The Sundered Tower of Faeriax'soth

For the next ten days the Fists work alongside the expedition digging up a long buried temple to Vulkoor. They help explore the first two levels, Wil proving his worth opening a very tricky locked trap-door on the first level.

Wir 4th Rhaan 998 Y.K.

Then its back to Stormreach to pick up Celedrus and two scrolls of Planeshift, which they've decided to have around in case of emergencies. From there they Shadowwalk to the Necromancers Tomb.

In the tomb the bodies the Fists had left behind have been stripped to the bones by the insects that infest it but nothing attempts to harm them as they make their way to the Gate.

They pass through the Gate unopposed and enter Mabar where Celedrus casts Attune Form on everybody but Kapek, who carries the item that shields an area against the effects of Mabar.

Will examines the stones that surround the gate on the Mabar side and translates the writings on them as 'the portal to the tower lies towards the great forest'. In the distance they can see a forest but in the OPPOSITE direction to the one they had gone last time.

Roughly a hundred feet from the stones they encounter an archway, standing alone on the plain. Mirra through the use of her magic sees that it resonates with Conjuration magic. Wil translates the words written on it and with his help Mirra activates the portal and the Fists leap through. They appear at the base of the floating tower.

Quickly the Crimson Fists scale the chains that connect the tower to the ground. Reaching the chunk of rock on which the tower rests Kapek grapples the edge of one of the four outlying towers and they climb up. However no sooner is the tower reached than strips of skin stir from the ground and attack. Mirra identifies them as FORSAKEN SHELLS.

The creatures attempt to wrap themselves around their victims and the Fists attack back but the creatures seem able to absorb incredible amounts of damage. Luckily protected as they are by Freedom of Movement spells the creatures tactics have little effect and they are, eventually, defeated.

The balcony they are on contains a strange apparatus of buttons and rods. A metal door leads into the tower. Wil examines the door and discovers it doesn't actually touch any part of the tower, just hovering a little in the air in the gap of the doorway.

Mirra examines the apparatus hoping she can figure out what it does. She manipulates the buttons to raise and lower some kind of power but exactly what they have no idea.

Ajax applies a crowbar to the door and it disintegrates the second it touches the door. Making Ajax very glad he hadn't gone with his first instinct of trying to kick it down !

Wil casts Clairvoyance but his magic doesn't work, neither does Mirra's when she casts Knock.

Wil decides to magically examine the door, to his suprise it has no magic aura but he suddenly notices he can't see the aura's of his comrades magical items either, although a quick check reveals they are still working. He guesses all Divination magic is being suppressed.

A close examination of the door leads Mirra to decide it is made of 'Void Stone', a vital component in making 'Spheres of Annihilation', and a substance that will disintegrate anything that touches it. This news does nothing for the groups comfort levels.

As they debate what to do next suddenly the door swings open to reveal a strange, metal creature.......

Immediately the creature releases a burst of negative energy that strikes every member of the group. Miira identifies their foe as a Shadesteel Golem. Ajax charges into teh coridor and attacks it, Lorric joins in tumbling behind the creature. As they attack acidic slime starts to pour from faces carved into the cieling. As it burns into the two members of the Crimson Fist they notice it is healing the Golem.

Those outside the corridor see the slime start to build up against a invisble barrier that blocks the doorway. Celedrus casts Disintegrate on the Forcewall blocking the doorway destroying it. Their attention quickly switches to another Shade Steel Golem as it climbs over the edge of the balcony. It breathes a blast of black fire that sets fire to the unfortunate Celedrus.

Meanwhile in the corridor Ajax Rages and knocks the Golem into immobility and then, remembering the slime is healing it, hits it again knocking its head clean off. As the Golem dies the door descends again clipping Ajax's arms which goes numb but doesn't disintegrate. The door clicks into place blocking the way out and locking him and Lorric in with the acidic slime.

Lorric leaps up and grabs a hand-hold on the roof and hauls himself up above the slime-spewing faces. Ajax tries to copy him but fails and plunges back into the slime, burning himself yet again, leaving him hovering on the edge of death..

Outside the second golem unleashes a burst of Negative energy, Kapek replies with a clutch of Force Boomerangs and Wil with a Flaywind Burst.

Celedrus tries, and fails, to put himself out. Near death he collapses but then the Contigency spell he wisely cast easrlier kicks in and casts a Heal on himself.

In the corridor Ajax is near death he grabs Lorric's hand and uses his 'Fleet Warriors Array' to cast Dimension Door on them both, transporting them out of the slime and onto the balcony.

Celedrus seeing the bone showing beneath Ajax's flesh uses a wand to cast Cure Moderate Wounds on him. As this happens Kapek and the Golem exchange black fire and boomerangs. Then Lorric sweeps in and finishes the creature.

Ajax lends his Third Eye to Kapek and Wil boosts Kapek's intelligence with a spell. With this advantages Kapek concentrates furiously on his DragonMark and manages to cast a Heal against the opposition of Mabar.


While the other Fists get their breath back Wil climbs down to the base of the tower and recovers the body of the Shade Steel Golem which had plummeted over the edge. He brings it back up and proceeds, with Mira, to dissect the body. Within it they discover a strange mechanism, Mira analyzes it and realizes it is what the Golem used to open the doors to the tower's interior and that it is powered by Negative Energy.
Celedrus theorizes that he can power it with his 'Rebuke Undead' ability. He channels a 'Rebuke undead' attempt into it and the doors slide open. Wil moves slowly down the corridor, checking for traps. He finds and disarms the trap that Lorric had tripped earlier but discovers no other traps. Every few minutes the doors try to shut again but Celedrus keeps burning 'Rebuke Undead' attempts to keep it open.
At the end of the corridor they see a cavern filled with crackling black lightning. A bridge stretches over the cavern and leads to a door into the tower.
It is decided that the black lightning is probably a Negative energy effect that their 'Death Ward' and 'Life's Grace's' spells should protect them against. Wil volunteers to test this theory and steps out into the lightning and is unharmed.
The Fists cross the bridge and open the door into the tower. Inside is revealed twelve figures dressed in robes and chanting softly, standing around a jewelled skull floating in mid-air. A stone gargoyle stands behind them, watching over all.
Wil gets off a 'Flaywind Burst' before the Acolytes can react and driving sand rips into them, knocking some flat and wounding most. Before the rest can fully recover Ajax and Lorric are among them, ripping them to shreds.
The Acolyte's arcane skills prove no match for the Crimson Fist's 'punching-in-the-face' skills and with claw, tankard and tangat the Acolytes and the gargoyle are brought down. They do get off some spells first and Ajax finds himself on the wrong end of a powerful 'Ray of Enfeeblement', much to his disgust.
The floating skull does nothing during the fight, to the Fists relief who had feared it might be a Demi-Lich. More careful examination proves it to just be a skull allthough one with ruby teeth and sapphire eyes, so Ajax smashes it and takes the jewels.
Kapek goes to throw a grappling hook up through a hole in the roof to the next floor but when he steps under the hole he finds himself rising up into the air. The other Fists quickly rush over to the space and join Kapek in floating up to the next floor.
The next floor has strange patterns carved into the floor and contains two huge statues. The Fists seeing neither a Gilded figure nor a Liche decide to simply move on to the next floor.
The next floor is a small space surrounded by walls with several doors set into them. Lorric hears faint noises coming from behind the nearest one. Wil picks the lock and the doors swing open......to reveal two Mummies who have clearly been waiting for the Fists.

The Mummies take advantage of the Fists surprise to cast Blindness and Hold Person on Wil but he resists both spells. Simultaneously a Dread Wraith steps through the wall and hits Ajax draining his vitality.

