“It is easier to forgive an enemy than to forgive a friend.” ― William Blake

In Hot Pursuit
1,926 XP

The group is in hot pursuit of the crawling mammoth lizard creature that is the Crawling Citadel. The adventurers are on their sand skiff and slowly closing in on the creature construct that towers above them over 30 feet and is itself over 50 feet long. On its back are several thri-kreen, the creatures who have stolen from the group, the seed from the Tree Of Life.

They are able to come up behind the Crawling Citadel only to have its tail smash into the skiff. Ninaki, Zaya and Fluffy are able to barely jump out of the way. Aelar positions the skiff. Sparrow transforms and flies up to get a look at the situation on the creatures back. There he sees several thri-kreen as well as bird like humanoid creatures, Aarakocra. It seems clear that one of the creatures is controlling the tail while the other, the head. Sparrow alights down beside the creature controlling the tail and destroys all but one of the controls in one swing of his sword.

Ninaki is able to jump the gap from the skiff to the tail now above the skiff and climbs aboard the creature. Zaya is able to easily follow. The are able to climb aboard but now face the enemies on board as they take substantial damage from attacks. Sparrow discovers that near the outer edge of the crawling construct are several unmanned crossbow turrets. Sparrow also discovers that they do not need to be manned as the turret nearest him turns and fires a poison bolt at him all on its own.

Fluffy seeing his friend in danger helps by casting Mountain's Might upon Sparrow to save him from further excessive damage. Thus Sparrow, in human form, gains a rocky outer protective skin. Zaya is repeatedly hit from both the jumping thri-kreen as well as wind and dust damage from the arcane Aarakocra Windcallers. At one point she is knocked unconscious and near death but is able to hold out until Fluffy casts healing upon her preventing her death.

Sparrow is still very close to death so he transforms into bird form and flies above the skiff in hopes he is out of danger. But he is wrong. He is hit by one of the magical crossbow turrets which have poisoned bolts. He is able to withstand the physical damage done by the bolt but the realization that the poison in the bolt will soon course through his veins dawns on him. He knows that within the next minute or two he will die. He will go unconscious 70 feet above the ground. Zaya seeing this happen and having the same realization, runs down the length of the creature while retrieving her rope and making a quick lasso. She throws it but comes just short of the bird. With a dying effort Sparrow is able to reach out with his clawed feet and grasp the rope but it is then the poison hits and he goes unconscious, letting go. He plummets 70 feet down to the ground and with a tiny thud is embedded into the sand as the crawling creature and skiff carry on leaving the tiny sparrow buried in his grave of sand.


MetaGame Spoiler Inside

(DM Note: our first real death of  a party member :(

Ninaki moves up to one of the thri-kreen and is able to grab him and throw him into his compatriot, toppling both of them off of the Crawling Citadel, down 50 feet and landing upon the sand skiff pursuing below. They are incredibly damaged but able to get back up and face the fire mage, 'Boy' who is all by himself. 'Boy' is able to use his magic to both protect himself as well as overcome one of the thri-kreen. When one the the thri-kreen are dead, 'Boy' simply uses his magic to animate the corpse of the fallen thri-kreen to battle the remaining other thri-kreen. Thus the two hive mates battle until the remaining one perishes as well.

Finally, all the enemies are eliminated but the group has not yet found the seed. Knowing the vessel is large and has more space below, the group searches for ways into the creature. Fluffy finds a trap door and 'Boy' senses magic below the trap door. Casting 'Dispel Magic' to remove any possible traps and between Ninaki and Princess, the spirit companion of Fluffy, they are able to open the door.

Abandon Ship
500 XP

Below the door is the wraith who has been protected in the hold below. He is the source of the magical energy that holds the creature/construct together and animates it. He also currently holds the seed. He blathers something about the seed being his to use but the party cuts him short and within a few quick strikes the wraith is dead. With the wraith dead, so is the magic holding the creature together and it quickly begins to crumble as it continues to crawl along the desert, losing pieces and breaking as it goes.. The group runs as quickly as they can but Zaya surprisingly is the first to loose her footing and tumbles down a precarious slant as one of the creatures legs crumbles but is able to hold on before plummeting over the edge. Fluffy soon looses his footing and slide almost off of the back end of the creature. One by one though they are able to make it across the creature, which is now breaking into multiple pieces, and jump to the safety of their sand skiff or desert floor.

