Part Two
** Lilisa the Druid and Benny the Bard are fighting the unnatural creatures in Waterdeep’s sewers. The voices of their companions, Ygraine the mage and Tinade the Archer, can be heard in the distance. **
Exploring further, Lilisa and Benny came upon another Sewer Breach.
Ygraine Chockspurr: “Yes, tis, no ships for Evermeet though, I would wager”
The sewer gate finally broke under the attacks of Benny and Lilisa.
The next intersection had two slimes waiting there. One was the large bright green slime that they had fought before. The second slime was smaller with a darker green hue.
Lilisa and Benny focused their attacks on the smaller slime.
Tinade Fermana: “Perhaps not, but I'd wager the second ship belongs to Elaithe”
Benny Alesman damaged the Olive Slime but, like its bigger cousin, the smaller slime had no vulnerabilities that Benny could take advantage of. The bonus was not necessary. After a couple of blows from Lilisa and Benny, the Olive Slime was quickly dispatched.
The larger slime took longer to kill. Lilisa and Benny double-teamed the large slime. They worked quietly and effectively, not wasting bardsongs or spells but just hacking away at the slime until it expired.
Benny Alesman: Well hurrah!”
Tinade Fermana: “It would seem that we have been abandoned”
Ygraine Chockspurr: “I'm thinking he wouldn't care for stowaways”
Tinade Fermana: “Trolls!”
Ygraine Chockspurr: “The guards have done them in”
Tinade Fermana: “That is well”
Benny and Lilisa came upon a long westward corridor with small chambers branching off each side at short intervals. A crossbow bolt snapped off the wall beside them. Benny and Lilisa ducked into the first side chamber to the south.
A blob of acid missed them as a Large Green Slime attacked them from inside the chamber. Benny opened a tightly sealed vial and quickly poured the volatile liquid on his sword. The liquid burst into flames soon after coming into contact with the air. Benny charged the slime with his now flaming sword.
Just before reaching the slime, Benny jumped to the side. The “CLICK” was more felt than heard but the trap that was sprung barely missed the bard. Once more his reflexes saved him from a nasty surprise.
Lilisa approached the slime from the opposite side thus did not have to worry about the trap. She attacked it successfully with her sickle.
More crossbow bolts shattered into the walls around the adventurers. Meanwhile Lilisa saw a large goblin casting a spell. The Cave Goblin Chieftain became surrounded by an aura.
Ygraine Chockspurr: “Aye, I have little desire to meet with Trolls for now!”
Benny slashed the slime. The slime did not appear to be affected by the flames.
Tinade Fermana: “I concur.”
A goblin with a crossbow appeared at the chamber entrance. Dark shapes lined up behind the goblin. Lilisa turned to meet the new threat. The goblin was still reloading when Lilisa killed it with one blow. A blob of acid hit Lilisa from an unseen assailant.
Lilisa drank a Potion of Cure Critical Wounds while a Skeleton Warrior took up the goblin’s place.
Lilisa: “There is evil here!”
The flames died out on Benny’s sword; the alchemist’s liquid had finally burnt off. He continued to hack away at the Large Green Slime.
Lilisa attacked the Skeleton Warrior. She hit it for minor damage. The skeleton missed on the return attack.
Benny avoided the slime’s attacks all the while scoring hits of his own. This would be another long battle.
Tinade Fermana: “We should attempt to find our friends, if we can.”
Lilisa slowly wore out the Skeleton Warrior. She would score a minor hit; it would miss her. Finally it collapsed into a pile of broken bones.
Another Skeleton Warrior was behind the first. A few strong blows brought down the second skeleton.
A Large Green Slime attacked Lilisa. Lilisa settled in for a battle of attrition.
Lilisa: “We are near Elaith's keep!”
Benny Alesman: “DIE! Slime!”
Occasionally the slime would manage a hit on Benny. Whatever was not resisted outright was soon healed thanks to his new equipment.
Tinade Fermana: “…not here…”
The other Large Green Slime kept missing Lilisa.
Tinade Fermana: “ah, perhaps here.”
Benny finally killed the Large Green Slime. He picked a rapier lying on the ground and looked for his next target. Benny saw Lilisa was preoccupied with the other Large Green Slime while a Kobold was shooting bolts at her.
