Journal of Arcadius

Stranger Allies

We escaped the cavern of the mist as Steinbjorn's wall of force dissipated, and the mist advanced again. However, before this, another of the strange blue-skinned beings appeared. Apparently he is named Rannsdal and is a friend or ally of Rann, who seeks to free her from her control by the Aboleths.

From there, we retreated to the room of the ladder, blockaded the door behind us, ascended from the lowest to the second lowest level, and took time to rest. Alas, the mist crept through, though slowly. The being Rannsdal was able to use his magic to halt its advance. Sztuczka, Walter-Tupper, and myself, having been awake for more than 24 hours, were allowed to sleep through the night while others took watch. At some point, the mysterious snake-man departed via his magic, without our watchers noticing. Strange are the ways of fate.

After our rest, we explored the second lowest level and found a prison hallway. There, we encountered many strange beings - including an invisible thing that claimed it was not there, an Ilithid, a sentient giant tiger, and another snake-man, this one by far more snake than man. It seems he is indeed of the folk told in tales by my people, though he said that the cities in the southern jungles are but outposts of is kind.

I must note that this snake-man radiates evil, and in other times he and I would likely meet as foes. However, and may Pelor judge me if I am wrong, it is my view that he is a foe of the great foe, the Aboleth, and thus is for now at least an ally. He is in service to the gods of his folk, bearing their symbols, and wields their power. I hope to have learned from past lessons that help may come in many strange forms, and we should not be so quick to fight and slay without reason.

We discovered an alchemical lab and what appeared to be a young elf-woman of broken mind and spirit, trapped in a cage. The snake-man examined her and used his magic to calm her, but he warned that she was not exactly what she seemed. Still, we have freed her from the torment of her captivity and that is a good thing, I pray. May the gods illuminate this darkness!

We also found yet one more of the blue-skinned ones, who seem likely to come from another plane of existence. This one, a woman, is mad or cursed in the manner of Rann, and has had the hideous misfortune to have been sent to the Far Realms, losing perhaps her mind in the process. Yet still, she seems at least to have no love for her Aboleth captors.

So thus, in a few minutes, we have released three strange beings from imprisonment, whom we hope will be inclined to help, or at least not hinder, that which must be done. May we have done the right thing!

We still have the Seneschal prisoner, though this is growing more difficult to sustain, since the others have done little more than knock her unconscious again through violent force.

Steinbjorn and the blue-skinned woman have conceived an idea to send the Aboleth in charge of this place to the Far Realms. It would be a just and fitting fate, if it can be done, considering it has sent so many unwilling victims in its place. However, we must move quickly, as time is passing and our foes are not idle.

*A*