The Night Before

Leaving the Western Bridge Complex, the adventurers row towards the Air Bridge. Verilia, still a little shaken up from the encounter with the unseen assailant, only identified as D’Gran, notices Virith scribbling on a piece of parchment. “What’s that, Virith? Writing a journal?”

“Huh? Uh, no, of course not. Why would I keep a journal?” Virith stuffs the parchment underneath her chain shirt.

Halfway to the next bridge, the group hears a buzzing sound, emanating from the center island. Virith suggests not attacking except in defense, as it would alert the Outer Fane to trouble. As they continue to row, a huge wasp buzzes into view high above the Stalagos. Strangely, the wasp has a rider, obviously a female due to the bulging breast plate. The spider eater and rider hover over the party for about five minutes before dropping lower and calling out. “What are you about?”

Kale answers, “We are from the Fire Temple. What’s it to you?”

They receive no additional response, however. Apparently, the challenge is an appropriate response as the strange guard watches for a few more minutes and then flies back behind one of the blue towers. Virith points out that there are many more like that and they fill all eight towers. In addition to the spider eaters and riders, the towers also have sorcerer commanders and the ability to toss bolts of lightning from the structures themselves, if not just from the sorcerers’ spells.

The group is relieved once they reach the Northern Bridge Complex, a home away from home. Lenny the Cook has been extremely busy in their absence. For one thing, he has fed most of the athach to the chimera. Moreover, he has figured out the locking mechanism and can totally enclose the chimera, allowing safe passage into the bridge complex from the bridge itself. Also, he has painstakingly cut off pieces of the gelatinous cube and had Summer drag them into the crater lake, so the majority of the complex itself is now clear of monster remains.

While Lenny prepares the group an early dinner, he tells them about a failed kuo-toan attack, foiled by the chimera and Summer. A few kuo-toas attempted to gain entry to the complex via the bridge access. The chimera discouraged most of them, and the two that penetrated met a dismal fate at the claws and teeth of Verilia’s animal companion. An additional force must have attempted to approach from the north entrance, but after the sound of battle no forces were encountered. Sylvan surmised that the group met a similar fate against the dire ape.

Sylvan thinks about it for a minute and then comments, “Perhaps we should eliminate that ape once and for all.”

Verilia responds, “Why? The ape isn’t hurting anyone if we just leave it alone.”

“It’s too dangerous to keep that thing around. Without you keeping it at bay, who knows what it might do.”

Kale says, “I agree that it is dangerous to keep around, but with the impending battle with the Water Temple, I suggest we leave it alone for now.”

The others grudgingly agree. Watch order is assigned and the group beds down for the night. The salamanders and mephits settle in the southern guard room, while Virith stays with the group in the main mess hall. The night is surprisingly peaceful and in the morning, they ready spells, sharpen weapons and oil their armor, and pray to their gods.

Lenny remains behind, locking himself up in the kitchen of the complex. The cook promises to have lunch ready by noon. Shangor downs a full mug of Lenny’s finest ale, belching loudly to show his approval of the drink. “Aye, lad, that’s a fine mug o’ ale, ye brew.”

Aldoroc smirks slyly, and jokes, “Hey, Shangor. An elf, a human, and a dwarf walk into a bar and order drinks. The elf notices a fly in his wine and says, ‘Bartender, please pour me another glass of wine, this drink is befouled.’ The human also notices a fly in his beer, so he flicks it out with his finger and drinks the beer anyway. The dwarf notices a fly in his ale, picks it up by the wings, and shouts, ‘Spit it out! Spit it out!’”

Verilia almost spews her morning milk out of her nose, laughing nearly uncontrollably. Shangor growls at Aldoroc, and then grins. “Aye, lad, that’s a good one.”

Laughter is the best form of medicine. Particularly when you plan to go beat someone’s brains out.

The Approach

The group finally gears up, gathers up the Fire Temple outsiders, and heads down the northeastern passage to attack the Water Temple. Their trip is interrupted, however, by a single human guardsman. He sits in a chair just west of the pool, accompanied by a table with a lantern and cup of ale. His weapons lean against the chair as he sits cross-legged, fearlessly watching the group approach.

The guard introduces himself, “Welcome to the Water Temple. My name is Randy.”

Aldoroc, his battleaxe already in hand, considers just decapitating the fool, but holds his weapon in check. Sylvan instead replies, “Step aside, imbecile.”

Amazingly, the guard takes a sip of his ale. Undaunted by the powerful force arrayed in front of him, he says, “No, I don’t think so. You come to attack the Water Temple, but it is a foolish and dangerous mission. Even with those flaming lizards you cannot hope to defeat unholy Kelashein.”