Two Shadows also step through the wall but the ever-vigilant Kapek attacks before they can do anything, slaying one and injuring the other which flees back into the wall.

One of the Mummies touches Wil and invokes foul necromantic powers against him but Wil is protected by his Deathward spell. Wil responds with a 'SandScour' spell and Celedrus adds a Fireball. Ajax tries to hit one of the Mummies but due to his 'Enfeebled' state his attack bounces off their armour.

The Dread Wraith tries to attack Lorric but he has been waiting for it and dodges the attack and hits it back. The Wraith flees into the wall.

Wil shrugs off another Hold Person and, to Ajax's relief, dispels the 'Enfeeblement' on him.

The Dread Wraith and the remaining Shadow charges out of the wall but Kapek and Ajax were waiting for them and shred them before they can do anything.

Lorric charges one of the Mummies, its friend responds with a Slay Living but Lorric resists. Kapek and Ajax join him attacking the creatures. Blows whistle back and forth and the Mummies fall.

An examination of the notes the Mummies were working on by Wil and Mirra show they were writing about the tower itself. It is apparently a huge machine for extracting or imbuing life force, a 'SOUL MACHINE'. While those two concern themselves with intellectual matters the rest of the group loot the Mummies.

The Crimson Fists float up to the next floor. There three black skinned giants are sitting playing cards at a table. A tiny figure is imprisoned in a bell jar on the table. The Crimson Fists recognize the creatures from the battle at the Necromancers tomb, they are Death Giants. Familiar as they are with such creatures they just attack them before they are noticed.

Wil summons three giant spiders which shoot webs on the enemy and Mirra intones tales of glory. Lorric and Ajax charge in, supported by Kapek's boomerangs, and although they take mighty blows, give better than they receive and quickly kill the Death Giants.

Urged on by Ajax, who wants to continue while his final Shift lasts, the Fists hurry on to what they reckon must be the topmost level.

The room contains a huge iron statue from which spurts strange energies. A book floats in front of the statue's face. A table is also there with several books upon it.

A whirlwind of blades suddenly appears and explodes driving blades into every corner of the room doing hideous damage to everyone. The blade creature reforms and Lorric charges the creature and slams it with his tankard, Kapek pounds it with boomerangs and Ajax slashes it with his claws. It disintegrates under their attacks.

Kapek's senses, honed by his years as a hunter, tell him something is in the shaft heading down to the lower floor. He unleashes a trio of boomerangs and one impacts with an invisible figure. Kapek feels something trying to force its way into his mind but with a supreme effort of will he expels it.

Lorric leaps on the invisible creature and attacks and Ajax joins in, striking where Lorric does. They feel glass shatter under their blows and a smashed brain suddenly appears and plummets to the floor below in a shower of glass and strange fluids. The energy fades from the statue.

*Ajax comments
Thus confirming Ajax's philisophy of life : 'Brawn will always beat brain'.

An examination of the statue shows it to be made of iron but with no magic. The books are on many subjects but nothing to do with the Tower or its owner.

On descending to the lower floor they examine the figure in the bell jar which Kapek reckons to be an Eladrin. However it doesn't respond to their words or even register on a Detect Thoughts spell,which does work as Divination magic has started working since the death of the brain creature.

The Fists decide to retrace their steps, heading down to the floors previously visited and exploring them more thoroughly. This floor and the Library however reveal nothing new.

The floor after that is the one with the metal statues and the strange marks carved into the floor. Despite Ajax's warnings that they should just leave Kapek insists on experimenting with the statues.Eventually one of them is pushed around the room (using the marks carved in the floor as tracks) until it rests next to the other statue. Then they both come to life.

One of the statues breathes a Cone of Fire on the Fists, the other attacks Lorric. The Fists pile in. The other statue gets off a painful Cone of Cold but they are battered into uselessness.

After a while further examining the room the Fists notice the statues are starting to regenerate and decide to leave.

On the floor where they first entered the tower the Fists mount a intensive search. Wil decides that the far wall is illusory and as he concentrates on it, it dissolves away to reveal a corridor that leads to glass double doors with a crystal eye set into it, it looks down on them, blinking occasionally..

Ajax wishes to stop there and rest before the group continues. He cannot Shift or Rage again today (if Mabar HAS days), Kapek cannot cast Heal and Celedrus is running low on offensive spells. Perhaps most importantly the Deathwards and Life's Grace spells that had protected the Fists have run out.The others are unsure what they should do next.

After some debate the Fists decide to rest until dawn. In order to do so safely it is decided to leave Mabar and rest in the real world. The Fists Dimension Door past the black lightning, climb down the cables and teleport back to the gateway and out of Mabar.

It is 5 in the evening when they re-enter the jungle and set up camp for the night.

In the morning the Fists breakfast on a Heroes Feast and re-enter Mabar, renewed and ready for battle. In a short while they find themselves back in the tower, in the room where they had defeated the Acolytes and the Gargoyle. It seems empty until the group's blood is chilled by a soul-numbing scream.

A creature sweeps out of the ceiling and another, still shrieking, pokes its head through the solid ceiling. They are Deathshriekers.

One of them strikes Ajax, draining his charisma. Lorric hits it in return and Kapek lashes the screaming head with Force boomerangs. It swoops down and tries to strike Kapek in return but misses.

Furious Ajax slays the Deathshriek which attacked him and Kapek finishes of the second one.

Wil examines the double doors while the crystal eye watches him impassively, blinking occasionally. He discovers the door is magically trapped, a casting of 'Detect Magic' reveals the trap is related to the spell Black Blade of Disaster ! This news does nothing to reassure the Crimson Fists.

Aided by Mirra Wil disarms the trap and pushes the doors open. It swings opens to reveal a staircase spiralling down into the darkness. The Fists descend into the depths. After a turn of the stairs they reach a landing where a room is fenced off by an iron grill. Inside the room lies two coffins and a raggedly dressed human standing guard over them with a rusty broadsword. He has numerous puncture marks all over him.

When spoken to he yells wildly and rushes to the attack, trying desperately to hit the Fists through the bars of the grill. Ignoring his useless attacks Mirra decides he is under the effect of a 'Dominate' and uses her 'Song of Freedom' on the unfortunate. The spell works, the poor man is freed from the spell and returns to his senses.

Now himself again he introduces himself to the Fists as AERISTUS HAMMEL (Mirra recognised the name as a renowned adventurer). He and his group entered the tower to try to free a noted hero but fell to the occupants of the tower. He doesn't know the fate of his comrades but has been kept as a food source for two female vampires who sleep in the coffins.

Ajax sniffs the coffins to learn the scent of the vampires and then smashes them to deny them to the vampires.

*Ajax comments

This is Lorric's idea and to help track an enemy so there is absolutely NOTHING weird or freaky about him sniffing where two female vampires have been sleeping.
They do smell nice though.


Aeristus agrees to accompany the group and they provide him with what magic gear they can spare.

Joined by their new ally the group descend the next spiral of the stairs, suddenly coming face-to-face with a Nalfeshnee, crammed into the corridor.

Celedrus casts 'Align Weapons' as Wil feels his intelligence start to fade but with an effort of will throws off the effects of the spell. Ajax charges in and attacks the Nalfeshnee, noticing as he does so a Marilith standing behind it. Behind the Marilith the corridor ends in a stone wall, besides it is a doorway into a room.

Ajax pounds the hell out of the Nalfeshnee and then Kapek finishes it with a boomerang but the other two he had thrown pass straight throw the Marillith. Kapek realizes it is an illusion. A 'Blade Barrier' appears cutting Ajax off from the rest of the group. Lorric dives through the barrier avoiding the blades with amazing speed and attacks the Marilith, realizing as his blows pass through it that it is an illusion.

