RC: No America Wed - Portal into the Unknown

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After searching the kitchen thoroughly, the party returned to the hallway and decided to check out the last door. Having found no traps, and following a successful pick lock attempt, the door was opened revealing three dogs, reddish-brown with black highlights. The dogs were definitely not friendly, and the battle ensued. The party got the jump on the dogs, and quickly dispatched them, but not before being singed by the fiery breath of the hell hounds. Returning to the kitchen, the party approached the secret door in the back of the small closet and opened it.

Behind the secret door, was a large cavern. After some discussions and exploration, it was determined that this was the Hydra’s lair. Mathetais’ plan was then put into action. Using the Hell Hound bodies as bait, the Hydra was to be lured into the room with the altar. Once occupied with eating, the doors would be closed and the members who closed the doors would sneak out of the chamber. The Hydra’s lair could then be explored at their leisure. Due to some timely bad rolls by Elminster, resulting in a bit of luck for the party, the Hydra didn’t notice the clanking paladin trying to sneak past wearing full plate armor. The plan worked and the Hydra was trapped. A search of the lair revealed two exits as well as some treasure, two sacks of gold (1300 gp), a morning star, some gemstones, a book, a ring, and a lantern.

The larger of the two exits was explored, this was the way out. Mathetais retrieved the slaves and decided to lead them back to Quaevarr then report their findings to Lord Julian. The others decided to explore the remaining passage. Moving down the passage a short way, the party discovered an illusory wall. Behind it was a chamber with a magical portal in the center. Moving on, the party found themselves in a maze of twisting passages and chambers, and ended up back where they started. Returning to the Magical Portal, the five adventurous souls stepped through to parts unknown. They found themselves inside another cavern chamber similar in size to the one they had just left. This one didn’t have an illusory wall hiding it but rather a secret wall. Pivoting the wall, the party revealed a very large cavern, dimly lit with a red glow emanating from 13 ruby pillars which thrust down from the ceiling in a circular pattern of 12 surrounding the last which was located at the center of the circle. The 12 Pillars forming the circle have runes etched into them which glow with a silvery shine. Kitiara was able to identify several of the runes, having seen them before in her studies. She copied down the runes, and the party left the large cavern through the only other exit, a passage in the north east corner. After traveling a short distance, Nimbul, Jager, and Serena noticed some movement ahead. Nimbul moved ahead with Jager close behind. They discovered a small creature, humanoid in form except for two bat-like wings. It was a mere 4 feet tall. Nimbul moved around to gain the sneak attack advantage and Jager was poised to strike when the creature noticed Jager and breathed a cone of hot gas and dust in Jager’s direction. Nimbul performed his sneak attack, and the battle was on. Jager struck the creature next with two claws, and the Mephit was destroyed. Continuing along, the party came to a split in the passage, and decided to take the passage to the right. This passage wound around for about 150 feet, then opened up into a chamber. Nimbul was the first to see this chamber, and returned to the party to stop them from continuing, as he noticed a wall in the center with arrow slits in it. Scouting beyond the wall, Nimbul discovered the dining hall of a Drow encampment which contained over 30 Drow. The party decided to turn around and explore the other passage. In the future, they would return with an assault plan.

Moving along the other passage, they came to a room half cavernous formation and half cut stone. There was one door leading out. The door was opened up, and the party met up with two members of the group who were sent to investigate the Ruins of Ascore. Xalen and Pheldas explained that they were indeed in Ascore and updated the party as to the situation including the Vergence. Following the explanation, Kitiara put several pieces of information together, and proceeded to inform Xalen and Pheldas of the Magic Jar, which contained the essence of Uthgar’s Hydra manifestation. It was decided that this was the answer to the situation here. The Vergence could be sealed using the essence trapped inside the Magic Jar.

Each party member receives 630 experience for the battle with the Hell Hounds and trapping the Hydra.
Each party member receives 180 Experience for the Dust Mephit.
Each Party member, including Xalen and Pheldas receives 500 Experience points for figuring out the solution to the Vergence Problem. Actually solving it is another matter.

 

Xalen leads the way down the dark and sandy passage toward the vergence. He keeps his distance from the others, trying to apear to be cautious, but in all honestly not quite sure to make of the rest. He was fairly certain they could be trusted, but as he knew noone, he was sure he and Pheldas would have to be cautious in their dealings with the newcomers to Ascore for the time being. Pehaps after all of this was over with, and they were safely away from these ruins, there would be more time for pleasantries.

Seing a distant glow from the pillars ahead, he slows down to let the rest catch up. "Watch your step ahead, and whatever you do, walk around the pillars in the next room. It's the center of the Vergence, so unless you wish to see first hand what someone stepping into it will do, I'd suggest giving plenty of room. Since you've all came from the passages below this place, did you by chance enter through a portal in a room with pillars such as these." Xalen pauses breifly at the threshold to the chamber, and steps inside. The pillars all have runes that shine like silver, and inside them is a shifting and spakling void where the floor should be. "This seems to be what everyone is interested in. This is the vergance."

[This message has been edited by Crawl (edited December 18, 2001).]