Verilia says, “We killed Tessimon. Kelashein will be easy. Now get out of the way, or die yourself.”

Randy says, “Easy, there, halfling, what’s the rush?” He sips again and crosses his legs the other way. “The Great Mistress offers another deal. Join us in an attack on the Air Temple. Together we can defeat Fachish. The treasures of the South Gate can be yours.”

Almost as one, the adventurers scoff at the suggestion. Shangor says, “Aye, so ye kin double cross us again? No, lad, now ye better step aside before ye git run through.”

Once again, Randy rejects the offer. The guard puts down his cup and stands up, crossing his arms and blocking the way. Sylvan merely points at the guard and says, “Virith, kill him.” Virith walks up to the guard and, in one quick motion, draws her flaming shortsword and stabs him in the chest. The guard looks down at the sword in puzzlement. “Kelashein promised me….”

Virith loots the body and the attack force continues forward.

As expected, the rowboats are missing. Fortunately, they brought the rowboats that were taken from the Water Bridge. Once across the pool, without looking down into the water, they decide to attack the main temple area, assuming that the forces have been alerted and are already awaiting the battle.

They cautiously march into the large chamber with the huge statue. The group splits up, with half going around the left and the other half around the right, towards the chamber with the pungent, sweet and sour aroma. Suddenly, troop movement sounds from behind, scuffling boots, drawn weapons, armor clanking, and a throaty, bubbling growl. Sylvan, at the rear of the party, turns to see a horrible monster, the face of which he will remember to his dying day. The sea hag has a particularly vile appearance and growls as she moves up to Kale. She fixes him with her gaze and the archer is overcome by the evil eye and falls to the stone floor, dead.

“Look at me, mortals! Behold Gouquog’s Eye of Doom!” The sea hag cackles maniacally. Behind her troop a number of human guards and some amphibious monsters that Sylvan later identifies as skum. It is obvious that all of the other defenders are not looking at the sea hag.

Stunned at the death of their friend, Aldoroc and Shangor move into position to defend Sylvan. Aldoroc’s battleaxe takes a huge chunk out of the sea hag fighter. Sylvan drops an Evard’s black tentacles behind the combatants, snaring all of the guards and skum. One of the skum escapes before getting pummeled unconscious, and flees back into the pool area.

Meanwhile, Verilia investigates the seaweed curtain separating the smelly room from the larger chamber. Behind the curtain, a large half-fiend kuo-toa sits on a clamshell stool, smoking a hookah. His eyes gleam red, and not just from his demonic heritage. Puffing out a cloud of heady smoke towards the halfling, he mutters roughly, “Want a hit?”

Verilia is surprised and unsure what to do. Action is taken from her, however, as one of the two mephits follows her into the room and casts scorching ray on the kuo-toan demon. Verilia does not want to tangle with the large creature and leaves the mephit to the battle. The two salamanders come over to help as well, and it is quickly evident that despite the size of the fish-fiend, it is no match in melee combat against the salamanders. The fire creatures quickly tear Oomkaan apart.

Gouquog drops quickly from repeated attacks by Aldoroc and Shangor. Aramil keeps an eye out in the northern passage that disappears into darkness. Aldoroc and Virith position themselves in the entrance to the Water Temple, standing ankle deep in the briny water. Suddenly, a large skum emerges from the water and attacks Aldoroc, ripping through his chain shirt with razor sharp claws. Virith and Aldoroc fight the beast while the others prepare spells.

Aramil spots movement in the northern passage as an armored kuo-toa attempts to poke a spear into his kidney. Fortunately, his good eye sight foils the attack and the spear bounces harmlessly off the dragon disciple’s shield spell. In return, he claws and bites the rogue and then sends magic missiles at her. Shangor, Verilia, and the fire mephits also join the attack. She grunts in pain and attempts to retreat down the passage, only to be killed by Sylvan’s continued barrage of magic missiles.

The skum tears chunks out of Aldoroc, but is eventually killed by the warriors. Two more emerge from the water, one after another, but their attacks are ineffectual and they are easily slaughtered by Aldoroc and Virith. During the fight Aramil tries fireball and notices that the fire has little effect on the enemies. Both Aldoroc and Virith are badly hurt, so Shangor heals the human while the Fire Temple worshipper quaffs a potion of cure light wounds.

Before the group can resume the assault, they hear a voice resound from the northern passage. It is deep and reptilian, sounding like a hiss. “Do not proceed any further. I offer you sanctuary.” The echoes reverberate down the corridor.

