"The Wormwrithings" - Out of the Abyss, Chapter 33

Virtue the Tiefling once again found herself wandering the Underdark lost and alone. The last thing she remembered was a basilisk leading the expedition to Gravenhollow. She must have taken a wrong turn when she paused to check on a strange sound. The sound turned out to be nothing but when she tried to rejoin the group they were nowhere to be found.

She wandered aimlessly with her dragon Santaka. Her demonic sight allowed her to see in the pitch darkness as if it were day. She wandered and slept and repeated the cycle for what must have been days. Eventually she came across a sign left by the scout - what's his name, the little guy, the one who didn't like Ront - Thargus.  She followed the signs. They led her to a blank wall. There was obviously some kind of secret door here. Great. Finding secret doors was not her thing. She needed Pain. This was Pain's thing.

With no other clues, she decided to wait. Hopefully they would come back this way soon. Hopefully she wouldn't run out of food and water.

She sat down and made sure she and Santaka were alone. She removed her provisions from her pack. She bit into some jerky and softened her hard tack with a bit of water. She chewed. She waited. Santaka nudged her with a reptilian snout.

OUT OF THE ABYSS, CHAPTER 33

"THE WORMWRITHINGS"

Having journeyed to Gravenhollow,

the fabled library of the Stone Giants,
and met the exiled drow arch-mage Vizerian,
Five heroes now lead whats left
of their expedition 
to scour the Underdark
and find the ingredients 
of an arcane ritual
that will banish the Demon-Lords
back to the Abyss
from which they escaped.

THE LEADERS OF THE EXPEDITION

• Sir Valerius Adeques - (PC) human paladin and hero, defender and champion of the old gods of nature.
• Virtue - (PC) tiefling paladin and warlock, a mysterious wild card of unknown allegiance.
• Santaka - (NPC) a baby red dragon, loyal to Virtue.
• Willow - (PC) Human wizard, her name will possibly change to Willow, she's still in flux. 
• Phwee-toop - (NPC) Salix/Willow's owl familiar.
• Ront - (PC) orc barbarian of the Iron-Thews tribe seeking redemption for his failures.
• Pain Grille' - (PC) halfling thief from Waterdeep, was turned to stone in Blingdenstone but got better.

THE SURVIVING MEMBERS OF THE EXPEDITION

• Thora Nabal - (NPC)  human warrior of the Order of the Gauntlet
• Sylrien Havennor - (NPC)  human warrior of the Order of the Gauntlet
• Elias Drako - (NPC)  human warrior of the Order of the Gauntlet
• Tamryn Tharke - (NPC)  human warrior of the Order of the Gauntlet
• Thargus Forkbeard - (NPC)  dwarven mounted scout of the Emerald Enclave
• Feral Killmander - (NPC)  human spy of the Lord's Alliance
• Pok-Pok - (NPC) winged kobold.
• Sparky - (NPC) trained fire-beetle. 
• The Shield Guardian - (NPC) a contribution from Lord Zelraun Roaringhorn of the Harpers.

PARTING GIFTS
The leaders of the expedition thanked Vizerian for both his hospitality and his help in the coming fight against the Demon-Lords. They decided that their first task would be to obtain the egg of a purple worm from the Wormwrithings.

the Archmage Vizerian

Before they left, Vizerian bestowed upon each of them a special gift. Each leader of the expedition received a fine silk cloak of drow manufacture known as a piwafwi. Knowing the effect the sunlight radiated from the magic sword Dawnbringer has upon drow magic items, the leaders forced a smile and thanked Vizerian before stuffing the cloaks away deep into their packs never to be used.

Vizerian gave them each an amulet that would protect them from demonic madness.

Finally, he gave Pain the obsidian tablet of Garmin. He directed the spirit within to lead them to the locations of each of the ingredients necessary for the ritual of banishing.

"For security reasons, I have erashed the knowledge of the location of this tower. Do you have a means of returning here?"

Pain, secretly thinking about the arrow of direction kept in his pack, simply smiled and replied, "Don't worry, we have our ways."

With that, the leaders left the tower and rejoined the expedition. They exited the secret grottow of Araj only to find Virtue waiting for them.

They brought Virtue up to speed as they marched into the Wormwrithings.

WORM-SIGN
The tunnels of the Wormwrithings were unlike the passages, fissures, and lava caves of the Underdark. These tunnels were mostly smooth. For the most part they were straight or curved gently. Round nodules the size of melons were occasionally found on the floor.

After their first sleep the expedition encountered a great tremor. They were shocked when a massive purple worm emerged from the floor amidst the expedition, tunneling from the floor to the ceiling. The worm was ten feet wide at least and several hundred feet long. It's passing caused a cave-in that separated the front of the expedition from Valerius and the warriors of the Gauntlet. After waiting eight hours, the rest of the party, not knowing if Valerius and the others even survived or not, decided to press on. Thargus continued to leave guide marks as he went.

ATTACK OF THE PURPLE WORM
On the third "day" after their second rest another purple worm entered into the passage directly behind the expedition and was coming directly at them. The worm filled the passage, its grasping mouth parts and dozens of rows of teeth grinding anything in its path.

Pain sent the rest of expedition forward. The purple worm wasn't charging. It was moving along at a brisk pace but as long as everyone kept moving they could keep ahead of it.

Ront stood his ground, "Ront will stop it!"

Pain called back, "No, Ront! Just run!"

"No!"

Virtue rolled her eyes and sighed, "Hold on, I'm coming!"

Ront took a few steps and tried to make a leaping attack onto the front of the massive worm. Something grabbed him in mid-air and pulled him down. He landed awkwardly. Ront had just enough time to utter, "What?!" before being swallowed whole by the purple worm!

Virtue spat a curse and dove in after him!

Pain did his best to slow the progress of the worm. (DM Note- The purple worm really needs the ability to swallow whole anything in its path of movement as part of its movement - not just an attack. The purple worm attacked Ront - swallow. Next round, it attacked Virtue. It moved forward. However, since an antagonist can't move through enemy squares, its movement was blocked by Pain. I could have said it burrowed beneath, but the whole point was that the worm wasn't interested in the PCs. It was just moving down the tunnel minding its own business)

Despite being crushed by muscles and dissolved by acids Ront and Virtue kept stabbing and cutting from inside the worm's digestive systems. Virtue summoned holy vengeance upon the worm. The pain of the attack caused hte worm to regurgitate its food, disgorging Ront and  Virtue onto the nearby ground.

Put off by its impromptu meal, the giant worm turned its path and burrowed away.

Ront and Virtue lay on the ground, covered by acidic slime and panting. They had survived!

DWARVEN EXPEDITION
As they continued through the Wormwrithings, Pain thought he heard whistling somewhere off in the distance.

An excited Thargus game running back, a big grin plastered across his face, "Do ye hear that? Do ye know what that is?"

