardfolk tries to cast a Guiding Bolt spell but he crescendo of noise and distraction hamper his aim and the bolt goes high over the bone arch.

Doc blindly moves forward across the sewer and is able to make it to Gizzard and lay on hands to heal the sewer worker. She coughs and sighs awake again.

Hester brings forth a globe of twilight which assists all in the area. 

Tibaltuous and Graxxuzazz and Hester call back and forth on the merits if a Banishment spell and how that may affect denizens. 

Tibaltuous slams both his giant empowered hands into the cracked bone arch. The bard sees a massive head down below looking up. Inspired he hits the perfect spot on the bone arch, a hairline crack splits and the gate starts to implode and fall down into the Abyss. The fingers thumb and all are lopped off as the gate slams shut. 

It is quiet now. the voices are all gone. The purple wall of power is gone. Only the lapping of the sewage water, the ragged breathing of the party make any sound. 

Gizzard does not appear to be breathing but she coughs up blood and is moving as Doc again used his healing ability. Three of the party members are still blind.

A short time later, the party are able to see once again. The party take a short rest, allowing their bodies to heal somewhat. Graxxuzazz takes part of the pinkie finger, with a black shiny fingernail. [very well-trimmed]

After some discussion they decide to move forward to the entrance under the Axegard keep. Moving ahead, Gothi and Gizzard take the lead being stealthy. The party moves forward, it seems the pressure and connection to the divine is weakening as the pressure increases, They surmise they are getting closer tot he Abyss again.

A red glow appears ahead. a rung ladder can be seen going up to a manhole cover with a locking mechanism. Gothi goes up and sees a vast and destroyed land. The ranger sees what looks like was once a town but areas are not jagged rocks, Every where a haze covers the ground. the lands are hot. A massive glowing blood red gate is in the distance as well as river of lava going up to it. A giant or titan possibly stands in front of the gate. The arch sprouts a dark red shadow straight up into the air, looking like it is creating or powering the shadow globe covering the town. The town looks like it is being turned into the Abyss. A massive titan, appearing to be the same one seen earlier.

Gothi comes back down and advises the party of what she saw. All look troubled at this. The party discuss tactics and strategy. A stealthy approach then attack looks to be the plan. The party advise Gizzard she does not have to accompany them. The sewer worker looks relieved. and grins. "Maybe
these will help.." She passes over three vials of acid. She nods and wishes the Fellowship good luck and fades from view into the sewer passage. The party climb up, then start across unfamiliar evil lands. As they move along they pass burnt and withered trees, faces in the tree trunks which look to be human bones and flash. 

The face contorts calling out piteously to the

party asking for help or death. Multiple flying demons can be seen circling the area, but they don't appear to see the party. Hester and Doc think about how to help them, as it appears there is at least fifteen faces in a tree or more. "Help me!" Kill me!" It appears souls or spirits have been imprisoned in the dead trees. Hester tries to comfort. But they don't seem to understand or acknowledge the two.

The party continue their stealthy advance.

Reaching a large cliff, they can see the massive titan slowing moving back and forth. As the party climb up stony hands come out of the wall to try and grasp them but take some necrotic damage. Finally able to pull free the party have a good view of the titan.

Doc and Hester note a strange cord like an umbilical cord going from the titan to the arch shooting the shadow dome into the sky. The focus is on that for their fist attacks.

All prepare. Then attack!

Arrows, musket balls, spells hit the umbilical cord and do extensive damage. The titan shudders as well as the dome above shudders and nearly disappears. The bone arches start to shake and blood gushes out. as the party realize the arch is made from flesh. Graxxuzazz summons a contingent of skeletons that appears and ready to attack!

After the surprise, the party attack again. The titan steps forward and attacks. knocking Tibaltuous back 30 feet.

The titan continues to pummel the party, stomping on skeletons but takes great amounts of damage from the party. Reaching into his gut the titan throws zombies out to crash to the ground. They don't seem to have any effect except perhaps take some of the massive damage being done to the giant.

The flying demons swoop in breathing fire on the party and skeletons.

Doc teleports up above the cord and timing it perfectly fired his blunderbuss perfectly right into the damaged cord. Shredding it. The arch starts to shudder and starts to crash down. Blood sprays

everywhere. There is a groaning shriek from the titan. The blood raining down is burning all in the area. The arches appear to be flesh without bone in them collapsing. The river of blood floods the area.

Sir Lawrence continues to make sarcastic remarks as the battle continues. The bard ignoring the blade, envelops the titan in Faerie Fire spell. Gothi's arrows continue to do massive damage to the giant.

