Session Report 2017-04-02 by Milo

Pre-Session Notes:

1.    The previous adventure into the Mount claimed 3 spell scrolls (Clairvoyance, Haste, and Flight), Dravin gladly took these into his possession to later copy into his spellbook.

Session Notes:

1.    The party ventured down to the deepest, mostly-explored, level of the Mount and entered a room with a statue of a minotaur with wings. Nevus, feeling overcome with the urge to defile the statue, carved “My dad can beat up your dad” into the base of the statue and also removed the head from the statue - no effect.

2.    The next room had been previously discovered on the last delve, and contained 10 bodies lying on the floor with grey, leathery skin and wearing peasant clothes, and a large statue on the north wall of a creature with a rooster-looking head, a human torso, and a snake-like lower portion. The party decided to begin removing the heads from the dead bodies, in case they come back to life as zombies, but as they touch the first body all 10 bodies spring to life and begin rising and attacking the party. Alkanos summoned a Ray of Frost and hits his target, but to no effect. The group was quickly surrounded, and Milo became severely wounded (less than 5 HP). Seeing the struggle, Nevus acted quickly and called upon the powers of his deity to help him deal massive radiant damage to the undead, and in time, all 10 zombies are slain. Just as the last zombie is struck down, the statue on the north wall activated, and took on its demonic form and called out “I say, I say… What’s goin’ on hear?” (Probably not cannon, but Mike played an audio clip of Foghorn Leghorn saying that phrase, so we went with it) – the demon began attacking the party.  Milo got the jump on the demon, and charmed it using Hypnotic Pattern, to buy the party time to get in position for an onslaught – which, sort of, worked. The demon survived the assault (which amounted to a laughably low amount of damage dealt by the party), and began casting Confusion on party members to debilitate them in combat. It also summoned tentacles at Milo’s feet to lash out and immobilize him. Nevus rushed in for an attack, but his body stopped – without attacking, and against his will. The demon counterattacked Nevus with a flurry of pecks from its beak and attacks from its hands dealing incredible damage (53 points) to him, dropping him to the ground. Halitrax, in a fit of rage, charged the demon, but also stopped in his tracks. Alkanos, Cathar and Dravin weakened, and eventually defeated, the demon. With the demon dead, the party searched the room for traps or secret passages – nothing found.

3.    After resting, the group decided to see if they can figure out the purpose of the caduceus symbols. They remembered there were 3 pillars at the entrance to this level of the Mount, and decide to investigate. The pillars each had a cut-out in them which fit the overall shape and size of the symbols. Once all 3 caduceus symbols were inserted, there was a flash of blue light and small vibrations felt in the floor and walls for the next minute – the party determined this light would invigorate them for about 1 minute (This actually heals any who stand within the pillars for 4d10 HP, for 1 minute). After 1 minute, the light dissipated, and the caduceus symbols disappeared.

4.    The party decided to venture down the southern-most staircase to a new level of the dungeon. As they descended, the first door they encountered was made of frosted glass. The walls, ceiling, and floor were all perfectly smooth, and the floor was coated in a glossy resin. The first room the group entered contained a dead Dwarven caretaker lying in the corner. They left the body alone and ventured on, going up a small set of stairs (this is a multi-level floor, which has rooms higher and lower than the room they entered), they entered a room which contained an adamantine table, a machine, and another dead Dwarven caretaker. The machine had 2 levers and a cylinder-shaped intake tube about 3 inches in diameter and 1 foot deep. They left the room and crept down the hallways and faintly heard clanking of swords and armor – a battle. They party rushed down the hallway and into a room with 9 dwarves – 3 Dwarven caretakers and 6 dark skinned (Duergar) Dwarven soldiers wearing heavy armor and brandishing shields. The party quickly sided with the caretakers, and surround the soldiers. Battle commenced, but was quickly over – not before one of the caretakers was slain. The party talked with the 2 remaining caretakers, Trax and Forzak, to glean information, they find out the Tarbaxians (the cult worshipping Vork) have created the Duergar for their cause. The party asked to speak with the leader of the caretakers, Erdak, to see if they can offer any assistance to them.

