While the group licks it’s wounds from the ferocious attack of the Black Dragon, Max Highfoot (Druid 11/MU 6) transmutes via plant to the college of the wizards to put into effect the plan hatched by the EFK to seek revenge on yon Winged Black Beast. He buys an Airy Water spell so that the group may fight the beast beneath the water where it loves to hide, while it waits to yet again unleash its acidic blast of horrid breath. Plus the group figures acid breath will not be a viable weapon underwater. Dalliance (MU 10) opines that the beast could stick its head inside the bubble created by the Airy Water but is quickly ignored. Scouting reveals the Dragon is comfortably snoring on an island in the middle of the same lake where the party last met the beast when it rose up near the shoreline.

Displaying a rare bout of planning beyond the usual “Frontal Assault” trick the group comes up with a strategy. Each member of the party has the spell Water Breathing cast upon them. Airy water is cast around the spell users so they may run out into the water and sink to be protected from the dragon. The fighters descend into the water walking across the bottom of the lake and as they are reaching the island the mages are to cast their magical attack. Whereby the fighters can either mop up or lure the dragon into the water. In any case it proves moot as the three wizards unleash a mighty stream of Magic Missiles. Both Rods of Fury are employed and Max’s amount of Missiles is twice what it would be and Dalliance’s is thrice the normal amount. Twenty-four Missiles are produce and in a stroke of luck the Magic Resistance of the Dragon fails to protect it. The Great Black Snake dies a less than noble death, falling prey to first level spells. The group is visibly relieved and much rejoicing and removing of the head ensues.

The Booty of the Dragon though not vast is not meager either. The group theorizes that such a Dragon would more likely than not melt most magic it comes across.

62,000 sp
14,000 gp
2 x 40gp Garnets
1 x 100 gp Black Pearl
The former Monk’s Bracers of Striking are recovered
A Wand of Magic Missiles (Somewhat Ironic)
1 x Magic Dwarf War Ax
1 x +1 sheild

The group collects its treasure and heads back up the chains alongside the waterfall, back to the territory of Dwarf Giants, the Drawgar (or at least that’s what the recently expired Monk use to call em).

There was a room with many Dwarven gods. In this or some other room lay a large carpet. The group is alarmed by the carpet and a Mount spell is cast in the middle of the rug. As soon as the mount appears it disappears as the Venus Fly Trap Carpet kills it. Thud decides he must have the trap for his own house and begins lugging the 500 lbs carpet around the dungeon.

Also found are:
110 pp
1,200 gp
3,000 sp

Continuing on the group opens one of many locked doors and finds a charming good-looking woman who professes to be trapped there by a malevolent mage. Ashen (fighter begins flirting with her and guarantying her safe passage. She smiles at him as she walks out of the room and kisses him on the cheek. She pulls away and as her eyes flash green she disappears, taking a level of life energy from Ashen (fighter 7)

Further on the group discovers a tribe of Undead Orc Warriors and two large Skeletons. All of their eyes glow with an evil shade of green. Max dons his helm of brilliance and drives the unholy creations back. Thud the “Undead Killer” as he is known in certain circles goes into action, safely protected from any possible life drains, and dispatches the horrors from beyond.

Inside the room the group finds a large chair that has a hollow back. They find:
280 gp
Scroll Tube with the spells Web and Spider Climb

The group staggers on beginning to consider stopping for a rest. They come to a foundry with three Drawgars working on a large sword. Dalliance Lightning Bolts them and they all are reduced to ash.

Soon the explorers come to another waterfall. The path that runs along it is guarded by a monster hanging from the ceiling, with a large toothy mouth and huge tentacles that reach into the water for fish. A well-placed fireball teaches the creature to hang around in its natural environment.

At this point the chronicler loses all focus and declares himself Pope and winner of this and all future gaming sessions. If something else happened it will have to be others whom recall it.

While Greenleaf lies recovering amidst the verdant greenery and Max is off scouring the College for an Airy Water spell, the rest of the party posts watches and maintains a nervous eye on the lake below. Max returns, borrows Dalliance’s spellbook and returns to the college. Spells are exchanged and Max returns.

While Greenleaf sprouts small fungi, some Polymorph Self spells allow for the fishwizards to scout the large underground cavern and establish that the dragon resides on a small island in the middle of the lake.

Once Greenleaf has roused himself from a near-death slumber, the group sets out to wreak havoc on the acid-y tormentor. With Airy Water, Water Breathing established, the group splits in two – with the mages wandering to the far side of the island while the fighters prepare to assault from the rear. Using the Rods of Fury, the mages double and triple their magic missile spells. Managing to overcome the dragon’s magic resistance – the dragon is machine-gunned to death and the battle is over.

