• Alexios
• Morganna
• Hendricks
• Galador
• Oswald
• Sapphira
• Llamryl Chaent - Is on bedrest until the 4th.

The party is returning to the Dungeons beneath Mombafra, specifically the Mon-Karag Bastion.

We have hired 2 Porters.

On our way to the well, we encounter a contingent of Clerics of Rook. One of them is a high ranking Cleric from the Temple. They solicit us for donations for the temple, to which some of us are obliged to support. We ask them if they are they from Mombafra. Yes, these Clerics are all from Mombafra.

They tell us that it is through the power of Rook that Mombafra still stands. A city that has seen many attacks throughout the years.

The party continues on our way.

Once we reach the well, we begin to climb down and we use Continual Light coins to light the way instead of lanterns and torches.

We head through the dungeon and continue southwest of Mon-Karag Bastion, the level that was once a fortress of the Dwarves in ages past.

Llamryl has her bow nocked and ready. As we enter through the next door…

We see at the back of the chamber that something is moving around slowly. It is a corpse of one of the Scorpion things that we slew before and the corpse appears to be suspended in mid air.

Llamryl fires at the Scorpion thing and hits twice for 4 and 2 damage! We destroy it instantly!

Suddenly, the air shivers and quakes and feels as though it collapses in on itself. The decaying body falls into a sticky looking clear liquid from where the corpse was being suspended.

Llamryl collects an amount of the clear liquid from the decayed Scorpion in a vial to study later perhaps. We also search the area and find some loose coins:

• 6 gp
• 12 sp

Llamryl and Hendricks examine the door for traps but they both find no traps. We decide to open the south door.

As it opens, cold air comes rushing through from a cooler cavern beyond. The cavern opens up to a wide area that is going toward the south. We enter through the first natural opening and find ourselves treading upon illuminated steps. The illumination appears natural.

We eventually discover two golden brass colored spheres in a chamber that is about 20' in diameter. There are two spheres in the center and they are about 3' diameter. Their construction is a mix of gold and brass. The tops of them open and out comes a mechanical, robotic-looking torso and bladed arms. It looks like a half-robot, half-sphere centaur. This area is an empty cave otherwise.

We continue on and ignore the automatons. There are some long decayed traps and steps that are going up. The two spheres suddenly move toward us. However, they do not move when we come back down the stairs.

This chamber opens up into a wider area, another big empty chamber with some trash. Three of the golden spheres have un-deployed at the top of the stairs. We check to see if this is old rubbish or more recent but it appears that it is not that old. There are loose pieces of cloth, food stuff and some small animal bones.

Another room was mined out heavily long ago and there are two spheres in here. They are all made of the same material as the Dwarven tubes we have been finding.

We go to check the door in the central area where the observatory is and there are no traps found by Llamryl. It appears to be a humble servants quarters decorated in the same pattern as the other chambers we saw. There are several cheap bed frames in here but we give it a thorough search.

Beneath a loose stone, Sapphira finds a small rod, about 4.5 inches in length each and they are an interesting white color.

• White rod, looks like it fits the door to the Observatory, Key ID 3.

We continue to the back cave area.

One of the automotons rolls off into a side passage while the other one blocks Alexios from moving forward.

Emerging out of the cavern beyond…is a Bronze Dragon!

Hendricks holds the door while Alexios introduces himself to the Bronze Dragon and tells it we are seeking an altar of Sleal.

The Dragon speaks and introduces itself as RAS'SAKEEL. He says, “Someone tried to pass this way before. What is your purpose in seeking these dark altars?”

Alexios informs him that we seek to eradicate it. Ras'sakeel is inclined to assist us and he mentions that his sentinels have been disturbed several times in the last months. He knows about the Bastion beyond and says, “In years past, I would send my sentinels in to collect information. There may be several points of concentrated evil in the bastion.” He continues to tell us that he has only found an altar to Nefer, but it is constructed without evil intention.

In recent months his sentinels have captured some Men and Goblins and he has interrogated them. Ras'sakeel has heard that the Bastion has been breached from a new entrance. All of these groups are seeking an item of evil power.

We explain that it is the Icon of Sleal, an item of evil, and we explain how it is being sought after by multiple groups from Mombafra. If we come across it, we intend to secure it to ensure that it is not used for evil.