Ajax moves up to the doorway and glances through taking in the weird contents of the room. There are eight pods set in the walls of the room and fed by eight glass tanks. In three of the tanks float figures in the fluid that fills the tanks. Two tables also occupy the room, on one invisible hands assemble a patchwork man from bits of bodies.

In the middle of the room stands a throne upon which sits the Lich. He is flanked by a Marilith and a huge Fire Elemental. Above the Lich hovering near the ceiling is a man who skin seems to be made of gold. The Gilded Man !

Using the 'Message' spell on him Ajax informs the others of what he can see. Mirra casts 'Dimension Door' to transport the Fists on the wrong side of the 'Blade Barrier' into the room. They disappear but don't re-appear !

The Marilith casts 'Blade Barrier' across the doorway. Ajax grits his teeth and charges straight through the Blade Barrier but the Liche was waiting for him and a ray shoots from his fingers and strikes Ajax. An anti-magic ray. In a instant Ajax is stripped of his 'Bull's Strength', 'Heroes Feast', 'Barkskin', 'Align Weapon', 'Death Ward' and 'Attune Form'. Much worse he loses his Shifted form and any ability to Shift until the spell wears off.

*Ajax comments
Once again Ajax realizes exactly how rubbish he is inside an anti-magic effect. Not only is his fighting potential destroyed but without his Fast Healing, Beastskin hide and extra vitality he is easier to kill.

Ajax switches targets and attacks the Marilith with his Pincer Staff and Lorric tumbles in and attacks the Lich. Unfortunately powered only by his Rage Ajax is a shadow of his previous self and his attack doesn't really bother the Marilith, her attack however slashes into Ajax with deadly force.

The Lich produces a scroll and casts it and disappears to re-appear on the other side of the room. There he gestures at Lorric, Lorric sees a space full of twisting black walls appear before him. It feels it try to suck him in but he resists and the maze vanishes.

Ajax tumbles desperately away from the Marilith towards the Lich, Lorric joins him but as they attack they realize it is another illusion.

The rest of the Crimson Fists finally appear. Kapek spots the distortion that tells him where the invisible Liche is hiding and pelts it with Force boomerangs, following his aim Wil blankets the area with a 'Flaywind Burst' and Celedrus adds an 'Acid Rain'. The Liche retreats behind the Blade Barrier and spits a line of fire that catches Celedrus and Wil.

Lorric leaps through the 'Blade Barrier' to take the fight to the Liche once more. The Marilith, rather unimaginatively, casts a 'Blade Barrier' that cuts through the rest of the Fists. The whirling blades nearly kills Celedrus, only the vitality granted him by the 'Heroes Feast' keeps him alive. Kapek opens up on the Liche with force boomerangs finishing it. Immediately the Fire Elemental goes out of control.

Wil casts 'Control Monster' on the Fire Elemental and succeeds in gaining control of it and he immediately turns it on the Marilith. The Marilith however disposes of it in one blur of attacks.

Lorric picks up the Liches body and to make absolutely sure of it pushes it feet first into the 'Blade Barrier'. Mirra casts 'Greater Dispel' and dispels the 'Blade Barrier' trapping her and the rest of the group. Now able to see the Marilith it comes under a hail of attacks as Kapek hits it with his boomerangs, Wil with a 'Flaywind Burst' and Celedrus with a 'Magic Missile'.

Enraged the Marilith charges Kapek and so Lorric and Ajax seize the opportunity to jump on it. Lorric smashes it with his tankard and Ajax snaps his Pincer Staff shut around its neck and grapples it and pins it down. Kapek steps up and slays it with a cold iron Tangat. The last of the tower's defenders had fallen.

Ajax smashes open one of the tanks. He discovers the fluid it contains has a paralyzing property that Ajax just manages to resist. The figure it contains is dead, as are the other two figures in the other tanks.

As the rest of the Fists loot the Liche Mirra examines the Gilded Man and discovers he is surrounded by a 'Temporal Stasis' spell. Mirra casts a 'Greater Dispel' and the Gilded Man is free !

He is strangely unsurprised, having apparently been expecting just this from his reading of the Prophecies. He calmly informs the group that the Expedition are all dead as are all of Celedrus's tribe.

The Fists have many questions and the Gilded Man answers them. They discover that Lorric's mother has information vital to dealing with the threat to all existence. The Gilded Man also informs them that the tower can be destroyed by setting all the machines that surround the tower to full power. He also confirms that Martell was part of the group that arranged their kidnapping where they had first met.

The Gilded Man refuses to accompany them on their mission to the Abyss declaring that there are two tasks that must be accomplished and it will take whichever the Fists don't. As they are going to the Abyss it will travel to the Utter Cold to find the angel Zaphikel. He does however offer to transport them, once, to any destination they choose. The Fists discuss the matter and decide to head back to Sharn to equip themselves properly for an assault on the Abyss.

First though the Fists set the machines to their highest settings, they expect to find the Vampires but although Ajax gets a whiff of their scent there is no sign of them. With the tower set for destruction the Gilded man 'Planeshifts' the Fists back to Sharn. Then vanishes off on his own mission.

Hammel thanks the Fists for his rescue and tries to return the magical gear they had loaned him but they insist he keeps it. He asks where he can find them in future but his attitude takes a distinct turn when they inform him that they can be located at the 'Deathsgate Guild'. Hammel is a member of the rival 'Clifftop Guild' but more than that he claims there is something deeply evil about the operations of the 'Deathsgate Guild' although he refuses to provide specific examples. He earnestly warns them of continuing their association with the Guild. Then he heads off to reclaim his life.

The Fists head back to their home where they find Anvil and are happily re-united with their old comrade. They also divvy up the loot from the Necromancers Tower and begin, often with Anvil's help, to turn it into items that will help in their next mission.

Over the next few days two noteworthy incidents occur. Mirra discovers that when an Anti-Magic Field is cast on the Eladrin in a bottle he transforms into a fully grown, living Eladrin. Although he immediately reverts to stone when outside the Anti-magic field. Mirra eventually figures out that a 'Break Enchantment' will free him of this curse and he is freed.

It turns out he was in the tower to rescue the Gilded Man and is pleased to hear that the Fists have succeded in releasing him. He has come from Thelanis where Palimino is locked in combat with the forces of Mabarian. He is also able to tell the Fists that the child is still alive.

*Ajax comments

Ajax also takes the time to hire a Cleric to perform 'Sendings' for him. He contacts Yulunga to enquire about the Black Claws. He learns they are doing well but are preparing for battle as the fighting in the Eldrin reaches is getting closer.
The other is to Clian who he is relieved to learn is alive and prospering and missing him. 

They also receive a visit from Martell D'Cannith. Lorric responds to his arrival by belting him one for his involvement in their kidnapping which Martell glumly accepts as just. They discuss their past involvement.

*Ajax comments
Ajax doesn't hit Martell because he fears if he starts he won't stop.

Original adventure, 'Prisoner of the Castle Perilous' by Stephen S. Greer.

Stormreach and the Red Ring

With the decision made the Crimson Fists Shadow Walk to Stormreach where Lorric sets to converting the various loot they've collected into cash. With the swift talking Lorric at work the Fists are soon supplied with more coin then they've ever seen before.

On the next day Oz is bid a fond farewell by his comrades with 33,000 thousand gold in his pack and a near death dealing hangover from the previous nights celebration.

With so much gold burning a hole in their pockets the Fists decide to spend a few days relaxing in Stormreach and purchasing items that will help them with their extra-planar quests. Celedrus requests some gold to tide him over and is gifted with 6,000 although after he tries to buy a glass of wine with a 100 gold pieces it has to be explained to him how much that can buy in this new world.

