Will This Day Never End?
We begin again on Day 529 mid-battle with magical beasts of fire and Qhortho’s flesh still alight. Looking across the room, it is still alarmingly full of creatures.
Rolan backs up about 10 feet.
ROLAN: Fall back guys! Let’s constrict the space they have to attack us!
He attacks the last remaining Hell Hound, bringing him within an inch of death with a couple of arrows. The Hound charges Aran as his closest target. As it gets within Aran’s range, he quickly strikes it, taking it down mid-stride. It slides along the ground to his feet as Aran readies his stance for the next threat. The beast’s blood oozes out of its neck, the surface catching fire as it touches the air.
The Fire Snakes all attack Qhortho, which he avoids, but he neglects the closest Guard Drake, which bites him hard. The Dragonshields all chuck spears at Aran, but he evades them all. They chirp at each other and jump around in response.
Another Guard Drake appears from around a corner, still quite a ways off, so not as imminent a threat as everything else right in front of them.
Aran attacks one of the Fire Snakes and, though he manages to remove some of the burning volume, the flames lick his skin causing minor burns. Aran backs up several paces.
ARAN: Yeah, let’s bring them to us!
Qarzdaq shoots off a Fire Bolt at the Guard Drake that attacked Qhortho.
As they all fall back, all of the creatures follow. It’s both according to plan and fucking terrifying. The Fire Elemental manages to get closest, blocking off all other creatures from melee range. The Fire Elemental attacks the 2 Hasted party members, missing with each swipe.
Aran strikes the fire elemental a few times then raises the butt of his weapon for a final strike. He misjudges the distance in the frenzy and accidentally grazes Qhortho’s face with the blade-side.
QHOR: You tell me to move back then slice my face??
ARAN: Oops.
Qarzdaq creates an illusion directly in front of his front line consisting of a flowing sheet of water. Qhortho breaches the water and, with 2 slashes, the Fire Elemental dissipates into the air with a snap, crackle, and pop.
Rolan can now see one of the Mephits and destroys it with a single arrow. His second arrow strikes the closing Guard Drake, causing its gait to falter slightly. The arrow sticking out of its scaly hide breaks off with its next step. It slows down to a stop before the sheet of water and growls with frustration.
The closest Fire Snake rushes forward, sensing the wall of water is just an illusion. He breaks through and lashes out at Qhortho. Before it strikes, Aran slashes its head clean off.
The illusion now exposed for what it is, all of the enemies close in. The Guard Drake closes on Aran, but he strikes it twice, ending its life. His Haste makes him itch for another attack. He grabs a hand axe from his belt and throws it at the last remaining Fire Elemental. It appears to do minimal damage as it sails through its conflagrated form.
They continue to battle it out, trading damage, but leaving the final ledger just barely positive on their side.
With speediness in their veins, Qhortho and Aran rejoice.
QHOR: That’s how that’s done motherfuckers!
ARAN: Fuck yeah!
Their Haste wanes and their speech returns to normal speed. The comedown is light, but the feeling… that feeling… will be missed.
QARZ: Shit yeah guys. We got through it… Looks like the best way down is that ramp there in the back, but I think we need to find a way to rest.
They discuss various ways they might portal back to Fire Lake for a short or long rest. Some ideas deal with staggering portals; some with going back up to the beds and sleeping there. They decide that a long rest in the beds is the best way to proceed. They stick to the walls to avoid falling through, but Aran has the idea to look down into one. He had a glimpse of what awaits them, but he hadn’t had the chance to look closely.
ARAN: Holy shit guys… take a look down here.
Their stomachs sink as they look across the wide array of fire creatures.
QARZ: That obelisk looks interesting… I wonder if that’s the source of their power.
QHOR: Maybe they’ll all drop dead if we destroy it.
QARZ: Maybe they’ll all just attack us.
ROLAN: We definitely need to get a long rest… Let’s head on back to the beds.
