Into the Abyss

Wir, 11th - Mol, 16th Rhann 998 Y.K.

In their few days in Sharn the Fists see to individual errands.

Kapek makes himself known to House Jorasco.

Lorric visits the House of the Long Arm's 'Joy Street Hostel' to speak and spar with his old master.

Ajax hires a Cleric to send 'Sendings' to Clian and Yulunga.

Mirra speaks to the Carronberg Chronicle to discuss the possibilities of a novel based on her adventures and pick up her back pay.
They all convert the loot from the tower into new magical items that will help with their quest into the Abyss.

Mol' 16th Rhaan 998 Y.K.

But eventually the time comes for them to brave the Abyss. The Crimson Fists 'Teleport' to Stormreach and then 'Shadow Walk' to the Necromancers Tomb. There they enter the portal to Pazunia where they intend to bargain for the exact location of the prison that holds Lorric's mother.

They appear in the crumbling remains of a building. Kapek notices the tracks of a large snake-like body and two withered feet. It doesn't take much intelligence to realize they are the tracks of the Liche and Marilith they have recently defeated. Ajax sniffs the tracks and picks up the scent of the Liche. They decide to follow it, hoping it will take them to the nearest city.

After a short while Lorric and Kapek notice a cart ahead of them. It is moving towards a Keep in the far distance but the Fists realize they will catch up with the cart before it reaches the Keep.

As they get closer they see that on the cart is a cage with a prone figure in it. Mirra identifies the captive as a PALRETHEE demon. The cart itself is pulled by three BLOODFIENDS. The cart is also accompanied by three RETRIEVERS and a 12 foot tall, red skinned, hyena headed creature no-one recognises.

As the Fists approach a Marilith suddenly appears by Hyena Head who seems to be in charge of this weird group. Mirra addresses Hyena Head in Abysal but he is in no mood for negotiation and makes no attempt to hide the fact he intends to capture the Fists and sell them as slaves.

Happy that everybody knows where they stand Lorric and Ajax charge the cart only for Hyena Head to vanish! The Retrievers open fire, one shooting a line of electricity at Kapek, one a line of Cold at Wil and one a line of acid at Lorric (this one misses).

Celedrus replies with a 'Flame Strike' and Mirra intones tales of heroism to inspire her comrades. Then two of the Bloodfiends unleash 'Chaos Hammers' on the Fists. The lawful Wil reels under the effects of these attacks although no-one else seems affected.

A 'Blade Barrier' appears (which comes as no surprise to any of the Fists who are becoming veteran Marilith fighters) but Ajax won't be denied. He Shifts and Rages and then charges straight through the Blade Barrier and slays one of the Bloodfiends.

An invisible power tries to throw Kapek into the 'Blade Barrier' but he resists its effects.

Suddenly the main body of the Fists is hit by the appaling power of a 'Blasphemy' spell. The unholy power swamps the group and Kapek's dinosaur instantly perishes, Celedrus vanishes as he is thrust out of this dimension, Mirra collapses completely drained of strength and Kapek is 'Dazed' and 'Weakened'.

Lorric's keen ears hears the intoning of the spell coming from 20 feet above them. With one leap he soars up and attacks the invisible caster.

Ajax is charged by two Retrievers and clawed and eye-rayed. Ajax rapidly retreats so his opponents must come to him and slays a Bloodfiend.

The Marilith invokes another 'Blade Barrier' that both cuts off Ajax's retreat from his opponents and goes straight through the main group of the Fists, catching a Dazed Kapek with its whirling blades.

A devastating blast of sound rips through the Fists from their invisible assailant above. Lorric's keen senses identifies that the caster, wary after being hit before, has moved to 40 feet above the Fists. Luckily he had come prepared and chugs a specially alcholic 'Fly' potion.

More ranged effects miss Ajax thanks to his new Ring of Entropic Deflection as he tumbles around and through his opponents and manages to slay a Retriever.

The Marilith moves up in time to be caught in one of Wil's 'Flaywind Bursts' along with three other opponents.

Kapek pulls himself together and opens up on the invisible caster but he slides between the boomerangs then fires a spell at Lorric that attempts to suck out his soul. Lorric resists and then flies up to attack his foe.

Ajax is once again attacked by two Bloodfiends and a Retriever. He tumbles again and slays the Retriever. Kapek invokes his Dragonmark and casts 'Heal' on himself, Ajax, Lorric, Wil and the undead Bloodfiend (which perishes in the surge of Positive Energy).

The invisible caster unleashes a storm of blows against Lorric, revealing it to be Hyena Head, but every attack misses the agile Lorric. Lorric flurries back and stuns it, Hyena Head plunges out of the air to impact with the ground with a sickening thump.

Ajax slays the last Retriever and is then attacked by the Marilith.

Lorric drops down and attacks Hyena Head as Kapek pounds it with boomerangs. They slay it as Ajax slays the Marilith.

*Ajax comments
After his last experience getting slaughtered by a Marilith after having all of his powers removed by an Anti-Magic Field Ajax had been itching for a fair fight with one.
He falls on her with savage fury and within a few seconds has ripped her to shreds. Ajax feels his pride is restored, he's just disapointed that as a summoned creature she returns to her home plane before he can take her ears.