Benny charged the Kobold. Once again, like a sixth sense, his rogue reflexes avoided a trap set in front of his enemy.
Tinade Fermana: *listening*
Behind the Kobold was Cave Goblin Chieftain casting Stinking Cloud. Avoiding the noxious fumes, Benny attacked the Kobold. The Cave Goblin Chieftain casted another Stinking cloud. Again Benny avoided it.
A second Cave Goblin Chieftain appeared casting Ghostly Visage.
Lilisa killed the Large Green Slime. She attacked a second Kobold.
Another Cave Goblin Chieftain cast Stinking Cloud as well. That was too much for Benny. He became nauseous and disoriented. Dazed, he ran from the sickening cloud.
Lilisa killed her Kobold and set upon the Kobold that Benny was attacking earlier.
Cave Goblin Chieftain casts Charm Monster. Benny was stunned under the mind attack.
Lilisa killed the weakened Kobold.
One of the Cave Goblin Chieftains summoned a Dire Boar. Another cast Stinking Cloud again. Another Chieftain cast Burning Hands. Even in his dazed state, Benny was able to dodge the flames.
Lilisa attacked a Cave Goblin Chieftain but it was concealed under an Improved Invisibility spell.
A large Green Slime slithered into the melee.
Benny shrugged off the mind spell only to fall in one of the many stinking clouds. The Cave Goblin Chieftain began casting a series of Ray of Frost spells. There was no saving from that minor spell.
The Large Green Slime hit Benny with a blob of acid.
Another Cave Goblin Chieftain cast shocking grasp on Benny. Benny avoided half the electrical damage. Benny was unable to strike back in his confused state.
Benny finally fell to a poison bolt from a Kobold.
Lilisa managed to reach Benny in time to use her Rod of Resurrection.
Benny attempted to hit a Cave Goblin Chieftain. Its skin was covered with a stone-like veneer that absorbed much of the damage. It cast a Shocking Grasp but Benny avoided most of the damage.
Tinade Fermana: “perhaps so”
A Kobold attacked Benny and a Summoned Dire Boar attacked Lilisa. Lilisa killed the Large Green Slime and went on to attack the boar.
A Cave Goblin Chieftain cast Hold Person on Benny as the bard was trying to avoid a stinking cloud. Benny escaped the noxious fumes but found himself paralyzed.
One Cave Goblin Chieftain attacked Lilisa; another cast Protection from Good, while a third Chieftain cast Burning Hands. Unable to dodge Benny got hit with the full effect of the flames.
A Large Green Slime joined the boar and chieftain in attacking Lilisa. Lilisa killed the chieftain and started attacking the Large Green Slime.
The other Cave Goblin Chieftain was casting Burning Hands and Ray of Frost spells on the helpless Benny. The Kobold attacked as well but could not find a weak spot in Benny’s armour.
Benny finally broke free of the paralysis and attacked the Kobold. The little monster died after a few strong blows. Benny went after the spell casting Cave Goblin Chieftain.
A Kobold joined the attack on Benny. Benny switched to the Kobold, hoping the protection spell on the chieftain would wear off in the mean time. Two strong hits and a sneak attack finished the Kobold quickly.
The chieftain was still protected. Benny did a mental check of his inventory for a way to overcome the chieftain’s Stone Skin protection; a wand, elemental damage ammo, a pot of oil, anything! Benny spotted a large chest in the corner of the chamber. He eased his way over to the container fighting the chieftain all the way. Benny kicked the chest open, setting off a trap which he ignored. Inside the chest was a nondescript wand (no time to examine it in the middle of combat!), a pile of coins (nice but useless in battle), and a finely crafted mace.
(YES!)
Benny grabbed the mace and equipped it immediately. The chieftain was concealed with an Improved Invisibility spell but when he could connect, Benny could hurt the goblin leader.
Tinade Fermana: “yeah, and no help in sight”
Lilisa killed the Large Green Slime. She chose another Cave Goblin Chieftain as her target. It was also partially concealed. Like Benny, only half her strikes connected to do damage.
Tinade Fermana: “little help?”
Benny Alesman: “Convince this goblin chieftain to die quickly and I’ll be right there!”