They retrace their steps through the wide tunnel that gets very narrow. Soon, they re-enter the throne room, leaving behind the low, permeating roar of the large cavern. But now, it’s quiet.
ROLAN: Too quiet.
QARZ: Huh?
ROLAN: Oh sorry, I didn’t mean to say that out loud.
ARAN: It is fucking quiet though… These little bastards have to be around here somewhere.
QHOR: We have to go this way.
Qhortho points to the right.
ROLAN: Ahh…. Well… No. It’s to the left.
QHOR: Are you sure?
Rolan looks at him blankly. A few seconds go by. Then a few more. Qhortho is clearly waiting for an answer.
ROLAN: Yeah. I’m sure. I’ve been tracking for like, forever.
QHOR: I’m not so sure.
ROLAN: Ok, well I’m going this way, whoever wants to follow me, can get out of here. Anyone who wants to go another way, I wish you the best of luck.
Aran and Qarzdaq look to Qhortho.
QHOR: FINE…
Rolan leads the way to the left into the next tunnel. They re-enter the room with the clay pots.
ROLAN: See?
QHOR: You don’t have to be a dick about it.
They continue into the large room where they ran into an ambush. They pause a moment, but seeing as there are no signs of kobolds, they continue forward.
Suddenly, several arrows strike them from the pitch black darkness. Looking for the source, their eyes adjust a bit to see dozens of kobolds emerging from rocky alcoves and from a few tunnels.
QARZ: Ah, fuck.
They are pummeled with arrows and stones.
ROLAN: Fuck this.
Rolan immediately begins concentrating on where he can open a portal.
They are attacked repeatedly at range, but Qhortho and Aran want the fight to come to them. They take a defensive stance, making themselves harder to hit while Rolan and Qarzdaq take out a couple of kobolds.
A few kobolds venture forward to swarm them, but they are beaten back. The next 30 seconds are reminiscent of their battle near the shore when time stood still. Eventually, Rolan’s portal opens with them within an inch of their lives.
ROLAN: Quick!
Rolan jumps through after firing 2 more arrows at a few encroaching kobolds. As he does a few rocks and arrows follow him through, striking the rocky walls in the cavern under Fire Lake.
Qhortho grabs Qarzdaq, throws him over his shoulder, pushes Aran through the portal, jumps through with Qarzdaq.
QHOR: Close that thing!
Rolan closes the portal.
ROLAN: Man, fuck those things.
QHOR: Seeing as how many there are still, and what we saw by the lava, can we even do this ourselves?
They ponder the idea, but in the end decide they just need to rest and to stock up on potions. But first, they rest.
How to Stop a Dragon
The next morning, finally Day 530, they awake feeling refreshed. They begin their trek back to Strongsong after finishing morning rituals. Along the way, they discuss why and how such a large red dragon could end up inside a mountain.
QARZ: The why is fairly obvious. The kraken was out at the shore, summoned or attracted by the water magic; the red dragon has been summoned by the fire magic. As to how it physically got down there, your guess is as good as mine.
The next course is how they might defeat it.
QARZ: After our experience with Da Nong on Dragonmont, I’d like to try talking to him.
QHOR: Talk to an ancient red dragon?? Are you mad??
QARZ: It only sounds mad to someone that can’t talk to dragons. What if it were a giant horse?
QHOR: Well that would be completely different! A horse wouldn’t be unreasonable, I’d just talk to it and… oh, I see…
Before they rest for the night, Qarzdaq refills Rolan’s Ioun Stone with a level 4 Fireball.
The next morning, after all the normal rituals, they pass the time talking about how they are going to stop this force. The Water force was somewhat straightforward: place some pendants in a symbol and the entire force collapsed. This one most likely has to do with that glowing stone in the obelisk. They ponder whether it is another Ioun Stone.
ARAN: I can use some Evasive Footwork to rush in there and snag the stone. But what if it doesn’t come out so easily? Maybe there’s something we have to do to get the stone to release?
