Campaign: Dominion of Adventure 23/2/2023

As Balasar and Dorian collapsed, exhausted the party gathered to tend their wounds. Seeing Luther was bleeding from a number of wounds Gunnar tossed one of his dwindling supply of healing potions to the young half elf. The noise of approaching footsteps snapped their attention to the stairway leading back up to the higher level

“Ahhh here they are” came Navarro’s loud voice, the waiting renegades relaxing as they heard his familar voice

Nick and Iivan accompanied the Everwatch Knight, who had presumably missed the battle due to his infatuation with the strange chariot stored in a chamber above. Taking in the injuries and signs of combat Navarro struck a heroic pose and lauded his troops resilience, despite themselves the battered party members did indeed feel better for the bombastic speech.

“What happened here?” asked Nick in his strangely accented common

“We were attacked by Nearith statues” answered Luther

“You fight with statues? Why not just walk round them?” asked the warrior

“Because they were alive you idiot” snapped Luther

“Greg?” asked Nick disbelievingly looking at his friend

“It’s true” confirmed the Druid “We were exploring and suddenly all these things came to life and started to attack us”

“What could have caused that?” wondered Iivan aloud, Gunnar shifted in embarassment but said nothing about his impromptu grave robbing

“I don’t know, but those things were powerful – we barely fought them off”

“Yeah that one with the magic stick was throwing lighting around like Balasar and his fireballs…”

“Wait, what magic stick?” asked Iivan

“The mage one, had a big staff”

“I don’t see any staff here…” continued Iivan “…did you manage to kill it?”

The others looked at each other, realisation slowly dawning on them that perhaps the powerful construct might have escaped the battle unscathed…

“Shit” muttered Gunnar

“We need to secure the area men” announced Navarro, eyes lighting up at the prospect of a fight

“We need to heal first” pointed out Dorian

“Wait – I think I can help with that” interjected Hamlet, rummaging in his pack for the stash of potions he’d found previously

“We don’t know what these do though” pointed out Greg

He and Hamlet began to investigate their looted potion stash and eventually felt confident about what each stoppered vial contained.

“I think this one must be a climbing potion” declaired Hamlet, holding aloft a flask filled with yellow liquid

“Social or physical?” enquired Navarro, straight faced, but the Warlock chose to ignore him, instead handing out much needed healing potions to those of his allies who needed aid.

Feeling healthier and more confident the group began to search, Gunnar led Nick, Luther, Navarro and Greg towards the tomb chamber he’d found while Hamlet decided to keep watch from a distance. Iivan decided to scout ahead and ensure there were no more threats close at hand so headed for the door opposite the others.

Entering the tomb Gunnar pointed to the now empty plinths which had once held some of the statues that had attacked them earlier and the partially opened tomb he had tried to search. Heaving open the heavy stone lid revealed a dessicated corpse within, draped with what looked to be almost preistly robes covered in what appeared to be Nearith symobls, curious Gunnar pulled the robes free and tucked them into his pack to show Amberclad later. Nick and Greg moved to another grave and together forced it open, finding a similarly decayed body clad in a strange armour which seemed untouched by the passage of the eons, he retrieved this prize, along with some rings and other jewelry while Luther made his way to a third tomb. Sadly the young bard was not as strong as his companions and stuggled vainly with the heavy stone slab atop the grave

“That’s it squire put your back into it!” called out Navarro proudly, while the other grinned at Luther’s increasing discomfiture

“You want to borrow this?” asked Gunnar offering his trusty crowbar, but Luther was too focused on his efforts to reply and after a few more moments of straining while Nick sniggered at his attempts he cried out in frustration and slammed his palm flat on the stone, a flash of dark energy pulsed for a second before the thick slab shattered under his hand and collapsed into the coffin. Nick stopped his teasing and stared with amazement at the now very smug looking bard as he fished out an ornate tiara from the depths of the grave and after wiping it clean placed it daintily on his head with a grin. Meanwhile Navarro had moved to the last of the coffins and tried to force the lid open, but had found it stuck fast, unwilling to admit defeat after Luther had succeeded so emphatically he instead shifted to as to appear he’d merely been leaning against it

“Your turn now Greg” he called, tapping the lid meaningfully

Greg moved to his side and after sizing up the stone for a moment began to heave against it, surprising the onlookers with the ease with which he was able to slide the lid open. Inside he found another corpse, this one wearing strange dark lensed goggles of some kind, which he scooped up as Navarro reached down to remove a fine crafted golden circlet.

Meanwhile, away from this carnical of grave robbing Iivan had crept through the silent stone passages alone and discovered another magical circle surrounded by Nearith runes, being familiar with the monoliths and using his innate Drow magic he powered up the circle and vanished. Falling through the almost familiar non space of the Nearith Transport Network he could feel the press of Rift demons all around him, whispers in his mind trying to lure him to them but he managed to shrug off their attempts and emerged into another stone walled chamber in a glowing magic circle. Looking around carefully he thought he recognised the chamber as one they’d fought against rift demons after entering the complex, he shrugged to himself and stealthily began scouting again.

As Greg investigated his newly aquired eye wear, yeilding no immediate results Navarro tried to follow his squire’s lead and placed the circlet above his head, yet try and he might (and he tried with such might that the strain very nearly caused the proud warrior to soil his undergarments..) he was unable to force it onto his head. Eventually he abandoned his efforts and decided to go and track down Iivan, Nick agreeing to accompany him. Gunnar and Luther returned to the main chamber, Gunnar went to investigate the large shields weilded by some of the animated statues but was dissapointed to find the shields seemed to be a part of the armoured form itself and so he abandoned his search and began searching for hidden passages, Luther joined him placing his hands on the walls and casting spells while his barbarous comrade once more employed his trusty crowbar on any likely looking section of masonry. Whilst Gunnar continued his methodical search, Luther saw Fayd’s shade coalesce from the shadows and gestured to the empty corridor.