The Fists gather around the late, and very unlamented, Hyena Head in order to loot him. They curse bitterly as his Dancing, Vorpal, magical axe melts into nothing but do take his bracers, rings and a horn he was carrying.

Mirra speaks in Abyssal to the Palrethee demon and learns his name is AZAEL and he was being taken to be executed for failing his lord Orcus. This seems to provide a basis for negotiation and so an agreement is struck. Azael will guide them to THE GAPING MAW, the Plane on which DIVIDED'S IRE (the prison where Lorric's mother is held) rests.In return the Fists will free him from his cage.

With the agreement made Azael also reveals that Vanthus has been sent to DIVIDED'S IRE to recover 'the heart of Gorguth'. Also that Vanthus is now a DEATH KNIGHT, news that is greeted with quite understandable concern by all.

Attempts to pull the cart fail dismally so the Fists are forced to free Azael from his cage, although Mirra first 'Suggests' to him that he should honour his deal. So lead by their new acquittance the Crimson Fists forge onwards.

After about an hours travel they notice a cloud of winged creatures hovering over the cart they had left behind. An examination through Mirra's telescopes reveal them to be dozens of VROCKS.

The VROCKS form up into a flock and fly in pursuit of the Fists. It is quickly decided not to stick around for them.Mirra casts 'Shadow Walk' and the group flees. Quickly they reach the portal to THE GAPING MAW and without hesitation jump straight into it. They plummet downwards until they splash down into the ocean of THE GAPING MAW.

The Fists gaze at the plane they've arrived at. Ocean stretches for as far as the eye can see, broken only by the occasional island.

Kapek deploys a folding boat and all quickly climb aboard. They start to paddle towards a nearby island with twin towers on it until Azael points out that this is ABYSM, DEMOGORGON'S fortress and capital.

The Fists are just discussing the best route to DIVIDED'S IRE with Azael when Mirra receives a 'Sending' from Celedrus.He informs her he is lost in a strange land, with flights of dragons in the sky. He is near a carved Dragon's head, the size of a mountain. From his description Mirra guesses he is in ARGONNESSEN, near the Face of Eberron.

Unfortunately going to aid Celedrus involves abandoning Azael on this plane. Lorric makes the decision and pushes Azael overboard. Ajax feels this is a little hard on the demon and use his Sandals of the Light Step to give Azael an hour of 'Water Walking' and tosses him a 'Fly' potion ,which together should be enough to get Azael to shore.

Sojourn to Argonnessen

Mirra extracts a scroll of 'Plane Shift' and casts it and the Fists are transported across the Planes. They appear on a vast grassland somewhere in Argonessen. Another 'Sending' to Celedrus reveals he has been captured but is safe. He tells them to come to him and they will be found, he also gives them a code word that will help them, 'GLORIATRIX'.

Kapek notices some dark shapes in the skies flying towards them. The Fists hide, some more successfully than others. As the shapes get closer it becomes clear they are two huge Dragons, a red and a blue. Then 500 feet from the Fists they simply vanish ! Kapek and Ajax activate the blind sight ability of their Scout's Headband and Wil casts 'See Invisible' on Lorric.

As the Dragons circle, its obvious they've spotted some of the Fists so Wil stands up and addresses the Dragons. He uses the code word they were given. The Dragons recognize the name GLORIATRIX as the ruler of another area and point the Fists in the right direction but demand a tithe for crossing their land.

The Fists gather to discuss what they are prepared to give as tithe but also use a 'Message' spell to discuss other matters secretly. Wil and Lorric are positive the Dragons intend to eventually kill them anyway and so, trusting their comrades judgemen, the Crimson Fist attacks.

Lorric charges the red and with a mighty blow 'Stuns' it, Ajax follows up with his claws and Kapek with boomerangs. The blue sweeps down and breathes a cone of lightning on Mirra, Kapek and Wil.

Lorric finishes the red with a dazzling series of blows. Ajax moves up on the blue and quaffs a 'Fly' potion. Wil hits it with a 'Flaywind Burst' and Kapek with more boomerangs. The blue flees, to some mockery.

Ajax under the effects of the 'Fly' potion pursues the blue as Mirra 'Magic Missiles' it. Suddenly the blue's escape plan is foiled as Wil's 'Solid Fog' spell surrounds it. With no choice it turns and attacks Ajax but is no match in melee for Ajax and Lorric (especially when Lorric stuns it) and soon Ajax lands the fatal blow and the blue joins its comrade in death.

The Fists start to examine the Dragons for anything to loot when the more sharp-eyed of them spot a large group of creatures approaching from the same direction the red and blue had come under the cover of an 'Invisibility' spell. It is an eclectic group containing Giants, armoured T-Rex's, humanoids and burrowing creatures, all surrounding a gargantuan spine covered Dragon.

A quick look at the number of opponents decides the Fists as to what the wisest course of action is. Kapek uses his Bag of Tricks to summon a Glidewing for him and Mirra to ride. Ajax transforms into his Primeval Dire Tiger shape, sensing a big fight coming.Then Wil casts an 'INVISIBILITY SPHERE' on them all and they retreat.

