The group stands together as the elder druids begin the magical process. Moments later the group finds themselves standing in a desert volcanic wasteland. Ash falls from the sky which glows a dull red. Players murmur that it is similar to the land of Mordor. Greenleaf casts hallucinatory forest so that the group can find their way back from the brass city. They must be in this exact spot to be transported back to the Prime Material Plane. Setting out across the desert the first encounter is a group of approximately ten wagons. The wagons stop and send a group of footmen. As they approach the group notices that the footman are humanoid but their skin is a metalic brass color. They have knobby horns on their heads and six fingers on each hand. Clifford casts a ten foot radius invisibility spell to hide the party from the footmen.
The group moves on slowly as not to kick up any dust to avoid detection. The footmen move in the direction of the hallucinatory forest and a few minutes later the forest is dispelled. The group then comes to a large body of trees and jungle type plants. Moving through the jungle they then approach a river that is one to three miles wide. There is an enormous pool in the river that the group suspects is inhabited by some giant creature. There is a mesh bag on the shoreline that contains some old dried fruit.
Some of the members travel back to the jungle to get some fresh fruit. Upon their return the fruit is placed in the mesh bag and the bag is set in the water. The bag submerges from sight. From the pool of water swims a 50′ diameter dragon turtle. It picks up the bag in it’s mouth and flings it back on the shoreline. Then the turtle positions itself so the group may climb on the back of it’s shell. The ferry is here and the toll is paid. The group is transported safely across the river. In the distance, Ashen Louie spots the Tower of Time that he had seen depicted on the elder druid’s map. As the group approaches the tower time begins to slow with each step. The group decides to take the long way around figuring that it would actually take far less time…
Having avoided the tower the group then arrives at what appears to be an oasis. There is a small lake with steam rising from it surrounded by trees. The lake is about 1/4 mile across and 1/5 mile long and is fed by a river from a waterfall. In the middle of the lake is a red skinned boy who appears to be stranded on a log. Something swims and disturbs the water around him. The druids recognize the red skin as being that of a djin. Greenleaf casts rainbow bridge across to the log. Max climbs halfway up and shouts to the boy “you are free.” The boy returns a surprising gesture of his middle finger raised and then lifts his loincloth towards Max. The bridge is dispelled and the group moves on from the oasis. Traveling along the river the party arrives at a waterfall coming from a cave opening in a cliff side. Through the cave, the group emerges at another lake. Fire giants are seen swimming and sunbathing in the steaming lake. Far beyond the lake, some sort of ancient ruins are seen. Avoiding the fire giants, the group continues to travel along the river arriving at another cave entrance. The river flows directly out of the cave. Continuing on the group comes to an oil field where pools and eddies of oil ignite and extinguish randomly. Max casts rainbow bridge and the group safely traverses the oil field. On the way over the bridge the group spots a group of fire lizards below but manages to avoid them using the bridge.
Traveling on for several more hours the poarty spots another oasis in the distance. As they approach, the oasis looks to be populated with many different beings. Efreetes are seen among other humanoids. Some have horns and brass skin while others are red skinned and assumed to be djins. There are also humans and elves among the other beings. The group decides to avoid the encampment and head toward a flaming tower that is seen in the distance.
Upon arrival at the tower, a booming dead voice claims that the group must sacrifice one of their own to pass. The party decides to return to the oasis encampment and discuss their options.
At the encampment, Ashen Louie is asked to service a slave girl while the crowd observes. Ashen goes at the girl with lust filled aggression and whoops up the crowd as well. A deal is made to acquire a young male child. The father of the child is paid 5,000 goild by greenleaf and given a potion of longevity from Max. The group then takes the boy back to the flaming tower. He is offered as a sacrifice to the tower demon and the group is allowed to pass.
Down through a mountain pass where giant worm holes are spotted. The desert spreads off to the South East. As the party continues the hard ground turns to soft sand. slogging onward, their movement attracts a giant sand worm. (didn’t even need a thumper)’ Max uses his wand of polymorph to turn the sand worm into a carp. (oooh fishy fishy fishy fish)
Onward across the desert for several more hours, the group crosses over into the Plane of Hell. A black tower is seen and a path of glowing blue stones leads away to the west. Bat winged creatures, flying quasits and vulture headed demons are seen flying around the tower. When the party arrives at the tower, it animates and bends over and demands a magical payment for safe passage. A giant hand appears and the group begins to throw minor magic items to it’s grasp. A wand of magic missiles, a +1 spear, a +1 dagger and finally a ring of telekinesis.
The tower allows the group to proceed. They pass a cavern that smells of death. Flaming tormented faces are seen and send Thud and Clifford screaming like scared children…
Hells Bells!
Minor point – not Hell, but one of the planes of the Abyss. Still, not a nice vacation spot.
What long days these are. We travel hour after hour yet the light never fades and we never seem to tire. It seems that it may take some time before we are able to recoup used spells and the Druids are unable to change their prayed for selections.
Grim tidings indeed if we run out of spell power before the quest is done.
I really wanted to attack those fire giants, but my self control got the better of me. Take care of the druid’s business in the city, then take some scalps on the return trip.
Out of control self control!
At least this time I got some real satisfaction … I didn’t lose any levels… and got the crowd all whupped up to boot!
Time passes slowly on the Plane of Fire
Does that alter the haste spell aging side effect?
Nay Clifford. The cellular changes are still present. Nice loophole try though!