Characters are now 10th level
I continue the saga of what we have experienced near the Worldwound. Jiro has used his magic to remove some of the negative effects Kirara experienced, as such power will not be effective for myself of Zero for several days.
Kirara
We determined to continue searching for the Ivory Labyrinth cultists, and walked down the same series of interconnecting ravines where we were attacked by the rot grubs. Jiro noticed evidence of passage by humanoid creatures. The demon cultists do not appear to be making much effort to hide their presence here. Perhaps they believe that no one who is not sympathetic to their cause will visit this place.
The wind rose up suddenly. Its rapid increase to windstorm force led Jiro to recognize that it must not be a natural wind. Zosta had begun to climb up the side of the ravine to try to find the source of this unnatural wind when a disturbing creature appeared above us. Standing some ten feet in height, its feet had suction cups like an octopus that allowed it to cling to the vertical wall of the ravine. Its body anatomy is difficult to describe, without eyes and covered in quivering bristles. We had hardly a moment to recognize the creature's arrival when it opened one of its mouths and bit Runa, engulfing her and then swallowing her whole.
I delved deep into my memory to recall what this creature is, but it came to me that it was not a demon. It is some chaotic denizen of another plane, known by the name dwiergeth. I could remember that it is resistant to magic and some forms of harm as well as some types of energy, but I could not bring to mind the specifics.
Jiro cast a spell at the dwiergeth, but it had no effect. Zosta then leaped on it, attempting to grapple with it. It bit her, but she was too agile and it could not swallow her as it had Runa. She attempted to pummel it with her fists but its amorphous body made it difficult for her to make contact. Zero began to recite an inspiring tale of courage to hearten us, then fired an arrow at the monster.
In response the dwiergeth climbed down to the bottom of the ravine and swallowed Jiro. Bohgong was with him and was also consumed. Worried that it would come for me next and I would be able to do nothing to aid my companions, I called on the Great Tree's blessing to grant myself the power of flight. Zosta attempted to grapple the creature again without success. Zero chose that moment to approach and was the next to be swallowed by the ravenous monstrosity. Now it was only Zosta and I who could try to rescue the others.
I sent a bolt of lightning at the creature, but it was difficult to determine if the electricity actually caused it any harm. Zosta continued to struggle with it. Suddenly Bohgong burst out through the creature's side in his enlarged form and began stabbing it in a frenzy with a wakizashi. I had never before seen him use a weapon. He seemed unnaturally enraged. An instant later Runa also emerged from within the thing. Zosta managed to get a good grip on the dwiergeth, but it it turned on Runa and swallowed her again before she could get away from it.
The wind rose up suddenly. Its rapid increase to windstorm force led Jiro to recognize that it must not be a natural wind. Zosta had begun to climb up the side of the ravine to try to find the source of this unnatural wind when a disturbing creature appeared above us. Standing some ten feet in height, its feet had suction cups like an octopus that allowed it to cling to the vertical wall of the ravine. Its body anatomy is difficult to describe, without eyes and covered in quivering bristles. We had hardly a moment to recognize the creature's arrival when it opened one of its mouths and bit Runa, engulfing her and then swallowing her whole.
I delved deep into my memory to recall what this creature is, but it came to me that it was not a demon. It is some chaotic denizen of another plane, known by the name dwiergeth. I could remember that it is resistant to magic and some forms of harm as well as some types of energy, but I could not bring to mind the specifics.
Jiro cast a spell at the dwiergeth, but it had no effect. Zosta then leaped on it, attempting to grapple with it. It bit her, but she was too agile and it could not swallow her as it had Runa. She attempted to pummel it with her fists but its amorphous body made it difficult for her to make contact. Zero began to recite an inspiring tale of courage to hearten us, then fired an arrow at the monster.
In response the dwiergeth climbed down to the bottom of the ravine and swallowed Jiro. Bohgong was with him and was also consumed. Worried that it would come for me next and I would be able to do nothing to aid my companions, I called on the Great Tree's blessing to grant myself the power of flight. Zosta attempted to grapple the creature again without success. Zero chose that moment to approach and was the next to be swallowed by the ravenous monstrosity. Now it was only Zosta and I who could try to rescue the others.
