Garrick unleashes the full power of his newly learned Daylight spell and the darkness below disappears, a quiet voice can be heard below, "Shit". Our band of heroes need wait no more and they all leap down to the deck below to confront their enemies in plain sight. They find themselves deep in the belly of the ship all around them are thick spider webs covering almost every surface. Slaves are bound to the walls and ceiling all around them. 4 Giant Spiders are scattered around the room, they turn to face our party, a thick substance drips from their fangs. Farraine wastes no time in running headlong into the fray. He immediately draws his scimitar and rushes towards the closest spider, a whirl of metal is accompanied by the sound of flesh being sliced, blood drips onto the wooden deck. From the shadow a strange creature emerges with the body of a giant spider but where you would normally see a head there is a Drow torso - A Drider. The creature is carrying a crossbow and it raises it and takes aim at Farraine, but the Fighter's reflexes are too good and the bolt bounces off the wall behind him. The Drider fires another shot but although Farraine is not able to dodge out of the way the bolt glances harmlessly off his armour.
Lucian steps forward and takes in his surroundings, casks of Rum are scattered around the wooden room and the spider's webs binding the slaves to the walls and ceiling are no doubt just as flammable. He is visibly crestfallen when he realises that a fireball is out of the question. Given the circumstances one would think that the Wizard would therefore cast a spell which would ensure the safety of all but the enemy. Unfortunately what he did was send a ball of lightning hurtling towards the Drider, arcs of hot (and this bit is very important) electricity crackle over the Drider's torso as it howls in pain the ball of lightning chains to one of the giant spider, it screams in agony, it's eight legs twitch and curl inwards and it lays motionless. The lightning ball tracks towards another of the giant spiders and another, both are left on their backs, legs contorted inwards, dead. Lucian smiles at his magnificent achievement. However his smile soon begins to falter as he notices smoke rising from some of the webs surrounding his fallen foe, all of a sudden flames erupt and begin to spread quickly throughout the room. Flames engulf the webbing surrounding the many, many, many slaves who scream in agony.
Through the cacophony of suffering the remaining Giant Spider bites Garrick, it's mandibles sink deep into the clerics arm. It attempts to bind Garrick in it's webbing but the Cleric is able to dodge out of the way just in time. Finn joins the battle raising his crossbow he takes careful aim at the Drider and squeezes the trigger. The bolt zips through the air and embeds itself in the side of the beast, blood oozes from the wound. The halfling quickly scuttles into cover behind one of the large crates as Sigrid steps up and speaks a druidic incantation. Green vines sprout from the floor around the Drider wrapping their tendrils around it's legs and body, it struggles to free itself but the vines are too many and too strong. Farraine sees an opportunity and rushes towards the now entangled Drider, his blade slashes through vine and flesh, blood and bark fly through the air, there is a thud as the head of the beast falls to the floor and rolls across the wooden deck. From the shadows a hand reaches out and picks it up.
"This will make a fine addition to the bar" says Ozen.
Lucian, still horrified at his miscalculation from his previous spell (the effects of which are still playing out as slave upon slave, upon slave is slowly cooked by the burning webs). If only the Wizard had some kind of water spell he may be able to save at least some of the innocent prisoners, but alas this appears not to be the case as he casts a large spectral hand close to the Drow Captain who has finally stepped out from the shadows. The large magical fingers wrap themselves around the Captain's body as he struggles to get free. Garrick sees the restrained enemy, Morning Star in hand he rushes over and swings his weapon at the Drow, the Captain howls in pain as blow after blow is rained down upon him.
Finn peaks out from the cover of a crate and fires a crossbow bolt at the last remaining giant spider, it finds its mark and the beast screeches in pain. The giant spider moves towards Garrick and tries to bite the Cleric but fails to hit its target. Sigrid climbs up on top of a crate and casts a Blight spell on the Drow, it howls in pain but is still clinging onto life. The Drow tries to escape the grip of the spectral hand but its efforts are in vain. From the shadows steps another figure, the light of the flames dance across a shaved bald head, Byron surveys the carnage around him and immediately falls slowly to the floor and plays dead.
Farraine unleashes a flurry of attacks on the entrapped Drow, each blow slices through flesh and blood splatters to the floor, somehow though the Captain is still alive. The magical fist begins to tighten its grip on the Drow as Garrick swings his morning star one last time, the weapon buries itself in the Drow's skull and it slumps to the floor in a pool of blood. Lucian turns to face the Giant spider, the Wizard hurls a blight spell at the beast and its flesh begins to shrivel and decay but the spider lives on, it's breath is long and forced and then all of a sudden it stops as a bolt from the Halfling's crossbow pierces it's throat and it collapses on the deck floor.
With their enemies defeated, attention is immediately turned to the flames surrounding them, they really should do something about that. Commanding the crew to assist, a bucket line is soon established and it is not long before the flames are out and all that remains is the smell of scorched wood and the burned flesh of the MANY INNOCENT SLAVES!
Back up on the main deck the party have gathered the crew members and have directed the ship back towards Waterdeep. It seems that they may have scored their biggest loot haul, at least in terms of sheer size. During their journey home Garrick works non-stop giving the poor MURDERED slaves a proper burial at sea, as well as the churned waves behind the ship, linen wrapped bodies mark the ships progress towards Waterdeep.
Eventually the ship docks in the port of Waterdeep and our heroes disembark. The harbour master greets them and they arrange for the repairs to be carried out as soon as possible, Force Grey will be footing the bill for this one.
Back at Trollskull Manor Ozen immediately makes his way into the kitchen and gets back to cooking the fine food the establishment has become well known for. Over the next couple of days the repairs to the Inn are completed and normal service has resumed.
