Paul V – Thufark – human/monk/Tehne
Paul H – Prillin – human/cleric/Emer
Andrew – Rafe – human/mage/Galinthe
Chris – L'ei Blackwing – assassin/pixie/Ver'l
Shelly – Erica – human/fighter/Ver'l
NPC – Cart – human/fighter/Tarim (DOA)
Exploring the ogre cave, the party found a magic bronze two-handed mace of wyrmish origin, a substantial number of wyrmish coins hammered into the cave wall, several opals, some herbs, and a bent copper scroll tube containing decayed bits of parchment. After some discussion, it was decided that the cleric, Prillin, would use the mace for the time being with the understanding that it would be sold upon reaching town if insufficient treasure was found to allow it be kept by a party member.
The party camped the night and the next day continued following the ancient road into the swamp.
The party spied a ruined complex of buildings a few hundred yards off the trail. Upon investigation, a hole into a septagonal subterranean chamber was discoverred. The party lowered a rope and clambered down to explore.
A number of passages lead off from the chamber; most of which were proved to be obstructed. One corridor was only partially blocked and Lei Blackwing set off to investigate.
Lei came upon a chamber with several organic-looking columns surrounded by opals hanging from ceiling. Lei poked one of the columns.
Tentacles lashed out from the column and the pixie called for aid. Entering the chamber, Cart, Prillin, Erica and Thufark began meleeing the column while Rafe attacked with magic missiles and a hand crossbow. In the ensuing melee, Cart was slain, Prillin fell, and Thufark—enraged by having been struck by errant missiles from Rafe's dart thrower—turned away from the fight and attacked the mage. Rafe defended himself and by virtue of a lucky blow, managed to knock the maddened monk unconcious.
The situation looked grim. In a courageous act, Lei disregarded his own safety and stuffed belladona into the monster's maw. Unbenownst to Lei, however, another of Rafe's errant bolts had woken a second column. A tentacle shot forth, grabbed the pixie, and ripped Lei's arm from its socket sending him into unconciousness.
The party managed to resuce Lei from the tentacle and flee the chamber. With a final shudder, the belladona did its work and the creature collapsed. Erica—believing that it had been her actions that had resulted in the death of Cart and the maiming of Lei—slumped into a catatonic state. Thufark regained consciousness with his momentarily abandoned self-discipline restored.
Cart's belongings and the wyrmish mace Prellin had been wielding, remained in the chamber. Without Cart's maps, the party's mission would be a failure and the party resolved to recover them. Rafe used quiet room pocket spells to surround the columns, crept into the chamber and carefully recovered Cart's lost items.
Upon returning, the party tried to rouse Erica with no success. After trying several tactics—including taking the rather extreme act of firing a dart gun at Erica from point blank range (with the bolt feather falled at the last moment), Rafe took all of the stimulants he had and stuffed them in Erica's mouth.
Meeting ends.
