Congratulations, Mom & Larry!

At 1pm, at the First Presbyterian Church in Marshfield, WI, Mom Stahl and her beloved, Larry, exchanged their wedding vows. The ceremony was officiated by Pastor Don Houdeshell and Pastor Jorge Ramirez. Katy served as Matron of Honor, Larry's son, Greg, was his Best Man. His grandson Kevin was a Groomsman/Ring-bearer while 3 year-old family friend Jasmine was the Flower Girl. Bruce escorted Mom down the aisle. Katy's cousin Gayle sang (while playing Uncle Dan's guitar so that he could be there physically as well as looking down from Heaven). After the service -- which was conducted in both English and Spanish, depending on which pastor was handling that part of the ceremony -- the small group of family and friends sat down to a yummy lunch of Mexican food and wedding cake in the fellowship hall. Katy and Greg proposed toasts. Gayle sang "The Mother-in-Law Song." Carmen and the children led everyone through a traditional Mexican wedding dance. And the Huntwork/Howard family posed for a portrait with everyone holding up "bunny ears" to represent a loved one who was not able to attend.

Despite the cold temperatures of a Wisconsin winter, a warm and happy time was had by all.

Congratulations and best wishes, Mom and Larry, with all our love!

What's Cookin', Hot Stuff?

It may surprise folks to know that I like to cook. And, despite pulling a C in high school Home Ec, I'm actually pretty good at it. My cooking style is rather like Raechel Ray. Which is to say that while I'll follow a recipe, unless I am baking, I don't measure so much as eyeball or guesstimate the ingredients. (Unlike Raechel Ray, however, I am a mean baker. Cookies are my specialty, ask my friend Phyllis about some of our marathon holiday baking sessions!) I also take a tip from Sandra Lee (I really don't watch that much Food Network, I swear!) in that I frequently use pre-prepared items from the store -- like frozen diced onions, for instance -- to save on prep time.

As many people already do know about me, I have a darned good memory for detail-type stuff such as phone numbers or birthdays or...recipes. Once I've made something a couple of times, I can pretty much do it from memory. I've been making Christmas cut-out cookies the same way for over 30 years. But I don't have to do things the same way every time. I'm also pretty good at winging recipes once I get used to them -- substitute this for that, try it with a different sauce or spice, etc.. I enjoy putting on some music and puttering about in the kitchen getting dinner together.

In fact, two things have really upped my cooking happiness of late. First was our move this summer. The kitchen in our new apartment is gorgeous just to look at, let alone work in. Sure, it's an apartment kitchen, so it's small, but it's well appointed. I can move about cooking and cleaning up after myself at the same time, which you know is something that would make me happy! Second was the discovery that I actually like cauliflower.

We've been trying to live Low Carb for quite some time now and we generally do well with it, when we're preparing our own food. Back in the spring we took a trip to the local used bookstore and bought a couple of cook books to help out with our diet. My favorite one focuses on 15 minute meals and I love it! The recipes are super easy -- both to make and to modify -- and we haven't hit on a single "clunker" yet. Most, in fact, have been delicious and there is one we love so much that we make it every week! Many of the recipes use cauliflower in place of something else (like potatoes or pasta) and it is amazing how well that works and how yummy the dishes turn out.

There's nothing like coming home, spending your carbs on the glass of wine you pour yourself, and whipping up a delicious meal to share with your honey!

(And, by the way, I'm blaming the Home Ec grade on the sewing quarter! I've never been able to hem in a straight line in my life!)

Happy Thanksgiving!

So, it's that time of year again - even though the weather has switched again and brought us southerners sunny skies and temperatures in the 60's! - we're sitting at table with our dear friends the Rickards, facing more food than 5 people could possibly eat, laughing a lot, and getting ready for a weekend of playing games and eating leftovers. Wherever you are, we hope you, too, are surrounded by those you love, enjoying each other's company, and recognizing all you have to thankful for. Peace on Earth.

Weather Weirdness

High temperatures over the last few days have been in the 40's and overnight lows have been in the 20's - it even snowed a bit one afternoon this week! Yesterday, I broke into the box of sweaters in the closet when planning my outfit for the day. While this would not be at all unusual in my native Ohio at this time of year, for some reason I find it really odd for North Carolina. I wonder if that means I'm getting acclimated to Southern weather?

Reflex Save for Half

THE FUNNY THINGS:
Cathy and Bruce, about rolling during combat: I should really get a different die. - We like that one just fine.
Cathy, about the adventure we're currently running: I don't think this module is very well thought out, because some of things it tells me to do are stupid!
Bruce, after rolling poorly on one of his spells: It does TWO points of damage, to everybody, although they can Reflex Save for half.

THE ADVENTURE:
Bruised and fatigued, the adventurers decided this was a good time to call a halt. The chamber they were in looked easily defensible, so they began setting up camp. Felan used Read Magic to figure out what the scrolls they'd found actually were, he also used Detect Magic to check over the other items they'd acquired. Anaka used Opportunistic Piety on the druid again for good measure. Then they turned in with Asteriskes and Admiral Barky taking the first watch. Felan woke up two hours later and relieved them. Anaka joined him 6 hours later. The night passed uneventfully.

Once they'd cleaned up, the party headed back out the way they'd entered the previous night. They began retracing their steps, heading back across the narrow bridge, on their way to investigating another path that they had passed the day before. As they exited the bridge, a Dire Bat swooped down at Asteriskes, but missed.

Anaka threw a spear, hitting the bat for 7; Dire Bat swooped at Felan, but missed; Admiral Barky growled angrily; Asteriskes shot at the Dire Bat, but missed; Felan threw a spear, but missed.

Anaka hit with another spear for 3; Dire Bat retaliated, but missed Anaka; Admiral Barky barked in frustration, unable to reach the adversary; Asteriskes hit the Dire Bat for 10; Felan hit with a spear for 4.

Anaka missed with her spear; Dire Bat continued its combat with Anaka, but missed; Admiral Barky barked; Asteriskes shot again, but missed; Felan also missed.

Anaka missed again; Dire Bat flew at Anaka, but missed her; Admiral Barky continued to growl; Asteriskes missed; Felan also missed.

Anaka's spear hit this time doing 7; Dire Bat flew at her again, barely missing her; Admiral Barky yipped; Asteriskes missed; Felan missed.

Anaka hit again for 4; Dire Bat continued to attack Anaka, but missed; Admiral Barky continued to hold his action; Asteriskes missed; Felan hit for 2.

Anaka hit for 4 again; Dire Bat retaliated, missing again; Admiral Barky attacked the bat as it came by Anaka, hitting for 8 and killing it.

After retrieving their spent rounds, the group headed back on their way. They reached the junction in the tunnels and turned southerly. The passage opened into a spacious cave. The floor, unlike elsewhere, was remarkably smooth, an obvious sign of work by intelligent creatures. Unsophisticated drawings on the walls depicted large spiders, centipedes, scorpions, and similar creatures. The largest drawing, surprisingly skillful, showed a spider with a humanoid torso, holding in its humanlike arms an unfurled scroll and a severed head with pointy ears. In the cave's center stood four alarmingly humanlike creatures -- naked, with long, filthy hair and blank eye sockets -- their decomposed bodies seeming to fall apart as they shambled toward the party.

Anaka flung one of her daggers at the nearest Grimlock Zombie, but missed; Admiral Barky closed with a Grimlock Zombie and attacked, but missed; Grimlock Zombie-1 closed with Anaka - provoking an Attack of Opportunity from Admiral Barky, who missed - and retaliated, but missed; Grimlock Zombie-2 attacked Admiral Barky, hitting for 11; Asteriskes attacked Grimlock Zombie-1, but missed; Grimlock Zombie-3 closed with Asteriskes and attacked, hitting for 10; Felan closed and attacked Grimlock Zombie-1, but missed; Grimlock Zombie-4 attacked Admiral Barky, hitting for 4.

Anaka struck at Grimlock Zombie-1, but missed; Admiral Barky attacked Grimlock Zombie-2, but missed; Grimlock Zombie-1 attacked Felan, but missed; Grimlock Zombie-2 continued his combat with Admiral Barky, but missed; Asteriskes attacked Grimlock Zombie-1, but missed; Grimlock Zombie-3 attacked Asteriskes, hitting for 4; Felan continued his combat with Grimlock Zombie-1, but missed; Grimlock Zombie-4 continued his combat with Admiral Barky, but missed.

Anaka attacked Grimlock Zombie-1, but missed; Admiral Barky attacked Grimlock Zombie-2, but missed; Grimlock Zombie-1 attacked Anaka, but missed; Grimlock Zombie-2 attacked Admiral Barky, hitting for 10; Asteriskes retaliated against Grimlock Zombie-3, but missed; Grimlock Zombie-3 continued his combat with Asteriskes, but missed; Felan flanked Grimlock Zombie-1, hitting for 6 plus 2 points of Dex damage; Grimlock Zombie-4 attacked Admiral Barky, hitting for 8.

Anaka attacked Grimlock Zombie-1, hitting for 6; Admiral Barky attacked Grimlock Zombie-3, hitting for 7; Grimlock Zombie-1 retaliated against Anaka, but missed; Grimlock Zombie-2 flanked Felan and attacked, hitting for 8; Asteriskes attacked Grimlock Zombie-3, but missed; Grimlock Zombie-3 retaliated, but missed; Felan attacked Grimlock Zombie-1, but missed; Grimlock Zombie-4 attacked Admiral Barky, hitting for 6.

Anaka attacked Grimlock Zombie-1, hitting for 5; Admiral Barky attacked Grimlock Zombie-3, hitting for 10; Grimlock Zombie-1 attacked Anaka, but missed; Grimlock Zombie-2 attacked Felan, but missed; Asteriskes attacked Grimlock Zombie-3, hitting for 21 and taking him out; Felan attacked Grimlock Zombie-1, hitting for 4 + 2 Dex damage; Grimlock Zombie-4 attacked Admiral Barky, but missed.

Anaka attacked Grimlock Zombie-1, hitting critically for 14; Admiral Barky attacked Grimlock Zombie-1, but missed; Grimlock Zombie-1 continued his combat with Anaka, but missed; Grimlock Zombie-2 attacked Felan, but missed; Asteriskes attacked Grimlock Zombie-1, hitting for 15; Felan attacked Grimlock Zombie-1, hitting critically for 14 and taking him out; Grimlock Zombie-4 attacked Admiral Barky, but missed.

Anaka flanked Grimlock Zombie-2, hitting critically for 14; Admiral Barky attacked Grimlock Zombie-2, hitting for 10; Grimlock Zombie-2 continued his combat with Felan, hitting for 10; Asteriskes closed with Grimlock Zombie-2, hitting for 17; Felan attacked Grimlock Zombie-2, hitting for 1; Grimlock Zombie-4 continued his combat with Admiral Barky, but missed.

Anaka attacked Grimlock Zombie-2, hitting for 10 and taking him out; Admiral Barky attacked Grimlock Zombie-4, hitting for 10; Asteriskes attacked Grimlock Zombie-4, hitting for 16; Felan flanked Grimlock Zombie-4, but missed; Grimlock Zombie-4 retaliated against Asteriskes, but missed;

Anaka flanked Grimlock Zombie-4 and hit for 10; Admiral Barky attacked Grimlock Zombie-4, hitting for 7; Asteriskes attacked Grimlock Zombie-4, hitting for 22 and taking him out.

The companions quickly searched the bodies and found nothing other than the Zombies' weapons. The druid cast Vigor on Asteriskes and Lesser Vigor on himself and Admiral Barky. Then they continued on their way.