When the dust and sand settle, Ninaki is in possession of the seed and Fluffy is off crawling among the ruins of the Crawling Citadel looking for treasure. He soon finds a bounty with 'Boy' looking over his shoulder and telling the kobold if there is anything of value.


MetaGame Spoiler Inside

(DM Note: 'Boy' tries telling Fluffy that the ring that is found is simply a cheap gold ring, not worth much, but is  in fact a Lesser Ring Of Feather Fall. Nice. Fluffy ends up giving 'Boy' the ring anyway.

Seed For Sale
1,000 XP

The seed now re-acquired, the group decides to head back to Altaruk to meet up with Arisphistaneles, the arcanist who didn't believe the seed and prophecy did not exist. After a bit of barely effective diplomacy, the group, minus Aelar who would not be well received back in Altaruk for the accidental killing of Kirvin, head into the small city. Once in the tent of Arisphistaneles, the group does some fast talking and finally shows the arcanist the seed. Finally convinced of the existence of the seed, Arisphistaneles also realizes the power and worth of the seed. He asks what the group wants in exchange for the seed.

It is then that the acolyte closes to the now deceased Kirvin, tells the group that he knows how Kirvin was to get them back to their home world and city of Diafthora. The group now simply wants to go home.

It is then that Ninaki shows his other nature. His more brutal nature. Life in the desert has hardened him and made him look out for the one person that matters the most, himself. He demands that everyone give over to him all their possessions and he will let them have the seed...and live. And by everyone, he means everyone. Including the members of the adventuring party.

'Boy' quickly gives over his meager amount of coins, but this does not sit well with Zaya. Before anyone can see it happening she has drawn her sword and struck two devastating blows to Ninaki easily blooding him in that one movement. She will not give up her hard earned treasure. Not to Ninaki. Not to anyone. Fluffy too is adamant that he will not part with his ale. It's ale.

Ninaki gives them a second chance but seeing the group will not take it he strikes back at Zaya inflicting massive damage but Fluffy intervenes and give Zaya the protection of Mountain's Might as her skin turns to stone. Ninaki downs a healing potion and is back to full health and ready to continue his negotiations by force.

It is then that one of the acolytes returns. It is the protege of Kirvin. He carries two chests. He humbly approaches Ninaki and places the chest at his feet. He opens it to reveal many gold coins. Real metal gold coins. Remaining bowed he backs away after presenting this ransom. He then turns to the remaining party members and presents the other chest. Once opened it reveals another portal key, exactly like the one that was responsible for transporting them to Sigil.

The stalemate continues and there are tense and intimidating words back and forth. Finally, Fluffy notices the acolyte mouth to him, "Touch the portal key all together at the same time,". Fluffy then uses his 'Shifty Maneuver' and transports Zaya, 'Boy' and himself to the portal key and as they all touch the portal key they are removed from Athas leaving Ninaki to go on a rage fueled killing spree which ends with him killing his way out of the tent and back to his skiff. There on the skiff still is Aelar who quickly finds that he has been left behind while the others departed back to Sigil and that Ninaki intends to enslave him until his death.

I never thought we'd be back here. But here we are.

Ninaki orders Aelar to head the skiff back to Tyr. There he uses the promise of the seed as leverage to scam the rich and powerful. A old lame mul is sent to retrieve the seed in return for 200 gold pieces. But he is swindled by Ninaki. Ninaki had always intended to kill him and keep the seed for himself. But killing this old mul, who had once been a gladiator, is not so easy. After valiantly fending off Ninaki while weaponless, the old mul is beheaded by Ninaki. Ninaki then decides to continue this scam on every city in Athas.




You Can Go Home Again.

Back in Sigil and safe from the mul's wrath, Zaya's priority is rest. So she seeks out the only inn she knows there. There at the inn is the hot male elf with whom she had a date not too long ago. He is still pining and talking about Zaya to anyone who will listen. The group sneaks past and finds room without making their presence known.

