We found the dead green drake. She had a protective Spell thrown on her corpse keeping it from decaying. I was unable to dispell it. There where some dead scavenger creatures near it as well. Killed by dragon poison. The concensus is that there is a second dragon. We set a clever trap but after six hours nothing to show.
We headed off down the cavern to find the lair. After traveling for over 5 miles we determind that the dragons where potted in then flying home.
There are spider webs ahead blocking a side passage. There is some talk that I should set it on fire with magic.
I have a bad feeling about this... Wait the ranger hears som....
....
..
.

All present

• Previous session recaps(group went up to 6th level) - group went to Well of Demons to save the remaining enslaved villagers. It was a temple and the group had to go through an initiation rite to get into the sanctuary. We had to retrieve 4 items and use them to open a portal. A young dragon appears as the portal slowly opens. We fight the dragon, but don't get it's treasure (which we think is down a 300' shaft).
• Inside (which runs in a slower time zone) we find a Gnoll priest performing a ceremony, with two drugged villagers and a host of demons (3 Envistro blood demons, 2 Balgora ape-like demons, and 2 Bone Crusher skeltons ). The Gnoll priest had chaotic mutations (wings and a stinger tail). We interrupt the ritual and kill the foes. We find correspondence between the priest and Paldimar, along with a silver key (Raja gets a vision that apparently allows access to Paldimar's tower of mysteries. There is also an Eleven cloak that Raja takes. Groups gets 800 xp each.
• Start the session when Imheil talks to one of the masked mages in the tower, and shows them the correspondence. After conversation he also reveals the key and our intentions to investigate the tower of mysteries. The mage offers us 5000 gold and 5000 in trade. They give us 2500 gp and Imheil bargains away 2500 g of trade in turn for the privilege of dealing with the ogre (250 gp each + party treasury). They warn us that the followers of Vecna will try for revenge.
• The saved villagers are in the Inn, and the group sleeps in just two rooms (guys and gals), while Raja stays in the common room. People in both rooms wake up as undead Ghoul sneak thieves rummage through our packs. The girls (Astrid, Helga, Shayla, and Kava)tackle and grapple the thief. The boys (Dyson, Tovor, Imhiel, and Forlorn) manage to kill the thief (Dyson using Divine Glow and Rebuke Undead). About that time the Ogre smashes the front doors of the inn open. Raja and Broog attempt to intimidate each other and an innocent table is smashed. Raja does a strike and move; and Tovor ends the fight with a Sleep spell. Raja and group discusses with the ogre, and we make clear to Broog that his life depends upon our forbearance. But rather than take him out (and face an unknown replacement), we offer a face saving agreement - Raja allows himself to be beat-up and arrested. Forlorn ends up with a small gargoyle (homunculus). 700 xp apiece (9095 total).
• Replaced our slit up backpacks with deep packs (10gp apiece), they are tougher than normal and waterproof (suitable for magic). Lots of rope is bought. We take off early in the morning and get to Winter Haven without incident. Group uses party treasure to pay for Cure Disease ritual (360 gp from party treasury).
• Back in town, we meetup with Turlen who has apparently been (mostly) cured of his infliction. He warns us some nasty types have been asking for us and we decide not to spend the night in town. We engage Turlen to help us retrieve the Dragon horde (5%). We have him buy a special cart (500 gp from party treasury) and we meet him at an abandoned mind flayer temple. We make our way to the Well of Demons and find the gnolls have set up a barricade.
• Next games: Feb 20, March 6

Although not everyone was there at the start, eventually everyone was present (Helga gone most of the game).