"Uh, no?" said Virtue.

"Oh gods, please tell me it's not more flumphs!" sighed Pain.

"Nay! It be dwarves!"

They soon encountered an expedition of seventeen dwarves. The dwarves were searching the wormwrithings for the precious gems found inside the tailings of the purple worms. Pain and Virtue told the dwarves that they had recently come across two purple worms and that they saw what must have been worm tailings.

Ront, fearing some kind of ambush, was wary of the dwarves and treated them harshly. The dwarves, in kind, shared few kind words for the orc barbarian. The party allowed the dwarves to replenish their water from their magical never-empty decanter. In exchange, the dwarves warned the expedition that they had encountered a drow expedition in the wormwrithings a few miles back and to be careful.

After some tense pleasantries filled with forced politeness, the expeditions continuned on their respective ways.

TROLL ATTACK
On the third "day", Thargus the scout came running back as fast as he could, shouting, "Trolls!"

Thergus was pursued by four insane albino trolls. Pain stepped forward and attempted to communicate with them, "Greetings, we..." Virtue sent a fireball into their midst.

Pain turned to Virtue, "What are you doing? They might be friendly. Everything else we've encountered in the Underdark was willing to communicate. Many even had a story!"

Virtue pointed at the still charging trolls, their mouths foaming and their eyes rolling with hysteria, "I don't think they have a story."

"Yeah but.."

Pain's thought was cut off as the first two  trolls slammed into their position, gnashing and clawing!

Ront killed one of the trolls and rushed ahead to take on the other two. The other forward troll followed Ront and the orc was soon surrounded by all three!

Virtue shouted, "Ront! Get out of the way! I can't shelter you from my fireballs like Willow!"

The orc called back, "Never mind that! Do it!"

Virtue opted to launch hex bolts. Meanwhile, Santaka moved forward and breathed fire on the three trolls fighting Ront. Ront cut off one arm but the severed member continued to claw and attack Ront's leg.

Soon all four trolls were dead, their remains burned and charred by Virtue's spells.

Ront stood above the burning trolls, breathing heavily and covered in steaming gore. He dropped to one knee and supported himself with his sword.

"Ront... rest... now..."

DM Note - Ront's player was excited to finally get to use Relentless Endurance.

DRIDER AMBUSH
"Days" later, the expedition heard a scream ahead. It was Thargus. They rushed forward and found Thargus' body filled with three large arrows. With his last breath, Thargus croaked, "Drider.. ambush..." and died.

Ront was struck by three large arrows from the dark. Pain, Virtue, and Ront rushed forward to find the sniper but found nothing but smooth tunnel. Either the attacker fled, was invisible, or had otherwise managed to escape through a secret tunnel.

Pain suggested they perform some kind of ritual for Thargus. Virtue said a few words to commemorate his passing. Ront shrugged, "Ront not see what big deal is. It is way of nature to die."

They left the dwarf's body in the passage and continued on.


DRIDER ATTACK
Hours later, they were once again attacked by sniper. This time they attackers made no effort to hide. It was two hideous spider-drow hybrids known as driders! One drider blocked their way ahead. The other attacked from behind.

Pain, Ront, and Feral ran forward to engage the forward drider in melee while Virtue and the others took cover behind the pack lizards to fight the rear drider at range.

Ront and Virtue were both engulfed in a magical light that made them easy targets. The forward drider was a fierce combatant who focused his attacks upon Ront.

The rear drider exchanged arrows with Virtue's hex bolts as it approached. The lizards were killed so Virtue and Pok-Pok had to crawl close to the ground in order to take advantage of cover.

Both driders were eventually dispatched after a fierce battle. Virtue managed to magically heal the pack lizards before they expired.

TROGLODYTE WARREN
On the seventh "day" the expedition could see that the passage ended in a large open chamber ahead. From the chamber they could smell a horrible odor. It was the smell of troglodytes.

"Ugh" said Pain.

They could hear water flowing and the sound of dozens of creatures hissing and communicating. They approached the end of the tunnel and could see a large grotto bisected by a small flowing river emanating from a steaming fumarole.

On both sides of the river were dozens of troglodytes. They seemed to be hissing loudly at each other in some kind of argument. Lashed to two stalagmites atop a stone rise on the near side of the river was a female troglodyte, obviously some kind of hostage.

Pain held his nose, "I hate troglodytes."

TO BE CONTINUED...

"Gravenhollow" - Out of the Abyss, Chapter 32

As the expedition journeyed through the Underdark on their way to Gravenhollow, they came across a tunnel that was straight and smooth. From ahead there emanated a horrible stench of decay. Eventually they came into the view of the rotting carcass of a massive purple worm. The sounds of munching could be heard inside the corpse. The magical ring indicated that Gravenhollow lay through the worm so they mustered up their fortitude and squeezed through the posterior orifice in order to make their way forward.

The going was rough. They were covered in the loose hanging insides of the creatures intestines, cutting their way past curtains of flesh and muscle and membrane. They had to travel single file, squeezing through the body of the worm. Ront led the way with Pain directly behind. The smell was indescribable and the sound of munching grew louder and louder. Although Ront's sun-globe shone with the brilliance of daylight, visibility was limited to a foot or two. 

They eventually came across the source of the noise. A disgusting three-legged monster with writhing tentacles, a large mouth in its torso, and three eyes atop a long stalk blocked their way. The creature winced at the bright light. The creature communicated with them telepathically, "Light is bad! Are you danger?"

The dimutive Pain squeezed between Ront's legs and replied, "We mean you no harm. Please let us pass."

The creature responded, "No. Way is blocked. You cannot go this way. I know secret way. I take you."

"Sure, show us the way."

"No can show. I take you. Crawl in mouth. One at time. I take you secret way. Come back for next. Take next. One at time. I take you."

"NOPE!"

Ront and Pain killed the disturbing creature.

OUT OF THE ABYSS, CHAPTER 32

"GRAVENHOLLOW"

Demon-Lords have escaped from the Abyss

and are roaming free in the

subterranean land known as the Underdark.

Five heroes unite to lead an expedition

into the depths of the Earth.

They are on the way to Gravenhollow,

the fabled library of the Stone Giants,

where it is said all secrets are known.

The journey to Gravenhollow has been long
and difficult. Over ninety days have passed
on the surface while they made their
way through unending tunnels deep
below ground.
Finally they stand at the threshold of the ancient Library...

THE LEADERS OF THE EXPEDITION

• Sir Valerius Adeques - (PC) human paladin and hero, defender and champion of the old gods of nature.
• Virtue - (PC) tiefling paladin and warlock, a mysterious wild card of unknown allegiance.
• Santaka - (NPC) a baby red dragon, loyal to Virtue.
• Willow - (PC) Human wizard, her name will possibly change to Willow, she's still in flux. 
• Phwee-toop - (NPC) Salix/Willow's owl familiar.
• The Shield Guardian - (NPC) a contribution from Lord Zelraun Roaringhorn of the Harpers.
• Ront - (PC) orc barbarian of the Iron-Thews tribe seeking redemption for his failures.
• Pain Grille' - (PC) halfling thief from Waterdeep, was turned to stone in Blingdenstone but got better.

