The following day the group decides to travel to the other end of the city. Perhaps some adventure leads may be found in a more wealthy part of town. Traveling down Bywater road the group enters the Pirates Cove Inn. After a drink from the bar they meet the owner of the Inn, Crusty. He is aware of the relocation of the entire city. He explains that the city was teleported from a mountainous region. He also claims that the city was in another location before the mountains but that was before he was born.
The owner of the establishment also claims to have a job that may suit efk talents. He has a map of an ancient temple. The group contracts to raid the ruins. That evening in the bar the group drinks ale as magicians chant and draw a large circle around them on the floor. Upon completion of the spell the group is teleported across the desert to the base of a mountain range. Unfortunately Raineer is teleported 70 feet above ground and takes a nasty fall. Max is teleported halfway into the sand but is able to dig out.
In the distance the group spots a stone structure and investigates. Peering in reveals a large domed ceiling that is pale green in color. Suddenly there is a surprise attack by large monkeys that inhabit the abandoned temple. Skilver and Max cast lightning and fry the fury attackers. Mmmm… Burnt monkey.
The group enters what looks to be church style room complete with pews. In the place of an alter is a large stone statue with gem eyes. There is a door in the back of the church that leads to a small chamber. Thud opens the door to find a Cockatrice. Very dangerous. (Next thing ya know your working for some golem)
Magic Missiles cast by Skilver & Raineer dispatch the feathery foe. Greenleaf decides to cast Rock To Mud on the statue in an attempt to free the gem eyes from their settings. Unfortunately the magic affects the statue a bit differently. Instead of melting into mud the statue grows into a giant and begins to break out of the top of the building. Complete chaos ensues. The group flees the temple to avoid a cave in.
The giant creature is then seen headed into the hills. Hmmm… (Wonder where he is going)
The group re-enters the temple to find a crumbled door behind the area where the statue had previously stood. Orthan investigates a series of secret doors. Max & Raineer cast themselves invisible. On orthans scout he sees evidence of Carrion Crawlers. The group finds a reasonably safe looking room and begins a watch for sleep, study and prayer.
Safe-looking indeed.
Fuck that sucked.
Helplessness and pain, I’ll pass on that combo.
Fucking shitty magic-users.
Goddamn rookies, they could have killed me.
That shit hurt like a mutherfucker.
Thank the gods for healing.
Note to self: pack featherfall when teleporting.
Now lets see,if I can remember that bit of wisdom.
Falling out of the sky, ape shit monkeys, cockathings, pissed off statues, and of coarse secret doors, aahhhh….secret doors, I like,
now its about staying alive, closing the deal,
and getting some magic to make this damn trip worth it. Hell, what else do I have to do.
Wine.
Yes, wine.
A swig from the skin is in order.
Another swing is needed, I think.
One more might do it.
No, another.
One more.
There.
Chaos managed.
NOW-( looking around )
“who said this place was safe”
Crusty is mightily pleased by the richness of the haul and the wealth of potential information that lies within the magic’d tomes. Your next three days are on the house and the viands and vintages are fine indeed. Surprisingly so, in fact given the relatively low-brow (no-brow) atmosphere that prevades this establishment.
In passing, your new-found patron mentions that this level of success will undoubtedly incure emnity and envy from all manner of rival factions and the attention of any and all free-lance and unassigned guild thieves.
He suggests that a contract be taken with the Beggar’s Guild to keep you informed as to any inquiries about the group. The contracts are month-to-month and differ in price based on how often you want updates: anything from hourly to monthly. By purchasing a contract you also ensure that you will not be discussed by said guild…smacks of extortion, but…when in Rome…
Crusty has made polite inquiries into the state of the northlands, since he has a few potential activities planned and he would like the services of a group intimately familiar with the area. In particular, a certain nameless wizard would be willing to pay gp250,000 to a group that can deliver a map of a route from Skullport to the cellars of a Waterdeep tavern. These names mean little to ole Crusty, but the sum means a lot.
He reports some news fragments gleaned about the state of the lands on the other side of the mountains:
Waterdeep was attacked by a small army of demons backed by a Nightmare riding Greenhag of immense power, aided by 4-10,000 foot soldiers and orcs.
Apparently the Archmage Kherun Blackstaff was called forth to deliver the city from the invaders. Assisted by several of the remaining lords of Waterdeep (some having fallen to the poisoned darts and draughts of a nameless killer), he succeeded in routing the foe and led a sally that reclaimed lands all the way to the edge of the Mere of the Dead.
The Moonshae Islands are blockaded by the pirate captains of Luskan, and Luskan has gone so far as to declare war on the city of Silverymoon. An invasion force was met by a hastily assembled dwarven strike force, but the pirates were aided by a foul magic that slew thousands of the brave defenders before the rest turned and fled. SIlverymoon is not yet under siege, but the fighting presses ever closer.
Apparently, hordes of trolls and ice trolls are rampaging out of the Spine of the World and joining in the slaughter. It is said that a particularly rich area of land near the mountains in the north has been seized/attacked by a white dragon and it has enslaved a town to build a lair. Riches certainly await those who would travel to slay the wurm. Crusty would be happy to investigate further and attempt to provide a map/directions.
Aside from these tidbits, much of the discussion involves names and organizations you have not met/experienced, and you are still having a bit of difficulty with the local argot, though you are starting to pick out certain expressions.
As the painted birds sing from the trees lining the slave markets, you sip your ‘Barnacle Blasters’ and enjoy this brief respite from sheer terror and life-threatening experiences…
…bet this won’t last long…