• Must find 4 items: a book, a mask, a bell, and a knife (3 held in chambers built to test Baphomet worshipers, North, West, South). Book is on an altar to the east. The items must be placed on 4 runes, all at the same time.
• After an extended rest, we decide to exit the hall of mirrors by using a teleport mirror to get back near the entrance. We use some leather to create binders to limit our side-vision (giving a +3 to saves). This works well, until only one character is left - Forlorn. As the group waits for Forlorn, a large gnoll magically appears. Tovor uses Bigbys Icy Grip to attack the gnoll. Dyson uses Divine Glow against the gnoll. Raja gets sucked into a mirror while using a Positioning Strike Some more fighting occurs and eventually the gnoll is crushed to death.
• It turns out Forlorn had touched a statue, and it appeared the gnoll was very afraid of the mirror Raja was sucked into. Most of the group thinks we can rescue Raja by touching the status again. We carefully position incase someone other than Raja comes back, but once Forlorn triggers it Raja indeed appears. Raja at first convincingly says it was a great place, but he smells pretty rank. Eventually fesses up that it was a 40x40 cell with a number of dead occupants (guesses the gnoll had been there for about a week). We all successfully leave the mirrors chamber with the mask.
• We check a room where the trail of blood leads to (NE). There is a glowing rune spot and an Alter. There is a book on the Altar, which Imheil takes charge of (has lots of instructions in Abysimal about sacrificing beings). Raja finds a chest under the alter (900 gp and 5 gems (~200 gp apiece) - 90 gp apiece for the gp).
• Exploring further - Shayla does tracking and finds signs of gnolls (dating a couple of weeks ago,) and teiflings. We find a rusted grate (SE) and a heavily magic protected door with Absymial writing (evidently the door we need to get past). There is a rune nearby, and the rest of the chamber has prison cells.
• Another room (SW) with a rune has 4 pools in it, Tovor (with assistance from party) determines the following: Green - neutralize poison, Red - Berserker potion, Blue - solvent, Yellow - poison. Tovor takes two vials of neutralize poison.
• From the a NW room with a rune, we see an opening into a large (100'x100') room (two doors). Most of the room is filled with two large (40'x90') pools of blood and a path between them (with steps leading into the pools). There are two bronze minotaur statues (with scourges/whips). On the other side of the room is two pedestals, one with a hilt and another with a dagger size blade. There are two smaller statues in each corner of the side of the entrance. We feel the sense of being watched. Shayla notices some of the pools are darker than others. Raja notices the statue's whips have bits of flesh on them, and estimates the whips can reach most of the room (the smaller statues may be out of reach). From a religious standpoint Dyson feels the blood (or something in it) is the real danger. Tried throwing a grappling hook and the nearer statue attacks the rope with the whip (severing it). Next we split into two groups (at each doorway) and fire at darkspots, which seem to move when fired at. We than notice a current has started in the blood pool.
• Shayla tumbles into the SE corner of the room (near a smaller statue), hopefully out of the range. The nearby big statue looks but does not act. Raja jumps into the NE corner. After a pause and another object thrown into the pool (a hammer by Astrid, which is ignored), Raja jumps onto the pedestal of the nearest large minotaur and starts trying to disable it (need 4 success without 2 fails). Raja gets 2 success (action point). Than Forlorn jumps onto the same pedestal and tries to disable as well but misses. The missed role triggers an attack which knocks both Raja and Forlorn prone and slides back. A demon attacks Forlorn (from the blood) but misses. The statue attacks again and knocks both Forlorn and Raja into the blood (it also hits the demon in the blood). The blood did damage, -2 against demon attacks, and 5 on-going poison. Shayla jumps across to the pedestal and then to corridor between the pool (using an action point); than does an Evasive Strike on the demon and getting to a hopefully safe spot against the wall. Raja gets up back onto the pedestal and makes another successful disabling roll. Kava calls to arm the demon. The next time the statue attacks, Shayla does a Disruptive Strike which saves Raja from being hit (and it hits the demon again).
• Raja and Astrid both jump to the corridor (joining Shayla), rest of group is near entrance. We start an extended rest when a demon from the second pool attacks the people in the corridor.
• Conditions:
? Dyson has spent two Healing Words
? Shayla has used Disruptive Strike, Evasive Strike, action point
? Raja has used 1 healing surge, action point
? Forlorn used 2 healing surges
? Kava used Call to Arms

XP gained: 223 per member
Loot: 0
----------------
From the tattered journey log of Tovar
We breached the first entry area underground to the Gnoll base with the goal of retrieving the rest of the missing people taken and sold as slaves. We moved through a series of dark corridors to a large room with several pillars with carvings and a dry well. Two of the pillars spoke to to us about being found worthy or being doomed. Unfortunately they spoke up in the middle of a fight and I was to far back to hear their warning clearly. The pillars need some study to reveal the nature of the magics used and to perhaps be prodded to speak again.

The ranger was ambushed while beginning to scout the room. We where attacked by a combined force of two weird wall hugging creatures with twenty foot long arms. They could threaten and strike at us from a inconvenient distance. There was also a very scary type of undead Ghoul. It seemed able to paralyze with a touch and had a fearsome bite. Perhaps strangest was the creature bellow the floor that kept moving about beneath us and poping up to attach and grab with it's many tentacles (note to self, bring along Pentacle).

