After resting and counting the loot the group exits the large cave on the opposite side of their entrance. Down some stairs and into a tunnel the party sees a group of 15 – 20 lizard type men at the other end. Removing a ruby from his helm, Max calls forth a fireball and doubles the damage with the rod of fury. The reptiles are cooked to a charred mass of skin and scales.
Moving on Orthan discovers a room that contains a statue similar to the idol depicted above. (Gem eyes and all) Set beside the statue is a large wavy two-handed sword and a pole-arm. Magic is detected everywhere. When one of the party members enters the room the statue speaks in a booming voice. “Add an item to the collection and take one of your choice.” The creature then opens an invisible stone chest that appears to be full of magical items. Orthan and Thud fall under the magical charm of the creature and immediately begin walking toward the chest to exchange one of their items. The statue disappears and reappears in the middle of the room behind Orthan and Thudmeister and begins to swat at each of the charmed adventurers. Both suffer considerable damage. Many spells are tried but no magic seems to work against the creature. In the end it takes brute force from the claw of skilver and blows from Raineer and Max to bring the statue down.
The injured party uses the cave to rest, eat, pray and heal for the next 12 – 18 hours.
When their constitution is regained the party leaves the cave back into the maze of tunnels. After a while the group comes upon a set of large iron doors. The doors are carved with scowling faces. A warning reads death to all that enter… (more or less)
Disregarding the warning the group opens the door and enters. There is a passageway beyond with a large painting on the wall. The painting depicts a human women with black hair at the tiller of a small wooden boat. The group becomes unsure (cluck cluck) and decides to go back and explore other options.
After hours of exploring the group comes to another set of iron doors identical to the last. Upon entering they find the same painting on the wall. This time the group continues on past the painting. The passage leads to a spherical room that has passages out in several other directions. There is destruction everywhere. A smashed coffin litters the floor and bloody footprints are tracked across the ceiling. Hanging in the middle of the room is an empty hook presumably where the lamp used to be. The group is too late and the lamp is gone.
The EFK decides to leave and return to the City of the Invincible Overlord. On the return trip the group randomly encounters a troop of elves preparing to ambush the road. Some quick magic allows the party to fly over the ambush undetected.
Bah! More updates!