They also bump into their old friend Galin, who on being quizzed about adventurers who might be prepared to join the company tells them of a Warforged called WIL who is looking for work and can be found at the 'Ship's Cat'. According to Galin Will was part of an expedition into the Menechtarun desert. When he lost contact with the expedition he fell into a passive state only recovering when he was uncovered by another expedition whom he accompanied back to Stormreach.

The Fists decide to talk to Wil. He turns out to be a cheery fellow with a laugh that could be counted as a Sonic weapon. Skilled in trap finding and magic and with the endurance native to his kind he seems just what they need. For his part Wil cares little for money, tending to give away his share of any loot. Of more concern to him is that the quests he go on are for the cause of good and are interesting. He deems the Fist's plans worthy of his attention and agrees to join up.

With a few days to relax the Fists set about their individual errands.

Ajax seeks out Kolos the minotaur to arrange a gladiatorial battle for him and one is arranged for a few days hence in the Far games. It is only after this that Ajax hears the rumour that the reason the Crimson Fists left Stormreach was that they had fled in fear of Malketh. It does occur to him that entering the games that Malekith controls could be considered a giant 'up yours' to him but, as with most things, this occurs to him too late.

Kapek visits the House Jorasco enclave to declare his new found status as one of the Dragonmarked. They eagerly question, examine and catalogue him.

Mirra and Wil research into Pazunia and Mabar at the Temple of the Sovereign Host. There they learn of the Blood War between the Demons and Devils and how Pazunia is the main battleground for this conflict. They also learn of a hub of trade there called 'Broken Reach'

Mirra also delivers the stories she has been writing to the local office of her paper. She picks up the latest news herself hearing tales of half-demon pirates, conflict between the Sahuagin possibly linked to undersea earthquakes, the incidences of the dead rising again and the re-birth of the 13th Dragonmark.

Lorric as well as consuming heroic amounts of alcohol visits the Church of the Silver Flame to inquire of the 'Gilded Man'. From them he learns that the 'Gilded Man' is not human but probably an Inevitable, a being of pure Law dedicated to maintaining the balance. He was captured by Feriax'soth several centuries ago.

Lorric is warned that the 'Gilded Man' will hate those who have died and returned, regarding them as an offence to the natural cycle of things. A description that applies to two of his party both Ajax and Celedrus having died and returned.

Also all the group invest in new magic items. Kapek and Ajax pay to have some their items improved, this involves handing them over for this process to be done. Ajax hands over his Beast Claws, a decision he will soon come to regret.

Far, 20th Barrakas 998 Y.K.

On Far morning the Fists receive a letter, it contains First Class tickets to the games where the final event will be a battle between Malixendria the Champion and Ajax, accompanying it is an note inviting them to 'The Death of Ajax of the Crimson Fists'. It is signed, naturally, by Malketh.

That evening the other Fists use the tickets and are soon seated next to Malketh himself. He is accompanied by a robed figure that they instantly recognize from the encounter when Malketh's forces attacked the Fists outside Stormreach. The spell-caster who cast the Teleportation Circle that brought Malketh's people there, which made him a formidable spell-caster indeed. However as they are introduced he leans forward and for a second his features shift becoming a woman, her features pulled tight by chains sunk into her flesh. It is Saeloth the Sorceress who the Fists freed from the Yellowtooth goblins, who attacked the village of Gullsnest and who recommended them for membership in the Deathgate guild. Malketh seems to have not noticed his companion's brief change and invites Lorric to sit next to him while the Fists wonder what game Saeloth is playing.

Malketh is, of course, here to bargain. He offers Lorric that when Ajax loses he won't call for his death if Ajax will serve as his slave for six months. Lorric feels he cannot make the decision for Ajax so makes a counter-offer. If Ajax wins Malketh will tell him where he can find his mother. If Malexendria wins Lorric will fight her in the arena. Malketh agrees with one proviso, the fight about to happen must end in the death of one of the combatants.

Down on the sands of the arena the two opponents walk out to the cheers of the crowd. It is clear that Malexendria is by far the favourite, despite Mirra's best efforts to get everyone to cheer for Ajax.

The Announcer introduces Malexendria and then declares Ajax is there to 'defend the honour of the Crimson Fists after they fled the city'. His opinion on this subject are interrupted as a remarkably well aimed tomato thrown by Kapek impacts with his chest.

The formalities over the fight begins. Ajax is without his Beast Claws as they are still being improved and so charges straight in with his Pincer Staff, delivering a flurry of blows that all miss his nimble opponent. Malexendria tumbles past him and with blinding speed and deadly accuracy backstabs him in the heart and kidneys. To her astonishment this seems to merely annoy the Shifter.

When another blizzard of attacks also all miss Ajax simply throws away the Pincer Staff and uses his natural claws, finally managing to land a hit. To both his and the crowds relief as so far this was proving a very one-sided competition. Although this is still one blow in return for the three more telling blows she lands.

Realizing he is losing badly Ajax decides its time for an all-or-nothing move. He backs off from his opponent, putting the breadth of the arena between them. Malexendria takes the opportunity to spread her wings and fly into the air and invoke a Horrid Wilting on Ajax. Now only alive thanks to the vitality granted him by his Shifted Form Ajax transforms into his Primeval Dire Tiger form (losing all his magical gear) and charges straight at the astonished Malexendria. With one mighty leap he collides with her and unleashes a series of terrible blows.

They hit the ground and a glow surrounds Malexendria as some item she possesses casts a Heal on her. She desperately strikes back but it isn't enough, Ajax's jaws clamp down on her and with fang and claw he tears into her.

Malexendria goes limp and Ajax rolls off her. He hopes she might still be saved but the intestines leaking from her indicate that she is dead. Ajax quickly transforms back into his humanoid form and exhausts his Healing Belt to heal himself enough that he won't just die when his Shifting wears off.

The crowd goes wild as Ajax is declared the winner. Lorric turns to speak to Malketh but he is already stalking to the exit, furious at the loss of his Champion.

Ajax rejoins his comrades and immediately offers his apologies to Lorric for the death of his half-sister. Lorric kindly forgives him. Unable to resist anymore Ajax heads out to bask in the adulation of his new fans. The other Fists decide that once again its time to leave Stormreach in a hurry.

Having done a lap of honour Ajax returns to his comrades with a huge grin on his face. Just then a boy approaches Lorric informing him that Malketh would like to speak to him and his friends.

The Fists are escorted to Malketh's inner chambers. Malketh receives them, offers them food and wine and, grudgingly, congratulates Ajax on his victory. Malketh quickly gets down to business and informs Lorric of his parents. His father was called VANTHUS and his mother LAVINIA. A pair of noted adventurers who had left Lorric with a friend who, in Malketh's carefully chosen words, 'they thought they could trust' before heading into the jungle.

They were said to have found ruins that served as a prison for a crazed mind called Dynroth. It was here the rest of their group had lost contact with them. When next they were heard of they were being help prisoner in Pazunia. Apparently Lavinia knew something of value to DEMOGORGON for she was moved to his realm,'THE GAPING MAW'. There she is said to held in a prison but a prison where the prisoners control half of it and the guards the other half.

Malketh also informs Lorric that his mother is an aasimar. Malketh makes gloating reference to the fact that in the Abyss 'her flesh is the sweetest.' Having gotten his petty revenge Malketh dismisses the group.

The second they step outside they are mobbed by fight fans who spot the new champion. Ajax leads his new fans off to the nearest pub and gives the group breathing room. The rest of the group head off to find a bard to quiz about Lorric's parents.

