Curbag's region A epiLog
It began with a battle and ended with the loss of a leg. Better late then never....

The owlbear charged towards us it's screech/squawk echoing between the long room's walls. I launched my recently acquired javelin. Although it pierced it's body it didn't stop a beat. Oren bravely charged to meet it, his large axe slashing. Fancying a meal the creature reached out with his large claws and pulled the dwarf into a deadly embrace. He did not fair well but Oren's misfortune was our opportunity. An enraged Grishnak moved into attack before me and so I lead the charge for the rest of the orcs. Our blows rained down upon it and it wasn't long before death released Oren.

In the aftermath it became clear that I had made a lone charge; the rest of the orcs had not joined us in battle. Confronting them I realised how battle worn they were. They had faced many more dark mantles than us. Promising healing I warned that I expected them play their part in future.

We decided to finally investigate where we thought the chapel was; the one Rosia had seen in her vision. Moving north we found a room full of dead dark mantles and finally a corridor with two doors. While Rosia checked them I asked Quercus to apply his healing to the orcs. Surprisingly, for me, he agreed and soon they were looking ready for battle. The halfing came back explaining the first room held nothing but the second was indeed the chapel.

We all entered the pillar lined room to see a swirling vortex. Isaac explained that it lead to another world but we needed to close it. This could be done by a person going through it. Again the orcs were suggested as a sacrifice. Again I vehemently refused. While we stood there a figure appeared out of nowhere at the end of the chapel. It was Longtail. His rat like features were a dead give away.

Pointing at Isaac a volley of arrows appeared and perforated him. Not quite unconcious the sorcerer saught cover behind a pillar. Oren charged foward putting his axe to good use again. As I joined his side Longtail produced a wand and a bright colorful spray shot at us. I managed to shut my eyes butI heard Oren cry out and his axe hit the ground. He appeared to be blinded and so Quercus & I continued to attack. He was formidable and we had great difficulty hitting him. Even when we did he healed too quickly. At this point I realised the orcs were no where to be seen. They had deserted us when we would need them most. They will pay for this.

Suddenly a small red goblin appeared atacking us too. We returned it's blows but it proved to be just as tough. Another spray from Longtail's wand and Quercus and I were blinded to. I feared the worst as this meant only Rosia was left; surely we were done for.

The blindness seemed to last an age. I could no longer hear Longtail and a strange smell hung about me. I heard Oren, and then Quercus, move away; the smell did not. Sounds of a struggle began off to my right. Finally blinking away the stars in my eyes I was confronted with a thick smoke and could still see no further than my nose. I ran towards the noise and came out of the cloud to see the combat had recommenced. Oren had Longtail pinned to the ground. The red goblin was attacking him but Rosia was trying to fend it off. Isaac and Quercus could not be seen but I moved in to help with others.

While helping Oren disarm/constrain Longtail he cried out as one of Rosia's blades finished of his red familiar. Even with his outburst we were still unable to hurt him. "Into the vortex." a cry came. "Throw him into the vortex." Isaac's proclaimed, stepping through a doorway with Quercus. This would solve two of out problems. Quercus, Oren and I moved with new purpose. We manhandled him into the air and started moving towards the swrling vortex. As we did this Longtail started to chuckle; he was planning something. As we got nearer a pack of rats swarmed into the room. Rosia grabbed the wand we had removed from our foe and turned it on them. Half immediately fell from shock which gave us all the time we needed. A combined effort threw the rat like body into the void.

A booming voice came back out and Longtail was gone. With that the vortex began to close and as it did a wind was sucked into it. Bracing ourselves we stumbled away trying not to get sucked back. Quercus lost his footing and we grabbed him as he flew past. A strong grip on him left us with little on anything else and we jolted back towards the closing hole. Oren and I strained against the force pulling the cleric in but we had nothing to stop us. He was still outside it's edge and we tried to pull him further free. With a final note the vortex closed and we slumped to the ground. Sitting up I could see that Quercus had been closer to the hole than I'd thought. I could see that below one of his knees was missing; the stump was clean. He appeared to be shocked at first but his god seems to give him solace.

Closing the vortex appears to have opened the doors previously closed to us. In my eyes they can wait. The orcs swore they would follow me until I was dead. That works both ways. My plan is follow them until they're dead; shortly after I find them....

Taking a rest from the World's Largest Dungeon.

The DM and players are taking a well earned break from dungeon delving, and are currently embroiled in the treachery that is Thieves World.

The WLD escapades will resume in 4 or 5 weeks.

Players Map for Session 12

The players posts speak for themselves concerning the finale of Region A, the ecnounter with Longtail.