ADVENTURERS OF THE ORDER OF THE GAUNTLET
Under the command of Ser Valerius

• Thora Nabal - (NPC)  human warrior
• Sylrien Havennor - (NPC)  human warrior
• Elias Drako - (NPC)  human warrior
• Tamryn Tharke - (NPC)  human warrior
• Olaf Renghyi - (NPC)  human warrior (missing)

SCOUTS OF THE EMERALD ENCLAVE
Under the command of Ront

• Brim Coppervein - (NPC)  dwarven mounted scout (missing)
• Thargus Forkbeard - (NPC)  dwarven mounted scout (missing)
• Griswalla Stonehammer - (NPC)  dwarven mounted scout (decased)

GUARDS AND AGENTS OF THE LORDS' ALLIANCE
Under the command of Pain

• Feral Killmander - (NPC)  human spy
• Anzar the Brazen - (NPC)  dwarven warrior (missing)
• Nazrok Blueaxe - (NPC)  dwarven warrior (deceased)
• Kirsil Mantlehorn - (NPC)  dwarven warrior (deceased)
• Garganthine Truesilver - (NPC)  dwarven warrior (deceased)
• Splinter Darkmorn - (NPC)  dwarven warrior (deceased)
• Zilna Oakshadow - (NPC)  human spy (missing)
• Hilvius Haever - (NPC)  human spy (missing)

THE BLACK CLOAKS OF THE ZHENTARIM
Under the command of Virtue

• Nero Kelvane - (NPC)  human thug
• Lenora Hasku - (NPC)  human thug
• Gorath Torn - (NPC)  human thug
• Lhytris Ilgarn - (NPC)  human thug (missing)
• Aligor Moonwhisper - (NPC)  human thug (deceased)
• Saliyra Dalnor - (NPC)  human thug (deceased)
• Primwin Halk - (NPC)  human thug (deceased)
• Iandro Alathar - (NPC)  human thug (deceased)

OTHER HANGER'S-ON

• Pok-Pok - (NPC) winged kobold, Amarith's assistant.
• Sparky - (NPC) fire-beetle, Amarith's trained pet. 
• Derendil - (NPC) a qaggoth, once cursed with a false personality, now fully restored but retaining his unusual gentleness and intelligence, provisional member of the Order of Brilliance. (missing)
• Amarith Coppervein - (NPC) dwarven veteran, formerly owner and operator of a menagerie of demon-possessed creatures. (missing)

WELCOME TO GRAVENHOLLOW
The expedition continued their quest to find Gravenhollow, following the magic ring, resting, then continuing their journey. Eventually they came across a strange fat eight-legged reptile sitting upon a rock. The reptile kept its gaze averted from them. It was a basilisk! The leaders of the expedition prepared to fight.

The basilisk spoke, "Well, it's about time you lot showed up! You were expected to arrive eight tridons ago! Follow me. My name is Veldyskar and I am to guide you to the gates of Gravenhollow."

The basilisk led them through a winding passage for another eight hours. The passage widened to reveal a massive entrance - two stone doors, each fifty feet across and two hundred feet high, flanked by gargantuan statues of armored warriors.

Veldyskar led them past the statues. Despite their incalculable weight, the two doors opened slowly and silently as if touched by a breeze. The immense statues turned their stone heads to regard the expedition as they passed between.

The basilisk waddled down a smooth marble corridor into a well-lit central shaft saying, "Welcome, everyone, to Gravenhollow. Hourm will see to your needs from here."

The central shaft disappeared hundreds of feet below. Dozens of levels were connected by massive stairs and walkways. Stout creatures of stone resembling boulders with thick arms and legs hobbled to and fro on various errands. Daylight, emitted by enormous crystals in the walls, was separated into hundreds of splendorous colors via crystal prisms.

A stout creature made of stone like the ones below detached itself from the marble wall. It spoke in a voice like a bag of gravel, "Greetings travelers. Welcome to Gravenhollow. I am Hourm and I am your guide. You have traveled far. I will direct you to a place of rest and recuperation, where you can eat and drink, be comfortable, and refresh yourselves. You may consult the library at any time. Each level possesses three chambers: the archive of the past, the present, and the future.

The expedition took some time to eat, rest, and relax before exploring the myriad levels of the library.

GHOSTLY VISIONS
Ront, Pain, and Valerius wandered the deep central well. Galleries and halls were connected by stairs and walkways.

"Where do we start?" inquired Pain.

Ront barged into a random hall. "This way!"

They entered the hall and were surprised to find a translucent human. They stared in amazement as the ghostly figure shooed them away for they were standing in front of the item for which he searched.

"Um, who are you?" inquired Valerius.

"What? Oh, I am Andarin Zarith, the Red Wizard of Thay! Now pardon me, I do not have time for this."

"Um, are you ghost?" asked Ront.

"What's that? Oh no. I'm simply here at a different time than you. All time is simultaneous here in Gravenhollow. Everyone who ever has been here and ever will be here are all here at the same time. Now, if you will EXCUSE me!"

Valerian and Pain looked around. Instead of books, the shelves contained dozens of crystal shards, each a yard long and several inches wide, along with stone tablets and strange marble columns engraved in spiralling runes. To their amazement, they found they could magically understand all of the runes, allowing them to read the contents of the archives.

"What ARE these?"

Andarin looked terribly annoyed. He sighed and grabbed one of the crystals, "These are stonespeaker crystals. They each contain the experience of a person or thing from the Underdark. The stone giant archivists capture those experiences and store them here. You take a crystal containing the experience you seek and you meditate. Doing so allows you to experience that event as if you were there! Now IF YOU PLEASE!"

They allowed the wizard to go about his obviously important business.

Pain looked at Valerian, "So what do we want to experience?"

Valerian seemed thoughtful, "Well, we came here to find out how the demons escaped. So I guess we'd look for that. But I don't know how to..."

A crystal moved out of its berth of its own accord, sticking out from the rest.

"Huh. I guess we'll try that one."

Ront was waved in and they all held the crystal together. They concentrated on the moment the demon lords escaped from the Abyss.

They witnessed a drow wizard conducting a powerful ritual in his laboratory in Menzoberranzan. He was harnessing the magical energy that permeates the Underdark to power his spell. Suddenly everything went wrong. Massive rifts began to open and horrific beings tore their way through the breach. He tried to undo his actions, to banish the demon lords, but he only managed to scatter the breaches throughout the Underdark.

As he did so, a great disembodied female voice began to laugh triumphantly. The wizard, afraid and insane, staggered back and fled from his laboratory.