There are two places of interest to Ras'sakeel. To the north east of the Mon-Karag Bastion was once the quarters of a clergy that became corrupted due to constructions of evil and that area now has a strange, dark air. The is also an illusion on a wall found in the north west of the dungeon and he has only found odd stairs with no other purpose.

We present the Bronze Dragon with our map and he lowers his head down and squints at it. He then raises a great claw and points at a spot. The Dragon tells us that his Centurions were not able to find the entrance to the Priests' Quarters, but he knows they have been there since ancient times.

“Have you seen anything that looks like the hidden altar we seek?” Ras'sakeel verifies that he hast not. We then ask about the scorched, blackened passage found in the north east.

“The scorched chamber is a trap built by the Dwarves. It can be disabled by levers.”

We ask him, “When did you enter this place?” He responds that it must be some decades ago now. “I came with one other.”

He tells us that the Sentinels were not able to bypass the doors to the Observatory. “If we happen to lay waste to the Goblins, it would serve me well if we do not completely eradicate them from the dungeon halls as I need them as a source of food.”

The Altars of Sleal are likely hidden behind secret doors. They protect them with wards that will only answer to other Clerics of Sleal. There is a hidden pass that only opens with a holy symbol of Sleal. However, he has no interest in exploring these dungeons.

He confirms to us that the cave system is under the control of Ras'sakeel and he forbids us entrance to those caves. If in our travels we come across Dwarven Tools or objects of craftsmanship, he would like to purchase them from us, including ancient machines. He says that he will trade for them as well.

There is one more thing, he has been in these caves for decades now but they are limited in scope. For some years, he has gained a desire to live by a lake. If we can find a way to transport him to another location, he will REWARD US WITH MAGIC!

As for his magical treasures, he has a fear of them being stolen or attacked. They will need to be transported in such a way that he does not need to leave his posessions unguarded. Ras'sakeel has several lakes in mind but he wants the new location to be isolated from the lands of men. He says it should be a couple weeks travel at minimum.

The party agrees to aid the Bronze Dragon if we can.

We leave to go find a Talisman or Holy Symbol of Sleal. As we go back down the hallway, toward the opening…

As the party heads down the passage, we come across a giant “beholder” ball floating midair. It is squished against the wall and on the wall is a small figure draped in a cloak. It is no more than 4' tall.

• Llamryl tries to move silently to go after the figure.
• Oswald pursues it.
• Galador pursues the draped figure with Alexios.

We run down the hallway in a single file line to avoid the “beholder ball”, which is actually a Gas Spore. Quickly, we come face to face with a cloaked figure which appears to be a shriveled Halfling. He looks at us with fear and hatred as it stands there, shocked, with a dagger out. The Halfling figure looks surprised!

• Llamryl casts Light in its eyes.
• Oswald casts Hold Person on it.
• Galador tackles it.

The figure must Save versus the Light spell but it FAILS! It is blinded and it is also Held now after failing that save. The Halfling has its dagger up and we can see that its warty face is exposed. Rays of light also shoot out of its eyes. It surrenders to us.

We check the cloaked figure's possessions.

• 40 pp coins in a pouch.
• Dagger.

The short creature has no symbol of Sleal. The figure is actually just the size of a Halfling but not one. It kinda looks like the Goblins from “Jim Henson's Labyrinth”. It is also wearing small leather boots.

We drag the creature to the room with the doors and it begins thrashing within its cloaks.

“What are you?”

It responds but does not speak in a language we understand.

We take it to Ras'sakeel.

There are two Centurions (bronze ball automotons) waiting in the same area as before. We approach it and ask to speak with the Dragon.

At this moment, a Man comes around the corner with black hair and bronze features and he is wearing a light black robe. The Man bares his naked chest, which looks like a chiseled statue. He carries a scabbarded longsword and holds some type of a tool with gems.

We present the creature to Ras'sakeel, in his form of a Man, and he speaks.

“This is a creature of the underworld. It has successfully stole parts from my Centurions.”

The creature cannot speak to Ras'sakeel but he says he will take it off our hands. The creature is only a tiny marble of weight to the Centurions. Ras'sakeel says that we can take anything we find in the dungeon as he has already found what he needs.