Players Map for Session 11



Somewhat belated. This is the previous weeks map.

Rosia Lightfoot's Journal - Part 12

The Owlbear charged at us, screeching in a terrifying manner. Oren ran out to meet it first, and swung his Dwarven axe in a mighty blow. The fiendish thing struck back at him, grabbing him in a powerful bear hug and crushing him. This was bad news for Oren, but also for the Owlbear, as it allowed us to strike at the creature more easily. I used my shield spell for the first time before engaging the creature, but it turned out to be unnecessary. I tried to strike at the monster's vitals, but I was unable to land a blow. This did have the fortunate side-effect that it did not notice me, and therefore did not attack me! Anyway, the others soon had the thing finished off (without a great deal of help from Curbag's orcs - I think they are worse than the kobolds!) and we rested for a few moments next to the brute's carcass.

We didn't linger for long, the stench was foul and we still feared attacks from darkmantles in this exposed area. We decided to move to the north, at last I persuaded the others to look for the chapel. They agreed, but did not commit themselves to closing the vortex I saw in my vision. We found some rooms filled with the bodies of darkmantles, orcs and kobolds. This was apparently where the first owlbear had appeared, and it had made short work of these creatures. I almost felt sorry for them, but I think they would have shed no tears if the tables were turned.

Near these rooms we discovered a large chamber, whence came a pulsing red glow. I went ahead to scout, and found that it led to the room from my vision. We had found the chapel! There was a large rent in the air where the glow came from, and dark figures were moving inside it. This must be the vortex, I thought, and went to tell the others. We entered en masse, and began to look around, seeking for a clue as to how to close the vortex, and whether or not we should do it. Isaak's arcane knowledge came in handy again. He was able to tell us that we could close the portal by throwing some living being from the material plane through it. We suggested using rats, but this would not do, we needed an intelligent being. Our eyes fell to the orcs, who just about met the last criterion, but Curbag would have none of it. Oh well, I suppose they have stood by us, after a fashion...

Whilst we were talking a person suddenly appeared out of thin air at the south end of the room. He fired off a salvo of magic missiles at Isaak, which left him reeling and close to collapse. As we turned to look, there was no doubt in our minds that this was Longtail! He had a long rat-like snout and ratty legs and a tail! But he was more or less human sized and shaped. He wore robes, and had a strange pair of goggles over his eyes. Oren ran in to attack first again (he is very quick off the mark for a Dwarf!) and cut a huge slice into our foe. However, the wound healed almost immediately, despite the fact that Oren was using the magic sword we had found in the armoury. Something strange was going on here, perhaps more magic by this apparent sorcerer?
Longtail pulled out a wand from his sleeve, and blasted Oren with it. A spray of coloured lights shot out and Oren was left holding his hands to his eyes, apparently blinded and stunned, his weapon dropped at his feet. Curbag and Quercus moved in to the melee, but the cowardly orcs ran off and left us to it! I knew we couldn't trust them. Isaak was badly hurt, and could barely move to safety behind a pillar. I also took cover behind a pillar, to prepare myself for battle. I cast shield on myself again, and was getting ready with my crossbow, when I saw what was happening to the others. They were striking at Longtail, and also doing little or no damage. I used one of the scrolls to cast a magic missile at Longtail, but it didn't do much good. Then Longtail zapped Curbag and Quercus with the colour spray and they too were left helpless in front of him. In the meantime Isaak had been experimenting with the potions we found earlier. He tried one at random, and it made him vanish in to thin air. I heard his voice, telling me that he was retiring to safety behind a door to the south. Clearly he was invisible, I wish we had more of those potions! Anyway, this left me as the only active member of the party! I decided that discretion was called for here, so I pulled out my smokestick (which I had been saving for an emergency) set it off, and lobbed it next to Longtail. This didn't slow him down much, as he made himself fly out of the smoke cloud using his magic, but it gave me time to conceal myself behind a pillar. He flew round the room, looking for me, but couldn't spot me as I was concealed in the shadows. Meanwhile I cast my True Strike spell, and jumped out when he wasn't looking and shot him in the back with my crossbow, hitting him right between the ribs. But to my horror the arrow just popped out, leaving him unhurt! There was nothing I else I could do, so I fled to the south, following Isaak through the door.