URMAS - KEEPER OF THE PRESENT

Having fulfilled the letter of their mission, they sought out Urmas, the stone giant Keeper of the Present, to learn the current location of each demon lord as well as the identity of the drow wizard responsible. They found Urmas busily recording information onto stone slabs, surrounded by piles of records. Urmas was too busy to meet with them so they looked around. Most of the stone slabs contained names and locations as well as statistics and censuses.

It was there they met a drow wizard named Vizerian.

Vizerian

Vizerian was an older drow accompanied by a large grey-skinned toad-like being.

Vizerian overheard the trio discussing the demonic incursion. Vizerian introduced himself and said that he, too, had been researching the subject.

Valerius asked, "Is.. is that a death slaad?"

Vizerian proudly replied, "Why yes, yes it is. He's my bodyguard, Kleve. I got him in the astral plane!"

"Impressive!"

"Oh absolutely! They're great! Do you not have one? Because if you want one, I know a guy!"

After some pleasantries, Vizerian asked if they had consulted the vision of Gromph Baenre, for he was the wizard responsible.

They deduced that they had.

Vizerian helpfully continued, "Then you're on the right track. I'm researching a possible way to undo the damage he's done. Tell you what. Go and experience a few more visions, check in on the status of each of the demon lords. When you're done, find me. We'll talk about what to do next."

OTHER VISIONS

Following Vizerian's advice, the heroes experienced several visions, one for each demon lord. They witnessed Demogorgon rising from the depths of the Darklake and derro cultists invoke his power in Gracklstugh. They observed the rise of Zuggtmoy and the corruption of Phylo and Yestabrod in Neverlight Grove. They saw the rise of Orcus and the re-animation of the dead Great Brain of the Illithid to do the Demon Lord of Undead's bidding.

They focused on Lolth, the Demon Queen of Spiders. Lolth was not in the Underdark. She was still imprisoned within the Abyss. She was surrounded by thousands upon thousands of large egg sacs. She was tending them, preparing them. She noticed that she was being watched and reached through the vision towards the heroes. To their relief, they were protected by the wards of Gravenhollow which broke the connection. The meaning of the vision was clear - Lolth was preparing an army of her brood.

As they explored the various chambers and halls they also met various interesting personages.

In one hall they met a wizard in gray robes with a tall pointed hat and a long beard. He introduced himself as Elminster and recognized the names Valerian, Pain, and Ront. He explained that his "present" was one hundred years hence and that their deeds during the Demonic Incursion were legendary, though he politely refused to provide any details.

They met a mind flayer named Xetzirbror. Xetzirbror was a visitor from several decades previous. Xetzirbror was trying to find a way to save the Great Brain of the Illithid, who was at that time still dying. When Xetzirbror discovered that they lived in its future, the mind flayer became overly curious, inquiring about future events and outcomes. They demurred and moved on.

Stonespeaker Hgraam

They met a younger version of Stonespeaker Hgraam who told them he would remember them in the future. They also came across an elderly and senile King Bruenor Battlehammer, wandering the library in a daze, unsure of where he was, when it was, or what was going on. They came across the gathered assemblage of the Society of Brilliance at the formation of the esteemed organization. They asked about fellow applicant Prince Derendil, for whom they were told to wait, but no one told them he had disappeared.

Finally, they met the demon lord Graz'zt. Graz'zt did not recognize them nor know them. He was polite and asked a lot of probing questions about their reason for being in Gravenhollow. He also asked them if they had met Vizerian and if they knew where he was for he was searching for him. The team politely but insistently deflected the inquiries and extricated themselves from the awkward conversation.

A FUTURE OF NOTHING
The trio sought out Ustova, the Keeper of the Future, for a glimpse of possible outcomes. To their dismay, they found the Stone Giant staring at a large blank slate in frustration. She was surrounded by many such blank tablets. She sighed heavily. The retreated without bothering her.

They ran into Vizerian again. They told him that they had experienced several visions. He smiled and made them an offer.

"Look, I'll save you a few months of research that I've already performed. I've figured out a way to banish the demon lords. I can't tell you about it here. Did you see Graz'zt? Graz'zt is here! He might be listening now. So here's what we do.

"You should come visit me in my tower. It is called the Tower of Vengeance. Do you know where that is? No, of course you don't. It's about sixty tridons away through the Wormwrithings so take this." A nearby boulder-creature walked up and handed them a thick piece of obsidian cut into a rectangle with smooth edges. The device fit easily into one's palm. "This will guide you to my tower. A spirit is bound within it that will show you a map and will give you verbal directions when asked. It will also allow you to magically travel through the Underdark faster than you could normally. You should arrive at my tower in about fifteen tridons. Don't lose it or you'll never find me. Return it to me at my tower."

"Won't you be accompanying us?"

Vizerian scoffed, "Pfft! You Overworlders are so dense! No! Don't you get it? I'm not here! I'm probably relaxing in my tower right now!"

PASSAGE THROUGH THE WORMWRITHINGS
After one more rest period, the expedition gathered together to head through the region of the Underdark known as "the Womrwrithings", a place known as a home for the gargantuan purple worms that tunnel deep beneath the Earth.

The magical device given to them by Vizerian allowed them to make incredible time. They figured they were could cover twenty-four miles in about eight hours.

The tunnels of the Wormwrithings were smooth and straight. They occasionally interstected with other tunnels and sometimes rose and fell or looped around.

Two rests into their journey they came across a widening of the tunnel. The tunnel intersected with a vertical tunnel creating a shaft in the ceiling and well in the floor. As they approached the well they found they were surrounded by six tentacled worm creatures - gricks - that emerged from walls and floors like maggots from rotting meat. From the well emerged a large grick, the Alpha. They had stumbled into a grick nest!

Ront charged the Alpha while Pain took the right flank and Anzar (DM Note - Wait, didn't he disappear?) took the left flank. Thora, Sylrien, Elias, and Tamryn guarded the rear flank. Valerius, astride his celestial lion, served as a floater moving where he was needed. Pok-Pok flew around and dropped rocks on various gricks while Feral fired his crossbow.

(DM Note - Virtue's player and Willow's player were both absent this week.)

Ront took some heavy damage from the Alpha but shrugged it off. The fighting was intense but the gricks and their Alpha were soon defeated.

The journey through the Wormwrithings would require fifteen cycles of long travel followed by rest. During those cycles the expedition encountered three separate groups of flumphs. The flumphs were happy to encounter the heroes and to feed off their positive emotions. The flumphs reported that they had fled to the Wormwrithings to escape the negative emotions and faerzress permeating the rest of the Underdark.

During the fourteenth "day" of travel the expedition encountered a strange nest. Warrens were dug into the cave walls. A horrid smell permeated the place. Signs of recent life were evident but no beings could be seen. Ront ventured into one of the warrens only to be grabbed by a grotesque albino reptile-creature. Ront extricated himself and returned to the group.