The Ghoul and wall creatures seemed most effected by the paladins radiant damage. All the creatures seemed reasonable effected by fire as well. The tentacle creature seemed to take the most damage before being crushed.

The fight it's self was a bloody mess. We almost lost Shayla right off the get go because she was at a disadvantage and it took us time to close up the gap. We were hard pressed to gain a tactical footing. Are Paladin also seemed strangely indecisive and befuddled about what to do during a large part of the fight, perhaps this places dark magic is effecting her?

I need to check with the others to see which of their powers where used to great effect.

For myself: I used Fireball (daily) to disrupt and kill when we had cleared our way back to the hallway and their was a opening. I also used Bigby's Icy grasp (daily), to grab and throttle the life out of that dam tentacle creature that was giving me chase, and end the fight.
I have taken some slight (9) damage but should be able to recover that with a short rest.

I feel somewhat magically depleted but this is no place to rest. There are two unknown hallways leading off from this room. one to the east runs into a double door, the south is unknown. While I don't hear drums in the deep yet, I fear we will soon.

Damit, what do Gnolls need with slaves down here anyway... nothing good I suspect, given the places name.

All present

1. Gems are worth 1600 gp (160 apiece).
2. We are paying 1gp/night/person at the Halfmoon Inn, which is about half the going rate.  We argued about approaching Gendar the Drow but decided not to (afraid he would leak info about us). We decided to track the dwargar back to their lair. Helga gambles with an orc and some goblins. Dyson and Kava work in the shrine. While there a dwargar miner comes in with a dead dwargar (paying with a large diamond), which the priestess Phaledra raises. Selenia continues her haranguing about cleaning out the under-dark. Broog swings by, and is actually respectful (although still testing) of Phaledra, donates some money and makes a joke about doing something to Selenia. Various offerings are made to the temple (Imheil 1gp, Kava 8 gp, Forlorn 100 gp, and Dyson 25 gp). Everyone pays 8 gp for Inn costs.
3. We determine that 13 people (who were probably from Winterfall and environs) were sold to the dwargar as slaves.
4. We hang around town for 7 days to try and decipher the map (from the gelatinous cube). Looking for a shaft that descends 200 feet. An immortal being is held their awaiting sacrifice. If its blood is shed, it will unlock some type of "gift" (according to the infernal who wrote the map). This is probably a being of light, angle?, who is chained up. Deduce rough idea of the southwest of the mountain, probably once an underground lake fed by rivers. There is mention that the being of light  had to undergo a centuries long ritual to be prepared for the sacrifice. Since we guess the map was 500 years old, if it is still there than the ritual might be complete.
5. We get components for the Dark Light Ritual (each party member spends 15gp). Using Dark Light to track with Shayla tracking in advance. At one point after going down 500' wide stairs, we hear and smell a really nasty group of creatures moving between Shayla and the group. We keep quiet and manage to avoid a fight. Towards the end of the first day, we loose track of the dwargar trail and have to backtrack. We setup camp near an underground river, and notice a very large roper on the ceiling (turned to stone). We get 100 XP apiece for the first day.
6. Next day we regain trial, and eventually see a fairly well traveled trail. Decided it must be trail between keep and mine, so we decided head in the direction of the mine. We find a machine going, with a dead Ithaqua (large insect with flaming ability) and signs of a fight. There were two participants (probably the ones we saw do a raise dead). It looks like they were mining Glitter Stone (Astrid finds a small one). Think about 2 dozen people come to mine area regularly, but not for the last few days. We follow a trail that went West and than found a very long set of stairs heading up. We camp out half way up the way (in a room that looks like it was designed for that purpose, some not very appetizing food was there). During the night Shayla spots a patrol of heading down the stairs (presumably from the keep). We get 100 XP apiece for the second day.
7. We get up, continue up the stairs, and head in the direction of the keep. There is a chasm and several walkways connect this side of the chasm to the keep on the other side. The keep has a barred gate and we notice molten lava nearby . The gate is poorer quality than the rest of the keep, notice it is guarded by orcs. After scouting for a while, we decide to ambush an outlaying group. Go back to the room off the stairs and set an ambush. We hear a group with carts a long ways away. Shayla, Astrid, and Raja move down the hall to be a stopper, the rest wait in the room for them to go by. We can hear them chanting  as they approach. They turn into the room, so Raja in the small group lights a sunrod and hails them. There is a large Duegar female who seems to be in charge. She tells us we are trespassing, and says we need to leave or they will end us. A intimidation challenge goes between Raja and the female duegar ensure which leads to some negotiations. The duegar claim they are jus t miners who don't know about slaves. They do say there lord is Glimmerjewel and say we should talk to him if we want to find out more. Group decides to try negotiation first.