5.    The caretakers lead the party through a series of shortcuts and secret doors to meet Erdak, the group also found out this level of the Mount is the called the “manufacturing level”. They eventually end in a large room with a pool of Azoth (silvery liquid), machines, and light panels on the ceiling, the room also has a set of black blast doors. The group was ushered through the blast doors, where 12 Dwarves were gathered, one of them being Erdak. The group talked with Erdak, and learned he is the leader of maintenance on this floor only, and recently (within the past 2 months) there have been disturbances due to a rare event (once every 58 years) of planets/moons (not sure which) aligning. He names off the planets/moons as Ion, Uerin, and Corethian. During this rare event, secret passages within the Mount open, and the Tarbaxians have taken advantage of the situation and have seized control of the Foundry and the “Great Machine”. The party talked over the situation and agreed to help by first taking back the Foundry, and halting the further production of Duergar. Once captured, they would then push forward to take back control of the “Great Machine”. Erdak agreed to take the help, and in return, allowed the party to loot anything from the Duergar soldiers and Tarbaxians.

6.    The party prepared for battle, then were lead to the Foundry by the 2 caretakers they rescued earlier. On the way to the Foundry, they found a triangular-shaped lock on one of the doors, when asked, the caretakers said it required a “master Tarbaxian key”. The party cautiously entered the Foundry, inside were 5 Duergar soldiers and 2 pale-skinned Humans (1 Tarbaxian wizard, 1 Tarbaxian warrior), and in the middle of the room was a large machine which could be used to produce more Duergar. Battle commenced, and the party split into attack groups. Nevus and Halitrax struggled to keep the Duergar at bay due to them being able to Enlarge themselves. The Tarbaxian wizard unleashed a spell dealing an incredible amount of damage to Dravin (leaving him at 1 HP). Milo casted Crown of Madness on the Tarbaxian warrior, who became confused and then attacked the Duergar. The Tarbaxian wizard attempted to escape by becoming invisible, but Cathar cleverly reached into his Bag of Holding, pulled out a bottle of fine wine, shook it up, and uncorked the bottle – spraying wine in an area where he believed the wizard was hiding. To his surprise (and everyone else’s) he managed to pinpoint the wizard, who was then captured and brought back to Erdak for questioning. After resting and planning the next phase of strategy with Erdak, it was decided to move the makeshift barracks to the Foundry to help hold its position. The caretakers had mapped a significant portion of this level of the Mount, and was able to lead the group south and west to locate the “Great Machine”. The party arrived at a massive room containing the “Great Machine” on a raised dais. The room itself was supported by 4 large columns with etchings carved into the column faces. It was also housing 10 Duergar soldiers, 2 Tarbaxian spellcasters, and 2 earth elementals. The party snuck in and Dravin and Alkanos delivered a simultaneous Fireball and Frostball into the room, while Milo casted Sleep on one of the Tarbaxian spellcasters near the “Great Machine” and out of harm’s way. Another volley of Fire and Frostballs were launched into the room, clearing out most of the enemies, but the group still had to face the Elementals, and a handful of the Duergar soldiers not in the blast radius. The enemy was overthrown, and the “Great Machine” was recaptured. The Tarbaxian wizard Milo put to sleep, awoke at the end of the fight to see the battle over, and he was also captured and brought back to Erdak for further questioning.

7.    The party regrouped, and went back to Karlsburg for some training, supplies, and much needed rest.

Session Report 2017-03-19 by Nevus

Alkanos, Cathar, Halitrax, and Nevus

Found third metal column with square indentation

Later killed 6 zombies wearing uniforms (much harder to hit than typical zombies)

Entered room with boiling vats of silvery-gray liquid. Room had cat walk 10’ above. Fumes caused:
Alkanos to become comatose
Halitrax had vision of a room with treasure but no exit.
Nevus thought Cathar was an enemy and attacked him.
Cathar unsuccessfully tried to jump up to the cat walk. Eventually Halitrax gained his senses. He and Nevus and a few rounds of grappling before eventually Nevus was no longer delusional.

