Evil at the Gate

They were beaten up pretty good. They needed some time to rest and heal but they also knew that the only real chance they had was to move forward before the third watch shift at the gate ahead of them was relieved. The third watch would go on duty in about 12 hours, so they planned accordingly. Healing was performed by the clerics on all those that they could as they were able to recouperate the party back to about 75% health. This would have to do as new prayers would not yield additional spells. Only the the passage of time would restore their magic and fortunately the 12 hours they had to wait was just long enough.

Now restocked and healed as reasonably as they could be, they moved forward up to the cavern. It was here that the first bad signs reared their head. Both SD and John Z attempted to cast a Dimension Door to cross the gap, and both failed. The decision was made to wait until they could both restudy the spell and try again. This time SD was successful in casting. With him he took Kayla to search for the secret lever to work the bridge. They searched for some time and eventually came across a rock knob that blended into the wall that when pushed gave way. The bridge lowered in to place across the opening. Indigo made note of how long it took to come down and kept track of how long it was down for.

The bridge was a masterful work of stone shaping. The dwarves made notice that the structure, made entirely of stone, including the tether supports that reached up in to the ceiling of the cave, were also rock. The bridge had to have been made by either dwarves or an Earth Elemental. The group began to traverse the bridge and left a good 25 yards between each member in an effort to not stress the structure. While they crossed, Raifer, who was the first across continued to search the area with Kayla. He then heard a mechanical sound coming from inside the cavern walls. The noise reminded Raifer of a clock's working pieces. As he put two and two together, he realized that the bridge was on a timer and would likely slide back up on its own at some interval. This observation came true quickly. When 6 of the members had crossed, an audible click was heard and the bridge started to slide up again. 4 people were on the bridge. The only one in any danger was Parker, who stumbled as she raced for the far side. But SD and Raifer jumped out and picked her up helping her to their side of the opening.

Indigo timed the bridge at 5 minutes. At least they would know how much time they had to get the rest of the party across. They pressed the switch again and the remainder of the group crossed quickly. On the party moved down the carved corridor in the rock. They knew that the gate room would be just ahead and it became obvious as they moved when a glowing reached them from the far end of the pathway. It shimmered a pale blue and they could see the gate ahead. Here they stopped. Morgan used her Ring of Invisibility to scout ahead. As she approached the chamber, she felt an overwhelming sense of evil wash across her. The evil was seductive and delicious and it called to her to join it. She struggled against this urge and resisted. She then peered in to the room and saw 3 Thri-Kreen, a Githyanki and a large bug like, winged, clawed, beak bearing monstrosity. Quickly she made her way back to the group to report.

The plan was to rush the room and split in to two groups. One would focus on the huge thing and the other would face the Githyanki and Thri-Kreen. Up they raced. Just prior to moving PJ stopped Warrex and cast some form of spell on him and then urged him on. But as they approached, a Thri-Kreen was seen crossing in front of the hallway. In they charged. All the members of the party now felt that same sense of evil as they entered the room. Most were able to resist, but Yosh and Raifer fell prey to the call unbeknownst to the rest of the party. In the group charged and attempted to gain a position in the room.

Yosh, Raifer and Marci, all of whom had charged in to engage one of the Thri-Kreen, were subjected to a set pole weapon attack and all were struck deeply, with Yosh taking a big hit. The party gained the room and engaged the evil creatures. Kayla perched herself on a bench against the wall and began firing arrows at the big creature, only to see it bouce off it and carom in to the ceiling. This gave way that Normal Missiles would not likely cause it any harm. The Githyanki at the far end of the room moved calmly towards the gate, which the party could now see was encircled by some floor sconces. And at that moment a figure, which looked exactly like the Githyanki figure that appeared as an illusion when they saw it in the hall, emerged from the side room and began directing the fight fro mtheir side. But to everyones suprise, it pointed at Yosh and Raifer and said some unintelligible words and moved to make for the gate.

Agamemnon then cast a Bless to help the group. Nord charged the new Gith creature, who sidestepped him and ignored the attack as he smoothly moved toward the gate. Raifer moved over towards Jockbar, who had maneuvered to the big creatures rear and Yosh darted over behind SD. Indigo attempted to use a Magic Missile against the thing only to have his spell fail too. At that point, Yosh attacked SD. Surprise caught everyone in this instant, but it became clear that he was being controlled by something else. John Z attempted to cast a Dispel Magic on Yosh, but it had no effect. Meanwhile, other party members continued their fight with the Thri-Kreen. Kunder and Marci both struck critical blow on one they double teamed and Marci's attack dropped the beast.

SD then attacked the creature and struck a mighty blow, but the wound he left behind was not even close to the devastation that should have been inflicted. Jockbar also cut in to it but did not damage it deeply. Some form of resistance was at play here. But just then Warrex entered the fight and struck the creature gashing it deeply. This turn took everyone by surprise. Why would his weapon hit and cause such damage when these two heavy hitters caused next to no damage at all. The creature struck out at SD with 2 claws and a beak attack, hitting SD with 2 of the attempts.

While this happened, Raifer moved to attack Jockbar, gritting out the words that he was not on control of himself. But at that moment, he felt the effeect of the Paladin's aura and regained control of himself. Agamemnon, seeing that Yosh was also not himself after his attack on SD, jumped him and took Yosh down in to hand-to-hand. The big creature then responded to all this with a new attack. It raised its wings and flipped them down. As he did so a ring of fire blasted forth from its body and rolled out like a wave encompassing almost everyone in the room. The attack did not kill anyone but certainly damaged everyone. The attacks continued, this time Indigo landed a well placed arrow that dropped another Thri-Kreen and only one of those now remained. Warrex gashed again at the beast and cut deeply. SD then used a Cone of Cold on the creature to see the effect. It obviously hurt it, but how much was not obvious.

While all this unfolded, the special Gith walked over to the gate, which was now encompassed with some form of shimmering light that rose from the sconces around it. The other Gith was casting a spell of some sort and the leader Gith stepped in to the area and then thru the gate. As he stepped thru he mumbled with a smile that "This isn't over yet". And the Gith wizard continued his casting.

The battle changed then as the big creature reached down and grabbed Agamemnon and lifted him over its head. Warrex attacked again and now the creature seemed to be struggling. Sensing the end, SD attempted a Lightning Bolt at it, but was himself wounded by it when the bolt was reflected back at himself. The creature then slammed Agamemnon in to the ground and both disappeared. The Gith wizard stopped his spell casting, turned and walked to the gate. As he entered he sprinkled some form of dust on the ground in front of the gate and then stepped through. Warrex, still in a battle frenzy attempted to charge after the Gith, but as he reached the spot where the dust had been tossed on the ground, he was blasted back by some force.

With the battle ended, they took stock of the room and the adjoining corridors. Here they found a dining room, 2 bunk rooms. On one of the bed stands they found a silver wrought amulet of Lolth. On the opposite side, from where the special Gith had come, they found an opulent and plush bedroom/office. It was comfortable, and well stocked. The desk in the room had a small pile of oversized gems sitting on it and some note papers. The papers were written in some form of Elvish and a Read Languages spell revealed them to be in Drow. Most of them were just ordinary writings but one was a warning that the party would be attacking them shortly and to ready the creature to defend the position.

The note was signed ... John Drake.

Next time....

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