I sent a bolt of lightning at the creature, but it was difficult to determine if the electricity actually caused it any harm. Zosta continued to struggle with it. Suddenly Bohgong burst out through the creature's side in his enlarged form and began stabbing it in a frenzy with a wakizashi. I had never before seen him use a weapon. He seemed unnaturally enraged. An instant later Runa also emerged from within the thing. Zosta managed to get a good grip on the dwiergeth, but it it turned on Runa and swallowed her again before she could get away from it.
Giant-size Bohgong
Then the thing leaped up onto the ravine wall so that it was within reach of where I hovered and it caught me and swallowed me.
I found myself inside a space filled with sharp protrusions that tried to stab and crush me. I could feel my life force rapidly ebbing and could only experience a moment of relief that Kirara had not been with me when I was engulfed. She would not have survived such injuries. None of the others who had been swallowed were with me. The creature seemed to have many stomachs.
It was my good fortune that I did not have to suffer there for long else I would not be writing this letter. Suddenly the creature expired and everyone with in it was expelled onto the top of the ravine. Bohgong was still furiously stabbing the dwiergeth, which was clearly already dead. I feared he might attack me if I drew his attention so I remained where I was. He paid no attention to Runa, who got to her feet and went to check a motionless Zero.
Zero was dead. The injuries he had suffered in the creature's belly were greater than he could withstand. Runa had also lost her eagle, Winchurch, which was far too fragile a creature to survive being devoured. She sat down next to Zero's body and began to weep.
Zero Geass
Bohgong abruptly transformed back into his normal appearance and fainted.
Jiro used his magic to heal all of our wounds. Then he took out a scroll and performed the ritual to restore Zero to life if his spirit was willing. Sadly he could restore only one creature and could not bring Winchurch back.
Though Zero was brought back to us, he was not entirely whole, The experience of dying had left him weakened. While he rested, we searched the area to see if the creature had expelled anything other than us from its body when it died. We found a number of items that must have belonged to other people it devoured. These were all enchanted objects which could withstand being in the dwiergeth's many stomachs.
We found a light mace that will do frost damage, a ring in the shape of a ram's head that can direct a blast of force like a charging ram, two scrolls, a wand that will protect the target from certain energy types, two cloaks - one of which neither Jiro nor I were able to recognize its enchantment - a set of pipes, and a scabbard that will make the blade it holds keener for a short time.
Ring of the Ram
Scabbard of Keen Edges
Wand of Protection From Energy
Pipes of Pain
The last item was an orb of black stone shot through with veins of orange fire. As soon as I touched it I realized it was an item of evil and it left me weak. Fortunately as soon as I removed my hand from it the weakness passed. Jiro hopes that we can use the forge in Citadel Drezen to convert the evil within it to good.
Sinister orb
Zero would like to return to Drezen to recuperate from his experience. He has suggested that perhaps we can ask Aron to accompany us for a short time. I think that Jiro is somewhat reluctant to return, but he is not willing to refuse Zero. We will make our way back to the city after we have rested for a short while in the shelter Jiro has created.
While we took our rest, Jiro explained to us that because he and Bohgong had not both been in the same place inside the dwiergeth, when Bohgong had transformed himself he could not use a portion of Jiro's power to grant himself the level of strength and intelligence he usually has when he transforms. He was able to enlarge himself and become powerful, but he lacked the intelligence and wisdom of his normal form and became a berserker, like those with which Zosta is familiar among her people. The relationship between the two of them is a complex and curious one.
I will write further when we return to Drezen.
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Magic items acquired this session:
+1 frost light mace
Ring of the Ram
Scroll of tongues
Scroll of order's wrath
Wand of protection from energy, 5th level
Cloak of Slashing
Pipes of Pain
Scabbard of Keen Edges
Orb of Foul Abaddon
While we took our rest, Jiro explained to us that because he and Bohgong had not both been in the same place inside the dwiergeth, when Bohgong had transformed himself he could not use a portion of Jiro's power to grant himself the level of strength and intelligence he usually has when he transforms. He was able to enlarge himself and become powerful, but he lacked the intelligence and wisdom of his normal form and became a berserker, like those with which Zosta is familiar among her people. The relationship between the two of them is a complex and curious one.
I will write further when we return to Drezen.
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Magic items acquired this session:
+1 frost light mace
Ring of the Ram
Scroll of tongues
Scroll of order's wrath
Wand of protection from energy, 5th level
Cloak of Slashing
Pipes of Pain
Scabbard of Keen Edges
Orb of Foul Abaddon
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