Osirian, one hundred years in the future finds directions to 'Boy''s home in Diathora. Arriving in the middle of the night, Osirian lets himself in and makes himself a sandwich.  Soon an old man comes down the stairs and into the kitchen. It is 'Boy' looking more ancient than Osirian thought anyone could look. 'Boy' informs him that in this reality he was the only one to escape Athas alive. Ninaki was able to kill off the rest of the group but 'Boy' was able to escape. He has spent his entire life looking for Osirian throughout the Planes. He has scoured countless worlds and gained much knowledge but always returned back to Diafthora in hopes that he would eventually see the halfling again. Osirian asks if there is a way back to his world and time. 'Boy' says he will simply need until morning. The next morning Osirian asks if there is anything he can bring young 'Boy' from his older self. 'Boy' retrieves his spell book. His life's work. A collection of numerous spells which have been collected over decades. With that 'Boy' sends him back to Diafthora. Sitting in his chair, at his table in his own manor.

Instructions: Touch and Click Heels

Back in Sigil, Zaya, Fluffy and 15 year old 'Boy' have exchanged their possessions back to their Diafthora supplies and found Aluvis Ruskin who sells them a portal which  can safely transport them back to their home. They simply have to all touch the portal key together and imagine home. Zaya, 'Boy' and the dog Diamond arrive at the front gate facing their manor back in Diafthora. Fluffy is nowhere in sight.

'Boy' runs into the house to look for Osirian.
Zaya heads to the tavern to retrieve Fluffy.

All is as is should be.


MetaGame Spoiler Inside

(DM Note: And there ends our adventures in the Dungeons and Dragons Fourth Edition World. It has been a complete blast and my life is so much better for it. Thanks guys for tolerating my weird campaign adventures and all my screw ups along the way. I hope you had even a fraction as much fun as I've had. Dungeons and Dragons Fifth Edition.....here we come!

The Tree Of Life

Kicked out of yet another city.

This session begins with the awkward silence after Aelar has inadvertently killing their Athas guide, Kirvin. Arisphistaneles, Kirvin's mentor stands in stunned silence looking down at Kirvin's dead body with a Flying Dagger embedded in his head. After a short silence, Ninaki bends down and begins to go through Kirvin's clothes looking for anything valuable or important. Arisphistaneles is not impressed but is unable to thwart the hulking mul. One of the items that Ninaki finds on Kirvin's body is a map. Zaya notices a young acolyte run out the back of the tent.

Arisphistaneles, turns his anger towards Aelar. Realizing that it was a horrible accident he asks Aelar for compensation that will sustain Kirvin's family. After a few tense words Aelar is finally convinced to give up a large portion of his money, 50 gold bits and an onyx gem. Guards arrive along with a goliath, who have come to investigate the death as it was reported to them via the acolyte who had left.

While this is taking place, the others, are investigating the meager library within Arisphistaneles' tent. Boy is eager to find spells, such as 'Raise The Dead' or 'Speak With The Dead' but the book that Fluffy has retrieved is old and fragile. Much of the book is unreadable but 'Boy' is able to find a ritual of 'Deathly Shroud' with the aid of Sparrows rediscovered magical 'Reading Spectacles'.

After a few words from Arisphistaneles, they decide that any further actions would not be beneficial but warn the party that they are encouraged to leave the city as soon as possible. With that said they exit the tent. Arisphistaneles, is of the same mind. He wishes to have nothing more to do with these adventurers and asks them to leave.

Damage done. The group moves back to their sand skiff for the evening.

The next morning the party pulls anchor and moves off in the direction indicated by the map they have discovered on the body of Kirvin. The map ancient and readable only via Sparrow's 'reading spectacles' gives directions to something referred to as 'The Dragon's Foot' and is pictured in the map as a swirling storm.

A Storm Of Revelation
1,050 XP

As the heat of the day becomes unbearable for a few of the party, including Fluffy and Zaya, the sand skiff moves towards a column of dark swirling sand that reaches high in the sky far off in the distance. As they move closer they realize the dark column of swirling sand is in fact a large storm miles across. It moves in a  near perfect circular cyclone. Moving nearer Fluffy notices movement at the base of the storm.  Humanoid shapes move about. Several of them.

