Session27

**The Reunion with Falco in** **The Dungeon Sphere and The Search for Marigold**
 * 8-24-13 **

Erevin had been kept busy with his mother on the last day of our visit in Myth Coramanth with ceremonial blessings in the temple of Corellian. Everyone had packed up and they were returning to the boat. Axton dragging Yuki slowly down the hall as she forlornly gazed back at the luxurious room, "No, no... not the princess bed! Can't we just take one? ...Oh! A pillow? Please? Just a pillow?" Seeing Erevin watching them in the hall, Axton looks at him, a little defeated, "Can she take a pillow?" Erevin smiled at the two of them and nodded. Axton released her hand to let her run back in and grab one of the oversized, soft princess pillows from the bed with it's luxurious elven silk pillowcase nestled against her cheek as she carried it happily. They board the Destiny , joining some of the others who are already there and waiting for their arrival.

Whitestrake takes the wheel and Azarius and Gregori head below deck taking the ship up into the air as everyone settles in. Shri tells Erevin about her trip into the woods to dance naked in ceremonies to Eilistraee while he was busy with Horitsu. Up on the deck, Erevin notices Wren greeting the others, but she seems to be looking off toward the elven lands, avoiding his gaze. He wanders over to greet her, "Dear Wren..." She smiles at him warmly, feigning slight surprise to see him, "Erevin! I've been meaning to tell you... thank you so much for talking us into returning to Myth Coramanth... if you hadn't, my father might not still be alive." He smiles back at her, nodding, "That's true. I'm glad that he is well... How are things?" She smiles happily, "Great!" He raises an eyebrow at her overly joyous response, "Great you say?" She nods and smiles sweetly, "How was YOUR trip?" He looks at her skeptically, "Not nearly as eventful as yours apparently..." She laughs softly, "Oh... well mine always seem to be eventful... I would think you would know that by now." She winks at him. He nods, "This is true... so anything i ... need to know?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">She ponders for a moment, echoing the question, "Anything that you NEED to know... hmmm." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">He was nodding and both of them starting to talk to at once, as she started with "Oh... did you hear..." as he said "I did hear a little bit about Mali... you had some issues when you were with her?" Wren nodded as he continued, "Everything's okay now?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Wren continued to nod, "Yes! Mali is back to normal. She has been freed. She is all good. No more worries." The young witch nodded to him happily. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Erevin nodded and looked at her, "Do you know what caused that?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Wren shrugged and nodded, "Yes... she touched the dragon orb... she WANTED to! It's not all my fault... she wanted to do it." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Erevin raised an eyebrow and shook his head, "That doesn't sound like Mali..." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Wren smiled, "All I did was push up the box and asked if she still wanted to touch it... and she got up there and embraced it happily." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Erevin pondered a moment, frowning, and looked at her curiously, "So... the two of you... scampered back down to the dragon cavern..." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Wren nodded, "Yes, we were very excited and wanted to see it once more and look through the treasures and..." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">He interrupted her, as he continued, "and then touched the dragon orb?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Wren pondered for a brief second, "Well... I didn't get to touch it that time... because when she touched it... she hogged up the dragon, so I didn't touch it because I was looking after the dragon inside Mali." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">He looked at her a little confused, "What do you mean she hogged up the dragon?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Wren frowned, "Well... she was possessed by the dragon." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">He nodded with terse lips, "POSSESSED by the dragon... but... she's okay?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Wren nodded emphatically, "She's fine now. He let her go." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">He blinked at her, "How long did he have her?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">She thought for a moment, "Mmm it was only the morning..." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">"However did you drive him out?!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">"Oh, he just let her go..." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">"When did he let her go?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Wren shrugged, "While we were walking around Myth Coramanth..." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Erevin stared at her, "So... Mali took the dragon on a tour... of... my homeland?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Wren blinked at him, "Well... he just wanted to see it... to see if anything had changed from 50 years ago before it moved." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Erevin stared at her, "I bet he did! Like the fortifications... and the white tower..." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Wren frowned at him, "He was very nice..." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Erevin's patience looked a little worn, "Oh, I'm sure he was very very nice... mmm." He frowned. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Wren shrugged, "Well... he was very nice to me. Mali said he tried to cheat. She's a little hateful about it." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Erevin sighed, "Well thank the gods that the orb is still back there..." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Wren blinked at him a little wide eyed, "Uh... yeah... thank the gods for that..." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">He raised an eyebrow at her. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">She sighed, "You didn't really want to leave it back there, did you?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">He nodded, looking at her, "Certainly! You put it back and locked it up where it's SAFE?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">She frowned, "Well what if someone else goes down there and finds it? They could spy on all of Myth Coramanth when they touch it!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">The frustration becoming more apparent in his voice, Erevin frowned at her, "You mean in the cavern where no one else has found it in how long? 50 years?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Wren flung her hands out to her sides, "Well SOMEONE else has been down there! I didn't steal the treasure." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Erevin sighed and looked at her, summoning great patience, "So... in order to protect the orb... what did you do with it?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">She looked at him innocently, "I... took it with me." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">He raised an eyebrow, "So you have it on you?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">She nodded, "Yes, where it is the safest." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">He sighed, "You realize that's not really the greatest of ideas, right?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">She looked a little defeated, "You really would have rathered I left it down there where..." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">He interrupted her angrily, "I would rather you would've shattered it!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">She blinked at him, "But... it's magic... who says I even could shatter it?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">He sighed, clearly frustrated. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">She frowned, "Would you like to try and break it?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">He glanced back over at her, "Not now..." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">She looked at him curiously, "Why not now?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">"Because who knows what would happen to the ship." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">She nodded, "Well... there is that..." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">The sky opens up and we shoot through into the astral sea. An antennae coming up from the ship collecting the silvery blue lightning sparking around us. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Wren looked at him, "Would you rather I..." she glanced over the ship into the astral sea. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Erevin glanced at her and walked away muttering rants to himself. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Azarius comes up to help Thorn in the ritual with his grandfather's knife. Gregori draws a circle around him and the knife begins to glow and shoot out a red stream off somewhere into the far distance. Whitestrake sets the course and we shoot off following the trail. Days travel by as we relax in Heroes' Rest. Again it is even more lush. Lots of flowers. More wildlife. It's more alive with noise... like crickets. The houses that we've chosen are changing subtly. The homes of Posy, Mali, and Thorn have lower ceilings and a general cozier little people feel. Posy's wood seems more sturdy, reinforced doors and walls... the doorways that Uther frequent have stayed larger and the bed is very sturdy, super reinforced, and big enough for both of them... Thorn's has a new secret back escape door. Erevin's has transformed with more white marble and ornately decorated like the palace with a large princely bed, small areas influenced by Shri. Yuki's windows have become heart-shaped with a grand fountain in the middle, very temple of Sune looking. Wren's has taken on a mossy willowy wood look with a bonfire circle outside and the inside has plenty of room for a cauldron and alchemy equipment and various parts of the home have taken on aspects that resemble Kale and Yienshul's home. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Thirteen and Saben happily run the bar room for everyone. A kask of Eisenhammer is also brought in. Time is hard to judge as there doesn't seem to be a real day and night... but we guess days have gone by before we can finally see the sphere that the red line goes to... and it takes a couple more days to still get to it... very small sphere compared to the others. Strangely it looks like a grey sphere... no color. "Prepare for sphere impact." Crackling and ripples as we transfer into the sphere. Complete blackness, with a large grey sphere that seems made of brick-worked granite and stone... A cylinder shaft runs down into the world through a hole in the top. There is a vast stairway leading to several torch-lit landings all along the sphere. It's quiet... and creepy. Something whips past the boat that appears to be a body uncontrollably falling with great speed. We expect it to circle back around, but instead it bounces up and splats against the bottom of our ship... Wren flies out to find the remains of an orc. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Each of the landings has a door and each door is numbered... from the top to the middle 1-30 and then back down 30-1 from the middle to the bottom. We randomly pick number 9 and move out to the 50x50 landing and big, wide stairs. Thorn is chosen to pick the unchosen hero to go with us. He picks Kale... despite the issues they had over his sister. Yuki cheers, "Oh thank god!" Axton slaps the back of her head. A trap goes off on the landing as Thorn unlocks the door, sparks of lightning flashing out taking half of Wren and Yuki's lives, sparking burn marks over Posy and Kale and Thorn manages to barely side-step out of the way, "Ha!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">with Erevin quickly following his queue to side-step with a "Ho!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Kale hollering out at Thorn, "Ah! Son-of-a... I thought you said there were no traps!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Thorn turns around, shrugging, "We're on a different world... I need time to adjust to what I'm looking for." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Yuki flashes out a warm aura of healing over everyone before we enter the hallway inside. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Thorn leads the way, very cautiously checking for traps as he goes, disarming a camouflaged spiked pit trap, accidentally setting off freezing cold jet sprays, and easily disarming a dart trap. What the hell kind of place is this?! We continue on, very slow and careful to a large double door with a secret door to the side. Thorn marks it with a big chalked "S" and gets it open to find a ... closet? Inside is a magic longsword, magic long bow, magic shield, and a small table with 4 vibrant blue potion vials. Wren looks over the potions discovering they're some sort of resist electricity potion. He disables the trap on the large double doors and we head into a small cave where a horse-sized, blue-scaled, dragon sits, who hisses and unfurls his wings as he sees us enter. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Everyone prepares for battle except for Wren who's heart melts over the baby dragon. Erevin steps forward, telling everyone to spread out, and fires his bow. The dragon shrieks out as two arrows sink into it. Thorn vanishes into the shadows and moves closer along the side as Yuki puts an electric resistance spell over Posy. The baby dragon breathes lightning down the hall lighting up Yuki, Wren, and Kale, but sparking over Posy's new resistance. Wren quickly hands out the 4 potions from the secret closet, drinking one of them. Posy charges forward slashing her axe into the dragon, blood splashing out. Erevin sends out more arrows as Thorn slides around behind the dragon. Yuki hurries forward to keep everyone near enough to her, drinking her potion as she goes. The dragon roars angrily, clawing and biting Posy and whipping it's tail at Thorn. Kale charges fully forward with his sword into the dragon. Wren, barely clinging to life, drinks her in case of emergency healing potion. Posy just misses and Thorn fully draws the attention of the dragon as his two daggers jaggedly slash into it's back repeatedly. Halfling blood spatters the walls as the little dragon batters Thorn in retaliation. He barely breathes as he coughs up blood bubbles. Yuki quickly steps in the center of the group and sends a desperately needed great warming heal over everyone. Wren steps off to the side and puts a hex of lucky fortune over Yuki as Kale moves up and takes the dragon's head. It falls to the ground in front of Wren with sad eyes. Tears fall from her eyes... Just a BABY! <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Erevin consoles her gently, "Wren...generally speaking... most dragons are bad... it had to be done." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">She wipes away her continuing tears, "But it was just a baby..." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">He pats her on the back, "and already bad... just easier to kill." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Kale moves up to put an arm around her and she sinks into him as Thorn finds another secret door, marking it with a chalked "S"... he gets it open to find... an empty closet! ...with empty hooks for a longsword, long bow, shield, and 4 vials. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Yuki looks inside, "What if we put the stuff from the first closet into this one? Maybe it'll open something cool!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Everyone nods. Thorn pipes up, "What if the vials are measured by weight?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Wren looks at him, "I guess someone is going to have to pee in them..." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Yuki's eyes go wide, "No - No! I'm sure that's not necessary!