In The Land Down Under (Session 77)

Summary

Detail

The party assessed their condition, noting that Kipp was deceased and in the bag of holding. After discussing their need for a resurrection scroll, the group decided to move south, with Brandy taking the lead. They approached a ruined rope bridge over a fast-moving stream. As Brandy was crossing the bridge, a large, ape-like demonic creature—a Bar-Lugra—dropped from the ceiling to attack. The creature struck Brandy for six points of damage and attempted to knock her into the water. Pyreece attempted to turn the creature, but the prayer had no effect. The beast eventually succeeded in knocking Brandy off the bridge, and she fell into the current.

Audra immediately jumped from the ledge after her, using her Boots of Levitation to slow her descent and allow her to catch the damp halfling as she was being swept downstream. Audra lifted them out of the water but the momentum from the jump carried the two further downstream and to the far wall before they could grab the rock and stop their movement away from the battle.

Eleanor cast a Slow spell on the Bar-Lugra, but the creature resisted the magic. Pyreece and Oglesby stood toe to toe with the creature, keeping it on the bridge. The demon attacked Pyreece for seven points of damage before Eleanor cast a Wall of Fire across the bridge. The intense heat burned the creature from the back and Pyreece finally manage to hit it.

Audra and Brandy had reached the far shore and ran back to the fight from the far side of the bridge. Brandy, having reached a ledge, fired a final arrow for fifteen points of damage, killing the demon. At the same time, the fiery wall burned through the ropes supporting the bridge, causing it to collapse. The creature died just as the ropes holding the bridge snapped. Both the bridge and monster fell into the water.

Audra collected the rest of the party to the same side of the bridge and they traveled further into the massive tunnels, which were illuminated by bioluminescent fungi. They checked a northern path only to be blocked by water. The eastern path was a dead-end. Brandy and Oglesby scouted the southern passage. Brandy's infra-vision detected a heat signature from a large rock. They tried to avoid it moving west instead. Audra moved to into the hallway leading south with her Continual Light Stone when a loud voice shouted, "What the F*&# is that!". About that time, a shredded version of the monster they had just killed slammed into the wall next to her. A Hill Giant named TimWaltz charged her. During the fight, he whistled as if calling for reinforcements. The rock that had exhibited a heat signature turned out to be a Rhinoceros Beetle named MayorFrey.

Pyreece charged the giant, striking it. The Rhinoceros Beetle focused his attack on Eleanor, pinning her in its mandibles. Eleanor had turned Oglesby invisible. Utilizing his invisibility, he moved behind the beetle and delivered a vicious backstab for eighteen points of damage. Brandy loosed three arrows, killing the beetle and freeing Eleanor who had succumbed to her injuries. Pyreece bandaged her and gave her healing through the last of her spells. The party recovered an ivory necklace worth 500 gold pieces and a giant weasel-hide belt worth 375 gold pieces from the remains.

Continuing west, they discovered a waterfall and a large pool containing several water-rotted bodies. This must be where the Hill Giant fished out the Bar-Lugra. They crossed a natural stone bridge and continued west. They came upon a southern passage There was an area of sludge and beyond was a pool of water. As they moved around the sludge and as Brandy reached the water, she was attacked by a Crystal Ooze.

Audra, Eleanore, and Pyreece were ambushed by three Ochre Jelly. The Crystal Ooze struck Brandy, though she successfully saved against its poison. Eleanor destroyed the two of the Jelly's and the Crystal Ooze with multiple Magic Missile spells while the rest of the group killed the last Ochre Jelly.

Exhausted and out of healing magic, the party retreated to the area just this side of the natural stone bridge. Eleanor cast Leomund’s Tiny Hut, providing a secure dome where they rested for ten hours. Following their rest, Pyreece used her clerical magic to apply some healing to Eleanor and Brandy.

The group continued searching until they reached an underground stream about five feet deep. Audra used her Boots of Levitation to float over the water and pull herself along the cavern walls for a quarter mile to scout the western path, It led nowhere, just continued on. She returned and levitated the easter direction. She discovered several hallways but they all seemed to go off into the distance. With no obvious sign as to which path to take, she returned to the others.

The session ended here. They were tired from the fighting and upset at there friend's death. They contemplated their options as the screen faded to black.

Please start the recorder!

Exp: 3246 + 325 = 3571