We killed a big room full of bad guy goblins and what not. Including their king, we stormed another room killing sever goblin and forcing a bunch of human agents to yeild. The slaves had already been transported. We headed home over coming a few minor random encounter.

We should all be up a level (5514 is my xp count -griffon). Oh dam creepy warlock listened to the wizard on battle tactics and got him self killed. We shell out to rez the punk. 1,050 gold

Please DO come EARLY next game to raise your character level. If you update it at home be sure to reupload it to iplay4e.com and share it withszaijan@gmail.com so we can get the files should you need to print it out or what not at Mikes.

Inventory form this weeks game:

 Medium +2 Chainmail Magic Armor "Delvers Chain" in the book

2 Healing Potions

Letter from 2 days ago from Rooklemore Grimerzool and Krand stating they wanted to buy the Winterhaven slaves

23 Slaver patches
 

Scimitar: blade dark lead color, blood running down it, spikes cutting into it.
Lifedrinker Weapon

This weapon transfers an enemy’s vitality to you.

Level: 5
Price: 1000 gp
Weapon: Any melee
Enhancement: +1 attack rolls and damage rolls
Critical: +1d6 necrotic damage
Property: When you drop an enemy to 0 hit points or fewer with a melee attack made with this weapon, gain 5 temporary hit points.
 

Medium Magic Hide Armor: Blood red, images of flames running up it, "Fireburst Hide Armor"

16 gems

900 gold pieces

1,000 silver pieces

Please show up early for the next game to work on updating your characters.