Three rocks impact around the Fists but they keep going. Suddenly the Dragon surges ahead of its companions and draws level with the Fists ( although above them). In a powerful voice it demands they stop, this order is completely ignored.

The Dragon screams "GARNGRATH Arise!" and the ground shakes as a monstrous creature emerges from the ground. Lorric immediately charges this huge opponent and in response it fires a cone of light from the horn on its head which doesn't effect any of the Fists but does petrify Kapek's Glidewing and dumps him and Mirra unceremoniously on the ground. Ajax joins in Lorric's attack and then the Dragon, to all the Fists surprise, retreats back to the main group.

The Garngrath shoots orange light from its horn at Lorric, which he nimbly dodges and then it lowers its head, opens its mouth and like a plough it shoots forwards tearing the earth apart as it comes. Ajax and Kapek are caught in this unstoppable charge and both disappear into its huge gullet. Ajax is not amused and rips the Garngrath's guts apart from within its own stomach.

*Ajax comments

To Ajax being swallowed just means its much easier to hit his opponent.

Wil attempts to hinder the Dragon by casting 'Solid Fog' on it as he did so successfully with the other Dragons. However although the spell is successfully cast as it forms around the Dragon he suddenly slips out of the area of the spell.

As Wil summons two Dire Badgers in an attempt to dig out his two comrades (who are emerging from the Garngrath's stomach underground), Lorric examines the corpse of their foe and is suddenly struck by an overwhelming urge. Unable to stop himself Lorric pulls loose the Garngrath's horn and places it against his own forehead where it instantly grafts itself to his head.

A shock wave slams through the earth hitting every member of the Crimson Fists and killing Wil's Dire Badgers, making it a very bad day for creatures 'Summoned' by the Crimson Fist.

The main body of enemies is now roughly 200 feet away and from a rider atop one of the T-Rex's comes a 'Meteor Shower'.

Ajax having pulled himself out of the Garngrath, grabs Kapek and uses his Fleet Warrior Array to 'Dimension Door' them to the surface. Just in time for another volley of boulders to land on them and for one of the burrowing creatures to launch another shock wave at them.

The first wave of enemies, the humanoid creatures, who are now seen to be Half-Orcs, move to within 75 feet of the Fists. Wil casts 'INCITE RIOT' on them but only one is affected.

The second wave of the attack, a line of Giants, start to cast and Lorric charges the biggest one as Mirra uses her 'Horn of Resilience'. Although Lorric distracts his Giant the other four successfully cast 'Dimension Door' and appear in flanking position around the main body of the Crimson Fist.

Ajax charges the burrowing creature and rips it to shreds with his claws as more boulders slam into the main body of the Fists.

Three Half-Orcs screaming berserker battle cries and with flaming weapons charge and surround Ajax. Their weapons striking deeply into the Shifter. On the other flank four more do the same to Kapek and one attacks Wil. The Fists are all now deeply engaged with multiple enemies and split up across the battle-field.

Wil tumbles to join Kapek and casts 'FRIEND TO FOE' on the Half-Orcs attacking the Halfling. They prove about as good at resisting a spell that causes them to attack the nearest thing mindlessly as you'd expect a bunch of Raging Half-Orcs to be and all four fall to attacking each other.

Seeing the Half Orcs in front and the Giants coming in from the flank Mirra casts 'Dimension Door' and whisks herself, Kapek and Wil away from the fight. Lorric pulls back to the Giants who had been threatening Mirra Et Al and 'Stuns' one of them with a cunning nerve strike but two of the Giants 'Dimension Door' after Mirra.

Ajax, hurt badly by the Half-Orcs, pulls back to Lorric and kills one of the Giants.

Seven of the Half-Orcs confused by Wil's spells fight among themselves, the remaining three charge Ajax. They are joined by another Giant who strikes Ajax a powerful blow. Aware that only the boosted vitality of his Primeval Form is keeping him alive Ajax runs like hell.

Back with Mirra's group Kapek invokes the power of his Dragonmark to 'Heal' himself and his two wounded comrades. This seems to make him of huge interest to the two Giants that followed them. Although they still attack all three of the Fists who are there.

Wil casts 'Blast of Sand' on the Giants and then runs back to join Lorric. The Dragon yells "Regroup on me!" in an attempt to re-organize his forces and then proceeds to try to calm down the surviving, squabbling Half-Orcs.

Kapek tumbles to Mirra who then 'Dimension Doors' him to Ajax and Kapek uses his Dragonmark for the second and last time that day, to the sorely injured Shifter's immense relief.

The four Half-Orcs chasing Ajax reach him but Ajax, now feeling more like his old self (or at least as much as he could while being a Shifted, Raging, Primeval Dire Tiger) kills one and injures another. Kapek pounds another with Force Boomerangs, killing it.

Where Lorric and Wil are fighting, Lorric stuns another Giant, as he strikes at it he suddenly discovers his fists are surrounded by fire but he has no idea why. The rear-most Giant obeys orders and 'Dimension Doors' itself back to the Dragon.

Ajax slays the last two of his Half-Orc attackers. Then Kapek leaps onto his back and they fall back and join up with the rest of the group. Then powered by a 'Haste' from Mirra they all flee.