Deciding that a head on approach is best, the Aelar is instructed to keep a straight heading towards the storm. When they have approached near enough they can make out several human bandits with a large group of captives. One by one the bandits are throwing captives into the wall made by the swirling storm. The group stands transfixed as they watch the flailing captive being sucked up into the storm and disappearing into it and instant later.

Sand gets everywhere. I mean everywhere!

Most of the party moves below decks while Ninaki straps himself to the mast with rope and orders Aelar to continue moving the skiff into the storm without slowing. As the skiff moves towards the storm wall, they pass among tall cliffs which reveal a number of warrior bandits hiding behind and on top of. As the skiff moves past these the bandits continually try to board the ship or throw barbed spears towards both Ninaki and Aelar. Some are able to board the ship as it moves and even wound both Ninaki and Aelar but not for very long. Ninaki is able to fend them off well enough until Aelar's force push sends them, all but one, careening off of the sand skiff. Some are pushed off in front of the skiff only to recover just in time to see the skiff run over their prone bodies and kill them. Ninaki yells a warrior's yell which is quickly snatched by the overpowering wind. No verbal communication is possible over the storms noise.

Aelar continues to drive the skiff towards the wall of wind and debris crushing several bandit bodies underneath is keel, as well as a human captive destined for sacrifice. They move headlong straight into the storm. The storm's winds hits each of the characters topside on the skiff. Ninaki, bound to the mast laughs and yells enjoying the buffeting storm. Aelar decides a bit of magical protection is in order. He summons a five foot wide wall of stone to surround him and the bandit who is cowering nearby holding onto the railing. A smart use of magical skill. That is until the sheer weight of tons of stone breaks through the deck of the ship.

'Boy', Fluffy and Sparrow each dive out of the way of the crashing deck down into the hold below. Zaya simply stands aside casually out of harms way. Aelar, crashing into the hold below lets go of the spell and the wall instantly vanishes leaving a gaping hole through which both Aelar and Sparrow are sucked up and out into the storm. 'Boy' barely is able to cling onto a broken piece of decking in order to prevent him from disappearing into the storm.

Moments later, the skiff emerges on the other side of the storm wall and howling storm is behind them. Fluffy quickly scurries on deck and finds both Aelar and Sparrow amid the storm. They are easily 50 feet up and about another 50 feet away from the storm wall. Well out of the way from any spells they may have had in order to help them. Ninaki simply sits down with his hookah to enjoy the show. Zaya still holding onto the deck rails glances around and notices behind them large rock structures, one of which looks like a face. It's mouth an entrance into the rock itself.

 Up inside the storm, Sparrow transforms into his bird form and is able to at least guide himself, if unable to escape the incredible winds. Aelar on the other hand is tossed mercilessly by the storm and is unable to know up from down. He reaches out with his mind to try and communicate with his rat companion but to no avail. In a momentary lessening of wind Sparrow is able to descend a number a feet before being buffeted by the winds again. Aelar, also experiencing the same lessening decides to aim his body, arrow like, down towards the ground, and plummets 30 feet downwards.  After being carried by he wind again there is another lessening of the wind which allows Sparrow to escape out of the storm and alight back on the skiff. Aelar is able to use this lessening to again plummet uncontrolled down head first into the ground taking damage just shy of death. Zaya and Fluffy run to Aelars aid and pull him out of the sand while magically healing his broken bones.

After a brief rest and debate, they move into the mouth of the cave.


MetaGame Spoiler Inside

(DM Note: I was really hoping that the group would hit the final boss battle this session so I was a little worried that this encounter would slow them down too much. There were a lot of enemies to get through. Silly me. Why not just drive a skiff through them and over them. Job Done.

An Entrance Long Awaited
1,590 XP

As they enter and descend into the rock the party feels cool for the first time. Perhaps for Ninaki this is the first time he has ever felt this cool in his life. Not only is the temperature cool and comfortable but the air is moist.

They do not get to enjoy the feeling for very long though. They are immediately beset upon by foul worm like creatures. They crawl under the ground and down from the ceilings and walls and bite at the party. Just as they are getting a handle on these, wraith-like spirits enter the corridor and speak to them in a language that they do not know.  Aelar, while unable to understand the exact words of the creature can from his schooling gets a general gist of what the creature is saying.