He nodded to Valerius, "Troglodytes."

TOWER OF VENGEANCE
On the fifteenth day they came to their destination. The magical device that led them here opened a secret hidden door in the tunnel, revealing a narrow passage. The narrow passage led to a larger chamber. The chamber was supported by several thick columns of natural stone. one of the columns had been carved into the shape of a tower.

The spirit within the device announced, "You have arrived at your destination!"

The gates to the tower opened automatically but allowed only the leaders of the expedition to enter. The rest of the party were magically prevented from entering and were forced to wait outside.

They were greeted in the entrance by a floating orb of darklight. Though the orb emitted no visible light, its magical emanations were difficult to look at without shielding one's eyes. The orb inspected each of the guests For a moment, the orb of darklight competed with Dawnbringer and Ront's Orb of Sunlight. The room became increasingly harder and harder to see. The contest came to an abrupt end and the objects resumed dimness with no clear winner.

The orb led them to a large shaft in the ceiling. Pain, Ront, and Valerius stood in the shaft and were magically levitated to the top of the tower.

Vizerian's study was a luxurious room with fine appointments. It was decorated with esoteric curios. Vizerian stood from his throne-like cushioned seat and greeted his guests. Kleve stood nearby. Another younger dark elf stood at ease in the corner.

"Greetings! Do you like my orb of darklight? I picked it up in the Negative Material Plane. Isn't it fantastic? Can I get anyone a drink?"

Vizerian called a slave from a nearby room to pour some silvery liquid. He took a drink and offered some to his guests but they refused.

Vizerian asked about their journey. Ront blurted, "What about demons!"

"Ah, blunt and to the point. I like your directness. Very well."

Vizerian told the story of his former partnership with Gromph Baenre, his rival for most powerful wizard in Menzoberranzan. Vizerian explained that he was no devotee of Lolth and had no love for the matriarchy of Menzoberranzan. Gromph exposed Vizerian's heresy and Vizerian was banished. To this day he has nothing but contempt for his former partner and for the drow society that cast him out.

He had learned about the demonic incursion and traveled to Gravenhollow to study it. The he learned that it was caused by Gromph. Gromph, being a fool, was duped by his blind devotion to Lolth. Lolth had tricked him into freeing the demon lords from the Abyss. Meanwhile, bereft of its leadership, Lolth planned on conquering the otherwise vacant thrones of the absent demon lords.

Vizerian explained that he had a plan to reverse Gromph's actions. While in Gravenhollow he learned a ritual that would summon all of the demon lords into a single location. So summoned, they would instinctively fight each other for dominance. Some foolhardy heroes might wait for the melee to end and defeat the remaining demon lord while they were weakened.

"Interested?"

"Tell us more" replied Valerius.

Vizerian said he needed certain very rare ingredients to perform the ritual and that he would need their help in obtaining these ingredients. The ingredients needed were:

1. The intact and unhatched egg of a purple worm
2. The central eye of a beholder
3. Six feathers from six different angels
4. The heart of a goristro
5. Thirteen tinmask mushrooms from the footprint of a marility, balor, or goristro
6. The blood of a demon lord
7. Gromph Baenre's grimoires and notes

He told them where he thought someone might find these items, then appraised them for their response.

"Are you up for the task?"

TO BE CONTINUED...

"The Bridge of Doom" - Out of the Abyss, Chapter 31

The Zhentarim black cloaks engaged the air elementals in combat, distracting them while Virtue snuck away. If she was successful, they would return to the expedition. 

She approached the ancient chamber. It was flanked by heavy stone pillars. The seal was unbroken.

She turned the complicated mechanism and opened the door. The seal cracked and broke away. A gust of wind rushed out.

Inside, a genie was bound within magic circle, trapped. The genie was surrounded by a whirlwind. The chamber opened onto a vast rift deep underground. The wind from the chamber blew a constant maelstrom into the rift, creating strong winds deep underground. 

She carefully rotated the four seals placed around the magic circle. The whirlwind stopped. The genie was a spinning mass of cloud and fog. 

"Genie."

The cloud and fog resolved itself into the ethereal shape of a humanoid torso with blue skin. The genie examined Virtue with cold malice.

"Genie. I have been sent to free you from this prison. But before I do, I must obtain your guarrantee that no harm will come to me."

"That is beyond my power. I can only promise you that I will never harm you."

"Close enough." Virtue freed the genie.

The great entity, freed from its bonds, said, "Thank you. In gratitude for your actions, I will return you to your friends."

"What? Wait a minute, I don't have any... friiieeeenn..." Her voice tailed off as winds carried her through the caverns of the Underdark to she knew not where.

OUT OF THE ABYSS, CHAPTER 31

"THE BRIDGE OF DOOM"

Demon-Lords have escaped from the Abyss

and are roaming free in the

subterranean land known as the Underdark.

Five heroes unite to lead an expedition

into the depths of the Earth.

They are on the way to Gravenhollow,

the fabled library of the Stone Giants,

where it is said all secrets are known.

Their travel was interrupted

by a toll bridge manned by ogres.
After it was discovered that the alternative route
was a trap set by gargoyles
the expedition returned to deal with the ogres
guarding the bridge...

THE LEADERS OF THE EXPEDITION

• Sir Valerius Adeques - (PC) human paladin and hero, defender and champion of the old gods of nature.
• Virtue - (PC) tiefling paladin and warlock, a mysterious wild card of unknown allegiance.
• Santaka - (NPC) a baby red dragon, loyal to Virtue.
• Willow - (PC) Human wizard, her name will possibly change to Willow, she's still in flux. 
• Phwee-toop - (NPC) Salix/Willow's owl familiar.
• The Shield Guardian - (NPC) a contribution from Lord Zelraun Roaringhorn of the Harpers.
• Ront - (PC) orc barbarian of the Iron-Thews tribe seeking redemption for his failures.
• Pain Grille' - (PC) halfling thief from Waterdeep, was turned to stone in Blingdenstone but got better.