Navarro and Nick found the Nearith teleportation circle that Iivan had used earlier but ignored it, overcoming a strange magical obstruction they exited the chamber and began to follow a narrow and winding corridor round to an ante chamber or waiting area or some kind.

“Pah, that damn elf is probably watching us from the shadows” muttered a frustrated Navarro

“Shh, foolish man – can you not hear bard’s voice?” replied Nick “He probably already found him eh” and he led them towards the unmistakable sound of Luther’s voice. Emerging into a corridor, still slick with the oil Hamlet had spread there as a defence they found Luther alone surrounded by fallen statues.

“Where is Drow?” called out Nick

“Iivan? I’ve not seen him” answered Luther somewhat distractedly

“We have no time for jokes, we heard you talking yes – so where is dark Elf?” replied the human fighter

Luther’s brow furrowed into a frown and he opened his mouth to answer when Iivan sauntered into the room from the corridor behind him

“Ahh, good work Squire well done” Navarro called out, to a confused but silent Luther and together they all returned to reunite with the others

Meanwhile, Hamlet and Greg had grown bored of watching the Half Orc search for hidden doors and had decided to go find Navarro and Nick, leaving the barbarian alone. Discovering the magic circle they had activated it and been teleported to another location. Hearing or perhaps sensing the presence of some powerful and terrifying presence they cowered in the darkness waiting for it to pass.

Thoughout all this Gunnar was still focused on the wall and trying to find leverage for his trusty crowbar and didn’t pay much attention to the comings and goings of his companions, straining with his efforts to pry open a secret door he felt sure was present he shifted his grip and tried again, sinews straining his eyes squeezed shut with effort put his full force into the attempt and suddenly felt something giveway. Sprawling back he looked up to see a glowing aura appear, outlining a door which slid open silently – grunting in satisfaction he pulled himself up and realised he was holding his sword, it’s blade shimmering with a magical glow of it’s own. Confused he looked around for his crowbar and retrieved it, looking around to see if anyone else was present he whispered a still somewhat confused thank you to his blade and moved to guard the newly appeared doorway.

“Excellent work Gunnar, you’ve got the door open at last I see” called out Navarro as he led the others back into the main chamber

The barbarian nodded, still trying to work out what had happened but happy to accept the praise – despite a nagging suspicion that his sword might well have more to it than met the eye, still no matter – it was without doubt the best blade ever forged in this plane or the next.

“Right, someone get the others and we can contiue” ordered Navarro

“Uhhh, didn’t they go to find you?” asked Gunnar

Navarro sighed loudly “must I do everything myself?” he complained “Squire! See if you can find them with a message”

Luther closed his eyes and reached out with his mind trying to contact Hamlet, eventually sensing the warlock’s presence above him and demanding they return immeditately

Hearing the bard’s voice unexpectedly in his mind shocked Hamlet and in his panic he joined Navarro in almost soiling himself

“Sorry” he whispered to Greg

“Don’t mention it” answered the druid, frozen to near immobiity himself in fear

“They said to come back, they’ve found a door or something” explain Hamlet

“I’m not going that way” quavered Greg nodding to the doorway, and Hamlet sensing the same forboding presence nodded his agreement – together their eyes were drawn back to the teleportation circle.

Back down in the main chamber, Nick and Navarro decided to go and search for their missing comrades – Nick leaving his new armour with Gunnar while Navarro pulled first himself then Nick up onto Rocinate’s back and set off for the stairs up.

Now at this point dear reader we descend into farce, for your own enjoyment it’s probably best to fire up the Benny Hill music now and picture the slapstick scenes of the party managing to split itself up completely and utterly as Luther realises his messages could no longer reach Hamlet, suggesting he’d moved again leading Iivan Gunnar and Luther to go through the hidden door and start making their way down the stairway on the otherside….but of course none of them had the presence of mind to prop the door open and it slammed closed behind them. Unable to locate Greg and Hamlet as they’d teleported again Navarro and Nick return to find Gunnar, Iivan and Luther missing – with just Nick’s armour left behind. Knowing where the door was they both try and force it open, with no success until in a fit of anger Navarro smites the wall in frustration – the holy magic triggering the mechanism and revealing the door again. Gathering their possessions they too decide to go through and start making their way down the stairs after the others….and with the presence of mind only displayed by such professional dungeon delvers they also fail to prop the door open and again it slams shut behind them. After a montage worthy string of escapades as Luther tries to guide Hamlet and Greg on how to locate and open the door via telepathic message (hindered in no small part by the fact that neither Gunnar nor Navarro are particularly clear on how they got the door to open in the first place) and eventually they all manage to gather themselves on together on the same side of the door.

Following the passage a short distance they arrive at a large hall, a monolith stood at the far end – between them and it though was a host of Nearith statues, purple energy pulsing from arcane machinery on each. Before anyone could do anything rift portals errupted across the chamber and a horde of rift demons were disgourged and began slithering towards the waiting Nearith constructs. Huddled by the far monolith the Renegades to just make out a small group, two armoured warriors seemingly protecting a female Elf who was chanting and casting magic into the monolith

Recognising the two warriors Luther and Navarro called out in surprise and alarm

“Master!”

“Rogri!”

Luther and Navarro stopped and stared at each other in confusion, Gunnar eyed the older of the two warriors and thought he might be the older knight he’d seen in one of the strange viewing screens but before he could frame a question Navarro kicked his heels back and spurred Rocinate forward, a despairing curse from Nick – still sat atop the mighty warhorse behind the paladin the last thing they heard before the sound of battle erupted throughout the chamber.