Tinade Fermana:“Dieeeee goblin dude”
The gods of Fate must have been listening. Benny saw an opportunity and landed a critical hit on the Cave Goblin Chieftain. It dropped like a rock and did not get up again.
Benny turned to see how Lilisa fared. He spotted the Summoned Dire Boar and the Cave Goblin Chieftain.
Benny Alesman: "Arrrgh another one...”
Benny sneak attacked the chieftain. The chieftain turned his attention to Benny. Mistake! Lilisa landed a blow as well. The chieftain turned back to Lilisa. BIG MISTAKE! Benny landed a massive sneak attack that finished the battle conclusively.
Benny found a Ring of Speed on the chieftain. Benny picked up a crossbow and some bolts from the corpse of a Kobold.
Lilisa and Benny took a quick rest to recharge and then set off to aid their friends.
"Everybody Must Get Stoned" — Cypress Hill
Guided by their friend’s voices Lilisa and Benny, headed north past another sewer breach. The tunnels turned east then north again.
Around the next corner their friends were being attacked by skeletal figures.
Quietly Benny attacked a skeleton with a red glowing chest cavity. The Lifestealer had no vulnerable spots used in sneak attacks.
Another skeletal figure turned its gaze to Benny. Benny recognized that the monster was once a Medusa and averted his gaze.
A skeleton with a green glowing chest cavity attacked Benny. The Poisonous Dead missed Benny. Benny tumbled around the area attacking Lifestealers and Poisonous Dead whenever possible while avoiding the Bone Medusas. Eventually he got caught…
Benny Alesman: “now I'm a statue...” as he became petrified.
Tinade Fermana: “That's how they got us”
Lilisa was using a flaming weapon. Lilisa managed to smash one of the Lifestealers. She began to attack one of the Bone Medusas.
A Bone Medusa was attacking Benny to no avail. A Poisonous Dead also attacked Benny but his armour’s natural protection prevented damage to him.
Lilisa killed one of the Bone Medusas and started on another one. The Medusas were not using their gaze attacks. They kept clawing Benny, unable to get past his damage reduction.
Lilisa: “Hold, Friends.”
She continued to hurt the Medusa while its attention was on Benny.
Lilisa: "Here you meet your end!”
The Medusa flailed uselessly against Benny.
Benny Alesman: "Hahaha!”
Lilisa hit the Medusa again.
Tinade Fermana: “where???”
The Bone Medusa failed again to hurt Benny as Lilisa’s flaming weapon continued to damage the undead horror.
Tinade Fermana: “That was a famous play.”
Lilisa finished off the Bone Medusa and began attacking the Poisonous Dead.
Lilisa: “Is this the last of these unnatural creatures?”
Tinade Fermana: "Okay.”
Like the Bone Medusa, the Poisonous Dead focused on attacking Benny to no avail.
Eventually the petrifying magic wore off and Benny returned the attacks.
With a final slash Lilisa ended the unnatural existence of the Poisonous Dead. She gained enough experience to advance her career.
Lilisa: (ding)
Her peace was interrupted by the appearance of a Skeletal Dwarf and another two Bone Medusa (Medusi? Medussesses???).
Ignoring the new monsters Lilisa used the Rod of Resurrection on Tinade Fermana. Tinade then used her Rod of Resurrection on Ygraine.
Benny Alesman: “Not again”
Lilisa: “Oh dear”
Benny became petrified again. The undead focused their attention on the helpless Benny, allowing the ladies to attack freely.
Eventually it was Ygraine Chockspurr who killed the first Bone Medusa.
The Skeletal Dwarf continued on Benny while the other Bone Medusa attacked Tinade. In a sudden flurry of blows the Bone Medusa killed Tinade Fermana.
Ygraine began casting spells. A handful of glowing missiles spread from her hand and slammed into each of the undead. A bewildering cloud appeared in their midst. The undead (and some nearby containers) were blasted by a ball of flames.
Ygraine Chockspurr used her Rod of Resurrection on Tinade.
Tinade Fermana: Thanks.” “
Tinade and Ygraine attacked the Bone Medusa while Lilisa focused on the Skeletal Dwarf. The Bone Medusa opted for physically attacking Tinade instead of using its petrifying gaze. Several consecutive hits by the Bone Medusa forced Tinade to down a healing potion during combat.