The creatures believes the party are servants of Nibenay and orders them to leave. The group tries to convince the spirits that they are not servants of Nibenay and are here for good but the spirits are not convinced. The spirits eventually are able to find a common language and tells the group that they are entrusted to protect the Tree Of Life and will take no chances.

The group decides to kill them all.

After looking up and down the corridor the group doesn't find anything. That is until Zaya decides to kick at some of the debris lying around on the floor. Looking through the mix of bones, rock and other detritus reveals a few vials of 'Blackdragon Bile', a suit of 'Blending Armor' and a scroll of 'Comprehend Language'.

Competitors For The Seed Of Life
2,250 XP

Moving through the corridor, the group finds it opens up into a large cavern. Here is the source of moisture. The cave is covered in grasses, mosses and vines. Further back in the cavern is a large tree. The Tree Of Life. It is dying. It is leafless and brittle with a single large brown seed holding onto one of the branches.

previous acting credits: 'Honey I Shrunk The Kids'

Surrounding the Tree Of Life is an umoving circle of mist. 'Boy' senses a massive amount of magic coming from the seed as well as some magical emanations from the mist. 'Boy' tries to dispel the magic mist but the mist remains. Aelar hands Zaya, Kyorli his rat companion, and boldly steps through the fog. He moves through the fog to end up on the other side beside the tree, the seed hanging directly above him within reach. Instead he simply sits down and looks depressed. The others wisely not wanting to cross the mist try to get Aelar to come back with the seed but the elf simply sits there and says 'what's the use'.

Soon enough 'Boy' is unable to 'dispel magic' and the mist blows away and disappears. At that moment several creatures emerge from the opposite side of the cave. They are upright creatures that have 4 arms and 2 legs. Each arm is clawed and they chitter to the group to leave the seed for them. Everyone prepares for battle, except Aelar who dejectedly watches sitting against the Tree.

The lead thri-kreen runs to the tree and plucks the seed from the tree. Ninaki is the first to challenge him and they trade blows until there is a dead thri-kreen leader at the mul's feet. The seed unfortunately has been handed to another thri-kreen and it now tries to escape with the seed. Fluffy, Zaya and Sparrow are each having to fend of a creature of their own, while 'Boy' is sending off magic-missles wearing every enemy down.

Finally, a thri-kreen is able to hand off the seed with his dying effort and Fluffy chases the creature out through a crack in the rock to the outside of the mountain. Fluffy emerges back into the blazing hot sun of Athas and is witness to the thri-kreen crawling up inside the mouth of a massive crawling creature made from various materials including thousands of bones, which ends up crawling right past him. Atop the creature, Fluffy sees several thri-kreen as well as other humanoids. The creature is easily 30 feet tall and long like a giant lizard. Fluffy rushes back into the cave to warn the others that the seed is escaping via a massively constructed walking creature.

The group has to clear the room of the remaining enemies, which they do in short order and grab the depressed elf off of the ground and retreat to their skiff. 'Boy' is able to, after a couple attempts to remove the magical disease from Aelar while above decks Fluffy is attempting to drive the skiff following the massive crawling ship's footprints. The soon learn that Fluffy doesn't really know what he is doing and has lost the tracks.

Aelar, now healed, comes atop and takes over the broken rudder as Sparrow takes to the sky to find the crawling ship. Together they get the skiff back on course and are now headed towards the tail of the massive creature.

Tune in next time.

Death Comes Swiftly And Unfortunately

This sessions begins with the adventurers receiving roaring applause and cheers from the arena audience as workers drag off the bodies of the group's opponents. The group is not sure if more recognition in this place is a good thing quickly remove themselves from the gladiatorial arena floor. There they are each paid 100 gold bits for their victory in the games.

A smarmy looking dwarf approaches the group and offers them a chance to become gladiatorial legends in the games circuit, He would set up the games and take a small fee for his efforts. He assures the group that they would flourish and earn many bits. The group has no desire to stay in this dying land any longer than they have to. They move on leaving the dwarf disappointed.