The chamber was unusually wide a large barricade impeded egress. Felan noticed that the floor was dotted with countless small footprints throughout the dust. They weren't sure, but the adventurers suspected the prints were made by some sort of vermin. Anaka easily scampered over the barricade. After several minutes of effort Felan, Admiral Barky, and Asteriskes joined her. Suddenly they heard a loud clicking and the sounds of dozens of tiny legs skittering down the walls.

"Go away!" yelled the riders as they approached the party.

Grimlock-1 goaded his mount into a charge, targeting Anaka, but missed, Centipede-1 attacked her, but missed; Admiral Barky closed with Centipede-2 and attacked, hitting for 7; Felan flanked Centipede-1 and attacked, hitting for 3; Grimlock-2 goaded his mount into a charge - provoking an Attack of Opportunity from Admiral Barky, who hit for 8 - and targeted Asteriskes, but missed, Centipede-2 attempted a bite, but missed; Anaka attacked Centipede-1, hitting for 9; Asteriskes attacked Centipede-2, hitting for 11.

Grimlock-1 drew his battleaxe and targeted Felan, hitting for 4, Centipede-1 also attacked Felan, but missed; Admiral Barky flanked Centipede-2 and attacked, but missed; Felan attacked Centipede-1, hitting for 1; Grimlock-2 drew his battleaxe and targeted Asteriskes, hitting for 6, Centipede-2 also attacked Asteriskes, hitting for 7 + 3 Dex damage; Anaka attacked Centipede-1, hitting for 11; Asteriskes attacked Centipede-2, hitting for 12 and taking him out and unseating his rider, but the Dwarf missed with his cleave.

Grimlock-1 continued his combat with Felan, hitting for 6, while Centipede-1 missed his attack on the druid; Admiral Barky attacked Grimlock-2, hitting for 9; Felan attacked Centipede-1 for 6; Grimlock-2 continued his combat with Asteriskes, hitting for 11; Anaka attacked Centipede-1 for 9, taking it out; Asteriskes attacked Grimlock-2, hitting for 17.

Grimlock-1 continued to fight Felan, but missed; Admiral Barky attacked Grimlock-2, hitting for 10, taking him out; Felan attacked Grimlock-1, hitting critically for 12; Anaka attacked Grimlock-1, hitting for 13; Asteriskes closed with Grimlock-1 and attacked, but missed.

Grimlock-1 retaliated against Asteriskes, hitting for 7; Admiral Barky moved to flank Grimlock-1 and attacked, but missed; Felan attacked Grimlock-1, hitting for 1; Anaka attacked Grimlock-1, hitting for 6; Asteriskes attacked Grimlock-1, hitting critically for a total of 48 and taking him out.

Felan gave Asteriskes an antidote for the poison from the centipede bite and cast Lesser Restoration to give him back 1 of his Dex points, and healed him. Anaka cast Opportunistic Piety to heal Felan. Then the companions looted the bodies.

After looking around the room, they chose to head in the direction that was not barricaded. The floor was covered with all kinds of garbage and litter. Prints of hundreds of thin legs were everywhere. Soon the possible source of the mess became visible as the adventurers spied three enormous centipedes eating carrion. They were overseen by a towering, eyeless warrior wielding a heavy flail and covered in scars from head to toe.

Centipede-2 retreated toward the barricade; Anaka threw a dagger at Grimlock-1, but missed; Centipede-1 retreated to the barricade; Asteriskes closed and attacked Grimlock-1, hitting for 16; Felan closed and attacked Grimlock-1, but missed; Centipede-3 retreated to the barricade; Admiral Barky closed and attacked Grimlock-1, but missed; Grimlock-1 raged and attacked Asteriskes, hitting for 10.

Centipede-2 went behind the barricade; Anaka flanked Grimlock-1 and attacked, hitting for 12; Centipede-1 went behind the barricade; Asteriskes flanked Grimlock-1 and attacked, hitting for 20; Felan attacked Grimlock-1, hitting for 3; Centipede-3 went behind the barricade; Admiral Barky attacked Grimlock-1, hitting for 5, taking him out.

After looting the body, the adventurers headed over to the barricade - led by Anaka who was eager to set it on fire. When they reached it, however, they saw that three centipedes had climbed up the walls of the room beyond, in which there were also 4 more Grimlocks. There was an iron door visible at the far end of the inner room, behind the Grimlock guards.

Admiral Barky moved to a defensive stance; Felan stepped up beside his familiar and cast Frost Breath through the barrier into the room beyond, doing 2 points of damage and Dazing everyone in the room except Grimlock-2, who Saved; Grimlock-2 used his bow and targeted Felan, hitting for 7; Grimlock-1 was dazed; Anaka threw a bomb through the barricade, targeting Grimlock-1, she missed and hit the floor at his feet, still managing to splash Grimlock-1, Grimlock-2, and Centipede-1 with flaming oil and starting the barricade burning; Asteriskes targeted Centipede-3 with his longbow, hitting for 9; Grimlock-3 was dazed; Grimlock-4 was dazed.

Admiral Barky moved to protect Felan; Felan cast Summon Natures Ally and called a Dire Wolf into being in the room beyond the barricade, blocking the passage behind their adversaries, Dire Wolf attacked Grimlock-3, but missed; Grimlock-2 drew his great axe and attacked Dire Wolf, but missed; Grimlock-1 shot through the barricade at Admiral Barky, but missed; Anaka threw another bomb at Grimlock-1, this time hitting and doing 5 points of damage as well as catching him on fire, everyone around him also took 1 point of damage from the fire, the barricade catching further as well; Asteriskes attacked Centipede-3, hitting for 14; Grimlock-3 drew his axe and attacked Dire Wolf, but missed; Grimlock-4 attacked Dire Wolf, hitting for 9.

Admiral Barky held his action; Felan cast Flaming Sphere on Grimlock-1, hitting for 4, Dire Wolf attacked Grimlock-3, hitting for 11; Grimlock-2 targeted Anaka with his bow, but missed; Grimlock-1 targeted Anaka and shot, but missed; Anaka threw her last bomb and hit Grimlock-1 for 3 more points, as well as damaging everyone around him and insuring that the barricade was engulfed in flame; Asteriskes continued his barrage on Centipede-3, hitting for 9 and killing him; Grimlock-3 attacked Dire Wolf, but missed; Grimlock-4 attacked Dire Wolf, but missed.

Admiral Barky held; Felan drew his sling and targeted Grimlock-1, hitting for 1, Dire Wolf attacked Grimlock-3, hitting for 15; Grimlock-2 targeted Admiral Barky with his bow, hitting for 7; Grimlock-1 shot at Anaka, but missed; Anaka cast Light of Lunia, encircling herself in a glow; Asteriskes turned his bow on Centipede-1, hitting for 11; Grimlock-3 attacked Dire Wolf, but missed; Grimlock-4 attacked Dire Wolf, hitting for 5.

Admiral Barky held; Felan attacked Grimlock-1, hitting for 3, Dire Wolf attacked Grimlock-3, hitting for 17 and killing him; Grimlock-2 targeted Anaka, but missed; Grimlock-1 shot at Anaka, but missed; Anaka shot Lunia's Rays hitting Grimlock-1 for a total of 10; Asteriskes continued to target Centipede-1, hitting critically for 31 and killing it; Centipede-2 attacked the Dire Wolf, but missed; Grimlock-4 attacked Dire Wolf, hitting for 8.

Admiral Barky held; Dire Wolf attacked Grimlock-4, hitting for 18, and disappeared, Felan cast Summon Natures Ally and called a Crocodile into being in the midst of their adversaries, Crocodile attacked Grimlock-1, but missed; Grimlock-2 drew his axe and attacked Crocodile, hitting for 12; Grimlock-1 also used his axe to attack Crocodile, hitting for 6; Anaka cast Ray of Frost at Grimlock-1, but missed; Asteriskes attacked Centipede-2, but missed; Centipede-2 attacked Crocodile, hitting for 4; Grimlock-4 attacked Crocodile, but missed.

Admiral Barky held; Felan's Flaming Sphere took out Grimlock-1 before sputtering out itself, Crocodile attacked Grimlock-4, hitting for 12, Felan fired his sling at Grimlock-2, hitting for 3; Grimlock-2 attacked Crocodile, hitting for 7; Anaka threw a spear at Grimlock-2, hitting for 8; Asteriskes shot at Centipede-2, hitting for 7; Centipede-2 attacked Crocodile, but missed; Grimlock-4 attacked Crocodile, but missed.

Admiral Barky held; Crocodile attacked Grimlock-4, hitting for 17 and killing him, Felan continued targeting Grimlock-2, hitting for 4; Grimlock-2 attacked Crocodile, hitting for 12, killing it; Anaka hit Grimlock-2 with another spear, doing 6; Asteriskes shot Centipede-2, but missed.

Admiral Barky held; Felan shot at Grimlock-2, hitting for 4; Grimlock-2 drew his bow again and targeted Anaka, but missed; Anaka hit Grimlock-2 with another spear for 7; Asteriskes continued to target Centipede-2, but missed.

Admiral Barky held; Felan shot at Grimlock-2, hitting for 4; Grimlock-2 shot at Anaka, but missed; Anaka threw another spear, but missed; Asteriskes shot Centipede-2, hitting for 7.

Admiral Barky held; Felan shot at Grimlock-2, hitting for 4; Grimlock-2 shot at Anaka, hitting for 7; Anaka threw a spear back at Grimlock-2, hitting for 5 and killing him; Asteriskes shot at Centipede-2, hitting for 11.

Admiral Barky held; Felan targeted Centipede-2, hitting for 1, and killing it.

Ode to Standard Time

Darkness falls across the land
Daylight Savings is at end
Sunset comes in early evening
Darn time change is annoying!

Ow! Stupid Dwarf!

THE FUNNY THINGS:
Katy, when Ken's dazed character hit her instead of their adversary: Ow! Stupid Dwarf!
Bruce and Cathy, about something the party had used to great advantage during the run: Attacks of Opportunity be wonderful! - I think they suck!
Ken, as the party was rolling dice: I missed...oh, are we doing initiatives?
Bruce, about one of his rolls: That would be a natural 1 that' s unadjusted, to a 1.

THE ADVENTURE:
The party headed out of the chamber following a southerly path. They arrived in a small, almost featurelss chamber. They caught a glimpse of campfire which showed them four Drow in elaborate armor gathered around a modest blaze. They looked tired, but alert.

Asteriskes closed and attacked, hitting a Drow critically and taking him down; Anaka closed with another Drow, but missed; the Drow targeted Felan, provoking an Attack of Opportunity from Anaka, who hit for 8 and took him down; Admiral Barky closed and attacked, but missed; Felan closed and attacked, but missed; the Drow dropped his crossbow and grabbed his rapier to retaliate, but missed the druid; the last D retaliated against Admiral Barky, having drawn his sword as well, but missed.
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Asteriskes joined Felan, but missed his attack; Anaka closed with the Drow engaged with Admiral Barky, hit for 8, and took him out; Admiral Barky closed and flanked the remaining Drow, but missed; Felan continued his combat with the Drow, hitting for 7; Drow retaliated, hitting for 4.

Asteriskes attacked and hit the remaining Drow, doing 21 points slicing his adversary in half.

As there were no other exits from this room, the adventurers retraced their steps and took the other path out of the room where they'd fought the Sonic Bats. A short walk brought them to a chamber covered entirely in luminescent, smelly goo. The passage must have been recently made. A glowing mass in the shape of an enormous slug slithered through the tunnel, its antennae oozing with a strange liquid.

"That's one of the creatures Mr P wanted." Anaka said.

"It's an aberration. We should kill it." Felan replied.

"If you're going to kill it, first we need to put some fur on it." Asteriskes referring to the druid's tendency to kill small, furry creatures at meal times.