Ygraine used a magic wand. A pair of glowing missiles shot from the wand and unerringly hit the Skeletal Dwarf. The undead dwarf barely noticed.
Ygraine summoned her own undead. The Summoned Ghoul attacked the Skeletal Dwarf. The Bone Medusa was distracted by the ghoul. The ghoul fought mindlessly against the more powerful undead but, in the end, the ghoul was nothing more than a distraction.
Ygraine summoned her Ice Mephit familiar named Frosty. Frosty attacked the Skeletal Dwarf while the dwarf turned his concentration on Tinade.
Tinade collapsed under the Skeletal Dwarf’s attack.
Frosty attacked the Skeletal Dwarf. The undead dwarf slashed the poor familiar. The Stone Medusa sent the unfortunate Mephit back to the Outer Plane from whence it came.
Benny finally broke free of the petrifying magic. He immediately attacked the Bone Medusa. Benny started another bardsong to encourage his companions.
Benny was trading hits with the Bone Medusa when he noticed Tinade on the ground. He used his Rod of Resurrection on Tinade.
Tinade Fermana: Thanks.” “
The four companions focused their attacks on the Bone Medusa and it collapsed under Lilisa’s fiery weapon.
Their attention was turned to the remaining undead dwarf. The Skeletal Dwarf tried to hit Lilisa without any luck.
Finally Benny’s new mace sent it crashing to the ground.
Tinade Fermana: “Yipee! Hooray! Uh… yahoo!”
Benny Alesman: “Well hurrah!”
Ygraine Chockspurr: Well hooray for us!” “
Lilisa: Day and night are a cycle in balance. I need rest as well.”
Ygraine Chockspurr: “Ok, that's enough for me... I need some rest.”
Benny Alesman: “Time for some well earned rest, I think.”
A well earned rest period was taken.
Benny Alesman: “I am encumbered... I will have to unload the loot...”
Lilisa: “A reprovision is in order!”
Tinade Fermana: “Aye, I could stand for more or better supplies.”
Ygraine Chockspurr: “I need spells”
Benny Alesman: “To the Inn then...”
Ygraine Chockspurr: “and wine!”
Back to the Inn
They soon emerged from the depths of the sewers.
Tinade Fermana: “It's so nice to be the first one out of there!”
The group returned to the Yawning Portal Inn.
Durnan: “Welcome back, Benny, is there something more ye be needing?”
Benny Alesman: “I want to sell some treasure I found Durnan!” Benny thought it was nice that the innkeeper remembered his name. He must have made a big impression on Durnan.
Durnan: “Welcome back, Lilisa, is there something more ye be needing? Welcome back, Tinade, is there something more ye be needing?” Oops, Durnan remembered everybody’s name; oh well…
Benny sold most of the items he had found, keeping only the mace from the Cave Goblin Chieftain’s chest.
Benny Alesman: “How do we share the loot?”
Lilisa: “If, on our journeys, anyone should find a decent sickle or sling and bullets, I'd be appreciative.”
Tinade Fermana: “Aye, if I see them, I shall be sure to let you know.”
Benny purchased some bags of holding, spell scrolls and healing potions. Ygraine bought healing supplies from the Paladin known as Miltiades.
Lilisa: “We add unnecessary length to our journey just lounging about.”
Ygraine set about exploring the lobby of the inn in detail. She came upon an elderly lady by some stairs leading up.
Mainna Meyer: “Hello there, lass. Being something I can do for thee?”
Ygraine Chockspurr: “Yes. I am new to this tavern, and thought I would ask thee what this place is like…”
Mainna Meyer: “Well, not much to tell really. This is a tavern and inn. It also has a well, where the foolish young people go down and risk life and limb for some treasure. Quite silly if you ask me, lass. What was your name again lass?”
Ygraine Chockspurr: “I never gave it to you. It's Ygraine.”
Mainna Meyer: “Well met, Ygraine! I am Mainna. If you are new as you say, I would talk to everyone around this tavern. Most of them will speak to thee and have good information and tips for survival. I personally would not risk going down there, these old bones have seen better days, if thy know what I mean! haha!”
Lilisa summoned a panther animal companion named Malane. Lilisa began to playfully wrestle with Malane.
Ygraine Chockspurr: “I have heard they have Drow in the basement.”
Benny contemplated better equipment first.