ADVENTURERS OF THE ORDER OF THE GAUNTLET
Under the command of Ser Valerius

• Thora Nabal - (NPC)  human warrior
• Sylrien Havennor - (NPC)  human warrior
• Olaf Renghyi - (NPC)  human warrior
• Elias Drako - (NPC)  human warrior
• Tamryn Tharke - (NPC)  human warrior

SCOUTS OF THE EMERALD ENCLAVE
Under the command of Ront

• Brim Coppervein - (NPC)  dwarven mounted scout (missing)
• Thargus Forkbeard - (NPC)  dwarven mounted scout
• Griswalla Stonehammer - (NPC)  dwarven mounted scout (decased)

GUARDS AND AGENTS OF THE LORDS' ALLIANCE
Under the command of Pain

• Anzar the Brazen - (NPC)  dwarven warrior
• Feral Killmander - (NPC)  human spy
• Nazrok Blueaxe - (NPC)  dwarven warrior (deceased)
• Kirsil Mantlehorn - (NPC)  dwarven warrior (deceased)
• Garganthine Truesilver - (NPC)  dwarven warrior (deceased)
• Splinter Darkmorn - (NPC)  dwarven warrior (deceased)
• Zilna Oakshadow - (NPC)  human spy (missing)
• Hilvius Haever - (NPC)  human spy (missing)

THE BLACK CLOAKS OF THE ZHENTARIM
Under the command of Virtue

• Nero Kelvane - (NPC)  human thug
• Lenora Hasku - (NPC)  human thug
• Gorath Torn - (NPC)  human thug
• Lhytris Ilgarn - (NPC)  human thug (missing)
• Aligor Moonwhisper - (NPC)  human thug (deceased)
• Saliyra Dalnor - (NPC)  human thug (deceased)
• Primwin Halk - (NPC)  human thug (deceased)
• Iandro Alathar - (NPC)  human thug (deceased)

OTHER HANGER'S-ON

• Derendil - (NPC) a qaggoth, once cursed with a false personality, now fully restored but retaining his unusual gentleness and intelligence, provisional member of the Order of Brilliance.
• Amarith Coppervein - (NPC) dwarven veteran, formerly owner and operator of a menagerie of demon-possessed creatures. 
• Pok-Pok - (NPC) winged kobold, Amarith's assistant.
• Sparky - (NPC) fire-beetle, Amarith's trained pet. 

VIRTUE'S RETURN
The expedition followed the path along the ledge overlooking a deep water-filled chasm. They found a wide landing around the corner. A perfectly flat stone bridge extended from the landing across the chasm. The bridge looked to be an extension of the stone and did not appear to be caved or made of blocks. On the far side of the bridge stood a contingent of guards consisting of four duergar, three ogres, and a crazed derro. They had obviously heard the sound of the alarm horn blown from the earlier checkpoint and had made ready. Thargus Forkbeard was separated from his riding lizard. He had not yet been taken prisoner but his hands were raised and the guards' weapons were drawn. The Derro watched him for any sudden moves.

On the near landing lay Virtue and Santaka. They had been blown through the chasm by the genie and unceremoniously deposited on the landing next to the expedition. She stood up and brushed herself off. Santaka shook like a dog. "Hey, what's going on? Where's Willow?"

Pain explained the situation and explained that Willow was staying behind at the checkpoint.

One of the three ogres on the far side of the bridge called out, "Don't come any furder! De horn says you didn't pay da toll! Nobody crosses da bridge widdout payin' da toll!"

Pain feigned deafness due to the high winds blowing through the chasm, "What? I can't... WHAT???" He slowly approached onto the bridge. Valerius accompanied him astride his celestial lion.

"Don't come any furder! Stop dere!"

Pain continued his ruse as they inched closer.

Suddenly a human voice called out in perfect Common from a hidden ledge overlooking the near side of the bridge, "You can hear them just fine! You will not cross my bridge! You have killed my guards and you have no intention of paying my toll. Leave now or be destroyed!"

Virtue cast a glance at Ront, Pain, and Valerius. Valerius and Pain understood her meaning. Virtue locked eyes with her red dragon Santaka. The dragon wiggled its tail and haunch in anticipation. Virtue nodded.

Virtue cast a spell of flight upon herself. She and her dragon took to the air.

In response, the unseen figure from the ledge above and behind them threw a hastily cast fireball spell. The spell exploded in the midst of expedition. Pok-Pok and Sparky were killed instantly. The rest miraculously survived! Valerius, Ront, and Pain, separated from the group, were not caught within the blast. They immediately rushed the bridge to engage its defenders on the far side.

The mysterious drow merchant, accompanied by her two hobgoblin guards, retreated from the group. To everyone's no one's surprise, she began scuttling up the cliff like a spider. She pointed a hand at the burning survivors of the expedition and produced a spray of thick sticky webbing. She covered the expedition and continued climbing towards the ledge.

Virtue and Santaka landed on the ledge in front of a human male. He was missing a leg and supported himself using an ornate staff topped with a large uncut emerald cyrstal. He staggered back.

Virtue cast a fireball spell of her own while Santaka breathed fire. The wizard swiped his free hand and dispelled the fireball but was caught in the blast of the dragon's fire breath.

Meanwhile, on the bridge, the four duergar grew to gigantic proportions and met Ront head-on. Ront cleaved through the giants, cutting them down in short order and advancing. Valerius charged astride his mighty lion while Pain moved underneath cutting hamstrings and stabbing upwards from underfoot.

The hobgoblin guards attacked the expedition while they were immobilized by webbing but the warriors of the Gauntlet held their own.

Virtue continued her confrontation with the wizard Mistle. Injured from the dragon-fire, Mistle disappeared into a puff of silvery mist. Another puff could be heard from a small tunnel behind the ledge. He could not be seen.

The drow climbed over the ledge, only she was no longer a drow. She revealed her true form, that of a large spider with a humanoid head. An unusual hump grew from the top of the spider's abdomen.

"Do not worry, Tiefling. It is I, Kaul'Riah. I am an ally, if you wish it. Let me help you kill Mistle. I only ask that I am able to take possession of this bridge upon his death."

Virtue appraised the hideous spider-thing. "We'll, uh, talk later," she said before darting off down the passage after Mistle.

The battle continued to rage on the bridge as Valerius, Pain, and Ront continued their onslaught on the ogres.

After managing to free themselves of the webbing and dispatch the hobgolbins, the crossbowmen of the expedition fired volleys at the ogres and at the derro. Thargus broke away from the derro and fired his own crossbow, killing the crazed humanoid, before turning his own attacks upon the ogres.

Facing overwhelming numbers and superior firepower, the defenders of the bridge were soon defeated.

THE WIZARD'S CHAMBERS
Virtue came into a lit chamber with a table, a desk, and a storage cabinet. Another passage exited the chamber and two stone doors were set into niches in the wall to the right. One door had four handles arranged vertically. Chained to one wall by a collar was a svirfneblin slave. The slave was hooded and stared blankly at the wall.

Virtue couldn't tell where the wizard went. She removed the hood from the slave and asked, but he simply sighed and shrugged without even looking away from the wall.

Virtue returned to the ledge. The spider-thing approached to speak. Without acknowledging the spider-thing or even so much as breaking her stride, Virtue gave a curt nod at Santaka and the dragon breathed flame upon Kaul'Riah, consuming the spider-thing in flame and killing it instantly.

The battle on the bridge was over and Virtue flew down to check on everyone. Valerius had managed to reviviy the recently deceased Pok-Pok and Sparky and was tending to the wounds of the others.

