Patience grabs the loot
Session 30 June 2024
Jaf’ar announces that he can prepare a spell to restore Morph from stone to flesh. We drag Morph’s petrified form closer, and someone conjures a tiny hut for us to rest in. Farryn focuses on his ring, while Jaf’ar meticulously writes the spell. I’m completely drained, sitting in a corner, feeling a bit downhearted that no one seems to notice how badly I’m doing.
From the corner of my eye, I see Farryn’s gaze shift to the room where the animated heads are kept. The eye of the Mad Mage is floating around, scrutinizing our tiny hut. Farryn attempts to dispel the magic of the eye, and it vanishes. He then turns to me, asking how I’m managing with my tick.
Farryn suggests the stone I’m carrying might be cursed, causing my tick. I remove the stone, but the tick persists, so I put it back on. We remain uncertain of its source.
Jaf’ar gathers us around Morph, instructing us to stand in a circle and hum “MMM.” Our first attempt is disjointed, mostly due to my and Farryn’s fatigue. We try again, but my exhaustion prevents me from focusing properly.
Despite our imperfect efforts, Jaf’ar’s spell works. Morph, still in Halaster’s form, is restored to flesh and emerges from petrification. Farryn high-fives him, welcoming him back. Morph is initially deaf, and Jaf’ar checks him over to ensure he’s alright.
Morph sees me, and I watch as he transforms back into his original form, then collapses from exhaustion, just like me. Jaf’ar hands Morph a piece of parchment filled with runes and scribbles. Morph looks puzzled, and so do we. It’s in a language none of us understand. The writing appears dark and cryptic.
Jaf’ar doesn’t have an explanation for the mysterious script and rolls it up, tucking it away. It’s clear he has theories about it, but decides to discuss them later.
Morph adjusts to hearing Patience’s voice in his head, though it’s clear he finds it disconcerting. Meanwhile, Farryn offers me a ride on Grond, recognizing my weakened state. I accept, grateful for the support. Farryn then designates Patience as our leader and scout, his way of making up for Patience’s earlier absence.
Suddenly, the ominous sound of helmed horrors reaches us. “Shit,” I mutter under my breath. Patience casts Hunger of Hadar, shrouding the area in darkness and otherworldly whispers. I conserve my energy, waiting for a clear shot. As soon as one of the horrors emerges from the cloud, I take it down with three precise arrows.
Everyone starts moving swiftly away from the horrors. I cast Zephyr’s Strike, feeling the wind bolster my speed as I dart past the enemies. My arrows fly true, cutting down any horrors in my path. But then, an obsessive urge to tap the stone on my head halts me momentarily. I shake it off and see Farryn cornered. “I got you covered, Farryn! Now run!” I shout, and with a few more well-placed shots, the helmed horrors are defeated.
Morph sends Biro ahead to scout and open a door, revealing a room filled with statues of purple worms and a tantalizing pile of loot. Farryn, ever cautious, investigates the statues and walls but avoids the pile, suspecting a trap. He asks if anyone can retrieve some treasure without touching it. Patience tries with a mage hand, but it hits a magical barrier.
Farryn examines the loot behind the barrier. “Nice stuff here,” he comments, eyes gleaming. Patience offers to store any loot they can safely collect in his bags. Meanwhile, Morph sends Biro further ahead, and we hear lightning crackling and see flashes from the next room.
Jaf’ar speculates that the barrier might be a wall of force. He then leads me through the lightning room, having deciphered a safe pattern to avoid the deadly arcs. His manifest mind aids in scouting ahead.
We reach a junction with three possible paths: north, south, and west. Jaf’ar takes the lead, deciding our next move. Despite my exhaustion, I steel myself for whatever lies ahead, determined to push through with my friends.
A sudden crash echoes from the room we just left, followed by Patience’s shout. Jaf’ar grabs me, and with a quick incantation, we dimension door back. I barely have a moment to take in the scene: Farryn is completely surrounded by eight invisible stalkers. Jaf’ar can’t see them, but I can. I let loose three shots, and one stalker disappears.
Grond is struck and collapses. Biro moves forward, clawing at invisible foes. Farryn looks furious, his frustration palpable. I see him invoke the Hand of Glory; swords rain down in an impressive burst, taking out two more stalkers.
Jaf’ar launches a lightning bomb, felling two more. I advance, spotting the remaining three stalkers. My arrows find their marks, and two more drop. Morph steps past Farryn, casting healing word on Patience, then swings blindly at the air, managing to hit a stalker. The wind they bring fades; the stalkers are gone.
The stalkers had been in the dome, and Patience’s actions broke it, releasing them. Patience collects the loot, while Farryn works to repair Grond. I approach the pile of treasure, my hair still frizzy and smoking from the lightning pillars in the hallway.
Farryn examines the items we’ve found. His keen eyes and arcane knowledge come in handy, and he begins identifying their properties.
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