*Ajax comments
It is a horrible thing for Ajax to head off to the pub with a crowd of admiring fans who want to buy him all the drinks he can manage but that is a sacrifice he's prepared to make to free his comrades to persue their mission.

A search produces a bard who remembers them and even recognizes Lorric and informs him of his real name, Yeshmal. He tells some stories of Lavinia and Vanthus and informs Lorric of where his parents used to live.

Lorric mulls the information over a few dozen pints and decides he needs to purchase a scroll of Discern Location to locate his parents when the Fists are in Pazunia. However to make it work he will need some objects closely connected to them.

The night passes.

Sar 21st Barrakas 998 Y.K.

The next morning a tired Ajax rolls up to the 'Sea Cat' to meet up with the rest of the Fists. He requests a Remove Disease from Celedrus and is refused on the grounds Celedrus feels his god's gifts shouldn't be squandered on protecting Ajax from the consequences of his own over indulgence.

*Ajax comments
Ajax having discovered the concept of 'groupies' the night before.

With everyone together they head to the address given them by the bard. As they approach the house old memories stir in Lorric's mind and memories long buried return to him.

The current owners of the house, Mark and Larissa Zemore, are more than a little surprised to be woken by such a strange group (including the new Champion) first thing in the morning but kindly invite them in for tea. Over the tea Lorric explains his need for something connected to his parents to enable him to find them. Mark mentions that when they first moved in twenty years ago he discovered a locket which his wife wears to this day. However it has great sentimental value to them as a reminder of the house that has been their home for twenty years. Lorric promises to return it if he can and offers them 500 GP.

Larissa obviously doesn't want to part with it but Mark realizes it can reunite Lorric with his parents and, with some sadness, hands it over. Lorric thanks them and reiterates his promise to return it. Ajax touched by the couples generosity to strangers presses one of the diamonds he keeps for emergencies into Mark's hand and suggest he uses it to create another piece for his wife.

The Fists then head to the bank in the hopes of being able to access the account of Lorric's parents. The manager is naturally reluctant to allow this but is persuaded to part with something of no real worth from their deposit box. The box is bought before Lorric and with a rush of fond childhood memories he instantly recognizes a pair of wooden swords his father and he used to play with. He takes the one his father used to use.

All that is left to do then is to purchase two scrolls of Discern Location.

With their business in Stormreach concluded the Fists are ready to return to the expedition. Celedrus decides not to return to the territory of the Drow and will wait for their return in Stormreach.

The Atropal Lachryma

As the creatures come closer the true horror of their visages becomes clear and strikes to the heart of Kapek, Mirra and Celedrus, robbing them of the their strength,speed and vitality. Mirra is so badly affected she is paralyzed by the mere sight of the Banshees.

But this is nothing compared to the horror of what happens next. The Banshees howl and Mirra simply dies. Her noble heart stilled in an instant by the horror of that sound. Fuelled by burning anger Ajax and Lorric hurls themselves at a Banshee each as Oz sends an anti-undead arrow winging into one of the foul creatures.

Kapek rushes forward and unleashes the power of his Dragonmark but the power is halved by the evil atmosphere of Mabar that surrounds them.

As horrific as the Banshees are at attacking from range, up close they are less formidable. Lorric's Banshee tries to flee but is tripped by him and quickly finished. Ajax's sinks into the ground and so evades the enraged Shifter who, in the grip of his fury, charges the trees as the only targets in sight.

The second Banshee leaps from the ground into the middle of the group and is pounded by missile fire by Kapek and Oz but they fail to kill it before it can scream again and in that terrible instant Oz's life is ripped from him. The next second Lorric finishes the creature as Ajax reduces the trees to fragments.

The remaining members of the group are in shock. In the span of a few awful seconds the Fists have lost two members. Celedrus assures the rest he can return their comrades on the morrow if they are all still alive by then. In a daze they decide to remove themselves from the Mabar affected area until their numbers are renewed and the damage done by the Banshees healed.

The Crimson Fists retreat out of the area and set up camp. Over the next few days Celedrus's Raise Dead spells return their lost comrades and other spells restore the speed, strength and vitality lost by them (and him and Kapek) to the Banshees. They also have Celedrus communicate via Sending with the expedition leader to assure him they aren't dead and are working on securing a deal with the Drow.

On the fourth day they start the day with a Heroes Feast to prepare themselves for the horrors ahead and return to the area via Mirra's 'Shadow Walk', which leaves Oz, Mirra and Kapek teetering precariously at the edge of a 100 foot drop. The drop leads down to the dry bed of the lake, there they see Obelisks and statues and a square pit. Celedrus identifies one of the statues as being of IXTCHAMEL'TRAA, a vast centipede-like creature coiled around an Obelisk, the other , a hulking form without a head, is a being that is known as an aspect of ATROPOS.

A groove has been carved into the lake bed, none of the Fists are really in doubt that this was caused by the fall of the comet from the skies. Most strange is that throughout the lake patches of algae float on the air, as if supported by the water that had vanished long ago.

Then the moon appears from behind the clouds, as moonlight strikes the lake bed swarms of ghosts become visible, flowing like shoals of fish through the lake. The Fists grab for weapons only to relax in astonishment as the moon slides behind the clouds and the undead vanish.

The Fists are understandably dubious that the missing Drow could be alive in this lake of horrors but it is suggested that Celedrus use a 'Sending' to a friend among the missing. To everyone's surprise he receives the message 'We are in the lake'.

Two flying creatures start to move towards the Fists, gathering shoals of undead to them. As they get closer the Fists open fire with a barrage of arrows, force boomerangs, Magic Missiles and Fireballs.

As the creatures get close the Fists see there are three Atropal Scions and two Dark Angels and they do not seemed to be particulalrly bothered by the firepower being thrown at them.

Oz and Celedrus cautiously retreat and Mirra casts Major Image so an angel bearing a flaming sword (and looking strangely familiar to Mirra's comrades) appears beside the front-line of Lorric and Ajax.

Celedrus casts Fly on Lorric and Ajax and Mirra intones tales of glory as the creatures close in and then the Psions vanish !

The Dark Angels swoop in, one viciously attacking the Fists angelic 'ally'. They are in return charged as Lorric and Ajax charge one each.

A wave of despair wash over the Fists, sapping their will to fight as the Atropal Scions invoke their aura's of despair and Negative energy. Mirra realizing the first Dark Angel has tumbled to the truth of its adversary moves her illusion to attack the other one but its comrades barks a warning that it is an illusion.

Locked in combat with one of the Dark Angels, Ajax endures a barrage of claw and wing attacks and feels his skin start to rot off his body. But joined by Lorric Ajax is able to slay his opponent. Together they turn on the second Dark Angel and swiftly slay it.

Kapek once more invokes his Dragonmark, healing his comrades and smiting the invisible Atropal Scions, they appear high above the Fists squawking in pain. One unleashes a Cone of Cold on Ajax and the other two try to drain his and Lorric's life-force but are resisted. In return the duo, making full and gleeful use of their Fly spells, dive upwards towards their foes and slay one each.

The last Atrophal Scion flees into the lake but Ajax's blood is up and he is not going to let a foe escape. He sweeps down into the lake and with a swipe of his claws sends the last Atropal Scion tumbling, broken, to the lake bed. Ajax grins in satisfaction but the grin vanishes as he suddenly realises he is inside the lake and the moon floods the scene once again with moonlight..........


