Dave Wood's

Campaign

The Ruined Temple

6 Midmonth, Hammer, 1360 DR (The Year of the Turret)

Lareth the Beautful

Everyone joined back together, two others followed Ashlyn and Serregeth's trail. They were Delthar and a skeleton priest, Delthar explained that the Zhentarium had sent them to aid in the Black Hand's mission. Their loyalty to the group proved by the secret handshake, codeword, and sealed documents from the Church of Bane.

7 Midmonth, Hammer, 1360 DR (The Year of the Turret)

The group traveled north to the evil shire of Nulb, and did some more exploring. The skeleton priest shrieked out, nearly splitting everyone's ears. They opened a door and found a priest waiting for them inside. The priest commanded the skeleton, and then was attacked by Ashlyn, meanwhile Serregeth was sneaking in the back door. The priest destroyed the skeleton with a blast of searing light, and then the group decided to talk. His name was Lareth the Beautiful, but he looked anything but. A ragged scar ran down the side of his face, he said he had been brought back to life after the defeat of the original temple. He has been living alone in Nulb for the last few years, plotting revenge against Rufus, Burne and Cannoness Y'dey. Lareth gave the group directions to the ruined temple, and also mentioned the Temple of All Consumption.

8 Midmonth, Hammer, 1360 DR (The Year of the Turret)

Hobgoblins

The group went to the ruined Temple of Elemental Evil, and found a group of hobgoblins guarding the outside. A few of them were killed, the rest fled inside the Temple. Anung (the pied piper) summoned rats which eliminated the front guards. Inside there were more hobgoblins and a pair of wild apes. The group fought with the Hobgoblins, and was surprised by a priest who ambushed Rashaka, who bludgeoned the cat-man to death. Delthar confronted the hobgoblin leader one-on-one; it was a two-bladed sword against Delthar's wicked greatsword. The hobgoblin threw a firey grenade at Delthar, melting off his left arm with the heat! Still aflame, Delthar dropped his greatsword and charged forth smashing at the Hobgoblin leader with a mace. Eventually the apes were killed, and the Hobgoblins defeated.

A new member caught up to the group, his name Gibli the halfling. They made Gibli search one of the runied buildings to see what he could find, but just ended up hurting himself. Next was the tower, in which they found hastily abandoned pallets where hobgoblins may have slept. The group resigned to rest and study the magic items they had found, meanwhile Malchior and Gibli searched the tower top to bottom. Inside they found the rats of Nimh, and a loose stone that led to a trapdoor and a small tunnel leading down. Below was a small room, a table and a doorway. After a thourough search of the room, they found a secret passage leading down. Through the doorway the passage led upwards. Going down, the passage was blocked. Going up the passage changed from limestone to earth and support timbers, and then came to a small door. Through the door was an old well (with a ladder). Climbing up Gibli and Serregeth found a ruined cottage. Inspection found nothing of interest save for two old carins in the nearby forest. Serregeth flew back to the Temple, leaving Gibli behind.

A voice from the forest caught Gibli by surprise. It was a female halfling, who began speaking with him. The next thing Gibli knows, he is kissing the halfling, but she is not who he thinks she is - she is a succubus! Gibli snaps out of it, as his lifeforce is being drained away. Gibli makes to run, but finds out he cannot outrun her. Gibli begged and pleaded for his life.

Gibli comes walking back to camp, Serregeth and Gibli explain that there's nothing but a ruined cottage at the end of the tunnel, however Serregeth and others notice Gibli doesn't quite look the same. Malchior offers Gibli to sleep with her, and they crawl into the sleeping bag together. Soon after, Serregeth and Delthar stand above the frolicking pair and begin slashing down with their swords. The bag bursts open, and revealed is the red-skin and demon wings of the succubus!! The succubus dissapears before the group's eyes, and everyone runs for their lives. They manage to reconvene on the road leading back to Nulb, and Gibli makes an appearance.

A large standoff ensues, but eventutally they prove that Gibli is the real Gibli, and they continue on. The next day the group heads for the mountain village of Rastor.