Pressing onwards the group starts to explore a region of interconnected passages, doors and rooms. Much is the ‘standard’ dungeon experience – inexplicable twists, hidden rooms, secret passages, a cloak room with a specter that tries to eat Reza…the usual. The group finds a puddle on the floor of a hallway that reveals the vision of a large purple rock…and now everyone in the group is able to ‘feel’ it lurking in their consciousness. The group is also almost trapped in an infinite-loop hallway teleporter, but Bud’s Anti-Magic Shell allows them to exit. The group finds unlocked traps and locked traps and just plan old traps. They also find and pummel a 9-pack of hired foreign fighters. When their numbers are reduced to 4, the remainder surrender. Unfortunately, before surrendering – one of their numbers hurls a dagger that finds and severs Reza’s spinal column, This leaves him paralyzed from the chest downward. The prisoner’s surrender creates a bit of a moral issue, since in the evil times there was no problem dealing with prisoners. Hmmm.
However, it turns out that there prisoners understand some of the local common tongue and the Helm of Language Comprehension allows Barada to reflect upon the full meaning of the information. They are Tomorast’s personal bodyguard when he ventures into the outside world.
They further reveal that they have been here two days now, brought here by Tomorast himself. Some cross-referencing with a tapestry and some sifting of the memory banks reveals that Tomorast might well be the original Mage of Orlbar, now working alongside Zagig – despite Zagig having apparently deposed him. Hmm. Who can understand wizards anyway? The guards are also willing to reveal the location of a hidden staircase near Tomorast’s laboratory. The group is more interested in taking on the ‘Rast and quickly formulates a battle plan. Expecting that they might have to flee quickly, the paralyzed Reza is teleported to the courtyard of the church of Lathander. The remainder of the party discusses differing levels of mayhem until finally they are near enough to the door to launch an attack.
Bursting into the room, the group confronts Tomorast. He is a wizard, as expected, He threatens them with hideous death, as expected. His arms are apparently demonic in origin, for they grant him some most unusual abilities – this is most definitely not expected.. At blinding speed, he springs towards the group, landing a double-fisted blow to Lubbitch – paralyzing her and nearly draining an energy level or three. Humbar and Barada attack, as does Bud. Dalliance readies a spell and looks for an opportunity, The group lands several blows and earns a vicious lightning bolt in return. As Tomorast disengages, he bursts into mirror-image form. The group presses the attack and dispels many of the images, earning a blast from a Cone of Cold which slays Humbar the Ice Barbarian. Dalliance lets fly with a Finger of Death which is partially deflected back upon her. With a final baleful glare, Tomorast teleports away and leaves the battered group behind…
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