Benny Alesman: “There is a belt I wish to purchase from the armourer; I shall return shortly...”
Benny quickly left the inn and hurried south to the Armourer. A Xanather thief slipped out of an alleyway to intercept Benny. The thief could not land a solid blow thanks to Benny’s armour. Benny hit the thief with his mace and started a bardsong.
The thief concentrated on hitting Benny. Tinade appeared and sneak attacked the thief with her bow. Not wanting to break contact with Benny the thief swung uselessly against the bard. Benny made short work of the thief.
Tinade Fermana: “I will meet you here; I must purchase a new bow.”
Benny Alesman: “Agreed!”
Benny entered the Armoury. Gilain Hearthstone was his usual cheerful self: “Wha'da ya want? Looking to buy me Armors or Shields?”
Benny was just purchasing the coveted Hearthstone's Archer’s Belt when he heard a voice in his head.
“here i come”
Tinade Fermana: “oh boy”
Lilisa: *pets Malane absently, thinking of the enormous task ahead of them*
Benny hurried outside. Tinade was already there.
Benny Alesman: “Well met, friend.”
Tinade Fermana: “How's it going?”
Benny Alesman: “I need a better short sword; this one couldn't scratch the Goblin Chieftain.”
Tinade Fermana: “Follow me! ”
Lilisa: “The weapons merchant in Waterdeep may have a better sword for you.”
Benny and Tinade came across a Weapon Shop along the south wall of Waterdeep.
Gelfuril the Merchant: “Welcome! Welcome! Looking to buy a weapon, Lad?”
Benny Alesman: “Yes. Please show me your selection!”
Tinade became uneasy.
Tinade Fermana: “We are about to have company.”
Benny quickly bought two short swords (one slightly better than the other) and a composite longbow.
Suddenly the shop owner’s pet terrier also became uneased. It attacked the customers like an animal possessed. The small dog couldn’t really hurt them but it seemed unfazed to attacks as well.
Tinade Fermana: “Bad puppy!”
Ygraine had to leave. Mundane matters were calling for her attention.
Ygraine Chockspurr: “'fraid I'm going to have to run guys- life calls!”
Tinade Fermana: “Farewell.”
Benny Alesman: “Take care 
”
Ygraine Chockspurr: “You too! See you later!”
Suddenly the whole building began to shake violently.
Tinade Fermana: “Earthquake!”
Benny Alesman: “Yikes!”
Tinade Fermana: “Think I'd rather be outside, just in case the roof caves in.”
Lilisa: “As I said, you're not a witch.”
Benny Alesman: “Agreed.”
Benny and Tinade left the shop. Tinade asked direction from a passing guard.
Waterdeep City Guard: “What can I do for thee, Madam?”
Tinade Fermana: Where is the exit from Waterdeep?” “
Waterdeep City Guard: “The exit is in the Southern area of the city. Go as far south as ye can, and you shall see the gates.”
Tinade Fermana: “Thank you, Sir.”
They came to the gate where the guards were battling some trolls that had managed to enter the city. The adventurers ducked back as a Troll Shaman started casting Implosion. The guards were using some sort of harm spell which ended the trolls quickly.
Tinade Fermana: “Oops, I so went the wrong way.”
Tinade and Benny met with Lilisa and the three returned to the inn. Approaching the Yawning Portal Inn from the west side, Tinade found that the inn had a ramp leading up to the third floor. She playfully ran up and down the ramp.
Tinade Fermana: “You should try this after it snows.”
Conversations
As they entered the inn on the third floor, they found a lost looking dwarf.
Torlok Rockrubber: “Bah! Where is my durned room?! Hmph!”
A small group of people were watching a wizard show off his magic. While the patrons were distracted, the adventurers helped themselves to anything that was lying around loose. (Loose being anything that was not guarded by a medium-plus level trap and heavy lock
)
Mukubee the Tribesmen watching Wizard: “Wow!”
Tinade Fermana: I left much loot in the cabinets
Benny spoke with the nearby bartender.
Kern Goodmole: “Welcome, my friend! What can I get ye?”
Benny Alesman: “I would like to see what thy sell.”
Randy the Wizard: “A difficult one this time”
Torlok Rockrubber: M”mmm Ale!”