The party thinks about the offer, but considers it a trap and do not even respond. Instead, Shangor casts water walk on most of the group, including the salamanders and Summer. Sylvan casts fly on Aldoroc. Kale is dragged out of sight into the corner. And everyone advances onto the water, or flies above it, to engage the remaining Water Temple forces in battle. As the large temple cavern comes into view, the tiger Summer is out in front, crouching, ready to spring. The others are behind her, ready for battle, with the dragon disciple Aramil near the back, hiding from view. Indeed, the Water Temple had better beware of the crouching tiger and hidden dragon.

The Battle

Before the attackers get very far, they see the platform in the middle of the Water Temple cavern. On the platform are the high priestess, two kuo-toa, and Urlurg, though the monitor looks different somehow. His face is not symmetrical anymore, one eye droops lower. His teeth are sharper and protrude more from his misshapen face. His back is somewhat hunched, but the deformity does not seem to detract from his agility. While the high priestess talks, the monitor absently scratches his arm, drawing blood, only to have it heal back up again almost immediately.

Kelashein gestures grandly at her surroundings and calls out loudly to the attackers. Her voice is no longer rasping, or hissing, like it was when they first made the deal in the throne room. She speaks quite clearly and well. “Congratulations on your success against Tessimon. I’d give you a kiss, but you have other…intentions.”

Verilia says, “Are you ready to meet the same fate as Tessimon, bitch?”

“Please, let’s not dive right into hostilities here. Surely, we can strike a bargain? I have no desire to kill you all. You would be more useful to me as allies than as dead enemies.”

Sylvan responds, “You don’t seriously expect us to believe you mean us well? You’re only stalling so as to spare your own life.”

The High Priestess glares incredulously at the interlopers. “How dare you!? How dare you! You think to come here, into my Temple, and threaten me?!” Kelashein looks positively outraged. Spittle flies out of her mouth as she grips the ceremonial altar knife by the blade. Blood streams down the edge and onto the handle, but she pays it no attention, obviously familiar with pain. “I kill your like for sport! I eat the hearts of do-gooders as a daily ritual! The mighty Olhydra will strike you down for your insolence!”

Shangor shrugs away her comments and says, “Aye, lass. Bring on yer elemental whore and let’s git this show on the road.”

Virith pulls out a piece of parchment and a small red and yellow feather. She mutters a word to the feather, which turns into a small sparrow, grabs the parchment, and takes off out of the chamber towards the other side of the crater.

Verilia rides Summer into the large cavern, but a huge water elemental strikes out from beneath the surface as the mounted druid passes by. A liquid arm slams into the tigress with a jarring blow, and Verilia is unable to pull her mount out of harm’s way, though just barely. Although her companions see the attack, they do not hear it. The elemental floats within an area of silence! Unfortunately for the druid, it stays near her and keeps attacking Summer, damaging the animal badly. Verilia leaps off the tigress, walking across the water. The elemental strikes her as she moves away, but Sylvan is able to lift the tiger to the ceiling and out of harm’s way with a levitate spell. Once out of the silenced area, the druid blasts the elemental with a flame strike, calling upon the divine power of Obad-Hai. As with the skum, protection surrounds the water creature and it is only slightly injured by the divine energy.

Aldoroc moves all the way to the big platform and confronts the kuo-toa and the corrupted monitor. Protecting the entrance to the cavern, the water elemental slams the human as his travels past. Shangor casts control water, but the elemental resists the spell. Verilia starts summoning an air elemental to aid the fight, but the temple protector interrupts her casting and her spell is ruined. Following that failure, she casts call lightning and drops a bolt on the High Priestess, bypassing her sanctuary. However, Kelashein grins, totally ignoring the blast. Thanks to the intelligence gathered by Nilbool, she has spell immunity prepared against the called lightning.

The dwarven cleric casts righteous might. To get past the water elemental, Sylvan casts dimension door and brings Shangor to the platform. The elf and dwarf appear beside the crouching high priestess. Shangor immediately batters Kelashein with his holy warhammer. Meanwhile, Aldoroc battles Urlurg, with neither gaining an advantage as the other kuo-toas on the platform flank the human. Nilbool finally makes an appearance by becoming visible near the ceiling by the cave entrance and casts magic missile on Aldoroc.

The huge water elemental moves around the platform with great speed, easily reaching the other side and ferociously attacks the large dwarf, pummeling his helm into his skull. Indeed, if not for the additional health from the righteous might, Shangor could not have survived the attack. He steps away and calls upon the healing power of Moradin to fix his pounding head and alleviate the severe concussion.

Virith and the salamanders engage a number of additional kuo-toa, holding their own, until one of the fish men manages to stab the elf through the neck with its spear. Aramil polymorphs into a gold dragon and flies to the platform, leaving the Fire Temple forces to their work. The two mephits fly around the side of the platform to help Aldoroc against the kuo-toas there, who return the favor by tossing javelins. After a few volleys, the mephits have had enough and flee the chamber out into the Stalagos, staying close to the outer rim so as to avoid potential lightning bolts.