Discovered sorcerer’s quarter’s with large bloodstain on floor. Found key which unlocked door to the south. Behind door was coins, gems, armor and shield. Both Nevus and Cathar felt a spiritual attack. Halitrax was going to leave but was convinced to stay for a platinum piece. He was then attacked and possessed by a spirit that wanted to know if they had encountered Euthalius. The rest of the party said no and ask who he was. “My murderer” replied Halitrax.

Halitrax proceeded to walk towards the exit, commanding the party to bring the gems. The party did and followed him. They passed two rooms both with four green statues who initially moved to attack but were halted by Halitrax’s command. One of those rooms also had a glass case with a large egg inside. Entered a room with a slick goo causing a couple members to slip and fall. Halitrax cast a spell destroying the goo.

Continuing, Halitrax went through a secret door a series of hallways to an office like room where a pale old man sat a desk. Halitrax through a fireball at the man. Nevus moved up and decapitated the man. The spirit then left Halitrax, who had no idea what had happened. Only thing of value remaining after the fireball was a wand.

During a long rest, the party identified a Wand of Ice-balls, chain mail +1, and a shield +1

Party returned to room with 4 green statues and the egg in the case. After dispatching the statues, the case caused necrotic damage, Halitrax broke it with his hammer. They scooped up the egg into their bag of holding. Each of the statues also had jet black gems for eyes which the party took. Next they cleared out the other 4 green statues and took their gem eyes.

In another room they found a flask laying on the floor. Thinking it might be alcohol, Cathar decided to take a drink and took internal damage.

Next they entered a room that was empty except for 4 bones arranged in a square. To ensure it wasn’t a trap, Cathar shot an arrow into the center of the square, but nothing happened.

From the next room they heard the frustrated roars of a minotaur. Opening the door, they discovered a minotaur that was stuck to the floor covered in black tar. Cathar easily slew it from a distance with arrows.

Next room had 8 uniformed zombies. Alkanos killed 7 with his Wand of Ice-balls. Halitrax killed the surviving one.

Next room they found a large pile of ash with a partially melted god ring on top. They took the ring.

Next room had damaged mosaics depicting alien worlds on which can be seen demonic figures dancing. On one of the walls were hooks (like coat hooks). From above they heard a droning sound which caused Halitrax(?) to become unconscious. Looking up the noise was coming from huge bug like creature which might have killed Nevus but his dramatic dodge. After being maimed the bug tried to escape but Alkanos killed with another ice-ball.

Next room also had mosaics depicting alien worlds on which can be seen demonic figures but they were marching for war. Room also had hooks but on these were 3 goggles two which had red lenses. When Nevus looked at the mosaics while wearing a pair of goggles the mosaics became animated. This granted Nevus a +1 to attack and damage in the next combat vs demons.

Next room, found on the northern wall a chalk message written in Low Sulian (Common),
which read “Run if you see it!” accompanied by a very crude sketch of a rooster-headed, snake-legged
demon aka ‘foghorn-snakehorn’.

Near the message they found a secret door, behind which was coins and a suit of adamantine chain mail.

Next room, had a alchemical distillery of a sinister design in the middle. In a red curtained alcove was a bronze statue of a demonic winged bull. Below the statue were words in a language did not understand. The party wanted to destroy the statue but Nevus wanted to find out what the text said before hand. He made a copy of the text. After returning to town they discovered the text was High Sulian for “Blood is the Key.”

Found large room with ten bodies laying in a row on the floor. In a half-circle alcove was a large statue of rooster-headed, snake-legged demon. The party wanted nothing to do with this room.

Found a room with a black silver leak, took sample.

Found a magical door that had a triangle indentation. Placing one of the caduceuses in the indentation, it glowed but nothing seemed to happen. Nevus afraid they had unleashed a demon - ‘foghorn-snakehorn’ maybe they ran back to the ‘foghorn-snakehorn’ statue room and saw no change.

Next they found room with pile of coins, while searching the room Cathar noticed the pile was moving towards Nevus. After furious battle which almost killed Nevus, the group was eventually victorious.

After long rest, in the next room they found 1600 lbs of grain and 600 gallons of beer.

Next discovered a pimpin reading room. The candles in the candelabra suddenly lit, the lilting sounds of a harp resonated softly, and the smell of roses wafted into the room once one of the party entered the room.