The skeletons create a good diversion for the titan, many falling under the massive blows and stomping feet of the titan. Hester brings in his twilight sanctuary again which helps the Fellowship. Sir Lawrence engages one of the flying demons as it breathes fire on the skeletons and the party. Tibaltuous inspires the party using his mantle to allow the party extra moves.

Graxxuzazz, uses one of his signature spells casting Destructive Eave again. Two of the demons are destroyed, the waves hit the titan as well. 

Sunlight is streaking in as the party look up, the shadowy blood dome is starting to crack and dissipate. If the party can continue with this momentum, maybe.. just maybe they can be victorious. Circling griffon riders look to be coming near. Lord Royce's forces!

A giant form can be seen coming through the haze and smoke though from where the Axegard keep stands. A pale-skinned giant. Smaller than the titan but still formidable at over twenty feet tall. 

Until next time..

The Sewers under Axegard

 

17th of Reaping. High Summer

The Fellowship work their way up the sewer byways. Three on one side and three on the other. Gizzard has the lead, guiding the party forward. the stench is over-powering, even a cloth covered mouth and nose don't lessen the impact. Wafts of mist hang in the still air, the slow flow of the sewage flowing
along the narrow canal. AS they move along the sewage starts to lap up and on to the walkways used by heroes. Gizzard stops and looks over her shoulder at the adventurers.

"This isn't normal.." She looks down at the sewage then sticking her fingers into the grimey liquid puts it to her lips and licks it. Spitting she grimaces. The party has been in sewers but nothing like this, there is a pressure.

Gizzard holds up a jar of the lichen moss that glows and it shows the sewage slowly moving by.  Gothi holds up her vial which provides a little light as well. Hester recalls he can cast the light spell and calls upon his deity and the area is lit up. The party moves along, weapons at the ready.

Gizzard whispers back, "Douse that light!" 

Hester at first didn't catch the accent then understood and cancelled the light spell. In the middle of the sewage a partially submerged form was slowly floating towards them. Humanoid size. Then they see it appeared to be a body. Slowly turning over. Breathing slightly easier, Tibaltuous whispers to Graxxuzazz, "Mage hand?"

The portly lizardfolk nods already preparing to cast. The ghostly lizard claw appears nearby and floats towards the body. The claw taps on the skull, no effect seemingly, as it slowly floats nearer. Gizzard backs up against the wall of the sewer, crouching down. She holds a crossbow in her hands [normally a hand crossbow for a standard humanoid, but requiring two for her small form].

Appears to be a bloated humanoid body, something wrapped around the head, bandaging around the face, it is face up currently, the hands not visible. There are bindings around the legs. The party whisper back and forth to decide about stopping the body.

Tibaltuous jumps into the 3 feet deep sewage and pulls the body to the side and checks it over. Hester casts light spell again. The body looks to be a female orc, Her hands were bound behind her as well as legs bound with leather straps. Probably 2-3 days old. There are incisions one on each side of her neck. 

Doc looks over the body with a practiced eye. "There looks to be some organs removed from the neck." The gunslinger looks troubled, he normally would be able to recall what may have been removed, but perhaps the pressure, stench and more are affecting him. "A steady hand did this work."

Tibaltuous notes a dagger pommel sticking out of one boot. He notes an engraving on it. "The Black Source" he murmurs. "the clan formerly worked for the Black Runes but they decided to change.. employers.. to work for Iuz." An assassin's blade, jagged and sharp.

The body floats off into the darkness as Hester mumble a short prayer. The adventurers move forward. The sewage flow is now lapping around the ankles of the Fellowship. Gizzard looks very 

"Something's wrong. None of my friends are here.."  Gizzard motions ahead, "There are 2 chambers ahead, one to go to a lower level, but that is caved in, has not been used for years." She points to the left, "The other was filled with supplies and all for takin' care of the sewer maintenance. The party look into both chambers carefully, shining the light from Hester's spell and the glowing lichen in jars from Gizzard and Gothi.

The right chamber [top] has what appears to be a cracked mirror in a floor stand laying on the ground
with a fancy wooden carved chair grime and dirt covered facing it.

The left chamber is filled with cobwebs and what appears to be a humanoid skeleton in the middle of the open area. The walls glitter with gold flecks or something similar.

The party debate, and decide that there are traps, illusion and more down here so decide to not venture into either chamber. Heading onwards.

Gizzard advises the passage turns to the right. There is a chittering or slow scrabbling or scraping

echoing from ahead and behind. There is the same glittering goldish red along the walls ahead. Gizzard is starting to look very scared. "Never heard this before.. she whispers back tot he group. Tibaltuous tries to steady her resolve with some supportive words. The goblin/gnome nods and steps into the corner chamber. As she does, the light shines into the room. the whole room, walls and ceiling are covered in these glittering goldish bumps.. and they are moving. 