Meanwhile, the others were coming out of their stunned state. Oren recovered first, and charged out of the fog. As luck would have it he was running straight at Longtail, who had followed me and now hovered in the air just outside the southern door. Oren grabbed his legs, then grappled him to the floor, holding him fast. In the short corridor on the other side of the door, I found Isaak slumped on the floor, unconscious. There was some strange creature standing on his body, a small thing with wings and sharp teeth. I fired at it with my crossbow, but it vanished into thin air! I had a choice now, I could help Isaak, or I could join the others in trying to subdue Longtail. I thought that it would do Isaak no good if we all died, and that Quercus could do better than me at healing anyway, so I waded in to stab at Longtail. Now Curbag and Quercus were joining in the grapple. Between the three of them, they kept him pinned to the floor and made him drop his wand, and ripped off his goggles. But the strange creature I had seen in the corridor appeared again, and began trying to bite Oren. The bite was not hurting him much, but he cried out in pain when bitten, clearly the creature's bite was poisoned. I reasoned that the thing must be Longtail's familiar and started to attack in instead, as I didn't seem to be able to hurt Longtail. I swung at the tiny monster with my sword, but it was too fast! So instead I drew my daggers and threw them at it, my aim with them being much better. The second dagger finished the creature off, and Longtail snarled in anguish, but kept on fighting...

During this time, Quercus had lost his grip on Longtail, so he instead went to help Isaak, healing him and bringing him back to consciousness. Isaak saw what was happening, and immediately released that we could kill two birds with one stone. "Throw him into the Vortex!" he shouted, and between them Oren, Curbag and Quercus began to drag Longtail kicking and screaming towards the swirling rip in the fabric of reality. Longtail was not quite finished yet, though, and he somehow called a horde of dire rats to help him. They came flooding through the northern door towards us. I picked up Longtail's wand and tried hard to remember the command word he had used to activate it. In a flash it came to me, and I zapped half of the rats into unconsciousness. By this time the the others had managed to get Longtail to the vortex, and then threw him in. There was the sound of a mighty voice speaking in a strange forbidding language, and Longtail vanished into the darkness, screaming.

However, now the vortex began to close, and a powerful wind moved through the chapel, drawing those near to the vortex towards it with hideous strength. The remaining rats were sucked in, and Oren, Curbag and Quercus struggled to keep their feet. Fortunately Isaak and I were far enough away not to be effected. Oren and Curbag were making headway, when suddenly Quercus lost his footing and was swept through the air towards the rapidly closing vortex. Oren and Curbag caught him, but could not stop his movement completely, and as the vortex finally snapped shut, Quercus' leg was caught inside it, and was severed at the knee. When the vortex closed a wave of energy spread out from it, and we found later that all the doors to the east had opened, as well as doors to the north, allowing us access to new areas of this vast complex.

We propose to rest now, to search out Longtail's lair and find out what we can, and to fashion a new leg for Quercus out of wood. He is healing well, but he will find it harder to move now. He seems to be taking it well, his faith in Pelor is strong, and who knows, perhaps Pelor will reward him with a new leg one day?

Rosia Lightfoot's Journal - Part 11

My luck has taken a turn for the worse, it seems that everything I suggest or do turns out bad! It started with the room with glowing spheres. We were going back to pick up Curbag's orcs, and I thought it would be a good idea to check this room out properly. I stepped into the room and the spheres started to move together, forming a shape in the centre of the room. When I stepped out of the room they moved apart again. We talked it over and we decided to let the spheres complete their task and see what happened. What happened was this: they formed a portal and let in another bloody Owlbear! We didn't fancy fighting another one of these things, so as the creature was coming through we shut the secret door, in the hope that it wouldn't see this way out and we could escape before it found us.

We collected the orcs (who needed some persuasion from Curbag to go through the fire room) and made our way south again. We moved quietly past the secret door, but we heard no sound coming from inside. We made it back to the thunder room, and this time I summoned all my courage and went inside, along with Isaak. We had seen Quercus stand on the brass plate in safety, so I stood on it, hoping to attune myself to its power. Instead, the most terrible noise pounded me to the floor, making my nose and ears bleed with the pressure. Isaak was also knocked to the floor, he seemed to be affected by it more than I was (along with poor Ratto). We knew that we needed healing, but I suggested that rather than use up all of Quercus' divine power, we go back to the fire room and take some healing there from the cleansing flames. So Isaak, Quercus and myself headed back, taking Oren with us in case of trouble. We left Curbag with the orcs to guard our rear. As Isaak was so badly injured, I suggested that he take some minor healing from Quercus before stepping into the flame. He refused this, and stepped boldly onto the brass plate. What a disaster! Instead of being healed, he was horribly burnt, and fell to the floor, near death. Oren dragged him clear, and Quercus healed him, bringing him back to consciousness again. I decided not to risk the flames myself, and was healed by the priest as well (Thanks be to Pelor!) The only good thing about our trip to the fire room was that Isaak had not taken Ratto with him into the flames, for surely he would have been burnt to a rat-shaped crisp...