Ajax freezes with horror as the undead merge into one gigantic cloud from which a huge hand made up of dozens of squirming ghosts reaches out for him. A chorus of unearthly screams and wails assault the ears of the Crimson Fist as the hand strikes at Ajax who, quite understandably, flees as fast as the Fly spell will take him.
Kapek urgently warns his comrades that two invisible Atropal Scions are flying alongside the massive composite creature which Celedrus identifies as a creature called a LOST SOUL.
The Lost Soul charges and Lorric counter-charges it with them both meeting in a head-on collision on the edge of the lake. Ajax joins him a moment later. Lorric notices while his blows don't seem to pack their proper punch Ajax's claws do and quickly switches to using his Claw Gloves.
The Atropal Scions target Lorric and Ajax with Dispel Magic removing the Fly from Lorric and the Heroes Feast from Ajax but losing the protection of their invisibility by this overt move. They also invoke their Negative aura's sapping Ajax and Lorric's will to fight. Meanwhile Kapek and Oz target the Scions with withering missile fire.
The Lost Soul disintegrates under the blizzard of attacks rained down on it. Ajax charges down and slays one of the Scions and the other one flees under a hail of missile fire before Ajax runs it down and finishes it off.
This does, of course, leave him in the middle of the lake again ! And the remaining ghosts start to coalesce into another Lost Soul. However before it can attack the reckless Shifter the moon vanishes behind the clouds and it disappears.
The group gather on the ledge to discuss the matter and heal up. It is estimated judging by how many ghosts remain that only two more Lost Souls can be formed before there are no more ghosts left. It is suggested Ajax act as bait and draw the Lost Souls to the group so they can be disposed of and he readily agrees. A rope is tied around him and Ajax flies once more into the lake.
This time two of the composite creatures form, one on either side of Ajax. They start to move towards him and Ajax watches them carefully ready to flee when he judges they're close enough. Then the moon is covered and they vanish leaving a very nervous Ajax with no idea where they are.
Kapek uses his 'Scouts Headband' and is able to see one of the Lost Souls closing in on Ajax and the other moving in on the rest of the group.
Kapek sends glowing force boomerangs winging into the seemingly empty air, the whereabouts of the nearer Lost Soul becoming obvious as the boomerangs impact with it, while Lorric reels Ajax in.
The Lost Souls continue their approach, Mirra recites tales of glory and Ajax invokes his primeval nature and transforms into a Dire Tiger.
Then at the last moment the moon comes out and the Lost Souls are revealed practically on top of the Fists, screaming their mind-shredding cries. Luckily the Heroes Feast has rendered the Fists immune to fear that day (apart from Ajax who gets by on sheer bloody-mindedness).
Lorric, Kapek and Ajax leap into melee with one of the Lost Souls. As they strike at the creatures ghostly hands burst from every inch of it to strike at them.
The other creature charges Mirra and strikes her forcing her to Tumble away from it.
The Fists in combat with the Lost Soul tear into it slaying it then quickly turn their attention on the other and deal with it in a similar fashion.
With the lake now emptied of ghosts Ajax flies into it once again on a scouting mission. He flies over the structures they had observed on the lake bed. The pit is sixty feet deep and at the bottom of it is a pedestal on which rests a giant lump of glistening black stone.
Ajax also spots a raised stone slab surrounded by obelisks. In the corners of the slab burn dim purple flames, they surround a magical circle carved into the stone.
Having returned and reported this it is decided that Ajax will fly over the area again, this time carrying Celedrus so he can give his expert opinion on what lies down there. Celedrus is a little reluctant as to this plan but is gently remained he is under the Fists command.
Ajax and Celedrus set off, this time flying lower so Celedrus can get a good look at the details. At this height it becomes obvious the statue of Atrophos is oozing black ichor and as they pass over the pit they can feel the palpable evil emanating from it.
Celedrus observes the circle carefully and theorizes that it is some sort of teleportation circle or portal. He makes out three words carved into it, 'ATROPOS', KIRX'KATECH' and 'SHOTHRAGOT' which he believes to be destinations.
The subsequent discussion touches on the fact that these seem very unhealthy places to be travelling to. The course of the discussion triggers a memory in Lorric, he remembers the Sending Sparky received from his sister which mentioned his mother was held in Pazunia. It is pointed out that one of the portals in the Necromancers Tomb leads to Pazunia, one of the upper circles of the Abyss.
Lorric wants immediately to return to the tomb and enter Pazunia to rescue his mother. The rest of the group are sympathetic but feel just charging in will get no-one rescued and probably them dead. Kapek having gained little from the Drow particularly wants the chance to turn some of their wealth into useful magic items. Also Kapek and Ajax feel they are honour bound to fulfill their contract with the expedition first. Lorric is reluctantly persuaded to not invade the Abyss just yet.
It is decided that Celedrus will cast a Flame Strike on the rock in the pit, which is undoubtedly one of the Atrophal Lachyrmae, in the hope of destroying it. The flame roars from the skies and strikes into the pit with immediate effect. The earth shakes and the moon seems to form a screaming mouth, an appalling scream rips across the landscape flattening the Fists and permanently deafening everybody.
Kapek uses his Dragonmark to cast Heal restoring everybodys hearing and healing them up.
Lorric and Kapek notice several objects detach themselves from the surface of the moon and start to fall towards the earth. As this happens strange skeletal creatures which are recognized as Mohrg start to emerge from caves in the edge of the lake along with what appears to be a Lich.
From the mud on the lake bed more undead pull themselves up, although these are fully fleshed but with glowing red eyes and fangs. They are accompanied by some form of gigantic undead lizard. With fear and awe in his voice Celedrus identifies the creature as the 'HULLATHOIN'. Mirra remembers tales that say how the insects that swarm around it turns every living thing near it into undead.
Lorric notices the vampires accompanying it are Drow. He passes Celedrus a spy-glass and Celedrus confirms what they all suspected, those are the missing Drow, now Vampires. It is vaguely considered that they should put the Drow out of their misery but no-one really wants to attack thirty Mohrg, a Lich, twenty vampires and the Hullathoin
The Fists quickly decide to leave and report what they've found to the Drow Matron. Mirra casts Shadow Walk and they hastily depart.
They soon make their way to the Drow territory. Celedrus opts to wait in the jungle in case he is executed on his return and Lorric waits with him to mess with the Drow and make them paranoid about him sneaking in again.

*Lorric comments
Lorric remains with Celedrus as much to make sure the Drow don't mess with him or execute him as much as anything else, but does not draw undue attention to this, as he figures Celedrus' confidence has probably taken enough of a battering already.

The rest of the Crimson Fist march boldly towards the Drow caves and are soon intercepted by a patrol who escort them to the Drow Matron.
In the presence of the Matron and her court the Fists tell their story and reveal the fate of the missing Drow. The Matron listens quietly and then has her High Sorcerer cast some form of truth identifying spell and has them repeat it. Having heard everything she passes her judgement. The Drow will allow the Expedition to study the ruins albeit under constant Drow supervision. Celedrus will be allowed to return home after he has spent ten years and a day in exile. She then curtly dismiss the Fists who exit glad things went so smoothly for once.
They return and pass on the news to Celedrus who receives it with no great joy but resignation and the acceptance it could have been worse. He asks if he can accompany the Crimson Fist and is gladly accepted as a capable, if fragile, spell caster is a useful addition to their ranks. Ajax lends him his Amulet of Constitution to raise his survival chances.
The matter with the Drow settled the group return to the Expedition to inform them of the deal they have secured with the Drow. The news is received with some thanks but unfortunately due to the time it took the group to join up with the expedition and then to find the missing Drow there is practically no time left in the expeditions schedule. Also during this time the problem of the cloud over Sharn has apparently been solved. A group of adventurers lead by their old comrade Anvil have solved the problem and freed Sharn of its curse.
Therefore Professor Melurit has contacted the expeditions backers and arranged for a two week extension to the time it will spend in Xendrik to gather what knowledge it can from the ruins. He offers to hire the Crimson Fist for this period as well.
The Crimson Fist request some time to decide and take themselves off to a quiet spot to discuss the matter. Lorric wants to enter Pazunia and find his mother, Kapek wants to return to civilization so he can have magic items made that will improve his chances of survival and everybody wants to return to Mabar and rescue the Gilded Man.
It takes some time but eventually a plan is reached. They will return to Stormreach where they will sell the items they have recovered then Kapek will use his share to commission the creation of items that will aid him.
Then they will return to the Expedition and gaurd it for the last two weeks, when it returns they will accompany it as far as Stormreach where Kapek will pick up his items. Then they will return to the area where they will enter Mabar to rescue the Gilded Man and then Pazunia to rescue Lorric's mother.
There is one final element, Oz had originally signed on only for the intial job to protect the Expedition. He announces that when they reach Stormreach he will depart for Sharn. It has been a fun ride with the Fists but Oz has wisely decided its time to cash in his share of the loot and buy a bar while he's still alive. He invites his comrades to drop in for a free drink anytime and the Fists wish him well with genuine affection, Oz has been with them through some amazing and dangerous events and none blame him for choosing a more peaceful path when the opportunity arises.