QARZ: Yeah, probably. I think we should try to be stealthy whatever we do. We might learn something from watching them or watching it.
The Great Re-up
After a grueling 7 days since leaving Fire Lake, they finally arrive in Strongsong. Their first stop is the potion dealer where they find bright red potions.
DEALER: That will be 2500 gold for the 17 bright red potions. That’s a with a discount of 475 gold for purchasing the lot of them.
QHOR: Friend, we are currently involved in fighting this demonic force. There’s a whole mountain full of them just over to the northwest. If we don’t do this, they could overrun this whole town, burn this very shop to the ground. You wouldn’t want that, would you? We are fighting for you, my friend. Surely you can do a better deal than that.
DEALER: Well… uh… I would, but you must know I don’t make these potions myself. And you must understand that I must cover my costs and make some profit or I don’t have a business.
QHOR: How about 200 platinum?
DEALER: I’m sorry, but that is not possible. But I understand the predicament and that there is no way you would need this many potions if your story were not at least partially true. I can go as low as 2500 gold, 250 platinum.
ARAN: And what about you throw in an identification of a potion we found on our travels?
DEALER: I will throw in the identification of 1 potion. It is normally 50 gold.
ARAN: 3 identifications.
DEALER: Ugh, you’re killing me here.
Qhortho’s eyebrow raises at the thought of taking that sort of action. Not that he would. That would be crazy.
ARAN: Come on, this is the deal of the century here.
DEALER: I’m losing so much of the profit as it is. This is how I support my family…
QHOR: These people we’re up against want to burn down the entire village, including your shop and your family.
The potion dealer slumps a bit, then changes his focus as if he’d just woken up.
DEALER: You say that, but I’ve not seen evidence or heard of such a threat. Look fellas, this is a great deal because I could use the coin. If it weren’t for that, I would not be taking the price as low as I have.
ARAN: I understand your perspective. Let’s see if we can sweeten this further. Do you have any potions of fire resist?
DEALER: Actually… I do have 3. They are 175 gold a piece.
ARAN: Hmmm…
DEALER: Ok, so here’s the best I’m going to do. The 17 bright red healing potions, 3 fire resist potions, and 3 identifications – 270 platinum. That’s more than a quarter off what I would normally charge.
Aran looks across his allies’ faces.
ARAN: Ok, we’ll do that.
DEALER: But… there is one condition…
The potion dealer turns his back and reaches into a cupboard. Qhortho expresses his annoyance audibly and looks at Aran as if to say “can you believe this fuckin’ guy?”.
The dealer turns around with a jug of kraken rum.
DEALER: You must each share a drink with me.
Qhortho grins widely and claps his hands together.
QHOR: YES!
They pass the jug around, each taking a swig before the dealer receives it and places it in the cupboard.
Aran is about to pass the dealer a vial of blue bubbling liquid, but Qarzdaq stops him.
QARZ: Wait. I have one of those also. That’s a Potion of Heroism (gain 10 Temporary Hit Points for 1 hour and, for the same duration, you are under the effect of the bless spell, no Concentration required).
ARAN: Ah, ok, good to know.
Aran hands the dealer a vial of constantly-swirling greenish-brown liquid and is told it is a Potion of Regeneration (gain 10 Hit Points when you drink the potion and at the beginning of your next 5 turns — fire and acid damage will halt the effect immediately).
ARAN: That’s pretty good, but won’t help in our current predicament. How about this one?
Aran gives the dealer a vial of clear liquid that appears to defy gravity and contains white cloudy impurities and finds out it is a Potion of Flying (gain a flying speed equal to your walking speed for 1 hour).
DEALER: Just be careful if it wears off while you’re still in the air. This one is quite valuable!
ARAN: I’ll sell it to you for 20,000 gold.
DEALER: Make it 15,000 and you have a deal.
ROLAN: What?!
QHOR: I think we should hold on to that.
They all agree.
ARAN: Do you also identify poisons?
The dealer nods and is handed a vial of reddish-brown sticky paste.
