Post by David on Oct 26, 2015 17:42:16 GMT -5
The heroes (Ichi, Shang-Lung, Corona, Klornap, Shayana, Zylvanar with Nikaris, and Bruenor) realize that the two deep gnomes they rescued speak Dwarvish and quickly learn a great deal about Pebbles Smoothhands and Twillayne Fungusfinder. They also learn that the region beneath the Bloodstone mines, Deep Earth, used to be a gnomish kingdom until it was invaded by duergar empowered by Orcus and his demons. The svirfneblin convince the heroes that they can escort them across the dwarves' cavern and guide them to the kingdom of the gnomes. Six hours later, the heroes come up from behind a huge waterfall 500' above the cavern floor. Ichi uses his magical broom to bring the heroes to the edge of the mushroom forest, accidentally bypassing numerous skeletal guards. The heroes then use Ichi's moonlight stones from Charn to sneak through the massive cavern, past dwarven settlements and livestock pens with humanoids in them to the far side of Deep Earth, more than three miles distant. Ichi, Zyl, and the gnomes superior infravision make all the difference. On the far side of the Deep Earth cavern, however, the heroes run into roughly a thousand skeletons with a few duergar overseers.
The heroes destroy more than a hundred skeletons as well as slay more than a dozen dwarves, thanks to several fireballs and disrupt unlifes. The party then manages to flee out into the Underdark where Shang memorizes a location for teleportation. An hour later, the Black Dragon disappears with Zylvanar and a good chunk of the party treasure in order to restore the drow and resupply the party. With Pebbles and Twillayne as guides, the heroes cross an underground lake and come upon a large chamber. In this room they battle six spectres. Klornap manages to turn three, but the others drain the cleric nearly to death. The heroes destroy the three spectres and continue, finally reaching the gnomish kingdom roughly three hours later. They meet with King Reggedo who offers what aid his people can, including partially restoring Klornap.
The next day the heroes head out to rendez-vous with Shang. They again battle the three spectres, this time destroying them with thanks to Shayana's negative plane protection spell. Corona wisely suggests looking for the spectre's bodies and the heroes find quite a bit of loot. The group also runs afoul of a pair of umber hunks that they slaughter. Shang and Zylvanar appear about an hour later, returning with lots of potions to share. The group then heads back to the gnomes, battling two intellect devourers along the way. Shang's magic missiles prove the only effective attack until Ichi's foe stuns itself and its psychic defenses faulter.
The following day, the heroes scout out the "southern" passage into Deep Earth and determine that it's dangerous. With the help of some of King Reggedo's miners and scouts, the heroes spend the next nine days carefully stone shaping a narrow tunnel into Deep Earth using Corona and Zylvanar's spells.
What a great place for a deep gnomish NPC to temporarily join the party...jus' sayin'...!
The heroes destroy more than a hundred skeletons as well as slay more than a dozen dwarves, thanks to several fireballs and disrupt unlifes. The party then manages to flee out into the Underdark where Shang memorizes a location for teleportation. An hour later, the Black Dragon disappears with Zylvanar and a good chunk of the party treasure in order to restore the drow and resupply the party. With Pebbles and Twillayne as guides, the heroes cross an underground lake and come upon a large chamber. In this room they battle six spectres. Klornap manages to turn three, but the others drain the cleric nearly to death. The heroes destroy the three spectres and continue, finally reaching the gnomish kingdom roughly three hours later. They meet with King Reggedo who offers what aid his people can, including partially restoring Klornap.
The next day the heroes head out to rendez-vous with Shang. They again battle the three spectres, this time destroying them with thanks to Shayana's negative plane protection spell. Corona wisely suggests looking for the spectre's bodies and the heroes find quite a bit of loot. The group also runs afoul of a pair of umber hunks that they slaughter. Shang and Zylvanar appear about an hour later, returning with lots of potions to share. The group then heads back to the gnomes, battling two intellect devourers along the way. Shang's magic missiles prove the only effective attack until Ichi's foe stuns itself and its psychic defenses faulter.
The following day, the heroes scout out the "southern" passage into Deep Earth and determine that it's dangerous. With the help of some of King Reggedo's miners and scouts, the heroes spend the next nine days carefully stone shaping a narrow tunnel into Deep Earth using Corona and Zylvanar's spells.
What a great place for a deep gnomish NPC to temporarily join the party...jus' sayin'...!