                         Victoria

Missing Tovar/Griffon 

1. Inside the 7 Pillar Hall, there is a small town.
2. There is a small temple of Erathis (lawful), there is a Dragon-born female outside the temple haranguing passersby's about ridding the hall of evil (with many glances towards Broog's headquarters). The thugs of various races pay closer attention to the group when the Dragon-born points out Kava's status as a Paladin of Bahamut. Temple of Hidden Light. There is a female inside praying, whom Forlorn has a brief conversation with, before Astrid pulls him along to the inn. There are many holes in the wall (Rendall says these are called Pigeon Holes, where various people live).  There is ample water. The inn has 9 customers in the commons, 3 halfings  working there (uncle and aunt of Rendall), and a human barmaid. Given rooms (3 per room) as thanks for rescuing Rendall.
3. Most of the group has gone to sleep, Astrid is drinking at the inn with some other dwarves. An Ogre comes into the hall, apparently to collect protection money and drinks. He asks Astrid to come forward, and she refuses - he then calls for guards. This is Broog, and not following his instructions is a major crime.  Astrid decides to not fight outright, and eventually decides upon seduction. Rest of the group is reluctant to intervene.  Astrid is put in the stocks, and has things thrown at her. She continues  the invitations with Broog and is "successful".  They beat Astrid before releasing her, but do release her without bribes having to be paid.
4. While discussing likely outcome of Astrid, Era mentions that the mages just have one penalty for breaking their laws (e.g. to interfere with their doings), and that is death.  
   • Later, while talking about  dealing with the Bloodrevears, Rendall says the mage's sole care is trading with denizens of the underdark. He also mentions that Gendar came from the underdark to setup his store.
5. Things in town (came in NW corner).  Deep Gem Company, Half Moon Inn, waterfall (from shoot above) with river, tunnel with more direct route to Underdark, Gendar's Curio shop, another tap room (drows, hobgoblins, etc.) - Broog's drinking joint.
6. We inquire about Gendar's shop and find out he is a Drow. A number of the group decide not to go into the shop.
7. As walking to the shop Forlorn's voices become excited by a weary person, who turns out to be Turlen Darkseeker. He mentions something about returning after a fortnight. Later when Raja is talking to Gendar, Turlen is mentioned as one of the most competent guides. We get the item,
8. Turlen comes into the inn for breakfast, and we ask about him as a guide. His rate is 10 gp a day, plus a share of the treasure. Group decides to engage Turnlen, and discusses where to go. Turnlen talks about the tunnels, say you can get to Silver Shield hall (dwarven hold), Gimmerzool mines, Horned Hold (where the dwargar dwell). The group allows that killing hobgoblins might be a good thing, says the chamber of eyes is 18 hours away. We decide to leave the next day, and to plan for a 2 week trip. Food is double price down here.
9. While the group is talking to Turnlen, a goblin comes in, bows, and say the Ordinator Arcansis will have words with you. Imheil is acknowledged as the group's leader, and is asked to accompany the goblin. Upon Imheil's return the mages guild asks a favor of the group, apparently Paldimar (a member of the guild) has gone rogue. They ask that we report any information that we find.
10. Turnlen wants to be paid the morning of each day, "that way if I have to leave you because of a disagreement I'll at least be paid". As we start Turnlen points out dwarven  marks that helps negotiate the labyrinth. Most areas marked have been looted. Turnlen earns his keeps in the first hour or so, pointing out traps and the like. About 3 hours into the journey, while crossing a chasm (that Turnlen tells us has Firebats below, he brought a net to help us cross). A large explosion and fire occurs as the group is crossing the chasm via. harness attached to a span, and we fall 20 feet to a ledge. Most take some damage(except the trained acrobats). Turnlen cautions us to silence as we travel along the ledges. We are now on a path Turnlen  does not know. Eventually we find an archway and into the sewers  (no obvious sludge though). Turnlen is concerned about undead.
11. Turnlen is leading us through the sewers and runs into a Gelatinous Cube (literally). The cube is invisible and manages to envelope Turnlen. Raja reaches in, but does not manage to wrench Turnlen free. Kava breathes flame, but the cube envelopes her. Forlorn uses an action point, but does not accomplish a lot. Just then 3 ghost like creatures  (wraiths) move through the cube and attack  Raja (missing) and Shayla (hitting her and causing weaken). Shayla uses Yield Ground. Imheil uses Wolf pack tactics. Turnlen manages to escape out the back of the cube. Dyson does Turn Undead, effecting all three wraiths (damage plus moving them next next to Turnlen), than uses an action point and casts Sanctuary on Kava.  Helga uses swift panther rage and damages cube. Astrid does a Sweeping Blow on the cube. Helga uses Panther Rage Strike. Shayla kills the cube (total over a hundred hp). Dyson does Healing Word on Raja. Raja notes a stone tablet had dropped (among other things) when the cube died, and picks it up. The wraiths attack Helga . Shalya uses Destructive Strike against one of the wraiths. Imheil uses Inspiring Word and manages to kill on of the wraiths. Astrid uses Steel Serpent Strike on another wraith. Dyson uses Daunting Light and gives Astrid combat advantage. Helga uses Great Cleave and kills another wraith. Kava
12. Split 1600 xp (178 apiece). The tablet was a treasure map. Found a brass flask and a bunch of thieves tools. We guess the wraiths came from the three skeletons in the cube and were busy following the cube around. Found 512 gp (46 gp each including Turnlen + 52gp to party treasure) worth of stuff.
13. Will play August 15th if Griffon can make it.

Spent my lunch summarizing the treasure. Note that I don't have an idea of how much money was gotten in sessions 8, 10, and 12. This is income only, have not kept track of any expenses (except the 50 GP we gave Douven for the killed employees).

Each party member:  285 gold + 12 silver

Party Treasure: 287 gold + 8 silver

Here is the list of magic items culled from the notes, again I'm missing anything found in 8,10, and 12. Please add any missing items, and let me know who has the various items.

• Shield /acid resistance (Kava)
• Amulet of Health (?)
• Dwarven chain(Astrid)
• Elven longbow (Shayla)
• Holy Symbol (Dyson)
• +2 dagger (Raja)
• +2 leather (?)
• Gem of translation (?)

Added -  A few additional considerations:

• Did we get 450 gold from Marla (see Session 1 notes), did we find the cultists she was looking for? If not, we should still keep on looking.
• Later on we just got a GP figure assuming we collected and sold recovered items. But early on we kept track of the items (shields, swords, etc.), but I don't record any income from selling them. Might get a few more silvers from that.
• Who is carrying what parts of the party treasure? I started this because it was easier to divide by 10 (and deal with uneven amounts left over), but I don't think we have ever discussed why it might be used, or what should be done with it if we split up.