DEALER: This is known as Bloodfire Paste… This one is illegal, but I won’t say a word. It would typically be applied to a weapon. A creature injured with this poison will have its blood ignited, causing the creature to quickly burn from within. There are cases of this toxin burning through the victim so quickly and intensely that the remains are little more than charred bones.
Bloodfire Paste (CON DC 13 saving throw, taking 2d10 fire damage on a fail. Must repeat the save at the start of its turn, taking 1d6 fire damage on each failure after the first. 3 successful saves are required to end the effect; they do not need to be consecutive.)
ARAN: Interesting. How about you throw one more in.
The dealer sighs but agrees.
Aran hands him a vial of greenish sticky mucus and learns it is Crawler Mucus.
DEALER: This one is legal, but regulated. This only requires contact to produce an effect so be especially careful.
Crawler Mucus (CON DC 13 saving throw or be poisoned for 1 minute. The poisoned creature is paralyzed. The creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.)
After leaving the potion shop, they discuss what they need most. Is it companions? Is it more gear? Is it just more fighting experience?
QARZ: I don’t know about you guys, but I could really just use some more rest.
ARAN: I definitely don’t, but if you need to rest longer, you could go back to Fire Lake and we can meet up with you in a bit.
QHOR: I want to go to Lord Arryn and request his assistance. Or at least do some work with him to build up some rep.
ROLAN: I’m not so sure we need their help, but I think going to the Eyrie for some work might be a good idea.
QARZ: Ok, I’ll head down there with you then.
ARAN: Hey Rolan, I have 4 vials of the Crawler Mucus. We should use that grail and make a few more.
Rolan puts all 4 vials into the Grail of Julian and slowly fills one empty vial then waits for it to refill itself. He repeats this process until the 4 original vials are filled. He then quickly fills 4 more vials with the remaining contents and makes sure it’s empty before replacing it in his bag.
ROLAN: That’ll do.
The Great Ride
Since their horses are here in Strongsong, they collect their steeds and travel south. 5 days of travel later and they arrive at Gulltown. Along the way, the gemstones in Aran’s and Qarzdaq’s Rings of Universatility break. Aran suggests they collect any gemstones they would want while they are here in the Eyrie since the selection will be so good.
Though it’s been nice to get away from civilization, having the gentle warmth of a bustling town is a welcomed change of pace. Since it is late in the day, they stable their horses and decide it best to grab a drink and stay the night before meeting with anyone. Who knows what rumors they might learn while there?
Walking the busy streets and looking up into the mountains to see the large spindly Eyrie castle is quite the sight. Its form is quite visible through the thin clouds and far-off snow storm. Down here in the town, the air is still and cool, but not too cold. Just cold enough to slightly chill the tip of one’s nose.
After a short walk, they find the tavern with the stained-glass doors. The Easterly Easy.
The ambiance of the fire and tavern band is warm and welcoming.
BARKEEP: What can I get for you fellas?
QHOR: Ales for the 4 of us.
BARKEEP: That’ll be 2 silver.
Rolan tosses him a gold piece.
BARKEEP: Well thank you!
ROLAN: That’s not exactly free. We’re looking for some work.
BARKEEP: What sort of work?
ROLAN: The bloody kind.
BARKEEP: Rats? Or bigger?
ROLAN: Bigger.
BARKEEP: You’ll want to talk to Gendar at the weapons shop.
ROLAN: Anything else been going on here lately?
BARKEEP: Eh, not much. The normal hustle of city life, you know. The preacher is always out there spouting off his words at people. As I’m sure you heard as you came walking into town.
He instinctively looks outside towards the preacher.
BARKEEP: Hmmm… That’s strange…
ARAN: What’s that?
BARKEEP: The preacher’s not out there. He’s usually out there anyway. But, not really anything going on out of the ordinary.
What Just Happened Here? No, Seriously…
The party walks over to an empty table.
ARAN: Alright, so we’ll finish these up then head over to the weapons shop.