Kirvin is eager to find his mentor who he feels will be pleased that he has returned to Athas with the group that he believes the prophecy speaks of. They move through the city to Warrens, the sprawling slums of Tyr. They are quickly inundated with elven children, dark skinned from the sun, lean and long legged, surrounding them trying to get the group to buy their wares. The group can tell that the products offered are of poor quality and they ignore the pleas. Kirvin finds his destination after crossing an old bridge that in ages past crossed a large deep river. Entering the cool earthen building and escaping the heat, Kirvin talks to a human out of earshot while Ninaki tries to purchase mind altering drugs from a group of shady looking elves. They warn the mul that he should be careful of what he asks for. Ninaki assures them he can handle it and they for 20 gold bit hand over a small phial of 'DevilWeed Wine'.

Rule #49 Don't Buy From Elves In Athas

Ninaki smiles at his acquisition and the elves quickly and quietly leave. Both Sparrow and Fluffy, who have been watching, come over and ask to inspect the phial. From what they can gather, it simply smells like wine. Ninaki chooses to ignore them.

Kirvin returns to the group downhearted and tells them that apparently several years have passed since leaving Athas to find the group. His mentor, Arisphistaneles, has since returned to his city of Altaruk. They must leave at once to Altaruk. The group convinces him that traveling after a nights rest would be preferable, so Kirvin concedes. Finding lodgings the adventurers come across an inn, The Emerald Fang. This establishment is simply a weather worn tent with thread bare carpets on the floor and patrons lying in the dim light of oil lamps. There Ninaki is on the prowl for female companionship. He finds both a hookah filled with a small amount of Mordayn and a veiled female.

Sparrow feels he is able to procure females based on his charm and proceeds to find the most attractive woman there and begins to chat her up and offer her drinks. The evening ends with Sparrow and Fluffy spending a great deal on drinks with not a whole lot to show for it (well maybe a little).


MetaGame Spoiler Inside

(DM Note: I'm not sure if this is a common thing or a weird house rule we now have but I had to role a d4 to find out what base Sparrow succeeded in attaining.
He got to second.

"It's like Africa hot. Tarzan couldn't take this kind of hot." - Neil Simon

Traveling To Altaruk

Part of the group went back to keep an eye on their newly acquired sand skiff, as well as Ninaki procured tools to remove the old elven name of the skiff.

The next day the group, after a bit of searching, comes across a water well in a wealthier part of the city and ends up buying several pounds of water which they load up on their skiff. Zaya is able to put 80 pounds of water in her bag of holding. The well attendants have never seen such a horde of water purchased at one time and loaded up in small leather bag to boot.

With the basics taken care of and the sand skiff newly renamed to 'Oswald, the adventurers set off towards Altaruk. During the trip Sparrow is unable to take both the heat and movement of the skiff and he vomits. A reckless loss of water and he must dip into his water supplies.They cannot make it all the way there in one day so stop off at a well trafficked well, name Grak's Pool. There they meet Grak, a half-elf who welcomes them into his tent. He is friendly to Arcanists and Kirvin informs him of their mission, to obtain a seed from the Tree Of Life in order to save Athas.

Ninaki is again off in search of females. Instead he encounters an old dragonborn named Mafoun. Mafoun offers to tell Ninaki a prophecy in return for a drink. Ninaki offers him the 'DevilWeed Wine' that he purchased from the shady elves back in Tyr. The old dragonborn asks what Ninaki wishes to know. The mul asks 'How will I die?', to which Mafoun asnswers, "By the hand of someone you didn't think an enemy".  With that, Mafoun downs the 'powerful drug' and walks away. No ill effects could be seen in the old creature. Ninaki, Sparrow and Fluffy watch as the old creature walks away. Sparrow and Fluffy conclude that Ninaki was simply sold a very expensive phial of simple wine.

Ninaki decides to continue his quest for females and is doing a pretty good job of it until the father of the sisters, Ninaki has been eyeing interrupts and ushers his girls back into the tent. With that adventure cut short, the evening progresses and morning finds the group ready to move on, as well the group notices that the father with the 3 girls has during the night pulled stakes and moved on.

The group also finds that they have been in Athas and have been surrounded and infused by Athas' psionic energy long enough that they have acquired new psionic abilities. 'Boy' spends the morning moving his point of view, without moving, in all sorts of directions. Zaya on the other hand is a newborn pyromaniac as she attempts to light various things on fire.