Sylvan drops another area of black tentacles all over the platform, snaring Kelashein and the remaining kuo-toa guards, but not the monitor. Aldoroc flies up to Nilbool, thinking him an easy target. After all, what wizard can handle a powerful fighter in one-on-one hand-to-hand combat? Alas, a fully prepared and protected wizard can. Aldoroc’s first attack, one he thought would connect with Nilbool’s head, actually misses. The displacement effect on the kuo-toa causes the fighter to totally misjudge his strike. Nilbool counters with a lightning bolt right to the fighter’s face, who is so surprised he fails to move out of the way.

Aramil helps out his companion by dispelling some of Nilbool’s protections, but not the mirror images. Verilia also helps by placing a faerie fire on the wizard so that he cannot disappear again. Aldoroc presses the attack, however, striking a mirror image or otherwise missing. Aldoroc’s haste is eliminated from him when the wizard uses a wand of slow. As Nilbool’s images disappear and the occasional attack from Aldoroc actually hits, the kuo-toa casts obscuring mist to further protect himself and allow an escape path. Aldoroc takes a couple more swings, but when it is apparent that Nilbool has left the area, he flies out of the cloud to help the others on the platform.

With the tentacles in effect, the High Priestess provides little resistance. An earlier dispel magic on her by Sylvan removed many of her protections, most importantly the freedom of movement. Kelashein screams out, “You can’t do this to me! The Elder Elemental Eye will not allow such violations!” Blood runs out of her nose as a tentacle bashes her in the face. Another tentacle wraps around her neck and squeezes the remaining life out of her body.

The water elemental moves back into the entrance area to fight with the remaining Fire Temple forces. It is a quick operation to kill the salamanders and get back into the fight on the platform. Shangor casts flame strike on the elemental and monitor, affecting neither greatly, and then moves to engage the kuo-toan monk and finds the fight not as easy as he would have thought, remembering the dismal performance the monk had against the salamanders in the original attack on the Fire Temple. Whatever happened to Urlurg since that battle has greatly improved his abilities. Shangor gets sandwiched between the monk and the elemental and once again has to retreat to avoid getting killed.

Summer still floats near the ceiling, where Sylvan had last left her. The elven wizard does not have the time to levitate her down to the water. Indeed, she is so badly injured that she could not survive another hit. All of the Fire Temple forces are dead or gone. Kale was killed very early in the battle by the gaze attack from the sea hag. All of the kuo-toa fighters and the normal kuo-toas are dead. Only Urlurg, Nilbool, and the water elemental are alive, though the wizard is not visible at the moment. The remaining heroes are on the platform fighting the elemental, Urlurg or looking for the wizard. All four spellcasters are nearly out of spells.

Aramil dispels the obscuring mist, but Nilbool is not there. He’s not invisible, either, unless he managed to remove the faerie fire. Finally, Nilbool appears on the platform near the dragon disciple and casts a spell. He opens his mouth, exposing sharpened teeth, and spits his tongue at Aramil. The tongue tendril hits Aramil’s leg, lashing it to the altar. Aramil grimaces in disgust at the revolting object holding him to the altar.

Nilbool then speaks to the group, “Hold! I offer truce! There is no need to continue this bloodshed. You cannot hope to win against us.”

There is more than a little bit of truth to his statement, as evidenced by the elemental chasing Aldoroc and Shangor around the platform. The monitor continues to attack as well, every few seconds healing more and more of his previous injuries.

Unfortunately for Nilbool, however, the tide turns very quickly. Instead of giving up, Sylvan tries a desperate gamble, unwilling to negotiate further with the hated Temple of All Consumption. It is either win or die trying as he throws a bead of force at the water elemental. Amazingly, Sylvan traps it with the force of the item. Aramil frees himself from the tongue tendril and casts magic missile at Nilbool, but fails to injure him due to the shield. Apparently, that is one spell that did not get dispelled. The kuo-toan wizard is not so lucky against Shangor and Aldoroc, however, who manage to finally kill him. Verilia injures the monitor with her scimitar, but the monk evaluates the situation and decides to flee instead of return the attack. He withdraws from combat and swims away to the east, out of sight.

With combat effectively over, the heroes quickly loot the bodies, pulling them out of the water and onto the platform as necessary. The water elemental remains trapped within the force bubble. No one’s interested in exploring the pools, and talk ensues on how to destroy the platform. The elemental futilely pounds on his prison, and the monitor awaits in the eastern chamber for pursuit, healing his injuries.