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Thorn shrugs and nods to Wren, "Good thing I had a lot of that Eisenhammer before we left the ship." He fills the four vials and places them on the table after we place the weapons into their respective places. As he does so, a door opens up in the ceiling... vast amounts of treasure spilling into the room. A large ruby falls and hits Yuki square in the head. She gasps and grabs it, "Mine!" Seeing the raining treasure outside of the closet, Thorn runs out, the door closes behind him... the items lost inside. Opening the door, it's closed by granite... the closet is gone. He erases the "S"... <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Everyone gathers up the gems and coins worth about 10,000 gold. There's another door that Thorn can't seem to see a trap on, so we follow the hall around to see other options. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">We move on, Thorn carefully checking for traps as we go. The hall curves around up to a bluish crystal door with wards and runes on it. Wren steps up and reads the runes over the magic door... Seems to be powerful warding magic to keep a powerful outerplanar creature inside. Thorn looks it over carefully and touches the crystal that seems to turn to water and melts down... circular room inside about 30 ft diameter with various waterfalls flowing into a 20 ft pool in the center. Another blue crystal door is on the other side. Erevin steps inside, the water in the center swirls around and a beautiful blue-skinned woman emerges from the pool. Erevin bows respectfully. She nods her head, "Greetings adventurer." He asks her what this place is and she seems confused... "Are you not from level 1?" She goes on to explain that this is the dungeon... where she's been trapped for a very long time... having heard many stories... once created by a mad wizard long ago as a place to lure adventurers in and to take their treasure. Over time, he grew too old or too disinterested to look after it and he used his powerful magic to give the dungeon sentience... and the dungeon continued to grow until it was all that was left is the dungeon. She is unable to leave the room. Wren peers at her, "Even with the door open?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">She looks at Wren, "Well... if you allow me to pass... I could leave." Erevin asks her about the halflings we're looking for and she tells us they should be on level 1... and Erevin thanks her and tells her to feel free to return home. She thanks us and tells us her name is Arissa Wavecrest. She asks if there is anything she can do for us for freeing her, but we just thank her and send her on her way. She steps out of the door and melts into a puddle and is gone. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">We decide to backtrack to fly up to level 1. Coming back to the door into the dragon cavern, and cracking it open slightly we can hear guttural voices inside... peeking in, there are two 18ft tall blue frost skinned, nordic looking frost giants. We stay very quiet and wait while they collect the carcass of the baby blue dragon. "Good eats tonight!" Let them pass as we wait... and head back to the boat... we move up toward the top level one... however the black circle entrance at the top no longer exists... we're now trapped inside the dungeon... <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">As we move up, coming down from level one to level two we see a small group heading down to level two. An elven archer, a dwarven mage, a human warrior, a halfling rogue, and a gnome alchemist... they quickly draw their weapons with wide eyes seeing the ship rise in the air near them. Wren sits along the rail and waves to them, "Hello!" They relax a little, seeing that we're elves and humans and halflings and a gnome... They call out to us, "Hail! Where did you find that boat?! What level is that from?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Erevin calls back, "Waaay down there!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Thorn echoing behind him, "The secret cow level! It exists!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">The human warrior is dressed a little like a paladin in shining armor, but there are no god or religious symbols on him... calls back, "I don't know what you're talking about... I don't recognize you... Are you from level one on the bottom?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Erevin shakes his head, "No... what's the difference?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">"Just different ... people... Where are you going?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Wren answers, still sitting up on the rails, "To find the halflings." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">The little halfling all dressed in black raises his hand, "I'm a halfling!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Thorn shakes his head, "You're not the one we're looking for. Sorry!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">The dwarven wizard asks Yuki about all of the hearts over her. He seems confused when she tells them she's a priestess with a god... the dungeon took all of their gods long ago... "Well I'm bringing one back! The goddess of love and beauty!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">The group is very proud... their first adventure to level 2! The halfling rogue tells us we would have better luck finding more halflings in the tavern on level one. They volunteer to escort us, giving up their quest for the day. Yuki calls out to Axton, "Quick make some pamphlets! We have people to convert!" He starts drawing pretty hearts on papers. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">We go with the adventurous group up to level one. The little rogue looks at the trap so carefully... and tells us the traps always reset. Thorn nudges him aside... the trap so simple that he just opens the door and avoids it. The little halfling is left in awe of him. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Various taverns line up together... each looks different, but they're all taverns. A small graveyard off to the side, mines and mazes and various places to learn and prepare for adventuring. The taverns seem tailored to the different races. The rogue halfling suggests The Cozy Hearth... shorter, round doorways. Very hobbit home in appearance. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Yuki passes out a pamphlet to our escorting group, "Sune loves you!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">The handsome human warrior places his hand on the wall next to her, leaning closer, "And how much does Sune love me?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Yuki nods emphatically to him, "Very much!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Erevin goes over to pull her back, "Sune... what are you doing?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Thorn calls over, "C'mon Sune... let's go." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">She gasps at both of them, "Such blasphemy! Don't listen to them!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">The human warrior touches her hand, "Why don't you come by the Dauntless Dolphin later and see me..." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">She smiles up at him, "Are there more humans there?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">He nods encouragingly, "Oh, yeah." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">She beams happily, "Oh good! I'll make more pamphlets!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Thorn pulls the halfling aside and tells him about the traps that he found on level nine... <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">The halfling gasps, "Holy Shit!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Thorn laughs and hushes him, "When you get there... you'll look pretty good because you'll know what to do ahead of time." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">The halfling rogue writes it all down quickly, nodding at Thorn. Thorn neglects to pass any information about the warm yellow vials though... <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">A plump halfling matron chases a couple of halfling children with a rolling pin, "Stop stealing the cookies!" She practically runs into Erevin, stopping short and apologizing, "Those rapscallions! They're going to be rogues some day... mark my words!" She wipes the flour from her hands off on her apron and extends a cheerful greeting to Erevin, "My name is Panella Widebottom." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">She turns to glare at any possible coming taunt about her wide bottom, but Erevin simply smiles and nods to her, "You have a very pretty name." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">She beams at him, "Oh! Why thank you! Welcome to The Cozy Hearth." She greets everyone warmly and eyes Thorn wearily, "No cookies for you!" She smiles at Posy, "You can have a cookie though." Posy happily munches on an adorable gingerbread orc while Thorn slyly steals a cookie anyway. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Erevin smiles at her, "We're here looking for a family member... and we're hoping you can help." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">She nods, "Oh, well what's his name?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Thorn pipes up, "Falco." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">She smiles brightly, "Oh! Falco! You know Falco?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Thorn smiles and nods, "Yes... was there a young lady with him?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">She nods, "Oh! Miss Marigold?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Thorn nods, a little relieved that they are together, "Yes, I know her too." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Panella sighs a little dreamily, "She is the hero of The Cozy Hearth." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Erevin smiles, "That one's no rogue..." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">She sighs happily, "No..." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Thorn looks at her skeptically, "Okay... how exactly is she the hero of The Cozy Hearth? Please... tell us this story!" We all pull up chairs and order a round, listening intently. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">She smiles, "Well... 10 years ago..." Everyones eyes get wider, and she continues, "Strangers came to the tavern... and they had no knowledge of the dungeon! Falco and Marigold. A group of adventurers intercepted them down on... i think level three... and they were about to go in, but they didn't seem ready for it... so the group brought them back here. The older one was very skilled as a rogue and taught many of our brave halflings, including those two little rapscallions! ...but Marigold decided on a different path and she became a halfling warrior! There aren't many halflings who are warriors... Right now she's down on level 8!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Thorn sighs, just knowing she's probably getting herself in trouble, "Where's Falco?