This time on the trip it is Aelar that succumbs to the hear and motion and looses water. But he by now has a handle on how to manage the skiff and is getting proficient enough with its navigation. Not able to make it completely to Altaruk yet, Kirvin spots an outcropping of rock in the distance and calls for Aelar to make towards the shelter for the night.

The Eensy-Weensy Spider
1,025 XP

This one won;t be able to be squished under your boot.

Strategically preparing for the night Ninaki, Fluffy and Zaya disembark from the skiff to collect burnable materials to start a fire as a trap for any unwary slave traders but instead find a rock cactus field. While studying the strange cacti Fluffy notices the cacti splitting open and immediately gets attacked by poisonous tendrils that shoot out from within.

Before the group can come to terms with what is happening, 2 very large crystal spiders emerge from beneath the sand. They quickly attack the group with devastating poison. But Ninaki quickly, easily and effectively moves through them delivering tremendous damage with his axe. Before the group can relax too much two more spiders emerge from behind the group, These ones climb aboard the skiff and attack both Aelar and Sparrow. Fairly soon Aelar is lying on the skiff dying, poison coursing through his body.

The group quickly notices and while Ninaki, Sparrow, Fluffy and 'Boy' work together to fend off the spiders, Zaya rushes to Aelar's side. Kneeling by her fellow elf, Zaya uses all her healing knowledge to stop the spread of the poision and stop Aelar from dying, but her knowledge is poor and she fails. The group, realizes that Aelar is going to die and there is nothing they can do about it. But from below decks Kirvin, who has been seeking refuge inside the skiff, emerges knowing that he is defenseless against such great foes, rushes to Aelar's aid. He may not be a great mage but he knows a thing or two living in the desert his whole life. He quickly takes a knife and cuts at the spot where the spider's venom entered the elf's body and places his mouth on the spot and sucks out as much poison as he can. Aelar comes back to consciousness and is healed further by Fluffy.

MetaGame Spoiler Inside

(DM Note: I don't think it's a DM hack but I knew there was a good chance Zaya would not be able to revive Aelar and no one else could get to him in time before the poison outright killed him. I realized that there was still Kirvin hiding out below deck who would be able to reach him. So it worked out....just not so well for Kirvin. But we'll get to that in a second.

In the meantime, 'Boy' uses his new found psionic ability to pursue the crystal spider as it climbs atop a rocky cliff. The group attacks the spiders until only crystal shads remain.

With the enemies in pieces, the group decides perhaps it's better to push on.

No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

They soon arrive at Altaruk, a large village in the desert, surrounded by a large earthen wall. They pass through the gates, leaving their skiff outside to be protected by a well paid guard, as they each pay the entrance tax. Altaruk is much smaller than Tyr and they soon find the central large tent in which resides, Arisphistaneles the governer of Altaruk. He happens also to be a leader in the Veiled Alliance, a secret group of arcanists which continue to practice a safe form of the magic.

Kirvin presents the group as the one prophesied in the ancients texts, as the ones who will save Athas. It is quite clear that Arisphistanles does not share the same conviction. As Kirvin and Arisphistanles confer 'Boy' is presented a chance to study a magical tome which is laying open on a pedestal. He learns both a handy ritual and the fact that their most senior arcanist is not much more learned than he is.

Kirvin and Arisphastanles argue and the more senior member is clearly winning. They will not get help from the Veiled Alliance. Kirvin says that he will set off anyway and beckons the group. The group though inquires of Arisphistanles if he knows of a way back to Sigil or their own home world of the Nentir Vale. He doesn't but Zaya notices that Kirvin looks awkward at the mention. The group turns to Kirvin.

Aelar threatens Kirvin in order to learn what Kirvin knows. Aelar summons his ring which he believes to contain his rapier. Unfortunately, the ring has contained, since the battle in the Juren Forest with the Hangman Trees, a flying dagger. The dagger, released from it's prison in ring form flies out and hits the first thing it sees. It hits Kirvin.  In the head.  Kirvin is dead.

This is unfortunate.


MetaGame Spoiler Inside

(DM Note: Didn't see that coming. I even had a conversation with Aelar's player long ago. 'Don't forget that the flying dagger is in there'. 'No problem'
Yeah, well that happened. Now what?!?