Added by DM

Yes, Marla will pay up when you return to Fallcrest. You did liquidate items and get money for them, at least early on. I thought you'd decided to give the +2 leather to Helga, since she's front line and cannot wear chain or scale. Raja said Forlorn could have the dagger, as it is a Warlock Pact Blade and acts as a +2 implement for him. I also missed a +2 dagger which is NOT a pact blade in the loot, and a +1 Great Axe. Both from the hobgoblin warriors who were guarding the priest in the fight above the rift chamber. Also missed was a Shield of Protection (PHB.)

Final Summary

Each party member:  330 gold + 12 silver

Party Treasure: 332 gold + 8 silver

Here is the list of magic items culled from the notes:

• Shield +1  acid resistance (Kava)
• Sword +1 (Kava) 
• Scale +1 (Kava)
• Shield of protection (?)
• Dwarven chain +1 (Astrid)
• Elven longbow +1 of Distance (Shayla)
• Holy Symbol (Dyson)
• Gem of translation (Dyson)
• Bag of holding 20 cubic feet (Imhiel)
• +2 dagger (Raja)
• +2 pact dagger (Forlorn)
• +2 leather (Helga)
• +1 Great Axe (Helga)
• Amulet of Health (Tovor)
• +1 Wand (Tovor)

All but Kava are present (Kava appears half way through, being chased by some skeletons). 

• Recap: Group fought zombies who behaved like they were Ghouls. Little claylike man (homunculus) flys away and goes through crack in big double doors (that have been defaced into signs of Orcus). Everyone is now third level (decision to have group share XP instead of doing it individually).
• Loud chanting and the smell of blood is everywhere. Dead people everywhere, guy in red robes is on altar cutting out the heart of a living sacrifice. There are also 4 barbarians who appear to be similar (tattoos) to Helga's tribe, glazed eyes and participating in the chanting. Blood is flowing from the altar along the floor into a grate that surrounds a black hole. There are several columns of bright green light.
• Tovor opens with Grasping Tentacles on two barbarians. Shayla uses Bear Trap on priest, than uses Disruptive Strike to protect against an attack from the homunculus (which homunculus redirects to a barbarian). Lots of vampire-wraiths (10? Minions) appear and a vampire-like guy, 2 of whom attack and damage Forlorn. Dyson uses Divine Glow to kill 3 vampire-wraiths, Shayla uses double shot and an action point to kill 3 more. Tovor uses Shock Sphere to attack barbarians and vampire-wraiths(killing the remaining vampire-wraiths). Imheil uses a second wind. Dyson uses Beacon of Hope combined with his holy symbols implement damage boost; and follows up by bringing Astrid back to full with Healing Word. Tovor uses Flaming Sphere to burn the priest, who laughs and seems to grow a bit (Tovor says something to the effect of I did not know he liked flames). Shayla uses Evasive Strike to weave through the combatants and hits the priest (who being slowed is only halfway across the chamber). Imhiel uses Phase Step and Warlords Favorite and manages to kill the priest, although the priest manages hit Imheil with Necrotic damage (than a ghostly hand drags the priest into the floor).  Shayla kills the vampire (?) with double shots. Dyson uses Command to try and push a barbarian into the pit, he saves but is prone and dazed. Astrid misses with Steel Serpent strike. Raja finally hits with a sneak attack, and the barbarian (who was dazed by Dyson's command) is unable to rage response to being bloodied. Forlorn kills a barbarian, curses, and moves around. Dyson uses Healing Word on Raja. Raja uses Flamboyant Strike and Sneak-in-the-Attack and kills a barbarian. Forlorn uses an action point to get multiple attacks against the homunculus (who has been hiding down the shaft), and kills it.
• GM quote: To save time - it sucks to be in this place.
• Encounter is over, healing occurs. Chanting is still going on, way down the shaft. Only way down appears to be the blood soaked chains going down the shaft.  There are 10-15 people still alive, but they have been poisoned (very nasty, paralysis leading to insanity no known cure), so group decides to leave them behind. Prepare ropes to aid the descent down the bloody chains. Shayla, Helga, Imheil, and Tovor go down first (rest of the party waits for them to get all the way down before starting themselves). When the first group lands, the high priest says "good, more sacrifices for Orcus, kill them all". The mini statues of Bahamut start glowing. There are 8 skeletons surrounding the pool of blood, and a high priest. There is also something that wight (looks like a priestly ghoul) next to a pit. Second part of group will loose one turn getting down.
• Both priest and ghoul makes attacks with staves.  Helga does Swift Panther Rage but misses. Skeletons attack which result in marking characters. Raja comes down with acrobatic flourish and does a Blinding Barrage, and then uses action point to finish one of them off. Dyson swings down, Turns Undead, uses Healing Word on Imheil, Combat Medicine on Helga, than spends an action point and uses Divine Glow on the priest and another group of skeletons. Tovor does Shocking Sphere, then spends an action point and does Grasping Shadows. Forlorn does Armor of Agathys, than spends action point and does Clarion Call. Kava appears, along with a couple of extra skeletons. Raja does a Positioning Strike and moves a skeleton into a rune section. High priest uses an action point and hits Forlorn twice (doing ongoing 5 necrotic damage, than weakening Forlorn). Forlorn does Caiphon's Leap (reducing damage and teleporting away). Astrid runs over to the Wight, uses action point and attacks with Villains Menace (missing). Tovor used an action point and does Illusionary Ambush. Imheil uses Lead the Attack and misses the high priest. Shayla uses an action point (after killing a skeleton), to shoot the wight (Astrid was feeling kind of lonely). High Priest uses another action point to hit Forlorn twice than teleports away. Imheil gets attacked by tentacles and high priest and goes down. Astrid does Steel Serpent Strike against Wight, than does Second Wind. Imheil runs into rune area, gets attacked by tentacles, and uses action point to attack high priest. Dyson uses Healing Word on Imheil, than spends action point to attack a skeleton twice (primarily so he could give Forlorn a saving throw). Kava uses an action point to breath and a Staggering Strike. Imheil uses Healing Word and gets up and away. Helga uses Daring Charge and misses. After Tovor using Thunder Wave several times, Imheil does an Opening Shove and pushes the high priest through the portal - tentacles grab him and the portal closes. The skeletons disintigrate, leaving the Wight. There is some brief combat before the Wight leaps down a pit, ending combat (and killing itself - this probably needs to be verified).
• 500 XP for the two battles + 2000 for completing the adventure. Found 2,000 GP, +2 dagger (implement for a warlock), 3 potions of healing, +2 leather armor, and a gemstone that can be used to translate written languages.
• Open portal to town, bring back the remaining (half live) victims who are given a proper burial when they expire. Found out that in the mean time town had been attacked by undead, and Ninaran turned out to be the spy.