Back in Mombafra, we buy a holy symbol of Sleal. Alexios buys a Silver one and Galador buys another wooden one.

Detect Magic is cast by Oswald but it reveals no magic on the dagger once held by the underworld creature.

After this, we immediately head back to the dungeon. We pass a Tax Collector who has a guard with him. He appears to be hobbling back to the city.

We make it back down the well and back to Mon-Karag Bastion.

The Paladins are standing together in the great central chamber. Llamryl hangs back and watches the Paladin hold aloft the symbol. Suddenly, a magic sigil appears on the southern stair and lines begin to glow on the vertical part of the stairs. The holy symbol caused the magic sigil to manifest. The sigil stays visible as long as Alexios holds it up.

Llamryl is unfamiliar with this type of sigil but Oswald finds that it is a sigil from the lower planes and it may have Alteration properties.

Oswald casts Find Traps but does not see anything. Alexios runs his fingers along the stairs and it is as though they are not actually there. The great staircase is leading down into the dark but Alexios' Continual Light coin illuminates the way.

GALERION will be reincarnated as a Druid again.

We move into our 5' marching order and head down the stairs. The stairs run the entire length and go down, down, down. We can see 60' to the end to where it opens up. There is a sweltering heat in the hallway that is marked with signs of melting as if by pockmarks. There is also a mound of slag.

We have found it…the Icon was itself, a golden object.

We can see the floor beyond that the stairs are partially melted and the wall is scorched, completely black. Oswald does not detect any traps.

We have a 9“ movement and it has been 1.5 turns since the Find Traps spell was cast.

The room is brightly illuminated by flames that come off from two creatures. They both have Demonic visages and they are entirely wreathed in flames, We can also see six more creatures not wreathed in flame.

• Saphhira attacks the flaming creature.
• Llamryl attacks the flaming creature.
• Galador charges.
• Alexios charges.
• Morganna throws darts.

The creatures have an AC 7 and they are considered small creatures. Oswald strikes but does not destroy the creature and then they unleash a torrent of flame into the chargers. They all take 6 damage!

The two Paladins slay the flaming creature which then “poofs” into a gas and then floats away. Alexios is attacked by two of the creatures and he has an AC -4. They both missed.

The other 4 attack Galador and 1 hits with a claw that does 2 damage. Llamryl attempts to hide in the shadows in the stairwell.

Galador takes 2 damage from flaming creature. Alexios has a -5 AC now without charging. Sapphira is hit by a bite for 3 damage.

Sapphira retaliates and hits for 3 damage which kills the other flaming creature! It also turns to gas. There are 6 of them left.

Llamryl stays hidden as Alexios takes a swing and misses. There is one hit on Alexios for 2 damage. There are now 4 on Sapphira, and she manages to fight them all off! Sapphira is then healed for 3 damage by Oswald. Galador also kills one!

Alexios lays hands to heal himself as Oswald cures Sapphira again. Meanwhile there is one attack on Alexios that hits for 2 damage. Sapphira is also attacked and takes 1 damage from a claw. The one on Oswald MISSED!

• Galador is Missed.
• Sapphira is healed for 3 damage.
• Galador hits for 10 damage.
• Sapphira misses.
• Alexios hits for 9 damage, which kills another one!
• There are 3 attacks on Alexios, all misses!

They all disappear to gas when killed. Sapphira kills one and now there is only one left!

Alexios must hit AC 7 but misses. Sapphira does 4 damage as Galador does 5. Finally, it is destroyed!

Oswald sees no traps on either door. We come to an even hotter room, empty stone room, bright crimson granite. Demonic face of an aspect of Sleal. It is not Evil as per the Paladins.

Find Traps is cast once again. No Traps.

We open the door, its even hotter. Its a hallway. Entire floor has been slagged, difficult to get footing. We can fall if we charge.

No traps on the hallway. No dwarven decorations in here.

We failed to open the door at the end of the hall quickly.

—

The heat in this room is incredible…lava flows up, altar to Sleal. 20' tall statue of a Marilith. 11 rubies spread on the altar. Melted into the altar is a golden flaired cross with a central ruby. Each of the creatures bearing a flaming.

Llamryl casts Light on the Flaming creature on the south group.

Llamryl casts light on the south group, it saves…CRAP!

Oswald did 4 damage at the south group. Galador and Alexios charge north group.