After this we decided to head south again (tip-toeing past the secret door) and try our luck in some new areas. I wanted to head north to search out the chapel, but given my recent rash of bad decisions the others over-ruled me. Can't say I blame them, really... Anyway, we discovered a door at the corner of a corridor, it was marked "Danger". I checked it for traps and found that there was one, and a magic one at that! The others retired to a safe distance down the eastern branch of the corridor, and left me to my work. Unfortunately, these magic traps are very difficult to disable, and I accidentally set it off instead. I was surprised when two huge jets of flame shot out of the door, one going north and one going east. This trap was obviously designed to catch anyone in the corridors outside the door, and the range was great enough to reach the entire party. I was quick enough to duck down below the fire, unhurt, but could only watch in horror as the others were engulfed in flame. Four of the orcs were killed outright, their wounds from previous battles must have slowed them down. Poor Isaak was burnt again (Ratto wisely hid behind him), but the others escaped without major damage. Quercus was able to heal Isaak, who was not happy. Also unhappy was the orc barbarian who now serves as Curbag's second in command. He seems to blame me for the incident. Most unfair, it wasn't me who put the trap there! At least there are fewer orcs now, if they decide to stage a rebellion...

Anyway, I could see that the trap was resetting itself, so Oren and I jumped into the room quickly, and the others retired to a genuinely safe distance. Inside the room we found the laboratory of an alchemist. The skeleton of the owner was there, and it seemed to be the same size as me. Perhaps a gnome? They are skilled in such arts. We found several potions, which we need to identify. We also found many scrolls, and I was able to find a crystal amongst the alchemist's materials that I can use to cast a spell to read the magical inscriptions on the scrolls. There are many powerful magics in them, but alas! I can only manage to get the hang of the simpler ones. Isaak would be able to make use of more of them, I am sure, but he cannot cast the spell to reveal the magic writings for him. It seems funny that I, his pupil, can perform a feat of magic that he cannot. Yet I suppose that is how the willful nature of the arcane arts manifests itself.

We also found a cloak and amulet on the skeleton which I was able to discern as being magical. I tried the cloak on and found that it increased my resistance to misfortune in the same way that one of my magic spells can, only it is active all the time. It will be very useful to me, as I am frequently in the way of danger from all the traps in this place. The amulet was made of gold, and bore the image of a lion on it. When Isaak wore it, it increased his vitality and health, which is good for him, as he is even weaker than I am! Finally, we found a scroll which was written in the celestial language. It told us that this place is a prison for demons, but that the archons who guarded it had lost control. It might be that the Owlbear we encountered before, and the one recently emerged, were prisoners here. I wonder what other horrors lurk within these walls?

We came across another door with a trap on it, this one a more simple mechanical trap. I disarmed this easily, and opened the door, but was unprepared for the secondary magical trap which triggered when I entered the room. Whoever designed this place was fiendishly clever and cruel! Fortunately, I was able to dodge out of the way of the lightning blast, and was unhurt. Now that I knew there was a trap, I was able to find it, and determined that it had reset itself almost immediately. I told the others to stay outside while I checked the room out. It seems that this place was some sort of armoury. It was filled with weapons and ammunition of all types, from many different places and eras. Most notable were several sets of equipment that were labeled as to were they came from. They seemed to have been taken from people of races with an evil taint on them. There was some from a Drow, some from a Deurgar and even a set from a Derro (just my size!) Perhaps they had been taken from prisoners? Anyway, I was able to throw or push the stuff out of the door, then run through it, avoiding the lightning again. We all came out with something good. I got a set of excellent studded leather armour. It is flexible and doesn't get in my way for normal jobs, despite being a bit bulkier than my old armour. However, I think it will be a bit harder to get my spells correct. Still, I won't get very far with my spells if someone kills me, so I think I'll go for the added protection. I also got loads of ammo for my crossbow. I have plenty of bolts myself, and Oren is carrying almost my body-weight in spares. There was a container of poison as well, but I don't really know how to use this, and with my current luck I'll probably poison myself trying. It's probably worth some cash though, so I'll hang on to it.

We carried on exploring, and we could hear the sounds of something following us. We found a room with a chest in, but the chest was trapped with a proximity trigger. Isaak used some magic to open the lid, and I stood on Curbag's shoulders to look into the box, but I could see nothing. We decided to leave this, and moved on. We also found a room with a glowing giant red ruby floating in it, but this looked too good to be true, so we left it for the time being. We managed to work our way round to the long room with all the darkmantles in it. We thought we were in the clear, but then as we moved out into the room we were startled by the noise of the Owlbear charging at us! Clearly it had been tracking us, and it didn't look happy. We are preparing for battle now. Let's see how this new armour stands up, and if the bolts I found can pierce the hide of this fiendish beast.