At first thought to be eggs.. then realization comes to the group beetles. Gizzard cries out as a large number of these gold red beetles fall onto her. The large mandibles of the 6" beetles tearing into her. The party move in to assist their guide. The beetles don't discriminate attacking all. Doc lights up his sword the flames don't seem to have any affect on the beetles. He then chops through a number deciding fire does not have any effect. The beetles that are chopped have a black - purplish blood that smokes in their area.

Tibaltuous snatches up a beetle and scans it examines it. It is trying to snap its mandibles on the bard's metal gauntlets to no effect. He determines they are not water-based beetles, surprisingly thinking back to a boring lecture in his university days on beetles and insects. With his water breathing potion still in effect, is able to move deftly through the water, his Ring of Free action a marvel. Seeing this good

tactic, the rest of the party follow suit and also dive into the sewage as well. As Gothi swims by, she pulls Gizzard into the flow and the non-swimming beetles float off, leaving quite a few wounds. Gothi is able to cast a Cure Light wounds spell and that keeps the guide alive as the gnome rips off the final burrowing beetles. Graxxuzazz runs up and expertly tackles Doc - with no resistance from Doc - into the sewage. All the beetles float away. The party swim under the fetid and rancid water looking up at the beetle infested room until they pass on into the tunnel again. Interestingly the beetles never leave the room. Perhaps something gathers them there.. the party decide to check this out possibly upon their return.

Moving onwards, the party climb out once again fully covered in sewage. the party hears whispering.. all around them. Cannot confirm it is words or a language.. it echoes down the tunnel. Hester stops to listen closely, as the party moves on, and he hears the whispers.. they are calling out his name. Full name. Each party member focuses and they can hear the whispers.. each saying the name of the listener.  The party members trade a look and grimly move onwards. Their guide advises ahead is a ladder up to the town, a glimmering light ahead. 

St. Cuthbert provided these eternal flames that don't burn but shine light. There is one at each stairwell up tot he roads in the town. The whispering continues getting louder. Every once in a while Gizzard shakes her head, assuming the constant name calling is getting on her nerves. The voices are different, a child, deep man's a woman, never the same.

Tibaltuous crouches down by Gizzard and points to a map of the town. How do we get to here. his gauntleted finger pointing to a sewer entrance near the keep of Axegard.

She sucks on her one long tooth, looks up at the bard and nods. "Yes we can get there, we are here, getting close to the centre plaza. We have to travel along a few more tunnels but should be able to get there!" She nods confidently, once again feeling brave. Tibaltuous looks to the group. "I think we need to get to the keep of Axegard. That is where this dome of darkness may emanate from." 

The party in agreement, motion Gizzard to guide them forwards. The flow at their calves and nearly at their knees. The voices start to sound more often, and often now more than one at a time. The sounds start to merge and are discordant, causing the group to wince in pain at the harshness of the voices.

Gothi last leaving the ladder room hears turns back as she hears a sound from the tunnel heading up for the ladder. The ladder goes up about 15' and then a manhole cover. Locked from the outside but openable from the inside. The ranger hears some shuffling. Whispering to the party she advises them, the decision is made to ignore and forge ahead.

The party moves ahead, the flow nearly passed their knees now, the walkway can no longer be seen. Gizzard takes out a ring and puts this on. As the party look on, she steps up ONTO the sewage. Gothi

smiles, and starts to walk along the walls. Her Boots of SpiderClimbing very helpful. The party wades forward, all hindered except Tibaltuous, Gothi and Gizzard, Graxxzazz starts to swim using his tail so is able to move fairly well.

The cacophony of sound each party member hears gets so loud that at times they cannot hear each other speaking. Different voices saying their name. It is if at times it is near them the voices, but no one is there. The purple haze gets brighter as the names screech in their heads. 

The party try to stealth forward and look around a corner. Ahead the purple glow cross the sewer filling the area. A gate, portal or wall? It pulsed once every few moments. Filling the whole sewer passage from flow to

ceiling. Gizzard was muttering to herself now. Between furtive looks at the purple haze to looks at the party to cringing back, she looked close to bolting now. The steady word of Tibaltuous as well as Doc and Gothi steadied her nerves slightly and she crouched on the water waiting on the plans for the Fellowship.

Gizzard advises there is a central hub - basically near the keep. She says that there is a passage to the far right that leads to the keep. A number of sewers merge to feed the main ones to exit into the river.

Much discussion back and forth on if this was a gate, a wall of force or something even more sinister. Graxxuzazz thinks it is a shield or wall of force from his experience. Graxxuzazz is tied with a rope and moves forward to examine more closely. Hester casts a light spell for the sorcerer to assist with the examination.

