Journal of Arcadius - Day 150

Trial and Error

We have discovered much, but much has gone wrong. Acting on rumors of ruins in the hills near this town, we went exploring. Ruins we found indeed, and underneath them, a complex of evil power.

May the gods curse those who built it!

We found a strange room with four hallways leading off, one in each direction, and each blocked by a grate. One is coral, another crystal, a third iron, and the fourth stone. Given the association of Coral with the evil, we chose that way first. Using his magic, Jacob transported us through the grate by twos.

On the other side, we found a maze of passages and chambers made of coral, as well as a pair of mighty coral doors. We unwisely began to smash through these, stopping only as water gushed through from the other side. Fortunately for us, before the entire place could be flooded, the coral healed itself.

Elsewhere in the maze we found pools of water, at first seemingly black, but later revealed to be merely deep and in darkness. We were attacked by some things that resembled man-sized lobsters, and then found and fought a hydra! The hydra had some treasure which should prove helpful in our efforts.

Upon an exploration of the remainder of the maze, we found a strange set of colored crystals on pedestals, and a lever. Together, they appeared to be some sort of lock mechanism or puzzle. We began various fruitless experimentation, but eventually got the red crystal to light and stay lit.

We then decided to go investigate the crystal grate, and Jacob brought us through as before. Except, that is, for the mute, who used his own powers to get through, then found he had some sort of problem with his powers in the crystal hallways on the other side. For the first time I can recall, I saw him visibly disturbed.

On the other side, the walls, floor, and ceiling were all made of crystal, creating a brilliant if disorienting scene. This part of the complex turned out to be far less extensive than the coral section. We passed two crystal statues that seemed likely to spring to life and attack us, though they did not immediately do so.

In one room we found a bizarre set of spinning, rising, and lowering crystals in a column, which Stutzcka recognized as some form of musical instrument. She then began to play the ballad of Tupper and Mona. Unfortunately, this attracted the crystal beings, now looking like some form of golem, who advanced to attack us.

Fflam, Oda, Grungar, and I formed a concave battle line at the entrance of the chamber, ready to hit the golems all at once as they entered the room. Jacob, Stu, and The Mute, meanwhile were in the back ready to aid us with their powers. It was a fine tactical position, as good as we were likely to have in such a situation in fact.

Unfortunately, Grungar broke ranks and charged the golems. He was almost instantly massively wounded and driven back. In fact, he ran to a far corner of the room, leaving the rest of us to face the golems without him.

It was disastrous!

The golems soon struck down Oda, who must have been more seriously wounded to begin with than he had informed us. He died without so much as a cry of pain. Such courage and will! The mute made some complex leaping maneuvers and joined the fight. Together, we kept the golems at bay, destroying one of them, but taking grievous wounds in the process. Meanwhile, somewhere in the back, Jacob used a healing wand on Grungar, who rejoined the fight in time to help take down the remaining Golem.

Then, we took the time to mourn our lost comrade.

In another room, we found many healing supplies and a pool of positive energy. The radiance from that pool began to heal our wounds very quickly. With a mixture of creativity and despair, we decided to see if the pool could revive Oda. Wisely, we removed his possessions and especially his heirloom armor and swords before doing so. Rather than reviving him, the positive energy consumed his body like white fire. In a way however, it was a glorious funeral, much more so than burial or a mere pyre. The mute saved one finger, so that Oda might be resurrected if he so wished, and apparently also agreed to return all the way to their distant part of the world with it, and Oda's heirlooms.

However, that will not be happening before we can leave this place, and we have things to complete here.

After some deliberation, we decided to return to the coral section. There, we took note of one of the treasures found previously - a pearl earring of water breathing. This item is no accident, and we agreed to make use of it. Grungar, to atone for his previous folly and role in the death of Oda, agreed to go, but then revealed he didn't have pierced ears. The Mute, without a word, and none too gently, pierced one with the earring itself. Then it became apparent that the earring gives water breathing while taking away the ability to breathe air.

Amidst choking gurgles, Grungar protested.

Overriding his objections, we ordered Grungar into the Hydra's pool, and he swam down. Coming back up he gave a brief but unhelpful report of the caves down below. Despairing of better options, I donned the earring. Fortunately, as with most people in my land, my ears are already pierced.

I swam down and found a large chamber with passages going in different directions. There was also a small lever. I pulled it, ready to dart to the surface. The water level immediately began to drop, and I indeed swam straight up. Yelling to the others to throw rope, I pulled out the earring and climbed up. The water continued to drop until there was a wet stone floor below us.

We climbed down.

On the lower level, we found various passages including one down a slope, leading to another grate, behind which was absolute magical darkness which even the light I am granted by Lord Pelor could not pierce. In another chamber we found five sarcophagi. For some reason, Jacob felt it necessary to open one, and an undead Saguahin priest emerged. We fought it, and struck it down before it could use the full, if unknown, extent of its powers. It had many strange and ancient items, some of which may prove useful.

Less useful was what happened next.

Amidst our exploration, we found another, larger, lever, and pulled it. Returning to the main level we found a second crystal, the blue one, glowing. So far so good. Then however, we decided to return to the lower level.

The first down was Fflam. There, he encountered a swarm of creatures - carrion crawlers of the sort sometimes found in the catacombs of my homeland, and some sort of horrid beast whose touch turns iron to rust! Fflam was promptly surrounded, paralyzed, and denuded of his armor. Meanwhile, The Mute, who can apparently climb through or along walls like a spider as one of his powers, was having difficulties battling with the creatures, as was Jacob, despite, his flying. I threw a spear to no effect. Grungar attempted to climb down and help.

Unfortunately, attempted is the operative term.

Grungar fell while climbing down the rope. Fflam's unconscious form broke his fall, and several of Fflam's flasks of Alchemist's Fire were broken in turn. They exploded in a stunning fireball, consuming some creatures, my spear, and of course Fflam and Grungar. The remaining creatures fled in panic. When the smoke cleared, Grungar and Fflam were alive, but singed, or in Fflam's case, even more so than before.

Grungar was apologetic, and gave his entire sack of platinum coins to Fflam. I'd guess there was enough in that bag to buy some very fine new armor, once we get out of here, that is.

So, in short, we've discovered much, but taken much harm, and lost a great and noble warrior. Perhaps it is time for another visit to the room of positive energy. In the meantime, here we are binding our wounds.

*A*