Mukubee the Tribesmen watching Wizard: “Wow!”
Tinade Fermana: “Are you lost?”
Torlok Rockrubber: “No!”
Randy the Wizard: “A difficult one this time”
Mukubee the Tribesmen watching Wizard: “Hope it's better than your last stinker!”
Kemeria watching Wizard: “Where did he go?!?! That sucked arses! Very Lame. My Pet Rat could do that..”
Lilisa: “I found an amulet which will help your armor be more effective. Would either of you like it?”
Mukubee the Tribesmen watching Wizard: “Wow!”
Kemeria watching Wizard: “I could pass gas better than that, sir”
Torlok Rockrubber: “Mmmm Ale!”
Lilisa noticed a half-orc female talking to a male half-orc who was in the lobby earlier.
Lu Lu the Half-Orc: “Your very presence in my sight, is objectionable!”
Mukubee the Tribesmen watching Wizard: “Be quiet, now”
Torlok Rockrubber: “Mmmm Ale!”
Randy the Wizard: “A difficult one this time”
Lilisa: “Why do you not like me, er.. Lady?”
Lu Lu the Half-Orc: I just told you! You is near me! You GO!
Lu Lu the Half-Orc: “Your very presence in my sight, is objectionable!”
Lilisa: “You are one large, Orc's Ass. Hahah! Ye stink too!”
Lu Lu the Half-Orc: “You funny. No funny when me break you. Me punch a hole in you chest. Muhahah!”
Torlok Rockrubber: “Bah! Where is my durned room?! Hmph!”
Kristen the Wanna-be Witch: "All is well, my Pilgrims!”
Kemeria watching Wizard: “Where did he go?!?!”
Lilisa: “I am so sorry, er, Lady. I shall withdraw from thee at once!”
Lu Lu the Half-Orc: “Yes. Do that, you is a filthy..THING! GO!”
Krung the Half-Orc: What you want Girl?
Lilisa: “You know, Krung old pal, I feel like we are related, I've see you so much!”
Krung the Half-Orc: “Me know. Me always watch you go down that silly hole every night. Me happy you come back, safe!”
Lilisa: “I wanted to talk with you some more, Krung!”
Krung the Half-Orc: “What you want Girl?”
Lilisa: “Aren't your kind outlawed in Waterdeep?”
Krung the Half-Orc: “Only Outlaw when Girl like you bug me. Me get mad and smash!!”
Lilisa: “Heh, well, can I ask you another question? I was joking before..”
Krung the Half-Orc: “What you want Girl?”
Lilisa: “Could I sharpen my blade on your hide?”
Krung the Half-Orc: ‘Me not know what you mean!”
Lilisa: “Can-I-cut-your-backside-with-my-weapon.”
Krung the Half-Orc: “NO! BY THE GODS! YOU ARE SICK! BEGONE!”
Katherin: “Please excuse me mylady, I have really bad gas.. I think it was those pigs’ feet I ate!”
Tinade Fermana: “Aye, you are a living stinking cloud!”
Katherin: “And no spell to memorize! Hahaha!”
Lilisa: “Sorry, just kidding, Kung! I have more questions!”
Krung the Half-Orc: “What you want Girl?”
Lilisa: “Who are you?”
Krung the Half-Orc: “I be Krung! I be me. just a half-orc trying to be me. quitely. be me... be me...”
Lilisa: “Yes. everyone can see that. It's hard not to when you're seven feet tall.”
Krung the Half-Orc: “YES! Me tall. me so tall. me so horny! me need to talk to Misty by door soon.”
Lilisa: “Ya know, you just gave me a really bad mental image.”
Krung the Half-Orc: “Shut's you up!! You need something else?”
Lilisa: “No, I am going to get away from you now.”
Kristen the Wanna-be Witch: “Hello! Wow, you are a handsome fellow! I love what you did with your hair!”
Benny Alesman: “Grumbles... Yes, My hair is nice. What are you about?”
Kristen the Wanna-be Witch: “I'm a dangerous WITCH!”
Torlok Rockrubber: “Mmmm Ale!”
Benny Alesman: “Ye are NOT a real witch!”
Kristen the Wanna-be Witch: “YES I AM! I am! I have powers!! I do!”
Benny Alesman: “Sure ye do. Show me then!”