Curbag's Log
The marking on the door definitely has some significance. My orcs would not step one foot through it. I left them to gather there nerve while we ventured on. We found a long corridor punctuated with doors, on the east wall, bearing the same symbol from the flaming plate. Oren also found a secret door in the west wall. This is where Rosia's curiously bad day began. Prying the door open, the room beyond held numerous glowing spheres. Rosia stepped forth to investigate and as we watched the spheres began to draw together and begin to merge. We wondered whether she had time to try a door we could see beyond, but then we noticed a shadow forming within the coalescing shape. Urging Rosia to leave the room she hesitated to satisfy her curiosity. A familiar sound came from the now large dark gateway; a screech or maybe a squawk. Feathered claws grasped the frame, we could not mistake we were about to meet another owlbear. This was not a place to fight such a beast. We almost lost to one when we had prepared a defense in plenty of room. Facing an attack in a crowded corridor would spell our doom. We hastily re-closed the secret door hoping it would remain that way; secret and closed.

At this point we went back to encourage my retinue across the threshold they feared. Following my lead they joined us to the far south of the corridor. Here it was I who felt the dread that they had just over come. Unable to bring myself to take the passage Rosia and Isaac explored the room it lead to. Another floor plate was found within. Her curiosity getting the better of her, Rosia eagerly jumped upon it. A low roar began which slowly grew into deafening thunder. Even from my position in the corridor I could feel the vibration of the enormous sound. The noise ceased and I saw my companions coming out of the passage; blood dripped from their ears. Isaac was cradling his pet rat, whispering shouted calming words. His sideways glances at the halfling told of his displeasure. He looked exhausted. I think Rosia thought it time to make mends for her curious nature. The last time they had used the flaming plate they had all felt better and so she suggested another visit. It was clear how bad Isaac was feeling as we crept past the secret door, and so Rosia tried to get Quercus to heal the sorcerer. He refused having faith in the restoring flame. Once there Isaac stepped onto the plate and the flames rose as expected. He screamed immediately as the smell of burning robe and flesh filled the room. As he collapsed to the floor Quercus quickly applied his healing. Soon only the charred fabric showed sign of the unfortunate event.

We journeyed south again, following more twisting corridors. Finding a magical trap, something which the halfling is definitely improved at, we all withdrew allowing for the good chance she would set it off during the disarm. We were right on that count but not on the safe distance. A fireball rocketed down the passage surrounding us in a fiery plume. More than half of my orcs screamed out their last breaths; their wounds finally taking their toll. Rosia and Oren rushed through the door as she knew the trap would reset. The rest of us took cover at a much greater distance. Minutes later a roar of flame erupted once again and our two companions rejoined us. The room had stored many items which they found to be magical in nature; scrolls, potions, a cloak and a necklace. While the others identified their purpose the orcs and I paid tribute to our the dead.

Following the corridor we came upon another room which held great treasure. From without we could see a racks of armor and weapons all carefully arranged. Rosia, once again, checked the room. Only her fast reactions saved her from a bolt of lightning from the ceiling. Unwilling to risk being hit by lighting ourselves, she relayed what she found. Each rack was labeled with the previous owners name. The items were all of good quality some the product of great craftsman. We each scavenged what we could use and left armed to the teeth; myself the new owner of a well balanced javelin.

The next room we came across was one the orcs had seen before. One of their group could be seen dead on the floor a chest almost within it's grasp. Again Rosia checked it out. She came back reporting that a trap would spring if anyone went near the chest. Given our recent track record it seemed foolish to attempt to get whatever treasure there was; and yet Rosia and Isaac proceed to discuss the options. I left them to it but I'm glad to say they soon joined me deciding not to risk it. At this time we heard the familiar screech/squawk again. The owlbear was somewhere to the west and so we kept moving suspecting it was on our trail.

The corridors continued to twist and turn, and after a few troubles with the map we finally came upon another interesting room. Rosia's checks cleared the door for traps. As we opened the door a strange red glow came out of the darkness. The source of the light was a huge floating red crystal. I felt conflicted. Oren estimated that it would be worth millions of gold pieces but how would we move it. With the memory of the glowing spheres still fresh our instincts told us that this could be another portal. We closed the door; hey we could always come back ;-)

We finally worked out where we were on the map and we returned to a familiar room; the long room where we had laid the failed ambush for the dark mantles. We stood there discussing where to explore next when we heard the screech/squawk. This time it was close, very close. In fact it was in the room with us. Screaming again, the shape of the owlbear came out of the darkness....