Into the Eternal Night

As they rest Kapek raises objections to heading into Mabar without knowing anything about it and with no protection. Ajax uses his gem and discovers that if the realm has a minor negative aura upon entering they will start to die until there is nothing left of them but dust. If it has a major aura they will die much more quickly before becoming a Shadow.

Taking this into account it is decided they will put off entering the pocket realm and instead go in search of the Drow.

That night the Fists again hear unearthly wails coming from the north.

Mol, 9th Barrakas. 998 Y.K.

In the morning it is decided to have a quick check around the Necromancers tomb, mainly to see what was in the other room with the circle carved into the floor.

They enter the tomb without opposition and make their way to the entrance to the pocket realm of Mabar. There Ajax and Kapek find a fresh set of tracks. They are of a mummified human figure carrying a staff and accompanied by some form of large serpentine creature that, to Ajax's nose, stinks of sulphur.

As an experiment Lorric uses a Wand to summon a bird and then sends the unfortunate thing into the pocket realm. It lasts a few seconds before disintegrating into a pile of dust.

They travel to the right hand side where they again find eight smaller sarcophagi in two lines and one large one on its own. The eight small ones gape open and reveal shattered skeletons within. The large sarcophagus is cracked open to reveal a skeleton in it with an amulet around its neck. Mirra examines the amulet and declares it to be magical, further examination follows and she declares that it creates a field of Positive Energy in a 10 foot radius around it that will protect everyone in the field from the effects of being in a negative energy environment, such as in Mabar. Kapek volunteers to put it on.

Ajax examines the other room. The carvings in the floor form a semi-circle around a set of double-doors through which a red light glows. Mirra examines the runes carved by the circle and translates one of them to be PAZUNIA, one of the layers of the Abyss.

Ajax sniffs a trail of sulphur from the doors to the circle that leads to the pocket realm. It seems the master of the tower has summoned a little infernal help.

The discovery of the amulet changes matters considerably and the debate begins anew. Finally they decide that now they will enter the realm and confront the master of the tower. Together they step through into Mabar.

They find themselves on the edge of a 200 foot wide chasm. On the other side of it some three or four miles away they can see the tower.

They move around to the other side of the portal which is surrounded by six obelisks. They also find the tracks of the mummified humanoid and the large serpentine creature. They also spot a new set of tracks that seems to appear from out of nowhere to follow the other two. They are again of a humanoid creature but with cloth wrapped feet.

The Fists decide not to pursue the tracks but head straight to the tower. Mirra Dimension Door's the group across the chasm and they set off to the tower.

After travelling for about a mile through the dead and depressing terrain of the realm Lorric's trained eye spots two creatures waiting in ambush for them behind two pillars of rock situated in a gorge ahead of them and three more creatures circling high overhead.

The Fists move closer, faking ignorance of their would-be ambushers until close when Lorric charges the nearest one, a great shadowy form as black as sin and twice as threatening, a Nightstalker.

The Crimson Fists engage and discover that all but Ajax's claws don't seem to do there full damage. Though Ajax finds this to be a mixed blessing as the Nightstalker's claws cut through his own resistance to damage.

Two of the flying creatures swoop down out of the sky, revealing themselves to be huge shadowy bat like creatures, Nightwings ! They attack Lorric and Kapek.

The Fists are getting battered and four of the creatures are in range so Kapek decides it is time to use his big gun and summons the power of his Dragonmark and........ ABSOLUTLEY NOTHING HAPPENS ! The realm has completely suppressed Kapek's ability.

This puts a very new and terrifying perspective on the battle and even Ajax slaying his Nightstalker doesn't make the Fists feel any better about the way the battle is going.

Noticing the effect Ajax's claws are having Lorric whips out a silver tankard and is gratified to see it strike his Nightwing to full effect.

The remaining Nightstalker unleashes a 'Cone of Cold' on the Fists and then three Shadows spring from it. They rush forward and attack Kapek, leeching his strength from him. Lorric finsihes his opponent in a blur of tankard blows.

One of the Nightwings summons another two Shadows. Another swoops down to attack Mirra but Ajax leaps into its path and rips it to shreds before it can hurt her.

The Nightstalker intones a 'Finger of Death' and inflicts it on Kapek who manfully (halfingfully ?) resists it.

Lorric and Kapek slay the three Shadows attacking them. Another Shadow strikes Ajax draining his strength. Ajax ignores it and charges one of the Nightwings, slaying it and one of the Shadows.

One of the Nightwing disgorges three Shadows. The last Nightstalker tries to cast 'Confusion' on Kapek but he resists.

As Lorric and Kapek slay another Shadow the remaining ones meld into the walls of the gorge.

Ajax charges the last Nightstalker in a mad charge that takes him out of the range of the amulet and feels the aura of the realm start to eat into his health. Lorric charges in behind it and together they slay it.

Two of the Shadows flit from one wall straight into the other, both attacking Ajax as they pass. Luckily Kapek was waiting for this and lashes one with boomerangs causing it to miss its attack. The other doesn't.

Ajax whips out his Pincer Staff and attacks the last Nightwing as it floats safely, or so it thought, twenty five feet above them, instantly killing it.

The last Shadows flit from rock wall to rock wall again. Two hitting Ajax and one Kapek although he cuts it down with boomerangs as it flees.

Again the two remaining Shadows try their hit and hide tactic on Ajax but Lorric is ready and slays one. Kapek gets the other.

Everyone breathes a sigh of relief and relaxes and then Ajax collapses under the weight of his gear. Without the boosted strength from his Shifted state and Rage after the Shadows Ajax barely has the strength to lift his head.

A glimpse of a golden gleam in a crevice leads to the creatures treasure cache and it is quickly looted. It is quickly and unanimously decided (for perhaps the first time in their history) that they aren't ready for the challenges of this realm yet.

Ajax transforms into a Dire Tiger (which he hadn't been aware he could do until then) giving him enough strength to get off the floor and Mirra casts 'Shadow Walk' and takes them back to the portal. They pass quickly through into the Tomb and there Kapek uses his Dragonmark to heal his comrades and, to his immense relief, restore Ajax's strength.

As they recover Kapek hears a voice in his head. It is the Drow Queen. She informs Kapek that she cannot contact her son anymore. Kapek reluctantly tells her that her son is dead. She orders him to return immediately.