The Dragon flies over them again and declares that if they are still on his land tomorrow he will return in greater force then he turns and flies back to his forces

As they retreat the Fists wonder what just happened. Did the Dragon just regard the fight as a game which it was now tired of ? Did he feel he'd lost too many of his forces to continue to attack an enemy that was retreating? Or did he simply feel it was approaching the point where he could only win if he himself joined in the fight and just wasn't prepared to risk his own skin?

The Crimson Fist retreat, aware the Dragon is still watching them from on high. However it makes no move and they move quickly away from it. When night falls they decide to keep going for another four hours, covering 25 more miles before finally stopping to rest at 11.00 p.m. Watches are set but the night passes with no problems.

At dawn the spell casters in the group renew their spells. Mirra casts 'Shadow Walk' and the Fists are on their way again. After four hours travel they notice the land starting to change, moving slowly from grassland to pasture and rolling hills. After two more hours the breathtaking sight of the Face of Eberron comes into view.

After only a little more travel the Fists are suddenly hurled out of the shadow realm they were travelling in into the real world. As they start to pick themselves up they notice eight Silver Dragons swooping down from the sky towards them. The Dragons land some 300 feet from the group and then their leader walks closer to the Crimson Fist.

Mirra addresses the Dragon explaining they wish to speak to Gloriatrix. The Dragon says they are expected and makes an arcane gesture with one claw and a huge stone spire shimmers into existence in front of them.

The Dragons lower their heads and, to the Fist's astonishment, politely request that they climb on board. After some understandable hesitation each member of the Crimson Fists climbs onto one of the Dragons. The Dragons launch themselves into the air and spiral up to the top of the Spire, a quarter of mile straight up. As they fly up the Fists notice huge caverns carved into the sides of the Spire where hoards of Dragons and other creatures can be seen going back and forth about their mysterious business.

At the very tip of the Spire the Dragons fly into a cavern and let the Fists dismount. The Dragon who addressed them transforms into a elf male who leads them further into the tower. In a massive room dominated by a pile of gold big enough to drown the whole group in lies a colossal Gold Dragon. This is, of course, Gloriatrix, the Lord of the Spire.

He speaks with the Fists, inquiring about how they got here. Their story of their encounter with the spike covered Dragon deeply concerns him and he orders his lieutenant to prepare the troops as the 'Talons of Tiamat' are on their way.

Other matters are discussed, Gloriatrix mentions that one ZENOBAAL-the Prophecy Incarnate is searching for them. This is a Silver Dragon who has been driven mad by his study of the Prophecy. Some of the Fists are interested in meeting him until its pointed out that Xenobal's interest in Dragonmarks will lead him to skin Kapek in order to better study his Dragonmark tattoo.

The Fists are also re-united with Celedrus who is delighted to see them but also seems delighted with the opportunity to learn new spells his stay at the Spire has afforded him.

Gloriatrix is concerned that the Fists continue their quest and accomplish their part in the Prophecy and so preserve the world. So he offers to transport them back to the Abyss in the morning but for the night he offers them the hospitality of the Spire.

A magnificent feast is brought and the Fists eat and drink and Mirra tells Gloriatrix the tales of their exploits. After this the Fists are escorted to the luxurious rooms set aside for them. Gloriatrix's hospitality doesn't end there as there are also comely bed mates if they wish. Ajax, Lorric and Kapek definitely wish and take advantage of their hosts generosity.

*Ajax comments

Ajax can tell by the scent of the ladies that they are not the species they appear to be but shapechanged Dragons but he's a sophisticated guy and is okay with that.

In the morning the Fists join Gloriatrix for breakfast. He thanks them for their 'contributions' of the night before. He also gives them the chance to pick one item from his hoard. All pick apart from Wil who is true to his Vow of Poverty and politely declines, instead requesting Gloraitrix gives a suitable sum to charity.

Equipped with their new items the Fists gather to be transported. They thank Gloriatrix for his hospitality and then he casts his spell. To the utter astonishment of those of the Fists who recognize the spell, he casts 'WISH' !

The Crimson Fist appear on the beach by the turbulent oceans of The Gaping Maw. In the distance, about forty or fifty miles away, they see Divided's Ire. Mirra casts 'Shadow Walk' and they are on their way.Soon they reach the islands. One has an active volcano on it and the other is covered in forests. Wooden walkways connect the two islands.

The Fists decide to land on the forested isle but the distortion due to the 'Shadow Walk' spell leads them to slightly miscalculate and end the spell over the ocean. However Kapek is prepared and deploys the Folding Boat and the group climb abroad. They can see the mast of a ship over the trees, rising from a small inlet.

The Fists guide the boat into shore and move stealthily towards the stone building that guards the walkway between the two islands. As they get closer they notice the building has taken considerable damage. Inside the building a crack stretches across the floor of the building. A barricade also stretches across the floor of the building, improvised from rubble and bodies. On the far wall a line of cages are suspended against it.

Wil casts 'Invisibility Sphere' on the group and they move into the building. As they get closer to the cages they can make out their occupants. Many are evil creatures but two of them hold Angels.

Wondering how the Angels are held here Mirra casts a 'Detect Magic' and realises the whole area is under the effect of a 'Forbiddance' spell, preventing Teleportation spells or Dimensional Travel.