Anaka threw a spear, but missed; Admiral Barky stood by the druid's feet, growling protectively; Felan moved into the room and threw a spear, but missed - Admiral Barky followed his master; Asteriskes drew his bow and shot, hitting for 14; the Shimmering Slug began to stir, roused to attention, and the the luminescent colors on his body began to swirl hypnotically, distracting the party.

Anaka threw another spear and missed again; Admiral Barky continued to guard Felan; Felan cast Flaming Sphere, positing the spell right in front of the Shimmering Slug, who failed his Save and took 9; Asteriskes attacked Anaka, hitting for 20 - "Ow! You stupid Dwarf! What ARE you doing?!" "Uh..I slipped...? Uh...sorry....;" the Shimmering Slug slithered to close with Felan, hitting for 9.

Anaka threw another spear and missed yet again; Admiral Barky attacked the Shimmering Slug, but missed; Felan moved to a better position and then moved the Flaming Sphere to continue attacking the Shimmering Slug, who Saved this time; Asteriskes moved in closer and shot, but missed; Shimmering Slug slithered over to the wall, and exited through a secret door, which closed behind him -- but not before Admiral Barky took his Attack of Opportunity, hitting critically for 19.

While the rogue drank a potion of Cure Light Wounds and gathered her spears, the druid cast Lesser Vigor on her. Then the group investigated the wall and figured out how to trigger the secret door. Beyond was a short, dead-ended passageway. It was empty. Asteriskes used his knowledge of caves and stonework to search for the next door through which the slug must have passed.

They opened the door revealing a trail of slime leading away from them. Eventually they reached a room that glowed with gold -- the walls and ceiling were lined with gold nuggets. They also saw the Shimmering Slug burrowing into the ground, his tail still visible.

Anaka threw a spear and missed; Admiral Barky guarded Felan; Asteriskes closed and attacked, but missed; Felan directed Admiral Barky, who attacked and hit for 7, then the druid threw a spear, hitting critically for 10; the Shimmering Slug kept burrowing away.

Anaka closed and threw another spear, missing again; Admiral Barky closed and attacked, but missed; Asteriskes followed and attacked, hitting for 21 and taking out the Slug.

The party began discussing how to get such a large creature back to the museum. They did some calculations and decided to move the Sonic Bats into the bag of holding with the Neuronea. That left them one empty bag to stuff the Shimmering Slug in. It was tough work, but with the two Humans holding the bag open, the Dwarf was able to squish the Slug inside.

A very narrow passage about five feet wide headed toward a chamber with walls glistening with a metallic glow. It was undeniably pure gold. Asteriskes and Anaka studied the walls and determined that the nuggets really were gold. Just then the room shook and the ceiling fell in. Asteriskes was overcome by the falling debris, while Anaka, Felan, and Admiral Barky escaped unharmed. After pointing and laughing for a minute or two, they set to digging out their companion.

Just then, a Xorn rose silently from the floor in the middle of the room.

"I'm the owner of this cave and I would like you to leave it alone. I will give you 100 nuggets weighing a pound apiece if you will go away now."

Felan and Asteriskes argued for accepting the offer while Anaka grumbled that she'd rather kill the Xorn. The majority vote won. "Alright, we accept your offer," the druid said.

The Xorn was true to his word and passed over the agreed amount before disappearing back into the floor.

"He's gone! Let's get the rest of the gold!" Felan said.

"Hey! We made an agreement." Asteriskes

"Okay, okay" muttered the rogue and the druid.

The adventurers then headed back the way they'd come while chasing the slug because they'd noticed another passage along the way. The air was remarkably hot and humid thanks to a small, geyser-like basin in the center of the cave. The walls were overgrown with moss. The vapors rising from the bubbling water disappeared into an opening in the ceiling which might reach as high as the surface. The adventurers each took 2 points of damage from breathing in the hot air.

"That's a Belker," said Felan, noticing and recognizing the vaguely humanlike creature which took form from the steam vapors themselves.

Asteriskes closed and attacked, hitting for for 13; Anaka closed and attacked, hitting for 5; Admiral Barky moved to flank and attacked, hitting for 9; Belker shifted into smoke form and then attacked Asteriskes, surrounding him from above with his smoke and then striking with his claws, but Asteriskes made his Save; Felan moved closer and cast Frost Breath, hitting for 7 and Dazing the creature.

Asteriskes continued his combat with the Belker, hitting for 9; Anaka cast Ray of Frost, but missed; Admiral Barky attacked and hit for 10; Belker floated, dazed; Felan attacked with a dagger, hitting for 4.

Asteriskes attacked and hit for 13, the Belker regained corporeal form and slumped across the Dwarf as dead weight.

Once they had removed the corpse from their companion, the adventurers hastened to leave the steaming, hot room. Happy that they had closed the loop and now had no unexplored areas remaining behind them, the group headed back towards the gold nugget room to investigate its other exits. They opted to take the narrow path which ran along the far wall.

This cave seemed to be completely out of place in the caverns. It was furnished with a state of the art writing table with a small bookstand on it. Pieces of parchment, inkpots, and unfolded scrolls covered almost all of the table's surface. A cloak rack with some old and bleached tabards and mantles completed the impression that this must be some sort of study.

Anaka searched the desk for traps and, finding none, then began searching the drawers. As she did, one of the cloaks disengaged itself from the coat-rack and attempted to wrap itself about her. It did not manage to gain hold, although it ended up lying across her shoulder. The rogue struck with her dagger and hit the creature for 6.

Admiral Barky closed and attacked the Cloaker, but missed; Cloaker attacked Anaka, grabbing for a better grip and catching her; Asteriskes held his action, debating what to do; Felan closed and cast Vigor on Anaka; Anaka slashed at the Cloaker, but missed.

Admiral Barky attacked, but missed; Cloaker attacked Anaka, but missed; Asteriskes closed and attacked, but missed; Felan attacked Cloaker, but missed; Anaka struggled free of the Cloaker, which then hovered in the air.

Admiral Barky attacked and missed; the Cloaker took flight, provoking Attacks of Opportunity from everyone -- Admiral Barky missed, Asteriskes hit for 17, Felan hit for 5, and Anaka missed; Asteriskes drew his bow and shot at the creature, hitting for 11; Felan threw a spear, hitting for 3; Anaka threw a dagger and hit for 5.

Admiral Barky yapped angrily, unable to reach the creature; Cloaker swooped down and attacked Asteriskes, but missed; Asteriskes retaliated, but missed; Felan closed and punched, hitting for 5; Anaka threw a spear, but missed.

Admiral Barky attacked, but missed; Cloaker flew higher, moaning to Unnerve the party -- Anaka and Felan Saved, Asteriskes and Admiral Barky did not; Asteriskes attacked and missed; Felan threw a spear, hitting for 4; Anaka threw a spear, hitting critically for 13.

Admiral Barky barked; Cloaker, no longer moaning, attacked Asteriskes, hitting for 7; Asteriskes retaliated, hitting critically for 49 and shredding the Cloaker.

After taking 7 magical scrolls from the desk -- putting them into some spare scroll cases they found in one of the drawers -- the group headed back out the way they came. They returned to the large gold nugget room and took the remaining southern path out of it.

The most prominent feature of this cavern was a chasm, about forty feet wide, dividing it in two. A transparent, eaten-out shell of some huge slug or snail served as a makeshift bridge between the two sides. The ceiling was probably at least 30 feet up. Felan saw two huge bats hanging from that ceiling with their wings folded about them. The druid pointed them out to his companions.

Anaka cast Light of Lunia and began to glow; Admiral Barky waited protectively at Felan's feet; Dire Bat-1 remained hanging above the bridge; Asteriskes shot an arrow, but missed; Felan used his sling, hitting for 2; Dire Bat-2 swooped at Felan and attacked, but missed.

Anaka shot a bolt of energy from her spell, hitting Dire Bat-1 for 1; Admiral Barky continued to hold his action; Dire Bat-1 held his action; Asteriskes shot Dire Bat-1, hitting for 7; Felan slung another bullet, but missed; Dire Bat-2 returned to his spot and faced the party again.

Anaka shot her second bolt of energy, hitting Dire Bat-1 for 4; Admiral Barky held; Dire Bat-1 swooped and attacked Admiral Barky, but missed -- Admiral Barky retaliated, hitting for 9; Asteriskes attacked Dire Bat-1, hitting for 22 and knocking the bat down to the ground; Felan attacked Dire Bat-2, but missed; Dire Bat-2 retreated out of sight.

With their way cleared, the adventurers headed over the bridge, following the direction the bat went.

A curved passage became straighter and straighter. It was as long as the eye could see and definitely led to another cave system. However, there wasn't time to wonder where that passage might lead as four foul-smelling, scaled humanoids met the party at the entrance, weapons and shields at the ready.

Anaka threw a spear at the lead Troglodyte, but missed; Asteriskes closed and attacked Troglodyte-1, hitting for 13; Troglodyte-1 retaliated, hitting the Dwarf for 5; Troglodyte-2 held his action; Troglodyte-4 held; Felan cast Summon Nature's Ally and called a Dire Wolf who appeared behind Troglodyte-4 and immediately attacked, hitting for 14; Admiral Barky stayed by Felan and barked loudly; Troglodyte-3 held.

Anaka threw another spear and missed again; Asteriskes continued his combat with Troglodyte-1, hitting for 19 and taking him out; Troglodyte-2 stepped over his fallen combat and attacked Asteriskes, hitting for 2; Troglodyte-4 turned and retaliated against the Dire Wolf, but missed; Felan threw a spear at Troglodyte-2, hitting for 6; the Dire Wolf retaliated against Troglodyte-4, but missed; Admiral Barky held; Troglodyte-3 held.

Anaka threw a spear and hit Troglodyte-2 for 8; Asteriskes attacked Troglodyte-2, hitting for 22 and taking him out; Troglodyte-4 attacked the Dire Wolf, and missed; Felan threw a spear at Troglodyte-3, hitting for 1; Dire Wolf attacked Troglodyte-4, hitting for 15 and killing him; Admiral Barky held; Troglodyte-3 closed with Asteriskes and attacked, but missed.

Anaka threw a spear, hitting Troglodyte-3 for 3; Asteriskes attacked Troglodyte-3, hitting for 21 and killing him.

With combat over, Anaka searched the bodies while Felan cast Lesser Vigor on Asteriskes. When they were ready, they headed back the way they'd came and took the path that branched off just at the edge of the bridge.

The elongated and narrow cave could be compared to a hole dug out by a predatory creature. Constricted and tapered, the cavern required a great deal of care to pass through. A monstrosity of a serpentine shape darted out of a fissure, waving the four tentacles that surrounded its bloody beak.

Admiral Barky closed and attacked the Grick, but missed; Felan closed and attacked, hitting critically for 7; Asteriskes closed and attacked, hitting for 21; Anaka threw a spear and missed; Grick attacked Felan, but missed.

Admiral Barky attacked, hitting for 8; Felan attacked, but missed; Asteriskes attacked, but missed; Anaka threw a spear, hitting for 5; Grick attacked Felan, hitting three times for a total of 30, and rendering the druid unconscious.

Admiral Barky attacked, hitting for 7; Felan laid on the ground unconscious; Asteriskes attacked, hitting critically for 35, killing the Grick.

Anaka went to Felan and used Opportunistic Piety to revive the druid, who used two Lesser Vigors on himself as well.

Vote!

So the day is upon us. Tuesday will be cool and rainy here in the southeast, but that doesn't matter. What does matter is that it's Election Day. If you are a citizen 18 years of age or older, you have the right to have a say in the governance of your country. It's quite possibly one of the most important decisions you'll make in your life, certainly in the next four years. The first amendment guarantees you the right to freedom of speech, so make your voice heard. If you took advantage of Early Voting opportunities -- like we did -- good for you, if you didn't -- GO VOTE!