Virtue described the wizard's chambers and the group planned their next action.

Pain, Ront, and Valerius climbed the wall and joined Virtue and Santaka a the top of the ledge. They explored the chamber carefully.

Pain set to the door, examining it from traps but finding none. He carefully turned the first knob.

The ceiling opened up and rocks fell. He managed to jump out of the way to avoid harm. The rocks fell into a trap door in the floor and the sound of mechanisms and gears could be heard moving the rocks back in position above the door.

He tried the third doorknob. The same thing happened. Rocks spilled, he jumped out of the way, the trap reset.

He nervously tried the second handle. The door opened easily.

"Screw this. I have to know." He closed the door and tried the fourth handle. The door's hinges fell off the the heavy stone door lurched forward, threatening to crush the halfling street urchin. Pain cowered but the door caught itself on the wall, creating a void underneath but trapping Pain.

"A little help?" cried the halfling.

Ront stretched and moved the heavy door with ease.

They found the wizard's bedchambers within. There was another hooded svirfneblin slave chained to the wall within but the wizard was nowhere to be seen. The room looked hastily ransacked as if the wizard came here, grabbed a few essentials, and fled in a hurry.

When asked, the svirfneblin slave said the wizard came here, grabbed a few things, then cast a spell and disappeared.

After searching the room, Ront found a ring on a severed hand at the bottom of a small amount of brine in a large stone jar. A secret niche was found but it was empty.

Searching the rest of the complex, they found another chamber where additional duergar guarded the tolls collected and manned the alarm horn. The duergar and the treasure apparently turned invisible and fled after the attack on the checkpoint.

They also found a stairway that descended to a boat landing at the bottom of the chasm. The boat was gone.

MOVING AHEAD
The expedition rested here before preparing to resume their journey to Gravenhollow. They raided Mistle's storeroom and replenished their supplies before they embarked. They soon met the black cloaks of the Zhentarim on the other side of the bridge.

The rest of the journey to Gravenhollow was long and perilous. Over the course of over forty cycles of travel and rest they encountered shadow demons, rock falls, and mysterious disappearances. At one point the entire expedition was reduced to the leadership and one or two warriors of the Gauntlet. Even Santaka and Ferryl Killmander had disappeared! However, during one leg of travel they found four of the missing members of the expedition wandering aimlessly and lost with no memory of where they had been. Santaka, Ferryl, and two others were reunited with the group.

DM Note- Yeah, we summed up the rest of the journy. I just went down the list of all the random encounters. We rolled randomly to see who disappeared. Then one encounter called for four random commoners. I replaced that with finding four of the missing NPCs. We rolled randomly to see who came back. I rolled a d30, with 27-30 indicating GM's choice. First result was 27 so I picked Ferryl because I like him. The second result was Santaka. I don't even remember the other two.

The expedition continued their quest to find Gravenhollow, following the magic ring, resting, then continuing their journey. Eventually they came across a strange fat eight-legged reptile sitting upon a rock. The reptile kept its gaze averted from them. It was a basilisk! The leaders of the expedition prepared to fight.

The basilisk spoke, "Well, it's about time you lot showed up! You were expected to arrive eight days ago! Follow me. My name is Veldyskar and I am to guide you to the gates of Gravenhollow."

TO BE CONTINUED...

"The Chasm Bridge" - Out of the Abyss, Chapter 30

"I have to go," said Virtue, "but I'll be back."

"Where are you going?" inquired Valerius.

"I can't say. I'm not even sure. But I have to take a small force ahead. It's a secret Zhentarim mission."

"Well, be safe."

Virtue thought about that for a moment, "Sure. Why not?"

OUT OF THE ABYSS, CHAPTER 30

"THE CHASM BRIDGE"

Demon-Lords have escaped from the Abyss

and are roaming free in the

subterranean land known as the Underdark.

Five heroes unite to lead an expedition

into the depths of the Earth.

They are on the way to Gravenhollow,

the fabled library of the Stone Giants,

where it is said all secrets are known.

After rescuing Amarith Coppervein
from a demonic zoo
the party continues on their journey
only to encounter strange shadow creatures...

THE LEADERS OF THE EXPEDITION

• Sir Valerius Adeques - (PC) human paladin and hero, defender and champion of the old gods of nature.
• Virtue - (PC) tiefling paladin and warlock, a mysterious wild card of unknown allegiance.
• Santaka - (NPC) a baby red dragon, loyal to Virtue.
• Willow - (PC) Human wizard, her name will possibly change to Willow, she's still in flux. 
• Phwee-toop - (NPC) Salix/Willow's owl familiar.
• The Shield Guardian - (NPC) a contribution from Lord Zelraun Roaringhorn of the Harpers.
• Ront - (PC) orc barbarian of the Iron-Thews tribe seeking redemption for his failures.
• Pain Grille' - (PC) halfling thief from Waterdeep, was turned to stone in Blingdenstone but got better.

ADVENTURERS OF THE ORDER OF THE GAUNTLET
Under the command of Ser Valerius

• Thora Nabal - (NPC)  human warrior
• Sylrien Havennor - (NPC)  human warrior
• Olaf Renghyi - (NPC)  human warrior
• Elias Drako - (NPC)  human warrior
• Tamryn Tharke - (NPC)  human warrior

SCOUTS OF THE EMERALD ENCLAVE
Under the command of Ront

• Brim Coppervein - (NPC)  dwarven mounted scout (missing)
• Thargus Forkbeard - (NPC)  dwarven mounted scout
• Griswalla Stonehammer - (NPC)  dwarven mounted scout

GUARDS AND AGENTS OF THE LORDS' ALLIANCE
Under the command of Pain

• Anzar the Brazen - (NPC)  dwarven warrior
• Feral Killmander - (NPC)  human spy
• Nazrok Blueaxe - (NPC)  dwarven warrior (deceased)
• Kirsil Mantlehorn - (NPC)  dwarven warrior (deceased)
• Garganthine Truesilver - (NPC)  dwarven warrior (deceased)
• Splinter Darkmorn - (NPC)  dwarven warrior (deceased)
• Zilna Oakshadow - (NPC)  human spy (missing)
• Hilvius Haever - (NPC)  human spy (missing)

THE BLACK CLOAKS OF THE ZHENTARIM
Under the command of Virtue

• Nero Kelvane - (NPC)  human thug
• Lenora Hasku - (NPC)  human thug
• Gorath Torn - (NPC)  human thug
• Lhytris Ilgarn - (NPC)  human thug (missing)
• Aligor Moonwhisper - (NPC)  human thug (deceased)
• Saliyra Dalnor - (NPC)  human thug (deceased)
• Primwin Halk - (NPC)  human thug (deceased)
• Iandro Alathar - (NPC)  human thug (deceased)

OTHER HANGER'S-ON

• Derendil - (NPC) a qaggoth, once cursed with a false personality, now fully restored but retaining his unusual gentleness and intelligence, provisional member of the Order of Brilliance.
• Amarith Coppervein - (NPC) dwarven veteran, formerly owner and operator of a menagerie of demon-possessed creatures. 
• Pok-Pok - (NPC) winged kobold, Amarith's assistant.
• Sparky - (NPC) fire-beetle, Amarith's trained pet. 

