Conquering the Barbarian Altanis: Session 100
Adventurers
| Character | Class | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Ambros | Cleric level 4 | Follower of Aniu, Lord of Time. |
| Foxglove | Thief level 4 | A willowy human, long hair ties in a pony tail, looks a bit dangerous and dainty at the same time. |
| Darius | Cleric level 4 | Follower of Dacron, God of Craftsmen. |
| Rorik | Fighter level 3 | A fighter. |
| Bairstowbury the Chaotic | Halfling level 1 | Remarkably muscular for a halfling. |
| Centuria | Elf level 1 | An academic elf fond of teasing those of lower status. |
Meadowlark 16th, Airday
“Get me out of this mess!”
The party had just slain a dozen spider-hen-pigeon-cat mutants. Two of the adventurers get tangled up in the webs, but without any opposition, they were soon out. Tarkus, Beorg, and Happy stuffed three monster corpses in a sack and when to the surface to rest and wait for others to come out. Bairstowbury and Centuria, the new recruit, switched with them and joined the party in the dungeon.
Illustration by IdleDoodler.
“Let's head up north to ensure nothing comes from behind. Also, there might be a loop leading to the lair of the spider-folk.”
Hundred feet long corridor was flanked by several empty rooms. One was completely barren, one had tattered remains of glowing rope, and one had a weathered, cracked, and faded fresco of skull biting a stone in the shape of infinity symbol.
There were also two unicorn statues, each in its respective alcove. First they encountered had broken off horn and front left leg. Second was intact, and if FoxGlove was correct, its horn looked like it could be rotated. A human male corpse was balled up in cowering position, sitting behind the second statue. The man looked youthful, even in his death. Ignoring the bright red cracked lips, taut, dehydrated look, and rigor mortis, that is.
With the help of divine magic, Darius discovered that the ceiling of the alcove is trapped. The party swiftly backed out, and then backtracked to the chamber with blue mist. From there they followed the long corridor east, taking two right and one left turn. They passed three doors, all emanating sickly green light. Two of them were brighter than the rest.
Adventurers arranged themselves in front of the first bright doors. Bairstowbury stepped forth, as the strongest of the six, and pulled on the doors. The party was almost blinded by the light—whole chamber was full of glowing webs. There was sufficient space alongside the floor, but humans would have to crawl.
Human corpse was suspended from the ceiling, it's huge, bloated belly sagging downwards. It's face was taut, as if something or someone had pulled it overs its cheekbones. It was a frozen image of excruciating pain. Man's teeth were crooked and his hair was thin. Glowing webs had melted the flesh away and were tightly wrapped around the exposed bones.
Something moved in the darkness.
Bairstowbury slammed the doors shut.
Something forced the doors open.
Illustration by IdleDoodler.
A large, spider-like creature was hanging upside down from the web. It had six spider appendages, as well as a pair of deformed human legs and arms hanging from its thorax. It's head was a misshapen atrocity of human face drawn over insectoid shape.
Ensuing scuffle was brief and violent. The monster bit FoxGlove, injecting him with vicious wasting venom. Adventurers discovered that creature was partly incorporeal, as their weapons passed right through its body. Rorik was able to strike it though, using a blade with skull in the pommel, which they recovered earlier in this dungeon. Ambros, in moment of desperation—or inspiration—called upon his deity to banish the monster.
It worked! to surprise of everyone involve.
“Very interesting.” Darius muttered, stroking his chin.
Mutant spider crawled up the wall, on the ceiling, and fled. But not before the party cut off three of its limbs and caused significant damage to it. Bairstowbury quickly stowed the appendages in his sack.
Illustration by IdleDoodler.
“Remember how they said these monsters procreate by inseminating corpses? Maybe we should hack that one up?”
Without volunteer to enter the chamber, the party decided to resort to true and tested method of burning everything. They oiled the bloated corpse and then set it on fire. Flesh caught fire, but webs remained intact.
Rorik observed, sword pulled out, ready to hack down any horror that might emerge.
The corpse burst open, spilling forth black ichor. A black mass with thin, long appendages fell to the ground, twitching and thrashing about chaotically. It burned away and melted into an oily slick, seeping into the ground through the cracks in the flagstone.
As this was happening, all but Darius, heard a loud shrill. So loud and so protracted that it felt like someone had driven a knife straight into their brain. The pain was such that thinking and acting was nearly impossible; even mere orientation and moving in the desired direction took significant effort.
Darius the Piper went to considerable lengths to ensure his colleagues exit the dungeon safely. He had to herd them like sheep, instruct them like little kids, and, eventually, just lead them by the rope. But he got them out intact.
Illustration by IdleDoodler.
“Let's go to Hara and rest there. That's where the home is.”
Longrass 1st, Airday
“Your sick friends must drink clean water and eat nothing but fresh fruits and vegetables. Strict bed rest is in order. No adventuring nor lollygagging about town.”
Such was the advice given the Hagar by the priest at the Temple of Poseidon. FoxGlove was still alive, but barely looking like it since the bite.
Rorik, Darius, Bairstowbury, and Centuria collected the monster remains and set off to Ironburg via river barge. They wanted to share all the new information with Old Crus.
Hagar and others remained in Hara. Dwarven hero was considered to be the de facto leader of this adventuring party—or at least that's how people of Hara had seen him.
Longrass 5th, Spiritday
Hagar finally managed to commission master sculptor Dragespius of Onhir. They agreed on 25 feet tall marble statue, to be made in Ahyf, facing the sea. Details to be arranged, as well as payment of 3 125 gold pieces.
Rorik, Darius, Bairstowbury, and Centuria had returned from their meeting with Crus.
They learned that spider-hen chimeras are called webbirds, and are basically bred for food by the creatures of the underdark. They were also frustrated at the other information shared by him, considering it to be vapid academic bloviation of little practical application.
Rorik shared with him hand drawn map of the explored area. In fact, Rorik was the only one of the adventurers that Crus had shown any remote sign of affection for.
Illustration by kickmaniac.
“One day, one day, you will be a great adventurer. Just you keep listening to me. As you grow in power I will reveal new things to you. Trust me, trust me. One day! But not today!”
Full party was now reunited in Hara.
Fresh mercenaries begun trickling in. The word must have spread.
After all, war breeds war.
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