ROLAN: We might want to check out what’s going on with the preacher too. It sounds like that was out of the ordinary. But we can…
Rolan is interrupted by an eerily soft, overly sweet voice with a slow drawl.
TRAVERS: Well hey there fellas. Funny seein you back here now.
Qhortho jumps at the sound of his voice with an overly feigned startle more driven by the creep factor than fright.
ARAN: Yeah, we’re looking for some vampires. You seen any?
TRAVERS: How about I join you for a few moments.
QHOR: What was your name again? Trapers? Treevus?
TRAVERS: The name’s Travers.
QHOR: Alright, what do you want Travis?
TRAVERS: Travers.
Travers shakes off the mild annoyance and continues.
TRAVERS: You know I dabble in the information trade, so I’d like to tell ya a little story, if I may. I’d like to tell you about a House in the region by the name of House Waxley located down in Wickenden, in the south end of the Vale. House Waxley’s sigil is made up of 6 hwite <spelling intentional> candles, all lit with nice bright flames. They’re each held by some nice silver candle holders on a gray field. It’s got a nice black border too.
ARAN: Silver candle holders?
TRAVERS: Yeah. Like the ones I had you go fetch for me. Just like those.
ARAN: Ok…
TRAVERS: The “Light in the Darkness” is how they refer to themselves. Well, House Waxley of Wickenden is a longtime ally of House Arryn. Perhaps you heard of a little place called the Eyrie? Or maybe the Vale of Arryn? Anywho… I’m quite friendly with them myself. Some time ago, perhaps 40 years back, a prized possession of my friend Lord Waryn Waxley of House Waxley went missin. Some say it was stolen by common thieves. Some say it was stolen by ghosts. You ever hear of such a thing? I mean, really.
His bullshit laugh added with the last phrase drives an even deeper creepiness to this so-called story.
QHOR: I’ve heard some crazy shit.
TRAVERS: Others claim it was stolen by someone within House Waxley itself. Of those, some point the finger at an outcast brother. Now <hrumph hrumph>, I, myself don’t know who would ever be able to get away with such a prize so easily.
His voice becomes very serious.
TRAVERS: But I do know they’d welcome it back and provide quite the reward.
He stops there, clearly baiting a question.
ROLAN: Tell us what you want Travis.
His eye twitches slightly and his tone shows a touch of irritation.
TRAVERS: The name’s Travers. Not Travis. Not Treevus. Travers. And this isn’t about what I want. This is about information I already have.
ARAN: So what was this thing that was taken?
TRAVERS: This thing… was a family heirloom, one that even House Arryn would help retrieve if they had ANY idea of where it might be. In fact, many of the Houses in the region and perhaps throughout The Reach would jump in to help them out. Maybe even my old friend Greydon Gardener, whom I believe knighted you some time back. Well, I digress. This item, it’s quite large really. Astounding it’s been unfound for such time. It’s about 5 and a half feet long. A fine handguard, and a very nice pommel. Valyrian Steel even.
He looks directly at Qhortho.
Qhortho, who had been constantly heckling him under his breath, now immediately clams up.
While looking directly into Qhortho’s eyes, he continues.
TRAVERS: Now, seeing as you screwed me ova so EFFECTIVELY on our last meetin, I’d like to return the favor. So what do you say we unwrap that pommel and see if we don’t find a nice bright orange jacinth symbolizin the candles in House Waxley’s sigil?
The sound of the tavern shatter seems to get louder by the void created in their conversation.
QHOR: Are you saying you want a closer look at my sword?
TRAVERS: If you’d like to show it to me.
Rolan mutters, “oh shit” and tosses his Ioun Stone into the air. It begins circling around his head as he makes eye contact with Aran. Aran follows his lead and does the same.
Travers’s little grin pushes Qhortho to the edge of rage. In an instant, he unclasps the sword from his back, twirls it vertically from around his back, and across his front, bringing the giant blade horizontal up to Travers’s neck.