Everyone present. No notes were taken at last game.

1. Rough recap of session 8. Darkness (and feelings of ill omen) has been growing. Went through secret door, there was much door opening and closing, fought and killed goblin chief (yea Helga), many goblins attacked and eventually they tried smoking characters in a trapped space. After breaking out of the trap, the remaining goblins had no interest in direct attacks, so group went through the through the  marked doors and found zombies. 264 xp No daily power used.
2. Raja scouts into next room, which has multiple sarcophagus. They spring open when he has advanced about 10 feet into the room, and rickety skeletons tumble out. Shayla uses Yield Ground and actually draws a sword! Skeletons are minions and fall fairly quickly, but sarcophagus bring out news ones.  Kava detects wholesome light at the end of the room, and Forlorn walks into what looks like a temple to Bahamut. The whole set comes out again (8 skeletons and 2 warriors). Astrid and Shayla use actions points. Kava breathes fire on the warriors (and Forlorn). Forlorn uses Armor of Agathy, and Shayla uses Elven accuracy. Eventually all are cleared and groups gets to end of the room.
3. There are signs of Bahamut and two altars with sacrifices (personal items). An inscription that says "kneel ???". Kava prays at one of the altars. Two noticeable effects
   1. A hidden compartment on the back starts glowing (revealing 9 dragon statuettes; not dusty unlike the rest of the compartment. The statues are consecrated holy items, and Kava senses that each of them has been crafted to an individual. Kava's is made of Platinum.  Each player gets the one that matches them.
   2. The overall level of darkness outside the temple area seems to be reduced.
4. We rest in the Bahamut temple and recover encounter powers (and heal characters ). A milestone occurs, and people either restore action points or get a second one.  Everyone prays at the altars, and all make a sacrifice.
5. There are double doors with a knight. Behind them is a room  shaped like a cross, on the far side is an raised floor with a sarcophagus (with steps leading up). Room was very cold, and the sarcophagus has the same design as the doors, and Kava is drawn to it. Group speculates this might be Keegan. Stories that Keegan was the protector of the keep  (a paladin), and went mad (perhaps becoming a ghost and doing evil acts). Kava opens the sarcophagus (which is so cold it burns), and a skeleton in plate armor springs forth and says the rift must be kept closed or else prepare to die. The skeleton demands to know our business (or else!).
6. We get XP 1800 (200 apiece).
7. Summary: Forlorn used his daily Armor of Agathy, but all encounter powers are restored. Following have two action points: Raja, Imhiel, Tovar, Helga, and Forlorn.

