After killing the animated door the group proceeds down a long stone hallway. Suddenly another group appears at the opposite end. It seems as though they were teleported to this location. The EFK has complete surprise. Raineer, Max and Skilver unleash a volley of lightning bolt spells. A few more magic missiles leaves all dead, except one. He is questioned and then released of his mortal binds. Left in the wreckage the party finds: 3 rings, 1 belt, 1 cloak, 1 helm, 1 long sword and 1 shield all radiating some sort of magic.
Half way down the hall the group turns left into a side passage. Down another hallway brings the group to a room that contains a skeleton statue sitting on a stone throne. Orthan becomes excited and exclaims, “I’ve been here before!” He begins to rifle through his pack looking for some lost map… He pulls out a piece of parchment from his pack and shows the group their location compared to the location of the great lift that leads to the tavern in Waterdeep.
The group follows the map down several tunnels to an open area where there is a shoe hanging on a rope. Orthan reaches out and pulls the rope. A distant chime above is heard. The group waits but nothing happens. Orthan pulls the rope again and a voice is heard from above. “What do you want?” Orthan replies “We want to come back up. Send the lift down.” A cranking noise is heard above and then a steady squeaking of gears. Down from above arrives a platform lift. The group climbs on and the lift begins to rise.
Up through the mountain and into the tavern in Waterdeep. A cheer goes up in the bar. Hurray! This party is the first to arise from the lower dungeons since the great siege over two years ago. Bets are won and lost in the crowd. The group tells their story to the crowd (mostly a lie) and moves out of the tavern trying not to attract too much attention.
The three magicians go to the wizard’s college to renew their membership. Potions and spells are purchased. Thud bathes several times at the request of the others… Then the magicians identify the items found on the trip from skullport. The following items are divided among the members:
- Ring of shocking grasp
- Ring of spell turning
- Ring of warmth
- Scroll – protection from acid
- Girdle of pouches
- Cloak of Elvin kind
- Helm of light
- 2 daggers +1
- Long sword +1
- Shield +1
- 2 Potions of healing
The remains are sold for gold.
Orthan is able to sell the clear steel like material found on a previous adventure for a great profit. The party then travels to the church of Lethander to seek restoration for Raineer and Orthan. Due to their alignment (LE), they have to pay a considerable price. Good thing Orthan kept the clear steel material.
Thud and Skilver notice a few familiar faces and become aware that they are being watched. The harpers are suspected. The group decides that it is time to leave Waterdeep and deliver the map they have created.
The party travels to Orlbar and then sets out toward the desert city. Over the dawn pass and down into the desert. A few changes are noticed along the way across the sands. There is now a rudimentary road with several way stations. As the group approaches the city there is more green terrain surrounding the lands. It looks as though the magic of the city is expanding.
Traveling to Crusty’s tavern, the group delivers the map and collects their 250,000 gold reward. That’s about 41,665 and 28,833 experience each. Some of the members spend their gold on the following items:
- Thud – Tome of fighting (increases one level of fighter)
- Skilver – +3 Cloak of protection
- Greenleaf – +4 Cloak of protection
- Max – Rod of absorption
Some members seek training, while others relax and enjoy the city.
What an adventure. Can’t believe that party just popped up in front of us. A bit of luck for the efk. Trudging through the underground for weeks dodging traps and monsters can be profitable. But blasting another adventuring party that is stocked with resources is the way. Sucks we couldn’t have used a more non-magical destructive method. I’m sure we would have gained much more. But the quick turnover was fine.
I can’t believe that Orthan actually had a map to the lift. He had boasted it many times but I’ve seen the inside of that pack… I’m sure he has a system… Anyway I was glad to finally be back above ground. Kinda funny that the magical wards were lifted from the city long before our arrival. Good thing we rushed off to the desert city to cash in our map. Perhaps we should now consider selling other side passages of the map.
What next? I’m ready to use my new rod of absorption.