One morning there comes a knock on the Manor door and a letter is handed to Lucian from Remallia Haventree. Lucian hesitates a moment, is this some kind of summons for him to explain his actions that led to the incineration of over a hundred INNOCENT SLAVES! His hands shake as he breaks the seal on the envelope and extracts the letter within. His eyes dart across the paper and he breathes a sigh of relief as he hands it round the group. It seems that the services of the Heroes of Waterdeep are needed once again. Followers of Severin Silrajin are seeking out a relic known as The Heart of Ashardalon its power tied to that of the Ancient Red Wyrm. If the Cult of the Dragon were to get their hands on this it would be a disaster. The trail for the artifact begins in the Doomvault Halls up in the Nether Mountains.
"Ozen! We have been called into action, you know what to do" says Farraine. The Barlord/Chef heads off to the kitchen to rustle up some culinary supplies and returns holding a number of wrapped packages which he hands to each of our adventurers. Quickly the party gather their things and head out of Trollskull Manor and proceed to Blackstaff Tower to seek teleportation aid from Vajra Safahr. The Blackstaff greets them as they enter her office and Lucian explains the need for travel to Doomvault Halls. She nods and closes her eyes, her hands making complex movements through the air which crackles with magical energy. After a moment an oval portal shimmers into existence, Vajra indicates for the party to step through. With a large intake of breath each of our heroes step through the portal. On the other side they find themselves stood outside the Doomvault Halls.
Making their way up the stone steps towards the foreboding oak door. Finn Hilltopple, Hero of Waterdeep, Slayer of Dragons and Designated Opener of Doors, steps forward and pushes the handle and the door clicks open to reveal a long stone corridor. The party enter and slowly make their way down the hallway. Off to one side they notice another door, which Finn dutifully opens to reveal a small room containing some aged furs and half empty barrels. Garrick gives the Barrels a cursory check and notices a small cask of Dwarven Whisky which he picks up and places inside his bag. A strange light illuminates another corridor on the other side of the room and Sigrid begins to make her way towards it and finds to her delight a small botanical area. Tending to the fauna is a strange mushroom-like man, Sigrid uses her abilities to speak with plants to communicate with the creature and finds them to be non-hostile. Sigrid admires the creatures plants and begins to help with the watering. They are most grateful for the help and as payment the creature hands each of the party a small gift of Ebonvine Fruits and Ghostcap Mushrooms. Sigrid asks if the creature has any information that would assist us in our quest but it knows little of the Heart of Ashardalon.
Farraine wanders away from the group and heads down one of the passage ways and finds a door. Not wanting to wait for the Halfling to catch up he prompt opens the door, on the floor on the other side a word has been carved into the stone "Trapped". Farraine looks up and around but sees nothing of note, closing the door he returns to the rest of the group. Bidding farewell to the Mushroom Man the party head out through another doorway and find themselves in another room. Off to one side stands a large statue of a Dwarf with a bowl held in outstretched hands. in front of the statue lies a decayed corpse. Finn moves up to the statue and places a silver coin in the bowl, he feels the slight tingle of magic course through him and is left with a sense of invigoration. Farraine follows suit and he has the same feeling wash over him. On another side of the room is another door that is bulging slightly as if something on the other side is wanting to get out. Lucian and Sigrid investigate it and Lucian appears to be especially eager to get the door open. Finn suggests that opening it is not the best idea and refuses to perform his door opening duties in favour of self preservation. Lucian decides to ignore the Halflings words of warning and takes a few step backwards before hurling a ball of fire at the steel door. There is an explosion as the door is evaporated by the heat of the flames and a loud rumble as boulders of stone tumble out through the doorway and into the room. Fortunately the Wizard had retreated to a safe distance and his folly is of no consequence. Moving towards another door off to the north east of the room Sigrid tosses a coin towards the Statue's bowl, the coin flies through the air and hits the nose of the carved dwarf before tumbling to the floor.
Finn moves up to the door and checks it for any possible traps and finds it to be safe, he swings the door open and there is a hiss of escaping air. A metal grate covers the floor of the room beyond, beneath it is some kind of ignition system. Finn commands his familiar, Binky, to grab something from decayed corpse. Binky returns carrying a shrivelled arm and Finn throws it into the room. Nothing happens. Binky flies over to the door on the other side of the room and opens it carefully. Finn, not wanting to take any chances with the ignition system Misty Steps across the room and reappears in the doorway on the other side. Following the Halflings lead, Sigrid morphs into her eagle form and carries Farraine across in her claws, Lucian is next and he too Misty Steps to the other side. Finally Garrick rises up off the ground and floats over to join them. In the room beyond the party make their way over to yet another door and once again Finn is tasked with opening it. On the other side is a carpet room, dust on the floor begins to move and form words.
"You must feed me.
I devour all yet hunger still.
The more I eat, the larger I grow.
The more I drink, the weaker I become.
What am I?"
A spark of inspiration flashes in Finn's mind "Fire!" shouts the Halfling. There's a clanking of machinery and a door on the other side of the room opens. Garrick steps through and into the room on the other side. 4 pedestals rise from the floor, on each of them sits an object covered by a glass dome. On one of the pedestals sits a gold ring with Gnomish runes carved into it. Garrick, thanks to his Helm of Languages reads the inscription "Wear me and be Invisible". A pair of boots with a wave motif sit on another pedestal, a black wand on the third and a deck of ancient cards on the fourth. Some lettering on the floor reads "The Joke's on You". Garrick carefully lifts the glass dome covering the ring, takes it and places it carefully in his pocket. The cleric moves to each of the pedestals and takes the items and places them in his bag, loot is loot after all, besides, what's the worst that could happen?
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