All players present.

1. Dyson and Tovor are curious about the circle. The runes are carved into the stone, and Raja believes it is at least decades old. Tovor senses that it is a battle magic enhancement, and makes a record of the runes.
2. Astrid is going to use the dwarven chain. Shayla is using the eleven distance bow.
3. The party goes directly to seek out Lord Padraig, and shows him the letter. While traveling back, the group notices a physic pall, and all the towns people are very subdued. We believe almost certainly an effect from Kalarel's part. Talking with townspeople we here that people have been having bad dreams. At the keep, Padraig is happy to give us the reward for killing the kobolds, but is not surprised to hear that more is afoot (each PC gets 50 gp apiece, as does party treasure).
4. The keep was built by the Narethan empire. Sir Keegan was a knight and paladin of the empire. After the empire collapsed, Sir Keegan kept the keep steady for a while, but eventually went mad - killing men and woman, eventually killed by the guard. An earthquake leveled most of the keep 50 years ago. Since than rumors are that it is haunted, but Lord Padraig believes probably not haunted since he hears rumors that goblins have take up there.
5. He calls for Valthorun, who reads letter and talks about the Shadow Keep. It was actually built to seal a gateway between the shadow fell, which Valthorun believes opens to the realms of Orcus.
6. The group agrees to explore the keep and try to right the problems, Padraig can't come because he is worried about morale of Winterhaven. Padraig arranges to give the party 3 holy water potions, 6 healing potions, arrows, and climbing kits. Valthorun gives us a Linked Portal scroll that goes to the basement of his tower (which is a cell, that Valthorun will monitor). Healing potions (which give 10 hp) are given to Raja, Kava, Shayla, Helga, Forlorn, and Tovor. Lord Padraig gives Imheil a more potent healing potion, but asks for it back if it is not needed.
7. There is a celebration at the inn for the elimination of the kobold threat (free drinks, etc.), but there is something of a pall over it. Kava practices giving an encouraging speech, while the rest of the group makes helpful suggestions. Later Kava makes an inspiring speech. Raja questions people, and finds out the ones who lived closer to the keep had worst dreams.
8. Early next morning, Padraig and his factor are there to see the group off. The lord (and two guards) assists us in finding the old road to the keep. Only a mile away, but road is badly overgrown. It is unusually cold. There is a feeling of stillness, and the morning is dark gray. There are no animals to be seen. Someone has cleared aside the rubble and there is a path to a staircase. The forest has not encroached upon the keep. No sentries are visible, but everyone feels as though they are being watched, and that if we stay here too long something bad will happen to us. Shayla does seem signs of animal tracks, several days old and all moving away from the keep. Shayla and Raja scout ahead 20' and find a tunnel lined with torches, and the feeling of dread gets worse. A ways into this they find an intersection with a goblin. They hear clicking and a faint sound of squeaking (perhaps many mice).  Goblin don't seem affected by "bad feelings".
9. Raja and Shayla decide to ambush the goblin, and kill him. Helga charges into the room, and runs onto a tarp covered pit, falling down into a bunch of rats. Helga climbs out of the pit before the rats can attack her. Astrid advances, and notices the goblin was playing with metal dice (making the clicking sounds). Between Astrid and Shayla they hear some low goblin voices ahead.
10. Shayla moves into the next room, and sees two goblins (who don't notice her). She shoots one, and than Astrid kills him. The other goblin curses (Dwarf! Elf!). Fighting in the room goes with many characters trying to kill the second goblin (eventually succeeding). Meanwhile down another corridor Raja watches a goblin come out of a tapestry covered hallway, and misses despite the goblin's surprise. Goblin chases Raja down the corridor until he see Kava, and then decides to retreat. Raja uses Positioning Strike to slide him toward group. This goblin escapes down the hall, through a door.
11. End of session summary: Shayla: action point, Raja: Positioning Strike (encounter  power)