Let's Roll Initiative Again

THE FUNNY THINGS:
Ken, singing (guess the tune): Let's roll initiative again!
Cathy and Katy, about the adversary's initiative roll: He got a zero! - That means he doesn't get to go, right?
Cathy, Katy, and Ken, about an adversary the party faced: I don't know why I think it's a her. - It is. You have deemed it a her. - You have DM'ed it a her.
Ken, after his character had scored a critical hit: Oh yeah! Who's the dwarf? Who's the dwarf?

THE ADVENTURE:
As they gathered up the loot and prepared to head back to Montrill, the party chatted with the Dwarves who had come to their aid. They learned that the group was a local militia unit led by a Dwarf named Ethan Allan; they called their unit the Silver Mountain Dwarves. The band was well known to King Reginald and aided him whenever he had work in the mountains. They had been glad to answer his call this time, too. Allan and his soldiers were a friendly, merry bunch and the adventurers enjoyed getting to know them as they worked. When they were ready, the whole group headed out on the return to Montrill. As they walked, Ethan Allan asked them what had happened, so Anaka, Asteriskes, and Felan told him the story of their adventures.

"Vegepygmies, eh? You know, there's a guy who's been in Montrill asking all sorts of questions about unusual creatures...he'd really be interested in that."

"What guy?" Anaka asked the Dwarf.

"Oh, I don't know, he came from Woodside and he's really interested in odd creatures that have never been seen before. He's been in town for a while."

"Probably the curator of the museum," Asteriskes told the thief, sotto voce.

After two uneventful days of travel, Ethan Allan and the group parted ways amicably at the Mayor's house. The servants welcomed them back and showed them to their original rooms. Anaka, Asteriskes, and Felan were thrilled to see clean clothes, warm baths, and large comfortable beds waiting for them. Shortly after they'd had time to clean up, each of the adventurers was roused by a servant informing them that the king would like them to come and dine with him.

"I must hear about your adventure! Were you able to catch the thief?" King Reginald asked eagerly, shaking their hands and greeting them warmly.

Anaka spun a wonderful tale incorporating all the events and alluding to the fact that they had Cyvorak's head.

King Reginald was also very interested in the Vegepygmies. "Mr. Peabody, the curator of the Woodside Museum is in town. I know that he is interested in these sorts of creatures."

"Are you asking us to bring him a specimen?" Asteriskes asked.

"No, no, no. I don't know what he needs specifically, but it so happens that he is meeting with me tomorrow morning. Will you please come and join us?" The king invited.

The adventurers agreed readily.

"By the way, don't worry about the sceptre. The most important thing is that I got it back. Besides, you rid the country of that thief -- and from what you've told me, he was attempting to become more than just a two-bit thief and could have become quite an annoyance to not just myself but the entire country. You have done me a great service. In return, my sorcerer will gladly identify any items you need identified. You need only supply him with the material components of the spell. There are two jewelers in town who can help -- Jasper Cutter and Jules Bijoux."

The rest of the evening was filled with friendly conversation and delectable foods. After a few hours, King Reginald returned to his home and the party went up to bed. They woke rested and delighted to see that the household staff had brought trays of breakfast up to each room. They ate and refreshed themselves before going to meet the king.

King Reginald and a Mr. Peabody -- a skinny, elderly man with gray hair -- were glad to see them and introductions were made.

"I understand you ran across some creatures that you had not seen before." said the curator.

"Yes," Felan replied.

"And you are familiar with the museum at Woodside and you don't recall seeing them in that museum?"

"Yes."

"Sire, I think you should send someone to get some specimens for me, if you could sir. I could use them for the museum," Mr. Peabody said, turning his attention to King Reginald.

"That's a good idea. I'll ask Ethan and his unit to work on it." The monarch replied.

"You seem to be able to take care of yourself in circumstances where you are unsure of what you're dealing with. I've been looking for someone to perform a service for the museum...and the country. There are tunnels and caverns in these mountains which contain odd creatures. We have descriptions of them, their abilities, and drawings of them, but we don't have actual specimens. I know they have been reported in these particular caverns to the west of Montrill. I'll give you the information that we have -- if you are willing to go after these creatures. You will be paid 5000gp for each creature -- dead or alive -- that you bring back." Mr. Peabody said to the adventurers.

As the group nodded in agreement, the curator handed out some parchments. " I will also loan you two of the largest bags of holding the museum has -- to transport the specimens -- the bags are property of the museum, so I would expect you to return them upon completion of the task, of course."

Accepting the assignment, the group bid farewell to Mr. Peabody. As they were leaving, King Reginald said to them, "If you go and get those pearls, my sorcerer is available this afternoon."

The party headed up the street. Jasper Cutter's shop was nearest, so they stopped in and bought enough pearls to get each magic item identified. Later that afternoon, they returned to King Reginald's place and met with the sorcerer. He went over the items and when he reached the broken sword hilt with some of its gems missing, he started back and clutched his throat.

"What's the matter?" asked Anaka

"This is the Blood Conciliator! This is a very dangerous item." said the jeweler.

"What should we do with it?"

"I think you should give it to the king."

"Does that mean we don't get any money for it?" muttered Asteriskes.

"I think you should give it to the king." The jeweler repeated.

The sorcerer identified the rest of their items and the group thanked him before leaving to discuss who got what. Asteriskes took the gauntlets of ogre power and the bracers of armor. Anaka took the daggers, the potions of Cure Light Wounds, one of the holy symbols of Xhitigal, the 3 remaining oil flask/bombs, and the 14 short spears she'd been using since they snagged them out of the cave complex. Felan also kept the short spears he'd been using from the stash he'd split with Anaka.

At dinner that evening, they presented the hilt of the Blood Conciliator to King Reginald. He was very pleased and told them of his intention to place it in the treasury with the rest of the crown jewels, since it was a weapon of legendary status.

"By the way, I never gave you the rest of your payment. I had promised you an additional amount upon completion of your task." He then handed them each a small purse containing 20,000gp. "You've done most excellently well and you have my thanks."

After another delightful evening of good food and conversation, the party returned to their rooms for another restful night as the mayor's guests. They woke to another filling breakfast awaiting them. They ate their fill and then headed into town to get supplies for the quest Mr. Peabody had set them on. They passed the day happily shopping, investigating various options, and eventually stocked themselves up. Then they returned to the mayor's house for another restful night followed by a yummy breakfast. They had packed up the night before, so after eating, they consulted the map Mr. Peabody had given them, bid their farewells to the mayor and his staff, and headed out.

Anaka led the way followed by Asteriskes, Felan, and Admiral Barky. Anaka deftly jumped out of the way just as the ground in front of her burst apart, making way for the creature that was clambering out of the ground.

An Ankheg! gasped Asteriskes and Felan simultaneously as Anaka landed safely to the side of the creature.

Felan closed and punched the creature, hitting for 7; Anaka stabbed with her dagger, hitting for 7; Admiral Barky came up behind Felan, growling protectively; Ankheg attacked Asteriskes, but missed; Asteriskes retaliated, hitting for 17 and killing it.

After briefly admiring the excellent tunnel-work of the Ankheg, the party got back on the road, knowing they had about 3 days to go before reaching the area specified by Mr. Peabody. The rest of the day passed uneventfully. They made camp in a nice grove. The druid caught some small woodland creatures and prepared a nice meal for his companions before everyone settled down for the night. Asteriskes took the first watch, with Admiral Barky keeping him company. Felan took the next watch. Anaka joined him for the last watch. They heard a crashing coming toward them through the underbrush. Felan cast Dawn, which immediately awoke Asteriskes and Admiral Barky. An ogre broke through the trees, charging for the party.

Anaka closed and attacked, hitting for 7; Admiral Barky flanked the Ogre and attacked, hitting for 10; Asteriskes closed and attacked, hitting for 15; Felan flanked and attacked, hitting for 3; Ogre roared angrily and attacked Anaka, but missed.

Anaka retaliated, hitting critically for 13 and taking the Ogre down.

As the sun was rising, the group decided to break camp. Felan scrounged around the area and gathered enough to make a hearty breakfast. They then resumed their marching order and headed back out. The day passed uneventfully.

Near evening they began to see pink veins in some of the rock faces. Mr P had told them this was an indication that they were reaching the area he was interested in. They made camp. The night passed calmly. In the morning, the druid again prepared a breakfast for his friends. Then they broke camp and resumed their march.

A little black furry critter crossed the path, stopped in front of the party - startled - and cried out in a loud and frightened voice.

"We should get away from here as quickly as possible before Mama Bear comes," said Felan knowingly.

"Can we get by it?" asked Anaka.

"Let me help," Felan replied. The druid came up beside her, used his Handle Animal skills to calm the cub enough for the party to skirt by it safely.

Not too much later, around noontime, they reached the mouth of a cave which looked distinctly like the site indicated to them by Mr. Peabody. Anaka searched the entryway, but found no traps. They entered the cave, which became a tunnel that led them underground.

The tunnel led to a cavern with a high ceiling rising perhaps four or five dozen feet above the ground. Short stalagmites rose from the guano-covered floor. The flapping of hundreds of wings echoed throughout the cave and an overwhelming stench of animals hung in the air. The cave was literally overwhelmed by bats. As the bats were not bothering them, the party advanced, avoiding the area where the majority of the bats were gathered. They reached a fork in the tunnel and chose to go to the right.

Apart from the high ceiling and the notable absence of any stalactites or stalagmites, there was nothing out of the ordinary in this chamber. The adventurers carefully entered the room. They had barely entered the room when a Neuronea charged at them.

Admiral Barky entered the room; Neuronea cast Deep Sleep - Felan failed and fell asleep, Asteriskes Saved; Felan snored loudly; Anaka threw a spear, hitting for 4; Asteriskes drew his bow, but missed his shot.

Admiral Barky closed and attacked, hitting for 9; Neuronea retaliated against Admiral Barky, hitting for 7, and Admiral Barky failed his Save and fell asleep; Felan was still sleeping; Anaka threw a spear, but missed; Asteriskes targeted Neuronea with his bow, hitting for 14.

Admiral Barky growled lightly in his sleep; Neuronea closed and attacked Asteriskes, hitting for 10, but Asteriskes made his Save against the sleep; Felan continued sleeping; Anaka threw another spear, hitting for 5; Asteriskes drew his great sword and attacked, hitting for 20 and taking her out, the Dwarf then performed a coup de gras.

Asteriskes and Admiral Barky gathered up the body and stuffed it into one of the bags of holding Mr. Peabody had provided. Anaka retrieved her spears. Then they searched the room and found what was probably the Neuronea's stash: 60 gp, 3 gold rings, and a pearl necklace. By the time they had finished, Felan and Admiral Barky had woken up. When they were ready, the group retraced its steps and headed down the other fork in the tunnel.

The battered body of a dark-skinned, white-haired humanoid -- slain by some unknown creature -- was sprawled on the uneven cave floor. Long stalactites hung from the ceiling. Four large bats dived at the party with a loud screeching.

Asteriskes swung his sword at the nearest Sonic Bat, hitting critically for a total of 66, chopping the bat into unrecognizable pieces which could not be taken back to the museum; Admiral Barky jumped at the bat near him and attacked, but missed; Felan attacked the Sonic Bat near him, hitting for 6; Anaka struck at the Sonic Bat near her, but missed; Sonic Bat-2 let out a potent sound wave, doing 5 points of Sonic Damage to everyone, but they all Saved against being stunned; Sonic Bat-3 attacked Admiral Barky, but missed; Sonic Bat-4 attacked Felan, but missed.

