Stackman's Adventures (Chapter eighteen)

[bsftcs]

Backstroking

Being the eighteenth chapter of Stackman’s adventures

In which a blind gnome displays exceptional gardening skills and in which the zenmaster beaks the Gael Serran record of backstroking upstream.

If one had to climb the Dragon Spire in a hurry this could easily be done. Either by stacking about twenty-five petrified creatures or climbing the rock wall itself (as explained by Greidee in an excellent tip on the matter (of course the old classic, tree surfing would also do the trick)).

The party was in no hurry so they entered the Dragon Spire. After crossing a suspension bridge (room A on the Dragon Spire map at Xignal´s Site the party entered a tunnel leading deep inside the mountain. Just inside the tunnel was a letterbox. The valkyrie put Erzebette’s letter in the box, and thus ended the third and last quest given by NPCs in the Wilderness of Ishad N’ha.

Crates lining the walls of the tunnel revealed that the Stouts had previously come to mine here. But that only lasted until Hephaestus put up the bronze firebeast. Hanging from the ceiling the bronze dragon head was propelled against the party by some machinery (room B). Smiling the heavily protected adventurers strolled through the fire and flipped the lever control thus disabling the mechanism (although it would also have been possible to “vanish” past the firebeast).

Further down the tunnel the path diverged (room C). The party took the left road. Finishing off a party of the abundant fuming fungi the party came to the underground river. Having looted a treasure chest in the water they started to swim against the current. (It is a good idea to swim backwards as explained by, among many others, Davros on Page two of the Best tips (or to avoid swimming in the first place as explained by Sazerac on Page one of the Best tips)). Soon they came to a landing (room E).

Climbing a hole in the roof of the cave the party soon found themselves face to face with Scorthidon, one of the local dwellers. Apparently it was one of Scorthidon’s family members S’Keser Da had hired for fighting in the pit. But this scorpion was, like the pit crawler, no match for the spellcasters of the party. Behind the giant scorpion (room F) the party found a dragonshard in a treasure chest. Knowing the purpose of the crystal the party took it with them.

Following the path on the other side of Scorthidon’s area, the party came upon Kol (room G). The escaped servant of the serpent had grown mad from meglomania. Knowing what fate was to befall him the party paid no heed to his mad ravings. Following the right parth from where they had met Kol the party came upon an area with a few spiders (room H). Finishing off these the bard found a bridge crank in a treasure chest.

Following the left path over a small bridge behind a waterfall the party found the path blocked by a boulder (room R). Unable to go any further that way the party went back. From the stone bridge they were able to jump down into a small pool of water between two waterfalls. This would have saved them a swim upstream. However, they went back to the second landing (room E) of the river to swim from there.

Swimming upstream they came across another landing (room D). From here a small corridor led back to the intersection just after the bronze firebeast (room C). From here a small walkway ran along the river for a few kilometres. Gradually the sound of the waterfall increased until it was almost deafening. The party had to swim the last portion of the river upstream.

When they passed the waterfall the current was no longer a problem. The party found themselves in a small pool of water between two waterfalls. Above them was the stone bridge they had passed earlier. Below them was a treasure chest. The bard dived down and looted it. Swimming through the next waterfall the party came across a wooden landing bridge (room I). From there a ladder ascended up to a platform above them.

Using the bridge crank on a mechanism on the platform a wooden bridge spanned the gorge between the two waterfalls and the party was able to cross the span. Walking through a corridor the party wound up in a large cave (room K). Inside the cave stood the gnome Hephaestus. Although he was blind he was very adept at inventing. Almost every man-made machine in the Gael Serran was his work – including the traps and inventions in the Boogre Caves. He was so skilled he could grow weeds and plants in the cavern without any sunlight for the green cells to perform the photosynthesis.

He thanked the party for delivering Erzebette’s letter. He also gave them a wand of weakening for the trouble. From him the party learned the myth of Collasium, the sunken city. After resting for a while in the tranquil cave the party moved on.

NPCs encountered:

Hephaestus reacts to following words:

Stout, Stout Mine, Stout Mines, Caves, Cet, Mavin, Anephas, Kerah, Angel, Spirit, Dragon, Kol, Erathsmedor, Hephaestus, Dragon Spire, Cave, Stouts, S’Keser Da, Hag, Wisdom, Letter, Gemstones, Firebeast, Machines, Ancient, Slayers, Great Door, Stranger, Crystals, Collasium, Ore, Story, Pharaoh, Oracle, Sunken City.

[ 08-27-2003, 05:35 PM: Message edited by: bsftcs ]

[Wyvern]

Another great chapter!!!

I had to really think about the Spire to remember all the pathways. Lots to be done in the Spire, certainly an interesting "dungeon".

Keep them coming!!!

Wyv