They both shoot torrents of flame, all charging characters take 3 damage.

Burning hands would cause item saving throws.

Sapphira destroys the south flaming one Galador and Alexios slay the north flaming one.

3 attacking Alexios. Missed Galador is struck for 1 damage.

Sapphira is hit for 2 damage.

Pulsing gold cross, trembling and pulls itself out, and moves like bendy legs. Off the altar, Begins to expand. 1' across normally. Creature bigger than a dog, about the size of a bear. Ruby pointed toward the stone ceiling, it dives into the lava and disappaears.

It leaps out of the lava. Scuttles into the group at the door.

It attacks Oswald. It makes 2 attacks with its legs. Will hit on a 10. He is struck by the arm, takes 5 damage from an arm, and other arm for a total of 14 damage. Lava blobs flies into the air.

Llamryl is incinerated to a blob of nothing.

LLAMRYL IS DEAD!

Icon is attacking 2 targets, it goes after Oswald. he dodges them

Morganna disengages into the hallway. Sapphira misses, Galador hits for 7 damage. Attacks Oswald. He loses his spell, and takes 8 damage.

Alexios destroys one!

Oswald tries to hit it with Holy Water.

Alexios hits for 5 damage, cuts down the final one up north! Sapphira misses again, Galador hits for 4 damage, Oswald misses.

Bite deals 2 damage to Sapphira. Galador's sword feels super hot. Icon attacks Galador. 1 hits, he takes 9 damage, shoots out the lava ball.

OSWALD MUST SAVE! it misses…….he takes 7 damage.

Icon attempts to Gate!

It summons forth 3 more little flaming creatures, only 1 is flaming.

Heat is so intense that the characters have a -1 to hit and save.

Sapphira kills another one. Galador hits the Icon for 7 damage, not dead yet His sword must save versus magic fire.

Oswald is at -1, dropped!

Icon tries to strike Galador.

Sapphira hits for 9 damage destroys it.

Alexios does 4 damage, Galador does 6 damage.

Final blow cracks the central ruby on the icon. Arms slam into the metal stone. returns to original shape.

Sapphira takes 2 damage.

Both miss Alexios.

Sapphira and Galador missed.

Sapphira did 9 damage. Galador did 7 damage, BOTH ARE SLAIN!!!

Alexios approaches the altar and the stone slab made them conflicted.

Altar is dropped into the lava with a THUNK!

Treasure is split evenly, and they have the ICON. Sapphira destroyed the altar, entire next level is paid for her!

They give the Icon to the paladin order.

Scroll of protection from demons can be sold for 12,500 gp!

Galador accepts a second paladin henchman. Sapphira can get one.

Alexios can gain a henchman at a later time.

11 rubies 40 pp

200 gp ruby 100 gp ruby 100 gp ruby 15 gp ruby 500 gp ruby 50 gp ruby 50 gp ruby 10 gp ruby 1000 gp ruby 500 gp ruby 100 gp ruby

6 pp 2550 gp value for xp

Hendricks Morgana 2621 everone else 2822

0 for Sapphira because she is XP capped.

Alexios will be level 4

Sapphira needs to start training at 8-10-496, back on the 17th. 28 hp!

Alexios is level 4, 31 hp.

Dalakai Deathbane was the other paladin with a Special Mount.

— STAFF VALUE FOR NEXT SESSION —

30800 GP

45325 gp between 8 players and 3 henchmen

4770 gp for players 2385 gp for henchman

Josalyn gets Splint Mail

NEW CHARACTER:

/r {3d6, 3d6, 3d6, 3d6, 3d6, 3d6}

13 17 13 15 +1 16 13 -1 12 14

ELF

Fothas knows where the Traveling Spell Books of Adaeril are located and was able to retrieve those before thieves were able to procure them.

Located in some recent notes was an unfinished letter written on some parchment to another relative of Adaeril's, a cousin named Tahr'cil Chaent.

It mentions how the only thing she was able to find of Adaeril's was his spellbooks thanks to the help of a local dwarf called Fothas, whom she is indebted to. She also mentions some lost relic called the “Rod of Alertness” of which Adaeril had written extensively about in one of his journals. In the final sentence she discusses the possibility of sharing spells with a fellow arcanist known only as Morganna.

180

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