Asteriskes closed with Sonic Bat-2, hitting for 14 points of subdual damage, knocking the creature, unconscious, to the ground; Admiral Barky jumped at Sonic Bat-3 and attacked, hitting for 9 and taking it out; Felan attacked Sonic Bat-4, hitting for 7 points of subdual damage and taking his rival down.

They gathered up the two Sonic Bat corpses that were salvageable for the museum's use and put them in the other bag of holding. Felan identified the dead body in the room as a male Drow. They found a very interesting note as well as some money and other valuable items on his body.

Yeah, "20-Lots" Hits

THE FUNNY THINGS:
Cathy and Ken, when Ken decided to move his character past two others in combat: Your friends goose you as you go by. - I clang.
Cathy, paraphrasing the module when the group noticed what was most likely a trap icon on the map square: A natural pool filled with unnatural stars....
Ken, as the party tried to figure out how to cross a pond: Water, very dangerous, you go first.
Katy and Cathy, as the party searched a room relying on clues from a previous room: Do we see any 4's? - What, are you playing Go Fish?
Cathy, about Bruce's roll: Yeah, 20-lots hits.
Cathy and Katy, after Bruce's animal companion (a dog) missed its attack: Magic Dentures of Biting + 3 - In this case, -3
Katy and Cathy, about the Dwarven zealot the party had defeated: Does he have a masterwork loincloth? - No, but he's got a masterwork something else!

THE ADVENTURE:
The party decided to explore the tunnel whence the Yellow Musk Zombies had entered. They followed it into the undying garden. Other than the footprints left by the meandering Yellow Musk Zombies, there was nothing in the room. Next they continued into the adjoining chamber (3-8).

Three Vegepygmies were working away at digging through the wall. They noticed the adventurers arrival, dropped their picks, grabbed their longspears, and took up aggressive stances.

"What are you doing? We rescued some of your companions from the Violent Fungus?" Felan said, bewildered.

"Stay away from tunnel!" replied one of the Vegepygmies in broken Common.

Admiral Barky held his action; Anaka moved in closer and threw a spear, hitting Vegepygmy-1 for 6; Vegepygmy-1 closed and retaliated against Anaka, but missed; Asteriskes closed with Vegepygmy-1 and attacked, but missed; Vegepygmy-2 charged Anaka and attacked, but missed; under F's guidance, Admiral Barky closed with Vegepygmy-1 and attacked, but missed, then F himself charged and attacked Vegepygmy-2, punching him for 7; Vegepygmy-3 closed and attacked F, but missed.

Anaka drew her dagger and slashed Vegepygmy-1 for 7, taking him down; Asteriskes closed with Vegepygmy-2, but missed; Vegepygmy-2 retaliated against Asteriskes, but missed; Admiral Barky moved to flank and attacked Vegepygmy-2, hitting for 10 and taking him out; Felan moved to flank Vegepygmy-3 and attacked, hitting for 2; Vegepygmy-3 attacked Admiral Barky, but missed.

Anaka closed with Vegepygmy-3, but missed; Asteriskes closed with Vegepygmy-3, hitting for 16 and taking him out.

Knowing that they had now finished exploring the area, and that their cleric was injured, the group decided to head back to the secret passageway to rest. They made it safely there and secured the area. Felan healed himself, then he laid down for a nap. Two hours later, he woke up, memorized some new spells, cast Lesser Restoration on himself, and then the companions were ready to go on. They left the secret passage, headed through the mushroom village room, and eventually reached the tunnel which they had determined led further into the cave complex.

A natural pool filled with inky black water sat prominently in the center of the cavern. Rising above the dark waters in the center of the pool was a tall marble stature of a draconian archer. The archer's bow pointed toward the cavern ceiling.

Looking where the statue pointed, no one noticed anything specific, the Dragon's bow simply seemed to be pointed towards an arch in the ceiling. After a few moments, however, Anaka suddenly said, "Oh, it's JUST a bow! WE have the arrow!" And realization dawned on the party practically in unison.

"Well, how are we going to get across the water, does anyone have any way of testing how deep it is?" Felan asked.

"I have a 50' rope, if I attach my grappling hook, it will sink..." Anaka suggested.

"Good idea," Asteriskes approved.

Standing at the edge, the thief did her test, the water turned out to be 2' deep there. After some discussion, Anaka said, "Do you want me to just go?"

"Yeah, that sounds good! After all, I'm the only one who can heal so I definitely should stay behind." Felan answered.

"OK, hang on, I've got an idea. I'll tie my rope around my waist, and you guys can hold the other end. That way if the pond is suddenly deeper, you can pull me back in if needed." As her companions nodded, Anaka untied her grappling hook and affixed the rope around her waist. They navigated around the pond to the lip that was closest to the statue and the thief headed in. The water turned out to be 2 feet deep all the way across. She carefully climbed up the statue and fitted the arrow into the bow. A low ominous rumbling sound started coming from the statue. Anaka climbed back down into the water at the base of the pedestal.

There was a low, ominous rumbling sound. Suddenly images of numerals formed all around the perimeter of the pool. The archer aimed his bow at four different numbers -- 4, 7, 9, 2 -- with careful deliberation. After a moment, he did it again, before resuming his original pose with his bow aimed back at the ceiling. Anaka climbed up to retrieve the arrow, but it was now solidly attached to the bow. She climbed back down and rejoined her friends. After removing the rope from Anaka's waist, they party headed out the tunnel nearest them.

This enormous cavern had been transformed by hammer and chisel into a wondrous work of art. Elaborately carved murals of Dragons and Dwarves engaged in an epic struggle covered the walls. Faded, tattered tapestries of Dragonkin warriors flanked each of the five exits. A large, natural column of stone rose from the floor to the ceiling in the southeast corner. Standing vigilant by this column were two armored Dwarves holding crossbows that were cocked and loaded.

Anaka moved into the room and threw a spear at the closest Duregar, hitting for 4; Admiral Barky charged and attacked Duregar-1, hitting for 7; Asteriskes moved into the room and shot with his bow, but missed; Duregar-1 attacked Admiral Barky, but missed; Duregar-2 closed with Admiral Barky, and missed; F moved into the room.

Anaka moved and threw another spear, but missed; Admiral Barky continued battling Duregar-1, hitting for 6 and taking him down; Asteriskes moved in closer and shot at Duregar-2, but missed; Duregar-2 attacked Admiral Barky, but missed; Felan closed with Duregar-2 and attacked, hitting for 3.

Anaka threw a spear at Duregar-2, hitting for 5; Admiral Barky retaliated against Duregar-2, hitting for 10, and taking him down.

They headed out the tunnel immediately on their left. They hadn't gone too far when they were faced with two large black birds, flying towards them. (Fiendish Ravens)

Anaka moved in closer and threw a spear, hitting for 3 and knocking the Fiendish Raven down; Asteriskes moved in and shot at the remaining Fiendish Raven, but missed; Admiral Barky ran into the room; Fiendish Raven-2 flew towards Anaka; Felan charged and attacked Fiendish Raven-2, hitting for 1.

Anaka closed and slashed the Fiendish Raven with her dagger, taking him down; Two Duregar came around the corner; Asteriskes stepped forward and targeted one of the Duregar's, hitting for 4; Admiral Barky closed Duregar-1 and attacked, hitting for 5; Felan charged and attacked Duregar-1, hitting for 4 and taking him down; Duregar-2 attacked Admiral Barky, but missed.

Anaka moved up closer and threw another spear, but missed; Asteriskes charged and closed with Duregar-2, hitting for 8; Admiral Barky attacked Duregar-2, but missed; Felan attacked Duregar-2, but missed; Duregar-2 retaliated against Asteriskes, but missed.

Anaka threw another spear, hitting for 8 and taking out Duregar-2, she then retrieved her spears, including nipping back into the outer chamber to pick up the 2 spears she'd forgotten to grab from before.

Towering above them were piles of massive bones, some looming taller than a fire giant. The bones appeared to be quite brittle. A thick layer of fine white powder completely blanketed the entire floor. Toward the southern end of the gargantuan section of the caverns they could also see small clouds of white dust billowing between the piles.

As the group stood discussing their options, 4 Kobold Skeletons came charging out from behind the various piles of bones, heading straight for the party.

Kobold Skeleton-4 charged attacked Felan, hitting for 3; Anaka came up and flanked Kobold Skeleton-4, striking critically for 10; Kobold Skeleton-1 charged and attacked Asteriskes, but missed; Felan attacked Kobold Skeleton-4, hitting for 4, and taking him out; Admiral Barky moved to flank Kobold Skeleton-1 and attacked, hitting for 5; Asteriskes retaliated against Kobold Skeleton-1, but missed; Kobold Skeleton-2 charged and attacked Anaka, but missed; Kobold Skeleton-3 charged and attacked Anaka, but missed.

Anaka attacked Kobold Skeleton-3, hitting for 8; Kobold Skeleton-1 continued his combat with Asteriskes, but missed; Felan attacked Kobold Skeleton-1, hitting for 8 and taking him out; Admiral Barky flanked Kobold Skeleton-2 and attacked, hitting for 10; Asteriskes closed with Kobold Skeleton-2, hitting for 14 and taking him out; Kobold Skeleton-3 attacked Anaka, but missed.

Anaka attacked Kobold Skeleton-3, hitting for 7; Felan closed with Kobold Skeleton-3 and attacked, but missed; Admiral Barky closed with Kobold Skeleton-3 and attacked, but missed; Asteriskes flanked Kobold Skeleton-3 and attacked, but missed; Kobold Skeleton-3 attacked Anaka, but missed.

Anaka attacked Kobold Skeleton-3, hitting critically for 21 points and taking him out.

Searching the room determined that the bones were those of long dead Dragons, which had been so picked over or so long aged that they were no longer of any use for spell components or of any other value. The room was a dead-end, so the adventurers returned to the outer chamber and followed the center tunnel out of it. They reached a fork, one of which ended in a door, and chose to go down the open passageway, away from the door.

Signs of ancient battles filled the area and broken bones and shattered blades were strewn about the floor. A sickly yellowish-white powder covered the floor. The powder was vaguely moist and stuck to the adventurers shoes.

They returned to the path that ended in a door. Felan listened at the door, but heard nothing. Anaka searched the door for traps and found none, it was also unlocked.

As they stepped through the doorway, they realized that had indeed left the wilds of the caverns and entered the remnants of an ancient civilization. The rough, craggy cavern walls gave way to smooth, worked walls of white marble engraved with a myriad of ornate, cryptic symbols and numerals. The northwest corner of the room was filled with a large pile of rubble comprised of white marble and rough stone. It appeared that the recent cave-ins caused part of the ceiling to collapse. A Dwarven warrior stood between the pile of the rubble and a door along the western wall. He was carefully examining the cryptic symbols, but he stopped upon noticing the group's entrance, turning to face them with his sword drawn.

Admiral Barky closed and attacked, but missed; Felan closed and attacked, hitting for 1; Asteriskes moved closer and fired his bow, but missed; Anaka moved a little closer and threw a spear, but missed; D scrambled up on the rubble to gain some height and attacked Felan, but missed.

Admiral Barky closed and attacked, hitting for 8; Felan attacked, hitting for 6; Anaka threw a spear, hitting for 7; Asteriskes closed and attacked, hitting for 13; D attacked Felan, hitting for 4.

Admiral Barky attacked, but missed; Felan attacked, but missed; Anaka threw a spear, but missed; Asteriskes attacked, but missed; D attacked Asteriskes, hitting for 8.

Admiral Barky attacked, but missed; Felan attacked, but missed; Anaka missed; Asteriskes hit for 21 and took him out.