Doc looks back at Hester and Tibaltuous, and the light flashes back as Graxxuzazz moves and he glimpses a bright red glistening attached to the neck of Tibaltuous and the back of Hester's leg. Pulsing red over 8" long. All have a number attached are feel now blood is being drained. They have a numbing effect as they drain the blood.

Hester casts a sleep spell and this affects most of the leeches, this is able to

affect most of the leeches. All take a little damage to remove the slumbering creatures that are then disposed of by blade or other means. Then Hester also casts Word of Radiance affecting all the creatures around him and killing them.

The parry again turn their focus on the portal or wall of purple energy. The sorcerer casts a firebolt and it goes right through. A rock is thrown and it passes through as well. Graxxuzazz calls upon the power of Orcus and calls forth a ghast and then Tibaltuous is yelling the

same words. A ghoulish figure surfaces from the sewage and stands before the two. They name it "Sir Ghastly". "Maaaaastersss..." It looks longingly at Doc, Hester Gothi and Gizzard, licking its lips. The rope is tied about the ghast.

Graxxuzazz sends Sir Ghastly forward to investigate the portal and comeback. It steps through the gate. It wades forth and steps through the purple. The rope feels a pull and then as Tibaltuous, Graxxuzazz

and Hester struggle with the rope then pull. Sir Ghastly, is unfortunately missing his head, and one arm. The rope is wrapped about his waist. Tibaltuous standing up closer, the ghast looks to be ravage by multiple scrapings and and cuts. Shredded it appears. The remains of Sir Ghastly start to float down the sewer. Doc takes a closer look with Tibaltuous aiding, and the former doctor note nearly circular razor cuts - multiple. The arm looks like it was pulled from the socket by brute force.

Gizzard doesn't want to go in there.

The bard puts forth his sword, through the purple wall for six seconds. and then back - without ill effect on either. The blade advises the party of what he saw in his accent [English]. 

"There is a glowing yellow gate a bonelike arch above it, there are all these god-awful writhing tentacles all around. One coming for me as I was pulled back!" 

Appears to be a Demonic divine portal. Sir Lawrence advises that Tibaltuous is not to worry as he is not good! Tibaltuous after some interesting discussion and sarcastic remarks with his sentient blade "Sir Lawrence" - and then the sword being shoved under the sewage water. "That is outrageous Sir!" 

The party prepares and goes on full attack. Leaping through the purple wall. Gizzard makes a surprising morale check and steps forward and throws a acid vial at one of the bone arches over the gate.

Tibaltuous floats up - levitating with the power of Sir Lawrence, floating over and towards the upper left passage, the one Gizzard had advises went to the keep. The tentacles don't appear to reach up to the floating bard.

The party then realize [after NAT 20s by Graxxuzazz] that the bone arches are the key to what Graxxuzazz is perfectly sure is a gate to the ABYSS. As he has been there before. [DM: blogpost ] Some focused there attacks on the massive tentacles with razor sharp suction cups down there length -

the end of Sir Ghastly no doubt - while others attacked the bone arches. Gothi had some explosive arrows made for just this need and the arrows pulsed as they hit the massive bone arch, putting cracks in the structure. The Abyssal energies make casting spells difficult and the sorcerer fails to cast his spell. Tapping into the power of his toilet bowl god, he casts one of his signature spells: Destructive Wave.

The eave crashes over the arches as well as the tentacles. Blasting some out of existence. The radiant

damage of the spell appears to have greater effect than normal. The tentacles were barley moving around except the ones attacking, all of the remaining ones shudder and attack. Doc slices into the tentacles with his sword Lucky Seven. The black and brown 3' think tentacle body spurts black and purple blood. He is able to lop off the one tentacle. Hester for a moment is unable to contact his god's power but is able to push through and casts a Moonbeam which has massive effect, the radiant damage causing three massive cracks to appear in the top bone arch. Each time the attack or damage hits the bone arches, the tentacles writhe as if in pain.

Tibaltuous continues to float and pull himself across the ceiling. As he does he dons his Mantle of Inspiration and his melodious words inspire all.

Some of the Fellowship take advantage of the movement, while others hold their ground.

A massive tentacles whips out to grasp and rend at the bard, It tries to pull him up into the air but he is able to withstand it. He now hangs upside down. A tentacle slaps in to Doc, but is unable to wrap around the gunslinger.

A tentacle whips out to attack Gothi as she stands on the ceiling, pulling her off the wall, wrapped around her waits and starts to crush her. A final tentacle wrap around both Hester and Graxxuzazz crushing them together, pulled up into the air. Both restrained taking necrotic crushing damage.

Tibaltuous calls out to Doc, "Are these tentacles undead!?" 

With that, we will join the Fellowship mid-battle next time!