Dejavu
this seems like something that happened before
What luck having that party teleport right in front of us and being able to get the drop on them
A few bolts and we collect the loot
Suprise is so nice unless its me being surprised
“Kill him already and lets go”
I’ve never seen the elf so excited
he has affect and everything everything everthing
he’s got everything in that bag
Lets hope that map is accurate
A shoe on a rope, where’s the fucking elevator
“”you have to pull the rope””
Now thats a sophisticated system
There’s the elevator up we go
“whats all the cheering about?”
Two years, no one has come up in two years?
Better get these fools together and get our story straight
“food beer food beer anything but rations”
Ah, this is living, I miss hot food and fresh ale
I want a hot bath and a real bed I’m sick of all these people
“lets get out of here before we attract the attention of ALL the do gooders in this town”
Glorious hot water I will sleep well tonight
I can’t believe I give up these luxuries
to go trouncing around underground….magic items are nice plus I could never get the experience I need to get better at my craft speaking of my craft tomorrow the wizards college
Same old college didn’t even bat a eye when we checked in
I hate the after effects of identify spells
worse then a hangover and without the party
Now that the items are identified its time to go to the Lathander temple to see what thoses bastards want to restore the damage done by thoses fucking spectres
“170,000gp”
Fuck, these guys run a racket and they dare call us evil Good thing we saved all that glassteel
now lets see if we can come up with the rest
“alright boys, we need to dig deep”
Wow, people are coming through, thats alot of money more like a pile
Look at that do gooders face, he didn’t think we could come up with it fuck him
That old man did the trick I feel like my old self
I guess he is useful Now lets get the fuck out of here and head to the desertcity and our money
That overlord dude must be powerful he’s already extended his reach and he’s turning the desert into a oasis same asshole at the gate fuck he’s angry fucking dick lets get to Krusty’s and off these fucking streets
That Krusty sure does know how to treat his guess
and he is a man of his word got more money then I know what to do with nice problem to have I think I’ll buy myself a toy time to get the beggers guild invovled
Alright we’re moving up a audience with a high ranking official
Fuck does Orthan know everybody? I guess when you’ve been around that long you can get aquatinted with quite a bit nice spread I’m hungry
Hmmmmmmm I knew there would be a catch they want money nothing new I guess money talks buys access to power lets hope it pays off
“yes” “yes” “how much?”………….”I’ll take it”
A helm of teleportation this will come in handy
Now…whats next?
Well that was a trip I hope to never repeat. So nice to be above ground. Must say that I did like the way the cards fell as far as the split of the magic. Oh lucky elf am I. I have always felt brilliant and now I have the helm to prove it.
It appears that the Church of Tharzadun suffers still. Perhaps this would be a opportune time for the Church of Belial to pick up some new converts. kick em while they are down I always say, lest they get up again.
It seems that we grow in strength with each passing season. Perhaps in the near future it would be wise to establish our own base of operation. Take over a small town and grow our influence. Dungeon scrubbing is an Ok way to make a living but the truly wise have others work for them and are thanked in the process. nothing more evil than the collecting of taxes and rents.
EAT!….
This has to be the best book I ever read…or will read. Ever since i finished it i can’t think the same way, all these years i’ve been taking orders…..the Temple does not even smolder, it is gone….with some gold i could raise my own band, build a keep and raise my own flag, give the orders!
…..in bewtween heal spells the mutterings of Skilver are begining to make some sense, blungoning and throat-swisting are all well and fun but….why bother killing fools when they can be so easily deceived? save the skull spliting for the bastards too clever to play along.
with the arms of my Loyals and the talents of this group we could do more than take over a town we could “rescue” a devestated city, perhaps find a popular representive of a local clan, one with a very wounded family pride….let him think i’m under the control of the Druid, name him govenor or anything else he wants to be called, build him a keep with room for me and me my boys downstairs and raise HIS flag….keep the peasants safe and spread the word….they’ll come running like rabbits from a fire, by the time the lord-puppet figures out whoz in charge……what’s he gonna do?
oh…the eeeeevil of it all!