Finally the group went back to the door where behind it they heard howling wind. Opening the door they found a crevasse. When one of the group moved towards it, wind from above tried to push the person closer to the edge. The group left.

Session Report 2017-02-05 by Quassii

Upon returning from the town of Karlsburg after weeks of training and gambling Quassii, Vrok, Cathar, and Nevus returned to further explore the Mount of the Red Door. We carefully made our way down the levels to the place we fought the minotaur king. There were two hallways leading to what we assumed were the living quarters of the king’s underlings. Cathar noticed a pit trap on the northern most hallway. Both ways led to a large room with three doors exiting it. We noticed a strong odor from the southern door so we entered it in normal battle formation. To our dismay we found the latrine. All the urinals were smashed leaving stinky holes in the ground. We drew straws. Cathar lost. He wisely put on one of the Bio suit's we had found a long time ago from our previous adventures. Nothing was to be found so he geared back up and we continued back.

We heard voices from the throne room. We formed in formation. Vrok bestowed a few of his wonderful buffs, Blessing the party, enhancing Nevus's constitution to that of a bear, then finally uniting Quassii and himself with a powerful magic bond to soften the blows on Quassii to divert half the damage to the caster. After buffing we saw one minotaur, Cathar stealthily advanced into the room to slay the beast. As he entered unnoticed, he saw that there were several minotaurs and a new king in the throne room we previously had cleared. He immediately backed back to us and we devised a plan of action. We decided to charge the room running right by the outer most minotaur back to the hallway we used previously as a choke point to defeat the last king and company. From there we went into a defense stance firing missile weapons into the new kings entourage. In true ranger fashion Quassii fired an enhanced Hail of Thorn's at the king and his bodyguard peppering them with a ton of arrows. The outer most minotaur charged Quassii only to made to look foolish as Quassii dodged it. Nevus with his mighty great axe cut the large beast down in a massive blow to the face. Cathar from the rear used his bow with great accuracy with repeated hits. The new minotaur king wisely gave orders for the others to do repeated reckless charges at Quassii and Nevus who formed our front line of defense. The flurry of one charge after another with the previous attacker backing up - taking a free defensive hit - to let the others charge did significant damage to Nevus nearly overwhelming him. Luckily Vrok healed most of the damage with his advanced healing spells. Upon being healed Nevus charged out at the enemy group in a ferocious fit of rage. With a couple mighty swing of his axe he slew another minotaur. Quassii drew his rapier and shield following Nevus seriously wounding another one. Cather hopped and flipped in true monk fashion delivering a flurry of blows on another minotaur knocking it to the ground only for Nevus to hit with another killing blow making us to start calling him Nevus the Minotaur Slayer. Quassii wounded the king some more only to have Nevus critically strike it, beheading the vicious beast in heroic fashion. After the epic battle, we searched the other doors in the back rooms. Cathar found a secret room. Inside we found eight barrels full of sixteen hundred pounds of grain. After some empty rooms we found a room with stairs going down guarded by four more minotaurs. They immediately charged us at the doorway. Me and Nevus wounded the first one. Vrok fired a guided magic bolt critically missing nearly hitting Cathar who had to dodge the awful miss. After the group wore down the first minotaur, Nevus again killed the first minotaur. Cather killed the next wounded minotaur with his bow. Quassii ran out to wound the other two creatures. Followed by Nevus who wounded them some more. Cathar delivered a flurry of lightning fast blows killing one and knocking the other to the floor. Quassii killed the prone beast ending the conflict.

There were several teleport rooms from our last adventure leading to some hallways and rooms we had not yet explored. Mastering the teleport rooms the last time we were here, we leaned when you entered any of these rooms they would teleport you to another area, and as another party member entered it would send them to an entirely different room. We learned that to simply step back into the room again and again you would finally teleport to your friend’s location. Doing this method we all made it to the unexplored areas.

Our first room we entered had a defiled statue of Vrok's patron god Ezaos. The head had been replaced with Vork’s head. Nevus replaced the head with a marble head from the bag of holding already sculpted for another statue we have not yet fixed. Upon doing so, Ezaos bestowed upon Nevus a one time ability to cast cure wounds as a forth level spell. We continued down the long corridor to the next room.