Next the companions began investigating the runes the Dwarf had been so avidly studying. They easily picked out the Roman numerals the statue had indicated to them, but no one was sure what the symbols interspersed therein might indicate. Felan asked Anaka for a piece of the parchment they'd taken from the bedroom they'd camped in a few days ago. When she handed it to him, along with a quill, he hastily scratched down a copy of the carvings on the wall for future reference.

Felan listened at the door heading west, but heard nothing. Anaka searched it for traps and found nothing. It opened into a small hallway that led to another door. Felan listened, and heard very faint rhythmic thwupping sounds. Anaka searched and found no traps. Asteriskes drew his bow and took a defensive stance, Anaka opened the door.

A large, garish stone statue of a red dragon sat against the southern wall. Piles of rock and debris flanked both sides of the statue. Its gigantic wings spanned well over 40 feet. Kneeling in front of the statue was a grizzled, muscular Dwarf clad only in a loincloth. His back was scarred and the source of those old wounds was obviously the bloody flail he wielded, striking himself forcefully as he continued his murmured prayers.

Admiral Barky charged the D, hitting for 7; Anaka threw a spear, hitting for 6; Felan charged, hitting for 7; Asteriskes moved into the room and shot, but missed; D turned around, "Smite heretic!" and attacked Felan, hitting for 12.

Admiral Barky attacked, hitting for 10 and taking him out.

They turned their attention to the runes behind the statue. Almost simultaneously they came to the conclusion that this was a sort of religious graffiti. Felan cast Lesser Vigor on himself. Anaka searched the room, but found nothing else of interest.

They moved to the other door in the room and Felan listened. He heard nothing. Anaka searched the door for traps and found none. She opened the door.

A macabre collection of skulls lined the walls. Strange symbols were crudely scrawled on some of the skulls. Most appeared to be humanoid, although a few larger ones were as tall as a Dwarven warrior -- these skulls were actually forming an archway around the doorway of the room. The party realized immediate that this was a burial chamber for priests of Xhitigal.

The group retraced their steps back to the room with the runes, where they'd fought the Dwarf on the pile of rubble. While Felan was listening at the door on the eastern wall, Anaka retrieved the spears she'd thrown in that battle and forgotten to pick up. The druid opened the door to reveal a hallway with a door at the far end. As he led the way, the party advanced. Felan listened at the door and heard nothing. Anaka searched for traps and found none, so she opened the door. Another hallway lay beyond. At the far end was a door with a pile of rubble in front of it. Anaka searched the rubble and found nothing. Felan listened at the door and heard nothing. Anaka searched for traps and didn't find any. She opened the door. They were faced with yet another hallway with a door at the end. Felan heard nothing and Anaka found no traps. They opened the door.

Most of the large room was empty and barren. The exception was a statue of a dragonkin archer, similar to the one back in the pool in the room they'd found earlier. However, this one was not alone -- it was being examined by a living, breathing Dragonkin warrior clad in red scales and leather armor. A jeweled rapier hung from his belt. The warrior was staring with great fascination at the statue's bow as if trying to unlock its secrets with his gaze alone.

Anaka stepped into the room and threw a spear, but missed; Admiral Barky attacked Cyvorak, but missed; Cyvorak used his breath weapon to blow a cone of fire at the party, only Anaka and Admiral Barky were in range, Admiral Barky Evaded and Anaka Saved for half; Asteriskes entered the room and shot, hitting for 6; Felan charged and punched, hitting for 1, plus a point of Dex damage.

Anaka moved into range and cast Ray of Frost, hitting for 2 points of Cold Damage; Admiral Barky attacked with Smite Evil, but missed; Cyvorak drew his rapier and targeted Felan, hitting for 11; Asteriskes closed and attacked, hitting for 20 and taking him out.

Asteriskes examined the statue. It appeared to be a duplicate of the statue in the pool. Among the items found on Cyvorak's body was a silver scroll case. It was empty. There were no runes or any symbols anywhere in the room.

Felan listened at the far door. He heard nothing. Anaka searched for traps and found none. The door was unlocked so she opened it.

The stone face of a dragon peered forth from the ruined northern wall of the chamber -- it was contorted in rage and anger. Although quite life-like and nearly the size of a man, it was quickly obvious that this was a carving by master stoneworkers rather than the macabre remains of a once-living great wyrm. Apart from the large face there was nothing else of note in the chamber.

Anaka searched the room. On her first pass, she found nothing, but she was sure there was something. Going back over things more thoroughly, she touched walls, floor, and the dragon head with exploring fingers. When she touched the dragon head, a cloud of gas billowed out of its mouth with an ominous hiss. Everyone Saved and avoided the Sleeping Gas which wafted away on the air. There was nothing else in the room.

The group returned to the room where they'd fought Cyvorak. They cut off his head and stuffed it into one of their Handy Haversacks so they could prove his demise to King Reginald. Anaka retrieved the spear she'd thrown in battle. Then they headed back to the room with the runes. Anaka pressed 4, 7, 9, and 2 and was heading back to repeat the sequence when a door opened revealing a short corridor leading to a chamber full of glittering treasures. Platinum, gold, and silver completely covered the room, obscuring the floor. Twin silk tapestries, each depicting a red Dragon rising triumphantly in flight, covered most of the southern and western walls and stretched from floor to ceiling. In the center of the room was a large wooden chest, its led flung wide open. A smaller, closed wooden chest was just a few feet away from the larger one.

Suspicious, Anaka continued the sequence, pushing the numbers again in the order the statue had indicated. Nothing changed and the secret door remained open. Anaka used the spikes they'd picked up from one of their victims and wedge the door open. Felan did a visual search from the doorway, but saw nothing.

"You know, "Asteriskes said, "Cyvorak supposedly stole King Reginald's gem, but it seemed like he was trying to figure out how to get in here. I'm guessing the gem is not in here."

"You're probably right," replied Felan, as he prepared to cast some spells. After a moment, he cast Lesser Vigor on himself and each of his companions. "This is going to take a bit," the druid said, "I suggest we wait here for a few minutes."

Anaka entered and performed a meticulous search. There were no traps or secret doors, even the small box (which was locked) was not trapped. In the big chest was a parchment. "Oh, geez!" Anaka moaned.

"What?" said Felan and Asteriskes in unison. The thief proceeded to read the practically sarcastic letter to her friends. When she had finished, and they had also groaned in frustration, she moved across the room. "I'm gonna check out this little locked box now, just to be sure."

Inside were 3 bottles of liquid and the jewel encrusted hilt of a broken longsword -- a few of the large settings were empty. As they were counting the coins and trying figure out what to take and how to take it, they heard the sounds of knocking and digging coming from just beyond the pile of rubble in the rune room. Several creatures of some sort were obviously trying to dig their way in. Just then, the wall broke apart and about 20 Dwarves came through -- they were all wearing the chartreuse sashes of the king.

"Stand by in the name of King Reginald of Othia!" bellowed the first guard.

When the adventurers stood up, the guards recognized them, "Oh, good, you're all right. His majesty sent us to find you - he didn't think an earthquake would defeat you, but he didn't want to leave it to chance. Well, that's quite a horde. I think we have enough extra hands to help carry it."

"Look what we found in one of the caved-in rooms back there," said another guard, brandishing the Royal Sceptre with its sparkling peridots.

"Wonder if the king is going to ask for his advance back?" whispered Asteriskes to his companions, as they all began to gather up the items in preparation for returning to Montrill.

The Guy Attacking Me...IS ON FIRE!

THE FUNNY THINGS:
Bruce, about some of the adversaries the party faced: Vege-pygmies?! Are they going to attack us with asparagus spears?
Bruce and Ken, deciding what to do about adversaries: I'm a Druid...kill the plants! -- Grr...argh!
Bruce: I'm not so sure we should take the Vegepygmie Threat lightly.
Ken: We're going to die *laughing,* that's what's up with this level!
Katy and Bruce, about what the party should do next: Well, maybe if we keep pursuing them, we'll eventually round them all up into one area and kill them, and then it will be just a quick cakewalk back through the dungeon to loot! -- Yeah, that's a thought.
Ken: Let's save the pygmies! Lawful Goodness, yay!
Bruce, after they faced yet another monster they'd never heard of: This dungeon should be renamed the Dungeon of Obscurity! It's filled with creatures that are not in any of the books!
Ken, about what Bruce's druid's familiar should do: Perform a coup de bark.
Katy and Cathy, when Katy suggested burning the room full of fungus: Burn, baby, burn...disco inferno! - I can just see you guys, 'ha, ha, ha, ha, stayin' alive, stayin' alive!' - Yeah, that'd be us, dancing in the doorway.
Katy and Ken, about how the party should proceed when faced with a tough adversary: Well, wait a minute, there are obviously parts of the dungeon we haven't explored yet, maybe we should go back around and finish those out and come back here later. Because maybe we can gain enough experience between now and then to level up! - I like the way you think!
Katy, during combat: OK, so I have a simple question..um, the guy attacking me...IS ON FIRE!

THE ADVENTURE:
The adventurers stood in the round room and looked around. Anaka searched the room and all the doors, but found no traps. Felan went to the left-most door and listened, but heard nothing. The door was unlocked so they decided to open it -- beyond lay a passageway bearing slightly southwest before angling back up northwest. The party walked along, glad of the bright glow from the purple lichen on the walls as it made the caverns almost as bright as a spring afternoon.

Tall, grassy stalks of golden, glowing lichens and fungi rose from the cavern floor - transforming what would ordinarily have been a dark, dank cave into a surreal pasture of underground marvels. In the center of this field were two small, strange greenish humanoid creatures. They were harvesting the fungi as a farmer would harvest wheat or corn. The fruits of their labors could plainly be seen toward the northwest corner of the cavern where piles of the cultivated golden stalks were neatly stacked. Upon seeing the adventurers, the Vegepygmies stopped their work and eyed them warily.

The group began making their way along the outer wall, heading towards the northern tunnel. The Vegepygmies fled out the other tunnel. After a quick discussion, Anaka, Asteriskes, Felan, & Admiral Barky went in pursuit.

They entered a section of the caverns where giant red mushrooms stood nearly as tall as trees -- some extended all the way to the ceiling above. A cornucopia of pink and lavender mosses surrounded the towering mushrooms, creating a grand underground garden that was truly a wonder to behold. Toward the northern end of the cavern they spotted three more of the Vegepygmies, diligently chopping down one of the giant mushrooms. Several other mushrooms had already been felled and were lying where they'd been cut, ready to be gathered up.

As the two Vegepygmies entered the chamber and approached their comrades, they must have somehow communicated their situation because the other three looked up and saw the party. They dropped their tools and turned with their friends and began running towards the passage heading northeast. Anaka, Felan, and Admiral Barky, with Asteriskes a little ways behind, continued the chase.

Countless fluorescent pink and purple lichens and plants hung from the ceiling of this extensive cavern covering the room in a glowing, garish hue. Partially buried in the ostentatious flora was a lone humanoid skeleton lying near the entrance to a northward-leading tunnel. The Vegepygmies were still heading north, screaming in a squeaky way as they went.

Violet Fungus in the middle of the room was catching and eating the Vegepygmies.

Anaka threw a spear at Violet Fungus, and hit for 6; Admiral Barky guarded Felan, barking protectively; Asteriskes shot at Violet Fungus, but missed; Violet Fungus continued its combat with the Vegepygmies, one of the Vegepygmies managed to break free and fled out of the room; Felan stepped forward and threw a spear, but missed.

Anaka threw a spear at Violet Fungus, but missed; Admiral Barky continued to guard Felan; Asteriskes charged the Violet Fungus and attacked with his great-axe, hitting for 17 and killing the Violet Fungus, as it fell its tentacles released the Vegepygmies who proceeded to flee out of the room.

Anaka and Felan retrieved their spears.

