After spending a week nursing the fallen cleric back to health and generally recuperating from the tussle with the milk demons, our group ponders their situation. The cleric reports that during his coma, he was visited by a minion of Belial and berated for his actions. As a result he is denied spells above 4th level until the situation is remedied and a temple is constructed. The newly found fighter comrade lies a-moldering near the edge of the demon pool and there is still no idea about how to enter the tomb.
Some scouting reveals an entrance even further up the side of the mountain – trapped – of a vampire-fanged woman of cruel mien. Further below is a tomb entrance with a inscription dedicating it to the Lady Gasping. Entering, they note that the doors are incapable of being barred, having had the brackets removed. Beyond lies a mausoleum, filled with burial plaques mounted into the floor. A large central plaque dominates the chamber and immediately beyond are a pair of immense doors.
As Thud tugs one open, the nervous Greenleaf opens a door to the elemental plane of fire and begins to summon forth a huge fire elemental. While he continues to chant, Orthan creeps into the hallway – intent on investigating the sounds of combat that can be heard from beyond the intersection. When he approaches, he notes a trio of weary fighters being engaged by a pair of milk demons. They appear to be on the verge of defeat, but the party stalls for a few more minutes until the elemental appears. With Thud in the lead and the elemental close behind the group ventures forth to lend assistance – and walks into a trap.
The ceiling collapses, and seven vampire-spawn drop into the midst of the party. Simultaneously, the trio of adventurers reveal themselves to be vampires in disguise and attack! While Thud and the elemental do battle, the rest of the group bravely runs away. When they regroup and return, they find Thud under a vampire’s control and intent on killing them as he did the elemental. A volley of magical missiles and a fireball that includes Thud (sorry Thud!) drives off enough of the vampires for him to fall under a charm spell cast by the cleric. This reprieve allows them to beat a hasty retreat across the now pacified bridge. Now, there they sit and listen to the mournful piping of the tomb gate and plan the next steps. Retreat or return?
Death or glory! (and probably more vampires, eh?)
Maybe that should read ‘Death AND glory’