In the room was a bed with a canopy. On the bed were ten buttons. The monk elf Cathar decided he would lay on the bed and let us try a button. Nevus pressed number 5 button. The canopy lowered and a gas filled the bed interior canopy. Then the canopy raised only for Cather to realize he had lost his night vision. We decided to rest and give it time to regain only to find out it was permanent. Cathar was rather upset and refused to get back on the bed at first. Hoping it could fix it he reluctantly laid on the bed again. Then we tried another button. The canopy lowered again with the gas. This time all of his non metal and non magic items melted into a gooey substance. Unbelievably he let us try another button. Nevus could not bare the responsibility so Quassii hit button number nine. Luckily it did restore his night vision. When the bed opened Cathar jumped out of the bed refusing to get back on it. Quassii and Nevus wanted to know what the other buttons did, but no one wanted to volunteer. Finally after debating it for several minutes Quassii offered Xon our faithful henchman 10 gold to do it. He thought about it, and said for one hundred gold he would. After paying him he stripped naked and got into the bed with a scared look upon his face. Vrok reassured him if he died he would resurrect him with his newly found spell he just got from his training. Cathar whispered into Vrok's ear ya unless it turns him into goo then maybe not. We all watched in an inquisitive horror as the canopy lowered. The next button put him to sleep. We tried to wake him but he would not. So we continued with the experiment. The next button electrically damaged him. Vrok healed poor sleeping Xon then we continued. The next button one woke him. He asked what happened. We said we were going to continue, not wanting to worry the faithful hireling. The next button seemed to do nothing. He said he felt an inner energy we assumed it would heal him maybe? The next button gave him a dark tan – his normal complexion returned the next day. He was surprised and smiled until we hit the next button which wiped that smile right off his face. It made all the hair on his body fall off. Only later finding out it was permanent never to grow again. The next button turned him into a female. At this point he was freaking out. Luckily pressing the button again, it transformed him back to a male. We wanted to take the bed back to our fort but it would not fit through the door.

The next room we open was almost entirely full of webs. Quassii pulled out a flame arrow from his quiver shot his bow igniting the webs. Then we shut the door laughing. Then from nowhere 2 large spiders phased threw the wall. Nevus the Slayer quickly killed the first spider. Then Xon delivered a critical strike with his pike piercing the spider to the wall. Cathar ran up and killed the beast with a powerful kick. After the fire extinguished, we searched the room only for Cather to find a pit by falling into it. After brushing the dirt off with some of his pride we found a few hundred silver pieces.

The next room we found had a statue of Vork in it. Nevus charged into the room to smash the evil statue only to find out it was alive and it wounded him. Quassii hit it twice with his silver rapier only to realize only magic weapons would hurt it. Vrok healed Nevus. Cathar did not hurt it but could knock it prone again and again until Nevus was able to kill it with his mighty magic axe. The next room we entered had four demons on pedestals. Nevus the Paladin like a dog chasing a bone when it came to evil charged and killed the first demon. Then the demons put a major hurting on Nevus with a flurry of bites and claws. Vrok once again healed Nevus. The battle ensued. Quassii taking damage only to be healed by Vrok. Quassii killed the next two demons. Vrok then went on the offense firing a guided bolt lighting the demon up like a Christmas tree. Allowing Nevus to deliver a killing blow with his axe. Cathar found a secret door but could not open it. After some thought Cathar figured out by putting the dead demons back on the pedestals we could open the secret door. What a treasure it was. Thousands of silver and electrum pieces some magic spell scrolls and a magic ring of protection. There were also a non-magic scroll in an unknown language.