QHOR: This close enough for you?
The music stops. Gasps are heard throughout the tavern. A few chairs fall over.
Rolan begins concentrating on opening his portal.
Travers clears his throat and places 2 fingers on top of the broad side of the blade, gently pushing it down a few inches.
TRAVERS: It’s the other side that’s really got my interest.
Qhortho stares into his eyes, barely containing his rage.
TRAVERS: Now look here, friends. I’ve already alerted the authorities to come meet me for a very important matter. They should be here shortly. In fact…
His eyes shift to the door.
TRAVERS: Here they come now.
The party looks to the door and sees 3 Eyrie guards enter the now-quiet establishment. They lock eyes on the situation immediately. Travers lowers his voice.
TRAVERS: So do I tell them you’ve got a highly-prized Valyrian great sword that once belonged to House Waxley of Wickenden, or would you rather I just keep my mouth shut on such matters? I mean, I haven’t actually SEEN that pommel, now have I?
Qhortho lowers his blade, trying to keep it out of sight from the guards, which is kind of hard to do with such a large weapon. With a growl, he responds to Travers.
QHOR: A shut mouth is a shut neck.
Just as the guards arrive at the table, Rolan’s portal opens. He immediately jumps to his feet and tackles Travers away from Qhortho into the portal, landing hard on the cavern floor. Qhortho jumps follows them through.
ROLAN: Aran, Qarzdaq come on!
ARAN: I’ll be right there.
QARZ: I’ll go with Aran. Close it!
Rolan doesn’t hesitate. The portal closes, leaving Aran and Qarzdaq to deal with the guards.
The Information Trade
In the cavern, Rolan pushes off of Travers, leaving him on the ground. Qhortho stands tall above him, his great sword now pointing at Travers’s chest. Rolan stands behind and to the side of Qhortho, letting him lead the questioning.
Travers looks around with shock at his new surroundings. Large pillars of various types of stone within a dark, dank cavern.
QHOR: You were saying…
Travers, still operating from a point of strength for some reason, responds confidently… though perhaps slightly less so than when he was surrounded by people.
TRAVERS: I’m not so sure there is much more to say other than my silence is payable immediately…
QHOR: Then your death will be payable immediately.
TRAVERS: You kill me and you’ll be paying much more than I would ever ask, my friend.
QHOR: I have deep pockets.
TRAVERS: For your sake, I hope you do. Though your pockets may not be able to help you entirely. You see I’ve got friends throughout…
Qhortho interrupts him.
QHOR: So what is it about this sword? This sword belongs… BELONGED… I came upon it fair and square.
TRAVERS: I tend to agree with that point, friend. What is it to have a belonging anyway? I would say it is mostly down to possession. You possess it, it belongs to you.
Qhortho nods.
TRAVERS: Unless someone comes along with more power to take it from you…
QHOR: I’d like to see them try.
TRAVERS: If I’m kept missin too long, I have the sense that you’re gonna see them try.
QHOR: How will they find me? Do you even know where you are now?
TRAVERS: Not especially.
QHOR: We’re in the mountains.
TRAVERS: Ah, I see.
QHOR: You’re not really making a case for your own life here.
TRAVERS: I don’t really need to make much of a case. As it stands now, you are in quite the predicament. You bring me back and it can be lessened, I will see to that. The longer you keep me away, the worse your circumstances become. You have now taken prisoner someone who has the highest Houses in all of Westeros in his pocket.
QHOR: Any last words?
Travers’ sweetness dissolves as he realizes this might be it.
TRAVERS: Feel Free.
QHOR: Feel free… Alright, so be it friend…
Qhortho pushes his blade into Travers’s chest, twisting slightly to maneuver through his rib cage. With a quick push, the blade is stopped by the hard, cold floor.
Blood seeps from the wound and slowly spreads across the floor as Travers coughs blood a foot into the air. With his last gasps of gurgling breath, he manages to mutter one last thing.
TRAVERS: You will pay.
