Journal of Arcadius - Day 150 - 2

Help From Lord Pelor

After the disasters of the fight against the Carrion Crawlers and the strange rust-creating monsters, we thought it best to return to the room of the positive energy pool. There was a creature of the positive energy plane there, a sort of floating sphere with tentacles of energy. It made no moves to attack, but simply floated serenely. Grungar continued to be very apologetic, but was also whimpering and acting strangely jumpy, as if he'd seen a ghost.

May Lord Pelor grant me patience. In my country, someone who broke ranks in battle, let alone one who then cowered in fear afterward, leaving a comrade to die, would have been punished severely. Pelor calls for mercy and forgiveness, and so I shall try.

Though healed, we were still low on magic. However, we decided to investigate the chambers behind the iron grating. Jacob used his magic to carry myself, Grungar, and Stuzchka through. Unfortunately, as the grate and apparently the halls beyond are of cold iron, and Jacob is of Fey heritage, he then lost his powers. The Mute was able to come through without incident using his own powers, but this left Fflam stuck on the other side of the grate.

Jacob seemed glum.

Those of us who are strong tried, together, to lift the grate, but failed miserably. Giving up we left Fflam on watch, and went exploring. We found an Iron Golem in a niche along the hallway. By some stroke of luck or fate, we avoided activating it. We also found iron double doors at the end of the hallway and a t-intersection much like that in the crystal chambers.

On one side was a room with five engraved pillars with holes in them, scenes of squid creatures fighting fire creatures, a lever, and a grating trapping a strange earth creature in a cell. On the other was a room with a fire pit and five iron spikes engraved with designs that matched those on the pillars.

We quickly agreed that the spikes were meant to be put in the holes in the pillars, probably as a means of releasing one or other of the grates. We each took one, Jacob wrapping his in cloth, and inserted them simultaneously into the pillars. The grate that opened was that trapping the earth creature. It had three legs, multiple arms, and a mouth pointing straight up. Very bizarre. However it was not apparently hostile.

The Mute was, by trial and error, able to communicate with it using written Abyssal. We offered to help it escape, and it in turn instructed us on the means of escape for ourselves. The spikes had to be removed, heated in the fire pit, then reinserted into the pillars. This would open the double doors in the back, leading to a room by which the creature could escape. In return, it would give us a key it kept for the lever, which operated the outside grate.

We did all of these things.

The back room was diamond shaped, and had a gravel pit in the center, along with tables along the side holding curious mechanical spiders made of some very shiny metal. The earth creature promptly disgorged a key, then dove into the gravel pit and disappeared.

Meanwhile, things had been going ill for Fflam.

The floating positive energy creature had apparently befriended him and was keeping him company, but otherwise little happened until he noticed that it was growing dark, and that there was mist outside. Fearing what might come, he somehow managed to pull a boulder backward on top of the entrance to the underground complex, sealing the trap door entrance with us inside.

However, the mists were coming from inside the complex.

Mists were welling out from the stone grating and the chambers behind it, and in fact the stone grating lifted, clearly ready to let something loose upon the world. The positive energy creature retreated to the crystal chambers. Fflam, worried for good reason, called to the rest of us for help.

Fortunately, we were now in a position to do so. We came running, and Jacob was able to use his energy blasts to crack the boulder apart. We then made good our escape and returned to town. There, the gate guards demanded proof that we were who we claimed to be, and were living beings. They asked us to cut ourselves to show we bled proper blood, and we did so. Once inside, I healed everyone of the minor wounds created in this exercise.

At the inn, a wonderful surprise awaited us!

There was Ragnar, a priest of Pelor, and Chris, a wizard and a follower of Pelor! They have been sent by Lord Pelor himself, through visions, to join us! Praise be to Lord Pelor! They are both northerners, though not from THIS far north. We discussed matters with them, then drank a toast of wine to the fallen Oda. Then another of Akavit to our success. At that point I felt it wise to retire for the night. Some of the others remain downstairs and are I think continuing to celebrate.

Farewell Oda, may the gods watch over you.

Praise thee Lord Pelor!
Thank you for your guidance and aid.
I, your servant, thank you for sending other servants in this hour of need.
May your light shine eternal.
May we spread that light and drive back the darkness, while our short lives last.

*A*