Wil casts a 'Message' spell that includes not only the Crimson Fists but the two Angels. The first one is suspicious of the strange voices in his head but is prepared to consider they wish to help. The second refuses to believe this isn't some demonic trick and refuses to speak with them.

The Crimson Fist check the other cages to each side to make sure none of them contain Lorric's mother, which they don't. An exploration of a stone hut to one side shows it to be a empty but obviously, disgustingly so, well used torture chamber.

They then move down the lines of cages to where they end in a clear path that leads to a pair of double doors. Rather than check every cage the Fists decide to head down to the doors and then through them which will hopefully lead them to the prisoner occupied half of the island.

Half way down the corridor Lorric hears whispered words in Abyssal. He whispers them to Mirra who translates them as an order to get help, despite the 'Invisibility Sphere' they've been spotted !

Lorric follows the sound to a large room where they see two Baubau demons reporting to a Glabrezu. The Glabrezu spots Ajax and politely invites him in. After a cordial exchange of macho threats the Glabrezu invites the rest of the group in. Kapek and Lorric enter but Mirra, Wil and Celedrus remain out of sight around the corner.

Lorric demands to know where his mother is and the Glabrezu offers to divulge this information if they will rid him of a rival, S'Sharra a female Kelvezu demon. If they don't co-operate he threatens to open all the cages and release all the prisoners. Lorric is in no mood for a lengthy debate, and gives the creature a count of three to tell him what he wants to know. When the information is not forthcoming, Lorric wastes no time in charging to attack.

Ajax charges in to join Lorric and Mirra blows her horn to encourage the Fists in battle. Then the three of them are slammed into the spike covered ceiling as the Glabrezu casts 'Reverse Gravity'. He then Rages and proceeds to clobber Ajax and Lorric.

Wil casts an Empowered 'Flaywind Burst', which also incidentally kills one of the Baubau Wil hadn't even seen.

Suddenly a scream comes from the rear of the Fists and Celedrus collapses with multiple wounds in his back, so wounded not even his Contingent 'Heal' spell saves him. Wil spots a dark shape retreating back into the corridor.

Mirra moves towards the giant shape of the Glabrezu, judging it a lesser threat than the stealthy killer that just took Celedrus's life in an instant. Kapek activates his Scouts Headband and retreats in the same direction.

Ajax peels himself off the ceiling and with one furious blow finishes the Glabrezu.

Wil rushes into the corridor hoping to spot Celedrus's killer and seeing it casts 'Mummify' on it but the creature refuses to be mummified. Lorric swiftly catches up with it and strikes the creature two mighty blows. in reply she ( for Lorric can know see she is a female demon) casts 'Greater Dispel' on him removing, as she undoubtedly planned, his 'See Invisible' spell and then retreats through the cages.

Wil casts 'See Invisible' on Lorric who runs down their foe and strikes her again. She realises she cannot outrun Lorric and turns on him, unleashing a storm of blows. Not one of them lands so she quickly offers to take him to Vanthus ( his father).

Lorric solemnly agrees and then hits her again, this time only striking to stun and she goes down.

Having secured the demon's hands and locked her in one of the empty cages the Fists wake her up. She claims to know where Vanthus is but refuses to say where, pointing out that the Fists would then have no reason to keep her alive.

Without warning she begins to chant in Abysal, imploring Demogorgon for aid. Lorric strikes at her but she dodges away to the rear of the cage. Ajax Shifts and extends his arm into the cage and claws her. She collapses, dead before she hits the ground. Then her corpse turns to mist. Mirra casts 'Detect Magic' and sees a magical effect similar to a teleportation spell but before anything can be done the the mist is gone. The Fists reckon that right now S'Shara will be reforming back in Demogorgon's palace and will soon be informing him of their presence. From now on they will be working to a deadline.

They hastily proceed through the double doors onto a ledge which leads onto a stone bridge spanning the gap between the two islands. To the left is a platform with stairs leading down. On the platform wait four Nabassu demons. On the other island are four Nycaloths.

Mirra calls out to the Nycaloths in Abysal and they cautiously respond in Common. When Lorric asks about Vanthus they recognize the name and ask him to come forward and speak. (As this happens thunder and lightning sounds from the direction of Abysum. It sounds like Demogorgon is hearing the news).

The Nycoloths offer to help but want 20 thousand gold. Lorric offers them one of the magical axes they'd taken off the late Warden. The Nycoloths recognize the weapon and ask for both of the axes, which is agreed to.

The Nycoloths invite the Fists to cross the bridge under their protection. As the Fists move across the Nabassu rise into the air and the Nycaloths rise to meet them. The two sides meet in combat in mid air and the Nabassu are defeated, losing two of their number while the Nycaloths lose one.

The Fists safely pass through another set of double doors into a corridor. (The storm in the distance increases in intensity and the ground begins to shake). As the Crimson Fist move down the corridor Lorric hears voices speaking in Abysal, which Mirra translates for everybody. The voices are arguing about who gets the leg to eat and who gets the wings.

The Fists move to the room where they hear the voices coming from and slide the door open to reveal four demons arguing over the partially eaten corpse of a Trumpet Archon.

