Danger Beneath the Waves

10/5

 

Jack and Squishy pool their knowledge. Undead will be a major problem within the temple. For the spell to be cast, black gems need to be placed in the eye sockets. They decide to remove the heads of all their foes as a precaution. Since undead don’t die, the temple may still have dangerous inhabitants. Squishy decides to investigate first hand. Solaera casts hide from undead on Squishy.

Squishy goes underwater and explores the hidden temple. He struggles opening the door, but manages to gain entry. The remains of several skeletons lie in the main chamber. [The main chamber remained impassable during the final battle. Erythnul’s defenders refused to give up the temple. Several skeletons and undead bodies have remained here.] The upstairs chamber is filled with stale air from several more decaying bodies. [The second floor was the last bastion for the remaining people trapped inside. The high priest was here when he met his fate.] Squishy briefly looks around and goes downstairs. After closely searching he finds some sort of glyph on the door. [The glyph of warding would have been one of the last spells cast in the temple to protect the inner sanctum. The spell is actually a simple illusion to dissuade trespassers that make it this far. The clerics were out of high level glyphs and could not cast them once the lower level started flooding. Instead, they used a clever illusion. A true glyph spell is undetectable by normal means.] Squishy decides to go back, unprepared to get past such a powerful spell. Squishy is most fortunate, considering the more powerful undead guardian still lies in the chamber beyond. The guardian loyally remains with the old relic fragment.

Migi spends the day walking around the camps making good with the grunting foot soldiers. He goes tent to tent making good with every mean face he comes across. Once the back is turned, however, Migi replenished his bribery funds. Meanwhile, nothing beats a small bet with the dice. “Remember, if the boss comes by, I wasn’t here. I want him to think I’m working, not slacking off with you guys.” [wink, wink]

Migi charismatically works his way around two of the camps. Why would anyone suspect someone so obvious who walks around so boldly? However, he keeps a low profile around the main camp. At least three people know how intrusive his presence is.

Then it hits him. Each of these camps is strictly segregated from each other. What would happen if the racial tension would rise, just a little? Tension is already high from the attacks along the river. How long could this alliance last when the fire brings it to a boil? “What do you mean you didn’t get the new weapons? Well, the gnolls need all the healing potions for the patrols currently. We’re still waiting for the next supply wagon to come in. The flock of mutton was supposed to be brought here, but the gnolls insisted that it be sent to their tribe to keep. Nothing I can do. Maybe I can make it up to you guys with something.”

Lastly, Migi wanders to investigate the goblin camp. What remains of the camp is surrounded by gnoll guards. No, nothing appeals more than throwing insults and a few rocks at captive goblins. Ah, the petty race of goblins. Of all the petty rivalries, gnomes have a fierce loathing of goblins. They have no love for bugbears either, but they aren’t at the mercy of an army. What to do? Oh, what to do? The goblins glare at him with disgust. “Well, I’m going to check on the work progress. Keep up the good work.” As if they had a chance. Hmmm…What if they did?

Migi makes his way to the river. It would be too difficult to slip a dagger into the camp. Slipping one onto one of the workers at the river would be much easier. Slipping a few upon them could cause quite a ruckus, and indirectly get rid of a few. HAHAHAHA! Wow. They’ve made a few improvements down here.

The party decides to go back to town. Along the way, they will attack the dam work crew again. They spot 2 gnolls, a gnoll archer, 6 bugbears, and 8 goblins along the cold causeway. Squishy slips into the lake and approaches the dam from underwater. Facing the dam, he uses his mind blast and the fight ensues. The gnoll guards are distracted allowing most of the goblins to escape. Migi sneaks into the fight. Ralph fires volley after volley at anything scurrying along the makeshift mine. Migi dives under a bugbear body before getting shot down. As the gnolls drop, the goblins make their escape. Migi throws up his arms telling them not to shoot. Jak immediately recognizes him, redirecting Ralph’s fletching. Migi explains not to worry about the goblins. The gnolls are now in charge at the camp now. He wants Jak to send a note back to the guards. Jak tells Migi to steal as many black gems as he can.

Party returns to town to sell equipment and recruit more help. Four decide to accompany them back into the mountains. They pick up Seth (Ranger 1) who has a hatred of gnolls, Baron (Cleric 1) representing the Temple of St. Cuthbert, Crade (Sorcerer 1) who thinks the job is worthy of elves, and Martin (Fighter 1) who needs the extra money. They leave in the morning. Squishy goes to the temple to buy some potions. The town doesn’t currently have water breathing potions in stock. Oddly, they're not in high demand in the mountains. Squishy commissions for some to be made. It will be three days before the water breathing potions are finished.