Session 03

Magma Force found themselves on a sandy river beach surrounded by dead gnolls and some giant hyenas. A trail lead to the north through the jungle and the map they had indicated that they should follow it. They did so, quickly realising this was a gnoll hunting trail they were following and that this whole area was likely a contested area for the gnoll tribes who lived in the region. So the group headed on warily with Harley taking point and scouting ahead of the rest of the group. Before a mile was out Harley spotted a large rocky hillock ahead with an obvious cave mouth leading into it. He figured they were about at the position where the giant's map they were following had a cave labelled as "home" so he told the rest to hang back and snuck forward to investigate. He found the cave was occupied by a large gorilla-like being with an otherworldy look about it, but he wasn't sure what it was. It looked big and powerful and nasty and was munching on some bones. There was a fairly significant pile of coins and other trinkets laying in the back of the cave too, but Harley judged the need to get on and find Alek more important than fighting some creature for loot. He looked around and was able to see some large amounts of loose rubble atop the hillock which he thought maybe he could dislodge to tumble down and block the cave mouth. He clambered up stealthily and took careful note of the way the rubble lay and then with a deft push and a gentle tap, guided the rubble down the hillock. Sure enough it completely filled the cave mouth trapping the creature inside. There was a horrific beastical scream from inside the hill and Harley could tell the strong creature was trying to push its way out. It would get out in a matter of a few minutes, he judged. He ran back, grabbed the others and lead them swiftly up the trail past the cave. That was one obstacle bypassed. On they went.   The group moved onwards along the jungle trail, with Harley taking point again. They spent an uneventful few hours continuing their trek until the sun set and night began to close in. They made camp a little off the trail and prepared to bed down. As they were sitting around the campsite, an angelic figure appeared to them, wielding a flaming sword. She introduced herself as Nidrama, the same angel who had helped Surabar Spellmason in his fight with Nabthatoron 700 years ago. She warned them that the Lord of the Demonskar knew of their approach and was preparing for their arrival. She also told them that they were fated to find the lost weapon, Alakast, which was forged to fight demons, and she gave them a riddle with which to help located the lost weapon. She said that was all she could do to help them for now and disappeared off into the gloom once more. The next day dawned another typical late spring Mochican day and the party ate a quick breakfast and then set off along the trail once more. They spent an uneventful morning and just after stopping for a quick lunch they came to the end of the trail. The jungle stopped here too and ahead they could see miles of jagged volcanic rock spurs and sharp glassy scree slopes, till the ground ended in the legendary Demonskar about five miles ahead. The air above the Demonskar broiled with yellow and brown clouds of an evil nature. Scattered across this land were many ancient looking shards of metalic structures sticking out from the ground at odd angles. Directly ahead of them Magma Force could see a twenty foot diameter pipe sticking out of the ground, descending down into the ground. Deciding this was the "round cave" on their map, they figured they would head down into it. They followed what Camero identified as the ancient and broken up sewer system of the Spell Weaver city which one was built here for about five miles, twisting and turning down different passages, following their map further. Sure enough after this time, and figuring they must be nearing the edge of the massive Demonskar, the pipe eventually ended, depositing the group at the edge of a large fissure which they estimated must be a "tributary" fissure to the greater Demonskar.   In the center of this fissure two great and ancient metalic chimneys rose from the ground and the wind whistled over these to cause a defening roar. Ahead a series of stone steps lead in a circle around a bowl shaped crater which had an acrid green pool of evil looking liquid boiling away in it. The group could see two passages cutting into the bedrock from this main fissure. Perched on a small outcrop overlooking the green pool, Magma Force spotted a small winged devil, identified by Camero as an Imp. The party readied in case it did something nasty but it simply took off, turned invisible and then appeared to let out a warning whistle, perhaps flying into the nearest tunnel. The group descended and as they did heard the sounds of a portcullis dropping and then were able to see that indeed a huge iron portcullis now blocked the southern most entrance to the location marked as Vaprak's Voice on their map.   Following Harley's lead the party climbed out of the bowl to the north, following the main fissure in the direction of the Demonskar and going to check out the other tunnel into the bedrock. This one was blocked by what looked like a home made wooden door some fifteen feet square, made from wood, ropes and nails. All four of our heroes ganged together to shift the door open a fraction and Harley slipped in to see what he could see. He snuck forward and found a large cave with four giant beds in it. Sitting around the beds were four hulking giants that he recognised as ogres. Three passageways lead off from this one and the whole cave was lit by light coming from the chimney overhead. He could hear the sounds of distant metal on metal coming from one of the tunnels. As he went back to tell the others they heard the sounds of a scuffle breaking out back in the ogre cave. Harley snuck back in and saw that three of the ogres were in a fist fight together, making a lot of noise. No one came down the other passageways to investigate the noise and eventually the fight was broken up by the biggest ogre. So this told the group that a fight here might not attract the attention of the other denizens of the caves.   Camero and Harley snuck into the room and took up position. Camero summoned a wall of fire across the back of the cave effectively cutting off retreat for the ogres and then the others rushed into attack. The ogres were strong and dangerous foes with very powerful attacks with their great clubs. The group had to retreat before this onslaught so Camero was unable to sustain his wall of fire but the ogres seemed to have no interest in running away anyway! Slowly the battle turned to the heroes advantage as one of the ogres was dropped and they started to push the giants back into the chamber. But this brought the ogre leader into the fray and he was a formidable opponent. The group focused their attacks on him and slowly brought him to a bloodied and beaten state. They also killed another ogre, leaving only one and the leader still standing. But then a massive hill giant appeared in one of the tunnel mouths!   Camero reacted quickly and cast a sleep spell at the giant, but it mostly shrugged it off, however this was enough to slow it down and stop it running into combat as it shook its head grogily. It instead threw rocks at the heroes as they battled to finish off the lead ogre. Once he was down, they quickly felled the last ogre and organised a defensive line of Morgan and Braken to receive the hill giant. The party swarmed over the giant, surrounding him and hacking at him whilst Camero fired barrage after barrage of magic at the creature. Nothing could withstand such an onslaught and within seconds the beast was felled. The party searched the giants, finding much monetary treasure, patched up their wounds and considered their options.   The party had to decide if they should press on now whilst the complex was hopefully still unaware of their presence, or leave and rest up, coming back fully recouperated but having to assault a complex which would be ready for them. And every day they delayed the chances that Lord Skellerang's forces would be laying seige to Redgorge worsened. Beyond the stone doors to the north the distant ringing of metal on metal continued...