Before the adventurers made their way back to us in Orlane enjoy the warm comradery of our inns, they attended to their own various needs in Hochoch:
Tatania chose to train train for a week with the mage Merlin. He has a reputation as being somewhat of a character and a strange nickname (The Pink Panther), based on his penchant for dressing in robes of pink, rose, and white. Under his tutelage, Tatania learned the spell fireball. This is a powerful and dangerous spell that I believe Tatania will use to great effect in battle. She also took some time to identify the properties of Armatzi's cursed armor.
Armatzi, in turn, paid 1,000 gold pieces in atonement to the Temple of St. Cuthbert to cleanse said cursed armor. He also paid off some debt he owed to the party. This sales trip has really lined some pockets and allowed many party members to pay back loans and deposit large sums in their vaults. Gnorcia used some of her treasure to, yes pay off debts, but also order a custom nickel-plated staff. Sergius noted that there were several stylish dwarves in town and not wanting to look like a hayseed, styled his beard (which grew back bushier after dwarven magic oil) with braided silk ribbons. Such a winsome look!
The trek back to Orlane was quite chilly over two short winter days. The party was surprised and glad to be met with Veyda and Jack, returned from their two-week healing stay with the fire maple druids. While Jack's paw had been fully restored, he did not regain the ability to speak Common. A strong bond seems to have formed between Veyda and Jack. When the party decided to head out for the barrow maze, Veyda opted to stay behind with Jack curled on by the fire.
The adventurers have the stated mission to retrace their steps to the battle against the beholder in order to search the area more completely. They entered the barrow maze with this goal in mind. After traversing the obsidian-walled 'psychedelic hallway of doom', Gnorcia inspected a mysterious door and found a gas valve trap. She was able to disarm the trap and unlock the door. What a helpful little theif! Inside, a large, dormant, insect-like creature with a beak, two fern-like antennae, and a blade-like tail sprung to life. As Sergius rushed forward, Gnorcia tackled his legs to prevent him from entering party missile fire. Arnd threw his warhammer while Kyro and Feno unleashed arrows at point-blank range. The creature squealed and collapsed. Arnd crushed its head to ensure death. Gnorcia harvested its 24-inch antennae (stored in an iron box) and bottled its dull red blood/ooze in a glass vial.
While searching the trapezoidal burial alcoves, Sergius fell asleep on guard duty, allowing two ravenous dead to ambush Armatzi and Sergius. Sergius sustained a nasty slice from filthy claws before waking. Armatzi channeled his holy symbol, successfully turning the undead and caused them to flee. In the ensuing melee, Armatzi struck with his mace, Sergius crushed a zombie with his specialized axe, Feno slashed out with Icing Death, Arnd loosed an arrow, Kyro slew one with Dynasty, and Gnorcia executed a devastating backstab to finish off the last.
Further down the corridor, the party pushed open a door that was ajar into another alcove chamber and discovered a runic tablet lying on the floor. Sergius bravely inspected and read the tablet. It was revealed to be a magic spell scroll containing the 3rd-level cleric spell Continual Darkness, which was transferred to the party cleric for future use.
While searching the chamber, a chilling, diabolical voice cackled echoing through the stone walls: “Foolish Saviors of Orlane. You should never have come back.” Despite the ominous threat, the party systematically cleared the burial alcoves before concluding the expedition for the day. A nearly flawless adventuring expedition that does old Vilma's heart proud!
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