While they didn't find much more than colorful fungus in the room, Anaka did find a scrap of parchment on the skeleton at the base of the Violet Fungus. The page matched the one the group had found back in the bedroom where they'd spent the previous night. Next they retraced their steps and returned to search the rooms they'd previously only run through.

In the room full of mushrooms, hidden by the pile of edible mushrooms the Vegepygmies had been harvesting, Anaka found a secret door in the southeast corner. The door opened into a passageway which reached a dead-end. While Anaka and Asteriskes fumbled about, Felan found the secret door at the far end.

Drawn on the western wall of the long cavern was a gigantic image of a bright, glowing sun. Just beneath that image of the sun were the jet-black outlines of three humanoid figures which appeared to be either pointing at the sun or worshiping it. The rest of the cavern was pretty much empty except for some scattered rocks and a few broken stalactites. Anaka realized the mural was important and related to the pages from the history books. As they stood there, Felan heard something moving behind them and alerted his companions discreetly. They turned around, but saw nothing.

Anaka saw the dust moving on the ground just in front of her, she grabbed the improvised bomb she'd made downstairs, but hadn't used, lit it, and threw it at the moving dust, while she hit the spot and the oil canister broke and shattered, the wick didn't not burn strongly enough to catch the oil afire, however, Anaka did manage to get droplets of oil on the previously-invisible creature, which now shimmered in the air in a vaguely discernible shape; Asteriskes swung his great-axe, but missed; Admiral Barky attacked and hit for 10; Felan attempted to flank and punch the invisible creature, but missed; Invisible Creature retaliated against Felan, but missed.

Anaka moved to flank, struck critically with her dagger, for 14 points, and the droplets that the group could see fell in a soundless clump to the ground; Asteriskes scooped up some dirt and threw it over the area, outlining the creature's form a little better, revealing a medium-sized plant-looking creature; Admiral Barky held his action, yipping beside the druid; Felan was now able to tell beyond a doubt that they had fought a Phantom Fungus, which became visible only when dead, so the druid punched the shape, attempting a coup de gras, hitting for 10, but the creature was still invisible; Invisible Creature lay on the ground attempting to stabilize.

Anaka stabbed the prone creature for 15, but it was still invisible; Asteriskes struck with his axe, doing 47 points, but not revealing the creature; Admiral Barky wandered away and began sniffing at things in the room; Felan suddenly remembered that the creature would not become visible *immediately* after it was dead and that they had probably successfully killed it already, so he suggested this to his friends and they all stepped back to wait. Eventually the ugly creature appeared.

Felan searched the room, but found nothing. Asteriskes said that the floor seemed to be solid stone and it was unlikely that anything, much less the rumored Vault Key, could be buried in it. While most of the signs in the note were present in this mural, they were not in an "undying garden" so the adventurers agreed to move on. They headed down the southwestern passage, knowing it would take them back towards the round room they had first entered. They reached the door at its end. Felan didn't hear anything and Anaka didn't find any traps so she opened the door; sure enough, it opened into the round room with the three doors.

The party retraced their steps and entered the room where they had first met the Vegepygmies. Anaka searched the room and found nothing other than the Vegepygmy-sized scythes that the small creatures had been using to harvest the fungus. Next the party headed to the northwest tunnel -- the one they had originally intended to follow before they decided to chase the Vegepygmies.

Bright yellow lichens and mosses filled the cavern. The bright fungi completely covered the walls and floors, transforming the cave into a veritable garden of golden splendor. Amid the beauty, however, a few broken skulls were easily visible scattered throughout the unending fields of moss. In the center of the grand morass was a large yellow plant, a flower towering nearly as tall as an ogre. Even surrounded by the other yellow mosses and lichens, this plant seemed to glow almost as brightly as the sun.

The group hastily discussed their options. Although they were quite suspicious that this was the "gleaming yellow sun" beneath which the vault key was probably buried, the odds did not look good. Anaka suggested retracing their steps and exploring areas they had not yet been -- where the Vegepygmies fled to, for instance -- in case they would find something helpful. They all agreed and quickly headed back the way they'd come. They had almost reached the mushroom village when a swarm of bats attacked them.

Asteriskes swung his axe, but missed; Admiral Barky barked at the bats, but held his action being unable to jump high enough to reach them; the bats attacked Anaka, but missed; Anaka cast Light of Lunia and began to glow; Felan punched the bat swarm, hitting for 8.

Asteriskes again swung his axe, hitting for 11; Admiral Barky continued to hold his action, growling; the bats retaliated against Felan, but missed; Anaka used the Light of Lunia to shoot a ray at the swarm, she missed with her first, but struck with the second and took out the swarm. With combat over, they continued along the tunnel, reaching the mushroom village room safely. Then they headed north, into a passage they had not previously investigated.

Hanging curtains of glowing yellow fungi hung from the stalactites in this jagged cavern and filled this part of the subterranean gardens with an eerie golden light. Carpets of golden moss covered parts of the floor as well. A 20-foot wide column of stone rose from floor to ceiling toward the western end of the cavern. They could faintly see a pair of humanoid creatures shambling around behind the column, but they seemed confined to the shadows and were difficult to identify.

The adventurers realized that part of the reason they were so frustrated was surely that they were also quite fatigued. Up until this moment, they hadn't really been aware of the passage of time, but now it occurred to them that it was actually quite late. They talked things over and decided that the safest place to rest would be the secret passage out of the mushroom village. They made it safely back there and shut themselves in. Felan healed himself and Anaka. Then they sorted through the loot they were carrying and laid out anything they thought might be valuable. The druid looked at all of it to see if it was magical. Other than the gauntlets and the torch, which they already had determined to be magical, the objects were all normal, everyday items. Next Felan looked at the scrolls with read magic to determine what they were: Scroll of Cause Fear, Scroll of Jump, and Scroll of Cure Minor Wounds.

Asteriskes began the watches, with Admiral Barky keeping him company. 2 hours later Felan woke up and Admiral Barky and Asteriskes went to sleep. Three medium monstrous centipedes crawled toward the group; the druid shouted to wake his companions and took an offensive stance.

Felan moved to protect his companions as they awoke, and attacked the nearest Centipede, hitting for 1; Centipede-1 retaliated, attacking Felan, but missing; Centipede-2 closed with Felan and missed; Centipede-3 also closed with Felan, and missed.

Anaka threw a spear at Centipede-2, but missed; Admiral Barky moved up beside Felan and attacked Centipede-1, hitting for 8 and killing it; Felan attacked Centipede-3, hitting for 6; Centipede-2 attacked Felan, and missed; Asteriskes closed with Centipede-2, and hit for 17, killing it; Centipede-3 attacked Admiral Barky, but missed.

Anaka threw a spear at Centipede-3, but missed; Admiral Barky attacked Centipede-3, hitting for 8 and killing it.

Then Asteriskes, Anaka, and Admiral Barky went back to bed. Since Felan only needed two hours of sleep, he watched the rest of the night alone so the others could get enough rest. The remainder of the night passed uneventfully. They let Anaka sleep a little longer to regain her spell. When she woke, Asteriskes was sharpening his weapons and Felan was meditating to memorize some spells. Anaka began assembling improvised bombs from a few of the oil casks they'd looted out of the supply room a few days ago. When the druid was ready, they discussed their options and decided they should probably explore the rest of the area before re-entering the room with the Yellow Musk Creeper.

Along the northern wall of the spacious area were four more of the Vegepygmies -- this group was hacking away at the cavern wall with sharp, gleaming picks. Immense piles of rubble and ruin surrounded the creatures as they toiled away, obviously determined to find something important.

As the Vegepygmies had not noticed them, the party headed back towards the mushroom village, intending to go through it and up the path that led to the room with the Yellow Musk Creeper. They had almost reached the mushroom room when 4 fiendish dire rats appeared in the passage ahead of them.

Anaka moved and threw a dagger at the nearest Dire Rat-1, hitting for 3; Admiral Barky charged Dire Rat-1, but missed; Felan charged and punched Dire Rat-2, hitting for 6; Asteriskes moved into range and targeted Dire Rat-1, hitting and killing it; a Dire Rat attacked Felan, hitting for 2 but Saving versus the infected bite; another Dire Rat attacked Felan, but missed; the last Dire Rat moved up and attacked Admiral Barky, but missed.

Anaka threw a dagger at Dire Rat-4, but missed; Admiral Barky retaliated against Dire Rat-4, but missed; Felan attacked Dire Rat-2, hitting for 2 and killing it; Asteriskes shot Dire Rat-4, hitting for 6; Dire Rat-3 attacked Felan, but missed; Dire Rat-4 attacked Felan, but missed.

Anaka threw a dagger at Dire Rat-4, hitting for 6 and killing it; Admiral Barky attacked Dire Rat-3, hitting for 9 and killing it.

Anaka retrieved her daggers. The group proceeded along the path. Suddenly Felan stumbled as the rat's bite began to effect him. "I'm fine, I'm fine...." he said, shrugging off assistance from his worried companions. A few minutes walk brought them to the entrance of the chamber with the Yellow Musk Creeper. They knew they wanted to stay far enough away to avoid the plant's deadly pollen, so they took up strategic poses as safely as they could.

Anaka lit a bomb and threw it, she missed the Yellow Musk Creeper and did not successfully catch fire, although it did splash the creature with oil; Admiral Barky, having been told to guard by Felan, remained in a defensive position by his master; Felan cast Flaming Sphere, targeting the Yellow Musk Creeper, doing 6 points, which the plant successfully Evaded, although the oil on the floor caught fire; Asteriskes threw one of the bombs, but missed and the oil did not catch fire, although he did manage to get more oil on the plant.

Anaka lit a bomb and threw it, she hit the plant and this time the wick held and the fire caught, also engaging the oil already on the plant, doing a total of 7 points; Admiral Barky continued to guard his master; Felan moved the Flaming Sphere, this time the plant did not Evade and took 9 points; Asteriskes threw a bomb, hitting the plant and doing 5 points.

The two Yellow Musk Zombies entered the room from the tunnel behind the Yellow Musk Creeper.

As the Yellow Musk Creeper began putting out tendrils (because it was continuing to take damage from the flames), Anaka threw another lit bomb, hitting for 4; Admiral Barky growled as he guarded Felan; Felan held the Flaming Sphere in place, which the plant Evaded, so the druid cast a 2nd Flaming Sphere which the plant also avoided; Asteriskes threw a bomb, which missed, but caught fire as it burst open on the ground at the Yellow Musk Creeper's base; the Yellow Musk Zombies reached the Yellow Musk Creeper and began to try to make their way towards the party.

As Anaka prepared her next bomb, the Yellow Musk Creeper shriveled up, having burned from the damage it was suffering already from all the bombs, so Anaka moved into range and threw the bomb she held at one of the Yellow Musk Zombies, she hit him, but it didn't catch so she only managed to get oil on them; Admiral Barky moved up next to Anaka; Felan moved his Flaming Sphere into range of the oil-splashed Yellow Musk Zombies, succeeding in catching the nearest Yellow Musk Zombie afire doing a total of 11 points between the Flaming Sphere and the oil already on the zombie; Asteriskes moved into the room and shot, but missed; Flaming Yellow Musk Zombie closed with Anaka and attacked, but missed; Yellow Musk Zombie attacked Asteriskes, hitting for 24.

Anaka moved a little ways away from the Flaming Yellow Musk Zombie and attacked him, she threw a dagger at him, but missed; Admiral Barky closed with the Yellow Musk Zombie attacking Asteriskes, but missed; as Flaming Yellow Musk Zombie fell under the damage of his flames, Felan moved the Flaming Sphere over Yellow Musk Zombie, who failed to Evade and took 2 points before the Flaming Sphere burned out; Asteriskes swung his great-axe, but missed; Yellow Musk Zombie attacked Asteriskes, hitting for 2.