The next room down the long corridor had six frog men guarding a tapestry. Quassii joked immediately how this was an easy fight. But it was one of our hardest fights in actuality. They were elite frog soldiers that had haste embossed upon then allowing them to attack a lot. They attacked first running up damaging Quassii and Nevus. Vrok healed us on his turn. Then their leader, a frog mage came running out from behind the tapestry with a spirit guardian spell he came close enough that it damaged everyone except Xon who was way back in the rear guarding. After we all took damage, Vrok tried to heal us all the best he could. Knowing we could not withstand this constant magical assault we broke threw charging into the room trying get to the caster. Cathar killed the first Frogman in his path. Making an opening for Nevus to kill the next Frogman. Quassii killed the next one making an opening to the mage. After Vrok did some more healing, Cathar got to the Mage knocking him on his ass causing all his haste and guardian spells to end. Nevus and Quassii each killed another frogman . Then the mage got up cast another spirit guardian spell, wounding everyone. In response Cathar knocked the mage back on his ass negating the spells and possibly saving some lives. Nevus took a massive critical strike nearly putting him down. Vrok used the last of his healing on him. Then Cathar threw a flurry of blows on the mage killing him. Quassii killed the last of the frogmen. We searched the room for secrets then rested for the night to lick our wounds and regain our spells. Probably the last time Quassii makes fun of weak frogmen.

The next room had four more minotaurs that we surprised having heard them talking from outside the door. Quassii poured a Hail of Thorns into them. Then they charged and began to hurt Quassii with there relentless reckless attacks. Vrok healed Quassii just in time for him to deal a death blow to the first minotaur. Then we weakened them down with a flurry of missiles from Cathar and Nevus’s axe attacks. Allowing Quassii to kill two more minotaurs. Cathar fired a critical hit threw the last minotaur's eye.

The next room had four blue globes in it, immediately putting Nevus to sleep. We drug him to safety fleeing the globes. We decided to go another way finding a room filled with a mysterious darkness. Vrok tried to cast a daylight spell with no effect on the darkness. With weapons drawn we searched the darkness for creatures or loot or secret doors, nothing just a constant darkness that permeates from the evil room.

The next room we found and another room inside of it with two blast doors. On the doors was the symbols on the two button device with the circle and plus on it that we found weeks ago in our adventures here. We tried several ways but could not open it. Finally we searched for secret doors and found another room to the south. In this room was a machine with more buttons. Nevus pressed some button on the device we could here noise come from within the interior room. We decided to hit some random buttons on the machine in the secret room. Clicking both buttons on the device caused the blast doors to open. After opening the door's Nevus pressed each button separately. One made the floor of the interior room go up. The other button made it go down. On the walls of the raising and lowering elevator platform there was vegetation and green fungus. We decided not to travel on it until we get more party members to join us.

We then tried to go around to the room with strange wall carvings that Quassii got paralyzed weeks ago. This time Nevus and Cathar got paralyzed. Vrok and Xon dragged them to safety. Quassii decided to go and peek in the door to the south. Inside it was a large pit with a green slimy surface on the narrow platform around the pit. Thinking it looked dangerous Quassii went back to the party. After some time the paralyzation wore off and I told the party what i saw. We decided probably to never go to that room.

We traveled back around to the blue orb room. Vrok cast a spell to aid all of us on wisdom and death saves. Then we ran past the blue orbs to the next room. We made it. The next room was a treasure room. Inside was gold statue, chests full of silver, gold, and gems.

After running back by the blue orbs with our enhanced saves we made it by them without incident, we decided to return to the northern most double door we could not get open. After trying to pick it open we decided to get Quassii's portable battle ram out of the bag of holding. We rammed the door for fifteen minutes before we could get into it. Inside was a female looking demon trapped in a pentagram asking us to free her. She said her name was Melissa and had been there for centuries. We decided not to free her telling here we needed to talk to the town sage before we would aid her. We went back to town to talk to sage. He said she was a succubus and not to release the evil creature.

We then went to all the town vendors to sell our goods acquired from the mount. Nevus had the sculptor and his apprentices make and replace the statue heads we fixed. Nevus and Cathar have leveled and needed training as does Quassii. In the end we meet up at the tavern to plan our next adventure to the Mount. There we met up with the entire clan of party members to tell them of our exploits and plan who wants to return to it next time. While we did this Xon the Bald told the group he was retiring from adventuring and will always be a friend to each and everyone of us. He will be in Town on his farm. He has gained much fame and will be missed... Thank you for your service Xon the Bald