Kapek informs the rest of the group of the message he has just received. This is unsurprisingly not a message they are happy to get. The fastest way to get to the Queen is for Mirra to cast 'Shadow Walk' but she cannot cast it again that day and so they settle down to rest until tomorrow when Mirra's magic can transport them. Of course they have yet to decide just where they will actually go.
Lorric believes to go back is almost certain suicide, that the Drow Queen will kill them for allowing her son to die. Kapek agrees its dangerous but feels that they gave their word to the expedition when they signed on and the expedition needs them to get the Drow to work with them. Ajax agrees with Kapek that they gave their word and maintains a belief that if the Drow turn on them they can fight their way out.
The argument goes back and forth but eventually Lorric accepts his two comrades determination to return the corpse of the Drow. He does insist that he be dropped off just short of the Drow hall as a last ditch rescuer if things go very wrong. The decision made the Fists settle down to what some of them believe has a very strong chance of being their last night alive.

Come the dawn the Fists offer up prayers to their deities and then gather up their goods and the corpses of their former comrades and Mirra casts 'Shadow Walk'. In a blur of shadows they are whisked across the countryside, Lorric jumping ship at what he hopes is a good spot, before the rest finish up in some familiar looking jungle.
The group soon bump into a Drow patrol who are clearly expecting them and insist on escorting them to their Queen. Accompanied by the patrol the Fists tread the familiar path to the Drow hall. Waiting for them there are the Queen and surrounding her fifty members of her Royal Gaurd. This does nothing to dent Ajax's (over) confidence and he whispers to Kapek that if he take the twenty five on the right, Kapek can take the twenty-five on the left.
The Queen calmly requests the Fists leave their packs and weapons behind and accompany her to a more 'private' room. The Fists dump their (obvious) weapons and follow the queen down a side passage from the hall to a comfortable room where they are encouraged to sit. When they are settled the Queen begins her questioning.
The Fists calmly, and without lying, inform her of what happened (they take some comfort from the fact she seems mildly pleased by the news of the extermination of The Shunned). Once they've finished the Queen calmly asks her questions. She seems very interested in what they found in the Necromancer's tomb and in the realm it leads to. She also asks if her son ever disapproved of the Fists exploring the ruins or suggested they go elsewhere which the Fists truthfully answer that he didn't.
Having finished her questioning she informs the group that she will now speak with her son and hear what he has to say. She hints that both her son and Oz may be restored if his answers back up the Fists story. Then she leaves.
The second she is out of the room Ajax leaps up and begins to search for the death trap he is certain the room contains. He finds no pit traps or acid chutes but does discover the cracks in the walls are packed with unfamiliar but nasty looking black scorpions.

Hours pass.
Outside Lorric hides in the jungle, watching and listening to the patrols and working on his Drow disguise in case the Hat of Disguise is neutralized. It soon becomes obvious to him that the Drow are on a much higher state of alert than last time and it is not (just) ego that tells him it is him they are looking for. When after the passage of hours he hears guards saying the strangers are almost certainly doomed he decides its time to act.
Carefully he stalks one of the patrols, at an opportune moment a thrown stone attracts the attention of the patrol in the wrong direction and as they look where it fell Lorric leaps on the last man in the patrol, knocks him out and stuffs him into the undergrowth out of sight. Hearing the sound of the body hitting the floor the Drow look round but Lorric is in his place, his 'Hat of Disguise' making him look like the missing Drow. The patrol leader inquires what the noise was and Lorric picks up the unconscious Drow's bow and claims he dropped it when a sudden attack of weakness struck him. The magic of the 'Hat of Disguise' and Lorric's acting skills are perfectly convincing and the patrol accept that Lorric is their comrade.
Sure all is well the patrol, with Lorric in tow, march straight into the Drow halls. However Lorric's plan instantly starts to unravel when the patrol is met by the Queen's Guards and asked if anything strange happened while they were patrolling. The leader mentions one of his patrol sudden attack of weakness and the Guard instantly call for the High Sorcerer. The Sorcerer quickly appears and the situation is explained to him. He casts a spell and then with a sly grin turns to Lorric and compliments him upon his skills to get so far when the Drow were on their highest alert after his exploits penetrating their security last time.
Lorric accepts his capture and tells how he got in and where the unconscious Drow can be found. The Sorcerer assigns some Guards to escort Lorric to his comrades and some to find the missing Drow. Then he sends the patrol off to be punished for their failure.
Lorric joins the rest of the Crimson Fist and they exchange their stories of what has happened since they were parted.
At dusk a Drow appears with food for all of them, even tasting from each plate to show it isn't poisoned. Some of the Fists eat, others refrain.

*Ajax comments
Ajax devours his meal and the meals of the more cautious members of the group. He finds the Drow swamp based cuisine to be very much to his liking, especially the centipede stew and the blood-fed leeches.
Night falls and the Fists settle down to sleep, although they maintain their standard sentry routine. The night passes peacefully.

Zol, 10th Barrakas. 998 Y.K.
A bit after dawn a Drow appears and escorts the Fists to a room they have never seen before. Waiting for them are ten Royal Guard, the High Sorcerer, the Queen and Celadrus. However Celadrus's ears have been crudely cropped of their tips and a ugly purple mark disfigures his forehead. Mirra recognizes this as the result of a 'Mark of the Outcast' being inflicted on him.
The Queen explains that her interrogation has revealed that Celedrus rather than leading the Crimson Fists to the lakes to the north as she had ordered had deliberately lead them to the ruins, seeking power for himself. For this crime he has been exiled but may earn his way back into Drow society if he helps the Fists find her missing people. She further tells the Fists that if they want Celedrus to accompany them he will be utterly under there command. She informs the Fists she is willing to hold with the original deal and if they find her missing people the expedition will be allowed to explore as they will. There is a brief debate and the Fists decide they will keep to the deal and find the missing Drow.
The Queen then informs the Fists that as she promised Oz has been restored and he enters and with many glad cries is reunited with his comrades.
Kapek inquires if it might be possible for them to trade with the Drow, exchanging some of the loot they have picked up for some more useful magical items. The Queen tells them to talk to the High Sorcerer and then sweeps imperiously out of the room.
The Fists turn to the High Sorcerer and a extended period of hard bargaining commences. Finally all the Fists are happy with the items they have traded with the Drow and with a weary and dispirited Celedrus in tow they leave the Drow halls.

*Ajax comments
Ajax secures for himself a Ring of Resistance, a Wilding clasp (which he attaches to his chain shirt) and a Vest of Freedom, the only item he hadn't got from the Array of the Swift Warrior

The Fists wait until they are well away from the Drow before they start to talk to Celedrus. Interestingly he has a different take of events, claiming he wanted to explore the ruins so they could be used by his people and not for his own personal power. When asked about where they are now heading he says that in times past something immensely evil fell from the skies to there. Something called 'The Tear of Death'.
Cleldrus confirms he is under their command and inquires what spells he should learn for the 'morrow. The Fists try to cheer him up, suggesting he may start a new life away from the jungles of Xendrik. Ajax points out that in the outside world woman are generally not in charge but Celedrus finds this hard to believe, claiming only women are cruel enough to rule.
Having got what info they can from Celedrus Mirra casts 'Shadow Walk' and they travel to the lake. Which turns out to have no water in it. Around the empty lake the land is barren of all life, above them an evil moon leers down indicating that once again they are in the area where the influence of Mabar leaks in.
Circling high in the sky above them are two Atrophal Psions and one Dark Angel. Although they pay the Fists no attention. Strange howls and moans echoes on the winds from the North. Here they find two dead trees and around dance two strange, transparent figures. They appear to be Dryads but immaterial.
Ajax approaches and instantly the two figures charge towards him, screaming their hatred to the turbulent skies...............