With Mirra coaching him via the 'Message' spell Lorric adresses them in Abysal. Sadly the demons have no intention of negotiating so the Fists attack.

Wil leads off by casting 'Incite Riot' on the squabbling demons and three of them succumb, temporarily turning on each other. Wispy vapour forms around Lorric and Wil burning them and trying to restrict their movement.

Lorric charges in and slays one, Ajax joins him in combat as another acid clouds lands on them. One of the creature shoots a ray at Lorric but misses.

*Ajax comments

Aware that they haven't found Vanthus yet Ajax wishes to preserve his two remaining Shifts and so fights unShifted and not Raging. He is a little shocked at just how crap is when he does this.

Ajax and Lorric ignore the restricting effects of the cloud thanks to the 'Freedom of Movement ' on them and tumble out of the cloud and engage the demons. Ajax is hit by a 'Ray of Enfeeblement'. Kapek charges in on an summoned dinosaur and joins the battle.

*Ajax comments

With the exception of anti-magic aura Ray of Enfeeblement is DEFINITELY Ajax's most hated spell.

Blows are given and received but the demons fall beneath the Crimson Fist.

The Fists have barely got their breath back when a voice booms out in Abysal demanding to know if his queen is there. Wil quickly casts 'Invisibility Sphere'. Lorric pokes his head out the door and sees a Belarion, basically a shit demon.

The voice calls out for 'S'Shara', it's 'beloved'. As the Fists just killed S'Shara they suspect the demon will not be well disposed towards them but they do feel that having seen the Belairon they probably did S'Sharra a favour by killing her.

Mirra 'Fascinates' the demon and the Fists sneak the other way but find another filth demon blocking that way. Again the voice demands its 'queen' and the Fists decide they are going to have to fight their way out.

As Lorric moves out he spots another two shit demons and a Demodand. He charges one of filth demons and hits it (to his utter disgust) and in reply it spews a shower of effluvia at him. Mirra stops 'Fascinating' her shit demon and blows her horn to encourage her comrades in battle.

Kapek pounds the demons with force boomerangs and Wil casts 'Wall of Sand' to cut one of the demons off from the combat. Ajax charges in to join Lorric and slays that demon.

As the demon trapped behind the sand wall pounds uselessly on it Lorric charges another Belarion. Wil emerges and casts an Empowered 'Flaywind Burst' on two of the filth demons and the Demodand but he is stricken by the vile aura of the shit demons. Ajax joins Lorric and slay a second demon.

The Demodand spits goo at Lorric but misses him as he does with a 'Ray of Enfeeblement'. Lorric tumbles past the shit demon and attacks the Demodan. The trapped filth demon forces its way through the sand wall.

Ajax is now facing off against two shit demons. One clobbers him and the other spews faeces at him. Ajax dodges the shit but the unfortunate Wil behind him is not so lucky. Already struck by the demon's aura Wil is severely, almost fatally, damaged. He swiftly retreats to 'Repair' himself. Kapek's boomerangs finish one of the shit demons.

The Demodan misses Lorric with another 'Ray of Enfeeblement' and then turns itself invisible. However Lorric is still under the effect of Wil's 'See Invisible' and so just presses his attack.

Mirra inspires Ajax to heroic efforts in his combat with the shit demon. The Demodand claws at Lorric and utterly misses him although the one who just clawed through the sand wall does land a blow.

Kapek finishes Ajax's demon and Ajax, freed up, charges down the Demodand and slays it.

Then to Ajax's astonishment one of the fallen filth demons flows to its feet in one smooth, if nauseating, movement and attacks him. It deals him hideous damage so only Ajax's Shifted vitality keeps him on his feet.

As the Fists are assaulted as the shit demons rise again and again, Mirra casts 'Know Opponent' and learns the creatures are vulnerable to sonic and bludgeoning damage. She hopes these forms of damage will also be ones they can't regenerate from.Kapek realises his boomerangs will work and pounds one of the downed creatures and it disintegrates. With Kapek's boomerangs, Wil's fists. Lorric's tankards and Ajax's pincer staff the Fists finally finish their tenacious opponents.

*Ajax comments

Ajax always enjoys a good fight but this, this was just too disgusting

Then the Fists make EVERY possible 'shit' pun imaginable!

The room beyond is flanked with statues of an incredibly beautiful demoness staring adoringly at a huge two-backed throne. Mirra identifies the figure represented by the statues as Shami-Amourae, the lover of Demogorgon, and guesses that the throne may be for the use of the two-headed demonic monarch himself. Otherwise, the decaying, rot-covered room is empty, and the Fist decide to explore one of the exits that lead off from behind the four statues.

Lorric is the natural choice for a stealthy reconnoitre, and he enters one of the side rooms. Chunks of sharp metal are strewn about it and it has three other exits. Lorric also notices the hunched figure of another Babau lurking in the corner, and consults his colleagues through the Message spell for advice. Ajax suggests talking to it in order to gain further information, but as soon as Kapek muses aloud about working with demons, Lorric attacks it.

Expecting a quick victory, like those against the Babau earlier, the Fist are surprised by the demon’s resilience under Lorric’s relentless attack. Both his tankards corrode away into nothing following their repeateded contact with its acid-drenched hide. Wil then moves into the room and casts a Wither spell on it.