SHADOW DEMONS AND LAVA SWELLS

The expedition was navigating a long smooth tunnel of black rock when suddenly a dark ethereal shape flashed from the floor to the ceiling againd of them, passing through solid stone! Another shape darted amidst the expedition. Ront called for a halt. They were not alone.

Ront ran forward of the main group and held aloft his sun-sphere. It hovered and glowed with the light of day. The shadowy form emerged from the stone and recoiled in horror. Its shadowy ethereal form resolved into an oily humanoid torso with dark leathery wings and a horned head. Its clawed hands shielded itself from the rays of the orb. It hissed and clawed at Ront. Ront slashed at the creature with his sword.

Another shadowy creature emerged from the rock towards the center of the expedition, attacking Willow. Pain and Feryl rushed to her aid.

After a short battle, the shadow demon attacking Ront was destroyed while the one attacking Willow was forced to flee into the stone of the passage wall. It never returned.

The expedition continued their endless journey through the bowells of the earth. They traveled until they were tired. They rested, they slept, then they traveled some more.

Suddenly the passage ceiling collapse and lava began dropping from above, filling the tunnel. The party hurried past but lost Griswalla Stonehammer. 

THE OGRE CHECKPOINT

The expedition pushed forward. Eventually, the lone remaining scout, Thargus Forkbeard, returned to report a checkpoint ahead manned by what appeared to be ogres. 

The expedition approached openly with the leaders at the front. The passage widened into a chamber with one side that opened onto a rift and a deep chasm. The sound of wind and rushing water could be heard echoing from the chasm. The chamber had a large stone table and chairs as well as a cauldron of mulled wine warming over magically heated rocks. 

Seated at the table was a drow female with her two hobgoblin guards standing behind her. She was negotiating with the largest of the ogres. When the party arrived, the large ogre held up his hand as if to pause her in mid-sentence.

The ogre got up and approached the party. He spoke eloquently and politely... for an ogre.

"Hello. I am Grakk. We guard the bridge over the chasm. If you wish to cross the bridge, you must pay the toll."

"How much is the toll?" asked Pain. 

The ogre looked over the expedition piled up behind Pain, "Umm.. Two hunnert gold coins."

"Oh, well, okay."

"...each."

"What? No way!" Pain leaned in close with a conspiratorial manner, "Maybe we can come to some other arrangement? How about we cross for free?"

"Uh, no. The boss wouldn't like that. Nobody crosses his bridge without paying the toll."

"Isn't there some other way?"

"Well.. okay.. look. I like you. But there is another way across the chasm. There's a rope bridge down dat way. Don't tell the boss."

Thargus cleared his troat, "Uh, rope bridge? Sir, I don't think my riding lizard will be able to cross that."

Valerius, Pain, Willow, and Ront conferred. It was true. On top of that, Willow's shield guardian was too large to cross any rope bridge. It was agreed that they would pay the toll for Thargus and the shield guardian but everyone else would cross the rope bridge.

"Hey, what about your lion mount?" someone asked Valerius.

"No problem. When we get there, I can un-summon him then re-summon him on the other side."

"Okay, show us the rope bridge."

"Hey! Wait!" interjected the drow. "How come they don't have to pay? Mistle won't like this!"

"You shaddup!" said Grakk, "I already told you. Mistle the Great ain't gonna sell his bridge to you!"

"We'll see about that!" she said as she returned to her seat.

Grakk pointed to one of the ogres, "Show dem de way to the rope bridge."

The ogre begain snickering, "S-sure boss!"

Grakk glared at him.

THE ROPE BRIDGE

The ogre guide led them through a side tunnel. The tunnel emerged onto a ledge on the side of the chasm, became a tunnel again, and finally emerged onto another ledge that led to a rope bridge connecting both sides of the rift. Wind blew constantly and water could be heard rushing in the darkness far below. 

The rope bridge was little more than three stout lengths of rope connecting both ends. One cross the chasm by walking the bottom rope while holding onto the other two ropes. The entire affair appeared treacherous and fraught with peril.

The ogre guide stopped and pointed to the bridge. He very loudly declared, "Dat ober dere is rope bridge. You should probubly cross one at time!" The ogre squeezed past everyone as he retreated the way he came.

The party cautiously moved forward along the ledge to the rope bridge. Before they could make it, several winged humanoids emerged from a cave - gargoyles! One appeared to be larger than the others. It flew past inspecting the expedition. The large gargoyle indicated two victims amongst the expedition and four of the smaller gargoyles swooped in to attack. 

Willow telepathically reached out to her shield guardian, ordering it to return to her. 

Ront was grabbed by one gargoyle and was pulled off the ledge into the air. Pok-Pok the winged kobold flew after Ront. Ront managed to kill the gargoyle and began to plummet but was captured by Pok-Pok and carried back to the ledge. 

Meanwhile, the warriors of the Gauntlet opened fire with crossbows before engaging the gargoyles with spears. 

Soon all four gargoyles were either killed or repulsed. With the fighting over, the ogre guide poked his head out of the tunnel and inquired, "Have you caught more slaves yet?" The ogre noticed that the battle had gone poorly for the gargoyles and uttered "Oh shit!" before he quickly turned to run. 

Valerius, Pain, and Ront quickly caught up to the ogre and cut the brute down before he could warn the others. 

The party, concerned about gargoyle attack while crossing the rope bridge, turned back to attack the ogres at the checkpoint.

BATTLE AT THE CHECKPOINT

The expedition returned to the checkpoint to confront the ogres. They were met by two of the ogre guards who blocked the entrance into the cavern. Valerius, Ront, and Pain engaged the ogres one at a time. Willow provided magical support while Pok-Pok flew overhead dropping stones.

DM NOTE- Pok-Pok is a rock-dropping bad-ass!

Every rock dropped by Pok-Pok was a critical hit!

On the other side of the cavern, Willow's shield guardian was engaged with another ogre as it tried to return to her side.

Grakk went into a side room. He returned and grabbed the cauldron of mulled wine. As he carried the cauldron towards the melee, there came the blaring of a warning horn from the side room. Grakk strode forth and threw the cauldron and the wine onto the front ranks of the expedition. He then drew forth a large mace and swung wildly.

Valerius, Ront, and Pain quickly dispatched Grakk and the other two ogres. Before they coudl assist the shield guardian, the drow ordered her hobgoblins to attack the ogre.

The drow approached Valerius and pain, and in her exotic accent inquired, "Need some help?"

TO BE CONTINUED...