Anaka moved into ranged and swiped at Yellow Musk Zombie with her dagger, but missed; Admiral Barky attacked Yellow Musk Zombie, hitting for 7; Felan closed and cast Lesser Vigor on Asteriskes; Asteriskes again swung his axe at Yellow Musk Zombie, but missed; Yellow Musk Zombie attacked Asteriskes, but missed.

Anaka attacked Yellow Musk Zombie, hitting for 6 and taking him out.

With combat over, the druid cast Lesser Vigor on the dwarf again. Anaka searched the room. Right where the Yellow Musk Creeper used to be, under the smoldering moss, she found a patch of ground that looked different, so she called Asteriskes over. He confirmed it looked to have been dug up and filled back in. Improvising by using the Yellow Musk Zombies charred shields, the group was able to dig in the area and found a silver box engraved with the figures of flying dragons. Anaka searched it for traps and found none, it was not locked, so she opened it. Inside was a glittering, golden arrow sitting on a bed of black velvet. The arrow glowed faintly. It appeared to be the work of master craftsmen. Feathers of purple exotic birds served as its fletching and small bits of blue gemstones were embedded in the golden arrrowhead.

I'm Doomed! I Said I'd Take the First Watch and She Immediately Got Out the Monster Manual!

THE FUNNY THINGS:
Ken, Bruce, Katy, & Cathy, when Ken discovered how much damage he had taken in the last run: Well, apparently I'm down 23. - OK, I guess I'll use my 4 points on you then. - Oh, yeah, 'you have a gaping wound, allow me to put a tiny circle band-aid on it!' - Allow me to pour alcohol into it!
Katy, as play began: I'm doomed! I said I'd take the first watch and she immediately got out the Monster Manual!
Cathy and Ken, during combat: You missed. - He sucks!
Ken, when Katy suggested no one in the party besides her was stealthy enough to sneak through a room: Nope, they don't call me Brassclanger for nothing!
Bruce, Ken, and Cathy: Felan will attempt to touch Asteriskes, you aren't going to try to get away are you? - Depends on how you touch me. - Right on your brass clanger! - Hang on a minute! - You want him to hold on!?!
Bruce and Cathy: Admiral Barky holds his action. - With both hands?
Ken, describing Cathy when she got slap-happy after the run was over: She's got random I-don't-know-what disease, that certain je ne sais quois disease.

THE ADVENTURE:
Once the room was secured, the party began their preparations for the night. Asteriskes drank a healing potion and also received additional healing from Felan. Then they set watches. Anaka took the first watch. Felan took the second. Asteriskes rounded out the night, which passed uneventfully. In the morning they talked things over and decided to go in the direction they had not yet been. They exited their sheltered sleeping room and passed the corpse of the dead, bound Drow. They turned to their left and followed the tunnel which branched off to the east.

As they entered this part of the cavern, they realized that the evil Dwarves they'd found were indeed mining or tunneling somewhere in the vast, unending caverns. This particular part seemed to be a staging area for the mining work -- large amounts of picks and digging tools were propped along the northern wall. A bizarre, vaguely frog-like creature with stony skin leaned against that wall -- right next to a tunnel entrance heading northward. The creature was only as tall as a gnome and had multiple arms and legs, its mouth was on the top of its head.

"Greetings, cretins!" The creature said in Common, as it ripped a hunk of iron ore out of the wall and began eating it as one would eat a piece of fruit. "What brings you to this part of the neighborhood?"

"We're just exploring. What are YOU doing here?" Felan replied.

"I've been helping dig the tunnel to Montrill, but all the earthquakes and stuff....not much for me to do right now. I'm just hanging out. Old Cyvorak...gosh...I don't know what he's doing."

When the adventures did not respond, he supplied, "I know these caverns quite well. If you're lost, I can lead you back out of here for, say...200gp."

"We are not trying to leave. We're actually here after Cyvorak." The druid said.

"Oh, I could help you find him! He's always hanging around here somewhere."

"That's going to cost us, isn't it?" Asteriskes put in.

"Well, it would have cost you 200 to get out, it'll cost another 200 to find Cyvorak."

"400!"

"Yeah, finding the way out is easy, Cyvorak's a different matter. He moves around.... You know, I don't know if you ran into that Drow prisoner, but Cyvorak was holding him for ransom. He was trying to get information out of him, something about that sword, that Blood Conciliator that Cyvorak wants. I don't think he really knows what he's doing. I don't think he has any idea what kind of stuff there is around here."

"What do you mean? What kind of "stuff" is around here." Anaka asked.

"Oh, treasure and what not. I think Cyvorak has tunnel vision. All he can think of is getting to Montrill. He kinda wants to know what's in these caverns, but mainly it's all about Montrill." The Xorn replied, casually continuing to munch on bits of metal.

"What's so important about getting to Montrill?"

"He figures once he gets there he can conquer it, but most of his people have been shut out by all these cave-ins. I think he's being foolish. He's nothing more than a cheap thief, but he thinks he's some kind of a ruler just because he's a distant relation to a king from way back when. I'm kinda thirsty...you got anything to drink?"

"Yeah, we have wine." Felan answered.

"Could I have some?"

"Sure." Felan, since he was not wearing any metal armor, proceeded forward and handed the Xorn one of the bottles of wine that they'd taken from the room in which they'd spent the previous night.

The Xorn attacked Felan, hitting for 12.

Admiral Barky attacked Xorn, but missed; Xorn attacked Felan, but missed; Felan took a strategic position and cast Lesser Vigor on himself; Anaka moved and threw a short spear, but missed; Asteriskes moved and drew his bow, shot, and missed.

Admiral Barky attacked Xorn, but missed; Xorn closed with Felan, attacked, hitting for 3; Felan took a strategic position and punched, hitting for 5; Anaka threw another spear, which hit and seemed to stick out of the Xorn's side; Asteriskes closed and drew his sword, but missed.

Admiral Barky attacked and missed; Xorn attacked Felan, hitting for 5; Felan attacked the Xorn, but missed; Anaka threw another spear and missed; Asteriskes swung and missed.

Admiral Barky attacked, hitting for 9; Xorn sank into the floor, provoking Attacks of Opportunity from everyone in melee: Asteriskes missed, Admiral Barky missed, and Felan hit for 2.

After a quick search of the room yielded nothing, and assuming that the retreating Xorn was in the process of alerting others to their presence, the party opted to move on. They quickly headed up the northward tunnel.

They reached an incredibly large cavern with a small side cave located just to the west. A campfire burned brightly in front of the mouth to that cave. Two Dwarves with long, braided gray beards stood near the fire -- one held his hands to the flames, turning them occasionally, while the other rubbed his folded arms and jockeyed himself closer to the blaze's warmth. A dusty pile of folded cloth was on the ground near the grizzled Dwarves.

Admiral Barky charged into the room and attacked the nearest Drow Guard, hitting for 6; Anaka moved into the room, threw a spear and missed; Asteriskes moved into the room and shot the Drow Guard not engaged in combat with Admiral Barky, hitting critically and taking him out; Drow Guard-1, seeing his companion taken out, turned to flee, provoking an Attack of Opportunity from Admiral Barky, who hit for 9 and took him down.

6 old and worn tapestries depicting the dragon Xhitigal in battle. Although no one was certain, everyone thought they were probably valuable. Asteriskes looked over the warhammers, but was not able to determine much about their quality or value. Neither were Felan and Anaka. When they were done looking things over, the adventurers decided to continue north.

A statue of an immense dragon carved from white and red marble sat at the southern end of this cavern. Its massive wings stretched nearly 40 feet from tip to tip, and its mighty forearms reached upward toward the heavens. Kneeling in front of the statue were two armored Dwarves muttering prayers. They reached for their flails as the party approached.

Drow Cleric-1 charged the party and attacked Asteriskes with his flail, hitting for 6; Drow Cleric-2 charged and attacked Anaka, but missed; Admiral Barky moved to a flanking position and attacked Drow Cleric-1, hitting for 10 and taking him down; Felan cast Lesser Vigor on Asteriskes; Anaka attacked Drow Cleric-2 with her dagger, hitting for 6; Asteriskes attacked Drow Cleric-2, hitting for 16 points and taking him out.

Anaka went to search the statue. It was very old, well-crafted. Engraved on the base was "Xhitigal - Demigod." A beautiful piece of marblework, but nothing more. After checking the rest of the room and finding nothing, the group retraced their steps up the entry tunnel and resume their northward trek.

Clouds of crushed rock and the furious sounds of shattering stone greeted them as they entered the area. In the northeast corner of the cavern were piles of rubble on either side of a rickety, wooden platform with huge wooden wheels. The platform was approximately 18 feet high. A gleaming cavalcade of gears and levers sat atop the platform. There was also a long, sharp metallic drill bit, which appeared to be well over 5 feet in diameter and 20 feet long. The turning drill bit ripped into the eastern wall of the cavern with a roaring sound. Bits of rock and ore sprayed out onto the floor. The drill suddenly slowed and stopped and a Dwarven warrior, covered in sweat and wearing dusty gauntlets, climbed out of the maze of gears and levers to glower down at the adventurers

Felan quickly asked, "Do you know where Cyvorak is?"

After pulling his crossbow out of hiding the Duregar replied, "Wouldn't you like to know?" before shooting at the druid and missing.

Anaka threw a dagger, hitting the Duregar for 6; Duregar attacked Felan, but missed; Admiral Barky held his action, growling in his throat as he stayed by Felan's feet; Asteriskes targeted the Duregar with his bow, but missed; Felan drew his sling and attacked the Duregar, but missed.

Anaka got into her haversack and retrieved one of the flasks of oil she'd filched from the supply cavern yesterday, she then began fitting it out with a wick; Duregar the mining platform to search the body. When she finished searching him, and pocketing the trail rations he'd set aside for his lunch, Anaka turned her attention to the mining platform and disabled the drill.

Asteriskes realized that the drilling was to enlarge a tunnel. The old tunnel had been blocked by a cave-in and the Dwarves were at work creating a new, alternate tunnel. With their searches done, the adventurers headed westward, out of the cavern.

They were back in the huge cavern with the pounding waterfall. This time, however, they were at ground level instead of looking down from one of the ledges above. As they looked over the room from their new vantage point they saw that there were crossbow quarrels sticking out of the cliff face. Felan saw that a Derro was lying atop the ledge with a crossbow trained on the entrance whence they had come. The druid alerted his companions, sotto voce. They continued to scope out the chamber and the walkway, discussing their options in hushed voices.

Carefully, the group began to make their way across the walkway. They had barely begun when a bolt whizzed out of the air, striking the ground near Admiral Barky. They continued to traverse the walkway. When they were slightly more than halfway across, another bolt shot out, this time hitting Asteriskes, who Saved versus the poison on the bolt's tip.

Admiral Barky continued along the path, going through the waterfall, and reached the door first of the party. Felan took a strategic position, drew his sling, and targeted the Derro on the ledge, but missed. Anaka followed Admiral Barky and reached the door. Asteriskes caught up to Felan. Derro shot at Felan, but missed.

The Derro continued to target Felan, but missed. Anaka searched the door for traps and picked the lock, then she opened the door. Admiral Barky waited for Felan to catch up. Asteriskes, having received the vial of anti-toxin that Felan handed him, continued down the path and reached the door. Felan joined them in the doorway and cast Heal on Asteriskes.

As the Derro swore behind them, the adventurers stepped into the room.

As they made their way past the torrents of water tumbling from the waterfall they eventually found themselves in a large, circular room about 60 feet in diameter. The room was apparently carved from the natural stone walls and featured three large stone doors -- each leading northward. The walls of the room were covered with images of red dragons.