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">She smiled at him, "Oh! C'mon." She escorts us through some very lovely rooms to a larger room with a slightly older Falco in a rocking chair. His hair is whiter and he's watching a small group of boys and girls practicing rogue things. A little girl walks across the hall with a dramatic flourish, "Ohhh... I can't believe I'm so drunk... and so rich... I can barely carry all of this money." We all giggle quietly watching the display. A little halfling boy stealths up toward her, but trips, and a long birch rod whips out from Falco's hand with a crack. A couple of others are playing with little locked boxes. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Panella calls over to him as we all move into the room, "Oh Mr. Falco!" He looks up from his rocking chair at Panella and the group around her and recognizes his grandson, Thorn, and calls out happily in greeting, "Ronald!" he pushes up his glasses, "Is that you?" Everyone looks around for who he's talking to, and Thorn sighs heavily. Falco stands up with his cane, starting to come over, but Thorn quickly motions him back, "No no no, sit... sit. I'll come to you." He turns to the group, pointing his finger, "None of you heard any of that!" We all smile as he heads to see his grandfather. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Yuki moves closer to Wren and squeezes her hand tightly, whispering, "10 years!" Wren nods to her, squeezing Yuki's hand in return. Both of them concerned for their loved ones still lost... they cling to one another for comfort. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Falco greets him happily, "You're a sight for sore eyes! How the hell did you get here?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Thorn shakes his head, "It's a loooong story..." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Falco nods, "I didn't think I'd ever see you again! This place is kind of... a dump." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Thorn nods, "From what we've seen of it... yeah. I agree!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Panella comes over, "I'll get some fresh bread and fixins going for you all." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">We bow gratefully, "Most kind of you." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">"Any friends of Falco are a friend of mine." She winks over at the old halfling before she heads off to the kitchen. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Thorn shakes his head at Falco, "You old dog, you." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Falco leans in closer, "And believe me... she's aptly named." He winks at him. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Thorn blushes, shaking his head and holding his hands up as though to ward him back, "Grandpa! Oh my god! You're embarrassing me in front of my friends." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Falco laughs and turns to the group of kids in the room, "Okay kids... break time. Go out and practice your back stabbing or something." They wander out and we all pull up chairs. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Thorn nods, "We came here looking for you and Mari... what's this I hear about her being on level 8?!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Falco sighs wearily, "Well... let's just say that after a few years...she sort of bought in. She decided if she was gonna live here, she was going to be useful... From what I understand from the locals this dungeon has overgrown, taken over the world... even ate their gods... slowly herding the people to level one. The dungeon provides food, water, and the basic necessities of living to keep the people going. ...Unfortunately there's also skeletons, orcs, kobolds, and all kinds of nasty little beasties that raid the taverns on occasion... so everyone here is trained as an adventurer to go out and retrieve items from the lower levels to bring them back and make life a little bit easier. Your sister decided she wanted to follow a warrior path... How are you doing boy? You look sharp! Nice armor... Nice looking daggers... You've been doing pretty well for yourself. Even got your own little group of adventurers here... leading your own adventuring group? I'm impressed!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Thorn nods, "Yes, this is my crew!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Wren giggles and Posy slaps him on the back of the head. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Falco thinks that it's possible level 30 may have a way out... but most don't survive past level 10... <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">and Marigold should have been back a couple of days ago. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">They have a schedule for meal times, with bar brawls scheduled in between 2nd breakfast and lunch and another between lunch and dinner... Posy and Thorn get rooms here, but Erevin suggests the taller group find rooms with a little more head room. We agree to meet in the morning for breakfast before heading to level 8 to find Marigold. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Yuki heads over to the Dauntless Dolphin to hand out pamphlets, "Oh, Do you know Sune?" Erevin puts an arm around her, leading her away as she calls out, "Wait, Wait... they need to know..." We go to The Silver Leaf and she continues to hand out pamphlets as we go, "Will you let Sune into your heart?" The elven tavern is much quieter than the raucous halfling one, scholarly mages and archery targets. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Other than tavern proprietors... everyone here is some sort of adventurer. No merchants, bakers, nobility, etc... All the conversations revolve around adventuring... not much in the way of small day to day talk. It is all normal here to them. There are couples with children, families. Mobiles above the cribs have adventuring symbols... a wand, a sword, a bow... etc. A large bulletin board in the taverns has LFG at the top of it... names and professions have been posted here with tavern names written next to them. Alchemists seem to be the healers of this world. Yuki starts to feel watched but doesn't seem to see anyone... she goes to Erevin. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">He ponders a moment, "Well... the dungeon is alive... and you're new and preaching about gods..." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">She protests, "I'm just handing out pamphlets..." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Wren looks at her, "Stop handing out pamphlets! Give me those!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Yuki clings to them, "Nooo! Axton made them with his own hands!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Posy participates in the evening bar brawl... they put away the good furniture and bring out the broken and cheaper stuff... everyone cheers and laughs back to friendly afterward. Someone whispers to another, "I think I leveled!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Breakfast in the morning. We wish the group that escorted us to the taverns well as they head back out to adventure into level 2. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Falco goes with us. Widebottom calls out, "You're coming back, aren't you?" "Yeah, of course..." he kisses her cheek and pats her bottom. We take the boat down to level 8. Falco stays behind, chatting with Amynta. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Thorn looks over the door, but can't seem to find a trap. He makes us wait on the boat just in case. Spinning blades whirl out high and low over the platform. Thorn disarms them so it's safe for everyone. We enter the hall, moving cautiously and slowly, Thorn disarming as we go. He hears a voice in his head, "The dungeon will provide... bring your friends... you belong on level 7." Thorn shakes it off, "I'm not from here." We don't see the secret storage closet, so Wren casts out to search for one... Thorn marks it with a chalked S. Inside we find a magic sword, magic bow, magic shield, and 4 clear vials... seem to be invisibility potions. Posy suggests trying out the weapons this time, and she, Yuki, and Kale drink the potions. Wren casts over herself and Thorn and Erevin stealth in. Wren takes the bow, Erevin takes the sword, and Kale takes the shield to test them. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">A large cavern, stalagmites and stalactites, and 2 path choices... Thorn picks right. As we head carefully in... Yuki is invisible, but noisy... Erevin notices something camouflaged by one of the stalactites turn it's head toward Yuki's direction, and he launches an arrow into it. Everyone sees it as it moves out and shrieks. Stone giants. We find that the weapons are all made to be specifically designed vs stone giants. The sword glows bright in Erevin's hands, drawing the attention of more stone giants who move in and smash him. Wren quickly moves out of the way as a giant charges almost over her. She turns and fires the magic bow at it, sinking a vicious striking arrow into it. Eldrich fire flares out over the bow, illuminating Wren's skin as she fades to visible again. Yuki brushes by Erevin, her invisible hands sending out a delightful healing touch on her way past. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Thorn teams up with Erevin, flanking one of the giants as Posy slices deeply into another. Erevin whirlwinds with 2 blades, sending out powerful strikes again and again, dropping the giant to the ground. One of the giants clubs Posy brutally while another hammers Thorn twice like a little halfling nail, smashing him into the ground. The one Wren shot, throws a big boulder at her, but Kale steps in front of her, raising the magic shield that seems to guide itself to deflect and roll the boulder up and past her. Thanking him, she turns to fire the flaming bow at the giant smashing Thorn into paste. Yuki quickly flicks her ribbon out to caress over Thorn sending a surge of precious life back into him. Thorn gets back to his feet and backs up to be near Kale and Wren. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Posy double smashes through a stone skinned giant, leaving him to miss her as he reels in pain. Another giant rushes up to Erevin and smashes into him, cracking bones! The other rushes Kale, but he deflects it back with the shield. Yuki throws out a much needed wave of healing over everyone. Thorn dashes over to team up with Erevin, striking the giant savagely in the back, leaving it looking ragged and barely up. Posy swipes the other, dropping it to the ground. One of the giants smashes into Kale, Wren firing her bow over Kale's shoulder to viciously strike back with an arrow. Posy and Thorn swarm together over the one close to her, but it still manages to survive as Erevin topples the other, driving his sword through it's skull. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">The giant on Wren and Kale hollers out, "Little elf hurt me! Move out of way, Tin man!" It shoves Kale to reach past him... striking Wren to near death, leaving her barely gasping for breath and stumbling backwards to launch another arrow into it, while Kale drives his blade into it forcing back away from Wren. Yuki sends out a massive wave of powerful healing over everyone, and keeping Wren up on her feet. Posy charges over to next to Kale, battling out the last giant while Thorn moves off to find the secret closet and marks it with his chalked S. Erevin charges in next to Posy and Kale. The giant lashes out against Posy, fighting for it's life. Wren puts an arrow in it's eye, dropping it to the ground. Yuki channels out another wave of healing over everyone as we move to join Thorn at the closet with the empty slots. We put in the magic weapons. Thorn fills up the three empty vials, and it requires us to drink the last potion to work. Wren drinks it and sets up the empty vial in it's slot... the treasure pours out... bracers, longsword, battleaxe and 5,000 gold in coins and gems. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Looking around the room, we notice two other bodies of stone giants in the room blending with the stone floor. Erevin looks around to find small footprints leading out through the left door, but the giants came from the right door. Thorn disarms the door and we follow the small footprints. Proceeding carefully and cautiously with Thorn disarming harrowing traps along the way. We come up to a red crystal door, Wren verifying the runes that again it held some powerful outerplanar creature within. Thorn touches the crystal, and it melts to the floor, heat washing over us from the room lit up in bright fire. Thorn quickly holds Wren back, "This would not be the time for dancing..." She pouts a little, refraining from stripping her clothes, and stays behind him. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Erevin enters to see a 12ft tall, red, bull faced figure who emerges with his great arms crossed in front of him... his deep, booming voice filling the room, "Greetings Mortals." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Erevin takes a respectful knee and nods in greeting, "M'lord... Are you an ifrit?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">He nods, "Yes... from the great city of Vrass... trapped here." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Erevin nods, "I have never seen an ifrit before... I've only heard legends." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">"Your obeisance pleases me... but... if you wish to pass this room, you must offer me a gift." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Erevin stands and nods to him, "What lies beyond this room?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">"I know not... only more of the dungeon... You must either best me in combat or sate my desire for shinies." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Erevin smiles, "I would grant you your freedom." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">"Actually... obeisance and sacrifices from those that pass through here... why would i want to leave? ...perhaps someday." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Erevin ponders a moment, "Do we have anything worthy of an ifrit..." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Yuki shakes her head, "No... we don't." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Erevin turns and looks at her, "What about that big ruby?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">"NO! I have a dress, Erevin!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">The ifrit becomes interested in the conversation, "What is this?" He looks directly at Yuki who shrinks back a little, "I have a dress!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">He raises an eyebrow and Wren nods, "I'm sure it would look fabulous on you... all pink and frilly." He looks skeptically at Wren and then looks back to Yuki, "I love rubies..." He reaches out to take it from her hands, but she doesn't let go, still clinging to it, "You don't understand! I have a dress!" Thorn slips behind her and tickles her sides, and she jumps squealing, releasing the gem from her hands. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">The ifrit admires the beautiful ruby in his hands, "Alright... you may pass." He looks down at Thorn, "I didn't think another of your kind would've made it to level 8..." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Erevin looks up, "What did she offer you?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">He shows him a ruby-tipped mace that Erevin asks to see closer. He holds it out, but doesn't let it go. Erevin examines it and picks up Marigold's scent still lingering on the mace. Yuki huddles close, "Let me smell it too!" Her eyes shimmer looking over the lovely ruby sparkling mace. The ifrit glances down at her, "Take that one away... personal space, young lady! ...she has the eye of the dungeon on her." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Yuki looked up at him, "What does that mean?!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Erevin nods to him, agreeing, and Yuki looks at both of them, "It's because of the pamphlets, isn't it?!" She offers the ifrit a pamphlet and it burns in his hands. "Oh! Here's another..." but it also burns. The ifrit looks us all over, "You are the strangest group of adventurers I have ever seen." Erevin comforts Yuki over the loss of her ruby with a promised arrangement to have one princess bed brought to her home in Heroes' Rest. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">We pass through the next red door, the red crystal melting away...