Episode 21
That which came before

The Biscuits Gimar - Fighter 8th Level (PC)
Jaron - Paladin 3rd Level (PC)
Rheaphlyndar - Thief 7th Level (PC)
Nicola - Cleric 2nd Level (PC)
Wed - Mage 3rd Level (NPC)
Little John - Fighter 4th Level (NPC)
Locale Within the dungeons of the Temple of Elemental Evil
Date 12th of Fireseek, 585 CY (Common Year)
Time late in the day

Upon encountering the Earth Elemental the party came up with a plan. Not a particularly ingenious plan, but a plan nonetheless.

It failed.

However through rapid thought under pressure they managed to extract themselves from that room with only a moderate amount of damage. The fact that the Earth Elementals yet lived probably meant that whatever bounty they guarded likely also remained. Vowing to come back later, the Biscuits set off to exploring the rest of the first dungeon level.

Found and slain were several more skeletons, and a smaller Earth Elemental. Clearly the priests had been hard at work constructing another army, but the machinations of the party made quick work of their gathered forces.

Further plunging downwards, the group found a thick mist filling most of the corridors of the second dungeon level. Defeating a few common monsters, they eventually came upon an "ever-smoking" brazier, obviously dropped by the previous party in haste. Upon dealing with that the mysterious fog began to recede.

Vowing to go on "until we find something interesting" the Biscuits took a nearby staircase down to the third level of the dungeon.

And find something interesting they did.

Beyond the bottom of the stairs the party found an earth-floored area filled with various fungus. Gimar was amazed at the sheer richness of the soil, and the heady aroma of manure was evident in the air. Just as the dwarven warrior made to examine some of the fungal growths in close detail, a female voice called out.

Female Voice Stand still! Some of the fungi are quite dangerous. I know the path, and will come to guide you.

The voice belonged to a quite comely woman, making her way carefully through the mushrooms. She was dressed in fine chain mail, and wore a short sword on her weapon belt. Turning to Jaron, she explained:

Female Voice Some of these fungi cause a temporary insanity. I will need your help restraining anybody who insanely attacks others.
Jaron What the? (made his save) No, I don't think so.

The paladin quickly drew his blade, while the rogue from the back of the party closed one of his eyes.

Rheaphlyndar She's a goat-woman! Attack her!

Unfortunately for the party, Gimar then turned and hurled his axe at the wall-climbing thief, scoring a direct hit. It seemed Gimar was firmly in the monsters charms, and the party would have to battle not only the mysterious goat-woman but also an angry dwarf.

Upon commencing the battle the goat-woman cast a Mirror Image and waded into the fray. Gimar was kept busy battling Little John, while Nicola gave a quick shot of healing to Rheaphlyndar. Standing to attack (and direct attacks on the goat-woman) Gimar then surprised the whole party by touching Rheaphlyndar with his axe and turning him to stone!

Jaron continued to whittle through the mirror images, swinging his sword to the right and shield to the left. Wed's magic missles also struck and dispelled various images. Eventually the paladin set upon the real target, slaying her and sparing Little John from the next fatal blow from Gimar. Battered, bruised, and stoned, the party decided to retreat and rest.

Gimar revealed that the axe also had the power to restore Rheaphlyndar, which he did sheepishly. Some thorough searching found the lamia's weapon, a magical short sword; magical bracers on her hairy legs; and a rich gold necklace set with rubies around her neck. The fine chain mail was no more than an illusion. Gimar made a thorough search around the non-dangerous fungi, but found no obvious buried treasure.


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