Rolan searches his body and finds a Thieves’ Guild coin and a small common dagger.
The Eyrie’s Eyes and Ears
The 3 guards approach Aran and Qarzdaq quickly and arrive at the table just as the portal disappears. One of them is clearly of high rank.
CAPT: What is going on here? Where is Travers? What is this annoying thing around your head? Stop that! Stop it now!
ARAN: I don’t know what just happened. This is crazy. Travers came over to us…
He is interrupted by the captain.
CAPT: These are your friends, no?
ARAN: Well, yes, but these…
QARZ: Yes, if I may, sers. These are our friends, but Travers is a friend as well. We’ve been out of town for a short time and were just visiting with him.
CAPT: I see. He asked us to meet him here for… what did he say? An important matter concerning his friends. It sounded pretty urgent.
QARZ: Ah yes, well, I’m not sure what that could be. He just happened to catch us as we got into town tonight, so we hadn’t really had a chance to get into a conversation. Maybe we are not the friends you are looking for?
BARKEEP: I saw em, they came in good enough, tipped me well too. They didn’t seem the rowdy type. The one man got quite worked up though. Big Dothraki-type.
ARAN: Yeah, he can be like that.
CAPT: I think it’s a mistake to have a guy like that with Travers. He’d better be unharmed.
QARZ: Oh, I’m sure he’ll be fine.
The captain lets the silence sit in the air, deciding his next course of action.
CAPT: Still, I’d rather him back here. Get him back here at once.
ARAN: Well we can’t just snap our fingers and get him here.
CAPT: Why not? Seems your friends were able to do that to take him away. Or should we just detain you until they get back?
QARZ: Ser, that won’t be necessary. We’ll leave now and fetch them.
Qarzdaq takes a step to walk past the guards towards the door. The captain raises his hand for him to halt.
Seeing that they are going to have to get out of this situation, Aran begins concentrating on opening his portal. He immediately takes a step back and draws his weapon.
ARAN: We don’t want any trouble.
Qarzdaq steps back several feet and raises his hands, ready to cast a Fire Bolt if necessary, though showing no outward aggression.
All 3 guards draw their weapons. Tavern-goers scatter and run out of the building. The barkeep defensively grabs a long dagger from below the bar and stays put.
CAPT: Oh, you have trouble now.
Aran attacks first with the butt of his guandao, smashing the man across the face. Clearly his intention is not to kill, but he will also not stand down.
ARAN: You better watch it! You don’t want to mess with me!
The captain slashes at him with his short sword, missing with both strikes. Aran returns with a strong slash to the captain’s arm, dealing significant damage. The other guards flank him and slash him deeply and repeatedly.
Just then, the portal opens behind Aran and they both jump through. All 3 guards attempt to slash him, but only the captain is able to nick him. As soon as they are both in the cavern, Aran closes the portal.
They enter the cave just as Qhortho is removing his blade.
Everyone remains silent as Travers continues to bleed out.
Aran is the first to break the silence.
ARAN: Yeah, I thought you’d do that…
QHOR: He was not a good person. He almost had us killed. Now he is dead. Good riddance.
They spend the night in the cave then begin their trek back to the Pit of Light’s Sparks.
To the Pit
After 3 days of tough travel and steep climbs, they are once again at the tunnel in the side of the mountain. They arrive at the giant door and trace out an E in Terran, an F in Draconic, and a W in Aquan. The doors open immediately. Inside is a pristine cathedral with the terra cotta Goblins inside.
ARAN: Well, you know the drill.
They smash all of the goblins to pieces then head over to the chest. Upon touching it, all of the clay pieces turn to bloody flesh. They push the chest to open the staircase into the warm and inviting home to Light’s Sparks. They all enter the master quarters for some shut eye.
We end this session on the morning of Day 546. They awake with the knowledge of new skills and abilities (Level 11!), with some closure but also with many new open ends. Today, they will descend back into the Pit to confront what will surely be an incredible challenge.