Charles Plemons' Blog

It was game session 17 of the Age of Worms campaign this week. A re-grouped party, joined by two new members, pressed further into the caves of Bhaal. The grimlock archers hounding the party at the ledge were eventually neutralized with a barrage of arrows, bolts and spells.

After traversing the cliff face to the cavern floor, the group fought off a pair of chokers intent on turning the band into dinner. After dispatching the chokers, the party turned their attentions to the rope lattice above the choker lair and found it guarded by a grimlock barbarian and three grimlock warriors.

Spells flew, arrows zinged, and potions were quaffed. By the end of the carnage, the entire party remained standing, and all of the grimlocks lay dead. Of course, the party conducted an obligatory search of the bodies and moved on.

Now, the group stands at the top of the rope lattice gazing upward into darkness at a narrow passage winding sharply into the unknown.

Thursday’s Age of Worms game presented the party with several obstacles. The party left the labyrinth and proceeded into the caves of Bhaal. They descended into a stalagmite filled cavern guarded by a trio of sightless grimlocks. After a quick skirmish, the party defeated the group and moved further into the caves.

Soon, a second cavern presented itself, also filled with stalagmites and stalactites. This larger room also led to a drop off plunging 45 feet straight down into the darkness. Within the room lurked a pair of krenshars and a grimlock kennel master wearing a dire ape pelt as a cloak and a blood-red wolf skull for a mask. His gleaming axe nearly killed Krismorel, but her renewal saved her. Valgen found himself scared of one of the krenshars and spent some time fleeing from it. Several attacks and spells like spiritual weapon, flaming sphere and magic missile later, the krenshars and grimlocks were slain.

While investigating the edge of the drop off, the party found iron spiked had been driven into the stone wall making it possible (although treacherous) to descend. Unfortunately, Firsta and Lyrin discovered there were archers somewhere down in the darkness, and Valgen had to drag Lyrin’s dying corpse to safety for revival by Krismorel. Unfortunately, Firsta was not so lucky; he was flying over the chasm when the archers attacked, and he plummeted to his death. Krismorel used a precious scroll to unleash her only silence spell upon Valgen who then attempted to use a rope to descend into the darkness. His bulky armor interfered, and he fell. He had 45 feet of rope to play out, and the fall was 45 feet (a little less with the stalagmites sticking up). Valgen slammed into the ground with an absolutely silent crash.

Krismorel attempted to follow Valgen down, but she was hit by arrows from the archers and fell from the rope. She did not survive the impact of the fall. Lyrin stayed back from the chasm to await reinforcements or signs of life from his allies. Valgen quickly searched the bodies of Krismorel and Firsta to collect items to help him escape and fortunately found a potion of gaseous form, which allowed him to return to Lyrin. The pair fell back to a secure area to nurse their wounds and mourn the death of their companions.

Thursday’s Age of Worms game went well. The party continued its exploration of the temple of Myrkul, investigating the bedroom used by the slain acolytes of Myrkul. They also discovered a storage room filled with foodstuffs and other supplies. While most of the party was in the acolyte bedroom, Fruos pulled out his portable ram and charged through a door on the other side of the temple. Within, he found himself face-to-face with a huge centipede, two more acolytes, and the Faceless One himself! Fruos attempted to withdraw, but he was caught by a color spray effect, beaten on by a summoned fiendish ape and then stabbed to death with daggers.

Several party members tried to come to his rescue but found themselves grappled by the spirits trapped within the pillars of the main temple. The Faceless One and his cronies drove the party back with lightning bolt and summon monster spells. Eventually, the Faceless One caught them in the hallway trying to flee the temple and hit Thoril with another lightning bolt as he opened a door. The party moved into position and succeeded in flanking and killing the evil wizard and another acolyte.

A search of the Faceless One’s laboratory revealed several items of interest, including the key which allowed the group to read the cipher scroll. They also recovered a few items of magical power and some bit of treasure. Goodbyes were said to the fallen half-orc barbarian (i.e. they looted his corpse) and the party made camp in the store room after emptying some of its contents.