The demon invokes magical darkness around itself and attempts to flee under its cover. Unfortunately for it, thanks to an Ebon Eyes spell Lorric is perfectly capable of seeing it and takes advantage of the error in order to trip the creature up and then deliver a brutal kick. Mirra then enters the room behind Wil, playing a stirring battle cry on her horn, followed by Ajax and Kapek. Ajax advances to the edge of the darkness, but no further, as he cannot see through it, while Kapek waits with his boomerangs for any sign of an adversary. He does not have to wait long before a Hezrou demon enters from the right hand archway. It is met immediately by a stinging hail of boomerangs, but undeterred it attacks Ajax, its wicked claws drawing blood. A second comes in behind it and moves to bite Kapek.

Lorric continues to strike at the fallen Babau, finally killing it as it struggles to its feet. Wil attempts a Charm Monster on one of the Hezrou, but his magic is resisted by the demon. Seconds later, it receives the full fury of a shifted Ajax and dies. The shifter turns his attentions to the second Hezrou and rakes it with his claws. The group are moving much more swiftly now, aided by a timely Haste spell from their bard. Kapek’s boomerangs finish off the work that Ajax has started, and the second Hezrou is slain.

Two more Hezrou move into position, one of them invoking the familiar and chilling tones of a Blasphemy spell. Another of Kapek’s mounts disappears from under him, but the group are otherwise unhindered. Lorric and Ajax both assault the next Hezrou, and kill it, while Kapek’s boomerangs slam into the other. It retaliates with a Chaos Hammer spell and despite their vigilance, both Wil and Mirra fail to counterspell it. The party, with the exception of the free-spirited Ajax, are hurt by it but not seriously. Yet more Hezrou can be seen down the corridor, and one of them casts an Unholy Blight into the room. Again this hurts the group but does not cripple anybody.

Kapek suggests that Lorric hold the corridor entrance, and the monk does so, preventing either of the two new arrivals from entering the room. Wil then casts an Incite Riot on the demons, and the two in the corridor promptly turn on each other. The Hezrou remaining inside the room at this point falls to Ajax’s claws, as Kapek unleashes a hail of boomerangs which do serious damage to the wall but nothing else. Lorric then finishes off the demon he was facing and Ajax races past him to kill the final one in the corridor.

In a race to find and kill other enemies before his power fades, the shifter then rushes into adjacent rooms. The first room he finds is nondescript, and merely leads back into the area that the group have already explored, but the second is luxuriously appointed, with cushions and fine silks and exquisite viands. He notices as he looks around him, that there is movement from beneath some cushions and calls out a challenge. Predictably there is no reply, and Ajax promptly throws aside the concealing cushions. What is revealed is not the succubus that the shifter was expecting (hoping?) to see but a wizened elderly gnome, obviously terrified. Mirra is quite pleased to see a fellow countryman and calls out to him in her native tongue. He answers, although in Common, and tells them that his name is Nert Bilgeflower. He came here on a planar vessel called the Crimson Scar, having been pressganged into its crew. Mirra has heard of this vessel, it belongs to Orcus and is capable of sailing between the Abyssal oceans as well as the Prime Material plan and the River Styx. Nert goes on to explain that he came ashore with its captain Vanthus. Naturally the group are interested in anything he can tell them about Vanthus, and he answers their queries. The Death Knight wields a flaming sword and a flaming sickle together, and wears a breastplate of tarnished mithral. He is surrounded by wraiths and shadows at all times, as well as what he refers to as “Shadows of his Master”. Mirra’s guess is that these are creatures known as Shadow Demons. She then goes on to invite the elderly gnome to join them, as they are clearly his best hope of getting out of the Abyss, and he agrees. Lorric and Ajax have meanwhile liberated all of the booze.

As Kapek and Ajax examine the ground in the spiked metal room for tracks, the building is shaken by another quake. Ajax believes this to be a symptom of Demogorgon’s approach, and says as much, while Kapek is sceptical. Nert mentions a gem that Vanthus carries, capable of activating the volcano, and Kapek assumes this to be the cause, but Nert then dismisses this explanation and agrees with Ajax’s suggestion. Nonetheless, the quake adds urgency to their mission. They decide to follow the corridor from which the Hezrou came, in the hope that Vanthus and the Crimson Scar crew have not passed that way.

Again Lorric scouts ahead. At the end of the corridor is a room, lit by a steady red glow, which the monk cautiously enters. It contains more torture cells, with no living occupants, only gruesome implements and the mangled remains of demons. The glow itself comes from a larger room beyond, a pit of lava with a narrow walkway around the edge. Suspended above the lava are six cages, three of which are occupied. One has another Trumpet Archon in it and one has a creature which Mirra is able to identify from Lorric’s description as an Ice Devil, but it is the third occupant which is of the most interest. It is a human woman, whose description matches that of Lorric’s mother, Lavinia. Lorric notices at this point that there is a Marilith in the room also, although it appears not to have noticed him. Lorric then leaves the room and returns to the others.