Kristen the Wanna-be Witch: “Okay! Watch!”
Kristen the Wanna-be Witch: “Go with my blessing, then.”
Torlok Rockrubber: “Bah! Where is my durned room?! Hmph!”
Jak the Halfling: “Greetings, friend.”
Tinade Fermana: “How's it going?”
Jak the Halfling: “Wadda ya want!”
Benny Alesman: “How is the Ale here?”
Jak the Halfling: “It's damn good, me boy! how about ye leave me alone so I can enjoy even more of it?”
Benny Alesman: “I am sorry, small one. I will leave thee be.”
Tinade Fermana: “Such a grouch, to be so short.”
Benny Alesman: “Farewell, then.”
Jak the Halfling: “Until we meet again.”
Lilisa: “He is merely out of balance.”
Tinade Fermana: “I think the correct term is "Imbalanced”
Torlok Rockrubber: “Bah! Where is my durned room?! Hmph!”
Leaving the poor dwarf as lost as when they found him the adventurers went downstairs.
Lilisa: “No, that is a different malady altogether.”
Passing through a waiting area on the second floor the trio continued down to the main lobby.
In the center of the lobby was a well. The well shaft was the best known entrance to Undermountain. People could be lowered to a huge series of caverns, halls, mazes, sewers and other places unnameable. There was treasure down there too. Protecting the treasures were traps, deadly traps, traps that sliced, traps that burned, and traps that simply sucked away your life energy. Also guarding the treasures were monsters; too numerous to count and too horrible to describe.
But if you were strong enough, or smart enough, or fast enough, (or lucky enough), you could slip down, overcome the guardians, grab the loot and make it back with your body and mind still intact.
Armed guards stood by the entrance to the well (or more correctly the exit from Undermountain! ) For some reason there was also an armed guard at the basement stairs.
The three decided to stock up before continuing.
While they were bartering with Durnan, Tinade noticed something. Identical gold rings appeared next to each of the adventurers.
Tinade Fermana: “Wooo, gifts from the Gods... Whoa - check this out.”
Benny Alesman: “Well, have a look at this...”
Tinade Fermana: “Here, on the floor, right beside you.”
As no one seemed to claim ownership of the ring Benny scooped his up and examined it. The ring was enchanted to protect the wearer from several harmful effects like fear and paralysis.
Tinade Fermana: “The Gods have smiled on us, and I'm not overly religious...”
Benny Alesman: “You have my thanks.” Benny figured whoever had the power to bestow gifts would also have the power to hear thanks.
Yawning Portal Guard: “Protect the Tavern, evil creatures are about!”
A small group of bugbears erupted from the well. With the reflexes that only an elf can have, Tinade sent an arrow into the nearest bugbear before any of the others could react. The bugbear was out of the fight before it even started.
Benny charged the biggest bugbear he could find, while Lilisa sent her animal companion, Malane, into the fight.
Benny struck the Bugbear Chieftain with several hard blows. Malane also hit the chieftain but the hardest blows came from the Yawning Portal guards. Durnan hired the best and they made short work of the bugbears and a Goblin Elite that managed to sneak in.
Benny Alesman: “I have to talk to Durnan for a pass...”
Durnan: “Welcome back, Benny, is there something more ye be needing?”
Benny Alesman: “I'm ready to go into Undermountain.”
Durnan: “Are you sure? Are you stocked up on healing potions, weapons, armor and maybe even some magic? I am just making sure, because Undermountain is pretty dangerous.”
Benny Alesman: “Yes, I am ready to go down to Undermountain now.”
Durnan: “There we go, 1 Gold taken, and here is your 'pass'. This will allow you to enter the water well now. Don't worry, the guards will allow you to pass as long as you have the contract. Make sure you have 1GP on returning here.”
Benny Alesman: “Thanks, Durnan!”
Durnan: “Just remember to be careful!” In a low voice he added “Don’t be in too much of a rush into danger. Danger will find you soon enough. Take care.”
A haunting melody came from the harp player in the corner.
Tinade Fermana: “Wow, inspired music now...”
They paid the 1GP fee and were lowered down into Undermountain.
Tinade Fermana: “you sure there's no spiders?”
To be continued…
[ 05-29-2007, 10:00 PM: Message edited by: javan ]