Plundering the dragon’s hoard leaves the group with a fine battleaxe – but no swords. Further investigation leads to unfinished tombs. The dwarven occupants are soon divested of whatever goods they may have. Troglodytes are smelled, but avoided. Climbing a long and winding stair leads to a chamber with an orc shaman and her wizened crone companions. Death follows swiftly.

Oh yeah – one of the rooms explored was a musty old library wherein was imprisoned a fair maiden , captured by an evil wizard she said. SHe was grateful for her rescue and wanted to demonstrate her affection with Ashen the Good Looking. She drained a level then disappeared. Succubussed!

Now what?

The newly assembled group departs Thudheim with Thud, Greenleaf, Max and some new adventurers. Ashen, an imposing fighter, Dalliance, a female Magic User, Lucitor the Monk and Clifford the Elvish Thief/Magic User. These 7 set out at the request of Stumpy, the Lord of the Shining Falls, to obtain 3 legendary swords reported lost in the renowned Dwarven Run.
After some uneventful travel, the group spies some orcs making their way into a large mountain, possibly a part of the Dwarven Run. After some Druid/Bird scouting, the group sneaks up to and enters into possible backdoor, a crude tunnel. The tunnel empties into a large cavern where they encounter some Troglodytes and a bear. The Trogs are quickly slain and the bear is set free up the passageway. The cavern is huge with 5 exits, one is randomly selected and the party proceeds into another large cavern with a blue glowing ceiling and various crystals and fungi on the floor, the sensation of fresh air is felt by the group. There are a few ledges in this room, Clifford levitates up to one and finds some crabs with a passageway leading up strewn with severed limbs. Clifford casts burning hands on the crabs who are upset but unable to attack, then levitates back down to the group who is confronted by an iron door. The door bears the sign of the dwarven weaponsmith. A knock spell opens the door, down the corridor to a room with some trapped secret doors, one which hits Thud for some damage. Also in the distance the group hears some blacksmith like hammering. The elves notice another secret door which leads down. In the corridor, a magic mouth sounds an alarm, it is dispelled, but the hammering stops.

Beyond the magic mouth is a large iron door. Using all his strength Thud kicks in the door and a voice challenges the group. “Leave now or be destroyed!” and to back up this threat a crossbow bolt strikes Thud in the shoulder! Thud closes the door. Using invisibility, Ashen and Clifford storm the room and cannot see anything. A detect enemy spell reveals some hidden attackers, who begin to flee. The group splits into two battle formations and attacks, Dalliance summons a Yeth Hound who also attacks.

A lightning bolt from Dalliance slays one Duergar, in what appears to be a throne room. There is a door behind the throne room, the group opens it to another passageway to find a Dwarf in glowing armor.

“Go back!” The dwarf warns and is joined by two more Duergars, all three are incinerated by a Dalliance fireball. The group is now in a bedroom with 2 doors plus a secret door in a closet discovered by Greenleaf. The secret door leads to a narrow corridor, Clifford, Greenleaf and Lucitor enter the passage to a ‘T’ intersection. The right passageway leads to a large cavern with the sound of running water. The left leads to a secret door which opens to a room with several doors and a hallway. A feeling of uneasiness affects the trio as one of them thinks they notice a wispy something in the air.

The group reassembles at the ‘T’ and decides to head right to the waterfall door. Through the door is a ledge with a chain ladder heading down into darkness. The group descends the ladder and discovers a ledge overlooking an underground river with two stone bridges. The closer bridge seems to lead to nowhere, a ledge on the other bank. The second bridge is marked and deteriorated but passable. After crossing the second bridge and traveling a few yards down a passageway, the group is surprised by a Black Dragon surfacing out of the water! The Dragon breaths acid on the group! Lucitor the Monk is virtually disintegrated, leaving nothing but a few teeth on the ground. Thud, Max, Dalliance, and Ashen are also hit by the acid breath and are seriously wounded.

The cry of “retreat!!” is heard and the group makes its way back to the chain ladder. Clifford casts lightning bolt and ice storm to cover the party’s retreat as the dragon resurfaces near the first bridge. They scramble/fly up the ladder with the dragon flying in pursuit. “You had better run!” roars the dragon, who nearly finishes off the party with another blast of acid.

The door closed behind them and some quick heals are cast on Ashen (who was near death) Thud and Max. Suddenly the group is again under fire, more crossbow bolts from some duergar down the hallway strike Thud, Greenleaf and Dalliance. The group manages to escape when an ice shield and fire shield are cast cutting off the duregars in the hallway. Invisibility 10’ radius covers the retreat through the secret doors. The group looks warily at a pool as they exit the mountain the same way they came in. Could the pool be connected to the river somehow and does the black dragon have access to that pool? Outside the mountain the party heals up and debates what to do next.