It occurs to Kapek that the human woman in the cage could be some sort of illusion or trick, and so Lorric asks for Wil to cast a spell of True Seeing upon him. Once this is done, Lorric can clearly see Nert Bilgeflower for what he is, a Succubus. Immediately he leaps at the demon with a cry of “Succubus!”

The others follow his lead, in particular Kapek who has been suspicious of “Nert” all along, and although the Succubus puts up a valiant fight she is clearly overmatched and swiftly dealt with. This does serve to alert the Marilith however, who erects the customary Blade Barrier along the walkway, sealing off the lava room. Lorric is still able to make out the woman through the barrier though, and with his new magically enhanced sight is able to confirm that she is as she seems. The group now have to get into the room.

The Marilith calls out in a booming voice, demanding to know who the group are and why they have killed its servants. The Crimson Fist make no reply, instead they are planning their next move, covered by the noise of Mirra’s horn. Wil first Hastes the group then dispels the barrier. Lorric races down the walkway and assaults the Marilith, discovering as he attacks her that she is a far more difficult foe that most of her kind. Ajax shifts into his great Dire Tiger form and makes his way with difficulty down the walkway after Lorric, before leaping across the lava to a wider section, the other side of the Marilith. Kapek watches the demon, boomerangs ready, for signs of spell casting and both Wil and Mirra wisely stay by the archway entrance.

Lorric strikes at her, then there is a whirlwind of steel as she uses her halberd with devastating skill against Ajax, and a variety of other weapons against Lorric. The shifter is a bloodied mess in seconds, but Lorric manages to evade the blows aimed at him. Kapek throws boomerangs at the creature, hitting with several. Ajax strikes at it now, but only manages to connect once. Mirra, seeing the dire situation, calls upon the power of her oratory to inspire the fighting men to greatness as Wil attempts to Confuse the demon. Unfortunately it resists the effect.

Again Lorric’s fists slam into the creature, and it changes its tactics. This time it uses the halberd against the monk, and its other weapons against Ajax. Lorric manages to weave around the weapon and remain unhurt, but Ajax takes a terrific pounding, only his shifter resilience keeping him in the fight. Slowly Kapek advances towards the melee, hurling boomerangs as he comes. Ajax tears brutally at the Marilith with his claws and teeth, but it is a deadly blow from Lorric that finally brings her down. He manages to pull her back from the brink as she dies, ensuring that her undoubtedly expensive gear does not go with her into fiery oblivion.

With the demon dead, the group can now get on with their task. Wil casts Knock on the cage containing what seems likely now to be Lavinia, and Lorric leaps up to rescue her. He greets her with the word “Mother” and she responds with the name she gave him, Yeshmal, surprised to see her son now a man full grown. He explains to her that he is now known as Lorric. She harbours some suspicion that there may be some sort of demonic trick going on, but she is unwilling to dismiss all hope. When the group starts arguing about whether or nor to release the Archon, she comments that he is beyond help anyway, being totally insane. Kapek simply smiles at this and comments that this should not be a problem. A brief argument follows, with some of the group arguing that the Dragonmark should be saved for battle with Vanthus and his undead menagerie, but Kapek cuts it short by using its power. A warm glow of healing energies bathe the group, closing up most of Ajax’s horrific injuries and fully restoring everyone else. More importantly though, awareness returns to the Trumpet Archon’s eyes and he beseeches the group to give him his freedom.

As the Trumpet Archon is freed the rest of the group quickly equip Lavinia with some spare magical equipment. Then everybody gathers in a tight group around Wil and he casts 'Invisibility Sphere' and together they move towards the exit. (As they leave the ground shakes again and continues to shake. They hear the earth start to crack open).

As the Fists open the doors that lead onto the bridges that span the gap between the two islands they see gout's of lava erupt from beneath them. The whole island looks to be tearing itself apart.

A quick check reveals all but Lavinia and Kapek have ways of flying. Lorric donates a flying potion to Kapek and carries his mother and the group runs across the increasingly precarious looking bridge. As they cross the water around the islands bubble and two gigantic sea creatures burst from the sea.Behind them the volcano erupts and a gargantuan Magma Drake emerges from the volcano ridden by a sinister black armoured figure.

The group reach the other island and belt through the cages, as they go Wil casts three 'Knock' spells freeing the angels imprisoned there (including the two they'd talked to earlier).

They exit the building into a gathering of fiends the like of which even they have not seen before. A Balor sounds a mighty horn, the two sea creatures move up towards the group, two Mariliths ready martial arts weapons, another Balor bears a banner flanked by two more Balors, four Retrievers and a Admantine Golem bring up the rear. In the skies overhead four Vrocks circle. Behind them the Death Knight on the Magma Drake is joined by several dark flying figures and a score of Shadows.

For once the Crimson Fist need not debate what to do, with one mind they break left and run for the sea as the angels rocket straight upwards. Mirra casts 'Detect Magic' and yells that the Forbidance spell ends a few feet from the edge of the island.

As the Fists pelt at lightning speed to the edge of the island the sea boils again as the enormous form of Demo-Gorgon himself emerges from the water. He is too late however as is Vanthus who yells out his wife name desperately but the next instant the Fists pass the edge of the Forbidance and Mirra casts 'Plane Shift' and they are gone.